Atlanta Hawks: Camp chatter
Emptying the notebook . . . .
Some observations and chatter after two open practice sessions at Philips Arena:
– The Hawks haven’t offered Shaq a contract yet. There’s still the open question of what kind of role he’s willing to accept on his new team. The Hawks also are said to be looking at Brad Miller, Ilgauskas, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown and Anthony Tolliver.
– Johan Petro was a possibility before he agreed with New Jersey on a three-year, $10 million deal. That should give you an ideal that it’s still a seller’s market for centers.
– L.D.’s summer plan for Teague:
“What I told him is basically I am going to turn him loose. I want him to be himself. I don’t want him to be concerned about making mistakes and missing shots because I have all the confidence in the world in his ability. He can break the defense down, he can get into the interior of the defense. He knows how to make plays. He is just one of the guys on our team with that breakdown ability. I want to allow him to be himself and play carefree and go out and have fun. No restrictions for him.”
– Teague will make his summer league debut but already seems hip to the difference between that and the real thing. “It is totally different when you play with guys who have been in the league a while. It makes the game a whole lot easier for you. But the summer league, it’s just going out there and showing what you can do. Show that you have the ability to run a team and play at this level.”
– He’s ready to be turned loose: “I think that’s the easiest way to play when you are with guys you are not familiar with. Just get up and down. Start getting stops and push it. The offense that we run, it is kind of complicated. You know guys are not going to remember it when they get in the game and start going one on one.”
– Teague on L.D.’s offense:
“I can’t really explain it. It’s kind of like a Princeton motion offense. Everybody is going to get shots, everybody is going to get touches. You can do everything out of it. You can get down-screens, pick-and-rolls. It is kind of a unique offense. It is perfect for our team. We’ve got a lot of guys who can handle the ball on our team and it gives them a chance to show what they can do. And you also get to move the ball. We didn’t get a lot of movement last year and that was something that hurt us. The offense makes it where that isolation thing is not there anymore unless you get it at the top of the key and the shot clock is winding down. Then you have some players who are really good in isolation like Joe. He’s going to add to the offense and have plays like that. But most of the time it is movement, back screens and cuts, posts for Smoove and Al and pick-and-rolls.”
– Pape Sy (pronounced “Pop See”) is getting positive early reviews. It seems he really did kind of come out of nowhere–he said he didn’t work out for any other teams, though Milwaukee had some interest.
– Pape said he played both guard positions in France. So how did a 6-7 French kid become a point guard? Credit his mother Fatim, whom Pape said coaches youth players in France. “When I was young I wasn’t really tall. [But] my dad is taller than me [so] my mom knows that I would be tall. So she [taught] me how to handle the ball and after that I grew.”
– Pape is legitimately 6-7 and quick with long arms. Those are the tools for a good defender and Pape also seems to have the tenacity for it. “He’s a good defender,” L.D. said. “Ask Jeff Teague. Took [the ball] from him. [Teague] got a little lackdasical with the ball and he just took it from him. He’s a gritty defender. He’s got good size, he’s got long arms and he’s got an aggression about him. You can’t be lax around him.”
– Chances are Pape and Sergiy Gladyr are headed back to their European teams next season, Le Havre in the French first division and Bàsquet Manresa of the Spanish ACB League respectively. Both players have a year left on their contracts. The Hawks could buy out their deals but they have no plans to do so. “Now is not the right time,” said Hawks assistant GM Dave Pendergraft. “We brought them over here to get experience. The game plan is for them to learn the system and get them some exposure to some NBA-level players.”
– Sergiy can really shoot it. “[Spain] is a perfect place for him,” Pendergraft said. “It is a good league, arguably the second-best league in the world, and he gets to play.”
– L.D. on Jordan Crawford (how’s JC2 for a nickname?): “This kid has speed, he has quickness, he can make shots. He does a great job reading the defense. I see him being a real good plus to us because the kid can score. He has that uncanny ability with scoring, whether out on the perimeter or getting to the basket. He finds ways to score. He seems to be a pretty clever basketball player. I am excited about him.”
– L.D. isn’t turning him loose like Teague, though. He wants Crawford to get used to his likely role with the Hawks, which means being a low-volume, high-efficiency scorer. “I know he was a big-time scorer in college and I don’t want to take away his aggressiveness,” Drew said. “But shot selection is a big key at this level. I will allow him to be himself but I will be letting him know if I think it’s a bad shot.”
