Atlanta Hawks: ‘Detroit model’ still a lemon
So if you are trying to be a championship contender, would you rather be GM of the Knicks or the Hawks right about now?
In Atlanta, you have a roster that’s been built on the Detroit model, which is historically flawed because a superstar player has almost always been necessary to win a title. But you do have two All-Stars, an All-Star (if enigmatic) talent, a promising young point guard and a solid veteran point guard.
In New York, you have the opposite problem. The Knicks have two superstar talents and not enough around them. Howard Beck of the New York Times breaks down the dilemma face by the Knicks:
As [Donnie] Walsh noted last week in announcing his decision to step down, “we have the stars” required to be respectable. “They will do what they do, and we’re lucky to have them,” he said. But, he noted, “You need more than that” to contend for championships.
The proof is in the playoffs, where each conference finalist had invaluable supporting players: Joakim Noah and Luol Deng in Chicago, Serge Ibaka and Thabo Sefolosha in Oklahoma City, Tyson Chandler and Shawn Marion in Dallas, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller in Miami.
They are not stars, but they are indispensable in a title chase — the players who “fill in the blanks,” as Walsh said — setting hard screens, pouncing on loose balls, hitting timely jumpers, guarding top scorers, challenging shots in the paint. The great teams have such players in abundance. The Knicks have a dearth of them.
Chicago, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Miami also had at least one player named second-team All-NBA or better, like all but five champions and 10 runners-up in the league’s history. Rick Sund suggested the only way to get those kind of players is by picking No. 1 or No. 2 in the draft or spending free agent cash.
I don’t have to remind my blog people of the many ways the Hawks have messed up selecting a future superstar in the draft before Sund got here. Nor do you need to be told that Sund just gave away a pick to Washington because of his mistake in signing Bibby to that deal. And you already know the No. 1 reason the Hawks don’t have the ability to sign a superstar is because Sund gave J.J. the richest contract in the league but didn’t get anywhere close to superstar-level or even usual J.J.-like production. (The deals for Bibby and Marvin didn’t help, either.)
There’s another way in addition trades and free agency, of course. Top 10 players can be acquired in trades, which isn’t easy to do but is not without precedent. Looking back since 1980, there are a handful of such players who joined new teams through trades and helped them win titles: Kareem, Dr. J (who was actually “sold” to the 76ers by the Nets), Tiny Archibald, Moses Malone, Pippen (after the Sonics drafted him No. 5 overall), Barkley (after he became disgruntled in Philly), Penny (after the Warriors drafted him No. 3 overall), Mutombo (sorry to bring it up), J. Kidd, and Kobe (after the Hornets drafted him No. 13 overall).
So if you doubt the Detroit model is a winner, and you are convinced the Hawks need to get a superstar to be real contenders, then hope Sund can somehow get one through a trade. Sund apparently considers the trades for Jamal and Hinrich to be major deals but neither required the Hawks to give up a major piece.
Getting a superstar would require that kind of bold move, which is tricky since Atlanta lacks coveted assets like draft picks and cheap/productive/promising players. Making such a move while also keeping enough help around for the acquired superstar makes it trickier still, as the Knicks are finding out.
Sund has been involved in some major swaps. In 2000 with Detroit, he traded away Grant Hill in his prime to Orlando for Ben Wallace. Eventually Wallace became the kind of elite defender who made the Detroit model work, to the point that he was voted second-team NBA in 2006. And while with Seattle in 2003, Sund traded away Gary Payton, who was just starting his decline from All-NBA, and got Ray Allen, who would make second-team All-NBA in 2005.
Speaking of trades . . . .
Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reports: “League sources said the Warriors also have discussed [Monta] Ellis, among a variety of other players, in trade talks with Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, Orlando and the Lakers.”
It’s always hard to know exactly what to make of “trade talks.” But I can’t think of a reason why the Hawks would be interested in Ellis, who has $33 million and three years left on a deal that includes a player option.
Simmons says the Warriors are looking for defensive help and want a big guard, a swingman and a post presence (and who doesn’t want one of those?). For what it’s worth, J.J. is a big guard who also can be a swingman, and Josh is a good defender who can play the 3, but look at the Golden State roster and tell me if there’s anyone the Hawks need/want?
