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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
238 comments Add your comment
Melvin
August 2nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Welcome back MC
Derrick
August 2nd, 2010
3:13 pm
nice update MC
Rev in Tampa
August 2nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Welcome Back!!!!!
Derrick
August 2nd, 2010
3:18 pm
I’m sure the rest of the NBA is shaking in their sneakers after our Collins and Powell signings
hawks poop
August 2nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Good to have you back. First
Fundamentals
August 2nd, 2010
3:19 pm
Goodbye Truth Serum – Welcome back MC
Tony from Stone Mountain
August 2nd, 2010
3:25 pm
1st
nobody
August 2nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Its been awhile
doc
August 2nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Welcome back plenty of news plus a blog first expulsion
dsoll705
August 2nd, 2010
3:26 pm
thirteenth…
Stockdog
August 2nd, 2010
3:27 pm
First. Thank God your back. I agree with your assessment. Five dollars and Josh Powell gets you a cup of coffee. Can’t see where this helped us much. I guess another body will be good.
Tokyo Tom
August 2nd, 2010
3:27 pm
Welcome back!
G-Dot
August 2nd, 2010
3:29 pm
First
doc
August 2nd, 2010
3:29 pm
Found myself in moderation now andcstrwnge for one simple sentence
Like the Powell comment as I am not impressed in the pick up in the least
Tokyo Tom
August 2nd, 2010
3:29 pm
Whoops- hit the submit button too fast: When does training camp open & are there any other chances for JT to get in practice playing the point (summer leagues, etc) before training camp opens?
Stuart
August 2nd, 2010
3:32 pm
Just hope the Hawks can remain a legit contender… with or without Shaq… or, are there any other legit big men on the market? Who are the Hawks looking at to fill that last roster spot? Any change Mario West comes back (and gets playing time..)?
G-Dot
August 2nd, 2010
3:33 pm
MC please don’t ever leave us for that long ever again. Felt like the longest two weeks of my life. LOL! Who do you think fits for that final roster spot? Are we going to go get a big or a swingman?
Jay Dubu
August 2nd, 2010
3:33 pm
Welcome back, and thanks for the update all things Atlanta Hawks!!!
Stuart
August 2nd, 2010
3:33 pm
*chance
Rev in Tampa
August 2nd, 2010
3:34 pm
MC, it was painful to see Truth-Serum self-destruct in front of us. Most everyone migrated to the Fan Nest after that (even before the AJC shut down the blog). The biggest developments in the blog community include a memorable 12-hour debate betweeen SteveW and Niremetal. They parced Al Horford’s quote in your interview every way imaginable. And Ken Strickland is winning more hearts & minds to his position by consistently urging patience and cautious optimism toward the Hawks current ‘core’.
Jay Dubu
August 2nd, 2010
3:36 pm
Unless LD have a vastly different approach from what Woody had, and can get the players to buy into it, I don’t see how the Hawks can expect to be as good as last season. Forget being better. You have the same group of core players, and a bench that may have taken a step backwards (Powell).
Sautee
August 2nd, 2010
3:37 pm
Welcome back MC. Hope you got some good time off.
Why is the entire blog in bold?
MsDee
August 2nd, 2010
3:38 pm
YOU ARE BACK!! WE MISSED YA, MC!!
Astro Joe
August 2nd, 2010
3:39 pm
Welcome back. Just out of curiosity, did Evans injure his knee during the season, was it an old injury from just wear & tear over the years or did he hurt himself while riding a scooter with Monta Ellis?
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
3:39 pm
@ Melvin, Derrick, Rev, Fundamentals, doc, Stockdog,Tokyo:
thanks. i needed the mental break but back in action
@Toyko: “When does training camp open & are there any other chances for JT to get in practice playing the point (summer leagues, etc) before training camp opens?”
Hawks camp will open on or around Oct. 1. JT and Teague are in Vegas for a camp this week but i think that’s geared to individual skills.
Melvin
August 2nd, 2010
3:43 pm
MC,
I can’t seeing Shaq agree on both of those terms to play for the Hawks. I think he has too much pride to reduce himself to a journeymen that’s in need of a next gig. I think the Hawks will have to up their price before he accept a bench role…
hawks_4_life
August 2nd, 2010
3:48 pm
Hahaha truth serum…..
ant banks
August 2nd, 2010
3:50 pm
mc,
i am excited about the princeton motion offense that larry drew is goin’ to infuse into the hawks. do you think that this will translate into more wins? how will collins operate under this system? do you know anything about it?
MsDee
August 2nd, 2010
3:57 pm
I too have enjoyed Ken Strickland’s comments..he is very positive about the Hawks and the ASG’s decisions, for the most part. I have to agree with him totally!! I usually only read and few others on here due to the fact that most are too critical of the team they say they are ‘fans’ of. Sund and the ASG are making wise decisions right now, while still having money to play with later during the mid part of the season for final trades b4 the deadline. You dont break up a core that has increased in wins for the past 5-6years, that’s JUST STUPID! You find the obvious problem, and remove it. Case-in-point, Woody is gone! And you then add QUALITY help. Adding Shaq is not ness QUALITY HELP if he will only be the next Allen Iverson/Maubury by creating issues to a team who needs no added issues. And I’m not mad either at the Powell signing just yet, NONE OF US KNOWS WHAT HE CAN OFFER THE HAWKS DUE TO BEING BURIED ON THE BENCH WITH THE LAKERS, (THE WORLD CHAMPS). KOBE AND OTHERS TALK HIGHLY OF THIS GUY WHILE IN PRACTICE. HE COULD BE OUR GLEN “BIG BABY” DAVIS. AN UNDERSIZED HUSTLER!!
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
3:58 pm
@ AJ: “Welcome back. Just out of curiosity, did Evans injure his knee during the season, was it an old injury from just wear & tear over the years or did he hurt himself while riding a scooter with Monta Ellis?”
thanks . . . wear and tear for Mo. he’s on the shelf for 2-3 weeks.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:01 pm
@ Melvin: “I can’t seeing Shaq agree on both of those terms to play for the Hawks. I think he has too much pride to reduce himself to a journeymen that’s in need of a next gig. I think the Hawks will have to up their price before he accept a bench role…”
i tend to agree. he might be a journeyman for a team that has a real title shot but the problem is he’s burned bridges with three of what should be the top five or so teams: Miami, Orlando, and Lakers. i think the Hawks’ price isn’t going to go much above the minimum, if at all.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:01 pm
@ Melvin: “I can’t seeing Shaq agree on both of those terms to play for the Hawks. I think he has too much pride to reduce himself to a journeymen that’s in need of a next gig. I think the Hawks will have to up their price before he accept a bench role…”
i tend to agree. he might be a journeyman for a team that has a real title shot but the problem is he’s burned bridges with three of what should be the top five or so teams: Miami, Orlando, and Lakers. i think the Hawks’ price isn’t going to go much above the minimum, if at all.
Astro Joe
August 2nd, 2010
4:04 pm
MC, thanks.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:04 pm
@ ant banks: “i am excited about the princeton motion offense that larry drew is goin’ to infuse into the hawks. do you think that this will translate into more wins? how will collins operate under this system? do you know anything about it?”
all good questions, wish i had more answers. i don’t really see how the new offense could mean significantly more wins–53 is an accomplishment. what the Hawks hope is that it means better performance in the playoffs when opponents get locked in on scouting and defense gets tighter.
it was tough to tell about the offense in Vegas but you already could see lots more motion. LD is supposed to be having a clinic for his assistants soon to teach them the finer points of his offense. i’m hoping i can get access to that so i can understand it better, too.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:06 pm
@ Sautee: “Welcome back MC. Hope you got some good time off. Why is the entire blog in bold?”
i did, thanks. . . . because i screwed up the formatting. fixed.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:08 pm
@ Stuart: “Just hope the Hawks can remain a legit contender… with or without Shaq… or, are there any other legit big men on the market? Who are the Hawks looking at to fill that last roster spot? Any change Mario West comes back (and gets playing time..)?”
i’d say no on Mario or any other 1, 2 or 3. JC2 probably gets Mario’s minutes. the Hawks are still looking for another big. there’s not much out there. i think the Hawks are willing to be patient in case someone shakes free closer to training camp.
