Atlanta Hawks: Etan Thomas on ’short list’ for Hawks
Hawks interested in Thomas.
Jorge Sierra at HoopsHype.com reports the Hawks are close to signing free agent center Etan Thomas. Hawks assistant general manager Dave Pendergraft confirmed the team had Thomas in for a workout but said Thomas is one of a handful of free agents the Hawks are considering.
“He’s on a very, very short list,” Pendergraft said. “We were pleased with the workout.”
Pendergraft declined to comment on the other candidates for Atlanta’s 13th roster spot. But he said the team likes its options and is “not in a leftover situation” in its search for another center.
“We are very satisfied with who we’ve got under contract and we are looking to see who can accentuate that other position,” Pendergraft said.
Thomas played for the Wizards when Hawks coach Larry Drew was on Washington’s staff. Thomas averaged 14 minutes in 23 games for Oklahoma last season after injuries limited him to 26 games for Washington in 2008-09. He missed the 2007-08 season after undergoing open-heart surgery and has played more than 50 games just three times in eight seasons.
Listed at 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds, Thomas is known as a tough, physical post player who plays with high effort. But his numbers at 82games.com from last season and 2008-09 show that opposing centers lately have been productive against Thomas. Thomas’ block percentage, rebounding percentage and defensive rating have slipped in the last two years.
Thomas has the reputation for being a team leader, though he famously got into multiple fights with former Wizards teammate Brendan Haywood.
– It’s still possible forward Pape Sy will join the Hawks for 2010-11. Sy is set to report to camp for French club Le Havre but the Hawks and Sy’s representative are still talking to Le Havre about a buyout of the final year of Sy’s contract.
Atlanta selected Sy in the second round of the draft in June.
MC
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271 comments Add your comment
Grandad
August 28th, 2010
11:24 pm
SteveW
I still have the feeling that Pape Sy will be a rotation player.
That’s not based on anything I’ve seen, but listening to LD.
[I've listened very closely(actually read)]
Bold prediction:
Pape Sy will make a larger contribution to the Hawks
this year than JC2.
*[provided they shell out the cash to bring him over]
I still say we make a trade!
I now have my fingers crossed that it’s Chauncey.
Rev in Tampa
August 28th, 2010
11:32 pm
Grandad, do you think that Denver would give us Chauncey for Jamal straight up? I don’t know how to work the trade machine.
I am thinking that you have proposed the trade for Chauncey elsewhere but I don’t recall who you proposed for him.
Grandad
August 28th, 2010
11:39 pm
Rev in Tampa – (from last blog)
ATL / Denver – scenarios that are realistic:
(all these work on trade machine)
Denver gets: Jamal & Mo
Hawks get: Chauncey
Denver gets: Jamal, Mo, JC2
Hawks get: Chauncey & Arron Afflalo
Denver gets: Marv & Bibby
Hawks get: Chauncey
Denver gets: Marv, Bibby, Mo, JC2
Hawks get: Chauncey & Arron Afflalo
*Draft picks would accompany any or all these trades.
[pursuant to Denver's motivation]
*Why include JC2?
[further motivate Denver]
*Why Arron Afflalo?
6-5, 215, 43% three pt shooter, defensive stopper,
only 25 years old, *played for Howland @ UCLA,
*[means he knows how to play]
essentially replaces the JC’s. (would be a steal)
Rev in Tampa
August 28th, 2010
11:44 pm
Jamal & Mo for Chauncey would be my ideal from your list, but it leaves us razor thin at SF
The Truth
August 28th, 2010
11:45 pm
MC writes:
“Sy is set to report to camp for French club Le Havre but the Hawks and Sy’s representative are still talking to Le Havre about a buyout of the final year of Sy’s contract.”
Dam, still talking; how much talking is required to get this done since he was just a role player on this team? I can’t believe this French club would deny this kid a chance to play in the NBA. He certainly would not be motivated to play for them if they refuse a buyout. I know it’s about money but how much would a buyout cost for a 2-year role player? If they need us to provide them a replacement player, I’m sure Mario is available.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 28th, 2010
11:54 pm
Goon!
