Marcus Smart thinks the Boston Celtics have been largely overlooked this offseason.
Speaking on ESPN talk-show program “The Jump” on Monday, Smart indicated that the Celtics remain contenders despite the lack of spotlight on them.
Article Continues Below“100 percent think they [are sleeping on the Celtics]. To be honest, that’s exactly how we like it,” the 6-foot-4 guard said, per Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston.
The Celtics lost key contributors in All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. Irving joined the Brooklyn Nets, while Horford opted to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Veteran forward Marcus Morris left the team too, joining another in-division rival in the New York Knicks.
Boston replaced those losses with three-time All-Star point guard Kemba Walker and former Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter. The team drafted four rookies too, including Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, Carsen Edwards and two-way contract player Tremont Waters.
Smart, who is the Celtics' longest-tenured player, has been with the team since the 2014-15 season when Boston selected him sixth overall in that year's draft class. Smart has been the emotional center of the team, providing a tenacious play and top-notch defense.
It remains to be seen if the Celtics can replicate their past successes in the regular season and the playoffs, but they undoubtedly have the motivation to prove themselves after what transpired this summer.