Atlanta Hawks: Gearon Jr. latest to be fined for LeBron love
All those NBA executives who covet LeBron James this summer probably should keep it to themselves.
The league hit ASG’s Michael Gearon Jr. with a $25,000 fine for tampering after the co-owner said he’d give LeBron James max money “in a heartbeat.” That brings the LeBron Tampering Pool to $135,000 for the week. The league dinged Mavs owner Mark Cuban for $100,000 and Steve Kerr for $10,000 after they made overtures to James, who won’t be eligible to become a free agent until July 1.
Gearon’s comments first appeared in a May 19 Hawks blog entry.
“If somebody came to us tomorrow and said you can have LeBron for max money and it puts you in the luxury tax, I’d do it in a a heartbeat,” Gearon said. “But am I going to do that for [Zydrunas] Ilgauskas? Am I going to do it for Jermaine O’Neal? I don’t think so.”
The league apparently decided Gearon’s comments fell somewhere between Cuban’s quote that he’d be interested in a sign-and-trade for LeBron, and Kerr’s joking speculation about whether James would take the mid-level salary.
MC
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98 comments Add your comment
JeJe
May 27th, 2010
7:43 pm
MC, just wondering: do writers ever think about if an owner/player would get a fine for certain comments? For example, when Gearon made that statement, did you think if you posted it it would potentially be bad news for him?
JeJe
May 27th, 2010
7:51 pm
WTF does Gearon mean when he says we’ll “React” when Joe hits the market? What if some sh*tty team with a ton of money like the Nets offers him a max contract on July 1 and he wants to take it? Do we REACT when he SIGNS THEIR contract and ditches us? What a moron. These owners know nothing about relations with customers. They alienate players and only sign them after months of negotiations, making players feel unwanted. Just look at Smoove’s comments after signing the extension.
Gearon is the same moron who took TWO months to sign Collins to a VETERAN MINIUMUM CONTRACT
JeJe
May 27th, 2010
7:57 pm
Mark Jackson to interview for Hawks position 2 days after EC Finals. Just saw on hoopshype
O'Brien
May 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
With no new coach as of yet, a low draft pick, no hawks basketball, and free agency not till July 1, this is a slow time for hawks fans.
Melvin
May 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
No need for the Lakers to play defense tonight, the Refs are doing a fine job for them….
JeJe, a true, hater
May 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
If Big Ray could get his weight under 300 he could possibly help, I know at 5′7 1/2″ thats not very tall but he will still be hard to move if he gets down to say….285.
Some one should ask ray if hes interested.
sam'l
May 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
It could be worse…..listening to Phoenix Sun announcer……he just compared to a Steve Nash jumper to a soft drink…..in the ultimate combination sports play/commercial announcement…….
Why not put “Miller Light” on the fricking basketball>
Hoops
May 27th, 2010
10:18 pm
Try this trade on a slow night:
Hawks get-Al Jefferson, R. Sessions, Gomes
Timberwolves get-Josh Smith, Bibby
The Timberwolves are in position to draft Cousins. If so, they will be looking to move Jefferson. They need an outside shooter, but I don’t think they would go for Marvin instead of Josh.
The Hawks would get their center and PG in the same trade! They could include their 2nd round draft pick if necessary.
Line up-
PG-Sessions, Teague
SG-Crawford, Evans
SF-JJ, Marvin
PF-Horford, #24 Draft Pick
C-Jefferson, Zaza
This line up has more speed and quickness on the perimeter and should be much tougher inside on defense and offense.
None of us want to trade Josh, but we will not compete with the Magic if we play Josh and Horford inside. Sessions would allow Teague to continue to develop by sharing time. This tandem would match up with Nelson well. Sessions and Teague would be a major upgrade @ PG. Jefferson and Horford would be a major upgrade inside.
Ramon
May 27th, 2010
10:41 pm
Hoops, why would Minnesota trade for Josh to play PF, if they already have Kevin Love whom they want to build with? Also, are you familiar with how inactive Jefferson is on defense? Why give up Josh for Jefferson, when you can just sign Haywood as a free agent? Haywood won’t give you the points that Jefferson does, but he’s capable of giving you the rebounds and better defense. And you still get to keep an all star in Josh.
