Hawks courting Joe Smith?
Joe Smith (32) gave the Hawks all they could handle as he and his Cavaliers swept the birds out of the playoffs in May. The Hawks are in the process of recruiting him to help solidify their frontline rotation.
HAWKSVILLE - Who said the Hawks were done chasing big men this summer?
You didn’t hear it around these parts, at least not officially (from me).
Barring a last minute change of plans, veteran big man Joe Smith is scheduled to visit town on Wednesday, according to two of my best spies. And the Hawks are not out of the running for Ben Wallace, who has yet to agree to terms with Detroit (though, one of my best spies up north insists that it’s just a matter of time before Wallace returns to the Pistons).
A 6-10, 225-pound veteran of 14 NBA seasons, Smith showed he has plenty left in the tank against the Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, averaging 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 points and 1.2 blocks in a little over 21 minutes per game. He’s got that “old man” strength that belies his seemingly slender frame. I watched him push the Hawks’ around in that series whenever he was on the floor.
Smith’s numbers (10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds) in the Cavaliers’ first round sweep of Detroit were even more impressive. He’s capable of that kind of production off the bench for a quality team, which speaks volumes for the type of veteran and pro that he has become since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 draft.
Pair him on the frontline with Zaza Pachulia behind Josh Smith and Al Horford and the Hawks’ paper-thin frontcourt rotation suddenly takes on a different look. While it’s far from the “championship move” many have argued for around here, it’s certainly a move in the right direction (provided the Hawks are able to recruit him and sign him at some point between now and training camp).
The Hawks’ other big man options aren’t exactly ready to fade into the background. I mentioned Randolph Morris the other day and he’s shown well so far. Jeff Schultz caught up with him after Tuesday morning’s mini-camp practice for an interesting update on what he’s been up to this summer.
Another player to keep an eye on for a training camp invite is Othello Hunter. His minutes were sparse as a rookie last season, but the strides he made (physically and in his game) have been stunning to see from a year ago this time. It’s not clear right now what his future is with the Hawks. There are only going to be so many roster spots to go around. And without a guaranteed contract heading into camp, he’ll be gambling a bit if he comes to camp with the Hawks. But I like his game and what he brings in terms of a no-nonsense reserve that’s going to get to it whenever he’s asked.
I spoke with an Eastern Conference executive Tuesday afternoon that wanted to know what the Hawks were going to do with Solomon Jones. Funny, Jones asked me the same thing last week. I answered his question with the same question he asked me. He’s a restricted free agent, so you almost expect his summer to last a bit longer than most. Still, he’ll become an option for not only the Hawks but plenty of other teams looking to fill out the rotation with a long and athletic (even if he’s still a bit undersized) big that can play spot minutes when necessary.
Garret Siler has his chance to make an impression over the next 36 hours or so. He played well enough in summer league to get some looks from several other teams, so the Hawks will have to make a decision about what they want to do with him regarding training camp. One hilarious story that’s already made the mini-camp rounds is that it takes an entire roll of tape to properly tape up one of his ankles. I have to admit he is one of the largest human beings I can remember cutting corners in the hawks’ locker room during my time here. It’s on the floor, though, and particularly against Morris, Hunter and guys like Earl Barron, where we’ll be able to gauge Siler’s readiness for the rigors of the NBA.
There are still a few names left on the free agent radar, the most notable being Johan Petro. He hasn’t signed anywhere yet and could still be an option for the Hawks should things not work out with one of the other guys mentioned above.
Enough about these big men already. It’s time for some actual scrimmage action here shortly (the next time the Hawks have a mini-camp that has more drills than scrimmages in the first two days we should stage a non-violent protest in the name of the game). The blog will be open for business all night. I’ll be dipping back and forth between the blog and Twitter throughout the evening if you want to join the party.
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922 comments Add your comment
magicfan23
July 26th, 2009
3:33 am
wat i think the hawks are missing is a super star dont get me wrong joe is a great player and a very under rated player but im talking super star…
Ariose
July 26th, 2009
3:33 am
I thin you gus may have chemistry issues at first, but you’re going to have a great regular season. Maybe even a record-breaking one. The playoffs are a toss-up with so many teams getting better this summer though.
