Lets all think this through properly before you want to trade a guy like Josh Smith. We need to think of what he brings to the team and how much of it is him, and how much of it is coaching. Now, here are some things I think we need to do, before we trade Josh Smith, if ever. I personally don't think we should and I explain why.</p> Josh Smith a very gifted player, we all know that. He can run the floor, get to the rim, grab rebounds, block shots, create (when he wants to) and he brings great power and size. He is a 6'9 250 pound SF/PF, he is bigger then LeBron and is very versatile. He shot could be better, but that is not why he is in this league. He brings a Shawn Marion presence, but I think could be better, and will be better.</p> To trade Josh Smith, would be so stupid right now, this guy is part of the Hawks future, and we need him to win. Think of it this way, we trade him, we get a backup SF, and maybe a center and some draft picks. We unload Claxton while we are at it. Josh goes to this team, which we prese doesn't have a coach named Mike Woodson, and Josh lights it up. He has a good PG and good role players around him and he just looks amazing. All of this can be avoided if you looked at what is around him:</p> Bad Coaching - Mike Woodson, what can I say. Not the greatest coach in the world and not the best at making adjustments. He makes the mistake of letting Josh do whatever he wants, even if he makes a bad play twice in a row or is out of control. Woodson, needs to sit down with Josh and tell him that he won't tolerate this bad play and if he makes these late game mistakes, then he will be sitting on the bench. Another thing is, Josh makes mistake, but no every game, so this one if a sometimes. No PG - Claxton? Johnson? Lue? No, no and for now he is okay. We need Law and we need him bad. Law was called "Mr.Clutch" for a reason, and the Hawks need him to live up to that nickname. When Law gets healthy, we need to play him about 30 minutes per game to get him in the motions of leading a team. If Josh can get a solid point guard that can create for him, his numbers will look better and he will play better. Guys like Kidd & Carter work so well because they have communication. Law and Smith need that to become a great duo and make Hawks fans excited. Imagine, every night, Law to Smith ally-oops, it gives me shivers just thinking about the things they could accomplish </p> So, with this "Trade Josh Smith" talk, is to me nonsense. They Hawks management better get their ass in gear and sign this guy. I rather trade a guy like Childress then Smith, just because, as good as Childress could be, a guy like Smith is very hard to come by these days. I'm sure we will have enough money for Horford as well.</p> As for Joe Johnson, he is a guy we need till Law can get into the zone of leading this team. When Law gets comfortable, and he understands that he needs to lead this team, he will be able to create for guys like Horford, Smith, Childress and Marvin. Making Joe Johnson, if you really want, a valuable trade asset.</p> For now, lets see what happens. The season is still young, and Law will be back soon. I just want to see a coaching change, possibly ask Larry Brown to come back or something. Anybody but Mike Woodson, please.</p>
I'd have to agree with Shake. Even though Atlanta has way to many forwards, you can't really trade Josh Smith and expect to get anybody who will put up anywhere near that line. In my opinion if you were going to make a trade I'd go with Childress, although I can't say I've watched him play alot it would seem that he might not have the potential that Josh Smith, Marvin Williams or Al Horford have. I think sooner or later Smith will get a reasonably reliable jumpshot and with defenders not being able to give him so much space that would open his game up alot. He probably won't ever be on par with Melo or LeBron, but that doesn't mean he can't be a great 3 or 4 in the NBA.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> LOL...uh no. Hawks have Acie Law and he's solid, he just needs to stay healty.</p> </div></p> Having more than one servicable PG would be nice. But I don't think Calderon is enough to get in return.</p> </p>
I will say that Woodson is hurting Smith, but I'm not sure that lack of point guard is really killing Josh's game except maybe when they are running. To me Josh's problem is his decision making and I'm okay that he can't make any jump shots, but then stop shooting so many and take care of the ball better. I think that has more to do with coaching and Josh himself than a pg.</p>
BTW, I am against trading Josh. I just wanted to play Devil's Advocate and see what everyone else thought. If Atlanta knows they aren't going to re-sign him then they should try to get as much as they can in return.</p>
Anyone else heard the rumors of Chris Mullin offering Andris Biedrins for Josh Smith? Allegedly the Hawks turned it down and demanded GS's 08 1st round pick as well, but it seems like a fairly even trade for both sides. Atlanta doesn't want to pay Smith max money with Marvin Williams and Al Horford blossoming into studs. They need a center badly and Biedrins is a legit center who can move Horford back to the 4 where he belongs. Smith is the better player right now but Andris is a legit big man while Smith is a tweener forward, plus Smith is going to command a max contract in the offseason while Andris will be about 9-12 mils/year. Who else will give an athletic, 7 foot, 21 year old C who is already averaging a double-double for a tweener forward who wants a max contract?</p> Seems like a pretty fair trade for both sides, Atlanta gets a 21 year old C who already averages a double-double and costs less. GS gets a Shawn Marion type player. Only problems with it would be who would GS play at C once Biedrins gets shipped off? POB has been decent this year but I don't trust him to start, Mbenga sucks, Wright's too thin. Maybe theres a bigger deal in place in which GS also gets Pachulia or Shelden Williams? Maybe GS uses the trade exception to take on a contract or two.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ATLien)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> BTW, I am against trading Josh. I just wanted to play Devil's Advocate and see what everyone else thought. If Atlanta knows they aren't going to re-sign him then they should try to get as much as they can in return.</p> </div></p> </p> I think this is what they're going for. They would rather wait on Marvin Williams and Horford than give Smoove a max extension so they're trying to get as much as they can out of Smoove knowing that he can and will walk in the offseason.</p>
I don't like the Biedrin trade, he's a good rebounder, and inside scorer, but he can't replace everything that Josh brings to the table.</p> </p> either way, the resigning thing, is being over blown, Hawks can match any offer Josh gets, and when you add all the other players that will be in the market, I don't think they'll be offering Josh Max money, when they can offer it to a proven all-star.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ATLien)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> LOL...uh no. Hawks have Acie Law and he's solid, he just needs to stay healty.</p> </div></p> Having more than one servicable PG would be nice. But I don't think Calderon is enough to get in return.</p> </p> </div></p> </p> Hopefully Speedy comes back soon, he's started practicing now.</p>
Josh Smith was great tonight, blocking shots, not forcing anything, getting teammates involved. IDK why any Hawks fan would want this guy traded!</p>
