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
Daniel
May 15th, 2009
9:39 am
How does Speedy’s contract effect the teams financial picture? Are we off the hook yet, or does his final year have any value in trade as an “expiring contract” deal?
Astro Joe
May 15th, 2009
9:39 am
Ray, I don’t know if I am 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’d like to see this nucleus stay together for another year of maturity and health (hopefully). I say add more depth to the roster, get rid of the NBDL elite and get some real vets who know the game and as importantly, know the value of a good locker room. Also, I’ll freely admit that I would be satisfied with a run that is similar to Reggie Miller’s Pacers squad. I think they may have made one Finals appearance, but basically they were a team that won a lot of regular season games and consistently made at least the 2nd round of the playoffs. And they probably did it for like 6-8 years. I’ll take that it a heartbeat. I have no delusions about blowing up the team and winning a title in the next 2-3 years. That would require a HOF type player and those don’t grow on trees (not to mention a tremendous owner). I’d rather see a 6-8 year run of well-played, meaningful basketball games than see us dismantle this team after 2 postseasons and roll the dice.
doc, there seems to be almost universal support for trading one of the 3 starters remaining, either Joe or Josh. By the way, I’d be ALL for trading Mo Evans, especially if it would help bring back Chill.
Daniel
May 15th, 2009
9:41 am
Also, Ariose count me in as one of the guys who doesn’t like stoudemire. I will remember your comments next year when he again does nothing in the league.
Daniel
May 15th, 2009
9:42 am
Also, Sekou any word on the Childress front? Now, would be an interesting time to do a catch up story on him.
HawkKingBibby
May 15th, 2009
9:46 am
SEKOU, I still have concerns on whether Bibby can stay healthy for 3 or 4 years. I have concerns about Marvins back as well. I say try to trade Marvin to the Bucks for Sessions and a draft pick. Then sign RON ARTEST with Bibbys money. We need somebody TO GET IN LEBRONS FACE ON D and send his behind to the floor when he is laughing and clowning WHILE JOE IS IN A WHEELCHIR.
MannyT
May 15th, 2009
9:48 am
Claxton’s contract finally has value this upcoming season as it will expire in the summer of 2010. It will likely have greater value than normal as long as it moves BEFORE LeBron, DWade, Bosh, etc sign extensions. The more names there are in that 2010 free agent class, the better the chance we can move that contract.
Woody showed that he had no role for Claxton. He treated him like Frank Burns. (How’s that for contextual blogging, niremetal.) Speedy made a statement by skipping his final team meeting.
Add that to move to all the free agents and this team could look very different in the fall. I believe that making adjustments to address needs now is critical for the Hawks (versus waiting for honorable mention in the 2010 free agent sweepstakes as most teams will do.) Nothing radical is necessary, but filling key needs for improvement will move us up on the NBA radar.
Sekou, the pro sports math is rarely linear. That’s why fantasy sports are so different from real ones and NBA GMs who trade their best player usually get fired/step down within 2 years.
BWAF
The Truth
May 15th, 2009
10:02 am
It is amazing how many diverse opinions there are about the directions of the Hawks. None of us will admit that our views are primarily based on the playoffs only and not the regular season. We are all a victim of the “What Have You Done for Me Lately” mentality. We have caught amnesia and have forgotten that before we had the playoff we had a regular season. Remember we earned a favorable spot in the playoff because performed well in the regular season.
