Beside the Point: The Blog by Patrick McManamon » Joe Smith

Barkley was just being Barkley

Pat McManamon — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:00:10 +0000

A few questions were asked of the Cavs during Monday's interview about Charles Barkley's opinion that Orlando would beat the Cavs to win the East. But nobody asked about Chris Webber and Kenny Smith ridiculing Barkley's pick.

Is this not classic Cleveland sportsism – focusing on the one guy who picked against the Cavs and ignoring the two who picked them?

At any rate, here's what the Cavs said.

"I think," said Zydrunas Ilgauskas, "the best answer to that is us winning.

"Everyone's entitled to opinions," Joe Smith said. "We got to go out and play the games. It's nothing personal. I understand they have to make a choice."

I like Barkley because he's himself. He clearly has some personal issues in his life, but when he's on TV he calls it like he sees it. Who cares, really, that he picked against the Cavs? He has a right to his opinion, and he's supposed to have that opinion. And two other guys on the same show had differing opinions.

LeBron James does not seem to like Barkley a lot. His response on whether he had a comment on Barkley's predictions: "No."

The Cavs are ever so close to the top seed in the East

Pat McManamon — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:38:17 +0000

Boston seems to have lost hope of gaining the East's No. 1 seed. The Cavs haven't clinched it yet, but it would take an epic collapse for Cleveland not to have home court advantage. A win over Orlando Tuesday night would only make things that much clearer. After Sunday's win, the Cavs are given an 89.9 percent chance of being the top seed. In fact, Boston must worry about Orlando taking the second seed. ESPN.com writes of Boston's bench moves this season: "The Celtics are trying to sell (Mikki Moore) as essentially the equal of Joe Smith, saying they wanted one or the other and took Moore because he was available first. But I suspect they regret not waiting on Smith." This column also kind of brings home the point that Stephon Marbury might not be the answer. Call this the P.J. Brown Factor. Brown killed the Cavs last season, especially in Game 7. Guys like P.J. Brown are not supposed to do that year in and year out. Boston hit it right last season; this season could be bringing things back into balance.

Mr. Smith returns to Cleveland

Pat McManamon — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:03:07 +0000

Joe Smith will be with the Cavs when they play in Boston on Sunday. That's a very, very good thing. Perhaps never before has one who played so few minutes meant so much to one team. But the level of affection and respect for Smith is very evident in the statements of the Cavs in George Thomas' story tonight (I had planned to be at that game and write about Smith, but two-day-long dizziness caused by an inner ear infection forced a sick day … now rumors that I am dizzy can be confirmed). Smith was with the Cavs a very short time last season — 27 games plus the playoffs — but he made a large impression with his professionalism, his willingness to do anything and his defense. A team cannot have enough professionals — something I've said often, usually relating to another team in town. Smith is the right fit, something I've been advocating for a long time. Had the Cavs acquired him prior to the trade deadline, he'd have been the right fit. With Ben Wallace out, he's the right fit. Heck, he's a better fit than Hush Puppies (and if you're old enough to know those were shoes, then you can do the watusi with me). This is a good move for the Cavs — and for Smith.

Taking a look at the Indians moves

Pat McManamon — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:22:00 +0000

Item: The Indians acquire second baseman Luis Valbuena and relief pitcher Joe Smith for Franklin Gutierrez.

Let's see. Gutierrez is an excellent defensive player, but his production at the plate dropped dramatically last season. He hit .241 and other teams learned in the 2007 playoffs that Gutierrez can't hit a breaking ball. That does not bode well for a major league future, so the Indians gave up a player from the outfield, where they have several players. In return, they got a major-league caliber second baseman and a very good relief pitcher. How does Mark Shapiro pull this stuff off?

Item: Kerry Wood is about to sign to be the Indians closer.

With the additions of Wood and Smith, Shapiro can check off his top offseason priority: Strengthening the bullpen. Wood brings it, which is always the preference for a closer. A guy who comes in and blows people away. Won't you miss those Bob Wickman/Joe Borowski nail-biter ninth innings though?

Item: CC Sabathia takes the $161 million from New York and heads to where he doesn't want to play.

Unless you believe Sabathia approaching the Dodgers to say he wanted to pitch on the West Coast, near his home, was a negotiating ploy.

Item: Sabathia signed for seven years.

I'd like to see the details on this contract because I think I read Sabathia can again be a free agent after three years. That is interesting.

Item: Sabathia got more than Johan Santana a year ago when he signed with the Mets.

Of course, it was not about the money.

Some thoughts on the Cavs trade

Pat McManamon — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:33:45 +0000

Some random thoughts on the Cavs’ deal to acquire Mo Williams:

—Hate losing Joe Smith. Guys like him don’t come along often. Consummate pro. But … as they say … whoever they are … you got to give something to get something. Besides, I'm an old fuddy-duddy who takes a liking to guys like Smith. It's why GMs are hired to make decisions and the decisions are not left to sentimental old fart sportswriters.
—Nice to hear that Mo Williams has worked with Daniel Gibson in the offseason and acted as a bit of a mentor. Friendship does make the heart grow fonder.
—Think this helps Wally Szczerbiak?
—Poor Joe Smith. Guy does everything anyone can ask. Works hard. Fills his role. Contributes. Did a tremendous job in the playoffs. Now he goes to Oklahoma City. Sheesh, Toto, this just does not seem right.
—Clearly the Cavs are not afraid to spend money. Williams brings $43 million in future contracts with him.
—I wish he’d be described as a pass-first point guard, but at the same time the Cavs may have solved two problems in one trade. They got a guy who can handle the ball, penetrate AND score. Not bad.
—Hope the Cavs do not lose Delonte West. He’s a good player. And he’s an American original.
—That’s three pretty good guards to play in different tandems – West, Gibson and Williams.
—The Szczerbiak-Sasha Pavlovic influence seems to be waning a bit, does it not?
—The Cavs are being quiet, but they must like first-round draft pick J.J. Hickson. A lot.
—They also must have high hopes for Anderson Varejao. He has to be better this season than he was at the end of last.
—Anyone besides me remember Ben Wallace playing so well in the fourth quarter of Game 7 in Boston? Guy stood up to Kevin Garnett. Actually got jaw to jaw with one of the great talkers in the NBA. How refreshing was it to see that from a player from Cleveland? As Toby Keith might say, Ben is not as good as he once was, but he’s as good once as he ever was.
—Final verdict on the trade: The Cavs gave up a guard who was not going to contribute and a good guy on the frontline but a guy who also is 33 with shaky knees. They got a 25-year-old point guard who can score. It’s a plus.
—Yes, strong stands like that one are what this blog is all about.