Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 I have recently written about Marcus Smart reportedly signing with the Lakers after being waived by the Wizards. Now I am concerned about his return to Boston this coming season in a Lakers uniform. I actually don't expect Celtics fans to boo Marcus Smart https://t.co/RmZwtJPsPK — Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) July 23, 2025 I agree with Noa Dalzell . Smart has his fans and critics in Beantown, but he gave his all when here. That should suffice for any Bostonian that may have thoughts of  jeering "The Wolverine" when he takes to the parquet. The sometimes-bitter Celtics-Lakers rivalry is at the core of this question. Why did Smart sign with the Lakers? Was it animosity towards Brad Stevens for the trade - or how it was handled ? Or does he see a good fit there for himself? Did Brad Stevens even approach him? I have no idea, but I am behind this guy that gave so much and got traded prior to his team achieving Banner 18 without him. Will Celtics fans boo Marcus Smart ...

 According to Shams Charania , former-Celtic, Marcus Smart , is about to be bought out by the Wizards and sign a 2-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Good Lord, get me through this. Marcus Smart and Carson Thomas Lane My readers know quite well the affection I hold for "The Wolverine" - alias Marcus Smart. That affection goes beyond what Marcus did for my family after my great grandson was orphaned after the death of his mom. BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025 Let me go on record here. I do not hate the Lakers. But for decades, they were the team that were the major block to the Celtics taking more NBA Titles . Just think back to the Russell-led Bo...

  Marcus Smart returned to TD Garden on Saturday night - in the company of his wife, Maisa and his 2-month-old son, Zayn - had a bit of an off game (3 points, 1-of-11 field goals, 2 boards, 2 assists) but his Grizzlies won, 127-121. Like most of us, I felt Marcus would retire a Celtic, but a bold (and successful) trade sent him to Memphis. During an interview, the man I call "The Wolverine" referred to his impact on the City of Boston and on his former team, the Celtics . I also want to add that he had an enormous impact on my family.  Carson Thomas Lane- I lost my mom recently to. But it’s people like ur great grandpa who will get u thru the tough times as you grow up. Much love young stud! Twitter- u know what to do. Send mail that uplifts & showers this kid w love. I’ll do my thing 2. https://t.co/JXZUmU3VeK — marcus smart (@smart_MS3) November 14, 2019 In November of 2019, my 25-yuear-old granddaughter, Courtney, was taken off life support following a life-long b...

  My grand daughter, Courtney, was born with a fatal illness, cystic fibrosis . She died at the age of 25, but not before she gave birth to my great grandson, Carson Thomas Lane - risking her own life to bring him into the world. This is her story. Carson turned 12 today. He told me, "I love my life"! June 25, 2012 (Written by Courtney Lane) What was supposed to be an amniocentesis, turned out to be the day that I was induced. See turns out that I wasn't sporadically pissing the bed, my water had just sprung a leak and it would soon no longer be safe for Carson inside me, because there was not enough amniotic fluid. They Assembled my team of specialists to come in and speak to me about the induction process. I could tell by the looks on their faces that this was not going to be an easy conversation. But I'll be honest, it was a conversation I had already had 1000 times. The induction process was going to put a lot of strain on my body, and there was a very good po...

 No surprise here. Two Celtics players have made the NBA All-Defense Second Team , and their names are Jrue Holiday and Derrick White . Boston lost a former Defensive-Player-of-the-Year in Marcus Smart, but these two guys have filled in admirably. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis when he's healthy, may get most of the headlines, but the White-Holiday backcourt has played a major role in The Green's success this season. The NBA is going to announce the all defense team this afternoon at 2pm. We have 4 guys who have a strong case for being named. pic.twitter.com/3bCnp4Wzb7 — Boston_Die_Hard (@NbaSwingPass) May 21, 2024 Congrats to Jrue and Derrick. They do their jobs quietly - with no fanfare -  but Boston fans know what the have in these two stars.    

