Atlanta Hawks: The Chicago Way?
The Hawks need to get better. The Bulls needed to do the same last summer and Al said the Hawks might learn something from the way they went about it.
“That’s the perfect example,” he said. “They got that kid Asik. They got Korver, a shooter. They addressed their needs and got better. That’s a blueprint that I think if I’m the team I would look at.”
So let’s look at what the Bulls did last summer and see if the Hawks can copy the same formula:
- Al’s theory falls apart from the start: The Bulls had just $34 million in committed salaries for 2010-11 after clearing space to get in on the 2010 free-agent bonanza. The Hawks have about $67 million in committed salaries mostly because of J.J. and Smoove’s contracts and Al’s extension.
- The Bulls cleared more cap space by trading Hinrich and a first-round pick to the Wizards for a second-round pick. The Wizards coveted Hinrich and were willing to take on his $17 million salary. The Hawks don’t have a first-round draft pick. They also aren’t under the cap and so can’t make such a trade without taking back salary (under the current rules).
- The Bulls hired a coach with a single-minded obsession with defense (and didn’t break the bank to do it). L.D. talked a lot about defense when he was hired, too, but his personnel decisions usually didn’t match the talk. (The Hawks did end up playing good D in the playoffs and L.D. deserves some credit for that, especially his decision to use the Twin lineup against Orlando. But D was neither a big part of the team’s culture nor was it usually at the forefront of the way L.D. distributed minutes among his backcourt.)
- The Bulls signed Boozer for five years and $80 million. The Hawks don’t have cap space so they can’t outright sign such a player even if they wanted to pay the tax. But let’s go ahead and say the contract for J.J. last summer was their Boozer move.
- The Bulls signed Korver for 5 years and $15 million (the final year is partially guaranteed). They could do that because they had cap space. The Hawks can’t because they don’t.
- After the Magic matched their offer sheet to Redick, the Bulls signed Ronnie Brewer for two years and $9.5 guaranteed. The Hawks can’t do a deal like that because . . . well, you know.
- The Bulls signed Asik for two years and $3.6 million. They had acquired him in a 2008 draft-night trade with Portland in which they sent away three second-round picks. Maybe Pape Sy or Gladyr can be the next Asik?
- The Bulls acquired Watson in a sign-and-trade with Golden State. The deal was for two years and $7 million guaranteed. They could do this because of their cap room.
- The Bulls signed Bogans, Kurt Thomas and Scalabrine to minimum-salaried contracts. The Hawks presumably make similar moves, depending on the details of the new CBA.
Clearly, because of salary commitments already on the books, the Chicago Way can’t be the Hawks’ Way.
What’s next?
I know there are lots of questions about what the Hawks can and should do. Honestly, they are difficult to answer without knowing what the new CBA rules will look like. The players quickly rejected the league’s latest offer, which reportedly proposed a hard salary cap and salary rollbacks.
What will be the amount of the salary cap? What about the luxury tax? Will there be an amnesty provision to allow teams to shed salary? Will there still be cap exceptions and, if not, what about those teams whose payrolls are above the new salary cap?
“As players we are just trying to do the right thing for current players and the players that are going to come behind us and for what the players before us worked so hard for,” Hinrich said. “We’ll see. Right now it probably looks like July 1 we are going to be locked out. For now, it’s up in the air.”
Under the current rules it’s hard to see how the Hawks could even fill out the roster with the minimum 13 players without paying the tax. Right now their options are limited to trades and using exceptions to acquire players whose salaries that don’t put them over the tax level. Assuming the tax threshold is about the same as it was the past three seasons, about $70 million, the Hawks would have roughly $3 million of wiggle room to sign six players.
Again, that’s based on the current rules and some assumptions. With the way things are going with the labor situation, who knows what the new system will look like when the league starts playing basketball again. But clearly the Hawks, like all teams, are counting on new rules more favorable to owners.
