At 6-foot-9, the Atlanta Hawks’ swingman Josh Smith is a bit undersized at his role of a power-forward but it’s his athleticism, incredible wingspan and stout defending that makes him capable of hanging in there with the big dogs. But at the end of the day, he’s just a forward, which means he usually defends the opposing teams best players at either position.
Last season for the Hawks, Smith put up outstanding numbers — 16.6 points (47.7% from the floor), 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks — despite playing with guys like Joe Johnson and Al Horford. He should have been an All-Star that year but unfortunately, voters felt that J-Smoove didn’t utilize his full capabilities because he got too comfortable chucking up 3s and settling for long jumpers. Although his numbers looked great on paper, it made sense as to why he didn’t go: Shot 31.1% from 10-15 feet out, 39% from 16-23 feet and 33.1% from 3s.
Not exactly draw-dropping percentages, especially from someone who has no business going that far out to the top of the key. Smith’s a banger and the paint is where he needs to stay.
Before the Hawks undersized center in Al Horford went down with a torn pectoral muscle, Smith has been asked to take on an even heavier load until playoff time, where Al has a chance to come back if his rehab goes right. In the last 7 games, Smith’s numbers look something like this: 16.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game which, thanks to him starting to heat up even before Horford’s injury, gives him an average of 16.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game on the season. Those numbers are phenomenal, but the consistency that he’s finally doing it at is even better.
According to Hoopdata.com, Smith’s percentages have risen since last season, especially since he stopped taking 3s. He’s connecting on 71.3% of his shots at the rim (68.9% in 2010-11), 30.8% from 3-9 feet (down from 40.6), 50% from 10-15 feet (31.1% in ’10-11) and 39.0% from 16-23 feet (same as last season). He’s 21st in the league with a Defensive Rebounding Rate of 24.9, his Usage Rate is the highest it’s been since he entered the league (25.30) and his PER of 20.06 is the second highest of his career.
Are you convinced that Smith’s an All-Star yet? I have been since last year and his overall improvement this season and the way he’s manned up and took on a heavier load is plenty to hold against an argument. He’s hands-down Atlanta’s best defender and arguably the best defender in the league after Dwight Howard due to his ability to guard nearly every position.If he continues to play this way, we could be looking at a career-year for the 26-year-old.
To help his argument just a little bit more, he’s also had dominant performances against the best teams in the league: Chicago (twice): 20 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4 blocks — Miami (twice): 13 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks — Charlotte (twice): 26.5 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks — Indianapolis: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block — Portland: 17 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks and Philadelphia: 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Smith’s no slouch this year and I almost feel bad for Charlotte that he’s averaging those kind of numbers in just two games against them (I’d hate to see what he does in a playoff series). His only real downfall this year has been his free-throw shooting, which is at 50% (shot 72.5% from the previous year). Other than that, I see no reason as to why Josh wouldn’t be named an All-Star this year, especially since his All-Star center won’t be in attendance.
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