Ferry working on bringing Joe Smith back....

[Umph]

6 minutes after I post, thats funny. Well I am glad it is done. Someone with knowledge of the NBA waiver process care to tell me why no one would claim Joe Smith? It cant be money he is only owed 1.3 or something, or is it money? Why wouldnt a team like Orlando claim him just so we cant have him. Explanation please.

This always confused me. Why wouldn't crappier teams try to claim guys off waivers just to keep them from better teams every time? Seems like teams like the Yankees, Celts, and Red Sox always pick up good players through waivers. Couldn't a team like Atlanta claim a guy through waivers, try to make a deal with said guy, then magically have the deal fall through after March 1 only to screw the other teams? This is probably a dumb question but no one has ever been able to explain this to me.

[ProgRocker]

6 minutes after I post, thats funny. Well I am glad it is done. Someone with knowledge of the NBA waiver process care to tell me why no one would claim Joe Smith? It cant be money he is only owed 1.3 or something, or is it money? Why wouldnt a team like Orlando claim him just so we cant have him. Explanation please.

This always confused me. Why wouldn't crappier teams try to claim guys off waivers just to keep them from better teams every time? Seems like teams like the Yankees, Celts, and Red Sox always pick up good players through waivers. Couldn't a team like Atlanta claim a guy through waivers, try to make a deal with said guy, then magically have the deal fall through after March 1 only to screw the other teams? This is probably a dumb question but no one has ever been able to explain this to me.

A lot of teams don't have the money, most teams don't want to bring in a new player into a system that's been in place since November, and Smith's older and would take minutes away from most teams with younger players who would need that time. That's my guess.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

6 minutes after I post, thats funny. Well I am glad it is done. Someone with knowledge of the NBA waiver process care to tell me why no one would claim Joe Smith? It cant be money he is only owed 1.3 or something, or is it money? Why wouldnt a team like Orlando claim him just so we cant have him. Explanation please.

Because you have to have the cap space to claim a guy off waivers and that cap space has to match his entire salary for the season. That or you can have a trade exception or a disabled player exception, but once again it has to be equal or greater than his full season salary even though the player is not owed the entire salary.

You can't use the MLE on a guy until he clears waivers.

So that's why the Magic can't block it because they are over the cap and don't have an exception to allow them to pick him up off waivers.

As it stands I don't believe any team in the NBA has the exceptions to pick up Smith on the waiver wire. No one is far enough under the cap.

[ProgRocker]

According to a story just posted by Windhorst, the only team with cap space that could claim Smith is Memphis - and while they have cap space, they don't necessarily have the cash or a reason to claim Smith (except to really piss off Dan Snyder, which I don't think I'd do).

By the way, in the same article it says Pavs will be back no later than the Bucks game Wednesday.

So we'll be loaded for as much bear as we can (except for Big Ben, obviously) on Friday.

Will Garnett be back by then?

[noles1]

I heard earlier today during there game that Garnett is out for at least another 10 days.

*Dan Gilbert* not Synder.

I cannot see how Memphis claims him. It makes no sense and why would they want to actually spend money with zero return possibilities. (if say it were before the trading deadline, Boston or Orlando could throw them a draft pick or something)

[peeker643]

Memphis has no desire to add Smith. Plus they owe TMLP a 'thank you' for his email blast that lit up the Blazers for the whole Darius Miles fiasco.

[noles1]

Memphis has no desire to add Smith. Plus they owe TMLP a 'thank you' for his email blast that lit up the Blazers for the whole Darius Miles fiasco.

Good call. That had slipped my mind.

[JoJo White]

Lost in the Joe Smith hoopla was this little bit of info from Windhorst:

Pavlovic closing in: Sasha Pavlovic played a simulation 3-on-3 game at Philips Arena a couple hours before tipoff Sunday, a test of his sprained right ankle.

Depending on how it feels Monday, Pavlovic is hoping to be activated for the Cavs' game against the Miami Heat. If not, then he's targeting Wednesday's home game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He has missed a month with the high ankle sprain.

"It's not sore or at all," Pavlovic said. "They said six weeks at first, so if you look at it like that, it is fast, but if you look at the way I feel, it's very good."

Cavs coach Mike Brown was not as optimistic about Pavlovic's return, saying the team trainers have yet to give him the go-ahead. Brown would prefer Pavlovic to go through an entire practice. But with the schedule, the team probably won't have one until Thursday.

