Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson shoots Js
Just 10 days after he had surgery to remove a loose body from his shooting elbow, Hawks guard Joe Johnson was making jump shots today at Hawks practice.
Johnson took some midrange jump shots near the end of the team’s practice. He said the first 10 attempts felt awkward because it had been so long since he got shots up.
“For the most part if was pain-free,” he said. “But we are taking it one day at a time. I may have a little soreness tomorrow. We are trying to get it as strong as possible.”
Johnson and the team said his activity today is not an indication that he will return sooner than the minimum four weeks announced when he had the procedure on Dec. 2. But coach Larry Drew took it as a sign that Johnson at least might be on the short end of the four to six week timetable.
“Heck yeah,” he said. “It was good to see him out there. I don’t know what the timetable is as far as his comeback. But I am very encouraged that he is able to be out there just to shoot. We will see how it goes as he continues his therapy.”
Johnson has been durable during his career and is reluctant to sit out games due to injury. The team wasn’t even aware of the seriousness of the elbow injury until the pain became too much for Johnson to ignore and he sought medical treatment.
But Johnson said sitting out might end up being the best thing for both him and the team in the long run. The Hawks have won five of seven games without Johnson, whose uncharacteristic shooting woes were in stark contrast to the accuracy of the rest of Atlanta’s regulars.
“Things happen in mysterious ways,” Johnson said. “This could be a blessing in disguise. It can help me feel better or give me a break, and let the guys go out there and figure things out [without him]. Who knows? So far, so good.”
The Hawks have managed to win without Johnson but Drew said he looks forward to getting him back healthy and productive. Johnson has generally fit in with Drew’s philosophy of sharing the ball and spreading around the scoring (he leads the team in assists per game) so if he can improve his shooting accuracy while maintaining that approach Atlanta’s offense should be enhanced.
“He has missed a lot of good looks, shots that he normally makes,” Drew said. “We are just hoping the problem was the elbow and we can get the ‘old Joe’ back.”
Johnson’s return also would allow Drew to cease the lineup shuffling that’s included using Marvin Williams at shooting guard. Drew has used Johnson to defend point guards, shooting guards and small forwards, and the recent addition of Damien Wilkins as a defensive specialist should help ease the burden on Johnson.
Johnson was struggling and the Hawks have managed without him but he is the team’s top dog and their longtime mainstay.
“I do like the fact that we are less predictable [without Johnson] but I also know that with Joe in the lineup, he is a go-to guy,” Drew said. “I know in most cases he is going to command a double team. It is just a matter of making the right play out of the double team which he has shown the willingness to do. His presence [is important]. I know when he is out there, I can see the body language of our players they swell with confidence with his presence.”
– Al Horford (hand), Mo Evans (knee) and Josh Powell (knee) missed portions of practice today. The Hawks said all are expected to play tomorrow at Detroit.
MC
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157 comments Add your comment
JeJe
December 13th, 2010
7:01 pm
northcyde,
What I meant was:
If JJ had rested over the summer, we’d have more wins now. If he had rested in November, I’m pretty sure we would’ve won most of those games, GIVEN THAT WE HAD ONE OF THE EASIEST SCHEDULES IN NOVEMBER. We would’ve won those first 6 games, and chances are we could’ve stolen a few of those losses back. This is all, of course, if we had Damien back then.
Sorry if people can’t grasp this, but this team is more unified without Joe and our defense has been DAMN good since we got Damien. Hopefully Joe fits back in when he returns
northcyde
December 13th, 2010
7:22 pm
StevenA . . . Zaza is better than Thabeet.
Seriously, how many Griz games have you watched and said to yourself . . . “Boy, that kid Thabeet is a player. He’s going to be a beast one day.”
LOL @ some on this blog. They hate Marvin’s mediocrity so much, that they would trade him for garbage like Thabeet, or another mediocre player like Hinrich.
Then on the flip side say . . “We don’t ned our 4 time all star SG. Let him sit out more games. Forget that he can replace the mediocre SF that we all despise. Let JJ sit. As long as the current roster can beat those sorry teams, and beat a top 10 team once every 2 months . . we’ll be happy . . until we get a #7 seed and lose in round 1″
JeJe
December 13th, 2010
7:28 pm
Lol northcyde.
