Buyer beware!
The Hawks gambled on and won big on Joe Johnson. The Hornets ... not so much with their acquisition of Peja Stojakovic. It's buyer beware during NBA free agency.
HAWKSVILLE - Don’t we get this feeling around this time every summer?
While the rest of the NBA seems to move at a breakneck pace in the summer, things here in Hawksville seem to move in that Matrix-styled slow motion, the one where is dancing on the rooftop avoiding those bullets from the agents.
It’s always bothered me in the past. But not so much now.
Not with teams (Portland) being made a fool of in their pursuit of players that may or may not push them to the next level. Toronto’s pending acquisition of Hedo Turkoglu certainly looks like a playoff-making move for a franchise that (even with Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon last year) couldn’t muster more than 33 wins. The Raptors finished third to last in the Eastern Conference, meaning Turkoglu’s addition alone (they don’t have any more free agent cash to do anything else) will have to account for their summer stimulus plan.
Maybe it works. Maybe it doesn’t.
But when I think about all the deals that get done in these desperate summers (the ones where there aren’t a bunch of teams flush with cash and the free agent market is generally considered thin, by historical standards) and I cringe at some of the disastrous purchases that have been made.
Remember when Chicago thought they were snatching the championship momentum from Detroit a couple years ago by stealing Ben Wallace away for $64 million? Or how about the Hornets righting their champion-’ship stock with Peja Stojakovic with a similarly bloated contract?
And we don’t even have to travel back that far. Just look at last summer, when Philadelphia thought it was remaking itself into a title contender with the acquisition of Elton Brand (who, his his defense, had his season cut short by a severe injury). I point these instances out to illustrate just how cautious a team needs to be when dipping its toes into the murky free agent waters.
That said, I’d love for the Hawks to get all their business done now and make a sizable splash while doing so. I just don’t see it happening. They are close to terms with Mike Bibby, per my sources (and that report out of Philadelphia that suggested the deal was done was not only highly speculative but also way premature – a text message from someone with knowledge of the negotiations poked fun at the report thusly, “so the deal is done, huh? That’s news to all of us still trying to sort it all out.”) on a deal that solidifies the backcourt. Beyond that, the Hawks have negotiations to tend to with all of their own free agents (Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams first and foremost) as well as deciding how to proceed with Josh Childress, whose NBA status will have to be decided in the next 10 days.
That’s where things get a bit tricky for the Hawks, who in my estimation have to two extremely important factors weighing in their favor.
First, they don’t have cap money burning a hole in their pocket right now. When teams do, there’s a rush to spend without taking into account the flip side that things could go terribly wrong if you don’t spend wisely (the Chicago-Ben Wallace deal seems like a prime example, but I’d dial it back to the Eddy Curry-Knicks summer as well, you’ll remember that’s the summer the Hawks hosted Curry and tried to entice him. Good thing they lost out on that one, huh?).
Also working in the Hawks’ favor is that they’re not a team desperate to crawl out of a lottery hole (though I’m sure you remember the feeling). When the Hawks acquired Joe Johnson four years ago, they were flush with cap space and that summer’s free agent crop was considered thick. They eye-balled Ray Allen first and missed out, but wound up landing the right player at just the right time to help in their transformation from doormat to eventual playoff team. Like I said earlier, maybe it works. Maybe it doesn’t.
When you’re coming off back-to-back playoff seasons, the need for prudence in all matters can’t be stressed enough. One false move (or non-move in the Hawks’ case this summer) can set you back. Sometimes it can send you back as well, all the way back to Jersey for the lottery ceremony.
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609 comments Add your comment
Hawks Number One Lady Fan
July 5th, 2009
12:01 pm
“I guess you just moved to Atlanta in March of this year. Bibby was the reason that we made the playoffs last year and this year. I guess you missed that. Also, the reason that we bring Bibby back is because THE COACH WANTS HIM BACK!! Woody only trusts certain people with HIS job and Bibby is one that he trusts.”-THE MOST INTERESTING HAWKS FAN IN THE WORLD
I agree with the above statement. That’s why I believe the most important free agent to resign is Mike Bibby, then Zaza Pachulia, and next Marvin Williams. Most realize the impact Flip had on the team but refuses to remember the one player that changed the Hawks fortune in 07-08 right away and led the team to its first post season in what nine years. NO MIKE BIBBY, NO POST SEASON!
