Atlanta Hawks: About that backcourt . . ..
My story the other day included the line: “[P]laying Teague more minutes, especially in combination with Hinrich, would improve the defense.”
If the Hawks started that backcourt next season, it would finally signal they are serious about defense. Teague and Hinrich had developed a good defensive chemistry, with Teague as the relentless ball hound and Hinrich as the tough guy shedding screens and challenging shots. And that alignment moves J.J. to the 3, mitigating two of his main defensive weaknesses: containing quicker opponents and chasing anyone through screens.
Using Teague and Hinrich in combination could have benefits for the offense, too, which presumably means there’s a better chance L.D. would do it. Hinrich is a shot-maker who doesn’t need screens to get good looks. Teague showed against the Bulls that he’s capable of getting into the lane and making runners and floaters or setting up cutting teammates (at least when they did cut–watching Dallas last night reminded me of what that’s supposed to look like).
With Teague and Hinrich handling the ball the majority of the time instead of J.J., the Hawks would have a new, dynamic look (assuming fourth quarters aren’t still allowed to always become Iso-Joe shows). Remember when Teague said this regarding playing alongside Hinrich?
“It’s a lot easier. Defensively, you know he’s going to have your help and I am going to have his back. He’s easy to play with. He passes the ball and gets everybody involved. It makes your job a lot easier when you know a guy is willing to give up the ball. He’s a good player.”
In addition, a starting alignment of Teague-Hinrich-J.J. sends Marvin to the bench, where it’s become increasingly clear he belongs and where he might be a better fit, anyway. But there also is one major problem with using the Teague-Hinrich-J.J. alignment on a regular basis: It sends Marvin to the bench. (It also would leave the bench thin on scoring without Jamal, but that’s a topic for another time.)
Marvin, for all his faults, is a pretty good rebounder–his total rebound rate of 10.1 ranked 21st among small forwards who played at least 10 minutes per game, according to Hoopdata. (EDIT: Marvin bottom five in rebounding-rate differential this season. It could cancel out whatever defensive gains are provided by the Teague-Hinrich backcourt because, as the Hawks saw time and time against the Bulls, good defensive effort can go for naught if the opponent is rebounding too many of its misses.
J.J.’s lack of rebounding production looks worse when you compare his strong, 6-7, 240-plus pound frame to those of some of the better rebounders in the league. Guys like Melo (6-8, 230), Mike Miller (6-8, 220), Q-Rich (6-6, 230), Matt Barnes(6-7, 225), Ronnie Brewer (6-7, 230) and so on lack J.J’s physical gifts but are much better on the boards.
How is it that J.J. could push around J-Rich when he wanted to get to his spots on the floor but J-Rich (6-6, 225) is a much better rebounder?
It takes more than brawn to rebound–instincts, awareness, toughness, technique (blocking out) and persistence are also high on the list of desirable attributes. Plus, a lot of the guys who are good rebounders don’t shoulder nearly the same scoring burden as J.J.
But you’d think a guy with J.J.’s size and strength could be better if he focused on rebounding. He was right when he said the Hawks could use more guys to do the dirty work. It’s also true that the Hawks would be a better team, with a potentially better lineup, if J.J. pitched in on that effort.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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406 comments Add your comment
O'Brien
May 25th, 2011
8:01 am
Buddy,
And Josh will have a hard time getting in with KG, Bosh, Boozer, Amare, Carmelo, Pierce and LeBron taking up the forward spots.
Trojan
May 25th, 2011
8:07 am
Al will travel and have fun this summer and let his dad talk about playing PF. What he needs to realize is that you have to rebound and be tough at PF as well.
O'Brien
May 25th, 2011
8:19 am
Najeh,
If the Hawks wanted to trade JJ to the Bulls, last offseason would have been the time to do it. I think a SNT sending JJ to the Bulls for Hinrich, Gibson, filler and first round pick probably gets the deal done.
