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
northcyde
July 22nd, 2010
7:59 pm
Great locker room guys don’t win games . . . great PLAYERS do. Give me an a-hole that actually can produce on the court, than a great locker room guy that is nothing more than a cheerleader on the bench, any day of the week.
**********
You just have to wonder “what if” sometimes. What if the Hawks had made every possible move that they could’ve made this summer. What would the fan base’s attitude be then?
- hired Avery as coach
- signed Chill to a 5yr – 30 mill deal
- drafted either Pittman or Whiteside @ #31
- traded Marvin for Shaq ( 2yrs – 14 mill )
- signed my boy Chism at league minuimum
This is your team
PG: Teague – Bibby
G: Johnson – Jamal C – Jordan C
SF: Childress – Evans
PF: Smith – Whiteside/Pittman – Chism
C: Horford – Shaq – Zaza
I mean damn. You lose Woody ( which 90% of the fan base hated ). You lose Marvin ( which 50% of the fan base hates ). You lose 4 absolute scrub players ( Collins, Joe Smith, Mario, Randolph Morris ).
You add Chill . . you add Shaq . . you add a young guard who can create his own shot, and make it . . . you add a young guy who can give you spot minutes on the frontline at PF or C . . and you add another young guy to fill out the roster as the 13th man . . who is one of the most beloved and respected athletes in U. of Tennessee history ( because of his chatacter and leadership on the court . . if you want a “good scrub locker room guy” )
And you’re in Luxury Tax land, but barely.
A squad like that, I think, would’ve at least gave the fans hope and optimism during the offseason that they could reach the next level. What would season ticket sales look like, if that was the team we rolled with next season?
galaker
July 22nd, 2010
8:04 pm
hawks have just added a player that knows and has experienced what it takes to become champion. his laker experience and friendship with kobe has shown him what dedication and hard work can achieve hopefully he can show the young hawks what it takes
Melvin
July 22nd, 2010
8:13 pm
JSmoove interview….
http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/07/a-few-words-with-a-smith/
vava74
July 22nd, 2010
8:19 pm
northcyde,
you keep getting less and less credible. please switch the football mode sooner rather than later.
najeh,
you used to be a pretty moderate fellow. now you are over the top.
our core is pretty good and we need to live within our possibilities and what the market allows us to take.
look for instance at the Chris Paul situation: he does not consider the hawks as a destination. he simply does not want to come (and that has nothing to do with ASG’s willingness to spend or not).
the trade machine tells that a Marvin, Bibby and Jamal (plus the TPE) for Paul and Okafor (NO will only move Paul for either an All Star or if Okafor is bundled in) works, however, we would never get Paul to sign with us.
Shaq said that he would accept to play for the mid level and a bench role in SA but wants +8 million plus to start in ATL.
I will not even dwell on the benefits or non benefits of the move on court. I just want to focus on the facts: we cannot attract free agents.
On Powell: the Lakers wanted him, it was Powell that wanted a new situation with maybe more minutes. I also understand that he has ties to Georgia making us an appealing option.
It is sure that he will not be a difference maker, but have you read the ESPN piece on him? He looks to be a very solid citizen and a hard worker who is constantly working in his game.
When he got more minutes he contributed well.
Ken Strickland
July 22nd, 2010
8:20 pm
When it comes to trading for an elite player like PG CPaul, some of you need to stop dreaming. Just because you don’t like a particular Hawk player, or players, it doesn’t automatically mean another team would be stupid enough to take him or them in a trade for All Pro caliber player like CP3.
The only way we could even get the Hornets to even listen to us would be to offer Jamal Crawford’s $10.8M expiring contract, MEvans’ $2.5M expiring and JTeague’s $1.5M contract for CP3’s $14.94M contract. The numbers work: CP3-$14.94, and our combined contracts-$14.8M. We’d have to sign a backup SF if the trade was made.
