Atlanta Hawks: And now for something really important: J.J.
It might feel like Christmas in July for the Hawks if J.J. returns. (LOUIE FAVORITE / lfavorite@ajc.com)
There’s been much hand-wringing among my blog people about the Hawks’ draft, and I get that. Even when your team is picking No. 24, and even when that team is the Hawks, the hope is that somehow they beat the odds and find a rookie who can be a major contributor for a team that won 53 games last season.
But regardless of how you feel about the draft, it was far less important than what happens over the next couple weeks. Free agency opens at midnight Thursday, when teams can negotiate with players on the market. Deals can be struck during that time but signings can’t happen until a week later. And of course the biggest deal for the Hawks is what happens with J.J.
The Hawks want J.J. back. The things outsiders debate about regarding J.J.–his age, his minutes, his isos, his leadership, his postseason fade, etc.–don’t seem to be such issues at Centennial Tower. The Hawks value J.J. not because they won’t have the ability to sign a comparable free agent if he bounces, but because he’s a heck of a player whom they’ve built their team around.
As all of the rumors have swirled about J.J. wanting to leave for more shine, because of a beef with the fans, to be part of the super summit and whatnot, I’ve maintained that if the Hawks offer him the most money he will come back. The Hawks still believe they can re-sign J.J. because they can offer him the most money, and they don’t expect cash to be the issue.
Yeah, I understand you are skeptical about that part, but that’s their perspective. The difference in the maximum the Hawks can offer Joe and what other teams can give him is substantial. The exact numbers won’t be known until the league sets the salary-cap numbers for next season, which it will do during the July 1-8 moratorium. But it’s going to be something like $119 million max over six years from the Hawks for J.J., $92 million max over five years from someone else.
That’s $27 million, and as D-Wade told reporters: “Thirty million means a lot to anybody. To Bill Gates, $30 million means a lot.”
The Hawks are less concerned about the money and more worried about the knocks J.J. takes from fans and (cough, cough) media types. They fear he might decide to play for less money somewhere else because of those issues or something else they can’t control. Maybe those concerns are valid, but I’m still waiting for someone to show me players who leave that kind of cash on the table, particularly when it’s the last big contract they will get. The best way to show a player love and appreciation is, and always has been, to show him more money.
So, to summarize . . . The Hawks badly want J.J. to return. If it comes down to money, the Hawks like their chances to re-sign him. If it comes down to something else, they will get a little nervous. I’m guessing it will come down to money and if the Hawks step up in that regard, even if it means paying him the max, then J.J. will be back.
– The Hawks have opened a dialogue with Chills, a sign that perhaps he might soften his stance on returning to Atlanta. If it’s true that his Greek team doesn’t want him, that would seem to increase the attractiveness of a return to the league. Nobody wants to be where they aren’t wanted, after all, especially when that place isn’t even the best place to ply your trade.
Also, Chill’s market value may not be what he thinks. I’ve heard that a couple teams were interested in a sign-and-trade for him last summer, but the money they were talking about offering him was less than what Atlanta was dangling before he bolted for Greece. So Chills may not get what he wants when he goes looking for an offer sheet, especially when you consider teams are even more frugal now than they were then. Combine the market realities with the lack of Olympiakos love and that one-year, $4.8 million contract from the Hawks might start to look more appealing.
– Clearing up the confusion on Pape Sy. . . . I screwed up when I blogged that L.D. thinks he can play center. My bad. The Hawks measured Sy at 6-7 in shoes. L.D. thinks he could possibly play small forward but the Hawks essentially see him as a combo guard. Now we will see if they keep him around to try and develop him, which hasn’t been their M.O. in recent years.
– The Hawks are optimistic they can put together a good summer league roster. It’s important because they want Rook’ to have a good squad to work with in Las Vegas. My bosses just gave me the OK to head out there, too, so my blog people will get some firsthand accounts of Rook’, Jordan Crawford, Sy, and L.D.’s revolutionary new offense. There’s also a slight chance I end up in a casino.
– Thanks for all the comments over the last few days. Good to see my blog people still care, even if some of you don’t care for me. It’s all love. And it’s just basketball.
