Where’s the beef?
Is Garret Siler (left) a potential solution to the Hawks' big man issue? The answer could come this week during a mini-camp at Philips Arena.
HAWKSVILLE - One by one, the big names have come off the board.
And each time they’ve chosen some place other than the friendly confines of Hawksville to pursue their big man endeavors.
From Rasheed Wallace (Boston) and Marcin Gortat (back to Orlando) to Brandon Bass (also to Southeast Division rival Orlando), Antonio McDyess (San Antonio), Chris Wilcox (Detroit) and just about anyone else you can think of, most all of this summer’s coveted free agent big men have found homes outside of the metro area.
The Hawks have flirted with all of them and more, but outside of the return of Zaza Pachulia, the importance of which should not be ignored, the Hawks have been unable to secure a commitment from another big man, thus far.
With the start of mini-camp today and with guys like Earl Barron, Chris Taft and rookie Garret Siler all set to attend, the Hawks have a chance to evaluate three guys that could possibly help solve their issues in the frontcourt. But none of the three offers the sort of psychological security you get with the aforementioned bigs that have gone elsewhere.
I know you 80s babies remember this commercial.
We’re not the only ones that have noticed. People everywhere have taken up the cause of asking, “Where’s the beef?” on the Hawks’ roster.
During what I called “Tech-Free” weekend (no blog, no twitter, no computer or blackberry or anything at all for one weekend this year, all done in an effort to keep from getting tossed out of my house by the boss lady) I assumed I could get away from it. But I was wrong.
So I’m sitting down with my cousin Big Chet (in town from D.C. visiting) and his buddy Ted, a local limo driver that’s lived here in Atlanta much longer than I have, and eventually the conversation turns to sports. Now keep in mind, Ted has no idea that I have anything to do with the Hawks. And he just blurt it out.
“Man, the Hawks got to get a big man if they ever want to do anything,” he said. “I’m telling you, they need a big man. You can’t keep [Al] Horford out there every night trying to deal with Dwight Howard and Shaq and all them big dudes. They got to get a big man.”
Chet tries to turn the conversation elsewhere. “You can’t say that about the Hawks, Ted,” Chet told him, hoping to turn the eye on his beloved Wizards, whose problems he went on to run down for us without missing a beat. “This man covers the Hawks. He doesn’t need you telling him what’s wrong with the Hawks.”
But Ted wasn’t hearing it. Like most of us, he had his own ideas about what the Hawks needed to do. “They need a big man and that way they can move Horford to power forward, move Josh Smith to small forward and bring [Marvin] Williams off the bench,” Ted said as he continued his rant. “They could even start Pachulia. He plays within himself when he’s starting and he’s the big body that we’ve got to have out there. Everybody I know can see it. Why can’t the Hawks see that we’ve got to go that route?”
When Ted finished, they both looked at me and asked if he was wrong, and Ted gave me that look I get from most folks around town when they speak their truth about the Hawks. I told them I agreed that another big man was needed, and that indeed, everyone that pays close attention to these Hawks knows that another big man is needed (I even suggested they check out the daily jabs back and forth around here if they needed confirmation). I don’t know that I care how you concoct things in terms of who starts and comes off the bench, it’s just clear that more beef is needed in the Hawks’ rotation.
His name is Earl! And he's in the Hawks' big man mix at mini-camp this week and possibly beyond.
Where that beef comes from remains the only mystery of this summer. There was a time, earlier this summer, when I thought the Hawks might be close to pulling off a trade for a big man like Marcus Camby, who might not have the beef but certainly has the big man game the Hawks currently lack. But that was before the Los Angeles Clippers moved Zach Randolph to Memphis and cleared room for rookie sensation Blake Griffin to go to work this year. In the weeks since then, the focus has shifted from big name free agents to fringe bigs (Channing Frye opted for Phoenix, and he was my sleeper pick for the Hawks) and now to mini-camp and training camp invitees like Barron, Taft and Siler.
That doesn’t mean the Hawks have given up on the idea that Randolph Morris (who is under contract and according to most folks I’ve spoken to, is working harder than he ever has to fight his way out of Mike Woodson’s outhouse and back into contention for playing time) could be a factor. And Solomon Jones is a restricted free agent the Hawks have have for three years. He could also become an option. Still, there’s a need for more. A new body or two, preferably bigger bodies than those two guys, could add the physical edge the Hawks have been missing the past two years. I date it back to the time the Hawks traded for Mike Bibby and had to send both Shelden Williams and Lorenzen Wright to Sacramento in that deal. It wasn’t that Williams and Wright were necessarily the ultimate solutions to the Hawks’ problems, but they certainly provided a frontcourt depth that has been non-existent since they were jettisoned.
Think about it, the frontcourt burden since that trade was shifted to basically three guys – Smith, Horford and Pachulia, in a reserve role. That’s quite a bit to ask of three guys, two of them slightly undersized for the task they’re being asked to perform most nights.
So in the end, it might turn out that Ted was spot on in his evaluation of the Hawks. He and the little old lady from those Wendy’s commercials that use to make me laugh when I was a kid every time she said “Where’s the beef?” had it right.
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315 comments Add your comment
Chea
July 20th, 2009
9:14 am
Hawks need to sign Ike Diogu. If they give him a chance he will play really hard, because he’s been treated Acie-Law like at previous stops.
We like Ike!
hawks_4_life
July 20th, 2009
9:16 am
still numero uno
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:17 am
FIRST!!!!
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:18 am
darnit….
hawks_4_life
July 20th, 2009
9:18 am
Enter your comments here
hawks_4_life
July 20th, 2009
9:19 am
ariose we both got beat lol
Sautee
July 20th, 2009
9:21 am
Thanks Sekou,
Do you have any inkling as to who they may go after, or is it down to the mini-camp folks?
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:22 am
From watching sthe clips from summerleauge, it looks like siller(like his Georgia Buddy Randmo) will be a defensive liability. He just doesn’t have great lateral movement IMHO….
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:23 am
hawks_4_life, yeah lol. I thought it was my time to shine heheheh…
ILL-logical
July 20th, 2009
9:33 am
” has to fight his way out of Mike Woodson’s outhouse ”
When that phrase is no longer the subtext to every story about the Hawks personnel, there will have been a major step forward by the organization.
Great read Sekou. I’mm glad someone has finally printed the obvious: untill the team has it’s system tailored to the talent possesed by all of thestarters and not just the chosen one or two the team cannot achieve its full potential. And a critical part of the issue is why certain personnel decisions appear to be based less on merit or objective reality and more on something else entirely?
Thanks for putting it out there and using dramatic liscense to make the point, deft touch my man.
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:37 am
Of couse i’m just playing the role of pessimist. Siler will be a lot of work(Project Big Man). Maan if wecould actually turn Randolph and Siler ito something, we’d be sick. Siler has a chance though….
Chea
July 20th, 2009
9:37 am
Anybody agree with me on Ike Diogu? I believe he’s an enormously undervalued guy. Brandon Bass doesn’t have Diogu’s post moves and look what he got as a FA.
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
9:38 am
Sekou you pull out a classic. Those Wendy’s commericals was funny as heck….
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:46 am
http://www.nba.com/video/index.html
Nice game for Siler, 12pts 6rebs and a couple blocks. I take back wat I said about him. This kid at least plays defense. He can block shots and he runs the floor.
chuckw/deadjournalist
July 20th, 2009
9:56 am
broken record: jamaal magloire
UGA
July 20th, 2009
10:02 am
So who is available? Drew Gooden, Joe Smith, Tim Thomas, the 2 mentioned already, Mikki Moore, Ben Wallace, Johan Petro, Calvin Booth, The Collins brothers, Melvin Ely.
I’d take Gooden or Joe Smith and be very happy.
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
10:03 am
Ted was right about everything except moving Josh to SF. We’re better off with our current configuration than we would be with any system that forces Josh to be even more of a perimeter player. And that’s the rub. If you want to slide Horford to PF, you have to figure out what to do with Josh.
We do need another big man to add to the rotation, though. But since we already have Zaza, I’d say the issue at this point is more getting a backup PF, not backup C. That’s why people are miffed about us not getting Bass or Wilcox or McDyess.
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
10:04 am
Seeing mid-level bigs like Frye (2M, Phx), Wilcox (3M,Det) and Andersen(2.7M,Rockets) sign offers with other teams, makes we wonder how much is left in the budget for the Hawks to sign a big. Those offers the above players signed seem like bargains.
Now only if I can get Anakin Joe to purchase one of those luxury suites. More money in the pot, means more money to offer that Big Man to put on a Hawks uniform and less Wendy’s talk around here. Make sure the Kids stay clear of Anakin Joe when he put his envelop in the bucket…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp4BA0-lYtU
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
10:25 am
Ariose,
Siler look good in those highlights. He may be worth a roster spot. I think he got away with a travel on that dunk…
Myrak43
July 20th, 2009
10:38 am
niremental
Diaw always had talent, but was and is still to passive of a player. Woody tried to play Diaw, but he just flat-out refused to take a shot even when he was wide open……And he only plays hard after he as been traded. just ask a Sun’s fan what they think about Diaw. I am glad he got traded and we got JJ from him…. we made out like theives….. and lets see how Diaw does this year, my money is that he goes back to his passive ways…
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Melvin
July 20th, 2009
10:41 am
MSN reports that the LA clippers are one of sports most at risk teams. Was it a quintessence that they won the #1 pick in this year lottery….
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/the-most-at-risk-sports-teams.aspx?slide-number=9
ILL-logical
July 20th, 2009
10:42 am
To a certain unamed party:
While your professed professional expertise has often been useful the ongoing discussions; your continued attacks on a certain unnamed player causes me to question your knowledge of the game and frankly your abilities beyond repetition of factually unsound opinions.
Case in point: the continued assertion that the unnamed player represents a liability to the club because of his ,in your view, lack certain skills you attribute as being essential to that certain position that several commentors have suggested he be considered for.
First, having witnessed this player’s ability first hand in a recent summer league contest I would differ with your opinion sharply. Second, if you had any historical ,factual reference you would see that the NBA small forward or 3 position has had many types of individual skills featured in the history of the game:
Julius Erving never featured a jump shot in his NBA days; Bernard King ruled the low post in his heyday and Alex English made his bones going to the whole and there is Andrian Dantley, who since high school has done the same damage without dunking or 3-point shooting skills.
I would partially concur that in the current incumbant head coach’s system there are some issues but a closer examination of the facts would reveal that when given the opportunity even in theis system the player ha performed and performed well in a limited role.
Your opinions are of course your opinions; we all have them and some of us hold them sancrosanct. However in the marketplace of ideas, it helps if there is some rational thought and factual underpining if one is to be taken seriously.
ILL-logical
July 20th, 2009
10:45 am
To a certain unamed party:
While your professed professional expertise has often been useful the ongoing discussions; your continued attacks on a certain unnamed player causes me to question your knowledge of the game and frankly your abilities beyond repetition of factually unsound opinions.
Case in point: the continued assertion that the unnamed player represents a liability to the club because of his ,in your view, lack certain skills you attribute as being essential to that certain position that several commentors have suggested he be considered for.
First, having witnessed this player’s ability first hand in a recent summer league contest I would differ with your opinion sharply. Second, if you had any historical ,factual reference you would see that the NBA small forward or 3 position has had many types of individual skills featured in the history of the game:
Julius Erving never featured a jump shot in his NBA days; Bernard King ruled the low post in his heyday and Alex English made his bones going to the hole and then there is Andrian Dantley, who since high school has done the same damage without dunking or 3-point shooting skills.
I would partially concur that in the current incumbant head coach’s system there are some issues but a closer examination of the facts would reveal that when given the opportunity even in this system the player has performed and performed well in a limited role.
Your opinions are of course your opinions; we all have them and some of us hold them sancrosanct. However in the marketplace of ideas, it helps if there is some rational thought and factual underpining if one is to be taken seriously.
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
10:48 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH7WnR_cx00
Old vid of Zaza lol.
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
10:51 am
ILL-logical,
I get it, you don’t like me. But I never said Josh was a liability. And my guess is that a majority of people on this blog don’t want to see Josh slid over to SF. So do they all lack “rational thought and factual underpin[n]ing” for their opinions?
But I have to admit, the format of your “letters” is good for a day’s amusement. It’s just sic.
bigdave
July 20th, 2009
10:53 am
Ariose…
definitely a great addition to back up Marvin… i cant stand Mo at the SF…
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
10:55 am
Nice link, Ariose. Cool to see and remember that Zaza used to be a pretty good finesse player. I like him better as a banger, though – like Vlade, he’s at his best when he’s bumping, flopping, and ticking off the opposing big men
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
10:57 am
And man…3D really let himself go once he retired, didn’t he? Ha…
bigdave
July 20th, 2009
10:58 am
Nire…
thats what you call enjoying your money… food is a hell of a drug…
RealSquawk
July 20th, 2009
10:59 am
I think if anyone should be moved to the bench as a sixth man it is Josh Smith. This would allow him to come off the bench and instantly change the game because he has to focus in on the time he is in the game. He would not have to worry about foul trouble and his role would be simplified. Change the Game. Challenge every ball and attack the rim and rebound.
Simplified his role maximize his abilities.
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
11:15 am
bigdave, agreeed lol.
mountain_jim
July 20th, 2009
11:19 am
Good column and info Sekou and good thing you are back online… some of the needyest among us were really missing your updates and answers this weekend, ha.
Hope you can find out enough about this weeks oncourt and offcourt activites to keep us somewhat informed.
Blast
July 20th, 2009
11:20 am
Where is the beef indeed. The Hawks did the same thing last off season and ended up with Randolph Morris. Are they repeating themselves again? And Morris better be working hard. He is fighting for his basketball career as it is.
Go Hawks, Go!
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
11:21 am
Nire, yeah, My hope is that he can add those finesse moves o his banging style. A poor mans Euro-Hakeem lol. It’s a stretch, but he’s just 25, he’s still got room to grow.