Despite our 47 wins during the regular season, we struggled with big frontline opponents, quick point guards and, as always, we played with an underutilized bench. These are our weaknesses that must be address this off season:
1) Undersize Frontline Problems – our current frontline consists of Al, Josh and Marvin. In other words, 2 tweeners and 1 conventional SF. To put it another way, 2 PF and 1 conventional SF. ZAZA was the difference maker that helped to address our size problem somewhat. But, since ZAZA is a banger and not a leaper and lack quickness, at times he looked like a slow diesel truck against faster sport cars when matched-up with young agile and more aggressive big centers like Lopez and similar players. Believe it of not, Marvin made our smaller Dysfunctional frontline a more functional unit because of his length at the SF position. He gave us the ability to rebound and defend by committee. If you don’t believe that, checkout his rebounding stats for the year prior to his injury. Look at the Cleveland series and see how problematic a big-line team causes especially with a small and ineffective SF in Mo Evans. Our team is an assembly of specialized parts that only work well as a unit. So, if we trade Marvin for a scoring SF that is smaller, our weaknesses on the frontline will constantly be exposed with Al and Josh. I’m not necessarily promoting Marvin to stay; I’m saying there is a cause and effect for every player that is replaced. For example, a slow and ineffective defender as Bibby could coexist if we added a bigger enforcer at the center position to help better defend on the weak-side. Or, Al, Josh and Marvin could continue to work together as a threesome unit if we upgrade to a faster PG that’s a better one-on-one defender. Either way, we must address the frontline problem regardless of our affection for these players. Remember offense sells tickets but defense wins games.
2) Point Guard Problems – Given Bibby age and acquisition price, in hindsight, our strategy to acquire him must have been short term as AC Law was suppose to be the long term solution. But I think we can all see that it has not unfolded that way. AC Law proneness to injury and reduced PT by Woody have manifested us a problem at the backup PG position. The short term strategy may have worked since we have 47 wins as proof, but the long term strategy needs to be re-worked. It is no way we can pretend that all is well at the PG position. We are at a cross-road and unless Sund takes bold action, our upcoming season will be a disaster from an ill-conceive acquisition or poor planning at our PG position.
Underutilized Bench Problems – This has caused an over-utilization and heavy minutes from our star player Joe Johnson and early injuries to other starters such as AL, Marvin and in even Josh. Our depth deficiencies were apparent in the playoff. If it wasn’t for an underpaid Flip Murray, our scoring production from our bench would have been a joke. The question becomes, is management simply trying to sell tickets and look competitive, or are they really trying to build a team to compete for a championship? In a previous blog, I wrote that the Hawks are in the lower salary group at #22 out of 30 at $68,012,332. The Hawks were 4th seeded in the playoff and they advanced to the second round. Compare that to Cleveland who is rated #3 out of 30 at $91,650,943 and they are the top seed in the playoff and is highly likely to win a championship. You could argue that Hawks are the exception to the rule. Most of time (except for New York), top salary teams finish at the top while lower salary team finishes at the bottom. So unless the ASG gets serious about this team and acquiring real talent for our bench, our playoff plateau has already been reached. CAUTION: THIS PROSPECTIVE ASSUMES WE HAVE A COACH THAT WILL USE THE ACQUIRED TALENT.
N-trigue
May 15th, 2009
10:03 am
Point blank we need to get rid of Marvin, J-Chills contract, our first round draft pick and Mike Bibbby for a PG thats a good player with good D and offensive skills along with a true center that can bang down low and block shots. I would say try to get Jarret Jack or Ramon Sessions for PG and someone like Tyrus Thomas or try trade all of the above to get the first pick in the draft and take Blake Griffin. Could you imagine Blake, Josh, and Al as your frontline with Jarret and Joe in your backcourt…Thats a nice lineup…Sekou I know this might be far fetch but what do you think about that?
cdog
May 15th, 2009
10:05 am
IF RICK SUND HAS A CELL PHONE STUCK IN HIS EAR THIS OFF SEASON AND FAILS TO GET A QUALITY DOMINATING CENTER HE SHOULD BE THE ONE TO GO.ITS HIS FAULT FOR NOT BRINGING IN A CENTER SUCH AS SHAG O’NEIL DURING THIS PAST TRADE DEADLINE FOR THE HAWKS TO GET BETTER.ZSA ZSA IS NOT THE ANSWER. HE WON’T BLOCK SHOTS NOR REBOUND UNLESS THE BALLS COMES STRAIGHT TO HIM. HE IS NOT MOBILE. SUND GET THE PHONE OUT OF YOUR EAR OR GO.
