Atlanta Hawks: Catching up
I’m back in the saddle after a two-week hiatus from the beat. Yes, it was only two weeks away from work. The frantic emails, messages and comments from my blog people made it seem like I abandoned my child for two months. But I will take it as a good sign that some of you suffered separation anxiety without the blog. I can tell you I had no problem coping.
Anyway, I predicted not much interesting would happen while I was gone and it looks like I was pretty much on point. That doesn’t mean nothing happened, though, so let me give a rundown in no particular order. . .
What happened: The Hawks re-signed free agent center Jason Collins to a one-year contract.
What it means: Atlanta thinks Collins will be more effective in 2010-11 because he will be in better shape. Word is he’s already lost a significant amount of weight. Also, ASG’s Michael Gearon Jr. is on record as saying (stop me if you’ve heard this one before) he didn’t think Collins was properly utilized by Woody. So maybe L.D. gets Collins gets more minutes.
What happened: The Hawks signed free agent forward Josh Powell to a one-year contract.
What it means: The Hawks essentially swapped Joe Smith for a player who is about the same height, 15 pounds heavier (at least before recently cutting off his braids), and eight years younger.
It’s hard to make a straight comparison since the Powell has logged just 3,293 career minutes compared to 26,953 for Smith. But they played equal minutes last season, when Powell continued to be a much worse offensive player than Smith even considering Smith’s decline. Really, from a statistical standpoint, I can’t see anything that Powell does appreciably better than Smith and a few other things he does worse.
He’s heavier, though, so I guess that’s something.
What happened: Signing Powell and Collins pushed Atlanta’s team salary (the figure used to determine if it must pay the luxury tax) to roughly $67.6 million for 12 players.
What it means: The Hawks must add one player to get to the league minimum of 13. They have about $2.7 million to spend until they exceed the tax threshold. To add a player or players and avoid the tax, they can use all of the bi-annual exception of $2.08 million, part of the mid-level exception of $5.765 million or one or more minimum-salary exceptions.
What happened: Shaq remained unsigned as the market for his services continued to dry up.
What it means: If Shaq really wants to play for a contender, then he’s likely going to have to play for the minimum or not much more and also accept a bench role. If he will do both, the Hawks remain interested.
What happened: Mo Evans had arthroscopic surgery to repair knee cartilage damage.
What it means: The Hawks say the surgery, performed last week, was minor and Mo will be ready to go for training camp.
What happened: L.D. added Kenny Gattison to his staff.
What it means: After hiring Lester Conner as his lead assistant, L.D. got another coach who earned a hard-nosed reputation as a player. I have to think that means defense, rebounding and overall toughness will be a focus for the Hawks.
L.D. said shooting coach Mark Price won’t be retained.
What happened: ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported that Jamal Crawford asked the Hawks for a contract extension.
What it means: I’ve heard Jamal would like an extension but not sure how much he’s really pushed the issue since he knows Al would be next up for a deal. It’s not hard to see where Jamal is coming from: He likes playing for the Hawks, he had a strong season and like all players he’d like to get a new deal under the current CBA.
But I can’t see where it would benefit the Hawks to give J.C. a new deal before they see how this season plays out. If things don’t go as they hope, then Crawford becomes either a nice trade piece at the deadline or his $10.1 million salary comes off the books after the season. Either option would give the Hawks some flexibility to regroup.
What happened: Smoove got married.
What it means: Don’t ask me. I’m single.
What happened: Blog commenter Truth-Serum once again became a punk when left unsupervised, sullying my blog people with his childish antics.
What it means: In addition to confirming that dude has too much free time and some serious issues, he’s had his multiple IPs banned for the umpteenth time. He’s always found a way around that and in the past he’s been allowed to return because his manic phases are usually followed by periods of lucidity laced with mere annoyance rather than outright jerkiness.
But now his ban is permanent. Each time he comes back he will be booted as quickly as possible regardless of the content of his messages (which won’t be hard to identify since 99 percent of his posts are on one topic). I don’t like to do this because I’m a marketplace of ideas proponent, but Truth-Serum has lost his privileges for being the only commenter who can’t act right.
Thanks to my blog people who emailed the AJC folks to let them know he got out of control while I was away.
MC
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238 comments Add your comment
ryan
August 3rd, 2010
9:00 am
Rumor has it Shaq may be on his way to Europe to get more money .
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
9:06 am
MC is Back!
Taking out the Hot-Garbage. Some people never learn, stealing I’d’s is a blog crime!
