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
Big Ray
August 16th, 2009
9:12 pm
Ariose,
It gives me no pause. Had Crawford exhibited similar issues in New York and Chicago, I’d be hollering louder than those who didn’t like this trade. Trust me.
That, and he is BY FAR not the first player to have serious issues with Don Nelson. The guy is manipulative, deceitful, and practically in control of that franchise. Which means he does just want he wants to do, with no accountability. No coach should have that kind of clout. Even Phil Jackson shouldn’t, even though he manages the biggest egos and helps produce championships. Nelso does, and has no rings to show for it. Strange, eh?
Anyway, he won’t have to worry about a two-faced fool in Woody. Woody takes a lot of heat for a lot of things, but he has not had one single guy refuse to enter a game, that I know of. Not even Smith, whom he held out for a couple games. I don’t see it being a problem. Woody is straight up. He’s no liar. And he’s quite open and frank with his veteran players.
Ariose
August 16th, 2009
9:13 pm
Doc, LMAO. I’ve been thinking of making a you tube video too lol. I should put on a darth Vader Helmet and Call out Mike Woodson! That would get a lot of views hehehe……I can see it now.
Big Ray
August 16th, 2009
9:19 pm
Ariose,
You really think Al and Josh will go down that much in minutes? I can see it if Josh is acting up and not producing on the defensive end or on the boards. But something tells me Al will be doing no less than 34 per game. This could be a big year for him, especially if his offensive game gets off the ground good. Of course, you could be right, and I could be wrong.
By the way, if I drive a SuperCrew 4×4 truck and wear jeans (when off duty) and like guns a lot, does that make me a hick? Maybe a Blackneck….though I don’t wear cowboy boots and am not particularly fond of most country music (not to say that I dislike it all, just not fond of it)…I know I’ve confused the shizzle out of some people. They pull up alongside the truck and don’t quite see what they’re expecting to…heh heh heh..
…
Ariose
August 16th, 2009
9:21 pm
Ray, I see your point. Woodson is not that kind of a manipulative coach, and though his players may hate his nagging at times, they respect him. I completely agree. Besides, it’s a little easeir to take consructive criticisim from a coach on a winning team that has players who are actually better than himself(crawford) on it.
Whoo! Mo Evans Sure dodged a big bullett by come to the ATL insteaed of San Francisco!!!
Sautee
August 16th, 2009
9:29 pm
Ray,
I’ll add one more to your list of “conditions” for agreeing to a Crawford trade:
That JJ is either re-signed, or we’re VERY sure that he’ll stay. It’s still my contention that Crawford was “Joe insurance” at the very least and a good bit of leverage otherwise.
And you can’t be a hick, dammit. You know how to spell (and correctly use) the term pyrrhic victory. And used it on a sports blog. Sorry, man but that alone disqualifies you for hickdom.
Sautee
August 16th, 2009
9:32 pm
And by the way Ray, Delk refused to go into several games. Only Woody never knew it!
Big Ray
August 16th, 2009
9:46 pm
Ariose,
I think Mo knows it, too.
Sautee,
That’s probably the most important condition, and I don’t know why I failed to mention it.
And so much for being a hick. I guess I’ll just have to disappoint ol’ fool-syrup, or whatever his name is…
Good one on Delk!
niremetal
August 16th, 2009
9:52 pm
Ray,
I don’t have the link right now, but I remember when JJ was hurt a couple seasons back, Josh refused to enter a game when Woody drew up the potential game-winning play for Tyronn Lue instead of him. I think that was the day on which my irking towards Josh reached its zenith…
Big Ray
August 16th, 2009
10:00 pm
Nire,
I recall him having a difference of opinion with Woody about such a play, but I don’t remember it being a refusal to enter the game. However, I will no doubt be accused of having a selective memory, and I can’t be sure that this was NOT how it went down, so I’ll not argue.
