Atlanta Hawks: Down the road, Dampier might be best of rest
'Damp' might be best of big men left once he's released.
There doesn’t seem to be much enthusiasm for the remaining free-agent centers. Understandable considering it wasn’t a deep crop of free agents to begin and it quickly thinned out after Shaq finished off the second wave of signings and now really looks to be shrug-worthy with Kwame Brown in Charlotte.
Brown’s signing also seems to mean Erick Dampier is the odd center out in Charlotte from among Nazr Mohammed and DeSagna Diop. As training camp approaches, the Hawks will look to see which vets are waived and presumably they’d be interested in Dampier if he’s let go since he’s probably a better option than the other centers on the market (comparisons below).
Dampier is owed $13 million in non-guaranteed money next season so Charlotte could waive him to clear salary but Bobcats GM Rod Higgins says he’s seeking to trade Dampier after Sept. 13. No team is going to pay Dampier that salary so he’ll become a free agent one way or the other.
From the AP via Yahoo! Sports:
Higgins’ next big move involves Dampier, acquired last month in a five-player deal that sent Chandler to the Mavericks. Dampier’s non-guaranteed contract is a big chip for the Bobcats, who are desperately trying to get under the NBA’s luxury-tax payroll threshold of $70.3 million.
Charlotte could simply waive Dampier and get under that figure, and they had planned to do that and re-sign him. Because Charlotte is over the salary cap, it only can offer Dampier $2.2 million this season, what’s left over from the $5.7 million midlevel exception after the Bobcats struck a two-year, $7 million deal with point guard Shaun Livingston a day after the Dampier trade.
The 35-year-old Dampier rejected that offer, but agent Dan Fegan said his client hasn’t completely ruled out returning to Charlotte if he’s waived.
“It’s not a closed deal from our perspective,” Fegan said. “I understand what Rod Higgins is trying to do. I have a good relationship with Rod, and I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
The potential problem for the Hawks, of course, is if Dampier turned down $2.2 million from Charlotte he wouldn’t be inclined to sign for the minimum. Atlanta’s team salary is roughly $2.7 million under the luxury-tax threshold so there’s some wiggle room above his vet minimum of $1.35 million. Dampier wouldn’t come with the potential headaches that spooked them with Shaq so, who knows, maybe the Hawks would offer Dampier more than the minimum if it came to that.
So far the minimum looks to be the market price for Josh Boone, Francisco Elson and Brian Skinner. Here’s a statistical comparison of the four centers’ production per 48 minutes last season along with their opponents’ production per 48, via 82games.com. For Elson and Skinner, I used their 2008-09 statistics since they didn’t play significant minutes in 2009-10. These numbers come with the usual disclaimers about context, role, etc.
eFG%=effective field goal percentage
iFG%=inside field goal percentage
Dampier (1280 minutes played)
FGA=8.0
eFG%=.630
FTA=3.8
iFG=83%
REB=15.0
AST=1.2
TO=2.3
BLK=2.9
PF=5.7
PTS=12.3
PER=15.8Opponent counterpart vs. Dampier
FGA=14.1
eFG%=.500
FTA=4.6
iFG=49%
REB=14.0
AST=2.1
TO=2.4
BLK=1.6
PF=4.2
PTS=17.5
PER=17.0Boone (1045 minutes played; stats are for roughly 500 minutes played at center)
FGA=8.7
eFG%=.618
FTA=3.5
iFG=82%
REB=13.4
AST=1.3
TO=1.4
BLK=2.3
PF=5.8
PTS=11.9
PER=16.9Opponent counterpart vs. Boone (at center)
FGA=14.2
eFG%=.516
FTA=8.0
iFG=55%
REB=13.4
AST=3.7
TO=3.3
BLK=1.9
PF=5.0
PTS=20.0
PER=20.5Skinner (roughly 340 minutes played at center)
FGA=8.4
eFG%=.397
FTA=3.3
iFG=55%
REN=12.2
AST=1.6
BLK=2.7
PF=5.9
PTS=8.5
PER=8.7Opponent production vs. Skinner (at center)
FGA=14.3
eFG%=.495
FTA=7.2
iFG=56%
REB=15.9
AST=2.6
TO=3.0
BLK=2.6
PF=4.5
PTS=19.1
