Smoove and the 3 ball.

[Wretch]

Smoove catches a crapload of crap (for lack of a better word) for taking those ill-advised jumpers. To tell you the truth, I cringe everytime he hoists one up from around 15'. There is something about the long ball though... When Josh is spotting up and taking his time, his 3pt shot looks good. He has been draining those in REALLY tough situations. I don't want to see him shooting them all game, but I think we should explore some occasional plays where JJ and Bibby are decoys for Smoove spotting up. That is IF these shots were not planned already.

Also, we talk alot about him trying to do to much or forcing the issue. The problem is that he doesn't have that finesse and control to be able to create off the dribble. Occasionally, he can spin, jump, and throw up a few leaners...but most often, the defense will collapse on him and he fumbles - right after the behind the back, between the legs, or crossover.

If Josh is going to raise his game, he will have to start playing within the flow of things. His best game is MUCH simpler than those flashy superstar-esque moves. He needs to be closer to the basket using the glass or the occasional baby-hook. Facing up, creating off the dribble, pull up J...not so much. Slowly but surely Josh is moving away from trying to play like that.

[Frenzy]

His shot looks improved....i was comfortable with him takin em last night.He isnt just lurking outside the arc like he used to though

Edited November 2, 2008 by falconfrenzy

[capstone21]

Smoove catches a crapload of crap (for lack of a better word) for taking those ill-advised jumpers. To tell you the truth, I cringe everytime he hoists one up from around 15'. There is something about the long ball though... When Josh is spotting up and taking his time, his 3pt shot looks good. He has been draining those in REALLY tough situations. I don't want to see him shooting them all game, but I think we should explore some occasional plays where JJ and Bibby are decoys for Smoove spotting up. That is IF these shots were not planned already.

Also, we talk alot about him trying to do to much or forcing the issue. The problem is that he doesn't have that finesse and control to be able to create off the dribble. Occasionally, he can spin, jump, and throw up a few leaners...but most often, the defense will collapse on him and he fumbles - right after the behind the back, between the legs, or crossover.

If Josh is going to raise his game, he will have to start playing within the flow of things. His best game is MUCH simpler than those flashy superstar-esque moves. He needs to be closer to the basket using the glass or the occasional baby-hook. Facing up, creating off the dribble, pull up J...not so much. Slowly but surely Josh is moving away from trying to play like that.

He hit them last night but no I am not comfortable with him shooting threes. Especially how many he shot last night. Way to many

[Admin]

He's really been improving since the last couple weeks of last season, or at least that's when I started noticing it. I think it was the Raptors game where he had 2 big 3's and ever since then he seems to have focused on it better and I don't cringe when he takes them now. As long as he continues to make them at a decent percentage I won't complain but I don't want him spending too much time on the perimeter since that hurts our rebounding chances.

[DrReality]

Only been a couple games but his outside shots don'e seem so wild. The one he drained he had to shoot because the clock was running out. I'll take that every time. I'll give him a chance but I am most impressed with his game in closer to the basket, especially on the defensive end.

I really like what Sund said to him about being the best defensive player on the court every night. If he does that the rest of it will come and he will make himself known as a all around player.

[Wretch]

Only been a couple games but his outside shots don'e seem so wild. The one he drained he had to shoot because the clock was running out. I'll take that every time. I'll give him a chance but I am most impressed with his game in closer to the basket, especially on the defensive end.

I really like what Sund said to him about being the best defensive player on the court every night. If he does that the rest of it will come and he will make himself known as a all around player.

I agree completely. Smoove's future is not as a primary or even secondary offensive option. He can put points on the board, but you don't want to "give it to Smoove" so to speak. Not in the way we turn it over to Joe, or used to turn it over to Smitty or Nique. I don't see him creating like that. At this point, I certainly wouldn't want him taking the last shot of the game from downtown; but, I'm comfortable with him taking a 3 in the flow of the game when we need one.

Defensively, he's our superstar. He keeps us in the game with his rebounding, his steals, and his hustling. His shot blocking though...just completely changes the game. How many times has he saved us from that critical layup to give the other guys momentum? How many times has he turned a normally routine shot into a wild throwaway? In no way do I liken him to a Ben Wallace, because he has offense. He just needs to simplify his offensive game.

[TruJerz]

Smoove catches a crapload of crap (for lack of a better word) for taking those ill-advised jumpers. To tell you the truth, I cringe everytime he hoists one up from around 15'. There is something about the long ball though... When Josh is spotting up and taking his time, his 3pt shot looks good. He has been draining those in REALLY tough situations. I don't want to see him shooting them all game, but I think we should explore some occasional plays where JJ and Bibby are decoys for Smoove spotting up. That is IF these shots were not planned already.

Also, we talk alot about him trying to do to much or forcing the issue. The problem is that he doesn't have that finesse and control to be able to create off the dribble. Occasionally, he can spin, jump, and throw up a few leaners...but most often, the defense will collapse on him and he fumbles - right after the behind the back, between the legs, or crossover.

If Josh is going to raise his game, he will have to start playing within the flow of things. His best game is MUCH simpler than those flashy superstar-esque moves. He needs to be closer to the basket using the glass or the occasional baby-hook. Facing up, creating off the dribble, pull up J...not so much. Slowly but surely Josh is moving away from trying to play like that.

I dont mind him taking 3's if he's open..thats one way he will improve his shot from that range. And u can see the improvement on his 3point shot already..he's seems confident taking them..if he can start hitting them consistently, I will make us a better team and make him a much better player

[DJlaysitup]

...I don't cringe when he takes them now. As long as he continues to make them at a decent percentage I won't complain but I don't want him spending too much time on the perimeter since that hurts our rebounding chances.