KBP
May 25th, 2011
8:20 am
This team is better if Joe is at shooting guard. Name 3 better. I can name 3 better small forwards than Joe. On another note, Marvin is much better than what most people think. He needs to be on another team where he will get at least 15 shots per game. On this team he averages 9. Unless you are Dirk, you are not going to average 16pts. on 9 shots.
doc
May 25th, 2011
8:35 am
yeah o’b marvin has gotten so bad rod doesnt have to exaggerate his deficiencies any longer.
i really dont think anything can be used to motivate him as he never seems to rise to the occasion or be pushed to say he wants to do the things to excel. complacent might be a good word to describe him.
JoJo the Godfather
May 25th, 2011
8:36 am
I think Josh, Pachulia & Al are all above avg rebounders, and if given the opportunity, could be better on the offensive boards even though that’s not a priority in our current scheme which focuses more on transition defense. Under Woody, we were a better offensive rebounding team, but were almost dead last in transition defense. LD wanted to reverse that trend. IMO, Josh (who attacks the basketball) can improve by blocking out consistently (he has a tendency to watch the ball and lose his man), and Horford (who does a good job of blocking out) can be more aggressive to the ball. The more you think about it, its a shame that we’ve never been able to find that 7-footer ala Tyson Chandler, which would make this group an elite defensive & rebounding team.
J from the A
May 25th, 2011
8:42 am
Can someone fire Schultz? Or at the very least ban him from “reporting” on anything Hawks related?
His little trade Josh blog has created a new flurry of “rumors.”
Well, at least Schultz can feel important because his wild and irresponsible speculation has caused a lot of fellow bloggers and sports journalist (sic) to cite/link back to his article.
smdh.
darrell starks
May 25th, 2011
8:56 am
@ J from the A
The hawks are not trading josh, that would be the most retarted move in hawks history beside trading nique for danny manning, and the rest was history after nique was traded this franchise was never a contender until now, thats 17years of fustration of this organization that this franchise can’t afford any more.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 25th, 2011
9:00 am
JOSH AND TEAGUE ARE 2 BEST PLAYER AND THE FUTURE FOR THIS TEAM.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
KevinM
May 25th, 2011
9:07 am
I truly believe we had several chances to get Tyson Chandler the past couple of years. The continued stagnatio
KevinM
May 25th, 2011
9:17 am
I truly believe we had several chances to get Tyson Chandler the past couple of years. The continued stagnation that is Rick Sund.
We are now cap strapped with our big 3. Beyond that, we have Teague and Zaza that can impact a game. That’s not enough pieces to get to the ECF.
Watching the Heat last night, they needed help aside of their big 3. As Ken Strickland has said, it is about what you surround them with. I just don’t think we have much of a chance with Josh at the 3 unless he goes pre-2010 and gets back inside. I like him matching up with Deng, but he just hasn’t shown he is productive on the perimeter.
So if you come back with all 3 captains, you have little wiggle room to do anything because of what you paid Marvin. That one piece is killing the growth of this team. There’s no room for him on the frontline. WWMDTS? What will Marvin do this summer? Chapel Hill/work on his schooling some more/go back home and visit/wait out the CBA. Like Bibby, until he is gone, there is no growth for this team.
And for those who want Joe/Teague/Kirk in the starting lineup,aren’t you going to consider matchups? There aren’t many contending teams that will work against.
darrell starks
May 25th, 2011
9:21 am
@ MC
Starting TEAGUE, HINRICH in the back court is not a good idea, the hawks must stay big and get a center with size that can defend the paint, bring hinrich of the bench is the best thing for the hawks because experience, plus it keep the rotation deep which is better for the second unit that LD fail to develop during the year.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
HoosierHawk
May 25th, 2011
9:26 am
Think about the centers left in the playoffs:
T CHandler, J ANthony, K Perkins , Noah . None of these guys are going to go out and score a lot (or at least as much as allstar Al). But they will block shots, rebound, and play with intensity. If I could get a scrappy C and a backup PF or decent SF for AL, I’d do it. If we trade SMith, we have no one to block shots.
darrell starks
May 25th, 2011
9:28 am
TEAGUE, HINRICH, JOE, JOSH, HORFORD is a horrible starting lineup, the back court and front court is to small, no way the hawks go into this season with HORFORD at center, 4 years is a enough.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J from the A
May 25th, 2011
9:30 am
If Nene is willing to come to Atlanta:
Al + Marvin
FOR
Nene + Gallinari + rights to Chandler or Afflalo + #22 Draft Pick
Denver does it because they are on the verge of losing Nene for nothing. To be able to pick up a young 3rd team NBAer in exchange for someone who was going to walk would be a dream — a dream they would be more than willing to accept at the cost of taking on Marvin’s contract.
