Better fit-Brand or Josh Smith?

by cuse7284 on Jul 3, 2008 8:45 AM PDT Comment 7 comments

Im a little curious why we have made a MAX offer to Elton Brand but not one to Josh Smith? I really dont get it. I understand they are different types of players but Id say its a lot less risky to extend an offer to Smith who is much younger. Not to mention hes an athletic freak and seems to fit the warriors mold a la J Rich and doesnt have an injury history of Brand or Arenas who we offered max deals to both.

WHO DO YOU GUYS THINK IS A BETTER FIT FOR THE WARRIORS - ELTON BRAND OR JOSH SMITH?

and can someone please explain to me why we havent thrown out an offer to Josh Smith yet?

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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I FEEL THE SAME EXACT WAY

Wow thank you. I was just about to post this here… I don’t get how mully wouldn’t take a healthier younger guy who is way more athletic and has tremendous upside. I’m sure he’d probably take $80 mil and we’d be able to have more money left over for monta + beans.

by bojangles408 on Jul 3, 2008 9:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ATL

has said they will match any offer for Smith. Even if it means going over cap.

Much like how Mullin has stated for Beans and Monta.

by misterjennings on Jul 3, 2008 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

why we aren't offering anything to Smith

Well, we don’t know what has actually been offered. Until next week, all offers are unofficial and the Warriors cannot comment. It’s only if an agent leaks something that we hear about it, and those aren’t particularly reliable.

Generally, I’d rather have the young guy in Smith, who well could wind up being better than Brand.

But it’s a moot point. Smith is a restricted FA; ATL loves him and they’ll match offers. An offer they wouldn’t match would be too much to spend on him. It has nothing to do with Mully not taking him. It’s that he’s not really available. He doesn’t control his destiny. Brand may be available. Giving an offer just to see ATL match doesn’t make much sense because it ties up the cap space while ATL decides to match (a way of them saying ‘frakk you for forcing our hand, now you wait a week to get your cap space back’).

But don’t knock Brand so quickly. Brand, if he’s back from injuries, is surprisingly athletic for a guy his size. Don’t confuse monster jumping dunks with ‘athletic.’ Brand real nice touch with his jumper. Smith is still somewhat erratic and hasn’t learned great shot selection. Brand’s been a better rebounder and a adequate shot blocker and he’s not a lane clogger.

by jae on Jul 3, 2008 9:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Apples and Oranges

is what you are comparing.

Brand is a true low post player with an arsenal of post moves. He is built like a compact truck but has deceptional athleticism.

Smith is a wing guy that is still learning the post game. He excels at running the break and uses his monster hops to score and block shots.

From an athletic and youth standpoint, you can argue that Smith is the way to go. But Brand brings interior toughness and an actual option to dump down in the post in half court sets. Either option would be good for the Dubz.

by misterjennings on Jul 3, 2008 9:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Forgot to mention

that Brand is known as a high character guy while Smith is portrayed as a headcase. Never been in either locker rooms but that’s what they say.

by misterjennings on Jul 3, 2008 9:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i agree but...

the warriors dont need more youth!! they need leadership and i dont think j smooth can lead a team. However, italso depends on wat you want the warriors to be. a team that can compete for the playoffs next year or one that can be a contender for the nba finals in 4 or 5 years with the lineup of monta, italy, randolph,smith,and andris then wit wright,buike,ricky hendrix, and cj, comin off the bench. in my opinion that looks better than an immature team next year with brand who’s on the downhill side of his career.

by hyphy cowboy on Jul 3, 2008 10:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hollinger

Hollinger has a great article today about all the possiblities available in FA now, specifically with the Warriors and regard to Smith and possibly Childress.

I still doubt whether Philly’s $12 million in cap space is enough to make the Hawks back off matching a deal with Smith, but Golden State’s treasure chest is another story. The Warriors could max out Smith and frontload the deal, and his open-court game would be perfect in Don Nelson’s system.

Of course, if the Hawks do retain Smith, one has to think that Childress will become even more poachable. A good strategy for both Philly and Golden State is to pursue Smith, then switch to Childress if the Hawks match the Smith offer. I greatly doubt they’ll shell out for both.

by Dubbadown on Jul 3, 2008 1:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs