Super Tuesday
The Hawks are the midst of trying to negotiate deals for both Marvin Williams (left) and Zaza Pachulia (center), two key free agents needed to help the Hawks keep pace in the constantly improving (and I mean by the day) Eastern Conference.
HAWKSVILLE - NBA free agents can put pen to paper Wednesday, consummating deals that have been in the works for days (and perhaps even longer for some).
The heavy lifting for the Hawks, however, comes a day early.
Hawks general manager Rick Sund is on his way to Washington D.C., where he will sit down with the representatives for three of the Hawks’ key free agents (Marvin Williams, Zaza Pachulia and Josh Childress) to hammer out the details of at least a couple of potential deals.
With Mike Bibby’s new deal needing only signatures, the Hawks can devote all the attention and resources necessary to the aforementioned players, and yes, that includes Childress (whose saga might not play out until after the July 15 deadline he has to either opt out of his contract with Olympiakos to return home and to the NBA. David Andersen, another player on the Hawks’ shopping list, has the same clause in his Spanish contract).
Folks keep asking what’s the latest on (All THE HAWKS’ SUMMER TARGETS)? So here’s a rundown, early on a day I’m dubbing Super Tuesday, of where things stand with the key players (and for a sobering look at just how crazy free agency is working this summer, check out this dagger from ESPN Insider and Alpharetta’s own John Hollinger):
MARVIN WILLIAMS: Using Charlie Villanueva’s deal in Detroit (5 years, $40 million-range) as your guide, things should get much easier to decipher in the curious case of Marvin Williams. With a qualifying offer of $7.5 million, we’re not talking about anything out of the ordinary her for a guy that’s proved to be a valuable starter the past three years. Finding another 6-9 starting small forward that fits the way he does on this team will not be easy, despite all of the suggestions around here to the contrary. Respected and prolific colleague Mark Bradley has suggested many times that if any of the Hawks’ remaining building blocks was expendable it was Marvin. But as I look across the free agent landscape, I cannot co-sign that theory. Not with the free agent moves/trades that have gone on in the Eastern Conference since draft night. Not with Hedo Turkoglu in Toronto now and Vince Carter in his old spot in Orlando. And not with Villanueva in Detroit and the addition of Rasheed Wallace in Boston. The length the Hawks used to their advantage across the frontline with Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford is more critical than ever. Even in one of the many proposed sign-and-trade deals offered up around these parts, I don’t see the Hawks adding the piece that could take Marvin’s place on this roster (in fit, size and temperament … three crucial factors that Marvin brings that go largely unnoticed by the public). The Hawks have made clear their preference for Marvin to remain a part of the core of this team and I see no reason why that shouldn’t happen. I can’t see any scenario where he is not a part of this team in the future.
ZAZA PACHULIA: Much has been made in the past 72 hours about Zaza’s impending departure and his being replaced by Andersen, or a combination of players that includes the Australian big man. Slow down with that one. Sources tell me that while initially things didn’t look too good with the offer that was presented to him by the Hawks, the sides are working their way toward more agreeable terms (we’re talking slightly north of the $16 million over four years he signed for the last time he was a free agent but decidedly south of the $33 million over five years Marcin Gortat is expected to receive from Dallas). And in an Eastern Conference littered with bigs like Dwight Howard in Orlando, Shaquille O’Neal in Cleveland and now Wallace, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins in Boston (and that’s just on the teams that finished ahead of the Hawks in the standings last season), that’s a good thing. Because the Hawks can ill-afford to lose a player like Zaza. He’s the only real bruiser on the roster. He’ll set a hard pick and has shown he’s not afraid to mix it up with the likes of Garnett and Howard. And while I’m not heavy into the stats that seem to guide so many people’s opinions about players, I do believe that some numbers tell a far different story than what the heart and mind can. There were six regular season games and three playoff games during the 2008-2009 season where Zaza played 30-plus minutes. He averaged 9.8 points, 10.1 rebounds (and 4.1 offensive rebounds) in those games. That means when he was needed to play above and beyond his pay grade, Pachulia delivered.