It wasn’t Marvin for Hinrich people wanted to do. People here want TO TRADE JOE JOHNSON FOR KIRK HINRICH.
And with JJ now, we’re playing fine without him through this horrendous schedule. Let him take his time to return SO HE IS COMPLETELY FRESH FOR THE 2ND HALF OF THE SEASON
Blast
December 13th, 2010
7:57 pm
One thing I’ve always loved about the Hawks is their ability to rebound early from injuries, especially Josh, Joe and Al. Really nice to know Joe is already shooting pain free after only ten days off surgery.
I just hope when he comes back, that he buys into the total team offense and not bog it down holding the ball too long. Been great to see Joe go backdoor and get the pass right under the rim. Also nice to see him coming of screens and firing the ball right away. Hope the time off heals his entire iron man body, and also gave him time to see how well the team is playing together, and how more potent we could be when Joe buys into the concept.
I wish folks will read the entire story before posting fantasy trades. Carmelo said he only wants to play in NY, nowhere else! Why y’all waste your time playing virtual GM? Thabeet? Please…….
Blast
December 13th, 2010
8:21 pm
A little respect for Hawks. Mark Stein ranked them 11 in the league’s power rankings, Up from 15 last week.
Still think Bulls are ranked too high, though.
oldtimer
December 13th, 2010
8:54 pm
Joe doesn’t have to prove anything any more. He has a rich contract. The ISO Joe has been a good strategy that worked for Woody and Joe both.
It had Joe as the centerpiece, made him an all star (a starter for that matter last year though one chosen by coach), and it helped Hawks achieve better records every year.
Now, it is all about winning for Joe. He has his contract. For him the ISO Joe is not beneficial. He has reached the point where for him, like others of his caliber, it is about winning. That is why Joe will fit in with the new system, and make Hawks a much better team.
Rufus1
December 13th, 2010
9:09 pm
DO SOME OF YOU EVEN WATCH THE NBA?????
Thabeet> better than who? Memphis would trade him for Zaza in a new york minute.
Better without joe>…Did you watch Dwade posting up JC1 or the turnovers in the 4th Qt against the Spurs?
Stars like JJ, create easier scoring opps. for their teams…That is why they are paid so much. Without JJ we have lost in the 4th Qt too 2 of the 3 best teams e have faced.
O'Brien
December 13th, 2010
9:36 pm
Although Marvin has not lived up to the #2 pick or the contract, he has been a good player for the Hawks at times.
You look at a guy like Thabeet, and Adam Morrison, and you realize that the Marvin pick isnt that bad.
I’m looking forward to JJ coming back. Hopefully being healthy will help him get his shooting stroke back.
And I’m with Ken. Can we please stop talking about trading for Carmelo. We dont have anything Denver wants, and Carmelo only wants to go to the Knicks.
SteveW
December 13th, 2010
10:21 pm
I’m certainly not against obtaining Thabeet. I have never seen anyone rebound pushing people hard in the back like Thabeet on a consistent basis. Dirty, and can hurt someone. More than the NBA usual, and haven’t seen the refs call it either, but he sends people flying.
What would I give up for Thabeet? Not much, certainly not JJ as someone suggested. Maybe Etan and a 1st pick. Picking 17-24 it’s so problematic, and Thabeet may be worth it.
Glad we got Wilkens, what a fine pickup. Hope we keep him after JJ gets back. Sund may surprise us, you never know what he might have up his sleeve.
SteveW
December 13th, 2010
10:24 pm
I for one say keep JJ out and let him recover as long as possible. It will be good for him, and get him fresh for the rest of the season. Hate he’s probably going to miss the All Star game however. Hope Josh and Al go.
wiener schintzel
December 13th, 2010
10:28 pm
Marvin is that bad! He could be good, but he just doesn’t give an eff! Watching Marvin and thinking he is going to get better is like boning the nasty chick every week hoping she will get hotter.
It ain’t personal Marv, just can’t stand watching you one game and then you disappearing for the next 15.
