Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith doubtful for Game 3 with knee injury
A person with knowledge of the prognosis for Josh Smith said the Hawks forward is doubtful to play in Game 3 against the Celtics Friday after he suffered a left knee injury in Game 2 Tuesday.
The person said Smith has patellar tendonitis with inflammation in the injured area but an MRI revealed no structural damage. If Smith misses Game 3 he likely would return for Game 4 Sunday in Boston, according to the person.
The person did not want to be identified because the Hawks have not released details of Smith’s injury. The Hawks released a statement that said Smith is day-to-day with a “strained left tendon.”
Smith suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s 87-80 defeat to Boston. He appeared to pull up limping after a layup attempt and later aggravated it while jostling for rebounding position with Boston’s Kevin Garnett.
Smith played through nagging injuries during the regular season. Smith and Jeff Teague were the only starters to play in all 66 games.
“I know Josh is a guy if it’s just hurting him, he’s going to play,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said before Smith’s MRI results were known. “He has that kind of toughness. But if it’s a situation where he positively, absolutely can’t play, then he won’t be out there.
“I’m always worried in these situations. He’ s just been so good for us and certainly he’s a key component in order for us to have success. With both of your centers out and looking at your power forward being injured, I’m hoping for the best. ”
The Hawks also are without Al Horford (pectoral) and Zaza Pachulia (foot). Horford has ruled himself out for the entire series but there is a chance Pachulia can return if the series is extended.
Drew said Smith’s injury has no bearing on the timetable for Horford and Pachulia.
“I ask every day how they are doing, but me asking and wanting them back is not going to speed up the process whether they are ready or not,” Drew said. “If they are ready and they can play I am sure they would play. If Josh is not ready to go, and if Zaza and Al are not ready, I will just have to be without all three guys and we will march on. As bad as I want those guys back, if those guys aren’t ready to play I can’t push it or pressure them into playing.”
If the Hawks have to play without Smith, they’d be left with no effective low-post scorers or help defenders in the frontcourt. Ivan Johnson would be about it as far as big men who can rebound.
Drew’s options for the lineup would include starting Johnson at power forward alongside Jason Collins or going small with Marvin Williams, Vladimir Radmanovic or Tracy McGrady at power forward.
None of those options is likely to do much to help Atlanta’s anemic offense. Smith’s ability to score in the post and ignite the fast break after rebounds have been the most reliable options for the Hawks in this series.
“We have to make a decision who to insert into the starting lineup,” Drew said. “It changes the matchups. Defensively, we would have to make adjustments. Offensively we are certainly going to have to do some things differently. As far as posting up, he’s the guy I’ve really been going through a lot. We would have to tweak things quite a bit.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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272 comments Add your comment
O'brien
May 3rd, 2012
3:25 pm
SteveW,
Too often, Jamal settles for the jumper or fadeaway 3, while trying to draw a foul, instead of driving to the bucket.
Anyways, if the Hawks had the money (and knew what they were doing), it would be good to have 2 legit bench players on the bench (for example, Jamal and Pietrus). When you need offense, give Jamal extended minutes, but when you need defense, put Pietrus in.
The problem for the Hawks is we dont have a legit defensive bench player, and we dont have a legit offensive bench player, mostly due to bad asset management.
We are in the luxury tax, despite 8 guys making the vet min, and one guy on a rookie contract.
SteveW
May 3rd, 2012
3:25 pm
Sautee – Now your back to arguing facts again. We don’t want facts, we want our opinions. We are fans (short for fanatics) so don’t bother us with the facts. It’s emotion, whether we like a player/Coach or something – how dare you bog us done with those unsightly facts.
We lost and we have to blame somebody!!
Actually, after looking at some of the game, and studying it out – just give props to Paul Pierce and go home. He played lights out, he played like a champion, our hope for coming back left the game with 4:20 remaining in the person of Josh.
Paul Pierce is a Champion and we are not, that’s really game, set and match, at least for that game.
Now on to game 3
Sautee
May 3rd, 2012
3:27 pm
Anybody else noticing that at times this site won’t reload?
High-sider
May 3rd, 2012
3:28 pm
“Rod, it’s not about the total points, it’s WHEN you need to get stops.
If you’ve held a team to 60 points going into the 4th quarter, you have to maintain enough defensive intensity to NOT let them break 80. You just can’t all of a sudden give up 25 points in the 4th quarter. That’s when your defense needs to be at its toughest.
The guys that you covet like Nick Young and Jamal Crawford, are not added to great teams for a reason. They’re not added because their games are too one-dimensional. And they’re too streaky of shooters.
