Celtics guard Marcus Smart calls his defense ‘mediocre’ this season

“We all see it. I see it. It’s tough,” said Smart.

The Boston Celtics are marred in a rough patch since the All-Star break going 5-5 and struggling at times to close games defensively. The team was thriving only a season ago at this time on their way to the NBA Finals, led defensively by Marcus Smart.

The reigning defensive player of the year continues to show the intensity that made him a terror for opposing guards. He recently got into a scuffle with Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young further showing his willingness to take on any challenge. Smart, however, isn’t impressed by his defensive performance, as he vented to reporters before Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“It’s mediocre,” Smart said via the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. “We all see it. I see it. It’s tough.”