L.D. didn’t want to get into exactly what he thinks the Hawks need because he hadn’t talked to Rick Sund or the owners yet. (Sund, by the way, says he’s not talking until after the team’s scouting combine, which ends a week from Wednesday). But I noted the team’s lack of scoring at the rim and also their low free-throw rate and asked if that’s something that can only change with different personnel.
“Possibly,” L.D. said. “A lot of that is simply making the wrong decision out of ball movement on when to attack or settling for jump shots. You guys heard me say time and time again how we just settled for jump shots. We did not do a good job collectively in attacking the glass and going to the basket. That’s personnel-driven.
“Once we do spread the floor and the ball is moved we have to be mindful of just attacking. You can’t be afraid; you can’t be intimidated. You have to go in there with authority. Players that want to get to the free-throw line, they seek bodies. For them it’s not always about finishing the shot, they seek bodies to draw the and-1. That is something we will have to evaluate.”
J.J. seemed to hit on a similar theme when asked about the team’s needs.
“For us it’s guys like blue-collar guys, guys who do a lot of dirty work and do a lot of things that don’t show up in stat book,” J.J. said. “Those are the kind of guys that can help us out. We will see what happens. We’ve gotten better each year. Our postseason [this year] was probably the best it’s been.”
L.D. never could get his team to completely shed its isolation tendencies. When they got open shots and made them, then the ball and players moved and the Hawks were difficult to defend. That’s what happened in Games 1 and 4 against the Bulls.
When the defensive pressure intensified, or when the wrong guys took the wrong shots, then the Hawks started isolating and were easier to defend. That’s what happened in the fourth quarter of Game 5, which ended up being a lost opportunity for the Hawks to win the series.
Does L.D. still think this group of players us capable of running his offense?
“I’m still hopeful we can do that,” he said. “I think Chicago, their defensive pressure was much more intense than Orlando. Sometimes when you are playing under pressure you get sped up and you start getting away from the game plan. I think a lot of what Chicago did had a lot to do with that. That being said, we did not get to our spots like we did against Orlando. That tells me that it was jut the pressure of their defense.
“It was the same coverage [as Orlando] but once we played out of that double team [the Bulls] weren’t as organized as Orlando. I’m not going to abandon something that has been good to us. We just have to do a better job playing out of pressure, double teams. You still have to make plays and in making plays have to move the basketball. I thought we did a great job against Orlando. The Chicago series we weren’t as good.”
Joe said the offense “was kind of up and down” this season.
“We was all trying to feel each other out as far as him implementing his system and us trying to learn it,” he said. “At the same time there are times we looked great. That’s something we can build on and look forward to next year.”
Notes
- Teague said he’s scheduled for an MRI on his right wrist on Tuesday to make sure there’s no ligament damage.
- L.D. on meeting with Sund and owners: “I give them my views and hear their views. You have to slowly and methodically take your time and assess this season and the personnel, talk about things we lack and we need to get better. Do we have those players to make us better in certain areas or do we have to go out and find those kind of players? We have to look at everything and analyze everything and come to a decision about certain things, not necessarily an agreement. I’ve been around for a long time and I know you don’t always agree but important to lay it out on the table and talk about it.”
- L.D. on the postseason: “The question I asked myself, looking at the postseason, is were we better prepared this season than we were last year? Did we compete at a higher level this year than last year? Did we accomplish more goals than last year? I am my biggest critic when it comes to team getting prepared and going out there and executing game the plan, and I thought the answers to all those questions were, ‘Yes.’”
- Al on possibly adding a full-time center: “It’s going to be an interesting offseason because I think there are probably going to be some changes. I think having a bigger player like that to help is always a great strength and a great help. We will see what happens. I do like playing power forward. I like playing the center, as well, but if we can have another bigger body that would be great.”
- Smoove on if he prefers to play the 3: “It is what it is. It’s a controversial question. I’m just here to play.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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476 comments Add your comment
Geemack
May 17th, 2011
1:03 pm
D. Jordan from Clipper would be a good pick up at Center for the Hawks. Also the Hawks could get Chris Kaman, but they would probably have to part ways with K. Hinrich.
