Poll time: What would you think of Smith-for-Bynum deal?
Andrew Bynum has some baggage but he would give Hawks a legitimate center. (AP photo)
The other day I wrote that it might be time for the Hawks to part ways with Josh Smith– not just because he’s the most likely trade candidate in their core, but because it’s becoming clear that he’s getting tired of being blamed for everything when something goes wrong.
The Smith-bashers in town favored the column. The Smith fans hated it, some taking it as another media assault on Smith. Fact is, as I wrote, I agree with Smith that he takes more blame for the team’s shortcoming than he deserves.
Loading ...But that column sparked immediate trade rumors, including this one: Smith and Kirk Hinrich to Los Angeles Lakers for Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest. Barring other moves, that would leave the Hawks with a starting five of Bynum (center), Ron Artest (small forward), Al Horford (power forward), Joe Johnson (shooting guard) and Jeff Teague (point guard).
That trade is nowhere close to reality right now — it was concocted by media members for the sake of discussion, and because it seems plausible. The Lakers could be looking to move Bynum after his postseason meltdown, and they also may pursue a deal for Orlando’s Dwight Howard, which would make Bynum expendable. (One outlet, Hoopsworld, also is speculating whether the Clippers will pursue Smith.)
Bynum obviously has had his issues. But he would give the Hawks their first legitimate center in years and allow Horford to move to his more natural position of power forward. If the way Teague played against Chicago in the playoffs was not an aberration, suddenly the Hawks could be set at point guard and center, and when is the last time we could say that?
So I’m not saying this trade is going to happen. But since there seems to be so much interest in this topic, I figured I’d turn it over to you. What would you think about a Smith-Hinrich for Bynum-Artest deal? We’ll also put up a poll and see how the voting goes.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier: Cowardly Bettman ignoring evidence of Thrashers fans
Earlier: Countdown: Bettman, Spirit on Facebook, angry beaver, Monta’s tattoo
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435 comments Add your comment
James
May 26th, 2011
2:27 am
sounds like a good trade to me.
Ed Stone
May 26th, 2011
4:18 am
I’d take a bag of balls for Josh Smith and throw in a subscription to Maxim and you have Marvin Williams too.
dub366
May 26th, 2011
5:28 am
Smith is not the problem JJ is.
Gucci
May 26th, 2011
5:45 am
Looks like we have a lot of dumb basketball fans. Bynum is bound to get hurt, Artest takes worst jumpers than Josh, and not as good on defense; not to mention he’s old. Atlants “sports writers” are not the smartest in the books. No wonder why fans are they way they are. All they hear is sh*t from yall, and attach on. One of the dumbest trade idea’s i’ve heard.
STRETCH
May 26th, 2011
6:37 am
JS is a problem but JJ is probably the bigger problem and his contract makes it even BIGGER!
Look at the current teams left in the NBA playoffs, the Mavs have Dirk, OKC(eliminated by Dallas) has Durant. The Bulls have Rose, and the Heat, well what can i say?
The Hawks dont have a superstar, thats what they need!
JustAThought
May 26th, 2011
6:41 am
If the Laker trade Bynum, you can bet it won’t be for Josh Smith. They will trade him to the Majic for Dwight Howard. But KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
JustAThought
May 26th, 2011
6:47 am
STRETCH………….I hear you brother! It’s sad that OKC, the Mav’s and Da Bulls have pass the hawks by. Da Bulls have been champions and possibly one of the worst teams in the NBA, and now back playing for the chance to be champions again, and during all that time, the hawks aren’t even great PRETENDERS!
JustAThought
May 26th, 2011
6:48 am
MAN I wish they where leaving the city instead of the THRASHERS…………..
phil
May 26th, 2011
7:49 am
Brilliant idea, Jeff…..Bring in the 2 biggest thugs in the NBA over the last 10 years….great notion….
I’m ready to see Smith gone, because he’s lazy and dumb, but let’s get something serviceable in return for him. An old guy and a young, injury-prone, lard ass don’t fit the bill unless we want more heartache….
Jeff, you can do better than this idea, surely.
phil
May 26th, 2011
7:52 am
justathought – The Hawks getting passed by is a tradition, my friend. Check back through the years and you’ll find at least 3 prime examples, including the present….it’s nothing new.
The Braves and Falcons are pretty good at it too….
