Top 5 Power Forwards in Atlanta Hawks History
By Tom Atkinson
2. Josh Smith
Years Spent with Team: 2004-2013
Statistics (per game with the Hawks): 15.3 points, 8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals.
Shooting Percentages with Atlanta: .465/.283/.654.
Considering where J-Smoove is now, it is hard to remember when the hometown hero was an absolute monster. Drafted in 2004, Smith was an integral member of Atlanta’s rosters up until his departure in 2013. He made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2010 and dominated the 2005 Slam Dunk Contest. Between his jaw-dropping slams and monster swats, Smith had a highlight-reel to himself for his nine years with Atlanta.
Just like Willis, Smith ranks highly in countless franchise career records. He ended his career ninth in games played but fifth in minutes. J-Smoove also exceeded 10,000 points for the franchise, enough for eighth all-time and ranks top ten in field goals, two-pointers, three-pointers and free throws.
Smith ranks as the seventh-best rebounder for the franchise, finishing third in defensive rebounds and sixth in offensive. He managed 857 steals and 1,440 blocks, ranking fifth and second respectively, and his status as one of Atlanta’s best ever defenders is evidenced by his top-four finishes in Defensive Win Shares and Box Plus/Minus.
Josh Smith was one of the franchise’s best ever power forwards with his range of scoring, rebounding and defensive versatility. I miss the old J-Smoove.
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