Not exactly confidence inspiring for Mikki, Doc

by Slick on Mar 3, 2009 5:09 PM EST

From the Herald:

The Celtics [team stats] had to feel a little twinge when Oklahoma City waived Joe Smith just before the midnight deadline Sunday, allowing him to sign with another club and be eligible for the playoffs. Smith had been the Celts’ first choice as a free agent backup, but they decided to move on Mikki Moore last week.

Rivers said the C’s might still make a pitch for Smith, but Danny Ainge said that wasn’t going to happen.

“We thought he would get bought out,” Rivers said. “We just didn’t know for sure. We fully believed that eventually they would work it out. We just couldn’t take the gamble waiting.”

I'm a little surprised Doc said that so candidly. Is this an effort to get the most out of Mikki or just not realizing what his words imply?

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

He's just saying the true

What’s exactly the problem with what his words imply? That Smith is a far superior player to Moore and that the team would rather have Joe? That they couldn’t afford to wait on Smith because their backup plan in case of losing both was POB/open roster spot?

Well, I think even Mikki Moore acknowledges those things. The only people in the entire world who apparently believe Moore is a better/equal player or a better fit are some lads here in this site . No need to spin these things, players, reporters and most fans aren’t idiots.

by cordobes on Mar 3, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions

I don’t think that’s anything offensive against Moore.

by Who on Mar 3, 2009 5:27 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, I think moore probably already knew that…Hes not an idiot

that and doc did not say a thing regarding moore

by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 3, 2009 6:02 PM EST reply actions

I think Moore knew it

but you don’t want your coach saying it. you want your coach fully behind you. or at least I would

by Slick on Mar 3, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions

Eh….Doc talked to mikki before he ever even signed..who knows maybe he was up front then too…I dont think hes saying anything bad about Mikki, and im sure he is behind him

by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 3, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

I'm with Slick on the concept that

there’s still a difference between the player knowing something and having his new coach come out and say something that implies that something. I’m not saying it’s a “tear down the clubhouse” type comment, but I share Slick’s surprise about Doc’s candidness.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Mar 3, 2009 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

I dont know, I guess I just dont see anything wrong with what he said, someone obviously asked him about Joe smith and what he thought about him getting bought out, doc answered he thought he’d get bought out but the team couldnt wait…..whats the harm?

by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 4, 2009 6:55 AM EST up reply actions

Just Doc doing what many of us have already done – looking at Mikki’s game and saying, “Meh.”

It is kind of surprising, though, for him to say it publicly.

by CoachBo on Mar 4, 2009 8:01 AM EST up reply actions

I won't be surprised...

if Joe Smith actually asked the Thunders to buy him out after the C’s get their big man. Joe, what’s wrong with the C’s?

"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"

by Jeff_Fuller_49 on Mar 3, 2009 6:46 PM EST reply actions

Well, what I read is that he asked to be bought out but when the C's signed Moore

he decided he’d stay. When Wallace got injured, he asked for a buy out again. That makes sense, as Smith has always said he would like to have a role and not only ride the end of the bench to win a ring – and the C’s and the Cavs are two team that could offer him a solid role.

by cordobes on Mar 3, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions