Atlanta Hawks: Is Josh Smith an All-Star?
Hawks forward Josh Smith has never been named to an NBA All-Star team despite impressive career numbers. CURTIS COMPTON/ccompton@ajc.com
Vivlamore reporting.
Is Josh Smith an All-Star?
Despite all-around career statistics few in NBA history have reached, the Hawks forward has never been chosen for the All-Star Game. He has not been voted in by fans, selected by coaches nor named a replacement by the league.
Through his eight-plus year career, Smith is on the verge of becoming just the 24th player in NBA history to reach the milestones of 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 1,000 blocks. The 23 players who reached those marks, including nine Hall of Famers, combined to appear in 184 All-Star Games. Only one, Mychal Thompson, never made an all-star appearance.
In Smith’s 624 career games, he has averaged 15.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.3 steals. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the only player in league history with career averages over 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals.
Steve Smith, the former Hawks player and broadcaster and current analyst for NBA TV, said Smith being left off the All-Star team is a “travesty.”
In a series of interviews with NBA executives, coaches, players, analysts and support personnel, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution examined the question of why Smith has never represented the Eastern Conference in the midseason exhibition featuring basketball’s top players. The inquiry revealed a number of possible reasons - some of Smith’s own doing, some out if his control.
Smith doesn’t figure to be voted in by the fans as a starter. He is competing at forward with the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh and now Carmelo Anthony – all high-profile, high-scoring fan favorites. James has been a starter for all eight games that Smith has been in the league taking away one spot. He and Garnett were the starting forwards for three straight years (2008-10). With the Knicks adding Amar’e Stoudemire and Anthony from the Western Conference, starters with James the past two years, the competition for votes is tougher than ever for a player who has never selected.
In the first balloting results released by the league, Smith is eighth among front-court players with 69,344 votes. He trails the leader James by 572,000 votes and is just ahead of the Sixers’ Andrew Bynum, who hasn’t played a game this season.
Coaches, who name the All-Star reserves, have ignored Smith. One reason could be the early-career reputation that Smith developed especially playing under then-Hawks coach Mike Woodson. While other players had run-ins with Woodson, several of Smith’s were highly-publicized.
Coaches may also be influenced by some of Smith’s on-court reaction to officiating. Smith’s scowl and sometimes overt actions certainly look bad. Many of the head men from the early part of Smith’s career are still in the league with the same or different teams in NBA’s often-limited coaching carousel.
“He has the ability,” said Heat coach Eric Spoelstra, who noted he was unaware Smith has never been an All-Star. “He has the production. He’s been successful enough to have been an All-Star at some point.”
The league had two prime opportunities to name Smith a replacement and passed. David Lee was named in 2010 and Rajon Rondo was named in 2012. Lee, a forward, was named to replace guard Allen Iverson. Last season is the most troubling for the Hawks and Smith’s camp. When the Hawks’ lone representative Joe Johnson pulled out of the game with left knee tendonitis, the Commissioner David Stern opted for Rondo, a guard, instead of another Atlanta player.
Johnson’s career in Atlanta also hurt Smith. The guard made six straight All-Star games as a Hawk. When center Al Horford was named to the team in 2010 and 2011, before missing the game with an injury last season, the Hawks were unlikely to have three representatives.
“In the past year’s I’ve put up All-Star quality numbers,” Smith said. “I always seem to fall short. I think it impacts the people around me more so than me like my parents, my family, my friends. They feel like I’m deserving of that opportunity at least once or twice in my career. They see the things that people normally don’t see. They see the offseason workouts. All the energy I put into that in order to be a better person, be a better player. They see all the ups and downs of the season. They experience all that. They understand. They see me and they see all the struggles. They want it more. I definitely want it. I definitely want it, don’t get me wrong. I want to do it for them.”
The Hawks style of play in recent years was suggested as something that works against Smith. The offense was looked at as a half-court system that promotes isolation plays, mostly running through Johnson. With the trade of Johnson, the Hawks are emphasizing an up-tempo style.
While the Hawks have made the playoffs the past five seasons, their failure to get past the second round could also have affected Smith’s selection. National attention comes with deep postseason runs.
While Smith puts up impressive numbers in several statistical categories, not everything the forward does appears in a boxscore. Smith can guard several positions and he influences many opposing shots as a help defender.
