I believe JJ and Smith can coincide with each other

[Joker]

I want old SMoove back when he averaged 3 bpg and almost 9 boards, he was everywhere... THis year SMoove sucks, he doesn't play defense, he doesn't block shots, he doens't want to rebound consistently....

From what i can see Smoove is trying to become Curry/Zach Randolph like player and that hurts me seriously... It makes me sick when SMoove gives up a layup on one end, than shoots a 20 ft jumper on the other..

Many teams are taking Smoove out of plays by sending their PF's to the top of the key to neturalize Smith shot blocking ablilties. Teams been doing that for awhile with great shot blockers. Also Smoove is more selective but at the same time tenative to attempt a block. Once again teams are scouting us more then before. If Smoove think he can outjump everyone for boards, teams will continue blocking out Smoove or getting physical with him to neturalize his athletic ability on the boards. He always been a poor defender but is improving, the fact that people are nuturalizing Smoove so his impact on helpside weakens is what you are probably noticing. Nonetheless, he is not Curry/Zach R. He plays hard but need to really spend the WHOLE summer working on fundamentals and getting smarter.

Edited May 12, 2009 by nbasuperstar40

[AHF]

Because of our lack of size and lack of post game is only common sense to put Smith and Horford at times out on the perimeter for spacing intent. No need to put Shaq on the perimeter unless he's making a pick because he's can get his shot off in the post. Smith can't consistently, and the same for Horford. We have to do that, when we don't, our spacing is terrible. We don't have the right fit be logical here. This is not even a question that's hard to answer, it's just fundamental basketball.

Horford shoots 2pt jumpers almost as well as JJ (although JJ takes harder ones). He screens effectively. He has the ability to pass on bad perimeter shots. He is guarded by the opposition's tallest player.

How is it even a question in Woodson's mind which of these guys to keep inside the 3pt line on offense?

:no-no:

[dlpin]

He does, what All Star type talent or potential talent doesn't outside of Mutombo. His athletic prowess cannot be understated.

You do know who are some of the better 6th men in history, don't you? You think he has the potential to be better than Kevin McHale, Bill Walton and Ginobli?

[AHF]

Many teams are taking Smoove out of plays by sending their PF's to the top of the key to neturalize Smith shot blocking ablilties. Teams been doing that for awhile with great shot blockers. Also Smoove is more selective but at the same time tenative to attempt a block. Once again teams are scouting us more then before. If Smoove think he can outjump everyone for boards, teams will continue blocking out Smoove or getting physical with him to neturalize his athletic ability on the boards. He always been a poor defender but is improving, the fact that people are nuturalizing Smoove so his impact on helpside weakens is what you are probably noticing. Nonetheless, he is not Curry/Zach R. He plays hard but need to really spend the WHOLE summer working on fundamentals and getting smarter.

No arguments on this one. Our whole team needs to be sent to a blocking out clinic and Josh needs to be first in that line.

[Atlantaholic]

He was our best starter BY FAR in the playoffs. I mean, it isn't even close how much better he was than all of our other starters.

[Joker]

Horford shoots 2pt jumpers almost as well as JJ (although JJ takes harder ones). He screens effectively. He has the ability to pass on bad perimeter shots. He is guarded by the opposition's tallest player.

How is it even a question in Woodson's mind which of these guys to keep inside the 3pt line on offense?

:no-no:

Horford gets the ball just as much as Smoove on the perimeter, he just passes it quickly. Smoove hold the ball, thinks then after that... IDK... The reason why it seems people are still defending Horford on the perimeter is that everyone knows Al going to pass it and try to keeping running the set. That is not the case for Smoove.

Once again, we do this mainly for spacing. If we do not do this, then our ball movement is non-existent. Ball movement is the most important thing a coach at the NBA level needs his team to do.

Edited May 12, 2009 by nbasuperstar40

[Joker]

You do know who are some of the better 6th men in history, don't you? You think he has the potential to be better than Kevin McHale, Bill Walton and Ginobli?

I should have said modern history and yes better then Manu. Manu has the luxury of playing with Tim Duncan as well as being coached by Greg Pop. Smith could excel even more then Manu in SA system with Duncan. Just go ask Pop, he would tell you the same thing.

Edited May 12, 2009 by nbasuperstar40

[tbhawksfan]

Bad coaching has a tendency to make the TEAM look bad. Individual players usually will suffer from this, but in some cases it can inflate one or two players numbers because they are monopolizing the opportunitues.

Put Smoove in a developed system, with a good coach and well coached players and I think that you would see the transformation that we've all been waiting for.

Sund needs to find the coach to create that professional, well coached environment for the Hawks. He also needs to bring in some help. We are under-sized, under-coached and our long, athletic team usually appears slower than the opponent.

[Jeffery123]

But not with both of them starting. They are just not a fit when they are together. To be honest, Smith is a bad fit in most starting lineups, not because of talent, because he has plenty but because of his lack of consistency needed for a playoff team. He could very well be the best 6th man in league history. His potential is good and he is capable of being unguardable at times. That isn't enough when your play is so sporadic like Smith's. Joe lacks the temperment to be an #1 option on most playoff teams. He is as talented as anyone but just doesn't have that "it" factor to his game. I believe he is best suited with another star or two. JJ needs to play with guys who know their roles even when it's not given. I believe we have roles but some players don't want to play them. That could set us from the current state to a potential title contender. Opinions?

Edit

You have got to be kidding. I could not get pass the "To be honest, Smith is a bad fit in most starting lineups, not because of talent, because he has plenty but because of his lack of consistency needed for a playoff team." Did you watch the playoffs. Josh Smith was our best and most consistent player during the playoffs. Look at the stats:

Josh Smith 2009 Playoffs Statistics PPG 17.1 RPG 7.40 APG 2.3 EFF + 16.80

Joe Johnson2009 Playoffs StatisticsPPG 16.4 RPG 4.30 APG 3.2 EFF + 11.50

Joe Johnson only showed up for 2 games during the playoffs and ZaZa continuously outplayed Al Horford. The third game of the Cavs series, Hort played scared. He passed up shot after shot, even the announcers commented on it. Josh at least fills up the scorecard unlike anyone in the NBA. Josh plays with heart, and shows it, plus he is a local. The last time we traded away our local star (Dominque) it was the worst move we could have made.

Our problem is we have no offensive system beyond one on one basketball and on defense, it’s switching up on everything. Both are ridiculous! The system is broke, the players are good. We need a true star player and a 7 foot center. Woody no Goody!

[macdaddy]

Smoove tries to make something happen but the system leaves him way too much latitude to try anything he wants. But at least he's playing with heart if not always with brains. Everyone else looked like they were scared to make a mistake. All this talk about needing a 7 footer misses the fact that we need a scorer. Joe is great but he's our only true scorer and this season he was reduced to a shooter most of the time. We didn't lose last night because Lebron took over. We lost because West and Williams made plays and put it in the bucket.