Think about it!
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
12:02 pm
So, You are right we were good defensively last year, and Bibby didn’t have a D__N thing to do with it!
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
12:03 pm
JHAN i dont understand name me at least 3 things bibby bring to the table beside the 3 points remember now you paying atleast 10mill?
GO HAWKS!!!!!
Hawks Number One Lady Fan
July 5th, 2009
12:04 pm
D-Bo, I agree Bibby does come up with many steals. I remember seeing him do it. I thought that was a part of playing defense. Correct me if I’m wrong.
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
12:06 pm
darrell,
What the hell makes you think we’ll be paying anywhere close to $10 mil? Come on now.
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
12:09 pm
Been here since 88 actually following the hawks. That was 2 seasons ago when Bibby “helped” us stumble into the playoffs. Where was his leadership in game seven against Boston when they kicked our teeth in after Bibby ran his mouth to the Boston fans? Where was his leadership when LeBron ran thru here like the wind? And as far as woody is concerned he has no job to trust anybody with. hes a lame duck. if the hawks decide to keep J Smoove around you and I know Woody is out of here.
KevinA
July 5th, 2009
12:10 pm
I would say the better play of ZaZa, Josh, Al, Marvin and Flip was the difference maker in the teams improvement. Bibby and JJ had normal years. The above mentioned players improved their games or over performed. Bibby has the skills you mentioned, he also has many liabilities others have mentioned. Bibby would be ok at 5-6 mil but playing 25 min per game instead of 35 or so.
Crawford is the path to Chills and another big or pf.
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
12:10 pm
Everyone around Bibby plays better when he’s around. And he’s ALWAYS had that effect on his teams. That alone makes him worth keeping.
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
12:13 pm
How bibby a better defender than flip what game you have been watching?
GO HAWKS!!!!!
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
12:15 pm
NIRE how much would pay bibby?
GO HAWKS!!!!!
D-Bo
July 5th, 2009
12:16 pm
real#1hawksfan — Are you really going to question Bibby for letting Boston/Cleveland (the two best teams in the league at the time) walk all over us? What about Joe Johnson, our best player by the way? I like how Bibby jawed off to Boston, shows me some heart. But it almost sounds like your trying to blame him for not being a leader in those specific series’ when in fact he was a leader. He helped get us to that game 7 against Boston, he helped get us to the second round against Cleveland but losing happens and you can’t honestly put the blame on Bibby for not being a leader when he was a leader. He was just the leader we needed and that leader needs to stay on this team.
He’s played in 69 career playoff games so I would trust Bibby running this team over Flip, or any free agent out there at this point.
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
12:17 pm
darrell,
Up to $7.5M per year for 3 years or $8M for two. I’d push hard for $6.5-7M for 3 years.
D-Bo
July 5th, 2009
12:21 pm
How is Flip a better defender than Bibby?? I think that’s a better question.
Bibby played 35 minutes a game for one of the better defensive teams in the league, I’m not sure what more you want from the guy.
THE MOST INTERESTING HAWKS FAN IN THE WORLD
July 5th, 2009
12:23 pm
NIRE,
Great comment @ Darrell. Rasheed is being offered peanuts, Artest recieved peanuts, Marbury is being offered peanuts, Iverson will get peanuts. How in the heck does Darrell figure that we pay 10mil per for Bibby. Bibby will get no more than 6.5 mil for 3 years, which is peanuts CONSIDERING that he made 15mil per year the past 2 years.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!”
THE MOST INTERESTING HAWKS FAN IN THE WORLD
July 5th, 2009
12:25 pm
Roddick and Federer is turing into an instant classic. WOW!! Who predicted Federer in straight sets?
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!”
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
12:27 pm
You have to be kidding me you mean to tell me you would pay bibby 7mill a year than to pay flip 3or 4mill year dam dam dam!!!!!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
12:29 pm
Joe and Joe alone got us to game 7 against Boston. Im not trying to blame Bibby, he did his thing the last season and a half. All Im sayin is that money we would be paying Bibby could be spent a lot better. Like using that money towards Stoudemire, if we go that route, and Joe next year. Its time for Bibby to go because hes reached his cieling as a hawk. He’s not going to make us any better thatn we were this year and a 3 year deal would hamper the team in the future. He’s definitely on the down side dont overpay for an aging PG who can only spot shoot and get an occasional steal.