– Here is what Kelvin Sampson, Crawford’s coach at IU, had to say on that topic when I talked to him for a Crawford story: “Sometimes talent can be a blessing and sometimes it can be something that’s tough to handle. Talented kids have a tendency to think they can do anything. The thing I tried to impress upon Jordan was shot selection. He thought they were all good shots. He would say, ‘Coach, I can make that.’ Well, that’s fine but 1 out of 10 is probably not good enough. Give me 8 out of 10 or at least 6 out of 10.”
– Crawford looked to be winded during the two practices that were open to media. That’s no surprise since L.D. put the players through some pretty intense workout sessions and it’s doubtful Crawford has gone this hard since March.
– It looks like RandMo, James Augustine, and Alade Aminu all will get a shot to make the roster. L.D. on RandMo coming out for summer league: “I thought it was a great gesture on his behalf. Some guys who have been in the league a few years, their pride won’t allow them to play in the summer league. But he sees it as an opportunity. I tip my hat to him for that. I am going to give him an opportunity to show what we can do.”
– The Hawks have been a surprisingly slow-paced team considering their stable of athletes. L.D. said he wants to change that. “I would, with that athletes we have,” he said. “We have got guys that can get up and down the floor. We have got big men that can handle the ball. We have go to rebound to do that. And if you [run] you have got to be smart, selective. You don’t want to go crazy with that.”
– Smoove stopped by Philips and watched some of the practice. What’s he been working on this summer? “I have been looking at some of my old tape. I am still studying what I need to work on. Back when I was playing and then to now, it looks a whole lot different. I always have room to grow. You will always be a student of the game as long as you play. There is always room for improvement.”
– Josh is on board with the plan to add a big. “To have somebody that can be down there and be strong and dominant, somebody that is going to rebound and finish around the bucket and catch the ball. Me and Al can take care of the rest. We could use a little more help, a little more depth. I think we do extremely well with a lot of the bigs in the league. We seem to struggle with guys like Dwight and . . . just pretty much Dwight. We need somebody who can help us with that if we have to face him in the playoffs again.”
– Like Shaq, for instance? “He definitely brings that maturity and the leadership. He definitely brings that experience we need. He has won titles. He’s been there in the postseason so he knows what it takes to win and I think he would be a good guy for the locker room.”
– Smoove on the Miami SuperFriends: “Those guys have to make it work. We have a group of guys that have been together for a long time and we know what each other likes to do. From that standpoint, I think we have the upside on them.”
– L.D. expects new lead assistant Lester Conner to help develop a defensive mentality for the Hawks. Said Conner: “They’ve won 50-plus games the last two years but when they get to the second round they kind of stumble. When you get to the second round, you’ve got to bring the toughness and energy out of guys to get to the next level. We want to pattern ourselves after the Celtics, the Orlando Magic. You’ve got to play defense. If they don’t buy into that, it’s going to be the same thing. Our job as a staff is to get them to buy into that.”
– Conner will coach the summer league entry while L.D. observes.
– I’m out, blog people. Hope all of that info whets your appetite for a minute. I will check the comments later but right now a brotha needs a breather.
MC
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326 comments Add your comment
Meidzo in Decatur
July 11th, 2010
7:06 am
We will be fine…. I am excited about LD’s approach more than just the offense. I think an organized defense will make us look much better than we looked in the past. Big Baby did a great job on both Lewis and Dwight, because the Celtics had an outstanding defensive game plan. So I don’t wanna hear that Josh and Al can’t do it!
tim
July 11th, 2010
7:09 am
Shaq……..what kind of roll he’s willing to accept??? If he’s a damn employee…shut up and get to work.
Typical NBA it’s all about me.
Meidzo in Decatur
July 11th, 2010
7:38 am
Tim….Typical NBA Hater…trying to compare your shift at Kinko’s to an NBA player’s job! Shaq is a Free Agent (meaning he can sign anywhere) we have to convince him that he will win here (not that hard), that he will like it here (not that hard he has a house and several female “friend-friends” here), that he will be a big part of our team probably guarantee that he will start (this is probably the sticking point).
We probably don’t want to start Josh at 3 (he would have to lose weight) and Shaq probably doesn’t want to come off the bench!
The Ayatollah
July 11th, 2010
8:41 am
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MIKE WOODSON AND LARRY DREW
DREW – “What I told him is basically I am going to turn him loose. I want him to be himself. I don’t want him to be concerned about making mistakes and missing shots because I have all the confidence in the world in his ability. He can break the defense down, he can get into the interior of the defense. He knows how to make plays. He is just one of the guys on our team with that breakdown ability. I want to allow him to be himself and play carefree and go out and have fun. No restrictions for him.”