Well at least we never have to worry about JJ refusing to enter a game. You have to come out first for that to happen. And we certainly don’t have to worry about him getting mad about a play not called for his involvement, either…
niremetal
August 16th, 2009
10:02 pm
Here we go:
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/hawks/entries/2007/04/10/
Reading that story makes me realize how far the Hawks have come. First, Josh would never pull that kind of $hit today. No way. Woody draws up the last play for Marvin or Bibby or even Mo Evans, and I bet Josh goes out there and does his part.
Second, there was this line in Sekou’s blog:
In the what is perhaps the funniest line I’ve read in, um, forever, a noted New York Post columnist wrote this: – Last year, Smith’s belligerence got so out of hand, I’m told, Zaza Pachulia pinned him to the Hawks’ locker room wall after a game… The next time Zaza has someone pinned up against a wall or anything else, on or off the court, will be the first time
Heh. I would believe that story now. No one who has watched the Hawks the past two years would be shocked if Zaza pinned someone on the court, at least. Certainly if the guy wears #5 and wears a green uniform…
And then there’s this:
The fact is, part of the reason Smith acted out the way he did is because there is no culture of peer accountability that exists in the Hawks’ locker room. Not one of his teammates got in his face Sunday night, like I would have to not only to help squash an ugly situation but to help a teammate save himself from an embarrassing situation (and some serious cash money). One of my main gripes about this team from the first day I set foot in the locker room is that these guys (every incarnation they’ve had since I’ve been around), is that they don’t police each other enough. To me, that’s one of this team’s greatest flaws (and we all know they have plenty).
That’s perhaps the biggest difference. Today, Bibby, Horford, and perhaps even Marvin and JJ would talk Josh down if the same type of thing came up today. But of course, as I mentioned above, Josh would never pull shenanigans like that anymore.
PS – None of this was to say that a player justifiably refused to enter a game under Woodson. I wasn’t trying to argue against Ray’s point. It’s just an interesting glimpse back into the dark past that was the pre-2008 Hawks.
Big Ray
August 16th, 2009
10:20 pm
Nire,
Still not sure where that says that Josh refused to enter the game. However, I think your point is made about the locker room situation being different nowadays. Except one thing: Josh had another big issue with Woody this past season, which resulted in him being benched for a game or two. I hope to never see this from him again. Ever. And while I agree that guys will get on his case from here on out, I also acknowledge that it’s all up to him.
I’m hoping we sign Joe Smith, and that he can act as the “big man” mentor that Josh (and Al and Marvin) never had.
But in the end, the biggest improvement Josh can make is in maturity. From that will flow all other improvements to his on-court game. Or, it will prove to continue to be his biggest obstacle/stumbling block.
I sure hope he goes in the right direction. And if he doesn’t, that Sund and crew do what they have to do.
Anakin Joe
August 16th, 2009
10:20 pm
Ariose, I know that I am late to the party, but allow me to weigh in on the Crawford-Nellie marriage. Crawford was on my fantasy team last season, that’s the only reason why I paid attention to the dysfunction happening on a losing left coast team (I’m a big hoops fan but my fandom only goes so far). In short, Nellie is an old idiot who has a whole lot of B–ch in him. And he punished Crawford needlessly and benched him in hopes that dude would opt-out of his contract early (you may recall that he owned an ETO this summer that he had to waive before the deal went thru). I’m shocked that Crawford didn’t file a grievance with the union, given some of Nellie’s blatant tactics. Anyway, while I would have liked Crawford to suck it up and play regardless of his lunatic coach, I understand his desire to give it right back to Nellie. My guess is that Crawford will enjoy playing for Woody.
Ken Strickland
August 16th, 2009
10:25 pm
ARIOSE-If Woodson snatches Crawford out of a game for bad DEF and not MBibby, he should immediately go over and Bit– slap Woodson.
