Another Joe, another Smith?
Foes a year ago, Josh (left) and Joe Smith (no relation) will team up on the Hawks' suddenly improved frontline this season.
HAWKSVILLE - There’s room in the Hawks’ locker room for another Joe. And certainly enough room for another Smith.
And if the early reports are true, ESPN’s Ric Bucher reported it first Friday afternoon, veteran power forward Joe Smith will indeed be joining the clan in the ‘ville on a one-year deal, possibly as early as this week.
The Hawks aren’t confirming or denying anything, per their policy on all free agent matters this summer. Sources indicate that Smith has indeed agreed to join the team but that no deal has been finalized yet and nothing has been signed. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that barring a last-minute catastrophe, this deal is going to get done.
It’s the answer to many questions for the Hawks up front. Smith is the veteran, spot up shooter, rebounder, locker room leader and wise voice for youngsters Josh Smith and Al Horford (in particular) the Hawks have been looking for. His addition will give the Hawks a solid two-deep depth chart up and down the lineup, leaving three to four roster spots up for grabs for the likes of Randolph Morris, Garret Siler, Othello Hunter and whoever else shows for training camp.
Josh Smith, Horford and Zaza Pachulia will be happiest about the elder Smith joining the fray. They need the assistance, on every front. They were without a veteran assist last season, a deficiency that was magnified during the playoffs against Joe Smith’s old team (Cleveland), which disposed of the Hawks in four games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
A versatile 6-10, 225-pounder, Smith plays bigger than his listed size. He always has, dating back to his days at Maryland, when he dominated the competition on his way to becoming the No. 1 pick in the 1995 NBA draft. This is yet another summertime coup for the Hawks, who have bargained shopped their way back to the fourth spot on the Eastern Conference food chain behind Cleveland, Boston and Orlando (last year’s order but not necessarily the pecking order for this season). Seriously, for all the cash spent in other places, the Hawks used a prudent, cost-conscious approach to bring back the core of a 47-win team, while also adding two key veterans in Smith (pending the completion of his deal) and Jamal Crawford, not to mention promising rookie in point guard Jeff Teague.
Joe Smith isn’t an acquisition on the level of Rasheed Wallace (Boston), Shaquille O’Neal (Cleveland), Vince Carter (Orlando) or even Hedo Turkoglu (Toronto) for that matter. But he’s exactly what the Hawks needed at a position of critical importance. He’s also a fantastic insurance policy at an even better price, should injuries to Smith, Horford or even Marvin Williams become a factor the way they did last season, when all three of the Hawks’ young frontcourt studs missed considerable time last season with injuries.
So with basically all the heavy lifting done now, how do you rate the Hawks’ summer to this point? Good, bad or something else?
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519 comments Add your comment
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
2:10 pm
Nire, You know I know all of that already lol.
OK, FINE i’ll give Sund an A- 1/2 Thats ALMOST a neutral A…..His tactics still suck if you ask me. He dive me crazy taking all that time ‘n stuff. But I guess the team is better off in the long run because of that.
AND CAN SOMEONE PLEEASE tell me who in the Hell Jason Heart is??? Seriously!!! Link me to a Bio or something, cause I can’t find anything!!!!
I’m just going to assume he’s some D-Leauge scrub or sum Euro-Trash….
Flappin' Hawk
August 15th, 2009
2:10 pm
Siler will definitely make the roster. We don’t need offense in a big back up center, we need beef and he brings a buffet table full. We get pushed around every year and now we can develop a defensive enforcer in Siler. He’s a lock.
niremetal
August 15th, 2009
2:11 pm
Jason Hart:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3448
His best days were at Syracuse. He’s one of those perennial training camp guys who usually makes the cut as the 3rd string PG.
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
2:12 pm
CP, I agree. But you know Mike, he hates change and he’s stubbourn lol. But you’re right, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a longshot for Mario to make the team.
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
2:13 pm
Nire, THANK YOU!!!!! lol…
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
2:16 pm
I’ve seen that Hert Guy somewhere before lol(probably at the end of someones bench), I’d rather go with L-III or S.Gaines. Give somebody else a chance to be a perennial bench warmer hehehe…..
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
2:17 pm
*Heart
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
2:26 pm
Nire, why do you have to keep bringing up the fact that Salim was my guy hehehe…. Can’t we move on from the past please
Yes, it wasn’t one of my shining moments lol. Like Obama says, “Change, We need NOW!!!!”