WOODSON – Hey Rook. I’m going to give you a couple of minutes when the game really doesn’t matter. But let me tell you this. If you make one mistake, and I mean just one , you’re out of there. I don’t care if you pass the ball to Zaza and he fumbles it, or if you pass it to Marvin and he falls down on his way to the basket for the 90th time this game. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a turnover. Now get out there and make me proud. You’ve got 3 minutes to score 15 points and dish out 10 assists. Oh yeah, and you’ve got laundry duty tonight after the game.
DREW – “I can’t really explain it. It’s kind of like a Princeton motion offense. Everybody is going to get shots, everybody is going to get touches. You can do everything out of it. You can get down-screens, pick-and-rolls. It is kind of a unique offense. It is perfect for our team. We’ve got a lot of guys who can handle the ball on our team and it gives them a chance to show what they can do. And you also get to move the ball. We didn’t get a lot of movement last year and that was something that hurt us. The offense makes it where that isolation thing is not there anymore unless you get it at the top of the key and the shot clock is winding down. Then you have some players who are really good in isolation like Joe. He’s going to add to the offense and have plays like that. But most of the time it is movement, back screens and cuts, posts for Smoove and Al and pick-and-rolls.”
WOODSON – Uh, yeah whatever. You guys know how to score enough points. Um, if we can get Al Horford to score around 12 or 13 this year, that will help. Otherwise, give the ball to Joe or Jamal, and what the f- ever. Y’all know what to do. Now quit bothering me, I have to work on my defensive concepts.
DREW – I want Josh to come off the perimeter and get down on the block, where he can get some scoring done. [On Jordan Crawford ], “I know he was a big-time scorer in college and I don’t want to take away his aggressiveness,” Drew said. “But shot selection is a big key at this level. I will allow him to be himself but I will be letting him know if I think it’s a bad shot.”
WOODSON – Yeah, uh Josh you can shoot 3s if you want. Or jumpers. Whatever. I’m busy working on my super duper defensive scheme so I don’t have time to mess with this. Y’all know how to score out there. As for the Rook, he should be passing, not shooting. So what if the other team is playing a zone? Just shoot from wherever y’all want.
DREW – [Via assistant coach Conner] – L.D. expects new lead assistant Lester Conner to help develop a defensive mentality for the Hawks. Said Conner: “They’ve won 50-plus games the last two years but when they get to the second round they kind of stumble. When you get to the second round, you’ve got to bring the toughness and energy out of guys to get to the next level. We want to pattern ourselves after the Celtics, the Orlando Magic. You’ve got to play defense. If they don’t buy into that, it’s going to be the same thing. Our job as a staff is to get them to buy into that.”
WOODSON – For the last time, I tell you this $h!t works! This is the only thing anybody needs to buy into, and it always works, on every team! It only works if you do it right, though. Now listen up. If the other team does a pick and roll, then the point guard switches to guard the power forward, then our center guards the other team’s point guard, and then the other three guys need to switch off of who they are guarding and go guard somebody else’s man. Got it? Come on, I know it looks like a pile of retards trying to play musical chairs in the middle of a fire drill, but this $h!t works!!!!
JeJe
July 11th, 2010
8:56 am
“yes, the Hawks are interested. Shaq is interested in the Hawks. each side has to figure out if it’s a good fit. if so, then things can move forward.”
HOW LONG does it take to figure out if it’s a good fit? I’m sure Shaq would jump at the opportunity to make a bit more for a slightly worse team. The Hawks NEVER take the initiative… We just react react react (except for that horrendous JJ contract which he didn’t even take less money for) and let every good FA walk away
MsDee
July 11th, 2010
8:57 am
The Ayatollah,
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!
JeJe
July 11th, 2010
8:59 am
It’s taking the Hawks over a week to decide if the best big out there is a good fit LOL. If he’s not, then sign Brad Miller already. This franchise has no idea what taking risks means. They’re more content keeping the Two Stiffs, Duck and Bibby, than actually going to the next level
SUND WANTS TO KEEP THE CORE TOGETHER LOL
The Ayatollah
July 11th, 2010
9:00 am
MsDee, I’m glad you appreciate it. I aim to please.
dap01
July 11th, 2010
9:02 am
How long does it take for NBA professionals to “digest” the new salary cap?
How long does it take NBA professionals to guage the interest in Shaq?
Why are other teams able to make decisions quckly and decisively?
Why do other teams ALREADY have a plan?
