Marcus Smart Is More Than Just His Defense
During Boston's conference final-opening loss to Miami on Tuesday night, Marcus Smart stood on the sideline in resortwear, nursing a foot injury and politicking with officials. He did what he could; cameras caught him during a timeout harping on rotations and assignments. But Derrick White, starting in his stead, mustered just 3 points on four shots, and, during the deciding third quarter, the Celtics' offense stuck to predictable patterns while their defense broke down.
Throughout his career, up to and including his recent Defensive Player of the Year honor, Smart has been praised for the intangibles he brings, and he remains the team's emotional engine, a glyph of green-haired hustle. But there's a cap to how much a player in just that role matters, and a key to this season has been his taking on more than what the Tony Allens and Patrick Beverleys of the world do, turning into an opportunistic scorer and a capable floor general. Believing in Smart has always meant putting stock in the small stuff, but as the Celtics have ascended to contender status -- and as they look to even their series with the Heat when he returns Thursday night -- he's done enough of the big stuff for it to matter.
Here's a fitting summary of the evolution Smart has made over his eight years in the league In Game 6 of Boston's...