We're tired of hearing people talk s---, basically," Smart told ESPN. "I know I am. And if you're a competitor, if you have any type of competitor in you, you're going to be tired of that too. So you want to try to prove 'em wrong." “I hear the noise… and I’m using it as fuel.” DESPITE PLAYING 56 games for the Lakers so far, and leading them with a team-best plus-minus of plus-209, the most consequential shot of Smart's career in L.A. still came as a visitor.
To be honest, I love Smart being on this team but I also think the Lakers are also a perfect fit for him. Luka, LeBron, and Reaves are so good on offense that Smart just has to be the guy who focuses solely on defense. His offensive mishaps, which there are some, are covered by how great those three are offensively and because we just need Smart to be a menace on the defensive end, the Lakers are willing to live with his poor offense. This is a relatively down year for Smart compared to his career. At his prime, he was making around $12 million. At his age and how he's in a team that is also beneficial to his game, I think $5-8 million is right around what he is worth. I'm not sure many teams would be willing to pay more for that and he isn't exactly going to be a great fit for them the way he is with the Lakers.
i don't think anyone is giving him full mle, so if he opted out, it would be to get a longer deal, imo. we might be able to find a compromise with three-year deal with a PO at a slight raise? or also...and hear me out on this...hot dog stand. only half kidding.
We need him back. His 3P% of 34.2% is like 1% lower than the league average and good enough to keep defenses honest. Some bonehead plays here and there but for the most part he's a huge positive as the number shows. We're basically getting Caruso back for cheap.
I maintain that Smart is the heart of this team. He keeps Lebron and Luka accountable on D. While he keeps players like Ayton and Vando engaged with his positive leadership towards them. He also leads by example and just has a defensive aura that uplifts the team. Biggest acquisition of the offseason for us. Saw him guard Sheppard, KD, Jabari, Eason, Sengun and Thompson successfully throughout the game.
I have a heart attack every time he's forced to create in crunch time but god damn he's so good on defense and just being everywhere I'm going to come and out say it but he looks the best I've seen him since even before he left Boston - back to DPOY Marcus
AR is holding his own on defense lately, Luka has also had an uptick. It's really impressive and when you DA's more locked in, you can see how we've improved defensively. But Smart is playing close to his DPOY level at the moment on that side of the floor. He is slowing anyone he is on. Lebron isn't too far behind. If we had one more 3&D wing off the bench, I'm talking a mid level one like PJ Washington or DJJ, we'd be a handful for anyone. Instead we have Rui getting minutes who is a bit of a let down on that side of the ball or Jake who has been anemic offensively instead.
Marcus is the culture guy on this team. All contenders need that. Not only does he play great defense and goes all out every game, he's setting the culture and the whole team is falling in line. He is mos def the heart and soul of this team. On previous teams, you had guys like dfish and Artest who were those guys. In the bubble it was the meme team. This team it's Marcus.
