Marcus Smart Becomes First Guard to Win Defensive Player of the Year Since Gary Payton
Marcus Smart was announced as the 2021-2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year on Monday.
The 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year is Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart! pic.twitter.com/kfwG9NcUae
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 18, 2022
Smart was a part of the No. 1 rated defense in the League during the regular season. Smart became the first guard to win DPOY since Gary Payton did so in 1995-1996. The former sixth overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft is the second Celtic to win the award, joining Kevin Garnett (2007-08) as the only Celtics in franchise history to do so.
Marcus Smart is the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in 1995-96.
— Matt Williams (@StatsWilliams) April 18, 2022
He is the 2nd Celtics player to win the award, joining Kevin Garnett in 2007-08 (award began in 1982-83).
Smart, Rudy Gobert, and Mikal Bridges were the finalists to win the DPOY.
