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
zgoldatl
February 9th, 2012
7:35 pm
Crying shame
J.J.M.
February 9th, 2012
7:35 pm
It has to be his attitude the coaches dont like because no way paul pierce should have made it over him
tremaine
February 9th, 2012
7:36 pm
BS
Spyro
February 9th, 2012
7:37 pm
Hibbert making it is a bit of a reach, but all of this goes back to Carmelo getting voted in by the fans over Chris Bosh.
zgoldatl
February 9th, 2012
7:38 pm
He deserved it last year as well. 2 straight years biggest snub.
J.J.M.
February 9th, 2012
7:38 pm
On a good note josh should take his anger out on that rim the rest of the season
Big Lou
February 9th, 2012
7:39 pm
I know I talk a lot of crap about his boneheaded mistakes, but Josh Smith definitely deserved to go to the All Star Game. He’s way better than those two punks that got in.
Mark
February 9th, 2012
7:43 pm
Hooray!! Josh didn’t make it! Hopefully Josh will learn that BAD ATTITUDES and SELFISHNESS won’t win you love from the coaches. Let’s be honest what COACH would want to deal with Josh. He shoots jumpers, but yet can’t make freethrows. He gets a rebound and dribbles it down court (not passing it to his point guard), yet he has no handles and commits silly turnovers. If he had maybe the mindset of a DENNIS RODMAN or BEN WALLACE he would have made SEVERAL ALL STAR TEAMS.
Mark
February 9th, 2012
7:45 pm
Could you imagine if he had made the allstar team? You couldn’t tell him nothing. He is already UNCOACHABLE. He would probably take MORE THREE POINTERS!
J.J.M.
February 9th, 2012
7:47 pm
^^^mark….yea josh will shoot jumpers in the ALL STAR game…lets be real the start of every all star game are nothing but dunks and street ball style of play and in the 4th thats when you keep the best players on the court to finish the gane off and compete
jlewis
February 9th, 2012
7:48 pm
You guys miss the point about Josh every year, he has not been the best player because you dont have to double team him, you want one on one coverage. Coach’s select the team, thats all you have to say, they know players. JJ is a respected player in the league because of his savvy and professionalism, Josh is not viewed that way.
1+2
February 9th, 2012
7:48 pm
Mark, apparently you have not watched any games this season. Josh Smith has played ball and has upped his game, as he knows that he is needed… and he has not had a bad attitude nor has he been selfish. Therefore, before you post, look at a game.
jlewis
February 9th, 2012
7:49 pm
Mark – You are correct.
Jamaaliver
February 9th, 2012
7:50 pm
He’s really not that good. His numbers are decent. Nothing special. And being the best player on the Hawks isn’t exactly saying much.
Wish we’d trade him for Marcin Gortat.
Mark
February 9th, 2012
7:51 pm
Maybe this will force Josh to look within himself and learn to use his ATHLETICISM to his advantage. Josh could LEAD THE LEAGUE in REBOUNDS AND BLOCKS. He could average 20+ points a night if FOCUSED ON TIP INS, HOOK SHOTS, and ALLEY OOPS/EASY LAYUPS OFF OF FAST BREAKS and MAYBE WORK ON YOU FREE THROW SHOOTING. NOOOO, he wants to SHOOT LONG JUMPERS which kills possessions and make turnovers. What kills me is that Josh has THE NERVE to get mad about fouls not getting call, yet EVERYBODY KNOWS HE IS A POOR FT SHOOTER. Mind Boggling!
J.J.M.
February 9th, 2012
7:51 pm
some of yall are making the all star game seem as if its the championship
tyger
February 9th, 2012
7:53 pm
Shame, shame, shame….
Paul Pierce didnt even play the 1st month of season…
But when you are subjected to strict scrutiny…
3 game losing streaks to +.500 teams…
And scoring drops from 18ppg to 5ppg, really hurts…
But why does Joe Johnson make it???
1+2
February 9th, 2012
7:53 pm
Who cares about him being respected every year. It is about what a player is doing on the court. Without Josh, the team collapses. He has stepped up his game this season and has better numbers than a couple of players that made the all star team. Get over the preconceived notions of josh smith and look at what he has meant to his team, THIS season.
jlewis
February 9th, 2012
7:55 pm
Ok, look on the list that made the all-star team, which player would you say Josh is more fundamental and smarter on the court than?
