Crawford makes a great first impression
Hawks fans are going to get a full dose of Jamal Crawford this season and if first impressions count for anything, it should be an exciting show.
HAWKSVILLE – From the minute Jamal Crawford hit the door Monday all eyes were on the Hawks’ newest addition (well, so to speak).
And he didn’t disappoint, not that anything he could have done would have disappointed the crowd of players, many of them his new teammates, hoping to get a glimpse of him in Hawks’ practice duds.
“They’re going to be (expletive) good this year,” said a visiting pro from another NBA team. “You throw JC and Joe Smith and this kid [Jeff] Teague, and they’ve got some wrinkles now that they didn’t have last season. They were already a dangerous team and now they’re really dangerous. And knowing these fans down here and what they like, they’re going to love the style this team can play. They’re going to love JC.”
Crawford loves the idea of what this Hawks team could be. He was all smiles after playing a few pickup games with guys like Marvin Williams, Al Horford, Mike Bibby and others, for the very first time.
“If you look at us on paper, you know we should be pretty good,” Williams said, “but so far I’d have to say it looks even better than I thought. It’s impressive. It’s different. Everybody knows what Jamal is capable of. And Jeff can play, man. I don’t know any other way of saying it, he can just play. And it’ll be exciting when we get everybody in here and see how the pieces fit. I truly believe we are going to be one of the most explosive teams in the league.”
Crawford wasn’t even in scoring mode on his first day (training camp starts in one week but most of the main faces have already made it back to town or are on the way). He played the role of set-up man. “Everybody knows I can score a little bit,” Crawford said modestly. “I’m a good passer, too. I love to set guys up. I always have.”
A nasty no-look pass here, another wicked dish there and his teammates, not to mention everyone else in attendance, had seen enough.
Horford couldn’t contain his glee while watching Crawford break down a defender in the lane on one play. He let out a loud yelp when Crawford’s crossover dribble whipped from one side to the other. Horford calmed down just in time to catch the pass (yup, he was on the floor and playing in the game but clearly enjoying the spectacle) of Crawford shredding yet another ill-fated attempt to slow him down.
“I couldn’t help it,” a smiling Horford would say later. “It’s fun to watch him got o work on somebody. I’m just excited, man. Training camp is going to be so competitive and it’s because we have some of these [new] guys coming in that will stir it up. I can’t wait to get going.”
OTHER NEW FACES
Crawford wasn’t the only new face to open a few eyes Monday. Training camp invitee Courtney Sims made his first appearance at the John “Beans” Beckett Invitational and did not disappoint.
Sims is a solid 6-11, 240-pounder that didn’t seem at all out of place banging against the likes of Horford, Randolph Morris, Othello Hunter and Garrett Siler – the other true bigs on the floor for most of Monday’s action. Sims finished with authority around the rim and was as active as any big running the floor and getting his hands dirty in the rebounding battles on both ends of the floor.
“We’re going to have so many bigs now that things will change dramatically for us,” Horford said of he, Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia, the men who shouldered the bulk of the low-post burden for the Hawks last season. “You go from playing three or four guys, with Solomon Jones, to having five or six quality guys that can play and that has to make a big difference for us.”
THE WAFER RULE
Day after day veteran free agent Jerry Stackhouse turns heads during these informal workouts.
I haven’t found a player yet that isn’t convinced that he could help this Hawks team this season as versatile specialists off the bench.
Whether or not that connection ever comes to fruition is obviously not up to said players or any of us around here.
But let me offer up a cautionary tale about watching a free agent dazzle on the practice court all summer only to find work elsewhere once training camp rolls around. Von Wafer [breakout season in Houston last year and ow a teammate of former Hawks swingman Josh Childress in Greece] put on a somewhat similar type of show last summer, wowing everyone with his shooting stroke from deep and his ability to finish at the rim without any regard for whoever and whatever might be in his way.
Wafer would have helped this Hawks team tremendously last year but a decision was made to go in a different direction (one that, it should be pointed out, helped net 47 wins). It’ll be interesting to see if the Hawks look past Stackhouse (for whatever reasons) and break the Wafer Rule.
