Smith on Smith: Steve says ‘travesty’ Josh never All-Star

Vivlamore reporting.

I’m working on a story on why Josh Smith has never been an All-Star despite his career numbers. I don’t want to jump the gun too much but I wanted to share what Steve Smith, the former Hawk (himself an All-Star with the team) and Hawks broadcaster, had to say on the subject when I spoke with him recently.

“I’ve spoke candidly about it, especially last year (when Josh wasn’t named a replacement for Joe Johnson),” Steve Smith said. “There is not another player like that. There are a lot of unique players, like a LeBron James. There are some guys in a class of their own. What he’s done, at power forward, basically with no backup. They have been thin for years trying to find some guys behind Josh and Al. I think Ivan Johnson, Jason Collins have filled in and done a wonderful job. Here is a player who plays at 6-8, undersized, leads the team in block shots. At times, leads them in rebounding. He guards his guy tremendously. He guards a guy who plays out on the perimeter tremendously. Then comes and is one of the best help defenders. I think when you start to look at the success of the Atlanta Hawks and him individually, when you put those two together, to me it’s a travesty that he hasn’t been an All-Star.”

I still have a lot more reporting to do on the subject but look for the story soon.

- Chris Vivlamore

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