Nine games is a small sample size, but 28 games is not. ESPN is in a witch hunt does not mean that we are in a witch if we agree with some of the things they say. Yes, they beat some crappy teams in the stretch. But they also beat some good teams. And they used to lose pretty bad to those crappy teams. I don't think one player can have such a negative impact basketball-wise to a team. But winning is not just about basketball talent and skill. There is a mental side of the game. I suspect that losing Smith has a psychological effect on the whole team that propel them to play like they couldn't before. You can see something similar with the Lakers without Kobe. That's why I don't think "fit" is the whole reason about his problem with the Pistons.
What McHale said seems to confirm what I suspect about the Detroit situation. It's a lot of psychological stuff going on.
There are many examples of stars going down and their teams playing better. It even has a name- "The Ewing Effect." Josh isn't the first or last to be an example. Doesn't mean he isn't a good player. Usually those teams don't go anywhere.
Josh Smith isn't a star though, i think the ewing effect applies to teams where players want to play better in order to prove themselves i guess, while the rudy gay effect applies to players like josh smith that are the best players on their teams but hurt them. but he'll be good on the rockets because we have better players than the pistons had
9-1 since the waiving, have beaten Cavs, Spurs, Mavs, Raptors and blown crappy teams. only loss came by 3 to the best team in the East: Hawks
anyone trying to say this is a fluke at this point is kidding themselves. we can see from watching josh play with us that if he's one of your main guys then you're in trouble. one of the worse shooters in nba history and he's never seen a shot he didn't like.
Wishful thinking wants me to believe JSmith will be more efficient as the season progresses. Deep down, I don't think it's going to happen.
He led the team tonight in FGs with 15 and only made 5..the guy puts it up far too much, the only one to slow Josh down is the bench. DD
I've played with plenty of guys like josh smith. Million dollar body and a 10 cent brain. He'll never change. He'll only get worse as his body declines.
We might be stuck with me if TJones can't return to form. He's not eligible for trade right lol(JSmith)? Somewhat disappointed with him so far.
Even though I like what Josh Smith brings defensively after watching him with the Rockets I can see how a team like Detroit couldn't come back from his "knuckleheadedness." Like DD said he shoots too many bad shots for a team like Detroit. Did Detroit ever try to bring Josh off the bench? It's funny how letting someone go looks better than putting a max player on the bench.
I think you're disappointed because you thought Rockets were getting a max level player. We all thought Josh was a max level Player. He isn't. For 2 million Josh is playing pretty well. He has made the bench (a lot) better. His play making and defense have been great for the Rockets. Thankfully we can mitigate his bone head shots with the brilliance of James f**king Harden.
If your coach wants Josh Smith to run the offense and have a 25% usage in your starting lineup, you're probably not going to have a lot of wins.
This is true. Didn't think he could regress this much in less than 2 years. He's a known Rockets killer too.
I can't wait till we destroy Detroit at the end of this month so the haters can get off Josh Smith's junk about him being a cancer
