No need for snap decisions
The only thing that rages more than Josh Smith's emotions is his over-the-top talent . The Hawks would be wise to find ways to help channel that emotion in a positive direction.
HAWKSVILLE - Raise your hand if you thought we’d all end up here.
Go ahead, raise it up high. Let the rest of us see you. I need to make sure we count the hands.
Good. Now that the roll call is over, it’s time to get down the serious business that will be retooling this Hawks roster for next season. In case you missed it, nearly half the roster is going to be diving into the free agent waters this summer.
That means there’s a chance that the Hawks team you saw on the floor in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Cleveland will be no more as of July 1, the date the free agent negotiating season kicks off. That also means that the ball switches from Mike Woodson, Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby and Josh Smith’s court to that of Hawks general manager Rick Sund.
And judging by his 30-plus year resume in the league, Sund is well aware that now is not the time for snap decisions. Those are the things, as my guy Jeff Schultz alluded to his in his column from Game 4 of the Cleveland series, that can implode a franchise. Sund needs to do what his predecessor did not after last year’s Game 7 loss to Boston, and that’s take a week or so to decompress from this experience before coming to any conclusions about this team.
(Injuries to both Al Horford and Marvin Williams complicate any postseason studies into their performances, so basically all you can go off of is their healthy regular season work.)
We, on the other hand, don’t have to wait for anything to start making our assessments of what we saw, what we liked and disliked and what we think needs to be done to improve for the future (a wise . We can dive right in, as I know you have been doing for days. So without further ado, here is one thing that can’t wait:
Since he’s the one player Hawks fans ride worse than any other, it’s only fitting that we address Josh Smith first. No fewer than a dozen people came up to me in the minutes after the game to insist that he was the reason the Hawks lost yet another game. He wasn’t locked in on defense, I was told, and he was the one giving up all the big shots, and he let Anderson Varejao work him on the boards the entire series and that’s ultimately what cost the Hawks.
I’ve written it before and I’ll write it again, once again Smith serves as the easy scapegoat for the Hawks’ larger problems (their paper-thin depth, their flawed offensive scheme the wordsmith Mark Bradley nailed in his recent column and their inability to get ball pressure on the ball at the outset of offensive possessions, just to name a few).
In addition to outscoring all the Hawks other starters (26 to 25) in Game 4, Smith led the Hawks in scoring (17.1), rebounds (7.5), blocks (1.5) and steals (1.1, he tied with Flip Murray) in 11 postseason games. He only shot 42 percent from the floor and a putrid 13 percent (2-for-15) from beyond the 3-point line. But he raised his dismal free throw shooting percentage from the regular season up to 72 percent during the playoffs.
The point is, for every deficiency he has (and five years into his career, Smith, like scores of other pros in the same situation, still has plenty) Smith has a matching skill that can’t be overlooked. His mission this summer, forget about the 3-point line and hone the post skills that few teams can deal with. Take a page out of the book of New Orleans Hornets forward David West and come back with a money 16-footer that makes teams pay for leaving you open on the wing.
I place as much of the responsibility for that happening on Smith as I do his employers. There has to be some sort of marriage of philosophies this summer to make sure that he comes back next season a more polished player and one that fulfills his role as the Hawks’ truly most dynamic player.
We’re going to toss Bibby’s name around quite a bit in the coming weeks, so let me start by insisting that you consider what the Hawks looked like before he showed up and then compare that to what they looked like in his 130 games in uniform. It was a different world, folks. So keep that in mind this summer as the Hawks start weighing their point guard possibilities – and they are endless, what with the free agent market, the draft and whatever sign-and-trade possibilities might be out there.
Bibby’s status as an unrestricted free agent means he’ll have suitors other than the Hawks capable of presenting him with the opportunity to play at least three or four more years (Bibby’s been around for 11 years but just made 31 today). “The Hawks can get someone that’s a better defender and better distributor at that position, but I don’t know that they’re going to get a better shot maker or a better fit for their
Hey Hawks, what are you going to do with Mike Bibby?
team,” a scout friend told me via email earlier today when I inquired about his assessment of Bibby’s situation with the Hawks. “There’s not a team in the league that doesn’t need a guy who’s going to knock down the big shots he does. And the funny thing is, for all the talk about his big salary this year ($15 million in the final year of his deal), you know you’re going to get him for half that or even less on this next deal. He’ll actually be a bargain on his next deal, compared to what he was.”
