Atlanta Hawks: Woody sticks up for Smoove
Smoove says he wasn't sulking during Game 2. (AP)
Woody said he typically doesn’t listen to broadcasters when reviewing video of games. But he said he heard about Hubie Brown’s critical comments of Josh Smith during Game 2 vs. Orlando on Thursday. Brown, the ex-Hawks coach and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, criticized Smith for failing to hustle back downcourt when he got frustrated by officials’ calls and bad plays.
It’s happened at times this season with Smith, whom Woody said is “still growing as player.” But Woody defended Smith from the outside criticism.
“We see that on tape and we point that out,” he said. “I don’t need Hubie or them guys like that [to do it]. I heard comments today that Hubie was blistering Josh Smith. Well, he can get away with it because he’s coached. But I don’t know if I can let you guys get away with it.
“That is my job as coach to point that out to Smoove and guys like that when they are doing that. And trust me, it don’t go unnoticed. He knows about it at the end of the day. Our tapes are thoroughly broken down and mistakes are pointed out.”
As it turns out, Smoove also watched a replay of the ESPN broadcast. He said he couldn’t sleep when the Hawks returned from Orlando early this morning so he caught the repeat broadcast of the game.
He said he heard some of Brown’s criticisms but shrugged them off.
“I was definitely into it mentally,” he said. “I always speak my peace with the referees. That doesn’t get me out of my game at all. That just makes me play harder to make them call calls.”
Was he sulking when things didn’t go his way?
“Maybe my body language looked different than my [mentality],” he said. “My [mentality] was strong. It was there. I don’t know, maybe I’ve got to lift my shoulders or something?”
Did he allow his frustrations to affect his effort level?
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I am too ahead of the game in my career now where I [would] let little minor things affect me. I think I played a good game yesterday.”
Smith finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists. But he also had five turnovers and took six jump shots from beyond 10 feet with two makes.
Smith’s failure to get back on defense also contributed to Orlando’s success in transition.
“You just teach from the tapes and you hope like hell that they learn from it and when they get in that situation again they get their [butts] back on defense,” Woody said. “Because we were terrible in transition defense. We gave up at least 12, 14 points because we didn’t get back and get matched.”
MC
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219 comments Add your comment
niremetal
May 7th, 2010
8:05 pm
MC,
I wasn’t there, obviously, so I couldn’t hear the tone in Woody’s voice. But that doesn’t exactly sound like a full-throated defense to me. Methinks he would have been somewhat bolder in his defense had it been JJ on the receiving end of the criticism.
niremetal
May 7th, 2010
8:07 pm
Ken Strickland,
JJ is an excellent player, but he’s not a player that can motivate and carry a team like DWade, LJames or KBryant.
Agree with the sentiment there, but I wouldn’t put Wade in the same breath as the others
Ramon
May 7th, 2010
8:09 pm
Granddad, Smoove had the highest GPA of his class at Oak Hill, so how did I tell a fib?
DHD
May 7th, 2010
8:11 pm
For the money he gets paid…he could at least hustle back down court. There is NO excuse for it.
Ace111
May 7th, 2010
8:20 pm
Ramon,
Josh was at Oak Hill for 1 year. He did not have the highest GPA in his class; he received an award for the highest GPA on the b-ball team during the season. Oak Hill is a b-ball factory, so I doubt he had much competition for that award. C’mon man!
MissSection120
May 7th, 2010
8:33 pm
You guys are funny. Granted Josh has his moments but if you seriously think this guy is not into the game, and is truly selfish you are blind. Is there room for growth with Josh sure, but if you think without him we would be so much better your stupid.
I’ve been a season ticket holder for 6 years and this kid gives his all, honestly our coach and whatever dummy convinced Sund to throw that money and time to Bibby and marvin is the issue. He truly makes everyone’s job easier. The person who has to take the hit for this team is Woody. This team does not show up game in and game out. He does not keep their energy where it should be, and keep a focused mindset. I have a good view of their huddles, this guy has not earned their focus undivided attention. Jamal and Bibby get more focus than Woody. What team does not get production from the 3 spot, we need a center, and a point guard with some aggression. Hell Celtics down 22 and Rivers and Rondo look more energized than Woody and the hawks with an 8 point lead. Team takes on personality of coach. He cherishes time outs and technicals, and is so in love with his plan he won’t deviate.
GO HAWKS! FIRE WOODY
Horford and Smith are the foundation of this team,
Jody
May 7th, 2010
8:34 pm
It’s funny and annoying how folks rip on Josh Smith after a bad game and seem to forget how well he’s played for the team. This kid has over achieved for a guy who was the 17th pick in the draft straight out of high school. Yet, folks take every chance they get to rip him or fault him for the teams failures. At the same time, the same people continue to lower expectations for players who were picked higher, but contribute little to nothing helping this team win. LOL, when will the bias stop.
