Josh Smith

[bigfigga12]

Before signing Larry Sanders, Smith's name came up for the second time since January as a name the Cavs were looking into.

Man if I'm the Cavs I'm cutting DeAndre Liggins and signing Josh Smith.

Analytics have him still as an elite defender, rim protector and elite defender for teams who want/like to rotate like the Cavs ....simply cuz he can defend 3 positions.

His problem as of late and the main reason he's not on an NBA team is he's fallen in love w chucking 3's... If the Cavs could convince him to a specific role As a defensive specialist on a championship team once China's season ends.... IMO its a no brainier.

Analysts (Jalen I'm talking to u) and us fans LOVE talking about how deep we are and how the Cavs have two of everything.

Frye is a stretch 4, basically Loves backup. Sanders now is Thompson's rim protecting backup. Derrick Williams is the only 3-4 on the team who can slash the paint and hit the open 3.. There's no one else on the roster like him (Williams). If he goes down to injury or foul trouble, Cavs lose that dynamic altogether. Josh Smith Would give the Cthe depth there where the Cavs would literally have 2 of everything.. Easily making them one deepest squads ever.

The other consideration to ponder is Williams signed a 1 year 5 million deal w Heat this year, and is a free agent next with no birds rights, and the most we can can offer him Is the tax paying mid level exception of 5.3... He can prob get much more elsewhere. Smith provides insurance Williams dips next year.

Yes you have to cut Liggins. But he's going on 29, smith is 31. There are 3 SG's ahead of Liggins. Smith would be 2nd string at his specific role on this team vital for match up purposes and UN real depth.

Smith's NBA career averages were 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals per game during his time in The Association. (Per KingJamesReport)

Obviously he's not the same player, but If he was in the league right now and putting up the same numbers as his career averages, his 1.9 blocks per game and his defensive box plus/minus (DBPM) of 2.9 would be the third-most amongst active players. His 42.3 defensive win shares would be 10th amongst active players.

 

[Lee]

Before signing Larry Sanders, Smith's name came up for the second time since January as a name the Cavs were looking into.

Man if I'm the Cavs I'm cutting DeAndre Liggins and signing Josh Smith.

Analytics have him still as an elite defender, rim protector and elite defender for teams who want/like to rotate like the Cavs ....simply cuz he can defend 3 positions.

His problem as of late and the main reason he's not on an NBA team is he's fallen in love w chucking 3's... If the Cavs could convince him to a specific role As a defensive specialist on a championship team once China's season ends.... IMO its a no brainier.

Analysts (Jalen I'm talking to u) and us fans LOVE talking about how deep we are and how the Cavs have two of everything.

Frye is a stretch 4, basically Loves backup. Sanders now is Thompson's rim protecting backup. Derrick Williams is the only 3-4 on the team who can slash the paint and hit the open 3.. There's no one else on the roster like him (Williams). If he goes down to injury or foul trouble, Cavs lose that dynamic altogether. Josh Smith Would give the Cthe depth there where the Cavs would literally have 2 of everything.. Easily making them one deepest squads ever.

The other consideration to ponder is Williams signed a 1 year 5 million deal w Heat this year, and is a free agent next with no birds rights, and the most we can can offer him Is the tax paying mid level exception of 5.3... He can prob get much more elsewhere. Smith provides insurance Williams dips next year.

Yes you have to cut Liggins. But he's going on 29, smith is 31. There are 3 SG's ahead of Liggins. Smith would be 2nd string at his specific role on this team vital for match up purposes and UN real depth.

With the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Smith averaged 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals per game during his time in The Association. (Per KingJamesReport)

If he was in the league right now, his 1.9 blocks per game and his defensive box plus/minus (DBPM) of 2.9 would be the third-most amongst active players. His 42.3 defensive win shares would be 10th amongst active players.

Josh smith? he has been taking 7 3-pointers a game in Japan.

Big fat no thank you.

 

[bigfigga12]

He obviously wouldnt be doing that here. And it's China not Japan. I'd be chucking 10 3 pointers a game too if I was playing in China.

