When one thinks of Boston Celtics combo guard, Marcus Smart, usually the first description that comes to mind is “great defender.”
Now seven years into his NBA career, the 27-year-old has managed to establish himself as one of the best talents on the less glamorous side of the hardwood and, in turn, has received accolades including two All-Defensive selections (2019, 2020) as well as the NBA Hustle Award (2019) for his efforts.
A true do-it-all, Swiss Army Man, Smart is the definition of a nuisance when it comes to opposing teams game-planning for a matchup against the Cs, as they simply don’t know which aspect of his game to fully focus on.
However, despite his well-documented triumphs as a player, the combo guard has also built up a bit of a reputation as being an Oscar-worthy actor.
What we mean by this is, the man’s viewed by many as being a notorious flopper.
Though some fans may go to great lengths while arguing his innocence, Bleacher Report has gone about and taken things a step further in the exact opposite direction for, in a recently published piece, they ranked the Boston Celtics stud as being the eighth-worst flopper in the league over the last two decades.
Though his excellence was noted right off the bat within the article, writer David Kenyon went on to describe Marcus Smart as being both an “intense pest and a comical embellisher.”
"While he’s received two first-team NBA All-Defensive nods, Smart also has a reputation for flopping. Two of the best (and funniest) examples happened during the playoffs.During the 2016 postseason, Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver bumped Smart. He responded with flailing arms and legs, which the officials did not buy.In the 2020 playoff bubble, Smart actually drew an offensive foul while trailing a 1-on-0 fast break. Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam initially picked up the foul, though a successful challenge reversed the flop-robbery by Smart."
Some may call it flopping, others may call it strategy.
No matter which way you look at it, it cannot take away his label as being one of the best defenders currently in the association.
By means of acting or straight hustle, no matter who’s being guarded by Marcus Smart, they’re in for a rough ride.