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
10:12 am
samm i feel your passion, but how much do you think that marvin would want? i figure he would want 7mil, same thing that chills wanted and they would not pay him.
i am concerned about the state of the hawks. last year, the only MAJOR move that they made was to re-sign josh after memphis set the bar. then they went and grabbed flip, mo, randolf, othello, and gardner all on the CHEAP. what makes you think that they will do differently this year?
Daniel
May 15th, 2009
10:15 am
Blake Griffin and Tyrus Thomas are PF’s we have plenty of those.
Daniel
May 15th, 2009
10:19 am
ant banks one thing to consider is that losing Bibby’s contract, even if resigned will save us 7 mil or so. Plus, if we can unload Speedy’s expiring contract that gives the team flexibility. Finally, this ASG court case will hopefuly be settled. Either way that it ends up, the ownership will likely sell the Thrashers which should allow the team to spend more. I do agree that this summer it all about Sund and Ownership to exceed expectations like the players and coach did this year.
Sautee
May 15th, 2009
10:22 am
I assume that Woodson WILL be back.
However, I will wait until I KNOW that to be true before any more conjecture from me about offseason changes.
If Woody WERE gone, EVERYTHING CHANGES.
If he’s here, then by God, use those draft picks as trade fodder.
If he’s here, re-sign Bibby.
If he’s here, trade Acie
If he’s here,….oops, I said no conjecture.
Can you tell it’s the offseason?
Big Rak
May 15th, 2009
10:27 am
I see some of you people are over reacting. There is no need to blow the whole team up. The only players we need to keep are Bibby, Joe Johnson, ZaZa, Flip, and either Josh Smith or Al Hofford. Face it people we need a true low post defender to keep other teams out of the paint. You are going to have to loose something to get something. Josh and Hofford play (or should play) the same position. I say trade Al Hofford. Now before you all get too bent out of shape hear me out. What does Hofford actually bring to the table? Rebounding and tough interior defense when he is not out muscled or over powered. What does Josh bring to the table? I know he makes you curse at the T.V. when he stands at the three point line. But if he is the same Josh Smith that I have become to know over the years, he will use this off season to get better and work on what he needs to. You see what Josh has you can’t teach, and that is a desire to be better. He may frustrate us with some of his antics but we love him when he is on his game, doing what he does best. Blocking shots, driving to the hoop, and catching the alley hoop for that Highlight Factory Jam. Yea we love Josh Smith when he is doing all of that. I just want you all to ask yourself. Can Al Hofford be replaced? I think so. What about Josh Smith? I know he can’t and he is from Atlanta. We have to keep him. But we must give up something to get something. Al Hofford for a draft pick plus.
How about this Al Hofford and Ace Law for a top five draft pick this year and maybe Jack Jarret or someone like that. And with the top five pick you select Hasheem Thabeet. With a couple of more minor moves our line up could be Bibby, Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, ZaZa. Then we would have Flip and Jack Jarret and Thabeet coming off the bench. What do you all think?
Daniel
May 15th, 2009
10:30 am
I like the idea of getting Jack, but no way do you trade Horford. His upside is to great. Horford and Acie is WAY too much to give up for a top 5 pick.
JR
May 15th, 2009
10:31 am
We will likely not have a chance to make a blockbuster deal for a star player, so we have to find some competent back-ups and a coach who is able to create a plan and is willingly to work more guys into the rotation.
Cut loose: Woodson, Bibby, Claxton, Evans, Gardner, Hunter, Law and Morris (not even sure some of these guys exist or still have a Hawks jersey)
Keepers: Horford, Johnson, Williams, Smith, Jones, Pachulia, Murray, West
biggest needs: Coach who can coach, Point Guard who can play both ends, Defensive Center.
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
10:34 am
this is the part of the season that i hate the most…waitin’ for the draft, juneish and waitin’ for free agency, july 1st-ish and wonderin’ what my the hawks are goin’ to do.
the jj trade wasn’t finalized ’til late august, same thing with jsmoove from last yr. if history remains true, i will be tormented ’til sept. 1st. AAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!
