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It couldn't have been about playing time because Smith would've played meaningful minutes with Garnett and Scalabrine out.

However, the Celtics -- the team that Smith most wanted to play for this season -- have dropped out of the bidding after signing veteran big man Mikki Moore last week, according to the source.

"Boston's out of it," the source said.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/03/01/good ... l?rss=true

Well that's just great. Well atleast they can pay JR Giddens to do nothing and pay Gabe Pruitt to play like an ass clown.

sunshinekids99 wrote:Well that's just great. Well atleast they can pay JR Giddens to do nothing and pay Gabe Pruitt to play like an ass clown.

At least now we know why Gabe was smiling.....he was drunk..... I keed...I keed

I don't understand why Ainge's content with what has already transpired for Boston. Whatever happened to blocking deals to prevent your competition from signing certain players. I think Auerbach in his heyday would've thought of something to foil Cleveland's plans.

Danny Ainge should have held off with the signing of Mikki Moore. I thought I had mention this the day or two before he even sign Mikki Moore that Joe Smith really wanted to play for the Celtics. Even when he was traded David Aldridge said that Joe Smith is upset because he really wanted to go to Boston. Once the trade didn't happen I thought for sure Danny was going to wait it out to see what was going to happen to Joe. Last season DA made all the right moves this season his has missed, missed and missed on all of his moves this season.

If true, then Moore was Ainge's man. If Smith wanted to be here and Ainge wanted him, it would be a done deal.

I do NOT blame Ainge---if Joe Smith had REALLY wanted to come to Boston---he wouldn't have been so wishy washy about his buyout---the guy wanted more money-- money that Cleveland has to offer---PLUS....who knew Ben Wallace was going to break his leg?? Smith would probably still be in OKC if that hadn't happened----if Joe Smith REALLY wants to come here---We have 1.2 Million left of our MLE---But, he wants more $$$$ in Cleveland-!

I can only believe that Ainge got scared off by Smith proclaiming to the media that he isn't seeking a buyout from Oklahoma City. Why say that if you're Smith? You basically screwed yourself if Boston was your desired team to sign with if bought out.

It's as if Smith felt self-conscious about buyout rumors that he didn't want it to suggest it was all his doing.

MaxwellSmart wrote:I do NOT blame Ainge---if Joe Smith had REALLY wanted to come to Boston---he wouldn't have been so wishy washy about his buyout---the guy wanted more money-- money that Cleveland has to offer---PLUS....who knew Ben Wallace was going to break his leg?? Smith would probably still be in OKC if that hadn't happened----if Joe Smith REALLY wants to come here---We have 1.2 Million left of our MLE---But, he wants more $$$$ in Cleveland-!

Nope I don't think that is the case. Because not matter what the Cavs had more money to give Joe Smith reguardless if the Cs sign Moore or not. He wanted to come to Boston. KG has been talking to him more then KG talk to Marbury to come to Boston. KG wanted Joe here, Joe wanted to be here but I guess Danny Ainge wasn't sure what OKC was going to do. If you want to say someone was being wishy washy you have to say it was OKC management.

Well if he wants to be a C so bad....nothings stopping him now.

"Boston's out of it," the source said.

This makes no sense to me. The thinking throughout the NBA media is that since the Celtics signed Moore they are no longer able to or interested in signing Smith or another free agent. But Moore replaced Patrick O'Bryant and serves only as an offensive minded back-up center with a reputation for being weak on defense. He was not signed as a result of Garnett's injury as some have thought. He was signed to serve as an experienced center whom Rivers can turn to when he wants to rest Perkins for a few minutes. Scalabrine, and now Davis, played or play a majority of the minutes at the power forward spot in place of Garnett. If the Celtics sign Smith or Gooden or someone else, they would share minutes at both power forward and center along with Davis.

