Atlanta Hawks: J.J. willing to play for less money in New York?
ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard says the Knicks will meet with J.J. in Los Angeles soon after free agency opens at midnight Thursday.
That’s no surprise since New York is one of a handful of teams with the cap space to offer J.J. a max deal and it’s always been speculated J.J. would look at the Knicks because of his his strong relationship with coach Mike D’Antoni from their Phoenix days. Until now I’d always heard New York wasn’t very interested in Johnson, but apparently that’s not the case. Broussard says the Knicks think J.J. can sell LeBron on teaming up in New York, which seems to be kind of a backwards arrangement.
The most interesting part of Broussard’s story is that he reports Johnson is willing to take less money from the Knicks, who can’t pay him as much as the Hawks due to salary-cap rules. According to Broussard, J.J. believes he can make up the roughly $25 million difference through endorsements and stock shares in Madison Square Garden. (Edit: I’m pretty sure paying a guy in stock options would be against NBA rules because it is a circumvention of the salary cap. Edit2: A helpful reader emailed to point out the league has already addressed this specific situation.) If the Hawks resign themselves to J.J.’s departure, he could get the $25 million and they could get an asset through a sign-and-trade.
Don’t ask me about the stocks, but J.J. hasn’t been a very marketable player, nor has he been very enthusiastic about marketing himself. Not sure how much that changes even playing in New York, especially if he’s on a team with either LeBron or Amare. And I’m still waiting to see all these older free agents willing to forsake $20-30 million in salary just so they can be more famous, play on a better team, bring in extra endorsements, live in a better city or whatever.
In any event, J.J. taking less money to play elsewhere is the scenario most feared by Atlanta . Rumblings that J.J. may be willing to do just that before free agency has already begun will only increase the Hawks’ nervousness about his departure. Getting the word out there certainly gives J.J. more leverage with the Hawks, who at some point may have to decide if they will give J.J. a six-year, maximum-level salary.
I wouldn’t think J.J. would be a New York kind of guy–if he thinks he got it bad here after fading in the playoffs, wait until he’s the goat in that city. I’ve always thought the Bulls would be J.J.’s most likely destination if he left Atlanta. Just a couple days ago K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported that J.J. was ready to make an early commitment to the Bulls.
But then Jonathan Abrams wrote in the New York Times that the Bulls are the favorites to land LeBron and Bosh, which would not leave money for J.J. Then again, maybe Bosh really is headed for Miami and then J.J. and LeBron can team up in Chicago.
Already you can see how free agency is going to be a pretty silly season.
MC
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311 comments Add your comment
Mike
June 28th, 2010
8:43 am
Who cares? Most NBA players are just a bunch of overpaid thugs. I’ll watch tennis before I watch an NBA game.
Jody
June 28th, 2010
8:44 am
Per realgm, Hawks to offer Joe the max.
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67510/20100628/hawks_will_offer_johnson_max_knicks_bulls_also_in_pursuit/
Paddy
June 28th, 2010
8:59 am
Of course JJ would leave for less $! He does not like the fans in Atl, thats obvious.
Paddy
June 28th, 2010
9:02 am
Mike, you just nailed it. Most older fans of the real NBA would rather put a sharp stick in their eye than follow pro basketball. It is becoming pandemic across all NBA cities!
nobody
June 28th, 2010
9:24 am
I am all for Rudy Gay. If im not mistaken he is a restricted free agent so we would have to pay more than the Grizzlies are willing to pay, which could be a lot. But Gay fits a lot better with this team. He is more athletic than Joe and has done great in Memphis. I wouldnt be opposed to somehow trading for Mayo as well, but I dont see that happening.
older fan!
June 28th, 2010
9:26 am
@Paddy: Would like to see that.
Jimmy
June 28th, 2010
9:26 am
Cap space…if JJ leaves how much will we have to spend on a high paid FA?
Ken Strickland
June 28th, 2010
9:31 am
MIKE-If you truly feel that way about basketball, why aren’t you on a tennis blog, instead of a basketball blog expressing your stupidity and/or cultural issues to those who could care less? People with cultural issues are those who make a habit of judging the many by the actions of the few. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TENNIS.
