Really man? 1 game and he stinks? Had he a game like he did in Houston would you have come on here and say he's the best and resign him asap. Get the fuck outta' here, he stinks!
I'm a huge Craig Smith fan. I said when we signed him, he's the perfect back-up power forward. He's a poor man's Millsap or Blair. But, there's a reason he's never been a full time starter in this league. He abuses other back-up power forwards, but would be similarly abused by the longer, more athletic starting forwards in this league. Craig Smith is 6'6.5" tall - in shoes, with an 8'7.5" standing reach. There were multiple guards in his draft class that measured taller with a greater vertical reach. Hell, Adam Morrison measured an inch taller with a 1.5" greater vertical reach. Smith simply does not have the length, and/or athleticism to guard the starting power forwards in today's NBA. Ever since Duncan came into the league, the NBA, and especially the Western Conference, has been full of starting power forwards 6'11" - 7'0" tall. Duncan, KG, Sheed, Dirk, Pau, Aldridge, etc. even if Smith does a good job muscling them off the low block, they will just catch, turn and shoot over him. The last starting power forward i can think of that as short as Smith was Charles Barkley, who was an amazing and unique combination of bulk and surprisingly explosive athleticism - and Barley, as good as he was struggled, at times, against the really good, taller power forwards. As much as I like Craig Smith, he's no Charles Barkley. Starting him against most teams would be a disaster. He's very well suited to the role he's playing. Let's not get greedy and try to force him into a different role where he's likely to fail. BNM
No one talked about Rhino starting except you. No one compared him to Barkley except you. So you won the argument, but it was with yourself, so you also lost the argument. Now, back to what matters. If you guys are his biggest fans, why didn't you use the name Rhino even once in those posts?
hahaha riiiight The major thing that sets Batum apart, and is vastly overlooked, is his defense. At 23, he's well on his way to becoming a lock-down defender. He's a perfect fit for this D-minded team.
It's honestly hard for me to use nick names. I do it; but it seems awkward to me. I never used "The Natural" for Roy, don't think I've ever used "L-Train", never used "The Glide" for Drexler. The only times I use it now, is we have Nolan Smith. So when I say "Smith is Beasting!"; some people may get confused. Maybe it's a weird mental thing for me.
You gotta point there; but he was doing well against other taller players. Even this season, I've witnessed him being effective. And to be perfectly honest; I would rather Smith be the PF than Wallace; which seems to be the other end of the coin.
Wait, what's Nolan's nickname? If Craig Smith is the rhino, Nolan Smith is more like the prairie dog...
Since you didn't quote anyone, I have no idea if you're addressing me or magnifier. In either case, you're wrong: BNM
I'd rather wait untill the offseason to sign Batum, his cap hold will be fairly low, so even if another team offers him a huge contract we reluctantly want to match we can first sign a stud free agent, claim an amnesty waiver, use any remaining cap space, then match the offer for Batum. Now if another team doesn't offer him a big contract maybe we resign him on a cheaper deal. We will have a better idea of Wallace/Felton/Oden status so lets leave our flexability open until the summer. Only way I resign Nic now is if he really wants the security of a long term deal and is willing to give us a discount.
Another situation I'd compare Batum's to is Ben Gordon. Remember how pissed fans were he was leaving for nothing? Well turned out that Chicago being very careful for years on giving him an extension or a contract was a very smart move, even though he walked away for nothing.
Gordon likely has the same precipitous drop-off whether or not they luck into Rose, so his big contract wouldn't have been a backfiring situation to keep him.