Cleveland lost starting PF DGooden and will probably replace him with AVarejao. They’ll also start Shaq, send Ilgaukas to the bench, and try to replace JSmith and BWallace with LPowe. Since Ilgaukas and Shaq are completely opposite in the way they play the center position, the dynamics of their OFF will change with Shaq as the starter. Like Orlando, they could have some serious adjustment and chemistry problems to start the season.
We’ve already seen Boston have a serious dropoff after an injury to a key player, and they’re just a Rhondo meltdown from falling apart.
niremetal
August 16th, 2009
10:34 pm
Ray,
You’re right, no article says that he refused to enter the game. The most that I’ve found is this:
Josh Smith’s profanity-laced outburst at the end of regulation of the Hawks’ 109-104 overtime loss to Philadelphia on Sunday night could result in the third-year forward being suspended, Hawks coach Mike Woodson said.
Smith went back and forth with Woodson on the bench over two plays in the final 40 seconds of regulation that resulted in Woodson telling Smith to hit the showers before the overtime session began.
“You’ve got to be able to control your emotions on our bench,” Woodson said after the game, in which the Hawks (28-49) lost a 17-point lead en route to their 11th straight road loss. “He didn’t, and I had to send him in [to the locker room], and I’ll address it further [today].”
Smith shot a 19-footer over Andre Miller with the game tied at 93-93 and only 35.9 seconds to play that he acknowledged afterward was a bad shot, considering he has a seven-inch height advantage over Miller.
The Hawks got the ball back after a 76ers turnover, and Tyronn Lue missed a 15-footer at the buzzer that would have won the game.
As the players walked to the bench for the break between regulation and overtime, Smith said he told the coaches that he “wanted that last shot.” An argument ensued, and Smith flung his headband to the floor on his way to the locker room.
“I made a mistake, and I apologized to my teammates in the locker room, and I tried to apologize to Coach, but he just said we’d deal with it [today],” Smith said as he left the Hawks’ locker room.
“I was upset with myself for taking that jumper instead of backing Andre Miller down. I knew I should have backed him down. So in my mind I wanted to make up for it on that last possession, but Coach called a different play.”
No link for that article…it’s in the AJC stacks, and you have to pay to get access to it. But it’s not clear exactly what words were exchanged, etc.
Come to think of it, a closer example of a player refusing to play might have been that tiff between Anthony Johnson and Woodson towards the beginning of the 07-08 season. Again, though, I don’t think any of those articles said outright that Johnson refused to play.
In any case, I don’t think anyone doubts that Woodson is a hard-nosed straight shooter who doesn’t mince words, in the mold of his two coaching mentors (Bobby Knight and Larry Brown). That has its good and bad qualities. But he and Josh have both grown up during their time with the team.
The Truth
August 16th, 2009
10:39 pm
So maybe Joe Smith just got pissed that the Cavs signed Powe and it threatened his playing minutes. The Cavs misstep cost them the deal more so then anything else.
It would seem their arrogance backfired so their loss became our gain. We’ll take it thank you very much. This scenario would make better sense because what made no sense was that Joe Smith would take us through all this drama for weeks only to sign a 1-year deal at 1.3M, perhaps the same amount that the Cavs offered.
Ariose
August 16th, 2009
10:58 pm
Maaan Nothing beats good BBQ on a Sunday! All that was missing was a Football game.
Ray, Ha! You think thats a spectacle? I’ve got a friend from Macon, with One of the most Southern accents you’ll EVER run across(and this is GA so i’ve heard em’ all) he’s a Solid 5′10 295lbs(typical linebacker lol). I don’t know what poessed him to do this or where he found it, but he got his hands on the prettiest straw cowboy hat you ever did see(hehehe…). And EVERYWHERE he went he wore if for like a Month straight. He’s a realy flash guy likes to wear stuff that draws attention, but THAT took the title for sure. He was like a celebrity lol!!!
A big black guy with a straw cowboy hat and a southern accent thicker than you could imagine? I thought I was in the real-life version Green mile! Either that or I was looking at the Black version of Huckleberry Fin Hehehehe!!! NOW THATS HICK!!!
