Smith jobbed again: Stern picks Rondo for All-Stars
Josh Smith has been a force at both ends of the court this season. (AP photo)
(Updated)
On Monday, NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Rajon Rondo two games for throwing the ball at a referee. On Wednesday, he named him to the All-Star game.
Too bad Rondo didn’t also throw a shoe, or he might’ve clinched the MVP award.
Who gets jobbed again? Josh Smith, of course. On the same day Hawks guard Joe Johnson pulled out of All-Star weekend in Orlando, Stern, who makes the call on replacements, picked Boston guard Rondo over Smith to replace him.
It’s the second time Smith got bypassed as an Eastern Conference reserve. I guess he should just get used to the fact that nobody likes him.
Smith should have been named to the squad two weeks ago. He had a case for playing in his first All-Star game either of the last two seasons, but his exclusion this season was the biggest pratfall of all. This seems to be a case of conferences coaches, who chose the reserves, still having this vision of the immature Smith who has made all of us slap our foreheads over the past several seasons.
But that’s not the Smith we’ve watched most of this season. Whether it has been a belated maturing process, the timeline of free agency — his contract runs through next season — or the work of coach Larry Drew, Smith has been far more consistent and less petulant this year. He has been strong at both ends of the court, and in a season when he has been asked to do more because of the injury to Al Horford.
I would say it didn’t help when Smith vented to our Michael Cunningham two weeks ago about not being selected. (”“You’ve got to factor in there is a lot of politics involved. … Once you get that it’s really about politics, then nothing really surprises you. I call it ‘Nothing But Associates,’ NBA. It’s all who you know.”) But considering Stern just tabbed a guy who attacked one of his referees, that should be no worse than a push.
The All-Star game is a marquee event, and Stern clearly has a thing for players from the marquee franchises. This year, it’s Rondo from Boston. Two years ago, he added the New York Knicks’ David Lee as a replacement. I’m sure the fact Lee played in New York had nothing to do with that. (Sarcasm.)
By Jeff Schultz
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112 comments Add your comment
beone
February 22nd, 2012
3:34 pm
Stern doesn’t want a fan to see air balls in the all star game. That is what Josh would offer – more than once would be my bet. I actually agree with this decision. The Hawks will never compete for a championship with Josh Smith on their roster. His athletic ability is off the charts. Sadly, so is his basketball IQ – in the opposite direction.
STRETCH
February 22nd, 2012
3:35 pm
Najeh,
I know you are in denial, but get over it and come to realization that the fans all over know what YOU and others dont want to admit…Josh is a dumb player!
Exactly what kbb just said.
Dude needs to grow up. He has been in the league longer than Rondo, Hibbert and just as long as Deng but still plays out of control.
The NBA knew that as soon as they gave Josh the nod to play in the Allstar game they would have to call security to snatch the ball out of his hands cause he would probably be 1-15 by halftime.
superiorblogman
February 22nd, 2012
3:35 pm
Josh Smith is not a all-star people. He will chuck up 25 shots tonight. This is the guy Joe is talking about.
beone
February 22nd, 2012
3:37 pm
And Jeff, from your comments, I can only conclude you have seen only a few Hawks games this year. Josh’s behavior and on court decision making is largely the same as every other year he’s played in the NBA.
STRETCH
February 22nd, 2012
3:39 pm
Najeh,
I know you are in denial, but get over it and come to realization that the fans all over know what YOU and others dont want to admit…Josh is a dumb player!
Exactly what kbb just said.
Dude needs to grow up. He has been in the league longer than Rondo, Hibbert and just as long as Deng but still plays out of control.
The NBA knew that as soon as they gave Josh the nod to play in the Allstar game they would have to call security to snatch the ball out of his hands cause he would probably be 1-15 by halftime!
