Josh Smith Named To Wages Of Wins' Most Underappreciated Team
by Kris Willis on Aug 4, 2011 8:46 AM EDT
Email
Print
The excellent Wages of Wins blog named Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith to its NBA Underappreciated team. Joining Smith on the team are point guards Jose Calderon and Russell Westbrook, forward Andre Iguodala, and center Pau Gasol. On Smith, Dre Alvarez writes:
This was a hard call. Both Lamar Odom and Kevin Love had a good shot at this but they at least they got awards this season. Smith has actually shown an ability to grow as a player and has played as a top power forward in the league. Despite this he gets no accolades. What’s worse is his name constantly ends up in trade rumors. On a team with bigger issues, it’s amazing how little Smith’s efforts are appreciated.
We have discussed at length Smith's lack of recognition in the past. The debate always seems to stem as the reasoning for his lack of recognition. On one hand, playing for the Hawks doesn't garner him any advantages. On the other, Smith is often his own worst enemy particularly with his well publicized affinity for the jump shot.
Basically Smith goes beyond the numbers. It is easy to look at his stats at the end of the season and see that he is an all around talent. However, if you watch him day in and day out, Smith often leaves you wanting more. A few small refinements in shot selection and attitude could propel Smith to the next level. Its that fact that makes Hawks fans nervous whenever the forward's name pops up in trade rumors.
23 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Dude has been in the NBA a long time. At this point in his career, expecting him to refine his game while he plays for a rent-a-coach like Larry Drew is foolhardy.
No matter the coach...
it depends on him. With the long layoff, I’d love to heard Smoove found a vet to work with him this summer and throughout the lockout. If he puts in work, who knows what kind of improvements we see. And the boy has shown a willingness to do work in the past. He might not work smart, but he does work hard.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
I expect Josh would be more motivated to refine his game if he played for, say, Greg Popovich or Doc Rivers.
Again, working has never been his problem...
they might work him smarter, but how hard he works will always be internal. If only Pete Newell were still around.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
me too. The man worked with Olajuwon in the past.
At this point his problems are (aside from being a Shawn Marion type speed – sf) stamina fatigue mistakes.
He needs to shed a few lbs. And focus more on being a defensive firestarter locking down wings.
by PointGuardSlim on Aug 4, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Smith is Smart, Lets not Get Carried Away
Also Smith is Smart. Lets not get carried away. Name one 6’8 forward that can get to the basket without a jumpshot.
I’m watching CHI-ATL game right now. He’s not taking 3s except for wasted possessions where Al is looking infantile and too small even for Boozer. Joe is trying to get free,,,
Basically only Josh vs Deng, Jeff vs Rose, and Joe versus Bogans are creating.
Al Horford versus Ersan Ilyasova-2009, Ryan Andersen-2011, Boozer are duds.
For goodness sakes this guy is just a small uncoordinated guy who has small arms for a 6’10 player.
The BASKETBALL slows him down. And he of his 10ppg in 40mpg for his career PLAYOFFS is a core member.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VewxTUt3Nm0
smh and u wonder why we cant advance.
That Horford has not been offered to add big man depth to Pachulia (a consistent over achiever) in trade rumors is ridiculous. (Houston: Motiejunas, Jordan Hill, Thabeet)
We have an 8 man rotation every playoff season and Horford is terrible no matter who guards him.
Regular season Pick and pop every possession just wont get it done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VewxTUt3Nm0
You’re 6’10 and u’re arms are too short to control the dribble and he crab dribbles in the post. Just like Lebron is too long and crab dribbles.
Defense: Boozer shoots right over him with his long arms. Meanwhile Horford has no shooting pocket even off pick and rolls, set shots take too long to load up and aim.
As far as Smith, he matches up with every small forward in the East and we all have seen him post up Durant in the past.
Smith just needs to trim weight and gain back his 2009, 2010 speed. It helps him get to the rim and slashing.
He cannot survive as a bulky halfcourt set shooter.
2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI8Q6l1Ysqg
2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpsfJmEOcek
by PointGuardSlim on Aug 4, 2011 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
you again
“Name one 6’8 forward that can get to the basket without a jumpshot”
Lebron
“For goodness sakes this guy is just a small uncoordinated guy who has small arms for a 6’10 player”
That can average 20 and 10 most nights….hmm…small arms might be working for him…
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
"Name one 6’8 forward that can get to the basket without a jumpshot"
Lebron? Very, very, very wrong.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=lebron+too+many+jumpers
Unlike Josh who possessed an array of post moves, Lebron has always had one or two inconsistent moves in the post, a crab dribble which leads into a contested hook and yes an inconsistent turn around jumper.
If you’re going to have the proportionate length of a small forward, like Al does, you might as well have the skills and coordination of one.