It’s not my decision, my team, my money or my main concern right now. But I don’t know that I’d be able to rationalize not trying to sign Stackhouse up if he goes anywhere this season and plays half as well as he’s played since I’ve been watching this summer.
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483 comments Add your comment
jerrywest
September 23rd, 2009
7:29 pm
Wally – Its the agents job to get his players the max exposure. Why would Nelson not play Crawford after he scores 50 on Bobcats in their previous game. Any agent would be pissed.
Ariose
September 23rd, 2009
7:38 pm
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jamal_crawford/game_by_game_stats.html
niremetal
September 23rd, 2009
7:39 pm
And while we’re petitioning for over-the-hill Mavs retreads, why don’t we petition Rick to go after Keith Van Horn and Shawn Bradley?
rob
September 23rd, 2009
7:42 pm
can someone tell me how they see the east standings next season!
jerrywest
September 23rd, 2009
7:44 pm
Nire –
Huge exaggerations. Shawn Bradley/Van Horn retired long ago. Stackhouse, as Sekou mentioned was the best player in our practice. All the Hawks players loved his game. Do you think you are a better judge of talent than Hawks players and Sekou?
Are we not suppose to hire over the hill veteran minimum salary players? How many over the hill players do we have? Bibby/JJ?/Collins/ Crawford?/Mo?/Joe Smith… All teams use them.
jerrywest
September 23rd, 2009
7:50 pm
Check all those memorable players in the box score:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=260405018
Don’t just look at Crawford’s 37 and LeBron’s 36.
See,
3 cavs players.
Flip Murray 18 pts.
Alen Henderson 0 pts.
Ira Newble DNPCD
Aren’t you glad Cavs signed Larry Hughes over Joe Johnson to max contract. Imagine if they got JJ and we had Larry Hughes.
jerrywest
September 23rd, 2009
8:00 pm
Horford + Marvin + Joe Smith had a combined 34 games with 20 pts or more.
Jamal Crawford had 32 of those despite the in-season trade and constant abuse by Don Nelson. We really badly needed that 2nd scoring punch who would protect JJ from double and triple teaming defense.
espn
September 23rd, 2009
8:06 pm
I say “trade marvin william!”
dos hawkquis
September 23rd, 2009
8:09 pm
ROB,
I see the EAST as such: 1.Orlando, 2.Clev. 3.Boston 4.Hawks 5.Chicago 6.Indy 7.Miami 8.Charlotte/Toronto.
Even though I like the Hawks’ addition, I don’t see it overtaking 1-3, barring any injuries on those teams. I see a 2nd round exit. However, I like our chances of making it out of a 7game series if we play Boston. You saw what Chicago did to them.
HOW DO YOU SEE IT?
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!!”
jones
September 23rd, 2009
8:10 pm
anyone agrees with espn’s comment?
rob
September 23rd, 2009
8:25 pm
the only reason i picked the hawks over the magic is because the magic let hedo go to toranto, the magic lost key bench players in the vince carter trade. plus I think the hawks have gotten better.
rob
September 23rd, 2009
8:31 pm
dos hawkquis what do you think about my comment
vava74
September 23rd, 2009
8:37 pm
I see the Hawks doing a good job against all 4 teams mentioned.
I think this year’s Orlando team is substantially weaker than last year’s. We should win 3/4 games
Boston is old, but they will use their experience and the refs to come out on top of us more than they deserve on our match ups. We should win 1/2 games
Cleveland will be very difficult to us, more than last year. I really think that they have a good chance to go to the finals and even to beat LA. We should win 0/1 games
Chicago will cause match up problems at the point, but that is the only position where they are in advantage to us. We should win ALL games.
My prediction: 1. Cle (65/70wins) 2. Bos (58/62 wins) 3. Atl (52/57 wins) 4. Orl (49/52 wins) 5. Mia (42/45 wins) 6. Chi (42/45 wins) 7. Tor (40/42 wins) 8. Phi (40/42 wins)
rob
September 23rd, 2009
8:37 pm
trust me hawks fans I really see the hawks as the 3rd best team in the east
dos hawkquis
September 23rd, 2009
8:41 pm
ROB,
I still have the Hawks behind Orlando because of The Dwight Howard. He always gets a double-double!! I think that he lead the league in dunks and dbl-dbl. I know that Orlando will have some chemistry issues, but Jameer is still there, D. Howard and Vince is tryin’ to get a ring before his career is said and done.
