Atlanta Hawks: Captain Smoove (!)
L.D. wants Josh to tone it down as captain.
It probably comes as no surprise that L.D. named Al one of his three team captains. He’s a mature guy with some natural leadership qualities, won two championships at Florida and already started down that path when he called out teammates for poor effort during the Orlando series.
J.J. is an obvious choice, too. He’s Atlanta’s Alpha Dog, the leading scorer, a four-time All-Star and the team’s highest-paid player.
But Josh Smith?
The erratic, emotional forward prone to demonstrative outbursts when things don’t go his way? The first Hawks player who came to mind when you heard about the league instructing officials to crack down on expressions of displeasure? The player who sometimes gives up on plays when he’s frustrated by officials?
Josh Smith as captain?
“That was something that was concern of mine, as well, then I was thinking about it,” L.D. said. “I had a conversation with him about that. He told me, ‘Look, Coach, I spent time this summer talking to myself about that. I know I have to do a better job in that.’
“I’m hoping that with this responsibility that he will look at things a little differently. It puts him in a different light. Some of those behaviors that he has had on the floor, you just can’t do that anymore. I am hoping that giving him more of a responsibility will steer his thinking in a whole different direction.”
If you are looking for some early specifics about the difference in approach between L.D. and Woody, this is a big one.
In my time on the beat, Woody never publicly rebuked Smoove for his outbursts. His style was to instead handle such matters internally during film sessions and in private talks. When public criticism of Josh reached a pitch after Hubie Brown’s comments about Josh during the Orlando series, Woody vehemently defended Josh.
By naming Josh captain and saying he needs to change his on-court demeanor, L.D. is putting very public expectations on him. Smoove said he’s ready for the responsibility.
“I have to take a different approach to this season,” he said. “I definitely have to carry myself in a whole different fashion because when you are captain you have to be more of a leader. I have to lead by example.
“I am an emotional player, obviously. Everybody knows that. But [I] just kind of have to hold my emotions together and just play basketball and stay positive throughout the game, no matter what happens.”
J.J. and Bibby were the team captains last season. Al was just in his third season and Josh still had some maturing to do.
“I think it’s time, both he and Al,” L.D. said. “They have been in this thing long enough. Certainly they have shown areas of growth in that [leadership] department. I just think it’s time for both of them to take a step. I am going to expect some certain things from them being the leaders.
“Along with being captains comes responsibility. Their teammates look at them in a different light, the public looks at them in a different light with those titles. You have got to live up to those titles.”
Smoove certainly has the basketball credentials to be captain. He’s pretty outspoken, too, unafraid to voice his opinion. Shoot, he’s been around longer than any Hawks player so he can stake a legitimate claim to this team.
And it’s not that he’s shown no leadership ability at all. He might have been the most frustrated player when the Hawks bogged down in isolations last season, and I still vividly remember him imploring his teammates to share the ball during that stirring W at Utah.
Smoove won’t be 25 until Dec. 5, but he’s much older in NBA years. He’s a grizzled vet, an established guy in the league. Now he’s a team captain.
“This is my seventh year, man,” he said. “I’ve been through the ups and downs. I have experienced it all. I just want to get deep in the playoffs so I can say I’ve experienced that [too].”
L.D. is counting on Smoove to help lead the way.
MC
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222 comments Add your comment
vava74
September 28th, 2010
6:34 pm
Bold and intelligent move by LD, however I doubt that it will produce the results we all expect.
Smoove will continue to complain. The difference is that he will now believe he is really entitled to do it because he is captain.
He is too emotional.
I hope that I am wrong though.
vava74
September 28th, 2010
6:35 pm
I agree with the attempt. He had to try this.
truthspitter
September 28th, 2010
6:38 pm
In other news, Pape Sy and Mo Evans coming to camp injured does not make me feel good about either. Also, Cunningham, if you can, can you tell us if you got to see the portion that included the timed mile? I read somewhere that a 6 minute mile is good, anything else is really not good for an athlete that is supposed to be world class. Can you tell us if any Hawks came into camp in good enough shape to run the mile in 6 minutes or less?
