Former Celtics Guard Marcus Smart Educates Reporters About His Value
Former Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart reminded reporters this week that you’re never going to understand his value as an NBA player by looking at box scores. Smart, now with the Los Angeles Lakers, didn’t fill up the stat sheet in LA’s win on Friday over the Minnesota Timberwolves, but that doesn’t mean Smart wasn’t impactful and important.
Any Celtics fan familiar with Smart’s game doesn’t need to be reminded of his value, but now that Marcus is in a new market with new reporters covering his career, he rightfully felt the need to point a few things out on Friday after the Wolves game.
Smart only took two shots against Minnesota, but he still managed to lead the Lakers in plus/minus rating (+24) in 21 minutes of action.
“I try not to look at the stats,” Smart said, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “For me, unfortunately, those stats aren’t going to do me any justice. I just try to go out there and do what I’m supposed to do, help my teammates out the best way I can. Being plus-24 is great and everything, and definitely shows the impact that can be made.”
Smart, 31, is still just a few seasons removed from winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 while wearing a Celtics uniform.
Smart signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers in July.
Now in his 12th NBA season, Smart has finished in the top eight in DPOY voting on two occasions beyond the year he won the award. He also finished No. 5 in Rookie of the Year voting with the Celtics in 2015.