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
Daniel
July 6th, 2009
1:19 pm
Nirmental-
Ok, I obviously don’t understand the cap hold. Everytime I think I do I get different information. I understand the cap hold as a figure that counts against the cap, when a team resigns its own players(that figure being based on years of service). But, I assumed that since the Hawks have to tender Childress an offer to keep his rights that figure counts against both the salary and luxury cap. Although, no real money changes hands. Do I still have this wrong?
O'Brien
July 6th, 2009
1:19 pm
What is the backup plan if we lose ZaZa? (And I really dont understand why its taking so long to sign him, unless ZaZa is looking for other options to go elsewhere). Give him 4 years, $22-$24 mil.
I would love to see Antonio McDyess here, but he didnt want to go to Denver, so why would he want to come here.
Drew Gooden is out there, and so is Joe Smith, along with Brandon Bass. Hopefully, Sund will get an established veteran big (along with Zaza).
JKidd got 3 years, $25 million. I wonder what Bibby’s deal is going to be? (I hope its not more than 3 years, $21 mil).
Daniel
July 6th, 2009
1:21 pm
doc- just to point out the Hawks did have a winning record against the best teams in the west last year. For what that is worth.
bigdave
July 6th, 2009
1:21 pm
Daniel…
take the good with the bile… do you guys just look at players at face value…? i guess you look at them as “bias” fans and not teammates.. maybe you are “fearful” of him because he doesnt have the “image” you would like your kids to pattern themselves after… when has Rasheed ever been a “locker room cancer”? all his teammates love him… even players that arent on his team respect Sheed.. most of Sheeds beef came from the league or officials… to be honest i dont mind Josh techs (however with good timing) the Hawks have gotten no respect from game officials; i think thats from our demeanor of our star, and head coach… Josh just complains too much.. therefore the effect is lost. there’s a way to let the officials know you’re not getting calls… thats another intangible thats missing from our team…
Daniel
July 6th, 2009
1:23 pm
Man, O’Brien you are offering Bibby and Za some huge contracts. I think if the Hawks were offering that it would already be done. Bibby is more in the 2 year at 6 mil range, with Za being more in the 4-5 mil range, the length being negotiable.
terrell barron
July 6th, 2009
1:25 pm
Obrien, I hope it’s not more than 3 yr 18 mill. with a team option for the 3rd year. But it’ll probably end up being around what you said, to my dismay of course.
Daniel
July 6th, 2009
1:27 pm
bigdave- what the h*ll are you talking about? Your original point was that Rasheed would be a good mentor for Smith and Horford. Now, you are saying that the reasons why he isn’t a good mentor is made up for by his talent? No, one ever said that Wallace isn’t a great talent, and I will go so far as to say that he is the best FA signing this year(including the Shaq trade and the Artest deal). That still doesn’t make him a good role model for young players. I also don’t know what you mean by “fear” and “image”. Are you trying to suggest somehting? If so be a man and say it, don’t imply it, but be prepared for a response.
niremetal
July 6th, 2009
1:28 pm
Daniel,
The tender offer and the cap hold are two separate things. The tender offer is what is necessary to retain the right to offer any matches for Chill as a restricted free agent. The cap hold is the amount that is counted against our cap as long as we hold his Bird rights, which apply to any free agent, restricted or unrestricted, who plays under the same contract for 3 or more years (which is why we have Bird rights and cap holds for Bibby and Zaza, not just Chill and Marvin). The tender offer does not count against our cap figure – only the cap hold does.
The luxury tax and the cap figure are two separate things. The luxury tax is simply the amount of money actually paid out to players under contract (and that is calculated based on players under contract as of the final day of the regular season). The cap figure includes lots of things in addition to the salaries of players under contract – most notably cap holds for our free agents. Since Childress is a free agent without an active who most recently played with us, he has a cap hold, but that cap hold is not included in our luxury tax figure.