Over the course of this career, Smith’s numbers tend to get better as the season progresses. Each year, from November to April, Smith’s monthly-averages in points and rebounds per game get better with just a few exceptions. All-Star voting and selections occur in the first three months of the season.
One statistic that works against Smith is his shooting percentage. For a player who excels around the rim, Smith’s jump shooting adversely affects his numbers. He has shot over 50 percent from the field only once in his career (2009-10). An ill-timed jump shot can be accentuated by the ensuing groans from fans after a miss. For his career, Smith is shooting 28.3 percent (221 of 782) from 3-point range.
Smith, who jumped directly from high school to the NBA, has been a regular starter throughout his career. It has taken time for the 26-year old to mature into the player he is today from a basketball sense. A case can be made that only Smith’s statistics the past two seasons are All-Star quality.
“I always say you have to do it twice,” TNT analyst Kenny Smith said. “I say 8 out of 10 guys have to do it twice. He’s in that 8 out of 10. Having one great year followed by another great first half of a year. I think that he’s done that this year so he’ll be on.”
The starters for this season’s All-Star game, to be played Feb. 17 in Houston, will be announced Jan. 17. The naming of the reserves by coaches will follow in several weeks.
For Smith, the wait continues.
- Chris Vivlamore
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167 comments Add your comment
SteveW
December 26th, 2012
9:03 am
If the Hawks are still 3rd seed, they probably get two All Star reps: Josh and Al. Especially if Al picks up his game a little. 17 and 10 would be difficult to keep out of the AS Game in the East if Al got there.
Duluth Joe
December 26th, 2012
9:31 am
Josh should be an all star this year.
Honestly, even last year Josh should have been an All Star. He should have ranked higher than Hibbert or Deng. Hibbert impact should not be looked at purely in terms of numbers and he was primary reason Pacers were doing good. Deng was the lone other Chicago All Star(Besides Rose), so no way Hawks should have had more representatives than Chicago (not saying Deng is better than Josh, no way). Josh should have been ahead of Pierce and Iggy. Iggy was the lone Sixers representative, so it is understandable. But even Pierce didn’t think his performance was All Star worthy if memory serves.
As for only weakness in Josh’s game taking outside shots he shouldn’t(he is passing the ball more to the point guard this year so that is not a weakness any more, or at least not as strong a weakness), it is what the team needs and Larry Drew doesn’t have an issue with that. No Josh should not be taking all the shots he does, but if you watch the games, lots of times ball is passed to him with only a few left on shot clock. So he has to take the shot. He is almost like a safety valve. As good as Al is, he does pass the ball up a lot (instead of taking a bad shot).
With all that said, the impact Josh has on both ends = All Star. The only reason he is not, is prejudice by coaches against him based on out of date (old) misconceptions and impressions.
Duluth Joe
December 26th, 2012
9:40 am
Najeh, why do you have an issue with Lin contract?
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 26th, 2012
9:51 am
Preach! Tabernacle!
Duluth Joe
December 26th, 2012
9:31 am
_________________
Amen! Nuff Said! I’m buying this! Just pass the plate – I’m tithing 20%.
Duluth Joe
December 26th, 2012
10:39 am
Thank-you DrMaryB. I really hope Josh makes it.
As a hometown player, he has played under microscope his entire career. At the end, he has been a solid citizen on and off the court. And given Hawks fans a lot to be thankful for ( and admittedly a few grey hairs along the way too
)
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
10:49 am
“I was really surprised that (the) Atlanta (Hawks) didn’t re-sign him (Jamal Crawford).” – Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN NBA Analyst”
I was too. No better value in the NBA.
“Jamal was looking for a 10 million deal and we didn’t have the cap space to re-sign him, much less at the price level that he wanted to re-sign.”
Not true, and you can not find anything in writing that says that. Unless you are his agent, you have not idea what he was asking for. I will pose this question to you though, If Marvin was worth 8 mil per to the Hawks, Joe was worth 20 mil per to the Hawks, and Horford was worth 12 mil per to the Hawks, what was Jamal worth to the Hawks, when he basically became the go to guy along with Joe in the playoffs?