Will Sev
September 28th, 2010
6:39 pm
I think Coach Drew made the right decision by naming these 3 players as captains. None of the 3 have a Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant kind of leadership(at least from what we’ve seen), but the combination of the 3 as captains creates a good type of leadership.
Most of you are saying that this will benefit Josh Smith, but I think it will actually benefit the other two captains as well. Smoove’s maturation speeds up since expectations are high, Horford gets to get out his shell more and can become more vocal without having to worry about stepping on people’s toes, and it takes off pressure from Joe to lead a top NBA team by example and vocally all by himself.
http://www.thehighlightfactory.net
Rev in Tampa
September 28th, 2010
6:51 pm
doc, your comments about Marvin being captain next year makes me wonder if this will light a fire under Marvin’s butt. The 3-headed captain seems to communicate that the sacred ‘core’ is limited to ‘three’ instead of ‘four’.
GT Alum
September 28th, 2010
6:55 pm
Najeh -
Well, I don’t know that it’s always not winning. I think if we’re winning but he feels like he’s not getting calls, he still gets demonstrably upset. You can spin that as selfish, but I think it’s understandable. If you feel like the refs are screwing you, you’re going to get upset.
Josh really just needs to learn how to work the refs. Right now, he’s taking the ‘Sheed path, and we know that doesn’t work well. I honestly think that’s one thing we’re missing. Almost every championship team knows how to work the refs and get calls. I don’t see any evidence that this team knows how to do that. Maybe that’s something Nick the Quick can teach.
tjhook
September 28th, 2010
6:58 pm
Has anyone considers how well Powell and Smoove would be on the court at the same time? Powell is supposed to have a pretty good jumper which may give Smoove and others (Horford, anyone else) a chance to post or cut to the basket.
GT Alum
September 28th, 2010
6:58 pm
BTW, I didn’t mean you in “you can spin that” to be specifically you. I meant someone could spin that as selfish.
GovClintonTyree
September 28th, 2010
6:59 pm
Three captains? There are only five guys on the floor. It’s obvious to even a casual observer, I think, that the leader of this team is Al Horford. Mature and respected and a winner.
drmaryb (*_*)
September 28th, 2010
7:00 pm
Unfortunately for Marvin, he has never been part of any core.
At UNC he came off the bench. He has allegedly been part of the
pseudo-core for the Hawks.
The Hawks core has never been clearly defined by management,
as best I can tell.
I don’t think it really bothers Marvin one way or another what
anyone outside that locker room thinks about him or his game.
He doesn’t tweet, nor does he read any papers or blogs from
what I have gathered.
I am sure others have told him – What The People Say!
He prolly rolls over and goes back to sleep.
GT Alum
September 28th, 2010
7:19 pm
drmaryb (*_*) -
Well, I’m pretty sure the reason ASG/Sund gave for re-signing all of Marvin, Bibby and ZaZa was keeping the core together, so those players obviously were thought of as core to some extent. Like I said, I think some players are more “core” than others, but maybe the Hawks org doesn’t share my view.
ryan
September 28th, 2010
7:20 pm
My question is can Josh Smith show Maturity because he has been known to blame other people when things get tough i hope he does well as the leader i just have doubt that he do the job .
KevinM
September 28th, 2010
7:20 pm
3 captains means there is no concern by the ASG of our 2 PFs defending the interior.
There goes any major trade talk.
We now have our 3 amigos out front and center.
Speaking of center, looks like we are counting on people matching up against us versus the other way around. I don’t see that as that big of an advantage personally.
LD preaching the ball movement tonight on NBA TV. 3D has to do all the defending because no other media member is going to.
The Truth
September 28th, 2010
7:30 pm
Though I’m bullish about the decision to make Josh a captain, the only thing I fear is Josh propensity to be the hero and force things rather than playing within himself. He needs to understand (and I hope he will), that being a captain doesn’t automatically make him “Mr. Big Shot”
rusty
September 28th, 2010
7:33 pm
@ lewis give me a break jc is only worth 7-7m while jj is worth 20m,right ha ha
@northcyde the fans are douches & jj is not. he is laughing at you as well as the rest of the fans
ryan
September 28th, 2010
7:42 pm
I would like know who said Marvin was going to be the 1st or 2nd pick in that draft because they must had rocks in there head. i will keep saying it CP3 should be a Hawk right now .
