On the eve of the frenzy!!
Joe Johnson's already fired up the season. The Hawks' free agency season, that is.
CHOCOLATE CITY -Joe Johnson learned a long time ago the value of a good poker face.
But when I asked him what he thought of all the trades before, on and during NBA draft day, his smile turned into a an eyebrow-raised stare.
“People aren’t playing around right now,” he told me Friday in a hallway outside of a conference room at the Hawks’ downtown headquarters. “I don’t know what’s gotten into everybody.”
Johnson better hope that the spirit to move has hit the Hawks as well with free agency just a couple of days away. Because life in the Eastern Conference playoff chase is going to be tougher than it was a year ago.
(Oh, and sorry for the delay on the new blog boys and girls, but I had a previously planned family gathering here in D.C. that could not be avoided.)
“I’ve been keeping up with every move that’s been made,” Johnson said. “The Eastern Conference has gotten a lot better before free agency even started. We’ve just got to do whatever we have to do whatever we can do to try and take ourselves to another level. Right now we’re making footsteps in the right direction and we just have to keep moving forward.”
Johnson said he’s heard about all the rumors involving the Hawks (Josh Smith’s latest is that he’s going to be sent to the Phoenix in some sort of package exchange for Amare Stoudemire, Mike Bibby’s not coming back according to all the experts now that Jamal Crawford and Jeff Teague have been added, etc.). And he’s not buying any of it.
“I understand we don’t really know what’s going to happen in free agency,” Johnson said. “We never do. But this is a business, man. And this is the tough part, the rumors and all the talk. It’s just something we have to deal with. But this is the important thing people need to remember, we’ve gotten better every year with this group. That’s not easy to do. So that means by the time training camp rolls around we need to have hung out, worked out and done everything else it takes prepare ourselves. It’s all business when training camp comes around, because we have to be ready to not only match what we did last year but do better than that. And it’s going to be tough.”
MORE TO THE POINT, and that’s really the one question people have been asking me over and over again since draft night, in it’s various manifestations. Do we keep Bibby? What about Flip? Do we need that many point guard, and won’t they stunt the growth of the young fella?
Ramon Sessions doesn't appear to be on the Hawks' free agent radar anymore.
Before the draft I had a short list of potential point guards (starters or backups depending on what happens with Bibby). By Friday morning I started rethinking the need for the list, what with two new bodies at the position in Crawford and Teague.
Then something crazy happened.
And I expected to see some crazy stuff during my trip here to Obama City, and of course, I did exactly that. From people watching on my way out of Reagan Airport to the hordes of tourists making their way in and out of the monuments and other venues, there’s never a shortage of interesting things to see.
So Saturday afternoon while my Pops and I were cutting through a backdoor to the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel (on 9th near C’town and my favorite spot to stay in this city) we saw Milwaukee Bucks restricted free agent point guard Ramon Sessions relaxing while talking on a cell phone on a patio. Had he not been in the middle of a conversation and had we not been trying to hustle off to where we were going, I’d have interrupted him and checked with him his future plans.
It ate me up the rest of the day. I wondered if this was a sign or something. What are the chances I’d see Sessions (or any of the other young point guards that highlighted my short list) during my first 12 hours here?
For a half-second, just a half, i thought someone was pulling a prank on me. I try and escape from the frenzy for a few days with the fam and who do I see on the patio outside of the Starbucks in the hotel but a restricted free agent NBA point guard that we’ve been talking about around here for weeks now (fine, I admit that’s a bit melodramatic, but … well, you had to be there).
AS FOR A POINT GUARD CERTAIN TO BE ON THE HAWKS’ ROSTER in training camp, Teague will be an interesting cat to cover.
For a guy that swore he was nervous on his first face-to-face dealing with the local press, it didn’t show. Teague’s got the perfect temperament for his new job.
He’s also looking forward to one of the perks of living life on a NBA salary. Teague said he’s looking foward to getting a car. “I’ve never really had my own car,” he said. “It was like a 1988 Toyota Camry. The rest of my friends had cars in the 2000s. I went to Wake Forest and there I am riding around in my ‘88 Camry that’s not looking to good.”
Teague’s car search will be easier than most. He won’t need a ride to the Range Rover lot either.
“I’m a cheap guy, so I’ll try and go with one of those [Dodge] Challengers or something like that,” he said, ” That’s one of those that looks good but doesn’t cost too much.”
The bigger question for the Hawks is how much is too much to pay for Bibby?