Former-Celtic, Marcus Smart may still be on the Memphis Grizzly's injured list , but he proved that he was not totally inactive when his team lost a close contest to the Sacramento Kings. With a bit more than one minute to go in overtime , Smart was called for two technical fouls and ejected from the game. Never known as a quiet presence , even on the bench, Marcus became a little too boisterous as his comrades were about to lose to the Kings. The refs didn't take kindly to his protests - and he was off to the locker room. If the Wolverine could not help his team out on the court, he was determined to do so from the bench. Marcus Smart ejected. 😳 pic.twitter.com/krERaCkCUD — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 19, 2024

  C's have welcomed back their Warrior Marcus the Wolverine Smart. Despite the fact he isn't playing his presence is felt.  1Q 🏀  We have a solid quarter from the C's, that should be a welcome sign given how they played on Thursday night. We saw some pretty good ball movement in this first quarter. I was a bit distracted as we celebrated the 93rd birthday of my Yia Yia. Talk about the rock of the family. She's been thru and seen it all. C's are playing well but giving the Grizz life as they are still on the game. C's lead after one.  2Q 🏀🏀 C's still can't separate themselves from this Grizzlies team. They keep fighting and making the necessary plays to stay alive. I'd like to see JT take over and elevate his teammates to blowing the doors off this team. I was pleased to hear from Glenn Ordway who was around the 85/86 C's and he said they didn't have that killer instinct every game. Not that I'm condoning it but it's human nature. W...

  February 8, 2024 @ 3:00 PM ET. That is the NBA trade deadline, and Yahoo!Sports has broached a potential deal that most Boston Celtics fans, including this one, never wanted to see (per Jake Fischer): Marcus Smart blocking The Greek Freak "While several clubs — including the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, sources said — have phoned Memphis about obtaining defensive stalwart Marcus Smart, the Grizzlies have shut down any overtures for the veteran guard, sources said." When Smart was sent packing to Memphis , he was not thrilled with hearing the news via social media. Marcus had his share of critics among Boston fans, but most never wanted to see " The Wolverine" return to Beantown as an opponent - ready to defend any member of The Green, regardless of size or ability. The Grizzlies Ja Morant is out for the season with an injury, and center, Steven Adams (also out for season) is heading to the Houston Rockets. This season is a lost one for Memphis , and ...

 Five (5) ex-Celtics players are not having a great week. It starts with the Big One! Adrian Griffin: The Milwaukee Bucks just fired Adrian Griffin . Griffin was hired as Head Coach by the Bucks this past summer, and despite the team's 30-13 record (2nd in East) , management apparently wants a veteran presence on the bench, and former Celtics Coach, Doc Rivers , may be that guy to take over. Rob Williams: Williams III was sent packing to Portland this past summer and was quickly out of action for the remainder with another injury. Rob's injury history does not bode well for a long, productive NBA career. And he may be on the trading block once again. Malcolm Brogdon: Brogdon was also traded by Boston to the Trailblazers this summer, He is having a fairly-productive season thus far - when he plays. But he has already missed nine of Portland's 43 games due to recurring injuries. And his team sits only behind the Spurs in the West with a 12-31 record. Marcus Smart: Since ...

 Things just keep getting worse for former Celtics guard, Marcus Smart. Initially, in June of last year, he learned via social media that he had been traded to the Memphis Grizzlies . His would-be backcourt partner, Ja Morant , was suspended for 25 games to begin the 2023-24 season for displaying a gun (once again) on social media, and Memphis center, Steven Adams , was expected to be out of action for the entire season due to injury.  Now, Morant is gone for the remainder of the season and facing shoulder surgery, while Smart is also once again on the injured list. Things are not looking good for the Memphis Grizzlies, Morant or Smart. The Boston Celtics made out quite well in the deal that sent Smart to Memphis and brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston , but the former Celtics crowd favorite may be on the trade block prior to the deadline.  Memphis presently has a 14-23 record and is going nowhere without three main cogs. There are often casualties in the wake of NB...

