Poll: Can Josh Smith Be Our SF

[Clarity]

What many are underrating is the passing ability of these 3 frontcourt players. People are acting as if just because they can't shoot, that means they can't do anything else on offense. All 3 are excellent passers. If they need to create space, all they need to do is get that ball zipping around. That'll loosen up a defense. It may take multiple post ups, multiple penetrations and kick outs per position to finally get an open path to the basket, but they'll get it eventually if they stay with it. Hard to keep 3 players who that aggressive and that great at finishing from scoring inside.

zero spacing makes the passing ability next to irrelevant.

The spacing in this starting lineup is going to be bad, really bad.

[ComboGuardCity]

Per 82games, the Hawks best unit was:

Teague-Korver-Smith-Horford-Pachulia. Not a huge sample size, but Detroit is pretty much the super version of that lineup with Drummond in there.

[HeroicKennedy]

My choice isn't up there.

You need a : "No, but if we trade one of our two franchise pieces just because we signed this guy I'll cry" option.

This seems about right for me, too.

[Q00]

What many are underrating is the passing ability of these 3 frontcourt players. People are acting as if just because they can't shoot, that means they can't do anything else on offense. All 3 are excellent passers. If they need to create space, all they need to do is get that ball zipping around. That'll loosen up a defense. It may take multiple post ups, multiple penetrations and kick outs per position to finally get an open path to the basket, but they'll get it eventually if they stay with it. Hard to keep 3 players who that aggressive and that great at finishing from scoring inside.

zero spacing makes the passing ability next to irrelevant.

The spacing in this starting lineup is going to be bad, really bad.

Why is it so hard for some to figure out how to space 2 shooters, 2 post players, and 1 penetrator/creator?

Its pretty simple. Put 2 shooters in the corners (our guards), put Moose at the high post, Dre at the low post, and Smith at the top of the key. They aren't going to leave the shooters open. If they choose to leave Smith and double Moose at the high post, Smith cuts hard straight to the basket Moose with an easy assist. If they double off of Drummond onto Smith at the top, simple pass out of the double to Moose at the high post, who touch passes it up to wide open Dre for a lob dunk. The spacing will be just fine. In fact, I'll predict our offense is going to be great.

[DETermination]

The cool thing is both smith and monroe are good passers so if we get some more shooters on this team I dont see any issues with our offence, and our defence is going to be fun to watch. Screw lob city, we will be Block city.

[dan2314]

i have my doubts. but we have to hope he actually realises he is a proffessional athlete and works incredibly hard on his jumpshot now that he has come to detroit to play the 3. thats not a characteristic i associate with smith, but lets hope im wrong.

[Liqourish]

What many are underrating is the passing ability of these 3 frontcourt players. People are acting as if just because they can't shoot, that means they can't do anything else on offense. All 3 are excellent passers. If they need to create space, all they need to do is get that ball zipping around. That'll loosen up a defense. It may take multiple post ups, multiple penetrations and kick outs per position to finally get an open path to the basket, but they'll get it eventually if they stay with it. Hard to keep 3 players who that aggressive and that great at finishing from scoring inside.

zero spacing makes the passing ability next to irrelevant.

The spacing in this starting lineup is going to be bad, really bad.

Why is it so hard for some to figure out how to space 2 shooters, 2 post players, and 1 penetrator/creator?

Its pretty simple. Put 2 shooters in the corners (our guards), put Moose at the high post, Dre at the low post, and Smith at the top of the key. They aren't going to leave the shooters open. If they choose to leave Smith and double Moose at the high post, Smith cuts hard straight to the basket Moose with an easy assist. If they double off of Drummond onto Smith at the top, simple pass out of the double to Moose at the high post, who touch passes it up to wide open Dre for a lob dunk. The spacing will be just fine. In fact, I'll predict our offense is going to be great.

Fundamental basketball is lost on most these days. Not hard to figure out why while watching ESPN.

Anybody else remember "Lakers in 4 'cause Pistons can't score"? Why don't we see how this unfolds.

[Clarity]

Why is it so hard for some to figure out how to space 2 shooters, 2 post players, and 1 penetrator/creator?

Its pretty simple. Put 2 shooters in the corners (our guards), put Moose at the high post, Dre at the low post, and Smith at the top of the key. They aren't going to leave the shooters open. If they choose to leave Smith and double Moose at the high post, Smith cuts hard straight to the basket Moose with an easy assist. If they double off of Drummond onto Smith at the top, simple pass out of the double to Moose at the high post, who touch passes it up to wide open Dre for a lob dunk. The spacing will be just fine. In fact, I'll predict our offense is going to be great.

I think the issue is you think Josh is a penetrator/creator. Hes rarely effective outside of 5 feet. Yes he has the ability to use his insane athleticism to beat his defender & attack the rim but there's really no reason for anyone to play Josh honestly in Detroit because he cant shoot, especially until Monroe is able to knock down that mid range jumper consistently.

A huge key to our offense will be Knight/KCP. We need them to shoot the lights out, its why shooters off the bench are such a huge need right now.

Fundamental basketball is lost on most these days. Not hard to figure out why while watching ESPN.

Anybody else remember "Lakers in 4 'cause Pistons can't score"? Why don't we see how this unfolds.

There is next to nothing in common between the 04 Pistons & this team offensively.

in 04 4 of our 5 starters could shoot the ball great, we had great spacing, Rasheed could get us easy buckets in the post, Chauncey took the big shots with ease. Rip was a terrific off the ball scorer & Tayshaun was a glue guy. Our offense under Larry Brown is underrated.

In 13 3 of our 5 starters cant shoot, at all.

We can be elite defensively though, no question there.

[retrolenny]

How does this not work?

Smith (16)/
Monroe(16)/Smith (16)
Drummond(32)Monroe (16)

Give Mitchell that other 16min at the 4. JJ & Singler need to go!! They have heart and are good guys but lack the talent we need

[Invictus88]

I really don't like any of the options in this poll:

Reasoning.
1. I don't think either Drummond or Monroe should be moved.
2. I don't think JS should spend time at the 4 (where I would like to see Monroe and Mitchell develop)
3. I think JS will be great at the three on the defensive side of the ball.
4. Unless Monroe or JS make historic strides shooting outside, I think JS is a bad fit schematically with the rest of our team on the offensive side as a 3.

In summary, I want the option:
No. As great of a talent JS is I don't think that he has a place on the Pistons on both ends of the court.

[Clarity]

I really don't like any of the options in this poll:

Reasoning.
1. I don't think either Drummond or Monroe should be moved.
2. I don't think JS should spend time at the 4 (where I would like to see Monroe and Mitchell develop)
3. I think JS will be great at the three on the defensive side of the ball.
4. Unless Monroe or JS make historic strides shooting outside, I think JS is a bad fit schematically with the rest of our team on the offensive side as a 3.

In summary, I want the option:
No. As great of a talent JS is I don't think that he has a place on the Pistons on both ends of the court.

Good post

[KL78192020]

No one needs to be traded. If you take the PF/C minutes and divide that by 3. You have an average of 32 minutes per player. Not saying this will be the exact minutes each guy plays at the 4/5. But that's enough minutes to go around.

Whoever the 4th big is, is the one that is screwed, whoever that is should only get minutes in injury/foul trouble situations. Josh at SF is a bad idea, keep Singler there. Bring Drummond of the bench.