That’s also a question that we can only speculate about between now and Wednesday.
FINDING THE RIGHT ANSWERS IN THE FRONTCOURT WON’T BE NEARLY AS EASY. Restricted free agent bit men aren’t allowed to disappear from the roster as easily as they might a player at another position.
There are only a handful of quality big men on the open market (free of restrictions. The Marcus Camby deal and others like it for quality big men, requires the Hawks pulling off a sweet deal with precious few tradable assets to work with).
Put the "Birdman" on the Hawks' pursuit list for this summer.
Since my point guard short list was shredded on draft day, I figured now was as good a time as any to toss this out there (listed alphabetically and keep in mind that all four of these guys are unrestricted free agents):
Chris Andersen, Denver, PF/C – Size, check. Energy, check. Shot-blocking ability, check. I know this isn’t the Andersen you might have been thinking of adding to the roster (from what I’m hearing, David doesn’t seem likely to be on the Hawks’ roster when training camp opens). But the Birdman is a specialist the like of which the Hawks haven’t had in quite some time. He’s probably going to cost a little bit more than the Hawks are used to spending on specialists, but he might be worth the financial sacrifice.
Antonio McDyess, Detroit, PF – McDyess is still chasing that elusive NBA championship ring. Maybe he’s changed and is ready to tackle the task of helping a team like the Hawks reach for that big trophy. Adding intrigue to his summer is his relationship with Hawks coach Mike Woodson.
Joe Smith, Cleveland, PF – This isn’t exactly a home run move, but if you’re in need of a quality big, a veteran big, Smith would have to be vetted for the job. He’s become one of the league’s more reliable journeyman bigs. And not only will he play physically, he’ll knock down shots and sacrifice his body for as long as it takes.
Rasheed Wallace, Detroit, PF/C – The toughest sell on the list, Wallace isn’t going to come for cheap. He wants a sizable contract, one that the Hawks might not be interested in giving to an aged talent whose desire has been questioned by some. But he, too, has a good relationship with Woodson, which could potentially open the door long enough for the Hawks to get in the mix.
TWITTER ME THIS, TWITTER ME THAT …
We’ve officially set up an after hours spot for this blog on Twitter (where the free agency updates will be shorter and more frequent, depending on what’s going on). Dig in for free agency folks, it should be bonkers.
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456 comments Add your comment
Daniel
June 29th, 2009
11:12 am
Charlie V. is restricted and I believe Bass is unrestricted. Correct me if I am wrong.
O'Brien
June 29th, 2009
11:16 am
Bass is unrestricted.
nire,
I think Philly will be better. Yes, they still need a starting PG (but so do we). But they have a new coach/new motion offense, Brand might be healthy, and they added a 3pt shooter. Plus they got off to a rough start last year.
Miami has not improved on paper. But Chalmers, Beasley, and Spoelstra are not rookies anymore. And we cannot discount the expected growth from within. And they still have DWade.
And we agree on Chicago.
And except for Hawks fans, nobody thought the Hawks would go from 37 to 47 wins, when all we added was Flip and Mo Evans (and Bibby for the whole season). So there might easily be another team who jumps up and surprises everybody.
I hope Sund makes a couple more moves (Jarrett Jack and 2 bigs, keep Marvin). After that, we’ll be set.
Daniel
June 29th, 2009
11:31 am
We have to resign Marvin to more than a year qualifying offer. IMO. Otherwise we are stuck in the same situation next off season. I know we want to have room next off season, but we have to be able to retain some value to the #2 overall pick. I say if we can’t get a long term deal done (3 years) then we should sign and trade now, before he can walk free. As far as Childress is concerned, unless he absolutely hates his life in Greece there is zero reason for him to return to the Hawks this year.
cdog
June 29th, 2009
11:35 am
RICK SUND WE ARE TIRED OF LOOKING UP AT BOSTON, CLEVELAND AND THE MAGIC. GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND GET A BIG MAN IN THE MIDDLE NOW.MARCUS CAMBY, AMARE STOUDERMIERE SOMEONE WHO CAN DEFEND THE MIDDLE.THIS SHOULD BE THE NO. 1 THING YOU SHOULD ADDRESS. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE SUMMER IS OVER DO THIS NOW.GARNETT, SHAQ AND HOWARD IS THE REASON THOSE TEAMS WILL BEAT US IF WE DON’T ADDRESS THIS.
