Jon Teitel's Interview Series: Pittsburgh Legend Charles Smith

Jon Teitel — Sun, 09 May 2010 22:40:35 -0700

CHN writer Jon Teitel spent time recently interviewing University of Pittsburgh legend Charles Smith, a two-time All American who also won a Big East Player of the Year award before graduating. Smith, who enjoyed a lengthy career in the NBA, can now be seen during the season on SNY during the network's studio show during Big East basketball telecasts in addition to other interests.

Jon Teitel: In 1984 you were named a McDonald's All-American. Which of your fellow high school seniors impressed you the most (Danny Manning, Chris Washburn, other)?

Charles D. Smith: Washburn; if he did not end up having so many off-court problems, he would have been a game-changing player. He had great size, he could bring the ball up the court, he was as fast as anyone else on the court, and was very aggressive.

JT: In 1985 you were named Big East Rookie of the Year. How were you able to come in as a freshman and contribute from the start?

CS: We were just trying to establish our school's prominence, and we had a good class that came in. We were able to come in and be impact players right away, as the offense was constructed to showcase our abilities.

1986 Goodwill Games

JT: You had a one-point win over Puerto Rico thanks to a late basket from David Robinson. Did you ever fear that you were going to lose or were you confident throughout the game?

CS: We took it game by game, but never thought we were going to lose. We had different guys step up at different times. Coach Lute Olson instilled so much confidence in me that I thought we could beat anybody.

JT: You scored 17 points in a four-point loss to Argentina. How did the international competition compare to the college guys you played against?

CS: The international guys were bigger and stronger, and everyone said we were outmatched despite the fact that the USA basketball team had always won the Goodwill Games in the past.

JT: You scored 18 points in a win over Canada. How did your team get back on track after the loss to Argentina?

CS: Robinson was in foul trouble, so Lute put me in at center. He told me to take jump shots from the top of the key because they played off me and left me open, so I did, and I made several of them.

JT: You had a nine-point win over Yugoslavia, who was led by future Hall of Famer Drazen Petrovic. Could you tell at the time that Drazen Petrovic was going to become a star?

CS: I did not know a lot about him at the time but the crowd was into it every time he touched he ball, as he was a powerful force. We did not pay much attention to any specific players during scouting, but just focused on the teams as a whole.

JT: You beat Brazil (who was led by legendary 5-time Olympian Oscar Schmidt) in the semifinals. Could you tell at the time that Oscar Schmidt was going to become a star?

CS: He was already a star at that point and a very emotional player. I saw him in the Pan Am Games the following year when he had 53 points in a game. Both Derrick McKey and I had to smother Schmidt, as we could not let him catch and shoot it.

JT: You scored 17 points in a two-point win over the USSR (legendary 5-time European Player of the Year Arvydas Sabonis had 16 points) in the gold medal game in Madrid. How was your team able to get it done?

CS: We were down by seventeen at the half, so we tried to come out in the 2nd half and get back in the game. We would start leaking out on the break when the USSR put up a shot, which helped us get right back in the game. The key to our comeback was a loose ball situation in the 2nd half when 5'3" Muggsy Bogues jumped over the 7'2" Sabonis and tipped the ball ahead to a teammate for a lay-up. We saw how hard Muggsy was working, so we all started playing harder.

JT: You had a roster full of players who were the best fantasy players from their respective schools (Sean Elliott, David Robinson, etc.). What are your favorite memories of that team?

CS: Most of my memories are with my teammates off the court: hanging out after practice, shopping, etc. We handled our business on the court even though nobody thought we would win. Even back then, we all kind of knew that Robinson would go on to greatness.

JT: In 1987 you said you were "80% sure" that you would turn pro, but you chose to return to school. Why were you going to turn pro, and why did you end up changing your mind?

CS: My academic advisor asked me what I was going to do, and when I told her I was thinking about going pro, she told me to come in and talk to her. We talked about the opportunity to graduate and enjoy my senior year. My major was Communications, and she said it made sense for me to get my degree; she was a deciding factor. It worked out well for me, as I was the 1st one in my family to graduate from college.

JT: In 1988 you were named Big East Player of the Year. What did it mean to you to win such an outstanding individual honor, and did it validate your decision to stay in school?

