Atlanta Hawks: Shaq said to choose Celtics over Hawks (UPDATE: Celtics announce Shaq signing)
It looks like Shaq is taking his power game to Boston.
Shaquille O’Neal won’t be suiting up for the Hawks.
Multiple media outlets reported last night that he was “close” to joining the Celtics, and the team announced today that it has signed O’Neal.
“It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille’s caliber to your team,” Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, said in a statement released by the team. “His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster.”
O’Neal, 38, will play for his sixth NBA team in his 19th NBA season. He won three NBA championships with Los Angeles and another with Miami and now will seek another title with Boston, the defending Eastern Conference champion.
“I am honored to be joining the Celtics,” O’Neal said in the statement. “I have played against Paul [Pierce], Ray [Allen], Kevin [Garnett], Rajon [Rondo], and Jermaine [O'Neal] for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my teammates. I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship.”
Shaq’s signing with Boston means the best center is off the free agent market as the Hawks look for another big man to join their frontcourt rotation. As it stands now, Atlanta has Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and Jason Collins at center.
Last month Horford said the Hawks need to add an “impact” center and power forward Josh Smith agreed. Said Al: “We need to have someone to come in and have an impact. I think that is the position we need if we want to be any type of contender in the East.”
It doesn’t look like the Hawks will add that player in free agency even as the Eastern Conference has gotten tougher. Miami’s SuperFriends are in Atlanta’s division, Jermaine O’Neal and Shaq joined the Celtics, Chicago added Carlos Boozer and Andrew Bogut is set to return from injury for the Bucks.
It’s not that the Hawks are weak at center–Horford is an All-Star and Pachulia is an effective backup. But the big, physical frontlines of Boston and Orlando figure to be tough challenges for the Hawks in the playoffs.
Horford is undersized for center by NBA standards and Pachulia is not a big defensive post presence. Collins is a true 7-footer but he struggled with his conditioning last season and hasn’t been a rotation player for going on two years.
There don’t appear to be any “impact” centers left on the market after two waves of free-agent signings. Atlanta was said to have some mild interest in Kwame Brown, who could provide some post defense but is limited offensively. Other centers yet to sign include Josh Boone, Francisco Elson
and Brian Skinner.
The news that Shaq could join the Hawks created a buzz among Atlanta fans. All indications are that his interest in Atlanta was genuine.
He told friends early in free agency that he would be open to signing with the Hawks and one of his representatives contacted the team to gauge its interest, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. The Hawks were intrigued by Shaq but weren’t sure if he would be willing to accept a relatively small salary and a bench role as he nears the end of a career that will lead to his induction in the Hall of Fame.
Shaq’s initial contract demands were for a two-year deal that starts at $8 million, according to a person who talked to him about his plans. The Hawks, unwilling to exceed the luxury-tax threshold, weren’t willing to come close to that figure and eventually it became clear that no contending team would pay Shaq big money.
Boston is limited by salary cap rules to offering Shaq a contract starting at the veteran’s minimum salary of $1.35 million for a player with his experience. The Hawks could offer more by using salary-cap exceptions but weren’t willing to go much higher since their team salary is roughly $2.7 million below the luxury-tax threshold.
With the money being equal, Shaq apparently decided Boston gives him a better chance to earn another NBA championship.
MC
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323 comments Add your comment
kwooden1
August 4th, 2010
1:46 pm
I can’t say I’m not disappointed but not signing Shaq, but I can’t agree with everyone saying it’s the ASG’s fault. It appears to me that the ASG offered Shaq close to the MLE, if he would come off the bench and he didn’t want to do it. Shaq realized that his best option was to play for less money with last years Eastern Conf. Champion. He wants to win another Championship and his best option is the Celtics. You can’t really blame the ASG for that.
terrell
August 4th, 2010
1:47 pm
Great post Hawkman.
Harry Hawk
August 4th, 2010
1:48 pm
The Bulls are going to be pretty good, too. I think the Hawks are going to see a drop in their win total.
Oh, Larry Drew’s going to fix everything. We’ll be just as good. Nevermind.
