Josh Smith News

Heat's Wade struggles in loss to Hawks
"Remember when the Heat used to have something that resembled aggressive defense? Recall when opponents once had a difficult time scoring against what was one of the overall stingiest teams in the league? And how about those moments when Dwyane Wade would take over a quarter, spark a rally and deliver his team from its offensive doldrums? Those things were all synonymous with the Heat only a week ago. It might as well have been an eternity. Any optimism from the Heat's 6-1 record entering last Thursday's game against Cleveland has since been muted by Miami's third loss in four games. The latest setback was a 105-90 deflating defeat Wednesday night against the Hawks at Phillips Arena."
Johnson, Smith lead way in Hawks blowout
"At some point, the Hawks will cool off. But that point wasn't Wednesday night. It was Miami's turn to be fed into the Hawks' threshing machine, which chewed up the Heat with a determined defense on All-NBA guard Dwyane Wade and a furious second quarter that helped secure the Hawks' sixth win in a row, 105-90 over the Heat. Over that span, the Hawks have won by 11 or more points five times and have held their opponent under 100 points in the past four games. "I can't ask for anything better," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "I couldn't be more proud of a group of guys that made a commitment when they came into camp this year." Using what has become a familiar pattern -- solid defense, a ..."
Board game doesn't go way of stumbling Celtics
"So much remains the same. The Garden crowd still boos Mike Bibby. Zaza Pachulia still gets under the skin of the Celtics big men. And the Hawks still aren't going anywhere. They're like that little brother who refuses to take a beating from big brother quietly. But something is different. Last night, little brother administered the whupping. This time, the Hawks, who started to come of age during their seven-game series loss to the C's in the first round of the 2008 playoffs, connected when it mattered. Atlanta made the big third-quarter run, came back with another over the first seven minutes of the fourth and handed the Celtics their second defeat of the year - both at the Garden - with ..."
'All coming together' for Hawks' Josh Smith
"The numbers suggest it. His coach and teammates confirm it. Hawks forward Josh Smith, whose two personal goals for the season are to make his first NBA All-Star Game and first All-Defensive team, is playing some excellent basketball. "He's been fantastic," coach Mike Woodson said. "He's improved. To me, he's managing the game better. That's important. That's the sign of a guy that's growing." Smith, who turns 24 next month, was at the heart of the Hawks' 125-100 blowout of Denver on Saturday, racking up an enviable stat line -- 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting, nine rebounds, seven assists and six blocks with only one turnover in 35 minutes. Down a starter, Denver shot a then-season-low 41.0 ..."
Five Hawks included on NBA All-Star ballot
"Five members of the Atlanta Hawks were included on the 2010 NBA All-Star ballot, which was released earlier today. Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson are among the 24 guards on the Eastern Conference ballot. Josh Smith is among the group at forward and Al Horford is one of 12 on the ballot at center. Voting will continue through Jan. 18."
Josh Smith sits out end of pratice after tweaking left ankle
"Hawks coach Mike Woodson issued the challenge after Saturday's first training camp scrimmage. Jamal Crawford and his buddies on the reserve squad supplied him with a resounding answer Sunday. They not only held up against the starters unit in Sunday's second scrimmage. They won in overtime behind a "fantastic" effort from the veteran guard, whose scoring and playmaking ruled the day. Unofficially, Crawford finished with more than half of his team's 49 points and at least 10 assists in a one-point win. Much more important to Crawford, however, was the resilience the second team showed after being pushed around Saturday. "I made sure to have my guys get some rest [Saturday nght] and we came ..."
All-Trade Friday: Should the Hawks deal Josh Smith?
"First, a disclaimer: The Hawks aren't apt to trade anybody this summer unless it's Marvin Williams (or Josh Childress) as part of a restricted-free-agent sign-and-trade. But the matter of dealing either Joe Johnson or Josh Smith keeps arising, and Ian Thomsen of SI.com addressed it in his Mailbag last week. Thomsen argues that, of the two, Smith should be the one to go. First, because Johnson will be a free agent next summer and therefore wouldn't elicit full value. Then this: "Smith is an upside talent who may yet mature to become an All-Star. He isn't there yet, while Johnson is the bird in the hand. It wouldn't make sense to trade a 27-year-old All-Star at his peak because such reliable ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James and Atlanta Hawks' Josh Smith: Who can jump higher?
