Marcus Smart Archives

What Marcus Smart said about Kobe Bryant will get Lakers fans going

Marcus Smart may be new to Los Angeles, but it didn’t take long for him to connect with Lakers fans on a deeper level.

In a recent feature on the team’s official YouTube channel, the veteran guard reflected on his early-career battles with Kobe Bryant—and how the Mamba Mentality still shapes his approach to the game. For Lakers fans, Smart’s heartfelt words about the franchise’s most iconic figure are impossible to ignore.

From Rival to Reverence

Smart entered the league in 2014, just in time to share the court with Bryant during the final two years of his legendary career. The two matched up twice during the 2015–16 season, splitting the contests one apiece.

In their first meeting, Bryant posted 15 points and 11 rebounds in a Lakers win, while Smart recorded four points and two boards. In their final matchup, Bryant exploded for 34 points, but Smart delivered a strong all-around game with seven points, six assists, and five rebounds in a Celtics victory.

Despite the limited matchups, Smart says the experience stuck with him.

“I Was Shaking”

“Honestly, I was shaking,” Smart said. “All I’m thinking is, my mom is watching me guarding Kobe. My brother’s watching me guard Kobe. I hope somebody got a picture of this. In my mind, I’m like, ‘Just live in this moment,’ because to be on the court with one of the all-time greats is an honor, let alone to be guarding him.”

Smart also touched on the influence Bryant continues to have on his mindset now that he’s wearing the same jersey.

“To embody the Mamba Mentality: patience, stealth, and a stone cold killer—and now to be a Laker with that mentality—it just amplifies it.”

Almost a Teammate

Smart was nearly teammates with Bryant. In the 2014 NBA Draft, the Celtics selected him No. 6 overall—just one spot ahead of the Lakers, who took Julius Randle at No. 7. A small twist in draft order might have landed Smart in Los Angeles nearly a decade earlier.

Joining a Rebuilt Lakers Core

Smart joined the Lakers in the 2025 offseason after spending time with the Celtics and Grizzlies. He arrives during a pivotal stretch for the franchise—months after the blockbuster midseason trade that brought Luka Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis.

With Doncic now leading the charge, Smart adds toughness, defense, and leadership to a locker room aiming to build around its new star. And while Smart won’t try to fill Bryant’s shoes, he clearly embraces what it means to wear the jersey.

Carrying the Mentality Forward

For Smart, the Mamba Mentality isn’t just a tribute. It’s a compass.

As the Lakers chase their next title window, they’ll do so with a player who once guarded Kobe—and now honors him every time he steps on the court.

Lakers bring in Marcus Smart after Doncic reportedly pushed for the move

The Lakers continue to reshape their roster around their new franchise centerpiece—and this time, it’s on the defensive end.

Veteran guard Marcus Smart is reportedly joining Los Angeles after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards, per multiple reports. The 31-year-old is expected to bring a defensive edge the team lacked throughout most of the 2024–25 season.

Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year (2022), has long been regarded as one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders. Though injuries have slowed him in recent seasons, he remains a disruptive presence and vocal leader.

His arrival in LA reportedly came at the urging of Luka Doncic.

“Lakers All-NBA star Luka Doncic reached out to Smart and made it clear that he wanted to play with the two-way stalwart,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.

It’s the latest move in a clear pattern of catering to Doncic’s preferences since the February 1st blockbuster trade that brought him to Los Angeles. The front office already added rim-runner Deandre Ayton and sharpshooter Jake LaRavia earlier this offseason—both players who fit well next to Doncic’s playmaking skillset.

Smart adds a different dimension: toughness and defense.

Though he’s a career 32.4% shooter from deep, Smart made 34.8% of his threes last season in limited action (34 games). He holds career averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, and his on-court impact has never been measured solely in stats.

Los Angeles is looking to contend in the post-LeBron James era while also working to secure Doncic’s long-term future. He becomes eligible for a four-year, $228 million extension on August 2. He can opt out of his current deal following the 2025–26 season.

With Smart in the fold, the Lakers have now addressed two major areas: rim protection and perimeter defense.

If Doncic’s influence continues to shape the roster, LA’s retooled identity could start producing wins sooner than expected.