So, you’re wondering about Kenny Smith? Not the guy who yells “BANG!” on TNT, right? Well, actually, that is the same guy—but before he was trading jokes with Shaq, he was an actual, honest-to-goodness NBA point guard. And a pretty good one at that. Let’s dive into the teams that “The Jet” called home.
We’re talking about the Kenny Smith who played at North Carolina, the guy who helped Dean Smith win a national title. That’s a lot of Smith for one sentence, but we’ll push through. He was drafted way back in 1987 by, wait for it… the Sacramento Kings.
First Stop: The City of (Sacramento) Kings
Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. The future TNT legend started his pro career in Sacramento. He was the sixth overall pick, which is a big deal, but the Kings were… well, the Kings. It was a tough time for the franchise, and Kenny was thrown into the deep end as the starting point guard.
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He played three seasons there, averaging a solid 12 points and 6 assists. He was quick, had a great jumper, and was already showing that swagger. But in 1990, the Kings decided to trade him to the Atlanta Hawks. Spoiler alert: he wouldn’t stay there long.
In Atlanta, Kenny backed up the legendary Doc Rivers. He played only 25 games before being traded again. That’s like moving into a hotel room, unpacking one suitcase, and then getting a text saying “oops, you’re moving again.”
The Real Ride: H-Town
And that next stop? That, my friends, was Houston. And this is where the story gets good. The Houston Rockets had just drafted a giant center named Hakeem Olajuwon, and they needed a floor general to run the show. Enter Kenny Smith in 1990. This was the perfect fit.
He spent seven seasons with the Rockets. Seven. That’s an eternity in NBA years. It’s like finding your favorite pair of jeans and wearing them until they fall apart. Kenny became the steady hand, the three-point sharpshooter who could knock down a clutch shot with a smile on his face. He averaged about 13 points and 5 assists during his peak years.
1995 Finals: Kenny Smith Drains Seven 3-Pointers - YouTube
And then, the glory years happened. In 1994 and 1995, the Rockets won back-to-back NBA Championships. Kenny Smith wasn’t just a passenger; he was the engine. Remember that moment in the 1995 Western Conference Finals when he hit a ridiculous, falling-down three-pointer to send the game into overtime against the Suns? That was pure Kenny: ice in his veins, a grin on his face.
He was the perfect partner for Hakeem. Hakeem got the glory for the “Dream Shake,” but Kenny was the one making sure the ball got there. He was the Robin to Hakeem’s Batman, except Robin could shoot three-pointers from the logo and joke about it afterward.
A Quick Pit Stop: Detroit and Denver
After seven amazing years in Houston, Father Time started tapping his watch. Kenny’s game slowed down a bit, but he wasn’t done yet. In 1997, he signed with the Detroit Pistons. He played a season there, trying to help a young Grant Hill figure things out. It was fine. It was like eating a solid sandwich—not a five-star meal, but it filled the tank.
Then, in 1998, he moved to the Denver Nuggets for his final season. This was his victory lap. He played 33 games, mostly coming off the bench, mentoring the young guys. He was like the cool uncle who shows up at the family BBQ, tells a few stories, and then leaves everyone feeling good.
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And that was it. After Denver, Kenny Smith’s playing days were over. He hung up his sneakers and immediately walked into a TV studio. And the rest, as they say, is history.
So, The Big List
Let’s recap. Here are the four teams Kenny Smith played for in the NBA:
- Sacramento Kings (1987–1990)
- Atlanta Hawks (1990)
- Houston Rockets (1990–1996)
- Detroit Pistons (1996–1997)
- Denver Nuggets (1997–1998)
Five teams total, but honestly, we all know his heart belongs to Houston. Those two championship rings aren’t going to wear themselves.
The Uplifting Finish
Here’s the cool thing about Kenny Smith. He wasn’t the tallest, the fastest, or the strongest. He was just smart, confident, and clutch. He took the journey—from the struggling Kings to the championship Rockets—and he never lost his smile. He didn't just survive in the NBA; he thrived by being himself. And then he turned that into a legendary broadcasting career where he gets to laugh with us every Thursday night.
That’s the lesson, right? Whether you’re running plays for Hakeem or telling jokes for Shaq, the secret is to be authentically you. Kenny Smith did that. He played hard, he won big, and now he talks about it for a living. Not a bad gig. So next time you see “The Jet” on your screen, high-five your TV. You’re watching a guy who played for a bunch of teams, but more importantly, he played for the love of the game. And that’s something we can all smile about.