When you're looking at the matchups for the 2022 NBA Finals, it's hard not to key in on the showdown between superstar guard Stephen Curry and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.
This will be a massive series for Smart, who will take on the bulk of the workload in trying to contain the greatest shooter of all time.
Smart is often referred to as the captain and heartbeat of the Celtics. His vocal leadership is one thing, but his attitude, work ethic and effort on the court are influential across Boston's roster.
In relation to his opponent in the NBA Finals, doesn't that description sound familiar?
MORE: NBA Finals Preview: Warriors vs. Celtics
The same things could be said of Warriors star forward Draymond Green. The undersized big man plays with the heart of a lion and quarterbacks Golden State's defense while acting as the engine of the team.
Green – a former Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time All-Defensive Team member – is considered to be one of the greatest defenders in recent NBA history.
This season, as Smart became the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in 1996, he also etched his name alongside some of the greatest stoppers to ever play the game.
At media day ahead of the Finals, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gave Smart the ultimate compliment, comparing him to a "guard version" of Green.
"I described him yesterday as kind of the guard version of Draymond," Kerr told the media. "He's just all over the place defensively. Really, really smart. Anticipates plays. Understands angles. The versatility to guard 1-through-5. It's all there.
"There's a reason he won Defensive Player of the Year," Kerr continued. "He's a great, great defender and probably an underrated offensive player as well."
To Kerr's point, Smart anchored the NBA's No. 1 defense while also ranking third in steals per game, sixth in total steals, fourth in loose balls recovered and top-10 in charges drawn and deflections.
MORE: Ranking 15 best players in NBA Finals
When Green was told of Kerr's comparison between him and Smart, the all-time great defender admitted he saw some of himself in the reigning DPOY.
"He's continued to grow into the leader that he's become and it's been really good to watch."
— NBA (@NBA) June 1, 2022
Draymond Green has high praise for Marcus Smart's leadership. pic.twitter.com/iVnBIOBhxF
"I think he really thinks the game. You can see it in the way he plays, the way he's teaching guys, the way he's commanding attention in huddles and going through the X's and O's in the huddles. You see it all," Green echoed to the media.
"I think he does a great job of that. ... I think people tend to forget, Marcus Smart's No. 1 attribute or positive on him coming out of the draft was his leadership and that he's a winner and a true point guard.
"... I think he's continued to grow into his leadership. I think there were times earlier in his career where most people wouldn't know how to handle it. ... He's continued to grow into the leader that he's become, and it's been really good to watch."
When Smart heard the comparison to Green, he was flattered.
"It's an honor to be compared to a guy of Draymond's caliber."@smart_MS3 on defensive comparisons between himself and @Money23Green pic.twitter.com/7hitHAmQ1B
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 1, 2022
"That's a great comparison. It's an honor to be compared to a guy of Draymond's caliber," Smart said. "You know, a champion, a great leader, a great defender. He does what he does very well. I like to look at myself that way and I definitely take some notes on Draymond and the way that he leads and the way he plays the game."
If you're a fan of hard-nosed, physical defense, Smart and Green will surely provide that for you in this year's NBA Finals.
Tale of the tape: Draymond Green and Marcus Smart
Where Green and Smart are most similar is in an area you can't measure: heart.
But how do they compare in aspects you can measure? While they differ in position, they aren't that far apart in height, weight and wingspan.
Green has the edge over Smart in terms of accolades, but Smart took a step in the right direction by winning Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Green has seven All-Defensive Team honors, four of which are First Team. Of Smart's three All-Defensive Team honors, all three are First Team.
| Draymond Green | Marcus Smart | |
| Forward | Position | Guard |
| 6-6 | Height | 6-3 |
| 230 lbs. | Weight | 220 lbs. |
| 7-1 | Wingspan | 6-9 |
| 1 | DPOY | 1 |
| 7 | All-Defensive Teams | 3 |
NBA Finals schedule 2022
Game 1 of the Finals is scheduled for Thursday, June 2. With the exception of Game 4, there are at least two days off before every game.
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Game | Matchup | Time | National TV |
| June 2 | Game 1 | Celtics at Warriors | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 5 | Game 2 | Celtics at Warriors | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| June 8 | Game 3 | Warriors at Celtics | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 10 | Game 4 | Warriors at Celtics | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 13 | Game 5* | Celtics at Warriors | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 16 | Game 6* | Warriors at Celtics | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 19 | Game 7* | Celtics at Warriors | 9 p.m. | ABC |
*If necessary
