Heading into the 2014 NBA draft back in June, the Los Angeles Lakers had worked out quite a few young prospects that could’ve fallen to number seven. Ultimately, Kentucky’s Julius Randle fell in their laps with the seventh pick, but if Marcus Smart hadn’t been selected one pick earlier, things may have turned out differently.
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On Friday night, Smart will face the Lakers for the first time since being drafted by the Boston Celtics. The Oklahoma State product talked about participating in the rivalry between the two teams saying the following, according to Zach Cox of NESN.com:
“It’s the rivalry,” Smart said after Wednesday’s 109-102 win over the Detroit Pistons, via WEEI.com. “We’ve got 17 (championships); they’ve got 16. Everybody knows that. I’m excited.”
Both teams have only won five games coming into their matchup on Friday night. The Lakers are second to last in a highly competitive Western Conference while the Celtics are sitting at 5-11 in a weak Eastern Conference putting them in 11th place.
Although Smart is clearly excited about the prospect of playing the Lakers on Friday night at TD Garden, the rookie point guard might not see the floor. Smart has only played in six games this season after suffering an ankle injury and has only just returned.
It will all depend on Celtics Coach Brad Stevens on whether Smart gets on the floor on Friday. Rajon Rondo will be the starter as usual with Smart possibly an option off the bench.
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