Hawkeye
December 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=23zr2w7
1. I think we can make this trade without giving up JC1.
2. Saves us $. We can finally get rid of marvin and zaza’s contract.
3. Will make us a younger team
4. Gives us trade chips.
5. Gives us a solid backup PG in Hinrich.
ant banks
December 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
wow…what did we do to deserve a new post? christmas, maybe? thank you, kindly, suh
Hawkeye
December 13th, 2010
10:36 pm
STARTER:
C- Collins
PF- Horford
SF- Smith
SG- JJ
PG- Bibby
2nd unit
C- Etan/ Thompson
PF- Powell
SF- Thornton/ Pape
SG- JC1/ Wilkins
PG- Hinrich/ JC2
We can make adjustments depending on the match up,
ant banks
December 13th, 2010
10:40 pm
HAWKEYE,
stop wit’ the efffin’ pipe dreams. we don’t want marvin and zaza. why in the eff would washington? they would get 11mil in salary for 4more yrs FOR WHAT?
STOP WIT’ THE TRADE ISH PEOPLE!! NO ONE WANTS OUR GARBARGE!!
Hawkeye
December 13th, 2010
10:48 pm
Or we can trade Marvin and Mo for Diaw. Diaw can play multiple positions and he’s a good passer and defender. His skill set might fit well in LD’s system.
Hawkeye
December 13th, 2010
10:50 pm
Ant
We got bibby and crawford for garbage. So how is it impossible?
ATL RAISED INDY LIVING
December 13th, 2010
10:51 pm
NO WONDER MO EVANS AND JOSH POWELL GET MORE MINUTES THAN THEY HAVE EVER GOTTEN…BOTH OF THEM HAVE INJURED KNEES AND I AM SURE THAT DOESNT COME FROM PLAYING ON THE COURT…COACH DREW HAS BEEN A LITTLE HAPPIER LATELY..I WONDER IF THAT IS RELATED TO THE ” KNEE ” INJURIES OF MO AND JOSH….OH NO SAY IT AIN’T SO
cp
December 13th, 2010
11:16 pm
smh seriously have the people who want Thabeet seen him play? This dude is hot garbage. He brings nothing to the court other than being tall and he cant even take advantage of being tall. Dude does not play defense, doesn’t rebound, cant score, cant do anything but collect that check…
Hopefully Joe comes back and continues to buy into the system. He was missing a lot of wide open shots. I think he just wasn’t used to it or that elbow was causing the shooting slump. If he starts knocking down those open jumpers, and I know he will then the Hawks will be a whole lot dangerous………..AND No More Mo Evans.
Ken Strickland
December 13th, 2010
11:16 pm
The way the Hawks have played so far, especially without JJ, I’m convinced there won’t be any roster moves until the upcoming off season. When JJ returns, it will be interesting to see who’ll be removed from the 12 man roster, assuming DWilkins is retained. I see Jordan Crawford initially as the odd man out.
In addition to giving the trade CAnthony suggestion a rest, the trade or bench Marvin Williams suggestions need to be put to rest as well, because it’s not going to happen. LDrew will be given the entire season to take this roster as far as it can go. Changes and adjustments will be forthcoming after the season, when it’s been determined what’s needed most and what’s available.
The Hawks are still learning how to play under LDrews concept of playing total TEAM defense and offense. They’re also learning how to adjust to his willingness to make adjustments, in order to create matchup advantages, like changing the starting lineup and moving players to different positions.
I think Sund is committed to seeing how much LDrew can get out of this team as it’s currently constructed. He was certainly patient with Woodson in that regard, and obviously didn’t make an issue when he continued to start underachieving MBibby and MWilliams. That’s especially true in the case of Bibby, who became both an OFF and DEF liability.
This isn’t a fantasy league basketball forum, so try to contribute something other than a bunch of mindless fantasy trade scenarios, or rantings about who should be permanently benched and/or who should start, especially when you know darn well it’s not going to happen.
lewis
December 13th, 2010
11:36 pm
Ken i think you have Sund’s commitment mixed up with ASG’s cheapness and indecisiveness
JoJo the Godfather
December 14th, 2010
6:19 am
I still want a “capologist” to answer whether or not we can keep Wilkins for the rest of the year and still avoid the luxury tax.