JOSH CHILDRESS: Like Andersen, Childress would do better financially (at least in the next year or two) by returning to Greece for another season with Olympiakos. But if he’s intent on returning to the NBA this summer, and there are indications that he would indeed love to return, things could get tricky. Childress has already visited Milwaukee. And the Bucks could present him with an offer sheet and gamble that the Hawks might not match it (fat chance). The obvious solution for both sides would be a sign-and-trade deal (the starting salary for Childress wouldn’t even be the full mid-level of $5.6 million, though the total contract would be nearly $31 million over five years). The Bucks have all the necessary tools to make something like that happen. Whatever happens, the Hawks need to close the door on the Childress saga that began last summer during his first round of restricted free agency. His jersey number was given away last summer (to Mo Evans) in a way that should have signaled the end of his time with the Hawks to all of us. I know I’ve spent much of the last year plotting hypothetical scenarios in which he could return to the Hawks. I realize now, finally, it’s just not going to happen. So if there is any way to salvage a player (Bruce Bowen has been mentioned) and a possible second-round draft pick out of the deal, the Hawks could finally walk away from the entire mess with some measure of satisfaction.
Resolve two of the three issues above by July 15 and the Hawks will have made some serious headway into a summer that’s long from over. The roster still needs filling out. And that might not come until much later in the summer and possibly even training camp, where a hungry free agent pickup like Mario West won roster spots in each of the past two camps.
The Hawks will still have the resources to chase down another big man (or possibly two) to fill out the rotation, which is still in need of fortification. But the heavy lifting starts today in D.C.
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636 comments Add your comment
Sautee
July 8th, 2009
1:42 pm
AJ,
certainly not yet. talk to me in late august.
shannon
July 8th, 2009
1:46 pm
Terrell Barron,
Are you serious about trading Bibby,Mo and Morris for Joel Prizbilla? Cmon now!! lets be serious.. I still find it funny how till bibby came here we didnt make it to the playoffs but he helped get us there and now everyone wants to get rid of him..lol AtL Fans..We dont know what Jeff Teague will do in this league yet and until then we need a point guard like Bibby
Rich
July 8th, 2009
1:47 pm
I haven’t heard any thoughts about Packaging J Chill and Randolph Morris for either a sign and trade for a draft pick or a quality 3/4 . If we ad Anderson then Morris is expendable and might be added depth for another NBA team
Anakin Joe
July 8th, 2009
1:51 pm
Sautee, go ahead, stick your neck out there. If it gets chopped off, it will grow back. Trust me, I’ve had mine cut off several times on this blog. In fact, you have held the ax more than a few times. Come on, don’t just sit back and provide commentary, have an opinion. What do you think Sund should do?
Daniel
July 8th, 2009
1:52 pm
terrell- I hear you on your numbers, but does that qualify as a “sigificant” increase? I bet it is closer to 4 years 22-24 mil. Totally just quessing. How do those numbers sound? Remember he is only 25.
Anakin Joe
July 8th, 2009
1:53 pm
Per Reggie’s request:
10. Hawks
Key additions: Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague
Key subtractions: Speedy Claxton, Acie Law
In limbo: Marvin Williams (R), Josh Childress (R), Zaza Pachulia (U), Ronald Murray (U)
The Hawks are still, by and large, a team in limbo. GM Rick Sund has solidified his backcourt by re-signing free agent Mike Bibby, trading for combo guard Jamal Crawford and drafting the uber-athletic combo guard Jeff Teague. But the frontcourt still has lots of questions.
Williams, Childress and Pachulia are all free agents. And there continues to be rumblings that Josh Smith can be had for the right price. I think it’s going to be a few more weeks until we know for sure which direction the Hawks are really heading. But for now it looks like they’re maintaining the status quo.
Hoops
July 8th, 2009
1:53 pm
terrell barron,
What about this trade with the Blazers?
Trade any combination of Chills, Marvin, Evans, & Morris for Przybilla & Outlaw.
Daniel
July 8th, 2009
1:54 pm
terrell- why would you want to trade Bibby after we just signed him to a very nice deal for the Hawks. Oh yeah, making sure all the good will we were talking about with negotiating with our veterans is worth throwing away on Prizbilla? What?
Daniel
July 8th, 2009
1:56 pm
Hoops- I bet you are right on about Za’s numbers.
Daniel
July 8th, 2009
1:58 pm
since when did Pryzbilla become so valuable? you would actually think of including Marvin in that deal?
Big Ray
July 8th, 2009
1:59 pm
Sautee,
Did we miss something? Is it November already? Has the season started? Is the roster already set?
