Boston Celtics guard—and the team's longest-tenured player—Marcus Smart is taking his leadership to the next level by admitting the Celtics' early playoff exit amidst high goals is not solely squared on departing point guard Kyrie Irving's shoulders.

Appearing on the ESPN program “The Jump,” Smart, 25, told the show's hosts that while Irving did not play to his standards, “the team failed to perform up to their standard as well,” via Celtics reporter Marc D'Amico.

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Irving, who despite promising to re-sign with the Boston franchise last year renege on that boisterous commitment left to join the Atlantic Division foes Brooklyn Nets, was the leader for a Celtics team that got knocked out of the postseason by league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round in a gentleman's sweep of five games. The Celtics, having Irving sidelined the prior season during the playoffs, went to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2018 and had their eyes on another trip to the third round this year.

Smart's role will likely see a bump in playing time and crucially importance as a leader, being the longest-tenured player along with the defensive and emotional core of the Celtics. While Boston was able to find a fine Kyrie replacement in three-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker, nobody knows the Celtics better than Smart right now.

Vitriol for the Brooklyn-bound Irving peaked during free agency since perception favored a narrative telling the point guard gave up on the team. However, in his “Jump” interview, Smart appears to signify that the team understood that their second-round exit can't be scapegoated solely on Kyrie.