Smith shoots down Wizards By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 04/07/06 Josh Smith wouldn't even attempt a 3-pointer five months ago, when he was still a bit unsure of himself as a shooter. His coaches were even more apprehensive about him taking shots from that distance. When he hit his first 3-pointer Friday night he glanced at the bench and raised his eyebrows. On the second, about a minute later, he bit down on his flaming red mouthpiece, opened wide and smiled at Hawks coach Mike Woodson, who smiled right back and nodded his approval. On his third and final 3-pointer, the game-clincher with 1:35 to play in the Hawks' 114-101 win over the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena, Smith kept his left hand in the air long after the shot went through the net. He acted like he knew all along that the ball was going in, like a player, who despite his age and limited NBA experience, is coming of age at just he right time for the Hawks, winners of two straight. And Friday night's win was their 12th this season over a team with a record .500 or better. "It's just confidence," Smith said. "I took my time to critique my shot and work on it a lot with [Hawks assistant coach Larry Drew] to get my hands on the seams of the ball every time I take a 3-pointer and now when it leaves my hands, it feels pretty good." Pretty good is probably an understatement. Smith has made 25 3-pointers in his last 24 games after not making any in the first 49 games of the season. It's a staggering figure for a player who's already developed a reputation as a menacing shot blocker (Smith ranks sixth in the league with 2.5) and a highlight-reel dunker. Smith, who took a hard fall after blocking a Brendan Haywood layup attempt and attempting to block Haywood's follow, finished one point shy of his career-high 26 points against the Wizards. But his 25 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and two assists were as crucial as any as the Hawks (24-51) inched another step closer to their target goal of 30 wins this season. "Can't nobody be mad at him because he comes in and works on his shot with LD," said Hawks reserve point guard Tyronn Lue, who was equally dangerous with the game on the line Friday night with a 15-footer for a nine-point Hawks lead in between Smith's second and third 3-pointers. "If you're just shooting 3's and you're not working on them, that's a bad shot. He's putting in the work and he's coming around." Smith credited his work with Drew, his improving relationship with Woodson and a snub in the rookie-sophomore game during All-Star Weekend as the wake-up call he needed. "Our relationship is a whole lot better," said Smith, who had some well-publicized dust ups with Woodson during his rookie season. "We're comfortable around each other and we're getting along pretty good." That's where the smile came from after that second 3-pointer. "He's playing unbelievable," said Woodson, whose team survived a 41-point effort from Wizards All-Star Gilbert Arenas. "He's making plays while I sit there and say 'No, no, no,' and then it's a great play. He's playing the right way, though. ... he's playing all around, rebounding, blocking shots and doing all the things needed at that position." 资历来源 http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/hawks/stories/0408hawks.html --

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