Notes
- Marvin had outpatient surgery today to alleviate what the team says is an “isolated bulging disk” in his lower back. The Hawks said Marvin is set to begin rehab immediately and is expected to return to full basketball activities in six to weight weeks.
- The Arkansas Times talked to J.J., who says he might consider playing in Europe if there’s a lockout but added:” [I]f you go over there and get hurt, your contract is void.” That’s a lob for my blog people.
- The Hawks are in draft mode. They will start holding workouts for prospects next week but, unfortunately, there will be no media access. A list of prospects hopefully will be forthcoming.
- Teague has two basketball camps next week: June 13-15 at Salem High in Conyers and June 16-18 at Wheeler High in Marietta. Registration info is here.
- Al also has two camps: June 25-26 at Emory and June 28-29 in Lansing, Mich. Registration info is here.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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488 comments Add your comment
KevinM
June 10th, 2011
11:20 am
So our defensive guru, Lester Conner, is going to ask Joe, Al & Josh to play better defense? I don’t think so….you better get someone in here who has had success convincing guys to play defense, not wish for a defensive coach to motivate the captains who have all been here longer than Lester. This is not a group of guys that goes balls to the wall for success.
Grandad, we have in fact figured out a way to trade our 1st round pick 2 consecutive years. It may not match up to the rule verbatim, but Sund accomplished it. Not the best part of his resume I might add.
Grandmaster JeJe, you think Ellis is tiny? He’s 6′3″ 185 according to NBA.com…..DRose is 6′3″ 190. Are you basing it on him being a SG? Then I would agree with you. But pair him with Joe and you have a dynamic backcourt that rivals most teams. Can Ellis play the PG? I think yes, depending on who is teaching him. If Drew is going to yo-yo once again with Teague, I say Ellis might be the best available.
So going into the next season, we should see the other 2 finalists, Mark Jackson and DeWayne Casey each making a stamp on their own teams.
And we still have the winner in that contest Larry Drew…..is that crickets I am hearing?
Oh, to get the ASG out of the equation, please!
Finally, everyone please, no more Marvin trade ideas…he has killed his value with this announcement about surgery. Does that mean he won’t be in Chapel Hill this summer yukking it up with underachiever Sean May again?
KevinM
June 10th, 2011
11:23 am
Oh, and please, no more Joe “we need more blue collar” guys on this roster. Another excuse Joe. You go with what management gives you.
Your salary alone is more than an entire roster of blue collar guys for a 15 man roster! Get the current group of guys to give you more..you are our leader!
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
11:27 am
magette? lol no.
Bogut is recovering but his RAPM over 4 years is similar to Josh Smith and Kobe Bryant.
Horford is Haywood level.
I would say Josh, old Kobe, & Bogut are a bit more distinguished than Horford’s rapm.
lets not look at simple ppg type stats. if we did that Kevin Martin is a franchise player lol.
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
11:30 am
@KevinM this thin roster has peaked. Contending teams have 10 man rotations and are 2 deep at every position.
We take our big 2s and make them 3s, make Smith our backup 4 etc. tis a joke sabee?
KevinM
June 10th, 2011
11:31 am
SteveW, you revisit of the SI article tells us that perhaps from the get-go that the ASG and Sund were not going to agree on an outsider coming in here and taking over.
This tells me the ASG is satisfied with 2nd round exits. We are getting really good at it. Those playoff games at home must be evening out the balance sheet.
And Stern and the rest of the NBA didn’t see the incompetence of the ASG from the get-go? Would you be surprised to see the Hawks being considered for extension in the near future?
If I was David McDavid, I would be suing the NBA and the NHL allowing the ASG to be approved from gaining ownership of the Hawks.
For now, expect more rival jerseys at your local Philips store right up front. Thrasher gear is at an all-time clearance.
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
11:34 am
“no more Joe “we need more blue collar” guys on this roster. ”
lol what???????????
