On a team desperate for rebounding, inside scoring and subs, rookie forward Craig Smith has been a major contributor to the Timberwolves during the first two months of the season. In limited minutes (less than 20 per game), Smith has produced numbers that exceed the expectations many people have for someone who was the 36th pick in the NBA draft.
Among a league rookie group that is far from dazzling (Charlotte’s Adam Morrison is the only player averaging double figures), Smith was third in rebounds per game at 5.1 and was averaging 7.3 points through games in late December. Playing at power forward, the 6-foot-7 Smith is under sized by NBA standards but is a wide body (240 pounds) who may remind old-timers of Boston’s Paul Silas, or make younger fans think of Charles Barkley.
Smith has a right handed hook shot he uses near the basket and he continuously launches the shot with success against taller players. “I guess I use my body well. . . guys are much taller but I am much wider,” Smith said. “My girth, my size, I try to use that to create space.”
Although he can hook with either hand, Smith prefers his right hand. “I am trying to get the left one down,” he said. “Hopefully, I will get it down this summer.”
Smith talks about “attacking” the ball for rebounds. He uses his bulk effectively and combined with his aggressiveness “there’s no letting go (of the ball).” He averaged almost 10 rebounds per game playing for Boston College last year.
Collecting fouls too quickly has sometimes been a problem. The NBA that allowed more contact a few years ago would have been a better fit for Smith but he is adjusting to what the referees will allow.