Marcus Smart on title aspirations, brotherhood with Celtics teammates, being called ‘Unc’ in DC — and more

BOSTON — When Marcus Good involves Boston, he doesn’t schedule a bunch of reunions or attempt to cram in visits to all of his favourite spots from his 9 years in Boston.

“I type of simply attempt to cover,” he mentioned, surrounded by greater than a dozen Boston reporters in entrance of his TD Backyard locker room. “As a result of it’s an excessive amount of. It’s overwhelming. I don’t wish to disappoint anybody.”

Hours earlier than Sunday’s Celtics recreation in opposition to the Wizards, a whole lot of Celtics followers surrounded the gamers’ tunnel in hopes of getting an opportunity to say hey to Good, who has been again at TD Backyard twice because the commerce that introduced Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics in the summertime of 2023.

“He’s the GOAT!” bellowed one child.

“I want they gave him a hoop,” mentioned one other. “He deserved it.”

And of the commerce itself?

“It broke my coronary heart,” resoundingly said a 3rd — clarifying the 2024 championship meant every part, however noting that Good not being part of it was nonetheless painful.

Marcus Good didn’t come out for warm-ups at TD Backyard on Sunday.

And, he by no means checked into the sport, with Wizards coach Brian Keefe later explaining that was merely a results of the group making an attempt out totally different combos within the residence stretch of the season to determine who may play nicely with who.

Nonetheless, his sheer presence on the sidelines made Sunday evening’s in any other case uneventful Celtics-Wizards recreation really feel just a bit bit extra significant.

Within the waning moments, “We Need Marcus” chants inundated TD Backyard. And, after the ultimate buzzer sounded, Good embraced a number of of his former teammates at centercourt, like Al Horford, Sam Hauser, and Derrick White, earlier than chatting particularly lengthy with good good friend Jaylen Brown. He dapped up the Celtics’ ball boys and longtime public relations employees, caught up with enviornment ushers he’s lengthy identified, even embraced Fortunate the Leprechaun and Celtics proprietor Wyc Grousbeck.

“It undoubtedly brings again reminiscences,” Good mentioned of the chants. “I do know my spouse was over there making an attempt to not cry.”

Good has solely suited up as soon as at TD Backyard since being traded from the Celtics, and he struggled mightily in that December Grizzlies-Celtics matchup, scoring simply 3 factors on 1 of 11 taking pictures.

This time, he simply soaked all of it in from the bench.

“You at all times wish to play,” he mentioned. “However on the similar time, it’s good to simply take all of the love in and never should be on the market to give attention to the sport.”

After the sport, Good frolicked within the Celtics locker room for about 20 minutes, catching up along with his previous mates. Six of the present Celtics have been on the 2022-23 group he was final part of — and Good mentioned he’s saved in a lot better contact along with his longtime mates than individuals would count on.

“I grew up with these guys,” Good mentioned. “I went by means of a whole lot of battles — blood, sweat, and tears. All people is aware of, a couple of of these guys got here to my mother’s funeral. It’s a deeper bond than simply basketball.”

Marcus Good’s tenure in Memphis by no means panned out because the Grizzlies hoped. He handled a myriad of accidents, suiting up for simply 39 video games in the course of the season and a half he spent in Tennessee. And he struggled on the ground; earlier than his commerce, the 31-year-old averaged 8.7 factors per recreation on 35.8% taking pictures this season.

The commerce deadline day transfer to a rebuilding Wizards group caught him off guard, Good mentioned, however he’s maintained a stage of perspective and gratitude by means of all of it.

“God — he doesn’t make any errors,” Good mentioned. “So to begin with, I thank Him each day. I’m in a position to come out right here and play the sport I really like, and likewise care for my household whereas doing it, so to be on that courtroom, I believe I’m proper the place I’m alleged to be.”

Good and his spouse had a child boy, Zayn, only a few months after he was traded to Memphis. The expertise of changing into a father has allowed him to remain calm by means of the adversity, whether or not that’s the myriad of accidents he’s needed to handle, or anything.

“Having a child has additionally introduced mild to my eyes,” he mentioned. “I’m not freaking out as a lot, I’m not exerting as a lot vitality into these issues. I’m simply type of letting every part occur the best way it’s alleged to.”

Marcus Good finds himself in a mentorship function in Washington — however nonetheless needs to in the end compete for a championship

For the primary time in a very long time, Good is a part of a group that isn’t competing for playoff positioning or an opportunity at a title.

The Wizards are headlined by younger expertise like Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George — and are presently headed towards the Draft Lottery as soon as once more.

Good has embraced that mentorship function.

“He’s been terrific,” Keefe mentioned. “Clearly, thrilled to have him on our group, as you guys know on this city what he meant to town of Boston. However an incredible chief, large participant — simply the data he has of the sport and the expertise he’s constructed to cross onto our guys, he’s been terrific.”

Marcus Good is just 31 years previous, however on a roster that features 10 gamers who’re 23 or youthful, that’s previous.

“They name me Unc, and issues like that,” Good mentioned, laughing. “I ain’t prepared for that.”

However, apart from the jokes, his presence has benefitted the Wizards’ children.

“They’ve gravitated towards him, and he’s gravitated towards them,” Keefe mentioned. “He got here to play, and he’s proven what he’s able to. The experiences he’s had and the conditions he’s been in, to share that data, I might say all of our guys have benefited from that.”

The sudden season of mentorship has validated Good’s physique of labor within the NBA.

“It’s an awesome match group of younger guys right here,” Good mentioned. “The factor I really like about them is that they’re able to be taught, they usually’re keen to be taught. They’re continually asking questions, they’re continually asking me to show issues or tips on how to do issues. That’s what you ask for — as a competitor, as a participant your self, when guys come as much as you, then that’s an awesome feeling. It permits you to see that what you’re doing and the influence that you’ve got made hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Good nonetheless needs that elusive NBA title, the identical one his previous mates delivered to Boston final June. And, he’s not near being able to fade into the abyss and trip out the remainder of his profession as a mentor on the sidelines.

However he’s going to let every part come to him, somewhat than fear about what his subsequent vacation spot and function shall be.

“I’m one of many most likely greatest opponents on this league,” Good mentioned. “So long as I’m in a position to be on the market, I wish to be on the market, and I’m going to be on the market. The place, when, how — that’s not in my management. All I can do is management is my preparation, to be ready for no matter is thrown at me.”