Josh Smith
Encyclopedia
Josh Smith is an American professional basketball
player with the Atlanta Hawks
of the NBA
. Josh is one of five kids born to Paulette and Pete Smith. His siblings are Walter, Phebe, Kasola and Shanti. His popular nickname is "J-Smoove".
Smith attended John McEachern High School
. For his senior year, Smith transferred to Oak Hill Academy
. As a player for Oak Hill's basketball team, he first earned his reputation as a consummate shot-blocker, which he would maintain in the NBA. He played alongside former Atlanta Hawk teammate Randolph Morris
and the Orlando Magic
's Dwight Howard
on the highly regarded Atlanta Celtics AAU team in the summer of 2003.
.
Having entered the league straight out of high school, Smith has publicly disagreed with the rule change that prohibited high school players from entering the NBA Entry Draft.
He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during his rookie year in the 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend. He averaged 9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.95 blocks per game for the 2004–05 season and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. For the 2005–06 season, Smith averaged 2.25 blocks per game, ranking seventh in the NBA.
After the NBA All-Star Weekend, he continued his steady development. He finished second in the NBA in total blocks, 4th in blocks per game and averaged 15.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3.1 bpg and 1.0 spg after the All-Star break and his contribution helped the Hawks double their win total of 13 wins from the previous season to finish 26-56.
On March 3, 2007, Smith broke the 500-block mark, making him the youngest player to do so in NBA history.
Smith ended the 2006–07 season with 16.4 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.9 blocks, dramatically improving on his previous season's stats. Leading the Hawks after Joe Johnson
's season-ending injury, Smith produced a career high 32 points and 19 rebounds in Johnson's absence. He eclipsed this mark on November 17, 2007 with a new career high of 38 points on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks
.
On August 8, 2008, Smith signed an offer sheet to play with the Memphis Grizzlies
, but the Hawks quickly matched the offer sheet. Smith was told by Atlanta to go out as a restricted free agent to test the market, putting the pressure on Smith to essentially go out and set his price.
On October 30, 2009, in a home game vs. the Washington Wizards
, Smith became the youngest player (at 23 years old) to reach 900 blocks.
On February 2, 2010, against the Oklahoma City Thunder
, Smith became the youngest player (at 24 years old) to block 1000 shots.
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 74 || 59 || 27.7 || .455 || .174 || .688 || 6.2 || 1.7 || .8 || 1.9 || 9.7
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 80 || 73 || 32.0 || .425 || .309 || .719 || 6.6 || 2.4 || .8 || 2.6 || 11.3
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 72 || 72 || 36.8 || .439 || .250 || .693 || 8.6 || 3.3 || 1.4 || 2.9 || 16.4
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 81 || 81 || 35.5 || .457 || .253 || .710 || 8.2 || 3.4 || 1.5 || 2.8 || 17.2
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 69 || 69 || 35.1 || .492 || .299 || .588 || 7.2 || 2.4 || 1.4 || 1.6 || 15.6
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 81 || 81 || 35.4 || .505 || .000 || .618 || 8.7 || 4.2 || 1.6 || 2.1 || 15.7
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 77 || 77 || 34.4 || .477 || .331 || .725 || 8.5 || 3.3 || 1.3 || 1.6 || 16.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 534 || 512 || 33.8 || .466 || .282 || .675 || 7.7 || 3.0 || 1.2 || 2.2 || 14.6
| align="left" | 2008
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 7 || 7 || 33.9 || .398 || .167 || .841 || 6.4 || 2.9 || 1.7 || 2.9 || 15.7
|-
| align="left" | 2009
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 11 || 11 || 37.3 || .421 || .133 || .732 || 7.5 || 2.2 || 1.1 || 1.5 || 17.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 11 || 11 || 35.6 || .481 || .333 || .659 || 9.0 || 2.6 || 1.2 || 1.7 || 14.1
|-
| align="left" | 2011
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 12 || 12 || 36.5 || .404 || .125 || .597 || 8.5 || 2.9 || 1.1 || 2.1 || 15.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 41 || 41 || 36.0 || .426 || .159 || .699 || 8.0 || 2.6 || 1.2 || 2.0 || 15.5
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player with the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. Josh is one of five kids born to Paulette and Pete Smith. His siblings are Walter, Phebe, Kasola and Shanti. His popular nickname is "J-Smoove".
Smith attended John McEachern High School
McEachern High School
John McEachern High School or McEachern High School is a public high school established in 1908 in Powder Springs, Georgia, USA. It was originally established as the Seventh District Agricultural and Mechanical School. Due to its history, McEachern has an open campus, with its buildings spaced...
