The Boston Celtics last won a title eight years ago with their “Big Three” of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and recently-retired Kevin Garnett.
After losing all portions of its three-headed monster, the franchise never duplicated their success in 2008.
After turning a lot of heads last season by making a run in the playoffs when almost everyone didn't think they would make it that far, the Beantown boys are geared to make a deeper run this coming season. And they plan to do it with the player who shows the most Garnett-like qualities, Marcus Smart.
The 2004 MVP was known for his intensity and intimidating presence on the court during his playing career. And now, the 22-year-old guard comes in to practices showing those signs. Maybe there's no one who can match what Garnett has brought to the game, but just being compared to one of the best ever is certainly no easy feat.
Even newly-acquired center Al Horford had only good things to say about the former sixth overall pick of the 2014 draft. Though he is very new to the team, he already had this to say about Smart, according to Marc D'Amico of Celtics.com:
“Marcus Smart is setting the tone in practice every day. It’s just very impressive to see how hard he plays and how hard he commits.”
This was also echoed by the team's head coach, Brad Stevens:
“I’ve said this before: you just know he’s there,” Stevens said. “He is a presence on the floor on both ends.”
Maybe it's too early to say that the Oklahoma State product will be like Kevin Garnett, but at this early stage of his career and already showing similar work ethic and hustle says a lot about his character.
Now that he has already gotten the respect of his all-star center and head coach, he needs to influence his teammates to emulate his, or The Big Ticket's, ways.
Follow Us
Subscribe