Bob Cousy didn’t hold back his feelings for Smart
by Greg Dudek 13 hours ago
Boston Celtics fans might have a love-hate relationship when it comes to Marcus Smart. It seems a Celtics legend had the same opinion of the veteran guard.
The Celtics’ stunning move from Smart to Kristaps Porzingis earlier this week sparked great emotion after Smart spent all nine seasons of his NBA career with Boston. But Bob Cousy certainly didn’t hold back his feelings about Smart’s tenure with the Celtics.
The 94-year-old Cousy, who won six NBA titles with the Celtics, was a master at playing the point guard position and felt Smart fell short in trying to fill that role.
“I liked Smart,” Cousy told Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe. “I didn’t like some of the things he did. He thought he was a point guard when he wasn’t. His mind was more focused on creating possibilities for himself. In my opinion, midfield point guards need to be faced with the thought, “How am I going to field one of the other guys?” That was never his thing. You’d think he’d wake up one morning and say, ‘I wonder why I’m always open at crucial times?’”
Smart was named the team’s point guard after the Celtics replaced Kemba Walker – his best two seasons came as a passer. But despite Smart’s offensive shortcomings, he has made an impact in areas that are difficult to quantify. The 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year had a knack for delivering the rush plays needed, which Cousy didn’t overlook.
“But still I would always have him in the game because he can do so much more. He does intangible things,” Cousy said. “With people who have played with his intensity, you just can’t measure the effect it has on the other four people. So I could have hesitated to let him go.”
Celtics basketball president Brad Stevens admitted sending Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal was a difficult decision.
And now, Grizzlies fans get their chance to ride the roller coaster ride of the Smart experience.
Thumbnail photo via Nell Redmond/USA TODAY Sports Images