Melvin
June 29th, 2009
11:41 am
Looks like the Hawks will only have the 2 MLE to sign FA’s. So signing a quality big(s) may be a challenge. And if they decide to resign Flip, his money must be paid from the MLE pool as well. With so many roster spots vacant, resigning (or maybe S&T) our FA’s may be the most effective way of filling out the roster with quality players (especially if we bring back Chills and Andersen). It’s going to be interesting to see what Sund puts together this summer.
Melvin
June 29th, 2009
11:48 am
Cdog,
If you want a big that can defend the middle, then you need to remove Amare and Bosh from your list. Those guys are dynamic offensive players but not much on defense. Heck, outside of blocking shots, is Camby a great one on one defensive player? Although, he would be an upgrade to the Hawks roster…
niremetal
June 29th, 2009
11:55 am
O’Brien,
Jarrett Jack and two bigs? We have $7.5M available total to sign other teams’ free agents. I doubt we can pull that off. I think we’d be better off re-signing Bibby and using the $7.5M to sign a backup C and a backup SF/PF. I’d go after, say, Adonal Foyle and Birdman.
I’m not impressed by Philly – I just moved back to the City of Brotherly Love and haven’t reacquainted myself with the team yet, but they have the same problem as Washington – zero frontcourt depth. Sam Dalembert is solid (and he NEVER gets hurt), and Brand should rebound a bit from an off year. But they traded away their only decently tough guy off the bench (Reggie Evans) to get Kapono. Speights (who I remember from his days as a Gator) won’t cut it…he’s pretty much Solo, except he’s getting PT.
Like us, they have only $7.5M to play with during the offseason, but unlike us, their starting PF has a proclivity for injuries, and they don’t have the prospect of re-signing a guy like Zaza. They also go into the offseason with a pretty hefty cap figure (they have $58M in contracts before they even start the re-signing process) So I don’t see them spending freely.
And of course, if Andre Miller leaves, you can write their ticket to the lottery.
PS – Ray, if I’m not mistaken, there’s no option to pick up on RandMo. He’s already under contract for this next season. But he only makes $850k, so who cares? Well, I’d care because I could use the cash, but that’s another story…
bigdave
June 29th, 2009
11:56 am
bring back RAAH-SHEED…!!! I have searched for a Atlanta Hawks Rasheed Wallace jersey.. that would be a gem…
cp
June 29th, 2009
12:03 pm
To the person who asked me to link the Law blog, I tried but the post would not go through. I will try again later…
If we bring back Pachulia, Marvin, and Bibby I think we are set. I would let Flip walk. Give Hunter a bigger role and give me Gerald Green over Mario..
Teague pretty much destroyed Lawson in their head to head match. It wasn’t even close. Lawson was to small to do anything with Teague. Teague did whatever he wanted out there. I think the kid is going to surprise a lot of people. I think we got a steal at 19. And yea how about Petro. I know he is a old pick by Sund but he is an athletic 7 footer who would also be an upgrade over RandyMo.
The Pacers have said they want Jack back and are trying to get rid of Ford so it might be hard trying to snag Jack away from the Pacers.
"Charles", The Original
June 29th, 2009
12:04 pm
The Achilles’ heel of the Atlanta Hawks is the absence of a big man, at least a seven feet tall, in the middle. There is no way an NBA team can become a serious championship contender without a big man rebounding etc. especially on defense.
Hoops
June 29th, 2009
12:31 pm
O’Brien,
If the Hawks don’t bring back Morris, it looks like with the MLE and Bi-Annual, the Hawks are only going to have about 8M to spend on FA’s unless we do a sign & trade or another trade. I don’t think that Crawford is our PG. He is a great pick up, but we still need a PG and a center.
Options:
1. I think Bibby is going to be too expensive and Crawford is a better Flip. Maybe we could get Sessions for 5.5M. With Teague and Sessions, we would be set @ PG for sometime!
2. That would only leave us 2.5M left to trade with if we don’t bring back Morris. So, we need to look @ possible sign & trades with Marvin or trades for Josh that could improve the team. I would rather have R. Gay and M. Gasol over Marvin and Josh. That would be a good trade if we could re-sign Zaza. Memphis could afford to move Gasol since they signed Thabeet and they really need Josh @ the 4 position. What do you think?
3. I would like to sign Charlie V., but I don’t see how we can do it financially with only 2.5M left to use. What can we get B. Bass for? Thoughts?