Thankfully, he eventually stopped wearing the hat and went back to his A-Town caps
It would have REALLY been funny if he drove a pickup like yourself…..Does a Ford Taurus count? Hehehehe!
Ariose
August 16th, 2009
11:22 pm
Anakin Joe, Now that you mention it, I did remeber hearing about Nellie’s desire for Crawford to opt-out twoards the end of last season. I sure am Glad Neslon isn’t our coach. That Shyt wouldn’t fly here in the ATL. Security would have to escort me out of Phillips if Woodson ever did something like that to JJ.
Ken ROFL!!! I second your statement sir!!!
Ray, I know without a doubt that you are right about Horford. Again, it’s Zaza backing him up lol(Sorry za), as long as he’s not burnt out with his whels falling off at the finish line, i’m cool.
Nire, I know salim Got suspended because he was THINKING about not entering a game lol. I was scared he wouldn’t get off the bench to come back into that game lol. Well, he pouted and pretty much blew the game because he was mad anyway, so I guess he felt he got Woody back hehehe…
Ariose
August 16th, 2009
11:40 pm
“And you can’t be a hick, dammit. You know how to spell (and correctly use) the term pyrrhic victory. And used it on a sports blog. Sorry, man but that alone disqualifies you for hickdom.”
Yup…
Ray, LOL@ Syrup
Mystikal
August 17th, 2009
1:46 am
Why am I still up? Any who..
I think the hawks will do well this year. Resigning all our key guys, plus the additions of Teague, Crawford, and unofficially Joe Smith. We can be a more balanced, better depth, more chemistry team that just came off 47 win season. And I do think it’s possible we could break into the top 3 of the East, but of course won’t be easy.
Boston has a solid squad with added depth. Don’t think it’s any question what they bring and what they can do. For an older team though, they have managed to stay pretty healthy, KG aside. Will that continue for another season..?
Cleveland will be interesting to see. I don’t see Shaq coming in being as wonderful as many have suggested. Again can he stay healthy long enough to be relivant. I think he milked the last good year he had in Phoenix. And be honest, he doesn’t do well playing second fiddle to anyone. Just a matter of time for he and Lebron or the coach clash, and we’ll see what comes of it.
Orlando despite now having more talent, has the chemisty question looming. They will definitely not be the same team without Hedo, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be a bad team. Over long season they could gel together like Boston did for their title run. Also getting overlooked, just like we’re expecting Josh and Al to mature their games, Dwight Howard is going to continue to get better. So we better take advantage sooner than later when we get our opportunties against them.
Don’t believe any other Eastern conference team is close to catching us (to this point). Chicago didn’t make any significant moves, Philly may have gotten worse losind PG Miller, Detroit may be the definition of chemistry issues, and Toronto has gone from lottery team to playoff team again, but not on our level yet.
GET JOE INKED!!! Can’t wait for season to start, GO HAWKS!!
Mystikal
August 17th, 2009
1:52 am
While it’s on my mind, after get Joe signed, finish up roster with Siler, Korolev or Gerald Green, and another big. That gives us 14 roster spots filled with extra money for later. After training camp or in middle of season if we need a jolt we can trade Mo Evans and Randmo for a player (salary 4 million combined). Would love to do that now, but after long off-season want team to get settled and not make things more complicated. Big things coming this season!!!
NBA-News: Noch ein Smith für die Hawks, Carter bleibt golden, Cavs lassen kämpfen | FIVE Basketball-Magazin - NBA Blog
August 17th, 2009
6:11 am
[...] Joe Smith, erster Pick von 1995 wechselte zum zehnten Mal in seiner Karriere das Team und ist nun bei den Atlanta Hawks gelandet. Dort unterschrieb der Power Forward einen Einjahresvertrag über 1,3 Millionen Dollar. Die Hawks haben mit Namensvetter Josh Smith sonst nur einen echten Power Forward im Kader, der über eine komplett andere Spielanlage verfügt. Joe Smith ist einer dieser begehrten Vierer, die mit ihrem Mitteldistanzwurf Verteidigungen auseinander ziehen und Räume für Drives schaffen. Nun werden sich also Smith und Smith auf der Vier abwechseln – und Joe Smith wird wohl seinen ganzen Namen auf dem Rücken brauchen, um sich von seinem Namensvetter abzusetzen. [...]
