Marcus Smart Says His Off-Court Personality Is “Chill and Goofy,” Unlike His Hard-Nosed Lakers Persona
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart says the fiery competitor fans see during games is a stark contrast to his everyday demeanor.
“If somebody followed me for a day, I think what would surprise them the most is how chill of a guy I am and how goofy I really am,” Smart told Lakers.com reporter Taylor Geas. “I’m just a big kid, but you see me on the court, you see me in a whole different light.”
Smart, 31, joined the Lakers last season after securing a buyout and immediately became the club’s defensive tone-setter. The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year was brought in to address a roster short on natural stoppers, relying on communication and hustle to lift a unit that had lacked consistent intensity.
Asked about the contrast between his personalities, Smart laughed: “I’m way meaner [on the floor]. I’m way more intense. That’s my motto. When I step on the court, it’s time to work. Afterwards we can have all the fun in the world, but when we’re on the court, we’re working.”
The veteran guard spent the first nine years of his career with the Boston Celtics, where he built a reputation for winning plays that do not always appear in box scores. After being traded from Boston and battling injuries, Smart struggled to recapture that impact on non-contending teams before landing in Los Angeles.
Former NBA guard and current analyst JJ Redick recently said Smart’s move to the Lakers mirrors his own 2013 decision to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, arguing that playing for a relevant team allows role players to showcase their value.
Smart, now healthy, appeared in 62 regular-season games for the Lakers, providing versatile defense, vocal leadership and timely playmaking. His ability to “flip the switch” between competitive ferocity and a relaxed personal life, he said, helps him maintain balance while competing for championships.
Source: LakersNation.com
