Smith has only been whistled for one technical this season (he had a second rescinded).When asked about it, Smith has a simple explanation: He purses his lips and twists an imaginary key.
“I’m trying to leave the refs alone,” Smith told the Beacon Journal. “I’m used to at least being able to talk to them, but the last couple years they don’t want to hear nothing from me.”
Smith has stopped talking to referees almost entirely. He doesn’t argue, nor does he plead his case on foul calls anymore. He simply walks away.
While guys like Kyle Lowry, Draymond Green, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are tied for the league lead with seven technicals, Smith has taken to turning and walking away with his head thrown back and his eyes closed when he disagrees with a call.