Spurs are interested in Josh Smith

[palangi]

if we could get smith for jax, bonner, mills, and a first round pick i would be all for it.

then trade blair for fab melo in boston. we would be set with some size and athleticism.

we could be really good.

[Spurious]

The problem with Josh Smith is that he's...Josh Smith. We see a young, big body that can run and jump and do a lot of other things that are hard to find in a single package. But Josh looks in the mirror and sees a blend of the best of Barkley, Olajuwon and Reggie Miller. He's so spotty from outside, but that doesn't stop him from bombing away at inappropriate times. He'll keep both teams in it. He all but single-handedly gave the Knicks a win a few weeks back by making three numbskull plays in the last 30 seconds. How do we know he'd suddenly qualify for Mensa membership by joining the Spurs? I love the physical talent but am scared of just how scattered he is at random times on the court.

[palangi]

i think smith would have a different makeup joining the spurs. he would be joining a winning team. vet leadership. a strong willed successful coach. and a true chance to win

[letmk]

I don't think you can give them Green. The wing defense is already taking a hit by sending out Jack. That leaves good defenders in Kawhi and Manu, who can only play limited minutes, and the detritus: DeColo, Mills, and Neal. None of them can really defend worth a .

Totally agreed. Any potential big trade has to involve Jack's expiring contract. So you can't trade away Green as well since that leaves us with enormous defense holes. For as much as Spurs fans hate Green for his weakness at defense, he is leaps and bounds better than other wings outside Kawhi and a limited Manu.

I was wondering for a while what it takes to get Dudley from the Suns.

[BatManu20]

I was wondering for a while what it takes to get Dudley from the Suns.

Talk about a defensive liability.. Dudley can shoot the 3, but his defense is awful. His foot speed is about on par with Spitters, only he has to guard SF's. It's bad news tbh.

[Chinook]

Totally agreed. Any potential big trade has to involve Jack's expiring contract. So you can't trade away Green as well since that leaves us with enormous defense holes. For as much as Spurs fans hate Green for his weakness at defense, he is leaps and bounds better than other wings outside Kawhi and a limited Manu.

I was wondering for a while what it takes to get Dudley from the Suns.

Not to pull a Paranoid Pop here, but I would imagine that Leonard would play a fair share of minutes at the two after this trade. Smith would start at the four, but once the subs come in, he'd probably move down to small-forward. The only way to Splitter, Diaw, Smith and Leonard to each play as much as they need to is for that to happen.

[jesterbobman]

OFF TOPIC RANT: Do people get that we've been really good with the TP-Green-Kawhi-TD-Spliiter lineup? With all the trade Green threads and desire to trade him, it seems that people are completely ignoring that. He isn't the main cause, but the Advanced +/- models normally put him as a small positive or neutral, Which makes him comfortably worth his contract. I just don't see how it makes sense to trade that when Manu is limited in minutes and Green is so superior to other options. It seems like the fact he's not Bruce Bowen makes him a terrible defensive player to some, while those same people want to move him and have Gary Neal play more.

If we can get Smith(or Millsap) without sacrificing starting lineup+Manu/Diaw then anything else is worthwhile. A trade basically has to involve S-Jax, and keeping options to cover SF minutes is smart.

[Pasta Batman]

Not to pull a Paranoid Pop here, but I would imagine that Leonard would play a fair share of minutes at the two after this trade. Smith would start at the four, but once the subs come in, he'd probably move down to small-forward. The only way to Splitter, Diaw, Smith and Leonard to each play as much as they need to is for that to happen.

So if they started it would be Parker/Leonard/Smith/Duncan/Splitter? That weakens the offense as Smith plays a position that depends on 3pt shooting. Since he would be a Spur so late into the season it would be better if he came off the bench. He should play a 4 role, not a 3 role (where it gives him more opportunity to shoot 3s).

[Pasta Batman]

OFF TOPIC RANT: Do people get that we've been really good with the TP-Green-Kawhi-TD-Spliiter lineup? With all the trade Green threads and desire to trade him, it seems that people are completely ignoring that. He isn't the main cause, but the Advanced +/- models normally put him as a small positive or neutral, Which makes him comfortably worth his contract. I just don't see how it makes sense to trade that when Manu is limited in minutes and Green is so superior to other options. It seems like the fact he's not Bruce Bowen makes him a terrible defensive player to some, while those same people want to move him and have Gary Neal play more.

If we can get Smith(or Millsap) without sacrificing starting lineup+Manu/Diaw then anything else is worthwhile. A trade basically has to involve S-Jax, and keeping options to cover SF minutes is smart.

, people were crapping on Bowen in his last years, saying his offense was so bad, he shouldn't start... Oh how fun it is.

[Chomag]

I know people here are usually against moves as they are very change phobic, but spurs landing Smith without giving up any of the big 3 would give them a competing chance against the heat for the championship. Not saying this is going to happen but if there is a chance this deal should get done.

[Brunodf]

OFF TOPIC RANT: Do people get that we've been really good with the TP-Green-Kawhi-TD-Spliiter lineup? With all the trade Green threads and desire to trade him, it seems that people are completely ignoring that. He isn't the main cause, but the Advanced +/- models normally put him as a small positive or neutral, Which makes him comfortably worth his contract. I just don't see how it makes sense to trade that when Manu is limited in minutes and Green is so superior to other options. It seems like the fact he's not Bruce Bowen makes him a terrible defensive player to some, while those same people want to move him and have Gary Neal play more.

If we can get Smith(or Millsap) without sacrificing starting lineup+Manu/Diaw then anything else is worthwhile. A trade basically has to involve S-Jax, and keeping options to cover SF minutes is smart.

Advanced stats show that Green is the weakest link of the starting 5.

[AFBlue]

During Pop's interview he basically stated that the Spurs don't bring in players who haven't gotten over themselves. Something tells me Josh "I'm a max player" Smith doesn't end up a Spur, no matter how much of an upgrade he represents.

[callo1]

So if they started it would be Parker/Leonard/Smith/Duncan/Splitter? That weakens the offense as Smith plays a position that depends on 3pt shooting. Since he would be a Spur so late into the season it would be better if he came off the bench. He should play a 4 role, not a 3 role (where it gives him more opportunity to shoot 3s).

While I understand your point of making a late trade acquisition, you need to keep in mind that after the RRT, the Spurs play a ton of home games with more time than normal to practice, thus being able to integrate new talent into the fold.

[therealtruth]

Advanced stats show that Green is the weakest link of the starting 5.

I would like to see the defensive havoc you would get by playing Manu and Kawhi in the starting lineup.

[Chinook]

So if they started it would be Parker/Leonard/Smith/Duncan/Splitter? That weakens the offense as Smith plays a position that depends on 3pt shooting. Since he would be a Spur so late into the season it would be better if he came off the bench. He should play a 4 role, not a 3 role (where it gives him more opportunity to shoot 3s).

I think Diaw might start in that case. His range and play-making ability would be an asset. It's just not possible to play Smith enough minutes, Leonard enough minutes, and Diaw, Duncan and Splitter enough if Smith comes off the bench. He's making too much money to do that, and the Spurs have to make a decision on a contract offer before the end of the season. If the Spurs acquired him, he would be starting.

Also, keeping Smith at the four full time still leaves the three weak. Leonard, Jack, Green and Ginobili are the only players who can really play the small-forward spot. Trading Danny and Jack would force Manu to play the three more than he should. It just makes more sense if Smith gets a large share of those minutes and for Leonard to split his between the wing spots.

I agree spacing may be an issue with that proposed line up, but on defense, Smith is actually a really good small-forward. Having him start on Durant and Lebron would be a huge plus.

[Richie]

Seriously, we won't get Smith for trash. The Hawks would rather keep him and lose him as a free agent. We would need to at least give up Green and a pick, and that might not even be enough.

If Pop thought he would be able to thrive in the Spurs atmosphere then it'd be a good move. Smith has been no more a problem than Jackson has been on other teams. Of course, I'm not sure why Pop would have any reason to feel he could control Smith, it's not like they would have ever spent any time together.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

smith would have to be the starting sf. he could see plenty post minutes though. timmy needs to rest those knees.

[TrainOfThought5]

Seriously, we won't get Smith for trash. The Hawks would rather keep him and lose him as a free agent. We would need to at least give up Green and a pick, and that might not even be enough.

If Pop thought he would be able to thrive in the Spurs atmosphere then it'd be a good move. Smith has been no more a problem than Jackson has been on other teams. Of course, I'm not sure why Pop would have any reason to feel he could control Smith, it's not like they would have ever spent any time together.

........ that would be getting him for trash, tbh.

[Seventyniner]

Yeah, this definitely belongs here.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...hooters-so-far, along with the companion article about the best shooters (check the Best Shooters link at the bottom of that column) is a great read. Josh Smith is the worst shooter in the league from two of the four midrange areas of those with enough attempts.

Basically, Josh Smith is elite at scoring at the rim (62% FG on attempts less than 7.5 feet) while being a terrible mid to long-range jumpshooter (27% FG on attempts more than 7.5 feet).

This brings up two questions for the Spurs:
1) Where does he fit in the lineup?
2) Can Pop get him to stop taking any jumpers ever?

So the best fit is starting 4, ideally, alternating on the block with Duncan. He can't play the 3, though, unless Diaw or Bonner is next to him at the 4 to at least provide some semblance of spacing. Duncan/Splitter/Smith is a terrible offensive frontcourt because neither Splitter nor Smith is any sort of effective more than a few feet from the hoop.

[capek]

That's a real problem. Also, what would be off season plan be? Resign Splitter and let Smith walk? Or try to convince Smith he's not worth the max and do the reverse? Can't imagine we'd be able to sign them both, so the whole idea doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about it. It's been nice having an actual center to play next to Duncan this season.

[palangi]

if we did have to trade green here how about a starting line up of leonard at the 2 and smith at the 3. we get long and athletic. and both are athletic and quick enough to guard those positions.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

smith would be at 3. the spurs aren't interested in him for his offense. they want 2 kawhi's.

smiths primary offensive focus will be fast breaks off forced turnovers. sprinkle in the occasional pull up jumpers and easy 3's. and a touch of pick and roll or high post minutes, while timmy or tiago rest. please believe in pop and chip. smith WOULD NOT jack up garbage shots or shoot a low percentage here.

splitter would continue to start, he's too important. parker, high post duncan, and the wings all drink on the well water of the splitter pick and roll. splitter has emerged, a demotion would kill the spurs offense.

[Poolboy5623]

How about this scenario...would you trade kawhi if you knew it would get #5...and smith still walks for bigger $$ next year?...I'd definitely be on board.

[BatManu20]

How about this scenario...would you trade kawhi if you knew it would get #5...and smith still walks for bigger $$ next year?...I'd definitely be on board.

Umm... no.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

How about this scenario...would you trade kawhi if you knew it would get #5...and smith still walks for bigger $$ next year?...I'd definitely be on board.

come on man, the idea is to trade sjax and a 1st. my speculation is based on adding green and blair.