Atlanta Hawks: There’s not only shame in the same
Don't forget there's a lot of talent in this picture (and more on the bench).
While wrapping up his positional rankings, Kelly Dwyer at Ball Don’t Lie tabbed Al as No. 4 among centers. Now that Dwyer has completed his rankings, it’s a good time to take stock of his perspective on the Hawks and what that might mean for 2010-11.
Dwyer ranks J.J. No. 4 and Jamal No. 12 among shooting guards. Dwyer has Smoove as the seventh-best power forward . Marvin is No. 21 among small forwards on Dwyer’s list.
You can quibble with the exact position Dwyer puts Atlanta players on his list but I don’t think you’d get much argument if you said J.J., Josh and Al are all top 10 players at their position and Jamal is a top 15 shooting guard (and top 2 or 3 among bench players). That’s significant talent and it’s important to remember as a quiet summer has (understandably) led to a focus on what the Hawks lack.
It may be difficult to look at a roster with the same rotation as last season and imagine how Atlanta can be significantly better. But the flip side of that stability is that the Hawks can reasonably expect to be good at many the same things this season as they were last season
The Hawks were a very efficient offensive team in 2009-10. J.J. and Jamal are great individual offensive talents. Al and Josh are efficient scorers and each has at least one superlative offensive trait for big men–the midrange jumper for Al, passing ability for Josh.
The Hawks were a good offensive rebounding team, and Al and Josh figure to keep that trend going. Atlanta wasn’t such a good defensive rebounding team but perhaps less switches helps in that area even if it doesn’t solve the problems still lurking on the perimeter.
The Hawks were a low-turnover team last season. Yes, L.D.’s move to a motion offense is likely to result in more turnovers but at least the players are already well-drilled in a culture that disdains giving the ball away so perhaps the dip in that area won’t be drastic. Scoring more efficiently in transition also can help offset any increase in turnovers.
None of those strengths speaks to defense, of course, and it’s no secret that’s going to be a key. The Hawks were middle of the pack by most defensive measures. Yet they do have some individual defensive talent in Josh, Al, J.J., Marvin and Teague. Their problem was attitude and effort, not physical talent, so the tools are there if L.D. and his staff can get this group to defend until they are “uncomfortable,” as Al put it.
So there is your dose of optimism for the weekend, blog people.
– THHBis counting down the greatest Hawks of all time at Peachtree Hoops.
– Woody’s daughters will play volleyball for Tech this season after transferring.
– Hawks radio guy Dennis Scott is a judge for a BBQ sides contest. As a big proponent for side dishes bring just as important as the Q, I want to know how I can get in on that. You know, other than by being a solid NBA player for 10 years.
MC
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69 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
August 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
“Bottom line, Smoove is better in all of the areas we need help in most, which is rebounding and DEF, and Melo is better in the one area we need help in the least, and that’s scoring.”
It is true that Smoove does everything other than scoring at least as well as Melo if not significantly better. On a team that already has an elite, go-to scorer, you’d much rather have a guy like Smoove who can play the role of a 2nd or 3rd option. The problem, though, is that the Hawks are a team full of 2nd and 3rd options with no real elite scorer. I know you have the utmost faith in Larry Drew’s offense, but the fact of the matter is that the only team in recent NBA history that won a title without an elite, go-to scorer was the 2004 Pistons. Everyone else has had a go-to guy who could score much more reliably and efficiently than Joe Johnson. Say what you want about Melo, but he is at worst the league’s 5th best scorer (Kobe, LeBron, Wade, and Durant are ahead of him) and will remain that way for another 7 or 8 years minimum.
In a perfect world, the Hawks could trade Joe Johnson for Melo straight up and trot out a front court of Melo, Smoove, and Horford, which would be the best front court in the league (yes, even better than LeBron/Bosh/trash or Artest/Gasol/Bynum) and would feature an unquestionable #1 option. But with Joe having signed a max contract, not only is he not allowed to be traded until December 15, but there’s no way a team like Denver — who will be entering rebuilding mode upon trading Melo — will take on Joe’s contract. I wouldn’t enjoy giving up Smoove or Al for Melo, but doing so would give the Hawks a legitimate Big Three with a legitimate #1 option, allowing Joe not only to be the #2 option but also to focus more of his energy on the defensive end, where he is capable of making a much bigger impact than he currently does. Bottom line is that having that legit #1 option brings the Hawks much closer to being a championship team than they currently are, and they could compensate for the defensive downgrade by bringing in proven role players the way Miami, Boston, and the Lakers do.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
And needless to say, if there’s some way the Hawks could bring Melo here without trading one of their top three players, they would have to be idiots not to do so.
