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
hawkspride
August 17th, 2009
7:27 pm
lol yea ramon thats true but what we can agree on is that this year will be awsome for the hawks and that we cant wait to earn respect from all the people who doubt us
hawkspride
August 17th, 2009
7:29 pm
i think its gonna be a toss up between us, toronto and washinton but i think we play more defense than them so we have the edge
A Tribe Called Quest
August 17th, 2009
7:29 pm
Sekou said that the legal battle is over for ASG (title of article)
Then he said:
The partners are now placed back in the same position they were in before August 2005.
Nice.
Sekou Smith
August 17th, 2009
7:54 pm
I didn’t write the headline Tribe. But I see where you could get twisted in that. The legal battle is only over if Belkin elects not to appeal this latest ruling …
niremetal
August 17th, 2009
8:02 pm
O’Brien,
The press drools over blockbuster trades, which is why Schuhmann says the other teams in the East made “bolder” moves as if making small but sensible moves is a bad thing. I don’t remember the last time the Hawks failed to surpass the national press’s consensus preseason ranking.
In any case, he has the Wizards as better than the Jazz or Hornets. That’s really all I needed to see before I started laughing. Moron.
niremetal
August 17th, 2009
8:04 pm
Also, the Hawks lack leadership and cohesion but the Wizards don’t? Uh, ok. Wow.
Here’s the link:
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/powerrankings/08/17/offseason.rankings/index.html
Mike
August 17th, 2009
8:31 pm
agree Niremental…we always have to fly under the radar How is picking up Foye and Miller a bold move and Crawford and Joe Smith not. Makes no sense to me how the Wizards are all of a sudden ranked in the top 10. Maybe thats why none of us have ever heard of that writer. And who would you rather have as your leader…bibby/Joe or Gilbert. come on, its not even close.
A Tribe Called Quest
August 17th, 2009
9:20 pm
I don’t understand how the legal battle will be over. Belkin will never stay as an owner on this team, nor would he want to be, so if he didn’t win the appeal, I’m sure he could pursue some other legal form of action?
niremetal
August 17th, 2009
10:06 pm
ATCQ,
I think the point Sekou was making is that Belkin could just decide to settle the dispute rather than spend money on an appeal that he is highly likely to lose. That’s particularly likely since the same appeals court that is hearing the appeal ruled again Belkin already. It’s tough to explain without going into a boring explanation of how legal precedent works, but it probably would be in Belkin’s best interests to settle the dispute (either by agreeing to a buyout amount or by allowing ASG to pick an appraiser) rather than spending hundreds of thousands more on an appeal he is nearly certain to lose.
The Truth
August 17th, 2009
10:09 pm
Sekou
What is Siler doing these days? I thought I heard he was coming to camp early to get a head start. Is Woody still planning to hold work-outs on the prospects he mentioned last week? Surely Sund needs a vacation from the OT work he is putting in these days. Do you think JJ extension deal will get done before Sund takes his vacation break? Inquiry minds want to know.
dos hawkquis
August 17th, 2009
10:28 pm
I am a season ticket holder and I am glad that there is some sort of resolution to the Spirit Group. However, I still am on Belkin’s side regarding the Joe Johnson trade. We DID NOT HAVE to give up 2 first round picks for JJ. Phoenix’s hands were tied, all we had to do was call their bluff. I do it all the time in poker.
I wonder what our fate would have been had we gotten Joe, and not lost the 2 1st round picks. Who would we have taken then? How would our team look?
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!”
bigdave
August 17th, 2009
10:36 pm
19-63> 47-35 …. o ok… so i guess 1 player makes the difference…? pfff… kidding… honestly i thought the Wizards played much better (team) basketball without Arenas…
in my opinion they added “poor man’s” clones of what they already have on salary. yet the Hawks can upgrade and compliment, but our issue is “leadership” give me a break…
MEDIA… find a credible flaw in this Hawk team cause that ain’t cutting it… better yet keep your jinx’s, we’ve managed without due coverage and acclaim thus far. Hawks fans damn the critics you gotta like this years squad…
bigdave
August 17th, 2009
10:40 pm
that’s not even funny…
i mean… Charlotte will be better, Indiana… but the Wiz jump from (28) in rank to (9)…? i might be done with NBA.com
honestly i like us in the 6 hole…
Mystikal
August 17th, 2009
11:00 pm
The Wizards chemistry is going to be really messed up. Gilbert Arenas is going to take 40+ shots/gm to prove he is fully healed. Then after he’s proven his point he’ll only take 35+ shots.. lol
They have no frontline whatsoever. I would really be insulted that he put them above us if I gave 2 rats $hits about his opinion. Who is this guy again?