JoJo the Godfather
December 14th, 2010
6:29 am
I think the thing to remember with Thabeet is that IF HE WAS ANY GOOD, then he wouldn’t be available. Memphis needs bigs as bad an any team. Some team out there will take a chance on turning his career around. I just don’t think that the Hawks are in the position to be that team.
J from the A
December 14th, 2010
7:38 am
smdh @ all the people that have so much anger and hate toward JJ for something he never did …
get over yourselves. Seriously.
dukester
December 14th, 2010
7:40 am
Good morning all. I am trying to figure why Thabeet is being mentioned when we had a chance to get Jason Thompson!!! And hardly no one complained about that. I remember blogging all day about how we messed a opportunity. All they wanted was Teague.
J from the A
December 14th, 2010
7:42 am
QUOTE (Hawkeye):
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=23zr2w7
1. I think we can make this trade without giving up JC1.
2. Saves us $. We can finally get rid of marvin and zaza’s contract.
3. Will make us a younger team
4. Gives us trade chips.
5. Gives us a solid backup PG in Hinrich.
END QUOTE
When I first saw this trade proposed on a previous blog, I was about 70/30 on it, leaning toward not liking it. But The more I think about this trade, the more I like it.
Alsandair Barnes
December 14th, 2010
7:55 am
Just get rid of Joe Johnson.Thats the move !!!!!!!
dukester
December 14th, 2010
7:58 am
@ J from the A Good morning first of all. I agree JJ has brought this team from 13 wins to now like it or not. JJ accepted us when we were nothing. He signed a contract when he could have pulled a Carmelo and said ” I aint signing”. Second imagine this team last year minus JJ and free agency came and we signed him we would all be saying “o man we have a big name free agent we might win a ring”. Is he all that he can be? No but he belong to us and I am glad to have him. I remember the time when we wished we had a player like Joe.
Also dont get me wrong I am all for trading Marvin and ZaZa to anybody even Iowa barnstormers for their mascot. But that trade you guys have just posted will not happen. Sund would nt even trade Teague for Thompson straight up so what’s the use.
O'Brien
December 14th, 2010
8:09 am
Ken S,
I do think Marvin will come off the bench sometimes when JJ comes back and LD wants to go with his big lineup. I think LD will go with Twin/Al/Josh/JJ/Bibby.
And I think that will help Marvin, because he wont have to defer to JJ as much.
And for those who want Thabeet, the guy will make over $5 mil next season. What have you seen from him that suggests he is worth that kind of money?
JeJe
December 14th, 2010
8:21 am
FIRE SUND
AND DO NOT RUSH JOE BACK. MAKE SURE HE IS PERFECTLY HEALTHY
O'Brien
December 14th, 2010
8:31 am
I appreciate JJ signing with us when he did, but he had some of his own reasons for signing with the Hawks.
To sign with us, we gave him $20 mil his first year, and $70 mil for 5 years. Phoenix was not offering him that.
He wanted to be “the man”, we gave him the opportunity to be the man. He enjoyed having the ball in his hand so much, that there was even discussion to him playing PG for us (although that didnt last).
He wanted to be close to his family in Arkansas, we are closer to Arkansas than where he was in Phoenix.
So although we werent that good, he had some good reasons for signing with us that were beneficial for him too.
dukester
December 14th, 2010
8:49 am
@ O Brien I agree it was a win win situation. The 123 mil that Joe just signed for doesnt bother me as much as ASG thinking that they dont need to go out amd finish the drill. I like the whole “core” phrase they like to use. Only one thing the core is half rotten. Marvin,Zaza, and Bibby being resigned a couple of years ago took the wind out of me for this franchise. I mean we have 70 million going down the drain in those 3. I mean Bibby cool but maybe a 3 year 6 million dollar deal would have been better.
i_am_soulstar
December 14th, 2010
8:58 am
Thabeet? I wouldn’t trade Mo Evans w/ a non-expiring contract for him, and that’s saying something. The guy has the same situation as Marvin. Mediocre to average player picked in the lottery that can’t live up to expectations. It’s not his fault, but let’s not make him our burden.
