Hoops Habit
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NBA: The Most Underrated Player On Every Eastern Conference Team

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 26, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 121-101. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 121-101. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics, Marcus Smart

Position: Point Guard
Years played: 2
2015-16 statistics: 9.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG
2015-16 slash line: 34.8/25.7/77.7

Entering just his third season in the NBA, Marcus Smart has quickly developed into one of the grittiest players in the league.

His impact on the defensive end meshes well with the other players in the Celtics backcourt and because of it, they’ll likely be a top five defensive team in 2016-17.

Smart has more to offer than solely defense. During his days at Oklahoma State, Smart was the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2013 after averaging 18 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

The difference is that he is playing alongside an NBA All-Star point guard in Isaiah Thomas that rightfully gets the majority of the shots throughout a game. Smart didn’t take long to find his niche within the team as the sixth man.

At 6’4,” Smart can overwhelm guard with his physicality and has the tendency to wear his matchup down quickly. Last season, Smart became the first player to record a triple-double off the bench since Art Williams in 1971.

That alone speaks to how effective he is with filling up a stat sheet quickly.

Smart will continue coming off the bench for Boston this season and will look to enter his name in the Sixth Man of the Year Award conversation.

Next: Brooklyn