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
James
May 14th, 2009
5:31 pm
The hawks should look like this next season.
PG – Ramon Sessions/Johnny Flynn or get Jarrett Jack from Indiana
SG – Joe Johnson/Flip Murray
SF – Richard Jefferson/Grant Hill
PF – Al Horford/Charlie Villanueva
C – Hasheem Thabeet/Rasheed Wallace
Also get Damien Wilkins from Oklahoma City.
Deezanutz
May 14th, 2009
5:32 pm
Slap Josh everytime he attempts a 3 pointer. He needs to focus on his inside game and defense and freethrow shots. Do that and we are good. Any idiot that thinks bibby should go needs to get slapped to. According to that offensive scheme, its bibby all the way. Develop Acie Law all the way also. Murray showed his ass in the playoffs. Anyway, we are set at guards for right now. Get that needed big man, a real center who can grab boards and make free throws!!! asap!!! This will take us to at least a game seven in the second round again. If we can acquire a real team leader then we would be championship material. We need that one go to guy. Damn I wish we had Wade. We need that type of guy who can take over a game. Anyway, 1. Resign bibby, 2. Get a “REAL CENTER” and 3. BRING in an IMPACT player, one who can take over a game and a championship can come to Atlanta….and oh yea slap and Tell Josh to play his role and to not get out of line. I cant help but laugh everytime he attempts a long range shot.
RealSquawk
May 14th, 2009
5:36 pm
Daniel- you are absolutely right about his injury history and I probably should have included it in my thoughts. His injury history is an issue, but I think he just unfortunately had a string of injuries back to back. That does change things though.
Melvin- I didn’t feel like using stats cause I figure most of us know the range of them, but here are them and my thoughts. Before i do that though on Josh’s trade value. What would we miss his weak side shot blocking, which is going to be extremely necessary if we keep Mike Bibby. I am not saying Josh has to go even though thats what i wrote. what i meant to say and i didn’t feel like correcting myself is that trading Josh would could put us in a better situation over trading Joe or Marvin.
NAME GP GS MIN PTS OFF DEF TOT AST STL BLK TO A/TO PF TECH
Josh Smi 69 68 35.1 15.6 1.9 5.3 7.2 2.4 1.36 1.61 2.3 1.05 2.7 0.1
Marvin W 61 59 34.3 13.9 1.8 4.5 6.3 1.3 0.93 0.64 1.1 1.16 2.1 0.0
So yes Josh Smith averages more than Marvin in most categories. And yes josh Smith’s numbers are down across the board. We expect him to have more rebounds because he is a powerforward and on all the other categories he is simply just more apart of the offense. Let Marvin be the second or third option and lets see what his numbers are. And yes Josh SMiths numbers are down across the board.
Deezanutz
May 14th, 2009
5:38 pm
T MAc would be good if he can stay healthy. Too much of an overpaid risk!!!! if he could stay healthy that would be a nice addition though
Deezanutz
May 14th, 2009
5:41 pm
This is an up the blog slap to SILENT ASSASSIN…YOUR COMMENTS ARE NO LONGER NEEDED!!!!! Everybody else is at least being realistic!!!!
ant banks
May 14th, 2009
6:03 pm
while we had a good season compared to previous years’ standards, we won a playoff series inspite of ourselves not because of us. we got lucky to face miami, a one man band.
had we faced philly or chicago, it would have been a very different outcome. we would have lost in the first round and back at square one. please do not confuse our first round series win with success.
Rod from College Park
May 14th, 2009
6:04 pm
RealSquak,
Have you ever considered that Marvin is not more apart of the offense because he does not show enough in the games or practice for the coach, or his teamates to even consider that? While I am not a Woodson fan, I do give him enough credit to realize if he had another guy on his team who had enough offensive talent to take the load off of Bibby and Joe, that he would utilize him. Please don’t bring up the when Joe was hurt he stepped up comment. That was against two of the worse teams in the league. If Marvin was as great as you guys make him out to be, I am sure Joe, Bibby, Josh, Al or Woodson would be calling him out about his lack of production. He is an average to below average NBA small forward, who is easily replaceable, and would not be worth the 5 to 8 or more million dollars a year it would take to resign him.
