Russ leads Memphis to Orlando Title

[Steelers2012]

Russ Smith lead the Memphis Grizzlies Orlando Summer League team to the league Championship with 15 points, 9 assists, with only 1 TO, including the game winning field goal in what amounted to a 2nd OT sudden death possession. After no score (astonishingly) for either team in the first OT, Russ drove the ball left and shot a left handed floater that bounced around and dropped in to win the game and title. Pretty cool.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Everybody likes Russ.

It's too bad the NBA has their unwritten rules on who gets into rotations.

 

[Steelers2012]

Everybody likes Russ.

It's too bad the NBA has their unwritten rules on who gets into rotations.

I don't guess I am familiar with what you are referring to. What unwritten rules are there regarding who gets into NBA rotations?

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I don't guess I am familiar with what you are referring to. What unwritten rules are there regarding who gets into NBA rotations?

There aren't many guys 6-0 in rotations.

He's a tad scrawny also.

I think he's a perfect 2nd string PG that can give a team a boost.

 

[n4cer2ad]

I would love to see Russ make it! But I don't understand this unwritten rule.

 

[shamcard]

I would love to see Russ make it! But I don't understand this unwritten rule.

Is Harrell playing in any of these summer league games. I know he would like an opportunity to go up against some of those guys whom the unwritten rule said draft ahead of Trez.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I would love to see Russ make it! But I don't understand this unwritten rule.

Franchises are just hesitant to play smaller players.

The NBA has moved to a certain criteria. There are a handful of 6-0 PGs that get clock on teams, I just feel they are outliers and not really the norm.

Love Russ. Guy can do things!

 

[shadow force]

Way to go, Russ! Congrats! Just hope he gets a fair chance to play during the NBA season.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I don't guess I am familiar with what you are referring to. What unwritten rules are there regarding who gets into NBA rotations?

I guess what I'm getting @ here is the same complaint Russ shared during the draft process. Guys he had his way with @ college got drafted higher and playing time opportunities ahead of him by different teams. Now here he is in summer league outperforming others again, just as he did in college, just as he did in last year's summer league yet....

So what's the explanation?

All I come up w/ is... his size.

Maybe I'm wrong. If/when Russ gets his shot he'll capitalize.

 

[Cue Card]

I guess what I'm getting @ here is the same complaint Russ shared during the draft process. Guys he had his way with @ college got drafted higher and playing time opportunities ahead of him by different teams. Now here he is in summer league outperforming others again, just as he did in college, just as he did in last year's summer league yet....

So what's the explanation?

All I come up w/ is... his size.

Maybe I'm wrong. If/when Russ gets his shot he'll capitalize.

You're not wrong Hop. The NBA (generally speaking) discriminates against players who are his size regardless of how well they do, at least at first. Occasionally you'll see a small player out there doing their thing, but it's not very often. Russ has to fight off that stigma AND prove he's a NBA pro at the same time. To his credit, he's not giving up. He'll make it because he is a pro and he has the talent regardless of his size.

 

[CardFanBudMan]

I don't guess I am familiar with what you are referring to. What unwritten rules are there regarding who gets into NBA rotations?

Anothe one is that draft picks who are being paid a lot of money are favored over guys making less, even though they might be playing better at the moment.

 

[J-Rye_UL]

I guess what I'm getting @ here is the same complaint Russ shared during the draft process. Guys he had his way with @ college got drafted higher and playing time opportunities ahead of him by different teams. Now here he is in summer league outperforming others again, just as he did in college, just as he did in last year's summer league yet....

So what's the explanation?

All I come up w/ is... his size.

Maybe I'm wrong. If/when Russ gets his shot he'll capitalize.

This is spot on. Russ was arguably the best PG in the summer league last year. He undoubtedly the best PG so far this year. My best guess is that he just isn't being taken seriously by coaches. That hilarious personality that we all fell in love with could be keeping him out of rotations. Last I checked, the man is getting it done when the clock is ticking. He deserves 15+ minutes a night somewhere. He'll get his though. He's too good for 30 teams to overlook him.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

My best guess is that he just isn't being taken seriously by coaches. .

Could be part of it.

There's a lot of politics working against him. He wasn't a high draft pick. He's undersized. He's not a natural PG. He didn't start building a reputation until college.

Memphis is holding one of the top PGs in the NBA - but he does get banged up a lot. The #2 PG is Udrih, a steady guy and unfortunately they just signed him to a contract so he's locked in. The #3 was Calathes out of FLA but good news here, he signed to play overseas. So Russ might stick. Andrew Harrision is also in the mix.

Their roster is littered with good players. Opening night they go with 12.

G/Conley, Udrih, Lee, Carter, Adams
F-C/Gasol, Randolph, Green, Allen, Barnes, Stokes, Wright

That's 12 with rookie Martin/Harrison and Russ Smith in the mix. My guess is this is looking dicey for our guy he'll need an injury in camp to help his cause.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

Without a doubt Russ is getting screwed this kid is constantly proving that he belongs in the NBA . But they are so enanmored about size . This is causing Russ to be overlooked it would not surprise me one bit if them retards let him go and keep Harrison whom is not better than Russ. All it takes is some stupid front office guy to say i want size instead of actual ability.

 

[OneEarWonder]

You see the same thing in Football... size will commonly trump talent. Russ could have a long career as a role player.... or he could go overseas and tear it up... but I think it'd take a miracle for him to be more in the NBA.

 

[OmegaCard]

What's turned me off about the NBA is I feel they are no longer interested in basketball talent, or it's no longer the sole focus of the league. Money is and that encompasses lots of things.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

Guess what Russ is about to be put on the trading block just as i figured. Doen't do him anygood going to a third team team in two years . He will never get a fair shake.

 

[J-Rye_UL]

I love seeing Russ on the trading block. Memphis is a poor fit, and after his summer league performance I'm sure there's a hanfull of GMs looking at Russ as their primary backup PG.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

I love seeing Russ on the trading block. Memphis is a poor fit, and after his summer league performance I'm sure there's a hanfull of GMs looking at Russ as their primary backup PG.