PER=18.7Elson (977 minutes played, all but a handful at center)
FGA eFG% FTA iFG REB AST TO BLK PF PTS PER
FGA=8.2
eFG=.509
FTA=1.9
iFG=51%
REB=11.3
AST=1.5
TO=2.4
BLK=1.8
PF=7.2
PTS=9.9
PER=11.8Opponent counterpart vs. Elson
FGA=13.1
eFG%=0.572
FTA=6.0
iFG=57%
REB=13.9
AST=2.3
TO=2.6
BLK=1.9
PF=5.9
PTS=19.4
PER=20.7
A comparison of the four centers via basketballreference.com shows that Dampier comes out ahead in true shooting percentage (accounts for free throws), rebounding percentage, block percentage, offensive and defensive ratings and win shares. He’s good on the offensive glass, efficient scoring at the rim (and smart enough to almost never attempt shots away from the basket), doesn’t foul very much despite the good block rate and has the size to contend with the East’s post bangers.
Boone’s Synergy numbers as a post defender are pretty solid, suggesting he can hold his own down there with his length and relatively slight frame. He’s still only 25, too. But there doesn’t look to be an upward trend in his production. And it’s not like the Hawks are looking to give out a long-term deal, anyway.
Dampier spent years as a starter in the Mavericks’ winning program. Boone was a rookie on New Jersey’s ‘06-’07 playoffs squad. Elson played 20 postseason games for San Antonio’s 2007 champion. Skinner’s teams were bounced from the first round three out of four times; he was a bit player for Philadelphia’s ‘02-’03 team that made the second round.
Dampier seems to be a pretty low-maintenance vet. During the 2006 Finals, us hacks kept trying to bait him into verbally sparring with Shaq after he’d once famously called him “Ericka” Dampier. Dampier wouldn’t bite and was dang near emotionless when talking about. As I recall, he ended up being pretty solid off the bench against the Heat after not playing in the West finals.
So I guess all of this is a long way of saying Dampier appears to be a better option than the vet free agents available at the moment. I’d give Dampier the edge over Boone because of his size, defense, efficient scoring and an amazingly single-minded focus on his role. He’s a solid pro who might come at a reasonable price, which of course means there should be a market for him once he’s finally released.
MC
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208 comments Add your comment
KevinM
August 27th, 2010
10:29 am
All the talk about this while the ASG shakes their head at us in laughter. They aren’t going to pull any trigger to ignite the fan base. They aren’t going to admit bringing Melo here makes any sense. They won’t even acknowledge interest in forming such a team.
They aren’t breaking up the core for the sake on one of the elite NBA players and take a chance on him walking away in a year.
Sund will be on vacation while someone comes in and gets a deal done with Denver.
The Truth
August 27th, 2010
10:47 am
Does anyone really believe Atlanta is on Melo’s wish list? If not, this is where JJ could make good on his claims to recruit special players for the Hawks.
The reps for Carmelo Anthony, William Wesley and Leon Rose, have given the Nuggets a list of teams that their client would be willing to play for, Wojnarowski reports
vava74
August 27th, 2010
11:01 am
KevinM,
You must realize that if we did go for ‘Melo we would be in trouble to extend Al next year.
It would be in deep luxury tax territory with virtually all of his new salary being considered for the luxury tax.
And you should take into consideration that according to Forbes, the Hawks had an operating loss of 3 million last year…
This is not monopoly money.
I grant that ‘Melo’s arrival would probably make the season ticket sales skyrocket and that marketing items would also see their sales increased but it is always a terrifying prospect to have your effective pay roll increase by more than 20 million (Al’s salary next year x 2).
