Marcus Smart’s Debut Sparks Doubts and Excitement: What Does He Really Bring to the Lakers?
There’s an undeniable spark in the air around the Lakers’ camp this week, and you can pretty much trace it back to one name: Marcus Smart. After nursing Achilles tendinopathy and skipping out on most of training camp drills, Smart finally threw down some serious minutes in practice — live scrimmages included — and the buzz is palpable. Coach JJ Redick couldn’t help but praise the guy’s tenacity, noting how Smart managed to keep his intensity high despite the workload. Meanwhile, big names like LeBron James and Luka Doncic are taking it a bit slower with modified, individual sessions, keeping things cautious but hopeful. If Smart can channel even a fraction of his defensive mastery, honed over years including a Defensive Player of the Year crown, this Lakers squad might just be gearing up to lock down opponents like never before. The vibe around the team’s defensive setup — especially with Jarred Vanderbilt alongside Smart — is all about chaos and communication, and honestly, it’s exciting to imagine what that could look like on the hardwood. Curious for the full scoop?
The Lakers’ first practice of the week gave them hope of what they can look like whole when Marcus Smart takes the court.
Smart has been dealing with Achilles tendinopathy most of training camp and has been limited in practice. But coach JJ Redick said after practice Tuesday that Smart “did most of practice, including some live play.”
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Redick said LeBron James and Luka Doncic — along with Maxi Kleber (quad) and Gabe Vincent — did “modified, mostly individual work.”.
“Marcus participated in some live [practice] and then was out at the end,” Redick said. “Yeah he was awesome. He was awesome. He, I think given the workload of today, I was impressed that he was able to sustain his level of intensity for as long as he did.”
Redick said Doncic was out for “load management.” Then Redick laughed.
Smart has been one of the NBA’s better defenders over his career, winning defensive player of the year for the 2021-22 season while playing for the Boston Celtics and being named to the All-Defensive first team three times — 2019, 2020 and 2022.
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That will be a big part of his role with the Lakers, and during practice they got a glimpse of his defensive tenacity.
“Yeah, he guarded me a little bit at the first of practice,” Austin Reaves said. “You still feel that pressure. You feel the intensity that he brings on the defensive end, and that’s going to be big for us. We need that. We need him to be the best version of himself. With that communication that he brings, especially defensively, he’s been in the league a while. He knows how to win at the highest level. So, very excited to have him.”
After the Washington Wizards bought out his contract, Smart received several calls from Doncic about joining the Lakers.
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Smart eventually signed with the Lakers for two years and $11 million.
At practice Tuesday, Smart left an impression.
“He looked great. He was moving great,” Jarred Vanderbilt said. “But like I said, his main power is that he’s vocal. So being able to help the guys. Communicate, that’s a big part of defense also. Being physical is one of them, but also being vocal, being able to communicate. I think he does both at a very high level. So, he can definitely help us on that end of the floor.”
Vanderbilt is the Lakers’ other top defender, his versatility allowing him to guard multiple positions.
He was asked to envision what the Lakers’ defense will be like with himself and Smart together on the court.
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“Aw, man, just causing havoc,” Vanderbilt said. “Not only physically but just vocally. He’s a vocal guy as well, so it’s being the anchor of the defense, flying around, setting that tone defensively. Like, I’m excited. I can’t wait to share the court together.”
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At some point after practice, the Lakers were asked if any one texted them about James’ cryptic post about “#TheSecondDecision” on Monday.
It left many wondering if James was talking about retiring.
He was not. It was about an ad for Hennessy that was posted on social media Tuesday morning.
“You guys are idiots,” Redick said when asked, laughing as he spoke. “We all knew it was an ad, right? No, I think most people that text me are also aware that it’s probably an ad, so it wasn’t. … Nobody was freaking out.”
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Still, James is entering his NBA-record 23rd season.
“I just got a couple calls, like, ‘what is this?'” Reaves said, laughing.
Rui Hachimura wanted to know what was going on.
So he contacted James just to be sure.
“I mean, [I got] a couple texts. But I texted him too,” Hachimura said. “But he was using a [weird] emoji. I don’t even know. I didn’t understand at all. But he loves to do that type of stuff. Surprises, right?”
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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