DUDLEY DO RIGHT
September 28th, 2010
8:04 pm
ITS JJ AND JOSH’S TEAM ANY WAY. SO WHATS THE BIG DEAL ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW?
WHATS UP WITH THE HAWKS EFFORT TO FIND A STARTING CENTER? THATS THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION!
Sound the Trumpet
September 28th, 2010
8:13 pm
hey is that the best story you can write? What did josh do all summer? What did he work on? How about marv what did he do and what did he work on? What are the hawks going to do about a getting a real center?
what are the experts forecasters projecting for the hawks this year? The hawks ended the year better than foretasted last year so will we break into the finals level at last?
We all know Josh is going to have his way any way because its his team and his town and hes got great talent. Tell us something we dont know.
Ramon
September 28th, 2010
8:19 pm
Sautee, on a couple of interviews (radio and television) Al has repeatedly stated that he wants to play PF and he’s playing out of position. Is that not publicly questioning the coach and direction of the team? And is that not also saying that he should be playing PF instead of Josh, even though Josh is rated as the best defensive PF in the league?
Ramon
September 28th, 2010
8:21 pm
Sound, if you’d pull your head out of your butt long enough to look at other posts, you would know MC has already written about Josh’s summer workouts and what he did.
Grandad
September 28th, 2010
8:21 pm
Ramon
Artest is one of my favorite players but you can’t make that trade.
Perhaps as some sort of salary dump, but you give away too much.
LA would do the trade in a heartbeat but we would have to take back
salary filler. On talent alone, I would not trade Jamal fo Artest straight up. [remember, I said Artest is one of my favorite players]
Grandad
September 28th, 2010
8:23 pm
Ramon
Are you drunk?
Mz. Hawkdafied
September 28th, 2010
8:24 pm
I say congrats to Triple Threat (Joe, Josh, and Al). I see each one contributing to leading this team in their own individual ways. Perhaps their different traits will help keep things balanced. They can help each other carry the load and keep the team focused on what they plan to accomplish this year.
I really agree with Coach L.D.’s choice to name three captains. Triple Threat in full effect! Go Hawks!
Teezo
September 28th, 2010
8:24 pm
This was an obvious choice by Coach Drew…Who else would be captains…Like an earlier post said, Smith is an emotional leader…Horford has the heart of a lion and brings it every night…JJ leads by example…You can’t deny these 3, they have earned the team captains medal…Peace…
Mz. Hawkdafied
September 28th, 2010
8:30 pm
I think the Hawks acquired a big three without even trying. TRIPLE THREAT!
Ramon
September 28th, 2010
8:40 pm
Grandad, I agree. I wouldn’t do the trade either. It was just a thought that came to mind. If Artest mind state was on its best behavior, and Sund wasn’t going to re-sign Crawford. Then replacing Marvin with Artest (someone who can guard 3 positions) would be feasible, while still having salary space to re-sign Horford and sign the bargain free agents next season (there will be a lot of them).
Also I’m not drunk. I just get tired of people acting as if Horford is perfect. Horford has repeatedly stated he wants to play PF. So either he’s saying he doesn’t want Josh on the court or he doesn’t want Marvin on the court. Josh at the 3, with Horford at the 4, and a ‘traditional’ center at the 5 would leave Atlanta with only one shooter on the court whenever Teague is in the game. Where is the logic in that? Why wouldn’t a smart coach just run zone against that lineup? Also, Josh often times is giving Horford advice on defense, and on some offensive possessions (”Yo Al, move out Joe and ‘Mal’s way”)
Grandad
September 28th, 2010
8:57 pm
Defination of Coach:
Teacher, *psychologist*, media savvy, tactician, father figure,
authoritarian, middle management [yet] CEO @ the same time,
-&-
He Must Win @ All Costs!!!
*Psychologist = *handling Josh.