Dwayne
June 10th, 2011
11:38 am
was a basketball fan long before i was a hockey fan, but after the atlanta ass clowns sold the Thrashers, they will never get another penny of mine. be prepared for them to screw up the Hawks too. with the current roster, the hawks will always make the playoffs, (east is weak) but never get past the 2nd round. And NO, they will not spend the extra money, they will pocket it. It is the reasons they are owners, to make money. They don’t care about championships.
Rusty
June 10th, 2011
11:45 am
I just hate to have to watch another season of the hawks led by ld. I just hate to watch another season of watching the hawks with jj being the man with the ball in his hands.
KevinM
June 10th, 2011
11:46 am
Horford+Sy, this is the 2nd summer I have wanted for the Hawks to either gut the roster, or move an all-star to get into the 1st 3-4 of the lottery.
No way we are worse off than we are now standing pat. We need to deal with Cleveland or Minnesota this year. They want to make a splash this year, and they dont’ want more youth.
We need youth because it equals cap savings! Get me Minny’s 2nd pick or the 4th pick to get a solid player going forward.
Let me shock you with this: NBAdraft.net now has Kanter as the #1 pick!
That simply would be incredible. Tells me Williams is not all he is saying he is? Does anyone else see Williams as a possible Michael Beasley? That is one who he is compared to…….interesting.
This draft has a lot of suspense IMO. There is talent out there and is probably as good as the Marvin Williams draft of 2005. And don’t forget about our pick #59, C.Akoyl….total bust for Hawks fans. There were a lot of good players to come out of that draft. Sure looks like BK and Sund had to the 2 worse selections of that draft. Gawd, our history sure looks shameful.
Geemack
June 10th, 2011
11:47 am
Slimjr
The Hawks will still be a top 4 team in the East. Jeff Teague will be a surprise that get Hawks back to 50 wins….if there’s no lock out.
KevinM
June 10th, 2011
11:48 am
Horford+Sy: check this link: it says it all from our leader……
Apparently, he thinks we have enough elite talent to lead….
http://nba.msg.com/quote/0ac49E47kVgTw?q=Joe+Johnson
KevinM
June 10th, 2011
11:52 am
Teague has only one hurdle to overcome: Larry Drew, the puppetmaster who pulls the strings.
And he has yanked on Teague’s strings long enough to last his entire career.
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
11:56 am
Enes Kanter: taller version of Horford, somewhat fluid, somewhat stiff, I hate his limitations but he is just solid at everything, and he wants to play next to a center/at the 4. we’re screwed
Derrick Williams: an 18 foot jump shooter and transition threat undersized at the PF, rudimentary dribbling but post up threat at 3, (more athletic) David West at the SF
…what everyone thought Dajuan Summers, non t-rex arms unlike Dajuan, eventual 20 and 10 type power 3—like to see Joe and Crawford defend that
…..
top 4 is not good enough
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
12:10 pm
Iman Shumpert projects as a 222lb Jamal Crawford, think hes a lock for the 2nd rounder. a bit embarassing though because he’s local and FO has a rep for laziness
on the other hand look at all the European prospects that have yet to import
brigadierjerry
June 10th, 2011
12:11 pm
Did anyone see what Mark Jackson said about Wade?He stated that Wade is the 3rd best 2 guard of all time behind Jordan and Kobe. Do you guys agree?I am not sure about that.
Also I was trying to think of who Joe Johnsons game reminds me of as far as other players. The only two comparisons I can think of are Mitch Richmond and Paul Pierce
brigadierjerry
June 10th, 2011
12:33 pm
Also looking at these playoffs i originally posted I wanted the Hawks to follow the Boston model but I think it would be quicker for the Hawks to follow the Dallas model. Big man who can defend like Chandler, point guard which would be Teague, etc. Problem is Joe Johnson is not Dirk who can carry a team on his back. Even years when Dallas lost in playoffs dirk was carrying team.