Josh needs to be moved to SF and AL moved to center if we could D. Jordan or K. Kaman.
O'Brien
May 17th, 2011
1:19 pm
Draft Lottery is tonight. I wonder if there will be any surprises.
And with the 23rd pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks select…Oh, Wait. We dont have a first round pick this year. And we dont have a first round pick from last year either. Thanks Rick.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 17th, 2011
1:36 pm
O’Brien
We don’t need any more draft picks, we’re the Hawks – remember?
We need some veterans and defenders. I like:
Ben Wallace
Tayshaun Prince
Rip Hamilton
Chris Kaman
Deandre Jordan
Carl Landry
Shane Battier
Anybody who can play some defense and rebound.
LouBerdette
May 17th, 2011
1:43 pm
KEEP JOSH SMITH, JOE JOHNSON, JAMAL CRAWFORD, JEFF TEAGUE AND AL HORFORD. THAT SHOULD BE YOUR STARTING FIVE. PROMOTE JAMAL TO STARTER BECAUSE HE HAS EARNED IT. MAYBE JAMAL WILL TRY HARDER IF HE IS A FULL-FLEDGE STARTER. GIVE MARVIN WILLIAMS HIS UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE. WE DONT NEED HIM AND HE HASNT CONTRIBUTED MUCH TOWARDS THE SUCCESS OF THE HAWKS. MARVIN PUT A FEW GOOSE EGGS IN THE PLAYOFFS AND WE CANT PAY SOMEONE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SCORE NOTHING AND NOT TRY AT ALL. THAT JUST DOESNT MAKE GOOD BUSINESS SENSE. IF MARVIN WORKS AND BECOMES A GREAT PLAYER IN TRAINING CLUB THEN MAKE HIM EARN A SPOT ON THE ROSTER. DONT JUST GIVE HIM A STARTING JOB BECAUSE MIKE WOODSEN USED TO START HIM. THAT WAS A MISTAKE THAT WAS PASSED DOWN FROM PREVIOUS COACHES WHO WERE CLUELESS. THE HAWKS ARE VERY CLOSE TO BEING A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS TEAM. THEY ARE ABOUT ONE PLAYER AWAY FROM GREATNESS.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 17th, 2011
2:18 pm
“Draft Lottery is tonight. I wonder if there will be any surprises.”
There is exactly one potential superstar in this weak ass draft in my opinion, and that’s Derrick Williams. I would seriously consider offering Joe to whoever gets the #1 pick.
DinasaurFenton
May 17th, 2011
2:38 pm
Jerry Sloan should be hired to replace Drew as head coach. Drew should get fired as head coach, BUT SHOULD BE RETAINED ON THE HAWKS COACHING STAFF TO SERVE AS THE ASSISTANT COACH TO NEW HEAD COACH JERRY SLOAN. THIS PLAN WILL MOVE THE HAWKS FORWARD AND GIVE THEM A COMPETENT TEACHER (SLOAN) TO HELP THE NEW GUYS ALONG. SLOAN IS THE BEST TALENT AVAILABLE OTHER THAN RICK ADELMAN, WHO IS EXPECTED TO BE HIRED AS THE NEW LAKERS HEAD COACH.
Geemack
May 17th, 2011
2:56 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
There is exactly one potential superstar in this weak ass draft in my opinion, and that’s Derrick Williams. I would seriously consider offering Joe to whoever gets the #1 pick.
And you would seriously, be in the lottery the next 2 years.
hawksfancents95
May 17th, 2011
3:17 pm
ya najeh*
i like derick williams too but we dont need to draft another williams in the top 10 ever again in hawks future, also we dont need another 6′9 pf tweener
i am goin to relentlessly encourage a trade between atl and gs. al horford for monta ellis makes sense for both sides. gs could start d.lee and al at pf and c and that would be great for their uptempo offense with biendrins off the bench. likewise with us not resigning jamal we need scoring, a teague ellis backcourt would be the fastest backcourt in the NBA move joe to 3 josh stays 4 and all we need is that 7 foot center everyone is beggin for(especially me). monta and joe can get us 50 a night easy and monta will play more d for a contender
O'Brien
May 17th, 2011
3:19 pm
drmaryb,
If the Hawks stay out of luxury tax, they will have $3 mil to fill 6 slots. We might not be able to afford those guys. Look for vet minimum salaries, and trades.