Jfreak
May 14th, 2009
6:58 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Josh Smith has all the talent in the world but little to no basketball brain to back it up with. I love the guy and would hate to lose the POTENTIAL, but if the right trade can be made I would make it happen. Bibby? NO WAY! We sucked with Josh Smith but with Bibby we are pretty good! Keep Bibby, trade Smith and fire Woody! That’s all folks!
ant banks
May 14th, 2009
7:28 pm
Enter your comments here
Najeh Davenpoop
May 14th, 2009
7:38 pm
I agree with Sekou’s comments, both on LeBron James (the talk of him going to NYC is wishful thinking from ESPN) and the trade value of the Hawks’ current players (you absolutely HAVE to take into account contract status when figuring these things).
Tyger
May 14th, 2009
7:40 pm
Correction
in re. Horford – is burdened at the center position. If he isn’t moved to his natural position of power forward, he will continue to break down.
Jsmoove is only playing PF b/c he doesn’t have all the skills of a SF yet. But he is too small for PF, that’s why his rebounding is so erratic. He can become an elite SF, if he works to develop the skills to match his athleticism.
Re-signing ZaZa is equally important. Where would we be without ZaZa? He has improved every season and accepted his demotion like a man. There is not a better backup center in the NBA than ZaZa. Give him his money and plug him in. That’s the type of consistent core that championship teams have, they keep there good role players.
Bibby is not the answer! Yes, we made the playoffs both seasons he was here, but he had horrible playoffs both seasons as well. He can no longer hold his own against younger PGs. And to pay him upwards of $7M for those one or two desperation 3’s is not wise.
Marvin Williams I like but he’s injury prone and we don’t have a starting spot or salary for him. He will go the way of Chills or be re-signed and moved for a BIG.
The draft cant help us.
The Flash
May 14th, 2009
7:57 pm
Long time no see boys. My views from afar. Enjoyed the Miami series immensely. If you guys didn’t, you’re nuts.
This team needs Josh and his explosiveness.
This team needs JJ, but I don’t like it, and never have. He slows the game down; there is almost never a crispness to the flow when it touches his hands, no matter where he is on the court. I do not like that in a basketball team. But they need him, unless he could help in a deal to land Bosh.
If I were the Hawks owners, except for my boy, I should want to die, but, if I didn’t, and given my luck that is likely, I would make JJ and MW available with whomever to get Bosh. You get Bosh and you got a team for the future.
I like MW alot as a player but he is too injury prone to keep on this team, given that the second strongest player on this team, JJ, plays small.
Another possible source of bigmen is the Wizzards. If they get the one-one, then Songila is almost certainly available and he is a terrifically smart and tough inside player from the 4, who can score the ball off the 16 footer and make the ball move. If they don’t get the kid from Oklahoma, it is likely that they take the big-big, in which case they might well move the UNC center whose name escapes me. They need a shooter at the guard position in case OO don’t come back healthy, and Bibby could be that insurance. Also, if you can’t get Bosh, g
Getting Songila and McGee or whatever his name is would work really well–Songila gives you sure points, a savy and tough front court guy who can really penetrate the defense off the pass, and the kid Mcwhatever can run the court and finish, can block shots, and shows me a lot of variety and pizzaz in the half court game.
Later, guys, it was fun stopping by and listening to the sound of old friends talkin ball. Before I left, thought what the heck, might as well throw my two cents in–watch it Astro!
You guys figure out the rest. JJ is terrific with the ball in his hands which is the good news and bad news. To me, the bad part fits perfectly with the plodding mindset of the team’s coach.
