CelticsBlog · Apr 19, 2022
Must C’s: Gary Payton hands DPoY award to Marcus Smart
It finally happened. After twenty-six seasons, another guard has won Defensive Player of the Year and they were both at the Celtics’ practice facility to celebrate it.
On Monday afternoon after a thrilling Game 1 win over the Nets, Marcus Smart was awarded the 2021-2022 Kia Defensive Player of the Year. After spearheading the best defense in the NBA, he became the first non-big man to win the award since former Celtic Gary Payton.
It was only fitting that The Glove was there to hand him the award in front of his teammates and Celtics family.
After the impromptu ceremony, Smart spoke to the media about the importance of the honor to him.