CS: I did not realize that I was the first unanimous Big East Player of the Year in a long time, which I thought was fantastic.

1988 Summer Olympics

JT: You scored two points in a six-point loss to the USSR (Arvydas Sabonis had 13 points and 13 rebounds after being sidelined for 18 months with an Achilles' heel injury) in the semifinals, the second-ever loss for Team USA in Olympic basketball competition. How crushing was that loss, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterwards?

CS: It was a very dark loss; a tough blow to stomach. We had lost Hersey Hawkins (our main outside threat) to a knee injury, so Dan Majerle became our key perimeter shooter.

JT: You scored 10 points against Australia to win the bronze medal. Did you consider your run in the Olympics to be a success (due to winning a bronze medal) or a failure (due to getting so close but not winning it all)?

CS: We all saw it as a failure but did not want to go out without a medal. Even after we won the game, no one celebrated.

JT: You had a roster full of players who were the best fantasy players from their respective schools (Stacey Augmon, Hersey Hawkins, Danny Manning, David Robinson, etc.). Do you think you lost to the USSR with all that talent due to coaching, or officiating, or the fact that Team USA eventually had to lose a game in the Olympics?

CS: The USSR was just a good team; they had three guys who either played or could have played in the NBA.

JT: What was it like playing with a teammate with the same name (Charles E Smith IV, who was named Big East Player of the Year the following year [at Georgetown])?

CS: It was tough for me all through college, as people would confuse me with him and think I went to Georgetown.

JT: In the summer of 1988 you were drafted third overall by Philadelphia (2 spots ahead of your Olympic teammate Mitch Richmond), but then immediately traded to the Clippers for Olympic teammate Hersey Hawkins. Were you thrilled to get drafted so high or stunned to get traded the same night?

CS: I was excited to go to Philly and play with Charles Barkley, but I was too young to understand the business of the NBA. The Clippers already had a young big man in Danny Manning, so I was not thrilled about the trade.

JT: You averaged 14.4 ppg and 1.4 bpg during your nine-year NBA career. Was there any specific highlight or proudest moment?

CS: I remember a string of 30-point games I had with the Clippers that was pretty good.

JT: In 1989 you founded the Charles D. Smith Foundation and Educational Center. How long had you wanted to make this dream come true, and what has it accomplished?

CS: It was not a lifelong dream, but people from my hometown of Bridgeport often called me to help underprivileged kids or give talks, so I bought a building where kids could come and find a safe place.

JT: In 1990 you scored a career-high 52 points (17-27 FG, 18-21 FT) in 37 minutes in a win over Denver. Was it just one of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were "in the zone", and where does that rank among your career highlights?

CS: Nobody told me that I had tied the franchise record for points in a game with four minutes left in the game; otherwise I would have scored a lot more. It was a case of just making the right decisions: I was driving to the basket and shooting jump shots and making free throws.

JT: In 1993 you missed four straight point-blank shots for New York in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Chicago. Do you feel you could have done anything differently, and where does that rank among your career lowlights?

CS: You win a lot of games and lose a lot of games. That play ranks as one of the lowlights of my career, but I could not have done anything different. I gained some measure of satisfaction by playing well in Game 6 in Chicago (14 points), which helped a lot. Someone compared it to Kirk Gibson's famous homer in the 1988 World Series (it came in Game 1, but the media made it sound like it clinched the entire series). It was a tough loss, but I was able to bounce back.

JT: In 1994 you made the NBA Finals with New York, and had 10 points in a six-point loss to Houston in Game 7. Did you consider your playoff run a success (due to making the finals) or a failure (due to getting so close but not winning it all)?

CS: That was a lowlight too, as we worked really hard to get there and just came up short.

JT: In 1997 you retired due to knee injuries. Did you feel frustrated that you could not go out on your own terms, or satisfied that you had a nice long career?

CS: No one is satisfied when they are getting pushed out of the game: it is just a dark reality for professional athletes.

JT: After retiring from the NBA you ran a software company for 6 years and are currently getting your MBA at Seton Hall. Why did you go into the software business, and what do you want to do with your management degree?

CS: I went into software because I was being mentored by several executives who worked in technology, so I learned from some of the best. Technology becomes obsolete every 6-12 months, so I was able to become an expert in a lot of areas dealing with content and had a lot of success. I intend to use my MBA to create value for myself and make myself marketable to employers.

