Despite all of their athletes, Atlanta has never struck me as playing a real up-tempo game that would better suit Smith's talents. Smith definitely needs to grow his game and harness his considerable talent, but if he didn't have some flaws we would have no shot at him. Playing with a real PG, and sadly Bibby is as close as Atlanta has had, like Miller could do wonders for his offensive game. On D he needs to learn when to play his man staright-up and when to rotate defensively. Sometimes he is like a kid in a candy store when he sees a blocked shot possibility and gets out of position. We would need to get the post-game from Speights and others and would have to plan on Thad becoming the go to scorer (personally I think he will) as Smith and Iggy are not number 1 options in the last few minutes of an NBA game.
The way to get Smith would be the Joe Johnson method IMO as I posted over on PhilaPhans. Agree to terms that Atlanta would have some difficulty swallowing with Childress, Williams and Horford due raises over the next few years and the need to re-sign or replace Bibby soon and Joe Johnson down the road. Then go to Atlanta witha trade proposal. Ed has repeatedly said that we will likely make a trade for a big, not a pure FA signing. Offer up Jason Smith and a couple of first rounders. They want to move Horford to PF anyway, Smith provides cheap and productive help at C and the picks get them more help at C and PG down the road, while saving them a bunch of money to use on Childress, Horford, etc.
