Euorpean Leagues started some time ago. Likely few spots left for Americans. Also more likely to look at older American players with intl experience rather than 20 yr old guys still developing. Doubt Smith has a $500k offer that he turned down for RGV.
Perhaps not that much but the D-league is a really low pay league, he probably can make a lot more money in Europe, but he may not like that option for personal reasons... The problem with the D-league is it sucks for bigs development...... DD
The point is. Being built like a tank and being tall means nothing in a skill oriented sport such as Basketball. Also having huge hands sounds like we are scouting quarterbacks now. This is why some teams fail at drafting and others don't. Some teams go for the athletic prospect (OOOH LOOK AT TYRUS THOMAS!) instead of the player with actual skills. I mean sure the guy is big and all but does he know how to use his body in the post? Just being tall and big is not a positive that should get you on a NBA roster. It's like scouting a PG and saying "He can dribble..." well he better be able to, he's a PG after all...
Sometimes the physical specimen over production approach works though. We passed up DeAndre Jordap for Dick Elmer Dorsey.
I don't think the excitement was only about getting Smith, but getting Smith to train under someone like McHale.