This is a possible roster:
PG-Sessions, Teague
SG-JJ, Crawford
SF-Gay, Mo Evans
PF-Horford, Bass
C-M. Gasol, Zaza
Reggie
June 29th, 2009
12:33 pm
Can somebody post a link on “Free Agent Fits: Bucher’s Top 20″ its on Espn.com but you have to be an Espn insider
dajuan wagner
June 29th, 2009
12:33 pm
I was thinking that all the east would be better, but no one behind has improved much. chicago will be a little better but not much. ive been waiting for them to trade for amare or shaq or bosh for 3 yrs. this will be the year they get that big because ben gordon is leaving. and luol deng may be healthy. d wade seriously could leave if mia doesnt get their act together. wtf have they done since may? their roster looks awful and wade will be a year older /he cant have a yr as good as this past yr/ aNd we all know joneal sucks and haslem is getting old. their pg chalmers is aight…not great though
hawks will be 4 seed but we need amare
A Tribe Called Quest
June 29th, 2009
12:37 pm
LOL cdog is that you shaunty?
i agree fam. tired of lookin up at orl cle and bos. Can we please stop acquiring tweener guards and get a freaking big? besides horford the last big we have had for over a year is SOLO LOL
terrell barron
June 29th, 2009
12:43 pm
Mark S, Crawford played a ton at pg for the Knicks. It was Marbury who usually played off the ball. And Woody’s(or lackthereof) doesn’t call for a traditional pg. So to come to the conclusion that Crawford cant play pg for us, means that either you never watched Knicks games when JC was there, or you’ve never watched Woody Coach.
Hoops
June 29th, 2009
12:46 pm
terrell barron,
So do you think the Hawks will try to re-sign Flip and let Bibby walk if they are planning on using Crawford as the PG?
ATLFan
June 29th, 2009
12:48 pm
Sekou, any word on J-Chill coming back? I saw him in Vinings walking down the street yesterday. I know you might not believe me but who else in ATL wears a Stanford b-ball shirt and has a Fro like that?
Fred Pennington
June 29th, 2009
12:53 pm
Sekou, WE DO NOT HAVE A POINT GUARD right now. If we go into next season with Jamal Crawford as point, we will lose 50 games.
http://www.examiner.com/x-2723-Atlanta-Hawks-Examiner~y2009m6d29-What-will-the-Hawks-do-at-point-guard
cp
June 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
lol terrell. That’s the first thing I was saying when we made the trade. This offense does not require a traditional pg. Joe handled the ball more than Bibby did. Bibby looked more like a sg than a pg out there. Everything goes through Joe so unless Woodson changes his offense, which I doubt, Crawford will pretty much do what Bibby was doing but will drive to the hoop.
terrell barron
June 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
Dan, for the zillionth time, Josh Smith is not a sf.
Roy
June 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
Why is everybody so hard on Smith? Smith’s game minus the occasional three is improving and he has as much upside as anyone else the hawks could get minus Lebron, Kobe or Dwight. I say the Hawks need to hang on to him.
Meidzo in Decatur
June 29th, 2009
1:09 pm
Courtesy of my paid ESPN subscription:
11. Jason Kidd, PG, Mavericks (UFA)
His Game: Vast change from Kidd of yesteryear. Now he’s a respectable spot-up shooter and defender who plays angles and shepherds his man into help. Still has uncanny ability to find an open man with the game on the line, milk a hot hand or recognize a mismatch. Good post-up threat but no longer finishes in traffic. Pass-ahead, fast-break starter off rebounds.
Right System: A balanced offense that he can initiate, but which features a threat who requires double teams. Still good in a team-defense concept, so needs smart teammates and an organized coach. Athletic wings are a must to exploit his outlet passes and protect him on defense. Lots of off-the-ball, pass-and-cut movement allows him to utilize his passing, vision and timing.
Wrong System: A rip-and-run offensive style with no title-contending hopes or aspirations or players capable of moving without the ball.
Best Fits: Mavericks, Lakers, Cavaliers, Rockets, Magic, Hawks, Celtics
12. Ron Artest, SF, Rockets (UFA)
His Game: A matchup nightmare because of his 3-point shooting, handle and physical ability to take contact and still score. Enlivened by defensive challenges, his strength, tenacity and deceptive agility — even if it has diminished — make him a rather aggravating cover guy.
Right System: Half-court game with a calm, communicating coach adept at exploiting offensive mismatches. A team with a solid decision-making star who has enough game to command Artest’s trust and respect.
Wrong System: My-way-or-highway coach without a star bigger than Artest, one that demands its small forward make plays or one that has no chance at the playoffs.
