Josh Smith "benched"?

[Lucky17]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2013/11/josh_smith_takes_benching_in_s.html

Pistons are seven games into their season. How long before things get really uncomfortable in Detroit?

[BudweiserCeltic]

Overblown story.

[D.o.s.]

From all reports, the Smith/Drummond/Monroe frontcourt is skewing towards the awful half of the predictions.

[manl_lui]

Smith has been disappointing for the Pistons, but the trio looks great together though. Awful in free throws, but great defense, rebounds

Andre Drummond is doing well at center and Greg Monroe their leading man. Not a bad team

just need to gel better

[Fafnir]

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9963071/the-early-season-trends-us-asking-questions

3. The Pistons' big lineup stinks … at everything?

Um, so, opponents have outscored the Pistons by 22 points in the 135 minutes that Josh Smith, Andre Drummond, and Greg Monroe have been on the floor together. Everyone expected scoring to be a chore as the Pistons sorted out their spacing issues, and Detroit indeed has shot fewer 3s and turned the ball over at a ghastly rate when all three play together — indicative of all the passing through small creases required for a single good shot.

But the Pistons have given up 114.4 points per 100 possessions while playing big, so far beyond the second-worst team you can barely see it, and that just shouldn't be with all the sheer size, shot-blocking, and rebounding here. But it be. Smith will have a hard time keeping up with some small forwards, Drummond's footwork on the pick-and-roll is unsteady, and Monroe remains below average.

Let's give them time to jell with Brandon Jennings, and for Maurice Cheeks to figure out the optimal rotation. He gets points for realizing quickly that Rodney Stuckey, hot start notwithstanding, should not be on the court with the three big guys, but there's lots more to discover here.8

They're not working together at anything. Smith is better at PF, Monroe is better at C, and Drummond is still raw defensively. Adds up to a whole lot of bad basketball with those 3.

[fairweatherfan]

If they aren't willing to pay Monroe this might speed up the process of moving him.

If they are willing to pay Monroe this could get ugly since there's no way they're moving Drummond.

[Fafnir]

If they aren't willing to pay Monroe this might speed up the process of moving him.

If they are willing to pay Monroe this could get ugly since there's no way they're moving Drummond.

They have all this season, but I think in the end they'll have to make a choice between Smith/Monroe.

[Lucky17]

If they aren't willing to pay Monroe this might speed up the process of moving him.

If they are willing to pay Monroe this could get ugly since there's no way they're moving Drummond.

They'll move Smith.

Nice find, Faf. I'll have to read further.

[Fafnir]

If they aren't willing to pay Monroe this might speed up the process of moving him.

If they are willing to pay Monroe this could get ugly since there's no way they're moving Drummond.

They'll move Smith.

Nice find, Faf. I'll have to read further.

Lowe is still cranking out good stuff.

I'm still sad he doesn't have angry KG as his twitter avatar anymore though.

[fairweatherfan]

If they aren't willing to pay Monroe this might speed up the process of moving him.

If they are willing to pay Monroe this could get ugly since there's no way they're moving Drummond.

They have all this season, but I think in the end they'll have to make a choice between Smith/Monroe.

In the immediate term I think the biggest choice might be between trying to win games and trying to maximize Drummond's development, since Smith and Monroe makes much more sense as a "win-now" frontcourt than any other mix.

[kozlodoev]

If they aren't willing to pay Monroe this might speed up the process of moving him.

If they are willing to pay Monroe this could get ugly since there's no way they're moving Drummond.

They have all this season, but I think in the end they'll have to make a choice between Smith/Monroe.

In the immediate term I think the biggest choice might be between trying to win games and trying to maximize Drummond's development, since Smith and Monroe makes much more sense as a "win-now" frontcourt than any other mix.

Drummond has been pretty good this season. His problem is he's missing FTs at a Ben Wallace rate.

[Snakehead]

I loved the idea of this experiment and am sad if it will not work.

[gpap]

Jeff Green to Detroit for Josh Smith at the trade deadline?

If Rondo is truly a part of the Celts future beyond 2015, having Smith and/or Gay would certainly help.

[Lucky17]

I loved the idea of this experiment and am sad if it will not work.

I was intrigued, but then they also added Brandon Jennings. Not enough basketball to go around. I don't think you can get enough touches for everyone.

Considering that Smith is playing out of position, is older, and more expensive, I think they ought to move him for complementary pieces to put around the core trio.

[manl_lui]

Jeff Green to Detroit for Josh Smith at the trade deadline?

If Rondo is truly a part of the Celts future beyond 2015, having Smith and/or Gay would certainly help.

I don't think that is necessarily true...if Smith really wanted to come to Boston and play with Boston, he probably would've taken a discount.

And I am not too fond of a Rondo and Smith come close games. Just because they are good friends doesn't mean you make bad business deals. I LOVE Smith's game, but I don't think he is a franchise player nor do I think he is worth the money that will prevent us to sign other quality star players.