21-07-2025
Detailed metrics show Marcus Smart is still a very good defender
While plenty of people are optimistic about Marcus Smart coming to the Lakers and the impact he will have, there are a few who have lesser expectations. The skeptics point out the fact that Smart has played in just 54 games over the last two seasons due to multiple injuries and say that his game, especially his defensive ability, has declined.
Over the years, Smart has been one of the NBA's defensive guards. He made three All-Defensive first teams and was named the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year, and during his first nine seasons, he played a key role in the Boston Celtics becoming contenders while consistently being a defensive menace.
A look at some detailed, advanced stats shows that perhaps the claims of Smart's demise have been exaggerated. X (formerly Twitter) user Cranjis McBasketball shared some metrics related to Smart's defense over the last three seasons, and they indicate very little, if any, decline on that end of the court.
The stats cited were obtained from
Smart has not only been an outstanding point-of-attack defender, something the Lakers desperately need, but he also can scale up and effectively guard the 2 and even the 3 position. He also possesses high basketball IQ and anticipation, which allows him to bust plays and force turnovers.
If there is a legitimate concern with Smart, other than his injury history, it is his 3-point shooting. For his career, he has made just 32.4% of his 3-point attempts, and in particular, he struggles in catch-and-shoot situations.
While playing for the Lakers, he will need to hit quite a few shots off of passes, as he will have to defer offensively to Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. On the other hand, he's a capable secondary ball-handler and facilitator, so perhaps he will have the ball in his hands more than some expect.
But as long as he remains healthy, he should be a major game-changer on the defensive end for L.A.