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
11:22 am
Nire,
Not 3D, more like 3 x D. Look like he triple his playing weight
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
11:24 am
Yeah 3D needs got get in the weight romm with JJ lol and get some abs hehehe…
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
11:27 am
Sekou,
I think we figured out where the beef went…looks like Dennis Scott ate it all.
Sekou Smith
July 20th, 2009
11:28 am
In case you want to take a trip down memory lane http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug75diEyiA0
Mike
July 20th, 2009
11:31 am
Siler ended with 79 % shooting. He has lost twenty pounds down to 278. Stopped the pick and roll had two blocks and two steals. This kid has a hugh upside. A 7′ er that plays defense and will only help against Shaq. He make’s free throws only going to get better. Sign him to a two year contract
Sekou Smith
July 20th, 2009
11:46 am
and lay off my man 3D. Ha. At lest he’s stretched it out over that 6-8 frame. Not all of us are lucky enough to be that tall.
Reggie
July 20th, 2009
11:50 am
Sekou
Whats up with Ben Wallace & Joe Smith? Both guys are Vets & both guys would fit with what the hawks need.
The Truth
July 20th, 2009
11:52 am
Sekou
I applaud your effort in finally speaking THE TRUTH about our frontline. The fact that you had a REAL CONVERSATION with REAL PEOPLE about what they think is a reliable sample in any typical survey. The beautiful part about the survey is that it was RANDOM and not by design. However, we can debate until we are all blue in the face; this product SUND is putting together will not achieve the desired result as it is currently constructed. I had given Sund a 60% batting average for the acquisition of talent based on his success of the Crawford deal. As I had mentioned then, even the 60% indicated that there was much more work to be done. But with these recent miscues, I’m updating his batting average down to 40%. At this point, there should be caused for concern. In fact I am beginning to question his ability to acquire a quality Big Man. Since he has become the GM, the only Big Man under his watch is yours truly, R. Morris. Not sure what the real problem is, but Chill did mentioned in a recent interview that he was turned-off with Sund “Hard-ball” negotiation style. Yes, some of that is necessary as part of the “game”, but at the same time, there should also be a balance. At the end of today, it must be a Win-Win proposition for deals to work. It cannot be uneven and “Heavy Handed”. Let us not fool ourselves, money will always be at the center of most negotiations, but it is the intangible things that make the difference. The other teams are getting FA deals done and we are not (outside of our own FA). That in itself speaks volumes. As fans, we’re not interested in who’s at fault, we just want it DONE.
Regarding the Mini-camp; to guys like Earl Barron, Chris Taft and rookie Garret Siler, I say WELCOME TO ATLANTA. It would be unfair for us fans to thrash any of these players before they have had a chance to compete. Since our expectations will be low with these prospects, any potential useful skills discovered will be welcome. The best that could happen here is that we pick a diamond in the ruff and he becomes useful around play-off time. But he can’t possibly help us now. We need a quality veteran combo PF/Center with size. If there are no more left on the table, then Sund has failed with this task. If one of these prospect players is Sund’s strategy for addressing our frontline needs then perhaps I have truly over-estimated him.
HawkKingBibby
July 20th, 2009
11:57 am
Sekou what happened to those two big men you said the Hawks were talking too the other day? Have they signed elsewhere or are they both still out there?
A Tribe Called Quest
July 20th, 2009
11:59 am
WTF? You give us the name of 3 undrafted scrubs and think they’re going to be the solution to our front court needs? Come on Sekou–you trippin, fam!
Hoops
July 20th, 2009
12:03 pm
niremetal,
We all agree that Josh is not a SF because he cannot consistently score from the perimeter nor play perimeter defense. He is also not big enough to bang inside. He is a great talent (no doubt), but I don’t see the Hawks going to the next level with him as our starting PF. After August 11 Josh will not be a BYC player, do you see any possibility that the Hawks look into moving him, Evans, and Morris to the Suns for Stoudemire? We could sign Barnes to replace Evans if that trade were to occur.
Daniel
July 20th, 2009
12:07 pm
Sekou,
Great to get some feed back. Friday, you mentioned that the Hawks were talking to two free agent bigs. Can you now tell us if one of those was Wilcox?
I like Joe Smith as a nice front court addition over Ben Wallace at this point in his career.
Still I wonder if the Wizards want to keep Blatche and Haywood. Any thoughts there?
Daniel
July 20th, 2009
12:08 pm
Good Grief Hoops- Amare Stoudemire is NOT an upgrade over Josh Smith. He is a soft defender with an attitude, who has had microfracture and eye surgery. Drop it already!
Hoops
July 20th, 2009
12:09 pm
The Hawks can only sign one of these players:
Morris
Solo
Siler
They all can be signed on the cheap, but they will not answer the call for the next big after Josh, Horford, and Zaza. We have got to get another BIG besides one of the three mentioned players!
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
12:09 pm
Ike Diogu would be a STEAL!
Daniel
July 20th, 2009
12:10 pm
Tribe- I am totally with you. Siler and Taft are mildly interesting to talk about in July neither will be a factor once big boy basketball gets started. It is just a way to pass the time.
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
12:12 pm
Hoops,
I’d roll with Solo. He still has potential.
Samuel
July 20th, 2009
12:15 pm
Cuz,
You missed a good ole Mississippi supper compliments of Aint Rowena. Chet put a serious hurtin on some string beans, “ice potatoes”, meat loaf, and real corn bread. Shoulda been there.
yea, we need beef but good beef. My order of FA left:
1. Drew Gooden
2. Joe Smith
3. Leon Powe
4. Theo Ratliff
5. Ben Wallace
6. Jackie Butler
7. Bill Russell
8. Moses Malone
9. Manute Bol
10. Shawn Bradley
11. Jamahl McGlorie
12. Lorenzen Wright
Daniel
July 20th, 2009
12:16 pm
Hoops- none of the three will be impactful in anyway, Solo has the most potential. Although, Siler has the body. But, ultimately who cares who sits at the end of the bench.
Daniel
July 20th, 2009
12:17 pm
Samuel- that is hilarious!!!!
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
12:22 pm
Projected Lineup…
Bibby/Teague
Johnson/Crawford
Williams/Barnes/West
Smith/Diogu/Jones
Horford/Pachulia/Barron
Personally, I think the Hawks should sign a veteran big, someone like Theo Ratliff or Ben Wallace. Because our front-court is kinda young.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
12:25 pm
Okay, considering the content of this blog topic, how long before Clyde comes in to say Horford sucks, Astro Joe comes in to say that he hates the Crawford trade and Teague draft pick, and Niremetal hints ever, ever so slightly at alluding to maybe, hypothetically trading Josh Smith…without actually saying it?
The Truth ,
Sund’s ability to acquire a decent big man has been a question and subject of debate long before he got here, and I’m with you on that one. But I’d rather it take this long (we’re still just in the month of July) than have him rush out and overpay for some stiff like he did when he was in Seattle.
Hey, we still may end up with that stiff, but at the very least, we won’t be overpaying him (large contracts are not generally doled out to participants of minicamp). Of course, that is assuming that we end up getting a big man from minicamp tryouts, and not elsewhere. Like you, I say “welcome” to guys like Earl Barron, Siler, Taft, etc. If that’s where we get our beef from, then it is what it is.
Having said that, a minicamp selection wasn’t/isn’t my first choice. And while it will be easy to bash Sund for what we get, since the bigger names are now signed elsewhere, it’s asinine to assume that he never gave a good effort to securing a veteran big man’s services.
Right now, all we need is a role player. We just need a good one. Or two. I sure hope we get them. While it’s a bit of apples to oranges comparison, and not the same level of talent, can we say with any honesty that we knew that Flip Murray was going to do for us what he did last year? Again, Flip is more talented than any of the big guys we’re inviting to minicamp, and he’s been around longer, but he’s no less a journeyman. Still, I won’t call a spade a diamond, and I won’t hang all my hopes on what many will see as free agent flotsam. But I’m not sniffing too hard at what’s offered, either.
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
12:27 pm
At this point, I’d rather have Josh at PF than Amare. Josh might be an inch or two shorter, but he’s younger, a bit more athletic, and comes with a more reasonable price tag.
And yeah, we’re not trading for Amare anyway.
Samuel
July 20th, 2009
12:29 pm
Daniel,
We need beef, not “Mad Cow”.
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
12:30 pm
Haha, Ray…didn’t even see your post before I made mine.
I’ve stopped pushing for a trade of Smoove. He shouldn’t go anywhere unless the guy we’re getting back has a last name that rhymes with posh.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
12:31 pm
Hoops,
Niremetal was progressing nicely on the Josh Smith issue. You’ve just initiated a total relapse….;)
I had hopes for RandMo when we signed him. I recalled that he had some offensive capability. It’s great that he’s working hard. Having been in Woody’s system for a year, I’d say he would have to be further along than a guy like Siler, or Taft. But there is no substitute for the correct mind frame. And that is where it all starts. We need a banger, not a finesse guy. Whoever bangs the hardest and most effectively gets the job. Let the games begin….
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
12:33 pm
Big Ray,
The Hawks front-court is too weak to settle with Siler, Barron, and Taft. I hope you were joking, man.
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
12:33 pm
But I’d rather it take this long (we’re still just in the month of July) than have him rush out and overpay for some stiff like he did when he was in Seattle.
What, you mean we shouldn’t go out and spend $6M/yr on Calvin Booth?
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
12:33 pm
Samuel ,
That is without a doubt the funniest thing I have seen today! Mad Cow indeed! LOL!!!
Niremetal ,
I knew you’d appreciate the humor.
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
12:35 pm
Let’s put it this way, the Hawks need more beef than fish. LOL
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
12:40 pm
Mr. Go Hawks,
Whether or not I’m joking shouldn’t be your concern. You should be more worried about what Sund thinks and does. But no, I’m not joking. Siler, Taft, and Barron are minicamp invitees. We are as likely as not to get one of our bench big men from that group. We got one from such a group last year, did we not? His name is Othello Hunter. These guys do not represent what we want and need from a 1st or 2nd big man off the bench. More like the 3rd. Zaza will be the 1st off the bench. But there will be a 2nd and 3rd. I think one of these guys will be that 3rd guy. I’m HOPING we get a solid 2nd.
However, it’s possible that this is ALL we end up with. Hope not (or we will only win 35 games, the coach will get fired, and the world as we know it will end….or so I’ve heard), but the possibility exists. Now pardon me while I get my Rosary out and say some prayers. Wait, I’m not Catholic…..
doc
July 20th, 2009
12:43 pm
so samuel, tell us how you really feel about magliore. behind shawn bradley huh?
Sekou Smith
July 20th, 2009
12:44 pm
I can’t believe I missed the grub Steamboat. I won’t miss it next time. Chris Wilcox was not one of the veteran bigs I was talking about.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
12:44 pm
Nire,
Precisely. And the list goes on with that particular subject. I’m hoping we get something better done with the big man contingent than we have in the past, but I also think Sund has done a pretty decent job so far this summer. The Marvin Williams conundrum remains as well, but there’s nothing that guarantees that to be a failure.
KSEE
July 20th, 2009
12:45 pm
We need a Center so horford can move back to power forward…so PLEASE hawks…lets make something happen…maybe that Garret Siler kid can help us
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
12:53 pm
If the Hawks only add Barron, Taft, or Siler EVERYONE should get fired! But, if it turns out to be good, then that’s another story…
terrell barron
July 20th, 2009
12:57 pm
Sekou, you said “where’s the beef”, and then you throw out a name like Channing Frye. He’s no bigger than Horford is. A little taller, but Frye’s built more like a Whopper Jr, than he is a triple with cheese.(which is what we need).
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
12:58 pm
Sekou Smith,
Hmmm… LOL!
dap01
July 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
Sekou: Thanks, it is good to know that you understand how regular Hawks fans think and also how we are frustrated at times.
We needed to improve our defensive presence in the middle, we have not and it appears that we will not improve. Perhaps Sund has a plan and we need to be patient.
What about Theo Ratliff? Could he fill a 5-10 minute role per game. Sekou: What is your scouting report on RandMo? He has a good shot. What does he need to do in order to be a contributor? Does the Hawks management ever say something like, “If we could get RandMo to get stronger we feel that he could contribute. We plan to _______ in order to help him develop”.
Mr. Egger
July 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
Did the Timberwolves pick up their option on Shelden Williams? Maybe he can come back and be that big off the bench. He isn’t the best, but he’s not bad for a 10-15 minute per game player, and is better defensively than several other names that have been mentioned for a backup big spot.
terrell barron
July 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
What about Melvin Ely? He brings a little toughness, and played well in N.O., when given the opportunity.
Ben
July 20th, 2009
1:05 pm
Sekou, which BIGS were you referring to then? Why are not signing them? We can’t rely on these bums in the mini camp to actually give us any real production off the bench. We do the same thing every year. Just stupid. Get some quality bigs in here.
The Truth
July 20th, 2009
1:06 pm
Big Ray
This comment you wrote (among others) is interesting:
“However, it’s possible that this is ALL we end up with. Hope not (or we will only win 35 games, the coach will get fired, and the world as we know it will end”
Do you think it is possible that Sund is deliberately drawing it this way to lay such a foundation? Is Sund even made like that? Exactly, who is this guy? Whether of not we labeled him correctly, he will ultimately be judged by the success of the team.
dap01
July 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
Sekou: Would we ever have any interest in the now inexpensive Sheldon Williams?
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
Dap01,
RandMo needs to get out there and bang. Grab rebounds on both ends of the floor, clog up the middle on defense, challenge shots, and set bone-rattling screens. As for development, if RandMo doesn’t get it done, it won’t get done. Period. And that’s not an automatic knock on the coaching staff, who is responsible for development (ha ha). Seriously, development has nothing to do with self-motivation. Development is helping a self-motivated, willing-to-work player to fit into a system or scheme. Helping him to maximize what he offers and can do, for the betterment of the team.
This is the pro league. As in professional. You don’t have the sufficient work ethic and self-motivation, then no development can occur.