Besides I was actually a Damon fan first, I guess I thought Salim would duplicate his career at the least
I was, moving on to a new chapter until I.Mus brought it up yerserday
Ken Strickland
August 15th, 2009
2:27 pm
I think acquiring Joe Smith assures us of holding onto the 4th seed. It also gives us a very good chance of replacing Orlando as the 3rd seed. Orlando will start the season with DHoward as the only returning starter from last yrs finals team. That’s going to require a lot of adjusting, player and system wise, and have a major impact on team chemistry, especially at the start of the season.
All of you still clamoring for Flip can give it a rest. He’s not coming back and it’s not because he doesn’t want to, but because he’s not wanted back, at least by the Hawks. Some issues developed between Flip, Woodson and some of the players that hastened his departure. There’s definitely a reason he wasn’t tendered an offer of any kind by Sund.
With Bibby and Teague as our PG’s, and with Crawford and JJ having PG skills, don’t expect to see another PG added to our 12 man roster. Also, with MEvans’ ability to play SG, I’m not certain we’ll even add another guard at all to our 12 man roster. With 11 players under contract, including JSmith, I see us adding either Siler or Hunter to complete the 12 man roster.
With the potential signing of Joe Smith, it’s no longer a matter of if we have the talent to play, BUT HOW WE PLAY OUR TALENT.
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
2:29 pm
Nire, ROFL a Beidrens Face!!!!! LMAO!
Ryder
August 15th, 2009
2:35 pm
Steve Aschburner gave Sekou much-deserved props on his article in CNNSI.com, and he was right on one very important point: Joe Johnson may not be the guy that can take the Hawks to that championship level. I would not sign him to an extension if he can’t get the job done this year and have the Hawks become a contender in the East.
I like the move of Joe Smith, depth is necessary if you want to win the in the NBA, and the Hawks now have it, which will be necessary to give the starters rest.
Great job by Sund, let’s just keep everyone healthy and see what happens from here!
Ramon
August 15th, 2009
2:53 pm
Ryder you sa JJ shoudn’t be gien an extension (that isn’t even close to max if he doesn’t lead them to the finals. So woul that mean Boston was stupid to do it for Pierce BEFORE they even dreamed about Garnett and Allen? Or what about Wade, he hasn’t lead his team to that level without another all star player yet.
JSS
August 15th, 2009
3:04 pm
Excuse if this is jumbled because I’m using my cell… Atlanta’s Angelo Taylor, the Olympic Champ at 400IM hurdles ran a horrible qualifying race and will not advance. The Womens 10K was epic! Some teenage Kenyan girl laid waste to two Ethiopians in the final 75 meters. It was amazing… Americans are taking it on the chin a bit today… But Hoffa and Nelson are hanging tough… So Joe Smith is official? Check after I get back to the apartment
wink
August 15th, 2009
3:08 pm
This contract pending with Joe Smith is not as roster changing as being stated here. Joe does not provide us the one thing we need at center, beef. He will get pushed around by Shaq/Ilgaskas (Cavs), Sheed/Perkin (Celts), Howard/Gatat (Majic), even Dalenbert (76er) & Curry (Knicks)& Chandler (Bobcats. He does provide insurance at 3-4-5? spots.
Siler must make this team,as RandMo has a contract, we need his size & fouls.
The following comes from Rainman which is the best suggestion for handling the 1-2-3 teams in the East:
Should we have a ‘hack a Shaq’ set ready when we face the dominate centers? Let Siler or Morris use their 6 fouls in a rotation with Al and Zaza.
I cosign that thought!
Hunter should also get a look along with Gerald Green. We could use their youth & athletism for rebounding & defense on perimeter; love West but he may be on his way out.
Depth would definitely have improved! The only remaining question, has Coach Woody?
doc
August 15th, 2009
3:08 pm
dos, agree the stage may be set to move up the ladder.
wonder if job is done for sund besides getting some practice fodder?
wink
August 15th, 2009
3:10 pm
PS If we could locate a straight jump shooting assassin, I would trade out Hunter.
wink
August 15th, 2009
3:12 pm
PS If we could locate a straight jump shooting assassin, I would trade out Hunter.
Ron D
August 15th, 2009
3:16 pm
Good move! Now the Hawks are 10 deep and the only team with similar young talent in the east is Orlando. Siler given time and coaching will be a solid NBA starting center. Keep the core together and let them grow. 2/3 years down the road this team is in the finals and bringing home Atlanta’s 1st NBA title. Can you say Detroit?
