In a debate with Max Kellerman on ESPN, Smith made the claim that there are no excuses for Kyrie Irving and co. not to go all the way.
The Celtics begin their season tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers, and are expected to be one of the teams pushing for the NBA Championship.
The Golden State Warriors are overwhelming favourites to take the crown for a third straight year, but the Celtics will challenge them for the crown, according to the bookies.
And Smith reckons the Eastern Conference favourites must make the Finals in order to make something of their season.
The Boston Celtics are going to the NBA Finals, any less is unacceptable.
“Their roster is deep, they are talented, they can shoot, they are athletic, they can defend, and they are exceptionally well coached.
“There is absolutely, positively, no excuse on God’s green earth for the Boston Celtics not to get to the NBA Finals.
“If you can get to game seven of a conference finals without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, what can you do when you’ve got them back?”
Smith’s belief that the Celtics would be a force to be reckoned with was echoed by Kellerman, who was full of praise for the starting line-up.
“The Celtics starting five is bananas,” he said.