If the Hawks do finish 4th in the EAST, in the 2nd round, they would play whoever finishes 1st. Over 7 games, I don’t think that we would match up with Clev, because they are just as young as we are and they got some player named Lebron, who is supposed to be a “decent player” lol.
and yes, you are correct, the Hawks have gotten better but I don’t see us better than Orlando.
Jameer, Rashad Lewis, Vinsanity, D. Howard > Bibby, JJ, Marvin, Josh, Horford
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!!”
dos hawkquis
September 23rd, 2009
8:43 pm
VAVA74,
You don’t think that Indy will be in the mix? Also, over 7 games, we won’t win against Cleveland to make it to the Eastern Conf. Champ game.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!!”
rob
September 23rd, 2009
8:43 pm
vava 74 you know what you are talking about! i also see the hawks 3rd in the east and orlando 4th
dos hawkquis
September 23rd, 2009
8:45 pm
VAVA74 & ROB,
If Woodson doesn’t play JJ 46 minutes per night, JJ may be fresher for the playoffs and maybe we can get over the top. I like our chances of 7 game series with Boston better.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!!”
Hoops
September 23rd, 2009
8:52 pm
vava74 & rob,
I agree with you that the Hawks will finish ahead of the Magic. I also agree with you that the Cavs and the Celtics will have better records than the Hawks, but the Hawks will be seeded 2nd because they won their division.
My concern is we don’t have enough roster positions for the talent that appears to be available to the Hawks this year. It’s amazing how winning attracts good players to your program!
vava74
September 23rd, 2009
9:02 pm
I don’t like Indiana’s roster one bit.
35 wins at best. Apart from Granger and Foster (and a long shot maybe for Tyler Hansborough), I wouldn’t even consider signing anyone else on their roster to add to our bench.
Samuel
September 23rd, 2009
9:05 pm
1. Cleveland
2. Orlando
3. Boston
4.Atlanta
5.Washington
6.Chicago
7. Miami
8. Philly
Big Ray
September 23rd, 2009
9:06 pm
I’m confused.
Why are non-Hawks fans here to “burst a bubble?” To save us all from ourselves? Ha!
Somebody is late to the party, because we did all of this back in July (and August) We spent several weeks trying to hack each other to pieces over that trade. Or rather, over the amount of money Crawford makes. Through all of the noise and hoopla, not ONCE do I recall ANYBODY voicing truly overblown expectations for Jamal Crawford.
In fact, more people argued over whether or not we were paying a guy $10 million (Crawford) to do exactly what we were paying another guy $2 million (Flip Murray) to do. Of course, some people still don’t get that essentially we traded two pgs that we didn’t have a use for (and that didn’t have very much trade value) for a guy we could use, and had better trade value.
Either way, pretty much everybody acknowledged that Crawford is here to be our first/top scorer off the bench. Everybody knows he’s a career 40% shooter. Everybody knows where he’s been, what he’s done, and what kind of player he is. So what are these wild expectations that need culling? I don’t know about the rest of y’all but I don’t see them. Jamal will come off the bench, he’ll have the green light to shoot, and he’ll score. And he’ll do so most likely shooting somewhere in the 40 percentile (hopefully a bit higher than his career average). I think he’ll like playing for Woody better than he did for crazy Nellie, out-of-his-depth Isaiah, and Scott Skiles. I think Woody will get better results out of him.
Is that too wild of an expectation? I hope not, because it mirrors much of what is expected here.
And if I was a Knicks fan, I wouldn’t talk too much about expectations. How the devil does one of the NBA’s richest teams and highest markets (with enough money to sign ANYBODY) manage to suck for that long? I mean, if you are a Hawks fan, you know the deal. But a Knicks fan? Only thing you can do is be thankful that the Dolans finally strung together two good decisions in a row: Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni.
