<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class="bi">Rookie Impresses Cheeks</div> <div><span style="font-style: italic">Oct 10</span> - Maurice Cheeks said Jason Smith "was great" in Monday night's 101-92 preseason opening loss to the New York Knicks. </p> In this case, "great" meant seven points and seven rebounds in just under 21 minutes in Smith's first, albeit unofficial, game as a pro.</p> </p> In truth, Smith's numbers weren't "great," but they were certainly encouraging. And it wasn't unusual for Cheeks, the Sixers coach, to notice his not-quite 7-foot first-round draft choice. Cheeks has been noticing the former Colorado State star since his predraft workout at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. -- <font color="#000000">Philadelphia Daily News</font></p></div></div>