James
August 4th, 2010
1:50 pm
Hawks are done. If I was Al Horford I would be ask for a trade.
truthspitter
August 4th, 2010
1:58 pm
Rick Sund was hired to run this franchise into the ground like he did Seattle. We will not have a team in 3 years, it will once again be the St.Louis Hawks since Mizzo does not have team. By the way, he is doing a good job either doing nothing, or totally f-ing up
HeadlineWriter
August 4th, 2010
2:00 pm
MC…I know it garners attention BUT is your story headline really even journalistically fair? Did the Hawks actually truly go down the path with Shaq to an offer? The teaser headline on the homepage says “Shaq picks Celtics over Hawks”. Pretty misleading if we never went to an offer as it appears he had two to decide and we were turned down? Preliminary discussions don’t qualify as a “turn down” when one party chooses not to proceed to offer.
Disappointed Again
August 4th, 2010
2:01 pm
I stopped watching the Hawks once they traded Dominique back in 94′
F-105 Thunderchief
August 4th, 2010
2:03 pm
The lot of ASG are lying jackholes.
terrell
August 4th, 2010
2:05 pm
Hawks are done? And why is that, may I ask. Could it be because other teams are making big moves, like Philly did when they acquired Elton Brand? Or like Orlando did when they acquired VC, and before that Rashard Lewis? Or like San Antonio did when they acquired Richard Jefferson? Or like Dallas did when they acquired Jason Kidd?
terrell
August 4th, 2010
2:07 pm
Disappointed again, if you stopped wathing in 94, why are you on the blog? Whatever man.
northcyde
August 4th, 2010
2:10 pm
Offseason moves and grades . . .from my perspective using the 4.0 scale:
A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1
F = 0
- not hiring Avery Johnson: C
- hiring Larry Drew: C. . ( grade should probably be I = incomplete )
- trading the #24 to move down to #27 and acquire the #31 pick: A
- drafting Jordan Crawford: B
- selling that pick for 3 million: F
- re-signing JJ for 6 yrs – 124 million: B
- signing Josh Powell: D
- signing Jason Collins: F
- failing to secure Shaq when everybody else dropped out of the running: D
Total points: 16 . . . divided by 9 actions
Grade: 1.78 = C-
This grade could be higher or lower, depending on your view of the JJ signing, or how good you think the Drew signing is.
northcyde
August 4th, 2010
2:13 pm
Damn . . I forgot about the Josh Childress trade
Offseason moves and grades . . .from my perspective using the 4.0 scale:
A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1
F = 0
- not hiring Avery Johnson: C
- hiring Larry Drew: C. . ( grade should probably be I = incomplete )
- trading the #24 to move down to #27 and acquire the #31 pick: A
- drafting Jordan Crawford: B
- selling that pick for 3 million: F
- re-signing JJ for 6 yrs – 124 million: B
- trading Josh Childress for a 3+ million TPE: D
- signing Josh Powell: D
- signing Jason Collins: F
- failing to secure Shaq when everybody else dropped out of the running: D
Total points: 17 . . . divided by 10 actions
Grade: 1.70 = C-
hawkfan335
August 4th, 2010
2:13 pm
MC,
Do you see the Hawks possibly improving themselves at the c position by trading Marvin Williams
and Zaza Pachuila for Emeka Okafor? I know that Okafor does not score a lot, but he can rebound
and block shots, which is the primary job of any center and any points would be gravy.
Thanks.
just SHOOT me
August 4th, 2010
2:14 pm
Come on guys – Of course Shaq wasn’t the best option for Atlanta. We all know that. However, he was the best option at this point. I mean would you prefer to have Shaq or Kwame? We needed a defensive presence and Shaq could give you just that. He will help out the Celtics. Period. Perhaps we could somehow work a deal for Kendrick Perkins? It’s not like the Celtics will need Shaq, Jermaine O’Neal, Big Baby and Perkins.
I also don’t care what anyone says – Chicago, Orlando, Miami, and Boston will all be better than the Hawks next year. At least Woody had this team increase their wins each year he was here. I think towards the end of next year the fans will be so fed up that Phillips Arena will all but become a ghost town. Wait, watch, and see. justSHOOTme
Astro Joe
August 4th, 2010
2:14 pm
northcyde, cutting ties with Woody was a separate action from hiring Drew. You need to include that initial decision in your analysis. You also forgot about the Childress transaction. And throw in a grade for their summer league team (remember, they didn’t have one last year and this year’s squad seem to offer little value in regards to finding a viable big man project-IMO).