Hawks Fan
December 26th, 2012
11:15 am
Please Danny get rid of the real cancer of the franchise L.D.
doc
December 26th, 2012
11:25 am
rod, rod rod, problem is those two guys, marvin and jj, were already signed. we were trapped by this. i said it before in my earlier piece that once it was determined jj was going to be kept, jamal could not be afforded because they had so much wrapped up in “pieces” already signed to guaranteed contracts. why continue rod to spew this.
me, i was on record when jamal was traded for, that he was insurance to make sure we didnt pay too much for jj. if jj didnt go for a realistic number to put pieces around him we could get extras and have as potent an offensive force in jamal. rod, not sure why you ignore the facts of nba economics.
as an aside, i agree with you and look at jamal and even jeremy lin as guys like golfers that can shoot low scores and they are not afraid to do it. it is a mentality that not many have. of course in basketball it is about not being afraid to get high numbers and score the ball. some have it some don’t. kobe has it, lbj has it, mj had it, magic had it, i think jamal is in that territory as well, that he isnt afraid to score and keep scoring. lin has it too for a guy who played ball at harvard, then steps onto the big court with the big lights and pours it on when hot. jamal has it. jj and marvin dont. that frustrated the h3ll out of me. jj gets 20 in a half and finishes with 24 for example. it is like his work is done. jamal knows no limits.
reality though is once the jj contract was signed unless jamal was willing to accept a contract in the neighborhood of 2 mil, he wasnt going to be invited back. that was because a roster had to be filled out with 13 players under a target salary cap with rick sund and the basg were in charge wanting to sell the franchise. almost everyone except for you understood it rod. jamal did too and maybe that was why he was a bit inconsistent that contract year. his agent knew it too if he was smart. now why dont you? where is the gap for you rod, where, between fantasy and reality to keep railing on?
jamal’s worth was determined by the guys already signed rod to guaranteed contracts, got it?
doc
December 26th, 2012
11:30 am
rod in others words, it had nothing to do with performance jamal’s, mavin’s, nor jj’s. it had to do with playing monopoly in the nba. did we have enough money to buy park ave? we didn’t. it doesnt matter how much we wanted it, we dont play with that type of change.
Mark
December 26th, 2012
11:50 am
I remember Jay Bilas draft night went on and on about how Smith would never amount to much in the league. I remember then hoping he would prove another talking head wrong and he did. Smith along with Horford were the only two players of the recent run that actually looked like they gave a damn about winning or loosing. He should be an all star and I hope the Hawks resign him long term.
doc
December 26th, 2012
11:57 am
what a great quote from coach larry brown:
“I don’t look at mirrors or celebrate birthdays,” he said. “Otherwise, I feel exactly like I did when I was coach’s assistant at North Carolina.”
yes.
Nate ArchiBALL
December 26th, 2012
11:58 am
“LeQueen’s streak of 254 minutes without committing a foul ended tonight.”
Should read without having one called – not committed. That’s 5+ complete games without having a foul called…..impossible.
Just Joe
December 26th, 2012
11:59 am
Frontcourt Allstar Pool: Lebron, Bosh, Melo, Chandler, KG, Pierce, Deng, Noah, B. Lopez, Verejao, Josh, and Al.
Not sure how the new rules work. How many can make it?
Just Joe
December 26th, 2012
12:06 pm
Player – Pts & Rebounds
Lebron – 25 & 8
Bosh – 17 & 7
Melo – 28 & 6
Chandler – 12 & 9
KG – 15 & 7
Pierce – 20 & 5
Deng – 17 & 7
Noah – 13 & 10
Lopez – 17 & 7
Verejao – 14 & 14
Josh – 16 & 8
Al – 15 & 9
vava74
December 26th, 2012
12:31 pm
Rod,
“Not true, and you can not find anything in writing that says that. Unless you are his agent, you have not idea what he was asking for. I will pose this question to you though, If Marvin was worth 8 mil per to the Hawks, Joe was worth 20 mil per to the Hawks, and Horford was worth 12 mil per to the Hawks, what was Jamal worth to the Hawks, when he basically became the go to guy along with Joe in the playoffs?”
1. Jamal spent the WHOLE summer waiting for high(er) offers and finally settled for his real market value of 5 million (it can be argued that this year’s Jamal is finally worth 10 million when in reality he never was before, maybe apart from his 1st season with us).
2. Jamal was very productive against ORL (4 or 5 out of 6 games) and had ONE good game against CHI and another decent one. He was a complete non-factor offensively on 4 of the 6 games of the CHI series and a huge defensive liability on all of them (everyone scored on him – literally everyone) .
3. Marvin was already under contract and its obvious that his 7 million (the average is 7.5) were far too much for his production and a bad contract.
JJ’s contract price was established by the market, so the matter was either sign him or try to work a sign and trade or let him go.