Losing JaCrawford would give our bench a little less punch, but acquiring CP3 would certainly give our starting unit a lot more punch. It would also give rookie Jordan Crawford a chance to get consistent mins and develop more quickly.
We’d have to do some financial wizardry in order to resign Horford if the trade was made. However, I believe having CPaul would provide a tremendous boost to our attendance and revenue. He’d certainly be able to make our quick, fast, athletic front line perform at a much higher level.
Rondo
July 22nd, 2010
8:29 pm
northcyde You do seem to have become more agitated with the asg situation.Man i think its time to disengage and enjoy other sports.The Braves are doing well man and the Falcons are projected to be in the superbowl by many analyst.Take a chill pill before you start typing all your blogg comments in all caps.I hate all that loud talkin it makes my ears hurt.Nortcyde don’t become that guy.
Ken Strickland
July 22nd, 2010
8:42 pm
VALVA74-I’d certainly make that trade. With the trade exemption, we’d only be taking on an additional $3M, and which would put us right at, but not over the luxury tax threshold. However, we’d certainly have to go over that threshold to sign a starting SF to replace MWilliams and a backup for him.
But that would be one hell of a starting lineup and a deep, versatile and talented bench.
STARTERS:
PG-CPaul
SG-JJohnson
C-AHorford
PF-JSmith
SF-MBarnes
BENCH:
PG-JTeague
SG-JCrawford
PF-ZPachulia
C-EOkafor
C-JCollins
PF-JPowell
SF-FA
I’ll bet this team could sell out Phillips arena every night, and do some serious damage in the playoffs as well.
KevinM
July 22nd, 2010
8:44 pm
Simply put, Horford’s money is coming from the eviction of one Jamal Crawford. We aren’t going to sign him back and Horford and keep this core together. Either way, the ASG is going to have to go over the cap to compete unless we just start letting players walk, like Childress.
They have committed to Joe, they have JC2 in the background
Sund isn’t doing anything erratic or with any punch. One good trade so far Sund and one wasted trade at 31. JC2 would have been a better choice had we let Joe walk, but who wants to sign here unless you are top dog.
Forget CP3; Forget Carmelo. Us hiring Scott would not have helped with CP3 IMO. This ownership group has thrown all their chips in with this core and Bibby and Zaza are going to have to have career years for this team to win A game in the 2nd round. We will be very fortunate to get there, and unfortunate because the draft is the only way this team is going to add any significant players with the recruiter being resigned.
You know, when Joe opens his mouth, it is always a memorable quote….both times.
Anyone notice how Powell is on his 6th team in 5 seasons in the league?
O'Brien
July 22nd, 2010
9:05 pm
Dennis Rodman was never a good locker room guy. How many championships did he win? Stephen Jackson had problems, but what did he do for Charlotte last year after they traded for him? They made the playoffs for the first time.
What about nut case Ron Artest? if it wasnt for him, the Lakers might not win game 7 of the NBA finals. What about Randy Moss in the NFL? My point is, being a good locker room guy will only take you so far. We could use some more talent in Hawksville.
I still think Josh Powell will be a better fit in ATL than Joe Smith and RandMo, but am I excited? No.
northcyde,
Another guy who is available that we seem to have no interest in, is Matt Barnes. It is possible that he could beat out Marvin for the starting spot (while making half of what Marvin wants), and allow us to trade marvin to address other needs, but of course, the ASG (and some of these fans) like their core.
I wonder at what point do they stop liking their core? Because 4 of our 5 starters could easily be around for the next 3 or 4 years.
vava74
July 22nd, 2010
9:12 pm
OB,
Matt Barnes is a pretty decent player but how on hearth would he be such an improvement over Marvin?
The guy only averaged more than 10ppg ONCE in his whole career and it was on a high octane offense in PHO.
Yes, he is a good defender, but in a different style, so is Marvin.
Offensively? Maybe a better 3 point shooter, however, how come he never scores more points than Marvin?
Barnes would be an excellent backup, not a great improvement as a starter.