And as deep as the Bulls are already, they have the #28 and #30 pick in the first round.
Najeh,
Are you not sold on Kyrie Irving?
Melvin
May 17th, 2011
3:48 pm
5 Steps: Fixing the Hawks
Despite earning their fourth consecutive postseason berth and recording their deepest playoff run since 1994 the Atlanta Hawks enter the off season facing more questions than ever about the future the direction of the organization. On a national level the Hawks were viewed to have little to no chance of upsetting the number one seeded Chicago Bulls in the second round of this year’s playoffs; however Atlanta fans have been extremely vocal of their disappointment with the six game elimination which in turn may force the Hawks’ front office to initiate some major changes in the locker room. As the salary cap stands today with over $63 million committed on the books for 2012, the Hawks don’t have much flexibility in terms of bringing in a top tier talent without paying the luxury tax – a place where their ownership structure has routinely avoided. Keeping things in total perspective the Hawks’ roster features two established All-Stars, another with All-Star talent, a former sixth man of the year and an emerging young point guard.
There are definitely a plethora of teams around the league in a worst predicament than the Hawks heading into 2012, but nonetheless Atlanta still has work to do in order to keep themselves relevant in the suddenly ultra-competitive Eastern Conference power structure.
1. Free Joe Johnson
Five-time All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson signed the most lucrative deal during the 2010 free agency period which featured players such as Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce and Chris Bosh. The Hawks ultimately believe Johnson is the player who can push the club past the second round of the postseason for the first time in over forty years.
But the time is ticking. Johnson will be 30 next month and is approaching the age where high volume scoring guards typically decline rapidly (see Tracy McGrady and Michael Redd).
Simply put, the Hawks must simply ride his talents more than ever if their postseason luck is going to change in the near future while he’s still in his prime.
Johnson averaged 18.2 points per game this season which was his lowest output since the 2005 campaign. No question it was a disappointing season for the former University of Arkansas standout, but the blame cannot be placed entirely on the veteran.
When head coach Larry Drew took over for the dismissed Mike Woodson last year, there was a growing frustration amongst those following the team that the squad employed too much of a “Isolation Joe” strategy on offense – where the squad would clear out one side of the court and allow Johnson to break his opponent down off the dribble one-on-one.
So Drew promised to abandon a lot of this philosophy by implementing a motion offense focused on ball movement and balanced scoring which took the ball out of Johnson’s hands considerably.
Drew also routinely stated he wished to reduce the wear and tear on Johnson having to carry the team on a nightly basis, which in turn limited his minutes (lowest since 2003) and shot attempts (lowest since 2006). Throw in early season elbow surgery on his shooting arm with the role change and it’s no surprise to anyone who followed the team extensively that Johnson’s numbers were down.
But if Drew’s plan was to keep Johnson fresh for the playoffs, he never unleashed him once the team reached the destination and that’s what the Hawks clearly need before the inevitable decline sets in. Johnson’s shot attempts during the playoffs went up less than half a tenth. While guys like Bulls guard (and league MVP) Derrick Rose (+3.5) and Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (+2.1) increased their offensive aggressiveness tremendously. A return to more of “Isolation Joe” may not be too much of a bad thing if utilized correctly.
2. Decision Time: Al Horford or Josh Smith
There are more than a few teams around the league who would literally trade a good chunk of their current rosters to acquire players with the talent Horford and Smith possess.
Unfortunately the Horford and Smith connection has been somewhat of a gift and curse for the Hawks.
While both players are immensely talented they continue to develop into too similar of a player.
