Smart Looks Forward To Playing On 21st Birthday
BOSTON (CBS) -- Most people spend their 21st birthday throwing back a few shots with friends.
There will be plenty of shots involved in Marcus Smart's 21st birthday celebration, just shots of a much different variety.
Smart celebrates the big 2-1 on Friday, and he'll spend it in New Orleans (lucky him) with his Celtics teammates as they take on the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. For Smart, he wouldn't have it any other way.
"Most people can't say that they're living out their dream and on their 21st birthday," Smart told Celtics.com on Friday morning. "So this is definitely a big deal for me tonight, to be able to play on my 21st in the career I want to play in."
Smart received an early present this week when he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February. His play on the court since being inserted into the starting lineup in December, while it doesn't always show up in the stat sheet, has led to Boston's rejuvenated push to the playoffs.
It's a push Smart wants to continue rather than blowing out all the candles on his cake. And if you're wondering about his track record on his birthday, it's pretty good.
"My sophomore, junior and senior year (of high school), to go to the state championship game, was on my birthday," Smart revealed Friday. "And we won all three years. So I guess you could say I play well on my birthday."
Smart did lose on his birthday two years ago, as his Oklahoma State Cowboys fell to Iowa State during his freshman season, but the point guard filled up the stat sheet with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Given his recent stretch of strong play on the floor, Smart and his Celtics teammates may be celebrating more than just his birthday on Friday night.