GABred
August 4th, 2010
2:15 pm
My impression is that the Celts took Shaq to keep us from picking him up(defense by offense) with the bigs they already have in place there was no need, so I look for 1 or more of those guys becoming available by the end of camp. We were 4-0 against them last year, they got older hopefully we bacame more mature (J Smooth), gained some leadership skills(JJ)& upgraded our coaching. So I don’t mind the underdog role and the Heat’s 3 don’t create any fear either, they can’t all score 44pts/night. The Hawks will soar, bring it on Eastern Conference.
hawks_4_life
August 4th, 2010
2:15 pm
Ill never give up on my hawks but right now, like everyone else Im wondering which direction is Sund leading this franchise to.
just SHOOT me
August 4th, 2010
2:18 pm
Offseason moves and grades . . .from my perspective using the 4.0 scale:
A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1
F = 0
- not hiring Avery Johnson: C+
- hiring Larry Drew: D. . ( However time will tell)
- trading the #24 to move down to #27 and acquire the #31 pick: A
- drafting Jordan Crawford: B-
- selling that pick for 3 million: F
- re-signing JJ for 6 yrs – 124 million: F
- signing Josh Powell: D-
- signing Jason Collins: F
- failing to secure Shaq when everybody else dropped out of the running: D-
That’s my grade, Northcyde.
dap01
August 4th, 2010
2:24 pm
I don’t necessarily think that Shaq was the single answer but I do think that we wasted many opportunities to improve this offseason:
Not drafting a big that was available at #31.
Not spending the $3,000,000 to better the team.
Not using the trade exception from Childress trade.
Paying JJ $20,000,000 that anyone else could offer.
Not getting a big before they were all gone.
Not having an offseason plan.
Not improving the team.
We could be weaker next year.
LD may be a big plus for us though.
blkshepherd
August 4th, 2010
2:25 pm
Not a basketball fan and attend or watch NO games..but there appears to be a problem within the Hawks team..As for Shaq not coming..my feelings is the same as the choice Lebron made..WHO GIVES a RATZ ASS! All of them are overpaid any way..Look at poor lorenzen wright..made all that money..left his kids POOR..got killed probably over oweing some money. These B Ball and F Ball players are a disgrace and highly OVER PAID.
KevinM
August 4th, 2010
2:30 pm
A disappointment, but well expected. kwooden1, no way the ASG offered Shaq any number above the cap. Perhaps Jeff or MC knows something about that to back you up.
Okay, so now since Detroit doesn’t want Kwame, LA couldn’t convince Kwame to play for Phil Jackson, Sund is going to grab him up quick because we can get him for as much as Collins makes. Problem is, both will be on the end of the bench watching the Kiss-Cam.
What is it about this organization that brings in guys who have one more foul left in them to come here and warm Kenny Norman’s reserved seat? Some of the names:
Joe Smith / Kevin Willis / Kenny Anderson / Jon Barry / Blair Rasmussen and the list goes on.
This offseason has been one of one disappointment after another. All moves made with the exception of E#2 were of cost cutting. The hypocrisy of the ASG and Sund continues to rise.
Tony
August 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
After listening to you MC, Chris Broussard, David Aldridge, and all you bloggers here, I have come to the conclusion that:
#1: The hawks do not want to win anything, PERIOD!!
#2: The hawks ownership are cheap and scared to make a dang deal!!
#3: The hawks ownership are dumb!! and Rick Sund should be running a special ed bus not a NBA team.
The only way this team will win is if Josh, JT and AL carry this team. Oh yeah, I could care less for Joe after his crybaby comments.I’ve told everyone on this blog several times that Josh Smith is the best player on this team. This is a stupid ownership group. I mean c’mon hawks, what are you doing???????!!!!!!! what are you thinking?????!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
2:35 pm
“Pachulia is an effective backup.”
MC, you keep saying this, but if he is not a defensive post presence (your words) then what exactly does he do effectively aside from rebounding his own missed layups? He damn sure ain’t a go-to post scorer, and he hasn’t shown that he can go up against other centers defensively for any extended period of time.