Bibby is and remains the biggest question mark of the Hawks’ free agents. If you keep him, his successor has to be located immediately and then groomed (what the Hawks did the past two years with Acie Law IV was anything but grooming him) to eventually take over the starting job. If you decide against keeping Bibby, you almost guarantee that you’ll have to locate your new starter via some sort of trade. Because there is little to no chance of finding a point guard ready to be pressed into immediate starting service in the June draft, not where the Hawks are picking (deep in the first round at either 19 or 20).
The Hawks could pull a fast one and snag their point guard of the future and Bibby’s immediate replacement all at once. But as an Eastern Conference executive explained to me Tuesday morning, they’ll have to find someone else’s “garbage” (it wasn’t garbage in the sense you might think, he meant a guy that someone deemed expendable) and make him their own – sort of like what Cleveland did with Delonte West, who has blossomed into one of the league’s top young attack guards (a point guard in size but whatever he wants to be because of his tenacity and fearlessness). Guys that fit that mold to me, and I think there are plenty, including former Georgia Tech star Jarrett Jack, Lakers backup Jordan Farmar (he’s under contract for the next two years and under siege by Shannon Brown), Milwaukee’s Ramon Sessions (unrestricted free agent and ready for prime time) and Portland’s Sergio Rodriguez (still under contract for another year but clearly expendable with Steve Blake and Jerryd Bayless on the roster). There are
Might former Georgia Tech star Jarrett Jack be in the Hawks' future plans at point guard? We'll find out this summer.
also veterans like Philly’s Andre Miller (unrestricted), Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich (hefty salary for the next three years but absolutely expendable with Derrick Rose at the helm and Ben Gordon an unrestricted free agent), Charlotte’s Raymond Felton (restricted) and Utah’s Ronnie Price (unrestricted).
Again, the Hawks’ options are limitless, especially when you consider that basically half the players on their own roster are free agents of one form or another. But make no mistake, figuring out what to do at point guard remains the Hawks’ highest priority.
And there are several reasons why – the first being their utter refusal to draft the right point guard year after year during the previous regime. The most important, however, is that point guard play in the NBA has become the equivalent of quarterback play in the NFL. Either you have a veteran hand capable of orchestrating almost any situation, a guy that can make everything run smoothly (Kurt Warner anyone) or you have the young phenom (the Falcons’ Matt Ryan comes to mind) that simply will not be denied. If you get caught between those two extremes, you’re gambling with your team’s future.
If you don’t believe quality point guard play can make the absolute difference between mediocre and championship worthy, you should spend a few minutes reading one of the best stories I’ve read about that very subject (courtesy of Tom Friend of ESPN’s Outside The Lines). Seriously, if you don’t do anything else, read this story from top to bottom to see how the right guy at the most important position on the floor (or field) can make all the difference in the world for a team … sort of like Bibby did for the Hawks the last year and a half.
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624 comments Add your comment
Syd
May 14th, 2009
9:19 am
Before mgmt makes any moves……one name……..Isiah Rider……..and all the crap that ensued
Sam Wetherson
May 14th, 2009
9:20 am
How many of you guys actually watch Hawks games. I keep hearing the trade Marvin, trade Marvin chants. That would probably be the dumbest move we could make this offseason. He is out best defender by far. You guys let that dunks and blocks fool you but the player we need to move is Josh Smith. Marvin is one of the few players in the league that can give Lebron James trouble defensively. He doesn’t do stupid things on the floor and is efficient as hell. He is a good player who is only getting better. Trade him and watch him go to another team and be a star.Josh can’t play SF or PF Josh Smith can’t play man on man defense to save his life. We are either going to charge ahead or fall back into the pack. What games are you guys watching!!!
Syd
May 14th, 2009
9:21 am
Oh and if J. Smith doesn’t improve that jumper……….a shock collar that goes off outside the paint.
asdf2
May 14th, 2009
9:23 am
What about Marc Gasol? We need a center. The boy is going to be a beast, maybe even better than his bro.
Astro Joe
May 14th, 2009
9:27 am
Sekou, I think Hinrich makes around $26M for the next 3 years. Hardly expensive for a PG capable of hitting the open jumper, plays tenacious defense, has playoff experience and is young enough that he isn’t on the downside of his career. And he doesn’t seem to be the type to wilt under pressure.
Steak Shapiro from 790TheZone was able to watch the Hawks’ Draft Room activities the evening when Jarrett Jack was available. Shapiro claims that BK tried multiple times to acquire a later draft pick to get Jack, that he liked him a lot and was disappointed that his attempts to grab him failed. Personally, I’d choose Acie over Jack. And Hinrich, Sessions, Farmar & Bibby over both of them.
Sund has a lot of pieces to work with when you include Childress, David Andersen and Speedy’s expiring contract. If the owners give him a budget to work with, he should be able to get things done.