Ramon
June 28th, 2010
9:41 am
@ MC, Joe’s agent must be on some good medication if he thinks Serta is going to pay Joe $25 million just to take naps on their mattresses. I could see a line of commercials now, each one just showing Joe sleep and snoring lol. Coming in during halftime hyped from a game, sits down on the Serta, and just instantly starts snoring and drooling at the mouth.
CajunStorm
June 28th, 2010
9:42 am
I’m tire of all the talk about JJ and what he will do or what we want to happen. To me the biggest signing din’t happen which was our head coach. Unless Larry drew is going to re-invent the wheel that is the Hawks and convince Joe AND Jamal to move without the ball, come off screens, do more catch and shooting, and play a more up tempo motion style offense, we will continue to try to place square pegs in round holes.
If Drew can do that then he is worth every bit of the Wal-Mart salary they paid him.
The Truth
June 28th, 2010
9:46 am
Real Hawks Fans: Don’t you know by now during this time of the year believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. Do you honestly believe JJ would just play for NY for less? His final chance to get paid (again) Joe just decides to pass-up that kind of money? Then what would be his reason? He is just so in love with his former coach Mike D’Antoni and the city of NY that money is no issue. Remember, if JJ relationship was that strong with him then he never would have left Phoenix in the first place. Even though JJ has a knack for walking away from unfinished business (as he did in Phoenix), I think this is a more smoke and mirrors then anything else. On the other hand, is it that JJ hates the Hawks and the city of ATL (so much) that he doesn’t care about money he just wants out? What could have possibly precipitated this frame of mind? The Hawks whole offense was built around ISO Joe designed for him to succeed. As a result, he became a 3-time all-star. His underlining reason for leaving Phoenix for Atlanta mainly was to be the Alpha Dog which the Hawks has so faithfully accommodated him. Could it be that he is so frustrated with the progress of the Hawks that he wants to move on to a better winning situation, like the NY Knicks? Are you kidding me? Given their losing record as of late, no-doubt this is just wishful thinking from NY Knick fan base to steal JJ from the Hawks on the cheap. Then, could it be just the Hawks fans that JJ is so pissed about? Remember these are JJ own words regarding the ATL Hawks fans after the recent playoff run:
“They don’t bother me. It’s about us in this locker room. We could care less if they showed up or not.”
If they (we) didn’t bother him after he stunk-up the playoff with an historic embarrassing loss, then why is he so bother about us now, if JJ is true to his words? Again maybe this is all just smoke and mirrors produce by sportswriters to sell advertisements through false stories. Remember recently, according to another sportswriter, JJ was reportedly pursuing the Bulls salivating on the opportunity with playing with Rose and possibly Lebron. So, Hawks fans regardless of what you really feel about JJ, don’t be seduce with fictional stories to advance writers career as they sell ads and cause negative over-reactions to create even more stories. This doesn’t help the on-going relationship for all parties involved as Hawks management seeks to resign him or S&T.
CajunStorm
June 28th, 2010
9:49 am
Yeah Nobdy..Let’s trade Mike Bibby, Mo Evans, Marvin Williams and 2 3rd round picks to Memphis for Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo….Oh yeah let’s not forget the ThermoNuclear Briefcase bomb in that package because obviously Memphis wants to NUKE themselves!!
And Jimmy an everybody else..IF (when) Joe leaves we will have about $4million extra in cap space to spend on a bucket of sweat and dirty socks!! We are over the cap with Joe but under the luxury tax. Therefore Joe leaving w/o a sign and trade will cripple this team bcuz we can’t sign player’s outright if it puts us over the salary cap. We can only do that with our own players!!
