<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The 76ers rounded out their training-camp roster yesterday by signing a veteran and a rookie with one common characteristic - their Big Five roots. The Sixers came to terms with former Temple guard Rick Brunson, who has seen action for eight teams in nine NBA seasons, and forward Steven Smith, a two-time Atlantic Ten Conference player of the year at La Salle. Both players were believed to have signed for the NBA minimum - $1,071,225 for Brunson, $412,718 for Smith - but the amount that was guaranteed was not known. The signings of Brunson and Smith boosted the Sixers' roster to 16 players, one more than the NBA maximum for the start of the regular season. For Brunson, 34, who lives in Cherry Hill, it will be his second chance to make the Sixers' roster. As a rookie in 1995, he participated in the Sixers' training camp but was the team's final cut before the start of the regular season. Leon Rose, Brunson's agent, said the 6-foot-4 veteran will be a good fit for the Sixers. "He's excited about the opportunity to play in Philadelphia and be home," Rose said. "He's a proven veteran. He brings another person with a mental toughness and savvy to the team. I think he'll be a great asset to the team." Brunson played last season for Seattle and Houston, getting into 27 games overall. He averaged 2.0 points and 1.3 assists. Brunson has played in 337 games in his NBA career, averaging 3.2 points and 2.6 assists. His NBA stops include Portland (twice), New York (twice), Chicago (twice), Boston, Toronto and the Los Angeles Clippers. He also played for one season in Australia and parts of three seasons in the Continental Basketball Association. Smith, 23, who is 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds, went undrafted in June, but his play in summer leagues in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, for the Golden State Warriors and the Sixers, attracted the attention of several teams in the NBA and overseas. Smith averaged 13.5 points per game for the Warriors and 15.3 for the Sixers. During Smith's time with the Sixers this summer, president and general manager Billy King praised his work ethic and said Smith reminded him of a young George Lynch, a former Sixers forward. Smith scored 1,961 points during his career at La Salle and averaged 19.7 points as a senior. If he sticks with the Sixers, he will have performed a local hat trick of sorts, having played for Northeast High and the Explorers. The Sixers will leave Friday for Barcelona, Spain, where they will hold training camp from Sunday through Oct. 8. They will play a preseason game against a Barcelona club team. The Sixers also will travel to Cologne, Germany, for a pair of preseason contests before returning home on Oct. 12.</div> Source
I'm optimistic, thinking these guys will be legitimate role-players. I have seen them both play. I just wish the sixers starting rotation was in order. Acquiring Webber was the single worst move I've ever seen.
What kind of roles could rick brunson or steven smith even play? i really dont know much about either, except steven smith was compared by some to rashard lewis. could he eventually be that for us?
I can't believe it took them this long to sign smith. I tihnk Brunson's a good addition to the team but it could get risky with him being 34 years old.
Grrr. I wished they had a more productive offseason than this though, but nonetheless I love the grab of Smith and Brunson. Smith must be pumped to play for his home team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Smitty:</div><div class="quote_post">THEY FINALLY SIGNED SMITH! Thank God. Brunson's a solid vetran PG..not bad.</div> Exactly what Smitty said. Billy King finally came to his senses and signed Steve Smith. I would have been pissed to see him sign with another team, or go play overseas considering all the talent and potential he has. Brunson can be a pretty solid backup for AI, but I honestly dont see where he fits into our picture. We already have too many guards (AI, Ollie, Williams, Jones, Green, Iggy). I dont expect him to play at all for us this season.
