Smith is worth $9m/yr. Add $2m tax for not being a big market team. That's $11m and every dollar over that amount is him being overpaid, and that's assuming he comes here with a coachable mentality. McHale would make him or break him. If we can't get him at that price, then let's just stick with whatever else we have. I'd rather we trade for Gasol's expiring contract than lock ourselves into an overpaid Josh Smith whose key strength - athleticism - is on the verge of declining.
I think he wants to come to Houston, and he knows he's not coming here for the max. Morey will first sell ice to eskimos and then pick up dwight Howard and swoop up Josh Smith along the way for "dirt cheap". Morey 2013-2014 executive of the year
I think he does too. It's not a stretch to think that he is sick of losing and being stuck on the mediocrity treadmill. I think he would take a paycut to play with us then get paid big playing with, say, Phoenix.
One thing Josh Smith needs to be and very well could be better at: free throws. His form isn't horrible. He should be capable of being a ~70% FT shooter. First step. Get closer to the FT line. Seriously. That's just dumb.
That is what frustrates me. If he wanted to prove to all the naysayers that he CAN win, he should take a paycut and play with us in the chance we get Howard. But, you maybe right, and he'll just take the max given to him by the Bucks or Phoenix.
Would you take pay cut at your job if it gave your company the ability to raise their stock price a few dollars a share (assuming your not a major stock holder)? Professional athletes have every right to negotiate and seek out the highest paying jobs out there just as you and I also have that ability. Yes, 50 million dollars(probably what Josh Smith will get) is alot of money, and more than any human could possibly need. However you take that 50 million, subtract taxes, agent & mgmt fees, other expenses, family costs, and you send that to your financial advisor to spread over the next say 50 years, and the impact between 40 million and 50 million over your lifespan is pretty great not just for them, but also for their families future. I personally hope the Rockets stay far away from Josh Smith at that price range, and let a team like the Bucks over-pay to get a borderline all-star caliber player. However, you can't nock Smith for taking the money elsewhere. Its the smart thing to do for him and his family at the end of the day, and lets face it... he's getting paid that to play basketball for crying out loud.
You do make sense. Its just difficult to compare the average joe's situations with those of a professional athlete. We as fans care about our favorite team winning titles. Players have more to worry about. Thank ya.
I'm always Leary of giving ANY player his last big contract but we are talking 4 years now in the NBA. Also there is to much focus on Smith's negatives. He brings a lot to the table.
The rockets have made it past the 1st round once in the last 15 years. I think we have a good future, but it isn't like he is joining the Lakers or spurs.
The reporter asked him if he thought he was worth the max, to which he responded yes. No player ever would say no I don't think I'm worth the max. Especially during a contract year.
Yeah, he himself clarified that he would be willing to take less than max, but he was just answering the reporter. He takes dumb shots, but Atlanta doesn't have any scorers. He's leading that team in PPG I think. He'll pick his shots better when he KNOWs he's not the best player on the team and can defer to Harden instead.
Josh Smith will take as much money he can get and I don't blame him. I would do the exact same thing. Also I hope the Rockets don't go after him.
