<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">PORTLAND, Ore. - Honoring Steve Smith's wishes, the Charlotte Bobcats chose not to pursue a trade proposal made by the New Jersey Nets. Bobcats coach/general manager Bernie Bickerstaff told the Observer on Thursday that the Nets had inquired about Smith's availability. Bickerstaff, though, told Smith he wouldn't be traded without his blessing, and Smith wasn't interested. "I think I'd just skip where they're at right now," Smith, 35, said of the Nets, who are trying to climb back in the playoff race. "Richard Jefferson is hurt and a lot of others are hurt. ... "I go by feel with what I want to accomplish, not what the Nets want to accomplish." Smith enjoys the mentor role he has with the expansion Bobcats, and likes being near his family in Atlanta. He particularly appreciates that Bickerstaff wouldn't trade him someplace he didn't want to be. Smith is proud that a team would pursue him in his 14th NBA season, after some thought he was washed up.</div> Source
