The Los Angeles Lakers’ season has been defined by extremes. Blowout losses have piled up, but when games tighten late, the results have been flawless.
For Marcus Smart, that contrast highlights exactly why experience still matters in the NBA.
Los Angeles added Smart in the offseason with the idea that his edge, voice, and playoff pedigree would raise the team’s floor.
While recent weeks have exposed issues in effort and consistency, the Lakers remain undefeated when games reach crunch time. Friday night’s narrow win over the Memphis Grizzlies was another example.
“I definitely think it has something to do with it,” Smart said. “It’s not the full story, but it definitely helps when guys like LeBron, Luka and myself have been in those situations. That’s part of the game. We gotta obviously figure out how to win games that’s not in crunch time and that matters. But it’s good to have those moments because a lot of times, especially down the line, games come down to crunch time. So to win those games is big.”
While the Lakers have struggled to climb out of early deficits, all 11 of their losses have come by double digits, their composure late has stood out.
Defense, however, has been a recurring concern. During the recent stretch, effort on that end has fluctuated, something Smart believes can be corrected with urgency and accountability.
“Just go out there and do it,” Smart said. “Everybody is trying to do it in this league and just understand that we’re not perfect, things are gonna happen. But do everything you can to the best of your ability and that’s all we can ask for. Usually when you do that, you get a good result, usually, especially when the effort is there. And that’s all we’re asking for, just constant bringing urgency on not just the offensive end, but defensive end as well.”
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