Josh Smith and Larry Drew agree on one thing.
Both Hawks player and coach are ready to move forward from the disciplinary action that cost the team’s leading scorer a game.
Smith was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team, missing Wednesday’s victory over the Nets, after he was kicked out of a practice. He was also fined an undisclosed amount of money.
“It is what it is,” Smith told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday after returning to practice. “It’s over and done with. Me personally, this is my ninth year and people are going to get into debates all the time. I don’t necessarily have to agree with the verdict or decision they made. It is what it is. I just have to look forward now and playing with a clear head and not worrying about any distractions other than basketball.”
Drew said he met with Smith prior to the Thursday’s practice, a session he called “really good.” He said the two embraced following the talk.
“Josh and I have been together for a little while and that’s the one thing I will say about the two of us that when we’ve had our differences we are always able to sit down, talk about it and move on,” Drew said. “That is where we are.”
Smith said the incident came out of frustration. Prior to the win over the Nets, the Hawks had one just once in seven games. The culmination was a record-setting loss to the Bulls when the Hawks set team records in futility for points in a game, half and quarter. The incident that led to Smith’s suspension occurred at the first practice following the loss.
“Everybody is passionate,” Smith said. “Everybody handles situations differently. I think everybody was frustrated and the pot was almost overfilling. Things happen. Things were said. It is what it is. At the end of the day it’s over and I have to focus on just improving myself on the floor and being more efficient and continue to be a better person, a better me.”
Drew insisted the suspension was an isolated incident that won’t fracture a team trying to regain the form it showed in the first quarter of the season. Drew and Smith both said they won’t let the issue become a distraction.
Certainly how the Hawks team responds could play a role in the future of both player and coach. Each is in the final year of their contract. In both instances there are no planned negotiations during the season.
The Hawks (22-16) were once 10 games over .500 and a solid third in the Eastern Conference. They have slipped and enter Friday’s rematch with the Nets sixth the conference.
The key, according to Drew, is for his team to stay with the up-tempo offensive style that led to the 109-95 victory over the Nets. The team put an emphasis on getting the ball in the hands of its guards immediately during a possession in order to race up court. In addition, ball movement was stressed as so the offense didn’t stagnate into an isolation game.
“We came out with a lot of enthusiasm and energy,” said Smith, who watched the game on television. “Maybe what happened in practice sparked a plug as far as motivation is concerned. They ran the ball extremely well. I think we were very unselfish last night and we had a big win.”
Notes
* Swingman DeShawn Stevenson will be unavailable until Monday after receiving injections of Synvisc and cortisone in his ailing right knee.
* The Hawks at Celtics game on March 8 has been picked up by ESPN and the game time changed to 8 p.m. SportSouth, which was to broadcast the game, picked up the Feb. 20 game vs. the Heat at 8 p.m.
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