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
Melvin
July 22nd, 2009
4:43 pm
Unless there is a 3rd angle to “the dunk” than this whole thing is over hype. Lebron try to block his dunk from the side. It wasn’t even a Marv Albert facial dunk….
Daniel
July 22nd, 2009
4:44 pm
Bobby Jackson or T. Lue? If the money is the same, then I am fine with either. T.Lue already has a report with the Hawks so I would lean towards him. Ariose, I hear you on Flip, but with Crawford do we need another scoring guard? I wouldn’t be upset if they brought him back. I meant Lue to mentor from the pg, professional, show the ropes of the league type. He obviously is going to model his game after him. But really man if we could have Chris Paul to mentor Teague, then we wouldn’t have Teague in the first place.
Daniel
July 22nd, 2009
4:45 pm
I would see it more as would you rather have T.Lue/Bobby Jackson or a Gardner on the bench.
Melvin
July 22nd, 2009
4:49 pm
If the Hawks have to depend on TLue, B.Jackson, T.Gardner, O.Hunter or any other roster filler with that type of talent to be successful this season than the season is already over before it even started…
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
4:53 pm
Daniel, I hear you lol. It’s defenetly a good idea, but if Flip(12.2ppg) is there for the same price….If I was our GM, I just don’t think I could pass that up.
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
4:55 pm
Brandon, you can count on it lol.
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
4:56 pm
Better video of Lebron getting dunked on by Jordan Crawford…..http://budurl.com/xvdx
Chea
July 22nd, 2009
4:59 pm
Yeah Diogu is restricted but the Kings already signed Sean May they aren’t going to match Diogu.
C’mon Sund, get on it.
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
5:02 pm
http://budurl.com/xvdx
cdog
July 22nd, 2009
5:06 pm
TO ALL OF YOU, YOU ARE DEALING WITH RICK SUND NOT JERRY WEST,DON’T GET YOUR HOPES UP ABOUT SUND SIGNING SOMEONE. HE IS A LOSER AND HE IS SATISFIED WITH BEING A LOSER.
Big Ray
July 22nd, 2009
5:08 pm
I think we will see better things coming out of the minicamp this year than ever before (though last year wasn’t bad). No more Cedric Bozeman, Slava Medvedenko, Matt Freije, and who was that one quick but oft-injured pg we had for a minute? I keep wanting to say his last name was Chalmers, but I can’t recall clearly.
Korolev can really shoot it. Is he better than a guy like Gardner? Siler is nothing to be truly excited about, but he’s no more of a project than RandMo (and maybe LESS of one), though RandMo is already under contract.
I don’t think Teague’s jumpshot form is going to be a problem. Whatever hitches he has can be worked out.
Speaking of Teauge, Sekou’s article on him was rather interesting. The things Woody and Larry Drew had to say about him were things I’d never heard them say in connection to a young pg. Ever. Hey, it may only be empty words to some, but I see intentions there that I haven’t seen before. I’m glad to see the head coach and his top assistant ready to roll up their sleeves and get to some serious work and development with their young pg. Now all parties involved have to do is follow through.
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:09 pm
Afternoon Scrimmage is getting underway!!!!
LOOK OUT BELOW!!!!!!
atlanta_hawks “Afternoon scrimmage gets underway with a nice alley-oop from Teague to Hunter”
atlanta_hawks “Chris Ellis has had by far the best dunks of the camp so far.”
sekousmith01 “Chris Ellis donkey kongs another one to wake up this afternoon session. Players have better nrg than those of us watching.”
atlanta_hawks “Just as I said that I jinxed him as he stuffed himself on the rim…waitn he got it back. WHAP!”
sekousmith01 “Ellis with another nasty dunk after missing one seconds earlier.”
sekousmith01 “Huertas drains another 3. His shot from deep has been consistently on the money.”
sekousmith01 “Hunter’s jumper works just as good in the afternoon as it did in the morning.”
sekousmith01 “Teague with the drive and dish to Robinson for the finish and foul over Homicide. These guys would have been fun to watch in summer league.”
sekousmith01 “Barron with a nice block. Lucas with a pull up jumper and then another steal. Good stuff from mini-man.”