Silly Rabbit – Trix are for kids!
smh.
Grand-Daddy
Welcome back from TN. I hope the family is healing and dealing. You are a really good guy and husband.
Your family is very fortunate to have you in their corner.
Hope the Mother-In-Law has a speedy recovery and Get Well Soon!
Looks like Joe Johnson is a very happy man with a very beautiful wife. I always wondered if he were married.
She looks like a very nice lady.
Congratulations Joe on the Wife and New Baby on the way – oh and new contract!
GeeMack
August 3rd, 2010
9:08 am
northcyde
I don’t think there is a question whether the Hawks can hang with the Magic. It’s more will they compete.
Also I think last years playoff performances will turn the major networks against putting the Hawks on TV.
It’s ok to lose, but quitting is not an option.
SteveW
August 3rd, 2010
9:09 am
Josh Smith has set 2 records (seriously) – he is the youngest player ever to reach 1,000 blocked shots.
And he had the greatest drop in the number of 3 point attempts in the history of the NBA. And maybe we can thank Mark Price for that?
SteveW
August 3rd, 2010
9:14 am
That blocked shots record didn’t sound right to me – but it’s true. Josh Smith has more career blocked shots that Dwight Howard + he’s about 2 1/2 weeks younger. I’m blow out by the blocked shots stat – wow!
SteveW
August 3rd, 2010
9:14 am
And I’m grateful for the 3 pt. stat!
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
9:18 am
Rumor-Mill!
Ryan, Shaq going to Europe is an old marketing tactic to get a NBA contract.
He wants more money than he is being offered by the NBA teams, not because he need the money,
but he need the love and an EGO massage. The Eddie Johnson pretty much summed all that up.
Shaq is in “Reality – Check” mode right now, I hope he comes around because he still has
NBA skills and value.
Hoops
August 3rd, 2010
9:34 am
Here’s a thought for improving the Hawks:
The Hawks trade Marvin and Bibby to the Pistons for T. Prince and J. Jerebok. The Pistons would get a starting SF to replace Prince and Bibby can back up Stuckey. The Hawks would get a better SF who has an expiring contract and a young PF that is a work horse that shows a lot of promise.
This trade gives the Hawks a lot of flexibility going forward. There would still be room for the 13th player to be another PG. Flip Murray is still a FA!
Swatguy
August 3rd, 2010
9:41 am
Shaq over Al is not the reason to start Shaq. Starting Shaq moves Al to Pf, moves Marvin to the second unit. The first sub can be Marvin, Jamal and Zaza in for Al, Shaq and Teague/Bibby. Bring Al, Bibby/Teague and Mo/Powell in for Josh, Joe and Zaza.
Balance, Power and flexability. This teams need strength, size, identity. Shaq brings much much more than what we have now. Shaq at 20 minutes a game and of course locker room presence is needed. Shaq is still unstoppable in the post. Al is a mid-range shooter and rebounder at his best, not a center even as he was an all-star (that shoulda been Josh).
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
9:47 am
Niremental
I’m sorry that you went to Publix for groceries and got “CARt – JACKED” in the parking lot.
But, the good news is that the perpetrator was apprehended and booked. You are safe to shop now.
One thing I know is what that feels like (violated), but rest assured, I and We true blogger friends know your
class level and more importantly – your writing style. Your imposter never stood a chance against
logic and reality.
Aye …. PUBLIX! Don’t mess with niremental, you don’t have enough BRAINS to steal his thoughts and penmanship.
Ha Ha Ha!
Go Nire!
Yetta
August 3rd, 2010
10:05 am
Did you say J. Smoove got married????????????????
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
10:15 am
You Betta!
Yetta – You – Betta!
Josh married Alexandria Lopez in a downtown Atlanta Hotel last Saturday night.
Dwight Howard was his best man!
Josh and Alexandria had been in a long-term relationship. Looks like the young man is growing up and settling down. I am very happy for him. Wish him and the new wife the best!
Freshfromatl
August 3rd, 2010
10:21 am
Lol @ publix!!!!!
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
10:30 am
Dark Horse in Georgia!
Aye MC: Zsa Zsa goes for. 26 points and 8 rebounds!
Do you think maybe what we are looking for was here all the time? Zsa Zsa is only 24 years old (correct me if I’m wrong?), do you think he has been overlooked as an improving player?
Do you think maybe he wasn’t utilized in the best way to help the team! I recall him being in Mr. Woodson’s proverbial dog-house during the past play-offs! His punishment was being benched and maybe that decision ultimately hurt the team.
