So this means Howard ops out? Obviously, Smith doesn't think Houston can win it or he doesn't like Harden. I would assume that there is some likelihood that Dwight feels the same way since they are best friends. When I first heard he was going I thought there was more money involved, doesn't sound that way. Paul, Stephenson, J Smith, Blake, D Jordan....damn!
Lance Stephenson + Josh Smith at the same time on the court is going to be poetic justice. They lost a major role player in Matt Barnes, and the talk out there is now that they signed Josh Smith, they need to trade away Jamal Crawford... Clips ain't nuthin'.
The teams that have implemented this strategy into an NBA playbook are Houston, Golden State, LA Clippers, Atlanta, Cleveland, among others. Your analysis is per se invalid. This should provoke a period of introspection on your part. You should ruminate on how the choices you made in life led you to this unfortunate spot.
I'm fine with it. He saved our asses a few times and was definitely worth the money the Rockets were paying for him. At the same time, I think he's a volatile player that can often be a net negative on the court. If the alternative is another player whose highs are not as high, but is more consistent, I think I'll take that. Now, is it over playing time, or confidence in the organization, or about respect, or the ancillary benefits of the city? I don't give one ****. He made the choice he thought was best for him. He might be right or wrong, and it doesn't really matter. I hope he's happy with the Clippers, and I hope we beat them again in the playoffs. The end. There's no reason to be mad, and no reason for soul-searching or self-doubt either. The Rockets still have a good team.
If you have the right personnel, you have the right personnel. If you are best shooting, then shoot it. Simple as that. The Rockets are not the best shooting team, they can't shoot free throws (which is also an aspect of short range shooting) The thing about the best teams is you have to get the stars first and figure out what they do best. (In Harden's case he is a slasher, ball handler and average long range shooter but decent and clutch midrange shooter) The game of the Splash Bros fit perfectly with modern times perimeter game. You surround them with defenders, more shooters. Warriors drafted both Curry and Klay and Green, the core of their team. They grew to be a shooting team and not an articially constructed team that Morey has in mind. Continuity, Stability, Steady growth triumphs over Changing major players every other 2 or 3 years.
Fair enough, although I would argue that Harrell is unlikely to see PT until the end of the season if at all, and Smith should never be at the 5. But if LAC has to play smith 30 a game they are going to need a lot of Excedrin
I'm ok with this ... He was one of those guys that you just were not sure whether it was a positive or negative while he was on the court, and it really depended on which way the wind was blowing that day or something.
I agree, Sam. He'll have a plus impact on the Clips if he remains happy, in my opinion. I can easily see Smith helping them, but I can also easily see Smith being unhappy, in time, which would be a major problem for the Clips both on the court and in the locker room. Above all else, I continue to be surprised that he did this. Josh could have signed a short contract for more money with the Rocks, with the expectation of having the same scenario after this coming season is over that the usual talking heads are saying is the reason he made the move. Displaying his talent on a team that knows how to use it, playing for a coach he clearly liked, and in a locker room he enjoyed, by all the info I saw while he was here, and continuing to both play with his close friend and showing that he didn't deserve the bad press he's had for years. And I think he would have gotten minutes at least in the ballpark of what he received with us during the regular season, in my opinion. Sure, he'll get more minutes there, but we still have many unanswered questions with the competition he would have at the position he typically played here. In my opinion, he would have gotten more minutes than he probably expected to get with the Rockets. It just doesn't make any sense. Not to me. Smith's actions are mystifying.
Thanks for the advice. I know some choices were made for me but I would like to end this conversation. All I know that I would not use certain words and be tactful on the first encounter. Wish you luck on your journey, Mr. Fisher. Live long and prosper but hope we do not need to meet each other often.
Whatever the answer is, it is more than he would have gotten in Houston which is dividing 96 minutes among 5-6 players and not 3 players. It's just math.
I don't really care he left since every time he'd do something good 30 seconds later he was covering it backup with a mistake. So it's a wash to me. ...I just don't understand why the CLIPPERS? That team is going to be a mess. It's going to take well over a year for Smith and Stephenson to get adjusted. Plus he's playing behind Blake Griffin. Does he even want to play or was it more about city location?
So as it stands now.. we have gotten worse this offseason.... Add Decker, Harrell and MT Subtract JSmith Unknown JT and KJ I cant believe all the idiots saying shouldn't give JSmith the MLE or the 2.5 we offered was all we should offer... GTFO! What NBA player are you gonna sign for 2.5M? scrub or a vet on the decline.... most ANY starting caliber player is worth over 4.5M/yr..... ANYBODY WHO THINKS JOSH WASNT/ISNT WORTH THE FULL MLE IS AS UNAPPRECIATIVE AS MOREY - AND YOU DONT DESERVE SMITH!
So last response this time. So was Morey right all this time to pile on PFs and undersized bigs, then trade for a borderline allstar that was a malcontent on the Pistons, allowing him to play in the absence of Jones and Dmo. While this guy feels respected and united with his childhood friend which happened to be one of the best Centers in the game. Then after a deep playoff run, he drafts another PF ..... It is not that Smith is a mystery, Daryl and his operations are a mystery. That 3rd star chase is a mystery.
Are you capable of making a post without a major factual error? There was no Josh Smith trade with the Pistons. I really do hope you make this your last response - you simply lack a proper basis from which to propound an enlightened viewpoint, which is why things seem mysterious to you. I believe there's popular expression about "any sufficiently advanced technology, when encountered for the first time by primitive/non-advanced civilizations, will appear akin to magic" that comes to mind.
The Clippers don't have the full MLE to offer, but the Rockets do. Obviously, Morey doesn't believe Smith isn't worth it. I think that irked Smith.
Doesn't matter what the Clippers paid... Doesn't matter what Detroit is still paying... If we weren't willing to pony up the MLE to retain JSmith - we're idiots! 4.5 stil woulda been a steal!