doc
July 6th, 2009
1:29 pm
now now now jhan, chills was not replaced by flip. tell me in all honsety do you not think the hawks would have not been more competitive in the playoffs or down the stretch when marvin was hurt? yes, i am aware of the mo factor there for a while just didnt hold true long enough because once it was lost it was never to be found again. if they had kept chills and signed flip we would have been just fine and maybe in the cat bird seat this off season. just thinking maybe we would have measured up better against some of the best like orlando, miami, boston and the cavs that EXPLOITED mo. orlando didnt go in reverse either without him did they?
sorry jhan, not a buyer for your argument, nor do i think we would not have needed a flip with chills. they are telling you that to save face, their spin, no? we all know they needed more fire power at two rather than 2/3/4 where chills filled in admirably; even at 1. gosh the guy was invaluable to the wooden man’s (lack of) rotational system, no one in the league as versatile or expected to be ready to play so many positions on one team. that is like the guy in baseball that can do everything but pitch. give the guy some cred.
niremetal
July 6th, 2009
1:29 pm
*without an active contract
"Charles", The Original
July 6th, 2009
1:31 pm
HawkDog has got it right. All we need is a center. If we can patch up an old veteran like Dikembe Matombo, and put him in the middle at strategic times in the game, the Hawks can contend for an NBA championship.
jhan
July 6th, 2009
1:32 pm
I never said the reason we won 10 more games was because Childress left. I just pointed out that we DID win 10 more games with him not here. We probably could have won an extra 5 games if we kept him, Flip & Mo.
But realistically thinking – would it be worth the extra $6.5M to pay Childress to win an additional 5 games? We still wouldn’t have beaten Cleveland in the playoffs with Childress. Fiscal responsibility plays an important part in this process.
KevinA
July 6th, 2009
1:33 pm
We need to sign Chills if he stays under 8 million. How do we pay you say? Chills is better than Crawford, Flip, Bibby, Evans, Hunter, West, Flip and Gardner. Marvin and Chills are simply better players. They are not stars but they solid defense, play smart offense and still have upside. Not to mention great team players and are not afraid to hustle.
terrell barron
July 6th, 2009
1:41 pm
Doc, when you speak about Chills like that, it makes me believe that you think BK is a genius. That player you just talked about, plus Josh Smith in one draft has to be considered the best draft in NBA History.. Wouldn’t you think? Throw out 2006(Shellhead) and he’s the GM of the decade. Just messin with you Doc, but you did make Chills sound like Scottie Pippen.
bigdave
July 6th, 2009
1:41 pm
Nire…
okay… okay.. everyone gets it.. you are/aspiring litigator… this isnt mock trail… how can one get so much pleasure from telling everyone your profession, or something that their not even receiving pay for.. that is the motivation for most attorney’s right? pay..? i mean, it will be for me…. too bad for you, im actually a poly sci major over at Morehouse, law school is an option “dude”…
you do need to work on your cognitive reasoning though… because i see no contradiction in what i said. in your eagerness to respond and “see” yourself talk did you misread? i mean that is human error… you’re not going to lose anything here…
what i said was, “why would it be Rasheed’s responsibility to patrol (emphasis on patrol here) Josh’s game? what makes you makes you think he would try to have Josh model his game around his? thats not mentoring (emphasis there)…” i said nothing about him “teaching” or to what degree or what was being taught…
stick to your salary cap talk… “dude”
bigdave
July 6th, 2009
1:43 pm
daniel…
didnt say that… where are you getting that from…?
Anakin Joe
July 6th, 2009
1:48 pm
doc, sounds like a chicken or the egg debate. 6 of the top 7 draft picks this past season belonged to Western Conference teams (and then the Wizards traded their pick to Wolves for 7 of 7). Now was that because they were decimated by the top teams or were the records of the top 9 teams inflated by playing those bottom-feeding teams? IMO, if the 6 bottom Eastern teams played the 6 bottom Western teams in a tournament last season, the Eastern teams would emerge with the better records.
doc
July 6th, 2009
1:51 pm
terrell, thank you. heh heh as i bow.
just giving the guy chills credit where it was due. wore a whole lot of hats didnt he? also pointing out the fallacy of the thought if chills then not flip as flip type of guy was huge and we all knew it for years and crawford is going to take it to the next level. yes terrell you know i will give even woody credit when he deserves it as i will bk. i dont have an agenda of my own except for the basg to keep heading in the right direction. if i dont there is always my wing man ATF!
