Josh Smith excited to reunite with Dwight Howard on Rockets
Josh Smith indicated that he's excited to be reuniting with Dwight Howard on the Houston Rockets, according to FOX 26 in Houston. Howard and Smith were once teammates on an Atlanta-based Amateur Athletic Union team.
It was reported on Wednesday that Smith has committed to signing with the Rockets after the Detroit Pistonswaived him with two years and $26 million remaining on his contract. Smith is expected to join Houston's starting lineup.
The Rockets are currently starting Donatas Motiejunas at power forward alongside center Dwight Howard. Motiejunas is averaging 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds while starting in place of the injured Terrence Jones.
Smith was once viewed as an elite athlete who could pass and defend well, but he has drawn criticism for his shot selection in recent years.
Over 28 games this season, Smith has averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He's shooting 39.1 percent from the field, 24.3 percent from three-point range and 46.8 percent from the free-throw line, all career-lows.
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"It's an exciting time for me," Smith said. "Being able to be reunited with a good friend and one of the best teammates I ever played with, I think we can definitely do something special.
"Playing beside the best two-guard in the game right now in James Harden, what more can you ask for."
Houston will enter Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a 20-7 record, good for fifth in the Western Conference.
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