Otis Smith is a former professional basketball player who had a successful career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played as a small forward and shooting guard for various teams during his career, including the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, and Boston Celtics.
Smith began his basketball career at Jacksonville University, where he played college basketball for four years. He was then drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 1986 NBA draft. He played for the Nuggets for two seasons before being traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1988.
During his time with the Warriors, Smith played alongside some of the best players in the league, including Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway. He was known for his defensive skills and his ability to score from the perimeter. He played for the Warriors for three seasons before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 1992.
Smith's time with the Magic was the most successful period of his career. He played for the team for five seasons and was a key player in the team's run to the NBA Finals in 1995. He was known for his tough defense and his ability to hit clutch shots in important games.
After leaving the Magic, Smith played for several other teams, including the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics. He retired from the NBA in 1997 but returned to the league in 2000 as a member of the Indiana Pacers. He played for the Pacers for one season before retiring for good.
After his playing career, Smith became a coach and executive in the NBA. He served as the head coach of the Magic from 2007 to 2012 and was also the team's general manager during that time. He was responsible for building the team that made it to the NBA Finals in 2009.
Overall, Otis Smith had a successful career in the NBA as both a player and a coach/executive. He was known for his defensive skills and his ability to hit clutch shots in important games. He played for several teams during his career, but his most successful period was with the Orlando Magic.
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