Horford may or may not be slightly overpriced at 12 million (depending on him abandoning his “Diaper Al” mode or not) and the reality is that size gets more $$ usually.
If you claim that the Hawks were unimaginative in the management to the point of absolute boredom and that caused a miss management of assets, I will obviously agree, being that the discussion about management foul play should start with the HC position which was occupied by a good guy and good manager whose X’s and O’s knowledge is rock bottom (Woody) and an idiot whose X’s and O’s are good.
Jay Dubu
December 26th, 2012
12:35 pm
Both Josh and Al should (need) to average double doubles in points and rebounds this season, and with the number of shots tat Josh takes, he needs to be a 20 10 player.
Right now, neither of them are averaging double digit rebounds.
JOE
December 26th, 2012
12:50 pm
Bernie,Art I hope the two of you are friends it ain’t that serious.My question is What is the HAWKS MISSING.NAJAH WHAT DO YOU THINK.I LIKE TO HERE IT.
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 26th, 2012
12:52 pm
NFL Power Rankings [Top Five]
_________________________
1 Broncos 12-3
Last Week: 2 Ten consecutive wins and counting. Talk about hot entering the playoffs. (Fox)
2 Falcons 13-2 Last Week: 5 Matt Ryan completed all seven play-action attempts with three TDs against the Lions. (Sando)
3 49ers 10-4-1 Last Week: 1 Injuries to Justin Smith, Vernon Davis and Mario Manningham raise some concerns. (Sando)
4 Packers 11-4 Last Week: 6 The preseaon favorites could be peaking at the right time. Who’ll want to play them in the postseason? (Graziano)
5 Patriots 11-4 Last Week: 4 The Patriots weren’t the Patriots on Sunday, but they did enough to notch 11 wins for the third straight season. (Hensley)
___________________________________________
Let’s Go Hawks!
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
12:56 pm
“If you claim that the Hawks were unimaginative in the management to the point of absolute boredom and that caused a miss management of assets, I will obviously agree,”
Of course that is what I’m saying. We were paying two other bums (Marvin Williams and Kirk Hinrich) almost 16 million dollars. To you and doc, the NBA has this thing called TRADES. We could have traded one of those bums, especially Kirk Hinrich, who has such high baskeball IQ, and any team would love to have him. Can’t say it could not be done, because Ferry did it. Any number of things could have been done. The bottom line is Jamal signed for 5 mil, if we gave him a dollar more he would have stayed, and there were numerous ways to get that done. All the other nonsense both of you are spewing is just that nonsense.
“2. Jamal was very productive against ORL (4 or 5 out of 6 games) and had ONE good game against CHI and another decent one. He was a complete non-factor offensively on 4 of the 6 games of the CHI series and a huge defensive liability on all of them (everyone scored on him – literally everyone.”
If I am correct the guys that desroyed us in the Chicago series were Derrick Rose, and Luol Deng. Rose was mostly being guarded by Jeff Teague, and Jamal’s man was either Keith Bogans or Ronny Brewer. I don’t remember those guys killing us on the offensive end. We both know he was not guarding Luol Deng, so one again, you are spewing falsehoods. Secondly other than Joe Johnson, and maybe Josh Smith, can you please name another player on our team that year that had better numbers than Jamal in the playoffs? I’ll be waiting. LOL
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
1:11 pm
“Matt Barnes added 20 points — one off his season high — as the bench outscored the Clippers’ starters 64-48 in moving one win ahead of second-best Oklahoma City (21-6), which had lost to Miami earlier Tuesday.
Jamal Crawford led a dominant performance by the Los Angeles reserves with 22 points in a 112-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, extending the team’s franchise-record winning streak while claiming the best record in the NBA at 22-6.
“It’s about getting better and better,” Crawford said. “We’re trying to stay locked in and focused.”
I find it really interesting that the Clippers are the third best defensive team in the league with that no defense playing Jamal Crawford playing Major minutes. Very interesting……. Also Matt Barnes is making 1.2 mil this year, and we still have no SF. Also Andray Blatche is making the minimum. Would you rather either of those guys, or Anthony Tolliver? Shall we say SCOUTING DEPARTMENT. Step up Mr. Ferry, and get us a legit SF in here to balance this team out.
terrell
December 26th, 2012
1:46 pm
Deron Williams and Joe Johnson
Two of the most OVERRATED players ever. Lmao. I love you DF.
terrell
December 26th, 2012
1:50 pm
Deron calling out his coach AGAIN. I guess BK knew something that we didnt. lol
SteveW
December 26th, 2012
1:55 pm
JJ – Usually 7 frontcourt guys and 5 guards. May go 8 and 4 depending on the circumstances.
