Michael Smith Makes Fair Debut for the Celtics

By virtue of his lofty place--by Boston Celtics’ standards, anyway--in last summer’s draft, Michael Smith represents something rather unique for a Boston rookie: immediate dividends.

The Celtics got lucky with Reggie Lewis -- although it took them a year to find out -- and thought they did the same with Brian Shaw before he said ciao and went to Italy. But they were late first-round picks and the Celtics couldn’t really say in either case that they got their man.

In Smith’s case, the Celtics claim he was in their crosshairs all along. As the 13th overall selection last June, he represents the highest Boston draft pick, besides Len Bias, since Kevin McHale was taken No. 3 in 1980. He also was compared to Larry Bird on draft day, and is considered to be a potentially important piece of the 1989-90 Celtics’ puzzle.

Monday night in the Civic Center, Smith made his NBA debut in the Celtics’ 114-90 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers. He had missed Friday’s opener with a sore left thigh and is still hobbled by shin splints, caused in part by a new set of sneakers -- ones he’s being paid to wear.

His first shot was a left-hand, air-ball hook from about three feet. “I just missed the shot,” he said. His second shot was another brick, this one from 18 feet, but he followed it up (yes, like Bird), rebounded his miss and made the layup.

“I was excited. I just wanted to get in there and play,” Smith said after posting a 16-minute, six-point (3 of 7), four-assist, one-turnover line. “I did feel disappointed that I missed some easy shots, but I felt like I helped the team. It was hard to run as much as I’d like to, but I’ll be there.”

Smith isn’t going to make people forget Rickey Green or Kevin Johnson. He’s not a speed merchant. But he did fill the lanes on the break and didn’t appear inordinately confused.

Asked about Smith, Bird said jokingly: “Another white boy who can’t run and can’t jump.”

Then Bird got serious.

“He’s a good passer. He’s still learning, but he’s intelligent and he’s going to help us out. But I’ll tell you this: He’s gotta start shooting more if he’s gonna take my place.”

No one, least of all Smith, expects anything like that to happen. As the rotation evolved Monday, Smith replaced Bird and Bird replaced Smith.

“I think people realize that when I go in there, it’s for Larry to get a (breather) until he can get back in,” Smith said. “And hopefully we can maintain the level of play until he does.”

Smith said he is not daunted by his new role or his new surroundings. He called his parents Monday and one of the first questions he was asked is, “Has it hit you yet?”

“I guess before you reach this level, something like that is true,” Smith said. “But once you’re here, you adapt and these guys are your teammates. I don’t look at them as the gods of basketball, even though Larry probably is.”

Bird looked much more comfortable in his second game. He had 16 points in 30 minutes, including a few three-pointers, complained to the referees and, in short, was himself. He was 6-for-15 from the field, however.

The Celtics also got another solid effort from John Bagley, who had 11 points and 9 assists in 23 minutes. Kevin McHale had 21 points while Reggie Lewis had 19 and blocked five shots.

Boston is 3-0 record in exhibition play after beating the San Antonio Spurs, 111-99, Tuesday in the Hartford (Conn.) Civic Center. New Englanders got their first look at David Robinson and Sean Elliott as pros, with both players scoring 22 points.