Getty
Marcus Smart heads to TD Garden on Sunday for the first time as an opponent.
The Boston Celtics need to focus on getting back to their winning ways at home. After beginning the season with a record-setting 20 straight wins at TD Garden, the Celtics have dropped three of their last five games in Boston. Their last home loss was a debacle as the Celtics fell to the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers in embarrassing fashion, losing 114-105 on Thursday, February 1.
Boston gets back into action on Sunday when it hosts the Memphis Grizzlies. Much of the focus, however, will be on the return of Marcus Smart, the veteran point guard who spent the first nine years of his NBA career as a fan favorite with the Celtics. Although Smart won’t be in action (injured finger), he’ll draw plenty of attention from both the players and the fans.
The Celtics selected Smart in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft. He played nine seasons in Boston and was the heart and soul of the team with his defense-first mindset and his all-out effort on the court.
Smart returns to TD Garden for the first time as an opponent on Sunday, February 4, but he won’t be in action after injuring his right ring finger in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, January 9.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Smart is the one who set Boston’s foundation for defense during his time here. Smart was Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, a rare feat for a guard. His defensive mindset has remained with the Celtics.
“I think he’s one of the guys that started our defensive foundation before I got here because of his ability to compete at a high level, to defend at a high level and execute different coverages,” Mazzulla told reporters after Saturday’s practice.
“For him to win Defensive Player of the Year, he was the first guard since Gary Payton, it’s always been a big to do it. So, when you see a guard have an impact on the game at so many levels the way he did, I think that’s kind of what started it.”
The Celtics moved Smart in a deal that brought back center Kristaps Porzingis. The deal has worked out well for Boston, which owns the best record in the NBA at 37-12. Mazzulla said you can’t replace a guy like Smart, but you can learn from him.
Mazzulla said he has other players in the lineup, including Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, who have been known to make Smart-like plays.
“You don’t replace him. It just looks different,” Mazzulla said. “(Jayson) Tatum dove on the floor for a loose ball. Derrick’s making winning plays and the back tips in transition. Jrue’s constant intensity and focusing on everyone’s strengths and what they’re able to do. Jaylen (Brown)’s individual defense, that’s just as tough as what another player does. It just looks different.”
Expect the warmest of welcomes for Smart on Sunday. Celtics fans never forget those who went all-out in Boston.
a major tabloid newspaper. With years of experience under his belt, Mike is known for his in-depth analysis and insider knowledge of the basketball world. In his latest article, Mike delves into the intense rivalry between two NBA superstars, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant have been dominating the NBA headlines recently, and their on-court battles have captivated fans around the world. Mike Thomas breaks down the heated competition between these two basketball giants, revealing the personal animosity that fuels their performances.
According to Mike, the rivalry between LeBron and Durant goes beyond the basketball court. These two players have been trading verbal jabs and taking shots at each other through social media. Mike uncovers the hidden tensions and digs deep into the psychological warfare that occurs between these two superstars.
In his article, Mike also examines the impact of this rivalry on their respective teams. LeBron James, the face of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Kevin Durant, the leader of the Brooklyn Nets, have been rallying their teammates and pushing them to perform at their best. Mike provides insights into the locker room dynamics and how this rivalry motivates the players to elevate their game.
As the NBA playoffs approach, the intensity of the LeBron James-Kevin Durant rivalry only continues to grow. Mike Thomas predicts that their upcoming matchups will be must-watch events, with both players determined to outshine each other on the biggest stage. Fans can expect fireworks and jaw-dropping performances as these two basketball icons leave it all on the court.
In conclusion, Mike Thomas sheds light on the fierce rivalry between LeBron James and Kevin Durant. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Mike provides readers with a captivating analysis of the personal animosity and intense competition that fuels this NBA matchup. Stay tuned as these two superstars battle it out for basketball supremacy.