Bbgenie
February 22nd, 2012
3:53 pm
Hello Hawks Fans, if you have followed the Hawks for the past 10yrs like myself and have seen the development of Josh Smith. You should say “This is a player WHO SHOULD HAVE WENT TO COLLEGE!” This young man has been told his whole Basketball career from AAU until now that he is the Best thing that Hit the Floor since Pistol Pete. Josh problem is his EGO!!!!!! Take a closer look @ Smooth. What has he Done? 1. Won A Slam Dunk Contest. 2. Currently is The Highlight in the Highlight Factory. 3. Stated in Public “That he Can’t play any better than he is Right Now”. 4. Called HIS employer The NBA a Bunch of Ass Kissers. Until he learns to Keep His PIE Hole Shut! And Stop Acting like the “World or The NBA owes him something” I really want to say Bitch! He will not be invited to the All Star Weekend EVER. And he might end up like T.O. Terrell Owens. Broke and Assed OUT!! He would be Better off in Phoenix, Golden State, or Denver. Josh and Joe can not and Will not Win a Conference Championship together. His Mind is way ahead of his Game. To many OUTSIDE people are in his ear. Hawks have No Heart! Masters of Quitting!!
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2012
3:55 pm
A Tweet from TNT’s David Aldridge: “@daldridgetnt: This has nothing–nothing-to do with Rajon Rondo. But how is Josh Smith not on the All-Star team?”
Spyro
February 22nd, 2012
3:56 pm
Anyone that says Josh has a low BB IQ is just showing that they themselves have a low BB IQ. According to LD and TMac, who knows the offense better than anyone else? Josh. Don’t believe me? Look at the way he passes the ball. You think some of his “errant” passes to no one are all of his fault when it would make perfect sense for a player to be where he threw the pass? And don’t give me the cries of “But he doesn’t play near the basket enough!” Whatever play LD calls, that’s where Josh should be, and that’s where is always is. If anything, the following shows you that Josh playing further away from the basket is actually a result of LD’s offense, not of Josh’s supposed stupidity. http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/02/smoove-criminal-whos-to-blame-for.html
And don’t even get me started about defense. DRtg and DWS have Smoove ranked 4th and 2nd in the entire NBA. ‘Nough said.
STRETCH
February 22nd, 2012
3:56 pm
Mr Schultz,
Tell Mr Aldridge to read many of the ABOVE posts.
Delbert D.
February 22nd, 2012
3:57 pm
Maybe it’s because Josh is a Hawk. Stern doesn’t like it when owners shop their team around.
cpsman_atlanta
February 22nd, 2012
3:57 pm
So how long before Atlanta Spirit Group tries to pin the blame on Atlanta Thrashers? (er… Winnipeg Jets)
Stern isn’t stupid. Both Joe Johnson and Josh Smith deserve to be in the All-Star game, considering there’s not too many other options out there. However, due to the mis-management of this franchise by the Atlanta Spirit Group, Stern isn’t going to reward this team with another player.
BOYCOTT ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP!!! THIS IS THE PROBLEM!!!!
Eric C.
February 22nd, 2012
3:58 pm
Yes, agree with some previous posters…Rondo being a guard must have played somewhat into the decision and his #s are pretty darn good. Still, I scratch my head over Smith not making it on the team earlier.
Tree Rollins
February 22nd, 2012
4:01 pm
Who switched the R and J on Shultzie’a keyboard? I’m going to go job a bank!
Nic
February 22nd, 2012
4:01 pm
I have no issues with Rondo as his replacement. JJ should have never been chosen in the first place. Also, someone commented that Josh has averaged 2 more pts pg than Rondo..however their positions are completely different and Rondo has over 9 assists pg. I like Josh, but I feel Stern got it right with the replacement.
Tree Rollins
February 22nd, 2012
4:04 pm
Jaron Jondo gets the nod instead of Rosh Smith. Jobbed Again! -JS
Devil's Advocate
February 22nd, 2012
4:05 pm
I don’t understand all the anti-Smith hate. Sure he has his faults but dude seems to love ATL. Plenty of players have their issues. LBJ needs to grow up too but he’s still an all-star.