Egins26Ali
May 14th, 2009
9:29 am
Nice Blog and good commentary.
We need to keep Bibby if we could get him at half the price and groom AC Law. I can’t for the life of me understand why Woody will not play him consistently. We still don’t know what we have in him. I think we definitely need a Big!!!! With a decent defensive playing Big man & Josh at the 3 with Horford at the 4 we are a better team. I like Marvin and he still has great upside, so if we can keep him and make him a 6th man that makes or bench stronger, provided we can keep ZaZa & Flip. I don’t feel that we are that far away and with a better offensive scheme, what we have now and a defensive minded athletic center we could raise some hell next year.
That being said, there is no doubt that Woody needs to grow as a coach & Josh as a player. Get an assistant to run the offense and force Josh to shoot 16 to 20 foot jumpers all offseason. Lastly, Sekou what about Tyson Chandler since they were trying to give him away last year? Better yet, trade Marvin, AC, the rights to Childress & our 1st round pick for Chris Paul & pick up a center!!!!!!
I MUS.WRITE
May 14th, 2009
9:47 am
I dont think it will matter what players we bring in if we’re running the same ol tired offense……Coach Woodson wont be fired even tho i wouldnt object- The ASG desperately needs to bring in an assistant to run the offense.
AC might be a product of Woody’s bogus offense, but in two years time I have seen absolutely no improvement from the guy and im tired of waiting so i say lets cut the cord on him Speedy,Thomas Gardner,and Randolph Morris.
I would like to pick up J.Jack or R.Sessions in the off season -both would be good fits, I would resign bibbz for about 8 mill -He’s doesnt penetrate or play D well but his shooting is really valuable to a team that doesnt play inside out.
Josh Smith…….Do we really beleve he will come around? I dont know -what i do know is -he is still gonna be horrible from 3,argue every call, One man fast break (turnover), Start next season sleep walking- With all that said I would not trade the guy he does to much for our team, but hopefully after 6 yrs in the league he will wake up and take his game even higher. Jumper after jumper Josh 3,000 a day until it becomes second nature.
Hollins from Dallas may be worth a look as well as Tyson Chandler for the Center spot…… Resign Flip and ZAZA
rainman
May 14th, 2009
9:49 am
Hey Sekou, could you give me your opinion on a couple of things?
1. Rank our players as to their trade value — either a straight trade or a sign and trade.
2. How would you like to see our front line reconfigured? Do you agree that Horford should not be the long term starting center? Who would you rather see start at PF – Horford or Josh? Does Josh have the range to start at SF? If we aquired a decent center and resign Marvin, could you see Horford and Josh splitting time at PF with Al getting additional minutes at C and Josh with some minutes at SF?
The PG situation has been discussed at length — I’m just saying, I’d rather be in Chicago’s position with Rose and Noah than the Hawks with Bibby/Law and Horford at 1 and 5.
Astro Joe
May 14th, 2009
9:50 am
doc, we have maybe one more year of organic growth. In the sense that if we did bring back our entire front court and if they each played 78 games, we would surely win another 5-8 games and would have been far more competitive. Marvin was having a terrific year as a defender. Horford was showing signs of a low-post game. Josh’s injury resulted in him losing his all-world impact on the defensive end.
But even if all of those guys are healthy, I truly believe that they are mostly finesse players. The fact that our toughest front-court player is Zaza is something that needs to be addressed, sooner than later. I don’t care if Horford returns with Hakeem-like low post moves, Smith comes back shooting like Larry Bird and Marvin becomes Jamal Mashburn… if all three shrink under adversity then those skills will be meaningless. Isn’t that what they say about the former MVP in Dallas? No one can question his skill set or talent. You’ve gotta have heart. All you really need is heart. I’m not sure that Al, Joe, Josh and Marvin have heart.
I MUS.WRITE
May 14th, 2009
9:51 am
ASDF2….I forgot all about Marc Gasols, I would like to get him in here to play next to AL……….
Daniel
May 14th, 2009
9:53 am
Sekou,
That was a great blog. Keep ‘em coming. I agree that point guard is the most important position on the team, and I like Bibby. I am almost less concerned about the amount of his contract than the length. Three years is the most I would give him, but I am sure he wants four. Three at around 18-20 milion would be ideal. I also really like Jack as an option, Andre Miller is nice, but I bet he will get even more than Bibby. I also love Biedrins from Golden State. I have no idea what it would take to get him though. I would also trade Marvin before Josh, even with Josh’s inconsistency I am scared of Marvin’s injuries.
brad
May 14th, 2009
9:54 am
What about Flip. He was the most important man off the bench game after game. We let Terry go a few seasons ago and now what is he doing? Concentrate on signing Flip and getting a center who gets garbage. We have Joe’s contract next year. It’s something wrong when 3 or 4 defensive players are always trying to get the ball out of Joe’s hand and no one else is making the situation better on a consistency basis. Za Za is the next one we need to sign after Flip. Trade Marvin while he still has value.
