Smiths' last 6 games

[SycamoreStateofMind]

One of the most brutal stretches of play for a player of his caliber I can ever remember. I mean you can't even take his game highs from the last 6 games and put a good stat line together. If he was giving us something maybe it wouldn't look so bad. He isn't rebounding, he isn't getting to the foul line and he isn't doing much defensively. A guy is struggling to shoot, fine I can accept that - it happens. But to only have 2 assists, 6 rebounds and 9 turnovers over 6 games that is simply unacceptable.

Totals over his last 6 games:

Total Points: 29 (not a single double digit scoring effort)
Total Rebounds: 13
Total Assists: 2
Total Turnovers: 9
Total Steals: 5
Total 3 Point Shooting: 3 for 18
Total FG: 10 for 39
Total FT: 6 for 8

Game Highs over the last 6 games:

Points: 7
Rebounds: 4
Assists: 1
Turnovers: 3
Steals: 2
3 Point: 1 for 2 (50%)
FG: 3 for 9 (33%)
FT: 2 for 2 (100%)

I know he has been discussed at great length, I just looked at the numbers and was just amazed at how poorly he has played statistically. Do you think Lansing should continue to bring him off the bench? Do you think he will break out of this slump? What do you all think?

 

[treeman]

i think that a lot of Smith's problems are psychological. he was "suppose" to be the man this year, then comes in a freshman that everyone loves and a much much improved Devonte Brown. Taking a backseat to people you are suppose to be "ahead" of can have negative effects on athletes at this level.

 

[ISU_TREE_FAN]

All mental. Lots of talk but no backup production. Wants to be "the man" but isn't getting it done. Not leading by example at all; just the opposite. Needs to ride some pine while he is sorting it out. Think he can overcome most of it in time (maybe not enough time this season though?). Really not fair to others to keep him on the floor like he is performing.

 

[SycamoreFan317]

So who else wants to pile on? What happened to support? Is this the way you guys raise your children or god forbid teach your students? Bottom line hereWE ARE WINNING!

 

[GuardShock]

I hear from the coaches show that Smith is the hardest working and the most mentally engaged guy on the team in practice. I honestly just think the guy is injured. His shooting thumb is taped up. I've seen him hit the floor a few times in the last few games and man his face completely screams I'm in pain. I just don't see him getting out of this funk this year. We can call this a "funk" but this has been going on for majority of the year. Maybe it's just not there like we all thought it would be. To answer your question, no. I don't think he will break out of this slump this year.

 

[BlueSycamore]

Say WHAAAAAAAAAAT Winning what. Sometimes they need a boot in the ass and no more coddling. Practice does not always equate to game action. Obviously it does not here.

 

[meistro]

I think he will have some better games but I'm not sure he breaks out of his shooting slump because of his hand injury. I still think he needs to be on the floor because of his size and athleticism and Etherington has flashes but still isn't ready to play 30 plus minutes. To be honest, neither one of them gave us anything offensively last Saturday. Smith just needs to concentrate on defense and rebounding right now and not try to force the issue on offense.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

So who else wants to pile on? What happened to support? Is this the way you guys raise your children or god forbid teach your students? Bottom line here WE ARE WINNING!

I hope you don't mind but I sized down the "We Are Winning" part, not an attempt to minimize the importance of winning - just to be clear, I am trying to conserve paper in case anyone in the athletic department is reading this and they decide to print this thread off and hand it to Lansing. I mean, I am sure they are going to read this - so I want to make that clear.

Truth be told we are 3-3 in our last 6 games and 4 and 4 over our last 8 games. The fact is, we are indeed winning but only half of the time. How is that?!?! Oh and in case you needed a reminder our season record, yep you guessed it 12-12 (winning, half of the time).

This thread wasn't created to demean Smith as a person. I didn't say he was a bad person or that he wasn't trying or that he shouldn't ever play another minute or that we should pull his scholie. It was strictly a post about basketball, do you have a problem if we discuss basketball on this forum??

Didn't think so... Moving on now!

 

[sycamorebacker]

I know he has been discussed at great length, I just looked at the numbers and was just amazed at how poorly he has played statistically. Do you think Lansing should continue to bring him off the bench? Do you think he will break out of this slump? What do you all think?

