So, why can't Josh Smith play the 3 in our system?

Actually he had 6 games where he shot the 3 well. for a total of 18 of 30, 60%. Then he had 2 games where he was meh, a 1 for 3 game and a 2 for 6 game, for a total of 33%. Then he had another game where he was 0 for 0, he didn't shoot a 3. So, his 3 didn't hurt us in those games.

So that's 9 games where his 3 didn't hurt us or it helped us.

In the other 8 games he had 1-0 for 1 game, 2-0 for 2 games, 2-0 for 3 games, 2-0 for 5 games, and 1-2 for 7 game. I could make the case that 0 for 1 doesn't really hurt us. (It was the rest of his game that hurt us. Stinking it up at the FT line and all around.)


I get the "inconsistent" thing. He's been that way his whole career. But guys can change. I'm saying what if. The poster that said guys don't change who they are.....You are normally right. But some guys do change. Jason Kidd went from a very poor 3-point shooter to a great spot-up shooter and key floor-spreading component of a championship Dallas team in 2011.

I know it doesn't happen very often. But I'm saying what if. IF he comes back with a 3-point stroke and is consistently knocking the long ball.....THEN why can't he defend 3's??



And besides if inconsistency is the reason why he shouldn't shoot the 3, then does Harden quit shooting the 3?
Harden had 7 games where he shot the 3-ball at 40% or better. He had 2 games where he shot meh, 3 for 9. And he had 8 games where he was way off, shooting an abysmal 10 for 49 for 20.4%. Read 'em and weap JayZ. Harden's shooting was as inconsistent as Smith's.

38% is 38%.

 

Actually why not move him from a good mismatch to a good mismatch or a good match or a bad mismatch against us, which is what guys like Green/Lebron/Durant are. I didn't see anybody that played Draymond Green better than Smith did. Smith has the versatility to play Green in the blocks and on the perimeter. And Green was a huge problem and mismatch for everybody during the playoffs with his ability to play the 3, 4, or 5.

And this is specifically why I'm asking the question. Why can't Smith play the 3? He's already proven versatile enough to play the 4 and play the 5 off the bench in a small-ball lineup. Why can't he play the 3 when we're matched up against Lebron, Green, Durant, etc.??

 

Did I mention him starting? Nope. This discussion is about Smith's ability to play the 3, most specifically defense at the 3.

Who on this current roster is the best defensive matchup for:


1. Lebron
2. Draymond
3. Durant
4. Melo
5. George
6. Leonard
7. Alphabet Man
8. Jabari Parker
9. Kyle Korver


Now, I know Ariza can defend SOME of those guys adequately. But...do you really think Ariza is the best defender on all these guys I just listed?

 

And Ariza can?

 

So, explain. We play the Warriors. You've got Ariza on Green. Now...who defends Klay?

I humbly suggest the best defensive matchups in that case is Ariza on Klay and Smith on Green.

 

Actually I suggested Smith guard Green. Mr. Clutch suggested that Ariza guard the Warriors Power Forward. We're waiting now to see who he sticks on Klay. And we haven't even discussed Barnes. Apparently Mr. Clutch thinks the answer is to go ultra small on the Warriors??