David Lee on All-Star team, Smoove (gladly) on the beach
Smoove will be chillaxing like this, except with no uniform and more sand. (dimemag.com)
Dallas– Ever since the All-Star reserves were announced and Smoove didn’t make it, it’s seemed everyone around him has been more outraged about it. Family, friends, fans, media–everyone seems to think Smoove got screwed, except for Smoove.
And it continued that way right up to the All-Star break. After the Hawks lost to the Heat last night, someone asked Smoove if he hoped to be picked as the replacement for A. I., who it turns out won’t play for personal reasons. Commish Stern picked Knicks center David Lee to replace him.
“My flight is booked,” Smoove said, laughing. “I’m really not even thinking about that. I am thinking about sticking my feet in the sand.”
He’s headed to the Turks and Caicos Islands in the West Indies (”First time”). Looking at the snow storm outside my hotel room here in Dallas, I’m thinking Smoove made out in that exchange.
But, for real, he probably did deserve to make the All-Star team. In the one month I’ve covered the team, one thing that has stood out is how Smoove can change a game in so many ways. He’s developed what seems like an instinctive ability to know what play the Hawks need at what time and that’s really a wild statement when you think about it.
The development hasn’t happened by accident.
“I looked a a lot of film of myself over the summer and critiqued myself,” Smoove said, and he discovered he needed to make better decisions within the flow of the game. So it’s interesting to note how Woody later summed up Smoove’s improvement: “He’s making better basketball decisions.”
That’s a hard thing to quantify sometimes. So maybe Smoove was hurt in All-Star voting by coaches because his traditional boxscore stats are nice but don’t really blow you away. But when you look at advanced statistics and Smoove usually comes out ahead in comparison to his teammates and he also looks good when stacked up against the league’s best (also note that Lee is no slouch with those metrics, either).
In considering alternatives to Iso-Joe (and I know you spend a lot of time doing that) two of the best I can think of involve Smoove.
One is the pick-and-roll with Bibby–when the timing is right on it and Smoove gets the pass close enough to the rim that he doesn’t have to dribble too much there aren’t many weakside defenders who can challenge him. (The Hawks tried the P-R early last night but Bibby messed up the spacing and it was a turnover).
The other Iso-Joe alternative is posting Smoove up on the left block for that duck-in, swooping hook move. It can be unstoppable because he’s so long and athletic and he’s gotten really good at gaining separation from his defender with a subtle bump.
Alas, a worldwide television audience and a crowd expected to be upwards of 90,000 won’t get to see Smoove do his thang. But Smoove said he won’t be wishing he was here and probably won’t even watch the game on Sunday.
“I will probably be too busy just chilling,” he said.
MC
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137 comments Add your comment
doc
February 12th, 2010
1:40 pm
ramon good question, to be honest i havent noted it that often. i will look for it.
Thekid2Kill
February 12th, 2010
1:42 pm
Let it snow!
tipsnanny
February 12th, 2010
1:46 pm
Thekid2Kill
I have a feeling both Al and Joe will do their best at the All Star game. They are both hard-playing, and they give their all when they are on the court. Although Smoove is my favorite player, I all still a loyal fan to all the Hawks. Go Joe and Al, make us proud to be Hawks fans.
darrell starks
February 12th, 2010
1:48 pm
RAMON HOW IS HAWKS PAYROLL 65MILL?
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
tipsnanny
February 12th, 2010
1:48 pm
Oops, had a brain fart. I meant to say “I am still a loyal fan to all the Hawks”.
darrell starks
February 12th, 2010
1:49 pm
AND BOSTON PAYROLL IS 90MILL.
GO HAWKS!!!!
Thekid2Kill
February 12th, 2010
1:54 pm
I seen it happen before. do you remember the year JJ scored 0 points?
Embarrassing.
Josh smith and jamal crawford are my favorite players then JJ, but i really hate Marvin.
O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
2:00 pm
Lets not put too much into the players performace in the ASG. Didn’t JJ go scoreless last year or the year before? Its just a game. I just want him and Horford to come back healthy.
Is it too much to read into Sund’s comments? I wonder if the GM of the Lakers say their goal is to be the #1 seed? Does Cleveland say that? I would like to hear Sund say his goal for this year is to win a championship.
We all know its very unlikely, but I would like to hear the GM say that. Because when you say your goal is to be one of the top 4 seeds, that can lead to complacency.
I fully expect the Hawks to be a top 4 seed, but how will they do in the playoffs? Thats the question. Or maybe I’m just being overly critical, because whatever Sund says, players still have to go out and play the games.
rusty
February 12th, 2010
2:05 pm
i see many times under the basket js should be dunking & he doesnt. he would be so much
better if he went with the dunk. kurt thomas is way better than anyone on our bench if his game hasnt faltered in the last few years. the hawks would be so much better if we established a better offensive & defensive systems.
darrell starks
February 12th, 2010
2:07 pm
RAMON MY BAD BOSTON PAYROLL IS 85MILL.
