The Dunking Dutchman Rik Smits, who played 12 years in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, An underrated Center in the 90s, today we take a look at just how good this 7 foot 4 Center was in the league. And if your thinking 7 foot 4 wow, his stats may also surprise you as it seems when a player is over 7 feet the lack of skill and coordination seems to also increase like when you are trying to create a player in 2k. Today we take a look at the surprising stats of the Netherland’s Giant Rik Smits in the NBA.
Smit’s was born in Eindhoven, Netherlands, and started playing basketball at the age of 14. In 1984 he would leave the Netherlands to play basketball in the United States at Marist College for 4 years. This is where the seven-foot four center would further develop his skills playing in the ECAC Metro Conference.
By 1986 the Dunking Dutchman would lead Marist to a Conference tournament championship and their first National Tournament appearance in school history. The following year led by Smits they would do the same with back to back championships and another tournament appearance.
1988 NBA Draft
Smits would be drafted in the second round in 1988 by the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers would realize shortly that Rik was a steal, the Pacers starting center Steve Stapanovich would suffer a season-ending injury, it was perfect timing for Rik as he would be the starting center, for the next 71 games and he would not disappoint. Making the All-rookie team that year averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds and almost 2 blocks a game.
By the mid-90s Rik was starting to hold his own and was the 2nd scoring option on the team behind Reggie Miller. Amongst the people of Indiana and his teammates Rik was a likable guy and a fan favorite. Smits for 7’4 had great footwork and had a soft touch around the rim, he could also shoot the 15-foot jumper consistently. Rik was scoring double digits in points every year in the NBA and would average a career-best in the 1995/96 season with 18.7 points a game.
During the Playoffs, he would play even better, because he was a center and played less minutes than the guards do his per 36 minutes he was averaging 20 and 7, he only averaged 26 minutes a game for his career while at the tail end it was less due to chronic foot pain and other injuries.
Rik’s most notable game came in the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals vs the Orlando Magic in game 4 where it was a back and forth battle throughout the game with Reggie Miller hit a three-point shot with 5.2 seconds left on the clock. It is 92 to 90 for the Pacers while Orlando calls a timeout. After the timeout, Orlando’s Dennis Scott inbounds the ball at half court getting the ball to Penny Hardaway. Penny was well guarded as he dribbled the ball twice before putting up the most awkward side angle 3point shot making it with 1.3 seconds left on the clock.
Pacers would call a timeout drawing a play for Rik Smits, the genius and composure of the big man would have him receive the ball at the elbow of the free-throw line turn pump fake and then shoot the ball making the basket with no time left on the clock winning the game and tying the series 2 a piece making that the Memorial Day Miracle Game. 3 amazing baskets in a span of ten seconds, safe to say the fans got their monies worth.
In His Prime
In 1998 Smits would make the Eastern Conference All-Star team, that same year with the help of Reggie Miller the Pacers would not only make the playoffs but would make it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Facing off against the Chicago Bulls taking the back to back bulls with prime Michael Jordan to 7 games. One of two teams during the bulls Dynasty run of 6 championships to do so. Led by Larry Bird as the Pacers Coach, besides game 5 each game in that series was won by only 1 or 2 baskets. Smits averaging 16 and 5 for the series.
How does Rik Smits compare to the best NBA Centers in the 90s, I think he can fit in the top 10 in that era, Smits was not a player who was amazing at one skill but he was fundamentally good all-around posting above average in points but average in rebounds and blocks. Smits numbers could be argued that nagging foot pain could have been the reason for lack of production but that the way the game is played. Injuries are apart of one’s career, but it goes to show how throughout his 12 years in the league how consistent he was. The Pacers knew what they were getting in Smits every season he played.
Retired
Smits would make the playoffs 10 out of the 12 years in the league, but after the exit in the 2000 NBA Finals he could not bear the foot pain any longer, year after year having to deal with the pounding of the grueling NBA season, he retired from the game of basketball. It is not too often you see players who played out their whole career anymore on one team, he was loyal to the Indiana Pacers team and the fans.
Surprisingly you may think for being 7 foot 4 Smits rebound numbers are low and I would agree but the nagging foot injuries coupled with playing alongside Detlef Schrempf the early years of his career who averaged almost 9 a game and then there was Dale and Antonio Davis. It does take some agility and quickness to get rebounds and at 7 foot 4, he was probably lacking a little bit of that also.
His time in the NBA and achievements is something he can be proud of, making the all-rookie and all-star team. While his minutes per game would decrease as he got older he still was averaging double digits. and almost 15 points a game 6 rebounds and 1 block for his career which is impressive.
This would make him 2nd All-time leading scorer and shot blocker in franchise history while also be the third all-time in rebounds for the Pacers. The End…Those damn Feet…