Having said that, development on this team is a subject of debate……
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
Google “Sofoklis Schortsianitis”, now that’s a Triple Whopper with cheese! LOL!
keen observer
July 20th, 2009
1:12 pm
Keep an eye on Corey “Homocide” Williams. He can play and will prove it this week. Sekou, I’m sure you will see him play in person, as I have, so please let us know your thoughts!
dap01
July 20th, 2009
1:17 pm
Big Ray: Thanks.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
The Truth,
You forgot the end of that statment “…or so I’ve heard….”
Actually, that comment was a jab at another regular poster around here (he knows who he is, and is either bored with this jousting contest, or is preparing his counterstrike even as we speak
). I am serious about the possibility of us not having a better set of frontcourt options before the start of the season. I hope that isn’t how it ends up, but you can never tell.
As for Sund drawing things up for certain failure, no I do NOT believe that. That would be insane. And it would get him fired. Quick. Now, some may believe that he is setting Woody up for failure by building a team that does not suit the strengths of his coaching. My first question would be, exactly what ARE his strengths, and exactly how has the roster changed (for the worse) from the one he so famously won 47 games with (a fact that some are willing to point out every 5 seconds except when it inconveniently is diametrically opposed to their complaints about offseason moves).
No, you really can’t say that Sund is building a totally different foundation, or one designed to lose or to make the coach a loser. He has taken the same team that won 47 games last year, and added to it. Has he fixed all the holes and warts? No, not yet. But some of those holes and warts were a result of our current players not performing up to certain tasks, a fact that some people were all too ready to point out with certain players during the season, but seem to forget now. Some problems are both homegrown, and home remedied. Others are not.
Sund hasn’t changed the foundation. He’s added to it. And I doubt that he’s done adding to it. You are right, he will be judged by the success of the team. But you forget one thing. A GM always has an escape clause if he does his homework right. It’s called a head coach.
Let’s look at it again. Sund may not have fixed ALL of the issues we have had by way of roster movement, but he has fixed some of them. Woody wanted just about the whole team back, with no big changes. With the exception of Marvin (no decision yet), and Flip, they ARE all back. He really wanted Bibby back, more than anything else for certain. Sund got him back. He even took away one pg prospect that he didn’t like (Law), and gave him one that he DOES like, and has said so publicly (Teague). On top of that, he upgraded his backcourt by giving him a combo guard that is more potent, more dangerous, and more explosive on any given night than Flip Murray ever was (Jamal Crawford).
The only thing Sund hasn’t done as of yet, is give Woody a free agent backup C/PF that can play 20 or so minutes a night. At least not one that wasn’t wearing a Hawks uniform last season.
So looking at the big picture, if the Hawks are not “successful” this coming season, but whatever definition….who stands to be judged the harshest? Sund….or Woodson….?
Reggie
July 20th, 2009
1:33 pm
Sekou
What is the latest as far as Joe Johnson getting a contrct extension? Any chance he gets a contract extension this summer?
Willie Coyote
July 20th, 2009
1:48 pm
Good point Ray; this year (moreso than others) success is almost exclusively on Woodson. Anything less than improvement may be viewed as this team going as far as it can with Woodson.
How do you improve on what the Hawks accomplished last year? Basically they have to become a serious contender for the Eastern Conference title (at least). Is this team ready for that? As a fan I hope so but that remains to be seen.
nique
July 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
…which is why it didn’t make sense to trade Anderson for a future 2nd round pick. He didn’t want to play here because he wasn’t going to get minutes? We have limited “beef” so why would he only get limited minutes? I really don’t get that one.
Dub C
July 20th, 2009
1:57 pm
Nire,
I agree. There’s no way Josh could survive at the 3 for any length of time. That’s definitely not his position.
I actually don’t think he’s an undersized 4, as someone mentioned. I think if he puts his mind to it, he’d be a very good 4.
I agree with everyone, there’s no way we can go into next season without picking up a veteran big, no way!
Dub C
July 20th, 2009
2:00 pm
TB, I’ve always liked Melvin Ely. He’s not afraid to bang and he’d be cheap. Plus, he has NBA experience.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
Nique,
I ask you one thing. What about David Andersen made you think he was the “beef” we need?
Sekou Smith
July 20th, 2009
2:10 pm
No rumblings on an extension for Joe Reggie. But that’s a question that will be asked this week.
Interesting question dap01, regarding Shelden, I just don’t see that one working out.
tbarron, you read 1,100 words and Channing Frye is the only thing you can poke me about? Come on, man.
The two veteran bigs mentioned on Twitter will not be outed here or anywhere else until the Hawks are done with the roster. I’ll let you know if and when they are BOTH off the market. But for reasons that should be obvious, I can’t let it out just yet.
BREAKING NEWS: Chris Taft is a scratch from the mini-camp roster. No explanation yet, will find out later this afternoon.
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
2:20 pm
Can’t we just do some sort of reverse lipo from 3D to Solo and call it a day?
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
2:24 pm
Micah Hart just tweeted that we added Othello and dropped Taft – assuming it was a matter of switching one for the other, I’m cool with that. Looks like RandMo will be there too.
Sekou – does Woody help run mini-camp, or is this purely Larry Drew’s domain?
Hoops
July 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
Sekou,
Have you heard any mention of the Hawks inquiring about the availability of Andray Blatche with the Wizzards? He could be the answer for the BIG MAN (6′11″, 260lbs) that the Hawks are looking for off of the bench. He is 22 yrs. old and was a 10/5 guy last year.
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
Sekou,
My gosh. Out of all the big men that will be in mini-camp, why does the AJC decide to put the picture up of the one player (Chris Taft) that will not be in camp?
Ken
July 20th, 2009
2:42 pm
Maybe Josh Smith is a problem. Many of us have talked about getting a true center so we can slide Al to the 4 and Josh to the 3, but Josh does not handle the ball well enough nor does he shoot that well. Two skills that are essential to playing on the perimeter. As an undersized power forward though, those skills would still be useful (ala Lamar Odom/Rashard Lewis). I think it’s safe to say at this point Josh is NOT going to develop much better ball handling. He can become a better shooter, but I don’t think good enough for our liking. We have already designated him as part of our future core, but he has become a tweener. I think he is also holding back Horford, who has game, but just can’t be as effective against legit centers. And all of this is just from a strategic stand point, not mentioning his immature sulking when he doesn’t get a call or makes a bad play. We love him for the highlight reel stuff, but he needs sustenance and consistency to be a true player. So I don’t know, he can put up numbers but seems there is always a major piece missing.
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
Nique,
There’s nothing “beefy” about David Andersen.
PDubATL
July 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
The Siler-Morris matchup in mini-camp sure would be interesting to see.
Logic
July 20th, 2009
2:53 pm
Hey Truth, do we know what our desired goal is? Sounds like a stupid
question right, but many don’t think it’s realistic for us to win a
championship this year (and not that I don’t want to). If that’s the
case though, then what is the a satisfactory goal? Make the playoffs
3 yrs in a row, make the second rd again, take the next step and
make it to the conference semis. Some of us are hoping for a miracle
(championship), some would be happy to just have a team they can be
proud of(winning organization), and some be happy for us to no
longer be refered to as doormats of the league(where we came from).
So you have to ask, what is the desired result?
Captain obvious
July 20th, 2009
3:01 pm
Can we do away with the word “POTENTIAL?” Definiton for the term is: “existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality.” Now when we apply that term to the NBA we get: “Get your coach fired: may cause mediocrity or fans to turn on you.” So please don’t throw names of players just because they’re available, tall, or had two good games(especially if you’ve never seen them play). Just had to put that out there.
cp
July 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
Good to see we are giving Hunter another chance. I like that kid and I hope he makes the team. I would probably take Siler over RandyMo. Siler plays hard while RandyMo looks like he would rather sit on the end of the bench and drink some Gatorade.
Yupperz
July 20th, 2009
3:08 pm
Tony Batie is a free agent, we should sign him.
I MUS.WRITE
July 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
I know its summer league but siler looks like he could be that goon I spoke of -with a little seasoning and coaching. he looks strong around the rim and finishes with power-if nothing else he’s a space eater-
What is this comedy central…… 1st melvin now Sekou lol.. Blast from he past -Where’s the beef – That old lady used to crack me up……
If I went to that church -I would go every weekend just to see dude act a munkey-funny stuff right there….Bo Franklin LOL
Dam it man -I just got my NBA Tv back like 5 minuts ago-here i am thinking its like 40 extra dollars a month- itz 5 freakn dollars -extra and on top of that u get the NFL channel and like 6 more sports channels. Thats what i get for being cheap – now thats a cool 100.00 instead of 95…..DAM
Ken
July 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
What is the difference between Kendrick Perkins and guys like Garret Siler, Earl Barron, and Randmo?
Time in the league, a true veteran to learn from and push you (Kevin Garnett), and enough all-stars to make you look good…lol
Not surprised to hear Chris Taft is out already in training camp. I was wondering if he had matured enough to take a chance on him, guess not.
chaz
July 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
marvin and mo make 10M. in this market they could be replaced by two guys like flip, barnes, green, etc. for roughly half that. sund should trade some combination of marvin, mo, and picks to get a quality shot-blocking C like camby. then take the 3-5M we would have spent on a wilcox or a mcdyess and use it to replace marvin and mo with flip and barnes.
would you rather spend 13-15M to have mcdyess, marvin, and mo, or spend 13-15M to have camby, flip, and barnes?
paying 3-5M for a wilcox or a mcdyess isn’t likely to get us past the 2nd round. we need a quality shot-blocking C and marvin can be replaced. hopefully sund is trying to bring in a quality C and that is why marvin’s contract is still up in the air.
bibby – crawford – jj – josh – camby
teague – flip – barnes – al – zaza
west – randmo – solo/siler
same payroll as last year
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
3:29 pm
Ding
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
3:39 pm
Nire,
Glad to see that bell is working again…
Hoops
July 20th, 2009
3:44 pm
The following is a list of FA or UFA that I hope the Hawks are looking at:
UFA – Iko Diogu – 25 Yrs/6′9″/250lbs. Avg. 9PPG & 4RPG
UFA – Drew Gooden – 27 Yrs/6′10″/242lbs. Avg. 10PPG & 4RPG
RFA – Hakim Warrick – 27 Yrs/6′9″/219lbs. Avg. 11PPG & 5RPG
UFA – Glen Davis – 23 Yrs/6′9″/289lbs. Avg. 7PPG & 4 RPG
UFA – Matt Barnes – 29 Yrs/6′7″/226lbs. Avg. 10 PPG & 5 RPG
I hope that the Hawks look into trading for Andray Blatche from the Wizzards. He is 22 Yrs/6′11″/260lbs. and had a Avg.10PPG & 5RPG this past season.
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
3:45 pm
Melvin,
Yeah, it just needed new batteries. It went off so much during the first few weeks of the offseason that it ran out.
By the way, I don’t understand a word of it, but Italian rap is officially the Best Thing Ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSSKhEkqNdE
I MUS.WRITE
July 20th, 2009
3:50 pm
Amare Stoudamire is not coming here- jeezuz _Im gonna fall on my sword if i hear that again……. Sheldon williams -Yall are getting desperate …Id rather have Solo..ewwww
Morris is working hard huh? he shoulda been doing that all along -its called being a professional-
I would agree with? -if we only add Siller ,Barron, etc the offseason becomes so average and non impressive -We retained our guys and drop some dead weight but nothing major -managing on the cheap
If nobody else of importance is brought in its the 4th seed maybe and a 1st or 2nd round exit…are we supposed to be satisfied with that- ASG: hell yeah u ungrateful Atlanta sports fans…….
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
3:55 pm
Nire,
Just bounce your head to the beat….
The Truth
July 20th, 2009
3:56 pm
Big Ray
Your July 20th, 2009
1:31 pm Post
Beautifully constructed; the answer to the question you posed is that Woody would be more to blame. But that really won’t be any new revelation based on past sentiments about him in Hawksville. I also know if that unfortunate scenario played out that way, weasel Woody would not go down without a fight. We all know he is a master at playing to the press. No doubt, he would point out that he was out manned by the likes of Shaq, D Howard and KG (just to name a few), so he did the best he could do under the circumstances. Perhaps he would also point out about the Hawks recent playoff appearances and beg for mercy. You’re right though, he would not have much leverage since Sund would have granted him most of his request. The only wrinkle in this scenario is the fact that Woody tenure with ASG is much longer then Sund. If woody worked the system, who knows what could happened. He’s done before with BK and survived, he could do it again with Sund.
Ken
July 20th, 2009
3:57 pm
I give up!! Just sign Siler, Solo, or whoever and call it a rap. Sund had a good off-season overall keeping our key free agents. In one of the worst drafts ever he good a pretty good player and in a very lack luster free agent market he didn’t overpay for a bench warmer. So I give Sund a pass. What’s up with Marv and training camp?
Maxx
July 20th, 2009
3:57 pm
It doesnt matter how hard Randolph Morris works, the fact is he’s soft. He’s got a nice shooting stroke and is a very good finesse offensive player, but that’s not what the Hawks need. We need a bulldog in the middle that will bang and defend and get boards. The more I see of Siler the more I think he could really be a nice steal for us. He’s not the Ben-Wallace-in-his-prime that we are all clamoring for, but he’s a big dude with nice athleticism and aggressiveness, and being a rookie this guy has a ton of room to improve. I was hollering last week that earl Barron was the answer, but I was wrong. I liked what I saw out of him when he was with Miami a couple of years ago, but I just watched him play with New Orleans in the summer league and I wasn’t impressed. He is an active tall guy but he doesn’t have the tenacity or strength I thought he did. He can still be a good veteran option off the bench for us though. My man Ted was right
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
3:58 pm
Hey look at the link below. I found RandMo offseason workout. Pretty impressive for the big fella…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNw_6DnFJ90&feature=related
martin
July 20th, 2009
3:58 pm
NO WAY Josh can play the 3. He cannot stretch the defensive and make open shots. Yes he has the body of a 3 and not a 4, but do to his lack of offensive skills, he cannot play the 3 now. That is what makes Marvin that much more essential to resign. Without Marvin, Mo Evans is our only other 3. I think Al could be very effective and dominate at the 4, I say bring Josh off the bench. Until he can make an open jumper, he does not need to take a shot or play a postion which requires him to take a jumper.