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
12:30 pm
THE MOST INTERESTING HAWKS FAN IN THE WORLD you dont even watch basketball and thats what you said so how do you no who to keep?
GO HAWKS!!!!!
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
12:31 pm
talk to em D Starks cause they aint hearin me. Wheres Sekou?
D-Bo
July 5th, 2009
12:33 pm
I don’t think I would be opposed to getting Stoudemire, however his defense leaves a little to be desired. If we decided to let Bibby go in order to get a guy like Amare, who would be our PG? Flip Murray isn’t a starter, he isn’t a PG, and he certainly isn’t going to lead a team anywhere. PG is arguably the most important position on the court.. so what would we do then?
D-Bo
July 5th, 2009
12:35 pm
And I think Bibby certainly brings more to the table than spot shooting and an occasional steal…
Sekou probably watching the amazing tennis match that’s going on right now. Epic.
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
12:37 pm
So you guys are talking about starting the same line up.
STARTERS BIBBY, JOE, MARVIN, JOSH, HORFORD. 7TH SEED AT BEST.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
Hawk Str8Talk
July 5th, 2009
12:37 pm
i think you guys advocating for Bibby’s return are lacking vision in your arguments. I won’t argue that he has value to a team. The bigger question is – what is that value toward winning a title? I’d argue that we’re not winning a title with Bibby as our point guard. He lacks the things that you need to win a championship – defense and distribution. So, you guys asking for Flip and/or Bibby to come back – you can’t win titles in this league without great point guard play unless you have a Kobe, MJ, LeBron-like talent to compensate for it. Now, I’d also argue that you can’t win a title with Woodson as your coach either, so maybe this is moot, but the biggest point is whether or not you can win titles with this guy. So, I’m not going to get into this debate about Flip or Bibby. I don’t think either of them are going to be able to help us get to elite status in the East, much less the league going forward.
Our needs going into the offseason was perimeter and interior defense (those who are saying the Hawks were a good defense last year haven’t watched any of our games vs. above average teams or even our rank in key defensive categories), rebounding, interior depth, and point guard depth. Right now, we have a bunch of shooting guards (yes, Teague, like Crawford and Murray are shooting guards) to go along with Joe Johnson. So, aside from a poor coaching philosophy for our talent, you don’t have a player who controls the offense enough to ensure that Horford, Smith, and Williams are getting the ball where they can be most effective. Hence, the reason our players are continually shooting bad shots for their game. Last season, Maurice Evans was the only player who did not pass the ball to Josh Smith when he set up outside of the paint. That’s what we need our POINT GUARD to handle.
Wabe
July 5th, 2009
12:41 pm
WHY THE HELL IS RICKY RUBIO IN A COMMERCIAL WITH TIGER WOODS, DEREK JETER, AND ROGER FEDERER?
Are you kiddin me?
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
12:41 pm
Maybe you havent noticed DBo but Joe Johnson may not be listed technically as the pg, but he’s the pg. He runs the offense, gets the assists, and passes to Bibby when he gets doubled. Jamal Crawford can play that role ten times better than Bibby, plus create his own offense. whens the last time u seen bibby do that? And Crawfords PG skills as far as penetrating the the d is ten times better than Bibby.Hes gonna create a log jam if we sign him. Why did we draft Teauge? Cause he can play now thats why. Must I go on?
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
12:42 pm
Anyone else here think that Federer would have 15 more aces than Roddick and Roddick still be in it?
Wabe
July 5th, 2009
12:43 pm
LETS GOOOO RODDICK!!!!!!!!
15-40!!!!
BREAK POINT!!!!
KevinA
July 5th, 2009
12:44 pm
niremetal, I agree with you on Bibby making those around him better. I would like to see play against all the second units minutes. Bibby’s defense would not be exposed as much.
One of the reasons Bibby is not as effective as he should be is giving the ball to iso Joe instead of running the team offense. Is this a Woody thing in your opinion? Is this a JJ thing since he is our best player? I think Josh and Al need more touches. They both have improved every year they have played. I think Marvin and Chills go into that same catagory. This team could have a break out year with these young studs. Will Bibby/JJ/Crawford pass more than their history indicates?
