I Will Always Love And Trust

Love and Trust.

That motto perfectly encapsulated Marcus Smart’s nine years with the Boston Celtics. Smart, the all-time leader in Tommy Points, grew into a beloved Celtic for his relentless energy and passion and was largely expected to be a Celtic for life. But basketball is a business, and expectations don’t always meet reality.

As a 23-year-old Celtics fan, Smart’s time in Boston really coincided with when I truly fell in love with the sport and the franchise. Sure, I had been aboard for the ride with KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, but I was young and hadn’t quite formed the appreciation that I have for the team I love so much yet.

After the Celtics had shipped off that Big Four core, there weren’t many guys in green to truly appreciate. I latched on to guys like Jeff Green, Avery Bradley, Brandon Bass and Jordan Crawford while the Celtics plummeted to the worst record they have ever had in my lifetime in 2013-14, and even after a dismal 25-57 season, the Celtics were stuck with just the No. 7 overall pick after some poor lottery luck.

But Danny Ainge struck gold when he selected Smart out of Oklahoma State with that pick, ultimately changing my Celtics fandom forever.

It’s hard to explain why Smart’s game resonated so much with me from the jump. During his first few seasons, Smart struggled to find his way as an offensive player, taking heaps of ill-advised shots and missing open ones on a regular basis. Although he was clearly limited offensively, he brought an unmatched passion and will that he carried to the court every night. Whether the Celtics were playing the Kings on a Tuesday night in December or the Lebron-led Cavaliers in May, you always knew Smart was going to go 110 percent.

It was clear that Smart would be a special Celtic as early as his first season. One moment that foreshadowed Smart’s impact on the organization came during his rookie campaign when the Celtics hosted the KG-led Brooklyn Nets — two years removed from the mega trade that would ultimately result in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum becoming Celtics — for a mid-December clash. In a play that we would see hundreds of times across the next nine years, Smart stripped Nets guard Jarrett Jack before diving on the floor and tossing an incredible over-the-head pass to Green for an easy breakaway slam.

After that play, KG made it a point to walk over to Smart and pat him on the chest. It was a passing of the torch, with one former Celtics spiritual leader handing off the responsibility to the next heart and soul of the franchise.

Smart wore that responsibility like a badge of honor and immersed himself in the idea of Celtic Pride. He embraced the challenge of playing for such a demanding franchise and fanbase and thrived in it, growing into one of the most beloved Celtics over the next nine seasons.

Sure, he was polarizing. He took some awful shots, was hot-headed at times and would make some plays that leave you scratching your head, but it was all worth it for the hustle and grit he played with down the stretch, creating some truly breathtaking sequences that would turn the outcome of a game in the Celtics’ favor.

During Smart’s time in Boston, the Celtics endured a revolving door at point guard. First, it was Rajon Rondo, but he only shared the court with Smart for 22 games before being traded to Dallas. Then it was Isaiah Thomas — another guy I credit for evolving my Celtics fandom — for a pair of seasons, with Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker following for brief stints. But, Smart always remained a constant presence on the roster and was always felt throughout the organization and fanbase. 

And Smart produced some truly unforgettable moments with the Celtics. His seven threes en route to 27 points in an upset win over the Cavaliers in Game 3 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals was one of the greatest playoff performances of his career. But, my all-time favorite moment from Smart was when he drew a pair of offensive fouls off of James Harden in the closing seconds of a massive come-from-behind win over the Rockets during the 2017-18 season, a sequence that I will truly never forget. 

Not only was Smart electric on the court, but he was also an incredible member of his community. He was a fixture at Boston children’s hospitals, and did a lot of charitable work outside of the public eye, with many stories coming out from regular folks that Smart had left his imprint on. He endured family tragedy with the passing of his mother due to cancer while with the Celtics, and turned that pain into an outlet to help others struggling from cancer as well. Smart’s off-the-court persona was just another factor that made him so easy to cheer for.

While I’m extremely sad to see Smart go, I’m happy that he landed in a place where he can truly thrive in Memphis. Just like he was a perfect fit in the Celtics’ culture, Smart also encapsulates the Grit N’ Grind mindset of the Grizzlies, and I fully expect him to become a fan favorite in Memphis just like he was in Boston. 

Although Smart will not be donning the Kelly Green and White next season, I will still cheer for him with the same intensity and pride that I have the last nine years.

And yes, I will always Love and Trust.