What’s a Goon to a Goblin?
The Hawks needed some Otis Thorpe nasty for a loong time!
Somebody to troll the paint and decapitate penetrating guards and would be centers. IF, Etan had a jump shot, he would be Bill Lambier.
So what if he gets a flagrant foul or two, here and there. We need to rest him for the marquee teams anyway: Magic, Heat … et.al. (them all)
Now, if Teague can penetrate, finish with his floater, dish and toss alley oops?
We might have some lethal weapons! I love role players and specialists a lot!
Every championship team has them role guys!
Grand-Daddy, I wonder is Drew behind these small pieces being added to make the bench useful. I like the SUM of these parts!
Now, we have to take care of Jamal and Al. Does Collins have a one year deal as well? I sure hope so. I like new pieces each year. Keeps everybody hungry.
I like it … I like it.
Freshfromatl
August 28th, 2010
11:54 pm
Good Lord!!!!! That dude got the guns that would rival Hulk Hogan!!
I.MUS WRITE
August 29th, 2010
12:06 am
Brian Skinner, Etan Thomas,and Francisco Elson are all the same guy close your eyes and pick one. Salavating over another mans gunz is_______!!!! You fill in the blank.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 29th, 2010
12:07 am
The Truth
I heard Sy’s buy out is 500K.
I have no idea what the hell there is to talk about?
We got that 3M from pick #31 – pay the damn thang and pro-rate the money over a 3 year rookie contract – Net Zero!
Or, have Sy go get the KFC and French Pastries for the next three years, Geez!
Let him wash the cars and dishes – he’ll do it!
cp
August 29th, 2010
12:09 am
I thought we should have gone after Boone but it is what it is.
I.MUS WRITE
August 29th, 2010
12:10 am
Grandad come on…. Why are you fascinated with Afflalo. Really is he that much better than Mo Evans if at all. Billups is 33 I wouldnt trade Marvin or Jamal for him unless Melo or NeNe were apart of the package.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 29th, 2010
12:14 am
cp
Does Boone have this much size and presence?
I really don’t know who any of these guys are? Skinner, Elson, etc.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 29th, 2010
12:16 am
Sounds like Etan intimidated Brendan Haywood.
If he can scare his own teammate into playing harder in practice?
That’s a start!
The Truth
August 29th, 2010
12:19 am
drmaryb
Co-sign That
Maybe the Hawks need to hire Bill Murray since this thing seem to be “Lost in Translation”
Melvin
August 29th, 2010
12:20 am
Could Ethan bring a Alonzo type presence (toughness) to the Hawks???? Hmmm…
Grandad
August 29th, 2010
12:31 am
I.MUS WRITE
“fascinated” ???
I don’t know about fascinated
I re-posted for ‘Rev’
I would take Afflalo any day of the week over Mo.
And I like Mo.
AA:
25 yrs old
43% from ‘3′
def stopper
For Chauncey:
I would trade any available player
-except-
J & A
Teague
or
Zaza
drmaryb (*_*)
August 29th, 2010
12:31 am
The Truth
Said: “Lost in Translation!”. ROF. LOL.
“What we need to have here is some healthy, decent conversation.”
- cedric the entertainer -
drmaryb (*_*)
August 29th, 2010
12:47 am
Rotten to the Core!
Grand-Daddy likes his core too.
-smiles-
Hey, I’m just having fun! That untouchable list is getting longer and longer.
John Shurholtz said:
“a successful stock broker never falls in love with his stocks.”
HoosierHawk
August 29th, 2010
1:45 am
@MC “forward Pape Sy”? I thought he was supposed to be a big pg…
I Heart Atlanta
August 29th, 2010
2:39 am
MC!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anything New on Jamal…….?
Sam Amonica(or something like that) said on twitter we are confident we would resign him, any truth to that that you know of…….?
Thanks Also MC for keeping us updated on everything Hawks?
I Heart Atlanta
August 29th, 2010
2:40 am
Ment to ! mark at the end of my statement not ?
My Bad
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
August 29th, 2010
4:06 am
Josh Powell + Etan Thomas + Pap Sy = Championship Material
………for an NBDL team.
