Jones is much more similar to Smith than DMo is. Smith is basically a rich man's Jones. DMo on the other hand can play the 4 and the 5, and can post up. I would think moving Jones makes much more sense.
Should he? No he should earn it. Will he? Looks to be the case, so yes. I still think everyone clamoring that D-Mo will be the go to guy off the bench is just wrong. Our bench does not function that way. And we have zero post entry passers so that'll make it even harder. Our bench offense will be the same as it always has been. Guard dominant, looking to shoot 3's and get out in transition. I hope that's not the case. But it more than likely will be.
There comes a time in life that we must "go" for it. This team is meant to win "NOW", D-Mo isn't a starting 4 in this league. He is a Center, a back up center. Josh Smith is a proven productive player who can guard 1-5 on the defensive side of the ball. PNR's with Josh Smith, no problem. A four that can grab a rebound and run the break, no problem. Rockets starts the last several games-a big FAT problem. Our team is much improved.
Not a bad idea, especially if Ariza's shooting slump continues. Maybe coming off the bench will get him back into his rhythm.
My opinion...make him earn it first. Minutes, yes, but out of respect for what DMo has done, make Josh clearly show he deserves to start....and I believe he will do exactly that.
on one hand we could use his individual and team defense at the 4 spot in the starting lineup. on the other hand, we don't want him taking away shots from harden. if the team can convince smith to play the garbage man role on offense, then let him start. otherwise, putting the ball in his hands as a player off the bench might actually help us put points on the board when harden sits -- josh is an exceptional passer for a big man
Think McHale should go with the hot hand. More than likely, it will be smith because we don't need pts in our starting lineup. We need defense. That starting 5 with smith will shutdown any top tier team. Can't wait to play Golden State Again .
Howard/Smith/D-Mo can split all of the C/PF minutes. D-Mo can feast with the 2nd unit and provide a nice high/low balance on offense.
"It doesn't matter if you start, it's how you finish." So, as far as minutes are concerned, having all Howard, DMo and Smith share minutes will be a blessing and will allow Howard to rest more. DMo should still get 30 minutes at both the 4 & 5. He might actually thrive with Smith on the court, as long as Smith is not a ball hog.
I say no so he can anchor the post defense in the second unit. Rather have Asik but maybe he can offset a lot of that weak side help defense off the bench.
If that's what they promised him they need to hold true to that. If he's playing like crap and DMo out plays him then put him on the bench and if he pouts release him.
I'm not thrilled with the signing because I don't think Smith will know his role. He's a terrible shooter and doesn't really do much for taking pressure off Harden. Plus, Dmo has been th e relegation for the season and we are essentially guaranteeing he comes off the bench for the rest of the season. I would like DMO to start and the hotter player to finish games. But of course, we have to pander to Smith now. Good news is we have 2 months til the trade deadline and Goran looks very, very likely after this.