Mark
February 9th, 2012
7:55 pm
@1+2
I am sorry, but you have right to your opinion. Josh is TOTALLY UNSELFISH and PLAYS WITHIN THE TEAM CONCEPT. He also NEVER COMPLAINS to the refs. My fault….lol. I’ll make sure I start WATCHING THE GAMES…..gimme a break!
tremaine
February 9th, 2012
7:55 pm
I think Josh didn’t make it because the coaches know Carmelo is not going to play in the all-star game, making Bosh a starter and Josh an all-star substitute.
Benjamin
February 9th, 2012
7:56 pm
Josh had a good case LAST season at the midway point. Now? It’s highway robbery.
And I’m a guy who doesn’t even like Josh Smith for the reasons that a lot of people don’t [pouty behavior, historical schizophrenia on the basketball floor yielding him to think he's both John Stockton AND a three point marksman, etc.].
1+2
February 9th, 2012
7:56 pm
FYI: This is the first season that any of his coaches has praised his attitude, work ethic, and play on the court. Prior to this year, whenever smith was behind the 3 pt line, i would pray the ball wouldn’t make it his way. But it was known he would hit air. But this season, he is actually trying to mature – and it shows on the court.
Benjamin
February 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
Mark, it’s the ALL STAR GAME. What coach should care about “dealing with” Josh’s antics for 15 minutes on the floor when his numbers specifically state that he belongs there?
That’s a ridiculous assertion.
Mark
February 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
@1+2
One more thing Josh has HIGH BASKETBALL IQ, heck he is STUDENT OF THE GAME. I am just trying to help your opinion.
Mark
February 9th, 2012
7:59 pm
Al is not better than Josh, but he actually better ATTITUDE! If he was healthy, he probably would have made it again. We would be a better team!
1+2
February 9th, 2012
7:59 pm
Mark – get over yourself. This is not about Bball IQ – this is about play on the court – THIS season. Not what the guy did the previous 7 or 8 seasons. But this season.
Mark
February 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
Fine 1+2 you win, Josh should be in the ALL STAR GAME. Not that serious.
Boy I wish we package Josh/Marvin/Hinrich in a deal and get Howard. Just dreaming….will never happen.
phil
February 9th, 2012
8:06 pm
Josh has no business being anywhere near the allstar game.
His horrible attitude and refusal to be coached doom him year after year.
Soon it will be too late.
phil
February 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
And fire FG!!
@mark
February 9th, 2012
8:18 pm
Shut up. He’s done everything the right way this year. So what he’s a little emotional, at least he cares. It’s fans like you that make him want to leave Atlanta.
biz
February 9th, 2012
8:20 pm
Judging by the empty seats and lack of prime time, theres a whole lot of folks who are’nt watching.
Katie
February 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
lol, where is superiorblogman, Josh-hater extraordinaire?
I wonder what he has to say to Jeff about this…
It is still the NBA, so...
February 9th, 2012
8:48 pm
who really cares?
1+2
February 9th, 2012
9:07 pm
Actually, I do. I am a Hawks fan.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 9th, 2012
9:09 pm
“look on the list that made the all-star team, which player would you say Josh is more fundamental and smarter on the court than?”
This isn’t relevant. Jason Collins is fundamental and smart on the court. Doesn’t mean he should be an All Star.
Josh has produced more than Luol Deng and Roy Hibbert, and you could make an argument he’s had a better season than Paul Pierce. Can’t dock Josh for his team’s record either, since the Hawks are right there with the Heat, Sixers, and Pacers in the East. Doesn’t matter if he did it with half a brain. The All Star selections are supposed to reward production.
Michael Gearon, Jr.
February 9th, 2012
9:10 pm
What, me worry?
doc
February 9th, 2012
9:11 pm
no doubt about it, jeff no logic. the five or siv games beofre his game against the pacers were telling and maybe enough to cost him as the guys you mentioned are on better teams and teams. just seems like a very imbalanced, small all star team.
Michael Gearon, Jr.
February 9th, 2012
9:13 pm
“One more thing Josh has HIGH BASKETBALL IQ, heck he is STUDENT OF THE GAME.”
Debatable.
