Marcus Smart Delivers Early Defensive Impact for Lakers

Marcus Smart has made a forceful early impression with the Los Angeles Lakers, alternating between a vintage defensive showcase in the preseason, a controversial sequence in the season opener and a quietly influential performance in a later win. Across three games this week, the 31 year old guard demonstrated both the physical, disruptive play the Lakers sought when they signed him and the nonstat contributions that have defined his career.

In the Lakers final preseason game, Smart delivered 14 points on 5 of 11 shooting, four steals, three rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes during a 117 116 loss in Sacramento. Coach J.J. Redick praised the outing, saying, "I think overall, it was just good to have a Marcus Smart game. He did some really good things, and that's a positive sign for us going into the regular season." Smart called the performance a step forward after a slow preseason debut and said he felt "mentally ready" to contribute as he works toward full health.

The regular season opener against the Golden State Warriors produced one of the louder moments of the week. In the second quarter, Smart and Warriors guard Stephen Curry became entangled on a ball screen. On...