Best Fits: Lakers, Rockets, Celtics, Cavaliers
13. Mike Bibby, PG, Hawks (UFA)
His game: One of the best 3-point shooting PGs in league. Still effective on pick-and-rolls but more of a set-up-the-offense, flare-to-the-corner type now. A defensive liability but better in a strong team concept. Is not a playmaker but doesn’t try to be one; moves the ball on the perimeter, happy to feed and play off a bona fide star.
Right System: Thrives with passing big men, a slower pace, a player’s coach and at least one screen-setting big man. Long, athletic, hardnosed wings are recommended so he can hide on defense.
Wrong system: Anywhere that requires him to create shots or provide dribble penetration. A team that lacks a shotblocker or at least one defensive-oriented wing.
Best Fits: Hawks, Blazers, Rockets, Grizzlies, Wizards, Hornets
14. Shawn Marion, SF/PF, Raptors (UFA)
His Game: Even though age has somewhat diminished his legendary pogo-stick legs, the faster the game, the better he is. Unheralded defender, both helping and on the ball. Moves well off the ball and has array of flip shots from 10 feet and in. Can make 3s but at this point is most effective when he keeps those to a minimum.
Right system: Up-tempo with a first-rate passing point guard. Moves well enough that he can play with or without a dominant post player.
Wrong system: Lots of chuckers, because Marion’s energy suffers without touches and when his defensive responsibilities are overly isolated.
Best Fits: Knicks, Hornets, Bulls, 76ers, Suns
15. Paul Millsap, PF, Jazz (RFA)
His Game: Space-eater around the rim. Tenacious rebounder, especially good at cleaning up the offensive boards. Can score in the post but limited as a passer. Face-up game is almost acceptable. No jumper beyond 15 feet. Not a shotblocker but very good at keeping bigger, more talented players off the block or away from their spots.
Right System: Needs shooters around him and a playmaking, penetrating point guard. Works best in a structured system in which he has a well-defined, contributing role.
Wrong System: An up-tempo, free-flowing offense or a defense without a shotblocker or solid perimeter defenders. Has neither shotblocking chops nor agility to help on dribble drives. Would get lost next to a post-dominating big man.
Best Fits: Jazz, Blazers, Suns, Celtics, Pistons, Nuggets
16. Drew Gooden, PF, Spurs (UFA)
His Game: Designated post-up scorer. Is not going to block shots or find cutters but is an above-average rebounder and can create shots for himself on the block, a precious commodity.
Right System: A simple but disciplined one, where his marching orders are clear. Look for him to provide points when the offense bogs down and jumpers are not falling, and he won’t disappoint.
Wrong System: A read-and-react format where he has to provide a defensive post presence or make plays.
Best Fits: Spurs, Bulls, Heat, Blazers
17. Allen Iverson, PG/SG, Pistons (UFA)
His Game: Improvisational scorer, still capable of breaking down almost any defender off the dribble. Age, plus wear-and-tear, has him relying more on his midrange jumper than getting to the rim. Needs a strong-but-thoughtful coach to keep him focused and committed.
Right System: A team that has a need for an electric scorer off the bench, featuring a loose, offensive-oriented attack and a locker room/coach strong enough to keep him happy with that role. Preferably without a post scorer to clog up the lane.
Wrong System: Highly structured scheme that doesn’t have at least two excellent perimeter defenders to hide Iverson’s steal-or-else defensive approach. A coach without a pedigree would not be good, either.
Best Fits: Magic, Warriors, Wizards, Celtics, Suns
18. David Lee, PF/C, Knicks (RFA)
His Game: Energy and defense without needing plays called for him. Will sacrifice his body on screens and charges. Undersized but athletic, hardnosed and low maintenance. Rebound and loose-ball fiend. Good hands and decent with putbacks and finishing around the rim off pick-and-roll. Not much of a threat beyond 15 feet or on post-ups. Willing help defender, but not a shotblocker.
Right System: Up-tempo is ideal because he’ll outrun most bigs in transition. Need at least three scorers, ideally four, so he has room and reason to chase down rebounds and putbacks. Can’t play off an offensive post threat because he doesn’t have the jumper to space the floor. Mobile enough to show on the guard in pick-and-roll defense and get back to a rolling big.
Wrong System: A methodical half-court set with a dominant scoring center who is not a shotblocker.
