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Houston Rockets: Why Joshua Smith Should Make The Roster

By Paolo Santamaria

Nov 28, 2014; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Georgetown Hoyas center Joshua Smith (24) reacts during the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Imperial Arena at Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Georgetown Hoyas center Joshua Smith (24) reacts during the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Imperial Arena at Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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“Eat ’em, Josh!”

Words that once echoed throughout the Verizon Center in Washington will hopefully once again echo in the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. With the Houston Rockets’ roster at 13 guaranteed contracts, there are just two spots entering training camp for the remaining five players, including former Georgetown Hoyas center Joshua Smith.

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Among them include three other undrafted free agents from the 2015 draft class, guard Denzel Livingston, forward Chris Walker and guard Will Cummings, as well as veteran sharpshooter Marcus Thornton (36.2 percent for his career from 3-point range).

Thornton is just 28 and coming off a season where he shot 38 percent from deep on 202 attempts, so it’s safe to assume he’ll be making the 15-man roster. But that last spot is the real question. Four undrafted free agents competing for one spot, and honestly, I don’t know anything about the other three to argue why they shouldn’t make the final cut.

But I do know why Joshua Smith should make the cut.

Let’s start with his biggest issue that probably is no longer his biggest issue–the fact that he used to be, well, big.

Looking at the feature photo, it’s pretty easy to see that weight might be a concern for Smith entering the NBA; it certainly was in college.

But according to his Instagram, things are much, much better.

That kind of weight loss is an incredible feat, especially considering he was somewhere near 360 pounds at the end of the college season.

Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
Sep 28, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Joshua Smith (42) during media day at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Joshua Smith (42) during media day at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Again compared to now:

Granted I am biased as a Georgetown fan, but Smith has all the tools and ability to be an NBA player.

With soft touch around the rim and deceivingly nimble feet, Smith tore up the paint against 10th-ranked Kansas last season.

Beyond just this whole highlight reel, some of Smith’s NBA-ready skills include awareness off the pick and roll, good offensive rebounding positioning and crazy good touch for someone that big.

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First, he has the awareness to make a good pass because he doesn’t have good positioning. Then he seals off his defender so well, draws the help defender, times his side drop step to bypass the incoming defender and then finishes the baby hook so effortlessly.

The Rockets already have one stud in the post in Donatas Motiejunas, but he primarily plays the 4, while Smith can slide in at the 5 and provide another low-post scoring threat.

His nimble feet make him an above average pick-and-roll defender, and he’s certainly athletic enough to solidly protect the rim. Frontcourt depth is absolutely a concern given the injury history of, well, everyone in Houston’s frontcourt (Motiejunas, Terrance Jones, Dwight Howard and Clint Capela all missed stretches of time last year).

Though draft picks Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell should help relieve some of that pressure, a true big man is what the Rockets may end up needing. With Chris Walker being Smith’s really only competition at that spot, Smith should have the upper hand, with a polished game and impressive durability throughout his career.

One knock against Smith is that he is older than most of the guys he is competing against, fixing the biggest weakness in his game just ripped his ceiling wide open. If he can stay at that weight, all he’ll need is a couple breaks to make it in the NBA.

But for a player of his caliber and natural talent, I have no doubt they’ll come sooner rather than later.

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