Josh Smith "Impressed" with Philly

Atlanta Hawks star Josh Smith was in town yesterday visiting with the Sixers and was expected to depart sometime today. No word yet on whether an offer sheet was presented to Smith.

But it's clear Smith was given the red carpet treatment and it appears as if he is the Sixers number one guy this off season. From yesterday's AJC:

The Philadelphia 76ers rolled out the red carpet for Hawks forward Josh Smith on Wednesday, complete with limousine rides, a guided tour of not only their facilities but much of the city of Brotherly Love and a brief meeting with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

"We had a great meeting and a great time visiting with everyone here [Wednesday], and we'll continue to talk tomorrow," Brian Dyke, one of Smith's agents, said late Wednesday night. "What I can tell you is that we're very impressed with 76ers organization and the city of the Philadelphia."

Video of Smith's visit via Comcast below.

The way things have been going this off season in terms of free agency, I clearly think Smith would be the best addition the Sixers can hope for at this point. His talent levels are supposedly ridiculous and his potential could be through the roof.

Comments

[GreggyD]

The only thing that comes to mind is the quote that is always referenced in terms of every major free agent that is brought into any city, "if you bring him in, don't let him leave without signing a contract." While I'm not the biggest fan of Josh Smith, he seems to like the city and will fit well into the team's scheme of running up and down all over other teams. I hope that the Sixers can get business done if they're as enthusiastic as it seems.

[Johnny G]

It's obviously the best available upgrade for us and with our salary cap situation why not bring in a player of his size and skill-set... this team is young and getting better with time and should be able to make deep playoff runs in the next few seasons given how the teams in front of them (pistons) are dealing with age in a bad way

[Saul]

I've been excited about the possibility of signing this guy ever since I realized it was a possibility. Our interior defense will a wall between Smith and Sammy (if we sign Smith), and Smith has the ability to score in the low post, which is this team's biggest hole, along with long-range shooting. But he should be PERFECT for this team. I'm psyched.

[Pete D]

We need to sign this guy. Period.

[Chewy Wellington]

I really don;t like Smith for this team and haven't heard a good explanation of where he fits in. Isn't his game redundant to both Iggy and Thad's. If Thadeus doesn't work at 4 why would Smith. I would prefer to move Iggy for a legit 4 and then start Young at the 3.

Also, does anyone else find it weird that we are pursuing Smith and Childress. The Hawks stink. This is just like when Washington rebuilt Golden State. Those players were better and how did that work out for them?

[Chewy Wellington]

Also I should mention the guy I really want is Biedrins (spelling?). That guy flat out boards.

[Kulp]

Smith is one of the best shot blockers in the league and a much better rebounder than Thaddeus Young. He should fit nicely at power forward.

As noted here several times, Iguodala most likely is not in the team's long term plans, but the only true comparison to Smith is they are both high-flying dunkers. Unfortunately, that's all most fans seem to know about the NBA.

[Wolf]

He can move into McKie's home, I heard it's almost done it is

[Chewy Wellington]

I know plenty about the NBA and hear is what I know about Smith. He has no back to the basket game. He is not a great shooter. he is another slasher. Frankly, the last thing the sixers need on offense is another slasher.

Also, Smith is a bum all year and then shows up in playoffs. We're talking about a lot of money that will tie the hands of this franchise in the future. This signing reminds me of Scott Williams.

[Walklett]

I heard Cory Maggette and the Sixers mentioned in the same sentence on ESPN last night...

[GBH]

i think smith would be a perfect fit for this team at the 4. i'd try to sign and trade iguodala and let young play the 3. not that i dislike andre, i just don't see him getting that much better as a player and they have a younger version of him in thaddeus. can't say it's an easy decision though because andre seems like a good guy who works hard and smith seems to be a bit of a knucklehead. smith could be the prototype for the pf of the nba future though, and i find that really enticing, plus he's really young. i think thad will also develop a better perimeter game than andre so i guess to me why not roll the dice. i was hoping they'd get duhon because i think they need a bigger point to play with lou if they keep him.

[Michael C]

Smith would definitely fit at the 4 on this team, but I don't really understand locking him up for 5 years since they just drafted Speights. Either way, I think they try to move Iggy for a legit 2 who can shoot the 3, and start Thaddeus at small forward, his best position. Smith definitely would improve our defense. He doesn't have much of a back to the basket game, but he can score more then anyone else we have at the 4. Keep in mind that he is still just 22 years old as well.

[Kulp]

Chewy, I wasn't necessarily saying you don't know anything about the NBA, but there is very little to compare with Iguodala and Smith. Smith is bigger and does not handle the ball as well, but he is a much better rebounder and actually has a very good mid-range shot.

Whether or not he's a good fit for the Sixers, I don't know. You're absolutely right, he needs to improve with his back to the basket. My main concern is they might be able to find someone better next year, but Smith is a strong rebounder and elite shot blocker who can score the ball. I think he will improve playing power forward fulltime.

Michael, Speights is a big unknown in the equation. The Sixers can't sit back and assume a mid-round pick will ever be good enough to hold down a starting spot. If he develops into a quality player, they could trade him or move Smith's expiring contract. Otherwise, they just added depth to the frontcourt.

[Chewy Wellington]

I'm not sold on Smith. I think he takes the money, gets lazy, and never gets any better and if five years we move him in a deadline deal to a team that wants cap space.

Here are the PFs I like more
Biedrins (RFA),
Frye (trading block),
Villeneuva (trading block),
Craig Smith (restricted?),
Wilcox (trade block),
Tyrus Thomas (if you could get him in a Iggy trade),
Rasheed (hey, if Detroit is blowing it up, why not?)

and from the NBADL
Rod Benson (leading rebounder and worth it for the blogging)

That's 8 players I would try to acquire before Smith. And I'm sure Stefanski cane come up with more. In fact I also like Kristic more than Smith at the money he'll get.

[Wolf]

wow, Chewy you mentioned 5 stiffs and a D-league player before Smith; a man who averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals last years. I like Rasheed too but he's 33, and Smith is 22.

Charlie Villenueva? Are you serious? I'd take Hervé Villechaize, before him.

[GBH]

if you are worried about smith taking the money and getting lazy you are basically excluding about 90% of the league. i don't see any player on that list comparable to smith's combo of numbers, natural ability, age, or potential. i probably would not take 2 of the guys on that list for him. there is definitely a risk involved but i am more than willing to take the chance. in our style of play with a real point guard (something smith has had for what 20 games)he is going to put up numbers. even if that doesn't translate to wins i think there is little chance his value will drop, so i don't see the issue in signing him.

[Chewy Wellington]

my list was in no order. in fact, smith will probably be one of the best values for the money this offseason.

if the sixers sign smith, i hope you're all right. i'll root for him if he's here, but not a second before he signs.