What does Hawks forward Josh Smith have to do to earn an All-Star Game invitation?

Wednesday, Joe Johnson pulled out of the All-Star game with a knee injury and instead of going with his teammate to replace him on the Eastern Conference roster, the NBA will send Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo to Orlando. This is the same Rajon Rondo who was suspended this week for two games for throwing a ball at a referee.

Recently, I spoke with two NBA coaches and promised their anonymity so they could speak freely about Smith. While both coaches said Smith would, without question, make their team better, both do not believe he is an All-Star yet.

 Why?

"He doesn't play hard the entire game," said one Eastern Conference coach. "If you break down an 82-game season, he's an All-Pro for 30, very average for 30 and does not show up to the arena for 20 of them. An 'All-Star' does not do that"

The problem, according to both coaches, is Smith's love affair with the long jumper. 

"He takes long two-pointers, which is the worst shot in the game," said the Eastern coach. "We hope he scores his first two shots, because we know he'll keep shooting from out there." 

The NBA three-point line is at 22 feet in the corners, 23 feet 9 inches at the top of the key.

Long two-pointers are from 20-22 feet and this year Smith has attempted 71 of them, shooting 36 percent.

Of the other All-Star reserves, all of which are picked by Eastern Conference coaches, Luol Deng took 30 shots from between 20-22 feet. Andre Igoudala attempted 22 and Paul Pierce took 10.

Deng, Igoudala and Pierce combined for 62 long-range two-pointers while Smith has taken 71.

"What that tells you is that he is difficult to coach," says one Western Conference coach. 

Mr. Eastern Conference agrees. "He belongs on the block, if he was there he'd score 50."

Another issue with both coaches is Smith's inconsistency.

"Listen," said Mr. Western Conference, "He's a guy you have to pay attention to on the scouting report, but you don't know which one shows up. 'Good' Josh can kill you, 'Bad' Josh becomes our sixth man.  All-Stars don't have that many highs and lows. His highs are unbelievable, but no all-star has his lows. That's why you respect Kevin Love. His bad nights are 16 and 11, his great night are 36 and 17"

The Minnesota Timberwolves forward has scored under 15 points this season once. Smith has scored under 10 nine times.

Last Sunday, Smith scored eight points and grabbed seven reboudns in a loss to Miami. Two games later, he finished with 30 points, 17 rebounds, secen assists, four steals and three blocked shots in a win over Phoenix.

According to Elis Sports Bureau, only one other player since 1973 has reached those levels in all five statistical categories. That player was LeBron James.

"He's one of those guys who whatever stats you put up and you say 'that doesn't surprise me," said Mr. Western Conference. "The greatest ability of the really great players is their dependability, that's a huge separation point with Josh."

It's clear the coaches and the league will not vote him in and with fans only voting for the starters, it's doubtful Smith will ever make it.

Hard to believe, especially when both coaches say, "He has more talent than most of the league."