If I’m you guys, I’m not mad at this team’s performance against Cleveland, and I’m hoping to land Bosh.
Ant of EPT
May 14th, 2009
8:00 pm
Good evening everyone I have some thoughts on how to fix our current situation with the Hawks. I prefix all this by saying I’m a Grady baby born and bred in the ATL. I have been a Hawks fan since 1979 and we finally have a good team again. Please lets not screw it up by trading a Hometown star like Josh Smith. Some of his foolishness drives me crazy as well but then I realize he just wants to do the best for the hometown team.Here is my idea to fix the Hawks
Trade Joe,speedy,and sign and trade Marvin to Houston
Hawks get T-Mac,and Ron Artest
Then with #1 draft pick the Hawks take Tyreke Evans from Memphis
We sign Ramon Sessions as a free agent Resign Flip and ZaZa
Josh is not a three and Horford is to slow to guard the 4 position in the NBA. T-Mac is a free agent after next year and Tyreke evans will be ready
Jody
May 14th, 2009
8:11 pm
Sekou,
You make very respectable points regarding the Hawks situation. However, let’s not forget how badly the Hawks got outrebounded in the playoffs and in the regular season. They need SIZE BAD if they’re ever going to contend for anything. The Cavs may have LeBron but, they also have TRUE big men (not undersized) who defend and rebound and that is going to be a HUGE reason why they will win it all this year.
Sekou Smith
May 14th, 2009
8:18 pm
You are correct Jody. They need additional size, not to trade away the size they have for other players of similar size. There are additions that can be made, with so many players on the free agent shopping circuit. And they didn’t get smoked on the glass every night against Miami like they did against Varejao, Ilgauksas, Joe Smith and the boys. The Hawks got nothing from their bench in the way of size, which is where I think they are most deficient. Aside from Zaza’s random outbursts, they don’t have a single bench player that has a track record of rebounding at a high rate. Again, this team’s biggest gains will be in the fortification of its roster as opposed to the banishment of specific assets (and I agree, you’re going to have to trade something, or rather someone, of value to get similar value in return).
Jay
May 14th, 2009
8:25 pm
The question is not whether to trade Josh or Marvin. Josh is the PF and Marvin is the SF. Al Horford’s role will be similar to the one he had at Florida–play a little PF and a little Center. They are at the core of a team that won 47 games and they are only 23 years old. Because their styles are dissimilar, you can keep all three. Just be patient, give them time to mature and the results could be spectacular.
They should re-sign Pachulia, sign one more big man–Nesterovic or Drew Gooden immediately come to mind while Channing Frye or Charlie Villenueva would bring an intriguing skill-set to the team–and give Morris a few minutes each game, hopefully.
On offense, the Hawks have to find a way to get more lay-ups so they can stop liviing, and dying, with the jump-shot. One way is to feed Josh Smith on the block more than just a couple of times per game, even if he misses. Another way is to find an affordable and available big man with a good low-post game. A third way is to have someone, ideally a PG, penetrate and pass to an open teammate when the defense collapses.
Here’s the real question: Is Mike Bibby and/ or Flip Murray the type of Point Guard this team needs? Yes, they are leaders and yes they bring a much needed veteran presence to the team and yes they can be excellent shooters with no conscience and short memories when they miss.
But is being a good shooter the primary attribute you want in a Point Guard? Don’t you want your PG to lead the team in assists? Ideally, don’t you want your PG to create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates? In a perfect world, wouldn’t you want your PG to be such a willing passer of the ball to his teammates that passing becomes contagious? On defense, don’t you want them to stop, or at least slow down, the penetration of the opposing PG’s? Do Bibby or Murray bring that to the table?
I would and that’s why I would not sign either Murray and Bibby to play PG. While I could see re-signing Murray to be a back-up Shooting Guard, I’d rather have Bibby to fill that role but I’m sure he’d be too expensive.