Roush
February 22nd, 2012
4:05 pm
Danny Granger deserves to go to the All-Star game more than Josh Smith, quit bitching……….
blonju
February 22nd, 2012
4:06 pm
just remember: Joe is shooting 42.5% from the field this year and averages 2 turnovers per game… Josh is shooting 46% from the field and averaging just over 2 TO’s per game.. everyone who is hammering Josh for the “same ole ish” obviously doesn’t understand what it’s like to be an Atlanta Hawk – we would be under .500 without Josh right now.. 16ppg, 10rbs, 4ast, 2stl, 2blk. FYI: Paul Pierce is shooting 42% from the field this year and averaging 3 TO’s per game.. Lebron is having a hell of year, but averages 4 TO’s per game.. EVERYONE makes ‘bonehead’ plays EVERY game – for some reason, people only notice Josh’s bonehead plays… when you get 40 touches a night, players will make bad decisions.. it’s simple math.. Rondo throws a ball at an official and gets rewarded with the all-star selection – that’s pretty mature stuff.. The MEDIA and POLITICS are brainwashing everyone.. LOOK at the numbers!!
Ted M
February 22nd, 2012
4:07 pm
Yep – Josh should have been selected ahead of Luol Deng and Roy Hibbert.
But I would actually like to see Jeremy Lin get on instead of Rondo. I’d actually watch the game than.
blonju
February 22nd, 2012
4:10 pm
Granger is shooting 39% from the field and averages 2 turnovers per game.. total all-star (sarcasm)..
Roush
February 22nd, 2012
4:15 pm
Granger has been an All Star multiple times and plays on a better team. And really? Smith over Hibbert? I didn’t know he played center………. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid Hawks fans, nobody gives a ish about your franchise.
Observer
February 22nd, 2012
4:16 pm
Shouldn’t that post be from Ree Trollins instead?
Blake
February 22nd, 2012
4:18 pm
Who wants to watch Josh Smith attempt to make a shot outside of 5 feet? Not me……..
blonju
February 22nd, 2012
4:18 pm
granger played in 1 all-star game… he has not been an all-star ‘mulitple times’
Spyro
February 22nd, 2012
4:18 pm
Who TF cares if Granger has been an All-Star multiple times? This is the ASG for the 2011-12 season, not for any prior season. Granger has played absolutely awful so far and does not deserve to be there. No argument is realistic for him to be there.
Harpie
February 22nd, 2012
4:22 pm
Why does anybody think that Josh Smith is an AL -Star caliber player? He is like a tennis player who hits 25 winners in a match, but has 65 unforced errors – that is not how star players ( or winners ) play! It’s not just the positive plays that count; you have to deduct the bad stuff – and, boy, does Josh ever do a lot of bad stuff.
Pity
February 22nd, 2012
4:30 pm
hahaha….Couldn’t have happened to a more spoiled kid. Time to grow up Josh.
not surprised
February 22nd, 2012
4:31 pm
Stern has no soul. Fact.
Heisenberg
February 22nd, 2012
4:43 pm
Following tonights game, I am thinking about giving up watching Hawks for Lent.
Heisenberg
February 22nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Stern has no soul. Fact.
I was not aware he is a Ginger!
W.R.Terrell
February 22nd, 2012
4:52 pm
Ya’ll can sing Josh Smiths praises but if he was under a winning coach in the league he would be a 2nd tier player. There is no ALLSTAR in him now or ever. Everyone has watched him for the past 8 years and he does not exhibit the caliber of player that will make it to the ALLSTAR game unless he buys a ticket. He has not learned the NBA game, with him it’s all about his points and the highlight reel. That’s a fact and we all know this because we watch in on a consistant basis
All of that potential and he’s just 2nd tier and each and everyone whose a HAWKS fan know that he has been nothing but “PO”, we have yet to see “TENTIAL”, be a mainstay in his game It’s almost gut wrenching to watch his display on such a continual basis game after game. Woodie could not get him to understand and LD has no clue and he is what he is and will be no more then that.
