http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/10/9/4764370/josh-smith-video-breakdown-defense-detroit-pistons-2013 The author compares Smith to a Shawn Marion type player. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AyIu19uPXJo?list=UU9LnkE3lRit5_CDlXAzwdZg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> There's more, but basically he says that he also doesn't jump on pump fakes.
Not related to the thread, but Harden jumps for every single pump-fake. No matter how bad they are, he always jumps. He did it last season also(when he tried), but the good thing is that he recovers quicker now and still ends up contesting shots often. On close outs he gets faked out too much though.
Another reason I like this signing a lot is that we have a long athletic body that can defend the likes of LMA, Durant, Ibaka
he's the only player on the roster who can guard PF's. for that reason alone he's worth $2M. duncan, diaw, leonard, LMA, blake, KD, zebo, dirk, can all be contained. he is great in transition, and at forcing turnovers (exactly why we got brewer). he is one of the best passing bigs in the league. if he starts throwing up dumb shots, or shooting long twos, then you sit his ass on the bench and let papa or dmo play more minutes. if you are worried about his offense, consider this: he is replacing dorsey and black in the rotation! there is no way he is worse on offense!
I don't know if they'll do it, but this team has the long, fast, and quick athletes to be the best trapping/pressing team in the NBA. Dwight, Smith, Ariza, Brewer and Bev is a wet dream for someone that likes a half court press. Hands everywhere, and the speed and quickness to recover if the other team manages to swing the ball. Plus, a couple of fleet footed shot blockers as the last line of defense. George Karl would loose his s**t running the defensive schemes he used to run with Gary Payton in Seattle.
He can guard SFs and PFs. Ariza can guard Durant. When he's tired, In comes brewer. If they fail here comes Josh Smith.
More like Aldridge, Blake Griffin, Zach Randolph, Dirk, Millsap, Carmelo and Lebron. With Durant I still think you prefer Ariza. With all our defenders, I think this team might be the new Bad Boys.
I'm so ready to see what this group can do defensively. Can we please just fast forward to playoffs!!!
Most hated team in the NBA. Dirty, tough defense. Best offensive player in the league. We ARE the Bad Boys of the NBA.
I said this in the other thread we have people on our teams that opposing fans just hate. And I hated a few of them as well Dwight Harden Beverley JSmoove Brewer Jason Terry. My god do I love this team right now. And harden saying he's the best player in the league pissing everyone off and going out there and dominating is just freakin sweet. I lo e watching these haters squeal.
You forgot ariza. Howard/black Smith/dmo/Dorsey Ariza/pap Harden/brewer/Johnson Beverly/terry/cannon Sick squad.
Thanks for sharing OP. Here;s another piece by the same author (Mike Prada) that explores why Smith failed in Detroit http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/12/22/7434553/josh-smith-released-detroit-pistons-disaster
Well with Dwight and Josh its going to be a block party. And with them manning the middle, along with DMo. The likes of Brewer, Ariza, Harden and Bev will jump the passing lane even more. Hopefully leading to more easy points.