Cut Day!
The Mario West era came to an abrupt end before practice Wednesday. He was one of three players the Hawks cut to trim the roster to 13 players.
HAWKSVILLE – A group that numbered 20 just a few weeks ago is now down to just 13.
It was cut day at the Hawks’ practice facility Wednesday, and the scene was grim.
Mario West and Courtney Sims got the word that their time was up before practice, so there was already a feeling that something (or more accurately someone) was missing.
But the gut-punch came later when rookie center Garret “Big Glacier” Siler got his pink slip afterwards.
As his teammates filed into the locker room each one glanced at the big fella with one eyebrow raised. He returned fire with a hollow look in his eyes and the peace sign. Even though they all knew this was not only a possibility but most likely a probability, it didn’t make the event any easier to swallow. Othello Hunter is the only free agent camper that remains from the army of eight that showed up with designs on landing one of the (three) open roster spots available.
Second-year forward Othello Hunter is the last man standing. No one should be surprised. He made the team the same way last year. And he’s gotten loads better since then. So he his inclusion was well earned (the Hawks’ roster stands at 13 players heading into the final two preseason games before next week’s regular season opener against Indiana).
Hawks coach Mike Woodson was worn out after having to speak to all three players. He was the one that championed West’s cause two years ago, when the energetic but undrafted rookie from Georgia Tech put on a hustle showcase in training camp to make the team.
“People probably thought I was crazy and didn’t know what I was doing,” Woodson said. “But I wasn’t crazy. This kid is probably the hardest working kid I’ve ever coached as far as coming early, staying late and making every single second of practice competitive. And when we put him in the game, he did some good things for us. And over the time he was here he got better. So this is tough, really tough. Anytime you cut a kid it’s a tough day. But for me, it’s tougher than you can ever imagine because I became so attached to him and his work ethic. That’s what you try and teach young guys. That’s the first part of being a player in this league.”
It wasn’t easy for the regulars to watch guys like West, Sims and Siler leave, either. After all, relationships were formed. Friendships were cultivated. Good times were had by all.
“It’s tough because I’ve been in their shoes before,” Zaza Pachulia said. “So this hurts me in so many ways. You get used to having guys around, especially when they are guys with great personalities like the guys we had here. They brought so much positive energy to this team. They were unselfish. And they listen to you and they’re trying to get better. It would be different if they weren’t such great guys.”
The 13th man on a 12-man team as a young teenager, Pachulia talked about the feelings he had on cut day years ago for the junior national team in his native Georgia. “I had all my bags packed thinking I was making the team and all my friends back home thought I’d made it, too,” he said. “I was only 14 at the time, but it felt like I was already in the big time.”
He was crushed when he learned that he was the odd man out.
“It was such an exciting time for me just being their in the training camp,” Pachulia said. “I thought I was going to Italy. And then when they told me … I will never forget that day. I used that as motivation to get better and work even harder. And that’s how these guys have to take this, as motivation. It has to give them energy and make them want to fight more to make it. And they’re good guys, so you know good things will happen for them. Hard work always pays off at some point. You just have to stay positive.”
Sims was the D-League MVP last season and has NBA experience, so finding another job won’t be hard. West has two years of NBA experience under his belt and could chase his fortunes with another NBA team or explore his options overseas. Siler’s a behemoth with plenty of ceiling. Pro basketball is obviously his future.
However, he was still trying to get over the initial shock of the news when I saw him last. He said he has just spoken to his agent and that he would figure out a plan for his next step.
It wouldn’t surprise me if any of these guys showed up on the Hawks’ radar again, maybe even this season.
“Hopefully,” Siler said with a half smile. “I guess we’ll see what happens down the road.”
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481 comments Add your comment
BONE
October 23rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Dear Mike Woodson,
This game is why we didn’t extend ur contract u dumb@ss
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:01 pm
1. this is a statement game for orlando. they are sendin’ a message to the hawks that orlando is the king of the south east.
2. a loss of 30 pts or more in the final preseason game will be demoralizin’ to the hawks and it will carry over to wednesday game against indy.
3. hawks will lose against indy. beat washington. then it gets brutal 4west coast road games.
Mz. Hawkdafied
October 23rd, 2009
10:01 pm
doublet23 Jeff Teague gets a pass he’s a rookie. However the vets are a totally different story. The Hawks just suck on the road. They play totally different at home. They did not look like this in the 3 home preseason games. Miami and Memphis are not that good that’s why they were able to beat them on the road. But Orlando and Detroit are a whole different ball game.
niremetal
October 23rd, 2009
10:01 pm
Wow…I just looked at the box score for the first time. 0-11 for Teague with 2 assists, both to RandMo. Geez…
Wink
October 23rd, 2009
10:01 pm
Embarassment in Orlando. Organic growth or talented players; organic growth getting killed.
