During those 10 games, Smith averaged 17 points and 6.9 assists and shot 43.5 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from 3-point territory. Those numbers are superior to the statistics he put up overall this season when he averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 assists, and shot 39.5 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from the 3-point arc.
In revealing the obvious increase in his productivity, Smith knows exactly who gets the lion’s share of the credit.
Smith said: “That’s a big shout out to coach (Rick Carlisle).”
Carlisle and Smith have a unique relationship, as coaches are often closer to their point guard more than other player since that’s the person who runs the offense and assumes the role of a coach on the floor.