National Basketball Association

A steady hand is Smith's plan Non-draftee on Rockets' minds for last roster spot

Published Oct. 12, 2010 10:08 a.m. ET

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On some level, Ish Smith knows the Rockets' weekend back-to-back could be an audition. He refuses to think of it that way.

With point guard Kyle Lowry out for at least the next two games (against the Pacers and Cavaliers) with a bruised right knee, Smith will get playing time that could bolster his case for the team's final roster spot.

But Smith, 6-0, has other goals in mind.

"I never look at it like that," said Smith, who signed as a non-drafted rookie out of Wake Forest. "I always look at it as whatever I'm going to do to make the team better. Each game, I want to win. This next preseason game, I'm going to do whatever it takes for us to get a win. If that's pushing the basketball up, or finding open shooters or taking open shots, that's what I'm going to do.

"My biggest thing is to try to win each and every game I step on the floor. Certain people look at it that way (as an audition). I don't."

That might be the healthiest - and most effective - perspective. The Rockets have been encouraging Smith not to try to do too much, anyway. And as a swift point guard, he can be most impressive by remaining under control as he runs the offense for others, rather than seeking highlights to add to a personal rÃ©sumÃ©.

Praise from Adelman

"To me, it was just step out there and play your game because I think when you go out there with your own agenda, that's when you get in trouble," Smith, 22, said. "Although the NBA is a team game played by individuals, I've always tried to win"

Rockets coach Rick Adelman likes what he has seen. But that has been entirely on the practice floor. Smith did not play in the first two preseason games with the Rockets trying to make up for time Lowry has lost in camp because of the injury.

"He's going to get to the basket," Adelman said. "He's quick and he's probably the best passer we have on the team. He gets to the middle. He sees a lot. I really think he's going to do just fine. From what we've seen, he's up to the challenge. Sometimes he has a problem with his outside shooting, but he gets to the rim and he competes."

With the Rockets releasing Jordan Eglseder and Patrick Sullivan on Thursday, they have 18 players on the roster, with four - Mike Harris, Antonio Anderson, Alexander Johnson and Smith - playing with non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts.

Adelman said he and general manager Daryl Morey have not decided whether to fill the spot based on the position of need or strictly by performance.

"He's played very well for us since he's been in camp," Adelman said. "Give him an opportunity and see what he can do. We have to make a decision on our roster so this helps you get a guy on the court that may not get much time."

He'll get the time now, and said he has been told what to do with it.

No need to rush

"Kyle has helped me a lot, he and AB (Brooks)," Smith said. "I'm just trying to pick up those things. Keith Jones (athletic trainer) tells me all the time, 'Hit singles. Don't try to hit home runs.' That's what I'm going to try to do - run the offense, run the team. Sitting on the sideline, I see certain things. I'll try to put that on the floor.

"If you go out there and do what you're supposed to do, you're going to get opportunities to hit a home run. You just have to be smart, be careful out there. Play your game. The biggest thing I've seen is running our offense and being precise in it."

Do that and he could also make a strong argument for a roster spot, whether he means to or not.

jonathan.feigen@chron.com