Russell Westbrook. Ricky Rubio. John Wall. Chris Paul. Ish Smith. Ish Smith?
Scan through the NBA’s assist leaders two weeks into the 2015-16 regular season and you’ll see four household names at the top of the list. Then at the No. 5 spot is a sixth-year pro now playing for his ninth different NBA team, who signed with his current squad just 24 hours before New Orleans tipped off this season at Golden State.
Amid an injury-ravaged start for his new club, the 6-foot, 175-pound Smith is one reason the Pelicans (0-6) haven’t dropped to the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency, currently 19th according to Basketball-Reference.