Ken Strick,
With that trade I would move JJ to the SF slot and Mo to the starting SG slot.
I would obviously try to sign Barnes as the SF backup we would then need and a veteran PG just in case Teague did not manage the back up slot well.
JeJe
July 22nd, 2010
9:38 pm
FIRE SUND
JeJe
July 22nd, 2010
9:42 pm
WE COULD’VE FREAKIN GOTTE MATT BARNES FOR 4M A YEAR
INSTEAD WE GET JOSH POWELL (WHO DIDN’T EVEN PLAY LAST YEAR UNLESS THE WHOLE TEAM WAS INJURED).
WHAT A JOKE.
ASG HAS NO “RIGHT PLAYER” IN MIND FOR THE LUXURY TAX. THEY ARE CLUELESS IDIOTS WHO GAVE JOE THE MAXIMUM WITHOUT EVEN THINKING ABOUT WHY THE EYDID IT.
NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH THIS PATHETIC JOSH POWELL AS A BACKUP POWER FORWARD
KWAME BROWN FOR 3 M
MATT BARNES FOR 3M
TRADE DUCK FOR SHAQ
I’D DO THOSE MOVES 3948239567 TIMES BEFORE I FREAKING SIGN JOSH POWELL
Rufus1
July 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Josh Powell…
People are complaining about Powell at less than a 1mil per but are begging to sign Matt Barnes for 3-4mil per
Barnes Career stats
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barnema02.html
I don’t know how good powell is but he played against the best frontline in the NBA for 3 years…that has to worth something.
PS Orlando didn,t want Barnes back at 1.8mil….Why?
Melvin
July 22nd, 2010
10:41 pm
Folks have been asking for D.J. Mbenga & Josh Powell well here you go in a package deal….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOMOkZYq3jY&NR=1
Rufus1
July 22nd, 2010
10:48 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uM8ba99_WU
Melvin
July 22nd, 2010
10:55 pm
Jeff Teague and his brother Marquis also look like twins on the court when they are not shooting jumpshots…
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/marquis-teague
Hoops
July 22nd, 2010
11:11 pm
Matt Barnes and the Lakers agree to a two year-3.6M deal! Crap!!! There goes another player that the Hawks could have really used!
Clyde
July 22nd, 2010
11:55 pm
Josh Powell smgdh. We now have another 6′9 center. Now we have a guy that can defend the paint and play quality defense against 7-foot centers in the league. SMGDH
bigdave
July 23rd, 2010
12:15 am
Kobe seems to be recruiting every player he’s ever had on court beef with..
Geemack
July 23rd, 2010
12:35 am
Man the Lakers are deep. The 3 Kings better bring their A game to take the title from Kobe. The Lakers got Steve Blake, Theo Ratliff, & Matt Barnes to help them 3peat. All those guys are very good defensive players coming off the bench.
Who are the Hawks bringing in…Josh Powell a Laker reject. Wow that’s really exciting.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 23rd, 2010
12:52 am
“our core is pretty good and we need to live within our possibilities and what the market allows us to take.”
I agree that the core is pretty good. I think you can agree, though, that the team as currently constructed needs to add at least one major piece or two to be a serious contender and not just a perennial second-round loser.
“look for instance at the Chris Paul situation: he does not consider the hawks as a destination. he simply does not want to come (and that has nothing to do with ASG’s willingness to spend or not).”
Chris Paul is not a free agent. He has no control over where he plays. Yes, it is unlikely based on recent news that he would re-sign here, but all that can change if his arrival makes this team elite. He did, after all want to join this team in 2005 when they came off a 13-69 season.
Regardless, although I have brought up CP3 trade scenarios for more than a year now, I have never seen it as more than a long shot dream scenario. All I want is to see this team TRY to get better. If they propose such a trade and get soundly rejected, that’s still a step up over what they are doing now. Right now they are not even trying.