– Go USA. Beat Ghana.
MC
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385 comments Add your comment
Rondo
June 25th, 2010
6:27 pm
LEA- Don’t want and I don’t need it. I bet you have heard that line before in your life time.
ccrider
June 25th, 2010
6:28 pm
The Hawks should sign Brian Zoubek from Duke, he’s not the total answer, but his improvement made the difference in Duke winning a NC. He has learned to hustle, set picks, is a tenacious offensive rebounder and will get bigger and stronger. He does a lot of the dirty work, that most won’t bother with!
PHUCKER_JENKINS
June 25th, 2010
6:40 pm
A max contract for Joe Johnson will equal the worse financial move in team HISTORY!
1. A max contract player is supposed to fill the stands! When was the last time you heard anyone say “I’m going to see J.Johnson play”? NEVER!!!
2. A max contract player is supposed to make everyone on the floor better! I don’t see that either!!!
3. A max contract player is supposed to marketable in your city! I don’t see anyone knocking down doors for J. Johnson endorsements!!!!
Offer that money to Amare STUDomire!!!!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 25th, 2010
6:42 pm
MC: The Chef digs your work, thanks. Combo 9’s on the pass line in LV will get you dirty looks as you cash chips on your way to being bannned. Hope it helps.
Rondo
June 25th, 2010
6:43 pm
I wouldn’t pay to see Bam Bam aka Amare Sorrymire.
Mitch
June 25th, 2010
6:47 pm
ccrider: I like Zoubek too…in fact, bring him in with the player the Hawks should have drafted at #53, G Jon Schuyer. You cannot convince me that Pape Sy is a better player or even close to being a better player than Schuyer. Schuyer is a winner…sure he’s not athletically gifted, but he’s mentally gifted and he has skills that are difficult to ignore…I read an article on NBA.com where they keep stats on effectiveness of running the pick and roll and Schuyer had the second best grade in the country at that skill. Plus, don’t you love players who, when they get fouled are lights-out at the foul line? Schuyer can do everything Mike Bibby can do AND he can play much more tenacious defense.
I read the Bulls are after Schuyer and he’s an Illinois kid so it may be a moot point, but it wouldn’t have been if the Hawks had drafted him. Schuyer was playing clutch basketball on the biggest of stages for 21 year olds in the USA, and Sy doesn’t even play half of his games in France. It’s just not right. And it really makes me question Rick Sund’s basketball IQ.
This draft was a debacle. Selling the #31 pick was a travesty, especially with all the talent that was on the board. Again, Rick Sund? Lame. Period.
And BTW, Michael Cunningham, I have your back…you are doing a fine job. Keep it rolling, bruh!
O'Brien
June 25th, 2010
6:48 pm
MannyT,
I’m with Najeh. Hawks have different coaching staff, and different management than the last time Pryzbilla was here. Plus isn’t he under contract (I’m assuming he will pick up his option coming off injury).
najeh,
I’ve been suggesting trading Crawford for a while now (if JJ resigns). And your trade proposal is one of the better ones I’ve seen. I would do the deal.
To my fellow bloggers, if ASG offer JJ 6 years $119 mil, then we cannot complain about them selling #31 this year. Because offering a Max contract to JJ is a major financial commitment.
Melvin
June 25th, 2010
6:50 pm
If the Hawks are going to trade Jamal for a big then I rather it be for Tyson Chanlder. Younge then Camby and better than Przybilla and he has a expiring contract. I wonder if the Hawks could convince the Wiz to give us Blatche or McGee….
terrell
June 25th, 2010
6:50 pm
Sams the man, if she pulled up behind JJ, how was she in his way? Just wondering. And if she pulled up behind him and the only way he could leave is to back out, she deserved to get cussed out. You cant just block someone in. Especially a famous person with clout. You’re just asking for trouble. I dont care what kind of question you are asking. If that’s your only reason for wanting JJ out, then you need to holla at Doc or Mary B. Get yourself checked out. lol!
RealSquawk
June 25th, 2010
6:51 pm
Free Agency cannot come any quicker. I am having an internal fight with myself between the Hawks team that is traditionally so reserved and frugal and the one that traded for Jamal Crawfor last year. I am praying for the latter.
