During Houston Rockets media day, recent free agent signing Marcus Smart addressed plenty of different topics, including what it will be like to team up with future NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. "I get to be on the other side of him taking the shots and not taking the shots over me. His ability to make shots—it doesn't matter who's there," said Smart.
"Now I get to actually watch the shot and not have to worry about trying to make a miss. I think that's going to be the fascinating part to be able to watch him do what he does best." A former Defensive Player of the Year Award winner and three-time All-Defensive selection, Smart will no longer have to defend Durant like he did in last year's playoffs.
Instead, he can focus on defense under his
former head coach Ime Udoka. Not only that, but Smart's mentorship and basketball IQ will be important for Houston's young core to learn from, like Reed Sheppard, Bruce Thornton and Amen Thompson. Last season with Los Angeles, Smart served as a leader for the Lakers, averaging 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks while shooting 33.1% from 3-point range.
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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets' free agent signing Marcus Smart eager to play with Kevin Durant