I never thought the Hawks could get to the ECF even though I’m a longtime fan, but if Joe comes back playing like Joe of old and fits into the current scheme, they definitely have the pieces to be make it happen this year.
It’s funny that this is mostly made possible by the evolution of Josh Smith and Al Horford as basketball players. We keep making trade proposals, but these guys who’ve barely tap danced on 25 keep getting significantly better each year.
Who would’ve thought Al Horford would be receiving honorable mention for MVP consideration?
It’s probable that Mo Evans gets pushed out of the rotation once Joe returns. I really hoped Mo would use Joe’s abscence as an opportunity to show why he believes he’s “undervalued,” but 2.5 mil/ year is starting to look generous with how he’s been playing.
terrell
December 14th, 2010
9:06 am
If this team struggles when Joe comes back, the Joe haters(JeJe) will be out in full force. lol! I must admit though. Havent really missed JJ that much my damn self. I actually liked Marvin’s big behind at the 2. Causes all sorts of matchup problems. Especially if he decides he’s going to actually contribute that night. However, the team is better with JJ, as long as we dont revert back to give the ball Joe and let him dribble for 20 sec. Remember LD, inside out, not outside in. KEEP FEEDING HORFORD.
Bibby/JJ/Josh/Al/Collins
Jamal/Marvin/Damien/Powell/Etan
Teague/JC2
End of the bench
Zaza/Mo
tony
December 14th, 2010
9:08 am
Here’s a trade I think most will agree.
games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
Send MV and JT to Washington for Kirk Hinrich. JT is not a true pg and MW is not a starter. Kirk Hinrich(pg) is a leader and a terrific defender.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUD9p9awoog
Kirk Hinrich(pg)………….Mike Bibby
Joe Johnson(sg)………..Jamal Crawford
Josh Smith(sf)…………..Damien Wilkins
Al Horford(pf)…………….Josh Powell
Jason Collins(c)…………Zaza P
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2010
9:16 am
LEWIS-Being cheap means an unwillingness to spend money period, like the LA Clippers. The ASG spent to resign Marvin, Horford, Smoove, Bibby, Zaza and JJ. There are fans who still whine and complain about the amount they paid Marvin, Bibby, Zaza and JJ.
There’s a difference between being cheap and being unwilling, at least at this point, to go into luxury tax territory. It would be stupid to go into luxury tax territory before you’ve reached the point where you’ve become a legitimate title contender. And as most of us should know by now, the Hawks haven’t reached that point yet.
Also, why would Sund or the ASG spend themselves into luxury tax territory for Woodson, a HC that was on the hot seat? With them wanting to see what LDrew can do with what we already have, I don’t see them doing it for him in his 1st yr. If the players, and team overall, demonstrate steady progress in picking up LDrew’s OFF/DEF concepts, and have a solid showing in the playoffs, they might be willing to dip their toes into luxury tax territory. Of course that’s assuming they can get the player(s) they feel can get the tean to the next level.
Right now, they’re waiting to see if LDrew can do a better job of preparing the Hawks for the playoffs than Woodson. I think management would be satisfied with the team getting through the 1st rd without struggling through a 7gm series. I also think they’d be elated, and willing to spend, if the team came close to duplicating the teams rousing 07 performance against the Celtics, even if we lost.
After 6yrs under Woodson, the Hawks became a solid regular season winner and playoff participant, but we struggled mightly in the playoffs. After an outstanding 07 1st rd performance against a far superior Celtic team, we regressed and struggled to win two 1st rd series against inferior teams. After reaching the 2nd rd, we completely fell apart and were swept and embarrassed in record fashion.
I’m very optimistic about this team under LDrew. He’s doing everything he said he’d do, and the players, as well as the team, have responded and started to show the results, even without JJ. We’ll go into this yrws playoffs with a demonstrated ability to win on the rd. Imagine if we could have won just one gm in Boston. We’ll have an OFF that will make the DEF work, and get our key players easy scoring opportunities. We already see the improvement in our DEF, although there needs to be more consistency. COME PLAYOFF TIME, THE ATLANTA HAWKS WILL BE A LOAD FOR ANY TEAM TO CONTEND WITH.