While J. Kidd, Jarrett Jack and Ramon Sessions would be at the top of the PG wish list, stop wishing because Atlanta will not be able to out-bid Dallas, Indiana and Milwaukee, respectively for their services.
However, the right PG is out there-Sekou already mentioned him-and he is available but flying under the radar. He is this year’s Delonte West, a former first-round draft choice who has good size, quickness, a boatload of international experience, an inexpensive contract, and would blossom with a change of scenery-Portland’s Sergio Rodriguez.
Oh, and Speedy Claxton’s expiring contact would have huge value to a team like Oklahoma City who would be willing to part with PG Earl Watson in a trade. The salaries match and Watson, a true PG who has become expendable because OKC drafted Russell Westbrook, has Chucky Atkins to back him up and recently signed Shaun Livingston, would be a good veteran mentor for Acie Law.
PG-Rodriguez, Watson and Law
SG-Johnson, Murray (or Bibby if really lucky), West
SF-Williams, Evans, Gardner
PF-Smith, Hunter
C-Horford, Pachulia, Nesterovic/Gooden/Frye/Villenueva and Morris
Ariose
May 14th, 2009
8:46 pm
Why in the hell are you people calling for Antionio Mcdyess when we need a center? Last time I checked, he’s no bigger or longer than Horford. He’s supposed to help us on the boards how? Real smart guys. He really had an impact on the boards when we were sweeping Detriot during the regular season.
Can some of you reallly put some effort into thinking before posting? I know it’s hard but please try. I know I sound like an @$$ right now but I just don’t think some of you are really being serious with your suggestions.
I we can pick up a center AND Mcdyess for the cheap then fine, BUT Mcdyess is NOT A CENTER ans we still would’ve gotten crushed on the boards by cleveland with him in our lineup……he really didn’t have and impact on the boards against cleveland in their 1st round series. I’m just sayin’….
Jody
May 14th, 2009
8:47 pm
Sekou,
I fully agree. The only question is, will management get the Hawks some size? Looking at Rick Sund’s track record with the Sonics, it appears he values having size up front. Also, I agree completely about Josh Smith. NO WAY I trade him unless it’s some sort of monumental deal that makes the Hawks immediate title contenders. For all his flaws on the floor, the guy really came to play in the playoffs and the numbers back that up.
Sautee
May 14th, 2009
8:50 pm
Tyger,
about this: “Jsmoove is only playing PF b/c he doesn’t have all the skills of a SF yet. But he is too small for PF, that’s why his rebounding is so erratic.”
So I guess you also think that Kenyon Martin (6′ 9″, 240), Antonio McDyess (6′ 9″, 245), and Kurt Thomas (6′ 9″, 235) are also too small to play PF?
Josh doesn’t rebound well because he is poor at blocking out, and rather tries to outjump his opponent. He’s plenty big enough at 6′ 9”, 240 to play the 4.
Flash,
Good to see you at the table, man. C’mon back soon. And I like the Songaila idea.
doc
May 14th, 2009
8:53 pm
jay i could go for that list it is almost doable. watson has long been on the shopping list. like a guy that is big that can step outside and shoot. a guy like that makes al smith less of a liability when we have to go big.
just need to get a real guard rather than a 5 second man in rio. guy has no game besides playing one play at a time that calls for a defender. too small and skill set too limited to be a real threat to become a reliable defensive specialist that stays in the line up.
Ariose
May 14th, 2009
8:58 pm
If I were in front of some of you I would laugh in your faces. YOU WANT TO TRADE JOE JOHNSON? I WANT YOU TO SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE SAYING AND HOW DUMB THAT SOUNDS. MANAGEMNT NEEDS TO GET THAN MAN SOME REAL HELP AND YOU ALL NEED TO STOP BLAMING THAT DUDE.
