[外電] Wolves counting on Smith to develop
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Craig Smith spent about a half-hour after Thursday's Timberwolves practice
shooting jump shots by catching balls spit from a machine.
He rotated spots on the court and focused on getting a nice arc. During one
stretch, he shot about 45 percent on 90 shots before assistant coach Bob
Ociepka turned off the machine.
"No," Smith said. "Ten more."
The rookie took 11 more shots from the corner and made nine. Smith has worked
on his midrange jump shot all season, taking extra shots in practice several
times a week and after shootarounds. Smith estimated he hoisted 300 shots on
Thursday, some inside and many outside.
Smith's development will be a key to the Wolves' future. He is closing the
season strong, having scored in double figures in six of the past eight
games.
"Definitely try to extend out, be a little more versatile," Smith said,
describing a goal. "I'm just always trying to add something new, especially
for next year, trying to build on something."
He has plenty to build upon. Smith, a surprise second-round pick out of
Boston College, had a first NBA season that would have been impressive for a
mid- to low first-round pick.
Smith is averaging 6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds, totals that rank ninth and
fifth among NBA rookies, respectively.
"I'm really pleased with Craig Smith," coach Randy Wittman said. "He's had
his ups and downs like any rookie is going to have. But I think he's come on
strong the last two weeks here. He's givingus good minutes. He's doing things at both ends of the floor. I'm satisfied
with the kind of year he's given us. The bad thing about that is he's shown
me what he can do, so he needs to take that another step this summer."
Smith is working on his jump shot. As a 6-foot-7 power forward, he doesn't
have ideal size to score around the basket in the traditional fashion, with
his back to the basket. He uses floaters and quick shots over taller players
and takes advantage of opportunities when he's left open when opponents
double-team Kevin Garnett. Smith sets screens, and that creates chances in
pick and rolls as well.
"I'm being put in situations, and I try to knock the shot down - pick and
pops," he said. "All of the teams know I like to roll, so sometimes I may
switch it up and try to pop, depending on how the defense is playing me at
the time."
Adapting to the pace of change in the NBA, from practices to shootarounds to
game plans was the biggest adjustment this season, Smith said.
Consistency also has been an issue. He is averaging more than 9 points and 21
minutes a game this month after averaging 4.5 points and 15 minutes in
February.
Smith is playing well again, and Wittman said he feels confident Smith is
adapting. Much of his success depends on establishing position.
"He's always in the right area," Wittman said. "He's got a sense of where the
ball is coming off (for rebounds). Now at this level, with the size he has,
he's got to root his guy out farther. If he relies on it become a jumping
game or a reach game, he's not going to win that game in this league very
often because of his size. He's got the ability with his low center of
gravity to really get into guys earlier, so now he creates the space to get
the rebounds that he's capable of getting. That's the most important thing
for him."
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