Because Trey Johnson is expected to be released Monday, the Cavs will have a needed spot for a guard on the active roster against the Heat.

[AK-ROWDY]

Didn't see it here but Drew Gooden was released by the Kings. Sorry I don't have a link saw it on sportscenter.

[onlyindreams]

We could suddenly be a pretty deep team if Pavs and Joe Smith are available by Wednesday. With the way Gibson and Wally are playing, Pavs would step right in over one of them. We could use his D and 3 point shooting. Somehow we're winning with almost no contributions from the bench.

[papacass]

We could suddenly be a pretty deep team if Pavs and Joe Smith are available by Wednesday. With the way Gibson and Wally are playing, Pavs would step right in over one of them. We could use his D and 3 point shooting. Somehow we're winning with almost no contributions from the bench.

The Wally I've seen of late has actually been pretty good. Once he doesn't have to defend power forwards anymore, he should be even better.

[onlyindreams]

We could suddenly be a pretty deep team if Pavs and Joe Smith are available by Wednesday. With the way Gibson and Wally are playing, Pavs would step right in over one of them. We could use his D and 3 point shooting. Somehow we're winning with almost no contributions from the bench.

The Wally I've seen of late has actually been pretty good. Once he doesn't have to defend power forwards anymore, he should be even better.

He's been struggling with his shot over the last week or so and his defense hasn't been that good. He was playing about as well as you can expect before that though.

I think he'll struggle more going up against guards. We are able to hide him at PF because he's 6'7 240 and pretty strong. When you put him against swingmen he has trouble because of his slow feet. I would rather see Pavlovic take his minutes. Pavs is shooting 45%+ from 3 and is a solid defender against the 2 or 3 spot. The only problem with Sasha is you have to put up with the occasional Drew Gooden moments.

[jamesownsdet]

We could suddenly be a pretty deep team if Pavs and Joe Smith are available by Wednesday. With the way Gibson and Wally are playing, Pavs would step right in over one of them. We could use his D and 3 point shooting. Somehow we're winning with almost no contributions from the bench.

The Wally I've seen of late has actually been pretty good. Once he doesn't have to defend power forwards anymore, he should be even better.

Love bringing back Joe Smiff but i'm no fan of Sasha. The next time he plays back to back good games will be the first time...

[OldDawg]

Thrilled about Joe Smith.
I have never been a huge Sasha fan either. I do think, however, Sasha knows his role better than he did in the past couple of years. I always thought he used to want to be LeBron. I do think now he is a piece for this team that has value... and he fits certain needs the team has.

[swerb]

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... forwa.html

Trying to be politically correct and not to get ahead of themselves, the Cavaliers showed some restraint and talked in generalities and possibilities when it comes to the impending arrival of Joe Smith this week.
They, however, could not hide their enthusiasm or affection for Smith, who was put on waivers by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday after completing a buyout agreement Sunday night.

"He's one of the best teammates I've ever had, and I'd love to have him back," LeBron James said. "We know what type of guy he is -- he's a true professional. Teams always want him."

Smith likely will clear the NBA waiver system Wednesday morning. At that time, the Cavs are expected to offer him a formal contract, and multiple league sources have said it is Smith's plan to accept and join the Cavs as soon as possible.

The team may have some talks with former Cav Drew Gooden, who has equal high regard in the team locker room. Smith's defensive ability and Gooden's health -- he's been battling a groin injury since January and may need surgery to repair a sports hernia after the season -- are playing into the decision.

There have been some reports that Gooden may interest the San Antonio Spurs.

As for Smith, he has been teammates with every player on the Cavs besides rookies J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson and veteran Lorenzen Wright. Mo Williams played with Smith for two years with the Milwaukee Bucks, and they were close during that time.

With Ben Wallace out with a broken leg, the other players in the Cavs front court are in support of the move.

"We're thin up front, so right now, he'd be a welcome addition," Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. "He knows the system, he's a good defensive big man and he's a good teammate too."

[papacass]

At this point, it's probably the worst-kept secret in the NBA.

Mike Brown: "We really are looking forward to adding Joe Smith to our roster -- Or, you know, ANY player who might have recently been placed on waivers by his team, particularly if said team plays their home games in a large, flat state somewhere in the middle of the country. And especially if said team wears teal and has a humorously nonspecific nickname. But I'm not going to comment on the matter any further, because we are a no-excuses, no-tampering team. David Stern is an awesome commissioner."

