Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart’s 3 keys to success in 2019/20 NBA season

By Jason Haskins

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 06: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics enters the game during the first quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 06, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 06: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics enters the game during the first quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 06, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Marcus Smart (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

A definitive defender

Make no mistake about it, Smart’s true power lies on the defensive end. And he was finally acknowledged for that in 2018-19, at least as far as hardware goes. Being named NBA All-Defense first team was probably long overdue and last season, it was truly earned.

Smart set a career-high with 143 steals, averaging 1.8 per game. To go along with his strong month of March on the offensive end, Smart also averaged 2.1 steals per game.

Of course, there’s more to defense than just the steal. Smart is a strong perimeter defender, but can also matchup in the inside game just as well.

A key to success will be for Smart to not lose any of that edge he carries on the defensive side. Keeping that same intensity, while carrying more of a responsibility in other areas of the game, will be vital. As will defensive rebounding from the guard position, helping start the fast break and keeping this team in motion.

Next. Boston Celtics: Gordon Hayward's 3 keys to success in 2019/20. dark

That’s when the Boston Celtics work best. The isolation, settle for a three system hurt Boston a lot last season. Marcus Smart can help control that and it will partially start with his play on the defensive end.

Home/Boston Celtics