This could be the year that Hawks forward Josh Smith is officially recognized as ranking among the star players in the NBA.
Then again, Smith thought the same thing when the All-Star teams were announced during the 2010-11 season — and the year before that. But he didn’t make the cut either time when coaches voted on the Eastern Conference reserves.
So even though Smith is having another good season, he’s not counting on enough coaches including him on their All-Star ballots that were due Wednesday. The NBA will announce the reserves Thursday night for the Feb. 26 game in Orlando.
“I’ve had a chance the past two years, so I don’t want to get my hopes up [now],” Smith said. “I just have to concentrate on really getting off this skid we are on. Everything will take care of itself.”
The Hawks were on a season-high three-game losing streak entering Wednesday’s game against the Pacers. But that skid probably would be much worse if not for Smith and fellow Hawks All-Star candidate Joe Johnson.
Both players raised their level of their play after a Jan. 11 pectoral injury knocked All-Star center Al Horford out of the lineup. The Hawks won nine of their first 11 in the aftermath of Horford’s injury, until better opponents and injuries contributed to the recent slide.
“As of late, I know we haven’t been great as a team, but we’d been pretty good up until that point,” Johnson said.
The East All-Star starters, as selected by fan voting, were announced last week: guards Derrick Rose of Chicago and Dwyane Wade of Miami, forwards LeBron James of Miami and Carmelo Anthony of New York and Orlando center Dwight Howard.
Coaches vote for the seven reserves. They can choose two guards, two forwards and a center/power forward plus two “wild cards” of any position.
Johnson’s averages of 18.6 points, 3.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds entering Wednesday’s game are similar to his numbers from last season. He’s been a more efficient scorer and also a better defender, according to game-tracking statistics accumulated by Synergy Sports Technology.
In the 14 games since Horford was injured before Wednesday, Johnson scored 20 or more points eight times and twice poured in 30. His second-half scoring bursts lifted the Hawks to victories at Milwaukee and Detroit, and he pushed aside the Raptors with 24 points in the first half.
“He’s really been playing well, at an All-Star level, particularly when Al went out,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “He has really stepped his game up. He should make it.”
Smith is stuffing the stat sheet again this season. Entering Wednesday he had averaged 15.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, two blocks and 1.3 steals.
That still may not be enough for Smith to make his first All-Star team. He’s only 26 years old despite playing eight NBA seasons, but eventually the opportunities to earn the honor will start to dwindle.
“I am just putting it in God’s hands and if I do make it, I am going to be ecstatic,” Smith said. “If not, I will take advantage of the off time.”
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