SWAT Native
May 27th, 2010
10:49 pm
@ Big Ray:
Big Ray
May 27th, 2010
6:23 pm
Stern does not love the game. He loves the money.
And that tampering BS is a bunch of just that…..BS. The fine is BS. Stern is a short bully behind a long desk, with very expensive lawyers at his side (the man is probably a lawyer himself).
He’s nothing more than a Hobbit with glasses and loads of cash…
As a matter of fact, Stern is a lawyer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Hoops
May 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
Ramon,
You’re probably right. I’m just trying to figure out a trade that will get the Hawks a center and a PG.
Do you have any suggestions?
Ramon
May 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
My suggestion is not to trade but to sign Haywood and Brewer. After you’ve acquired Brewer, you can attempt to sign someone like Will Bynum or Watson. As I’ve said Horford is still in the top four or five centers in the league, so you don’t need a starting center. You need a center capable of coming in off the bench and giving you 25-30 minutes a game, and big minutes against Orlando, LA, and Cleveland. Remember Atlanta’s starting front court was enough to sweep Boston. That says alot. Add to that formula, don’t take away and substitute. Also I suggest to hold on to Bibby until the trading deadline to see what is out there and what you need at the time to do some final in season tuning.
Ramon
May 27th, 2010
11:25 pm
Also, I would call Toronto just to see what is the price for Calderon, and may would pull the trigger if it didn’t include Smoove or Horford.
Melvin
May 28th, 2010
12:03 am
My gosh, Hassan Whiteside looks long. He’s towering over Daniel Orton who’s listed at 6′10…
http://www.nbadraft.net/hassan-whitesidedaniel-orton-workout
Reid Adair
May 28th, 2010
12:06 am
I’d be interested to know what specific question was asked by whichever reporter, you or whoever, to initiate this response.
I was also very disappointed in the flood of tweets and retweets from “ajcsportseditor” and AJC staff this morning talking all about Michael Gearon, Jr., being fined for something he said in their paper. After all that, it wouldn’t surprise me if Gearon’s response to any AJC inquiries was “no comment” for a while.
JeJe
May 28th, 2010
2:01 am
Enter your comments hereWHY ARE WE THE LEFT OUT TEAM THAT DOESN’T PURSUE THE BIG-TIME SUPERSTAR. WE HAVE MICHAEL MORON JR WHOSE FAMILY NAME HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRANCHISE FOR 3 DECADES.
WHY DO WE HAVE TO BE !@#$ING DIFFERENT? WHY CAN’T WE BE IN THE RUMORS FOR ONCE FOR LBJ OR WADE?
WHY DOES THE ASG SUCK SO BAD?
The Truth
May 28th, 2010
2:20 am
As I realized that a 25K fine for a guy like Michael Gearon Jr. amounts to nothing more then a typical weekend excursion to the Bahamas to play a round of golf or whatever, but I like the underlining message of his intent. The whole image of the ASG (to date) has been cast by the media as a bunch of remote penny-pinching millionaires that are “only” interested in the bottom-profit-line and less interested in much else. Whether this is true or not is not really the point, only the perception. Therefore to see this guy come forth an express an interest of acquiring the “crème of the crop” at any cost speaks volume about his real passion for the game. He is also finally putting a face to the ASG and adding a certain kind of Mark Cuban-like swagger that is necessary to attract other elite NBA players who might be considering playing for the Hawks. If this was a stunt it was well played. Nice move!!
Clyde
May 28th, 2010
3:05 am
Don’t get your hopes up too high yall.
vava74
May 28th, 2010
4:17 am
“Wade said he plans to speak with the Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Hawks’ Joe Johnson before making a decision once free agency begins July 1.”
I know that this is the previous threath theme and I have not followed the posts due to excessive work, but here’s may take on it’s meaning:
The underlying theme of the piece was player loyalty vs franchise loyalty.