atlanta_hawks “John Lucas III making his presence felt, scores on the picknroll with time winding down in 1st half, then steals the inbounds for another 2″
sekousmith01 “Blue team has resorted hack-a-Ellis trying to slow big boy down.”
sekousmith01 “Zaza Pachulia was on the floor working out before mini-camp started. He wanted in. Ellis with a nice turnaround hook. He is the MVP so far.”
sekousmith01 “Ellis with a face up jumper over Taggart. He cannot be stopped right now.”
sekousmith01 “Akyol with a nice 3 from the edge of the floor, stumbles over Woodson after he made the shot.”
sekousmith01 “Korolev with a strong finish in traffic over RandMo and Robinson.”
sekousmith01 “RandMo with a jumper over Siler.”
sekousmith01 “Teague with a great drop off to Hunter. He’s a much better passer than he gets credit for.”
sekousmith01 “Siler working hard unerneath. Grabs offensive rebound, scores on putback. Fouled and makes the FT.”
hawksPRman “Jeff Teague’s interview w/the 2 Live Stews didn’t mess him up…HA! As Clyde Frazier would say, “he’s still moving & grooving out there”!”
sekousmith01 “Teague with a smooth steal on Lucas under the bucket. But White team is giving them fits right now.”
atlanta_hawks “Coming down to the wire again. 62-62 with 1:30 left”
atlanta_hawks “Wow – Lucas with a vet move, he lulls Teague to sleep then blows past him for and-1.”
sekousmith01 “Lucas with a nice blow by and layup over Teague.”
atlanta_hawks “Teague to the line with a chance to ice it, up 66-64 with 4 ticks left. Hits ‘em both.”
atlanta_hawks “A Lucas 3 at the buzzer cuts it to 68-67, and the White team gets a repreive as Woody calls for 15 more minutes of scrimmage”
Big Ray
July 22nd, 2009
5:11 pm
cdog,
Thanks for the info. I guess we can shut the blog down, go home, and commit suicide now. You first.
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:15 pm
Now Now Ray, play nice hehehehehe…..
Melvin
July 22nd, 2009
5:19 pm
Ray,
Now you know Nire is not going to let Cdog get away with a shot at his boy Sund…
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:21 pm
FEED THE NEEED!!!!! THE TWITTER FEED, THAT IS!!!!!!
sekousmith01 “Woody is calling for 15 more good minutes. He’s prodding both teams into playing at a fever pitch.”
sekousmith01 “Chris Ellis with another dunk and a scream for good measure.”
atlanta_hawks “Is it wrong that I’m cheering for Sundiata Gaines and Ivan Harris cause their both balding?”
hawksPRman “Chris Ellis is starting to turn it loose…yelling after an emphatic dunk!”
sekousmith01 “Chris Ellis is clearly a night practice guy. He’s still on fire. Baseline jumper is good.”
niremetal
July 22nd, 2009
5:25 pm
Looks like there’s at least a couple other people on the Korolev bandwagon.
In Soviet Russia, draft busts you!
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
5:26 pm
So Boozer maybe not going to Heat after all…..
Though Carlos Boozer wants to be traded to the Heat, Miami has put the issue on hold, at least for now. “We listen to all inquiries but there is nothing going on,” Heat president Pat Riley said Tuesday about Boozer, his first public statement since June. Contrary to an Internet report, there was no discussion with Memphis about a deal that would send Udonis Haslem to Utah, Boozer to Miami and Dorell Wright to the Grizzlies.
Miami Herald
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
5:29 pm
No Boozer to Heat
Though Carlos Boozer wants to be traded to the Heat, Miami has put the issue on hold, at least for now. “We listen to all inquiries but there is nothing going on,” Heat president Pat Riley said Tuesday about Boozer, his first public statement since June. Contrary to an Internet report, there was no discussion with Memphis about a deal that would send Udonis Haslem to Utah, Boozer to Miami and Dorell Wright to the Grizzlies.
Miami Herald
Hoops
July 22nd, 2009
5:30 pm
We need to move on Diogu and CJ Watson right now. The Kings are not going to re-sign Diogu. If they were, why did they just sign May? CJ Watson or Flip is the guard that I would go with. Which one is the better deal?
What’s the latest on Joe Smith? Get him!
jhan
July 22nd, 2009
5:35 pm
The Russian sure has a sweet jumper – not sure how it works with NBA talent closing out on him but sweet none the less!
