the Future of the Successful Atlanta Hawks depends mostly on one young man: Josh Smith

A restricted free agent is a player on a team that can listen to contract offers from other teams, and the first team has seven days to either match what they offered, keep their player and sign him to a new contract, or the first team can decide that what the other team offered is more than they are willing to pay for the said player, and allow him to sign with that team and get nothing in return, like Rashard Lewis last summer. Or the two teams can agree to a sign-and-trade, which is self explanatory.

in the case of restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress for the Atlanta Hawks, it is IMPERATIVE that we re-sign at least Josh Smith, but we really, really like Childress, and we want to keep him, but Josh Smith is far more important to the core of the team.

Let this article explain why Josh Smith is the best player of this hawks team. Smith is 22 years old, the best on-the-ball defender on the Hawks teams and one of the best defensive players in the league, finishing 2nd to Marcus Camby (34) in blocks per game(2.8 bpg) and sixth in voting of DPOY last season. Smith takes pride in his defense and inspires his teammates to be better defensively too, but don't think this kid is only good on defense. Josh Smith is the Hawks 2nd leading scorer(17.5 ppg) for the second season in a row, and is growing into one of the best slasher, scorers in the eastern conference. Not to mention Josh is also the 2nd leading rebounder (8.5 rpg) 1st in steals (1.5 spg), 3rd in assists (3.5 apg) and of course 1st in blocks (2.8 bpg).

In his fourth NBA season, Smith joined all-time greats David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon, one of his basketball tutors last summer, as the only players in league history to average 17-plus points, 8-plus rebounds, 3-plus assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals in a season.

Robinson did it twice and Olajuwon four times, but neither did it before his 27th birthday.

Smith is the first non-center to do it and is also the first NBA player to block at least 225 shots and make 25 or more 3-pointers in the same season. And he's had three straight seasons with at least 200 blocks and 25 3-pointers.

As bright as the present is and even brighter the future for this young athlete, many people critisize Smith for his shot-selection, and sometimes seldom use of that great slashing, driving ability in the game. He has also been critisized for getting turnovers in the game, being 6th in the league in TO per game (3.0), and leading the Hawks team in personal fouls per game. Look, if a good player on a good team is left open for a jumpshot, it is that player's duty to take that shot, teammates get in position for a rebound, and hope he makes it. As Smith is a leader on the Hawks team, as he has proved his improvement every season, and as he improves that jumpshot, he's gonna knock that down consistently. As for the turnovers, that's just part of the game, there is no specific tendency of Smith or any NBA player that causes all the turnovers, every turnover is circumstacial, whether the defender pokes the ball, it hits his leg and rolls out of bounds, or the ball handler dribbles the ball off his foot, every turnover is different. And as far as the personal fouls go, haters are being foolish in this perspective. PF's happen (whether or not it was an actual foul, Tim Donaghy), and with Smith being the most aggresive defender that he is, he's gonna get called alot. The only thing he must work on is having that controlled aggression to block shots and get steals and keep from fouling, know when to go for the ball or aim to simply alter the shot.

Every year since his rookie year Smith has improved in every catagory

Josh Smith really actually defines the Hawks on a surface level, every time an announcer says, "the hawks are a great young, athletic team" or "they've got great athleticism on that team" they are mostly talking about Josh Smith, who hasn't been able to break that label ever since he won the dunk contest in his rookie season. i had been saying for so long, WHAT THE HELL IS ATHLETICISM?! Aren't all basketball players athletes? Is there a real difference between skill and this so-called athleticism? In the way sports guys use it there is. Athleticism in basketball is swift-moving, hard-body, high-jumping, strong arming players, but they aren't great at spot-up shooting and fundamentals. The hawks team is they are DEFINE athleticism (besides ZaZa Pachulia and Marvin Williams), Al Horford was such a perfect fit for our team, but this article is to explain who Josh Smith is why he is the future of the Hawks, and the best player on the Hawks team.

