Josh Smith: From draft bust to coach-killer to All-Star?
Josh Smith is becoming a top player. Next up: Top chef? (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
He entered the NBA in 2004 having already been tabbed by Jay Bilas as a potential bust. He worked his first five professional seasons having been labeled a coach-killer. To his credit, Josh Smith is close to shedding old labels and affixing a new one.
All-Star.
He has had better numbers in seasons past, but never he has played better. He’s averaging 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocked shots and 3.7 assists against 2.1 turnovers. (The latter two are career bests by some distance.) He has made 51 percent of his shots. (Also an apex.) And if you see those stats and they don’t quite say, “All-Star” to you … well, hear this endorsement from the coach Smith was supposed to have slain.
“I think he’s close,” Mike Woodson said. “If we continue to hang in there and win, we could have three guys. Al Horford is close [and Joe Johnson is a lock]. That would be unbelievable, especially for Smoove [Smith]. You see all the hard work he has put in, and there’s still room for improvement.”
Well, yes. Smith, 24, has been in the NBA twice as long as Horford, who is only six months and 29 days younger. To see Smith in Year 6 is to forget the addled days of 2004-2005, when he didn’t know the first thing about playing and those overmatched Hawks were losing 69 games.
Woodson: “He was 18 years old, and he’d never really been coached. That was a major jump. He had to learn everything. He probably caught more hell than any player I’ve ever coached, but I couldn’t be more proud of any player I’ve ever had.”
Told that Woodson, with whom he has had publicized dust-ups, has become his chief advocate, Smith seemed moved. “It’s like he and I have overcome stuff,” he said. Then this: “Everybody always blew it out of proportion.”
That’s true. Each man has a temper. Woodson can laugh when describing Smith’s early struggles: “He got hold of me!” But it’s significant that the only pro coach Smith has known no longer couches every assessment in the conditional.
Said Smith, smiling: “A while ago, he’d say [to reporters], ‘He’s still got some learning to do.’ ”
We all kept wondering what Smith would be when/if he ever grew up. We’re getting our answer. Twenty points and 15 rebounds against Phoenix on Friday, when his fourth-quarter work kept the Hawks close enough for Jamal Crawford to win it at the horn. Fifteen points and 11 rebounds against the Celtics a week before that. Twenty-two points, nine rebounds, six blocks and seven assists in the November blowout of Denver.
He has made five turnovers in a game only once this season. He hasn’t fouled out. (OK, so there was one ejection.) He has hoisted only three three-point shots in 39 games. (He tried 87 last season, 152 in 2006-2007.) Put simply, we no longer cringe when Smith gets the ball. He knows what not to do.
Woodson: “He’s managing games; that’s the sign of maturity.”
Smith: “It’s something that comes with playing. You see it with rookies who went to college: They come in playing on excitement. [And Smith, we must note, came to the NBA straight from Oak Hill Academy.] They don’t understand how to win. I know the time and score now, even if it’s the first quarter.”
About the All-Star thing: Woodson and Smith think there’s a chance he could make it, but realistically it’s a long shot. (Were he — or Horford, for that matter — averaging a double-double, that would be different.) But just being in the conversation marks a breakthrough for J-Smoove, who has gone from being as unsteady as a pup tent to standing as an absolute pillar of the team that sits atop the NBA South.
He’d love to be introduced as an All-Star in Dallas on Valentine’s Day. “It would mean a lot,” he said, “coming from where I was at 18 to coming into my own.” But if doesn’t happen this February, there’s always next year and the next. For all the playing Josh Smith has done, he’s still on the first half of his NBA career. The years ahead should be Smoover sailing.
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80 comments Add your comment
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
3:57 pm
We was noticing Keith Brooking not waving his arms today.
heywood...
January 17th, 2010
4:10 pm
true that, mark.
PMC
January 17th, 2010
4:13 pm
I think Josh is one of the best players in the NBA when he wants to be. Sure his jump shot leaves something to be desired sometimes but he can dominate on defense and take over a game inside when he wants to or has to. He’s got “it” whatever “it” is. When he’s on. He’s one of the most fun players to watch in all of basketball.
PMC
January 17th, 2010
4:14 pm
How the heck did Rick Sund get Jamal Crawford for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton????
He must be living right.
OSCAR
January 17th, 2010
4:30 pm
56th
Jon
January 17th, 2010
4:33 pm
Well said PMC. The sky’s the limit for him if he continues to put the work in. And E43, I think you are confused. Josh’s pouting at the refs was (and is now to a far lesser extent) due to his immaturity. When Woody complains to the refs, that’s called doing his job!!! Please find me one coach in the the league who doesn’t work the refs every single quarter of every single game? It’s part of the coach’s job to try to sway the refs their way.
wxwax
January 17th, 2010
5:01 pm
Clusters, an instant Clemson classic.