[StewieG]

At this point, it's probably the worst-kept secret in the NBA.

Mike Brown: "We really are looking forward to adding Joe Smith to our roster -- Or, you know, ANY player who might have recently been placed on waivers by his team, particularly if said team plays their home games in a large, flat state somewhere in the middle of the country. And especially if said team wears teal and has a humorously nonspecific nickname. But I'm not going to comment on the matter any further, because we are a no-excuses, no-tampering team. David Stern is an awesome commissioner."

LOL

I love Mike Brown

[fundamentals]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

I'd say Smith is a better bet than either of those two. Moore's had about one good season and Starbury's got a short sell by date. They could pay off or Moore could suck and Starbury could cause a problem.

Smith is a known quantity here. He's well liked by the players and fans. The biggest knock on Smith is that he's a huge disappointment for a #1 overall pick. Seeing as we weren't the team that spent the #1 pick on him, I don't see it as a problem.

He provides good depth and can start for us. He's not a defensive stalwart but he's also not a gaping hole like Gooden would be. He's got a good mid-range shot and comes to play.

I think it's time that Joe Smith gets a ring.

[fundamentals]

I hope he can come in and do well.I remember him making an impact upon his arrival last year but then it seemed as the year went along, he did less and less, and his playoff performance wasn't all that good? Thoughts?

[CP]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

To be fair, it's not like the Cavaliers are adding Joe Smith off the scrap heap. Marbury hasn't played in over a year; the equivalent to bringing him in would have been bringing in Jason Williams if the league would have reinstated him from retirement.

Also, Smith was on the team last year and was traded because he was an expiring deal that fit and was needed to bring in Mo Williams. The team acknowledged that Lorenzen Wright was more of a warm body replacement for Smith than anything else.

The Mikki Moore move wouldn't have seemed so desperate without the Marbury addition in conjunction and if the Celtics hadn't already made it known that Joe Smith was their first choice.

[papacass]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

To be fair, it's not like the Cavaliers are adding Joe Smith off the scrap heap. Marbury hasn't played in over a year; the equivalent to bringing him in would have been bringing in Jason Williams if the league would have reinstated him from retirement.

Also, Smith was on the team last year and was traded because he was an expiring deal that fit and was needed to bring in Mo Williams. The team acknowledged that Lorenzen Wright was more of a warm body replacement for Smith than anything else.

The Mikki Moore move wouldn't have seemed so desperate without the Marbury addition in conjunction and if the Celtics hadn't already made it known that Joe Smith was their first choice.

On his ESPN power rankings this week, Marc Stein asked if the Celtics adding Moore and Marbury this year is really all that different from adding Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown last year. He was trying to discredit the whole idea that the C's were/are desperate for bench help.

My response: It's very different. Brown was a three-time all-defensive first teamer and starter for a contending Heat team in his prime. Moore is a journeyman whose career highlights include a stint as the best big man on the Nets roster during their epic run to the second round of the '07 playoffs, where the Cavs neatly dispatched them in six games.

Cassell is a born-and-bred floor general who won two titles with the Rockets and helped fashion a rare season of respectability for the Clippers a couple of years ago. Marbury is a volume shooter who historically hasn't been able to contribute anything positive without massive amounts of touches.

As an addition, Joe Smith is much closer to Brown than Moore. He had productive stints with the Warriors and Wolves before beginning the journeyman phase of his career. Even at this point in his career, he has more skills than Moore could ever hope to accumulate.

I think Danny Ainge panicked a bit and went with the quickest fixes he could find, instead of holding his cards and waiting to see what developed between the trade deadline and March 1. Hopefully in landing Smith, the Cavs are going to reap the benefits of Ainge's haste. Because I have no doubt that if the Celtics would have come knocking, Smith would have answered.

[JoJo White]

Joe Smith agrees to terms:

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... _with.html

CLEVELAND -- Joe Smith is about to become a Cavalier, again.

The Cavs and the veteran 6-foot-10 forward agreed to terms on a one-year contract Tuesday night. He is expected to sign the deal once he clears waivers Wednesday morning and should be able to join the team by Friday's game at Boston.

"After careful consideration of his options, Joe has decided that the Cavs are the best fit," Smith's agent, Dan Fegan, said.