Zach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COT4FooZMU8
Blake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4UK_F4JaCs
by PointGuardSlim on Aug 6, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Lebron
is not shooting over 50% with an “inconsistent” post game and “inconsistent” turn around jumper.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Lebron is drive and kick only...
Are you saying Lebron has a post game?
“With that in mind, James is supposedly the best player on the planet. Being tired is one thing, but shrinking all together is another.
Why did James feel the need to post up eight times when the guy has shown zero capability on the block throughout his career? Why didn’t he punish Jason Kidd by attacking the basket? Why did he let Shawn Marion dictate his every move instead of forcing him to defend the way he wanted?"
Lebron does not shoot 50% for his career in the playoffs or otherwise.
For his career he attempts 3.8 three-point-shots per game.
Josh Smith shoots 1 per game. You have no idea what youre saying. Lebron is a jump shooter and drives when he can.
Yet he is too big and clumsy in the post area. The combination of defensive awareness strength and quickness of Jason Kidd defended him very well (Durant as well) in the post if you recall the Finals.
Lebron is anything and everything except a good post player.
by PointGuardSlim on Aug 6, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I'm not saying he has a post game
By your account:
Unlike Josh who possessed an array of post moves, Lebron has always had one or two inconsistent moves in the post, a crab dribble which leads into a contested hook and yes an inconsistent turn around jumper.
Lebron scores by these “inconsistent” moves while Josh scores on an array of moves. Meanwhile, Josh averaged 16.3 and Lebron averaged 26.7……(I can not believe I’m arguing this). Yes Lebron did shoot over 50% last year and the year before that…..who cares about the playoffs?..I didn’t even mention that. Who cares about three point attempts?? I didn’t say anything about that…(like Josh shooting a foot inside the three point line makes a difference)
Again you said:
Name one 6’8 forward that can get to the basket without a jumpshot
I just answered you question. You’re pointing out two all-stars’ flaws while making excuses for Josh. Just explain why Josh doesn’t average more points or a better free throw percentage and you have your answer as to why he shouldn’t shoot jumpers.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Ok first I said Smith has a post game and Lebron only has an inconsistent feast or famine turn-around in the post and a crab dribbling hook shot that always is contested.
Then you responded in the heading with "No, I’m not saying he has a post game " but then you say “Lebron scores by these "inconsistent" moves”…
So which is it?
I’m not making any excuses. He has gotten slower and I’d say he needs to trim some lbs before he can score like this again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI8Q6l1Ysqg
by PointGuardSlim on Aug 7, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
How did Pau make the list?
I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.
Upon hearing that the nfl lockout was over, I faced in the general direction of Seattle and gave them the finger. GO RAMS
Pau WS/48
check his #s, by some stats he was almost as active in winning as Lebron and Dwight this season.
Offensive Boards, post game excellent PF-C
by PointGuardSlim on Aug 4, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Way to many media types have called him soft, which is stupid, because i never hear this about Amare Stoudimire, who cant rebound or defend
im saying it cus he is so loved by the media
and they love to talk about him. thats why im wondering cus he doesnt seem hated.
I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.
Upon hearing that the nfl lockout was over, I faced in the general direction of Seattle and gave them the finger. GO RAMS
The Media really has a love hate relationship with him it seems
It wasn’t long ago they were calling him the most skilled big man in the world
@Kris_Willis
Im pretty sure they were saying that until the finals
think of it like this, there are times that us hawks fans blame Josh for losing us a game. i have never heard lakers fans blame pau for a lose. They will go through every person on the roster (fisher, artest, bynum, odom, blake) before they would blame pau.
I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.
Upon hearing that the nfl lockout was over, I faced in the general direction of Seattle and gave them the finger. GO RAMS
I believe the jumper had alot to do with the lack of a penetrating point guard
it’s not like the defenses were packing it in against us last year, there were just daring us to shoot and nobody could call them on it. i didn’t see much of a problem with josh in the chicago series once teams had to step out to stop teague from driving. a season of easier defenses would allow smith more room to get into the paint.
by Bryant Singleton on Aug 4, 2011 11:24 PM EDT reply actions
He belongs on this list definitly
because people put too much credintials in his “intangibles” or his bad body language and dumb stuff like that. He still produces like an All Star and is signed to a reasonable contract. He does need to curtail the jumpshots tho, and refocus his game inside like he did during the Bulls series
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Peachtree Hoops
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Heat grabbed control behind LeBron James’ amazing afternoon
- Behind the Box Score, where the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the fourth quarter. Again
- Kevin Durant’s game-winner beats the Lakers in Game 4 (VIDEO)
- Behind the Box Score, where the Los Angeles Lakers answered at home
- Pau Gasol wins the 2011-2012 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
