Al Horford Says Marcus Smart Influenced Decision to Join Celtics

Al Horford and Marcus Smart helped the Celtics reach at least the Eastern Conference Finals in four of their five years together. That includes coming within two wins of Banner 18.

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

While players like Kevin Garnett and Bill Walton steered their way to Boston via trade -- though the former initially had his eyes on partnering with Kobe Bryant on the Los Angeles Lakers -- when Al Horford first joined the Celtics in the summer of 2016, the franchise signing a top-tier free agent was an unprecedented moment.

The third overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft has since helped the C's reach at least the Eastern Conference Finals in four of his five postseason runs with Boston. That includes coming within two wins of raising Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters in 2022.

Through his play on the court, the example he sets, and his leadership, Horford, whom Jayson Tatum has repeatedly referred to as "my favorite teammate," has had a massive impact on the Celtics' success since his arrival.

But the former Atlanta Hawk may have gone elsewhere in July of 2016 had it not been for the man of the evening at TD Garden on Sunday, Marcus Smart.

"It was good to see him," Horford voiced after Boston's 131-91 win over the injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies. "Good to see him today."

The 16-year veteran continued, "My time with Marcus here was very special. And I've said this before, but one of the reasons why I came here initially in '16 was Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart. I had a lot of respect for Smart even when he was a very young player and just kind of how he cared about winning. So, just a very special person and somebody that I really appreciated when he was here with us throughout the years. So, just seeing him tonight was nice. It was nice to catch up with him, to see him. He's doing well, and he's trying to recover from his (right ring finger) injury. It was good to see him."

Horford shared that even though Smart was 21 at the time and had just finished his second NBA season, what enticed him about potentially playing with the Flower Mound, Texas native was the same characteristics that helped the latter carve out a place in the hearts of Celtics fans.

"It was just the way he played. How hard he played. How hard he competed. And really tried to go out there and put his body on the line night in and night out. It's something that, as an opponent, you respect it, and as a teammate, you always appreciate."

Horford also expressed how much the standing ovations and showering of love from the TD Garden faithful for Smart on Sunday meant to him.

"Yeah, it's special. It was special to be able to share those moments with him. I know that the crowd was going to be very grateful and appreciative, and they were. They were great. They really showed their appreciation. And it was nice to see not only Marcus but also his wife and the people that were along with them. They were kind of taking everything in, appreciating the moment, and feeling the love. Boston has real love for Marcus, and even though he's on another team, it doesn't change how we feel about him, our guys. And also the fans showed how they feel about him as well."

The @Celtics tribute video for Marcus Smart 👏 pic.twitter.com/7gCTCCIi8j

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 4, 2024

Further Reading

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Derrick White Opens Up About Shooting Slump After Propelling Celtics Past Pelicans: 'Don't Feel Sorry for Yourself'

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'