Atlanta Hawks: Getaway day
There will be a blog hiatus for a couple weeks while I get away for some me time. There’s a chance I might drop in with a post if anything interesting happens with the Hawks but don’t count on that (either something interesting happening or me dropping in). Meanwhile the beat will be in the capable hands of Ken S., who will chronicle the Hawks’ attempts to pluck a center from the bargain bin.
I suspect not much will have changed with my blog people when I return. Truth-Serum will still be using his multiple identities to agree with himself that Al is a terrible defensive center. JeJe will continue to rip ASG for not letting J.J. walk and using all that cap space to SIGN FREAKIN’ LEBRON. And all of you will wonder how in the heck this squad is supposed to make a move in the East with basically the same guys suiting up.
Be easy until I get back, blog people. Remember, it’s all love and and it’s just basketball . . .
MC
(Note: Commenting is closed until Michael returns Aug. 2)
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1,155 comments Add your comment
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
6:41 pm
On Wednesday 21st July 2010, @TTwersky said:
Josh Smith: “I’m real excited to play under Coach Drew. He’s been in the program six year… When we had differences or problems on the court, we used to go to him. So I think he knows how to approach everybody, and when it’s time to police guys, he knows how to talk to people.
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
6:42 pm
On Wednesday 21st July 2010, @TTwersky said:
Josh Smith on Shaq: “If he comes to the team, that’ll be real big for us. That’ll be real big for our team. I think we’re missing a guy down there that’s gonna hold up Dwight [Howard] a little bit…”
drmaryb
July 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
Ken Strickland
Aye, bruh! Thanks for the holler back! Man I just call it like I see it. I ain’t got no stats and facts!
I leave that to the professionals! I just bringing some hot sauce and extra flavor to the
conversation.
Aye … I’m a role player on the bench, I know my worth, contribution and my limitations.
I’m just telling the fellas – what I saw had happened. LOL!
I’m gonna’ always keep it real!
It’s all Fun & Games – till you get your eyeballs poked out!
(*_*)
JeJe
July 21st, 2010
6:52 pm
Sund again: “I think we’re pointed in the right direction. I’m hopeful we’ll improve with some changes to our offense and our young players getting older, and we can stay among the top four teams in the Eastern Conference.””
LOL! The guy doesn’t care about winning rings. He just wants to win regular season games. He even said it himself: The blowouts vs. ORL didn’t matter because other teams got blown out.
Worst GM in the NBA.
The guy said our only goal 2 years ago was to make the Playoffs with a winning record (LOL!).
KWAME BROWN IS OUT THERE. WE HAVE A TRADE EXCEPTION, THE MLE, AND 3M CASH FROM SELLING THE PICK. IF U CAN SIGN JOE’S UNDERACHIEVING @$$ FOR $125M, HOW CAN U NOT AFFORD FREAKING KWAME BROWN?
THIS IS BULLSH!T……
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
6:53 pm
it appears that Rudy and Przybilla are on the market…
Brandon T Smith:
#Blazers actively pursuing trade for Rudy Fernandez. Team is willing to keep Fernandez, though, and will not give him away for “free.”#Blazers feel that situation with Fernandez has come to a head. Continuing talk about possible move has team wanting to resolve situation.
Przybilla’s name came up during possible trade discussions, but nothing is imminent for #Blazers in terms of a trade.
Ken Strickland
July 21st, 2010
7:07 pm
NORTHCYDE-Even though Orlando reached the NBA finals quicker than any expansion team in NBA history with Shaq, they still sent his butt packing. And trust me, it wasn’t because of any venom spitting he might have done AFTER HE GOT TRADED. It was because of the issues he had with Penny Hardeway, and he was trade from Miami and LA because of the issues he had with DWade and Kobe.
He was let go by Phoenix and Cleveland because he didn’t do anything to make either team better. If anything, he had an opposite affect.
O'Brien
July 21st, 2010
7:10 pm
Bigdave,
Would u do jamal Crawford for pryzbilla and Fernandez?
drmaryb
July 21st, 2010
7:30 pm
OBRIEN
No baby, we got to keep J-Quick and re-sign him for less. You know how we do – it’s the low ball game!
J-Cross will never see 10M/per ever again. He may get locked out next year, if the CBA get surly.
