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| Josh Smith soaring in the 2008 Playoffs |
On Wednesday night, the Detroit Pistons will visit the Atlanta Hawks in Philips Arena. Usually, a mid-November game between two middle of the pack Eastern Conference teams will not draw much attention on the NBA radar. However, this is no ordinary early season game. This contest will mark the return of one of Atlanta's own --Mr. Josh Smith.
In the summer of 2013, Smith and the Hawks ended their nine, often-tumultuous, years of marriage as the 6 foot 9 forward inked a four year, $54 million deal with the Detroit. For Atlanta fans, the departure of "J-Smoove" was bittersweet. Afterall, he can largely be credited for the Hawks' arena being nicknamed The Highlight Factory due to his high flying dunks and exciting chase down blocks. He was there in 2008 when an upstart Atlanta squad took the mighty Boston Celtics to the brink in an thrilling seven game series.
He was Atlanta through and through, down to the ink on his left bicep -- an old school Hawks logo. With all of this as a backdrop, one would think the return of Smith would be a celebratory occasion in Atlanta....Right?
Not so fast, my friend!
Anyone who consumed a good amount of Atlanta Hawks basketball between 2004 and 2013 is aware of the immense talents Josh Smith possesses. Over his Atlanta tenure he became one of the most versatile players in the league. Smith's career averages of 15.3 PPG, 3.2 APG, 8.0 RPG, and 2.1 BPG indicate how well-rounded his game was. He ranks among the Hawks' franchise leaders in nearly every statistical category and became the youngest player in NBA history to record 500 and 1000 blocked shots.
Yet, with all of these accolades, Smith never quite received "key to the city" status from his hometown faithful. As much as Hawks fans enjoyed the good things Josh could do, they equally lamented how good he could've been . Gifted athletically and physically, he was notorious for settling for long range jump shots and 3-pointers that were the antitheses of what he was expected to do -- wreck havoc in the paint. Smith was capable from three, but never a threat (.283% career). Things got so bad from there that when Smith would load up for a trey in Philips Arena, fans would collectively groan or yell "NO!!!".
Consequently, Hawks fans grew weary of waiting on Smith to mature into a franchise player or even a perennial All-Star. They grew tired of the wasted possessions that resulted in an ill-advised shot or turnover. They were fed up with his bickering with officials while play was going on. The novelty of the baby-faced 18 year old kid who had crazy hops and gave tribute to Dominique Wilkins in the Dunk Contest of 2005 wore off. After six straight playoff appearances, Hawks fans thirsted for a title contender, but Smith's team was regressing and blame needed to be placed on someone.
Conveniently, with Smith entering free agency in the summer of 2013, Atlanta had an out clause in the arrangement with the hometown kid. General Manager Danny Ferry had plans of completely remaking the Hawks roster. He began by dumping the salaries of Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams in 2012, then replacing Head Coach Larry Drew with Spurs' assistant Mike Budenholzer. For Smoove, the handwriting may have been on the wall.
Atlanta extended a courtesy hello to Smith in Los Angeles during the free agency interview process, but according to Smith, that was the extent of the conversation.
Whatever the case, the decision to let Smith walk may have been the best for all three parties involved; that being Josh Smith, the Atlanta Hawks, and Hawks fans.The only time I saw the Hawks during free agency was when they came to one of my workouts just to say hello. I think they were meeting with Dwight Howard that day. They never came in or sat down with me during the free agency period to offer me anything.” - Josh Smith on 92.9FM Atlanta
Outside of one year playing at Oak Hill Academy in high school, Smoove had spent his entire life in the ATL. A native of nearby College Park, he couldn't escape the pressures and expectations of being the savior of his hometown franchise. When things went sour (as they sometimes did) his home fans would often boo or criticize him during games or take their frustrations out on local sports talk radio. It's safe to assume that being in new surroundings, away from the bubble that is Atlanta, Georgia has to be somewhat of a relief for Smith.
The Hawks organization can now move forward into a new beginning. As long as Josh Smith was employed with the team, he would naturally carry the burden of being "The Man" whether justified or not. Now players like Al Horford and Jeff Teague, who were equally responsible for Atlanta's past playoff misfortunes, will be front and center and will have to answer the questions if the Hawks can't get it done in the postseason. The Hawks also have the opportunity to sign free agents and seek that true franchise player it's been in need of for nearly 20 years with their cap flexibility.
As for Hawks fans you ask?
Quite frankly, we should thank Josh Smith. In nine seasons as a Hawk he brought smiles to faces young and old. He helped resurrect the Hawks from being a laughing stock to respectability. He played often played hurt. By all accounts he was a model citizen and never got in trouble with the law. Those are all great qualities any fan should want in an athlete.
The questions are, Should we boo Josh Smith Wednesday? Of course not.
Should we give him a standing ovation? That may be too extreme.
Should we cheer when he loads up for a three? He's shooting .314% from three this season. Hell yes!
Welcome home, Smoove! You'll forever be an ATLien.
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