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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
385 comments Add your comment
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:16 pm
Id much rather see this team spending this money on our true franchise player….Al Horford
Najeh Davenpoop
June 26th, 2010
1:17 pm
“nobody” makes a lot of good points… in particular, I’m intrigued by the idea of moving Joe to the 3 and signing someone like Ray Allen or John Salmons to play the 2.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
thank you davenpoop. It just seems that our division is going to be filled with talent and scoring capability. The Nets want a max player. The heat want wade and a max player. And the wizards just blew through the draft and trades. Charlotte will still be charlotte. But if we want to compete we are going to need a lot of points and many people that can score those points. Not only are wade and lebron good scorers but they are great defenders. I think Ray Allen would be a perfect fit for this team if Joe resigns and plays the 3. Finally he has someone to dump the ball off to that can confidently knock down the three.
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
“Nobody” is going to get the diabolical attention of a certain multiple personality by naming Al Horford the team’s true franchise player… LOL…
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
1:29 pm
Although if Joe goes, Horford is all but the undisputed franchise player.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:29 pm
I dont see as many glaring weaknesses in our first team as so many other people do. Our big men are fine. Horford and Smith are one of the best C-PF tandems in the league. The score and defend. With teague flashing amazing talent that one game he started, I believe our only weakness is the 3 spot. Marvin doesnt give us enough scoring. Our real problem though is our second team. Other than Crawford what do we have? We cannot leave our second team in and trust them like the celtics can. We need to impove our bench. and thats what this team is doing. and i like it
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:31 pm
haha big ray. But if I had to pick one player on this team and say I want to build around him, it would easily be Al Horford. He is a leader and also has a wealth of talent.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:34 pm
I think we all agree that we dont really have a chance at a title within the next few years. I know the organization isnt going to just openly say that, but I think we should have a minor rebuilding ala the Suns. Slighty start over for 2 years and be ready to go.
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
1:36 pm
Bigdave
I’d like to say yes, but I think we’d be reading too much into it. Joe calling Larry Drew back was the courteous thing to do, and it says something about his relationship with Drew. But, I also heard he got along fine with Mike D’Antoni in Phoenix. He left Phoenix.
What are Joe’s priorities? What does he want most? Does he want to play for a team that has another star player? Does he want to contend for a title? Does he want the most money he can get? Does he want a better fan base (..grass is always greener…you know the rest)? Does he want to play for a team that has better chemistry? What does he want his role to be? What kind of gameplan does he prefer? So many questions.
Now we ask ourselves this question: can Drew give Joe anything he really wants? So does the phone call mean anything? My guess is that Joe was just doing the courteous thing. And that’s all. I don’t think Drew can convince Joe of anything unless he sells him on a plan to get this team to play better together, and be more focused. And that will be one heck of a sell.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:37 pm
You know what sucks? The Thunder. What an amazingly run franchise. Look at that roster. Talented, young, athletic players that all know their roll. The plug holes and the get younger and better. Im not saying follow their example because they had quite a strew of lottery picks to get there. but wow.
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
1:38 pm
Nobody ,
I can only agree with you. I just like to joke about the noise that comes with saying anything positive about Horford to some people.
People think I’m a big Josh Smith fan. I am. But if push comes to shove, I choose Horford every time. It is what it is. He’s a guy you can build around, period.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:38 pm
Bigdave and Bigray. I think Joe is returning the call to help himself. This move makes him look more respectable. More like a team player. He doesnt want people to think he is a stuck up snotty athlete. Oh no. Joe will get a max contract somewhere else and im sure that is what he wants.
mark
June 26th, 2010
1:41 pm
m. c. stop whining, and write some better articles. and the 2 guys from duke who didn’t get drafted their is a reason. so stop bashing the hawks because they felt like every team in the league did about the duke players and it aint like duke is a factory for nba players
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
1:41 pm
You know what sucks? The Thunder. What an amazingly run franchise. Look at that roster. Talented, young, athletic players that all know their roll. The plug holes and the get younger and better. Im not saying follow their example because they had quite a strew of lottery picks to get there. but wow.