If I sound over the top, that’s the reason why. When you sign your 28-year-old star to a max contract, you are basically going all in and saying you are giving it your all to win now, since by doing so you sacrifice near-future salary flexibility and the chance of landing a superstar in the draft. At least, that’s what an organization with a plan would do. The Hawks’ management appears to be so excited that they were able to re-sign Joe that they have called it quits on the rest of the offseason.
“I will not even dwell on the benefits or non benefits of the move on court. I just want to focus on the facts: we cannot attract free agents.”
Here we go again with this myth. The Hawks are in no worse a position to attract free agents than most NBA teams. Of the final eight NBA teams last season, only the Hawks’ best player actually chose to be with his team; every other team’s best player was either traded there or drafted. Atlanta is one of the more attractive cities to live in for athletes in general, and the Hawks are not a bottom feeding team.
Whether or not the Hawks can attract free agents depends entirely on whether the ownership group cares enough to win. When they state publicly that they don’t want to exceed the luxury tax while eery elite team is over the tax level, it sends a clear signal to free agents that this team is not serious about winning.
And like I’ve said before, it’s not just that they don’t spend; it’s also that when they DO spend, they do it unwisely. If they had kept the 2nd round pick, they could have signed Matt Barnes and the 2nd round’s best big man for less than what they are paying Josh Powell and Jason Collins. Barnes is a reputed defender and shooter who has played on more than one elite team and has plenty of playoff experience, and it is literally impossible for Hassan Whiteside or Dexter Pittman to be less statistically productive than the two scrubs the Hawks now have on the end of the bench.
“It is sure that he will not be a difference maker, but have you read the ESPN piece on him? He looks to be a very solid citizen and a hard worker who is constantly working in his game.”
I am also a solid citizen, and for over a million dollars, I will gladly work on my game as much as the Hawks want. Do I deserve a roster spot? No, and neither does Josh Powell’s 43% shooting, below average rebounding azz. Please go to basketball-reference and compare Powell’s per-36 stats to Zaza and see the vast, monumental difference between the two. As average as Zaza is, a team serious about contending would be working to make sure their top bench big man was at least as good as Zaza, instead of paying for a guy who is significantly worse than him.
“When he got more minutes he contributed well.”
He cracked double digit points twice last year. His season high was 7 rebounds. Like I mentioned earlier, he shot 43% for the season despite being 6′9″, playing close to the basket, and mostly playing minutes against scrubs on other teams (his five most productive games were decided by at least 16 points). If that is what you consider performing well, what do you consider performing poorly?
If my negativity is too much for you, I apologize. I try to base my opinions on the facts, and the fact is the Hawks would have been hard pressed to spend $1.2 million in a less efficient way. It’s hard to give them a pass on selling the top pick of the 2nd round for $3 million when they spend $2.4 million on two guys who would make the D-League All Stars. I’m sorry, but positivity has its limits.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 23rd, 2010
12:54 am
“The Lakers got Steve Blake, Theo Ratliff, & Matt Barnes to help them 3peat. ”
I would have been quite thrilled to have Theo Ratliff, if the alternative is Josh Powell.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 23rd, 2010
12:55 am
Sorry, that should have said “two guys who WOULDN’T make the D-League All Stars”. I’m typing on the iPhone keyboard, so the typos are kinda hard to avoid.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 23rd, 2010
1:08 am
Raja Bell, who would have helped the Hawks immensely with his perimeter defense and shooting in this new offense, signed for $3 million annually with Utah. Is Utah some great free agent destination? Are NBA players flocking to salt flats and Mormon temples in their spare time?
Stop clinging to this myth. The only cities that are demonstrably more attractive to free agents are Miami, New York, and Los Angeles. The only other franchises that may be more attractive to free agents are Chicago because it is a big city and the Bulls’ history, San Antonio because of its recent success and Tim Duncan, and Phoenix because of the way Steve Nash has inflated the market value of so many players over the last few years. That’s it. The Hawks have an undisputed advantage over the league’s other teams when it comes to attracting free agents, if the ownership shows a commitment to winning.
