You'll NEVER be emotionally stable watching a Rockets game. I felt the same way, but I think it's just because Rockets coaching doesn't care about consistency of play. Go out there, play, hope someone on the team steps up, and if we win, that's what matters. That's the mentality. Smith sort of fit the inconsistent player model perfectly. As long as he and Doc Rivers get along, I suspect he will be a much better player with the Clips, because he'll have more constraints and accountability. Still sad to see him go. He did some amazing things when he was on, particularly passing, which the team never exploited for more than maybe one game. I think he could have been much more to this team than he was if he'd been coached and used properly.
I can see his reasoning. The Clippers have monumental games against GS. A very basic statement - but the Clippers also didn't face GS in the WCF because of a Herculean effort by Josh Smith. Simple maths - Clippers + him = WCF and a great chance at beating the Warriors. I hate losing him. But can understand his thought process.
This, their SF spot is weak overall and sucked overall in the playoffs. Not too sad he left, just sucks he made a contender stronger.
Josh Smith is 29 and these are his career numbers: 15.1 points 7.7 rebounds 3.2 assists 1.3 steals 2.0 blocks The key for the Rockets was his ball handing, unselfish passing and perimeter shooting skill. A multi-skilled, do-it-all athlete across the board. Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas cannot compare and will never compare. Losing Smith is a definite downgrade at PF by Morey.
With miserable Terrence Jones at PF the Rockets were getting blown out and were down 1-3 to the Clippers. McHale had to replace Jones with Josh Smith in Game 5. It worked. With Smith leading the way as a power/point forward the Rockets made an epic comeback winning 3 straight to take the series 4-3.
It's called cognitive dissonance or sour grapes. Once something is out of reach, you convince yourself you really didn't need it anyway to feel better.
With Josh you get the occasional SportsCenter-caliber dunks, flashy passes and theatrics to accompany the bricked long jumpers, maddening TO's, missed FT's and overall inconsistency. Point being: he's an enigma. You can't trust him. The idea that such a wild-card is going to COMPLETELY make-or-break our postseason aspirations is crazy talk.
No he is not. He wasn't in a good situation in Charlotte. But he can be a very productive player for a team. With CP, Blake and DJ in the lineup, Stephenson will do just fine. Clippers are deep now, they have really had one heck of an offseason!
Didn't see that in the playoffs against Dallas or the Clippers. Just saw a clutch athlete with great ball skills and poise under pressure.
Capela is a good backup center, but Jones and Montiejunas have very limited upside. Jones has already reached his ceiling, I think, and Montiejunas is a one-way journeyman level player who'll give you about 12 points and nothing else.
