(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics may have gotten a little better on paper, but the fans are still infuriated about the Marcus Smart trade.
Kristaps Porzingis obviously gives them way more on the offensive end of the floor and on the glass, but he’s not as durable as Smart, let alone as tenacious.
That’s why former Celtic Kendrick Perkins believes the Smart trade had nothing to do with basketball.
.@KendrickPerkins “hates” that the Celtics traded Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis
“Porzingis hasn’t shown us nothing on the big stage. … This was a move that was made because Joe Mazzulla and Marcus Smart couldn’t see eye-to-eye.” pic.twitter.com/MPSk4AJPlI
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 23, 2023
Instead, he believes it was all due to Smart and Joe Mazzulla not being able to connect and see eye to eye from the very minute he took over for Ime Udoka.
Perkins also said that Porzingis had shown absolutely nothing on the big stage, while Smart is a proven leader and a hustler who’ll put his body on the line every single play.
Truth be told, it’s hard to argue with that last statement.
Porzingis doesn’t have all that much experience in the playoffs, and it’s not like he’s been impressive when he’s been on that stage, either.
The Celtics have underperformed when it matters the most as well, but plenty of that had to do with a lack of direction and leadership, and that’s when Smart often stood up and helped the team rally together.
Smart is a born leader, and the Celtics don’t have any strong characters on their roster anymore.
They may now lack someone who can get in their faces and make them fight their way back, and that’s even more valuable than a big man who can stretch the floor.
The post Analyst Makes His Thoughts Clear About The Celtics Trading Marcus Smart appeared first on The Cold Wire.