Rev in Tampa
July 21st, 2010
7:31 pm
JeJe, Sund will be the worst GM in the NBA if he signs Kwame
Ken Strickland
July 21st, 2010
7:36 pm
JEJE-give it a rest. The Hawks aren’t going over the luxury tax threshold just to sign an under achieving center like Kwame Brown, who’s had more chances to produce than he’s deserved. Why in hell would we tie up money in an under achiever like him when we can wait until the trade deadline and get a much better center? THINK!
BIGDAVE-I don’t know if the Hawks are willing to take on Przybilla’s $7.4M salary right now, but they might be willing to take it on around the trade deadline, when it becomes pro rated.
JeJe
July 21st, 2010
8:25 pm
Sund again: “I think we’re pointed in the right direction. I’m hopeful we’ll improve with some changes to our offense and our young players getting older, and we can stay among the top four teams in the Eastern Conference.””
LOL! The guy doesn’t care about winning rings. He just wants to win regular season games. He even said it himself: The blowouts vs. ORL didn’t matter because other teams got blown out.
Worst GM in the NBA.
The guy said our only goal 2 years ago was to make the Playoffs with a winning record (LOL!).
KWAME BROWN IS OUT THERE. WE HAVE A TRADE EXCEPTION, THE MLE, AND 3M CASH FROM SELLING THE PICK. IF U CAN SIGN JOE’S UNDERACHIEVING @$$ FOR $125M, HOW CAN U NOT AFFORD FREAKING KWAME BROWN?
THIS IS BULLSH!T….
Samuel
July 21st, 2010
8:45 pm
Shaq is one of my all time favorites. Every since he hooked up with “MY BOY” Chris Jackson down at LSU. The man has “multiple” rings and still is virtually unstoppable in the paint. He can neutralize Howard like only one or two other players in the league. Those are facts. But in all honesty, I don’t want to see him come here. I want to see what LD can do with this team. I want to see once and for all, who was right and who was wrong. Was it all Woody or did Woody have these guys overachieving. Time will tell.
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
8:48 pm
O’brien..
i would… with Rudy you get a guy that can create his own shot, can knock down an open shot from 3, and has good floor vision from the SG spot. he is an adequate replacement in that 6th man role. all while yielding a shot blocking/reb. presence in the middle. in though i doubt just Jamal makes that trade happen. such a deal also allows us to see what we have in our young guards Jeff and Jordan who will benefit from the loss of Jamal. Jordan is good for @ least 5/ppg if given minutes. honestly id cut Mo’s time if he he struggles early from 3. Jordan is a better passer, good at playing angles and passing lanes, top heavy and a stronger defender than most thought.
would you?
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
8:49 pm
* “though i doubt”
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
8:49 pm
*5 p/pg
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
5 p/g yall know what i mean..
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
8:52 pm
Ken Strickland..
you’re more than likely right. at least all signs indicate that at this point..
Melvin
July 21st, 2010
9:03 pm
A Hawks fan ask TMac about coming to the Hawks on twitter:
@TheReal_Tmac Any talk with the Hawks? You have a chance to start there at the SF position and play on a contender. What you think?
about 2 hours ago via web
@Will_THFactory no talks at this point
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
9:07 pm
Truth Serum..
i respect your opinions on Horford.. honestly initially i didnt like his game at all. i even still have issues with his back to the basket offensive game. what made me turn the corner was Al’s drive to out work his opponents. i couldnt do anything but respect that. im a little concerned with his outspokenness of late about his desire to play his “natural position”. in my opinion Al is a center. id like him to recommit himself to the position and mentality. you’re on the Hawks so you sir.. are playing center. ya know what i mean? my question to you is if Al saw majority of his minutes @ PF with Josh at SF for most of his would you be content?
O'Brien
July 21st, 2010
9:14 pm
bigdave,
I would do that trade too. I know JC is very important as our SMOY. But with Drew’s offense, there should be more ball movement and better shot distribution, so I dont think we will rely on Jamal as much as we did last year.
I dont see why Jamal would not be enough for the trade. Pryzbilla is coming off an injury season, and Fernandez wants out of Portland. Meanwhile, Portland gets a guy who is healthy, can fill in if Roy gets injured, and gives them another ball handle.
Samuel,
What’s more important? Giving Larry Drew another guy who can help the Hawks (Shaq), or give him the same team just so you can compare him to Woody?
Macaroni Tony
July 21st, 2010
9:21 pm
Hawks close to adding frontcourt depth in Josh Powell
-The Atlanta Hawks are close to addressing their need for a backup big man by acquiring Los Angeles Lakers reserve forward Josh Powell on a one-year deal expected to be for the veteran minimum $992,680, according to league sources. Powell is expected to pick the Hawks over Cleveland, Chicago and New Jersey in the next couple of days.
