Terence Smith is a 25 year old 191cm guard from Russellville, Alabama that completed his rookie season in Germany with the Giants Nordlingen averaging 17,6ppg, 5,2rpg and 3,8apg. He started his basketball career with Tenn-Martin (NCAA) in 2010 playing 84 NCAA games in three seasons averaging double figures in scoring each season with his junior year being his most productive where he averaged 14.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 82.1%. He played his last year of school with Mississippi (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.7apg. He spoke to German Ho opsat the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season.

 

Terence thanks for talking to German HoopsYou have completed your rookie season with the Giants Nordlingen which ended in the team moving down to the Regionaliga. Was the last close loss to the Uni-Riesen Leipzig a game you should have won synonymous of how your season went?

We lost a lot of close games this season, but I like the way our team continued to fight till the end.

In our last interview at the end of the regular season you stated this in terms of the team wanting to stay in the league after the playdowns. “We will leave it all on the court and try our best to end the season on a good note”. Nordlingen had a 2-4 record in the playdowns. Did the team leave on the floor in the last 6 games?

Yes, I felt that we started to play better towards the end of the season and ended up splitting with the teams in the playdowns.

Nordlingen went into the playdowns playing their best basketball, but had a poor playdown record of 2-4. Did the fact that you were playing against big odds to stay in the league mentally effect the team?

A lot of it was out of our control so we were just focused on us.

Lich had your number all season long. Why do you think was Nordlingen unable to figure them out this season?

 

 

We ended up winning the last one versus them at home, but the other games their role players stepped up and had big games.

 

Nordlingen lost two games by one point, but had some good defensive games, but still went 2-4 in the playdowns. What do you feel was most crucial in the playdowns for Nordlingen not being able to advance?

 

 

Some games we waited until we were down and then started to play with more energy afterwards. 

 

What was your season summary with the Giants Nordlingen. I stated all along that you were a team a lot better than their record showed.

 

I like how our team didn’t quit during the process of losing those close games.

 

 

Team captain and the heart and soul of the team German Fabian Brutting retired. How did you experience your rookie season with the German. What did you gain from him that you will never forget?

 

There was a big difference when Fabi came back, and a lot easier with him on the court.  He helped keep the team composed when needed.  I really appreciated his joy and passion for the game.

 

 

American Adrien Coleman came in midway through and had a decent season. You stated in our last interview that he is a player that “Adrien Coleman was an important pick up for us because he can get out and finish in transition. Also, I appreciate that he can defend multiple positions and he has a great understanding of the game of basketball”. How do you feel did his game progress in the few months that you were teammates?

 

 

He started to add to his game and knock down a couple of jump shots late into the season. 

 

You had a great rookie season averaging 17,7ppg, 6,0rpg and 4,2apg and scored in double figures in all 28 games that you played. What was your personal season highlight? Was it your triple double despite losing to Lich

 

 

I’d have to say the triple double in the win versus Lich.  Since, I was close to getting one a couple times throughout the season.

 

 

 

How content were you in general with your rookie season? Did your consistency in your own game help ease the losing?

 

 

That didn’t help ease the losing.  I just got in the gym more throughout the season to help improve my game.

 

How do you feel did your game develop as a rookie. Do you feel like you were able to make strides on the mental side simply because Nordlingen would totally have been lost without your production knowing you had to be consistent every night.

 

I just had to find ways to be better and to help my team compete each and every night.

A good guard is a dime a dozen in the pro B, but great guards are more rare. Do you feel that you were a great Pro B guard?

 

 

Yes, I wasn’t too bad.  I brought a lot to the table even in games I wasn’t scoring.

 

 

 

What is the next step for Terence Smith? You had a very potent Pro B season. Do you feel that you are ready for the next step with possibly the German Pro A?

 

 

 

I just have to continue to work and improve my game and be ready for the next step at any level. 

 

 

In the last interview you stated that you have to improve getting to the free throw line and making them. Is this your first priority this summer when you get back in the gym?

 

 

 

Yes, I won’t have a choice since my mom tends to give me a hard time about those missed free throws. 

 

 

What are your summer plans? Will you just chill with family and get back in the gym soon or try to do some traveling this summer?

 

 

For the most part, my family is usually in the gym.  I will be mainly working on my game and coaching during the summer.

 

 

 

Devin Booker recently hit the Boston Celtics with 70 points. Did it surprise you that he reached this feat before other big time NBA players?

 

 

Not really, he has an old school and smooth game.

 

 

Where do you rank Isaiah Thomas now with the top NBA point guards and can he still help them make a run despite the death of his sister?

 

 

His performance was good this season to put him with the top NBA point guards.  However, I couldn’t go against D Wade and the Bulls in the 1^st round.

 

How special was the run of South Carolina at the 2017 NCAA tournament? Do you feel like this was the story of March Madness 2017?

 

 

South Carolina men had a special run this year, but the story of March Madness was Miss State on the women’s side.

 

 

Is Lonzo Ball the real thing? Do you feel like he will be able to develop further despite the antics of his father on social media?

 

If the kid loves the game, he will have no problem making an impact in the NBA with the potential he has.

 

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

 

It’s not easy to average a triple double throughout the entire NBA season.   You just have to give credit where credit is due.

 

 

Thanks Terence for the chat.