The Hawks better hope Smoove and Al play 82 games this season.
Glenn
August 4th, 2010
2:38 pm
Shaq played well last season . It would have been nice . That being said it really isn’t a major set back . If we really want to be uptempo he wouldn’t have got many minutes anyway .
northcyde
August 4th, 2010
2:39 pm
Astro . . . I didn’t add the Woody option because his contract had expired. If I do add that option, I would have to give that action a C.
I did go back and put in the Childress trade in my 2nd post, because I did forget it initially.
Summer league would get a C as well, as it gave us a glimpse into what Teague and JC2 can and can’t do. But I can’t give them much credit for fielding a summer league team. They’re supposed to do that.
DDog10
August 4th, 2010
2:42 pm
Good job Hawks. You finally got one right. Shaq has no skills and has killed the last 2 teams he was on. Thanks for not throwing good money away chasing an over the hill athletic. Why pay Shaq millions of $$ for 8 to 10 minutes a night.
northcyde
August 4th, 2010
2:48 pm
Kwame Brown is the obvious choice now . . . because he’s from Georgia. We are the refuge for former High School stars in GA that don’t mind sitting the bench in the NBA.
The sad thing is . . . Kwame might be a MUCH BETTER PLAYER than Jason Collins.
Khao$
August 4th, 2010
2:49 pm
Losing out on Shaq isn’t what bothers me. What bothers me most is the lack of activity this team had during this offseason after being swept by the largest points margin in NBA history. Choosing to keep the status quo AND hiring a coach that was a part of the regime that led the team during their playoffs debacle is equally depressing. I really don’t see us being any hire than a 6th seed in this new improved East.
Andrew
August 4th, 2010
2:50 pm
Shaq wouldve sold tickets at phillips, I sure wouldve bought some! Figures yet another atlanta team fails to get a big name to play in the ATL.
SiCkOfThiS
August 4th, 2010
2:50 pm
Are we talking about Basketball!? Didn’t that die when Jordan left the game? This is not basketball. It’s full-contact overpaid hoodrat roundup
Rick
August 4th, 2010
2:54 pm
when you rank teams in the East you have to say that Boston, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, and a healthy Milwaukee are all better than the Hawks. since the Hawks struggled at times against Charlotte, there is a good chance Atlanta could slip to 6th place fighting it out with New Orleans and Memphis. All this assumes Cleveland has nothing left after LeBron. He made a huge difference, but big “Z” wasn’t in the rotation, so there is still talent left.
just SHOOT me
August 4th, 2010
2:54 pm
Andrew, we do have a big name here in the A T L. Hell, we have the highest paid player in the NBA. Joe Johnson sells tickets, right? LOL
northcyde
August 4th, 2010
2:55 pm
DDog . . Shaq did no such thing to the last 2 teams he was on . . . and he averaged 12 pts, 7 rebounds, and shot 57% FG in just 23 minutes of play last year.
If Zaza or Jason Collins put up that kind of production, Hawk fans would act like they were borderline all-star centers, and simply needed more playing time.
PRESTONI
August 4th, 2010
2:55 pm
Rooting for the Hawks is like Sleeping With The Enemy, because you have to fight Ownership and Management along the way. This time the Hawks may have gone too far, as they continue to Suck Every Ounce Of Enjoyment Of Basketball Out Of Their Fans. Everybody needs Hope and when you make False Promises and then don’t deliver, you completely leave the Fans in a Hopeless State Of Mind. I said before, that the Hawks needed Personality more than any Other Team and they had a Major Opportunity to give the Hawks more publicity and a better chance to Win with the addition of Shaq. I would have told Shaq that not only could he Start, but as long as he was playing well he could play the Full 48 Minutes–there was no real risk here, if he wasn’t performing well then he just comes out of the Game. The Entertainment Value here would have been huge. I hate to think that Mo Evans picking up his Player Option preventing us from signing Shaq because of concerns about the Luxury Tax. Also, the Luxury Tax is based on Your Total Roster Salary at the End of the Season–so we would have had ample opportunity to Move Salaries around before the Season ended. Now we are really in a bind as the Better Teams are getting Much Better and we are stuck with the Same Rotten To The Core Group that was badly exposed in the Playoffs. Everybody knows we were Lucky to avoid Major Injuries Last Season and you have to know we would have probably lost to Milwaukee if Bogut wasn’t out. It seems like our Only Recourse now is to sign Kwame Brown or Anthony Tolliver (watching the Games that I previously recorded, Tolliver really does have Offensive Talent and the Potential to get better). I’m really not high on the Other Guys mentioned like Josh Boone and Josh Powell & Jason Collins are really just Fringe Bench Players. Maybe Brown would even surprise us and show Improvement, but at the very least he should help us on Defense & Rebounding. Still based on what I’ve seen from Tolliver, it would be hard for me to pass on him even though he is really a Forward/Center. I would like to see the Hawks at least carry 14 Players this time around, so perhaps we could manipulate Our Roster a bit and Sign both Brown & Tolliver.