Also, unless LD is changed for Larry Brown, I dont see this team becoming a big time defensive team ala 2003-2007 pistons
Mike is Back
June 10th, 2011
12:39 pm
I don’t see where a trade a with GS gets any closer to a Ring…you still want make it out of the second round…may be it just me…hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
tyger
June 10th, 2011
12:42 pm
Detroit Model Maxims – i.e. guidelines that frame our thinking…
1. ATL Spirit has no money..
2. Our guys are Good, not Great…
3. Cornerstone, JJ requests players that do the “dirty work”…
4. There is a shortage of guards, whether you like Teague or not…
5. Half this team will be minimum wage players…
6. JJ, Horford, Smoove are the core…
7. Jamal Crawford nor Jordan Crawford will be back…
8. Hinrich is no savior, his expiring deal has value…
9. Hawks may not match this year’s performance…
10. Trades are the only way…
11. Nobody is giving away their promising players…
12. Whomever we get will have warts…
13. Shelden can do the dirty work for the minimum…
14. AC Law can run the 2nd team for the minimum…
15. They are role players not starters…
16. Starters will come by way of trade…
17. Hinrich $9M + Marvin $8M = Hamilton, Jianlian, Josh Howard, Prince
18. Remember, Abdur Rahim, Big Dog Robinson and Theo Ratliff…
19. Followed by Jim Jackson and Isiah Rider…
20. Things can get real ugly real quick…
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
1:00 pm
all i see is Dirk and KG. 2 7 foot power forwards who can defend and shoot over you.
What exactly are these Boston model and Dallas models?
“Also, unless LD is changed for Larry Brown, I dont see this team becoming a big time defensive team ala 2003-2007 pistons”
he would trade half the team away, we dont have 6′11 Rasheed Wallace to post up, shoot 3s and man up on centers when needed
and Tyson Chandler will get double digit $$ so nix that idea
Marky Mark
June 10th, 2011
1:09 pm
Hey Michael Bumblingham,
Boring article. We’ve been over the Detroit model about 26 times already in the last 7 years. How about breaking a real story, like, oh I don’t know……an offer to buy the team by minority owners for 500 million dollars? Maybe if you had any kind of relationship with anyone of substance in the organization (owner, front office, etc.) instead of them thinking you were a snake, then you could grab a scoop once in awhile. We get it, you don’t like Sund or the owners. You write negative twists to every story. Glass half empty. You’d rather be back in Miami, cool. We’d rather have Sekou back. You don’t think getting Hinrich and winning the first round was worth “giving away” a crappy first round pick in a crappy draft and keeping Jordan Crawford, who has major off court issues. Ok. We get it. Who were we going to get into Atlanta for 6 millions dollars if we lost Joe? Which superstar? We had 2 all stars and Josh was close. That’s a bad thing, right? Only team in the NBA to make the 2nd round three straight years while being under the luxury tax. Bad news right? Sund has drafted Teague and Crawford in his two drafts. Good or bad picks? Probably at least a B, but your grading scale is different. Check Hoops Hype more often and you can pretend like you broke a new story if you copy and post it real quick to your blog.
J
June 10th, 2011
1:11 pm
The Hawks can win on any given night, but it’s also if they want to win on any given night. We have the talent, regardless. We may not have a superstar but we have VERY good players at each position (now that Mike Bibby is gone).
I’d like to see a superstar here in Atlanta BUT i’ll take this team for now. They are at least entertaining, to say the least. Marvin, on the other hand, NEEDS to go. Hopefully the Hawks can make that happen …
J
June 10th, 2011
1:15 pm
Dwayne – “the east is weak” … you’ve got to be kidding me, East is stronger than the West … anybody who watches basketball knows that
brigadierjerry
June 10th, 2011
1:16 pm
One thing I have noticed about the AJC when it comes to basketball is the lack of coverage as far as who they are bringing in to work out for the draft. I have checked other towns and they extensive articles on who they worked out interviews with the people working out and so on. I dont see that or anticipate seeing articles like that here. Why is that and also why will the workout sessions be closed to the media?It doenst make any sense to me
O'Brien
June 10th, 2011
1:19 pm
Steve W,
Mark Jackson, who has no coaching experience (HC or assistant), received a guaranteed 3 year deal paying over $2 mil each year (4th year team option). LD, despite his many years of being an assistant, received a 2 year deal paying $2.5 mil TOTAL (3rd year guarantee).
Doc said all along that the ASG is thrilled with LD. He got them to the second round (just as Woody did), and actually won 2 games. And he probably made one third of what Woody was making.