Even though he ONLY averaged 17.5 ppg 8.5 rpg 3.5 apg 3.0 bpg 1.5 spg on 45% FGs 25% 3pt FGs and 71% FTs, he has more of an offensive, defensive impact than even those stats suggest, he has had several monster games to will his team to a victory, like these:

11-02-07 vs. Dallas Mavericks - first game of the season, guarding MVP Dirk Nowitzki and all-star Josh Howard. 18 pts (5/16 FGs 8/8 FTs) 11 rbs 4 asts 3 blks 2 stls Hawks Win 101-94

11-07-07 vs. Phoenix Suns - after two losses, the hawks needed a win. Smith guarding all-star Shawn Marion and even 2x MVP Steve Nash. 22 pts (9/19 FGs 4/5 FTs) 10 rbs 5 blks 4 asts 4 stls. Hawks are first team to hold Suns under 100, Hawks win 105-96

Josh Smith has gotten 30+ points 5 times
Josh Smith has gotten 25+ points 13 times
Josh Smith has gotten 20+ points 30 times

Josh Smith has gotten 20+ rebounds 1 time
Josh Smith has gotten 12+ rebounds 7 times
Josh Smith has gotten 10+ rebounds 21 times

Josh Smith was taken 17th in the 2004 draft class, also known as the last draft before the high school rule was put in place. It was a dream come true for a young man who has been born in Atlanta, grew up watching old Dominique Wilkins hawks games on film, and going to Hawks games throughout childhood and teenage years. However, his rookie season was a dream turned nightmare, with a glimmer of hope. He was 18 years old, coming off the bench behind Antoine Walker and Al Harrington, the leading scorers on the team. He was still learning the NBA game and he was still fundamentally raw, so he did not get alot of playing time at first. But, when he did play, he was always defensively aggressive and even as a rookie, developed a reputation for being a good defensive player, he blocked 144 shots his rookie season, and got 59 steals, but in 27.7 minutes per game Josh Smith averaged 9.7 pts 6.2 rbs 1.8 asts and 1.9 blocks, good enough got the all-rookie second team. But Smith's stats weren't the highlight of his rookie reason, it was the 2004-2005 dunk contest that featured many young, strong, athletic players, but none were all-stars (yet) and they were all eager to make a name such as: Josh Smith, J.R. Smith, Amare Stoudamire, and Chris Andrerson.

Josh Smith won that dunk contest with a throwback Dominique Wilkins windmill dunk from outside the paint, a perfect 50 by the judges and Mr. Wilkins, of course. This game Josh Smith his first NBA hardware and national recognition for his great athletic ability, and although the honor of winning this award is great, Smith wanted to be a player in the all-star game and be recognized for his skill. After the all-star game, Josh Smith started to improve his game, the first game being a road game against the sac Kings. In 35 minutes Smith collected 19 pts (7/15 FGs 5/5 Fs) 10 rbs 4 asts 4 blks in a 114-104 Kings win. The Atlanta Hawks, at this time, were 10-42 and one of the worst road teams in the league, due to the team leaders (Antoine Walker) not caring, and the new coach, Mike Woodson and players not connecting. But, when the Hawks finally won a road game, it was there Smith got his career high in rebounds, and defensively achored the team and led them to a win. His final stat line was 9 pts 15 rbs 2 blks 1 ast. Although there were plenty of losses in the season that would become the least wins in Atlanta Hawks franchise history, there was plenty of hope. In one of the last road games of the season, starters Antoine Walker and Al Harrington were out with injuries, and Josh Smith and Josh Childress were starters at Madison Square Garden facing the New York Knicks. Now, the Knicks were much better than the Hawks, but they were facing Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, and Tim Thomas, who were all god players. But in that overtime game, the Joshes got career highs in points and rebounds: Josh Childress 22 pts (7/10 FGs 7/9 FTs 1/1 3pt) 11 rbs 4 asts 2 stls, Josh Smith 21 pts (8/11 FGs 5/8 FTs) 10 rbs 3 blks 2 asts. That win would end up being the last win of the Hawks season, which finished 13-69, but it was a positive display of the potential future greatness of the two rookies to lead their team to a victory like that.

