Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday?

Moderators: bwgood77, zimpy27, infinite11285, Clav, Domejandro, ken6199, bisme37, Dirk, KingDavid, cupcakesnake

Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday?

Marcus Smart
79
31%
Jrue Holiday
176
69%
 
Total votes: 255

SeanieWard
Pro Prospect
Posts: 801
And1: 541
Joined: Jun 27, 2020
     

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#21 » by SeanieWard » Mon Oct 2, 2023 6:52 am

It's close but I'd go with Jrue. He seems to be the most respected defender in the league by his peers. That should count for something
Peregrine01
Head Coach
Posts: 6,645
And1: 7,593
Joined: Sep 12, 2012

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#22 » by Peregrine01 » Mon Oct 2, 2023 6:56 am

I hate to say it but I think it's Smart. Smart provides rim protection in a way that Jrue doesn't. And by rim protection, I mean flopping on his ass to draw charges.
User avatar
Gusto1903
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,964
And1: 2,547
Joined: Apr 27, 2021
       

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#23 » by Gusto1903 » Mon Oct 2, 2023 7:02 am

I would say Jrue. Marcus Smart comes with more energy, while i believe, Jrue plays his defense with more cleverness and fundamentals. Also, Jrue has better offensive output than Smart.
On the Alperen Sengün hypetrain since 2020
User avatar
Lalouie
RealGM
Posts: 23,080
And1: 12,307
Joined: May 12, 2017

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#24 » by Lalouie » Mon Oct 2, 2023 7:10 am

seeing as how players like kd,,,curry,,,lillard,,,and many more say jrue

who am i to argue

FarBeyondDriven
Analyst
Posts: 3,319
And1: 2,558
Joined: Aug 11, 2021
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#25 » by FarBeyondDriven » Mon Oct 2, 2023 7:30 am

It seems like Smart has fallen off in recent years (despite the DPOY) but he never takes plays, half, games off like I've seen Jrue do and he's a more impactful and versatile defender. Jrue is a better on-man defender against guards though. Both are very overrated defenders at this point in their careers. Smart will have a massive impact with the Grizzlies, more than the impact Jrue will have on the Celtics.
User avatar
Ryoga Hibiki
RealGM
Posts: 12,467
And1: 7,692
Joined: Nov 14, 2001
Location: Warszawa now, but from Northern Italy

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#26 » by Ryoga Hibiki » Mon Oct 2, 2023 9:08 am

I think they are very similar on ball but Smart is significantly better off ball.
Слава Украине!
TheNG
Bench Warmer
Posts: 1,498
And1: 1,814
Joined: Feb 14, 2019

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#27 » by TheNG » Mon Oct 2, 2023 9:17 am

Speaking about better/worse defenders, who is the top offender in the league?
If you have more "Posts" than "And1", don't feel bad if I didn't reply to you - I just don't like to speak with people who argue a lot :beer:
User avatar
CoP
General Manager
Posts: 8,420
And1: 11,291
Joined: May 04, 2017
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#28 » by CoP » Mon Oct 2, 2023 9:27 am

Jrue is better on-ball defender but Smart is the better team "general" on defense. Both are versatile in their ability to defend multiple positions, but I think Jrue is better guarding the perimeter while Smart is better at disrupting players that rely more on size rather than speed.
mariller
Sophomore
Posts: 121
And1: 161
Joined: Aug 16, 2018

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#29 » by mariller » Mon Oct 2, 2023 9:36 am

Profound23 wrote:
bisme37 wrote:In full disclosure I had to remember which one of them is currently on my team before voting.


I appreciate the honesty. I have been debating with Celtics fans for years that Jrue is the better defender, now they will finally see the truth.


Changing opinion in a player debate based on who plays on your team at the moment is hardly definition of "the truth" lol.
User avatar
Johnny Bball
RealGM
Posts: 53,882
And1: 57,787
Joined: Feb 01, 2015
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#30 » by Johnny Bball » Mon Oct 2, 2023 12:12 pm

Smart is the better defender and Smart is more versatile. Jrue's pretty good on ball.
User avatar
Johnny Bball
RealGM
Posts: 53,882
And1: 57,787
Joined: Feb 01, 2015
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#31 » by Johnny Bball » Mon Oct 2, 2023 12:14 pm

mariller wrote:
Profound23 wrote:
bisme37 wrote:In full disclosure I had to remember which one of them is currently on my team before voting.


I appreciate the honesty. I have been debating with Celtics fans for years that Jrue is the better defender, now they will finally see the truth.