Kelvin Davis
June 28th, 2010
9:53 am
Keep what we have accept for Joe Johnson leaving and go get Rudy Gay and Tyson Chandler or Rudy Gay and Al Jefferson… How does that sound to yall? Rudy Gay and Marvin Williams would be great on the wings together.. In all honesty its safe to say that Marvin has struggled on offense but Joe held the ball forever. And Rudy Gay averaged 22 with Memphis last year. Tyson Chandler plays defense and rebounds well when healthy and is a good garbage man on offense. And if we decide not to get Tyson and get Al Jefferson then we get another player that brings the same stuff except he’s better offensively.. But Rudy Gay is a must.. Let me know what you think please..
nobody
June 28th, 2010
9:54 am
Actually Cajun Storm. Gay is a restricted Free Agent. We can SIGN him away from the Griz. Mayo is who we would trade for. And after losing Gay theyre going to need a SF.
bigdave
June 28th, 2010
9:54 am
i’ll be glad when this is over…
the latest ive heard is Joe to Miami with Wade and Boozer…
bigdave
June 28th, 2010
9:55 am
they spend the money they save by signing Boozer less than max to acquire a pg.. logical…
folks Miami is in play for the services of Joe Johnson.. and i doubt there will be a s/t..
nobody
June 28th, 2010
9:58 am
what would we get from Miami? They have given away everything already to free up cap space. I do no want beasley and Chalmers.
Kelvin Davis
June 28th, 2010
10:07 am
Coach Larry Drew
Starters PG Jeff Teague
SG Rudy Gay
SF Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith
C Al Horford
Bench PG Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford
SG Jordan Crawford, Jamal Crawford
SF Moe Evans
PF Joe Smith
C Al Jefferson, Zaza Pachulia
I think that roster looks good! Tell me what yall think
CajunStorm
June 28th, 2010
10:08 am
Hey Nobody….you are right, Rudy Gay is a RESTRICTED FREE AGENT which means Memphis could and would match our offer. Besides we could not offer Rudy Gay a $12-$14Million/yr offer because we do not have the CAP SPACE…….EVEN IF JOE LEAVES. The only way to get Rudy Gay is a Sign and Trade.
remember people there is a lil thing called the salary cap in the NBA and unlike the NFL the NBA has GUARANTEED CONTRACTS.
EX. Memphis offered Josh Smith a contract when he was OUR Restricted FA….he’s still here bcuz we matched it!
EX#2 Joe Johnson was a RESTRICTED FREE AGENT in Phoenix and we gave up Boris Diaw and TWO 1st rd picks in a sign and trade because Phoenix matched the deal instead of just losing a COMMODITY for nothing.
Now Joe is a FREE AGENT!! He can and will go his own way and there isn’t a thing we can do about it.
nobody
June 28th, 2010
10:12 am
CajunStorm. I believe I said outbid Memphis…..Therefore I know the rules of Restricted Free Agency………I didnt know we were that strapped for cash however
Ken Strickland
June 28th, 2010
10:14 am
All will not be lost if JJ doesn’t resign. We can resign JChildress and trade MEvan’s expiring contract to help pay his salary. We do a sign and trade with JJ to the Bulls for center Brad Miller($12M), whose contract expires after the season, and a future 1st rd pick. Then we go with a starting lineup of PG-JTeague, SG-JoCrawford, SF-JChildress, C-AHorford & PF-JSmith. BENCH: JaCrawford, MWilliams, ZPachulia, BMiller, MBibby.
Next yr BMiller’s contract would come off the books, and we could trade MBibby’s expiring contract. If we combine the $18+M we’d save by getting rid of their contracts, along with the money we’d save by not resigning JJ, we could easily resign AHorford and JaCrawford without approaching the cap limit.
Then HC LDrew can go into the final yr of his contract with his top 8 players intact(JoCrawford, JSmith, JTeague, AHorford, JChildress, MWilliams, ZPachulia & JaCrawford), along with 2 1st rd draft picks and more than enough cap space to add additional quality bench players.
O'Brien
June 28th, 2010
10:15 am
nobody,
Joe would sign with Miami outright, so there is no sign and trade. Think about it. After giving Wade the max, I dont think Miami wants to give Joe the 6 year max he would get through a sign and trade. They would offer him a 5 year max straight up, because they are under the cap.
As for Rudy Gay, I think Memphis would be open to a sign and trade. Would they take Marvin and another piece for Rudy? Maybe…
nobody
June 28th, 2010
10:15 am
Teams CAN match an offer. They do not have to. Therefore I was saying take Joes money and give it to Rudy at a price the Griz would not want to pay. Id rather over pay for a young Rudy than Joe Johnson. I forgot we dont have that much cap space.
