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
double g
January 17th, 2010
12:02 pm
I’ll bite. Stupid, I know.
First?
double g
January 17th, 2010
12:02 pm
Just think. I missed church for this.
double g
January 17th, 2010
12:07 pm
It’s amazing what a little maturity will do for one’s attitude. He still pouts when the fouls don’t go his way, but he indeed is no longer a coach-killer (or, for that matter, and ulcer-creator).
Maturation of the entire team bodes well for the next few years, pending a few critical free-agent signings, and a little more money from the Spirit group.
Methinks.
Mark Bradley
January 17th, 2010
12:09 pm
Kudos, Double G. (Not for missing church.)
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
12:10 pm
Clusters can’t jump and consequently Clusters don’t know a lot about basketball. Is J-Smoove and Josh Smith the same fella? We was thinking it may be time for us to get a street name. Mark, do you have one? Markey-B?
Delbert D.
January 17th, 2010
12:11 pm
Credit Coach Woodson for molding this young man, instilling the right stuff for a team approach to the game and putting the Hawks at the top.
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
12:12 pm
Clusters doggy dog is already taken, right?
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
12:16 pm
Coach killing is one of the worst things a player can be known for. They was a baseball player in town that wouldn’t listen to his hitting coach and some said he was a coach killer. That coach tried his best to get him to take a pitch and take a little off with 2 strikes but that coach killer would not change. Guess what? That player got traded for an entire Church but the church has since left town.
Reid Adair
January 17th, 2010
12:17 pm
Josh Smith certainly has turned the proverbial corner. He is doing the little things to help the team win – especially thinking about what shots to take.
I don’t know if the explanation for the change is Smith maturing or Mike Woodson’s coaching, but whatever did it, all Hawks fans should be thankful.
willie martinez
January 17th, 2010
12:18 pm
i went to the 6 am Mass, but alas, it lasted till noon.
f19ure
January 17th, 2010
12:18 pm
Bradley, Smith is 24. He recently celebrated his birthday at the beginning of last month. Other than that, there’s not much to nit-pick at.
willie martinez
January 17th, 2010
12:20 pm
to be honest, Mass only lasted an hour. Confession took up the rest of the time.
Mark Bradley
January 17th, 2010
12:20 pm
Whoops, sorry. He is 24. I have trouble with cipherin’, like my cousin Jethro Bodine.
Mark Bradley
January 17th, 2010
12:21 pm
Sonny C. with an evocative image, I must say.
Mark Bradley
January 17th, 2010
12:22 pm
J-Smoove is indeed Smith’s nickname.
HawksFan24
January 17th, 2010
12:25 pm
Mark, with the Wizards looking to have a fire sale on their players is there any possibility of adding Brenden Haywood and Antwan Jamison? This team is right there. They are among the elite and have a chance. We just need a dominant low post scorer and Jamison would give us that threat.
Blindog
January 17th, 2010
12:27 pm
His sister plays down here in Columbus at CSU and I tell you what that girl can play I think she leads the team in everything!
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
12:28 pm
We was reading about Derek Dooley and he sounds like a pretty nice guy, but dull. We was wondering if he is Derek D. Dooley and if that D stands for dull? Dull may be what Tennessee needs about now and dull should fit pretty good with that crowd. We was almost with an orange team but that was Clemson orange where landscaping giants come from. Some of the biggest landscapers – hall of famers – come from Clemson where when you graduate you automatically qualify for a John Deere on credit. That gives ‘em a leg up on landscapers from other schools. Tennessee orange was always suspect to us and we think moon pies with orange icing is something from the devil.
CWM telling the truth
January 17th, 2010
12:32 pm
I was at a diner three blocks from CWM’s church. He’s right about the confession taking so long; for starters, the first 45 minutes the priest lit him up for his performance in the Florida game.
I must say THAT was disappointing. Not that the priest lit him up, but that I spent all this money for noise cancellation headphones, and anytime I’m in earshot of someone talking about CWM, they fail miserably.
WonderDawg
January 17th, 2010
12:32 pm
As goes Josh, so goes the Hawks …. Mark, if he will develop a dependable, 15 ft jumper and leave the refs alone, he start making the AllStar game annually. Agree?
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
12:35 pm
Clusters babies are know to be the handsomest babies found anywhere- and they are very smart babies, too. When we was a brown-eyed baby they wrote a song about us playing in centerfield. Maybe some of you have heard it . . . “Well, beat the drum and hold the phone – the sun came out today!”
“We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field.
