The All-NBA Defensive teams were released recently. And Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics, who's primarily known for his stifling on-ball defense, took a jab at the entire thing after not being included.
As reported by Nicole Yang of Boston.com, Smart concluded his post-game media session:
“And that’s coming from a not top-five defender in the league. Just putting that out there.”
Marcus Smart ends his media availability with… “And that’s coming from a not top-five defender in the league. Just putting that out there.”
— Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) May 24, 2018
Smart, in fact, received a total of 18 votes, five of which were for the NBA All-Defensive First team. In the regular season, he averaged 10.2 points per game, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. He is also recorded 1.3 steals a night. He has slowly risen into a great premiere defender, willing to sacrifice his body on defense.
The members of the All-Defensive First Team are Robert Covington of the Philadelphia 76ers, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz, Jrue Holiday of the Pelicans, and Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers.
Meanwhile, the All-Defensive Second Team are Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, Al Horford of the Boston Celtics, and Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs.
His teammate, Horford, who was selected into the All-Defensive Team, noted that Smart should've been included. As per Tom Westerhold of MassLive:
“I don't know if they didn't want to put a couple of us in there, but the way that Smart defended and the challenges he has taken, he should have been on there,” Horford said. “And I really think that Baynes, his impact on the basket, the rim and our defense, he should have been on there.”
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