When the ultimate buzzer sounded in Sport 7 of the 2023 Japanese Convention Finals, twenty-three retired numbers seemed down on the parquet flooring from the rafters of TD Backyard. On the time, nobody knew that that day would (most likely) be the ultimate time that Marcus Good suited up together with his #36 for the Boston Celtics.

Lower than a month later, Good was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as a part of the three-team deal that despatched Washington Wizards massive man Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics. It was a transfer that closed the ebook on his nine-year tenure in Boston — the longest of any participant since Rajon Rondo.

Picture by Adam Starvation/Getty Photos

Ought to the epilogue to Good’s story in Boston embody his quantity being raised to the rafters alongside the numerous legends who got here earlier than him?

Good was one among ten gamers to spend over 9 seasons in Boston and by no means miss the playoffs, in keeping with longtime Celtics radio play-by-play man Sean Grande. The opposite 9 all noticed their numbers be raised to the rafters. However, in addition they noticed their respective groups increase championship banners to the rafters as effectively — one thing Good by no means achieved in Boston.

“Not truly getting us one, that’s most likely my solely remorse,” Good stated. “I like the journey that I’ve been part of with this group, with this staff. I couldn’t ask for extra. The one factor I remorse is we didn’t get [the championship] after we had our likelihood once I was right here. However aside from that, I’ve loved my run.”

The 29-year-old has performed the nineteenth most video games for Boston within the staff’s 76 seasons with 581 appearances. He additionally ranks twenty fifth on the franchise’s all-time scoring record with 6,141 profession factors, proper behind Kevin Garnett — whose No. 5 was retired again in 2022.

Good being simply behind Garnett on Boston’s all-time scoring record is fairly becoming. The 2 are persistently tied collectively within the minds of followers due to the unrivaled coronary heart and depth that they every performed with. They even shared a second throughout Good’s rookie season, when Garnett and Paul Pierce returned to Boston for the primary time since being dealt to the Brooklyn Nets.

The younger guard dove after a unfastened ball, beat Garnett to the ground, and received the Celtics possession. As Jeff Inexperienced slammed residence a dunk on the alternative finish, Garnett confirmed respect to Good for his hustle.

Good practically went on to observe in Garnett’s footsteps in Boston. He captured the NBA’s Defensive Participant of the Yr award within the 2021-22 season, 14 years after KG had earned the identical honor. Each Celtics went on to assist their squads attain the NBA Finals after securing the award.

The distinction? Garnett’s Celtics bested the Los Angeles Lakers in six video games to boost Banner 17, whereas Good’s have been unable to complete the job towards the Golden State Warriors.

Boston’s defeat within the 2022 NBA Finals was irritating for a lot of, however didn’t essentially mirror the Texas native’s play. He averaged 15.2 factors, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per sport whereas taking pictures 43.0% from the sphere and 41.2% from distance.

Loads of Celtics followers weren’t solely excited for the staff’s first Finals berth since 2010, but additionally particularly for Good to lastly get to that massive stage and have the chance win a title in Boston, after spending years with the staff. The bond — constructed on love and belief — that he fashioned with the town over the course of his time there was particular.

“I’ve been by means of some stuff, and it’s all been in Boston. Boston’s my second residence,” Good stated of the town on July 7, per The Athletic’s Jay King. “So it’s been powerful [since the trade]. They’re all the time going to have a spot in my coronary heart.”

Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photos

His reference to the followers rivaled that of Paul Pierce — whose No. 34 is retired alongside Garnett’s at TD Backyard.

Make no mistake, Pierce was far more than only a fan favourite for the Celtics. He was a 10-time All-Star, 2008 Finals MVP, and was named to the Corridor of Fame in 2021. However, all through the course of his 15 seasons with the Cs, he linked with the Backyard devoted on one other degree. It wasn’t all the time excellent, however by the top, he turned one of the crucial beloved gamers to take the ground within the staff’s fashionable historical past.

Nothing encapsulated the love that supporters confirmed Pierce throughout his last look in Boston. He returned one last time as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, performed for 5 minutes, sat the complete sport, then checked in to sink one final three-pointer in entrance of the pleasant crowd.

After all, Good hasn’t made his return to TD Backyard as an opposing participant but. However, when he does someday this upcoming season, it’ll possible be one thing particular. There’s a good quantity of followers that simply by no means purchased into Good, didn’t like his shot choice, and refused to confess that he had a optimistic impression on the staff. That group is, for certain, outweighed by those that take the alternative facet.

When Good’s commerce to Memphis was introduced, he posted a heartfelt farewell message to his Twitter account.

Shortly after, a big chunk of the fanbase took to the replies to say goodbye and want Good effectively.

On prime of the entire nice moments he had on the court docket, Good was simply as energetic off of it. Since getting into the league in 2014, he’s constructed up his YoungGameChanger Basis which goals to create entry to alternative for inner-city athletes and assist pediatric most cancers sufferers.

Throughout his time with the Celtics, he made numerous visits to Boston Youngsters’s Hospital to spend time with youngsters who have been present process remedy for most cancers.

“It stems from dropping my mother, my brother, a few my aunts and uncles from most cancers once I was rising up,” Good stated after profitable the NBA Cares Neighborhood Help Award in October of 2022. “I want I had any individual to return in and take as a lot curiosity in serving to me or serving to my household in ways in which we couldn’t even think about, akin to giving us hope, making us really feel higher, placing a smile on our faces, issues like that. I feel any individual that folks look as much as akin to an NBA participant, any kind of athlete, entertainer, or any kind of person who they idolize, for them to have the ability to come and present their assist, means greater than something on the planet.”

Many felt that Good — very similar to Pierce — actually embodied what it means to be a Celtic. Some might even say that he was amongst the best Celtics ever.

This doesn’t imply that he was essentially the most gifted participant, however somewhat that he gave all the things he had for the franchise whereas sporting the traditional inexperienced and white uniform.

“The whole lot I achieved, I left all the things I had sporting that jersey out on that court docket,” Good instructed reporters in Las Vegas final month, “Though we didn’t win a championship within the massive scheme of issues, I don’t think about my time there a failure. I helped rebuild that staff on the time once I got here in. And I left it higher. So I’m very ecstatic with my time there however I’m excited for the longer term and what it holds.”

Over the course of 9 years, Good averaged 10.6 factors, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per sport whereas flattening 38.6% of his makes an attempt from the ground and 32.3% of these from deep.

Although he by no means did win a title, he all the time appeared to take his sport to a different degree within the playoffs — particularly in recent times. Since 2020, Good posted a median of 15.2 factors, 5.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per postseason contest.

With all of that being stated, it’s troublesome to ascertain a world the place he receives the distinction with out that elusive NBA championship. Of the 23 retired numbers in Boston, all of them have received not less than one title — aside from Reggie Lewis, who tragically handed away in July of 1993.

It’s not unimaginable. Good might have the most effective rafters resume of any non-championship-winning participant in Celtics historical past. His sustained success, coronary heart, and true reference to the fanbase make him a really distinctive participant.