Josh Smith suspended by team.

[truehawksfan121]

The thing is about Josh, if he and Dwight Howard did the same thing - realized they aren't THAT skilled at scoring the ball and do the things they do well, their teams would be SO much better.

If Josh Smith played like Ben Wallace with passing ability, we would be alot better. If Dwight Howard just played D and rebounded the ball with the occasional score like Tyson Chandler, the Lakers or magic would have been so much better. His want to be a scorer and coachs placating that want is the problem.

We RUN plays for Josh on the block despite him not being a good back to the basket scorer. We run plays that put josh on the perimeter offensively despite him not being a good jumpshooter. Why? Because he wants to score.

If josh is not skilled at scoring the ball then why does he take the most shots on the team. He knows his major weakness on the offensive end is the fact he can't shoot but yet he still takes at over 6 jumpers a game. He has been in the league 9 years and still cannot understand that he is not a good shooter. if he focus more on defense and took more shots in the paint we would be so much better. Right now we have at least 2 better scoring options on the team but josh dont want to take that back seat. He want to be an allstar more than he wants to win. I'm starting to think it may be larry drew. Cause mike woodson last year Josh was not taking those jumpers. it was the first time he was shooting over 50 percent from the field

[Rip2137]

Josh is not immune from criticism here, in the least, but you never hear anyone having to tell Tony Allen or Thabo Sefelosha that they need to stop shooting.

Because they don't have plays run for them. Josh shouldn't even get the ball on the block, despite his passing ability. His high/low game with Horford is probably our best half-court offense(sadly) but it comes at the expense of Josh trying to do way too much on offense.

I seroiusly wonder if any coach has ever just sat down with him and said "look, for us to win, THIS is what we need, not Josh Smith super scorer"

Because when I look over at the bench after he takes the in rhythm, part of the offense jumpers, they seem pleased. I don't care if he makes it or not, you shouldn't be pleased if thats your offense.

[Jamaaliver]

I seroiusly wonder if any coach has ever just sat down with him and said "look, for us to win, THIS is what we need, not Josh Smith super scorer"

It's my understanding that both NBA coaches have told him at various times.

Josh's repsonse has been, more or less:

'Go f#@* yourself'.

Followed by a brief suspension.

The worse thing that could have happened was Josh putting up those amazing numbers last March while shooting the exact same shots he's shooting today. He got really hot and was hitting jumpers all over the court, carrying the team while JJ and Horford were out. Now he still believes he can score at will from all over the court. His agent, manager, family, entourage put it in his head that Josh is unstoppable and it's the team and the coach and the organization that's holding him back.

Josh, like so many other young players, dismisses all criticism. Even the valid points that could make him a better player.

[Rip2137]

Your scenario would make sense if they didn't run plays to get Josh on the perimeter.

I think its a little naive to think Josh Smith is breaking offense every trip down and going to spots on the court not dictated by the offense. You never see Dwight Howard get the ball swung to him at the three point line because they don't run the offense to have him at the three point line.

If the coachs run a offense that doesn't put Josh in that position, then Josh isn't there. Its on Josh because he doesn't HAVE to shoot the ball, but the coachs share some responsiblity for not running a effective half court offense that would eliminate alot of the opportunies at bad shots.

[Jamaaliver]

I concede that some offensive sets leave Josh near the three point line, particularly when he's playing SF.

But I remember a game few weeks ago. The AJC had just run an article about L Drew talking to Josh about better shot selection and taking fewer long jumpers. The very next game, Josh comes out and takes 5 long jumpers in the first quarter (missing 4). He was then quickly benched.

Sometimes I think Josh just freelances and does what he wants.

I remember a game years ago where Woody yelled at Bibby from the sideline about passing to Josh at the top of the key with the shot clock winding down. Bibby yells back at Woody to 'get Josh's ass away from the three point line.'

This has been going on for almost a decade now.

[Jamaaliver]

And just because Josh gets the ball near the perimieter doesn't mean he has to shoot it from there.

As you metion, his High/Low game is effective. Or he can just drive to the hoop. The reason he's always open at the 3-pt line: opposing bigs don't guard him outside of the paint. They want him to take those shots. He misses 70% of them.

[geeman]

I just gotta say it..... Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!

[Jamaaliver]

As if I could hate this guy.



He is the single greatest basketball player in the history of the world.