First year no C position, just frontcourt guys. Last year no Hibbert if that would have been the case.
SteveW
December 26th, 2012
1:57 pm
Rod – Jamal signed for the mid level when he left. Did we not offer him at least the mid level? LD didn’t know how to use Jamal anyway…
ag
December 26th, 2012
2:02 pm
Rod, I do agree that the last couple of seasons, the Hawks really missed out of some decent free agents. Yes, Lou Williams was a great addition, but the Hawks could have signed JJ Hickson. I also did not understand why we ran away from Blanche.
Admiral SnAckbar
December 26th, 2012
2:26 pm
I don’t see how Josh makes it.
Bosh, Pierce, Melo, KG, Love, AllStarAl.
nimbers don’t work.
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
2:45 pm
“The Blazers made it official a few hours later on Thursday when they announced they had signed Crawford. The deal is for two years and $10 million, with a player option for his second year, sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard.
Crawford chose Portland over Sacramento, which was offering a two-year deal worth $6.5 million per season, and New York, which offered $5 million over two years, sources told Broussard.”
But according to Vava, Jamal was asking for 10 mil per? May I ask where you got your info from?
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
2:56 pm
@vava74
“Crawford is indeed playing out of his mind THIS year, clearly his best season ever.” – vava74 @3:34am, 12/25/2012
Jamal Crawford’s partial NBA stats:
2012 – 2013: 16.5ppg through 28 games played (season incomplete)
2009 – 2010: 18.0ppg in 79 games played (SMOY season)
2008 – 2009: 19.7ppg in 65 games played
2007 – 2008: 20.6ppg in 80 games played
2006 – 2007: 17.6ppg in 59 games played
2004 – 2005: 17.7ppg in 70 games played
2003 – 2004: 17.3ppg in 80 games played
“http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/crawfja01.html”
“1. Jamal spent the WHOLE summer waiting for high(er) offers and finally settled for his real market value of 5 million (it can be argued that this year’s Jamal is finally worth 10 million when in reality he never was before, maybe apart from his 1st season with us).” – vava74 @12:31pm, 12/26/2012
If Jamal (Crawford) is (arguably) finally worth $10mil. (per year) this season, then was he (Jamal) worth more (millions) in previous seasons when he (Jamal Crawford) averaged more points per game (see above list)? Please keep in mind that the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) implemented in 2011 reduced players’ salaries.
“2. Jamal was very productive against ORL (4 or 5 out of 6 games) and had ONE good game against CHI and another decent one. He was a complete non-factor offensively on 4 of the 6 games of the CHI series and a huge defensive liability on all of them (everyone scored on him – literally everyone).” – vava74 @12:31pm, 12/26/2012
Maybe, Jamal’s subpar performance against the Bulls in the 2011 EC Semis had something to do with LD being outcoached by Thibs. After Game 1, Coach Thibs decided to live with single “coverage” on Joe Johnson but decided to “double cover” Jamal Crawford. LD should’ve then countered by having Jamal “move without the ball” like Ray Allen, “Rip” Hamilton, Kyle Korver and (for you old heads) Jim Paxson (when he played for the Blazers; shout-out to “Dr. Jack” Ramsay). I’m not saying (that) the “moving-without-the-ball” strategy would’ve necessarily worked for Jamal vs. the Bulls. After all, Jeff Teague was “thrust” into the starting lineup due to Hinrich’s injury and Teague, at that time, was not a (true) “facilitating” point guard. Maybe, Jamal recognized “the writing on the wall” and decided not “to give it his all” and “tank it” after Game 1 since he knew he wasn’t coming back to (the) Atlanta (Hawks) and after being “slapped in the face” with the re-signings of Joe Johnson and Al Horford during his tenure with the Hawks coupled with the fact(s) that the Hawks traded its 2010 first round pick for another 2010 first round pick which happened to be another shooting guard (Jordan Crawford). That trade (on “Draft Night 2010”) made absolutely no sense.
