Let's face it, Dwight and Josh don't really fit into a Harden-centric offense. Perfect for Josh to come off the bench.
And go to the bench when he gets out of control - Dmo and Howard are not a perfect fit, but with DMo's off the ball movement and willingness to pass it, they are a better fit. DMo to Smooth for a dunk today when he could have layed it up was a perfect example. Team over individual. DD
Exactly. Hopefully we can use the high IQ guys to set up our finishers around the rim, namely Dwight and to a slightly lesser degree, Smith. (Who is also quite a willing passer) Our first unit is built for defense, but it shows on the offensive end.
Morey is a damn good GA but people needs to understand he's a chemistry killer. Every time Mchale has these boys playing with great chemistry, Ole Morey changes the lineup.
Popovich makes lineup decisions that end up in more than 2 losses every year but in the end it doesn't really matter much. In an 82 game season 2 games aren't a big deal. McHale should be applauded for quickly realizing it wasn't working and switching back. There is nothing wrong with giving it a shot. It could have worked out well but it didn't so he moved on.
From the AP article on the Pistons' win over the Kings: That second paragraph is interesting. It sounds like Smith had the ball in his hands on offense a lot for Detroit, and maybe he's been trying hard to change his way in Houston. But changing one's style of play at this point of his career isn't always easy or successful. Also, is it really a better idea to have Smith come off the bench where he could be the offensive focus? Or would that just be trying to hide his inefficiency or minimize its negative impact?
D12 and JSmoove are products of the AAU environment, we won because we are more talented than anyone else. We can out jump and run you. However, nobody taught us how to shoot a jumper or free throw. Now that we are older we still refuse to enhance our skill sets and play the same type of ball that we played as teenagers. I'm hopeful that McFail and/or Morey will get them to enhance their bball IQ and realize that posting them up against the best WCF will not work. The spurs share the ball beautifully and when they don't, trust Pop goes off on everyone. I only hope McFail has the courage to do the same consistently.
The key is to not have Smith ever be the offensive focus as a backup. He doesn't need to be if he's coming off the bench and playing alongside Dwight. Dwight should get the ball when it goes inside. On the perimeter, the ball should be handled by Terry, Canaan, or Papa. Outside shots should be taken by Brewer, Terry, Canaan, and Papa(if he's feeling it that night). We have offensive deficiencies, no doubt. But even so, there are plenty of guys off the bench who are better scoring options than Smith. His job should defense, rebounding, finishing on the break, and getting garbage buckets.
Disagree completely. For starters, we won AT MEMPHIS with Smith coming off the bench. So why immediately change the rotation after such a big win for the team? And by starting Smith, you basically have Harden and 4 offensive nonfactors or at least inefficient offensive players. An experiment was NOT required to know Smith in the starting lineup is a fail and yet McHale cost us 2 games in doing so.
Morey is trying to win the war, not just the battle. Carlisle has to put up with the same type of thing. I can guarantee you Popovich would too if they didn't have that big 3 there for the past 70 years.
That decision to start Smith may have come from above his head. I may have missed the details on some of the reports saying Josh Smith was guaranteed a starting spot but for all we know it could of been Les that told him to start Smith. I don't like McHale as a coach but in some instances it probably isn't totally his fault. Give him some respect for starting DMo again over Smith. He tried to implement Smith, it didn't work so he went back to DMo. Doesn't hurt to try sometimes.
Smith was playing a different role in the earlier games. The coaches have adjusted and are playing him closer to the basket and sometimes as back up C now or at least since last game. The Rockets are desperate for a second playmaker to relieve the pressure and grind off Harden otherwise Shved & Smith wouldn't have gotten these heavy looks at being playmakers so quickly.
The people blaming the losses on Smith are not paying attention. The team's problems started several games before Smith even joined the roster.
Offensive output from the Point Guard position has contributed to the troubles as of late just as much as the addition of Smith to the starting rotation. Beverley wasn't going to be able to sustain 45% 3-pt shooting for the entire season, and his regression back to the mean has created a lot of dead possessions. I think moving Smith to the bench, and inserting D-Mo back into the starting lineup will allow us to get the ball out of the Beverley's hands faster (2 post options as opposed to just 1), which will in turn lead to more productive offensive possessions.
And? I think it is pretty clear that he is going to help us off the bench. 18 points and 7 rebounds in 28 minutes, 50% shooting, in 3 games when he comes off the bench. For 2 million a year, I am a happy guy. Both teams win...
