Detroit Pistons’ Josh Smith: ‘I just want to make the playoffs’

It has been a struggle for both forward Josh Smith and the Detroit Pistons since the two sides agreed to a contract in the offseason.

Smith is averaging 16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, but is shooting just 41.5% from the field and 23.0% from beyond the arc, way down from his career percentages of 45.9% and 27.4%.

The Pistons still have a a shot at the playoffs – they are attempting to catch Smith’s former team, the Atlanta Hawks, who are currently the eighth seed.

Smith isn’t worried about his individual numbers or his former team, but is worried about his team’s record.

“I just want to make the playoffs.  I’m not paying attention on me trying to get in over them,” Smith told David Mayo of MLive.com.  “I just want to be able to win games and be able to give ourselves the opportunity to make the postseason.

“I’ve been there for six consecutive years and when you get into a position like that, you kind of get addicted to it. That’s who I am; (I’m) at the point in my career where I want to be able to be successful and give myself a chance to win the title.”

Smith’s Pistons are three games behind the Hawks.