Lakers News: Marcus Smart Relieved To Not Have To Defend Luka Doncic Anymore

Marcus Smart, known for his perimeter defense since being drafted in 2012, has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. This move makes him teammates with two elite players he frequently defended throughout his career: Luka Doncic and LeBron James. While Smart had numerous battles with James during his nine years with the Boston Celtics, defending Doncic was a more recent challenge.

Smart expressed significant relief at no longer having to guard Doncic, now that they are teammates. In an interview, he described Doncic as "a magician," noting that despite game planning and film study, Doncic consistently devised new moves or executed known plays in unstoppable ways. Smart stated that being on Doncic's team is a relief, and his focus is now on helping Doncic and the Lakers succeed.

Smart emphasized that Doncic compensates for a lack of elite athleticism with extraordinary overall skill. No matter how Smart prepared or what strategies he employed to slow Doncic down, Doncic always had an answer. These intense on-court battles fostered a strong mutual respect between the two players.

This respect played a role in Smart joining the Lakers. It is reported that Luka Doncic personally recruited Smart to join the team after Smart was bought out by the Washington Wizards. Smart acknowledged that Doncic reaching out to him directly meant a great deal and influenced his decision. Both players are now united with the goal of winning a championship for the Lakers.