Here’s my point: if Zsa Zsa is put in the best situations and is coached up some more? Can, he be that Guy?
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
10:36 am
Publix …
Where Shopping while Blogging is not a Pleasure!
northcyde
August 3rd, 2010
10:49 am
And I was partially mistaken about the schedule being released today. The full NBA schedule will be released next week ( Aug 10th ), but the “marquee games” will be announced today.
LEA
August 3rd, 2010
10:53 am
Za-Za would never score that much against players in the NBA, he is not someone who should EVER see major minutes on the floor.
Ken Strickland
August 3rd, 2010
10:55 am
When you step back and take a serious look at the Shaq situation, it appears he’s only concerned with himself. How can some of you still what to bring him in here when it’s blatantly obvious he’s only interested in starting, money, mins, and how he can milk the media for attention as he closes out the last 2 yrs in the NBA.
I wouldn’t touch his selfish, greedy, self serving, egotistical butt. Since Orlando hasn’t won a single title with DHoward, it’s obvious there are HC’s that know how to eliminate them without Shaq, or anyone else that might be capable of stopping him single handedly. It’s funny, one of the reasons Woodson wasn’t retained was his inability to come up with anything that would even remotely make us competitive against Orlando.
He unsuccessfully focused all of his energy and effort on trying to stop DHoward, and in the process allowed JNelson and the rest of the Magic players to kill us. Some of you are just as obsessed with trying to stop DHoward as Woodson was. Hell, didn’t the Charlotte Bobcats still get swept after doing an excellent job of stopping and/or containing him in last yrs playoffs?
To beat the Magic, you stop, contain and/or limit the production and support he gets from his teammates. Then you make him work hard on both ends and wear him down by forcing him to carry his team on his shoulders the entire gm. By the 4th quarter, he’s either exhausted, in foul trouble or both.
In this case, you don’t concentrate all of your efforts on DEFENDING ONE PLAYER. You concentrate all of your efforts on defending the ball, especially on the perimeter. When the Celtics whipped Orlando in last yrs playoffs, their stifling DEF started with PG RRhondo and RAllen on the perimeter. Their solid perimeter DEF forced Dwight to move outside of his effective post up range to receive the entry pass. That’s when KPerkins, Big Baby and RWallace went to work making certain he remained outside of that range.
DHoward never worried about coming out of his effective range against us, because MBibby and JCrawford applied absolutely no ball pressure or resistance to their PG’s penetration and/or entry passes. THAT HAS GOT TO CHANGE!! Good perimeter ball pressure takes away certain passing angles and makes it more difficult for the entry pass to be made. When that occurs, it’s always the post person’s responsibility to create a more favorable entry angle, which usually means giving ground to reposition himself.
Howard then has to initiate his dribble in order to get back within his effective range before he can make an OFF move, which is when he becomes vulnerable to a quick double team. Fortunately, our players will no longer be forced to defend DHoward and the Magic, or anyone else for that matter, using Woodson’s stupid and ineffective DEF philosophy and approach.
Some of you are thinking in the past and worried about our abiility to stop a certain player or team based on our total ineffectiveness under the guidance of a DEF minded incompetent. If Woodson was still our HC, our only chance of even coming close to having a chance against Orlando would be to sign a center capable of stopping DHoward single handedly. FORTUNATELY, WE NO LONGER HAVE THAT PROBLEM.
HC LDrew has brought in 2 DEF mindsed assistants to deal exclusively with DEF matters, rather than trying to be a one man show. WE’RE IN GOOD HANDS PEOPLE.
please MC
August 3rd, 2010
11:09 am
MC…Just read your blog article and you could not sound more like a guy who is completely full of himself. First and foremost, while you are not having a problem coping, some people are not in a position of taking a mental break/vacation from there situations. So forgive me if your arrogance, and mere lack of tact does not go overlooked. Furthermore when you make inconsiderable statements, then refer to posters as “my blog people”, you sound even more like one of these self loathing, out of touch personalities.Get over yourself MC.
vava74
August 3rd, 2010
11:11 am
DrMaryB,
Zaza is 26 and will be 27 in February. Still young but no longer a spring chicken.
vava74
August 3rd, 2010
11:13 am
LEA,
Zaza’s career high is 27 points in 2007 against Washington.
victor
August 3rd, 2010
11:14 am
Well spoken Ken I concur with your analysis of our defensive effort against the Magic in the playoffs, under Woodson. We should do a much better job with better perimeter defense and I hope Coach Drew gets it done.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
11:15 am
Ken Strickland
(clap … clap … clap!). Now clap som$e more!
