Interview with Joe Smith: Former No. 1 pick talks Timberwolves

DWW: The mid-range relates to my next question. A lot of players get fatigued playing down low and driving to the basketball so they take mid-range jumpers. Moreover, the media is portraying Thibs as hurting his players by playing them for 38-plus minutes a game, how would you feel being back as a young player if Flip Saunders had you out there for 38-plus every game?

JS: – laughs – As a player you love it, because you never want to come off the floor, but at the end of the day you’re probably hurting yourself in the long run. Your stats may be great, but you may hurt the team, no player is in that type of shape to not get fatigued with playing that much. Thirty-eight minutes right now is kind of overdoing it, especially when you want everyone healthy for the playoffs.

DWW: Right, obviously with that Jimmy Butler injury, Thibs has gotten a lot of negative media attention because this was the second injury in Thibs coaching career to his stars, like Derrick Rose for the Chicago Bulls.

JS: That’s what happens when your fatigued, you may not think or move correctly, your landing or takeoff may be off that would cause an injury. Sometimes you need to catch your breath to come out there fresh with a great mentality.

DWW: Exactly, so kind of what we’ve touched on with KAT and obviously with a guy like Jimmy Butler being an outstanding all-star, what are your thoughts on the former No. 1 pick, Andrew Wiggins?

JS: -Pause- He shows flashes. He has shown flashes that he will be a great player. It’s about being more consistent with him, whether its scoring or his all around game. Shooting, attacking the rim, defense, I know every game presents something different but it’s the game of basketball, which he knows. If he can use some intensity it will help his game.

DWW: I think the key word that fans would agree with is, intensity. Which Wiggins seems to lack, which is what your old playoff Timberwolves team had a lot of, with yourself and Kevin Garnett.

JS: That takes you a long way, you bring that intensity and your opponent knows that you’re going to bring that every night, they know they’ll have their hands full. That goes a long way, it’s something for opponents to think about prior to games. Mind-games help.

DWW: I think mind games absolutely help, just like what we were saying about mid-range needing a come back, mind-games have left the NBA too.

JS: Exactly, definitely.

DWW: Although, Wiggins has had a lot of success from an offensive standpoint at such a young age, averaging fairly high numbers for a 23-year-old. A lot like your young career offensively. But by being a number-one pick in the NBA, how do you take that criticism and try and mold it into future success? Because that number 1 pick title obviously comes with a lot of ‘hope’ that you’ll do everything at a consistent level and you played 16 seasons, so obviously you know about that. How does Andrew Wiggins keep his head up after being bashed by media and fans alike by not doing everything possible at such a young age?

JS: Right, see this is where he needs to see this as motivation. Use all of that negative energy that he’s hearing and channel it. Find motivation and get yourself in the gym, repeat what people say about you in the gym and the weight room, you can’t always rely on the coach or organization to motivate you, you have to find a way to get yourself going and that’s the biggest characteristic for young players to look for. Use that motivation for your career so you can take the court and give it your all.

DWW: I completely agree, especially being as coveted as a number-one pick. Going off the Timberwolves track for a second, for guys like yourself who did play for 12 NBA teams – which is amazing – how do you mold yourself into so many teams and be effective on so many different franchises’ systems?

JS: Just being professional. Being able to be coachable and pick up on systems. Give 100 percent all the time, be that player that will dive for every ball. Be consistent with your game and effort, be on time for practice, the bus, everything. Even when your talent starts to diminish, those qualities are what keeps you in the league for such a long time.

DWW: For sure, one of the biggest words I would use to describe your play is resilient. You would move in and out of the lineup and give 100 percent and play with such hustle – a lot like Taj Gibson for the Timberwolves.