Marcus Smart, who lately grew to become the primary level guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, has taken offence to Bam Adebayo’s feedback suggesting that he deserved the honour over Smart.
In an interview with Taylor Rooks, Adebayo claimed his capacity to guard all 5 positions ought to have earned him back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards over Smart and Rudy Gobert.
However, Smart disagreed with Adebayo’s declare and responded to the feedback throughout an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today.
“Me and Bam both know that’s a lie.”
Marcus Smart had some HEAT for Bam Adebayo about final 12 months’s DPOY 🔥
(through @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/Qwyv3U0CUz
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 1, 2023
“Bam, c’mon now,” Smart stated. “Bam’s a good friend of mine but me and Bam both know that’s a lie,” he stated. “The things I was doing at that time at my size was different. Last time I recalled, Bam, I blocked your dunk as well. So that should tell you everything you need to know right there.”
Adebayo has completed fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in every of the previous two seasons, and at present has the fourth greatest odds (+800) to win it this 12 months, behind Jaren Jackson (-160), Brook Lopez (+500) and Nic Claxton (+700).
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