In 2003, the NBA hit the jackpot with its draft class. Those few who were projected to be NBA superstars turned out to be uber-superstars and players like Chris Kaman, Boris Diaw, Travis Outlaw, Kendrick Perkins, TJ Ford and Mickael Pietrus have made names for themselves as players in this league. I mean look at the list of players drafted in 2003 (jacob put a link in), its borderline laughable at how good it is. Topping this draft class is an impossible task. In 2004, the NBA once again hit the jackpot. From Dwight Howard to Trevor Ariza, the 2004 class is loaded with superstar players capable of leading their teams on any given night. However one player from this draft class has not only become a near lock as an All-Star, has helped lead his team to the best record in the Eastern Conference but has also made himself an early candidate for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. We are talking about Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks.
I guess if there is one player you could compare Josh Smith to in size and play-style it would be Bill Russell. I know fellow Celtics fans will laugh in my face, but its just the facts. At 6'9, 215lb, Bill Russell is widely regarded as the best shot blocker of all time and probably holds the NBA record if the stat had been recorded during his career. Smith, 6'9, 240lb, recently became the fastest player in NBA history to 900 blocks. Seems like a fair comparison to me.
Coming out of the highly regarded Oak Hill Academy in VA, Smith was considered one of the best athletes in his class. But it was his maturity issues that caused his stock to slide and he slide all the way to the Hawks, taken with the 17th pick. Smiths early impact on the game was clear, he was a defensive beast, averaging 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in his rookie season. His scoring numbers gradually increased over the next 3 years, but so did his 3 point attempts, something he was never very good at. From the 05-06 season to the 08-09 season, Smith attempted 448 3-pointers, while shooting only 27%. In order to make that leap and live up to the 5 year $58 million contract he received before the 08-09 season, Smith knew he had to refine his game. Through 14 games in 09-10, Smith has taken 1 3-pointer, helping improve his shooting percentage to a career high 54%. Because of Smiths awareness and improvement in basketball IQ, the Hawks are shooting 46% as a team and lead the East with an 11-3 record. Smith has also improved his all around game, bringing down a career high 9.3 boards and being 2nd in the Hawks overall assist total at 60, all while still averaging 2.6 blocks a game good for second in the NBA.
If the Atlanta Hawks can keep this early run throughout the season, it was surely be on the back of Josh Smith. His ability to dominate defensively and be efficient offensively are making the Hawks a power in the East. By the end of the season there is no question Smith will be a likely favorite for DYOP honors, but no matter where he finishes in MVP consideration, Josh Smith has established himself as an elite player in the NBA.