Sautee
May 14th, 2009
9:58 am
“And the transition into the future at this position needs to begin in EARNEST. No more waiting around and just letting Bibby do everything for 35 or more mpg. Get somebody in here and groom them. If it’s Law, then let’s get the show on the road. If not, then get somebody else.”
LOL Ray,
Didn’t we say EXACTLY that this time LAST year?
Yes, we did until Woodson came out in an article saying he had done a poor job of getting Acie going. I guess we’ll hear the same thing again soon.
JuniorBridgeman
May 14th, 2009
9:59 am
The problem with the Hawks is that they know that they did not give their best efforts in the Cleveland AND Miami series. The series with Miami shouldnt have taken seven games and I think that drained the energy of the Hawks when they came up to playing Cleveland. Had the Hawks swept the Heat in four games; they would have been fully rested for Cleveland and the guys would have been fresh to destroy the Cavs. Its really unfortunate because I think it is the Hawks who should be playing the winner of the Orlando/Boston series with the roster that they currently have/with NO ADDITIONS TO THE ROSTER. In addition, I think the Hawks have enough players to win the title with their current roster in tact. Thats just my opinion in how I have analyzed the Hawks. If all the players give you maximum effort, the Hawks can complete with anybody in the league. Unfortunately, they will all not give you maximum effort and thereby causes the problem with the Hawks. The problem with the Hawks is there is inconsistency in their effort. Next year, I hope the Hawks suck it up on the road and learn how to be road warriors whether they add players to their roster or not. Some of the players I would like to see them acquire I have chronicled in previous blogs: James Posey, Chris Paul, Antonio McDyess and Ben Gordon to name a few. If the Hawks could acquire some or all of those guys they would have experienced a substantial upgrade to their roster ready to advance to at least the Eastern Conference finals. The Hawks MUST continue to improve because as I said before, if they dont go out and make reckless changes to their roster or snap decisions, the Hawks still currently possess enough talent to win an NBA championship, even with Mike Woodsen as your head coach.
Shannon
May 14th, 2009
10:05 am
Sekou
Why in the world are you not calling for the removal of Woodson? That would solve a lot of problems and anything we say otherwise will not work with him as coach!!!!!!!!
Egins26Ali
May 14th, 2009
10:06 am
I could deal with Gasol. To Astro Joe I also could deal with Hinrich but I disagree about your heart comment. I think Horford is plenty tough and has heart, Joe as well he was just fatigued. Sund needs to make some demands on Woody with respect to player development and bench play. As I aforementioned, we have what we need minus a good center and if we can’t acquire a center then we need a superstar guard who can both penetrate and shoot!!!!!!
Sekou what do you think about giving up all those #1’s for Chris Paul. Although highly unlikely would you or any of you consider it.
LukeMerriman
May 14th, 2009
10:19 am
Directive from Upper Management: Josh Smith needs to be told by his superiors to quit dribbling the basketball downcourt unless he intends to change his position from forward to point guard. Mike Bibby is already assigned with the task of dribbling the ball down court. We could have won game 4 with Cleveland in fourth quarter when we were down by 4 points Josh turned the ball over as he dribbled down court, couldnt decide who to pass the ball to and then coughed it up by turning it over and allowing it to be stolen from him. If we had scored a 3-pointer on that play we are down by 1 point with the momentum clearly shifting in the Hawks direction. Instead, as the ball was stolen the Cavs went down the court and made a 3-pointer so instead of being down by 1 we were trailing by seven and then the game got away from us. WE CAN ALL THANK JOSH SMITH FOR THAT TURN OF EVENTS SINCE HE STILL CONTINUES TO PLAY THE ROLE OF A POINT GUARD, ALTHOUTH HE IS PAID MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BE A FORWARD. I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND WHY HE IS ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
Khao$
May 14th, 2009
10:25 am
Thank you Sekou for being the voice of reason. Most expected us to win the Miami series and then get bounced by Cleveland. That’s exactly what happened (albeit in a more embarrasing way than expected). Still, Josh Smith was hardly the blame for our losses. Had Joe scored his average during the playoffs, maybe we’d have a chance. However, one could argue that Joe didn’t score his average because Woody ran him into the ground during the season. You could blame our showing on Marvin and Al. Or you could say that our bench wasn’t developed enough to take up the slake. Bottom line is, we need to let Sund do his job. Quick snap judgements put this team in a bad place in the past (Smith for Rider). I, for one, don’t want to live through that again. Adjustments to the roster must be made. However, EVERY aspect of this team must be evaluated.
