Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Smart Opens Up About Evolution of Relationship with Jaylen Brown
Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown spent seven years together, a rarity in today's NBA. They formed a backcourt combination that reached the Eastern Conference Finals five times, including in 2022, when they came within two wins of lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
But with the Celtics' fiery floor general not one to bite his tongue and the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft not one to back down, their relationship got off to a rocky start.
When the C's visited Memphis earlier this season, Brown shared he "couldn't stand" Smart initially.
But their relationship has blossomed. The All-NBA wing stated during their final campaign together, "I know if I called him, if I needed him, he'll be there."
In an exclusive interview, Smart told Inside The Celtics, "I love Jaylen like a brother. I really, truly do. Brothers fight, argue, and nag at each other, but we do it out of love, and we do it to make sure we push each other to be great. It's not just me and Jaylen that do that either; we all do that. We all push each other to be great; it's what makes our locker room so close and special."
On Sunday, Smart returned to TD Garden for the first time since the trade that split up him and former teammates who remain brothers, Brown included.
Before Celtics fans celebrated an individual who's carved out a place in their hearts and Boston cruised to a 131-91 victory vs. the injury-riddled Grizzlies, the Flower Mound, Texas native opened up about how the two's relationship evolved after the now three-time All-Star didn't gravitate towards the former Defensive Player of the Year upon arrival.
"It was mutual; definitely mutual," quipped Smart. "But no, we all know; we all have siblings, and those of us who don't understand from the ones who do that it's a constant battle. It's not every day that I like you, but I love you every day. And that's kind of how me and Jaylen's relationship and these other guys here has evolved.
"It might not have started off perfect, but we went through the storm together, and we were able to come out on the other end and see the rainbow on the other side, the pot of gold. So, like he said, at first, it wasn't all peaches, but we love each other to this day, and that's my brother for life."
Further Reading
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Jayson Tatum Shares What Went Through His Mind Seeing Celtics Fans Celebrate Marcus Smart
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'
Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'
Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
