Josh Smith seems to desperately want to play for the Celtics

[theswitch]

“When you’re playing in an environment like the Boston Garden, they have probably the best fans,” Smith paused, and then thought better of completely throwing Atlanta fans under the bus, adding, “some of the best fans in the whole entire league. Like I said before, I was a little jealous, you know what I mean?

“The fans out here are so supportive of their team,” he said. “You go out and look in the stands, there’s nothing but Celtics jerseys and I don’t see a trace of red in there, you know what I mean? Understanding that the fans are that passionate, it adds an extra advantage for them. A bad shot can be as good as a turnover when you’re playing against a team like Boston, especially with the fanbase that they have.”

Between these comments and his relationship with Rondo, I can't think of a team Josh would rather go to. I know the board is split over whether or not he'd be a great fit, but hurling compliments right after a game like that is awesome to hear.

[wdleehi]

After hurling up a terrible outside shot towards the end of the 4th quarter.


And that is with better options out there (Johnson from the outside or Horford inside)

Now imagine him on a Celtics team with the other top player being Rondo. 


Too much money for a near star.

[snively]

Those Atlanta regular season crowds are pretty pathetic and they have been for awhile.  Remember that Dion Glover (former Hawk) quote: "We try to treat the road like it's a home game. We ain't got no fans at home, neither."

As for Josh in Boston, I think a Rondo/Smith pairing would compare nicely to the Kidd/K-Mart tandem that was so effective for NJ. 

[theswitch]

After hurling up a terrible outside shot towards the end of the 4th quarter.


And that is with better options out there (Johnson from the outside or Horford inside)

Now imagine him on a Celtics team with the other top player being Rondo. 


Too much money for a near star.

I'm not really on the get-Josh bandwagon, but I can't really blame him for that shot. He got the ball with 7 seconds left on the shot clock and had to either take a bad shot with 5 seconds left (once he got control of everything) that he was comfortable with or drive to the hoop and risk a wild one. In some cases, I'd rather my player take a jump shot than risk going out of control to the basket in an attempt to create in under 5 seconds. 5 seconds is a long time, but I can see why Josh panicked. Horford's the one who passed him the ball and was at the 3-point line, and Johnson wasn't really open either. He had to do something in 5 seconds, and that's a lot to ask of a player.

[wdleehi]

After hurling up a terrible outside shot towards the end of the 4th quarter.


And that is with better options out there (Johnson from the outside or Horford inside)

Now imagine him on a Celtics team with the other top player being Rondo. 


Too much money for a near star.

I'm not really on the get-Josh bandwagon, but I can't really blame him for that shot. He got the ball with 7 seconds left on the shot clock and had to either take a bad shot with 5 seconds left (once he got control of everything) that he was comfortable with or drive to the hoop and risk a wild one. In some cases, I'd rather my player take a jump shot than risk going out of control to the basket in an attempt to create in under 5 seconds. 5 seconds is a long time, but I can see why Josh panicked. Horford's the one who passed him the ball and was at the 3-point line, and Johnson wasn't really open either. He had to do something in 5 seconds, and that's a lot to ask of a player.

This is not a one time occurrence.  Josh Smith falls in love with his outside jump shot that is not very good.

[FrDrake]

Taking on Josh Smith as a salary dump would be an ideal move this summer for the Cs.  ATL is known to be cheap (except when they decide to grossly overpay J Johnson or Marvin Williams) and I could see them wanting to move J Smooth as a salary dump + a future pick + role/young player or something like that.  Saving $13 million in future salary commitments may be a big deal to ATL.

We all know the FA pool this summer will be extremely shallow.  I see the Cs letting Ray Allen walk and resigning KG for a one year deal worth about 10 million.  

This upgrades the team with Smith starting instead of Bass and rolls about 22-24 million dollars in cap space over until the 2013-14 season since J-Smith and KG would expire together.  This equals maximum cap flexibility for DA.

[theswitch]

After hurling up a terrible outside shot towards the end of the 4th quarter.


And that is with better options out there (Johnson from the outside or Horford inside)

Now imagine him on a Celtics team with the other top player being Rondo. 


Too much money for a near star.

I'm not really on the get-Josh bandwagon, but I can't really blame him for that shot. He got the ball with 7 seconds left on the shot clock and had to either take a bad shot with 5 seconds left (once he got control of everything) that he was comfortable with or drive to the hoop and risk a wild one. In some cases, I'd rather my player take a jump shot than risk going out of control to the basket in an attempt to create in under 5 seconds. 5 seconds is a long time, but I can see why Josh panicked. Horford's the one who passed him the ball and was at the 3-point line, and Johnson wasn't really open either. He had to do something in 5 seconds, and that's a lot to ask of a player.

This is not a one time occurrence.  Josh Smith falls in love with his outside jump shot that is not very good.

Oh, I completely agree. I just feel that he's being unfairly targeted for that last shot.

[mgent]

Good then he'll have no problem signing here for whatever's left after we sign Dwight.

[Fafnir]

Yeah Smith really wants out of Atlanta and I'm betting Rondo and he have chatted about playing together again for a long time.

[mctyson]

After hurling up a terrible outside shot towards the end of the 4th quarter.

But that doesn't happen on a Celtics team with Pierce and Rondo on the floor.  Smith doesn't even touch the ball, unless it is an emergency.

I am torn on Josh Smith. His skill set is EXACTLY what this team needs - sheer athleticism at the 3/4, rebounding, and of course he is perfect for our defensive nature.

I don't get worked up about the attitude stuff, because Pierce and Rondo have both had plenty of those moments and where would we be without them?

I'd like to believe that if Josh Smith came to an organization and a fan base that gives a [dang], with a no nonsense leadership (Danny, Doc) and veterans that would make sure he knows his role...that he could really flourish and fulfill his potential.  

Or he could just be making a pitch since he knows we have the cap space for a max contract

[BballTim]

After hurling up a terrible outside shot towards the end of the 4th quarter.


And that is with better options out there (Johnson from the outside or Horford inside)

Now imagine him on a Celtics team with the other top player being Rondo. 


Too much money for a near star.

  I think playing with Rondo will make his decision making look better. He'll probably trade in a lot of those jumpers for slams.

[Fafnir]

As much as I was estatic when he took that long jump shot, Rondo was similarly induced to shoot a jumpshot several times by Atlanta successfully cutting down the first and second options.

Just like the C's did to the Hawks.

[cons]

so he's not a free agent then right? just wants to be traded?

i think with doc and this team he could really work out pretty well. seems like it could be a good move - at the right price.

[letsgoblue86]

I'm sure Danny could come up with a deal involving our picks this year.

[Fafnir]

I'm sure Danny could come up with a deal involving our picks this year.

Atlanta wouldn't be interested in such a paultry haul for Josh Smith.