By Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider)

Houston Rockets Staff Writer

Last night, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that “Houston has strengthened its position as the frontrunner” to sign waived F Josh Smith. With that in mind, let’s look at Josh Smith’s past and future – what could he bring to the Rockets? The Detroit Pistons waived Josh Smith on Monday, a shocking move that sent shockwaves throughout the NBA. The experiment of playing Josh Smith at the three, pairing him with young big men Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, ultimately failed, for the talented frontcourt to figure out how play with each other

In Detroit, Josh Smith played mostly at the small-forward position and struggled in lineups next to Drummond and Monroe – posting a negative +/-. The 6-9, 225 pound, Smith is averaging 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and a career-best 4.7 assists while shooting 39.1% from the field and a poor 24.3% from three this season. He had glimpses in Detroit, proving he was a versatile point forward, but was not consistent enough to live up to his $13.5 million contract.

Josh Smith can play the small forward or power forward positions; a versatile point forward who can initiate the offense in the half-court (at times) and on the break. He provides solid rim-protection for his size and is a solid compliment to athletic bigs. He has the ability to force the tough shot, grab the rebound, and take it coast-to-coast for a dunk/layup or set up another teammate on the break. Smith has excellent passing skills, one of the best in his position, and great ball-handling ability. By setting him up on the right block, he can back down his defender and finish using his athleticism and speed.

Now for the bad Josh Smith. He’s capable of being a lock-down defender at the PF position, taking on larger wings and athletic forwards. He’s capable of initiating offense from the post or moving with the ball. He’s “capable” and that’s the problem. He has yet to put together his skill-set and play consistently, as if he’s uncommitted to what his team wants him to do. Josh Smith has tons of talent, but at times he does tend to play away from his strengths and reverts to his weaknesses.

Statistically, this is Smith’s worse defensive season of his career. His profile was removed from NBA.com/Stats so no DFG% could be obtained, but he is posting his lowest defensive win-shares number of his career. He had solid numbers in Atlanta where he was used to guard the opposing wing, allowing Horford to patrol the paint. The Hawks had a great team-dependent defensive scheme, with Smith freely guarding opposing wings and athletic forwards. In Detroit, his struggles are partly due to his lack of effort. There are plays in games where he blocks a layup attempt or comes up with the steal off a pick and roll, but there are more instances of him making slower rotations, getting beat by the roll man, and getting caught ball watching leading to open cuts and scores.

The Houston Rockets are interested in Josh Smith, and have reportedly looked to sign or trade for Smith since last summer’s free agency period. With the Rockets as the frontrunners, the question becomes: Why Houston wants Josh Smith? What can he bring to the table?

Tarik Black, Joey Dorsey, Donatas Motiejunas have done a solid job of stepping in and having an increased role with an ailing Terrence Jones out. However, come playoff time, the ability to have someone like Smith readily available (off the bench or starting) provides a huge plus. An athletic forward who can handle the ball, initiate the offense on the break or in the half-court, and provide rim-protection alongside Dwight Howard. After the recent game vs. Portland, Dwight Howard said: “A guy like him (Smith) and myself in the paint, it would guys to get in there and try to score.” Best case scenario, he becomes the Rockets’ Boris Diaw. A few years ago, Boris was cut by the Bobcats and the Spurs signed him; he’s now a key contributor on a championship contender. If he can play smart and to his strengths, particularly on the defensive end, I can see a similar impact – refining his skill set, tailoring it towards what the Rockets need. Yes, Josh Smith is not a good three point shooter. In fact, he’s shooting 26.8% on jumpers and 24.3% overall from three. Coming into the Rockets free-flow wide open system, he’ll be given open looks from the perimeter, but Smith will be more effective as a true 4. If he commits himself to setting screens and playing the pick-and-roll with Harden, multiple options open up. In Atlanta, the Hawks ran sets using Smith as the screener and having him roll baseline/backdoor to the rim. The point guard, in this case Teague, drives (bringing defenders up), dishes to the Center (Horford), and the Center finds the cutting Smith for an easy basket. In Detroit, Smith got the ball on the high post where he would at times initiate the offense. Smith’s penetration and vision gives cutters and spot-up shooters open windows, something that the Rockets bench can use with Terry as the current primary ball-handler. In this particular play, the Pistons run a horns set. Imagine Motiejunas as Drummond, Nurkic has to honor his jumper taking him away from the basket. With no rim protection present, Smith makes a perfect bounce pass to the cutter who finishes. Financially, the Rockets are the best option. Not only can the Rockets offer the most playing time, but they have the financial resources to make the best offer. Even though they’re over the cap, the Rockets have their bi-annual exception leftover from this summer. Opposed to the veteran minimum that other teams can offer, 1.44 million dollars, the BAE can give Smith around 2.07 million dollars.

Signing Josh Smith is a low risk, high reward move. Finding the right situation is the key to success in the NBA; knowing your role on a team and fulfilling those responsibilities. Hopefully by being the third-fourth option on a championship contender, the Rockets persuade Smith to play to his strengths, making him an X-Factor as we head towards the second half of the season.

– Alykhan Bijani (Rockets Insider)

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