Hawks fans were defenetly happy to see you guys knock off LeBrick James and his crew lol. It’s going to be a creazy season, I can’t wait.
Ariose
July 26th, 2009
3:35 am
Our GM, wants to make us like the 04′ piston with just a buch of really good players. I think it can work, as soon a we get a legit bench and some size in the middle. I think we may have fournd the answer this summer though in Garret Siler and Hopefully Joe Smith.
Ariose
July 26th, 2009
3:49 am
Team USA Recap:
http://my.nba.com/forum.jspa?forumID=5800036736
J-Smoove had a good game…..
magicfan23
July 26th, 2009
3:54 am
i like josh but hes a little to imature
Ariose
July 26th, 2009
4:10 am
Johs does complain to the refs a little too much, but he’s the ONLY one on our team who really says anything aside from Flip Murray. Joe should be they guy speaking up but that’s not his thing.
magicfan23
July 26th, 2009
4:13 am
yea he and dwight played together in high school right??? wat a beast basketball team….
Ariose
July 26th, 2009
4:18 am
Yeah AAU,
C-Randoloph Morris(Hawks)
PF- Dwight Howard(Magic)
SF- Josh Smith(Hawks)
PG- Javaris Crittenton(Wizards)
Nasty squad for sure. They only lost once together to a team called Bump n’ Run out of LA. Jordan Farmar and Nick Young were on that squad.
magicfan23
July 26th, 2009
4:19 am
yea thats beast…. how many wins do you think you guys are gonna get and the east got better this offseason
Ariose
July 26th, 2009
4:42 am
I’d say between 55-60 wins this year…hopefully. Probably the 4th seed again. Hopefully we can be injury free and make some noise in the playoffs.
Ed
July 26th, 2009
4:57 am
This is the quote about Josh from Ariose’s weblink
Josh Smith, PF, Atlanta
Showcase stats: 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1-4 fg
It wasn’t a good camp for Smith, but he salvaged it a bit in the second half on Saturday, with some hustle plays, a huge block and a nice drive around Jeff Green. Still, he can’t shoot, and that can’t be ignored
It can’t be any clearer than that…Smoove’s got to learn how to shoot to reach the next level.
Ed
July 26th, 2009
5:04 am
Also, a big point Nire has made about the players in mini camp is that are all passed over players except for our own draft picks. One exception to that is Koralev as he was a first round pick, number 13 overall I do believe. That changes the equation, and although I am usually never for BSW european players this kid can shoot lights out. He’s definitely worth a strong look and consideration for signing. An invite to training camp has to be a lock…
Ed
July 26th, 2009
5:11 am
LAS VEGAS — The Dallas Mavericks have agreed to terms with free agent forward Drew Gooden, a league source told SI.com on Saturday. Gooden, who had narrowed his choices to Dallas, Charlotte and Cleveland before the weekend, accepted a one-year deal worth approximately $4.5 million that includes achievable incentives.
Gooden confirmed the signing on his Twitter account, posting “Dallas here I come!!!” late Saturday night.
Matthew
July 26th, 2009
6:01 am
Wow Sekou–good job with the new blogs. What’s it been — 4 days since the last one?
What are you so busy with that you cannot write a new blog and inform of us how pathetic the ASG is for not adding another player while Theo and Solomon just went to new teams?
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
6:22 am
Matthew,
I’ll do it for you: the ASG is pathetic for not spending the money. Happy now? I’m not. Before, I said we had all summer to get this done. But now guys are being signed left and right. Yet, I don’t believe it’s Sund. The man has been making offers. But they’ve been crappy offers, I’m betting.
Sund has been known for overpaying guys. People openly criticized him for it, and they were right to do so. Tigers don’t lose their stripes overnight. Sund is smart, but it’s not his money. This absolutely reeks of ASG.
No, I’m not saying they are poor. I am not saying they are broke. I’m saying they are cheap. Cheap, cheap, cheap. Look, the deals for Zaza, Bibby, etc…they look good. But veteran bigs who aren’t your own free agents are never cheap.
