The NBA announced its All-Defensive teams on Wednesday, and Celtics’ member Marcus Smart led all guards in voting.
NBA announces All-Defensive teams: pic.twitter.com/BzLEVy3fcy
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) May 22, 2019
Smart, at 25 years old, is the second-youngest player out of both the first and second teams. He was one of the few bright spots for the Boston Celtics, despite scoring just 8.8 points per game.
ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM 🙌🎉
Congratulations @smart_MS3, you deserve it! pic.twitter.com/y0p3zXCHmc
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 22, 2019
The 6-foot-4 guard had a career high in steals with 1.8 and continued to build his reputation as a tough, physical, and talented defensive player.
He is the first member of the Celtics to make the All-Defensive first team since Avery Bradley did it in 2016. And, although nobody else on the team received votes for first-team honors, Boston did also have some players getting recognition towards the second team.
Incredibly Kyrie Irving got a vote for All-Defensive 2nd Team.
Jaylen Brown got one vote for 2nd Team.
Al Horford got four votes for 2nd Team.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 22, 2019
Seeing Al Horford and even Jaylen Brown getting at least a sliver of respect isn’t a huge surprise, as they are all integral parts of a defense that had the sixth-best defensive rating this year.
