Marcus Smart is the Defensive Player of the Year. It really happened. It’s been an incredible last 30 hours for Celtics fans behind Jayson Tatum’s game-winner in Game 1 of the first round series against the Brooklyn Nets. Now, the longest-tenured Boston Celtic is being recognized for his calling card – defense.
Marcus Smart is the best perimeter defender in the NBA, and he’s the first guard to win the award since Gary Payton won it in 1996. Since Payton last won the award, the honor has largely been dominated by big centers, big forwards or big wings, including Rudy Gobert and Giannis Antetokounmpo most recently.