Despite joining an inconsistent Detroit Pistons club, Ish Smith found stability for the first time in his career. The 29-year-old journeyman was one of the few bright spots for Detroit in 2016-17. Smith is on his 10th NBA team, and for once, he’s not leaving anytime soon.
Good things happen to those who wait. Perhaps nobody understands that better than Ish Smith with the Detroit Pistons.
On July 8, 2016, just three days after his 28th birthday, Smith’s patience had paid off.
His time, finally, had come.
The Detroit Pistons signed him to a three-year, $18 million deal that afternoon. Smith was joining his 10th team in six years. A resume with that much movement is usually a red flag.
But Detroit needed a backup point guard after parting ways with Steve Blake. Specifically, one who could play at a much faster pace. The deal made sense, and Smith would eventually exceed expectations in his first year as a Piston.
So the bar has certainly been raised. Here are five goals for Ish Smith as he prepares for the 2017-18 season with the Detroit Pistons.