The Joe Smith Contribution

Post #1 » by **jman3134** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:11 am

Throughout this series, Smith has been money. This guy came out of relative obscurity- well relative to other seasons, and is now one of the most solid contributors on the Cavs. Many have called him a huge bust because of he is a former number 1 pick, but his value and experience has really come out in these playoffs. His midrange game is dynamite and Joe is very strong inside- snatching loose balls and grabbing rebounds amidst crowds of Celtics. I'm thoroughly impressed so far. We'll see if he can keep it up.

L&H_05 · Post #2 » by **L&H_05** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:13 am

Joe has been excellent... A true vet that hustles on both ends..

LBJ has been struggling, but I think you're seeing first hand a young player trying his hardest to make his teammates better... People rip him on it, but he's doing his best with what he has..

Also.. Just look at some of the 1995 draft guys that are really contributing to their teams... Smith, McDyess, Stack, Sheed, KG, Finley, Kurt Thomas etc....

Post #3 » by **miller31time** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:02 am

I considered it a steal when the Cavs got Smith as a "throw in" in their trade with Chicago.

Joe Smith was the Bulls' most consistent player, in my honest opinion. He was great for them in the time he spent in Chicago.

The most underrated aspect of his game is his man defense. It's very solid. He's one of the few players in the league who can completely shut down Antawn Jamison (as evidence by the time he was guarding him in the CLE/WAS series).

People get too caught up in the #1 pick thing. Fact is that he's a solid role player with longevity.

Post #4 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:18 am

He's a darn good fit in the Cavs big man rotation especially since Brown really doesn't like playing any of his big more than 30 mins or so. He really likes those guys to bring energy on the defensive end.

Blazing_royale · Post #5 » by **Blazing_royale** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:50 am

Andrea Bargnani will turn into a Joe Smith in the future...

Post #6 » by **Icness** » Tue May 13, 2008 12:14 pm

He's been exactly what the Cavs needed--a savvy veteran rudder who does all the little things that winners do. There's not 5 guys in the league who set better picks and understand how to set them up for the ballhandler to use them. He blocks out, he denies post position, he never misses a defensive rotation, he spaces the floor well, he rebounds strong, and that midrange high-arcing jumper is still effective.

I've always found he reminds me a bit of Larry Nance, another criminally underappreciated PF with similar skills, though Nance was an awesome shot blocker and had a little better range. And those 80s/early 90s Cavs teams went from being legit contenders to just being pretty good once he left.

walchy · Post #7 » by **walchy** » Tue May 13, 2008 12:56 pm

hes severely underrated because of his former no.1 status.

although he could have been much more succesful, he has one of the best midrange games in the league, and brings a swagger, attitude and confidence, as well as leadership and an air of responsibility to other players, to ever team he plays for. i has a big effect beyond the court, and the stats

lukeridenour · Post #8 » by **lukeridenour** » Tue May 13, 2008 1:10 pm

joe has been absolutely awesome. hes been pretty consistent all year. he played very very well on chicago and i think exceed many expectations there. he hasnt gotten the same level of playing time on the cavs in the reg season but his contributions now are definitely why they brought him over.

Kosar86 · Post #9 » by **Kosar86** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:28 pm

I didnt really expect much when the Cavs got him, but he has played pretty well for them.

Rasheeed!!! · Post #10 » by **Rasheeed!!!** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:22 pm

Joe's fit in on every team he's played on. He's the deffinition of a pro.

boomann21 · Post #11 » by **boomann21** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:05 pm

Blazing_royale wrote:Andrea Bargnani will turn into a Joe Smith in the future...

A kinder and softer Joe smith

7r5ur · Post #12 » by **7r5ur** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:09 pm

Joe has always been a bit underrated. Constantly kills the Pistons.

Benedict_Boozer · Post #13 » by **Benedict_Boozer** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:44 am

Rasheeed!!! wrote:Joe's fit in on every team he's played on. He's the deffinition of a pro.

Yup. Well said.

rutheredfox · Post #14 » by **rutheredfox** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:48 am

WARRRRRRRRRRIORS

rutheredfox · Post #15 » by **rutheredfox** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:52 am

joe smith > kg. todd fuller > kobe

rutheredfox · Post #16 » by **rutheredfox** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:59 am

how can i forget foyle>tmac

http://www.last.fm/user/DPF55 · Post #17 » by **Buck You** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:23 am

Blazing_royale wrote:Andrea Bargnani will turn into a Joe Smith in the future...

He hopes he will. Joe Smith once averaged 19 and 9 in a season.

Post #18 » by **Young_Star11** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:09 am

A decent player. Hard to call him a bust because he has contributed, and still is.