We need to make a big splash.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
August 29th, 2010
4:10 am
This is the big name FA that JJ promised us. He has so much pull.
hawks_for_life
August 29th, 2010
4:38 am
Maybe we can get James Toney after he recovers conscientiousness!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geemack
August 29th, 2010
6:56 am
I never thought I would see the day Hawks fans would be excited about the signing of Josh Powell & Ethan Thomas.
Also, shame on the Hawks for letting Jamal Crawford beat them to thinking about a trade. Use this expiring contract to get a star player. I bet Denver would be willing to deal Melo for Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford and a 2nd rounder in 2011.
JoJo the Godfather
August 29th, 2010
7:13 am
Grandad…What’s the Hawks ability to trade Jordan Crawford?…I thought you only had like 30 or 60 days after he signs his rookie deal, and then you have to wait just like any other free agent signed until December or something.
I don’t see a move for a big unless Al, Josh or Za Za are involved…It looks like the team will soon have close to $3.5M+ wrapped up in bigs Thomas, Powell & Collins to go along with the 3 above.
My hopes are that the Hawks can somehow take some combination of Bibby, Marvin, Jamal & Mo Evans and get us a SF and/or a PG back in return.
tony
August 29th, 2010
8:47 am
Move that team out of Atlanta. We need a new owner who will put the fans above themselves.
Astro Joe
August 29th, 2010
9:26 am
A nice get for the Hawks. At least between Thomas and Powell, we know that we are getting guys who have historically been hard workers and who will defend and clean the glass. At the price, they are worth the gamble that they still have something left to contribute to a 50+ win team.
I.MUS WRITE
August 29th, 2010
10:17 am
H_4_L – Toney got his issue for sure. Pro Boxers need to realize they cant battle these MMA guys. There a big difference between a boxing match and a street brawl.
O well James Toney got his pay day,which was all he wanted anyway. Holyfield,Toney,Hopkins,Roy jones etc Hang it up nobody wants to 40 sumthing boxers well pass their prime.
hawks_for_life
August 29th, 2010
10:45 am
I.MUS this fight was huge because it showed how different these two sports are. Hey seeing how we need a gap eater in the middle Toney with all his fat will suffice lol.
DP
August 29th, 2010
11:00 am
Here’s a piece by Thomas issuing a string of thinly veiled threats to Jason Whitlock to get back on the liberal plantation or we’ll call you Uncle Tom like we do Bill Cosby and J.C. Watts. Ain’t nothing wrong with kids wearing pants around their knees.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/etan-thomas/an-open-letter-to-jason-w_b_48247.html
If the Hawks are going to pay another washed up big stiff to sit at the end of the bench all season I’d think they could get a guy without a history of getting into fights at practice.
Ken Strickland
August 29th, 2010
11:11 am
During the Shaq debate, when it became certain he wasn’t interested in signing with the Hawks, I mentioned the possibility of us going to the 4 headed center approach. Well, it looks like that’s exactly what we intend to do. Between Horford, Zaza, Collins and possibily Thomas, we’ll be able to present an opposing center with a lot of different looks, styles and approaches, not to mention fouls.
Again, we have to keep in mind what LDrew said earlier about his intention of forcing teams to match our talent and style of play, rather than the other way around. After all, he’s certainly seen first hand how unsucessful the opposite approach has been over the last 3yrs.
The Pheonix Suns are the best example of that philosophy. Although they were one of the NBA’s winningest teams over a 5-6yr steatch, they had the NBA’s smallest and shortest starting lineup, especially their frontline. However, they compensated by playing their style of gm no matter what, forcing teams to matchup their speed, quickness, depth and athleticism.
In 08/09, GM Steve Kerr got a hair up his behind and decided they needed to add more size in the middle and matchup to with the other teams, so they signed Shaq. That’s when the team all but fell apart and didn’t even make the playoffs. The very next yr(09/10) they got rid of Shaq and went back to their original style, and philosophy of forcing teams to matchup to them. As a result, they not only made it back to the playoffs, they had one of the NBA’s winningest records and made it to the Western Conference finals.
