Hersey's book on Smith and Scottie
By Hersey Hawkins
Special to ESPN.com
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WATCHING LIKE A HAWK |
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Throughout the rest of the playoffs, Bulls guard Hersey Hawkins will provide ESPN.com with an in-depth scouting report on several key players. Hawkins continues his series with a look at Blazers veterans
Scottie Pippen and Steve Smith. |
These guys are two wily veterans. Pippen has picked up his offense from the regular season. He is the guy that through playoffs said he wanted to be the go to guy. When we need buckets he says I am willing to hit the shot, everyone accepted that and fell in line. You have to give him credit. That comes from playing in Chicago and with Michael. He understands the mentality of what it takes to win. And like Scottie, Smith is really a big-game player, which I like about him. The bigger the game the more ready he becomes to take shots for them.
How to defend them: I think you give Scottie the perimeter shot, but he has become more comfortable in shooting so you must watch out. He is so good and so long, that if he takes one dribble he is by you and to the bucket. It's the lesser of two evils -- you give him a shot and hope he has an off-night. He prefers to go right 90 percent of the time. When he goes left he is not looking to score, he will pass it to create for someone else. He will look for his own shot if he goes right.
Smith is one of the best 3-point shooters on the team. You crowd him at the 3-point line and make him put the ball on the ground. He does have the ability to go to the bucket, but his legs are not what they used to be. You see if he can finish, which has become a problem for him. He can post up and throw him in the box, but he can turn over either shoulder to get a shot.
If it's a jumper or he can get the ball into the hands of someone to create then he is the guy -- I want to put the ball in his hands. He has proven capable of making all types of shots, or getting the ball to guys to take the shot.
How they defend you: Defensively they have been able to put Pippen on Kobe and Smith on Rice. Pippen can handle it, as he has made the all-defensive team I don't know how many times. He has good hands, quickness and can block shots. He also has respect from referees and he is able to get away with more than other guys can. He needs it to cover Kobe.
With Smith, you try to run him on defense as much as you can. You have to get up court fast and make him use those knees and legs. His knees are not what they used to be. I would put my two-guard on the baseline and come off screens and make him work. At 6-8 he is long and can challenge shots, but quickness is a problem. Kobe is just too quick and can go around him easily.
What role they fill for the Blazers: Pippen has definitely emerged as an offensive and defensive leader in the playoffs, but he has a lot of work to do now. I see him more vocal than I ever see him. On the bench and on the floor, directing traffic, he can get others involved.
I've had brief conversations with Steve recently and he is happy and excited with the fact he doesn't have to play 40 minutes. He can play 27 minutes and still get shots and be effective. He is very important to this team, and they must get him shots for them to be effective.
I guess for a coach it is difficult to get everyone minutes. I would hope at this point Portland's players understand they are in a unique situation. Don't be bickering and worrying about minutes -- the goal is to win a championship. From playing them I think they know. I think they bring Smith and Detlef Schrempf and Scottie in there, they are more mature, they have enough influence over the younger guys and that has to help them.
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