Ish Smith 2023-24 Hornets Stats: A Look At The Season's Impact

Jalon Gottlieb DDS 17 Aug 2025

When we talk about player contributions in the fast-paced world of professional basketball, every single statistic, every moment on the court, and every play really counts.

So, too it's almost, for fans and analysts alike, understanding the full picture of a player's season goes far beyond just the raw numbers. It’s about how they fit into the team, what role they played, and what their presence meant, you know, for the overall dynamics. This is especially true for seasoned players who bring a wealth of experience to the floor, like Ish Smith, whose 2023-24 season with the Charlotte Hornets is quite interesting to look at.

Interestingly, the name 'Ish' itself, in some respects, brings to mind different things for different people. For some, it might recall the world’s leading trade fair, a very important international meeting point for managing water and energy in buildings, where innovations that can contribute to stopping climate change are shown, as a matter of fact. Yet, for basketball enthusiasts, it points squarely to the reliable point guard who has graced many NBA courts. We’re going to be focusing on the latter here, taking a good, hard look at Ish Smith’s 2023-24 Hornets stats and what they actually tell us about his time with the team.

Ish Smith: A Seasoned Presence
- Biography
- Personal Details & Bio Data
The 2023-24 Season with the Charlotte Hornets
- Role and Expectations
- Key Statistical Averages
- Advanced Metrics and Their Story
Ish Smith's Impact Beyond the Box Score
- Veteran Leadership and Mentorship
- Court Vision and Playmaking
- Defensive Contributions
- Stability and Reliability
Comparing Ish Smith's 2023-24 Performance
- Against Previous Seasons
- Against Other Backup Point Guards
- Team Context and Performance
Future Outlook for Ish Smith and the Hornets
- Contract Status and Free Agency
- Potential Role Moving Forward
- Hornets' Team Trajectory
Frequently Asked Questions About Ish Smith's Season
Conclusion

Ish Smith: A Seasoned Presence

Ish Smith, whose full name is Ishmael Larry Smith, has truly carved out a unique place for himself in the National Basketball Association. He’s known for his quickness, his ability to push the pace, and perhaps most notably, his journey across many different teams. He’s been a constant presence in the league for quite some time now, offering a dependable hand at the point guard spot.

Biography

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Ish Smith’s path to the NBA was a bit unconventional, you know. He played his college ball at Wake Forest University, where he really honed his skills as a playmaker and a scorer. He wasn't drafted in the first round, which is often the case for many top players, but his determination and work ethic allowed him to find his way into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2010. This is a testament to his persistence, really.

Since then, Ish has played for a remarkable number of NBA teams, earning the nickname of a true journeyman. Each stop has allowed him to gain valuable experience, playing alongside different stars and under various coaching styles. This extensive background means he brings a deep well of basketball knowledge to any team he joins, which is pretty valuable for a young squad like the Hornets, so.

Personal Details & Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	Ishmael Larry Smith
Born	December 2, 1988
Age (as of 2023-24 season)	35
Hometown	Charlotte, North Carolina
Height	6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m)
Weight	175 pounds (79 kg)
College	Wake Forest University
NBA Draft	Undrafted (2010)
Position	Point Guard
NBA Experience	14 seasons (entering 2023-24)

The 2023-24 Season with the Charlotte Hornets

The 2023-24 NBA season saw Ish Smith return to his hometown team, the Charlotte Hornets. This move, in a way, made a lot of sense for both sides. The Hornets, a young team still finding their footing, could really use a veteran presence to help guide their younger players and provide some stability in the backcourt. Ish, for his part, got to play for the team in the city where he grew up, which is pretty cool, honestly.

Role and Expectations

Ish Smith's role with the Hornets was, you know, quite clear from the start. He wasn't brought in to be a primary scorer or a star player. Instead, his main job was to be a reliable backup point guard, someone who could come off the bench and keep the offense flowing. He was also expected to be a mentor, a steady voice in the locker room for players like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. His experience, after all, is a huge asset for a developing team, and that's just a little bit of what he brought.

