Well, today is that day my fellow sports fan (I imagine you must be a sports fan if you have made it this far into my post!). Today I will blog about the Detroit Pistons and their forward Josh Smith.
Oh to be the highest paid player on a poor-performing team. You know you will bare the brunt of the team's negative criticism, especially a team that had high hopes for the second half of the season. With a lack luster season behind Smith, this off-season Pistons fans have been hearing nothing but trade talks regarding J Smoove. Most recently, there has been news that trade talks have opened up (yet again) with the Sacramento Kings. I thought these talks would prosper to something, but when this article came across my Feedly today, I began to think J Smoove will really be on our opening roster next season.
I've always thought Josh Smith was a good basketball player. When he was on the Atlanta Hawks a few years ago, he was in his prime. Not the best at any given aspect of the game, but collectively a very good player. He could score 14+ points, grab 7+ boards, block a few shots and snag a steal or two. He would fill up the stat sheet evenly and do it quietly. When he came to Detroit, I was shocked (why did you leave us WNBA?!?) and excited. Our front court (alongside Drummond and Monroe) would be top-of-the-league in quality and depth. Or so I thought...
Smith came to a team in Detroit that lacked big names and scoring. With starters already set at the 4 and 5, Smith started at the 3, which is out of position for him (I would consider Smith a natural 4). Smith, being the new superstar of the team, usually lead the team in shot attempts. Many of these shot attempts came from behind the three-point line. This is not where Smith should be shooting from. In fact, I would not allow Smith to shoot anywhere outside the elbow. Unfortunately, Smith would hear none of that! He chucked up three after three and had many nights of poor shooting.
To sum up Josh Smith's 2013-2014 NBA season with the Detroit Pistons and his pure awesomeness of a deep-threat shooter, look no further than the clip below. Given the ball at the end of a close game with the Knicks, Smith put up this memorable shot. Just remember, he is being guarded by Carmelo Anthony, who is known for his explosive offense and not his stingy defense...
See how J Smoove attempted to receive the ball around the right elbow but finally possessed the ball a few feet back near the high school three-point line? Chances are he may have made the shot if closer to the elbow... but that's leaving it up to chance. Smith took many shots like the one above and the result was the same. A miss is a miss unless you are Josh Smith! Then it's an airball on Youtube!
Smith will have to live with that airball footage for the rest of his life. Let's just hope Pistons fans will forget about it by the time the regular season comes around, as it looks like Smith will be on our roster to start the 2014-2015 NBA season.
Smith will have to live with that airball footage for the rest of his life. Let's just hope Pistons fans will forget about it by the time the regular season comes around, as it looks like Smith will be on our roster to start the 2014-2015 NBA season.
References:
- Fredericksen, Brady. "Stan Van Gundy's biggest challenge? Fixing Josh Smith." Piston Powered. July 21, 2014. Retrieved on July 22, 2014.
- boomandwatch. "Josh Smith airballs potential game-winner: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks." Online Video Clip. YouTube. January 7, 2014. Retrieved on July 22, 2014.
- "Detroit Pistons Team Payroll." Basketball Reference.Com. Retrieved on July 22, 2014.
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