Melvin
August 2nd, 2010
4:09 pm
Thanks MC. I guess I can stop dreaming about Shaq in a Hawks uniform. Bring on Kwame Brown (with arms open)…
dap01
August 2nd, 2010
4:09 pm
MC: Glad you are back. What happened to the “exception” that came with the Childress trade? What happened to the $3,000,000 that came on draft night?
What do you think will happen with the 13th player? That is the minimun number for a team, so far the Hawks have achieved only the minimum.
Sautee
August 2nd, 2010
4:10 pm
MC,
Ahhh, thanks. My laptop was leaning over from the weight of all that boldness.
Any chance of a player-by-player report on what they worked on this summer?
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:10 pm
@G-Dot: “MC please don’t ever leave us for that long ever again. Felt like the longest two weeks of my life. LOL! Who do you think fits for that final roster spot? Are we going to go get a big or a swingman?”
haha. ain’t gonna lie and say i didn’t enjoy some R&R . . . .
each time i ask around about a swingman, i keep hearing the Hawks believe they are set there. so it’s most likely going to be a big.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:13 pm
@ Rev in Tampa: thanks for the updates. i really don’t understand Truth-Serum. when he wasn’t being a jerk, he added something to the discussion. i didn’t agree with 99 percent of it it but he was within the bounds of civil discourse. but then he would suddenly go back to his scorched earth act. it must take a lot of time to create all those screen names and post that garbage. i don’t see why anyone would want to do it.
which Horford quote did they debate?
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:15 pm
@dap01: “MC: Glad you are back. What happened to the “exception” that came with the Childress trade? What happened to the $3,000,000 that came on draft night? What do you think will happen with the 13th player? That is the minimun number for a team, so far the Hawks have achieved only the minimum.”
thanks . . . they still have the exception, which is good for one year after the trade was completed. i’m assuming the $3 mil is in ASG’s account. the Hawks still want another big for the 13th spot but are willing to wait things out until closer to camp.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
4:16 pm
@ Sautee: “Any chance of a player-by-player report on what they worked on this summer?”
hope to run all that down as best i can. as you might imagine, these dudes aren’t very reachable during the summer, especially for a reporter. can’t say i blame them.
MsDee
August 2nd, 2010
4:21 pm
MC,
Out of all the players, I’m really only concern with what is Marvin doing in the summer? Is he one of the guys you were trying to run down?
Rev in Tampa
August 2nd, 2010
4:22 pm
MC, I am including SteveW’s summation of the argument at the point at which niremetal went to bed. But the argument started up the following morning.
SteveW wrote:
Niremetal – I mean, what facts do you deny? Which are my opinion and I state them as facts?
1) Did Yahoo sports report on April 26th that ATL was shopping it’s 1st pick? Fact or opinion?
2) Was there a negative fan backlash? Fact or opinion?
3) Did Micheal Gearon Jr. refute the shopping of the 1st pick on MC’s Twitter on April 29th? Fact or opinion?
4) Did the Hawks recieve the equivalent of selling the 1st pick bsically, by selling the 31st pick, and the savings of the slotting between the 24th pick and the 27th pick – fact or opinion?
5) Did MC report that in context, Sund indicated that the 3m as to be used on vets, later identified as vet bigs -and MC was there present – fact or opinion?
6) Did Horford say he was waiting to see what other Free Agents that ATL pursued before contemplating his future – fact or opinion?
7) Did Horford say we needed an impact Center to be a conteder in the East – fact or opinion?
If we have to have 13 guys per league rules – and we had 3 vet bigs at the league minimum – wouldn’t you assume that Horford was talking about something other than vet minimum players? And if so, what money would ATL use to acquire them? The 3m! Fact or opinion?
I Heart Atlanta
August 2nd, 2010
4:25 pm
M.C. SOOOO GLAD UR BACK!!!!!!
Do You think Shaq would actually go overseas? I couldn’t see it happening
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
4:26 pm
I dont care how many reg season games we win. Just dont get embarrased in the 2nd rd.
The Real JC
August 2nd, 2010
4:26 pm
Welcome back, MC!
Glad to see Mark Price gone – I could be the Hawks shooting coach. “Joe, Jamal, shoot. Josh, don’t. Marvin, Al, shoot if you’re open.”
Rev in Tampa
August 2nd, 2010
4:27 pm
One of the underlying issues, that is only alluded to in SteveW’s quote, is that Horford might leave the Hawks if the management does not bring in a true center. The quote in question is Horford’s desire to have help down low for Josh and himself.
niremetal
August 2nd, 2010
4:30 pm
Welcome back, MC. I think that Powell is one of those guys for whom stats are bound to be misleading considering that he was backing up Gasol and Odom and, when he made it to the floor, was asked to do pretty much nothing except play on-ball post D and rebound. Personally, I liked the way he played. Whether he brings anything to the table besides a good attitude and good hustle remains to be seen.
Mr. Phil
August 2nd, 2010
4:32 pm
@MC
“LD is supposed to be having a clinic for his assistants soon to teach them the finer points of his offense.’
I am looking forward to that article.
I would also be interested in how/who/when this offense was developed.
Is it something LD just dreamed up one day? Has he gotten input from anybody else on the potential effectiveness of this offense? Is this going to be some kind of fad thing that is not really effective for the first team to try it but turns out to be pure genius 15 to 20 years later (see west coast offense in the NFL) ?
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
4:33 pm
Sign Damien Wilkins and Earl Watson and move on. If we want to go BIG, play Teague/JJ/Smith/Horford/Zaza. No need to waste $ on Shaquille OLDneal. Horford and Zaza actually played well together last year, but old stubborn butt still would’nt play em together that much.
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
4:37 pm
Or we could even go Marvin/Horford/Zaza at times. Or Smith/Horford/Collins? Or Smith/Powell/Horford? Got a few options that we would’nt have under Woody’s nonflexibile behind.
Freshfromatl
August 2nd, 2010
4:39 pm
Terrell,
I agree with your comment. Good post.
MsDee
August 2nd, 2010
4:40 pm
Oh is Damian Wilkins still on the market? We could use his hustle. He could be our ‘Mario West’, just with Offense to go with his defense!
Reginald
August 2nd, 2010
4:41 pm
MC
Any chance the Hawks make a trade at some point before the season or possibly early on into the season? Marvin Williams’ name has been mentioned in these trade talks
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
4:44 pm
Cant believe we dont think we need another sf. Mo is a 2 guard, not a sf. Damien Wilikins fits the bill. Cant believe Dominique hasnt put a word in for him. Talk about a “heat check”.
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
4:50 pm
MsDee, he worked out for Cleveland, but they just signed Joey Graham.
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
4:52 pm
Reginald, I cant see them moving Marvin, and leaving us with Mo Evans at sf. Yikes! Unless they plan on moving JJ to sf, I cant asee it happening.
KevinM
August 2nd, 2010
4:55 pm
Ken Strickland-alias Rick Sund
Hasn’t anyone figured that out yet? All about employee #2 and the core.
Enough said there………
MC-welcome back, someone needed to admin this blog…..lots of crazies out there….and then they lock up the only blog left while you are gone……
I gotta agree MC-little happened while you were gone, and few were surprised.