DUMBEST BLOGGERS OF THE DAY= ANYONE CALLING FOR JJ’S HEAD….IDIOTS…
How about we get a JJ duplicate to releive him sometimes? How about drafting 6′7 SG Demar Derozan out of USC? He also jumps A LOT higher than JJ. Yiou can even play them side by side. The guy really gets after the rim and thats what we need. Obviously i’d draft a PG or a Center ahead of him but Tading the franchise is not a option SMART PEOPLE….
Ariose
May 14th, 2009
9:13 pm
It’s not like your trading Jason Richrdson. Who by the way, got traded for a bag of skittles and a pop-tart….
Answer this question for me. Would the Houston Rockets give us tracy McGrady fo Joe Johnson straight up right now? What about New Jersey Giving up Vince Carter straight up? Orlando giving up Lewis or Hedo Turkoglu(sp?) straight up? Pheonix giving up Richrdson? What abut San Antonio Giving up Ginobili(obvioulsy his age and ankle play a factor in their decision)?
THE POINT IS, there are tons of teams who would give their right arms for that dude. If wecan just ge the man some non-cap friendly help we cauld win possibly more games than his 62 win pheonix team and get farthr than the Confrence finals with him.
Please, stop being stupid……
Ariose
May 14th, 2009
9:17 pm
I would sign Ronnie Price to be our backup PG over any of those guys listed……
Ariose
May 14th, 2009
9:20 pm
…..and if you think this Stoudamire bashing is going un-noticed you’re wrong. When he blows up next season i’ll know exactly who to let have it….I know who you are……I’m storing those comments in my head…
niremetal
May 14th, 2009
9:37 pm
Co-sign 2 of Ariose’s 4 posts. I’ll leave it to you all to figure out which ones
Ant of EPT
May 14th, 2009
9:44 pm
Ariose I am not calling for Joes head I realize that man Do Work. The problem is Woody has put a lot of miles on Joe and I did not like his body language in the playoffs. I think he is tired of carrying the team and I wanted to reward him ( Trade to Houston with Yao not to Memphis)and also improve our team for the future.During the playoffs everytime the ball rotated to Joe it stopped. He complained about not having veterans now he has to make everyone better which is part of being the Superstar. I am sorry for all his gifts Joe does not have that Dog in him. Josh Smith has it but he is not ready for primetime.
Faith
May 14th, 2009
10:05 pm
Noway Bibby rocks he’s just having an off week like we all do, so he maybe a basketball star but he is a reg. person
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
10:07 pm
Ariose i agree with you 100 percent
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
10:09 pm
Sekou there is no way we bring back the same coach or player we have to make changes and it starte with the coach first.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Large Dick
May 14th, 2009
10:14 pm
Firing Woodson and signing a REAL NBA SUPERSTAR is an absolute priority!!
Melvin
May 14th, 2009
10:18 pm
If the Magic get eliminated by the Celtics and they fire their Head Coach. Can we justify not firing Woody if a coach who won more games then him get the AX???????????
Large Dick
May 14th, 2009
10:21 pm
If the Magic fire Van Gundy and hire Woody, then the Hawks won’t have to fire Woody!!
EVERYBODY WINS!!!!!
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
10:23 pm
You build this ream around josh and joe first lets talk about josh have some flawless in his game first he have to work on boxing out on the defense board to many time he is out of position to rebound he have to work on that and be a beast on the board second stop dribbling the ball up court like you magic hand the ball of to your guards that can be corrected third stop shooting 3s keep your a$$ in the post and play above the rim and get some offensive rebound he can be a beast under the right coach.
go hawks!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 14th, 2009
10:33 pm
Rick sund all im saying chris bosh 22points a game 10 rebound a game trade horford and marvin and the 19pick and your starting five should look like this ACIE, JOE, CHILL, JOSH, BOSH bench FLIP, EVANS, HAKIM WARRICK, SOLO, ZAZA.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Egins26Ali
May 14th, 2009
10:33 pm
Jay I am with you about Charlie V. or Channing Frye. We still need a legitimate big but Charlie V. would be great off the bench and I would take him over Marvin. As I mentioned earlier Marvin would be well suited coming off the bench as a 6th man if the hawks can get a true center. A.C. Law needs rotation time with the starting unit. He can penetrate and get east shots for everyone. With Bibby and Law getting close to equal time your getting the best of both worlds from the pg position.
