Lakers 'Tired of Hearing People Talk S--t,' Says Marcus Smart amid Criticism During 2026 NBA Season

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart is using the outside noise as a source of motivation during the stretch run of the 2025-26 NBA season.

"We're tired of hearing people talk s--t, basically," he said to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I know I am. And if you're a competitor, if you have any type of competitor in you, you're going to be tired of that too. So you want to try to prove 'em wrong."

Playing for the Lakers means living in a fishbowl. Even when the team isn't that good, it always generates a lot of discourse.

Los Angeles has been a subject of increased fascination ever since it acquired Luka Dončić ahead of the 2025 deadline. That move also significantly raised the organization's short-term expectations, which in turn inspires overreactions based on how the last few games have gone.

The overall vibes are pretty good right now. The Lakers have won eight of their last nine, and their most recent encounter saw Dončić nail his first buzzer-beater in purple and gold.

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L.A. is 42-25 and third in the Western Conference. While the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder are the obvious favorites right now, the Lakers' improvement is generating plenty of optimism.

Of course, this squad is going to be assessed largely on what it does in the playoffs. Hitting 50-plus wins for the second straight year will be a cold comfort if Los Angeles once again exits in the first round. All of the concerns about the coaching and roster construction will resurface.

Having suited up for the Boston Celtics for nine seasons, Smart knew what he was signing up for when he joined a marquee franchise with a rabid fanbase.

But that doesn't mean he has to always like the general conversations about his team.