Personally, the only part I think should go is Woody. Yes, the team has improved each year. However, I’d argue you’re supposed to with a starting five filled with first rounders (Joe 10th overall, Josh 17th, Al 3rd, Marvin 2nd, Bibby 2nd (?)). We haven’t had an offense since he got here. Josh is bone headed. But at least parts of his game (post moves studied with Hakeem) have improved. Joe has become an all star (I charge that to having more minutes and the few plays in Woody’s playbook being catered towards him). Bibby shot a higher 3 point percentage (he was clutch before he got with Woody), Marvin acquired a 3 point shot (on his on volition he went back to UNC and worked on it). My arguement is guys have improved. However their improvement doesn’t correlate with Woody’s coaching.
If the Spirit is really in the winning business, this is the year to get him out. He has one year left. Avery Johnson is out there. He’d establish a style of play and make guys play defense (he made Dirk play defense!).
I’d hate to see guys leave the team and thrive with another before we see how they’d perform under and different head coach. If we can’t get him out of here, we need to bring in an “offensive coordinator” (in the same vein as a Tex Winters) that can get this offense rolling. We have good pieces. However, I don’t think the head guy knows how to use them.
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN 1971
May 14th, 2009
10:27 am
HAWKS FANS AND THE WOODY HATERS ALL WE NEED IS TO KEEP EVERYBODY BUT BRING IN ONE LEGIT BIGMAN,LIKE BOSH OR OMARE STOUTMERE AND WE`LL BE OKAY
yetta
May 14th, 2009
10:29 am
Go ahead and trade Josh,HA HA HA! Then watch him on another team(SuperStar) as we have seem so many other players we traded in the pass. Yes, he misses jump shots, but who leads our team in points each game and always plays to win? JOSH SMOOVE!!!!!!!!
yetta
May 14th, 2009
10:31 am
One more thing: we need a big center!!!!!
Keeping It Real
May 14th, 2009
10:31 am
The only thing the Hawks need is to convince Josh Smith to play within his ability and his position. He is not a point guard or a outside small forward that can shoot the rock or slash to the hoop. He is a power forward who needs to post up, set screens for the pick and roll and play strong defense. He is not Labron James. If he does not listen to coach Woodson, he will not listen to anyone. He is a ledgend in his own mind now. If he does not change, then he needs to be sent packing to another team. One man cannot make a complete team unless you are a Wade, Jordan, James, Bryant or Pierce. Josh is neither.
Joshua
May 14th, 2009
10:34 am
Look first you fire Woodson nice assistant horrible head coach. Second try and sign and trade Marvin Williams in a package deal to a team like Portland with Acie Law for say Travis Outlaw and Sergio Rodriguez. You get two starters for one. Draft Derrick Brown Eric Maynor or Gani Lawal but do not draft BJ Mullens or whatever other guy spouts that dirty word POTENTIAL. Find a safe bet free agent like Antonio McDyesse and re sign ZaZa Flip and Mike. Then do what you should’ve last year hire a proven coach like Doug Collins and Avery Johnson . But of course these idiots will draft Mullens with no one to teach him. Let the f/a’s walk and sign d-leaguers to replace them and retain the biggest idiot in coaching. SOMETIMES I HATE BEING A HAWKS FAN.
terrell barron
May 14th, 2009
10:43 am
I disagree on the Bibby thing Sekou, The Hawks coulda locked up the 4th seed in the East this year with a pg like Steve Blake, Aaron Brooks, Anthony Carter, Chris Duhon, Antonio Daniels, Bobby Jackson, Luke Ridnhour, or Earl Watson. These guys are avg. at best pg’s. Thats all I see from Bibby. Avg. I think he’s helped this team, dont get me wrong, but I refuse to give him man-love for being avg. You also forgot to mention who he took over for. HE REPLACED T-LUE AND AJ, for crying out loud. You cant go anywhere but up, after replacing one of those clowns. We better not over pay for an avg pg, when we can get a guy like one of the before mentioned for a few mill. Just my 2 cents. And btw , I agreed with Jeff Schultz, when he said we need to consider moving JJ, not Josh Smith. There’s no telling what a contender would give up to get a guy like Joe. He’s almost 28 years old. How much further can he take us? Just being real. Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson = 40-50 wins, a playoff spot, and a couple of 1st rd series wins. That’s about it fellas. Just think about it for a minute. I like both guys, really I do. Just trying to be honest.
