Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - We have had 24 hours to absorb the shock. When the Detroit Pistons released Josh Smith, it was a jaw-dropper, not from a basketball perspective, but from a financial one. Smith has A LOT of money left on his contract and Stan Van Gundy just decided this disaster he inherited wasnt worth the $30-$40 million. The Smith/Greg Monroe/Andre Drummond trio has been a disaster somewhere ranging between new Coke and the Exxon Valdez. The last Motown trio to do this poorly, the federal government bailed it out. So, applaud Van Gundy and the Pistons for putting basketball decisions over financial ones. The Pistons are terrible and jettisoning Smith wont move the radar significantly either way. They wont improve and Monroe and Drummond can work on chemistry in the hope that Monroe re-ups this summer. But, where does Smith land? Make no mistake, Smith was bad for the Pistons. Smiths offensive numbers have been in decline and he shoots too many 3s, but he can make some from long range. Smith is a stretch four who can still defend a little and, since hes only 29, although a long-tenured 29, hes got years left. Any future employer needs to know that Smith will be motivated. Hes not a locker room cancer, but Smiths enthusiasm has come in question. There are a few factors that might shed some light where Smith might be headed. First, no team will claim him off waivers. The Philadelphia 76ers are the only squad with the cap room to do it, but with their allergic reaction to veteran talent, Smith doesnt make sense. Nor should the 76ers look at Smith. Its possible, I guess, that some team like the Sacramento Kings, who have had a serious crush on Smith for over a year and tried to trade for him several times, might claim him. Personally, with the amount of money and two years left on that contract, if a team claims him, that team should have its charter revoked. So, after Smith clears waivers, where are we at? The Kings seem like a fringe candidate at best, despite their unfettered yearning. They cant offer more than the minimum and dont have a strong enough roster to contend, assuming title contention is something that interests Smith. The only reason Sacramento makes the list of suitors is because of how badly it wants to be on the list. Does Smith do them a solid for showing that love? Probably not, the NBA is a business, not a high-school courtship. The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that I thought at first made a lot of sense, however, Im cooling. Smith is going to be in a position to hand-select his next team, so why does a Lakers squad strapped for cash because of Kobe Bryants contract, and absent shot attempts because of Bryants selection, appeal to Smith? The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to be attached to any available talent, but Smith doesnt help them. Backup power forward, (and to be clear, Smith is a power forward, no more flirting with this small-forward thing) is actually a position of strength for Cleveland with Tristan Thompson. Serious candidates only, please. The Miami Heat are ones, according to reports. Their prize offseason addition, Josh McRoberts, is done for the season. Miami applied for a Disabled Player Exemption, which, presumably, it would use on Smith. If the NBA grants the Heat this exemption, they can offer more than anyone else for Smiths services. Miami is lovely, although warm. Playing with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh isnt hell and Smiths presence could help. His adequate long-range ability is a plus for the Heat, as is his athleticism in Miamis traps. Are they contenders enough to peak Smiths interest? The Dallas Mavericks have been mentioned a lot as contenders for Smiths services. One of Smiths closest friends in the world is Rajon Rondo. You may have heard he was recently traded to the Mavericks. Like most in this bidding war, Dallas can only offer the minimum and it would seem like a good fit considering the Mavs traded most of their frontcourt depth. I dont think it is a good fit. The Mavs need true big-man depth. Someone like Jermaine ONeal is a better match. Dallas can play plenty of guys to back up Dirk Nowitzki as stretch fours like Chandler Parsons, Richard Jefferson and, of course, Charlie Villanueva (no kidding, he went 4-for-6 from long range on Monday). Smith is obviously a better option, but if I was Mark Cuban, Id buy an island. Sorry, if I was Mark Cuban, Id try to spend what little money available under the cap on a more pressing need. That leaves us with our final two. The Los Angeles Clippers need some frontcourt help badly on the second unit. Spencer Hawes is sidelined with a bruised knee and frankly, he hasnt been any great shakes out there this season. Smith is an upgrade over Glen Davis and pairing him with Hawes off the bench could work as both have solid universal skill sets. However, the Clippers have very little financial wiggle room. Minimum is the maximum offer, but otherwise, LA fits the bill nicely for what Smith should be looking for in a franchise. Hell contend, play in a nice climate and for a well-run, professional organization. But the Clippers dont offer as much as Smiths next employer. The Houston Rockets can offer Smith more than the veterans minimum. The Rockets can give Smith the biannual exception which could net Smith $500,000 more than the minimum. (He will, and has, made a lot of money from Detroit, so is that half a mil worth it?) If the friendship factor is a pressing issue for Smith, then Houston is in great shape there, too. Smith and Dwight Howard are tighter than some jeans and according to reports, Howard is pressing hard for Smith. The Rockets have a decent climate and are contenders. Thats appealing, plus, Houston has a need for Smiths skill set. The Rockets have been without Terrence Jones for some time and Smiths stretch-ability at the four could be valuable. (Remember how badly Houston wanted Chris Bosh?) Defense is a priority in Houston these days and Smith wont kill them on that front. Houston makes the most sense. I wanted this to end with