Playoff Time 2013: Josh Smith

The Atlanta Hawks franchise seems to be close to turning the page in regards to Josh Smith But there is still business to take care of in the Playoffs. The whole season people asked the question "What will the Hawks do with Josh Smith". Smith thinks he is a max contract player in terms of money the Hawks think otherwise. They decided to not Trade him at the deadline and keep him for the remainder of the year. Hawks deserves some credit though he didn't cry about not getting traded, shut his mouth and played out the rest of the season hard which is rare among NBA players these days.

Smith had a solid season averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds a game leading the Hawks to the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. He has been this year what he has his whole career and that a guy who can do a lot of things well. If the Hawks are to avoid yet another 1st round exit Smith will have to play Smart efficient basketball which is something he has struggled to do consistently his whole career.

The Hawks 1st round opponent is the Indiana Pacers who many think can get to the Eastern Conference Finals and are the Miami Heat's biggest threat to reaching the NBA Finals. Smith will have to play superb defense and make sure that he spends most of his time on offense down low on the block for the Hawks to even have any remote shot of winning this series.

As the end of the Josh Smith era seems to be ending in Atlanta can he give the highlight factory one more thing to cheer about with an upset over the Indiana Pacers?

The Playoffs being April 20th as Josh Smith and the Atlanta Hawks take on Roy Hibbert and the Indiana Pacers.