If only one Celtics player could be on the all-defensive teams...

[RPGenerate]

Thought this was an interesting question. I'd honestly have to think about it.

[GreenFaith1819]

I voted Smart but Tatum will be robbed if he doesn't get 2nd team...

I'd think Jaylen would get some votes, too.

[jpotter33]

If we stay top-2 or so defensively, I think you’ll see Smart as 1st Team All Defense for sure, and potentially either Jayson or Jaylen (probably Jayson though Jaylen is just as deserving) on the 2nd team.

Smart has started enough this year that he should be a lock for first team if he continues his elite D and stays healthy.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Brown is exactly where he was last year. He can be really good and disruptive, but is not consistent enough to deserve a place on the all-defensive team yet. He should get a vote or two. When he engages, he's Kawhi-like.

Theis is a good scheme and team defender, but he is not deserving of this. He's only averaging 23 minutes per game.

I actually think Smart has not been as good this year at chasing guards around screens. He might be pacing himself for the playoffs, but he's getting hung up way more. It's one of the reasons I don't think he is a defensive MVP candidate, but he is really good.

Tatum is getting there. The only problem is that Brad's scheme, while good for the team as a whole, is not always good for Tatum. I think putting Tatum on shorter players is smart and helps the team often, but it also means he gets beat off the dribble too much.

I think Smart deserves first team. I think Tatum is on the fringe but probably should be left off second team unless he takes another step forward to end the season. Brown should get a vote or two but is not there yet. Theis doesn't deserve it.

[tstorey_97]

Smart's game, like Marcus himself, is all over the place. He is a showman, a magician, a negotiator. Marcus runs on nerves and emotions.

He certainly picks the moments in games doesn't he?

Watch him run the rookies on the floor. How he brings them into the flow of the game. If Smart has the ball each of his mates knows they could get a laser or a floater at any moment.

He climbs inside of the head of whomever he's covering. I seem to recall he's gotten Boogie ejected twice. He loves wrestling with bigs and I think it's just to mess with them.

He knows where the opponent is going. He knows his tendencies and he makes a minimum of two guys look silly per game.

I'm just glad he plays for OUR team.

[gouki88]

It's definitely Smart. Nobody on this team makes the same defensive impact routinely like Smart does. Other guys definitely have games where they shine on defence, but it's the consistency with which Smart does it that puts him apart.

I also can't really think of any guards that have the defensive impact of Smart. There are forwards/wings who are definitely better defenders than the Jays (like Kawhi, Isaac & Giannis) and there are bigs like Gobert & AD who are much better defenders than Theis.

However, DPOY is a big man award. Kinda sick of Gobert winning it (thought it was ridiculous he won it when he managed 56 games).

[ETNCeltics]

Brown is exactly where he was last year. He can be really good and disruptive, but is not consistent enough to deserve a place on the all-defensive team yet. He should get a vote or two. When he engages, he's Kawhi-like.

Theis is a good scheme and team defender, but he is not deserving of this. He's only averaging 23 minutes per game.

I actually think Smart has not been as good this year at chasing guards around screens. He might be pacing himself for the playoffs, but he's getting hung up way more. It's one of the reasons I don't think he is a defensive MVP candidate, but he is really good.

Tatum is getting there. The only problem is that Brad's scheme, while good for the team as a whole, is not always good for Tatum. I think putting Tatum on shorter players is smart and helps the team often, but it also means he gets beat off the dribble too much.

I think Smart deserves first team. I think Tatum is on the fringe but probably should be left off second team unless he takes another step forward to end the season. Brown should get a vote or two but is not there yet. Theis doesn't deserve it.

I don't disagree Theis isn't deserving, but he's been awfully good. He's been a lot more than just a scheme defender.

[Scottiej23]

If anyone will it'll be Marcus.

[nickagneta]

I think Smart makes it on reputation. I am not saying he isn't a great defender, or undeserving of a placement on one of the teams, but I don't think he has been as dominant defensively as past years and I am not sure he has had a bigger defensive impact this year than Tatum or Brown.

Of course, Marcus got snubbed a bunch of years too so if he gets the 1st team nod, I am good with that.

Tatum has been spectacular this year, especially on help, weak side defense and following defenders and blocking shots from behind. He is an amazing team defender and his one on one defense is very good and getting better. Unfortunately, unlike Smart and Brown, Tatum can get bullied by bigger stronger players down low, but he is 21, still putting on muscle, and really, is a natural SF and not a PF.

Brown has done a great job being maybe as versatile defensively in who he can defend at a high level as Smart. His one on one defense on ball is excellent. He often starts games guarding the toughest offensive player playing 2-4 or the largest most physical player. As a guard, Brown might guard PFs more than any other guard in the league and though Hayward and Tatum get listed at PF, it's mostly Brown who starts off guarding the PF position.

I think they have all been amazing, in their own ways.

[Rosco917]

That's the beauty of this team...at first I thought Brown, forgetting about Marcus. But realizing that Tatum is much improved too. What a nice surprise Theis is for sure.

Point of the story...these guys all defend well.

[Neurotic Guy]

I just love when the C’s lock in on defense.  They can dominate when their defensive intensity is sparked. Their D takes this team to a different level and leaves me unsure (in a good way) about their ceiling this year.   The player who I think has been the disruptor in chief when the D is clicking has been Tatum.  Smart is the obvious pick as I think his defense is consistently intense.  But when Tatum is in the “zone” defensively, I think he causes the most damage. His arms are quick and long! 

[Jvalin]

Am I the only one who isn't sold on Tatum's defense? I'm not even sure he makes the Celtics all-defensive team, much less the NBA all-defensive team. If you ask me, he's our 7th best defender. I'd take Smart, Brown, Semi, Grant, Theis and Timelord over Tatum.

The way I see it, Tatum is a very good help defender. He gets a lot of deflections/steals/blocks. Having said that,

1. he's a below average on-ball defender. He struggles to stay in front of his opponents (especially when switching ball screens).

2. he isn't overly athletic/explosive (which is evident in his slashing game as well when trying to create separation)

3. he isn't all that long. According to nbadraft.net, he's 6'8 with a 6'11 wingspan. That's about average length in my book.

Obviously, he's a talented scorer, but that's a whole nother story.

[RockinRyA]

Am I the only one who isn't sold on Tatum's defense? I'm not even sure he makes the Celtics all-defensive team, much less the NBA all-defensive team. If you ask me, he's our 7th best defender. I'd take Smart, Brown, Semi, Grant, Theis and Timelord over Tatum.

The way I see it, Tatum is a very good help defender. He gets a lot of deflections/steals/blocks. Having said that,

1. he's a below average on-ball defender. He struggles to stay in front of his opponents (especially when switching ball screens).

2. he isn't overly athletic/explosive (which is evident in his slashing game as well when trying to create separation)

3. he isn't all that long. According to nbadraft.net, he's 6'8 with a 6'11 wingspan. That's about average length in my book.

Obviously, he's a talented scorer, but that's a whole nother story.

Everyone looks shorter with these new heights. If using the old metrics he'd be listed as 6'9 which is tall for a power forward. His wingspan was last measured in college, who's to say it hasnt increased? He said he grew some after getting drafted.

[Somebody]

Smart by a mile. Tatum still has issues in man defence (yes his help defence more than makes up for it, but it still dents his defensive value) while Theis has a bunch of great defensive big men in front of him. I'm not high on Jaylen's team defence enough to rank him over Smart.

[Fafnir]

Marcus.

This isn't one of his best defensive seasons, but he still deserves it.