G-MAN013
June 25th, 2010
7:07 pm
Just saw that Omar Samhan is on the Hawks summer league team.
vava74
June 25th, 2010
7:08 pm
I would prefer Priz over Camby and I don’t see the Blazers trading Camby so I think we could definitively land Priz.
Blatche is poison. I would never touch I’m. McGee is a different thing. I would definitively look into him.
On the free agent side, Joel Anthony has some potential and has always played well against us and I would look into Haslem as well.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 25th, 2010
7:08 pm
“If the Hawks are going to trade Jamal for a big then I rather it be for Tyson Chanlder. Younge then Camby and better than Przybilla and he has a expiring contract.”
Chandler would be a fine pickup too, although you wouldn’t get the benefit of a Fernandez-caliber player in addition to him. In fact, the Hawks would probably have to throw in Mo Evans to get salaries to match.
JoJo the Godfather
June 25th, 2010
7:21 pm
Golden State has to be looking to unload Biedrins contract (4rs $36M, with the 4th year being a player option). That’s a lot of money for a backup, but it would be a huge upgrade for the Hawks to have this 24 yr old on the second unit. I could see Bibby, Evans, and a 2nd round pick maybe working out. GS has bigs Turiaf, Gadzuric, Randolph, Wright, and now Udoh. They may get a better offer, but I’d throw this out there.
drmaryb
June 25th, 2010
7:22 pm
Amare – Stare!
Unless he can defend the paint and get rid of those “Bees-Knees”? Why is his name even coming up?
We need a big clogging center – Not another PF!
Check our NEEDS! Check the NEEDS! & Better yet- Check the Knees!
Come on people. We need to tweak and re-tool our team! Not re-build it!
We are not that far off, especially if Joe re-signs. We have possibly 4 All-Stars including Joe.
It ’s just that. we’re young! We do need another HOF type veteran though to work with Joe.
No more youngins’. Its time to WIN!
ryan
June 25th, 2010
7:23 pm
you know 2 seasons ago we almost had a trade for Amare Stoudamire for Josh Smith and we chickened out like we always do.
KevinM
June 25th, 2010
7:23 pm
I hear comments from Sund and LD. They are saying they are going to do everything to bring Joe back. I hate to hear that because for all the grief the ASG went thru to sell a draft pick and swap choices to save all of $190K, they will offer Joe a max, 6 year deal?
Please someone tell me, they are just maneuvering to get a S&T done with this guy. He doesn’t deserve a raise from his 14.1M last year.
Whether we get to the 2nd round of the playoffs or the 1st round, neither product is championship caliber.
Its completely embarrassing to try and state that Joe is the guy that can get us to the next level.
Are we as fans really that ignorant to see Joe making Kobe type $$ at the age of 35? Give us hope ASG…..all you are doing by signing Joe is selling your soul to the next potential buyer once thin-skinned Joe rakes every potential profitable dollar out of your pocket.
It is truly sad to watch what we all know is an oncoming disaster: the 2010-11 Hawks, led by perennial playoff bust Joe Johnson.
rusty
June 25th, 2010
7:24 pm
why the hell would you trade crawford,he didnt appear disappear in the playoffs like jj did. he has a hell a lot more heart than jj. jj is a ball hog who plays like hes in slow motion & only cares about how many points he scores, he certainly is not a max player also he disrespects the fans while his sorry ass wants to break the bank
JoJo the Godfather
June 25th, 2010
7:28 pm
I want to see Ja. Crawford and Jo. Crawford as my 2nd string PG & SG. Not many teams can match that kind of fire power off the bench. They’ll give up some points, but as long as our bench outscores the other team’s bench, we’ll be OK more times than not.
JeJe
June 25th, 2010
7:30 pm
Let Joe walk. Jamal is more talented offensively — yes, I said it. Joe struggled to score 20 a game. Jamal can score 40 on any player (50, that is — he scored 50 on Wade).
Jamal > Joe on offense
JeJe
June 25th, 2010
7:31 pm
Read Sund’s comments from yesterday. He thinks we could’ve played better and competed vs. Orlando. LOL
This guy is such an idiot. He didn’t even mention that Cleveland OWNED us last year or that ORL and CLE on the whole OWN us in the regular season.
