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
cp
May 16th, 2009
6:12 pm
Yea I understand that Astro. But from reading his scouting reports he was really disappointing. Plus I don’t know how much development he would get here. He might end up being a decent player but from everything Ive read everyone thought he would be a lot better. Ill copy and paste some weaknesses scouts saw in him. It could be accurate who knows.
WEAKNESSES:
- All-around offensive polish
- Turnover prone
- Ability to put ball on floor
- Advanced post moves
- Commitment to playing defense
- Defensive awareness
- Defensive fundamentals
- Man to man defense
- Off-ball defense
- Basketball IQ
- Doesn’t always play hard
- Experience
- Focus
- Likelihood of reaching potential
- Not ready to contribute immediately
- Questionable intangibles
- Work ethic
- Got by on instincts at college level
- Not productive enough
- Assist to turnover ratio
- Passing skills
- Average rebounder
- Free throw shooting
- Jump-shot
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
6:30 pm
1) Trade Morris and Bring back Solo. He’s a great team guy and rises to the occasion when called upon. I we ever get a REAL Big Man coach in here, Solo has the physical tools to be very good
2)Trade Acie Law to The Dallas Mavericks for Either one of their lottery picks or Gerald Green and cash. This works for Acie since he’s from Dallas. The Mavericks traded away their future and could Redeem themselves with this trade. The Dallas locals Love their Hometown Hero Acie and this is a great chance for him to start fresh. Meanwhile, the Hawks either get a proper Backup for Joe(Gerald Green, who is young…..he might be a free agent though…..i’ll check later) and Cash OR another Draft Pick.
3) OK so were not getting Blake or Hasheem…..every other big man is useless in this draft(Too short…we have enough of those, or just plain sorry). I’d Rather Have Solo than Hansbrough on our squad. So, I say we(IF Flip, Acie, and Bibby are gone……it CAN happen folks) need to drat some PG/SG/Combo Guards. If we trade Acie for a pick, that gives us three picks. Here’s how I would use them:
Trade Speedy, Randolph, and Cash to the Clippers for Chris Kaman. This Works for the Clippers because A)They get rid or Kaman and his big contract B)They get another seven footer back(Randolph) C) They suck so they might end up getting a top three pick and Draft Griffin or Thabeet anyway so that diminishes their need for Kaman even More. D) They drafted that seven footer from Texas A&M last year which, again lessens their need for Kaman.
Now, we have two picks left. IF Johnny Flynn is on the Board you take him. No questions asked. I’ve seen too much evidense that supports his awsomeness. He probably won’t be though. If not, you take Patrick Mills
Who BTW, is the Best/fastest PG in the draft and my personal favorite and he’s being severely overlooked right now, but Johnny’s got more hops and i’d hate for him to blow up somewhere and us have another Chris Paul debacle on our hands. So I Would play it safe and Pick Johnny if he’s there. Besides, there’s the Possibility of Mills being there in the second Round, though I doubt he’ll be available when the Hawks get to pick again.
Next is our final Pick which should be used to secure a Joe Johnson backup. My Candidates are Demar Derozan(We have absolutely NO CHANCE in picking him up) they’re already projecting him in the top 5….no less than top 10…..i’ve seen footage, they’re right on the money too.
Next, are the ones that are likely to be on the Board when we Pick: Wayne Ellington or Gerald Henderson. Henderson is WAY MORE EXPLOSIVE off the dribble than Ellingon. If Ellington is bumped on the way to the basket, he’s going to lay it up. That’s partly due to his suspect ball handling abilities, but they both are 6′5 and they both can catch lobs with ease. Their Vert is about the same, Hendersen just dunks better in traffic. They both have Ball handling problems actually(not very JJ like). Ellington is a WAY BETTER SHOOTER than Gerald Henderson though. It’s not even close, but if his shot isn’t falling, Ellington can’t really offer you much. This one is too clse to call for me either on would be nice so my pick is:
Chase Budinger: He’s got it all the shot, the handle, the ability to finish at the basket and in traffic. He’s big and long. Very athletic but probably doesn’t jump out of the gym like Ellington or Henderson. He is More likely to playsome SF too whick will allow Mo to defend/play the SG position full-time.
Then you re-up on Zaza, Solo, Marvin and try to geteither Bibby or Flip Back here(probably Bibby. Especially if Acie is shipped to Dallas… The combo guards Ellington, Henderson or Budinger combined with Evans can cover for Flips absence). That’s how I would handle this if i’m GM
You all better pray that the Clippers get a top 5 pick. If they do, they’re gonna hold a liquidation-style giveway on a number of thier big men.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
6:37 pm
Somewhere in there I lost a pick lol. We might have to include a pick in the Clipper trade to aquire Kaman(Preferably the one we get for trading Law to Dallas).