Same core, one new bench player, and we are going to squeeze in a 13th player on the roster…why waste $$ on slots 14 and 15?
This team is the best team you can buy under the salary cap. Problem is, only the Hawks are playing by these rules for those who have championship hopes.
As long as Shaq isn’t signed, there’s always that limited window!
What’s funny, is that I just saw Mark Price this am at a ChikFilA and was going to ask him if how things were going under LD? Good thing I didn’t huh?
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
4:57 pm
How bout a lineup of Jamal/Jo Craw/JJ/Josh/Al to finish a game? Dont know about the defense, but what an offensive nightmare for the opposing team.
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
4:58 pm
Mark Price out. Tyronne Hill should be next. How you gonna teach post moves, when you never had em?
Prison Mike
August 2nd, 2010
4:59 pm
It’s funny that the truth serum blip is the most interesting part of this piece, no offense of course just slow as molasses unless you aren’t a cheat fan.
ILL-Logical
August 2nd, 2010
5:01 pm
All is right with the world again-MC has returned. And he brought news.
Question: After a full season on the beat under your belt, what is your assessment of the Hawks ability to compete successfully in the new star focused environment of the NBA? Can they be very successful and rise in the ranks or will it all be about the Lakers vs the Heat?
O'Brien
August 2nd, 2010
5:04 pm
terrell,
I also dont think Mo is a good backup SF. But I think the Hawks will give JJ minutes at backup SF, so they can have him and Jamal on the court at the same time.
Prison Mike
August 2nd, 2010
5:05 pm
Was going to suggest jamal crawford for joel pryzbilla because both have expirings but they just signed wes matthews to a huge deal, damn shame that would be a good deal for both teams. Come to think of it their depth chart is 1. Oden 2. Camby 3. Pryzbilla and joel is coming off a major injury, hmmmmmm.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:08 pm
@MsDee: “Out of all the players, I’m really only concern with what is Marvin doing in the summer? Is he one of the guys you were trying to run down?”
yes. last time i saw him, i think it was during the summer camp before Vegas, he was pretty vague when i asked him specifics on what he was working on (and really most guys are vague when i ask that kind of stuff). Marvin is supposed to be at some event this weekend so hopefully i can make another run at him.
The Real JC
August 2nd, 2010
5:19 pm
@terrell – couldn’t agree more. Nothing like shedding the image of Woody 2 than getting rid of his cohorts.
Kenny Gattison and Lester Connor will have much more of an effect on this team than Jason Collins and Josh Powell.
The Real JC
August 2nd, 2010
5:26 pm
@KevinM – I ran into Price at the airport last year. Not much of a talker. Maybe that’s why he didn’t work out as a coach?
Najeh Davenpoop
August 2nd, 2010
5:30 pm
Not a big fan of letting Mark Price go. Can’t see how having a guy with his accomplishments and credibility on the bench for a team that has a couple of players who desperately need to improve their shooting is a good thing.
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
5:31 pm
MC, JC2 better get more than Mario’s minutes.
Hoops
August 2nd, 2010
5:32 pm
The Hawks have had recent discussions with the Cavs and the Pistons. I would like to see the following moves if the Hawks are serious about improving:
Cavs & Hawks trade-Cavs get Marvin & Bibby. Hawks get Shaq (S&T), Sessions, and Moon. The contracts work.
Pistons & Hawks trade-Pistons get Josh Smith. Hawks get T. Prince (expiring contract) and Jonas Jerebko.
I don’t like giving up Josh Smith, but this makes the Hawks a much better team IMHO and they have expiring contracts to re-sign Horford and possibly Crawford the next season.
PG-Sessions/Teague
SG-JJ/Crawford/Crawford2
SF-Prince/Moon/Evans
PF-Horford/Powell/Jerebko
C-Shaq/Zaza/Collins
We can have this line up and stay under the luxury tax level easy.
I Heart Atlanta
August 2nd, 2010
5:32 pm
MC!!!!!!!!
What number is Powell going to wear?????
Thanks in ADVANCE
PUBLIX
August 2nd, 2010
5:33 pm
I don’t understand why the Hawks have not signed a C yet. We have Bibby under contract and should definitely get rid of him for something. I would keep Marvin for right now just because he is still young and we have a new coach. Bibby has had his great time and is just collecting money at this point.
I would not mind seeing a McGee in Atlanta, maybe a 3 team trade like Bibby and first round draft pick to Bobcats (need a PG), Stephen Jackson to Washingtong (need a SF) and McGee plus second round draft pick to Hawks. Everyone gets better! We finally get an unproven C who has a ton of potential.
MC what do you think?
PUBLIX
August 2nd, 2010
5:36 pm
I would love McGee more then any C at this point. He is very unselfish, athletic as hell and very very young. I give him 2 years before he is an All Star.
Wabe
August 2nd, 2010
5:36 pm
“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.”
Hilarious. Good stuff MC.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:38 pm
@ Rev: wow, that’s pretty intense, haha. i already got an email from niremetal asking me to help clear things up.
as for Horford’s quote, he didn’t come close to saying he would leave if the Hawks don’t bring in a center. he did hint that he’d like to see which direction the team goes, but he also said he didn’t even know what the Hawks are thinking. i think the gist of it was that it was too early to say what would happen with his contract. Al is s another guy i want to run down to see what he’s thinking, but he’s in the DR right now.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:40 pm
@niremetal: “Welcome back, MC. I think that Powell is one of those guys for whom stats are bound to be misleading considering that he was backing up Gasol and Odom and, when he made it to the floor, was asked to do pretty much nothing except play on-ball post D and rebound.”
that could be. it’s hard to say since he will be in a different team context now. the Hawks say he has a nice shot.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 2nd, 2010
5:41 pm
I meant to say can’t see how having a guy like him is a bad thing.
Count me in as one of the people who would like to know what Marvin is doing this offseason to improve. Hopefully he’s working on outside shooting and defense.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:42 pm
@ Mr. Phil: “I would also be interested in how/who/when this offense was developed. Is it something LD just dreamed up one day? Has he gotten input from anybody else on the potential effectiveness of this offense? Is this going to be some kind of fad thing that is not really effective for the first team to try it but turns out to be pure genius 15 to 20 years later (see west coast offense in the NFL) ?”
it’s definitely got some Princeton principles to it. L.D. and Teague said the Nets ran some aspects of it during the Kidd days. my guess is that it’s a mish-mash of several different philosophies. i hope i can get into that clinic.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:44 pm
@ I Heart Atlanta: “M.C. SOOOO GLAD UR BACK!!!!!! Do You think Shaq would actually go overseas? I couldn’t see it happening”
thanks . . . i can’t see it happening, either. if playing backup minutes for the vet minimum hurts his ego, i’ve got to think Europe, even for more cash, would hurt more.
UGA
August 2nd, 2010
5:44 pm
MC:
Will the Hawks sign a 14th guy for cheap? It would make since to get another PG or PF who can stretch the floor with his shooting. For example, Bobby Brown and Rob Kurz
UGA
August 2nd, 2010
5:46 pm
MC:
Don’t you think Josh Boone would be a good fit here for that 13th spot? I’m sure we could get him for the minimum.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:46 pm
@ Reginald: “Any chance the Hawks make a trade at some point before the season or possibly early on into the season? Marvin Williams’ name has been mentioned in these trade talks”
sure, they could make a trade. but i really haven’t sensed much enthusiasm for moving Marvin. i’ve read elsewhere that they are eager to send him away so maybe i’m off but everything i’ve been able to gather is they consider Marvin as part of the proverbial “core” and aren’t really looking to move him.
PUBLIX
August 2nd, 2010
5:48 pm
We need a C, one who can run not an old Shaq. Get McGee!
