If this was a franchise like the Mavs with all their cap space locked up in mediocrity I would agree they have to do something now. But the Rockets already made a wildly underrated move by bringing in Brewer. He fixes one of the huge parts of our offense we lost when we let Parsons go, transition baskets and playing with pace. He also plays with great energy on defense. The Rockets are making solid moves. And I have no doubt that by the trade deadline they will make another great move given the cap space and assets we have. I.e. Pelicans pick, Jones, Bev, D-Mo, Terry contract, Papa contract. I don't think the Rockets have to do a make or break move like Josh Smith. Even though most think it's a low risk move, I do not agree. There is more risk than people are looking at because they see "former all-star Josh Smith!" Whatever. I'm done with this topic for now. Let's see what unfolds over the next few days.
I can't believe this thread has come down to fretting over Kostas Papanikoloau falling out of the rotation. Seriously guys? Smith is not going to shoot the same shots here. He's basically a Terrence Jones replacement - who fits better next to Dwight anyway. I'm glad Morey's the GM, I trust him.
There are only imaginary issues. Terence Jones was the starter. D-Mo was the back-up. D-Mo has definitely had games where he has earned a starting role. And he's had games where he has not. But it was still Jones' to lose. Now, you have the opportunity to get a Josh Smith. When I first heard this, one word popped in my head, "Defense." and then two others "Playoff experience." I clearly remember Josh Smith and the Hawks taking the Celtics in 2008 to 7 games, giving them their biggest challenge on the way to the championship. And he and Joe Johnson were by far the biggest reasons, along with Pachulia- I think that was his name. But Smith held his own against Garnett- that I remember clearly. Yes, he's lost athleticism. But he can still play D. And of course his reputation as a chucker, a la Antoine Walker. Except, defensively, and passing, he has a very good IQ. And if you watch that first game of the year, he still has it. Oh, he's far from perfect- he can absolutely shoot you out of a game- and I'm sure he's probably not the best locker room guy, although that's not the same as being a cancer, either. Beverly, Harden, Smith, Ariza, and Howard. Defensively, a monster. You can go to the playoff wars with those 5. With Terry, D-Mo, Brewer, Papa and either Shved or Canaan off the bench, yes, you can go to war with those 10 and hold your own in the West.
I agree. Most likely not. But even still, we might in certain situations where Brewer plays the 2 and Terry the 1 since McHale loves Terry playing PG so much. Regardless my whole point (I'm assuming you're addressing my comments since I was the one who brought that up) is that Papa's not going to get any minutes anymore.
Good points, I really do like the Brewer pickup, I know it's only one game but he looked good against the Blazers.
Howard/DMo Smith/Jones Ariza/Papanikolaou Harden/Brewer Beverley/Terry Dat depth. Hope we nab him tomorrow.
If he can reinvent himself. No doubt neither Tmac nor Howard was either Orlando Mac or Orlando Howard when they played for Houston. If Houston Smith is more clever, smarter than he was with his former teams then count me as excited about this possible signing.
I agree with what Clutch said in his podcast. You simply have to take a chance with a player like Smith if you can get him this cheap. As he put it, "It's a no brainer."
I am trying to remember when the last time a player signed for $2M ruined a team's season was. If Josh Smith is enough to make the Rockets a whole level worse, then the Rockets are not strong enough to really handle the adversity that they are sure to see if they want to make a deep playoff run.
Dwight and Josh played together since their youth days. Chemistry on court isn't really that much of an issue. Just saying in that department.
Oh there's been some serious exaggerating going on in this thread. Some people think you have to spew the same things over and over to change peoples minds and win an argument. But that doesn't work is low risk/high reward arguments such as this one. Low risk, guys. $2mil/yr. Let's look at that risk. Smith, after playing with his best pal/best center in the league Dwight Howard and scoring leader/MVP candidate James Harden, has to become a locker room cancer. He has to become a bad enough teammate for McHale to bench him or cut his minutes down. After that, Dwight has to side with Smith and turn his back on Harden, McHale, Morey and us fans and... what... fake an injury so he doesn't have to play? Demand a trade? Intentionally causes us to lose? That's all very unlikely to happen. The reward? Smith, after playing with his best pal/best center in the league Dwight Howard and scoring leader/MVP candidate James Harden, finds his role in a solid rotation and gives us the defense, fast break and passing that we've seen from him. At $2mil a year! It will allow DMo to come off the bench to give Dwight the rest he needs for a playoff push, also giving DMo a chance to blossom without Howard in the line up. It gives us depth at the 4 and 5 and on our bench. The risk is low, and the reward is high. Get Josh Smith.
Corey Brewer as SG, Papa as SF, Ariza as PF and Josh as C would be fascinating lineup Plug in whoever at PG Fast break, fast break, Fastest break out there
Probably not legit but: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I'm being told that Josh Smith will sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after he clears waivers.</p>— Mike Ortiz Jr. (@xOrtiz4x) <a href="https://twitter.com/xOrtiz4x/status/547621635201966080">December 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I'm in at worse he can give us great play im pick n roll and weak side shot blocking a game while dwight sits for 15 min. Best case he's tye missing link to a title run for us.
He'd be stupid to go to the Clips... In Houston he will get the starting spot AND he'll get to play with his long time buddy, Dwight. Really hope that tweet isn't legit.
Mike Ortiz Jr. is not even close to being a legitimate source. He's just a young pup that is extremely desperate to be hooked to a big scoop. Stop panicking and look at the facts, Smith to Houston is being promoted by all the national writers, and there's good reason behind that too. Let me be one of many to say Welcome Josh Smith, let's win a championship.
I wouldn't worry to much about it http://www.nunesmagician.com/2013/3/7/4073886/boeheim-rumor-retirement-did-you-see-that-mike-ortiz