I.Mus- I’m still optimistic for Salim because I am a fan. That doesn’t mean I don’t see what you see. I see it. I know as well as anybody what his problem is, I just hope he can fix it and get his career on track because, like I said, i’m a fan of his.
And theres nothing fans love more that taunting and telling someone else to eat crow so, if it happens and he succeeds ou’ll hear me for sure lol. If not, then oh’ well.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
6:48 pm
Guys, Zaza is not gitting a ton of money from anybody lol. In this Economy? Especially when you consider the fact that no one has seen him play outsied of Atlanta the last five years because the national media are Haters.
Also, Blair? DeJuan Blair? Didn’t we just have this talk about McDyess? Sheesh! He’s another Sheldon Williams man. Can barely get of the floor man, Gawd you guys’ sigh.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
6:52 pm
All it takes is the MLE to nab Ariza. I doubt he will want to leave his birthplace/hometown/childhood memories of LA though. It will probably take a guarenteed starting job to pry him away…..wait, doesn’t he start for LA now? Even if he doesn’t, he’ll come off the bench for LA but his ego probably won’t allow him to accept that role in too many other places now though.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
6:57 pm
With Kaman, That Allows Horford and Zaza to both come off the bench. Talk about depth man. There’s now way you get into our paint unless you pay off wooson lol. We would have to set up a toll booth in front of the restricted area line on the court heh!
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
7:04 pm
With that being said(i’m referring to Ariza), If LA doesn’t do what Kobe wants, he will walk so it all depens on number 24.
We might be able to nab Odum though, but he’s too soft for LB23…..next. Ron Ron anybody? Nah…..it’s tough man. Sund better make us better or heads will roll.
I’m willing to protest if anyones with me. First we can riot in front of ASG HQ for them to draft correctly. Then we can riot on July 1st for free agents. We can have clyde set up a T-Shirt booth out front lol.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
7:13 pm
Danny Green is also a good Second Round Option.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
7:22 pm
I think Acie needs a fresh start. It’s clear when he’s on the court that woodson has gotten to his game. A players coash like Carlisle who will allow him to grow and make mistakes is just what he needs. Having his family there to support him as well will do wonders for his confidence. Beside, he always plays really agressive in dallas for the fans there.
I don’t know about Johnny Flynn, But Patrick Mills has played for many different coaches. He will handle woodson’s personality better than Acie did. I also don’t see him folding unders woodys demans to the point where it changes his game(I.E the timidness diplayed by Acie at times). I can’t see Woody overlooking his international credintils either. He really mad CP3 and Dwill look like they were stuck in mud…..I was shocked.
But, like I said, Flynn can dunk on you lol. Whoever is left on the board get’s nabbed IMO….by us of course.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
7:26 pm
Mills is from Austrailia man, so to come over here and handle all of that, you have to be strong mentally. Woody should be a walk in the park for him.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
7:44 pm
For the record, I don’t like Eric Maynor. I’ve seen tape. I don’t think he will succed. He doesn’t have a great first step and he isn’t very athletic for someon ho continually tries to finish in the paint……not even a floater….just luck. That’s the impression I get when I see him play. I also don’t like his shot or handle….but thats just my opinion.
If Bibby stays(We need to bring him Back BTW…more on that later) we need a yin to his yang. Someone who can defend, of phsycal and is fast on offense and defense. A penetrate first type of guard.
Flynn does both evenly at times but is more of a penetrator. Mills….you couldn’t stop him if you tried. he’ll get in the paint whever he wants. He’s Tony Parker with a jumpshot.
On Bibby: I’v been watching som highlights and have had some cool-down time from the season
1) How many Starting HAwks guards have THAT MANY MIXES ON YOUTUBE? The dude is an icon, and for good reason. Do you remeber how we looked befor he got there. It was either get to the paint and get a layup or we’re doomed. The opposition shut down the paint, doubled on JJ and it was Goodnight Hawks.
Bibby made the offense flow so smoothly. We need that guy. He’s a shooting threat and he’s always locked and loaded. Without him wer take a step back. If HE leaves, than WE MUST keep Acie for size/strength and defense alone. Then draft either Flynn or Mills.
