NBA News: Sheed Teaches Smith the Tricks of the Trade
Look out NBA, the newest face of the Detroit Pistons is serious in putting work with his new team. And what better way to work out than with one of the most popular and toughest Pistons ever in Rasheed Wallace.
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Smith said that he’s been working on his game and that Wallace has been a big help in refining this in preparation for the 2013-14 NBA season.
“I’m just trying to polish up on things,” said Smith. “I’m trying to be more consistent on my mid-range and long-range jumper. I’ve been working on it hard each and every day here.”
Like his time with the Atlanta Hawks, where he spent his first 9 years in the league, Smith is expected to play the power forward and small forward spots in Detroit,
“You don’t want him doing things he’s not used to doing.’’ Wallace said of Smith in the same interview. “We’re trying to get him comfortable making the 15- to 18-foot jump shot.’’
Smith’s career year with the Hawks was in the 2010-11 season when he averaged 18.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots.
Smith, a 2010 NBA All-Defensive Second Team and 2005 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, signed with the Pistons for four years, worth $56M.
Wallace, or popularly known as “Sheed” in the NBA, was hired by the Pistons in July as one of the team’s assistant coaches.
"When I was playing, I had that passion and fire, cussing everybody out, but I had the opportunity to change that being out on the floor," said Sheed in an interview with USA Today early in 2013.
Smith is excited being under the tutelage of the once volatile Wallace, but he’s also excited about Detroit’s chances of challenging for a playoff spot in the upcoming NBA season.
Moreover, he likes the chemistry being built this early at the Detroit camp.
“I think one of the strengths of this team is our flexibility,’’ Smith said “I like how we’re family-oriented. Everyone seems genuine. Everybody’s talking about family. Arnie (Kander) talks about that a lot. Everybody talks about when Rasheed and Chauncey (Billups) were here, they took on that type of attitude.’’