The Celtics Are Better Without Marcus Smart

By: Steve Atkinson

The  Boston Celtics traded Marcus Smart something that’s been rumored for years. Last night when the Clippers wouldn’t sign Malcolm Brogdon because of a medical issue is really something I can’t believe. The Clippers still could’ve signed Brogdon but I think either Tatum or Brown got to Steven’s and said find a team that would take Marcus Smart instead. But the media can’t be that honest so they have to say that the Clippers backed out because of Brogdon’s medical issue.

Do people not remember the times Smart would talk to the media and think he was bigger than Tatum and Brown? In November of 2021, Smart said this about Tatum and Brown after a loss to the Bulls.

“I think everybody’s scouting report is to make those guys try to pass the ball,” Smart said postgame. “They don’t want to pass the ball, and that’s something they’re gonna learn.”

A first-team NBA and a second-team NBA player has to learn to pass the ball according to Smart. Smart was the longest-tenured player on the team at the time so he thought he could say whatever he wanted. But we all know he isn’t the number one or even number two best player on the team. Instead of Smart sticking to his role he spoke out instead of just sticking in his lane.

I’m sure that pissed Tatum and Brown off.  They probably thought who does this guy think he is just because he’s been here the longest? What has he won?

The same can be said for Tatum and Brown but I think Smart was getting in the way. He always wanted the ball at the end of games and threw up suspect threes. Here is another quote from Smart after game four of the NBA Finals last year about Jayson Tatum.

This isn’t your first time being in a slump, it won’t be the last time” Smart said. “You gotta figure it out, we trust you, we believe in you and this is whatchu made for. Jayson has to figure it out, we have to do a good job of helping him, but him being the player he is, these are the moments where he has to come alive and he has to figure it out and he will.”

You also can’t forget when Smart made comments on Joe Mazzulla.

Joe’s learning,” Smart told reporters after the game. “Just like all of us. I know he’s been killed a lot — rightfully so. He needs to make some adjustments, and he did that

At the end of the day, Smart was getting in the way. Telling the star player on the team he has to figure it out. Who does Marcus think he is the coach? Even this year during the Eastern Conference Finals he’s holding a clipboard during shoot around going over plays. He thinks he’s a player/coach.

Malcolm Brogdon spoke the truth about the Celtics after the Heat series which might have turned some heads. Maybe that is why the Celtics were trying to trade him. But he’s friends with Brown and if you want to keep Brown and Tatum happy you keep the players they get along with more. This is what Brogdon said after the Heat series.

“I think this was a team in the last year that prided themselves on defense. I think defense was our calling card. This year, offense was our calling card. I don’t think you can win championships with a high — with a better offense than you have defense”

With Smart gone, there’s no more flopping, loud outbursts, or yelling at the ref. I know he’s not the only player to do that he did those things on a nightly basis. To the point where it really became unwatchable because he was such a ball hog. The Celtics are a better team without Marcus Smart sorry Green Teamers.