AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPraise for Johnson and Josh
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first sign that your life hasn’t turned out the way you expected is when you’re sprawled across the couch in front of the TV at 2:46 a.m. watching garbage time of the U.S.- Lithuania game from Seoul, Korea instead of partying like it’s New Year’s Eve at one of Atlanta’s many stylish night spots.
But I’ve already come to grips with this and other realities about my so- called life.
For starters:
— All those people who smirked last spring when I wrote about Joe Johnson being a candidate for the national team roster (and there were at least a half dozen of them, I still have the emails) know much less about basketball than I realized even then. Dude is not only legit, he’s one of the game’s truly unique talents in that he has no discernable weakness. He can basically do everything well and on most occasions he does them better than that. It’s a treat watching a player of his caliber come off the bench in international competition with the humble attitude and no-nonsense attitude he plays with no matter the circumstance. It’s funny, a writer friend from Boston called me last summer and panned the Hawks’ pursuit of Joe (basing his entire opinion on the 40 some odd games JJ played there before the Celtics goofed and traded him to Phoenix). I told my friend that I liked his game and was willing to give JJ the benefit of the doubt and not base my entire opinion on him from the brief time he spent in a Celtics uniform. I’m feeling pretty good about that stance right about now.
—- After yet another week of Al Harrington rumors from places near and far, no one seems to really know what other teams are itching for a chance to land the free agent forward. The fact is, Indiana remains the most obvious suitor because of the $7.5 million trade exception they own and Harrington’s obvious connections to the franchise (one of his best friends – Jermaine O’Neal — is the Pacers’ captain, his father works for the organization and is mother lives in Indy as do scores of his friends and acquaintances from his first six years in the league spent in a Pacers uniform). But if Harrington has learned anything from this trying summer it has to be that this is truly about BUSINESS, for both he and the Hawks. No one wants to feel like they’ve been slighted so all options are being exhausted. A six-year, $57 million sign-and-trade deal is serious business however you look at it (and my spies tell me the Hawks have backed off of their demands for the $3 million in cash and are willing to take back a draft pick and nothing else to avoid unwanted contracts with so many young players already on the roster approaching contract years themselves). Now it has to happen, though. The six weeks we’ve waited for this entire affair to be completed has produced a few gray hairs for us all, I’ve certainly spotted a least two new ones. And if it doesn’t happen Monday morning, those other options Harrington and his new agent, Arn Tellem, have been talking about the past two weeks become the new reality. The Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves, just for starters, are all ready to swap ideas should the Hawks and Pacers fail to come to an agreement. And yes, until the sides agree and actually sign the papers, all those other teams are still in the mix.
— Seeing Josh Smith twice in the past three weeks at Philips Arena has made me realize whatever offseason workout plan I’ve utilized isn’t working anywhere near as well as his plan. He’s noticeably bigger physically and my spies have told me he’s been terrorizing people on the court everywhere he’s been this summer (MVP of the Atlanta Pro-City League and rocking the house in both Antoine Walker’s benefit game in Chicago and Eduardo Najera’s benefit game in Chihauhau, Mexico the past few weeks). I wise NBA executive told me recently that the constant evolution of current players is more important than whatever hopes teams and fans pin on incoming players (draftees, free agents and the like) because you’re talking about a known commodity. We all saw the strides Josh Smith made after the February All-Star break. He’ll have had five months to refine, work on and improve his game from one season to the next. Toss in the natural maturation process for a 20-year-old guy and it’s obvious to me why so many people close to the situation (mainly Joe Johnson) are so excited about the promise of what’s to come from Josh Smith. With Harrington’s pending departure, there is room on this Hawks team for another player to assume that second scorer’s role and become the Yang to Johnson’s Yin. I think that guy is Josh Smith. Time will tell.