DS
May 26th, 2011
8:16 am
I like your idea superiorblogman…doubt it’ll happen though
ag
May 26th, 2011
8:31 am
I am a realist so I hope you all don’t believe all the trades you are posting. None of them are happening. Marvin will be the odd man out and maybe Joe if they can trade him. Again, name 5 centers in the league that average 15 ppg and 10 rbs….not named Dwight and Al. By the way, for all those who wanted Shaq or K. Perkins, both of those teams are at home.
Hey Bynum is at home to. Has Dalembert eve n been to a playoffs? Put K. Love and B. Lopez in that category to. It is no longer a center league. AL has to man up and accept his role and flourish at it. Oddly, his scoring average has improved every season (at center!). This trend will continue at center. Again, the elephant is Marvin.
Baby Mamma Drama of J-Stupid
May 26th, 2011
8:45 am
J-Stupid need to go. The reason he cant play in ATL is, he gots all his baby mammas coming to the games, being a distraction.
JOSH, YOU GOTS TO WRAP IT BEFORE YOU TAP IT!
dirtyo11
May 26th, 2011
9:43 am
Trade for Howard…come on are you serious Orlando would not make that trade because we are rivals, then they would have to face Howard.
J.J is not the problem his contract is, he’s being paid like a top 5 player in the league. J.J is a very good 2nd option on any team. He don’t have leadership skills…what I mean is he’s not verbal enough in the locker room, he don’t hold other players and himself accountable for the hawks mistakes.
Smith need to be with a true court leader, someone that’s going to stay in his ear and get in his head and make him play like Jordan did Pipen. I don’t have an issue with him taken one or two outside jumpers in a game, but he need someone to tell him when not to shot the dang on outside shot, that’s Joe & coach job.
Joe remind me of Nique when he had Stacey Augman. Nique was worried about getting his but he didn’t take time to help mentor Augman and his teammates and that’s what keep Nique from going to the nba championship.
schmeckdawg
May 26th, 2011
9:54 am
Hey Jeff, how about a Lakers for Hawks deal? I like that one better!
dirt
May 26th, 2011
10:16 am
how about johnson,williams,and# 1 for howard? then you have teague,hinrich,smith.horford and howard starting!!
PaulCrieder
May 26th, 2011
10:23 am
Dont trade Josh “Smoove” Smith. With the right coaching Josh could easily become the best player in the game today, better even than LaBron, Kobe, D-Wade or Dirk.
CesearRomero
May 26th, 2011
10:30 am
dirtyo11: I dont agree with that at all. I watched the Hawks during Niques years and Nique not mentoring stacy augmen had nothing to do with nique not making it to the championship. Part of it was other teams that the hawks played in the playoffs got LUCKY BOUNCES and I remember at least four Hawk players who missed easy uncontested DUNK SHOTS WHEN THEY WERE UNDER THE BASKET AND NOBODY WAS AROUND. THEY SIMPLY COULDNT MAKE LAYUPS. When the Hawks in ‘88 came within one game of making it to the ECF in that classic game 7 showdown between the Hawks-Celtics, CLIFF LEVINGSTON, WAYNE “TREE” ROLLINS and KEVIN WILLIS all missed dunk shots. Had they gone in the Hawks would have made it to the ECFs because they lost game 7 by one point. The Hawks would have gone on to win the title that year, but these guys were so excited they couldnt settle down and STUFF THE BASKETBALL. They were so pumped up and excited that they missed shots they should have made. Thats what cost them the game and the series. Doc Rivers was a guard for the Hawks in that game so this is something that Im sure he saw as well. The Hawks blew their chance to win something for Nique, but if the current Hawks win the title next year, then Nique will get his consolation ring.
John
May 26th, 2011
10:40 am
I’m glad the Lakers put the fork in this stupid rumor. Since when does the AJC make up trades and make them seem like viable options when neither side has hinted at the trade. The Lakers have repeatedly refused to trade Bynum, which in this case, I am happy about.
Matt
May 26th, 2011
10:40 am
Hmmmmmmmm…trade a player who seems to not be consistent in fulfilling his potential and has been called lazy at times for a player who can never stay healthy…hmmmmmmm what to do what to do???
