Marcus Smart. 2019 NBA All-Defensive First Team. 2015 All-Rookie Second Team. Those are the only two honors Marcus has received so far in his career, which is wild to think about when you see how important he is to his team. A year removed from his very first All-Defensive Team selection (to quote the Grindfather Tony Allen, “First Team All-Defense”), Smart has somehow upped his game on the defensive end of the floor. Reminiscent of Draymond Green for the Golden State Warriors with their (pre-Durant) “Death Lineup,” Marcus matches up with opposing big men, often IN THE POST, and often does more than just hold his ground. That’s made even more impressive by the fact that’s (only) a legit 6’3”. He is terrifically tenacious and is as electrifying as anyone can be on the opposite side of the offense.
Smart is in the top 10 in the league in deflections per game (ahead of the likes of Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, and Paul George), top 20 in steals per game, top 10 in charges drawn by guards, and top 20 in Defensive Win Shares (better than DPOY winners Kawhi Leonard and Rudy Gobert).
“When you look at Marcus Smart and what he brings to the table, it’s like he gives them (the Celtics team) swagger. He don’t care who you are. He don’t care if you 7’1”, he takes pride in ‘ I’ma show y’all I can lock this up’” said Kendrick Perkins on The Jump in November. That has followed through pretty much this entire season when he’s been out on the floor. Watch how great his hands are, how he rips the ball out of even the surest ball handlers. Watch how he’ll put his body on the line against much bigger guys. Watch how he leverages bigger players’ legs when he’s outsized on postups. Watch how he beats guys to spots and refuses to get screened (coverage permitting). Watch him do anything defensively and you’ll learn and grow. He draws charges. He blocks shots. He denies the ball with the hands and feet all angled properly. Smart is a defensive savant.
Special shoutouts to @SmartHighlights , @Timi , and @always_hoops .
Hope @FreeDawkins can make a comeback.
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