Marcus Smart is, in many ways, the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics.
Whether he's diving on the floor for loose balls, taking charges or defending all five positions at a high level, Smart sets the tone for the Celtics each game.
Stream the Celtics all season on NBCSportsBoston.com or via the MyTeams App!
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
He also impacts the Celtics in a positive way with his leadership on and off the court, and that's something Malcolm Brogdon has seen from Smart on a consistent basis since he was acquired by Boston in a trade with the Indiana Pacers over the offseason.
"He's a great guy, always spirited, always positive, always willing to hold guys accountable," Brogdon said of Smart after Wednesday's practice.
"He's the leader and the type of point guard you want for a team like this. To be able to work with him and play with him is going to be great."
Smart has been a great defensive player for many years. He's been selected to the All-Defensive first team twice and won the Defensive Player of the Year Award last season -- the first guard to receive the honor since Gary Payton in 1996.
Forsberg: Why Boston is the perfect fit for a reinvigorated Brogdon
Boston Celtics
Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
Where the 28-year-old veteran really made huge strides last season was on the offensive end of the floor. One of the reasons why the Celtics had such a dominant second half of the 2021-22 regular season was Smart excelled in his role of playmaker and the starting point guard. He's capable of scoring himself, but his willingness to get others involved really helped the offense reach a higher level. His 5.9 assists per game set a new career high.
The Celtics will need a similarly strong season from Smart to get back to the NBA Finals and finish the job. He won't have to do it alone, though. The acquisition of Brogdon, who has lots of experience as a primary ball-handler and a versatile perimeter defender, will take some pressure off Smart at both ends of the court.