Atlanta Hawks: Still waiting on J.J. (Sat. Update: Hawks confident, patient)

Najeh Davenpoop

July 2nd, 2010
7:19 pm

At least we know someone in ATL is thinking big. Buy out Belkin’s share, Tip!

Bubba G

July 2nd, 2010
7:30 pm

Hope that JJ goes elsewhere. He is not worth $119 million.

ryan

July 2nd, 2010
7:30 pm

Hey Cunningham if an when JJ signs is true that Hawks could land Shaq.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 2nd, 2010
7:32 pm

LMAO the comments under any post on Worldstar are a hot mess…

Truth-Serum

July 2nd, 2010
7:37 pm

I think JJ is waiting on Sund.. Any word from Sund about a center and how he plans to get one?

Harry Hawk

July 2nd, 2010
7:42 pm

We need more comments like those. This stuff gets old sometimes. We need some crazy-*** stuff to get things rollin’.

Michael

July 2nd, 2010
7:53 pm

Its a sad day when JJ accepts, dooming the Hawks to, AT BEST, first round exits for the next few years. Here are my thoughts I posted at another website:

Atlanta ownership didn’t want to face the ire and consequences of not making a big offer to Joe Johnson

Uh, I have been checking lots of message boards and newspapers. I would guess about 4 in 5 fans DON’T want the Hawks to sign Joe Johnson (JJ) at anything near max deal. He ratted out fans, flops in playoffs, plays well only if in isolation. The Hawks GM and ownership need to get their heads out of their arses and check fan sentiment if that is driving this idiotic and albatrossian offer of 6 yrs/ $120 million.

I honestly think the Hawks would be better off without JJ. The “team” would improve and so would attitudes as many don’t like JJ being the designated ball hog. Is JJ a good player? You bet. Is he a player you build your team around? No way. Do you pay a player that is not a stud max money? No way. Is JJ worth max money to any team? Possibly, but not a team as promising as the Hawks and with little financial ability should they sign him. He is worth max to whomever loses out on the main guns of this class and since 4 or 5 teams have lots of money and cap space, you can bet one or two will still have lots of money to spend after Lebron, Wade and Bosh sign. That team, it might make sense to sign JJ to max, but no way does it make any sense at all for the Hawks to do so. It would kill any promise of improvment as they wouldn’t be able to add anything that would help and they won’t be able to resign Horford or some other promising young player that maybe blossoms next year or two.

Joe Johnson has max’d out any value for Atlanta, no since in giving him a huge raise and making “playoffs-but-one-and-done” the annual slogan.

Wake up Rick Sund, read some message boards and listen to some call in radio. Fans don’t want this and the low percentage that do almost all agree there would be no improvement (first round exit) if they sign JJ, but hey, at least there is low risk of falling into the lottery the next few years. The Hawks need to take a risk, in the other direction, let JJ go or sign and trade and get a first round pick or solid 6th man (forward/center type) or improve the PG situation (Bibby not worth the money he makes either, very mediocre NBA PG).

Astro Joe

July 2nd, 2010
7:56 pm

@MC, sorry if this has already been covered, but if they were to try a sign & trade, wouldn’t Joe tbe subject to the BYC rule, meaning the Hawks ould only get $.50 on the dollar in return? I think that is true, just looking for confirmation if you would please.

Marcus

July 2nd, 2010
8:02 pm

If Wade is seriously considering CHI, having JJ come back isn’t a slam dunk.
Now, back to the previous blog ….. if the ASG’s plan is to JJ to stay, then entice a legit big-man … I ask:

1. How much money are they willing to drop?

and most importantly …

2. What quality big man (worth the money and a real difference maker) are left in FA?
Most of the true ‘5′ FA players are over the hill (Big Z, Shaq) or at the top of the hill and a stiff wind will push them over (J. O’Neal).

I still wish they would have taken a developmental ‘5′ in the 2nd (e.g. no financial commitment unless he makes the team) to go along with the supposed veteran front-court FA help they are going to pair along with JJ and the returning players.

JeJe

July 2nd, 2010
8:06 pm

Jermaine O’Neal?

Sounded like Gearon wasn’t too enthused with him, plus the guy is about as healthy as Tracy McGrady

JeJe

July 2nd, 2010
8:07 pm

T.I. is a punk, convicted felon. Don’t post that ever again

Austin

July 2nd, 2010
8:10 pm

Michael,
Do you think that Shaq would help us this year? He still is out of shape but he does take up ALOT of space which is still good and would do a better job on dwight than we have been doin…. What’s your thoughts on the matter? Or would u prefer germane?

RickB

July 2nd, 2010
8:10 pm

It’s John Koncak all over again. Knicks offer Hawks player a stupid amount of money. Hawks fall all over themselves to offer more and keep him in Atlanta. Knicks laugh at the Hawks for such stupidity.

Won’t we ever learn from history or are we doomed to repeat it?

JeJe

July 2nd, 2010
8:10 pm

Is these idiot owners had half a brain at all, they’d realize that any bigtime FA would come here, given how close this team is to competing. How hard is it to resign Joe and then add another max FA? THIS IS A BIG MARKET. WE AREN’T FREAKING OKC. WE SHOULD HAVE A 90 MILLION DOLLAR PAYROLL. IF WE DID, WE’D HAVE BEEN IN THE FINALS THE LAST 3 !@#$ING YEARS

Big Ray

July 2nd, 2010
8:20 pm

It’s entertaining to read some of the national media writers. First they said the Hawks wouldn’t pay Joe max or anything really near it. Now they say the Hawks are spending too much.

Jody

July 2nd, 2010
8:21 pm

Here’s the problem. If Joe is waiting to see what happens with other situations, one could take that as meaning that, even with the 6 year max offer, the Hawks ARE NOT Joe’s first option. I don’t know if that’s the case, but if it is, I have a hard time seeing how that stance would or should be acceptable to the Hawks.

northcyde

July 2nd, 2010
8:22 pm

JeJe . . . seriously man. Will you at least try to understand the rules of the cap? You just can’t spend whatever you want for people. The way teams increase their payroll, is to trade for higher salaried players . . or pay their own guys large salaries/

You KNOW that we can’t add another MAX free agent, without trading some of the guys we have. You KNOW that.

If you don’t know it, enough people on this board, including MC, have told you this.

To continue to act like an irrational 16 year old about what we SHOULD do . . . rather than understand what we CAN do . . . just makes you seem like you have no idea what you’re talking about.

LOL . . at least try to understand what is going on . . damn.

Big A Hawks Fan

July 2nd, 2010
8:22 pm

Michael… I don’t see it!!!! do you think signing J.J. is the right thing to do?

ryan

July 2nd, 2010
8:24 pm

If D. Wade lands i Chicago and if Bosh or LeBron goes there and with Amare getting a max deal with New York i just do not see Joe taking less money to play with guys.

RickB

July 2nd, 2010
8:25 pm

I have an idea. Lets all hit Joe on Twitter and ask him to do the right thing and not re-sign.

Jody

July 2nd, 2010
8:32 pm

I think the Hawks should just take the deal of the table if he’s not committed to them as the top option and see how it goes then.

jlewis

July 2nd, 2010
8:34 pm

Joe not re-signing, a lot of you may get what you ask for…Then this really gets fun, because there is no replacement and the current roster will not make the top 8.

South ga boy in the atl

July 2nd, 2010
8:39 pm

Say MC, heard another rumor that Denver may want to move Carmello since he won’t sign an extension. Is it possible that Marvin, Smoove, and a No. 1 pick would pry him away. I know it’s a longshot, but the salaries match up pretty close for now. I know the fly in the ointment would be whether Mello would sign a long term deal. I know he may wait for free agency next yr but with a new collective bargaining agreement and possible lockout looming, he may get a better deal now than later. Is it crazy or is there any chance the ASG would pay to max players. That’s what it takes to win a championship, see the Lakers with Kobe and Gasol. What do you think ?

northcyde

July 2nd, 2010
8:44 pm

Jody

July 2nd, 2010
8:21 pm

Here’s the problem. If Joe is waiting to see what happens with other situations, one could take that as meaning that, even with the 6 year max offer, the Hawks ARE NOT Joe’s first option. I don’t know if that’s the case, but if it is, I have a hard time seeing how that stance would or should be acceptable to the Hawks.

********************

Jody . . here’s what is happening.

Those other teams are not only trying to bad mouth the Hawks, and the city of Atlanta in general . . they’re trying to hype their team and city up at the same time.

While he can’t make the money that he can make in those other cities, they’re trying to sell him on the prestige of playing for their respective teams, and the opportunities that will open up because he is the star player there.

The wooing of these players go waaaay beyond basketball. That’s why the Hawks came with that huge contract offer. That’s why Memphis came with their huge contract offer to Rudy Gay.

They’re using the fact that we’ve never won anything, and that we have no championship history to speak of, against us. And at the same time, they’re using their team history and the players that have played with that organization, as incentive for JJ to come there. These guys probably have video presentations on laptops, showing JJ in their uniform, talking about how the former greats of that organization are still loved in that respective city.

Another thing that may happen, is that a team will FRONTLOAD the contract of JJ, if they can’t get another guy to sign. With the Hawks, a 6yr contract with 10.5% raises may see JJ make around 50 million in those first 3 years. But if those other teams try to frontload their contracts, JJ could make up to 65 – 70 million in those first 3 years. So JJ will get more money in the long run, but not in the short run.

And you can’t discount the Lebron factor, because wherever he goes, the money and the TV spotlight will go as well. If Lebron goes to the Nets, the Nets will all of a sudden have 15 – 20 national TV games. If he plays with Lebron in a big media market, it may enable JJ to make extra money on the side, via endoresments.

All of this is factoring into JJ’s decision.

We are NOT seen as a prestigious basketball franchise. That’s why the ASG used the one thing that they have over those other teams . . . the ability to pay JJ that 6th year and 27 more million dollars. That’s why I’m not mad at them at all for doing it.

We can’t compete on a basketball historical level with Chicago or New York. So we had to use the only leverage we had.

Jeff D.

July 2nd, 2010
8:47 pm

Sign and trade! Please… Get what you can from Dallas minus Dampier.

Section 303

July 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm

Alright, I have to be honest. I’ve been b#tching about how Joe Johnson owes an apology. Well, when I saw on ESPN’s bottom line that the Knicks had presented LeBron with 2 options, both of which include getting Joe, I didn’t like it. So, I guess that means I really want Joe to come back. But, I stand by what I’ve been saying. He does owe an apology.

Section 303

July 2nd, 2010
8:57 pm

Oh…and I hate, I mean HATE, the idea of bringing in Jermaine O’Neil. It might be just me, but I would prefer the Hawks spend money on guys that can actually contribute. The days of Jermaine O’Neil doing that have come and gone.

Reid Adair

July 2nd, 2010
8:58 pm

This is good news. This means there’s still a chance Joe Johnson will not be an Atlanta Hawk for the 2010-11 season.

Jody

July 2nd, 2010
8:59 pm

northcyde,

I get what you’re saying and I agree with the rationale behind the huge offer from the Hawks (except the part about New York who have an inflated sense of self importance and entitlement despite not having accomplished anything in recent memory except displaying the ability to sign bad contracts). I get that this is business, but for once, I’d like to see that Hawks show a little backbone and self-respect as an organization and refuse to be runner-up to a guy who seems to not want to be a leader, but a tag-a-long.

northcyde

July 2nd, 2010
9:00 pm

I mean . . think about it folks. What are the top 5 biggest moments of this franchise since they’ve been in Atlatna?

1) 1994 – Trading Nique for Danny Manning . . a day every Hawks fan following the team at that time, remembers VIVIDLY.

2) 1983 – Trading with Utah to get Dominique Wilkins in the draft

3) 1988 – taking Boston to 7 games in the EC Semis . . . the classic Nique vs Bird matchup

4) 1994 – Winning 57 games and obtaining the #1 seed in the playoffs

5a ) Signing free agent Dikembe Mutumbo in 1996

5b) 2008 – Taking Boston to 7 games . . . when just about everybody in the world thought we’d get swept or at minimum win 1 game

That;s our history folks.

N-Trigue

July 2nd, 2010
9:08 pm

Hawks need to try and get Luis Scola! MC have you heard his name mentioned with us at all?

northcyde

July 2nd, 2010
9:11 pm

Jody . . this is not the time for an organization like ours to act like our feelings are hurt because he didn’t immediately take the money. You wait this out, and see what happens. We’ve done all we can do.

If we lose JJ, he’s going to an Eastern Conference team that finished below us. And if that team is the Knicks, and they sign Lebron or Amare along with JJ . . . they will be better than us. Without JJ, a team like Miami may also jump us, if Bosh or Boozer teams up with Wade.

That’s why this is NOT the time to be playing around. This is a NUCLEAR ARMS RACE.

If the ASG needs to make one more pitch to JJ, ish . . bring T.I. to the damn meeting . . set him up with a date with Elle Duncan . . . call Cheetah and Strokers and tell them to give JJ a lifetime VIP pass . . . something.

These other teams don’t give a DAMN about us. They will tell JJ ANYTHING to get him. They are not functioning under some “morality code” when it comes to these negotiations. So we shouldn’t get our feelings hurt because he didn’t take the deal right away.

If he wants the money, he’ll come back. If he believes the lies and half-truths that those other teams are telling him, he’ll go play with them.

But at least the ASG tried. I’m astonished that they even tried to lock him up like they did.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 2nd, 2010
9:12 pm

“Another thing that may happen, is that a team will FRONTLOAD the contract of JJ, if they can’t get another guy to sign.”

MannyT, niremetal, and MC can confirm or deny this, but I don’t think this is possible with a max contract. When you sign to a max contract, you’re not signing for a specific dollar amount, but a percentage of the salary cap. With that being the case, how much a guy gets paid each year with a max deal is based on the fluctuation in the salary cap, meaning a team wouldn’t have the ability to frontload a max deal.

At least that’s my understanding. I know players that get signed for less than the max get frontloaded all the time.

Jody

July 2nd, 2010
9:16 pm

northcyde,

Point taken. Let’s see what happens.

Big Ump

July 2nd, 2010
9:18 pm

Shout out to Truth Serum, Big Ray, and Ken S. Ken how everything going with you? I hope all is well.

Hawksfan

July 2nd, 2010
9:18 pm

Ryan, what are you saying? That Joe would prefer to play in the WNBA with the girls and make less money, than play in the NBA with the guys and make more money?

hawks #1 fan

July 2nd, 2010
9:20 pm

I,m getting scared that joe johnson is going to sign for all this money that he’s not worth. Please gm sund, anybody, don’t do it.

northcyde

July 2nd, 2010
9:22 pm

No doubt MC. We definitely represent stability side of the equation. If he comes back here, he’ll know what to expect.

Fans up therestill villify my boy Allan Houston, even though they know good and well that the Knicks were SORRY because of the decline and eventual loss of Patrick Ewing. Allan did his job . . but the Knicks best big man after Patrick left, was Kurt Thomas. And along with Spreewell’s gunning self taking wild shots, those 2000s Knick teams were doomed to be no more than mediocre.

cj

July 2nd, 2010
9:24 pm

Enter your comments here

Astro Joe

July 2nd, 2010
9:30 pm

ShamSports The same site that said Childress would sign with the Wizards now says he’s staying in Greece.

cj

July 2nd, 2010
9:31 pm

What about Garrett Siler. He had a good year in China,do you they will invite him to the summer league?

i_am_soulstar

July 2nd, 2010
9:40 pm

CJ,

I hope so, they don’t a center on the summer league roster yet apparently.