Fanþastic argument there. That sound logic will be very difficult for the canni-blogger to deal with.
That pretty much covers every perceivable angle re: bringing in Shaq to do one thing!
Unless he’s Colonel Sanders (remember the KFC slogan: We do one thing – Chicken?) , Then we can’t just focus on one thing – Howard! But …. Waite … KFC also owns Taco Bell and you order from both menus in the Drive- Thru. Dang! Charles Barkley does the Taco Bell commercials now (sorry Shaq! You’re even losing endorsements to retired players). I guess it is time to go see Europe!)
All jokes aside, Ken, those are excellent points made of how we need to address the Orlando Magic
hurdle. As Doc said in the huddles; “TOGETHER we Win this game!”. You can WIN it individually!
Doc runs the best huddle in the business!
I hope Drew can motivate ike that in game time situations!
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
11:24 am
Please MC
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you! Didn’t your Mamma & Daddy teach you that?
Guess not, you little disrespectful brat!
If you don’t like the commentary? Then get your “Scroll – On” and go pester some other
blog! The kids usually do that on My-Space and Face-Book. Try it, you might like it!
Aye … You sound like Truth-Serum! You might sneak in a punch here and there, but you won’t last.
So, get a job and a life! You will eventually run out of Library Cards too.
Ha .. Ha. … Ha!
Hoops
August 3rd, 2010
11:26 am
Ken Strickland,
In your communications with Rick Sund, suggest to him that he might want to look into this trade with the Pistons:
The Hawks trade Marvin and Bibby to the Pistons for T. Prince (expiring contract) and J. Jerebko. The Pistons would get a young starting SF to replace Prince and Bibby can back up Stuckey. The Hawks would get a better SF who has an expiring contract and a young PF that is a work horse that shows a lot of promise.
This trade gives the Hawks a lot of flexibility going forward. There would still be room for the 13th player to be another PG. Flip Murray is still a FA! This leaves the door open with a lot of expiring contracts (Flip, Crawford, Prince, Jerebko, Powell, & Collins) still available to the Hawks if something should come along that they must have flexibility in order to act on. This also ensures that re-signing Horford will be easy along with keeping Crawford if we choose to do so.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
11:29 am
* you can NOT win it individually! -Doc River’s play-off huddle-
Macaroni Tony
August 3rd, 2010
11:35 am
I just read that the Heat expects to play 34 national televised games. I wonder how many will the Hawks play. And in the Future Power Rankings we will not be in the top three.
Macaroni Tony
August 3rd, 2010
11:35 am
i mean in the top ten
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
11:57 am
@ 2 FOR JOHN: MC “I missed u man !!!!!!! Any insight on why LD would let Price walk ?”
not really. L.D.’s decision. he only has so many guys he can hire and my guess is he wanted a coach to fill a different role.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
11:59 am
@Swatguy: “Glad you’re back. Where are ASG in their court situation? A marketing type(in conversation with me) blamed owners not agreeing on Shaq was the reason he has not been signed. Is ASG split on acquiring Shaq and if so who wants Shaq and Who don’t? Do you sense Teague has slipped in the mind of some from Summer League. Is Teague still the favorite to start. A couple of pg/sg types are still out there namely Flip Murray and Rafer Alston. Do we need more guard play, do they think so?”
no idea on the ASG court situation. i think ASG is united in not wanting to pay the luxury tax, and ad have to do so to meet Shaq’s current demands i’d say they are united on that front.
everything i’ve heard says the Hawks think they are set with perimeter guys and are looking for another big.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:02 pm
@SteveW: “MC – the real question is did Sund suggest that he would spend the 3m from draft day on inside help? You said he did in an interview – was that your impression or not?
Josh Boone? Kwame Brown? If no Shaq, any thoughts on who the 13th man (a big) might be? Almost anybody would be better than the RandMo I saw in summer league.
