Is Marcus Smart the modern NBA’s best defensive pest?
The inquiry, “Is Marcus Smart the pestilential defender the modern NBA uses best?” doesn’t necessarily come up often in league-wide debates. But it sure carried some gravitas this past week as Marcus Smart plied his trade with yet another admirable shift for the Boston Celtics on the defensive end of the floor, affecting and infecting the elite offensive players of the NBA. For his efforts, Smart was named the National Basketball Association’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches and weighing approximately 220 pounds, Smart possesses strength, agility, and a kind of “EQ” that allows him to guard multiple positions. This makes him a valuable asset for his team. In the 2022-2023 season, he had a defensive rating of 107.5. This places him among the elite defenders in the league. If you also consider the fact that he recorded 1.5 steals per game, it becomes clear that he is not only an elite defender but one that imposes his will on the game defensively.
In addition, Smart’s defensive ability goes beyond just numbers. It shows itself in the ways that he makes opponents change how they attack on offense. When he’s on the floor, teams tend to avoid driving to the basket, and that’s the kind of effectiveness that you’d expect from the NBA’s best defensive players. Since Smart’s been around, the Celtics have also consistently ranked in the top section of the league in terms of overall defensive efficiency, which remains one of the strongest selling points for their defense.
Understanding Smart’s Unique Skill Set
What makes Smart arguably the best defensive pest in the NBA today? This claim relies on several factors:
- On-Ball Defense: One-on-one is where Smart shines. He is a tenacious on-ball defender with the remarkable ability to stay in front of ball handlers. He uses a combination of toughness, lateral quickness, and superior defensive instincts to stay glued to his assignment.
- Defensive IQ: Smart has an incredible grasp of the game. He reads plays before they develop, resulting in not-so-timely steals and deflections. His high basketball IQ allows him to see through plays and anticipate passes, leading to not-so-timely disruptions of offensive sets.
- Smart is able to guard positions one through four, which makes him a versatile option in today’s NBA. And when it comes to switching, we know that Smart is up for the challenge. Despite being shorter than most of his opponents, he doesn’t shy away from guarding those taller and more athletic players.
- Veteran player Smart offers a model of leadership. His hustle and tenacity inspire teammates and instill a defensive culture within the organization.
As a result, these characteristics render him a living nightmare for adverse athletes, cementing his status as one of the premier defensive pests in the business today.
Statistics Reinforcing Smart’s Impact
To further bolster the claim that “Is Marcus Smart the modern NBA’s best defensive pest?” data from numerous outlet sources emerges to validate his performance:
- Deflections Total: In the 2022-2023 season, more than 150 deflections were had by Smart, and that is a good sign for a player who thrives on being disruptive in the opposing team’s backcourt.
- Defensive Win Shares: Last season, Smart contributed to about 3.5 defensive win shares, which may not hint at the huge impact he has on the games—in a good way—for the Celtics.
- Screen Navigation: Smart navigated screens well, a skill that diffuses common offensive strategies. This skill minimizes the damage done by screen-and-roll plays, which are so common in today’s pick-and-roll-oriented game.
Smart’s playmaking ability underscores his value beyond just being a defensive ace. He has a knack for making big plays that have real impact. And those plays often lead to fast-break opportunities for the team, turning defense into offense.
Success Stories and Highlights
Underscoring the question, “Is Marcus Smart the modern NBA’s best defensive pest?” are several standout moments. One of these occurred during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Smart’s defense against Kevin Durant in the second round of the series highlighted his ability to limit one of the league’s elite scorers. Durant shot just 39.6% against the Celtics over the course of the playoff series, and part of that has to be credited to the defensive work Smart did with him.
Another instance is his duel with the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Smart consistently faced off against Giannis Antetokounmpo, making the Greek Freak adjust his game. The Celtics’ defensive schemes were almost solely devoted to containing the reigning MVP, and Smart was the tip of the spear.
Furthermore, for the 2022-2023 season, he captured an unforgettable game against the Golden State Warriors. Smart played a pivotal role in the last few minutes of the game, stopping the Warriors from scoring. In securing the win for the Celtics, Smart demonstrated why many people regard him as the best defensive pest in the league.
Conclusion: The Case for Marcus Smart
To sum up, the current discussion about “Is Marcus Smart the modern NBA’s best defensive pest?” is more than just a surface-level look at his numbers. Smart is modern defense personified—an agile, intelligent, and versatile player. He is, quite obviously, a vital component of the Celtics’ deep-playoff aspirations.
As basketball continues to change, it is players like Smart who will determine the evolution of defensive tactics. His ability to adjust to different kinds of offensive players and schemes only makes him look more valuable. Whether one believes he is the best defensive pest going varies by opinion, but it is hard to deny Smart’s influence and impact on the game. Teams that value defense will keep looking for players with Smart’s kind of unique ability.
Explore More on us
Discover insightful blogs on our Blogging Space, check our SoloStat Score Explanation, and learn more about NBA All-Defensive Team.