Atlanta Hawks: Nine free agents who can play D (cheaply)
It might be important for the Hawks to get a guy like Bell, who is willing and able to do this.
Taking a break from J.J. and the Dwight-influenced fascination with centers for a reminder that perimeter D was more of a problem for the Hawks last season (and during that series) than post D.
L.D. can preach defense all he wants but he needs more guards and wings who can take the proverbial “individual challenge” of guarding their man; the lack of those guys last season hurt Atlanta more than anything else on defense. The good news for the Hawks is it’s easier to find a free agent who can fill that role relatively cheaply, like perhaps for part of their bi-annual exception of up to two years and $4.3 million.
Let me start by saying that, despite the development of advanced statistics, it still can be a subjective exercise to measure good defense. Synergy’s numbers, the counterpart production at 82games and the defensive ratings at Hoopdata, Basketball Reference and Basketball Prospectus all are invaluable for helping to create a statistical picture of a guy’s defensive impact. But it’s difficult to isolate individual defensive performance because it’s influenced so much by s teammates, role, position, and the quality of opponents. Even blocks and steals can be misleading because those things can be sought out at the expense of team defensive concepts.
(Thanks to super commenter niremetal for reminding me of all of this in an email he sent me defending Marvin’s defensive performance after I criticized it way back when.)
With those caveats in mind, here are some unrestricted free agents who could come at a bargain and who might be able to keep their man in front of them better than any perimeter guys on Atlanta’s roster save for maybe Teague and Mo. Listed in descending order of 2009-10 salary with statistics from last season.
MC
Raja Bell , 6-5, G
2009-10 salary: $5.2 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: Lack of data
Opponent points per production: Lack of data
Team defensive efficiency: Lack of data
Notes: Injuries cost Bell most of the last two seasons so his price will come down. But he’s a good defender and 3-point shooter and also known as a good locker-room guy, so there should be a pretty good market for Bell. He says he likes Dallas, Orlando and Miami.
Dorell Wright, 6-9, F
2009-10 salary: $2.9 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: .95 overall, 1.04 isolation, .98 spot-up.
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at small forward): .461 eFG%, 18.2 points, 15.4 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 104.7 on court, 105.6 off court.
Notes: Wright is a plus athlete, can defend three positions and and comes from a program where defense is the focus. Wright came on for the Heat in the latter part of last season. He’s a definite injury risk due to a problematic knee. The flip side of that is he’s only played 211 career games at 24-years old.
Tony Allen, 6-4, G
2009-10 salary: $2.5 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: .85 overall, .89 isolation, .89 pick-and-roll balhhandley
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at shooting guard): .455 eFG%, 15.4 points, 13.2 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 105.3 on court, 105.4 off court.
Notes: Allen’s stature got a boost when Kobe credited him for being a tough defender in the Finals. His offense pretty much is limited to what he can get around the basket.
Jordan Farmar, G, 6-2
2009-10 salary: $1.9 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: .81 overall, .82 isolation, .76 pick-and-roll ballhandler.
Opponent production per 48 minutes: .436 eFG% , 19.2 points, 15.6 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 104.5 on court, 104.8 off court.
Note: The Lakers declined to extend a qualifying offer to Farmar and then signed Steve Blake for four years and $20 million. Farmar says he wants to start at point guard but the Lakers decided he couldn’t run their team. He’s still only 23-years old.
Antoine Wright, 6-7, F/G
2009-10 salary: $1.8 million
Synergy opponent points per production: .90 overall, .70 isolation, .90 spot-up.
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at small forward): .497 eFG%, 20.4 points, 17.7 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 111.8 on court, 115.7 off court.
Notes: Wright fell out of favor in Toronto even though he’s what passed for a tough defender on that team. He’s another guy who’s limited offensively. The Celtics are said to be interested.
Matt Barnes, F, 6-7
2009-10 salary: $1.6 million
Synergy opponent points per possession: .86 overall, .85 isolation, .95 spot-up
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at small forward): .446 eFG%, 18.2 points, 13.3 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 103.9 on court, 105.3 off court.
Notes: Barnes wants a significant raise. He may not get it from Orlando, which is using at least parts of its mid-level to sign Chris Duhon. His best asset might be his desire to mix it up on defense against the bets opponents.
Rodney Carney, F, 6-7
2009-10 salary: $825,500
Synergy opponent points per possession: 1.02 overall, .76 isolation, 1.26 spot-up.
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at shooting guard): .447 eFG%, 17.4 points, 13.8 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 111.0 on court, 111.8 off court.
Notes: Carney is a good athlete who runs the floor well and wants to play D. Philly isn’t interested in re-signing Carney and there doesn’t seem to be much buzz about him going elsewhere.
Ime Udoka, 6-5, G/F
2009-10 salary: $787,000
Synergy opponent points per possession: .96 overall, .85 isolation, 1.15 spot-up.
Opponent production per 48 minutes (at shooting guard): .477 eFG%, 22.8 points, 15.4 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 108.0 on court, 112.0 off court.
Notes: Udoka might be available for the minimum. Once a good 3-point shooter for Portland, Udoka mysteriously has seemed to lose his touch since then.
Rafer Alston
2009-10 salary: $495, 298
Synergy opponent points per possession: .91 overall, .83 isolation, ,91 pick-and-roll ballhandler
Opponent production per 48 minutes: .442 eFG%, 17.5 points, 14.1 PER.
Team defensive efficiency: 106.2 on court, 105.1 off court.
Notes: Alston wants another shot in the NBA after going AWOL from the Heat to attend to personal family business. He says he’s willing to fill any role. Alston still can provide some spot minutes running a team.
