What sort of offer could lure a player away from getting a fat check to play for his hometown team? That’s the question that the Sixers must have been asking themselves when they pitched Josh Smith on coming to the City of Brotherly Love. While the Hawks can match anything thrown at J-Smoove, they’ll have to sit by and wait as other squads break out all the stops.
And that’s exactly what Philly did. When Smith came for a meeting last week, the Sixers guided him on a tour of the city in a private limousine, and also arranged a meeting with Philadelphia’s mayor Michael Nutter.
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…
“We had a great meeting and a great time visiting with everyone here, and we’ll continue to talk tomorrow,” Brian Dyke, one of Smith’s agents, said. “What I can tell you is that we’re very impressed with 76ers organization and the city of the Philadelphia.”
It looks like the max offer the Sixers could make is for five years at roughly $67 million, which is $22 million more than the $45 million offer sheet they threw at him last October.
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July 7th, 2008 at 9:51 am
dmitry of jersey says:
Josh Smith + Iguodala + Dalembert = three players in the starting line up who can’t create their own shot. Defense wins championships, but not when no one on your squad can take over a game….
July 7th, 2008 at 9:58 am
CHEE says:
he is better off staying w/ atlanta or goin to GS.
better suited
July 7th, 2008 at 10:00 am
miamiVIS3 says:
How come we don’t hear about teams like GS going for Iguodala?
July 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am
miamiVIS3 says:
This lineup wold be sick
1.Monta
2.Iggy
3.S-Jax
4.Harrington
5.Biedris
July 7th, 2008 at 10:07 am
SD32 says:
That lineup would would do nothing except make monta ellis an all-star
July 7th, 2008 at 11:15 am
E$ says:
which team had the better home crowd ticket sales in the regular season - ATL vs PHL?
July 7th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Kobeef says:
@E$
I’d guess philly. ATL had a great turnout for the playoffs but that arena is usually empty.
Philly is a more appealing option for Josh if he wants to win. With Iggy, Miller, Josh, Thad Young and Dalembert (also Speights who I think is better than people realize) they 76rs have solid players at every position.
Atlanta only has Bibby for one more year and they still need a centre (Horford is a PF who is filling in at the 5). Things could be ugly in ATL again sometime soon unless the team continues to make some moves.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
GEE...be still boy no need for static says:
Aight I understand getting paid and all. Still the Hawks had something going really great. Personally I think they need a new coach and that will even take them further than they know.
I mean they took the Celtics to seven and some can argue that had homecourt been the other way …who knows.
So if I am Josh…I would just stay put pimpin. Why leave when you are making a mark and a name for yourself, and you are seriously loved by ATL. Stay with your squad and keep it tight and try to go even further.
I don’t get it. Dudes go to what could be a weaker team for cash and more pt and lime light possibly but end up never getting no where sometimes.
Then down the road they trying to get on a championship contending squad as a missing piece when they could have stayed with their original squad they made a name for themselves with and developed that squad into a championship contender.
Patience is the higest order of discipline.
July 7th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
doc says:
Come on over Josh
July 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
What is this!? says:
The Hawks have a nice nucleus they can build on, Josh will be better off staying with the Hawks. At least the Hawks were able to push the Celtics to a game seven..Philly would have probably got by Boston. Both teams still need work (the great thing that both teams have going for them is that they are in the East and were able to make the playoffs being below .500), so Philly is not a better position to be in. And as previously mentioned, Philly would have no go-to guy for scoring still. Stay with the Hawks Josh, its a better situation and will most likely pay off better in the end then going to Philly.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
What is this!? says:
^^ I meant to say Philly would have probably gotten KILLED by Boston
July 7th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Kudabeen says:
They wouldn’t have to create their own shots with Andre Miller at point. Also Iguodala is a very good setup man as well. He created his shots decently all year, but stunk it up during the playoffs. Dre has been the go to guy, but that only will get them so far. They won this year playing as a team, so the fact that they don’t have a Kobe at this point doesn’t bother me as much. I still believe Iguodala has All-star and reliable scorer potential.
It would be fun to see Dre and Josh play top that throughout the season on highlights. With Miller recognized as one of best Lob passer in the league I like how athletic they would be. Iguodala is developing at a much faster rate than Joe Johnson, so Josh on the Sixer’s would be an upgrade in Josh’s situation. Sixer’s played ALL the top teams tough through out the year. I know it’s regular season, but that’s what get you in the playoffs.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
GEE...be still boy no need for static says:
It might be for “his” situation money wise. Still I think he would be better served with a team that is pretty nice at all spots, rather than 3 or 4 max with Philly and that is if he goes there. He has a great thing with the Hawks and he should ride that wave. Plus Joe and Iggy is like a wash to a degree, although Joe was in the playoffs …was Iggy? He didn’t play like he was.
Oh yea and most pg’s in the league can throw the lob, where is it that it say Miller is recognized as one of the best lob passers?
July 8th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Kudabeen says:
Let’s see GEE:
My post is the first time you’ve heard Andre Miller refered to as one of the best lob passers in the game? Do you watch games on mute? Hubie Brown and Doug Collins made the assessment popular, but I’ll leave it to you to google Andre Miller and lob passer…(ESPN,HOOPIQ,SPortsTalk,RealGM)
How is the Hawks a better situation than Philly? They had a better season? NO. Joe Johnson is better than Iguodala? NO. Mike Bibby and Acie Law are better than Andre Miller and Lou Williams? NO. Mike Woodson is a better coach than Cheeks? NO. Atlanta’s jacked up management is better than Philly’s management? Not saying much, but NO.
In what world is Atlanta better than Philly. The only thing Atlanta has over Philly is Al Horford. Even in Philly’s weakened state of fan support it is a better market than Atlanta has been for the Hawks. Get Real…
Also, just because you can do something doesn’t make you one of the best. That is something that is observed and bestowed upon you by those who know the game. Yao ming can dunk, most guys in the NBA can, does that make him one of the best? NO. Most point guards in the league know how to dribble, does that mean Jacque Vaughn is one of the best ball handlers? NO.
How old are you?
Haven’t said it in a while, but You Must Learn…I’m not that dude that talks out his @$$…disagree with reason and know something first is all I’m saying…