So Zaza is back in the fold. Sounds like yet another step along the path of a successful offseason, and it’s only the first week in July …
Remember last summer when the Smith and Childress were RFAs? Remember people like myself screaming and hollering, clamboring for them to get signed (or traded) already? Remember how “wise” heads said to slow down, we had time, summer’s not over?
Seems like that would apply here, but ah how short our memories are, eh?
Yet here Sund is in hurry up mode, having worked one trade and agreed to terms with two of our top 7 or 8 guys in the FIRST WEEK OF JULY, and it’s just not nearly enough. Sky’s gonna fall any second now. I can hear it cracking, I swear. We’re gonna lose. Coach is gonna get fired. We’ll be in the lottery. And the Cubs are gonna win the World Series.
Hoops
July 8th, 2009
2:01 pm
Daniel,
Based on what other FA’s are getting, I’m thinking Zaza gets a 4 year deal for 24M.
Hoops
July 8th, 2009
2:04 pm
Daniel,
I’m really concerned about Marvin’s back over the long haul. When you watch him walk, he just looks real stiff in his lower back area. He needs a lot of constant flexibility work in his lower back area and his hamstrings in my opinion.
Samuel
July 8th, 2009
2:12 pm
Nir,
I don’t quite understand what you mean by drawing the double team “better”. Explain that if you would.
Again, no one “requires” a triple team. Do players do it. Yea. That’s because they see a weakness in JJ passing out of one. Kinda like giving Josh the “Three”. If you can’t score out of a triple team then something is bad wrong.
I’ve seen JJ on countless occassions “pound” the air out of the ball and not hit the open man. There’s just no excuse for that. None. The great ones don’t do it. It’s not about Woody’s offense either. If the man is open, he needs to hit him, period. Not wait to get trapped or try to dribble through three people. he’s not “THAT” good.
Big Ray
July 8th, 2009
2:13 pm
I find it strange that Woody likes the guy we picked, likes the acquisition of Crawford, and was the one calling for the return of all of his rotational players…yet that is rejected out of hand by those who also found little or no fault in his personnel decisions during a 47 win season.
I mean, it would seem that if he was doing all the right things and making all the right decisions during that momentous 47 win season, then surely we should find hope in his positive reaction to the moves Sund has made thus far, right? Looks to me like he’ll have the same roster with a bit more offensive punch. Even if that is the case, are we somehow weaker in our weak areas?
Wouldn’t a good coach be able to take that roster and exploit the augmented strength? I mean, hey we won 47 games last season (one more time for those of you in the cheap seats). That must mean we have a good coach. And good coaches get the job done, especially if you hand them more weapons.
On another note, I suppose it’s never occurred to anybody that perhaps offers have been made to guys who would “solve all of our problems”, but some of them declined. Let’s see, Bird Man re-signed with his own team. ‘Sheed signed with Boston. McDyess will probably go to San Antonio. Gortat is a bit of an unknown, but looks like he’s headed elsewhere after all.
I guess that’s Sund’s fault. That and the fact that he didn’t draft Dajuan Blair, who would have solved our frontcourt problems instantly. Yeah, that must be it.
Dekaturkingz
July 8th, 2009
2:20 pm
Zaza 4 years 22 Mil Is All He Should Get.
GO HAWKS
July 8th, 2009
2:21 pm
What is up with Flip? Is he signed? If so or if they sign him, I am getting season tickets! Let Marvin go or Sign and trade Marvin and Josh Smith for Amarie Stoudemire or another BIG center and I will buy courtside. I like whats going on, shockingly from the Spirit Group.
Big Ray
July 8th, 2009
2:22 pm
Stirrin’ the pot….stirrin’ the pot…
Ernest
July 8th, 2009
2:25 pm
Just read the news about a preliminary agreement with ZaZa. Sekou, when an you provide either specifics and/or parameters of the agreement? I’m guessing an annual salary of about 5.5 million which would be a 29% increase over the previous annual salary of $4 million/year.
Hoops
July 8th, 2009
2:25 pm
Big Ray,
Coaching is one of those professions that is out there for the public to see and because of that, everyone thinks that they can do it better than the person that is actually coaching. I know. I’ve been in the profession for 32 years. There is much more to putting together a consistent winner than most people understand.
Coach Woodson has done a great job in his short time with the Hawks. They have consistently improved each year under some trying conditions. He has turned a team from one that hardly any players wanted to be a part of, to a team that all of their FA’s want to re-sign with. Now we have players like J. Crawford that are really excited to come and be a part of what is being built here. We also must recognize that the ASG has made a financial commitment to back this team so that all of this improvement is possible.
