But Smart’s true impact can’t be fully measured without including his hustle stats, his energy plays that can turn the tide of a game without appearing in the traditional box score, plays that set a tone of effort and desire to win that can be felt by teammates, opponents and fans alike. The eight-year veteran finished the regular season with averages of 12.1 points, a career-high 5.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals (7th in NBA) and 0.3 blocks in the traditional box score stats. He helped the Celtics lead the NBA in defensive rating (106.2), points allowed per game (104.5), field goal percentage allowed (43.4%) and 3-point percentage allowed (33.9%). Celtics guard Marcus Smart was named the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, the league announced Monday. Smart’s hustle mentality and effort helped him become the first guard since Gary Payton in 1995-96 to be named Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year. ![]() Not every guard wants to mix it up with power forwards and centers to fight for rebounding position – Smart led all guards with 104 boxouts and finished with a career-best 3.2 defensive rebounds per game this season. While Porzingis set a franchise record and Holiday played lockdown defense in Bostons 108-104 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, a quartet of former Celtics made their debuts for their new NBA teams Wednesday night after being traded by Boston this offseason. Not every player has the instincts and awareness to play the passing lanes and disrupt the opposing team’s offense with deflections – Smart finished tied for 10th with 206 deflections this season. Not every player will stand in front of an opponent driving to the hoop to take a charge – Smart finished tied for 10th with 16 charges drawn in the regular season and leads all players in the playoffs with eight charges drawn in 12 games. ![]() Not every player will dive on the court for a loose ball – Smart finished tied for fourth with 75 loose balls recovered this season. Smart finished in the top 10 in loose balls recovered, charges drawn and deflections.
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