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156 comments Add your comment
hawks poop
July 7th, 2010
4:24 pm
first
jroc
July 7th, 2010
4:27 pm
present
hawks poop
July 7th, 2010
4:28 pm
And rafer alston is my pick or either matt barnes
jroc
July 7th, 2010
4:33 pm
Carney
who
July 7th, 2010
4:37 pm
LMFAOOO
Dorell Wright is on this list
You have to be kidding me with that
northcyde
July 7th, 2010
4:38 pm
Great stuff MC.
Barnes would be the guy I would target out of this list, because I don’t trust Mo Evans as a defender or a spot up shooter anymore. I think if Jordan Crawford shows anything as a shooter/scorer, he may take playing time from Evans.
Farmar might be the other guy I’d target, in case we have a problem with Teague. Farmar is a better shooter than Teague and I’ve always liked Farmar’s toughness. In an offense in which he may not be required to run the team, he might fit in well here, in case Teague isn’t ready and Bibby shows that he’s still in decline.
Steve
July 7th, 2010
4:39 pm
MC – I dunno exactly what these numbers mean, but where does Jarvis Hayes fit on the list?
jroc
July 7th, 2010
4:42 pm
Hey MC you have been doing a good job keeping us up to date on the Hawks this summer. How about you go to management and demand a raise and if they don’t budge start turning over desks like the teacher did on Lean On Me.And MC have you heard of any other moves the hawks are going to make.
Jerry West
July 7th, 2010
4:42 pm
MC,
No love for Earl Watson? I mean Skip Alston gets mention as an aging PG that can play D but not my man Earl?
mojo
July 7th, 2010
4:43 pm
Farmar might be out of LA if fisher takes a paycut and with the steve blake signing. could be a great pickup for depth. Also rodney carney is a smooth player with depth at the 3 for us.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
4:43 pm
@who: “Dorell Wright is on this list. You have to be kidding me with that.”
i’m open to hearing a rebuttal.
JoJo the Godfather
July 7th, 2010
4:45 pm
I’m all for picking up a perimeter defender, but I’m having a hard time hashing out the minutes when you’ve got Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford, Jordan Crawford, Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams & Mo Evans all seeing time at the first 3 spots (generally covered by 7 active roster spots)…I realize a couple of those guys could be traded, but we’re either going to end up with some rookies getting ignored or Jamal Crawford & Mo Evans taking a big hit in minutes…Are we really going to start Jeff Teague as the PG for a 53-win playoff team next year?…I wish we’d make an early move or two to even out the roster.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
4:47 pm
@ Steve: the Synergy stuff is points allowed per possession by the player. the opponent production is what that player’s man stats. the efficiency is points allowed per 100 possessions when the players is on the court and off the court.
i recall that John Hollinger once said Hayes is an overrated defender but can’t find that link.
Ric Roc
July 7th, 2010
4:49 pm
Tony Allen, Jordan Farmar and Matt Barnes would all make great additions. They are tough-minded and come from winning organizations. They could only enhance the culture around the locker room and on-floor performance.
I’m especially impressed with Farmar’s ability to knock down open threes… it’s not easy to run an offense for Phil Jackson.
Spot on about Allen… his offense is limited, but he’s tough and excels at driving to the basket. I’ll take any Doc Rivers or Phil Jackson outcast any day of the week.
Matt Barnes is basically a clone of Chils… hustles every minute he’s in the game and able to make buckets w/o ever having to call his number.
jroc
July 7th, 2010
4:49 pm
Bibby was the main reason the Hawks got killed on the perimeter last season.Get rid of Bibby and problem solved.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
4:49 pm
@jroc: Mr. Darnell went off on Joe Clark but he kind of got punked before that. nothing new so far on Hawks moves but i’m sure it’s coming. LD supposedly wants to hire Larry Conner as lead assistant but i’ve heard it’s not official yet so i’m holding off on putting that out there.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
4:52 pm
@ Jerry West: haha . . . hey, i like Watson. this isn’t an exhaustive list by any means just wanted to get a conversation going.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
4:53 pm
I like Barnes and Bell, but Wright could be good in the right situation. Not a huge fan of any of the other guys. Tony Allen is just a glorified Mario West.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
4:54 pm
@JoJo: yeah, it’s a crowded roster if they pick up another perimeter guy. if they get a defensive specialist who is acceptable on offense that would presumably cut into minutes for Bibby and Mo.
UGA
July 7th, 2010
4:55 pm
Damien Wilkins? Very versatile and cheap. Can play 3 spots. He always plays well in Phillips.
Dorrell Wright would be great!! He can hit the 3 too. I’d take him in a minute.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
4:55 pm
Oh yeah, Farmar is nice too, but bringing him in wouldn’t make sense unless the Hawks find a way to dump Bibby.
UGA
July 7th, 2010
4:56 pm
MC: Who would you add to this list as a PF or C?
Brian
July 7th, 2010
4:57 pm
All these players suck.
Astro Joe
July 7th, 2010
4:59 pm
MC, you mean LESTER Connor (Larry’s brother)?
We don’t need any perimeter defenders. We already have Mo Evans and Drew’s new “guard your man or else” scheme for next season.
Bulls sign Boozer.
jroc
July 7th, 2010
4:59 pm
Farmar will be Bibby in a couple of years.Lazy and pathetic.Besides get him while he still cares.
Jerry West
July 7th, 2010
4:59 pm
What 3 spots can Damien play?