Atlanta does it because it is great value. Hawks get a true center, a young, capable SF in Gallinari, an additional quality rotational piece (if the Hawks can sign Chandler or Afflalo), and the potential to pick up a potential rotational player in the draft (or they could always sell the pick for cash).
I would do the same trade sending Josh instead of Al, but I don’t think Josh will bring in as much value. Any trade that involves moving Josh or Al must bring in a true center and greater depth (particularly at the Forward positions).
Iso-Joe sucks
May 25th, 2011
9:36 am
I seem to remember that Michael Jordan was not only the NBA scoring leader but defensive player of the year during his career and a good rebounder. And Scottie Pippen was also a high scorer and all-defensive team guy and a good rebounder. So why does Joe Johnson think the Hawks need more guys to do the dirty work? Why not do some of the dirty work yourself and you’d get some easy looks and steals that lead to breaks?
Joe looks like he is disinterested unless he has the ball in his hands. I’m sorry, but he doesn’t shoot good enough to only be doing that. That big contract he signed is paying him for those things.
J from the A
May 25th, 2011
9:39 am
Joe does a lot of the dirty work … but rarely gets credit for it.
darrell starks
May 25th, 2011
9:48 am
STARTER TEAGUE, JOE, JOSH, HORFORD, ?
BENCH HINRICH, DAMIEN, MARVIN, WILCOX, ZAZA
RESERVE PAPE SY, COLLINS
sign and trade jamal for center Kaman
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
hawksfancents95
May 25th, 2011
11:50 am
i think some people on this blog are more worried about a better bench than a starting lineup.ever since jamal got the 6th man of the year award people seem in love with having a great bench and crazy thoughts of moving josh to the bench or starting damien and moving kirk to the bench. with our current salaries a teague hinrich joe josh al lineup actually sounds great for running or “motion” offense. i know everyone wants that actual C but i dont see any impact C’s in this years free agency plus our $ constraints. our bench would be zaza twin marvin sy and idk if we resign damien or magnum. i havent seen magnum play but he could be a good sf/pf combo player and damien we know is going to give good defense but he is going to be a year older and slower and his offense isnt there besides putbacks and fastbreak points. that bench does sound weak and there is no backup PG if teague and kirk start. i think we could get some quality backup PG in FA(havent really checked)or if someone slips in the draft we can use that pick. I do think marvin will be a quality player if we trade him to a new franchise. i think the pressure of the #2 pick in atl and the joe factor hasnt let him live to his potential here. i have high hopes for the 11-12 hawks and i think josh will take this summer to improve his mid range and low post and finally get his well deserved all-star nod.
Magic Johnson
May 25th, 2011
12:09 pm
magnum rolle is skinny and likely cannot defend the elite 4s and 5s. He probably shoots a lot to make up for it. He was a figurehead for management’s facade of activity.
Josh Smith’s attitude is not the cause of his trade value. He is a 6′8 post up wing. There are lots of wings and not a lot of good defensive centers.
If you obtain Smith and trade your center then you need to replace your center. Theoretically Gerald Wallace, a player with somilar strengths to Smith did not net a franchise center.
Nene is ultimately a PF/C tweener like Horford. Turning Marvin into Gallinari would be a major upgrade but are there enough shots to go around?
Neither Smith nor Gallinari have GREAT rebounding for the PF position come playoffs. Overall an exciting team but all the opposing team needs to do is put a long PF on Smith and he can’t post making him a perimeter player. Offense relies on Smith hitting jumpers to keep defense honest. Even if he loses 10 lbs that’s an iffy lineup.
Gearon, Jr.
May 25th, 2011
12:24 pm
@hawksfancents95
Even “superstars” need a bench. There needs to be little fall off. Smith’s quickness+ ability to score around the rim + elevate on his jump shot increase a bit if he drops to that 230 lb range.
