Not just for a year but since the inception of the NBA, Boston breathes basketball, and Celtics fans wear their passion like a badge of honor. With nearly 20% of Americans calling themselves avid NBA fans, a massive slice of that devotion lives and dies by the green. That’s what comes with rooting for the most decorated franchise in league history. But legacy is a double-edged sword—it brings pride, but also towering expectations. No one understands that better right now than Georges Niang. As Kristaps Porzingis’ replacement, he steps into a pressure cooker, and the words couldn’t be stronger.

Porzingis’ exit felt inevitable—Boston just hadn’t made it official yet. Now he’s in Atlanta, hoping to play with freedom and without the weight of sky-high expectations. Niang, though, walks a different path. The Massachusetts native has bounced around the league since the Pacers drafted him in 2016, carving out a role wherever he could. Now he’s home—or something close to it. But don’t mistake geography for comfort. Celtics Nation isn’t known for gentle welcomes. They demand grit, results, and heart from the jump. And for Niang, fitting in might take more than just knocking down open threes.

“Then that kind of transitioned into—I’m a Boston kid, and then I get traded for Kristaps Porzingis. And you know how tough Boston fans are. They don’t give a shit if I’m from Boston or not,” said Niang on The OGs. “They’re like, “You just took our Unicorn and replaced him with a minivan.” They’re like, “Get the f— out of here.” You know what I’m saying? I’m like public enemy number one. They’re like, “What is this? This ain’t shiny, man. This guy’s got scratches on him, man.”” This isn’t just bias talking—it’s firsthand experience from those who’ve lived it in the league’s pressure cookers.

Georges Niang isn’t the first to feel the heat, and he definitely won’t be the last. Marcus Smart, a Celtics staple for nearly a decade, knows exactly how passionate—and unforgiving—Boston Celtics fans can be. Now set to return as an opponent, Smart fully expects the jeers and jabs to come flying. But unlike Niang, he’s no stranger to the chaos. He’s been in the fire before, and this time, he’s bringing a thicker skin with him.

Marcus Smart: “I’m expecting a lot of boos”

LA Lakers‘ roster’s booming with Smart on the team – they got rotations for days now. They now have three solid point guards backing up Luka Doncic, with Gabe Vincent and Bronny James already in the mix. Marcus Smart adds grit and experience, boasting career averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His three-point shot isn’t elite, but he bumped it from 32.4% to 34.8% last season. That quiet jump speaks volumes, showing he still evolves on both ends.

But now that he enters TD Garden as a former Celt, Smart knows exactly what’s coming—boos, jeers, and unfiltered energy. One interviewer asked him: “An individual who experienced such great success in a Boston Celtics uniform for almost a decade—come opening night, to be wearing a Los Angeles Lakers uniform. Can you anticipate what those emotions will feel like?” And Smart’s answer was as mature as it could be. He didn’t flinch, didn’t dramatize it.

He simply nodded, ready for whatever noise the crowd brings. Because if anyone understands Boston’s passion, it’s the guy who embodied it for nine straight years. “I can try to anticipate it. I have no idea—but I can definitely say I’m expecting a lot of boos. I’m expecting a lot of hate. And it’s OK. I understand it,” replied Smart.

You can’t ever underestimate the Greens and their fiercely loyal fanbase. They ride with their team—but they hold them accountable too. And you really can’t blame them. Legacy builds pressure, and pressure sharpens expectations. Kristaps Porzingis is out of that fire now, trading Boston’s intensity for a fresh start in Atlanta. But Georges Niang? He just stepped into the cauldron. If anyone can give him a crash course on survival in Boston, it’s Marcus Smart. The man lived it, breathed it, and wore the scars with pride. Niang better take notes—because Beantown doesn’t hand out second chances.