a darkhorse candidate swooping in, but the Rockets just make too much sense. You can check off every box and Houston fits best. Vapormax Off White Bianche . The right-hander said he threw about 30 pitches in a routine bullpen session Sunday at Yankee Stadium, his final hurdle before starting Tuesday night at Tampa Bay. Vapormax Chinese New Year . When New Zealand finally held on for an 8-7 win, France No. 8 Imanol Harinordoquy collapsed to the ground, having given every drop of energy he could muster, and lay prone as All Blacks danced around him in celebration. Few critics had given France any chance, but coach Marc Lievremonts team rallied from 8-0 down and came within one kick of taking the lead with 15 minutes remaining, only for flyhalf Francois Trinh-Ducs 49-meter effort to drift wide. http://www.scarpevapormaxscontate.it/vap...ia.html.Derrick Rose scored 23 points, and the Bulls pulled away from the Nets for a 105-80 victory on Wednesday night. Chicago held Brooklyn to 29 points on 26. Vapormax In Offerta . The goals took Liverpools tally in the Premier League this season to 70, overtaking Manchester City as the top scorers, and left the fourth-place team just four points behind league leader Chelsea. Vapormax Flyknit 3 Bianche . -- The Atlanta Braves are facing the possibility of losing another pitcher for the season after general manager Frank Wren said Saturday that Cory Gearrin has a serious injury to his right elbow. BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns arent worried about Johnny Manziel running out of bounds off the field. Or floating on pool rafts. After a weekend of partying in Texas, where he was photographed floating on an inflatable swan while drinking champagne in a nightclub pool, Manziel was on the field Tuesday as the Browns opened a mandatory three-day minicamp. The team is not making their popular Heisman Trophy-winning rookie quarterback -- or starter Brian Hoyer -- available to the media this week. Manziel has left Cleveland each of the past three weekends, first taking a trip to Las Vegas, then to Los Angeles for a seminar with other rookies and then to his home state, where in addition to having some fun, he got drafted by the San Diego Padres and attended Game 2 of the NBA finals in San Antonio, sitting near Miamis bench while wearing a retro Cavaliers cap. Following practice, Browns first-year coach Mike Pettine said hes not worried about how his young QB spends his free time. "Im not concerned," Pettine said. "I would become concerned if it was something criminal and I would be concerned if it affected his job. Theres a lot of our guys, if when they leave here if they were followed around, youd get some very similar pictures. I dont know about an inflatable swan, but youd still get some pictures." Manziel has said he intends to keep living his life to the fullest, and Pettine doesnt feel the need to monitor the 21-year-olds every move. "The philosophy here is that were not going to micro-manage the guys," Pettine said. "I was involved in an event this weekend, and if there were some cameras at certain times it probably wouldnt have been the most flattering. It was a group of coaches out and we had a good time, but we were responsible. When it becomes irresponsible or it becomes part of breaking the law or its something we feel is a potential problem, well step in." Manziel is currently listed as Clevelands backup behind Hoyer. The two will compete during training camp next month, when each pass will be dissected. The dueling QBS are already under scrutiny. During Tuesdays workout, Manziel took snaps with Clevelands first-team offence as Hoyer continues to be limited as a precaution while recovering from off-season knee surgery. When he was on the field, Hoyer showed his ability to read the defence and release the ball more quickly than Manziel, who is still learning the nuances of offensive co-ordinator Kyle Shanahans system and adjusting to the speedier pro game.dddddddddddd Thats not to say Manziel didnt show progress. "Hes getting more comfortable in the huddle, calling the plays," Pettine said. "I think hes got a very nice touch with the deep ball. Weve added some of the zone-read stuff that Kyles run with RG3 in Washington and hes done a nice job handling that. He makes improvement every day." As for Manziels extra-curricular activities, his teammates seem to have his back. Safety Donte Whitner was asked if theres a need to tell Johnny Football to tone down his act. "Yeah, but I dont think hes out of hand with it," Whitner said. "If hes not out every weekend, hes just a young guy. So going to Vegas, I probably wouldve been there with Johnny too." Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins hasnt seen any reason to think Manziel isnt taking his job seriously. "I dont know what Johnny does on the weekends. But its none of my business," he said. "Hes out here working his butt off. Im not keeping tabs on where he goes Friday through Sunday. Johnny works hard, and thats all anybody cares about." Pettine understands theres a bright spotlight on Manziel, who seems to relish the hype. In being so public with his actions, Manziel could be placing himself in precarious situations, but Pettine is confident the former Texas A&M star can handle it. "I think its something hes used to," Pettine said. "I think that he understands that that (publicity) comes with the territory, but I also think hes a young man that he doesnt want his lifestyle or how he lives it to be affected by social media. That hes not going to (say) Hey, Im not leaving my house. "I dont think he wants to be that way and it just goes back to were not going to micromanage him until we feel that it is an issue, and if its not affecting him on the field, then I dont think that its anything we need to address at this point." NOTES: Pro Bowl WR Josh Gordon continues to practice as the team awaits word on a possible league suspension. ... LT Joe Thomas was full-go after being limited in recent OTAs. ... Pettine confirmed rookie LG Joel Bitonio injured his ankle but said he is expected to be ready for training camp. ' ' '