I guess the only good thing about Shaq signing with Boston now is that Brown & Tolliver are still available–you know we would have continued to Drag Our Feet until Shaq was signed. Nobody really knows for sure just how good Jeff Teague will be and nobody knows if Larry Drew will make a major difference, so we at least have to add some Players who may really help us and be there if Injuries happen. Just to be sure we don’t entertain Signing Hawk Legend Mario West again, I propose that we Retire His Number in a 10 Second Ceremony. Since no other NBA Team would sign Super Mario, it would open up the gate for him to go on NBA TV for a 2 Hour Special called the REVISION to match the 1 Hour DECISION Special of LeBron James on ESPN–at that time in breathtaking fashion Mario could announce what D-League Team he has chosen to sign with (I could really see this happening). The Hawks are always signing Players from the Atlanta Area or with some Georgia Connection–just think if the Team had moved to the Planet of the Apes instead of Atlanta and we were Signing Players from that Area we would at least have OUR CENTER by now (just Wishful Thinking). In closing, I really did meet Michael Gearon, Jr. when he was a Little Kid–who knew!!!
MC–Good to have you back. You know I have never taken a Vacation from the Hawks since their First Game as the St. Louis Hawks and it only cost me Two Marriages and My Sanity. So if you’re going to be the Beat Writer, you really have to March to the Beat.
tyger
August 4th, 2010
2:58 pm
I HATE THE HAWKS!!!
The situations were not equal. The Celtics are not the Hawks – see the championship banners circling the arena. The Hawks are not the Celtics – see how they stay competitive no matter what.
Shaq added more value to the Hawks than the Celtics. The Celtics were in the NBA Finals, the Hawks were BLOWN OUT in the 2nd rd because they couldn’t get a defensive rebound and stupidly doubled-teamed D.Howard. Shaq single-handedly addresses both issues.
Again, we look like national bufoons – Sund and the Hawks strike-out again. Nobody else that’s serious plays the game worse than us. Sure there is a pending CBA restructuring and a chance of a lockout but contenders didn’t hesitate to go out and secure the future’s of their franchises.
Sund continues to play hard ball and lose. Got nothing for Childress, backed into a corner and overpaid JJ, stupidly resigned Bibby, nothing for David Andersen, got stuck with Mo Evans again, and loss Shaq over $5M.
I realize now this franchise isn’t going to get better, they are who they are, you pay your money and give your time and accept mediocrity – that’s all they are selling -mediocrity – it’s time for a divorce. What a waste of time, money and emotion – they are basically telling their fans that they don’t have championship aspirations. They’ve thrown in the towel.
Please – just sell the team, I have been a Hawks fan since Pistol Pete and John Drew.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
3:00 pm
The worst part about the Shaq non-signing is that it isn’t even as big of a risk as everyone seems to think. Suppose the Hawks had signed him for a two year mid level deal and he was a bad locker room presence and the Hawks decided they are better off without him. You really think there wouldn’t be a trade market for him? You think teams like Denver and San Antonio, or other contenders who ended up suffering big man injuries over the course of the season wouldn’t be interested in trading for him? Until he becomes so out of shape that he can’t run anymore, there will ALWAYS be a team or handful of teams who think Shaq can put them over the top. The Hawks would have had no problem dumping him on another team if he didn’t work out, and by doing so they would have the ability to steer him to a team in the other conference.