Last year, we kept waiting, waiting and waiting until we got only what was left.
Everyday, other NBA teams are assembling their teams while we are simply trying to find out how much more JJ gets with the new salary cap rules.
HawkKingBibby
July 11th, 2010
9:08 am
Thanks MC. At least we know whats really up now even if its not the news we want to hear. I was thinking Chills and Bibby for Shaq and Mo was a great deal for both teams. The Hawks get an upgrade at point and the big fella while the Cvas get They’re man Chills and a chance to dump Mo Williams salary because he makes more and has an extra year than Bibby. . Your truth hurts MC, lol but at least we know the deal.
The Ayatollah
July 11th, 2010
9:12 am
It takes a long time when the Seven Dwarves are involved. They are never in the same place at the same time, and conference calls are complicated. Rutherford Seydel is always drunk and singing a song about a girl he met in Cancun 10 years ago, named “Mimi” in the background, so it’s kind of disruptive. Then they flip coins to see who has to be the one to call and get Steve Belkin on the phone. Bruce Levenson always loses that one because he never catches onto Michael Gearon’s “heads I win, tails you lose” trick.
That is why Shaq has no contract offer yet.
Summer League Camp Notes | Soaring Down South | An Atlanta Hawks blog
July 11th, 2010
9:13 am
[...] Cunningham talks about the chatter around the summer league camp in his latest blog entry. When I saw the roster of the Hawks summer league team, I immediately [...]
Grandad
July 11th, 2010
9:13 am
The Ayatollah
Two appreciators.
I’m still laughin’.
Mystikal
July 11th, 2010
9:16 am
Happy to hear we are in the trenches trying to make moves. Not sure I’d want to get rid of Chillz and Marv, that would seem to just create a new problem (startin SF). I’d rather trade Chillz to Washington for Javale Mcgee and just sign shack out right. And with Bi-annual we can sign another point guard or perimeter defender. After maxxing out JJ, I thought ASG was willing to spend a little bit and this club hasn’t had legit 7 fters since Mutumbo over 12 yrs ago.
I Heart Atlanta
July 11th, 2010
9:27 am
The Ayatollah
make it three, man u funny
O'Brien
July 11th, 2010
9:30 am
Ayatollah,
Funny stuff.
MC,
What’s there to digest? We have the MLE and the BAE, right? Either we use it or we dont. Either we go close to or over the luxury tax, or we don’t.
I understand waiting on the childress situation, but does it take this long to figure out if shaq is a good fit or not?
I think the delay is because all the owners have to sign off on shaq, and they haven’t all gotten together yet.
I guess I should be used to the slowness in hawksville by now…
The Ayatollah
July 11th, 2010
9:39 am
Thank you, thank you. I will be here all week.
The Ayatollah
July 11th, 2010
9:51 am
Grandad needs to check his email.
JeJe
July 11th, 2010
9:52 am
There are 168 hours in the week. That’s the amount of time the Hawks front office has had to digest signing Shaq. An investment banker sometimes works 120 hours a week.
SIGN SHAQ
Mystikal
July 11th, 2010
9:52 am
Ayatollah,
Too funny!
Mystikal
July 11th, 2010
10:00 am
@MC,
Since he burned most his bridges, I believe Shaq’s only other option is the spurs. If they are near a deal with Tiago Splitter, than they wouldn’t need him would they? And Cavs could just sign Chillz to an offer sheet, so only reason for them to da a S&T would be to unload Mo Williams contract right?
I think if we want the services of Shaq or Brad Miller, we better sign them by next Wed or Fri; or they will be employed elsewhere. What’d you think?
drmaryb
July 11th, 2010
10:03 am
The Ayatollah
A very creative Parity! ROF.
mark
July 11th, 2010
10:04 am
the best article you written in my opinion. thanks and don’t stop now lol
NBA Free Agency Rumors 7/11 « SprungOnSports
July 11th, 2010
10:10 am
[...] signing. -Cleveland has interested in Josh Childress, Kyle Lowry, Qyntel Woods and Al Jefferson. -Atlanta hasn’t offered a contract to Shaq yet and are also interested in Brad Miller, Zydrunas [...]
Melvin
July 11th, 2010
10:18 am
Sam Amico Twitter:
According to source, Cavs would be targeting Marvin Williams and Josh Childress (at least). Josh Smith supposedly not available.
Source in Vegas just said talks between Cavs, Hawks heating up. Hawks supposedly have sight sets on Mo Williams, Shaq (an unrestricted FA).
