Marcus Smart is helping the Los Angeles Lakers maintain confidence following their season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
Smart began his 12th year in the NBA, marking his first season with the Lakers. He spent the majority of his career with the Boston Celtics before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a multi-team deal during the 2023 offseason. Memphis then traded him to the Washington Wizards last season, where he appeared in only 15 games for the remainder of the campaign.
This past offseason, Smart joined the Los Angeles Lakers, bolstering the guard position with his experience as a playmaker and defender. He aims to elevate the team on both ends of the floor. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Smart emphasized the importance of toughness throughout the ups and downs of the season.
“The toughest team sets the rules, that’s the motto. I’ve been in this league for 12 years and it has always been a model for me. The team that comes out more physical, the momentum kind of goes their way,” Smart said.
With multiple playoff runs and an NBA Finals appearance with the Celtics in 2022 under his belt, Smart’s veteran presence is expected to give the Lakers an edge in forming a solid, resilient unit.
Los Angeles will rely heavily on the production of stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves while LeBron James remains sidelined until November. When healthy, the Lakers have the potential to be a fierce competitor in the Western Conference. However, it will require strong contributions from the supporting cast for them to earn a spot among title contenders.
The Lakers will continue their preparation for their next matchup, which will be a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24 at 10 p.m. ET.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-marcus-smart-gives-la-toughest-advice-0-1-start-season
