Even as the Los Angeles Lakers surge late in the season, Reggie Miller isn’t convinced the pressure is easing anytime soon. The Hall of Famer recently offered a crucial judgment on the team’s trajectory, warning that scrutiny will only intensify as expectations rise.

The Pacers legend and the Hall of Famer appeared on the Dan Patrick Show on March 17. “I know they play again on Wednesday, which will be another big-time game. There is always expectations with the Lakers, just like with Boston. There’s always going to be expectations to win, and we dissect every single thing they do.”

Recently, the Lakers held the Rockets to their lowest-scoring fourth quarter of the season, 12 points. After the 100-92 win, Miller emphasized the Lakers’ improved defense. “It’s that simple,” stated Miller. “At the end of the day, the defense will either do them in, or that’ll be the defining moment for them. And I think they’re starting to understand how the roles will be situated. Let’s give Marcus Smart a lot of credit. He’s not getting enough.”

Miller credited Smart for being the leader and setting the example for diving for those loose balls. But the Pacers legend also wants fans to appreciate the 32-year-old for making tough shots. The former DPOY made a 25-foot three-point jumper to give the Lakers a two-point advantage in OT against the Nuggets.

On both ends of the floor, Smart has been the standout; almost everyone on that team appears to be playing better defense now than at the start of the season.

Since March, the Lakers have had a 109.7 defensive rating, good enough for sixth-best in the NBA. It’s much better than the Pre-All-Star break numbers, which were hovering in the mid-116s, putting them firmly in the bottom tier of NBA defenses.

The credit also goes to Marcus Smart, who in the past 6 games has led with an unbelievable 98.2 defensive rating. But it’s not a one-man job; the Lakers’ Big 3 has improved immensely as well.

Pre All-Star break, Austin Reaves had 114.1, LeBron James had 115.0, and Luka Doncic had 117.4 defensive rating. In the last 6 games, Luka improved to 105.1, LeBron James to 105.9, and AR to 109.0, proving that the Lakers are improving on defense.

A Lakers legend also credits Marcus Smart for the change in mentality

In the most recent win over the Rockets, JJ Redick’s defensive plan was evident. Kevin Durant scored 16 points and shot 7-of-11 from the field in the first half, but shot just 1-of-5 from the field after halftime.

The Lakers started to send a second defender at him, which created problems for KD, who took the blame for the loss. Defensively, the Lakers have been putting in massive efforts.

During the OT win against the Nuggets, in the final minute of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were trailing 112-111. LeBron James put his body on the line to grab the ensuing rebound. The 41-year-old put his body on the line with a full-extension in diving for the loose ball, beating two Nuggets. This moment from James didn’t go unnoticed, and James Worthy credited Marcus Smart for bringing out this side of LeBron.

“Marcus Smart, man, he’s a godsend for us. Never seen LeBron dive on the floor like that until Marcus Smart showed up,” Worthy stated on the Lakers’ broadcast post the win.

The assessment is not wrong. In the win against New Orleans, Smart threw his body on the line multiple times against a physically imposing Zion Williamson.

So, repeatedly against any opponent at any time, Marcus Smart is always locked in, looking for any small advantage for his team. That’s why the 32-year-old is getting his flowers from the legends of the game.