It’s a shame to see Joel Smith go
Constable Echelon
Joel Smith was kicked off the basketball team on Friday. Didn’t hear? That’s because the UW buried the press release for 5pm on Friday. In the world of public relations, 5pm on Friday is where you put news like “Mark Emmert files suit against ocean for harboring jellyfish - denies rape allegations”.
So why was Montlake running from this story? Because they knew exactly how it would be received.
Joel Smith had one terrible flaw that sealed his doom with the Huskies: He never approached the level of play he hinted he might be capable of as a freshman. That’s it.
Otherwise he went to practice, went to class, and didn’t bitch about a lack of minutes. Joel Smith got hurt, rehabbed, and came back. He cheered on the team enthusiastically from the bench watching younger players play poorly in front of him because the perception was that his time had come and gone.
And like an idiot Joel Smith amassed the requisite number of credits in four years to earn a UW degree. So Lorenzo Romar decided to cut this cancer out of the locker room for next season in order to pave the way for a fresh crop of players to restore the Hoop Dawgs to the heights of the Brandon Roy years.
Nevermind that one or more of these youngsters we’re all presently excited about is likely on a crash course for that same day when Romar will call them into his office. And he’ll go because this is the guy who came to his parents’ house talking about family and God and making him a man. Then Romar will explain to him like he did to Joel Smith that his services are no longer needed despite his remaining eligibility, and thanks for being a good sport about it.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:04 am
I disagree. Had Joel Smith redshirted as a freshman then I think Romar cut short some sort of expectation. Even if Smith had not attained his degree, due to basketball commitments, not because he was a fuck-up, then I think there is an argument there as well. But Smith was asked to come to Washington for four years; you play basketball and we’ll pay for your education.
Obviously, if Smith had been a starter, there’s a near 100% chance things would have played out differently. But, Smith was buried in the depth chart, who’s to say he didn’t say, you know what, I got my degree, why sit around for two more quarters taking meaningless classes just to sit on the bench. I can go to home to Lompoc and signed up for a Masters program at Cal State San Luis Obispo and start on their basketball team.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:55 am
I wish I knew the circumstances surrounding the redshirt year. I remember that Romar said Smith wasn’t going to redshirt, and the Smith said he was. If there was some kind of agreement between the two that he could redshirt but may not get a 5th year, then I’m ok with this. He did get 4 free years of education and has a UW degree to show for it. Not to bad.
But I do agree that Smith was often cited more for what he didn’t do than what he did (myself included). What he did do was give to the program in a positive manner for 4 years, which is pretty good.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:51 am
Joel was an absolute treat at Kevin’s Bachelor party and I will miss him on the UW basketball team. Joel was obviously not a great player, but he was one of my favorite players on the team from day 1. He played enegetic if not good defense, shot really highly arced three pointers that for some reason went in on a fairly regular basis, and most importanly he had the potential to do something like this at any moment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHee2_OOOVk
July 1st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I agree that Joel is getting a bit of a rough deal by being cut from the team. He’s kept his nose (and afro) clean and per Condotta, was nice to the media.
However, I am fine with this move. His time was up. He was given opportunities to contribute, and for various reasons, did not reach his potential. Next year, if Joel were to play and throw up brick after brick (while constantly blowing defensive assignments), we would be screaming for his head. Fact is, there is better talent coming in, and with basketball, scholarships are at a premium.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
When the Dawgs could play full court defense, run, and score 85 points per game, Joel Smith was a great fit for this team. He was long and athletic with good lateral movement - the kind of trap defender you love to have coming off the bench. Offensively, no one was better on the wing on a fast break. Since this team is completely incapable of running or successfully putting back court pressure on ball handlers, his skillset is ill fit for this team. Thank you for your service Joel. I’ll never forget all the times that I thought you were going to glide to the basket for a layup, only to defy gravity and finish with a two-handed dunk. Fuck you Tom Penders.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Joel Smith should go to high level Division II program and play for a National Championship. So if anyone knows Joel Smith or if Joel Smith is reading this please come to Cal State San Bernardino
August 7th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Joel Smith to Chaminade in Hawaii. He will be playing alongside Pac-10 rival Mohamed Tangara from Arizona. Good luck to Joel…he’s a great kid!