Mystikal
August 17th, 2009
11:05 pm
Hey Sekou,
Any word on how Siler is progressing? He came to training camp early right? Hear anything bout how resigning JJ is going, he wasn’t too offended with initial offer was he?
UGA
August 17th, 2009
11:11 pm
Sekou,
Did Jason Collins ever come in to workout last week for the Hawks?
Thanks.
Sekou Smith
August 17th, 2009
11:20 pm
Siler and Collins were in last week (I was not allowed in). Heard they both looked good. Siler didn’t come to camp early, Mystikal. He just came in for a look and will be back for training camp.
Ken Strickland
August 17th, 2009
11:41 pm
As everyone probably knows by now, I’m not a Woodson fan, but he is our HC. So, I did a little research and found something very interesting. We’ve seen him cling an 8 man rotation, but he only went to an 8 man rotation after we traded away several veteran players to get Bibby. Adding vets Joe Smith and JCrawford to holdover vets Zaza and Evans migt be the key to getting him to expand his rotation.
This is a contract yr, and I think Woodson knows he can’t continue refusing to commit time and effort into developing a replacement for Bibby. It’s obvious Teagie is our PG of the future, and I’m encouraged by the fact he was Woodson’s selection. I think we’ll get a better job of coaching out of him this yr. He knows this time he can’t rely on having a winning season and making the playoffs to hold on to his job. Been there done that. With what Sund has presented him with, there has to be marked improvement over last yr, and for that to happen, Woodson has to demonstrate marked improvement as a HC. I’M ACTUALLY OPTIMISTIC.
DOS HAWKQUIS-hindsight is 20/20. Former GM BKnight was looking to make a franchise changing statement with this trade, he wasn’t playing poker. Getting a player of Joe’s calibur was key to taking the team and the franchise to the next level. It simply wasn’t the time or the situation for calling bluffs, because too much was at stake. Maybe we could have gotten JJ without giving up 2 1st rd picks, but why take the chance? That pick wasn’t going to make or break this franchise, so why continue to make it an issue. It certainly didn’t help the Suns make the playoffs last yr, and neither did Shaq.
Speaking of Shaq. Orlando defeated Cleveland in the playoffs by consistently exploiting Ilgoukas’ inability to defend the pick and roll. Well, Shaq might be the only starting NBA center that’s even worse than Ilgoukas at defending the pick and roll. Signing JSmith will give us our 1st jumpshooting Big, with range, since AHarrington. Having JJ @ SF, Marvin @ PF, Joe Smith @ C, Crawford @ SG and Bibby or Teague @ PG in the gm at crunch time will definitely keep teams from doubling JJ.
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
12:19 am
Ray, lol well if you do, I wanna see a picture with you leaning against you pickup with the hat on hehehe!!
PPL,What about Damien Wilkins? Not sure, but I think he’s a UFA. Just recently saw a few Thunder games on NBATV and he looked good. Seems that he’s been overlooked because of the youth movement there.
It was interesting to hear what Warrior Fans had to say. His weaknesses (Solid Defense & Finishing at the rim) were strengths for flip…..I jus want to see them play to ease my doubts.
Melvin
August 18th, 2009
12:38 am
Aroise,
Crawford is going to make Flip a distant memory. Just give him a chance. Don’t be like some others that cast the man off before they this his uniform measurements. You are better than that man….
Rufus1
August 18th, 2009
12:49 am
NBA.com
Schmann doesn’t watch the Hawk and we don’t have a super star, so he can’t understand how we win. All of the teams he picked over the Hawks have a super star..so that should tell you he is not an expert, but fan. We beat the Hornets twice, Utah is loosing Boozer and Wizards can’t play D…We add a 20pts 6th man, a vet big man and we loose ground?
All those people who think Hedo will lead Toronto to the 4th seed…remeber, before the playoffs he wass just an average small forward. Toronto isn’t tough enough to take the fourth seed from the Hawks and neither is Washington.
We will win atleast 47 games,
because we are a better team, because we have a deeper bench, more weapons and we now have a jump shooting big man.
