Craig Smith joining ranks...

[DWCP2]

Don't know about this move but it seems Pacers are having prelim talks with this guy. Played last two years for the trailblazers, prior to that he's had stints with the Clippers and Minnesota.

6-7, 265, sounds like a tweener 3/4 behind what is set to be a crowded positiion with Granger and George getting much of the minutes as it's doubtful he's gonna get much behind the likes of West, Hansbrough, Pendergraph, and even Plumlee at the PF position.

[granger05]

He's a guy that I think the advanced stats really like. I know I've heard good things about him over the years though he's never played a lot of minutes. I pulled up his player page on ESPN and Hollinger had this to say about him:

Smith remains one of the league's most underrated performers, because his flaws are obvious (he's short, stocky and can't jump or shoot), while his positives are subtle. Smith is a tremendous finisher in the paint area despite his lack of size, shooting 55.3 percent last season -- his fourth straight year above 55. Around the rim is his specialty: Despite being vertically challenged, he shot 67.3 percent in the basket area and drew a high rate of fouls. Moreover, he is as good as any big man I've ever seen at shooting floaters -- often off a quick move from the high post. Last season, he was 28-of-48 from 3-to-9 feet; while that's a small sample size, it's not uncommon territory for him.

Defensively, Smith compensates by fouling early and often -- only three power forwards did so more often than his 5.73 per 40 minutes -- and certainly his matchups need to be managed carefully. However, his numbers are quite competent; Synergy, adjusted plus-minus and 82games.com all show him to be a middle-of-the-pack defensive power forward. While that probably overstate things -- he was placed in situations where his defense was least likely to be exposed -- it shows his basketball acumen helps offset some of his physical limitations.

I'm not saying he's a star by any means. But he's a productive player on a bargain contract, one that the league largely overlooked in free agency twice because he didn't look like a basketball player.

I think if he was signed to a cheap contract then he'd certainly be worth it as a really nice role player, but I don't really see how he fits in with the already crowded frontcourt unless the plan is that he becomes another backup at SF with Gerald Green available to be the backup SG?

[SmashMouthRod]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uqAbNVMsLA&feature=fvwrel[/youtube]

He looks better than Pendergraph; If they get him and release Pender Im all for it.

[Crowman]

Lol this dude is a scrub end of bench 15th man kinda guy would be DNP pretty much every night

[SmashMouthRod]

Lol this dude is a scrub end of bench 15th man kinda guy would be DNP pretty much every night

I agree; So is Pender; and while Pender was terrible in summer league; this dude is at least experienced and has played some spotty minutes for garbage teams.

[Moooose]

I really don't know what happened with him getting not a lot of minutes. I liked him back in college.
I would agree that he is in a way better than Pendergraph because he's got better post-up skills and he's a lot stronger even if he's kinda short.

I would like him to take over Pendergraph's role.

[jowglenn]

Would be a great signing.

Craig Smith, as Hollinger says, is criminally underrated. I could absolutely see him taking the 5th big spot behind hibbert/mahinmi/west/hansbrough. And if we have an injury to anyone it would be good to have an experienced proven guy like Smith, instead of trying to rely on... what, pendergraph? plumlee?

[8305]

Is it possible the Pacers like Smith better than Tyler? I've barely seen Smith play but he's efficient while Tyler is painfully inefficient. And when it comes defense and rebounding at worst it sounds like a wash. Wonder if bringing in Smith could be a precursor to moving Tyler for future considerations of some sort. Same production far less money. Otherwise adding another big to this roster makes very little sense.

[Crowman]

Is it possible the Pacers like Smith better than Tyler? I've barely seen Smith play but he's efficient while Tyler is painfully inefficient. And when it comes defense and rebounding at worst it sounds like a wash. Wonder if bringing in Smith could be a precursor to moving Tyler for future considerations of some sort. Same production far less money. Otherwise adding another big to this roster makes very little sense.

Rubbish i hate Tyler as much as the nexy guy but please you are flattering Craig Smith to much

[Wizop]

wiretap says he went to Knicks so this thread can soon be closed.

[SuperReggie31]

Anyone with a nickname of "The Rhino" is worth a look at. Maybe just a training camp invitee on a non-guaranteed contract.

wiretap says he went to Knicks so this thread can soon be closed.

That was Chris Smith, brother of J.R. Smith.

[JeffFosters]

Lol this dude is a scrub end of bench 15th man kinda guy would be DNP pretty much every night

That's a fairly unsophisticated response. I take it you're just a passing NBA fan?

Smith is just a heck of a player. He can flat out score, and do so efficiently. If he was 6'10'' he'd be an above average starter.

You might mock the guys that are just outside the rotation, but one injury can force them onto the court, and they better be good if the Pacers want to go deep into the playoffs.

[MNPacersfan]

Hollinger pretty much hits Smith's skills right on the head there. He can score in any situation, an can score against bigger opponents. He used to play the C position for the Wolves on occasion. He cannot play the 3. His defense isn't terrible as far as defending penetration, but a lack of height (he's about 6'5" - I have a picture with him) and lack of vertical make it easy for opposing bigs to shoot over him.

I was fairly disappointed when the Wolves moved him, but it was all part of Kahn's housecleaning. Only K-Love remained after less than 12 months of the Kahn administration.

[Nuntius]

Sure, why not?