The 27-year-old Powell has played the last two seasons for the Lakers after signing with them in 2007. Injuries to starting center Andrew Bynum created time for Powell as a backup forward when Pau Gasol had to move into the middle; Powell appeared in 60 and 63 regular season games the last two years, though his minutes dropped from 11.7 per game in 2008-09 to 9.2 last season. He played in 13 playoff games this past season, including an appearance in Game 6 of the Finals against the Celtics.
Powell was well-liked among his Lakers teammates and Coach Phil Jackson, who respected the 6-9 forward’s work ethic in practice and his positive demeanor on the bench. But Powell is seeking an opportunity for more playing time, and is likely to get a little more run in Atlanta behind Josh Smith.
The Hawks have been looking for a veteran big to replace Joe Smith, who fell out of favor with former Coach Mike Woodson’s staff last season. They explored centers like Brad Miller, who wound up signing with the Rockets, and looked into free agent Shaquille O’Neal, but weren’t willing to promise him the money or minutes he was seeking.
Powell has also played for the Mavericks, who signed him out of the NBA Developmental League in 2005, along with the Pacers, Warriors and Clippers.
Ramon
July 21st, 2010
9:26 pm
Ken, not once did I say the key to a defense is having a shot blocker. But you can’t tell me that it doesn’t help. You mentioned the Pistons, but failed to mention that was in the era where Isaiah and Joe Dumars could hand check the opposition all the way down the court. Fast forward to the last Pistons team to win a championship game, did they not have 2-3 players who each were good at blocking shots (Wallace, Wallace, and Prince was a good weak side shot blocker)? I didn’t say we needed another shot blocker for the starters, but for the reserves we do. When you look at the second unit which consists of Bibby, Crawford (1), Mo Evans, Zaza, and Joe Smith, there’s no one in the back court who is good at staying in front of their man. So when the opposition’s athletic back up guards are driving the lane (as they will be able to do because we have no one to stop them from getting to the lane) who are they going to meet when they get to the bucket? Zaza? Yea, I’m sure that will intimidate them.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 21st, 2010
9:30 pm
“in though i doubt just Jamal makes that trade happen.”
I think it should. Jamal is the best player in that trade. In fact I would ask for a future pick to be thrown in the deal as well if I were the Hawks.
It would be a good trade for the Hawks though, assuming Przybilla is back to 100%. I would say it would also allow the Hawks to use their mid-level, but we all know that ain’t happening.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 21st, 2010
9:32 pm
I would prefer, though, that the Hawks simply sign Shaq and keep Jamal. I realize Jamal is a valuable trade chip, and I think I brought up the possibility of trading him on this blog first, but ideally I’d rather see him stay a Hawk.
Samuel
July 21st, 2010
9:44 pm
Samuel,
What’s more important? Giving Larry Drew another guy who can help the Hawks (Shaq), or give him the same team just so you can compare him to Woody?
I believe I addressed that:
But in all honesty, I don’t want to see him come here. I want to see what LD can do with this team. I want to see once and for all, who was right and who was wrong. Was it all Woody or did Woody have these guys overachieving.
I’m not a Native Atlantian, I moved here from Mississippi. I’ve never really liked the Hawks,even though I was bombarded with them on TBS. Since i’ve moved here I have warmed up to them because they seemed to be moving in the right direction. Plus, my CUZ got me good tickets at times, made me feel like a big shot. I’m too cheap to spend my hard earned money. I’ll just watch it on TV. The view is much better anyway.
I feel like they did “MY BOY” Woody wrong so until they prove me wrong, I can’t in all honesty pull for them. My new team is the UTAH JAZZ. Hey, Maybe they will take him out there. He can be the “BIG BAFL”- Big Air, Flat Landing. Ouch.
Samuel
July 21st, 2010
9:48 pm
Powell would be a good pick up. Isn’t he from Riverdale?
Macaroni Tony
July 21st, 2010
9:51 pm
@ Samuel, I believe that he is from Riverdale.
O'Brien
July 21st, 2010
10:14 pm
Najeh,
In a perfect scenario, Hawks would sign Shaq and keep everybody else. but with our financial limitations, we would have to trade.
But as we know, Rick Sund likes our core.