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:49 pm
@KevinM: “What’s funny, is that I just saw Mark Price this am at a ChikFilA and was going to ask him if how things were going under LD? Good thing I didn’t huh?”
haha, yeah, that could have been awkward. it sucks that the comments got out of hand when i was gone and the admins had to shut it down. monitoring the comments is part of my job but i guess there was no one to do it while i was gone. it’s no secret staffing is an issue for newspapers and it only gets worse in the lean summer days. but a brotha had to take some time off.
PUBLIX
August 2nd, 2010
5:49 pm
you get Shaq and you have yourself an Albert Haynesworth of ATL
PUBLIX
August 2nd, 2010
5:51 pm
“where shopping is a pleasure”
Rod from College Park
August 2nd, 2010
5:51 pm
@MsDee: “Out of all the players, I’m really only concern with what is Marvin doing in the summer? Is he one of the guys you were trying to run down?”
yes. last time i saw him, i think it was during the summer camp before Vegas, he was pretty vague when i asked him specifics on what he was working on (and really most guys are vague when i ask that kind of stuff). Marvin is supposed to be at some event this weekend so hopefully i can make another run at him.
Vague pretty much describes his game. Hopefully he is taking ballet, which would help him with coordination, and maybe he has visited the wizard, and asked for some heart.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 2nd, 2010
5:52 pm
MC
Welcome Home! Thank You for all the tid-bits! Yeah Man … TS jacked my I’d along with
Grand-Dad & Sautee, totally un-provoked, me because I chose to ignore his ignorant ISH.
Crazy people don’t like being ignored! I definitely emailed a complaint and your staff listened.
Now, we have our blog back!
Hallelujah!
Lots of Love in the air with all the celebrity weddings this weekend:
Congratulations and best wishes to all the unions.
Wow! I’m just glad you’re back and we can get some inside tid-bits on the Hawks!
Shaq is in reality mode and hopefully returns to the NBA this year – If not here? Somewhere.
Shaq still has talent to help a team if he realizes his current status and roles.
I still hope we can land him here.
Best Wishes to the new HC and his staff! We have a lot of under-utilized talent on the roster and
I hope Jason gets a chance to play!
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:53 pm
@ILL-Logical: “After a full season on the beat under your belt, what is your assessment of the Hawks ability to compete successfully in the new star focused environment of the NBA? Can they be very successful and rise in the ranks or will it all be about the Lakers vs the Heat?”
the Hawks, as always, certainly have potential to be better. but here is the thing. the Hawks often bring up those Larry Brown Pistons as an example of a so-called star-less team that won a title. that’s true. but i don’t think it’s a very good analogy because a) those Pistons teams were tenacious on defense and tough-minded and i don’t think anyone would say the Hawks are either of those things right now and b) it only happened once. the Pistons are an outlier to the rule that you need superstars to win it all.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:55 pm
@terrell: “MC, JC2 better get more than Mario’s minutes.”
haha, i feel ya. i think he will.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
5:57 pm
@ I Heart Atlanta: “MC!!!!!!!! What number is Powell going to wear????? Thanks in ADVANCE”
trying to find out, will let you know.
I Heart Atlanta
August 2nd, 2010
5:59 pm
Appreciate it MC, i know he can’t wear 21 anymore
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
6:03 pm
@ I Heart Atlanta: Powell hasn’t decided on a number yet because, as you say, No. 21 is out.
Michael Cunningham
August 2nd, 2010
6:05 pm
@drmaryb: thanks . . . . my guess is Shaq will wait until closer to training camp to see how the contenders’ rosters look then.
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
6:07 pm
Why would the Wizards give up McGee? The nerve of some people.
I Heart Atlanta
August 2nd, 2010
6:09 pm
Appreciate it MC
Glad to have u back
Melvin
August 2nd, 2010
6:12 pm
MC,
I thought the Hawks had interest in Kwame Brown. Do you know if they are talking to him?
2 FOR JOHN DREW
August 2nd, 2010
6:20 pm
MC
I missed u man !!!!!!!
Any insight on why LD would let Price walk ?
Swatguy
August 2nd, 2010
6:24 pm
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?
Rev in Tampa
August 2nd, 2010
6:34 pm
Detroit only has twelve players on their roster and only two centers (Ben Wallace & Jason Maxiell). I hope the Pistons sign Kwame so my gut won’t wrench every time he is suggested as a center for the Hawks.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 2nd, 2010
6:49 pm
Rev in Tampa
Amen! Kwame is a total waste of human tissue – basketball wise.
We don’t need that Hot-Garbage in here. I’d rather see Jason Collins get some burn.
Isn’t he a 7 Footer? I heard he has lost a lot of weight and is working out.
He should go boxing with Zsa-Zsa and work on his foot-speed and stamina.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2010
7:00 pm
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….
drmaryb (*_*)
August 2nd, 2010
7:06 pm
SteveW
Baby, mental problems is really, really, really bad.
Tell Kwame’s agent to sell crazy someplace else – we’re all stocked up here!
Sorry, but I’d rather see “Harry The Hawk” sitting in that musical chair #13.
Rev in Tampa
August 2nd, 2010
7:20 pm
My biggest gripe with Kwame is that he is at best a work in progress. The Hawks don’t need another center to ride the bench. Horford needs real help at center. Shaq is available and represents real help down low but everyone needs to understand that he is not our ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. If he comes to the Hawks’ terms then sign him for the box office draw. But otherwise wait for the trade deadline. A much better center will likely be available.
If not Shaq, then what about the 13th pick? Sign a young point guard for the minimum for extra depth.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2010
7:23 pm
Drmaryb – Hilarious!
Rev in Tampa – I think we’re getting a big regardless with #13. It’s basically to take RandMo’s spot, unless somebody sees something in him we don’t, and he comes back.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2010
7:25 pm
And I really think we’re going to look at JoCrawford as a combo guard, to see if he could play some PG also – kinda like Jamal.
Rev in Tampa
August 2nd, 2010
7:32 pm
SteveW, that’s my point. This 13th spot will be wasted unless we are able to sign Shaq and, as the market is beginning to show, he is of limited value. Sign somebody who can at least push Teague in practice. There is not enough quaility left on the free-agent market to help us get past the second round of the playoffs. And the Hawks have said several times that they are not going to trade their ‘core’.
Blast
August 2nd, 2010
7:35 pm
MC, welcome back, Mr. Blog Police.
Nice updates.
Nicer to know you kicked out Truth Serum. Hilarious in fact. Can you imagine his blog addicted self reading the blog but not able to participate? Must be driving him crazier than he already is. The blog feels clean and fresh. So far. Good job!
Rest In Peace, Lorenzen Wright.
Roast in Hell, his cowardly killers.
Big Ray
August 2nd, 2010
7:37 pm
MC back in da HOUSE!
Hope you enjoyed your vacation. They’re always too short, if you ask me…
Big Ray
August 2nd, 2010
7:38 pm
Swatguy ,
What? The owners couldn’t agree on something? No!
Big Ray
August 2nd, 2010
7:39 pm
I guess Mark Price will try and catch on elsewhere. Of course, it’s not like he was doing such a brilliant job as a shooting coach. Either that or the guys tuned him out like they did Woody….ok, that was wrong , but I just had to!
mountain_jim
August 2nd, 2010
7:53 pm
Welcome back and thanks for the good summary of the period, MC.
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
7:58 pm
Obrien, if JJ is the starting 2 guard and the backup sf, he’d be gettin hella minutes. Considering Marvin’s usually the 1st person pulled. But seriously, we need to find a taker for Bibby and Mo’s expiring contracts. They could be EASILY replaced.
MannyT
August 2nd, 2010
8:03 pm
Welcome back, MC.
