Would anyone have preferred Josh Smith?

[tk76]

Don't take this the wrong way. From a pure W/L perspective, Brand was the perfect fit for this team- and I am ecstatic that Ed was able to sign him...

But as a basketball fan, there is still this sense of missing out on something truly unique by not adding Josh Smith. There have been some great athletic teams over the years, but I can't think of any team that would have matched the combination of youth and athletasism the Sixers could have put on the floor with Lou-Iguodala-Young-JSmith-Sam. Preights, Jason Smith and even Willie Green would have fit in well.

Again, I realize the Sixers are better and more balanced with Brand. I just think it would have been a great ride to be able to watch that super-athletic team develop. Also, getting Speights as the future low post scorer alleviated some concern over the teams lack of post scoring.

I will enjoy these next few seasons with Brand- especially if the meet their potential to be a contender. I just still feel I small bit of what-if thinking about the entertainment value we could have seen had the team ended up with Smith instead of Brand.

[freshie2]

Tough call...Brand is a known commodity, while nobody can say with certainty what Smith will become. I was very pumped when it looked like Smith was coming b/c of the tremendous upside they would have had with Iguodala/Young/Smith, but getting Brand is still a huge upgrade for this franchise, and I think was the right move. Smith could prove everyone wrong, but I don't think we should second guess the move 1 game into the new era.

[Mik317]

I wanted Smith nore than Brand for selfish reasons ( I LIKA TEH DUNKZ).

but it's too early to say.

the thing we need to grasp is that until we can make open shots the post will be packed in. So I nver actually thought that getting a post up guy on a team that can't shoot was a great idea.....that's why I wasn't as OMG WEEZ GOT BRAND like most....temper your expectations a bit. Plus 13 rebounds and Sammy getting 17 is **** beatsly....

[Skates]

Athletically Smith is interesting, but he is also a potential major head case. After experiencing the death throes of the Iverson-Webber era I will happily steer clear of guys like him. It is one thing to tolerate that kind of stuff in a real superstar/franchise player like AI, but for a second tier guy like Smith all the dunks in the world likely wouldn't be worth the headaches.

[The Guilty Party]

Smith was interesting but I didn't/don't feel that the addition of Smith would be enough to make this team as big of a contender as it is right now. Granted, I still think we're a year or two away from really competing but I do think we're better off with Brand.

[tk76]

TGP- I agree 100%. Brand gives them the best shot to contend in the next 2-3 years. I just wonder what might have been in terms of the entertainment value of the team they could have fielded with Smith. But I guess ultimately winning is the most entertaining thing of all.

[Skates]

Although he isn't quite the athlete Jsoh Smith is, Marreese Speights is a heck of an athlete for a very big man. He will be entertaining to watch once he gets going, plus we have the more blue collar winner in Brand. All is good.

[STChaser]

Have to agree with Skates 100%. I wanted Smith as well. That being said, I think that Speights has major potential. For example, in tonight's game, he played trash minutes and still had two of the best highlights of the entire game. It's my impression that Speights is going to be one of the top three players drafted this year.

STChaser

[jmon]

No. Brand >Smith. When brand is on one leg in 7 years, he will still be better than Smith. book it.

[Alex_De_Large]

Josh Smith would only be better option for the future. With Brand you are only 1 piece (not a superstar who iam talking about) of be a contender for the championship in every way.

[tk76]

No doubt Brand is the more needed, and better player- but imagine J Smith running with this team.

Its like having an exciting, athletic team and deciding on whether to add a 29 year old Bird or a 23 year old Dominique. Bird is the better player, but the entertainment value is higher with 'Nique.

If the Sixer win it all with Brand then it was the right move, no questions asked. If the Sixers end up never making the finals, then I think I would choose the good, jawdropping athletic team with Smith over the more rounded team with Brand.

Is there a team in NBA history that was more athletic than the Sixers would have been with Smith?