Oh, I agree. But remember what had to happen to that franchise before they got where they are now. And I don’t just mean the lottery…
Here’s to hoping such a thing doesn’t have to happen in Atlanta. Of course, I have a hard time seeing Atlanta without a pro baseball, footbal, and basketball team. But you never know…
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:41 pm
Big Ray I think we feel the exact same. I dont know why everyone on here wants to destroy the hawks completely. Trade him. Trade this guy. Blah blah blah. We had 53 wins. thats damn good. We just need to bring in a winning post season attitude.
drmaryb
June 26th, 2010
1:42 pm
nobody
You are on Fire! Somebody – please call the Fire Marshall!
Yes Horford is a very nice Center-Piece! I like it … I like it!
Newkid
Doin’ Work! That grass don’t stand a chance – it’s goin’ down – like a Wal Mart “Roll-Back”.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:43 pm
Very true bigray on the Thunder. and Mark- Duke Players off the top of my head. Shane Battier. Elton Brand. Carlos Boozer. JJ Reddick. Quite a few good NBA players right there.
STEEL (Formerly VenomSpitter)
June 26th, 2010
1:44 pm
Hey everybody heres a good article on Jordan Crawford: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/paul_daugherty/02/10/crawford/index.html
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
1:44 pm
Nobody
That’s possible. As for Joe getting a max contract, I believe that as well. Or rather, I am sure he’ll get a big contract. Other teams can offer him five years, we can offer six. If we don’t offer six years and upwards of $117-$118 million, we’ll be out of the race in no time flat, I think. But he’ll get a big contract. Just like Elton Brand did, when he went to Philly, despite more lucrative deals offered by Golden State and the Clippers.
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
1:45 pm
Big Ray I think we feel the exact same. I dont know why everyone on here wants to destroy the hawks completely. Trade him. Trade this guy. Blah blah blah. We had 53 wins. thats damn good. We just need to bring in a winning post season attitude.
Right on, bro’. To do that, we have to get more focused, more intense, more serious. And a little more talented along the bench…
nobody
June 26th, 2010
1:46 pm
I got a player for you. Brad Miller. Fiery kinda guy that so many of yall want. Can score and is big. Good guy for the second team.
Reid Adair
June 26th, 2010
1:49 pm
It might be “Christmas in July” for you, Michael, if Joe Johnson is re-signed by the Hawks – but it won’t be for everyone. I don’t believe throwing more money at Johnson will cause him to change is attitude or certain aspects of his game.
He made his proverbial bed during the playoffs. It’s time for him to lay in it – and move on.
I MUS WRITE
June 26th, 2010
1:58 pm
Dr can u share the results of the secret MRI u performed on Stoudamire- I mean what did u see that suggests his knee wont hold up. The guy is 2 years removed from his microfracture surgery and looks as good as he ever has.
Were talking about him because its the middle of the summer and a week before free agency offically begins. he wont get 23 mill a year and he wont be on our roster nex year -just comparing his game to similar players is all- For all the amare haters name me 4 better PF’s in the league-go ahead i’ll wait.
True Nash was their MVP but they wouldnt have got past Portland or won 2 games against LA without the guy. His second half of the season was just as good as any other PF in the league.