The Hornets needed someone who could handle the ball, make good decisions, and provide a spark when the starters needed a rest. Ish Smith, with his long history of doing just that, seemed like a perfect fit for these particular needs. His contributions, as a matter of fact, were anticipated to be more about subtle influences and consistent play rather than eye-popping statistics.

Key Statistical Averages

When we look at Ish Smith’s 2023-24 Hornets stats, we see numbers that reflect his role as a backup point guard. He appeared in a fair number of games, usually playing a limited amount of minutes each time he stepped onto the court. His scoring numbers were modest, typically averaging somewhere around 3 to 5 points per contest, which is fairly standard for someone in his position.

Where he really tends to make his presence felt, though, is in his playmaking. He often dished out a couple of assists per game, showing his knack for finding open teammates and setting up scoring opportunities. His rebounding numbers were also pretty low, as you might expect from a smaller guard, usually less than one board per game. He did manage to pick up a steal here and there, too, contributing a bit on the defensive end.

His shooting percentages were, like your, pretty efficient for the shots he took. He generally shot a decent percentage from the field, especially on attempts close to the basket. Three-point shooting isn't really his main strength, so his attempts from deep were limited, and his percentage there was, you know, just okay. Free throw shooting was usually solid when he got to the line.

Advanced Metrics and Their Story

Beyond the basic averages, advanced statistics can really help us get a deeper sense of Ish Smith’s performance with the Hornets. His plus/minus rating, for instance, gives us an idea of how the team performed when he was on the floor compared to when he was off it. While this metric can be influenced by many factors, it often shows that he generally maintained a neutral or slightly positive impact during his minutes, which is good for a backup, honestly.

His assist-to-turnover ratio is another key stat to watch for a point guard. Ish Smith typically boasts a pretty good ratio, meaning he generally creates more scoring chances than he gives the ball away. This speaks to his experience and his ability to make smart decisions with the ball, which is quite important for any team, especially one trying to minimize mistakes.

The usage rate for Ish was, as you might guess, relatively low. This indicates that he wasn't often the primary offensive option, which aligns perfectly with his role. His true shooting percentage, which accounts for all types of shots, often showed him to be an efficient scorer for the opportunities he received, even if those opportunities were somewhat limited. These numbers, as a matter of fact, paint a picture of a player who understands his role and performs it effectively.

Ish Smith's Impact Beyond the Box Score

While the statistics certainly give us a snapshot of Ish Smith's 2023-24 season with the Hornets, his true value often goes far beyond what you see in a box score. There are aspects of his game and his presence that simply don't show up in numbers, but are incredibly important for a team's overall health and success, you know.

Veteran Leadership and Mentorship

Ish Smith's long tenure in the NBA means he's seen just about everything there is to see on a basketball court. This experience makes him an invaluable resource for the younger players on the Hornets roster. He’s the kind of player who can offer calm advice during a tough stretch, or share insights from his years of playing against various opponents. This sort of guidance, in a way, is gold for developing talent.

He can teach young guards how to manage the pace of a game, how to read defenses, and how to handle the ups and downs of an NBA season. His presence in the locker room and on the practice court is probably just as important as his minutes in actual games. He provides a steady, mature influence that a young team, arguably, really needs to grow and mature.

Court Vision and Playmaking

Even with limited minutes, Ish Smith's court vision and playmaking abilities were still on display. He has a natural knack for seeing the floor and making the right pass, often setting up teammates for easy baskets. This skill is a bit like having an extra coach on the floor, someone who can direct traffic and ensure the offense runs smoothly, even with different lineups out there.

His ability to push the ball in transition and create fast-break opportunities also added a different dimension to the Hornets' attack. When he came into the game, the pace often picked up, and that can really disrupt an opponent's rhythm. This aspect of his game, honestly, provides a valuable change of pace for the team.

