A real plebiscite.
Marcus Marcus Smart (Celtics) was named best defender of the season, preventing Rudy Gobert (Utah), who was among the three finalists, from adding a fourth trophy to his list, the NBA announced on Monday.
And there was no match.
The leader of the Boston franchise has thus been placed 37 times in first place against 22 for Mikal Bridges (Phoenix) and 12 for the Frenchman (Utah).
The 2021-22 #KiaDPOY is…Marcus Smart!
(@smart_MS3) #NBAAwards #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/6wmtmWr7cI
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2022
In total, Smart has accumulated 257 points, awarded by a panel of 100 journalists from around the world, winger Mikal Bridges is second with 202 points, tricolor pivot Rudy Gobert third with 136 points.
There is a certain logic to this award since Smart is the captain of the best defense in the League.
The Frenchman, already winner of this trophy three times in 2018, 2019 and 2021, fails to join Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace in the ranks of the most awarded in history.
But this is obviously only a postponement for a Rudy Gobert more than ever among the references in defense.
Smart is Boston's second player, joining inside Kevin Garnett in 2008, and the first point guard to receive the award since Gary Payton in 1996, when he played for the Seattle SuperSonics.
It is also "The Glove", nickname of Payton who came in person to give him the trophy.
Marcus Smart is the first guard to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season.
Smart is also the second player to win the award with the @celtics, joining Kevin Garnett (2007-08).
More ➡️ https://t.co/Y4VQicGkiq
Full voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/9WX2L25o4M
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 18, 2022