With a league-leading defense honed to deadly perfection in the second half of the 2021-22 NBA season, the Boston Celtics are starting to hear the names of some of their players getting mentioned as realistic candidates for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award.
Typically won by big men in a season with no obvious choice, starting center Robert Williams III has been brought up with some consistency as a target, and even Al Horford has had a few mentions given his quiet impact on the team. But perennial defensive nightmare (and point guard) Marcus Smart has fought an uphill battle pursuing that award so far in his career, and despite perhaps putting together his best case yet, had plenty to say about that struggle after Boston’s win over the Detroit Pistons Friday.
“I don’t see why so hard for guards,” asked the Celtics veteran guard.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum, several Celtics see higher ratings in NBA2K re-assessment https://t.co/2vAu5qcvKG
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 12, 2022
