Fansided

Josh Smith Doesn’t Care What Detroit Pistons Fans Think

By Wes Goldberg

Oct 29, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) shoots the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) shoots the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith is going to do him, and he doesn’t care what you or anyone else thinks.

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Josh Smith has bared the brut of fans for nearly his entire career. Deservedly so. He just takes some really bad shots. A hot topic among the Detroit Pistons’ faithful was how new coach Stan Van Gundy would use Smith, and if he could bring the best out of the talented forward.

In four games this season, Smith is averaging 14.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest. According to David Mayo of MLive.com, Pistons fans have started booing Smith when he takes perimeter jumpers but Smith won’t adjust his game on account of them.

"“I’m not worried about the fans,” Smith said Thursday. “I’m worried about what my teammates think, people that actually understand and know basketball. But a lot of people follow us and if they hear one or two people boo, they feel like it’s the right thing to do.”"

Van Gundy supports his player.

"“Here’s the thing, I’ve heard all day now about obviously Josh went 2 for 17,” Van Gundy said. “But nobody’s talking about the fact that one of the top three scorers in the league (Anthony) went (5 of 21), only got to the free-throw line four times, and he (Smith) got 10 rebounds and he got five assists."

Smith is in an interesting situation. It stands to reason that Van Gundy, who plays an inside-out system, will revolve his offense around promising young center Andre Drummond. His system requires his players to be able to make perimeter jumpers and create space for Drummond to work in the post. In this case, it’s a good thing that Smith is taking outside shots. On the other hand, he’s just not that good at it, shooting 31.4 percent this season. Smith doesn’t really fit this new team, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out this season.

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