UGA
July 20th, 2009
4:03 pm
Clips trade QRichardson to the TWolves for Telfaire, Madsen and Craig Smith per ESPN
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
4:08 pm
UGA,
After the way Flynn dominated the Vegas Summer league, I’m no surprise the Wolves ship Telfair out of there…
UGA
July 20th, 2009
4:11 pm
One name I would like to entertain since it looks like we are not having much look in securing BIGS is Darius Songalia. He plays for Minnesota now, they have no use for him, we could use him as a back-up.
Melvin
July 20th, 2009
4:13 pm
If the Hawks could sign Barnes, I wonder if the Clips would do a Mo Evans for Craig Smith swap. Smith is a nasty wide body that could play valuable mins off the bench at the PF spot.
Air60
July 20th, 2009
4:24 pm
we dont really need another “great” big man. Only to shift Marvin to the Bench, and Put Pachulia in the starting role. Our rebounding will go up quit a bit. i would like for Woodson to play Solomon Jones, far far more often. Hes a good rebounder, blocker, and a good foul shooter, and gives us a guy who when he is strengthened up a bit more, can be the reserve big body for the future in terms of coming off the bench and giving us defense. Woodson just cant coach very well with the guys we have now. He doesnt use Mario West, either. With our entire backcourt in full swing, we dont have room for Mario, but at least let him play 6 minutes a game. If only if Woodson knew how to coach…….
UGA
July 20th, 2009
4:25 pm
Agree on Smith.
I’ve been out of town for awhile, did Matt Barnes have interest in us? Did the Hawks have interest here? What’s the deal?
jhan
July 20th, 2009
4:37 pm
ILL – are you really going to compare Smith to: Erving, Dantley, English & King? Those are some of the best SF’s to play in the NBA. I haven’t seen anything from Josh to suggest he will produce like those guys.
O'Brien
July 20th, 2009
4:37 pm
Currently, we have Josh, Al and ZaZa for almost all 96 minutes available to the front court. Last year’s averages (rounded up):
Horford: 34mpg, Josh: 35mpg and ZaZa: 20mpg.
That adds up to 89 minutes per game. So if they play the same amount of minutes this season, that leaves 7 minutes for another big.
Maybe thats why (so far), no big wants to come here (including Andersen), because unless someone gets hurt, they dont expect Woody to play them more than 8-10 minutes per game.
But Josh and Al (combined) missed 28 games last year (not including the playoffs, when we had no replacement for the injured Al). So if they get injured again, do we realistically expect a combination of Solo/RandMo/Siler/Hunter to give us extended minutes while being very effective?
On the flip side, if we dont sign another big, and Josh, Al or ZaZa gets hurt, I’m sure Woody will be quick to point out how injured we were.
The Truth
July 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
Logic
About your question: “do we know what our desired goal is?”
No I don’t think it’s a stupid question but a provocative one. As you suggested, I think it means different things to different people. Last year the consensus around here that defined a successful year for the Hawks was returning to the playoff and improving over the previous year. In that regard, mission was accomplished. I expect it will be the same this year as well. We must return to the playoff and improve of last year. Anything less, would be a regression. Are we ready to compete for a championship as the team is currently constructed? NO. Perhaps there lies the problem. Maybe ASG goals are to just be competitive, just to a turn a profit and nothing more. Perhaps with that kind of business model, no championship dollar outlay is required. However, our financial commitment has improved over past years so perhaps this process is a build block and we must be patient. We shall see.
jhan
July 20th, 2009
4:41 pm
I always liked Craig Smith as well – dude is a bowling ball in the lane.
UGA
July 20th, 2009
4:45 pm
We signed Teague, (Twitter from Micah Hart)
jhan
July 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
If the Hawks take the Cavs, Celtics or Magic to 7 games in the second round would that be considered progress? I think so. My personal goal is for this team to reach the ECF’s – lofty but not out of the question. We will need things to fall correctly but why not?
kirkinga
July 20th, 2009
4:50 pm
Speaking of beef, if Miami is able to sign Odom and/or Boozer, the Hawks’ hold on the 4th playoff spot would be in serious question barring any major injuries on the top 3 teams from last season.
Something is very wrong. The Hawks are supposed to be a team on the rise is that not true? Attractive team in an attractive city, all that.
So why is it they cannot get any of the FA’s they want? And to top it off while they are getting rejecting multiple times, they don’t want, can’t find the money for, can’t find the minutes for, players whose rights they hold that could possibly help them to varying degrees?
Let’s continue to hope there’s a trade coming, otherwise we’re not going to get a significant improvement in the frontline. Sign Siler, he might be worth a few extra tickets sales..or he could be Priest Lauderdale incarnate.
Go Hawks!!
Daniel
July 20th, 2009
4:52 pm
Hoops- I have been pushing for one of the Wizards front court bigs. Blatche is a very interesting choice, because he has been a real up and down player with a lot of off the court issues in DC. Which could be a good thing, in that they be willing to get rid of guy with his talent and a change of scenery may do him good. But, then again he may continue his antics with the Hawks where he would be less of a focal point and get even more distracted. I dunno.
Haywood though may be available, and very nice addition as a back up front court player.
Just a thought.
Hoops
July 20th, 2009
5:24 pm
I really hope the Hawks can sign a BIG to come off the bench that is better than Morris/Siler/Solo. If not, then what about this thought?
Re-sign Marvin (it will happen eventually). Sign Barnes. When we need a back up PF, use Marvin at PF some while Barnes and JJ can play SF.
dos hawkquis
July 20th, 2009
5:27 pm
I hate to hear when professional athletes are “working harder than ever…” Shouldn’t they have been “working harder than ever” when they came into the league?
They said the same thing about Vick, before his troubles..”Mike Vick has been working harder this year than ever before in his career…”
Everyone keeps saying, “The Hawks need another big man!!” Woody won’t play them. Solo average 6min per game and Randolph 3? How much time will this “other big man get?”
“I don’t always laugh at big men, but when I do, I prefer laughing at Randawful Morris. Stay thirsty my friend!”
I MUS WRITE
July 20th, 2009
5:29 pm
Chris taft was spotted in the parking lot of Magic City foaming from the mouth, counting dollar bills, waiting for the doors to open…..Its probably best that he doesnt come to camp here -maybe Minnesota is the place for him.
Hoops
July 20th, 2009
5:33 pm
Melvin,
I like your trade of Evans for Smith. The money is the same. Then we have to go after Barnes!
Craig could help off the bench at PF, even though he is only 6′ 7″/250lbs. Barnes would make us better, backing up Marvin, than Evans.
Maxx
July 20th, 2009
5:36 pm
I MUS WRITE- Hilarious!
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
5:42 pm
Melvin,
Craig Smith can provide scoring off the bench, but he isn’t much of a rebounder.
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
5:53 pm
Miami doesn’t plan on matching Moon’s offer from Cleveland, and a source said that Matt Barnes was trying to decide between Cleveland or Atlanta. So that means the Hawks are an option. Unless another team comes up with a last minute offer. I can’t picture the Cavs having Delonte West, Anthony Parker, those two rookies they drafted, and Matt Barnes.
DJ
July 20th, 2009
5:54 pm
Hopefully the lineup for the hawks in 09-10:
Mike – Jeff – Mario
Joe – Jamal- Mario
Hakim Warrik – Mo Evans
Josh – Ike -??
Al – Zaza – Garrett
Hakim Warrik and Ike Diogu are in and Marvin is out. If you look at Ike Diogus last 2 games (the only games where he got minutes)he produced and produced BIG. Hakim Warrik would do good replacing Marvin. He is Athleticc, the downside about him is that he is like Josh Smith, which is not really a bad thing but with Mike Woodsen?!? Sign Garret Siler from mini camp because he did OK in the Summer League. Sekou, what do you think?
DJ
July 20th, 2009
5:56 pm
And Matt Barnes is not going to come to the Hawks, he is probably going to go the Cleveland or Orlando
DJ
July 20th, 2009
5:57 pm
and sign back Othello
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
6:00 pm
Yupperz,
Tony Battie isn’t a free agent, sorry.
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
6:04 pm
What’s wrong with you guys? Hakim Warrick isn’t a SF, so he couldn’t replace Marvin, not even if he wanted to.
Jody
July 20th, 2009
6:24 pm
Great piece Sekou!
I agree with what was said about Josh Smith. People think that he can’t play the 3, but I disagree. You don’t have to be a great perimeter shooter to play small forward. Actually, I think moving Josh there again would encourage him to play more in the post because of the mismatch he would have every time down the floor. Some don’t see it, but one of the reasons Josh may settle for some of those jumpers is because it can get really physical in the paint having to battle bigger guys for 40+ minutes. Folks need to be patient with Josh if anything else. He’s basically playing a position on the pro level that he didn’t play prior to that and he’s doing it because he’s a team player.
Chea
July 20th, 2009
6:29 pm
Glad to see that there are more people supporting Ike Diogu; it makes no sense that the Kings don’t want him after he produced like he did in their last two games. They are going after Sean May instead!
Their loss, and if Sund wants to help this team get to 50 wins, it will be our gain.
DJ
July 20th, 2009
6:32 pm
MR,GO HAWKS,
Why couldnt he play the 3? If people say Josh Smith can play the three(which he could) Hakim Warrik could do it.
Hawks Still Seeking Big Man - NBA Core
July 20th, 2009
6:33 pm
[...] the sort of psychological security you get with the aforementioned bigs that have gone elsewhere. Where’s the Beef? | Hawks Blog [...]
macaroni tony
July 20th, 2009
6:38 pm
Just saw youtube footage on Corey “Homicide” Williams, I saw sign him for one year…
macaroni tony
July 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
Just saw youtube footage on Corey “Homicide” Williams, I say sign him for one year…
darrell starks
July 20th, 2009
6:51 pm
What up sekou, why are we so caught up in getting a big man the question is can he play but beside all that,the hawks more focus on just getting by not winning a championship.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Blast
July 20th, 2009
7:00 pm
Ray, great series of posts.
Truth, Hawks ain’t winning a championship yet. Goals for the team right now? My take.
1. If you cannot improve your seeding from last year, at least keep the 4th spot at all cost.
2. Win 50+ games.
3. Win a playoff second round series. Basically, get to the conference finals. Or at least advance deep into the second.
I know this. Hawks as they are right now, CAN probably win a championship, but ONLY if they get through the East. I say that because Hawks match up well against most of the top West teams. LA, Nuggets, Houston, Portland, maybe not San Antonio, Dallas. Hawks beat the nuggets out of Chris Paul and his crew, so Hawks play the West well. Their nemesis is in their own conference. Boston, Cleveland, Orlando. They squeak by those three teams somehow, heh, who knows? But there lies the problem.
Never seen Siler play, but from reports, I would take him over Morris anyday.
Go, Hawks, Go.
Professor
July 20th, 2009
7:06 pm
The Hawks will never win with Josh Smith period. The whole makeup of this team is flawed and until someone in the Hawks front office sees this than we are wasting our time and money. No one wants to come play for us because the Hawks don’t know what the hell they are doing. Hell, we don’t even know who our owner is!!!!!
Mr. GO HAWKS!
July 20th, 2009
7:21 pm
DJ,
Hakim Warrick could play the 3, but not in the starting lineup. He doesn’t shoot the ball very well, which makes it harder for him to play the 3. And, he isn’t as quick as Josh Smith either.
cp
July 20th, 2009
7:47 pm
Why would the Wizards give up any of their big men? I think they only have 3. Heywood, Blatche, and the young kid McGee. What sense would it make for them to trade one of their bigs when they are low on bigs themselves? They have roster full of guards but they also need help in the front court.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
8:01 pm
The Truth ,
Actually Woodson is not a master of speaking to the media. What he does is present a humble and classy image. But what comes out of his mouth is what gets him down the wrong path. A few examples are the following: “I rode Joe Johnson so hard so that he could make the all-star team.” “Yeah, Bibby talks back to me, but he doesn’t say what Josh does.” “If it weren’t for Bibby, we wouldn’t have made it to the playoffs during the 37 win season, or won 47 games the next season.” “Nothing against Acie and his game, but Teague can really play.”
Of course, all of this is paraphrasing, as I do not have the exact quotes in front of me, but I’m neither exaggerating nor embellishing. We find out after the season that Joe had a bad foot, an injury that was not disclosed. Woody’s comment about the all-star team now sticks like a sore thumb. I know Bibby was great for this team, but as an embattled head coach, do you really want to lay ALL credit at the feet of your veteran pg? Why don’t you just hand him your job? As for the Law/Teague thing, it wasn’t exactly necessary. But it WAS revealing. No, Woody is a guy who doesn’t present a bad image, but the minute his mouth opens, things start going downhill. Thing is, he doesn’t mean any harm…
Blast ,
Thanks, man.
thefloydian
July 20th, 2009
8:05 pm
This article makes it sound like the Hawks are going to go into yet another season undermanned. If Sund doesn’t get at least one more big man capable of playing 10-15 minutes a game, he might as well just throw in the towel now.
thefloydian
July 20th, 2009
8:07 pm
Also, let’s clear something up. Josh Smith is not and never will be a 3. Remove that idea from your head.
dos hawkquis
July 20th, 2009
8:08 pm
BLAST,
The Hawks do match up well with the Western teams. I agree with you, but they are not designed to match up with the big 3 over 7 games. We beat Clev at Phillip’s, we lost a close one, and we lost by 7 in Clev. Paul Pierce beat us with a buzzer beater in November. Over 7 games though? We are not designed to compete over 7games.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!!”
KeefMG1
July 20th, 2009
8:14 pm
does anyone know when the NBA regular season schedule come out???
truth-serum
July 20th, 2009
8:17 pm
Sekou stinks! ZaZa is a turnover waiting to happen and Horford is a power forward with no offensive skills. Sekou was a major promoter of getting a guard instead of going after a center. The guard we got may not do any more than what flip brought to the table. We should have pursued a trade for Lopez. Any low budget project center won’t help the Hawks any time in the near future and the Hawks competitive team has a 4-5year window to make a run at a title. Uncle Tom Sekou is a little late and a few dollars short in making a difference in the 5 spot which is clearly the Hawks weakest position and teams will exploit it. Three weeks ago Uncle Tom Sekou was saying what a great center the power forward Horford was. Get real. Even ignorant Ken is beginning to realize Horford aint no center. Its a little late to try and address the center spot now… Sekou you are all over the map with no consistency. Get back in your cabin before the bubba crew turns on you. Right Ken, Bradley?