Marcus
May 14th, 2009
10:49 am
Finally, a voice (blog) of reason. Too much knee-jerk/emotional/disappointment-driven commentary andf blogging until yesterday on M. Bradley’s blog.
Are the Hawks flawed? yup, but a sound rational approach needs to be taken vs. the “blow it-up-and-start-over” approach that we read on blogs and probably hear on sports radio.
We do have a short window, as evidenced by past potential risers who had maybe 2-3 years to crack through. Strategic personnel decisions will ultimately determine our fate, not over-reacting to running into the buzzsaw that are the Cleveland Cavaliers.
I think we do need some toughness/vets to perform a similar role to PJ Brown (08 Celtics) and others on past successful teams. Regardless of what we do with Bibby, we need our PG-of-the future, whehter he is already on the bench, currently on someone elses roster or waiting in the wings on draft night.
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
10:51 am
Every one who said ac cant get the job done how do you no base on what woody have never gave him a chance at all and when he do play its only 4min and soon as he make a mistake woody pull him out of the game how can you develop confindence like that you cant.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
terrell barron
May 14th, 2009
10:53 am
And ATL, please stop it with the Josh Smith to the 3 comment. It’s drives me crazy when I hear that. People scream at Philips Arena when he shoots, yet, some of you still believe he should be moved to sf. Wow!
terrell barron
May 14th, 2009
10:55 am
And one more thing ATL,Bibby for 8 mill? No way. Not picking on you man, just disagreeing with about everything you’ve said. lol!
O'brien
May 14th, 2009
10:55 am
Astro Joe, I like Hinrich as well. But he is under contract, and I dont know if we have the pieces to trade with the Bulls. I like Sessions and Jack, and I think they are free agents (Jack is restricted I think).
Does anybody really believe that if the Hawks had a deep bench, that Woody would know how to use them? I’m sorry, but I have no confidence in Woody from a strategic standpoint.
For those who say Salim is a waste of talent, have you guys seen what Eddie House is doing in Boston? His #1 job is to make shots. JJ Reddick’s first 2 years, he did nothing, and he was a lottery pick. Now that VanGundy has given him PT (although his defense is atrocious), he makes shots. When Joe gets double teamed, Salim could hit shots. I agree that he needs to work on his defense, and he needs coaching, but he still has potential to be a good jump shooter and a contributor off the bench. Royel Ivey became a contributor after he left the Hawks, Boris Diaw has played well (in Phoenix and Charlotte). A big reason is Woody and his lack of an offensive system. Players have deficiences, but a good coach can create a system that hides their deficiencies, while accentuating their positives. For example, Josh has no jump shot, so run plays for him in the post (consistently). Bibby is a defensive liability, so stop switching him. Woody has a big influence on these players, and it is mostly negative.
Sekou, how come no mention about Woody being fired or extended?
terrell barron
May 14th, 2009
10:59 am
Bowman, You hit the nail in the coffin at 12:59 a.m. Woody is not the answer.
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
10:59 am
If woody stay one more year it will be a waste and avery johnson will be gone.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
doc
May 14th, 2009
11:01 am
joe, the organic issue is economic and contract dependent and what i was referring to. in past days with less player movement one could play that game longer. my guess is they keep the nucleus of josh al and jj for now. that is all the organic possible unless the economy allows us to sign some of the guys we have become fond of, well most of us. it is going to be fun this summer because the possibilities are from nil to huge. guess we can all have many opinions on that one. my what are the possible combinations and permutations on that? as buzz would say …. on to infinity!
terrell barron
May 14th, 2009
11:04 am
Darrell Starks, Bosh and Josh Smith on the same team? At what positions?
BobPorter
May 14th, 2009
11:08 am
Avery Johnsons agent needs to be called immediately regarding the Hawks head coaching position. From what I can tell, there will be a vacancy there soon when Woodsen either resigns or gets kicked out.
Marcus
May 14th, 2009
11:38 am
Found article on David Andersen
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/David-Andersen-5222/
One question is: whth his skill set, would he bring toughness needed in the front court or is he another Dirk Nowitski?
Is that what the Hawks need?!?!? uhhhhhhhh, not convinced.
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
11:38 am
Terrell barron do want championship or do you want mediocrity i want champion ship and im sure everyone on here want the same.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
david
May 14th, 2009
11:39 am
Start next year with Coach Woodson and Bibby as the point guard for the next two or three years will almost do me in. Everybody’s talking about all these problems. This is all on Woodson’s watch. Get a new coach, a successful experienced coach with different eyes, alot of these problems go away. Johnson and Josh and Horford, Marvin, Flip etc.. can be awesome or can be questioned to co-exist. It’s all about the general.
