Hawks and Josh Smith may have had enough of each other

[Wurider05]

Name of external link

For seven seasons, Josh Smith has shown us that he can be the best player on the floor. For seven seasons, he has shown us that he can be the worst player on the floor. The fact these opposites often appear in the same game is what makes him so maddening.

This is why after seven seasons, it’s time to say goodbye.

Smith is not the biggest problem on the Hawks’ roster, he’s merely the greatest lightning rod for criticism. He’s not the player who has crippled the payroll and just followed the richest contract in NBA history — $123,658,089 — with his least-productive season. That would be Joe Johnson.

For as much as Smith is hammered for launching three-point shots, he had a better shooting percentage from three-range this season (33.1 percent) than Johnson (29.7). Johnson battled some injuries (elbow, thumb). But so did Smith (knee), and he’s not supposed to be a three-point shooter. So who should we scream louder about?

Here’s the problem: Smith clearly is getting fed up as the Hawks’ player who’s constantly being duct-taped to a post in the middle of the town square.

I spoke to him the day following one bad shooting performance in the playoffs and he said, “I know sometimes I take shots I shouldn’t. But I’m not the only one in here who takes bad shots. I just get talked about more than anybody else.”

There is some truth to that. There’s also some truth to the fact that some of coach Larry Drew’s offensive sets leave Smith out in the corner, away from the basket, although that doesn’t mean he has to shoot from out there.

Smith’s slow boil continued when Drew called him out following a poor performance in Game 2 of the Chicago playoff series. (“I want him flying all over the place. I don’t want him sitting out there just shooting jump shots and trying to make plays off the dribble.”)

Then, following his phenomenal Game 4 performance against the Bulls (23 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, one steal), Smith seized the moment.

“The media is trying to ‘T.O.’ me,” he said, referencing NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, a frequent target of blame.

He called his relationship with fans “a love-hate thing.” There’s no reason to believe that’s going to change.

The Hawks might finally be willing to trade Smith. But equally important is that Smith may actually welcome a trade. He needs a fresh start, with a new organization, new teammates and new fans – all some place far away from his hometown.

For as much as Smith is criticized, he is not a bad guy. He’s a good guy. He wants to succeed. He wants to be accepted and appreciated as much as anybody — if not more so, because he’s from Atlanta.

We get on the Hawks for sometimes looking like they just don’t care. That generally isn’t the problem with Smith. It’s more about him going after solutions in the wrong way.

The risk of trading Smith is that he finally turns into that consistent game-changer we’ve envisioned since his rookie season. The downside to not trading him now is if he doesn’t become that soon, his value on the trade market will plummet.

Hawks general manager Rick Sund wanted to give the core of this team one more chance to show what it can do. There was improvement this postseason – upsetting Orlando and taking Chicago to six games without their starting point guard – but this probably is as far as this unit can go.

Johnson can’t be traded because of his contract. Al Horford won’t be traded because he’s the team’s most consistent player. Jeff Teague suddenly shows promise. That leaves Smith as the only player who other teams really want. They see great potential without a long-term commitment (two years left on his contract).

Dealing Smith gives the Hawks a chance to acquire a legitimate starting center. Teague’s ascent opens the possibility of including Kirk Hinrich and his expiring $8.1 million contract in the trade.

There are options. But after seven years, Smith’s exit would be beneficial for both parties.

This is very interesting especially with Josh's comments. This was just put online on yesterday.

[AHawks89]

What? Anyone on this site could have written that.

Lol...

Edited May 22, 2011 by AHawks89

[Supporter]

lol at him still taking shots at Joe even though the article is about trading Josh Smith, what an *ss

[AHawks89]

Very dumb article. I'm assuming the OP wants to trade Josh or else this topic wouldn't had been created.

[Diesel]

I read it. Thought it was more about trading Joe than Josh. Thought the trade of Josh was something that had to happen because

1. Nobody would take Joe

2. Al is our most consistent player.

However, the real thing is do we need to make that kind of trade? I don't think so.

I say we work hard to bring in some players with hard hats.

LD or whoever is coach has to change the environment.

[5ATL15]

i think this is the article.