Josh
May 26th, 2011
10:47 am
Ok all of you Josh Smith Haters tell me this. How many “legitimate centers” are there in th NBA today as our know it all Schultz told us here. The NBA is full of 6-10/6-11 centers. Since the NBA went away from the hand shake, point guards are the most important not big men. I think Hortford is 6-10 and he is an all star and all NBA because he is a center not a power forward. I don’t remember him playing that great when he had a chance to play as a PF. He needs to just man up and play the center. If you want to get a center why not trade your center for a better center? Why do you think Josh will have a lot value? Oh yea Wade will have a lot of trade value so Miami should tread Him or Mello should be traded because the team can get something for him. You dont trade the good piece you have just for the sake of change. Trading Josh will make this club significantly worse. You can’t trade josh and replace him with just one guy. Hortford certainly can’t we have seen that during the season. Just because Josh takes the jump shots that doesn’t make him a bad player. Some of the Shots he had to take because they kick it out to him at the last second. Some of the shots he has to learn to decline. Actually he has been good shooting the three from the corner look it up. He shot 42% (21-50) in comparison to Joe 30% (36-121)or Jamal 41% (49-120). He is only 25 and has gotten better every year. For guys like Schultz it is an easy story to print they need all the clicks they can get.
Bird Word
May 26th, 2011
10:55 am
As frustrating as Josh can be he is still an undervalued immature misunderstood 7yr vet that should be an all star and can play minutes at the 3,4,and 5 positions. Horford would thrive at the 4. Atlanta needs to get their next move right.
PaulCrieder
May 26th, 2011
10:58 am
I BELIEVE IF THE HAWKS TRADE JOSH SMITH, SMITH WILL GET DRAMATICALLY BETTER AND WILL GO ON TO HAVE A HALL-OF-FAME CAREER WITH ANOTHER TEAM.
Josh
May 26th, 2011
10:59 am
@AG I wish I saw your post before I posted mine. i wouldn’t have wasted my time. Well said. All of you guys who don’t get it including Schultz read @AG’s post. better yet I will post ot here. Well put AG you might actually watch all Hawks games instead of just the playoffs. “I am a realist so I hope you all don’t believe all the trades you are posting. None of them are happening. Marvin will be the odd man out and maybe Joe if they can trade him. Again, name 5 centers in the league that average 15 ppg and 10 rbs….not named Dwight and Al. By the way, for all those who wanted Shaq or K. Perkins, both of those teams are at home.
Hey Bynum is at home to. Has Dalembert eve n been to a playoffs? Put K. Love and B. Lopez in that category to. It is no longer a center league. AL has to man up and accept his role and flourish at it. Oddly, his scoring average has improved every season (at center!). This trend will continue at center. Again, the elephant is Marvin.” BTW which Atlanta team has been in the playoffs the last 4 years and in the second round the last three? Than would be you Atlanta Hawks.
oldboy
May 26th, 2011
11:00 am
No to the trade. I do not think Josh and Al can coexist and I would rather keep Josh. Get a great coach, and make a trade involving Al and JJ for a superstar.
Bird Word
May 26th, 2011
11:00 am
I would rather be talking about trading Joe and Marvin and resigning Jamal. Or how much Dwight Howard wants to come back to Atlanta.
Solo
May 26th, 2011
11:18 am
Bottom line, we have to trade Josh Smith because the chemistry on the court with core group is not working. Joe Johnson contract is untouchable, so that leaves us with Smith and Hinich because Kirk is a free agent after next year and Al is the heart and soul of the team. Josh Smith just does not get it after 7 years, you are not going to win with Josh Smith, so package Kirk, Zaza or Mervin and do a block buster deal to get a center, back up point guard and upgrade the small forward. With Joe and Al and Jeff Teague we have very good players, so we just need to up grade at the center and small forward position, but with Rick Sund returning i am not holding my breath that he is going to do any thing. The guy just does not have it. Every succful organization starts from the top and that is the problem with the Hawks the last 16 years. We had the worst Gms here in the league.
