15 replies to this topic

[2016Champions]

When Bosh was a 1st option in Toronto he was an incredibly good player. Ever since he took his talents South Beach, his talents have been underutilized as the 3rd option in the role of a spot-up shooter. The only way I think Bosh could be part of a "Big 3" is if he was the first option and the other 2 options made the bulk of their contributions on the defensive end. What I'm about to say next is going to sound crazy though..

Daryl Morey met with Josh Smith yesterday, and Morey is listening to offers for Lin and Asik so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of those two being moved to make room for both Dwight and Smith. Now Smith is not a great offensive player and it's easy to see why, he shot 33% on long 2′s last season with 3.9 attempts per game which is an improvement from the 6.3 attempts he took the season before but still unwelcoming especially within the Rockets offense which boasts the lowest amount of mid-range shots in the league. However, there's a silver lining to Smith's ugly shot chart--the the right wing where he makes 36.5% of his 3's with 63 attempts which is equivalent to 55% on long 2′s, so if he can take more shots in that spot and less shots everywhere else besides the rim then his efficiency wouldn't be so bad. 

The fact Smith makes the bulk of his contributions on defense, while being a transition monster and fantastic passer for a forward, makes Smith ideal as the 3rd guy/option in a "Big 3". If the Rockets were to acquire both Dwight and Smith, I think the Rockets would have the most synergistic trio in the league.

Edited by 2016Champions, 03 July 2013 - 10:57 AM.

[Steven]

Any "big" three with Smith is disqualified.

[Jeby]

Short answer: No, because any Big Three that doesn't involve LeBron James cannot be the best Big Three. But Howard/Smith/Harden would be a close second to James/Wade/Bosh.

In three years, if the hypothetical Houston trio gels and Dwayne Wade's body continues to break down, Howard/Smith/Harden could tie for the best.

[Rahat Huq]

I think so, considering how far Wade has fallen off.  Depends on:

 

a) can they get Smith to revert to this 2009-2010 form and stop shooting 3's?

How long until Smith/Howard's athleticism falls off?  

[2016Champions]

I wanted to re-write my OP. Here it is:

 

When Bosh was a 1st option in Toronto he was an incredibly good player averaging 24 points per game in 2009-10. Ever since he took his talents South Beach, his talents have been underutilized as the 3rd option in the role of a spot-up shooter--something made painfully clear in the NBA finals where he averaged 11.9 points per game. The trio in Miami seems alot more like a Big 2 and a half than a Big 3. The only way I think Bosh could be a synergistic part of a "Big 3" is if he was the first or second option and the other 2 options made the bulk of their contributions on the defensive end while contributing offensively without many touches ie. guys like Dwight Howard and Josh Smith.

Soon as I say the name "Josh Smith" almost everyone's thoughts can be pretty much summed up in one picture: 

Josh Smith's 2012-13 shot chart

 

Josh Smith is not a great offensive player and it's easy to see why, he shot 33% on long 2′s last season with 3.9 attempts per game which is an improvement from the 6.3 attempts he took the season before but still unwelcoming especially within the Rockets offense (read more on the Rockets offensive philosophy HERE). However, there's a silver lining to Smith's ugly shot chart--the the right wing where he makes 36.5% of his 3's with 63 attempts which is equivalent to 55% on long 2′s, so if he can take more shots in that spot and less shots everywhere else besides the rim then his efficiency wouldn't be so bad. Keep in mind though, this shot chart obviously does absolutely no justice for the fact Smith is one of the best defenders and passers at his position. 

 

About 5 months ago Josh Smith was Daryl Morey's (GM of the Rockets) first option as he attempted to trade for Smith at the deadline, but unfortunately the Hawks were being unreasonable with their asking price and Morey elected to wait until free agency where Smith could be acquired without giving up valuable players and picks. 5 months later, yesterday, Daryl Morey met with Josh Smith to let him know he's still interested in his talents despite Dwight Howard being the current plan A. Smith is more than just a plan B though, Morey is listening to offers for Lin and Asik so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of those two being moved to make room for both Dwight and Smith--plan 1A and 1B. I can't speak for everyone when I say this, but as an avid Rockets fan I have an extremely high amount of respect and faith in Morey's ability as a GM who I thought was robbed of the Executive of the Year award less than 2 months ago, so if Morey likes Smith then I think that means alot. 

