7 replies to this topic

[Real Deal]

Can you basically say that Smush's production, throughout his career, was all due to Kobe and Phil?


Pre-Lakers
2002-03 (Cavs): 6.2 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 40.2% FG, 32.2% 3PT, 16.7 MPG
2004-05 (Pistons/Suns): 3.0 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.3 SPG, 41.9% FG, 23.1% 3PT, 9.0 MPG

Lakers
2005-06 (Lakers): 11.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 44.7% FG, 36.6% 3PT, 33.8 MPG
2006-07 (Lakers): 11.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 43.6% FG, 36.5% 3PT, 30.0 MPG

Post-Lakers
2007-08 (Heat/Clips): 5.9 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 34.8% FG, 23.1% 3PT, 21.1 MPG

Black Bold = career highs
Red Bold = second-highest numbers

Despite the extra minutes and role being legit reasons for the increased scoring and such...Smush shot the ball better, he played the best defense of his career (even though it wasn't that great, since he gambled a lot...but better than his other seasons), and it didn't take long for him to get tossed back out of the league...just one season after starting 162 regular season games in LA.

It's crazy how lucky Smush was, to have a teammate like Bryant (especially in Kobe's prime). And, yet, he didn't really play as good as his numbers made him out to be, lol.

[Majesty]

That's because Smush never initiated an offense or was asked to be an actual point guard(nor could he ever be one). For all intents and purposes Kobe was the Point and Shooting Guard on those teams. All Smush had to do was take it to the rim occasionally and hit the wide open three. Kobe initiated and started a majority of the offense and more often than not finished it too. When Smush was put on a team and told "be a point guard" you see the result.

That plus mentally Smush wasn't that humble or a smart of a guy, he didn't want to learn. he had an issue with Phil because of how Phil wanted him to play the position and felt he should be the one telling Phil how to use him(yes I am freaking serious) not to mention not passing it to the best player in the NBA because he 'didn't like his personality'

Smush was a headcase that didn't understand his position with the team, thought he was better than he was and even when brought down to earth refused to look at himself in the mirror and was intent on blaming everyone else for his shortcomings.

That is why Smush isn't exactly the most beloved.

Edited by Majesty, November 18, 2012 - 11:43 PM.

[West Coast]

And is exactly why he's not in NBA anymore and looks like he ate Kwame Brown

[Majesty]

Not to mention when Smush initially came to LA

KOBE himself tried to tutor him and teach him the elements of the triangle so he could have a better transition and play better within it and a lot of what Smush was able to grasp was because Kobe was teaching him about it. This is something Smush has admitted in interviews before "bashing Kobe" became his claim to fame.

Then as usual like I said, he refused to listen and was weak minded, cocky and thought he was better than he was. Thus Kobe stopped talking to and dealing with him as Kobe has said time and again he has no patience for people like that, especially those that are weak minded and don't want to listen or work hard. Smush was all of that and more.

[phifedogg76]

I agree with all that is said above, never appreciated what he had

[GCMD]

This isn't the first time Kobe's made someone better who was a scrub before and was a scrub after. Being on a team with someone who draws that much attention gets you wide open shots. It also forces the D to play you soft even when you have the ball in your hands...you'll hear coaches saying "make someone else beat you"...that's what they mean. They test you to see if you're gonna take that open shot or attack that open lane if Kobe's covered.

Smush WANTED to be the man so he had no problem trying to be Kobe...he just wasn't up to the task and that's something he will never fully accept. He will probably die believing that he could have BEEN Kobe.

Nash has a similar effect on his teammates...coincidence? LOL...no. Only difference? Most people respect AND like Nash and KNOW they could never be him...

Edited by GCMD, November 21, 2012 - 06:40 AM.

[Majesty]

This isn't the first time Kobe's made someone better who was a scrub before and was a scrub after. Being on a team with someone who draws that much attention gets you wide open shots. It also forces the D to play you soft even when you have the ball in your hands...you'll hear coaches saying "make someone else beat you"...that's what they mean. They test you to see if you're gonna take that open shot or attack that open lane if Kobe's covered.

Smush WANTED to be the man so he had no problem trying to be Kobe...he just wasn't up to the task and that's something he will never fully accept. He will probably die believing that he could have BEEN Kobe.

Nash has a similar effect on his teammates...coincidence? LOL...no. Only difference? Most people respect AND like Nash and KNOW they could never be him...

Yes, it was downright insulting the years he didn't win MVP and they said he "Didn't make his teammates better"

[phifedogg76]

wasn't MagicMoment friends with him or was she like his biggest fan??? Or am I thinking of some other girl that used to post here?