— Back to the national team for a minute here, and a topic myself and several other writers from around the globe have been debating since we all watched a week’s worth of training camp in Vegas last month. One guy seemed to think that this current crop of talent on the national team could challenge the original Dream Team (san Kobe even). Being the cautious dispenser of praise (OK, cynic) I’ve become over the years, I didn’t want to bestow that kind of love on this team before they even win a medal (gold or otherwise). But the argument was an interesting one nonetheless. The matchups, the different eras, the perceived much higher level of international competition this current team will face, it all makes for a great debate. I don’t like comparing eras in anything, especially sports. And if you look at it based strictly on what each team did while they were together, no one could argue that the hypothetical competition would be anything other than must-see-TV (the best point I heard was from my man CP, who argued that the Dream Team was largely a group of aged stars while this bunch is on the rise, thus giving the newbies an edge). But I’m still not ready to anoint this current team or any other team since the original Dream Team an edge over Mike, Magic and the rest of the crew. Call me old fashioned. But I just don’t see a more complete or more dominant team. Plus, they had Mike in his prime and Barkley at his all-time best.
Since the NBA offseason no longer exists, I’ll be back here several times this week. That’s the only thing I’m certain of at this point. So stay tuned as the news of signings, trades and whatever else comes along, breaks on ajc.com.
Comments
By bryant
August 13, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this
i’m glad that josh smith is working on his game now. it’s good to hear that he could be better than what he showed us in the last few months in the season. if we can avoid falling in the first games of the season like we did last year. i think that we might be able to smell at least contention for for the final playoff spot. i hope that we are able to keep this group of hawks together. it’s the first sign of an actual team that i’ve seen since the days of deke, mookie, steve, christian, and augmon. i’m glad that we finally have players that we can call hawks. and i think that soon enough, others in atlanta are going to be glad to call them hawks also.
By billy g
August 13, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the post. I live in South Florida and count on your stuff for news. I hope we can get equal value for Al, though I am under the impression that the owners are more interested in capital.
I’ll keep checking in for the news.
By ray
August 13, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this
Nice article, Sekou. I am quite anxious to see what Josh Smith does this season. That kid really can become a bear to deal with, especially with another 20 or more pounds of muscle. What was he last year, about 6’9” and 220? Imagine him at about 240-245. A beast with the vertical and quickness. If he’s worked on his handle, perimeter game, and adds/maintains some solid low post moves, he’ll end up more dangerous than Harrington. No, I didn’t say he already was, but he has the potential to be. Give it a some time. As it is, he already has better defensive skills and instincts. Can’t wait to see what he does.
You know, if Indy doesn’t manage to nab Harrington, that’s gonna start up a whole new slew of “debates” on this blog considering the involvement of other teams is inevitable. Heh! Ought to be interesting.
By Hawksquawk.net RULES
August 13, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info.
By vdunkndunk
August 13, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this
I agree about the current players being the most important. Joe Johnson has already proven that he’s an all-star level player. After watching Josh Smith improve last summer I see no reason why he isn’t a potential all-star himself. And I saw a couple of the summer league games this year and Marvin is looking like the real deal to me, too. So that could give us a great “big three” to work with for years to come.
By Hawksnumba1fan
August 13, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this
People we have our top 3: Smoove, Joe and Marvin. Im sorry but Sheldon should not be starting over those 2 young men at the forward spots.Joe is our leader, Smoove can become one of the Stars in the league with all the talent that guy has, and Marvin we saw how he tore it up in SL. I cant wait until we get 2 see our big three on the floor for the majority of the games this year.
By Raj
August 13, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this
I hope josh is getting stronger than being much bigger. he is much better suited for being a small forward who can post up and have extraordinary blocking skills than being an undersized power forward(6-9) whose leaping abilities diminished due to increased weight. i would like to see him improve jump shot even more(than last year). that would make him really lethal!!
By ILL-logical
August 13, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this
Hmmm… Smells like the BK express is heading to Naptown. Al plus Jonathan Edwards for a draft choice. Let’s see,who came away the winner here? And after BK is relieved of his duties by Mr. Belkin, where will he end up?
I don’t know about this one folks,the league may want to review this one.
