The Boston Celtics wanted to get Kristaps Porzingis at all costs, and they did it.
But as better as they might look on paper from a basketball standpoint, they lost a lot by giving up Marcus Smart.
At least, that’s how former NBA player Tim Hardaway Sr. thinks, citing that they’ve now lost their leader.
Hardaway stated that, even though Jayson Tatum is obviously the Celtics’ best player, he’s never seen him stepping up or getting in someone’s face and talking about what the team needs to do, as that was Smart’s role.
Smart was an outspoken presence inside that locker room and the kind of player who would hold everybody, himself included, accountable and to the highest standards.
“The Celtics lost their leader. Who is going to lead that team now? They don’t have a leader on that team anymore.”@HardawaySr wasn’t a fan of the Celtics trading away Marcus Smart pic.twitter.com/8pUqfvtbhi
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) June 22, 2023
The Memphis Grizzlies obviously needed someone like that to reset their culture and start building some winning habits, someone who would get in Ja Morant’s face and put him on blast when he’s falling out of line.
But what about his former team?
Neither Tatum nor Brown has that kind of outspoken personality — which is perfectly fine and not a knock on them — but every team needs someone to lead the way, especially when things get tough.
Al Horford is a veteran who has everyone’s ear and respect inside that locker room, but he’s not that fierce leader either.
Truth be told, it’s hard to blame the Celtics for making that move, and they should be in a better position to get over the hump, at least from a basketball perspective.
But Smart will be missed from day one.
NEXT:
Jay Williams Makes A Bold Statement About Celtics After Kristaps Porzingis Trade
