He's getting into a groove, and not committing nearly as many of those silly turnovers anymore. Plus, he's starting to hit the 3(!) which I thought would never happen. Hopefully he keeps it up and continues his improved play in the playoffs.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w6Jd05shftw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
It helps a lot that he is not counted on as the primary playmaker playing out of position on a team full of other big men who can't shoot. Instead of forcing up long balls from the 3 spot in Detroit, he is now taking wide open shots as an outlet for Harden's drive and dish. He has a clearly defined role now as opposed to trying to figure out a role while playing in a position that he never, ever belonged it. I for one am not really surprised by his performance.
How good has he been ? in February in 8 games he has averaged 15ppg 7.5rpg 3.8apg 1.4bpg 1spg 48 percent field goal percentage and 43 percent from three
Josh Smith has been exactly what I though he would be, with a hot stretch of shooting to boot. My concern is that this recent stretch has him getting a little 3 happy. I don't think this is gonna stick, and he needs to attack and stop settling. Love his D, his rebounding and his playmaking. Really hope we can keep him with the MLE and that he's happy playing his current role. He's a really good but flawed player, as an MLE supporting player he is spectacular.
Check out his per-36 numbers since joining the Rockets: <PRE> Season Age Tm Lg Pos G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% 2P 2PA 2P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS 2014-15 29 HOU NBA PF 29 4 733 7.1 15.7 .450 1.5 4.2 .360 5.5 11.5 .483 1.2 2.8 .431 2.7 5.8 8.5 3.7 1.4 1.7 3.6 3.7 16.9 </PRE> http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithjo03.html
The whole team is 3-happy. I don't really hold that against Smith. I do wish they'd cut down on the outside shots(especially when they start out 1-15 and 2-17 from there like the last 2 games) and take it inside. Brewer seems to have figured this out. He's been slumping horribly from downtown and he's responded by attacking the basket more.
My fear is that they will start jacking up even more 3's in the playoffs, when the defenses will get tighter, and the FT's calls will get less. There is no one other way apart from moving the ball for a good shot , and driving to the basket, along with better defense. Rep for you.
That is a concern I have as well. The refs tend to let teams play a lot more in the playoffs. That's a big reason Harden struggled so much against Portland. When the Blazers weren't getting whistled for being so physical with him, he got frustrated and stopped attacking the basket as much. And we know we can't count on anyone else(other than maybe Smith) to create his own shot on this team.
The funny thing is it's also in relation to their respective real heights Dorsey is really 6'7 and Black is actually about 6'9... Ironic.
What are the qualifications for being a 6th man of the year? As long as he meets those I do not see how you can give it to anyone else. Who else is even in consideration at this point?
