Clearing some stuff up

[ZeroTolerance]

I might break if we get Griffin at the cost of Crowder

JMO... There are just as many people who would want to keep Crowder over getting Griffin.

I'm one of them.

In the present scheme of things, he's a corner stone piece.

Let all the showboat dunks stay in LA- La land.

[sully00]

Can't RealGM's software support the ability to have one "private" topic/discussion. Is RealGM a homegrown software or is powered by a Jive / Lithium style software?

Seems like an easy fix. One "private" topic moderated by the mods designed for inside speculation by board members vetted out by mods. Anyone that starts the BS that happened last weekend they are kicked out of that topic and sent back to the public topics.

I may have read the situation wrong last week and if I did I apologize as annoying as certain posters were I did not find most of their comments directed at Smitty but at Deadmik3.

I feel the moderators of this forum try to give people as much room as possible to express themselves within the rules.

There is really no way for the moderators to verify the validity of what a user posts. Trying to do this in the past has been problematic. That said we want that information posted it is fun to talk about no matter what the actual chances of it happening are.

I think for myself personally I will have a much lower threshold for users trolling rumor threads.

[Smitty731]

Great stuff Smitty. This board should pay you.

My personal opinion, but I want your thoughts of what you may have heard. I think the Okafor stuff is a smokescreen. I don't think Ainge wants him outside of getting him for free.

I believe the Blake pursuit is real and Okafor is a fall back maybe.

Am I close on this one?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

The smokescreen part is what I've heard from multiple people. Not that Ainge wouldn't like Okafor, but that isn't a target at this point. Or at least wasn't when the Griffin stuff was playing out.

[Edug27]

Nice article. Appreciate it. In terms of the insider info, it all just seems like some Joe Schmos opinion. But you did state that you are just passing along stuff you hear. Which means you have to take everything with a grain of salt because you don't know exactly how much these people know. I mean, you can ask me when I think layoffs will happen at my job and I'll predict it.. But it's just my guess. Taking it with a grain of salt prevents people from getting angry. Which no one should be at you. And of course if it's tidbits everyone is in favor for, you'll be loved it... If it's a deal everyone hates, you're a troll. How life works I guess. Just keep doing what you do.

[Smitty731]

Nice article. Appreciate it. In terms of the insider info, it all just seems like some Joe Schmos opinion. But you did state that you are just passing along stuff you hear. Which means you have to take everything with a grain of salt because you don't know exactly how much these people know. I mean, you can ask me when I think layoffs will happen at my job and I'll predict it.. But it's just my guess. Taking it with a grain of salt prevents people from getting angry. Which no one should be at you. And of course if it's tidbits everyone is in favor for, you'll be loved it... If it's a deal everyone hates, you're a troll. How life works I guess.

I can assure you that none of the guys are just random guys. All of them are connected to players and/or teams. None are the players or either Danny or Doc, but all are very close to the situation.

[Smitty731]

Thanks to all for the kind words about the posts and the Horford article. I read all of them and appreciate all of them. I don't have time to respond to all, but I do appreciate it.

[165bows]

Can't RealGM's software support the ability to have one "private" topic/discussion. Is RealGM a homegrown software or is powered by a Jive / Lithium style software?

Seems like an easy fix. One "private" topic moderated by the mods designed for inside speculation by board members vetted out by mods. Anyone that starts the BS that happened last weekend they are kicked out of that topic and sent back to the public topics.

I may have read the situation wrong last week and if I did I apologize as annoying as certain posters were I did not find most of their comments directed at Smitty but at Deadmik3.

I feel the moderators of this forum try to give people as much room as possible to express themselves within the rules.

There is really no way for the moderators to verify the validity of what a user posts. Trying to do this in the past has been problematic. That said we want that information posted it is fun to talk about no matter what the actual chances of it happening are.

I think for myself personally I will have a much lower threshold for users trolling rumor threads.

Seconded it became obvious once certain elements were removed.

Personally I do generally lean towards leniency and freedom of expression within the rules but agree I'm also going to be more attuned to the times when someone thinks they are a unique snowflake and want to make it all about themselves.

[Edug27]

Nice article. Appreciate it. In terms of the insider info, it all just seems like some Joe Schmos opinion. But you did state that you are just passing along stuff you hear. Which means you have to take everything with a grain of salt because you don't know exactly how much these people know. I mean, you can ask me when I think layoffs will happen at my job and I'll predict it.. But it's just my guess. Taking it with a grain of salt prevents people from getting angry. Which no one should be at you. And of course if it's tidbits everyone is in favor for, you'll be loved it... If it's a deal everyone hates, you're a troll. How life works I guess.