jhan not quibbling just evening out the argument a bit. he is on salary here somehow either in real dollars or not and it will need to be spent in some way even in a sign and trade jhan so it does involve fiscal responsibility unless we give him away for nothing which we have “tendered” not to do.
niremetal
July 6th, 2009
1:55 pm
bigdave,
Hey, you call my opinion laughable, I’m gonna take a crack back at you. Besides, I noticed you’re addressing everything EXCEPT your original comment that Rasheed would make a good mentor for Al and Josh. So why don’t you address that. What on earth makes you think Rasheed can mentor anybody?
My guess is that you realized that no one agreed with you on that assessment and so you lashed out at Daniel and me instead. Nice try.
And by the way, “cognitive reasoning?” Uh…as opposed to non-cognitive reasoning?
I MUS WRITE
July 6th, 2009
2:03 pm
Amen Scott!……. Who the hell cares about tennis- Maybe sum of yall should start a tennis blog to quench yallz Wimbeldon thirst…. The only tennis I want to see is Sarenas Donk bounce’n everywhere or Sharapova with her sexxy grunting…..Any Hoo just say no to tennis on the hawks blog
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:05 pm
doc, we had the second toughest schedule after the All-star break. The Blazers had one of the easiest schedules this year…..just sayin’
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:09 pm
bigdave, If i’m not mistaken josh ONLY had 2 or 3 techs on the season. Why would he need anything from ’sheed? You guys potray josh as some dumb kid who wines but the truth is he hasn’t really done anything(technical fouls) to jeapordize our teams chances of winning on the hardwood.
Daniel
July 6th, 2009
2:20 pm
niremental- Thanks for the explanation. So, if I am to understand this then tendering Childress an offer to maintain his rights this year would not affect our ability to sign other free agents. But, If Chils does not come back this year, do we lose his restricted free agent rights? or because we tender him and he chooses to not play in the league to we get to keep his rights? Sorry, for bugging you about this.
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:22 pm
i’m pretty sure all reasoning is cognitive……lol
O'Brien
July 6th, 2009
2:23 pm
tb,
I would prefer to give Bibby 2 years, $12-$14 mil, with a team option for the 3rd year. But Woody feels like he cant coach unless Bibby is here, and considering what Kidd got, plus Andre Miller supposedly wants something closer to $9 or $10 mil, I wouldnt be surprised if Bibby gets the 3 year, $21 mil.
I hate the fact that its so quiet in Hawksville. No concrete news relating to Bibby or ZaZa, and I havent seen much of the Hawks mentioned on the rumor mills (Hoopshype etc). I should be used to it by now…
The minute Rasheed said he was signing with Boston (how can they afford to sign Grant Hill), Sund should have been on the phone with Big Baby. The minute Dallas offered Gortat a deal, Sund should have been on the phone with Brandon Bass.
Obviously, I dont know what Sund is doing behind closed doors…I guess I’m just feigning for some Hawks signings…
jhan
July 6th, 2009
2:24 pm
doc – I certainly hope we don’t lose Chills for nothing. We can’t afford to lose our assets without compensation.
IMUS – she sure does bounce around doesn’t she? Can’t say that sucks to watch!
Astro – I agree with you on the West vs East debate. Obviously the best team was from the West but overall talent was fairly close. Next season I wouldn’t be suprised if the East was the better conference.
Many times I watched Bibby calm down Josh while he was going nuts at the refs. Do you think Sheed would do the same? I think he would make things even worse. We can’t afford to have 2 players with that type personality on the team. I’ll take Josh over Sheed all day long.
Daniel
July 6th, 2009
2:24 pm
bigdave… you said “I felt that Sheed would… be a good mentoring assest for Josh and Al(something this team needs)”
Are you backing off your statement?
Quit taking shots at people personally, especially if you can’t stand behind what you say.
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:25 pm
From Sekou’s twitter feed:
“Watching Josh Smith and Steve Smith workout at McEachern HS. Ol’ school teaching new school a few tricks of the trade.”
