I would not mind getting Josh Smith, but depends on the price. The Rockets would need to be able to keep flexibility to acquire the primary guy. The Rockets would have to do something with PF spot, though. I worry that the Rockets value White/Jones more than other teams which would make it difficult to trade one for value.
I agree on Josh Smith, as I already pointed out. But I'm confused as to why Al Jefferson is just a "complementary piece." I've seen it written all over the place that he's possibly the best low post scorer in the league. I would imagine that would demand double teams, and players who require double teaming are what you build offenses around, correct? But the point that can be and is made over and over is none of Al Jefferson's teams have gone anywhere. Yeah, I don't really have a great comeback for that. Except the same could probably be said about the first parts of the careers of Pau Gasol, Chris Bosh, and Zach Randolph among others. I really am inclined to not just throw away Al Jefferson as a possibility. Why am I wrong?
No to Josh Smith. Yes to Al Jefferson. Jefferson would solve both the low scoring and back up center problems which are the biggest weaknesses on the current roster. Josh Smith don't.
Nothing wrong with Josh Smith, but he's not a good fit for the Rockets unless they would have aquired someone like Dwight Howard. Then he could be a nice secondary player. Look at the past few years in Atlanta. You had two borderline all-stars, some solid role players, and Josh Smith on your team, and you still were not able to make a dent in the playoff picture in a sub-par conference. Since the well of superstar franchise players is dried up at the moment, I dont see any rationale for aquiring Smith if in fact, he is actually available. Maybe Morey is able to pull a summer of 07 Celtics move and aquire him and two other all-stars at the same time before training camp. Who knows. However, I dont see that happening, but thats about the only way I see a move like this happening where it makes sense.
What I meant is Jefferson moving to C when Asik goes to the bench. Basically having a rotation like this: PF: Jefferson/DMo C: Asik/Jefferson
Jefferson would be a good move but only if we backed it up by adding a better wing option then Martin. For this to happen, we would have to be able to swing a deal with Utah where we give up Martin, one of our SF's (Parsons, White or Morris) and a draft pick for Jefferson. That would leave us with enough assets to make a move a Granger or Gay type player. The key in that second deal would be to hold onto Lamb. If we could do that then I think we could put out a squad that can contend. Starting 5: Lin Lamb Granger, Gay or similar 3 Jefferson Asik Rotation: Douglas Livingston Morris or White Motiejunas or Jones The bench is a concern, but to acquire the players called out here your going to have to move most of our young pieces and picks. With that withstanding, 4 of the 5 starters would be seeing well over 30 minutes a game which would help the bench not being needed as much. In my post I ended up flipping Martin, Parsons, Patterson, 2 out of Morris, White, Jones and Motiejunas and 2 1's for Jefferson and either Granger, Gay or an equivalent player. I would make that deal all day.
Do I want josh smith without a star, no. Are all you guys that say he's "dumb", "can't shoot" etc crazy, yes. He was the best player on a 40-26 team. I think it's funny you guys look at all of our players strengths and disregard their weaknesses but don't do the same for other teams players. The ONLY thing bad about his game is that he takes ill advised shots that are out of his range. That still doesn't change the fact that he averaged 18ppg/9rpg/1.7bpg 45fg% and led his team to a better record than we had.
Err Josh Smith is better than James Harden.... Please tell me this is a joke? James Harden doesn't even play defense and he gets the benefit of playing against bench players and having Durant and WB on his team. Only thing Harden has over Jsmoove is youth. Thats why I would get him voer Josh Smith assuming we could even get him.
J Smith, Al Jefferson, Rookie upside, Draft picks>>>> Joe Johnson, Smith, Horford If we could get both Jefferson and smith in the off-season we could contend. Lin Lamb Parsons Smith Jefferson Motiejunas Jones White
I Can answer why we do NOT want Jefferson... career 1.6 assists per game average. Basically u have a great low post game but he is just like Zach Randolph. Great number, but those guys r black holes. Dump it down to them, then u might as well run back on d. That's why he is available. Just play the rooks
Really? Not sure how people keep coming up with these very specific predictions about the effect adding a single player would have on this team, considering we have a whole bunch of unknown quantities. Who really knows how good or bad this team is going to be? The team is vastly different than last year's Rockets, a bunch of the players haven't played a single NBA minute, no one's sure how good Lin is going to be, or Asik with starter's minutes, and you predict that they'd be middle of the pack IF they added Josh Smith? Based on what, exactly? Why not 25th? Or 9th?
There's a difference between quantity and quality. I think D-Mo will be good, but the others I'm not sure about.
If the planet we're talking about is Earth, then yes, Harden is better than Smith, who I guess impresses some people by making SportsCenter's Top 10 plays everyone once in a while. Buy as far as the actual playing of basketball, you take Harden if you want to win.
I still ask - can Josh Smith create his own shot (he may be able to - I just don't know)? Does he consistently draw a double team? Do we want to pay the max to a guy who can't do these things consistently? I would think that would be unwise.
Trade young prospects and picks for Josh Smith. Miss playoffs and grab another 14th pick. Josh Smith leaves in free agency. The cycle of mediocrity continues. In Morey We Trust.