Siler is a load. Sign this kid & send him to the NBDL. Another year of conditioning & experience and the Hawks may have something.
Sekou says Teague gets wherever he wants on the court – just like the scouting reports. We may finally have our change of pace PG.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 22nd, 2009
5:36 pm
Hmmm….Joe Smith is 6′10″ 225 lbs. and 34 years old on July 26th. Career averages of 12 points 7 boards and 1 block. Seems like a better choice than a Drew Gooden (not rugged enough down low and soft defensively). I say sign him and keep the Siler kid too. If cap permits, sign Ben Wallace as well. From what I’ve read, Randolph Morris should be kept due to last year of contract, dropping weight, and finally realizing that he needs to step it up to stick and stay in the NBA. Wallace and Smith are pros and can team Siler and Morris how to handle their business.
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:37 pm
sekousmith01 “Siler does whatever he wants inside. He doesn’t always finish but he owns that real estate.”
atlanta_hawks “Garrett Siler has a funky FT-shooting motion, but he’s been making em more than he misses em”
hawksPRman “Zaza Pachulia just walked in, maybe he would like to give Randolph Morris a rest…”
sekousmith01 “RandMo with a clutch block of Siler. Both teams look a bit gassed. Teague with a floater and Zaza is out here with Woody.”
atlanta_hawks “Still a close game – Randy hits a baseline J to put the blue team up 85-84 with 1:17 left”
atlanta_hawks “Homicide puts White up 1 with 2 FTs, Teague responds with a pair of his ownm 87-86 Blue”
sekousmith01 “Blue up 87-86 after two Teague FTs.”
atlanta_hawks “Teague with a shotclock beater, Ellis responds with a J on the other end. 7.6 secs left, Blue with ball and an 89-88 lead”
sekousmith01 “Blue up 89-88, Teague drains a floater to beat the shot clock buzzer and Ellis answers with a jumper to make it a one point game, 7.6 left.”
atlanta_hawks “It’ll be Othello Hunter at the line. First one rattles in. Second does the same. 91-88 with 6.3 on the clock”
sekousmith01 “Frank Robinson just earled into a trash can during the timeout and went back in. Dude’s a gamer! Two FTs from Hunter make it 91-88.”
sekousmith01 “Lucas misses a 3 at the buzzer that would have tied the game. Time to get outta here. Ellis did work. Teague did as well. I need a nap.”
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
5:41 pm
Any word on Joe Smith yet??? Also the Miami Herald is reporting that Boozer isn’t going to Heat thank god!
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:43 pm
atlanta_hawks “Great shot fake from Lucas springs him for game-tying 3, but it falls just short. Blues win 91-88″
Hoops
July 22nd, 2009
5:43 pm
Sekou,
In your opinion, based on what you have seen so far @ mini-camp, what players do you think the Hawks will invite to training camp?
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:44 pm
Deep, Read the tweets, Joe Smith will visit later tonight ater mini-camp wraps up for the day.
Ken Strickland
July 22nd, 2009
5:44 pm
DANIEL-in order to get JSmith to play more inside, Woodson has to design plays to get him there and those plays have to be called frequently. It’s really going to be interesting to see who makes the team this yr. The way our limited bench rotation has been used in the past, it really hasn’t mattered to anyone but the player(s) who makes the team, past the 1st 8 players.
It’s going to be a very interesting season in the Eestern conference, especially in our division. I hope we sign a vet Big like Joe Smith because it will certainly force Woodson to expand his frontline bench rotation beyond Zaza and Evans, which would reduce the mins and the wear and tear on our starting frontline.
terrell barron
July 22nd, 2009
5:46 pm
Imus, if you trade Evans, who’s going to backup Marvin? Hell, we haven’t even re-signed Marvin yet, and your’re trying to trade his backup??
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
5:46 pm
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1151624.html
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
5:48 pm
I live in Seattle so I get confused over the 3 hr time change…. hurry up Joe Smith give me something
Big Ray
July 22nd, 2009
5:51 pm
Melvin,
Sho’ ya right….I knows dis…
Big Ray
July 22nd, 2009
5:51 pm
Ariose,
Who, meeeeee?
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:51 pm
LOL @ Nire, thats funny. I’m gonna think of a good one heheheh!
