Josh Smith gets snubbed big-time for All-Star team (updated)
Josh Smith has averaged 15.6 points, nine rebounds and two blocks during Hawks' 17-9 start. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
Josh Smith showed up at training camp with a changed body (a career-slim 225 pounds) and a seemingly changed attitude (“I’m seeing and hearing a passion I haven’t seen before,” observed his coach, Larry Drew).
The difference has been apparent to anybody who has watched him for most of this season — but apparently not to the coaches who select NBA All-Star reserves.
Smith wasn’t named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team Thursday night. That makes eight consecutive years he hasn’t been honored. Most of those seasons, nobody could argue. But this season’s omission is a huge injustice.
Smith has been a consistent performer this season, with only a few hiccups. He has been forced to take on a bigger role with the loss of center Al Horford to injury. He has been more of a team player, more under control — and, yes, smarter.
In fact, a case could be made that Smith has been the Hawks’ best player and the biggest reason they’ve overcome injuries to Horford and backup center Jason Collins and started the season 17-9.
That’s no disrespect to Joe Johnson, who was named an All-Star for the sixth consecutive season and deserved to be. But Smith has been the team’s difference-maker.
Even TNT’s Charles Barkley took up the argument for Smith, saying on the network’s All-Star show Thursday night, “Josh Smith deserved to make the All-Star team. … Josh Smith has been the best player on the Atlanta Hawks this season.”
Former Hawks guard Jamal Crawford, now with Portland, Tweeted: “On the other side of things, don’t know what else Josh Smith can do to be an all star smh.”
All-Star reserves are picked by coaches. Who went ahead of Smith? Chicago’s Luol Deng and Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala. So let’s compare the numbers. Smith has averaged close to 15.6 points, nine rebounds, 3.2 assists and two blocks. He has not missed a game. Deng has averaged 16 points, seven rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.7 blocks — and he has missed seven games with a wrist injury. Iguodala’s scoring (13) and rebounding (6.7) averages are lower. His assist average (5.2) is higher, but his blocks (0.5) far lower.
Deng and Iguodala are All-Stars for the first time in their respective careers. But this should’ve been Smith’s first time. My view: His career reputation for being gifted athletically but prone to too many ups-and-downs hurt him. But that hasn’t been the case this season. Somebody just isn’t watching.
By Jeff Schultz
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124 comments Add your comment
yodaddybrother
February 9th, 2012
10:35 pm
Agree or Disagree..
Without Josh Smith this team is one of the worst teams in the NBA. We’d be right there with Nets and Hornets trying to get the #1 draft pick
superiorblogman
February 9th, 2012
10:39 pm
Rasheed Wallace was far superior to Josh. Did he make any all-star teams? I am not sure. Rod Strickland far superior to Josh Smith and I know he did not make any. I don’t see what the big crying is about. Gerald Wallace made one averaging about 13 rebounds as a SF. If Josh was averaging 12 or 13 rebs a game I would be on some crusade but until he does something special to force the hand he want make it. Just not a good player to be putting in a all-star game because you are basically telling kids and causal observers that this is what we want in the NBA and Josh is far from that.
Gene
February 9th, 2012
10:41 pm
Josh Smith….. Has the Most Turnovers on the team, with his passing and dribbling…
Josh Smith….. jump shot is horrible but does sometimes hit unexpectedly…lol..
Josh Smith…. Is the backbone for the hawks….
Josh Smith…. Is a ATLANTA HAWK ALLSTAR not NBA All star till he handles my first two statements.
Jon Kontract
February 9th, 2012
10:43 pm
NAJEH: Your the Chris Broussard of Hawks/Jackets blog brother!!!! Yep…Josh deserves this All-Star game roster spot!
R. Royce
February 9th, 2012
10:45 pm
Josh has a stank attitude. That’s why he’s been snubbed. His attitude carries the team altitude. Yes, he can be a beast, but he is immature at the most basic level. College ball at the PAC-10 level would have made him a bonafide superstar like Nique.
Gene
February 9th, 2012
10:47 pm
@ydb…disagree… Without joe we are the worst team
R. Royce
February 9th, 2012
10:50 pm
While he has value, Sund needs to trade him, and help this team by getting someone with star value for him. Don’t renew his contract. We got rid of Jamaal and didn’t miss a beat. There must be other teams that can use him and give us a 1st round pick. When Al comes back, we can get rid of him then.
RealHawkFan
February 9th, 2012
10:59 pm
that’s the problem with so called Atlanta “fans” so worried about a person’s image. I’m glad to have a player like Josh Smith who shows emotion on the court, at least i know he gives a damn. I wish JJ had at least half the Heart or Passion that Josh has. Do your thang Josh some of us Real-Hawk-Fan support you!!!
