72 reason to be excited about the Atlanta Hawks: #36, the Josh Smith Alley Oop

by Bronn on Sep 25, 2009 1:30 PM EDT

It's always a thing of beauty when Josh Smith goes up for the alley oop. And if he can get to the basket, it's nearly indefensible since he can jump higher than 99% of the players in the NBA. It's so high probability that the Hawks run a play at the opening tip where Smith tips it to JJ, followed by a pass to Bibby, and an immediate alley-oop to Josh. It's the perfect statement to make when opening a game.

What is so special about the alley-oop? It allows you to showcase the ridiculous athleticism of one player, who is asked to cut to the basket, catch the ball in mid air and slam it home in the same motion, which gives us the star appeal. But its success is also predicated in timing and communication between the passer and the scorer. It manages to be simultaneously a great team play and a great individual play.

If you're a Hawks fan, these plays are probably a big part of the reason you watch the games. Seeing them out of context in highlights is awesome. Watching them as they happen (or even live from the arena) is almost overwhelming.

See here for evidence:

And this is especially relevant to the Hawks because Josh Smith is as good as anyone in the NBA at finishing the alley-oop. Not only can sky as high as anyone, he has a great feel for the area around the basket and his timing is extremely good. And he's forced to use two hands, which prevents some of the issues he has with losing the ball on his one-handed attempts. His range, quickness, and leaping ability can actually turn bad passes into great ones.

After the jump, a completely awesome, gratuitous, Josh Smith alley-oop highlight film I found. Enjoy.

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That is simply amazing!!

The mix would have been totally unstoppable if the background music would have been different. I wasn’t feeling that at all. Otherwise, my hat is tipped to JJJJJJJJJ-Smooooooooooooooooove with the jammmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!

by dstdeelite on Sep 25, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

new plan

lets runs a 7 seconds or less offense and just tell josh smith we are going to alley hoop to him every time. he will avg. 28 and 18.

by hawksdawgs on Sep 25, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

While making 70% of his field goals.

by Bronn on Sep 25, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

screw iso-Joe every time we get a stop we have to make them pay with a Smith or Horford (or Williams?) alley-oop, or for Zaza an attempt at an alley-oop layup

by coachkcastellon on Sep 25, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

the zaza alley-layup

should have been a reason to be excited. damn. might have to try and fit that one in.

and i still want us to run the normal offense (faster), just not tell josh. he will be unknowingly crashing the boards like it is going out of style

by hawksdawgs on Sep 25, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

My B

I didn’t think of it. I would’ve let you know if I had

by coachkcastellon on Sep 25, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

J Smoove and Bibby's Thing

Yeah I am starting to get upset with the nba’s top ten lists lately. That’s because no Hawks have been on them lately and I know alley oops are their thing. They also have a top ten block party, top ten assists, top ten team plays, etc. I’m starting to get ticked that non of the Hawks have been on these lists. Every Hawks fan knows that J Smoove throws a block party on the regular. Sometimes Al gets in on the block party. I’m just disgusted with whoever is creating these top tens. No Josh in a top ten block party you gotta be kidding me.

Great vid.

by DPhenomenal1 on Sep 26, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions