Marcus Smart appeared in 334 games at TD Garden as a member of the Boston Celtics, calling the arena home for the first nine seasons of his career.
He’ll return Sunday, only this time it’s as a visitor.
Smart won’t play, as he’s nursing a finger injury that’s expected to keep him out until March. He’ll undoubtedly bring his trademark enthusiasm back to Boston, though, which is something the Celtics expect to impact both sides.
“I think there will be a little bit extra emotion, just because of how Smart’s been able to impact the community and impact the Garden so many times,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporter Taylor Snow.
I don’t know if his hand still hurts, but maybe he can dive on the floor for a loose ball and roll one out (during a timeout).
Even the most accomplished New England receivers of that era had to fight tooth and nail to build a rapport with the legendary quarter back.
Julian Edelman notoriously went to great lengths to get into Brady’s good graces before becoming a Foxboro legend. And before Edelman dominated in the slot for the Patriots, his predecessor had a rocky start with Brady.
I am think the first year, I was kind of sick of him,” Wes Welker told FOX Sports. “We’re just trying to get on the same page with everything.
There’s a lot of conversation, a lot of cussing and stuff like that. And I think over time — us getting on the same page and having those real conversations and everything else — (it) made me a better football player.
Even though it was rough early on, I think we gained a mutual respect for each other.
Brady and Welker eventually got on the same page, to say the least. Across six seasons in New England, the shifty receiver caught 672 passes for 7,459 yards with 37 touch downs.
Entering the 2023 season, Welker ranks first in Patriots history in receptions, second in targets and third in receiving yards.
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