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

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

Lower than a month later, Good was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as a part of the three-team deal that despatched Washington Wizards massive 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.

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

Good was considered one of ten gamers to spend over 9 seasons in Boston and by no means miss the playoffs, in keeping 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 Good by no means achieved in Boston.

“Not really getting us one, that’s most likely my solely remorse,” Good stated. “I like the journey that I’ve been part of with this group, with this group. I couldn’t ask for extra. The one factor I remorse is we didn’t get [the championship] once we had our likelihood once 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 group’s 76 seasons with 581 appearances. He additionally ranks twenty fifth on the franchise’s all-time scoring checklist with 6,141 profession factors, proper behind Kevin Garnett — whose No. 5 was retired again in 2022.

Good being simply behind Garnett on Boston’s all-time scoring checklist is fairly becoming. The 2 are constantly 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 Good’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 received the Celtics possession. As Jeff Inexperienced slammed house a dunk on the alternative finish, Garnett confirmed respect to Good for his hustle.

Good practically went on to observe in Garnett’s footsteps in Boston. He captured the NBA’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months 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 lift Banner 17, whereas Good’s had been unable to complete the job in opposition to 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 recreation whereas capturing 43.0% from the sphere and 41.2% from distance.

Loads of Celtics followers weren’t solely excited for the group’s first Finals berth since 2010, but additionally particularly for Good to lastly get to that massive stage and have the chance win a title in Boston, after spending years with the group. The bond — constructed on love and belief — that he shaped 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 house,” Good stated of the town on July 7, per The Athletic’s Jay King. “So it’s been robust [since the trade]. They’re at all times going to have a spot in my coronary heart.”

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 rather 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 trustworthy on one other degree. It wasn’t at all times good, however by the top, he turned some of the beloved gamers to take the ground within the group’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 entire recreation, then checked in to sink one final three-pointer in entrance of the pleasant crowd.

After all, Good 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 Good, didn’t like his shot choice, and refused to confess that he had a optimistic influence on the group. That group is, for certain, outweighed by those that take the alternative facet.

When Good’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 want Good nicely.

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

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

“It stems from shedding my mother, my brother, a few my aunts and uncles from most cancers once I was rising up,” Good stated after profitable the NBA Cares Group Help Award in October of 2022. “I want I had any individual to return 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, akin to giving us hope, making us really feel higher, placing a smile on our faces, issues like that. I believe any individual that folks look as much as akin 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 assist, means greater than something on the planet.”

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

This doesn’t imply that he was essentially the most gifted participant, however reasonably that he gave all the things he had for the franchise whereas carrying the traditional inexperienced and white uniform.

“Every part I achieved, I left all the things I had carrying that jersey out on that courtroom,” Good instructed reporters in Las Vegas final month, “Though we didn’t win a championship within the massive scheme of issues, I don’t contemplate my time there a failure. I helped rebuild that group on the time once I got here in. And I left it higher. So I’m very ecstatic with my time there however I’m excited for the longer term and what it holds.”

Over the course of 9 years, Good averaged 10.6 factors, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per recreation 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 recreation to a different degree within the playoffs — particularly lately. Since 2020, Good posted a median of 15.2 factors, 5.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per postseason contest.

With all of that being stated, it’s tough to ascertain a world the place he receives the dignity with out that elusive NBA championship. Of the 23 retired numbers in Boston, all of them have received at the least one title — aside from Reggie Lewis, who tragically handed away in July of 1993.

It’s not unimaginable. Good might 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 really distinctive participant.