Boston Celtics: top-3 scrappiest players in the NBA

Marcus Smart

The lifeline of the Boston Celtics, Marcus Smart is an absolute hustle man for Beantown’s favorite basketball club. In his eyes, no player is too good and no matchup is too challenging.

Just ask the likes of DeAndre’ Bembry, DeMarcus Cousins or Joel Embiid.

When it comes to winning, Smart will put his body completely on the line: drawing charges, chasing after live balls, saving the ball from going out of bounds, etc.

Perhaps the highlight play of this season for Smart came earlier in the year in a late November bout against the completely stack Los Angeles Clippers, where the 26 year old put his body on the line to save a ball when it mattered most — in crunch time.

Though the Celtics ended up losing this hard fought battle 107-104, Marcus Smart’s efforts did not go unnoticed, undervalued or unappreciated. His grit, grind and determination to do all he can to help his team win has made him an absolute fan favorite for the shamrock squad’s faithful followers.

It is because of his scrappiness that the guard can go up against positions from one to even the five and not get embarrassed but, instead, compete. At just 6-3, the 2019 All-NBA First Team honoree is putting up a case for himself to be considered for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Though generally bestowed to the league’s big-men, Marcus Smart has proven capable of hanging amongst the trees.