Off the Court: Jason Smith
Thursday, October 28, 2010
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
New Orleans frontcourt reserve Jason Smith sat down recently with Hornets.com to discuss his background and provide more insight into some of his interests away from the sport of basketball:People who had the most influence on him: “My parents. I always checked in with them. They always made sure I was working hard, not only on the court but in the classroom. They weren’t really strict, but my dad was a teacher and my mom was an occupational therapist. They both did the college thing and were very academic.”Best moment as an athlete: “Getting a Division I scholarship to college. I came from a small town, and graduated with 67 kids. I was the only one in a long time from there that had a D-I scholarship.”How he chose his current uniform number: “I was the last kid to get to pick his number as a freshman in high school, and 14 just so happened to be there. So I got stuck with that. I kept in college and with the Sixers. I’ve had it the entire time. It’s funny, because not many people have that number in basketball.”Something fans would be surprised to know: “I’m a video game fanatic.”First job: “I was a video store clerk at a local place in my hometown.”Favorite athlete as a kid: “I’m a Denver guy, so it was John Elway. When they won the Super Bowl, I was very happy for him.”What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “Working a 9 to 5 job, something in real estate or the business world.”Closest friend in another pro sport: “Shane Victorino (outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies). He’s a great guy. I’ve done some things with his charity work. I went to some football and hockey games with him in Philly.”Favorite type of music: “I’m a top-40 guy. Anything with a good beat. I can listen to country one day, hip-hop another, rock, alternative. I will listen to anything good.”Favorite TV show: “Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel.”Favorite movie of all time: “Twister. The reason is because I’m from a small town and have experienced tornadoes. We’re not all just mountains in Colorado. It’s a scary sight.”Favorite website: “I don’t have a favorite. I’m not much of an Internet guy. I might check the ESPN.com tracker if I can’t find a game on TV. Actually never mind – it’s eBay. [laughs] That’s my favorite.”