OT: Is Josh Smith's career over?

[Jamaaliver]

I've noticed for weeks now that Smoove has remained unsigned in Free Agency. CBS Sports speaks on the subject below:

Josh Smith, at age 30, is un-signed in late August.

This is incredible for those that remember where Smith was just three years ago, when he was an integral part of the Atlanta Hawks' core which returned them to the postseason in 2008. In fact, he helped the Hawks make the playoffs every year until he left as a free agent in 2013.

Smith is basically out of the league at this point. In 2010 and 2011, Smith put up All-Star caliber seasons in which he was a terror on both sides of the ball, despite his penchant for jumpers which caused the fans to scream "No!"

It is shocking that we're here. Smith continues to sit on the market, with no real reports of any interest in him.

The reasons for Josh Smith's fall from NBA grace aren't immediately known. There's talk of attitude and basketball IQ, of decision making and diminished athleticism after he spent so many years in the league after being drafted out of high school.

Smith isn't the first player to fall off like this, and he won't be the last. But he should serve as a reminder to NBA fans of how fleeting success can be in the league...

Here

Thoughts?

Predictions?

Is Smoove done completely?

Should teams hold out until mid-season to sign him?
Will he spend his remaining years as the 13th man riding the pine?
Is he such a locker room pariah, teams won't even bother to bring him in?

Anyone else embarrassed we considered him a franchise caliber player while the rest of the league wants nothing to do with him?

Should we bring him home?

[atlantabbq99]

Smoove has his flaws, but his athleticism has gone down since leaving the Pistons. His tweener build and lack of speed now has really hurt his defense, which is fine for a 30yr pro athlete. Alot of super athletes like Smoove don't last long, like Rose, Steve Francis, Murbery, Dominique, Penny. The only super athlete i can think of off the top of my head that has had a long career is Vince Carter, and Vince was able to survive his decline in athleticism because he focused on his 3pt shooting and is now an above average 3pt shooter.

Smoove's career arch is nothing new. I expect him to play a few years in China or Europe before he officially retires.

[ATL Boy]

That man had all the talent a professional athlete could ask for, he was just too stupid to learn how to use it.


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[jayu70]

Letting Josh walk was an underrated move by the Hawks.
Since Detroit dumped him he has not recovered. He will spend the rest of his career on 1 year deals.

[MaceCase]

He spent his playing days trying to become a 3/stretch 4 to extend his career only to have it that had he stuck to his actual skillset he'd be a perfect small ball 5.

[DirtybirdGA]

He's going overseas probably, done in the nba.

[DirtybirdGA]

Smoove has his flaws, but his athleticism has gone down since leaving the Pistons. His tweener build and lack of speed now has really hurt his defense, which is fine for a 30yr pro athlete. Alot of super athletes like Smoove don't last long, like Rose, Steve Francis, Murbery, Dominique, Penny. The only super athlete i can think of off the top of my head that has had a long career is Vince Carter, and Vince was able to survive his decline in athleticism because he focused on his 3pt shooting and is now an above average 3pt shooter.

Smoove's career arch is nothing new. I expect him to play a few years in China or Europe before he officially retires.

Dominique? I think he held up long enough, I'd say he was productive until 94, before he tailed off in SA but still had about 17ppg down from what he's used to, but good enough as a would be co-star.

[willywazza]

He needs to really focus on developing his shooting to extend his career.

Otherwise, it's going to get even messier.

[New_Hawks_Era]

He needs to really focus on developing his shooting to extend his career.

Otherwise, it's going to get even messier.

The odds of Josh Smith becoming a above average/knock down shooter at this advanced age in his career is like us expecting Dwight to hit 80% of his feet throw attempts this year. It's very likely not to happen, the ship has long left the deck on both those docks.

[Yungsta404]

IMO if Smoove didn't have such a terrible attitude and just consistently played hard, he could atleast be a bench big some where in the league. I don't think hes so bad to the point he doesn't deserve a roster spot.

Look at guys like Lance Stephenson and JR Smith. Neither of them have a team. Although Smoove doesn't have near the off court problems that those guys has but just having a terrible attitude and burning bridges with coaches/coaching personnel goes a long way in the league. Having someone in the room to go bat for you when the staff is evaluating who they should give an opportunity to is huge.

[D21]

He just needed to stop making bad decisions, but he has a great vision and passing skills for a PF
If only he had not launch 3s or more important long 2s, he would have been All Star for sure.

