Rift Develops Between Scott And Smith

Smith has proven to talent experts for the past 5 years that he has the ability to play effectively as a starter in the NBA. The risk is that not every prodigy can be a Kobe, for whom the virtue of humility is not apparent; but Kobe Bryant did enter the NBA with an air of humbleness and respect for the players and coaches around him. I am sure New Orleans carefully evaluated Smith's personality and willingness to learn. I believe he has it in him, and I was hoping he and Paul would make each other better; but I seemed to sense that Smith was relying soley on his talent which flashed brilliantly at times, and when he had a bad game or practice the process which a great young player goes through with himself and his coaches did not seem to be working for him. I haven't followed his story closely enough to know what is the actual deal; maybe he is a humble guy willing to take criticism and be coached, knowing in his mind he's great but also needing to learn the whole business from the mailroom to the boardroom. But he does seem to resist authority a little, and that's fine; just maybe not with whom and in the manner it's been playing out this year. I hope he can play to his full potential, and that if the Hornets must deal him for that to happen I hope the team doesn't hastily give him away. It could turn out to be a mistake that could cost the franchise alot of games and money that may take away two years of team development (Smith was a first round pick, 18th, taken ahead of Jameer Nelson, Delonte West and Beno Udrih, three guards having a decent second year.)