If Acie and Bibby both Leave then we have to hold on to Flip. The Chances of us Getting both Flynn AND Mills in the draft is pretty low.
Jeff Teauge needs to stay in college. Right now he’s a 6′2 Point Guard who doesn’t know how to play the position.
Ken Strickland
May 16th, 2009
7:48 pm
There is one other issue that must be determined before deciding what to do about our PG situation. HC MWoodson has a yr remaining on his 2yr contract extension, and it would be foolish to cater to his preference for a PG until we decide whether he deserves another contract extension.
If the SAASG decides to keep him, then Sund should turn this roster over and bring in players he’ll accept and best fits his limited OFF system and preferred style of play. This team, as constructed by former GM BKnight, can’t go any further with Woodson as the HC. Also, if he’s retained, ALaw and SJones should be traded because they’re never going to be allowed to be productive under Woodson. We can also forget drafting a PG considering Woodson’s documented disdane for young PG’s.
Bottomline, if we’re going to keep the basic roster in tact, Woodson should be fired. Young, talented, developing players like JSmith, MWilliams, ALaw, SJones, OHunter and AHorford need a HC that understands the importance of committing the time, effort and energy into developing young talent for the teams long range future. You want a HC that will be more of a mentor than an adversary.
If this franchise isn’t going to do that, they need to make Woodson more comfortable by bringing in all veteran players, which would help lessen his responsibility for developing players and strategy.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
7:51 pm
Also for the Record, I think Przbilla Sucks.
1)We already had him in 2002
2)He can’t shoot
3)he’s just a taller longer verion of Zaza……without all of the offensive fouls and Three second calls of course
4) Likesomeone saidon the blog earlier, Portland Won’t let him go. Oden is too injury prone to trust.
Hey, is Raef Lafrentz Healthy?
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
8:15 pm
…… BJ Mullins sucks too. No need to expllain, it’s all over the internet. OSU fans were NOT happy….
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
8:16 pm
Ken, I agree. We need a real coach. ASAP
ant banks
May 16th, 2009
8:17 pm
go hawks
Hoops
May 16th, 2009
8:28 pm
Everybody has a sure fire way to fix the Hawks. Well here is apossibility that will not be popular, but may be a good option for the Hawks to consider:
1. Resign Flip @ a reasonable price and use him as your backup point and backup 2 player.
2. Resign Bibby @ a reasonable price and move him to the 2 position.
3. Keep Joe and move him to the 3 position.
4. Keep Horford and move him to the 4 position.
5. Resign Zaza @ a reasonable price and use him as your backup 5.
6. Josh Childress is ready to come back. Bring him back.
7. Everybody else will be available to use in trades to improve the team.
I know most of you are saying we can’t trade Josh S. and Marvin. Well you have to give up something to get something. We need a starting point guard that is quicker than Bibby, but we need Bibby’s outside shot. So move Bibby to the 2 and use Marvin and whoever to get a quality point that can defend.
Josh S. is a great player that is too small to play the 4 position and does not shoot well enough outside to play the 3. He will not ever be able to consistently score outside unless he changes his shot. I don’t see that happening. Why not look and see if you can get a starting 5 for him? I feel that there are several teams with a quality 5 man that would be interested in getting Josh S.
This is what we could look like:
1-New point, Flip
2-Bibby, Childress
3-Joe J, Evans
4-Horford, Solo
5-New 5, Zaza
Now, who would be the 1 and the 5? We should be able to get quality players for Josh S. and Marvin! Depending on who you can get in a trade or draft, I think this team will score better, rebound better, and defend better. Now go ahead and shoot me down!!!
The Flash
May 16th, 2009
8:44 pm
No point in getting bosh if you keep Joe, and no way to get Bosh imo without a deal that includes Joe, maybe three-way even. Bosh and Al, with Songalia coming off the bench (I’d ditch the Z man)would be the core that I would go for. I am the same guy who was all over Roym not to mention Farmar and Big Baby, when everyone (but Doc) was hatin on them.
From a financial and talent point of view, if you get Bosh you need to get rid of Joe. With Josh and Al, you have a potent offense/defense/rebounding/passing/transition-playing front court no matter whom you team them with. Thre are several ones that I see in this draft that should be available when the Hawks pick who I see as having big upsides.
If this team got Bosh and let Joe go, I could see MW getting some time at the 4, and might consider one of the marquette guards or Henderson from Duke, maybe even Ellington from Carolina to be groomed for Joe’s place. I much rather be getting the bulk of my points at the rim through Bosh and Al then through Joe and whomever. The former will create the type of inside-out play in the half court that is essential to play championship basketball.