"In a league filled with relative gi ants, many with remarkable leap ing ability, LeBron James and Josh Smith are a head above nearly all others. And sometimes shoulders, too. For a number of reasons, the conference semifinal series between the Cavs and Hawks, which the Cavs lead, 1-0, heading into to night's Game 2, is attractive. But one would be remiss not to keep an eye on a rather unique subplot, a display of perhaps the two highest jumpers in the NBA. Smith and James have played against each other since they were teens in AAU tournaments. They could both dunk by the time they were 13. And they can now see eye-to-eye. . . . with the rim. There are some other contenders but Smith and ..."
Josh Smith apologizes to Heat for fancy dunk attempt
"Josh Smith apologized to Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra moments before tipoff of Friday's pivotal Game 6 matchup at AmericanAirlines Arena. He had been roasted for two days for the ill-timed, between-the-legs failed dunk attempt in the fourth quarter of the Hawks' Game 5 victory at Philips Arena. Spoelstra accused Smith of trying to embarrass his team with a dunk like that with the Hawks leading comfortably. The replay made the rounds on all the highlight shows and Smith was roasted by sports-talk radio shows and TV shows from coast to coast Thursday and all day Friday. Smith said he just wanted to make sure Spoelstra knew he wasn't trying to show anyone up with the dunk. "That was for ..."
Motivation for Game 6? Heat angry with Hawks and Josh Smith's dunk antics
"Turns out there indeed is a sizable gap between the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat, but it has nothing to do with talent, strength or energy. Instead, it has to do with class. Not exactly saying the Heat needs to come out and teach these young dudes from Atlanta a lesson in tonight's Game 6 of this increasingly chippy first-round matchup, but on-court etiquette has become one of the fascinating subplots in a series marked by blowouts and odd behavior. Did you see someone named Mario West at the end of the first half in Game 5, acting the fool when he managed a single defensive stop on Dwyane Wade? "What is this game coming to?" a battered and bruised Wade said after Thursday's practice ..."
Season-high from Josh Smith not enough for Hawks
"April Fool's Day came early for the Hawks. How else could they explain their inept performance for three quarters in a game of such importance? Save for a furious, Josh Smith-fueled, eight-minute stretch that saw the Hawks cut a 16-point lead to one point, the Philadelphia 76ers wiped the Wachovia Center floor with the Hawks on Tuesday night. The 98-85 victory was crucial for the 76ers, who edged the Hawks 2-1 in their season series and sent a strong message to the team they could meet in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. "It's very disappointing," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "We just seemed satisfied after that Lakers game, and we seem satisfied. And we still have a ..."
Hawks' Horford and Smith a threatening tandem
"Joe Johnson has played phenomenally well during the Hawks' five-game win streak. Yet even he realizes that he's not the only player that pushes his team from good to exceptional when he's going well. Johnson fingered his frontcourt tandem of Josh Smith and Al Horford as the culprits for his team's success last week. The Hawks went 5-0, including home wins over Detroit, New Orleans, Utah and Portland. Smith and Horford played starring roles. They're both averaging double-doubles during the Hawks' current seven-game home stand, which continues tonight against Sacramento. "When you have two young big men that make plays on both ends of the floor it's a whole new ball game," Johnson said. "I ..."
Smith says he must 'refocus'
"Josh Smith wants to get back to being the "old Josh." The Josh who runs the floor, rebounds, blocks shots and scores in dramatic fashion. The Josh who played like one of the league's most dynamic players in the Hawks' first four games of the season. His team, ankles deep in a string of six straight home games, including New Orleans Monday night at Philips Arena, could use a lot more of the Smith who showed up for Saturday's seismic win over Detroit. The Hawks swept the Pistons in a season series for the first time in 15 years and did so convincingly with Smith playing a leading role. Smith was at his best in the win over the Pistons, leading the Hawks with 19 points, 12 rebounds, four ..."
Smith absence personal, not suspension
"After two days of speculation, Hawks coach Mike Woodson made a point to clear the air about exactly why Josh Smith came home from this week's road trip two days early. "Josh was not sent back here by me or anyone else," Woodson said before Friday's game against Miami at Philips Arena. "He came home for personal reasons, nothing more and nothing less. And it would be really nice if people would respect his privacy in this matter." Smith was ejected in the fourth quarter of the Hawks' loss to Utah on Monday and left for Atlanta the next morning. The NBA did not suspend him for the flagrant-2 foul on Matt Harpring that got him ejected. And Woodson insisted that the Hawks did not punish him. ..."
