It's not easy saying goodbye, especially to a place where you spent nine of the most important years of your life.
Marcus Smart's tenure as a Boston Celtics player ended earlier this week when he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal that also sent center Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards to the C's.
More Celtics coverage
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Smart was the longest-tenured Celtics player, the heart and soul of the team, a great leader, and someone who truly loved everything about being a Celtic.
The veteran point guard tweeted a goodbye message to the Celtics and their fans on Friday afternoon. These are his first public comments about the trade.
The Celtics made five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and one NBA Finals appearance during Smart's nine years with the Celtics. His 582 games played as a Celtic are the second-most of any player over the last 30 years behind Paul Pierce (1,102).
Smart's time with the Celtics is over, but he will always be a fan favorite in this region.