Hooped Up

The extent of the injury to the ankle of Josh Smith is officially confusing!  It’s not because doctors don’t know what’s wrong, it’s because the Associated Free Press has reported that he will be out for “four seeks”. This could mean that his ankle is still injured and he is now lost deep in the Georgia woods and the Hawks have launched a massive man hunt  for the hobbling forward. Or perhaps the Hawks made a religious trade that involving four Sikhs that we don’t have the details to yet.

If you Google Josh Smith right now, you’ll see it actually still reads
“Hawks lose forward Smith for up to four seeks“.

It’s good to know that my little blog isn’t the only one with the ability to make mistakez.

These two are always at it but, Woodson knows the Hawks have to ride Smith and his unique skills to get results.  I can’t wait until the Hawks celebrate Festivus, and these two lock up for the feats of strength after the team dinner. It should be hype! 

“Hawks coach Mike Woodson and Josh Smith finally had their training camp dust-up Tuesday, ringing in yet another year together. Woodson called his team together in a practice-ending huddle and began his speech by telling his team that they needed to take their game to another level with the regular season approaching He mentioned Smith by name, which prompted the fifth-year forward to react by saying he was willing to “take all the blame.”

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Imagine showing up to the gym for a pick up game and seeing Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Chauncey Billups, Jordan Farmar, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan and Sebastian Telfair.

Would you say “I gots next” or would you take pictures?  I would say “I got next” and take pictures at the same time.  

Hey, speak for yourself, it can be done.

Via The Basketball Jones

Josh Smith was willing to continue his NBA career wherever he had to, either in his hometown of Atlanta with the Hawks or in Memphis with the Grizzlies.

The Hawks made the decision for him late Friday night by matching the five-year, $58 million offer the Grizzlies made to Smith, a restricted free agent, earlier in the day.

“Tonight, the Hawks organization received an offer sheet from the Memphis Grizzlies for Josh Smith,” Hawks general manager Rick Sund said in a statement released by the team. “We are happy to announce that we will match their offer sheet. Ownership, management and the team are happy to have Josh return as a member of the Hawks. We look forward to training camp in October, and we will continue to look at additional opportunities to improve our roster.”

Atlanta Journal Constitution

The Hawks will officially be on the clock now that Josh Smith has signed an offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies.

After receiving the signed offer sheet later today, the Hawks will have seven days to match the Grizzlies’ five-year, $58 million offer.The Hawks maintained that they will match any offers made to Smith, though no one saw the Grizzlies offer coming.

The Grizzlies were the only NBA team with significant cap space left. It was believed the team would hold on to their cap space for the free agent class of 2009.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Will this really happen or is this just to prevent Baron Davis from losing it on the Clippers management? 

Scratch Philadelphia from the list of NBA teams pursuing Hawks restricted free agent forward Josh Smith. With Elton Brand out of the picture, the Clippers are suddenly in the market for a forward. Smith is currently in Los Angeles on “business,” according to his agent. Smith was in Philadelphia last week for a visit and was wined and dined by the Sixers, but left town without a verbal agreement to sign an offer sheet.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Smith’s remarkable fourth season included averages of 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals. Coming out of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. in 2004, he originally committed to Indiana University before becoming the No. 17 pick in the 2004 draft. And he won’t turn 23 until December. All that is why the 76ers, who have about $11.5 million in salary-cap space available, have invited Smith and his representatives to visit today. He and agents Brian Dyke and Wallace Prowther visited yesterday with the Hawks and newly minted general manager Rick Sund, who has said repeatedly that ownership plans to match any offers made to Smith and his restricted free-agent teammate, Josh Childress, the No. 6 overall pick in ‘04.

Philadelphia Daily News

Josh Smith will not be a part of the 2007 slam dunk competition during All-Star weekend, Feb. 16-18 in Las Vegas. The 2005 winner, Smith lost his title last season to New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson, who is expected to be among the field to be announced today. Smith said after last year’s competition that he will no longer participate.

Atlanta Journal Constitution