. For his senior year, Smith transferred to Oak Hill Academy
Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)
Oak Hill Academy is a co-educational, private Baptist-affiliated secondary school in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, United States. Oak Hill's enrollment of approximately 150 students is 98% boarders, serving grades 8–12...
. As a player for Oak Hill's basketball team, he first earned his reputation as a consummate shot-blocker, which he would maintain in the NBA. He played alongside former Atlanta Hawk teammate Randolph Morris
Randolph Morris
Randolph Albert Morris is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association.-High school:...
and the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
's Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard
Dwight David Howard is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . Howard, who usually plays center but can also play power forward, had an outstanding high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy...
on the highly regarded Atlanta Celtics AAU team in the summer of 2003.
NBA career
Smith was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 17th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
.
Having entered the league straight out of high school, Smith has publicly disagreed with the rule change that prohibited high school players from entering the NBA Entry Draft.
He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during his rookie year in the 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend. He averaged 9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.95 blocks per game for the 2004–05 season and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. For the 2005–06 season, Smith averaged 2.25 blocks per game, ranking seventh in the NBA.
After the NBA All-Star Weekend, he continued his steady development. He finished second in the NBA in total blocks, 4th in blocks per game and averaged 15.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3.1 bpg and 1.0 spg after the All-Star break and his contribution helped the Hawks double their win total of 13 wins from the previous season to finish 26-56.
On March 3, 2007, Smith broke the 500-block mark, making him the youngest player to do so in NBA history.
Smith ended the 2006–07 season with 16.4 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.9 blocks, dramatically improving on his previous season's stats. Leading the Hawks after Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson (basketball)
Joe Marcus Johnson is an American professional basketball player, currently a member of the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Johnson stands at 6'7" and 240 lbs ....
's season-ending injury, Smith produced a career high 32 points and 19 rebounds in Johnson's absence. He eclipsed this mark on November 17, 2007 with a new career high of 38 points on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
.
On August 8, 2008, Smith signed an offer sheet to play with the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, but the Hawks quickly matched the offer sheet. Smith was told by Atlanta to go out as a restricted free agent to test the market, putting the pressure on Smith to essentially go out and set his price.
On October 30, 2009, in a home game vs. the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
, Smith became the youngest player (at 23 years old) to reach 900 blocks.
On February 2, 2010, against the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
, Smith became the youngest player (at 24 years old) to block 1000 shots.
Regular season
|-| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
| 74 || 59 || 27.7 || .455 || .174 || .688 || 6.2 || 1.7 || .8 || 1.9 || 9.7
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 80 || 73 || 32.0 || .425 || .309 || .719 || 6.6 || 2.4 || .8 || 2.6 || 11.3
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 72 || 72 || 36.8 || .439 || .250 || .693 || 8.6 || 3.3 || 1.4 || 2.9 || 16.4
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 81 || 81 || 35.5 || .457 || .253 || .710 || 8.2 || 3.4 || 1.5 || 2.8 || 17.2
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 69 || 69 || 35.1 || .492 || .299 || .588 || 7.2 || 2.4 || 1.4 || 1.6 || 15.6
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 81 || 81 || 35.4 || .505 || .000 || .618 || 8.7 || 4.2 || 1.6 || 2.1 || 15.7
|-
| align="left" |
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 77 || 77 || 34.4 || .477 || .331 || .725 || 8.5 || 3.3 || 1.3 || 1.6 || 16.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 534 || 512 || 33.8 || .466 || .282 || .675 || 7.7 || 3.0 || 1.2 || 2.2 || 14.6
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2008
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| align="left" | Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
| 7 || 7 || 33.9 || .398 || .167 || .841 || 6.4 || 2.9 || 1.7 || 2.9 || 15.7
|-
| align="left" | 2009
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 11 || 11 || 37.3 || .421 || .133 || .732 || 7.5 || 2.2 || 1.1 || 1.5 || 17.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 11 || 11 || 35.6 || .481 || .333 || .659 || 9.0 || 2.6 || 1.2 || 1.7 || 14.1
|-
| align="left" | 2011
2011 NBA Playoffs
The 2011 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2010–11 season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs, all seeded 1 to 8 in a tournament bracket, with all rounds in a best-of-seven format. The 2011 NBA Playoffs began on...
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 12 || 12 || 36.5 || .404 || .125 || .597 || 8.5 || 2.9 || 1.1 || 2.1 || 15.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 41 || 41 || 36.0 || .426 || .159 || .699 || 8.0 || 2.6 || 1.2 || 2.0 || 15.5
NBA records
Youngest player in NBA history to record:- 10 blocked shots in a game, Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks,
- 500 career blocked shots, Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks, (206 games)
- 1,000 career blocked shots, Atlanta Hawks at Oklahoma City Thunder, (423 games)