This is in stark contrast to the three-headed albatross of Marvin/Bibby/Zaza the Hawks are currently carrying around, which has next to no trade value and makes close to a combined $20 million a year. This is by far the most infuriating part about this offseason; I’d be OK with the Hawks refusing to spend more money if they had spent their existing money wisely. All of northcyde’s grades are on point (I’d give them an F—- for Josh Powell though) but really the Marvin/Bibby/Zaza contracts are responsible for the ripple effect that created this offseason. People like to bitch about the Joe Johnson deal, but at least he is a top-25 player in the league. Marvin/Bibby/Zaza are no better than the 9th best guy on a title contender. and they are sucking up nearly a third of this team’s payroll.
just SHOOT me
August 4th, 2010
3:03 pm
Quote of the day from PrestonI “The Hawks are always signing Players from the Atlanta Area or with some Georgia Connection–just think if the Team had moved to the Planet of the Apes instead of Atlanta and we were Signing Players from that Area we would at least have OUR CENTER by now”. LOL
Daniel
August 4th, 2010
3:08 pm
Man this off season has been one big bore.
The Hawks have managed to fold nicely right back into the 90’s, decent mid level playoff team with 1st/2cd round exit.
With all the free agent movement the NBA as a whole is going to be totally boring. The regular season will be even more meaningless than it normally is, and issues of cap space/luxury tax/player exemptions are more the goal than actually creating a winning team. (This is true for every team). Stern needs to fix this thing in a hurry. The MLS is now currently drawing more fans on average to regular season games than the NBA. We have “stars” that more loyal to NIKE than their team and no hope for the vast majority of NBA teams.
Where will be the pride/glory/etc of watching the Heat or Lakers win a title?
We are all suckers.
Daniel
August 4th, 2010
3:11 pm
PRESTONI- I can’t agree with everything you said, but that was one funny as heck post!!! Good job.
GrymmDaReaper
August 4th, 2010
3:13 pm
Hawks probably will make the playoffs as a 5th or 6th seed. Get thier arse handed to them by Miami, Orlando, or Boston in the first round. Al Horford will be itching to ge out of here, and I will not be able to blame him. I do not think I can blame Sund fully for this summer’s debacle ( passing on Whitehead almost made me sick to my stomach ). ASG cheap pockets pulling Sund’s strings and limited his moves. Where is David Mcdavid when you need him. ASG sell the team please !!
cp
August 4th, 2010
3:16 pm
This has been one big disappointing summer and it has nothing to do with Shaq. Its all about the front office refusal to make a move and upgrade this roster.. This we love our core stuff has to stop. I remember when they hired Sund and a Sonics fan came on here and told us that Sund would not make any big splashes, would move slow, and would be scared to break up the core of the team. Well it looks like that fan was correct………..The Hawks had so many opportunities to improve this team and did absolutely nothing……Had a chance to draft a young shot blocking center but chose to sell the pick but wont use the money from the pick to improve this team……..They want a cheap big and had a chance to get one and didn’t……They brought back Collins who has been a terrible player since his days at Stanford. I’m sure a guy like Whiteside will be more productive this year than Collins has been the last 5 years of his career combined.. They wont use the mle or tpe. This front office is fine with being a 4th seed. They aren’t trying to win championships . Being a top 4 team is fine with this front office. smh what a joke
drmaryb (*_*)
August 4th, 2010
3:31 pm
Joe – Smoe!
Well, at least Joe got his! Know who’s the big Dummy?
All you Joe got paid haters … Ha Ha Ha!
Joe got the Life, the Wife, the Baby on the way, the mansion in South Beach, and the Money top pay for it all!
And, you call him dumb?
I wish I was dumb?
Section 303
August 4th, 2010
3:32 pm
I have been a long time strong believer that Francisco Elson would be a great fit for the Hawks. He is an athletic big man who can run the floor. The Hawks should have made a move for him two years ago, before he signed with the Spurs (I think that’s where he went). The guy is older now, but I think he would still fit.
Brown would be fine, too. The guy is built, as my dad would say, “like a brick sh#t house”. He could knock some people around. The Hawks need that.
