The Smart File
- Sixth overall selection in the 2014 NBA draft
- One NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, 2022
- Three NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, 2019, 2020, 2022
- Member of the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, 2015
- One Big 12 Player of the Year award, 2013
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Marcus Smart is known for the edge that he plays with. He's chippy. He's feisty. He's tough as nails and a downright elite defensive presence. It is what has made him such a crucial piece of the Boston Celtics' core, despite lapses on the offensive side of the floor.
We've seen him grab the media's attention with pick-pockets, questionably dirty plays, and an ability to get under his opponents' skin. No wonder this stuff dates back to college.
During his days at Oklahoma State, Smart doubled down on his teammates to return to school, despite draft projections penciling him into the lottery. Towards the end of his final collegiate season, Smart collided with an opponent looking for a fastbreak layup. It was a great defensive effort at the very least, even if he ended up stumbling into a crowd of (rival) Texas Tech fans. Smart was helped up, only to hear something that made him turn around and glare at an elderly fan: Jeff Orr.
Orr is a notable Red Raider fanatic who is a Texas Tech icon of sorts. That reputation took a hit after Smart's interaction. In a statement, he denied saying any racial slur (which many presumed), instead saying that he regretted calling Smart a "piece of cr*p." Of course, we'll never know what was truly said that set Smart off, but let his intensity be a warning. Respect Marcus Smart or risk catching hands.