It’s been decades since the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers were in the heat of their rivalry. Nevertheless, there’s no love lost between the two franchises and their fanbases.

Yet, when news broke that Marcus Smart was joining JJ Redick’s roster upon completing his buyout from the Washington Wizards, Celtics fans appeared happy for their former guard. After all, Smart has been away from the franchise since being traded in the summer of 2023. 

Nevertheless, it would appear Smart is expecting a hostile reception when he eventually arrives in the TD Garden wearing a Lakers jersey. He noted how he’s expecting a chorus of boos.

“I can try to anticipate it,” Smart said during his introductory news conference in Los Angeles. “I have no idea, but I can definitely tell and say that I’m expecting a lot of boos. I’m expecting a lot of hate. And it’s okay. I understand it.”