I don't blame Josh Smith for his frustration at all

[NiqtheAntiq]

For years he has been out there playing hard on the defensive end, trying to get rep for Atlanta since like 05. After 8 years of the same BS and Atlanta being the same elevator music team he is probably like "why do I even care anymore". He is the only star I don't blame for getting angry in a situation like this. He should have cussed out everyone in management for making teams that everyone knows won't really go anywhere. Sure they ain't going to be in the cellar, but its probably frustrating coming in every year in your head saying "No matter how hard I play or try, we will either lose in the first round or get to the second and be destroyed. Management is going to put some HS Level coach in and tell us to play hard each season. It aint even about that, the talent aint there son. I mean really now.

I have never seen a team in the history of sports that strives to be average for decades on end,even in the days of my boy Wilkins, they prevent themselves from being bad and even at the same time really good when they have a chance to get better when they have assets to do something. I really feel like the Hawks need to move to another city. I remember in 97 the Braves getting a huge cheer at stone mountain and the Hawks getting like nothing, this was like a 56 win Hawks team that was not bad, but Atlanta in general knows the Hawks never ever reach the finals, like ever, so why bother even caring or pretending for hope/

Everyone in Atlanta knows what I am saying is true. It aint trolling. And if anyone says Jeff Teague has a bright future I am going to laugh at your post cause he aint Chris Paul with one leg. Can someone just be real on this board for once about the Hawks.

[PandaKidd]

I appreciate and understand opinion, but I disagree to some extent.

You just described 80% of the NBAs teams , not just the hawks. Replace Hawks with , Pacers, Hornets, Bobcats, Bucks, Rockets, Clippers, Kings, etc. Over the last 10-15 years there have been perpetual mid level teams that never moved unless they landed once in a generation players like Lebron (cavaliers) or drafted better than any team has in 20 years (OKC).
Most franchises dont ever get out of the middle of the pack for years, it takes a LOT of time and luck and smart personnel decisions. Have the Hawks had crappy ownership? Absolutely. No question. But that doesnt mean it wont get better.

Or, it doesnt mean that as the face of the franchise you just quit on the team.

Im happy with this season so far, minus a BOATLOAD of stupid contracts, 1 all star, we are basically in the exact same spot maybe slightly better off, than we were last year. 1 game out of 3rd in the east even after how crappy we have played? 3.5 back of Miami?

I understand why Josh would be frustrated, but hes got what he wants this year. Alpha Dog, new GM, no sharing the spotlight with anyone, what else does he want? If he doesnt want to be patient, then demand a trade. I know hes been patient SO FAR, but it doesnt get much better on other teams right now either. where does he want to go LA? Mavericks? Houston ?

[MaceCase]

Yea, yea. We can all try and attempt to canonize Josh as the great saint that he is and put all the blame on the organization and fans rather than holding him personally responsible for never putting in the effort to maximize his abilities but choosing instead to pretend that he's Larry Bird.

Can we be real with ourselves and mention that Josh isn't separate from the problem, that he's a big part of the problem?

Can we be real and say that because he's the hometown kid and has shown flashes of being a dominant physical specimen that 9 years in the league, this same fanbase that is the problem has pretended and made excuses for Josh's behavior rather than finally recognize him for a player that will never give up his own glaring self inflicted deficiencies?

Yea, Josh deserves a franchise that strives to be more than average just like Atlanta deserves a player that strives to be more than just average.

[azuresou1]

Yea, yea. We can all try and attempt to canonize Josh as the great saint that he is and put all the blame on the organization and fans rather than holding him personally responsible for never putting in the effort to maximize his abilities but choosing instead to pretend that he's Larry Bird.

Can we be real with ourselves and mention that Josh isn't separate from the problem, that he's a big part of the problem?

Can we be real and say that because he's the hometown kid and has shown flashes of being a dominant physical specimen that 9 years in the league, this same fanbase that is the problem has pretended and made excuses for Josh's behavior rather than finally recognize him for a player that will never give up his own glaring self inflicted deficiencies?

Yea, Josh deserves a franchise that strives to be more than average just like Atlanta deserves a player that strives to be more than just average.

+1

[parson]

He needs to grow up and:
> learn to throw a quick outlet pass (after a rebound) and
> stop dribbling the ball slowly upcourt, pretending he's Magic Johnson and
> start posting his man up down low and
> get away from the perimeter and
> stop whining to the referees!! Hasn't he noticed it's doing him no good?

How many times have we watched him refuse to throw an outlet (or give a good inbounds) pass to Teague?
How many times have we watched him take the ball from down low and dribble out to the perimeter and then take the shot?

[Jamaaliver]

It is what it is. Everybody is passionate. Everybody handles situations differently. I think everybody was frustrated and the pot was almost overfilling. Things happen. Things were said. It is what it is. At the end of the day it’s over and I have to focus on just improving myself on the floor and being more efficient and continue to be a better person, a better me.

We came out with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Maybe what happened in practice sparked a plug as far as motivation is concerned.

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-josh-smith-speaks-after-returning-suspension/nTzPJ/

So he takes no responsibility for his actions at all, but takes credit for motivating the team with his detrimental conduct.

Way to be a leader, Smoove.

[PandaKidd]

Josh Smith for Gasol trade imminent IMO

Hawks Social Media FB account just posted a pic of Josh Smith being drafted and then asked who we drafted #1 in 2001.

the answer?
PAU GASOL

Today's trivia question - Before trading him on draft night, who did the Hawks take with the #3 overall pick in 2001?

[Geaux_Hawks]

It is what it is. Everybody is passionate. Everybody handles situations differently. I think everybody was frustrated and the pot was almost overfilling. Things happen. Things were said. It is what it is. At the end of the day it’s over and I have to focus on just improving myself on the floor and being more efficient and continue to be a better person, a better me.

