Jayson Tatum's Honest Statement on Marcus Smart

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During his on-court interview after Sunday night's win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum reacted to the reception Marcus Smart got from the Boston crowd.
"It was great," Tatum said. "It was great to see the reception that he got. Being here for 10 years, he was the heart and soul of this organization. People showed their respect and love today, he deserved it. He deserved it all. It was just good to see him. Obviously I miss him. It was just really good to see him."
"He was the heart and soul of this organization... He gave his blood, sweat and tears every single night"@tvabby catches up with Jayson Tatum after the Celtics' win, and they talk through his emotions after the reunion with Marcus Smart pic.twitter.com/lYuLg5Ci7a
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 5, 2024
"It's only right," Tatum said of Smart's reception. "He gave his blood, sweat, and tears every single night. He left it all on the floor. He was part of the success that we had for so many years. I say all the time, for the longest time, he was for sure the favorite Celtic on our team, and rightfully so. So it was good to see him get the love that he deserved."
While Smart was out with an injury, this was his first time back in Boston since being traded to the Grizzlies over the summer. Getting a very warm welcome from his former home crowd, Smart was given the love that Tatum says he deserves.
One of the most beloved Celtics players in recent history, Smart got a great reception from Boston's home crowd.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.