Trade season in full swing
The only place Josh Smith will have to worry about guarding Jamal Crawford next season is in practice, now that it appears Crawford is headed for the Hawks via trade.
HAWKSVILLE - One by one the texts and phone calls started coming in late Wednesday afternoon.
Hawks players wanted to know if what they were hearing was true. So did other team’s players, scouts, coaches and an assortment of other people.
“Are we really going to get Jamal Crawford?” one player asked via text. “Is this serious?”
“You really think this is going to happen?” another asked. “Man, he gets buckets. Major buckets. We could be explosive with him and all our other cats coming back.”
“This is a crucial move for them,” a Western Conference scout told me, “because it was obvious in the playoffs that they needed another scorer with some size that could create a shot.”
Not a single player, coach or executive from anywhere that I communicated with Wednesday objected to the move for the Hawks. Not one person.
Truth be told, they were going crazy about it, with one guy calling is a “master stroke” since the Hawks moved two for one without sacrificing draft picks now or in the future.
For years folks have complained around here about the Hawks not being active enough during trade season (the time before the draft through the start of training camp when all the league’s best wheeling and dealing is done). Well, you’ve got your wish.
And you can dissect it every which way now that it appears that Crawford will join the Hawks in exchange for Acie Law IV and Speedy Claxton being sent to Golden State (the only detail left is for Crawford to sign an agreement saying he won’t exercise the opt-out clause in his contract).
Of course, the Hawks aren’t the only team working the trade season to their advantage. Deals are to be had for teams looking to add and subtract players and salaries in an effort to retool for the coming season. LeBron James and Shaq appear to be headed for a whirlwind season in Cleveland. Mike Miller and Randy Foye will bolster the playing rotation for Flip Saunders in Washington after the Wizards pawned off a lottery pick and some spare parts for real players in a deal with Minnesota. And Richard Jefferson’s arrival from Milwaukee (for scraps) breathes new life into a San Antonio team that seemed headed for an eternal ice bath in the playoffs.
There will surely be more craziness to come, perhaps even during tonight’s draft. But make no mistake about it, the teams moving and shaking now are the ones positioning themselves for the future (immediately for teams like the Hawks, Spurs, Wizards and Cavaliers and not-so-immediately for the Timberwolves and Warriors).
I’m an advocate of bold moves. I’m a fan of bold moves that produce immediate results. And for a franchise that for the longest time was immune to them, the Hawks have a decent track record on their most recent deals of that nature.
In the summer of 2005 they went after Joe Johnson, then a restricted free agent in Phoenix, and immediately changed their fortunes (it didn’t happen overnight but going from 13 wins to 47 in four years started with that bold stroke). 1-for-1.
They swung for the warning track with Claxton the following summer, hoping like crazy that he could solve their point guard quagmire and deliver them to playoff contention faster than a rookie or youngster only to have that plan blow up in their face after Claxton’s knee’s gave out. 1-for-2.
They gambled on Mike Bibby being able to get them over the proverbial hump and into the playoffs at the trade deadline two years ago and cashed in with back-to-back trips to the playoffs, including home court advantage this season en route to a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals. 2-for-3.
The Hawks' point guard of the future could be Wake Forest star Jeff Teague.
The played roulette last summer with their own free agents, Josh Smith and Josh Childress, allowing the market to set the price on what they should be paid and lost one (Childress to Greece) and hung on to the other one (Smith, who signed an offer sheet from Memphis that the Hawks matched before the ink dried), and then followed that up by adding veterans Flip Murray and Mo Evans to help fill the void. Murray finished in the same spot in the Sixth-Man voting that Childress did the year before and Evans stabilize things late in the year when Marvin Williams went down with a severe back injury for the final month and half of the regular season. 3-for-4.
This deal for Crawford makes sense for so many reasons, as the digital tag-team duo of Mark Bradley and Jeff Schultz have already pointed out in separate takes on this latest roll of the red, white and blue dice.