Supporters have repeatedly acknowledged the young players faults. This is just not enough for some. What is consistently overlooked is his production and performance despite these faults. What is also overlooked is the team itself. How poorly constructed is a roster? How pathetically coached is a team? It should be obvious when a player twenty-two years of age with so many acclaimed flaws is the second leading scorer of points, second leading rebounder, first in steals, third in assists, and first in blocks. Indeed, his field goal percentage is fourth on the team, ahead of the team’s best player. His fouls are near the top, but coupled with his defensive statistics, should indicate that he is a consistently aggressive defender, unlike many of his teammates. His turnovers lead the team. That coupled with his offensive statistics would once again suggest aggressiveness. Simple mathematics alone would suggest that the minuses do not even remotely exceed the plusses.

But it is not simple mathematics that we discuss here. Nor is it whether Smith is an inherently good or bad player. Nor whether he will ever be a star, be it in the eyes of the fans, league, or in general.

The focus is once again inaccurately placed on a player as a problem, source of a problem, or related problem. The problem continues to lie in the organization the player is in. The organization in which the player is supposed to grow and mature.

Smoove problem’s are easier to fix than his assets are to replace, thats why you keep him…

Post-Playoffs, Newly Extended Coach Mike Woodson in-depth interview, Hawks future

This is a great feature of the Mind of Mike Woodson, and why he is in-fact the best coach for these Hawks in this position. Even if the team hasn't played up to potential and we just hadn't RUN the way the Hawks need to run to be an elite team in the east, WOODSON KNOWS DEFENSE, and apparently DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS (Congrats, Boston). If we can get an offensive great assistant coach to replace David Fizdale we will be a good team in the east. I will comment on a few things throughout this interview:

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By SEKOU SMITH

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/20/08http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/06/20/woodson_0620.html

The first-round playoff series between the Hawks and the Celtics was a turning point for both teams.

The Hawks shook off the funk of a nine-year playoff drought by pushing the series to seven games, winning three dramatic home games. They energized their fan base and served notice that their doormat years might be over.

The Celtics pushed on to win the NBA title, No. 17 for a franchise neck-deep in championship banners. They completed a one-year turnaround from the worst team in the Eastern Conference to the best team in basketball.

It's a link that was on Hawks coach Mike Woodson's mind this week when he spoke with AJC Hawks beat writer Sekou Smith about the team's past, present and future:

Q. In a league notorious for copycat tactics, what will the rest of the league take away from what Boston did this past season and particularly the playoffs?

A. Their team is unique in that, and you can really go back to the Detroit team we had [in 2004], the foundation was defense and rebounding. In addition, you just didn't know where it was coming from on a given night. We just had different weapons on that Detroit team. And when they all were clicking we were incredibly hard to beat. Even when they struggled to score points they didn't get blown out and that's a product of a foundation built on defense and rebounding. What was also a given is that they had three guys that could get you in Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. You go in trying to figure out how you were going to stop those three guys. The Lakers caught all three of them playing well. We caught Paul and Garnett playing well and Ray struggled. In the end, I think people will look at the Celtics and realize that you can have three key guys and a nice supporting cast and build your foundation on defense and rebounding and you have a shot at winning it all.

PlayoffsHawks: We have our big three - Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Joe Johnson, in that order. Josh Smith as a SF/PF can score at will around the basket, he should be our leading scorer, shot-blocker, Al Horford at PF/C can bang with any bigs in the league, and he has a sick jumpshot, he's always been a beast defensively and with rebounds, but he should be our 3rd leading scorer. All-Star Joe Johnson has shown he is the great consistent player, now he needs to show that Steve Nash influence in how to make his teammates better, and still average 18-22 ppg, maybe 6 apg.

Q. What then becomes priority No. 1 for the Hawks in pursuit of that goal?

A. The first priority has to be [Hawks general manager Rick Sund] getting Josh Smith and Josh Childress back in Hawks uniforms. I don't even think you can think about anything else until you resolve that matter. From there we have to figure out our ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th guys and who they are. Teams will pattern themselves after Boston in that regard. I think back to last summer this time when [Celtics coach] Doc [Rivers] and I talked about how his team needed to make a big move and not draft another younger player to take that next step. And they did exactly what he was talking about, and probably a whole lot more. I don't think it's to our benefit to add another young guy. We need some veterans to add along with our eight core guys. We're still young enough in certain spots, with guys three and four years into the system, that our core group will continue to get better next year and beyond. What we have to do is build around them, give them an opportunity to shine by putting veteran guys around them that know what it takes to win in our league.

