<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Unrestricted free agent Elton Brand seemed likely to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, despite what was being reported as a 5-year $100 million offer from the Golden State Warriors. But if the Warriors were to come up empty, they conceivably could turn their attention to Smith or even Iguodala. Rob Pelinka, Iguodala's agent, indicated that there had been interest shown in his client other than by the Sixers, but declined to be specific; he did say he expected to meet with Sixers president/general manager Eddie Stefanski within the next week to 10 days.</div> Source: Philly.com Either would be a solid Plan B for the Warriors to go after. Josh Smith had a breakout season last year for the Hawks and has the skillset to fit right in with the Warriors. He'd provide the shot blocking the Warriors need.
A core of Josh Smith/Ellis/Biedrins? Solid and would be a good bounceback from losing Baron. Both Smith and AI make out to be great fits for Nellie's run-n-gun style. Just wondering btw, what's the deal on Brandon Wright? Would he be anywhere close to consistently contributing next year?
It would be great to get Smith and/or Iguodala, but the chances of that would be less than that of getting Brand. I'm still holding out for Brand taking the money and the Clips screwing it up
Yeah, that would be pretty awesome. Dude put up some solid numbers last year -- 17 points, 8 boards and 2.8 blocks. That's some high energy play form a guy who is 6'9 and plays like a rugged guard (think Maggette with super hops). Would fit perfect with Nellie, and give some shotblocking to boot. Heck, why not get Smith and Childress!?
That would be a very unusual type of front court with Josh Smith, Al Harrington, and Andris Biedrins. I'd say Harrington would be more valuable since he has been decent shooting from the perimeter to give more room to let Josh Smith and Biedrins work in the middle. Add Monta Ellis and perhaps Kirk Hinrich and Stephen Jackson and that would be a very intriguing lineup. It would be a very good defensive unit, I'd imagine. Oh yeah, and Josh Smith fits the age area of Biedrins and Ellis at 22 more or less for next season. But I bet he may be asking for quite the contract. This is turning into an interesting offseason. I am excited to see what happens.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Locke @ Jul 3 2008, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Just wondering btw, what's the deal on Brandon Wright? Would he be anywhere close to consistently contributing next year?</div> I'd say yes. Starting, no, but he looked solid in his few short stints last year. I'd love to see him learn from and back up Brand or Smith.
Haha, in that scenario, it'd be like some bizarro world version of the Utah frontcourt. Smith faces Kirilenko, Biedrins tries to fight off Boozer, and Harrington battles Okur. *Edit: I just have to share that in my mind they are flying around like super-heroes using laser beams on each other. Yes, such is the deep insight that flows into my mind.
I'm down with Josh Smith if the team feels he can be a good scorer. Otherwise, he might wind up being an overpaid defensive player. Food for thought: The top defensive players in the league are often the most underrated and can be a huge difference maker if we got the perimeter and big man star to add to that mix. All the things we like about Marion or AK47 or Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest could happen in Josh Smith. The bonus is that Smith might develop some superstar moves. You just never know. That defensive player could really pose problems for teams who build around a superstar swingman (for instance). Every championship team has that defender that counters against Vince Carter or Kobe Bryant type swingmen. I'd pass on overpaying Iggy. I mean he's talented, but I just don't like guards that aren't really shooters. If we get a guy that has a bread and butter midrange, long range game and can score inside off the dribble, fantastic! I would really like to see a Ray Allen type of guy on his club, but one that can be motivated to play defense. Sjax is good, but not enough to get 2nd team all defense votes.