Justin

July 2nd, 2010
9:41 pm

When Joe Johnson came into the NBA, he was a lottery pick. Now, he just won the lottery. In the future, players with expiring contracts will kill their team in the playoffs and make disparaging remarks about the fans so that they get a massively over-paid contract the next go around. Joe Johnson has found the winning numbers for all NBA players.

I Heart Atlanta

July 2nd, 2010
9:43 pm

SHAQ WOULD BE AWESOME!!!

JIMMYMACK

July 2nd, 2010
9:45 pm

MC, is there any words on the coaching staff?

northcyde

July 2nd, 2010
9:45 pm

Just to appease Big Ray . . saying if JJ doesn’t re-sign, someone ( probably me ), might blame the fans:

***************

((( Knicks video presentation to JJ on a laptop . . . by them using their version of Ice Cube’s classic diss song to NWA . . . “No Vaseline” )))

ICE CUBE: “Here’s what they think about you . . .”

(( cut to the beginning of Game 4, showing Hawks fan booing JJ in the 1st quarter ))

ICE CUBE: “Here’s what they think about you . . .”

(( screenshot of an AJC blogger ripping into JJ ))

ICE CUBE: “Here’s what they think about you . . “

(( clip of Michael Wilborn dissin JJ on Pardon the Interruption ))

ICE CUBE: “Here’s what they think about you . . “

(( random caller on a 790 AM sports show, bad mouthing JJ ))

**********************

Then the music plays, with 50 Cent dissing Atlanta to the “No Vaseline” beat . . while also urging JJ to sign with the Knicks.

NCBravesFan

July 2nd, 2010
9:46 pm

Hard to blame Joe for thinking carefully and reviewing all available options. Props to the Hawks for doing all they can do right out of the gate.

Justin

July 2nd, 2010
9:46 pm

What will be really fun to see will be some team offer Al Horford the max contract next year, which the Hawks won’t be able to match after JJ makes off with everything but the gold on our capitol. Or was that included in the deal too?

Big A Hawks Fan

July 2nd, 2010
9:49 pm

The reason why I typically hang on MB and Jeff S.’s site is that they answer your questions! some things never change! I am outta here!

Sautee

July 2nd, 2010
9:54 pm

northcyde,

Your age is showing, or lack of it.

My Hawks history goes back to ‘68.

Bigger than ANY of those events you mentioned, for me, were:

1. Losing David Thompson AND Marvin Webster to the Nuggets (then an ABA team) in the ‘75 draft. Geez, what we could have been. They were the #1 and #3 picks in the entire draft. That is BY FAR the most momentous event of the Hawks Atlanta history.

2. Finally moving into the Omni after WAY too long at Alexander Memorial

3. Winning the Western Division in ‘70 (somewhat unexpected)

4. Drafting Pete Maravich

5a. Trading for ‘Nique

5b. Losing Zelmo Beatty ( I just about cried)

I guess some of us old-timers take a longer view, like newkid says.

JIMMYMACK

July 2nd, 2010
9:56 pm

ASSISTANT COACHES??????????????????????????????????????
I have read emough about the team makeup. NEW SUBJECT.
VARIETY, SOMETHING DIFFERENT…………………………..

JIMMYMACK

July 2nd, 2010
9:57 pm

ENOUGH, ENOUGH……………………………………….

Dan23

July 2nd, 2010
10:02 pm

Has anyone heard any more news on the shopping of Marvin and Bibby? Or as MC has said numerous times that Sund’s focus has been completely on JJ.

vava74

July 2nd, 2010
10:03 pm

Is this how you want to end up?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aqm9pjv4Cmj6ow2vccw48KK8vLYF?slug=ap-freeagency-suns

Losing your star player and re-sign and/or sign a couple of role players?

Najeh Davenpoop

July 2nd, 2010
10:10 pm

If the Knicks allow 50 Cent’s no talent azz to butcher an all-time Ice Cube classic, I think Joe would have enough self-respect to reject them on the spot.

northcyde

July 2nd, 2010
10:12 pm

Fair enough Sautee . . . But the Game 7 battle between Nique and Bird has to be in that top 5. Only old time die hard Hawk fans will list some of the accomplishments you listed. The longtime fans like you are appreciated though. It’s good to pass down history to the younger generation.

Sautee

July 2nd, 2010
10:12 pm

AJ,

Surely you don’t give credence to a site named “ShamSports” do you?

northcyde

July 2nd, 2010
10:13 pm

hahah @ Najeh . . . I started to say Jadakiss . . but Jada likes ATL. He wouldn’t bad mouth us. But that punk and traitor 50 would.

Sautee

July 2nd, 2010
10:17 pm

northcyde,

You’re probably right about that Game 7. I was jaded about the Hawks as that season went on, so I thought they would lose in 5. So I was pleased, but never really thought they could pull it off. I guess that makes ME less inclined to rate it as highly, but I’m aware that League Historians hold that as one of the classic Game 7’s.

ryan

July 2nd, 2010
10:17 pm

If we loose Joe Johnson i am done with the Hawks i don’t care what you people say if loose him the Hawks are a lottery team if that is what you people want SO BE IT. We are not getting Wade, LeBron, Bosh, or Amare . Joe who we can get If loose him be careful what wish for.

Ken Strickland

July 2nd, 2010
10:20 pm

If JJ signs the Hawks contract offer, it means JChildress won’t be resigned. Someone within the Hawks organization indicated Sund feels the Hawks need a starting quality FA center to go with JJ and back up AHorford more than they need a FA SF. They also indicated the ASG are willing to go over the luxury tax threshold in order to sign one.

They plan to use the $3M they acquired during the draft to pay the luxury tax penalty.It also means they think most of the problems Marvin experienced was do mostly to Woodson, and the fact he did absolutely nothing during the season to address his OFF inconsistency.

If, in fact, there was a summit meeting between Bosh, Lebron and Wade, we now see why JJ was excluded. He obviously wanted to receive a max contract from the Hawks more than he wanted to play with Lebron.

SAUTEE-don’t forget, the same yr we drafted and lost David Thompson and Marvin Webster to Denver, we had Julius Ervin under contract, and he actually played in some exhibition gms for the Hawks. Also, in addition to losing Zelmo Beatty to the ABA, we also lost “Jumping” Joe Caldwell.

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
10:21 pm

Sautee

Don’t forget signin’ Dr.J then The league voidin’ his contract.
Somehow we don’t get ‘im & he ends up on the 6ers.
I can’t remember if there was a stop in between.
Nonetheless, didn’t Doc & Pistol play a couple of exhibition
games together?

By the way 5b. Zelmo was the 1st Big Z.

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
10:22 pm

Dang ken you beat me by 1 min.

Sautee

July 2nd, 2010
10:24 pm

Ha, imagine what would happen today if we had the overall #1 and #3 picks and ended up with NOTHING! It was unfathomable. And David Thompson was sooooooo much fun to watch. It still to this day makes me nauseous.

This blog would go batsh!t insane if that happened today. Y’all don’t know how easy you got it.

Sautee

July 2nd, 2010
10:29 pm

Dang, Ken and Grandad, y’all are pilin’ on.

I didn’t mention Julius, because it was rumored all along that we couldn’t keep him.

And Caldwell leaving would be 5C.

John McCain

July 2nd, 2010
10:29 pm

Straight talk express

I think that center is coming here to start and horford will get his minutes backing up the center and Josh Smith. Im pretty sure thats what been discussed and why Horford says he want to go back to forward. Hell get starter like minutes between backing up Josh and the new center.

just a little straight talk.

JeJe

July 2nd, 2010
10:30 pm

it’s obvious Joe’s boy A’mare called him up and told him to join him in The Big Apple. That’s the hold-up.

northcyde, sorry I don’t have time to read the 200 page salary cap rules. I was actually ASKING earlier about the rules for when a team is over the cap after resigning someone like Joe what the rules were.

Why don’t you stop paying attention to idiots like me and keep promoting your idea that the fans in ATL suck, and that Woody and Joe are not to blame for any playoff failures since that’s obviously what you’ve been insinuating the last 4 months.

I’m out

Sautee

July 2nd, 2010
10:36 pm

Hey Jeje, thanks for taking the caps lock off. Seriously.

JeJe

July 2nd, 2010
10:36 pm

I agree, MC, but J’Oneal is not a dude I want to mess with right now. He is not the oldest guy in the world, but his knees are literally 1 hit away from being done for 2 weeks. Shaq also is not a guy I want on this team. I’d take another ZaZa for $5M before I took Jermaine for 3M

Sautee

July 2nd, 2010
10:38 pm

BigA Hawks Fan,

I thought you said you were “outta here”.

Couldn’t stay away?

Najeh Davenpoop

July 2nd, 2010
10:40 pm

ESPN confirms MC’s story. Joe is still strongly considering New York and Chicago.

Sarah Palin

July 2nd, 2010
10:42 pm

Don’t listen to ‘ol straight talk. He and his boys ratted on me about my shopping spree.

He’d probably say anything to get your favor. He’s not even a true Republican.

robdawg08

July 2nd, 2010
10:52 pm

Why would the Hawks “settle” for JJ if HE decides to resign ? Just forget about him and tell him you don’t want him at all. As long as he has the Hawks “in the hole” to sign with he will shop himself with all other teams that HE wants to play for. Don’t let this inconsistent player do ya like that Hawks.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 2nd, 2010
10:53 pm

My bad… I just got that link tweeted to me, and didn’t realize it was already linked in the article.

JoJo the Godfather

July 2nd, 2010
10:53 pm

Do you give Joe a deadline to accept?

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
11:00 pm

Big A Hawks Fan

“Shut up, punk.”

Who’s this Clint Eastwood character?

Jody

July 2nd, 2010
11:00 pm

robdawg08,

Co-sign. As long as you allow yourself to be treated second rate, you’ll always be second rate.

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
11:04 pm

Mary Ellen

I think ‘Section 303′ is a ma’am.

JeJe

July 2nd, 2010
11:05 pm

“Do you give Joe a deadline to accept?”

No because there’s no plan if he doesn’t accept.

Sund is probably the worst GM in the NBA and the ASG are broke useless owners. Deep inside, this ownership thinks keeping this core together will yield a championship, since EVERYONE IS STILL YOUNG AND HAS POTENTIAL

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
11:07 pm

JeJe

Backup plan = S&T

Harry Hawk

July 2nd, 2010
11:08 pm

Damn right, JeJe.

Plan A: Sign Joe to max contract.

Plan B: Oh, s***.

Harry Hawk

July 2nd, 2010
11:08 pm

Sure, they might get a sign and trade deal done with somebody, but what if it’s the Knicks?

O'Brien

July 2nd, 2010
11:10 pm

I like the Shaq signing. For one, it gives ASG more credibility, because national media like Shaq. And I think he will help improve the ASG’s perception. And From a marketing standpoint, fans will come out to see Shaq.

From a basketball standpoint, I think its ok too. Shaq looked decent last year (when he was healthy). Sure, his pick and roll defense is weak, but he does give us a big body down low. And if Horford is at PF, and Shaq at Center, you can throw it in to Shaq (who is also a good passer), or Horford can use his mid-range jumper.

I dont think you would want to play Josh and Shaq together though.

I tell you what. If the ASG offer Joe the max, and he still takes less money to play somewhere else, that will not bode well for the ASG, or the Hawks.

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
11:11 pm

JeJe

I don’t trust Sund either.
That’s why the best way to improve is to keep Joe,
yet stay the same,
then change through better teaching/coaching.
Tweaking > Wholesale

James

July 2nd, 2010
11:14 pm

Joe is going to New York it’s going to be Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire going to the knicks. LeBron and Chris Bosh is going to Chicago and Carlos Boozer is going to Miami to play with D-Wade.

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
11:15 pm

Harry Hawk

*S&T -w- Knicks
If one is savvy, it’s better than nothing.
S&T = Gallinari (sp) + + ?

i_am_soulstar

July 2nd, 2010
11:16 pm

Check it out. Damion James is injured (slightly). This could’ve been our bad news.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Av4EPbl4fQgPt88U0mUo2v3TjdIF?slug=ap-nets-damionjames

newkid

July 2nd, 2010
11:21 pm

JJ is doing what ‘followers’ do; he’s waiting for others to point the way. No surprise here is it?

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
11:22 pm

James

I’m with MC on this one.
Joe to ATL. -w- J & A + Shaq ?
Better chance to win.
Serious.
Even w/o Shaq.
$27 mil.
I will not make that in 27 lifetimes.
People throw that # [$ million $ dollars]
around like it’s chitlins’ or sumthin’.

JeJe

July 2nd, 2010
11:26 pm

LeBron will stay in Cleveland. I kinda hope he goes to the Clippers. They have been one of the most talented teams over the years. They had Baron, Thornton, Z-Bo, Camby, Kaman, and E.Gordon all in 1 yr. It’s time they strike gold. I don’t think LBJ wants to go West though.

I’ll go with 1) Cavs 2) Nets.

I do realize however that the Bulls could ship Deng somehow for cap space and have LBJ, Rose, Bosh and Noah all in 1 lineup.
Jesus

Kwijibo

July 2nd, 2010
11:27 pm

I have been following the Hawks since the 70’s and this team has as much promise as any team in the history of the franchise since moving to Atlanta. I am typically let down by the negativity of Atlanta sports fans, so am not surprised at this blog about Ju Ju Joe. The guys scores 20+ points a game, plays excellent defense and doesn’t shoot people at night clubs. Granted, he is not a floor leader or motivator, which prevents him from becoming a player like Kobe, Wade, LeBron or Pierce. Horford can be the guy we need in that role. Locking him up as an anchor for 6 years would be a great thing.

With the Woody thing taken care of and Billy Knight gone, no bad blood still exists to prevent Childress from resigning. He can play 2 or 3 and provides additional energy off the bench. Won’t affect salary cap or luxury tax as he is already counting against the cap as a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer.

So, we need a center for matchups like Dwight Howard. Yep. Sign Shaq for a reasonable amount of money with the pitch to ‘come win a championship’.

Could that group be as good as anyone in the league?

Teague/Bibby/Jamal
Joe/Jamal/Jordan Crawford
Marvin/Chillz/Joe
Josh/Joe Smith/Othello/Horford
Horford/Zaza/Shaq

That being said, if we lose Joe but could wrap up Crawford for a long term contract, we will be OK in the long run.. but why give up an anchor out of spite?

JeJe

July 2nd, 2010
11:27 pm

Joe will get fried by the media. Just twitter search Marvin, Joe, and Bibby. Everyone out there knows that 2 of these guys suck and the 3rd is a playoff choker with no heart

Jody

July 2nd, 2010
11:29 pm

I don’t see the Hawks having much of a chance to get Shaq is they get spurned by JJ. They’ve already lost out on Salmons (supposedly one of their contingent plans) waiting on Joe. Hence, I think they need to give him a deadline or else risk looking REALLY foolish and embarrased.

