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
drmaryb (*_*)
July 23rd, 2010
12:08 pm
Futuristic!
Make no mistake about it – Marvin IS on the trading block and he has value!
Just like Chris Paul (with a complete removal of a meniscus & never retruned to the court since)
– has value!
Just as NO has refused to give him away for scrubs – the ASG has refused to give Marvin away for less tham comparable talent as well.
But, don’t get is twisted – IF Marvin doesn’t PONY – UP by the trade deadline or before?
He will be leading the PONY – EXPRESS right outa’ the ATL! Granted his value will be diminished at
that point, his exit will provide salary cap space and possibly some constellation of
draft picks and or expiring contracts, if not a serviceable piece.
IF Chris Paul doesn’t PON – UP or even play without substantial injuries up to the tradeline,
he likewise will see the same scenario for himself or join the ranks of the Speedy Claxton
Hall of Shame.
It’s time for Marvin Williams to PUT – UP or Get – Out!
Alade Aminu should get a crack to make this team – IMHO.
JoJo the Godfather
July 23rd, 2010
12:18 pm
If we stand pat, I’d like to see Aminu and Acie Law get deals…I’m sure I’m in the minority, but I think Law has a future as a defensive PG in this league, and there’s no reason not to take a chance on Aminu.
vava74
July 23rd, 2010
12:26 pm
OB,
When you buy a car you should first look for “NEED” and only then for the “BEST DEAL”.
Barnes was not essential and – again – he would not sign with us for 1,8 million (with a high degree of probability). We saw that with many other free agents and the promise of him being able to compete for the starting job is not enough when you have the lure of being a reserve on the Lakers.
Note also that Barnes is from Cali, so he will be playing closer to his roots.
bigdave
July 23rd, 2010
12:35 pm
“I’m sure I’m in the minority, but I think Law has a future as a defensive PG in this league”
i think he could start..
drmaryb (*_*)
July 23rd, 2010
12:50 pm
Recycled Parts
Why the love affair with Acie Law?
He Came
We Saw
He was Measured
And, he was lacking.
At best, Acie is a too small combo guard. No true PG skills & too small to defend and get a shot off against the leagues top SG’s. Very inconsistent perimeter shooter and does not finish well at the rim.
Has NOT improved his game from year to year and is injury proned.
Next suggestion please? I still like that SL PG from Houston, big time! Isaiah Smith (?), that little
man is a dark horse and a hidden GEM – IMHO.
We need fresh meat, new blood & not a do-over at the PG!
I you want a Do – Over? Let’s re-do some of Billy Knight Draft Picks.
bigdave
July 23rd, 2010
1:00 pm
for the record we have a PG, 2 for that matter, and a combo guard.. i still think Acie Law has the package to play PG in this league..
kinda hard to play your game with a sword in your back guiding you to a warm seat on the bench..
PMC
July 23rd, 2010
1:03 pm
So who can we give away to get Chris Paul?
Anyone outside of Horford I say is game. Paul, Horford, Joe Johnson would be great…
and likely it’s that stupid deal that Johnson signed that would keep them from retaining Paul. If it could happen.
I’d send Marvin and Josh Smith today along with a #1 draft pick.
PMC
July 23rd, 2010
1:06 pm
I mean I’d rather keep Josh Smith too and send 2 #1’s but something has to be given up. Chris Paul would help give them the facilitation they need.
bigdave
July 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
and for the record.. favored him over Teague..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rinat-HIHTM
Robert
July 23rd, 2010
1:19 pm
send Bibby,Marvin and a #1 pick for Chris Paul.
JoJo the Godfather
July 23rd, 2010
2:05 pm
drmaryb…we’ll agree to disagree on Law…i think the young man has the ability to play backup pg succesfully in this league…his stats HAVE improved every year in the league, but those stats are based on a small amount of games played, so lets not dwell too long there…at 6′3′ 200 lbs with lateral quickness, he can defend the pg position…i see his upside as Chris Duhon…rumors have him contacted by Cleveland and Orlando, so there is some demand for his services out there.
