As the mainstream media points out a million times per game, Marcus Smart is the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in 1996. In the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Marcus Smart has drawn a lot of criticism on social media for his apparent flopping. Indeed, it does seem like he spends more time flying onto the ground than he does on his feet. This has not gone unnoticed by other NBA players who are watching the Playoffs as well. When posed the question of who was a better defender, Smart or Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, Atlanta Hawks forward Bogdan Bogdanovich had an easy answer:
Jrue! https://t.co/MEhsmvqcQF
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) May 7, 2022
Bogdanovich Loves Jrue Holiday’s Game
While Game Three between the Bucks and Boston Celtics may have been stressful for fans, NBA players loved it. This includes Bogdanovich who tweeted:
This game is so good!! #BOSvsMIL
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) May 7, 2022
Bogdanovich particularly singled out Jrue Holiday to praise as an amazing two-way player.
Jrue is tough two way player!! #BOSvsMIL
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) May 7, 2022
Of course, it is somewhat ironic that Bogdanovich is praising the Milwaukee Bucks at all. Nearly two years ago, the Bucks had agreed to trade Donte DiVincenzo to Sacramento for Bogdanovich. The deal seemed done, but it turned out that the Bucks had “tampered” and were stripped of a draft pick.
Bogdanovich ended up being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, of course. The Hawks were the team that the Bucks defeated in the Eastern Conference Finals last season en route to their first NBA Championship in 50 years. In other words, Bogdanovich is very familiar with Jrue Holiday and his abilities. If he says Holiday is the better defender, Holiday is the better defender.
Perhaps it’s time they rethink how they vote for these awards.
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