MissSection120
May 7th, 2010
8:41 pm
By the way Woody kills his players, watched the 4th quarter again and the defensive movement was gone. Jamal had no lift on his shot. His comments are more embarrassing the Smoove acting like a little brat. But he makes excuses for Marvin, and still starts him, and he has given him 5 games this season.
2nd tme this series I shake my head at Woody. First was his statement after game 1 “I can’t believe SVG left Dwight in the game until 2 minutes and 39 seconds into 2nd quarter”. Now you mean you are suprised a coach didn’t cut cookies and coach the game and not the plan. Woody he was hot he rode him, just like when someone’s cold for months you don’t start him
FIRE WOODY
northcyde
May 7th, 2010
9:02 pm
Terrell . . . how about this?
If the Hawks lose, I won’t post on the AJC blog until after the series is over . . win or lose.
If the Hawks win . . . you can’t post on here until after the series is over . . win or lose.
And I only post under one username on this blog, so AS A MAN, If you take this bet, I’m going to put you AT YOUR WORD that you won’t post here.
So how bout it? Is it a bet?
Simpdawg
May 7th, 2010
9:08 pm
ltdbrave
Hawks need to get rid of Williams, Bibby, ZaZa and Johnson. Oh, forgot, Woodson also. There is no heart on that team to win. Also, when someone signs a $70 million contract, I expect them to step up in the pressure situations, like the post season, and contribute to the team winning. Shooting 33% doesn’t hack it in my book Joe J.
1tdbrave, I agree with you 100%. I was telling my wife the same thing about the Hawks not having the heart to win.
pricedawg
May 7th, 2010
9:11 pm
Tired of seeing JJ dribble for 20 seconds and shoot a fade away jumper. Anyone else ever notice the offense stop when Joe gets the ball? I say sign and trade him. Bring in Salmons and maybe Childress back. Start Crawford at SG. Salmons from the bench to play D.
Also, JJ turns the ball over too much. Damn, when he does pass it the defense is waiting. Just tired of JJ>
pricedawg
May 7th, 2010
9:12 pm
Also, please get rid of Marvin. Guy shows up about once every 10 games. Otherwise, do you even know he’s there?
Sautee
May 7th, 2010
9:31 pm
northcyde,
about this: “Too bad we didn’t steal that game away last night, but that’s why HC advantage is so important in the NBA. ”
Yeah, I agree. The Head Coach of the Magic DOES have an advantage!
TheAntiMe
May 7th, 2010
9:31 pm
If it didn’t affect you Josh then what was it that took you 2 minutes to get back on defense when you were P.O.’d at the refs?
Freddy
May 7th, 2010
9:35 pm
Smith is a punk and is as lazy as they get. Hubie Brown was 100% CORRECT on what he said last night. This team has ZERO heart and no leadership whatsoever. Woodson has no control and need to go. Get someone in here to teach these guy on how to play. Selfish play will get this team no where. Joe Johnson will be gone, He has his head in other plans.
Sautee
May 7th, 2010
9:40 pm
Grandad,
I think we are closer in opinion than you must think.
Like you (and Najeh, and Ray), I’d like to see us get a veteran “enforcer” off the bench for 20-25 minutes to spell Al AND to let him play PF more minutes.
I can appreciate Zaza’s heart, but he’s more suited as the 4th big (or 5th) in a rotation. I’d rather have a Joel Anthony type for a backup center. Maybe the Varnado kid, or like you said, Zoubek.
But I still believe that Al has a greater advantage on most centers than he would PFs. And THAT has to do with the paucity of good centers in the league, whereas there are lots of good PFs.
sleepy
May 7th, 2010
9:41 pm
I was not mad at Josh because he made mistakes .
Basketball is a game of positive and negative plays .
I was pissed at Josh because his behavior in that 3rd quarter is not the behavior I want to see from a supposedly cornerstone of the team in his 3rd year in the playoffs on the road .
Anyone who thinks its ok to not hustle back on defense in the second rd of the playoffs on the road needs to be slapped and sent packing right along with Woody and Josh .
Josh has already gotten his money
Josh didnt make the all star team and didnt make the first team all defensive team either they gave it to Lebron because he had a few highlight reel blocks
So again Im asking anyone who disagrees that if Josh is not motivated now to go all out every second hes on the floor when will he be motivated ?
Sautee
May 7th, 2010
9:45 pm
ACE111,
Well we KNOW that Rondo was on that team. So is Rondo a moron because his GPA was lower than Josh?
Grandad
May 7th, 2010
9:50 pm
Ace111 – Thank you.
Ramon – Oak Hill is not a real school.
They travel around the country [basketball team].