The Truth
August 18th, 2009
1:00 am
Looking at some youtube video on Jason Collins, he really sucks on the free throw line. I can’t see him in a Hawks Jersey. I think I’ll pass
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
1:39 am
Melvin, Im not lol. I like having Crawford, he’s defenetly an upgrade. We just need some other insurance for me to feel better(injuries etc.) Im hoping we get Rodney Carney or at least Gerald Green in here to round out our roster. If our PG’s get injured, Crawford or JJ can slide over and play point while Carney or green fill in SG/SF duties.
Rufus, That Is so true lol. we’ll show them again this season who we are. They’ll stop doubting us eventually.
Truth, Collins was an afterthought for me as soon as his name was mentioned lol. Woody is smarter than that…..hopefully.
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
1:43 am
Truth, after watching that, I feel sick lol…
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
1:57 am
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2009/08/heat_hawks_make_moves.html?wprss=wizardsinsider
WOW, These Wizards fans are delusional. They talk too much trash. They actually THINK they have a shot at beating us the second game of the season at Phillips. And they underrate us severly just like the national media. They will learn soon…
Joe's place Joe speaking
August 18th, 2009
3:52 am
Hoopshype.com story on the big center in Puerto Rico the hawks were looking at. If someone can translate this article please do. I don’t know how.
Houston le pone el ojo a Peter John Ramos
lunes, 17 de agosto de 2009
Raúl Álzaga / Primera Hora
Puerto Rico no contará con su centro Peter John Ramos para su partido inaugural de la Copa Tuto Marchand mañana, martes, ante la Selección de Canadá. Pero no hay mal que por bien no venga.
La ausencia de Ramos se debe a que el destacado pívot viajó ayer a Houston para participar de dos días de entrenamiento privado con el equipo de los Rockets, con miras a regresar a la NBA.
“Peter ya está en Houston con (Félix) ‘Felo’ Rivera para entrenar por dos días con los Rockets y estará de vuelta a Puerto Rico el miércoles. Sólo se perderá un juego de la Copa Tuto Marchand. Realmente, los Rockets querían tenerlo allá por toda una semana, pero debido a los compromisos de Ramos con el Equipo Nacional, sólo se quedará por dos días”, sostuvo uno de sus agentes, Todd Washington.
“Houston era uno de los equipos más interesados en verlo este verano y ahora Peter tendrá su oportunidad de impresionarlos. Con Yao Ming fuera por toda la temporada debido a lesión, Peter puede ayudar a llenar esa vacante en la posición de centro ya que cuenta con estatura y destrezas ofensivas similares a las de Yao”.
Houston, que también perdió los servicios del retirado veterano Dikembe Mutombo, sólo tiene a un pívot en nómina tras firmar recientemente al australiano David Andersen, que viene de ayudar al Regal Barcelona a ganar el título de la liga ACB de España.
Sin embargo, los Rockets no son el único equipo interesado en Ramos.
“Los Hawks de Atlanta también vienen a ver a Ramos en Puerto Rico durante el Torneo de las Américas y es posible que otras franquicias también vengan a observarlo”, agregó Washington.
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
3:59 am
Check out this Hoopinion Article on Jeff Teauge:
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2009/08/reasonable-expectations-for-jeff-teague.html
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
4:01 am
Joes Place:
Puerto Rico will not have its center Peter John Ramos for their opening match of the Copa Tuto Marchand tomorrow, Tuesday, before the selection of Canada. But there is no evil that blows nobody any good.
The absence of Ramos is that the prominent pivot yesterday traveled to Houston to attend two days of private training with the team at the Rockets, with a view to returning to the NBA.
“Peter is now in Houston with (Felix)” Felo “Rivera to train for two days with the Rockets and will be back to Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Only lost one game in the Tuto Marchand Cup. Actually, the Rockets wanted to have it back in a week, but due to the Palm with the national team, will stay only for two days, “said one of its agents, Todd Washington.
“Houston was one of the teams most interested in now and see it this summer Peter will have his chance to impress. With Yao Ming out for the entire season due to injury, Peter can help fill that vacancy in the center position because he has stature and skills similar to those of offensive Yao. ”
Houston, who also lost the services of retired veteran Dikembe Mutombo, has only a pivot on the payroll after signing recently to Australian David Andersen, who comes to help the Regal Barcelona to win the title of the ACB league in Spain.
However, the Rockets are not the only team interested in Ramos.
“The Atlanta Hawks also come to see Ramos in Puerto Rico during the Tournament of the Americas and other franchises may also come to watch,” added Washington.
