Did the Horford injury improve Smith's concentration?

[parson]

As you all know, I've complained many times about Josh Smith's lack of concentration.
Sometimes, he jogs down the court ...
... or argues with the ref while the play is going on ...
... or moves as if he just doesn't care about the game ...
... or forgets the game situation.

But since Horford's injury, our Mr. Smith has been on fire. Maybe it's coincidence ... or maybe he realizes he - now - has to carry more of the load and that realization keeps him in the game. This (minus all the 42% jumpers) is what we've been looking for.

Does anyone want to present a different reason that he's now playing so well?

[Ruhiel]

In my words less redundancy, (1 big guy bringing the ball in = less controlled/outright chaos)

but in Josh's own words its less selfishness

Josh on how the Hawks can keep winning without Al: “I think if Ivan keeps giving the energy and effort he’s giving off the bench and the physicality I think we will be good in the frontcourt. As long as we do that and the guards do that and play tough and make it hard to get into the paint and us being a force, we will be OK. We have to have an identity of being a scrappy team.”
Josh on his recent tear: “I’m just being aggressive and confident but, in the same breath, playing within the offense and not forcing anything. I’m getting shots in the offense, getting open looks, and guys are finding me. Everyone is being unselfish.”
Josh is now up to 42 percent on long 2s this season after shooting 39 percent last season. The league average from that range this year is 38 percent. “It’s really muscle memory, not fading on my jump shot and standing in there,” he said. “Whenever I do that I feel good about making shots.”

You do remember Josh and Al play the same position and shared shots and touches.

POR is the first real team stacked with talent that we've faced and our lack of a quality big man might come to the fore.

Smith and Ivan at center... I know Al was considered small but yikes