Fansided

Every NBA team’s greatest shooter of all time

By Brandon Jefferson

OAKLAND, CA - 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets: Kenny Smith

Kenny “The Jet” Smith is another player on this list that was in his prime during the early-to-mid 90’s. Smith won back-to-back championships with the Houston Rockets in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons.

Those Rockets team were led by Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon and embraced the open floor tactics that a lot of teams use today. With Olajuwon manning the post, Rudy Tomjanovich surrounded him with shooters and Smith was the best of them.

Smith shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers over the six years he spent in Houston — which is almost spot on to the 40.8 percent he shot at North Carolina in his one season there with the 3-point line. The New York native had the fortune of playing with another all-time great as he shared the floor with Michael Jordan as a Tar Heel.

His ability to relocate and move without the ball resulted in a ton of open looks for him. He had an effortless shot and was as reliable as they come in catch-and-shoot opportunities. The former sixth overall pick also had some spring to his step and wasn’t afraid to attack the rim when opponents closed out too hard. He’s the only player on this list to complete in both the slam dunk (1990) and 3-point contests (1993) during All-Star Weekend.

Smith is now best known for his role with TNT’s Inside The NBA pre and post game studio coverage. Alongside Ernie Johnson, Shaq and Charles Barkley, the quartet brings their own brand of opinion, analysis and hijinks every Thursday during the season.

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