I think Hawks fans need to wise up and see what is really developing here in the ATL!!!
Eyewonder
July 8th, 2009
2:29 pm
Ranking the summer moves
By Chad Ford
ESPN.com
10. Atlanta Hawks
Key additions: Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague
Key subtractions: Speedy Claxton, Acie Law
In limbo: Marvin Williams (R), Josh Childress (R), Zaza Pachulia (U), Ronald Murray (U)
The Hawks are still, by and large, a team in limbo. GM Rick Sund has solidified his backcourt by re-signing free agent Mike Bibby, trading for combo guard Jamal Crawford and drafting the uber-athletic combo guard Jeff Teague. But the frontcourt still has lots of questions.
Williams, Childress and Pachulia are all free agents. And there continue to be rumblings that Josh Smith can be had for the right price. I think it’s going to be a few more weeks until we know for sure which direction the Hawks are really heading. But for now it looks like they’re maintaining the status quo.
Big Ray
July 8th, 2009
2:36 pm
Hoops,
Now you’ve got the spirit!!!
Melvin
July 8th, 2009
2:38 pm
Anakin Joe,
In comparing Flip to Crawford. Don’t omit Flip turnovers and out of control play at times. Crawford play under control much more than Flip and his assist/passing are better than Flips. It’s a reason why Flip is a journeyman (although he played well for the Hawks) and Crawford is being paid Big Bucks. I will end with this, its easy to point out that Crawford is a scorer b/c of his pt avg per game but I think you’re going to appreciate his game more once you see him in a Hawks uniform. Just keep an open mind dude until proving differently…
Also, in the Cleveland series. Not only were the Hawks beaten on the glass but they couldn’t guard the perimeter players (MO, West or Gibson). I will take my chances with Crawford playing defense with length and lateral quickness over Bibby or Flip….
Big Ray
July 8th, 2009
2:39 pm
Hoops,
Same could be said of the GM job. Some people think you can’t question the coach, but you CAN question the GM. Weird concept…
Big Ray
July 8th, 2009
2:39 pm
Samuel,
Good points about JJ and double/triple teams.
Daniel
July 8th, 2009
2:44 pm
Big Ray- your 2:13 post is funny.
Hoops- I hear you on your concerns about Marvin’s back, but I would still say he would have greater trade value if locked into a 4 year 28 mil contract. He would certainly still be worth more than Joe Pryzbilla.
I say get a long term contract done(as already mentioned) play this year out and see where his value is. If healthy and improving, you have him at a great deal. If there are still health concerns, his contract and upside would still be attractive trade bait in an offseason with so many expensive free agents.
Tree Rollins
July 8th, 2009
2:44 pm
I am very excited to see were are keeping rocky balboa around. I said earlier I believe zaza is the next most important signing on the hawks plate behind bibby. Zaza is exactly what you look for in a backup center and lets be honest the fans love him. I want to believe our front office is turning things around as we have had a good start to this off season, but im not won over that easy. I still get sick to my stomach when I see pictures of Sheldon in a hawks uniform and I see brandon roy, chris paul and deron williams in all-star uniforms. But as a hawks fan im willing to forgive, not forget, but forgive and move on because I really think things are looking up and we are piecing together a nice squad. Some have called our front office dumb and incompetent, but i call our front office ….well….dumb and incompetent but it looks like they may be learning. Im excited for the season.
Anakin Joe
July 8th, 2009
2:45 pm
Ray, I’ll ask you the same as I asked Sautee, if we have essentially the same pieces in places, will you be happy with the off-season? Don’t tell me what I said or what Woody said or what anyone else said.
Another question, did you think that the collective between Woody and the players would result in 47 wins and a 4th seed last year? Most of us were not and I kind of doubt that you were one of the more optimistic. So are you now saying that the formula works and doesn’t need to be tweeked?
I appreciate the admiration you continue to show in the nameless ridicule that you offer. I know what I have said in the past. Just trying to figure out if you have an opinion about our team design or if you’re just content to take shots at my perspective. Because when you seemingly take the “all is right with the team” approach, it kind of flies in the face of your 82-game commentary from last season.