By vdunkndunk
August 13, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this
If BK gets a 2007 first rounder without taking on any bad salary, he’s done his job. Here’s three things to remember when evaluating this trade:
First, dealing with an unrestricted free agent is VERY different from the Joe Johnson scenario, because JJ was a RESTRICTED free agent and the Suns held all the cards. Detroit lost Ben Wallace for nothing and Indiana only got a trade exception in return for Peja, so getting a first round pick without taking on salary is not bad.
Second, no team was going to give up a great prospect on his rookie contract for the privilege of paying Al Harrington $60 million. By not taking back salary we maintain cap flexibility and our ability to resign our own young players in the near future, and we get back into the 2007 draft (hopefully that’s the pick we’re getting). Otherwise we would have had to take back enough salary to equal Harrington’s new deal, which almost certainly means we would be stuck taking on an undesirable contract.
Third, WE are the ones who want the Pacers to take John Edwards’ salary. It’s not like the Pacers got a better deal because they’re getting Edwards…neither team wants to have to pay this guy.
By This gets old
August 13, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this
Pleas stop the negativity. The Hawks have several good young players who are going to mature together on the court as well in pending free agency. They need to keep the money.
By mykhalc
August 13, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this
nice breakdown, vdunkndunk!
By kendall
August 14, 2006 01:06 AM | Link to this
VERY SIMPLE “JOSH SMITH”!!!!!!!!!! This kid is a very special talent and remember he’s only 20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Andy
August 14, 2006 02:01 AM | Link to this
Love the pick aspect—what hapeens if the hawks get one of the top three picks(could happen)—then the hawks would have two 1st round picks in a great draft—then knight could pick up two more long lean PF.
By Samuel
August 14, 2006 06:40 AM | Link to this
Cuz,
Didn’t watch the game. Kinda anti-dramatic when you already know everything about the game and especially when you gotta “hit it” around 5:30. It aint worth it.
On JJ, yes he is a stud and after this year he will definately be in the top 10 or so players in the league. Also, I have said all along that Josh and JJ are the only “untouchables” on this team. Hopefully when this ownership situation gets resolved, we can build a real squad around them.
On team USA. I personally don’t think they are in the same league as the “DREAM TEAM”. Forget ages, Miami showed this year what a bunch of vets can do in the right situation. On top of that the original “Dream Team” had the best talent available. This team has talent but not the level of that one. Matter of fact this team will struggle to bring home the beacon, while the original dream team wasn’t even challenged. I know that the rest of the world has closed the gap to a certain extent but they still would not challege USA “if” we put the best talent together on one team.
Shaq, Duncan, Kobe, Lebron, Chauncy, Sheed, Paul, JJ, VC, Artest, J. Oneil, Mello, TMac,AI. - Coach Phil or Pat. Come on now.
By JohnD
August 14, 2006 08:05 AM | Link to this
Joe Johnson was, and is, a quality player and at some point we may look back on his acquisition as the beginning of an upward surge by the Hawk franchise. The trade signalled a committment to improvement and the cost made the signal stronger to the rest of the league.
I have before compared Josh Smith’s improvement from year 1 to year 2 to that of Dominique. ‘Nique came to the league as a high flyer with limited shooting ability and made himself a threat from any place on the floor. Josh could be as impressive an offensive player as ‘Nique with the added defensive ability. Josh and Bill Russell are the same height and Josh can be bigger physically. Great attitude, great physical talents, a willingness to work - exactly what more can you want?
The Hawks already have the complimentary players and three who could become long-term stars in J Smith, Johnson and Marvin Williams. Add a competent Big and you have not only an exciting team to watch but also a competitive team at the highest level.
By mountain_jim
August 14, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this
From all we have heard if Indy completes deal, it will not be a 2007 pick but rather a lottery protected (most-likely) 2008.
This deal might be best for resigning the existing young talent, as many here have said, but it does not add anything on the floor next year.
Hopefully the Hawks have what they need for the coming season.
By mountain_jim
August 14, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this
Rather than a good deal, this Indy Al deal looks like a ‘take what you can get while hobbled by underfunded and financially restricted, likely lame-duck ownership.