Ignition
February 9th, 2012
9:20 pm
Big Time snub … Josh way better than the bozoos going crazy..
falCANS
February 9th, 2012
9:25 pm
YALL GONE BE MAD WHEN JOSH CONTRACT UP!! WHEN HE LEAVES,AND,SIGNS WITH THE LAKERS DONT BE MAD AT HIM!!! yall gave him no love
yodaddybrother
February 9th, 2012
9:36 pm
such a tragic snub…..JSmoove has been ballin his ass off….3 years in a row…only to be snubbed by the coaches…
I’m tired of them having this vendetta or this agenda. Hawks lose Al Horford and the main reason we keep winning is Josh Smith. Unbelievable
yodaddybrother
February 9th, 2012
9:39 pm
@Najeh
Josh should have made it over Paul Pierce, Iguodala, Deng, and Roy freaking Hibbert!! I mean really…ROY HIBBERT????
I think Josh is going to make the East pay dearly for this. Look for him to beast the rest of the season and playoffs
Roy
February 9th, 2012
9:47 pm
People are idiots. Josh Smith deserved to make the allstar game. Say what you want to but he has carried the hawks to a respectable record Joe hasnt done it by himself.
falCANS
February 9th, 2012
9:48 pm
FYI Jish Smirh has playwd the same for four years. Hes been runner up twice fir defensice MVP. His play is unconventional, to say the least lol, and that will never change. The only thing that has changed is he is now the #2 option niw that Horford is gone. L.D. cant hild him back any longer…..He finally has tge “green light”
falCANS
February 9th, 2012
9:55 pm
lmao excuse da spellin
DRUNK
waltbellamy
February 9th, 2012
9:58 pm
JS – “Somebody just isn’t watching.”
That would be you Jeff. Any halfway knowledgeable basketball fan does not give any credence to your opinions on the sport.
Jamaaliver – “He’s really not that good. His numbers are decent. Nothing special. And being the best player on the Hawks isn’t exactly saying much. Wish we’d trade him for Marcin Gortat.”
Co-sign 100% regarding how little value should be attached to being the best player on this team. I would be thrilled to trade Josh and Hinrich for Gortat and whatever filler would complete the deal. Instead we have Dampier to the rescue. Sigh!
Amnesty the ASG!
superiorblogman
February 9th, 2012
9:59 pm
Josh Smith is not playing any better. He is the same player. His game is still built around the jump shot and any basketball mind knows he and this team would be better if he actually developed a post game or learned how to dribble in scoring position. He loves getting rebounds and trying to play PG but he can not dribble when he needs to, which is in attack positions on the floor. Josh needs to be playing SF where he can post up all night. He is being done a disservice playing PF because he can’t dribble well enough to get around slower players and he can’t post consistently.
Josh does not deserve to be a all-star nothing improved or changed about his game. Lastly, he is not a good teammate either.
Adam
February 9th, 2012
10:00 pm
Couldn’t agree more.
no go
February 9th, 2012
10:32 pm
bad attitude, shoots a bunch of 3s, lazy—that’s why he didn’t make it–very simple
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
Walker, Texas Ranger
February 10th, 2012
10:06 am
Sixers had to have a plaer because the team has done so good this year and Deng is a better player. As for Barkley, he needs to make up his mind. Are the Hawks soft or what. I wouldnt be suprised if Smith and Barkley have the same agent
handtheman
February 10th, 2012
10:51 am
Josh is a allstar. We need him bad, keep doing what you doing my man. And I think his team like playing with him.
Mark
February 10th, 2012
11:30 am
It’s amazing how some fans get mad when you tell the TRUTH about a player. Josh SHOULD NOT be an allstar. What does Josh do that is so great? Yes he can block shots and rebound ,but he is average to below average in other categories. Let’s also look at the fact that most people consider the Hawks to be a playoff team, but not a CONTENDER. If Josh had the right attitude and wasn’t so selfish the Hawks maybe better because he can AFFECT BOTH SIDES OF THE COURT. I keep hearing the same garbage about well Josh is the only reason the Hawks are having a decent season, especially since Al’s injury. I guess TEAGUE has nothing to do with their success and it was Josh that wanted him to pass the ball more instead of attacking the rim. Josh in some ways is a CANCER to the team. When he is not in the game, there is more ball movement. Teague can actually dribble the ball down court after a defensive rebound and less WASTED POSSESSIONS. Most people consider the Atlanta Hawks to be a JOKE. They call them DUMB and that they take ILL ADVISED SHOTS. The writer from Orlando called them BIRDBRAINS last year. Those comments aren’t talking about JOE, AL, MARVIN, or TEAGUE. Josh is the face of DUMB, ILL ADVISED SHOTS and BIRD BRAIN. I wish he had the mentality of a Ben Wallace, Dennis Rodman, Joakim Noah, or a Blake Griffin. He would have 4 or 5 allstar teams by now. He could be great, but it’s like he wants to be something more that what his ability will allow. He should have listened to Woody because two years ago he had stopped taking long jumpers. Now he has a WEAK head coach in Larry Drew who lets him do whatever he wants. It hurts him and the team.