I MUS WRITE
June 10th, 2011
1:23 pm
Brigaderejerry- I tend to agree, Wade is the best Sg I’ve ever seen outside of Kobe and Mike. The guy does everything -Score,Rebound,block shots, Clutch shots etc etc……. Ive been following the NBA for a long time and I cant think of anyone else i would take at the SG over him.
Wade over-R.Miller/Mitch Richmond/ Clyde Drexler/ Ray Allen/ Steve Smith/
Im certainly no Heat fan but wade is the truth- I still hope Dallas can win it all
The 06 Championship team had a 34 year ole Shaq and WADE -nothing else but a bunch of role players and washed up Stars (Peyton/Mourning) he willed that team to a Ring- I couldnt believe what i was seeing. Lebron is in the way IMO wade is sacraficing his game for the queen-
Lebron and Bosh should have went to Chicago
Rose,Bogans,Lebron,Bosh,Noah
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
1:25 pm
ellis was drafted at 177, he may be 185 now.
But Rose is closer to 200 than 190 (drafted at 196). no way Rose is 6′3 190 with long arms; his body would’ve broke down completely by now.
O'Brien
June 10th, 2011
1:25 pm
Of all the HC ASG and Rick interviewed, I wanted either Avery Johnson or Casey (not LD, not Mark Jackson).
I’m not sure what kind of coaches Avery and Casey would have been, but I wanted a different voice in the locker room instead of Uncle Larry, who has been in the locker room for 6 years as Woody’s lead assistant, and was the players’ go-between with Woody.
Mark Jackson came out and said Golden State will be a defense first team, but the bottom line is he does not have the players to play defense (defense begins on the perimeter, and his backcourt is Curry and Ellis).
I wonder if he is the reason why Golden State is rumored to be looking to trade Ellis (for a guy like Josh Smith or Iggy).
O'Brien
June 10th, 2011
1:37 pm
I MUS WRITE,
Lebron and Bosh should have went to Chicago.
Chicago only had money for 1 max player, so they would have had to choose between LeBron, Bosh, Wade or JJ.
Given the way Rose dominates the ball from the PG spot, I dont think LeBron would be the best fit. But Bosh or JJ should have signed there.
If I was JJ, I would have signed there. Bulls had a young star PG, and a HC who is known for his defensive principles, and has a championship ring from Boston. Plus the Bulls fans would have allowed him to start fresh.
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
1:42 pm
we need to get bigger
darrell starks
June 10th, 2011
1:46 pm
The miami heat coach remind me of coach LD.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
June 10th, 2011
1:55 pm
The hawks is not trading josh for ellis that would be crazy, what the hawks need to do is get rid of joe contract for ellis and move josh to small forward, and stay big with josh, horford, and get biedrins in the trade.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
June 10th, 2011
2:00 pm
Joe is hurting the hawks, with his lack luster desire to be the best, and with him dribbling the ball 18seconds on a 24 shot clock he must be traded if opportunity present it self, and warroir’s are knocking on the door for joe.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
2:13 pm
no not warriors, biedrins has yet to play 70 games the past 2 seasons.
Biedrins and Elis lol no. Two of the weakest defenders in the league.
and Biedrins is much like Horford a non factor in the paint.
try again
Neki Ecko
June 10th, 2011
2:18 pm
@MarkeyMake
Dont get on Michael like that, besides that story about the protential owners come out last night (by U.S. Today, not AJC), besides they will have to adjust the cost since Thrashers (NHL, you could had the first minority owners, but oh well) is gone up north. I am hearing around 350-400 mil atleast and it is only two people versus the Dumb of 8.
The only way I give up Smith is for a CP III or Dwill, we just got too many questions, not enough answer.
kc
June 10th, 2011
2:33 pm
rob-LOL!
JP
June 10th, 2011
2:34 pm
I don’t see why the Hawks would be interested in Ellis. Sure, he’ll score 23 – 25 pts. per game but he is not a good defender at all. The only trades that should be considered are trades that HELP the Hawks. Not trades that leave them in the same or worse shape. Made it to the second round so maybe they are one piece away from challenging for a title. With that being said, Ellis is not that piece.