Crawford certainly sounds like he’s pleased with the move, especially when you consider the situation he’s coming from in Golden State. And just like when the Hawks acquired Bibby and the skeptics wondered how he’d fit, things worked out because Bibby was a seasoned pro that knew what was expected of him when he came here and he delivered. I suspect Crawford’s situation will be similar in that he’ll come here realizing that this is his chance to shut up his doubters and prove that he can be a part of a winning operation.
Much like Bibby was when he arrived, Crawford might be a short term solution to a problem in need of a long-term answer. There’s no doubt the Hawks are still in need of their “point guard of the future.” And that’s where the true beauty of this deal for Crawford has been a bit overlooked. The Hawks didn’t have to include the 19th pick in the draft to get the backcourt insurance needed if unrestricted free agents Bibby and Murray aren’t re-signed this summer (and Crawford’s arrival doesn’t necessarily signal the departure of either guy. In fact, the Hawks would be best suited to find a way to keep them all in the fold if they want to solidify their ranks).
They still have that draft chip to snag the guy they want and need. They have studied all their point guard options up close and personal the past two months. They’ve seen Jeff Teague, Ty Lawson, Toney Douglas and Eric Maynor in person, had them all in for workouts at Philips Arena and had a chance to ponder what each one would look like alongside Johnson, Smith, Al Horford and the rest of the gang.
Whatever happens, they won’t go into next week’s open of free agency from a position of weakness where Bibby and Murray are concerned. They’ll operate from a position of strength with a chance to nail down the present and future at the position all at once.
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1,267 comments Add your comment
bigdave
June 25th, 2009
12:15 pm
according to Rick Bucher of ESPN the “the Suns are not done and would not have moved Shaq if they didnt plan on moving Amare… they are looking to rebuild a team that would fit well around Steve Nash, young bigs that could defend (particularly the pick and roll) an run the floor”… “look for something to happen before or during the draft”
interesting…. hmmmm…
fudd21
June 25th, 2009
12:15 pm
I think Chad Ford is right. I think this means Bibby is out the door. The guy made 15mil last year and I know there is NO way we were going to pay him that much. It may have been a situation where Bibby wanted say 10mil per and we were only willing to pay him 7mil per. Either way if we don’t resign Bibby this gives us some room to resign or other free agents. Oh yea I can’t beleive I’m agreeing with Rod (cause I like Marvin) but JC will be introduced with the starting 5 opening night.
Rod from College Park
June 25th, 2009
12:30 pm
Stating the Obvious,
If you think that Jamal Crawford is better than Joe Johnson at any of those things, then yeah – you do need to be evaluated. And isn’t it clear that pretty much no one agrees with you on your assessment of Marvin vs. Ariza?
1. Best ball handler – Joe is a better ball handler than a guy who has played poiint guard in the league for 8 years? OK
2. Scorer – Joe is not a great scorer. Crawford scored 50 points twice this year. Joe is a better player, not a better scorer.
3. Penetrator – Joe never penetrates. Jamal does, and can finish. He has a potent crossover.
4. Jump shooter – Debatable. the point is with him and Joe on the floor he will get a lot of open shots. I’ll take my chances.
If you actually watched the playoffs this year and can say that you think that Marvin Willams is better than Ariza in any way, then we have nothing else to talk about. Make sure you get the NBA package next year, so you can watch other games besides the Hawks.
terrell barron
June 25th, 2009
12:33 pm
We’ve all killed Woody for not playing his young players. He got rid of Salim, Salim has done nothing since. 1 for Woody. He got rid of Diaw. He blew up in Phoenix. 1 for us. He got rid of Acie. To be continued. Maybe Ole Woodrow doesn’t play certain young guys for a reason. Maybe they cant play. If Acie stinks it up in GS, in Don Nelson’s guard friendly offense, we might need to back off Ole stubborn butt a little bit.
G-Man
June 25th, 2009
12:43 pm
Darrell Starks,
What do you have against Jeff Teague? Have you seen the highlights and potential all-star in this kid?
