Ummm, Joe Smith???

Hey Doc

Smith's date is set for October 16.

After that, I guess it will depend on the arbitrator and the length of time he takes to decide.

The T-Wolves would have to play him in hope...

Also, Smith deserves the chance to get into game shape etc.

I think Sealeys death and Smith's (very likely) exit will see them drop out of the play off's for certain. Pity Garnett...as his career could be in danger of stagnating a bit if the Wolves can't become a contender any time soon.

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[This message has been edited by ScreamingRocketJet (edited October 12, 2000).]

 

besides Tearing up Smith's Contract
what else could happen?

Could they lose a pick or something?

Rocket River

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Poor Kevin Garnett doesn't get to play for a ring. I guess he will just have to settle for over $120 million.

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Don't come in Bullard's house!

 

Fine, it isn't Garnett's fault there was a lockout. It is his fault that the Timberwolves will perenially be the 7th-8th seed in the playoffs due to lack of quality players though, as they'll never be under the cap solely because of his contract.

Guess he didn't think about that when the dollar signs were dancing, or didn't care.

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There are plenty of overpaid players in the NBA. KG isn't one of them.

If you want to single out a guy for making too much scratch, talk about Shawn Kemp or Juwan Howard or Larry Johnson or Ike Austin or even Glen Robinson.

KG did get the big contract. But he's spent his time since EARNING that money. In my opinion he's the best defensive forward in the game, and maybe the best all-around PF out there (I'd rate Duncan #1, but its close). Yes he makes alot of $, but that's not why the TWOlves stink. They had Gugs and Marbury at the time he signed the big deal, and they lost both. They got 75c on the dollar in both cases in Smith and Brandon, and now they're about to lose Joe Smith because of the owner's (and McHale's, and Joe's agent's) stupidity. They also had a quality SG in the late Malik Sealy. All pieces that were available, despite KG's salary. Now all he's got is Brandon, Sczerbiak, and a bunch of role players. And he could still carry that team into the playoffs.

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What is this crap about Garnett's contract?
Did he go in and put a gun to the head of the owner and say "Pay me this much or else?"
Hell no.
The Twolves offered him the money.
If you were one of the best in your feild of work, and someone offered you a ton of money, would you turn it down?

I didn't think so.

Don't blame Garnett, its the owners who are out of control.

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I wouldnt even turn the money down if I knew I sucked! There are some overpaid players in the league, but KG is not one of them.

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A Twolves fan clearing up some misconceptions...

1.) There is no evidence that McHale had knowledge of the secret agreement. To suggest he did is purely speculation.

2.) The Wolves signed four free agents this offseason (Sharone Wright, Laphonso Ellis, Todd Day, and Chauncey Billups), so they clearly have ways of attracting free agents.

3.) Joe Smith was, at best, the third best player on the Wolves last year. In reality, he was probably the fourth best.

4.) In order for the Wolves to be under the cap, Garnett would have to be paid about 4 million dollars, which is about one third of the current maximum salary. Garnett's salary has never prevented them from signing their own free agents and his salary is fair considering he's one of the games elite players. No one whines about Zo's contract, as well they shouldn't.

5.) The Wolves won 50 games last year. As good as Joe Smith is, would losing him and replacing him with Laphonso Ellis be horrible enough to knock them out of the playoffs?


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"Homosexuals are just trying to make their sodomy as morally acceptable as the sodomy I enjoy in my church-sanctioned marriage."
Frank Brodhagen, The Onion

 

My feelings precisely: how can you pity them man who forced a lockout with the size of his contract?

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Do you know how ridiculous it sounds to say that McHale had no knowledge of the contract? He's the friggin GM! If he doesn't know what the contract status of every player is, and if he isn't in on the negotiation of said contracts, then what is he being paid for? It'd be the same if Les signed Shandon to some sort of secret contract and said Rudy / Dawson had no clue. Makes no sense. And I hope the NBA doesn't buy that argument either.

Also, you didn't lose just your 4th best player (Smith). You also lost your 3rd best player (Sealy). Neither was a superstar, but they're a heck of a lot better than retreads like Ellis and Billups. I'm not saying that the Wolves aren't going to make the playoffs - I think great player like Garnett can mask a lot of weaknesses - but they might not make it, and they certainly won't approach 50 wins.

Glad to see a Twolves fan that doesn't blame KG's (well-deserved) contract on the inability to land free agents.

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::1.) I have a very hard time believing that McHale did not know of thedeal Joe Smith signed. How could he not? True, tis speculation that hedid, but I will be hard pressed to believe he did not.::

The fact is that there is no proof he did, so if he's punished without evidence a lawsuit could be in order.