I’m not surprised that things went wild when the summer cannibloggers were left unattended.
Thanks for the updates.
terrell
August 2nd, 2010
8:06 pm
Oh yeah, Bibby expires after next year. Wow! Who in their right mind would sign Bibby to a 3 year contract??? With a player option in the final year for that matter? Must have one hell of an agent. Or Woody had to be one of the biggest Turkey’s ever. I think I’ll go with the latter.
Swatguy
August 2nd, 2010
8:08 pm
Oh, Big Ray responds.
How about the rest of my questions?
Court issue. Another Guard, Teague ready/not ?
How split is ASG on Shaq?
duker64
August 2nd, 2010
8:14 pm
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?
duker64
August 2nd, 2010
8:15 pm
the summer leg . was nice but too short.
northcyde
August 2nd, 2010
8:19 pm
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.
1) When do we first play Orlando?
No matter what anybody says, showing that we can hang with and beat Orlando, is the #1 objective in the regular season. Or at least it should be. This is really the only team in the league that we can’t hang with on a consistent basis
A win over Orlando convinces most fans that the Hawks may be ready to get over the hump. A convincing win turns Larry Drew into a fan favorite and a legit technical mind.
A loss to Orlando, especially another blowout loss, will send the fan base into panic mode, regardless of our record. Another bad loss to the Magic is going to solidify that we just have personnel matchups when playing Orlando.
***********
- How many National TV games do we have?
This is an important question, as it pretains to how marketable the Hawks are perceived to be, to the league and to the major NBA networks. I think they indicate which teams will be on national TV as soon as the schedule is released. If not, keep this in mind anyway.
We all know that Miami is going to be the perferred East team to be on TV, and the Lakers are the preference amongst West teams. And Boston, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and Orlando will all get their share of games.
The question is . . where do the Hawks fit in on the national TV scale? And maybe a bigger question is this one . . . are the Hawks perceived to be more of a TV draw than Chicago, New York, Portland, Utah, New Orleans, and now even Oklahoma City?
Also, look to see how many Thursday night and early Sunday afternoon games we have. Thursday night usually means a TNT broadcast. Early Sunday afternoon ( especially from Feb – Apr ), usually mean an ABC broadcast. It’ll be interesting to see if we can at least be the lesser marquee team matched up against a “big boy” on either of those nights.
*********
- Which months are the most difficult and easiest on the schedule?
If you believe in conspiracy theories, there is no question that when you look at last year’s schedule, the NBA purposely tried to eliminate us from the top 4, with that brutal January schedule that we faced. LOL . . plus we had to play Cleveland on back to back nights right before New Year’s Eve. It was a brutal stretch of games, but the Hawks survived it without major damage.
On the flip side, we had a pretty favorable run of games from the start of the season until Christmas, that helped us get out to that 19 – 6 record. With our new head coach and new “systems”, I definitely want an “easy” November . . or as easy as we can get it.
Mike is back
August 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
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.
You made an excellent point about the signing of Powell…I like him…but I can’t see where he is that much of an upgrade over Joe.
Right now, you have an opportunity to bring in someone that can fill a need on your team. Accept the fact that you might have to spend some of that 3mil to get Shaq to sign…before go another season with out getting Josh and Al some quality help…even with LD’s new system…they will still be worn down by the playoff.
Sund and the ASG always try to get the cheapest deal…so times…be smart go with a good deal…when it’s available. In Shaq case because of his revenue impact…you can go with a good deal and still win. Get JJ, Josh, and Al to start sending out some tweets…find out what its going to take to get a deal done…and do it.
WHO IS STILL AVAILABLE THAT CAN HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT ON YOUR TEAM AND YOUR REVENUE THAN SHAQ…man the F up…keep your word…spend that 3mil on a Vet Big…give the fans something to be excited about…ATL fans like to dream too. For once be proactive..jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!!
DHoward said he liked the Hawks current roster…trust me…during the playoff…I could tell. lol
northcyde
August 2nd, 2010
8:49 pm
And as for the national TV angle, I still say that Shaq on the Hawks adds 5 more national TV games to whatever number of games we’re gonna be scheduled for.
Melvin
August 2nd, 2010
9:02 pm
I like this article by Eddie Johnson. Who suggest the Hawks would be the ideal team for his services….
http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/johnson/2010/08/02/shaq-in-unfamiliar-territory/
Samuel
August 2nd, 2010
9:17 pm
One of the things I absolutely hate about the NBA now a days is this penciling in of starters just because. I really don’t blame Shaq for not signing anywhere that automatically says he will come off the bench. I could see him signing for the min but not both. You guys always bash Woody for not being fair but in the same breath pencil in starters. Let’s be fair. If Shaq comes here, let the chips fall where they may.
That’s why I can’t see him coming here. It would be too hard to put a guy on the bench, all the while he was “OWNING” your All-star in practice every day and “taking his lunch money” as Truth would say. Get real.
Mike is back
August 2nd, 2010
9:21 pm
Melvin, nice link.
Samuel
August 2nd, 2010
9:22 pm
Like my pops used to say. “You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken sh_t”. Atlanta just doesn’t have many shooter. JJ, Bibby and that’s about it. It wasn’t Mark Price’s fault.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 2nd, 2010
9:26 pm
“It would be too hard to put a guy on the bench, all the while he was “OWNING” your All-star in practice every day and “taking his lunch money” as Truth would say.”
The NBA is not a one-on-one game. Against over 90% of the NBA’s teams, Al Horford is a better starting center than Shaquille O’Neal. The reason bringing in Shaq (with no strings attached) is a good idea is because one of those few other teams is the Hawks’ roadblock to making the conference finals.
That said, if Shaq comes in and thoroughly outplays Horford in his minutes for whatever reason, of course I’ll be saying he should start. At this stage in Shaq’s career, though, that is highly unlikely. “Letting the chips fall where they may” makes perfect sense, but reports are that Shaq wants to have a starting job guaranteed. That doesn’t make much sense for this team, and most other teams for that matter.
Sautee
August 2nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Najeh,
word
Mike is back
August 2nd, 2010
10:01 pm
Najeah, he might say that…but reality says different…at this point…I think if you get some where near an acceptable range on his on his Salary…he would accept a back-up role on a contender.
Mike is back
August 2nd, 2010
10:14 pm
The much malign one Terrance Moore…writing for FanHouse.com…dang…tha scrapping the bottom of barrel. lol
buckhead benny
August 2nd, 2010
10:17 pm
Do you not think ASG has to be kicking themselves for not keeping the 31st pick? its much cheaper and they could have filled it with a strong power foward lawal or a great backup center as a rookie that could grow? trading that for money is going to come back to haunt them you mark my word on the guys that end up being real players.
The Truth
August 2nd, 2010
10:18 pm
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.
Tony
August 2nd, 2010
10:43 pm
MC, Welcome Back!!! We missed you especially since you are the only insider I know that focuses solely on the Atlanta Hawks.
truthspitter
August 2nd, 2010
10:48 pm
Hawks are having the worse offseason of any team that should make playoffs next year
niremetal
August 2nd, 2010
11:00 pm
All I know is that Josh’s free throw percentage dropped 10 points after Price arrived and didn’t improve. Horford’s midrange shot was definitely doing better last year, but I saw no other evidence of players with improved shots. Teague’s still looks like he studied under someone at the Shawn Marion Ministry for Ugly Shots.
Steve Smith is right around the corner. Just sayin.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 2nd, 2010
11:09 pm
“Do you not think ASG has to be kicking themselves for not keeping the 31st pick? ”
I think Michael Gearon has that $3 million in a bathtub somewhere, and every now and then he rolls around in it Cartman style. They damn sure ain’t spending it on anything.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 2nd, 2010
11:12 pm
“I think if you get some where near an acceptable range on his on his Salary…he would accept a back-up role on a contender.”
