To take your game into the broadcast radio: how's that feel? - Know It All - Inside the NBA

I didn't exactly know that I wanted to go into broadcasting. When I was a player, people in the media would tell me I was a good interview, but that doesn't make you a good interviewer or a good analyst. I used to come on TNT sometimes as a player. At some point, I was told, "You did a good job. You know, if you ever think of retiring, this could be a good opportunity for you." I was like, "Yeah, they say that to everyone," and didn't think anything about it. But then when the people at TNT got wind that I was actually going to retire, they called me. To be honest, when I first got involved with the show, it wasn't really vogue or cool to be an analyst on TV. Now everyone in the NBA wants to do it.

I didn't try to model myself after a particular analyst. I think that's where guys make a mistake. People don't want Charles Barldey or me to come in and be a news reporter. For me to come on and talk about the basics of what's happening in the game would be a disservice to viewers. They want to know what happens on the inside, from our perspective. For example, if you ever watch a baseball game, you always want to know what's said on the mound--kind of like in the movie Bull Durham. I don't think reporters can really know what's said in that huddle unless they've been in there.

I don't have a problem being critical of players, even former teammates. I can see you not getting back on defense. I can see that you were open but you didn't shoot. I can see that you were covered but you didn't pass. I can see those things. But guys get upset when you question their intestinal fortitude, their character, their heart. Those are things that can't be measured, but I do know when you should have passed. And I can bring out the video footage and tell you when your right hand should have been up in the passing lane instead of your left hand. I can do that really well. You can't argue with me, and I think players respect that.

One time in five years a player has told me he was upset about something I said. I was actually a fan of his--but in that instance he was wrong. I told him, "You were wrong. It had nothing to do with me trying to knock you." He was like, "Well, OK, I just want to give you my side of the story." And so he gave me his side of the story. I did have a better perspective on it, but I still thought he was wrong.

When you're a player, you're consumed with your team. When you're an analyst, you pay attention to everybody. It becomes so clear what's successful in the league and what isn't. I understand the league better now, I think.

Inside the NBA is like three guys sitting on the couch. It's Thursday night, you call your buddies over and watch the game. You agree, you disagree, you laugh. That's what Charles, Ernie Johnson and I do ... we just get paid.

From Day 1, I was like, "You know what? This is fun." Every day tops the last here.

Kenny Smith, an NBA player for nine seasons, is in his sixth full season as an analyst on TNT's Emmy-winning Inside the NBA.

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