Power Ranking Every Clippers Player: Who’s Their MVP?
By Tom West
7th: Josh Smith
May 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and center Andrew Bogut (12) defend during the third quarter in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Smith never fit in with the Detroit Pistons, yet managed to turn himself around during the latter part of last season with the Houston Rockets. Unfortunately for the Clippers, that turnaround reached it’s climax in the second round of the playoffs. So now that Smith is coming to L.A., we still have to wait and see exactly how he’ll gel with his new teammates.
With the best floor general by his side in the form of Chris Paul, though, a great coach in Doc Rivers and numerous other talent, the chance of Smith operating to full effect as a key player off the bench is definitely a good one. Especially because he brings one asset to the table that the Clippers didn’t have last season: versatility.
In Houston, Smith’s three point shooting soared to the second best mark of his career at 33 percent (that may sound dramatic, but just look at how poorly he shot in Detroit), and his production was highly impressive across the board. With 16.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes, Smith used his ability to play at either forward position to contribute in multiple ways at both ends of the floor.
If that wasn’t enough, Smith reiterated that he can defend multiple positions. He swamped opponents from mid-range by forcing them to shoot an entire 8.4 percent worse than normal from within 10 feet. When moving into the paint, Smith became even tougher as he made players shoot 9.6 percent below average inside six feet.
More so than his explosiveness, improved shooting, and the fact he can take some minutes away from Griffin, it’s his stellar versatility on defense that really makes him valuable to the Clippers.
Next: Lance Stephenson