We came out with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Maybe what happened in practice sparked a plug as far as motivation is concerned.

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-josh-smith-speaks-after-returning-suspension/nTzPJ/

So he takes no responsibility for his actions at all, but takes credit for motivating the team with his detrimental conduct.

Way to be a leader, Smoove.

You are pulling straws very hard here.

[Jamaaliver]

I just want Josh to take responsibility. He's the freaking Team captain. The longest tenured Hawk. The franchise.

Saying: 'It is what it is' over and over again dismisses his actions as not a big deal. Everyone has been frustrated, but only Josh curses out the coach in full view of the team.

There are years worth of reports of Josh undermining Drew.

But, hey, it is what it is.

[Jamaaliver]

Josh Smith for Gasol trade imminent IMO

Hawks Social Media FB account just posted a pic of Josh Smith being drafted and then asked who we drafted #1 in 2001.

the answer?
PAU GASOL

Today's trivia question - Before trading him on draft night, who did the Hawks take with the #3 overall pick in 2001?

I wouldn't be against this trade, but with all of Pau's injuries this season...I think we could do better. Rudy Gay comes to mind. Calderon, maybe. JJ Hickson is on the trading block. AL Jefferson???

[Rip2137]

Yeah dude you are YANKING at straws is that.

It is what it is - Josh Smith.

What happened happened - Larry Drew

Whats the difference there? He gave the same canned answer that Larry Drew gave.

We don't know what happened or what was said, both are trying to put it behind them (publically) and move on.

[Rip2137]

Josh Smith for Gasol trade imminent IMO

Hawks Social Media FB account just posted a pic of Josh Smith being drafted and then asked who we drafted #1 in 2001.

the answer?
PAU GASOL

Today's trivia question - Before trading him on draft night, who did the Hawks take with the #3 overall pick in 2001?

I wouldn't be against this trade, but with all of Pau's injuries this season...I think we could do better. Rudy Gay comes to mind. Calderon, maybe. JJ Hickson is on the trading block. AL Jefferson???

Well, you know how I feel about Gay. And Calderon? Why? that is the ONE position we don't need another player.

Hickson...eh. I would take Al Jefferson as long as he knows how to outlet the ball.

[D21]

JJ Hickson is on the trading block

The guy has no defense, he's producing this year on offense, but that's all. On the POR's starters, he's the one that has negative On court/Off court average. And POR has no need of Josh. Now, I don't see why, but if they want to trade us Aldridge or Batum...

[Skyhawk1]

I love Batum's game. Batum + 1st round for Josh? or Aldridge for Josh + Hawks 1st round?

[Jamaaliver]

I really like Batum also. I think we'd have a hard time prying Batum away from them for just Josh.

Batum avg more points and assist than Josh. No way we get Batum and a pick for only 3 months of Josh Smith.

[ATL Boy]

To the OP I don't see what's with all the negativity. I get that you're frustrated but lashing out and saying "The Hawks should relocate" is a little hasty. Also like PandaKid said most teams have been average throughout their history without a read chance at a title. The Hawks are headed in a different direction now with Ferry as the GM, he's cleaned up our mess from the previous decade and we have a nice future with a lot of cap space.

You can't just give Josh a free pass for EVERYTHING bad he's done and just say "oh it's because of the management." Josh needs to own up and stop being such a diva, I have been beyond patient with him not saying anything negative about him but it's getting out of hand now, he hasn't matured in 9 seasons, and like Parson said: he's trying to be Magic when he isn't Magic. When I watch him, at times I feel that he's trying to stuff the stat sheet and fill out his own personal agenda even if it's hurting the team. I've always loved Josh and even have him as my avatar but he needs to do whats best for the team and stay in his boundaries, he needs to realize that he's a PF and not a PG. Last night I watched Teague thrive with ball in his hands and the offense at his fingertips, Smith at times doesn't let Teague run the offense the way he needs to because he wants to be "the man" and go iso and/or take an awful jump shot. And despite your comments Teague DOES have a bright future in the league (btw I didn't know that you had to be as good as Chris Paul to have a bright future) and Smith is stunting some of that growth.

One last point I wanna make is that in 97 when the Braves got the love you have to see the outlook of both franchises at the time: The Braves had won 7 straight division titles and in 95 they had just won the first championship of any of the Atlanta teams in professional sports; whereas the Hawks were a nice 56 win team without much of a chance at a title because that was the peak of the Jordan era in Chicago.

[Lowkey]

I love Batum's game. Batum + 1st round for Josh? or Aldridge for Josh + Hawks 1st round?

You honestly think Smith is that valued around the league? Plus he's a 4 and a Batum swap would make 0 sense for Portland. If Smith is traded its probably going to be a 3 team trade and with a team that he's willing to resign with for the non bird right max.

[Rip2137]

I don't get how the same people calling Josh's game complete crap and such want to trade him for All star caliber players. Either you think the guy is trash or you don't.

[RandyBreuer]

Josh Smith for Gasol trade imminent IMO

Hawks Social Media FB account just posted a pic of Josh Smith being drafted and then asked who we drafted #1 in 2001.

the answer?
PAU GASOL

Today's trivia question - Before trading him on draft night, who did the Hawks take with the #3 overall pick in 2001?

without looking it up I am guessing Shareef Abdur Rahim?

[ATL Boy]

Josh Smith for Gasol trade imminent IMO

Hawks Social Media FB account just posted a pic of Josh Smith being drafted and then asked who we drafted #1 in 2001.

the answer?
PAU GASOL

Today's trivia question - Before trading him on draft night, who did the Hawks take with the #3 overall pick in 2001?

without looking it up I am guessing Shareef Abdur Rahim?

You sir are correct