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[Saba Sports News] On the ‘Run Your Race’ podcast, former Celtics guard Marcus Smart discussed his feelings about Boston’s NBA championship victory.
Contrary to expectations, Smart expressed no bitterness, congratulating teammates Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and the Celtics. He reminisced about his nine years with the team, acknowledging their hard-earned success. “They went through the mud,” Smart said, “I’m proud of them.”
Smart, who joined the Celtics in 2016 as a sixth overall pick from Oklahoma State, became a defensive standout and even clinched Defensive Player of the Year three years ago. He played pivotal roles alongside Tatum and Brown, reaching the Finals in 2022.
However, after a series loss and another near miss, Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Kristaps Porzingis in a move that initially left him heartbroken, a fact he learned from posts on X (formerly Twitter).
In their first season post-trade, the Celtics clinched the championship with a stellar 64-18 record, while Smart, averaging over 30 minutes a game, endured a tougher season with the Grizzlies, who finished 13th in the West. Despite the drastic change in team fortunes, Smart remains optimistic about his future with the Grizzlies and committed to achieving his own championship dreams.