Sekou Smith
May 14th, 2009
11:45 am
Not my job to call for Woody’s head rainman and anyone else calling for me to do so. That’s the sort of opinion I have to leave to the cats that get paid to do that (Bradley, Schultz). And even if I was allowed to say something on the matter one way or another, do you think it has any impact on what is ultimately done with Woodson? It’s ridiculous.
As far as trade value for the Hawks’ existing players, Joe and Josh are the most valuable because they are the most talented and highest paid. Marvin and Speedy are tied for second because of their good-sized salaries and contract status. You can’t even entertain trading Al because of his value combined with his $4.3 million salary for next season. There’s no need to rank the rest.
A frontcourt that includes Josh and Al is a fantastic start in my book. A bigger body to fill it out works great. But I’d need a guy that is a physical force and shot blocker/intimidator down there as opposed to an offensive-minded big man. If he had some of those skills as well, though, it would be a bonus. It just seems to me the Hawks could sacrifice a scoring option for a true role player, as in someone whose main focus would be doing something other than look for a shot on offense (a la Andy Varejao).
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
11:49 am
Terrell barron this is what i will do 1st bring in a coach who can take this team to another level and i think avery can do that 2nd do what every it take to bring back chill 3rd clear cap space to make a trade for a player who command double team we have only joe who command double team 4th build around joe and josh.
GO HAWWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WhatsUpWithAcie???
May 14th, 2009
11:50 am
Please can anyone say what happened with Acie Law? Mark Bradley sounds like 100% he will be traded. Im really trying to understand this. I know he was hurt. But he played ok to start the year. He even got his shot to start falling the last few games I saw him play. Is it taboo to talk about the real reason of what happened??? Everything and everybody else is talked about. I mean I know there has to be rift somewhere between him and Woodson. But what was it that got it started?? Did they have a fight? Did Acie piss him off?? Did he piss Acie off? WTF happened? No one can say WTF happened.
EJH
May 14th, 2009
11:57 am
Trade for a big? Need a new Point Guard. All of the things that people are saying is because of players you personally do not like. Even saying get rid of Woodson, that is even crazier when the man only has one year left on his contract. You give him the opportunity for one more year with this team and see where it goes. In these financial times why would you want to pay a coach who is fired and not coaching while paying the new coach also, that is stupid, ASG does not have Mark cuban or Paul Allen , or Mickey Arison money in Miami. If Sund is smart he does not mess with this team starting five, but what needs to happen is adding depth and size to the bench. Because the salary cap is going to shrink this year and teams do not have as much money to spend the hawks are one of very few teams in good position to wheel and deal, I said it before, add Wallace and McDyess, bring back Josh Childress, resign flip and Zsa Zsa, and leave the starting five alone.
We watched the Hawks go 31-10 at home and 17-24 on the road. The improvement for next season will be to maintain at home and become a better road team, winning is hostile enviroments, that then pushes you into maturity and over the hump to then becoming a legitimate contender. If your starters play 32 minutes per game and your bench plays 16 minutes per game, that is balance, that is 8 minutes per quarter for starters and 4 per quarter for the bench.
And for all the people who want trade 22 and 23 year old players for 30 year old players is bad business. Have anybody wondered why the lakers are having problems and the nuggets are not, because the lakers have older players and the nuggets have younger players around a veteran point guard who understands and knows how to run a team and win on the road and in the playoffs with young guys. The hawks are young and they just need that veteran guy who can help them get over the top. And by the way there are no dominant bigs in the NBA besides Howard, Yao, Bynum, Illgauskus, Duncan, Oden, try trading for one of those guys, because you are not going to get them so you are better off with what you have and adding those veterans that I spoke of earlier.
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
12:02 pm
First i like horford and marvin but this is bussiness and we want championship trade horford marvin and our 19pick for bosh sign hakim warrick in free agent do what every it take to bring in chill let acie blossom under avery my starting five ACIE, JOE, CHILL, JOSH, BOSH,
bench FLIP, EVANS, HAKIM WARRICK, SOLO, ZAZA.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
MannyT
May 14th, 2009
12:05 pm
Sekou, I love the topic.
We locals need to stop and take a breath or two before firing up the Armchair GM Guided Halucinations, yup AGGH.
I think I am done with local talk radio to hear all those guys talk like they actually paid attention to the Hawks from December to March. I don’t know how many more Judas for Jesus straight up trades I can bear to see/hear knowing that most don’t fit NBA rules even if some GM just wanted to do one before he got fired for being an idiot.