LOL @ASG
February 22nd, 2012
4:58 pm
Good for Stern….this malcontent street-baller we have is indicative of the systematic problem of the overall Hawks franchise, From ownership down it is a really bad atmosphere. If the best we can offer the rest of the NBA is JJ and Josh for All-star weekend, then as a team we R in big trouble and its only gonna get worse.
heat check
February 22nd, 2012
5:17 pm
haha wow! This article shook all the morons out of the tree! Josh was jobbed*, robbed, bamboozled, screwed. Period. He should be a 3-time allstar at this point. Can’t believe Rondo made the cut. Complete BS.
* Yeah, that’s a word. Some of you don’t get out much, do you?
pointguardslim
February 22nd, 2012
5:25 pm
“when you get 40 touches a night, players will make bad decisions… it’s simple math.”
Can anyone deny we’d win more and Smith would get less touches and be an All Star at the SF position?
Paul Pierce vs Josh Smith
Rudy Gay vs Josh Smith
Gerald Wallace vs Josh Smith
You can’t be an All Star PF when you can only post up and score inside against every other guy in your position.
Stop pissing on Smith. Rudy Gay is a “street baller” yet when he was getting his @ss handed to him at a posiition his coach switched him.
We just allow Smith to get beat up then rag on him post game. If he actually had the advantage inside but for you guys its the old stereotype.
He can jump real high! dunk it! Thats not how basketball works guys. You have to get around a defender to score inside. Smith’s inside moves are good vs small forwards. Not so much against guys 30 to 50 lbs heavier than him.
pointguardslim
February 22nd, 2012
5:35 pm
Oh and Hawks fans coaches and organization have no one to blame but themselves for keeping Smith who is measured at only 6′8 playing power forward AND even CENTER.
I’m looking at Smith’s numbers right now. 16.0 pts on 14.5 shots. We really couldn’t find a way to get him some easy shots? Some favorable post ups?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg_VMHfuS1o
kbb
February 22nd, 2012
5:40 pm
@Spyro wrote:
Anyone that says Josh has a low BB IQ is just showing that they themselves have a low BB IQ. According to LD and TMac, who knows the offense better than anyone else? Josh. Don’t believe me? Look at the way he passes the ball.
-LOL,
You mean noted basketball thespians LD and Tmac? One is a assistant over his head and the other is a 2nd round virgin. LD would probably be coaching the Iowa Stampede in the D-league if our ownership group wasn’t on food stamps.
Josh hasn’t improved one iota. He has ALWAYS had a monster game or two. He still will show up with his patented 6 pt, 4 rebound masterpieces and have the worst disposition and body language in the league. He relys almost purely on athleticism. He goes down to Houston to work on his post game with Hakeem and comes back last year shooting 3 pointers? Did he mistake the Dream with Reggie Miller? Thats the flaw in his game. He has the body to sit down there and bang and get boards and easy layups like a Lamarcus Aldridge, but he rather camp out at the 3 point line and chuck bricks. He might not lead the league in turnovers, but he will make the wrong pass in transition approximately 50% of the time. etc etc. He has all the talent in the world but he makes me so upset watching him. His best games have come at a time when we are 3-7 out of our last ten?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2012
5:46 pm
“I know you are in denial, but get over it and come to realization that the fans all over know what YOU and others dont want to admit…Josh is a dumb player!”
This is irrelevant. Even if he is dumb, he’s had a better season than Deng and Hibbert and deserves to be in the All Star game ahead of them. Nowhere in the NBA’s bylaws does it say dumb players don’t belong in the All Star game. If you are one of the best in the conference, like Josh is, you deserve to go.
billy bob
February 22nd, 2012
5:46 pm
Say it ain’t so!!!!!!!!!!! what am I going to do without Joe and the NBA Allstar Game???? Thugs!
pointguardslim
February 22nd, 2012
6:15 pm
McGrady’s contention is he worked hard individually, if not in practice, to become a star and someone who still could land in the Hall of Fame. But Van Gundy and Morey were critical of his overall work ethic.
