Reunited Smith, Karl hope for productivity

KG-MVP21 · 08-12-2006, 01:47 PM

Joe Smith has had George Karl as a coach before.

For 23 days.

On June 27, 2003, Milwaukee, with Karl then the coach, acquired Smith from Minnesota. But Karl was fired by the Bucks on July 20, 2003.

"We've joked about how I've been trying to get Joe," Karl said. "When he had his Minnesota contract voided (in 2000), we probably came in second trying to sign him (Smith went to Detroit rather than the Bucks). I've always liked him a lot."

Karl no longer will have to admire Smith from afar. Karl now is the Nuggets coach, and Thursday they acquired the power forward from Milwaukee for swingman Ruben Patterson.

Smith is the type of player Karl likes. He's versatile, being able to play inside and outside.

He's a great influence in the locker room.

As it turns out, Smith also long has been impressed with Karl.

"I've always heard good things about him," Smith said. "He's always been somebody that I've wanted to play for."

Mr. Smith, meet Mr. Karl.

It remains to be seen, though, which player the Nuggets will be getting. The one who last season had knee problems and averaged only 8.6 points in 44 games? Or the one who averaged 13.2 points and 10.0 rebounds for the Bucks as recently as the 2004 playoffs?

Obviously, the 6-foot-10 Smith thinks he will be productive with the Nuggets. But the Nuggets, loaded with big men, don't need Smith, 31, to average double figures.

They do need his locker room presence. The Nuggets have been lacking in that area.

"He's a pro's pro," Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien said. "He's a veteran captain. He's been through a lot."

Indeed, Smith has. He was the NBA's top draft pick out of Maryland by Golden State in 1995 and has spent his career trying to live up to that burden.

Smith has career averages of 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. No, he has not been as productive as Antonio McDyess, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett, the four players drafted after him in 1995. But he offers no apologizes.

"I've been on different teams and my role has changed throughout the years," said Smith, now with his fifth team. "Whether I score or rebound, my role has changed every year. It has been a pretty productive career. Obviously, everybody would like to put up better numbers. But I think I've been pretty productive."

Smith's best seasons actually were his first two, when he averaged 15.3 and 18.7 points. But the Warriors, worried about Smith wanting a big contract when he became a free agent in 1998, dealt him to Philadelphia midway through 1997-98.

Smith ended up signing a one- year deal with Minnesota for the $1.75 million midlevel exception, the most the Timberwolves could offer for 1998-99. Over the next two years, he signed one- year, low-dollar deals.

But then everything unraveled. In fall 2000, it was determined Smith had entered into a secret, illegal agreement in which the Timberwolves would give Smith a maximum contract when he became eligible in 2001.

The NBA fined the Timberwolves $3.5 million and docked them three first-round picks. The league voided Smith's $2.5 million contract with Minnesota for 2000-01, and he signed a one- year, $2.25 million deal with Detroit.

"I've put it behind me," Smith said. "I do get asked about it, but I just laugh about it. I just say, 'That's in the past and I really don't talk about that situation.' But it was tough on me."

Smith returned to Minnesota with a six-year, $34 million contract in 2001. But he was by no means a star and was shipped to Milwaukee in 2003.

Smith was functional with the Bucks, but they looked to trade him after acquiring power forwards Charlie Villanueva and Brian Skinner earlier this summer.

"(The Nuggets are) getting a guy who will be there every night," Milwaukee general manager Larry Harris said. "He'll play hurt. He's a good free-throw shooter. He can make open shots, hitting the 18- to 20-footer. Denver's getting a great guy. He's a pro's pro."

That seems to be the consensus. No wonder Karl long has wanted to hook up with Smith.

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08-12-2006, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
KG-MVP21 All Star Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Catalonia Posts: 2,503	Joe Smith has had George Karl as a coach before. For 23 days. On June 27, 2003, Milwaukee, with Karl then the coach, acquired Smith from Minnesota. But Karl was fired by the Bucks on July 20, 2003. "We've joked about how I've been trying to get Joe," Karl said. "When he had his Minnesota contract voided (in 2000), we probably came in second trying to sign him (Smith went to Detroit rather than the Bucks). I've always liked him a lot." Karl no longer will have to admire Smith from afar. Karl now is the Nuggets coach, and Thursday they acquired the power forward from Milwaukee for swingman Ruben Patterson. Smith is the type of player Karl likes. He's versatile, being able to play inside and outside. He's a great influence in the locker room. As it turns out, Smith also long has been impressed with Karl. "I've always heard good things about him," Smith said. "He's always been somebody that I've wanted to play for." Mr. Smith, meet Mr. Karl. It remains to be seen, though, which player the Nuggets will be getting. The one who last season had knee problems and averaged only 8.6 points in 44 games? Or the one who averaged 13.2 points and 10.0 rebounds for the Bucks as recently as the 2004 playoffs? Obviously, the 6-foot-10 Smith thinks he will be productive with the Nuggets. But the Nuggets, loaded with big men, don't need Smith, 31, to average double figures. They do need his locker room presence. The Nuggets have been lacking in that area. "He's a pro's pro," Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien said. "He's a veteran captain. He's been through a lot." Indeed, Smith has. He was the NBA's top draft pick out of Maryland by Golden State in 1995 and has spent his career trying to live up to that burden. Smith has career averages of 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. No, he has not been as productive as Antonio McDyess, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett, the four players drafted after him in 1995. But he offers no apologizes. "I've been on different teams and my role has changed throughout the years," said Smith, now with his fifth team. "Whether I score or rebound, my role has changed every year. It has been a pretty productive career. Obviously, everybody would like to put up better numbers. But I think I've been pretty productive." Smith's best seasons actually were his first two, when he averaged 15.3 and 18.7 points. But the Warriors, worried about Smith wanting a big contract when he became a free agent in 1998, dealt him to Philadelphia midway through 1997-98. Smith ended up signing a one- year deal with Minnesota for the $1.75 million midlevel exception, the most the Timberwolves could offer for 1998-99. Over the next two years, he signed one- year, low-dollar deals. But then everything unraveled. In fall 2000, it was determined Smith had entered into a secret, illegal agreement in which the Timberwolves would give Smith a maximum contract when he became eligible in 2001. The NBA fined the Timberwolves $3.5 million and docked them three first-round picks. The league voided Smith's $2.5 million contract with Minnesota for 2000-01, and he signed a one- year, $2.25 million deal with Detroit. "I've put it behind me," Smith said. "I do get asked about it, but I just laugh about it. I just say, 'That's in the past and I really don't talk about that situation.' But it was tough on me." Smith returned to Minnesota with a six-year, $34 million contract in 2001. But he was by no means a star and was shipped to Milwaukee in 2003. Smith was functional with the Bucks, but they looked to trade him after acquiring power forwards Charlie Villanueva and Brian Skinner earlier this summer. "(The Nuggets are) getting a guy who will be there every night," Milwaukee general manager Larry Harris said. "He'll play hurt. He's a good free-throw shooter. He can make open shots, hitting the 18- to 20-footer. Denver's getting a great guy. He's a pro's pro." That seems to be the consensus. No wonder Karl long has wanted to hook up with Smith.