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
4:09 am
Pacers introduce Solomon Jones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbexywc__s0
damanwiththeplan
August 18th, 2009
5:39 am
wow wizardz fans are coocky but i think atlanta has a better squad but you cant really blame them for having high hopes you guys do that all the time im a magic fan and sometimes when i hear you guys talking about winning the division and being 3rd in the easy i feel the same way cause i really do not think you guys are that great no offense, the think is that i believe there is three great teams in the east orlando,boston and cleveland then there is a couple of good teams atlanta and??? well there is one good team in the east after that the other teams are average….
Daniel
August 18th, 2009
8:22 am
Niremental- to take a point with your argument that in Atlanta the “if you build they will come” plan may not work. I do understand your points, but from a television ratings stand point Atlanta does HUGE NBA numbers compared to other cities. There is a NBA fan base in Atlanta that is waiting to erupt.
Sekou- Man, this ownership battle will never ever end.
doc
August 18th, 2009
8:35 am
dos, we agree on so many things, only listen to what ken says; we didnt need to play poker with jj. they were going to match, not in my mind but documented by the guys in the know and many times over in the press so it is not my speculation. as far as the loss of picks, we didnt give up the last pick until last year with lopez going to phoenix. did we lose that much? though i admit it took luck, we finally got lucky and kept the pick when the balls fell right into our hands to deliver horford. the picks dont mean anything when you get three years of quality service. dude you sound like a novice when you talk about the promise of picks as being that important. dos, a man living on the edge, thirsty, doesnt look back at the fodder of what might have been when it has worked out pretty good so far. a thirsty man is always looking for adventure not worrying about the past and probably why the hawks are your team.
Anakin Joe
August 18th, 2009
8:57 am
Ken, the other key to getting Woody to expand his playing rotation is to give him guys who can actually play. Woody has 10 legit players (assuming Joe Smith puts pen to paper) and I expect that all 10 will be consistently utilized. Of course, some will still bark if Woody doesn’t get player 11 or player 12 some consistent minutes. But the only way number 11 & 12 will likely get time is if we are taking care of business and blowing out teams. That’s one of the many “warts” that bother me about Woody. He starts to run the ball between the tackles and runs prevent defense much too early in games. Instead of taking a 12 point margin to 20 and sitting his starters, he keeps it around 8-12 and forces those guys to “manage the game” to the end. At a minimum, with players that he can actually trust on his bench, Woody should give a late 12 point lead over to guys like Joe Smith, Zaza, Crawford, Evans and Teague with a little more confidence that they will finish the job.
macaroni tony
August 18th, 2009
9:02 am
Allen Iverson off Miami Heat’s radar?
“AllenThe addition of Quentin Richardson(notes) to the Miami Heat last week apparently has dimmed the prospects significantly of Allen Iverson(notes) joining the club, according to the Miami Herald.
Not only is there not enough cash to go around to everybody, there probably aren’t enough shots to be distributed either that would have everyone feeling happy.
Dwyane Wade(notes) is apparently feeling really great about the addition. He and Richardson are pals and enjoy playing together.
So while Iverson is out, the team still may add Flip Murray(notes) or Jamaal Tinsley(notes) for the veteran’s minimum salary.
Anakin Joe
August 18th, 2009
9:12 am
Ariose, thanks for the link to the Teague analysis. Good stuff. Pretty interesting that Royal Ivey had as good of a rookie season as Acie Law. I’m beginning to accept that I wore some circus-sized rose-colored glasses with regard to Acie Law. One could argue that Ivey & Salim were at least as good (if not beter) in their rookie seasons. And of course, Bibby was acquired half-way thru Law’s 2nd season. There were many “pundits” who weren’t high on Law, including John Hollinger who forecasted very little production for Law (using his math-based model). I, like so many other fans, would prefer to think that there are multiple variables and/or obstacles that impacted my forecast, but maybe, I was just plain ‘ole wrong. I guess time will tell. But truth be told, I think the verdict may already be in.
Mike
August 18th, 2009
9:26 am
While I am not defending Law, he got hurt early in his rookie year when he took that bad fall in Charlotte I believe thus he did not really play a full season as a rookie. Then Bibby comes in and he got no run as we were making the playoff push. I think its impossible to compare him to Ivey and Salim cause of those circustances. Whether Law could play or not Woody still did an awful job developing him and giving the kid confidence. I have never seen a guy more then Law who is looking over his shoulder after every play on the floor…he played scared because he knew one little mistake or missed shot and Woody was pulling him.
darrell starks
August 18th, 2009
9:31 am
Flip might sign with the heat wow.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Brad
August 18th, 2009
9:32 am
What about Flip? Are they working on anything for him? I know he would bring excitement and challenges for everyone.