I can assure you that none of the guys are just random guys. All of them are connected to players and/or teams. None are the players or either Danny or Doc, but all are very close to the situation.

Right. But I guess it's more of "what makes them close to the situation" that people question (not you, just insiders in general) To my work example there, I can answer the question as someone connected and close to the situation since I'm inside the building and people would definitely believe me... but unless I'm in those mgr meetings or know someone who is, it's just my educated guess and Connecting the dots. Nonetheless, it's still interesting stuff and greatly appreciated.

[greenroom31]

There is really no way for the moderators to verify the validity of what a user posts. Trying to do this in the past has been problematic. That said we want that information posted it is fun to talk about no matter what the actual chances of it happening are.

I think for myself personally I will have a much lower threshold for users trolling rumor threads.

Glad to hear it.

The fundamental problem is that some people are so dumb, they genuinely don't understand the meaning of the word rumor:

ru·mor NOUN
a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth:
synonyms: gossip · hearsay · talk · tittle-tattle · speculation · word · reports

If someone posts a rumor and you feel the need to state over and over that you don't believe it's true, you're a **** troll who should be banned. By definition a rumor is speculative gossip. Saying a rumor is probably untrue is like saying a blue wall is probably blue. We all know it's probably untrue, but that doesn't mean it's DEFINITELY untrue. And repeatedly arguing that something that's probably untrue is definitely untrue is just practice for becoming a huge ****.

Insulting people who share these rumors (or threatening them, which is hard to understand at even a basic level) is a next level **** move that only further serves to highlight a person's lack of intelligence.

[Bad-Thoma]

Spoiler:

I've seen a lot about how rumors are made up and fairy tales. And how no one has sources. I want to clear some stuff up pertaining to my specific role in the whole Griffin saga and how it went down.

1. Ran in to a contact at our hotel in Las Vegas. He fills me in that Boston has called on Griffin.

2. I check with another sources that is connected to both Boston and LAC and he confirms the same.

3. I check with a Clippers source who confirms that Boston initiated talks.

4. Go back to the first guy and he adds that Doc likes Rudy Gay and Boston and LAC are interested in a three team deal with the prime pieces being Griffin/Pierce to BOS, Crowder to SAC, Gay to LAC, but lots of work to be done on the additional pieces to LAC.

5. Run that by source #2 who has the same thing, but says to be cautious because a star trade is hard to pull off, a three team trade is hard to pull off, and that a three team trade featuring a star is VERY hard to pull off.

6. Re-confirm one last time with the LAC source who says everything I have is on the money, but the pieces are the hold up and LAC wants to talk BRK picks, which Ainge would rather not talk. But that isn't a deal killer.

Double check with each that they are all on the same page, all the while not sharing who the others are or what they've told me and letting them fill in the pieces. Then and only then did I put out my tweets. And that was risky enough as it was.

So to sum it up, the rumor pieces aren't like that at all. It might be as it goes through the media. But that is on us as readers/listeners as much as them for not tracing back to who originally put the story out there.

I also want to clear one other thing up: I'm not entirely sure I was first to share the Griffin talks, but I know I was up there. Boston, LA and Sacramento media picked it up very quickly and then things went from there. It was only a full day later that Sean Deveney reported it and then people took it as really legitimate.

I'm not bitter at all though. I have no real intention of ever being a newsbreaker. It isn't something I care to do and it was really, really stressful. I was genuinely shocked at how quick things snowballed. I've been on the radio several times/places before this, but things got much crazier after I put the Griffin stuff out there. And one thing I am 100% consistent on is that I own it. Since I put it out there, I've heard from several others who have different sources and have the same information. So, I know for certain there have been talks. That doesn't mean a trade is coming for sure, but talks are the first step.

I figured this might help clear things up and give a bit of insight in to the process. After hearing from a lot of veteran media guys, the process plays out basically the same way. Sometimes you chase it down, sometimes it comes to you, but the rest is the same.

For those of you who have been supportive and had my back and continue to, you have no idea how much that means to me. Everything this past year has been kind of crazy and I didn't really expect it. But I've enjoyed all of it. Well almost all of it. Threats against me and my family are a little tough to take. But in reality, it comes with the territory. Mostly I want to say thanks to all of you for the support and encouragement!

