Marcus Smart went to sleep on June 21 nonetheless a member of the Celtics and absolutely anticipated it to remain that method when he wakened.
But when he did get up, the longtime Celtic was blindsided by the information.
On Sunday, Smart spoke publicly for the primary time because the Celtics traded him to the Grizzlies, as he talked to reporters on the Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, the place he was given a Boston sendoff at his 14 League Pro-Am Tournament. The level guard mentioned he discovered concerning the commerce after his agent referred to as his fiancé, who woke him as much as inform him the beautiful information.
Smart didn’t anticipate it, principally as a result of he was simply informed it wouldn’t occur.
“It was definitely shocking to find out that way, especially because the week before I was already told that we were good and there was no trade talks of me and I was good, so we were expecting that,” Smart informed reporters. “But for me, I understand the business side of it. I’ve always been like that and anybody who knows me knows that I’m the first one to tell people you can’t put personal with business, it just doesn’t mix and if you do, you’re going to get yourself hurt. So, I understand that it’s a business.”
Still, Smart expressed disappointment that he discovered the best way he did.
“It was just the courtesy,” Smart informed reporters. “They probably already knew that they were thinking about trading, they had this trade in their back pocket just in case something else didn’t happen. And for me, it’s just a simple fact, ‘Hey, we’re thinking about trading you, most likely we’ll trade you, just letting you know.’ Thank you, I appreciate that, especially with everything they’re telling me the week before and then my house flooding and having to deal with that, so it was a lot all at once.”
It was additionally quite a bit for Celtics followers to course of.
Almost instantly after the commerce broke, social media was flooded with shock and disappointment from followers who adored Smart, who turned considered one of their very own over 9 seasons. He’s seen the messages, and he’s heard from loads of folks, too. Smart has stayed within the space – he continued his annual two-day basketball clinic in Westford final week – and has really felt the help.
“I grew up here,” Smart informed reporters. “Nine years right here within the metropolis, … I’ve constructed a particular bond with the followers and the folks of Boston. I don’t suppose there’s a spot in Boston that I can’t go the place I wouldn’t be welcomed. That speaks volumes. It’s positively robust. I’m listening to it on a regular basis from all people, the followers, each time I see them. They’re devastated. The metropolis is devastated. And I perceive why. We grew up collectively, so it’s positively robust, it’s positively laborious to say goodbye.
“I know talking to some of these fans, I definitely get emotional. They’re coming up to me and they’re bawling, so I definitely have heard everybody’s disappointed. But like I said, it’s a business first. Boston will always be in my heart. I love Boston. But they decided … they made a move they thought was best for the team, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Smart mentioned all of his Celtics teammates have reached out to him because the commerce, and he made some extent, unprompted, to close down rumors that he and Jaylen Brown have points with one another. Brown didn’t put up about Smart on social media like Jayson Tatum did, which sparked web hypothesis that Smart felt the necessity to tackle.
“I actually want to clear up something. I’ve seen online that was going around that because J.B. didn’t post something about me like J.T. did, that we had beef,” Smart informed reporters. “Jayson and Jaylen are my brothers for all times, and I don’t suppose what folks see isn’t sufficient of what and the way our relationship actually is. We’ve been by way of quite a bit collectively, we’ve been by way of the hearth. My mother handed away, JB was truly one of many folks on that airplane that got here to Dallas to the funeral. So I simply needed to close all rumors down now that me and J.B. had beef.
“I have no beef with anybody with the Celtics. None of my teammates. I love those guys, they love me. We’re brothers, and I know that if I’m ever in need or need or want anything, I can call those guys and vice versa. But me and J.B., we’re great. That’s my brother. He actually texted me and he was just as disappointed as I was, so we’re good. Just because J.B. or any of my teammates didn’t post anything doesn’t mean that we have beef or something’s going on.”
As laborious because it’s been for him to say goodbye, Smart is worked up for his subsequent chapter in Memphis, the place he famous that he’ll be the second-oldest participant on the Grizzlies behind Steven Adams. He’s excited to function a mentor for Ja Morant and a pacesetter on a younger, contending group. He’s transferring on whereas nonetheless processing feelings about what the final 9 years have meant to him.
“I’ve loved the journey that I’ve been a part of with this organization, with this team,” Smart informed reporters. “I couldn’t ask for extra. … I’ve loved my run. Very grateful to the group, to town, to my teammates for permitting me to be me, and actually taking me in, a Dallas child from the south facet, Lancaster, Texas, transferred to Flower Mound after which got here up right here to Oklahoma State after which got here to Boston, so to have the ability to take me with all the pieces I’ve, who I’m and simply permitting me to be me, I say thanks. …
“I love this team. I love this organization. I love the people, the fans, the support I have always gotten from my nine years. I’m definitely going to miss it, but I’m excited and energetic to start my new chapter in my life with the Grizzlies.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com