Horford, a two-time All-Star selection, never backs down when asked about his desire to play power forward full-time in the lineup. Horford’s father, Tito Horford, a former NBA player has also chimed in on the issue of getting his son away from center duties in order to preserve his career longevity. On the other hand, Smith is a borderline All-Star in his own right and has clearly established himself as one of the most versatile power forwards in the game even earning All-Defensive team honors in 2010.
The Hawks as a team have absolutely no inside offensive presence because both players’ penchant for perimeter jump shooting.
Horford would likely return more assets in a potential trade, but he has the higher upside and could develop into a 20/10 threat in the next 2-3 years.
While Smith remains a fan favorite in Atlanta (erratic jump shooting aside), his trade value around the league is stable and he could easily yield a solid mix of talent and draft picks for his services.
The Hawks have significant holes in their roster at small forward and some would even argue center since it’s not Horford’s natural position.
View Lang Greene Archive Given the Hawks’ position to the salary cap as a team, a deal must be made because outside of Johnson who is basically untradeable coming off a down year and with his cap number, Horford or Smith brings in the most bang for the buck in the open market.
3. Give Jeff Teague the Keys of the
Offense After playing only nine minutes in the Hawks’ six game elimination of the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs, the second year Teague was thrust into starting duty versus Chicago when Kirk Hinrich suffered a leg injury.
Teague responded in a huge fashion. In the first five games of the Chicago series Teague averaged 17 points per game which included three games of 20+ points. Plus he was tasked with guarding the most explosive scoring point guard in the league in Rose.
It’s become clear Teague plays at a much higher level when he doesn’t have to look over his shoulder at the bench every time he may commit an on court error.
With Hinrich out of the lineup and no other reliable point guard on the roster Teague played the best basketball of his career and 40 minutes per game in the series’ first five contests.
Heading into the 2012 campaign it’s time for the Hawks to finally make the commitment to Teague in order to see if he has the goods to handle the reins full-time.
4. Pay Jamal Crawford
After a pay me or trade me demand before the start of training camp and early season struggles related to pressing due to his upcoming free agent status Crawford handled the situation like a true professional. Overall, Crawford’s numbers were down from his Sixth Man of the Year campaign in 2010 but he was a huge factor in the team’s first round upset of the Magic.
Crawford is 31 and isn’t the player he once was, but he still has a few solid seasons left in his tank.
Winning basketball is about team cohesion, chemistry and unity. It would be extremely hard to integrate someone new into the Hawks’ lineup to fill the large role Crawford occupies in an offseason. The Hawks players trust Crawford and he’s an outstanding locker room presence for the team.
Additionally, Atlanta traded away the emerging Jordan Crawford to Washington when they acquired Hinrich at the trade deadline so the Hawks have no one in place behind Johnson at shooting guard if they let Crawford go in free agency.
There will be a few free agent options available this summer such as J.R. Smith and Michael Redd but Crawford already has the familiarity with the organization, clearly accepts his role and most importantly still has game left.
Typically, it isn’t a wise move to re-sign veterans a little past their prime to multi-year deals but in this case with no other viable options on the roster at shooting guard to develop – pay Crawford or some other playoff team will.
5. Retool on the Fly –
Actively Look to Deal While the Hawks gave up their 2011 first round pick in the Hinrich deal, the club should still actively look to get into the upcoming draft to refill their youth pipeline and find a diamond in the rough.
The club has actively tried to deal forward Marvin Williams in the past but found no takers because of the price tag. The Hawks should revisit this path now since Williams has just two years remaining at $16.9 million (ETO of $8 million in 2014).
Referring to step two, the team desperately needs an interior presence.
Not necessarily a guy who can score 15 points a game, just a guy who wants to live on the interior. As strong as Jason Collins was as a defensive presence this season, he doesn’t have the game at this point in his career to cause matchup problems for opponents. Potential centers on the market this summer (who aren’t commanding huge bucks) are Nenad Krstic, Nazr Mohammed, Spencer Hawes (restricted) and Greg Oden (restricted).