And yes he can light it up at Philips, though Durant stole his thunder that one night…
allan in texas
July 7th, 2010
5:00 pm
Are the Hawks going to get Shaquille? I might have to consider driving back down to the ATL if they did that. Also, do the Hawks have a realistic shot at landing CP3 via trade? Thanks.
clarkekent
July 7th, 2010
5:01 pm
larry hughes and ronnie brewer
JoJo the Godfather
July 7th, 2010
5:01 pm
Whose minutes are we talking about getting a free agent for?… We lost Super Mario and added Jordan Crawford…You figure Bibby & Teague will switch their minutes per game…Obviously we need to get rid of Bibby and give those minutes to a free agent, but that leaves Evans as our backup SF again, or our PG rotation will have to be Teague, Ja Crawford & Jo Crawford.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
5:02 pm
@AJ: yeah, lester conner, former pacers assistant
jroc
July 7th, 2010
5:02 pm
Antoine Carr and Kevin Willis
Section 303
July 7th, 2010
5:03 pm
Michael, that’s a good list. What about Chuck Hayes, though? I think he would be a perfect fit here. He is a free agent, right?
Hawks have enough guys that can score the ball. They need some “junk yard dog” types to join this roster. Guys that won’t stand around and watch Rashard Lewis get loose ball and turn it into a layup, like Josh Smith did. Promise you….Chuck Hayes and most of the guys on Michael’s list would have never allowed that to happen.
I’m all for tough, lunch bucket, Tom Izzo style guys coming here.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
5:03 pm
@Najeh: “Oh yeah, Farmar is nice too, but bringing him in wouldn’t make sense unless the Hawks find a way to dump Bibby.”
i’m thinking Farmar would need that assurance, too.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
5:04 pm
@allan in texas: i’m still not convinced CP3 is even available. we’ll have to see on Shaq. league is to announce the final cap figures tonight, so the Hawks will have a clearer picture of their financials.
Astro Joe
July 7th, 2010
5:05 pm
Why not Mo Evans as our designated perimeter defender?
N-Trigue
July 7th, 2010
5:06 pm
Mc
What about Travis Porter?
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
5:06 pm
“larry hughes and ronnie brewer”
I like Brewer a lot, and Memphis renounced his rights making him an unrestricted free agent. How likely is it that the Hawks bring him in? I think he could provide what Childress does at half the price Childress will command.
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:06 pm
Seem like all the real contenders are looking to sign major Free Agents to upgrade their teams and we as Hawks fans are discussing finding cheap Free Agents. Is this how a 53 win team move to the next level? I hope Sund are looking at better moves then this. No offense MC.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
5:07 pm
@ Sec 303: the Rockets exercised Hayes’ option for 2010-11. plus this list is focused on perimeter guys.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
5:09 pm
@AJ: “Why not Mo Evans as our designated perimeter defender?”
how about another guy who can take SFs?
allan in texas
July 7th, 2010
5:09 pm
Boozer to the Bulls! The teams in the east are getting serious. Step your game up Hawks!
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
5:10 pm
@ Melvin: “Is this how a 53 win team move to the next level? I hope Sund are looking at better moves then this. No offense MC.”
none taken. i know it’s not as fun to talk about guys like these as it is bigger names but these kind of role players are important.
GT Alum
July 7th, 2010
5:10 pm
Just for a point of reference, I’m assuming you can also get these stats for guys already on the team like JJ, Marvin, Mo and our current defensive specialist, Mario. It’d be interesting to see how these guys compare to guys we already have on the roster.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
5:10 pm
@Melvin: plus these are just free agents, always can do trades.
terrell
July 7th, 2010
5:11 pm
From last blog:
GeeMack, 3 out of the next 5 titles? Please. Stars dont win titles, TEAMS do.
jroc
July 7th, 2010
5:12 pm
Despite the moves the Bulls and Heat are making the Hawks roster still is better than theirs.
GMAN013
July 7th, 2010
5:14 pm
Hey Guys,
What about trading Smith and Marvin for Gerald Wallace and Tyson Chandler? The salaries match!
Bobcats would get a better Gerald Wallace in Smoove to replace the defense and excitement. Marvin would be a good team guy to play defense and score on an offensively limited team which could also help his confidence.
Hawks would get a “slightly-less rich mans Josh Smith” in Wallace who could provide what Smith does 100% of the time instead of when Smith wants to. Chandler is a defensive minded and athletic center that could provide blocks and rebounding and could score occasionally. Plus Horford could move to PF.
C-Chandler
PF-Horford
SF-Wallace
SG-Johnson
PG-Teague
C-Shaq/Zaza
PF-Zaza/?
SF-Childress/Mo/?
SG-Crawford/Jo Crawford
PG-Bibby/Crawford/?
That is a solid defensive minded line up that could actually score as well. It works for both teams so it would be a fair trade.
Tell me what yall think?
Remarkable
July 7th, 2010
5:15 pm
Can Childress play defense? Is he a legitimate consideration? If not who will we sign and trade for him that can truely help us?
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
5:16 pm
Wade and Bosh is a nice combo — disregarding the fact that Bosh plays zero defense — but that team is still going to have nobody around them as a supporting cast. They will make the playoffs, but until they bring in some shooters and some depth they won’t be a serious contender.
If the Bulls land LeBron, though, you can hand them the Eastern Conference. That starting lineup will be un-f*ck-witable.
Even if LeBron stays with the Cavs, the Bulls are a shooter away from passing the Hawks in the standings.
