Let’s make a deal
The original "King of Deals" (that's Monty Hall for all you mid-80s babies) must be proud of NBA general managers this summer, what with all action in free agency.
HAWKSVILLE - Is your head spinning?
Are you still trying to sort through all the dips, dives, twists and turns of this NBA free agent frenzy (which so far has lived up to that moniker in every sense of the word).
I know the Hawks haven’t gone crazy and done anything wildly splashy, much to the chagrin of some of you. But plenty of other teams seem happy to oblige the fantasy basketball bent in all of us.
Just reading about this four-team deal spearheaded by Dallas and Toronto to bring Shawn Marion to the Mavs and allow the Raptors to snag Hedo Turkoglu (among other benefits) should be enough to satisfy your thirst for pure craziness in the NBA summer.
Monty Hall should be hosting this stuff.
It’s a genius deal by all involved, if you ask me. It’s a just reward for the folks willing to dive into these deep, treacherous sign-and-trade waters and hook the big fish they were looking for. Who knows if it all works out the way the teams involved hope. That they are even willing to swan dive into a deal this complicated makes them winners in my book.
Yeah, I’ve campaigned for prudence around these parts in most instances, but I’m no NBA neo-conservative. I realize that in this day and age, as always, those who take the greatest risks stand to reap the greatest rewards.
That doesn’t mean the Hawks’ recent work to keep both Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia in the fold should be dismissed (and there’s nothing bubbling on the Marvin Williams front. Crickets on Flip Murray, too. And I suspect things will be relatively quiet around the Hawks for the next few days, no matter how many times someone tries to stoke the Amare Stoudemire-for-Josh Smith trade rumor that refuses to die). They are doing the business that good teams do in the summer. And that’s a welcome change from some of the puzzling and pulse-free summers of the Hawks’ recent past.
But if your thing is daring and dazzling trades and high-risk acquisitions, this is your time.
Since before draft night we’ve seen the Spurs remake themselves with the addition of Richard Jefferson and now Antonio McDyess. The Magic recharged themselves with Vince Carter. The champion Lakers stepped up the pace by acquiring Ron Artest. The Cavaliers grabbed Shaq. And the Celtics have added Rasheed Wallace. And those are just the major moves by the true title contenders.
Again, time will tell which moves worked and which moves were for not.
But in this day and age, simply making moves is enough to legitimize an operation. While it’s still a bit too early to judge, I’m wondering which move you think will be the best (not that I had to ask any of you to tell us what you think)?
I’ll admit, I can’t help but think the Spurs have shifted the balance of power in their favor, provided Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili return healthy and hungry this season. The Magic’s move might be underrated by some of us non-believers in the VC movement, but Ryan Anderson is legit and will help offset the loss of Turkoglu. Trading Artest for Trevor Ariza (which is what the Lakers accomplished by allowing Ariza to walk and sign with Houston did) improves the Lakers on paper, so perhaps they’ve done what was necessary to retain their championship aura. Then again, snagging Shaq usually means a greater chance at a title for his team, so maybe the Cavs have pushed themselves over the top …
What say you?
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870 comments Add your comment
ldawg121
July 9th, 2009
5:56 pm
niremetal
how do you know how much it would affect the salary cap when you don’t know how much it’s going to cost to sign williams or childress to an extension yet? just me being stupid again.
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
6:01 pm
Poop, don’t worry about it son. Imma Make Sideshow Bob my next poster and make the Cavs rescind his contract. Done Deal. Word.
newkid
July 9th, 2009
6:07 pm
Samuel, you’re kidding right (about the potential reduction of the school year from 180 days to 160 days)?. Given our region’s performance compared to the nation and the industrial world, don’t we need to push for a 210-day school year (at a minimum), 9-hour school days, and perhaps parenting classes for the parents of SOME of our kids? Dude, we’ll never be competitive in a 21st economy if we continue the rush to the bottom. Sorry, OT.
Kudos to Sund so far (I think).
RA
July 9th, 2009
6:24 pm
So many questions so little time. Here’s the thing. I don’t when to pull the plug on Woodson, but I do know that it probably shouldn’t be after the season that he led the team to its best showing in a decade. I’m not an apologiat for Woody. Believe me, but at the same time every year he’s been with the team, the team’s improved, as has he as a coach. Now Anthony Johnson is a fine coach, but would he mesh with this team? That’s a question I can’t answer. The one thing that I do know is that given past performance, there’s a decent chance that with an improved roster Woodson will better last year’s performance, and if he doesn’t, I think Sund is a guy who knows when to pull the plug.
