AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > June > 03
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Boobie Trap (and the dumbest thing I’ve heard)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m here to offer props to Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, who did in 30 minutes what the rest of the Eastern Conference (not named Dwyane Wade) couldn’t do in five years - slay the Detroit Pistons and reopen the race for the rest of the conference.
I remember last year when his stock took a dive and people called him insane for declaring for the NBA draft after just his second year at Texas. I remember someone telling me that the rest of the league was making a mistake in assuming he was damaged goods or that couldn’t play (as if somehow you can go from the preseason top-point guard prospect in the nation to falling out of the first round without good reason).
The person that made those statements to me works for the Cleveland Cavaliers. And kudos to him for not drinking whatever Kool-Aid was passed out on Gibson before the draft and snatched him up anyway. I know LeBron is the main reason the Cavs are preparing for San Antonio and the NBA Finals (and a potential back-cracking at the hands of the Big Fundamental and his boys). But there’s something to be said for doing your own homework and sticking to what you believe rather than following the crowd.
Which brings me to the next topic I wanted to attack, and let me say it’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen make the rounds here or anywhere else in all the years I’ve been in this business.
Some dope somewhere started a rumor about Josh Smith being on the trading block now that the Hawks have a couple of lottery picks and could be in position to “replace” him with the likes of Brandan Wright or Al Horford (or one of the other forward types in this draft).
Um, on a stupid scale ranging from 1 to 10, with 10 being stupid beyond reason, I’d say that’s close to 1,000. Let’s just do the math. Last I checked Josh Smith will make roughly $1.4 million for the 2007-08 season, making him arguably the NBA’s best bargain (when you consider his production). He won’t make as much money as the No. 3 or No. 11 pick this season. Did you hear me? This guy is the best bargain in the league.
Once you factor in that he’s a hometown kid, arguably the Hawks’ most recognizable face and box office draw (for whatever that’s worth), one of the league’s top two shot blockers at 21 and still has a ceiling that he’s nowhere close to touching as of yet, the idea of trading Smith now or anytime soon remains the absolute dumbest idea I’ve heard since … how about forever.
Does he have some quirks in his personality that need to be worked out? Sure. Does he need to mature and develop some post moves (so he’ll stop leaning on an outside shot that is streaky at best)? Absolutely.
But if you think there’s a player available in this draft besides Greg Oden that can provide as much bang for the buck as Smith will this season, you need to grab a roll of Bounty and clean off your Coke bottle glasses. Seriously, get the idea of Josh Smith being traded completely out of your mind. It’s foolishness and should not be discussed seriously beyond right now.
In addition to all that, the Hawks have other tradable assets that they can utilize if they are bent on making a deal for the draft (check Tuesday’s paper for five fantastic deals the Hawks could do to make the most of June 28). Parting ways with one of their best pick ups of the Atlanta Spirit regime is not the way to go people.
