RealGM

J-Smoove Thinking About Free Agency
April 7, 2008 - 12:04 pm
Philadelphia Daily News -
Josh Smith, a restricted free agent on July 1st, has been frequently mentioned as a player who will interest the Sixers.

"I think about [being restricted] a little bit, but then I leave it in God's hands," Smith said. "I'm just trying to play the season out. If I focus too much on it, I won't be performing at a high level. Let's see what happens in the offseason."

RealGM Note: Smith is currently ranked 19th amongst all NBA players with a season FIC of 1,079. He has a +547% Reina Value, making him one of the biggest bargains in the league. He has played to a level in which he 'deserves' $14.5 million. [READ]

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/ ... ition.html

This article finally comes through with my conclusion on what ED is going to do this off season. If you take look at what ED said he wanted this team to be built like the Suns, but with more defense. The only way the Sixers become that is by getting Josh Smith. I know he isn't the typical PF type. But let me make some things clear.

This team has two liabilities on offense which makes them not be a top three team in the East. Willie Green and Reggie Evans. Come on down, your on the Price is Wrong!

When Willie Green get's that MJ in him to try and take over the game it literally costs us. Just look at the last Hawks game. Also Reggie Evans everytime he gets the ball it's either:

Stripped
Dropped
Missed Catch
Brick

That's where Josh Smith comes in. Think about every time Reggie has had the ball this season and just turned it over or shot a brick, it was Josh Smith with the ball instead. By adding him at the PF spot this team is not a 4 on 5 team anymore and we will be even better defensivly. Which fits into exactly what ED said. The only other option I see is Brand, besides those two I don't see it. With Josh Smith the lineup forces both Evans and Green to the bench with limited minutes.

It's in gods hands? Wtf does that mean?

Josh Smith fits in our offense perfectly BUT defensively, I'm concerned about him. He doesn't have the girth to defend the bigger PF's in this league - just as Sam doesn't have the girth to defend 5's like Howard and Bynum. That being said, IF Jason Smith can progress to the point where he can defend these bigger PF's, then by all means bring on Josh Smith to play star as our starting PF. Also, keep Evans here for defensive purposes against the slower, heavier PF's. Here's my take on what could work:

- Sign Josh Smith as our starting PF
- Draft a BIG reserve who can backup Sam at the 5 or guard the bigger 4's in this league. Maybe Hibbert or Thabeet
- Use Evans and Jason Smith to guard the bulkier PF's (if Josh Smith is proving to be ineffective defensively against them)

STChaser

It's in gods hands? Wtf does that mean?

That means that he's going to look for the money come this offseason but doesn't want to address the issue publicly and piss off his teammates or ownership.

STChaser

Josh Smith can't rebound at the PF position. The Sixers fail if they sign him as the PF.

SendEm wrote:Josh Smith can't rebound at the PF position. The Sixers fail if they sign him as the PF.

I thought you were suspended? Anyways I think he is doing fine for averaging almost 9 rebounds a game at the PF spot right now.

Didn't realize he averaged so many. Another guy who I would love to see on our roster at PF is Al Horford. I know it's not happening but could you imagine a lineup of:

Miller, Lou
Iguodala, Carney
Thaddeus
Horford
Sam

Horford rebounds like Evans but actually has a really nice offensive game. The guy reminded me of a more athletic Boozer, hitting those midrange J's and gobbling up everything around the basket. Of course, the fact that we don't have a legit PF defending him or making him work on defense didn't help our cause...

STChaser

Just as I suspected Josh Smith gets out rebounded by his opponent at the PF position. 82games.com. Even Reggie Evans and Thaddeus Young do not get out boarded by their opponents. Josh Smith = failure at the PF if the Sixers sign him for that position.

Josh Smith is a terrific SMALL forward. Not everyone can be a Shawn Merion...

Stanford wrote:It's in gods hands? Wtf does that mean?

I don't know, but that doesn't sound good for Philadelphia.

Our players go to St Louis (heaven) or Green Bay (#92) or are told by the Lord to go to Sacremento (Salmons.)

Historically, we get FA's when it is in the league appointed arbitrator's hands (#88 ).

What ever happened to Show me the Money?

Will you people ever stop with this Josh Smith nonsense???

All season. It never stops. Josh Smith, Josh Smith, Josh Smith.

At first, I found it hilarious. Now, it's beginning to drive me downright insane.

The Sixers already have a logjam at SF. The LAST thing they need is another wingman. If you want to use a long, athletic, lefty undersized guy at PF, then we already have one in #21. Why can't you people see that?

Josh Smith is not a banger. He's not a back-to-the-basket guy. He's a face-up player. WE HAVE THAT already.

There's absolutely NO CHANCE that Eddie will sign Josh Smith. You can book that one here, too.

SendEm wrote:Just as I suspected Josh Smith gets out rebounded by his opponent at the PF position. 82games.com. Even Reggie Evans and Thaddeus Young do not get out boarded by their opponents. Josh Smith = failure at the PF if the Sixers sign him for that position.

Josh Smith is a terrific SMALL forward. Not everyone can be a Shawn Merion...

One it's Shawn Marion now Shawn Merion and second he get's outrebounded by 1 rebound a game. That's not very much. Plus Reggie and Thaddeus switch almost every other game since the second half the season so it's not fair to say they don't get out rebounded.

