[RoddneyThaRippa]

Originally Posted by HKF

Not really understanding why people are questioning his mental capacity. He is 21 and has improved dramatically in his three NBA seasons to the point now where he's poised to be an All-Star caliber player. A lot of stupid stereotypes being thrown around and I don't like it. He's a great athlete, but this is also a player who eats, sleeps and thinks basketball. He wants to be great. You think blocking shots is all athleticism? If it was, how come Stromile Swift isn't great at it.

If you watch Hawks games, this guy makes plays on both ends of the court and he has way more ability (basketball and athletic) than Kirilenko. He's a 25 ppg scorer in the making.

You spared me the trouble of making this post. From the handfull of games I've seen him in, he is very cognizant of where people are on the floor. I don't think his assists are a fluke. Obviously, it helps that he is tall with very long arms, as he can see and utilize the floor better, but if that's all there was to passing, big men wouldn't be hounded so much for not being able to. Other than shot selection at times (which can be said for 90% of the league), he has actually came across as a pretty heady player to me, albeit only in the handful of games I've seen him. I'm not sure why people would question his basketball IQ so much.

[ehmunro]

Originally Posted by HKF

Not really understanding why people are questioning his mental capacity. He is 21 and has improved dramatically in his three NBA seasons to the point now where he's poised to be an All-Star caliber player. A lot of stupid stereotypes being thrown around and I don't like it. He's a great athlete, but this is also a player who eats, sleeps and thinks basketball. He wants to be great. You think blocking shots is all athleticism? If it was, how come Stromile Swift isn't great at it.

I was sold on Josh his rookie year, during a December game against the Celtics, he took a bounce pass from Walker, and promptly got knocked on his *** by Ricky Davis, who jumped to cut off the shortest passing lane and went for the ball. But Smith still had the presence of mind to not panic and as he hit the ground threaded a perfect pass to someone else. In a vet player you expect coolness, you don't expect it from an 18 year old. Josh Smith has a head on his shoulders, and people denigrating his decision making need to shut their ****ing mouths and go back to watching Leave it to Beaver reruns.

[SeaNet]

Originally Posted by ehmunro

I was sold on Josh his rookie year, during a December game against the Celtics, he took a bounce pass from Walker, and promptly got knocked on his *** by Ricky Davis, who jumped to cut off the shortest passing lane and went for the ball. But Smith still had the presence of mind to not panic and as he hit the ground threaded a perfect pass to someone else. In a vet player you expect coolness, you don't expect it from an 18 year old. Josh Smith has a head on his shoulders, and people denigrating his decision making need to shut their ****ing mouths and go back to watching Leave it to Beaver reruns.

He made a play!!! He must have the mental side of the game totally figured out!!! I'm cRaZy or better yet... 'playing to stereotypes' if I suggest otherwise. Yeah!!! Who cares if I've seen many games where he takes it upon himself to jack clanging jumper after clanging jumper? Who cares if he just disappears for long stretches? He made a play!!!! Me and my stereotypes. I just can't kick 'em. I'll go watch some 'Leave it to Beaver' reruns.

Edit: and who cares if I've seen him on occasion regularly subvert the offense for his own self-indulgent shot selection. I mean how important is shot selection, really?

[Dre™]

Originally Posted by SeaNet

He made a play!!! He must have the mental side of the game totally figured out!!! I'm cRaZy or better yet... 'playing to stereotypes' if I suggest otherwise. Yeah!!! Who cares if I've seen many games where he takes it upon himself to jack clanging jumper after clanging jumper? Who cares if he just disappears for long stretches? He made a play!!!! Me and my stereotypes. I just can't kick 'em. I'll go watch some 'Leave it to Beaver' reruns.

Edit: and who cares if I've seen him on occasion regularly subvert the offense for his own self-indulgent shot selection. I mean how important is shot selection, really?

You ever heard of an anecdote?

And as far as Deng vs. Lewis, Lewis is on another tier as a shooter and scorer. Deng to this point might be a better rebounder and playmaker-type, but he's not on Lewis' level yet. I'd put him and Smith on the same tier though, and that's up for personal preference.

[SeaNet]

Originally Posted by _Dre_

You ever heard of an anecdote?

I have in fact heard of an anecdote. Given your usage of the term, however, I'm not sure that you have.

[Dre™]

Originally Posted by SeaNet

I have in fact heard of an anecdote. Given your usage of the term, however, I'm not sure that you have.

anecdote-a short account of a particular incident or event of an interesting or amusing nature, often biographical

Don't be a smartass if you're not good at it.

[SeaNet]

Originally Posted by _Dre_

Don't be a smartass if you're not good at it.

w/ your 'chill pill' after your sentence, I thought you were looking for the word 'antidote.'

And his anecdote is a load of BS for the conclusion he draws and the insults he then makes.

[ballocks]

josh smith is being heavily slept-on at the moment, imo. i don't know why, i don't have an explanation for it, but it's pretty bizarre.

i think this guy will become a special player. he certainly has the talent to do it. but what drew me to him in the first place was his demeanor. i'm impressed every time i see him. the "me-first" trait that plagues a lot of our young stars (specifically those to come straight out of high school... but not exclusively them) falls deaf on josh smith. he's a positive impact player but he's not imposing a take-charge attitude on his team before he feels ready to do so. you have to appreciate his patience, especially at his age and in his current surroundings.

i mean, if steve francis or baron davis (i'm not looking for a fight here; just citing examples... and it's just an opinion, i understand that) had emerged in the same environment as josh smith, they would've probably sunk the ship by now with immaturity and/or me-first leadership (right or wrong). i like how josh seems to be a different cat, he doesn't often sulk when he's on the bench and doesn't bring negative press to the fore when he's around his team- he's a 'pro'... and a pro in a situation where it must be especially hard to be one.

i'm very interested to see how the world shapes this man into the future. i think he's shown a lot of promise on many levels already. and he's been slept-on... he must love that.

peace

[Dre™]

Originally Posted by SeaNet

w/ your 'chill pill' after your sentence, I thought you were looking for the word 'antidote.'

Wow, you think I'm that dumb?