re: Woj: Josh Smith has agreed to sign with the Rockets

Josh Smith would be a fine pick up under the right coach. Could be a good defender, rebounder, passer and scorer if he was in the right system. Not sure he's coachable now though, I haven't paid much attention to him since he's been pigeon holed into the "great dunker" category of useless players.

I will say that Houston is stronger now than when they had Yao and TMac, and that's saying something at least. If they could get JVG back, they'd be dangerous.

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People who think this isn't a good a move have very little knowledge about the game. His role in Houston will be completely different from his role in Detroit.

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This is what Smith brings to the table:
a very large ego
poor shot selection
poor chemistry with teammates
good jumping ability
good athleticism (though it's dwindling)
average post presence

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People seem to have trouble comprehending "low risk, high reward."

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People just don't want to acknowledge that this move either makes the great Rockets better or doesn't hurt them at all. Period. Be afraid.

I really don't like Smith as a featured player on offense...but I don't think he's going to be a featured player.

The one positive thing about Smith going to the Rockets is that his shot, the long two, is pretty much outlawed by the Rockets. 3s and layups.

Josh Smith is now going to split time guarding Durant, Dirk,Kawhi with Ariza. He'll guard Z-Bo & Blake tough.

Smith is a pretty decent glue guy when he's not the feature player. He's a good passer, can run the floor well, protect the rim on the weak side. Playing with Howard and Harden will help, two players who suffered their share of vitriol from fans and media.

As stated earlier, his role will be different and if he doesn't buy in, the Rockets will cut him. Having his best man there means he'll likely have fun again and he will buy in.

The crappy thing besides making the SW that much tougher is that Smith, as Lowe and Simmons said, has the chance to play up his value at get another contract on top what's he's making.

So in real money, by next year, he could be making $20 million dollars to play basketball for one team and to not play for the Pistons.

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The fact is that Detroit owed this dude a boatload of money over the next two years and decided to waive him. That screams knucklehead regardless of what position they had him playing. He's Houston's problem now.

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Or it means they said "frick it, let's go super tank mode"

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The fact is that Detroit owed this dude a boatload of money over the next two years and decided to waive him. That screams knucklehead regardless of what position they had him playing.

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While I would tend to agree, there are three huge differences in the situation.

1. He will play the position he wants to play.
2. He will be playing with his best friend since childhood (Dwight).
3. The Rockets are a contender, so there is an actual reason to want to play hard.

From someone that has watched every Pistons game this year except for one, the rockets and their fans will not be happy with the josh smith acquisition. Someone can feel free to bookmark this post.

For people saying that he will play great because he is playing the 4, that is what he mostly played this year. He is an inefficient shooter, terrible free throw shooter, and, worst of all, an absolutely horrible finisher around the basket. He is also turnover prone.

Houston fans are enamored with him, and that will continue, especially after he gets his first stat-stuffer game, which might not take him long. But those games are few and far between. I do, however, strongly feel that smith is a good teammate.

But it won't work. I assure you. Smith was not asked to carry a huge load in Detroit. And he is having his worst year. What is really scary about smith is that his shot selection is much improved, and even that can't improve his field goal percentage.

The opposite

Lots of players have gone from crap to pretty damn solid when going from a bad team to a winning team. It wouldn't be surprising at all for it to happen here.

Look at a guy like Boris Diaw who was shooting 41% in Charlotte, traded to SAS and shoots 59%.

Belinelli went from 39% to 49%.

You say he is a good teammate that is the more important than his shooting %s. He def won't be taking 15 shots a game, if he can buy in and play his role he can be great.

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"frick it, let's go super tank mode"

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As talented as he is, I fully expect the Pistons to be better without him. He was horrific offensively...and despite what continues to be perpetuated, he didn't really play the three much this year. His struggles playing the four should be cause for concern.

I do think he will help Houston though.