Big Ray
July 22nd, 2009
5:53 pm
Ben Wallace has no special juice left. Leave him where he is: in limboooooooo….
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:54 pm
Ray,
Nooooo not lil’ ol’ you
Big Ray
July 22nd, 2009
5:55 pm
Jhan,
I like your idea on what to do with Siler. It could really help, and he could be worth a call-up or two from the D-League.
Also, looks like Teague is as advertised, fundamentally anyway. Can’t wait to see/hear how he does in training camp, then see what he does in the preseason.
Ariose
July 22nd, 2009
5:57 pm
Deep, oh, I see heh! well then….:-)
Hoops
July 22nd, 2009
6:02 pm
Ken Strickland,
I hear you on playing more players and increasing the playing rotation. Based on what I hear Woodson say @ mini-camp, he has plans for Teague! You know he is going to play Crawford. We lost Flip (so far). So that is an increase of one player right there on the perimeter that he will play. Inside, right now, we have not gained or lost any players that Woodson will play. You are right, signing Joe Smith would increase the inside playing rotation by another player. If we sign Joe S., I see Woodson playing Bibby, Teague, JJ, Crawford, Marvin (when he signs), Evans, Josh S., Joe S., Horford, & Zaza. That’s a 10 player rotation!!!
Add Diogu, Korolev, and Siler and we will be set! The Kings need Bigs. Send Solo & Morris to them for Diogu.
If we can’t get Diogu, then take Solo or Morris.
darrell starks
July 22nd, 2009
6:13 pm
I would rather have solo than joe smith woody just dont develop his player at all.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
6:17 pm
-From what I hear sounds like Teague and Siler (with some conditioning) are in. What about Hunter? I could go either way with him but whats the overall performance rating on him.
-Also it’s nice to hear that we finally got some of our Euros in and they are performing well.
-Is there a chance Randmo doesn’t make the team even though he’s under contract?
Deep
July 22nd, 2009
6:18 pm
This delay posting thing screws me up
Maxx
July 22nd, 2009
6:35 pm
Sekou- According to your twitter page, Chris Ellis just came out swingin and dominated the floor.RandMo and Othello Hunter is looking better than ever right now, and Siler is a 6-11 305 beast with huge potential. So my question is – Randolph Morris, Othello Hunter, Chris Ellis, Garret Siler- If we can only have two out of the four on our squad, who, in your opinion, should we keep? Do youthink Solo will be a Hawk next season?
Clyde
July 22nd, 2009
6:41 pm
Big Ray Bibby doesn’t have any juice left in him but he just got a new contract.
Hoops
July 22nd, 2009
7:01 pm
terrell barron,
Korolev could back up Marvin if we trade Evans. I’m not advocating that we trade Evans, I’m just saying Korolev looks pretty good in mini-camp. He may be the best shooter the Hawks have in any part of their program!
darrell starks
July 22nd, 2009
7:08 pm
I can see and exchangeble on the hawks roster with mismatch only if sund build this team in an fimformative way having TEAGUE, FLIP, CRAWFORD, coming of the bench and playing together.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 22nd, 2009
7:16 pm
Hawks have to keep SILER, or MORRIS, who keep between the 2 ?
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
Hoops
July 22nd, 2009
7:46 pm
Right now, assuming Marvin signs for his QO, the Hawks have 7.6M left to spend and still stay under the L. tax.
I think they can sign these three players and really be ready to challenge the big three in the East:
Diogu-3M
Joe Smith-2.5M
Korolev-1.5M
PG-Bibby, Teague
SG-JJ, Crawford
SF-Marvin, Evans, Korolev
PF-Josh, Diogu, Joe Smith
C-Horford, Zaza, Morris
*Send Siler to the development league and get him ready!
*Some team will pick up Solo (Pacers) and West
Melvin
July 22nd, 2009
7:46 pm
Well, you can scratch Jamaal Magloire off the list…
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/07/22/072209heatmagloire.ap/index.html
niremetal
July 22nd, 2009
7:49 pm
I’ve tried to come up with another Russian reversal, but nothing’s working. It would be awesome if we somehow ended up having Gladyr, Akyol, Karolev, and Zaza all on the same team. We’d basically have the Black Sea surrounded:
http://eldib.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/black-sea-map.gif