Elton Brand or Josh Smith?

[gswhoops]

Who would you rather have?

Brand

Height: 6' 8"
Weight: 250 lbs.
Age: 29

Season: 17.6 ppg / 8.0 rpg / 2.0 apg / 1.9 bpg / 0.4 spg / 46% FGs / No 3pt attempts / 79% FTs

Career: 20.3 ppg / 10.2 rpg / 2.7 apg / 2.1 bpg / 0.9 spg / 51% FGs / 15% 3pts / 74% FTs

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/elton_brand/

Smith

Height: 6' 9"
Weight: 235 lbs.
Age: 22

Season: 17.2 ppg / 8.2 rpg / 3.4 apg / 2.8 bpg / 1.5 spg / 46% FGs / 25% 3pts / 71% FTs

Career: 13.6 ppg / 7.4 rpg / 2.7 apg / 2.5 bpg / 1.1 spg / 45% FGs / 26% 3pts / 70% FTs

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/josh_smith/

[dockingsched]

elton brand is a legitimate 20/10 pf who also plays very good defense. he's still right in his prime and best of all is recognized as one of the best people in the league. it has to be him.

[conleyorbust]

Who would I rather have on my team in perpetuity or for a season/game?

I voted Brand because as of today he is definitely better as a player but if I were a GM and got to choose one of them for my new team I'd take Smith just because he will be at least as productive as he is today for a little while longer whereas Brand is a little more of a question mark (although its possible he plays at a high level for a while longer).

Smith's upside is certainly intriguing too.

[JordansBulls]

Are you serious with this comparison?

[PaKwAn]

I'm picking Brand because he can carry his team and is a presence in the paint as well,Smith has a nice stat line and nice upside but is also an out positioned type of player.

[PDXKnight]

I'd take Brand. He's much better in the offensive post and while Smith is vastly improving his offense, he's still very raw in some aspects.

[Basileus777]

The only argument for Smith is his youth.

[EvadedHavoc]

Brand EASILY.

[keepthenetsinnj]

Brand EASILY.

[NetsForce]

Brand easily.

[High 5]

This is a silly comparison. A healthy Brand is one of the best players in the league. There's only 2 or 3 PFs that you can say are better.

Josh Smith's season statisically put him in a class alone with DRob and Hakeem and he put up those numbers at 22. He has potential to be great, but he has a lot to learn.

[ponder276]

Brand easily.

[gswhoops]

Are you serious with this comparison?

There was an interesting debate on the Trade Value threads between Smith and Brand, and I thought I'd bring it here.

I personally voted Brand so I see where everyone is coming from, but I thought it was an interesting argument.

[The_Believer]

Very easily EB. Keep in mind that during one year, he was THE best PF, arguably the best player in the L.

[b-ball forever]

Very easily EB. Keep in mind that during one year, he was THE best PF, arguably the best player in the L.

Yeah, in 2005-2006 he was the best PF of the reg season IMO

[richboy]

Josh Smith isn't even a ligitimate PF IMO. He a tremendous athlete that can make some special plays. On many teams he may not even be a starter and likely is no more than a 12 or 13 point per game guy.

If the question is should Atlanta trade Josh Smith for Elton Brand that another story.

[conleyorbust]

-= original quote snipped =-


There was an interesting debate on the Trade Value threads between Smith and Brand, and I thought I'd bring it here.

I personally voted Brand so I see where everyone is coming from, but I thought it was an interesting argument.

Big difference between a player's ability and his trade value.

[Joseph17]

Brand easily. I think that the OP is basing this comparison on Brand's statistics this year. That's unfair to Brand.

[ecuhus1981]

Wow, I am shocked that this thread is so one-sided.

I disagree that age (29 against 22) is the only factor in favor of Smith. Josh is a superior shotblocker and runs the court better. Then, you figure health is a concern, with Josh fit as a fiddle, and Brand coming off of nearly a season's worth of injury. Finally, MONEY is a factor; while both may be max contract players after this summer, Josh's contract can only be around $12mil per season, while Brand's could be $20mil or more.

For age, athleticism, health and money, I choose Smith.

[richboy]

Is shot blocking the most overrated aspect of a players game today. To me Josh Smith blocks shots but he doesn't protect the basket like lets say a young Mutumbo. There are guys like Duncan that block less shots than Josh Smith but change more shots and really anchor a defense.