If the Sixers had the chance to steal 1 of these 2 players

[The Sixer Fixer]

Asking Smith to be a post player isn't really playing to his strengths, which right now are in transition and as a face up PF. If he ever gets any consistency in his shot (which is still very much a work in progress), PF's won't have a chance of staying in front of him off the dribble.

In a half court set, I don't think Smith has any "strengths" on offense right now. He's not a good shooter, he doesn't have a great handle so that really limits his ability to take him man off the dribble. If he's not going to be a post player, I really don't want him as our future PF. How many teams in the NBA have been able to win with virtually NO post scoring at all? I doubt there's too many (if any). Smith's style will no opne up the offense for anyone. It might work well if we had a dominant post player at C. Smith could draw the opposing PF out and allow the C to go 1 on 1 in the post. Sam isn't that type of C though since he prefers to face up and take mostly jumpers.

Again, I would love to have a talent like Smith, just don't see him as a 4 on a champioship team in the NBA. Love his potential at the 3 spot. Smith is the guy I wanted over Andre the year they came out. I just see him with a lot more upside than Andre.

[Sixerscan]

beggars cant be choosers

[76erinSJ]

I would choose Smith too. Sammy Smith Thad Iggy and Miller with Green Evans Lou and Smith off the bench isnt bad. Draft or PG of the future. Stanford, can you change your pic. Everytime I see it I think Ricky is posting.

[LieCheatSteal]

As a Raptor fan, it's going to be very hard to see Calderon go but I think Calderon's a better pick up for the Sixers. Yes, Smith has been playing PF for 1+ years now but he's not a true PF and not a player you need ie a post up PF or C. In my mind, a championship team consists of a playmaking PG, scoring SG, a defensive SF who shoots threes, a postup scoring rebounding PF and a defensive rebounding center. Calderon fits the PG spot. Smith fits more the defensive SF rather than the postup PF.

[SendEm]

People just like Smith because he came out of High School, he's a terrific in game dunker that won the slam dunk contest, and he's an excellent weak side shot blocker for his height. With that said he doesn't have a single real desirable skill that's really worth PAYING big money to acquire. He's neither a shooter, ball handler, rebounder, scorer, low post defender, low post scorer, nor a slasher/driver. NOTHING! Right now he's just a VERY good perimeter defender, weakside shotblocker, and fast break/transition dunker. He's the ultimate big money bust waiting too happen.

If Josh Smith isn't at most the 4th best player on a team then I think that team will be a non contender. The other players will have to make up for too many of his deficiencies for him to be any more than a #4. He doesn't even average double figure rebounds or shoot over 45%. He's a bum player that is a terrific fantasy basketball selection but in reality he causes losses with a low skill level and basketball IQ.

[Sixercise]

he doesn't have a single real desirable skill that's really worth PAYING big money to acquire. He's neither a shooter, ball handler, rebounder, scorer, low post defender, low post scorer, nor a slasher/driver. NOTHING! Right now he's just a VERY good perimeter defender, weakside shotblocker, and fast break/transition dunker.

What do you mean by big money? What numbers are we talking about???

Not a rebounder? 8 a game isn't worthy to be deemed 'not a rebounder'. Heh.

Not a scorer, eh? So the 18.1 PPG means nothing then. Interesting.

He doesn't even average double figure rebounds or shoot over 45%. He's a bum player that is a terrific fantasy basketball selection but in reality he causes losses with a low skill level and basketball IQ.

Like I said before, you really crack me up.


Causes losses? Hahahahahaha....that'd be something legit if you were talking about John Salmons. But seriously, on a team as young & inexperienced as Atlanta, do you really expect a great number of wins?

[phiphan]

Does Calderon play defense? (honest question).
Only time I have seen him is in our games against the Raps -- he looks ok (in the +) on 82games.com.

[SendEm]

Calderon plays defense but it's ineffective. His defense is like Steve Nash's defense. He gives full effort but guys like Chauncey Billups outclass him. A team may be sorry that they overpaid for a backup PG in the near future. He's a wonderful offensive player but in the playoffs he will be a weak link. I believe the playoffs will make or break his value. He would be better served to not make the playoffs.

[Sixerscan]

His defense is much better than Nash's. Unlike Nash he has the size to better deal with the Billups' of the world (about 30 pounds heavier)

[The Sixer Fixer]

Does Calderon play defense? (honest question).
Only time I have seen him is in our games against the Raps -- he looks ok (in the +) on 82games.com.

He plays D like Lou Williams plays D. Doesn't fight through screens...lets his man go right by him with relative ease. Gets some steals by playing passing lanes. At best, I would classify him as a below average on ball defender.