Right now LD sure seems to be on top of his game.
Grandad
September 28th, 2010
8:59 pm
Ramon
No disrespect, you just didn’t sound like yourself.
Ramon
September 28th, 2010
9:00 pm
@ Grandad, I agree.
Sound the Trumpet
September 28th, 2010
9:01 pm
“Defination of Coach” LMAO! You didn’t win the spelling bee did you ? Definition of funny!
Definition of a Coach? Mike Woodson!
DUDLEY DO RIGHT
September 28th, 2010
9:03 pm
Did you mean Defamation of a coach or Definition of a coach?
Ramon
September 28th, 2010
9:08 pm
Lol @ Grandad, thanks ( I think) lol. I just think Smoove is as important to this franchise as Al is. Okafor, Chandler, Brand, and others have done what Al does. But who has done what Smoove does?
Ramon
September 28th, 2010
9:09 pm
Smoove could be an 18/10/5/2/2 player this year! And by all accounts he should be able to (if he raise his free throw shooting).
DUDLEY DO RIGHT
September 28th, 2010
9:15 pm
I think what Al is saying is that he knows he’s not a center and is not comfortable playing that spot. He has been very clear that he wants to be back at his natural position. The only problem is Josh is a better power forward than Al.
Al is a solid power forward but Josh is easily top three and maybe the best power forward in the game today. He is so talented and can break teams down in many ways. Yea,”woody lite” better kiss his butt. Its both JJ and Josh’s team and fortunately those two get along very well and actually like each other.
Al is in a difficult situation being forced to play out of position. If the hawks had made a move to get a starting center with defensive strengths Im sure Al would have been comfortable with getting minutes behind Josh and playing some center.
As it plays out, Al may force a trade this year or next to get to a team where he can play the game he likes. Unfortunately for Al, Atlanta native Josh Smith is headed for stardom, is in front of him and better than him.
MsDee
September 28th, 2010
9:22 pm
Ramon,
I too would love to see stats like that from Josh, and he can very well accomplish that! Horford could definitely have similar stats as well, 20/10/2 while Marvin with 13/8/2..Joe of course with 25/7/5/2steals
doc
September 28th, 2010
9:23 pm
gdad, agree. LD has it altogether thus far. talk is cheap i know and doesnt count a bit when it comes to performance and wins. however it is sure setting the stage if he continues along this path and the guys listen and do what he wants them to do on the court. it might be a fun year to hear what he has to say.
MsDee
September 28th, 2010
9:24 pm
Well maybe Horford with 15/10/2 instead 20 pts
DOS HAWKQUIS
September 28th, 2010
9:27 pm
Larry Drew has really, really, really impressed me. As an educator, one thing that I learned while student teaching, is to get the “bully” or hard to manage child on YOUR SIDE. Make him the “captain” of your classroom. Let him pass out books, take the attendance to office, etc. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT LARRY IS DOING!! THIS WILL WORK!!! LARRY IS USING PSYCHOLOGY AND AS A 15 YEAR EDUCATOR, THIS WORKS EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
I would not be surprised to see the Hawks record be better than Miami!! Spoelstra, a young coach in experience, has to manage three superstar egos, the pressure and scrutiny, and having Pat Riley looking over your shoulder. Larry Drew has a team that has been together 5+ yrs, they are young athletic, and with a new offense. GO HAWKS!!!
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends.”
Najeh Davenpoop
September 28th, 2010
9:29 pm
Considering that Jamal is most likely not going to be a Hawk next year and Marvin is mediocre in every way shape and form, a Jamal + Marvin for Artest trade would be fantastic… not that the Lakers would ever do it.
rabiddawg
September 28th, 2010
9:30 pm
Here’s an idea. How about trading jamal crawford and a draft pick or hell, whoever denver wants for melo. He is dying to get out of denver. Have him sign an extension. Imagine that lineup. Teague, jj, horford, smoove and melo. That lineup could match miami. Wishful thinking. But seriously, why haven’t we been mentioned anywhere in any melo talks. Just wondering.
i_am_soulstar
September 28th, 2010
9:43 pm
Rabiddawg,
I seriously wonder the same, as we seriously are a Carmelo Anthony trade away from title contention. But the answer may be that we don’t have the pieces that the Nuggets want, or that the ASG are more serious about avoiding the luxury tax than we think.