Changing opinion in a player debate based on who plays on your team at the moment is hardly definition of "the truth" lol.


Except its sarcasm from him, but it actually is the truth for most of this board.
Karate Diop
General Manager
Posts: 9,315
And1: 11,218
Joined: May 19, 2017
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#32 » by Karate Diop » Mon Oct 2, 2023 12:24 pm

picc wrote:Holiday is like 90% of Smarts defense.

But like 175% of his offense.

Very easy tradeoff if money isnt a factor.


Except for the playoffs where Smart's had better efficiency the past 4 years and is actually less prone to laying bricks...

People hate to admit it, but come playoff time Jrue becomes Rue.
AussieCeltic
RealGM
Posts: 13,016
And1: 24,232
Joined: Jan 02, 2014
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#33 » by AussieCeltic » Mon Oct 2, 2023 12:27 pm

It’s like no one watched Marcus Smart play defense last year. Maybe it was just a down season, but he fell off hard. White became the primary perimeter defender for the Celtics last season.
LaLover11 wrote:I bet you $100 Mavs beat the Celtics
ChuckChilly
Analyst
Posts: 3,392
And1: 3,182
Joined: Jun 30, 2011
Location: Atlanta
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#34 » by ChuckChilly » Mon Oct 2, 2023 12:46 pm

I'd say Smart because he's willing to embarrass himself to make plays. That can lead to big plays at pivotal moments.
User avatar
steefP2
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,837
And1: 9,744
Joined: Apr 25, 2011
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#35 » by steefP2 » Mon Oct 2, 2023 12:52 pm

Smart was better in his dpoy year, but worse last year. Smart been the better chaos maker and help defender but he's not been as good on ball. Very curious to see how Jrue will do now that he has white to take some on ball units and he can be more of a nail/help defender. But same tier for sure.
eyeatoma
RealGM
Posts: 29,837
And1: 13,137
Joined: Feb 25, 2005
     

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#36 » by eyeatoma » Mon Oct 2, 2023 12:56 pm

Smart is a pitbull, and plays the game defensively toeing the line. He's the guard version of Draymond, and I don't mean that in a good way. Refs can take him out of the game, and he relies on the refs for his insane flopping not be be called.

Jrue is fundamentally one of the most sound defensive players in the last 15-20 years. He has prototypical size, and can also lock down bigger guards. It's Jrue, and IMO not really close. I feel like Smart won the DPOY because league got bored.
og15
Forum Mod - Clippers
Forum Mod - Clippers
Posts: 50,671
And1: 33,447
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
Location: NBA Fan
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#37 » by og15 » Mon Oct 2, 2023 1:01 pm

Johnny Bball wrote:
mariller wrote:
Profound23 wrote:
I appreciate the honesty. I have been debating with Celtics fans for years that Jrue is the better defender, now they will finally see the truth.


Changing opinion in a player debate based on who plays on your team at the moment is hardly definition of "the truth" lol.


Except its sarcasm from him, but it actually is the truth for most of this board.

I thought the poster "mariller" meant that in response to "Profound" saying Celtics fans will "finally see the truth" and saying, are they finally seeing the truth or is it just now going to be them being biased to the guy on their team.
evilpimp972
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,122
And1: 3,790
Joined: May 12, 2014
     

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#38 » by evilpimp972 » Mon Oct 2, 2023 1:01 pm

Dpoy is flawed.
Tinseltown wrote:
True Story wrote:KD is the best player in the NBA.

Kevin Durant is a better scorer than Jordan

MJ was never this efficient
Sixers in 4
Veteran
Posts: 2,730
And1: 2,410
Joined: Apr 22, 2022
         

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#39 » by Sixers in 4 » Mon Oct 2, 2023 1:06 pm

It will interesting to see with the leagues focus on flopping this year what Smarts defense actually looks like.

My moneys on Jrue
User avatar
CoP
General Manager
Posts: 8,420
And1: 11,291
Joined: May 04, 2017
 

Re: Who is the better defender: Marcus Smart or Jrue Holiday? 

Post#40 » by CoP » Mon Oct 2, 2023 1:10 pm

og15 wrote:
Johnny Bball wrote:
mariller wrote:
Changing opinion in a player debate based on who plays on your team at the moment is hardly definition of "the truth" lol.


Except its sarcasm from him, but it actually is the truth for most of this board.

I thought the poster meant that in response to Celtics fans finally seeing the truth and saying, are they finally seeing the truth or is it just now going to be them being biased to the guy on their team.

He was just making a light-hearted joke lol

Return to The General Board