Napoleon XIV
June 25th, 2009
12:46 pm
Rod,
We’ll be coming to take you away this afternoon. He he ha ha.
bigdave
June 25th, 2009
12:47 pm
Toney Douglas= poor man’s D- Wade
Ken Strickland
June 25th, 2009
12:55 pm
With Zaza and Solo(who’s definitely not coming back) being FA’s, and RMorris being the only BIG on our bench under contract, wouldn’t it make more sense to draft a replacement for them? It would’t make much sense to resign both Flip than Bibby because starting Bibby would leave 2 very simular players in the same roll, playing the same position, coming off your bench. Resigning Murray instead of Bibby and starting Crawford makes more sense.
Ariose
June 25th, 2009
12:58 pm
TB, Salim hasn’t played since he left here….injuries. We;ll see what he does this year with the bucks.
Ariose
June 25th, 2009
1:00 pm
Solo will be back…
MBZ
June 25th, 2009
1:07 pm
Solo aint comin back. Strickland, I’m not sold on Hasborough which is the only big good enough to fill a hole for us this year at 19. After Marvin Williams, Zaza is the most important FA we have to sign. Then Bibby. Then Flip. In that order.
darrell starks
June 25th, 2009
1:07 pm
Compare the 2 bibby and jamal.
bibby 6′1 jamal 6′5 edge jamal
bibby cant creata his on shot jamal can edge jamal
bibby 3pt 39pct jamal 3pt 33pct edge bibby
bibby avg 14.9 jamal 19.8 edge jamal
bibby 5 asst jamal 4.4 asst with less talent edge jamal
bibby no defense at the point jamal good defender at the post edge jamal
so what im trying to say is that we have up grade this team at the point and if we can resign marvin, flip, zaza, and bring back chill watch out this team can contend instead of being a pretender in the playoff.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
MBZ
June 25th, 2009
1:08 pm
Look for Sund to sign some bigs( as mentioned in MArk Bradleys blog) that will rebound and defend without having plays having to be called for them i.e. Chris Wilcox
MBZ
June 25th, 2009
1:11 pm
Also, IF Crawford makes an attempt at defense, which he did for stretches under Larry Brown, Woodson’s switching could be less of a liability on the perimiter at least. Keep in mind that Crawford is only 190 lbs.
terrell barron
June 25th, 2009
1:11 pm
Yao, Amare, and Artest in the frontcourt. Wow!
Daniel
June 25th, 2009
1:14 pm
terrell your 12:32 post was right on the money.
Big Ray
June 25th, 2009
1:24 pm
“Funny, I was more happy about last season than most around here. And yet I’m the one who is barking the most about essentially remaining status quo. And yes, while Crawford is better than Flip and hopefully #19 is better than Acie/Speedy, the formula is essentially the same.”
LOL…uh, yes this definitely is one of the most ironic things I’ve see here in quite some time. Heh heh heh…ohhhh, man…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 25th, 2009
1:29 pm
“If we draft Teague, will he get minutes? Will he be Acie Law 2.0? ”
This is funny… I just got done watching three Teague highlight videos, and came away thinking the exact same thing. Teague is Acie minus the passing ability and court vision. He is lightning quick and can get his own shot, but I didn’t see one play in which he was attempting to set up other players. Not one. Now granted, Youtube highlights are not the most scientific way to judge a prospect, but usually when you watch a point guard’s highlights you see at least one play in which he set up another player with an easy shot. Not in Teague’s case. I think he has a bright future with the right team, but as long as Woody’s system is based on the point guard shooting and passing instead of penetrating and breaking down the defense, I think Maynor is a better fit than Teague. And I think Maynor is a better pure point regardless.
