"For veteran NBA players like Josh Smith, who already are among the best in the world, improvements in their games usually are gradual and often somewhat predictable.

That's why it has been surprising to see Smith, a poor jump shooter over his previous six pro seasons, suddenly make longer range baskets at a dramatically better rate.

According to shot location statistics at Hoopdata.com, Smith never made more than 34 percent of his shots from 16 to 23 feet in his five previous seasons. So far this year, he is shooting 40 percent from 16 to 23 feet, which is about the league average for all players.

After shunning 3-pointers -- he took only seven attempts last season -- Smith is back to shooting them. A 27 percent 3-point shooter entering this season, he's made eight of 20. When weighted for the increased value of 3-pointers, that computes to an effective field-goal percentage of 58.

Smith worked on his jump shot before the season and so far, it's working.

"What I concentrate most on is stepping into every jump shot and being confident in myself and not getting discouraged," he said. "I miss a couple, I get frustrated and get down on myself and then it's second-guessing."

Smith has others to do that for him, particularly at Philips Arena. It's still common for Hawks fans, mindful of Smith's shooting struggles in the past, to groan when he winds up from the perimeter."