Dan's Dickau
July 23rd, 2010
3:04 am
The Hornets aren’t moving Chris Paul for a package of our under achieving over paid players (Paul and Okafor for Bibby and WIlliams and J.C.? Why would the Hornets agree to that? You all really think that’s the best package they could get for CP3?
VaVa and Mr. Strickland, no disrespect you guys are normally on point. But this just doesn’t seem realistic to me. Of course, we DID get Jamal for the ghost of Speedy Claxton and Acie Law. But this business of New Orleans moving their best players for a Bibby/Williams/Crawford package is a pipe dream. A crack pipe dream!
vava74
July 23rd, 2010
3:23 am
Dan,
NO is aiming at shedding pay roll in a dramatic way, not at adding talent (and cost) against any trade involving Paul.
The deal I mentioned would be extremely lopsided from a talent point of view – I know that – but it makes senses from a payroll point of view since with the TPE and Crawford’s 11 million, they would be able to immediately shed 14 million and with Bibby coming out of their books in the following year (or via a trade since he may be prove a commodity in his last year) the overall saving would be 19 million whilst still getting a fairly good talent/prospect in Marvin.
Najeh,
Ratliff is 38 years old in case you have not noticed and historically injury prone.
Bell would be a surplus: why on hearth would we sign yet another SG?
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
July 23rd, 2010
3:52 am
Hot dayum Da Bulls just snatched up Kurt Thomas to back up Joakim Noah
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5403367
Rod from College Park
July 23rd, 2010
5:01 am
vava74,
“Matt Barnes is a pretty decent player but how on hearth would he be such an improvement over Marvin?”
He is a better shooter, can dribble more than 3 times without picking up his dribble, can knock down open shots, and he can drive and finish without falling.
“The guy only averaged more than 10ppg ONCE in his whole career and it was on a high octane offense in PHO.”
He gives you close to the same production as Marvin now with a lot less minutes.
“Yes, he is a good defender, but in a different style, so is Marvin.”
Marvin is not an above average defender in anyone’s book. Barnes is. Anything Marvin does defensively, Barnes does it better, plus he brings an attitude with him.
“Offensively? Maybe a better 3 point shooter, however, how come he never scores more points than Marvin?”
He plays less minutes. Look at his playoff statistics when his minutes increased, then look at Marvin’s. Barnes is a better player than Marvin all around the board, and the only coach who would maybe start Marvin over Barnes is Woody.
vava74
July 23rd, 2010
5:34 am
Hi Rod,
Barnes regular season stats from 3 point land: 0.319
I grant that he improved in the playoffs, however, look at his line in the last game of the ECF:
May 28 @ BOS (L 84 – 96) MIN21 FG0 – 0 3FG0 – 0 FT1 – 2 OREB0 DREB2 TREB2 ASS1 STL0 BLK0 TO0 FT3 PTS1
Najeh Davenpoop
July 23rd, 2010
5:56 am
“Ratliff is 38 years old in case you have not noticed and historically injury prone.”
You are right, but sadly, he is still better than Josh Powell. He does still do one thing well, and that is block shots. Aside from getting Kobe to like him, I honestly don’t see a single thing Josh Powell does well.
“Bell would be a surplus: why on hearth would we sign yet another SG?”
He plays a position that is already strong for the Hawks, true. In my opinion him at SG and Joe at SF with Marvin on the bench would make for a better lineup than the current one, since it would spread the floor for Teague to get to the hoop. Anyway, I only brought him up as an example of a quality player who didn’t cost much to demonstrate that there are far better ways the Hawks could have spent their money.
vava74
July 23rd, 2010
6:08 am
Najeh,
Contrary to popular belief, when given starter minutes (in particular at the SG slot), Mo does well: defends, scores and hits the 3 pointers.
So that would be a move which be just an overlap in characteristics and at a higher cost.
vava74
July 23rd, 2010
6:10 am
Najeh,
On Ratliff and Powell: that remains to be seen.
