They play about the same minutes, and Young averages 15ppg (52% fg%)/7rpg/2apg/2spg/1bpg with a PER of 17.7. Josh Smith averages 17ppg (46% fg%)/9rpg/4apg/1spg/2bpg with a PER of 17.6. How is Josh Smith way better than Thad? Given that Young makes $8.6mm next year, is Josh Smith really worth ~12mm?
offensively, Lamarcus Aldridge would be the better fit conventionally, but Josh is a plug in guy. Plus, he plays better defense than LA. LA can space the floor with his shooting, but we need a 4 who can attack the basket and pick up the scraps that Asik fails to corral. If Love can get the Max, so can Josh. Love puts up video game numbers, but just like the video game, those numbers feel fake. Numbers don't lie, but how his numbers impact winning, does.
Those are exactly the things that his coaches have been harping about ever since he came into the NBA. What makes you think he would change now?
in Houston, he wouldn't need to change. His strengths would be highlighted here. His weaknesses wouldn't be so glaring, since Houston shoots a lot of 3s, anyway. And i don't see him becoming 3 happy, he'd play more from 15 feet and in. That's what the Rockets need, and that's what Josh has.
J-Smoove wants to be in Houston. He might be willing to sign for a pay cut. In the new market it's possible no team offers him a max. Afaik only the Suns were willing but their situation has changed. Josh for $12m per would be great.
My biggest problem with Smith is that he's not a good PnR player. You would think he would be, but it's just way too easy for an opposing player to force him to take a midrange jumper. And his midrange jumper sucks. Unless he's getting a bunch of easy dunks and layups, he's a pretty crappy offensive player.
Harden and Lin would open the floor for him to do his damage above the rim. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he can both attack and protect the rim. There are very few players who can do both.
He's never had Harden to run he PnR with. Joe Johnson was never a good PnR player. We don't need him to score much either. 14-15ppg is fine. We would want him to focus on protecting the rim, getting tip-ins and helping Asik crash the boards. He is a good passer, ball handler and shot blocker. No one is paying him to be the second go to player on offense.
I don't think REEKO ever mentioned in this thread anything about Smith's health. Debate with REEKO if you like. I am out.
I'd followed Atlanta before, "was" a fan of the highlight factory. They don't pick and roll. It was mostly ISO-Joe. This year was the first year they broke away from that. No good PGs on that team, no good playmakers. Mike Bibby-Jeff Teague-Acie Law, they never had a good playmaker. Actually, Smoove and Horford we're the best passers in terms of "for their position". Smith will perform way way way better with playmakers like Lin, Harden and Parsons, (even Asik).
It would be nice to see Asik and Smoove have a block party... But Asik as good a defender as he is, he doesn't really block shots...hehe.
I guess its your opinion that you are entitled to, but you are going to be hard pressed to find too many people that agree with you that Josh Smith is anywhere near the players that LMA and Love would be for Houston. And that's just in terms of on the basketball court... not the financial ramifications that come from locking the Rockets salary cap into believing that Josh Smith is the answer. Back to the basketball angle- In the playoffs when a well coached team figures out how to stop Harden and Lin's dribble penetration, do you think Josh Smith is enough of a go-to option to dominate a basketball game? As far as up and down paced basketball goes, maybe he does run the floor better than LMA, or Love, but he is nowhere near the dynamic players that those two guys are in a half court set you'd be running in the playoffs. You wouldn't notice how much better LMA or Love would be in comparison to Smith until the playoffs when their impact would be felt the most. -Josh Smith is at his best when he is impacting the game doing the little things like crashing the glass, blocking shots, and getting put-backs much like a Gerald Wallace or Shawn Marion type. Ive never seen Smith as a go-to option to run an offensive set through when defenses figure out how to stop the Rockets half court. If you are looking for a #2 go-to option to take this team all the way, sorry... Ive seen enough Atlanta Hawks playoff basketball in the past few years to know that Josh Smith isn't going to get it done as a go-to option. As a glue guy who does a little bit of everything, he would be phenomenal if they Rockets could find a way to get him at the right price.
The other option is to do nothing. Josh Smith eliminates our chances of winning a championship. Better to wait for the next free agent class.
you are closer to a championship with him, then you are without. Unless you are signing Dwight Howard. Take the gamble on Josh, only if he's willing to come for 12-13 million/ year