Best Fits: Suns, Blazers, Jazz, Rockets, Thunder, Warriors
19. Linas Kleiza, SF, Nuggets (RFA)
His Game: Streaky spot-up shooter from 3-point range. No real in-between game. Unafraid to go strong to the rim and has the muscle to take contact and finish. Good lane-filler on the break. Willing on-the-ball defender who fights over screens and uses his size well to crowd opponents. Not much of a help defender.
Right System: Needs a playmaking point guard or double-team drawing star because he doesn’t create his own shot. Better in a team-oriented, lock-em-up, defensive system with a bona fide shotblocker so he can crowd opponents and use his strength without fear of getting beat off the dribble. Also better in a structured offense because he moves without the ball well and understands spacing.
Wrong System: An up-and-down style with lots of one-on-one play because he’ll get lost in the shuffle, which is what happened in Denver last season.
Best fits: Cavs, Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Magic
20. Channing Frye SF/PF Blazers (RFA)
His Game: Solid jump shooter with 3-point range. Unafraid to take and make crunch-time shots, even when playing limited minutes. High basketball IQ. Not a physical player but can post up players his size or smaller. Limited defensively by his size and strength but makes an effort.
Right System: A drive-and-kick offense willing and able to move the ball around the perimeter and disciplined defense with willing and able help defenders. Not a shotblocker, so he needs to be protected — not the protector — around the rim.
Wrong System: Up-tempo, fast break style. Just not quick or explosive enough to make that work as an undersized power forward. Not going to flourish with a shoot-first point guard, either.
Daniel
June 29th, 2009
1:13 pm
Meidzo- thanks for the hook up!
Daniel
June 29th, 2009
1:19 pm
Bibby is still the best option for the Hawks at pg. I really don’t see his market value at more than 6-7 mil. for two years with an option. However, it only takes one team to change all that. I seriously doubt that Marvin will get a big qualifying offer this year. Now, Za actually may get some serious interest. I know that the Cavs getting Shaq helps us, because they were very interested in him.
Hoops- I like your thoughts, but I really don’t see a froncourt of Gasol, Horford, and Gay as a real upgrade over Horford, Smith and Williams. I know Horford is undersized, but the guy plays the 5 very well. Honestly, besides Howard (and maybe O’Neal) who is better in the East. I don’t know that his game translates to PF alone. In the West, he would do well there.
terrell barron
June 29th, 2009
1:24 pm
Hoops, I think they’ll make him an offer. Crawford just helped them with the negotiations a little bit. lol!
Fred Pennington
June 29th, 2009
1:26 pm
The idea of a point guard does not necessarily mean that the player has to fit Woodson’s “system.” The guy has to be a leader on the court and in the lockerroom. Right now, the Hawks have no leader. They have a coach with no contract who has had altercations with Josh Smith every season. If they try to play a ball hog like Crawford at PG, this team will implode before the All-Star break.
Eric
June 29th, 2009
1:30 pm
It wouldn’t make sense for Bibby to take less money to stay with the Hawks, when he could sign with a team like the Lakers for less money. Bibby doesn’t make sense for the Hawks because he’s getting up in age, and he’s always been a defensive liability. I like Crawford at the point, because he’s long and even though he’s not a defensive stopper his length will bother opponents. As for handling the ball, Joe brings the ball up court about 50 percent of the time no matter who’s at point.
Hoops
June 29th, 2009
1:32 pm
ATL Fan,
I was just reading Hoopsworld. Bill Ingram says that J Chills’ agent says that Chills wants to come back to the NBA. WOW! That would either give the Hawks a quality player or a sign & trade option that could open up something big for the Hawks! Stay tuned.
bigdave
June 29th, 2009
1:35 pm
ATLFan….
its believable.. he has a place out there in Vinnings…
niremetal
June 29th, 2009
1:36 pm
Well, the man cited a source, so I give him some cred. But the agent might just be saying it so that teams keep Chill on speed dial for next summer…
Hoops
June 29th, 2009
1:39 pm
Roy,
Everybody realizes that Josh is a super talent, but he will not upgrade his game. I’m not a NBA player, but I could shoot a jump shot from the perimeter when I was 23. He is undersized @ the 4 position. Some fans feel that we cannot win the NBA Championship with Josh as our 4. I’m one of those fans. So, why not get as much as possible for him while you can? However, the 7.2M trade kicker is a major problem.
SB
June 29th, 2009
1:43 pm
I doubt we loose 50 games with Crawford as ou starting point guard, baring injury. While I would love to get Sessions to start at the point, Getting some bigs in seems more important to me.