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
12:44 pm
What the hawks have to realize that last year eastern conf was a water down conference with all the injurys but this year will be a different story.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
D-Bo
July 5th, 2009
12:45 pm
Hawk, I def. agree with you on some things. I don’t think we win a title with or without Bibby but we are a better team WITH Bibby than with Flip Murray. That’s what I’m arguing. Jeff Teague may be the answer for us in the future, but who knows how he’ll develop. As of right now he’s a combo guard. The fact is, we have very few choices when it comes to the PG position and the best option is clearly Mike Bibby and the front office/coaching staff sees that as well.
And the reason we are getting bad shots is because we have no half-court offense to speak of. I think that can be attributed to the coaching. Woodson wants to run but I don’t think that’s his style. With that said, I don’t think he has an offensive style, haha.. I think he’s similar to Mike Brown when it comes to being defensive oriented and lacking an offensive mind but the difference is Brown has LBJ. When we set up in the half-court we looked absolutely messed up and you can put that 100% on the coaching staff though.
macaroni tony
July 5th, 2009
12:45 pm
forget ricky rubio, he hasn’t score one point in this league.
Wink
July 5th, 2009
12:49 pm
The signing of Bibby may signal the end of Flip in Atlanta. Bibby should get credit for steering us into the playoffs upon arrival, but it can also be stated that Flip got us into the playoffs last year. Without Flip we lose 6 – 8 games, then we don’t make the playoff this year. Flip led this team when Bibby went down and the prized AC Law still did not get off the bench.
We will need at least four guards on this team plus JJ. Why should we not stack the deck with Bibby, Flip, Crawford, & Teague.
All are capable of playing the point, all are scoring point guards and two of them can back up JJ at shooting guard. You could also play JJ at small forward, when small ball is required. Small ball team: Bibby, Crawford, JJ, Josh/Marvin & Horford.
Guys it does not appear we are going to get any bigger thru free agency. ZaZa is probably the best big man left and we should focus on signing him…SOON. I don’s understand the lovefest going on for McDyess, this guy is past his prime, besides he shoot more than he rebounds. We need someone in here who can boards & put backs.
Get Bibby deal done. Sign Flip, ZaZa, Marvin. If anything left in the till sign a big & bring Josh home. One thing I know Josh will provides is rebounding, gabage points, defense.
If we have to wait for next year on a true center, so be it.
A Tribe Called Quest
July 5th, 2009
12:50 pm
I will seriously be shocked if this team advances to the ECF or NBA Finals with the current roster as is. There is no way this core, with all the free agents resigned, can compete with Cleveland, Boston, or even Orlando (who will be worse this coming season) in the playoffs. I’m sorry folks. I’m not trying to be negative – I’m just stating the facts. When will Rick Sund realize that 2 athletic tweeners as our PF and C will not get us to the Holy Land?
And this talk that Bosh/Amare cannot play defense is irrelevant. They are both not much worse, if at all, then Dwight or Garnett at this point. Keep Horford and trade Josh Smith.
And these people who claim we have no one to trade, we have Josh Smith, Chillz rights (no way he is back next year), and since we are so young, we can trade picks. It’s not that hard. Trade Mo Evans if you have to.
Lastly, the reason Marvin hasn’t gotten any offers is because other GMs realize what Marvin really is – a career underachieving (#2 overall) stiff who scores 13 ppg and some people claim should make 8 mill a year. At least two thirds of the small forwards in the NBA can score that amount—maybe even more. That’s why no one is interested in Marvin right now.
Thank you
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
12:50 pm
Preach Hawk Str8 talk. I see a couple people in here actually know NBA basketball. But I dare to argue that Bibby to is a SG pretending to be a pg around Joe, who runs this offense. Thats why it was anemic for the most part in the playoffs, we didn’t have a distributor to get guys the ball when & where they needed it, including Bibby.
KevinA
July 5th, 2009
12:51 pm
Historic match. Great day for sports. Tiger is up next.
D-Bo
July 5th, 2009
12:52 pm
And I agree with you again. I think Jamal Crawford is a better scorer than Bibby, he can handle the ball better than Bibby, and right now he’s the better player. This all started with people saying Flip is needed more than Bibby, which is wrong.
We drafted Teague because he gives us slashing, and a guy that can be a big time spark off the bench. Something we needed more of since Acie refused to go to the basket.