P.S. I’m not totally against Kwame – his problems look more mental than anything to me. And he would be the 13th guy….”
without getting into the details of my conversations with sources, i would say there was definitely a plan in the organization that they could use the $3 mil to offset the luxury tax paid (and tax distribution lost) by signing a vet player. somewhere along the way that plan changed.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:03 pm
@ Big Ray: “MC back in da HOUSE! Hope you enjoyed your vacation. They’re always too short, if you ask me…”
thanks. . . . it was good to get a mental break.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:04 pm
@duker64: “nice to see you back M C. ready for football and watching if we sign another big KB might not be bad .Have you heard who new shooting coach might be?”
i think L.D.’s staff is set.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:05 pm
@northcyde: “Glad to have you back MC. I’m sure you didn’t miss all the whining and complaining that we all do at all. But here’s what I’m looking at now. The NBA schedule, I believe, comes out tomorrow. I’m looking at a few things when that schedule comes out.”
thanks. most of my blog people are cool, just hate that Truth-Serum ran some people off. . . . the league is set to announce its “marquee” games tonight, whatever that means. the full sked comes out next Tues.
UGA
August 3rd, 2010
12:07 pm
Hey MC, will we add a 14th guy? AND will we sign a veteran for the 13th spot and not rely on a camp invitee to fill that last spot? thanks
Melvin
August 3rd, 2010
12:09 pm
Ken Strick,
You made very valid points in your 10:55 post but you overlooked that fact that the Celtics has/had 4 guys (Big Babe, KP, KG, Sheed) that was capable to defend against Howard and 3 of the 4 were all taller than AL Horford. They didn’t stop Howard but they made it difficult for him to score b/c of the length and size of their bigs. Unlike the Hawks where Howard would have 1-2 quarters per game where he would dominate the Hawks and put the game of out reach.
I agree that the Hawks should not focus on stopping just Howard/Magic but Orlando present the same challenges as out elite teams that the Hawks must overcome which is size in the paint. Remember the Hawks got swept by the Cavs the previous year b/c the Cavs had the same size advantage against the Hawks. As assemble, the Hawks are okay to get thru the regular season b/c they play different quality teams each night but in the playoffs where you have to beat a good/great team 4 out of 7 games; the Hawks do not have the personnel in the paint.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:09 pm
@ Mike is back: “MC, Welcome Back!!!!!!!!!! I think the Hawks made their point with Shaq…they don’t want to try to play it too close…if they have any serious interest in signing Shaq…they need to do it now while they have the upper hand. Anything could happen between now and training camp…Perkins could struggle with his rehab or KG could have a set back…I bet you want see Boston procrastinat.”
thanks . . . the Hawks are in no hurry with Shaq as far as i can tell. and judging by Shaq’s comments on Kimmel last night he prefers to go to Boston.
ant banks
August 3rd, 2010
12:09 pm
some finer points of the princeton motion offense that larry drew will encorporate. this is a FAR CRY from last years’ iso-joe.
http://www.jes-basketball.com/animated/poffense1-4princeton1-4.html
Astro Joe
August 3rd, 2010
12:11 pm
MC, I was always under the impression that Price was a “consultant” (a designation I admittedly didn’t understand). Jim Todd seemingly was replaced by Gattison and Connor filled the lead assistant role. I think all other titles remained constant. All that to say that see there should be a slot for a shooting “consultant”. If Price isn’t the right man for the job, fine. But I would hate to see the ASG go with 1 less resource to help the players reach their potential. (Maybe they will go with a “player development” guy in lieu of a shooting consultant, that could address my next question).
One more thing, any thoughts on the “chemistry issues” that undermined the team during the playoffs? Are we to assume that each and every chemistry-destroying issue laid at the feet of the previous head coach?
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:11 pm
@ The Truth: “Welcome back MC. Dam 2 weeks seems like a long time with all this nonsense on the blog these days. With all this chatter still about Shaq. I’m going to say what others won’t say about this situation: With so much of an outcry for Shaq, what we are really saying is We Don’t Like our Current Backup Centers (Zaza and Collins), so, We Want Someone else Bigger and Better. It is unrealistic to expect Shaq, a future hall a famer, to play for vet min and be a forth option backup center off the bench. If this is what Sund is hoping for he is wasting his time.”
thanks . . . i see what you are saying but the market seems to be dictating Shaq’s role. to me it looks like he can be no better than the No. 2 center for any good team and the vet minimum seems to be the going price.
ant banks
August 3rd, 2010
12:12 pm
more princeton offense;
http://www.jes-basketball.com/animated/poffensemanprincetonone.html
niremetal
August 3rd, 2010
12:13 pm
I wouldn’t touch his selfish, greedy, self serving, egotistical butt.
