The Curious Case Of Josh "J-Smoove" Smith

Now, Red Nation, I know I am early on this subject about the newest member of our beloved Houston Rockets, Josh Smith, but I have some things to get off my chest first about this subject.

Now, Josh Smith signed here after being waived by the Detroit Pistons right about Christmas and made his Rockets debut against the Memphis Grizzlies. He had 21 points and 8 rebounds in his first game. In his second game against the Spurs the other night, he only had 5 points and 8 rebounds. Against the Wizards he had just 3 points and 4 turnovers. Rough.

Dec 26, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

My first point is, I have seen this movie before. “Movie” being “REALLY, REALLY talented player comes to the Rockets, makes them almost a SuperTeam on paper, but is inconsistent and downright sucky sometimes.” Also known as… the Scottie Pippen syndrome. I was around for that as a child, and now I can’t stand Pippen because of that.

Now, I’m not discounting Josh as ’99 Pippen status, but what if? I could not for the life of me figure out how he fits in Daryl Morey’s infamous “Threes, Layups, or Free Throws” system. He can’t shoot free throws. He damn sure can’t shoot threes. They don’t even want him to shoot long twos. Y’all saw that Spurs game? Spurs were begging him to shoot. And Josh was like R.Kelly: “My mind is telling me no… but my body is telling me yes.” He shot it. CLANK. Sigh.

I mean, I like J-Smoove, I really do. I understand why they went for him. The Rockets, after being totally offensive last year, and ultimately getting burned in the playoffs, are going almost totally defensive. That is smart. Josh is a great finisher at the rim and a really underrated passer to make those drive-and-kick passes to those outside shooters like James Harden, Trevor Ariza, Pat Beverley, Corey Brewer, and others.

Dec 26, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince (21) during the game at FedExForum. Houston Rockets beat Memphis Grizzlies 117 – 111. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

On the defensive side, Josh adds to the rim protecting that Dwight Howard does. One can go for the block, the other can go for the defensive rebound. Could this trio of Harden-Howard-Smith be their “Big 3”, so to speak? Because Josh is only signed for this year. This could be viewed as an experiment, in a way.

My second point is, I’m sure that this is first time Smith playing on a true contender. Atlanta was a middling franchise (when he was there anyway) and Detroit is trash. So, I’m sure that he is going to try and do too much on this team when he doesn’t have to.

Also, inserting him in the starting lineup so soon? In his second game he started at power forward. He looks so uncomfortable out there at times. But what about the other person who HAD the starting power forward spot, Donatas Motiejunas, who has been having a renaissance himself this season? D-Mo could’ve been a contender for Most Improved Player. Could that “promising of a starting spot” have been a stipulation in a contract somewhere?

And then we have the case of Terrence Jones (Yes, he’s alive). He will be out of another 4-6 weeks but what happens when he comes back? That makes THREE Power forwards. Sure, that’s deep at that position, but who are you going to start when T. Jones gets back?

My third point is an extension of the second point, Josh Smith seems to do better off the bench or with the bench players. The bench players provide a spark and hustle like D-Mo, Corey Brewer, Joey Dorsey (Yes, I said it), and Jason Terry. J-Smoove kind of completes that with his roles on defense and finishing. Smith has that energy and athleticism that fits that “bench mob” mentality.

The Curious Case Of Josh “J-Smoove” Smith

By Tristan Taylor | Dec 31, 2014