This is a head scratcher. I don't remember the last time I saw anything like it. I wonder what he looks like in practice.
I'm going to leave this as a coaching decision.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

I've said over and over I believe it is strictly a confidence/mental issue. He looked frustrated at Loyola and you could tell he was disappointed in himself several times. Don't forget he also has a thumb (I think) injury so no idea how significant that is. FG, 3FG, FT and points for the season:

8-19, 2-7, 9-9, 27 points
3-9, 0-2, 1-3, 7 points
6-14, 2-5, 9-9, 23 points
3-7, 0-3, 3-6, 9 points
1-8, 0-5, 2-4, 4 points
2-13, 0-6, 6-6, 10 points
2-5, 0-2, 0-0, 4 points
6-14, 1-5, 2-3, 15 points
8-12, 1-1, 7-10, 24 points
6-13, 0-1, 2-3, 14 points
3-6, 1-3, 0-0, 7 points
2-11, 2-3, 4-4, 10 points
2-4, 0-1, 4-4, 8 points
3-9, 0-0, 2-2, 8 points
2-5, 0-1, 0-0, 4 points
3-5, 1-2, 3-5, 10 points
2-8, 0-1, 2-2, 6 points
6-12, 1-3, 3-4, 16 points
2-9, 0-4, 0-0, 4 points
2-7, 1-4, 1-2, 6 points
0-4, 0-1, 1-2, 1 point
2-7, 0-3, 2-2, 6 points
3-9, 1-4, 0-0, 7 points
1-3, 1-2, 2-2, 5 points

So 36.6% from the field and 20.2% from three point range. When you remove those, he is shooting 44.4% from the floor. I bet if you were to chart all of his shots even a lot of his 2 point attempts would be mid-long range jumpers. Khristian's game will take off when he starts embracing his physical gifts which are speed, agility and athleticism.

He needs to start slashing to the bucket and when he does shoot jumpers, they need to be free throw range and in -- like the Illinois State game winner. There is no reason he doesn't average 14-16ppg on this squad... none. If he got 8-10 shots a game and started taking them around the rim, he is going to score or get fouled and that works since he is shooting 79.3% from the line. It's up to him to get back to his roots. When he does, I think he'll take off again.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Good stuff Jason.

I would like to them try and establish him in the post a little bit - he could back down and try an elevate over a defender, head fake and maybe draw contact and get to the line (he is a good FT shooter) or turn and face and maybe get a short jumper out of it or be able to beat them off the bounce (just gotta stay low and then elevate and finish).

No doubt, he needs to start from the inside out. He hit his first 3 last game and it didn't necessarily instill any new confidence in him or make a difference in his overall game play.

Slow down - let the game come to you and when it does go to the rim! Quit thinking and start playing based on your instincts, he has played too much basketball in his life to struggle like he has. Still think he is a good player obviously.

 

[BrokerZ]

Confidence is something that should go up and down as the season progresses. The fact that Smith really hasn't had one good game lately is the concern for me. In my opinion, which is really all that any of us are giving, he's hurt. More than just his thumb. He's playing through something that's clearly affecting how he plays offensively. I'm not sure what the injury is, but if it were a confidence issue I think he would have already shot his way out of it by now.

 

[BallyPie]

This is purely speculative......but.....are there any "off the court" issues. Like women issues?? I could see a bad breakup being a distraction.

 

[BlueSycamore]

This is purely speculative......but.....are there any "off the court" issues. Like women issues?? I could see a bad breakup being a distraction.

A little pu**y has ruined a lot of good men. You might have something here BallyPie?

 

[Daveinth]

I am a big fan of KS , I see the talent the kid has the fact that he is standing around outside the 3 pt line says it all. He is not a three point threat he is a better slasher he needs to be on the move at all times. To take full advantage of his skills Khristain should never be standing still especially outside that 3pt line .

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

I am a big fan of KS , I see the talent the kid has the fact that he is standing around outside the 3 pt line says it all. He is not a three point threat he is a better slasher he needs to be on the move at all times. To take full advantage of his skills Khristain should never be standing still especially outside that 3pt line .

This ^

Probably also part of the reason his rebounding numbers are down, just not in the right place at the right time and not getting in the paint and banging.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

His best friend died last spring. He changed his number to memorialize his friend. I wonder if he's taken a bigger hit mentally than anyone knows about. Losing a close friend in your 20's really sucks. I've been there...

 

[SycamoreFan317]

None of us know the full story of what is going on so who are we to be speculating. Leave the young man alone and let coach Lansing work through this with him whatever it is.

 

[bent20]

None of us know the full story of what is going on so who are we to be speculating. Leave the young man alone and let coach Lansing work through this with him whatever it is.

If it was up to you, I'm not sure what we'd talk about on this site. I don't see anyone being overly critical of him anyway, just wondering what's wrong and what might be done to solve it/help him.

 

[SycamoreFan317]

If it was up to you, I'm not sure what we'd talk about on this site. I don't see anyone being overly critical of him anyway, just wondering what's wrong and what might be done to solve it/help him.

Your post states a fact that you have no business making, I don't appreciate you sticking words in my mouth.Try sticking to facts but there are posts on here about he needs a kick in the ass. Every week somebody on this board is bashing one of the players let's try some positive reinforcement and encouragement or better yet let GL do his job.