The local spin seems to be that the 2nd best Hawks player in the past 25 years would be lucky to get picked for an AAU game becuase he has had bad games in the playoffs. Funny how he sucks so much the coach tries to get 6 years of minutes from him in a 5 year contract.
I doubt the public will get a straight answer, but I hope Woody gives you a sense of what he wants in a roster (off the record), because it still seems to be a mystery to me. What does Woody want? I cannot imagine another fake starter PG (Royal Ivey). If he really wants Bibby back, I hope he has a plan to guard the opposing PG. If he is ok with Bibby walking, I hope he gets a replacement that he will actually develop. That Billups article was great, but I don’t see that happening here. Maybe it’s my lack of faith in Woody. I doubt Unc would say the same about the BWAF that he did about the Wanderer (aka Larry Brown.)
If we are honest, this level of play is a small notch below the Wilkins hey days when we went to the 2nd round and won some games before we lost the series. With the lack of superstars available, we need to find a grouping of players that are stronger together than as individuals a la the Pistons when Woody was there or the Cavs with Mark Price, Brad Dougherty and the rest. While it may not be Marvin, we will need someone physically similar to him to match up with LeBron, Paul Pierce, etc if we are to compete going forward.
If we get the defensive clogger for a center and a quick PG option that Woody will play, we will be better off next season. While LeBron & D. Howard will be around for awhile, the Celtics will get older really fast in the next few seasons, so we could move up to 3rd best record with the right moves.
…and kudos to the Landlord on joining the world of fatherhood.
BWAF
Shannon
May 14th, 2009
12:26 pm
Do we not list posts if we dare to disagree with someone????
GuntherWilson
May 14th, 2009
12:32 pm
Fire Woodsen and replace himwith Avery Johnson. Trade Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby and Zsa Zsa Pachulia to New Orleans for Chris Paul and James Posey. Acquire free agents Ben Gordon and Antonio McDyess. With those moves you know have the makings and all the ingredients of a powerful world championship team.
ILL-logical
May 14th, 2009
12:33 pm
A modest proposal:
Since all of the Hawks assistants are on 1 year contracts that are about to expire why not replace them with :
1. A guy like Paul Westhal, who would be tasked with the responsibility of creating and operating an offensive scheme that is built upon the strengths of our players and is flexible enough to adapt to counter moves by opposing coaches during the games. And given the authority to implement the changes!
2. Antonio Davis ,who lives in the metro area, would be an excellent choice to develop our bigs both physically and mentally.
3. There is also a guy who lives in the metro area by the name of Julius Winfield Erving III, who may know a little bit more about off court deportment issues than say,Duane Ferrell. IMJS.
There may have to be some roster tweaking-Houston is going to be bibby’s new home in my opinion- however developing the current roster’s skill sets and playing people in their “natural” positions ( Tayshun Prince started at 3 for the world champion Detroit Pistons and noone has ever accussed him of being an outside threat)and having a different leadership style ,ie supportive and encouraging while still demanding accountability will go a long way in the growth of this franchise.
Changes such as these will probably be met with no small amount of resistance from the current incumbant but they represent needed changes that are financially feasible and strategically based. He does have the option of moving on though.
Finally, congratulations to the entire organizations for an outstanding season!
Fred
May 14th, 2009
12:46 pm
Sekou: I generally agree with you about Josh Smith. But, I think it is fair to compare what has happeend with him and his inexplicable penchant for both taking ill-advised three pointers and dribbling the ball up court after a rebound (and invariably committing a turnover as he did once again at a key point in the last game against the Cavs) with a story I read about Big Baby’s game winner against the Celtics in game 5. Big Baby said that Doc Rivers told him he needed to work on that shot and if he came back and proved he could make it, Doc would allow him to take the shot. He did, he was allowed to take it, he took it and won the game. That is what I call coaching a coachable player. Now, either Mike Woodson cannot make that point, cannot command the resepct to demand commpliance, or Josh Smith is a great talent that is not coachable. But, to me, that story about Big Baby and Doc Rivers is the model that must be followed and whichever party to that necessary conversation is not on board needs to either get on board or go.
Large in the Pants
May 14th, 2009
12:50 pm
Fire the coach immediately, and build this team around Josh and Al.
Get rid of everyone else (even Flip and Zaza), and focus on BASKETBALL IQ going forward.
If the Magic lose tonight, make a deal with Satan to get Dwight Howard to play in his hometown.
Beezelbub
May 14th, 2009
12:53 pm
I’ll give you Dwight Howard for the Hawks’ first round draft pick and the soul of Michael Gearon, Jr.
Michael Gearon, Jr.
May 14th, 2009
12:53 pm
I have a soul?