"Smith has quickly and quietly gone from a fringe roster player to one of the league's best individual defenders. After he underwent surgery for injuries to both his ACL and Achilles during the last two seasons, I don't think a lot of fans expected to see him playing at a high level for quite some time, if ever again."
"As of Wednesday afternoon, Smith is registering the seventh-best defensive rating of any player in the association with a 100.8 mark. That kind of number is a testament to his discipline, perseverance, and all the hard work that he's put in to become an impact player in the best league in the world despite some truly trying circumstances."
"This is the kind of story that is so quintessential to what Heat culture is all about. An overlooked player who was totally written off after his injuries, and was able to rebuild and reshape his story through a hard work ethic to fit within the team's system and become a difference maker. Smith embodies everything Miami stands for as an organization: toughness, resilience, and accountability."
Dru Smith returned from surgeries to both his ACL and Achilles and has elevated his play to an elite defensive level. He currently posts a 100.8 defensive rating, the seventh-best in the league. He excels through positioning, anticipation, and the ability to guard multiple spots without taking reckless gambles. Smith consistently forces turnovers, frustrates opposing guards, and causes the Heat's net rating to rise when he is on the floor. His comeback reflects patience, disciplined work, and a mindset aligned with Miami's emphasis on toughness, resilience, and accountability.
Read at All U Can Heat
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