Is Smart our 5th best defender?

[liam]

I'm seriously asking. TIMELORD, Horford, Tatum, and Brown all seem like better defenders. Maybe Grant Williams too. I'm glad Smart won DPOY and he makes some spectacular defensive plays I'm just not sure he's our best defender from watching the Brooklyn series.

[Celtics2021]

No, this is silly talk.

[liam]

No, this is silly talk.

Either way it's a good problem to have.

[jambr380]

Click-bait...and patently false

[liam]

Click-bait...and patently false

I don't mean it to be clickbait as I'm not trying to generate clicks but Horford, TIMELORD, BROWN and Tatum are all excellent defenders.

[Atzar]

Are we just ignoring the fact that Irving was completely invisible for three games out of four?  You don't think a certain somebody played a big role in that?

[liam]

I think Tatum is an underrated defender at this point. I think the major difference between him and Durant at this point is on the defensive end. Durant isn't the defender he once was and Tatum carried the load on both ends of the floor. This isn't meant as a put down of Smart I think this was his best season it's more of a complement to the other great defenders on our team.

[Roy H.]

I think you can make an argument for any of Smart, Timelord or Horford.  Meanwhile, Tatum probably made the most plays in the Brooklyn series.

[liam]

Are we just ignoring the fact that Irving was completely invisible for three games out of four?  You don't think a certain somebody played a big role in that?

I definitely do but the job on Durant was unreal. Durant is the best offensive player of his generation and Kyrie is a flake that can go off for a game. I was more impressed with Tatum than Smart in the series but both were amazing. I'm not just trying to pick a nit I was just very impressed with everyone's D.

[liam]

I think you can make an argument for any of Smart, Timelord or Horford.  Meanwhile, Tatum probably made the most plays in the Brooklyn series.

Yeah, Tatum was at a different level on both ends in the series. I'm not trying to throw shade I was just amazed at all our defenders.

[Big333223]

A lot of good defenders on this team so, yeah, this is a fun conversation to have.

But, no. I think Smart is our best defender. Fast enough to lock up Kyrie and strong enough to hold position in the post against bigger guys. His timing and understanding of where he should be at all times is tops on the team and in the league.

I think Smart is in league with Draymond in terms of their understanding of defense.

[liam]

A lot of good defenders on this team so, yeah, this is a fun conversation to have.

But, no. I think Smart is our best defender. Fast enough to lock up Kyrie and strong enough to hold position in the post against bigger guys. His timing and understanding of where he should be at all times is tops on the team and in the league.

I think Smart is in league with Draymond in terms of their understanding of defense.

Yeah, I wasn't knocking Smart just marveling at the number of top defenders we have. They should have a defensive team of the year as well. Brown and Tatum were like top 7 in steals so far in the playoffs.

[Phantom255x]

The team as a whole is playing fierce defense this postseason, particularly Tatum who was awesome on KD the previous series. But there's a reason Timelord and Smart were each considered up there for DPOY consideration from the Celtics. I think Smart is still the best on the team, but the others are also great and showing improvement on that end too (Tatum, Batman, etc.)

[liam]

The team as a whole is playing fierce defense this postseason, particularly Tatum who was awesome on KD the previous series. But there's a reason Timelord and Smart were each considered up there for DPOY consideration from the Celtics. I think Smart is still the best on the team, but the others are also great and showing improvement on that end too (Tatum, Batman, etc.)

Defense is a team effort and it's the reason we could over come two of the best scores in the game it's also why the Jazz stink in the playoffs every year even though Rudy Gobert is a great defensive player. Why I wouldn't want Mitchell on our team...

[liam]

Should change the title to: The Team defense is GREAT!!!