So, for all of you negative minded thinkers, don’t be too quick on turning your noses up at LDrew’s suggestion and approach.
Big Ray
August 29th, 2010
11:20 am
I’ll take a hard worker like Etan. I just hope his health and conditioning are up to par, so he can actually contribute.
Truth be told, if all he and Josh Powell do for the most part is give Al and Josh fits in practice (and make them play tougher), plus lay a few hard fouls and grab some of those rebounds that eluded us last season…then they are worth every dollar spent.
On the flip side…..the front office is full of it if they think they aren’t “in a leftover situation” at the center position. Stop lying to yourselves. It’s damn near September. That’s LEFTOVER time. Nothing against Etan, of course…
Big Ray
August 29th, 2010
11:21 am
The idea that Etan has slipped badly defensively now doesn’t help my attitude about things, either. Tell me, how does that HELP us on the court? How is that not “leftovers?”
Big Ray
August 29th, 2010
11:22 am
Ken Strickland ,
I’d welcome the forward-thinking Kerr here. Why not? It’s better than “don’t bother me, I’m on vacation”….
The Truth
August 29th, 2010
11:54 am
Big Ray writes:
“…..the front office is full of it if they think they aren’t “in a leftover situation” at the center position. Stop lying to yourselves. It’s damn near September. That’s LEFTOVER time.”
Ray, you beat me typing this. You da man
Geemack
August 29th, 2010
12:16 pm
When was the last time the Suns won a championship? When was the last time they played for a championship?
Isn’t Mike D’Antoi suppose to be some kind of great offensive mind.
How well has his system worked in NY? It looked great when he had Nash the best PG in the league at the time, or Amare a top ten player in the league, or Shawn Merrion one of the top 10 players at his position in the league at the time.
We can wave about system all we want, but the bottom line is great players make good systems look great.
The Hawks don’t have great player. We have very good ones.
The Truth
August 29th, 2010
1:02 pm
One thing worth noting regarding LD coaching washed-ups, rejects and underachievers like Collins, Powell and possibly Thomas, if he can turn them into gems then (on that alone) he deserves COY. Maybe we should AKA our 12 Hawk players suiting-up as the Dirty Dozen since all will have much to prove. Even flirty rich JJ will have to prove he is worthy of the money he’s being paid. Though he may be in turmoil with such things of his mind, he will be laughing all the way to the bank (you rascal). And what about Marvin, he has so much to prove it’s not even funny anymore. His bubble days are numbered. Josh Smith is still pissed for being passed over as an all-star and will be motivated to prove it in front of his new wife. Bibby will have to prove he’s not the joke that’s being whispered around Hawksville. Al Horford will have to prove he is really a Max player. Teague must prove he is really a starting PG and not a rook anymore. Zaza will have to prove he’s better then the other backup centers as they compete for PT and a better contract. Mo Evans will have to prove he’s got something left in his tank and deserves a new contract (which is unlikely). The new rookie(s), well they are rookie(s); enough said. Even LD himself has much to prove since he is new and on a short leash with only a 2-year guaranteed contract. Also (not to forget) the way in which this team was beaten in such historic fashion is yet another reason the label Dirty Dozen label is very much appropriate for the team.
JoJo the Godfather
August 29th, 2010
1:06 pm
So…who sits on game day assuming everyone is healthy: Collins, Powell, Thomas Jo Crawford?
RED!
August 29th, 2010
1:20 pm
We need to trade Marvin willams and a 2nd round pick to Denver for Carmelo,or try to get them to sign and trade
The Truth
August 29th, 2010
1:23 pm
O yeah
Ken
I read your reply. Thanks for that uplifting and inspiring message. But that’s not surprising coming from you.
Grandad
August 29th, 2010
1:32 pm
JoJo the Godfather
If I’ve got this correct:
player can be traded 30 days after signing rookie contact.