And like I said on the previous blog, don’t sleep on the Bucks.
jroc
July 7th, 2010
5:17 pm
Gman013 the proposal STINKS
Astro Joe
July 7th, 2010
5:17 pm
@MC, I agree that we need a back-up SF, that has more size than Evans. I like Wright for that role (my original thought was Devean George or Trenton Hassell). Evans had a strong rep as a defender prior to joining the Hawks. I’m not so sure that he will keep that rep after leaving the Hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
5:18 pm
“What about trading Smith and Marvin for Gerald Wallace and Tyson Chandler? The salaries match!”
Pretty even trade in terms of talent, but I’d be wary about trading two durable guys like Smoove and Marvin for two players who are as injury-prone as Wallace and Chandler.
clarkekent
July 7th, 2010
5:22 pm
other than joe johnson, who else on the projected starting 5 can shoot consistently from 15ft out to the 3pt line?
teague
johnson
williams
smith
horford
O'Brien
July 7th, 2010
5:24 pm
I’m with Jo-Jo on this one. Right now, the Hawks have 10 players who will probably see PT. Rick Sund needs to make trades to address some needs, because signing one more defenders will give us 11, plus we still need at least one big, which gives us 12. And that does not include Chills.
I think this comes back to Rick Sund again. Maybe he could have had Matt Barnes last year for part of the mid-level. Maybe we could have traded Bibby if he only had 1 year left. If only Marvin wasn’t signed for $7.5 mil, we could have signed 2 or 3 off your list.
From your list, I like Matt Barnes as a backup SF, and I like Jordan Farmar at PG (I would even give him the chance to start over Teague). I think Rafer Alston would be a better fit due to his price though.
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:25 pm
How dumb does Joe Dumars look now. Instead of saving the cash last summer and being a player in this summer great FA class, he spends the money on Charlie V and Ben Gordon. That comes after the Darko and Stuckey pick and Billups trade. Why is he still employed as a GM?
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:25 pm
Boozer and Amare will be in the east next season. Will the west have any bigs next season? Heck, even if we move Al to the PF, I can’t seeing him make the ASG as forward over Boozer, Amare or Bosh. You know KG and Lebron will be the starting forwards….
MannyT
July 7th, 2010
5:25 pm
From a value perspective, I think I’d want Wright or Carney.
Defensively, we need someone who can guard a LeBron, Paul Pierce. Marvin is the best physical matchup for that job on this team. It would be nice to have a bench option that was comparable so it didn’t fall to JJ when Marvin isn’t in the game.
I’d lean toward an all purpose forward, but could live with a guy that gives something on offense. If you wanna shake something up, make an offer to Detroit for T. Prince. You get D, a good expiring contract, and a guy that should fit well with our athletes.
Unfortunately, to get him you will have to give something. Has his value fallen enough to offer Marvin & Mo? Why–b/c you can do a lot with almost 22 mil in expiring contracts next season. (Prince & Crawford)
clarkekent
July 7th, 2010
5:26 pm
Davenpoop – ditto.. totally agree
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
5:28 pm
While most of the sports media is falling all over themselves to follow LeBron’s every move, this is probably the harshest take on this whole free agency saga I’ve seen written so far.
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:29 pm
MC,
Fair point. I just thought those are the type of guys you look to sign mid-July into August not within the 1st week of the signing period…
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
5:30 pm
Marvin & Mo for Prince would be a dream scenario. Expiring contract, veteran locker room presence with championship experience, defense at least as good as Marvin if not significantly better… and Prince doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a 3-point shooter either. 37% career from the line is nothing to sneeze at. I’d be surprised if the Hawks get anything substantial for either of those players, though.
Viagree
July 7th, 2010
5:33 pm
Regardless of whether the Bulls get Lebron, the Hawks are still a top 3 team in the East based upon talent. How effective the new offense will be, as well as how the team chemistry will shake up after any trades still remains to be seen. However, as long as you have Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Joe Johnson on the team, you’re going to be a threat to anyone.
Jody
July 7th, 2010
5:44 pm
@MC
I sincerely hope the Hawks see what’s going on with the other teams around them (Miami, Chicago, possibly New York). I think the statement was made that they realized re-signing JJ was not enough to make them title contenders and that’s definitely true. However, simply adding cheap pieces to round out the roster isn’t going to cut it either. Are the Hawks just blowing smoke or are they genuinely serious about putting together a legit contender? I know it’s still early, but I thought I’d ask your opinion?
macaroni tony
July 7th, 2010
5:44 pm
http://blogs.indystar.com/pacersinsider/archives/2010/07/obrien_talks_ab.html
macaroni tony
July 7th, 2010
5:47 pm
Its early in the draft part of the season I will wait to see how things play themselves out. Miami don’t have enough money in the salary cap to put together a championship type team. They only have four players with Bosh and Wade.
Ken Strickland
July 7th, 2010
5:49 pm
Here’s what I’d do if I was Sund. We know the ASG is willing to go into luxury tax territory to acquire a starting quality center, and the Hornets are desperate to get rid of the contract of their starting center, EOkafor. Suppose we trade MWilliams($7.5M)and MEvans($2.5M)for Okafor($10.8M). You can see the numbers work.
We get the starting quality center we covet, without going into luxury tax territory, or having to utilize our MLE, and they get out of his contract and receive some short and long term financial flexibility. Then, if we choose, we can use our MLE to sign 1 or 2 of the players listed above, or resign Chills and use only a portion of our MLE, or not use it at all.
Rod from College Park
July 7th, 2010
5:53 pm
Najeh Davenpoop,
“Marvin & Mo for Prince would be a dream scenario. Expiring contract, veteran locker room presence with championship experience, defense at least as good as Marvin if not significantly better… and Prince doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a 3-point shooter either. 37% career from the line is nothing to sneeze at. I’d be surprised if the Hawks get anything substantial for either of those players, though.”
