 Smith is best remembered for his shot-blocking, earning him the nickname "Elmore the Rejector".He led the league in total blocked shots twice (in 1974 and 1975), and holds the NBA record for most blocked shots in a game since 1973, with 17  He achieved this mark against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 28, 1973, while playing for the Lakers.Smith's average of 4.85 blocks per game from the 1973–74 season (the first season blocked shots were officially recorded in the NBA) is the third highest ever.