As the polls says. You’ve taken the Hawks backward with your pursuit of a guard instead of a center. No finals here.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
8:21 pm
Oh my gosh….ding…..
truth-serum
July 20th, 2009
8:21 pm
Speaking of Bubba crew, shout out to the imperial dragon of the southern association of the hate posse’. Hows it going Big Ray? Hows the Woodson Hate campaign progressing? Any new converts?
Dub C
July 20th, 2009
8:23 pm
thefloydian,
Amen! Josh Smith will NEVER play the 3 effectively.
bigdave
July 20th, 2009
8:25 pm
that boy there is a fool…
Sautee
July 20th, 2009
8:36 pm
Sekou,
Don’t worry about Truth-serum’s BS. Here’s how credible HE is:
He and I were arguing about Horford and he swore that Horford only blocked .67 shots per game. He had looked at the PLAYOFF stats (of course that was when Horford was injured) instead of his regular season stat (1.42 / gm.).
When I (and several others) pointed this out to him he actually said this on Bradley’s blog:
June 21st, 2009
4:17 pm
“Oh I see you are using outdated stats from 08 and not this years stats from 09-10″
This fool does not even know what year it is. He thought that SOMEHOW 08-09 was not this past year.
So take his vomit for what it is. Useless.
Keep up the excellent work.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
8:37 pm
Truth Serum ,
What are you, a closet racist? Keep that Uncle Tom $hit off of this blog. There is no place for that here. You don’t like what you’re reading, then kick rocks. But leave your undisguised hate and disdain for the blog host and it’s participants out of it. By all means, have your opinion, as we all do, about the basketball related things.
And yet, only a moron of epic proportions has the gall to blame a beat writer for decisions made on an NBA team. And here I was thinking that it was the team’s GM that was responsible for the roster.
Somewhere, there is a village rejoicing in the loss of it’s idiot…..
Brian
July 20th, 2009
8:39 pm
This team has failed to upgrade like they have many times before. Jamal Crawford has never helped a team in his career. Thus team STILL can’t attract FA’s.Which shows nobody was really impressed with the Hawks season last year. Unable to attract FA’s makes your franchise a loser franchise all by it’s self.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
8:41 pm
Truth Serum,
Imperial dragon? Sorry, but being black and all, I’m not privy to all the various titles of the Ku Klux Klan hierarchy like you are. And I don’t hate Woody. Watch ya mouth son.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
8:45 pm
Sautee,
Now that is just plain retarded. Actually, it gives anybody with the Syndrome a bad name. I guess we can’t expect much from a three-brain cell organism. Okay, make that 3 and a half brain cells. He at least had the oh-so-original thought of posting under another name. Like “Brian.” Gee, nobody saw through THAT one. Wonder if he realizes that his IP address comes up the same, no matter what name he types in?
Nah. That would require FOUR brain cells….
truth-serum
July 20th, 2009
8:47 pm
I want to hump Sekou because I like darkies.
truth-serum
July 20th, 2009
8:48 pm
I like small animals too. I learned about them on the plantation. Their kind of scared at first but get used to it after a while.
Tony
July 20th, 2009
8:48 pm
C-Horford C-Zaza
PF-J.Smith PF-Chris Taft or Ike Diogu
SF-M.Williams SF-Mo Evans
SG-Joe SG-J-Craw
PG-Bibby PG-J-Teague
Third String: Randolph Morris, Solo, and Brevin Knight
That’s enough to get it down. You can holla atcha boy!!!
ant banks
July 20th, 2009
8:49 pm
BIG RAY, SAUTEE, DAVE,
jus’ ignore this fool (UNTRUTH SERUM). the best thing for people like him is to IGNORE him. don’t respond to his posts, AT ALL. he will change his monicker and come back as someone else, but will behave better.
but if everyone is goin’ to keep respondin’ to him, he will keep spittin’ venom.
Big Ray
July 20th, 2009
8:53 pm
Ant,
You’re right. The Uncle Tom stuff really pissed me off though. Anyway….I think Sund will get something done for the frontcourt. Until then, how to while away these slow summer days? Well, besides work that is…
doc
July 20th, 2009
8:56 pm
dos funny stuff but with precision.
kirk come on and just say it, like you wouldnt last year. follow along with me …. IT IS THE BASG! at least you acknowledge it this year.
me? i am still hopeful, have to be to be a hakws fan for over fifty years.
came close to being able to say … 59 is the new 40, until watson let it get away on the last hole.
ray, yawn on that pos. not even creative, just dull and stupid. time to scroll.
thefloydian
July 20th, 2009
9:09 pm
The absolute minimum for this team to even hold serve in the Eastern Conference is another big man of at least Ben Wallace or Jo Smith’s caliber. If these idiots in the Hawks front office think they can go into this season with some degenerate like Randolph Morris as the backup center, then no one should ever pay for another Hawks ticket. Just sell the damn team if you can’t do any better than that ASG.
thefloydian
July 20th, 2009
9:11 pm
Also, anyone who actually like Woodson, do me a favor: Tell me one thing Woodson is actually good at from a coaching perspective. I’d love to hear it.
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:16 pm
http://hawks.portspaces.com/post/hawksbasketblog/hawks_minicamp_day_1.html
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:29 pm
That’s Micah Herts Coverage of the mini-camp over on the Hawks ofiical website blog…..
Also, Isn’t J-Smoove supposed to be in Las Vegas right about now practicing with fellow team USA-select members? Does anyone have any info on this? Sekou?
Ariose
July 20th, 2009
9:30 pm
*Heart
blue hawk
July 20th, 2009
9:48 pm
Can we please change the coach already?
Bibby is the reason, things started to click for the Hawks since he was the one “coaching on the floor”.
Let’s not have any illusions as to the accomplishments of Woodson, he does not have any.
As long as he’s around, this team will not reach it’s true potential.
Can we get rid of him already?
If they want, maybe they can already turn Bibby into a playing coach…
Anakin Joe
July 20th, 2009
10:25 pm
“Where’s the beef?” you ask. Seems to me that the Hawks (as currently constructed) have about as much beef as a classic Krystal’s burger.
Ray, as you know, Woody is in the last year of his contract. If he makes it to the end of the season and doesn’t defeat Orlando, Boston or Cleveland, how easy would it be to allow him to “kick rocks”? About as easy as getting Crawford to take a jump shot. I don’t know what else would be considered improvement. Unless some would settle for 6 games in the second round.
Here’s my two-cent analysis, some teams have decided that there is no reason to pay some luxury tax and not make it to the finals. If you’re an owner who is already paying the luxury tax, do you want to lose because you decided not to pay an extra $5M in salary and tax when you’re already at $75M? If you’re within striking distance of a Finals appearance, you don’t suddenly get cost conscience with the 9th or 10th player in the rotation. So you sign Jamario Moon to an offer sheet. Or you bring in Bass and match Gortat. Bottom line, some of the teams below us have improved (Wizards & Pistons) and the teams above us have far exceeded what anyone would have imagined they would do this off-season. And we have upgraded Flip with nothing else so far. And with all of this, we’re saying that the coach should deliver an improved season or else?
Melvin, I had one of those 15-game packages during the 13-win season when the economy (and job security) was good. Now that the team is far more competitive, I can’t put discretionary income (what’s left of it) in the Hawks. I can’t afford 4 tickets to take my family and I won’t/can’t spend our shrinking entertainment budget solely on my favorite team. But my boys have Hawks t-shirts purchased from NBA.com, so the extent that the ASG get a cut of that, I have made a donation.
Samuel, I can’t believe that you had Jackie Butler and Bill Russell on the same list. I’d bet a mortgage payment that ish has never been done before in print. And it shouldn’t be done again.
.
Tony
July 20th, 2009
10:59 pm
Mike woodson is not the issue people! so get over it!!
Logic
July 20th, 2009
11:15 pm
Hurts my feelings we could have had this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opcT9pVQQpQ
thefloydian
July 20th, 2009
11:25 pm
Mike Woodson is probably the worst coach in the entire league. Do you people not remember how every national analyst on television made fun of our “offense” at every possible opportunity. If you can’t see that Woodson is completely ineffective then I’m not sure you’re actually watching the games.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 20th, 2009
11:35 pm
“I date it back to the time the Hawks traded for Mike Bibby and had to send both Shelden Williams and Lorenzen Wright to Sacramento in that deal. It wasn’t that Williams and Wright were necessarily the ultimate solutions to the Hawks’ problems, but they certainly provided a frontcourt depth that has been non-existent since they were jettisoned.”
If it was this simple, why don’t they just sign Shelden Williams, who is if I’m not mistaken a free agent?
We were hoping for the Hawks to sign quality depth. If they just need any depth they might as well stand pat with the current roster and let Solo keep his minutes from last year. None of the scrubs mentioned in this article — Siler, Morris, Taft, or whoever else — has proven they can do anything better than Solo. In the unlikely event one of them is the answer to the Hawks’ problem, the Hawks still would be taking a big risk going into this season if they decided to rely on one of them. If we are in settling-for-a-scrub mode, just leave the roster as is and move on.
I still maintain that the Hawks can sign Leon Powe for a minimum-salary deal and instantly upgrade their front-court rotation.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 20th, 2009
11:35 pm
Big Ray and niremetal, what is the “ding” supposed to be?
Professor
July 20th, 2009
11:36 pm
We don’t have the players on this squad to bash Woodie. He is doing the best with what he has. I really would like the Hawks to give him the players he needs this year and then lets see what he does. He only has a year left, why not give him every opportunity to succeed?
doc
July 20th, 2009
11:46 pm
najeh, it is a comment on the lack of insight, knowledge,or basketball intelligence of some bloggers. you know clueless. i came up with the notion about two summers ago when some clueless individuals would make outlandish out of the blue no knowledge whatsoever comments on the state of the hawks. there were quite a few back in the day and basically i was breathless at some of the comments, had tried to fill in the missing spaces and felt there was little that could be said to correct the condition as there was so much distance between knowledge and where they were. it caught on. i might also add never has someone come back from a ding to say anything of importance going forward.
doc
July 20th, 2009
11:48 pm
najeh, isnt the problem with powe is he has a very serious injury that will limit him to only the second half of next year, if at all?
JSS
July 20th, 2009
11:52 pm
Well I’m glad that a lot of finally watched the Summer League and saw Siler finally… You can not believe everything you read from some experts (the main reason I visit this blog: informative interchange). Almost everyone knows where I stand on him… It is up to him now… That is the reason I hate D-1 football, a lot of talk about nothing.
One more note about Vegas, I think Minnesota has a ton of trouble… Flynn’s exciting, but I have not seen dribble that much since Iverson first came out Georgetown.. How in the heck are he and Rubio going to run that team? Poor Kevin Love…
Logic
July 20th, 2009
11:52 pm
I’ll leave the general manager stuff to the professionals, but they need to hire me as a talent evaluator. Guarantee there won’t be any “Sheldon Williams” blunders with me. Plus I can measure comparable talent as opposed to just throwing bodies out there.
Ken
July 20th, 2009
11:57 pm
Matt Barnes has signed 2 yr deal with magic, just reported!!
Deep
July 20th, 2009
11:57 pm
Da#n it……Orlando signed Matt Barns…..I really hope that Sund has some kind of plan because with the exception of Hedo leaving (although now we have to watch our back for Toronto creeping up behind us) the East just keeps getting better and better. Whats going on Sund???? Better sign Powe and resign Flip.
niremetal
July 20th, 2009
11:57 pm
Yeah, doc…the alarm must be used sparingly, lest it lose its effect. Mine went off so often during the first week or so of July that I had to sideline it for a couple weeks. I learned my listen, and have only rattled off two since then. And one of those was on Mark Bradley…
Logic
July 20th, 2009
11:59 pm
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!!!!!!!!
niremetal
July 21st, 2009
12:04 am
*learned my lesson.
Good write-up by Sekou on Teague and the first day of mini-camp. I actually thought the last couple paragraphs were particularly interesting – I’ve often wondered whether the relatively conservative rookie scale contract system has forced young NBA stars to learn to manage their finances a bit better than their counterparts in the NFL. My guess is that it makes no difference on the fringes (ie Tim Duncan would have managed his money well even if he played football, and Pacman Jones would have blown it all even on an NBA scale contract), but it might make a difference for some.
doc
July 21st, 2009
12:05 am
nire have you ever seen someone rally back?
Hopeless
July 21st, 2009
12:22 am
Charlie Villanueva, Rasheed Wallace, Brandon Bass, Channing Frye, Antonio McDyess, Chris Wilcox, Matt Barnes, etc… Just going down the line.
AJC Referee
July 21st, 2009
12:26 am
Blows whistle, tosses yellow hanky, and addresses the crowd. “There is an infraction on the blog. Doc is penalized for giving him the business to the non responsive ding-ed posters. The penalty will not be enforced, due to an unforseen off setting factor. (I don’t want to get dinged…shh!)”
blue hawk
July 21st, 2009
12:27 am
Tony, you are wrong. The coach is a major issue. As long as he has players or personnel in his “outhouse”, this team will never maximize on its talents or reach it’s true potential.
Woodson is a poor coach, offensively and defensively. Poor in player development.
He’s a “coach” that can’t coach if he does not have the pieces.
I believe that a coach should coach and make use of whatever he has, and make the most out of it. He does not know how to do that. He’s inflexible and he’s narrow minded.