PlayoffsHawks: Woodson is right on, trade Marvin Williams.

Q. More specifically as a coaching staff, what will you tweak and revamp in order to make sure you're growing along with your talent next season?

A. Having Mike Bibby go through veteran camp will be huge for our team. Bibby still doesn't know my system like I want him to know it. When we acquired him at the trade deadline I turned the ball over to him and he ran it the best he could, and he did a [heck] of a job with it. But going to veteran camp and learning what we're about is huge for him. I think as a coaching staff to go back to our offensive system and tweak some things is extremely important. And defensively we have to go back to how we played in those home games during the Boston series. And I know the playoffs is different, but being defensive minded from the first day of camp all the way through is what carried them. We've tried to build that in our players and they've gotten better. I'd like to think after a playoff round they know how they have to intensify their defensive approach to be successful. Although we made shots in the playoffs, it was our defense and rebounding that really held us together to win those playoff games.

PlayoffsHawks: Bibby will be much better for the Hawks next season, 12-15 ppg 5-7 apg, grooming Acie Law to soon takeover the starting position.

Q. Guys who had sporadic roles or production during the regular season seemed to come to life in the playoff for you. Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams both played crucial roles in the playoffs, as did rookie point guard Acie Law IV, albeit in limited action. How do you build on what they did in the postseason going forward?

A. All those guys, along with everybody, your game has to go to another level. Everybody across the board has to take their game to the next level. This is a very pivotal summer for Acie Law as far as getting him back going, and that starts really in summer league. Zaza coming back with a better mental frame of mind to accept his role and play is just as crucial. And Marvin building on his last two years and maybe taking that next big leap in terms of getting where Joe [Johnson] and Josh Smith and Bibby are in terms of being a consistent scorer has to take place. Marvin has to step into that role where he can be that third guy or even that second guy some nights that we rely on night in and night out.

PlayoffsHawks: the Hawks really do have a decent coach, if Doc Rivers then why not...

Oh, but we really do gotta trade Marvin Williams though, he is not a 2nd or 3rd man MAN! He is a complementary role player at best, and if he doesn't get a sick jumpshot he'll be useless, because he will never have a slashing game, we already got the best, Josh Smith. I'm glad Woodson reminded the world of ZaZa's role as a back-up big, he is a good role player, just not a good starter like the season the Hawks went 13-69. Acie Law is a starter in this league, but only if he learns to distribute, he scores well though.

Q. The one player everybody seems to be wondering about is Speedy Claxton. Where does he fit with this team right now and beyond?

A. I don't really know where his future is. We're still handling him from a rehab standpoint and we'll get a chance to sit down with him in the next couple of weeks and map out his position in terms of where he's going with our basketball team. I know he still wants to play. Our job is to make sure he's getting proper treatment and make sure he's ready to go. But only time will tell.

PlayoffsHawks: Speedy Claxton is cap space, that's all he is, in the off-season of 2009.

Q. You've lost David Fizdale from your staff to Miami. Is there going to be continuity to allow some of this growth and development you're talking about or will a new set of faces cause some upheaval there?

A. We'll be fine. We'll continue to teach and make sure guys know and understand what needs to be done. We'll interview some guys in Fiz's absence since he's gone to Miami. I have enough veteran coaches around me. We'll add another coach in Fizdale's position. I feel comfortable, though, with the fine coaches we have coming back.

PlayoffsHawks: get a great offensive minded assistant coach, anybody.

Q. With so much pressure on everyone last season to get to the playoffs in the fourth year, is there any sense of relief now with a new two-year contract that you can go about the business of developing some new chemistry, between players and between players and coaches, for the future?

