February 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks forward Josh Smith looks at the reserves voted to the Eastern Conference All-Star team and figures there must be behind-the-scenes forces that explain why some of the players made the team ahead of him. "You've got to factor in there is a lot of politics involved in the All-Star selection," Smith said Friday. "Once you get that it's really about politics, then nothing really surprises you. I call it 'Nothing But Associates,' NBA. It's all who you know." Coaches vote for the All-Star reserves, so there is the potential for lobbying by fellow coaches, other team personnel, and player agents. For example, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle reportedly lobbied coaches to vote for forward Dirk"
February 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
This could be the year that Hawks forward Josh Smith is officially recognized as ranking among the star players in the NBA. Then again, Smith thought the same thing when the All-Star teams were announced during the 2010-11 season — and the year before that. But he didn't make the cut either time when coaches voted on the Eastern Conference reserves. So even though Smith is having another good season, he's not counting on enough coaches including him on their All-Star ballots that were due Wednesday. The NBA will announce the reserves Thursday night for the Feb. 26 game in Orlando."
January 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Josh Smith wouldn't let the Hawks fall behind early – or late. Smith keyed decisive Hawks' runs in the first and fourth quarters en route to a 93-84 victory over the Raptors in Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee at Philips Arena. Smith scored a game-high 28 points, two off his season-high, in the win. He scored 10 points during a 12-2 Hawks' first-quarter run, in which they turned a six-point deficit into a 15-11 lead. They would never trail after his dunk during the run. Smith also scored the Hawks' first six points of the fourth quarter after the Raptors had pulled within two points at 73-71."
December 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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When the playoffs ended last season, Josh Smith was ready to say goodbye to Atlanta. The excitement he felt by the Hawks' postseason success (beating Orlando, throwing a scare into Chicago) was tempered by the anger of once again being the lightning rod for criticism, seemingly every time something went wrong. The extreme ups and downs of his career with the Hawks had worn on him, just as it had worn on so many who watched him. As Smith put it, "When you've been in one place for a while, it crosses your mind: Maybe I want to get lost. Punch the GPS a few times. "I've been here a long time. I've never lashed out at the organization. All I ask for sometimes is, when I raise my hand, maybe"
December 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
First, let me say I don't think attendance at the first day of voluntary workouts should be any kind of litmus test for the Hawks' leadership. It would be different if coaches were allowed to run workouts but, since they are not, what's the difference between guys lifting weights and playing ball at Philips or doing those same things somewhere else? With that being said, Josh Smith was the first guy at Philips, which he called his "sanctuary.". It could turn out he was the only Hawks player to use Philips today, though I can't know for sure because players can access the facilities at any time and eventually us media types had to go."
June 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After a day of furious trade rumors that included Hawks forward Josh Smith, the NBA draft ended up being a pretty standard affair at the top. The Cavaliers, as expected, selected Duke guard Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick. The Timberwolves took Arizona forward Derrick Williams No. 2 after the Hawks were among several teams that reportedly tried to pry the pick away in a trade. Hawks general manager Rick Sund said Atlanta explored potential trades to move into the first round but "there was nothing that really made sense." The Hawks instead used their second-round pick, No. 48 overall, toOakland (Mich.) University center Keith Benson. Irving and Williams were considered the only potential"
June 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Josh Smith is aware of the trade speculation swirling around him. He knows much of that speculation is fueled by the belief that he desperately wants out of Atlanta. But Smith said today he's not eager to be traded, though he's bracing for the possibility. "I'm not saying I want [a trade] to happen but if it does I will just have to deal with it," he said. Smith said the Hawks haven't told him anything about a trade. But he noted that players aren't usually privy to the team's internal deliberations until a deal is going down. "Right now I'm with the Hawks," he said. "I think we have a special group. I just want to win." There's no doubt Smith is frustrated about the flak he took"
