Speedy Smith was the second foreigner to sign for Aleksandar Dzikic's resurgent Hapoel Jerusalem this summer.
Like all six other foreigners who signed in the capital, Smith is not the flashiest name among the candidates that were on the shelf, but his easy-going nature and career path suited the coach's style very well.
At the age of 29, and after a record season in his career during which he led Ritas Vilnius to win the Lithuanian championship after 12 years, the shares of the center with the long hair and the catchy nickname rose, and most of the Premier League teams looked into the possibility of signing him, a reminder of the positive impression he left when he played for Maccabi Haifa during the Corona virus.
Professionally, the signing of Smith was a solution to the problem that hindered the Reds last season - the center position.
Despite good ability from Ratin Obasohn and Jaylen Adams, neither was a pure playmaker but rather a scorer who thrives next to another guard.
Like the rest of his friends, the beginning of Speedy's journey in red did not go smoothly with three losses in the first four games in all formats, and the main difficulty was expressed in an attack that was not fluent.
Smith, who throughout his career dictated a fast style of play in his teams, had trouble fitting in and received criticism.
"We are a new team, and it takes time for us to connect. The more time we spend together and the more time we train together, the more we gradually see the improvement," said Dzikic at the end of the victory in Rome over Hapoel Haifa.
It was the game that was the turning point in the ability of Smith and the entire team, which continued from there to a streak of five victories.
After scoring only 6 points against Gilboa/Galil and 8 in the following game against Hapoel Eilat, Haggard improved his numbers to 12 points in Haifa, and displayed wonderful ability on the defensive side when he stopped Anthony Hickey, the hottest player in the league in those days, for 0 points in 36 subtlety.
"These things take time. People don't understand that we have 11 new players and a new coaching staff in the team. This is a completely new team from what you knew, we are all in the process of learning the method and that. I am my own biggest critic and I am hard on myself. I am surrounded by great players , so my challenge is in front of myself - to be at the highest level I can," Smith shared after that victory in Rome.
In the fight with Gilboa/Galil players, photo: Danny Maron
"A player who lives on energy"
The improvement continued after the national team break, and Smith produced a performance with a statistical line of 19 points, 12 assists and 7 rebounds against Hapoel Galil Alyon, which earned him the title of player of the season and compliments from his coach.
"Speedy played great, this is one of his best games of the season. He plays great on both sides of the court, helps his teammates get into a rhythm and manages the game. He needed this kind of game," said Džikić.
"I'm just trying to be consistent for myself and my teammates," the American quipped.
"That's the secret. I know I have to be stable and consistent to steer the ship in the right direction. I'm a player who lives on energy and I have to make sure that night after night I bring it to the field if other things don't work."
The most noticeable change against Galil Alyon was the team's style of play, which tried to run at every opportunity and momentarily abandoned the long and orderly attacks.
This change allowed Smith to flourish and dictate the fast-paced game with which he is so identified, en route to a team season high of 25 assists.
Looking for a friend against Hapoel Haifa.
"It's more difficult for him in the standing game", photo: Maor Alxalsi
"Speedy needs to get the green light to run. It's more difficult for him in the standing game, because his shooting from the outside is unstable. If he is allowed to run - he plays at a completely different pace than he has shown so far," explains a professional in the league.
Tonight, Hapoel Jerusalem will take to the floor at the Menorah-Mvathim Hall and meet the strongest opponent it has faced this season.
Smith will have a particularly difficult task to face the back line of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Wade Baldwin and Adams, who have already had time to prove their ability against the continent's top players in the Euroleague.
In the week that passed since the home victory, the capital signed veteran guard Brandon Brown, who will strengthen the team.
Brown, who will arrive as a seventh foreigner, should not at this point replace one of the foreigners, but his presence as a ball carrier may bite into Smith's minutes.
In order for this not to happen, he will have to prove his ability already tonight and show once again that he is moving up a gear, at his own pace.
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