The Truth
August 27th, 2010
11:12 am
OK Gearson, using your own words, what about Melo? Would you pursue him at a cost of a luxury tax?
“If somebody came to us tomorrow and said you can have LeBron for max money and it puts you in the luxury tax, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Gearon said. “But am I going to do that for [Zydrunas] Ilgauskas? Am I going to do it for Jermaine O’Neal? I don’t think so.”
ReddJonn68
August 27th, 2010
11:14 am
Come on people wake up !!! We did not make Melo’s or CP3’s wish list, so what does that tell you about this org. nobody wants to play for ASG or Sund. Shaq even took less money & where has JJ azz been when it comes to recruiting anybody. Seems like everyone in the Hawks front office is sniffing glue or paint or whatever, who knows ??? All I know is, if we don’t add some real depth up front or some more firepower we may have seen the best this young core has to offer, because the EAST is not a cake walk anymore.
ryan
August 27th, 2010
11:35 am
Mello wants out of Denver now he does not care how he gets out he just wants out the Nuggets will look at all offers so the Hawks have a window to make a trade .
The Truth
August 27th, 2010
11:39 am
The Melo opportunity is yet example of how an aggressive and proactive GM can make a difference between making such a trade a reality verses making-up public excuses for why it’s a bad idea for the Hawks by continuously chanting “I LIKE OUR CORE”. Inaction speaks louder then words; lazy and satisfied.
ReddJonn68
August 27th, 2010
11:56 am
@ ryan I understand about Denver’s position concerning Melo & the Hornets with CP3, but when you have guys that putting the Nets, the Rockets, & the Knicks ahead of us that is a slap in the face to this Hawks orginazation. Oh yeah CP3 even mentioned the Clippers !!! WTF !!!
JoJo the Godfather
August 27th, 2010
12:02 pm
Forget Melo…Get Billups…That’s who we need…Leadership skills…Better offensive PG…Better defensive PG.
Also, I wonder how Al Harrington feels signing a 5-yr deal right before they blow that team up.
Ken Strickland
August 27th, 2010
12:08 pm
Greetings everyone! I’ve had to tend to some personal issues that took all of my time and concentration, so I’ve fallen behind. In the process of catching up, I’ve realized that very little has changed in the 10 days I’ve been away.
First, let’s not get too carried away with this backup center situation. Zaza is our #1 backup center, so JCollins, and anyone else we sign, will be used more as situational substitutions. LDrew stated rather emphatically that the Atlanta Hawks will no longer try to match up with everyone else, like we’ve done in the past.
He made it perfectly clear his intention is to make everyone else try to match up to our speed, quickness, athleticism and style of play. That means teams will need speed, quickness and/or athleticism, rather than height and size, to effectively stop us.
Last yr we were pretty successful and managed to out do all of the preseason predictions of the so called experts, and most of our fans. And we did that with an underachieving SF and the NBA’s slowest, least athletic, and least productive starting PG. Some of our fans continue to concern themselves over JTeague’s ability to run the team. Well, what makes any of you so certain Bibby actually ran this team?
How can you credit a PG for running a team when he seldom ventured below the 3pt line with the ball in his hands, which means he seldom penetrated, and ranked 3rd on the team in assists. JJ and Crawford were far more instrumental in running our OFF than Bibby. Even our PF, JSmith, contributed more toward running our OFF than Bibby, which is reflected in his high number of assists.
Since both JJ and Crawford are still with the team, the concern over whether Teague can run the team is really unwarranted. Although he wasn’t given an opportunity to demonstrate what he can do, he’s certainly demonstrated enough to show he can penetrate, get to the FT line, create easy scoring opportunities for others, play DEF, and average at least 9.1PPG and 3.9APG. At this point, I’ll take what I don’t know for certain about Teague, over what I do know form certain about Bibby any day of the week.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 27th, 2010
12:38 pm
Ken is Back!
And, I for one am glad! It is so refreshing to hear your consistent optimism.