O'Brien
July 23rd, 2010
2:12 pm
bigdave,
When Rose was injured, Acie actually had a couple good games for the Bulls. I think he is a good low risk, high reward guy.
vava,
On his twitter, Matt Barnes said something to suggest that Kobe was either recruiting him, or recommending him to the front office, so that probably helped too.
JJ’s agent said he would be recruiting players to come here. Although we havent seen or heard anything to corroborate it, I wonder if the front office ever approached JJ about recruiting a certain player, or if JJ is even in contact with the front office.
bigdave
July 23rd, 2010
2:22 pm
O’brien..
i agree.. that youtube link is his highlight package of his 22 ..3.. 3 effort
Ken Strickland
July 23rd, 2010
2:23 pm
OBRIEN-When I go car shopping I don’t just look for the best car available for the best price. Before shopping for a vehicle, I always consider what my needs are and what vehicle category best meets those needs, like coup, sedan, SUV, truck etc. And only then do I look for the best vehicle for the best price.
MWilliams’ 11.9 career scoring average demonstrates he’s capable of producing double figure scoring averages, and he’s also demonstrated the ability to carry the scoring load for stretches when a key scorer has gone down. If JJ went down, would you really want to depend on MBarnes, who’s only had only one double figure scoring season(10.2PPG)in his entire career, to pick up the slack?
Or, would you want MWilliams, who’s career high in RPG 6.3, PPG in 14.8 far exceeds anything MBarnes has accomplished, and his low PPG average of 10.1PPG is only .1 of a pt lower than MBarnes’ highest scoring average(10.2PPG), and who’s career scoring average(11.9PPG) is higher than MBarnes’ highest scoring average?As a rebounder and scorer, we’ve all seen MWilliams dominate gms with this scoring and/or rebounding.
You certainly can’t say the same for MBarnes.
Marvin provides far more security and potential than MBarnes could ever provide. Offensively, MBarnes has benefited from playing with 2 time MVP and future HOF PG SNash, while Marvin has had to produce playing with PG’s like TLue, AJohnson and MBibby. Defensively, he’s benefited from playing with DHoward, while Marvin had to cope with Woodson’s switching DEF, to protect MBibby.
cheshire
July 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
if the Hawks have any sense whatsoever, they’ll at least look at trying to get Paul.
I like Josh Smith, but honestly i’d trade him for Paul. get a true center (doesn’t have to be a big scorer… just a big body to clog the middle) and move Horford to the PF position.
Before anyone blasts me for that, i would love to keep Josh Smith on this team, but as I see it, this team needs a true center one way or the other. Get a true center, and you’ve got a surplus at PF between Horford and Smith. Between the two i’d rather have Horford, and Smith wouldn’t be a good SF since he can’t shoot.
I’d hate to see him go, but i’d trade him for Paul in a heartbeat.
JoJo the Godfather
July 23rd, 2010
3:30 pm
Chris Paul’s price…I think Portland was offering expiring A. Miller, expiring J. Pryzbilla, Nicolas Batum, Jared Bayless & pick(s) for Paul & filler…Orlando could offer expiring Vince Carter, Daniel Orton, Brandon Bass, Marcin Gortat, and pick(s) for Paul & Okafor…So any Hawks package would have to start with our expiring contracts (Crawford & Evans), include one or two of our youngsters (Teague & Crawford), as well as future picks…This would then require the commitment of management to go in to the luxury tax next year in order to re-sign Horford…I just don’t see it happening.
O'Brien
July 23rd, 2010
3:34 pm
Ken S,
If JJ goes down, we wont have to rely on Marvin too much (for extra points), because we have Jamal who plays the same position (and averaged 18 ppg last season, 16 ppg for his career), we can get increased scoring from Horford and Josh, plus Teague can also chip in.
I think what this team needs most from Marvin is defense, rebounding, and the ability to knock down open shots, and most importantly, do them on a CONSISTENT basis. If he can do those things, the Hawks will be much more dangerous.
I want the Hawks and Larry Drew to succeed, so I will be rooting for Marvin next season. I just hope he is ready and able to step his game up.
