“It’s a blessing to be part of the convo” Mikal Bridges reacts to Marcus Smart edging him out for Defensive Player of Year

“It’s a blessing to be part of the convo” Mikal Bridges reacts to Marcus Smart edging him out for Defensive Player of Year

Ridy Gobert, Marcus Smart and Mikal Bridges

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart won Defensive player of the year award. In a contest which was jam-packed with young defenders, it was Phoenix Suns’ stud Mikal Bridges was second in the voting, but he was still happy for the winner.

NBA announced individual award winner, and the defensive player of the year award went to Celtics guard Marcus Smart. 3-time winner Rudy Gobert, Suns Forward Mikal Bridges, and Celtics Guard Marcus Smart were finalist for the title, where Gobert finished 3rd, Mikal Bridges finished runners-up for the title.  As per the Vote counting Marcus total came 257 points, Bridges had 202 point, while Gobert tallied 136 points.

He is only the second Celtic player to win the title. Kevin Garnet won the award their title wining season 2007-08.

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Smart receives surprise from Garry Payton

While defensive plays widely cover defensive rebounds, steals, and blocks in the match, big men in the league were dominating the DPOY awards. Rudy Gobert, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joachim Noah are some recent winners of the title. Smart averages 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and less than 1 block this season.

But many un-earth aspects of defense like Lock-down defense and hustle plays never reflects in the stat sheets. Being a point guard, and quality defender, Marcus was mostly given priority to guard best shooter of the opponent team. With his plays Smart becomes the first guard to win the award since Gary Payton, who won in 1995-96.

“That was awesome,” Smart said on TNT on having Payton deliver the award. He added, “He was really the idol for the guards having even a chance, he set the bar high, he paved the way for us to have our names in that hat.”

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Marcus Smart leading the Celtics defense

Boston celtics 3 stars
Boston Celtics 3 stars

Smart was the force in the Celtic defense. Though he averaged just 12 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds per game in total 71 games, he was defensive juggernaut for the team. Celtics enjoyed league-best defense this season. They allowed just 104.5 points to opponent with lowest field goal and 3-point percentage. The defensive rating this season was 106.2.

Smart was very influential in hustle plays and loose ball plays. Personally Marcus ranked 11th in steal average and tied for sixth in steals count (119). And it is this play that allowed Boston to take charge in the Series against the Nets.

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