What Sund needs to do is take a hard look at last season and subtract the negatives (I don’t see Williams or JJ as positives. Doubt anyone would want to take them from the Hawks though). And then acquire a proven all around team leader. Only a couple of those types are probably available but I see no harm in at least making the phone calls to see what it would take. The Hawks are close to competing but a superstar is missing. JJ can be outstanding as long as he isn’t the main guy you’re depending on.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 10th, 2011
2:37 pm
“I wonder if he is the reason why Golden State is rumored to be looking to trade Ellis (for a guy like Josh Smith or Iggy).”
I’m sure he’s a big part of it, but with new ownership and Jerry West in at GM they have totally changed their regime from when Monta Ellis was drafted. New regimes dumping the old regime’s players is a pretty common occurrence across all sports. There is no link left on the Warriors now to the people who made the decision to draft and subsequently re-sign Ellis.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 10th, 2011
2:41 pm
Apparently that story about the potential $500 million bid to buy out the DASG is false. Would have been nice though.
darrell starks
June 10th, 2011
2:49 pm
In what way is ellis a bad defender, career avg steel is 2 a game the guy play hard all the time so where is this he play no defense, he 10 time a better defender than jamal, and also on the biedrins thing yes he have been injury the past 2 season but before that he avg 10 point 10 rebounds with 2block shots a game, i would make the joe and marvin for ellis and biedrins in heart beat, imagine ellis and teague in the back court with josh on the wing.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
June 10th, 2011
2:56 pm
TEAGUE, ELLIS, JOSH, HORFORD, BEIDRINS TEAM A
TEAGUE, JOE, MARVIN, JOSH, HORFORD TEAM B FOUR YEARS IS ENOUGH
GIVE ME TEAM A
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
June 10th, 2011
2:58 pm
I’d rather dump Marvin’s salary and have Teague/Joe/Smoove/Al/DeAndre Jordan personally.
brigadierjerry
June 10th, 2011
2:59 pm
Another great point that sums up Lebron James i saw
James needs to put all that hype aside and man up. And learn a position. Master something. This jack of all trades crap dont win. I felt he would have been best at becoming a highly skilled power forward who playing in the paint. And use his passing skills to help his team when doubled in the paint.
He cant do that on this team because Bosh wont play center. He could learn to be a true PG but Wade handle the ball a lot for that. All that can be comfortably done here, is to make the jump shot automatic and be a 2nd scorer. I suppose he could be a PG. But I think thats more of a gimmick and will be more difficult with age.
And before some outsiders says im hating or bitter, I have always said this about james. Its impossible to build a team around him as is. He plays a floating swing position. And takes the responsibility away from other essential positions. He plays High School basketball. He has never been developed into a pro player. Its his unreal combo of size and athletic ability with his skill set that gets regular season wins.
You are looking at a super sized version of allen iverson. Marbury. Fransis. These are players that mimicked the ball domination of Jordan. But being young, missed the essentials of what made him who he was. The hardest worker and most determined individual on the court.
Maimi could still pull this out. But that wont change anything. James does not have that fire. And ESPN wont feed it to him. What we saw last night was a gimmick. A attempt to set up a bounce back game. A passive player that could not focus on the rim. So he tried to switch gears again and be something else. His team loses when he is forced to do this.
James needed to have the ball. And continue to attack. But there is a pressure to share the responsibility put on him now in Miami. For him to do this, Wade must fall back. And why do that? When its wade leading the team? While Wade was forgetting to limp, James is on his heals trying on hats. Never focused on a single responsibility.
James is who he has always has been. A young raw undeveloped talent that is big and strong enough to get past regular season teams easily. He needs to be developed into someone. Not the “king”. No king would celebrate a moral victory over a team he could not beat alone.
Part of the problem is NO ONE has stood up to the media created king and gave him a dose of reality. I question if he is mentally strong enough to deal with it when it happens
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
3:36 pm
man y do people worry about improving Lebron and the Mavs?? Hawks Blog hello???
O'Brien
June 10th, 2011
4:10 pm
Najeh,
New regimes dumping the old regime’s players is a pretty common occurrence across all sports..