Ratliff has not been retained by any of the teams he has played with during the past few years so that should be enough of an indictment to his diminished skills and contribution.
JoJo the Godfather
July 23rd, 2010
7:07 am
The Houston Rockets have 17 players under contract, about 5 of them play SF, and they are just over the luxury tax…Ariza is probably the most available with 4 yrs $28M left on his deal…Trade Bibby & Houston’s 2nd round pick that we own for Ariza…Houston saves $800,000 this year (about $16M over all) and evens out their roster.
O'Brien
July 23rd, 2010
7:28 am
vava,
I am not saying I would appoint Barnes as the starting SF. But I would offer him the chance to compete with Marvin for the starting spot. Marvin needs to earn his spot, which he has been given since season 2.
And I think the chance to be a starter on a playoff team might be worth more to Barnes than the money. Not to mention, if Barnes does beat Marvin for the starting spot, that would allow us to trade Marvin and bring in a cheaper backup. Would you rather have Barnes for $3.5 mil or Marvin for $7.5 mil?
Unfortunately, its all moot. Barnes signed with the Lakers backing up Artest. That team is going to be tough, because they have Artest/Barnes to defend LeBron, Kobe on Wade, and Gasol/Odom on Bosh. Kobe must be licking his chops.
Jo-Jo,
Ariza makes almost as much money as Marvin. But I would take Chase Budinger from them.
vava74
July 23rd, 2010
7:35 am
Ariza also shot under .400 from the field for the season last year… and .330 from 3 point land…
Melvin
July 23rd, 2010
8:31 am
I haven’t seen another player say this about Marvin:
Ron Artest: Matt is tougher than nails Tougher than a penguin on steroids Tougher than richard Simmons trying to take off his spandex
JoJo the Godfather
July 23rd, 2010
8:47 am
Ariza also is only 25 yrs old and had a lot of scoring burden placed on him when he went to Houston…I would use the Ariza trade to then send Marvin (or Ariza) & Za Za to Cleveland for Shaq & Delonte West as Cleveland needs both a SF & backup C…Then flip West to Minnesota for Ramon Sessions…The net result is Bibby, Williams & Pachulia out, and Sessions, Ariza & Shaq in…Money is an even match assuming Shaq at $6.5M…Last 2 moves are trade exception and a draft pick to Portland for Rudy Fernandez, and Mo Evans and 2nd round pick to New Orleans for Julian Wright…13-man roster and still under luxury tax.
Sessions / Teague
Johnson / Ja Crawford / Jo Crawford
Ariza / Fernandez / Wright
Smith / Powell
Horford / Shaq / Collins
vava74
July 23rd, 2010
8:48 am
Yeah, that a good endorsement.
But that does not change the fact that this suddenly enshrined “3 point threat” has a career average of .329 and that when he was 25 he was shooting .250 from 3 point land.
I like him, but he would be too expensive as a back up for us.
O'Brien
July 23rd, 2010
9:31 am
vava,
Although it’s not just about numbers, I remember northcyde posted some numbers that showed Matt was #2 defensively among SFs, while Marvin wasn’t even in the top 10. And the only reason Matt Barnes is too expesive as a backup for us is because the ASG is broke.
But its a moot point. Maybe we can sign Damien Wilkins to the vet minimum.
Evil Genius
July 23rd, 2010
10:12 am
————————–
Nesbitt for Heisman
————————–
Rufus1
July 23rd, 2010
10:30 am
Barnes Overrated as Hell!!!
He shots 32% from 3 last year in Orlando(Talk about wide open jumper).. Look at his 3pt percentage in hi 1st 5 years(about 20%)
He is a career FG is 44%
His BEST year is Marvins WORST years.
He played 26min a game last year.
