Pistols Firing · May 22, 2019
Marcus Smart Named to NBA’s All-Defensive First Team
Marcus Smart is ahead of schedule when it comes to scrappy former OSU guards and defensive accolades.
On Wednesday, the NBA’s all-defensive first team was announced, and the the fifth-year guard was among those honored.
Smart led all guards with 63 first-team votes and 19 second-team votes. Also earning spots on the first team were Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe of the Milwaukee Bucks, Paul George of Oklahoma City and Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz.
Smart has drawn plenty of comparisons with Tony Allen, another former Poke and defensive specialist. Both earned Big 12 Player of the Year awards, and both were first-round picks by the Celtics.