Smith eager to make a speedy contribution for the Sixers

MIAMI - At 26 years old and with a bit of experience in the NBA, diminutive guard Ish Smith doesn't look to be a player who would fit in the 76ers' plans. Then again, the plan for right now isn't really clear, as the Sixers have suddenly gone from big guards to small, a suspect outside shooting team to one that now relies on it.

Following a 4-year career at Wake Forest, Smith went undrafted in 2010 and has drifted through the NBA, with stops on seven teams before coming to the Sixers over the weekend. The 6-foot, 175-pounder appeared in a career-high 70 games for Phoenix last season, averaging 3.7 points, 2.6 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game. In 221 NBA games, Smith has averaged 2.7 points, 1.9 assists and 1.4 rebounds.

"I'm just going to come in here and be me and let the rest speak for itself," said Smith, who has played with a handful of current Sixers players during his career. "I play fast, simple as that. I'll keep it as simple as it can possibly be.

"I heard that [coach Brett Brown] shakes your hand and then he puts you out there, so we'll see."

Smith got that handshake and got the playing time, as he was sent in with 2 minutes, 8 seconds left in the first quarter last night against the Miami Heat. Smith had seven points and seven assists in 24 minutes of the Sixers' loss.

Smith became the first player in Wake Forest history to gather at least 1,000 points, 500 assists and 400 rebounds. His 612 assists were second in school history.

After taking a nasty fall Sunday in Orlando during a dunk attempt in which his legs were taken out from under him, Sixers swingman Jerami Grant sat out last night against the Heat with what appeared to be general soreness. Also, Jason Richardson, who played Friday and Sunday, his first games in more than 2 years, sat to rest on the second night of a back-to-back.

"I feel good," said Grant, who both twisted his knee and bruised his back on the play. "I'm OK, just ready to get back."

Brett Brown said that he didn't want Grant to watch the play, sparing him of seeing one of the scariest falls of the season. Of course, Grant snuck a peak of it.

"I did look at it once," Grant acknowledged. "I couldn't resist the temptation. It looked bad, but, at the same time, it doesn't scare me. I'll make the same play if I have the same opportunity."

For Richardson, who has averaged seven points and six rebounds in his first two outings, the way his surgically repaired knee has responded has surprised even him.

"I am so pleasantly surprised," he said. "There is no soreness, really. My conditioning is great. I'm starting to get my timing with catching the ball and getting it where I need to get my shot off. That will all come with timing. I'm just feeling general soreness due to the play, the pregame stuff, the traveling. That's just part of the NBA, and I love it.

"Of course, I always want to play, especially after being out for 2 years. I never want to sit down, but at this point, it's just about being smart."

Assistant coach Vance Walberg left the team to become part of new coach George Karl's staff in Sacramento.

"We're happy for him," Brown said. "When I first got the position I wanted to have a floating type of seat for somebody who had a special skill set and I could learn from. He's known for his dribble-drive game. When George got the Sacramento job, I reached out to George. I thought maybe I could help Vance, because he sure has helped me."

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