Clarity wrote:Snakebites wrote:Sigh. Agreed.
There's simply no denying that our rotational problems stem partially from him being on the team and the need to minimize the amount of time he plays out of position.
Drummond appears to be better when he's not on the floor, and clearly Smith is more effective when he isn't out there with Monroe/Drummond.
This is a problem, to state the obvious.
Josh has never been, nor will he ever be a SF. He cant throw it in the ocean on his best day & he has frequent IQ lapses on offense that absolutely killed the Hawks & are happening with us as well.
That said he is very good at times on d & can form a very good defensive front line with our two bigs.
Drummond is much better without both our additions (Jennings doesnt look for him at all). Drummond is great with Will, unfortunately Drummond is the last person we can take off the floor (see his MPG this year) Last night is a prime example, he grabs 4 rebs in the first, the 2 other bigs grab 1 for the rest of the quarter when he sits. I think the rotations are good for the most part, although I would like to see more Gigi & KCP, not because I really think either is ready, but they are necessary right now. Spacing wasnt something those in the know just made up this past Summer. Its real & a huge problem right now.
Smith at SF on offense has worked fine. The frontcourt on offense has worked great. Anyone still talking about offensive spacing and teams "packing the paint" on us can't be serious. We are leading the league in points in the paint.
If teams are packing the paint on us, its not working because we are dominating them inside anyways. And because of it, our shooters are getting open looks all game. So how can you still be talking about offensive spacing? The spacing is fine. The shooters just aren't making anything. That is really the only problem with the offense. Guys who were expected to be able to make open 3's (Chauncey, Jennings, Singler, Datome, etc) have been brutal. Even despite that, our offense has been fine. When a Pistons team puts up over 100 ppg, they should be winning games. Its the defense that has been the problem.
If there has been any problem with Smith at SF, its on defense, not offense. He has not been able to keep up with the speed on the perimeter consistently. If that trend continues and is deemed to be the cause of our defensive woes, then they will need to make a lineup change, because we aren't going to win many games giving up 110-120 ppg. First things first though is getting a better defender than Chauncey at SG. That much is obvious, and could be enough difference to where they can get by with Smith at SF on defense, while still benefitting from what he gives you at that position on offense, which is about 18 ppg. Obviously offense is not the problem.
Smith without a doubt was a good signing. Anyone who thinks we would be better right now without him on the roster is fooling themselves. They just have to find the right way to use him, and there is definitely a use for a player of his caliber/skillset on this team. You don't become better by decreasing your talent. Not signing Smith would've made this an even worse team right now.
