So much so that coach Rick Carlisle paraphrased a line from the old EF Hutton commercial when describing Smith.
“When he talks people listens,” Carlisle said following Sunday’s practice at the Lympo practice facilities. “He’s not a guy that’s going to give you a lot of unnecessary constant chatter.
“But he understands when to step forward and be strong as a leader verbally.”
Smith is so locked into what he’s doing that as the Mavs open the regular season Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. in Phoenix, he’s only concentrating on one thing.
“I just want to make the playoffs,” Smith said.