Ex-Celtics guard Marcus Smart admits return to Boston was ‘bittersweet’ for this reason
"It’s cool to say you built the foundation. But at the end of the day, they’re only going to remember who was raising that trophy.”
There were few surprises in store for Marcus Smart’s return to the parquet floor earlier this month.
Even though the veteran guard no longer wears a Celtics jersey, he received several cheers from the TD Garden crowd in his first career game against Boston on Dec. 7.
Smart became a cherished figure over his nine seasons with the Celtics due to his relentless effort and tenacity on the court. Despite his extended tenure with Boston, Smart was not part of the Celtics’ sought-after 18th championship in June, with the team trading him the previous offseason as part of a blockbuster deal involving Kristaps Porzingis.
Even though Smart has regularly lauded the Celtics and their fan base, he did admit that his return to Boston and the sight of the team’s new banner hoisted above the TD Garden floor did lead to mixed feelings.
“It was all love,” Smart said in an interview with Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina. “The love and respect that is shown and given from both sides with myself, the fans and the city is always there. I was a 19-year-old kid when I went to Boston and left as a 28-year-old man.
“So I definitely have a place in my heart for them as that young kid and them watching me grow and things like that. It was definitely a bittersweet feeling.”
Even though Smart was not part of the Celtics’ team that finally won it all in June, several of his former coaches and teammates credited him for setting the tone and culture that eventually vaulted this roster toward a title run.
But even if Smart left his fingerprints all over Boston’s latest title, he was candid about the fact that those contributions will not be remembered as fondly as the actual triumphs that the 2023-24 Celtics achieved over the previous postseason.
“It feels good,” Smart said. “But at the end of the day, when I’m all done playing, that recognition isn’t going to mean (expletive). Unfortunately, that’s another bittersweet thing. It’s cool to say you built the foundation. But at the end of the day, they’re only going to remember who was raising that trophy.”
Smart and the Grizzlies handed Boston a 127-121 loss during that matchup at TD Garden earlier this month, with Memphis and Boston set to meet again on March 31.
Even though Smart was not part of Boston’s championship squad in 2024, the 30-year-old guard will try to help Memphis orchestrate its own title push in 2025. After dealing with several injuries last season, Smart and the Grizzles are second in the Western Conference with an 18-9 record.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com