Josh Smith suspended by team.

Rip2137 · Post #1 » by **Rip2137** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 4:57 pm

Looks like Josh was kicked out of practice and suspended.

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/atlanta-hawk ... ghts-game/

Nice comment from Josh and all, but I think that might end up being more of a "Make it look good so we can still trade you" type of comment. Josh is a good teammate and player when things are going well, but you have to grow up and handle losing like a allstar too if you want to be one.

I am NOT a fan of Larry Drew by any stretch of the imagination, but he has earned a (ugh) contract extension. If he and Smith can't get along, then trade Smith.

Lets see if that sparks something in the remaining players tonight and they can come out with some fire.

Skyhawk1 · Post #2 » by **Skyhawk1** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 5:41 pm

Just trade him. His body language is TERRIBLE. Besides that, he's never going to be a 20ppg/10rpg guy. He's not the guy you want to build your team around. His attitude has sucked since he joined the team. His athleticism will only regress from now on. Call the Blazers ( Aldridge and Batum), the Grizzlies (Gay and Randolph), the Kings (Tyreke and Cousins). We gotta options. I don't understand why the Hawks have waited so long to ship him out of here. He's not getting any better and his presence is like a cancer in the locker room. GET HIM OUT OF HERE.

Rip2137 · Post #3 » by **Rip2137** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:15 pm

Well, A he has gotten better, B no teammate, past or present has said anything about him in the locker room.

I know you don't like the dude, but lets not get ridiculous.

MaceCase · Post #4 » by **MaceCase** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 8:57 pm

Well A) in regards to Rip, he hasn't gotten better. Increased volume =/= Increased production. He's still hovering right at his career averages except for efficiency where he has plummeted to a new low this season.

B) In regards to Sky, how do you critique him so harshly in one breath but then expect a trade for top talent in exchange for him?

Post #5 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:59 pm

I submitted a post two months ago about Josh's problem with authority and was thoroughly excoriated for questioning Josh's attitude. http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1216051

These types of flareups go back years and years. He blew up at Woody and was suspended as a younger player.
He's talked back and flared up at Drew over the years. Even doing so earlier this season during a winning streak.

Can we finally agree that it's time to part ways before his trade value is completely decreased or he walks away for nothing this summer?

From NBCSports in April 2011:

Larry Drew is on the hot seat for the Hawks but the bigger problem is that he may have lost the locker room because he could not control Smoove, Sam Amick reports at Sports Illustrated.

And then there is the not-so-obvious sensitive spot: the Josh Smith factor. Drew has been unable to stop the veteran from being a season-long disruption and undermining his position with his other players in the process. Add to that the relative affordability of cutting him loose (he’s owed $1.5 million for next season, lockout notwithstanding), and Drew is looking very vulnerable unless he can lead a deep postseason run.
Where is the veteran leadership on this team?

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/09/might-hawks-josh-smith-cost-coach-larry-drew-his-job/

D21 · Post #6 » by **D21** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 10:05 pm

Rip2137 wrote:Well, A he has gotten better

Not sure about this point, at least he's producing less than before :
his Efficiency is at 18.5
He got 22 in 2012-11 (but with Al injured), 20.5 in 2010-11, 21.8 in 2009-10...
Eff48 is also lower : 25.59 and 79th in the league, while he was around 35th the previous seasons, with 30.01 in 2011-12, 28.62 in 2011-10, and 29.5 in 2009-10

His PER is 17.47 and he's 32th in the Eastern conference
2012-11, he was 9th with 21.14
2011-10, he was 12th with 19.31
2010-09, he was 6th with 21.04

His On Court/Off Court difference (which includes defense impact) is +4.4pts per 100 possessions
2012-11, it was +8.1
2011-10, it was +6.4
2010-09, it was +7.1

Wait a minute... I forgot his FT%, a fantastic .514 this season (.630 , .725 and .618 the previous seasons)...

So Josh has clearly less production and impact than the previous seasons.
Maybe he's a better player but only on his potential, and I agree I can see some things that are better, like his passing game with Al which maybe is unmatched in the league between any PF and C of a team, but he's not better on what he's really bringing to the team.

Post #7 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 11:02 pm

The Hawks have conducted trade talks centered on Smith with multiple teams, according to NBA executives.

Via Ken Berger/CBS Sports

This should have been done last summer when his stock was at an all-time high. Harden, Lillard, Brook Lopez, Andre Drummond, Iguodala, Kyle Lowry are just a few of the trade targets we missed out on.

CURSE you, Sund for not being more proactive!!!

Rule of thumb: You cash in a stock at its highest, not its lowest.

Post #8 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:19 am

I honestly believe Smoove is gone in the next few days.

Either for Jose Calderon or Rudy Gay.

PandaKidd · Post #9 » by **PandaKidd** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:35 am

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... With_Ferry

Smiths agent meets with Ferry. This is the beginning of the trade process IMO. Notice how at the bottom it says "according to NBA execs the Hawks have been discussing trade deals centered around Smith ". Ferry was adamant he wouldnt trade Josh, obviously that has changed.

IMO hes gone soon, especially after we take out the Nets tonight (unless epic collapse happens, we were up 26, up 15 now).

The hawks are functioning without JJ, we can function without Josh. Id rather have a team that hustles and has heart, than a team that is brought down by a Diva superstar.

Josh fills up a stat sheet like no other, but i KNOW attitudes when i see them, and he hasnt gotten any better, maybe worse since last season. Complaining, whining, being very selfish.

