Recent free agent signing Marcus Smart just delivered the real talk at Houston Rockets media day, spilling the beans on what it truly means to finally team up with future NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. Smart’s honesty about no longer having to guard KD? It’s pure gold for anyone who’s ever tried to slow down a superstar. “I get to be on the other side of him taking the shots and not taking the shots over me,” Smart said. “Now I get to actually watch the shot and not have to worry about trying to make a miss. I think that’s going to be the fascinating part to be able to watch him do what he does best.”
From Opponent’s Nightmare to Teammate’s Dream
Think about that for a second. This is a former Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, a three-time All-Defensive selection, saying this. Smart has spent countless nights battling Durant, including in last year’s playoffs, trying to “make a miss.” Now, he gets to experience the relief of *not* having to defend one of the greatest scorers ever. That shift means he can laser-focus on defense under his former head coach, Ime Udoka, without the mental exhaustion of trying to contain KD. Talk about a weight off the shoulders, right?
Smart’s Impact Goes Beyond the Stat Sheet
Beyond the defensive prowess, Smart’s coming to Houston with serious leadership chops. He was a leader for the Lakers last season, putting up 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks, all while shooting 33.1% from 3-point range. Those numbers are solid, but it’s his basketball IQ and mentorship that will be absolutely critical for the Rockets’ young core. Guys like Reed Sheppard, Bruce Thornton, and Amen Thompson are going to learn so much from a proven winner like Smart. What an addition for Houston.
Watching Smart finally get to unleash his defensive genius without the headache of guarding Durant, and seeing him guide the Rockets’ young talent, is going to be incredibly compelling this season. Get ready to see a whole new dynamic on the court!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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