Atlanta Hawks: Smith on verge of statitistical milestone
Vivlamore reporting.
* The Hawks are off today prior to opening the regular season Friday against the Rockets. Here is my story on Josh Smith that will appear in Friday’s print edition of the AJC. A special note of thanks to the Hawks’ crack PR staff for providing the names below of all 23 players in NBA history to have amassed 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 1,000 blocks. The check is in the mail.
Josh Smith admits the chip is still squarely on his shoulder – even as he piles up statistics few in NBA history have amassed.
If he remains healthy for his ninth season Smith will become the 24th player in league history to reach 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 1,000 blocks. There are only eight players to do it with one team.
Hawks forward Josh Smith reacts after a Game 1 victory over the Celtics in the playoff last season.
Smith has career totals of 9,044 points (needs 956), 4,768 rebounds (needs 232), 1,849 assists (needs 151) and 1,304 blocks. If he puts up his career averages this season, he will reach the points milestone in 53 games, the rebounds in 29 games and the assists in 50 games.
“I’ve definitely accomplished a lot of things that a lot of people didn’t think I would accomplish but I’ve always believed in myself,” said Smith, who insists he doesn’t pay attention to statistics. “I’m definitely confident. I’m a confident person and I have a hard work ethic.”
The Hawks used the 17th overall selection of the 2004 draft to pick Smith straight out of high school. The words of Jay Bilas on draft night still ring in Smith’s ears, even though he refuses to mention the ESPN analyst by name. At the time of the selection, 10 picks after the Hawks selected Josh Childress, Bilas said this of Smith: “If you had to pick which guy was most likely to be a bust in the first round, it would be this guy. He has no right hand and he can’t shoot.”
While some considered the pick a long-shot, Smith believes quite the opposite.
“I felt like I should have been drafted earlier but things happen,” Smith said. “I’m still here. There are a lot of people that went in front of me that aren’t in this league. When I got called, people said I was going to be the biggest bust in my draft. One particular person. It’s all good. I prevailed. I persevered through all the negativity. I will continue to keep working hard to continue to prove those people wrong.”
By comparison, Childress is playing with his third NBA team, with a stop in Greece, and has 3,534 career points. Of the 28 other first-round picks in his draft, 11 are not in the league. That includes four players taken ahead of Smith.
Smith likely won’t be the only player to reach the multiple milestones this season. Rasheed Wallace needs just 12 assists and Shawn Marion needs 140 assists.
Smith, who will become an unrestricted free agent following the season, will join Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Julius Erving, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett to accomplish the feat with the same team.
“It really doesn’t matter what people think about me or say about me,” Smith said. “I just go out there and play and not worry about any outside distractions. It feels good to prove people wrong. I’m not going to lie to you on that. It feels good. I will always play with a chip on my shoulder. I’ve been fortunate to play with one ball club for this long. That’s a rarity in this league. I’m definitely blessed and fortunate to be a part of the Atlanta Hawks.”
Smith, who is from College Park and played at McEachern High before finishing at Virginia’s Oak Hill Academy, relishes being a part of the group that turned the fortunes of the organization. The team opens the regular season Friday in search of its sixth straight trip to the postseason. Being from the area, Smith said he remembers the lean times in the post-Dominique Wilkins era.
Larry Drew has been with the Hawks for Smith’s entire tenure, first as an assistant and now entering his third season has head coach. He has seen Smith mature – on and off the court – into a player he entrusts with a captaincy.
“He is certainly a player, one of the few players, who can impact the game on both ends of the floor,” Drew said. “But as a young man I’m proud of how he has matured. I notice something different about him every year we come back. You can see that he is going to take every challenge I throw at him. That is who he is.”
The Hawks and Smith will not talk contract during the season. They will wait until the summer when Smith can test free agency and the Hawks can offer extra years on a contract offer.
While his future in Atlanta has at least one more chapter to be written, Smith plans to keep his focus away from outside distractions. The stats they just keep coming.
MILESTONE MAKERS
Here is the list of the 23 players in NBA history to reach 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 1,000 blocks.
Hakeem Olajuwon*
David Robinson*
Patrick Ewing*
Karl Malone*
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Robert Parish
Elvin Hayes
Julius Erving*
Bob Lanier
Tim Duncan*
Shaquille O’Neal
Dirk Nowitzki*
Kevin Garnett*
Mychal Thompson
Larry Nance
Vlade Divac
Elton Brand
Pau Gasol
Chris Webber
Horace Grant
Clifford Robinson
Sam Lacey
Jack Sikma
* – Done with same team
- Story by Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Smith, Horford are interim captains
* Five things we learned from the preseason
* Teague, Pachulia return to full-contact practice, ready for opener
* Failure not an option for Tolliver
* Hawks ownership ‘extremely’ fortunate to keep stake in team
* Anderson, James waived in final cuts
* Video: Hawks still implementing new offense
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181 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
12:32 pm
Melvin, oh. Yeah, I was knocking the frontcourt based on one game. But I lauded Harden at 10:46. I just think his frontcourt won’t allow them to make the playoffs.
cp
November 1st, 2012
12:33 pm
Yea I might have watched portions of every game that came on last night. I think Marvin will have his best season this year. He just looks comfortable out there. I was never a big fan of his but I wish him well…I dont think Stevenson will be able to slow down Harden. I can see him having another big game but I think the Hawks win.
Slimjr
November 1st, 2012
12:39 pm
What a travesty by the NBA to not make Josh an Allstar?
He became stat stuffer last season once Al went down.. He led his team into the playoffs!
Slimjr
November 1st, 2012
12:40 pm
Harden will light Stevenson up.. I expect him to go for 30 more on Friday..
ag
November 1st, 2012
12:41 pm
DeShaun looked washed up in the preseason. Hardin will abuse him. This is were I wish James was on the team. A bigger more athletic player. He would also help us with the rebounding.
As far as Jenkins at a club on Ponce……..???? Maybe because I have not been out in many years, but NEVER went to clubs on Ponce.
Slimjr
November 1st, 2012
12:43 pm
Harden will make Stevenson consider retiring..
He may go for 45
Sam
November 1st, 2012
12:47 pm
When you’re option A, B, and C on your team for scoring, you have to score. Who else on the Rockets is gonna make buckets?
Terrible signing. 5 years at $50M wouldn’t have been the worst contract in the world, but $16M a year is terrible.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 1st, 2012
12:51 pm
“Did you see Jay Bilas’ tweet from early October when he posted one of Jeezy’s lyric but did not edit it first?”
Haha, yeah, I saw that. Gotta be careful these days.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 1st, 2012
12:52 pm
Don’t know about the other clubs on Ponce but MJQ has dirt cheap drinks and always plays good music.
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
12:59 pm
I don’t think Harden must be stopped to beat the Rockets. I think Harden will have several games where he will score 35+ this season and the Rockets will lose. Tomorrow may well be one of those games.
Slimjr
November 1st, 2012
1:11 pm
When was the last time the Hawks beat the Pistons..Lately the Pistons have been putting a can of whup azz up on the Hawks..
Rockets just beat the Piston by how many last night.. Impressive win indeed from a Hawks point of view…
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
1:15 pm
Slim, 3-0 against the Pistons last season and beat them by 30 the last time we played them.
http://espn.go.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/atl/year/2012/atlanta-hawks
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
1:17 pm
And the Rockets were losing by 9 going into the 4th quarter against the Pistons last night.
Slimjr
November 1st, 2012
1:19 pm
Thanks AJ. Cool..
Slimjr
November 1st, 2012
1:21 pm
We’ll just chalk up last Friday’s game as a fluke…
Slimjr
November 1st, 2012
1:22 pm
Hou 105
Det 96
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
1:24 pm
Slim, players were upset about Damion James leaving the team. I’m certain that was the cause for the last preseason beatdown.
Slimjr
November 1st, 2012
1:30 pm
Hahahah AJ….
DS
November 1st, 2012
1:39 pm
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s game. The highlight factory better be packed!!
ag
November 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
Harden is going for 40!!! Hawks will win, but we don’t have anyone who can stop him.
vava74
November 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
I am more worried with Asik getting 18 rebounds than Harden getting 35 points.
Rebounding advantage – on average – decides more games that a single player having a very strong outing points wise.
Give Him the JJ Superstar Treatment
November 1st, 2012
1:54 pm
…..Doublle him as soon as he touches the ball. He hasn’t been scouted or treated like a #1 option in the NBA yet. It’s time fior his education.
Give Him the JJ Superstar Treatment
November 1st, 2012
1:55 pm
I’m talking about Harden.
DS
November 1st, 2012
1:59 pm
C-Viv I’m sure you would have reported it if you knew anything but I’ll ask anwyay: any news on Fesenko? how did the workout go?
Melvin
November 1st, 2012
2:16 pm
Didn’t the Pistons beat the Hawks doing preseason…LOL
Rusty
November 1st, 2012
2:16 pm
Even tho JJ was a good player he did nothing to help this team have any ball movement making our offense to be stagnant & predictable . This hurt other players on the team.
jlewis
November 1st, 2012
2:21 pm
I am totally confused, to say JJ was not the man here, people forget how many games ATL won before he got here. The guy played 40 minutes a night, put up numbers, guarded 1-4 and he’s a scrub….please. I’m still confused by what was wrong with what Jay Bilas said about Josh, its the truth, he still can’t shoot, as evidenced by the groans in Phillips when he wounds one up, and he still has no right hand. I can say this, he does get numbers, but he is a momentum killer. Just wait when at the end of a game and he doesnt get the last shot, lets see who the one with the selfishness and holding the team back. This is not hate, just a fact….because coaches pick the all-star team, if they loved his game that much, he would have been an all-star.
Rusty
November 1st, 2012
2:25 pm
It was quite obvious that LD had no control with what went on with the offense last year
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
2:25 pm
Melvin, so what did you think of the Pistons and Rockets last night? not individual players… but the overall team performance? Did they look like lottery teams or teams in the 7-9 seeding range to you?
