Atlanta Hawks: Smith still questionable against Pacers (updated)
Vivlamore reporting from Hawks practice.
The big question is the condition of Josh Smith and his sprained right ankle. Smith was a “limited” participant in practice Tuesday. Coach Larry Drew said the forward is still listed as day-to-day and a decision on his status for Wednesday’s game against the Pacers has not been determined.
I can tell you that following practice, Smith and Mike Scott spent between 10 and 15 minutes working together on their post-up and outside moves. They appeared to be going close to, if not at, full speed. I’m sure a lot will depend on how Smith’s ankle responds to Tuesday’s workout.
I will let you hear it from Smith himself. Here is a portion of the post-practice interview I did with him:
Q. How is the ankle?
A. “It feels good. We are still taking it day by day. We are not announcing anything right now but it feels good.
Q. When did you do it because you played the whole fourth quarter (against the Rockets)?
A. I did it early in the fourth when I contested a (James) Harden layup attempt and I came down on his foot. It was kind of a bang-bang play, it happened real quick, so I just tried to tighten my shoelaces up and grind though it but it was still painful to play. I just tried to continue to play because I thought we had an opportunity to win.
Q. When you took you shoe off it swelled?
A. Most definitely. You go to sleep and the next day it’s stiff and there is a different feeling.
Q. Did you watch the Thunder game?
A. Most definitely. I’m the biggest cheerleader when I’m not playing. I’m the number one fan.
Q. What were your thoughts about how they did without you?
A. They played outstanding. They moved the ball extremely well. We ran our offense hard. We helped each other out on the defensive end. We communicated. It was a beautiful thing to watch. I was kind of hoarse at the end because I was in my theatre room hollering and cheering those guys on. A couple guys got some texts from me about their performance. I was real excited.
Q. What did you see specifically that was the difference between the Rockets game and the Thunder game?
A. I think the head of the snake performed. He came out – I’m talking about Jeff Teague – he didn’t play a lackadaisical. He came in and played aggressive on the offensive end. I think it motivated everybody else coming off that bench. You could see it. Whenever he plays aggressive, like he knows how to play, and using his speed we are a tough team to beat.
Practice report
* Guard Lou Williams left Tuesday’s practice with a migraine. It is not expected to affect his status for Wednesday’s game.
* Center Johan Petro, who missed both games and several practices with a sore back, returned to full contact Tuesday. Drew said Petro could play as the Hawks face the Pacers and center Roy Hibbert.
* Creighton University alums Kyle Korver and Anthony Tolliver started Sunday’s game against the Thunder. According to the Creighton athletic department it is the first time two Blue Jays started the same NBA game as teammates or opponents (research dates back to 1981-82).
* Not sure if I reported this before but the Hawks’ NBA Development League affiliate for the 2012-13 season will be the Bakersfield Jam. They will share with the Clippers, Suns and Raptors.
UPDATE:Below is the story of Smith’s status that I wrote for Wednesday’s print edition of the AJC.
Josh Smith watched – intently – as the Hawks won in Oklahoma City without him Sunday.
His sprained right ankle wasn’t the only thing worse for wear following the surprising 104-95 victory over the defending Western Conference champions.
“They played outstanding,” said Smith after a limited practice Tuesday. “They moved the ball extremely well. We ran our offense hard. We helped each other out on the defensive end. We communicated. It was a beautiful thing to watch. I was kind of hoarse at the end because I was in my theatre room hollering and cheering those guys on. A couple guys got some texts from me about their performance. I was real excited.”
Smith is still officially listed as day-to-day and questionable to return as the Hawks (1-1) host the Pacers (2-2) Wednesday at Philips Arena. Coach Larry Drew said the team will wait until Wednesday to make a determination of the star forward’s playing status. Smith sprained his ankle early in the fourth quarter of last week’s season-opening loss to the Rockets. He landed on the foot of James Harden while attempting to block a layup. Despite the injury, Smith played the rest of the game.
“It was kind of a bang-bang play, it happened real quick, so I just tried to tighten my shoelaces up and grind though it but it was still painful to play,” Smith said. “I just tried to continue to play because I thought we had an opportunity to win.”
The ankle swelled overnight preventing him from making the trip to Oklahoma City. Smith worked with trainers for most of Monday’s practice before returning for some drill work Tuesday. Smith said his ankle “feels good” but was not ready for an announcement on his status. He worked one-on-one with rookie Mike Scott for more than 10 minutes following Tuesday’s practice. The two appeared to work on post-up and outside moves, guarding each other, at close to, if not at, full speed.