It’s kind of like saying, JimmyJoe;
had the highest GPA on his AAU team.
Oak Hill primarily trains the players to take the *test.
*[qualifying test] SAT or ACT.
They take core subject [exams] proctored by tutors.
Kinda like summer school on ‘roids with tutors.
I still challenge your assertion that this young fella
which you speak of, had the highest GPA. Even @ O.H.
Notice you mentioned his name, not I.
O'Brien
May 7th, 2010
9:55 pm
doc,
I was thinking the same thing, like Woody was talking down to us. How dare us fans and media criticize Josh. Its like BK used to say, how he would laugh when others say we need a PG. And how he doesn’t come to our job and tell us how to do it (I might be paraphrasing).
But at what point do we stop talking about these guys as being young? This is Josh’s 6th season, and his 3rd straight in the playoffs. Young and Learning should not be thrown around as often as it is when it comes to this team.
northcyde,
The fact that the Magic held serve is not the issue. The issue is that we got blown out by 43 in game 1, and although we played well for 3 quarters in game 2, we still lost by 14. And we lost because we went back to the same bad habits.
As for game 3, I agree with you. I think the Hawks win. But I dont see them scoring 101 points. I’m thinking Hawks win, 95 – 87.
Sautee
May 7th, 2010
10:00 pm
If we are trying to “hold serve” in the series, don’t WE have to win by 43 tomorrow?
Is anything less backsliding?
Grandad
May 7th, 2010
10:02 pm
Sautee:
I’m glad you noticed my ‘Zoubek’ remark.
I was beginning to think no one paid attn.
I figured I’d catch heck for that one.
I also think he would be an upgrade over Zaza
and could battle [DH].
Whomever is brought in, my hope is that he will,
be a breath of fresh air & maximize each of our
players individual abilities.
Grandad
May 7th, 2010
10:04 pm
* [Whomever is brought in] *new ‘Coach’
Clyde
May 7th, 2010
10:10 pm
Everybody Welcome MissSection120 To The Club
FIRE WOODY
Sautee
May 7th, 2010
10:12 pm
Grandad,
You still might catch it on Zoubek, once we are eliminated and folks start thinking more seriously about needs. He’s not ranked very high, but he wasn’t healthy until Feb., so that probably hurt his ranking. He certainly played well in the tourney, and was a factor in their NC.
Grandad
May 7th, 2010
10:16 pm
Avg. scoring margin of victory = 28.5 [O over A]
Home ct. advantage / people say = 10 pts.
We should only lose by = 18.5 tomorow.
lets throw away the .5 & go with the 14 pt. last/loss:
we should only lose by = 4 tomorrow.
Now is the glass half ____ or ______?
Grandad
May 7th, 2010
10:20 pm
Sautee:
I’m ready! He’s my guy.
By the way,I’m on the Mike Budenholzer bandwagon as well.
Dara
May 7th, 2010
10:26 pm
Dammit, is that jerkoff Woodson still here? Run the azzhole out of town on a rail.
MissSection120
May 7th, 2010
10:29 pm
Thanks Clyde,
Think what you want but any deficiencies on this team still fall back on the coach. I am okay with losing to Orlando and saying they are a better team, but not 43 points better. Game 2 reminded me of Thanksgiving, this coach is confused, he has reached his ceiling. Get a coach that gets the most from these guys, and can have his players willing to give him there all.
O by the way,
FIRE WOODY
Grandad
May 7th, 2010
10:29 pm
MissSection120:
Might I give you a most gracious welcome.
Does this mean you are in the ‘Bubba Crew’ as well?
Clyde, you would best explain that one.
“GO HAWKS!FIRE WOODY” I think perhaps that makes one a charter member!
Dara
May 7th, 2010
10:32 pm
For the record, Josh Smith earns about 1% of the millions he’s paid. In other businesses, that’s called thievery.
Ken Strickland
May 7th, 2010
10:40 pm
NIREMETAL-mentioning DWade, LJames and KBryant together wasn’t an attempted comparison of the 3. To be honest, since DWade has far less help and talent around him than LJames or KBryant, he actually does more toward carrying his team than they do. The Cavs and Heat have players coming off their bench that are as talented as the Heat starters, other than DWade of course.
Just about any qualified HC we hire can win 47 & 53gms with this team, and struggle to win 2 7gm playoff series against inferior, shorthanded teams, then get embarrassed in the 2nd rd. I hear Doc Rivers’ contract expires after this season, and he knows the young Hawks and the aging Celtics are headed in opposite directions. Imagine how much he could improve the Hawks.
(1) We know he can develop young PG’s(see what he accomplished with the development of young PG RRhondo).
(2) We know he can develop, and isn’t afraid to use his bench.
(3) We know he can coach his team through injuries and adversity.
