Deal for Smith signals emphasis on upgrades
The Rockets probably did not need a message in the form of a player acquisition sent their way, but Friday’s deal to bring back forward Josh Smith was an indication the team’s slide to .500 would not change the emphasis on upgrading the roster during this season.
“A lot of basketball left,” guard Jason Terry said. “There’s three teams that you can say are right, so to speak, obviously; San Antonio, Golden State, Cleveland.
“They understand where they’re headed, what their mission is, what each guy’s role is to get it done. And you can see it.
“Every time they play, every night, it’s very consistent in how they play and what they do out there. Everybody else is trying to find their way, trying to get hot, trying to figure it out.
“Us, with the move we just made, is one of those teams. Will we get there? Yes. We’re very optimistic. The core nucleus of guys understands what it takes to get there. It’s all a matter of us meshing together and getting our chemistry back to where it used to be.”
Blatt’s firing not surprising to all
Though the Cleveland Cavaliers’ dismissal of David Blatt with a 30-11 record and a spot atop the Eastern Conference standings was surprising, Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Bucks interim coach Joe Prunty could not consider themselves surprised by anything in their profession.
“It’s tough,” Bickerstaff said. “You don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, but in general any time you see someone you have a relationship with, it’s tough to see guys lose their jobs. He’s done enough to prove he can work in this league. I’m sure someone will give him the opportunity to do so.
“For me, my whole life this is what I’ve seen. I’ve lived this life for a long time. Rightly, wrongly, fairly, unjustly, people are fired. It happens. Very few people get to live the Jerry Sloan and ( Gregg) Popovich lifestyle. You have a time, and your time once you get there is like the hourglass. Your time is ticking.”
To Prunty, in his 20th year on an NBA staff, the move was typical.
“It is a tough business, no doubt about it,” Prunty said. “I was very surprised when I saw that. I don’t know the inner working of what happens on day-to-day basis with other organizations. It’s part of what happens in this industry.”
Howard remains day-to-day
The Rockets’ trade for Josh Smith had been in the works for several weeks, long before Dwight Howard’s ankle injury.
But the latest frontcourt injury added urgency to make a move.
Howard is considered day-to-day after missing Friday’s game.
“Shortly, in the next three, four days,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of when he expects Howard back. “I don’t think it will be a long-term thing.”
Forward/center Donatas Motiejunas (sore back) is working to begin rehab but is considered at least a week away from resuming basketballrelated activities.
“Long term, we expect D-Mo to be back and be able to help us,” Bickerstaff said. “Where we are now, we felt we needed to do something to light a fire and keep us afloat. There are so many guys injured, we felt we could use help at that position, and it was an easy one for us because we’ve seen what (Smith) can do.”