Now, all we need is for a Phoenix Suns fan to go on a Knicks blog and tell them not to have too many expectations with Mike D’Antoni. After all, he never could get those Suns over the hump we call THE SPURS. I mean, Mike D’Antoni is a nice guy and all. And he’ll say all the right things to the press. But he came to New York because the money was right (please, don’t lie to yourselves). Oh, and he never coaches defense. Ever. So uh, don’t get so unreasonably expectant of good things from him. I heard he was kinda streaky.
Heh heh heh…..
rob
September 23rd, 2009
9:09 pm
dos hawkquis nice slogan
Big Ray
September 23rd, 2009
9:15 pm
Dos Hawquis,
I’m with you. Orlando is still better than we are. They may have chemistry issues, or they may not, we shall see. To me, there biggest problems will be defense and ball distribution.
If you ask me, Jameer Nelson benefitted from Hedo running that offense. With Carter replacing Hedo in the lineup, all the ball distribution falls on Jameer. I didn’t think he was an all-star when they named him one. How are his numbers really any better than Mike Bibby’s, especially if you look their entire careers over? Don’t expect him to get a second invite. Why? Who’s he going to take shots from? Howard? Vinsanity? Rashard? He’s going to be 4th option on this team, and there is no way around it. Howard is the top center in the league. Vinsanity, if you aren’t letting him score, then you may as well not have him. Rashard….let me put it delicately: The man scores close to 20 a game, and they’re paying him TOO MUCH MONEY to not put the ball in his hands.
As for the defense, Van Gundy has to figure out which defensive helper he wants in the lineup…Bass or Pietrus. Bass isn’t necessarily a premier defender, but he is a rebounder and hustler. He’ll make the effort and take some of the pressure down low for Dwight. Pietrus can guard twos, threes, and even some ones. He’s your man on the perimeter. If I were Van Gundy, I’d start Pietrus. But that’s just me.
Big Ray
September 23rd, 2009
9:18 pm
I’m interested in hearing how Courtney Sims does in camp. Who knows, maybe he gets the nod over Siler. I still hold out hope for Othello Hunter. Always liked him.
rob
September 23rd, 2009
9:19 pm
samuel: i don’t see the bulls being any better than detroit, i think detroit is going to be good. if you think toranto is not going to make the playoff you are wrong. with bosh and hedo they are going to be good.
Big Ray
September 23rd, 2009
9:22 pm
Samuel ,
If Josh Smith has the same issues over and over, I don’t expect us to be having these same old conversations over and over. I expect Rick Sund to start looking for a way to ship him out. A good GM knows when to make that move, and I think Sund is one of those guys. Much as I like Josh (did I really have to say it
), there comes a moment when things shift from “time out” to “time up.” Unfortunately, we may lose out in overall value in a trade. However, sometimes making your team better requires a bit of painful pruning. We shall see how this goes.
rob
September 23rd, 2009
9:39 pm
big ray: josh can’t go he is the future! with out josh we would have a hard time in the playoffs. jj needs to go he is a good player but he is no good in the playoffs, I have only seen jj have 2 good playoff games, one againts boston in game 6 when he took over the 4th quater and the other one in game 7 againts the heat. plus jj is planing to leave the atl. and think about this” by trading josh smith you would trade a future star!”
dos hawkquis
September 23rd, 2009
9:42 pm
BIG RAY, ROB, SAMUEL, VAVA74, ET AL,
I hope that the new additions to the Hawks have HEART!! There were several games that we got “punked.” winning 16 games on the road? Getting blown out by the Clippers at home? Josh seems to be the only player who isn’t afraid and who plays with passion every night…oh yeah, ZaZa when he got in Garnett’s face.
That’s why I am leary in calling JJ a superstar. He doesn’t have ICE WATER flowing though his veins. If he doesn’t resign with us, I would not be too terribly upset. The cap space that he would bring should allow us to get some one decent to fill his shoes.
If you take Kobe, Lebron, CP3, M. Jordan, Magic, Bird, D. Williams, or D. Wade off their teams, you have a TOTALLY different team. If you take JJ off our team, the overall make-up of our team doesn’t change DRASTICALLY, because he doesn’t make his presence known on both ends of the court or to the refs. Thats why the refs treat him like an undrafted rookie.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!!”
