Joe Smith was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft and was a huge factor for past Timberwolves’ playoff teams. We sat down and had a wide-ranging discussion about the Wolves and the NBA as a whole.
Joe Smith completed a heralded 16-year NBA career in 2011. His career included stints with 12 different franchises and gave him a unique outlook on the NBA and the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise.
When you look up the word “resiliency” in the dictionary, Joe Smith’s face may pop up.
Joe Smith, was the epitome of a grind it out veteran that warranted nothing but respect in the NBA at-large. Unfortunately, being the No. 1 draft pick is a doubled-edged sword and Smith didn’t necessarily get the credit he deserved as a solid NBA contributor.
Dunking with Wolves hasn’t been alone in writing about the Timberwolves’ playoff woes for a very long time; the Wolves have missed the playoffs in each of the past 13 seasons. We felt it necessary to contact one of the last players involved in the Wolves playoff runs, and it happened to be one of their best contributors.
Let’s get into it.
Dunking With Wolves: Do you see any similarities or contrast between this upcoming playoff (hopeful) Timberwolves team and any of those four Wolves playoff teams you were apart of? Whether its the players like – Kevin Garnett, Anthony Peeler, Gary Trent, and Malik Sealy – or just the vibe in general?
Joe Smith: Yeah, I mean first of all, the chemistry of the team and how they enjoy playing with eachother; that’s the type of chemistry we had when I was playing with the Timberwolves and that’s why I always tell people that was my favorite team to play with. Obviously with great players like Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) in the middle being able to hold down the paint and do what he does inside and out, and the additions they made in the off-season with their veteran guys, they’ve done some great things to deepen their squad, which is what our Wolves team did in the past.
DWW: I agree, especially with the Jimmy Butler addition. But what are your thoughts with the coaching aspect, aside from the players? Do you see any similarities with current head coach, Tom Thibedeux, and your ex-head coach, the late Flip Saunders?
JS: That’s where the difference comes in for me, because Flip Saunders was so offensive-minded with all of his sets and screens, there is a big difference with Thibs, due to his defensive mind and defensive oriented teams. Flip had the thickest playbook I’ve ever seen in my career – laughs – offensively we had to really study. He had plays and counters for every moment, we had to REALLY study.
DWW: I can definitely see that, Flip really knew what he was doing. What are your thoughts on Thibs being the head coach and being the president of basketball operations? It’s odd to have a coach have control of you on the court in a sense, while in the same vein, controlling your paycheck?
JS: Well I never got involved in the front office issues, my main thing was to go out there and trying to play well, helping the team be successful. But I mean coaches nowadays want more control, they want to build the type of team they feel comfortable with and coaches have different ideas with their front office about players and bump heads about things. So to have that type of power for Thibs is great because he’s been around the block and he know’s what he doing, so to have that type of power and position, I don’t see anything wrong with it.
DWW: Yeah, I totally agree, I think a lot of media and fans give Thibs a lot of flack, but it would be helpful as a player to have a guy – as you said – that’s been around the block in charge of the team as a whole, which we’ve seen Doc Rivers do in the past and players seem to thrive around guys like that.
DWW: So, going back to what you were saying about KAT earlier, he had a huge night last night, he scored 56 points, which broke the Minnesota Timberwolves record for points in a game. Do you have any thoughts on KAT’s game as a whole? or maybe what his ceiling is?
JS: I mean, I love his game, he gets up and down the floor, he does it inside and outside, and his upside is great. As long as he keeps developing his game and not take anything for granted, his upside is ridiculous in my eyes.
DWW: Yeah, it’s odd watching him now, because you had one of the best 15-20 foot mid range shots during your time, almost allowing big men like yourself to take those shots. It was extremely smooth, and KAT seems symbolic of that game, taking those mid-range shots and now stepping out and hitting his 3’s at a consistent mark.
DWW: Speaking of what you’ve done for the game, how do you think you would fair in today’s NBA? Do you think you would be trying to step outside of the 20-foot range and try and hit those 3’s to develop your game?
JS: Definitely. I would’ve developed my 3-point shot a lot more to keep myself in the game and it helps you out to be successful nowadays, when I first came into the league the NBA was inside-out, now it’s outside-in. I can shoot the three, I just didn’t shoot it as much as I should’ve.
DWW: Right, and it wasn’t in the playbook as much, even though Flip had that huge playbook – laughs – I can definitely see that though. Guys like Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber get a lot of credit for starting that trend of big fours shooting deep from mid-range, but if you watch any of your career games, like your 38 points vs. the Grizzlies and your 36 points vs. the Wizards, when you were in your groove with that mid-range it was something to behold. I truly believe guys like KAT couldn’t be doing what they’re doing shooting wise, if it wasn’t for players such as yourself.
