Josh Smith Speaks on His Off-Season Drama
Josh SmithAfter a tumultuous offseason in which Josh Smith was, first an integral part to the Hawks’ surprising seven-game series, then rumored to be butting heads with coach Mike Woodson, then signing with the Grizzlies and now officially back in Atlanta, J-Smoov is happy that it’s all over with.
Smith also dispelled the rumors that he and Woodson were ever really going at it with one another.
“That’s just more false stuff that somebody put out there,” says Smith. “I didn’t even say that. There’s not much I can say about it… It’s just people that hear things and then say things that are not true. And then people read it and actually believe what they read, you know what I mean? People actually believe that. All I can say is that I didn’t say that. Me and Coach Woodson have a good relationship. I actually was talking to him throughout the whole process before getting signed.”
While Josh seems happy that he finally did get signed to a $58 million sheet, he still speaks with reservations about the ongoing process that led to signing the deal.
I didn’t think [it would take this long to get done]. We were coming off a good playoffs. Seven games with the world champions… I didn’t think it would take as long as it did. But at least it happened. It’s better than if it didn’t happen at all.
Do you think that the wild off-season in Atlanta (Smith’s contract drama, Childress’ departure) are really going to hurt the Hawks next season?
Source: Hoops Hype
August 11th, 2008 at 11:22 am
fiyaman says:
moral will be low.. they let childress leave, low-balled Smith, and didnt even offer Marvin anything.. and Bibby will be playing for a contract.. they wont make the playoffs.
its ashame too cause i wanted to like them
damn smith u could have came to the knick for sign -n trade for Curry
August 11th, 2008 at 11:24 am
jace says:
contract drama? thats not gon hurt it. childress leaving? yeaaa.. that might hurt it a lil.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:27 am
AB_40 says:
Marvin Williams better step up this year. Time fot talent and potential to become well stats and energy on the court. Else I see him and his old school ways in san antonio after this season… guess who’ll reep the benefits of that trade?
August 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Michorizo says:
Strange that you don’t hear alot about any suitors for Bibby. Are the Hawks looking to re-sign him after this year?
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Celts Fan says:
Yes it will hurt them next season. After seeing how they low-balled Childress to Europe and sat on Smooth’s deal for months, would you want to sign there if you were a good FA? Didn’t think so…
August 11th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Marcel P. says:
The thing that’s hurting Atlanta is the improvement of the conference. Miami and Chicago are going to be playoff teams next season and that means Atlanta is going to be the odd team out.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Logan Light says:
Hurt? Not really.
The Hawks are still a little bit away from being a “contender” (and I use that term loosely) in the East. I see them being 1st and 2nd round exits for the next several years.
Ultimately, whether Josh said it or not, the Hawks will have to make a move on the coaching front. Mikey is a good man and has some nice pieces to work with, but I don’t feel like he’s the coach of future with this team.
Joe Johnson will help lead this team, but not to a championship.
LL
August 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
doc says:
They wasnt gonna win shit anyway.I hope they stink it makes it easier for my Sixers.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
I with ya doc but Marvin Williams needs a big season to show he is worthy of his #2 draft selection
August 11th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
MSkittle says:
They’ll make the playoffs. Even without Childress, they have a good, young nucleus
August 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Jah says:
On paper the following seems really nice:
PG - Mike Bibby
SG - Joe Johnson (unguardable)
SF - Marvin Williams
PF - Josh Smith
C - Al Horford
—
PG - Acie Law
Now that the confidence is there (e.g., 7 game series with the Boston Celtics) I expect them to go into the season with a bit of swagger in the steps.
An above .500 finish is what I predict and a “dark horse” tag in the playoffs for the upcoming season…
August 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Tha Boddy says:
Josh Smith will be the replacement for a declining Jamison in 4years…Jamison is a beast now but can he keep it up and be a better player than Smith…im sorry but no
August 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Kobeef says:
They are decent but someone other than JJ and JSmoove needs to step up if they are going to break through.
You would think Bibby could average 8-10 assists per game with this supporting cast but he seems more interested in jacking up off-target threes.
They are a couple of good pieces away from the second round and seem poised for a draft deadline trade.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Tha Boddy says:
I concur with Kobeef on all fronts except the second round thing. It’s sad but they may make the .500 thing but the whole playoffs thing seems so far away. The east has become dangerous place and the NBA this upcoming season is looking to take over all aspects of my T.V. life (except family guy…gotta watch it lol)
August 11th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Diego says:
The Hawks will again either slip into the playoffs or barely miss. Then out in the first round.
Bibby is done. Hawks really need Acie to step up and improve from last year.
Marvin has vast room for improvement too. Other than Marvin’s silky mid-range, Chill was better in every aspect of the game. Most around ATL would have liked Chill to start for Marvin. If the Hawks threw Marvin $10 mil. a year, I’d vommit.
Evans performance will be absolutely key.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Luigi says:
Mo evans will be a childress replacer…but as good as himmmm
smoove will abseloutly be a HELL of a MATCHUPP problem…[kan guard anybody..]
n this season…inorder for the hawks to make the playoffs..they need Acie. n Marvin to step up n play Career years.
or Joe Johnson turns into unstoppable Kobe.. but i doubt it