Samuel
August 15th, 2009
3:48 pm
I like the move by “My BOY” Rick. It doesn’t put us in the top 3 but solidifies our hold on 4. I’m also really excited about this guy Siler. I think he’s gonna surprise a lot of people and be more than a filler. Just my gut feeling.
I don’t like the Hack a Shaq. I don’t see us putting guys in just to foul. After all, they have to play on offense too. Just double down on the man and close out on the jump shooters. Also, make him play hard on defense.
Now if it comes down to a close game at the end, then yes but not with Randmo.
Tiger just dropped another “F” bomb. He and my great uncle Cotrell Davis(RIP) batteling it out at the PGA.
richbrave
August 15th, 2009
3:52 pm
KEN STRICK:
I’ll alert the media in D.C. immediately. MURRAY should fit right in with SAUNDERS anyway. What’s in a name and better than having eight guards? That’d be nine guards, especially since the WIZ new coach only likes playing a rotation of eight, total that is. Sound familiar?
richbrave
August 15th, 2009
3:54 pm
doc:
Where’s RAY? suffering fade-out because of burn-out?
Mystikal
August 15th, 2009
4:39 pm
Great to have Joe Smith on board (once he signs), very good off-season for Sund. I can now say I am satisfied, although wouldn’t mind signing one more big for the low. Then trade Randmo for a backup small forward behind Marv (of course w/ expiring contract). Then finish roster with Siler and Korolev.
I really liked Flip last season, but at this point think bringing him back could be counter productive. He would take minutes away from Teague, whom we really don’t want to see rotting on the bench. There are already not enough shots to go round, so after adding Crawford and Teague that would be more shots taken from Smoove and Al.
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
4:41 pm
Ken, Something Developed between Flip and the Platyers”???? PLEASE, enlighten us!!! I’m eager to know what you know that Sekou didn’t.
AND I WASN’T “CLAMORING” FOR FLIP AT ALL KEN & DOS HAWKIS. READ MY FREAKIN’ 11:56AM POST AGAIN DAMMIT. YOU OBVIOUSLY MISSED SOMETHING. LIKE ME TALKING ABOUT ADDING S.GAINS AS A 3RD PG ON OUR ROSTER. FLIP BARELY GOT A DAMN SENTECE AND THATS ALL U GUYS PULL OUT OF A PARAGRAPH+ OF TYPING?????
WHATEVER….
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
4:50 pm
All I did was Rate Ricks moves this off season and List the reason why I gave him that particular grade. Nothing more, Nothing less, no “clamoring” involved.
niremetal
August 15th, 2009
5:14 pm
I’m with Ramon. It annoys the hell out of me when people say “JJ is not a guy who can lead a team for a title. Therefore we should get rid of him.” Well…do you see anyone else on our roster who CAN lead a team to a title? Or anyone we can easily acquire who can do so? The Duncans, Kobes, and LeBrons come along only 2-3 times per decade. If you’re not a team lucky enough to draft one of those guys, you have to scrap for the best you can get. JJ is not a Kobe or LeBron, but can someone please tell me who we have or feasibly can get that is better? The Thunder aren’t trading us Durant. The Magic aren’t trading us D-12. And other than those two guys, I don’t see any 1-man franchises out there.
JJ is like the members of the Big Three in Boston. He is not good enough to lead a team to title contention by himself, but he is in the next category of players right below that – guys who can be one of 2-3 co-stars on a title-winning team.
Unless someone can drug Danny Ferry and convince him to trade us LeBron for JJ, the solution isn’t to subtract JJ. It’s to surround him with better talent.
niremetal
August 15th, 2009
5:16 pm
*The Thunder aren’t trading us Durant. The Magic aren’t trading us D-12. And other than those two guys, I don’t see any future 1-man franchises out there.
(And you definitely can make a strong case that Dwight is already a one-man franchise. But I still consider him a half-cut below LeBron, Kobe, and a healthy Duncan)
Ramon
August 15th, 2009
5:29 pm
Niremetal, the thing that gets me about people saying that is Lebron nor Kobe lead their teams to a championship either until they had another all star on the same team. How many midseason trades and offseason trades have Cleveland made to try and get Lebron his ring. Its like people saying Malone and Barkley would be better being free agents in their prime because they’re not carrying a ring. No one can do this any more with out a ‘lucky’ and skilled GM. Detroit is probably the only team in the last 16 years to win a ring with out an all star. And Houston was the only other team that has won it with only ONE all star. And I’d find it hard for anyone to say that JJ doesn’t deserve to make as much as Lewis, Arenas, Stojakovic, Nash, and other 10 mil plus super stars. Do they not realize other stars won’t come here until after they see JJ is locked up. And I go on record of saying again, that I think this line up can win a championship. But the key for me will be Teague and how soon he comes along.