A. Everybody is excited being back. We've gone through the tough times. When you start from the bottom trying to build a team its just not easy. I never experienced anything like what we went through. But in tough times you grow as a team. Last year going into veteran camp guys came back early and we built chemistry and carried that over into preseason and the start of the regular season. We felt that early on and then stumbled in January and February. I think the taste of the playoffs makes guys want to get back to camp sooner. I think the awful times are behind us. Expectations are always high when you're trying to win basketball games. That's just the reality of our sport. But if you don't want the expectations to be high you just shouldn't be a part of our sport. Blame it on whatever you want in the past, it's just a hard road to travel to get to this point from where we started. I've watched NBA teams go from zero to where we are today and I can't help but think we're going to continue to grow. I promise you I'm going to continue to demand and push our guys to play at a high level every night.

Alright.

The Hawks 07-08 season was a big step forward, the 7-game Boston Celtics series was a giant leap in the ranks of the best teams in the east, and now there's is no team, especially not the NBA Champion Celtics that we are afraid of or intimidated by. We will watch the Bulls, Knicks, and Heat as they try to ascend in the east next season, but the Hawks will not slip. if the Hawks sign a big 7-footer to start at center so we can move Horford to PF (DESANGA DIOP!!), i guarantee the Hawks will win 50 games next season and if by some crazy appointment, we meet the Boston Celtics again in the playoffs, i GUARANTEE we'll beat them boys. Now, thats a tough bet, yes? and it's not just because i'm a die-hard fan, shoot, i thought the Lakers were gonna beat the Celtics in the Finals, we all saw the Celtics step their game up through every round of these playoffs in 2008, but that Celtics swagger can be broken, and an new-old rivalry has already been reborn. The arrogance, entitlement of the Celtics (Hillary) against the young, swift, resilient Atlanta Hawks (Obama), we all know what happened in that battle don't we? LOL and maybe that ain't fair, but i don't care, and maybe it all happens opposite to my prediction, they meet again in #1 vs. #8 and the World Champion Celtics SWEEP the young Hawks like they should have done last year. But, our team is on the ascention, the Celtics have plateaued, yes, they'll be the best team in the east for at least 3-4 years, but the Hawks are flying for that number one spot, and seeing the Celtics celebrate that championship motivated and showed them that they are not that far away.

Peep this feature about the youngest Hawks, the 3 rookies by Jon Cooper of Hawks.com

The 2007-2008 Atlanta Hawks season recap, best told by Jon Cooper of Hawks.com

Here's a Post-Finals Q & A with ESPN.com Mark Stein who believes the Hawks were just practice for the Celtics

the 2008 Boston Celtics are NBA Champions! Paul Pierce NBA Finals MVP

Yes, it is finished. the Boston Celtics have been the best team in the NBA all season, and they had to go through the best coach and the best player in the game today to prove that. The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games, this clinching game 6 victory score being 131-92, a 39 point defeat, the biggest defeat in NBA Finals history.

The Celtics become only the 4th team in NBA History to go from out the playoffs, to champions.

Peep the ESPN Recap HERE, it's an amazing story of the journey of "The Big Three"

Paul Pierce, if there's any reason i'm glad the Celtics won the Championship, its for Paul Pierce and all he went through to get to this point. This is one of the toughest players in the NBA, there aren't many other players that would get into a scuffle at the club, get stabbed ELEVEN times, drive himself to the hospital to get surgery got a collapsed lung. He overcame the stabbing and was starting at SG for the Celtics against the rival Pistons, and he scored 28 points and willed his team to victory (Antoine Walker scored 33 pTS 13 RBS). Fast forward to 2008 and the "Big Three" era and Paul Pierce proved himself to be the biggest of the "Big Three" leading his team in scoring in the NBA Finals, almost ending the finals in LA, when he scored 38 points the most of any player in these NBA Finals. In the series clincher, he scored 17 points and had 10 assists, making sure his teammates got theirs. It turned into the biggest margin of victory in NBA Finals History, and the Celtics win the Championship, with the man who has been there for 10 seasons, the rightful NBA Finals MVP, Paul Anthony Pierce.