Grandad
August 29th, 2010
1:34 pm
Big Ray
Etan may just be the tonic Josh needs.
cp
August 29th, 2010
1:53 pm
The Hawks might have the worst collection of back up big men in the league. When Horford and Josh were asking for help I don’t think they had these bums we keep signing in mind. Why would they even be interested in a guy who has had health and injury issues the past few years and has also declined as a defensive player? If this was a few years ago then I would be cool with signing Thomas but dude ain’t got much left in the tank of anything at all.This front office never ceases to amaze me. Lets sign one cat who cant stay away from the buffet line and another who cant stay healthy and isn’t the defensive player he once was. I wasn’t a fan of signing Shaq but he would have been a better option than these bums. That Sonics fan was right about Sund.
Grandad
August 29th, 2010
1:57 pm
DP
Perhaps you should re-read the article.
E.T. very intelligent gentleman.
northcyde
August 29th, 2010
2:08 pm
The best part about MC’s article, is when he quotes Pendergraft as saying that the Hawks are “not in a leftover situation” in their quest for a center.
LOL
Collins and Powell were “leftovers”. Etan is a “leftover”. I guess Pendergraft meant that Etan wasn’t the absolute last available center.
It’s just funny to see Pendergraft make that comment. Like they haven’t been picking from the bottom of the barrel all offseason.
Grandad
August 29th, 2010
2:08 pm
last season LA Lakers: *World Champions*
end of bench;
*Josh Powell
*DJ Mbenga
*Adam Morrison
Why are ‘we’ worrying about 11-13 so much.
Do you reckon the LAL fans spend any time
worrying about Adam Morrison? [bad example]
But you get the point.
Grandad
August 29th, 2010
2:16 pm
northcyde
I was really hoping Denver or PHX would hire pndrgrph.
His quotes remove all doubt he’s a moron.
Ken Strickland
August 29th, 2010
2:17 pm
GEEMACK-weren’t both SNash and AStaudemire on the 08/09 Suns team that missed the playoff after adding Shaq? Weren’t they also on the 09/10 team that went to the Western Conference finals without Shaq the following yr? Same 2 players, but different results when there was a change in the SYSTEM.
TRUTH-I just wanted everyone to know why I feel so positive about everything, particularly life in general. My attitude has helped me overcome so other issues as well. But my positive attitude towards the Hawks has more to do with the positives I see within the team than within myself.
Prior to this yr, our players had to function within an OFF system that was very limited, one dimensional, and very lacking in structure. Over the last 2yrs, they had to function within a switching DEF that made it very easy for opponents to create and successfully take advantage of match ups that heavily favored them.
There was limited bench use, strategy, adjustments and player development, especially among rookies and younger players. There was little to no player accountability or encouragement, and personal issue were allowed to filter onto the court and the locker room. And despite all of this, the team as a whole continued to progress, due to the abundance of individual talent.
When you have a 4 time All Star SG, a first All Star center, an All Star caliber PF, and the reigning 6th Man of the Year, you certainly have talent to work with. Some of our fans get so caught up on the talent other teams have acquired, they lose sight on the fact that we are even more talented than they were to begin with.
When I imagine the same talent we had last yr not having to overcome so many of the internal obstacles that were present under Woodson, I can’t help but get excited. No more switching DEF and dependence of ISO’s and one on one play. They’ll be able to function within a structured OFF that features more ball and player movement, more running, and no more depending on a slow, none athletic none penetrating PG that’s a total DEF liability.
That’s the biggest single improvement this team could have possibly made this off season. The 2 teams that finished ahead of us last yr, Cleveland and Orlando, have made chances to their starting lineup. The teams that finished behind us last yr, Miami, Chicago, Milwaukee and Boston, have made changes, some very drastic. And those changes have to be great enough to overcome the gap that existed last yr, plus any improvements we’ll make this yr. After finishing as the 3rd seed, the Hawks are the only Eastern Conference playoff team that will start the season with the same starting lineup, and the same top 10 players from last yr.
Even with the domination of the Hawks last yr by Cleveland and Orlando, we still finished only 6 gms behind Orlando. We can make up that gap and win our division. Remember when we had all of the hype on these blogs this time last yr about Orlando after they traded for VCarter? We had Hawk fans conceding them the title, and look at how that turned out. Adding RJefferson can end up with the same results, or worse.
northcyde
August 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
I see Big Ray was thinking the exact same thing I was about that comment.