Marcus Smart emphasizes “understanding” for LA to accept their roles

LOS ANGELES – During Los Angeles Lakers‘ 125-122 win against the LA Clippers on Friday, Marcus Smart he did not make a single attempt until the fourth quarter. When he finally got around to kicking the ball, he did knocked down a few clutches shots that kept the Clippers going, going 3-of-4 in the final period. And for Smart, getting the players to accept their role is key to the Lakers’ success.

After the Lakers’ practice on Monday, Marcus Smart admitted it’s not always easy to get players to buy into roles, especially when it comes to shot attempts and playing time.

“Just understanding the game. Understanding what the game demands and just the way the game flows. Sometimes you might get a shot, maybe not. You might get more shots than the night before, Smart said. “And the minutes, you might get more minutes than the night before, you might not. It just depends on the game”

“And sometimes it sucks because we’re competitive,” Smart continued. “We want to win and we always want to be there to help our team. But understanding whatever the game needs and what the game gives you, you have to take advantage.”

The Lakers don’t win that game against the Clippers without Smart contributing. And before the team’s game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Lakers head coach JJ Reddick talked about the sacrifices Smart has made as a fifth starter who won’t necessarily get many shots playing alongside the other starters.

“I think it’s smart, it’s important to kind of embrace it,” Redick said. “I think it’s down the line for all of our guys, something we’re kind of going back to with free agency stuff and just having a lot of guys with uncertain futures, I think it’s something we’ve had to deal with all season. But it’s the bottom line, we just have to play the game. The game will dictate how many shots you get.”

Smart was one of the Lakers’ key free agent acquisitions in the offseason. He signed a two-year contract that includes a player option for the following season. He appeared in 46 games, including 39 starts, logging just over 28 minutes per game.

He averaged 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 39.8 percent from the field, 32.3 percent from the 3-point line and 81.2 percent from the free throw line.

Now that the Lakers have a full rotation, Redick appears to have settled on Smart as the final starter alongside LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and DeAndre Ayton.