Wade intends to speak with JJ and Lebron probably because they have already discussed between themselves previously (last summer? during the season? Allstar game?) that their primary option was to remain loyal to their respective franchises and now it’s time to check if anyone is really read to have a different stance.
Other free agents were not mentioned because their are known to be seriously considering moving to greener pastures for a long time.
Bosh, Boozer for instance are almost guaranteed to leave their teams and sign with
whichever team Wade (and maybe JJ and Lebron) will be playing with next year which is another factor for Wade not to mention them.
Finally, being the three premier perimeter free agents, it is highly unlikely that there will be a signing involving two of them.
JeJe, a true, hater
May 28th, 2010
4:34 am
this line up is too slow in the middle, with ZaZa, Horford is a weak defender and will only get you 13-14 pts, who knows what you will have for a back up and teague never meet a turnover he did not like. At best this team is less than .500
Too many weakness to exploit as an opposing coach.
Gearson and Sund
PG-Sessions, Teague
SG-Crawford, Evans
SF-JJ, Marvin
PF-Horford, #24 Draft Pick
C-Jefferson, Zaza
Gearon and Sund are masters at fronting. They get the press to cover a story as if they are going after a player when the reality is they have no intentions of being anything other than a good team.
ILL-logical
May 28th, 2010
7:45 am
Three things have jumped out at me as I have followed the playoffs:
1. None of the final four have the athleticism on their starting five that the Hawks have/had;
2. Coaching is the second most important factor so far;the coach who made the necessary adjustments in a timely manner has been the most successful to date; and
3.the point guard play has been the difference(except for the Lakers)
What this tells me is that for the Hawks,a quick penatrating point guard who can D up his man is more important that a hefty 5. The 5 is critical but the days of Shaq and Tim Duncun type bigs is over so a team can win with a less than stellar big-see Perkins,Kendrick- if the have an on court leader at the point.
Ramon
May 28th, 2010
8:39 am
Ill-logical, well said! However, I do feel the Hawks mainly need is for a tough minded pg. He doesn’t have to be the best player on the team or anything. But he has to be a fighter that doesn’t know how to roll over. In some ways I feel Teague has those qualities, but I do know also that he still gets anxious in big minute situations.
Navigator
May 28th, 2010
8:50 am
It should have been more, like $500,000 then maybe these owner/manager would put their arrogant egos aside and keep their mouths shut.
GeeMack
May 28th, 2010
8:51 am
ILL-logical
None of the final four have the athleticism on their starting five that the Hawks have/had;
All 4 teams have more athletic front lines than the Hawks.
Josh’s athleticism can’t be counted for everyone’s.
GeeMack
May 28th, 2010
9:01 am
ILL-logical,Ramon
I agree we do need an on court leader.
I also think Teague is the person, but we have to make him the man from day one next season. Bibby can be the back up playing 10 to 12 mpg.
Ramon
May 28th, 2010
9:07 am
Here’s a name guys, Brian Shaw! Phil Jackson’s lobbying for him in Chicago. If Phil thinks an assistant is ready, I would trust his judgment. Shaw coming and implementing a triangle offense would be exactly what the Hawks need. As much time as Shaw has spent under the tutelage of Jackson, Rambis, and Winter, I would give him a long look. I actually like him as a candidate over Casey!
Ramon
May 28th, 2010
10:02 am
Here’s a question also, why not be a little patient and play out this season with this line up (including JJ) and some mid level exceptions. Then NEXT off season Bibby will be off the books, Marvin will be easier to trade, and you can open up enough cap space to make a run at Carmelo, while still having a playoff team.
O'Brien
May 28th, 2010
10:05 am
ILL-logical,
PG play has been huge in the playoffs (Rondo, Nelson, Nash, and to a lesser extent Fisher). I wonder if Billy Knight is thinking “the Hawks need a PG”.
Ramon,
I like the Haywood signing. But the most we can probably offer is the mid-level, and that presents 2 problems.
1) When was the last time the Hawks used the entire mid-level to sign one player?
2) Would Haywood would take a pay cut and a demotion (to backup). And if he is willing to take the mid-level, he will probably want more years than the Hawks are willing to offer.
