How have Garrett Temple and Ish Smith lasted so long in the league?

[DLoMor]

I am kind of surprised. Anyone else shocked they still in the NBA?

[famicommander]

Ish Smith is universally liked in the league. He's a smart, unselfish guy who can give you minutes at the point and be a positive influence on the development of your team from both a basketball perspective and in terms of personal character. He'll be your 15th man with a smile on his face or he'll be your backup point guard and he'll prepare the same way in either case.

I have no doubt he'll be a coach, player development guy, or front office guy very soon.

[BDM22]

I've heard multiple beat writers single out Ish Smith as their favorite guy in the league. I imagine that goes a long way when you're filling out the end of your bench.

[chilluminati]

What the posters above said about Ish is definitely true. We had him in Detroit for a bit.

Even GT. Many players hold him in high regard and is also pretty involved with the league and the NBPA.

[Chuck Everett]

Ish Smith is universally liked in the league. He's a smart, unselfish guy who can give you minutes at the point and be a positive influence on the development of your team from both a basketball perspective and in terms of personal character. He'll be your 15th man with a smile on his face or he'll be your backup point guard and he'll prepare the same way in either case.

I have no doubt he'll be a coach, player development guy, or front office guy very soon.

You could have used this word for word to describe Garrett Temple.

[OfficialRef]

Is Ish still in the league? I see he last got waived in February by the Hornets

[Frank Dux]

Professionalism and being a good locker room presence goes a long way in the NBA. There’s a reason why a washed up Deandre Jordan still gets signed every year. Everybody loves that dude.

[ChettheJet]

They basically know what the coach expects from them, they don't try to do more than they're capable of, they know the opposing players and their tendencies and they don't make a lot of silly mistakes.

[jordanwilliams6]

From what I saw from Temple during his short time in the Bulls is that he’s essentially a coach and is great at building relationships.

I’d expect him to take that route following his retirement and perhaps end up as a head coach.

[Nuntius]

Ish Smith is universally liked in the league. He's a smart, unselfish guy who can give you minutes at the point and be a positive influence on the development of your team from both a basketball perspective and in terms of personal character. He'll be your 15th man with a smile on his face or he'll be your backup point guard and he'll prepare the same way in either case.

I have no doubt he'll be a coach, player development guy, or front office guy very soon.

This and it goes for both players. It also goes for other older players that are still in the league despite barely playing like James Johnson, DeAndre Jordan et cetera.

When it comes to those 14th and 15th player slots, NBA teams will often go for someone that can offer them veteran leadership.

[BigGargamel]

Professionalism and being a good locker room presence goes a long way in the NBA. There’s a reason why a washed up Deandre Jordan still gets signed every year. Everybody loves that dude.

Nuggets have always had one guy on the roster like this for this reason. Richard Jefferson, Mike Miller, DeAndre Jordan. Washed up vets that people like to be around.

[dk1115]

I looked into Ish Smith's profile too. It looks like he's always chosen, or was signed to teams that were not going to the playoffs (i don't count age 22-24 because it didn't even seem like he had a place in the league yet)

I'm looking at the obvious, but even in his prime, it looked like he was a barely usable rotation player, but always on the right team where he could be used enough to get another contract.

It looks like he might fall out after this year, but if he's a good presence on a team, I wouldn't be surprised he'll get a 1-year minimum again.

[MrGoat]

Ish holds the NBA record for most different teams. He must be doing something right to have had so many teams give him a chance

[Amare_1_Knicks]

Getting along with teammates, coaches, staff goes a long way. And that goes for any profession

[Harry Garris]

Probably great for the locker room

[CobraCommander]

The wizards gave them time lol

Honestly they are just professionals

[bushybrah_]

Ish “Don’t Call Me Ishmael” Smith

[JustBuzzin]

Got that DAWG in em!

[Karate Diop]

They're great teammates, extension of the coaching staff. Set a good example for young guys.

[FarBeyondDriven]

I don't think fans realize what goes into roster construction and off-the court preparation. Teams want guys at the end of their bench that bring it in practice and push the starters while being satisfied (or at least resigned) to not playing in real games. These types usually lack the physical or athletic traits to be actual NBA players but they have high BBIQ and character and are "locker room guys". It's a very valuable role that the best teams pay attention to.

Poorly run teams are those (like the Pistons for instance) that actually play these guys over the young kids when they should be emphasizing player development.