Marcus Smart finally gets recognized for defensive greatness

Marcus Smart has finally been recognized for his defensive greatness. 

Marcus Smart finally got the recognition he deserves after winning the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Smart becomes the first guard to win the prestigious honor since Seattle Supersonics guard Gary Payton in 1996 and is also the first Celtic to win the award since Kevin Garnett in 2008.

Smart, who finished in the top 10 in steals and led the Celtics’ No.  1 rated defense, seems always inspired by defensive challenges and making things difficult for opposing teams. His presence on the defensive end speaks volumes as he is capable of guarding every position on the floor and can do it quite efficiently.

Smart’s hustle infuses his team with energy as the 6-foot-4 guard is built like a truck with a defensive IQ that is off the charts as he serves as the Celtics’ defensive play-caller. He is extremely talented at knowing where to be and where everyone else is on the floor.

Smart is responsible for helping create a team culture by playing hard-nosed defense which appeared to benefit the Celtics throughout the season as they allowed only the second-least amount of points in the NBA.

He is the heart and soul of this Celtics team and seemed destined to eventually win this award someday. He not only plays smart physical defense but serves as an enforcer and does so many of the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet that helps his team win games.

Smart has been a great defensive player ever since he stepped foot in the league and this DPOY award is just validation. What’s more impressive is that there were many deserving players who could have won it like Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Draymond Green, or even Rudy Gobert but Smart has truly earned this accolade and everything he’s gotten with the effort he puts forth on a game to game basis.

He just plays with so much tenacity as he willingly puts his body on the line while diving for loose balls, taking charges, or guarding players twice his size. Smart usually garners a lot of criticism for flopping but his defensive stats across the board from defensive rating, steals, and deflections are all very good for a player his size where height is valued at every position.

It’s actually a joy to watch Smart play defense. It’s much more entertaining than watching a center play defense since Smart has the skills to compensate for his stature. With the opportunity to be in the starting lineup and showcase what he can do, Smart has stood out as an elite defender. The Celtics have had the best defense all season and Smart appears to have influenced and inspired his teammates as well.

Smart has always been recognized for his stellar defense but because the award seems reserved for big men, it’s surprising to finally see a guard win it after all these years. Finally, Smart gets the recognition he truly deserves.