Bibby, Smith miss game
"The Atlanta Hawks played without two starters in Wednesday's loss to the Denver Nuggets. Mike Bibby joined Josh Smith on the list of missing in the Hawks' finale of a five-game Western Conference road trip. Bibby was sent back to Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon suffering from flu symptoms. He played 15 scoreless minutes in Monday's loss to Utah. And in the only other game he has missed all season, the Hawks were routed at home by the Los Angeles Clippers three weeks ago. Smith left the team for Atlanta after Monday's game to tend to a family matter. He was ejected in the fourth quarter of that game after a being called for a flagrant-2 foul for a hard lick on Matt Harpring of the Jazz. ..."
NBA won't suspend Hawks' Smith after hard foul
"Josh Smith will not be suspended by the NBA for the flagrant-2 foul called against him in Monday's loss in Utah. However, Smith will miss tonight's game in Denver, having returned to Atlanta to attend to a personal matter. Hawks point guard Mike Bibby did not attend shoot-around practice Wednesday and will be a game-time decision tonight. He is suffering from the flu and played 15 scoreless minutes Monday against the Jazz. The Hawks finish a five-game road trip, where they are 1-3, against the Nuggets."
Smith may face suspension for foul on Harpring
"Josh Smith’s late-game forearm shiver Monday in Utah is just the latest blow for a Hawks team reeling since the All-Star break. They’ll likely be without Smith Wednesday night in Denver when they wrap up a five-game Western Conference road swing. Smith was ejected for a flagrant-2 foul with 8:40 to play in the Hawks’ 108-89 loss to the Jazz. The Hawks are awaiting word on a possible suspension from the NBA. Smith knocked former Marist and Georgia Tech star Matt Harpring to the floor on a fast break. Harpring’s head hit the floor and he bounced up and immediately went after Smith. Both players had to be restrained by teammates and game officials. “I don’t think Josh had any harm in it,” ..."
Josh Smith answers Hawks' coach's call
"A few days after Marvin Williams suffered a concussion, Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson held a meeting to rally his troops. With the halfway point of the season approaching, he identified whom he expected to step forward in Williams' absence. It made no sense to Woodson to ask the reserves to step in and hold the line. "I can't rely on guys who haven't played a whole lot of minutes," said Woodson after Thursday's practice. "You can't expect Mario (West), Solomon (Jones), Randolph Morris and Thomas (Gardner) to come in and be world beaters. "They haven't played a whole lot of minutes. So I've got to put it on the guys who have competed the most for our ball club. Those guys have got to ..."
Josh Smith may return Wednesday
"Hawks forward Josh Smith had designs on an early return from the 12-game layoff caused by the high left ankle sprain he suffered Nov. 7 against Toronto. He wanted to play against Washington on Saturday night at Verizon Center but said others decided that he should wait until Wednesday's home game against Memphis. "I'm ready to go right now," Smith said before Saturday's game. "But if the guys that know [the Hawks' athletic training staff] think I should wait a couple more games, I have to go with it." The Hawks are undefeated (4-0) with Smith and close to .500 ball without Smith, going 5-6 in the 11 games before Saturday night. They've missed his athleticism, energy and shot-blocking ..."
Smith close to returning to Hawks' lineup
"The surest sign that Josh Smith is officially on his way back to the Hawks' active roster is his addition to the team's travel list for this weekend's doubleheader in Toronto [Friday] and Washington [Saturday]. Smith hasn't been on the road since suffering a high left ankle sprained in the first quarter of a Nov. 7 home win over the Raptors. He will sit out tonight's game against Milwaukee at Philips Arena but is scheduled to practice Thanksgiving morning and then travel to Toronto in the afternoon. Hawks coach Mike Woodson said there is a possibility Smith could play against the Wizards but that a more likely return is next Wednesday's home game against Memphis. "He's definitely on his ..."
Smith's injury opens up floor
"This isn't how the Hawks' Solomon Jones wanted to get more playing time. But after two years of watching and learning, Jones knows better than to do anything but embrace an opportunity. Josh Smith's injury has paved the way for Jones and fellow big man Randolph Morris to break into the Hawks' rotation of players. Smith will miss between two to four weeks recovering from the high left ankle sprain he sustained with 56 seconds remaining in the first quarter of Friday's win over Toronto, starting with Sunday night's game in Oklahoma City against the Thunder. Neither Jones nor Morris will be tapped to replace Smith in the starting lineup, but they will see backup minutes that otherwise ..."