Ramon
August 15th, 2009
5:30 pm
By the way, I wish Woody would ask Hubie Brown to be a special consultant for him.
cj
August 15th, 2009
5:31 pm
siler has great potential and hopefully teague will be good but shouldnt we look ahead joe will be a fa and joe smith cant play forever
Ariose
August 15th, 2009
5:47 pm
I agree, but actually Sheed had been an All-star b4 his detriot days, so they even had 1 All-star, and so do we.
Blast
August 15th, 2009
6:03 pm
5:14pm. Great post Nire. All the Joe haters should quit it. Hawks would still be nothing without JJ. You said it right. Surround Joe with better players and watch him go.
If we get Joe Smith on the vets min, can we call Sund a genius for the masterfull way he spent the ASG money this summer? I mean, a bunch of teams went and spent and spent, going over the cap, all in hopes of winning a championship, but not Sund. He was very economical with the dough. Economy recession contract, is what Bibby, Zaza, and Marvin got. And nobody complained. At this time I daresay the most overpaid Hawk is Jamal Crawford. But if he turns out to be as good as I think he will be, then he’s not overpaid.
So for keeping the core intact, while not going crazy with the kitty, for trading Crawford for two scrubs (Sorry Acie) and if Joe Smith does sign, and for drafting Teague, I give Rick Sund an A+.
KevinA
August 15th, 2009
6:13 pm
We just have to stop handing the ball to JJ early in the shot clock. He can learn to get open without the ball and then do his thing.
nire, the solution isn’t to subtract JJ. It’s to surround him with better talent.
He has the talant around him. JJ and Bibby need to do a better job using it. With the addition of Joe Smith we should not so afraid of fouls. Feed the youngsters and let the good times roll.
Dan
August 15th, 2009
6:22 pm
Sekou, getting back to your original question– SHOCKINGLY GOOD is how I would rate the Hawks’ summer (assuming that we land Joe Smith). Unlike last summer, where we had to wait out what would happen with Josh Smith and had to watch Chills head out to Greece, everybody’s basically re-upped, and the team has added real talent and veteran players in Jamal Crawford and (again, presumably) Joe Smith. The only probably loss is Flip Murray–and I really like Flip the Switch, but JC is probably a bit better of a player and a better match for a balanced team that needs to share the FG attempts. I also like the draft pick, though I was hoping we’d end up with Ty Lawson.
All told, I’m just not used to this level of competence in the GM’s office! Combine this with Wren’s work with the Braves, and Dimitroff’s work with the Falcons, and… what is going on here?? Can we really have good front office people at all teams of the major sports in Atlanta? (I offer no opinion about the Thrashers–not a big fan of hockey, so I don’t follow it). I don’t know if I can get used to this!
JSS
August 15th, 2009
6:30 pm
I hope I haven’t annoyed the hell out of everyone. Sorry about posting so much Track stuff, the AJC is killing me that they are giving anyone any coverage back in the States from what my friends have been pounding my email and cell saying (I knew I should gotten the internal plan before leaving for 5 weeks).
The problem about Joe Johnson is that there is a camp that just won’t let the trade that brought him here go. The proof is the pudding and Diaw was not going to lead this team to 25 game improvement. What have the draft picks that we let go done realistically? it was a bruise in the short term but I like JJ; and, I do not have an issue with a player like him on the B level of NBA stardom.
If anyone is interested in the rundown on Day One here and a preview of the Day The Earth Stood Still in Berlin (I kid you not, it is a madhouse), just drop a note and I’ll post it… I’ll be up another two hours working off my late dinner…
Peace… JSS
JSS
August 15th, 2009
6:32 pm
That is the International Plan!!! I’ve got to start proof reading…
Bill Heller
August 15th, 2009
6:42 pm
.Rick Sund can drink from my water canteen any day.
kirkinga
August 15th, 2009
6:44 pm
Finally! A veteran big that should help address the team’s most glaring weak spot. I believe before all is said and done, one of the other big in camp will need to contribute as well.
As for to-the-minute offseason grade? I believe a B- is appropriate. If talent acquisition was the sole criterion for grading, then I would award a higher grade. But a GM and an organization must do more than bring in talent.