Daniel
July 8th, 2009
2:47 pm
Dekaturkingz- It is likely to be somewhere in that range 22-24.
kirkinga
July 8th, 2009
2:49 pm
So Ray, so if one posits that Coach Woodson is a good coach by posing it in the form of a question , then does that make one pro Woodson or not? That is to say, just what is the flavor after stirring…lol?
He’s a dead man walking most likely so the real fun question may be guessing his departure date.
Looks like we can forget the “ZaZa not likely to return” headline of a few weeks ago! I think that is a good thing.
Sund seemingly moving with a more deliberate speed than last Summer. Is that a function of the economy? Is it the particular players did not have an inflated sense of value and/or really wanted to remain Hawks?
I think we’ll have more clues as to the answer if and when Marvin signs. Will Sund let the market decide as he did with the Josh’s last Summer? Is that a wise choice? Last offseason the consensus seemed to be that waiting to sign the player was not a good thing.
Why is there no cry for the Hawks to “show love” to Marvin? Were the Josh’s more deserving, ist hat it? I would argue that Marvin is somewhere in between. Not as valuable (at this point) as Smith, but more valuable than Childress.
Go Hawks!!
Still remain slightly hopeful. The frontline is still incomplete and that will be where the Hawks fortunes rise or fall.
bigdave
July 8th, 2009
2:50 pm
Daniel…
i must say that i am surprised… the reason why i abandoned the whole idea of a major free agent signing a few blogs ago was because of the disinterest of most of them in the Hawks. its good to know that our guys are ready to take the Hawk brand to the next level…
Anakin Joe
July 8th, 2009
2:56 pm
Ray, I used to question the coach too. I was amongst Woody’s harshest critics. But he (and the team) proved me wrong. I couldn’t keep complaining about sitting guys with 2 fouls for the remainder of the first half while we won (I could, but I thought I’d be like a child who refuses to let go of their baby-blanket). I look forward to Sund proving me wrong too (and that repeating the same formula that produced less than 8 playoff wins one year can produce more than 8 playoff wins the next). I like to think that I have the capacity to learn and grow, as opposed to shoot spitballs from the back of the room because it’s fun.
bigdave
July 8th, 2009
2:58 pm
Sekou, i know its early and he is yet to re-up with the Hawks but any idea as to what facet of Marvin’s game he’s looking to improve? last year it was his range and he definitely answered the call. you have to respect a guy that sets a goal and achieves. personally i feel Marvin will develop into a very good pro… truth be told i think his ceiling is at mansion level… i wouldnt doubt him, with work, becoming a 2 guard when its said and done… he would have jumped from the PF to SF to SG… thats crazy… Queen James like versatility…
id like him signed…
Dos Hawkquis
July 8th, 2009
2:58 pm
I wonder what KEVIN GARNETT thinks about the Hawks bringing Zaza back? He can’t be too happy with this. LOL!!
“I don’t alwyas watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay hungry Hawks fan!”
Daniel
July 8th, 2009
3:02 pm
Hoops- in reference to your 2:25 post.
Did you not get the memo?
You can not subscribe any of the positives for the Hawks to Woodson.
When mentioning Woodson, you must always state that it is because of him that Acie Law, Boris Diaw, R. Ivey, Shelden Williams, Donta Williams and Salim Stoudemire did not become the next John Stockton, Magic Johnson, Isiah, Dennis Rodman, Byron Scott and Vinnie Johnson that they were all destined to become if just “given more minutes”
remember the punishment for not following this thread is to have Clyde come in with all caps and say…. FIRE HOOPS
Daniel
July 8th, 2009
3:05 pm
bigdave- I am with you on Marvin, but I have to agree with others when it comes to concerns over his back injury. Seriously, I hope he works on his overall fitness and flexability. I think if his back is not a long term issue then you can have serious force at SF for relative cheap(7 mil), if his back is bad and not going to get better, we could get stuck big time. There is the gamble.
O'Brien
July 8th, 2009
3:06 pm
Sund has been doing a good job so far, so I hope ZaZa’s deal is not more than 4 years, $22 mil. ($5.5 mil per year is a good raise up from $4 mil). Plus Gortat got ~$5.6 mil annually, And Birdman got 5 years, $26 mil ($5.2 mil annually). I assume ZaZa will be in a similar price range.
Andrea Bargnani (reportedly) signed a 5 year $50 mil contract extension. In my opinion, I think he’s being overpaid.
