“Derrick, he played for a great …

“Derrick, he played for a great organization,” Smart said. “He played under a great coach. We knew that Derrick understood the game, the way he plays. Watching him play before we got to USA reminded me a little bit of myself. So just instantly off the bat, I loved the way he played. Coming into that when we would practice, he was never backing down, no matter what. “When you got a guy like that, and me, a guy like Derrick, it’s always going to be some battles. But it’s nothing but respect there. That’s what it’s kind of been showing. Every day he’s done something new to make you go, ‘That’s why he’s here.’ ”