Hopefully before the Charlotte game we will have the "Josh Smith is officially out of the starting lineup" thread
Smith didn't play a single minute in the 4th and Rockets starters minus Smith were freshly rested so I don't place all the blame tonight on him. But yeah does seem like Rockets bartered Tarik Black for a new $2M whipping boy.
An miss 5 and have 4 T.O. He is not a good fit in the Starting lineup he is having the Asik effect, not a good fit next to Dwight
Its not all about what he himself does. It's about what he did to the team. He doesn't have a single skill this team needed. Signing was worthless. D-Mo is a better defender. Dwight and Dorsey do the same shot-blocking and rebounding type things. Smith turnovers the ball so much. Papa got taken out of the rotation as well. One of the only guys along with Brewer and D-Mo who actually quickly move the ball and keep the offense in motion. D-Mo's minutes and shot attempts have gone down. There's a reason why there's an "addition by subtraction" concept and it's similar to why a lottery team paid Smith $20+ million to go away.
I just don't understand why we decided to change the starting line up by swapping D-Mo with Smith. Donuts was playing so well and no he is relegated to playing 20 minutes a game.
Give a week or two, then we'll see how it all looks. Definitely don't agree with just throwing him in the starting lineup, though.
I've felt like Josh's effort level has been there, but he's just not comfortable yet. Not worried yet.
Smith is a weak team defender. Smith is a "highlight defensive" player. Makes the flashy block or steal but also makes the wrong rotation.
The only game he has looked good so far is when he has came off the bench and provided energy and defense along with brewer. He has been lost since being thrust into the starting lineup he was much more comfortable and productive off the bench. IMO this should be his role. Fast breaks, opportunistic defense and energy off the bench. Trying to incorporate him in the offense and starting lineup is a mistake. He's not a facilitator and is a bad fit in the starting lineup. I was a huge fan of acquiring him especially at his salary, but he needs to understand his role is better fit as off the bench.
You guys thinking this Josh Smith is the REAL Josh Smith are crazy. He is struggling to fit in, but he is completely dynamic. Give it some time... He has had like 2 practices with the Rockets.
If it aint broke don't fix it . There are a multitude of problems that were generated by throwing Smith in the starting line-up. Regardless of if you think it will work out long term, it should not have happened this quickly. It is clear that the "new" (hopefully not anymore) starters have no chemistry... and for those whose say give it time and let smith get acclimated .. WHY ? Why in essence should we be wasting games trying to get Smith to fit in when .. A. Dmo ALREADY works in that spot ? and B. Smith isn't even that amazing. We should immediately change the line-up back. I don't care if feeling get hurt, Dmo has been hustling these last two games as if nothing happened. Smith needs to do the same or freaking Dorsey can take his spot. Man i hope JOnes comes back soon. Look Smith is a veteran who can maybe be really good, but as many question marks as DMO has at to whether he can be a championship calibur starting 4, Smith has just as many.
