#TBT: Josh Smith signs offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies in ’08
Back in 2008, a young Memphis Grizzlies offered a younger Josh Smith to an offer sheet. How would’ve JSmoove fit next to their young core?
In August of 2008, a lot was different in the world: George W. Bush’s presidency was coming to a close, Michael Jackson was still alive, Michael Scott was still on “The Office” and the world’s most beloved gorilla, Harambe, had yet to be maliciously put down due to the arrogance and foolishness of mankind. The Memphis Grizzlies were a young team in the midst of a rebuild and Josh Smith was one of the most coveted free agents on the market.
In 2008, the Memphis Grizzlies consisted of a core of Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol. Out of that quartet, only Gasol was over 22 years of age. How did they choose bolster their young, explosive core? Signing 23-year-old Josh Smith to a 4-year, $58,000,000 offer sheet.
The Conley, OJ and Rudy trio was an exciting bunch with oodles of potential. Adding a younger Josh Smith would have made this young team a lot more interesting. Smith and Rudy would have turned Grizzlies games into a slam dunk contest. Mike Conley would have had an alley-ooo partner at the power forward position. Heck, maybe after a year or two together, they would have been annual Western Conference contenders.
Sadly, this dream scenario did not come true, as the Atlanta Hawks matched the offer sheet.
How would have Josh Smith meshed with the Grizzlies in a four-year contract?
Josh Smith’s fit with the Grizzlies
Josh Smith (2008-2012 per game averages): 16.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks on 48.2% shooting from the field in 35.0 minutes.
With OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay as 20 points per game scorers, at the time, Josh Smith could’ve had similar production. At roughly a 16.6/8.5/3.5 slash-line, Smith would have been the perfect versatile fit for the Memphis Grizzlies. His playmaking would have opened up plenty of opportunities for Mayo, Conley and Gay to fire from downtown. While his 3-point shooting was subpar at 29.4%, his playmaking and presence on the perimeter would have opened up the paint for Marc Gasol to operate.
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Josh Smith vs. 2008/09 starting PF
After the Grizzlies’ offer sheet with Josh Smith was matched, they primarily used rookie Darrell Arthur as their starting power forward (64 out of 82 games).
Josh Smith (per 36; 2008-2009): 16.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.7 blocks.
Darrell Arthur (per 36; 2008-2009): 10.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks.
As a rookie starting in the NBA, Darrell Arthur’s numbers were adequate. Furthermore, Josh Smith would still be the obvious upgrade. The Grizzlies would have benefitted from his presence, as they finished the 2008-09 season at 24-58.
After yet another lottery season, the Grizzlies acquired a veteran talent in Zach Randolph. From there, the rest is history.
JSmoove vs. ZBo
Zach Randolph was trouble after his stints with the Portland “Jail Blazers” and the Isaiah Thomas-led New York Knicks (Editor the Knicks fan groans). The Grizzlies took a gamble on them that paid off big time.
In the final three years of Josh Smith’s contract, Zach Randolph exploded as a cornerstone of his franchise, causing the offer sheet to fade into oblivion.
Zach Randolph (2009-2012 averages): 19.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks on 49.2% shooting from the field in 35.4 minutes.
Josh Smith (2009-2012 averages): 16.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks on 47.9% shooting from the field in 35.0 minutes.
Overall, Randolph’s 19.1/11.4 stat-line and All-Star appearance is more glamorous than Smith’s slash. His impact ultimately showed in both the box scores and the win column. Since ZBo’s second season with the team, the Grizzlies have been a fixture in the playoffs.
One area Josh Smith would have filled that Zach Randolph doesn’t is the defensive end of the court. At 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks, Smith’s defensive versatility would have been a major key in both the pick-and-roll and in the post. His ability to guard both the perimeter and the post would have made him and Gasol a formidable duo on defense.
It is certainly hard to tell how a Grizzlies team with Josh Smith instead of Zach Randolph. While it is nice to harp on a “what if” with a once-coveted NBA star, the Memphis Grizzlies and their fans must be grateful for the “Grit ‘n Grind” era led by Zach Randolph at the power forward position.
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