Josh Smith Q&A

[HMFFL]

Q. You recently signed a five-year, $58 million contract, why are you in here sweating through pickup games instead of relaxing on the beach somewhere?

A. I came in [a couple weeks back] just after I signed my contract and got one game in. This week I’m here for good. We’ve got to start early like we started last year. We have to keep it up. We came in early last summer about this time and we ended up making the playoffs. We’ve got to do it again this year. And we’ve got new faces as well so we have to give ourselves some time to gel. So I wanted to be here to make sure that happens.

Q. Heading into your fifth year in the league do you feel an increasing need to assume more of a leadership role on this team along with Joe Johnson?

A. I do. It was always about me knowing I would be here and knowing I needed to step up and be a leader. And not just me but also Marvin Williams, Al Horford and all the other guys that have been here and know our program and what we’re about.

Read the rest here.

Link

[Harry10]

he is a leader

[D21]

...
Q. Which of your teammates do you think will surprise people this fall with the improvements he’s made in his game?

A. I’d have to say Marvin. People know him as a mid-range jump shooter but he’s added more to his game. He’s got counter moves and being able to get to the hole and he’s even doing moves in the post that I haven’t seen him do before. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people.
...

It seems like Marvin is not working on his 3 only...

[Hawks]

I am looking forward to seeing what kind of season Marvin has. If he can stay healthy. I think we should see Marvin put the kind of numbers he did the 1st half of the season last year for the entire season. I think the overall offense should be very good if Marvin does contribute. Perhaps we could finally break through the 100 ppg mark.

[LL Cool Scott]

he is a leader

Agreed. Dude wants to win more than almost anyone in the league (besides 'Sheed). I love his attitude.

[Jamaaliver]

His teammates have already gotten a glimpse of the Hawks' starting small forward, who has packed on about 15 pounds of muscle to the 6-9, 230-pound frame he finished last season with in that playoff loss to Boston.

Smith said, "People know him as a mid-range jump shooter but he's added more to his game. He's got counter moves and being able to get to the hole and he's even doing moves in the post that I haven't seen him do before. I think he's going to surprise a lot of people."

Any thoughts? I predict Marvins up fpr a career year. 20 ppg anyone?

[N.O.R.E.]

Do you think that he is going to be more like a PF? If so the Hawks are in trouble, with 3 incredibly talented players sharing the same natural position.

[betta1]

Do you think that he is going to be more like a PF? If so the Hawks are in trouble, with 3 incredibly talented players sharing the same natural position.

No.