The Los Angeles Lakers knew Marcus Smart would make a significant impact on defense, but it has been his shooting improvement that has locked him in as an unquestioned starter. The veteran guard has shot 39.0 percent from 3-point range over his last 28 games, including making five triples in a massive win over the Nuggets on Saturday night. Teams are leaving Smart open, and the 32-year-old keeps making them pay.
There have been zero regrets about signing the former Defensive Player of the Year. He always brings energy, effort, and defense. There were questions about his offensive fit coming into the season, but Smart is proving to be a knockdown shooter off the catch. That makes him the perfect fit next to Luka Doncic in Los Angeles.
Smart was a career 32.4 percent 3-point shooter coming into this season, and he made just 29.7 percent in his 28 games wearing purple and gold. Fans saw the shift as he got more comfortable. There were strong games, but inconsistency early on. Now, Smart is fully locked in and looks like an elite shooter to go with his impressive defense.
Marcus Smart's shooting has locked him in as a starter
Smart has always been a winning player. He competes hard on defense, makes hustle plays, and can create open looks. The Lakers don’t need him running the offense. They have Luka, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James to do that. LA needs the 6’3 guard to knock down open looks, create turnovers, and get them out in transition. He is more than filling that role.
Over his last 28 games, Smart averages 10.0 points, 2.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 28.5 minutes per game. He is shooting 39.0 percent from 3-point range over 123 attempts, and the Lakers have outscored the opposition by 170 points in his 799 minutes on the floor.
Los Angeles is focused on winning down the stretch, and Smart is a key part of the equation. After Saturday’s comeback victory, Luka had this to say about the veteran guard’s impact.
“I mean, it’s insane. In every game, it’s like he does something new to help us win. I said before this season that I’m very excited about this signing, and I was right. He’s a hell of a player and a hell of a person.”
Doncic pushed for the Lakers to sign Smart, and the team is thankful they trusted their superstar. Los Angeles desperately need perimeter defense to be a serious title threat. Smart is leading that charge. The purple and gold are quietly 12th in defensive rating since the start of February and are quickly becoming a serious contender.
The star power from Luka, LeBron, and AR is a must, but the other players buying into their roles is just as important. Marcus Smart is proving to be the perfect 3-and-D option, even if nobody expected the 12-year NBA veteran to make such a massive shooting leap in his early 30s.
The Los Angeles Lakers fully trust Marcus Smart on both ends of the floor. He attempted 12 3-pointers on Saturday. It was arguably the team’s most important game so far, and Smart was firing away from long range. His shooting improvement has given the purple and gold that trust, even if fans have been slower to come around. He is the 3-and-D wing the Lakers need, and that makes LA a serious title threat.