Not only do we need a center but we need another impact forward.
Horford has more trade value that we can package with Hinrich and Williams.
Blue Collar Team
Teague+Johnson+Smith+LarrySanders+Bogut
Salmons+RonniePrice**+AlThornton+Gooden+Pachulia
**John Salmons is a capable point guard next to Joe Johnson in a big blue collar lineup. This allows for us to either go after a small athletic tweener guard or a solid backup SG/SF
possibility to have IMPACT for $1-2 M
Tracy McGrady,Michael Redd, Grant Hill, Kirilenko
Hill wants to start and avoided the Celtics offer to finish hiss career, McGrady used Detroit to prove he deserved big$, Redd/Kirilenko may want bigger $ and STABILITY the list goes on.
a big wing may be off limits but ideally FAs would respect the franchise’s stability and ability to win. No big FAs wants to be a backup for the Atlanta Hawks.
Atlanta needs to return to tried and true methods. Size matters.
Buddy Grizzard
May 25th, 2011
12:42 pm
O’Brien cool but it’s the year before a contract year for him. I think he wants to walk after 2012-13 and win rings and laugh at the Hawks organization for undervaluing him and improperly utilizing him. He’s got more heart than Al and JJ put together. I really think he WILL get it and curb the jumpers. And Boozer, KG and Pierce are all on their last legs. Josh is up and coming.
Gearon, Jr.
May 25th, 2011
1:07 pm
Horford is robotic at the PF. Smith needs to lose weight regardless of position.
If he plays the stretch/slashing PF you need Carmelo, Thaddeus Young or Lebron James at the SF to go along with a Teague+Johnson backcourt not Marvin Williams.
Garnett, Brand is aging but the objective is not to make the All Star Game. Al Horford might get his 4 ppg as a backup in a regular season All Star game.
but its more imprtant to match up in the playoffs Its too compete for a championship.
Horford’s length is not good for defense and even worse he is too plodding and robotic to compensate on offense.
Blake Griffin, Kevin Love and Zach Randolph are 6′10 with 6′11 wingspans but at least their wingspans help there perimeter skills. Horford has a bad combination of halfcourt ability. He is strong but in the playoffs Boozer, Bosh and other power forwards are not pushovers.
Going forward here are the PFs Horford may face in the post.
7′1 Bargnani+center
Gibson/Boozer+center
Kanter+center
Bosh+center
Stoudemire+center
Even Amare who has been called soft has an advantage in wingspan and has been able to alter and even block Horford’s shots in the post while attacking him on the other end.
Horford gets love from coaches with superstars however we don’t have supeerstars to create or cover his deficiencies at the PF or C. this goes for SF Williams and Smith at PF.
Smith can play the SF/3 if we obtain a center for Horford. Neither Williams or Smith will obtain a starter playoff quality defensive center. You dont trade 6′8 players for centers unless those centers are backups or that 6′8 player is Lebron.
HoosierHawk
May 25th, 2011
1:11 pm
@MC Does Rick Sund watching the Minnesota draft workouts suggest he might be willing to make a trade to get in the draft, or was he just looking for the 2nd round?
I don’t see our second round pick filling any of our real needs (center, small forward) in any meaningful way, so why not go for value. Maybe I’m biased as a big Ten guy, but I think Jajuan Johnson from Purdue or Jon Leur from WIsconsin are better than Josh Powell.
O'Brien
May 25th, 2011
1:12 pm
Kobe’s comments during exit interviews…“If you’re building a championship team, your DNA always has to start with the defensive end of the floor,” Bryant said on May 11. “Always. I’m a firm believer in that. I don’t believe in building a championship team on offense. It has to be built on defense and rebounding. Period.”..
I hope LD is paying attention. Defense and rebounding usually wins in the playoffs, not the motion offense.
O'Brien
May 25th, 2011
1:31 pm
Buddy,
I dont think Josh wants to leave. I think he wants to stay a Hawk, but he wants to feel appreciated (by fans and media).
And for that to happen, all he has to do is cut down on the jumpers, play 15 feet in, stay focused on both ends of the court, and cut back on the whining.
