Joe Mazzulla discussed the Boston Celtics’ departure of their longest-tenured player, Marcus Smart, this offseason prior of the team’s February 4 game against the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden.
“I always said you don’t replace a guy like him, you just find different ways to be able to do it,” Mazzulla said. “Who he is will always be engraved into the City of Boston because of his community involvement and his contributions here, which include helping to represent and offer. I believe he was one of the people that established our defensive foundation before I arrived because of his ability to compete at a high level, defend at a high level, and execute various coverages.
“Who he is off the court, and what he provides in terms of mindset and defensive tenacity. It’ll be nice to meet him tomorrow.”
Jayson Tatum is sad over Marcus Smart’s Boston Celtics leaving.
When I chatted with Jayson Tatum on January 22, the All-NBA forward delivered the most detailed response to any of my queries regarding life without Smart on the Celtics since the June 2023 trade.
“Man, you never can replace somebody like Smart,” Tatum went on to say. “He spent around nine or ten years in Boston, you know? He was my teammate for the first six. Without a question, he was the most popular Celtic on the team, correct? His passion, toughness, and dedication to the game night after night. He literally offered all he had. And it’s just his personality, man. I absolutely adore Smart.
“A great friend of mine attended his wedding this summer. So, on that level, we’ve been through so much together as friends and teammates that, on a personal level, we definitely miss him, right? It’s always difficult when you spend so much time with someone and they’re traded and go on. “That is never easy.”
The loss was plainly felt by the entire team, and supporters found it difficult to ignore. It will take years, probably until the end of Smart’s career, and possibly longer, for anyone to feel at ease about the situation.
Unless he returns. Which should undoubtedly be regarded as on the table.
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