How has Celtics star Marcus Smart kept busy throughout his injury hiatus? Aside from rehabbing his torn calf, which doctors estimate will shelve him for at least another week, the 6’3” defensive whiz has also taken up broadcasting. The 26-year-old joined Brian Scalabrine and longtime play-by-play voice Mike Gorman for Friday night’s Celtics broadcast against the visiting Detroit Pistons on NBC Sports Boston.
Despite having no experience, Smart appeared to be a natural in the booth, balancing thoughtful in-game commentary with the kind of energy and youthful exuberance that has made broadcasting novice Tony Romo so popular on CBS. Speaking of Romo, Smart took a page out of Uncle Tony’s book by correctly predicting how the Celtics would close out the first half.
Smart only called one quarter of action, but he made it a memorable one. Here, he loses his train of thought while admiring the work of Pistons sharpshooter Saadiq Bey, who drained seven threes en route to a career-high 30 points in Detroit’s 108-102 victory.
Whether it’s Mike Breen’s iconic “BANG” or Gus Johnson’s incomparable “rise and fire,” every broadcaster needs a go-to catchphrase. Smart may not have one yet, but his “yes sir” call to punctuate this Javonte Green alley-oop has potential.
As for his calf, the former sixth overall pick admits he still has a “ways to go” in his recovery, though Smart feels he’s headed in the right direction.
As entertaining as it was to hear Smart riff with Gorman and Scal Friday night, the Celtics should be anxious to get the feisty guard back in their lineup. The slumping C’s have lost four of their last seven in his absence.
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