Would love that trade. What do you mean defense at least as good as? Significantly better would be correct. Prince is a two or three time 2nd team all defensive player, who actually was asked, and did lock down great players in the playoffs(Reggie Miller) when it mattered. Marvin has never locked anything but his car or house.
Mike is back
July 7th, 2010
5:59 pm
MC, I would have to go with Burns out of that group, and MO as an internal solution. Sund will have to get creative to move Bibby…however before the start of the season he needs to come up with something. If JOneal can keep getting traded…surely there is hope for us with Bibby.
TROTTINGHOME
July 7th, 2010
6:00 pm
To bad so sad…once that so called unique offense gets torn a new azz it won’t matter who they bring in…
northcyde
July 7th, 2010
6:01 pm
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
5:25 pm
Boozer and Amare will be in the east next season. Will the west have any bigs next season? Heck, even if we move Al to the PF, I can’t seeing him make the ASG as forward over Boozer, Amare or Bosh. You know KG and Lebron will be the starting forwards….
***********************
I was just thinking the exact same thing. Horford and Smoove will have to be stellar to make the All-Star game next year.
terrell
July 7th, 2010
6:05 pm
“A glorified Mario West”. lol! Najeh you’re wrong for that. lol! That being said, I’d take Allen over Mario in a millisecond.
nique
July 7th, 2010
6:06 pm
Isn’t this what Mo Evans is for?
N-Trigue
July 7th, 2010
6:15 pm
MC
What about Travis outlaw? Do you think he will fit with the Hawks.
ryan
July 7th, 2010
6:16 pm
It looks like Shaq is coming to the Hawks because Celtics are going Brad Miller and Mavs are going after David Lee.
mark
July 7th, 2010
6:18 pm
teach mario how to hit a set shot with playing time he can play some perimeter defense. zaza work on his 12-15ft. jumper. he will bang. add a serviceable big man. and one pure shooter. we can still be top 4n the east.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
6:20 pm
What about Dahntay Jones? Same salary as Mo Evans, good 3-point shooter, good defender, 2 more years left on his deal at under $3 million per year, and Indiana has been clearing salary so they may be open to moving him for Evans’ expiring deal. The guy was pretty valuable on Denver’s Western Conference Finals team a couple of years ago. I’d take him over a lot of the guys on this list, especially at his salary.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
6:21 pm
Heh… upon further review I take back the “good 3-point shooter” part of that post, but the rest of it still stands… Jones would be a cheap, effective perimeter defender with playoff experience who probably wouldn’t be too hard to acquire in a trade.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 7th, 2010
6:23 pm
“It looks like Shaq is coming to the Hawks because Celtics are going Brad Miller and Mavs are going after David Lee.”
If LeBron returns to Cleveland, I don’t see Shaq leaving there unless the Cavs specifically ask him not to return.
mark
July 7th, 2010
6:28 pm
chris bosh is a damn fool
macaroni tony
July 7th, 2010
6:37 pm
I feel you Mark, that’s a lot of money that he’s leaving on the table. And I don’t think that the Heat will have a good team.
Simpdawg
July 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
The Hawks are steady falling behind the other teams in the Eastern Conference by the hour. They better hurry and make some moves, before all the good affordable free agents are gone. They’ve already made a big mistake in resigning Joe Johnson for the max, but they need to move forward with their free agent plans. Shaq is not the answer.
True Atlanta Fan
July 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
I love how people could not stop talking about the Magic and the moves we should make to get past them. Well now we got Bosh and Wade to deal in Miami. I think Allen, Farmar and Barnes (not for the midlevel exception) would be awesome preliminary moves but we need more than the “cheapest D” to get past the second round. Im just hoping Sund can pull off good trade moves (e.g Acie and Speedy for Jamal Crawford). Also Im hoping JJ is getting his “recruiting” on. The Southeast is going to be one of the hardest divisions no doubt.
macaroni tony
July 7th, 2010
6:44 pm
@MC this is the link to say the the lead assistant will be Lester Conner:
http://blogs.indystar.com/pacersinsider/archives/2010/07/obrien_talks_ab.html
Brian
July 7th, 2010
6:45 pm
Anyone that thinks the Hawks are a top 3 team is silly. They were not even a top 3 team last year. Boston proved they’re still a better team than Atlanta. The playoffs proved that. The minor difference in the record of the Hawks and Celtics was the fact that Boston had lots of injuries while the Hawks had almost none.
Section 303
July 7th, 2010
6:45 pm
Looking over Michael’s list, again, I have to say four guys really jump out at me. Would love to see the Hawks land at least one of these guys: Rodney Carney, Jordan Farmer, Tony Allen, Matt Barnes.
Anyone remember when the Hawks played the Celtics, here in Atlanta, to complete the season sweep? Tony Allen came in and just locked up Joe Johnson on the final play of the first half. Iso-Joe was no problem for Allen. That was the first time I had even heard Tony Allen’s name.
Carney would fit well, too. Great, great athlete. He would fit right in. Farmer could take over some of the PG duties, assuming no Bibby.
I love Raja Bell, but doubt he would play here, And, I don’t agree that he would come cheap. That guy probably has a pretty high opinion of himself. He would need to be shown the money.
James
July 7th, 2010
6:46 pm
Once LeBron leaves the Cavs the Hawks need to make some trades with them we will give them Mike Bibby & Josh Smith for Mo Williams & Anderson Varejao
Hawks Team 2011.