Mike Smith
May 26th, 2011
11:19 am
Not a chance, Jeff. Not after his actions in that last game against Dallas. The Hawks need a big man, but not one with a bad attitude. Granted thats just one incident, but the Lakers also havent lost much since hes been there. Would that translate to regular behavior on a Hawks team that never gets by the second round? On paper it looks like a worthy trade, but I cant help but think this would just make the Lakers better and the Hawks not so much.
skyhawk1
May 26th, 2011
11:29 am
I don’t think we need a young dominant center. Who needs Bynum when you have an athletic PF who loves to stand around the perimeter shooting thinking he’s like Dirk. Plus he’s a great rebounder, see his numbers for a starter PF in the east. Not only that, I love his decision making on the break. But the best thing about him is how coachable he is. You gotta be f*****g kidding me that the Hawks would hesitate to make that trade.
Josh
May 26th, 2011
11:34 am
Solo…. Can you tell me what makes Al the heart and soul of this team? Can anyone expalin to me why Al is untouchable and we are trying to replace his position? Everyone says his position is where we need to get better right? What has Al sowed us that he can be a better PF than Josh? Does he post up better? Does he block better? does he rebound better at the PF position? If he can’t play the center position why is he untouchable?
OtisNixon
May 26th, 2011
11:55 am
The Hawks had a great chance to win a title. Their window of opportunity is still there, but they will have to acquire some help. If the Hawks could somehow bring in or trade for any or a combination of the following talent, a championship trophy would be theirs:
Brandon Roy
Baron Davis
Brandon Jennings
Andrew Bogut
Rashad Lewis
joey1
May 26th, 2011
11:55 am
HAWKS WOULD BE DUMB TO TRADE JOSH SMITH IF WE DIDNT GET EGAUL OR BETTER VALUE IN RETURN AND I WILL STOP WATCHING THE HAWKS IF THEY DO
tony
May 26th, 2011
11:58 am
It’s bad business to take someone else damage goods. If they trade Josh for Bynum and Bynum suffer an injury like Speedy Claxton, the ASG and Rick Sund better leave the country.
Can JS and LD coexist? I doubt it. When a player taps the clipboard forcefully while the coach is given instructions, that player don’t think his coach knows what the heck he is doing. I think if you keep JS, LD must go and if you keep LD I think JS must to go.
There is one coach who I believe can get the most out of JS…..BILL LAIMBEER! He took Dennis Robman under his wing and made him a solid teammate. He took Kara Braxton under his wings and won 2 championships whereas Andy Landers had to release her from the team(Lady Dawgs).
Antanta
May 26th, 2011
12:28 pm
I will quit watching and supporting the hawks if they get rid of Josh. He is the heart and soul of the team.
Al Horford.
May 26th, 2011
12:29 pm
I am gay so I fit better here in Midtown. The only other place you can trade me is San francisco
Al Horford.
May 26th, 2011
12:30 pm
Yes, im gay, shout out to my lover michael cunningham…whatz up boo
Scot Krause
May 26th, 2011
12:31 pm
Trading Smith is fine, but not for two known troublemakers. Does the name Isaiah Rider ring a bell?
Al Horford.
May 26th, 2011
12:32 pm
Josh is the heart and soul of this team but me and Al Cunningham have free booty to share.
DinasaurFenton
May 26th, 2011
12:36 pm
The people who are slamming AL HORFORD are jealous of this incredibles mans game. AL has improved so much and is close to being one of the most dominant centers in the league. If Al works hard this summer, by the end of next season, Al will be every bit as good as Wilt Chamberlain was in Wilt’s prime. Guaranteed.
Anti Schultz
May 26th, 2011
12:36 pm
Why dont you take a poll and see how many would do the Al Horford or Andrew Bynum trade?
Anti Schultz
May 26th, 2011
12:37 pm
Al Hoford
Came into the league averaging 13 pt per game
Current average 14 pts per game
Career average? 12 pts per game
WHAT FREAKING IMPROVEMENT?
Al Horford
May 26th, 2011
12:38 pm
Anti Schultz, that may be true, but I still give up free booty, have some?
Gucci
May 26th, 2011
1:27 pm
You know how the media is, they like to think of stupid @SS trades. Lakers are not trading Bynum. If trading anyone, I rather trade Al. He don’t play nearly as good as defense as Josh, nor does he score like Josh. Josh averages about 16 points a game, and could be scoring more than that if he decides to score in the paint. Al on the other hand…yeah…no. Al is too soft, slow, & not to mention a robot.