Samuel
July 21st, 2010
10:26 pm
O’Brien,
For the record, I lobbied for Shaq the last couple of years. As you can see, many here don’t appreciate the Big Fella so no I don’t want him to come here and be disrespected during his Golden years. I still say he’s a better “CENTER” than Horford..
Ken Strickland
July 21st, 2010
10:32 pm
If we sign Powell, that will bring the active roster to 12 players under contract. You know if the last 2 players signed to the active roster are minimum contract acquisitions, any other player signed will also fall in that category.
Having 2 minimum contract players on the active roster gives us the financial flexibility to make roster moves at the trade deadline.
JEJE-You’re nothing but a stubborn, overly emotional loud mouth who refuses to think or listen. You sound just like Woodson. How intelligent is it for you to say RSund only cares about winning during the regular season, when he refused to resign MWoodson even though he won 53 regular season gms and finished 3rd in the East. Sund dismissed him because he struggled as a HC during the playoffs, not the regular season.
FOREST FOR THE TREES, FOREST FOR THE TREES!!
O'Brien
July 21st, 2010
10:34 pm
Samuel,
I would like to see us sign Shaq too.
But to say he is a better center than Horford? I disagree. On a given night, maybe. But over the long haul of a season? No.
Now in the playoffs up against Howard, then yeah, Shaq might get the edge. But against Boston and Miami, I’ll take Horford.
Big Ray
July 21st, 2010
10:45 pm
Samuel,
You KNOW it wasn’t all Woody. But that’s the rub, isn’t it? Some people don’t want to believe that Woody was part of the problem anymore than they want to believe that Sund maintains a job in this league for one reason: he will always do what his bosses want him to do, and nothing else. Too bad Truth Serum and others just don’t see this.
Sund is a tool. And he’s happy being a tool, because it’s a paying job. Guys like the ASG like tools, they don’t like guys who make waves or think for themselves. They don’t want anybody thinking outside of their little box. It’s why Billy Knight ultimately left, if you think about it. Nobody wants to work for these guys…..except a TOOL.
Beware the tool, but always, always, ALWAYS beware the user of that tool.
JeJe
July 21st, 2010
10:47 pm
JOSH POWELL 1 YR FOR THE MINIMUM. LOL
CAN’T EVEN SIGN A BACKUP BIG FOR MORE THAN 1 YR AND THE MINIMUM
WORST OWNERSHIP IN SPORTS
HYPOCRITICAL ARROGANT CHEAP IDIOTS
SAYING THEY’LL GO INTO THE LT BUT THEN SAY THEY DON’T WANT TO
OVERPAYING FOR JJ (OFFERING MAX AT MIDNIGHT) AND NOT EVEN TRYING TO GET HIM TO TAKE A DISCOUNT
WORST GM IN SPORTS
RICK SUND IS AN ARROGANT IDIOT. THINKS OUR CORE WILL COMPETE FOR A TITLE (OH WAIT, HE DOESN’T WANT TO WIN A TITLE. HE JUST WANTS TO BE IN THE TOP 4)
Ken Strickland
July 21st, 2010
10:47 pm
SAMUEL-how can you say Shaq is a better center than Horford when he doesn’t equal Horford in a single stat in any category? Horford averaged 35.1MPG and played in 81gms, while your beloved Shaq played in only 53gms and averaged 23.4MPG.
How can anyone with a rational thought say an aging, slow, over weight, egotistical Shaq, who wasn’t even mentioned as a potential All Star candidate, be considered better than an actual All Star. TALK ABOUT LOSING CREDIBILITY.
bigdave
July 21st, 2010
10:49 pm
Josh Powell in the fold huh..
energy player, rebounds in traffic well, decent mid range shooter.. 6′9 @ best though..
JeJe
July 21st, 2010
10:49 pm
“How intelligent is it for you to say RSund only cares about winning during the regular season, when he refused to resign MWoodson even though he won 53 regular season gms and finished 3rd in the East. Sund dismissed him because he struggled as a HC during the playoffs, not the regular season. ”
KEN HAVE U EVER READ OR HEARD A RICK SUND INTERVIEW? OBVIOUSLY NOT. THE GUY HAS NO INTENTION OF COMPETING FOR A TITLE HERE.
HE IS A CLUELESS IDIOT WHO DRAFTED ROBERT SWIFT, PETRO, AND SENE WITH 1ST ROUND PICKS 3 YEARS IN A ROW
Samuel
July 21st, 2010
10:52 pm
Shaq don’t ride nobody’s bench. I guarantee you if he does come here, he will force LD to start him. Since Ken swears LD won’t be unfair like he said Woody was, bring on the “BIG PEACH”.