All World
August 17th, 2009
6:48 am
Flip should be resigned. Flip Murray is just as good as Bibby and better than Teague. Also more team oriented than Crawford. Hawks can not progress without Flip’s clutch playing.
Yahoo
August 17th, 2009
8:17 am
Now let me make sure I’m clear, you don’t want Flip because he is so good he would force Woodson to play him at the expense of Teague? Instead you would rather have an incompetent non-threatening 3rd PG so Teague would feel comfortable with and grow? I get it; you want to accommodate the 19th picked rookie who has been reviewed, analyzed and passed over by 18 teams and who’s body of NBA work is only a mini-camp with no structured defense and disrespect Flip, a proven and reliable baller, the player who was central to the Hawks 47 wins. It is making a lot of sense to me now. That you guys don’t understand what team chemistry and other valuable intangibles are all about. This is more about you winning a blog argument and experimenting with a rookie then winning more games. You want to rewrite history and pretend that Flip was irrelevant; he had nothing to do with anything. You want to punish Flip for Woodson development failures to Ace Law.
Trust me; Flip will get the last laugh.
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
8:34 am
Sekou- great news on Joe Smith. I heard a report that he HAS signed a one year deal for the vet min. Man, Sund has really done a great job this off season. He has been forward thinking and managed to make all of these moves at a significantly less cost than I thought was realistic. If he can finish this thing off by extending JJ, I would give this off-season a grade A, right now it is a solid B+.
I agree with Mystikal’s comments that I think this team is closer to the 3rd seed than the 5th.
I think we have had AS good an off-season as any other team in the EC. Honestly, besides the Lakers who has had a better off-season?
Yes, the Sheed signing is big for Boston(but I maintain that KG is not going to return to form), plus they did not address their back court issues.
Clevland- well, I will believe the Shaq expieriment when I see it.
Orlando- VC for HT, at best a push. Overspent on Gortat. Now, the Brandon Bass signing may be the best move of any team in the EC. So, I won’t argue that Orlando had a very good off-season.
Let’s Go Hawks!
Doug
August 17th, 2009
8:36 am
All World and Yahoo: How many offers does Flip have??? Where are the temas all lined up for his “clutch” play and his “proven and reliable” play? For the millionth time Flip was a good player for the Hawks last season…he is a decent, fringe NBA player who averages 8 pts. and 1.5 assists for his career….if given 15 minutes a game Teague will average that in his rookie season…don’t even mention Crawford, he is not even in the same area code as a player…no comparison. Let us know when he signs for over the vet minimum
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
8:47 am
I do need to amend my Hawks off season grade. I need to dock 1/2 a point for the inability to work something out with Childress. Even if the move were for a future pick. So I go B+(with JJ extension), B(if not extended). Still remarkable for this franchise.
macaroni tony
August 17th, 2009
9:38 am
Puerto Rican center Peter John Ramos will work out with the Houston Rockets. Primera Hora
“The Atlanta Hawks also will come to see Ramos in Puerto Rico during the Tournament of Americas,” agent Todd Washington said. Primera Hora
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
9:39 am
wow, I thought there would be more talk going on today with the Joe Smith deal. where is everybody?
vava74
August 17th, 2009
9:50 am
Flip is overrated.
He played on a contract year, actually, a survival year.
His contribution was valuable but he is a combo G with a tendency to go cold and keep shooting in spite of that.
We can expect a similar behaviour from Crawford, however, he is much more gifted physically and much better suited to relieve JJ.
Flip was not a suitable backup to neither JJ nor Bibby. He allowed us to go small and take advantage of odd match up situations.