::2.) THERE HAS BEEN A SHARONE WRIGHT SIGHTING!!! I used to think Sharone was going to be a great player, then he retired suddenly due to injuries. I am anxious to see what he can do for the Wolves.::

The Wright signing is very mysterious. They're not playing him at all in the preseason, which leads me to believe the Wolves brass is letting him get into shape for the season.

::3.) Joe is a solid player. I love his game, simple, yet effective.::

Yeah, he's a good player.

::5.) YES, it would be horrible enough to knock them out of the playoffs. Look for Laphonso to be injured a good portion of the season. Man, what a wasted talent he has been due to injuries.::

Joe was injured a lot too... Does losing your sixth man (which Joe was last year) automatically cause you to plummet from a 50 win season?


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"Homosexuals are just trying to make their sodomy as morally acceptable as the sodomy I enjoy in my church-sanctioned marriage."
Frank Brodhagen, The Onion

 

I know most of us here have a soft spot for the Timberwolves, if for no other reasons, than we like Garnett and what he brings to the court and the game. That "plain-speaking but hip" way he has of cutting to the center of any discussion. Similiar to his court game, eh?

But, let me say this. This franchise has had a number of players that arguably could be considered amoung the cream of the crop for the last couple of years. Garnett, Marbury, Terrel Brandon, Googs, Wally, Smith, Sealy .... and have had some decent opportunities to improve the roster on several other occasions.

Yet this team seems to get farther and farther away from acheiving anything close to improving in the playoff round, that alone moving to a Western Conference Final.

Garnett alone cannot carry this team to the finals. Period. Which if not in the immediate TimberPuppy future, has to be the goal of a competitive team. I know that is what is in the mind of the Rockets, despite "rebuilding", "career-ending injuries" and "cap and contract handcuffs".

These Pups need a planned direction, a sustained focus, clear managing with a consistent mission, especially involving trades and drafts. All that comes from the top.

The lack of the above rests solely on the shoulders of McHale. He cannot shrug off his duty. That is his function.

I can see Saunders maybe not being aware of all the goings on.

But Mc Hale disclaiming knowledge of a "secret Smith deal" is ludicrous. If he did know, as is widely suspected, he needs to show his cojones, admit getting his lower appendage caught in the cookie jar, and get on with effectively managing a very talented team.

If he was not in the inner circle and was not told of any "secret deal" by T'Wolf higher ups, then he needs to be replaced. And soon. There is some gaping holes and mistrust in his credibility with the bosses.


Irregardless of the "truth" or the outcome ....

This is just another example of the T'Wolves Organization shooting themselves in the foot, when they maybe should be placing that foot in someone's butt. Start with the guy who has been making all these glorious decisions over the past couple of years. Start with the guy whose name starts with the prefix "Mc".

 

::Also, you didn't lose just your 4th best player (Smith). You also lost your 3rd best player (Sealy).::

Sealy was NOT better than Szczerbiak last year.

:: Neither was a superstar, but they're a heck of a lot better than retreads like Ellis and Billups.::

I've actually been impressed with Billups. As good as Malik was, we really needed a two guard who could shoot, handle the ball, and get to the basket. Chauncey should give us that.

:: I'm not saying that the Wolves aren't going to make the playoffs - I think great player like Garnett can mask a lot of weaknesses - but they might not make it, and they certainly won't approach 50 wins.::

We'll see. Of course this is all IF they lose Smith. IMO, they're either going to lose Smith or first-round picks. One will hurt them in the short term, the other in the long term.

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"Homosexuals are just trying to make their sodomy as morally acceptable as the sodomy I enjoy in my church-sanctioned marriage."
Frank Brodhagen, The Onion

 

::.... and have had some decent opportunities to improve the roster on several other occasions.::

Such as???

::If he was not in the inner circle and was not told of any "secret deal" by T'Wolf higher ups, then he needs to be replaced. And soon. There is some gaping holes and mistrust in his credibility with the bosses. ::

There's one boss, Glen Taylor. It's his signature on that document.

::This is just another example of the T'Wolves Organization shooting themselves in the foot,::

Can you give me some other examples?

:: when they maybe should be placing that foot in someone's butt. Start with the guy who has been making all these glorious decisions over the past couple of years. Start with the guy whose name starts with the prefix "Mc".::

Give me some of the poor decisions McHale has made.

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"Homosexuals are just trying to make their sodomy as morally acceptable as the sodomy I enjoy in my church-sanctioned marriage."
Frank Brodhagen, The Onion