J.J.M.
August 18th, 2009
9:48 am
hawks are ranked 12 in the pre season power rankings
macaroni tony
August 18th, 2009
10:44 am
I read that same thing yesterday (J.J.M.). I thought that is was crazy then and I think that power rankings is crazy now. I think that the Hawks will shock a lot of people this year if we stay healthy, we won 47 games with injuries last year. I went on the Wizards blog, and they think that they’re going to go from 19 wins to 50 wins this year. I don’t think that they’ll jump us this year. I believe that Teague and Crawford is going to be a force off the bench. Let’s Got Hawks……
The Truth
August 18th, 2009
11:00 am
As I take a trip down memory lane and reflect on Acie Law with the Hawks, I have had my share of criticism toward him at the same time while criticizing Woody for not playing him more. My mixed bag attitude about him epitomized his game as a Hawks. He showed promise and disappointment at the same time. We were screaming for Woody to give him a chance only to see him injured when he got his big chance. There were also those few occasions when he played well and showed some promise but he could not follow-through and was inconsistent most of the time. I remember jokingly saying that Acie had pissed-off a Voodoo Queen in New Orleans while chasing tail and therefore most have been cursed to explain his many misfortunes. In hindsight, I think Acie got way too comfortable riding the pine while making his millions and lost his college edge. He just wasn’t hungry enough. He played way too laid-back when on the court as if he was entitled and had nothing to prove. His offense was never really defined. Was he a slasher, was he a facilitator, was he scorer? Did Acie ever know his game? He might have even thought that the starting PG position was going to be anointed to him automatically. I once commented that the starting PG position would have to be earned and not something they just give you. But the reality is that the cream always rises to the top even during adversity and Acie did not. His current status with Warriors is equivalent to being put on performance probation in Corporate America with a limited time to prove he is in deed worthy. If not, the next move is out the door.
If Teague knows his game, his strength, limitations, plays with some authority, and stays hungry, then he should avoid the Acie Law Pitfalls(as if it’s a text book).
Anakin Joe
August 18th, 2009
11:32 am
The Truth, I agree. I was just reading this morning that the Warriors reportedly turned down a late 1st round pick for CJ Watson. That suggests to me that they believe that Watson is a valuable back-up PG (presumably to Stephen Curry) and don’t think that Acie could be in their rotation. He will likely be a UFA next summer and have a chance to show and prove with a 1-2 year contract before leaving the NBA. If I look next door from Philips Arena, I’m reminded how Roddy White looked like a straight bum during his first 2 (or was it 3) seasons in the league. He admitted that he was mostly about “living the life” and eating McDonalds. I truly hope that Acie can do to his career what White has done for his. But it starts with personal accountability. Guys like Mario West and Anthony Morrow didn’t wait for the door to open before they got ready. They got ready first and then started knocking and kicking at the door. They may not stay in the league long but they have each already done more than some lottery picks.
doc
August 18th, 2009
11:33 am
truth, that is truth. never liked the pick said it that night that we went plain vanilla that draft wanting to not make a mistake. 50% is all we got that night. now we have crawford instead a huge upgrade and maybe teague will have the mentor acie never had. in the end nothing really lost, stuckey would have been better and who i ranted for, not as good as bibby/crawford/teague combo is the way i look at it which is what we ended up with in the end … not bad. if we werent going to risk it by going after yi then we should have risked with the 11 pick. instead settled for a guy who was a four year starter and not the man until he was almost out of college. that to me means he was good for college just not special for the bigs. i am glad that we didnt listen to me as i think woody would have sneered yi back to china.
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
11:39 am
AJ, I wished good things for Acie as well. I think we were all for the most part wearing rose colored glasses. The guy just didn’t play with any fire. He was never really agreesive outside of that dallsa game in his rookieseason. After that, he reverted back to his old underachieveing self. Based on the stas Salim had the best rookie season, but his defense was bad, But he was always agressive offensively, I respected that about him. Ivey is just a glorified Acie Law IMO, I honestly dont uderstand how he’s still in the NBA today. I thought for sure he wouldn’t make another roster after he opted out of his philly contract earlier this summer.
The Flip-Miami thing is fairly old. He’s been talking to them for weeks. He was offred a contract by Philly over a month ago, but Flip wants a 2-year deal and with 2010 right around the corner, no one wants to give it to him. Thats the ONLY reason he’s still on the market today.