Very funny. Thanks.
will c
January 17th, 2010
5:04 pm
Josh is playing within the limitations of his game. He’s a low-post scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker. He’s the steal of his draft. Now, what do we do with Marvin? I doubt seriously that he will reach his potential in Woody’s system. Its time to cut bait and find a better alternative for the small forward position.
tjhook
January 17th, 2010
5:20 pm
Amen, will c, it is time to conclude the Marvin Williams project. There were no specific plans for him when he was drafted and when he was resigned. We owe him nothing and he’ll get his contract no matter what. He needs a wakeup call to know that he’s not being paid for his potential but for his performance. I recommend trading him for James Posey and Julian Wright. Let Chris Paul coach Williams up
Matt Jones likes Coke
January 17th, 2010
5:27 pm
Josh Smith is the most exciting player on the Hawks roster; he is also proving his worth this year. He is displaying maturity and a self-realization of who he is (which is NOT a perimeter shooter). Marvin. . .the jury is still out. He may fetch some value if the Hawks trade him.
Trade Josh Smith
January 17th, 2010
6:13 pm
I’ll admit that he’s exciting to watch but I get so fed up with him crying afer every call, cussing at the refs, getting kicked out of games. He’s like a poor mans Rasheed Wallace. He’s got the worst work ethic out of any NBA player. He hasn’t improved any part of his game. His outside shooting is pathetic. His foul shooting has killed us on many occassions. And Because the Hawks have zero leadership from not only the head coach but all the players, this is a bad mix for Smith. Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin are not leaders and because Coach Woodsen has minimal playoff head coaching experience this team will not go very far. Look at the way the Celtics, Cavs and Magic are built. They all have great coaching and floor leaders. The Hawks don’t. I’d like to see Josh Smith traded for like a Boozer or Elton Brand type of player. He’s not a true 4 man b/c he can’t guard the post and he can’t play the wing b/c he can’t shoot.
SWAT Native
January 17th, 2010
6:48 pm
I was watchimg a documentary on Lenny Byas the other day, and I was thinking that if Josh Smith could shoot jumpers or handle the ball like he thinks that he can, he would be Lenny Byas.
You know
January 17th, 2010
6:51 pm
“Atlanta has beaten Boston three times this season. The Hawks (24-13) have the fourth-best record in the East. But does that mean Atlanta beat any of the top three teams – Boston, Cleveland or Orlando – in the East in a best-of-seven series?
Maybe. What it really might mean is the Hawks need to stay together for another year, when they’ll likely be atop the East and have a legitimate shot at the NBA championship.
The thing to keep in mind is this: Atlanta is building, and in light of that it needs to re-sign All-Star guard Joe Johnson and coach Mike Woodson, two of its fundamental building blocks. They need to re-sign both of them.
The Hawks, who made a key addition with guard Jamal Crawford, are athletic, deep, able to play multiple styles, and have playoff experience. Yes, they need more help up front. Perhaps their late-game halfcourt defense could use some help.”
DUH?!
pmirp1
January 17th, 2010
7:03 pm
Hi Trade Josh Smith – You got no idea what you are saying. Josh is the heart of Hawks. He makes the team one of the most fun to watch. His complaining to refs is passion. What NBA needs most of. Because of his maturity, and Horford’s, Hawks are who they are. JJ is the same JJ. Bibby is on the down side. The front line is the part that makes us who we are, gives us identity. Ask anyone in NBA who Hawks are, are they are like it is that athletic team, that they don’t want to face. Instead you are like get Boozer and Brand for Josh. No, Josh is ATL identity. He has matured, watch the game with an enlightened eye not a biased eye, and you will learn something. Long live Hawks and Josh
J.J.M.
January 17th, 2010
7:21 pm
josh smith mini movie “learning to fly”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc4lK9QLwtk
TheAntiMe
January 17th, 2010
7:31 pm
I haven’t seen anyone sky above the rim like Smoove does since Nique used to. Of course, Josh does it more to block shots than he does to throw down tomahawks (although he has won the slam dunk contest).
That works just fine for our roundball Birds of Prey.
