Marcus Smart. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Former DPOY expects hostile reception in Boston

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 8:34 AM ET

It's been decades since the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers were in the heat of their rivalry. Nevertheless, there's no love lost between the two franchises and their fanbases.

Yet, when news broke that Marcus Smart was joining JJ Redick's roster upon completing his buyout from the Washington Wizards, Celtics fans appeared happy for their former guard. After all, Smart has been away from the franchise since being traded in the summer of 2023.

Nevertheless, it would appear Smart is expecting a hostile reception when he eventually arrives in the TD Garden wearing a Lakers jersey. He noted how he's expecting a chorus of boos.

"I can try to anticipate it," Smart said during his introductory news conference in Los Angeles. "I have no idea, but I can definitely tell and say that I'm expecting a lot of boos. I'm expecting a lot of hate. And it's okay. I understand it."

It's hard to envision the Celtics' fan base being too harsh on Smart. It's not as if he declined a new contract with Boston to cross the divide and head to Los Angeles. It's also not like he left the franchise and immediately landed with their rivals. The Celtics chose to part ways with him. All he's doing is maximizing his opportunity for success.

Will the crowd boo? Sure. But that's not because of Smart; it's because the Lakers are in town, and there's a genuine disdain between the two teams and fan bases.

During his tenure with Boston, Smart helped the team reach five Eastern Conference Finals and one NBA Finals. He cemented himself as one of the best defenders in the NBA, winning the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. Celtics fans may not be happy to see him in a Lakers jersey, but it seems unlikely that they will show hostility.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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