I'm still on the Blatche bandwagon - though I do like Smith. My issue with Smith is that I don't think he'll be able to guard the bigger PF's in this league, and with Blatche at 7 foot, he'd be able to 1) play PF against the bigger PF's, 2) back up Sam at the 5, 3) Give us that "twin towers" effect that we haven't had since Hunter left, and 4) go up against the Howard's and Bynums of the NBA. It's really a 2 for 1 package, whereas I think Josh Smith is more suited to play SF and PF - only when the matchup favors us.

STChaser

8.3 rebounds in 35.6 minutes per game is not enough rebounding from an out of position SF playing PF that gives 0 points in the post.

IF marketability plays into this equation, I think Comcast will do all they can to get Josh Smith over the other candidates. In all fairness, Smith really does fit the profile for a team built like the Phoenix. And selling the fans on a lineup of Lou, Iguodala, Thaddeus, and Smith is a marketing strategist's dream come true.

STChaser

THFM wrote:

J-Smoove Thinking About Free Agency
April 7, 2008 - 12:04 pm
Philadelphia Daily News -
Josh Smith, a restricted free agent on July 1st, has been frequently mentioned as a player who will interest the Sixers.

"I think about [being restricted] a little bit, but then I leave it in God's hands," Smith said. "I'm just trying to play the season out. If I focus too much on it, I won't be performing at a high level. Let's see what happens in the offseason."

RealGM Note: Smith is currently ranked 19th amongst all NBA players with a season FIC of 1,079. He has a +547% Reina Value, making him one of the biggest bargains in the league. He has played to a level in which he 'deserves' $14.5 million. [READ]

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/ ... ition.html

This article finally comes through with my conclusion on what ED is going to do this off season. If you take look at what ED said he wanted this team to be built like the Suns, but with more defense. The only way the Sixers become that is by getting Josh Smith. I know he isn't the typical PF type. But let me make some things clear.

This team has two liabilities on offense which makes them not be a top three team in the East. Willie Green and Reggie Evans. Come on down, your on the Price is Wrong!

When Willie Green get's that MJ in him to try and take over the game it literally costs us. Just look at the last Hawks game. Also Reggie Evans everytime he gets the ball it's either:

Stripped
Dropped
Missed Catch
Brick

That's where Josh Smith comes in. Think about every time Reggie has had the ball this season and just turned it over or shot a brick, it was Josh Smith with the ball instead. By adding him at the PF spot this team is not a 4 on 5 team anymore and we will be even better defensivly. Which fits into exactly what ED said. The only other option I see is Brand, besides those two I don't see it. With Josh Smith the lineup forces both Evans and Green to the bench with limited minutes.

You did leave out one thing with Regggie Evans. It's called traveling. I would easily take Smith or Elton Brand. That would sew up the PF problem. Then you need a 2 guard like Douglas Roberts or Courtney Lee to hit some trays and penetrate.I still want an extra pick in round 1. I also want Jason Thompson on the 76ers, as our ist round pick.

STChaser wrote:IF marketability plays into this equation, I think Comcast will do all they can to get Josh Smith over the other candidates. In all fairness, Smith really does fit the profile for a team built like the Phoenix. And selling the fans on a lineup of Lou, Iguodala, Thaddeus, and Smith is a marketing strategist's dream come true.

STChaser

Not a championship contender unless Thad, Iguodala or Smith develop into an unstopable star (yopu never know) or if those 3 + Lou all become stars (also could happen.)

I would want to see that line-up even if just for entertainment value. You can always trade away Smith, Dala or Thad in 3 years and get back a real PF if that's what we really need. In the mean time they would be the most entertaining team in the league.

Also, think of the defensive trapping possiblities of :
Lou-Dala-Young-JSmooth-Sam...
Full court trap all game and sub in JaSmith-Evans-Carney-CDR and you can maintain pressure all game. Even if you get past the first line, Sam and Smith would still be able to turn away the other team.

In a couple of years these guys may even be able to hit jumpers with some consistancy.

THFM wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



One it's Shawn Marion now Shawn Merion and second he get's outrebounded by 1 rebound a game. That's not very much. Plus Reggie and Thaddeus switch almost every other game since the second half the season so it's not fair to say they don't get out rebounded.

Fair?

It wouldn't be fair to a Sixers supporter like me if the Sixers sign Josh Smith as the PF knowing that he gets out rebounded EVERY night.

That's not fair.

Additionally, since we are performing spell check, the word is "NOT", you wrote "now" and also"get's" is not a word in the English language. It's a contraction that doesn't exist. Let's not be pedantic.

I don't quite understand the Blatche infatuation some people have. I wouldn't mind picking him up because of his youth, but I certainly wouldn't pencil him in as the PF of the future yet. I actually think his defense overall (i.e. more than just blocked shots) is sub-standard.

I'm not completely in love with Josh Smith, but I'm also not completely against it, either. Yeah, he doesn't have post moves. But..um...who out there who's available does? If we strikeout on Brand, and we determine Jermaine O'Neal's too big of a risk, I don't see us getting that back to the basket power forward in this FA or next.

Well if we don't get Brand, Okafor or JO.

We should look at Randolph like someone said earlier.

SendEm wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Fair?

It wouldn't be fair to a Sixers supporter like me if the Sixers sign Josh Smith as the PF knowing that he gets out rebounded EVERY night.

That's not fair.

What's not fair is that you failed to mention J-Smoove's defensive rebounding percentage on/off court: 70.2%/67.3%.

Compare to Sammy D: 69.9%/69.1%.

Or Evans: 70.6%/68.8%.


Smith's rebounding would probably help more than hurt.