Meidzo in Decatur
June 29th, 2009
1:49 pm
I would jump all over this:
I don’t think much of Marvin…his numbers were popcorn, we did not lose ANYTHING during his extended absence! Thorton is 10 times the player he is and Camby would be dynamite in the East. A great shot blocker and one of the best rebounders in the game! We would be the best rebounding frontcourt in the East…this would give us a significant “Margin of Error” for our volume shooters!
bigdave
June 29th, 2009
1:50 pm
“Either he’s in or out,” Grantham said Sunday while in Phoenix. “You’re going to have to really make a commitment to him that he’s part of your program going forward and that you’re going to work around him. Those decisions seemingly are still up in the air. They are going to have to be made at some point. You’ll have to talk about either committing to him or trading him.
The commitment Stoudemire is seeking from the Suns is more than just being told he won’t be traded. He wants a contract extension when he is eligible later this summer. Grantham considers Stoudemire a maximum-salary player worth an extension averaging more than $20 million per season.
“20 mill/season” geesh.. kiss the acquisition of Amare goodnight…
Meidzo in Decatur
June 29th, 2009
1:51 pm
Marvin and RandMo for Thorton and Camby?
I would jump all over this:
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2009/6/27/927147/marvin-williams-and-randolph
I don’t think much of Marvin…his numbers were popcorn, we did not lose ANYTHING during his extended absence! Thorton is 10 times the player he is and Camby would be dynamite in the East. A great shot blocker and one of the best rebounders in the game! We would be the best rebounding frontcourt in the East…this would give us a significant “Margin of Error” for our volume shooters!
Heck I would love to do just Marvin for Camby!
heezy
June 29th, 2009
1:51 pm
I love the blog, but what’s with the typos? Anyway, keep Zaza and pursue Anderson! Come on, “birdman” and hawks go hand in hand!
terrell barron
June 29th, 2009
1:54 pm
Pennington, a pg “who does’nt fit Woody’s system”, wont do us any good this year. They’ll just ride the pine like Acie did. If Ole Woodrow is going to be the coach this year, we wight as well get a guy, WHO FITS THE SYSTEM.
bigdave
June 29th, 2009
1:55 pm
sautee from last blog…
so based on that premise we wait for them to mature while the rest of the team becomes seniors.. basically build around Josh and Al… vs acquiring a proven “veteran” that could come in and bring some credibility inside… so basically you have to be older to “want” to focus on the defense end? hmm.. doubt it.. i m not expecting anymore from Al and Josh than one they should expect of themselves… thats the difference in Lebron James (23/24 yr/o)getting better and better each year, and other players digressing… PUTTING IN THE WORK!!!
while we have an opportunity to have a balanced offensive attack we should take advantage… we have a solid option along the perimeter… we need one down low… coaching sure.. it wouldn’t surprise me if our bigs settle for jumpers because they are more confident in that then anything else about their game…
Rasheed is on my wish list…
Eric
June 29th, 2009
2:04 pm
First of all Josh came into the league as a SF who could also play PF the Hawks choose to play him at PF, but he’s a natural SF. People keep complaining about his game, although Josh is one of the best shot blockers in the N.B.A. He is also one of the best at steals per game for his position. He’s pretty valuable when you consider some guys like Dikembe made a living off block shots alone. Josh gives you as many block shots as a Dikembe, then he gives you 15 plus pts. What people here in Atlanta have to understand is Josh is good right now, if he gets any better(which I hope he does) he’s going to be great.
doc
June 29th, 2009
2:06 pm
did someone mention popcorn?
not too many hawks best fits are there. jason kidd? riiight! dreamer dream on.
O'Brien
June 29th, 2009
2:10 pm
nire,
You are more knowledgeable about our cap situation, so I defer to you. With only $7.5 mil to spend on other team’s FA, we are limited.
Could we tender Marvin, resign Zaza, sign Jack for $5 mil, and then sign another big for $2.5 mil?
Our team would be:
PG – Jack/Crawford/Teague
SG – Johnson/Crawford
SF – Marvin/Mo Evans
PF – Josh/backup PF
C – Horford/Zaza
UGA
June 29th, 2009
2:32 pm
I think the Hawks will re-sign Bibby, tender Marvin and re-sign Zaza. I think Flip is the odd man out unfortunately. Teague and Crawford as your back-ups at the Guard spot is pretty impressive.
We need a scoring BIG to back up Smith and don’t know who that might be.