June 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Josh Smith is aware of the trade speculation swirling around him. He knows much of that speculation is fueled by the belief that he desperately wants out of Atlanta. But Smith said today he's not eager to be traded, though he's bracing for the possibility. "I'm not saying I want [a trade] to happen but if it does I will just have to deal with it," he said. Smith said the Hawks haven't told him anything about a trade. But he noted that players aren't usually privy to the team's internal deliberations until a deal is going down. "Right now I'm with the Hawks," he said. "I think we have a special group. I just want to win." There's no doubt Smith is frustrated about the flak he took from"
June 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
"
The volume on the Josh Smith trade rumors has been cranked up to 11 - "Spinal Tap" joke - and somebody needs to dial it down. I nominate … myself. It has been reported that the Hawks are gauging interest in Smith ahead of tonight's NBA draft, which only makes sense. It has also been reported that Smith wants out of Atlanta, which I'm not sure is the case, and has even submitted a list of teams he wouldn't mind joining. (The list, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, includes Boston, Houston, Orlando and New Jersey.) Smoove-related speculation has been running the highest in Orlando, where Smith's best friend (meaning Dwight Howard) plays, and Boston. Ken Berger of CBS Sports"
June 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Dwight Howard has said he'll opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Otis Smith, Orlando's general manager, has said he won't trade Howard and believes the NBA's best center can be persuaded to re-up with the Magic. Other NBA clubs won't sit around and wait. They'll make offers for Howard. Should the Hawks make an offer? They could make a tantalizing one: Al Horford and Kirk Hinrich for Howard and power forward Ryan Anderson. That's an All-NBA center (third team) with a Florida background who's under contract through 2016 for a reasonable $12 million per season and a useful guard whose contract expires in 2012. The Magic could make something of that. Or"
June 21
Yahoo! Sports
columnist Adrian Wojnarowski
"
The Atlanta Hawks have started to gauge trade interest on forward Josh Smith, and Smith isn't averse to ending his seven-year stay with his hometown team, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Monday. Smith hasn't requested a trade, but has privately told league friends that the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic are his preferred destinations should the Hawks decide to move him. "The relationship has run its course," said a league source with knowledge of the dynamic. There's been growing acrimony between Smith and the organization, sources said, largely because of the feeling that Smith has been too convenient of a scapegoat. Smith had one of his most"
May 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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"
May 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks forward Josh Smith wants you to believe he doesn't hear thousands of home fans pleading with him not to shoot when he winds up from the perimeter. "I put them on mute," Smith said Monday, smiling. Eventually Smith, an Atlanta native, acknowledged that he hears the fans but noted there were a lot of Bulls supporters at the game. "Those are the people saying it," he said, still smiling. It was easy for Smith to make light of the situation after his energetic play lifted the Hawks to a 100-88 victory over Chicago on Sunday night. Fans cheered Smith as he made several key plays to help the Hawks tie the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals at two games each. Before the strong"
May 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Friday night, prior to his team's Game 3 loss to the Bulls, Hawks reserve forward Damien Wilkins marveled at teammate Josh Smith's physical gifts. Said Wilkins, "He could be one of those guys that could average a triple-double if he wanted to." Sunday night, with his team needing him to deliver, Smith nearly proved Wilkins a prophet. In arguably the most important playoff game of his career, Smith went bananas. As the Hawks pulled out Game 4, Smith put his imprint all over the Philips Arena floor, scoring 23 points to go with 16 rebounds and eight assists. "I thought Josh played a phenomenal game," coach Larry Drew said. Smith's performance, along with the Hawks' improved defensive effort"
May 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