  Marcus Smart-to-the-Bucks? That is a probability put out there by wisportsheroics.com's Paolo Sonco . "Marcus) Smart would be a massive addition for Milwaukee. He would help fill the  defensive void  Jrue Holiday left when the Bucks shipped him off to Boston. Few defensive guards in the NBA have the same caliber as Smart. The big question, however, is whether or not the Bucks have enough assets to make this deal work. If the Grizzlies place him on the trade block (which is a big IF), then surely, they would require a massive haul in exchange for the three-time All-Defense guard." Would you like a Smart trade to the Bucks? pic.twitter.com/N2zsmmqyWu — Bucks Muse (@BucksMuse) December 10, 2023 With the Grizzlies Ja Morant due to return from a massive suspension and Smart due back from an injury, that could present a viable backcourt for Memphis. The Grizzlies could remain pat. But the prospect of Marcus heading to the Bucks, one of the Celtics major (and strongest) riva...

 I certainly get that the current NBA is "Big Business" , and as such, there will always be a battle between the teams making more money and the ethics surrounding any transactions . The essential deal that sent Marcus Smart packing and brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston seems to have been a positive transaction for the Celtics, but it has put some hurt on a guy that Red Auerbach would have loved. For Smart, it wasn't the trade itself - but the way it went down that took a toll on him: “If I’m being quite frank, I knew I would be traded eventually,” Smart said. “Just figured it would be the next season, just based off my contract and with the new CBA. We already knew that. But it was just the way it happened. I was told everything was good after asking multiple times. Like, ‘I’m hearing (rumors), what’s going on?’ And they’re like, ‘No, you’re good, you’re good, you’re good.’ And then when I do hear about the trade, it’s from  Shams (Charania) on Twitter  before I hea...

 First to go was Marcus Smart . Now it appears the turmoil surrounding Grant Williams' future has ended with his reported trade to the Dallas Mavericks . Sources: The Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics are finalizing a three-team trade: - Mavs: Grant Williams - Spurs: Reggie Bullock and an unprotected Dallas pick swap in 2030 - Celtics: Multiple second-round picks pic.twitter.com/7Bi6Dykydf — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2023 For many Celtics fans, this means the loss of two likeable, tough members of The Green . The two deals are intertwined since the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingas (for Smart) meant that Grant was going to be too expensive to retain. To be clear here… • I understand the new CBA • I understand the 2nd tax apron • I understand the potential value of a TPE (if used) and 2nd round picks (if useful) That said, the Celtics losing both Marcus Smart & Grant Williams the same summer is very disappointing to me. https://t.co/OkTlmHjUgB ...

This is the correct title of my article from  June 13: Celtics need to focus on size, smarts and synergy in any transaction. I can only guess that Brad Stevens , with all of the hubbub of the impending draft, misread that title as something along these lines: Celtics need to focus on size, "Smart" and synergy in any transaction Brad added size in the form of 7'3" Kristaps Porzingas and traded away Marcus Smart. He obviously didn't read the article. So how about the "synergy" part? Well, Hardwood Houdini's Dylan Thomas has broached the possibility of a rift between Smart and Brown .  Though no direct information has surfaced about such a rift, there was clearly some discord on the court in the Eastern Finals versus the Miami Heat. Dropping the first three games with home court advantage - and then winning the next three (proving they had the ability to do so) - indicated something was not right within the ranks. So will the trade of Marcus lead t...

 My followers remember this well. My simple plea to the Celtics Carsen Edwards for a card to be sent to my grieving great grandson, Carson Thomas Lane . - who had recently lost his 25-year-old mother to Cystic Fibrosis.  The response was staggering . Carsen Edwards, Marcus Smart and the entire Celtics organization stepped up.  It all made a huge difference. Carson turns 11 years old today , and I love this kid. His teachers label him as a "leader" and "kind" to others. He tells me, "I love my life!" (Excuse me as I wipe away a few tears). I am humbly making another plea for a 19-year-old youngster - Damien Merchant . Like Carson, his mom died when he was very young , and his father all-but abandonned him soon thereafter. Ironically, and tragically, he suffered a horrific, life-threatening accident on Father's Day, June 18, 2023 . Damien is now in his ninth day of hospitalization at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon , New Hampshire and...