eKwesion
February 10th, 2012
11:58 am
Josh deserves it hands down. Anyone could care less about his so-called attitude in the past. Production is production and he is on a team with a winning record and he is likely the major reason why they are still winning. You could say the same thing of the attitudes about half the NBA premaddonas. The game is played with passion and some people just display theirs differently. BOTTOM LINE…the man should have been an All-Star over several of the people who got voted in! It was a snub and THAT’S THAT!!! If you don’t like it, you know what you can do!
PMC
February 10th, 2012
12:10 pm
Mark, the Hawks are ONLY as good a playoff team as they are BECAUSE of how good Josh Smith is.
This team isn’t 17 and 9 without Josh.
This team isn’t a contender because Billy Knight chose poorly at the top of the draft. Billy Knight took Josh Childress and the Landlord and an extremely average player in Marvin Williams when he could have taken All Star point guards and found a center.
Everyone knows Josh’s flaws, but if Roy Fing Hibbert is an all star…. Josh is an all star.
PMC
February 10th, 2012
12:12 pm
The Frustrating things about Josh are always listed, no one ever looks at what he does well.
Boom Dizzle
February 10th, 2012
12:15 pm
Some of you guys are missing the damn point. Yes, we all get tired of Josh’s bad shot selection, attitude,etc at times. But to say Josh isn’t an All Star is just flat out wrong. All Stars are supposed to be selected by who’s having best season, not lifetime achievement or agenda (like Josh’s omission from the team is). It’s at least 4 guys on the reserves list that Josh should be in over…..
PMC
February 10th, 2012
12:16 pm
These Hawks, without one of the best players on the team former All Star Al Horford are currently only 4 games out of first, have beaten the top teams in the conference and are squarely in the playoff mix. Without one real superstar even.
People can say they suck all they want, they’re wrong. This is a good basketball team by any measurement.
Hollywould
February 10th, 2012
12:57 pm
Josh drives me insane sometimes but no way the Hawks are where they are without him. He should have made it before dribble king. I wonder if Johnson will smile at the all star game or mope around.
Cal Bowdler's 7th foul
February 10th, 2012
1:26 pm
“Doesn’t matter if he did it with half a brain. The All Star selections are supposed to reward production.”
Cosign.
JSS
February 10th, 2012
1:27 pm
Josh stifles “ball movement” on this year’s Hawks team? Please! Joe maybe, Teague when he gets into one of his indecisive modes (maybe)… Don’t get me wrong, Teague (Ride or Die), but Josh is a easy scapegoat… he’s is the only player on this team that only has an inkling of guarding the rim on this team…
The only thing I’m on Josh about this year is his free throws… No excuse for that except for possibly fatigue. Deng, has a better group around him on a better defensive mindset team. But as the Hawks showed the first time they saw Chicago, play ‘em right, they can hang….
Jay Dubu
February 10th, 2012
1:36 pm
Mark,
The Hawks had to overcome the injury to Horford, but Collins is mostly a roster filler, that they keep to play against Dwight Howard or one of the other few big men that want to play like a traditional center.
Most of the big men now, want to shoot 20 foot jumpers, Dirk, Vlad, KG, etc.
Gwinnett Fred
February 10th, 2012
2:22 pm
I said it a month ago. Smith was NOT going to be on the all star team.
Why?
Because the coaches pick the backups and coaches still view Smith as an immature ball hog that can’t resist jacking up bricks from the outside.
That’s their perception and perception is reality!
JSS
February 10th, 2012
3:17 pm
“Reality” = Josh Smith has only taken 21 3-point attempts this out of the 353 shots he has taken so far this year… Do the math folks, got to love it when “reality” is not really what one may think it is!