It would, I agree be insane to give up Joe, except in exchange for an inside game, and that to me means Bosh.
LAC
May 16th, 2009
9:06 pm
Movethis nothing boring association team to Billings,Montana….nba basketball… I’d rather watch grass grow !
hawksfan
May 16th, 2009
10:01 pm
Everyone wants the finished product and not invest the time in development.
SOUNDS LIKE COACH WOODSON
O'brien
May 16th, 2009
10:17 pm
Ariose, Kaman is a decent center (when healthy), but I dont see Woody and Sund moving Horford to the bench. I can’t remember which one of our bloggers said it, but I am starting to see their point that if the Hawks have Marvin, Josh and Horford all starting, we will be forever limited (how long do we wait on Josh to be more consistent, or for Horford to develop a consistent post up game). We may have to let one of them go.
Does it matter who we get as PG in the draft? If they make a couple silly mistakes in their first couple minutes, Woody will give them that look, and banish them to the bench. (I am a fan of Acie Law, and I hope he gets a chance somewhere).
I dont think Ariza will come here. But I think we can sign Matt Barnes (from Phoenix) or Jarvis Hayes. Combined with Mo Evans, we should be able to only play JJ 36 minutes per game.
kwooden1
May 16th, 2009
10:19 pm
Ariose, I like your suggestions and the way you think. I hope the Clippers are dumb and get rid of Kaman. I don’t think the ASG is going to want to part with cash, so I think you have to include Marvin and Speedy in a trade. As for Acie for Gerald Green, I like it accept for the fact that we have to draft another guard to replace Acie. Woody will put that newbie on the bench and leave him. We need a guy that Woody trusts with about 20mins a game! O’brien, adding what you said about Jack or Session with Ariose’s trade for Kaman would be a great summer for the HAWKS. This team would look great with Kaman starting, Flip and Jack/Sessions coming off the bench. Woody is staying and doesn’t do player development, we got to get some guys on the bench that have experience.
With those trades above it means that JSmoove is going to have to move to the 3 spot. Even with all that he’s shown at the 4, I believe he’s still a 3 and can improve his jumpshot and handles to do it. Woody has never let him play through his mistakes at the 3 and he’s been forced to play the 4.
Lineup
PG – Mike Bibby
SG – Joe Johnson
SF – Josh Smith
PF – Al Horford
C – Chris Kaman
PG – Sessions/Jack
SG – Flip
SF – Evans (I would trade Evans for Klieza)
PF – Draft Pick (Hansbrough)
C – Solo
GO HAWKS!!
PRESTONI
May 16th, 2009
10:24 pm
Enter your comments hereI’ve been a Long-Time Hawks Fan since their First Game as the St. Louis Hawks, so I have seen it all. To be honest this Current Hawk Team does not thrill me at all and leaves alot to be desired. The best word I can use to describe our Head Coach is COUNTERFEIT–Woodson really has no busy being a Head Coach.
To give him a Pass because he has won more games each season, is like giving Billy Knight a Pass because he Drafted some Players with some ability. The Reality is that the Bar was set Very Low for Woodson to show improvement and even a Five Year Old Kid with a Basketball Magazine could have Drafted equal or better Players than Billy Knight did. The decisions that Billy Knight made were Horrendous and keeping Mike Woodson as Head Coach would be a willingness to settle for Mediocrity and another Wasted Year. I think the Hawks are closer to being a Draft Lottery Team than to being a Top Ten Team. So taking a chance in making a Major Move or Getting a New Coach is really not a Major Risk. If Ownership is really serious about Winning, what do you really have to lose???
kwooden1
May 16th, 2009
10:31 pm
Ariose, I’m a Maryland U guy so I’ve seen a lot of Henderson, Wayne E and Tyler H. NC won this year because of Ty Lawson period! Ellington got all his looks because of Lawson and Hansbrough’s offensive rebounding. Henderson on the other hand, if he misses his first 2 jump shots he becomes a cry baby. Besides he hates contact! I think Hansbrough is a good pick for the HAWKS that late in the draft. Hansbrough is going to get a lot of his shots blocked in the NBA, but it doesn’t matter because he doesn’t care, he just keeps going. His energy along, will get him 5-6 rebounds game. The issues with the HAWKS is their slow/non-existent offensive, which he won’t be use to.
GO HAWKS!