You bring a clear and positive argument for being a fan of our team.
And for that, you are appreciated.
My concern is – Are you feeling OK. I know you shagged some 25LBS and are committed to beating your formidable opponent health wise. I’m putting all my money on you (I am not a betting woman), but I know with your positive mental attitude? You will WIN!
So based on your assessments, the Hawks need better SF and PG play in Drew’s new offense. But, we have 12 players under contract right now.
do you think Dampier can help this team? And more so, will Sund got and get it done. If not, who would you like to see @ #13? Do you see any trades being made before the season start? If so, what position?
The FA store shelves are empty but there are players who will be released for teams to get under the Luxury Tax Cap. Dampier is one for example.
Again, Welcome Back! You’ve been sorely missed.
The Blog Troll has been appearing less and less, but more vile than ever when he does get on here. Not much has changed in that regards.
Rev in Tampa
August 27th, 2010
12:46 pm
Welcome Back Ken! I was thinking about you (and your abscence) as I was interacting with Grandad last night.
Fundamentals
August 27th, 2010
12:46 pm
Maybe I’m dreaming but I can agree that Melo should like ATL as a home, not b/c of ASG, but b/c of our climate, the night scene, music scene and “core”. JT, JJ, Smoove and Al would be hard to beat with Melo. I’d say if he doesn’t go this season we can really market ourselves to him once we prove JT can run the offense and JC2 can be an effective SG backup. It’d be a scary team for everyone else for the next 5-6 years. It may be a dream, but could be reality with the right people saying the right things….what’s that? An alarm clock! @%$#$%
Dampier still might be a good servicable big, but I hate his age so I wouldn’t give up much for him. We definitely need SF help as well. Don’t know how many times I can apologize to Mo, but he’s a SG. If we could deal Mo and Bibby we’d open up more minutes for JC2 to develop and seize an opp to improve our SF slot and possibly C slot through a trade.
Same news is same news Ken, we still got High Hopes and dreams of something under the tree at Christmas…I just hope it’s not the shoes on my feet giftwrapped with the promise of new odor eaters insoles to dampen the smell.
KevinM
August 27th, 2010
12:50 pm
Vava, All I have said is the ASG will not consider being mentioned as a team of interest. Will CA upset the salary structure of this team? You bet it could, but I do see the Spurs with 3 core players and they still reside around the cap.
Give Sund the blame for those limitations by giving Bibby, Marvin and Zaza numbers that cripple your ability to add more elite players.
If we are solid with the current core 3 of E#2, Al and Smoove, then we stay at the level we are currently performing at. An overlap of talent at PF should have been resolved by now, but keep calling Al a C if you choose. It hurts us defensively and has been proven.
KevinM
August 27th, 2010
12:53 pm
Not to mention that say the CBA drastically reduces a player’s max salary number…then what will be the direction of this team? Al might not get the numbers that even Smoove is making. Right now, it is all a crapshoot. Me, I am interested in the upcoming year…not 3-5 years down the road. No one knows what the salary structure will be in 1 year, much less 3 years.
Fundamentals
August 27th, 2010
12:55 pm
Our defensive system broke down when we got caught switching so much. Outside of that Dwight was the only player Al couln’t stop at C. Wait…no one stopped Dwight effectively 1 on 1? A legit 7′ C would be helpful, but only if he has the youth and speed to mesh with our team enough to bump Smoove to #3 and Al to #4. Is that man out there? Some touted McGhee, some said Thompson when Sac traded him away? Who would you suggest we get using the money for Bibby, Marvin, ZaZa and Mo?
Fundamentals
August 27th, 2010
12:58 pm
The new CBA might just stop work after this season. Hard cap sounds nice to folks like us who play by the rules. Other teams will absolutely refuse. How will MIA fare when they restructure? Can they force players to restructure their deals to fit in the cap? It’s all up in the air. Depending on how it goes down ASG might look smart in 2 years. Hate to admit it, but it’s very possible.