PG – Mo Williams/Jeff Teaque
SG – Joe Johnson/Jamal Crawford
SF – Matt Barnes/Marvin Williams
PF – Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia
C – Shaquille O’Neal/Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Brian
July 7th, 2010
6:49 pm
That last trade idea is horrible. Mo Williams is a worse playoff performer than Joe Johnson. That team you listed there wouldn’t win 45 games.
kelvin davis
July 7th, 2010
6:52 pm
Ok whoever thought of the trade for Tyson Chandler and Gerald Wallace are really smart. We can easily replace Marvin Williams and Josh Smith and the salaries do match so money isn’t an issue. What do yall think?
Reginald
July 7th, 2010
6:59 pm
MC
The Hawks should look at Shaun Livingston
Section 303
July 7th, 2010
6:59 pm
Brian, I do….I think the Hawks will better themselves this offseason. We’ll see….
ryan
July 7th, 2010
7:05 pm
From what i am hearing on LeBron is that he going to choose Miami so that will mean Shaq will most likely sign with Atlanta.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:07 pm
@ Reginald: “The Hawks should look at Shaun Livingston”
he might be worth a look. another “street” free agents out there is Mike James though, knowing him, he probably still thinks he should start.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:08 pm
@macaroni: saw that on Conner but i keep hearing it’s not certain so i’m holding off on putting it out there.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:09 pm
@Sec 303: “I love Raja Bell, but doubt he would play here, And, I don’t agree that he would come cheap. That guy probably has a pretty high opinion of himself. He would need to be shown the money.”
he’s probably in line to get the most cash of these guys.
Tuck
July 7th, 2010
7:14 pm
I’ve watched Farmar since college. He has never had the speed to adequately defend fast point guards. He isn’t Mike-Bibby-at-34 slow, but you would still have to hide him some against the quick penetrating point guards that Atlanta already has trouble defending.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:15 pm
@N-Trigue: i think Clips played Outlaw more at 4 than 3 because his perimeter D wasn’t so hot.
Mitun
July 7th, 2010
7:16 pm
I would get Matt Barnes and Raja Bell in a heartbeat but what about the Center position? I like Al Horford but PF would be better for him in term of his height.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:19 pm
@ Jody: “Are the Hawks just blowing smoke or are they genuinely serious about putting together a legit contender? I know it’s still early, but I thought I’d ask your opinion?”
it’s waaaay early. the cap hasn’t even been set yet. the market still has to calm down. all i can tell you is the Hawks see J.J.’s re-signing as the first step. they know they can’t bring back the same team and sell it as improvement. like i’ve said, it will become clear if they are BSing, so all you can do is wait and see what they do.
Jody
July 7th, 2010
7:20 pm
@MC
Thanks for the answer and your work.
Michael Cunningham
July 7th, 2010
7:22 pm
@ Melvin: “Fair point. I just thought those are the type of guys you look to sign mid-July into August not within the 1st week of the signing period…”
you may be right about that though who knows in this crazy market. i don’t mean to imply these are guys the Hawks are pursuing, just putting them out there as options if the Hawks decide they need someone for the role.
Emir S.
July 7th, 2010
7:38 pm
I’m open for Matt Barnes and Tony Allen. I’ve seen Tony Allen play with Boston, I think he’s a great defender. And I like his inside scoring. I’ve seen him get quiet a few putbacks in the playoffs. Kinda reminds me of Childress.
As far as Matt Barnes, I see him as a replacement for Marvin WIlliams.
If you take Farmar or Alston, then your taking away Teague’s starting spot and his chance to prove himself. Unless you pick up one of them and still let Teague start, then I’d have no problems with that.
UGA
July 7th, 2010
7:40 pm
Did the Hawks make Matt Barnes an offer last year?
chuckw/deadjournalist
July 7th, 2010
7:41 pm
that cap number is $2M higher than everyone thought. that’s not a bad thing for the hawks.
O'Brien
July 7th, 2010
7:42 pm
Two important things free agents look for is money and playing time. Right now, the hawks don’t have much money, but with the right moves, there can be PT available.
Hopefully on Friday, sund will be active in the market. If he is too deliberate, we might miss out. Last year we got Jamal the last week of June. And that’s the approach we need.
Calculated and swift.
Astro Joe
July 7th, 2010
7:49 pm
@MC, so what does your Excel spreadsheet say now in terms of the salary space between current contracts and the announced luxury tax threshold? Will Sund be shopping at JCPenney’s or Dollar General to round out the roster?
UGA
July 7th, 2010
7:50 pm
The Hawks did get better perimeter D drafting Damian James, but……….
JeJe
July 7th, 2010
7:53 pm
SO JOE WHAT TOP FA’S ARE U RECRUITING HERE LIKE UR AGENT SAID U WOULD? KINDA FUNNY, SEEING THAT EVERY TOP FA HAS SIGNED AND LBJ ISN’T COMING HERE.
LOL
Bosh the Lapdog
July 7th, 2010
7:55 pm
Why didn’t u guys sign me?
Oh wait, Wade isn’t on this team. I have a crush on him.
Astro Joe
July 7th, 2010
7:56 pm
JeJe, I’m pretty sure his agent said free agent and not TOP free agent. I’m still waiting for the player who can convince another layer to take a huge paycut. Can anyone here convince their best friend to take a 40%+ paycut?
wcj
July 7th, 2010
7:56 pm
MC, The Hawks can trade Jamall Crawford to Charlotte Bobcats for Gerald Wallace. Why? because is it unlikely that the Hawks can sign Jamall next season and give Al an extension. It will give Charlotte $9,360,000 (expiring contract) in cap space in 2011 if i am reading this right. Marvin Williams can come of the bench until he is traded.