I MUS WRITE
June 25th, 2009
1:30 pm
GMan I was saying Derek Brown@19 ,Lester Hudson @ 49 and getting another second rounder by offering money or a Mo Evans to get Siler
Najeh Davenpoop
June 25th, 2009
1:31 pm
Knowing the DASG, I am inclined to agree with Chad Ford about Bibby being out the door with Crawford’s arrival. But knowing Chad Ford, I am inclined to disagree with Chad Ford. Who knows… maybe the DASG will surprise me. I certainly think the Hawks are a 50-win team if they keep Bibby, but with Crawford and a rookie splitting time at the point… I’d be prepared for a step backwards.
chuckw/deadjournalist
June 25th, 2009
1:34 pm
Does anyone (Manny T, Big Ray, Ando if his ghost is around) know the answer to this:
Can multiple players from one team be signed and traded as part of one transaction to one other team?
For example: Could Marvin Williams and Josh Childress both be signed and traded to the same team as part of the same transaction with, say, Toronto for Chris Bosh?
Just curious.
doc
June 25th, 2009
1:36 pm
aj, what is wrong with “the formula” of being guard oriented, the coach you defended all year came up with, that got us 47 wins. dude, did you lost it in the heat this summer, get a tick bite or something?
G-Man
June 25th, 2009
1:37 pm
Guys I have to admit I am salivating after watching videos of Brandon Jennings. Do you really belive we have a shot at him? If so, what do you think is the percent chance of him falling to us?
Big Ray
June 25th, 2009
1:44 pm
Terrell,
Acie is going from one ol’ stubborn butt to another. I wouldn’t say it’s the player too quickly. Golden State may not give him any more of a chance than we did. In fact, I’m not sure going to play for Nellie isn’t WORSE than playing for Woody. Ask Jamaal Crawford. One week it’s “I want you to go out there and shoot until you get tired.” The next week it’s “Get out of here, I don’t even like you.”
At least Woody is honest. If he doesn’t like you, it won’t take long to figure out, and it won’t change. Nellie is a liar and a trickster. We’ve heard it before from many a different player (now don’t ask me to give links to all the articles and interviews I’ve read on the subject).
One of the things I find strange is how Crawford is bashed for being a ball hog who never passes, can’t play defense, etc. Every team he’s played on, his role was to shoot and score. Chicago figured out quickly that he was a scoring pg/sg type. That’s why they drafted Hinrich the next time around, figuring that he would play the more traditional pg role, while Jamal played the 2. It didn’t work because Jamal is really a scoring pg, not a 2.
We all know things were awful in New York. I don’t recall that squad playing good defense. In fact, I don’t recall them playing good offense either. The team was a wreck. Jamal’s role AGAIN, was to score. He did that.
Fast forward to Golden State. Oh yes, a defensive basketball Mecca that place is. Wonder why Jamal didn’t play a lot of defense, and chucked up shot after shot? Anybody ever hear of a guy named Don Nelson….
Funny, I don’t remember his defense being any worse (it was actually better) than Gordon’s, yet everybody likes Gordon. As for him not being able to pass, turnover prone, and other BS: his career assist-to-turnover ratio is essentialy 2-to-1. Better than Flip’s ratio, but everybody likes Flip.
Meanwhile, where is the confidence that some people had in Mike Woodson? Surely he can do great things, especially with veteran players who know how to excel in the roles that they are called upon to play.
And why, oh WHY are people who INSISTED on Mike Woodson’s offensive scheme as “something that works, don’t mess with it”, suddenly OH SO SAD that…uh, well, it looks like that “scheme” might be sticking around for a minute or two? Oh, the humanity! Whatever shall we do? Gee whiz, gosh golly darn it, just when I was warming up to Woody and his brilliant offensive strategies, we have to go and bolster/augment it, and ruin everything! Huh???
And then there are those who thumbed their noses at involving the frontcourt more, spending their time villifying our younger players, and extolling the virtues of the COY candidate. Now you’re wheedling about the frontcourt guys not having prominent roles? Huh????
Of course, let’s not forget the assertion that there is no reason to believe we’ll be as good next season as we were this past one. Again, the hue and the cry, and already some say we’re not going to make the playoffs now.