J from the A
August 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
So, according to ESPN, Jamal Crawford may ask to be traded …
newkid
August 27th, 2010
8:40 pm
…and a second round exit after a disgusting showing. But, I’m okay with YOU (Rev in Tampa) and the ASG settling. Have at it.
rusty
August 27th, 2010
8:46 pm
no team would take on jj contract
drmaryb (*_*)
August 27th, 2010
8:53 pm
Tim
The Dream are blacked out on NBA TV. I have Direct TV …
Their studios are downtown Atlanta. I guess it’s just blacked out locally so we should buy the tickets. I guess paying $70 for Satellite TV isn’t enough in this economy – hugh.
KevinM
August 27th, 2010
8:59 pm
Najeh, I trade E#2 or Smoove for Melo straight up, but probably not Al. I see Al helps us at the 5, and you would have to have some awesome faith in Josh Powell playing behind Al at the 4.
That trade makes us more well rounded IMO, because you have a better 1/2 court team
immediately. Marvin and Bibby can leave anytime as well. They will be very little missed from them.
The Cleveland/Denver games where LBJ and CA went head to head convinced me that he is a terrific trio to go with Smoove/AL or E#2.
Denver has an excellent duo in CA and Billups but needs more than that to compete with LA.
I don’t think anyone mentioned the disparity in FT% between CA and Smoove…..
CA – 508-612 .830
Smoove – 261-422 618
JC1 asking for a trade? Is Sund back from vac and telling him he won’t get an extension until after the season? I would ask for a trade as well from this ownership group because JC1 knows he will never be a starter here, and if he wants to start, it will have to be elsewhere.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 27th, 2010
9:29 pm
I wouldn’t want to play behind Marvin either. Jamal is just like chills in that regard.
Michael Cunningham
August 27th, 2010
9:31 pm
@newkid: “The relative quality of a few trees a forest does not make.”
noted.
Michael Cunningham
August 27th, 2010
9:33 pm
@Section 303: “Michael, I still have a hard time getting the Orlando series out of my mind. I just can’t forgive lack of effort. The Hawks quit in that series.”
can’t argue that. clearly it’s not a talent problem for the Hawks. i was just trying to offer some positives after weeks of negative, but i understand how you feel.
doc
August 27th, 2010
9:48 pm
at newk …. hmmmmm sensei.
Tim
August 27th, 2010
10:01 pm
@drmaryb
Thanks for the info.
I thought it was only blacked out on Fox Sports South, didn’t know it wasn’t playing on NBA TV either. They should do a a better job of letting people know when the game isn’t sold out. More people would have gone to the game if they knew it would be blacked out.
Sorry for typing this here, but the Atlanta Dream don’t have a blog on the AJC website.
nique
August 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
marvin, jamal + first rounder for melo. Benefits for denver are jamal’s expiring contract + marvin’s potential upside (!). i would never want to include Josh or Al in a trade for melo. imagine those 3 playing together it would be amazing their combinations of skills would be unstoppable, and then with jj in the back court i couldnt care if second year teague was running the point and hopefully Jordan Crawford can pick up some of the slack on the bench. That’s a potential four all-stars in our starting 5. Miami’s only got 3….
drmaryb (*_*)
August 28th, 2010
8:40 am
Tim
I know, the Dream could use some extra advertising dollars.
But, the WNBA is hanging in there and growing talent.
Most home play off games probably will be blacked out tho.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 28th, 2010
8:46 am
MC
time for u to take out the trash again, he’s bacck.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 28th, 2010
11:42 am
790 The Zone
Is blasting the ASKG right now for NOT even having a conversation with
Jamal Crawford re: his contract extension. He is irrate and demanding a trade right now. Sounds like De Ja Vu – with Childress (who opted to play in Greece)
rather than be disrespected by these CLOWNS!
Why not return a phone call and say, “Not Interested!”
No one wants to be IGNORED! That’s is just rude, unprofessional and
WRONGE! This ORG does everything – WRONGE!
Get it together! AS killeer Group! You’re turning off the players, fans and all the FA’s. Go Clippers!
Go Figure!
tyger
August 28th, 2010
1:41 pm
Problem is…
the PLAYOFFS!!! Not the regular season, run those numbers in the playoffs and let’s see where we stand.
I’m sick and tired of this franchise treating its fanbase like we’re stupid. As though, we will continue to fork over our precious money and time for a mediocre entertainment product, just to be embarrassed once again, when the games really count.
If they dont come up with an answer to Miami, Boston moves then there’s nothing here to get excited about. I think I’ll just sit back and watch the games for free and avoid the traffic and save a few bucks.
Anybody know any good penny stocks to divert my Hawks’ budget too?
Joseph
August 28th, 2010
2:13 pm
There is nothing to say the Hawks can’t be full out winners, but it takes an attitude adjustment. One that knows they can beat every team every night. That takes a leader who projects that. Since the only new player is from LA, and the coach, I am not sure it can happen, especially with what is going on in Miami. Shaq would have helped the perception that they can win. I am not a coach, just an Atlanta Lawyer
James
August 28th, 2010
3:47 pm
Trade Joe Johnson, Josh Smith & Jamal Crawford to Denver for Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin & J.R. Smith.