Lou
Iguodala
Young
Smith
Sam

Bench: Carney, Speights, Jason Smith, Grenn

Not a finals contender unless a bunch of players improve to be stars, but it could have been one of the most exciting teams ever to watch.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Have to agree with Skates 100%. I wanted Smith as well. That being said, I think that Speights has major potential. For example, in tonight's game, he played trash minutes and still had two of the best highlights of the entire game. It's my impression that Speights is going to be one of the top three players drafted this year.

STChaser

Quoted for emphasis. Speights looks ready now with his activity around the basket. Sure, he might be 5-10 pounds too light. But I wish Geiger would see the kid's poise in the post and his mid range jumper. Even he admitted that big man defense takes 1-2 years to develop, but Speights's weak side shotblocking ability makes up for that. Kind of a more athletic, better version of Jason Smith.

And when I say that, I'm only referring to his likely play this year. Next year, I expect him to take a major step like Thad Young has. He might even take the step during the season.

[Tension]

I think a better question is, would anyone have preferred Al Thorton? I love Thad and would probably flip flop our pick, but you put into question, who is our scorer?(A catagory Thorton seems to fit) Elton is putting up 20 a game, but he isn't banging the post as much as I thought he'd be since we can't hit an outside J still.

[LongLiveHinkie]

No. Josh Smith is a wing players who plays the 4. He's overrated.

[Skates]

I think a better question is, would anyone have preferred Al Thorton? I love Thad and would probably flip flop our pick, but you put into question, who is our scorer?(A catagory Thorton seems to fit) Elton is putting up 20 a game, but he isn't banging the post as much as I thought he'd be since we can't hit an outside J still.

Elton has always played an inside-out game, he has never been solely a low post guy. He has a nice array of scoring moves from the foul line and in. As for Thornton, no freraking way. If Mo had any freaking sense he would start running actual plays for Thad who is a much better player than Thornton. Thad is a natural scorer, much more so than Iggy, and a better all around player than Thornton who gets all of the hsots he wants on the Clips.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

He never has been that guy. But he was always more of a mid-range to low-post guy of guy who's isolation is one of the best in basketball. I said when Brand is on his A Game, he is indeed one of the top forwards in basketball. He was on pace for a very similar game today, then Mo took him out of the paint. Then, you know the rest .

[Harry10]

Athletically Smith is interesting, but he is also a potential major head case. After experiencing the death throes of the Iverson-Webber era I will happily steer clear of guys like him. It is one thing to tolerate that kind of stuff in a real superstar/franchise player like AI, but for a second tier guy like Smith all the dunks in the world likely wouldn't be worth the headaches.

this is a misconception that i find exist every where but Atlanta. Hawks fans don't see this, and actually Hawks fans side with Smith alot more than Coach Woodson. their were two incidences i think that the national media picked up on, and in both incidences, Hawks fans agreed and sided with Smith. Woodson tends treat his players like college players, he has had confrontations with a few of the players, i don't know why the national media only reports it when it envolves Smith.

and one of the times, in a Nets game, Smith turned the ball over and allowed a fast break at the end of the game, Josh was very upset at himself, but because of the camera angle it looked like Smith was cursing at Woodson, but ESPN reported it as a disagreement.

[Skates]

Personally, my preferred second choice behind Brand was Biedrins, not Smith simply because Smith is not really a PF. I think Biedrins would score more at PF than he does at C, although his scoring at C is up considerably this year. Realistically, any contract to Smith or Biedrins would have been matched so it is academic anyway.

As for Smith being a head case, I don't mean in a Ron Artest sort of way, but the guy seems immature and overly emotional, always has and I have thought that well before the incidents with Woodson, true or not, came to light. He might well grow up in time, he might not, but after the Iverson/Webber fiasco we suffered I am glad to have more high character guys like Brand, Iggy and Young now.

[IversonsMother]

Smith isn't a head case. I actually think he is mature for his age.. Between the two, I prefer Brand. He is much better in the low post and a better rebounder and low post defender.. What we need is to start playing Rush more so when Brand gets doubled he can kick it out, or get a legit three point threat.

[Joseph17]

I can't see Smith becoming better than Brand is right now and I can't see Brand declining anytime soon. Brand is the better choice.