Arnold Ziffel
February 9th, 2012
11:18 pm
Josh Smith=Andruw Jones. Both are self centered, stubborn, lazy, set in their ways, won’t listen, and in a word: uncoachable. Only difference is Josh perfected airballs while Andruw excelled in strikeouts. Whether Josh deserved to be an all star this year or not doesn’t change the fact the Hawks should have traded him 2 years ago. He’s not a guy to build a team around.
Gene
February 9th, 2012
11:23 pm
I like josh he just scares me sometimes….. I dont know if its because hes left ha.ded he just looks offset sometimes…. Like hes uncomfortable…. Not so smoove….lol… But thats my dude…. He is the hawks
Joe blow
February 9th, 2012
11:26 pm
Josh smith for Gortat?! R u people for real!!! Women lie…. Men lie…but numbers don’t lie…those two don’t even compare!!
PMC
February 9th, 2012
11:30 pm
Josh is the most interesting marketable talent on the team. If he was a better interview, he’d be a superstar.
Shef
February 9th, 2012
11:30 pm
Attitude affects your attitude. Jose has the numbers, but the coaches see his unwilingness to stop shooting the jump shots (which he is terrible at), his desire to bring the ball down the court EVERY time he gets a rebound (even when his point guard is running right beside him), and the constant bickering at the refs. Sometimes being an all-star or hall of famer is more than just the numbers…just ask Cris Carter.
Shef
February 9th, 2012
11:32 pm
Attitude affects your altitude. Josh has the numbers, but the coaches see his unwilingness to stop shooting the jump shots (which he is terrible at), his desire to bring the ball down the court EVERY time he gets a rebound (even when his point guard is running right beside him), and the constant bickering at the refs. Sometimes being an all-star or hall of famer is more than just the numbers…just ask Cris Carter.
PMC
February 9th, 2012
11:33 pm
How the heck can anyone call Josh Smith lazy??? I can’t let that go. The guy has played his behind off the past 2 years and is along with Joe helping to CARRY this team to the playoffs. He hasn’t missed A GAME this year and people are calling him lazy??
Josh Smith is the reason to tune in. He plays with passion (most of the time) It is what it is. Yes I wish he was more consistant, but I won’t standby people calling him lazy. Petulant, sure, at times. But the guy also has greatness in him that comes out too and it just gets ignored.
Joe blow
February 9th, 2012
11:33 pm
Josh does alot for this team evident by his numbers…who protects the rim….none of our reserve centers and No one is afraid to attack Horford either..without Josh teams would really destroy us down low..not only with inside play but guards penetrating and floaters..
tjhook
February 9th, 2012
11:34 pm
The coaches who did not vote Smoove on the All-Star squad have penis envy
PMC
February 9th, 2012
11:35 pm
What do any of his faults matter in the ASG anyway? It’s a freaking shootaround quickest to 150.
He is not given any credit for what he does well. He’s only chastised for his flaws.
Joe blow
February 9th, 2012
11:39 pm
I agree@ pmc…plus Josh makes less than al Horford…and almost 3 times less than Joe Johnson…the guy has room for improvement..he is 26 and his stock is still rising…
Who Me?
February 9th, 2012
11:41 pm
what a joke this league is…look this is a travesty. I don’t care what you all say, if you’ve been watching this team this year, it is all about Josh Smith. Do I like saying that? Does he have a bad attitude from time to time? Frankly, yes. So What?
An All-Star is supposed to be the best person(s) on the team, and there is NO question (or shouldn’t be a question) in ANYbody’s mind that Josh Smith is that player this year. None, period.
Seen anybody else play better defense on this team? No. Seen anybody else work harder on this team? No. Seen anybody go the hole more times than Josh Smith? No.
Do I like his slack-a** attitude and pouting face? No. But that DOESN’T mean he isn’t the right choice this year for Atlanta’s all-star representative.
Maurice
February 9th, 2012
11:44 pm
It’s funny because all the things some of you don’t like about JSmoove, Lebron James excretes out of all his orifices.
jlewis
February 10th, 2012
12:07 am
Are there any NBA Coaches writing on this blog? Probably not, they know players, they do not respect his basketball savvy, smarts or attitude. Najeh, fundamentals make a difference, as well as talent, thats why Josh (no fundamentals)or Jason Collins (no talent) are all-stars.
NUNNA!!
February 10th, 2012
12:09 am
Josh won’t be an all star until he shows he can play under control and play his position to his strengths!!
He has never had a coach that actually sat him down and said,”if u wanna be a leader on this team and known as one of the best players in the nba then this is what you have to do”!!
