• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
    More
    Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now
    Athletes

    Marcus Smart Wins Defensive Player of the Year On Discount

    • Last year’s DPOY is the highest-paid center in NBA history; Smart is the 90th-highest-paid player in the NBA this year.
    • He finished first in loose balls recovered (1.1) and fifth among guards for defensive rating (105.2).
    By
    Apr 19, 2022 | 03:50 pm
    David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

    The Celtics have even more to cheer about days after a thrilling Game 1 victory over the Nets.

    Marcus Smart became the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in 1995-96, and the two have something in common — they were both underpaid in their respective eras.

    Payton made $2.8 million in 1995-96 — 82nd in the league that year. Smart’s $14.3 million is 90th — and a similar bargain for a team with the best defensive rating (106.2) and points allowed per game (104.5).

    Smart is locked in for another four years and $77 million, accepting Boston’s offer after considering holding out for something in the $90 million range. 

    For comparison, last year’s DPOY Rudy Gobert became the highest-paid center in NBA history (five years, $205M). 

    Smart is the longest-tenured Celtic — and only the second player in franchise history — to win the award (Kevin Garnett, 2007-08).

    Linkedin
    Whatsapp
    Copy Link
    Link Copied
    Link Copied

    What to Read

    Mar 8, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden.
    by

    Celtics-Lakers Draws Record Ratings, NBA Nearly Even With Last Year
    The game peaked at 5.34 million viewers.
    by

    Callaway’s LIV Deal Shows How Much Golf Has Shifted
    The company has signed a first-of-its-kind club contract.
    Feb 22, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates after a basket during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
    by

    Dončić’s First Game vs. Mavs Will Test NBA’s Cable Ratings Decline
    Anthony Davis will not be available for the game.
    Jan 17, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles past Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) in the second half at Frost Bank Center.
    by

    Fanatics Pays Out and Refunds Wembanyama Bets After Injury Ends Season
    Fanatics applied its Fair Play rule to bets related to Wembanyama winning awards.

    Featured Today

    Mar 13, 2025; New York, NY, USA; American businessman and St. John's donor Mike Repole stands and applauds during the second half against the Butler Bulldogs at Madison Square Garden.
    by

    ‘Back in the Spotlight’: How Mike Repole’s Millions Pulled St. John’s Into..
    The billionaire-fueled renaissance put the Johnnies back into the national spotlight.
    Auburn Tigers guard Miles Kelly (13) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against Kentucky during the first half in SEC basketball at Rupp Arena Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky March 1, 2025
    March 16, 2025

    The SEC’s Ascent to Men’s Basketball Supremacy
    The league brought its football pageantry and power to college hoops.
    San Diego Wave FC falls to Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA on April 29, 2023.
    March 14, 2025

    The New Tailored Approach to Women’s Sports Uniforms
    For new women’s sports leagues, every detail is custom.
    Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) cuts down the net after beating LSU in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Iowa and LSU at MVP Arena, Monday, April 1, 2024 in Albany, N.Y.
    opinion
    March 9, 2025

    Reader Mailbag: Leagues Need Must-Watch Moments
    Readers responded to NHL success and what it means for other leagues.

    More in Athletes
    Asinga
    by

    Coach of Teen Sprinter Who Sued Gatorade Suspended in Doping Case
    Asinga’s case against Gatorade may have just hit a major obstacle.
    Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) looks over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defense during the first half at Spectrum Center.
    March 17, 2025

    Kelly Flagg Expects Son Cooper Back for Duke ‘Very Soon’
    The Blue Devils open NCAA tournament play Friday in Raleigh, N.C.
    March 17, 2025

    NFL Non-QB Salary Record Broken for 3rd Time This Month. Who’s Next?
    The top of the pay scale is shifting faster than ever.
    Sponsored

    How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture
    As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
    Rory McIlroy is congratulated by a fan as he heads to the clubhouse after a three-hole aggregate playoff of The Players Championship PGA golf tournment Monday, March 17, 2025 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Rory McIlroy won his second Players Championship winning +1 to J.J. Spaun’s +3 tiebreaking playoff round.
    March 17, 2025

    Rory McIlroy Wins Record-Tying $4.5M at the Players Championship
    The PGA Tour’s flagship event had another record $25 million purse.
    Tennis
    March 14, 2025

    At Indian Wells, Even ‘Lucky Losers’ Can Bank $100K
    It’s a function of the tournament’s enormous prize purse.
    Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) is injured in the first half at Spectrum Center.
    March 13, 2025

    Duke Star Cooper Flagg Out for ACC Tournament With Ankle Injury
    Flagg is the presumptive top pick in this summer’s NBA draft.
    Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) knocks down a pass by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
    March 12, 2025

    NFL’s Merit Pay Bonus Pool Cuts First-Ever Million-Dollar Check
    The performance-based pay system was established in 2002.