HoosierHawk
May 25th, 2011
1:33 pm
Looking at the Hawks playoffs stats compared to their opponents, 2 things stick out:
a. Hawks get to the FT line far less than opponents.
b. Hawks don’t get nearly as many offensive rebounds.
So how do you fix that?
Gearon, Jr.
May 25th, 2011
1:42 pm
O’Brien 15 feet in is cliche. Josh Smith is soft as a power forward. He is a small forward.
Here are other guys who measured similar to Smith
7′0.25 250 6′8: Lebron James pg-sg-sf (shoot to keep them honest)
7′3 240 6′8 : Rudy Gay shooter
7′0.25 240 6′8.25 Michael Beasley (inefficient gunner & cannot post guys with length like Lebron/Deng)
6′11.5 230 6′7.5 Thaddeus
7′0 236 6′7.5 Carmelo
The longer your arms are relative to height and weight the slower you are. Smith is not faster than Lebron or Carmelo. He needs a jump shot to keep PFs honest. He has no post game against elite PFs.
He’s a 3 unless we get Carmelo or Thaddeus Young for Marvin Williams. That’s the only way we can get away with small ball.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
May 25th, 2011
2:09 pm
“The longer your arms are relative to height and weight the slower you are. ”
LOL, with that logic, Kevin Willis was the fastest big man in the history of the league.
doc
May 25th, 2011
2:42 pm
yeah, that had me puzzled too. i should have been an olympian track star.
Horford is the Hawks problem
May 25th, 2011
2:45 pm
@ Dept. of Unintended Irony — LOL, with that logic, Kevin Willis was the fastest big man in the history of the league.
That’s hillarious
Milwaukee Hawks
May 25th, 2011
3:05 pm
@Dept. of Unintended Irony
most Kevin Willis was 7′0 tall with a 6′10 wingspan and around 240 lbs in his prime.
Wingspan is a part of athleticism and affects explosiveness.
Josh Smith losing weight and playing the 3 is more logical than suggesting a 6′8 guy with 240lbs can score against elite length like Garnett without a jump shot to keep the defense honest.
Smith is to small to post up Garnett. He has no inside game. His jumper needs to be a threat to get past defenders and dunk the ball or draw fouls.
Smart defenders sag off of a shooter. Josh becomes worthless without a jumper. He is a slasher 3 not a stretch 4. Only a Horford+Williams trade can move this team forward. Horford will never be Blake Griffin, Amare, Dirk, Bosh, Zach Randolph, or Kevin Love. There are at least 4 PFs and Cs u can play as 4s in this draft with potential to guard and score on Al in addition and ppl want Horford or Nene to be the cornerstone of a blue-collar defensive minded team. Seems they just want to reinvent smallball backcourts and frontcourts. Smith at the 3 and 230 lbs or No thank you.
Bogut+Sanders+Gooden+Salmons(+pick) for Williams+Hinrich+Horford
sign Al Thornton, Ronnie Price and swing picks for Semih Erden. unless Miami gets a center we have advantages at pg+C, size at the 2, and defense to contest shots, get stops and keep it close.
@MC
Michael Beasley played the 4 and was undersized. This year he played the 3 even without the ability to defend and draw fouls that Smith has.
You realize Smith said its controversial to speak about wanting to play the 3 because it puts pressure on management to restructure the team. Horford gets to play the 4 and underwhelms. Smith plays the 3 at 245 lbs and exceeds expectations.
After 2008 Horford was never invited back to Team USA, guess who was? Horford will never be the dynamic 2 way player or match up as well with PFs as Josh Smith at the SF when he was closer to Thaddeus/Carmelo’s weight.
:::::::
If Hawks want to contend they need a defensive center or a star power forward who matches up with elites. Al Horford is neither. He’s a lankier slower David Lee.
Trojan
May 25th, 2011
3:08 pm
“Kobe’s comments during exit interviews…“If you’re building a championship team, your DNA always has to start with the defensive end of the floor,” Bryant said on May 11. “Always. I’m a firm believer in that. I don’t believe in building a championship team on offense. It has to be built on defense and rebounding. Period.”..