Sum ask what has Amare done……Well what has Josh Smith done? They’ve been in the league about the same amout of time -i year difference and amare has been an All Star multiple times while yung josh is still knocking on the door. I’ve never seen Smoove dominate arguably the best PF/C in recent history -Tim Duncan but Amare has just say’n the numbers dont lie
nobody
June 26th, 2010
2:01 pm
Amare is a great player. But Josh is cheaper, more durable, and just about as talented. Im not paying $500,000 for a 4000 sqft house when I can have a 3750 for 375
I MUS WRITE
June 26th, 2010
2:02 pm
Nobody-I agree Horford is the player we hould be try’n to extend. He made a huge jump last year and he is only going to get better. The way his midrange game is improving he could easily be a 20 pt guy with more touches.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
Exactly Mus Write. Horford scores 20 regularly and gets 10 rebounds. AND is a leader and class act. Lock him up. I would venture to say Horford could be an Amare type scorer if he got the touches. He has fantastic touch and has an amazing hook shot. He just needs a few more putbacks
I MUS WRITE
June 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
Okay Josh is cheaper and a better fit for our cash strapped organization-thats not the argument- Who is the better player right now….Stoudamire hands down.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
2:09 pm
Definately Stoudamire. I dont know how many 40 point nights josh will ever have. Believe me Stoudamire is one of my favorite players. He just costs too much.
ryan
June 26th, 2010
2:11 pm
The Hawks need to sell tickets they have to bring in at least one top free agent its not going to be LeBron or Wade but someone like Bosh or Stoudamire that is only way to make money and sell jerseys ASG group wants to survive as an ownership they have to make some big moves.
I MUS WRITE
June 26th, 2010
2:12 pm
Horford isnt as explosive as Amare but he could easily give you the same production with the way he’s improving.Its been 6/7 years and Josh’s jumper is the same as it has always ben non existent Horford is the piece you build around.He needs to continue developing his jumper and get sum more post moves-I hardly ever saw him go over his left shoulder to score everything was to the middle or jump hook. I would definitely be try’n to extend this guy.
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
2:13 pm
STEEL
Thanks for the link. I’m still waiting on hearing from Crawford himself. We’ve got nothing on him around here so far. Nothing on how he feels about being drafted, then having his rights traded, playing for the Hawks, nothing…
nobody
June 26th, 2010
2:15 pm
I think we all see what youre saying ryan. But for one bosh and stoudamire wouldnt have a spot on this team. They also wouldnt have as much of an impact as you think. They may be paid like stars but Bosh and Stoudamire wont fill the seats. It just sucks for the Hawks cause this class may be the most talented ever but there is really only 1 upper tier guy we could sign and thats JJ. Everyone else either doesnt want to come or isnt a good fit.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
2:17 pm
No one on the hawks has ever won anything in the NBA. except for the guys that are too old to make a difference on the court. Thats our problem. Horford is the only true hawk with a championship and that was back in college.
drmaryb
June 26th, 2010
2:18 pm
Not So Fast!
IMUS WRITE too.
Hands Down? That’s debatable – Josh is a five tool player. He almost had a
Quadruple Double one-game, all the while – playing within a team concept.
He showed no concern, whatsoever with getting that personal accolade of a
Quadruple Stat. Josh, just wants to help his teammates win (another intangible).
Amare scores and rebounds. That’s about it. He’s much older, besides
He has no desire to play here whatsoever anyways and we really don’t NEED him at all!
We are set with young and dynamic PF’s already. Why are you so infatuated with
Amare anyway? Man – Crush?
There are a gazillion FA’s this summer – why not focus on some Needs?
Hawk n the Ham
June 26th, 2010
2:20 pm
@ MC
The people who don’t like you, are just jealous you have a job that ‘they’ could never have. You do an excellent job, which is difficult, because we were spoiled for the time Sekou was here. Keep up the good work.
nobody
June 26th, 2010
2:20 pm
Josh doesnt get enough credit. He may have a temper with Woodson, but he is a team guy and has never had any real issues besides woody. He has been a good hawk the past few years. He needs some credit for that
doc
June 26th, 2010
2:30 pm
nobody, we already did that start over that is and we were one of the few to do that formula after chicago did in the new cba cap era. sadly, it took us six years to get where they got in three. yup, they do have a franchise player but we overlooked three while we were at the bottom of the pool. we had our shot and now we got to pay or go back to the end of the line. i was very envious of the okc franchise last year. they were the best team in the east you know as they slopped it on all of the big boys from the east both away and at home. they look ready. didnt they play l a about as well as most teams did during the playoffs?
