Newly acquired Marcus Smart brings toughness and competitive fire to this young Washington Wizards team.
His pitbull mentality has taken him far in this league, and he is now one of two point guards in league history to win Defensive Player of the Year (Gary Payton 1995-96).
Only eight perimeter players have won the DPOY. This accomplishment alone should make the young players look to Smart for leadership and guidance in their young careers— at least, that’s what Smart thinks.
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Jordan Poole also believes he can learn from Smart
The former Defensive Player of the Year was caught on camera giving Jordan Poole defensive pointers during a game.
https://twitter.com/gregfinberg/status/1888401511249588575?s=46
Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly are already establishing a reputation as elite defenders, so adding an All-Defensive guard like Smart to the mix can do wonders for their development.
Smart is a three-time First-Team All-Defensive player. He was on the Celtics’ 2022 Finals team that eventually lost to Jordan Poole and the Golden State Warriors. He was also teammates with Malcolm Brogdon during the 2022-23 season.
The players should look to Smart, Brogdon, and Poole for guidance. Smart can also show the players how to be true professionals, as he worked his way up from being a backup to becoming a key player on a championship contender in Boston. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in hopes of being a leader for a young team on the rise. His injuries took a toll, however, as he has only played in 39 games the last one and a half seasons (19 this season).
Marcus Smart is an elite player on both ends of the court. He just has to get healthy to show he is still that type of player, and he knows that. Teams should be scared when the Wizards finally add Smart to the mix of these young defensive-minded players.
https://twitter.com/wizardslead/status/1889667688487604695?s=46
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