A-roundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man;
Anyone can understand the way we feel.”
“Oh, put us in, Coach – We’re ready to play today;
Put us in, Coach – We’re ready to play today;
Look at us, we can be Centerfield.”
Pitchers and Catchers report in February.
Orange Crushed
January 17th, 2010
12:38 pm
I still remember Sonny’s team losing to the crosstown rival his junior year. A big “bidness” man, supporting the rival, bribed the local Dairy Queen guy to rename their Orange Blizzard the Sonny Clusters.
Sonny missed the first three plays on offense. They covered for him, saying his chinstrap broke, but the truth was he was roaming the stands looking for a cross to wear. Of course all he found were fans sippin’ on the newly named Sonny Clusters Orange Blizzard.
I’ve never seen Clusters so flustered, before or since.
Of course Sonny made them pay for it his senior year, but that’s another story.
WonderDawg
January 17th, 2010
12:39 pm
Like that ditty, Sonny. Didn’t know the inspiration was Clusters babies. Did y’all get royalties?
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
12:39 pm
Dairy Queens across the country are featuring the Turtle Pecan Clusters Blizzard this month. This Blizzard is Pecan pieces blended with chocolate, rich caramel and creamy vanilla soft serve. Stop in today, Warren Buffett can use the money.
We are a little modest about this being a Pecan Clusters month but we was always good to the Dairy Queen and now they are being good to us.
Mark Bradley
January 17th, 2010
12:41 pm
If you add Antawn Jamison, HawskFan24, where does Josh Smith play? And Jamison has a big contract — he’s making $11 million this year — with two more seasons to run.
f19ure
January 17th, 2010
12:50 pm
Agreed with Bradley, Jamison is making too much money (he’d be a salary dump for a rebuilding franchise like the Wizards).
Besides, Jamison isn’t nearly as productive as people think and his age doesn’t sit well with the direction the Hawks are attempting to go in.
heywood...
January 17th, 2010
1:00 pm
mark,
how bout some insight and updates during this cowboys game.
as i told jeff, georgia eyes are watching…
thanks, heywood…
willie martinez
January 17th, 2010
1:09 pm
It was wierd that the priest had these patches under his eyes with Bible verses. And he kept wanting me to call him Fr Tim.
cdog
January 17th, 2010
1:13 pm
when josh smith develops his outside game he will be unstopable. he reminds me a lot of dominique wilkins and julius ervin wrapped in one. great job hawks. lets win the southeast and on to the nba finals this year.
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
1:26 pm
Another song we was responsible for was written for us by some cheerleaders at our school the night of the state championship. We believe they was just fantacizing.
Some enchanted evening
You may see a Clusters,
you may see a Clusters
Across a crowded room
And somehow you know,
You know even then
That somewhere you’ll see us
Again and again.
Some enchanted evening
Clusters may be laughin’,
You may hear us laughin’
Across a crowded room
And night after night,
As strange as it seems
The sound of Clusters laughter
Will sing in your dreams.
Who can explain it?
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons,
Wise men never try.
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
1:33 pm
We was pretty sure the blog is messed up again. We just posted a link to a picture of us getting a trophy handed to us at work and it never appeared. Too bad. We looked good in that picture.
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
1:35 pm
We tried to post this song earlier but something happened. We was the inspiration for this song written by a bunch of cheerleaders at our school. We think they may have been fantasizing about us.
Some enchanted evening
You may see a Clusters,
you may see a Clusters
Across a crowded room
And somehow you know,
You know even then
That somewhere you’ll see us
Again and again.
Some enchanted evening
Clusters may be laughin’,
You may hear us laughin’
Across a crowded room
And night after night,
As strange as it seems
The sound of Clusters laughter
Will sing in your dreams.
Who can explain it?
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons,
Wise men never try.
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
1:36 pm
Yep, the blog is broke. We was trying our best to get a nice song posted but it won’t work. Now, we are going to Dairy Queen for a little while.
Free Mike Vick
January 17th, 2010
1:46 pm
Bradlley? Just what do you have against the brothers?
Elmore Spencer
January 17th, 2010
1:51 pm
When does the Sonny Clusters bathroom book hit shelves?
Angus
January 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
Can’t stand Favre, but that was nice.