PLEASE NORTHCYDE SHOW US HIS DEFENSIVE EFFICIENCY WITHOUT D12…
If MARVIN played 27min a game with Nash, do you think he would only average 10pts a game…..Lol
ROD
Where was Barnes during “CRUNCH TIME”…ON THE BENCH.
Barnes is an average player that played on a high profile team, so we think he is better than he is….AVERAGE AT BEST
RECAP
Not a better score
Not better Rebounder
I question if he is a better defender….D12 and Better team defense.
Ken Strickland
July 23rd, 2010
11:13 am
ROD IN CP-How in the devil can you say MBarnes is a better option than Marvin and expect anyone to think you’re anything but a fool? These are Marvin’s 09-10 stats, his worst in 4yrs as a starter, and career stats.
09-10 PPG-10.1, RPG-5.1, APG-1.1, SPG-.81, BPG-.57, FG%-.455, 3PT%-.303
CAREER PPG-11.9, RPG-5.4, APG-1.4, SPG-.83, BPG-.47, FG%-.451, 3PT%-.304
The following represents MBarnes’ career highs in each category.
HIGHS PPG-10.2, RPG-5.5, APG-2.8, SPG-.70, BPG-.50, FG%-.487, 3PT%-.343
As you can see, the best MBarnes has ever done in his career in each category barely exceeds what Marvin did in his worst season in 4yrs as a starter. If fact, Marvin’s career averages actually exceed most of MBarnes’ career highs in most categories. SOMETIMES YOU DON’T SEEM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REALITY AND THE BS THAT SEEMS TO BE GOING ON IN YOUR HEAD.
I’m still trying to figure out the logic behind the articles and comments about the possibility of JJ having trouble adjusting to sharing the ball in LDrew’s OFF. He certainly didn’t have any problem sharing it in Phoenix, or being a 3rd or 4th scoring option.
Yet, I’ve yet to see an article or comment about any potential problems LeBron, DWade and CBosh might have with the same issues. After all, neither player has ever been anything but the #1 option at any stage of their basketball careers. And DWade and LeBron have dominated the ball, the OFF, and their team at every level.
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE THEY, RATHER THAN JJ, COULD BE THE ONES WITH ADJUSTMENT AND CHEMISTRY PROBLEMS? Some of you are already willing to give Miami the NBA title before training camp has even started. By the same token, you can’t seem to get your brains around the possibility of the Hawks becoming a better team with the addition of a new HC, who has an actual OFF/DEF system and philosophy, and returning 10 of 12 players that provided the continuity and chemistry that led the Hawks to the 2nd rd of the playoffs, 53wins and a #3 seed.
You also seem to discount the impact of individual player growth, which has certainly been a tremendous influence on Hawk progress over the last 5yrs. Teams we’ve dominated, or should have dominated, like the Bulls, Miami, Washington, Milwaukee, New York, and some Western Conference teams, have added a few players. And based on that alone, you’re ready to elevate them and demote the Hawks virtually out of the playoff picture. Why, because the Hawks have chosen to stick with CHEMISTRY and INTERNAL GROWTH, and make a significant COACHING upgrade rather than an immediate roster upgrade.
We have our BIANNUAL, TRADE and MLE. We also have 2 expiring contracts, JaCrawford-$10.8M & MEvans-$2.5M, MBibby’s $5.56M contract becoming an expiring contract after this season, and the minimum contracts of JPowell & JCollins, which total less than $2M combined. Armed with all of this, we can certainly afford to wait until the trade deadline to see what we have in PG JTeague, SG JoCrawford, PF/C JPowell, HC LDrew, as well as the overall team.
bigdave
July 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
Atlanta Hawks (3-2): B
The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the up-and-coming organizations in the NBA over the course of the last few years but it looked as if they had finally hit the wall when they were swept, by an average of, like, a million points per game, in the second round of the playoffs by Orlando. Over the summer things have started to look up for the Hawks once again. Second-year guard Jeff Teague showed some signs that he could move into the starting lineup at the point guard position this season, averaging better than 15 points and four assists per game while shooting .522 from the field. He will have to make better decisions with the ball (4.4 turnovers per game in Vegas), but summer league play can be sloppy as teams are quickly thrown together and players have very little time to get comfortable with one another. Rookie guard Jordan Crawford looked like a steal, leading the Hawks in scoring (16.2 ppg) and takeaways (1.8 spg) and should be able to provide another scoring option off the bench for new head coach Larry Drew. Additionally, the Hawks may have found some size for an undersized front line in Alade Aminu. The 6′10″ power forward out of Georgia Tech continued to show the ability to protect the rim and showed improved rebounding this summer.