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2011/5/21/2183506/jeff-schultz-is-it-time-for-atlanta-to-part-with-josh-smith

[Randy]

Trades don't always imporve a team - look at Orlando and Boston. As for Josh - he's one guy who could improve his game a lot, just by not doing something (shooting long shorts). For anybody else to improve a lot they have to work at it really hard. Josh stays away from the 3 point line and close to the basket and he picks up rebounds, tip ins, and gives up shots that aren't going in. As for Josh v. Joe - at least Joe has a respectable career 3 pt % (~36 vs ~28 for Josh.) Joe did have a poor year last year, but has earned the right to shoot 3s'. When Josh shoots a 3 most people groan and are surprised if it goes in. When Joe shoots a 3 we expect to go in and groan when it doesn't.

Despite, that Josh may be the most tradable, and for that reason be the one who goes. In fact, since Josh could improve so easily, seems to me other teams will think they can cure him of his bad habits.

Edited May 22, 2011 by Randy

[Supporter]

If we could get a respectable center and a draft pick for Josh I'm good with it. Sort of like a Biedrins, Wright, #11 pick for Josh, I'm all for it. But I doubt GS does it.

[MaceCase]

If we could get a respectable center and a draft pick for Josh I'm good with it. Sort of like a Biedrins, Wright, #11 pick for Josh, I'm all for it. But I doubt GS does it.

They'd do it simply because Don Nelson shattered Biedrins soul and his contract looks more horrid by the day but I don't see why we do it though because a late lotto pick in a horrid draft and a 3point specialist aren't enough incentive to get rid of Smoove. If I was Sund I'd say F' it, we're all in, and maybe try to pry Bogut from brewtown with the incentive that we'd take their choice of Maggette, Salmons or Gooden straight up for Kirkland. Maybe the right to switch picks 6 years from now or one of their middling prospects but the chance to erase one of their mistakes should be plenty incentive for them new CBA be damned.

[Duff_Man]

I spoke to him the day following one bad shooting performance in the playoffs and he said, “I know sometimes I take shots I shouldn’t. But I’m not the only one in here who takes bad shots. I just get talked about more than anybody else.”

And that about sums up why Josh Smith will never be great. Playing stupid basketball isn't acceptable if others are doing it. Great players would change the mentality. Josh is a complimentary player with some great flashes and that is it. He will never be a great player because he does not have the mental part.

[niremetal]

And that about sums up why Josh Smith will never be great. Playing stupid basketball isn't acceptable if others are doing it. Great players would change the mentality. Josh is a complimentary player with some great flashes and that is it. He will never be a great player because he does not have the mental part.

Yup. Also, he doesn't get that a good shot for some guys might not be a good shot for him. And the fact that he shot better than JJ for the first 2 months of the season while JJ was injured does not erase a career-long history of JJ being the better outside shooter.

Edited May 23, 2011 by niremetal

[Crank]

And that about sums up why Josh Smith will never be great. Playing stupid basketball isn't acceptable if others are doing it. Great players would change the mentality. Josh is a complimentary player with some great flashes and that is it. He will never be a great player because he does not have the mental part.

but.. but hes a captain lol As a captain wouldnt you try and discourage that sort of behavior and try and steer the team in the right direction ?

[willthepureshooter]

Jeff Schultz is a contradicting a-hole that always seems to point the finger in hard times. He usually makes articles just to sell newspapers. Where's the get rid of Marvin Williams article? Or the Al Horford needs to step up big time like the allstar he is article? Yep, you will never see it come from Schulltz. Think about how he bashed Matt Ryan after we lost in the playoffs last year. No wonder he lost his assignment as a Hawks beat writer. The guy only cares about his career and the paper. Be consistent Schultz for crying out loud!

[bird_dirt]

"The Hawks might finally be willing to trade Smith. But equally important is that Smith may actually welcome a trade."

not mentioned here is one reason it will make it more difficult to trade josh and why he'd be more willing to be traded:

the trade kicker in his contract. i don't remember specific #s, but doesn't that bump josh's $ from around 10 mil to 14/15 mil? yeah, i'd go play in milwaukee for a couple years for an extra 10 mil.