We sold picks to save $90,000 (7 owners — LOL!!!!) so we can resign and dish out the world to someone who isn’t even a superstar.
JoJo the Godfather
June 25th, 2010
7:33 pm
I’d also consider Bibby & Evans for DeSagana Diop. That’s an ugly contract (3yrs $21M), but the guy can play defense and rebound at 280lbs, and we’d save about $1.5M this year.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 25th, 2010
7:34 pm
“why the hell would you trade crawford”
Ideally you wouldn’t. I’m a fan of Jamal and I’d like to see him remain in his current sixth-man role on the Hawks. But if the Hawks are serious about acquiring a defensive-minded center, they are more likely to get one by trading Jamal and his expiring contract than by signing someone with the mid-level exception. Like MC pointed out earlier, Jamal is the most attractive trade piece the Hawks have, unless you are cool with trading Smoove or Horford. And let’s face it, streaky scorers like Jamal are easier to replace than defensive big men. There’s a good chance the Hawks just drafted his replacement.
I MUS WRITE
June 25th, 2010
7:38 pm
Max Contract? 6 years 119 mili will handicap this team for years.Do we really want a 35 year old JJ collecting 18 mill a year. ASG and Max Contract- Oil and Water……..
Miami is cleaning house, Seriously a team featuring Wade,Lebron and Stoudamire would be fun to watch.
We need to make that S&T for Mcgee happen,he isnt the kryptonite we need for super man but he is a really athletic yung 7 footer with alot of upside. It just makes sense…Git’er Dun
drmaryb
June 25th, 2010
7:43 pm
KevinM
You and the fans, should be thankful that Mr. Johnson boarded that plane to come here 5 years ago.t
Thank our LUCKY stars that he came here and turned this franchise around.
Do you remember a 13 year play-off drought? I for one, sure do.
No other Star, would have, did have or, is going to – COME HERE! Hello, anybody home!
So, if ASG don’t pay Joe? Then, WHO?
Who do YOU see – walking through that door?
Joe has some very young pieces placed around him, they are budding, home grown All-Stars in the making!
Patience is a virtue. Joe may already have his BIG-THREE, yeah … Right here in his own backyard!
You people better recognize and stop hating so damned much!
Where does all this basketball arrogance come from?
If you want to see historical banners? 17 or 18 of them hanging in the rafters, then
You need to book a flight to Boston or LA!
Get Real!
JeJe
June 25th, 2010
7:44 pm
FIRE SUND
FIRE ASG
FIRE WOODY
FIRE STOTTS
FIRE KRUGER
Prison Mike
June 25th, 2010
7:45 pm
They desperately want to sign johnson… and trade his overrated ass.
victor
June 25th, 2010
7:48 pm
JJ is not worth 119 million dollars over six years. He will be on the back end of what has been so far an Illustrious career, so the Hawks will be getting diminishing returns on their investment after the 2nd year. JJ is already fading during the play offs, so imagine how he will be fading in the play offs after he hits the down hill side of his career. Maybe the strategy is to sign him if possible to get 2 years out of him then trade him, but who would be willing to take him with 4 years and 80 million dollars left on his contract. JJ is an outstanding player but not a max contract player. The Hawks have enough talent on the team to get back to play offs as presently constructed, so let JJ go if he demands max salary, or Just sign and trade him to get something in return. Go Hawks.
truthspitter
June 25th, 2010
7:50 pm
Everyday and moment is important last nights draft was important but Hawks ignored bettering there team. So, Mr.Cunningboy once again shows how incompetent he is, Joe is no more important than the draft unless you make him be. We could have drafted a player that will have more impact than Joe but we did not, because we did not take it seriously.
drmaryb
June 25th, 2010
7:50 pm
I would never trade Josh for Amare!
Josh is young, improving and has a greater potential for up-side that Amare!
Amare’ is what he is & nothing more. Had career threatening micro-fracture surgery and doesn’t even block shots, alter shots, nor scare anybody from coming in the paint. He has become a jump-shooter and a very good one at that. He now plays away from contact and outside the paint!