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
11:31 pm

newkid

Astute observation!
However;
don’t forget his agent,
he’s not gonna leave $27 mil on the table.
That would cost his agent – what – $2.7 mil?
-OR-
Do agents get more than 10% now, I don’t know?
-Still-
his agent’s not gonna leave that kinda money?
His agent could care less about Amare or LbJ,
-when-
it comes to Joe’s contract.
-IF-
His agent reps one of the other guys then he’s usin’
Joe for leverage. Or I could be full of manure.

bigdave

July 2nd, 2010
11:36 pm

Big Ray…

hmm.. interesting turn of events. lol.. its getting good… looks like Joe is dribbling.. the Natl. media is funny. they do a lot of assuming.. “sources” must be drying up in today’s journalism.

o and Rich Bucher of ESPN said Joe was going to take a few days to think about it so im not really surprised by the delay. im sure he will continue his recruitment process like the others.. i mean whats a verbal commitment anyway.. remember Turk..

terrell

July 2nd, 2010
11:36 pm

MC, can a team win a championship with JJ as its best player?

robdawg08

July 2nd, 2010
11:39 pm

Joe is doing the Hawks like Damon Evans did his wife. If Joe (Damon) can find a hooker (other teams like NY,NJ,Chicago,Miami) better than his wife (Hawks) he will take it. But if not he’ll just go back home to his wife (Hawks).

robdawg08

July 2nd, 2010
11:42 pm

Man-up Hawks ownership and don’t let JJ play you for fools and dictate your future. Let him walk. He doesn’t need fans anyway you know…

Steve

July 2nd, 2010
11:42 pm

Could be LBJ asked JJ to hold off – and the word on espn is JJ really likes the Bulls. Read one of JJ’s old tweets from last year in August about how much he loves Chicago. I do think, in the end, JJ takes the 27m – no brainer.

Here’s the deal – ATL gets JJ and hopefully either Shaq or O’Neal.

If we lose JJ – Sund’s backup plan – Marvin and Bibby to Golden State for Monta Ellis.

We then re-sign Chilz.

We then sign Rafer Alston or Anthony Johnson to back up Teague – and still get Shaq or O’Neal.

And one more crazy scenario if Sund could get a Luis Scola or something – Josh for CP3 and forget Rafer. Draft picks may be part of these scenarios also.

Grandad

July 2nd, 2010
11:43 pm

terrell

Why can’t the team be the best player?

robdawg08

July 2nd, 2010
11:45 pm

Glad you know the Hawks GM’s plans, Steve. Hell, they don’t even know what they will do. I’m sure GS is drooling about getting Bibby.

John McCain

July 2nd, 2010
11:48 pm

The Peachtree Hoops Podcast: The Joe Johnson Contract and do you believe Hawks Management??

by The Human Highlight Blog from Peachtree Hoops on Jul 2, 2010 11:19 AM EDT
The Peachtree Hoops podcast gets into management’s response to online concerns (read: blogs) regarding Joe’s maximum offer. Also, getting a big man to play center mean either Al or Josh being benched.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 2nd, 2010
11:49 pm

““Do you give Joe a deadline to accept?”

No because there’s no plan if he doesn’t accept.”

Probably, but this is as much a function of the salary cap position as it is Sund’s ineptitude. Of course, Sund helped create the Hawks’ current salary cap mess, so he deserves the blame either way. But even if the Hawks were to fire Sund today and replace him with a good GM, they still wouldn’t have any real Plan B if Joe leaves, simply because that’s the way the Hawks’ current salary structure is.

coach smith

July 2nd, 2010
11:50 pm

If the Hawks re-sign JJ and pick up Jermaine O’neal to place center

a lineup of Joe Johnson, Jermaine O’Neal, Horford, J Smith, and Jamal Crawford/Bibby is pretty dang good

BUT

The Nuggets are desparate to trade Carmello before he walks, I think the Hawks should sign JJ and the Trade J.Smith and M.Williams to the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony!

look at it! The money matches up perfectly and I could see Mello staying in Atlanta

then the Hawks still can sign Jermaine O’neal (because their money situation wouldn’t have changed)

a lineup of Joe, Carmelo, Jermaine O’neal, Horford, Jamal crawford/Bibby, with Jordan Crawford, ZaZa, Teague, Evans off the bench!

That is a lineup ready to compete!

John McCain

July 2nd, 2010
11:51 pm

Steve you are funny man. Nobody is going to take the duck and the retiree for Monta Ellis!

Najeh Davenpoop

July 2nd, 2010
11:53 pm

Shaq, even at this stage in his career, could definitely serve as that 3rd big man to come in and guard opposing 5’s for 25 minutes a game. The problem is, I don’t see him signing with the Hawks and accepting a bench role. Wherever he signs, he’s going to want a starting position and a focal role in the offense. I don’t think it’s in the Hawks’ best interest to give him that. As much as Truth-serum’s brain might explode to read this, both Smoove and Horford are better players than Shaq at this point in time, and it will not help the Hawks to move one of them to the bench to start Shaq.

I think he goes wherever Wade goes. If Wade goes to Chicago, I think Shaq will go there and they will move Noah to PF.

I MUS WRITE

July 2nd, 2010
11:54 pm

I am soul star- I dont have a link for you.I run into alot of NBA types at my work and I try to get info when possible. Also my boos tells me alot he’s know Sqaq and his family ever since he played at LSE-hence the rumor……….

A couple years ago he was the one who told me we were going to sign Flip Murray/Evans when Chillz went to Greece. I posted that here a couple days before Sekou wrote about it.

I MUS WRITE

July 2nd, 2010
11:58 pm

LSU

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
12:05 am

IMUS,

Understood, thanks anyway.

Bubba G

July 3rd, 2010
12:07 am

We have got to get a big. We can not win a championship with the guys we have playing center. Al needs to move to PF and the hawks can sign a guy that is a true big center. Please Joe Johnson, don’t resign with the Hawks. To be honest we don’t want you here, and it will be best for both sides if you go elsewhere. You are stunning the growth of our ball club because you are a ball hog and if you resigned we would not be able to sign any players that can help us. So basically, please leave town!

JeJe

July 3rd, 2010
12:10 am

Melo and CP3

ARE RIGHT THERE FOR THE TAKING.

Smoove/Marvin for Melo

Bibby, Duck, picks, blah blah for CP3.

THESE GUYS ARE AVAILABLE.

newkid

July 3rd, 2010
12:11 am

Grandad,
Followers like Joe aren’t always led by economic logic or first impressions of what might be in their best interest. You know the type, don’t you? Those that indeed have their own well-founded ‘filters’, but sheepishly defer to the ‘filters’ of others who have higher profiles (e.g., LeBron, Amar’e, et al) but not necessarily more effective filters. In the face of those of higher profile, Joe’s agent is feverishly paddling upstream. You know it’s just killing him.

Some cats just don’t have leadership pedigree. Nothing wrong with that unless/until leadership illusions set in. A man’s gotta know his limitations.

doc

July 3rd, 2010
12:13 am

nothcyde and sautee:

dont forget bob petit leading the franchise to the nba championship in 57 to lose in 58 to start the celts run i think.

got to give some cred to sweet super lou the guy that only steve smith has ever been as smooth as. the guy could shoot.

Bubba G

July 3rd, 2010
12:26 am

We really need to trade Bibby. He’s aging and is making too much for an old bench player. Trade him to a team that needs a veteran point gaurd.

Steve

July 3rd, 2010
12:26 am

Guys, the Golden State rumor is on the internet – evidently Ellis can’t blend with some of the flimsy cast in Golden State. And don’t think Sund doesn’t have a plan – this is the guy who stole Jamal – and later still got 3m for a draft pick he was supposed to sell and got the draft pick he wanted as well. Sund was terrible in Seattle – great for the cheapskates at ASG.

Steve

July 3rd, 2010
12:36 am

Jermaine O’Neal stunk in the playoffs vs. Celts – 9-44 shooting – 4.2ppg

Shaq did much better – 11+ ppg vs. Celts.

Neither on will hold up well probably, we’ll see – I feel like we’re getting Moses Malone again at the end of his career. He and Theus didn’t work out very well all those years ago…..

Hawks Mess

July 3rd, 2010
12:39 am

Meanwhile, the Hawks continue to wait on Joe. – Cunningham

Just like we will be waiting on winning a championship if he signs this deal.

Bubba G

July 3rd, 2010
12:42 am

@Hawks Mess, very true. I wish that every hawks fan would tweet him and tell him he is not wanted here.

bigdave

July 3rd, 2010
12:42 am

Joe holding off before he commits could also be PR.. given all of the negative pub he’s received. not immediately committing makes it appear that Joe is more about the best situation versus the bigger pay day. though it can be argued that both are right here in Atlanta. i think Joe realizes this and at the end of the day signs.. but trust being on the front page of yahoo with some unknown calling your contract the worst in history is not a good look..

bigdave

July 3rd, 2010
12:44 am

wise to let it cool down a bit. this Tellem guy is no slouch..

Najeh Davenpoop

July 3rd, 2010
12:49 am

I wonder if Arn Tellem’s friends call him Soulja Boy…

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
12:50 am

newkid

Precisely;
which is why he will do what his agent says.
-Now-
his agent just so happens to be *buddies with NY GM.
Where his agent can make up that money…?
I don’t know?
NBA, I’m not sure how they can control a franchise
from paying off an agent???
Anyway, Joe will follow his agents instructions!

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
12:55 am

-Hatter-

Golden State web-site is one of the places I read about it.
Type in Marvin Williams + latest news,
then
hit SportsSpyder
a list of media outlets will come up
& pick / choose whichever one is most recent.
Last eve was the Marv + Bibby stuff.

JeJe

July 3rd, 2010
1:05 am

Just like the Clippers told LBJ, the Hawks should have their pitch to Joe be: “Look, we are borderline contenders. We just need 1 or 2 more pieces.”

So why can’t Joe do what Arenas did 2 years ago and take $105M/6 or whatever he took? The Wiz were thought to be contenders when he took the extension. Can’t Joe do the same?

If Joe took a $105M/6, he’d theoretically be making 17M or so in the final season. This is far more than he’d get if he took a max 5 year deal from another team and signed a contract in that 6th year.

Summary: Joe should sacrifice, recognizing that we are better than all these other teams, knowing that we have players on very cheap contracts and that 1 or 2 more pieces may just get us there

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
1:23 am

Bubba G

Why would Hawk fans do that?

Are you one of those northern oppressors disguised
as a Hawks blogger?

Bubba G = Knicks fan

Poser!

Go back to NY City Vinny or Gianni or whomever you are.

JDW

July 3rd, 2010
1:23 am

This will go down as ONE OF THE WORST CONTRACTS IN HISTORY! $119 Million for a guy who sucks in the playoffs? This will cripple the Hawks for the length of the contract. JJ is NOT a leader. He’s a nice player if you have talent around him. He is not a max player. This is stupid – stupid – stupid. The only thing more stupid is that JJ hasn’t already jumped at it! Even HE knows he isn’t worth that kind of money.

~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)

July 3rd, 2010
1:32 am

After reading this update I think the Hawks would be fools to give Joe max.

Joe wasnt worth max to begin with, but think about it now. This guy is now saying that even though the Hawks are offering him more than anywhere else, he’s still considering going somewhere else even for less money????

That tells me he doesnt REALLY want to be a Hawk anyway.

It’s amazing how quick Joe went from not getting enough credit, to getting too much credit.

tckr83

July 3rd, 2010
2:12 am

It will never be enough for this guy. The Hawks brought him out of the desert with a big contract, put players around him and IMMEDIATELY offered him a max contract (more than he commands) and he still isn’t sure? I’d like to believe in this guy, but I just cant anymore.

He’s covering his butt in saying he’s “comfortable” and “happy” still in Atlanta. I hope everyone can see through this… I now hope that JJ, in waiting on the other big FA’s, finds another place suitable to him and another Tier 1 FA. Then work out a sign-n-trade (because you know JJ wants the money, 30M is something he wont be wanting to miss out on) and trade him asap for everything we can get.

If JJ signs a contract to stay with the Hawks… I hope as soon as they come across a deal with another team(s) that would be of equal value or even improve the team slightly… that ASG doesn’t even tell him. Just trade him. “Good morning Joe, here’s your plane ticket.” Don’t let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya…

He doesn’t care to be here, he doesn’t lead, he doesn’t show up in the playoffs, he might not even fit in with the new coach and his offense… heck, he doesn’t deserve/command 119M in a sane world.

Of course as I’m typing, ESPN is saying that JJ is even considering taking less to play elsewhere and leaving the Hawks, a team that made him, offered him a more than fair contract last year 15M/per and now a max contract… high and dry.

I wish Joe Johnson had the all the loyalty and half the brains of a player like Rudy Gay. At least he appreciates his franchise…

One Atlanta fan that is just completely done with Joe Johnson, he’s not worth all of this. Huge Hawks fan, not a fan at all of Joe Johnson anymore.

~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)

July 3rd, 2010
3:06 am

Simple logic here people. Joe doesnt want to be a Hawk and is a liar.

Joe so called wants to play in ATL right?

Why would he need to “weigh other options” if the team he so called wants to play for is already offering him more money than anybody else will??

HoosierHawk

July 3rd, 2010
3:23 am

I realize the offer is already on the table, but here’s what ASG should have pitched: “Hey Joe, you can take less money to play with Eddy Curry and whoever other awful players are on the knicks. OR you can take that same amount, play here, and let us use the little extra = to bulk up the roster and make this team a contender”.

Does anyone else believe that basketball is a team game, and no matter what 2 max contract guys you have, you will not be THAT good filling out the roster with veterans minimums and MLE. Teams like the Heat have 2 guys signed and want to spend the rest of their cap on 3 superstars. I’m sorry, but look at the top teams (except the Lakers). Boston, Orlando, and Phoenix all have a good bench. 3 superstars and no bench is not going to win a title. Boston got very lucky by having 2 other players who had a well define role (Perk is a defensive stopper not a scorer and rondo can slash), and those two developed into damn good players. Lucky if you ask me.

vava74

July 3rd, 2010
3:45 am

Why are you all giving so much credit to “reports” in the media?

You have absolutely no idea of what is really going on.

Just wait and then react on facts, not on speculation devised to keep you on your toes.

tony

July 3rd, 2010
3:58 am

They need to give Steve Belkin 100% ownership. He’s the only one who had enough sense to disagree with the JJ trade to began with. I bet you he was against hiring a 36 year gm(Sund) who is championshipless.

I bet you Belkin’s gm would have drafted Darren Collison a true point guard not a sg(Teague). Belkin’s gm would have drafted Dominque Jones(team player) not Jordan Crawford(all about me player). Belkin’s gm would have drafted Whiteside(C) team’s biggest need instead of someone who worked his butt off for the 1st time in his life at an nba workout just so he could get drafted. I bet you Belkin’s gm would have hired Avery Johnson(proven coach).

All this talk about this and that but the reality is, you have owners who knows nothing about running a professional nba team. No matter what they do I don’t believe they will ever build a team capable of playing for a nba title. Any BETS?

Najeh Davenpoop

July 3rd, 2010
4:00 am

“Why would he need to “weigh other options” if the team he so called wants to play for is already offering him more money than anybody else will??”

That’s the whole point of becoming a free agent. It’s the whole reason Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce opted out. Not because they don’t want to be with their current teams — in fact Pierce has already re-signed with the Celtics — but because they want to see what’s out there, and maybe they just want the attention from other teams because it makes them feel good.

Sure, if you look at it from the average person’s perspective and you see a guy debating on whether or not $119 million is good enough for him, it looks bad. Average people like me and you will never be able to relate to the decisions and lifestyles of pro athletes. But I think it’s a little short-sighted to assume Joe doesn’t want to be here just because he’s weighing other options right now. If he actually signs on the dotted line somewhere else, you can make that judgment.

