The Boston Celtics are a team to watch out from the East. They are heavily inspired by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, their leaders on the offensive end of the court. Moreover, the Celtics are extremely good with their defense as well. The best defensive player on the team is undoubtedly Marcus Smart, who also believes that he should be named the best in the league. 

Smart is 26 years old and is currently playing in his sixth year in the NBA. He has come a long way since his rookie year with the Celtics. The 6’4” guard has evolved to become one of the best defensive players in the league, if not the best. 

Smart is consistent with his game and that allows him to be a nightmare for opponents. He can deliver for his team at any given time, and you don’t often get players like that. When asked about his clutch defensive plays after the Game 3 victory against the Sixers, Smart replied with the utmost confidence in his abilities. 

“That’s just what I do,” Smart said. “That’s me just being me – the best defensive player in this league that I know I am, that my teammates know I am and that my opponents know.” That is indeed bold of Smart to call himself as the best defensive player in the league, but this isn’t the first time he’s done that. 

Celtics star Marcus Smart thinks he should be the 2020 DPOY

Every player who plays in the NBA will be oozing confidence. Undoubtedly, players will believe in their game and back it up as well. That’s human nature. Likewise, Marcus Smart is a man of extreme confidence. He feels he should be the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year. 

The league recently announced the three finalists for the award, and Smart isn’t a part of it. He might be dejected now, but back in May, he expressed his thoughts on the deserving candidate. 

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“I think I should be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year ’cause who is more unique to guard all five positions than me?” Smart said, as per Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “The last guard to get it was Gary Payton. That’s without him guarding centers. I’m guarding guards and centers. So I think that’s a no brainer. Stretch six, there you go.”

Smart has been truly consistent on the court for the Celtics. He’s having a great season at the moment, currently averaging career highs in points, assists, and blocks (12.9 PPG, 4.9 APG, 0.5 BPG).