Go Figure!
Can you say: PG and Center? Good…. Boys and Girls.
Mr. Riley
June 25th, 2010
7:59 pm
three words…LEBRON and BOSH
KevinM
June 25th, 2010
7:59 pm
drmaryb, how about growing your own superstars? Not ones that are thin-skinned and can’t handle a little booing when they have been paid the most anyone has ever been paid in Atlanta Hawks’ history.
- How about some accountability for his bad postseason, every year he has been here?
What you are telling me if give the guy a roughly $5M raise next year in Year 1 to do what we have seen him do in the past? Do you know he is at most 1/5 of this team and costs more than 28% of the cap? Really?
- The best Joe can do is be a 2nd tier superstar and you bring him back, your cap space is gone until he turns 35. Will you be around to defend your backing of him?
If that is the best the ASG can offer, let’s gut it and start over, top to bottom. I know we can win without 28% Joe. We definitely can get to the 2nd round.
I can show the ASG how to get similar results and save them 19M for the next 6 years.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 25th, 2010
8:00 pm
Just out of curiosity, suppose the Hawks make the following moves:
1. Re-sign Joe
2. Trade Jamal for Przybilla and Fernandez
3. Sign Childress to the 1-year qualifying offer
4. Use the mid-level on a guy like Brendan Haywood, Drew Gooden, Ronnie Brewer, or Kyle Korver — a quality rotation player who can fill in at a position that currently needs depth
5. Use the veterans’ minimum on a guy like Anthony Johnson or Earl Watson — a veteran point guard and locker room leader who can spell Teague and make Bibby expendable
6. Unload now-expendable Bibby and Zaza if necessary for anything you can get to keep the payroll manageable
You’re looking at a team, following these moves, that starts Teague at PG, Joe at SG, Marvin at SF, Josh at PF, and Al at C, with a bench of Anthony Johnson and Jordan Crawford at the guard spots, Rudy Fernandez and Josh Childress backing up the 2 and 3, Joel Przybilla backing up the center position, and whoever you signed to the mid-level providing additional depth — either Haywood backing up C (probably ahead of Przybilla on the depth chart) or someone like Brewer or Korver backing up the 3 and pushing Marvin for his starting spot.
In other words, you take this year’s 53 win team, sacrifice some of the scoring punch off the bench, but significantly improve depth at other positions, provide more personnel to deal with the league’s bigger teams, and go into next season with 9 or 10 quality players on the roster (as opposed to the 6 the Hawks had this year).
My question to y’all is this: how many games does this team win next year, and what is this group’s ceiling?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 25th, 2010
8:05 pm
“you know 2 seasons ago we almost had a trade for Amare Stoudamire for Josh Smith and we chickened out like we always do.”
A lot of “experts” are sweating the possibility of Joe getting a max deal, saying of all the marquee free agents out there now he is most likely to not live up to such a contract. But I’ll go on record as saying this: in five years, between LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Joe, Amare, and Boozer, Amare’s contract will be remembered as being by far the worst. Right now, I’d rather have Josh Smith at his contract than Amare at the max, and three years from now Josh will be by far the more valuable player.
bigdave
June 25th, 2010
8:12 pm
nba tv doing a draft review.. our division is currently on..
ryan
June 25th, 2010
8:15 pm
I think the Hawks will try and make a push for Chris bosh to keep Joe Johnson. And try an trade Josh Childress to clear cap space.
KevinM
June 25th, 2010
8:18 pm
Najeh, lots of good stuff there, but me, I think we need to improve our starting 5, whether that means moving 2 or 3 pieces.
Chicago had all that young talent and it didn’t pan out. They have been moving away from that talent, literally piece by piece.
I like where Chicago is right now. They only have one more bad contract in Deng, but Deng can still help a team. They have potential.
And like I said earlier, if we are guaranteed to stop at Round 2, let’s formulate another strategy.
KevinM
June 25th, 2010
8:21 pm
Ryan, as much as Bosh sounds like an excellent piece, how do you propose getting him here? He is not the piece we need to combat with Dwight Howard. He is the measuring stick for who I try to bring in.