KevinA
September 23rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Ray my buddy,
Somebody is late to the party, because we did all of this back in July (and August) We spent several weeks trying to hack each other to pieces over that trade. Or rather, over the amount of money Crawford makes. Through all of the noise and hoopla, not ONCE do I recall ANYBODY voicing truly overblown expectations for Jamal Crawford.
I say – wrong –
I have read many times the idea of Crawford scoring 20 pt’s a game and playing the #3. Then we heard of the great play of Teague and getting 15 min per game.Then we have heard of the contributions of Evans and don’t be fooled into him losing minutes. Then we here Sund/Woody saying Bibby will still be a major factor and is a house fav.
Clearly all these factors don’t add up.We have posted golden state fan posts about his lack of defense and not being able to finish around the rim. And except for the fourth quarter shooting a dismal shooting FG%. I even mentioned his preference to the left side of the court where JJ also likes to shoot from.
You said, Of course, some people still don’t get that essentially we traded two pg’s that we didn’t have a use for (and that didn’t’t have very much trade value) for a guy we could use, and had better trade value.
wrong again -
We love what Sund did and have stated so many times. But like with any business you go from where your at. Not from what happened 90 days ago. Not 1 player in the NBA is indispensable if the GM thinks they can advance the team. Until play on the court proves other wise – Crawford is the most overpaid for the least amount of skill on the Hawks. At least in my opinion.
I think we have explained in detail how the Crawford impact may be fantastic and/or overrated.Most of us have moved on until Sund posts the actual roster. Why do you stir the pot? I know your memory is not that bad. lol These types of posts are not like you.
JSS
September 23rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Mr. Ray…
It is really nothing new for the Knicks. Remember that cold streak from 1975 to 1982 when they finally lucked into Bernard King? Money has rarely helped them to be competitive They have streaks of excellence…
Samuel
September 23rd, 2009
9:48 pm
I don’t see Detroit doing much of anything this year. The Bulls have probably the best young player in the game in D Rose. He showed in last year’s playoffs how much a difference one superstar playing at a high level can make and he was just a “rookie”.
Actually, I was torn between Toronto and Philly. I definitely think Toronto has a chance. It kinda depends on E. Brand. If he stays healthy and gets back to his pre-injury level, Philly with Eddie Jordan will be hard to beat. Toronto still has serious issues on the defensive end. They will be exciting to watch but still may not make the playoffs. The East has definitely surpassed the West from top to bottom.
Indy, Charlotte, Jersey or Detroit could make the playoffs if things fall the right way.
This is just one man’s opinion.
rob
September 23rd, 2009
9:55 pm
hawks fans am changing my name to beto! GO HAWKS!
KevinA
September 23rd, 2009
9:59 pm
dos hawkquis
September 23rd, 2009
9:42 pm
While I understand the idea of what your saying, the Hawks last year or any previous year (jj era) would have been lost. If the more matured kids play to thier potential this year you may have a point. Until proven otherwise JJ derserves the credit.
I still have the hope the kids will come through and maybe JJ scores 17 pts a game (and does not make all star) he could shoot a much higher FG% and even add to his high assist totals and still be the star of the team. How about 400 less attempts and get into the best of the best and shoot a .477 FG%. Josh/Marvin/Al need to make their imprint on the game.
beto
September 23rd, 2009
10:05 pm
samuel did you forget who the bull lost this summer and who detroit got this summer?
KevinA
September 23rd, 2009
10:17 pm
I loved what Sund did. You have to do what you have to do. Missed oportunities, but only in hind sight. Sessions went cheaper than Bibby. Rondo for what money? Iverson for what money? Crawford for Nate and David Lee and Mo? Love David Lee. Just to stir the pot. Sund did great.
beto
September 23rd, 2009
10:17 pm
unless marvin can score at least 17 points per game he can stay a hawk if not he needs to go. i see more potential on josh than in marvin. marvin was just a huge mistake that day in the draft. sorry marvin fans.
beto
September 23rd, 2009
10:22 pm
i could be wrong. let me know.
KevinA
September 23rd, 2009
10:29 pm
beto
September 23rd, 2009
10:17 pm
Hard to do with Bibby and JJ taking so many shots.