On Thursday, Hawks coach Larry Drew encapsulated Josh Smith's career with the team succinctly. Drew said that he was ready to pull him after he turned the ball over twice and missed a 21-foot jump shot early in the third quarter of the Hawks' Game 2 loss to the Chicago Bulls. However, Drew played a hunch and left him in. Over the final eight minutes, Smith had seven points, three rebounds and three blocks, helping the Hawks get out of the 14-point hole that he had helped get them in. "When he plays like that, that's when we're at our best," Drew said. It was the first part that led Drew to meet with Smith on Thursday morning before practice. Smith was 4-for-14. His four baskets all came"
May 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
"
It was one moment in a lost Game 2, but it was what we Atlantans have come to regard as a Josh Smith Moment. The Hawks had taken a rebound and pushed the ball, which came to Smith in the left corner. With 21 seconds remaining on the shot clock, he hoisted a 3-pointer. Yes, he was open. The Hawks' swift transition had left the Bulls scattered. But no, it wasn't a good shot. Even had it fallen - and it didn't - it was a lousy shot. Watching, the only response was: "What are you doing?" A stipulation: I like Josh Smith a lot. He's among my favorite contemporary Atlanta athletes, and there was a time when I'd have said he was my absolute fave. But I have no idea what he's doing anymore. To"
April 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks forward Josh Smith suffered a sprained left elbow during Atlanta's 103-93 Game 1 victory against Orlando on Saturday night, and he had an ice pack on it prior to Atlanta's practice on Monday. Smith, who is left-handed, said he planned to play Tuesday night in Game 2 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. "I don't know if a guy fell on me or I caught a screen or what," Smith said. "With all of the adrenaline I didn't feel it after the game, but when I woke up it was a different story." Smith started at small forward in Game 1 and had 15 points and eight rebounds in 34 minutes. "I'm a little concerned," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "He mentioned that it was sore today"
April 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks forward Josh Smith sat out the team's game against San Antonio on Tuesday night because of soreness in his right knee. Smith suffered a sprain Feb. 28 at Denver after he had banged the knee earlier in the season. He said he has had nagging pain and weakness in the knee and isn't sure how long he will be out. "We just want to try to get as much of the swelling out of it as we can and get it as strong as I can before the playoffs," Smith said. With Smith out of the lineup, coach Larry Drew started Jason Collins at center and shifted Al Horford to Smith's usual power forward position. The Hawks have four regular-season games left. They clinched the fifth seed Tuesday night, despite"
April 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
"
The Thrashers fired their coach, changed their general manager, imported a goodly roster chunk from the Stanley Cup champions … and will miss the playoffs yet again. They finished 10th in the Eastern Conference last season; with four games remaining, they're 11th now. And should we be upset? Nah. They're the Thrashers. As for the Thrashers' corporate brethren: That's different. The Hawks have made the playoffs three seasons running and have won a series the past two years. They didn't opt for change over the offseason. They chose continuity, albeit with a twist. They fired their coach but promoted his assistant. (Message: "We've changed, but not really.") The Hawks won 53 games last"
March 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
While emphasizing that he's not making excuses, Hawks coach Larry Drew said a few key players are a little banged up. Center Al Horford's left ankle, which kept him out of the team's win over Portland March 12, is still bothering him. Forward Josh Smith is feeling the effects of his sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Guard Joe Johnson has had a sore left hand since the preseason."
March 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks forward Josh Smith started after missing the past two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Smith played with a heavy brace. Coach Larry Drew said Smith felt good enough at Saturday's practice to play, but the team wanted to see how his knee responded Sunday morning before making a final decision. Last week's games are the first Smith has missed this season. Smith moved without apparent problem and played 15 minutes in the first half. Williams makes peace Hawks forward Marvin Williams said he spoke with Knicks forward Shawne Williams, whom he fought in the teams' second game at Philips Arena Jan. 28, during the teams' third game in New York Feb. 16."