I am optimistic about the Hawks season also, and think a 40 win season is possible, but I have to believe if not for ownership restrictions there were better deals to be had than this - several one-year expiring centers plus a 2007 pick type deals, and as I said in the last blog I would like Sekou or some AJC columnist to try and determine and report to us just how ownership problems affected what (little) we are getting for Al. (Aside from the court-ordered restrictions)
Well maybe BK is not done and some of that ‘CAP SPACE’ plus perhaps a player will still be traded for a bigger, defensive minded shot-blocking center, which we still don’t have.
By Caleb
August 14, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this
As good as Joe Johnson is, and he’s as good as you say, that trade was still the worst one in the NBA last year. JJ for Boris Diaw is pretty much an even swap - JJ might be a little bit better now, but Boris is a few years younger and still improving. So, an even trade… but wait! Let’s throw in $25 million (salary difference the next couple years)… but wait, there’s more! Let’s throw in two first-round picks, probably lottery picks.
ayiyiyiyiyi.
Josh Smith, though - awesome.
By happy2bnappy
August 14, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this
I hope that you all have your season tickets, already. They are going to be hard to come by when the season starts. We have a well developed team and we play some of the league’s best teams on Fridays and Saturdays, this year. GO HAWKS!!! I see 40 games and the playoffs.
By G Money
August 14, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry Caleb, but I certainly beg to differ with you on your analysis of the JJ trade. While this trade has been hashed about this blog nearly incessantly for a year, nearly everyone except you, now realizes the importance of that trade to the upswing and gradual return to respectability of this team. I was there nearly night in and night out watching Diaw stink up the floor. He was going nowhere and showed no promise. There was not a soul here who wanted to keep Diaw. He was in the same boat as Edwards is now. If all of a sudden Edwards does a 180 and becomes a premier center, I’m sure there will be some who like yourself will be crying spilt milk. In this league, it is about evaluating the potential based on what today’s realities are. Fact is, as I’ve stated before, this team is gaining in prowess and can be very solid if everyone improves the way Marvin and Smoove apparently have. This is an assessment based on today’s reality.
By Clyde
August 14, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
Yes Josh Smith can become that 2nd scorer. And Marvin can become that 3rd scorer. But right now its a toss up. They haven’t yet proven they can score on a night to night basis.
By Mike
August 14, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
I think the key to a 40 win season this year is to get all the trades and additions made early, before the season starts, so that the hawks can get a jump on the teams that are not prepared to play. Last years start was a disaster due to several reasons and with a great start 40 wins might come well before the playoffs.
By Astro Joe
August 14, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
Good news to hear that Smith has gained weight during the off season. He and Marvin will certainly be the key factors to having a season that delivers north of 36 wins. While it is far from glamorous, if this team doesn’t play better team defense and do a better job of crashing the boards, all of the high-flying theatrics will be nothing.
It is no secret that recruiting top free agents oftem requires that the team’s top player help out. With JJ getting much attention for his all-around game, lack of ego and his presence on the USA team, that can’t do anything but help us with potential mega free agents. Who wouldn’t want to play with an unselfish superstar in a hot city like Atlanta?
On the Harrington note, I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ve been waiting for his trade longer than I have been waiting for Lauryn Hill’s next CD.
By cowa
August 14, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this
Sekou, great blog. Regarding the Dream Team comparison, I just don’t think there is one right now. Dream Team was a complete team, with all the pieces fitting together from day 1. The current team could get there by year three, but not today. And remember, this tema is practicing/playing together a lot more than the Dream Team did: they just twent out and won big every game. I also think the showmanship of the Dream Team was by far the best ever, making it a marketing Dream Team as well.
Regarding the S&T, if we end up with a ‘08 1st round lottery protected pick and giving away Edwards, BK again has taken. Considering two weeks ago he could have had $3M and the draft pick (Edwards only makes $1M), looks like he played a bad hand again. I’m not necessarily saying it’s a bad deal, just that he could have had more. I would rather see additional pieces coming our way, but I understand the need for keeping financial flexibility.