Wow, 4 adjectives to describe Shaq’s rear and not one of them is “fat?” I’d deal with his personality stuff if Shaq were still in the same shape as he was in back in 2006 (I’d say 2002, but that’s not even in the realm of conceivable). But as it stands, his ass alone weighs more than the Rock of Gibraltar and I don’t know if we have a forklift big enough to move it back and forth across the court. Shaq was never a great defender even in his prime, but watching him try to defend the pick and roll last year was kinda like watching an oil tanker try to maneuver around a harbor. With the 2010 model of Shaq, the personality headaches he creates just aren’t worth it.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:15 pm
@O’Brien: “MC,
More reasons why the Detroit model worked.
1) They played a Lakers team that was old (Malone, GP among others), injured (Malone) and bickering (Shaq and Kobe)
2) They were coached by a HOF in Larry Brown.”
yep, that too. i think No. 2 also goes along with the defense and toughness. though having covered those Pistons during their battles with the Heat in ‘05 and ‘06 i will say that team was very annoying with all its whining, which also goes along with No. 2.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:18 pm
@drmaryb: “Aye MC: Zsa Zsa goes for. 26 points and 8 rebounds! Do you think maybe what we are looking for was here all the time? Zsa Zsa is only 24 years old (correct me if I’m wrong?), do you think he has been overlooked as an improving player? Do you think maybe he wasn’t utilized in the best way to help the team! I recall him being in Mr. Woodson’s proverbial dog-house during the past play-offs! His punishment was being benched and maybe that decision ultimately hurt the team. Here’s my point: if Zsa Zsa is put in the best situations and is coached up some more? Can, he be that Guy?”
it’s funny, before he left Zaza said he loves playing for the national team because he’s The Man. he said being the captain and taking the important shots boosts his confidence. i’ve always said Zaza is an adequate backup center with a reasonable contract. Woody didn’t like playing Al and Zaza in tandem but word is L.D. plans to do it more often.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:20 pm
@ please MC: “MC…Just read your blog article and you could not sound more like a guy who is completely full of himself. First and foremost, while you are not having a problem coping, some people are not in a position of taking a mental break/vacation from there situations. So forgive me if your arrogance, and mere lack of tact does not go overlooked. Furthermore when you make inconsiderable statements, then refer to posters as “my blog people”, you sound even more like one of these self loathing, out of touch personalities.Get over yourself MC.”
you must be new.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:24 pm
@UGA: “Hey MC, will we add a 14th guy? AND will we sign a veteran for the 13th spot and not rely on a camp invitee to fill that last spot? thanks”
indications so far are that they will stick with 13. it’s possible they could bring in some camp invitees and let them fight for that final spot.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
12:26 pm
@AJ: “MC, I was always under the impression that Price was a “consultant” (a designation I admittedly didn’t understand). Jim Todd seemingly was replaced by Gattison and Connor filled the lead assistant role. I think all other titles remained constant. All that to say that see there should be a slot for a shooting “consultant”. If Price isn’t the right man for the job, fine. But I would hate to see the ASG go with 1 less resource to help the players reach their potential. (Maybe they will go with a “player development” guy in lieu of a shooting consultant, that could address my next question).”
correct, Price technically was an “extra” assistant. L.D. hasn’t given any indication that there will be another consultant but that’s something i hope to ask him when i catch up with him (he’s out in Vegas for that camp).
SteveW
August 3rd, 2010
1:02 pm
MC – Thank you so much for solving the dispute between Nire and I:
“…without getting into the details of my conversations with sources, i would say there was definitely a plan in the organization that they could use the $3 mil to offset the luxury tax paid (and tax distribution lost) by signing a vet player. somewhere along the way that plan changed.”
My point exactly – and with the Hawks this close to being a championship caliber team – esp. with some breaks, I wanted them to stick to their original plan.
ZaZa and Horford – Hoopinion has been screaming about how good the Hawks are with those 2 on the floor together – we have a +5.3 with them on the floor together.
jora12
August 3rd, 2010
1:22 pm
LEA
I guess Gortat can be considered as an NBA player and Zaza scored most of his points when guarded by Gortat.
Under Woody he would never score that much because he played just too few minutes. Even if he played relatively extended minutes he was never allowed to take shots. Most of his points come from offensive borads that he gets. Maybe he should be given a chance sometimes. That’ll certainly boost his confidence.
ant banks
August 3rd, 2010
1:25 pm
i think that this hawks team will look totally different this upcomin’ season. with all of the ball movement, so many more players will be open, if their shots are fallin’. so many different players may lead scorin’.