GO HAWKS!!!!
Traceman
February 12th, 2010
2:10 pm
Thekid2kill,
The only reason I care about whether or not JJ does well in the All Star game is because him doing well could possibly lead to the refs giving him the respect he deserves when the real games start again. If he goes for 20, maybe they will give him a few of the superstar calls that LeBron, D Wade, Durant, Pierce and company get on a routine basis. Other than that, I could care less. JJ’s game is not really built to shine in a glorifed pickup game setting and neither is Al’s. Smoove and Jamal’s talents are far more suited to make them look great in an All Star game setting.
Astro Joe
February 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
OB, would you rather under-promise and over deliver to your bosses and customers and go all out and possibly over-promise and under-deliver? And the players know (especially those with short-term contracts) that a deep playoff run enhances their next contract. They all see guys like James Posey turn a Finals appearance into a fat deal, even when you’re a middling player with one trick. If the hawks win a title in the next 2 seasons, is there any doubt that Crawford likely signs a $12M+ contract?
Daniel
February 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
Traceman- interesting comments about JJ getting more ref respect if he plays well in the ASG. I had not really thought about that, and my first response is NAAAH that won’t change anything. But, I have no idea what it takes for Joe to get more calls. I am thinking he needs a bigger shoe contract with Nike to kick it back to the NBA. Seriously, I think that is what it is about.
Astro Joe
February 12th, 2010
2:33 pm
Traceman, good thoughs.
GeeMack
February 12th, 2010
2:47 pm
Daniel & Astro Traceman
You all JJ’s game is to smooth for the refs to give him more calls. Iff JJ didn’t settle for the j so much I’m certain he would get more calls.
Dan
February 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
The fact of the matter is that Josh will not be an all-star until he 1- stops shooting the long two point jump shot(just inside the 3 point line), 2- he stops whinning to the refs on every call and 3- improves his free-throw shooting.
Dan
February 12th, 2010
2:53 pm
It’s pathetic!!! Grow up already!!
He has the talent but not the maturity or the work ethic that goes along with being an all-star. If he had gone to college for at least two years, we would have been comparing him to LJ right now.
bobby ray allen
February 12th, 2010
2:58 pm
i am 62 yrs. old seen Elgin Baylor, Dr. J(in person) and so many more…..Josh Smith should have been on this team……Sometimes things happen for other reasons that casual observer or fan have no knowledge of………
Dan
February 12th, 2010
3:15 pm
Am I wrong?
Dan
February 12th, 2010
3:16 pm
Are these not three things that affect our team constantly?
Mike is Back
February 12th, 2010
3:18 pm
I did a tour in the earl 70’s with the 2nd Infantry Division I was in Camp Custer and Camp Dodge with the 1st & 38 Infantry. Did you enjoy your tour except for the cold weather?
Big Ump
February 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
Mike is Back
Sorry Mike I forgot to add my name. I added yours instead. Sorry about that. Looking to hear from you.
Grandad
February 12th, 2010
3:39 pm
bobby ray allen:
Surely you jest.
I saw Elgin and Doc as well.
Plus,I’m proud of Josh. He’s progressed more than I ever thought.
But Elgin and Doc? C’mon!
Dan:
LJ did not go to college either.
I am not a fan of Lebron @ all, but Josh is not LbJ, nor is he gonna be.
However,(who would’a thunk), I much prefer Josh’s ‘maturity’ and demeanor plus his overall competitive spirit to that clown in Cleve.
Ken Strickland
February 12th, 2010
3:51 pm
DARRELL STARKS-Even with our $55M payroll, all we need to do in order to become a serious challenger in the East is:
(1) address our PG issues
(2) expand our joke of a halfcourt OFF
(3) get Woodson to start thinking outside his narrowly constructed box and start allowing his assistants to have input in helping him make decisions, employ strategies and adjustments, as well as improve his sorry idea of a halfcourt OFF.
(4) get Woodson to stop dealing with certain players based on what he thinks they can’t do and start taking advantage of what they can do. He certainly doesn’t focus on what Bibby can’t do, or isn’t doing, otherwise he’d be firmly anchored to the bench.
(5) expand the utilization of his bench.
What’s amazing to me is how much talent, versatility, experience and depth we’ve been able to accumulate for only $55M. It’s always an advantage when a team can be upgraded by bringing in additional talent. However, it would be nothing more than an effort in futility and a waste of money if the HC either misuses, or simply refuses to use that talent.
O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
4:09 pm
Ken,
I thought our payroll was $65 mil? As far as our offense goes, I have no idea what Larry Drew’s offensive philosophy is, but I would not be surprised if Woody does not accept much input from his assistants.
And as bad as Bibby has been this year, imagine how bad (another year older and slower) he will be next season (unless he finds the fountain of youth, which the Celtics are looking for). I dont even want to think about 2 seasons from now.
AJ,
You raise a good point with the promise and delivery. And I must say that Woody came out and said the Hawks need to step it up and win the division, so maybe Sund just did not want to put too much pressure on Woody.
