By: Andy Jasner
Ish Smith will never be deterred.
It’s not in his makeup. He won’t let any negative thoughts cross his mind.
Every day that Smith competes in the NBA is a great day. Some players say it. Smith truly believes it.
Smith’s story is a fascinating one chock full of curves and bumps, highs and lows. His story is continuing to unwind with the 76ers and he relishes the whole ride.
“My career until now has been a crazy one, but it’s my story so I can’t look it any other way,” Smith was saying recently. “I fought my way into the league. Now, I want to stick in the league for as long as I’m blessed to play. It’s not the easiest way, but I think it is more satisfying because of where I started and where I’ve gotten. I can never get comfortable. I have to keep bringing it. I have to keep the same mentality. It got me here.”
“Here” is a spot with the Sixers for the second time. On Dec. 24, 2015, Smith was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans for second round draft picks in 2016 and ’17.
Many players would be less than thrilled to be sent to a struggling franchise. Smith took the opposite stance.
“I was so happy to be going back to Philly because it meant that they wanted me,” Smith said. “How could I not like that or not be happy about that? I knew that I was coming to a team that stuck together and that I would likely get a chance to play. It’s been great to be back. I can’t say that enough. This is an opportunity for me to play, hopefully, for a lot of minutes, learn and grow with these guys and get coached up by an outstanding staff. What’s not to like?”
Smith could easily be jaded or cynical at this stage of his career. He’ll never let his mind wander that way.
Smith went undrafted out of Wake Forest and signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets on Aug. 23, 2010. Since then, Smith has played for nine teams – twice with the Sixers as well as the Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Pelicans. He has been waived six times and traded five times. He has been sent to the D-League and claimed on waivers in NBA.
Through it all, Smith has survived. And even thrived.
Smith is starting for the Sixers while giving them a major jolt of energy. The fans have embraced him and Smith couldn’t be happier.
“This is just the start to me because my game can be improved in every area,” Smith said. “I’m happy here but nowhere near content. I won’t ever say I’m comfortable. I want to take advantage of this opportunity I’ve been given. It’s a perfect situation to grow with these players here and build something amazing down the line.”
Smith wasn’t retained by the Sixers after 25 games last season. While it’s hard to predict what will happen in the future, Smith is proving his mettle on a daily basis and stating a strong case to stay put.
“I think, first and foremost, it’s an admittance and an example, right in front of our nose, of how good NBA point guards are, how good starting NBA point guards are,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said. “He’s a gypsy, a journeyman. We love him. But that position is elite. It’s sort of the crown jewel. I think when you’re forming a roster, ultimately you’re going to need a point guard. I think that Ish’s better days are ahead of him.”
Smith completed his high school career with 1,775 points and a school-record 687 assists on his way to being named the Charlotte Observer’s Piedmont Player of the Year along with earning all-conference honors his junior and senior years in 2005 and ’06.
At Wake Forest, he played in 121 career games with 91 starts — during his four years, averaging 9.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.26 steals per game. But numbers have never defined Smith.
“I’ve been on the move since day one in the NBA and I can’t sit here and explain exactly why,” Smith said. “I’ll say this: I’m happy to be here and continuing to get chances. It’s part of my story, I guess. You can’t really explain it. I will say it has made me stronger from a mental standpoint. Early on, I would get a little bit frustrated. I learned from each stop in the NBA and just kept working, hoping and praying for another shot. Clearly, I’m not going to be that guy who is drafted by a team and stays 15 years. You know what? That’s OK. This is who I am and for me, it’s a story continuing to be written. I hope it’s written here with the Sixers.”
Judging by his success, that’s a distinct possibility. Smith dished 16 assists against the Knicks Jan. 18 at Madison Square Garden. He scored 28 points against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 9. In every game, Smith has given the Sixers a spark from the point guard position.
That fact can’t be ignored.
“I think that Ish has been great for us and for me as a big guy in the post,” said rookie Jahlil Okafor. “He’s been a great teammate both on and off the court.”
“I think that having a point guard with his ability to run the offense, make shots and have that energy is huge,” added veteran forward Elton Brand. “He’s like this every day in practice. The games are no different. Being around Ish every day, you see a player who wants to get better and improve. He’s willing to put the time in. You’ve got to love that.”
Smith is loving his time with the Sixers. He can’t control the future. But he can control what occurs on a day-by-day basis.
“I come in and work, work, work,” Smith said. “I want to win. I want to help the Sixers win. They brought me back and I want to pay them back. I don’t think about our record or rebuilding. I think about each day, each practice, each Shootaround, each game. Everything else will take care of itself. I don’t worry about anything that’s out of my hands. Give me a gym, basketballs, teammates and coaches. That’s my mindset.”