The Truth
November 1st, 2012
2:28 pm
“any news on Fesenko? how did the workout go?” – DS
LOL, knowing LD he wasn’t impress. But then again, mobile Big guys that can defend and rebound won’t have a chance with LD. Instead he likely looking for an undersize center that can shoot. Someone like Okur except he’s too big for LD.
jlewis
November 1st, 2012
2:31 pm
@truth
LOL, if he was that good(Fesenko), would he have a job by now other than trying out with the Hawks this late?
Rusty
November 1st, 2012
2:33 pm
When JJ came here we were a raw team with young players with no experience. We added a lot of pieces ,we hadno where to go but up i’m not saying JJ didn’t play a huge role but later on he just monopolzed the ball way to much. He just could not carry a team , he was too inconsistent.
Sam
November 1st, 2012
2:33 pm
C-viv, did you know that you spelled “statistical” wrong in the heading? One two many “it” ’s in yours.
jlewis
November 1st, 2012
2:36 pm
@ rusty, who was the point guard to get him shots, who was the other player on the team that could shoot, who was the other wing that could defend and give him a rest for the stretch run? The guy didnt monopolize the ball on his own, it was the offense, Woody is running the same offense in New York with Carmelo.
Sam
November 1st, 2012
2:41 pm
It says a lot that we didn’t notice the misspelling for almost 7 hours!
Sam
November 1st, 2012
2:41 pm
*too
hot.trod.87
November 1st, 2012
2:41 pm
Stat Stuffer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
November 1st, 2012
2:47 pm
I think the Rockets will be competing for a 7th-8th seed.
I think the Hawks will be competing for the 5-8 spot.
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
2:47 pm
jlewis, you don’t seem to understand, every player who is unemployed right now is a potentially great fit for the Hawks if not for the fact that the Hawks employ poor talent evaluators. If any unemployed basketball player in the past 6 years had been able to join the Hawks at any point in the past 6 years, we would have won several titles by now. The players aren’t the problem, it is management that is the problem. There are no players who can’t perform at NBA levels, only coaches who can develop them to perform at NBA levels.
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
2:48 pm
OB, how about those mighty Pistons who defeated us badly last week? Will they be competing for a 5-8 seed?
jlewis
November 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
@ Astro….I do understand and I can agree with you, except in the case of bigs, every team is looking for one, and the only available bigs that could have helped the hawks in the past were veterans and they didnt want to come here, i’m sure you can agree with that. You are also right about management, thats the case I make when they try to blame JJ and Marvin for holding the hawks back, the roster had to many duplicate players at the power forward position, couldnt secure depth or a big man that could score the ball or a point guard. For those that think Teague is a point guard, he is NOT.
Artman
November 1st, 2012
2:58 pm
Ken,
I respect a lot of what you say and recognize you put a lot of thinking in your analysis of the Hawks. However your ANAL MINDED MORONS reference is a little over the top. It does not serve you but trivializes you. I recognize your frustration but you are a better than that.
i_am_soulstar
November 1st, 2012
3:04 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
November 1st, 2012
12:52 pm
Don’t know about the other clubs on Ponce but MJQ has dirt cheap drinks and always plays good music.
*****************************************************************************
Co-sign. Awesome place to dance. Random celebs pop in and party w/ the crowd pretty regularly.
The Truth
November 1st, 2012
3:06 pm
@truth
“LOL, if he was that good(Fesenko), would he have a job by now other than trying out with the Hawks this” – jlewis
Beyond injury prone Zaza, Fesenko would be a serious upgrade for the Hawks. If Boston and Dallas had used your logic and pass on the unemployed players Barbosa and Curry who have made them better, they would still be shopping to a no avail.
Rusty
November 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
JT is a good pg ,has great speed,great jumping ability & doesn’t turn the ball over,plus plays better defense then any pg we had for years. The only problem he has is inexperience & we can blame woody & LD for that plus LD yanks him around & is always screwing with him.
i_am_soulstar
November 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
Outside of Harden and Lin, the Rockets are weak. I’m less than worried.
Astro Joe
November 1st, 2012
3:17 pm
RIP, Pascual Perez. One of my favorite Atlanta “sports characters”.
i_am_soulstar
November 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
The fact that he played 44 minutes against the Pistons give you an idea of the backcourt depth they have.
High-sider
November 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
James Harden gets a 5yr, $80mil. contract with the help of his [sports] agent Rob Pelinka, former teammate of the Michigan “Fab Five” [basketball] team.
http://hoopshype.com/agents/rob_pelinka.htm
Texas Pete
November 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
The problem all the haters fail to realize is that Josh’s “letdowns” were usually because the guy we paid to be our #1 didn’t carry his end of the deal. Josh was never meant to be our best player or our go-to guy. Even after we drafted Horford, Josh was intended to be our #3 guy in the crunch time pecking order.
The Hawks would have been fools to let him go.