On Thursday, Hawks coach Larry Drew encapsulated Josh Smith’s career with the team succinctly. Drew said that he was ready to pull him after he turned the ball over twice and missed a 21-foot jump shot early in the third quarter of the Hawks’ Game 2 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
However, Drew played a hunch and left him in. Over the final eight minutes, Smith had seven points, three rebounds and three blocks, helping the Hawks get out of the 14-point hole that he had helped get them in.
“When he plays like that, that’s when we’re at our best,” Drew said.
It was the first part that led Drew to meet with Smith on Thursday morning before practice. Smith was 4-for-14. His four baskets all came from three feet and within, while he missed six shots from 13 feet and beyond. Drew said he thought Smith was trying to do too much.
“I want him flying all over the place,” Drew said. “I don’t want him sitting out there just shooting jump shots and trying to make plays off the dribble.”
They were Drew’s strongest comments about the shot selection of Smith, whose jump shots Drew has blessed as long as they came within the structure of the offense.
Said Smith after Wednesday’s game, “It is just frustrating because I know I can give this team a little bit more on the offensive end.”
Hinrich, the scout
Drew’s decision to bring Kirk Hinrich to Chicago despite not having hopes of playing him because of his hamstring injury proved fruitful. Hinrich, a former Bull, offered Jeff Teague and others insight on the Chicago roster.
“He’s always in my ear, every timeout, telling me things I can do, how I can guard Derrick Rose on a certain play or what he sees on offense, plays to call, things like that,” Teague said.
Rose and Teague, by the way, are no strangers. Teague grew up in Indianapolis, Rose in Chicago and are the same age. They first played each other in AAU basketball in eighth grade.
“He was good just like this,” Teague said. “He was the only one dunking in eighth grade that I can remember.”
Accuracy down
Al Horford, a 55.7 percent shooter in the regular season, is shooting 39.6 percent in the playoffs and is 7-for-19 against the Bulls. Horford said his shot feels fine and pointed out that some of his shots Wednesday came as the shot clock was expiring.
“I think they’re making it a little tough on him,” Drew said of Horford. “I think [Joakim] Noah, with his length and his size, I think it bothers Al a little bit.”
Horford has played well against Chicago in the past, notably a 31-point, 16-rebound game in a win over the Bulls on March 2.
“I’m looking for him to step his game up, particularly now that we’re at home,” Drew said.
Etc.
Fans attending Friday’s game are encouraged to arrive well in advance of the 7 p.m. tipoff. Fans will be subject to screening via metal detection wands as well as standard bag searches. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
