The Marcus Smart signing has definitely added some fuel to the Lakers’ historic rivalry against the Celtics, which goes back in time to even beyond the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era. The two teams have been rivals ever since they faced off in the 1959 NBA Finals, when the Lakers were in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and not Los Angeles, California.
Hence, one can imagine that if their rivalry goes back over six decades, the fans are a bit sentimental about the cultural significance of this rivalry. Therefore, Marcus Smart, the former Celtics player who recently joined the Lakers, does not expect that he will receive a warm welcome back in their matchups in Boston this season.
During his first press conference as a Lakers player, Smart directly addressed the rivalry and what he expects going into the new season.
“I can try to anticipate it. I have no idea, but I could definitely tell and say that I’m expecting a lot of boos. I’m expecting a lot of hate, and it’s okay. I understand it.”
He also spoke about the moment he felt like a dream come true for himself, that he got to play in the purple and gold, as well as the Irish green.
“It’s an honor, you know. I was telling my wife, to be able to play for one of the most historical franchises, let alone to play for two, and to be here in purple and gold is a dream. I wish my mom were there to be able to see this, but it’s exciting. It’s definitely something that, being in the East with Boston, I probably never would have thought of. But once I left, it became a possibility, and I wanted to make sure it happened.”
Marcus Smart is now among a list of 42 players who have donned both the Lakers and the Celtics jerseys. Some other icons who have worn both jerseys, i.e, played for both teams in the past, include Shaquille O’Neal, Rajon Rondo, and Gary Payton.
Smart left the Celtics just one season before they won their championship in 2024. He played for them for nine seasons before he was traded to the Grizzlies in a three-team trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics. He was then traded to the Wizards on the February trade deadline day in a trade that sent Jake LaRavia, his new Lakers teammate, to the Kings at the time.
In his 11 seasons in the NBA, Smart has averaged 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 3.4 rebounds per game. But Smart’s main strength is not stuffing the stat sheet, and rather playing perimeter defense on usually the best player on his opponent’s team. His career defensive rating is 107.9, which makes him among the top defenders in the NBA at the moment.
Rumors have suggested that the Lakers may be looking at Jrue Holiday to join forces with Smart to bolster their defensive holes that got exposed in the Playoffs last season. Do you think Smart is sufficient to bolster the Lakers’ defense to a championship-contending level? Or is a signing like Jrue Holiday also necessary? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