Post #10 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:47 am

PandaKidd wrote:Josh fills up a stat sheet like no other, but i KNOW attitudes when i see them, and he hasnt gotten any better, maybe worse since last season. Complaining, whining, being very selfish.

Agreed. You have no idea how excited I am that this guy is finally being shopped. At this point, there's no way he re-signs this summer.

His attitude has been bad for years. We thought making LD head coach might change this (since Josh and Drew had a good relationship when Drew was an assistant). It didn't.

Both parties need a change of scenery.

GrimeyKidd · Post #11 » by **GrimeyKidd** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:48 am

PandaKidd wrote:http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/225624/Josh_Smiths_Agent_Meets_With_Ferry

Smiths agent meets with Ferry. This is the beginning of the trade process IMO. Notice how at the bottom it says "according to NBA execs the Hawks have been discussing trade deals centered around Smith ". Ferry was adamant he wouldnt trade Josh, obviously that has changed.

IMO hes gone soon, especially after we take out the Nets tonight (unless epic collapse happens, we were up 26, up 15 now).

The hawks are functioning without JJ, we can function without Josh. Id rather have a team that hustles and has heart, than a team that is brought down by a Diva superstar.

Josh fills up a stat sheet like no other, but i KNOW attitudes when i see them, and he hasnt gotten any better, maybe worse since last season. Complaining, whining, being very selfish.

Hes still doesnt want to trade josh. Just wants to change his philosophy. Joshs agent never brought up trade ideas with ferry, he just told the media that people have wanted josh which we obviously know.

PandaKidd · Post #12 » by **PandaKidd** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:05 am

and Smiths agent chose to do it AFTER he was suspended? Cmon wasnt born yesterday

He doesnt WANT to trade Josh Smith, but he knows he has to. I personally dont see a future where smoov takes us to the next level no matter who we sign in the offseason.

Post #13 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:16 am

PandaKidd wrote: I personally dont see a future where smoov takes us to the next level no matter who we sign in the offseason.

Nail on the head, dude. As good as Josh is, our team plays harder and more together whenever he's out of the game.

It seems like it would be so obvious to anyone watching.

PandaKidd · Post #14 » by **PandaKidd** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:26 am

Josh Smith is a GREAT individual talent, but I ask myself does he make EVERYONE else better? At times, the answer is YES. At other times, he is infectious when he whines and moans and complains.

Reading into Coach Drews comments the other night when they got blown out by the Bulls he said "we will look at different lineups, we need to find a group of guys who wont point the finger at the refs, complain about missed calls, or blame each other". (paraphrasing)

I think that was a direct shot at Smith, which is why he got pissed tuesday at practice, suspended.

Heres direct quote
"We have to find a group that will compete on both ends at a high level with no excuses, with no finger-pointing as far as blaming officials, blaming each other. We have to go out and we have to play like our first few games of the season.”

Post #15 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:45 am

PandaKidd wrote:Reading into Coach Drews comments the other night when they got blown out by the Bulls he said "we will look at different lineups, we need to find a group of guys who wont point the finger at the refs, complain about missed calls, or blame each other". (paraphrasing)

I think that was a direct shot at Smith, which is why he got pissed tuesday at practice, suspended.

I was thinking the exact...same...thing.

That was the first thought I had when I heard he got kicked out of practice. Drew probably mentioned shot selection or getting on defense or not whining at the ref....

Josh probably responded with a very prompt STFU!

lol....I cringed two season ago when Drew made him a captain. Smoove's lucky he plays for a team like Atlanta where there's only one paper and no one really cares about the Hawks. if he pulled this nonsense in Boston, NY, CHI or LA...he'd be castigated on talk radio, the papers, ESPN as a monster. I honestly wonder if he can handle the pressure and expectations of being a key player in a larger market. Now way he could co-exist with Kobe or deal with a Phil Jackson calling him out publicly.

GrimeyKidd · Post #16 » by **GrimeyKidd** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:17 am

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-b ... de-request

PandaKidd · Post #17 » by **PandaKidd** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:49 am

Jamaaliver wrote:
PandaKidd wrote:
lol....I cringed two season ago when Drew made him a captain. Smoove's lucky he plays for a team like Atlanta where there's only one paper and no one really cares about the Hawks. if he pulled this nonsense in Boston, NY, CHI or LA...he'd be castigated on talk radio, the papers, ESPN as a monster. I honestly wonder if he can handle the pressure and expectations of being a key player in a larger market. Now way he could co-exist with Kobe or deal with a Phil Jackson calling him out publicly.

I dont think he would act this way on a bigger franchise. I think Hes alpha dog in a small pond. I think hes used to a franchise that has historically screwed over the talent they get. I think hes not happy with the franchise as a whole , and I think he has a right to be upset. So im not going to totally condemn him, I think its time to part ways, he needs a fresh start, that will fix his attitude IMO. I think he really believes he CANNOT win in this town, and hes been fed the lines over the years about us getting better and all we did is get worse, or sign terrible contracts or let good talent go.

So long smoov, its been fun, and i wish you luck at your next destination.

Post #18 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 1:03 pm

Rip2137 wrote:Looks like Josh was kicked out of practice and suspended.

AL Horford wrote:“I told you guys our practice on Tuesday was the best one all year and I think we came out and showed why; our focus was better and we just have to keep that up.”

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-nets/nTyjw/

:meditate:

GrimeyKidd · Post #19 » by **GrimeyKidd** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:05 pm

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketba ... ion/nTzPJ/

he sounded pretty content. He pretty much did what kobe bryant does all the time. But he will respond well. He doesnt sound like he wants to be traded at all

Rip2137 · Post #20 » by **Rip2137** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:09 pm

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.