Longtime Boston Celtics captain Marcus Smart will not be able to play against his former team on Sunday with a sprained ankle. The Grizzlies will face an Eastern Conference team that is seriously short of lineup. For Smart, it’s a game he’s surrounded by. After he was sent to Memphis in a three-team trade from the Celtics, he’ll have to wait for another opportunity against his closest friend.
The former Defensive Player of the Year spoke with NBC Sports’ Abby Chin before the game about his injury. He talked about what this means to him, especially given the context behind tonight’s Celtics-Grizzlies game:
“We’ve been struggling. We had a great win last night. It’s absolutely devastating to come back and play a team like Boston and not be a part of it.”
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It will be strange for CS fans to hear these comments from Smart. He was drafted by Boston in 2014 and slowly but steadily made an impact on the team. After Kyrie Irving left the team in the summer of 2019, he became Boston’s leader and captain.
Marcus Smart has spent his time with the Celtics struggling after their glory days with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Rajon Long was still a rookie when he took over as the team’s undisputed leader. When the team heads into the playoffs, the “Wolverines” are still in the lineup. Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum era.
Wisdom lasts forever Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker. Eventually, after Walker was traded to the Celtics, he became the Celtics’ point guard. thunder team Get Al Horford back in 2021. Most fans thought he would remain in this role for many years.
Marcus Smart’s longevity in Boston and his role on the team ultimately don’t matter.Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens thinks team will get better Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup. The “Wolverine” must become the pawn that Boston must sign the Serbian.
Marcus Smart found out he was traded via Twitter
Marcus Smart reportedly broke down in tears when he learned the news. boston celtics To make matters worse, he learned about it not from team management but from Twitter.
The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year spoke to The Athletic just weeks after being traded to Memphis. Smart said of the deal:
“Honestly, I knew I was going to be traded eventually,” Smart said. “Just based on my contract and the new CBA contract, I thought it would be next season. We already knew that. But that’s what it is.” That’s how it happened.
“After asking multiple times, I was told everything was fine. It was like, ‘I heard [rumors],What happened? ’ They said, ‘No, you’re fine, you’re fine, you’re fine.’ And then when I heard the news about the deal, it was from Shams [Charania] Posted on Twitter before I heard from the team. “
On Sunday night, Marcus Smart will meet with some of his closest friends who also attended his wedding during the offseason. He can only cheer for the Grizzlies when they host the Celtics. His next chance against his old club will be in mid-February. 5. TD Garden.