Based on the lower salary cap/luxury tax, I would be very surprised if the Hawks used their entire mid-level to sign a backup PF. In my opinion, they will use the bi-annual exception instead (or part of the mid-level). Of course, I could be wrong.
kirkinga
July 8th, 2009
3:07 pm
Manny T, just read your clarification of the Childress situation.
I think it helps explain why the “trend” that he was supposedly setting has yet to emerge.
Samuel
July 8th, 2009
3:08 pm
Yea Hoops,
A few days ago they were calling for the man’s(Woody’s) head because we were in the Lottery every year. Now they are calling for his head because he hasn’t got us a “ring”. Talk about raising the bar.
Samuel
July 8th, 2009
3:15 pm
Obrien,
You’re kidding about Big “Barney” right. I thought Colangelo was supposed to be this guru GM.
So that’s where Ando is. He must be on the Raptor Blog pushing “HIS Boy” Bargnani. 10 mil for 5 years.
That Canadian economy must be doing pretty good.
Ken Strickland
July 8th, 2009
3:22 pm
Some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Do some of you have any idea how many NBA players ended up being quality NBA players after starting out the same way or worse? Think of all the talented players currently in the NBA, or had solid NBA careers, after being waved out of the league and ending up playing in the minor leagues or overseas. RBell(Cha), BBowen(San), Shannor Brown, JFarmar & SParker(LA), MBarnes & PO’Bryant(GS), MMoore(Bos) CJ Miles(UT), RAlston & CHayes(HOU), RDupree & WBlalock(DET)and VWafer(Den) represent some of the current players that fit that mode.
Like I mentioned in my last post, and some of you distractors conveniently overlooked, fans and coaches at one time once said some of the same things about BWallace and CBillups that you’re now saying about the former Hawks on my list.
Also, although Scottie Pippin was selected as one of the NBA’s top 50 players of alltime, he was an average player at best without PJackson, CJordan and the triangle OFF. Certain players have to play within a certain system and function within a certain heirachy in order to excel.
You can’t expect players to immediately turn it around when they go to new teams after spending 2-3yrs on a bench, getting inconsistent mins at best and having their confidence constantly challenged while being punished and ignored for not playing picture perfect basketball when they get limited opportunities.
Bottomline, some like Woody as a HC while others don’t. Some can identify with his shortsightedness, inflexibility, inability to multitask and his need for control and instant gradification while others are more visionary and flexible. LET’S AGREE TO DISAGREE, OK.
Melvin
July 8th, 2009
3:34 pm
With the speculation of an even lower cap for the 2010-11 season. I think you may see more guys trying to resign this season vs waiting next summer if given the opportunity. I don’t foresee many teams surpluging big next summer b/c there will be less cap space which may force teams to bypass on the idea of signing 2 major FA’s….
Sautee
July 8th, 2009
3:39 pm
AJ,
As I said at the first of the offseason, I’m glad I’m not Rick Sund.
I’m not the best guy to ask, since I could care less about the financial end of things, but at this point, without knowing MORE of that side of things, I couldn’t give you a cogent specific reply.
Obviously we still need a big for the bench. But whom, and for what price?
I have no idea what we have to offer.
I don’t have enough info to make an intelligent comment. And I’m WAY too lazy to do a MannyT primer to find out.
So, I’ll just sit back and throw spitballs at you.
Hamad Meander
July 8th, 2009
3:44 pm
I like the way the Hawks are building this team. Start with the point guard position, make sure you are comfortable with it, and move forward. I still believe that finding forwards and big men is easier than finding the right PG for your team. The Hawks are in fine position there and can go out and spend some on either resigning Marvin, or looking at other talent. I love the deal for Zaza. You need that kind of big man to come in and play hard fought minutes off the bench.
Samuel
July 8th, 2009
3:46 pm
OK Ken,
When Donta Smith becomes Scottie Pippen i’ll eat my hat. Fair enough.
Big Ray
July 8th, 2009
3:55 pm
Astro Joe,
If you don’t know what my opinion is by now, you haven’t been reading a single damn thing I’ve posted. Which is strange since you so readily (yet vaguely) bring up my comments for the past season.
How is it you can remember everything I said last season, but not what I’ve been saying for the past few weeks? Nevermind, I don’t even know if I WANT to hear that one. One more time:
I think our offense needs tweaks. I say this has to come from both coaching staff and players. It requires a committment to a more versatile and cohesive offense. You say it works. I say it can be better, and will need to be for us to compete in the tougher games. Case in point: we barely got away from Miami in the first round of the playoffs. I realize defense was a big problem. But offense was a big problem, too. You can argue that point all you want. Our offense has issues.