Big Ray
May 16th, 2009
10:35 pm
I.MUS,
McGee is a young player with obvious talent. I don’t see Washington biting on that. Not with him being on a rookie contract and all. That’s one of the main differences between him and guys like Chandler. Chandler already has a contract at market value, is injury prone, and his team needs to offload the contract for financial relief. Washington is most likely in better shape than New Orleans.
As for us being able or unable to get good guys in the post (such as Chandler, when healthy), it’s not that we can’t. It’s that we don’t. This past year, we doled all our extra money out to Bibby…all of our “additions” came about as cheap as they could possibly be. We got one guy who was headed to Russia, another who got snubbed by the Warriors, one of the Bulls’ castoffs, a New York reject, and undrafted rookie, etc. Like I said, the issue isn’t necessarily about “can’t”…
Astro Joe,
I remember the last time we drafted a guy to do our rebounding for us…As for Blair, how many rebounds could he possibly get from the bench? I’m sure he could set a record for number of out-of-bounds balls caught….I’m just saying, he better be a hell of a player, or he won’t get past the incumbent bench warmers that have shown they know how to rebound already (but don’t play often, or very little when they do see the floor), in Solo and Hunter.
Good news, though: I’m sure he will beat out RandMo.
O’Brien,
I tend to feel that way, too. Why keep a draft pick when we’re already young, and we have young players that don’t play NOW? At the same time, we can’t go on trading draft picks forever, either…
The thing to do is make sure Woody is involved in the process, but don’t let him call all the shots. Coaches aren’t hired to evaluate talent, or they’d be working in the scouting department. They’re here to develop and guide the talent they are given. Now if you have a coach that employs a system that really works, and has proven that he can win with a variety of talents, then he should probably have more input/involvement than the average. But again, a guy’s ability to gain and maintain the respect of the players he is coaching, along with the ability to maximize their talent and get them to mesh on the court, is far more important and accurate in the job description of coach, than deciding who the team should take in the draft.
…so on the other hand, maybe we should think twice about throwing our draft picks away. Maybe. Depends on what we can use it or them to get.
Big Ray
May 16th, 2009
10:42 pm
O’brien,
I think we’re getting a lot of “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” situations with guys like Horford. It’s clear what a guy like Josh needs to do. He gets the ball often enough, as we’ve seen.
But Horford? Again, is it that his post skills aren’t nearly refined enough (i.e., it’s his fault), that we don’t get the ball to him for scoring? Or is it that we don’t get the ball to him enough for scoring, so he doesn’t get a chance to do much anyway? I mean, unlike Josh, Al doesn’t make very many bad decisions on the court.
How many times have we seen him go 3-4 or 5-8 from the floor enroute to 8-10 points in the first half, along with 6 or 7 rebounds? And then like clockwork, he gets maybe 3 shot attempts in the second half and finishes with 10 points and 14 rebounds. We ALWAYS go away from him when he’s doing well. Then we wonder why we don’t have a “solid post threat.” Heh. You know as well as I do, why.
Let’s not even get into him playing undersized at the position…
Big Ray
May 16th, 2009
10:44 pm
LAC,
“Movethis nothing boring association team to Billings,Montana….nba basketball… I’d rather watch grass grow !”
Yet, you show up on a basketball blog. Thank God for idiots. Otherwise, the rest of us wouldn’t know what smart was…
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
10:45 pm
kwooden1, Which is why eventually got around to chosing Chase Budinger lol. Hansbrough will be there in the second round. Al Horford is pretty much a Carbon Copy though. I think Al has a better Jumpshot though. We need length. I don’t beleive Hansbrough can rebound like that in the NBA. We got killed by varejeao and Ilgauskas, What can tyler do? they are both 7+ feet tall. No better than Josh or Horford could do.
I just don’t think getting another PF for the hell of it(We need a center) is the right answer when we have other needs that can be attended to. Specifically, finding a backup(Chase Budinger) that can give Joe 12-18 minutes of rest every night.
Besides, Solo is better and costs less. What I mean is, as far as the NBA is concerned, I beleive solo has more potentian and a higher ceiling than Hansbrough, and when given the oppoutunity, he has delivred.
Big Ray
May 16th, 2009
10:49 pm
Hoops,
Move Bibby to the 2, where defense will get even more difficult, and he will have trouble shooting over even taller/longer-armed players? Brilliant!
The Flash,
Long time no see. Very interesting and compelling argument. You will of course, be burned in effigy by three fourths of the blog for suggesting such heresy.
No one expects the blog inquisition!