We need another good scorer coming off the bench with Flip(Marvin or Charlie V.) & an athletic defensive minded center.(Tyson Chandler, Marcus Camby type).
Lastly, get an offensive minded assitant coach and hope that Woody will play his bench and trust his asssitants.
Jay
May 14th, 2009
10:39 pm
At the end of his posting, Sekou mentioned an article in ESPN: the magazine written by Tom Friend. Although the article was about Chauncey Billups, it mentioned how significant the mentorship of Sam Mitchell and Terrell Brnadon was in helping Billups and Kevin Garnett become the players they are. Come to think of it, Chris Bosh became a superstar under Mitchell but hasn’t been the same since Toronto fired Mitchell.
If Mitchell could have that kind of impact on Billups, Garnett and Bosh, shouldn’t management look into hiring Mitchell in some capacity to work with and mentor the young guys on the Hawks roster?
Egins26Ali
May 14th, 2009
10:51 pm
I would remind everyone that chemistry is a huge part of any teams success and that’s why I don’t think the nucleus of the team should change. 1 or 2 players are all we need to challenge the elite teams provided we are able to sign our free agents.
The biggest problems the Hawks encountered this year was lack of consistent scoring from anyone other than JJ and consistent rebounding.Why? Because as good as Horford is still an undersized center and although Josh can play pf those 2 had to work to hard to rebound. JJ also had to work too hard to score!!!!!
Charlie V. or Marvin kills 2 birds with 1 stone. Having either one of them as a bench presence along with Flip, ZaZa, Mo and AC is a formidable 2nd unit. Provided we can secure a descent big man.
This my friends is the formula for success without doing much. Bibby should come back because of the great chemistry he has with the others. Yes he is a defensive liability but that’s where AC has to come to play.
Starting 5 (Bibby,JJ,JSmoove,Big Al & Tyson Chandler)
Bench(AC,Flip,Mo,Marvin or Charlie V. & ZaZa)
mykhalc
May 14th, 2009
11:31 pm
whatever the HAWKS do, first and foremost, HAS TO BE to get a REAL LEADER that embraces that role!!! the leader can be a HC that KNOWS how to lead and get the most outta his players…OR…’that’ player that compliments JOE on the court…a 2nd option or a co-1st option. but a player that will not have ANY problem commandin’ the respect of the current players (if they remain).
BIBBY is a great on the court leader but he can’t/doesn’t fire up these cats like they need. JOE just won’t/doesn’t. JOSH…aaahh…maybe one day. AL…probably will one day. MW…another JOE…probably.
to put it simply…this team needs an f’n ALPHA MALE…PERIOD!!!!
and yessir, your last name must be WOODSON!!! and you are CLUELESS!!!LOL
WOODSON’s gotta go…PERIOD!!!!
Rufus1
May 15th, 2009
12:22 am
Please No Bibby or Woodson…47 wins and 2nd round sweep next, is that what we want.
I will not re-instate my season tickets as long as Woodson is the coach.
hawkeye
May 15th, 2009
12:30 am
Bibby is looking to sign with houston. I’m sure he wants to reunite with adelman and he’s aware that rick coaching style fits his skills and RICK KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH HIM. Anyone noticed how much bibby’s offense struggled when adelman was fired? bibby relies on using the pick n roll to create a shot for himself or his teammate. Houston has a roster that can use of him effectively in offense and can hide him in defense with excellent perimeter defenders like battier and artest and yao ming’s shot blocking I’m sure he will be a good fit with houston. I also think that he’s willing to accept the back up role for brooks who’s starting to mold into a good starting pg. Having bibby to mentor him for 3-4 yrs. will be plus for the rockets and having 2 pgs with different skillset will give them the versatility in that position. How i wish we’re in the same situation as the rockets. We’re always in a crisis…we’re always in a rebuilding phase.
