Before the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Boston Celtics in their iconic rivalry, Marcus Smart found himself in an unusual position-on the opposite side of the court. Smart, now wearing Lakers colors, reflected on the strangeness of playing against his former team.
"It's definitely weird," Smart admitted with a grin, speaking to reporters in the Lakers' locker room before the Celtics' commanding 111-89 victory. "This is really my first real time playing against these guys.
I was hurt every time we played when I was with Memphis and DC. And I missed the first game in Boston here, too.
So yeah, it feels strange after being part of that team for so long."
Smart spent nine years with the Celtics, growing from a promising draft pick into a cornerstone of the team. His time in Boston was marked by deep connections with the city and his teammates, bonds that transcend the game itself.
Those ties give Smart a unique perspective on the Celtics' current season, defying expectations despite missing key players. Watching from afar, he’s not surprised by their success.
"For me, it's not surprising," Smart shared. "They have a lot of great players, and they've been playing together for a while.
People might be surprised because they're missing a key guy, but they still have other important players. They're doing what I expected, and it's fun to watch."
Lakers head coach JJ Redick echoed Smart's sentiments, expressing admiration for the Celtics' performance and their coach, Joe Mazzulla.
"I'm not surprised," Redick said about Boston's standing in the East. He praised Jaylen Brown's all-around game and highlighted Mazzulla as one of the top coaches this season, noting his exceptional leadership.
Meanwhile, Celtics star Jayson Tatum is on the mend, working his way back from injury. He recently participated in practice sessions and five-on-five drills, though no return date has been set. Tatum is proud of his progress and the possibility of rejoining his team for a championship push.
"I've worked hard to be in this position where it's even a conversation," Tatum said.
Smart, reflecting on Tatum's journey, hopes his former teammate takes the necessary time to heal fully.
"It's amazing how much sports medicine has evolved," Smart remarked. "A guy with a torn Achilles talking about coming back in less than a year is incredible.
But I hope he listens to his body. If he's ready and his body says go, then great.
But if not, he's young and has time. Let that body heal."