March 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The doctors have given Josh Smith clearance to play after he sprained his right knee on Monday. He said he believes the knee is feeling about as good as it's going to get. He practiced with a knee brace today and said it felt OK. So it seems the next hurdle for Smith is a mental one. "It's cool," he said. "Obviously I am thinking about it and being more cautious. I've got to play with a clear mind. If I think about re-injuring it I probably will." The brace has metal frame with hinges and a cloth covering. It isn't too bulky, though Smith joked: "Looks robotic." Smith said he was able to make cuts during today's light practice session. "It feels good," Smith said. "I've just got to get"
March 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks forward Josh Smith watched his team beat the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday from the team's training room, practically falling off the training table in excitement. With his sprained right knee still healing, he may have to watch the Hawks play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday from the bench. "Right now, I'm a player-coach," Smith said with a smile. "If it doesn't feel right [Friday], I'll be in a suit right over there by Coach [Larry Drew] drawing some plays up, trying to be in his ear a little bit." Smith did not practice Thursday and is considered day-to-day. Smith said he can run in a straight line on his sprained MCL, but has pain when cutting. Drew said he plans to not have"
March 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Don't count on Josh Smith playing Friday night. Larry Drew isn't. Smith, who sat out Wednesday's win over Chicago with his right knee ligament sprain, did not practice Thursday. Smith said the problem is the pain he feels when cutting on the knee. It's the first game he's missed this season. "I've been blessed throughout this whole season to really not be plagued with an injury," Smith said. "I guess it was my turn. I'm definitely frustrated. I'm a competitor and I definitely want to be out there, but my teammates were telling me just to rest my body and get myself as close to 100 percent as possible before I get back out there." Smith joked that he's a player-coach and that, if he doesn't"
March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After coming off the bench for his first two games, new Hawks guard Kirk Hinrich will make his first start Wednesday night at Philips Arena. He'll do it against his old team, the Chicago Bulls. Hinrich won't have the benefit of having forward Josh Smith in the lineup, however. Smith, who sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee against Denver Monday, tried to practice at the Wednesday morning shootaround but was in too much pain. Since acquiring Hinrich in a trade that sent Mike Bibby to Washington last Wednesday, coach Larry Drew had been starting Jeff Teague to give Hinrich time to acclimate. Drew said he felt Hinrich had learned enough of the team's plays and defensive"
March 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(scroll down)
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The Hawks finished the trip with two players on the injured list. Hinrich (calf) didn't play and then Smith sat out the second half because of a knee injury. Smith said he suffered a sprained right medial collateral ligament when J.R. Smith landed on his knee. Josh Smith said he's likely to get an MRI when after the team returns to Atlanta. It's the same knee Smith banged earlier in the season. "For the past two games it was feeling like I was getting back to 100 percent and then this happens," he said. "It's kind of frustrating but I can't control injuries." Josh Smith returned to the game in the second quarter but remained in the locker room when the team came out for the second half."
January 31
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The fallout from Friday night's emotionally charged Atlanta-New York basketball game continues. On Sunday, Hawks forward Josh Smith was fined $25,000 for making an obscene gesture near the end of the Hawks' 111-102 victory over the Knicks. After connecting on a crucial 3-pointer with just under four minutes to play, Smith grabbed his crotch. Smith's fine came the day after Atlanta forward Marvin Williams was suspended for two games by the NBA for throwing a punch later in the same game. With 43.7 seconds left, Williams and New York's Shawne Williams exchanged shoves, drew fighting fouls and were ejected. The Knicks' Williams claimed he was hit in the back of the head."
January 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The NBA today fined Hawks forward Josh Smith $25,000 for an obscene gesture he made during Atlanta's 111-102 victory against the Knicks on Friday. The incident happened after Smith made a 3-pointer to give the Hawks a 105-97 lead with 3:44 to play. Smith made a motion near his groin area as he ran back up the court. Television cameras captured the incident."
December 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Atlanta forward Josh Smith took an IV and got a massage before Saturday's game against Indians as a precaution after cramping up against San Antonio Friday night. Smith sustained the leg cramp blocking a shot by the Spurs' Tim Duncan, tried to play through it and then went to the bench when it continued to bother him. He went back into the game and then cramped up in his quadriceps muscle. Smith, who said he'd cramped up one other time this season, has never had the problem before in his career. "I should be OK," he said. He played 16 minutes in the first half with no visible distress."