“JJ’s contract price was established by the market, so the matter was either sign him or try to work a sign and trade or let him go.” – vava74 @12:31pm, 12/26/2012
That (overinflated) “established market” to which you are referring (to) was set by the ASG “eggheads” and then EVP and GM “egghead” (Rick Sund) when Joe Johnson was INITIALLY offered a max contract (6yrs./$119 – $123.7mil.) after his dismal performance in the 2010 EC Semis vs. the Magic. You remember the guy (Joe Johnson) that said he “could care less” about the (Atlanta) Hawks fans and “if they show up”? Joe Johnson being INITIALLY OFFERED A MAXIMUM CONTRACT eliminated all back-and-forth negotiations between the Hawks organization and Joe Johnson (and his agent). You mean to tell me that no one in (the) Hawks’ brass had taken “Contracts 101”? (sarcasm)
“http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/johnson-on-unhappy-fans-we-could-care-less-if-they/nQftz/”
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
3:08 pm
“Game 1, Coach Thibs decided to live with single “coverage” on Joe Johnson but decided to “double cover” Jamal Crawford.”
Ding!!! Ding!!! Ding!!!. While leaving the other two All stars on our team single covered. Another destruction of Vava High-sider. It’s really becoming too easy.
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
3:09 pm
“I find it really interesting that the Clippers are the third best defensive team in the league with that no defense playing Jamal Crawford playing Major minutes.” – Rod from College Park @ 1:11pm, 12/26/2012
Well, how about that? Jamal Crawford is currently leading the NBA with the best individual (aggregate) +/- statistic (+245). Kevin Durant is second in individual (aggregate) +/- stats (+237).
How can such a “poor” defensive player have that high (of an individual aggregate) +/- statistic? Is Jamal (Crawford) giving up more (points) than he scores (this season)?
http://www.nba.com/statistics/plusminus/plusminus_sort.jsp?pcomb=1&season=22012&split=9&team=
hfc95
December 26th, 2012
3:37 pm
Geez we talk about Jamal Crawford on here more than any current hawks players.
I will add my two cents in this aspect, the NBA has become more about the ability to score than defend, and with that said jamal crawford is a really solid player in that category. I love jamals game because he is one of the few guys in the league that will keep pushing the envelope offensively and make plays. His defense is not great but as long as you can somewhat defend and score at very high rates/effeciently, I would play a scorer over a defensive stopper anyday.
Rod, we have an oppurtunity to get the better version of jamal crawford in monta ellis and I know if we got monta we would be IN the discussion with MIA,NYK of the east. I dont want to look back as we are doing now and say what should of happened, GM DF needs to pull the trigger on acquiring another piece for this team before the deadline as we clearly will be in the playoffs, Devin Harris is the easiest asset to move($8.5M) and I hope we TRY to involve him in a trade to benefit us now and moving forward.
No team in the east really scares me besides MIA and NYK, we would get swept by both teams as they have too much scoring for us to handle 1-12. CHI, when Rose returns will be good but Boozer is easily the worst contract in the league and I think he will single handily destroy their playoffs.
What 1st RD matchup would be more favorable entertainment wise to Hawks fans? Playing the Nets and hopefully beating Joe or playing the Celtics and hopefully being able to finally get thru them and force Danny Ainge to blow up that team?
Slimjr
December 26th, 2012
3:38 pm
Rod and High-sider= Lob City Today!
JC1 and the Clippers are dismantling people and taking no prisoners..
Hawks would lose by 20 if they matched up tonight…
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 26th, 2012
3:48 pm
Half Off!
“Devin Harris is the easiest asset to move($8.5M) and I hope we TRY to involve him in a trade to benefit us now and moving forward.” -hfc95-
______________________________
At the trade deadline and, it’s half way mark, shouldn’t Harris number be $4.25M to move his expiring contract? Can someone confirm this?
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
3:49 pm
hfc95,
I like Monta Ellis as well. I am more worried about him being able to defend his position the (2), than Crawford because Monta would be on the floor more minutes. After seeing him defend Joe in the post last year a couple of times, maybe he is underated defensively as well (LOL). Hell some bloggers here think Kyle Korver is good defensively, so I’m sure thay would have no problem with Monta. Totally agree with you though, today’s NBA is about people who can put the ball in the basket, and command double teams. We still lack that guy on this team, and the closest thing we have is Lou Williams.
Slimjr
December 26th, 2012
3:49 pm
Sund screwed up big time letting JC1 go!
In the playoffs you need ballers who can create their own shots and generate fouls.