Guys,
Why would N.O want Josh Smith when they have an all star (and cheaper) PF in David West? Remember, they are trying to cut cost.
Why would they want Marvin when they have Peja, Posey, and Julian Wright (all listed as SFs), making over $22 mil combined? And the only expiring we have is Jamal ($10 mil).
We dont have the assets to pull off a deal. We blew our chance to get him in the draft, when he wanted to come here, had a very good workout here, but BK went with Marvin instead.
terrell
July 23rd, 2010
3:48 pm
Najeh, how do you know Sund isn’t trying to make a move. The other team has to agree you know.
Fundamentals
July 23rd, 2010
3:56 pm
I liked AC when he was here, but he just never seemed to do enough to make you think he could run the team. Upon leaving he has been planted on 3 benches to rarely to if ever get in the game? Why does that make you think he can start? Good kid, just don’t see him being anymore than a backup for anyone.
Thomas and Barnes is gone it seeems.
Chris Paul and Emeka could be a good combination for ATL? Would they take Marvin, Mo, Bibby, Crawfor, TPE, the 2nd round picks? Are we risking too much w/o seeing the knee in operation?
What does Orlando need for Gortat?
What does Dallas need for Ajinca?
What does Washington need for McGhee?
Who needs an experience PG or SG?
terrell
July 23rd, 2010
4:06 pm
Damien Wilkins > Matt Barnes.
For a lot less $.
dap01
July 23rd, 2010
4:09 pm
When is MC coming back? Is Ken going to put up any Hawks news?
JoJo the Godfather
July 23rd, 2010
4:09 pm
Fundamentals…I don’t see Orlando sending us Gortat…Guys like Ajinca & Koufas are available for a draft pick…Washington needs McGhee (spelling???)…Houston, Cleveland, Sacramento, Charlotte, Portland, and Indiana are the main teams looking for guards…Of those teams, Houston, Indiana & Portland are wanting to reduce their # of players under contract (send a package out for one in return).
doc
July 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
let’s see we steal josh powell from the lakers for the minimum and they replace him with matt barnes that does two things, makes them stronger and one of the potential teams it has to finish with in the finals the magic weaker. nice job to the lakers and hawks. major upgrades, yuck. we get a a guy as a big who cant get 50% from the field; that is atrocious, nor is he known as a rebounder, just a good guy in the locker room.
yup al, we got help coming at ya!
doc
July 23rd, 2010
4:30 pm
@ northcyde
July 22nd, 2010
6:30 pm
dude is this someone who has taken your handle bud or did you finally come to jesus. folks we have had a mojor transition here today if it is true. this is a true transcendant moment.
i now officially declare you a true atlanta hawk fan northcyde! you have suffered enoiugh and come out on the other side bro.
look out nire might show up and continue to tell us this is how to run a franchise and that these guys are good businessmen. no ego’s got in the way worrying about who got all star tickets and the like and we continue to pay for it.
so northcyde you wont be able to sell me some tickets to the much anticipated pacer-hakws game that might determine who gets the 8th spot? yes we got it going.
too funny.
terrell
July 23rd, 2010
4:34 pm
Damn Doc, Powell was backing up Gasol/Odom and co. He only played like 7 min a game. You cant judge a player based on those kind of min. Yall aint even giving the kid a chance to suit up yet.
doc
July 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
look folks if josh powell wasnt seen on any of the games that the lakers were front and center after the season finished their playoffs began and many never heard of him before then you know how good he is. anyone that suggests that the lakers wanted him back to only sign matt barnes to fill his role is suffering from acute anencephalopathy.
doc
July 23rd, 2010
4:41 pm
rondo i already said it yesterday:
powell = POOR MAN UDONIS
doc
July 23rd, 2010
4:47 pm
hmmm another 6′9″ “big”.
did rick sund fail so bad as a gm in seattle only to have to go back to the billy knight remedial school for gm’s?
