Minnesota probably losing Joe Smith and back to losing all those 1st rounders

[Spike]

So how about the arbitrator ruling upholding David Stern's decision on voiding Joe Smith's "Bird rights" today? Talk about another blow to poor Minnesota.

I mean with the roster the Timberwolves have right now, they'll probably be decent this year and decent next year. But maybe 3 years from now this team could be close to being the Clippers of the Midwest. Because they probably won't come close to winning a title the next 5 years because they're capped out because of Kevin Garnett's big contract and the only other way to get better is through the Draft and all 5 of their 1st rounders for the next 5 seasons are gone now.

And now the guy that they went through all this trouble, all this risk to keep will probably be gone.

That's why I think 5 picks is too much of a punish. I think taking away three or even two first rounders would have been alright. You do have to take some picks away though because you have to make some kind of a statement, some kind of precident to keep the integrity of the Salary Cap. Otherwise Paul Allen and Mark Cuban could make under the deal tables they want and know all they'll get is slaps on the wrist if they get caught. I'm just saying taking 5 first rounders away is too harsh.

[Marc]

I think Stern was too harsh. And just to think we thought the Wolves were the team of the future a few years ago when they had Stephon and K.G. leading the way. K.G. is still there with Terrell Brandon, but it isn't the same.

[Marc]

Another thing... does anyone else think it's silly how these teams are fighting over Joe Smith, who is mediocre, at best? It's not like we're talking about an all-star or anything...

[Jersey Devil]

And after all of this ... what did they do to punish Joe Smith? That's what ticks me off. Don't tell me he isn't benefitting from breaking the rules.

I agree ... five 1st rounders is WAY too much.

[Spike]

So where do you guys think Joe Smith will end up? Dallas? That's the latest rumor I've heard.

[Marc]

I'd say the frontrunner is Miami.

[Spike]

I don't know how much of this is true, but I heard a rumor that if Joe Smith signs with any other team than Minnesota then David Stern could lower that penalty he put on them to two or three 1st rounders taken away instead of 5.

But I guess that "break" is out now since it looks like Joe Smith will re-sign with Minnesota. That's what I read today.

I'm also surprised that maybe David Stern didn't "stagger" the penalty, if it's going to be that harsh. Like take away five picks over 10 years (a pick taken away every other year) so you don't kill any hope for the future for 5 straight years. I mean that would still make a statement for a long time to Minnesota (and to the rest of the league too) to not do anything like this again but not totally kill the team's and T-Wolves fans' hopes of getting better.