Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics isn’t one of the biggest players in the NBA but he certainly plays as if he is.
Just last season, Smart was awarded Defensive Player of the Year, a rarity for a guard who is just 6-foot-3.
Smart has become a huge part of the Celtics since joining the team back in 2014.
The man knows what he wants to do and knows what he’s best at.
Mazzulla on Marcus Smart, the point guard: “I trust him completely.”
“He told me what his role is going to be.” pic.twitter.com/CwktKH1Ija
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) October 12, 2022
That is why the team’s interim coach, Joe Mazzulla, has nothing but faith in Smart.
Speaking to the press, Mazzulla said “I trust him completely” and also added that “he told me what his role is going to be.”
That second comment was made half-jokingly but there is no doubt that Smart will have the backing of his coaching staff in the months ahead.
Playing Smart
Last season, Smart was able to produce 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.7 steals a game.
He is competitive and shows a lot of fight during every single possession.
Smart has room to grow and his shooting skills could always be better.
But he can also work wonders for his team and they will need his special brand of enthusiasm in 2022-23.
The team has one goal in mind: to return to – and win – the NBA Finals.
If they are going to achieve that, they will need everyone on the team to be performing at the best of their abilities, including Smart.
The faith of his coach is paramount but Smart needs to continue to perfect his game, get better, and not let himself rest.
There is no doubt that Smart is a great defensive player but he could certainly enhance his offensive skills some more as the team takes another run at the Finals.
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