Smith isn't getting cut. Some of you really underestimate how well he played last season. He would be a rotation player on most NBA teams coming off the bench. He might even be worth a late 1st rounder. By the same token, Covington has proven nothing. He will probably be cut.
he has spent only five years with the Knicks in his 17 seasons in the NBA and he lives in Houston in the off-season...
Only slightly over a year not three. He was brought in during the 2nd half of 2011/2012 and barely saw the floor. Last season he played a major role in the rotation in what has been his only full year in the league. He even had a couple of signature games including the one where he outplayed Dwight in the 4th quarter. Based on the Major improvement he had last season over his partial rookie season, coupled with the fact that he is only 22 I think it would be tough for the Rockets to let him go with out finding out if he can improve as much after his only full season as he did after his rookie season which was only about 3 months.
Smith's issue is that he is a tweener: Doesn't have the height or rim-protecting instincts to play C, and doesn't have the shooting range, even from 15-feet away, which is increasingly necessary for the PF spot especially when your center is also a non-shooter. He is, however, a player with some useful skills. First, he is very good at finishing layups and dunks around the basket. Second, he is a very good physical post-defender (when the Rockets played the Lakers last season for the first time, Asik struggled defending Dwight Howard in the post, McHale switched Smith on him and Smith did a much better job). Third, he is a pretty good rebounder. I wouldn't be surprised if Smith ends up being the starting PF for the team next year despite his weaknesses. After all, he was the last actual PF to start for the team. Also, Smith has plenty of "upside." He has already gone from undrafted rookie to useful rotation guy (and even starter). He is also only 22-years old. In fact, Smith is younger than both Donatas Motiejunas and Robert Covington and only 4 months older than Isaiah Canaan. Not sure why you'd give up on Smith now as opposed to the other guys.
But you see, that's EXACTLY how a pocket calculator would run the team. A true GM would sign 15 guys for 15 spots. Now with everyone's job security in question, people like Dwight Howard are gonna have their psyches ruined from all the constant looking over their backs. Mom! Morey's treating our players like assets again!
it's maury's way to tell coach, don't go small in the fourth and get out rebounded. Remember that beef camby had during the final weeks of the 2011-2012 season, when asked why he wasn't in there in the fourth? "ask coach." no more of that. Now a center will always be there at all times. we can guard eddie winslow with a post defender and not someone like delfine-oh
Nope. You can cut Williams, Brooks, or Casspi, too. There will plenty of players not expected to be a part of the rotation to choose from.
Smith is a legit asset. If you know anything about Daryl Morey you know he will not just cut Smith unless there is an end game that benefits the Rockets.
Ask me in late October, when there will be more available info (i.e. training camp and preseason performance) to judge from and when you actually have to make the decision. Chances are enough of the minimum wage guys will suck enough that you won't feel that bad about cutting the roster down to 15.
Excellent post. I have concerns about Smith but he only has 1 year and 3 months worth of NBA experience and like you said he is only 22. It takes big men longer to develop and you can't teach the kind of raw, natural, brute strength that Greg has. In an ideal world I think he is more of a back up tweener than a starter at either position but if he can continue to develop he could really be very good. He still has plenty of time to develop a nice little 10 to 15 footer. I just don't think responsible GMs give up on 22 year old big men that have shown the type of potential that Greg has.
What if Isaiah Canaan is hit his 3s much better than Brooks early in the season? You already have Lin and Beverley so I would think AB would be on the got seat before Greg Smith. Daryl Morey has shown the ability to find quality point guards. Quality big men are much harder to acquire especially when they are only 22.
And he not only has those big hands, they're soft hands. We've seen him catch some insanely hot passes in the post from time to time, and then actually do something with the ball. It's a real quandary. I agree with those who say we could easily get a pick for him, because other coaches see what we see, but I also see that potential. I'd like to keep him this season and see how he develops. If needed, we can always move him at the deadline. But who makes the team? I love that we got Camby, and don't think it has to impact Asik at all. Camby is good cheap depth, just like Brooks.