CajunStorm
June 28th, 2010
10:16 am
KELVIN DAVIS….I think you play too much fantasy sports! How in the hell are we gonna sign RUDY GAY and Trade for AL JEFFERSON AND STILL have our whole damn team from last year minus JOE!!!
PEOPLE..WE ARE OVER THE DAMN CAP NOW but below the Luxury TAX!! When Joe leaves we will only be about $4Million under the CAP!! Not enough to sign Rudy Gay’s JOCK STRAP (No Pun Intended)
And yeah..how bout we just trade a couple of picks for AL “FREAKING” JEFFERSON…one of the BEST Centers in the DAMN LEAGUE!!!
I’m getting off this GD blog bcuz you people have DUMBED me down to EPIC PROPORTIONS!! JESUS SAVE US FROM THIS VIRAL STUPIDITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
June 28th, 2010
10:17 am
Ken Strickland,
Brad Miller is an unrestricted free agent.
And guys, I think the chances of a sign and trade for JJ to the Bulls are slim. Do the Bulls really want to pay JJ 6 years $119 mil? Especially with Rose and Noah coming up for extensions in another year or two, I dont think so.
nobody
June 28th, 2010
10:17 am
O’Brien. Yeah. I was just addressing someone saying I doubt there is a S&T with Miami. I know there isnt because they can afford him. I was just saying even if there was a S&T Miami has nothing left to give anyone
nobody
June 28th, 2010
10:19 am
Somebody needs to chill…..I think you need to save yourself from getting angry over an AJC blog…..re-access your priorities if this pisses you off.
The Truth
June 28th, 2010
10:25 am
Will this stuff ever end?
The Rockets are considering chasing Joe Johnson, too, at least in part to give Bosh a suitable playmate. Johnson might be ready to move after his disappointing playoff series with the Hawks in which he was critical of the fans and eventually booed at home. But there are few doubts about his abilities. He’s not Wade or James, but he is in the next group.
Time
June 28th, 2010
10:39 am
The Rockets pursuing Joe could work out very well. As Yao Ming can opt out and become a free agent. There’s a sign and trade that could work. Joe for Yao. Of course, you’re gambling on Yao staying healthy, a signifigant gamble to be sure, but if he does you’d have your true center, Al at the 4 where he belongs. Which moves Josh to the 3. Not exactly his prime position, but he would create some matchup issues for other 3’s in the league. And you’d have this massive front line.
And I don’t get this mentality as to how the team is going to just crumble if Joe walks. I think it more likely ends up as one of those addition by subtraction deals. Joe leaves, someone has to step up into the scoring and leadership roles. I think we’ve got players who can fill both those roles nicely if given the opportunity (Marvin and Al).
CajunStorm
June 28th, 2010
10:54 am
NoBody…..not pissed off….disappointed in the lack of knowledge out there. Ignorance in any form should be addressed. Notice, I spoke of factual cap space ability since last night AND since 8:30 this orning. What is the point of a competent blog if SOME folks decide not to read facts and just play fantasy league.
Blogs are entertainment…..sure. But I choose to be entertained in educated forums. If you haven’t noticed Blogs have developed into REAL MEDIA and out of “Grandma’s basement.” Dave O’Brien deserves better and so do the people that participate. That my friend allows for successful growth not ignorant rubbish.
JoJo the Godfather
June 28th, 2010
10:58 am
I have not seen an “if Joe walks, do this” scenario yet better than the team we would have if he re-signs. I’d give him whatever it takes, even if its the max…I’m not afraid of that 6th year.
Ken Strickland
June 28th, 2010
11:04 am
I must admit, I’ve enjoyed all of the speculation about what JJ might or might not do, and what we can or should do in any event. However, the reality of all of this speculation is just a few days away. Until all of the marble are on the table for all of the FA’s to choose from, especially JJ, none of us can say with any degree of certainty what his intentions are. I’m not so sure at this point whether JJ knows what his options or intentions are.
