Comments on: Highs and Lows: Atlanta Hawks

By: mavid

mavid — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:33:00 +0000

Austin, Im not trying to hate on you, Ive just seen this story unfold from the beginning.

It started with a Peter Vecsey article that was pure rubbish and fabricated (the ATL beat writer, Sekou Smith, said as much). Then, a bunch of other sports writers started picking up this “report” as well (they were all just following that made-up report from Vescey… a supposed “league source” or “insider”).

Sekou Smith, who travels with the team and is around them everyday, has blogged several times that the two don’t have a rocky relationship at all (he did say that 2 unnamed members of the team DID have major problems with Woody, but obviously wouldnt name who… pretty much everyone agreed it was Salim Stoudamire and most likely Zaza Pachulia or maybe even Josh Childress (who didnt like Woody´s slow-it-down offense or the fact he was never given the chance to start)).

The fact about Josh Smith is this: he would have had run-ins with ANY coach in the league; he´s had to mature a lot the past few years (dude is only 22) and he´s a very emotional player. He´s the type that when he get´s yanked from the game for making bone-headed plays (which happens a lot still), he´ll always go to the bench yapping… but it´s never really b/c he´s mad at the coach, he´s just frustrated. He´s been like that his entire basketball career. Plays with his emotions on his sleeve and an eternal scowl.

Feel me?

By: Diego

Diego — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:45:40 +0000

Agree with HyunATL re. Josh Smith as power forward. He is a 6’9″ 240 lb horse with limited handle who is much more suited as power foward. He can occasionally stroke the 3, but there is no rule big fellas can’t occasionally stretch the floor and do that. I just wish we still had Chill as the small forward. Only seeing will be believing that Marv has improved.

(Josh’s size and bulk make his incredible hops all the more outlandish.)

By: Austin Burton

Austin Burton — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:42:57 +0000

* July 2008, SI’s Chris Mannix:
“As I reported in Sports Illustrated during last season, league sources said Smith would not be interested in returning to the Hawks if the team retained coach Mike Woodson, who recently signed a two-year extension. The two have butted heads frequently in Smith’s four seasons, and sources said the relationship is beyond repair. With a dearth of offers, Smith may change his tune, but having a volatile relationship on such a young team may not be in the Hawks’ best interests.”

* And Smith was suspended for 2 games after arguing with Woodson. That was ONE year ago, not three. Maybe there is nothing really wrong with the relationship, but it’s not like I just made it up. It’s been reported before from more than one source.

By: HyunATL

HyunATL — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:38:20 +0000

kobeef and Boddy, I disagree. Every Hawks fan, (that truly follows the Hawks and not just lives in Atlanta) knows that Josh plays much much better in the PF position. When Marvin was injured, they put Smoove in the SF and he played horrible. Local Hawks fans were even discussing trading him. As soon as Marvin came back he went to the PF and started tearing it up. Josh is not quick enough to guard some of the SFs. Josh is much better suited at the 4 than the 3. There is no way they get rid of Marvin to put Josh at the 3 and Horford at the 4. Horford says he likes playing the 5, and he has proven to do it well enough that keeping him there makes sense. And to Austin Burton- who around the team says he and Woodson clashed? they had one small argument and Smoove immediately apologized to Woodson and the team for it, that was 3years ago. I dont think they have a problem. Smoove says they dont. there has never been any other incidents that says they do. I think it stems from all the bad publicity that josh has gotten from that one writer out in Detroit who has been called out for writing articles about Smith that were clearly false (if yall dont remember the big deal 2 seasons ago regarding Josh and Tyronn Lue)

By: kobeef

kobeef — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:13:35 +0000

@Tha Boddy
Totally agree with that. The Hawks are looking at this lineup for the future

PG – new guy
SG – JJ
SF – Smoove
PF – Horford
C- new guy

By: steve

steve — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:41:31 +0000

i really this Acie Law will be key for the success of the team… he look good in summer league. i hope he gets good consistant mins behind bibby to make impact. hes a solid player

By: IGP

IGP — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:01:22 +0000

What happened to Randolph Morris? I thought he was supposed to be really nasty coming out of high school, like comparable to Dwight Howard? I could be wrong, but I just thought he was. I know the whole potential thing, but still he has to have some talent. If he can be (and I can’t believe I’m actually saying this) like a Kwame Brown type player, he could be a decent back up. Like 8 boards and 8 points and a block or two? That would be servicable for the Hawks.

By: Brown

Brown — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:20:59 +0000

Do they have any bigs on the team besides Horford? Sorry, I should say bigs with any shred of talent, cuz I don’t see any. I’ve always seen J-Smoove as a 3 who can play minutes at the 4, not a guy playing the 4 exclusively. More than likely it’s out of necessity because they put the best 5 guys on the court.

If Marvin Williams can develop into something substantial this year, they’ll have a pretty good starting 5, but I don’t see much coming from their bench.

By: Austin Burton

Austin Burton — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:05:42 +0000

@mavid — Smith is always going to take the diplomatic position, especially considering he just signed with the team long-term and probably doesn’t want to create a distraction. But everyone else who’s been around the team says he and Woodson clashed.

By: mavid

mavid — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:54:19 +0000

Austin, I think you are spot on about the ceiling and the floor.

But dude, how you can write about the “reports” that Smoove and Coach Woodson have a rocky relationship, and then link to an article where Smoove HIMSELF says that they don´t. That´s kinda weak writing, no?

A couple of things coming from someone who spends way too much time following the Hawks:

The local beat writer (best in the NBA, Sekou Smith), has put out interviews with Tony Delk (who´s been practicing at the Hawks facility all summer) as well as Josh Smith.

Delk said Al Horford is coming back MUCH improved (which is scary considering how good he already is). Apparently he is knocking down a midrange jumper with ease, and scoring in the post.

Smoove said Marvin Williams is looking REALLY good. Added a bunch of post moves, as well as a 3-point shot, and some better handles.

If those 2 guys step up even more, this team could actually be quite good (we already know what we´re getting from Bibby, Joe and Smoove).