Last night was uncomfortable to sit through as I waited to report on probably the best night of Greg Smith's life, only to find out it would be his most humbling.
The former Fresno State center was projected by many to be a second-round pick in last night's NBA draft. The pundits were wrong.
One prediction that did stick was that the "I told you so's" would fly soon after Smith went undrafted.
Anyone who watched Smith play during this Fresno State season knew he could have and should have played harder. And everyone should have known that would affect his draft stock.
Smith was never projected to be a first rounder by a credible source. His decision to leave after his sophomore season was ruled questionable from the start.
I spoke with an NBA scout the day Smith declared for the draft and he told me: "I don't think his body of work from the season warrants him getting drafted, but potential's written all over that kid."
Now people want to pile on when they would have been silent if he had been drafted.
The key for Smith is to remain positive in the face of this. It's not the first time the 20-year-old who grew up in Vallejo and Fresno has faced adversity in his life, but he's going to have to respond to this with more maturity than he's ever shown.
This morning, after not speaking to the media after the draft, Smith seemed to be looking at things positively.
He wrote on Twitter after midnight:
"thanks to everyone that supported me and wish me best of luck and this is from my heart. I want ever stop til I'm at the top!!!! ITS ON"
As I wrote in today's story, there are a few examples of guys who have made it in the NBA after going undrafted. Wes Matthews is one recent success story and Samardo Samuels is another.
Hurting Smith in his climb is the fact that the league doesn't have a CBA in place yet. Summer league ball, which really helps guys in Smith's situation, has been canceled because of the labor discord.
Smith will have to hope a team gives him a chance to run after the CBA is signed and will have to prove he belongs.
He'll have to move past a poor decision and an embarrassing evening and right this nightmare.
...
Lastly and importantly, Smith needs to take a long, soul-searching look at the folks who advised him to leave school. Was it an honest mistake on their part or was their advice rooted in greed?
Another kid who bought the dream without first developing his talents. Sad!