Oct 29, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) shoots the ball over Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Pistons open season with lots of ugly shooting and a loss to the Nuggets

Pistons open season with lots of ugly shooting and a loss to the Nuggets by Tim Thielke

Kenneth Faried, via the Nuggets’ official website:

Josh Smith, we let him keep shooting. And he ended up with 25, but he still kept shooting. He shot them out of the game.

Smith’s shooting started hot and then fell off

First quarter: 6-for-10

Third through fourth quarters: 3-for-12

But as Tim noted, Smith didn’t get much help. What he supposed to do?

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shot 3-for-19. Caron Butler was 0-for-5. Outside of D.J. Augustin (15 points on 10 shots), Smith was left to carry too large a load.

Of course, Smith is all too happy to shoot when opponents let him. Maybe he could have done a better job letting others get involved.

Smith is prone to these types of performances, which feed right into the defense’s hands. Last night wasn’t the perfect example, but it’s an example nonetheless.

Hopefully, Smith takes Faried’s words as a wakeup call and realizes he’s open for a reason. At this point, though, I know that’s beyond wishful thinking.