DUDLEY DO RIGHT
September 28th, 2010
9:45 pm
Drew is Kissing Josh’s Butt! Josh and JJ actually like The first woodson very much. The pressure is already on Woody lite so he has to make friends.
Any way, it doesnt matter who you name captain. The strongest spirit will rule the lock room anyway.I love josh’s fire and hes a leader on the team whether Drew likes it or not. Its in his best interest to get recognize whose in charge.
Heres what Slam thinks of Josh:
Top 50: Josh Smith, no. 27
The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.
by Manny Maduakolam / @No_Ceiling2
What do you think are some of the worst things that can happen to a player in the NBA?
I’m pretty sure getting dunked on is in your top 3. It’s demoralizing to a man and sometimes destroys careers, just ask Shawn Bradley. Who doesn’t love watching a good dunk, juJosh Smithst like a homerun in MLB or a huge hit in the NFL? Getting dunked on is an amazing thing to witness.
When the NBA is in full swing, we can always count on ESPN Top 10 Plays to see some highlights that make you jump out your seat. Josh Smith is one of the players who is a common fixture in that Top 10.
There are NBA players who, when you have an opportunity to watch them play, you wouldn’t miss it for the world because, quite frankly, you don’t want to be the guy in the bar conversation who missed a game-winning dunk or the guy in the lunch room who didn’t see Josh Smith throw a Brandon Jennings shot off the backboard.
Who can ever forget the 2005 Slam Dunk Contest when Josh Smith caught an alley-oop and hit a windmill from outside the circle… over Kenyon Martin. Or even better, when he threw on the Dominique Wilkins jersey and hit the windmill from outside the box. I literally was speaking in tongues after I saw that dunk; the man has springs for legs.
Name some of the most electric players in the NBA right now. Of course, you hear the usual, but one man who you must count is Josh Smith. Athletic ability alone, there’s few in the League who even come close to this man; just ask Steve Nash, or Kendrick Perkins, or Primoz Brezec, and that’s just to name a few.
But what makes him different from the Desmond Masons and Fred Jones of the world is he actually can do a lot more than dunk (go figure, right?). The six-year, 6-9 240-pound Oak Hill alum has cemented himself as more than just a quality player in the NBA, but an all-around force in the League.
His running mate, Joe Johnson, gets all the attention and love out of Atlanta but it’s Josh Smith who makes that team go, and it’s Josh Smith who is the leader of that team, third on the team scoring, second in rebounding and assists, first in steals, first in shooting percentage. Smith played every game last season, and voted to the Second Team All-Defensive team.
This man is a complete and solid NBA player who performs when called upon and always takes the hardest defensive assignments, normally guarding defends players who are bigger than him (he’s a 6-9 “powerforward”).
The most surprising thing about Josh Smith is that he’s never been to an All-Star game yet in his career *cough cough* like he should have been last season. A player who has improved every year since being drafted 2004 and seventh overall by the Atlanta Hawks, all Josh Smith has done since being selected is get better.
He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during his rookie year in the 2005 by a land slide with some of the sickest dunks I have ever seen, displaying his superior athletic ability and creativity. But just being a “dunker” was not enough for Josh Smith, he went on to averaged 9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.95 blocks per game for the ‘04–05 season and was selected to the Second Team All-Rookie team.
He continued his steady development as the years went by, improving in every facet of his game making him a complete and well-rounded basketball player. On February 2, 2010, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Smith became the youngest player (at 24 years old) to block 1,000 shots, and he’s only improving.
He may even unseat back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard this upcoming season. It’s time for this man to get his just rewards and recognition, and I firmly believe NBA fans will take notice.
