Marcus Smart vs other all time great defenders

[kozlodoev]

Tony Allen is a superior defender to Smart. You don't have Tony Allen on your list. Does that answer your question?

[KeepRondo]

Tony Allen is a superior defender to Smart. You don't have Tony Allen on your list. Does that answer your question?

Because he's not better.

TA is a great defender but not an all time great.

[max215]

Kawhi?

Considered him. Anyone else think he should be on the list?

I figure he's going to win his second DPOY this year, and in terms of awards, that puts him in rare company.

[KeepRondo]

Kawhi?

Considered him. Anyone else think he should be on the list?

I figure he's going to win his second DPOY this year, and in terms of awards, that puts him in rare company.

Ok I'll add him.

[max215]

Dwight Howard might also be worth considering. He used to be incredible.

[KeepRondo]

Dwight Howard might also be worth considering. He used to be incredible.

Good call. And Alonzo Mourning.

[droopdog7]

Defensive-minded big man > than perimeter defender all day every day.

As for Marcus, he's very good but we'll need to string together a number of years before any definitive statement can be made.  His biggest obstacle will be finding a niche on offense so he can stay on the court.

[PhoSita]

Long term, I think the extent of Marcus's defensive impact will be determined by how many minutes he can earn with his ability to punish opponents on the other end.  His defense is really good.  His offense, right now, gives pause to the idea of playing him 30+ minutes a night.

Can he become a full time guy?  He could be an Artest-caliber contributor at the guard position if he can become a more consistent and offensive option.

[KeepRondo]

Defensive-minded big man > than perimeter defender all day every day.

As for Marcus, he's very good but we'll need to string together a number of years before any definitive statement can be made.  His biggest obstacle will be finding a niche on offense so he can stay on the court.

Thats always been the belief but I'm not sure I completely agree.

Perimeter defenders like Scottie Pippen and Ron Artest had a huge impact on the defensive end. I'm probably still taking KG over them as a defender but I would rank them very close with other bigs such as Robinson as far as defensive impact.

Also the Celtics are one of the top ranked defensive teams in the league without a rim protector because of their perimeter defenders.

[KeepRondo]

Long term, I think the extent of Marcus's defensive impact will be determined by how many minutes he can earn with his ability to punish opponents on the other end.  His defense is really good.  His offense, right now, gives pause to the idea of playing him 30+ minutes a night.

Can he become a full time guy?  He could be an Artest-caliber contributor at the guard position if he can become a more consistent and offensive option.

I agree. But his defense is so good that he just has to bring his offensive game to Crowder's level and he'll probably be an all star.

[Eja117]

We have a ways to go to see if he can stay as healthy as that group, and most of that group also was excellent on offense.

But no it's not too early

[droopdog7]

Long term, I think the extent of Marcus's defensive impact will be determined by how many minutes he can earn with his ability to punish opponents on the other end.  His defense is really good.  His offense, right now, gives pause to the idea of playing him 30+ minutes a night.

Can he become a full time guy?  He could be an Artest-caliber contributor at the guard position if he can become a more consistent and offensive option.

I agree. But his defense is so good that he just has to bring his offensive game to Crowder's level and he'll probably be an all star.

Good points.  I think on average a good rim protectors provides an easier way to improve team defense.  But as you say, good perimeter defenders (and other team defense concepts) can get you to the same point.

[danglertx]

How could a post about a defensive guard on the Boston Celtics not start off with Dennis Johnson?  I'd throw Mougsy Bouges in there too.  That guy terrorized opponents until the cartilage in his knees disappeared.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

He has all the tools, but declaring him on par with the greatest defenders in NBA history is an insult to them and their careers. Smart may surpass Gary Payton one day as a defender, but he's not there yet.

Smart is quickly becoming the most intimidating defender in the NBA. At some point, the legend of Smart will get even bigger, and then Smart will have a psychological advantage. As players stop viewing him as a young spastic wanna-be, and start fearing matching up with him, they will play tighter, force more bad shots, and become more erratic in their decision-making.

What Smart does more than any other defender is win the mental game (and that is what great players do). He can put you into foul trouble with two quick offensive fouls. He can steal it from you at any time. If offensive players stop playing relaxed and start playing afraid, or tight, or overly aggressive, then Smart deserves an All-Defensive first team.

If he does that over a 5-8 year period, then he is an all-time great.

[2short]

He is equal to some of the guys on the list but I don't consider all of them to be great. Some are simply very good. Like a TA.

Who would you take off the list?

Take off Dwight Howard.  I'm assuming you are doing modern era hence no Russ.  Add in Bobby jones and Michael Cooper, great defenders.  I'd really wonder about Lebron being on list as well.  Great athlete not sure I'd call him great defender.