We beat the Clippers 3 games in a row in the postseason. And we can offer Smoove more money. How is it even debatable?
Sorry homie, but I will not say that the Clippers are better than us. We beat them in a 7 game series, and yes they improved but again your acting like we aren't going to improve with Bev and DMo being back. AND the fact that we have the same core of guys means that we should be even better. I like to be a logical man, but your logic is making no sense to me. So the Clippers have added Paul Pierce and Stevenson, an according to you that makes them better. HMMMMMMMMM ok lets think about this. One of them is nearing the end of his career and the other has been detrimental to the past 2 teams he's been on, and both can not start. Meanwhile the Rockets are getting 2 players back, both of which are STARTERS and were huge to our initial run last season. Yet the Clippers are better than us,
not saying clippers are better than houston but those were significant additions and to only lose a scrub in matt barnes. stephenson wasn't brought it to start but to come off the bench. that was said from day 1. PP still has enough in the tank to be a solid starter as evident last year. he brings plenty to the table to a win now team. and CP3 wasn't nearly 100% during the series against houston. Houston will be improve if everyone is back healthy yes but Clips will be right there with the top teams in the league this year.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If and, and it's an IF, the Clippers can land Josh Smith, almost by accident, they'll have gotten way more versatile on their bench</p>— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/621031949117734912">July 14, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
IF, and that's a big IF, any team can land Josh Smith, their bench will have gotten way more versatile and much better. Sure hope we retain his services for the least amount possible though, but I would pay more if necessary and think Morey will.
All this Clippers talk sounds a lot like Josh Smith trying to leverage for more than what the Rockets are offering salary-wise. But even on what the Rockets are offering, it is MORE than what the Clippers can offer. And Josh Smith would still be on the bench in LA and in fact might have to play some backup center. In Houston, his role is better, can play PF and might even start. Josh picked Houston over Clippers initially and I don't see any real reason for him to spurn Houston now.
Bingo!! Josh Smith was THE reason Dallas had problems matching up with us. He was one of the biggest factors we beat the Clippers. You can't just replace Josh Smith. Had McHale not put Smith in the starting line up, we get our azzes embarrassed against the LAC. Also keep in mind CP3 wasn't closed 2 healthy
In all fairness, the Rockets had the entire Bi-Annual Exception ($2.077 million, non-prorated) to offer, versus a hard-capped Clippers team with only the prorated veteran's minimum salary to offer. Basically, the Rockets had more money to offer Smith last season than just about any contending team. Still, the point stands that the Rockets can offer Smith more right now via Non-Bird rights ($2.49 million) than the Clippers can offer (the $1.5 million veteran's minimum salary).
Ahh yes, because signing with the Pistons did? Well, outside of the metric ton of cash they threw at him.
It would make less sense than the Rockets(assuming we're offering equal or more money). But it's not a horrible situation for him. It's not like going to a crappy Detroit team.
So the Rockets can offer a million bucks more, no state taxes, and essentially a starting (or 6th man type) role. Hmmm... If he picked the Rockets before, not sure why he'd change his mind this year. My guess is the Rockets are waiting on KJ's deal to get done first to see if they can work anything out that might get Josh more money in the MLE.
I wonder if Bima goes to bed with an audio book of David Stern reading the CBA rules. 2.5m doesn't seem like a bad investment, considering how close he, Dwight, and Trevor are. He is essentially our only other play maker option at this point. We could have a really strong front court if Dmo comes back strong along with Smith, Capela, Howard, and even TJones (in certain match ups). Get'r done More'a!
Jonathan Feigen reported this in Houston Chronicle blog: "The Rockets have made offers to veterans Jason Terry and Josh Smith, but both are considering their options. The addition of Thornton does not impact the Rockets’ interest in Terry, a person with knowledge of their thinking said." The article was about signing Marcus Thornton, here is the link: http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...arcus-thornton-on-a-one-year-deal/#34220101=0