The fact Smith makes the bulk of his contributions on defense, while being a transition monster and fantastic passer for a forward, makes Smith ideal as a guy who can make a big contribution without many touches. If the Rockets were to acquire both Dwight and Smith, I think the Rockets would have the most synergistic trio in the league--a sum of three parts. 

[timetodienow1234567]

Wade is injured often and I doubt he'll ever be completely healthy again. Bosh continues to regress.

[bboley24]

No but Harden/Parsons/D12 would be the best big three in the league.

[Freebird]

No but Harden/Parsons/D12 would be the best big three in the league.

 

That makes for an interesting question - what constitutes a "Big Three"?  Do all pieces need to be superstars prior to their threesome being formed?

 

What other teams have a "Big Three", other then the obvious?  Does OKC?  The Spurs?  GSW?  The Knicks?  The Clips?

 

If we get D12 and Smith without giving up Parsons, do we have the "Tremendous Four"?

[timetodienow1234567]

The Rockets need to sign Terry Tate to keep Howard in line.

[rockets best fan]

YES.......Harden, Howard and j-smith will form the best big three. I don't see much fall off in scoring from where we are now and we would become superior defensively. with 2 shot  blockers in the paint getting a layup will be as elusive as trying to win that big prize at the carnival

[bboley24]

Who has the highest ceiling here?   JS or Chandler Parsons?

[timetodienow1234567]

JSmoove is the better player, but Chandler is younger so I think he has a slightly higher ceiling.

[bboley24]

I don't find them comparable at all.  One is a high volume shooter with great defense and the other is a spot up shooter with a high IQ.

[thejohnnygold]

I think we're losing sight of what's most important in this scenario--how well do they compliment each other and is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?  Will a squad of Bev, Harden, Parsons, Smith, and Howard work well together--on both sides of the ball?  I think so.  I can run so many different offensive sets that can counter anything an opponent can throw at us with this line-up.

 

Smith can run a high post pick n roll with Howard while Parsons, Harden, and Bev spot up for wide open threes all day long.  I like this.

 

I saw someone saying that Dwight and Josh's free throw shooting will be a problem--not true.  Our defense will still be stout so they opponent still has to score even if we miss those ft's.  Further, how many fouls do they have left to give at the end of the game?....between Harden and Howard alone those guys shot 19.7 FTAs per game (and Howards 9.5 was a 6 year low...that should increase if healthy).  Josh Smith adds 4.2 (I expect this number to increase due to pace and playing near the rim more)...so lets call that +5.  Now we're at 25 fouls per game mostly against interior defenders....let them hack away and play their third stringers.  I'll take my chances.  Besides, 50% ft shooting on every single posession is equal to 50% fg...which our opponents will rarely shoot.

 

My preference is to use Smith the way Chris Andersen gets used in Miami--play strong D, rebound like your life depends on it, and roll strong to the rim off screens and as a cutter.  Done.  As a luxury, Smith can be used to run the offense if people are out due to injury, or for a few minutes while Harden and Howard rest...whatever...I wouldn't mind seeing some Smith/Parsons pick n roll....Heck, why not Smith and Smith?

 

I'm rambling....the point is that looking at this in terms of "the big three" is myopic and is equivalent to being led by the nose by the media to view basketball in individualistic terms and not as a team sport.  It takes 5.  I like the 5 in this scenario...a lot.

[bboley24]

Wow.  That's why we drafted a point guard.  Didn't even think about it. 

[thejohnnygold]

It's possible.  He does give us a potentially lethal shooter on the wing as a combo-guard.  I don't think us drafting him signals Lin being traded, but it does afford us a little extra depth if we do.  I see him as another developmental asset...for a second rounder he is an excellent pick.  Morey himself said he expects Canaan to start the season in the D-League....which implies we still have Lin...or does it??????