Trapper John
May 15th, 2009
12:42 am
I don’t actually have anything to say. Just bored and wanted to see if anyone picks up on the bad pun created by this handle (PS – this is actually niremetal)
Rufus1
May 15th, 2009
1:01 am
If we loose Marvin, that will be 3 of 5 lottery picks he has wasted and AC wasting on the bench. Before we draft a new point guard, remeber AC was better than Aaron Brooks, Rondo and Sessions in college…IT IS About Woody.
Question
Would Chris Paul, Darren Williams, Rondo would they be as good as they are under Woodson?…I do think so. AC has the best basketball skill set of any player we have drafted in the last five years and he is riding the bench. Woodson is coached only for his job and sacrificed the future of this team in the process.
This is what happens when you keep bad employees on your payroll, they cost you money. We now have to spend 8 or 9 mil on a point guard, when that money could have been used to add size and dept(i.e, Bo Outlaw, Drew Gooden, Channing Frye)
We cannot keep Woodson just because he did a good job, if we think someone can do better. The goal of every organization should be greatness. What are you telling the people if we bring woodson back..That 47 wins is OK??? It has been 5 years and 5 lottery picks is to long, it is time for a change.
Ariose
May 15th, 2009
3:49 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXQs4Urk9gA
Murray’s a gangster lol.
BarkingBulldawg
May 15th, 2009
3:53 am
So Sekou, do you even think a major move will be made this offseason? Sounds like you might. And I mean either a trade or a major signing? I feel there is definitely a need to be bold (but not overly bold or stupid) this summer but I just dont really the ASG has the savvy to do what needs to be done…
BarkingBulldawg
May 15th, 2009
3:54 am
oh and from your blog, it sounds like Speedy would be a great asset to trade this offseason!
RealSquawk
May 15th, 2009
6:52 am
I know it sounds great to have Marvin coming off the bench, but that still leaves the small forward spot open. Who do we put there, Josh Smith? Josh Smith is a four moving him to the three would just continue to stunt his growth and his ‘potential’. Are log jam is at power forward and it is perfectly fine to have everyone of them on our team we just need a athletic or skilled 7 footer and guaranteed minutes for Acie LAw.
Really since Josh brings so much energy shouldn’t we bring him off the bench have him block some shots gamble for a steal or two and get some dunks he could come off the bench and play 30 minutes if we needed him to
Sekou Smith
May 15th, 2009
7:27 am
I absolutely think something major has to happen this summer Barkin. I even think a major move or two might be in the works, only because you have to make tweaks to your chemistry to keep climbing.
Everybody is already assigning win totals and ultimatums for next season about what is a legitimate sign of improvement, which can sometimes be faulty logic in the NBA. The Hawks lost (not added) a core player last year in Childress and won 10 more games. So did Flip Murray and Mo Evans win you 10 more games? I don’t think the math works like that. There are so many circumstances that play into this thing it’s crazy.
That’s why I’m convinced the Hawks have to add quality depth from about 8-15 as opposed to blasting apart their first seven guys (when reasonably healthy over 82 games those first seven or eight helped you to a 47-win season folks, you can’t just ignore that). Now free agency is going to force you to make some changes, which is a good thing. What changes you make are up to the GM and his crew to get right.
Big Ray
May 15th, 2009
8:29 am
Some people need to just stop exaggerating. Trading one or two of the top 7 guys on the team is not “blowing it up.”