Crawford should do the same whilst being able to effectively replace JJ in the line up.
My minute distribution would be the following:
PG: MB 30, JT 13, JC 5
SG: JJ 30, JS 18
SF: MW 33, ME 12, JJ 3
PF: JS 30, JS 15, OH 3
C: AH 33, ZP 13, GS 3
This would allow us to go big or small in limited periods of time and to keep our starting 5 fresh all season.
I can see Bibby strating to play 35 minutes in the begining and at the end of the year only around 28 as Teague progresses.
vava74
August 17th, 2009
9:51 am
made a mistake:
SG: JS = JC
macaroni tony
August 17th, 2009
9:56 am
The Joe Smith signing makes me feel good, because we need more veteran help. The Hawks was one of the youngest teams in the NBA the past years. Veterans can come a be a great presence in the lockers rooms. Great signing, and I hope that we could get Peter John Ramos then we could slide into the third spot.
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
10:20 am
marconi tony- I don’t know anything about Peter John Ramos.
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
10:24 am
I thought he was out of the league? He kinda played for the Wiz, but even that sorry franchise didn’t want him. Am I missing something?
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
10:27 am
vav74- I don’t agree that Flip is overrated. The guy doesn’t have a NBA contract and may be heading back to Europe. So who is overrating the guy? He may get lucky and play for the league min. this year. I am not questioning your opinion of Flip as a player, just I don’t think most people disagree with you. Certainly the people that matter, GM’s have a similar assessment.
GeeMack
August 17th, 2009
10:28 am
People listen….The Hawks have done a great job at keeping a mediocre team together. We did not bring in a leader to take this team to the next level. So I will save you the curiosity 09-10 season predictions Hawks win 48 games finish 5th in the east behind Wash, and lose in the 2nd round to Cle 4 to 1. Still no Championship.
niremetal
August 17th, 2009
10:28 am
I think Flip is overrated by people around here and underrated by NBA GMs. I really do hope he lands in Philly. I think he’d be a great fit there…er, here.
Anakin Joe
August 17th, 2009
10:29 am
Come on guys, the team’s 4th center (Horford, Zaza & RandMo) is NOT going to be a difference maker this season. Sund is doing his due diligence to find the right young center to bring in for the future. And obviously, that is the right and smart move. Many of us like Siler for that spot but Sund should consider other options.
A professional wrestler is found using performance enhancing drugs? What’s next? Politicians who are caught lying and cheating on their spouses?
Yahoo
August 17th, 2009
10:41 am
Doug
At least you can acknowledge the obvious that Flip was a good player. That’s more then I can say for this “vava74″ guy who doesn’t know jack about basketball. Don’t worry, Flip will play for a team in the NBA this year and when he does he will make a statement. What you failed to realized is backups are extremely important. Don’t believe me, asked the Lakers. Anyone of their backups can start for most teams. The Hawks have not reached that level to understand that yet, but they will. Especially when injury proned Crawford goes down and slow ass Bibby and the Rook are all you got left.
Jay
August 17th, 2009
10:52 am
This one is short–I promise.
Adding Joe Smith to the roster is a solid move. A veteran who should be a good locker room presence while still being able to contribute on the floor.
I’d still like to see the Hawks sign a veteran Center–in case of injury. The Hawks were lucky, injury-wise during the regular season. But what happens if both Horford and Josh Smith are injured at the same time during the playoff push? You’d have Pachulia, Joe Smith and ??? In this situation, wouldn’t you rather have a veteran Center coming off the bench rather than a guy who has received little to no floor time all season?
Anakin Joe is right–the team’s 4th string Center will not contribute much. So, let Morris, Siler and whomever else you can find battle it out to be that guy. But signing a veteran Center, like one of the Collins twins, could be like an insurance policy–you don’t want to use it but it’s good to have it if you need it.