A Tribe Called Quest
July 5th, 2009
12:53 pm
I leave for 3 days, and the Hawks have signed NO ONE YET, and all the big FA’s are gone
LOL
HAVENT EVEN SIGNED BIBBY — WHAT A JOKE
THIS FRANCHISE IS PATHETIC. RUN BY MONEY-HUNGRY PIGS AND AN ARROGANT 30 YR GM WHO HAS DONE NOTHING IN HIS CAREER
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
12:54 pm
I say sign flip, marvin, zaza, solo, and sign wilcox.
GO HAWKS!!!!!
A Tribe Called Quest
July 5th, 2009
12:55 pm
I leave for 3 days and the only new article is that there are free agents out there.
What a freaking joke
Melvin
July 5th, 2009
12:59 pm
Tribe,
No player has been signed yet by any team. And the only players that has committed are Charlie V, Ben, Artest, Ariza and Hedo. None of those players were on the Hawks radar.
D-Bo
July 5th, 2009
1:00 pm
The fact is we don’t have the pieces in place (at numerous positions) to compete for a title.
A Tribe Called Quest
July 5th, 2009
1:02 pm
I told you all this:
All the Hawks do is wait…and wait…and wait…and wait until every player is gone
Good job Rick Sund. I hope you enjoy resigning your amazing hall-of-famer free agents while every other team gets better. Good job with your 120 year road to a champinoship with piss-awful goals each year
YOU ARE A !@#%$ING JOKE
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
1:03 pm
I say trade horford and chill for amra’e or bosh
terrell barron
July 5th, 2009
1:03 pm
Will somebody win this match already???
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
1:05 pm
TRIBE CALL QUEST I CO SIGN.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
1:06 pm
Teague is 6 ft tall, he’s playin the point in this league. How about a deal for Stoudemire, giving up Josh and Marvin? Dont sign Bibby. Go after Sessions. Milwaukee dont want nonbody. Starting Five. C stoudemire, PF Horford, Joe at the 3, fascilitating, Sessions and Crawford rounding it out. Mo Evans, Flip on a one year deal(he plays his best on them),Teague, Zaza, go after Birdman or bring in David Andersen, or somebody like Gadzuric from the Bucks to come off the bench?
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
1:08 pm
And bring back Chill to.
THE MOST INTERESTING HAWKS FAN IN THE WORLD
July 5th, 2009
1:09 pm
DARRELL STARKS,
Bibby is a proven commodity. He has an 11 year body of work to examine, disect, poke, etc. You saw what he did for the Kings. You saw what he did for the Hawks.
Flip, even though I like him, is a career journeyman. Before the Hawks signed him last year, he was on his way to play basketball in Russia, I think. No one is going to hand the keys to a franchise to a career journeyman. Bibby, however, will get the keys.
Give Bibby the keys, if he wrecks, no one will blame you. Give Flip the keys, and he wrecks it, you will be the laughing stock of the league.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!”
A Tribe Called Quest
July 5th, 2009
1:09 pm
Theo, Frye, Gerald Green?
Are these guys really gonna help this team?
doc
July 5th, 2009
1:10 pm
real#1 …. parker torched a very unenthusiastic, flat TEAM that night expecting a mail in. the WHOLE TEAM WAS FLAT as a pan cake as kurt thomas made mince meat of horford pushing him around like a beach ball in a soccer match. that was the worst game of the year for the hawks in what they were playing for and what they were wanting to state about themselves. in my mind it was worse than the blow out at the hands of the nets earlier in the season when the nets thought they were playing for something. please drop that comparison as if every guard would do it. that is also where crawford will help as he presents size and quickness to match up with some of those guys as soon as he learns woody’s system of defense which the guy can coach. no, i dont think bibby is a good one on one d man nor siggest it, only he does play well in a team defensive scheme. funny folks forget how poorly jj played defense when it came to blocks and steals last year, what was it 30 games without one steal of was it blocks … pitiful.
nire, i know the hawks have quibbled before so i wouldt put it past them but i would make the deal if it fell 1 mil up from where you want it. i agree with your assessment as well of what i would offer. remember, though i know you choose not to even consider it without any more knowledge than i have from sekou, chills would still be here except for that type of thinking last year. maybe in a down economy we can sit back. only bibby and his folks might be using their “interest” in the hawks and the hawks low bid to make other teams that want him and need him more than us to ante up to see us end up the bridesmaid again at the alter. money talks bro and bibby would help the 6ers as josh would have more than brand last year. it was our good their bad on that one.