If he is fine with being a backup, there is no reason for the Hawks not to bring him in.
Rev in Tampa
August 2nd, 2010
11:53 pm
niremetal, what happed to your last post? What’s with all the ddd’s?
drmaryb (*_*)
August 2nd, 2010
11:57 pm
Nire
Are you drinking again?
Or did Truth-Serum sneak on here and jack your I’d?
SteveW
August 2nd, 2010
11:59 pm
Looks like the Hawks, Celtics, Cavs (yes, there reportedly back in it), and Europe may have some competition for Shaq – Denver.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/02/shaquille-oneal-to-nugget_n_668068.html
Detroit newspaper is also reporting that Kwame won’t be back for the Pistons – the most likely destination is the Celtics.
SteveW
August 3rd, 2010
12:01 am
The above article does note that the move makes sense for the Nuggets, but their not actively pursuing Shaq at this time.
Ken Strickland
August 3rd, 2010
12:43 am
SAMUEL-You have got to be kidding, but then again, probably not. Your beloved Woody was the absolute KING OF PENCILING IN STARTERS. The only was any other Hawk player would ever get any starting consideration was if a starter was injured. Bibby and Marvin could literally stink up the place, and/or disappear for a stretch of gms, and you knew Woody would pencil them in as starters no matter what.
Matt = niremetal
August 3rd, 2010
1:13 am
The 11:26 and 11:29 were not the real niremetal. Maybe T-S found a new library to post from.
Grandad
August 3rd, 2010
1:42 am
Welcome back MC;
Everbody needs some time to re-charge,
but ain’t it nice to be missed?
Some random comments:
(1) I was also not a big fan of Mark Price.
Josh showed no improvement / nor have I seen any adjustments.
[Josh - FT 's or outside shot]
What he MP accomplished does not [necessarily] translate to teaching.
(2) I doubt LD hires a shooting coach.
(3) I feel sorry for TS, a troubled soul. [no pun]
(4) We do not ”Need” Shaq. (Need) is the -key- word.
We may could use him but not Need him.
(5) Kwame – Please,Please No! + he’s not 7 ft. 6-10 sans shoes.
(6) People…..don’t get overanxious about Jordan Crawford.
Eventually, should be a nice player.
Remember, patience is a virtue.
I fear some of you may have him a tad overrated.
(7) Once again patience is in order:
A trade is the current best way to upgrade our talent for next season.
Some players must wait 60 days before they can be packaged with
another player. My favorite…..Alex Ajinca…..mid Sept. can be pkg.
wi. another player in a trade; hypothetical, with us for ______ ________
[fill in the blank] plus our TPE. *(1st blank 6 letters, 2nd blank 8 letters)
that would
(8) Josh Powell – Glue guy, underrated. Not talkin’ about talent. Battier-esque
Tough, hard nosed, brings it every day in practice, *(truly important)
great teammate, High character, Leader & he’s gonna be a good role player.
Not to mention…..He wants to be here.
Evenin’
Grandad
August 3rd, 2010
1:55 am
I have no idea why this phrase *[([ ''that would'' ])]* appeared
just above # 8 in my previous post @ 1:42 AM.
Realizing I’m the only dork that could have caused it…..,
it baffles me nonetheless.
sincerely’
G-dad
jora12
August 3rd, 2010
3:05 am
Just to let you know. Yesterday Georgia beat Poland 84 – 65. Zaza had 26 points and 8 boards (all of them offencive) in 27 minutes while he limited Gortat to only 10 points and 3 boards.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.html
MsDee
August 3rd, 2010
5:27 am
Great news on Zaza..those boxing moves are paying off after all!!
O'Brien
August 3rd, 2010
7:29 am
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.
terrell,
JJ will not be the primary backup at SF. Mo Evans is. But I think JJ can play 30 mpg at SG (Jamal plays the other 18), and JJ can play 6 mpg at SF, with Mo playing 12 – 15 mpg.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
8:49 am
@PUBLIX: i’ve unapproved your posts in which you steal the name “niremetal.” if you post using other people’s handle(s) again i will ban your IP. please keep it classy.
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’.
atownhawk23 aka Lets go Bucks and Thunder
August 3rd, 2010
1:26 pm
http://www.balleralert.com/profiles/blogs/baller-alert-exclusive-josh
Josh Smith Wedding
Grandad
August 3rd, 2010
1:36 pm
Has anyone considered that LD does not:
>like
>respect
>need
-or-
>want
Mark Price.
GeeMack – concerning TV games.
“It’s ok to lose, but quitting is not an option.”
I’m certain they will put LeQuitter on TV. [Myame]
SteveW – You really think MP had anything to do with Josh
attempting fewer 3’s last yr.? ~ I don’t ~
Zaza’s 1st 2 yr’s in Atl he avg 12 pts & 8 reb in 30 min (rounded)
vava – I must disagree somewhat, he is still a *spring chicken.
*low mileage
Zaza is entering his prime.
I have felt for awhile that upper boddy strength was a/his shortcoming.
It appears he is working toward that end.
Woodson buried him in his doghouse & he never got out.
If he could put up 12 & 8 @ age 21 & 22, then he should be a valuable
player entering his prime.
Once again, I’m with KS, in that our most valuable acquisition this off-season
was ”LD”.
Rev in Tampa
August 3rd, 2010
1:43 pm
@Hoops – “Ken Strickland, In your communications with Rick Sund…”
Hoops, this is the logical fallacy of Assigning Guilt by Association. “This fallacy consists in attempting to manipulate others into accepting one’s view by pointing out that the opposing view is held by those with negative esteem, instead of presenting evidence for one’s position” (Attacking Faulty Reasoning by T. Edward Damer).
Grandad
August 3rd, 2010
1:43 pm
*upper [([ ''boddy'' ])] strength:
ahem / ”uper body strength”. Got it right that time.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
2:06 pm
Rev in Tampa
Re: Hoops.
Yeah I saw that too. That comment was dripping with sarcasm.
Ken Strickland always makes his case with sound logic and reason. I love the way Ken S. Is wired for sound.
I loved your qoute there: never read that before. That, Sir, is – Rich!
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
2:39 pm
@ Melvin: “MC, I thought the Hawks had interest in Kwame Brown. Do you know if they are talking to him?”
yes, there is interest there. don’t think it’s really strong, though. we’ll see what happens.
Michael Cunningham
August 3rd, 2010
2:42 pm
@ SteveW: “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.”
true, but it’s a small sample. but i would say it definitely could be a way to move Al to 4 with Zaza (or JC) playing the 5.
cp
August 3rd, 2010
2:46 pm
Kwame wouldn’t be too bad. He is a decent post defender. Has terrible hands and no offensive game though. We just need him to rebound and play d.
KevinM
August 3rd, 2010
3:03 pm
Ken Strickland is the indeed Rick Sund. I thought so…..
No other person has come on here and made even close the rationalization why we were pummeled by Orlando like Ken has.
Its not the post players, but the pressure we put on the perimeter?
Okay Ken, let’s get Bibby and Crawford, 2 guys who play very little or have NEVER been known to apply pressure, to start focusing on defense when defense did not get them their current job.
The thought that LD is now going to convert our ‘vets’ to start playing aggessive defense against Nelson/Rose/Rondo/Wall is fairly humorous.
You arent’ going to teach Bibby defense in his 14th season and Crawford in year 11. I can’t believe anyone is falling for this. Its Woody’s fault and the 2 new coaches are going to come in here and make us tougher than Detroit.
I’m not buying it.
Boston has front court depth. Orlando has front court depth.