(4) We know he isn’t afraid to make adjustments or changes, and hold players accountable.
(5) We know he has effective OFF and DEF systems.
(6) We know he’s not big on making excuses.
These attributes would make him the complete opposite of Woodson, which is what the Hawks need most. Hiring a HC like Doc Rivers might help us in our quest to resign JJ, JoSmith and RMorris. I’d love to see this team in the hands of someone with a clue about being a HC.
Clyde
May 7th, 2010
10:44 pm
I’m ready for the Cavs – Magic series to start.
fire woody
BTW CLASS OF 90
May 7th, 2010
10:44 pm
I am a Hawks fan and I have watched this team grow. And Coach Woody been the Coach the whole time. YEAH WE KNOW WE GOT. Let’s not forget we third place in da East this year. Y’all jump ship if you want to. YEAH WE GLAD TO BE HOME. Listen to that Goodie Mob Still Standing Number Fo. FILA We straight.
Clyde
May 7th, 2010
10:49 pm
When you go 30-31 on free-throws and still get blown out by 14 you need to pack your bags and get ready for next season. #imjustsaying
fire woody
Beone
May 7th, 2010
11:00 pm
Woody is a fool and an idiot. When Smoove doesn’t get across the mid court line in transition defense before the ball is going through the hoop, anyone (not just someone who has coached) can accurately state that it is unacceptable. When Smoove shoots long jumpers, it is unacceptable. The real problem is Woody because apparently Woody has no control over Smoove. The conclusion, Fire Woody and bring in someone with some guts to manage (coach) this team. Then if they continue to underachieve, move the players.
rusty
May 7th, 2010
11:06 pm
northcyde i am only 14 years old as you know. i always hear pure nonsense coming out of your mouth. you make no sense. i dont know who is more stupid, you or woody
rusty
May 7th, 2010
11:08 pm
you make no sense at all,northcyde
Clyde
May 7th, 2010
11:10 pm
lol @rusty
fire woody
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 7th, 2010
11:11 pm
freshd…Joe Johnson said that?????????????
Daniel
May 7th, 2010
11:12 pm
Woodson.. your a joke. Any real coach would put him on the bench when he is walking around the court sulking when we have a LEAD in the 2nd half. Once the attitude started, the lead was gone. It certainly didnt help keeping the virus on the floor. Grow a pair Mike! And grow them on someone elses watch
BTW CLASS OF 90
May 7th, 2010
11:13 pm
I am a Hawks fan and I have watched this team grow. And Coach Woody been the Coach the whole time. YEAH WE KNOW WE GOT. Let’s not forget we third place in da East this year. Y’all jump ship if you want to. YEAH WE GLAD TO BE HOME. Listen to that Goodie Mob Still Standing Number Fo. FILA We straight.
Carolyn
May 7th, 2010
11:14 pm
An earlier poster had it right. Smith has his money, now he doesn’t care. That’s real simple to understand.
Another word for it is theft.
Rebound Reba
May 7th, 2010
11:18 pm
“Smith is a punk and is as lazy as they get.”
Entirely correct. That sums it up nicely.
doc
May 7th, 2010
11:28 pm
at sautee lol, i thought the same thing when i saw HC
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2010
11:32 pm
I really wonder what this legion of Josh Smith haters, who find a way to get computer time at their insane asylum every time Josh screws up, is doing when Marvin is standing around letting a guy cut to the hoop uncontested, or when Bibby stands around the entire playoffs waving his arms at opposing players like a cheerleader, or when Crawford shoots a pull up jumper with 20 seconds left on the shot clock and nobody under the hoop to rebound. As if those lazy, half-azz plays — which all occur with MUCH greater frequency than Josh’s mental lapses — don’t hurt the Hawks just as bad. This team would be nowhere near 53 wins without Smoove, but somehow the hate for him seems that much more personal than the criticism other players seem to receive.
cacambo
May 7th, 2010
11:41 pm
This team would be nowhere near 53 wins without Smoove, but somehow the hate for him seems that much more personal than the criticism other players seem to receive.
Clearly a Smoove groupie. Marvin and Josh arent subject to personal attacks? Get the %#&$ out of here.
cacambo
May 7th, 2010
11:42 pm
“This team would be nowhere near 53 wins without Smoove, but somehow the hate for him seems that much more personal than the criticism other players seem to receive.”
Clearly a Smoove groupie. Marvin and Joe arent subject to personal attacks? Get the %#&$ out of here.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 7th, 2010
11:48 pm
Sad facts anyone????
Suns’ BACKUP point guard “Goran Dragic” is better than our starting PG.
bigdave
May 7th, 2010
11:53 pm
coach Gentry to his 2nd year point guard Dragic:
“be aggressive.. you make a couple mistakes thats fine… “