Smith Could Be Bulls Starting Center On Opening Night Versus Nets

The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that if Chicago Bulls center Ben Wallace is not recovered from?a sprained ankle they have picked his replacement for Opening night, Joe Smith. Both Wallace and rookie forward Joakim?Noah are nursing sprained left ankles. Noah has already been ruled out?as a a participant? for Wednesday, however the door remains ajar for Wallace to possibly play. If Smith starts at center then Tyrus Thomas ?will be the squad’s starter at the power forward slot. Smith who is entering his 13th NBA campaign was the Number One pick by Golden State in the 1995 NBA Draft. However Smith has never quite measured up to the lofty staus that is expected of the first pick in the draft. He played for the Warriors for two and a half seasons, being traded to Philadelphia mid way through the 1997-1998 campaign. Chicago is now Smit’s NBA franchise, he had two stints with Philly, two stints with Minnesota, he also played for Detroit for one season and the Denver Nuggets for half of last season before being traded back to the Sixers.