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Atlanta Hawks: 25 Best Players To Play For The Hawks

By Phil Watson

May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of t-shirts on the seats prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of t-shirts on the seats prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 27: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against Paul George #24 and David West #21 of the Indiana Pacers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 27, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 27: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against Paul George #24 and David West #21 of the Indiana Pacers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 27, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2004-13. Josh Smith. 23. player. 125. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 17th overall pick from Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 2004 NBA Draft.. PF-SF

McDonald’s All-American Josh Smith declared his intent to turn pro, turning down a commitment to Indiana.

The Atlanta Hawks took the Atlanta-area native, who had played at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., as a high schooler, with the 17th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.

ATL_23_SMITH
ATL_23_SMITH /

An All-Rookie selection in 2004-05, Smith played both forward spots for the Hawks, but settled in at power forward.

He was named All-Defensive in 2009-10 and was second in the NBA in blocks in 2006-07 and 2007-08, third in 2009-10 and fourth in 2005-06.

He left to sign as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons in July 2013.

In nine seasons in Atlanta, Smith averaged 15.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals in 34.1 minutes per game, shooting .465/.283/.654.

Smith was waived by the Pistons in December 2014 and signed four days later with the Houston Rockets.

He joined the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent in July 2015, but was traded back to the Rockets on Jan. 22, 2016.

In 55 games in 2015-16, Smith averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game on .364/.287/.552 shooting.

Smith is 27th in NBA history with 1,713 blocked shots and 24th with an average of 1.9 blocks per game. He remains unsigned for 2016-17.

Next: Devo Did The Grind For More Than A Decade

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