How good was Steve Smith?

[L.Kizzle]

I'm giving some love to NBA TV analyst Steve Smith. I like his stories on the Open Court series on that station.

How good was he in his prime seasons with the Atlanta Hawks and even with the Miami Heat and Portland Trailblazers. Where does he rank with the swings of that era (the 90s'?)

He seemed like he was good for 18/4/4 in those seasons.

[jlip]

Although their games were not particularly the same, I always viewed him as basically a Joe Johnson caliber player.

[L.Kizzle]

Although their games were not particularly the same, I always viewed him as basically a Joe Johnson caliber player.
Where would he rank with the Dan Majerle's, Sean Elliot's, John Starks' of the world as I believe that was his tier and not MJ, Drexler, Richmond, Penny, ect?

[Theoo's Daddy]

Where would he rank with the Dan Majerle's, Sean Elliot's, John Starks' of the world as I believe that was his tier and not MJ, Drexler, Richmond, Penny, ect?

Steve smith is way better than these guys.

[jlip]

Where would he rank with the Dan Majerle's, Sean Elliot's, John Starks' of the world as I believe that was his tier and not MJ, Drexler, Richmond, Penny, ect?

He obviously was nowhere near the MJ, Drexler tier as he was never in the MVP discussion, but I would consider him to be better than the Starks/ Majerle group. He was probably near the bottom of the Sprewell/ Alan Houston. But then again, on any given night that group could overlap.

[Clippersfan86]

Although their games were not particularly the same, I always viewed him as basically a Joe Johnson caliber player.

Agree. Same type of deal. Good 2nd option type.. or 1st option on bad team. Good all around game/stats but not a particularly high impact player and not capable of carrying a team. I liked watching him quite a bit on the Blazers.

[L.Kizzle]

He obviously was nowhere near the MJ, Drexler tier as he was never in the MVP discussion, but I would consider him to be better than the Starks/ Majerle group. He was probably near the bottom of the Sprewell/ Alan Houston. But then again, on any given night that group could overlap.
Who was in the Sprewell/Allan Houston tier? I'm guessing Eddie Jones, Petro??

Jordan/Drexler/Miller/Richmond/Penny/Pippen/Hill

Sprewell/Houston/

Majerle/Elliot/Starks

[bizil]

The injury bug hit Smitty early in his career with those knees. He still rebounded to become an All Star guard. However he was way more athletic before the injuries. At 6'8 and 215, he was very skillfull. Excellent shooter from anywhere, crafty slasher with very good to great handles (has that Steve Smith hesitation dribble that was awesome and well respected), and he was a very good passer.

To me, I actually think Smitty could have been a notch below Penny if it wasn't for the bad knees. They were very similar in terms of IQ, scoring skillset, ability to play PG, SG, and SF. Penny was just more dynamic and athletic. Both suffered injuries that affected their games. Smitty rebounded better from his injuries better than Penny, even though he caught the bug earlier in his career than Penny did. I really dug that Pippen-Smith backcourt in Portland. It was one of the biggest backcourts in league history. And of course both guys were very skilled. In terms of size and skill as a package, there aren't many backcourts if any I can recall with two 6'7-6'8 guards with that level of skill.

[305Baller]

I'm giving some love to NBA TV analyst Steve Smith. I like his stories on the Open Court series on that station.

How good was he in his prime seasons with the Atlanta Hawks and even with the Miami Heat and Portland Trailblazers. Where does he rank with the swings of that era (the 90s'?)

He seemed like he was good for 18/4/4 in those seasons.

Yeah he was a serviceable SG, nobody really feared him but he had his moments.

[bizil]

He obviously was nowhere near the MJ, Drexler tier as he was never in the MVP discussion, but I would consider him to be better than the Starks/ Majerle group. He was probably near the bottom of the Sprewell/ Alan Houston. But then again, on any given night that group could overlap.

I agree. He was on another level than Starks and Majerle. Smitty had a size and skill combo that was awesome. And he was one of the best shooter in the L on top of it. However, Sprewell and Houston I would have took over Smitty in that time period. But once again, Smitty suffered those injuries that took away from his game. If Smitty never suffered those injuries, he was on track to be at least as good as Houston and Sprewell. I feel even better cause of the attributes he brought to the table. Smitty also could post up any guard in the L. Many seasons, Smitty was one of the the biggest SG's in the L at 6'8 and 215 pounds. He had a tremendous post game. I would go so far to say in terms of scoring arsenal, MJ, Mitch, and Steve had the most complete scoring skillsets in that era for SG's. Smitty also won a gold medal in the Olympics in 2000.

[Myth]

Good enough that the Blazers trade Jim Jackson and Isaiah Rider for him.

[Kblaze8855]

Im not sure people are generally aware of it but the Heat tried to make him a point guard for a while. He was kinda the first next Magic....briefly.

[305Baller]

Im not sure people are generally aware of it but the Heat tried to make him a point guard for a while. He was kinda the first next Magic....briefly.

Rice was playing SG , or Minor if Rice was at the 3.

[L.Kizzle]

Im not sure people are generally aware of it but the Heat tried to make him a point guard for a while. He was kinda the first next Magic....briefly.
Yeah,on Open Court he said Mugsy Bouges made him change his position.


Also, I think I would have taken a prime Smitty over prime Houston. Houston might score a little better but Smith is gonna do everything else a little better for me.

[305Baller]

Yeah,on Open Court he said Mugsy Bouges made him change his position.