People wake up. Let’s not have another year of Woodson, let’s get ourselves a good coach, one who will make the most of the talents in this young team, one who will maximize the strengths and not force a system that limits player strengths and advantages.
blue hawk
July 21st, 2009
12:29 am
If it’ll make some people happy, I think Woodson can be a good ASSISTANT COACH. that’s it.
niremetal
July 21st, 2009
12:29 am
I agree with Anakin’s assessment of team’s spending habits (though not his assessment of Woody, of course). People often seem to forget that Atlanta is a tepid sports town to begin with, and just a bad basketball town. Football and baseball reign supreme in Georgia, and college sports reign over pro sports. Some people talk as if the Hawks had amazing attendance back in the heyday of Nique and co, but they didn’t. They’ve only cracked the top 10 in attendance twice in the past thirty years.
The Hawks also have the dubious distinction of being the only team in NBA history to finish first in their conference in wins but in the bottom three in attendance in the same season (’93-’94).
Atlanta is not an NBA town. There is no evidence that “if you build it, they will come” has ever worked in Atlanta. Oh, I think if we landed LeBron or won the Finals, people would turn out. But you can’t bank on that happening. Orlando finished 19th in the league in attendance this past year despite having won 55 games the year before; it was only once their home-drafted superstar led them to the Finals this year that they saw a surge in season ticket sales and NOW they are increasing their payroll accordingly. Don’t forget that this past year, Orlando’s payroll was almost identical to ours.
Atlanta isn’t NY, where the media contracts guarantee a profit even if the team doesn’t make it far. And this isn’t Portland or Utah or San Antonio, where the NBA team is the only show in town and the fans have a history of loyally filling the seats even if the team is middling.
Oh, and this isn’t the NFL, where the league has strict profit-sharing rules that ensure that owners don’t end up deep in the red if their team’s attendance is poor. (That, by the way, is the reason Arthur Blank – a brilliant businessman – would probably never roll the dice on buying a NBA team as long as the current revenue-sharing rules are in place.)
Right now, it looks like ASG will spend a couple million under the luxury tax level, right in line with most of the league. They have the operating revenue to back that up. Once you hit the luxury tax level (~$69M), a team basically has to earn $2 for every $1 they spend on a player.
If ASG sunk $75M into the payroll this coming season, they’d end up losing millions of dollars. I know most people don’t care about that, but it’s not really reasonable to expect any company to sink significant assets into something, knowing full well that they probably won’t earn it back. Nobody would run their own business that way, but for some reason people expect ASG to do so.
niremetal
July 21st, 2009
12:36 am
Doc,
No one comes to mind. It’s certainly possible that I’m forgetting someone, though. Hey, I could go back in time and look at some of my old trade proposals, and I’m sure I would have to give myself a few retrospective dings.
In any case, I bet a few people have been dinged and later rallied back using a different name…
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
1:01 am
Nire,
I’m not sure what the message you’re trying to get across with your 12:29 post but as a fan/supporter/customer of the Hawks, I can careless about the financial status of the owners. Just like they (the owners) could careless about where I get my money from to support their company. As a fan, I would hope the owners will put forth a product on the court that’s competitive, entertaining and championship caliber. Anything less, will be defrauding the fans….
Ed
July 21st, 2009
1:05 am
Read on FoxSports that Marquis Teague, Jeff’s younger brother, was the best guard at LeBron James skills camp and he’s only a junior in high shcool!
niremetal
July 21st, 2009
1:10 am
“Defrauding the fans”? Come on now.
niremetal
July 21st, 2009
1:13 am
I won’t get into this, because I’ve said everything I felt the need to already. But by your standard, Mel, there must be 20+ NBA teams that are defrauding their fans.
Maxx
July 21st, 2009
1:18 am
Sekou, you say Siler looks like a monster. Can’t wait to hear what he does tomorrow night in the scrimmage. We might have found the beef!
niremetal
July 21st, 2009
1:48 am
Well, one last thing – the financial status of the owners is irrelevant at this point – and it has been irrelevant ever since it became clear that ASG wouldn’t have to sell the team to Belkin for a bargain basement price. Due to a combination of the laws governing limited liability companies like ASG and the NBA’s rules governing capital contributions, it’s the financial status of the team – ie how much money the Hawks make through ticket sales and TV/radio contracts – that matters when it comes to setting payrolls and budgets. Now that it’s clear that Belkin can’t get the team for basically nothing (which was the case in 2006), the buyout of Belkin can’t have any impact on the amount of money available to the Hawks because the NBA won’t allow the owners to withdraw their capital contributions. So while the lawsuit will affect the owners asking price if and when they decide to sell the Hawks, the lawsuit now has NO impact on the assets available to the TEAM. The NBA’s franchising rules make that a certainty. Thus, the only thing that matters when it comes to setting the payroll budget is the Hawks’ operating revenues and expenses. And like any business, the Hawks can’t spend more than they make (especially in this economy, where it’s very difficult to borrow money if needed).
Explaining all the reasons why would require a mini-dissertation on business organization and limited liability laws, accounting, and the NBA’s franchising system, but I don’t have time for that even on a good day…and didn’t really have time to write all of this (heh). I know nobody will believe this, but yeah – the lawsuit and the ASG members’ personal wealth (which is quite considerable, in any case) has no impact on how much money is available to the team, and thus has no impact on payroll.
Ed
July 21st, 2009
2:25 am
I have to feel that Woody’s handling of the bench is playing a big factor in the Hawks attempt to bring in a big reserve. There simply were too many DNP coaches decision, inconsistent minutes for key resrves, and Woody’s infamous doghouse for any of the frontline to mid-level bigs to want to chance coming to Atlanta.
KevinA
July 21st, 2009
2:36 am
Woody deferring some on court decisions to veteran Bibby is good coaching. Bibby seems to get along with the team and enjoy their company. His favorite answer to Hawks playing well is, go out there and have fun. Bibby and ZaZa wanting to come back to the Hawks shows Woody isn’t as hard core as he seems. In fact Josh set up his contract so he had first say about staying in Atlanta. Maybe that is what Marvin is doing. Maybe they see the streaking comet called the Hawks and want to inhale the space dust.
After two years of broken negotiations even Chills can see himself in a Hawks uniform with Woody chiming in, I would welcome Chills with open arms.
Continuity on the team and between teammates is also very important, especially a young team like ours. I don’t think Woody comes with any surprise. The team knows what to expect and they know what Woody wants from them.
Woody rely’s on Bibby and JJ to run his team. We may not like iso Joe and Bibby coming off of screens but he is not going to take them off the court or gripe about their play. When we played our best we had better ball rotation and the entire team was passing unselfishly. I look for this trend to become more of a staple. I do not think JJ and Bibby are selfish and over the next two seasons there will be more trust in the rest of the team. In fact this may be the breakout year of team play.
If the Hawks get to 50 wins look for Woody to get a contract. I believe, deservedly so.
I don’t see any big changes in our “Beef”. We can add a player or two to ride the pine and bring in for backup for a few games a year but in the grand scheme of things our three young big’s will shoulder the load.
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
2:50 am
Can we all agree that it would be wise to bring back flip now that barnes is off the market? If Marvin’s injury resurfaces it’ll be JJ and Mo at the SF position. Someone will have to back up Crawford at the SG spot.
“Now who dey want? FLIP! FLIP! FLIP! FLIP! GAME OVER!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUvcddVI6Y
A Tribe Called Quest
July 21st, 2009
3:04 am
Well, ladies and gentleman: yet another team better than us is getting BETTER (Orlando).
And what is Hawks ownership doing? They’re too scared of paying Marvin and have not signed 1 big yet (besides resigning ZaZa which was a must).
So:
Cleveland has gotten Shaq, Jamario Moon, and Anthony Parker
Orlando has gotten Vince, Brandon Bass, Gortat
We have resigned 2 of our 4 free agents and traded for Jamal Crawford.
Great offseason, Rick Sund! Way to invest that money into elevating our team!
But of course, your plan was to “decrease the gap” between us and the 1-3 seeds instead of challenging them.
Good job, ASG!
You guys rule!
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
3:06 am
Guess Barnes is trying to chase a title. He OBVIOUSLY signed for the Bi-Annual because that’s al Orlando had left……oh….that matha F!@#$ing TRADE EXCEPTION ARGGHHH!!!!!! And The rich get…..you know the rest.
Flip, Gooden(give the man the wole damn MLE, I don’t even care at this point, just get SOMEBODY), Siler(well, we may need to use some of that MLE on Flip and sign Siler with the Bi-Annual).
I guess it would also be wise for sund to NOT sign a Veteran FA big man if the price is ot right. No use overpaying for a “Popular-Name” Big man that isn’t in the long-term plans and will probably just hinder the develpoment of our young core bigmen…..
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
3:07 am
Quest, Orlando also got Matt Barnes…..you forgot that one heh. *sobs quietly*
Ariose AKA Scooby Snackz
July 21st, 2009
3:10 am
I could sure use one right about now…..
A Tribe Called Quest
July 21st, 2009
3:11 am
Teague is the point guard of the future?
Right now it looks like Bibby will get all the minutes for 3 years.
How is Teague not familiar with his new teammates? Is Joe the only one who tried to meet with him?
And WHY wasn’t Teague allowed to play in another team’s summer league? The guy hasn’t played a real game since like March
Ariose AKA Scooby Snackz
July 21st, 2009
3:12 am
‘Cause the Hawks arent floating anyone on cloud 9 right now….
Ariose AKA McNasty
July 21st, 2009
3:14 am
We should blow up the Hawks Practice Facility. ThaT’ll get ricks attention…..BLOW IT UP HAHAHAHA!!!!!
A Tribe Called Quest
July 21st, 2009
3:16 am
THE HAWKS DON’T SPEND MONEY.
THAT WILL BE THE DEMISE OF THIS TEAM. THE ASG ONLY CARES ABOUT BRINGING FANS TO THE HOME GAMES — THERE IS NO DESIRE TO COMPETE FOR A TITLE. WHO CARES OF THIS TEAM IS YOUNG? WE SHOULD BE COMPETING FOR THE ECF THIS COMING YEAR — NOT A 2ND ROUND CASUALTY. THIS STUPID REBUILDING PROCESS TOOK WAY TOO LONG. I DON’T CARE IF WE FINISHED ABOUT .500 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS. THIS TEAM SHOULD BE GOING FOR THE ECF AND IS MAKING ATTEMPT TO GET TO THAT NEXT STEP.
RICK SUND YOU STINK
A Tribe Called Quest
July 21st, 2009
3:19 am
EXACTLY ARIOSE.
PEOPLE STILL THINK WE’RE THE CUTE TEAM WHO TOOK BOSTON TO 7 GAMES. EVERYBODY IN THE NBA NOW KNOWS THIS IS A GOOD TEAM — WE ARE NO LONGER THE CUTE TEAM.
GET OUT OF CLOUD 9 PEOPLE AND FACE REALITY. THIS TEAM WILL NOT COMPETE IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS AS IS
Ariose AKA SNARF: The Smarmy Snark
July 21st, 2009
3:20 am
Mike woodson is the greatest coach ever!!! He’s right up there with Mike Dunleavy, Paul Silas, Eric Musslemen, Jeff Bzdelik, Isiah Thomas, Reggie Theus, Michael Curry, Terry Porter and Larry Krztowiak…..Genuis.
I WANT A FREAKING AUTORAPH NOW DAMMIT….NOOOWWWWWW!!!!
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
3:25 am
We won’t get to the next level with Woodson as the Head Coach that’s for damn sure. Regardless of the “Improvements” we make or the “marquee Players” we add. At the end of the day our player are either trapped in his system or glued permenetly to the end of the bench….i’m just keeping it real. YOU all KNOW THIS…
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
3:30 am
If we DID Add Gooden and Siler, and Bring back Flip, Woodson would STILL find a way to mke all of us frustrated. Normally I don’t rant on Wooson(as much as I used to anyway) sinc Salim is looking more like a bust with each passing day, and Acie is doing us supported so favors with his recent summerleauge performances. But none of that chages the fact that he still has no difinitive offensive system that he runs.
That bothers me the most…
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
3:31 am
*supporters no favors
A Tribe Called Quest
July 21st, 2009
3:35 am
COME ON PEOPLE.
SILER WENT TO AUGUSTA STATE. THAT SCHOOL COULDN’T EVEN BEAT GEORGIA STATE OR MERCER IN A BASKETBALL GAME. HOW DO YOU WANNA SIGN SOMEONE WHO DIDN’T EVEN TRANSFER TO A BETTER SCHOOL TO AMELIORATE HIS CHANCES OF BEING DRAFTED?
AUGUSTA STATE/
COME ON
Ariose AKA SalimFan
July 21st, 2009
3:36 am
I think i’m selling the rights to my fanclub. What once was a Budding Bandwagon is now just a mere clown riding tricycle. The seat is so small that my buttt huts from the chafing. I think it’s time I got off.
Ariose AKA "Sir Links A Lot"
July 21st, 2009
3:40 am
IDK, Tribe. I know summerleauge is obviously fools gold when it comes to Assesing a players skill, but He looked better than RandMo. I can’t wait to see who wins the head to head matchup between the two.
Ariose AKA
July 21st, 2009
3:44 am
If we don’t get Drew Gooden though……maaan….I just don’t know Rick…hardball is not the way you woo Free agents lol.
Ariose AKA Waffles McSnack-Cakes
July 21st, 2009
3:49 am
…I smell cheez doodlez…..oh wait, that’s just Lorenzen Wrights newest prank on Rookie Jeff Teague….A return stint for the popcorn man???? NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ariose AKA Waffles McSnack-Cakes
July 21st, 2009
3:50 am
WAFFLE…
Ariose AKA Flip "Goon-Squad" Murray
July 21st, 2009
3:54 am
Ayo Rick! Rick!!! Holla@ Me Baby!!! Done deal??? Hello! Hel-Hello…..must be a bad connecion or sumthin’….Cheap Azz Blackberry.
Ariose AKA McNasty
July 21st, 2009
3:58 am
….BLOW IT UP!!! BWUAAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
Ariose AKA Prestley "Locked-on" Snipes
July 21st, 2009
4:06 am
I can “Get Rid” of the problem for you……for the right price that is…
I’ll be easy
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05Qi2Gy79tg3G/610x.jpg
I couldn’t miss that big dome and those folded arms if you paid me to.