The Ayatollah
July 11th, 2010
10:18 am
drmaryb, Mystikal I am glad you enjoyed my sense of humor. It is not the first time you have seen it, I assure you. And it will not be the last.
STRETCH
July 11th, 2010
10:20 am
JeJe, loved that 8:59 post!
But after watching management the past 2 years its obvious they arent going to sign Shaq. They are going to do the same thing they always do…”digest the new salary cap” while at the same time hoping Shaq signs with someone else so atleast they can say they tried.
This is the same thing the Braves did last year with Johnny Damon offering him peanuts while knowing he wouldnt except. They are just throwing illusions at the fans to save face and more importantly MONEY.
If they wanted him, he would be signed already.
terrell
July 11th, 2010
10:25 am
Yes yes to Kurt Thomas. Yes to Brad Miller. Yes to Shaq. No to Illgauskas. No to Kwame.
Dr. Warren
July 11th, 2010
10:28 am
Good stuff, MC. Hope the Hawks can at least get something for Childress.
Ernest
July 11th, 2010
10:29 am
HoosierHawk @ 3:32am asks,
Also, who exactly was Sund saving money for when trading the 31st pick?
It’s been said before, from a business perspective the Hawks had an excellent draft. They are paying the player they wanted (Jordan Crawford) as a 27 pick rather than 24 using money they got from selling the 31 pick ($3 million dollars). They also drafted a foreign player that understands they need additional development however will not cost the organization anything of significance. The end result is coming out of the draft with a quality player and not having an impact on the team budget. That leaves more money to go after proven veterans to fill gaps in the team.
Getting into the finals should be the goal and you won’t do that with a pick that late in the draft.
drmaryb
July 11th, 2010
10:29 am
The Ayatollah
Well we sure need some laughs on this blog. Iþ beats crying! I am so tired of the pace of the entire
post season agenda. Just go get your man! Get him n here, so we can ALL learn their roles in the
Pentangle Offense.
Make a decision and let’s roll!
Native Son
July 11th, 2010
10:46 am
Leave Mo Williams’s arse in Cleveland, where he can continue his photography. PLEAASSSEEEE!!!!
I for one would really love to see Marvin in this offense before giving up on him.
If Josh (Childish) doesn’t want to play here, at least put his arse on the west coast.
Sure; Shaq’ could help, but at this point in his career, the only role he should be concerned with are those dinner rolls.
Bibby should now be a coach.
Mo Evans should count his blessing$$$$
Pachulia is not athletic enough for this team
So much dead weight at the end of the bench. Glad it’s not a for real bench.
RandMo at least has an opportunity.
Iso Joe could have killed them last year, if he’d just catch & shoot.
Josh’s so called no 3 pointers was laughable, considering he still shot the ball 1 foot inside the line.
Mike woodson, they had plenty good reason to quit on you.
ASG: Get a loan, or sell shares of the team to the public
Risk Sund:** DO SOMETHING!!!!!**
JeJe
July 11th, 2010
10:47 am
“That leaves more money to go after proven veterans to fill gaps in the team. ”
WHO ARE THEY GOING AFTER? IT’S TAKING THEM A WEEK TO DECIDE IF SHAQ IS A GOOD FIT. PLAYERS ARE BEING SIGNED EVERY DAY. U HAVE TO TAKE RISKS IN THIS LEAGUE LIKE BOSTON DID. U DONT WIN A TITLE HAVING THE SAME STARTING LINEUP 4 YEARS IN A ROW. NO TEAM HAS DONE THIS
Air Zaza
July 11th, 2010
10:55 am
If Atlanta idea of building up to Miami dealings is Mo Williams and Shaq, I don’t think I will be in Phillips in 2010-2011 at all.
Michael Cunningham
July 11th, 2010
11:17 am
@ Hawks’ Nest Monsta: “Is there any way, ANY WAY, we could possibly end up with Shaq AND Chillz? or Shaq AND s/t for chillz?”
sure: Chills signs the qualifying offer and Shaq signs as a free agent. the sign-and-trade option is more complicated since it requires cooperation from Chills, the Hawks and the trade partner. remember, Chills can simply sign an offer sheet with a new team that the Hawks aren’t willing to match. i’m hearing if Chills can’t get the money he wants in the NBA a return to Greece is still possible. he has until Thursday to opt out.
