Today’s news surprised many when the Detroit Pistons unexpectedly released Josh Smith. This just comes after the Pistons foolishly paid him a hefty contract, he is still owed $26 million dollars over the next two years. When looking at Smith he is a natural power forward, due to inability to shoot and create at the small forward position. Smith seemed to never realize that, and because of it he is in the unemployment line.
Smith can still be a productive player, but he has yet to buy in to what any coach preaches. From Larry Drew to Stan Van Gundy the same gripes follow Smith no matter where he plays or who is coaching his team. A team will take a gamble on Smith, because he is a good defender, shot blocker, and he can score when he plays within himself (which is almost never). For the next team that takes a gamble on the incumbent Smith there will have to be a level of comfort when dealing with him. Smith is friends with Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo so it could be a small chance that Houston or Dallas could take a gamble on him. It would also make sense to keep an eye on the Brooklyn Nets as Smith played the best basketball of his career alongside Joe Johnson.
Coming out of high school, Smith was labeled as an uber-athletic player with no refined skill set to go along with brat like tendencies. Ten years later, Smith has the same characteristics as a 29 year old NBA veteran. I know they say it’s tough to teach an old dog new tricks, but for Smith’ to prolong his career he will have to learn some new tricks. As of now it’s an unknown where Smith will end up, but until then he has to look in the mirror to see why he is in the situation that he’s in. Smith is a talented player, but it’s sad to say that he may be nothing more than a player who will always be tied to what he could have become.