KevinM
August 27th, 2010
12:59 pm
Jason Thompson –
I would like to see more of DeAndre Jordan
Both guys are 6′11″ 250…Thompson was ‘08 #12 in the draft…Jordan is on a 1 year $854K…less than JC3.
Earl Barron has said he is confident he will be on a NBA East Division team this year, and the Knicks are probably not a factor.
Fundamentals
August 27th, 2010
1:34 pm
Jordan – I like the idea of a young prospect. What do the Clips need to nab him? What about the 7′ Jordan from this draft class? Definitley like the idea of youth + height. I’d give up something to gamble on that.
hawkfan335
August 27th, 2010
1:44 pm
Just out of curiosty, how long is Sund’s contract as GM?
Hoops
August 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
QUESTION?
Is Twin’s (Collins) contract guareented or does he have to make the team to get a Vet. Min. contract? If he has to make the team, the Hawks should invite Boone to camp and let the two of them earn the spot. I would sign Dampier when the Bobcats let him go. We still are 2.7M under the L. tax.
I would feel better about the 4 & 5 positions if we had J. Smith, Horford, Powell, Zaza, Dampier, and Boone to battle inside!
drmaryb (*_*)
August 27th, 2010
2:21 pm
Another One Bites the Dust!
Kenneth from AJC just removed the Blog Troll comments.
No more TS – till next time.
For Real
August 27th, 2010
2:42 pm
Carmelo Anthony is going to be traded.
ATTENTION ASG PLEASE PUT THIS PACKAGE TOGETHER AND TRADE FOR MELO:
Marviin Williams
Jamal Crawford
Next Years 1st round pick
AFTER THAT PACKAGE THIS DEAL AND GET ANDREW BYNUN FROM THE LAKERS:
Al Hortford
ZaZa
Mike Bibby
2010 – 2011 Starting lineup:
PG: Jeff Teague/Mid level Exception
SG: Joe Johnson
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Josh Smith
C: Andrew Bynum
Fundamentals
August 27th, 2010
2:46 pm
MC – can we get an answer to Hoops question on Twin and also on what’s up with Sy?
Fundamentals
August 27th, 2010
2:49 pm
BYNUM will always be hurt FOR REAL! Keep Al Horford!
drmaryb (*_*)
August 27th, 2010
2:59 pm
Fundamentals
I’m sure Miami will be grandfathered under the current CBA Contract.
Any moves they make after the new deal should be dealt with seperately.
IMO. (correct me if I’m wrong)
Looks like Sundless is relegated to making trades to further build this team at this point to stay under the cap. Marvin is the only player I saw on the Hawks trading block but, I’m sure outside the “core” others are also trade-able.
Sund should seriously try to convince World Wide Wess to deal
Melo here. That would solve many issues on this roster.
Melo played stellar defense on Kobe in a series a few years back.
He can defend when motivated. Melo is on his Honeymoon now so the WIFE is definitely in CONTROL. She who holds the “Red Hot Pocketbook” rules the world! (If you know what I mean).
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
3:02 pm
SteveW
From above…..^…..I don’t recall using your
name in conjunction with any of my posts. Perhaps
some of your comments fell into the overall category
of the topic on which I posted. My topic was Melo,
my point with him being his wife seems to be in charge.
Imagine that, married men? An adjoining point was…..
Melo is a 6-7 Jamal Crawford [essentially]. with more hype.
J.R. Smith, all I can say is Why? He will ruin the locker room.
You want to talk about chemistry & Shaq. J.R. Smith – “toxic”.
I would prefer to leave the team alone
OR
actually make a trade to improve the *dynamics.
*[team concept]
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
3:06 pm
Ken Strickland
I’ve been worried about you.
Ken Strickland
August 27th, 2010
3:08 pm
DRMARYB-I’m 6′1″, and I’ve gone from 260lbs down to 229lbs. And Candice, my Doberman, has gone from 106lbs to 91.8lbs. I’ve relocated so that I will have more family support with my other health issues. After deciding to move, the AC went out in my rental house, and 2 major water leaks developed. One was in the house and destroyed the hardwood floors in 2BR’s and the hall, and the other leak was outside under the slab. There was standing water in the back yd.