Ken Strickland
July 23rd, 2010
5:10 pm
FUNDEMENTALS-In Acie’s defense, he certainly hasn’t many opportunities to show what he can do. When Woodson drafted him, he was considered college’s #1 clutch shooter, same as SStuademire. His misfortune was to start his career under a stubborn, bone headed HC with a serious bias against rookie guards.
He then ended up with HC((Don Nelson), who plays more gms in his head than he does in reality. Next, he did a quick stop in Charlotte, before finally ending up in Chicago under Vinnie Del Negro, who the Bulls felt compelled to fire.
On your proposed trade for CP3 and Okafor, we could get an almost perfect salary match by sending JTeague instead of MWilliams. It would also work if we sent Zaza($4.25M), instead of Teague or Marvin, Crawford($10.8M), MEvans($2.5M), Bibby($5.56M)and the trade exemption.
I guarantee you one thing. From both an offensive and defensive standpoint, if given consistent mins and opportunity, ALaw would give us more than Bibby can off the bench, especially on DEF. Having said that, I do think we’ll get more efficient OFF and better DEF from Bibby this yr under LConner, or his mins will be limited. He knows he’ll no longer get the free ride he got from Woodson for poor performance, and neither will Marvin.
Fundamentals
July 23rd, 2010
5:27 pm
Ken, I can appreciate your willingness to support AC, I tried my best and hoped to see him shine when he left to prove Woodson was the issue. Hopefully he’ll find his niche this time around. Royal Ivey signed on his own accord so it’ll be interesting to see how he does as well. Salim talked alot of trash, but in the end couldn’t latch on anywhere after his tryouts with the Spurs failed.
I know Bibby can be much more efficient and will have to be if LD and Conner hold strong on their defensive mentality. That was Woodson’s major problem – no accountability and riding his horses till they dropped. I’m not sure what we’ll do in terms of our last man or trades, I just hope we can have a team that’s cohesive, proud to be here and 100% behind Drew.
Our team hasn’t got anyone who garners more attention than the team. We need fans, team and coaches to bond into one unit. We know the fans can’t, so maybe, just maybe the team will. If they don’t want to, I hope they let Sund know to move them for someone who will. I’ll take a cohesive bunch pointed in the same direction as opposed to Shaq grumbling anyday.
We’ll see how AC turns out. Hopefully better than Salim, Shelden, Solomon, Chills, Royal, etc. None blossommed or prospered once they left. So was it Woody or a lack of overall talent? Time is telling on them all.
I can appreciate contributions from Flip, Anthony Johnson and T-Lue. They proved to be servicable professionals that were more than worth what we gave for them. Good to see each move on into additional roles for other teams.
truthspitter
July 23rd, 2010
6:18 pm
Marvin Williams, Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford’s expiring contract and our 1st round draft picks in 2012 and 2014 for Chris Paul and Okafor.
Get it done dumb Sund
truthspitter
July 23rd, 2010
6:30 pm
Sund never had it. We need something, we have lost our spot at #3 in East by doing nothing.
tu gin wn
July 23rd, 2010
7:00 pm
truth serum
i finally found you. when you made saltee link my awful
truth in macon newspapaer`i reelize it you. my long lost brother from old country.
how can i find u. we get together soon.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 23rd, 2010
7:05 pm
“Najeh, how do you know Sund isn’t trying to make a move. The other team has to agree you know.”
We would have heard about it if they were trying. Anyone who follows the NBA hears about several teams pursuing free agents before one team actually signs him.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 23rd, 2010
7:08 pm
“powell = POOR MAN UDONIS”
Josh Powell is a poor man’s Hanno Mottola.
