Is Marcus Smart the best defensive guard in the NBA?

Marcus Smart has been a passionate defender for years, but can a guard win the Defensive Player of the Year? Is there a way for smaller players to make up value on the defensive end? This detailed film breakdown & scouting report explores how the Celtics guard defends multiple positions while incorporating analytics & stats to assess his impact.

Twitter: @elgee35

Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:

IMPACT METRICS
-PIPM is a hybrid model (box score and plus-minus) that "luck-adjusts" plus-minus data (regresses FT% and 3pt%) to account for noise and is more sensitive to a player's role/fit on a given team. Created by @JacobEGoldstein

-----
Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.

Music: Hip hop instrumental by csus

[brodygalloway]

You saying “skilled big men” and then cutting to a clip of Cody Zeller might be the Hornets highlight of the year

[notnigelll]

One of the high energy players that you love to have and hate to play against

[Jackisaboss]

He’s a plus in the post at 6’3”. That says it all

[legendofnoob]

"Why is he taunting LeBron's Finals record with his jersey number"
That had me ded, hahaha.

[chrisfunari]

Even as a sixers fan I can’t help but love watching him play. He’s always giving 110% every possession. Smart is a rare breed in today’s NBA.

[lettucetomatoonion]

Forgot to mention Smart QB's the entire defense with communication...I'm biased though

[austinfull]

He's the only guard that makes Giannis kick out while posting him up.

[jeebs]

Oh God I was expecting a bunch of " He's Smart" references lol

[jeffreyxu]

"Barry Allen would be jealous of that reaction time." 🤣🤣
This is why Thinking Basketball is the greatest basketball channel ever

[babawahle]

Cool to see him getting some recognition, he’s definitely the x-factor for the Celtics and their success really depends if he has a good or bad game.

[life-kcpu]

If you notice at 4:30 Smart waves off Theis knowing he is capable of guarding the bigger Love down in the post, true defenders like Smart know when to guard 1 on 1 and when it is necessary for a double, it's like an iso on offense waving off your teammates knowing you can beat your man, but in this case, it's on the defensive side meaning Smart knows he can take on Love. People nowadays take defense for granted not knowing, the mechanics, iQ, footwork, vision, positioning ( one example of many is sagging/quick strides off the offensive player to beat him to the spot), instinct, and skill it takes to stop offensive threats in the league today. Shout out to Smart! The stats don't say how much an individual can affect the game on the defensive side of the game.

[terrencegreen]

Rarely comment; 2:40 calls for it. That defensive recovery may be just the best cross-recovery footwork in the league.

[bigtarzan]

when you spam the steal button in the passing lane on 2k 3:36

[DamageIncorperated]

I shed a tear when you showed Cody Zeller as your example of a skilled big man that man gets no respect

[randycabrera]

The goat is back🐐. Another amazing video.

[MrLeGeNdArY]

Would be interesting to see how advanced analytics view other DPOY-tier guards like Gary payton

[shadowwarrior]

Marcus using the same defensive techniques being used by Kawhi.
I hope many more players catches up to it. Defense is amazing to watch.

[NealBones]

People been sleeping on my man Marcus until now. Bro has always been putting in that work and it's nice to see all thr recognition he's bddn getting as of late

[Biggmofo]

Also this guy’s weight helps him too. It was around 245 1-2 yrs ago. He lost like 15-20 with an off-season fitness regime to get more explosive. He’s built like a tank and is not afraid to use it.

[dangelodrummond]

I still remember some Oklahoma state games when Marcus Smart was all the hype but he’s hella underrated now!!