WATCH: Smart delivers speech to teammates after winning DPOY originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It’s official: Marcus Smart is your 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
The Boston Celtics guard earned the award on Monday, becoming the first point guard to win DPOY since Seattle SuperSonics legend Gary Payton in 1995-96. Payton presented Smart with the award in front of his C’s teammates at Auerbach Center.
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After the celebration, Smart delivered a brief speech.
“First off, definitely want to thank you guys. My coaching staff, teammates,” Smart said. ” It isn’t easy playing in this league full of guys like Jayson (Tatum) and Jaylen (Brown) who score the ball the way they do and getting the recognition on that defensive end and trying to guard these guys every night. This is eight years, man. Just trying to do what I do. You guys have allowed me to do that.”
Watch below:
Smart edged out Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert and Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges for the honor. Gobert had won the award in three of the four previous seasons.
As special of a moment it was for Smart, there’s no doubt his focus will quickly shift back to the task at hand. Boston will look to jump off to a 2-0 first-round playoff series lead over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Note: Games 2-6 of the Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics series will be aired on NBC Sports Boston and can also be streamed on NBCSportsBoston.com or with the MyTeams App, which you can download below.
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