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The Atlanta Hawks are proud to call second year forward Josh Smith their own. As a rookie, Smith averaged 9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.95 blocks per game. He ranked #10 in the league in blocks per 48 minutes. Smith also won the Slam Dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend. Towards the end of the season he started putting up some monster games. InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner met with Smith for an exclusive interview at EA Sports' event for the release of NBA Live 06.

InsideHoops.com: Did you get bigger this summer?

Josh Smith: Yeah, I did. I've been in the gym, lifting weights, trying to be able to take that extra bump. And be able to dish it out, too. I think that'll be good for me, putting on a couple of pounds, to be able to take that physical stuff that's there in the league.

InsideHoops.com: What's your weight now?

Josh Smith: 240.

InsideHoops.com: Wow, so you put on a good 15-20 pounds.

Josh Smith: Yeah, 20 pounds. Yup.

InsideHoops.com: Were you working with a particular trainer?

Josh Smith: Yeah, I worked out with Grgurich, from Portland. I worked out from him. He has a little thing in Las Vegas every year. There's a lot of good NBA players that's out there working out. I think I learned a lot from that.

InsideHoops.com: Who were some players you played with this summer?

Josh Smith: Nick Van Exel, James Posey, Antonio McDyess, people like that.

Additional Josh Smith answers to questions asked by various reporters from different outlets:

On if the Hawks are set to make the playoffs:

Josh Smith: I don't know about that yet, but I think we're going to shock some people. We're going to play hard, and we're going to bring it.

On getting to use himself as a player in a video game:

Josh Smith: It was crazy. Last year in (Live) '05, I was like, I'm finally on a basketball game! Because I've been playing EA Sports since I was little. With the Madden games and the Live games. For me to finally play one on '05, I was overwhelmed.

On Dwyane Wade being honored as the cover player for Live '06:

Josh Smith: I think it's real big. I think Dwyane deserves it. He's a tremendous player, to be in his second year last year, to do what he did, led his team, even when Shaq was out... He was only a sophomore last year. That's what people fail to realize. If I was just looking at him and didn't know who he was, I would think he's like six, seven years in the league. I think he deserves it, and I think it's well-earned. I take my hat off to him.

On how many years it'll take Josh Smith to make the cover:

Josh Smith: I don't know, man. Hopefully if I just show my ability, hopefully real soon.

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