"So Hawks forward Josh Smith didn't make the All-Star team. Tuesday brought some consolation.

Smith finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Orlando center Dwight Howard. It bodes well for Smith's candidacy for the All-Defensive Team, which besides making the All-Star team was a personal goal for Smith this season.

"I'm just good with being mentioned," Smith said. "Last year, I wasn't even mentioned in the top 10 in voting. This is a really, really big accomplishment for me."

Smith, something of the quarterback for the Hawks' defense, averaged 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. At 6-foot-9, he was the tallest player in the top 12 in steals and the shortest in the top 12 in blocks."