Josh Smith out 2-4 weeks with ankle injury
"The Hawks lost starting power forward Josh Smith with a sprained left ankle with 56.1 seconds to play in the first quarter of Friday's game against Toronto at Philips Arena. Smith is expected to be out two to four weeks with a high ankle sprain. He suffered the injury trying to block a shot. When he came down he landed on Zaza Pachulia's foot and fell to the ground. He got up and limped off the floor, eventually making it to the locker room where the Hawks' team doctors examined him. Pachulia replaced him in the starting lineup at the start of the second half"
Hawks' Mike Woodson calls out Josh Smith
"Hawks coach Mike Woodson and Josh Smith finally had their training camp dust-up Tuesday, ringing in yet another year together. Woodson called his team together in a practice-ending huddle and began his speech by telling his team that they needed to take their game to another level with the regular season approaching He mentioned Smith by name, which prompted the fifth-year forward to react by saying he was willing to "take all the blame." After a brief exchange the huddle broke and Smith headed for the locker room steaming at being called out and shattered his mouthpiece case against a wall. Woodson, smiling the entire time, warned his assistants and other players that Smith would be fine ..."
Smith and Hawks aim high
"The nearly three-hour flight back from Boston on May 4 seemed to take forever for Josh Smith. The quiet journey came after the pesky Hawks were trounced, 99-65, in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series against the eventual NBA champion Celtics. And after scoring just 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting in the blowout swan song, Smith came away from his playoff debut with a sour taste. "It was tough," said Smith. "We were only one game away, one game from being on that next level. It was really hard. "I didn't play the way I was capable of. I could have given more." Even so, Smith proved he is truly one of the young NBA stars to keep an eye on. Previously, the Atlanta native was known for ..."
Griz make $58 million offer to Hawks' Smith
"The Memphis Grizzlies have sent a contract offer worth $58 million to Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith today, according to multiple NBA sources. As the only team left with significant room under the salary cap, the Griz have shifted out of a summer holding pattern and targeted the versatile 6-9, 235-pound forward. Atlanta has seven days to match, per league rules, once Smith receives the offer sheet. Smith's numbers have increased in each of his four NBA seasons since Atlanta made him a first-round pick out of high school in 2004. He averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season, helping the Hawks make the playoffs. The Hawks have said they would match any ..."
Pistons keeping an eye on Hawks free agent Smith
"Its no secret the Detroit Pistons are among the teams watching the Josh Smith drama in Atlanta unfold with a lot of interest. But according to a league official, a published report in Atlanta that made reference to an Eastern Conference team having a sign-and-trade offer on the table for Smith, is not Detroit. In fact, it has been more than three weeks since the two teams talked. Still, multiple league sources confirmed Sunday night that despite no sign-and-trade offer on the table between the two teams, Detroit remains very interested in the 22-year-old restricted free agent. With free agency nearly a month old, Smith remains the most talented player still available. Smiths coming ..."
Pistons say price too high for Hawks' Josh Smith
"A team source confirmed the Pistons did approach the Atlanta Hawks weeks ago about a possible sign-and-trade deal involving restricted free agent small forward Josh Smith, but said Sunday that the two teams haven't talked in weeks. The source indicated the Hawks were asking for too much, and both sides walked away from any possible deal. A blog on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Web site said that a "Western Conference power and Eastern Conference big dog" have offered deals. There has been speculation for several weeks that the Pistons would be interested in acquiring someone of Smith's caliber. Smith, 22, averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots in his fourth season in ..."
Hawks captain says signing Smith, Childress essential
"The Hawks all-star guard inquired about the status of Hawks restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress while at a charity event in Mississippi over the weekend. That's our summer right there," Johnson said. "That's all there is to it." Neither Smith nor Childress have signed offer sheets with other teams as the NBA's free agency period continues. Johnson, who said he talked with Smith prior to the start of the free-agency period, just wants a team ready to build on last season's playoff appearance."
Clippers could pursue Okafor
"Elton Brand's reported decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers rather than remain a Los Angeles Clipper could be bad news for the Charlotte Bobcats regarding Emeka Okafor. The Clippers now have a bundle under the salary cap and an obvious need for a power forward to complement center Chris Kaman in Brand's absence. NBA insiders expect the Clippers to consider signing one of two restricted free agents - Okafor or Atlanta Hawk Josh Smith - with the abundant cap room they now possess."