Samuel
July 9th, 2009
6:26 pm
newkid,
I see you’re one of the teacher “haters” too who blame all our society’s woes on the school system. Believe me, more time in the classroom is not the answer. If a child doesn’t come to school prepared to learn, there is very little that can be done in the classroom.
However, you did hit the nail on the head with better “parenting”. Don’t rely on someone else to “educate” your children. Get off the internet, put down that beer can, turn off that tv and educate them yourself.
What 21st Century economy are you referring too. Seems as though the “Educated” types are the ones who screwed up this economy.
Rod from College Park
July 9th, 2009
6:29 pm
Wabe,
“He’s honestly one of the better facegaurd defenders on this roster, and has gotten better year in and year out.”
“Personally, the man brings versatility to the Hawks. He poses mismatches, and has the ability to take some pressure off of JJ.”
Again Wabe you are entitled to your opinion, but those statements are just not true. He is not one of our better defenders. Actually Joe, probably is, but we take him off of the best guys so that he does not draw fouls. Any time Lebron, Pierce, Granger…. or any player like that gets hot Woody always switches Joe to defned them, not Marvin. He probably is one of our least versitile players. He can only play or defend the 3. He has no post up game, so he is never a mismatch. I can’t explain how many times he has a smaller defender on him in the post, and can not take advantage of it. He has no handles, so he can’t play like Turk. Every other starter on the team with the exception of Bibby, can play more than on position offensively and defensively. Chills is a much better and versitile player. He does not shoot as well as Marvin, but is a much better finisher, and is better than him in almost every other statistic. Sorry I could not let that slide. I would much rather have Chills than Marvin.
CJ
July 9th, 2009
6:30 pm
Sekou I know you say Odom is out of the question but here’s why I say it may not be….
Odom and LA are far apart on a deal plus they are approaching 84 mil dollars as far as the cap goes
Why not offer a sign and trade on both parts for Chils and Marvin for Odom….
then because of the money you still have you can get a big whether its DAnderson in Europe or Bass or Gooden …
So now you lineup is …(Flip is gone for those who don’t know)
PG: Bibby/Crawford/Teague
SG: Joe/Crawford/Evans
SF: Odom/Evans
PF: Josh Smith/ (Other big)
C: Al/Zaza
Plus whichever out the group to fill roster like: West, Solo, Gardner, Hunter, Big from Augusta State, or a low price FA wing
Sekou what are your thoughts
Samuel
July 9th, 2009
6:36 pm
CJ,
I read that too. I really wish we wouldn’t be so quick to sell ATL short on acquiring big name guys. JJ and Bibby set the trend on comming to the “A” and guys are warming up to this city. Let’s go for it.
Samuel
July 9th, 2009
6:40 pm
Actually newkid we’re not talking about shortning any class time. They will add an extra hour to the school day. This will save money on energy cost.
Don’t worry, we won’t keep your kids any less than you want us too. You can relax.
Sekou Smith
July 9th, 2009
6:47 pm
I’m talking about where LO wants to play. He wants to stay in LA. Maybe you misread what I said, I’d love to have him here. I just don’t think it’s gonna happen.
drmaryb
July 9th, 2009
6:49 pm
Hey CLYDE,
come on man – Spud Webb? CLYDE – you have trashed your own name and credibility with that silly “Fire-Woody” chant! Now, you wanna get “Spud Webb” beat up in a back alley – somewhere?
Do what you do best? Sell SUM T-SHirts? LMAO! I still love you tho! DRMARYB.