Big Ray
May 16th, 2009
11:02 pm
Kwooden1,
Sund said early on that he thought player development was important, and that this was one of the things he would be evaluating as far as Woodson and his staff. I wonder precisely what standard he has set as far as that is concerned, and whether he will hold the coaching staff responsible for it.
Here’s the thing: improving player development doesn’t necessarily have to mean putting his thumb down on Woody all the time. It could very well mean adding (and maybe some subtracting, too) on his staff. If this isn’t a strong point for Woody (don’t laugh), then get someone in here who is better at it, and take the pressure off of the guy. No head coach “does it all” in this league. And the staff of assistants is there for a reason. And if some of them aren’t doing the job, then can ‘em. At the same time, Woody has to trust his staff to do their jobs, and not be a control freak. Whether or not this happens is anybody’s guess…
Ariose,
If Pryzbilla sucked, the Blazers would be looking to land a new guy. He doesn’t. We had him in 2002 and were stupid enough to cut him loose. We also had Rasheed, but I’m not going to go there. We even let Al Harrington walk, and the answer was “cap space!”….which we spent on Speedy. Heh.
Okay, fast forward to the Sund era…and NO, LaFrentz is not healthy. Come on, did you really have to ask that? That’s like asking is Ron Artest going to win the Sportsmanship of the Year award…
Big Ray
May 16th, 2009
11:05 pm
Ariose,
Chase Budinger? Backing up Joe Johnson? For 12-18 minutes a night? Man, you must be kidding! How do you expect Joe to get his 40 minutes a game like that? Are you crazy?! heh heh heh
No rookie is backing up Joe Johnson, bro’. You know this. Anybody backing up Joe better have a different name: first name veteran, last name guard.
ant banks
May 16th, 2009
11:14 pm
i liked the old blog format better. i have to type a bogas message to get to the MOST recent comments
ant banks
May 16th, 2009
11:16 pm
again
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
11:16 pm
The clippers will need speedy because B-Diddy is Injury prone and Eric Gordon is a shooting Guard….at least that’s where Dunleavy decided o play him last season. If the Clips wanna get stingy we can throw in one of the many rights to one of our players of drafts past(Chills/Anderson/Ankyol). Their not stupis but whts the point of having 6-8 Seven footers on your roster? Half of them getting paid big bucks too…
Ray, Flash has a sound arguement but I disagree, which is why I didn’t respond……it’s still crazy to trade JJ…..I could see if we weren’t 4th in the East and didn’t go to the second round or didn’t win 47 games…
What has Bosh done to be desrving of such a trade. He’s had like one winning season in the past five years. He’s had more weapons than us and still been unable to get the job done. In short, JJ has carried his team further, longer and better with less talent(until this year).
Also i’m tired of hearing people say “Someone has to go” WTF???? Seriously? What are ou talking about? We barely play seven guys on a given night and you want to ship someone out instead of letting Guys like Horford and Zaza(with their post games clearly not as effective as Josh’s) come off the bench, which would give us championchip caliber depth and give Horford a Chance to Develop his game more under-the Radar? What bench Big do you know of in this leauge that could match a Horford coming off the Bench? Last time I checked teams that had won chapionchips had campoinchip-caliber depth…..Just sayin’
Also, Josh CAN PLAY THE SF POSITION. PERIOD. What’s worng with overmating your opposition athletically on the defensive end and then demoralizing them buy pounding overmatched opposing SFG’s in the post with an array oof Acrobatic spinning hook shots and Crowd pleasing dunks? LeBron does it every night. Theres NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, but I guess some of you like rooting for an inflexible bottome-feeding team.
Some People in LA don’t Like Odum playing SF some don’t like him playing PF. At the end of the day all that matters is the W. I’m sure Lebron Won’t like seeing a healthy Marvin and Then Josh Smith on him as well….amd THE JJ on certain occasions. BTW how many SF/PF tweenrs did LA have at one point? Walton, Odum, Ariza, Radmonovic, Gasol……didn’t seem to bother them one bit…..nope.
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
11:25 pm
Oh come on now Ray. I gave Przzy a comlement too. I sad he was zaza without the three second calls lol.
We also had Terry, Stephen Jackson, and Gary Paton……I think I need to go throw up
Ray, you KNOW i’m all for signing Ben Gordon….but I was trying to be Budget-friendly…..a little. I can’t help it if I love the youngsters(Nobody better go there lol…..you sick Hawk fans hehehehe)
kwooden1
May 16th, 2009
11:27 pm
Big Ray, I would love to believe that Woody listens to anyone besides himself, but I don’t. We’ve seen know development in Woody’s tenure and I don’t expect any this summer. Bibby makes mistakes stays on the court, maybe Flip comes in. Flip makes mistakes back comes Bibby????? Acie makes a mistakes back to the bench!! Woody’s of the mindset to let his veterans play the game and bench players practice!! I think Woody would love to have J. Jack and Kaman/Pryzbilla.
