Defending Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart continues to coach the Celtics' defense.
Floor burns, rib scrapes, occasional elbow blows to the face – that's the price guard Marcus Smart has paid for eight years to establish himself as the first and sometimes last line of defense for the Celtics.
Finally, last spring, the NBA world took notice, with the 2021-22 Kia Defensive Player of the Year award.
So now, when the ground board is on fire, rib scrapes, and the occasional elbow hits the face, hey, that's the price a DPOY winner pays.
A trophy on a shelf in his house didn't make those cringing moments unpleasant. But between the pains there is a sense of satisfaction that was not there before.
"Recognition," Smart told the NBA in a phone interview this week: "I'm not playing for recognition, but in our game, where offense and defense are at a disadvantage, it's harder than ever to win this award." Especially as a guard. It's an incredible thing. ”
Smart, 28, became the first guard and sixth backcourt player since Seattle Hall of Famer Gary Payton was named the league's best guard in 1996. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound veteran won 37 first-place votes and 257 points from a jury of 100 sports journalists and broadcasters last spring. Phoenix's Mikale Bridges (22 first-place votes) is second, and three-time champion Rudy Gobert (10) is third since being traded from Utah to Minnesota.
Oddly enough, Smart — who appeared on the defensive ladder in the first edition of the season — believes the DPOY accolades bring more scrutiny of how he dominates opponents at that end of the court.
"I think I'm getting more criticism now because I won," he said. "You answer fewer calls. It's kind of weird. I guess [I'll get reputation calls too], right? But I know who I am, I know what I can do. What I've been doing and how well I've been doing it. ”
As Smart said Monday, he faces a long night — Celtic in Memphis, facing explosive Jamorant and other young, aggressive Grizzlies. For the most part, Smart is eager to return to the hotel for a pre-match nap, and he firmly believes that a break before a game is no less important to defensive performance than the energy and effort in the game.
Morant scored 30 points, but Boston won, 109-106. Smart stuck his nose and chest into most of Memphis' property. The Celtics switched freely and fielded a team of defenders to the Grizzlies' resilient point guard. But with two minutes left, it would be wise to draw energy out of Morant. He's the player most likely to step back to thwart any idea of a quick attack.
When his night highlights roll showed him that he led his team with 15 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists, it was more important for him to do his job as a center guard for the Celtics.
"There's a lot of garbage in this world." Somebody has to pick it up," Smart said. "There aren't many people who want to do it. You praise people who are willing to take on jobs that others won't. When it comes to defense, that's one of those jobs.
"Nobody wants to play defensively. No one wants to fight like this every night. Can be injured by littering bodies. Sacrificing your body for the good of your team and your teammates. That's a great defender. And it's obvious that you have basketball intelligence and anticipation, and just lead the entire defense. ”
Last season, under coach Amy Yuduka, defense swept through the Celtics' locker room like a virus, paying off not just Smart rewards, but the team's first place and trip to the Finals.
"We talk about 'action' 'facts speak louder than words,'" Smart said. It's hard to tell people to do what you didn't do. For me, I'm going to preach out to you, give you everything, effort and sacrifice, for your teammates, I have to lead by example. If I'm preaching and not doing it, it's.
"Every day, if I'm thinking, 'My body is sore. I am tired. "I don't get enough sleep and I'll still go there to recharge, dive on the floor, punch a big guy and punch him in the face with my elbow," Smart said.
Like what he got on Saturday when he tried to defend big man Julius Randle. However, I also received a whistle.
"It's about keeping your face out there, and every time you get hit, keep coming back," Smart said. His solid foundation and low center of gravity allowed him to stop bigger opponents, but it brought his jaw and nose dangerously close to their arms and elbows.
"For me, being able to do that," the Boston point guard said, "it looks other people in the eye and makes them think, 'Hey, if he's going to do that, man, he's yelling at me?'" "I have to listen," and then it would be contagious. "
The Celtics are 7-3, but their defense has slipped, ranking 23rd at 113.8 points per 100 compared to 106.2 last season. They've only once allowed their team to score less than 100 points, and three times in their first 10 games a year ago, they went 25-5 on nights like this.
Smart said those plans haven't changed much under new coach Joe Mazura, who has refused to use center Robert Williams III's knee surgery as an excuse. But not a single guy actively defended in the playoffs, disintegrating one enemy after another, which does provide an explanation.
"I defend a lot more at No. 5 than I do now," Smart said. "Without Rob, we had to move pieces around and get people to play in places they weren't used to, or we didn't practice that much. Without Robb, the team did a really good job of tweaking, trying to break the first line of defence and overtake us. ”
Smart said if Williams could, he would be his first choice this season. He likes Bridges and Draymond Green as elite guards and joins teammate Grant Williams in the conversation.
As for his own continued commitment to the role – nine previous DPOY winners will receive the award again next season – this has not wavered. He would still rather win the game with a stop than shoot.
"Anybody can shoot on any given day," Smart said. "But being able to lock in a guy in the game, especially when everything is in his favor – from the clock, he knows what moves he's going to do and what ball he's going to throw, being able to touch and foul — that's an advantage for attacking players. It's important for you to be able to stop and play one last time. ”
Here are the big name rungs holders of the November edition of the 2022-23 Kia Defensive Player Ladder:
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
The distinction from the Bucks is important: Alphabet is the team's best defensive player, and as a result, according to Milwaukee's No. 1 ranking (101.9), the top of this early ladder. But that doesn't negate that Brooke Lopes is the team's most valuable defender. The veteran center has adapted well to some tweaks in coach Mike Budenholzer's strategy this season, requiring less pure shooting coverage and more mobility. Still, the 2020 DPOY champion from Greece brings the full toolkit with rim protection, on-ball resistance and suffocating help defense.
2. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
I think we should ask the defending champion if there is one statistic that is most important in evaluating other defenders. Caps? Steal? Deformation? The charges are substantiated. Controversial footage? "I'm going to say no," Smart said. "Anyone can charge, anyone can block. For me, I would put deflection as a stat because it means you're around the ball. But anyone can get these. ... If I had to choose, I would choose the sum of all the data. In other words, it's like the NFL's quarterback rating to evaluate all-around defenders. Then again, the start of the season went like this: under the spell of Smart guards James Harden, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, P. In the first two games of J. Tucker, Jimmy Butler, Taylor Hero and Kyle Lowry, the seven players combined for 11 points.
3. Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors
For a man who hasn't secured a full-defense seat in the last five seasons, Anunoby has a high goal. "I've always wanted to be the Defensive Player of the Year," he said last week. "I always thought I was the best guard in the league. I've been thinking about it for I don't know how many years. "One key is to stay fit (in total, he has only played 91 games in the last two seasons). The league's steal leader (3.1 SPG) has played 22 of Toronto's last five games.
The next seven:
(in alphabetical order)
Baam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Also aiming for DPOY, proud of 1-5 versatility.
Mikale Bridges, Phoenix Suns
- "Strong Number Two" could be a nickname for his defensive approach.
Lugenz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
- The ability and skills to deal with major threats enhance OKC's defense capabilities.
Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
- Research NFL security for their reading and reaction defenses.
Brooke López, Milwaukee Bucks
- Venture further, but defensively to the basket (2.5 points, 15.2 points).
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
- 8 blocks, 7 "Bill Russell-style" (Cavaliers control possession) vs. DET
Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers
- The opponent shot 41 percent, 7.5 percent worse than his 19.3 shots per night.