[reazun]

Smoove has his flaws, but his athleticism has gone down since leaving the Pistons. His tweener build and lack of speed now has really hurt his defense, which is fine for a 30yr pro athlete. Alot of super athletes like Smoove don't last long, like Rose, Steve Francis, Murbery, Dominique, Penny. The only super athlete i can think of off the top of my head that has had a long career is Vince Carter, and Vince was able to survive his decline in athleticism because he focused on his 3pt shooting and is now an above average 3pt shooter.

Smoove's career arch is nothing new. I expect him to play a few years in China or Europe before he officially retires.

Nique was starting in San Antonio at 36 years old averaging nearly 20 pts and 7 rebounds a game. I don't think he should be on that list. He fell off in Orlando. The others were cut short b.c injuries. Except Marbury, who i would not label as a super athlete. Marbury is currently the MJ of China. I think he could have came back to the nba.His twitter makes it seem like he likes China better. Also, he has a museum http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/12/theres-now-a-stephon-marbury-museum-in-china.html. i think Josh is an anomaly bc his attitude. Thats just my opinion tho

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[simon24]

He's going overseas probably, done in the nba.

That's his best bet. Ball out over there then somebody probably will sign him in February.

[NBAMythbuster]

Team front offices are a lot smarter these days, and they've realized the harmful effects of bringing a bunch of knuckleheads into a locker room. 10 years ago the NBA was full of them, now there are very few left.

[justicewinslow]

I wonder what went through his head after coaches and teammates told him time and time again to not shoot. Like its insanity to do something over and over again expecting a different result...right?

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[MaceCase]

I wonder what went through his head after coaches and teammates told him time and time again to not shoot. Like its insanity to do something over and over again expecting a different result...right?

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He hired the "hoops whisperer" one summer as a life coach and trainer to reaffirm for him that he doesn't need to listen to them.

That but mostly he was coddled in Atlanta as the hometown kid, person whom the "highlight factory" arena nickname was coined after, and the personal favorite of a former despicable team owner who felt "he is the closest thing to LeBron"...... so coaches that were amongst the lowest paid in the league wouldn't really tear into him or criticize his jumpers since they valued job security. Then he predominantly shared the locker room with only two guys that were on his level in Joe Johnson who doesn't say anything to anyone and Al Horford who only complains through his family members.

So....You could probably say that he went almost 10 years in the league before a fellow coach or player actually told him to stop shooting and we see how well that turned out with his stints in LA and Detroit.

[Jamaaliver]

Josh Smith comments publicly on his current vagabond status, showing a little humility and introspection in the process:

I’m not a guy that is oblivious to my surroundings, I know that changes need to be made. It’s something that I have done wrong to now be figuring out my next move and figuring out what I need to do to be better. Even yoga this summer has helped me become one with my spirit, body and mind. I’ve done things to take steps toward bettering myself, having patience.

I have a lot left to give to this game.

I’m not a guy who feels like I have to start or play 30 minutes a night anymore. I wish for an opportunity to be able to contribute, to be a positive guy around the locker room. It has been missing from me. I’m not doubting it.

The perception of me seemed to start early on with Atlanta, but after Detroit, it left people completely puzzled. People didn’t understand how it happened, how I was let go. It just didn’t fit. But wherever I have gone in development situations, I have been able to be on winning teams.

When I came to Atlanta, we were at the bottom. Al Horford came, and we made it a consistent playoff team. When I went to Houston [in 2015] after Detroit, we made it to the Western Conference finals...I played impactful minutes for us to get to those platforms.

[simon24]

Letting Josh walk was an underrated move by the Hawks.
Since Detroit dumped him he has not recovered. He will spend the rest of his career on 1 year deals.

I wish ATL would have taken a trade for him. ATL got to stop letting players walk for nothing.

[simon24]

He spent his playing days trying to become a 3/stretch 4 to extend his career only to have it that had he stuck to his actual skillset he'd be a perfect small ball 5.

Several teams could use his versatility. I think you just got to keep him on a short leash like Mike Scott. For example, if CLE signed him, he could Draymond Green while LeBron guards KD.

[simon24]

IMO if Smoove didn't have such a terrible attitude and just consistently played hard, he could atleast be a bench big some where in the league. I don't think hes so bad to the point he doesn't deserve a roster spot.

Look at guys like Lance Stephenson and JR Smith. Neither of them have a team. Although Smoove doesn't have near the off court problems that those guys has but just having a terrible attitude and burning bridges with coaches/coaching personnel goes a long way in the league. Having someone in the room to go bat for you when the staff is evaluating who they should give an opportunity to is huge.

Lance got signed by NO.