ESPN’s Zach Lowe explains why Smart wasn’t top three on his DPoY ballot originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart is likely to earn a third-career selection to the All-Defensive first team, an honor he received during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Despite being one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders for several years, Smart has never won the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
In some ways it’s not entirely surprising, given how hard it is for guards to win this trophy. The last one to do it was Seattle SuperSonics legend Gary Payton, aka “The Glove”, in 1995-96.
That could change in 2022, though.
Smart is arguably the top candidate for the award. He’s even the betting favorite in some places.
Not everyone is all-aboard the Smart train, though. One example is ESPN’s Zach Lowe. He revealed his awards allot in a story posted Thursday morning. Smart did not make the top three of his DPoY ballot.
Bam Adebayo, C, Heat
Rudy Gobert, C, Jazz
Jaren Jackson Jr., F, Grizzlies
Lowe writes that, “In the end, I just couldn’t get there with Smart as the league’s single most destructive defensive force. The bar is very high for guards, and that’s fair. Even as the league trends toward speed, wings, and 3s, the real estate around the rim remains most valuable.”
He also adds, “Adebayo and Jackson can do much of what Smart does on the perimeter while still providing shot-blocking and center-level rebounding.” Lowe also noted that “Boston defended at about the same level with Smart playing or resting.”
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Celtics fans will probably disagree with Lowe leaving Smart off the ballot, but you can bet he did plenty of research before finalizing his award ballots. You won’t find many smarter basketball writers than Lowe.
That doesn’t mean his ballot is immune from criticism, though.
Story continues
Rim protection remains valuable in today’s NBA despite the barrage of 3-point shooting, but you could make an argument that perimeter defense is even more important. Smart excels in that area, while being able to guard all five positions, something that other players in the mix for this award can’t do or don’t do as well as Smart.
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Smart guarding the opponent’s best perimeter player also takes a huge burden off Celtics wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It’s hard to quantify that impact but it’s definitely quite valuable.
The Celtics also were the best defensive team in the league. If you just look at the last four months, it’s not even close. Boston led all teams in defensive rating, opponents’ 3-point percentage and opponents’ 2-point percentage.
Smart isn’t the C’s only good defender, but he’s the best one and makes the most profound impact. It’s time for a guard to be recognized and win this award. Smart should be the guy based on his overall body of work this season.
