Clippers Sign Smush Parker

by Steve Perrin on Mar 12, 2008 4:18 PM PDT in News

As I suspected, the Clippers have signed Smush Parker. Here's the press release...

CLIPPERS SIGN WILLIAM "SMUSH" PARKER

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent guard William "Smush" Parker. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Parker appeared in nine games for the Miami Heat in 2007-08, averaging 4.8 points, 1.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game before he was waived by the Heat on March 10. Parker has played in 255 career NBA games and has career averages of 9.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game.

The former Fordham University star joins the Clippers after appearing in all 82 games for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005-06 and 2006-07. A four-year NBA veteran, Parker has had stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers (66 games in 2002-03), Detroit Pistons (11 games in 2004-05), Phoenix Suns (5 games in 2004-05) and Lakers (164 games in 2005-2007).

Parker was not drafted in the 2002 NBA Draft after leaving Fordham University following his sophomore year. The Newark, New Jersey native originally signed with Cleveland in 2002-03, and also played with Aris Thessaloniki in the FIBA Europe League before splitting the 2004-05 campaign with Detroit and Phoenix. The Lakers signed Parker prior to 2005-06, and he proceeded to enjoy his finest season, becoming the only Lakers player to start all 82 games while averaging 11.5 points and 3.7 assists, and finishing ninth in the NBA in total steals (140). The next year Parker started 80 of 82 games for the Lakers, averaging 11.1 points and 2.8 assists while ranking eighth in the NBA in steals-to-turnovers ratio (0.78).

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Roster

Don't they have to cut someone to make room for him on the roster?....I am assuming Barrett is as good as gone....not sure what to think about this. Hopefully they have only signed him for the remainder of this year.

BINGOOOOO!!!

by Clip Show on Mar 12, 2008 4:40 PM PDT reply actions

Barrett is gone...

His first 10 day contract expired yesterday and he did not get a second one.

by Steve Perrin on Mar 12, 2008 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I just puked in my mouth

But the sad part is, Smush is probably the best PG we have now. Gross. Prepare for an onslaught of 8-second violations.

by supac on Mar 12, 2008 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

Smush Parker??? No Thanks!

I can't stand him. I saw enough of him playing for the Lakers the last 2 seasons. I mean the guy chokes in the clutch, can't play defense (I still remember Cassell, with back problems and everything, blowing by him on the baseline for a layup), and he's not a good free throw shooter. I can't believe how Pat Riley said that Smush Parker help led the Lakers to the playoffs the last 2 years. That was funny.

by laclipperfan42 on Mar 12, 2008 8:35 PM PDT reply actions

Not too bad

This is an understandable signing....at this point, what can the Clips lose from signing him? They can test him out, see if they need to draft a PG...or what they really need, another shooter. Surely, as fellow Clips fans, you should be getting tired of watching the Knight-Dickau combo. Livingston is a big question mark that costs 5 mil next year...having Smush Parker around for a (hopefully) low price wouldn't hurt. Perhaps getting cut by a team as lowly as the Heat taught him a lesson, who knows?

I love LAC.

by oasisman on Mar 12, 2008 10:23 PM PDT reply actions