In the first battle between the two players in the NBA, they went back and forth. There is a time and a place for it.
The all-around games that made them such attractive choices at the top of last month's NBA draft were shown by Oklahoma City's and Houston's players.
In one of the most anticipated games of this year's schedule here at the NBA's annual summer league, Smith finished with 12 points on just 5-for-19 shooting from the field while Holmgren had 12 points on 3-for 10 shooting in Houston's 90-88 win.
Smith had nine rebound, four steal, and three blocks. He forced a missed layup by Giddey that would have tied the score at the end of the game.
Smith thinks defense is his greatest attribute. Being able to guard multiple positions, being able to defend the rim and just being able to make things hard for players that play like me is what I like to do.
I feel like I'm the best match up for someone who can shoot, who can get to different spots and just, I feel like I'm just a nightmare for anyone of that caliber," he said.
Smith's ability to impact the game at both ends was one of the reasons he was drafted. He has a quick high release on his jumper and long arms and quick feet, which make him a nightmare to defend.
He showed both aspects of his game in one sequence in the second quarter, when he blocked a shot inside and then buried a 3-pointer at the other end.
In his first game against the Magic, Smith struggled with his shot, but in his second game he was more aggressive in taking 19 attempts. Against the Magic, he was 4 of 10.
"My shot wasn't falling, but I felt like I could impact the game in different ways, like just trying to play defense as hard as I can, try to get every rebound, trying to block shots."
He was playing in his first game in Las Vegas after playing in Utah.
He was unable to get anything going on Saturday. Smith filled up the stat sheet with two assists, two steals and four blocks, as well as eight rebound, two assists, two steals and four blocks. It was a sign that the 7-foot-1 Holmgren can make an impact on the game.
"I'm trying to learn from everything I've ever experienced," he said. Every time we go out there, whether it's good or bad, the worst thing you can do is not learn from it. I'm trying to learn from the things that happen.
The 195-pound weight of Holmgren garners a lot of attention. He has the ability to be a strong weakside help defender.
He said he is always looking for ways to impact the game and he came flying across the lane to blow up plays or swat shots away.
He said he was trying to cover up gaps. "Wherever it's gonna be, no matter how good your defense is, no matter how good defenders you have, disadvantages are gonna happen in a game." The ball is going to bounce off the rim. It's just having length and being able to cover space and protect the rim.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