December 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Just call him Radar. Josh Smith, whose unrequited infatuation with jump shots has drawn the ire of Hawks fans over the years, put on a long-distance exhibition Tuesday night. The New Jersey Nets were his hapless foils as the Hawks had their most efficient game of offensive basketball this season, a 116-101 dismantling of the Nets. "It was the type of game where everybody couldn't miss," said Smith, who made six of eight shots from 16 feet and beyond. "We were unselfish with the basketball, and everybody was reaping the benefits." Perhaps none more than Smith. Playing at small forward with Joe Johnson out of the lineup because of elbow surgery, Smith made 14 of 16 shots, including both"
December 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks coach Larry Drew said he considers what he called a "father-son" spat with forward Josh Smith to be settled after Smith apologized to the team following the Hawks' victory over Philadelphia on Friday. Smith was upset after Drew benched him in the fourth quarter for two ill-timed jump shots. Smith gestured and yelled at Drew as he came off the court, stayed away from team huddles and continued to complain on the bench as teammates tried to calm him. Drew, who replaced Smith with Zaza Pachulia, said he didn't see Smith's reactions. "First thing he did after the game, I came in to address the team and he said, 'Hey, coach, I just want to apologize to everyone for how I handled the"
November 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
When Hawks coach Larry Drew talks about Josh Smith's mistakes he's usually quick to add that he can live with them. That's because Smith's good plays almost always outweigh the errors by a wide margin. Smith showed why his coach cuts him so much slack on Sunday at Toronto. The Hawks' energetic power forward delivered a triple-double to lift them to a 96-78 victory against the Raptors. "It just seemed like he was all over the floor," Drew said. "When he plays like that and plays under control, he is such a force." The Hawks won their third straight game, and Smith has played a key role in all of them. He led the team in scoring and rebounding against Washington, kept the Knicks away from"
November 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
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"
May 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Long before they became central figures in the 2010 NBA playoffs, Josh Smith and Dwight Howard were toddlers in the same College Park daycare center, trying to avoid Miss Lacey's discipline. "Miss B. was pretty cool," said Smith, the Hawks forward. "It was the other one we had, Miss Lacey; she didn't play." Smith and Howard, Orlando's All-NBA center, have outgrown daycare but not each other. They've been friends since they were young kids and were teammates, with Hawks backup center Randolph Morris, on the Atlanta Celtics AAU team in high school. "Both of them were competitive," said Dwight Howard Sr., father of the Magic star. "They always had to fight about who was going to be at the"
April 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Michael Hunt
"
Hey, Josh Smith. Turns out there is something to do in Milwaukee after all, eh, kid? You know, like playing a professional basketball game? You were fairly lacking at it Saturday night. So were most of those other guys in red you brought along to our town. In fact, you were so bad at times that it halfway looked as if you had found the standard big-city diversions that do really exist here. So you and the Hawks got everything (if you'll pardon the idiom) y'all deserved, the 107-89 whuppin' the Bucks laid on you in Game 3 of the first-round NBA playoffs at a legitimately sold-out Bradley Center that was far move lively and atmospheric than either of the first two at Philips Arena. So what"
April 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
The Milwaukee faithful at the Bradley Center on Saturday night booed Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith in pregame introductions and they booed him during the game when he touched the ball. And Smith, who made some disparaging remarks about Milwaukee in the days leading up to the game, tipped his hat to the Bucks fans after the game. "I loved it," said Smith when asked about the reception he received. "A welcome greeting. That's how you're supposed to greet somebody when they're playing on the opposing team. "That's how you're supposed to ride with your team. They've got good fans. I just made a little statement to see what their reaction was and I anticipated what it was going to be. "This"
April 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Woody figures the Hawks will encounter a "hostile environment" at Milwaukee's Bradley Center for Game 3 oN Saturday. It might be particularly unwelcoming for Josh Smith after he pulled a Joakim Noah. A reporter mentioned that Milwaukee is different from Miami, the Hawks' first-round destination last year (and lemme tell you, this is another reason Hawks management was happy to draw Milwaukee instead of Miami this time). So what will Smoove do in Brew City? "Maybe go to Ruth's Chris or something," he said. (Sorry, Smoove, but the nearest locations are in Madison, Wisc. and Northbrook, Ill.) "There's pretty much nothing to do," Smith said. "Miami has some really good restaurants. I never"