Ariose, Pryzbilla was 12th in rebounding this season but did it in only 23.8 mins/per, that makes him one of the most efficient rebounders in the league. Stats are what Stats are, doesn’t me he will do it on the HAWKS. But, Sucks maybe??? what we need is rebounding. Anyways, looking at Portland again, I don’t think their going to part with him, Oden is to injury prone.
GO HAWKS!!
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
11:36 pm
I hear Calos Delfino is coming back stateside for next season……something about not getting paid his money over there in Russia Hehehehe, go figure.
Also his former Raptor teammate Antony parker is an Unrestricted Free Agent. He would defently give JJ 18 minutes of rest. Thoughts?
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
11:39 pm
kwooden1 and Ray, my bad. My opinion was soley base on his offensive game, Which is very important I beleive to the Hawks because we need some really solid inside scoring going forward. From a defensive and Rebounding standpoint the guy is awsome.
Big Ray
May 16th, 2009
11:42 pm
Ariose,
Since I can’t resist a good debate, how many winning seasons has Joe Johnson had since he left Phoenix? Precisely.
What I think Flash is saying is that Bosh brings what Joe brings: a top scorer for the team. He’s thinking conceptually. As he said, Bosh gives you just as many points (actually, more) closer to the rim. He gets the ball and faces a double team, he can pass it out to shooters. Shooters aren’t as hard to come by. Bosh gives you fiery, consistent play. He gives you 23 points, 10 boards, and 49% shooting. And you don’t have to run the ENTIRE offense through him.
Conversely, Joe gives 21 points, 5 boards, 6 assists per game. He’s older, and starting to show a bit of wear (or do you think that subpar playoff performance was because he just didn’t care). He has to pound the heck out of the ball, then pass somewhere else (rarely inside) when the inevitable double team comes.
Am I saying Bosh is better? Nope. I’m saying that Flash is suggesting that we change the focus of our offense from outside to inside. That’s all. And his argument is sound. But debatable. I’d truly rather have BOTH guys, and I think they could co-exist just fine (Don’t Pierce, Garnett, and Allen?).
As for Przzy and the rest of the guys…I just like to pick with ya every now and then…
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
11:50 pm
“Okay, fast forward to the Sund era…and NO, LaFrentz is not healthy. Come on, did you really have to ask that? That’s like asking is Ron Artest going to win the Sportsmanship of the Year award…”
As far as the draft goes. If i’m Sund, I want guys like budinger to be AT LEAST the 12-15th men on our roster because JJ is 27. IF Bibby comes back, he’s 30. We need talented insurance policies because Woody’s heralded vets have tons of mileage. And Woody probably won’t be here after next year…
Coutney Lee, George Hill, Aaron Brooks, Rodney Stuckey….thats all i’m Sayin’
LMFAO!
Ariose
May 16th, 2009
11:58 pm
I was laughing at your quote ray, I don’t know how my abbreviations got down there at the bottom heh.
I see where flash is coming from. I just meant tha if we swap them, we are still in the same position we’re currently in. Good but not great. Only one star player and STILL no center.
As far as them playing together. HELL Yeah, I’m pretty sure I ranted about that a few moths back too.
Big Ray
May 17th, 2009
12:15 am
Ariose,
Actually, I don’t quite agree that Bosh has had better weapons in Toronto than we have. He’s had Calderon and Ford, Bargnani’s a keeper. But J. O’Neal let them down (can’t stay healthy OR motivated), and Shawn Marion got there late. Who else on their roster is worth a mention, even?
And I’ll also say this about Bosh: he came up big in the playoffs both years that Toronto made it with him there. 17.5 ppg, 9 rpg, and 2.5 apg in ‘06-’07. 24 ppg, 9 rpg, and 3.6 apg in ‘07-’08. That second one was with playing 40 mpg, shooting 47% from the field, and 83% from the line.
Joe had 20 points 4 boards, and 4 assists per game in last year’s playoffs. This year’s playoffs, he wasn’t even the top player on this team. Just sayin’.