There have long been rumors of the Los Angeles Clippers making former All-Star Chris Kaman available for the right mix of talent.
Now more than ever it’s clear the Hawks need to make a move. The franchise isn’t as far away from title contention most would lead you to believe, but they need to execute the right moves from here forward to get there while Johnson still is a top three shooting guard.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
O’Brien
I for one hope we go into the luxury. If Stern has his way, he laid down a baseline for the new CBA yesterday. Looks like he wants to do away with the luxury tax.
Also O’Brien, I hope we do some salary dumps where ever possible anmd ship Marvin out of here. What do you think about Jamal?
Is he in or out? IDK about that one.
Geemack
May 17th, 2011
3:59 pm
Enter your comments here
K-Dogg
May 17th, 2011
4:36 pm
All i know is if we dont trade eitehr Josh or Big Al this year we never will and if we do we wont get back as much later as we could now. Really all of this center talk woudl not ahve been an issue had we went after one this offeason!! Like always say we could have got one of the vets real chepa this year and been ok for 2 to 3 years and not ask them to log alot of mintues b/c vs certain teams we dont need a center anyway!!!!!!
K-Dogg
May 17th, 2011
4:39 pm
This summer all the bigs come with risk unless we do a sign and trade. Oden, Yao, Nene all have big risk and are going to be still expensive… Im sure we are going to trade Josh to the clippers for Caveman Kaman they slaeries match up and im not too sure about that move but its the only one i can see b/c they can let him play the 3 and have Jordan who si cheaper start fro them.. This GM has really jacked things up b/c they refused to play younger point guards and were too dumb to see that Al and Josh were too littel to get it down and we have been saying it all here for the last 3 years!!!!!!!
Geemack
May 17th, 2011
4:39 pm
Melvin
Great information.
The Truth
May 17th, 2011
4:42 pm
HAWKS FANS
Let not your heart be troubled, if you believe in the Hawks, then believe also in “The Truth” and a simple fact that the Bulls were the better team. Not so much with one-on-one talent (excluding D Rose) but with depth from the bench. From a resource standpoint, it was the Hawks 7-1/2 man rotation vs. the Bulls 10 man rotation that ultimately killed their chances. A battle of attrition decided the outcome and Hawks came up short.
From a coaching standpoint, clearly the Hawks were overmatched. While Thibodeau was coaching free with a clear consistent strategy and making timely adjustments, LD was doing just the opposite; coaching scared with a short rotation, inconsistent strategy while making no effective adjustments after the surprising game 1 victory. So the fan’s outcry for roster upgrades really becomes a moot point since LD will likely not use them when the games matter the most. His tendency will always revert back to shorting his rotation regardless of his roster makeup, just like his mentor. This was the fate of many potentially useful players on the current roster including Etan, Jordon Crawford and Jeff Teague during the regular season. It has been repeatedly stated here many times, that any Hawks successes would be made despite of the coach. He basically wore out his thoroughbreds with an inconsistent rotation and eventually in the second-round of the playoffs, it caught up with them.
JJ rotating between SG to SF to PG
Josh Smith rotating between PF to SF (sometimes Center)
Al Horford rotating between Center to PF
Zaza rotating between Center to PF
Marvin rotating between SF to PF from starting to inconsistent bench-PT
Teague rotating between bench-warmer to leading PT in the playoffs
K Hinrich rotating between PG to SG
Jamal Crawford rotating between SG to PG
Jason Collins (inconsistent PT)
Etan (inconsistent PT)
Josh Powell (inconsistent PT)
Jordon Crawford (inconsistent PT)
When you put the overly used fatigued weary horses (toggling between multiple positions) up against a furious defense with rotating fresh legs, perhaps this might explain why JJ, Jamal and Horford had shaky offensive performances during crunch time with (at times) subpar defenses.
