http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/108973236396750.xml Smith holds his own in summer league No. 18 pick scores team-high 19 points Tuesday, July 13, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer LONG BEACH, CALIF. -- Hornets first-round draft pick J.R. Smith spent most of Monday morning waiting for time to pass. Smith had a reason to feel a little more anxious than he normally does. On Monday, Smith got the chance to show his skill and prove that, despite being 18 years old and having played basketball only in high school, he can shine against more experienced NBA players. He made his professional debut in the Southern California Summer Pro League on Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies at Long Beach State. Smith, the 18th pick in the draft, scored a team-high 19 points and had three steals in 36 minutes. He led all scorers with 17 points in the first half, making six of 12 shots. Most of the players competing in the tournament are rookies, first- and second-year players and veteran free agents hoping to get an invitation to an NBA training camp. But all of them were more talented and experienced than any player Smith faced at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. "It was a good learning experience for the first day," said Smith, a 6-foot-6 guard who signed a three-year, $3.1 million contract last week. "I had fun, and I'm getting taught the things that I need to know before training camp starts." He dunked. He made a couple of sensational driving shots. He made two 3-pointers from beyond 28 feet. He anticipated passes. He ran by defenders in transition. Everything wasn't perfect, and it wasn't expected to be in his first game. Hornets director of player personnel Jeff Bower, who is coaching the summer league team, played Smith for 36 minutes. In the second half, it appeared Smith got winded. He didn't play as aggressively, especially in the third quarter when he took only one shot and went scoreless. Smith also missed 11 of 13 3-point attempts. But he has five more games in the Southern California Summer League to hone his skills. "I've just got to stay focused and play my game," Smith said. "I want to win more than anything." Smith appeared to be unfazed that Hornets coach Byron Scott and assistant coach Kenny Gattison both watched from courtside. "I was impressed by what I saw for his first game, getting 17 points in the first half is pretty good," Scott said. "He looked real confident and real comfortable out there and looked like he had a lot of poise. I told him before the game that this was going to be good for him." In the first quarter, Smith scored 10 of his team's 16 points, including two dunks. He was most impressive as a defender -- he held Ansu Sesay, who has played three years in the NBA, to six points. Second-round draft pick Tim Pickett scored nine points and had two assists. Pickett played mainly at point guard because recently acquired Alex Garcia had to skip the league because of visa-related problems in Brazil. Forward David West scored 10 points and had seven rebounds. The Grizzlies won 99-79. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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