JT: You were recently elected executive director of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. What do you do in this role, and why did you want the job?

CS: I was on the board when the prior executive director was being removed, and some of my fellow board members asked me to put my hat in the ring. My role is to just run the organization to create opportunities and endorsements for retired players, and help their transition from the basketball court to the real world.

BIG EAST "Fantasy Picks"

Cincinnati: Oscar Robertson (1960) 2,973 pts (#1), 1,338 reb (#1), 425 ast (#3), 53.5 FG% (#1), 3-time All-American, 3-time national POY

Connecticut: Richard Hamilton (1999) 2,036 PTS (#2), 82.6 FT% (#3), 2-time All-American, 2-time conference POY, NCAA MOP

DePaul: George Mikan (1946) 1,870 PTS (#4), 3-time All-American, 2-time national POY, NIT MVP

Georgetown: Patrick Ewing (1985) 2,184 PTS (#2), 1,316 REB (#1), 493 BLK (#1), 62 FG% (#2), 3-time All-American, national POY, NCAA MOP

Louisville: Darrell Griffith (1980) 2,333 PTS (#1), 230 STL (#1), 2-time All-American, conference POY, national POY, NCAA MOP

Marquette: Butch Lee (1978) 1,735 PTS (#2), 84.8 FT% (#2), 2-time All-American, national POY, NCAA MOP

Notre Dame: Luke Harangody (2010) 2,476 PTS (#2), 1,222 REB (#2), 3-time All-American, conference POY

Pittsburgh: Charles Smith (1988) 2,045 PTS (#1), 987 REB (#2), 346 BLK (#1), 2-time All-American, conference POY

Providence: Marvin Barnes (1974) 1,839 PTS (#5), 1592 REB (#1), 363 BLK (#1), 2-time All-American

Rutgers: Phil Sellers (1976) 2,399 PTS (#1), 1,111 REB (#1), 2-time All-American

Seton Hall: Nick Werkman (1964) 2,273 PTS (#2), 1,036 REB (#4), 2-time All-American

South Florida: Charlie Bradley (1985) 2,319 PTS (#1), 80.7 FT% (#4), conference POY

St. John's: Chris Mullin (1985) 2,440 PTS (#2), 449 AST (#4), 213 STL (#3), 84.7 FT% (#1), 3-time All-American, 3-time conference POY, national POY

Syracuse: Derrick Coleman (1990) 2,143 PTS (#2), 1,537 REB (#1), 319 BLK (#3), 2-time All-American, conference POY, national POY

Villanova: Howard Porter (1971) 2,026 PTS (#5), 1,325 REB (#1), 3-time All-American

West Virginia: Jerry West (1960) 2,309 PTS (#1), 1,240 REB (#1), 3-time All-American, 2-time conference POY

Jon Teitel's Interview Series: ETSU Legend Keith "Mister" Jennings

Jon Teitel — Sun, 09 May 2010 22:26:13 -0700

Recently, CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with East Tennessee State legend Keith "Mister" Jennings, one of the greatest players in school history. Jennings still ranks in the top four in six major statistical categories and nearly led the Bucs to an improbable upset of top seed Oklahoma in the first round of the 1989 NCAA Tournament. In the first of three straight trips to the Big Dance, the Bucs fell 72-71, one of only a handful of one-point losses for sixteen seeds.

Jon Teitel: How did you get the nickname "Mister", and do you like it?

Keith "Mister" Jennings: My dad started calling me that around age 6, and it just stuck, so everyone in my hometown calls me that. My teammates were going to call me Keith when I joined the team, because they did not want to call a freshman "Mister", but they came around after a week or so.

JT: Why did you decide to go to ETSU?

KJ: They were they only program that really offered me a full scholarship. VMI showed some interest, but I was not into the military. I am a competitor, so I wanted to display my skills against the best, which was D-1.

JT: You were named an All-American despite being only 5'7". How were you able to succeed despite being at such a height disadvantage on the court?

KJ: I always felt that I played bigger than I was: I always said I was 5'8", but people said it sounded better if I was listed as 5'7"! I did not feel like the smallest guy on the court. I always played against my brothers growing up who were similar in height to me. I never looked at it as a disadvantage: I actually felt it was easier for me to play against bigger guys, because I played inside and did not mind trying to battle for a rebound.

