Unfortunately, this is the real world, and none of them are on this team. We also don't have anything in that regard coming in.
Here in the real world, and there are issues in that locker room. Smith has no confidence in game situations, and not winning isn't the only factor at play there. Confidence has to come from the coaching staff as well.
Then people dive further into it, much further than necessary, to compare his numbers to past players. Which isn't only irrelevant, but it should also be a cause for concern considering those players built up to those final statistics, not stepped backwards into them. However, if we want to actually play with averages that do matter, then let's talk about your percentage chance of making the tournament with terrible conference play? His numbers have declined with virtually every in-league game. As have his minutes. The only thing that has increased is the moments of being totally uninspired. The kid has tremendous talent, but how's he supposed to learn to use that talent when he immediately gets the hook, and his *** chewed for trying to make a play at the rim, missing an open man, or making too risky of a pass.
Besides the lack of serviceable big men, the most glaring weakness of this team is their confidence. I'm tired of listening to Underwood talk about his past teams. If he's willing to offer comparisons to the media, then he is certainly bringing it up in practice too. The only time any of that should matter is when Whitman was looking at his resume.
I don't care about his past success, and he needs to stop too. It doesn't mean squat at this point. I mean seriously, how would you like it if you're wife was always bringing up past lovers, and talking about all of the great things they did together?
This coaching staff needs just as much improvement, if not more, than the players do. Change starts at the top.