Hawks forward Josh Smith was included on many lists of so-called "snubs" after he wasn't one of the seven All-Star reserves selected by a vote of Eastern Conference coaches. But Smith said he's not upset.

“The people around me, my family and friends, are more mad about it than me,” Smith said Friday.

Among the East forwards selected, Boston's Paul Pierce and Toronto's Chris Bosh are established stars, and that tends to win them the benefit of any doubts. But the other reserve forward, Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, will play in his first All-Star game.

Smith said Wallace deserved the honor.

The Hawks will be represented in the All-Star game by guard Joe Johnson (fourth selection) and center Al Horford (first).

Horford feeling better: Horford acknowledged that when he returned to the game at Houston on Monday after needing six stitches to close a gash in his left thumb, it was "numb, I couldn't really feel it." And then "it was really bothering me" Wednesday vs. the Spurs. "It feels a whole lot better," Horford said before the Hawks played host to Boston on Friday night.

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Hawks forward Jalen Johnson — pictured practicing during training camp in September — is coming off back-to-back triple-doubles. He had 21 points, 18 rebounds and a career-high 16 assists Friday in a loss to the Nuggets and 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in Saturday's win over the Wizards. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

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Jo'wan Bellamy taught in the GNETS program for 17 years and recently transferred to Atlanta’s new behavioral program at Crawford Long Middle School. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com