Daniel
May 15th, 2009
10:35 am
JR- what team that still isn’t playing doesn’t need both of those things?
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
10:38 am
another thing that drives me nuts is reading all of these preposterous trade proposals and who we should pick up.
We are not trading HORFORD NOR JOE JOHNSON. the jj trade is the reason that ASG is in this mess anyway and what makes you think that other teams will give up their best players to take our trash?
Portland is not tradin’ b.roy, lakers are not tradin’ kobe. clev not tradin’ lebron, miami is not tradin’ d. wade. etc. STOP with the foolishness
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
10:43 am
Mike Woodson will not be fired!!! ASG is rollin’ on the cheap!! do you all read the paper or keep up with the hawks? why payoff the rest of woody’s contract then spend top dollar for a “new and improved” coach. nothin’ that ASG has done over the past 4yrs suggest that they would.
you have a cheap coach who has improved the team in every aspect over the past 4 years and 2 playoffs run.
WOODY WON’T BE FIRED!! ASG IS SAVIN’ MONEY!!!!
O'brien
May 15th, 2009
10:46 am
As good as Aaron Brooks is playing, would the Rockets pay Bibby starter money?
Speaking of the Rockets, they are playing without Mutombo, no Yao, and no T-Mac, and they have taken the Lakers and Kobe to 7 games. They’re getting solid contributions from Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes, and very good PG play from Aaron Brooks. The Hawks need bench depth, and we may have to overpay some guys to come here.
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
10:46 am
hawks will be pickin’ about 20th this year, there is NOTHING that we can package to get blake griffin or thabeet, stop it with the foolishness!!! like teams 2-19 are not thinkin’ the same thing.
Tonight's Predictions
May 15th, 2009
10:47 am
http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2009/05/13/no-need-for-snap-decisions/comment-page-2/#comment-12430
I hate to say I told you so, but…
MannyT
May 15th, 2009
10:48 am
One of my favorite movie quotes… I want the truth!You can’t handle the truth!
You nailed it. Now we wait and see what happens next.
BWAF
Big Rak
May 15th, 2009
10:50 am
So JR what are we going to do at the 5? Keep playing Hofford out of position? We need some size. Do you not like Thabeet? He is a true center by the way. And can do everything Hofford can, maybe not right away. But I think he would be a best in the east. Him and Smith protrolling the paint, sick,
Big Rak
May 15th, 2009
10:53 am
Ant banks you don’t think that Al Hofford and Ace law would be enough to get to the top of the draft to crab Thabeet. We could even add our on first round draft pick.
Big Rak
May 15th, 2009
10:54 am
Ant banks you don’t think that Al Hofford and Ace law would be enough to get to the top of the draft to grab Thabeet. We could even add our on first round draft pick.
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
10:54 am
thoughts?
"see-and-be-seen" Atlanta sports "fans"
May 15th, 2009
10:57 am
Did you see that crowd in Houston last night? Wow, fans that actually wear Rockets gear instead of collared shirts and slacks! You know, REAL FANS!! Hawks fans are coming to the games DRESSED TOO CUTE to see their ALL FLASH, NO FINISH basketball team!! RISE UP, ATLANTA!! BUY SOME DAMN HAWKS MERCHANDISE AND WATCH THE GAME LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN!!!
O'brien
May 15th, 2009
10:59 am
Big Rak, at least we already have an idea of what we have in Horford. We dont know how Thabeet will translate to the NBA (he might end up in foul trouble a lot). Plus thats too much for the Hawks to give up.
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
11:01 am
BIG RAK, the hawks mgt is already the laffin’ stock of the league, if they get rid of horford who was 2nd in rookie of the year, next to durant, for an unproven thabeet, stearn would probably take the franchise away. and why would acie law be attractive to any team? they know that he is injury prone, too
I MUS.WRITE
May 15th, 2009
11:04 am
Ariose ….come on man, Salim Stoudamire,Salim Stoudamire??????? Eddie House is what Salim should have been. I wonder why it took 6 months for a team to pick him up after being cut from San Antonio. I guess it was his groing-LOL I’ve had a pulled groing and its about 3weeks recovery……call it what it is nobody wanted his services……Jeez
What has he done in the league?????
