Yahoo-The player the Detroit Pistons paid $26 million to go away has been on fire for the Houston Ro

Great news and what we hoped for as Rocket's fans. Let's hope he can step it up even another notch come playoff time!

 

I remember the end of the Phoenix game in late January when Mchale didn't play Smith in favor of playing Dorsey, I almost lost my mind. The reaction is how you know Smith is doing well. I know it will be hard to continue that type of shooting for long but if he cools off I hope he heats up again in the playoffs.

 

I really hope we can keep him with the MLE.

 

J Smooooooth FTW

 

He is really playing well now. It's a blessing for us. Keep it up Josh!

 

Great pickup by Morey, it was an obvious one and I was amazed to see there were people upset about it.

One thing I've come to notice about Smith is how silky and fluid his jumper looks. Just watching his form you would think that he's a lights out shooter.

 

When he spots up for a shot, and doesn't try to do some Trevor Ariza off balance stuff he is pretty good at the three.

 

It's good this worked out so well for both teams. SVG should have traded Smith last summer instead of waiting to cut him. He hasn't been able to play SF effectively for many years.

What a bonanza for the Rockets!

 

The guy has been playing off the charts but he still has one or two WTF moments ina game especially when somehow he decides to launch a long 2 which is inevitably a brick.

Stick to the paint and the 3 ball which you are shooting well Smithy

 

His contributions exceed his miscues thats for sure, I'd take that in heartbeat.

 

I guess some folks were worried he'd tank the team's chemistry because of how poorly Detroit had been playing when he was there. And in fairness, he didn't fit in at all as a starter(the Rockets went 1-3).

But as the Rockets' 6th man, he's been outstanding. Way way better than I ever imagined. He's become the team's secondary playmaker behind Harden and aside from the occasional dumb Lin-esque turnover, he's pretty good in that capacity. His teammates are finally accustomed to receiving his passes which is reflected in the decrease in turnovers over the past couple weeks(well, that and Dwight being out).

Also his defense and rebounding have been solid. He saved us in that Mavs game a few weeks ago when Harden was struggling and banged up. Also, the 3-point shooting is unbelievable. Now I do think he'll level off over time. Remember that Brewer was shooting lights out when he first arrived here and he's regressed considerably since then. But what I love is that Smith isn't resorting to dumb 3's. He takes most of them in the flow of the offense when he has his feet set and is wide open. Analytics. Right, Chuck?

Now my concern is no longer about Smith's ability to fit in and play well, but whether the Rockets will be able to bring him back next season. I'm sure Smith wants to stay here, but he's gonna get a decent offer from someone out there. I hope Morey can find some "flexibility" under the cap to resign him.

 

Dude is gonna be HUGE in the playoffs against all the elite PFs. I know that isn't exactly an original take but I don't think we will fully appreciate it until we watch him lock down some folks in the paint come playoff time.

I dream of what it would have been like to have had him in last year's playoffs against the Blazers and would LOVE a rematch this year.

 

Its still early but ill have my first helping of crow. I was someone that didnt want him if he was free lol. But i was wrong and am pleasently surprised at how well he has played for us so far.

 

Plenty of people early on were right to criticize Smith, but not necessarily Morey for bringing Smith in (since clearly the guaranteed starter talk wasn't set in stone).

Smith shot pretty bad those first few games he started over DMo, and to make matters worse Detroit went on a monster tear right after they let him go. Now we're praising Smith because he's playing great within the context of his role as a 6th man. If his shooting goes down the drain and some of those touch passes and behind the back passes start to miss their targets we'll all turn on him again.

I'm reserving judgment until this year's playoffs are over.

 

Definitely an Anti-Analytic move that paid off.

 

Well, in The Piston's defense, they are from Detroit. Wasting obscene amounts of money on stupid decisions is in their blood.

 

On the offense, yes. It was a Analytics slam dunk on the defensive end.

 

I've been very pleasantly surprised by Smith. No doubt, his 3's are going to cool off and that's fine. As long as he recognizes it and doesn't force the issue, he'll continue to be a major positive with the rest of his game.

 

Wasn't anti-analytic at all.