Marcus Smart - Defensive Instincts

[PickNRoll]

I grabbed a few defensive highlights from the Orlando game, which I thought was a maestro performance from Smart on D (for a rookie).  Some are subtle.  His shooting is shaky, but when you add up defensive stops, steals, blocks, shot clock violations, and hustle Smart might've earned us 12-15 extra possessions, which is incredible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0M-FHSmjMs

And to be fair, he also cost us 3 possessions on silly turnovers. 

[Monkhouse]

I grabbed a few defensive highlights from the Orlando game, which I thought was a maestro performance from Smart on D (for a rookie).  Some are subtle.  His shooting is shaky, but when you add up defensive stops, steals, blocks, shot clock violations, and hustle Smart might've earned us 12-15 extra possessions, which is incredible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0M-FHSmjMs

And to be fair, he also cost us 3 possessions on silly turnovers. 

Very nice video.

TP for the effort.

Just gonna say. I haven't seen anyone play defense so well in a long time especially for a rookie. Smart should definitely be on the All Rookie or All Defense 2nd at least... 3/4 of the time his +/ splits are normally high due to his defense.

Smart is just a fun player to watch cause I love defense. I love the grit and grind, and players that put their 100% effort to ensure that player doesn't score on them.

[PickNRoll]

As good as Smart was, we were equally bad when anyone else was trying to deny penetration.  It was a parade into the paint.