If it wasn’t so sad, I’d laugh. Ah to hell with it, I’m just gonna laugh…
bigdave
June 25th, 2009
1:44 pm
terrell barron….
Rockets might be more than willing to pull the trigger on that trade involving T-Mac, Brooks, and Landry for Barbosa and Amare… given Yao injury uncertainty…
i just hope Amare doesnt go to Miami… rumor has it he will be dealt before the draft… PHX wants “young defensive minded big who can run the floor”…. Landry isnt necessarily that… wish it was HORFORD!!
but Artest is still a free agent…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 25th, 2009
1:45 pm
Here is a game Jennings played this season against TAU Ceramica. If you watch his high school highlights, you are going to salivate, because he simply dominates them. This may give a more realistic assessment of his abilities right now, as Euroleague competition is at a higher level than NCAA and lower than NBA (at least in my opinion). Jennings is far from polished and needs a lot of work on his shooting form, but he is easily more impressive physically than any of the college PGs in this draft, and it’s very encouraging how he looks to pass as often as he looks to shoot (which many young PGs don’t do). I think if all coaching is equal, he easily develops into the best point guard in this draft, Rubio included. But he is going to need a lot of seasoning and won’t contribute immediately.
Ariose
June 25th, 2009
1:47 pm
Does J.R Smith start for the Nuggets? Exactly. It’s called balance smart people……good teams have it. Our starting lineup is fine. WE needed to bolster or bench and that’s what Sund is attempting to do.
Ariose
June 25th, 2009
1:49 pm
Poop, he’s not better than Any of the other guards going in the 1st round(except maybe Rubio) trust me.
Samuel
June 25th, 2009
1:49 pm
Good move. How can you complain when we get a guy who can score 30 and give up “two” scrubbs. Please!
To more important stuff:
Blogging from Savannah where my baby girl just went “Back2Back”. National AAU all-around Champion two years in a row.
Headed to Tybee Island but i’ll be watching the draft. Lawson or Johnson 1st and Courtney Fells 2nd. Let Bibby walk and sign Sheed.
Big Ray
June 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
Chuckw,
Been enjoying your posts. That question is best steered towards MannyT or maybe Niremetal (assuming he’s not studying for the Bar exam…naughty boy). Some of the other guys around here may have the answer as well.
Najeh,
I feel precisely as you do about Chad Ford. Think about this: if Bibby is a goner, then we can still re-sign Flip, or go after another veteran pg via free agency/trade. In fact, I think the Hawks would just about have to do that if they draft a pg or not. We still need a young guy for the future (as has been said by others before), so I’d like to see one drafted. However, acquiring a guy like Sessions or Jack isn’t bad either. Sessions is the younger of the two (I think) and has some good NBA experience under his belt. It would be like having a draft pick with the benefit of NBA game time. Besides, he has some learning to do, as a draft pick would.
Here’s what could be happening. If the front office likes Jeff Teague, it’s because they may be seeing a young Bibby. Can’t blame them for that. Woody may not like that, but he would have Crawford and Flip (or another veteran pg) to lean on in the meantime, while Teague grows and develops. Or so we hope…
That’s just one line of thinking.
Doc,
Methinks it’s the curse of being a natural contrarian, not a tick bite. Then again, what some call a curse, I call a CHOICE…
terrell barron
June 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
Hansborough = Matt Harpring
RJ
June 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
Everybody Look what Brandon Jennings can do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wXJvsWEmcw
Big Ray
June 25th, 2009
1:52 pm
Samuel,
Congrats on win by/for your girl! Where you at, man? I’m probably within a few miles of you, and since I’m off work, I’m on the stroll.
RJ
June 25th, 2009
1:52 pm
I agree terrell barron
Ariose
June 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
If we don’t bring Bibby/Flip back, we will be taking a step backwards in our development as a Championchip caliber team.
