Kyle Lowry’s ability to force passages has often been highlighted in recent years, in Toronto and then Miami. But other players in the league are specialists in the matter, and Boston will have three in its ranks next season, with Marcus Smart, Derrick White and the latest arrival Blake Griffin.
The trio was thus part of the Top 10 in terms of forced passages caused last season with 16 “charges” for Marcus Smart, 25 for Derrick White, and 26 for Blake Griffin, the Celtics’ latest recruit.
Something to delight Marcus Smart, a “DPOY” happy to welcome a new specialist in the genre! Even if for Blake Griffin, it is above all a means of compensating for the loss of his athletic qualities, which now prevent him from challenging his opponents’ shots in the air.
“He’s no longer above the circle, but he’s still doing great things,” he rejoiced. “He is a great professional. Last year, he led the league in forced passes. For a guy who doesn’t play as much, that says a lot about what he’s capable of. He can influence the game not only with his attack, but also with his defense. So he’s a good recruit for us. He’s also a great veteran for some young guys to listen to and what he has to share.”
Emulation within the team
It is also an opportunity to remember in a league where the focus is particularly on the attack, that it was first the defense that allowed Boston to revive last year to reach the Finals.
And for Marcus Smart, this gathering of masters in the art of the “Charges” will bring healthy emulation.
” We’re really going to enjoy ourselves. It already started with D-White. Clearly, it’s going to be great. We’re going to challenge each other every day, and just having three of today’s best players to power through in the same team is going to help everyone else as well.”continued Marcus Smart.
However, the leader recalls that having three of the best players to bring about the strong passages of the last season does not guarantee anything. Like his own “Defender of the Year” trophy.
“This year it will be someone else who wins it, and it may not be me. Every year you can’t focus on what you’ve done in the past. It’s the past. Last season is over. If you’re stuck in the past, it will show in the results. I don’t try to focus on what I have done, but rather on what I have to do”he concluded.