And as anybody knows, you don’t get something for nothing. But you can get nothing for something. I mean, we DO have Randolph Morris and Speedy Claxton…
I don’t believe that we’ll be doomed if we re-sign Mike Bibby. What I do believe is that we need to spell him with a guy who plays 18 mpg. And that guy, whoever it may be, needs to be a guy who is the yin to Mike’s yang. He has to be a better defender, penetrator, etc. He also needs to be able to confidently run the team when he’s on the floor.
I see us having a hard time without Bibby, but just as hard a time if we keep him as a 33-35mpg point guard who has nobody other than Flip Murray as a backup. I think Law can step into the role described above. However, I’m not opposed to it being somebody else. Look, we either need a fairly young guy who is a stop-gap, or we need to go an get a successor.
Like it or not, Bibby can’t run the joint forever. He’s great to have as a steadying influence, a conscious-less, deadly shooter, and somebody you want on the floor at the end of a game. But sooner or later (try RIGHT NOW), you need somebody who can come in and shoulder the load. Specifically the kind of load that he can’t carry.
It’s funny. Some of the same people who rushed to Mike Woodson’s defense during the season, and insisted that the players were the problem….happen to be the same people clamoring to keep all those same players. I’ll never understand, but I’ll always appreciate a joke when I see one….
I’d be in favor of keeping all of the front 7 or 8 guys on our team (you know, the guys that actually PLAY), but I don’t live in Never Never Land. I think we will see at least one, and more likely two or three of those guys move. Certainly in the top 9. And I think it will prove to be necessary. If we truly want to improve, that is.
I am certain payroll will not be as high next year as it was this year. No more $67 million. Chop off Bibby’s contract, and you’re down to $52 mil. Extend him for $7 mil (roughly half what he’s getting now), and you’re right back up to $59 mil. Now. How much higher payroll is going to go, when $58 or $59 is likely to be the league average next year (or lower), is anybody’s guess. But I don’t see the Hawks spending too much more, unless they think they can contend for a championship.
So you can talk until you’re blue in the face about keeping everybody who is anybody on this team. You want to improve? You gotta spend the dough. Don’t wanna spend so much? Make a trade.
I don’t know what kind of magic beans some of you are imagining, but last time we saw some “tweaks”, we ended up with Flip (good), Mo (won’t miss him if he goes), and guys who don’t or can’t play. Good luck…
Big Ray
May 15th, 2009
8:37 am
Consider also as Sekou says, free agency forces you to make decisions. We’re not guaranteed to keep every free agent. We lost one last year (hey, it was a freak accident, at leas in how it ended, but it freakin’ happened). Had Philadelphia been smarter, we might have lost two.
Like Sekou says, we lost Chill and won 10 more games. While some will no doubt take that right on down the path traveled way too often, I’d counter that we might have won 15 more games WITH him (in addition to the two guys we signed). In fact, add Flip and Mo to a team that retains Childress, and you’re talking about a deeper team than we had, struggling less during the season, and having more punch in the playoffs. But spilled milk is spilled milk.
Again, free agency sometimes means you don’t get to keep everybody. Like it or not. And SOMETIMES, it’s for the better. But you won’t know until the season is over as Kirk would say.
doc
May 15th, 2009
8:40 am
not a bibby hater but like hawk and i agree in whole, houston makes more sense if there is no money involved. their defense is what ours has to become if we can “afford” to have him back and climb higher. besides they have plenty of women there for his stacks samuel. mighty fine and love to show it in the oil state. his stacks may not measure up to oil stacks though. if we manage to bring him back for a 2 yr contract for 5 mil then fine otherwise better fields to sow.
well put sekou, what i been trying to say as well about the chills thing and wins. too many factors including some teams going very far south to start the season and then get disinterested at the end. that in itself can put a fews wins in your pocket just in teams not competing during certain periods.
sund’s summer for sure this year, no more watch and wait when your whole roster has imploded from the top three down. funny only three ar guaranteed of coming back and some folks insist that one of the three has to be traded. that is flat self-defeating, of course i could use stronger words to make a point. if it does it will be soon or late as the picture comes into focus.