Memphis Grizzlies Point Guard Marcus Smart recently praised the Dallas Mavericks’ duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, both point guards for the Mavericks. Smart, 30, had a laundry list of great things to say about Doncic, 25, and Irving, 32, in his recent media availabilities.
Smart is best known for his nine-year tenure with the Boston Celtics, with whom he earned a 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year honor and 2019, 2020, and 2022 NBA All-Defensive First Team honors. Read on for further details surrounding Smart’s NBA career thus far, along with his recent words.
Before the Dallas Mavericks’ preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Marcus Smart praised the Mavericks’ duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Smart said that Doncic and Irving have “figured out what it takes” to push the Mavericks to the next level, a statement that should excite Mavericks fans.
Smart’s familiar with Irving, as he has played in the NBA as a point guard since the 2014-15 NBA season. Smart, a Flower Mound, Texas, native was selected with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He attended Oklahoma State University from 2012-14, where he led the OSU Cowboys men’s basketball team to a 24-8 record and third place in the Big 12, trailing the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, in 2012-13.
Marcus Smart reflected on Kyrie Irving’s impact in a recent statement to the media. Smart’s reflection on Irving’s first full season in Dallas was good, as Irving was a key piece of the Dallas Mavericks’ road to the 2024 NBA Finals. Smart also appeared confident that the Mavericks can return to the 2025 NBA Finals.
According to Athlon Sports, Smart said, “I thought it was great. I mean coming to Dallas nobody was expecting them to do what they did in the fashion that they did it. That shows a lot. Kai (Kyrie Irving) came in and was a part of that process to get them there. Obviously, you got Luka and those other guys, but to have Kai there is just a big advantage for them to help them get over that hump and get them to the next level. And that’s what they did… They didn’t win (a championship), but they got there. They figured out what it takes.”
Marcus Smart has been impressed by Luka Doncic’s progression for a while now. Smart reportedly had an opportunity to play against Doncic before he entered the NBA in 2018. Doncic eventually surprised plenty of people, thanks to his size, shot creation, and shooting abilities.
Athlon Sports reported that Smart said, “Oh man, just the way he’s came and demanded the league. I actually had the opportunity to play against Luka (Doncic) when he was 16. We went to Milan and he was on the Milan team. You know, at the time, you see him, he’s a 16-year-old kid. Doesn’t look how he looks now. You see him now, it’s like that’s not the same 16-year-old kid. But Luka is a great player, we all know that. We all know what he has been doing and can do in this league. His progression… He’s taking even bigger steps.”
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