I’ve been the leader of the “bench Smith” brigade for the better part of the last 2 years, but I’ve got to give the dude credit today. At the end of the game he actually made 5 or so plays in a row and made 4 straight free throws to help win this one. I was shocked to see it and very happy for him. If he can play like that, he can really help Trayce and Race underneath.
My only question was why wasn’t he guarding Stevens? Everybody constantly brings up what a great defender he is but he only had #11 a couple of times at the very end after that kid had nearly 30. It was clearly a brain fade (to put it mildly) to have Brunk on him. And I thought Race was going to foul out trying to stop him. I guess Arch thought he needed to shut down #2 instead?
My only question was why wasn’t he guarding Stevens? Everybody constantly brings up what a great defender he is but he only had #11 a couple of times at the very end after that kid had nearly 30. It was clearly a brain fade (to put it mildly) to have Brunk on him. And I thought Race was going to foul out trying to stop him. I guess Arch thought he needed to shut down #2 instead?