At his salary range, I don’t see what the big deal is, Flip is great value for the money and 2-mill shouldn’t severly cripple a teams chances of landing a top FA next summer.
Ariose
August 18th, 2009
11:44 am
Doc, I agree. Acie was handed everything in college. The offense ran through him. He never had to worry about forcing the action or being assertive. Billy Gillispie just ran every play his way and made him the featured guard. Apparently Acie doesn’t know how to fight for table scraps. Oh well..
Anakin Joe
August 18th, 2009
12:00 pm
nire, correct me if I’m wrong, but Belkin was NOT participating in any of the cash calls for the past year or two was he? I thought that I read that only the Atlanta & DC owners were providing capital/expense funding to the ASG properties during the court battle. So with the judge’s ruling yesterday, Belkin now has to ante up dough for the properties or risk whatever penalties were built into the standing partnership agreement. Is that a fair assumption?
Here’s the AP report on yesterday’s judgement.
ATLANTA (AP) — A Maryland judge has ruled the eight owners of the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers are back in business under the same operating agreement they shared before their split in 2005.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Durke G. Thompson ruled Monday that the contract the owners reached that would allow the seven owners to buy out Boston-based Steve Belkin was too ambiguous.
The judge encouraged the owners to settle the feud, based in part on a disagreement on the value of Belkin’s 30 percent share of the teams, without outside intervention.
Also at stake are the operating rights to Philips Arena, where the Hawks and Thrashers play.
Michael Gearon, one of the Atlanta-based owners, celebrated Thompson’s decision, delivered in a 38-page ruling.
”We won on every single point,” Gearon said.
”The court did exactly what we asked it to do. We are back under the operating agreement which we think is a good agreement. We no longer have any obligation to buy out Belkin nor does Belkin have any right to purchase the Hawks and Thrashers.”
Belkin can appeal the ruling.
The ownership split began in 2005 over Belkin’s objection to the Hawks’ decision to trade Boris Diaw, two first-round draft picks and a $4.9 million trade exception to the Phoenix Suns for guard Joe Johnson.
The ownership group, led by Gearon and Rutherford Seydel in Atlanta and by Washington businessmen Bruce Levenson and Ed Peskowitz, had the support of NBA commissioner David Stern. Gearon replaced Belkin as the NBA governor in the group.
Belkin asked the other owners to buy out his 30 percent share of the partnership called Atlanta Spirit LLC. But the parties could not agree on the value of Belkin’s share. Then they could not agree on who should set the value.
Belkin, backed by a 2006 Maryland circuit court ruling that was later overturned, then contended he was entitled to buy out his fellow owners at cost and take over the teams.
Thompson said the eight should closely consider how they might reopen the negotiation for the seven to buy out Belkin’s interest. The judge said ”the parties would be well served if they were to reach an agreed buyout price on their own without relying on investment bankers to make such a vital decision for them.”
Added Thompson: ”Much of what has become a stumbling block in this case would be avoided had this been the procedure originally adopted.”
Daniel
August 18th, 2009
12:11 pm
Truth- Nice summation on Acie. It is interesting to read how everyone agrees so much. It seems that now everyone realizes that it is Acie not Woodson that lead to him not being a player. Is the only knock left on Woodson the IsoJoe? Or are people still thinking that Stoudemire and Solo are going to turn into big time players elsewhere?
GeeMack
August 18th, 2009
12:21 pm
Hey Daniel,
I told one of my boys yesterday that Woody is not the problem for this team. I really believe Woody’s a good coach, however I would like to see go get a creative offensive minded assistant, but defensively I thinks he can get the guys to play Champioship level defense.
GeeMack
August 18th, 2009
12:24 pm
Sekou,
Are there any talks to JCrawford being in the starting line up with JJ oppose to MWilliam? I thinks 2 20 point scorers would really open thinks up for Josh & Al.
The Truth
August 18th, 2009
12:31 pm
AJ
You made this good point about Acie:
He will likely be a UFA next summer and have a chance to show and prove with a 1-2 year contract before leaving the NBA
We may reflect years from now about how Acie was in deed a bust but likely he would have cried all the way to the bank. His totally earnings from his team hopping may, no doubt, exceed 10M dollars. Not bad for a projected 1st round bust. If he invested his money properly he could retire on that. The same may even happen to Sheldon. The key is getting drafted in the first round from a basketball recognized school.