Spend the damn money, or you can count on not being at the same level you were last year!
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
6:30 am
Ken Strickland,
I have grown weary of trying to convince people that Josh developing a reliable jumpshot is actually a good thing. They don’t want to hear it, and it’s just that simple. The man is not, and has never been built for low post scoring as a pure staple. He doesn’t have the moves or the body. Can he do it? Yes, but he has to do it with a mixture of slashing as well. He’s built for the open court. Yes, he can learn some post moves and use them to score. But he is NOT, I repeat NOT a low post scorer by rote.
I’m not saying he should be out there jacking 3s or 20-footers all day. In fact, I’d rather he leave the 3 alone and just use the shorter jumpers to keep defenders honest.
Some day, he’s not going to have the explosive leaping ability. Some day he won’t be able to take that first step past defenders. What will he do THEN? It’s called having a complete game. Remember when Antonio McDyess used to be able to jump out of the gym? Well, there were other guys who could as well. But what made McDyess so good back then was the fact that he could hit a 15-footer as well as dunk on you. And nowadays, when he can’t outjump many opponents, his post game mixes well with a short jumper.
Only truely dominant post players like Shaq and Howard survive throughout a career with nothing more than close-to-the-basket, low post scoring moves. Everybody else best expand their game a bit. Josh falls into the second category, not the first. But whatever. Really, I think his decision-making needs more work than anything else. The man shot just under 50% for the season. He can’t be doing EVERYTHING wrong.
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
6:32 am
See,
This is what I’m talking about. Gooden gets a contract for $4.5 million, for a year. We couldn’t do that? Why? WHY? And we can’t even use the excuse that he wanted to play for a championship contender. Dallas isn’t, Cleveland’s not guaranteed, and Charlotte is a lot further away than WE are.
I know the ATL is not the most popular place to play right now, but we’re on the rise. It has to be the MONEY. HAS to be.
digimon
July 26th, 2009
7:07 am
Miami, which recently re-signed center Jamaal Magliore to a one-year contract, is looking to add a point guard, with two possibilities being veterans Jamaal Tinsley and Jason Williams. The Heat also wants to maintain some salary cap flexibility for next summer, so it let Moon walk.
In other Cavaliers-related news, veteran power forward Joe Smith was reportedly in Atlanta talking with Hawks officials, while Ben Wallace is rumored to be getting some interest from Detroit, the team with which he was four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
There’s a chance Smith, who was signed by the Cavaliers last season after he was bought out of his contract by Oklahoma City, could return to Cleveland if he doesn’t get a better offer elsewhere.
Tyger
July 26th, 2009
8:01 am
Drew Gooden signs 1 yr/$4.5M.
Well, I knew he wouldnt play for $1.5M again, so the Hawks were never in the ballpark. He twitted Cavs, Bobcats signed w/ Mavs. Double whammy b/c Solo signed w/ Pacers. Solo is a baby beast, young shotblocker at min. is a deal.
Right now our bigs: Horford, ZaZa, Smoove, RandMo, Marvin – RandMo slides into Solo spot, Siler slides into RandMo spot.
Hawks may be in position to sign best player available – RandMo/Siler may have shown enough that they dont have to worry about big depth.
In that case, Joe Smith does may more sense. And he would be an upgrade over Solo, even though I’d rather have both. Joe will compliment everyone. Like Gooden, draft expectations too high, but theyre far from busters. Just not 20/10 every night.
Question is how much the remaining quality bigs will take? Gortat, ZaZa, Gooden setting pace at 1st reserve big $4.5 M. What is the going rate of your 2nd big off the bench? $2.9 – $3.0?
doc
July 26th, 2009
9:08 am
well that is not good news when dwight gooden gets what zaza got if we are to sign a quality big. the BASG has got to pony up some money without making zaza feel he got ripped off. yup that is one of the probs for getting zaza at such a low dollar amount, they might have priced themselves out of the game for quality because if they pay someone else more it is a slap in his face after giving so much to the organization.