You know what's the coolest thing about this season, the most overlooked part of the Celtics journey to the championship is the 7 game series played against the Atlanta Hawks. The HAWKSproved that they are not that far from the Celtics level in game play and additude. The Hawks have a "Big Three" as well, and they are ways away in age and experience, but not too far at all in talent and passion for the game.

Josh Smith - for Josh Smith to be his potential he must be more shot efficient, he must know his game and play to his strengths, while improving his weaknesses. Don't believe the pundits that say this guy cannot shoot, even if that's not his strength, he can hit open shots from the perimeter, and sometimes the 3-ball. However, in order for Josh Smith to be his potential, and the Hawks to be the best they can be, Smith should be the leading scorer on the team with at least 24 PPG 8 RPG 4 APG and 3 BPG. He should be a beast in the paint and be a 82% FT shooter like he was in the playoffs. He can do it, and he will.

Joe Johnson - Joe is the definition of consistent, he defines reliable, and he is in the prime of his career. He is sort of like Ray Allen or Kobe Bryant by the way he can either slash to the basket or spot up and hit a shot from anywhere on the floor. Now, he scored 20 PPG 4 RBG and 4 APG, if he averages 20 PPG and at least 6 APG, and do his part to make Josh Smith an All-Star, he will have solidified his status as a top 10 SG in this league, and a great franchise player to lead this team to a championship someday.

Al Horford - rookie of the year outside of the award, one of the best young bigs in the league, averaged a double-double as a rookie (10.4 PTS 10.0 RBS) and stepped his game up in the playoffs (14.5 PPG 11.5 RPG). When the Hawks get a shot-blocking center that doesn't demand the ball (Desanga DIOP!) Al Horford can be a 20-10 PF with a mean jumpshot, he has one of the best all-around games for a big we've seen in a rookie, he is a future all-star in this leauge.

So, congratulations to the Boston Celtics, the NBA is proud of you, but if you ever meet the Atlanta Hawks again in the playoffs, its a wrap.

Hawks GM Rick Sund Offers Mike Woodson a 2-year contract extention

Alright, alright, Happy Birthday Mike Woodson, ESPN the Associated Press reports you were granted a contract extension. I know a few of us Hawks fans are a little unhappy about that, more specifically Mark Bradley of ajc.com, but we guess he deserves a chance to have a full season with this team.


The reason many of us feel that Woodson should have been replaced is the same reason he is being kept; his performance as a coach with these guys in the playoffs. Granted, we took the eventual NBA Championship RUNNER-UP Boston Celtics to seven games, which the sports world refuses to give the Hawks credit for, and the Hawks played extremely well at Phillips Arena, the Hawks are the reason the Celtics have "road-demons" to conquer, because they did play poorly, but the Hawks played up to the task. However, in games 2, 5, and 7, why oh WHY did Woodson allow the Hawks to play so poorly? We all know Boston is a different team at home, their arena obviously has this strange aura that makes the home team play great and the visiting team play not-so-great, but WHY especially in game 7, did the Hawks play so discombobulated? So disorganized? So unstructured? So indecisive? I attribute that 100% to either the coach NOT getting through to his players, or the coach having no real game plan of what to do out on the floor.

We will see what happens next season, but i must say the "leastern conference" is becoming not-so-least this 08-09 season, i can guarentee that alot of eastern conference teams are gonna get alot better, we CANNOT win 37 games next season and expect to make the playoffs, my guess is it will take at least a 42-40 record and we should do better than that!

If Mike Woodson and the Atlanta Hawks aren't +.500 or better by the all-star break in 2009, then bring on AVERY JOHNSON, that guy has the highest winning percentage in the NBA, coached in the NBA Finals in '06 (got referee robbed), was a victim of Don Nelson the second year in the playoffs, and by the third year, the players started tuning him out and he was a victim of Chris Paul (aaarrrggghh!!). No, seriously though, with MiKE D' ANTONI being the head coach of the New York Knicks, we had better go and pick up Avery Johnson, because we are gonna be in for a long rivalry with New York as they try to take our spot, we have got to keep moving on up.

SIGN DESANGA DIOP