When Marcus Smart was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies in June of 2023, many fans were left disappointed and sad to see the heart and soul of the Celtics leave Boston. Fans fell in love with his defensive hustle and relentless pursuit throughout his nine years in Beantown.
Even as a young player, Smart led by example on the defensive end and gained the respect of his teammates in Boston, whether it was Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving, or Jayson Tatum.
Through his leadership as an undersized two-guard for most of his time with the Celtics, he still impacts the team nearly two years after being traded away. In fact, a current Celtics guard still learns from Smart and uses him as a pedestal for how defense should be played as a smaller player.
Payton Pritchard Points to Marcus Smart as Role Model on Defense
Pritchard and Smart spent three years together on the Celtics, from 2020-2023. The best way to learn from someone is by watching them, as Pritchard got to see firsthand just how good of a defender Smart is. Going up against Smart in practice may have been tough for Pritchard, but it was monumental for his development as a young player in the NBA.
Smart winning the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year was a well-deserved and remarkable accomplishment, given the fact that the award is mostly won by rim-protecting power forwards and centers. The last guard to win the award before Smart was Gary Payton, back in the 1995-1996 season.
Payton Pritchard said he studied Kyle Lowry and Marcus Smart among others to learn how to be more impactful defensively at his height.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) April 22, 2025
Smart, standing at six-foot-three, and Pritchard at six-foot-one, it's even more of a challenge for Pritchard to defend and contest shots from the NBA's best guards, but he embraces it.
Pritchard also pointed to Kyle Lowry for his defensive improvements, an NBA champion and six-time All-Star, who has also been a great defender over the course of his career while standing only six feet tall.
While Pritchard earns his worth with his sharpshooting abilities off the Celtics' bench, he understands just how important defense is, for the sake of the Celtics and their quest for back-to-back titles, and for his own development, in hopes of becoming a starting point guard in the near future.
Pritchard has been surrounded by some great defenders at his position, of course, the aforementioned Smart, and now Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, who have combined for eight NBA All-Defensive team honors.
The Tualatin, OR native improved his defensive rating while given more minutes this season. Last season, Pritchard had a 115.3 rating in 22.8 minutes per game. This season, Pritchard has a 113.9 rating across 28.4 minutes, finishing with the 16th-best rating among NBA guards.
While he may not be quite the defender Smart was, Pritchard has made improvements thanks to his old teammate.
One reason the Celtics are defending champions is because of their versatility and commitment to succeed on the defensive end, and Pritchard's improvements on that end have allowed him to see more time on the hardwood.
Pritchard and the Celtics are back to it on Wednesday night for Game 2 of their first-round series against the Magic. Jayson Tatum is doubtful for the game after suffering a bone bruise in his wrist during Game 1, but that shouldn't stop the Celtics who still boast a great lineup even without their star.