But that’s what YOU like. Those streaky shooters who if they’re shot is not on, can shoot you right out of the game . . and make things worse because they’re not stopping anybody.” – northcyde
This is coming from a guy [northcyde] that a few days/weeks ago gave Marvin Williams a rating/grade [of] 81/”B-” for his [Marvin Williams'] regular season performance. Are you [bloggers] truly going to continue to listen to him [northcyde] and ask for his “basketball” advice like he’s some sort of expert NBA analyst or basketball “guru”? I can see/read it now. Just like Mike Fratello is/was called the “czar of the telestrator,” you [bloggers] will be calling northcyde the “czar of the AJC Hawks Blog.” [smh]
northcyde does make some good points from time to time but he [northcyde] is to the “AJC Hawks Blog” what Skip Bayless is to “ESPN First Take” – pure sensationalism and shock value.
So, northcyde, I guess Mike Bibby is better than Jamal Crawford and Nick Young since Mike Bibby was acquired and played for the Miami Heat last year; the Heat [team] was a title contender last postseason and is a title contender this postseason.
So, I guess Boris Diaw and Stephen Jackson are infinitely better than Jamal Crawford and Nick Young since both Diaw and Jackson were acquired by the Spurs via midseason trade[s] during this past regular season. The Spurs [team] is a title contender this postseason.
So, I guess Derek Fisher, at this stage in his career, is infinitely better than Jamal Crawford and Nick Young because Derek Fisher was acquired by the OKC Thunder during this past regular season. The OKC Thunder is a title contender this postseason.
So, I guess Ramon Sessions is infinitely better than Jamal Crawford and Nick Young because Ramon Sessions was acquired by the LA Lakers during this past regular season. The LA Lakers are a title contender this postseason; let’s just forget about the fact that the LA Clippers [team] sees itself as a title contender this postseason.
So, I guess Gilbert Arenas, at this stage in his career, is infinitely better than Crawford and Young since Gilbert Arenas was acquired by the Memphis Grizzlies this regular season. The Memphis Grizzlies [team] is considered [by many NBA experts] a very dangerous playoff opponent and a “dark horse” to win the Western Conference crown. The Memphis Grizzlies [team] sees itself as a title contender this postseason.
So, finally, I guess Mike Bibby, Boris Diaw, Stephen Jackson, Derek Fisher, Ramon Sessions and Gilbert Arenas are all better than Monta Ellis because Monta Ellis has yet to be acquired by a title contender thus far in his [Monta Ellis'] career. Monta Ellis was traded to the Bucks this past regular season.
Midseason trades or trades, in general, are based/determined/executed on teams’ needs, players’ contract value[s], teams’ salary cap structure[s], players’ fit on [the] teams, players’ attitudes, timing, availability, injuries to key players, etc.
BIG DOG
May 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
LD need not cut rotation, but extend the bench as for as playing atleast 11guys, the bench Hawks have are solid and will come thru for LD but he must be patient and let the guys on bench get there rythm, playing them 3mins then bringing them back out is not a rythm, play your bench LD and have confidence in them like all year and the Hawks will win.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
SteveW
May 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
OB – Now I agree with that. Coach TT kind of has that luxury with his bench in Chicago. We don’t.
But about Jamal settling, is there anybody on this team that doesn’t settle? I mean, i see guys on other teams getting to the line 10+ times a game – 1 guy! That’ just ain’t happenin’ to guys in the Hawks uni’s – and it’s not just about us not getting calls either.
MsDee
May 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
@doc
No need to kill these guys like that, KNOWING we dont have what it takes AT THIS PRESENT TIME to win it all. Boston CAN take chances for several reasons: 1) They have rings, 2) three Hall of Famers on their team, & 3) Its a strong possibility that this is their final year as the ‘Big Three” so they have many reasons to go all out and burn themselves out cause at the end of the day, “THEY ARE TRUE VETERANS”. They know how to win with or w/o their ‘ideal’ line-up.
MsDee
May 3rd, 2012
3:32 pm
BIG DOG
May 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
LD need not cut rotation, but extend the bench as for as playing atleast 11guys, the bench Hawks have are solid and will come thru for LD but he must be patient and let the guys on bench get there rythm, playing them 3mins then bringing them back out is not a rythm, play your bench LD and have confidence in them like all year and the Hawks will win.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Now THATS what Im talking about u BIG DOG U!!
SteveW
May 3rd, 2012
3:33 pm
I will tell you, LA may regret the day they trade DFish – he’s just what OKC needs, especially with Maynor out (I think he’s still out).
DFish, Perkins, Nazr – Those guys can help lead those other young guys to a Championship. OKC has their hands full with Dallas right now though, and they better not look ahead but take care of the business at hand. They’ve almost lost both those games at Home. Now that would have been ugly.
doc
May 3rd, 2012
3:34 pm
zero is zero.
minus plus/minus’ were lopsided to the second line players over the “starters”. marvin the worst at -13.
