Every few years or so there are those NBA Drafts which tend to fade from our thoughts or get embedded in our collective memories. Whether it’s because they provide immediate superstars, and marquee players, or because the overall talent level is so paltry and mediocre. Less than three years later, the 2004 NBA Draft is already shaping as the latter. In a draft which featured breakout stars Ben Gordon, Emeka Okafor, Dwight Howard, Shaun Livingston, Kevin Martin and Luol Deng to name just a few, a few players are bound to get lost in the shuffle.
While Josh Smith was becoming a household name and garnering national attention at the 2005 Slam Dunk Contest in Denver as a high flying acrobatic rookie dunker, the 6’7 slasher was viewed inside of basketball circles as just that; an aerial side attraction. Observers who took notice of his shoddy jump shot combined with his mediocre perimeter skills, atrocious ball handling and lack of true post up skills questioned whether Smith had the potential to develop into an impact player on both ends of the floor. That season, his first, he averaged a paltry 9.7 points per game, 6.2 RPG, 1.95 BPG and was named me to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Since, then his name has almost disappeared completely from the tongues and consciousness of the casual NBA fan, however, let’s not forget, he only turned 21 three short months ago. He may not have torn a whole through the NBA from the start similar to how Lebron, ‘Melo and
D-Wade have in recent years but different players peak at different rates. Now, it finally appears though, that one of the Hawks’ draft choices has panned out after recent whiffs on Josh Childress, Sheldon Williams, Marvin Williams as well as missing out on point gods Chris Paul & Deron Williams and sweet shooting guard Brandon Roy in consecutive years.
While his development could launch him into the stratosphere of a McGradyesque breed of player, the truth is Smith’s versatility is most comparable to the Sun’s all-everything forward Shawn Marion. Nicknamed The Matrix by TNT analyst Kenny Smith for his seemingly gravity-defying plays and freakishly quick release, Marion has established himself as a multidimensional threat, especially as finisher who can score off passes and has utilized his athleticism and jumping ability to become a good rebounder (10.1 RPG) and shot blocker (1.3 BPG).
Either way both players possess freakish athleticism as well the ability to fill up the entire stat sheet and pile up near triple doubles night in and out. While his defensive prowess, especially his shot-blocking skills have received high acclaim league wide his offensive ability has yet to truly emerge. Though he no longer dribbles like a toddler, his shaky jumper and troubles with his free throw shooting have continued, hindering his offensive production.
However, Smith’s progress has been remarkable, nonetheless. After capitalizing on a career initially founded on his pure athleticism, Smith emerged in his second season to finish fourth in the NBA in total blocks and average 15.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 3.1 BPG and 1.0 SPG after the All-Star break. Now in his third season, Josh Smith has continued his strides toward superstardom by averaging career highs of 15.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.1 APG as well as 2.85 BPG which is 3rd in the NBA. In his third season out of Mount Zion high school, the then-21 year old Tracy McGrady averaged an eerily similar 15.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.3 BPG before his breakout fourth season.
What’s more impressive is that Smith is also an efficient shot-blocker, ranking 7th in the NBA in blocks per foul and on March 3rd 2007, he broke the 500 block mark, making him the youngest player to do so in NBA history. In a loss earlier this season to the Nuggets, Smith had 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks and 4 steals. According to Michael Jackson of ESPN Research, he becomes the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon in '93 to have a stat line of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks, and 4 steals in a single game. Thus far, in the month of March, Smith has begun on a torrid streak through the League, averaging 21.3 PPG, 9 RPG, and 3.3 BPG in the first 8 games while shooting 52.9 percent. In a lackluster offensive performance against the Kings March 19th, Smith still imposed his will on the game with a near triple double including 9 points, 10 assists, 12 rebounds as well as his customary 3 blocks.
Against the 76ers, on March 13th, Smith finished with a monstrous night: 26 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks and he has now put up career highs in points and rebounds in consecutive games. Hawks Coach Mike Woodson has utilized Smith and incorporated his abilities into the team’s concept nicely.
Along with Olympian Joe Johnson, (you can expect too see Josh suiting up for them in the next 5 years) the Hawks are on the precipice of becoming a consistent Eastern Conference powerhouse. Now if only that Marvin Williams kid could show them something to warrant his #2 overall NBA Draft selection …
The league should begin to take notice; here comes J-Smoove and in 2008, prepare to witness the emergence of an NBA superstar.
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