Remember, most, if not all, of the rumors about who’s going where is nothing more than speculation from so called experts. None of the FA’s in question have tipped their hands. JJ’s motives, agenda, motivation, and what it will take to resign him is known only to JJ. So, I’m through speculating and will just sit back and let everything play itself out.
I have to be honest, I’m far less worried about the effects JJ not resigning could have on the team with LDrew as our HC than I’d be if Woodson was still here. With Woodson’s hangups, insecurities, rookie bias, stubbornness, dependence on ISO’s and jump shooting, coupled with him almost certainly relying on MBibby and MWilliams as starters, we’d end up being a certain lottery pick if JJ left.
Matt
June 28th, 2010
11:07 am
Good article Michael. If JJ wants to go, let him. He may not realize it now, but (unfortunately) ATL is the kind of town where you can lay an egg in the playoffs and it can somewhat fly under the nat’l media radar. Try doing that in NY. After seeing his performance in the ‘10 playoffs, I’m convinced he’s not the kind of player that’s going to push us over the top. Unless we had the $ to bring in JJ + another top free agent, then we need to let him go. I think Jamal paid his dues by coming off the bench last year, let’s give him a shot @ starting. I think we’ll go 40-42 w/Teague, Jamal, Marvin, J-Smith, and Horford either just making or missing the playoffs. As opposed to bringing JJ back, winning 50 games and getting swept in the 2nd round again. Let JJ go, enjoy watching a season of Jamal juking the piss out of people, and revisit the ‘11 free agents. We still have a solid young core.
Ramon
June 28th, 2010
11:07 am
I’d rather sign Joe for the max, than to lose him for nothing, and have to trust ASG to replace him with a comparable player.
Dont hate the player....(JJ) hate the game(Sund)
June 28th, 2010
11:08 am
Joe’s trying to win a championship and the Sund and his w h o r e s aint!
Kelvin Davis
June 28th, 2010
11:09 am
Well one thing is for sure. Rick Sund and Larry Drew what they fill is best for the Hawks. Here is a fact though.. Joe Johnson is done with Atlanta. Time to look elsewhere for another wing player. Rudy Gay is the only one I like. Danny Granger gets hurt to much. In terms of bigs Tyson Chandler and David Lee are options. I’m sure we would have to give up something or someone but so be it if we get those 2. Just know Horford, Teague, and Crawford aren’t moving
JEWELL ROLLEN
June 28th, 2010
11:11 am
THE NEXT “ENDORESMENT” YOU SEE ABOUT JJ WILL BE THE “FIRST”. WHEN HE TURNED DOWN THE $60. MIL EXTENSION THE HAWKS OFFERED…HE WAS GONE THEN…..RUDY GAY CAN REPLACE HIM IN A HEARTBEAT!
wordy
June 28th, 2010
11:14 am
If Joe stays this team still needs something to put us over the top, which we don’t have the money for. Experiment by trading JSmoove.
Or we could lose badly to either a retooled Miami\Chicago, Celtics or Orlando in the 2nd round…again. Lets tank the next season and hope we get Harrison Barnes in the 2011 lottery. Then we sign Kevin Durant in 2012. BAM 2012 title for the ATL Hawks
A mind is a terrible thing to waste
June 28th, 2010
11:15 am
Coach Larry Drew
Starters PG Jeff Teague
SG Rudy Gay
SF Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith
C Al Horford
Bench PG Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford
SG Jordan Crawford, Jamal Crawford
SF Moe Evans
PF Joe Smith
C Al Jefferson, Zaza Pachulia
I think that roster looks good! Tell me what yall think
DONT QUIT YOUR DAY JOB!