Samuel
July 21st, 2010
11:04 pm
Wrong. Shaq beat him in FG% and Blocks per game. Even though Horford played 12mpg more than Shaq he only outscored him by 2 ppg. WOW. Do we have a stat for being Dunked on or punked per game. Horford had to lead the league.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Horford but he’s hardly an AllStar caliber center. He won by default. Everybody knows that. He could be a real good PF but he will never be a great center.
O'Brien
July 21st, 2010
11:34 pm
Samuel,
I like Horford, but I’m on the fence about what kind of PF he would be. At center, there are not many traditional (good and big) centers in the game, and he has a distinct advantage most nights. At PF, I dont think his advantage will be as distinct.
I think he will be a good PF, but borderline all-star, its hard to say for sure. What we do know, is that Josh is currently a borderline all-star PF, and should get better once he cuts down on his turnovers, and cut down on his jump shots.
Clyde
July 21st, 2010
11:46 pm
Good post Samuel
Najeh Davenpoop
July 21st, 2010
11:53 pm
A 6′9″ “center” who shoots 43% for his career and is coming off a season where he averaged 7 boards per 36 minutes (2 fewer than Joe Smith for comparison).
Fantastic.
$2.4 million combined to Josh Powell and Jason Collins for this year. That’s what the #31 pick got the Hawks.
Just to remind y’all, Hassan Whiteside and Dexter Pittman are going to get paid about $500,000 a piece this year.
Grandad
July 22nd, 2010
12:03 am
TS AKA ”the Mad Hatter”
If the situation remains the same, personel, coaches,
the whole sh’bang.
[making this a non-hypothetical]
How would *YOU* go about running things:
*[you make these following (6) decisions]
(1) Who would you start 1 – 5?
(2) What would be your defensive stategy?
**[to cover up for a perceived lack of a center]
(3) Who would be your back-ups @ every pos?
(4) What would be your offensive strategy?
(5) Who would be your go to guy? (offense)
(6) Who do you appoint team captain?
cp
July 22nd, 2010
12:37 am
You gotta love the Woodrow fans……… When the front office talked about improving the roster this summer I didn’t invision Porkchop Collins and Josh Powell being those improvements. Its hard being a Hawks fan.
Clyde
July 22nd, 2010
3:33 am
Yes cp Its hard being a Hawks fan.
drmaryb
July 22nd, 2010
4:42 am
Scrub – a – Dub
Scrub-a-Dub – one Srub in a Tub.
(*_*)
JoJo the Godfather
July 22nd, 2010
7:10 am
Summary of offseason moves:
1) Replaced Mike Woodson with Lester Conner on coaching stafff.
2) Moved head coaching duties to asst Larry Drew.
3) Changed offensive & defensive game plans.
4) Replaced Mario West (150 mins played) with Jordan Crawford.
5) Replaced Joe Smith (600 mins played) with Josh Powell.
6) Committed to a shift in playing time from Bibby to Teague.
Current Roster:
Teague / Bibby
Johnson / Ja Crawford / Jo Crawford
Williams / Evans
Smith / Powell
Horford / Pachulia / Collins
Summary:
Looks like the roster is finished with the 13th spot open for an undrafted/minimum player…To me, I still see glaring weaknesses at PG, SF, and backup C…No real progress made this offseason…Grade of C-…Change in regular season wins?…Probably win a few less regular season games, especially early in the season when Teague will have some growing pains and the team is adjusting to a new scheme.
O'Brien
July 22nd, 2010
7:32 am
So CP3 wants a trade. Bad timing on his part. He should have spoken up before the draft or even earlier in the off-season when teams had cap space.
Truth Serum,
Name me 5 (there are 30 teams) bona-fide centers that our center has been able to shut down.
Please name 5 bonafide centers first.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
July 22nd, 2010
8:00 am
Wow, Josh Powell. The Magic staff must be working relentlessly to counter this ATL move, either by adding pieces or drawing up different plays.
…..but seriously lets just hope he’s more effective and useful than Joe Smith was this past season (I think he will be)
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
July 22nd, 2010
8:04 am
Sources – Sund: “We decided on Powell because of his championship experience that may rub off on this team. We believe once you combine that with a max player like Joe Johnson, the only way to go is up”
Macaroni Tony
July 22nd, 2010
8:10 am
Powell to sign with Atlanta