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:01 pm
in 3 qtr. the hawks let orlando put up 100pts? wtf?
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:02 pm
NO TEAM IN THE LEAGUE HAS LOST BY MORE THAN 30PTS DURIN’ THE PRESEASON. WTF?
O'Brien
October 23rd, 2009
10:03 pm
Where is Hunter?
And Woody still has no offensive identity. Dribble, dribble, pass the ball, and somebody shoots. Where are the set plays?
Mz. Hawkdafied
October 23rd, 2009
10:03 pm
ant banks the Hawks will beat Indy on Wednesday no doubt in my mind, however I agree with everything else.
bigdave
October 23rd, 2009
10:03 pm
ladies and gentlemen the Orlando Magic are a problem.
KevinA
October 23rd, 2009
10:03 pm
Don’t give up the boat – this is maybe the best or top 4 teams in the league at home. Are we ready fot the best? I think not. But can we beat the lesser 20 teams in the league – Sure.
darrell starks
October 23rd, 2009
10:04 pm
Why every time marvin go to the hole he looks clumsy.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
Jody
October 23rd, 2009
10:04 pm
Bigdave,
Oh I agree with you there. I think the Hawks should be trying to attack quicker and before the defense gets set, but that’s not going to be enough to stay in games especially when the elite teams are getting layups whenever they want.
Samuel
October 23rd, 2009
10:06 pm
Just got back from my high school football game. What happened? I’m sure it’s Woody’s fault.
I don’t know why you guys are so surprised. I believe I told you that Orlando got better with their offseason moves. Ryan Anderson, Vince carter, and Brandon Bass. Are you kidding me and we didn’t even mention “white Choc”.
Turkalu who. give me a break
Fact is, we’re not as good as they are.
BONE
October 23rd, 2009
10:06 pm
I think this is the worst preseason beatdown in NBA history I think.
O'Brien
October 23rd, 2009
10:06 pm
Didnt Jeff Teague get the message? You are 0-10. Maybe you should run some plays, set some people up. After all, you’re still the PG
bigdave
October 23rd, 2009
10:07 pm
its never a good night when both your assist are to Sir Randolpholous Morris
Mz. Hawkdafied
October 23rd, 2009
10:09 pm
LOL! This game should have the whole team/coaches having nightmares tonight. It funny and at the same time irritating as hell.
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:09 pm
HAWKDAFIED,
indy beat the spurs!! danny granger is back and healthy. and pschologically this game will be in the hawks head on wed., plus indy will be in their head. gonna be hard to beat ‘em.
Melvin
October 23rd, 2009
10:09 pm
For the life of me, I would like to hear (or better yet see) Woody explain his offensive philosophy. Forget NBA Live, I want to see him draw it up on the white board. It pains my eyes to watch one guy pound the ball and the other four guys stand around waiting to run back on defense only to allow their opponents to drive right to the basket uncontested…
Jody
October 23rd, 2009
10:09 pm
I think Jeff Teague will be fine. He may be 0-10 and having a horrible game tonight, but the kid has some talent and will get better.
BONE
October 23rd, 2009
10:09 pm
What plays can Teague run???? Mike Woodson doesn’t know any plays.
bigdave
October 23rd, 2009
10:12 pm
that was good D from Morris… he had forced Gortat off the block.. good contest…
Bass looks like a damn defensive end…
Hunter active on the glass…
darrell starks
October 23rd, 2009
10:13 pm
I no its preason but the magic look like a beast may be the best team in the nba time will tell.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
doublet23
October 23rd, 2009
10:14 pm
and has anyone noticed they did not even play lewis imagine when he’s back guys they got 2 got centers 3 good pf and hustle play sf thats a great front court
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:14 pm
what do you say to your team the very next practice? what do you say to the team after a loss like this? do you say bye when you are leavin’ the dressin’ room or does everyone jus’ walk out?
Melvin
October 23rd, 2009
10:14 pm
Down 42pts, my goodness. Call off the Dogs….