D-Man
February 10th, 2012
3:52 pm
All those years with that sour attitude is still biting Smoove in the arse. No one could tell him ANYTHING for years and this is where it’s got him. Maybe another year (or two) of this “new” Josh Smith will convince those coaches, but for now it appears he is still paying for past wrongs. Don’t get me wrong, I KNOW the Hawks would be on the other side of .500 without him, but those dog years with Woody has left a bad taste with folks around the league concerning him. Then there’s still those oft-ill advised jumpers, boneheaded passes turned turnovers, and full-court dribbles with no concern for passing it, he STILL takes. How many does he have to not make those threes for him to get it? I bet that has something to do with it too. I thought he should have made it a couple of years ago, but now? Deng is benefiting from all the attention of playing with D-Rose, Pierce shouldn’t be anywhere near the All-Star game period, and Philly’s “other” A.I. is questionable enough for Smith to have slid in this year on GP alone. So why I think yea, Smith coulda shoulda, I whole heartedly believe its because of his past missteps he got snubbed again. You know how it is with this country and this league – once a certain picture of you has been painted, it takes a lot for that image to be changed. Maybe in another year or two with this “new” Smoove will do it but it will always be a long shot with this Hawks team dying in the 2nd round every year although that hasn’t stopped Horf from getting in. I guess coaches respect attitude, hustle, and genuine heart as much as they do athleticism and highlights…
Can I Get a Witness? | From the Highlight Factory
February 10th, 2012
4:18 pm
[...] Jeff Schultz on AJC.com Smith wasn’t named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team Thursday night. That makes eight straight years he hasn’t been honored. Most of those seasons, nobody could argue. But this season’s omission is a huge injustice. [...]
t money
February 10th, 2012
5:39 pm
I have followed the hawks for 15 years, and i have watched j smoove all of 8 year career. He doesn’t get credit for anything. two years ago you are second in voting for defensive player of the year but they put him on second team all defensive, nba is full of you know what. there ain’t but one forward in the east with overall better stats than josh and thats lebron. and josh is the only forward in the east in the top 10 in pts, reb, assist, steal, and blocks.all star deserving……….keep doing what you do for ATL #nba sucks…….#jsmooveallstar
j
February 10th, 2012
7:00 pm
Let’s face it, Josh should have made it this season but i can agree with both sides on his style of play. Joe deserves it b/c he’s the only guy on the team that if you don’t put double-coverage on him, he’s going to have a big game. Yeah, Joe’s numbers are low but that’s for a few reasons: a. the bench is better and is finishing a lot of games, b. other players are stepping up and c. he still gets double and triple teamed. if you watch the games, you know this is a fact.
Josh Smith Posts Best Game of Season After All-Star Snub | Shatter the Glass
February 11th, 2012
5:06 am
[...] Teammate Joe Johnson was selected to the All-Star Game for the sixth time in his career, but TNT analyst Charles Barkley immediately claimed Smith is catalyst behind the Hawks strong start and shouldn’t have been snubbed. [...]
Smitty
February 11th, 2012
1:49 pm
For 2 or 3 years now I have been one of the severe critics of Josh Smith as his stubborn shooting, lack of concentration and his stubborn,immature carelessness with the ball made him one of those “great athletes” who mostly succeed in getting his team beat late. I have to admit however that this year he has shown remarkable improvement in his game and surprisingly his maturity. His only fault continues to be handling the ball (he ranks 3rd in playing time but second in turnovers, only slightly behind Teague who is afterall the point guard). He deserved to be put on the allstar team as his performances have kept the hawks alive. Pierce was a political selection and Deng shouldn’t have been chosen at all.
clean out
February 12th, 2012
9:38 pm
clean the house at season end and dump all these overpaid contracts–get good players who will play hard and not all these prima donnas.
R. Royce
February 13th, 2012
6:34 pm
Josh-shut your pie hole and just be glad to have a basketball gig.
R. Royce
February 13th, 2012
6:36 pm
Hawks should get Allen Iverson from overseas, get rid of Teague, J.J., and Carvin Marvin.
How they really stand, from Braves (1) to Weasels (12) | Jeff Schultz
February 16th, 2012
1:25 pm
[...] little roster flexibility. On a related note: Johnson, the All-Star, scored six points at Phoenix. Josh Smith, the non-All-Star, went for 30 points and 17 rebounds. What’s wrong with this [...]