So, I’m fine with either Elson or Brown. Like Michael said yesterday, Carney would be a good add, too. So, either Elson or Brown, plus Carney, and that’s OK.
Of course, as always, we are talking about the Hawks and the ASG. We probably won’t get any of those guys.
Angela
August 4th, 2010
3:41 pm
The Hawks don’t have any more money for other players. Hell, they gave it all to Joe Johnson. And for what?
Ray
August 4th, 2010
3:46 pm
I wished the hawks had signed shaq…i don’t think it would have been a championship move, but it would have helped us against D12 and his crew. They are talking about Kwame Brown and bringing him in. I do agree that he is a defensive presence, but he is limited offensively. If the Hawks wanted to win a title, I believe that they would have do what’s necessary to win. They just want to show the fans that they will continue to be a “playoff” team. And for me, that’s just isn’t enough.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 4th, 2010
4:01 pm
David McDavid
I heard David McDavid filed for bankruptcy this year. Something about selling cars is not doing so well In this economy. I wonder if he would have been ok financially, had he purchased the Hawks?
But, he did win that, what? 28 Million law suit from the soured TBS deal.
(Correct me on the amount won), but of course an immediate appeal was filed.
Too bad for us, he got hood-winked on the Hawks purchase 6 years ago.
I wish ASG would just pack their things and leave us all alone!
Why did Ted Turner sell the Hawks and thrashers as a package deal,
and better yet, why would anyone buy them as a unit?
I think it hurts both teams, the Hawks moreso.
Oh well, anybody ready for some Football?
Jae Evolution
August 4th, 2010
4:06 pm
It seems Shaq has signed to a 1 year deal, but the deal is not done yet, maybe a small chance he refuses the offer they give him. http://boston.sbnation.com/2010/8/3/1603402/shaquille-oneal-free-agent-celtics-contract-nba#shaq-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with
The atlanta spirit group that's really mostly from out of town
August 4th, 2010
4:07 pm
Hey look, Shaq signed for $1.4 million. We offered him $995,000. We tried, okay?
Like we said before (oops, I mean like we told Rick to say it), we preferred veterans on the roster to draft picks. We did not say a single thing about GOOD veterans who can make a difference. See? You have to pay attention. Right now we are exploring a sign and trade that will involve us signing David Pendergraft to a GM contract and trading him to the Phoenix Suns for Grant Hill’s shoes that he used to wear back before he was injured the first time. We will use them for marketing purposes, and we will also get a $5,000 trade exception which will allow us to re-sign Mario West, who we believe has massive potential, but was not used well by Mike Woodson.
Jason Collins will be a fine center for us, did you not see him stop Shaq two plays in a row in that game we had against Cleveland last year? Just relax, everything will be fine, and we will regain the 4th seed in the playoffs again next year. We might even win a game in the second round as long as we aren’t facing the Magic, Heat, Celtics, or any other team with 50 wins or more. We are guaranteed to win the first round in no less than 7 games, provided we don’t face a healthy Milwaukee, Chicago, or Charlotte team.
Please stop calling us cheap. We just handed Joe Johnson 124 million reasons to ignore..er…patch things up with the fans and not fly the coup and join a group of SuperFriends. For his next act, he is going to average anywhere from 12 to 17 points per game in the playoffs next year. You hafta love this guy!
ILL-Logical
August 4th, 2010
4:11 pm
Folks. Why do you think that Sund’s staff is trying to jump ship? Why didn’t ANY free agents *want* to come here? Why is the Hawks’ head coach the lowest paid head coach in the Association? The answer; 8 “owners” who have lost money every year and can not agree on how to change that condition except to NOT spend money.
The world is not coming to an end,at least not yet. At some point cash will prevail and anywhere from 1 to all of them will sell. Of course it will not be in time for the 2010-11 season.
Blast
August 4th, 2010
4:20 pm
As far as the ASG goes, with them, it is what is. What you see is what you get. I’m not going to waste any time, emotions or heartache on them anymore. Hawks still my team, forever rooting, but we all can see ASG is not thinking championship. They would spend money if they were. So why should I moan, gripe and constipate myself about how another man spends his money?
I know next season will be super interesting. With all the crazy off season moves and Hawks apathy, I believe we all are in for some big suprises.