Josh Smith

#3
#3
Sure.

Well... does he only have one year left or did he play little enough to salvage the season?

I'd say yeah if he's got two left. I'd probably still take him even if it's only one season but if he's got two left, whip him into shape his junior season so he can have a dominating senior season. He'd still be a solid big body even out of shape for one season. Ben Howland doesn't seem to be upset with him so he's obviously not a bad kid or anything.

"Joshua is a fine young man who has meant a lot to this program," UCLA coach Ben Howland said in a statement.

"I know I speak for myself and my staff when I thank him for his time in Westwood and wish him well in his future endeavors."
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#5
#5
Talent is talent and in his case, at least it doesn't sound like he's a bad seed. The coach spoke highly of him and I'm assuming he was passing his courses. UCLA is a good school so it's not like he's some dummy.

If weight is his only issue, it's worth a shot imo. You could make the argument that Bryce Brown was a headcase between backing out on Miami, transferring from Tennessee and leaving Kansas State. He also had a handler and whatever other weird issues going on. Even NFL teams were hesitant and he fell to the 7th round. Did you see what he did the other night??

If Smith was into drugs, failing, committed a crime, has a horrible attitude etc. I could see passing on him but talent is talent and it sounds like he's a good kid with a poor work ethic. Maybe it's not that he has a poor work ethic, maybe it's just harder for him. It's not as easy for some people to give up food or go running all the time.

I'd at least look into him. Especially given the comments from Howland. He just lost what was once considered a prize recruit and after coming off a loss, I don't think he'd hold back on saying what he really thought if Smith was a bad kid. He was a good kid, it didn't work out and it was best for both parties to move on. Just like the right school could be the best for both parties.
 
#7
#7
They say he has an addiction to food. And his weight has made him a little lazy
 
#8
#8
I'd inquire if I'm Martin, let it be known your gonna bust your a$$ and get into shape though with Nic.

He could transfer in sit out the rest of this year and be eligible to play 2nd semester next year...so heading into conference play he'd be ready to play.

That gives him a whole year to solely work on his conditioning and getting into shape. He was very highly rated, just has never put forth the effort to really get into shape.

Like I said, if I'm Martin I'd atleast inquire, but I'm thinking he stays out on the west coast. Also, we really don't have a scholarship available if Maymon is possibly redshirting. So if you take him on someone either knows they're out, or you're pushing Maymon to speed up his return.
 
#9
#9
golfballs said:
They say he has an addiction to food. And his weight has made him a little lazy
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This has been an issue since high school and one UCLA has been unable to control.

They literally can only play him 3-4 minutes at a time, if there's no dead ball they call a TO to get him out.
 
#10
#10
golfballs said:
I wonder why he left though. He was getting good playing time.
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Do you know who the other kid was that left or if he was getting playing time?

Bryce was coming off a bunch of playing time as a freshman and was looking to get an even bigger role.

Jake Heaps, I remember we recruited him. He was starting as a freshman and battling with seniors at BYU. He transferred to Kansas.

Hard to say why some people do what they do. The other UCLA player transferring might be an indicator though. Losing to Cal Poly was it? Could be an indicator too. Maybe the locker room is bad or who knows. Seems like something is going on over at UCLA. We've seen what dysfunctional can do. Look at our football team this year. Full of talent but the locker room was split with the seniors the other year, we've had the Bray incident, Da'Rick leaving, CP's grades, Sal Sunseri came in as a new DC and the defense stunk. Maybe UCLA basketball is experiencing much of the same.
 
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#13
#13
Nope. Reclamation projects take away focus by the coaching staff on guys that are not head cases. IMO the only way this guy is a take is for him to walk on and earn the scholly.
 
#14
#14
It's not like UCLA doesn't have top notch equipment and coaches as well. Not saying our guys are any less than UCLA but I think this is more of a mental problem than anything. Also, I would think he'd be giving Washington a call if he wanted to continue playing basketball. Wouldn't hurt to call if the kid gets his head on straight.
 
#19
#19
Shaun1985 said:
It's not like UCLA doesn't have top notch equipment and coaches as well. Not saying our guys are any less than UCLA but I think this is more of a mental problem than anything. Also, I would think he'd be giving Washington a call if he wanted to continue playing basketball. Wouldn't hurt to call if the kid gets his head on straight.
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From what I've read/heard about this kid, it isn't an issue of "top notch equipment", or even coaches, at least not from an x's and o's standpoint. The kid just needs to be in the right environment for him (and I don't mean one that caters to him) and under the tutelage of someone who knows how to properly and positively motivate him. It's possible the coaches at UCLA just don't have the type of personality that he needs in order for him to "get it". CCM seems, to me, like the type of person who could give him a positive kick in the rear and get his mental game jump-started.

Just my two cents.
 
#22
#22
Is this a subject because he had said something about coming here or is this just random asking if we would want him?
 
#24
#24
Renardo Sydney v.2.0

He's got a better demeanor than Sydney, but the results for his next team will be the same I think.
 
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