Bosh is no joke. I’d love to have him here in addition to Joe. But it’s hard to argue against The Flash when he’s talking about changing the star power from one area on the court to another. Especially since Joe is not the leader that so many want. Taken in that context, his argument makes plenty of sense. And I hear what he’s saying about it having to be one or the other. Tough call.
I’m sure Niremetal will weigh in on this, and I’m doubly sure which direction he’s going to rush…I mean lean…
Big Ray
May 17th, 2009
12:18 am
“And Woody probably won’t be here after next year…”
Okay, now that literally changes EVERYTHING. I was clearly thinking along the lines of Woody being here for the long haul. Of course, that isn’t what I’m throwing into the wishing well. I’ve made no secret that I don’t love the guy, and to do so would be to outright lie. Guess I’ll settle for “hater” rather than “liar” if I’m to be called names, lol…
Big Ray
May 17th, 2009
12:20 am
“kwooden1 and Ray, my bad. My opinion was soley base on his offensive game, Which is very important I beleive to the Hawks because we need some really solid inside scoring going forward. From a defensive and Rebounding standpoint the guy is awsome.”
Okay, you lost me for a second. Who we talking about? And don’t apologize, your opinion is as good as mine…you know that..
Big Ray
May 17th, 2009
12:23 am
Oh, Pryzbilla. Sorry, slowing down over here…
Yeah, he’s no offensive juggernaut, that’s true. But bringing a guy like him in allows us to move Horford to the 4, where I believe he can upgrade his offensive output and capability. That, and we would still be using the SG, SF, and probably the PG spot for offense. A rugged center could get his points off of dump passes (for dunks and layups) and putbacks.
Part of the problem with Horford is that’s about ALL we’re using him for, since he’s our most rugged guy down low. Zaza being the only other one.
Ariose
May 17th, 2009
12:23 am
OK,OK Revised Edition:
1st string 2nd string 3rd string 4th string
Bibby Flip Acie
Joe Delfino Mo Evans Ellington/Hnderson/Hansbrough/Danny
Marvin Anthony Parker Budinger
Josh Horford Solo
Kaman Zaza
That should make everyone happy lol. Parker and Delfino won’t cost much and they’re vets. I STILL say it would be unwise to pass up the strongest PG crop since 2005 but Woody his here…..
I’ll say this, if Sund drafts another PG, it means Woody is out the door after this season. Like Ken Stricland(propane) said,woody nad young players just don’t mix.
Ariose
May 17th, 2009
12:59 am
Ray,
Yeah Bosh has really been dealt a bad hand or somethin’. He plays with so much heart, it sucks to see that team struggle like that. Bosh has become that vocal leader up there in toronto, that’s exatly what we need. But giving up Joe…..it’s just tough. But I think there are way more elite PF’s than there are elite SG’s. Even though Bosh has shown up in the playoffs BIG TIME. His 40pt explosion against D Howard last year was a classic. That’s one scenario i’d be happy to NOT be in the GM chair for.
On Woody, If i’m Sund I’d HATE shaping my roster for that idio-erm I mean that guy. Talent is talent im sick of hearing his dribble about veteran leadership. Where the hell were the vets whil Mr. YOUNG and TALENTED was giving us the SMACKDOWN in the second Round? I semm to remeber the Young buck J-Smooove being the only plaer to show up in game 4. He’s no vet….is he? Fire this clown Peeease ASG!!! Grow A PAIR? Oh wait. They can’t hear me. They’re too busy using the teams money to sue each other in court. At least the Maloofs throw house warming paries at their casinos and all of the kings were invited….
I’m all for getting Horford to his natural position. I know, he’ll thrive there. I agree that just even having a defensive rebounding Seven Footer like pryzbilla greatly increases our easy buckets in the paint.
Now Ray these “Dump Passes” you were speaking of. Woody’s not drawing up the play for this is he? Cause’ if he is, we’re scrwed lol. There is absolutely NO factual evidence that suggests he WON’T screw this simple play up Hehehehehehe…..
Big Ray
May 17th, 2009
2:51 am
Ariose,
Too much truth and humor in that last one!
Sautee
May 17th, 2009
10:20 am
Ariose, you confuse me. You say that Horford will THRIVE at the 4 but you list him as second string?
LOL, I guess Acie’s THRIVING on the bench!
Melvin
May 17th, 2009
10:21 am
Hoopshype reports that the Nets are looking to move Yi and the Hawks are looking to move Marvin. Sounds like a good swap to me. Yi a 7ft SF that can shoot from deep and guard the 4/5 spots on defense. Lets get it done Sund..