Why would anyone take Smith for Dragic... If he fails, you either have to give up talent/picks for someone to take him, or cut him. Not to be overdramatic, but his career is at a make-or-break point here with the Rockets. He came at minimum cost to us, so that's the only real saving grace so far. But he had a great first game, and the athleticism and defense are still desirable talents. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping the issue is fit and playing off the ball, something he should be able to work out if he wants.
IMO, this will still work. We lost two very close games against very good teams. One on the road, one on a back to back. We've had zero practice time, which led to lots of turnovers and miscommunication on defense. Howard is coming back from injury and not quite himself. Josh needs to figure out his role as the 3rd or 4th option here, and he's showing a willingness to pass (perhaps too much so). He needs to slow down and let the game come to him. SVG built the offense for him on Detroit because he has that kind of talent. He can handle being a defensive slasher IMO. It's been two games. The knee jerk panicking and whining is too much.
I really liked what Papa brought to the table. I don't have a problem with Smith but with the addition of Brewer and Smith it odd seeing Papa on the bench without an injury. It's going to get really weird when TJ comes back. To think this team was thought to have no bench at the beginning of the year. The chemistry was looking really good, its a shame to have to start that process over again. McHale has a tough job but he is in a scenario most would envy, too much talent on the team and not enough minutes to dish out.
Smith is not an asset. He was an inefficient player with Atlanta that became an absolute disaster of a player in Detroit. The Pistons felt he was such a negative force that they paid him nearly $30 million to not play for them. If it turns out that the Rockets consider him such a disaster that they'd rather dump him, despite his relationship with Dwight, then no other team is going to give you anything for him or consider him a good piece as part of a bigger trade.
Smith didn't take Papa's minutes. Brewer did. Papa will be good. But he's a rookie and Brewer is better right now.
With or without a trade at the deadline this rockets team will be dramatically better if healthy when playoffs start. In time should hands down be the #1 defense in league, you gotta build chemistry for that and that doesn't happen over night. For what the rockets paid for both Smith and Brewer we as rocket fans should all be giddy at this moment.
This. If Smith fails here, you would have to give something up for another team to take him, cut him, or bury him at the end of the bench. He comes at little cost to us, and the major risk is disrupting chemistry and ruining DMo's confidence. But I can't see any other team taking a late season flyer on him except out of desperation, and certainly not giving up anything of note.
High risk would be signing him for $16mil and destroying flexibility. This was the definition of low risk. This team isn't that fragile as you imply.
OMG, there is an actual voice of reason in this thread. Could not agree with you more. There is bound to be a few hiccups with the addition of 3 brand spanking new players especially with no practice time. People need to take a deep breath, relax and carefully unclench the sphincters.
I think you misinterpreted what I wrote. I never implied that our team was fragile. Not once. On the contrary, my view is that the Smith signing offered us added depth and options, with a low-risk evaluation of someone who could potentially flirt with All-Star production if he could alter his shot selection and play off the ball. The Brewer trade was a clear win. We are clearly better after both of these moves, if for nothing then the fact that we now have more tools to work with. But I do worry about DMo's confidence. His production seems to correlate with his aggressiveness and he seems boom or bust depending on his approach. Smith's signing could impact this, though DMo's minutes have still been solid. My point was simply that Smith would garner nothing of note in a trade, certainly not with the cap-conscious Suns.
Wrong - I believed he deserved a chance because Rafer sucked. Wrong again - I loved the trade. Strike three - I am critical of some of his moves, but I think he is a great GM. That was for fun, clearly the Kings would not trade a guy that is better than Howard for Howard. DD
It was both. Papa played primarily as a 4 on this team. Difference is that Brewer actually deserves those minutes. Smith does not.
This is so wrong it is painful to read. 1. Low risk financially - HUGE risk chemistry wise. 2. All teams chemistry is fragile - that is why it is so hard to build, and something that numbers gurus always fail to quantify. It was a cheap low risk move, but it has ramifications and ripple effects across the entire team - not having Black for one...Pappa on the bench no longer playing the backup PF when we go small - and where do we put our best young big TJones when he is back in a couple of weeks. Short sighted, IMO, that is what this move was...shiny object in the stream mentality. DD
Fair enough. Sorry for misinterpreting. I think the risk to chemistry and dmos confidence is low. We've had tons of changes over the years and Moreys teams always have good chemistry. And DMos touches have always been inconsistent. He's learned to do well with what he has. Worst case we just bench Josh Smith. Not much downside.