If I had to compare his overall game to one player, I would say he reminds me a lot of Steve Nash. He's got great vision and can penetrate a kick. Both are very accurate shooters from anywhere on the court. Neither guy is real good defensively.

[The Sixer Fixer]

Wow, that's weird. I was comparing him to Nash (overall) and during my post I see someone else did the same.

[SendEm]

His defense is much better than Nash's. Unlike Nash he has the size to better deal with the Billups' of the world (about 30 pounds heavier)

He may have the size but he doesn't have the toughness/desire to make ANY use of it. Billups did anything he wanted to do against Jose. Atleast with Nash his offensive abilities offset his defensive deficiencies. With Calderon his offense is not that good to overlook him being guaranteed to be dominated by Billups in a game planed playoff setting. But hopefully for Toronto his offense steps up a notch in the playoffs and doesn't stay the same while the rest of the NBA steps it up. He's a backup PG, anything more than that and your team is in trouble.

Here are his stats from matchups against the best PG's:

Andre Miller 20 points 5 assists vs. Calderon 8 points 11 assists
Chauncey Billups 20 points 4 ass vs. Calderon 8 points 5 assists
Andre Miller 14 points 7 assists vs. Calderon 17 points 9 assists
Chris Paul 23 and 16 vs. Calderon 17 and 12
Tony Parker 15 and 4 vs. Calderon 14 and 5
Nash 7 and 16 vs Calderon 15 and 4

If he consistently gets out performed during the regular season by the better players, he has no hope to be able to compete in the playoffs.

[dbodner]

Does Calderon play defense? (honest question).

I haven't seen it. Every time I've seen him play, he's been pretty bad defensively. he has decent size, so he may one day be "below average", but I don't think defense will ever be a strongpoint in his game.

[The Sixer Fixer]

SendEm - I agree with you to an extent about Calderon, but based on the numbers you threw out there, he was as good if not better than who he played against in those games. You list 2 games vs. Miller. Calderon cleary wins one of the 2 and if you add pts and pts off asssits, the other matchup is dead even.

Miller - 20 pts + 5 assits = 30 pts (assuming all the assists are 2 pts baskets)
Calderon - 8 pts + 11 assists = 30 pts (I'm betting many of the assists were on 3 pt shots so this is probably low)

Chirs Paul may be the best PG in the league, so no one expects him to win the #'s game vs. him.

His #'s vs Parker are about even.

I know what you were trying to say with your post, but your examples didn't prove much to me.

[SendEm]

SendEm - I agree with you to an extent about Calderon, but based on the numbers you threw out there, he was as good if not better than who he played against in those games. You list 2 games vs. Miller. Calderon cleary wins one of the 2 and if you add pts and pts off asssits, the other matchup is dead even.

Miller - 20 pts + 5 assits = 30 pts (assuming all the assists are 2 pts baskets)
Calderon - 8 pts + 11 assists = 30 pts (I'm betting many of the assists were on 3 pt shots so this is probably low)

Chirs Paul may be the best PG in the league, so no one expects him to win the #'s game vs. him.

His #'s vs Parker are about even.

I know what you were trying to say with your post, but your examples didn't prove much to me.

Did you not see the Chauncey Billups game? Billups had 20 and 4 Calderon had 8 and 5...

[The Sixer Fixer]

Fine, that's 1 game. One or two game examples do not make a very strong argument. I'm not going to debate you that Billups is a tough matchup since Calderon is weak defensively (and Billups is an above average defensive PG).

[SendEm]

Fine, that's 1 game. One or two game examples do not make a very strong argument. I'm not going to debate you that Billups is a tough matchup since Calderon is weak defensively (and Billups is an above average defensive PG).

There is nothing to debate. The stats clearly show that he has a far greater chance of being outplayed when he is matched up against talented PG's.

[The Sixer Fixer]

He's also very young compared to guys like Nash, Miller, Billups and others. This is the first season Calderon has been given extensive minutes as a starter and he's already proven himself to be one of the best PG's at setting up his teammates. Neither Nash or Billups were half the player they are now when they were in their 3rd year in the league. Calderon is better than both of them were in their 3rd year.

[tk76]

People in the Raps forum general say is a below average defensive PG- but he is a good offensive pg who takes care of the ball and has a good shot. I think his A/TO is about the best in the league.

[SendEm]

Calderon is 26 years of age. I don't expect him to ever be able to learn how to defend elite level PG's at that age. Anything short of him being able to play MVP level offense like Nash and Iverson will continue to make him a weak link especially after he receives a big time contract with big time expectations. He's a great backup PG. His overall effect on a basketball game reminds me of Dana Barros and Michael Adams, good, but definitely not good enough...