Zaza isn’t scoring 20+ against Gortat or anyone going forward. What jora12 stated earlier about Zaza, remind him that this isn’t Poland we’re dealing with here.
I am still at a point where we need help at the 1 and the 5. We aren’t making inroads to resolve those issues. Our halfcourt games against Miami and Orlando are proof that we struggle in the halfcourt and will continue to until we increase our length on the glass and get a perimeter defender.
Am I really asking for so much here? Employee #2 isn’t going to make everyone defend better. The numbers he is making is only going to divide this team further and Crawford has the short end of the stick to try and remain a Hawk through this year.
I want to be optimistic, but nothing was addressed in the offseason to correct the weaknesses of this roster. This will all fall to LD now. He is going to have to be a savior and get more out of Marvin, Zaza and Bibby and any part of the bench to improve the record from the last 2 years.
No mention of Shaq in my banter, but just bring in someone that will give the majority of the fanbase a reason to believe this could be the best team in the East. Strive to be the best, not the 4th best.
Some insane comments come out of this organization sometimes. Keep that 3M in your pocket ASG. Stick to your guns with that minimum 13 man roster.
ryan
August 3rd, 2010
3:11 pm
Well Cunningham you have not missed much on the Hawks front been pretty boring. But it was sad about the tragic death Wright .
please MC
August 3rd, 2010
3:16 pm
Actually I have been around longer than you MC.A loyal reader and subscriber to the AJC. You to need to remember “we” make the blog. You AND us.
mario
August 3rd, 2010
3:26 pm
hey MC…Mario here..hot bout this..Not to break this team up,but how about this trade.If CPaul wants out of NO and they want to dump emeke okafur’s salry..we can give up JSmith,MWilliams and MBibby for Paul and Okafur..What do you think abouit this?
Mike is back
August 3rd, 2010
3:33 pm
MC, thanks for the shout back. I also read where Shaq would prefer to go to Boston…I can’t say I blame him. If you are going to have to accept the MlE…why would you choose the Hawks over Boston. I guess we are in holding pattern until camp starts. Shaq is probably going to wait to see how things work out with Boston…before he makes his decision…and I guess Sund is going to test Shaq’s resolve. With your unified front statement…I guess we can stop beating that dead horse.
If we are going go to go with a summer camp invitee for that 13th spot…I would prefer the kid Aminu get a chance to make the roster. He’s got my vote.
You made an interesting comment with regards to LD planning to play Zaza alone side Al more. There were some match-up during the season…where I thought we could slide Al and Josh down…to the PF and SF…and augment the opponent size advantage. I keep hearing people ranting and raving about you can’t play Josh at the SF…however based on the opponent and the game situation…I don’t see why you couldn’t do that in spurts.
Before someone goes off the handle…I’m not advocating moving Josh to the SF…I just thought it was interesting that LD made those comments. Maybe he feels the same way. I think some forget that LD already knows these guys strength and weaknesses…that should give him an advantage over the other rooky coaches.
HoosierHawk
August 3rd, 2010
3:36 pm
@MC Any chance we consider a PG w/ the 13th spot? Is Teague a lock to start? Nelson penetrating was another big problem against Orlando. We need some D on the perimeter.
HoosierHawk
August 3rd, 2010
3:39 pm
@MC and also are we considering playing Jordan Crawford at point?
ryan
August 3rd, 2010
3:44 pm
I think Boston will choose Kwame Brown because he is little younger and healthier than Shaq and also played decent with the Lakers last year.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
August 3rd, 2010
3:55 pm
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’.
………………………….
I agree
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
August 3rd, 2010
3:57 pm
The biggest move this season will probably be the hiring of drew.
ball movement and diversity in offensive and defensive schemes should make this team alot better even with the same players…now add another scoring threat in Jo. Crawford and maybe a couple other moves to strengthen some areas and who knows???
just SHOOT me
August 3rd, 2010
4:01 pm
Are you all suggesting we start ZaZa, Al and Josh Smith together? I don’t see that being too successful. Sorry. Al definitely needs help. There’s no doubt about that. However, this is why we should have either traded for a big man, drafted and kept a big man, or signed a decent free agent other than Jason Collinsand Josh Powell. Once a piece of meatloaf, always a piece of meatloaf when it comes to Jason Collins. I mean I guess he’s a cheap big man and we all know how much the ASG lovessss cheap.
Well they love cheap but also must be very happy to have obtained the highest paid player in the NBA for the next 6 years. Way to go boys. We’re definitely championship material after all of our offseason activity. Miami who? Chicago who? I wouldn’t exactly be opposed to signing Shaq. I mean at least he’s a beast and can give you a good 15-20 solid minutes a game. Also can defend against our arch enemy, Dwight Howard. He’s old. Perhaps his attitude at this point would be dangerous to have around than good. Especially with young players like Al and Josh. Granted Al is gone after this year. We shoul at least use the exception for someone decent that can give us a little help down the stretch. However I don’t think it’ll matter in the end. Hawks finish in the 5th spot. Lucky to get out of the first round. Guaranteed to be destroyed in the 2nd round *just SHOOT me*
Najeh Davenpoop
August 3rd, 2010
4:03 pm
“Shaq was never a great defender even in his prime”
Are there numbers backing up this statement? Maybe he didn’t bother to defend the pick and roll, but my memory tells me that the Shaq who won three titles on the Lakers had a HUGE defensive impact on his team.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 3rd, 2010
4:07 pm
“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.”
I think you could replace Zaza in that situation with any center and the Hawks would be equally good if not better. That +5.3 has a lot more to do with Horford playing his natural position than Zaza being effective. We all know what we saw from Zaza last year — he tries hard, doesn’t back down from contact, occasionally plays good position defense, and occasionally makes nice passes, but he is a below average athlete whose clumsiness limits what he can do on the floor and whose rebounding stats are heavily padded by rebounding his own missed layups.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 3rd, 2010
4:17 pm
Also, any lineup with Horford and Zaza together either moves Smoove to SF (where he is far more ineffective than Horford is at center) or moves Smoove to the bench (taking the Hawks’ best help defender off the floor).
Doing this for stretches at a time is fine when the Hawks want to show a bigger look against a team like Orlando — of course, I’d much rather have Shaq on the floor than Zaza in a situation like that. But I don’t think there is any big man available who warrants playing Smoove primarily at SF or putting him on the bench. Unless the Hawks can find a trade partner who will give them an equal-value “true center” for Horford or Smoove, starting those two at the front court positions is the Hawks’ best option.
UGA
August 3rd, 2010
4:32 pm
REAL GM is reporting Shaq is close to a deal with Boston. Mark him off the list….
Rev in Tampa
August 3rd, 2010
4:32 pm
KevinM, being in the Tampa area, I heard Van Gundy explain his strategy for Atlanta just before their playoff series began. He said that he would stretch the Atl defense by his perimeter shooters. He made Atl choose which poison would kill them. If they came out on the shooters, they would go down low to Howard or vise versa. Atl’s switching defense did not allow the Hawks to defend the perimeter or the post effectively. Atl was undoubtedly the weaker team against Orl in the playoffs, but it was poor strategy that allowed them to get blown out in record fashion.
You are correct in your assessment that Atl is weakest at the 1 & 5 position. The Hawks have put all their eggs in Teague’s basket for the pg. They have made that decision and I believe it is the right one, but only time will tell. I feel confident that Teague will be an upgrade over Bibby, but if he is not then we still have Bibby. As for the 5 position, Atl will be as good or better than last year – even with no upgrades.
If Shaq comes around to the Hawks’ position regarding salary & playing time, then sign him. If not, then wait until the trading deadline. We really won’t know how good the Hawks are going to be, and what the REAL needs are until then.