Truth Serum
July 23rd, 2010
7:17 pm
Ok I apologize for telling everybody I’m gay while posting as Grandad and Sautee. My gay brothers and sisters are no doubt embarrassed that i could not come out of the closet without using my own name. I am now going to post my gay-ness as myself with my real name instead of being ashamed of the fact that I dearly love men. I also apologize to Al Horford for speaking so badly of him all this time. What really happened is that I’m angry with him for bytch slapping me so hard at that party. How was I to know he would react so violently when I snuck up on him and lovingly fondled his left butt cheek? I’m sorry Al but i could not resist. Nobody has hit me that hard though, since that time I tried to take advantage of Shelden Williams at that other party, when he looked too drunk to do anything about it.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 23rd, 2010
7:22 pm
I’m still an Acie fan. That man has been victimized by a string of bad luck in the NBA, playing for three coaches who are notorious for jerking around young players’ playing time. Woody screwed him first by refusing to let him develop, and then he played for Don Nelson and Larry Brown, each of whom had very little invested in him and as a result even less incentive to develop him than they normally show with young players. I’m not unhappy that he’s gone, since the Hawks got Jamal in return, but I hope he catches on in the right system somewhere. When he’s gotten a chance, he has performed well.
Truth Serum
July 23rd, 2010
7:23 pm
I kind of like Marvin too, with that big ol ghetto booty he has. He may look clumsy on the court, but he might be something in the bedroom.
Carl
July 23rd, 2010
7:44 pm
Wow, I’m from Warner Robins and I’m offended. You guys post The Macon Telegraph website and post the ONE story involving a white guy. We all know Macon is a ghetto, impoverished craphole because of the violence by young adult black males, just like Atlanta.
Truth Serum
July 23rd, 2010
7:54 pm
I also have racial issues, but they are tied to my sexuality issues. I only get mad at people of other races when they don’t want to do booka booka with me.
Truth Serum
July 23rd, 2010
7:55 pm
Truth is, I like old white men and posting under their names makes me feel close to them. Yes I’m twisted
Glen
July 23rd, 2010
7:55 pm
Of course the half insane asians arent any help either
Truth Serum
July 23rd, 2010
7:57 pm
Should I report this to the complaint page again? Maybe not since I’m posting as other people and then all of my posts would get yanked.
Truth Serum
July 23rd, 2010
7:58 pm
I think I will wear a thong tonight even if it does chafe my tiny weenie
Truth Serum
July 23rd, 2010
8:00 pm
my widdle thai wang
Rick Sund
July 23rd, 2010
8:07 pm
4 MILL UNDER THE LUXURY TAX AND CAN’T EVEN SIGN 1 PLAYER.
GOTTA GET JOSH POWELL WHO WE HAVEN’T EVEN SIGNED YET
WORST OWNERSHIP IN SPORTS
WORST GM IN SPORTS
JeJe
July 23rd, 2010
8:07 pm
4 MILL UNDER THE LUXURY TAX AND CAN’T EVEN SIGN 1 PLAYER.
GOTTA GET JOSH POWELL WHO WE HAVEN’T EVEN SIGNED YET
WORST OWNERSHIP IN SPORTS
WORST GM IN SPORTS
Sautee
July 23rd, 2010
8:10 pm
Well, I see we have our coward back, stealing other folk’s handles. Well, it shouldn’t last too much longer, as I spoke with the AJC today, and they promised action. So someone’s IP address probably needs to change in a hurry. They spoke also about a permanent ban if they found the transgressions egregious enough. We’ll see.
Luckily, most here know what a real post from Grandad, drmaryb, or me looks like.
They ALSO recognize the cowardice and the poster perpetrating it.
I’ll just say he’s a sicker puppy than I had previously imagined, but I’ll still hold out hope for his salvation someday. He diminishes himself every time he tries to get attention by being outrageous and derogatory. He’ll realize that one day, and regret his actions, though now the thought of that makes him laugh.
I can only feel sadness for his overwhelming loneliness and lack of a life.
Pitiful, really.
terrell
July 23rd, 2010
8:31 pm
Nejah, did you hear that we wwere after Jamal last year?
O'Brien
July 23rd, 2010
9:54 pm
terrell,
We traded for Jamal in June last year, so that was before the media got into the free agency hype. And more often than not, you will hear which teams are interested in who.
I did read that the Hawks liked Anthony Tolliver, and I think Kurt Thomas too. But I cant help but wonder if it was just a move by the front office to appease fans (similar to the Avery Johnson interviews).