Josh Smith to the Clippers?

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NBA At 2: Josh Smith And The Clippers?

 

This story was bound to surface sooner or later. In truth, we've seen it coming for quite some time. Today the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting what many NBA pundits have seen as inevitable . . .that the Atlanta Hawks may have recognized that it's time to trade Josh Smith.

 

Unlike so many stories in which a team decides to trade a primary piece of their foundation, this news has nothing to do with a negative incident or a trade demand from the player himself. Instead, this is all about fit. Smith has all the tools to play either forward position, but prefers to be at the four. Meanwhile, front court mate Al Horford has been outspoken in his desire to play the four rather than the center position, where he has played for much of his career. It seems the Hawks have realized that Horford really is better off at the power forward position, and that it's time for Smith to move on.

Source

[Flash]

I don't see the point if you have Blake Griffin already.

[Hawks Fly High]

I don't see the point if you have Blake Griffin already.

Throw a ball up near the hoop and someone is bound to dunk it.

[Dash]

The article says that Josh Smith prefers to play the 4 instead of the 3, so how does this make sense for the Clippers?

[Built Ford Tough]

It makes sense for the Hawks if they are getting somebody like Kaman. Him and Horford would be one of the more talented 4/5 combos in the league and would be very good on both ends of the floor, especially offensively considering Kaman's skill on the low block and Horford being probably the 2nd best mid range shooting big in the league. Horford's ability to step outside the paint and consistently hit the 15-20 foot jumpers would provide Kaman with ample room to operate down low, especially considering Johnson and Crawford (assuming he is re-signed) scoring ability from the perimeter.

 

That would also be a pretty good duo defensively as well, considering both are good shot blockers, Horford is a very good post defender when he isn't giving up too much size and Kaman, from what I recall, is solid when it comes to help defense and isn't a complete pushover when he is forced to D up.

 

However, it makes absolutely no sense for the Clippers considering Smith is much more effective at the 4 than he is at the 3 due to his poor jumper and suspect handles, which basically turns him into nothing more than an athletic finisher on offense and takes away some of his great shot blocking on defense considering he spends more time on the perimeter which will obviously limit the opportunities for shot blocks. There is no way that Griffin should be moved to the 5 considering he isn't that big of a power forward to begin with and would get killed defensively by some of the more skilled 5's in the league.

 

Not going to lie though, a lineup of

 

Bledsoe

Gordon

Smith

Griffin

Jordan

 

would be absolutely nasty to watch in the open court. Hell, they would be awesome to watch in a half court set considering all of the lobs that can be throw to a trio of Smith, Griffin and Jordan.

[Sun Tzu]

Looks like the Dunk Contest is going back to LA.

[Newman]

I would watch every game of the Clippers just for the number of dunks that would appear if Smith, DeAndre Jordan and Blake were to all play together.