I think Brian Shaw is an interesting possibility too. Played guard for many years, and has been an assistant with the Lakers for 5 years. But I think Sund is leaning towards someone with HC experience, or at least been an assistant for a longer time.
And I don’t think Carmelo will leave Denver. Plus they will offer him the most money.
The Truth
May 28th, 2010
10:14 am
So who is really squeezing who? The NY DailyNew.com is reporting that Avery Johnson has a 3rd interview scheduled with the Hawks. That’s a surprise since it has not been reported by the AJC. If so, that would suggest a very serious interest by Sund for Avery. However, if this is just a squeeze-move by Avery’s agent to motivate the Nets to make him an offer with conditions that Harris is not traded would be the obvious Hail-Mary play by Avery’s camp. Another consideration in this story is Sund pace: If this is a poker game, Sund is not really showing his hand since he says one thing and seemingly does another. It has been reported that he wants to take his time and move at a slow pace, if you can believe that or not. If he is the experience GM (as he claimed to be), then he should know that his next coach hire will defined his job security (given the owners expectations). If he really believe the slow crawl pace is the best prescription in this aggressive coach-hunting market, then I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. Since it has already been suggested be the AJC and other outlets that Sund already has his man in Casey, this 3rd interview with Avery is rather interesting if true. We shall see
Grandad
May 28th, 2010
11:30 am
It seems apparent to me that if Avery were to choose the Hawks
and likewise Sund choose Avery, then a trade for Devin Harris
would appear to be a part of the negotiations.
Ramon
May 28th, 2010
11:49 am
O’Brien, you may be right. But the Hawks are in a position now where they’re going to have to show they’re willing to spend. Similar to what Grandad said, Avery or JJ may say the only way I (we) sign is if you are committed to doing this or that. The demands can be deeper than just how many millions for how many years, but instead what are you going to give me to help get over the next level.
Michael Gearon Jr.
May 28th, 2010
12:34 pm
I have been saying Smoove is the closest thing to LBJ in this league, but after watching him in the playoffs, I am convinced Smoove is better than LeBron.
Horford is an All Star.
Bibby is still a star from his Sacramento days
Marvin was #2 overall
Crawford scored 50+ points for 3 teams.
This team is Championship material.
Also, we SWEPT the Celtics who are on the verge of going to the Finals
Grandad
May 28th, 2010
12:38 pm
I really don’t think Joe puts all that much thought into
where he’s going or who he gonna sign with. One day
his agent will come up & say “Joe here are you’re options”.
Joe’s gonna say “narrow it down between the best one & Atl”.
Joe will look @ the two & pick. He won’t stress over it.
I really don’t think Joe’s very complex or complicated.
He most likely will resist change so as not to upset his
comfort level. Joe likely will never have an ulcer, either.
O'Brien
May 28th, 2010
12:49 pm
Ramon,
Assuming we resign JJ, that puts us over the cap, which leaves us with our mid-level and our bi-annual exceptions.
Therefore, the Hawks will have to shop and spend wisely, while maximizing their draft picks (get somebody who can contribute right away). They can also explore trade options, but our best trade assets are Josh and Jamal.
But if JJ does resign with the Hawks, I would look into trading Jamal. He is an expiring contract, and coming off his SMOY, his value is high. Plus I dont think we can afford to resign him next year. I think Jamal could get us 1 solid player and a pick, or 2 solid players.
Obviously, if JJ leaves, then we need to keep Jamal.
Ramon
May 28th, 2010
1:44 pm
I agree. At the same time, I think JJ isn’t asking for the max money, I think he’s willing to make less than max if ASG is going to commit to improving the team. I personally think there are teams that would trade for Zaza, even cash. I would trade Zaza for $2.5 mil in cash to get the cash and his salary off the books. Something as small as that could be $4 more mil off the books (I THINK lol). Maybe the Clippers would consider a Crawford for Kaman deal (before they hang up the phone lol). But I think there are ways to creatively make room for more players who can contribute nicely. The Hawks aren’t an all star away from the next level, they’re more like 5 rebounds here, a wing who can spread the floor here, or a shut down defender on the perimeter here from being at the next level. In my mind in JJ, Al, and Josh you have your all-stars, and two of them haven’t even came closed to peaking. I would even see if Toronto would consider Zaza and Crawford (or Crawford and Marvin) for Hedo.