Trade Josh Smith
January 17th, 2010
7:32 pm
Just b/c you like watching him play doesn’t mean he’s effective. His style of play is more suitable to a west coast run and gun type of offense ie. Suns. In the half court he’s useless. He yells at the refs b/c he’s a thug not b/c he has passion. If he had passion for the game he would work to get better. He’s excellent in transition and he’s a great shot blocker. He can’t defend anyone but he can block shots from the weak side. He’s not worth 60 million or whatever we paid him. He’s just another 15 pts and 8ts and 2 blocks. There’s 30 of those guys in the NBA. Don’t get so caught up in his dunks. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Query
January 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
Can anybody see this team winning 58+ games, and still being blown out of the playoffs in the second round just like last year?
Paul Johnson
January 17th, 2010
8:42 pm
don’t worry don’t worry YELLER JACKETS, next year we gonna try the Delaware wing T, I Heard Camden County won the State championship with that, we are gonna revolutionize Football with this one…. Al told me at Virginia they tried that there Passing stuff like they do in the professionals, but i know it is all about EXECUTION.
Patrick
January 17th, 2010
10:07 pm
Trade Josh Smith–All of your criticisms might have been reasonable prior to this year, but Josh Smith has been one of the most productive players in basketball by any metric this year, and has been by far the best Hawk. Top 50 in Rebounds, Assists, Blocks, Steals, Field Goal Percentage, and barely out of the Top 50 in points is not something 30 guys in the NBA can do, it’s something that only LeBron James and Josh Smith can do. Not implying that he’s on that level, but his season has been absurd and if he misses out on the ASG this year it’s a crime.
Also, LOL for the “I’d trade him for Elton Brand comment.” If you were the GM and offered up that dandy, Philly would agree in about .000001 seconds, then you would be dragged out back by the GM police and shot to death.
RA
January 17th, 2010
10:24 pm
Yo, dude with the hairy back, way more information than we ever needed to know, and for future ref, that’s not a good thing…
I’m liking the Hawks because for the first time in five years, I’m hearing about the players that we actually have, not the ones we might have drafted…
Halsey
January 18th, 2010
12:15 am
A lot of fans don’t like Woodson and used him as a scapegoat for the Hawk’s struggles in recent years, but one thing that cannot be denied is that he’s consistently pushed and stayed tough on Josh Smith. I think he’s helped Smith see that he can be more than just a great athlete.
Ryder
January 18th, 2010
12:45 am
Here’s the thing about Josh Smith…you can’t define him, but he’s exactly the type of player a championship team needs: a guy who has sick athleticism combined with an increasing defensive IQ.
I think that in order for Atlanta to become a championship team, he cannot be placed at the PF spot against teams like Cleveland and Orlando, who have more traditional lineups. I believe that if they place Zaza to start at the 5 and have Horford along with Smith at the forward spots then Atlanta can play more of the halfcourt offense necessary to keep pace with those teams.
Sure it may require them to have a smaller bench, but with Marvin/Crawford as the offensive minded group, you are forcing teams to then run with the Hawks, which plays into Atlanta’s advantage.
Is Smith an All-Star? Not yet, he still has to show consistency game in and game out. However, tell me there’s not one team in the league who wouldn’t want him on their squad. I bet the Lakers would love to have him instead of Artest right now.
incredible
January 18th, 2010
1:36 am
Did you see this Josh Smith video on Youtube? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnFDUtaeGrA
Boy
January 18th, 2010
8:48 am
I don’t think Smoove will ever be a great outside shooter the way he has to cock the ball above/behind his head before he shoots. He needs to keep working with Mark Price to work out that hitch in his shot. It may help to pull it back some when the D is tight but usually Smoove is left wide open and there is no need to pull the back over his head and like he is cocking a gun before shooting it. He also fades back some times in situations like that. Gotta work on that.
bfred
January 18th, 2010
12:04 pm
I agree it’s a long shot for Smith this year, but with the loose defensive atmosphere of the All Star Game can you imagine the type of show he would put on? He’d be a lock for years based just upon the entertainment value of that one game.
And there’s no question he’s the heart of this team. Johnson may be the brain, but Smith brings the passion. It’s a shame he may be overlooked as an All-Star for becoming a more selfless and efficient player.
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January 18th, 2010
1:28 pm
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b
January 20th, 2010
5:15 pm
marc
You could not be more wrong. Where have you been these last few years? Josh is an explosive player and has been one of the main reason the hawks improve every year. What you have to realize is men have egos, when another man steps on it(i.e. woodson) there will be some type of tension. Smith is one of the most athletic and exciting players in the league. So as far as him being a coach killer….I have to disagree. If anything he is the reason Woodson still has a job.
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January 28th, 2010
3:57 pm
[...] know Josh Smith wanted badly to make it. We talked about it a couple of weeks ago. At the time, I thought he had a great case but might get overlooked because the Hawks still [...]
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