Big Ray
June 25th, 2009
1:55 pm
Ariose,
Good point on your 1:47 post. Don’t know if it plays out that way, though. If Bibby is not re-signed, don’t be surpised to see two tall guards trotting out with our young frontcourt.
jerrywest
June 25th, 2009
1:58 pm
Najeh- youtube mean nothing. Go check the Yi, and you’ll think he is a combo of Hakeem and Larry Bird.
bigdave
June 25th, 2009
1:58 pm
Hansborough < Matt Harpring
terrell barron
June 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
Stop it with the Brandon Jennings talk. No way he falls to 19. Bank on it. He probably wont make it past Diantoni and the Knicks. Especially if Curry is gone.
Mitch
June 25th, 2009
2:01 pm
The Hawks need to start answering the following questions:
1. Who can guard Devin Harris? That dude was an instant drive score or pull-up J score every time the Hawks played the Nets…as are Koby, Lebron, Brandon, etc.
The best answer tonight for Devin Harris would, IMO, be Toney Douglas. Douglas is quick enough to crowd PGs and prevent or slow penetration.
2. Can the Hawks continue to play without a true center? Better yet, who is going to slow down Dwight Howard? If the Hawks can’t slow Howard down, they have no shot at winning the division, let alone the Eastern Conference crown.
This may sound crazy and it probably is, but, there is a way to solve the center problem tonight, but it would cost the Hawks JSmoove: JSmoove to the Grizzlies for the #2 pick, 7-3 C Hasheem Thabeet. Al moves the 4 where he belongs and ZaZa backs them both up. Thabeet needs to add muscle and develop an offensive game, but he’s the best shot blocker to come out of college in quite some time. Not sure if I would do this, but it’s an intriguing thought. The Grizzlies would—we know they love JSmoove and they’ve been wanting to trade the #2 pick anyway.
The Clippers have been dangling C Chris Kaman out there…can a deal be done there? He’s a big body and can block shots.
Remember: Dwight Howard…what are we going to do?
Plus, back to question #1…running the likes of Devin Harris, Brandon Roy, Kobe and LeBron into Thabeet would be a lot more daunting that running them into Al or Zaza.
3. Post threat? When was the last time the Hawks had a legitimate post threat?
The best threat on the team right now is JSmoove…how about keeping him on the post instead of on the perimeter where he likes to chuck up shots?
How about Blair from Pittsburgh? 6-7, but with a sneaky big wingspan and perfect postman’s body to pin and seal his man with.
4. Is Rick Sund going to build this team with a focus on the fast break?
Imagine what Ty Lawson would add to the Hawks’ fast break? To get him, Sund would have to move up. Will he?
5. Is tonight’s pick moot? Woodie hates to play rookies…has little patience with them. Are there any players at #19 that can crack the 9 man rotation?
The answer is: most likely not…which means that trading up (to get the 9th man in the rotation) or back (to add another pick and depth potential) might make the most sense. There may be little interest in the 19th pick…but if lets say Brandon Jennings was still there and the Hawks weren’t sold on him, they might be able to get a player or a couple of picks for the #19.
Brandon Jennings could be one of the real wild cards talent-wise in this draft, but let’s be real, just as with the case with Acie—who was FAR more ready to play in the NBA–Jennings won’t see the floor with Woodie in charge, except at garbage time…not just for this year, but for next year. The kid is 19 years old…wherever he is, he’s got to play.
Thus…how about the possibility, if possible, of getting an established player in a trade for the #19 pick?
terrell barron
June 25th, 2009
2:02 pm
Mitch, it’s Kobe,not Koby. Come on man. lol!!
Najeh Davenpoop
June 25th, 2009
2:02 pm
Ray, I don’t think the Hawks are realistically going to look to add another veteran newcomer to the backcourt — either Sessions or Jack would cost more than a rookie point at #19. Just the feeling I have. I think they will keep either Bibby or Flip and probably draft a point guard. So like most people have been saying, I think best case scenario is a backcourt of Bibby and Joe with Jamal off the bench, and worst case is Jamal and Joe with Maynor/Teague/Lawson/Jennings and Flip off the bench. Especially after the RJ trade, I don’t think the Bucks are letting Sessions get away without at least sign-and-trading him for some other young talent.