guys, kirk and a thinking fan among others have clearly called it right. i had hoped for better but as the quality moves to other teams we may get left AGAIN at the alter by the cheap azz BASG. is that what we are going to wake up and see? kirk also needs to begin to ramp up his game a bit here. he saw the urgency and as the BASG twiddles its thumbs behind the smooth voice of mr sund quality is lost and maybe a jump up the ladder as we cant expect the east to fold its hands quickly like they did last year due to injuries and coaching changes. i still think part of our success was driven by luck which ran out before the cavs brought their frigging brooms to phillips. i am beginning to taste how bad that felt to be paying good money to see a helpless team against a one legged monster in the cavs and sweet labron.
how much is smith worth? do you not think that is the question here and the difference between joe smith and the BASG? i guess i would have to cap it at 4 mil to not exceed zaza. where do you guys think the line is for salary and how much are you willing to put up and how much is on the table from the cheapo BASG? we know they blew it last year and ended up with an unfavorable parting salary for smoove if they trade him and lost chills rather than signed him and then picked up flip and over spent on mo for length of contract, which showed in the playoffs as the thin bench was unable to make up for the fatigue and injuries of the regular season before being overwhelmed by what turned out to be a mediocre cleveland squad once challenged by a complete team. yup i am beginning to worry the same theme is rising like the foam on pizz, the BASG is about to strike again.
btw, the discussion i have had about siler does not suggest in any manner i think the kid can really contribute more than spot seconds like mario did the last two years or that he is in any way a substitute for getting a proven vet like smith in here this year. randmo will not be the difference because he plays center like you expect a swing man (2/3) would. he is still soft when it comes to defense and providing an inside presence. if he couldnt flat out dominate a guy who has only played organized ball for five years and never at a premium level he is not quality bench. randmo should have sent him whimpering home. if he cant do that it is silly to think of him coming into a game to provide anything against perkins, shaq or howard. still amazed that some would even try to make much of an argument about him. he should have starred this last week in camp, comments just didnt suggest it. he has a role and i am not down on him but this past week also emphasizes to me it is time for urgency like kirk said and we cant let this team hide behind promise.
GET OFF THE SEAT BASG AND PAY THE MAN SOME MONEY SO WE CAN COMPETE THIS YEAR!
JSS
July 26th, 2009
9:43 am
Matthew,
Sekou said that there would be no new blogs while he was on VACATION for 10days. He promised the 3 articles which were published today…
A Tribe Called Quest
July 26th, 2009
9:45 am
CAN WE PLEASE SIGN SOMEBODY?
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TOP 10 CITY IN THIS COUNTRY.
EVERYONE HAS A HOUSE IN ATLANTA
SPEND SOME !@#$ING MONEY AND BRING SOME PLAYERS IN.
GET PETRO
GET SENE
GET SHAWN BRADLEY
GET MATT FREIJE
I DONT CARE
ADD SOME PLAYERS
niremetal
July 26th, 2009
10:38 am
For those wondering why I’ve been pushing for the signing of Adonal Foyle for a year, here ’tis:
http://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/index.ssf/2009/06/a_secret_to_dwight_howards_suc.html
No chance he was cracking the Howard/Lewis/Gortat/Battie frontcourt rotation in Orlando, but he could provide 10-15 minutes a night this year here and, more importantly, could push Horford and Zaza and make them better.
niremetal
July 26th, 2009
10:40 am
Oh, and the accent is killer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3o1o6PVCG8
Supposedly he’s one of the best locker room guys and practice players in the league. But something tells me the Island Man stays in Florida.
Stating the Obvious
July 26th, 2009
10:55 am
Apparently, niremetal really wants the Hawks to sign a former Warriors big man who were draft bust. Next he’ll be pushing for us to go after Todd Fuller, Chris Washburn, and Joe Barely Cares…
CTrim
July 26th, 2009
11:26 am
There sure is a lot of impatience to go out and sign the 10th man in our rotation.
josh
July 26th, 2009
11:52 am
“Wow Sekou–good job with the new blogs. What’s it been — 4 days since the last one?”
He said a few days back that he was going on vacation for 10 days.
