Josh Smith's historic night saves Hawks

By Michael Cunningham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHOENIX — Coach Larry Drew tried everything he could to jolt the stagnant Hawks.

But there was one move that Hawks guard Joe Johnson wouldn’t let his coach make.

When Drew summoned Johnson to the bench in the fourth quarter against the Suns late Wednesday, the coach also called for forward Josh Smith.

“I was going to pull Josh out early in fourth, but Joe said, ‘Leave him out there. He’s young,’” Drew said after the Hawks’ 101-99 victory. “I’m glad he did because he just played a phenomenal game.”

Smith had 30 points, 17 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocked shots. According to Elias Sports Bureau, only one other player has reached those levels in all five statistical categories since the NBA started officially recording blocks and steals in 1973.

LeBron James, playing for Cleveland in 2007-08, had 31 points, 19 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and three blocks in a double-overtime game against Charlotte. James played 49 minutes, 36 seconds while Smith played 44 minutes, 41 seconds against the Suns.

Smith played all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter after Johnson urged Drew to leave him in.

“He can handle it,” Johnson said after the game. “Ride him until the wheels fall off. We’ve got two days off. He can rest tomorrow. I definitely wasn’t going to let coach take him out of the game, whether I had to sit down or not.”

The Hawks rallied to win after trailing by 15 in the second half. Smith led the way in the final quarter by scoring 10 points, rebounding six of Phoenix’s eight misses and anchoring the middle of the Hawks’ zone defense.

“I just wanted to be aggressive,” Smith said. “I knew they were keying in on Joe, and we needed some offense somewhere else.”

The Hawks (19-11) improved to 1-1 on their five-game trip that continues Saturday in Portland. They have two days without a game for the first time this season. The team stayed in Phoenix after the game Drew gave the players Thursday off.

“We need it in the worst way,” Drew said. “I told the guys I don’t even want to see them tomorrow, just get away.”

Smith was all for that after his big night. “I don’t want to see him either,” Smith said, smiling. “I want to see the bed, the pillow, the cover.”