Because the Hawks will start the season under a cloud of controversy, a self-inflicted distraction, I cannot see any way that the grade could exceed B-, and that is being generous.
The organization apparently has a vision of which players they wish to be around in the future. I think the negotiations with JJ are a good thing, and I seriously doubt that they intend to let Horford leave without a serious effort.
Unfortunately the organization’s foresight does not extend to coaching. They have no identified a coach they wish to see lead this team into the future. Furthermore, the coach they do have, is not happy. This is not good. How much authority Coach Woodson actually has remains to be seen, I think bringing in a Joe Smith, who has seen some things in his NBA career, is a good thing for Woodson. Smith might actually help steady the boat, if, and only if, he buys into Woodson at least on the same has have both Bibby and JJ.
Hard not to be excited about this basketball team. I have an expectation that they will do well. Whether or not they remain the 4th seed, is a much more difficult question.
Go Hawks!!
truth-serum
August 15th, 2009
7:09 pm
O’Brien
August 15th, 2009
12:57 pm
As it was last year so it will be this year… with out a center the Hawks arent going to the finals. I have a couple of bridges for sale if you are interested.
ILL-logical
August 15th, 2009
7:18 pm
In re Joe Smith:
Before anyone fractures a limb patting Mr. Sund et al on the back,let us remeber 2 things. No other teams made him a priority and the Hawks will be his upteenth team in a long but undistinquished NBA career.Yes, he will provide some locker room help but that hasn’t been a major issue here. The best summation of his impact may be the earlier post that stated Woodson likes any player he doesn’t have to coach.
Which leads me to my second point:
With all of the much lauded roster stability the other constant in the equation is the current incumbant head coach. This fact does not fill me with great expectations for at least 2 reasons.
One,I cannot believe that he will expand his offensive( and it is to me) “system beyond iso Joe. Joe is in a contract year and has to prove his all -star status to a lot of folks, especially after his last two season’s play off performances as well as last year’s o-fer in the All-Star game.There is potential priority problem here: team performance versus his stats.
And of course there is the contract year status of Woodson. Will he say, win me a new contract Joe ’cause I believe it’s in the best interest of the team for me to be the coach? The truth is we don’t know how the situation will play out but if history is any guide … .
Oh, and on the point” Well…do you see anyone else on our roster who CAN lead a team to a title?”
The answer is yes. Without the presence of Woodson’s “system”, I see 2, maybe 3 players with the skill AND leadership abililities to achieve the pentultimate. Josh, Al and possible Teague have the skills and they all, unlike Joe make their teammates better!
Ken Strickland
August 15th, 2009
7:45 pm
ARIOSE-Come on, don’t get overly emotional on this issue. I don’t remember singling you or anyone out when I made my comments. If anything, my comments were directed to anyone suggesting we trade Crawford, Evans or anyone else so we could resign Flip. If the Hawks had any desire what so ever of retaining Flip, why didn’t they tender him an offer?
Any team that wants to retain or resign a player will make him an offer, or at least some effort to show they want him to return, but that definitely hasn’t been the case with Flip. In fact, there hasn’t been a mention by anyone, except some disillusioned fans, about the possibility of the Hawks bring him back, or even wanting him back. READ BETWEEN THE LINES.
Flip did a good job for us last yr, but we now have JCrawford, a player that provides what he provided, and then some. And, Crawford can do his thing without having to control/hog the ball. After all, we have enough of that already?
I don’t understand this idea that we have to have a banger. It would be nice to have one, but we don’t need one. Didn’t we win 47 gms without one last yr? Like I’ve said before, the Suns thought that way last yr when they made the mistake of trading for Shaq, and they became a worse team with him than they were without him. One banger off the bench, especially one that can do little else, isn’t going to make any significant difference. That type of thinking is one of the main reasons we have so much trouble with bigger teams. Instead of forcing those teams to match our speed, quickness and athleticism, we keep trying unsuccessfully to match their size, height and strength.
We need to use the old ROPE A DOPE. Instead of always trying to slug it out, or trying to beat them at their strength, we should stick and run, wear them down, and go for the kill in the 4th qtr, like Ali did to Foreman. In other words, use the other teams size, height and strength against him by making them chase you. STOP THINKING LIKE WOODSON AND START THINKING LIKE SOMEONE THAT HAS A CLUE.
You see, I said I wasn’t going to make him an issue. But everytime I try to stop, THEY PULL ME BACK IN.
Ramon
August 15th, 2009
7:46 pm
ILL I share you concerns.