CJ
July 9th, 2009
6:49 pm
By the way the money Varejo got was crazy to me he rebounds a little better than Zaza but they are the same player so Sund deserves a hand …. For those of you who want to trade a 23/24 yr old who averages at least 16ppg, 7+rpgs, 2+ blks and 1.5 stls for anyone other than Amare or Bosh get real….Looks like for a you all who wanted the non shooting older Andre Miller, Portland doesn’t want him anymore as they seem to be in talks with Utah and Chi for big 3 team deal… Boozer to Chi, Tyrus Thomas to Utah and Kirk Hinrich to Portland (probably more to be worked out with money)….AI in Memphis I don’t like but in Miami it could work think about there offense iso Wade or post O’Neal (when healthy)….Everyone thinks Orl got better but they lost Hedo and yes VC can still play but where is there bench now without Lee, Gorat, Battie, Alston…And who will be rebounding for Det now that McDyess and Sheed are gone (Kwame???)…. The signing of Anthony Parker to Clev means one of 2 things Sasha Pavolic or Wally is gone…. Will they continue to play big Z that much as a backup?….Denver is quickly becoming a distant 3rd team behind LA and SA (Danthay Jones leaving is huge, he was their defensive stopper and he started so JR Smith could come off the bench)
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
6:50 pm
We gon take the Eastern Confrence Crown next season. Done Deal.
CJ
July 9th, 2009
6:51 pm
Understood Sekou but he may want to play there but what if its just not possible…. Hawks should try is all I’m saying…What bigs are we truly interested in and give me the real deal on DAnderson
Samuel
July 9th, 2009
6:52 pm
Furthermore, newkid, don’t be fooled into thinking that scoring well on standardized tests means you’re prepared for the 21st Century Economy. I’ve been in both the private sector as well as Education.
The main reason we are not competitive in the 21st Century economy is because most school systems continue to push the “College” Prep agenda while 75% of the good jobs require technical skills. They steer most of our brightest towards stuff that don’t mean “crap” in the real world.
drmaryb
July 9th, 2009
6:54 pm
HEY CLYDE,
**Let’s MAKE A DEAL!**
If you got $5 in your pocket and it’s tied-up in a black nylon dress sock?
I’ll hand you “Woody’s BIG-BROWN head” On a SILVER-PLATTER! LMAO!
niremetal
July 9th, 2009
7:01 pm
ldawg121,
As I said, check back posts for BYC rules or search for them yourself. It’s not as simple as you seem to think it is.
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:02 pm
CJ, You late kid. Sasaha was traded away in the Shaq deal. Get ya rank up son. Read Books. Get Facts. Word.
Yupperz
July 9th, 2009
7:07 pm
My god, Rod doesn’t like Marvin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS SUCH ASHOCK TO US ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KevinA
July 9th, 2009
7:08 pm
niremetal, Why doesn’t trading two players who never got off the bench in exchange for Jamal Crawford count?
I loved the trade. I have posted several times that Sund did great. How ever that does not mean getting rid of Crawford in exchange for Chill and Flip or Chill and Gooden or Gooden and Bosh etc. There are just better fits for our needs. I am just looking at skill vrs.salary.
fud21, during the regular season I along with others often lamented about the volume of shots from the back court and it seemed like when we played our best ball when we got the ball to the low post more often. If JJ, Bibby, Flip and Crawford shot at the same shooting% as Marvin/Chills/ZaZa/ Josh and Solo, I would not have a problem. Now, who shot the lowest FG% of the front court last year – Crawford. High volume/low %. My question is, why are you so excited anout this guy.
Look Crawford might be great for the team. I am a team man. I hope he drives a lot and finishes, I hope he drives and kicks. I hope he shoots a decent %. Go look at his numbers, .404 FG%. That is not winning basketball.
Sigh.....
July 9th, 2009
7:13 pm
The Hawks need maybe TWO MORE LEGITIMATE veteran big men…that’s all I’m asking for. All the bigs were swallowed up…and I’m wondering what the Hawks are doing/waiting for…. I’m guessing its for whatever Chills is gonna do on Saturday.
Anyone think we could land Brandon Bass AND David Lee? (Via trades or free agency?)
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:14 pm
They also call me: Mr.Get Buckets, Assasin, Cold Blooded, and the Switch…
Harry Hawk
July 9th, 2009
7:15 pm
We’ve reached our plateau, folks. Until we get a superstar in here, we’re not going to be a true contender. The roster looks fine, but “fine” isn’t going to contend for a championship. I think most of us understand that, so why be optimistic about 2009-10? We’re back to the Smitty-Mookie-Mutombo days. We’ll win our fair share, but we’ll crumble in the playoffs.
Yippee. I can’t wait.
