Marcus Smart Best Defensive & Hustle Highlights from 2015/16 Season

[Maurice98]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ICWtUOW6A

First of all what a great video made by the fantastic Tomasz Kordylewski and all the credits goes to him.

Secondly, I need to mention that we're so lucky to have Marcus Smart on our team. Yes he has his shooting woes and his shot selection could be better but we need to remember that he's the heart and soul of the team. He was invited for the Select Team for a reason. I was so excited to see him stepping up in the 4th quarters of any game and his playoff performance (arguably the 2nd/3rd best Celtics player in the playoffs). He can guard anybody from Westbrook to Harden to Millsap to Porzingis for limited stretches. A guy who other teams hate to play against. He doesn't back down from any challenge and he will do everything to win. If he gets traded (only for a star), he will be sorely missed by us.

I can wait for next season!

[makaveli]

defensive superstar the best description, hopefully we he can become a offensive star-ish player too...
i am sold on marcus smart, no doubt he will develop further

[apc]

Great stuff!

[loco_91]

TP for sharing. The Cobra!

[sofutomygaha]

My favorite Marcus Smart highlights are the ones where he jumps in on the pass but he's too late and the guy catches it... and then he just takes it away anyway with two hands. Marcus Smart is strong as hell.

[ChillyWilly]

Never seen a player just rip the ball from opposing players hands so easily. When Marcus polishes up his offensive game he's going to be a nightmare for other teams.

I'm crossing my fingers next season he make a big leap on the offensive end.

[jpotter33]

Man, he's such a stud defensively. These highlight videos make him look even better!

[ThePaintedArea]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ICWtUOW6A

 If he gets traded (only for a star), he will be sorely missed by us.

His team defense is behind his individual defense, but it'll catch up. He just has a great feel for the game. He's going to keep getting better on both sides of the ball.

Roster continuity is now a priority. This is not rebuilding anymore, the task is to advance in the playoffs. He's a core player; don't trade him. Looks to me like you hang on to him, Crowder, and Olynyk above all; I might even give up Thomas before them.

[Greyman]

TP for posting. Shows the importance of Smart.

[Ed Hollison]

I just watched it. My own thought was: How ridiculous is it that all of these plays were from the SAME SEASON?

Like I've said before, given the quality of his defense, if Smart only becomes a mediocre offensive player he will still be one of the most valuable guards in the league.

[LilRip]

i can't wait for Smart to develop even more! He seems like a lock for future All-defense teams.

TP to the OP

[straightouttabahstun]

I still don't think Smart is going anywhere. Danny loves these kinds of guards. We've all seen what Marcus Smart can do when he's hot offensively. It's a confidence thing. He'll pick it up sooner than later.

 I like to think that part of the next Celtics championship team is that three headed beast of a guard rotation that is IT/AB/Smart. They work so well together.

[Granath]

I just watched it. My own thought was: How ridiculous is it that all of these plays were from the SAME SEASON?

Like I've said before, given the quality of his defense, if Smart only becomes a mediocre offensive player he will still be one of the most valuable guards in the league.

TP. I had the same thought. That looks like a career highlight film.

I don't think I've ever seen a defensive guy literally take the ball out of other player's hands as much as Smart does. It's incredible. You simply cannot teach that stuff. It's instinct and I also find it amazing that as much as Smart gambles on some of this stuff he doesn't seem to get burned very often. It's not like he's wild - he's in control of these situations. He just anticipated them before they developed. That's why he seems to be in the right places to take a charge too.

As I said in the "trade for Okafor" thread, Smart is a rarity in that he can change  the game without the ball in his hands. That's an exceptionally rare skill for such a young player.

Now he just needs to work on an offensive game. The kid needs to develop his penetrate off-the-dribble game and also a go-to pull up jumper. If he can, he'll be easily one of the most valuable players in the league.

[ahonui06]

My favorite Celtic and Smart really stepped up in the playoffs when Boston needed stops and was willing to guard anyone. Amazing competitor and I know his shooting can only improve moving forward.

[Rosco917]

If you're sitting out there and you're thinking this type of defensive intensity is overrated, and everyone can do it with a little more effort...think again. There's a certain type of motor a player has to have, to create this type of energy, and physical intensity. Few NBA players have it.

During the Celtics playoff games with Atlanta, I listened to the National play by play announcers raving, and gushing about the intensity Smart can produce.

Yep...he needs work on his overall offensive output, I agree. I'm all in for giving him as much of a chance as possible to grow on offense, so I can watch him play D.