Should the Boston Celtics raise Marcus Smart’s No. 36 to the rafters?

When the ultimate buzzer sounded in Recreation 7 of the 2023 Jap Convention Finals, twenty-three retired numbers regarded down on the parquet flooring from the rafters of TD Backyard. On the time, nobody knew that that day would (most likely) be the ultimate time that Marcus Sensible suited up together with his #36 for the Boston Celtics.

Lower than a month later, Sensible was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as a part of the three-team deal that despatched Washington Wizards large man Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics. It was a transfer that closed the guide on his nine-year tenure in Boston — the longest of any participant since Rajon Rondo.

Photograph by Adam Starvation/Getty Pictures

Ought to the epilogue to Sensible’s story in Boston embrace his quantity being raised to the rafters alongside the numerous legends who got here earlier than him?

Sensible was certainly one of ten gamers to spend over 9 seasons in Boston and by no means miss the playoffs, in accordance with longtime Celtics radio play-by-play man Sean Grande. The opposite 9 all noticed their numbers be raised to the rafters. However, additionally they noticed their respective groups elevate championship banners to the rafters as nicely — one thing Sensible by no means completed in Boston.

“Not really getting us one, that’s most likely my solely remorse,” Smart said. “I really like the journey that I’ve been part of with this group, with this crew. I couldn’t ask for extra. The one factor I remorse is we didn’t get [the championship] after we had our likelihood after I was right here. However apart from that, I’ve loved my run.”

The 29-year-old has performed the nineteenth most video games for Boston within the crew’s 76 seasons with 581 appearances. He additionally ranks twenty fifth on the franchise’s all-time scoring listing with 6,141 profession factors, proper behind Kevin Garnett — whose No. 5 was retired again in 2022.

Sensible being simply behind Garnett on Boston’s all-time scoring listing is fairly becoming. The 2 are persistently tied collectively within the minds of followers due to the unequalled coronary heart and depth that they every performed with. They even shared a second throughout Sensible’s rookie season, when Garnett and Paul Pierce returned to Boston for the primary time since being dealt to the Brooklyn Nets.

The younger guard dove after a free ball, beat Garnett to the ground, and gained the Celtics possession. As Jeff Inexperienced slammed residence a dunk on the alternative finish, Garnett confirmed respect to Sensible for his hustle.

Sensible almost went on to observe in Garnett’s footsteps in Boston. He captured the NBA’s Defensive Participant of the Yr award within the 2021-22 season, 14 years after KG had earned the identical honor. Each Celtics went on to assist their squads attain the NBA Finals after securing the award.

The distinction? Garnett’s Celtics bested the Los Angeles Lakers in six video games to boost Banner 17, whereas Sensible’s have been unable to complete the job towards the Golden State Warriors.

Boston’s defeat within the 2022 NBA Finals was irritating for a lot of, however didn’t essentially mirror the Texas native’s play. He averaged 15.2 factors, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per sport whereas capturing 43.0% from the sphere and 41.2% from distance.

Loads of Celtics followers weren’t solely excited for the crew’s first Finals berth since 2010, but in addition particularly for Sensible to lastly get to that large stage and have the chance win a title in Boston, after spending years with the crew. The bond — constructed on love and belief — that he fashioned with the town over the course of his time there was particular.

“I’ve been by some stuff, and it’s all been in Boston. Boston’s my second residence,” Sensible stated of the town on July 7, per The Athletic’s Jay King. “So it’s been powerful [since the trade]. They’re at all times going to have a spot in my coronary heart.”

Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Pictures

His reference to the followers rivaled that of Paul Pierce — whose No. 34 is retired alongside Garnett’s at TD Backyard.

Make no mistake, Pierce was far more than only a fan favourite for the Celtics. He was a 10-time All-Star, 2008 Finals MVP, and was named to the Corridor of Fame in 2021. However, all through the course of his 15 seasons with the Cs, he linked with the Backyard devoted on one other stage. It wasn’t at all times good, however by the top, he turned one of the crucial beloved gamers to take the ground within the crew’s fashionable historical past.

Nothing encapsulated the love that supporters confirmed Pierce throughout his closing look in Boston. He returned one closing time as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, performed for 5 minutes, sat your complete sport, then checked in to sink one final three-pointer in entrance of the pleasant crowd.

In fact, Sensible hasn’t made his return to TD Backyard as an opposing participant but. However, when he does someday this upcoming season, it’ll possible be one thing particular. There’s a good quantity of followers that simply by no means purchased into Sensible, didn’t like his shot choice, and refused to confess that he had a constructive influence on the crew. That group is, for positive, outweighed by those that take the alternative facet.

When Sensible’s commerce to Memphis was introduced, he posted a heartfelt farewell message to his Twitter account.

Shortly after, a big chunk of the fanbase took to the replies to say goodbye and need Sensible nicely.

On prime of the entire nice moments he had on the court docket, Sensible was simply as energetic off of it. Since getting into the league in 2014, he’s constructed up his YoungGameChanger Foundation which goals to create entry to alternative for inner-city athletes and help pediatric most cancers sufferers.

Throughout his time with the Celtics, he made numerous visits to Boston Youngsters’s Hospital to spend time with kids who have been present process therapy for most cancers.

“It stems from dropping my mother, my brother, a few my aunts and uncles from most cancers after I was rising up,” Sensible stated after successful the NBA Cares Group Help Award in October of 2022. “I want I had anyone to come back in and take as a lot curiosity in serving to me or serving to my household in ways in which we couldn’t even think about, corresponding to giving us hope, making us really feel higher, placing a smile on our faces, issues like that. I feel anyone that folks look as much as corresponding to an NBA participant, any kind of athlete, entertainer, or any kind of individual that they idolize, for them to have the ability to come and present their help, means greater than something on the planet.”

Many felt that Sensible — very like Pierce — really embodied what it means to be a Celtic. Some could even say that he was amongst the best Celtics ever.

This doesn’t imply that he was essentially the most gifted participant, however moderately that he gave every little thing he had for the franchise whereas sporting the basic inexperienced and white uniform.

“Every part I completed, I left every little thing I had sporting that jersey out on that court docket,” Sensible informed reporters in Las Vegas final month, “Though we didn’t win a championship within the large scheme of issues, I don’t think about my time there a failure. I helped rebuild that crew on the time after I got here in. And I left it higher. So I’m very ecstatic with my time there however I’m excited for the long run and what it holds.”

Over the course of 9 years, Sensible averaged 10.6 factors, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per sport whereas flattening 38.6% of his makes an attempt from the ground and 32.3% of these from deep.

Although he by no means did win a title, he at all times appeared to take his sport to a different stage within the playoffs — particularly in recent times. Since 2020, Sensible posted a mean of 15.2 factors, 5.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per postseason contest.

With all of that being stated, it’s tough to examine a world the place he receives the consideration with out that elusive NBA championship. Of the 23 retired numbers in Boston, all of them have gained not less than one title — aside from Reggie Lewis, who tragically handed away in July of 1993.

It’s not unattainable. Sensible could have the most effective rafters resume of any non-championship-winning participant in Celtics historical past. His sustained success, coronary heart, and true reference to the fanbase make him a very distinctive participant.