jroc
May 28th, 2010
2:02 pm
I wonder who was the looser who called league offices on gearon Stern should have laughed even at the thought of Le Boo Boo coming to Atl Come on Stern have a sense of humor Only fine teams with a legite shot at Lebron
jroc
May 28th, 2010
2:05 pm
I think Thunder Dan Marlje would be a good coach or even Bill Cartwright two serious guys that can bring the Hawks to the next level
drmaryb
May 28th, 2010
2:18 pm
Are the referees fined for making bad calls?
If so, then, that referee who called the phantom technicals on Perkins should be fined as well.
Especially since it was rescinded.
terrell
May 28th, 2010
2:22 pm
Ramon, I threw B.Shaws name out there a few weeks ago. Never really got a response to it.
jroc
May 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
The whole Celtics team need to be fined for turning old overnite.Perkins just got a tech because the fool looks like an angry ninja turtle with that fake snarl.Deep down he knows he soft thats why he run up and down the court like angry man.Enough Perk its ok to smile we won’t think less of you as a player.
JeJe
May 28th, 2010
2:54 pm
GO INTO THE LUXURY TAX
WHY IS ALL THE TALK ABOUT JUST SIGNING JOE AND USING OUR MLE OR BI-LEVEL? WHY NO TALK ABOUT THE LUXURY TAX? IF U HAVE 8 OWNERS OR 7 OR WHATEVER, HOW CAN U NOT AFFORD TO GO INTO THE LUXURY? THE ECONOMY IS IMPROVING —
WE NEED TO GO INTO THE FREAKING LUXURY TAX
terrell
May 28th, 2010
3:14 pm
JeJe, It sure is easy to spend someone else is $, isn’t it? lol!
terrell
May 28th, 2010
3:15 pm
I meant someone else’s $.
Ken Strickland
May 28th, 2010
5:25 pm
Enter your comments here
Ramon
May 28th, 2010
5:30 pm
@ Terrel, yea it is. George Bush did it for 8 years. lol
drmaryb
May 28th, 2010
7:23 pm
D3 After Dark
Just reported that Miami can pay the G4 – Summit TEAM …. $14 Million per player &
Pat Riley would be the Coach!
Now, isn’t that tampering?
Also, word on the street is Joe has previously already indicated NO desire to play for
Pat Riley. Something how hard he runs his players in practice.
I heard they do grueling 2 – a – days!
His, players are too tired when the games come around?
I don’t know if this is true, but $14 Million/year/person.
drmaryb
May 28th, 2010
7:37 pm
Ramon
You HOT man! You HOT! (Like D-Wade’s right hand).
I was secretly thinking, “Why not interview Brian Shaw?” For the Hawks vacancy.
I saw a silhouette of Brian sitting on the Laker’s sidelines vs the Suns at Game 3.
I didn’t even know he was still in the League? I was also wondering why more teams don’t run the vaunted TRIANGLE offense? Is their a patten on it or something? I mean like, is it copyrighted?
Good job! Ramon!
Grand-Daddy
How are you! Thanks for the link the other day. A really good read. I like Battier too!
No way Houston let’s him get away – you think?
Sans Bosh – I think the G3 Summit all return to their teams! Joe being the most likely of the 3 to walk. Maybe Gearon knows something re: that for him to make the tampering statement?
Gearon Jr. latest to be fined for LeBron love | KVM-News
June 16th, 2010
3:12 am
[...] Gearon Jr. latest to be fined for LeBron love Friday, May 28th, 2010 Atlanta Hawks: Gearon Jr. latest to be fined for LeBron love Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) The league hit ASG’s Michael Gearon Jr. with a $25000 fine for tampering after the co-owner said he’d give LeBron James max money “in a heartbeat. … http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/05/27/atlanta-hawks-gearon-jr-latest-to-be-fined-for-lebron-love/?cx... [...]