Defensive Contributions

While not known as a lockdown defender, Ish Smith still puts in effort on that end of the floor. He uses his quickness to stay in front of opposing guards and can be disruptive in passing lanes, leading to occasional steals. His defensive contributions are usually more about being a solid, reliable presence rather than a highlight-reel stopper.

He understands team defensive schemes and communicates well with his teammates, helping to ensure everyone is in the right spot. For a team that sometimes struggles defensively, having a veteran who knows how to be in position and contribute to team defense is, you know, pretty helpful.

Stability and Reliability

Perhaps one of Ish Smith's most significant, yet often overlooked, contributions is his sheer stability and reliability. In a league where rosters can change quickly and injuries are common, having a player who you know will consistently show up, do his job, and not make many mistakes is incredibly valuable. He’s a professional through and through, and that consistency is something coaches really appreciate.

He provides a sense of calm and control when he's on the court, especially during chaotic moments in a game. This steadiness allows the younger players around him to feel more comfortable and play their own games more freely. His presence, in a way, acts as a sort of anchor for the second unit, which is quite important for team chemistry.

Comparing Ish Smith's 2023-24 Performance

To truly understand the story behind Ish Smith's 2023-24 Hornets stats, it helps to put them into perspective. How did this season stack up against his previous years in the league, and how does he compare to other players in similar roles around the NBA? This comparison, you know, gives us a clearer picture of his value.

Against Previous Seasons

Ish Smith has played for so many teams, and his stats have naturally varied depending on his role and the talent around him. In the 2023-24 season with the Hornets, his numbers were generally consistent with what you'd expect from a veteran backup point guard. They might have been slightly lower than some of his seasons where he had a larger offensive role, but they were right in line with his more recent stints where he's primarily been a reserve.

For instance, his assist numbers might have been a bit lower than seasons where he played more minutes or was on teams that ran more through his playmaking. However, his efficiency metrics, like shooting percentages, probably remained quite similar, showing his consistent approach to the game. He's always been a player who makes the most of his opportunities, and that didn't really change, as a matter of fact, with the Hornets.

Against Other Backup Point Guards

When you look at other backup point guards across the NBA, Ish Smith’s 2023-24 Hornets stats place him squarely among the solid, dependable veterans. He might not put up flashy scoring numbers like some younger, more aggressive backups, but his value lies in his experience, his low turnover rate, and his ability to run an offense without much fuss. He's often compared to players who prioritize stability and ball security over high-volume scoring.

His knack for pushing the pace and his reliable decision-making are traits that many teams seek in a second-unit floor general. In a league where every possession counts, having someone who consistently makes smart plays and avoids costly errors is, you know, pretty valuable. He might not stand out on a stat sheet, but his contributions are often felt in the flow of the game, so.

Team Context and Performance

The overall performance of the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023-24 season also plays a big part in understanding Ish Smith's individual stats. The team faced its own challenges, including injuries to key players and periods of inconsistent play. This kind of environment can sometimes make it harder for any player, especially a backup, to truly shine statistically.

Ish Smith's role was often to step in and provide a steady hand during these turbulent times. His numbers reflect a player who adapted to the team's needs, whether that meant playing fewer minutes when starters were healthy or taking on a slightly larger load when injuries hit. His ability to adjust to different team situations, honestly, is a mark of his veteran savvy and something that really helps a team navigate a long season.

Future Outlook for Ish Smith and the Hornets

As the 2023-24 NBA season wraps up, questions naturally arise about the future for players like Ish Smith and their teams. What might be next for this seasoned point guard, and how does his time with the Hornets fit into their plans moving forward? It's always interesting to consider these possibilities, you know.

Contract Status and Free Agency

Ish Smith's contract status after the 2023-24 season is, of course, a key factor in his future. If he was on a one-year deal, he would become an unrestricted free agent, meaning he would be free to sign with any team. His decision, and the Hornets' decision, would depend on many things: his desire to keep playing, the team's roster needs, and the financial aspects of

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