Prediction time: By the end of the year most people will think this will turn out to be a better signing than the JC deal.
The Blazers are trying hard, and doing a good job of being competitive, you have to like that. Unless of course you want them to be a title contender before you die
Liking that we are starting to look like a basketball team and not a roster full of draftees/wounded.
I LOVE this signing. I've liked Smith as a back-up power forward ever since his rookie year. Anybody remember the weekly rookie EFF updates I used to post on BBF? Smith was part of the same rookie class as Roy and Aldridge, and was always in my top 6 or 8 rookies that season and finished 7th in the final Rookie EFF rankings. The guy is a poor man's Paul Millsap (Millsap finished 5th on the 2006-07 Rookie EFF Rankings). His defense suffers due to his lack of height, but in a back-up 4, you can live with that considering he's a decent rebounder and solid, efficient low post scorer. Smith really is a good signing. He's a career back-up, and is used to playing that role. He's too limited (too short, basically) to be a full time starter, but is a solid, back-up who won't bitch about playing time and touches. He knows his role and fills it well. I'm Boob-No-More, and I approve this signing. BNM
Forward will join team Friday PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to terms with forward Craig Smith. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Smith, 28, has averaged 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in five seasons with Minnesota and the L.A. Clippers. "Craig is a guy who will bring us some interior scoring and toughness around the hole," said Trail Blazers Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. "He is a player who is hungry to experience the playoffs and we hope that Craig can help us get back to the postseason again this year." A Los Angeles native, Smith (6-7, 265) spent the past two seasons with the Clippers, posting averages of 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 2010-11. Originally selected by Minnesota with the 36th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft out of Boston College, Smith was a member of the 2006-07 NBA All-Rookie Second Team along with fellow Trail Blazer LaMarcus Aldridge.
Well, at least you've moved on from the non-stop 'AssClown' posts. Do you get any joy at all from being a Blazer fan?
Ya know, if we won a title I think some fans would bitch that its not sustainable and we should tear down the team to build for long term success.
Nice that he looks like a player that doesn't take shit. We need a guy on the floor to stand up to the other bully type players. Hopefully he can help fill that roll. I would love to see Wallace be like that too.