Nate ArchiBALL

July 3rd, 2010
5:40 am

Just to show how things have changed….On April 10,1972, Julius Erving (age 23) signed a 5 year, $2 Million dollar contract (Yep, that’s the total value of the contract — Walked out the Hawks offices on Cain street with a $250,000 check)
Salary:: $200,000 the first year escalating to $260,000 in the 5th year with $75,000 to come in a lump sum before October 1st of each year. $20,000 per year to be paid during the time he plays with the Virginia Squires of the ABA . An additional $12,500 to be paid for 20 years whether he plays basketball or not.
Loans: $250,000 loan upon signing, interest free, to be repaid $12,500 per year over a period of 20 years.
Other: An car not to exceed $9,000; rent payment of $250.00 per month for the life of the contract; a trade option; the striking of seven items from the standard NBA players contract.

Doc wore #54 in the Hawks uniform and played in one or two exhibition games with the Hawks.
From the Atlanta Constitution newspaper written by Frank Hyland .dated November 15, 1972..

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
6:49 am

I heard Joe’s Agent was working out the fine print in the contract offer. Besides he has until the 8th to sign anyway. Why end all the fun before then?

It’s like going to Six Flags over GA on a Saturday morning and you already won the best Prize available.
So, you take the 10 foot Giraffe to the car, lock it up and sneak back inside to enjoy some more rides until
The Park closes. Why stop having All the Fun?

You already know what’s in the car. You just don’t want all the fun to end!

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
7:17 am

Nobody

Once upon a time, in a small village far far away there lived a stubborn ole’ mule and an even more stubborn old man. They traveled to town to gather supplies and ran into a little boy, who asked,
“What is the name of your mule sir?”

The old man replied, ” She’s just a stubborn ole’ mule, She’s NOBODY! Now run along lad, we have to gather supplies.”. Now, this mule had a habit of refusing to do work or moving when most needed.
So, the old man would wind up his fist and wallop the mule right on the end of her nose to make her go!

As the old man loaded the saddle bags and prepared to travel home, the stubborn ole’ mule
dug in and refused to go. The old man wound up his fist and reared back to wallop the mule
on the end of her nose, when she spun around 360 degrees and double hoofed the old man, knocking
him flat on his back.

The little boy saw this and ran for help, when the Sheriff arrived, the old man lay there, lifeless and
barely breathing. The Sheriff lamented and asked the old man, ” Who did this sir?”

The old man gasped and said, “NOBODY!”

The moral of the story is: be careful who you call Nobody.

HeeI-Haw!

Fans, Joe Johnson is SOMEBODY! Somebody you don’t already have.

The higher Joe soars, the smaller he appears to those who can NOT fly!

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
7:36 am

Happy 4th of July!

Today is – Independence Day!

Mr. Johnson is an Independent Free Agent and he owes the Fans Nothing!
So, stay humble, thank him for his services, he put your team on the map again – yet, you
Boo Him and are ungrateful.

Nuff Said! If I were him, I would at my alternative options too. Why NOT?

real truth

July 3rd, 2010
8:17 am

I would pull his offer off the table. The fact that the Hawks offered him the max and he still wants to look around means he’s not commited. He’s damn lucky he is getting the 6yr max contract offer. Other teams who want to sign him along with Lebron or d wade are not offering max money. If I’m Sund I take the offer off the table if he wants to be arrogant about it. Sund should look for a trade to improve the team and move on. Joe ain’t worth that kind of money anyway.

real truth

July 3rd, 2010
8:20 am

I just realized there is another person posting under the real truth handle so I’m going to change my screen name. I just posted @ 8:17 but I didn’t make the waffle house posted earlier.

Hawks73

July 3rd, 2010
8:30 am

I am having a hard time reconciling what is the right move in this situation with J.J. For all the negatives that Joe has (in regards to playoff performance), he also has quite a few positives. He plays hard most if not all the time, he produces at a 20 + pt clip, plays decent to pretty good d, pretty good distributor of the ball, and overall has a strong desire to win/succeed.

It would be impossible for the Hawks to immediately replace J.J. due to several factors. 1.) The NBA salary cap restrictions 2.) The lack of strong ownership group/willingness to build a champion to attract free agents 3.) The lack of cache and credibility with the current coach (even though I like him).

If I am assessing the whole picture honestly, J.J probably isn’t worth the max @ 6yr, 120mill, but what, if any options, do the Hawks really have? I believe that from a fans perspective, I would much rather see this team make the max offer (which they did), and either keep J.J. or try to work on a sign & trade. I can’t fathom that letting J.J. go for next to nothing would give this team something to build on…just how I see it.

vava74

July 3rd, 2010
9:09 am

I am getting fed up with the 2 second tier thing:

http://www.82games.com/0910/CSORT11.HTM

JJ’s numbers in the clutch are better than Durant’s.

But Durant – who is still a work in progress defensively – is a “sexier” choice and JJ is stuck on “second tier” status.

He was averaging 27,5ppg 7,5rpg and 4,5rpg on .477 FG% after 4 playoff games against MIL.

Did he sulk and sucked after the chemistry issues emerged? Yes, but he was stuck in a lose-lose situation: bad coaching and bad chemistry.

He just wanted to walk out as soon as possible and who can really blame him?

Mentally he does lack the “edge” but he has never been in a good situation with the Hawks.

Paul Pierce before he got Garnett and Allen “led” the celtics to a 24 win season and was on the trading block. Now he is known as “the Truth”…

Go figure.

The Boss

July 3rd, 2010
9:13 am

I’ll say it once more:
JJ’s Contract 2010 = John Koncak of the 80’s

tony

July 3rd, 2010
9:18 am

Asked if he had any more thoughts on the topic after sleeping on it, J.J. said:

“It was tough. I don’t think we’ve heard the boos like that in the five years since I’ve been here. When I first got here, man, there were probably like 100 people out there in those seats. I won’t say everybody is a diehard, but they’ve shown us a lot of support over the years. In the heat of the battle you tend to say a lot of things. But it was tough, man. I was a little [ticked] off but I am over now.”

What does 100 people in the stands have to do with him not caring if the fans showed up at the ball games? When he got to Atlanta they average around 7,722 fans a game so JJ is a derogatory lier. He knew before he came to Atlanta that the team was a bad team so what does he expect. If he was a fan he probable wouldn’t go to 1 game to watch a bad team play.

Sign John Salmons and Brendan Haywood and let JJ move on.

JeJe

July 3rd, 2010
9:28 am

“That’s the whole point of becoming a free agent. It’s the whole reason Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce opted out. Not because they don’t want to be with their current teams — in fact Pierce has already re-signed with the Celtics — but because they want to see what’s out there, and maybe they just want the attention from other teams because it makes them feel good.”

Great point, Najeh.

vava74

July 3rd, 2010
9:37 am

Tony,

Tell me what Haywood has to show for his career as accomplishments?

He is beyond 30 and has brought close to nothing to Dallas (who got bumped in the first round if you did not notice).

What has Haywood accomplished during his career beyond amassing hamburgers and coasting in all his years playing with the Wizards?

A few good games against Howard? So what?

And Salmons? Yes, he is a fine offensive player but he can’t defend his own shadow and JJ completely wiped him out of the map in the playoffs.

Is that your solution to replace an ALL NBA THIRD teamer?

Is that your solution to replace a guy with these clutch stats UNDER A BAD offensive system: http://www.82games.com/0910/CSORT11.HTM (only 20% of his buckets came assisted!!!!!).

Check the link man. Check the link and tell me that you can easily replace that offensive ability ALLIED with JJ’s defensive ability?

Again, I acknowledge that Salmons is a pretty good player, but he is not as complete. BY A MILE.

How many guys in the top of that list defend as well as JJ?

JeJe

July 3rd, 2010
9:40 am

Is that your solution to replace a guy with these clutch stats UNDER A BAD offensive system: http://www.82games.com/0910/CSORT11.HTM (only 20% of his buckets came assisted!!!!!).

Check the link man. Check the link and tell me that you can easily replace that offensive ability ALLIED with JJ’s defensive ability?

Again, I acknowledge that Salmons is a pretty good player, but he is not as complete. BY A MILE.

How many guys in the top of that list defend as well as JJ?

———-

1) Joe likes to take defensive possessions off

2) Joe CANNOT score easy baskets

3) Fire SUND

vava74

July 3rd, 2010
9:42 am

The Boss,

Comparing an ALL NBA THIRD TEAMER with Koncak is a certificate of stupidity that you lay on yourself.

Get a grip and lay off the Meth.

The only reason why Koncak got that contract is because he was a “great-white-hope(less)-log-of-wood”.

He was nothing but a role player (7pts 5reb), JJ is a clutch performer with all round ability and highly regarded in the league and within the top 5 in his position (for me he is #3 SG in the league and a top 10 talent regardless of position).

darrell starks

July 3rd, 2010
10:04 am

I don’t like the money that the hawks offer jj, but in actuality they have no choice, there are no other player the hawks can sign that can keep them in the hunt come playoffs, and please don’t say salomon he is not on the level of a jj.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!

Jimmy

July 3rd, 2010
10:12 am

I don’t like it that JJ is taking so much time to decide.
While he waits, free agents are getting signed elsewhere.
I hope the Hawks are not going to sit by while losing out on other potential FA’s.
Don’t let JJ hurt the team…replace him.
It shouldn’t be this hard to decide.

darrell starks

July 3rd, 2010
10:18 am

Signing joe is a plus if the hawks can bring in a star player beside him then joe will be suitable player because we all no thats joe is not a number one, but if your looking at the bigger pic. the hawks have 2 make a big decision between josh and horford because of the position they play, both player are power forward and have high demand in the value of bringing back a star player, soon or later the decision will have 2 be made.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!

extremus

July 3rd, 2010
10:20 am

The NBA is broken, and has been for some time, with regard to competitive balance. No other pro sport is determined as much by individual efforts as basketball, so it’s no wonder so many of those guys are egomaniacal divas with little or no loyalty to a city or its fans. They’ll gladly form an alliance of convenience to get that ring, and honestly none of them really care whether it’s in a New York, a Cleveland, or an Atlanta; they just go where the most money and sense of prestige is. When they’re tired of the town or simply find a better offer, they’re off again, so why should we even care what they do?

What’s especially disturbing about a group of big-name free agents getting together and/or watching each others’ inclinations is that an even more unbalanced share of the talent will be falling into the laps of bigger or richer markets. And what that means is the rapid decline and eventual demise of many smaller-market teams and possibly a massive implosion of the entire NBA into a much smaller league within the next decade, probably. It doesn’t take a math genious to realize that losing tons of money each year means that it WILL happen for many franchises across pro sports pretty soon; it’s stupid to stay in business if that’s the case. So in the end, we can pretty much say that greed and money ruined professional sports. And I mean that in the past tense; the worst is only still to come.

darrell starks

July 3rd, 2010
10:23 am

Look at boston they kept paul, traded jefferson a young up and coming star player for kevin, and traded there 5th pick for allen, and won a title, so if the hawks are going do the same, big decision are going 2 have 2 be made.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!

terrell

July 3rd, 2010
10:28 am

Hesitant to sign a 126 mill$ contract, when your’re not an elite player is INSANE. I woulda already had the pen in my hand when Sund arrived in LA. lol!

Jimmy

July 3rd, 2010
10:31 am

extremus:

You said it all!
I know it is not collusion for those stars to get together like that…but it should be.
When players can manipulate the market and teams in this way, it should be collusion.
The NBA is truly broken.

JoJo the Godfather

July 3rd, 2010
10:31 am

The ideas that the Hawks are looking to rid themselves of Marvin Williams and sign a high profile, though aged, free agent center, leads me to believe that the Hawks may at least experiment with Josh Smith as a STARTING small forward (Drew already teased that Josh needed to drop some weight to play for him)…we’d probably only be talking about half the first quarter before subs are made…i can’t imagine Shaq or Big Z signing with Atlanta just to come off the bench…the perception would at least have to be that they were a starter even though they may only play backup minutes…could Josh start and end a game at small forward (say 10-15 minutes total), while playing PF in between (20-25 minutes)???

Steve

July 3rd, 2010
10:32 am

Boston is offering 32 yr. Paul Pierce a 4 yr. deal worth 80+ m.

Dallas is offering 32 yr. old Dirk a 4 yr. deal worth 80+ m.

Knicks offering an oft injured, no defense Amare a 5 yr. deal worth 100m

Grizz’s gave Gay – a 1 dimensional player a 5 yr. 80+ mill. deal

Giving a guy who will be 34 at the end of the contract a 6 yr. 120m is not too off base in this market. Josh is looking like a bargain at less than 11m.

Trent

July 3rd, 2010
10:41 am

Why are we waiting on Joe? Let go with plan B. Joe does not want to be here in Atlanta. Why are we not looking at some of the other free agents? This ownership group remind me of the Smith family that use to own the Falcons. All who are die hard Atliens know what I’m talking about.. Stop waiting!!!!!! GO TO PLAN B. Joe is not a show stopper..

JoJo the Godfather

July 3rd, 2010
10:47 am

When guessing about sign and trade options with New York, keep in mind that Houston has the right to swap picks with New York next year, and Houston gets New York’s 2012 1st rounder as well…So as some of you are in favor of S&T deals with New York, you’re looking at a late pick next year (the lower of New York & Hosuton), and/or waiting until 2014 for a pick (you can’t trade away 1st rounders in consecutive years).

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
10:49 am

-Hatter-

Well said.

However, if you’ll notice, I said; what I said.
-Then-
in a very light & somewhat comedic tone;
made the above…..^…..statement.
alluding to yourself.

My admonishment came prior.

I realize [and I thank my lucky stars] you are not my son.
-Also-
Were, you my real son, you’d be wearing dentures right now.

“Just for the record, I have no problem a) verbally jousting with any one” ‘TS’

Therefore I will continue to enjoy amusing repartee’
both with my friends plus those who amuse me.

drmaryb is my friend & I am most “Cavalier”
when someone [I don't know] acts rudely.

Now, enjoy the day, as will I.
Once again, no harm no foul.

One more thang, you ain’t my Great-Grandad either.
Now have a good chuckle & don’t be so quick to think
I’m admonishing you every time I mess with you.

DP

July 3rd, 2010
10:49 am

vava74, Joe Johnson is a top 10 talent? You must be smoking crack. Tell me with a straight face which of these 15 guys Johnson is better than.

LeBron James
Dwayne Wade
Kobe Bryant
Dwight Howard
Kevin Durant
Tim Duncan
Pau Gasol
Deron Williams
Chris Paul
Rajan Rondo
Brandon Roy
Steve Nash
Derrick Rose
Carmelo Anthony
Dirk Nowitzki

DP

July 3rd, 2010
10:52 am

It’s amazing that the ASG put a max deal on the table and is letting Johnson shop around the league. Pull the offer, tell his agent they’re done with Johnson but will consider sign and trade deals until July 8.

KevinM

July 3rd, 2010
10:55 am

JJ to NY or CHI tells you he is intrigued with playing WITH other elite players. But he has Smoove and Al here and Teague will get his chance. Is it JJ just wants a change of scenery? Because he knows that once the Hawks come up short again, he will be the villain after one season at a max contract.

I understand how much we don’t want JJ back for that number. We will probably feel this way each offsesason going forward. But as much as we want to push JJ out the door, I am not sure a fair return can be had…..

- We don’t need Deng, another forward.
- We don’t need Curry, as his contract helps little for the current season.

If we can get picks from Chicago and NY, I am more in line with that thought process because for them to purchase JJ, they need to ante up part of their future to secure him.

Who knows where this goes, but if we can get the Knicks’ or Bulls’ 1st rounder for the next year or 2, then I can be convinced this is better for the Hawks as a whole.

