November 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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."
October 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
June 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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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 ..."
May 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
May 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
columnist Mike Berardino
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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 ..."
April 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
March 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
March 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
February 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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. ..."
February 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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. ..."
February 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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."
February 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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,” ..."
January 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
December 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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"
October 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
August 8
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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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 ..."
July 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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."
July 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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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."
July 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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."