"Charles Bethea grills Danny Ferry about JS shooting 3's"

Post #1 » by **HMFFL** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:20 am

There are several different ways to get to the heart of what is really bugging fans of a particular NBA team. You could check out a team-specific blog to see which column influenced the largest amount of comments. You could lope over to a message board, and see which thread goes for the longest amount of pages. You could dial in the local radio airwaves for an hour. Or, you could watch as Atlanta-based journalist (and presumably particularly ardent Atlanta Hawks fan) Charles Bethea repeatedly and righteously grills new Hawks GM Danny Ferry about Josh Smith's love of the 3-pointer.

It's a great interview, over at Grantland, and we're sorry for distilling Bethea's work into a simple takeaway, but the dude really doesn't like watching Josh Smith shoot 3-pointers. Here's a sampling of Charles' efforts to get Ferry to just about outlaw the shot from Smith's low-percentage arsenal (Bethea's questions are bolded):

And you think Josh Smith will get off the three-point line?

I think Josh will have opportunities to play all over. Before I came here, we were watching tape of Josh, and one of the things I enjoy is his ability to pass the basketball. The spacing that they'll have, maybe create double teams — hit him in the post or driving to the basket — I think that his passing will be even more advanced.

There is frustration about his tendency to want to shoot the three. Is that something you or Larry will talk with him about?

I'm still learning our group. Ultimately, Larry will coach the guys. And put some boundaries on all of them. But I think Josh is a pretty darn good player. And the impact he can have in making other players around him better. We may play through him and Teague and Al more than we ever have, and I think they will accept that responsibility and make good decisions.

Nobody doubts Josh's ability. It's his decision-making that seems off sometimes. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball- ... --nba.html

Post #2 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:28 pm

Nobody doubts Josh's ability. It's his decision-making that seems off sometimes.

This has always been my biggest issue with Josh.

Though it is wise not to chide him publicly, I sure hope Ferry will press Smith to make smarter decisions and take higher % shots in private.

MaceCase · Post #3 » by **MaceCase** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:23 pm

Well I sincerely doubt both his ability to make jumpers and his decision-making in taking them.

Ferry is tip-toeing his way around the issue and practically saying "either the coach we have deals with it or I'll find one who can." Either way, it's smart not to criticize Smoove given his temperament or lower his value around the league.

dtown8 · Post #4 » by **dtown8** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:40 pm

if Josh can put up 16.5/8.5/3.3/ .331 from three (154 attempts), like he did in 2010, then i'm okay with that.

but i do agree with Charles and Ferry about Josh being a primer passer in the NBA and high IQ

Post #5 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:57 am

dtown8 wrote:if Josh can put up 16.5/8.5/3.3/ .331 from three (154 attempts), like he did in 2010, then i'm okay with that.

If our "best player" can only manage 16 ppg and 8 rpg in a contract year as the focal point of the offense, I would trade him very quickly.

No way we max out a player who can't even avg 20 ppg as a #1 option. And I doubt he comes back without receiving a significant raise.

Ruhiel · Post #6 » by **Ruhiel** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:34 pm

A) Why max him out if we're not going to compete? He's indicated he's ready to go ringchasing, that means taking less money to win here or elsewhere.
B) What if he averages 20ppg on 19 shots. Because thats where he's trending.
Josh is worth a Rudy Gay deal $16 per, everyone knows this. I don't see Ferry resigning to the max Josh based on him scoring 20ppg, unless his shooting % miraculously increases and scores 20ppg. But thats not where hes trending.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKCqCeOVH4Y[/youtube]

parson · Post #7 » by **parson** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 4:11 am

If Josh Smith is about to be our starting SF, then everything we now know is irrelevant.

Maybe he'll shoot from 3 more; maybe he'll post up his man more. Maybe he'll blossom at SF (and Horford at PF) or maybe we'll be right back to the old ways after a period of failed experiment.

I think Ferry has decided to put the team in the hands of Smith, Horford and Teague -- at least at first. I'll say this: if they improve under the new scheme, the team will be better than last season. Smith posting up down low, Horford shooting from midrange and Teague driving to the basket could be an interesting offense. Add in some really good outside shooters to keep the spacing and we might really cook.

And then there's that huge cap space, if we can get a major FA to be interested.

Post #8 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:42 am

Consider:

1. Josh Smith is currently in his prime.

2. Most observers/pundits are in agreement that Josh is now the Hawks' best player.

3. This is likely Smoove's last big chance at a long-term/high-dollar contract.

With that in mind, do we really believe Josh is prepared to sign a deal without a pay raise or, even accept a decrease in salary?