Written by Nick Halili | DUB Magazine | January 8, 2008
"The Grim Reaper," "NBA Live," "The Aviator" and "Smush," all names used to describe William Henry Parker, but some things that remain consistent with the NBA veteran are his life-long love affair with the game and with the city where he grew up-the basketball mecca known as New York City. "I was born with a basketball," Smush often tells people. As a youngster, his biggest role model was his dad, who himself was an old school streetballer. Back in the day, even his mom would sometimes get on the court to play ball. The only thing not "New York" about the ex-streetballer was the fact that he idolized Michael Jordan, Phil and the Bulls instead of Ewing's Knicks. In pursuit of his dream, Smush has played for Cleveland, Phoenix, Detroit, L.A. and even overseas in Greece. Now, however, he finds himself joining Shaq, Pat Riley and other ex-Lakers as a member of the Miami Heat. During one of his frequent trips to hang out with his family in New York, Smush took the time to discuss the game and to talk about his other love - cars.
DUB: How'd you get your streetball nicknames?
Smush: "Smush" was given to me by my mom, but I don't know where exactly it came from. I have "Grim Reaper" tattooed on my arm. I got it because I'm a silent assassin. When I get on the court, I kill. I've been dubbed "The Aviator" and "NBA Live." Those names came from the same basketball tournament. It's because they said some of my moves on the court look like they can only be done in a video game.
DUB: I heard you once did a little modeling for Nautica.
Smush: [Laughs] When I was in high school, they had tryouts for their sports line at a gym I played at. They put me everywhere, Foot Lockers, malls-they actually had a five-story picture of me on the side of a building. I always wanted to try modeling, acting-things like that. I would like to incorporate
all that in the future.
DUB: What players in the league do you admire?
Smush: I like Kevin Garnett because he not only brings offense to the game, he brings defense and teamwork, and, he can pass and block shots. I'm a team player, so I'm a Garnett fan.
DUB: What is the No. 1 asset that you bring to a team you play for?
Smush: Versatility. I like to get big steals or be able to create a shot for one of my teammates. I'm a playmaker.
DUB: Tell us about your days as a streetballer.
Smush: I grew up playing basketball in the streets. I played on the courts on West 4th Street, "The Cage." When I got older, I played at Rucker Park. It would get heated, but nothing crazy like gun or knife fights.
DUB: Compare streetball with NBA-ball. What are the biggest differences?
Smush: The biggest difference is discipline. In New York, you run into some guys who very well could have played in the NBA, but they just didn't have the discipline of going through the process. I've been very blessed, and I've just taken advantage of my blessings. I knew I had to stay away from gangs, drugs and having a lot of friends that did all that stuff. Even though school wasn't really for me, I did enough to help me get to the highest level of basketball.
DUB: Describe what it was like finishing up college and turning pro.
Smush: I went undrafted after my sophomore year at Fordham University. That summer was the most I've ever worked on my game. I played in three summer leagues, I had workouts with 20 teams and finally earned a spot my rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After that, I got the opportunity to play in Greece. Growing up in New York City, I never thought I could travel the world because of basketball. I decided to go for the life experience, and I loved it.
DUB: What was the best and worst thing about playing for the Lakers?
Smush: The best and worst thing about playing for the Lakers was living in L.A. Growing up in New York, I've become spoiled about finding anything you need 24 hours a day. Things shut down at 10 p.m. in L.A. The food in New York is unbeatable; P.F. Chang's is not Chinese food. But, I also met a lot of good people in L.A. First and foremost, my fellow New Yorker Lamar Odom; then it's Luke Walton, Kwame Brown, Rony Turiaf; those guys are good people that I plan on staying in contact with.
DUB: Since you were a Bulls fan growing up, how did you feel about playing for Coach Jackson?
Smush: Phil is definitely a player's coach. He allows players to play, do well and make mistakes. He's mellow and laid back; that's what I like about him.
DUB: What are you most looking forward to when playing with the Miami Heat?
Smush: I'm excited about just playing for the Miami Heat. I feel like we have a good chance of winning championships. I always wanted to play with a dominant, big man, and, who's more dominant to throw the ball in the low post than Shaquille O'Neal? Miami is a city like New York because it doesn't sleep.
DUB: How do you feel about playing for Coach Riley?
Smush: [Laughs] I'm frightened.
DUB: What's up with the Smushcalade?
Smush: It was my first car ever. It started out as a loaner car from Lindsey Hunter when I was in Detroit. I fell in love with the ride, the comfort and how smooth it was. I bought it from him and gradually turned it into "The Smushcalade." I had Lindsey Hunter's car shop, Detroit Custom Concepts, add a ProCharger supercharger because I have a need for speed. [The Escalade] already comes with 350 horsepower stock, so the supercharger put it over the top. I mounted a 15-inch monitor in the dash and had a camera in the back, added a navigation system and a DVD player; I also put four 15s in the back. When I got to L.A., I hooked up with Roadstarr Motorsports. That's when I went all out and got the custom paint job, removed the bench seats and moved the seats back, so I can have more leg space, five more TVs, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. I put on 26-inch rims. Later on, I blew the engine with the first supercharger. I got a new engine and put on a Vortech supercharger. It's not really a show car; I just like to ride clean.
DUB: So what other rides are you pushin'?
Smush: I have an old soul, so I like old cars. I got a 1964 SS Chevy Impala (lowrider) with hydraulics, 13-inch Daytons with whitewalls, but everything else on it is original. It's sky blue with a cream interior. I also have a 1992 Chevy Caprice (cousin to the SS Impala). I dropped a 350-horsepower Corvette engine, with twin turbos. I have the Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG and the SALEEN S331.
DUB: What's a fact about you that your NBA fans might not know?
Smush: I like going to museums. If you're ever in New York City, you have to go to the Museum of Natural History. There are seven floors with everything you can think of, from meteorites to Native Americans. I like to do things like that. I'm not a club person. I like hanging out with one or two people. I'm into sculpture and paintings; I'm a real visual person.
DUB: Any final comments for your fans?
Smush: I can honestly say I've been blessed. I have played for three top Hall of Fame coaches: Larry Brown when I was in Detroit, Phil Jackson in L.A., and now, Pat Riley. There's a lot of knowledge that helped me become the best player I can be.