By Fersu Deniz Yahyabeyoglu/ info@eurohoops.net
He is a champion, he is one of the most experienced guys in Euroleague, he is a leader and a versatile player who can spend time in the 2, 3 and 4 position if needed.
Yes we are talking about Devin Smith of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The swingman who was the most of important part of David Blatt’s game plan on last year and he is still the leader of coach Goodes’ team. He can do anything on the court that Maccabi needs. He can pass, he can shoot! He is both a good creator and executer. One of the smartest players in Euroleague was ready play one one one with Eurohoops. Enjoy the read!
– As a team you are on fire in Euroleague Top 16 so far. So what is the secret of Maccabi’s vast improvement?
“Just constantly trying to improve and working hard every day to be better as a team and individuals. We are also always prepared really well for the games by the coaching staff”.
– We know that there is a great chemistry in the team and everybody knows their roles but I think you are the gear that makes things work. How do you explain your role in the team?
“My role is to help the team where ever it is needed: points, rebounding, defending etc. Also just being a leader and trying to keep everyone encouraged and motivated”.
– You lost a great shooter and valuable veteran, David Blu at the beginning of the season but now you have Randle and Alexander. By the way after a silent season in CSKA, Pargo is in a pretty good shape. What do you think about Maccabi’s strongest parts and weakest parts?
“Our biggest strength is that we have a balanced team, meaning that everyone contributes in different ways for us to be successful. We have a staff that prepares us the right way and knows how to use everyone to their strengths”.
– So how did Devin Michael Smith started to play basketball? And who was your idol for basketball when you were a youngster?
“Basketball runs in my family. I have two older brothers who play the game and that’s what attracted me to play. As a kid in my generation I was like every other kid and love Michael Jordan. As I got older I really liked Ray Allen”.
– In 2005 after you were undrafted you chose to play for Gipuzkoa in Spanish second league. Can you tell us the reasons about this choice?
“I ended up there because my agent really felt like that was a place where I could get a chance to play and show my qualities. At the time the LEB in Spain was a really competitive league”.
– Can you tell me the teammate that you played with and remember most fondly?
“Marques Green. We played together for two years, one in Avellino and one in Fenerbahce“.
– Last year you made a great surprise under the helm of David Blatt. This year you have a new coach, Guy Goodes. What are the differences between these coaches from a player perspective?
“I think they both coach and value the same principles in playing together and defending. Guy starts with that as a foundation and he really knows the game and continues to study the game”.
– In 2008-09 season you played for Fenerbahçe Ülker in Turkey. How could you identify the improvement of Turkish basketball in these 6 years?
“After the World Championships in Turkey it seemed as if more Turkish teams had high ambitions to be competitive on a high level in the European competitions. Also those championships showed a lot of people the high quality of the Turkish players”.
-What can you tell about your hobbies?
“Learning the cook and spending time with my family. My favorite TV show is The Wire and my favorite movie is Coming to America”.
– What were your happiest moment in your career?
“Winning the Euroleague is the happiest moment in my career”.
– You will be 32 years old in April and I know that you are still in a good shape. But do you have any plans about the retirement?
“I plan on getting into coaching after I’m finished as a player”.