Lets stop with the Acie Law man luv…. He just is’nt that good and Woody knows it -if he were he would get more time. He has the tools but not the mindset or hunger.If he is our starter at pg next year thats gonna be painful to watch. What has he done to deserve this love he’s getting…… Not a dam thing __
Sund should make a play for Javeel Mcgee…. This guy is active yung and really long. Offer them Marvin , Resign Flip /ZAZA , let Bibby get his walk on and agressively persue Sessions or Heinrich to start and draft a pg
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
11:04 am
JR, why do you think that ASG will get rid of woody? hawks mgt has NO money!! lack of money and 4 years worth of improvin’ the team is reason enuff to keep woody. HE WILL BE THE COACH OF THE ATLANTA HAWKS DURING THE 09-10 SEASON
jwilli120
May 15th, 2009
11:04 am
ACIE LAW!!!!!!!ACIE LAW!!!!!!ACIE FREAKING LAW SITTING RIGHT THERE WON’T
COST US ALOT OF MONEY HUH BECAUSE HE IS ALREADY UNDER CONTRACT…PLAY ACIE…..PLAY ACIE …..PLAY ACIE THE COURTNEY LEE KID IN ORLANDO IS A ROOKIE AND LOOK HOW HE IS PLAYING. WOODSON NEEDS TO STOP KILLING JJ AND
TRUST SOME OF THE TALENT WE ALREADY HAVE, WE USED THE 11TH PICK ON ACIE
AND NOW WE DO NOTHING WITH HIM AND THEN HE WALKS AFTER NEXT SEASON AND
GOES SOMEWHERE ELSE AND KILLS US EVERYTIME HE PLAYS AGAINST US.PLAY ACIE
OR WE WILL REGRET LETTING HIM WALK AWAY THE KID WAS A BEAST @ TEXAS AM AND A ALL AMERICAN THAT’S WHAT WRONG WITH US. HE CAN SHOOT AND HE CAN DEFEND MOST OF THE YOUNG PG’S IN THE GAME, HE DID IT @ TEXAS AM. HE IS BIG AND QUICK, MIKE WOODSON LOOK UNDER YOUR NOSE YOU MAY FIND LIGHTENING IN A BOTTLE AND QUIT WORRYING ABOUT YOUR JOB, IF YOU DO IT REALLY GOOD
YOU HAVE NO WORRIES. PLAY ACIE LAW….PLAY ACIE LAW….PLAY ACIE LAW
JR
May 15th, 2009
11:05 am
Hey Bg Rak,
Thabeet would be a great choice, if we could get him. I hate moving Williams or Smith (I’m an unashamed TarHeel and love Smith’s finishes), but if we can’t make Williams or Smith the main shooting option (2) to eventually take Johnson’s place then I don’t see how we can keep both of them. Horford has to be the 4 in the longer run.
I MUS.WRITE
May 15th, 2009
11:07 am
Ditto Ant Banks……. We are not getting Blake or Thabeet so lets stop.
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
11:08 am
IMUS, that makes the MOST sense out of most of these blogs!! how much do you think javeel would want? would it be more or less than what marvin would want?
how is mcghee dfense? marvin was pretty good against lebron-the gold standard in offense players
girly boy
May 15th, 2009
11:09 am
Do a three-team trade between the Vancouver Grizzles, the Kansas City Kings, and the Buffalo Braves to get us a center. If Sund pulls this off, I may even buy a ticket in the lower level when the Hawks play the Washington Bullets on February 30th.
JR
May 15th, 2009
11:11 am
ant,
Yeah, I’m resigned to the fact that Woodson will be back, but the man just can’t coach. He has no game plan other than throwing the ball out there and hoping the great one-on-one talents will get the job done. We have no half court “team” offense and we are constantly out of postion (no help) on defense. Woodson may be a great guy, but when you have a such a young team and two of your main guys (Williams and Smith) have one year of college experience between them, someone has to coach them. Labron and Kobe these guys are not.
