While Marcus Smart didn't suit up in the purple and gold Friday night at TD Garden, the former Celtic did reflect on his time in Boston and what it's like to play for the rival Lakers.
The 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year was drafted and spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Celtics. But Smart's path to the Los Angeles began in the summer of 2023 when he was sent to the Grizzlies as part of the three-team trade that landed Kristaps Porzingis in Boson. After being in Memphis for a season and a half, he spent a brief injury-filled stint with the Washington Wizards before being bought out this past off-season and signed by the Lakers.
At 31, Smart is enjoying a fresh new start in L.A. with averages of 9.3 points and 1.8 steals per contest in 14 games played (including nine starts), despite missing the last five with a lower back injury.
"It was weird at first," Smart said in his postgame interview of switching sides of the rivalry. "Being here nine years, I definitely didn't think that would be a possibility but I'm enjoying it, I'm enjoying every last bit of it."
"We've got a great team in L.A. We've got some talented players and a great opportunity playing with Luka [Dončić] and LeBron [James], two of the best to ever do it in this game. Just try to take and learn from them and help however I can. I'm excited about it and proud to be here."
The Celtics took care of the Lakers in a wire-to-wire 126-105 beatdown without LeBron James (foot), Luka Dončić (personal) or Smart in the lineup.
Still, Smart is not all surprised about how well Boston has been playing, especially as of late, as they're 9-2 in their last 11 games and are now fourth in the East overall.
"It's exactly what I assumed," Smart said. "When you have a foundation like the Celtics do, it's easy to buy in. They're doing their thing … when you've got that pedigree you're not surprised when guys go down and the opportunities for other guys come up and They're taking advantage of it."
Even with the Celtics recent success, the team still misses their star Jayson Tatum and there is still no timetable on his return. Though Smart says he keeps in touch with his former teammate, it's not as much as he would like as Tatum continues to rehab from a torn Achilles.
"Things happen but I have been in contact with him here and there. He's in good spirits. He's good. And it's all love," Smart said. "I wish him a speedy recovery. We hate to see that in any sport to any player, but to a guy of JT's pedigree, his talent, that's tough. It hurts for the league and obviously for Boston."
"That's all love and I just hope for a speedy recovery and he comes back better."
While Smart seems to maintain a positive mindset now as a Laker, his feelings towards being in Boston for nearly a decade after being drafted by the Celtics as a 19-year-old has never wavered in the two and half years since being traded.
"This is where I grew up at. It's always going to hold a special place for me no matter where I'm at," Smart said. "I'm blessed. It allowed me to be the person I am today and the things, the wisdom I learned from it, I'll always take to the heart."
Still a fan favorite here in Boston, Smart could be seen signing autographs and taking selfies with both Celtics and Lakers supporters hours before tip-off.
Joel Pavón
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