The Hawks hired a new GM, but he basically resigned all the players who were here (except for Chills), and they even kept most of the same coaching staff. Rick also promoted the long time assistant to HC, the same assistant who the previous GM was not allowed to promote.
I wish the Hawks could find new ownership.
ArtMan
June 10th, 2011
4:16 pm
SteveW,
It would not surprise me in the least if ASG told Sund to hire Drew rather than his own choice. This leads to my theory that the same thing applied to the drafting of Sheldon Williams. Here is my reasoning.
My best guess is that ASG told Knight to draft the best big man ready to contribute. Knight likely told them that there was not a big in the draft worth taking with the 5th pick and wanted to draft someone else. Knight likely was pissed that he was overruled by them. Here is the reason why.
1. Woodson was heavily lobbying ASG to draft a big man.
2. Knight announced that he would take Sheldon at the #5 slot a month prior to the draft. Every other draft Knight kept things close to his vest. Why would this draft be different? It didn’t make sense to announce to the world that he was taking Sheldon with the 5th pick.
3. The experts, and just about everyone on this blog, could not understand why he would announce the drafting of Sheldon to the world. It may also explain why he wouldn’t acquire assets by moving down in the draft and take Sheldon at his projected slot, mid first round. Apparently Knight did not entertain the idea as he was told to take Sheldon with the 5th pick.
I think this was Knight’s way to thumb his nose at the ASG management over their interference.
Other than simplistic idea that Knight was stupid, etc., this theory makes more sense than anything else I can think of. Any comments?
KevinM
June 10th, 2011
4:31 pm
“ellis was drafted at 177, he may be 185 now.
But Rose is closer to 200 than 190 (drafted at 196). no way Rose is 6′3 190 with long arms; his body would’ve broke down completely by now.”
NBA.com is the source….that makes it legit in my mind. And Ellis is not dimunitive. He needs to play PG though if he were to come to this team. That would push Teague and Kirk’s minutes down because Monta is going to get the big minutes.
Myself, I don’t think Ellis is as critical to get as a inside presence for both offense and defense. And I think Al and Josh need to split up as their talents are redundant. Those who want Josh outside the paint must have not watched many games last year. And its not pointed to the defensive side of things. But with Josh at the 3, his rebounds will go down That should be easy to understand.
Again, Josh and Teague stay, the rest of the ‘core’ bunch can be put on the relocation list. Standing pat won’t improve you in the least. Chicago and Miami blew past the Hawks last year….reminds me of the Braves…its not just one team that gives them fits. In the playoffs at home, every team gives the Braves fits.
But like many, getting to the playoffs obviously is enough.
Can anyone see a Hawk posing with the Finals trophy in the next 5 years?
Even during the series?
This roster has to be gutted like a fish. The coaching staff doesn’t present an advantage. Core no more IMO.
Grandad
June 10th, 2011
4:40 pm
SuperBloggerman
1st – I wasn’t bein’ a smart ass at 3:whatever o’clock this AM.
Just tryin’ to be helpful.
By the way – not gettin’ old – done got old !
Another thang – don’t confuse me with all them #s.
Next yr will be the `12 draft & the yr after will be the `13 draft.
I can’t be expected to discern minutiae at that time of the morn.
Nonetheless – Now what were we talkin’ about, in the 1st place ?
Hope all is well Super/Dupe/Blog/My/Man
Arvydis Sabonis
June 10th, 2011
4:44 pm
LOCKOUT!!!!
JJ PLAYS OVERSEAS!!!!
GETS HURT!!!!
CONTRACT VOIDED!!!!!!!
WE START OVER WITH A CHANCE TO GET THE THRASHERS BACK!!!!!!!!
Trojan
June 10th, 2011
4:50 pm
Where is even a remote reason to be optimistic?
Horford + Sy for Rockets Picks: sg-Travis Leslie, pf-Donatas "Zach Randolph" Motiejunas, Thabeet & Hill
June 10th, 2011
4:54 pm
Josh plays outside the paint as a 4. If he touches the ball as a 3 he plays inside.
I cant remember him posting up 1 elite 4 but I do remember him posting Durant, Deng.
not Amare not Garnett not Bosh
heck he can barely post up back ups!