But if the guy who signs the checks comes out and says their goal is basically to get closer to the top 3 teams, the players might be happy doing just that. I just hope the players are thinking division champions and NBA champions.
As far as JJ getting calls, if he was playing for the Cavs, Celtics or Magic right now, I think he would get more calls. I think part of the problem is the Hawks as a team dont get the respect they deserve (from the refs and from David Stern) when compared to those 3 teams. And what I think will change that is a trip to the ECF or NBA finals. Or if we beat one of the East’s big 3 in the playoffs.
nash
February 12th, 2010
4:15 pm
the hawks have some real good players and might be able to beat everyone except cleveland if Teague started playing like a first round draft pick and get a big man to come off the bench and score some point and play a little d
KevinA
February 12th, 2010
4:17 pm
Rounding off Hawks 66 million – Lakers 93 million.
I am sure with an extra 20 million we would have a better bench and Woody would play them.
Geemack
February 12th, 2010
4:52 pm
Ken Strickland
Eventhough I probably will never see your point on Woody. I gotta say I got a lot of respect for your basketball knowledge, and the research you do to make your points.
Astro Joe
February 12th, 2010
4:53 pm
OB, Sund has bosses too. That’s who I was talking about. If Sund yells from the highest mountain that we are on our way to a Red Auerbach type run, Woody won’t be the only one looking for a job. And Sund has tasted the sting of a pink slip more recently than Woody. It just isn’t in the best interest of anyone to pound your shest… especially when you didn’t add a starter from a 47-win team. I kind of doubt that teams make ‘Nique type jumps without changing their starters.
Speaking of GMs making poor decisions, anyone see that Hollinger finally called out Joe Dumars as one of the most overrated figures in the NBA?
Ken Strickland
February 12th, 2010
4:55 pm
GRANDAD-I agree with you. If we had a halfcourt OFF, like the one the Pistons used when Woodson was an assistant coach, where they ran RHamilton off a series of back picks, we’d eliminate those scoring draughts and be hard to stop. We know Bibby, Marvin, JJ and Crawford are good shooters when coming off picks.
It would also make it very hard on anyone to try and stay with Smoove coming off those picks as well, except I’d use the picks to get him posted in the lane. The old SHOWTIME Lakers did that routinely. There’s no way JWorthy or JWilks could have gotten the excellent postup positioning they got consistently without those picks. Both Smoove and Horford would be almost unstoppable posting up in the lane.
Woodson needs to stop with his obcession with trying to establish his own identity as a HC and start borrowing some ideas from his mentor, LBrown. It would elevate his sorry excuse of a halfcourt OFF, create more ball movement and take full advantage of the individual talents of his key players.
The next time Teague is in the gm, watch how he fights over picks and eliminates the need for the C or PF to switch. Then watch as players blow by Bibby as he stumbles and often falls the few times he actually tries to fight over a pick.
TRACEMAN-YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING. How can you, or anyone with a clue, claim JTeague is a DEF liability, or even make an issue of his DEF, without making an issue of MBibby’s ALLPRO matador DEF? Exactly what do you focus on when you’re watching a gm if you haven’t noticed Bibby’s poor DEF? If you think Bibby’s DEF is so much better than Teagues that he doesn’t merit mentioning, you need to schedule an immediate appointment with an optometrist or psychiatrist, or both.
Rod from College Park
February 12th, 2010
5:05 pm
Ken Strickland,
“We know Bibby, Marvin, JJ and Crawford are good shooters when coming off picks.”
We actually don’t know that about Marvin.
Astro Joe
February 12th, 2010
5:29 pm
Strickland, fighting over picks is not always the right defensive approach. Watch Billups play… he alters his defense based on the opponent. He is able to do that because of his experience and film study. (Or is Billups not a good defender in your opinion). When you have undersized bigs, a switching defense allows you to take advantage of their lateral quickness. A team that can exploit fast breaks at virtually every position should likewise be able to utilize their quickness on defense. And in a pick and roll/pop style of basketball, switching can be a good thing. If Horford and Smith play straight up on opposing Cs and PFs every night, they will surely be beat down after 60 games. Woody has some things to improve on the edges on his strategy, but the basic principles can’t be debated… not when we’re 1-2 games out of 2nd place in the conference.
gardnersville pekin
February 12th, 2010
5:52 pm
Josh is not an all star yet, his time will come when it’s right.
Astro Joe
February 12th, 2010
6:03 pm
New blog up. JJ is starting in ASG!
bigfoot video
February 12th, 2010
6:33 pm
Is skunk ape Real?
http://www.is-bigfoot-real.com/
bobby ray allen
February 12th, 2010
10:57 pm
if josh had gone to florida, georgia or north carolina ga tech he would be in de game……..right or wrong……
bob
February 14th, 2010
12:50 am
the knicks beat the hawks twice this year and should have won the other game but blew the 10+ lead we had, so i dunno how you guys can say the knicks suck wen we beat you over and over every year