We have seen how far we can go with JJ; now let’s see how far we can get moving JJ out and replacing him with multiple pieces. I like Crawford in his role for this coming season.

lewis

July 3rd, 2010
10:55 am

JJ is a super-fire competitive player . I thought I wanted him gone but I don’t. He was exhausted from the regular season + the Milwaukee series in the playoffs. He’s every bit the player Paul Pierce is if not better, and I think Pierce is great. JJ has a beautiful shot, he’s big and can shoot over / fade away, he’s a lock down defender with speed when he wants to be.

There’s the 6′8 slow shooting slow to develop his offense JJ, and then there’s the 6′6 JJ who can run and shoot and be a glue type defender. But in order to bring out the best in a player the situation has to be right, he’ll be comfortable signing in Atlanta, but its vital that he’s willing to sort out issues in the locker room with Josh Smith or whoever else don’t like him.

Also vital we get that big on the bench. Seeing as how he’s already syphoning funds from the organization, I guess we’ll have to do with Bibby as the 3 pt sniper on the bench for now. I liked Channing Frye but he was very weak in the playoffs and plays questionable defense. The type’s of backup BIGS who play on championship teams, aka Lamar Odom, Rasheed Wallace, can post-up, rebound and play D effectively at the C position, and shoot the 3 ball. Who’s around? Who’s available? Can Scola defend at C? He’s smaller than Horford and Smith but actually knows how to get in position. I like Gallinari but I don’t know if he can defend. I know for a fact Bonner’s D is atrocious. Brad Miller..eh…Jefferson doesn’t defend….don’t think Kevin Love is available….I don’t mind Villanueva but he’s hard to look at and gets paid too much. YI Jianlin maybe? Just looked through the entirety of NBA players.

Jerry West

July 3rd, 2010
10:58 am

As sign and trades go, if that’s the route this goes, am I wrong in wanting to pick up a trade exception and use that to acquire Rip Hamilton?

3 yrs left on his deal, 12 mil or so per, last yr not fully guaranteed. He doesn’t wanna be in Detroit, they don’t want him, and he seems like he’d fit in well.

nash

July 3rd, 2010
10:59 am

Is there any chance that the Hawks could make a move for Rudy Gay and another player for Joe. The numbers could work well for the Hawks. Memphis is next door to Ark (could make Joe push for the trade) and we would get a cheaper younger play with similar skill, and have save like 40 mill to get a extra player or two

DP

July 3rd, 2010
11:00 am

I left Chris Bosh off the list. That makes at least 16 who are clearly better than “top 10 talent” Joe Johnson. There are plenty of others who could be debated as better than Johnson, including Amare Stoudemaire, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Carlos Boozer. Blake Griffin would likely be on the list had he not missed his rookie season with an injury.

Ty-Stick

July 3rd, 2010
11:02 am

I understand how signing Joe makes the team better as opposed to not signing him. However,waiting on Joe to decide on 120 mil is putting the home team in a bad position. Players who can actually make us better are on the move to other teams while we wait on Joe. Obviously, like some have mentioned, Joe’s heart is not in Atl. Why give him 120 mil when his heart is not with the Hawks. Why isnt Joe going out like the other stars to recruit players to Atlanta. That in itself shows that he could care less about the home team. If it was my money, my position would now be sign and trade. We need a team with players who are willing to do what it takes to get Atlanta (team) to the next level. This is why you don’t trade Josh Smith!

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
11:07 am

DP

And, they will never play here.

lewis

July 3rd, 2010
11:07 am

Enter your comments hereJJ is a super-fire competitive player . I thought I wanted him gone but I don’t. He was exhausted from the regular season + the Milwaukee series in the playoffs. He’s every bit the player Paul Pierce is if not better, and I think Pierce is great. JJ has a beautiful shot, he’s big and can shoot over / fade away, he’s a lock down defender with speed when he wants to be.

There’s the 6′8 slow shooting slow to develop his offense JJ, and then there’s the 6′6 JJ who can run and shoot and be a glue type defender. But in order to bring out the best in a player the situation has to be right, he’ll be comfortable signing in Atlanta, but its vital that he’s willing to sort out issues in the locker room with Josh Smith or whoever else don’t like him.

Also vital we get that big on the bench. Seeing as how he’s already syphoning funds from the organization, I guess we’ll have to do with Bibby as the 3 pt sniper on the bench for now. I liked Channing Frye but he was very weak in the playoffs and plays questionable defense. The type’s of backup BIGS who play on championship teams, aka Lamar Odom, Rasheed Wallace, can post-up, rebound and play D effectively at the C position, and shoot the 3 ball. Who’s around? Who’s available? Can Scola defend at C? He’s smaller than Horford and Smith but actually knows how to get in position. I like Gallinari but I don’t know if he can defend. I know for a fact Bonner’s D is atrocious. Brad Miller..eh…Jefferson doesn’t defend….don’t think Kevin Love is available….I don’t mind Villanueva but he’s hard to look at and gets paid too much. YI Jianlin maybe? Just looked through the entirety of NBA players

ILL-logical

July 3rd, 2010
11:09 am

@ ArchiBALL: Good get. It certainly illustates how the times(and market) have changed. Thanks

DP

July 3rd, 2010
11:11 am

drmaryb, not sure what your point is. I was pointing out that there are at least 16 players in the NBA who are clearly better than Joe Johnson as a rebuttal to the guy who claims he is a top 10 talent. I agree that none of them would play here, but that doesn’t mean it is smart business to give a 6 year max deal to a 29 year old who is no better than the 17th best player in the league with a history of disappearing in the playoffs.

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
11:17 am

Drmaryb @ 1042 AM is actually The Village Idiot!

So we ALL know who that is! That’s what one has to do, when you didn’t get enough Hugs as
a kid. You can always tell by the level of ignorance in the words.

Yawn! ;-0

O'Brien

July 3rd, 2010
11:20 am

The hawks have hitched their wagon to JJ from day one, and management has not done a good job providing alternatives.

If BK hadn’t screwed up 2 drafts (Marvin and shelden), we might have had a contingency plan.

If rick sund did not give Marvin, bibby and Zaza $18 mil per year (including guaranteed 3year deal to bibby), we might have had a contingency plan.

But right now, all we can do is offer JJ the Max, and hope he accepts. It may not be ideal, but I think its our best option.

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
11:23 am

A Hawk in the hand is better than two Hawks in the bush.

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
11:35 am

DP

Did any of those guys have to play for Woodson.
-Therefore-
stifling his progress & meandering his
learning curve during his prime

Oh Yeah – as for your list:
*D.Howard -> apples to oranges
*Duncan -> used to be better, no more, old
*C.Paul -> inj. if he heals 100%, okay, until then…
*Roy -> c’mon, what’s he accomplished ?, paper mache knees,
over-rated, Joe’s better – anyway, Joe’s more durable, tougher.
*Rose -> debatable right now.
*Melo -> Joe more complete, Melo better offense.
*Nowitzki -> ditto [melo]

** All said with a straight face **

D21

July 3rd, 2010
11:45 am

“ryan

July 2nd, 2010
10:17 pm

If we loose Joe Johnson i am done with the Hawks i don’t care what you people say if loose him the Hawks are a lottery team if that is what you people want SO BE IT. We are not getting Wade, LeBron, Bosh, or Amare . Joe who we can get If loose him be careful what wish for.”

I am not for Joe leaving, but I can say that if he stays for 120M, I will still be for ATL, but I won’t be with Joe.
If he’s conformtable in ATL like he said, and is ready to take less money to win with NYK, why should he steal all the money here ?
ATL has not the money NYK has, so why taking more here than elsewhere ?

Damn, this is just some logical reflexion.
If he gets 120M here, he kills part of possibilities of improvement.
Even if ASG tells they will spend and pay some Tax, they are not Marc Cuban.
It will need more than only paying 5M in Tax to be on the same level that the best teams.

If Parker and Ginobili were not enough smart to only be paid between 10M and less than 15M, one of them would not be with the Spurs and they won’t have all these titles.

Joe is no Duncan. Joe is a Ginobili. He deserve no more than 15M.
A 90M/6yrs deal is what he should get here, and keep the 30M for the MLE for next year since they will use the MLE this year without paying Tax (unless they also match Childress).

Even Arenas know for his big ego had refuse his 120M to take “only” 111M.
And he kills his team, while saying the difference will help the team to improve.

It’s all money thing, and no sport or anything else.
If he takes 120M, he just prefers getting 70+120M from ATL, instead of getting 70+90 but having more chance to win a title here.

If all was smart decisions, he should hesitate between taking 90M/6yrs in ATL, or try to get a sign-&-trade for the highest he can get in town like NYK or CHI or DAL where they makes money even while loosing because of big market, or with guy like Cuban.

It’s not ATL that has to overpaid (not talking about the avoiding to loose him for nothing, just the smart decisions that should come from smart guys).

If no one is seeing that, and prefer continue to use bad example like Gay or Stoudemire, instead of using good example like Billups, Parker, Ginobili… guys with title or NBA Finals experience,… just continue like that.

We don’t do good things by copying bad deals, we do it by copying good deals, and as Sund said enough that he wants to build a team like DET was, how can he send a 120M offer like that ?

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
12:11 pm

Sounds like Joe’s thinking about championships. The only team that would possibly surround him with better pieces than Atlanta is Chicago. Can’t blame him though, what 2 guard wouldn’t wanna play with Derrick Rose. Joe’s already comfortable in Chicago, as he spent a good part of last summer there.

I can’t feel Joe’s pulse. Are we losing him?

Section 303

July 3rd, 2010
12:15 pm

dp, I haven’t seen your list of who is better than Joe Johnson. I will help you out on one thing, though. No way…I repeat, NO WAY, Chris Bosh is better than Joe. Bosh might be the most overrated player in the league.

I’m mad at Joe, too, but don’t get silly.

Big Ump

July 3rd, 2010
12:15 pm

I like your post at 9:09am.

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
12:15 pm

Grandad,

Hell yeah. One thing people don’t give Joe enough credit for is durability and completeness. Melo who’s a terrific scorer is just plain lazy on the other end of the court. And these other guys are on and off of the trainer’s table. Joe’s as tough as they come (next to Kobe) in regards to playing with injuries.

But maybe we value dependability more than others.

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
12:21 pm

I still can’t see him leaving 20 million on the table. As Wade said, It’d be hard for Bill Gates to leave 20 million on the table.

Big Ump

July 3rd, 2010
12:22 pm

Truth Serum; great post at 9:09am

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
12:32 pm

DP

July 3rd, 2010
11:00 am

I left Chris Bosh off the list. That makes at least 16 who are clearly better than “top 10 talent” Joe Johnson. There are plenty of others who could be debated as better than Johnson, including Amare Stoudemaire, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Carlos Boozer. Blake Griffin would likely be on the list had he not missed his rookie season with an injury.

DP,

What are you smoking and how much for a quarter sack???

D21

July 3rd, 2010
12:35 pm

“i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
12:21 pm

I still can’t see him leaving 20 million on the table. As Wade said, It’d be hard for Bill Gates to leave 20 million on the table.”

For doing what ?
The guy only want to be the richest possible, that’s why he plays basket-ball ?
If he really wants to win, I think that the 70M he already earned, and the 100M he could get now is enough if you get opportunity at winning a title, isn’t it ?

How is it possible that you prefer 190M and no title than 170M and more chances ?

What’s why he should even lower the offer if he stays here, because the more he gets, the less ATL will improve. Maybe he would if we could make some trades for at least one Max guy, but since they did not succeed in that, it would need to build like DET in the past, and doing that doesn’t match offering 120M to one guy.

Mr. Riley

July 3rd, 2010
12:38 pm

with all the FA’s floating around, why isn’t the ownership making a play for other players???…man this team is hopeless….better yet, LEAVE JJ, WE DONT NEED YOUR SERVICES….okay ownership, lets make a play for lebron and rudy gay…and throw in Dirk for good measure..

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
12:39 pm

i_am_soulstar

Right on!

Dependability + other high character traits.
Joe + low profile = great image for himself & team.

jose

July 3rd, 2010
12:40 pm

See, it starts from the top. ASG is CONSISTENTLY INCONSISTENT while the players are COSISTENTLY INCONSISTEN.

Section 303

July 3rd, 2010
12:43 pm

Mr. Riley, there’s this thing in the NBA called a Salary Cap. Study it and get back with us. I think you’ll have a better understanding as to why the Hawks are not after LeBron or Dirk.

tony

July 3rd, 2010
12:47 pm

Truth-Serum, I just read where John Salmons signed a 5 year contract with the Bucks in $40 million range. I really like the way he plays the game.

vava74, I never said Haywood was a spectacular basketball player but he’s a good rebounder(9rpg) and he is a decent shot blocker(1.5 bpg). The only knock on him is he’s not a good free throw shooter(61%) but he will be able to contain D.Howard better than Al Horford which will keep Al out of foul trouble against the nba bigs. The Marvericks didn’t do well in the playoffs because they don’t have a good coach so get off Haywood back young man.

Salmons did a better job against us than JJ did against them in the playoff sir. JJ shot under 40% with 25 turnovers against the Bucks whereas Salmons shot 40% with only 12 turnovers against the hawks. They nearly beat the hawks without their best player. I will take Salmons over JJ on any day of the week.

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
12:49 pm

Grandad; great post @ 12:49

Ernest T.
You have no idea.
You’re in over your head.

Now run over to “Cheers” ‘Cliff’
&
play with Woody and the gang.

Dang Grandad, fantastic post!

Fegatello, son.
Be careful it’s a trap.

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
12:57 pm

D21

July 3rd, 2010
12:35 pm

In a perfect world, all players would think like that. But that’s not the world we live in. And I promise you, it’s not how their agents are thinking (especially Arn Tellem, widely regarded as a broker of some of the most lucrative contracts in sports history).

http://www.sports-agent-directory.com/sports-agents/arntellem.asp

Shout out to Najeh by the way, from here on, J.J.’s agent’s name is Arn “Soulja Boy” Tellem!

Everyone’s talking about Childress, but what people aren’t considering is that stock for guys like Marvin WIlliams is rising as well with all the small forwards staying put. So with 1 or both being expendable to us, Sund actually has the assets to improve through proper asset management (Trade Marvin for cap relief, sign-and-trade or sign Childress, etc.)

Also, the owners have stated that they’re willing to go into the luxury tax, and they should be if they’re serious about winning a championship. No one’s applauding them for doing what they SHOULD be doing (I’m not).

Gotta spend money to make money (ask the Lakers and the Celtics).

GO HAWKS!

Mystikal

July 3rd, 2010
12:59 pm

@MC, do you know if Childress has opted out of his Euro contract yet? I believe he has until July 15th to do so?

Mystikal

July 3rd, 2010
1:12 pm

For all the “Lebron Watch” hype that is being reported it seems like much depends on what Chris Bosh does. Since so many teams foolishly thought they could get stars to come together (and take less money) things are playing out much differently than anticipated now that the money is in play.
Lebron & Dwade can obviously get the most money if they re-sign with their respective franchises. Chris Bosh however is the only player who’s made it known he is NOT returning to his old team. So for the teams loomin… Chicago, New York, Jersey, etc.. it seems like they should pay substantial attention to Bosh so that they aren’t left in the cold when the dust settles.

I cannot see Lebron & Dwade playing together. That is too much ego in play. When ppl thought Lebron and Shaq would clash last year, this would be that times 10! Competitively though, it would eat at each of them to do that.

O'Brien

July 3rd, 2010
1:14 pm

Mystakil,

I don’t think childress has opted out yet. He is probably waiting to see what kind of offers he gets.

What I think will happpen is if jj resigns with the hawks, a team will offer childress a contract, because the hawks would be unwilling to match.