He thinks he is Kobe..He thinks he is consistent with that outside shot and does not play his part on the offensive end most of the time..
He has excellent court vision, and see’s the open man consistently..
Excellent defender and weak side helper.
Great shot blocker..
Nice Low Post Player(when he plays the post)..
And you all can fill in the rest..
But,if u have a coach thats afraid of you going off or being upset with him like both woody and ld have been,then u will get the out of control immature play he gives us now..
I fault josh for most of it but u can’t help but to blame the coaches he has had by not sitting him down and treating him like a child when he acts like one..
He has still not grown up completely..
NUNNA!!
February 10th, 2012
12:19 am
p.s. i don’t fall for all da crap that charles “dog bark” is talking,when saying that josh should be an all star..
U never hear him say it whenever atl plays on tnt nor do u hear it when they go over hawks highlights..
He has been a hawks basher,and forever will be..
Joe blow
February 10th, 2012
12:24 am
@nunna I agree with a lot of your statements..Josh came straight out of high school to a franchise that refuses to hire a legitimate coach…he has never had a coach that could help him develop and elevate his game..that being said..Josh still deserves to be an all star
NUNNA!!
February 10th, 2012
12:28 am
And another point i want to make..
I like josh..I think his game will really take off once we get a real “big” in here to play alongside he and big al horford,BUT,Josh has been in the league long enough and is now being labled..
I agree he has been the best player on the team this year and his number are far better than the ones picked over him BUT,he will forever be branded by the label that the nba coaches and players and fans around the league have on him..
And you can’t blame the coaches too much on this because they are coaching and don’t really have no time to sit and watch no hawks games,because they are working!!
Josh has made his own bed..If he flourishes in the playoffs and we go deep into the playoffs then he will be rewarded starting next year..
And,before i go nite nite,
How much are u willing to bet that most of these coaches would be drooling to get his talent on their team??
All of them i bet!!
But!!
They will sit this guy down and give him a direct line of what his role is on this team and the do’s and don’ts he must follow if he is to PLAY!!
GODSNITE YALL
tony
February 10th, 2012
12:29 am
JS is a terrible basketball player to me. Yes, he can block shots and rebound but his shot selections, ball handling and poor passing are atrocious.
NUNNA!!
February 10th, 2012
12:29 am
*LABELED..
(SPELL CHECK ON MY FIRST PARAGRAPH..SORRY)
maaavelous
February 10th, 2012
12:50 am
Me Maaavelous say the Joshster is dummer then dert.
Goven
February 10th, 2012
1:04 am
this is one of the bad day in my life!! Josh Smith isn’t in all-star!! who are deng or iguodala? i hate NBA and all coaches!!
2012 NBA All-Star Snubs: Did Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith Deserve a Spot? : :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
February 10th, 2012
1:33 am
[...] Charles Barkley thinks Atlanta Hawks‘ forward Josh Smith got snubbed from the 2012 NBA All-Star game, then it must be [...]
waltbellamy
February 10th, 2012
2:17 am
I agree osh has suffered under well below average coaching throughout his pro career. Who thinks we will ever finally see better out of osh in the ATL after 8 years in the NBA? If osh has the opportunity to be guided by a professional head coach like Popovich, Rivers, Brown, etc. the world might actually get a glimpse of what he is capable of. Don’t hold your breath.
Barkely is turrible.
IlliniDawg
February 10th, 2012
3:05 am
Uh, Schultzie, if you hadn’t said anything, no one would have known and no one would have cared. No one watches the NBA All-Star game anyway, so until you made a big deal about this, the only ones who really knew and cared were Barkely, Crawford, you, and probably Smith himself.
2012 NBA All-Star Snubs: Did Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith Deserve a Spot? at hoops227.biz
February 10th, 2012
5:37 am
[...] Charles Barkley thinks Atlanta Hawks‘ forward Josh Smith got snubbed from the 2012 NBA All-Star game, then it must be [...]
Nahila
February 10th, 2012
6:32 am
Well, Smith not being selected is an indirect result of the Atlanta sportswriters having been extremely critical of Smith’s play ever since he entered the NBA as a young teenager who had unbelievable basketball skills but lacked the wisdom that time and age brings in his earlier playing years. People develop a perception of another person from what they read and less from personal observations. Not that the media was totally wrong in their coverage but when you write your articles on athletes and others as well, sometimes it would help to end it by saying something positive about them. Personal and business relationships need to adhere to an old adage, that is ” relationships are like dealing with our bank, you have to make a deposit before you can make a withdrawal”. So maybe next article you write you can end your critique by making a deposit by making one nice deposit of something good that a player accomplished thereby increasing their chances of performing better and having that performance recognized by both their peers, coaches, sportswriters, and ultimately the fans who pay the bills.