This would make a great article, “Why aren’t the Hawks building with defense and rebounding?”
Milwaukee Hawks
May 25th, 2011
3:15 pm
@Trojan
because of Al Horford’s pedigree and imperfect info. He gets seen as a skilled player who deserves to be a power forward and is held back by Josh Smith who doesnt care if he plays the 3 or 4 and has fluctuated muscle/weight in the offseason to play wherever th team wants him to.
All he does is try to bully shorter power forwards and try to hit feast or famine jump shots. No ability to beat quicker power forwards off the dribble. Only centers and even then he rarely gets free throw attempts. If he drops weight to increase speed for offense his defense would suffer. Unlike SF Josh Smith.
Going forward Horford is solid at best in the playoffs and a tweener at worst.
Hawks will build with offense in mind and move Josh to the 3. Smith for Chris Kaman to accomodate Horford and Teague will become a SG while Hinrich’s expiring is used in propaganda as a way to get Dwight Howard.
Dumb C Ham
May 25th, 2011
4:20 pm
Why in the hell would anybody want to keep Al Hoford? Dude is not only charmin soft but never shows up in the big games. backs down from challenges(amare, playing center) has a poor attitude, will force the team out of its best line up to accommodate his demands and has only average talent at best. He is the odd man out and if he is all that you say he is why are no other teams interested in him? Could it be his lack of defensive effort? He is the most inconsistent hawk. See if you can find any body other than the press who is interested in a trade for this guy. He sucks.
Dumb C Ham
May 25th, 2011
4:23 pm
Al got 2 pts as a 5th string reserve and you guys call that an allstar… stop begging.
Censor
May 25th, 2011
4:40 pm
I bet Mike Cunningham is still censoring the many hawk fans who are calling for Horford to be traded for a real center. Its terrible the way Cunningham controls and manipulates in order to keep his favorite player. Is he still sleeping with Al Horford?
Just because you sleep with Al Hoford Cunningham doesnt mean we need to have his mediocrity soft charmin ass holding our team back.
Get Rid Of Al Soft Ass Hoford and stop the backwards sliding. Take John Drew with you.
Censor
May 25th, 2011
4:42 pm
Al is not as good as Josh….Period.
Let them play 1on 1 and the losers leaves town.
By Al !
Rufus1
May 25th, 2011
5:10 pm
We need a player like Lamar Odom playing the SF….That is who we should trade Josh for.
Rufus1
May 25th, 2011
5:11 pm
Lamar Odom for Josh
ant banks
May 25th, 2011
5:35 pm
the last 30 years (1980-today) has produced only 8 champions in the NBA: lakers, boston, chicago, detroit, san antonio, houston, philadelphia, miami.
the commonality in these 8 teams? GREAT owners, gm’s, or players. if dallas wins, makin’ 9 champions in 30 they have two of the 3 commonalities…GREAT owner and player in dirk.
regardless to who we trade and for whom, the HAWKS won’t be in any championship discussions for the next 10 years, atleast.
SOBERING!!!!!
ant banks
May 25th, 2011
5:35 pm
OR GREAT COACHES!!! sorry.
ant banks
May 25th, 2011
5:43 pm
the nfl has produced 16 different champions over the same 30 years. each year any team has a shot of makin’ it to the big dance.
the nba, however, there are about 20 teams, every year, that have no effin’ chance of makin’ it to the championship. HAWKS ARE ONE OF THOSE 20 TEAMS.
SOBERING
JoJo the Godfather
May 25th, 2011
7:25 pm
I’m not sure what the worry is with Al’s wingspan, we’ve always got Marvin 7′3″ wingspan and Magum Rolle’s 7′6″ wingspan to average us out.
