Marcus Smart, Robert Williams Earn NBA All-Defensive Team Selections

About a month ago, Marcus Smart became the first guard since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season to become the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. Smart's the second Celtic since Kevin Garnett in 2007-08 to take home the honor, which came into existence in 1982-83.

Friday, Smart earned NBA All-Defensive First Team Honors, registering more voting points than anyone else. That's not a surprise for the individual named the league's best defender.

Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart of Boston and runner-up Mikal Bridges of Phoenix received the most voting points in balloting for the 2021-22 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team.

More ➡️ https://t.co/VpKETU9caP

Voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dUxDi2L2oc
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 21, 2022

The other anchor of the Celtics' top-ranked defense, Robert Williams, got named to the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team. According to basketball-reference.com, Williams ranked first in defensive rating this season. He was second in blocked shots per game this season, averaging 2.2 per contest. He also ranked fourth in defensive box plus-minus and fifth in defensive win shares.

Further Reading

A 'Grateful' Al Horford Discusses Getting Cleared for Game 2

What Stood Out from Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics Win Decisively, Tying the Series as it Heads to Boston

For the Celtics to Avoid Going Down 0-2, Here's What they Have to Address

Celtics Quickly Turning the Page to Pivotal Game 2: 'We've just got to come together, correct the mistakes, and be ready to fight'

Jayson Tatum, Celtics Discuss Heat Outscoring Them 39-14 in Third Quarter: 'I've got to lead better, I've got to play better in those moments, and I'm just looking forward to responding'

What Stood Out from Celtics' Loss in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals: Heat Seize Control with Third-Quarter Haymaker

A More Mature Celtics Team Ready for Familiar Challenges from Heat in 2020 Eastern Conference Finals Rematch