JS: Thank you, that’s the part of the game that people forget, the mid-range. Now it’s either attack the basket or 3-point shot.
DWW: Agreed, guys like DeMar Derozan get a lot of criticism for pulling up from mid-range and it doesn’t seem warranted.
JS: It’s BEAUTIFUL – laughs – and I love to watch his game, I like to see the threes and the attack to the basket but that mid-range game is something special.
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.
DWW: Speaking of the different types of players on the Timberwolves, what will Minnesota and their young guys/veterans need to do to hopefully stay in the playoffs (hoping we make it this year) for years to come?
JS: First of all, in the playoffs you have to be able to make adjustments and think on the fly and be highly reactive. Understand your opponent, watch film. Being a young team like the Timberwolves, it’s harder, your scouting reports are different, your mentality is different, the opponents are obviously harder and the preparation is totally different. You have to be able to defend, each possession matters, it’s a possession game in the playoffs.
DWW: Hopefully we’ll focus on that. With this Minnesota playoff push being the first real one in 13 seasons, you had 4 stints with the Timberwovles in the playoffs (’98-’99, ’99-’00, ’01-’02, ’02-’03), that first series in the ’99 playoffs was against the San Antonio Spurs which you eventually lost but the Spurs actually ended up winning the finals that year – wow didn’t realize how saddening of a moment that would be, laughs – but do you have any moments you would like to share with the fans about that series that might makes us… nostalgic?
JS: – laughs – We had a bunch of great memories in the playoffs. But that series we were in Game 3 in Minnesota and it was a close game and I was guarding David Robinson and KG (Kevin Garnett) was guarding Tim Duncan. David Robinson shot me an elbow on a post-up and we both shoved each-other and KG comes out of no where and shoves Robinson – laughs -. KG and myself had no fear going against anyone, and that’s how you have to approach the playoffs.
DWW: You guys were so tough, really miss those teams. You obviously have such a great NBA mind, and you’ve been with so many organizations, have you thought about pursuing a career in the league as a coach and/or office job?
JS: I would love to. I would be a development coach or something in the front office. I would love to help the younger guys. I’ve done that toward my last couple years, helping rookies along and being a mentor toward the youth of the NBA.
DWW: Last Timberwolves question. A lot of Minnesota fans want to hear from someone with experience on this, but how did that 13-year playoff drought happen? Knock on wood – hopefully not 14.
JS: Some part of it was talent, part of it was the inconsistent coaching staff. As well as the players coming in and out, and took a while to get a nucleus to build around and now with their new young guys, they may have put some pieces together to go ahead and do well in the playoffs.
DWW: Fun side-note question – Was there a similarity between playing with playoff version Kevin Garnett and LeBron James?
JS: There is a different focus from both of them in the playoffs, they might not talk as much or laugh as much – LeBron will usually play music to himself and be on a different mission – KG was go in the training room and be very intense in his face and with his emotions.
DWW: To sum up everything, what do you have going on in your life? What’s new?
JS: I have the Joe Smith Basketball Academy down here in Atlanta, Georgia. We work out of a facility called Georgia Sports Performance. We develop kids and their confidence, through footwork, ball handling, shooting, everything. It’s been a lot of fun for me and we’re looking at finding our own facility.
Here’s a peek at Joe Smith’s illustrious basketball career and some accolades:
- Naismith College Player of the Year (1995)
- AP Player of the Year (1995)
- UPI College Player of the Year (1995)
- Adolph Rupp Trophy (1995)
- Consensus first-team All-American (1995)
- Third-team All-American – UPI (1994)
- ACC Player of the Year (1995)
- 2× First-team All-ACC (1994, 1995)
- ACC Rookie of the Year (1994)
- 1995 / Round:1 / Pick: 1st overall
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1996)
- Tied for the NBA record of franchises played for (12)
For more information on Smith and his NBA career/statistics, click here.
FanSided thanks Joe Smith for his time. Smith is undoubtedly one of the greatest role players in NBA history as well as one of the longest tenured NBA players. We were lucky to have this conversation with him.
You can follow Joe Smith on Twitter, @JoeBeast95
His basketball academy on Twitter, @JoeSmithAcademy
Editors Note: Joe Smith and Dunking with Wolves conducted this interview on March 29.
Next: On the Timberwolves path to the playoffs...
Joe Smith Basketball Academy will be running camps throughout the summer in and out of Atlanta (Travel Camps), click here to find his website.