Given that depiction, you could say that the Hawks winning 2 games in the second round was an over-achieving accomplishment based on their under- achieving regular season performance. My off-season wish for upgrade would be to acquire FA Chris Wilcox from Detroit to spell Josh Smith. If the Hawks were successful in acquiring him, however, I’m sure LD would find a way to botch his PT, so my point is also moot as well.
Slim
May 17th, 2011
4:50 pm
so Lang Greene says Decision Time: Horford or Smith
avoiding the fact that Josh Smith can and has played the 3. What we trade him for Chris Kaman and watch the Clippers dominate us?
Horford can develop into a 20 and 10. And Marvin Williams will be stuck at the 3 erasing any contribution Horford makes.
there will always be someone longer and taller and more athletic than Horford.
ie Taj Gibson.
Bulls:
Rose/Bogans/Deng/Boozer/Noah
Watson/Korver-Brewer/Gibson/Asik-Thomas
Hawks:
Teague/Johnson**/Smith/Sanders/Bogut
Salmons***/pg-sg/Al Thornton/Gooden/Pachulia
**stuck with Johnson; no equal value; expirings?
***Salmons Joe Johnson backcourt could post up Rose/Bibby etc.?
Hawks will never get a true defensive center for Josh Smith. Best they could do is an offensive center like Nene. Nene is like Horford he needs the ball to be effective but then he gives up points and is real slow on the other end.
Bucks:
Jennings/Delfino/Marvin/Ilyasova/Horford
bucks get to run up and down and excite people in the regular season but lose any semblance of defense and will never compete on the boards with Orlando or Chicago.
Slim
May 17th, 2011
5:22 pm
Then again the Hawks are all talk and will not do what needs to be done. I think they trade Williams for OJ Mayo and move Joe Johnson to the 3. Smith for a center.
Then they have a goodsized frontcourt and an undersized backcourt.
::::
Alternatively they can trade Horford who is a well liked player but has never dominated against elite length in the playoffs. In some ways the NBA is a popularity contest. Horford made the 3rd All-NBA team over Carmelo Anthony who is one of the most talented forwards in the league but he forced a trade to New York. Thus he is left off the team.
Horford’s average length will continue to be thwarted by the likes of Taj Gibson and Carlos Boozer.
Chicago’s bigs wear you down and Horford will never be Amare Stoudemire or Kendrick Perkins who has a much longer wingspan. We always hear about Smith but not Horford. Horford’s a tweener but he’s the kind coaches like. Shoots a jumper and dunks on bigger guys from time to time.
I fear Atlanta will never do what needs to be done. Trade Josh Smith, but Marvin Williams must be attached to him. In addition to Smith for a defensive center make sure Williams also nets you a defensive power forward.
Good luck Atlanta, but we both know what’s going to happen next season.
“au revoir peur sous-performants”
2 scared to let JJ go for Marvin at the 2 and a chance at Dwight.
2 scared to develop Teague instead of Bibby and gave up a pick for Hinrich.
Now 2 scared to trade Horford, Williams, Hinrich for Bogut and Sanders’ potential along with Gooden and combo guard Salmons “win now” backups.
Atlanta is doomed Smith leaving will be the first step. This move will have a domino-effect it is that leaves the franchise in shambles with an alienated fanbase. Horford will average 18 and 10. Marvin 15 pts on 11 shots and the Hawks get blown out next season. If there is a next season.
The Game Has Changed
May 17th, 2011
6:39 pm
@OBrien-If you think Korver and Bogans are better shooters than Joe and Jamal you are kidding yourself. Also, the Thunders did do well through the draft. This is their second year in the playoffs. We went up against Boston three years ago and if we could have played better in game 7 we might have a ring. If the Thunders dont beat Dallas over the next two weeks they will be in the same boat as the Hawks. (Waiting on next year) We are striving, and will not stop.
ryan
May 17th, 2011
6:48 pm
Breaking news Hawks may be sold to guy that owns San Diego Padres they Hawks will not move out of Atlanta but you have be nervous that San Diego has no NBA team .
