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Steve Smith currently works as an analyst for Turner Sports. Smith previously worked as an announcer for the Atlanta Hawks and as a college basketball analyst for the Big Ten Network. Before that, he had a successful 14-year career in the NBA.
Smith was the fifth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. He spent three seasons in South Beach before he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks two games into the 1994-95 season. He had his most successful years with the Hawks from 1994 to 1999.
The Michigan State product was named to his lone All-Star appearance in 1998, wherein he averaged 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He also led the Hawks to the playoffs four straight times from 1996 to 1999. However, he was unable to reach the Eastern Conference finals.
After five years with the Atlanta Hawks, Steve Smith was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in the summer of 1999. It was a loaded Blazers team that already had Rasheed Wallace, Damon Stoudamire, Arvydas Sabonis and Scottie Pippen.
Smith and the Blazers reached the Western Conference finals against the LA Lakers. They had a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 7, but the Lakers staged a comeback that started their dynasty. The Blazers have not recovered since then as Smith was sent to the San Antonio Spurs in 2001.
By the time Smith was in San Antonio, his role diminished from being a starter to a role player. Nevertheless, he won his lone championship in 2003 after the Spurs beat the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals.
Smith became a free agent after two years with the Spurs. He joined the New Orleans Hornets before ending his career with the Charlotte Bobcats and Miami Heat in the 2004-05 season.
Also Read: Former Charlotte Hornets owner regrets selling team to Michael Jordan
Steve Smith's career accomplisments
Steve Smith was one of the top rookies in the 1991-92 NBA season. Smith was named to the All-Rookie First Team after averaging 12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Smith is a one-time All-Star but won one championship during his career. He took home the 1998 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his work in the community too. He was also voted by his peers to win the 2002 NBA Sportsmanship Award.
The Michigan State product averaged 14.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists during his career. He was one of the very few players who played like a point guard but was built like a small forward in the 1990s. He also won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in 2000.
Finally, Smith also has a move named after him, called "The Smitty." It's a half-spin hesitation move that can be used in the break, isolation or even in the post.
Guess the Lakers players!