JT: What are your memories of the 1989 NCAA Tourney (you scored eight points and had seven assists but fouled out in a one-point loss to Oklahoma in Nashville, which almost became the 1st-ever upset by a #16-seed over a #1-seed; Stacey King had 28 points and 10 rebounds)?

KJ: When I look back on all my defeats that one sticks with me more than any other loss. I assume that most of the other players you talk to remember their losses more than their wins. We were a young team that did not fully understand how to win, but we gave it our all. We won our conference tourney, which was really special. It was the 1st time that I ever got a ring, after watching guys on TV get rings and cut down the nets, so that was important to me.

JT: What are your memories of the 1990 NCAA tourney (you scored a team-high 17 points and made a tourney-school record 5 three points in a loss to Georgia Tech. Dennis Scott had 36 points on 14-22 FG)?

KJ: It seemed like Scott had at least 20 points in the 1st half. We felt that we were seeded badly. Mid-major teams now are getting higher rankings, but even though we had a record of 27-6, we felt kind of shafted because we ended up as a #13-seed. We felt we had a good chance playing in Knoxville, but the ACC was a great conference, and Georgia Tech was stacked (Kenny Anderson, Brian Oliver, etc.). We could not run with them but we were the type of team that kept on fighting. We felt that the following year would be our best chance to make a splash.

JT: In 1991 you scored a career-high 37 points vs. Marshall. Was it just one of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were "in the zone"?

KJ: Our other main shooters that night were something like a combined 2-for-22 from three-point range so I just tried to take over. We were ranked in the top-20 at the time, and just tried to keep moving up the list. It was a high-scoring game; the ball felt good when it left my hand and I had a lot of steals that led to easy lay-ups.

JT: What are your memories of the 1991 NCAA tourney (you scored 11 points and had a school tournament record 13 assists in a three-point loss to Iowa. Acie Earl had 18 points)?

KJ: That was one of the toughest losses for me, as it was my last game as a senior. We were 28-4, but got screwed as a ten-seed and got shipped out to Minneapolis. I had plenty of opportunities and did not make any turnovers, but I shot 4-of-13 from the field. I remember that we were missing two of our best players at the time; we never went into the tourney full-blast with a healthy team except in 1989.

JT: In 1991 you set a school and conference record with 301 assists in a single season. How were you able to balance your scoring and defense with your passing abilities?

KJ: I do not think a lot of people realized that I was a high-percentage shooter: I always tried to shoot 50% or above. When you play with other guys who can hit threes or catch alley-oops, then it is just a matter of "pick your poison". We had great chemistry, so nobody cared who got the press; we were a real unselfish team in a great situation who put winning above everything else. It was just a fun time: when I go back to campus, there are lots of people who still talk about that team as one of the best.

JT: In 1991 you also led all of Division I in three-point percentage by shooting 59% from behind the arc. How big a weapon was the three-point shot in your offensive arsenal, and what is your secret for three-point shooting?

KJ: There is no big secret: it is just a matter of repetition, hard work, etc. We did not have a three-point line in high school (it came into existence soon after I graduated). I would just wake up every morning and go shoot while my younger brother rebounded for me. Obviously, you also need to have good balance, a lot of confidence, etc. I never felt like I struggled with my shot, but I also did not take a lot of bad shots. If you want your team to win, you have to make shots. When you shoot a wide-open shot, it is very different than shooting with a hand in your face.

JT: You still rank fourth on the all-time list for career assists with 983. Do you feel that you were one of the best point guards in NCAA history?

KJ: When I look at the numbers I put up I think I have to be one of the best point guards who ever played, if you are looking for a complete point guard and going by the numbers. We won conference championships, and I like how my numbers stack up with anyone's.

JT: From 1992-1995 you played three years for Golden State, averaging 6 ppg and 3.7 apg. How satisfied are you with your career, and how do you want people to remember you on the court?

KJ: I cannot say that I was real satisfied, but it was a dream that came true. People always said I was too small, from high school through college and the pros. I actually got cut the first time I tried out for the NBA but God blessed me with a 2nd opportunity. Playing behind Tim Hardaway was a blessing but you do not get a chance to make a mistake with Tim on the bench. I also learned a lot from Coach Don Nelson. I felt that I could have been an NBA journeyman, but I just wanted to play, and did not get a lot of opportunities in the NBA.