Drew said the key to the win over the Thunder without Smith as the team’s rebounding effort and willingness to chase down 50-50 loose balls. The Hawks outrebounded the Thunder 37-36. The improvement came two days after they were outrebounded by the Rockets 58-36.
“The one thing that we can feel good about is we were able to go up to Oklahoma and win without Josh’s presence,” Drew said. “I think we have to feel good about that. Do we need him? Absolutely. Let’s not kid ourselves. I want our players to be in the mindset … that if one of their teammates is not able to play it gives somebody else an opportunity to step up and they have to be ready.”
Drew said one player won’t take Smith’s place. His scoring and rebounded must be replaced by committee. Anthony Tolliver started in Smith’s place against the Thunder. That would appear to be the case again if Smith can’t play against the Pacers. Smith, the Hawks’ leading scorer last season, had 18 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists against the Rockets.
Smith said the clear difference between the two games was Jeff Teague. He called the point guard the ‘head of the snake.’ Teague finished with 16 points against the Thunder, including eight in the first quarter.
“He didn’t play a lackadaisical,” Smith said. “He came in and played aggressive on the offensive end. I think it motivated everybody else coming off that bench. You could see it. Whenever he plays aggressive, like he knows how to play, and using his speed we are a tough team to beat.”
Teague said the team’s response against the Thunder came from an overwhelming desire to put forth a better effort than the season-opener.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
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* Tolliver to start for Smith vs. OKC
* Smith not on trip to OKC with sprained ankle
* Smith on verge of statistical milestone
* Smith, Horford are interim captains
* Five things we learned from the preseason
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102 comments Add your comment
Slimjr
November 6th, 2012
7:15 pm
insert[opening night]^^^^^
Rod from College Park
November 6th, 2012
7:23 pm
hot.trod.87,
What you will learn about this blog is that there are a few who post here regularly who if you tell them that the sky is blue thay will still argue with you. Again from your one comment, I know that you have info that many don’t, so I feel you. Don’t try to convince these idiots of anything. I spent 3 or 4 years trying to tell these clowns how terrible Marvin Williams was, and now most of them act like they don’t remember.
Astro Joe
November 6th, 2012
7:50 pm
Rod, yeah, like folk can differentiate you from High-sider.
keith
November 6th, 2012
7:51 pm
Astro Joe
November 6th, 2012
5:31 pm
Thanks very much.
Astro Joe
November 6th, 2012
7:54 pm
hot trod, you suggested that Joe should have been recruiting previously. During the Joe era, the hawks NEVER spent more than chump change on a free agent. Seems to me Josh could have been recruiting during that time too, right? No ONE could convince a viable player to accept chump change. Players first and foremost want to get what they deserve, BEFORE it gets into preferences like cities, friends, etc.
So let me ask you, do you really think that any player had the same opportunities to recruit quality free agents pre Danny Ferry as any Hawk does now that Ferry has cleared cap space? Pretty simple question… either money comes first or it doesn’t… could Lou recruit Josh to stay for a less-than-marketplace offer next summer?
prison mike
November 6th, 2012
7:55 pm
JS needs to get healthy before anything else. I would like to see the Al, Josh, Ivan line up more. It’s the best rebounding trio we have who also happen to a be solid defensive unit.
Keep Korver on a short leash.
Rod from College Park
November 6th, 2012
7:57 pm
“Rod, yeah, like folk can differentiate you from High-sider.”
High-sider is much more technical and uses number and stats much more than I do. He also tends to use a lot of brackets, which I never have. Very different styles.
Astro Joe
November 6th, 2012
7:59 pm
Pacers are playing a back-to-back tomorrow night, another good reason for Josh to rest that ankle. Pacers should be tired by the time they reach Atlanta.
Astro Joe
November 6th, 2012
8:00 pm
I’ll keep that in mind the next time someone is waxing poetic about all things Jamal.
Astro Joe
November 6th, 2012
8:04 pm
I can’t wait to see how Morrow and Josh take pennies on the dollar to stick around and hang with Lou in their city. It will free up cap space for Ferry to go after the Goodie Mob, Outkast, TLC, 112 and every other Atlanta super friends tandem that wants to perform in Philips Arena for pennies on the dollar.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 6th, 2012
8:30 pm
“It’s amazing how the Hawks can beat one of the best teams in the league without Josh Smith, but lose to one of the weakest teams in the NBA when he is on the floor.”