I’m concerned about losing JJ though, especially if stoudemire signs with new York on Monday.

Hoops

July 3rd, 2010
1:33 pm

Lewis,

What about Chandler after he passes a physical by the Hawks doctors? Trade Zaza, Bibby, and Evans for Chandler. The Bobcats get a big in Zaza that has a reasonable contract, a shooter off the bench in Bibby, and an expiring contract in Evans. The Hawks finally get a big that can really play when healthy with an expiring contract.

John McCain

July 3rd, 2010
2:01 pm

Duh?

Illinois facing ‘outright disaster’ amid budget crisis
‘We are not paying bills for absolutely essential services … that is obscene’

By MICHAEL POWELL

Updated 7/3/2010 8:30:18 AM

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Illegal Aliens Cost Illinois Taxpayers $3 Billion+
by Don Castella
A FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform) Report titled The Costs of Illegal Immigration to Illinoisans Concludes that Illinois spends more than $3.5 Billion per year on Illegal aliens in just three major areas:
“Analysis based on current estimates of the illegal alien population residing in Illinois indicates that population costs the state’s taxpayers more than $3.5 billion per year for education, medical care and incarceration. That annual tax burden amounts to about $695 per Illinois household headed by a native-born resident. Even if the estimated $465 million in sales, income and property taxes collected from illegal immigrants are subtracted from the fiscal outlays, net costs still amount to more than $3 billion per year.”

lewis

July 3rd, 2010
2:08 pm

I’ve always liked Tyson Chandler, he’s a huge presence down low.
I’ll wait for the masses to pick apart that trade.

N-Trigue

July 3rd, 2010
2:17 pm

We need to go after Shannon Brown/Tyrus Thomas or either Shannon Brown/Luis Scola! Don’t know why no one is talkin about Shannon Brown he will be an absolute steal for somebody! He could backup Joe if he returns at sg or start if he doesn’t or he can take Marvins place at Sf. Sund needs to multi task while waiting for Joe to sign. Tyrus Thomas would give us a great athletic front court with shot blocking ability unmatched by no other team. Lineup Teague,JJ,Josh S, Horford, T Thomas bench Jamal, Shannon,Marvin,Randolph, Zaza

vava74

July 3rd, 2010
2:20 pm

DP,

You obviously watch basketball by reading boxscores and you don’t care about D.

Bosh, Roy and Rose are clearly below JJ’s level. Nowitski may be even since his size and type of offense compensate his deficient D.

There are others which their D is still so suspect that their overall contribution to their teams (+-) is questionable and in my opinion lower than JJ: Durant*, ‘Melo.

So yeah, I consider JJ top 10.

Tony,

Salmons played 7 games against the Hawks at his top level and doing his best.

JJ played 4 games at his real level (27,5, 7,5 and 4,5 on .477fg%) and then due to the chemistry train wreck and internal wars completely lost his focus and drive.

Do you want to criticize him for some lack of mental strength? I accept that argument.

And last but not the least: personally, I consider Howard nothing more than a “NBA sponsored Diop” with a free pass to foul on D and on Offense as he sees fit.

His actual BBall talent within the actual BBall game regulations is WEAK and nowhere near JJ’s.

He is basically a marketing product. Potential? Yes. Actual game? No way.

* note that Durant is now getting a privileged treatment from the refs as well. Great talent yes, but protected by NBA refs who award him ALL contact on him, even if minor, as fouls.

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
2:21 pm

People are dumb . . and too damn emotional when it comes to this.

If we pull the offer, we are definitely limited to MLE type players. We wouldn’t even be able to execute a sign and trade for somebody.

And you need to know the history of the franchise. We are NOT guaranteed to get anybody that’s available, to sign for the MLE. Remember last year? The reason why we had to settle for Joe Smith and Jason Collins, is because NONE of those other big man free agents wanted to come here.

NOT A SINGLE ONE.

But some of you emotional crybabies want the Hawks to just pull the offer off the table, because he’s not making a quick enough commitment to say that he will sign the deal . . . on a holiday weekend?

I know we have a lot of kids out of school that are on these boards, so I understand why they are emotional. They’re teenagers. They can’t help it.

But if you are an adult, there’s no need to be emotional about all of this. Just sit back and let the process play out.

cdog

July 3rd, 2010
2:31 pm

joe johnson is a good basketball player but for whats best for him and the hawks in the long run would be a sign and trade deal to another team.it would benefit both parties.the hawks will never win a championship with johnson as their go to guy because he’s not mentally tough enough to handle that role especially in the playoffs.he’s not d. wade, kobe, pierce, or even steve nash when crunch time comes.the best thing he should do is go to another team.the hawks need to get more talented and better as a team.thats not going to happen with johnson

Tbird

July 3rd, 2010
2:35 pm

Vava…Bosh, Roy and Rose are CLEARLY below JJ’s level and Nowitzki may be???????WOW…unreal. JJ is not in Dirk’s league. The Hawks would do backflips if they could acquire ANY of the other three in a straight up trade while no GM in basketball would trade in the other direction. JJ amasses his stats by dominating the ball for longer and more excruciating periods than any other player in the NBA. He is the product, yes of a horrid offensive system but one that ballooned his personal stats up enormously

G. Tampa Bedwetter

July 3rd, 2010
2:37 pm

I wouldn’t feed him for him.

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
2:41 pm

Marvin and Zaza for Tyson Chandler… I think the numbers work..

guesswhosthis

July 3rd, 2010
2:47 pm

I hope Joe Johnson signs with the Hawks. Even though the price is a little high for him, he is the best player we can get. I think the Hawks will be better off moving Joe Johnson over to small forward and start Jordan Crawford at shooting guard because Marvin Williams is our weakest link on the team. If you can trade Marvin for a good piece then do so, but if not, then put him on the bench. And for everyone trying to get a perfect center, there are 30 teams in the NBA and only a few centers that would fit that criteria so our chances are slim. Instead of trying to build the perfect team, chances are it’s not going to happen. If it was that simple to build a perfect team, then you would have 30 perfect teams. The most important thing is coaching. A coach needs to be able to make the most of the pieces he has. Mike Woodson was the worst at that. Instead of putting players in position to make them effective, he put them in positions where they were the least effective. So I think Larry Drew will do wonders with this team. If you watch the international teams that beat the US teams, they were clearly outmatched talent wise. But they put each player in a position where they would be the most effective and thats how they won. And basically, all international teams run offenses that have a lot of player movement and ball movement. I think that’s what Larry Drew will bring to this team. Also how many of those international centers would start in the NBA? I would say none. So it’s not about having the perfect team. It’s about running the team you have perfectly. Sure it would be nice to have Lebron James and Dwyane Wade but they’re only good if they have the ball. They cannot both score on the same possession. So what I’m saying is that if you can use each piece on your team and put each person in positions where they can score, they can be just as effective as having Dwyane Wade or Lebron James. Sure Lebron and Wade can score in all sorts of ways. But each player has a strength. They don’t have to be able to score in ways that Lebron and Wade can. They just have to be able to score the way they are capable of and it’s up to the coach to put them in those positions. With that said, I think Larry Drew will be great and we will see a team like we have never seen before. Not a team with PIECES, but a team that is ONE PIECE.

bartbuzz

July 3rd, 2010
2:49 pm

I hope he leaves. He’s a crybaby and falls short when it really counts. Good riddance I say.

Bones

July 3rd, 2010
2:55 pm

i_am_soulstar,

Two years ago, I would loved the trade idea that you mentioned above with Tyson Chandler. However, at this point, I’m not too sure how effective Tyson Chandler really is. He seems to have really declined after his nagging injuries. Also, I think his time with Chris Paul made him look better than he really was. In principle, he appears to be a pretty decent defender, but that’s actually still in the air. In terms of offense though, he doesn’t bring much at all. Aside from lobs and occasional put backs, he doesn’t bring much to the table. He’s a terrible shooter, and doesn’t really have any post moves. I get the feeling that defenses would sag off of him most of the time if he were here.

The positives are his size and athleticism, however, I’m skeptical of how much that’s declined due to injuries. Also, the fact that Larry Brown had the 80 year old Theo Ratliff starting over Chandler really makes me wonder. Defensively, Chandler is at least better than Zaza, but sadly Zaza may even be a better offensive player than him at this point, and possibly a better rebounder as well.

Bubba G

July 3rd, 2010
2:56 pm

Hope JJ leaves. Go Hawks. Go get a big Center!!!!

Mr. Merlot

July 3rd, 2010
2:58 pm

On the subject of potential centers to acquire, who would you guys rather see in Atlanta: Tyson Chandler or Andris Biedrins? They both have contracts for similar amounts, so if money is out of the discussion, who do you feel is the superior player?

doc

July 3rd, 2010
3:03 pm

maybe joe is checking out if the grass is greener on the other side and maybe even working a sign and trade, if it is to his advantage.

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
3:06 pm

N-trigue,

I agree, but what sucks is that the direction the Hawks will go in will be based on whether or not Joe signs, so that’s why there waiting on him to make a move. Unfortunate circumstances though.

i_am_soulstar

July 3rd, 2010
3:07 pm

they’re waiting*

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
3:10 pm

cdog

July 3rd, 2010
2:31 pm

joe johnson is a good basketball player but for whats best for him and the hawks in the long run would be a sign and trade deal to another team.it would benefit both parties.the hawks will never win a championship with johnson as their go to guy because he’s not mentally tough enough to handle that role especially in the playoffs.he’s not d. wade, kobe, pierce, or even steve nash when crunch time comes.the best thing he should do is go to another team.the hawks need to get more talented and better as a team.thats not going to happen with johnson

******************

So cdog . . . the Hawks get more talented by signing and trading JJ for role players, and let Smoove and Al try to be the go-to guys? Is that the plan?

If and when JJ agrees to sign this contract, you can at least trade him in the future for a player at or near the same level as he is. But right now, we’re going to get little value back from a JJ sign and trade.

If we completely let him go, we get back nothing, and we can’t add a star via free agency because we don’t have enough money to do it. And free agents have traditionally not wanted to come to Atlanta.

If you look at what Boston did, they kept Paul Pierce ( a guy that the fans started to turn on after he couldn’t keep them at playoff level as the star player ) . . but traded everybody around Pierce to acquire Garnett and Allen.

We could do that with JJ. Try to trade everybody around JJ, for legit star players that may possibly be in bad situations. Or we could keep JJ in the mix for a year or two, and trade him either for expiring contracts . . or for more talent.

Some of you are simply not thinking through all of the scenarios that can go down, and is just responding off of emotion.

It’s 4th of July weekend. JJ isn’t making a decision before Monday and probably Tuesday. Enjoy that barbeque tomorrow, and see if JJ is ready to make a decision sometime next week.

dap01

July 3rd, 2010
3:10 pm

Joe will not go anywhere without a S&T. He is in love with the next $. All of the FA’s will be Ho’s forthe $.

If I was the Hawks, I would take charge of the negiotiations and press the issue. Jo’s personality is beginning to rub me the wrong way. Either sign or leave.

dap01

July 3rd, 2010
3:10 pm

Joe will not go anywhere without a S&T. He is in love with the next $. All of the FA’s will be Ho’s forthe $.

If I was the Hawks, I would take charge of the negiotiations and press the issue. Jo’s personality is beginning to rub me the wrong way. Either sign or leave.

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
3:23 pm

Mr. Riley

July 3rd, 2010
12:38 pm

with all the FA’s floating around, why isn’t the ownership making a play for other players???…man this team is hopeless….better yet, LEAVE JJ, WE DONT NEED YOUR SERVICES….okay ownership, lets make a play for lebron and rudy gay…and throw in Dirk for good measure..

************

(( shaking my head ))

Rudy Gay has already committed to Memphis, because they could give him more money than anybody. And Dirk really has no intentions of leaving Dallas, and opted out so that he could restructure his deal. And Lebron does not want to come to Atlanta.

People just don’t want to accept reality around here.

If we had the cap space to make a play for one of those guys, we’d definitely be doing it. But we don’t have the cap space to do so. That’s why those teams are visiting other places, and not mentioning the Atlanta Hawks.

The comments about the Hawks making a play for these other free agents are simply getting silly. Some of you just flat out refuse to understand the situation here.

IT’S JJ OR BUST . . . and it’s always been that.

All I know is if JJ doesn’t come back . . you same people wishing him gone, better show up to the games next season. DON’T ABANDON THIS TEAM if they happen to slip down in the standings without JJ

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
3:24 pm

80% of you fans aren’t committed enough to the Hawks, to continue to support them, if we lose JJ. So let’s keep it real around here.

tony

July 3rd, 2010
3:30 pm

guesswhosthis, you nailed it sir. I’ve been saying this for a while now that JJ should play sf because he won’t dribble as much and he will be difficult to defend. If he move to sf I don’t care if they pay him $121 million but if they insist on letting him play the 2 JJ must go.

O'Brien

July 3rd, 2010
3:33 pm

northcyde,

Its not worth responding to some of these over-emotional or irrational bloggers. I’m just glad they are not the GM

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
3:41 pm

The infamous Game 3 interview . . . this is why people are mad at JJ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u01z0bbfPXg

cp

July 3rd, 2010
3:42 pm

Like I said before, the blog is absolutely terrible during the summer time. I don’t know what it is about the heat that brings so many uninformed fans to this blog.

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
3:43 pm

You’re right O’Brien. LOL . . if they were the GM, we’d traded JJ for Chris Duhon by now.

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
3:54 pm

Cliff;
I majored in it
-’cause-
I do !

Neki Ecko

July 3rd, 2010
3:57 pm

I think that it is the Media is doing all of this just to stress out the fans and try to make themselves to be the first to report anything (no offsense, MC. You are doing a good job)

With the rumors of trades with pieces like Bibby, Chills, and Marvin out in the market, Spirit can try to bring the pieces and go over the luxury tax to bring the pieces to complete in the upgraded East. If this is the case, then JJ is acting as a agent for real change. I can understand his thoughts and respect him for them.

I think that a trade has been made or going to be made after J.J. signing

guesswhosthis

July 3rd, 2010
4:02 pm

I hope Joe Johnson signs with the Hawks. Even though the price is a little high for him, he is the best player we can get. I think the Hawks will be better off moving Joe Johnson over to small forward and start Jordan Crawford at shooting guard because Marvin Williams is our weakest link on the team. If you can trade Marvin for a good piece then do so, but if not, then put him on the bench. And for everyone trying to get a perfect center, there are 30 teams in the NBA and only a few centers that would fit that criteria so our chances are slim. Instead of trying to build the perfect team, chances are it’s not going to happen. If it was that simple to build a perfect team, then you would have 30 perfect teams. The most important thing is coaching. A coach needs to be able to make the most of the pieces he has. Mike Woodson was the worst at that. Instead of putting players in position to make them effective, he put them in positions where they were the least effective. So I think Larry Drew will do wonders with this team. If you watch the international teams that beat the US teams, they were clearly outmatched talent wise. But they put each player in a position where they would be the most effective and thats how they won. And basically, all international teams run offenses that have a lot of player movement and ball movement. I think that’s what Larry Drew will bring to this team. Also how many of those international centers would start in the NBA? I would say none. So it’s not about having the perfect team. It’s about running the team you have perfectly. Sure it would be nice to have Lebron James and Dwyane Wade but they’re only good if they have the ball. They cannot both score on the same possession. So what I’m saying is that if you can use each piece on your team and put each person in positions where they can score, they can be just as effective as having Dwyane Wade or Lebron James. Sure Lebron and Wade can score in all sorts of ways. But each player has a strength. They don’t have to be able to score in ways that Lebron and Wade can. They just have to be able to score the way they are capable of and it’s up to the coach to put them in those positions. With that said, I think Larry Drew will be great and we will see a team like we have never seen before. Not a team with PIECES, but a team that is ONE PIECE.

ryan

July 3rd, 2010
4:07 pm

Well this is good news i think the Hawks would have been a lottery team if he signed some where else i know most people wanted him gone but it would be devastating if he would have bolted.

bigdave

July 3rd, 2010
4:13 pm

how could you not expect this.. the media will take anything and run with it. this is pure dramatics.. in a soap opera free agency that includes the leagues biggest “characters”. Joe just getting his shine on.. let the man be Hollywood a min..

doc

July 3rd, 2010
4:16 pm

northcyde some folks dont really comprehend the reality of signing vs not signing jj. unfortunately the word on the street is that some owners didnt understand either. heh heh

anyway beautifully described with your comment here that it almost needs to be reitterated at the top of each blog:

” the Hawks get more talented by signing and trading JJ for role players, and let Smoove and Al try to be the go-to guys? Is that the plan?