This all happened within a 2wk period, and I had to move my tenants out as quickly as possible. I decided to move them into my other house, rather than trying to find new tenants, and within 2days they flooded part of my basement by flushing napkins and paper towels down the toilet. I’m hoping everything will settle down and I can move on.
A positive attitude is what’s kept me going all of these yrs. If I hadn’t taken a positive approach after suffering a stroke, which paralyzed the entire R side of my body, I either wouldn’t be alive today, or I’d be confined to a bed or wheelchair. I went from being flat on my back looking up at the ceiling, and trying to figure out how I can kill myself, to doing a complete 180 in my thought process, which allowed me to work so hard at rehabbing that I was discharged 3wks after suffering the stroke.
That’s why it’s so hard for me to hear all of these NEGATIVE ATTITUDE AND APPROACHES, along with the prerequisite whining and crying, that seems to go along with this approach, about who the Hawks did sign, or ahoulda, coulda woulda signed.
Last yr, the Hawks were better than every other Eastern Conference team except Cleveland and Orlando. The biggest move the team could have made was to hire LDrew as our HC. His input and influence will do more for the Hawks than any FA we could have signed. He can do as much, if not more, to make us more competitive against DHoward and the Magic than Shaq. here’s my take on what the Hawks will have to deal with.
CELTICS-With KPerkins already injured and KG’s injury issues, along with the fragile nature of Shaq and JOneal, the Celtics front line if a potential infirmary waiting to happen.
BULLS-They have an unproven rookie HC just like us, and several new players, including 2 new starters. There will certainly be adjustment and/or chemistry issues on all fronts, especially between players, coaches and learning entirely new OFF/DEF systems. It’s funny how some fans fail to see any of this as a problem for them, but can come up with all sorts of issues for a Hawk starting lineup that’s been together for 3yrs and managed to finish ahead of the Bulls routinely.
BUCKS-They will have MRedd and ABogat returning from injury. They resigned JSalmons and added CMaggette to their starting lineup. Without giving it a second thought, some of our fans automatically move them past the Hawks. Well, each of these players are accustomed to taking between 13-15 shots per gm. Since theirs only on ball, and their PG also takes about 14 shots per gm, somebody is going to have some problems getting the job done offensively.
I SEE THE HAWKS FININSHING NO LOWER THAN 3RD IN THE EAST AGAIN.
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
3:14 pm
JoJo the Godfather
“Forget Melo…Get Billups…That’s who we need…Leadership skills…”
Co-sign!…..Right on, I would give up an important body part,
provided I have an Xtra one, then it would have to be my left one,
not that I need ‘em anymore, for Chauncey!
My favorite non Hawk not named Battier in the Association.
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
KS
Man, you make my hlth problems seem like a hangnail.
We need to get together and compare notes.
Hang in there buddy & like Mary Ellen says:
“with your positive mental attitude? You will WIN!”
Remember, laughter is the best medicine.
Cliche, I know, but it works.
Valvano’s 3 things to do every day:
“# 1 was laugh. You should laugh every day.”
doc
August 27th, 2010
3:29 pm
yeah gdad my concerns were there too and about to remark to that concern. i see ken didnt get a brain transplant on the hawks. heh heh
way to persevere ken, that explains a lot as a hawks fan.
i really hope we have found a coach as it all hinges on his selection and ability to get guys to buy in and teach what he wants. i like his intelligence or maybe better to say communication style as i am not inferring woody has less in the brain area, only i found it hard to listen to him more and more, each and every year.
SteveW
August 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
Grandad – Carmelo is 6-8 – Jamal is 6-5 – Carmelo weighs 30lbs+ more – not close to the same player – Carmelo is 4 years younger also.