“Tracy McGrady was 1,000 hours of practice,’’ Van Gundy, now an NBA analyst for ABC and ESPN, said sarcastically at the conference. “He should be a Hall of Fame player. His talent was other-worldly. He was given a great leg up in the race against other players. He’s as close as I’ve ever seen to someone with a perfect body and a good mind… I just wish I could have changed his practice habits and his mentality.’’’
Said Morey, “McGrady was the most gifted player I’ve ever had on the roster. I do think (his talent) got in the way of Tracy’s development. Much of the game was so, so easy… When it’s that easy to dominate at that young age (that McGrady did), because of your physical tools, his wing span was freakish, his size was enormous, his IQ. But my sense was that all of that did get in the way of Tracy reaching his highest heights.’’ -Jeff Van Gundy
This guy is clueless.
1) He worked with Hakeem almost 4 years ago. Not last season.
2) He has the body to sit down there and bang and get boards and easy layups like a Lamarcus Aldridge
Really? You can’t be serious.
Height w/o Shoes—–Wingspan—–Weight
6′ 10″———————–7′ 4.75″———-250
6′ 7″————————-7′ 0″————–230
6′ 7″————————-7′ 0″————–230
6′ 7″——————–7′ 0.5″————–230
6′ 7″——————–7′ 0.25″————–250
6′ 6.25″——————–7′ 0″————–236
6′ 6″——————–7′ 0″————–229
One player is Carmelo Anthony, One player is Josh Smith, one player is Paul Pierce, one player is Luol Deng.
one player is Lamarcus Aldridge. One player is a 6′7 small forward undersized at the 4 and is not going to the all star game.
Even Spoelstra isn’t stupid enough to play Lebron James at PF full time.
Keep telling yourself these silly things and asking why the Hawks keep coming up short.
pointguardslim
February 22nd, 2012
6:21 pm
Height w/o Shoes—–Wingspan—–Weight
6′ 10″———————–7′ 4.75″———-250 (Lamarcus Aldridge)
6′ 8″————————-7′ 0″————–230 (David Lee)
6′ 7″————————-7′ 0″————–230 (Josh Smith)
6′ 7″——————–7′ 0.5″————–230 (Luol Deng)
6′ 7″——————–7′ 0.25″————–250 (Lebron James)
6′ 6.25″——————–7′ 0″————–236 (Carmelo Anthony)
6′ 6″——————–7′ 0″————–229 (Paul Pierce)
Keep going for small ball Hawks. 16 points on 14.5 shots per game. smdh
smh
February 22nd, 2012
7:03 pm
I bet we get blown out today I bet these hawks will run and hide with their tails tucked
pointguardslim
February 22nd, 2012
7:08 pm
Mr. Schultz this roster needs to be re-evaluated before the franchise is embarassed with Smoove leaving.
Do an article on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIepUUANijo
and this:
What does Hawks forward Josh Smith have to do to earn an All-Star Game invitation?
Recently, I spoke with two NBA coaches and promised their anonymity so they could speak freely about Smith. While both coaches said Smith would, without question, make their team better, both do not believe he is an All-Star yet.
Why?
The problem, according to both coaches, is Smith’s love affair with the long jumper.
“He takes long two-pointers, which is the worst shot in the game,” said the Eastern coach. “We hope he scores his first two shots, because we know he’ll keep shooting from out there.”
The NBA three-point line is at 22 feet in the corners, 23 feet 9 inches at the top of the key.
Long two-pointers are from 20-22 feet and this year Smith has attempted 71 of them, shooting 36 percent.
Of the other All-Star reserves, all of which are picked by Eastern Conference coaches, Luol Deng took 30 shots from between 20-22 feet. Andre Igoudala attempted 22 and Paul Pierce took 10.