You need ballers who can generate shots for others..
Our Bigs are not talented enough to carry the Hawks..The Hawks have always relied heavily on superior guard play to carry the Franchise on these playoff runs..
So Sund does what? Hmmmmmm
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
3:52 pm
doc,
i see you disabled the (auto) “caps lock” on the ipad. (lmao)
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
3:58 pm
If Blake Griffin, Kevin Love and David Lee can “put up ‘very good numbers’ on losing teams” and make the All-Star team, then why can’t Josh Smith make the All-Star team while “putting up ‘good numbers’ on winning teams”?
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
4:00 pm
^Correction: “…then why can’t Josh Smith make the All-Star team while “putting up ‘good numbers’ on [a] winning [team]”?”
Slimjr
December 26th, 2012
4:04 pm
H-s, those uni’s the Knicks were playing in bite!
Also, I’m beginning to think out loud if Melo can be the go to guy in the crunch..Starting to notice a pattern in crunch time where he seems to tighten up and fail… Sorta like Chipper has done his whole career in the money games….
Hope Amare can comeback healthy to help his team in the PLAYOFFS?
Swingman912
December 26th, 2012
4:07 pm
I like Monta. Cant help but love a blood raw scorer, but he’s an undersized 2, and even though this is a Scorers league, your SG or SF has to be a laterally quick perimeter defender, which is something we dont have. And while Monta is quick, defense isnt his strong suit. I do feel he could start for us, but not next to Korver, who is only quick with his jumpshot release. This does go back to the mistake we make trading Jordan Crawford and those picks, Resigning Joe, and thinking the CORE could get us further than the 2nd round ceiling. It’ll prob be 2 years until we’re can be a legit contender…
Slimjr
December 26th, 2012
4:07 pm
Hey doc good talk about MV7 on 92.9 FM “The Game” right now…
Slimjr
December 26th, 2012
4:13 pm
Ob, you maybe onto something comparing the Hawks and the Knicks relative to how they win and lose in similar ways..
That Laker loss cemented the Knicks problems when their jumpers are not falling they lose because they have no real post game..
Hawks in similar boat, they just don’t have a 28.3 point per game perimeter player in Melo..
O'brien
December 26th, 2012
4:16 pm
Rod,
What management should have done is find a way to unload Marvin, make JJ the SF, and keep Jamal for SG. But keeping JJ at SG and paying him $20 mil, they didn’t want to pay another SG the mid-level or more.
As for what Jamal was asking for, I don’t think anybody but his agent and Rick sund really knows. And I agree with your criticism of ferry. He did an excellent job gettin rid of Marvin and JJ, But has failed to address the SF position, and I don’t know why. That does not seem like something someone for the Spurs (who had Bruce bowen, and even overpaid for RJ twice) would do.
Plus being in Cleveland, ferry knows how dominant Lebron is at SF. and now the Knicks have Melo. celtics have Pierce. I am very disappointed that Ferry has not done a better job addressing that position.
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
4:18 pm
vava74,
I hope you realize (and understand), when Coach Thibs opted to “double cover” Jamal (Crawford) instead of Joe (Johnson) in the 2011 EC Semis, that means he (Coach Thibs) respected Jamal’s offensive/scoring ability more so than Joe’s (offensive/scoring ability).
Slimjr
December 26th, 2012
4:19 pm
The Hawks could not have beaten Orlando two years ago without JC1..
Slimjr
December 26th, 2012
4:27 pm
Danny Ferry you will need an Allstar at the two and three if you expect to be an Elite within two years..
You set that bar pretty high for yourself for sure..
Your still need two…Not one, two
Swingman912
December 26th, 2012
4:28 pm
Management shouldve let Joe walk! We could have took whatever for Marvin and start Jamal at the 2, at least for that year, and have JC2 be our 6th man…even if we tooka a step back, we wouldve kept our pick, got a solid rookie and had free agent money…
Swingman912
December 26th, 2012
4:30 pm
doesnt matter now tho…
SteveW
December 26th, 2012
4:30 pm
HS – Blake, Lee, and Love all played in the West, not the East. East was a different animal. Also, those guys put up numbers in the noticeable categories, scoring and rebounding, more so than Josh normally does.
And whoever else – I don’t think KG makes AS this season. His run is over. And Love is in the West.
Swingman912
December 26th, 2012
4:31 pm
Slimjr,
Dont know where those all stars are gonna come from…