That guy does not have to be an offensive guy. We have a lineup full of guys who can put points on the board.
Get Bibby out of the way……get us a defensive stopper on the perimeter and get us an inside presence like a Haywood.
northcyde
June 25th, 2010
8:23 pm
G Man . . . let’s talk about that. Omar Sahman
He’s the guy that ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED Villanova in the NCAA tournament . . and messed up a lot of brackets. And to be honest, I had forgotten all about this guy, with all of this talk about these other centers.
Sahman led the NCAA in PER amongst all centers. Yes, he played at small St. Mary’s, whose main competiton in the West Coast Conference was Gonzaga, but it’s still a pretty good feat.
The major drawback with him is that he’s not quick nor athletic ( maybe about as athletic as Zaza ). And that’s going to be a concern on the next level. But did manage to put up decent shot blocking numbers, and he was a good rebounder.
Go to youtube and watch the St. Mary’s – Villanova NCAA tournament game. Omar is a fundamentally sound big man that has a variety of post moves, and can make a midrange jumper. If he can overcome his lack of athleticism with solid fundamental play, Rick Sund may be seen as a genius around here.
The summer league will indicate if he can play backup minutes at the next level. Honestly, he’s a better prospect all around, than those guys most people were drooling over.
cdog
June 25th, 2010
8:39 pm
JOE JOHNSON TYPLIFIES WHAT OUR SOCIETY HAS BECOME.I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE MUST MAKE A LIVING BUT DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE JOHNSON IS GOING TO SUFFER BY STAYING WITH THE HAWKS?FIRST OF ALL, WHEN YOU ARE AN ATHLETE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE UPS AND DOWNS IN YOUR CAREER.SPORTS AND LIFE GO HAND IN HAND.JOHNSON HANDLE HIS DISAPOINTMENTS IN A CHILDISH MANNER BY LASHING OUT AT THE FANS.THAT SHOWS LACK OF MATURITY ON HIS PART.HE SHOULD HAVE LET HIS PLAY DID HIS TALKING FOR HIM INSTEAD OF HIS MOUTH.YOU HEAR THE FANS AND YOU DON’T HEAR THEM.WHAT HE DID SHOWED ME HE IS NOT IN THE CLASS OF A KOBE OR PAUL PIERCE.WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GOOD, EVERYONE IS HAPPY.WHAT MAKES A MAN, IS HOW YOU HANDLE FAILURES.JOHNSON RIGHT NOW IS NOT PASSING THAT TEST.I DON’T CARE WHERE HE GOES, THERE’S GOING TO BE DISAPOINTMENTS.NOW, IF COACH DREW IS WILLING TO WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN WITH HIM AND START FRESH, HE SHOULD WELCOME THIS.HIS BLESSINGS WILL COME WITH THE HAWKS BUT GOING SOME WHERE ELSE IS A GAMBLE.BUT, IF I WAS COACH DREW,IF HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE HERE, LET HIM MOVE ON.THE HAWKS AND LIFE WILL GO ON WITH OR WITHOUT HIM.NO ONE IS WORTH BEGGING TO DO DO ANYTHING.WHEN YOU HAVE TO BEG SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING THEY DON’T WANT TO DO,THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO THEIR BEST AT IT.
Jody
June 25th, 2010
8:40 pm
The Hawks say they’re “optimistic” that they can sign Joe Johnson. I don’t know about that. If they think that this going to be all about money, I think they’ll be mistaken.
Nathan A.
June 25th, 2010
8:45 pm
How about signing someone like Nate Robinson. He’s a skilled player could score 40 in a night. With him we could have serious offense.
jlewis
June 25th, 2010
8:51 pm
LOL, a max contract would cripple the franchise, Mike C, who have the hawks actually paid in the last 10 years? JJ doesnt put butts in the seats, when nique was here the fans didnt come out, atl is a horrible sports town. ASG should move the team to Seattle if they will provide a new stadium.
hmmm.........
June 25th, 2010
8:54 pm
peace out JJ. the hawks can’t win it with him why think they can without him. they need a big man.
drmaryb
June 25th, 2010
9:03 pm
Kevin M
I definitely see your points! But this is Atlanta and Not Boston or LA, no one wants to come here as an
UFA nor FA. I can list many names of players and coaches who have refused to board the plane.
