The Boston Celtics are in good spirits following their dramatic win over the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The Celtics and their fans got even more good news when it was announced that guard Marcus Smart won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award on Monday, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Per Charania, Smart edged out Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award. Smart is the first guard to take home the award since Gary Payton in 1996.

The Celtics guard has been a key piece of the Boston defense this season, which ranked first in the NBA in terms of points allowed per game. Smart averaged 1.7 steals per contest while posting a 107 defensive rating. However, it's difficult to capture Smart's defensive impact in statistics.

That's why the Celtics guard is so deserving of the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award. Consider that Smart, who is 6-feet 4 inches, is capable of guarding every position on the court. Or that he defends the rim with the fearlessness of a shot-blocking defender while playing lockdown defense on the perimeter.

While Gobert, who has won the award three of the last four seasons and Bridges, who helped the Suns post one of the NBA's better defenses, were both deserving, it was Smart's time for recognition.

Smart has his eyes on another trophy, though.