6TH OR 7TH SEED OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND. MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE HOV LANE TO THE BASKET, HIGH TRAFFIC AREA…. NEED TO INSTALL REDLIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS AND THEN YOU NEED SOME ONE TO ENFORCE THE LAW.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste
June 28th, 2010
11:17 am
JEWELL ROLLEN
June 28th, 2010
11:11 am
THE NEXT “ENDORESMENT” YOU SEE ABOUT JJ WILL BE THE “FIRST”. WHEN HE TURNED DOWN THE $60. MIL EXTENSION THE HAWKS OFFERED…
he was gone when they refused to extend his coach and friend mike woodson
A mind is a terrible thing to waste
June 28th, 2010
11:27 am
Truth-Serum
June 25th, 2010
7:07 am
Outside of Dick Motta here is Sund’s legacy for Coaching Hires
♦ 2. John McLeod (Dallas, 1987-89): Also a veteran coach who had reached the finals with Phoenix. In his first season with Dallas, McLeod coached the team into the Western Conference finals (Sund’s only conference finals appearance). But the Mavs failed to make the playoffs the following year and Sund surprisingly fired him only 11 games into the 1989-90 season. GRADE: C.
♦ 3. Richie Adubato (Dallas, 1989-93). This started a string of colossal failures by Sund. Adubato mostly had been an assistant, with one unsuccessful year as head coach in Detroit. He made the playoffs in his first season with Dallas but exited quickly. In the next two-plus seasons, the Mavericks went 52-141. He was fired after a 2-27 start in 1992-93. GRADE: F.
Quinn Buckner made the mistake of trying to emulate the ways of Bob Knight, his former college coach.
Quinn Buckner made the mistake of trying to emulate the ways of Bob Knight, his former college coach.
♦ 4. Gar Heard (Dallas, 1993): He took over as interim in 1993 and couldn’t stop the downward spiral. Record: 9-44. GRADE: Incomplete.
♦ 5. Quinn Buckner (Dallas, 1993-94): The grease fire of Sund’s hires. Buckner, who had no coaching experience, attempted to replicate the dictatorial ways of his college coach, Bob Knight. Didn’t go well. Dallas started the season 1-23 and finished 13-69. When it was over, Sund was gone too. GRADE: F.
♦ 6. Doug Collins (Detroit, 1995-98): Collins had a decent coaching run in Chicago but couldn’t win a title. He was replaced by his assistant, some guy named Phil Jackson. Collins lost in the first round twice in two seasons with the Pistons, then was fired in year three following a 21-24 start. GRADE: C.
♦ 7. Alvin Gentry (Detroit, 1998-00): Gentry is having a great run with Phoenix in the Western Conference finals. That wasn’t the case in Detroit. He mostly was a well-traveled assistant (save for one season as head coach in Miami) before he took over for Collins. The Pistons missed the playoffs in that first year and made a quick postseason exit the following season. Gentry was gone after a 28-30 start in 2000-01. GRADE: C-minus.
♦ 8. George Irvine (Detroit, 2000-01): Sund’s time in Detroit clearly was running out (the Pistons hired Joe Dumars as vice president of basketball operations in 2000). Hiring Irvine didn’t help his cause. Irvine’s record: 46-60. After the season, he and Sund both were gone. GRADE: F.
Bob Weiss represented one of Sund’s biggest coaching mistakes.
Bob Weiss represented one of Sund’s biggest coaching mistakes.
♦ 9. Nate McMillan (Seattle, 2001-05): Sund inherited McMillan, who had taken over as interim the previous season. He kept him. The Sonics made the playoffs in two of the next four seasons and won 52 games and a division title in 2004-05. But after the season, he opted to leave for Portland, taking a reported five-year, $30 million offer over Seattle’s four-year, $18 million deal. GRADE: B.
♦ 10. Bob Weiss (Seattle, 2005-06): The only explanation is that when McMillan left, Sund went insane. Bob Weiss? He was fired after 30 games (13-17). GRADE: F.
♦ 11. Bob Hill (Seattle, 2006-07). A step up from Weiss. But not by much. Totals: 53-81 in a season and a half, no playoffs. Neither Hill nor Sund (who had several draft mistakes in Seattle) survived. GRADE: D.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste
June 28th, 2010
11:29 am
So how does this bytchh still have a job in the nba?