If the Celtics are unable to sign Smith or Gooden since they believe they are set at the power forward/center positions, then what about their weakness at small forward? Is this an area of weakness that the Celtics will be able to address this week, especially in light of their injuries and lack of quality depth?

Well, maybe if they find out Scal will not return, they will change their tune. However, the clock is ticking.

He obviously didn't want to play for Boston "the most", he didn't even request a buy-out until Ben Wallace broke his leg.

ESPN just took KG and Joe Smith's friendship and threw in their own opinions that Joe wanted to be a Celtic, in-fact..the only team he(Smith) ever personally commented about was Cleveland.

I'd take Aldridge's report about this with a grain of salt, tbh...assuming Joe is bought out weeks ago...I'd still say Cleveland probably had the upper hand on landing him regardless.

InBoobieWeTrust wrote:He obviously didn't want to play for Boston "the most", he didn't even request a buy-out until Ben Wallace broke his leg.

ESPN just took KG and Joe Smith's friendship and threw in their own opinions that Joe wanted to be a Celtic, in-fact..the only team he(Smith) ever personally commented about was Cleveland.

I'd take Aldridge's report about this with a grain of salt.

Aldridge is a pretty connected guy. I am sure more so than yourself.

Joe Smith is still very needed. I'd give him most of Baby and Powe's minutes. Those guys are too inconsistent anyways. Let them play during blowouts.

canman1971 wrote:

InBoobieWeTrust wrote:He obviously didn't want to play for Boston "the most", he didn't even request a buy-out until Ben Wallace broke his leg.

ESPN just took KG and Joe Smith's friendship and threw in their own opinions that Joe wanted to be a Celtic, in-fact..the only team he(Smith) ever personally commented about was Cleveland.

I'd take Aldridge's report about this with a grain of salt.

Aldridge is a pretty connected guy. I am sure more so than yourself.

I totally agree, but the fact that Joe Smith never commented about playing for Boston, and the fact that he didn't pursue a buy-out until Ben broke his leg is a pretty telling sign that Boston wasn't necessarily his "preferred destination".

Celtics_85 nailed it. If Danny wanted him and he wanted to be here it would have happened. Contrary to what seems to be a prevailing thought here, Danny has more information to go off of than the RealGM news feed.

And to the comment that Danny made all the right moves last year and has missed the boat this year: Really? Did we not just get the best midseason addition you could get in Marbury? Did we not just add a legit 7 footer to our bench?

Based on Ainge's track record I am guessing that either Smith did not really want to come here or that Moore is the better player for us right now. Ainge has been right on in terms of player evaluation and fit so I think we should relax and enjoy this. We are going to ewin another ring.

InBoobieWeTrust wrote:
I totally agree, but the fact that Joe Smith never commented about playing for Boston, and the fact that he didn't pursue a buy-out until Ben broke his leg is a pretty telling sign that Boston wasn't necessarily his "preferred destination".

Why did he actually say "I'm going to Cleveland"? Players don't always say what they feel. A couple of days ago he said he was happy with Oklahoma.

I would be very surprised to see Scal return this season. His symptoms and the descriptions of what he has been experiencing of late scare the heck out of me...

Celtics’ Scalabrine set for MRI to determine severity of head injury

cfan79 wrote:

InBoobieWeTrust wrote:
I totally agree, but the fact that Joe Smith never commented about playing for Boston, and the fact that he didn't pursue a buy-out until Ben broke his leg is a pretty telling sign that Boston wasn't necessarily his "preferred destination".

Why did he actually say "I'm going to Cleveland." Player don't always say what they feel. A couple of days ago he said he was happy with Oklahoma.

Well, the thing is, he never said anything about Boston...and said he'd be interested in the Cavs a few months back....but it just makes no sense that his most desired destination was Boston since he didn't want a buy-out when they would have signed him.

Doesn't matter now though, he'll be a Cav on Wednesday morning for sure, but I just was a little taken aback by that comment that Aldridge made, considering the events that have transpired in regards to the situation.