 I have always been a fan of Bob Ryan, but apparently, Bob is not a major fan of the Boston Celtics new addition, Kristaps Porzingas . Ryan made his dislike of the Porzingis acquisition on his podcast. Here are a few excerpts: "I'm not a fan of this guy (Porzingis)" "He's 7-3, going on 6-2" This guy is 7-3 and he plays small. He always plays small"\ "Why is he on his fourth team in seven years?" "The last thing I needed in my Celtics life is another guy cranking up big, stupid threes" So why the dislike? Is it Porzingis and the way he plays? Or is it the modern NBA game itself . Ryan goes way back to the 60's when Bill Russell manned the middle for Boston. And then it was Dave Cowens in the 70's and Robert Parish in the 80's.   Russ and Dave played before the trey came to the NBA, but neither fired from long distance, although Cowens occasionally threw up a long ball. When Parish arrived, the 3-point shot had ben instit...

 The Celtics Marcus Smart has only been gone (to Memphis) a day or so, but Brad Stevens didn't waste any time trying to replace part of what The Wolverine brought to the court. With the 38th pick in the draft, Boston chose Jordan Walsh. The 6'7", 205-lb. Arkansas product is a defensive whiz with the size and physique to guard multiple positions ( per The Athletic's Kyle Tucker ): “ You want a high-ceiling, switchable wing defender in an NBA-ready body? Meet Jordan Walsh, the 6-foot-7, 215-pound former McDonald’s All-American with a 7-2 wingspan, 8-11 standing reach and an aggressive disposition who was selected No. 38 overall by the Celtics. He’s raw (at best) offensively and his stats don’t sing — 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, less than an assist per game and 28 percent 3-point shooting as a freshman at Arkansas — but he absolutely impacts winning. The Razorbacks scored nine more points per 100 possessions with him on the court than when he was off, which led the team. ...

  I went to sleep believing there was still work being done on this trade. Little did I know the Celtics would trade the heart of the Celtics to the Memphis Grizzlies. Originally it was centered around Malcom Brogdon heading out. Instead it's Marcus Smart who has a one way ticket to Memphis.  Personally I was high on the drafting of Marcus Smart. His defense and fire in college told me he was gonna be good. From day one he showed he wasn't afraid to get dirty on defense. Defense was his calling card and no one worked harder. As the years progressed his defense never waivered. Even to the point of winning defensive player of the year when the C's made the finals and lost.  His work ethic on the offensive end showed improvements. He had a knack for posting up smaller guards, driving to the cup and eventually a decent three point shot. His decision making would always keep Celtics fans and myself shaking our head. Yet some way he made some epic key plays through his career h...

 This reported pre-draft deal can certainly NOT be referred to as one of the : "tweaks to the roster" that Brad Stevens had mentioned. Marcus Smart is destined to join the Memphis Grizzlies in a 3-team transaction and the Celtics will, in turn, acquire the Wizards Kristaps Porzingis and the 25th overall pick in today's NBA draft.  Boston will send both Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala to Washington - to be joined there by the Grizzlies Tyus Jones . The Celtics will also receive Golden State's protected first-round pick in the 2024 draft. Porzingis will alomst-certainly have an immediate positive effect for his new team, but the hurtful part of this deal is the departure of Smart , the longest-tenured (9 seasons) Celtic. He was also the heart of the team and the pace-setter. This will be a blow to so many Boston fans that idolized The Wolverine's dedication to in-your-shirt defense and extraordinary hustle.   And thank you, sir, for what you did for my family ...

Well here we are at game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. Defense will set the tone and let's hope the Celtics remember that! Play as a team and absorb Miami's punches. Tonight should be a dogfight. I'd prefer the C's to go off and destroy them.  JB strikes first tonight... Going to need to see him come out strong tonight. JB hits his patented jumper and is off and running. C's need to keep the ball moving. Great D overall from the Cs! Need to keep it up! So far we are deadlocked and tied up.  JT hasn't found his rhythm yet but it's coming. There he goes to the rim and scores! JB is cooking early! Why do the refs treat Butler like he's an all time player? Clearly he's NOT! Martin is playing so far above himself it makes me sick.  Decent first quarter for the C's to this point.  Need a big quarter from JT. Marcus just made Vincent look weak and too small! Grab that AND ONE! C's need to work on their three point defense. Right now Vincent ...