Hallelujah he sees the light! After years of watching shoot painful threes. Josh Smith according to the Detroit Free Press, finally understands that he should not shoot threes all day. Head Coach Stan Van Gundy has acknowledged Smith’s progress.
“I think Josh has a very good understanding of the shots he needs to shoot that are not only best for him, but best for our team,” Van Gundy said. “He’s one of the elite guys in the league around the basket. Last year, stuff inside, right at the rim, in two straight years, he has been 71% and 77%. There’s very few guys at that level. So he needs to get more of those. He knows that. He also understands he really doesn’t need to shoot threes for this team.
“Will he get some? The other night, late in the shot clock, throw it back … you have to take that shot. He’s going to shoot some. It’s not a matter of number, one a game, less than one a game. It’s when are you shooting them? There might a game where he might take three.”
Both agreed that coming down and making one pass and jacking up a three isn’t what the offense will be about.
“He has an understanding of how he needs to play for our team; it’s the discipline to do it,” Van Gundy said. “He’s a smart guy. He knows and he’s not trying to fight you about anything. We need to put him around the basket and at the elbow area, where he can use his strength.”
I’m glad Van Gundy has taken the time to give Josh Smith the reality check he truly needs. When he’s in the post. Josh Smith is a beast. When he is 18+ feet outside, I have to look away it’s so painful to watch.
Maybe with Smith finally getting it. I can genuinely put Detroit in the Playoff hunt. Not high up, just 7 and 8. I rate Drummond highly and with a little spit and polish for Jennings and Monroe. This can be the Playoff contender they should’ve been last season.
