Greg Smith Will Be Vital To Houston Rockets’ Success

Dec 4, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Members of the Houston Rockets including Toney Douglas (15) and Greg Smith (4) and Jeremy Lin (right) celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 107-105 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

What made Steve Nash’s offense so good during his famous MVP run with the Phoenix Suns was that when he penetrated, it was nearly impossible to predict where the ball would go: Would it go to the wings for a 3? Would he drive to the hoop? Or would he give a quick pass to the front court for an emphatic dunk?

Right now, the Houston Rockets have the 3 point shooters, they have the point guard that can penetrate, they just need the post up dunkers ready for pick and roll situations. That’s where Greg Smith fits in. He can be that offensive dunker that Omer Asik, Thomas Robinson and Donatas Motiejunas are not ready to be on offense yet, the exclamation point for a Steve Nash-like Jeremy Lin. I feel that he is the Rockets’ most successful player in the post. He’s athletic, he can run, he can rebound and he can dunk.

He is capable of being a great defender. He has the same type of pace and energy the Rockets have and puts it on the defensive floor as well. He can guard the post as well, but I am afraid he needs to get rid of the aggression to prevent the extra fouls to help Lin with a Steve Nash-ish offense, when the time is ready for it. He’s only 22 years old in his second year in the NBA, so mistakes are to be expected. However, if he wants to be talked about in Houston and have it reflect in his salary, he will have to do play smarter basketball. I do not know if he has a better future than T-Rob or D-Mo, but he is currently the Rockets’ best option for the future.