Smith leaves impressed but without 76ers offer
"The Josh Smith tour of Philadelphia ended yesterday, with the power forward of the Atlanta Hawks being impressed by the presentation of the 76ers and reactions of the people of the city toward him. But did the restricted free agent leave with an offer sheet from the Sixers? "Um, not yet," Smith said in an interview with Comcast SportsNet. "We've got to wait and see what goes on with the revenue and stuff.""
Josh Smith looks the part of a star
"Smith is just 22 but already is a veteran of four NBA seasons. The 6-foot-9 forward for the Atlanta Hawks is a restricted free agent who met with the 76ers yesterday. Smith's youth, steady improvement during his career, and ability to run the floor make him an attractive player for many teams. But those attributes all would seem to fit perfectly with a young, athletic 76ers team. "If that's the style they are looking to play, he fits their style," the NBA scout said. "They're a team that can manufacture points off their defense and in the open floor. He would fit perfectly with that style.""
Sixers, and Mayor Nutter, woo Josh Smith
"There was a meeting yesterday involving Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith, his representatives and the 76ers. There was the obligatory tour of the Wachovia Center and the Sixers' locker-room facilities. There was the jersey with Smith's name on the back - No. 5, placed in the locker stall next to Andre Iguodala's - and Smith's likeness on the arena screen. There was a moment with Mayor Nutter. Where all of this will lead remains to be seen, but at least the Sixers were in full courting mode, a day after Smith and his representatives met with the Hawks."
Lose Smith and Hawks could be (gulp) Thrashers
"The hockey team can’t offer enough to convince premier free agents to come here. The basketball team says it won’t give Josh Smith a choice. Blessed is leverage, which gives the Atlanta Spirit owners at least a split of this offseason’s doubleheader. The Hawks maintain they will match any offer sheets given to Smith and Josh Childress, their two restricted free agents. They’re the correct moves, the almost mandated moves — certainly with Smith, who, despite occasional geranium tendencies on the court, remains a far better player than most. In short, even when he’s bad, he’s not that bad."
Hawks' Smith 'impressed' by visit with Sixers
"The Philadelphia 76ers rolled out the red carpet for Hawks forward Josh Smith on Wednesday, complete with limousine rides, a guided tour of not only their facilities but much of the city of Brotherly Love and a brief meeting with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. "We had a great meeting and a great time visiting with everyone here [Wednesday], and we'll continue to talk tomorrow," Brian Dyke, one of Smith's agents, said late Wednesday night. "What I can tell you is that we're very impressed with 76ers organization and the city of the Philadelphia.""
Sixers don't waste any time
"With more than $11 million in salary-cap space available, the 76ers dove into free agency shortly after the bell rang at 12:01 a.m. yesterday and targeted Josh Smith, the young and talented forward of the Atlanta Hawks, as their primary prospect, but not their only one. The 6-foot-9 Smith, a restricted free agent, was contacted by the Sixers almost immediately. A team spokesman said Smith and his representatives planned to meet today with president and general manager Ed Stefanski. The spokesman also said the Sixers contacted Smith's teammate, 6-8 forward Josh Childress, yesterday and expect to bring him to Philadelphia, but did not say when."
Sixers set to meet today with Hawks free agent Josh Smith
"Smith's remarkable fourth season included averages of 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals. Coming out of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. in 2004, he originally committed to Indiana University before becoming the No. 17 pick in the 2004 draft. And he won't turn 23 until December. All that is why the 76ers, who have about $11.5 million in salary-cap space available, have invited Smith and his representatives to visit today. He and agents Brian Dyke and Wallace Prowther visited yesterday with the Hawks and newly minted general manager Rick Sund, who has said repeatedly that ownership plans to match any offers made to Smith and his restricted ..."
Hawks plan to match any offer for Smith, Childress
"The Hawks have been pointing to this day since October. They have made it clear that their top priority this summer was signing restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress, keeping them in Hawks uniforms. Hawks general manager Rick Sund has said repeatedly that the team intends to match any offers made to Smith and Childress. And as recently as last week's NBA draft he made it clear that the Hawks' priorities were to handle this business above all else."
Pistons Watching Josh Smith Situation
"Keep an eye on the negotiations between the Hawks and forward Josh Smith. Smith is a restricted free agent reportedly seeking a deal that starts in excess of $11 million. Hawks new general manager Rick Sund might not be willing to start a deal at that price. If an impasse occurs, you can bet the Pistons will come asking about a possible sign-and-trade deal."
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