Ignore the bozos, most of us have known you as a good rational poster long enough to trust you whether anything happened or not, and recognize that the odds are always against big trades happening talks or no talks. Thanks for sharing so much with us and keeping things interesting.

[pinoyceltic]

Thanks Smitty, you and all of the guys here like Gant, bfb, ddb, LBF are the posters I always read throughout. Even Banners, truth, OFWGTKA, cave and 18th, I even read them posts too! The point is, we all love Celtics, we would give our time and effort for these bunch, we will stick to a thread regardless if we are talking bout rumors or news.

That's the beauty of this board. We can be geniuses and idiots at the same time.

[CollegeToPros]

Great stuff Smitty. This board should pay you.

My personal opinion, but I want your thoughts of what you may have heard. I think the Okafor stuff is a smokescreen. I don't think Ainge wants him outside of getting him for free.

I believe the Blake pursuit is real and Okafor is a fall back maybe.

Am I close on this one?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

The smokescreen part is what I've heard from multiple people. Not that Ainge wouldn't like Okafor, but that isn't a target at this point. Or at least wasn't when the Griffin stuff was playing out.

Thanks man. Rooting for you to make it big.

Just too much noise around Okafor to be true.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Fencer reregistered]

One thing to remember -- no matter how good Smitty's or anybody else's sources are, selective dishonesty is a central part of negotiations.

[jeremym480]

I'm new here, but just wanted to say that you were one of the main reasons I signed up, Smitty. I have used this site before, but it was mainly just for ideas for trades in my 30 team controlled NBA 2K MyLeague.

I came here again when the rumors were running rampant. For there I saw some your post and decided to join. Although, I was pretty disappointed to find out that I couldn't search for post by users, but got over it fairly quickly when I saw that this site had more knowledgeable basketball fans than most others I've been to.

Oh and your spreadsheets are amazing, as well. If I owned an NBA team, I'd hire you. Thanks for all that you do and keep up the good work!

[ddb]

Thanks Smitty. Good work. Thanks for sharing your experience. There is still time for a deal! Although, I think it's Westbrook/Cousins or sticking with what we have. I don't think Griffin gets done. Doesn't make sense for LAC, although my contacts have also said at the deadline that Boston/Clippers were talking about a Griffin deal, but Ainge backed out and didn't want to include BK16 & 17

[bdub24]

I'm glad to hear about a lower tolerance for trolls.

[MaxwellSmart]

9 more days to July 31st....nothing happens by then, I give up.

[BlackThatch]

I bet it was a quick conversation. BKN 17 and '18 Danny? Danny says no way. They say okay that's it. I bet that's the most that's been talked about. Griffin isn't coming here. Neither is Westbrook. KG was craving a title at 30.

I fully believe Smitty has sources, but I question just how far those talks have gone. Mannix says nothing's happened. Ian Thompson says zippo. Not even a chance. So I dunno. Keep it coming though, makes it interesting!

Both Griffin and Westbrook want a title. No one might not want to win more than Westbrook. He's an absolute maniac who wants nothing more than to win. If they see Boston as the best chance, they could come.

FWIW, I think (I have no confirmation) that Mannix is talking more to the teams themselves. My sources aren't just team related. You get a lot more from other people than team's themselves. Unless you are Woj and Shams. Then everyone trips over themselves to give stuff to you. But those guys won't report until something is done.

According to a ton of people, Westbrook is more concerned about the world of fashion than he is about winning basketball.

[Fencer reregistered]

According to a ton of people, Westbrook is more concerned about the world of fashion than he is about winning basketball.

That Westbrook ALSO cares about fashion is undeniable.

Further, some people believe that his style of play isn't great for winning, and it's to his discredit that he doesn't change it.

But I don't recall any convincing evidence of the claim beyond those two kinds of observations.

[CelticFaninLBC]

Smitty is a beast. No doubting that. As for Crowder? How much better does that make us? Crowder going out for Westbrook I guess I can swallow. However, I don't know how many wins that swap for Blake nets us.

Dealing Crowder and other assets for Blake doesn't make them much better and I'm pretty sure they can't sign another star in 2017, unless they gut the roster.

Might as well maintain the max cap space for 2017 and add another star then without giving up multiple assets.