Atlanta Hawks: 15 greatest scorers in franchise history

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Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks. Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images /

11. Josh Smith, Forward, 2005-13

Josh Smith got his start with the Atlanta Hawks as the 17th overall draft pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He became a human highlight reel with his ability to finish around the rim with athletic dunks. Showing early shades of Dominique Wilkins, he showed promise during his rookie campaign, averaging 9.7 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field.

He was named to the All-Rookie team during the 2004-05 season, the same year he took home the 2005 Slam Dunk Contest Championship. Smith didn’t make any All-Star squads but he did manage to have his best seasons with the Hawks.

Smith produced 17.2 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the field during the 2007-08 season. During the 2011-12 season, he recorded a career-high 18.8 points per game. Atlanta was 40-26 in the contests he appeared in.

He racked up 22 games with 30 points or more during his time with the Hawks. His career-high 38 points came against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 17, 2017 in a 105-96 loss. Smith shot 13-of-22 from the field (59.1 percent) in the best game of his career, though it came in a defeat.

Ironically, many of their victories came when he scored only 30 points. When he didn’t overlap the feat, the Hawks went 7-3. When he scored more than 30 points, their record was 4-8.

Smith averaged 15.3 points on 46.5 percent shooting from the floor through 676 appearances for the Hawks. They would part ways following the 2013 season and as it stands, Smith ranks eighth all-time in franchise history in total points (10,371) and is one of only eight players to score 10,000 points or more in the team’s history.