Smith suddenly swishing jump shots for Hawks

By Michael Cunningham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For veteran NBA players like Josh Smith, who already are among the best in the world, improvements in their games usually are gradual and often somewhat predictable.

That's why it has been surprising to see Smith, a poor jump shooter over his previous six pro seasons, suddenly make longer range baskets at a dramatically better rate.

According to shot location statistics at Hoopdata.com, Smith never made more than 34 percent of his shots from 16 to 23 feet in his five previous seasons. So far this year, he is shooting 40 percent from 16 to 23 feet, which is about the league average for all players.

After shunning 3-pointers -- he took only seven attempts last season -- Smith is back to shooting them. A 27 percent 3-point shooter entering this season, he's made eight of 20. When weighted for the increased value of 3-pointers, that computes to an effective field-goal percentage of 58.

Smith worked on his jump shot before the season and so far, it's working.

"What I concentrate most on is stepping into every jump shot and being confident in myself and not getting discouraged," he said. "I miss a couple, I get frustrated and get down on myself and then it’s second-guessing.”

Smith has others to do that for him, particularly at Philips Arena. It's still common for Hawks fans, mindful of Smith's shooting struggles in the past, to groan when he winds up from the perimeter.

They may be skeptical but Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, Smith's roommate when they played at Oak Hill Academy, said Smith's improvement is plausible.

"Look at Derrick Rose," Rondo said, referring to the Chicago Bulls guard. "That's a great example. He's worked on it. Now he's shooting it consistently. It can definitely happen. [Dallas veteran] Jason Kidd, he's definitely knocking down threes the last couple years."

But Kidd and Rose are guards and Rose is relatively young with plenty of room for improvement. Smith is a veteran power forward (though he's still only 24) and he's never shown the perimeter skills that some big men have now brought to the league.

Smith's strength has been exploiting his superlative athleticism to score around the basket. Yet he need only look across the locker room to find an example of a post player who expanded his offensive game.

Hawks center Al Horford worked on his jump shot the last two summers and now is among the best power players from long range.

“I think it is possible to improve certain aspects of your game if you put the time to it,” Horford said.

That's what Smith did this past summer. He hit the gym for 90-minute sessions with Marietta’s Dion Glover and independent trainer Idan Ravin, who has worked with several NBA players.

"I got a lot of reps up," Smith said.

The early results are good but represent only a small sample. It's possible Smith's jump shot could stop falling and his numbers revert to his career norms.

But Hawks coach Larry Drew said Smith has the foundation to be an effective jump shooter.

“When you watch him shoot, he has a nice stroke,” Drew said. “He really does. His lower body is in sync with his upper body when he shoots the ball. He’s got good rotation on his follow-through.

"My whole thing with him is when he takes them. I don’t want them early in the [shot] clock and I don’t want him camped out on the perimeter when it calls for him to dive to the basket.”

Drew also doesn't want Smith to stray from his strength as a scorer near the basket. The Hoopdata numbers show that so far this season, Smith is taking 2.4 fewer attempts per game near the rim and more from beyond 10 feet.

There could be a long-term benefit if Smith convinces the rest of the league he has improved. Opponents still allow him to shoot outside but if they eventually move out to guard him, it could increase Smith's offensive options.

“That’s what really helps me open up my whole game, when I am able to knock them down, not just shooting them,” Smith said. “I’m pump-faking and driving to the hole. I’m such a good passer, I find my teammates open on the perimeter. It opens up the dribble-drive and definitely opens the cuts for my teammates.”

If Smith keeps making jump shots, it might also eventually convince skeptics at Philips Arena to bite their tongues.