Raybud
June 28th, 2010
11:35 am
I think the hawks should go ahead and attempt a sign and trade deal with NY once free agency hit. Even with Joe Johnson gone, I still believe that this a a 40+ win team and everyone knows you only need to win 40 games to get in the playoffs in the East. If possible, ATL should attempt to get David Lee in the trade. If i’m not mistaken, I think he too is looking for a long term deal. Not only that, but it definitely gives ATL a legitimate big man in the paint. I would move Marvin to the bench and attempt to sign a decent shooting guard, Salmons or Robinson, in Free Agency. Your first 4 players off the bench should be Jamal, Bibby, Marvin, and Zaza. If they can afford to bring someone like Gay in, then do it. I think he is definitely ready to be on an impact on a winning team. What’s your take on this MC?
ryan
June 28th, 2010
11:36 am
All we can do wait to see what ASG does July 1st trying to speculate does not any good .
lewis
June 28th, 2010
11:41 am
I’m cool on David Lee, another 6′9 Forward.
John Salmons is an inconsistent SF who we can’t $ afford to sign.
Hawks are offering JJ max.
He can take it or leave it.
Healthiest thing some of us die-hard fans can do is to stop speculating and wait a few days.
M. Woodson part II ( the sequel)
June 28th, 2010
11:47 am
6:41 pmWoodson II (the sequel)
June 24th, 2010
6:40 pm
I did not mean for you to show your emotional side, Sautee. I sorry you interpret my evaluation of Al as “hate”
My assessment of Al “peaking” is that His career ave is 12pts. he came into the season with an 11pt average (some where in that neighborhood) and was severely criticized for his lack of offensive tools. So severely that Woodson took the blame, being the player coach that he is and said I will work with Al and tweak him to help him get better offensively. Every time I mentioned that Al was mediocre offensively you cried and quote Woodson’s statement repeatly. OK as a result he went from 11.6 to 14.2 pts that equates to a basket increase per game. His career average is 12pts and his best college year was 13 point so I cant see where he can get up to the 17 18 19 or 20 pts level that would indicate some serious growth.
True he might have a 15 pt year but then again he might have a 11 pt year. The bottom line is he is what he is . Hes playing the best he can, which aint bad. But hes just about scoring as high as he can score. Hes not a Dirk with shooting or a strong slasher like Josh. What he does is work hard every night as a blue collar working who doesnt have the skills as much as he has the work ethics. Having said that, he is about as good as he gets. The upside is he will barring injury be able to be a hard worker for a long time.
Its ok to accept criticism of your hero, your god. Please try and control your emotions
MIN PTS REB AST TO A/T STL BLK PF FG% FT% 3P% PPS
2006-2007 FLA 27.8 13.2 9.5 2.2 1.8 1.21 .7 1.8 2.5 .608 .644 .000 1.64
Career Totals: 229 225 33.3 .527 .143 .753 2.7 6.9 9.6 2.1 0.8 1.1 362 682 12.0
jeff
June 28th, 2010
11:52 am
We would be really stupid to give JJ more money than he is willing to play for the lowly Knicks. New York 2010 W-29, L-53. We shouldn’t pay any more for him than what he would be willing to accept to play for them if these reports are accurate. JJ and ISO might be worth max. But is he worth max. money just being a good team player? We don’t know that answer yet. He knows what the Hawks have and all indications if JD is any upgrade at all, Hawks win 50 games again and make the playoffs. I think the roster will remain basically the same next year, therefore we should contend again. Showing how selfish he may be. He has been told he can’t ISO here. He must think the Knicks will allow it.
If he wants out for less money to play for someone else let him do it.
M. Woodson part II ( the sequel)
June 28th, 2010
11:58 am
M. Woodson part II ( the sequel) Your comment is awaiting moderation.
June 28th, 2010
11:55 am
DOEST THIS MEAN YOU ARE GOING TO DO THE THOUGHT CONTROL THING WHERE THE ONLY THOUGHTS THAT SURVIVE ARE THE ONES THAT ENDORSE YOUR POINT OF VIEW?
dap01
June 28th, 2010
11:58 am
Hey Joe might improve the Knicks to 34 or 35 games. How could Joe pass that up.
I say that the Hawks call his bluff.\
lewis
June 28th, 2010
12:00 pm
The Hawks don’t give a rats a$$ about what other teams are doing to try to court JJ.
They are going to offer him max, all there is to it.
Only thing currently in contemplation is backup plans.