Marcus Smart Braces for Hostile Reception as He Returns to TD Garden in a Lakers Uniform: “I’m Expecting to Be the Villain”
Marcus Smart, the heart and soul of Boston Celtics basketball for nearly a decade, is now bracing himself for a very different kind of reception when he steps onto the parquet floor at TD Garden—not in green and white, but in the purple and gold of the Los Angeles Lakers. A player who once symbolized Boston’s grit and tenacity is preparing for a villainous welcome in a city that once adored him.
Smart’s journey from Boston’s beloved defensive anchor to a rival in the league’s most storied rivalry—the Celtics vs. Lakers—is one that has stirred emotions across the NBA landscape. In a recent interview, Smart addressed the reality of returning to Boston in enemy colors, candidly stating, “I’m expecting to be the villain.” It’s a rare blend of honesty and emotional complexity from a player who gave his all to the Celtics and their fans.
Drafted sixth overall in 2014, Smart quickly became known for his fearless hustle, relentless defense, and leadership. He was never the flashiest player on the court, but few matched his intensity or his willingness to dive on the floor for loose balls, take charges, or guard any position. He was the embodiment of what Celtics fans love in a player—tough, unselfish, and loyal.
But in the NBA, loyalty often takes a back seat to strategy, timing, and opportunity. Last season, Smart was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in a blockbuster trade that brought Kristaps Porziņģis to Boston. That move shocked the Celtics locker room and devastated many fans who had hoped to see Smart retire in green. While he performed well in Memphis, a surprise trade this offseason has now landed him in Los Angeles, where he’ll join a Lakers squad looking to add grit and experience to their title-contending roster.
For Celtics fans, the news of Smart in a Lakers jersey may be harder to process than his original departure. It’s one thing to lose a fan favorite to another team; it’s another to see him join your most hated rival. The Celtics-Lakers rivalry is etched into NBA history, fueled by decades of iconic matchups, from Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson to Paul Pierce vs. Kobe Bryant. It’s a rivalry that transcends basketball—two coasts, two philosophies, two dynasties.
Smart, of course, understands the significance. “I know what it means to wear the Lakers uniform, especially in Boston,” he said. “I know what this rivalry is about. I played in it. I bled for Boston in it. But now I’m on the other side, and I’ve got a job to do.” His words convey a deep respect for his former team while acknowledging the nature of professional sports—loyalties shift, roles evolve, and players adapt.
His time in Boston included some of the franchise’s best defensive seasons in recent memory. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, becoming the first guard to win the award in nearly three decades. His emotional leadership, his locker room presence, and his ability to galvanize his teammates often gave Boston its identity. Even when Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown emerged as the faces of the franchise, it was Smart who was often the voice.
Many Celtics fans still speak of Smart in glowing terms, but the anticipation of his return in a Lakers uniform has stirred a whirlwind of mixed feelings. Some say they’ll cheer him for all he did, while others admit the sight of him in purple and gold might be too much. “I don’t know if I can look at him the same,” said one long-time season ticket holder. “He gave us everything, but he’s with the Lakers now. That changes things.”
Smart isn’t oblivious to this sentiment. “I get it,” he said. “I know some people are going to boo. I know it’s going to hurt for some folks to see me in that jersey. But this is my job, this is my life, and I’ve got to do what’s best for me and my family.” It’s the kind of mature, grounded outlook that has always set Smart apart.
The Lakers, for their part, see in Smart exactly what they’ve been missing: a defensive bulldog who brings toughness and playoff experience. With LeBron James still playing at an elite level and Anthony Davis anchoring the paint, the Lakers are pushing for another title run. Smart’s ability to defend guards, wings, and even bigs, coupled with his veteran savvy, makes him an invaluable addition to the team. He won’t be asked to carry the offensive load, but he’ll be expected to set the tone, both on the court and in the locker room.
“Marcus is a competitor,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said. “He’s someone you want on your side when the games really matter. We’re thrilled to have him here.” It’s a new chapter for Smart, but he’s not trying to erase the old one. “Boston will always be a part of me,” he said. “I grew up there. I became a man there. I’ll never forget that.”
Still, the NBA has a way of testing even the strongest emotional bonds. When Smart steps onto the TD Garden floor in a Lakers uniform, he’ll face not only his former teammates but also a crowd that must decide whether to celebrate his past or resent his present. It’s the kind of drama that only sports can deliver—raw, unscripted, and deeply personal.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, now the undisputed leaders of the Celtics, have already begun fielding questions about facing their former teammate. “It’s going to be weird,” Tatum admitted. “That’s our brother. We’ve been through battles together. But once the ball tips, he’s just another opponent.” Brown echoed the sentiment but added, “We know how Smart plays. He’s going to bring it, and we’ll be ready.”
Smart’s return game is already being circled on calendars. Tickets for that matchup are selling fast, with fans eager to witness the emotional collision between past and present. Social media has been buzzing with debates—some fans plan to wear their old Smart jerseys to the game, while others say they’re done with him. It’s a microcosm of what professional sports does so well—turn personal stories into public theater.
For Smart, the boos or cheers won’t matter as much as the opportunity to keep competing at the highest level. “At the end of the day, I’m a basketball player,” he said. “I play hard, I play to win, and I respect the game. If fans want to boo, that’s their right. I’m still going to be me.”
There’s also a touch of poetic irony in the whole scenario. Marcus Smart spent years embodying what Celtics basketball was all about. Now, he’s being asked to bring that same intensity to the franchise Boston fans love to hate. And in doing so, he may end up redefining how fans view both the rivalry and the players who participate in it. Loyalty, after all, is rarely one-dimensional.
Whether Smart ends up as the hero or the villain in Boston’s eyes remains to be seen. What’s certain is that his return will be one of the most emotional nights of the NBA season. And for Smart, it’s just another chance to prove that no matter where he plays, he’ll leave everything on the court.
“I’ll always love Boston,” he said one last time. “But now, it’s time to go to war with the Lakers. And if I have to be the villain, so be it.”
