Revisiting Josh Smith as a small forward

[HMFFL]

With Josh Smith's jumper and range improving, what do you think about him starting at the 3 during the future?

[Harry10]

i have no problem in playing Josh on the perimter for stretches when Zaza or Powel come in.

but Josh is just so great in the post, he is virtually unstopable, not even KG or Dwight can block his shot, it is just a matter of him refining his hook and baby hook shot.

[azuresou1]

I'd be fine with starting Josh as a SF, but I would still feel safer if our C could shoot. Like an Okur.

[ATL DirtyBird]

i have no problem in playing Josh on the perimter for stretches when Zaza or Powel come in.

but Josh is just so great in the post, he is virtually unstopable, not even KG or Dwight can block his shot, it is just a matter of him refining his hook and baby hook shot.

Id say hes effective, not unstoppable. Hes an improving player but doesnt like the post. Drew wants him in the paint but Josh says "No." I could be wrong in that though. Maybe Drew has learned that Josh has a nice little jumper now. I just wish he was a post player first, and a jump shooter second. But as long as hes playing like this, ill take it.

[Skyhawk1]

I'm ok with him at the 3. Marvin sucks. I'd like us to go with a true capable C, not J Collins. This team could look really good inside that way.

[parson]

As much as I prefer Smoove's defense at PF, I guess the question is, "Who is our best SF?" If it's Smoove - especially since Horford's our best PF - then you have to play Smoove at the 3.

[evildallas]

I think it is a brilliant development that I didn't expect to happen this soon. If he can maintain his new found shooting performance then I don't see a downside. If we are playing a big lineup then I see Josh actually posting from the small forward position where he would most likely have a size advantage. It does cost us in terms of help defense, but I think it greatly improves are on ball defense by matching things up better physically.

With Joe out we've had a chance to see how we can compete with Josh and Al as the Forwards and a platoon of lesser centers. Now imagine Joe in the lineup (if he doesn't stop the ball on offense) instead of Marvin at the 2. It gives hope that we could perhaps draft or acquire and even better big to add to the center rotation that we could be truly competitive for the next several years.

[CALPURNIA]

JSmoove is still a player to be defined. If his shoot is falling, his ball handling and passing ability make him a good 3. For sure better than our current starting one. He still can play the 4 when the coach thinks a smaller line up fits better.
With a 4 and a 5 that can shoot from midrange, Jsmoove is a great asset at the three.
When playing Jamaal-JJ-JSmoove-Horford-Powell (Collins, Zaza) we are probably the tallest, more athletic team in the league, with range, defense, post game... almost everything to hurt opponents...

[Ruhiel]

both Marvin Williams and Josh do not need to start.
Put one or the other in at SF with two rebounders. Defend and run. We got a new player in Teague lets not ruin it and make the game ASAP (as simple as possible).

& I don't understand where this he needs a jumper to be a 3. He takes a shot over shorter players the percentage should go up and his ability and willingness to get high percentage shots from post ups and hanging around the rim goes up.
He plays much like Gerald Wallace.
We get more cross matches from playing big. and Josh has shown a willingness to battle for inside position against Turkoglu.

When playing Teague-JJ-JSmoove-Horford-(Collins, Zaza, Powell) we are probably the biggest, most athletic team in the [playoffs], with range, defense, post game... almost everything to hurt opponents...

"Jason Collins may not benefit entirely from (mostly) playing alongside Al Horford and Josh Smith,

HOWEVER Josh Smith, as a defensive small forward, sure benefits from playing alongside Al Horford and Jason Collins."

http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/breaking_down_josh_smith_as_a_small_forward/4212776

Josh Smith w/ Horford & Collins
Poss OffEff DefEff Margin
512 109.2 97.9 +11.3

that's compared

The key for the playoffs is the team has to play together and flow into each other. 5 jump shooters with only Joe drawing doubles sporadically and Horford being the only rebounder is not consistent enough.
Turkoglu and Bass contesting shots with some bigs underneath it is not the same as Noah and Gibson contesting our "bigs". come on...

[geeman]

Yes, with Josh and Al at our forwards we need a Bill Lambeer type center

[Geaux_Hawks]

We need to hire Bill Laimbeer as the Head Coach, Sign Reggie Evans with the MLE and trade for Bargnani & Aaron Gray.Laimbeer will instill the Hawks with more physical play and toughness and probably teach Bargnani how to rebound better. No where near happening though.

[Geaux_Hawks]

JSmoove is still a player to be defined. If his shoot is falling, his ball handling and passing ability make him a good 3. For sure better than our current starting one. He still can play the 4 when the coach thinks a smaller line up fits better.
With a 4 and a 5 that can shoot from midrange, Jsmoove is a great asset at the three.
When playing Jamaal-JJ-JSmoove-Horford-Powell (Collins, Zaza) we are probably the tallest, more athletic team in the league, with range, defense, post game... almost everything to hurt opponents...

+1

[Ruhiel]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHl_FxokyS8[/youtube]

[Wont PerDont]

I'm a Bulls fan, but I assure you I come in peace...

What do you guys think about signing a guy like Tyson Chandler to play Center? Not sure what his contract situation is, but it would allow you to move Horford to the 4 full time and Smith to SF. Seems like it would really help w/rebounding (something that seems to be an issue in our current series) and w/Smith, Horford, and Chandler, you would automatically improve to be one of the best interior defenses in the entire league IMO. Not sure if Smith could guard smaller, quicker 3's full time, but he would be an equally tough mismatch in the post.

What do you think? That's a crazy long and athletic starting 5 and I would really like to see what would happen if Horford got to play PF full time.

[Ruhiel]

I'm a Bulls fan, but I assure you I come in peace...

What do you guys think about signing a guy like Tyson Chandler to play Center? Not sure what his contract situation is, but it would allow you to move Horford to the 4 full time and Smith to SF. Seems like it would really help w/rebounding (something that seems to be an issue in our current series) and w/Smith, Horford, and Chandler, you would automatically improve to be one of the best interior defenses in the entire league IMO. Not sure if Smith could guard smaller, quicker 3's full time, but he would be an equally tough mismatch in the post.

What do you think? That's a crazy long and athletic starting 5 and I would really like to see what would happen if Horford got to play PF full time.

YES
::
Chandler has recovered from that toe injury nicely with lots of hard work and has shown he can cover both an elite PF and an elite C against LA! He can ignite the fast break nicely for Horford and Smith with shot blocks and contests.

but NO
::::
Great asset to have but don't think Hawks can afford him or that he'd want to leave the stability of Dallas. Then there's the cap situation.
From a fan perspective I was counting on the Hawks rolling out the regular size lineup and keeping Noah and Gibson/Boozer off the boards to try to make the Bulls a one man show.
We beat the Magic on offensive rebounding and mixing lineups but unfortunately, Drew and his staff claim that the rebounding disparity is all about energy despite Joakim Noah outpacing Dwight Howard on the boards.
Beating the Bulls would be key to attract free agents. That would be a major step in showing this franchises commitment to winning. However, Hawks have yet to make any major adjustments.
I think their staying the course in game 4.

[Ruhiel]

The Hawks kept the same lineup that the team used Tuesday night against Portland — guards Hinrich and Teague, forwards Joe Johnson and Josh Smith and center Al Horford. Johnson was asked the last time he played small forward. He replied: “Probably never.”
-March 16, 2011