I think our defense and rebounding will get better if we can commit to it as a team, and if we add a player or two in the frontcourt to help in the areas of defense and rebounding. Yes, we can use some help in the backcourt as well. Crawford may not be known for his defensive prowess as a rule, but I believe he can be more disruptive on defense than either Bibby or Flip, and has the size advantage as well. As for the existing players, guys like Josh Smith need to ramp it up in both categories. Everybody does, but those with greater ability in these areas need to shoulder the responsibility a bit more, yet they should not be relied on as sole producers.
Back to the offense: Crawford gives us another guy who can create his own shot, and is not afraid to shoot. And for the millionth time, we got him for a couple of guys who have done little for us (I seem to recall you were especially critical of Law, so what your problem is NOW, seems superficial), and between them were making nearly the same as Crawford.
I have been heavily critical of Woody and will not back off of some of those criticisms until I see otherwise. However, I cannot help but feel positive about a guy who, despite not getting a contract extension, is upbeat about the draftpick, the trade acquisition, and getting his guys back. Like him or not, that’s an example of class and professionalism And I’m serious about that.
Now you can keep telling me that you don’t care what Woody said and all that other $hit if you want to. And you can tell me you are trying to figure out what my opinion is. But you already know this. Just about all you’ve done up to this point is gripe about every single move Sund has made, rejected Woody’s attitude and inputs out of hand (a strange move considering the fact that you upheld his opinions and decisions during the last season) in your “fury”, and shot one spitball after the other from the back of the classroom. Oh yes. YOU.
All I’ve done is shot spitballs back at you. Don’t like it? Put your straw down (pun intended).
And before you start up with it again, NO I don’t think this team is completely improved yet, but bringing back the guys you have succeeded with is a start (like Bibby and Zaza). Adding a guy who gives you another sure scoring option (and someone who can run the point for you when you really need Flip to stay at the 2) when you’ve lacked that for some time is another step.
We may not like the order in which things are getting done, but they are getting done, and faster than we are used to.
I feel better about things going into this season than I did last season. But I’m also not stupid enough to pass judgement on this offseason when (for the damn millionth time) IT HAS JUST BEGUN . Seriously, we are on the first day of the offseason that teams can actually sign free agents!
I’m not saying anything NOW that I haven’t said for some time. I am feeling positive. I can’t help you if you aren’t. That’s your choice.
Understand my opinion now?
RAD
July 8th, 2009
3:56 pm
Ken Strickland …. As always, I agree with everything you say about Woody. Keep up the good work and insight.
DANTE FITZGERALD
July 8th, 2009
3:57 pm
OK PEOPLE WE GET THE IDEA. TEAMS WILL SPEND MORE THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CAP IS GOING DOWN NEXT YEAR.
SH*T — HOW MANY MORE TIMES DO I HAVE TO READ THIS IN THE SAME BLOG?
O'Brien
July 8th, 2009
3:58 pm
I know we have had many discussions on Woody’s capabilities. But this coming season should be a good barometer. Assuming Marvin comes back, we will have our entire starting 5 (and 7 of our top
players returning. We added a 19 PPG scorer to our bench, we drafted a PG who Woody likes, and hopefully, we will add one more big, which would give us a solid bench (Crawford/Mo Evans/ZaZa/FA Big). Let’s see how the season plays out.
With the lower cap (for this season and next), I would wait until next year to sign Marvin long term, for 2 reasons. 1) It gives us another season to evaluate his progress (and the health of his back), and 2) With a lower cap, players will have to be willing to take less money next year.
Speaking of “Guru” GM’s, Miami is over the luxury tax right now. In hindsight, I wonder if Pat Riley regrets trading for J. Oneal. If they had just let Shawn Marion’s contract expire, they could have gone after Paul Milsap, or try to upgrade their bench. Right now, they’re stuck.
Volman
July 8th, 2009
4:04 pm
Astro, weren’t you up in arms about Crawford coming over saying that the Hawks couldn’t sign any of their own free agents? 2 for 2 so far.
I said we should give Sund a “wait and see” approach and let the man do his job. He’s doing a good job so far. Let’s take care of Marvin, so if someone offers Chill, and possibly bring over Andersen.
Get another big and we’re off to the races. This is exciting!