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
12:03 pm
CTrim,
No, there is impatience to go out and sign another veteran big man who can actually help us down low.
The Mini-campers can wait. Hell, they HAVE to. They’re frikkin’ minicampers. They just want in to the league.
And 10th man? Dude, one of our starters is still in doubt contract-wise (Marvin Williams). That means 4 starters locked in. Zaza, RandMo, and Crawford have been signed, and so has Teague. All of those guys are benchers (though I’m curious how Crawford gets played all season long).
You can call it the 10th man, but considering the circumstances, that statement is misleading in a way.
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
12:06 pm
Nire,
I’d take Adonal Foyle. He’s big and rugged. All we need is someone to defend the rim and grab some boards. Maybe set a few screens. Somebody serious about it, not a jokester. No Lo Wrights need apply.
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
12:06 pm
RIP Vernon Forrest.
JSS
July 26th, 2009
12:12 pm
co-sign…
niremetal
July 26th, 2009
12:17 pm
STO,
Don’t forget my push to trade for Biedrins
darrell starks
July 26th, 2009
12:19 pm
Solo to the pacer what in the h is going on here asg could have sign him for the low low.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 26th, 2009
12:23 pm
RIP VERNON MY HOME BOY MY CONDOLENCES GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY.
GO VERNON WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU.
Ken Strickland
July 26th, 2009
12:29 pm
BIG RAY-I’m not advocating that Josh become a postup, banging, inside scorer. My point is he needs to be closer to the basket than the 3pt line, and he needs to develop a intermediate game within 6-12 ft of the basket. Learning to effectively use the backboard would help make him more effective within that range, that’s all. That’s why I keep saying we’re on the same page.
MAGICFAN23-Orlando has lost 3 of it’s starters from last yrs NBA finals team. They’ll replace them with players who’s skills are virtually the opposite of the players they’ll replace. Van Gundy will have to restructure his entire OFF philosophy in order to effective incorperate their skills. That’s going to envolve adjustments on everyone’s part, which could create serious chemistry and adjustment issues.
Orlando is a very fragile team because it depends almost exclusively on DHoward to provide it’s inside DEF and OFF. You got lucky last yr when you were able to pick up RAlston to replace JNelson when he went down. He’s gone now, and you might not be so lucky this yr if he goes down again, and you definitely can’t replace DHoward. We proved last yr that we can play through injuries to our key players and keep the ship afloat. Boston proved it couldn’t, and neither can you, or Cleveland, if you lose one of your key players for an extended period, let alone 3.
THE ATLANTA HAWKS WILL DEFINITELY BE THEIR TO ANSWER THE BELL WHEN THE PLAYOFFS START, REGARDLESS OF INJURIES OR INCONSISTENT COACHING, AND WE’LL BE ONE OF THE TOP 4 SEEDS.
Anakin Joe
July 26th, 2009
12:43 pm
nire, so now we’re down to Joe Smith, Brian Skinner and Mikki Mooore, right? Tick-tock-tick-tock. So is Tony Massenburg looking for a job? Bo Outlaw? Anyone know if Jerome Williams has game left? At least we added a player who attempted a 3 pointer about 40% of the time last year. Obviously while evaluating our team, Sund decided that a 3-point shooter was a priority. Joe’s percentage of 3-ball attempts was around 30%… Crawford around 40%. That should solve any lapses in our offensive production… just shoot more 3s. BRILLIANT!
ant banks
July 26th, 2009
12:43 pm
indiana signed solo? where is the news feed? any truth to this?
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
12:50 pm
Ken Strickland,
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that we’re exactly on the same page. I’m just tired of the same old explanations for that way of thinking, and the same old retorts against it. Trust me, I know precisely what you’re saying, and I agree. Josh is definitely much deadlier closer to the basket than he ever will be near the 3 point line. Maybe we should let Bibby coach. At least he realizes where Josh needs to be on the court. Good thing we have him around to tell the coach during the game that maybe, just maybe out on the perimeter is not the right place…
Nire,
The idea on a trade like that is to do it while it still makes sense to both teams. If Golden State gets to a point where they have developed a player that they already have, who can do most or all of what Josh can do (or at least an accepted semblance thereof), then they won’t see a point in trading for him. He’d be murder in that system, and the West Coast would learn to fear him (and dude would never get a chance to foolishly lead the break…Nellie makes sure of that).
