• Josh Smith, Hawks. I'm starting with the biggest surprise of all. In previous years, a silhouette of Smith launching a poorly aimed three-pointer had been the logo for much of what was wrong with the league in the preexisting era of AAU phenoms drafted straight out of high school. But Smith definitely belongs on the All-Star team now. Simply connect the power forward's numbers -- 14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 3.8 assists -- to Atlanta's eminence as the No. 4 contender in the East on track for a 54-win season.
"That kid has grown up immensely, and I'm stunned," an NBA pro personnel scout said. "I will tell you I hated him -- his body language, his physical displays and immaturity on the floor. But this year I've seen him sit on the bench and not get playing time in the fourth quarter because the lineup is doing well, and they call him in to get the tip to win the game. And he's not mad. In fact, he's up like he's their best cheerleader. I don't know what award he should get, but he should get something for making the most emotional growth."
"I came a long way as an athlete, as a player," Smith said. "Just understanding the strong points of my game and being able to help my teammates the most is by not shooting threes.
"I think I've come a long way, but I really think the media have come a long way, too, by being open-minded. Because they were very narrow-minded with me; they maybe listened to a lot of stuff that was untrue, and they just labeled me as being an athlete that had a [short] fuse on him or was uncoachable. I think they've grown and they really took time to see the player and understand the player instead of just judging me."
Having made the painful investment to develop him over the last five years, the Hawks deserve every benefit of Smith's strong play. At 24, he could become one of the league's dominant defenders as a hyperactive shot-blocker who controls the boards. And as his post moves continue to improve, his athleticism could make him unguardable in the paint. Best of all, he is showing qualities that win games, especially in the playoffs.
"What he does now is play to his strength -- blocking shots, rebounding, bringing energy -- and he's an excellent teammate," the scout said. "He has a certain flair, and if he got in [as an All-Star this year], he might be able to stay in the mix for another three or four years or more. He could be a special player, and I really can't believe I'm saying this, because I really didn't like him before this year."
• Al Horford, Hawks. Who would have guessed that Atlanta's undersized power forward-center combination of Smith and Horford would be All-Stars this year? But compare Horford's numbers to his rivals'. With 13.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, his only meaningful competition (from a winning team) to become the No. 2 center in the East is Boston's Kendrick Perkins.
"I love Horford, primarily because he's an incredible locker-room guy," the Western scout said. "He instantly became a leader, which is astounding. His value is greater than his numbers, and he is contributing to a very good team."
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