Per the NBA, veteran Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart is the winner of the league’s 2022-23 NBA Hustle Award, his second such honor in as many seasons and the third such award won over the course of the last five seasons. The first player in the award’s history to win it back-to-back, the award was first given to Patrick Beverley, as well as fellow Boston alum Amir Johnson, Montrezl Harrell, and Thaddeus Young.
Per NBA.com’s Brian Martin, the NBA Hustle Award “rewards players that make the effort plays that don’t often appear in the traditional box score but impact winning on a nightly basis.”
“Hustle stats — including deflections, loose balls recovered, charges drawn, screen assists, contested shots, and box-outs — have been tracked by the NBA since the 2016 postseason and can be viewed on an individual and team level.”
“Smart showcases hustle in every aspect of the game,” adds the NBA. “The 2021-22 Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Smart doesn’t hesitate to dive on the floor for a loose ball and securing those 50-50 balls are a key component to earning more possessions. Smart finished 14th in loose balls recovered per game this season.”
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
More Analysis!
Did the Philadelphia 76ers bring Joel Embiid back too soon vs. the Boston Celtics?
Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire