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The return of HITA? Yeah, I guess the Spurs are due for another outbreak.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/b...la-sports-heat
By Ira Winderman
Staff Writer
Posted February 23 2005
CHICAGO · With former Heat center Alonzo Mourning on the verge of rejoining the team, the franchise is considering another reunion.
Guard Steve Smith, dealt from the Heat in its ill-fated 1994 acquisition of Atlanta center Kevin Willis, is on the team's radar as Thursday's NBA trading deadline approaches.
The 35-year-old guard drew Heat interest in the offseason, before the team opted for free-agent forward Wesley Person as its 3-point specialist. Smith then signed with expansion Charlotte, with the understanding the Bobcats would accommodate him should a contender eventually be interested.
The Bobcats have been contacted about Smith by both the Heat and Spurs, with whom Smith won the 2003 NBA le.
Smith long has expressed an interest to close his pro career where it started as the fifth pick in the 1991 draft by the Heat.
"It would make perfect sense," agent Charles Tucker said Tuesday, with his client having spent his first three seasons in South Florida. "The Spurs definitely want him, but he would come to the Heat before he would come to the Spurs."
Smith's only concern is becoming an end-of-the-bench afterthought, which proved to be Person's fate.
Because Smith is on a veteran's minimum contract that counts only $745,046 against the salary cap, he is eligible to be traded for any player on the Heat roster. Also, because the Bobcats are below the cap, they can absorb salaries well in excess of Smith's figure.
Smith caught the Heat's attention last May, when he scored 25 points for New Orleans in an 85-77 Game 7 loss in the first round of the playoffs.
Brought in to mentor the Bobcats' young players, Smith has been used sparingly by Charlotte, but has had a 22-point game against the Pistons and a 20-point game against the Knicks. He went into Tuesday ranked 13th in 3-point percentage, one spot ahead of Heat guard Damon Jones.
The return of HITA? Yeah, I guess the Spurs are due for another outbreak.
Have Pop a Place in the Doghouse for Steve Smith?
I don't buy this report at all. To me it looks like Smith's agent is trying to force Miami into a trade by saying another contender is interested.
Common ploy.
Makes no sense. Spurs need Smith like I need another mother-in-law.
Might be a dumb question but what does HITA mean?
Damn, guess that means we're going back to four down too. *sigh*
smith hit some clutch shots
but his d sucks
are the spurs trying to light a fire under barry
smith is taller then some current spurs
I've always suspected that Pop was on crack...I guess we can confirm it now.
The only reason to bring him back is so that he can work on Tony's shot funk.
HITA is an old skool acronym for Herpes In The Ass, as in we would be better of with that than with Smitty. To be fair to him, he manned up, accepted the role of mentor and the fact that there would be no extension, and got his ring in year two with SA. We really don't need his shooting, though, at this point.
The Spurs need Steve Smith about as much as Vlade Divac needs more garlic.......
Clutch shots ducks? When? Not for us he didn't. He sucked for us.
Maybe they want him for leadership or chemistry or something.
To with it...it beats some of the lowlifes the Spurs have thought about signing this year.
As long as Smitty doesn't get a second of meaningful PT, I guess I've got no problem with him coming back in the role he played for us last time around(guy who dribbles out the clock in the championship clinching game)
The NBA's trade deadline is Thursday. Bickerstaff has said repeatedly he wouldn't trade him without Smith's blessing.
Smith already turned down a chance to play for the New Jersey Nets. He said before Tuesday's game he'd like to know more about how much he'd play with Miami.
"Interesting. I want to know how serious they are," Smith said of the Heat, with whom he played his first four seasons. "I'll talk to my agent tomorrow."
If Smitty has final say on if he gets traded, he won't be coming here.
He wasn't thrilled with the way he was used the last time, even though he took his demotion with class...but he won't come back to play that role again.
I'd only take Steve Smith as the throw-in with Melvin Ely.
Next
Just make him an assistant coach for Christsakes. An empty roster spot is better than him.
If the Spurs want a long three, the player to get off the Bobcats is Theron Smith. Smith and Smith for first round draft pick and Wilks/Marks?
Could work.
Smith must know where the body is buried.
@ Jimbo
I think y'all might be missing the point on why the Spurs are interested in Smith. The Bobcats are under the cap and can take back more in salary than they give up. Is there someone's salary the Spurs would like to dump? Someone who actually might play pretty well in the Eastern Conference? Hmmm?
I agree Solid D! I like Melvin's size and strength, but I don't think they'll give him up. Maybe the Cats would take on Malik's contract and throw Smith and someone else for him? Who knows?
I personally can't see a spot or a role for Smitty in San Antonio, but then again I'm not Pop.
Hmm, Hart, Ely, and Smitty for Rose and a pick...
The would these guys want Rose?
Has anyone heard of where Charles Smith (the second one from a few years ago) is at?
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