OT OT: Rockets in free fall, Pistons on 4 game win streak since Josh Smith was waived

Yep

 

They intentionally fouled with 10 seconds to keep them from shooting a 3 to tie it up? 10 seconds is too much time to try that.
I would say 5 seconds or less would be the limit. And that is even risky with the inconsistent way they call continuation.

 

Yes they did.

 

Based on what? Other than the fact that you just don't like the team? Sounds like some hopeful throw something against the wall wishing.

You do know it is possible that both teams (Detroit, Houston) got better? Josh Smith, first day he came to Houston said he understood why they released him because he was preventing younger players from growing into bigger roles.

Again man, actually watch the games and comment instead of just going on some narrative that every casual fan sees. Like Smith was the reason they lost against the Bulls when he was one of the better players in that game, played better than Howard even down the stretch.

Of course the Pistons are better without Smith, they were asking a lot more of him than the Rockets are. What many people don't seem to know that if Smith doesn't play well..he just doesn't play. So when people go "Haha, they got worse!" fail to realize that in some of these losses Smith barely played the 2nd half, sometimes sitting out the entire 4th quarter a game. If Smith doesn't play well the Rockets can just play Dmo and even Jones when he gets back, they are not dependent on him how the Pistons were.

Not sure how he's been a cancer, according to Worrell here Smith went to the coaches to come off the bench because in both games off the bench the team looked better and Smith looked better. 1-1 with him off the bench but that Bulls loss was just a tough loss against another great team. A team with one of the best records against .500+ teams, no shame in losing that one close.

 

Not quite understanding how you believe Houston got better when they have a lost winning % since he came to Houston. I also see their flow being deeply effected with teams not respecting the perimeter and FT game of Smith and Howard. They now can pack the paint and stop Harden's drives to the basket.

Houston was scary when Howard was hurt. Harden played much like Roy did when he was doing his thing in Portland, spreading the entire floor with perimeter shooters, while Harden punishes his defender. With Howard and Smith in the line-up, their man can cheat and protect the paint, taking away what makes Harden so special.

Currently in Houston, Josh Smith played in 7 games, MPG: 25.5, FG%: 42%, 3P%: 14.3%, FT%: 38.5%, Rebounds: 5.4, AST: 1.9, STL: 1.6, BLK: 0.6, PPG: 10.7

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithjo03/gamelog/2015/#782-788-sum:pgl_basic

Smith has regressed since leaving Detroit (Which is very hard to believe actually)...

Previously this season in Detroit, MPG: 32, FG: 49%, 3P%: 24.3%, FT%: 46.8%, Rebounds: 7.2, AST: 4.7, STL: 1.3, BLK: 1.7, PPG: 13.1

 

Well this is a lot better than just saying a team will drop in the standings just because.

But Smith isn't the reason for them dropping the game, the reason they are dropping games is because their schedule is tougher. They are still 2-1 (correction, not 1-1) with Smith coming off the bench. They clearly did not gel with him in the starters lineup.

Even still, Rockets are batting around .500 against .500+ teams. One would have to think their chemistry can get better. Also Harden had a pretty good december (Player of the month) so he's still playing like Harden. The biggest reason Houston has dropped a few games (And really, that's all it is...a few games.) is Dwight was bad a in few games against good teams and they were just out of whack with Smith starting in the lineup.

Still, they dropped a few games. Let it be known it's a few games. They are 3 games behind you guys, if you guys dropped a few games you'd drop down in the standings too, that's how the west is.

 

More than half the month of December was without Howard and Smith, so I would expect he was doing well. That would only support my argument they are more scary without Howard and Smith.

But looking at his last 6 games, his FTA and turn overs are absolutely horrid! FTA: 4.2 (well below his 8.2 average), 3.7 TOV to 3.8 assists (also a record low).

You can butter up Smith being important to this team's success, but I will say it's a monumental failure. The trade for Brewer should have been your only deal. TMo was a much better option at PF.

 

Yep, HOU padded their record early with the easiest schedule in the entire league. Now that they are playing good teams, they are being exposed (with, or without Josh Smith). The timing of the Smith signing also hurt. They had to integrate Smith and re-integrate Howard into their rotation at the exact same time the started playing against top level competition.

The Rockets are still pretty much the same team they were last year. They are still built around Harden and Howard. The role players may have changed, but they are still a mid-level seed in the Western Conference. They aren't as good as their early record indicated and aren't as bad as their recent results. It will all even out over the course of the season.

With DAL improved over last year, GSW, POR and MEM, I don't think HOU will end up with HCA. You never know, there are a lot of games left to be played, but I think they will be battling the Clippers and Spurs for the 5th or 6th seed.

BNM

 

Lol Harden.... SMH

 

I like how Harden tried on of his patented flops immediately after

 

Exactly. Complete shiesty SOB. Reminds me of our game against the Lakers when Swaggy Piss tried to flop on that last second 3-point attempt when Meyers came across a screen to block him. Didn't even touch him yet he performs a move from Hardens Floppettes book.

 

You're funny, Superbeard. Josh Smith was a game low -19 in the Chicago game. It has been proven all year that when he is on the floor, his team sucks. Honestly, look at Detroit. They're playing like the best team in the NBA now. I guarantee you that Houston won't get a top 4 seed. If I was a betting man, I 'd peg them as a 7 seed but it could be worse.

 

Josh Smith still thinks he's a long range jump shooter. Hilarious.

 

Why does Josh Smith take long jumpers, lol? Will he ever learn?

 

Funny Stat, Josh Smith still leads the Pistons in FGA.

 

HAHAHAHAHA!

 

A thought: By sitting out, LeBron basically sent the entire rest of his team to the D-League for more polishing.

 

Lol now that's funny!

 

Rockets can't defend. Kyrie Irving gonna score career high tonight.

 

And we can only hope he'll eventually lead his new team in FGA, too. The more shots he takes away from Harden and Howard, the better.

BNM