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Houston Rockets: Absorbing The Blow Of Josh Smith’s Departure

By Gerald Bourguet

May 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game four of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game four of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Smith
Dec 26, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) is congratulated by power forward Terrence Jones (6) after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Short-Term Outlook

Smith was stellar in the playoffs, but we shouldn’t overlook the fact that his presence only became absolutely necessary because of injuries to Donatas Motiejunas and Terrence Jones. D-Mo missed the entire playoffs and even though Jones was healthy for all but a month of Smith’s time in Houston, he missed a total of 49 games on the season, stunting what might have been a breakout season.

Now with Smoove gone, the Rockets will rely on Motiejunas and Jones to pick up the slack. They may not have the same chemistry with Dwight Howard, but their combination of shooting, rebounding and athleticism could help fill the void with the right development.

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2 Houston Rockets international players that never played a single minute
2 Houston Rockets international players that never played a single minute /

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    • McHale said every player on the roster other than James Harden needs to improve by about 10-15 percent next year, but that’s truer for these two young power forwards than anyone else.

    Last season, Donuts was in the middle of a career season before his season-ending injury, averaging 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three-point range. What he lacked in athleticism, he made up for with surprising cunning and skill on the offensive end. The Rockets will be hoping he can continue the momentum he built when he played minutes at the 5 with Howard sidelined.

    As for Jones, 2014-15 might have been a breakout season if not for injuries. His numbers slightly dipped across the board, but quite possibly the most important one — three-point percentage — rose from 30.7 percent in his second season to 35.1 percent in his third.

    At ages 23 and 24 respectively, Jones and Motiejunas might not be able to fill the playmaking void with Josh Smith gone. But the Rockets are hopeful it will be enough after he turned down Houston’s offer and signed the veteran minimum ($1.5 million) to play in Los Angeles.

    Next: Long-Term Outlook

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