Billups – yep, would love to have him – Marvin and Bibby’s salary work almost exactly – then sign Jarvis, Wilkens, Carney or somebody to replace Marvin.
Would love to have Dampier also – good rotation inside.
I still say Jamal, Marvin and 2 #1 picks, with Carmelo signing the extension, would probably land Carmelo here
I still would trade Bibby for Dampier, and sign Watson, Alston, Johnson, or even a couple of the aforementioned to replace Bibby.
Vava74 – Yes we would have to go into luxury tax next year to sign Horford – but with a team of Championship caliber, with 3 of your stars 26 or younger (”Melo, Smoove, Al), maybe
ASG would do it.
I doubt it, but maybe….
SteveW
August 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
And let me be clear, after numerous times – I do not want JR Smith here.
Fundamentals
August 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
Amen Ken,
I see the glass as 95% full here. No one here is giving LD and his staff a chance to prove they have a new voice, a new direction, a new opportunity to gel. I thought Mitchell, Scott and Johnson might be good coaches, but their style was the same negative style that Woodson failed with. We need our players to gel to win, as does any team. We’ve got a new shot this season.
As for FA, trades and signings I’m cool so far with what we have. Doesn’t matter if we’re 1-8, as long as we get a seed. Once the playoff starts LD needs tools that have been used all year to interchange and give us the best shot to win.
Looking at the roster I see us crowded at SG which could give us an opportunity to trade someone. I see us weak at SF in terms of defense and rebounding. We have 1-3 slots open to find LD some talent. It can be marquee or project to me. Just get a hungry kid who wants to committ to LD and who wants to work hard. We need a C prospect who’s young, quick footed and defensive minded to help with Dwight. That’s all cause no one else scares me. If we had such a prospect we’d be almost invicible if/when we gel.
I don’t see this team making any moves till the All-Star Break. I’m hoping, just like last year we’ll use that opportunity to trade players who don’t fit in with LD for those who can. We need folks who want to be here, who are positive like you and hungry to give it their all.
This season to me is about developing Teague, JC2 and maybe Sy for our present and future. It’s about making sure Collins and Bibby are in shape and ready for the playoffs. It’s about getting the most out of the extremely gifted players that we have.
If we gel and play our best, no one will have anything to worry about come playoff time. It’s all about our/their committment to LD’s vision and our team.
SteveW
August 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
KenS – God bless you man – I try to be positive but realistic in life also – and one thing I’m positive about is God is a healer – I know it’s a basketball blog – but hey, there are more important things…. Your in our prayers – be blessed!
Hoops
August 27th, 2010
3:50 pm
Ken Strickland,
Hang in there brother. God’s got your back. That’s as good as you can do. You’re in my prayers as well.
Rufus1
August 27th, 2010
3:50 pm
Something the Suns Fans have been dream about
http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2010/7/17/1574392/lets-make-a-dream-err-deal-josh
Rev in Tampa
August 27th, 2010
4:20 pm
Rufus1, I read the posting. I like your postings on the blog so my negativity is not directed your way.
First, in response to their assertion that Hawks fans have soured on Josh Smith is simply not true. Were I to poll this blog I believe that Al & Josh would be the two favorite Hawks players.
Second, I like Grandad’s trade scenarios much better. His are more thoughful.
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
4:25 pm
SteveW
Physical characteristics aside,
what does Melo bring to the table that Jamal does not?
Both high volume shooters / high volume scorers.
One Jamal, already here and has already checked his ego.
One Melo, has not.
Team needs:
(1) a Big
(2) depth @ pt g
(3) perimeter defender
High volume scorer/shooter, I think not.
Okay, with Melo & Joe, LD’s gonna have fun
gettin’ everyone on board with a team based offense.
In your previous arguments you said the [3] ‘must’
be able to hit the three point shot!
Well, Melo, isn’t very adept @ 3’s.
Obviously, I’m being a bit facetious,
so,
don’t get your drawers in a hitch.
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
Rev in Tampa
Thank you, I try.