KevinA
October 23rd, 2009
10:15 pm
Was wishing for Crawford assists. At least the bench is getting burn now.
darrell starks
October 23rd, 2009
10:15 pm
Man i wish we had a superstar.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
BONE
October 23rd, 2009
10:16 pm
Magic have mercy. I beg u
Mz. Hawkdafied
October 23rd, 2009
10:16 pm
okay ant banks you may have a point there anyway after tonight I just don’t know about the team this season. hey they owe us fans a win on opening night after this horror fest. tonight’s game was a trick but Wednesday game is gonna be our treat. Happy Halloween to us Hawks fans! I’m scared! Shaking in my knees.
Me too Melvin, I mean we’re subjected to seeing him scribbling something on his board during player intros. I’d like to see what he’s scribbling show up on the court.
KevinA
October 23rd, 2009
10:17 pm
Have heard so much bad stuff about Morris – only bright spot.
bigdave
October 23rd, 2009
10:18 pm
in all honesty Morris should get more minutes…
KevinA
October 23rd, 2009
10:18 pm
42 down – time for a run lol
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:18 pm
speedy, law, salim are all laffin’ their arses off. lol
Melvin
October 23rd, 2009
10:19 pm
Mz.Hawkdafied,
I believe thats the problem. What he’s drawning on his UPS board aint worth crap. I guess thats what brown can do for him…
bigdave
October 23rd, 2009
10:19 pm
keep pulling Randolph!!!
niremetal
October 23rd, 2009
10:20 pm
Forget NBA Live, I want to see him draw it up on the white board. It pains my eyes to watch one guy pound the ball and the other four guys stand around waiting to run back on defense only to allow their opponents to drive right to the basket uncontested
Exactly. It’s the same thing no matter who has the ball on the perimeter – one guys holds it, everyone else stands still. Guy with ball either drives and get trapped or takes an off-balance shot off the dribble. Occasionally someone runs a pick and roll, but for the most part, that’s all the variety there is.
Off-ball movement? What’s that? I’ve seen two off-ball screens tonight – one by RandMo and one by Othello. Wtf?
doublet23
October 23rd, 2009
10:21 pm
im sorry guys but teage sucks no ways is he a starter hes trash hes too small and he gets blocked so much i remember when you guys said he was going to be a star… no he is a bench warmer
Samuel
October 23rd, 2009
10:22 pm
Only a person with absolutely no basketball knowledge whatsoever would question getting:VC,Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass and matt Barnes and give up Turkalu and Courtney lee. You guys need to get a clue. And guess what, so did the other half of the “Big 3″.
Guys this will be an exciting season but as you can see tonight, we’re not in the class of the Big 3.
Jody
October 23rd, 2009
10:22 pm
I’ll say this, I’m optimistic about Teague and Crawford after tonight because they both attack the basket. That will eventually prove to be strong asset for the Hawks this year. Everyone else tonight seemed content on shooting jumpers.
doublet23
October 23rd, 2009
10:23 pm
bibby played terrible, al cant handle howard vince matched up pretty well with joe but joe held his own williams sucks he got outplayed by both anderson and bass gortat is solid nelson is back their bench is deep and they look very scary
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:24 pm
PRESS CONFERENCE; Mike Woodson: “We just didn’t get after it tonight. The guys weren’t hungry. Orlando wanted it more than we did.”
JJ; “We just didn’t get after it tonight. The guys weren’t hungry. Orlando wanted it more than we did.”
bigdave
October 23rd, 2009
10:25 pm
other than Orlando playing perfect… what did we do that we didnt do tonight to get our other pre-season wins?
who’s the Magic trainer there whole team is brolic…
BONE
October 23rd, 2009
10:25 pm
LMAP @ ant banks quotes
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:26 pm
SAMUEL,
that’s a great observation, hindsight. of course you are sayin’ that now, but a month ago, that was a good debatable topic
O'Brien
October 23rd, 2009
10:26 pm
My untrained eyes are seeing the same thing from Teague/Crawford that we see from Bibby/JJ.
Teague brings the ball up court, and then gives it up to Crawford. Bibby brings the ball up, and then gives it to JJ. Maybe thats Woody’s system. Give it to your SG, and everybody stand around and wait for them to make a play.
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:27 pm
TEAGUE NEEDS TO CHANGE HIS NUMBER “0″ HE IS 0-13
ant banks
October 23rd, 2009
10:28 pm
WHEW!! atleast we didn’t get beat by 40 pts. THANK GOD!!
bigdave
October 23rd, 2009
10:29 pm
so much optimism… so much anticipation for a new season. how we were going to incorporate our new back court talent. the growth of our front court. all lost in 1 pre season blow out… same ole’ same ole’…