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[Chron] Testing new starting line-up; rebounding improved

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by OTMax, Apr 12, 2013.

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OTMax Member

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Quick trivia question: What is the fewest times a playoff-bound NBA team has had its starting lineup together?

That would be one, the one in which the Rockets had the starting five they're planning on for the playoffs.

If Chandler Parsons returns from his strained right calf, Friday night could be a second time. And it would be well-timed with the Memphis Grizzlies, a possible though unlikely first-round opponent, in town....

"Oh, man, I can't wait for that test," Smith said. "(Randolph) is like a big brother to me. I can go out there and battle him. I know he's going to bring it. He's going to fight and push me, try to muscle me. But he knows I'm the type of player I'm not going to back down. It's going to be a good matchup.

"When I first played against him, he told me a lot about the NBA. He said, 'Never take a day off. Always be the first to hit somebody.' Every game, he battles me. I'm going to bring it back to him"...

In the six games with Smith starting, the Rockets have improved dramatically on the boards, especially on the offensive end, going from 19th in rebounds per possession to third in that stretch.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-revamped-lineup-needs-a-test-drive-4428692.php?t=7db32ee583f992f472
Click to expand...

Nice to hear Z-Bo giving Smith advice and I didn't know our rebounding improved that much. Positivity baby

#1 OTMax, Apr 12, 2013

2 people like this.

Postcall Member

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scary point about the line up
Thanks

#2 Postcall, Apr 12, 2013
DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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I love me some Greg Smith and he is only 21 years old, reminds me so much of Otis Thorpe.

DD

#3 DaDakota, Apr 12, 2013
xiki Contributing Member

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DaDakota said: ↑

I love me some Greg Smith and he is only 21 years old, reminds me so much of Otis Thorpe.

DD
Click to expand...

(Not being argumentative) I have heard the Smith/OT comparisons but I just don't see them??? What am I missing? OT was much more fluid, had some O moves; played more poorly sharing a court with Dream than without him. GS4 does fine in tandem with OA3, despite it seeming to be 'just wrong'.

I am believing Smith is more the 4 yet had always pidgeon-holed him as a journeyman b/u 5. I was believing he was a ready trade piece, uh 'asset', going forward. I am believing he is a keeper.

I am just not seeing a latter day OT???

#4 xiki, Apr 12, 2013
roslolian Member

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xiki said: ↑

(Not being argumentative) I have heard the Smith/OT comparisons but I just don't see them??? What am I missing? OT was much more fluid, had some O moves; played more poorly sharing a court with Dream than without him. GS4 does fine in tandem with OA3, despite it seeming to be 'just wrong'.

I am believing Smith is more the 4 yet had always pidgeon-holed him as a journeyman b/u 5. I was believing he was a ready trade piece, uh 'asset', going forward. I am believing he is a keeper.

I am just not seeing a latter day OT???
Click to expand...

Maybe it's because OT played in an era where big men were coached by college coaches for 4 years, and thus seemed more fluid. Sure Smith has a lot more work to do, but he isn't exactly an offensive stiff, the guy knows how to score, receive a pass and finish. The dude's only 21 after all, we'll know what his ceiling will be 2-3 years from now. Personally I think he has enough talent to be a max player if he just works on his game.

#5 roslolian, Apr 12, 2013
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DaDakota said: ↑

I love me some Greg Smith and he is only 21 years old, reminds me so much of Otis Thorpe.

DD
Click to expand...

xiki said: ↑

(Not being argumentative) I have heard the Smith/OT comparisons but I just don't see them??? What am I missing? OT was much more fluid, had some O moves [...] I am just not seeing a latter day OT???
Click to expand...

The primary similarity is their large hands and with that the ability to catch, palm, and throw it down with one hand.

I haven't really seen Greg Smith do a finger roll off one hand yet or throw those OT "touchdown" outlet passes after a defensive rebound - http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showpost.php?p=7629885&postcount=46

Otis Thorpe:
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/originals/2012/09/18/20120918_Otis_Thorpe.nba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxc5-u02Jq0

Greg Smith:
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=231297
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=233615
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2013/04/01/0021201104-orl-hou-play1.nba
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2013/03/24/0021201042-sas-hou-play4.nba
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2013/03/17/0021200988-gsw-hou-play1.nba
http://www.nba.com/video/games/timberwolves/2013/01/19/0021200597-hou-min-play5.nba
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2012/12/22/000021200394-mem-hou-play4.nba
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2012/12/19/0021200372-phi-hou-play3.nba
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2012/12/01/0021200237-uta-hou-play3.nba

#6 craguin, Apr 12, 2013
AVoiceInACrowd Member

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Greg Smith is 22. Still young though.

#7 AVoiceInACrowd, Apr 12, 2013

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I have been saying start Greg Smith at the 4 since preseason. I finally started a thread after the Laker game to start him at the 4 and got put down for being knee jerk and rated a 2-star thread. Smith was then and still is our best option at PF for now. I am glad that he is playing, playing well, getting minutes, and not doing anything out of his comfort zone. There is very little "luck" (getting hot and chucking in a few 3-pointers) in his game. Good for the Rockets.

#8 rocketsfan4, Apr 12, 2013
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craguin said: ↑

The primary similarity is their large hands and with that the ability to catch, palm, and throw it down with one hand.
Click to expand...

Yo, I'm open!

#9 jocar, Apr 12, 2013
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i like smith in the line up, but i still think smith should back up asik and let tjones play pf.

#10 trowa2, Apr 12, 2013
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roslolian said: ↑

Maybe it's because OT played in an era where big men were coached by college coaches for 4 years, and thus seemed more fluid. Sure Smith has a lot more work to do, but he isn't exactly an offensive stiff, the guy knows how to score, receive a pass and finish. The dude's only 21 after all, we'll know what his ceiling will be 2-3 years from now. Personally I think he has enough talent to be a max player if he just works on his game.
Click to expand...

Greg Smith is good, but I'm certainly doubtful about him being a max player.

#11 charles_zed, Apr 13, 2013
brick Member

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Rockets: 51 REBs, 20 TOs
Grizzlies: 44 REBs, 6 TOs

#12 brick, Apr 13, 2013
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brick said: ↑

Rockets: 51 REBs, 20 TOs
Grizzlies: 44 REBs, 6 TOs
Click to expand...

Ever since returning from injury Harden has been cooking up turnovers like he's a running a bakery.

I'm wondering if this also has something to do with the floor spacing of having Greg Smith playing the 4 and the increased zone coverage that Harden faces now when driving to the hoop as well as the increased difficulty in threading passes.

#13 charles_zed, Apr 13, 2013

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charles_zed said: ↑

Ever since returning from injury Harden has been cooking up turnovers like he's a running a bakery.

I'm wondering if this also has something to do with the floor spacing of having Greg Smith playing the 4 and the increased zone coverage that Harden faces now when driving to the hoop as well as the increased difficulty in threading passes.
Click to expand...

Not having a stretch 4 has certifiably ruined Harden's game, at least he can't drive no more

#14 tminusrex, Apr 13, 2013
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Smith may be our starter, but TJones is the one finishing games. He's also been rebounding well, esp on offensive boards.

#15 nbafever, Apr 13, 2013
DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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xiki said: ↑

(Not being argumentative) I have heard the Smith/OT comparisons but I just don't see them??? What am I missing? OT was much more fluid, had some O moves; played more poorly sharing a court with Dream than without him. GS4 does fine in tandem with OA3, despite it seeming to be 'just wrong'.

I am believing Smith is more the 4 yet had always pidgeon-holed him as a journeyman b/u 5. I was believing he was a ready trade piece, uh 'asset', going forward. I am believing he is a keeper.

I am just not seeing a latter day OT???
Click to expand...

Yeah agree but you are comparing a 29-30 year old OT.

Smith is nowhere near that.......Yet.

DD

#16 DaDakota, Apr 13, 2013
JoeBarelyCares Contributing Member

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xiki said: ↑

(Not being argumentative) I have heard the Smith/OT comparisons but I just don't see them??? What am I missing? OT was much more fluid, had some O moves; played more poorly sharing a court with Dream than without him. GS4 does fine in tandem with OA3, despite it seeming to be 'just wrong'.

I am believing Smith is more the 4 yet had always pidgeon-holed him as a journeyman b/u 5. I was believing he was a ready trade piece, uh 'asset', going forward. I am believing he is a keeper.

I am just not seeing a latter day OT???
Click to expand...

OT often slid over to the 5 when Dream rested or was out.

#17 JoeBarelyCares, Apr 13, 2013
bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

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AVoiceInACrowd said: ↑

Greg Smith is 22. Still young though.
Click to expand...

Good Lord, Smith has aged a year in 4 posts.

#18 bobrek, Apr 13, 2013

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Greg Smiths per 36

Greg Smith 22 67 7 1032 5.5 8.9 .626 0.0 0.0 .000 2.8 4.5 .625 3.7 6.9 10.6 0.8 0.5 1.2 1.3 5.7 13.9

The kid just needs to play smarter on the defensive side

#19 TheLastPope, Apr 13, 2013
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Smith is so broad that he is very effective on the post hook shot. Hopefully he builds on that. Just need to play smarter on the other end. He has the physical attributes and bulk to be solid there.

#20 Francis3422, Apr 13, 2013

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