Rufus1
August 27th, 2010
4:27 pm
Rev in Tampa
I agree with everything you said….I would trade Josh for anything less the a Legit Star. I just wanted the blog Fam to see other blogs dreams.
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
4:29 pm
Rev in Tampa
Did you ever tell us the church you serve?
If you did not, I certainly understand.
Rufus1
August 27th, 2010
4:40 pm
Earl Barron is My pick
Barron is a better fit I think for this Team. He is probably more hungry than Damp and More Athletic. We will have to pay Damp twice what Barron would cost…
Barron average 11pts and 11rbs for the Knicks in 7 games(David Lee OVERRATED). We always talk about getting someone to push Marvin…maybe we need to get someone to push ZAZA.
The Truth
August 27th, 2010
4:40 pm
Dear Ken
God bless you. You have played the hand life has dealt you very well up to this point as evident in your spirited optimism. One thing puzzled me though. How is it that you appear so strong when describing your personal battles yet appear frustrated when some don’t share your views on a basketball blog? As you know, from a big picture prospective, this place is just a forum for fans to share their own views about the Hawks and nothing more. I repeat, and nothing more. While it is always refreshing to read your positive views, I for one would not want any negative blog experience to have a harmful impact on your health. It is simply not worth the risk. Pardon me but this is something that I just had to say.
Sincerely,
The Truth
Rev in Tampa
August 27th, 2010
4:44 pm
Grandad, I have not said which church, but don’t mind doing so. I serve at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Brandon, FL (10 miles due east of downtown Tampa). At the risk of crossing the basketball blog/no religion limits, I like to tell people that we are a Bible-believing, Jesus-loving Presbyterian Church.
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
4:46 pm
Rufus1
Good read.
I think the writer misses the boat when he says;
“the Hawks seem to have soured on him” [Josh]
The attached scouting report also seemed to be a year old.
But, it [the link] makes a great point,
one that KS has been stressing,
we as a fan base tend to undervalue our assets.
Ken S said earlier he predicted;
“we finish 3rd”.
I agree, except, why not 1st or 2nd?
You must believe before you achieve!
-corny-
Maybe, one of my former players, now a coach,
came up with that from somewhere.
He may have coined it himself.
If the fan base does not have faith,
-How-
can we get angry with the players for the same thing?
Yet?
Rev in Tampa
August 27th, 2010
4:53 pm
Ken, I appreciate Truths concern, but I respectfully disagree with him. Keep bringing the passion. One of the beauties of this blog is the forum to EXPRESS ourselves. Of course the other beauty of this blog is drmaryb. I love her expressiveness.
just SHOOT me
August 27th, 2010
4:55 pm
How can anyone say we made the most important move this offseason by getting rid of Woody? Do I think we needed to start in a new direction? Of course! If that meant firing Woody then so be it. However, what else have we done? I GUARANTEE we’re taking a step back next year. This is something NO ONE can say during Woody’s years here as a coach.
The East is much stronger. I still predict the Hawks in the 5/6 seed next year with about a 45-49 win season. Probably end up getting bouced in the first round by Boston, Orlando or Miami. So tell me, how have we improved or have the rest of the teams in the East improved?
Dampier may not be our key ingredient to success, but we NEED to help Al Horford out. Even if it means signing a Dampier or Boone type player. Come on I mean we passed on everyone else so why not sign a big man. I would like to know what’s up with Pape Sy, but understand we’d have to buy-out his remaining contract and he apparently didn’t have a strong showing at summer camp.
Grandad
August 27th, 2010
5:12 pm
just SHOOT me
Pape Sy was injured most of Summer League.
Looked okay when he played, particularly Defense!
It’s what LD has seen – not us.
I saw every summer league game.
I was not enamored with Jordan Crawford as everyone else.
Does that make him a bad player? Heck no!
We can all *(look) @ the same thing & *(see) something different.
I hope Paps makes it big, just because;
wouldn’t it be great if he were the next Scottie Pippen?