JeJe
July 7th, 2010
7:58 pm
Amazing there have been no Cav rumors of trades. WTF are they doing? Get David Lee ASAP.
They are so dumb for hanging onto Hickson. Hickson for Amare was a done deal
Sawyer
July 7th, 2010
8:18 pm
With the cap being higher, JJ’s contract just went up even more.
Big B CH 99
July 7th, 2010
8:24 pm
Hos did U not include Mario West on this list, he’s a great defender, just very limited offensively (dunk & nothing else). The most important thing is giving him enough minutes to let him develop, (1-2 MPG) isn’t gonna do it. If U give him 10-15 MPG he might develop into a decent contributer. He’ll always be a defense first guy, but might be able to be a slasher/driver. He did win the dunk contest after his Sr yr @ GT.
cp
July 7th, 2010
8:25 pm
A few guys I like are Tony Allen, Carney, Josh Boone, and Dorrell Wright… I think any one of these guy would be good coming off the bench.
Grandad
July 7th, 2010
8:26 pm
Don’t want any of ‘em.
Supposedly Battier is available for trade.
Good quote from article I just read: [off topic]
Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo Sports
LeBron James has gone a long way to devaluing winning and losing in the NBA. David Stern has long pushed the individual over team, marketed showy over substance, and LeBron James represents the manifestation of it all.
cp
July 7th, 2010
8:27 pm
I like Livingston but we would have to move Bibby. Mario West has no skills. I hope he isn’t on this team next year… He cant dribble nor can he shoot. He is also way too aggressive on the defensive end. Dude probably racks up more fouls than points scored. If he was allowed to play more than 10 minutes a game he would probably foul out half the time. No more Mario West
rusty
July 7th, 2010
8:34 pm
the only thing joe is successful in recruiting is more $$$ for his sorry butt. loma. if we could get allen,farmer & barnes we would be crazy not to,(we wouldnt get jack crap) having bibby,evens & the rest of our crappy bench will not cut it. get shaq.
tidog
July 7th, 2010
8:40 pm
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tidog
July 7th, 2010
8:40 pm
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tidog
July 7th, 2010
8:40 pm
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tidog
July 7th, 2010
8:40 pm
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The Shooter
July 7th, 2010
8:43 pm
Lebron James and Terrell Owens deserve each other. It is good they don’t play the same game. You would need two balls.
Panties on the Ground
July 7th, 2010
8:47 pm
ASG and BK passed on Farmer coming out of UCLA. He may have been the solution to the PG problem all along. At 23 yrs old with his experince his addition is all upside.
TROTTINGHOME
July 7th, 2010
9:02 pm
this blog is boring and useless…start another after LAAAAAA bron makes his choice.
terrell
July 7th, 2010
9:24 pm
Lebron to the Nets in a shocker.
terrell
July 7th, 2010
9:28 pm
Cant believe people are still calling Mario a “great defender”. Wow!
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
9:29 pm
Looks like the Hawks has the league min for summer league roster…
http://www.nbadraft.net/2010-nba-las-vegas-summer-league-game-schedule-rosters
terrell
July 7th, 2010
9:36 pm
Lebron isn’t responsible for this FA nonsense. We are. We’re watching it, listening to it, and reading about it. If no one watched it, read about it, or listened to it, ESPN, NBA TV, etc.. wouldnt have made it so preposterous. They’re only catering to our dumbazzez. lol!
JeJe
July 7th, 2010
9:47 pm
This blog is a joke. Rafer Alston? I’d rather have Steve Francis for the maximum
Thank You Michael Cunningham! | Soaring Down South | An Atlanta Hawks blog
July 7th, 2010
11:31 pm
[...] more trouble defending the perimeter than defending the paint. Thanks to Michael Cunningham for pointing this out in his latest [...]
Ashe
July 7th, 2010
11:44 pm
Bendan Haywood
Mike Miller
Carlos Boozer
Kyle Korver
Bosh
steve blake
joel przybilla
grant hill
matt barnes
david lee
luke ridnour
jamaal Maglourie
Johan Petro
Brad miller
I want a true center. We here at Atlanta have never had a true center. I do like Barnes, Haywood, and Korver and maybe Brad Miller. But, they might be going to greener pastures.
atownhawk23 aka I LOVE JJ
July 8th, 2010
1:17 am
No. Do not get Matt Barnes. If you get him then, we’ll have deal with that stupid, naive, and annoying Gloria. Nooooo. We’re good the way we are.
BigTimeTECHFan
July 8th, 2010
8:20 am
Michael Cunningham – Right on, every team need these guys.
What about just keeping Mario West, he could fit that role on defense better then most of these guys but prob a downgrade on offense.
I wish we had a Joe Dumars – That dude was so good, he could lock down anybody (but Jordan) but was great offensive player. Every bit as good as D Wade and LeBron Because of his D.
Ryan
July 8th, 2010
8:25 am
Bunch of idiots tryign to get rid of SMith. . .
BigTimeTECHFan
July 8th, 2010
8:25 am
Michael Cunningham – Any chance we could sign Anthony Morrow for some 3 point shooting
Ryan
July 8th, 2010
8:26 am
DIkembe MUtumbo was not a ‘true center’????
BigTimeTECHFan
July 8th, 2010
8:32 am
How about trade with Golden State:
M Williams, Bibby, Evans
for
Monta Ellis
Ronnie Turiaf
Daniel
July 8th, 2010
8:59 am
Alston? Are you confusing willingness to gamble for steals at all times as defense?
dukester
July 8th, 2010
10:37 am
lets find a center that can play defense first. good teams can always control the paint.
sammy
July 8th, 2010
12:07 pm
the hawks need Shack like they need charles barkley, days are gone!