[coachx]

Trades don't always imporve a team - look at Orlando and Boston.

I agree, You can't trade anyone just for the sake of making a move. Rick Sund has been adamant about that. Rumors are Smoove's name was mentioned at the trade deadline but the Hawks did not like the offers that came back.

I don't think Sund trades Smith unless what we are getting back is a no brainer.

It would not suprise m if we got offered Kaman and/or G. Wallace for Josh Smith around last years deadline and Sund declined.

However, if Al Jefferson were ever to be offered then I think Rick Sund would accept it.

The only problem........the lockout would prevent teams from even shopping players in the off season. Sund has shown he is active in the off season since that is when he made the Jamal Crawford trade just 2 short years ago.

Edited May 23, 2011 by coachx

[TRUEINTELLECTPLAYA]

Joe Johnson is the one that needs to be traded, but they messed up so bad by paying him all that that it looks impossible. Now they are gonna F up royally by trading someone thats 25ish and a borderline all-star. People forget Joe wasn't a all-star until he got to Atlanta, Joe was close to 25 the 1st time he made a all-star team.

[Diesel]

Joe Johnson is the one that needs to be traded, but they messed up so bad by paying him all that that it looks impossible. Now they are gonna F up royally by trading someone thats 25ish and a borderline all-star. People forget Joe wasn't a all-star until he got to Atlanta, Joe was close to 25 the 1st time he made a all-star team.

Joe Johnson needs to be traded is the statement of penny pinching fans who don't know much about winning. They say Joe needs to be traded but can't point to any basketball reason for it. Just penny pinching. When was the last time there was an outcry for the Celts to trade Ray Allen? Ray is older than Joe, makes more than Joe and doesn't do as much as Joe. Yet, Celts fans adore Ray... Why, because they know he's a part of their machine. Cheapo fans look at a big contract and say.. well, we didn't win it all, let's get rid of him. Wow. That's really bad planning. I bet you don't have any trade in mind, no direction, just get that money back??

If we were to do that, we'd just prove those people right who says that we don't know how to build a winning franchise. Welcome to Clippers East.

[buckeye242424]

Joe Johnson is the one that needs to be traded, but they messed up so bad by paying him all that that it looks impossible. Now they are gonna F up royally by trading someone thats 25ish and a borderline all-star. People forget Joe wasn't a all-star until he got to Atlanta, Joe was close to 25 the 1st time he made a all-star team.

We wouldn't be be making the playoffs 4 years in a row if it wasn't for JJ. We get rid of him, we're getting rid of the all the progress we have made. Sure we payed too much, but ownership knew if we didn't get him back, we were going back to square one. JJ needs to be in Atlanta if we're going to continue the progress we've made. The roster needs to be changed, I agree....but not Joe.

[DJlaysitup]

I've always thought that BK's overall process/plan would put the team down to "laughing stock" status and then build it back to average (while he and Woody cashed many checks in the process).

I still think that is what would have happened if their "local kid" flyer on Smoove with the second 1st round pick hadn't paid much bigger dividends on the court than they expected. They got lucky in that one of their 6-8 guys actually could be a dominant player inside (blocking shots/D/rebounding). H#LL, few expected Josh Smith to be a quality PF (semi-borderline all-star) when he was drafted.

IMO if we trade Smoove (most trade-able asset) in a package to get a decent center and possibly cover our weakness some at SF, we will settle in at the level I expected from BKs antics...a 41 win team.

That is if Jeff Teague doesn't go off and keep us up at the 4-5 playoff spot level (fingers crossed that he does).

All that said - I'm hoping for new ownership that has no particular ties to the past and that is willing to make some real moves. Without that I would say just trade Smoove to L.A. and let him light up the Forum highlights. He has his faults but at least he has worked on his game every off-season to get better...he deserves it.

[AHF]

Any player is movable - certainly every player on our roster is. You don't move them unless you are getting more back, though. I don't mind if Sund talks trade about Josh or Al or Joe, etc. but there is no way we should move them for the sake of moving them. You need more than an average center or something for Josh.