Marcus Smart is the undeniable leader of the Boston Celtics

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 15: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics signals to teammates during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics have won 13 of the last 14 contests that point guard Marcus Smart has appeared in, including 11 of the last 12 since a cryptic conversation he had with his teammates ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

He pulled his team aside and told them how much he loved them. Smart talked to Boston’s cornerstone players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, separately about how much he appreciates them.

Before falling to Detroit in a nail-biter at home before the break, Boston had won nine consecutive games, all of which their point guard had played a huge role in. Unfortunately, Smart sprained his ankle just 12 minutes into the Celtics’ 48-point blowout at Philadelphia, making him unavailable for the game against the Pistons.

Marcus Smart is the undeniable leader of the Boston Celtics

Since returning from COVID protocols against the Washington Wizards, he has only allowed three field goals made per game. Marcus Smart allowed just nine points to Trae Young and Kevin Huerter combined on Super Bowl Sunday over the course of 33 possessions.

The 27-year-old veteran has averaged 12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range since making his return. In addition, Smart has recorded six assists or more in 10 of the Boston Celtics’ last 17 games, as well as in eight of their last 14.

With plenty of noise surrounding Boston, led by many questioning if Smart can be the long-term point guard of the team, the former sixth overall pick has ended the debate. At the end of January, Smart had a message for whoever had something to say about his abilities to run the point.

In an interview with Jay King of The Athletic (subscription required), Smart detailed his time playing point guard at Oklahoma State. He also mentioned that he led his high school squad to two state championships at that position. It’s safe to say he has plenty of experience.

Smart has often acknowledged that his numbers and percentages have never been eye-popping to the casual basketball fan, and howto the winning plays he makes don’t show up in the box score.

He joked around about this on, The Old Man & The Three with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter.

“I mean, we can sit here and talk about my shooting, I’m probably not the best shooter in the world. But let’s not forget I still hold the record for most threes in a game in a Celtics uniform.”

Redick would go on to compliment Smart on his great shooting form. The longtime Boston Celtics point guard continued his thought process, explaining that he doesn’t play the game for stats – he plays to win.

“I play the game to win, and the individual stats will come with it, but for me, it’s just about winning. Those individual people who count the stats, that just tells you about their knowledge of basketball.”

Smart also acknowledged that, while he’ll sometimes have to step things up in the scoring department, the Boston Celtics don’t need him to do that. They have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

“I can go out here and try and do what I did at Oklahoma State and there’s gonna be nights where I’m gonna needed to do that, but we do have two talented guys in Jaylen and Jayson who take on that load. For me, it’s my job to make sure I do everything else to help them to be ready to take that load on.”

As far as where his mentality comes from, Smart pointed to his brother, who passed away when he was younger. He stated that he wants to play every game as if it could be his last because his brother never got the chance to do that.

“My brother didn’t have this opportunity to live out his dream. It was taken away from him very early. So every time I step on that floor, if I’m not giving it everything I have, then everything he did and taught me, it’s just in vain and I can’t have that. My mentality is just to go out there and leave it all on the court as if it was my last game because at any given day, it could be.”

Boston has a real chance to make some noise in the latter stages of the season. With 22 games left on the schedule and Marcus Smart leading the way, hopes are high for Bostonians everywhere.