Rowan Kavner
PLAYA VISTA – After playing a part in the Clippers’ playoff departure last season, Josh Smith is trying to take the Clippers to levels they haven’t reached this year.
Smith, who played for the Rockets last season, had his choice of teams this offseason as he became a free agent. He saw the Clippers’ talent and believed the fit made sense, so he made Los Angeles his destination, saying in the team’s free-agent signing introductory press conference he wants to help do something historic for the franchise.
“I feel like we have the right pieces to do it,” Smith said. “We have an opportunity to be able to do something special.”
Here’s more on what Smith had to say, touching on last year’s playoff series, why he chose the Clippers and what his role will be.
How did the seven-game series against the Clippers last season affect your free agency decision?
Smith: “It was a tough series, two competitive teams going at it…Houston was a great opportunity. I’ve already issued a statement showing my gratitude and appreciation for what I did and what they allowed me to do out there. I saw where this offseason when the (Clippers) acquired Paul Pierce and they got DeAndre (Jordan) back and Cole Aldrich, re-signed Austin (Rivers), I felt like this was the best fit for me. The conversation that I had with Doc (Rivers), it made me feel that much more comfortable making my decision to come here.���
How much did the Jordan decision affect yours?
Smith: “Obviously when you’re a free agent, you make decisions based on where you feel is the best fit for you in order to make yourself the most successful… So looking at this roster, being able to have an opportunity to play for a point guard, arguably one of the best point guards in the game, and a dominant big like DeAndre and Blake (Griffin), and the supporting cast that surrounds it, it was very attracting to me and this is why I made the decision.”
You played in Houston last year. That’s where the final meeting took place with Jordan. What was that like to see what unfolded?
Smith: “I kind of find humor in serious situations sometimes, but you’ve got to do whatever it takes in order to acquire or keep a person of that dominance like he’s been doing the past couple years.”
How did you approach free agency this time around?
Smith: “Free agency’s very exciting the first time around. My whole thing was I was looking at scenarios more so than being wowed by the red carpet layout, stuff like that. I was at home making phone calls.”
What went into the decision to choose the Clippers?
Smith: “We had some special things in Houston, but it was more of a visual, concrete situation and scenario for me here. (Doc) kind of laid everything out and gave me his role on how he felt like I was going to help benefit the team. When you have vision and it’s not, kind of, foggy on what’s your role and purpose on the team, you’ve got to make the decision you feel is best.”
What do you think that role will be?
Smith: “Just being able to contribute on both ends of the floor, being versatile like I’ve always been in my career, just going out there and playing in a loose, free offense.”