Marcus Smart looks forward to lining up beside Kevin Durant in Houston
The short version
- Marcus Smart signed with the Houston Rockets in free agency
- Smart said he looks forward to watching Kevin Durant shoot as a teammate instead of guarding him
- Smart previously played under Rockets head coach Ime Udoka
- His veteran leadership is expected to aid young Rockets Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Bruce Thornton
- With the Lakers last season, Smart averaged 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and three assists
The Rockets' new veteran guard says facing Durant as a teammate rather than a defender will be a welcome change heading into the season.
At Houston Rockets media day, guard Marcus Smart discussed joining the club in free agency and what it means to share the floor with Kevin Durant. Smart said he is glad to finally witness Durant's shooting from a teammate's perspective rather than trying to stop it.
Smart explained that Durant can score regardless of who is guarding him, and that being nearby when those shots go up—rather than contesting them—will be the most interesting part of the pairing.
A former Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-Defensive pick, Smart covered Durant during last year's postseason. In Houston he reunites with Ime Udoka, who previously coached him.
Beyond his defense, Smart's experience and understanding of the game are expected to guide the Rockets' younger players, among them Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Bruce Thornton.
Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers a season ago, Smart posted averages of 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and three assists, adding 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks while hitting 33.1 percent of his threes.
Written by the Matchday Live desk from reporting by Yahoo Sports.
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