April 23
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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They call Josh Smith the X-factor in Atlanta. Everybody knows about the 6-foot-9 forward's defensive skills and shot-blocking prowess - he finished second in the voting for the NBA's defensive player of the year award, behind Orlando's Dwight Howard. But when Smith is dunking at will and scoring 21 points on his way to a near triple-double, as he did in Game 2, the Milwaukee Bucks are in major trouble in their Eastern Conference playoff matchup against the Hawks. Slowing down Smith and 6-10 center Al Horford will be critical if the Bucks want to create a competitive series, beginning with Game 3 on Saturday night at the Bradley Center. The third-seeded Hawks hold a 2-0 lead in the"
April 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
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"
April 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
"
Joe Johnson is the Hawks' four-time All-Star, their highest-paid player and the one guy on the roster who spoke openly the other day about feeling he needed to prove himself as one of the game's elite players by carrying his team in crucial moments in these playoffs, if necessary. All of that is accurate. But it doesn't diminish the impact Josh Smith can have on a team. We saw again why Tuesday night. He is forever the Hawks' X-factor because so few can do what he does, which, by the way, is everything. The only comparable might be a guy named LeBron. As Al Horford said when asked about key performers for the Hawks in this postseason, "Joe is one of those players who lives for the big"
April 21
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"
If not for an errant shot or two by Atlanta in garbage time, Josh Smith would've dropped a triple-double on the Milwaukee Bucks in a playoff game. As it is, the Hawks forward is killing them. In two games, Smith has 33 points, 24 rebounds, 13 assists and six blocked shots against the Bucks. And that was after putting up a line of 21 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks Tuesday night in the Hawks' 96-86 victory in Game 2 of a first-round series at Phillips Arena. If the Bucks don't find a way to stop him soon, they may as well start scheduling off-season tee times. You can look it up, because Bucks coach Scott Skiles sure has. "It's been awhile since I've looked at the numbers,"
April 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
This time the Bucks weren't rattled from the start and they again never stopped competing. None of that mattered to the Hawks, who overwhelmed Milwaukee for stretches and turned back a late rally for a 96-86 victory on Tuesday night at Philips Arena. Atlanta won both games at Philips Arena to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series. Game 3 is Saturday at Milwaukee and the Hawks haven't been nearly as good on the road as at home this season. But the Bucks, missing injured center Andrew Bogut, haven't been good enough to keep up with the Hawks' deeper well of talent. The Hawks have no intention of letting up no matter where the games are played. "We're on edge," Hawks center Al"
March 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
In crunch time of the fourth quarter Wednesday night, Josh Smith grabbed only one rebound. He made it count. The Hawks clinched their third consecutive playoff berth in grand style, as Smith's putback dunk as time expired vanquished Orlando 86-84. It broke the Hawks' six-game losing streak to the Magic and prevented a four-game regular-season sweep. With the scored tied at 84, the Hawks' Joe Johnson lofted a jumper from the left side that bounced high off the rim. From the opposite baseline, Smith roared to the basket, cramming the ball through the rim an instant before time expired. "I just crashed it," Smith said. "Luckily, the ball was right there for me to tip in. I know that Joe's a"
March 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Lately fans at Philips Arena groan when Hawks forward Josh Smith winds up to take a jump shot. Smith said he doesn't notice it but even if he did, it wouldn't change his approach. If opponents are willing to give him open jump shots, Smith plans to keep taking them. "They are just there," he said. "I just try to shoot them with confidence." That strategy hasn't been working so well. According 82games.com's game tracking statistics, entering Monday Smith was shooting 37 percent on jump shots compared to 63 percent on shots in the lane. Smith, who otherwise is having his best season, said he hasn't looked at his percentage on outside shots. Told about the poor numbers, he shrugged them off."