 

[bigfigga12]

And remember guys.... We are talking about the 15th man and spot on the roster. Not a major rotation guy. My argument of Smith over Liggins is simple. They are close in age so that doesn't keep Liggins. There are 3 players ahead of Liggins at his position and role on the team. No one ahead of him is in real danger of leaving this team if the Cavs do t want them to. They are all signed or like Korver, have bird rights. I love what D Williams has brought to this team. I see Josh Smith as his backup and insurance I. Case Williams leaves next year.

 

[bigfigga12]

Lastly I think we need a 3rd rim protecting option over a 4th SG. Hypothetically if Sanders goes down a la Bogut... We are right back to Tristan being our only shot blocking rim protector. God forbid Tristan goes down... Don't even want to visit that hypothetical. Smith gives a 3rd rim protecting insurance, and insurance if D Will 2 bolts in free agency. I just want Smith rostered as insurance policy, less than 5 mins/game average rest of season.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for Smith.

Liggins has shown he is a legit option to guard really good guards. Really,truly hound them. Josh hasn't played NBA ball this year and ever since that magical Rockets/Clippers series, he's been pretty garbage-y.

If Sanders goes down, we'll just go with what we have. TT/Love/Frye. LBJ/RJ/Derrick at small-ball 4 in certain situations. That's what we're going to roll with in the playoffs anyways, most likely, Sanders playing important minutes this year is a bit unlikely. More of "break glass in case of emergency" type of option.

Love and TT will be the only bigs playing 95% of a GS series, anyways. Neither Moz nor Frye really got on the court last year.

Josh Smith is pretty bad off the ball and I'm not sure if he's even useful defensively anymore, and tends to be bad all around when he is not allowed to handle the ball for some time.

 

[bigfigga12]

You do realize there isn't a single player on earth over 25 being discussed as a team's 15th rostered member that isn't either past their prime or have many deficiencies... That's a fact. The Cavs obviously see a 15roster fit or close to it since they've reached out to Smith not once but twice now since January. There is smoke to that fire. Again we are discussing a rotation player. We're talking about a roster depth/insurance policy who will be battling minutes with James Jones. If DWill2 leaves next season, I want Josh Smith on the roster not Liggins. He will never see consistent or meaningful minutes playing behind JR Shumpert and Korver. He doesn't play anywhere but SG and he can't shoot.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

He doesn't play anywhere but SG and he can't shoot.

Neither can Josh Smith, but he seems to believe he can.

 

[Jscc]

I expect Golden State to contend for the foreseeable future.. I don't see how Josh Smith helps us against them. I can see multiple ways that Liggins can [and has]. He might not be the best shooter but he can handle the ball, has decent court-vision, and generally takes intelligent shots. Smith has none of that.. and is older.

 

[LeeBuckeye]

I think (I could be wrong) I saw a report saying that the plan was for Bogut to be signed then possibly address other areas of need by cutting Liggins. Josh Smith was the move because he was the one holding up the deal with Sanders. Obviously with Bogut getting hurt and with Sanders coming in at center, money would be an issue so I don't think that is happening. Not really a believer in Josh Smith, he couldn't stick at Houston (twice) and blew his shot at playing the Luc Mbah A Moute role with a loaded Clippers squad. Daryl Morey is THE analytics guy in the NBA and even he was cringing at Josh Smith heaving 3's. Not to mention we already have like a million PF's on this team

 

[bigfoot5415]

Neither can Josh Smith, but he seems to believe he can.

2k kept giving him a 3 ball icon when he was in the NBA, despite being a shitty player. Pretty sure thats why people assume he was a good shooter.

Hard pass on Josh Smith. He's a terrible player, he has a terrible work ethic and has never expressed the desire to win. I hope he rots in China.

Guys like JR & Larry had demons, but were humbled by their experiences and worked to get back. Not to mention they were 10x the player they were before hand.

 

[Rimage]

The Cavs would have pay Liggins the rest of his salary, then pay Smith about $600K in minimum salary and luxury tax to play out the rest of this year. Gilbert has been a very generous owner. Let's not push it by making the man shell out another Mil...for a 15th man...that may not even be an upgrade.

 

[Cassity14]

Liggins is exactly what you want out of that roster spot - a top notch practice player who knows his role, plays within his role, and you won't hear a peep from.