Please explain then what happened in this game. Or, for that matter, the games the Hawks won against Indiana, Orlando, Chicago, etc. last year with Josh leading the way and Al sidelined.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 6th, 2012
8:31 pm
I’m glad we can all be here tonight as the nation makes the choice of a lifetime — Josh Smith or Al Horford.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 6th, 2012
8:34 pm
“WHAT!?!?!!!!????? MORE CAPABLE??? Anybody can hoist up a bunch of shots and look foolish doing so, but that, my friend, DOES NOT MAKE HIM “MORE CAPABLE OF CREATING SHOTS FOR HIMSELF”..sorry, u GOTS to come up with something more than THAT??!!!!”
MsDee, sometimes you have to actually watch the game. Josh gets the ball in the post and draws double teams to kick to shooters, hits the lefty baby hook, and occasionally goes up and under to draw a foul. Al gets the ball in the post and jab steps eighty-seven times before passing it to a teammate. Should Josh be a #1 option? No. Is he a better #1 option than Al? Right now, yes.
Buddy G
November 6th, 2012
9:21 pm
True story Rod from CP
lewis
November 6th, 2012
10:13 pm
is there a new hoopinion bret lagree was a beast
Slimjr
November 6th, 2012
10:36 pm
An 8-13 second jab step into a perimeter pass does not induce or create a #1 option. I’m just saying…
Slimjr
November 6th, 2012
10:47 pm
MaconBaby
November 6th, 2012
4:35 pm
“Hopefully teague will rediscover his aggressive side, like he was in wake forest. Pulling up 3’s in transition and dunking all over defenders”
Wishful thinking? I’m with ya…..
atlwalt404
November 6th, 2012
11:05 pm
Josh needs to lay off the jumpers he is great real close to the basket, this team has the right chemistry to go far , and all the Al hortford haters kick rocks with no shoes on, his versatility and hustle will make up for size , looking forward to these two home games, go Hawks
O'Brien
November 6th, 2012
11:12 pm
Josh; I was kind of hoarse at the end because I was in my theatre room hollering and cheering those guys on..
I always watch Hawks games from my THEATRE ROOM too.
I think the head of the snake performed. He came out – I’m talking about Jeff Teague – he didn’t play a lackadaisical..
Teague does have his moments where his inner dog is missing. Hopefully the presence of Josh will help his play even more.
2 FOR JOHN DREW
November 6th, 2012
11:59 pm
@ SAM ….. That was worth posting twice. That Fesenko situation seems to be something that could happen if something else happens.
Grandad
November 7th, 2012
12:28 am
Congratulations to President Obama !
Ken Strickland
November 7th, 2012
12:33 am
Thanks to everyone who voted to reelect PRESIDENT OBAMA. It’s a great day/night.
doc
November 7th, 2012
12:43 am
o’b my eyebrow went up on that remark as well. i think he meant to say he was in his “man cave” instead of his theatre room. man, he always goes against the needed ooomph of smash josh.
paian
November 7th, 2012
1:02 am
too bad georgia is always a republican state
Slimjr
November 7th, 2012
1:10 am
paian:
baby steps…………….
But it aint over yet> Romney has not conceded yet…Officially.. Still counting votes in Florida, Ohio..
High-sider
November 7th, 2012
1:22 am
@Astro Joe
Rod from College Park
November 6th, 2012
5:52 pm
“Because no one has had a bigger bromance with a former Hawks player on this blog than you with Jamal. A stalker like fascination.”
Actually I would venture to say that High-sider likes Jamal’s game even more than I do, so once again you post a falsehood. Call it what you want, but you can’t say I was wrong. I do know that much.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Rod fCP is correct. I’m the biggest Jamal Crawford fan[atic] on this [Hawks] blog – hands down [no homo]. LOL
High-sider
November 7th, 2012
1:55 am
Ken Strickland
November 7th, 2012
12:33 am
Thanks to everyone who voted to reelect PRESIDENT OBAMA. It’s a great day/night.
