Former Spur Charles Smith in nasty spat with retired players’ union

Spurs Nation will remember Charles Smith as one of the most maddening talents to ever play for the team.

Back in the days before Tim Duncan filled the paint for the Spurs, Smith was counted to provide an inside threat with David Robinson. He had averaged at least 20 points in two different seasons earlier in his career. More of the same when he arrived in San Antonio from New York in a trade involving J.R. Reid.

Instead, Smith became one of the biggest bust in franchise history, averaging 7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 51 career games (and 37 starts) over two seasons with the Spurs. He was let go on Jan. 6, 1998 after not playing since the end of the 1996-97 season. He never played in the NBA again.

Smith surfaced several years ago as the president of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.  But  just as suddenly as he left the Spurs, Smith was sacked last year in a palace coup orchestrated by a group of other retired players.

Peter Vescey of  the New York Post reports that NBRPA CEO Arnie D. Fielkow and president George Tinsley the estranged Smith has been contacting members regarding the possible start-up of a rival retired association. On Nov. 18, 2010, after two years on the job, Smith was furtively fired by Tinsley and a five-man board.

Board member Dan Schayes replaced Smith, though briefly. Numerous players, led by Earl Monroe, fiercely objected to how the coup was handled. Several believed that Smith’s firing was disputable and that the membership wasn’t given a vote.

Schayes was removed several months later and Fielkow assumed  the operations of the organization. But in the meantime, Smith has threatened to sue the NBRPA for his wrongful discharge.

Spurs fans from back in the day probably are wondering where that fire and determination was during Smith’s short career with the Silver and Black.

Joseph, Leonard have big shoes to fill with their new Spurs uniform numbers

As part of  their introduction at the start of their press conference Saturday afternoon, first-round draft picks Kawhi Leonard and Cory Joseph showed off their new uniforms with the Spurs.

Both will be filling strong legacies with their uniforms as Leonard will wear No. 2 and Joseph will wear No. 5.  The jersey numbers have been worn by popular players in the past.

Here’s a look at the uniform history number of those who wore their number with the Spurs before them.

No. 2

Linton Townes       1985

Reggie Williams     1990

Larry Smith             1992-93

Moses Malone        1994

Jaren Jackson        1997-2001

Mark Bryant            2001-02

Nazr Mohammed  2005-06

Melvin Ely                2007

Marcus Williams    2009

Garrett Temple       2010

No. 5

Billy Paultz                 1975-80, 1983

Donald Royal            1991-92

Sam Mack                   1992-93 

Dell Demps                 1995-96

Derrick Dial                2000-01

Charles Smith            2001-02

Anthony Goldwire   2002

Robert Horry             2003-08

Ime Udoka                  2007-09, 2010-11