<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Surely, it surprised no one in Philips Arena Tuesday night that Kobe Bryant did his thing, but one could argue the Hawks didn't get beat in their home opener by the NBA's leading scorer. His 37 points, after all, was just a bit above his 36.3 average. You know the saying: he's going to get his. Bryant, though, is old news. But getting smashed by Smush? What was that all about? Just who is Smush Parker, and where'd the guy who led the Lakers' 31-18 third-quarter blitz with 13 points and three rebounds come from, anyway? Sounds like the name of a playground legend. Good guess. The 24-year-old native of Queens hardened his game and (skinny) frame inside the chain-linked courts of New York City. Parker's 21 points were no fluke. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound point guard is averaging 17.9, second on his team. "He's been an inspiration for us in all the games we've played," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "His 3-point shooting (three-of-five Tuesday) was effective, and his offense overall was as well. His three-point shooting keeps defenses honest against us." Parker didn't arrive on schedule in the NBA, stopping off at Southern Idaho, Fordham University, with the Cleveland Cavs, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Aris Thessaloniki (Greece) and Florida Flame of the NBA Developmental League. He didn't even sign with Los Angeles until Aug. 2, after impressing team officials in the Lakers Summer League. Now, he's sharing a backcourt with Bryant. "This is a great offense, and I have great teammates who find me when I'm open," he said after hitting seven of nine shots and four of seven free throws. "I learned a lot in the summer league."</div> Source
Smush has been absolutely phenomenal this year. He's been able to stretch the defense with his great three point shooting and he's finding open teammates for baskets. So far, he's been the obvious frontrunner for MIP, and based on the way he's played early on, it doesn't look like his production is going to slow down anytime soon, especially with defenses focused moreso on Odom and Kobe, then on him sitting on the perimeter.
Never knew Smush had this In him. Hope he keeps It up. Amazing this guy was the same guy who got beaten out by Jenkins in Detroit for the 3rd PG spot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Never knew Smush had this In him. Hope he keeps It up. Amazing this guy was the same guy who got beaten out by Jenkins in Detroit for the 3rd PG spot.</div> but remember it was the supposedly "great" larry brown who he played for in detroit the same man who has a rule for all his main contributors, have to have 4 years experience or more. even though he was better talent wise than jenkins he didnt have the four years experience.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting eyes only:</div><div class="quote_post">but remember it was the supposedly "great" larry brown who he played for in detroit the same man who has a rule for all his main contributors, have to have 4 years experience or more. even though he was better talent wise than jenkins he didnt have the four years experience. </div> Well when you are a PG you have to be able to run an offense and defend to be in Larry's good book and Smush couldn't do either. Larry is very demanding as Marbury is finding out With that said he also got waived by the Suns in the same season so maybe Smush is just having a fluky start or he has worked very hard on his game after past dissapointments.