—————————————————————————————————————-
This should have been President Obama’s victory song [click on the link below]. I’m [a little] “old school.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D1QWCK7yP4
hawksordie
November 7th, 2012
1:58 am
hawks win by 12 tomorrow vs. pacers… i said it
2 FOR JOHN DREW
November 7th, 2012
3:40 am
High-sider … Today it’s ” Old School ” …. But back then it was ” Too Cool For School ” .. lol
Just Joe
November 7th, 2012
6:58 am
Pacers are having trouble scoring points (mostly because their long jumpers and 3’s aren’t falling). They also turn the ball over a lot. What they do well though, is rebound and defend. #1 rebounding team so far this season. Their entire front line is rebounding well (Hibbert, Mahinmi, West, Hansbrough, George, and Green), and is guaranteed to bring a lot of energy coming off a beat down by the Spurs on Monday night (out rebounded the Spurs, but only made 27 FG’s the entire game). We need Josh Smith ready to go.
ag
November 7th, 2012
9:29 am
I just hope if Josh does not go, LD will not start Tolliver. Ivan plays West a lot better. Starting Zaza would be a problem also because West way faster than Horford.
kwooden1
November 7th, 2012
9:32 am
Tonight we’ve got to get the long rebounds and finish at the rim on drives. We also need to get to the free throw line, so I hope Teague and Harris are ready to hit the floor a lot. If Josh plays or not, Al needs to come with his “A” game and really work in the post. If Zaza and Ivan do their thing we shouldn’t be beaten that badly on the boards, but we’ll still need to shoot a good % from 3.
GO HAWKS!!
Najeh Davenpoop
November 7th, 2012
10:01 am
” What they do well though, is rebound and defend. #1 rebounding team so far this season.”
Helps to have a 6′10″ shooting guard. Paul George is going to murder the Hawks on the boards in this game.
Last year, he averaged 5 rpg in 3 games against the Hawks, but that was with Joe here.
ag
November 7th, 2012
10:14 am
Joe Johnson in two games 16.5 ppg and 3 rbs. Joe never used his size to grab rebounds.
tjhook
November 7th, 2012
10:40 am
Joe would block out and allow the bigs to get the rebound. Watch video
MsDee
November 7th, 2012
10:41 am
Najeh,
CORRECTION WITH YOUR QUOTE!!
Josh SOMETIMES gets the ball in the post and draws double teams to kick to shooters, SOMETIMES hits the lefty baby hook, and SOMETIMES occasionally goes up and under to draw a foul. Do YOU actually watch the game, Najeh…This is what he ALWAYS do…Josh ALWAYS gets the rebound and run the break INSTEAD giving it up to a pg to “get the ball in the post to draw a double team”..he ALWAYS pout and cry when he “occasionally goes up and under to draw a foul” but doesnt get it DUE TO A MISSED CALL BY THE REFS…and he ALWAYS finds a nice little spot BEHIND the 3pt line just in case the shot clock runs down and he has an EXCUSE to hoist up yet ANOTHER JUMPER..so again I ask, DO U ACTUALLY WATCH THE GAMES, NAJEH????
Najeh Davenpoop
November 7th, 2012
10:42 am
I agree that Joe wasn’t a great rebounder, but he would have provided more resistance than whoever the Hawks will play at SG tonight. For that matter, replacing Marvin at SF with the current SF by committee will hurt against George too.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 7th, 2012
10:46 am
“Josh ALWAYS gets the rebound and run the break INSTEAD giving it up to a pg to “get the ball in the post to draw a double team””
…which Al also does on occasion, and which ends in a good result more than half the time. Not saying he should run the break, but it isn’t the disaster you are making it out to be.
“he ALWAYS pout and cry when he “occasionally goes up and under to draw a foul” but doesnt get it DUE TO A MISSED CALL BY THE REFS”
…which is irrelevant to determining whether he or Al can create shots better.
“and he ALWAYS finds a nice little spot BEHIND the 3pt line just in case the shot clock runs down and he has an EXCUSE to hoist up yet ANOTHER JUMPER”
If the shot clock is running down and he gets the ball, he should shoot the jumper. Would you prefer a 24 second violation?
None of what you said addresses the point that Josh creates shots for himself and others better than Al. Doesn’t mean Al isn’t good at what he does, but it does mean that Al shouldn’t be force fed the ball more just because his FG% is higher.