I just read the Nets may ship out Devin Harris, if Bibby leaves, I’d like us to entertain the idea of sending them Childress, Morris and Teague. We absolutely could not guard Harris last year.
Hoops
June 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
I just got this quote from another blog-
Would u do this trade? They would cost us about 1.5 mill a year more than Marvin’s qualifying offer and Randolph salary. My only problem with this is that Thorton does not shoot it from the 3 point line as well as Marvin. By the way I just heard on ESPN that the Suns have spoken to the Hawks and the Hawks are willing to part with Josh Smith for Amare and I say hell no.
Wabe
June 29th, 2009
2:47 pm
Gonna try and get this message across again:
BIBBY IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY HE’S ASKING FOR.
ON TOP OF THAT, YOU PAY BIBBY WHAT HE’S ASKING FOR, AND YOU IMMEDIATELY DIMINISH ANY CHANCE YOU HAD AT GETTING INTO THE MARKET FOR SOME QUALITY BIGS.
I would love having Bibby back, it would pay dividends. But this guy isn’t worth the money he’s asking for, and on top of that, he’s honestly not irreplaceable. Alot of people continue to bash on Teague, but if you put TALENT around him, his game should be alright.
I think that Amare trade is going to come back to bite us.
The Hawks seem to be throwing away their future to attempt to win a ring right now…and personally – looking at the EAST – the Hawks are a ways off. I would keep Smoove…
Hoops
June 29th, 2009
2:49 pm
UGA,
I am with you on the Childress/Morris/Teague for D. Harris trade! I think you could make that trade if the Nets are really wanting to go young. Teague, Lee, & Lopez would be a really good core from which to build around for years to come.
With 7.5M to use for FA signings, can you see this line up?
PG-Harris, Flip
SG-Crawford, Evans
SF-JJ, Marvin
PF-Josh, Charlie V.
C-Horford, Zaza
niremetal
June 29th, 2009
2:51 pm
Wow. Newbie fools are out in full force today. Anyone who thinks Josh is a natural SF probably hasn’t watched a Hawks game in about 3 years. His hitchy and slow-release jumper, horrible handles, shaky free throw shooting, and tendency to overplay when he’s playing perimeter D make it pretty clear that he is most definitely not an SF. He is an athletic PF – and a damned good one.
Can’t do Marvin or Chills in virtually any trade because of BYC rules. Marvin will probably accept the 1-year tender and cash in next summer with a team that strikes out on the bigger-name FAs (or, more likely, cashes in with a team that has been quietly waiting for him as a cheaper alternative from the get-go).
O’Brien,
That might work financially, but I don’t see us using our mid-level on a PG. Again, I’d rather re-sign Bibby, use the mid-level on a backup C or PF, and use the bi-annual to grab another rotation player for the frontcourt. That way, you’re still 4-deep in the back-court, and also are 4-5 deep in the frontcourt, and Mo backing up Marvin. I hate laying out potential rosters, but I’d rather have Bibby, Charlie V, and Foyle than just Jarrett Jack and Foyle.
STRETCH
June 29th, 2009
2:52 pm
Wabe, i totally agree with you on the BIBBY thing. The guy is NOT worth it. Either some desperate team is going to pay him or he will eventually come back to earth and humbly except a decent offer. He should!
Sautee
June 29th, 2009
2:56 pm
big dave,
“…so based on that premise we wait for them to mature while the rest of the team becomes seniors.. basically build around Josh and Al… vs acquiring a proven “veteran” that could come in and bring some credibility inside…”
Go back and read my post. I CLEARLY said we need more help inside.
It DOES NOT have to be Vs. anything. I’m talking about PLUS Horford and Smith.
Chris
June 29th, 2009
2:59 pm
Stick with Othello Hunter. He’s worth developing!
Wabe
June 29th, 2009
2:59 pm
True Nire,
I don’t even bother responding to people who think Smoove can hold the 3 spot down.
But, IF IM RICK SUND, I LET BIBBY GO TO KEEP CAP SPACE FREED UP, AND MY FIRST PRIORITY IS TO GO GET MARCIN GORTAT!!!!!
I honestly am a huge Gortat fan, I think he’s more polished that even Dwight on the offensive end, and we wouldn’t have to trade away any peices to get a legitimate center. I’m not sure how drastically the Hawks would improve for the upcoming year, but it immediately bulks up the Hawks size, and again, adds versatility/options on what the Hawks lineup could look like.
I’M NOT SURE IF ITS POSSIBLE – BUT GO TRY AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!GORTAT!!!