JSS
February 10th, 2012
6:47 am
@ Superior…
Rasheed was a 4 time All-Star. Twice when he was bat crazy in Portland and cost his team chances at the Finals. He was again an All-Star in Detroit, still bat crazy but with Larry Brown, Billups , and Wallace to make the situation work…
@ Phil…
You are a like me on Ryan (regarding Josh Smith), but “pea brain” (your description) has at least shown up this season when a key piece went down (Horford), shown up when ISO Joe has run down to 3 seconds and then decided to pass the ball (finally), and lastly he’s shown up playing center (along with Ivan Johnson) for a clueless and cheap GM (by way of the clueless owners)… Just my opinion, but in terms of the East, he’s been All-Star worthy this season, especially compared to Deng… I didn’t say All-NBA, but All-Star…
All of you folks crying about the 3s, or his attitude, go Google Marvin Barnes and watch some video and never post again… You act like he’s a cancer like Isiah Rider, not!
TheAntiMe
February 10th, 2012
6:50 am
I feel bad for Josh Smith as he definitely deserved to make it this year. Josh is a force on the defensive side who is one rebound per game away from averaging a double-double. On any given night he will take over a game and be the difference maker in a Hawks win. You’re an all-star on my ballot, Josh.
kenneth
February 10th, 2012
7:01 am
It’s true, Josh Smith does makes some bone head plays at time, and his attitude is sometimes out of control, but his game has step up quite a bit. His numbers are far better than those two that was selected before him. Now watch him in the second half of the season, his game will be awesome. Sorry Josh, just play your game
superiorblogman
February 10th, 2012
7:03 am
The East would lose by 50 with Josh and Joe on the team, guaranteed. Josh isn’t any good people
superiorblogman
February 10th, 2012
7:08 am
Kendall Marshall isn’t any good. He is only Marcus Williams 2.0 (UCONN) bust,but go ahead and draft him so Josh can lay off of his teammate Teague who is basically a rookie. None of the Centers in the draft are any good but draft one. Drummond, Ezeli, Leonard, Zeller (PF-C) so Josh can have someone else to scream at when he gets tired of screaming of Zaza. Get another coach so you can quit blaming coaches for Josh punk mess. Do it all and you will still see Josh is not a all-star because he can’t dribble in his attack positions and he has no business playing PF until he can learn to dribble in attack position.
Jimmy Crack
February 10th, 2012
7:10 am
Josh definitely should have made the All-Star team ahead of Cold Joe, but that’s not saying much. The team, even with its lofty record, looks quite mediocre with their Jeckyll and Hyde game play. Trouncing bad teams and being trounced by good teams may have been a factor in not getting another Hawk selected. I can’t answer why Cold Joe got the nod ahead of Josh.
If I was Josh I would be a motivated mutha the rest of the season.
Onions Rings from the Varsity
February 10th, 2012
7:44 am
Hmmm, lets see. Attitude, uncoachability. Poor skills. takes wild outside shots when u are an inside man. Yeah, right….Allstar my a**.
vhv4
February 10th, 2012
8:33 am
Does anyone really care about the Hawks or any of the players? The most boring, unexciting group of athletes I’ve ever seen.
DePort
February 10th, 2012
8:40 am
The All Star game has never been about who deserves it in the NBA … Its all about ratings and superstar names to run up and down the court like old men …
Big Crimson 75
February 10th, 2012
8:41 am
If Smooth were an all-star….the Hawks would be better.
W/O Al, Josh’s numbers should have gotten even better.
Good year, butt not an all-star
LakeDawg
February 10th, 2012
8:42 am
Smoove probably should have made it over JJ, but these things are decided on reputation. JJ got in on his and Smoove got left off because of his.
John
February 10th, 2012
8:49 am
Josh,
If you are listening….The Coaches of the Eastern Conference and the League may not have noticed but your hometown fan and teams have noticed. Keep playing your heart out and listening to your coaches and everything will be fine. I would rather you be a NBA Champion than a so called All-Star any day.
Nubian Eyes are watching
elroy
February 10th, 2012
9:45 am
in my opinion Josh Smith is an All Star. Is his game perfect? No! I definetly don’t agree w/ negativity about him. My guess is most people commenting are transplants from other states.
JM
February 10th, 2012
9:59 am
I’m not sure how people can say that Josh is lazy and not a good teammate. Just look at what he did this offseason! He completely changed his workout and everything because he thought he was going to have to move to SF because that would be best for the TEAM!!
Walker, Texas Ranger
February 10th, 2012
10:02 am
totally agree NO GO, and just who do you recommend be removed for Smith