I MUS.WRITE
May 15th, 2009
11:12 am
DAM It….. Acie was a beast in college -again what has he done to help our team. He was supposed to be improved this year and he looked okay at the beginning of the season but fell off in a hurry. Josh Smith will never be a consistent jump shooter -i dont care who he works with or how many jumpers he takes in the summer. Is he ever going to be an all star??? I dont know but I would be really suprised.
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
11:17 am
JWILLI120, i am in mgt. employees who call in regularly, i look at them differently and don’t respect them. those who fight thru a cold, come to work ready to do battle with me, i look at them diff., respect them more and i treat them diff. too.
acie law, calls in alot. not much diff. between him and craig claxton. woody hates both of them, so do i.
woody is goin’ to ruin acie’s career, jus like he did with salim, because they tried to ruin his career by “callin’ in. “
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
11:21 am
JR,
hawks are the 3rd youngest team in the league. 3rd and despite all of the flaws that you say we have, we still made a 4th seed in a stronger east? we beat clev at home once, beat the lakers, beat utah and denver.
woody is doin’ somethin’. right
the players are hard headed. we heard him on tv durin’ the last clev game tellin’ the players to quit jackin’ three’s but not one of them STOPPED.
kwooden1
May 15th, 2009
11:21 am
Here’s my May take on what the HAWKS could realistically do, with their current salary situation. (even though I don’t really understand the trades and the salary cap)
#1 – Try to get Amare S. – Personally I don’t think it can or will happen but I believe they have to make a strong run
Realistic Plan
1 – Trade Marvin and Speedy for Przybilla – He’s expendable because of Oden, salaries sort of match? and he was near top 10 in rebound this past reg. season.
2 – Let Zaza go and sign Chris Wilcox – I like Zaza’s heart as much as anyone, but having a C/PF that is more athletic coming off the bench would help.
3 – Trade Evans for Klieza – He can play G and F like Evans and shoots just as well. He’s bigger and a better rebounder. The experiment with Evans locking up the opponents best player just didn’t work.
4 – Resign Bibby 15M for 2 years
This is realistic for next year in terms of salary, but they will probably have to dump some the following year. (got to pay Horford) It also gives them balance, rebounding and another scorer off the bench.
GO HAWKS!!!
doc
May 15th, 2009
11:23 am
ohh ray so funny and so true:
“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…”
though it may be universal aj it would mean almost total overhaul if bibby and or marvin or important pieces of zaza and flip are not signed before you do it. by important i mean relevant to the recent past success of 2008-2009.
hope we dont get more nothing for something. that is a theme for the summer. my boy rick now dont get me nothing for something.
nunna yo bizznezz
May 15th, 2009
11:25 am
1st off,where do u knuckle heads get off by calling flip murray a PG????
flip is a SG all the way..
a true point guard will set up the offense,open up his passing game to include all players,and most of all create passing lanes by driving to the lane and dishing the rock off..
flip is a dead zone once joe and bibbs is off the floor,because when they are not in and the ball comes to flip,even if someone else is open he does not pass it off and the ball is just that,DEAD IN FLIPS HAND..its,me,me,me..but thats ok,because he is a shooter/scorer,and i would not have him any other way..
but,its woodsons fault to bring him in handling the rock,which is something he is not ready to do night in and night out!!
2nd,HAWK STR8TALK HIT IT DEAD ON THE HEAD WHEN HE SAID:
I think a trade of Acie and Josh would be in order. Not b/c I think that’s best for the franchise, but b/c it’s apparent that Woodson is from the Larry Brown school (with much less coaching acumen) where he needs a veteran team that can be leaders and already versed what is necessary to win a championship. That’s a tall order for Sund to fulfill in one or two offseasons, but that’s the only way Woodson can be successful. He is not a take any team and utliize their strengths/minimize their weaknesses/groom their young players for a championship type coach.
