Are talks with Joe Smith Dead?

[Fan from VT]

Who says he has to start?  You've got 96 minutes between the PF and C spots in a game; I could easily Perk, KG, and 'Sheed all averaging around 30 a game, and I tend to think it would be better to have 'Sheed off the bench since his skillset is somewhat duplicitive with KG (at least on the offensive end; I'm fine with 'Sheed playing defense against centers).

He's be a key component to the team, whether starting or off the bench.  

Now, this would make having both BBD and Powe completely unnecessary; at most, there would be 15-20 minutes a game for another backup big.  Maybe you bring back whovever's going to be cheaper; I'd do what I could, within reason, to keep Powe around.  

It'd be like having a non-hippie Bill Walton off the bench again.

Personally, I'd rather have BBD around for the long term.  Much smarter player.

On Sheed?  Love to have him next season.  If we don't get him, I wouldn't be opposed to re-signing Moore, depending on how he does this year, of course.

I'm coming around to BBD, especially with how he's able to play D.  Still, it's so rare to see someone who's got such a classic low-post game; it's harder to find someone who can really score down low, versus a jump-shooting big man.  Maybe it's more valuable to have a big who can stay out of the way and stretch the D a little, I don't know - but I'm a sucker for old-school post-up play.

I'd much rather have Powe.
He and Perk are more physical player, where as KG and 'sheed aren't afraid to move towards the basket, their game is more geared towards jumpshots.
I feel like BBD's game is more along the lines of a shorter range 'sheed...and powe would be a great physical presence off the bench.

Baby can play inside too.  When he plays with Powe, he has to play on the outside.  When he plays with KG or otherwise gets to play inside, he rebounds well, he gets to use his passing skills and mix his game up a bit.  He's not a one trick pony.  It's the pairing with Powe that hurts his game, imo.  He's reduced to mainly a jumpshooter.

Because Powe always plays inside, he has the opportunity to be a good passer, but he never does it.  He would rather throw up a crap shot over three defenders than pass out of the post.  Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer to keep both to be honest.  It's just that I think in the long run, Baby's versatile game would be more useful.

However, financially, because Baby held out for a 2 year deal, any money for him will have to come from available exceptions, most likely cutting into the MLE. Powe, however, had a 3 year deal and thus is fully protected by Bird rights.

[Roy Hobbs]

However, financially, because Baby held out for a 2 year deal, any money for him will have to come from available exceptions, most likely cutting into the MLE. Powe, however, had a 3 year deal and thus is fully protected by Bird rights.

Actually, VT, we can still use the Early-Bird exception on BBD, which allows us to give him a raise up to the MLE amount, without actually having to use the MLE.

Powe, we can sign for any amount.

[pearljammer10]

Smith is going nowhere...Im sure the Celtics wouldnt have signed moore if they though that Smith might be available some how. Im happier with Moore...Smith is the better veteran but we needed a guy with size, length, and more athletisicm. Smith can score and provide great leadersgip but hes just another undersized power forward like bbd and powe, we needed another true 7 footer.

[Bankshot]

Smith is going nowhere...Im sure the Celtics wouldnt have signed moore if they though that Smith might be available some how. Im happier with Moore...Smith is the better veteran but we needed a guy with size, length, and more athletisicm. Smith can score and provide great leadersgip but hes just another undersized power forward like bbd and powe, we needed another true 7 footer.

Smith isn't undersized.  He's 6'10".

[Fafnir]

However, financially, because Baby held out for a 2 year deal, any money for him will have to come from available exceptions, most likely cutting into the MLE. Powe, however, had a 3 year deal and thus is fully protected by Bird rights.

Actually, VT, we can still use the Early-Bird exception on BBD, which allows us to give him a raise up to the MLE amount, without actually having to use the MLE.

Powe, we can sign for any amount.

I think it is fairly safe to say BBD will not command more than the MLE. So we can sign both without using any of the MLE. Whether or not that is financially viable depends on how much of the MLE we end up using on FAs. If we were to sign Sheed/McDyess/A wing that used up most of it I bet we'd let one of them go.

[Andy Jick]

Talks with Smith would be tampering unless OK City has given him permission to talk to other teams.  He hasn't been waived yet.

...unlike talks with marbury while he was still a knickerbocker, obviously.

New York gave other teams permission to contact Starbury.  As far as any of us know, that hasn't been done by OKC, although who knows?

The recent rumors are that Smith won't be bought out.  We'll see.

my bad...this soap opera has been playing out for so long that i forgot that part.

this is why you are THE roy hobbs...

[guava_wrench]

However, financially, because Baby held out for a 2 year deal, any money for him will have to come from available exceptions, most likely cutting into the MLE. Powe, however, had a 3 year deal and thus is fully protected by Bird rights.

Actually, VT, we can still use the Early-Bird exception on BBD, which allows us to give him a raise up to the MLE amount, without actually having to use the MLE.

Powe, we can sign for any amount.

If I was an NBA player, I would want Roy as my agent.