“Source: Hawks have presented their case to Zaza Pachulia & await his decision on a new deal. Stay tuned.”
Daniel
July 6th, 2009
2:25 pm
Ariose- there can be emotional and spiritual reasoning.
bigdave
July 6th, 2009
2:27 pm
Nire….
no….no.. i think i initially was responding to Vava74 then you felt the need to comment so then distributed my defense to the both of you guys… you first, though you didnt mention my name, then Daniel followed with his 2 cents so i addressed him… im not trying to “lash out” at anyone.. im cool as a fan over here.. bout to drink a Miller Chill and play 360… my day is done…
furthermore, actually it was you that called my opinion laughable… “A good mentoring asset to Josh and Al? Sorry, but that’s a laugh.” i then, said your assessment of my statement was laughable…
personally i could careless if anyone here agreed with me or not… obviously the Atlanta Hawks did…
i mean, but to my point… a mentor can be defined as one who serves as a trusted counselor or teacher, especially in occupational settings. now… to this could be a head coach, and assistant, a player, etc. Rasheed Wallace, a player, who has had relative success in the league (IN MY OPINION) would have been my choice as a free agent acquisition to our Hawks… do i know Rasheed Wallace… no. do i know of his respect throughout the league, yes. do i feel that Rasheed could provide intangibles (which i have used soo many times in this explanation) to our young talented bigs, yes. is there any empirical evidence to support this… no… why, cause he doesnt play for us… so who knows, its a hit or miss… just like Sekou said…
now.. u can say.. who has he mentored, “Darko”… Darko is nowhere near as talented as our bigs.. thats how i know you are only seeing your side of this discussion.. cause clearly you forgot Sheed played with a young Jermaine O’Neal… Jermaine developed to be an inside out (not 3 pt range) threat just like Sheed…
to be more precise… i think he could have helped Josh and Al defensive prowess… team defensive concepts, fall/fade away jumper that Al loves, etc. this is Mr. 2 time 100 3’s 100 blks.
Niremental Esq.
Game… Set… Match…
jhan
July 6th, 2009
2:27 pm
Ariose wrote – “You guys potray josh as some dumb kid who wines but the truth is he hasn’t really done anything(technical fouls) to jeapordize our teams chances of winning on the hardwood.”
Have you ever watched Josh standing around arguing with the ref’s while the game is still going on? I have many times & watched the guy JOSH was supposed to be guarding get an easy bucket. That to me counts as “jepoardizing” our teams chance to win.
Meidzo in Decatur
July 6th, 2009
2:29 pm
I am emerging from my depression/coma about the Bibby resigning and trying to embrace the Hawks next direction.
My arguement is simple:
The only way Teague will grow is playing…Woody has shown over the years tht letting young guards play, mess up and grow is not his strength. (See Diaw, Ivey)
We all lament the miss of CP3 and DeronWill, but Will did not look that good in his 1st year and Paul lead the league in turnovers in his first month or so; but guess what they were allowed to play and they grew.
I just hope 3 years from now we don’t still have Horford playing 5 and we are not trying to figure out if Teague was a bust!
Mitch
July 6th, 2009
2:29 pm
Thanks, Ariose:
Good news on both JSmoove learning some tricks from Steve Smith…and especially learning that the Hawks have offered ZaZa a contract. That’s a start.
bigdave
July 6th, 2009
2:31 pm
Daniel… nobody is taking shots… boy you guys are sensitive.. you just arent saying what i said… therefore i dont see your point…
and no.. i still think Sheed would have been good for the Hawks…
and if for anything, why not have this guy on our team… geesh.. mentor or no mentor… when Josh starts trippin, you know falling in love with jumpers, or Al is giving us nothing… sit em…!! put in a Rasheed Wallace… offense and defense… we didnt have that luxury… but now Boston does… so no need to even care anymore…
bigdave
July 6th, 2009
2:35 pm
Ariose… huh? need what from Sheed…?