Anakin Joe
July 9th, 2009
7:17 pm
jhan, it feels like we’re back to a guard-oriented offense with 4 guys who tend to shoot first and second and pass third. Woody could ask those guys to change their stripes but has that ever really proven successful? I’m pretty sure Terry Porter doesn’t think so. Maybe if our front-court youngsters remain healthy, they will have a chance to demonstrate consistent offensive skills. But, seriously, what are the chances that any of them will be more proficient offensively than Joe, Bibby or Crawford? I would never advocate for giving player C who is a C+ offensive player more shot attempts than player D who is a B+ offensive player. That hurts the team for the benefit of the player. Ultimately, it feels like there’s a low ceiling on our front-court green house.
niremetal
July 9th, 2009
7:19 pm
KevinA,
You’ll have to enlighten me on what need Cleveland filled by trading for a 7′2 center who is now too slow to play effective defense when they already had a 7′3 center who is now too slow to play effective defense…
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:20 pm
Harry, Fly tha Chicken Coop. Get outta town with that nonsense. Tha #1 thugsassin in the NBA is gonna take the Hawks to the next level. Quit sheddin yo feathers over there.
55-27 next season you know what i’m sayin’. Mark it down. Done Deal.
Sigh.....
July 9th, 2009
7:20 pm
Oh and another thing: I don’t know about anyone else, but WE NEED TO MOVE HORFORD back to his original position…Not that he’s bad at Center, but I like him better at Power F. that’s all….
Wabe
July 9th, 2009
7:21 pm
Rod, would you honestly put JJ, our greatest offensive threat, on opposing SF’s?
One, ideally, he wouldn’t be your best matchup size wise. IMO, he would instantly be at a disadvantage at 6′6. I don’t think JJ could go the entire game gaurding opposing SF’s – maybe here and there – but not the entire game.
Two, why make the man focus on the defensive end gaurding some of the opposing teams better athletes? Wouldn’t that limit him on the offensive end? Just imagine him running Iso-Joe’s and at the same time, him having to gaurd the Lebron’s of the league.
I’m not arguing Marvin is a better defender than JJ, I simply said Marvin’s one of the BETTER (not best) face gaurd defenders on the team. I could understand if you didn’t see it the way I see it, but I think the Hawks have a better chance with Marvin gaurding opposing 3’s than either JJ or Smoove – which are the likely people who would end up taking up this responsibility with the absence of Marvin.
And Rod, again, I know you’re not the biggest Marvin fan, and don’t think I’m putting him on a pedestal, but find the Hawks a 6′8/6′9 replacement that can play on the wing. Till then, this man is what we’ve got to bank on.
Chris M
July 9th, 2009
7:22 pm
RA , I agree on the surface it might not make sense to fire someone that has improved each year. Also hard to fire someone who has posted the best record in a long time. But coaches get fired every year when the G.M. or whomever believes they are not being productive. And often it has been coaches that have both winning records and with teams that have improved.
The thing with the teams that Woody has coached is that number #1 is that he has had no where to go but up. Second, I really believe that he has really good talent and they should already be doing better. And my biggest concern is that since we have gone the “young” route over the past few years …. Woody has no clue how to mature the talent and take it to another level. Even his biggest supporters won’t disagree with that.
So yes we have improved but in this persons opinion not nearly enough to match the talent. And I do believe Sund might know when to pull the plug but does he have the ownerships blessing? And to me it has spoken volumes that Sund has not renewed his contract if he really thinks he has done that great a job. In pro sports typically a G.M. will lock up to a long term contract someone they really have confidence in. But it’s fun to discuss!
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:22 pm
That dude who dunked on LeBrick the other night is my cousin. It runs in tha family son. My Grandmama gotta 80inch vertical. Real Talk.
Yupperz
July 9th, 2009
7:25 pm
Wabe, didn’t u get the memo? Rod thinks Crawford is the best offensive threat on the team and that a bag of chips would be an upgrade over Marvin
Anakin Joe
July 9th, 2009
7:26 pm
It looks like Portland is about to get my guy, Hinrich and Chicago may land Boozer.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4317515
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:27 pm
Yo man I gotta talk to J-Craw too. We got too much talent on this squad for him to be shooting such a poor percentage like he did on his previous teams. That streaky stuff gets left behiend as soon as he walks through the door at Phillips. I’ll let him know whats up. Done Deal.