Adding Biedrins seems like a good idea. But this team and coaching staff would then have to commit to developing an offense that relies on the combination of a strong backcourt, and a strong post offense. That means Horford has to become an 18 and 10 (or better) kind of guy. Woody has repeatedly gone with his guards. That cannot continue. And while it would also give Marvin more of an opportunity to score (Biedrins is not, and probably never will be counted on for offense other than dump-offs, offensive rebounds, and a couple of freebies here and there), I’m not convinced that he can be counted on. Dude defers TOO MUCH.
Make the trade before it begins to make less sense, change the way the offense works, and I say the whole thing is a winning formula.
Anakin Joe
July 26th, 2009
12:53 pm
If Josh has a weak jumper and a weak handle then how else is dude supposed to score unless it is in the post? Either he has to work diligently on his dribbling skills (my preference) so that he can effectively drive to the basket and use his athleticism and strength closer to the rim or he has to work on his jumper in a manner that is most like a game situation. Shooting balls as if the opposing team will give him 3 seconds to get his mechanics in order is pointless. Isn’t the fix as easy as buying those orange cones from Walmart ($3) and spending 1-2 hours a day dribbling around those cones?
I’m still hopeful that this USA Basketball experience becomes a “two steps forward” milestone is his development.
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
1:03 pm
Astro Joe,
You’re right. Adding a guy who can create for himself (and maybe for others, as 4.4 assists would suggest) is definitely a bad idea. I mean, we had an absolute plethora of those already. Let’s see, besides Joe….uh…hmmmm. Oh yeah, I forgot. There’s Flip Murray. He’ll definitely shoot the ball. Gosh, Crawford shoots 41% from the field. I mean, that’s not HALF as good as the dazzling 43% that JJ shoots, or the brilliant 43% that Bibby shoots, or even the superb 44% that Flip shoots. Hey, starting to see a common refrain here. Looks like if Crawford just raises his shooting by a percentage of 2, he can join Woody’s elite offense.
Oh, make no mistake about it. This is Woody’s offense. Am I missing something here? Did we not win 47 games last year with Woody’s offense? Didn’t you tell me that his offense works? Well he just got another player who fits right into that wonderful guard-loaded offense. And since the only big we’ve lost is Solo, who could hardly be considered a major cog, I don’t see why Woody won’t lead us to another 47 win season. Warts and all. It’s not like the rest of the East has improved all that much. Everybody’s got warts, right? And we can sign just about anybody to replace Solo.
Future’s bright!
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
1:11 pm
Astro Joe,
By the way, Woody sure wanted Bibby back, and guess how often he attempted the 3 ball? 42.6% of the time. Yep, guess Sund DOES think the 3-ball was a priority. At least Woody got what he wanted, right? Oh wait, does his opinion matter at all unless we’re talking about who to give credit to for last season’s win total? I never can get that one straight. Nevermind.
By the way, this is what happens when you underbid on all the bigs in the free agent market.
I’d laugh at your mock suggestion that we get Tony Massenburg (hey, that was funny as hell), if I didn’t think we might have to draft either him or Terry Cummings out of retirement.
Cheap asses.
BrittishAnger
July 26th, 2009
1:11 pm
I thought we put out a QO on Solo this season? Jebus H. Rice, if we let him go and don’t sign Siler to replace him, I will personally find Hawksville and obliterate the place…Lordy lordy….
Anakin Joe
July 26th, 2009
1:25 pm
Ray, Bibby brings value to his team that Crawford dreams about. If Crawford was insurance if we couldn’t get a deal done with Bibby, then I say it’s time to drop the insurance policy and get a legit big man (not possible, I know).
And again, as I went ballistic on the day that the Crawford trade was announced, it’s about opportunity cost. It would be down right silly not to look at the $9M for Crawford this season and think that it has no influence on our imminent signing of Yinka Dare.