DinasaurFenton
May 26th, 2011
1:38 pm
The way the Hawks fans are SLAMMING THE HAWKS you would have thought that the Hawks had a 21-61 season. Well maybe this might cheer you up. After last nights elimination of the Oklahoma City Thunder by the Dallas Mavericks, I finally realize first of all who the best two teams in the league are and secondly, why I felt the Hawks blew a chance this year to win a title. The two teams who should have been in this years finals, that contest should have been ATLANTA vs. OKC. In my opinion this season, those are the best two teams in the league. The problem was that they didnt play like it when they were tested in the playoffs so both teams will have to watch the finals matchup instead of participating in that great game. Last night the Dallas Mavericks were lucky to knock off the Thunder. I saw Dallas blow about six wide open layups, most of which were uncontested, by Tyson Chandler, DeShawn Stephonson and Shawn Marion. Late in the third period Shawn Marion was driving to the basket to supposedly put the ball in the basket and he whiffed at the opportunity and the ball went about 60′ up in the air and about two rows back in the stands. Ive never seen anything like it. That was an incredible miss for a simple layup attempt. I guess the guy was so excited he tried to throw the ball up to heaven. Anyway, Dallas is a lucky team to be advancing. THE MAVS ARE A ONE-MAN TEAM. Dirk Nowrinski and thats it. The Hawks are better than the Miami Heat this year because the Hawks have five players who have played at an all-star level and the Heat have only 3; their three kings. Hawks or Thunder should have played for the NBA title this year. That should make the fans feel much better about the Hawks.
ATL by way of Chitown
May 26th, 2011
1:38 pm
Enter your comments here
ATL by way of Chitown
May 26th, 2011
1:40 pm
Yes!!! This would be a great deal….dont really want to lose Josh, but you get back great value with Bynum….the team would still be athletic but now you can play inside out….not sure if Im ready to deal kirk yet…he makes the D better!! Teague, kirk, Joe, Horford and bynum starting5 = Eastern Conf finals…..lets get it done!!!!
He's a Headcase, Trade him
May 26th, 2011
2:46 pm
Some things to remember about Josh:
1) Smith is completely uncoachable. Lets not forget that Smith had Woodson fired after a pushing match. Woodson made the mistake of trying to COACH Josh, and it led to a fight, and then tantrum (which led to Smith being benched to 2 days)
2) He refuses to listen. Drew has been on Josh all season to lay off the bad shots, and to play to his strengths. Smith’s reply was that he had a good long game, and when LD benched him, no surprise – this uncoachable prima dona told LD to go “*&^$ his mother, himself”. Smith quickly apologized, but anyone who’s been to a game this season has witnessed him shouting, throwing his water bottle, and towel when LD speaks directly to him….see item #1 above.
3) Smith as a self-disciple problem when it comes to work outs and practice. This has been said of Smith for years and years. It is very clear he has gained some weight. At his age now, he needs to start increasing his workouts, and watching his diet. Two things Smith has a well documented problem doing. Lazy in the NBA isn’t good.
4) Smith has spread his cancer to the other players. Reports of Smith being a disruption in the locker room surfaced throughout the season. Hard to have a winning team, when your “superstar” is complaining, arguing, fighting with his teammates.
This is not a quality person were’re dealing with here. Sure, in the paint he a good player (yes, not an all-star).
Trade him now, while he’s still worth something.
John
May 26th, 2011
2:50 pm
He’s a headcase,
Give me one legitimate article or report of Josh being a problem in the lockerroom this season. I don’t hink you can.
DinasaurFenton
May 26th, 2011
2:52 pm
I believe that if OKC Thunder didnt trade Jeff Greene for Kendrick Perkins, they would have won the NBA title this year. I have no doubts in my mind about that. Sometimes the great trades are the ones you never make. Unfortunately the Thunder panicked as they approached the trade deadline and Perkins will probably be cut from the team next year. All the Thunder was missing in the 4th qtr when they had leads in both the last two games that they lost was somebody who could hit a midrange jumpshot when Durants jumper is off and westbrook is having trouble running the offense. Jeff Greene would have done that to perfection. Next year, I know it will be a long season, but I think the Hawks vs Thunder in the finals is a definite possibility.
re: John
May 26th, 2011
2:55 pm
http://hoops-nation.com/index.php?/topic/1680-josh-smith-causing-problems-in-hawks-locker-room-larry-drew-likely-gone/
and yes, there are others….