Priority: Josh Smith and Eric Gordon

[RJ87]

Its kind of interesting to see Josh get trashed in this thread - it touches on a comment I made a few months ago in a different about Celtics fans. Some of us spend so much time pining away for players who want no part of Boston (CP3, D12), but when a player shows interest in playing here (Boston was one of Josh Smith's reported trade preferences and OJ Mayo has commented on playing next to Rondo in the past) fans turn their noses up. I guess that's the nature of the beast though, want what you can't have and don't appreciate what you can have.

[dlpin]

Its kind of interesting to see Josh get trashed in this thread - it touches on a comment I made a few months ago in a different about Celtics fans. Some of us spend so much time pining away for players who want no part of Boston (CP3, D12), but when a player shows interest in playing here (Boston was one of Josh Smith's reported trade preferences and OJ Mayo has commented on playing next to Rondo in the past) fans turn their noses up. I guess that's the nature of the beast though, want what you can't have and don't appreciate what you can have.

We can have Antoine Walker too. Doesn't mean we should.

[paintitgreen]

Its kind of interesting to see Josh get trashed in this thread - it touches on a comment I made a few months ago in a different about Celtics fans. Some of us spend so much time pining away for players who want no part of Boston (CP3, D12), but when a player shows interest in playing here (Boston was one of Josh Smith's reported trade preferences and OJ Mayo has commented on playing next to Rondo in the past) fans turn their noses up. I guess that's the nature of the beast though, want what you can't have and don't appreciate what you can have.

Solid point. I think the problem is that Smith just represents the mediocrity everybody wants to avoid. Making the playoffs every year but with a team that's at best going to the conference semis. If you're building around Rondo and Smith, that's your ceiling. And you're very likely to make the playoffs building around those two, so you don't have the eternal hope of the lottery pick before the actual lottery is conducted (with visions of Duncans and Durants dancing in our heads). Which means the chance of adding another starter is low.

I for one would have no problem bringing in Smith this summer if (A) KG wants to go elsewhere to chase another ring and (B) the Celtics don't have to give up anything to get him - just absorb the last year of his contract ($13.2 mil). A year of Rondo throwing lobs to Smith would be a fun bridge between the Big Three era and the inevitable tank that will occur if one of the two picks this year doesn't become an All Star caliber player. But I certainly would have doubts about signing him to a long term contract at anything above $9 mil a year. Under the new CBA, I think you've got to be getting an All Star to give a guy more than $10 mil a year and Smith is not that. Quality starter with some NBA skills but flawed enough that he's not worth making into a cornerstone. (Though he is only 26 years old.)

[Mr October]

Its kind of interesting to see Josh get trashed in this thread - it touches on a comment I made a few months ago in a different about Celtics fans. Some of us spend so much time pining away for players who want no part of Boston (CP3, D12), but when a player shows interest in playing here (Boston was one of Josh Smith's reported trade preferences and OJ Mayo has commented on playing next to Rondo in the past) fans turn their noses up. I guess that's the nature of the beast though, want what you can't have and don't appreciate what you can have.

Solid point. I think the problem is that Smith just represents the mediocrity everybody wants to avoid. Making the playoffs every year but with a team that's at best going to the conference semis. If you're building around Rondo and Smith, that's your ceiling. And you're very likely to make the playoffs building around those two, so you don't have the eternal hope of the lottery pick before the actual lottery is conducted (with visions of Duncans and Durants dancing in our heads). Which means the chance of adding another starter is low.

I for one would have no problem bringing in Smith this summer if (A) KG wants to go elsewhere to chase another ring and (B) the Celtics don't have to give up anything to get him - just absorb the last year of his contract ($13.2 mil). A year of Rondo throwing lobs to Smith would be a fun bridge between the Big Three era and the inevitable tank that will occur if one of the two picks this year doesn't become an All Star caliber player. But I certainly would have doubts about signing him to a long term contract at anything above $9 mil a year. Under the new CBA, I think you've got to be getting an All Star to give a guy more than $10 mil a year and Smith is not that. Quality starter with some NBA skills but flawed enough that he's not worth making into a cornerstone. (Though he is only 26 years old.)

TP. You are spot on. Although Smith defensive skills could make him worth 12/year.

[paintitgreen]

TP. You are spot on. Although Smith defensive skills could make him worth 12/year.

From watching KG and Duncan for the past 15 years, true defensive ability at the 4 isn't captured in numbers and is more reflected in things like consistency, communication, and focus, areas where Smith doesn't necessarily excel.

Now, Smith's shotblocking and steals could absolutely get him $12 mil a year. That doesn't make him worth $12 mil a year. That's why I'd be hesitant to sign him longterm at that kind of money with the new luxury tax coming in. For a year or two, if you're mostly playing and developing guys on rookie contracts and so have the spare space, maybe you pay him a little more. But long term, I'd want to see consistent dedication to team defense, which I think he's definitely capable of but hasn't really shown to date.

And he's still a second choice for me, I'd prefer a couple more years of Garnett teaching a generation of young bigs how to play defense. Like Doc said in talking about Bass's performance this year, "if you play with KG, you're going to get better defensively." KG could add a lot of value to guys like Johnson (Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last year, so he has some tools and desire on that end) and hopefully another big that we pick in this draft, whoever it may be.

[Celtics4ever]

His FG% and shot selection are abyssmal other than that he is a fine player.  I love his athletic ability and blocked shots.   I think he would be able to improve the shot selection with the right coach.  I think improving his shot selection would improve his FG%.

[dlpin]

His FG% and shot selection are abyssmal other than that he is a fine player.  I love his athletic ability and blocked shots.   I think he would be able to improve the shot selection with the right coach.  I think improving his shot selection would improve his FG%.

His shot selection is abysmal because of a frequent lack of effort. This isn't a player that always plays hard but sometimes takes dumb shots. This is a player who is unbelievable when he cares, but frequently takes plays off, walks the ball up court (not even passing to the PG), and so on.

[LooseCannon]

He has poor shot selection because, like Glen Davis, he thinks he is a good jump shooter.  He takes shots that he thinks he is supposed to be taking, even when he is told not to.

[Swoopz]

As a Georgian, I'm obligated to root for and watch the Hawks, and I just gotta say, if you're easily frustrated by Rondo, you will HATE Josh Smith. One game they could both get triple doubles and dominate on both sides of the court, and then the next could be 40 minutes of Rondo dribbling out the clock until he or Smith take a long range jumper.

[Celtics4ever]

This is a player who is unbelievable when he cares, but frequently takes plays off, walks the ball up court (not even passing to the PG), and so on

Rondo's psychic twin, eh?   I love Rajon but his effort level is often uneven at best.

[chambers]

These guys are the last thing we need.
We are supposed to compete with the Heat and Bulls for the next 5 years with Rondo, Smith and Gordon limping up the court every 10 games?

We need to go to the draft.
I wouldn't even mind Eric Gordon+Rondo but Smith is going to need a jumpshot to do us any favors.
Imagine the shooting slumps with Gordon resting and Smith and Rondo taking 15 footers with 4 seconds on the shot clock. Eeeeekk.

Blow this bad boy up and rebuild from scratch around Rondo.