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Pack in the Pros

Is Dennis Smith Jr making his final stand with Portland?

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1 year ago

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Dennis Smith Jr. hasn’t really had the career we all envisioned.

The kid was an elite 5-star coming out of high school, came to State, put up numbers, but didn’t win anything. In fact, the 2016-17 Wolfpack team went 15-17, lost 7 straight ACC games in the middle of the season, and as the #13 seed was ousted by the #12 seed Clemson in round 1 of the ACC Tourny. But hey, he averaged 18 points, 6 assists, and 4 boards!

Then onto the NBA, where it looked like he had finally found his footing. He averaged 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 boards for the Mavs. In year two, he was traded to the Knicks halfway through the season but averaged 14 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds.

Then the wheels came off. Smith averaged 5 ppg the next season and was shooting just 34% from the field. Anyways, the next few seasons have been awful for Smith. He’s either been injured, benched, or just plain bad.

People thought maybe this year would be different. He was finally out of New York and in Portland around a more talented cast. And he’s played here and there, but really hasn’t done much in the reserve role.

However, this past Saturday, Smith Jr finally got the start in place of the injured Anfernee Simons, and he kinda went off.

Smith went for 21 points, 6 assists, 4 boards, 3 steals, and not a single turnover.

Then on Monday night, Smith played 39 minutes, scored 13 points on 6-11 shooting, was 1-1 from 3, and had 7 assists and 6 boards (however he did have 7 turnovers).

Unfortunately, they lost both of the games.

When Simmons comes back, Smith is back to the bench and if he keeps playing like he did over the past couple of games, he might remake himself into a quality backup PG in this league.

However, if he can’t keep it up, this might be his last stop. Smith has lost some of the top-tier level explosiveness he had earlier in his career. He doesn’t have elite vision as a PG, and he’s not a reliable shooter.

On the plus side, the kid is still just 24 years old, has a good handle, and great size. And heck, maybe this is the beginning of the DSJ resurgence?

…Or maybe it’s Dennis Smith’s last stand. We’ll have to wait and see.

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Pack in the Pros

Former NC State C Garrett Bradbury Signs 3-Year Deal with the Vikings

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6 days ago

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March 15, 2023

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Former NC State All-American Center Garrett Bradbury has re-signed with the Vikings on a 3-year deal worth $15.75 million.

Bradbury just wrapped up his 4-year Rookie contract worth $13 million. The Vikings decided not to pick up his 5th year option prior to last season, but they decided to go ahead and re-sign Bradbury, who has been their starter since entering the league.

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Former NC State WR Jakobi Meyers Signs 3-Year Deal with Las Vegas

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6 days ago

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March 15, 2023

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Former NC State Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers got paid yesterday, signing a 3-year deal with the Raiders worth $33 million, with $21 million of it guaranteed.

After going undrafted, Meyers signed with New England, and has been with the Pats the past 4 seasons. Last year was the first year that Meyers made over $1 million, earning $3.986 million on a 1-year contract. Now he will average $11 million a season over the next three years in Vegas.

Over 4 seasons, Meyers has 235 receptions for 2,758 yards and 8 touchdown receptions. Meyers earned this pay day, leading the Pats in receiving yards for the past three seasons consecutively.

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Former NC State LB Germaine Pratt Signs 3-Year Deal with Bengals

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7 days ago

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March 14, 2023

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Former NC State Linebacker Germaine Pratt is going to be staying in Cincy, signing a 3-year contract with the Bengals worth $21 million.

Pratt just wrapped up his 4th season in the NFL, which was his best, tallying 99 tackles, 10 pass deflections and 2 interceptions.

The Bengals drafted Pratt in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Pratt was the 11th highest graded Linebacker in the NFL last seasons, and the 3rd highest in the AFC, posting a grade of 78.4 according to ProFootballFocus.

Former NC State Defensive Tackle BJ Hill, who has been a teammate with Pratt on Cincy the past two seasons, said he would go bald if Pratt re-signed.

The Bengals then trolled Hill, asking when the head was getting shaved.

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Joe Thuney Now Has the Most Super Bowl Rings in NC State History

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1 month ago

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February 14, 2023

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Former NC State All-American Offensive Lineman Joe Thuney earned his 3rd Super Bowl ring on Sunday, this time as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Thuney won his first two as a member of the New England Patriots (2017 and 2019)

Entering the game on Sunday night, Thuney was one of 3 former NC State football players to have ever won 2 Super Bowls, joining Place Kicker Mike Cofer and Cornerback Perry Williams.

Thuney is now tied with legendary Center Jim Ritcher for the most Super Bowl appearances in school history, both having played in the game 4 times.

Jim Ritcher – 4
Joe Thuney – 4
Mike Cofer – 2
Perry Williams – 2
Mike Jones – 2
Torry Holt – 2
Russell Wilson – 2
J.R. Sweezy – 2
Steven Hauschka – 2
(Bill Cowher – 2 – as a head coach)

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