First off, this isn't a disaster but it definitely stings. He was far from a perfect player for us, even aggravating to watch at times. Still, for the price, he was another arrow in the quiver. Great to have him on the bench to throw out there when other things aren't working. I'm honestly pretty shocked he left us to go play an even lesser role for the Clips behind Blake Griffin. My guess is he got sick of waiting for his Rockets contract and felt disrespected we were waiting to see what happened with KJ mcdaniels. Pretty impatient/immature on his part if true, idk. Rockets can say "oh well we didn't want him anyway" but please, when he's willing to sign for that low you keep him, that simple. I'll reserve judgment since Morey often proves doubters wrong but on its face, looks like Houston dun goofed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's fair to say Josh Smith wanted more playing time and the Clippers afforded him that more than the Rockets. Money also a slight issue.</p>— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/621805862814908417">July 16, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The only way we could have guaranteed him more playing time while getting the most out of our players would be to trade away some of the big depth... Yeah, no thanks
We will remember Smooth like Artest, he came here for one season and helped us win, and then left before wearing out his welcome. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you, Josh Smith. You came to HOU on a cheap 1-yr deal & helped our team make a legit playoff run. I'll remember your time here fondly.</p>— David Weiner (@BimaThug) <a href="https://twitter.com/BimaThug/status/621792495702114304">July 16, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That team only got to the WCF because of Smith. Did you not watch Game 6 vs the Clippers? Who was defending Griffin, knocking down 3's, and getting assists? And what about Game 2 vs the Mavs? Remember we were down early in the 4th quarter when Smith basically took over. Dallas might've stolen that game had it not been for him. It's not like Smith is some sort of irreplaceable piece. But he did us far more good than harm, and we will miss him.
If Morey thinks question like u guys, why does Alexander hire him GM? A nba GM has have detail plans.
Signing Josh with the Bi Annual wasnt gonna affect KJ's deal...I cant believe the Rockets really are considering giving KJ a massive deal...unless he was gonna be used as a trade chip for a future deal down the road.
wow at all the people going emo over this .. you'd think we just waived harden or howard .. smith was a role player that had a few good games for us, but I seriously am glad I don't have to watch a full year of this guy in a Rockets uniform
I'm not too panicked over this. The Jones and D-Mo injuries made Smith's time in Houston smooth when it came to playing time. There were soon to be some playing time issues if Smith was brought back and Jones not traded. This was probably the simplest resolution. Thanks for a great half season Josh, wouldn't have make the conference finals without you but we're far from doomed this year in your absence.
Or by lying to him....the rockets were honest with him and they'll live with his decision because it was expected. Morey has been hinting at it for a while...which means he's been planning for it too...
Glad to see someone else actually watches the game. As a guy that played a ton of point guard in my day I see players choices so clearly and some nights he was really good at swinging the ball, hitting the right guy or driving it to the rim. But sometimes he'd wear me out with "what the hell are you doing with the ball???" If he was our 2nd playmaker on the team, which many nights he was, then that MUST be upgraded. I really think the only fall off is Jones has to improve his defense unless he is being replaced. Smith got hot from 3 a few very important games and that made he look like he was more than a role player to some fans.
Josh Smith was a turnover disaster when running the break. He turned it over about 70% of the time. You could see them happening in slow motion. I am not too concerned with the loss of Smoove. I just wish he had gone to a different team.
We were told Smith requested to come off the bench after that 1-3 start to his tenure as the starter, but I never bought that. I think he may have been ok with it, but I'm willing to bet good money that was McHale's call(and the right one, BTW). Bottom line is we were told that when Smith was mulling over offers last season, one of his demands was that he get to start. The Rockets did promise him that while other teams who were in contention(Miami for example) couldn't.
When is the last time a former Rocket that let go by the Rockets and immediately had an impactful year in the next season to help their team? Asik? Lin? Parsons? Casspi?
We get it dude. You don't want the Rockets to win. You want to look "smart" and "realistic". We get it...
It's not shocking that he is leaving. It is a bit shocking that he would go to the Clippers. He has always stated how much he loves McHale for believing in him and resurrecting his career. Why pick the team that almost booted us from the playoffs, the team that we needed you most against. I know it's a business, but yikes. Was this a money issue? Does he see them as a stronger contender? Was he offended by Morey's offer? We could only offer him the MLE, right? And I think people said we were likely to offer no more than 2.49 so we could sign KJ? They are already at almost $95m.... Doesn't that mean they can only offer $3.4m and we could have theoretically offered $5.5m? Those are our respective max MLE offers, if I am correct. I always felt like Smith was a huge reason for our success this season. Dwight and so many others were injured, but we had Smith, Brewer, and Harden fighting the whole season and into the playoffs. Maybe wouldn't have offered him the full MLE, but I would have matched what the Clippers could offer, if I were Morey. At the end of year, Morey's actions or lack of action hasn't let me down really. I'll trust that by the end of the year, Morey will have made up for this decision.