If and when JJ agrees to sign this contract, you can at least trade him in the future for a player at or near the same level as he is. But right now, we’re going to get little value back from a JJ sign and trade.

nicely put and simply put but i dstill think it goes over their heads!

If we completely let him go, we get back nothing, and we can’t add a star via free agency because we don’t have enough money to do it. And free agents have traditionally not wanted to come to Atlanta.”

cant say how many times i have said the similar remarks and i was i guy who said last year he shouldnt get a cent over 15 mil. that was before i saw how things were stacking in his negotiator’s favor and what would happen if he left. we need this asset now and in the future, iot may be a long time before we get a similar chip to play that we have in our possession.

i am too old of a fan to watch us blow it up again and start over, been waiting 53 years for the hawks to repeat as nba champs.

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm

DP

If not Joe, then who? Is there Someone from your fantasy list who will play for the
8M Cap Space available, or the 6M MLE, or the 2M Bi-annual?

If not, then what is your point. It’s all relative to what we CAN do – not Can’t do.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 3rd, 2010
4:41 pm

“And you need to know the history of the franchise. We are NOT guaranteed to get anybody that’s available, to sign for the MLE. Remember last year? The reason why we had to settle for Joe Smith and Jason Collins, is because NONE of those other big man free agents wanted to come here.”

Uh… actually, if I’m not mistaken, the Hawks began targeting Joe Smith in mid-July and took a full month to actually sign him. As far as I know they didn’t even extend offers to any of these other big man free agents, because by the time Rick Sund decided who he liked, other teams had acted quickly and signed their targeted big men already.

You may have an inferiority complex about the Hawks, but free agents — especially below-max free agents — really only care about joining teams in which either a) they get big minutes or b) they have a legitimate shot at a ring. For crying out loud, the latest reports have the Nets — whose history is just as checkered as the Hawks — in the lead for landing LeBron James.

Grandad

July 3rd, 2010
4:42 pm

-Cliff-

As Falkbeer would say:
I choose to decline.
Therefore, I counter.

Ahh, poetry.
Arcane sometimes.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 3rd, 2010
4:45 pm

“On the subject of potential centers to acquire, who would you guys rather see in Atlanta: Tyson Chandler or Andris Biedrins? They both have contracts for similar amounts, so if money is out of the discussion, who do you feel is the superior player?”

Definitely Biedrins. Both are injury prone, Chandler has the advantage of having an expiring contract, but Biedrins is definitely the more skilled player on both ends of the floor.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 3rd, 2010
4:56 pm

Today’s Free Agency Dime on ESPN

For those of you who are wondering why the Hawks offered Joe the max, read item #3. Replace “John Salmons” with “Joe Johnson”, and “Bucks” with “Hawks”.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 3rd, 2010
4:58 pm

“One of the oddities of the salary cap is that there is a certain level of payroll where it makes a lot of sense to overpay your own players because there is no conceivable way to replace them.”

darrell starks

July 3rd, 2010
5:09 pm

NORTHCYDE posted 3:41 p.m thanks bro i can’t believe i over reacted from what joe said wow!!!!!!!! you see how media always make you look bad as a person, the only thing joe said is that we can care less if the fans show up, in other word he saying we as a team has 2 show up and if the fans don’t show up we still have a job 2 do, there was no outburst towards the fan the ? was ask and he answer it.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!

cdog

July 3rd, 2010
5:14 pm

northclyde, you are right in what you say but think about it.if joe johnson remains with the team, any chance of aquiring a quality center goes down the drain.we will be stuck with some more players who will never contribute( LIKE randolph morris and collins)we have enough 2S AND 3S TO REPLACE JOHNSON PLUS IF RICK SUND HAD ANY SENSE OR CARING INSTEAD US HEARING A WADE, LEBRON, DAVID LEE OR AMARIE STOUDERMIERE GOING TO NEW YORK, CHICAGO, PLACES WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH, THEY WOULD BE COMING HERE BUT BECAUSE OF SUND AND ASG GROUP, WE WILL BE STUCK WITH JOHNSON AND HIS PLAYOFF FAILURES AND NO OTHER PLAYERS ADDED TO HELP THE HAWKS BECAUSE OF THE SO CALLED SALARY CAP.SO IN THE LONG RUN, DO YOU STILL WANT JOE JOYNSON AND THE SAME RESULTS OR DO YOU WANT TO ADD PLAYERS THATS GOING TO WIN FOR YOU DOWN THE ROAD CONSISTENTLY.THERE ARE PLAYERS OUT THERE WHO WOULD HELP THE HAWKS GET TO THE CHAMPIONSHIPS BUT SUND IS NOT AN AGGRESSIVE GM.IF RICK SUND KEEPS THE SAME PERSONNEL WHICH I BELIEVE, WILL HAPPEN, WE WILL GET THE SAME RESULTS WE HAD THE PAST SEASONS, OUSTED IN THE PLAYOFFS.IF SUND WAS GOING TO ADD A CENTER AND KEEP JOHNSON THAT MIGHT WORK BUT I HAVE OBSERVED SUND THE PAST THREE YEARS,HE’S NOT GOING TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP.HE SEEMS TO CAR MORE ABOUT JUST PLAYING .500 BALL, FILLING PHILLIPS ARENA AND GETTING BEAT IN THE SECOND ROUND.THEN HE BLAMES THE HEAD COACH FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY HIS FAILURE TO IMPROVE THE HAWKS.

mc

July 3rd, 2010
5:15 pm

i think the hot are pressing to hard for jj. they should sign an trade joe to the bull are ny and offer denver josh smith and marvin for nene and jr smith

darrell starks

July 3rd, 2010
5:17 pm

Media always take the smallest comment and turn it around and make it somthing out of nothing thats why cameras are important because of little situation like this, all the commotion about nothing, be careful what you say because at the end it could cause you.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

mc

July 3rd, 2010
5:17 pm

if not that josh and marvin and 1rd pick for carmelo and birdman

darrell starks

July 3rd, 2010
5:20 pm

Like 2 pac said f$$k the media they always twisting your words.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
5:31 pm

cdog . . . no offense man . . but your entire post is living in fantasy land.

First . . name the center that you want to come to Atlanta . . and see if you can afford him. Don’t just throw out that we “need a center”. We all know that. Now name a person you want, and how much you’re willing to pay for him.

Second . . we CAN’T get Lebron, Wade, David Lee, without trading for them. That has nothing to do with a JJ contract. Lebron and Wade aren’t coming to Atlanta without JJ here. And David Lee would ask . . “how much playing time will I get, seeing that you already have Al Horford and Josh Smith here?” Lee plays center, but he’s less of a center than Al Horford is.

Like I said in my last post . . . if you don’t understand that by re-signing JJ, we could actually et more valuable pieces back for him in a trade at a later date, than trading or letting him go now, I don’t know what to say.

You people are living in a fantasy world, thinking we can just bring in Lebron or Amare or Wade. Especially when they have expressed NO DESIRE WHATSOEVER to play in Atlanta. If that was the case, every team in the league should be begging for the services of Lebron, instead of just 4 or 5 teams.

LOL . . it’s party time for me. I’ll let you guys worry about the JJ situation till Monday.

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
5:33 pm

Najeh . . I don’t know if you saw my post before the last one, but it concerns the Hawks transactions since 2000. They say my post “is under moderation”, so I don’t know if the board can see it.

2004 – 2010 transactions

http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Transactions.html

deb1820

July 3rd, 2010
5:34 pm

Should the Hawks try and trade for DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers? He’s a nice young center that could be Horford’s backup or he could start. What do you all think?

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
5:34 pm

2000 – 2003 transactions

http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Transactions_Archive.html

From what I can see, outside of Speedy Claxton and Stephen Jackson, every decent player Atlanta has acquired has either been via the draft, or via a trade.

northcyde

July 3rd, 2010
5:35 pm

Flip was a decent free agent signing as well. But we got maximum value out of Flip, seeing that nobody wanted him either.

LOL . . now I’m gone. Ya’ll take it easy.

D21

July 3rd, 2010
5:38 pm

“northcyde
July 3rd, 2010
2:21 pm

People are dumb . . and too damn emotional when it comes to this.
If we pull the offer, we are definitely limited to MLE type players. We wouldn’t even be able to execute a sign and trade for somebody.”

???
Maybe we would not succeed to make a sign-&-trade, or don’t want to do it because can add salaries, but I am sorry, we can make sign-&-trade.

Go ask Houston what they are trying to do to get Bosh.
It’s a sign-&-trade, offering Battier and.or other players exactly like ATL can do by offering Marvin+Crawford for Bosh.
If both TOR & Bosh agree, Bosh is a Hawk.

I am not saying it will happen, but at this moment, I think that some Hawks fans would like to hear that at least ASG are trying to do trade like that.
But no, we hear from HOU, from other team like BOS wanting Brad Miller, but nothing from ATL except a pseudo Shaq rumor certainly coming more than a bad interpretation while Sund was talking about signing Jermaine O’Neal.

This is the world of Hawks fans, and the silence could be justify if the job was done, but in the end, it’s always better job on team that are already better than ATL.

terrell

July 3rd, 2010
5:39 pm

Blah, blah, blah. lol!

mc

July 3rd, 2010
5:42 pm

i know alot of people dont want joe back i think it will hurt the hawk especially on the back in of the deal.atl. really need to move joes contract. but if they cant marvin and bibby have to for maybe the warriors center a. beidris he double double guy who can play c or pf. so if the hawks would sign maybe j. oneal they would have a lot better team al at center josh pf j-chill at sf jj sg and jamal at pg with j oneal bendris teageu rookie crawford and mo all of the bench

mc

July 3rd, 2010
5:46 pm

i like that ded1820 jordan is a young center that is acually get alot better

Najeh Davenpoop

July 3rd, 2010
5:51 pm

“From what I can see, outside of Speedy Claxton and Stephen Jackson, every decent player Atlanta has acquired has either been via the draft, or via a trade.”

Joe Johnson was also technically a free agent signing. He was a restricted free agent when he joined the Hawks. The main criticism Billy Knight received for giving up 2 first-rounders and Boris Diaw for him was that he could have just signed him outright without giving Phoenix any compensation, since it seemed unlikely at the time that Phoenix would match the Hawks’ offer.

Either way, the underlying premise of your argument is that players don’t want to come to ATL because of the Hawks’ history, and as a result the Hawks have to rely on re-signing their own players and drafting good talent in order to be competitive. Joe Johnson voluntarily signed that deal with the Hawks and chose to come here. He alone directly contradicts your argument.

You seem to only be citing examples from the past decade. Dikembe Mutombo came here as an unrestricted free agent in 1996 too.

And regardless, the fact that the Hawks have been fairly successful trading for good players over the last 20 years probably plays a part in the relatively few free agent acquisitions they have made. If a team can accumulate its core players via trading and drafting, they are less likely to spend big money on free agents, since most of their cap room and minutes would go towards the trade-acquired players. This is the position the Hawks are in right now. Even if LeBron James came up to the Hawks right now and said he wants to play here, factors outside of the Hawks’ control — namely, Cleveland’s interest in executing a sign-and-trade — thwart the Hawks’ ability to acquire him.

Jon Feichter

July 3rd, 2010
5:55 pm

ISO Joe needs to go. Anything close to a max contract for a player that crumbles on the biggest stage (the playoffs) is a waste. The money can be spent more effectively elsewhere. My question is, why aren’t the Hawks pursuing other free agents? Why focus exclusively on ISO?

Clyde

July 3rd, 2010
5:59 pm

Exactly Jon Fleichter. The Hawks are desperate.

Najeh Davenpoop

July 3rd, 2010
6:23 pm

Just for comparison’s sake, here are the core players on a handful of good teams and the way they were acquired:

Boston: Pierce (drafted), Allen (traded for), Garnett (traded for), Perkins (drafted), Davis (drafted), Rondo (drafted)

LA Lakers: Bryant (traded for on draft day), Gasol (traded for), Bynum (drafted), Odom (traded for), Fisher (originally drafted; signed in free agency under special circumstances)

Orlando: Howard (drafted), Carter (traded for), Lewis (acquired via sign-and-trade), Nelson (drafted), Redick (drafted)

Utah: Williams (drafted), Boozer (signed in free agency), Kirilenko (drafted), Okur (signed in free agency), Miles (drafted), Matthews (signed as undrafted free agent)

Denver: Anthony (drafted), Martin (acquired via sign-and-trade), Nene (traded for on draft day), Billups (traded for), Smith (traded for), Lawson (traded for on draft day)

Houston: Yao (drafted), Battier (traded for), Brooks (drafted), Scola (drafted), Ariza (signed in free agency)

Dallas: Nowitzki (traded for on draft day), Butler (traded for), Haywood (traded for), Kidd (traded for), Beaubois (drafted), Dampier (signed in free agency), Marion (traded for)

Atlanta: Johnson (acquired via sign-and-trade), Smith (drafted), Horford (drafted), Bibby (traded for), Williams (drafted), Teague (drafted), Childress (drafted)

Among the players above, only the ones in bold actually chose to be on their current teams, and made it there either by signing an unrestricted free agent contract or by negotiating a sign-and-trade to their desired location. In the cases of Rashard Lewis, Mehmet Okur, and Carlos Boozer, each was a second-round pick and as a result their original team didn’t have the ability to go over the mid-level to keep them (this is also why Gilbert Arenas left the Warriors for the Wizards). Kenyon Martin and Joe Johnson both got much better offers from other teams than their own, and their own team was content to sign-and-trade them rather than pay what they were asking. Ariza and Dampier both signed as unrestricted free agents, and Fisher intentionally went back to LA due to his daughter’s illness.

The point is, contrary to northcyde’s assertion, there is nothing unusual about a team rarely signing impact players in free agency. The way the NBA is structured, it’s quite rare that a quality starter will be allowed to become an unrestricted free agent. And compared to other elite teams of prestige in the NBA, the Hawks have really done no worse in wooing quality free agents to join them. In fact, of the players in bold mentioned above, Joe Johnson is easily the best one.

ryan

July 3rd, 2010
6:29 pm

Amare is damaged goods and with the Knicks roster i just don’t see Joe going New York . Joe wants to play in Atlanta or Dallas were he is comfortable.

Wabe

July 3rd, 2010
6:39 pm

Najeh, northcyde, and O’Brien…

Keep preachin’ guys. I read some of these post and don’t even bother responding because it’s not even worth trying to explain to some of these people that JJ leaving doesn’t mean we’re open to sign other big name FA’s…

As northcyde said, at this point, it’s JJ or bust. I think that’s the best way of putting it.