I also wll say I’m thankful for the time Josh got to spend with the US Team. Because with everyone walking away saying they were impressed with the way he handled himself, it proves that his rifts with Woody has more to do with BOTH of the, and not him.
Another thing is with that US camp being early in the offseason, it gives Josh the chance to hear well respected coaches tell him what he needs to do (jumper) to take his game to the next level. Its hard for me to see Smooth being the hard worker (summers Hakeem, Calvin Murphy, and others), and leaving that camp without a few business cards for people inviting to work out with him.
Rather someone likes it or not, this team will become Smooth and Horford’s team this year.
Ramon
August 15th, 2009
7:51 pm
Ariose, to strengthen your argument, Lakers didn’t have a ‘banger’ this year. And Horford is just as physical as Duncan is known to be. But one thing we do have, is two post players who aren’t scared to knock your head if you’re trying to skip to the lane too many times (Smooth and Horford). And like Oakley, Mourning and others proved, you don’t have to act crazy all the time, just let them know you can if needed. Interior defense is just as much about mental as it is physical.
Stoned Mountain
August 15th, 2009
7:58 pm
I honestly believe Woody will produce enough chemistry among these new players to have these guys cranking by January. For the first time in ten years, we likely can keep level even with an injury to an important guy. That’s “huge,” as Woody sez.
Stating the Obvious
August 15th, 2009
8:02 pm
ILL-LOGICAL,
COngratulations, you now get to join RodSam and Clyde in the idiots’ corner.
“Joe is in a contract year and has to prove his all -star status to a lot of folks, especially after his last two season’s play off performances as well as last year’s o-fer in the All-Star game.”
I’m sorry, but did you really just suggest that an NBA GM gives a rat’s ass about someone performs in the AllStar game?
“Josh, Al and possible Teague have the skills and they all, unlike Joe make their teammates better!”
So many idiotic things. Josh makes his teammates better? And Joe doesn’t? Have you been watching ANY games?
And you’re ready to say that Teague makes his teammates better despite the fact that he hasn’t played a single NBA game yet?
And you’re ready to say all three are good enough to be the leading player on a title-contending team? Josh has been around the league 5 years. If he had the skills to be LeBron or Kobe, someone would have noticed by now besides you. Horford is more Oakley than Hakeem. Teague didn’t lead Wake Forest to jack $hit and hasn’t even played a preseason game in the NBA. If he was “lead a team to a title” material, don’t you think that he would have gone a little higher than 19th?
Stoned Mountain
August 15th, 2009
8:08 pm
Obvious, man (gal?), that isn’t even fair! Play fair!
Joe haters. They get all between your toes.
Sautee
August 15th, 2009
8:15 pm
truth-serum,
You said this: “As it was last year so it will be this year… with out a center the Hawks arent going to the finals.”
We actually have a Center. His name is Al Horford and here’s how he ranked last year in some stat categories for Centers:
Scoring: 19th – despite the fact that he shot the fewest attempts of any starter.
Rebound: 8th – better than Shaq, Pryzbilla, Perkins, and Lopez.
Blocks: 16th – better than Noah, Chandler, Nene – you know, “defensive stoppers”
Assists: 2nd – better than all but Brad Miller
Efficiency: 8th
Dbl-dbl: 9th
Steals: 9th
AST /TO: 5th
Gee, looks to me like he was in the top ten in most categories. And just 23 years old and in his second year.
Yes, we HAVE a Center. Even if he has a PF body.
I’m not saying we’re going to the Finals, but we indeed have a Center, even if you would rather have him at back-up PF.
CTrim
August 15th, 2009
8:30 pm
Nice job landing a quality back up big at a minimal price. I think we got lucky on this one, but Sund has been on quite a roll this off season.
So can Woody manage a 10 man rotation effectively?
niremetal
August 15th, 2009
8:34 pm
I don’t think luck has anything to do with it. Sund’s track record is waiting until August to finish at least 1 or 2 deals. Makes a lot of sense – when you’re filling out a roster, best to wait until August when the players’ price comes down.
It’s not luck if it happens year after year.
gwite
August 15th, 2009
8:48 pm
“It’s not luck if it happens year after year.”
So why all the “clamoring”, Sund’s got to get this or that, such and such player “NOW”.
doublettolucahawksfan
August 15th, 2009
9:02 pm
i dont know why everybody is so happy joe smith only average 6.6 points a game he would be a bench warmer in any other elite team in the east, and the hawks beach is very shallow with no big men to speak of…..