Kobe was drafted by Charlotte at age 18 and through his agent demanded a trade to LA.
Eli Manning refused to be drafted be San Diego and demanded to go to The Giants.
There are many similar stories. Would you KevinM. Be happy to play for the Clippers?
Well, Atlanta is not far off perception – wise from the clippers!
We have to Pay to Play ’round here! We have to pay dearly!
Do you believe Joe can convince LeBron or Wade to join him here in Atlanta?
What, we goto three consecutive play-offs, so now we can start firing people and throwing away talent?
Joe is not the only reason we got bounced outa round 2! No Sir, you can spread that blame around like
Peanut Butter on white bread!
Start with the front office and work your way down to every one on the bench.
Start with no PG and no bona-fide Center, don’t just blame Joe!
LeBron, Wade and Dwight all got beat! So, go get rid of them too!
Pay Þhe damn man! What are you saving money for – Draft picks, coaches or role players?
Better yet, give us your replacement for
drmaryb
June 25th, 2010
9:04 pm
Kevin M
I definitely see your points! But this is Atlanta and Not Boston or LA, no one wants to come here as an
UFA nor FA. I can list many names of players and coaches who have refused to board the plane.
Kobe was drafted by Charlotte at age 18 and through his agent demanded a trade to LA.
Eli Manning refused to be drafted be San Diego and demanded to go to The Giants.
There are many similar stories. Would you KevinM. Be happy to play for the Clippers?
Well, Atlanta is not far off perception – wise from the clippers!
We have to Pay to Play ’round here! We have to pay dearly!
Do you believe Joe can convince LeBron or Wade to join him here in Atlanta?
What, we goto three consecutive play-offs, so now we can start firing people and throwing away talent?
Joe is not the only reason we got bounced outa round 2! No Sir, you can spread that blame around like
Peanut Butter on white bread!
Start with the front office and work your way down to every one on the bench.
Start with no PG and no bona-fide Center, don’t just blame Joe!
LeBron, Wade and Dwight all got beat! So, go get rid of them too!
Pay Þhe damn man! What are you saving money for – Draft picks, coaches or role players?
Better yet, give us your replacement for Joe and get that guy in here. If not, then stop worrying about how much money Joe is making. Its no skin off your wallet!
Vino
June 25th, 2010
9:16 pm
Joe Johnson ain’t worth a max contract
Ken Strickland
June 25th, 2010
9:16 pm
It doesn’t matter what center we get, he’s only going to be a backup to AHorford anyway. There’s certainly an extensive list of serviceable and affordable UFA centers available, like BHeywood, MJ MBenga, TChandler, TRatliff, NMohammed, JAnthony, JOneal, NKrstic, MCamby and JPrzybilla.
So why trade JCrawford for a backup center when you can sign a FA backup center and keep JCrawford? I’d much rather sign a healthy FA center, than a question mark in Przybilla, and retain JaCrawford, a scoring machine off the bench, and 6th man of the yr, than Fernandez.
If we succeed in resigning both Chills and JJ, as well as a FA center, we would have a team capable of getting past the 2nd rd, and beyond.
SF-JChildress
PF-JSmith
C-AHorford
SG-JJohnson
PG-JTeague
BENCH:
JaCrawford
MWilliams
MEvans
ZPachulia
MBibby
FA Center
JoCrawford
Now that we have a HC that can see beyond stupid hangups, bias’ and insecurities, and isn’t afraid to utilize his bench, rookies or strategy, we can expect the Hawks to field a really solid team that can finally compete with the big boys in the East.
Hawks Fan
June 25th, 2010
9:17 pm
Go jump off a bridge Joe. We don’t like you because you don’t like us. Go hang out with some of your ego buddies ego maniac.
JSS
June 25th, 2010
9:17 pm
Well Big Ray and others, here are a few brief clips of Sy actually playing and kidding around in France. Thanks to my uncle in Nice, France, pretty good for 85 year old man to find this stuff for me…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vPlcrCDKK4