Over the course of an 82-game season, it’s perfectly normal to build a unique one-sided relationship with the players on your favorite team. Like any other relationship, these players can sometimes put you through the emotional ringer. You cheer and boo them, love and hate them, sing their praises one day and slam them the very next. As Clippers fans, most of the relationships we embark on are short lived. We endure a year of the Rick Brunson’s of the world, laugh about it, and flee the scene as quickly as possible so we can dream about next year. When I look back on the 2009-2010 Clippers, yeah, I’ll remember knee injuries and water-main breaks, but I’ll also remember talking to Craig Smith for the first time.
It was my first time covering an NBA game live, and as such, my first foray into an NBA locker room. When I approached Baron Davis with the other members of the media, I felt like a sheep wondering into the wolf den. This was Baron freaking Davis. I was genuinely frightened to look at the man, let alone brave enough to ask him a question. Thankfully, a few members of the media eventually broke off from Baron and moved over to Craig Smith’s locker. With a giant ice pack wrapped around his elbow from another night of banging with men much larger than him, Craig Smith held court and entertained all our questions. Smith spoke in a calm, quiet voice, laughed and joked graciously, and even talked about his pickup basketball prowess while lamenting on his imagined squad of himself, Sebastian Telfair, and Baron Davis. Even after only a few minutes with the man they call “Rhino”, you came away with the impression that he just loved to play basketball. After a relatively meaningless game in a losing season, that certainly wasn’t the easiest vibe to give off, but Smith did it.
I’ve yet to come across a single type of fan who couldn’t appreciate Craig Smith. The armchair quarterbacks (for lack of a better term) love him because Smith plays the game the way they always thought they would: hard. He bangs, he scraps for every inch, and he hits everything that moves. The average fan can’t fathom leaping from the foul line and throwing down a jam, but everyone can relate to sticking a shoulder into someone’s chest. The statheads can appreciate him all the same. Smith shot 56.9% from the field this season, had the second highest adjusted +/- number on the team, had a PER rating of 16.9, was the best offensive rebounder on the team, and posted the second best defensive rating of all Clippers.
Even the most casual of Clippers fans could appreciate one thing about Craig Smith: He always seemed to play well against the Lakers. In the four hallway rivalry games, Smith averaged 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds on 61% percent shooting in limited minutes. Smith served as the primary fourth quarter scoring option in what you would call the “biggest” games of the year, despite going against a Lakers frontline that all the way across was six to seven inches taller than him. For those brief moments he was our very own David sticking it to Goliath, and we loved him for it.
Craig Smith is an unrestricted free agent this Summer, and it’s unclear whether he fits into the Clippers plans for the future. Sofo Schortsanitis has been rumored to finally come overseas from Greece, which would seem to occupy the backup low post scoring big man role that Craig Smith held last season. But no matter what happens, it’s almost certain that Craig Smith will be a bargain for someone.
Even though he’ll be available for cheap, Smith will likely be overlooked for much of free agency. Teams will be scared off by his height like usual, and will be mostly unimpressed by the lack of diversity his skill set has to offer. They’ll worry about him fouling, and they’ll worry about him on the defensive end. They’ll conclude (perhaps correctly) that Smith is primarily a low post scorer and offensive rebounder and not much more. They’ll declare him as limited.
But what they may not conclude is that Craig Smith is a good basketball player because he’s aware of those limitations. He’s not the most talented guy in the world, but he maximizes what he has to work with. There’s a common trait all great teams share — they’re filled with self-aware players who play within themselves. You can blame Dunleavy for not assigning roles or getting guys to buy into them, or you can blame players like Baron Davis who routinely tried to do things outside of their capabilities, but either way there’s no arguing that the 2009-2010 Clippers were a team without an identity that lacked any real cohesiveness.
Craig Smith knew his role and performed it well, but he was just one part of a puzzle that was missing more than a few pieces. Like so many of the Clipper relationships in the past, this pairing was nothing more than a case of wrong place, wrong time.
14 Responses
Yes! I’ve talked much about Craig Smith in the similar fashion I spoke about Odom during the regular season (when they would be subbed in, I would be like, “Ah, finally, get in!”). I actually hope the Clippers resign Smith, he almost always had a very positive impact on the game, especially his rebounding skills.
