2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winner, Marcus Smart!

Marcus Smart has overcome the tight competition and came out on top of all the best defenders in the league.

“Good Defense creates Better Offense”

Believe it or not, this famous basketball quote never fails. Every baller must know that defense is one of the fundamental basketball skills. Players who live by locking down opponents are the key factor for the offense to flow perfectly.

Since Gary Payton (also known as The Glove) won the Defensive Player of the Year in 1995-1996, no guard has ever come close to winning it again, not until this year. Surprisingly, a guard named Marcus Smart has overcome the tight competition and came out on top of all the best defenders in the league. He battled against some of the best lock-down defenders like Mikal Bridges, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Boston Celtics guard is the first guard ever since Gary Payton to win DPOY. With this achievement, he now joins an elite company. A club that comprises basketball greats like Michael Cooper, Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, and now, Marcus Smart.

Marcus Smart is known to lock down the best player of the opposing team. He is currently the best defender in Boston. As expected, the Celtics are the best defensive team in the league, with their defense anchored by Smart, Williams III, and Horford.

Marcus Smart Locking Down Devin Booker, Photo Courtesy of sportingnews.com

Smart is an emphatic perimeter defender who can also guard big men in the paint. He only averages 1.7 steals and 0.3 blocks per game, but his defensive rating is within the 20th percentile (18th). Smart’s DPOY award is well deserved since he puts his heart every night on the floor and gives everything to his team.

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