The fact that we are the fan base here all seems (and rightly so) that we have three great components to build around in JJ, Jsmoove and Marvin (if Marvin and Josh can play together successfully) continues to push the idea that BK didn’t use his 2004 #6 (Childress) and 2006 #5 (Sheldon) picks to their best use. The draft is all about potential. That’s always how the draft should be used. You don’t draft on need, you draft on potential. Neither Sheldon nor Chilldress had the upside when drafted that many of the other players drafted around them did. Jsmoove and Marvin are now your building blocks along with JJ. Anyone see us changing that with the play of Childress or Sheldon? You don’t draft complementary players with top 10 picks. Or even top 20 picks. you draft on potential, plain and simple.
Scary, but I’m almost hoping the Al deal drags on so we keep the blog interesting!
By Mitch
August 14, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
Praise to you, Sekou. You have been very kind and generous of your time to keep us informed during what has been an extraordinary hiatus.
I think the key to this deal is dumping Edwards’ salary to create more cap room. If management wants to keep the young core of players together for years to come, it will need all the cap room possible.
That said, it may take time to count on JSmoove and Marvin becoming consistent scorers…unless…Woody gets these players running the way they should. It all starts on the defensive end, no question…stops, turnovers, steals, blocked shots, quick rebounds will all feed into the uptempo style the Hawks need to foster.
The defensive effort under Woody has been downright poor…and part of it has to do with youth and dispassionate defenders like Al Harrington…but the other part of it has to do with lighting a fire and a sense of urgency under these players…the likes of which we have not seen to date.
If things don’t change quickly, Woody will be gone.
The other thing is…during crunch time, Woody better give the players some answers from the playbook. How many times in a key situation did the Hawks freeze with ball and relegate themselves to one-on-one forced up chucks or lousy in-bounds plays?
These shortcomings are a result of poor preparation…yes, youth has something to do with it…but even the youngsters are old enough to realize that it takes stout defense and offensive teamwork to win games.
This team should become the Phoenix Suns of the East…Speedy Claxton is the kind of quick, playmaking PG the team needs…now it needs proper schemes (like secondary fast breaks) and defensive moxie (like trapping the best players and rotating like real pros) to put the pressure on the opponents to have to match the Hawks’ youthful energy and exhuberance. Anything short of this…this year…will be a major disappointment.
By Abe
August 14, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
Please basketball gods let Al Harrington come to the Nets!!! That will be the icing on the cake for our bench!!! Don’t you agree??
By honest_abe
August 14, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
great blog sekou!
By Clyde
August 14, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Mitch that’s the key. Josh Smith and Marvin Williams can become relible scorers if the Hawks play a uptempo kinda game. If we keep walking the ball up the court (like Tyron Lue does), they won’t be sucessfull. If you play a half court game you hve to have guys that can take folks off the dribble or guys that can shoot the ball from the perimeter. And besides Joe Johnson the Hawks don’t have much of either.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By G-Money
August 14, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
Mitch, I couldn’t agree with you more. It is about time that Woody coach his a** off. The good thing is that the team is set for the beginning of this season. Woody knows what he has to work with and should know what BK is trying to build. That said, I also hope to see better defensive intensity and schemes, smarter/more sophisticated crunchtime play and better substitutions. It feels a little like when Memphis used to surprise a few teams.
By tyger
August 14, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this
Enough Already!!!
Its time to shiznik or get off the pot. ATL has compromised enough to make this thing work. The national media immediately attacked BK as being difficult to work with and holding up the deal.
What more could they want now, we shouldnt be expected to take bad contracts, now that would be outright stupid. Maybe the fact is, after closer review, they dont think Big Al is worth the big bucks? Anything less than a 1st and Edwards is an insult.
Or do they just expect BK to roll over like New Orleans and just show them endless love.
By JR
August 14, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight. BK dicks around all summer with a top talent like Harrington to trade, and all he gets is a future draft choice from Indiana? That figures to be, even with a first rounder, the 20th-30th pick. Meanwhile better teams like Dallas, LA, San Antonio, and even Chicago and New Orleans wheel, deal and get better.