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16896#ixzz0uWEnVvPJ
Hoops
July 23rd, 2010
11:20 am
JoJo the Godfather,
I am all with you on your trade proposals. Can you make them happen? Call Rick Sund and give him the plan!
Ken Strickland
July 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
OBRIEN-would MBarnes be rated #2 in DEF efficiency at SF if he didn’t have DHoward backing him up, or if he had to function in Woodson’s switching DEF system? I’d like to see his DEF efficiency ranking before he came to Orlando, and especially when he was with Phoenix.
Sometimes it’s not about a lack of individual ability to function offensively or defensively, but the inability to function effectively within a particular OFF/DEF system, especially if those systems are flawed.
denglishjr
July 23rd, 2010
11:28 am
I will never watch another NBA game!
HoosierHawk
July 23rd, 2010
11:30 am
My theory- lethargic ASG waiting until the trade deadline, will use the TPE and trade Crawford and possibly Mo’s expiring contract once Jordan Crawford proves he can be our guy off the bench.
Why is everyone still talking about Barnes? Hoopshype says he is a done deal with L.A. Kurt Thomas is gone too.
Now we have 2 of the Hawks (both who’s playing time might be affected because Horford would play some 4 and Josh would play less) publicly saying they would like Shaq. I’d be willing to take the risk and trade him with expiring contracts if it doesn’t work out. Plus NOONE seems interested now, so maybe we can lowball him with the money he wants for 1 year or 2 years with way less.
Ken Strickland
July 23rd, 2010
11:51 am
Shaq has already indicated he wants to start, and wants a 2yr guaranteed contract for more than the MLE. If forced to sign with us because no one else will waste time talking to his egotistical butt, do you really think he wouldn’t eventually end up being a distraction?
I can see him coming in here and coming off the bench, going all out to try and convince LDrew to start him or give him major mins. If it doesn’t happen within the time frame he’s established for himself, he’d then become a major distraction. Can you imagine the turmoil he could cause for young players like AHorford, JSmith, MWilliams and JTeague? Look at the issues he created between he and elite players like PHardeway, KBryant and DWade.
O'Brien
July 23rd, 2010
11:52 am
Ken S,
When you go car shopping, do you always buy the best car available? I dont know about you, but I buy the best car available for the best price. Matt Barnes makes $1.8 mil per year. Marvin makes $7.5 mil per year. So who is the better value?
I am not saying that Matt Barnes is head and shoulders above Marvin. But I think he should have been brought in (even if its as a backup), and given the opportunity to compete with Marvin for the starting job.
If Marvin plays better and is a better fit in Drew’s system, then he starts, and Barnes backs him up. If Barnes wins, then he starts, and we trade Marvin.
But as HoosierHawk said. Barnes is no longer available. I just hope that next off-season we wont still be talking about Marvin’s potential, or the coach not using him right, or the fact that he is the 5th option on offense.
Fundamentals
July 23rd, 2010
11:57 am
Why is Okafur such garbage if he gets a double double and +15.72 efficiency rating at 28 minutes a game over 82 games played last season? His contract isn’t that bad at that price? Yeah his a bit small, but he’s an upgrade from anyone we have on our bench at C? Might even be enough to push AL and Josh up a spot and start at C sometimes? If Josh can show that midrange jumper he claims he’s working on this summer. A 12-15′ jumper would make Josh unstoppable.