Craig Smith Appreciation Open Thread

barrels forward blindly

Craig Smith made any situation in which he got to the baseline but picked up his dribble an adventure. In mid 07-08, or so, he had a string of games where he kept firing bullet passes at floor level back vaguely toward one of our guards.

The resulting over-and-back violation was painful.

Much as I liked “Cookie Monster,” Smith’s “Rhino” nickname was the most apropos specific nickname ever to grace the Wolves’ roster.

“Da Kid” smacked of stupid pop culture, “big ticket” acknowledged an excessive contract. “The Rhino” was about style of play. When he wore the mohawk early last year, that all fit.

Really aggressive, not afraid to mix it up, and has made himself a decent living doing so. You gotta love a small “big man” who doesn’t give a damn. Definitely the guy I’ll miss most of the three.

Definitely those 2 straight 30 point games back in December 2007.

When he would score. That epic song from Ninja Turtles 3.

Ohhahahohohaohaohhhhhhhhoooooooohhhhhohhhh.

For his size, he is an amazing scorer down in the paint. If he was just an inch or two taller he would be unstoppable with his ability to create space and flip in shots from crazy angles.

He was totally redundant on this squad, but I’ll really miss him.

but yo mayn here mah take on de trade mayn: i ont even kno mayn im too fuckin tired de fuck i look like chad ford mayn dayum.

thnags im gon miss bout de boi Chunky Craig mayn:

1. ABOVE ALL ELSE, bein wayyyyyyyyy too gone off de kill at de target centa an seein dat fucked up photoshopped pic uv Craig az a rhino mayn an me freakin out like “MAYN HOL UP!”

2. de mohawk mayn uv course

3. seein him make Amare look like Kwame Brown aytime dey played lass year,

aight mayn im boutta smoke on sum uv dat fiyah mayn u alreddy kno no patron tanight doe gotta be up at 5 AM MAYN HOL UP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9GghlQIHsg

The Rhino was just one of those underdog-type guys who had some skills. If he’d been KG’s backup earlier in KG’s career, he’d have been a fan fave then, too. When that teardrop was falling, it was gonna be a good night for the Rhino.

With Telfair, there were just stretches when he was getting to the paint on possession after possession and making the right decision.

I always miss guys who seem like good guys, but this is best for them and for the Wolves. Bigger and better things hopefully for both.

I’ll also miss those silly interviews he had with the previous Timberwolves.com reporter. Talking about fashion and all the stuff, it was a bit forced but funny nevertheless. I’m sure that he was indeed the guy keeping things light as the team was struggeling.

Will definitly miss him though I think the split was inevitable.