GeeMack
August 17th, 2009
10:54 am
We got ppl talking about Flip as if he’s MJ, Kobe, or LeBron. Signing Flip won’t help the Hawks get past Bos Clev, or Orl in the 2nd round. With or without him the hawks will have the same results as last year 2 rd playoff exit.
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
10:59 am
GeeMack- I would say that a team that won 47 games last year, kept a YOUNG and improving core together, improved its bench with the addition of Smith and Crawford. Plus, a potential pg of the future with Teague, and did all of this without financially hamstringing the orginization is a little better than mediocre.
What makes a team more than mediocre to you? Have to play in the conference finals? or in the NBA finals?
Big Ray
August 17th, 2009
11:01 am
Ariose,
Hmmmm, maybe I’ll try the straw hat thing. I’ve got the size (5′11″ 310 lbs), and while my southern accent won’t win me a role on the Gone With The Wind Redux, I am really good at imitating people and voices. Heh heh heh!
Guys …..
How can anybody call Flip Murray “overrated?” 12 points and a couple dimes a game for $2 million a year? Um….that’s what you call a “bargain”…..
darrell starks
August 17th, 2009
11:04 am
Yahoo i have been telling every 1 on the blog all summer long about flip,why in the world would you let your best player of the bench just walk a way its makes no sense, plus if wasn’t for flip the hawks wouldnt have made the playoffs last year so many time he bell this awful non productive offensive system out.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Big Ray
August 17th, 2009
11:05 am
Of course, I can see Nire’s point. Some think we can’t make it along without Flip, and that’s definitely rating him too highly. And others mistake him for what he is. He’s a combo guard who has more SG skills than he does PG skills, and fits better as a backup SG. If you’re talking about needing a backup pg (and you’ve already got a backup SG), then Flip’s not the best choice….just given those criteria. He provides a team with offense by being the offense, not by initiating it.
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
11:06 am
GeeMack- the rest of the league might as well not play the season right?
Just let the Lakers, Celts, Spurs and Magic duke it out?
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
11:08 am
darrell- Flip is not being resigned because they traded for Jamal Crawford and drafted Jeff Teague! Why does that not make sense? You may feel that they still need Flip, but certainly the plan is pretty obvious.
Daniel
August 17th, 2009
11:10 am
Big Ray- that is a very accurate description of the Flip situation. Maybe he is willing to come back to the team and play a significantly smaller role, but would he be willing to take less money? I don’t think I would if I were Flip, considering the contributions I made last year, but at the same time that is where he finds himself.
Anakin Joe
August 17th, 2009
11:18 am
I’m not buying the mentoring story-line. First of all, just because you’ve been in the league for 10+ years, doesn’t mean that you have the desire 9nor skill) to be a mentor. Secondly, do we even know that the “mentees” want to have a mentor?
It sounds good and if it happens, that would be the honey atop the biscuit (wow, I used a food metaphor). But I think the biggest thing to consider is quality depth in the front court. Have we forgotten that the NBA has the worse officiating team in professional sports? Having Joe Smith available when Horford or Josh get 2 quick fouls is why I’m excited. Having someone who knows how to rotate properly on defense is big. A veteran who understands how to play the pick & roll is terrific. A guy who can knock down open jumpers, even with the game on the line is outstanding. And lastly, just having another guy (like Mo Evans and Flip) who knows how to be a professional is really nice. Joe Smith won’t need much more than a uniform, sneakers and consistent minutes to be effective. I’m predicting a minimum of 15 minutes a game from him.
Doug
August 17th, 2009
11:18 am
Yahoo: No I understand the role and importance of backups quite well…which Is why the Hawks will be better this season…they are better, by far with Crawford rather than Flip and with Teague rather than Acie…by far! But you do not spend what is left of your limited resources to provide redundant depth
darrell starks
August 17th, 2009
11:18 am
You always want the best players on your team,no is asking flip 2 take over teague spot but if teague is as good as everyone says then flip will make him a better player letting him no to step your game up in practice our i will take your spot.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!