Each and every coach will play the hadn dealt by the GM. I’m sure that Lionel Hollins isn’t jumping for joy with what he is working with in Memphis. Westphal may not be thrilled with his roster in SacTown. And Woody will try and figure out a way to win with one credible back-up big man.
All I know is that Orlando’s front court bench includes Gortat, Bass and Barnes. Celtics have Rasheed and maybe Big Baby. Cleveland goes with Ilgauskas & Moon. Meanwhile, Sund has delivered Zaza and crickets. But we did add a 90% free throw shooter. Thank goodness.
darrell starks
July 26th, 2009
1:28 pm
Lamar odom is close to signing with the heat.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 26th, 2009
1:35 pm
Flip is right in our back yard why haven’t the hawks sign him or marvin i tell you what the hawks will mess around and loose both player.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 26th, 2009
1:36 pm
We need flip and marvin back.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
1:44 pm
AJ,
Agreed on the dribbling practice. He needs it something fierce. As for the TEAM USA experience, I watched the video of the Hawks website, wherein he was interviewed about going through that process. I realize it was a short clip, but I was disappointed. I don’t want to insult the kid at all, but I’m not sure if he knows what he should take from all of this.
He talks about representing, and that’s great. But dude is not going to make the team. He does not fit the profile, for one thing. The “hard to coach” stigma follows him for whatever reason. That, and key fundamentals are sorely lacking. Rather than worry about trying to represent, his true motivation should be learning what he can from the coaches, and from playing with the other guys.
When asked what he thought he should take from this experience, he replied “nothing really…” and then went on into some comments about being honored to be there.
I ain’t tryin’ to blow this out of proportion. But I’m not overly impressed or happy with that mindset. I don’t know if this is going to be a step forward or not. When he gets told he didn’t make the team (and he will), I hope somebody tells him precisely why. And I hope what is said will serve as motivation and additional fuel to the fire that drives him, and drives him to work on the things that will really make him better.
I love the guy and I love his potential. He’s only 23, and he is still capable of changing so many games. But we’re only going to be able to say that for so long.
Big Ray
July 26th, 2009
1:55 pm
AJ,
Yup. Crawford’s contract affects the ability to sign a big man maybe about $1 million more (maybe closer to $2 million) than Claxton and Acie’s contracts combined. And I’m sure we’d have been fine trying to figure out where to get offense from when Bibby can’t hit and JJ is tired from playing 40 mpg on a bad foot for half a season. Naw, we just signed him for the sake of leverage against Bibby, who will lead us to a championship. Heh, I’d think it was obvious why Crawford was signed.
Love to have another decent big man, but I’ll say it once again: Sund can only do the deals approved by the ASG. Notice that all the big deals we make go towards guards. That includes when Billy was here. See a trend? Or do you just see two totally different GMs with the same disease.
Funny, I seem to remember everybody being in agreement when Sund came here that he was known for going after bigs (particularly in Seattle), even paying out bad contracts for all the wrong guys (to be fair, some just turned out to be injury prone, like Collison and Swift).
Did it ever seem odd to you that all of the sudden Sund is NOT handing out contracts to every big he can come across, like he is known for doing? And could anybody deny that we need help along the frontline, something that even the guard-fetish-having Woodson candidly says? Does a GM change his stripes overnight? Are these inconvenient questions to be asking?
Nahhh. It’s all just a conspiracy. It’s Sund’s efforts to get the inestimable Woody fired. That’s what it is.
Yinka Dare? Think we can get Priest Lauderdale too?
cp
July 26th, 2009
1:57 pm
R.I.P. TO Vernon Forrest. We really need to get Joe Smith signed. The big men list is dwindling and some of the other options are very ehhhh.
A Tribe Called Quest
July 26th, 2009
2:01 pm
NESTEROVIC TO TORONTO FOR 2 MILL/1 YR
WOW WHAT A HUGE LUCRATIVE DEAL
NO WAY OUR 2395-PIECE OWNERSHIP COULD HAVE AFFORDED THAT MASSIVE CONTRACT FOR A PHYSICAL BIG