Josh Smith is going to be a classic “if I had known then what I know now” story. I say his immaturity is still hurting his game – how ’bout a smile every now and then?
sansho1
January 17th, 2010
2:00 pm
Johnson may make the All-Star team, and Smith may not — but Smith has the greatest and most consistently positive on-court impact of any Hawk. And it’s for the exact reason you say, Mark — he has worked hard to eliminate bad plays from his game. If he can get back to hitting 70% of his free throws, I feel comfortable saying he’s one of the six best players in the conference. Looking around, the only Eastern guys I know I’d take ahead of him right now are LeBron, Wade, Bosh and Howard. And then Josh, Pierce, and Rondo in some order, and then Johnson.
Senator Blutarski
January 17th, 2010
2:02 pm
having fun on a Sunday, relaxing, drinking coffee and readin’ ’bout the Hawks!
Floze
January 17th, 2010
2:15 pm
Any truth to the rumor that Joe is on the block to the Lakers for Bynum?
willie martinez
January 17th, 2010
2:26 pm
is the blog broked or Mark just choked?
Paul The Vol
January 17th, 2010
2:30 pm
So I just heard that Coach Dooley is about to hire Coach E Russell at Tennessee. Actually that’s Eric Russell of Texas Tech, but still funny.
Dan
January 17th, 2010
2:34 pm
The only way adding Jamison would have made sense was if the Hawks had not matched the Memphis offer for Smith. Jamison costs way too much. Plus, Jamison would not start on this team. He is not playing in front of either Josh or Al.
Bum Phillips
January 17th, 2010
2:43 pm
Ah say Maak, that sounded like a shot against my little boy Wade. Please suh, refrain from such ratha banal obsavations in the fucha.
Bum Phillips
January 17th, 2010
2:44 pm
Oah at least as long as you can. Yo have my thanks Suh.
pants on the ground
January 17th, 2010
2:50 pm
Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin like a fool with your pants on the ground.
jerrywest
January 17th, 2010
2:51 pm
JSmoove should understand that every long jump shot he takes is equivalent to half of a turnover – even the ones he makes. The only reason its not a full turnover is because he makes 25% of those.
They are momentum busters.
jerrywest
January 17th, 2010
2:53 pm
If JSmoove stops pouting, he’ll have more blocked shots.
NCBravesFan
January 17th, 2010
3:02 pm
This has really been a fun season to watch from afar. The Hawks are only on free telly when they’re on nationally up here in NC, so I see them only on occasion.
The accolades Smith and the team are getting throughout the League and the national media are refreshing to see. It was only a year or so ago that a writer for ESPN.com named Smith the player most likely to be a “team cancer” in his preseason predictions. It seemed as harsh an opinion then as it is clearly & surely an inaccurate one now.
But more important than the opinions of the so-called experts is the fact that the Hawks are just a fun team to watch (as Bradley has written previously). Maddening at times yes, but a fun bunch.
We can speculate forever about how far this team will get (either this year or at any point), but the best thing for a fan to do really is just enjoy the ride and be grateful that a former joke of a franchise is now the envy of many.
E43
January 17th, 2010
3:22 pm
everything about josh smith came from woody. when he was in the AAU, his attitude towards the refs was not even close. Josh took too much from Woody if you ask me coz theres not a single game i remember when Woody and Josh didnt take it to the refs ears.
Sonny Clusters
January 17th, 2010
3:52 pm
Whoa! Some Clusters posts appear later than others. Some Clusters posts don’t show up for awhile and then there they are above some that have already posted! We would never post that song twice on purpose but that’s what happened. The Dallas defense hasn’t given up a TD yet but Wade and the boys are going to get cut loose now and Georgia could have saved some money hiring an out of work DC like Tech did. We was told a Derek Dooley joke but we wasn’t going to tell it here it on the blog. Somebody said Vince might wear some orange underpants and nobody will know he’s pulling for Tennessee unless he drops his pants unexpectedly. We knew a fella that swore by lucky underpants and we knew a sportswriter that wrote all about it.
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.
Live from the Hawks' MLK matinee: Alarms are sounding! | Mark Bradley
January 18th, 2010
1:28 pm
[...] and whatever else you’d care to ask. If you missed yesterday’s little posting about Josh Smith as a possible All-Star, you might want to check that out. (Then again, you might not.) But I would advise you to screen [...]
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.
Two Hawks are All-stars, but not Josh; bad call, I say | Mark Bradley
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 [...]
Basketball Product News » Who you won’t see in Dallas
January 28th, 2010
10:25 pm
[...] I guess nobody actually watched the Hawks this year.” One theory is that Smith has a reputation as being hard to coach. When coaches do the choosing that can hurt you. There is really no analysis by which Allen Iverson [...]