Smith was contacted by several teams after getting a buyout from the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. He averaged 6.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 39 games with the Thunder this season. He played 27 games plus the playoffs with the Cavs last season.

[GreatGoo]

Wrap your mind around this:

Mo Williams
Delonte West
Wally Szczerbiak
Joe Smith
Ben Wallace
2nd round pick

for

Larry Hughes
Drew Gooden
Damon Jones
Ira Newble
Shannon Brown
Cedric Simmons

Thanks, Danny!

[Ziner]

Wrap your mind around this:

Mo Williams
Delonte West
Wally Szczerbiak
Joe Smith
Ben Wallace
2nd round pick

for

Larry Hughes
Drew Gooden
Damon Jones
Ira Newble
Shannon Brown
Cedric Simmons

Thanks, Danny!

Straight up thievery.

[brooks1957]

Wrap your mind around this:

Mo Williams
Delonte West
Wally Szczerbiak
Joe Smith
Ben Wallace
2nd round pick

for

Larry Hughes
Drew Gooden
Damon Jones
Ira Newble
Shannon Brown
Cedric Simmons

Thanks, Danny!

Straight up thievery.

Hopefully we won't see Ferry's picture on a post office wall as being wanted for Grand Larceny. Rock on, Mr. NBA Executive of the year.

[ProgRocker]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

Not spin. Simple fact. Joe Smith is STILL a better player than Mikki Moore ever was in his 'prime,' and Marbury is a cancer who hasn't played meaningful minutes for over a year. Plus, Smith will return to a team and a system he knows from last year, while Moore and Marbury are trying to learn a system they aren't aware of.

Nice job, Ferry!

[jamesownsdet]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

1. Mikki Moore is a stiff

2. Stephon Marbury is a fag

3. Joe Smith is neither

[Chris]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

1. Mikki Moore is a stiff

2. Stephon Marbury is a fag

3. Joe Smith is neither

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I still can't believe I just saw someone compare the Joe Smith signing to Stephon Marbury.

[StewieG]

I don't know that I see the Celtics signing as desperation, per se. I think they'd be stupid not to try to fill holes however they could. Moore is what he is...a backup role player, who can eat 10 minutes a game at PF during the playoffs. Marbury has talent, but someone earlier put it best when they said he needed shots in volume to really be effective, so I'm not sure how much he really helps them if he's not going to get a lot of shots.

But regardless, for our team I'd much rather have Smith than the Moore/Marbury platter. He's solid, he's smart, and we know what we're getting with him. He's played with everybody on this team before, aside from JJ and Darnell, and everyone seems to like him. He played with us last year, so he already knows the coaching staff, and what's expected out of him. Joe's the better fit for us.

[jamesownsdet]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

1. Mikki Moore is a stiff

2. Stephon Marbury is a fag

3. Joe Smith is neither

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I still can't believe I just saw someone compare the Joe Smith signing to Stephon Marbury.

There's a huge difference between the 2 IMO. Joe Smith is being brought in to provide role player minutes while an injured player gets healthy. Everyone in Cleveland knows this and expects little of him besides that. Boston brought Marbury in to be their backup PG in the playoffs. That's a huge difference in what their fans expect of Stephon and what our fans expect of Joe.

[onlyindreams]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

1. Mikki Moore is a stiff

2. Stephon Marbury is a fag

3. Joe Smith is neither

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I still can't believe I just saw someone compare the Joe Smith signing to Stephon Marbury.

There's a huge difference between the 2 IMO. Joe Smith is being brought in to provide role player minutes while an injured player gets healthy. Everyone in Cleveland knows this and expects little of him besides that. Boston brought Marbury in to be their backup PG in the playoffs. That's a huge difference in what their fans expect of Stephon and what our fans expect of Joe.

I think it's about the same, although Joe will be asked to contribute more in the regular season. If we're lucky he'll only be the backup PF in the playoffs. The difference between the two players is that Joe is a good teammate and won't affect team chemistry, and Marbury is not a good teammate and could affect team chemistry.

[jamesownsdet]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

1. Mikki Moore is a stiff

2. Stephon Marbury is a fag

3. Joe Smith is neither

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I still can't believe I just saw someone compare the Joe Smith signing to Stephon Marbury.

There's a huge difference between the 2 IMO. Joe Smith is being brought in to provide role player minutes while an injured player gets healthy. Everyone in Cleveland knows this and expects little of him besides that. Boston brought Marbury in to be their backup PG in the playoffs. That's a huge difference in what their fans expect of Stephon and what our fans expect of Joe.