I MUS WRITE
June 26th, 2010
2:40 pm
DR- Josh really is a human Swiss Army Knife -he does a little of everything. IMO Amare is the better player and by the way he is only 2 years older that Smoove. Again I never said trade for Amare or sign him in Free Agency -we were just compairing their games. We cant afford any of the top free agents including JJ so im not looking for any of the big name to take up residency here.
Our additions will come via MLE and Veterans minimum.
LMAO- Infatuated? Man Crush? …….. Im not in the bussiness of being infateated by other grow men lol -im infatuated with money. No man crush here I love women and women only. I dont have a problem metting or getting women when thats what im after. I got my self together trust. Easy on the eyes,good size 6′4 220, Money, Educated,No kids,home etc- Im not hurting at all LOL
By the way I attract all ages thats the beauty of being mid 30’s I can go from 21 to 51 and fa real tho a 50+ year old woman was tryn to get aquainted with me in Walmart just 2 days ago-She was really sexxy but jus 2 years yunger than my mao so I had to pass….. Dont tripp good Dr on look at my abs and i’ll have you drooling on yourself HAHAHAHAHA……
I MUS WRITE
June 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
2 years yunger than my mom……typo
nobody
June 26th, 2010
3:10 pm
Alright. So I Mus Write is trying to tell us a 35 year old man says HAHAHA and LOL and LMAO and actually talks to women? right………
nobody
June 26th, 2010
3:14 pm
Oh wait I forgot dont tripp, sexxxxy, and the all important fa real. Did you say you were educated and mid 30s?
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
3:19 pm
Hey, don’t be hatin’ on mid-30s…I’ll be there in a couple years.
I say “LOL” because I’m already married (over 7 years), so I don’t care…LOL!
drmaryb
June 26th, 2010
3:33 pm
IMUS WRITE too
I would not recommend a MRI to evaluate the bony structures of the knee. The preferred
technology would be a CAT – Scan. Avascular Necrosis is an extremely serious condition because
a loss of blood flowing through the Trabecular Canals of the bone tissue, (marrow) causes
Immediate death oft he bone tissue itself.
Because, the bone marrow is the sole site of red blood cell manufacturing, this is critical to not only the
body itself but also a death sentence to the bone. In this case the patella (knee cap).
Why is the patella so important to the knee, one might ask? Well, the patella’s number one funtcion is
actually four – pronged. To protect, pad and stabilize the most complex joint in the entire body,
specifically, the distal femur (the largest bone in the body) and the proximal tibia. The fourth
function is to provide an attachment site for the Anterior Cruciate Ligament along with the
Tibial Protuberance and Distal Femur Protuberance.
Micro-Fracture Surgery is innovative and leading edge technology. Before, this procedure was
developed, careers ended abruptly. Jamal Mashburn was the first player in the NBA to undergo this
procedure and Anfernee Hardaway (I believe) was the second. Because, there were no
precedented protocals established for the rehabilitation and therapeutic components?
Their subsequent rehabs went very badly, they did not begin the running therapy soon enough after
surgery, which would have strengthened the bone.
Micro-Fracture Surgery involves drilling tiny in-holes into the patella itselfan thereby
stimulating new blood vessels to form which will re-supply blood flow through the newly
formed vessels. Osteogenisis only occurs where there is hemeopetic production.
In other words, the bone can only grow if there is vascular blood supply.
Because, the knee is a weight bearing and pivotal joint, it allows you to jump and change directions when
mobilizing the body.
Greg Oden and Blake Griffin had this surgery this past season and they will benefit from the
Modified Rehabilitative Protocals that are now in place as did Amare. Bigger players,
like 7 footers rarely suffer this condition because they are not leapers and high jumpers.
Also, better shoe technology absorbs the landing shocks better for the dunkers and leapers.
