Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Smart Discusses Celtics' Identity, Relationship with Jaylen Brown, Boston's Coaching Hires, and Pursuit of Banner 18
The Boston Celtics have reached a fork in the road. What direction they go will have significant implications on their championship pursuits.
They could extend Jaylen Brown, who, as a vice president of the National Basketball Players Association and didn't sign for as much as he could've on his last contract, likely requires the entirety of the five-year, $295 million veteran supermax deal he's eligible for this summer.
From this vantage point, that's the organization's best path forward. Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, came across as sincere at his end-of-season press conference in voicing that sentiment.
"I've had nothing but great conversations with Jaylen," conveyed Stevens, adding, "We want Jaylen to be here, and he's a big part of us. We believe in him." He later expressed, "Jaylen had a great year, (an) All-NBA year, and he's a big part of us moving forward in our eyes."
While Brown's camp's been quiet, all indications, most recently, a report from ESPN's Brian Windhorst, point towards Boston extending the two-time All-Star appears to be the most likely resolution to where he plays for at least the next season or two.
Circling back to Stevens' end-of-season press conference, as the Celtics try to figure out how to go from playing in the Eastern Conference Finals five times in the last seven years to reaching the NBA mountain top, Danny Ainge's successor sounded genuine in his belief "small tweaks" are their most likely avenue to Banner 18.
The recent additions of Sam Cassell and Charles Lee to the coaching staff, coupled with the hope and internal belief Joe Mazzulla will grow in his second year as the team's bench boss, could lead to getting more offensively out of Jayson Tatum and Brown sharing the floor, having more answers for when threes aren't falling, and improved crunch-time execution.
In an exclusive one-on-one interview, nine-year veteran Marcus Smart, the longest-tenured player on the team, discussed a wide range of topics with this author, including the Celtics' identity, offense, recent coaching hires, his relationship with Jaylen Brown, and what he took from watching this year's NBA Finals.
Bobby Krivitsky: What are your thoughts on Sam Cassell and Charles Lee, two of the NBA's top assistant coaches, individuals that one day will be head coaches and are long deserving of that opportunity, joining Joe Mazzulla's staff?
Marcus Smart: I'm very excited about Coach Cassell and Coach Lee coming on board. Both have championship pedigree and know what it takes to get there. Coach Cassell won three championships as a player, and Coach Lee won with the Bucks. Hopefully, the Boston Celtics are next!
Bobby Krivitsky: Have you spoken to either one yet?
Marcus Smart: I have been out of the country on vacation, so I have not had a chance to connect with either of them yet. But once I am home, you better believe we will be connecting soon after I arrive home.
Bobby Krivitsky: What do you want to share with them and discuss with Joe when it comes to how this offense can improve, including during crunch time?
Marcus Smart: I appreciate this question, but I am a player, not the coach. I try and give my input when it's needed or when they ask, but I try and leave the play calling to the staff. They did a fantastic job last year of putting us in the right place to succeed. Coaches job is to draw up the plays, and it's our job to execute. Movement and team basketball are very important, and we will continue to be a connected and cohesive group out there. We love playing with each other, and this is a very, very close-knit locker room.
Bobby Krivitsky: What did you see watching the Finals, especially from how the Nuggets played, in terms of X's and O's and intangibles, that you feel the Celtics can better apply next season?
Marcus Smart: Well, first off, congrats to the Denver Nuggets for winning the championship. They deserved it and definitely earned it. (Nikola) Jokic is a special, special player. Jamal Murray was phenomenal. Aaron Gordon was great, KCP (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) was great, Bruce Brown was great, and MPJ (Michael Porter Jr.) came up with some big plays during the series as well. They got a great game from (Christian) Braun as well. The nuggets were tenacious on defense, which is what really stood out to me. Defense wins championships. And I think that showed again in this year's finals.
Bobby Krivitsky: This season reinforced that this team is at its best when defense sets the table for its success. That was something you, Jaylen, Jayson, and pretty much everyone in the rotation brought up at some point, especially during the playoffs. Do you expect the team to move forward with a firmer understanding of its identity, and how important is that to your pursuit of a championship?
Marcus Smart: Defense wins championships. Shots come and go, but if you play tenacious defense and pride yourself on that side of the ball, good things will usually happen. Good defense usually leads to good offense and easier shots in transition as well.
Bobby Krivitsky: After Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, you spoke about working on your shooting. Do you already know what, if any, adjustments you want to make, or is that something you'll figure out once you get in the lab?
Also, just throwing out there that in the playoffs, you knocked down 36.1 percent of your 6.1 three-point attempts, your third-best conversion rate in the postseason, and it would represent your second-highest in the regular season.
Marcus Smart: I try and work on every aspect of my game during the summer in order to become the best player and teammate I can be. I shot the ball pretty well during the playoffs this year, so I just want to continue to build off that and continue to get better and better each year.
Bobby Krivitsky: You're someone who leaves it all on the floor. And I'm assuming you lead the Celtics in Tommy Points since they drafted you. But even just last season, you battled chest, back, and ankle injuries, and probably some I'm leaving out and others I'm not aware of.
You play through all this stuff, but sometimes they say about a football player, "They need to do a better job protecting themselves." Do you feel like you should adjust your approach at all in the name of preservation, and how hard would it be for you to have that change in mindset?
Marcus Smart: I've always played the game of basketball the same way, leaving it all out on the court each and every time I play because you never know when it's your last time playing. My mom instilled that in me at a young age. It has gotten me this far, so I won't be changing that now. My teammates feed off my energy. As the longest-tenured Celtic, I feel like it's my responsibility to continue to play "Celtics basketball." Continue to get my rehab each and every day, eat healthily and strive for greatness.
Bobby Krivitsky: You and Jaylen Brown have gone to the Eastern Conference Finals five times in your seven years together, nearly won a championship, and each described the other as a brother. He once said, "I know if I called him, if I needed him, he'll be there."
What's your message to him, and what's your pitch to the Celtics as they try to figure out whether it's best to move forward together?
Marcus Smart: 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.
I let the front office do their thing, so I don't need to make any pitch to the front office. Jaylen is a cornerstone of this franchise, and I hope he doesn't go anywhere else for a long, long time.
Bobby Krivitsky: And for all the individual and team success he and Jayson have experienced since they started playing together, how can this team get more out of them playing off each other and working in tandem?
Marcus Smart: Jaylen and Jayson are superstars. They are going to be alright. I don't worry about that at all. They are 25 and 26 years old, respectively. (Michael) Jordan, Steph (Curry), etc., didn't win their first championships until they were older. We are so close, and I promise to the entire Boston Celtic fan base that all we care about is bringing the 18th championship to the city of Boston.
Bobby Krivitsky: You get so many endorsement opportunities sent your way. So what compelled you to partner with Pronamel for the launch of their new toothpaste, Pronamel Active Shield?
Marcus Smart: I've been using Pronamel as my regular toothpaste for years now, so I've been a loyal fan! The partnership with Pronamel Active Shield made sense, given I was Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, and defending my teeth from cavities is just as important as defending on the court.
Bobby Krivitsky: Should we be on the lookout for, whether it's the flavor or how the packaging or product's designed any Marcus Smart-influenced Pronamel products?
Marcus Smart: Great question, Pronamel, let's make this happen!! As long as it embodies tenacious defense, I am all for it.
Further Reading
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Ben Sheppard
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Brandin Podziemski
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Jordan Walsh
Celtics Reportedly Interested in Trading for Isaiah Stewart
If Celtics Trade Malcolm Brogdon, Here's a Realistic Return Who'd Be a Better Fit