O'Brien
July 6th, 2009
2:37 pm
I’m glad Josh is hanging out with Smitty. And given the fact that Smitty was a color analyst for the Hawks, he got to see Josh up close and personal during the season’s games. (Between Smitty and Mark Price, I hope Josh can develop a consistent mid-range jumper).
Ariose,
Although Josh hasnt gotten many technicals, there are many plays where his head is just not in the game. Too often he is whining at the referee about the foul (not being called), while the opposing team is on a breakway.
I wish Josh would stop complaining/whining to the refs so much (and I wish JJ would complain to the refs more).
bigdave
July 6th, 2009
2:39 pm
Nire..
so given that you think Sheed would just teach Josh.. Al… Solo (i call em Loso he kinda looks like rapper Fabolous) all his “bad” characteristics.. why does everyone want Bibby around to “mentor” Teague? is he just gonna teach Jeff how to play poorest defense.. to not contest or jump.. to just stand around and wait for Joe…? i doubt it.. he’s a vet.. he can offer “intangibles” to assist Jeff as a pro…
Daniel
July 6th, 2009
2:39 pm
Meidzo- The Bibby resigning?!? do you know something that we don’t?
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:39 pm
S&T w/cavs for Danny Green and JJ Hickson for Childress:
After Going over it in my head, with all the BYC stuff added into the mix, it would be tough…sort of.
Chills would only count for about 3mill(because of his BYC status). The Hawks would need to add more pieces to make up for the 6-7mill that CLE will have to put on the table in order to aquire Chills(7mill being his full non-byc value that cleveland has to match). Easy fix for the Hawks, we just add Mo Evans and Randolph Morris to the deal.
So were fine on our end, that Just leaves Cleveland. We can get Danny Green and Hickson, but that’s probably ONLY 3-4 mill tops, and I don’t think they’d(CLE) be willing to give up much else(Gibson etc… and the already traded away Pavlovic(1.4mill)). Quitea little picke i’d say. BUT i’d rather give CLE chills and get Back Danny green who is a beter shooter and just as long(sort of…lol) and Hickson, to help out Marvin and add depth to the front line, than making a deal with the Bucks for Dan freakin’ Gaduric…..come on.
Ken Strickland
July 6th, 2009
2:45 pm
All of this chatter about Chills have me a bit confused. My understanding of the matter is he has to renounce his Greek contract before the 15th of this month before anything can be done by anyone, right? If he renounces that contract and receives an offer from another club, we have the right to match that offer, right? If we match that offer, and choose not to do a sign and trade, he either has to play for us or sit out the entire yr if he want’s to regain his FA status, right?
Having a bench comprised of Chills, Crawford, Teague, Anderson, Zaza, Evans and filler would give us a versatile, talented, athletic and deep bench. However, having that much talent and versatility, and being in a contract yr, might put too much pressure on Woodson to win big and force him to retreat back to his play my starters until they drop mentality.
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:46 pm
O’Brien, I cannot disagree with you there. i’m seeing exactly what you are. I’m just saying that, although Rasheed may be able to help smoove with his offensive game, he offers little to nothing from a leadership standpoint.
If we did aquire him, I wouldn’t be mad though heh, that’s for sure.
Maybe David Andersen is better than we think. At this point it looks like Frye and Big baby are off the table(we’re not even reported as one of the teams following frye). With Andersen being a seasond vet, I could defenetly see woody subbing him in for Smoove full-time. Hopefully he can improve his defense. He’s going to have to in order to get PT from Woodson.
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:49 pm
Daniel,Very true…completely forgot. I guess I was just using myself(mainly cognitive when pretaining to every day ordinary things…) as a refrence.
outlaw30079
July 6th, 2009
2:52 pm
why do people keep saying get McDyess or Joe Smith if they come just how much playing time will they get come on Horfort, Zaza, Anderson (if he do come) i say save the maony get the young man from Augusta State use some of the money u would use for a big name to go get the Dream to be his coach (his salery wont count against da cap) next if u can get Gerld Green at a low price go get he is young did any of u forget we had no draft last year let him sit just look at him as or draft last year and come on people whats up with all the West love if he was on any other team if he even mad the team he would not see the floor last if J Chili is not coming back to Atlanta do it even matter what we get get something (some new balls, some new nets, some food for spirt the hawk anything he is not coming back to the Hawks
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:56 pm
jhan, I was hoping that you and O’Brien wouldn’t catch that lol. I should’ve known better
Like I said, I see that stuff too, can’t deny it. I was trying to make smoove look better by using the technical foul angle which, compared to rasheed or even Kove who led he leauge last season, it alsmost non-existant.