By the way, and yes, I’ve said it before, don’t sleep on Magnum Rolle. He is the next Dennis Rodman!!!
hawksfancents95
May 25th, 2011
7:27 pm
Unrestricted FA we could possible acquire
Carlos arroyo
Delonte west
Troy Murphy
Joel Pryzbilla
Chris Wilcox
Al thornton
Mike Dunleavy
Tj ford
Josh mcroberts
Jamario moon
Earl boykins
Sebastian Telfair
Carl landry
Jared Jeffries
Earl clark
Jason kapono
Andrei kirilenko
Earl Watson
Ronnie price
id like to sign sebastian telfair as a backup pg, jared jeffries or josh mcroberts for backup PF and Jamario moon as a backup SF
START teague kirk joe josh al(as of now) bench telfair sy marvin jamario jared jeffries or Josh Mcroberts Zaza Twin
any realistic FA y’all would like to sign with the intent we start 0 6 2 5 15?
JoJo the Godfather
May 25th, 2011
7:35 pm
I like Gary Forbes out of Denver as a cheap free agent. Can play the 2 & 3 at 6′7″.
I also like Alexis Ajiinca out of Charlotte/Dallas/Toronto as our 3rd string center.
Lumbering Marvin
May 25th, 2011
7:37 pm
@JoJo the Godfather
Marvin is only 6′7.75 and has 7′3.5 arms. Thats center territory wingspan. Helps explains why he’s so slow.
@hawksfancents95
it doesnt matter. Marvin will still be trying to convince people he’s an NBA caliber SF. Horford will say every center in the NBA is picking on him. Joe will not get any younger. Hinrich will guard Dwyane Wade and Keith Bogans. Joe will have to guard Lebron and Smith will be asked to comeback at anywhere from 250-270 so he can be the center that Al Horford desperately needs.
Then Horford will miss the All Star Team and people will finally turn on him. “He cant create his shot” “All NBA third team!” “He thinks he’s Amare!” etc etc
Let’s build around the guy who drops 10 points on Amir Johnson guarding him
JoJo the Godfather
May 25th, 2011
7:42 pm
Sy, Forbes, Rolle & Ajiinca would give us some youth and athleticism at the 10 – 13 roster spots. This team’s only hope for getting better is to find a diamond in the rough, and have one or two of these guys actually develop in to a rotational player.
Phil Jackson
May 25th, 2011
7:46 pm
Gary Forbes is 6′ 5.5″. His wingspan can help on defense but he is a jump shooter on offense no post game as a 3.
People won’t believe Horford and Williams need to be traded until Smith is playing next to Kobe on the wing for the Lakers and Teague plays for the Knicks.
But those are your favorite teams aren’t they Atlanta? rofl
Al Horford, Magnum Rolle, and Marvin Williams for the HOF. Hopefully Bynum doesn’t report to Hawks camp and Joe Johnson will play center next year so Al Horford can focus on his 6′10 Dirk Nowitzki impressions and he and the fans can finally be happy.
They put Smith on a good team and Horford gets to get his sh*t handed to him by Bosh, Stoudemire, Nowitzki, Bargnani etc for the next 5 years.
::::::
Andrew Bogut/Larry Sanders/Josh Smith/Joe Johnson/Jeff Teague
Zaza Pachulia/Drew Gooden/Al Thornton/Ronnie Price/John Salmons
superiorblogman
May 25th, 2011
7:59 pm
Derrick Williams has stated that he is a SF that may play PF if asked from time to time. Al Horford has stated he wants to play more PF. Josh Smith has not stated anything and maybe that is because he has no clue of what he really is or wants to be. He just wants to do what he wants to do. There is a difference. Atleast Derrick Williams wants to be a SF, atleast Al wants to be a PF, we dont know what Josh wants to be , he just wants to shoot jumpshots when he wants to and not hear about it.
PG Teague/Hinrich/Earl Watson (minimum)
SG Joe/Marcus Thorton(MLE)/Pape
SF Derrick Williams/Marvin Williams/Gary Flowers(Draft)
PF Al/Reggie Evans(MLE)/Chris Wilcox
C Varaejo/Zaza/Fesenko(Minimum)
Like I say trade Josh Smith to the Cavs for Varaejo and the #4 pick, then package the 4th pick, 2011-12 2nd rd pick and 2012-13 1st round pick to the Twolves for #2 and take Derrick Williams. That above team is so much better than what we currently have. Finally, if you could move Varaejo and or Hinrich for Marc Gasol, Nene, Oden, Kaman, Bogut, or Bynum you would have a beast team.