Steven Delano "Steve" Smith is a retired American basketball player and played with several teams in his 14-season National Basketball Association career, including the Miami Heat, the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs. He is perhaps best known for his five-year stint with the Atlanta Hawks, which included an All-Star Game appearance in 1998. He won a championship with the Spurs in 2003. Smith was widely regarded as an excellent three-point shooter and an experienced veteran. He is one of three players to make seven 3 pointers in a quarter.
In an interview to Samikshan Dutta Choudhury of Indian Sports News, he spoke about NBA and India, his experience, etc. Here are the excerpts:
ISN: Welcome to India. How do you like the country?
Steve: Thanks a lot. I am already in love with this country. I am having a great time and getting to learn to new culture. And yeah I love the food here.
ISN: What is your say about the association of NBA and Indian basketball?
Steve: It is a great partnership. It would really open up the chance of Indian players in NBA.
ISN: Is this partnership in larger benefit of basketball as a whole or is it just a mere promotion of NBA in India?
Steve: I would say basketball. And NBA is the highest form of basketball in the world, so Indian basketball would really be benefited by the presence of NBA.
ISN: You have been a champion during your playing days. What do you see that is lacking in the Indian players?
Steve: Well I would say experience. To be honest India lacks exposure to the game. Other countries which have excelled in the game always had ample exposure. So India needs to work on this if they want to be a champion in the sport.
ISN: How do you think exposure to the game could be increased in India?
Steve: Lot of work needs to be done at the grass root level. Basketball should be included in school and colleges. Basketball clinics need to be organized rampantly to educate young guys about the game.
ISN: Satnam is seen to be one player who would surely make it to NBA. What do you say?
Steve: I guess people say it because of his height. But it takes more than just height to be in basketball. Height is just an added advantage. But talking about Satnam, he is a talented player and is very passionate about the game. All he requires is a scholarship, which would enable him to get into some sports universities and that would bring him in par with the best techniques of basketball.
ISN: India lacks in infrastructure and that has been seen as a major hindrance for the development of the game. What do you say?
Steve: Yes it is there, but it cannot be seen as the sole reason. See, I grew up playing on the streets but that that never arrested my wish and desire to be what I wanted to be. If you want to be something, work for it and then complain about it. Good facilities and infrastructure come a lot later. The root always has to be strong.
ISN: How much do you think Kenny Natt’s association with Indian Basketball would help the cause?
Steve: Well it is a very good move. I know him since my playing days and very well aware of his character. It is a great opportunity for India and if the Indian players cash on in his experience, it would be really beneficial for them.
ISN: Your take on Troy Justice as an administrator?
Steve: He is a great ambassador to the sport and has done a great job. He loves India and I am quite sure that by the time he leaves India he would surely do a great deal for the Indian basketball cause.
ISN: You have played with so many great teams. Which has been your personal favorite?
Steve: Well I liked all the team I played with and they were all great. I liked Spurs with whom I won the championship. But my personal best has to be Miami Heat.
ISN: Who is the greatest: Michael Jordan or Lebron James?
Steve: Well I get that question always. See there are lots of great players in NBA. Lebron and Jordan are two different players and are poles apart. They played in different generations and both are good at it. But when it comes to who is the greatest, it has to be without doubt Michael Jordan. For me he is the greatest player, even though I played a lot against him.
ISN: Your message to aspiring players.
Steve: Absorb the game. Support the game and the system.
