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NBA people see the same thing - live.
"He is what you see," a veteran NBA scout for a Western Conference team said about Smith. The scout requested that his name not be used because he is paid to give his opinions to those he works for.
"He's lefthanded. He's an unbelievable athlete. He runs the floor, and he finishes."
Smith is just 22 but already is a veteran of four NBA seasons. The 6-foot-9 forward for the Atlanta Hawks is a restricted free agent who met with the 76ers yesterday.
Smith's youth, steady improvement during his career, and ability to run the floor make him an attractive player for many teams. But those attributes all would seem to fit perfectly with a young, athletic 76ers team.
"If that's the style they are looking to play, he fits their style," the NBA scout said. "They're a team that can manufacture points off their defense and in the open floor. He would fit perfectly with that style."
Smith has been known in basketball circles for his athleticism and ferocious dunks since high school. He cemented that reputation when he won the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest as a rookie in February 2005.
Smith once told Sports Illustrated magazine that winning the dunking contest was a "curse" because critics carped that he was a one-dimensional player who relied on his athletic ability more than his basketball skills.
"But it's also a blessing to be able to do it at a young age," Smith told SI in November 2007. "You can't always listen to what people say about you because you'll go nowhere doing that."
Smith has improved his all-around game since the Hawks made him the No. 17 pick in the 2004 draft after his senior season at Oak Hill Academy, a prep school in Mouth of Wilson, Va., known for its national-caliber basketball program.
Smith has improved his scoring average in each of his four NBA seasons, from 9.7 to 11.3 to 16.4 to 17.2. He also is a good enough passer to have twice registered 10 assists in an NBA game.
But he's best known as a powerful finisher and shot-blocker. Smith ranked second in the NBA in blocks last season with 227. On Feb. 4, he blocked nine shots against the 76ers.
"He can run, and he can rise," the NBA scout said.
Smith, the son of Paulette and Pete Smith, has a brother and three sisters. He attended McEachern High School outside Atlanta for three years, twice earning all-state honors in Georgia. He transferred to Oak Hill Academy for his senior year.
As a teammate and roommate of Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo's, Smith led Oak Hill to a 38-0 record and the No. 1 national ranking by USA Today in 2004. He averaged 25.8 points, eight rebounds and six blocks.
Smith signed to attend Indiana University but opted to enter the NBA draft instead. A projected lottery pick, he drifted to No. 17, apparently because of concerns about his shooting and ballhandling skills, as well as his maturity.
"He's grown up," the NBA scout said of Smith. "But he is a powerful personality."
Smith told Sports Illustrated that his rookie year was difficult.
"I came in not knowing anything," Smith said. "I'd get in the game, and I needed help all the time."
Smith, who is nicknamed "J-Smoove," has struggled at times with shot selection, as well as protecting the ball. He was ninth in the NBA in turnovers last season with 245.
But the YouTube videos showing Smith's dunks and blocks are among the most popular NBA highlights on the site. "Josh Smith's Top 10 Amazing Plays in 06-07" had 261,528 views as of yesterday, and videos showing his top 100 dunks (148,181 views) and high school dunks (131,018) had drawn big traffic, too.
"He's not going to wake up tomorrow and be a great shooter or great ball handler," the NBA scout said. "He's not a great shooter. He's a great finisher."
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