MsDee
November 7th, 2012
10:48 am
Horford is the better #1 opt than Josh. I dont care HOW LONG it takes for Horford to make his move, as long as it IS EFFECTIVE!! And he IS when the ball gets to him IN THE POST. With Josh out for a while HOPEFULLY, Korver, Toilliver, Harris and Lou, will feed AL the pass and just space out for a pass back out for a jumper or a nice move in the paint for AL!!
MsDee
November 7th, 2012
10:54 am
“If the shot clock is running down and he gets the ball, he should shoot the jumper. Would you prefer a 24 second violation?”
Of course NOT!! His BUTT should be “getting the ball in the post to draw a double team to be in position to “go up and under to draw a foul” when the shot clock is running down, NOT be looking for a “nice little spot BEHIND the 3pt line just in case the shot clock DOES runs down to have an EXCUSE to hoist up yet ANOTHER JUMPER”
MsDee
November 7th, 2012
10:57 am
“Josh ALWAYS gets the rebound and run the break INSTEAD giving it up to a pg to “get the ball in the post to draw a double team””
…which Al also does ON OCCASION”
Yes, u are right, on occasion! “on occasion” is so much better than “ALWAYS”, dont cha think??
Najeh Davenpoop
November 7th, 2012
11:10 am
“Yes, u are right, on occasion! “on occasion” is so much better than “ALWAYS”, dont cha think??”
Yes, and nobody “ALWAYS” does anything. The fact that you are so convinced that Josh “ALWAYS” insists on running the break only reinforces the idea that you see what you want to see.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 7th, 2012
11:11 am
In other news, Danny Granger will be out tonight and possibly for the next 3 months.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 7th, 2012
11:13 am
“His BUTT should be “getting the ball in the post to draw a double team to be in position to “go up and under to draw a foul” when the shot clock is running down, NOT be looking for a “nice little spot BEHIND the 3pt line just in case the shot clock DOES runs down to have an EXCUSE to hoist up yet ANOTHER JUMPER””
I agree that he needs to go inside more, but that applies for every Hawks big man not named Ivan Johnson. Ivan is the only one who cuts to the hoop consistently.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 7th, 2012
11:14 am
In any case, Josh’s penchant for shooting jumpers still doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that he creates shots for himself and others better than Al. Creating shots is about what you do when you have the ball, not what you do prior to getting the ball. When Josh has the ball, the range of options he has to make an effective play is a lot greater than the range of options Al has at this point in his career. That is all this discussion is about. Everything else is irrelevant to this.
Ken Strickland
November 7th, 2012
11:25 am
HIGHSIDER-I’m really old school, so here’s what I would have chosen to represent those who voted to stay the course and against what the Republican party has come to represent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Wt4XlXUrc
cp
November 7th, 2012
11:54 am
I think you have to start Zaza tonight and move Al to the 4 even if Josh is ready to go. You have to go to the big lineup tonight. Ivan should play more than Tolliver.
MsDee
November 7th, 2012
11:55 am
Najeh,
“I agree that he needs to go inside more, but that applies for every Hawks big man not named Ivan Johnson. Ivan is the only one who cuts to the hoop consistently.”
Well of course that would apply to every Hawks, big man, but yall (you, vava74, Rod from CP) constantly puts Josh on this high pedestal as if he is the BEST OF THE BEST PF’S that this should come naturally for him, but of course, IT DOESNT!! Therefore I have to reinforce the truth apond yall to realize that Josh is 2nd best to Horford cause Horford would go inside more if and ONLY IF the ball can make its way to him in the post.
MsDee
November 7th, 2012
12:02 pm
” When Josh has the ball, the range of options he has to make an effective play is a lot greater than the range of options Al has at this point in his career. ”
I agree TOTALLY with this statement, but again, Josh doesnt have the smarts SOMETIMES to “make an effective play, with the range of options he has”. He may have 2 excellent options, but chooses to force the 3rd option creating a TO or a miss opportunity. Look, I love Josh work ethic, his drive and emotions for the game, and also is talents, its just so very frustrating when he doesnt try to use his talents effectively. I KNOW Drew, other coaches and maybe other players, (Rondo, Lou) as gotten into his ear to better help him but Josh finds a way to ignore all the advice once he steps on the court..I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND??
MsDee
November 7th, 2012
12:08 pm
Chris Vivlamore @ajchawks
Josh Smith will play vs. Pacers. #ATLHawks
Dang It..oh I meant..YEAH!!