The Hawks, without any off-season moves except hiring LD (hat-tip Grandad at 1:36pm), will be a solid playoff team. There never were any impact centers in free-agency that Atl could afford after JJ got his.
So let’s enjoy our trip to the playoffs and we will pull over along the way and pick up the right person(s) at a more reasonable price.
“Patience is the companion of wisdom.” ~St. Augustine
doc
August 3rd, 2010
4:44 pm
Stevew ii said when the heat pulled the trifecta we would see the true stripes of our owners, all in like they said they would do or fall back to save money. Since the last client of substance from the gm was to hope to stay on top four their hand is being played to not be the best but in he scramble for also rans
buckhead benny
August 3rd, 2010
6:03 pm
MC- Can you not ask ASG would they have not been better served drafting Lawal now or one of the big centers and planting them on the bench- they would have been cheap and the upside is much greater than going after an expensive veteran for a year. Lawal is going to play significant minutes for Phonix and they should not get a pass not drafting this kid- He would have been a hell of power foward hustler/banger that could have helped with the toughness the hawks so desperately need. That goes down as almost as bad as sheldon williams in my opinion. You can get steals at those picks and get guys cheap and the upside is huge! What are your thoughts MC?
Hoops
August 3rd, 2010
6:09 pm
ASG,
The Hawks fans have been supportative and patient over the past 6 years while the Hawks have continued to build and grow. It is now time to continue to improve and come closer to contenting for the Title! We are not there yet, as was witnessed in last season’s second round lost to the Magic. We were all embarrassed!
Make some moves that will improve the team, not just hold on to what you have! We need a PG and a Center! Those two positions of need still have not been met! Come on, we don’t want to contend for 4th place in the East!!!
A Flustrated Hawks Fan
drmaryb (*_*)
August 3rd, 2010
6:24 pm
Hoops
We haven’t had a 1 or 5 in 14 years! And, we passed on CP3 (A Sitting Bull!).
We were the DEER in the head lights!
It’s a damned Shame!
Mookie and Dikembe is the last time I saw a 1& 5 at the same time!
But, then there was MJ guarding the gates to Heaven!
It’s hard to believe I am still a Fan! I never smoked crack – but, I know what it feels like!
Chasing the High you will never get!
smdh! Uuugghh!
Ken Strickland
August 3rd, 2010
7:04 pm
MELVIN-Of the 3 players that actually defended DHoward in the playoffs, KPerkins(6′10″), GDavis(6′9″) and RWallace(6′11″), only Wallace is actually taller than AHorford(6′10″). The idea behind what I was trying to illustrate in my last post was we don’t have to use force to get him out of his effective range. You use strategy to limit the options and angles of the player making the entry pass, and Boston did an excellent job of that.
They forced Howard to make adjustments in order to get the ball, which forced him to give ground, and we need to do the same thing. When he puts the ball on the floor to reposition himself within his effective range, we run a player at him to force him to pick up his dribble. If you take away any players dribble outside his effective range, you render him offensively ineffective.
You create confusion by running different players from different positions at him. We definitely have the overall team speed, quickness and athleticism to make it work.
KEVINM-Until DEF wizard Thibodeau put together a a DEF plan and got a team committment to playing DEF, both RAllen and PPierce were considered OFF weapons, but DEF liabilities. As far as Bibby and Jamal are concerned, Cannon and Gattison can have a simular effect on our players. Bibby obviously didn’t work hard to improve his overall gm last yr, because he felt he didn’t have to. He knew Woodson wasn’t going to hold him accountable for anything, and wasn’t going to allow anyone, especially JTeague, to challenge or play ahead of Bibby.
Rather than challenging Bibby and Crawford to improve their poor overall DEF, Woodson chose to resort to using the switching DEF, to hide deficiencies by take away the overall effectiveness of everyone else’s DEF ability by trying to cover up their DEF liabilities by resorting to his stupid switching DEF plan. Bibby is going to have to lose weight, get in better shape, and actually compete for a starting position and mins. With the addition of Jordon Crawford, Jamal Crawford is no longer the only OFF option coming off the bench.
Jamal might be more experienced, and a better OFF option than Jordan at this point, but Jordan’s DEF and overall ability might end up making him a better option off the bench. Jamal will definitely have to improve his overall gm this yr, especially his DEF, if he wants more mins and/or a contract extension.
Ken Strickland
August 3rd, 2010
7:34 pm
KEVINM-To claim the Hawks have done nothing this off season to improve shows you obviously haven’t paid attention to, or can’t comprehend, what’s been going on with the Hawks this off season. The first thing we did was get rid of Woodson and hired LDrew as our new HC. Secondly, he said he would abandon Woody’s switching DEF, our dependence on the ISO dominated OFF, and install an actual half court off based on ball and player movement.
Thirdly, he hired 2 DEF specialist, LConnor and Gattison, to organize and handle the DEF side of the ball. Next, he drafted Jordan Crawford, announced JTeague would get significant and consistent mins, as well as a chance to start. He also signed PF/C JPowell and resigned a slimmer, much better conditioned JCollins.
Now, that might not be what YOU WANTED OR EXPECTED the team to do, but that sure as hell doesn’t mean we’ve done nothing this off season to improve. Stop operating with this narrow minded idea that we can only improve by adding new players. We can improve just as much, if not more, with basically the same team through better utilization of the talent already on our roster.
Instead of resorting to sarcasm as a way of masking your inability to grasp and/or appreciate my concepts, just ask, and I’ll do my best to dumb it down for you.
Ken Strickland
August 3rd, 2010
7:40 pm
DRMARYB-drafting CPaul would have been a big risk for both CPaul and the NBA. You can’t ignore the distinct possibility that MWoodson would have potentially stifled his short career by giving him the same senseless and irrational treatment he gave RIvey, SStaudemire, ALaw and JTeague.
Rev in Tampa
August 3rd, 2010
8:01 pm
Ken, my comment might not be read by anybody since everybody has migrated over to MC’s new blog, but your point about CPaul ending up on the trash heap of un-utilized point guards is prescient.
Ken Strickland
August 3rd, 2010
9:00 pm
THANKS REV!
please MC
August 3rd, 2010
10:02 pm
Who was addressing you drmaryb? Typical behavior. You should try whoopie. It helps.
Brian
August 4th, 2010
3:49 am
Atlatna Hawks=different year, same old crap.
Hawks Fans: Safety in numbers and changing landscapes | Atlanta Hawks: Fan Nest
August 4th, 2010
7:34 am
[...] There are a lot of questions here, and they won’t be answered until that first buzzer sounds, though we should get some pretty good hints of what is to come during the preseason (where we will also get to see that vaunted offense). Okay, so we know Jamal Crawford and Zaza Pachulia are rotation players. What of Mo Evans? Will he get consistent minutes? Maybe we should be asking whether or not he’ll earn them, and where he’ll get most of his playing time. Jeff Teague is expected to see an increase in minutes as well, becoming a part of the rotation. That automatically gives the Hawks a nine man rotation. Will Josh Powell be a regular in the frontcourt as well? He reportedly came here to get more playing time than he was getting with the L.A. Lakers, but he will have to provide something that is missing, for that to happen. What of Jason Collins? Is he another Mike Woodson scapegoat conduit or a useful player? [...]
big sam
August 4th, 2010
8:33 am
what HAPPENED TO “”"GARRETT SILER”" 7feet 300 pounds and agile somebody please respond
Thought’s On The Latest News | Soaring Down South | An Atlanta Hawks blog
August 4th, 2010
11:42 pm
[...] Cunningham is back from his vacation and spent some time catching up with the things that have been going on. First up, both Josh Powell and Jason Collins were officially signed. From the Hawks [...]