Smith, Hawks grow into contenders

Mike Woodson is the coach and Joe Johnson is the star, but if there is one player who embodies the Atlanta Hawks, it's Josh Smith.

Smith, like his team, has been talented but erratic in recent years. Like the Hawks, Smith could dazzle you with his skill but also leave you scratching your head after an inexplicable mental mistake.

No longer. Smith has matured this season. After five years of trying to prove he was a long-range shooter, Smith has purposefully avoided the three-point line this season (he attempted his first and only triple last week). His turnovers (2.1) are at a four-year low and his assists (4.3) are at a career best.

Not surprisingly, as Smith's game has blossomed, so have the Hawks. Smith's last-second tip-in beat the Rockets last Friday, extended Atlanta's winning streak to seven and prompted Houston's Luis Scola to tell reporters, "Big-time players make those plays."

The Hawks' streak ended Saturday in New Orleans, but they still take the top spot in this week's Power Rankings.

(All stats and records are through Nov. 22.)

NBA Power Rankings

1 - 10	11 - 20	21 - 30