More athletic, more versatile, better mid range game, stronger in the post, better ball handler... Shooting percentages and turnovers are irrelevant because Smith as been asked to do MUCH more over the duration of his career. Smith has been asked to lead a team offensively (bad idea), jones gets fast break points and 2nd chance dunks. That's not a shot at Jones, it's just his role. The only thing Tjones probably has on him is a 3pt shot, but it's not like Jones is a knock down shooter or anything... Look, I like Jones. Always have! But to say he's anything more than a young athlete with some potential would be a stretch.
If T-Jones comes back and plays better than D-Mo, he should take his place in the rotation. I'm good with that. Let the best man win.
Jones and DMO do one thing really well that Howard and JSmith do not - extend the defense. Those two give us a lot of flexibility, especially if Jones still has his jumper working when he returns.
Offensively they are effectively the same player it's just that Smith has some bad habits that Jones doesn't yet.
They should both play, we are so deep that they won't get as many minutes, but they play different positions.
Why has this turned in to Smith vs Jones??? They're both good players that can/will contribute to this team! Don't get butt-hurt because we got another player at your favorite players position!
Sure Was an elite shot blocker. Now his block numbers (rate/aggregate anyway you like) are essentially the same as TJ's. Remains to be seen. This is not a good thing as Smith is and ALWAYS has been a low efficiency scorer. We have Harden to create shots for everyone not Smith. Oh I look at his Atlanta numbers too. The only difference now is he is approaching 30... and he's played 80% of his minutes at the 4 this year and was even worse than the year before. I can change my mind if I hear a convincing argument. Not "he wasn't trying".
I have to say hearing his post-practice and post-game interviews, I was pleasantly surprised by JSmith's attitude.
The biggest thing I learned from this first game is that Josh Smith is in no way in decline. He looked just as athletic as he always has. Taking questionable shots will always be an issue but "Atlanta" Josh Smith still lives.
Well it was inevitable, Jones has a pretty loyal defense squad and with the depth at the 4 and 5, there's gotta be an odd man out and logically that would be Jones because he's inferior to both Smith and DMo defensively and he basically is the same player offensively as Smith.
?? These are all subjective and mostly wrong. Smith is approaching 30 and IF he is more athletic than T Jones it won't be for long. Mid Range game obviously not, Smith is an atrocious shooter. So is Jones but still better than Smith like all the numbers say. Right was he asked to do more? Or is he just a chucker? Think hard. That really wasn't very convincing.
Bottom line is Josh Smith is the best 4 on this team. Its not that complicated guys. D Mo and Jones have bright futures but they are prone to no shows. They will both come off the bench and do a fine job. Josh Smith is a better basketball player than both of them and all this breaking down one skill over another is pointless.
I know this is gonna seem crazy but I think one game is too soon to make any kind of judgment about him. We saw some of Smith's good points, some of his bad points tonight. Question about him is how well he can keep the bad ones in check.
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lol I agree with that. I do like Dmo also and this is a nice place to be right now. If Dmo is the one traded we have Dorsey as Howards back up. I prefer Dmo and would like to see Dmo take over the 2nd unit and be the man. When Howard needs to rest his body then Dmo can step in and we can keep clicking. I also like how TJ can come in when Smith needs a rest and continue the beating from the 4 spot but against the 2nd unit. This is a luxury though and as we continue the season we can see where our weakest points are and try to fix them with a few nice assets. Be interesting to see which way the team goes.
Ok then, Smith is a better player than Jones. Remains to be seen, sure. But, we saw it tonight. No chance we win that game with Jones instead of Smith. Without Smith, Memphis wins easily. My go to answers for now will be playmaking and rim protection (getting blocks is not the same thing). Smith changes way more shots than Jones and even changes the approach opposing teams take to the game. They start shooting more jumpers because they see Smith lurking down there waiting to pounce. No one is scared of Jones.
Also, Smith creates so many mismatches because he can guard 3s and 4s and many 3s and 4s can't guard him. Memphis had to put in VC and Randolph would have been too slow-footed to gaurd him. Tayshaun, Pondexter, Leur could not guard him either.
Josh's defense will always be there and the effort level too when he is happy. I also think a leopard won't change his spots easily. He will get fans crazy with his shot selection some games and some games he will look like an allstar doing it all.