SteveW
May 3rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Big Dog – I’m not against giving that a try,especially if our starters get down 8 points or more in the first qtr. Give them some burn, let them get in rythym and see what they can do. I know you cut rotations in the playoffs, but this is the 1st round, and if we’re losing already pretty significantly – these are vets, they may surprise you.
I know they sure surprised me enough in the regular season – Pargo and Green especially.
SteveW
May 3rd, 2012
3:37 pm
“traded” DFish, not “trade” as in the above post.
BIG DOG
May 3rd, 2012
3:37 pm
Hinrich should not starte but only rotate with Pargo for backup role at PG, LD making adjustment moving Joe back SG is a advantage for Hawks, but playing him SF against Pierce is advantage Boston, LD must figure out mismatch for Hawks advantage.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
glw
May 3rd, 2012
3:42 pm
I hate to say it, but if Smoove cant go in Game 3, the best option is to start Marvin at 4. Maybe giving Marvin the start will get him into the flow of the game better.
But LD must come with the right combinations to help cover up the loss of Smoove.
Joe definitely will have to carry the offensive load….but other will have to help for sure. that means TMac defnitely has to play more than 5 minutes. Playing Joe and TMac together will give Joe time to rest a bit both offensively and defensively. While JOe will have to spend some minutes guarding Pierce, when possible we need to use TMac and Marvin on Pierce.
2. This is the perfect time to utitlize Radmonvic, I would insert Radmonovic when I have Tmac and Joe on the floor, adding that shooter that can spread the floor will help against the Celtics tight half court defense.
So your best quality half court offense will be
1 Kirk or Teague
2 Joe
3 Tmac
4 Radmonovic
5 Ivan,or Colllins,or Damp
3. The Hawks, thought shorthanded, must run. Teague will get out and run. one good thing about if Josh is out of the lineup is you dont have to worry about Josh trying to lead the break, get the rebound give it to Teague and let him push. The guys most obvious to run with him will be Marvin and Ivan.
1 Teague
2. Kirk or Joe
3 Joe or TMac
4 Marvin
5. Ivan
MsDee
May 3rd, 2012
3:42 pm
Oh and in case u guys forgot, Pierce, KG, & Rondo all rested darn near 2 weeks b4 playing in this 1st round while Josh, Joe, & Jeff played til the end. So dont try and say our 3 guys should be able to HANG IN THERE like Pierce and KG just b/c we are younger and crap like that. At the end of the day, EVERY TEAM PLAYED 66 FREAKING GAMES AND ALL ARE VERY TIRED, NO MATTER THE AGE. Our guys need there rest as well!
BIG DOG
May 3rd, 2012
3:48 pm
Teague vs Rondo – Teague must attack.
Joe vs Avery – Joe should get ball more in the post against a smaller player in Avery is advantage Hawks.
Vlad vs Pierce – size matter 6′10 Vlad guarding Pierce on the perimeter making more difficult for him is a great explore for coach LD.
Ivan vs Bass – Ivan would eat his launch advantage Hawks
Collins vs KG – Collins keep up the good work and keeping KG out of the paint, Collins size in the paint is the role need to be played.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Sautee
May 3rd, 2012
3:49 pm
“zero is zero.
minus plus/minus’ were lopsided to the second line players over the “starters”. marvin the worst at -13.” – doc
Point well taken. Marvin should NEVER have played so many minutes. But back to my point about where the “blame” if one must cast it, lies. The “lesser” group you complained about gave up 3 points in 5 possessions, with 1 turnover. And some valuable momentum.
Once the finishers came in, THEY gave up 23 points in 20 possessions. With 5 turnovers in 9:37.
But this 2:23 minute stint lost the game?
Rod from College Park
May 3rd, 2012
3:56 pm
SteveW,
“NC – I know what your saying. But at the same time, Jamal could also take it to the hole if he wanted to, and draw some FT action.”
This is another convienient point that the two stooges continue to leave out, and is probably the most important thing in the playoffs. Jamal got to the free throw line last year in the playoffs more than anyone on our team not named Josh Smith. He also is a great free throw shooter. so when the play breaks down, and the ball was in his hands, not only could he take his man off the dribble, he could also penetrate, stop and pop, or get to the line better than the 20 million dollar man.
BIG DOG
May 3rd, 2012
3:59 pm
Teague, Joe, Vlad, Ivan, Collins
Pargo and Hinrich, Green, Tmac, Marvin, Dampier
Dampier must Play.
Hawks win game 3 from correct adjustment.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Sautee
May 3rd, 2012
4:04 pm
“or get to the line better than the 20 million dollar man.”
Not setting the bar very high are you, Rod?
Michael Cunningham
May 3rd, 2012
4:24 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.
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