Marcus Smart honored by Celtics during his emotional return to Boston

BOSTON — For nine years, Marcus Smart embodied everything it meant to be a member of the Boston Celtics. He played with a fire and passion that would have made Red Auerbach proud, and Celtics fans loved him for it.

Smart was a unique player, who always wore his emotions and enthusiasm on display. He embraced everything it meant to be a Celtic, and the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals five times during his tenure in Boston, including a trip to the NBA Finals. Although the team never won a title under Green’s feisty guard, he will always remain a favorite among those who love the team and those with whom he shared the court in Boston.

After a surprising offseason trade that sent him to Memphis (and brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston), Smart made his emotional return to Boston on Sunday night. He failed to hit the ground diving for a loose ball at TD Garden, as he is currently sidelined with a right finger injury. But his presence was felt throughout the night and fans made sure to send him plenty of love.

The Celtics honored the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year at the first opportunity they had, playing a tribute video that included some of Smart’s biggest hits in Boston.

Fans went wild as they relived steals, blocks and charges from Smart’s Celtics career. They only got louder as the video progressed, but they weren’t loud enough for Jayson Tatum, who urged fans to take his love for his former teammate to a new decibel level.

“Marcus Smart was the fan favorite,” Tatum said after leading the Celtics to a 131-91 victory over the short-handed Grizzlies.

“We love Marco!” Chants erupted from the crowd as Smart pounded his chest and thanked Boston fans after that touching tribute video. Before the game, Smart made it clear that the Celtics organization and the city of Boston will always have a special place in his heart.

“Boston is definitely a second home to me,” Smart told reporters in the press room inside TD Garden. “I spent a little more than half my life here, almost. I came here when I was 20. Now, I’m about to turn 30 in March. So, ugh, I can talk all day about everything that happens to me.” . I have experienced here, just as Boston welcomed me.

“We all know that playing in this city is not the easiest, and there are many times when they let us know that, especially me. But everything is always great here, and I speak for everyone, the opposing teams and the guys who have “I played here, which is nothing like playing in this place and playing in this city and with these fans,” he said.

“Thank you guys. I’ll love you forever,” Smart said of the fans. “You guys will always be in my heart. Boston will always be here. So I’ll never forget it. And thank you.”

Tatum wasn’t surprised by the adulation the crowd showered on Smart. But he surprised her with something clever. No do during the special moment.

“The way he played, he wore his heart on his sleeve and every night he gave it his all. We have some really smart fans and they saw it. They appreciated it. So it was really cool to see,” Tatum said. . “Happy for him. I’m surprised he didn’t cry because that was special.”

While Smart is now making his mark on the Grizzlies, his impact on the Celtics lives on. Al Horford said he originally came to Boston in 2016 to team up with players like Smart and Isaiah Thomas. In Smart, Horford saw a player who wasn’t afraid to say what needed to be said and hold people accountable. That helped Tatum and Jaylen Brown become the leaders they are today.

And Smart’s impact in Boston goes far beyond the court. Throughout his time here, Smart spent countless days at Boston Children’s Hospital with pediatric cancer patients, and his YounGameChanger Foundation not only provided those patients with inspiration and life-changing experiences, but also served as a source of ” guidance, motivation, encouragement and empowerment.” for inner-city student-athletes.”

For all his work in the community, Smart was recognized as Sunday Night’s “Hero Among Us” by the Celtics.

“I pride myself on being more than just a basketball player,” Smart said. “And I think being here in the city of Boston has really opened up that field for me to show who I am as a person.”

Since Smart was traded during the offseason, Sunday night was the first opportunity for Celtics fans to honor the guard for all his work both on and off the court. They did not disappoint and Smart will be forever grateful for the continued support he receives from Celtics fans and his former organization.