I still feel that if the Hawks bring back Bibby, the Crawford trade is excellent. If they don’t, it’s a step backwards, although if they get their PG of the future at #19 may make it OK a few years from now.
terrell barron
June 25th, 2009
2:02 pm
Mitch, I sure hope your last name isn’t Kupchak.
nique
June 25th, 2009
2:05 pm
I would love if the Hawks somehow got Rondo. Any chance of that happening?
chuckw/deadjournalist
June 25th, 2009
2:10 pm
Big Ray – Thanks, I come out of hiding in the off-season and when I’m not buried with work. Today, I make time despite being buried.
Maybe I’m just being pragmatic just for the sake of playing the devil’s advocate, but I don’t think I’d be shocked if, despite all the talk and mocks of PGs and Mr. Tar Heal, the Hawks shock every body and take somebody like Omri Casspi or Nick Calathes so they can stash them this year (or more) overseas.
If ownership thinks this is the year to “go for it” with JJ and potentially Marvin as UFAs next Summer, drafting a point guard or a big that might not contribute much this season may not be in the plans. Since the Hawks don’t use the D-League, the thought could be, sign someone like Royal Ivey (I’m sure you love that Big Ray) who has been in the league, won’t cost a lot and can adapt to the roll of playing 10 mins a game without hindering development.
Then, if the Hawks don’t go deep in the playoffs next year, and the decision is make to let JJ walk (or sign-and-trade) and build around Josh Smith and Al Horford, the team can bring in their pick who has been playing as a pro and shorting the next rebuilding time-line.
If the Hawks were to advance deep into the playoffs this year, then the additional revenue generated might lead to the decision to resign JJ and/or Marvin (if he is retained this year) and keep the pick stashed for another year or two until it is more financially viable.
Or something like that anyway …
Anakin Joe
June 25th, 2009
2:13 pm
doc, just because I refused to call for Woody’s termination off a 47 win season doesn’t mean that I think his formula is the ultimate answer. I won’t ever apologize for enjoying a 47 win season, home court advantage and first round win. And I won’t apologize that I wasn’t pointing out every wart on the team along that magic ride. (I know that you weren’t but many of the regulars seemed to enjoy our failings as much as our successes).
My rant is mostly about what I perceive as the opportunity cost of this acquisition. I hope that I am wrong. But I suspect this deal will ultimately cost us far more in the long-term than any gain we receive by having a prolific $10M scorer added to the roster.
Ariose
June 25th, 2009
2:15 pm
LOL@ Ray’s 1:44pm post!
Reggie
June 25th, 2009
2:17 pm
HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE MOVE! This man can straight light it up and will help JJ SO much! I’m so excited about this team for next year especially if we can sneak Lawson or Jennings from this draft. Ford has us getting Jennings. If we do then I say we are a legit threat in the East.
Ken Strickland
June 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
MBZ-why get so up in the air about THansbrough? If we draft him it won’t be as a starter. His size and versatility would provide an immediate asset coming off our bench. He can certainly provide more production than RMorris, if given a chance. The fact you don’t like him, or the way he plays, doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a valuable asset to the Hawks. Rejecti8ng a player and not giving him a chance because you don’t like him or the way he plays is the same approach we’ve gotten from Woodson.
BIG RAY-if we draft a PG for the future, who’s going to help him along with his development. How will he develop any consistency spending most of his NBA experience on the bench and receiving limited and inconsistent mins, while being expected to play mistake free basketball, or be punished.
Sautee
June 25th, 2009
2:29 pm
With apologies to S.I.:
Signs of the Apocalypse:
Anakin Joe actually quoting the “imminently credible” Chad Ford as ammo in a rant. LOL!
Watch out for that lightning bolt, AJ!