DUDLEY DO RIGHT
September 28th, 2010
9:45 pm
Locker room
Big Ray
September 28th, 2010
9:51 pm
I like the move by Larry Drew. Why not? Worse case scenario, Josh earns himself out of being a team captain at some point. Best case scenario, he becomes a true leader in the best way that benefits the team. Moving on…
As much as I like Josh Smith, I couldn’t name him as a top 3 PF in the league. Top 3 means all-star level, which Josh hasn’t earned yet (though he kinda got snubbed last year by the coaches). Even with his amazing blend of talents and stats, 15 pts, 8 rbs, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. That’s not “top 3″ overall. Defensively? Heck yeah. Overall? Not quite yet. Become a double double guy first, or average more points. And stop whining to the refs.
How is it that Al’s desire to play more PF is an indication that he doesn’t want Josh or Marvin on the floor? I’m calling BS there, as you KNOW Al wants Josh on the floor. Marvin? Well, what’s Marvin done lately that makes anybody want him on the floor as a starter? Just sayin’….
As for Al, if this is what you got from his comments, then you should say the same of Larry Drew, who has more than once said he wants to employ Al at the PF more, himself. Is Al perfect? Hardly.
I also find it funny that some people think he should be traded for a starting center. Really? So what self-respecting NBA team trades a solid starting center for a PF who is “not as good as Josh?” Exactly. No logic in that idea, none whatsoever. Just a hatred for a particular player, and the need-based agenda for getting rid of said player.
The Ayatollah
September 28th, 2010
10:01 pm
What makes Larry Drew “Woodson Lite”? That makes no sense whatsoever. Woodson fights with Josh. Drew makes Josh a co team captain. I wonder which one Josh likes more NOW.
If Josh is such a great power forward then maybe Drew recognizes this and wants him to become even better. All Woodson ever did was let the boy shoot 3 pointers all night. Drew makes the guys run hard and work hard in practice. Woodson had them playing around in practice, we saw this on last season’s televised training camp. “Woodson Lite” my azz. Drew is the guy they should have hired 2 years ago when Sund was stupid enough to give Woodson that new contract.
DUDLEY DO RIGHT
September 28th, 2010
10:12 pm
Al made it clear all summer, to the ajc, to woody lite, to the associated press and in a thought provoking interview. Yeah Als clear. He play where every he’s told because he a team play but he is not the power forward josh Is
I have to agree with the article from Slam. Josh is in the top 27 of “all” players and he will only go up from here!
Big Ray
September 28th, 2010
10:14 pm
Trading for Carmelo Anthony is a mixture of needing Denver to be desperate (which I don’t think they are, quite yet), and the ASG being willing to throw money at their own “Big 3″ or “Big 4″.
I don’t think the money is there, and the trade would likely involve either Josh or Al. I don’t know that we’d manage keeping both and adding ‘Melo. And if anybody thinks JJ and Jamal can be a chemistry issue, then they should really fear the idea of JJ and ‘Melo. Nice wishful thinking, if the only thing you’re looking at is how great it looks on paper.
As for the ASG avoiding the luxury tax, I have absolutely no doubts that they are dead serious about it. Those guys are in love with the concept of their “core” and not paying the luxury tax. Ain’t gonna happen unless it’s for a special player, and they won’t go for a trade of the “core” (unless maybe it’s Marvin).
DUDLEY DO RIGHT
September 28th, 2010
10:15 pm
He was already a captain, with out the title. Josh is a leader…on the court and in the locker room. Whether you recognize it or not. He dont need no title and you cant buy Josh’s affection. Why dont you ask Josh if he like Mike Woodson? Hed surely smile!
DUDLEY DO RIGHT
September 28th, 2010
10:17 pm
Id love to get Carmello here! If Al want to play power forward cool. Let him have his way.
JJ, Teague Mello Smith and a real center.
Big Ray
September 28th, 2010
10:17 pm
I could care less whether Josh likes Drew more than he did Woody. All I care about is that he responds and matures better from here on out. If responding better to Drew is part of that, then so be it.
I’d love to see him make the all-star team this year, and I’m actually expecting him to do so. I want to see him complain to the refs less, and to do so with credibility when he does. And stop giving up on plays. And average 10+ rebounds per game. That would be great. He’s got the hops for it, that’s for certain.