NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 12, 2022

Marcus Smart

Boston Celtics

Practice Day

Q. During the Eastern Conference Finals, I asked you about toughness and where you got some of that. When it comes to defensive mentality, what is that mentality that goes into being a great defender? I know there's a skill set involved, but there's also a mentality that not everyone has.

MARCUS SMART: Mentality is you've got to keep going. Can't ever give up. You can't take breaks. You've got to push yourself to the limit. You're playing against some of the greatest players, and you have to have a high motor. You have to keep it going.

For me, I'm just telling myself constantly, no matter how hurt you are, no matter how tired you are, you've got to keep going. That's the mentality you have to have to be a really good defender, let alone a great one.

Q. I was wondering, obviously we know how great of a shooter Steph is, but I was wondering what's the challenge of having to account for a player that's constantly running around the court, whether he's on or off the ball, and how do you approach that?

MARCUS SMART: Definitely. We all know what he can do outside of 20 feet, 30 to 35, 40 feet. The dude is special in that regard. The way that he's able to affect the game by being able to run around and play off the ball and get himself open, it's just tough on a defender because you can't take a break. The instant you think that he's not doing anything, the play is over for him, and that's when you get beaten. That's when you get burnt. That's when this mentality comes in and you've got to stay ready, you can't give up, you've got to keep going.

For him, he can affect the game at all levels, passing, play-making, shooting the ball, scoring the ball. He's got the whole package, and you have to be able to guard every last thing he has, and not many players can do that. Not a lot of people, especially on that defensive end, likes to sit down and play defense. It's not fun. It's not glamorous at all. You're not going to get any or much of the credit. None of that. But you have to be willing to take that challenge and just go do it when you're guarding him.

Q. For a defense that's as vaunted as you guys are, what have the 48 hours been like for you guys after such a big game from Steph Curry? What are the emotions?

MARCUS SMART: It's basketball. It happened. We let it happen, but it happened. We get an opportunity tomorrow to come out and make up for it. That's all it is. He had a great game. You tip your hat off to him. He's a great player. But it's only one game, and we're on to the next one.

Q. You talk about that motor, how did you discover you had it?

MARCUS SMART: Well, for me when I was a little kid I had a lot of energy, just constantly going, couldn't sit still. And my mom was just like, she put me in every sport. I played football, I played basketball, I played soccer, I played baseball, a little bit of everything, just to try to wear me down for that. Then when she realized it's not working and I'm just still going like the Energizer Bunny, she was like, listen, there's nothing I can do.

And from then on for me it's something I adopted and really took on head on for me. It's what I pride myself on, just being able to keep going.