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
1:50 pm
“Dwight-influenced fascination with centers”
Talk about a loaded statement. Wow. you have to spend a week dispelling the misdirection before you can deal with the reality. Dwight only put an exclamation one what the experts had foretasted before the season began and what many fans voiced serious concerns about. The hawks defenselessness for the 5 spot.
Northcyde hand an excellent post last week that show 60% of the people who try to score over horford in the paint succeed. Thats an atrocious number. Further is not like horford is stopping anyone (nobody) in the paint. This aint about Howard although he stressed the point.
The bottom line is you wont go far in the playoffs if your CENTER can protect the rim. That is the point Horford cant, and as long as he is center we will never get past the second round.
I’ll see you next year and we will have this same conversation, fire the next coach, talk about how great horford’s 12 career average is and call for sund’s firing.
You are clearly ignoring the point. Horford aint stopping no centers, including Dwight who just brought the exclamation point.
Manny
July 8th, 2010
2:01 pm
They’re all forwards and guards. We’re good on that. Find me a nice Center and we can talk.
D Money
July 8th, 2010
2:15 pm
If Shaq is the best option for center right now then we have to make a play for him. I’m not a fan of his at this point in his career but if Shaq and Zaza can hold down the center position, that would be a big boost to the team and it will keep Horford where he belongs…at forward.
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
2:18 pm
*Dwight only put an exclamation on what the experts had foretasted before the season began and what many fans voiced serious concerns about. The hawks defenselessness for the 5 spot.
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
2:21 pm
more trouble defending the perimeter than defending the paint. Thanks to Michael Cunningham for pointing this out in his latest?
Surely you jest!
The guards have to cheat to the middle to help Horford before he gets blistered….cosh Woodson his job with all the switching he had to do to protect us from Horford ABUSE.-lmao
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
2:21 pm
*.coach
Mystikal
July 8th, 2010
2:28 pm
Breaking News:
Brendan Haywood sign with Mavericks for 6 yrs, $55 million
Jermaine O’neal sign with Celtics for 5.7 million exception
Two more gone….
Mystikal
July 8th, 2010
2:44 pm
In order I say:
Matt Barnes
Raja Bell
Rafer Alston
Tony Allen
Jordan Farmer
Dorrell Wright
Rodney Carney
Think Raja Bell or Rafer Alston are best realistic
options for little money we are trying to spend.
Truth-Serum
July 8th, 2010
2:53 pm
coach Woodson lost his job with all the switching he had to do to protect us from Horford ABUSE.-lmao
Woodson II (the sequel)
July 8th, 2010
2:55 pm
Mystikal if you are wondering what the forecast of 2010-2011 will be the answer is DITTO!
Woodson II (the sequel)
July 8th, 2010
2:58 pm
Sund never planned on getting a center. This was all a smoke screen. Next season will be a repeat of this one.
Woodson II (the sequel)
July 8th, 2010
3:00 pm
Breaking News:
Brendan Haywood sign with Mavericks for 6 yrs, $55 million
Jermaine O’neal sign with Celtics for 5.7 million exception
Both organization understand the game and have better knowledge of talent than the hawks.
jeff
July 8th, 2010
3:10 pm
Just throwing some things out there like the rest of you, But I must first ask why break up a group that won 53 games with a coach that didn’t utilize the bench? Some of the trades are outrageous and aren’t going to happen at best. Trade Horford, Smith etc. is just crazy thinking. I also suggest we bring back in Garrett Siler to compete for a spot for a competent coach.
But for the sake of argument we have 3 open roster spots not counting who may not make the team. And plentiful pool of players that shouldn’t cost us much to get (in my opinion) of course I don’t right the checks. List from NBA.com today. There are many more that I may have missed, but here are just a few.
UFA
Will Bynum G
Kwame Brown C
Anthony Carter G
Javaris Crittenton G
Raymond Felton G
Al Harrington F
Eddie House G
Allen Iverson G
Anthony Johnson G
Kenyan Martin- F
Sean May F-C
Tracy Mcgrady F-G
Brad Miller- C
Nazr Mohammad- C
Anthony Morrow- F-G
Flip Murray G
Rasho Nesterovic- C
Jermaine O’Neal C
Shaq- C
Theo Ratliff- C
Micheal Redd- G
Quentin Richardson- F
Jerry Stackhouse- F-G
Peja Stokavich-F
Kurt Thomas- F
Jamal Tinsley- G
Ben Wallace- C
Damien Wilkins F-G
Many, Many more listed.
Hoops
July 8th, 2010
4:36 pm
1. S & T Marvin to the Cavs for Shaq.
2. S & T Childress to the Wizzards for McGee. They are under the cap.
3. Use the bi-annual to sign Farmar or Livingston.
4. Use part of the MLE to sign Barnes.
This is your line up without going into L. tax:
PG-Teague/Livingston or Farmar/Bibby
SG-Crawford/Crawford2
SF-JJ/Barnes/Sy
PF-Josh/McGee
C-Horford/Shaq/Zaza
Now let’s go play!!! Bring on the Heat!!!
EAST COBB BALLA
July 8th, 2010
5:26 pm
we need to get eddie house ASAP
Guards Galore?
July 9th, 2010
7:00 am
Jeff Teague, Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Jordan Crawford, and you say we need to sign Rafer Alston? What IS this, Golden State?