At this point, are you confident in an ownership group that doesn’t seem to have a Plan B? At least not one that they’ve bothered mentioning. If JJ leaves, you’ll see the Hawks scrambling to sign mediocore FA’s to play as stop-gaps – these other big name FA’s aren’t even considering ATL, so I’m not sure why you’d want Sund to even waste his time extending offers to some of these guys.

Please keep Wade, LBJ, Bosh, and even Stoudamire out of this convo. What can the Hawks possibly offer these guys that other teams in bigger markets can’t?

truthspitter

July 3rd, 2010
6:42 pm

“This year a $100,000 aint nothin to brag bout, give me a $100,000,000 and Ima cash out”. Yeah hopefully, T.I. buys this team. On the other hand, I like having Joe back and would just like to add some players and subtract some.

1. Jamal Crawford+Mo Evans for Andries Biedrins and Anthony Randolph
2. Jamal Crawford+Marvin Williams for ”
3. Jamal Crawford for Andries Biedrins
4. Sign Travis Outlaw
5. Sign Fesenko

I would love to have Biedrins and Randolph that would give us our version of Lamar Odom and a starting C. I think Jamal’s expiring contract along with Marvin or Mo’s expiring contract could get that done

Wabe

July 3rd, 2010
6:45 pm

I’m no basketball guru, and even I know that the likelihood of the Hawks aquiring another guy with JJ-like talent is slim to none. Before you bash the guy, understand that without him, the Hawks are still mediocore at best.

ISO JOE might not get the Hawks a ring…
But without ISO JOE, this team wouldn’t have even seen the playoffs the past couple of seasons.

Sure, if JJ comes back, there are things that must be tweaked. But, please think twice about where this franchise will be without their go-to-guy? He may not be KOBE, or LEBRON, or WADE, but he’s a 5-time All-Star, and he averaged 21 PPG, 5 ASSISTS, and 5 BOARDS this past season. Name a player that the Hawks have a legitimate shot at signing that’ll give you that kind of production.

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
7:45 pm

MC

Please delete the imposter POSTS – ” Who is The Village Idiot with 20 user I’d’s.”
IT is posting under my name today because I refuse to blog with him.

The times are:

1042 AM
1119 AM
721 PM

drmaryb

July 3rd, 2010
8:03 pm

Village Idiot

You have been reported to the AJC blog administrator. I just called the PR department and your
ISP address is currently under investigation.

Have a Nice Day!

To everyone else, I am going on Vacation Now and will return to blog on Monday or Tuesday!

Happy 4th of July! Have Fun & Be Safe! The Po-Po is out in full forces – don’t drink & drive!
Let’s Go Joe!

Mmmmwah! ;-0

Big Ump

July 3rd, 2010
8:31 pm

Truth Serum

They been keeping me on the field lately in and out of town. When I get a chance I always check out some of the great post that you and Big Ray be posting on the blog. There some great bloggers on board and a few who don’t have any clue at all. But in my opinion you and Big Ray the best of the best.

Hoops

July 3rd, 2010
8:34 pm

Open your minds to this trade——-

The Nuggetts have a big problem. They want to extend Carmello right now, but he is watching all of this free agency. He wants to get his money before next summer when guaranteed contracts are probably going to go away.

The Hawks should try to trade Josh and Bibby for Carmello (the contracts work). The Nuggetts will get something for Carmello instead of losing him next summer for nothing. The Hawks should get Carmello to sign & trade the extension.

Ken Strickland

July 3rd, 2010
8:55 pm

People seem to think JJ can just go to any team he wants or to any teams that wants him. First, the team has to have the cap space to sign him to a contract. Secondly, if the team doesn’t have the cap space, they have to do a sign and trade to get him, and both he and the Hawks have to go along with that.

If the Hawks decide the team after JJ doesn’t have anything they want in return, or they don’t want to lose him, especially to that team, they can just say no and the deal if off as long as they are short on cap space. Before any team considers offering JJ anywhere near a max contract, they have to be sure they have a commitment from either Lebron, Staudemire and/or DWade.

No other team but the Hawks would offer JJ a max contract without at least one of the other top tier FA’s on board. While he can certainly make a team better, he’s just not the type of player that can carry an OFF or team by himself, like Lebron or DWade.

In order for him to go to the Knicks and play with one of the other top FA’s, he’d have to either take a huge pay cut, or persuade the Hawks to do a sign and trade. I don’t see that happening because the Knicks, who weren’t very talented to begin with, have gotten rid of most of what they did have to get enough cap to sign a couple of max contracts. What do they have left that would entice the Hawks to accommodate a sign and trade that can’t happen without their consent, since the Knicks wouldn’t have the cap space to sign him out right.

With JJ, a starting quality center to back up AHorford, and LDrews new OFF/DEF systems, the Hawks would be a top team in the East. Without JJ, they would be a middle of the pack playoff team, just like they were when they won 47gms.

Ken Strickland

July 3rd, 2010
9:05 pm

HOOPS-Scoring wasn’t our problem, even with Woodson’s limited OFF and dependence on ISO’s and jump shooting. We managed to tie the LA Lakers for 12th in scoring with 101.7PPG. Trading JSmith to add more scoring, while sacrificing DEF and rebounding, which were our major problems last yr, isn’t going to make the Hawks better.

Other than scoring a bunch of points, has CAnthony taken his team any further than JSmith(who can control a gm with his OFF and/or DEF)has taken the Hawks? If you’ll compare their stats, you’ll see that other than PPG(scoring),JSmith is better than CAnthony in virtually every other OFF/DEF category.

ryan

July 3rd, 2010
9:07 pm

Hoops i like that idea would be an equal trade hopefully have Joe then add Melllo now that would be an awesome team.

Fact checker

July 3rd, 2010
9:16 pm

actually the

12th lakers were 101.69
13th Hawks were 101.68

Luke Cage

July 3rd, 2010
9:17 pm

LOL at all you people that say get this guy or get that guy!!!!

1st off when was the last time a big name even considered coming to Atlanta?

2nd with this fairweather fan base that constantly bashes the best player, why would they?

3rd if a team realizes that a player isnt wanted buy his current team why would they give up their best player for that player when he is older than my guy and also my guy is better??

Its fun to make these fantasy trades but both teams have to feel they are bettering their team and not just trade players for just anything

raymond

July 3rd, 2010
10:01 pm

Wbhy offer a max deal to a guy who disses the Atlanta fans? Why are the Hawks not trying to get any of the other ( and better) free agent?

Fundamentals

July 3rd, 2010
10:09 pm

Who are Drew’s assistants and what does he want to help build his team? We’ve heard nothing?

ryan

July 3rd, 2010
10:14 pm

Ken Strickland Carmello Anthony and the Nuggets have gotten close to finals a few years ago. They do have a coach in George Carl who not going to coach much longer because of his health.

Dexter

July 3rd, 2010
10:15 pm

This guy does not have the it factor to carry us to a title, if he wants to wait and see what the other stars are doing, management should find a way to get him out of town on the first train leaving as I remember he did not show up for the second round and insulted our good fans when he was held accountable for his poor play.

dll

July 3rd, 2010
10:16 pm

Who are the assistant coaches?

BigTimeTechFan

July 3rd, 2010
10:17 pm

I hope we sign JJ, but I at such a high price does it hurt the Hawks changes of locking up Hortford after next year?

J Smith, Horford, J Johnson, Crawford is enough talent to win championship, ATL has big time talent all in their prime (Smith, Hortford just getting there next year) key is fitting all the role players.

If I’m Drew I would start and expect:
PF Horford (17 ppg, 11 rbs, 1.3 bs)
SF J Smith (18 ppg, 8 rb, 2+ bs, 2 steals)
C ZaZa ( 5 ppg, 9 rb, nice garbage player)
SG J Johnson ( 22 ppg, 5 rb, 5 ast, 2 steals)
PG J Teague ( 10 ppg, 8.5 ast, 2.5 steals)

Add 6th man Jamal Crawford who can get 20 any time you need it

Trade Bibby and Williams for PF/C like Perkins type, say Ronnie Turiaf from Golden State

Bench

Kinda

Finally did some research on Jordan Crawford, wow he has BIG TIME potential. I recomend everyone watch film on him, every bit as good on the floor as John Wall (now), not as fast and goes left all the time, but he’s a lot like Jamal Crawford, or smaller D-Wade. I know Wall was drafted on potential and point guards are at a premium but just say I think Crawford was a steal in the draft.

How did he make it so far down the draft???

dll

July 3rd, 2010
10:25 pm

If Joe really wanted to stay here the contact would be signed. Hello Atlanta Spirt. He does want your money he want out to New York. So take the 119 million sign sum role player a center, a forward and a guard

ryan

July 3rd, 2010
10:30 pm

BigTimeTechFan your right if we resign Joe and add one more piece like a Mello or Shaq and Jordan Crawford might be a steal i beleave the Hawks can get to the 3rd round.

Dr.Phil

July 3rd, 2010
10:41 pm

Who cares?

JeJe

July 3rd, 2010
10:55 pm

The Joe contract obviously sucks,

but:

1) we have a new coach who might actually know what an offense is. While I believe that a lot of what Drew said is fluff (how he will give Marvin a role in the system [yet Marvin is being shopped] or that he has full faith in Teague [even though we are rumored to be interested in Duhon]), I think Joe will get easier baskets in a new system. Plus, he shows up for the big regular season home games. We need to somehow get him to play the same consistently in the playoffs

FIRE SUND

JeJe

July 3rd, 2010
11:11 pm

I think David Lee is not getting enough mention in this LBJ/DW3/Bosh drama. Lee costs much less than Bosh’s overconfident @$$ and is just as efficient in my opinion. Lee and Boozer are both a bit cheaper (Lee much cheaper) than Boozer or Amare and should be sought after by Chicago or Cleveland.

Also, I will be pissed if any teams deos a S&T for Deng. BOYCOTT CHICAGO’S LBJ/DW/BOSH plan

JeJe

July 3rd, 2010
11:12 pm

The greatest thing that could happen to this team is if the ASG can sell the Thrashers. With Joe back at the max, we are only at 68M or so. Really, we just need to go into the LT, add 2 players, and this team will be in the ECF and beyond

IT’S TIME TO SPEND MONEY. SIGN SHAQ JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF FILLING THE STANDS

FIRE SUND

True Atlanta Fan

July 3rd, 2010
11:21 pm

MC,

I know everyone has included CP3 and Melo in crazy trade scenarios but what teams have actually tried to go after these big names? From what I see on ESPN, NBA TV yahoo the attention has mainly been placed on Wade, LBJ and Bosh but I have not really heard any reports that teams have contacted the Nuggets and Hornets? It seems logical that the teams that don’t end up with these three will be looking for a plan B. Why not beat these teams to the punch by at least contacting them?

rusty

July 3rd, 2010
11:27 pm

northcyde your a windbag who is full of yourself. always loved woody & jj. always hated jc& jt. you & woody have a lot in common,dumbos

macaroni tony

July 3rd, 2010
11:43 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqEMxVuL9kk&feature=related

macaroni tony

July 3rd, 2010
11:44 pm

this is what JJ once said, I just think you could have pick better words in the playoffs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMx8xWg7_rI&feature=fvw

Simpdawg

July 3rd, 2010
11:49 pm

Here’s the latest on Joe from RealGM.com. Joe Johnson will make his free agency decision by the end of Sunday, according to two sources. Johnson will remain with the Hawks, “barring a major change.”

macaroni tony

July 3rd, 2010
11:55 pm

I loved this play,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr926p32xWM&feature=related

Sund is going to have to go in the luxury tax to compete this year.

macaroni tony

July 4th, 2010
12:01 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fov82PYwqKs&feature=related

macaroni tony

July 4th, 2010
12:07 am

do Larry Drew have assistants yet, every team have reported there staff

bigdave

July 4th, 2010
12:18 am

Rasheed Wallace may re-think his decision to retire, according to a source.

Because Wallace had two years and $13 million (including $6.32 million next season) remaining on his deal when he retired, the Celtics have been looking into moving his contract to another team, which would then get the savings from Wallace’s cap number, in exchange for assets.

hmmmmmmmmmm.. ….

N-Trigue

July 4th, 2010
12:20 am

i_am_soulstar
Yeah were waiting…but while we are we need to pursue at least Tyrus Thomas I like him better than Hayward and Chandler but if we don’t go after Thomas Chandler would be my 2nd option. Thomas would compliment Al and Josh very well. Shannon Brown a lot of folk don’t know about but I do the kid has been unfortunately put on good teams with superstars already at his position. When Kobe got hurt and he got some quality tick he was light out! He can shoot pass and penetrate. Both of them would instantly make us better along with newly aquired Jordan Crawford I think we would be ready to take it too the next level.

Grandad

July 4th, 2010
12:47 am

Cleveland’s presentation to LeBron:
per [Ric Bucher]

http://tinyurl.com/397plgr

Grandad

July 4th, 2010
12:53 am

12:47 post *LbJ vid*
*link…….^…….above
It’s actually pretty cool.
How can he say no to home?
Very enjoyable to watch.

cdog

July 4th, 2010
12:57 am

NORTHCLYDE, YOU ARE SOME RIGHT BUT THE MAIN TROUBLE WITH HAWKS IS RICK SUND AND THE ASG.ANY NBA PLAYER WILL COME TO ATLANTA IF YOU DO IT RIGHT AND PAY THEM.BY GIVING ONE PLAYER ALL OF YOUR MONEY AND NONE LEFT TO SIGN ANYONE ELSE IS DUMB ON SUND’S PART. SO WE SIGN JJ THEN WHAT?YOU STILL HAVEN’T TAKEN ANY STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR TEAM IF MONEY IS THE CASE.BY NOT SIGNING JOHNSON, YOU GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE TO BRING PLAYERS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE BUT WITH JOHNSON, HE’S NOT GOING TO HELP YOU IN THE LONG RUN.AS I SAID, IF WE HAD DANNY AINGE OR SOME OF THOSE GOOD GMS WHO IS COMMITED TO WINNING, SIGNING JOHNSON WOULD BE A PLUS BUT WE HAVE SUND.AFTER HE SIGNS JOHNSON, HE FEELS HIS JOB IS DONE.HE WILL JUST SIT BACK WITH A CELL PHONE STUCK IN HIS EAR AND DO NOTHING TO IMPROVE THE HAWKS.WHEN THEY LOSE NEXT YEAR IN THE PLAYOFFS, IT WILL BE COACH DREWS FAULT TO LET HIM TELL IT.AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I DON’T KNOW ALL OF THE NBA PLAYERS ON OTHER TEAMS ROSTER, BUT I BET YOU IF WE HAD AINGE AS OUR GM, HE WOULD FIND A QUALITY CENTER WHO WOULD COME IN AND GET US OVER THE HUMP BUT THE HAWKS ARE STUCK WITH A SECOND RATED GM

eastlaketb

July 4th, 2010
1:07 pm

if u think j.j played awefull in the last 2 playoffs, wait and see how he plays after he has a bad game here next season. the fans r gonna be on him from day 1. he has no room 4 error. HAWKS please sign an trade j.j and marvin, they have no heart!

darrell starks

July 7th, 2010
12:46 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYgSWGbEKsQ

Atlanta Hawks: Still waiting on J.J. (Sat. Update: Hawks confident, patient)

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Atlanta Hawks: Still waiting on J.J. (Sat. Update: Hawks confident, patient)

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