Agreed Dolf...when JS sets himself and shoots he has a nice rotation on the ball and is moderately accurate (he's no Larry Bird but he makes his share at crunch time). He also has a knack for hitting shots at important times. He's generally fearless. That is often good but can also be bad at times. Key is, manyof JS's threes late in a game are due to double-teams on JJ and a situation where he gets the ball with less than 5 secs on the clock. Whaddaya gonna do at that point? Launch it and hope....better than dickin around and turning the ball over....at least you got a chance.

Edited November 2, 2008 by DJlaysitup

[Wretch]

What's funny is I don't see him as a star with perimeter game or a star with inside game. He's a star tweener (or at least has star potential as a tweener)...and I'm having difficulty thinking of anyone else who has ever been that good as something in between a 3/4.

[TruJerz]

Am I crazy for thinking that I would rather JSmooth shoot a game winning 3 than Marvin?? I think Smooth has the better career % too..so i guess not lol

[exodus]

My view is that Smith needs to do what Brand does which is shoot jumpers from 10-15 feet. He hardly ever does that but he shoots frequently from 18 feet and out. Why not shoot from closer in? It isn't like defenders are going to be worried about Smith shooting from 10 feet they are worried about him getting to the rim.

Smith is a career 26% shooter from 3 so I am not holding out a lot of hope that he gets better. However we do have Mark Price as our shooting coach so....

[tonegully]

Smoove and Marvin need to attack the basket. I mean Smoove has tons of hops so imagine hime cutting and slashing through the lane. I hate when he shoots Js. i cant stand it.

[HawkNJersey]

What's funny is I don't see him as a star with perimeter game or a star with inside game. He's a star tweener (or at least has star potential as a tweener)...and I'm having difficulty thinking of anyone else who has ever been that good as something in between a 3/4.

A sports writer I heard on Satellite radio, said Smoove is the only guy he's ever compared to DR J. Take that for what it's worth.

[TroyMcClure]

My view is that Smith needs to do what Brand does which is shoot jumpers from 10-15 feet. He hardly ever does that but he shoots frequently from 18 feet and out. Why not shoot from closer in? It isn't like defenders are going to be worried about Smith shooting from 10 feet they are worried about him getting to the rim.

Smith is a career 26% shooter from 3 so I am not holding out a lot of hope that he gets better. However we do have Mark Price as our shooting coach so....

I agree he should shoot from closer in. However, if he could ever become a true threat out there, he would have some tremendous opportunities on the pump fake.

About Price, one of my very good friends is the best shooter I've ever been around. His stroke is absolutely pure. He used to go to the Mark Price shooting camp and attributes much of his ability to Price. He could pay serious dividends. Especially with Smoove. You know I've always thought his shot was ok. Just the rhythm and selection that's been a problem for me. Any guidance from someone like Price will surely be positive.

[Wretch]

Problem is...he has to get to the basket. Watch and count how many times he gets shut off. It'll probably equal the same number of turnovers he has each game. Though he wants to be, and the fans want him to be, he's just doesn't have the control to be that kind of player. If he works at it, I think he could be ok at shooting off the dribble, but all that behind the back, spin move type stuff is going to hold him back.

[Gray Mule]

For all Hawks, not just Josh, whatever works, do it.

If teams continue to leave Josh wide open for 3 and the clock expiring, he has the ability

to make them pay. Sure, he's going to miss - - A lot. So what. If he doesn't try for the

open 3, what are our other options? Let the clock run out? Then, sometimes he will

drain that shot- Yeah! Something else for our opponent to worry about.

Also, that 3 that he hits will lift the spirits of the Hawks and at the same time, take the

wind out of our opponents sails. Double good results.

Hawks don't want Josh trying to become their 3 point specialist, bombing away any time

he has the ball. The more 3's he hits, the more our opponents will have to come out and

cover him - This opens up things inside.

In the flow of the game, when opportunity arises, he should take the 3 shot. Especially

when the clock is running out.

I'm more concerned with his free throws than his 3 point shot. Just me, I guess.

[Atlantaholic]

Well, as far as I'm concerned... as long as that three point percentage of his is closer to 50% than 20%... He can continue taking as many three pointers as he wishes.

[BusBoyIsBack]

This may sound crazy but I only feel comfortable when he takes those shots in crunch time.

Like during the course of the game I cringe, but for some reason when we really need a 3, I don't mind him taking it.

I feel like he makes those big shots

[hawkman]

This may sound crazy but I only feel comfortable when he takes those shots in crunch time.

Like during the course of the game I cringe, but for some reason when we really need a 3, I don't mind him taking it.

I feel like he makes those big shots

He does. That's why I don't mind him taking them as long as he doesn't live out there. I remeber him hitting quite a few clutch threes during previous seasons. His form looks a lot better on both the three AND his mid range jumper so you can tell that he's worked on them both.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

This may sound crazy but I only feel comfortable when he takes those shots in crunch time.

Like during the course of the game I cringe, but for some reason when we really need a 3, I don't mind him taking it.

I feel like he makes those big shots

He does make those shots. And what's crazy, is that the guy throwing him the ball most of the time out there, is JJ. As bad as Smoove was playing for about 2.5 quarters last night, he really played like an all-star caliber player in the 4th quarter. As far as him making jumpers during crunch time, I think he concentrates more when the game is on the line.

And one thing I've always said about Smith and his shot. If he does make a jumper, it's most likely because he's shooting from the top of the key area. Last year, he was 8 - 16 from 3 point range, when he shot a three from the top of the key area ( according to nba.com/hotspots ).

If he's on the wing, he tends to miss shots badly. But I guess because he has the backboard to judge the shot with, that he can make the straight on jumper a little more frequently.