He is a take what you have and tell them what to do, but not design or show them what to do coach. Plus, he’s coached as if he had to win every game to keep his job (which is probably true) coach. .That’s why Joe was run into the ground and why players aren’t getting development minutes b/c he feels (rightly or wrongly) that he has to win every battle (regular season games) with little regard to winning the war (postseason).
EVERYTHING IS ON POINT!!!!!!!
AND ITS THE SAME REMARKS THAT I MAKE ON MY SPORTS TALK SHOW…
3RD,THE DEVELOPEMENT OF OUR BENCH…
THOMAS GARDNER..
Gardner has a good combination of strength, speed, and athleticism for a SG. He has a pretty solid build and possesses about average athleticism for a SG in the NBA. He is fast in getting up and down the court and also moves well within the halfcourt, where he can change direction quickly to get himself open on offense.
Gardner’s greatest skill is his shooting, especially from long range. He has a high and quick release with range out to the NBA three-point line. He shoots with good, consistent mechanics and is especially accurate when spotting up. He can also shoot it off the dribble and usually maintains good balance in doing so. He responds pretty well to hands in his face and doesn’t let it alter his motion. The majority of his shooting is done from behind the arc, but he can also step in to hit mid-range shots. He can get himself open without the ball by using his speed to lose his defender.
Passing is another of Gardner’s strengths, due to his strong court vision. He has good recognition for when his teammates are open and makes strong, crisp passes to get them the ball.
Defensively, Gardner shows good ability as a perimeter defender. He possesses strong lateral quickness and reaction speed, allowing him to stay in front of his man. He is fundamentally sound with his footwork and technique. He keeps his center of gravity low and his arms extended while moving laterally to stay in front of his man.
thomas gardner who is unknown to hawks fans and most in the nba because of the lack of player developement that woody employs..
and u want to keep this guy as your head coach???
not me..
jwilli120
May 15th, 2009
11:27 am
Listen people you draft a kid with the 11th pick, he come to the organization with high hopes and then the coach does NOTHING with you or your development, the kid then feels like the organization doesn’t
want you so his confidence is shot, everytime he is in a game if he makes a mistake he is taken out and never put back on the floor,what does this to the kid, cp3 made mistakes, derron williams made mistakes,
hell even derrick rose made mistakes but these teams have real coaches
that coach these kids up and look at what turned into MIKE WOODSON needs
to COACH EM UP, let them make mistakes they become better afterwards,
COACH EM UP WOODSON Huh that’s what a real COACH does
I MUS.WRITE
May 15th, 2009
11:30 am
Ant …He is still on a rookie contract so i dont know what it would take as far as the numbers, but that yungn is plenty defensive….Imagine Josh’s jumping ability at 7ft wit a 7′8 wing span. When we played them he put up 18/11 and 3 blocks -also a cupl thunderous dunks over Horford and Smoove -that sold me right there….. Plus he’s a yung kid whos only going to get better. The problem is would woody play the guy- If he came here and outperformed Horford and ZAZA he still probably wouldnt see much time becuz of our Coach….now that i think about it that would happen to any talented yungn coming in……… Lets get a real coach to change the culture around here
ant banks
May 15th, 2009
11:34 am
another disappointin’ or curious thing about ASG, beyond flip and mo evans, the hawks are garbage. why did they pick up randolf morris.
he should be ashamed of bein’ 6-11. all that height and can’t play bball.
I MUS.WRITE
May 15th, 2009
11:39 am
jwill120……. Shyt happens -but is the player able to shake it off and play up to his abilities -in this case no. If AC was a starting Pg he would be staarting or gettin significant minutes. Nevermind the Draft position..he looks scared and timid on the court and most important he doesnt produce when given the opprotunity.
Look at Suckey-a player i wanted in the 07 draft….. Yungn stayed focused and performed when he got playing time nw he’s the future in DTOWN……. ACIE= yunger Anthony Johnson
I MUS.WRITE
May 15th, 2009
11:40 am
STUCKEY>>>