Hawks fan
July 11th, 2010
11:19 am
Giving Joe that kind of money was really stupid. here are four things to do to improve the hawks
Joe Johnson for Noah and Deng center and a back up foward
Marvin Williams and Josh Smith for Carmella Anthony a future star
Resign Josh Childress back up small foward and off gaurd
Trade Mike Bibby for Mike Conley a quick point gaurd
Meidzo in Decatur
July 11th, 2010
11:20 am
Don’t sleep on Bibby as a sharpshooter off the bench! His salary is not outlandish and he will probably average close to what he did last year and burn some teams up!!!
We have a lot to look forward to especially if we can get someone down low to anchor the paint!
terrell
July 11th, 2010
11:22 am
No to Mo!
Michael Cunningham
July 11th, 2010
11:23 am
@ O’Brien: “I understand waiting on the childress situation, but does it take this long to figure out if shaq is a good fit or not?”
Shaq has to make a decision, too. his agent and the Hawks talked yesterday so the process is moving forward.
“I think the delay is because all the owners have to sign off on shaq, and they haven’t all gotten together yet.”
that’s probably part of it, too. remember, using the full MLE probably pushes them into luxury tax territory so ASG would have to be consulted.
terrell
July 11th, 2010
11:24 am
Hawksfan, why in the world would Chicago trade their starting center and starting sf for Joe? Not to mention, Joe’s untradeable for a while.
JeJe
July 11th, 2010
11:26 am
Why is the LT such an issue for 7 owners? Can they not muster up an extra few million dollars? Dan Gilbert and Arison throw in millions to compete. Why do we have to run on a skeleton budget? If our payroll had been a bit bigger last year we probably could’ve gone to the Finals
terrell
July 11th, 2010
11:27 am
“All the owners have to sign off on Shaq”. That’ll take about 20 freakin years. lol!
Michael Cunningham
July 11th, 2010
11:28 am
@ Mystikal: “Since he burned most his bridges, I believe Shaq’s only other option is the spurs. If they are near a deal with Tiago Splitter, than they wouldn’t need him would they? And Cavs could just sign Chillz to an offer sheet, so only reason for them to da a S&T would be to unload Mo Williams contract right?”
that’s one reason, and i can’t see why the Hawks would want to take on that deal if they can sign just Shaq with the MLE. another reason the Cavs would want a S&T is if they want to sign Chills using Bird rights. but i say again: that report about Cavs S&T is false.
JeJe
July 11th, 2010
11:30 am
Is this ASG/Belkin thing ever gonna be resolved?
Is anyone ever gonna buy the Thrashers?
bird
July 11th, 2010
11:30 am
Thanks MC, you finally asked a Hawks player about the super friends! Although it wasn’t Joe that you asked, J-Smoove will do for know..lol
JeJe
July 11th, 2010
11:32 am
Would be nice if you put in your blogs that Shaq’s agent and the Hawks spoke yesterday – most ATL fans would assume that’s big news
Ernest
July 11th, 2010
11:35 am
MC, thanks both for providing the blog and being a ‘voice of reason’. While it is understandable to see trade suggestions that are not ‘win-win’ for both parties, it is strange seeing some of the posts criticizing the Hawks organization for not moving fast enough on free agents. Given the makeup and number of people in the ownership group, it can be challenging to make quick decisions. Add to that not knowing all the financial ramifications of the salary cap can slow things also.
I’ll say I’d like to see the organization pursue Shaq if there is interest on his part in being a part of this team based on how LD would like to use him. This is obviously a two way street. Team chemistry should not be sacrificed to bring someone like him in. I also believe that if we go over the cap by signing Shaq, we could make up that money with increased attendance, jersey sales, media attention, and possible further advancement in the playoffs from his presence. Again, you have to look at the business side of this too.
Reginald
July 11th, 2010
11:45 am
MC
Would it make sense for the Hawks to be interested in Mo Williams & the Cavs to be intereted in Marvin Williams? I know you said that the report is false, but I dont know if a trade like that would make sense for the Hawks especially with you stuck with Mike Bibby’s contract
Hawk n the Ham
July 11th, 2010
11:59 am
I don’t care for Mo Williams. Teague will be just fine. LD seems to have all the confidence in the world in his talent. I don’t like bibby the starter but I do like bibby the 3 point shooter off the bench.
MC, do you think LD will keep Joe at the 2 or move him to the 3? If the offense is going to be the style Teague says it is, I wouldn’t think you would need Joe as a 2 guard. That would make bibby and Marvin you’re co 6th man.
ILL-logical
July 11th, 2010
12:01 pm
MC: Thanks for the updates!
Now, a question for you. Did you play ball back in the day or is your career path strictly journalistic kismet?