James on Pharr Rd
May 17th, 2011
8:22 pm
Najeh:on 1 PICK FOR JJ
Many of us have lost hair trying to imagine which team we could trick into such a deal for JJ. Even considering the flash of potential he could show on some teams with complimentary talent, I still find trading him difficult in the foreseeable future. I was reading about a clause to take bad contracts off the books in the new CBA to deal with (the Arenas & Lewis’ contracts) You would still have to pay Joe, but it wouldn’t get you in the luxury if you wanted to get more talent. I hope this applies to Mr. Johnson’s contract. In the case of Marvin, the only way I see him leaving is if we package him in a deal with other players possibly Al or Josh whoever the y decide on trading. I honestly believe that Sund has tried to ship Marvin for the last 3 years without luck-who would want him?
James on Pharr Rd
May 17th, 2011
8:56 pm
Teague finally getting national recognition: only thing this time is the allegations that he looked the other way while a team mate (Gary Clarke) raped someone when he was at Wake Forest. Th show was taped on NBC-The Today Show airing tonight
brigadierjerry
May 17th, 2011
9:11 pm
Looking at the remaining 4 teams, which was does the Hawks model after? Is it Dallas or Chicago who has a star player they build around?i dont see that because Joe Johnson I see cannot carry the team like Rose and Dirk can. Is it Okc, who have two young stars?Is it the Miami three stars but not a lot of depth?
I think that the Hawks need to make a move to change the complexion of the team and to me that means either Horford or Smith has to be traded for a player like a Gasol that northclyde mentioned a Garnett that I doubt would happen. I think they need to decide who they are going to build the team around. If it it Johnson than Smith or Horford have to get traded. If Johnson not going to be the future trade him.
Look at the Celtics playoff history with a team of Kenny Anderson Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce before making the trade for Garnett and Allen from 2001-2004
2001 Won First Round (Philadelphia, 3–2)
2001Won Conference Semifinals (Detroit, 4–1)
2001Lost Conference Finals (New Jersey, 2–4)
2002Won First Round (Indiana, 4–2)
2002Lost Conference Semifinals (New Jersey, 0–4
2003Lost First Round (Indiana, 0–4)
2004Lost First Round (Indiana, 3–4)
They didnt make playoffs in 2005 and 2006
They decided to completely change their team by trading Jefferson and picks for Garnett and drafted Rondo and also getting Allen
Hawks have their point guard and again sill have to decide who they are going to build around. It will have to be trough trades since they have little cap space.
What are your guys thoughts on what type of team model should the Hawks follow?
Slimjr
May 18th, 2011
12:06 am
Larry is the weakest link……………………
DinasaurFenton
May 18th, 2011
1:35 pm
Sund should get an extension, but Larry Drew should get a short leash. If Drew is brought back next year, give him one month for the Hawks to be on par with the elite teams; if they are not fire him quickly and bring in Jerry Sloan to help get us a title before this group of Hawks ages out. Smoove, Johnson, Crawford and Horford are all in their primes and will probably not get much better. As far as I can tell from everything Ive seen, Jamal Crawford has the ability to shoot as good as Pistol Pete Maravich. Al Horford has the potential to be as good as Wilt Chamberlain. And Josh Smoove has the ability to become as good as either D-Wade or LaBron James. Joe Johnson is Joe Johnson, but he needs to step up to his highest level of greatness (which was second best closer in the game behind Kobe Bryant). If these core 4 players real their level of competence and Teague has a breakout year as a starter next year and can be as good as Boston Celtic great Tiny Archiball, then the Hawks should be winning the Larry O’Brien trophy next June as they reach their goal to be world champions. Go Hawks.
joey1
May 18th, 2011
4:51 pm
hawk owner are a joke.. they just have money and are too cheap to go into luxury tax to actually make a team that can compete for championships… the hawks have been a top 8 the last 3 years we need a center and to trade marvin williams then this team will succeed..
imagine trading marvin williams and horford for andrew bogut, then sign free agent al thorton to small forward..
starting lineup teague,joe johnson, al thorton, josh smith, andrew bogut