Marcus Smart issues honest take on Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant
By Mark Nilon
Since the blockbuster transaction that sent Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics to the Memphis Grizzlies, the veteran guard has remained rather quiet. Aside from a sentimental and energetic social media post a few days after the deal, the veteran has been quite dormant.
However, on July 3, Smart broke his silence via a Q&A with CLNS Media Boston Sports Network, discussing his feelings regarding his shocking departure from Boston and his excitement to “start my new chapter in my life” in Memphis.
Of course, perhaps the biggest talking point when it comes to the 29-year-old’s acquisition is what kind of impact he can have, not just on the team, but on Grizzlies superstar, Ja Morant.
Over the last four months alone, the franchise centerpiece has racked up a whopping 33 days of suspension due to off-court issues, 25 of which will be served at the start of the 2023-24 season.
Marcus Smart’s addition is not only viewed as a great way to fill the gap at the one during Morant’s unpaid absence to start the upcoming season but also as a means to provide him with proper mentorship.
When discussing this latter expectation with CLNS, the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year provided an honest and inspiring take on the situation at hand.
“It will be a perfect fit for me with my veteran skills that I have, my mentality, my attitude, and just seeing the game differently. For me, I’m excited to go play with a player like Ja who is still evolving and still has a lot to go. I’m glad to be part of his progression as well, so I’m gonna do everything in my ability to help this team in Memphis and help Ja,” Marcus Smart said.
Often referred to as the “heart and soul” of the Celtics throughout his nine-year stint, following his departure Boston’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens praised the point guard for his impact on the franchise, noting during a June 23 press conference: “The greatest legacy that you can leave is to leave someplace and it’s better off because you were there. And I think that everybody here feels that way [about Marcus Smart].”
Since being sent to the Grizzlies, several other members of the Celtics have come out to publicly express their sadness to have lost Smart, with forward Grant Williams telling NBC Sports Boston “he’s a phenomenal person, a phenomenal teammate” and that the C’s are “going to have to step up in that absence because he was a huge part of the organization, this franchise, this tenure in Celtics history.”
The hope now is that this love and admiration for Marcus Smart will now be felt by both fans and actual personnel of the Grizzlies organization. Based on his own words, it seems as though the veteran is looking forward to leaving his mark in Memphis and, specifically, on Ja Morant.
