The Josh Smith Effect On The Lakers
By Chris Walton
When the Detroit Pistons decided to release Josh Smith, it was almost inevitable that his name would somehow be linked to the struggling Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles elected not to show interest, with the Houston Rockets swooping up Smith. The move is still having a profound effect on the Lakers season and even the future.
The fascination with Josh Smith would most certainly be warranted if it were 2012, when “J-Smoove” was posting solid numbers for the Atlanta Hawks to the tune of 17.5 points, eight rebounds, four assists, along with one block and a steal.
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When he departed for the Pistons, many pundits were baffled considering the logjam in Detroit’s frontcourt composed of young talents Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe. Smith ended his 105-game tenure averaging 13 points per game on 39.1 percent shooting, the third-lowest output of his career.
As a Hawk, he was all-star worthy and a part of a team riding a seven-season playoff streak. Known for his athleticism and defensive prowess, Smith complemented Al Horford and anchored one of the league’s most underrated frontlines. Much of this skill was thought to be something that Detroit could take advantage of, but Smith entered both regression and a bit of a funk.
He was no longer a walking triple-double, and he settled for long three-pointers that continually made fans held their breathe collectively at the Palace. As the Pistons would sign Stan Van Gundy as president and head coach, the team was ushering in a new era. It was only a matter of time before things would come to a head with Van Gundy’s more efficient style of play.
The Houston Rockets decided to take on Smith, pairing him with longtime friend Dwight Howard. Contrary to their imagination, Smith has continued his shaky play. The Rockets are currently 3-4 since acquiring Smith, and they are helping the Lakers strengthen their draft position. This summer, the Rockets traded Jeremy Lin and a first round draft selection to the Lakers.
With losses piling up, that pick could end up anywhere from the late 20s to end of the first round. That area could give Los Angeles a chance at nabbing a young talent.
Smith’s fit for the Rockets seems a bit of an issue to implement. He continues to hoist up shots, shooting 34.6 percent from the field (career-low of 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game) and 12.5 percent from three-point range. While the name sounds good to add on paper, it is dangerous that the team elects to bring in a piece in the midst of championship contention.
An even bigger benefit for the Lakers is the current surge that the Pistons are experiencing. They are riding a four-game winning streak going into the month of January. Detroit is playing the best basketball that they have all season long, averaging an 18-point margin of victory during the stretch. Coincidentally, the team is finding a groove since waiving Smith.
This offers the Lakers a chance move closer to the draft’s top spots, continuing the protection on their pick owed to the Phoenix Suns. Detroit currently sits just above the Lakers with the fourth-worst record in the league. If the Lakers can float near the top (well, the bottom), then the team could somehow have the ping pong balls drop in their favor.
Count on Smith to continue to keep things interesting for all teams involved, for better or worse.