Samuel
September 23rd, 2009
10:38 pm
No, not really. Gordon was good but Hinrick can score and play much better defense. They also picked up a sleeper rookie in Johnson. He’ll be a serious baller in the NBA. And don’t forget how much Thomas and Noah improved last year. D Rose with a full year under his belt will be scary.
Detroit got Charlie V(who is overrated IMO) and Gordon and lost Rasheed. They also have “another” new coach.
cwilliams
September 23rd, 2009
10:39 pm
Rick Sund has done a great job of reloading the roster after last year’s great run that ended in the 2nd round.By adding JC,Joe Smith,J Collins and resigning Bibby he not only added more firepower but also size and battle tested veterans to a good team.Go HAWKS!
Ariose
September 23rd, 2009
10:43 pm
“Pick up was cool… Got elbowed n the mouth by Jerry stackhouse.. Got punched in the stomach by Anthony Johnson. Lolol. Still played coo tho”
Frank Robinsons Twitter:
http://twitter.com/banklin5
Ariose
September 23rd, 2009
10:47 pm
Just say no to Juan Dixon….waste of space..Rick loses points for that pickup.
Chicago will not make the playoffs No Gordon=No Chance….or did you all forget the about guy who’s bailed Chicago out in the fourth quater for the last five years?
Don’t sleep on Philly either. They will be battling for the final few spots along w/the Bobcats and Raptors.
The Pacers have no chance.
dos hawkquis
September 23rd, 2009
10:51 pm
Can we start with some cold hard truths?
1.The Hawks will not win a title this YEAR.
2.The Hawks will not win THEIR division this year.
3.The Hawks will not make it out of the 2nd round this year.
4.The Hawks will not win 60 games this year.
5.The Hawks will not finish above 4th seed.
6.SPIRIT the Hawk will not fly in from the rafters like he did the past few seasons. LOL!!
These are the LIMITS that I see, a Hawks fan, mind you. Now that we have the parameters, we can fill in the blanks on what the Hawks will do this season.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!!”
Ariose
September 23rd, 2009
10:51 pm
If we loose JJ, then I don’t mind Management throwing the Bank(and the kitchen sink) at Wade. That’s an automatic title with this roster. No questions asked. BUT NO WAY do you let Crawford take over full time at SG. That’s not smart.
Ariose
September 23rd, 2009
10:56 pm
Dos, Did u forget that Rashard Lewis is suspended for the first 10 games of the season. Also, the magic WILL have chemistry issues initally. If we come out of the gates blazing like last season(minus the injuries) I’d say the southeastern division is ours for the taking.
…and depending on how hot our streaky players(Craw,JJ,Bibby, & Smoove) I’d say we have a fairly reasonable shot at a title as well. Think back to the 2008 playoffs. Look how far a Hot JJ & Smoove will get you. Game 7 in the ECF sounds good to me.
PDubATL
September 23rd, 2009
11:02 pm
Based on Frank’s Twitter, it sounds like Lewis Clinch and Anthony Roberson are likely camp attendees.
niremetal
September 23rd, 2009
11:05 pm
Jerry,
Sorry man, but come on – you’re taking a secondhand account of what happened at one pre-pre-pre-season scrimmage. Rick Sund has been around the game for longer than I’ve been alive and was probably at the practice in person. Sund has shown himself to be a smooth operator when it comes to getting veteran talent…so don’t you think Sund noticed if Stackhouse was really tearing it up in a way that indicated he could be an asset this season?
The idea that a bunch of couch potato fans who didn’t even see the (pre-pre-pre-season) scrimmage should petition a career scout and GM who saw the scrimmage firsthand…I mean, you gotta realize how silly that sounds.
Melvin
September 23rd, 2009
11:07 pm
Dos,
Did you predict the Magic going to the Finals last year? Further more, what make your opinions cold hard truths????
niremetal
September 23rd, 2009
11:08 pm
Ariose,
I don’t think the Hawks win a title if we “trade” JJ for Wade. Kobe or LeBron, yes. Dwyane “I’m-having-a-bad-game-oh-wait-I-know-I’ll-whine-at-the-officials-and-fake-an-injury” Wade? No. He’s a star, but I’m not convinced he’s a superstar.