I think it's about the same, although Joe will be asked to contribute more in the regular season. If we're lucky he'll only be the backup PF in the playoffs. The difference between the two players is that Joe is a good teammate and won't affect team chemistry, and Marbury is not a good teammate and could affect team chemistry.

he'll be the backup to the backup PF in the playoffs....

[googleeph2]

Well, it's plausible he could get a lot more minutes if they need more offense from the frontcourt, or if the things he does better vs. Ben or Andy (ie. his jumper) takes advantage of a favorable matchup.

More depth and flexibility. I'd have traded Wally for him.

[osucrazy18]

itssss official

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/200 ... 565800.txt

on to the championship

[Mr. X]

itssss official

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/200 ... 565800.txt

on to the championship

[Gradysmanldy]

Joe smith is not just a backup, minutes eating pf. What he gave this team last year in the playoffs was crucial; he was able to space the floor, rebound well, and hit that 10-15 ft J with consistency. He will keep the opposing big men honest when Z is off the court, and he has shown a good nose for the ball when he plays.

You can easily argue that he was the best big we had during the playoffs.

[onlyindreams]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

1. Mikki Moore is a stiff

2. Stephon Marbury is a fag

3. Joe Smith is neither

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I still can't believe I just saw someone compare the Joe Smith signing to Stephon Marbury.

There's a huge difference between the 2 IMO. Joe Smith is being brought in to provide role player minutes while an injured player gets healthy. Everyone in Cleveland knows this and expects little of him besides that. Boston brought Marbury in to be their backup PG in the playoffs. That's a huge difference in what their fans expect of Stephon and what our fans expect of Joe.

I think it's about the same, although Joe will be asked to contribute more in the regular season. If we're lucky he'll only be the backup PF in the playoffs. The difference between the two players is that Joe is a good teammate and won't affect team chemistry, and Marbury is not a good teammate and could affect team chemistry.

he'll be the backup to the backup PF in the playoffs....

No, I think it'll be like last year, he'll be the backup PF and Andy will be the backup C. Or to make it simple, we have 2 backup big men- Andy and Joe.

[jamesownsdet]

So let me get this straight, the Celtics are ridiculed for trying to better their team by adding Moore and Marbury and the Cavaliers are being lauded for adding Joe Smith? Home town spin.

1. Mikki Moore is a stiff

2. Stephon Marbury is a fag

3. Joe Smith is neither

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I still can't believe I just saw someone compare the Joe Smith signing to Stephon Marbury.

There's a huge difference between the 2 IMO. Joe Smith is being brought in to provide role player minutes while an injured player gets healthy. Everyone in Cleveland knows this and expects little of him besides that. Boston brought Marbury in to be their backup PG in the playoffs. That's a huge difference in what their fans expect of Stephon and what our fans expect of Joe.

I think it's about the same, although Joe will be asked to contribute more in the regular season. If we're lucky he'll only be the backup PF in the playoffs. The difference between the two players is that Joe is a good teammate and won't affect team chemistry, and Marbury is not a good teammate and could affect team chemistry.

he'll be the backup to the backup PF in the playoffs....

No, I think it'll be like last year, he'll be the backup PF and Andy will be the backup C. Or to make it simple, we have 2 backup big men- Andy and Joe.

I agree with this take...

[osucrazy18]

Yup, when Z and JJ go out, Mr. Smiph and SSb will go in.....it's that simple

CANNOT WAIT to see this guy back in uniform

[Gradysmanldy]

Hope he gets a big ovation when they call his name. I'm so frickin' pumped for Joe Smith to be back.

[OldDawg]

Posted this in another thread. Thought I'd put it here. After all is said and done..
Having...


Is like...

[Bill the Butcher]

Man, when are they going to announce it officially?

I wanna see his name on that damn roster list already.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Man, when are they going to announce it officially?

I wanna see his name on that damn roster list already.

They did a few minutes before you posted. Joe Smith is a Cav once more.

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/joesm ... 90305.html

[Bill the Butcher]

Man, when are they going to announce it officially?

I wanna see his name on that damn roster list already.

They did a few minutes before you posted. Joe Smith is a Cav once more.

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/joesm ... 90305.html

Hooray!

[British_Pharaoh]

Just give us the title now