So many of you are still doing what Woodson did, which contributed mightly to his demise, and that’s micro managing the regular season, when playoffs represent the teams ultimate goal.
yodaddy
December 14th, 2010
9:32 am
I don’t care how much money Hasheem Thabeet makes the boy is TRASH and is overpaid.
I’ll take ZaZa Pachulia a 100 times out of 100 over Hasheem Thabeet. He’s 7 ft something and can’t even rebound or block shots. He can’t even body up anybody. Thabeet is the absolute worst…wasn’t he sent down to the D-League earlier this year???
Thabeet would make this team worse. I’d rather deal with 0 pts and 2 rebs from Marvin Williams or 2 pts 2TO’s and 5 fouls from ZaZa rather than 8 minutes of ZEROS from Thabeet. The boy is garbage…PERIOD.
yodaddy
December 14th, 2010
9:35 am
Tyrone Hill was a beast on the boards
JeJe
December 14th, 2010
9:51 am
I AM NOT A JOE HATER.
HE HELPS OUR TEAM, BUT WE ARE FINE WITHOUT HIM FOR NOW, AND HE SHOULD TAKE HIS TIME TO RETURN SO HE CAN ACTUALLY BE FRESH AND PRODUCTIVE IN THE PLAYOFFS RATHER THAN USELESS AS HE HAS BEEN IN PAST YEARS.
I’M READY TO GET PAST THE 2ND DAMN ROUND THIS YEAR
J from the A
December 14th, 2010
10:02 am
@Dukester:
Good morning to you, too.
Re: JJ: I could not agree more.
Re: Teague for Thompson: If I was Sund, I would not have pulled the trigger on the Thompson for Teague trade UNLESS the Hawks had a definite replacement for Teague lined-up. Hawkeye’s proposal takes care of my (and perhaps Sund’s???) PG replacement concern. Of course, for this trade to happen, three parties would have to agree.
J-bone
December 14th, 2010
10:19 am
Let Joe Be Joe. Also liking Big Al @ the 4.
oldtimer
December 14th, 2010
10:20 am
Tony, i would not trade Marvin AND Teague for Captain Kirk.
Marvin takes a lot of abuse and rightly so, but he is still a big small forward who is relatively athletic and runs well, probably our best wing defender and can average around 10 points. That is a lot to give up for Captain Kirk.
Also as much abuse as Teague takes, remember this is only his second year. He is showing signs of growing up. Really it is just his first year if you consider how little playing time he got last year. And he doesn’t make that much so he is not really a burden for the Hawks. So I would keep him and see how it works.
So not to repeat what others have started, but we can not afford a trade as you state.
Hawk n the Ham
December 14th, 2010
10:32 am
Speaking of little playtime……where on earth is Jordan Crawford? Seriously, I thought he would be a regular in the rotation after JJ went down.
Wally Walker
December 14th, 2010
10:40 am
I second the motion to trade Marvin and Teague for Hinrich for numerous reasons: Hinrich is a true point and a floor leader who can penatrate/shoot. Marvin is still young and has skills, but after JJ returns. He certainly becomes a bench player maybe even 7th ot 8th. A new start is probably what he needs. Next, Teague has skills, but he’s not a PG and the Hawks need a true PG and don’t the luxury of a tweener clogging the guard rotation. The salaries work (around 9 mil) and its a good trade for both teams. The Wizards get faster in the back court and more versatility at the 6th and 7th positions. The Hawks get actually what they need a PG.
Next, trade Mo for anybody’s 2nd round pick, Wlikins has surplanted his role and the trade gets the Hawks out of luxury tax area. It is clear that JC1 will not be moved this year and the Hawks are wanting for the fallout of the NBA finances before desiding to offer him a deal or not.
Go Hawks!
dukester
December 14th, 2010
11:21 am
@J from the A about Teague why not trade him. I mean I like the kid but we could pick some one up off the street to bring what he brings.