Also, I think I would have taken a prime Smitty over prime Houston. Houston might score a little better but Smith is gonna do everything else a little better for me.

this

[9512]

Im not sure people are generally aware of it but the Heat tried to make him a point guard for a while. He was kinda the first next Magic....briefly.

Yea Then Penny (93) and later Jalen Rose and Kidd (both drafted in 94) took that title...

[L.Kizzle]

Yea Then Penny (93) and later Jalen Rose and Kidd (both drafted in 94) took that title...
Kidd wasn't a big guard like Smith, Penny and Rose.

[9512]

Kidd wasn't a big guard like Smith, Penny and Rose.

That didn't stop pundits from comparing those two and giving him that title.

[L.Kizzle]

That didn't stop pundits from comparing those two and giving him that title.
No doubt, but in playin style not size.

[pauk]

just a small bit less of a Joe Johnson version...

he idolised Magic and played PG in the NBA... then he said mugsy bouges made him change his mind :D

[Toizumi]

I never witnessed what I consider a peak Steve Smith (on the Hawks), but I did watch him play for the Blazers. In terms of skills and impact, I would compare him (in his Blazers days) to Vince Carter from the last 2 seasons (Orlando and Phoenix). Good mid/long range shooter, who could also take it to the rim from time to times (not as flashy as VC of course). Really hit some important shots from and was the team's go to guy in some games. Great scorer and decent all around player. Not a superstar and just a notch below an all star level player.


I liked Steve and as a Blazer fan, it sucked seeing him playing on his last leg, for the (then horrible) Bobcats.

[dbugz]

peak Grant Hill w/out the athleticism.

[Shepseskaf]

peak Grant Hill w/out the athleticism.
I'll go with this. In addition, Smitty had a lot of leadership-type intangibles. At MSU, he was always one of the best interviews among his peers - someone who always seemed to be older, and more responsible than was typical for his age.

Because of that, he was always a very positive locker room influence. So, while he was never "The Man" in the pros, he was a team leader and motivator.

I disagree with an earlier point that he wasn't feared. No one would breath easy on the other squad with Smitty lining up a long-distance jumper with the game in the balance.

[gasolina]

d. I really dug that Pippen-Smith backcourt in Portland. It was one of the biggest backcourts in league history. And of course both guys were very skilled. In terms of size and skill as a package, there aren't many backcourts if any I can recall with two 6'7-6'8 guards with that level of skill.
It's because they had to compensate for the smallest sf of all time, 5'10 Damon stoudemire

[senelcoolidge]

I remember him at Miami well. He was suppose to be the next Magic Johnson..yeah right! Tall point guard, but he had to move to the 2 and than I think he eventually became a 3. He was good, not great. Nothing spectacular.

[NugzHeat3]

Steve Smith was a good player.

I think he was just as important as Rice on those HEAT teams even though Rice was scoring the most. Rice wasn't a leader or motivator on and off the court like him.

Smitty could at least run the team, had good handles and with his court vision was a good passer and possessed a versatile scoring repertoire. He could shoot the ball, loved posting up (his baseline spin that was followed by a fake was voted a top 5 move by SI in 1998) and he could slash as well as finish well with the contact and an occasional throw down (dunk on David Robinson).

He threw out a shimmy here and there too. I remember one from a game @ Charlotte after making a circus shot.

As for the bad, I don't think his defense was good especially on the smaller guards who'd beat him fairly easily and sometimes he didn't give much effort. I think for his size, should have blocked more shots. I remember he didn't that bad on Jordan in 1997 though. They had that whole SI thing on the match up.

His shot selection was a little iffy at times but he wasn't a bad shooter at all. A lot of these good shooters are often overconfident and they should be to be honest.

Like the OP, I came across those open court segments as well. I always knew he had good footwork and I wasn

[NugzHeat3]

Joe Johnson is actually very good comparison. I'd agree with that.

[Lebron23]

I only watched him when he played for the Hawks, and Blazers. He was a 20 ppg.

Smith was a good 3 points shooter.

[outbreak]

His leggies are only useful for buying a wicket but his batting has been a bright spot for our middle order lately, with Clarke's injuries he's the only guy using his feet well to spin and is the only young guy with a test temperament with genuine leadership qualities. Oh wait you don't mean that Steve Smith do you?

[3ball]

http://gifsforum.com/images_new/gif/other/grand/f8ba800abb9acdda18c4f0258fc9a664.gif

http://gifsforum.com/images_new/gif/other/grand/7850d54e9f19a81c05d2b17a445d2e4a.gif


MJ had to play if off... :oldlol:

[Shep]

Had a nice 4 year stretch from '96-99 including top 4 shooting guard in 1996, top 5 shooting guard in 1998, and top 6 shooting guard in 1999.

[sick_brah07]

Yeah,on Open Court he said Mugsy Bouges made him change his position.


Also, I think I would have taken a prime Smitty over prime Houston. Houston might score a little better but Smith is gonna do everything else a little better for me.

not to be picky but im pretty sure he it was mookie blaylock that made him change to a two wasnt it

[jbryan1984]

I always liked him. Never made a lot of ASG's cause of Jordan and Reggie. Think he made one or two though. IDK who I would compare him to today.

[Reggie43]

He was clutch and had the attitude to back it up. Too bad he never played on a team good enough to contend in his prime till he came to Portland. Those Hawks teams even though they were talented lacked a decent bench and was always missing a piece or two to truly contend.