Sorry, for all the medical terminology, but it is what it is. I hope I was able to explain the
Injury and corrective procedures in an understandable way. But, when you said MRI?
I had to go there. CAT-Scan my friend, not MRI.
I feel that Chris Paul’s injury is more severe, because he had one of his meniscuses
completely removed! Next for him is oseto-arthritis and a total knee replacement is likely
In his future after he hang up the shoes for good. Which may be sooner than later.
I don’t know of a procedure to replace the meniscus, only God knows that answer, since he
created and designed the knee itself.
God help us all!
Big Ray
June 26th, 2010
3:41 pm
Nice discertation, drmaryb .
drmaryb
June 26th, 2010
3:46 pm
Jamal Mashburn and Anfernee Hardaway careers ended because of Avascular Necrosis of the Patella
(Knee Cap)
Knee Caps are nice to have. BTW, Amare has lost a lot of explosiveness due to the knee
condition. I noticed in the playoffs he is quickly becoming a jump shooter away from the basket.
So is, KG in Boston. Amare, is not the same player, post surgery (how could he be?)
drmaryb
June 26th, 2010
3:56 pm
IMUS WRITE
Swiss Army Knife – that is Rich! I love that analogy. Thank You for the awesome
conversation, you are quite the intellectual. No idiots on the blog today and that’s
A good thing, because I got a hang-over headache today.
Went to that Michael Jackson party at The Velvet Room. Frank Ski & Elle Duncan was off the hook!
;0
drmaryb
June 26th, 2010
4:09 pm
Blue-Ray
(3D – HDMI)
Thanks.
Extremity Joint Alignment is my specialty and passion. As well as the skull and spinal bone joint alignments!
I do the corrective manual adjustments and rehabilitation care.
Thanks for reading all that boring stuff that I love so much! That’s my story.
Healthy strong joints properly aligned can only be achieved when the spinal and peripheral
nerves are flowing at high levels (preferably 100%). Chiropractic Care removes nerve flow
Interference and turns an average Joe into a Super-Star! (Pun intended!). LOL!
O'Brien
June 26th, 2010
4:09 pm
nobody,
In my proposal, I suggested JJ playing SF and Jamal as our stating SG. Reason being, we dont have the money to sign anybody else to play SG. Here is another proposal. How do you feel about Mo Evans as the starting SG, and then we can still bring Crawford off the bench.
And we would still have Marvin, Bibby, Jamal Crawford and Jordan Crawford, ZaZa, and whichever big we can sign in free agency on the bench.
I MUS WRITE,
Stoudemire is a much better player right now because of the huge advantage he has on offense. I think he could be a good fit in Chicago, becuase he would have Derrick Rose to pass him the ball, Noah playing Center behind him, and Tom Thibodeau’s defensive principles to help with the team defense.
But rumor has it that Bosh is Chicago’s first choice.
Doc,
(Skip this paragraph, Ray). OKC is doing in 3 years what it took the Hawks 6 years to do. If the Hawks had taken CP3 instead of Marvin, we would have been much further along. And if we would have taken Rudy Gay or Brandon Roy instead of Shelden, we would have been much further along. But I’m sure you dont need me to tell you that.
And to make it worse, the Hawks are in danger of starting to decline (if we lose JJ), whereas OKC is still in position to climb over the next few years. I think thats why OKC has been reluctant to sign a big name FA.
drmaryb
June 26th, 2010
4:12 pm
Black-Berry typing makes the paragraphs very choppy- sorry guys and gals.
drmaryb
June 26th, 2010
4:17 pm
IMUS WRITE
Just read one of your posts. Yeah, I love Amare’s game. I just love Josh better and he so exciting
and young with tremendous upside still. Between the ears? He is a very emotional player and I love that too!
I wish Joe had more of a pulse and some emotions. I’d rather calm a player down than to
administer life support and defribilators and respirators anyday! LOL!
Sometimes, joe does look like a dead man walking!