Posted on May 15th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Is it true Sofo is coming over? If not, I definitely see us re-signing Csmeezy, over all the other guys.
Posted on May 15th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Everyone wants to talk about the big free agents, even those guys need a good supporting staff (see LeBron and Cavs). Smith is the kind of player that can be part of a strong supporting staff. With understanding his role on the team, he seems to possess the mindset that he always wants to better his game. Add to that the fact that he is one of few who seems to WANT to be a Clipper; this is a guy they need to find a place for, they won’t regret it.
Posted on May 15th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I met him briefly when he came to a grammar school I coached at this year. He was as kind and gracious with all the kids as dj describes. He answered all their questions and even played a game of horse with them. Class guy. I hope we keep him for next year.
Posted on May 15th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I’m a BC fan stuck in LA. Loved watching Craig Smith lead the Eagles in college….played like a man amongst boys. Even though the boys were often more talented ACC studs, Smith always seemed like the guy you would pick first if choosing sides. Those type of guys – offensive rebounders, ‘bangers’, whatever you want to call them – are always the best teammates. BC produces a lot of that type of player.
Posted on May 15th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
As a Wolves fan who is well acquainted with Smith, I just have to say that I love watching the guy because his game is just downright entertaining. He may not lead you a championship, but there’s something about watching a 6’7 270 pounder dropping floaters over 7′ centers or taking them off the dribble like he’s a 2 guard that makes you smile. He’s one of those rare, truly unique players whose game isn’t cut from the same boring mold as everyone else. Kudos to him for being able to keep it up in the NBA and to prove all the doubters (and there were many) wrong.
Posted on May 15th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
I loved having “Big Sexy” on our team. I hope the Clips bring him back.
Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 9:12 am
LOOK at LA times, 05/16/ Sports page C12.
Clipper’s charity related ad with Blake Griffin alongwith Kaman and Gordon + Sterling &Co.
And No Baron Davis!!!!!
Good or Bad? Are they going to trade him? Is LeBron coming to Clips? Has the king J. been
dictating terms to come to Clips? Are they going to trade Baron to Hornets for Chris Paul?
Can you imagine the team of LeBron, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Kaman and Gordon?
There’s a 99.9% of chance the Clippers landing LeBron. It’s possible, that Sterling is willing to offer KING JAMES a part ownership as well; which is expected. What if JAMES ultimately buys Clippers franchise after/before his retirement?
Anything can happen. Stay tuned.
(Sorry Bulls, Knicks, Nets, Heat fans, you can’t have JAMES because your THRONE is not BIG enough for KING JAMES)
Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Smith is a good team guy, a steady presence on the floor, a banger and a worker. I think he’ll get along great with Griffin. Those two will bring up Deandre and knock him around if he goofs off too much. Kaman will be his typical pussy self. I say the Clips should package Kaman and B Davis for steadier personalities with some true leadership qualities.
Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Wow, I love how that guy No B. Davis interpreted the fact that Baron will not be at a charity event to mean that Lebron is 99.9% sure to come to the Clips. Now there is an optimist. Might have lost all touch with reality, but definitely an optimist.
Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
We can only dream that BDavis will not be here next year – we have to try to get rid of BD and Kaman to truly start a new culture!!1
Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I had a chance to meet CS at a meet and greet in pomona. It was sad because barely anybody showed up. I was able to take multiple pictures and get multiple autographs for myself, my store, and freinds. Clipper D said he drove like 2 hours from Lawndale to be there. But yeah, he was cool as fuck.
Regardin Boom, I think he knows hes got one “good” year left in him, and will go all out this year. To his credit, he did drop alot of weight last year and at least gave a shit until it was apparent the season was over (which I see somewhere before the team gave up Camby. Maybe around that loss to the Nets?).
Irregardless of his play, nobody will pick up his contract. Maybe GSW will (to please thier fans I’d assume, but with the team for sale I dunno), or if somebody on CHA is convinced that reuniting Baron and Jackson is a good idea. However, until he is an expiring contract, he’ll be in LA.
Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
im glad im not the only one who appreciates craig smith..
every time he came into a game he contributed….he scored when we needed a bucket..
he fought hard….i would really like him to get resigned but i mean if he is not i wish him well…he is truly a diamond in the rough
Posted on May 18th, 2010 at 9:55 am
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