Poll: Would You Rather Have Carmelo Anthony Or Josh Smith On The Boston Celtics?
Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo sure is a popular guy!
Nov 3, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) talks with Detroit Pistons small forward
Josh Smith(6) before the game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Not too long ago, there were rumors about Carmelo Anthony recruiting Rondo to come play for the New York Knicks once Rondo becomes a free agent in 2015.
Now, there is this story about Rondo’s old high school teammate, Josh Smith, who admits that he and Rondo have talked about the possibility of teaming up once again:
"The conversation comes up. We always tell each other how surreal a moment that would be for us to be able to reconnect again in that realm. It can be far-fetched, but it could be possible too, at the same time. I’m always optimistic. I always think of different scenarios. It could happen, but who knows?"
Who knows, indeed?
I cannot speak for Rondo, but the way the Celtics, Knicks, and Pistons look this season, and knowing what I know about the front offices of these three teams, it seems pretty far-fetched to believe that Rondo would bolt out of Boston to head to either one of these two squads. President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge has a great young coach in Brad Stevens, a ton of draft picks, and the culture of the Boston Celtics at his disposal; the Knicks and the Pistons do not. Furthermore, this was SUPPOSED to be a rebuilding year for the Celtics, whereas Detroit and New York hoped to make the playoffs this season, making their disappointing season all the more, uh, disappointing.
Rondo would have to be touched in the head, then, or severely angry with the Boston Celtics, before he would consider heading to Detroit or New York. However, it is not outside the realm of possibility that Boston could either trade for Josh Smith, or entice Carmelo to come play with Rondo in Boston in 2015, which is when Anthony also becomes a free agent.
Dec 8, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) takes a shot against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics won the game 114-73. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
My question for you today, then, is who would you rather have playing alongside Rondo: Carmelo, or J-Smith?
There’s no doubt that Carmelo is the better scorer of the two, but the knock on Anthony is that he has always been a ball-hog and a terrible defender. Well, even using the word “defender” to describe him seems wrong, since he really is not one, at all. Still, Carmelo’s advanced stats will tell you is going to add a little over 8 wins per game per season for whichever team he plays for, which cannot be ignored.
Smith, on the other hand, is one of those players who you could argue has never fully realized his NBA potential . . . but you can’t help but wonder how well he would play if paired with Rondo, someone with whom he has already shown chemistry. Smith is more likely to commit to playing defense under Stevens, as well, which might make him a better fit for the Celtics.
Not that I would turn away Carmelo Anthony if he came knocking!
So which player would you prefer? Vote, and let your voice be heard in the comments section below, or on Twitter @HoudiniCeltics or @theamazingMrS!