This gup looks like the black version of Home simpson out there….name your price….your Mark Price Buwahahahahah!!!!! Hahaha!!!!!
Aaaahaahahahahaa!!!!!!!
0_o
Ariose AKA Prestley "Locked-on" Snipes
July 21st, 2009
4:07 am
……Thats Homer Simpson to you!
Ahahahahaaaaaa!!!!!! 0_o
Ariose AKA McNasty
July 21st, 2009
4:11 am
Why would I pay you when I could just BLOW IT UP!!!!!! HAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ariose AKA "Sir Links A Lot"
July 21st, 2009
4:16 am
FU@$%ck the ATL Spirit!!! They don’t care man!!!!…..Nope
…….yup…
0_o
Ariose AKA
July 21st, 2009
4:50 am
“Wheres the beef?” Oooh OOohh thats From Common Sense-Orange Pineapple Juice!!!!! That’s my ish!!!
At the 1:09 mark!!!! Yup….thats my jizzaayum!!!!
0_o
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
5:08 am
I couldn’t sleep…..lol. Insomniac effects wearing off now. time for the haymaker…..wheresmike tysonwhan ya need him?
BTW, if you haven’t seen The Hangover yet…….well, somethings probably wrong with you. One of the funniest movies of the summer. Check it out!!!!!
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
5:11 am
(cnnection for the SMART ONES) Iron Mike Tyson was in Hangover….his ol’ crazy arse
…..I wouldn’t say that to his face though….I like my ears heh!
0_o…
gwite
July 21st, 2009
5:33 am
^^
Are you the one who complained about your posts not showing up? If so, it’s now evident why.
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
5:46 am
ummmmm…..no.
1)If my posts don’t show up it’s usually some long essay about the Hawks.
2)your life must suck, where’s your funny bone mr.grumpy!!!!
JSS
July 21st, 2009
6:00 am
I guess you guys think Virginia Union. Arkansas Little Rock, and Central Arkansas don’t deserve to have good basketball? Go and look up some of the solid NBA players who came out of those programs. Dudes, sometime you need to respect that those school showed you the same in giving you a chance when those “so-called good schools” didn’t give those players the time of the day. Oh, I’d trust Augusta State’s coach developing a big man any day over Coach K. Josh McRoberts and Shelden Williams are sure burning the league up? In-freakin’-credible!!! A good program is just that, a good program… By the way, Mercer beat Auburn, Alabama, and Southern Cal (with O.J.Mayo) on their home floors in the last two years… Instead of bashing the smaller local schools, go and catch a game… They are certainly a better quality product than Georgia and Tech program have been over the past 5 years since Tech’s magic run…. Programs on the rise: GC&SU in Milledgeville, Augusta State, and Armstrong Atlantic in Savannah… Follow those mercenaries (D-1, one and done) if you like. I’ll wait till they are in the Association.
Big Ray
July 21st, 2009
6:32 am
Astro Joe,
I didn’t say that Woody had to deliver an improved season this coming year, or else. And I’ve seen where other teams have improved, at least on paper. It happens every year. Philly got better on paper last year. You were one of those who scoffed at the idea (correctly so, as it did not work out for them). So you think Washington and Detroit are better? Why, because they got a bunch of new guys, mostly all at the same positions? Normally you make fun of those kinds of trades. I guess it’s convenient for the anti-Sund argument
.
Well, as far as Woody goes, you know how this stuff works. Either Sund is willing to stick with him, or he’s going to do like every other GM in the league typically does: set his own man into place after finding a way to get rid of the one he has. If it happens, I expect to hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth. Like I said, you know how this stuff works. In the meantime, I’m sure Clyde can hook you up with some “I hate Sund” t-shirts for cheap. Well, maybe not for cheap. He does have to make it back to Rio….
Big Ray
July 21st, 2009
6:34 am
Najeh ,
The “ding” is an idiot alarm/alert.
macaroni tony
July 21st, 2009
8:03 am
I do see that alot of teams are getting the job done early as far as their roster, but I would to see how the roster will look before I start trashing the RS. I do know on paper will want be close as far as other teams. I know that RS will have to have something up his sleeves.
Dub C
July 21st, 2009
8:42 am
JSS…well said! Some of the hidden jewels are playing at smaller schools. There are tons of reasons why kids elect to attend the schoos they attend. Top notch kids attend smaller schools in every sport.
MannyT
July 21st, 2009
8:56 am
The Hawks just returned to the land of winning records and some folks expect the next step to be championship level. That’s like going from being the popular guy in high school to stud worthy of paparazzi in one step…not impossible, but very unlikely. The great teams of the 1980s & 90s could do no better than 2nd round of the playoffs.
I realize that the summer season makes true hoops fans anxious because it’s not about the court, but the back office. Sund isn’t making splashy free agent moves, but you have to go back a long way to see one of those for the Hawks. I think the most recent big name free agent to come here was Mutombo in the 1990s. You have to both have cap space and the right player available to make a splash. Sure we could have renounced all those guys that were free agents, but losing 7 people would have put us at the top of the food chain to do what Detroit did? I doubt fans would be climbing all over themselves to see Charlie V & Ben G without Bibby, Zaza, Solo, & Marvin.
When you have a chance to get a perennial all-star, that’s worth considering. However, those options were not available in free agency this summer. Let the GM team finish their work. More of our improvement will rely on Anakin Joe/OG (that’s original gang–, uh organic growth) and his Glock light saber.
This is a very good week because we get mini camp. That’s as good as we get in this less than spectacular summer.
BWAF
truth-serum
July 21st, 2009
9:30 am
Imitaiton is a great form of Flattery.
Has someone been hurt by something ive said to the degree that you need to immulate my ID? I suspect that Uncle Tom Sekou or dic Breath Ray is using my name to relieve their insecurties. It could be breath like as..Ken..either way Ive notified the blog site of your identity theft,if they dont do anything about it surely the person who is responsible this site is condoning it.
Just for the record this is not my posting
truth-serum
July 20th, 2009
8:47 pm
I want to hump Sekou because I like darkies.
July 20th, 2009
8:48 pm
I like small animals too. I learned about them on the plantation. Their kind of scared at first but get used to it after a while.
I am however flattered that you think so much of me.
And I thought the Team bubba stratergy was to ignore me!
truth-serum
July 21st, 2009
9:32 am
Big Ray
July 21st, 2009
6:34 am
Ding means bulleye!! point well taken
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
9:36 am
Revised Free Agents wish list for the Hawks… Ryan Hollins, Drew Gooden and Tim Thomas…
seahawk
July 21st, 2009
9:37 am
Randolph Morris could be the solution if he played with an attitude. The old Piston’s teams were the perfect NBA model, with extremely bad boys playing low -mahorn, laimbeer, rodman – and the primary scorers at 1, 2 and 3. We have the scorers, but lack the meat.
truth-serum
July 21st, 2009
9:38 am
The Hawks are not much better than the were last year…Still no center.5 ‘10″ Tony Parker will exploit the weakness in the center and score 45-55 points. Most decent team will kill the Hawks inside and by the end of the second round well watch the teams with a center compete for a championship while the Bubba crew will say fire Woodson for not getting a coach to make Horford and ZAZA the three inch vertical leap, in to olajuawn and Duncan…give me a break!
truth-serum
July 21st, 2009
9:40 am
Sekou stinks! He really does! ZaZa is a turnover waiting to happen and Horford is a power forward with no offensive skills. Sekou was a major promoter of getting a guard instead of going after a center. The guard we got may not do any more than what flip brought to the table. We should have pursued a trade for Lopez. Any low budget project center won’t help the Hawks any time in the near future and the Hawks competitive team has a 4-5year window to make a run at a title. Uncle Tom Sekou is a little late and a few dollars short in making a difference in the 5 spot which is clearly the Hawks weakest position and teams will exploit it. Three weeks ago Uncle Tom Sekou was saying what a great center the power forward Horford was. Get real. Even ignorant Ken is beginning to realize Horford aint no center. Its a little late to try and address the center spot now… Sekou you are all over the map with no consistency. Get back in your cabin before the bubba crew turns on you. Right Ken, Bradley?
As the polls says. You’ve taken the Hawks backward with your pursuit of a guard instead of a center. No finals here.
rainman
July 21st, 2009
10:01 am
Hey Sekou, why is it that you can’t name the 2 bigs — is it confidential information? Are they FA’s or are you speculating on a trade? Can you at least give us a hint?
Also, what is the reason for dragging out the contract negotiations with Marvin? I thought I had heard that the sides weren’t that far apart — 37.5-40 mil./5 yr.. I would much rather lock him up long term than for him to play on the one year tender. Does his agent hope another team will offer a bigger contract that the Hawks would have to match or let him go? Assuming his back is OK, I really think Marvin is on the verge of becoming one of the better SF’s in the league.
Sautee
July 21st, 2009
10:09 am
Ding! or should I say dingjavu?
Wasn’t this same nonsense posted yesterday?
Some one trying VERY hard to be noticed…..shhhh.
Sekou Smith
July 21st, 2009
10:25 am
A new blog is coming this afternoon, after the morning session of practice (and before tonight’s scrimmage work).
macaroni tony
July 21st, 2009
10:28 am
That sounds great Sekou
Daniel
July 21st, 2009
10:32 am
truth-serum-
So, if someone disagrees with your assessment of the position Al Horford should play, which would include the majority of GMs and coaches in the league, that person is an “uncle tom”?
Dude, are you high?
Calm down… This is just the Basketball, and guess what no matter what anyone posts on here, including Sekou, it has NO affect on how the Hawks manage their team.
Do you really think Sekou influences the team’s decisions?
Daniel
July 21st, 2009
10:36 am
Ariose and Tribe- you guys seem to have gotten a little wound up last night. Whoa, things are not that bad. We have made a trade resigned our two UNRESTRICTED Free Agents. And, we are working at more free agents signings. There is no reason to rush the Marvin contract at this point. Yes, I wish we could have gotten Bass, but the Magic WAY overpaid for Gortat, and VC is not an upgrade over Turkalo. Yes, Boston adding Sheed is nice, but he wasn’t going to come to Atlanta anyway. And you are really upset that we didn’t go hard after Anthony Parker? Guys, it must have been a late night.
Jay
July 21st, 2009
10:51 am
In the 2008-2009 season, the Hawks primarily played with an eight-man rotation, often had one of those eight unable to play because of injury, and won 47 games. Immediately after the team’s most successful season in many years, Coach Woodson publicly stated that he would like to see everyone return and see what they can do in the 2009-2010 season.
Having re-signed Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia while making qualifying offers to Marvin Williams, Solomon Jones and Mario West suggests that GM Sund is willing to accomodate Woodson’s request. While Flip Murray may or may not return, obtaining Jamal Crawford (for two guys that were not part of the rotation) is the type of understated move that can pay major dividends. If you, as GM, have to decide whether Woodson should be re-signed to a long-term deal, isn’t it best to make that decision after giving him the team he wants?
As I see it, the major area in which this team can improve is in their won-lost record on the road. Championship contending teams win at least half of their road games. In the East, Cleveland, Boston and Orlando won 27 games on the road while the Hawks only won 16. Knowing you can win on the road allows a team to develop the attitude necessary to advance in the playoffs. Winning on the road requires maturity, poise and confidence in one another, qualities that are best developed by continuity.
Yes, Boston, Cleveland and Orlando have made moves but have they really improved? Does adding the tempermental Rasheed Wallace make the Celtics better, especially at crunch time since neither guy wants to play inside? Doesn’t adding Shaquille O’Neal and his inside power game to battle Dwight Howard become a liability when the lane is so clogged that LeBron can’t drive to the hoop or when playing teams with athletic centers who can play on the perimeter? Don’t the wholesale changes to Orlando’s roster make the development of team chemistry a season-long process; one further complicated by the perception that the head coach is prone to “panicky moves”?
Yes, Washington (return of Arenas and Haywood), Philadelphia (return of Brand), Detroit (gaining Villenueva and Gordon but losing Iverson and McDyess), and Chicago (losing Gordon but gaining Deng from injury and having Miller and Salmons for the entire season), are better than last year but Miami is the only true threat to the Hawks status as the number four team in the conference; because of the improvement their young players (Beasley and Chalmers) will make and continuity. Even if the Hawks make no other moves to upgrade the roster (and Lord knows I hope they add a couple of free agent bigs–boy, wouldn’t Malik Rose and Rasho Nesterovic look good in a Hawk uni), there’s no question that better days lie ahead for this team.
So while the Hawks may not be considered as legitimate contenders for the 2009-2010 NBA title by the majority of sportswriters, pundits, fans or bloggers, the day when that will be the case is not far off; a concept unfathomable just three years ago.
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
11:01 am
RandMo looks quicker. My Gosh, Siler is big. I may have to re-evaluate my FA list.
http://www.nba.com/hawks/video/2009/07/21/RookieCamp.nba/index.html
JSS
July 21st, 2009
11:21 am
Melvin,thanks… So much for him being a goofy doofus! That was a nice follow shot…
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
11:35 am
Look like the Magic is going to add Barnes and CJ Watson to their team. How much bail out money did they get from Stern? Let’s see, they didn’t have money for Hedo but they traded for Vince, resign Gortat, sign Bass, Barnes and Watson. Now that’s a franchise that’s making bold moves. They are not relying on organic growth, instead they prefer to invest major money into their product. And for those who say Boston and Cleveland are aging teams, what about Orlando? They have a good mix of vets and young players. That team will be competitive for the next few years. As for the Hawks, how come they can justify not signing players base on projected playing time when teams that finished with a better record and advance further in the playoffs can find use for some of those same players. I know, be patient. Growth from within is a slow process…huh
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
11:37 am
JSS,
He better not leave mini-camp without a signed contract….
ILL-logical
July 21st, 2009
11:45 am
The fact that the fan base is reduced to fawning over talents such as the aforementioned bigs points out a disturbing fact: the lack of player development on the part of the staff has now come to light in a way that illuminates why big name bigs are reluctant to play here.
Woodson’s “system” does not invite strong front court participation in the offense; so why would a veteran frontcourt player who has scored in double fiqures in the past want to be relegated to third class status?Addtionally, with the current stance regarding Calypso Al as the starting center , where does a skilled front court player get time and worse, were does a 4th year player like Solo, who has lanquised on the bench for 3 years here, get time to prove his NBA worthiness before he is cast on the scrape heap of marginal players who had a run but never caught on?
Player development- a key to success in building a championship franchise. See Lakers, Los Angeles in re Andrew Bynum.
O'Brien
July 21st, 2009
11:46 am
In my opinion, none of the (established) big men have signed with the Hawks, for 2 main reasons.
1) Al,Josh and ZaZa averaged 89 minutes per game last year. With 98 minutes available, unless someone gets hurt, whichever big man we get figures that Woody will only play him 10-12 minutes per game.
2) Because Sund knows that whichever big we get will only get 10-12 minutes per game (unless there is injury), Sund has offered them a contract accordingly.
I just wonder if Sund would offer Chris Wilcox $3 mil when Woody might only play him 10 minutes per game? Would Sund offer Bass $4.5 mil when there is a possibility Woody will only play him 10-12 minutes per game?
Sund has drafted Teague and replace Flip with Crawford (and resigned our guys). But despite possible Chemistry problems early on, I dont think the Hawks can catch the Cavs, Boston and Magic this year.
JSS
July 21st, 2009
11:54 am
I just waited and listened to all of the naysayers and other stuff… I just wanted for the kid to get a fair chance… I never record hoop games; but I still go back and watch his performance in the 2008 D-II Elite Eight championship game… My joy just dropped, he should have scored 50 that afternoon; but of course in the college game teammates try to get theirs… It is up to him to keep up the effort,and he has it, that has developed a big nasty streak that does not come across in his interviews… He can be fierce… Enough, I just hope he sticks, history will take care of the rest… Shoot, we got John Drew fro Gardner-Webb for goodness sake… I just can’t understand the small school bashing…
JSS
July 21st, 2009
11:56 am
My jaw that is SORRY
Samuel
July 21st, 2009
12:03 pm
ILL,
Player development my as_. The Lakers “acquired” Gasol, Ariza, and Odom. Those are the players who put them over the top. Championships are bought these days. Why spend all that energy developing and still stand a chance to lose them through FA.
I just watched some more summer league footage.
Johnny Flynn is “the truth”. The TWolves need to get what they can for Rubio cause he won’t beat out Flynn at the point.
Siller looked pretty good. I can’t see how he would “not” make this team.
My boy Jasper Johnson from Delta State(I blogged about him last year) of the D-League select still has the smooth stroke. Hopefully he can stick with somebody this year.
Me and the wife are headed out to Vegas before I go back to school. Maybe I can catch some team USA action. Cuz, you going out that way.
Hoops
July 21st, 2009
12:07 pm
Daniel,
Since the Wizzards are in need of Bigs like we are, Let’s trade any combination of the following for Blatche:
Solo, Morris, Siler, Evans
They could get a two for one deal. Maybe even a three for one? Ha!
Deep
July 21st, 2009
12:08 pm
Thanks for the post Melvin.. So I’m convinced we resign Flip, sign just one single big F/A, and bring in Siler and Randmo to ride the pine and we might finish only 15 games back of Orlando. I hope that Teague can become the deep threat of the bench the Hawks need. Look at what Orlando did from the three point line last year in the playoffs. The Hawks just don’t have that pat of their game either.
p.s.- What the hell happened down in central Florida the last two years. Just a couple of years back the Magic were a joke. Now they’ve become a Red Sox/Yankees of B-Ball. Sund and the ASG should take note.
JSS
July 21st, 2009
12:17 pm
Samuel… Where are you staying? They’re having a scrimmage at Thomas and Mack on the 25th Here’s a tix link http://www.UNLVtickets.com or 702-739-FANS … If you have a dime to drop, go to the Bellagio and have dinner at Prime. You will never have a better steak… If you’re on a budget, the new Vegas Strip dining options are really cheap and have a good variety of tasty food… Tough times in Vegas, you can get some real deals around town if you’re smart.. Have a great time….
doc
July 21st, 2009
12:24 pm
truth thanks for the clarification, i know about the flattery stuff as well ss most regular bloggers here do.
najeh, you have never been close, as ray said it is an alert.
Samuel
July 21st, 2009
12:30 pm
Preshate that JSS,
We’ll be on the strip for the most part. It’s been a while since I’ve been there. I used to live in Barstow.
JSS
July 21st, 2009
12:56 pm
Dude, that high plateau!!! Big chanes in the past six years, it’s brand new town (Vegas)… Don’t let all of those unfinished construction projects scare you… The recession shut all of them down… When did you live on the plateau? Can you keep us informed if you make that game… Safe travels…
darrell starks
July 21st, 2009
12:57 pm
2009 ATLANTA HAWKS
STARTER BIBBY, JOE, MARVIN, JOSH, HORFORD,
BENCH FLIP, CRAWFORD, MOE, SOLO, ZAZA,
RESERVE TEAGUE, MORRIS.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
12:59 pm
Wow, I’m suprised nobody picked up on my Mad Stan refrence from Batman. Personally I think he’s the funniest Batman Villan of all time, but that’s just me…..anyhoo….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MduM0SCXlqM
One of the newer Batman (Early 2000’s) I beleive.
Ariose
July 21st, 2009
1:03 pm
Siler has a couple post moves does’t he lol. And Randmo Actullly learned how to use his feet.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 21st, 2009
1:09 pm
“p.s.- What the hell happened down in central Florida the last two years. Just a couple of years back the Magic were a joke. Now they’ve become a Red Sox/Yankees of B-Ball. Sund and the ASG should take note.”
Dwight Howard happened. I’m sure if Sund and the Hawks got the league’s next great center dropped in their laps they would be able to look like the Sox and the Yanks too. Sometimes you build contenders by signing and trading for veterans, like the Celtics and the Lakers. Sometimes you build them by drafting talented players and letting them grow together, like the Hawks have been doing. But it definitely doesn’t hurt to be handed the number one pick and have a true franchise player fall into your hands, like the Magic and Spurs had happen.
darrell starks
July 21st, 2009
1:20 pm
We need flip back bad why havent the hawks sign him the same old hawks and please dont say because of jamal that makes no sense him and flip coming of the bench could be a devastating 1, 2, punch.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
jhan
July 21st, 2009
1:26 pm
Astro Joe may have a heart attack if we sign Flip. Too many guards – not enough bigs!
BrittishAnger
July 21st, 2009
1:38 pm
From that video at Hawks.com, Siler looks like he could knock down Rando, Horfey, and Smith like Bowling Pins if he ever chose to, and I’m glad to see Rando in the mix at mini-camp; he’s talking hungry, no doubt about it, and if his improvements transition to real games and we can pick up Siler on the cheap cheap, we may be the Dark Horse team of the season to put all these slumbering giants to sleep. With Siler, if we were to end up facing Miami again we’d get out in five games rather than seven…that kid is just the kind of big man banger we need to play along with Zaza when the dirt hits the fans….not you guys of course, the mechanical ones….
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
1:42 pm
Sean May is heading to Sacto according to his twitter page….lol… Is it time to make a new Wendy’s commerical featuring Sund and BASG yet???
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
2:01 pm
From Sekou twitter page:
Hawks expecting a veteran (big man) visitor tomorrow that will upstage the mini-camp gathering. Details to come shortly.
macaroni tony
July 21st, 2009
2:04 pm
Melvin
That’s the kind update that we need…
Hoops
July 21st, 2009
2:06 pm
Melvin,
TALK TO ME!!!
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
2:08 pm
Mini-camp roster:
http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Announce_2009_MiniCamp_071609.html
chuckw/deadjournalist
July 21st, 2009
2:12 pm
melvin – i saw the tweet too. from the impression i got, its a name bigger than collins, magloire, etc. could it be a shock the world name like lee, odom or mutombo?
had to throw deke’s name out just to see if anyone was paying attention.
Kukaw
July 21st, 2009
2:12 pm
It’s simple….The Spirit are not willing to spend money. Period. And you can’t win if you don’t spend. Not only do we need a big, we need a point guard. Bibby isn’t it anymore. He can’t get to the hole and he can’t stop anyone. Did we even talk to Jarrett Jack? And we can’t pull Chris Wilcox even? Expect another 40-45 win season and a first or second round exit. And honestly, I think the Spirit are fine with that. Making the playoffs was an accomplishment 2 years ago. It’s nothing now. It’s Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando (not in that order) and then a far drop to the next tier. I’m getting tired of supporting an organization that seems to care less than we as fans do.
Melvin
July 21st, 2009
2:12 pm
Hoops,
Thats all Sekou has said at the moment. I’m sure ARIOSE will update us as soon as Sekou says something…. He may break the news in a new blog…
chuckw/deadjournalist
July 21st, 2009
2:12 pm
here’s hoping the name is: powe
Chea
July 21st, 2009
2:13 pm
Unbelievable, Sacto actually chose Sean “May play, May not play” ahead of Diogu. Groupthink at its finest keeping him down.
Chea
July 21st, 2009
2:15 pm
Powe is injured too. Why is it that everybody wants injured PFs?
darrell starks
July 21st, 2009
2:16 pm
With flip and crawford coming of the bench there will be no excuse for woody this year on why he play joe 48min a game this year, but if we dont resign flip im afraid that teague will be woody escape goat on why joe play so many min. this year he will continue to use the same old excuse he’s to young.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
chuckw/deadjournalist
July 21st, 2009
2:20 pm
chea – sure, powe is injured, but he’ll be back for a chunk of the season. given his injury he’d probably be open to a two year contract that is back-loaded or a team/mutial option. as long has he could play the last 25 games on the season and the playoffs, he’d be a huge get. even with the changes in the east, the hawks are still a playoff team. get in and anything could happen – and powe can bring the bang down low.
it’s good economy – buy low and sell high
Hoops
July 21st, 2009
2:36 pm
I’m guessing the Hawks are bringing in Gooden or Diogu. I hope anyway!
JSS
July 21st, 2009
2:37 pm
B.A.!!! Where you been Man? I’m going to Berlin next month for the World Track Championships… Hopefully the Hawks will have solidified some moves by then…
Hoops
July 21st, 2009
2:38 pm
New Blog Up!!!
BBgenie
July 21st, 2009
2:45 pm
Let’s tell the truth about our Hawks! Coaching staff: Woodson must win 50 gms, finish in Top (4) in East, And get to the 3rd round or Eastern conference finals. Frontline: Team must address (5) spot/center position, if we can obtain a true 7′0 ft player aka. Earl Barron,DJ Menbga or Fransico Elson we will be able to slide everyone over a position, Hortford(4), Smooth (3), JJ (2) & Bib/Craw/Teague (1). This team will be at its strongest with Al at(4) spot. 2nd Unit: Marvin/Zaza/Craw/Flip/Jones, which ever NBA team has the Most productive 2nd unit, will advance in Playoffs. We must have alittle thug/Hood/ghetto on team. AKA (Flip). Hawks are Healthest team in the East! No major injuries. Being that we have very little $$$$$$,we must be Bullish on new additions to roster. Backcourt: With additions of J. Crawford and J. Teague it gives us extra Fire Power in the 4th Qt. Just think if we could re-sign Flip Murry also????? Rebounds=Rings Hawks in 7!
dap01
July 21st, 2009
2:51 pm
Where is the new blog?
JSS
July 21st, 2009
2:53 pm
Wasn’t one… Yet…
Hoops
July 21st, 2009
2:57 pm
dap01,
Gotcha!!!
Sorry, I just had to do it!!!
Dub C
July 21st, 2009
3:21 pm
Hoops, that was wrong! LOL! You had me searching for it too.
Deep
July 21st, 2009
3:26 pm
I know Orlando had Howard fall in their lap in the draft…but what I meant by they’ve become a Red Sox/ Yankees type team is that they’re now able to go out and buy up big name free agents. Even when they had Shaq and Penny Hardaway they still weren’t able to go out and buy up all the available free agents out there they needed to contend
Deep
July 21st, 2009
3:28 pm
Hopefully Sund proves us all wrong and the visitor tomorrow is exactly what we need to further improve.
ILL-logical
July 21st, 2009
3:29 pm
Sorry about the need to cut and paste but a very interesting story about
Antonio Davis and the championship girls basketball team he coachs.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2009-07-21-georgia-ice-aau_N.htm
Sautee
July 21st, 2009
3:32 pm
I’m hoping for Joe Smith.
JSS
July 21st, 2009
3:53 pm
ILL!!! Dang those are some tall timbers!!! Still, I detest the AAU structure, but I wish those young girls and any young person the best in honing their skills. I just wish the Amateur Athletics Union would get serious about getting some real reforms in place….
Samuel
July 21st, 2009
3:55 pm
JSS,
What’s so wrong with the AAU?
Timbo
July 21st, 2009
3:57 pm
A misguided Hawks fan’s solution to every problem with the team: Josh Smith.
Deep
July 21st, 2009
4:21 pm
New blog for real…. JOE SMITH!!!!!!!!!!
Deep
July 21st, 2009
4:22 pm
New Blog for real…….JOE SMITH!!!!!
JSS
July 21st, 2009
4:29 pm
On the poorly run teams, it is no better than a glorified puppy mill… Coaches pimping players to programs (HS and Colleges) instead of honing the players…The European model has its benefits when comes to under 18’s, a real club system… But that would require a retooling of the AAU system and the HS’s won’t stand for that… And it would really strengthen small colleges and lower divisions in the NCAA… D-1’s would fight that because of their monopoly and incestuous relationships with certain programs… John Calapiri is a prime example There is more but that is for another time… Don’t want to get “dinged!”
Samuel
July 21st, 2009
4:41 pm
JSS,
Just curious, are you speaking from experience?
JSS
July 23rd, 2009
7:53 pm
Sorry I missed your question back on the 21st… The AAU teams in Middle GA Wilkerson Co. and the Macon Bucks (the one that produced NBA bust Sharrone Wright and UK star Eric Manuel) were/are notorious pay to play programs… See Eddie Sutton… The rest is history… The Atlanta teams and the LA/Chicago ones are reported to work the same…