By makesomesense
August 14, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
What part of “unrestricted free agent” do you people not understand? You’re lucky Harrington is in a position that you’re getting anything for him at all. Check out some past sign-and-trade deals and compare it to the dreams you’re expecting. Better yet, check some unrestricted free agents that left for nothing and give another thought to what a first rounder and getting a stiff off the books does for ya.
By honest_abe
August 14, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
lol…..your efforts to “makesomesense” with a few on this blog is absolutely futile…as those same knuckleheads just look for things to whine about…not realizing that most of what they b!#$ and moan about doesn’t even make sense… :)
By MR. BLOGGER
August 14, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this
Say it aint so, a draft pick for harrington, hope we dont blow the pick next year
By MR. BLOGGER
August 14, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
People I understand the frustration about the Harrington deal; i’m more disappointed than anybody, but this could work out. Next year draft and FA pool will be loaded, right. There was no superstar we could pick up this year so BK did the smart thing and pick up some great utility players that could really improve the team for cheap. This season players will see we are on the path for respectabilitu and next year we will land that superstar atlanta basketball has been yerning for. Watch and See Go Hawk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Marcus
August 14, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me? How can you complain about a deal that gets us a 1st rounder, for a guy we had no intention of retaining? Are you guys upset that BK didn’t get back some garbage contracts? The only thing we were going to get for Al would have been one or two overpaid backup’s.
Save the money Billy, so we can back a Brinks truck up to the door of Dwight Howard.
By param singh
August 14, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
please frank and ed the njnets managers try to get al harrigton he fits good in the team . trust me if u get him there is no team that can match u,heat o neal is old , piston no more ben bull have chance to be in playoff but not chane to beat u good luck
By mountain_jim
August 14, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this
For those hitting refresh here, Sekou has a new blog up…
For those of you believing the pick is a 2007, most rumours and reports indicate Indy was only offering a 2008 instead.
By Steve B.
August 14, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this
If atl makes the play-offs J.J. will finnaly get all the credit he deserves. He’s looked great foe team USA and he will draw other player to Atl. Smith has a chance to be an All-star this year and for years to come, I don’t care what forward spot he or Marvin plays both of these guys can be 20 and 10 guys. I didn’t like Sheldon at #5, but if Marvin and Smoove workout at the forwards their will be plenty of teams willing to trade for Sheldon. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Hawks drafted Sheldon to play center. Shaq’s on the decline and their is not another power center in the NBA. Oden next year but he’s only one guy. If the Al trade falls thru with Ind and N.J. is willing to part with M.Williams and a player in the last year of his contract I’d jump on it.
By ray
August 14, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this
Mountain Jim, you are right about a LOT of things.
By foxyfanmom
August 15, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
Why has everyone forgotten the efforts of Josh Childress. I feel certain that this is the year we will see our “California Condor” spread that expansive wingspan and soar to new heights!
By foxyfanmom
August 15, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this
Has everyone forgotten the other Josh ? I feel certain that this is the year we will see Josh Childress soon to be known as the “California Condor”, spread that impressive wingspan and soar to new hieghts.
By kevin christian magtajas
August 15, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
the hawks needs a point guard, a real leader and point guard at that, why dont they try to trade Al Harington for a guard… well, putang ina naman oh!!! peace out!
By foxyfanmom
August 15, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
Test
By dre
August 15, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
well the original Dream Team was not a team of “aged stars”- most of them (jordan, pippen, malone, ewing, robinson, mullin, barkley, drexler) were drafted in the mid- to late 80s, thus making the summer of 92 their prime physical years and only 2 (magic, bird) had 10- plus years in the league at the time.
By wsan
August 15, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this
I watched 1 game at Phillips last year and what I remember about Josh Smith is is defense was good as far as blocked shots.
His offensive game needs a lot of work. He took mostly jump shots. He has the ability to develop a monster inside game. Why isn’t he doing it? & I’m not talking about dunks and put backs.
Josh wont be nothing until he develops low post offensive moves