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:30 pm
Y’all Talkin bout’ THIS scrub???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGowWqPl8qE
I still got that fools lunch money from way back. He ain’t bout nuthin’.
niremetal
July 9th, 2009
7:31 pm
The t-shirt in this story is genius:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2009/07/09/2009-07-09_lebron.html
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:32 pm
I told Y’all. I go hard. Nobody does it better. Holla@ ya boi.
Melvin
July 9th, 2009
7:33 pm
AJ,
What make you think NJ Nets would have accepted a Speedy/Acie for Battie trade when they already have Devin/Rafer?
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:34 pm
Hey imma get one of dem T-Shirts. It’s so true. I really did. Not just him, They whole squad. Done Deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGQlvYNFTwg
CJ
July 9th, 2009
7:34 pm
Want to be Flip Murray sorry I screwed that one up as I forgot he was included in the Shaq deal but please don’t start questioning knowledge here judging by your posts and semantics …. I then go back to my point With Mo, West, Parker and the King handles the ball a ton too where does that leave Daniel Gibson, Kinsey (who never got time) and Wally (whom I believe is a FA)
To the guy asking can we get two bigs maybe DAnderson and another one but it will be very hard to sign two
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:38 pm
CJ, It’s Ariose fool
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. I question what I wanna.
But it’s not about me….Back to flip.
CJ
July 9th, 2009
7:39 pm
I mentioned the possible big trade involving Chi-Port-Utah earlier but expect more names involved for money to match up as Boozer makes a ton as does Kirk
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:40 pm
Like I was sayin’, Imma have Rick order tha whole squad them T-Shirts next season. We gon wear em’ when we play tha Cavs. Me, J-Smoove, Horford, and Gerald Green gon tear it up! Done Deal.
Anakin Joe
July 9th, 2009
7:42 pm
Melvin, Speedy’s insurance checks. The Nets owner is having all kind of problems getting that Brooklyn arena deal completed. I’ve read in the past few days that he may have to abort and sell the team. Obviously, I don’t know if he would have done the deal… but having $4M in insuarnce payments may have been more appealing than having the 3rd or 4th back-up PF on his team.
CJ
July 9th, 2009
7:43 pm
Understood Flip… Question other than playing for an old coach and maybe money (didn’t he make enough with that huge contract in Orl..lol)why would Grant Hill sign with Knicks instead of Boston or for that matter Phx (family is there)
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:45 pm
Y’all don’t go to sleep. I got more comin’. Yup. F(dot) Murray. Holla
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48NuLICeeQY
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:49 pm
Y’all Make sire to peep my mixes. Holla.
But first, I got some new exclusive footage 4 y’all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_q5o9qg-J0
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:51 pm
Grant likes D’Antoni, but not enough to NOT chase a ring ya digg. Hill ’bout to be 40 soon lol. he’s jus bein an attention @hore right now, but expect him to sign wit a contender when tha dust clears.
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
7:52 pm
Back to Me: Check it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2P3HaRWf0U&feature=fvw
bigcalidawg
July 9th, 2009
7:54 pm
Terrell…I don’t dislike Marvin, but he’s just so passive. I also can’t ignore that we stepped our game up when he was out.
and yeah, we do need a banger that’s between 6′8″ and 7′ cuz ZaZa needs help. Games like Leon Powe, Ben Wallace…..or any big man for Philly. Seems like we get punked physically when we play them. Even Z punked us when we played Cleveland….We don’t need a big that can score 12 points a game, we need a big that can git that as@! You know, one of those thuggish types……
Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 9th, 2009
8:01 pm
See, I tore it up wit tha old squads but they couldn’t see straight. they didn’t think ya boi was an integral part of their success.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3G9hWlvcD8
Well look at those chump squads now. I rosted em’ all for 20+ since I left, and they ain’t done nuthin’ since. Seattle(OKC), Indy, or Detroit. They all loosers now. Cleveland is the exception, and I was only there for about two months anyway so that doesn’t really count…
But I KNOW the Hawks aren’t that stupid. My Homie Rick knows how much of a vaulable/irreplaceble commodity I am. He appreciates my game. He knows that i’ve aided in the team’s success. Ain’t that right Rick? Holla@ Me.