JT: In 1995 you were picked by Toronto in the expansion draft but you never played for them. Why did they take you if they did not want you to play for them?

KJ: Things just did not work out contract-wise. Toronto GM Isiah Thomas called me right before the expansion draft to say that they would take me with the 4th pick. I was an All-American coming out of college so I was surprised to not get drafted originally. When Toronto took Damon Stoudamire in the real draft, they also took BJ Tyler in the expansion draft so I was stuck behind 2 other point guards.

JT: You spent the next decade playing professionally overseas. What did you learn from this experience and how did it compare to the NBA?

KJ: I just love getting on the court and showing my skills and helping my team try to beat your team. I was making good money and playing 35 minutes a game overseas, so I was pretty happy. My first year in Germany after I was cut by the Pacers was huge, because I got paid to do something I loved and I was an All-Star. I took it seriously because I wanted another chance in the NBA. We took a 2-week tour to play teams in California, and Golden State invited me in for a tryout. After getting cut by Toronto I had an opportunity to play in Spain and I was an All-Star and won a couple of three-point contests. The Spanish guys were not ready for a small/quick guy who could shoot the ball. It was nice to see the world by playing basketball. I was always a pass-first point guard, but European teams required their point guards to score; I just wish the NBA had been like that.

JT: From 2004-2007 you coached a boys' varsity basketball team at a private school in Virginia but said the job left you unfulfilled because your players were not motivated because they had an easy life. When trying to be a successful athlete, how does motivation compare to skill, effort, genetics, other?

KJ: I did not see the hunger from those high school kids that I had in myself growing up. When I go out now and recruit kids I look for 2 things: the hunger to be the best student/athlete you can be, and the toughness to win the test of wills. I do not care if you are 5-feet tall or 7-feet tall; you just have to try and stop your opponent without being scared.

JT: You currently are an assistant coach for the basketball team at Bluefield College. What is the main difference you have found in coaching high school players vs. college players and what do you hope to end up doing in the future?

KJ: I think college kids are getting more realistic about their chances of making it to the NBA from a small school, while high school kids are already thinking about the NBA. The college kids are not in awe of my status as an NBA veteran, but they respect me because they know I made it to the NBA. I want to be a head coach and run a program. Every coach I ever played for called me a coach out on the floor, and I got the most out of my teammates because I know how to talk to people.

ATLANTIC SUN "Fantasy Picks"

Belmont: Joe Behling (1990) 2,823 PTS (#1), 947 REB (#4), 142 BLK (#2), 3-time All-American, national POY

Campbell: Joe Spinks (1994) 1,711 PTS (#4), 954 REB (#2), 220 STL (#2), 155 BLK (#2), conference POY

East Tennessee State: Keith Jennings (1991) 1,988 PTS (#4), 983 AST (#1), 334 STL (#1), 223 3PM (#2), 49.3 3P% (#1), 86.1 FT% (#2), All-American, 2-time conference POY

Florida Gulf Coast: Bryan Crislip (2005) 985 PTS (#3), 373 REB (#2), 606 AST (#1), 194 STL (#1)

Jacksonville: Ben Smith (2010) 1,971 PTS (#2), 515 AST (#1), 230 STL (#1), 220 3PM (#2)

Kennesaw State: Ronell Wooten (2008) 1,633 PTS (#2), 615 REB (#5), 262 3PM (#1)

Lipscomb: John Pierce (1994) 4,230 PTS (#1), 1,497 REB (#1), 4-time All-American, 2-time national POY

Mercer: James Florence (2010) 2,287 PTS (#1), 436 AST (#2), 222 STL (#1), 242 3PM (#1)

North Florida: Donny Lotz (2005) 1,412 PTS (#2), 660 REB (#2), 77 BLK (#2), 105 STL (#4)

South Carolina Upstate: Ulysses Hackett (1992) 2,688 PTS (#1), 908 REB (#2), 227 STL (#3), 67.1 FG% (#1), 3-time All-American, 2-time conference POY

Stetson: Kerry Blackshear (1996) 1,826 PTS (#1), conference POY