But my half-reasoning was caught by you two lol.
I really hope Josh matures over this summer. In game(ability) and in cognitive reasoning lol. But, he’s our guy and for all his flaws i’m glad we have him, as opposed to not having him at all.
Ariose
July 6th, 2009
2:57 pm
*Kove=Kobe
Melvin
July 6th, 2009
2:59 pm
Aroise,
Ditto your post @ 2:09. Like Ray said, either you love or hate Josh Smith. He is “The Most Interesting Hawks Player”. He’s such a knucklehead, why would he train with great vets of the game like Smitty, Dream and Murphy? Shouldn’t he be hanging out at Luckie Lounge trying to start a bar fight or something? Better yet, he should have been caught with a DUI leaving Strokers this summer. That guy sure needs to grow up… However, you better hope Chills doesn’t go to the Cavs. He would be a great blue collar guy for Lebron, Mo and Shaq.
Stinger
July 6th, 2009
3:01 pm
Ariose,
I love the Green / Hickson S/T for Chills but not for Danny Green (and I’m a UNC grad from the 80’s) but I did watch JJ Hickson at NCSU and he was very impressive and though thin is definitely a baseline player. If Cleveland will agree to give him up I love the deal – a very promising player.
fudd21
July 6th, 2009
3:01 pm
HawkDog, and do tell who is this mythical center that all we need to get to have 50+ wins. Hey people just because we want someone doesn’t mean they want to come here or that we can afford him. Sheed and Artest took the mid-level because they feel they are on contenders. I’m sorry to inform some of you but we are more than a Sheed or Artest away from a title. And enough of the move Josh to SF. He made strides on his low post game. Let him stay where he is and work on that. Honestly do you really want a traditional center to come in that will force Josh to be more perimeter oriented. Please haven’t we seen enough 3 pointers and long 2 pointers from him.
niremetal
July 6th, 2009
3:02 pm
bigdave,
Fair enough. We had a slowly escalating back-and-forth, so your “laughable” comment wasn’t out of bounds.
I also never said that I wanted Bibby around because I wanted him to mentor Teague. I want Bibby around because of the way the team plays when he’s on the court, not because I think he’ll be a great teacher off the court.
That being said, I had a feeling you were gonna cite Jermaine O’Neal as a potential mentee of Sheed’s. There’s one supermassive problem with that argument – O’Neal was mediocre on Portland when he played with Rasheed. It was only in his first year with Indiana that he became decent, and only the next year after that when he became a star. Even if that weren’t true, Rasheed was far, far from the most likely person to be O’Neal’s mentor in Portland. Not with guys like Pippen, Smith, Schrempf, and Sabonis around.
Also, just because Rasheed played on winning teams doesn’t mean that he’s a mentor. Oh, I’ll grant that he’s a good player and for the sake of argument I’ll even grant that he’s a “winner.” But just because you can play doesn’t mean you can teach. If it did, Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson wouldn’t have been failures as coaches, and Hakeem’s big man camps would have produced at least one big man with decent post moves by now.
In any case, I think you’ll find that you’re well-nigh onto alone in thinking that Rasheed would be a good mentor for Josh and/or Al. In fact, I would place him way, way, way down on my list of potential “player-mentors” to bring in for that purpose. I wasn’t very interested in bringing Rasheed here, and to the extent I was interested, my interest stemmed from his on-court abilities, and certainly not from any potential “mentoring” he might bring to the table.
Melvin
July 6th, 2009
3:03 pm
Ken,
“Having a bench comprised of Chills, Crawford, Teague, Anderson, Zaza, Evans and filler would give us a versatile, talented, athletic and deep bench.”
I like that bench. Throw in Solo as the 12 man and let’s get it on…