I know Josh Smith has a number of warts. But he has strengths too. It is OBVIOUS that Morey wants JSmith. He just didn't want JSmith at that 14M/per value. The same way Morey did not want Parsons at 15M/per. There are obvious qualities that Smith brings that Morey feels is very advantageous to the core of this team. And I think they are primarily defensive elements.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Yahoo Sources: Houston emerging as strongest suitor to sign Josh Smith. <a href="http://t.co/pOvHRnynRp">http://t.co/pOvHRnynRp</a></p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/547113454252085249">December 22, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I always considered Josh Smith to be the ceiling for Jones. So why wouldn't you want to bring him in for a cheap contract? It's a no brainer.
This. Aldridge isn't coming here. And I'm not gonna wait on cap flexibility for when Durant is a free agent. The league is weak this season. If there was anytime to win a championship that time is now!
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For what it's worth, Calvin Murphy also worked with Smith a few summers back so you probably have him recruiting in whatever capacity he can.
Morey is a stats geek and he run an advance system none has been doing. He will only trust facts. Josh Smith is a stats nightmare, whatever ways you want to cover him. Other teams may want to dig deep into how he plays, but I am sure Morey will know very well on this. This team will not specifically design or modify the offense for Josh Smith. Unless Morey will be brainwashed, it will be a shock to see him actually signing Josh Smith to this team.
I really hope he can accept a different roll here. If he will rebound, run the floor, pass, defend at a high level, and shoot NOTHING but WIDE OPEN 3s, he would be an excellent fit here. That said, we have to get some shooting in our front court.
LaMarcus Aldridge wouldn't have been dropping 40+ a night on the Rockets had Josh Smith been guarding him in last year's playoffs. Even Maury realizes the positive attributes that Smith brings to a team, which is why he's been after him for the past few years. The Rockets should now be the best defensive team in the NBA.
How will it be a shock if there were reports we wanted him 2 years ago and we're pursuing him again now?
You're assuming you have all the stats that Morey sees...which of course is an incorrect assumption. This has to do with buy in. If Smith says and does the right things and focuses on what he does well (defend, rebound, run the break, pass, take high % shots) then he would be one hell of a pickup. Even if he flames out, its a low risk addition that costs you literally nothing in basketball talent to obtain. How do you NOT add this guy?
I think you're overlooking the fact that Smith to Houston makes one of T-Jones/D-Mo expendable in a trade to bring Dragic here, which could have made Morey hesitant before.
