Can Josh Smith Help His Team Anymore?
How He Can Help The Rockets Now
Since the Houston Rockets signed Josh Smith, they’ve lost three of their last six games and have dropped to fifth in the Western Conference standings. Since his 21-point debut in a Rockets uniform, he’s averaging 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from deep.
In order for Josh Smith to help the Rockets become contenders in the West, he’ll need to finally look himself in the mirror and atone for whatever foolishness makes him think it’s okay to take those ill-advised jumpers. Why else would he have been moved to the bench for Donatas Motiejunas?
Josh Smith is not a bad player, and he was never fully appreciated during his time in Atlanta. His cheap contract also makes him potentially worth the risk, especially if he can accept a bench role. But unless he sticks his ass back in the paint, focuses on defense and develops some sort of high-low game with Dwight Howard, he will be the scapegoat if Houston falling short of contender status this season.
Josh Smith : Houston Rockets :: Andrew Bynum : Indiana Pacers?
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) January 3, 2015
Picking up a player like Josh Smith represented a swing-for-the-fences move — you’re either going to hit a home run or you’re going to strike out.
It’s a small sample size to draw from, and an adjustment period was to be expected. There’s also still a good chance he can boost this elite defense even more. But his time in Detroit does little to dissuade us from the fact that Josh Smith looks like he’s now a detriment to whatever team he plays for.
If things don’t change, that might wind up being how we define his career too.