Smack / Jul 27, 2007 / 10:38 pm

South Beach and Smush

We hit up the NBA rookie photo shoot at the Knicks’ practice facility in Tarrytown, N.Y., yesterday. Over 40 of the rookies were in the house, having their photos taken for everything from their first trading cards to their team’s media guides. Long day for these guys. Pretty much every draftee was there except the international guys (Yi, Belinelli, etc.), and we talked to everyone, so make sure you check in on Monday for the recap. Some of the quick highlights: At one point Big Baby was wearing a Larry Bird jersey and a Santa hat; Greg Oden was wearing glasses whenever he wasn’t in front of the camera; and lots of players were rocking jerseys with no numbers. At last year’s shoot only Kevin Pittsnogle was stuck with the no-number jersey, but this year even first-round picks like Rodney Stuckey, Morris Almond and Al Thornton had no number yet …Pay very close attention to the Juan Carlos Navarro situation. If you saw Spain winning last summer’s World Championship, you know this kid can flat-out play. The Wizards have until the end of next week to sign or trade Navarro, otherwise his buyout from his Barcelona team jumps from $3 million back to around $13 million. The Wizards are most likely not going to sign Navarro, and even he acknowledged there are too many guards in D.C., but there are a number of teams making offers to acquire his rights. … Team Canada wants Steve Nash any way they can get him. “Ideally, it would be a no-pressure situation,” coach Leo Rautins told the Toronto Sun. “If he does play, it will be a limited-minutes situation. We don’t need to tax him. Just his leadership and confidence would be more than enough.” Do you think Team USA has done the same thing with KG and Shaq? Just a few minutes a night, fellas, and we’re good … The Denver Post said some of the U.S. guys are still getting used to J-Kidd’s passes. One of them hit Chris Bosh in the chest so hard “it sounded like some ribs broke.” Gotta keep your head up … Watch out, South Beach: the Miami Heat have reportedly signed Smush Parker to a 2-year contract. According to the Miami Herald, Smush will receive part of the Heat’s mid-level exception. Should be some real cash for Smush and a good role for him. Smush has told one of our Bounce crew that he wanted to go to Miami about two weeks ago. … The Knicks inked rookie Wilson Chandler to his rookie contract. Chandler looked very promising in summer play. … The Bulls also signed Joakim Noah to his rookie contract. It’s about to get loud in Chi-town. … The Heat had until July 20 to either cut Chris Quinn or his ‘07-08 contract would be guaranteed. They kept him, but what do you think July 20 was like for Quinn? Can you imagine pacing around your crib waiting for the phone to not ring? Nerve-wracking as hell … You gotta do what you gotta do. Allan Ray has reportedly signed a 2-year, $2 million contract with the Italian first division team Lottomatica Roma. It’s a good move for Ray who has a nice little European game (small and can shoot) and as long as he can adjust to overseas life, will likely excel. This should open the door for Gabe Pruitt to not only make the Celtics but possibly get a little PT. Are the Celtics really going to go into camp with Rondo, Telfair and Pruitt as their point guard options? Brevin Knight continues to be the hottest point guard on the open market and even though his season was marred by consistent injuries, his value is going up and up the longer he remains unsigned. … Raja Bell had surgery on his right knee on Thursday just to clean it up. It isn’t going to affect him catching passes from Nash and flicking that wrist for threes … Andre Iguodala was named to that “young guys” team to scrimmage against the senior U.S. team. Could Iggy make the 2012 Olympic squad? He doesn’t exactly strike us as an international candidate, but 2012 is a long time away. … It looks more and more like C-Webb will play ball next year either in Dallas (who is said to be pursuing Webber) or back in Detroit. … 14 years ago yesterday Reggie Lewis passed away. One of our boys, and huge Celtics’ fan, pays tribute to #35 on his blog. … We’re out like Nash balling for team Canada …

8 Responses to “South Beach and Smush”

  1. wid-get movie says:

    Smush Parker??? I hope Pat has something on his sleeves…

  2. Spanglish says:

    I like him on the Heat. Does he start over J-Wil?

  3. Iggy says:

    Why is the USA practicing against Iguodala? Nobody on the international level is athletic and sized like that. They should be playing guys Mike Dunleavy JR., even Mark Blount (centers that can shoot), etc.

  4. murph says:

    Smush will be a much better player under pat riley undun

  5. João says:

    Smush will be a back-up and will play 20 minutes a game. If he tries to do something about his defense, Smush - Wade - Dorrel will a good defense back court. If he plays the same way that he played for the Lakers, he and Shaq defending the pick will be ugly …

  6. TheJed says:

    20-25 minutes a night and smush can contribute. If you’re relying on him for 30-40, you’re in trouble.

  7. Taylor Johnson says:

    Best smack in a while

  8. The Spin says:

    Smush will be very happy to be in Miami, but will he actually be that great of a fit? I’m not convinced he’s a true point guard. He’s kind of one of those in between,awkward guards I would call it. Regardless, the Heat are better starting him at PG instead of the most inconsistent player in NBA history: Jason Williams.
    Check me at www.clutch3.com

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