Smith denies fighting with Lue
Hawks' forward calls report in Detroit paper 'a lie'

By SEKOU SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/12/07

During each of his previous three seasons, Hawks forward Josh Smith said he has had the displeasure of having his name and reputation trashed in published reports.

He only had to wait six games for it to happen during his fourth year.

Smith was on the receiving end of a Detroit News report that detailed his involvement in a shouting match with Hawks coach Mike Woodson and veteran Hawks point guard Tyronn Lue during the Hawks' 92-91 loss to the Pistons two weeks ago, an altercation all involved said never happened.

"It's a lie," Smith said of the report that had him yelling at Lue to pass him the ball and then yelling at Woodson to "get Lue out of the game" and later having to be "restrained by coaches and teammates."

"I'm just tired of all these false accusations about me being thrown out there," Smith continued Monday. "Where is all this stuff coming from? Because it seems obvious to me that someone out there has an agenda against me. If I'm going to get in trouble, at least let me get in trouble for something I've actually done."

The Hawks have disciplined Smith for his emotional outbursts on several occasions in the past.

Late last season he was suspended for two games without pay for a profanity-laced tirade directed at Woodson in a loss at Philadelphia. The NBA also fined him $25,000 for raising both middle fingers to the crowd in Charlotte after he was ejected from the game for arguing with an official.

This latest report has been fabricated, according to Lue.

"We never got into it," Lue said. "So he had to be restrained by other players and coaches ... man, are you serious? None of that happened. The instance they're talking about is when he had Rip [Hamilton] guarding him in the post and he was yelling for the ball. I threw him the [expletive] ball. And he was right; we needed to go to him inside when he has a smaller guy on him. But the rest of that stuff, none of that happened. It's all trash and lies."

I wanted him. Still do.

Man josh smith is the ****in truth ill trade anyone but lee on this team for him

Man he would be perfect on the knicks! With Marbury on the way out or becoming BenchBury this is the kind of kid we need to continue the knick tradition! Extend his contract also, we don't want this kind of talent getting away!!!!

Yeah and Nate never jumped Malik Rose in the shower.

What's your point?

Marbs and lee for josh smith, lorenzen, zaza, speedy and anthony johnson

I think that works money wise but would that fly realistically? Technically the hawks get 2 starters. Knicks get josh smith and probably a more well rounded bench. Is it worth it if the knicks can get josh smith?

Posted by Panos:

Posted by EnySpree:

Marbs and lee for josh smith, lorenzen, zaza, speedy and anthony johnson

I think that works money wise but would that fly realistically? Technically the hawks get 2 starters. Knicks get josh smith and probably a more well rounded bench. Is it worth it if the knicks can get josh smith?

Roster spots?

Knicks would have to eat 3 of those guys......or just 2 if they include randolph morris......actually I meant to put morris in the trade.

Edit: so isiah would have to keep speedy cuz of his contract. Zaza is actually a nice player to have behind curry and zach. Lorenzen Wright needs to be home with his kids and anthony johnson needs an opportunity to get on the open market.

[Edited by - enyspree on 13-11-2007 12:39 PM]

I would enjoy it very much, if Josh Smith were on this team.

Posted by nyk4ever:

Posted by Bippity10:


I am now cleaning the coffee I just spit all over my monitor.

Dont clean it yet!!!! Stephon likes seeing the spit on your monitor.

LOL

a scout for another team wrote a scathing criticism of Smith in SI's b-ball preview. They said he was the worst kind of player because they feel he has very low b-ball IQ, and plays selfishly.