The problem was in the first game matching up with Miami's line up. Bass on Battier doesn't work well. And once KG went out, no one could protect the rim. Bass just doesn't cut it as a starting PF.
He did well last season, but they also had no choice and know one really new his game. He was better coming off the bench. Now people run at him, he tries to make a dribble move and he looses it. On D he's not quick enough to recover. It's why the pick and roll D sucks right now. And the guy coming in after him is Sully who is still learning the system and is has the same problems as Bass.
We need a quick PF. Big Al doesn't help. Smith is the ideal player for the system. People say he's a knuckle head on the court, but who has he played with that ever set him straight. He'd have KG,PP and Rondo, and even Terry.
Now it will take a 3 or 4 team trade with one of them having some extra money and young potential players to make that deal happen. I'd hate to give up Lee with AB's tendency for injury, and also that it looks bad that a team tried like crazy to get a young guy only to trade him a few months later.
But that being said if AB comes in like he did at the end of last season he's as good as Lee with Better D, but giving up some size. But I'd rather some how keep both. I think they fill each others weakness's .
So Bass/Melo/Barbosa/Joseph would be on the block right now. I know it doesn't quite match up for Smith's salary, but get a third team in there it could work.