Joe Smith Overlooked Again, Even after Big Playoff Run with Cavaliers

For a guy Sports Illustrated once called the 4^th biggest draft bust of all time—higher than the likes of Kwame Brown, Dennis Hopson, Bo Kimble—Joe Smith just finished an impressive playoff run with the Cleveland LeBrons…err…Cavaliers. 

Smith’s career hasn’t panned out like a #1 overall pick’s is expected to, so it is fair to—on some level—call him a disappointment.  But, that doesn’t mean Smith isn’t still, after 13 years in the NBA, still a valuable player.

His value was on full display during Game 7 of the Cavs’ Conference semis loss to the Boston Celtics, when he proved himself much more important than more highly-regarded teammate Ben Wallace. 

The bizarre part is that Smith’s contributions were most noticeable when he was not on the floor. 

Wallace played 30 minutes and contributed three points and four rebounds.  Smith was on the floor for only 16 minutes yet led the Cavs with six rebounds while also chipping in six points. 

It’s hard to argue that Smith’s six points and six rebounds are a huge upgrade over Wallace’s three and four.  After all, it’s only three points and three rebounds in question. 

Consider, also, that Wallace was on the floor solely to guard All-NBA performer Kevin Garnett.  After all, Wallace has won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award four times. But Wallace couldn’t keep Garnett off the boards—the Celtics forward collected 13 of them. 

Since Garnett spent the majority of the Celtics’ offensive possessions just inside the 3-point line, taking 10 of his 13 shots outside the paint, Wallace’s interior defense was not needed. 

Yet coach Mike Brown had him in the game likely because Wallace, with his defensive reputation, is considered the better player.

Perhaps the most telling illustration of the disparity between Wallace and Smith was how glaring Smith’s absence from the game was. Surely I was not alone in repeatedly questioning why Smith wasn’t in the game during crucial stretches in the second half. 

The Cavs trailed for virtually the whole game, and Smith’s ability to stretch the defense with his jumper could have been quite useful in the team’s comeback.  Instead, Cleveland tried to rally with its one-play playbook—give it to LeBron and get out of the way. 

With Ben Wallace’s body on the floor (as Bill Simmons might say, will Wallace supplant Theo Ratliff in being renamed Ben Wallace’s Expiring Contract?), the Cavs were virtually playing four on five on the offensive end. 

How useful would Smith’s midrange game have been, especially as an option for LeBron’s kickouts on a drive?  Doesn’t it seem like a good idea to get your scorers on the floor when you are trying to mount a comeback? 

Again, some will point to Wallace’s defensive prowess as justification for his playing time.  But, remember, Smith led the team in rebounds and has the versatility to guard Garnett both in and out of the lane. 

But, because he has no Defensive Player of the Year awards or Wallace’s big name, Smith sat on the bench.  It seems like the failure to meet the expectations of being a #1 overall pick continues to haunt Smith, even in the 4^th quarter of a deciding playoff game. 

And yet, Smith was a throw-in in the “Ben Wallace Trade.” Maybe that’s what averaging 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds for the 32 games he spent with the Bulls this year. 

But, Smith’s value can’t be gleaned from numbers alone.   

In addition to being an effective scorer and rebounder, Smith has been, by all accounts, a model teammate and mentor for younger players.  Teammates and coaches have praised his steady leadership.

He’s also made the transition from being a college star to a role player with impressive humility.

"He's a very, very classy guy," Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown told the Washington Post.. "He's a utility guy. He can do a number of things very, very good and sometimes excellent. So, he's been a big lift for us, on the floor, off the floor and in the locker room."

He’s unselfish to a fault. Literally. Remember the 2000 discovery of Smith’s handshake deal with Minnesota Timberwolves executive Kevin McHale?

Smith accepted a below-market deal following the 1998 season in exchange for McHale’s promise of a more lucrative future contract, and in doing so, allowed the team more short-term financial flexibility. 

It’s a shame that Smith will never shake the “disappointment” label, since that stigma has overshadowed a solid career. 

Not that Smith is too concerned.

"People are going to have different opinions of [my career]," he said in an interview with the Post. "Being a number one pick, obviously, people have different expectations for guys like myself. But if you ask me, it's been a pretty good and consistent career."