Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart has embraced his role as the team's veteran. Known as one of the best defenders in the league, Smart has been sharing some useful tips with rookie Carlton ‘Bub' Carrington.
"Bub, hometown, baby. Homegrown. Bub is a guy and I tell Bub this all the time: 'You've gotta be a pest, you've gotta be a pest.' Guards gotta hate being guarded by you, bringing the ball up and playing against you, because again another guy who is athletic."
According to Smart, the 6'4" Carrington needs to believe that he could defend anyone in this league. The former Boston Celtics guard sees Bub has all the tools to succeed. He just needs more time to develop physically and mentally.
"He's very agile and can play at a higher level than his size says. I think he just needs to continue to have more confidence in himself and understand that you're here for a reason, you can do this and keep going," Smart said, per Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports.
Through 67 games, Carrington has averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. The 19-year-old was the 14th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA Draft. Along with Malcolm Brogdon, he was traded to the Wizards for Deni Avdija.
Analysts believe the Wizards' acquisition of Smart via trade was a step in the right direction. The 31-year-old Smart won't just be a mentor and a veteran presence, but will also play a big role in Washington's quest to become a playoff team.
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This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM.