Someone asked Greg Smith if he preferred to play PF or C during an online Q&A, and he said he would rather play PF. Greg Smith's natural position is at PF, not C. But since Morey had a gazillion PFs and no backup C, someone had to fill in. Maybe Tim Ohlbrecht, who is a true C, can fill the backup C position eventually.
Only if T Jones had some playing time earlier this season cause it seems like he can hit the Jump shot but its too late to bring him in now. Always wanted to see him get a chance but that's going to have to wait tell next season unless he gets traded in the off-season or something lol.
Based on this game, the backup center is a rotation between D-Mo and Smith. If Asik's on the bench, Smith's the center and D-Mo's PF. If Asik and Smith are on the bench, D-Mo's the center (only happened for 2 minutes before Smith subbed in, though).
This is the way they should handle the PF position for now - it should depend completely on the matchup. This way guys are also consistently fighting for extended minutes, and we can reduce chances of getting into big deficits before the first half. Smith is young so I can guarantee he will lose focus in the next few games. McHale just has to be ready to sub the next man in without too much hesitation when it happens. For me, the PF rotation should continue to include D-Mo, Robinson, Smith and Delfino as needed. From here to playoff clinch date, we obviously have to focus on winning games and McHale has to practice his rotation decisions and improve his feel for our lineups. The versatility of this roster is quite impressive as shown tonight in battling with tall big men and McHale just needs to keep an open mind with all the lineups. Different guys are on on different nights and I understand disrupting regular substitution patterns can get players cold and out of form, but this is a must for good coaching into the playoffs. I think Smith starting against Memphis would have made a huge difference to the outcome too. Tonight we were in good shape because LAC's backup bigs were pretty bad - Hollins is low IQ and skill and Lamar Odom is just off his game. Good game and decision to start Smith.
can't tell if serious. d-mo isn't ready, he isn't going to become a dirk/pau hybrid so suddenly. dirk didn't become great until his 3rd or 4th season. Pau was more of a early bloomer, but Dirk wasn't. D-mo will be a good player in the league, but not yet. Smith has been playing some great basketball as of late and he deserves his shot at the starting line-up. I do agree that TRob should play more and so should TJo, but there may not be enough room in the rotation.
What I would like to see if TRob bring back his midrange jumper. That would be extremely beneficial to us and the flow of the game. I really want to see what this team can do with a full offseason growing together and a training camp. It is crazy we are in this position. Really a great year.
I like D-mo, but sometimes he looked lost and got foul trouble early based on the lack of experience.
McHale is doing what he needs to do. He's experimenting with various lineups and rotations. I don't think you can play Asik and Smith together all the time against every team, but it's something that can work against certain teams.
DMo never really was the Rockets top PF. That designation goes to Delfino or Parsons, whoever's guarding the opposing PF for that game. The only thing that matters to me is how many minutes he gets. Because it's unlikely he gets crunch time minutes. Greg Smith isn't playing center because the Rockets have so many PFs, he's playing center because the Rockets offense at peak efficiency uses 4 perimeter players on offense. And he's that one inside player. He'll play PF should the Rockets ever get a stretch 5(maybe DMo). Or he develops an outside shot.
McHale said it was because Greg Smith wasn't professional enough for the few games Aldrich was getting minutes. I don't know exactly the reason, but that was the time when Smith was fouling almost every possession on D.
Gotta establish some kind of an offensive threat in the frontcourt, even if it's just to keep the defense honest. It's not like Smith can camp out on the 3-pt line.
