Atlanta Hawks: Ranking the 10 Best Individual Performances Thus Far in 2011-2012

The Atlanta Hawks, with an 18-10 record at the time of this publication, have had their fair share of great individual performances, although not a single one ranks among the league-wide top 50 individual performances of the 2011-2012 season thus far. 

Using a purely objective method of evaluating performance, I've come up with the team's 10 best individual games so far. 

You'll see a lot of Josh Smith and a little Joe Johnson in this slideshow. Without Al Horford in the lineup for much of the season, it's been up to them to carry the team. 

Read on for the performances. 

How Were Game Scores Calculated

Calculation

Game Score = PTS + REB + 1.4*AST + STL + 1.4*BLK -.7*TO + FGM + .5*FGM -.8*(FGA-FGM) + .25*FTM - .8*(FTA-FTM)

Where PTS=Points, REB=Rebounds, AST=Assists, STL=Steals, BLK=Blocks, TO=Turnovers, FGM=Field Goals Made, FGA=Field Goal Attempts, FTM=Free Throws Made, FTA=Free Throw Attempts

Explanation

Calculated by ESPN, this stat takes the box score accomplishments of individual players during individual games and makes them all count in weighted fashion. 

Negatives are given for turnovers and missed shots while positives are given for all positive contributions. 

The higher the game score, the better the performance. 

10. 44.1 Game Score by Josh Smith

Date: January 27, 2012

Against: Detroit Pistons

Result: 107-101 Win

Game Stats: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 1 turnover

Shooting Performance: 6-of-16 FGs, 1-of-2 3Ps, 6-of-8 FTs

9. 44.9 Game Score by Josh Smith

Date: January 23, 2012

Against: Milwaukee Bucks 

Result: 97-92 Win 

Game Stats: 19 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 0 turnovers 

Shooting Performance: 7-of-14 FGs, 1-of-1 3Ps, 4-of-5 FTs 

8. 46.6 Game Score by Josh Smith

Date: January 6, 2012

Against: Charlotte Bobcats 

Result: 102-96 Win

Game Stats: 23 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers 

Shooting Performance: 11-of-18 FGs, 0-of-0 3Ps, 1-of-3 FTs 

7. 47.8 Game Score by Joe Johnson

Date: January 31, 2012

Against: Toronto Raptors 

Result: 100-77 Win

Game Stats: 30 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers

Shooting Performance: 13-of-17 FGs, 3-of-5 3Ps, 1-of-1 FTs 

6. 48.3 Game Score by Joe Johnson

Date: January 16, 2012

Against: Toronto Raptors 

Result: 94-82 Win

Game Stats: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 1 turnover

Shooting Performance: 9-of-20 FGs, 3-of-8 3Ps, 6-of-7 FTs

5. 48.9 Game Score by Josh Smith

Date: February 10, 2012

Against: Orlando Magic 

Result: 89-87 Win 

Game Stats: 23 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 steals, 3 blocks, 4 turnovers

Shooting Performance: 9-of-22 FGs, 1-of-2 3Ps, 4-of-6 FTs

4. 51.5 Game Score by Josh Smith

Date: January 16, 2012

Against: Toronto Raptors 

Result: 93-84 Win

Game Stats: 28 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers

Shooting Performance: 13-of-19 FGs, 0-of-0 3Ps, 2-of-4 FTs

3. 52.4 Game Score by Josh Smith

Date: January 12, 2012

Against: Charlotte Bobcats 

Result: 111-81 Win

Game Stats: 30 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 1 turnover

Shooting Performance: 14-of-22 FGs, 0-of-0 3Ps, 2-of-6 FTs

2. 55.9 Game Score by Josh Smith

Date: January 7, 2012

Against: Chicago Bulls 

Result: 109-94 Win

Game Stats: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 6 blocks, 1 turnover

Shooting Performance: 11-of-17 FGs, 1-of-1 3Ps, 2-of-2 FTs

1. 56.5 Game Score by Josh Smith

Date: February 8, 2012

Against: Indiana Pacers 

Result: 97-87 Win

Game Stats: 28 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks, 5 turnovers

Shooting Performance: 11-of-17 FGs, 2-of-2 3Ps, 4-of-6 FTs