It’s over. Despite all the trade speculation, the NBA trade deadline came and went Thursday and Josh Smith remained an Atlanta Hawk. Now, coach Larry Drew, Smith and the rest of the Hawks will focus on the remaining 30 games of the regular season. Both player and coach spoke following Friday’s shootaround in preparation for their game against the Kings at Philips Arena.
Smith: "I'm here and I'm glad all this is behind us and now I can focus on jockeying for some playoff position and trying to get on a streak where we can possibly move up a couple of spots."
Drew: "I'm ecstatic, to be perfectly honest. There is no doubt about it with Josh Smith here we are a better ball club. I understand the business side of things during this time of the season when there is a lot of trade talk and rumors and possibilities. You know as a coach that moves can affect your team but there is no question that with Josh Smith on our team we are a better team. I'm ecstatic that we still have him."
Smith and Drew met prior to Friday’s shootaround with an eye toward the future. Smith said Drew told him that he was glad that their partnership would continue.
Smith said there were anxious moments before the deadline as he received numerous texts from family and friends.
Drew said he was involved in the entire trade deadline process, including the final hours. Drew added that Smith handled the situation in professional manner.
“As everything went on yesterday, again there is business side of things and we talk about the different possibilities that could have taken place but you also have to factor in the business side,” Drew said. “Through this whole process, I was there. Nothing was accomplished (in trading Smith). I’m relieved that we can now move forward. We can put this part of it behind us and we can move forward.”
In other news:
* Newly acquired Dahntay Jones (from Dallas for Anthony Morrow) and Jeremy Tyler (from Golden State for cash and future draft considerations) did not arrive in Atlanta for physicals in time to participate in Friday’s shootaround. They are expected to be at Philips Arena before the game against the Kings but there availability is undetermined.
Jones will wear uniform No. 30 and Tyler will wear No. 1.
“When we make moves we are always trying to help our ball club,” Drew said. “We felt that both guys coming in here, Jeremy Tyler and Dahntay Jones, are guys who could possible help our ball club. Those moves were made and I’m excited about working with them.”
* Smith said he was sad to see Morrow traded.
“I hate to see A-Mo go,” Smith said. “He was definitely a friend and a good teammate. I wish nothing but the best for him. I know he will excel playing with Dallas.”
* Anthony Tolliver was also not at shootaround Friday. His wife gave birth to a son, Isaiah, Thursday. His status for tonight’s game is unknown.
* The Hawks will again go with their big lineup against the Kings. They will start Jeff Teague, DeShawn Stevenson, Smith, Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia.
* The Hawks will continue their Hardwood Classic campaign tonight by wearing the dark road uniforms from the 1990s.
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