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Player Review: Ish Smith

ISH SMITH

Info: 6-0, 175 pounds, 25 years old

NBA seasons: 4 (1 with Suns)

2013-14 numbers: 14.4 mpg, 3.7 ppg, 2.6 apg, 42.3 FG%

BEST GAME OF THE SEASON

Feb. 21 vs. San Antonio: Smith tormented the Spurs off the bench, racing his way to 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals while committing just a single turnover in 31 minutes of play.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR

OFFSEASON GOAL

Get a mid-range jumper that forces defenses to respect Smith as an offensive option. The journeyman guard is electric off the pick-and-roll, but defenses adjusted by sagging off Smith to cover the rolling big man because they were unafraid of Smith as a shooter.

“Consistent shooting is the biggest thing I think about,” Smith said. “The Tony Parkers and some of those guys who took their game to the next level when they were able to knock down that mid-range jump shot consistently.”

HEARD FROM HORNACEK

“When you’re on the smaller side…You have to be that pest, defensively, picking guys up full-court, pushing the ball for us. We want to get the ball up and down. He’s very good at that. That’s what we expect out of him.”

PHOTO OF THE SEASON

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