Deng, Igoudala and Pierce combined for 62 long-range two-pointers while Smith has taken 71.
“What that tells you is that he is difficult to coach,” says one Western Conference coach.
Mr. Eastern Conference agrees. “He belongs on the block, if he was there he’d score 50.”
Another issue with both coaches is Smith’s inconsistency.
“Listen,” said Mr. Western Conference, “He’s a guy you have to pay attention to on the scouting report, but you don’t know which one shows up. ‘Good’ Josh can kill you, ‘Bad’ Josh becomes our sixth man. All-Stars don’t have that many highs and lows. His highs are unbelievable, but no all-star has his lows. That’s why you respect Kevin Love. His bad nights are 16 and 11, his great night are 36 and 17″. The Minnesota Timberwolves forward has scored under 15 points this season once. Smith has scored under 10 nine times.
Last Sunday, Smith scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds (Bosh,Haslem) in a loss to Miami. Two games later, he finished with 30 points, 17 rebounds, secen assists, four steals and three blocked shots in a win over Phoenix (channing Frye,markeiff morris).
According to Elis Sports Bureau, only one other player since 1973 has reached those levels in all five statistical categories. That player was LeBron James (small forward).
“He’s one of those guys who whatever stats you put up and you say ‘that doesn’t surprise me,” said Mr. Western Conference. “The greatest ability of the really great players is their dependability, that’s a huge separation point with Josh.”
It’s clear the coaches and the league will not vote him in and with fans only voting for the starters, it’s doubtful Smith will ever make it.
Hard to believe, especially when both coaches say, “He has more talent than most of the league.”
————–
h ttp://www.wsbtv.com/weblogs/zach-klein-sports-blog/2012/feb/22/nba-coach-good-josh-can-kill-you-bad-josh-becomes-/
Point for point you can argue that Smith would become all those things at SF. Less long 2s, more play in the block, more dependability based on matchups, more transition points (the one’s Marvin bungles, and McGrady/Joe can’t run out for).
Please Mr. Schultz I’m begging you for an article before we waste this man’s potential and see him bolt for another team that can put him at the advantageous wing position.
falCANS
February 22nd, 2012
7:24 pm
I dony want u Josh Haters to hop on the bandwagon after tonights performance vs knicks
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
February 22nd, 2012
8:34 pm
Why would Stern EVER name Smoove an All-Star [EVER] after the comments he made? He burnt bridges (Smoove did) with everyone associated with the NBA with his baseless idiotic remarks.
Spyro
February 22nd, 2012
8:40 pm
Enter your comments here
Spyro
February 22nd, 2012
8:42 pm
You’re a dumbazz, kbb. Just like Grandad, you are just projecting what you think as reality when the facts clearly aren’t so.
Did you even read what I wrote? Did you read the article that I linked? Honestly, I want to know, because you don’t have any facts to refute any of the points in either my argument or the argument place in that article other than, “NO, I’M RIGHT AND UR WRONG!”
I thought everyone knew?
February 22nd, 2012
9:34 pm
all All Star games … are jokes. Accept that fact, move on, and you’ll be a lot happier
Gwinnett Fred
February 22nd, 2012
10:29 pm
Wonder if a player serving a suspension has ever been named to the all star squad before – while he was still on suspension?
BTW – J-Smoove – All Stars aren’t picked based on numbers alone – stop your ref hating, ball hogging, brick tossing ways, keep your butt in the paint and you’ll get there!
Ryder
February 22nd, 2012
10:50 pm
The Hawks should take advantage of this opportunity and trade Josh along with Hinrich’s expiring contract for Pau Gasol after the All-Star break. Atlanta needs a real change, even if they have to put up with paying $19 mil for the next few seasons.
R. Royce
February 22nd, 2012
11:52 pm
The way the Hawks are playing, no Hawks player deserves to make the all star game.