Joe Smith:

Larry Joe Bird · Post #1 » by **Larry Joe Bird** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:58 am

Click here to read story.

Excerpt:

Smith said he hasn’t talked to his agent, Dan Fegan, about a buyout. Fegan has not returned several phone messages seeking comment. Thunder general manager Sam Presti said he also hasn’t spoken with Smith’s representatives but said he values Smith’s place on the roster.

It seems that Joe Smith is not too interested in switching to another team. This is bad news for the Celtics.

We will just have to remain patient and see just who will be waived by March 1st. Maybe someone better than Joe Smith will appear on the waiver wire.

BillessuR6 · Post #2 » by **BillessuR6** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:45 am

You have got to be kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The guy didn`t even play against the suns! So what, does he want? Sit on the bench for the thunder or play for a contender?

Maybe it is just media talk. I believe (hope) his agent has a different plan...

This is an excerpt from the Herald:

According to NBA sources, Joe Smith’s people are letting it be known that they’d like to work a buyout with Oklahoma City. If such a deal is reached and he becomes a free agent, the Celts will go after him hard. And reason has been given to believe the interest is mutual.

Link: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... t_serious/

billfromBoston · Post #3 » by **billfromBoston** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:15 pm

You have to understand that the diplomatic thing to do when it comes to discussing trades, buyouts, etc. is to maintain the status quo...

Unless a situation gets nasty, like the Marbury deal, players and team personnel always go the "no news is good news" route..

Joe Smith is probably fine in OKC and enjoys his teammates - that doesn't mean he'd rather not play for a contender - he's just not standing out and making it sound like he's a spoiled prick who puts himself ahead of the team...

His agent will work behind the scenes with the team execs to see what's doable...

Post #4 » by **sunshinekids99** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:29 pm

There is no reason for Smith to come out and say he wants a buyout. It just looks bad on him, say you like playing and love your teammates in OKC. Then let your agent do things quietly to get you out of there.

Bruiser · Post #5 » by **Bruiser** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:56 pm

Come on guys!
Joe Smith had some "issues" in the past with the league regarding certain "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark" when he was in Minny.
Once bitten, twice shy!

Celts17Pride · Post #6 » by **Celts17Pride** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:00 pm

We'll see.

Everyone in this forum are picking out numbers for Marbury & Joe Smith to wear when in fact the Celtics might not get either one. Nothing is a given.

klemen4 · Post #7 » by **klemen4** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:58 pm

Ainge should call his agent immediately, to know what is the case. I dont want that we wait for Joe to decide and in meantime we will lose on Moore and other options.

hiphop1 · Post #8 » by **hiphop1** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:05 pm

I dont like the sound of this but it could be that he doesnt want to look like an ass.

Dave_From_NB · Post #9 » by **Dave_From_NB** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:33 pm

Players who talk to the media about their desire to be bought out are totally classless. It shows an incredible lack of respect for their team and current fans. Good for him to make these comments.

cfan79 · Post #10 » by **cfan79** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:42 pm

Yep, Marbury did the opposite thing. He went out and said he wants off the Knicks and Bostons his first choice. I could give a rats ass what they say as long as they are wearing green soon.

TonyMontana · Post #11 » by **TonyMontana** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:00 pm

sunshinekids99 wrote:There is no reason for Smith to come out and say he wants a buyout. It just looks bad on him, say you like playing and love your teammates in OKC. Then let your agent do things quietly to get you out of there.

DelMonte West · Post #12 » by **DelMonte West** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:41 pm

It's funny how whenever a GM makes a public statement, everyone takes their words for granted...but if a player says something to the media, it's accepted as gospel.

Patterns · Post #13 » by **Patterns** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:02 pm

DelMonte West wrote:It's funny how whenever a GM makes a public statement, everyone takes their words for granted...but if a player says something to the media, it's accepted as gospel.

Nearly every statement by a GM is a lie. Seriously. No green font.

DelMonte West · Post #14 » by **DelMonte West** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:40 pm

I know, it's just funny how people think diplomacy (or misleading statements/lies, your choice) is only limited to GMs, and what they hear from players is the straight and narrow.

Patterns · Post #15 » by **Patterns** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:07 pm

DelMonte West wrote:I know, it's just funny how people think diplomacy (or misleading statements/lies, your choice) is only limited to GMs, and what they hear from players is the straight and narrow.

Well, players are better in that regard because they're not professional business men. Players lie too but don't churn out standard business lies nearly as often.

Larry Joe Bird · Post #16 » by **Larry Joe Bird** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:11 pm

Some athletes are known to run off their mouths without thinking. For example, Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, Reggie Jackson, Roger Clemens, Terrell Owens. At least Joe Smith is classy and has decided to approach the buyout issue in a dipolomatic manner whether or not he plans to leave OKC.

Post #17 » by **sully00** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:22 pm

klemen4 wrote:Ainge should call his agent immediately, to know what is the case. I dont want that we wait for Joe to decide and in meantime we will lose on Moore and other options.

They have a word for things like that it is called tampering.

Larry Joe Bird · Post #18 » by **Larry Joe Bird** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:29 pm

sully00 wrote:
klemen4 wrote:Ainge should call his agent immediately, to know what is the case. I dont want that we wait for Joe to decide and in meantime we will lose on Moore and other options.

They have a word for things like that it is called tampering.

The only way around that is to have Celtics players talk to Joe Smith in private, especially someone who knows him well, e.g., Kevin Garnett. I think this is the same approach that is being applied by the Celtics to the Stephon Marbury situation, that is, if you believe the following story....

Rumors Wrapup

Excerpt:

A few rumors still shaking out after the deadline from the Weekend Dime:

Sounds like the Celtics recruitment team is working on that Starbury guy:

My colleague Stephen A. Smith, meanwhile, reported on ESPNEWS earlier this week that a couple of members of the Celtics have privately challenged Marbury to abandon his hard-line stance and give up a few million bucks in negotiations with the Knicks to secure his freedom and prove to the basketball world that he can make an off-the-bench impact with the reigning champs.

Larry Joe Bird · Post #19 » by **Larry Joe Bird** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:33 pm

Now that he has a little more free time, I expect Kevin Garnett to talk to his good friend Joe Smith during the next week. C'mon, Kevin! Take Joe out to dinner and convince him to join the Celtics!

BillTheGOAT · Post #20 » by **BillTheGOAT** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:11 pm

subliminal messages

Thunder general manager Sam Presti said he also hasn’t spoken with Smith’s representatives but said he values Smith’s place on the roster.

"If it comes up I’ll listen to what they have to say, but that’s standard,” Presti said. "That’s part of my job. I think Joe brings great value to our team, and he’s someone that has done a nice job for us this year. So we definitely have interest in him and continue to value him.”