Personally I dont think the hawks would do that trade that was posted. My point is we are happy with the job that Collins is doing at center. Jason Thompson would have been a beast at center for us. He would be the better in all categories rebounding, defensively, and scoring. He is young and athletic matching him with Josh and Al would have been a knightmare for most front lines.
JeJe
December 14th, 2010
11:33 am
Marvin and Teague for Hinrich?
You want to trade 2 players (one of which starts for us), for a 6″3 combo guard? WTF is your obsession with Hinrich? You don’t trade 2 players for Kirk freaking Hinrich
yodaddy
December 14th, 2010
11:39 am
The Wizards do not need Jeff Teague when they have two PG’s locked up long term…..Gilbert Arenas and JOHN WALL.
I don’t understand how some of you think. Why would they want to acquire another point guard (a less productive one at that) and a small forward that averages less ppg than the player they are trading? Makes no sense whatsoever.
Why would they trade a “leader” for two disappearing acts and no cap relief??? Keep in mind they are already the worst team in the league (or amongst the worst)…they don’t need two more inconsistent young thundercats, they need some veteran leadership. Some CONSISTENCY.
Yeah maybe the salaries work…but that’s where it ends. Also why would they trade to make a division foe better??? So they can stay at the bottom? And that’s not to mention that their small forward (Al Thornton) is better than the one they would acquire. And if he’s not better the difference between the two is so insignificant that it doesn’t even matter. So in essence they would trade their sixth man for two bench players.
JoJo the Godfather
December 14th, 2010
11:45 am
I’m not sure about the whole Kirk Hinrich idea. Look at a comparison to Jeff Teague (who many think should never see the floor):
Hinrich turns 30 next month, makes $17M this year & next combined, averages 33 minutes a game, 10.7 pts on 47% shooting (36% from 3), 4.5 assists, 2.9 rebs, 1.14 stls, with 1.64 turnovers.
Teague turns 23 in June, makes less than $5M this year & the next 2 combined, averages 13 minutes a game, 4.0 pts on 42.5% shooting (30% from 3), 2.3 assists, 1.5 rebs, .55 steals, with .77 turnovers.
If you gave Teague 33 minutes a game, any chance his production would match or be better than Hinrich’s? To me, Hinrich’s value is less than half of what he’s getting paid. I know there are intangibles & his defense is solid, but that’s what we pay veteran minimum guys like Wilkins & Powell to provide (intangibles & defense).
yodaddy
December 14th, 2010
11:51 am
Jason Thompson is redundant because we have players with his similar size that does what he does better than he does it. Thompson is not a banger…he’s finesse. Oh great another finesse power forward that has no where to play.
I guess he’d be a decent starting center…but why would Kings trade him for Jeff Teague an unproven backup point guard at best? Why would the Hawks trade their only backup point guard and their only quickness in the backcourt on defense when they already have lets count em (Smith, Horford, Zaza, Etan, Collins, Powell and Marvin Williams) 4 PF/C, 2 C, and 1 SF/PF on the roster?????
Why do the Hawks need to trade for another PF/C without giving one we already have up?
northcyde
December 14th, 2010
11:53 am
Drmaryb . . . here you go.
Up to date efficiency rankings per position according to hoopsstats.com:
PG – Bibby ( 30th . . . he was 39th last year ) . . Teague ( 49th )
G – Johnson ( 10th ) . . Jamal ( 21st ) . . Damien ( 53rd ) . . Jordan ( 62nd )
F – Marvin ( 23rd ) . . Evans ( 69th )
PF – Smith ( 8th ) . . Powell ( 54th )
C – Horford ( 3rd ) . . Zaza ( 48th ) . . Collins ( 70th ) . . Etan ( 80th )
*******
Overall Player Rankings league wide:
Horford ( 7th )
Smith ( 23rd )
Johnson ( 73rd )
Jamal ( 116th )
Marvin ( 141st )
Bibby ( 143rd )
Zaza ( 241st )
Powell ( 242nd )
Teague ( 264th )
Damien ( 272nd )
Jordan ( 318th )
Collins ( 342nd )
Evans ( 346th )
Etan ( 366th )
By the way . . . . Thabeet ( 371st )