Atlanta Hawks: Second-round sleepers
The reality is that the Hawks face long odds of drafting a player who ends up being a solid bench player, much less a difference-maker, if they stay at No. 48.
Of course that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
“We get guys that go undrafted and become starters,” said Ryan Blake, the NBA’s co-director or scouting. “[J.J.] Barea, Wes Matthews, Landry Fields–it happens a lot. There is a different philosophy in the second round. You know, maybe a guy can come in and be that shooter. You never know what is going to happen.
“Regardless of what you get, you want to give them the opportunity to make that team. Plus, I think there will be some surprises of guys left going into the second round that might fall into their lap. The old international pick can always be a good thing, too, like Ginobili.”
Blake identified some “under the radar guys” that might fit what the Hawks are looking for:
Vernon Macklin
Diante Garrett
Andrew Goudelock
Ben Hansbrough
Nolan Smith
Josh Harrellson
Brad Wanamaker
Demetri McCamey
Isaiah Thomas
Malcolm Thomas
Iman Shumpert
DeAndre Liggins
Casey Mitchell
E’twaun Moore
Blake said these guys are potential “surprises to be gobbled up if they slip to the second round.”
Jon Leuer
JaJuan Johnson
Charles Jenkins
Un-Smoove sailings?
Adrian Wojnarowski weighed in with the latest Smoove trade speculation. Others have since jumped into the fray.
It’s no secret that Josh is more frustrated than ever with what he perceives to be unfair criticism of his game by media, fans, and even L.D..
Josh’s supporters have long argued that he catches more flak for missing shots than any of his teammates. It’s a fair point, but their pleadings don’t usually acknowledge that it’s not about Josh missing shots as much as it is about him taking more shots that he (historically) hasn’t made. J.J. had an awful season shooting the ball (and took a lot of heat for it) but it’s not as if he has a track record of missing the shots he was taking.
Josh’s supporters counter that because he played more small forward in L.D.’s motion offense he got the ball on the perimeter more by design. L.D. maintained that he called plays for Josh in the post only to see him drift back outside. That’s always hard to figure from an outside’s perspective, but I’d say a better defense of Josh is that L.D. seemingly didn’t say much about the jump shots until they stopped falling.
It’s true the Hawks have gauged trade interest in Smoove, just like they did at the deadline. It makes sense because he’s probably their best chance to get a real player in return (though remember Josh has a trade kicker that’s now valued at about $4 million). None of this means that a deal is imminent or even probable.
The Hawks keep downplaying Smoove’s unhappiness, and he hasn’t asked them for a trade. He’s long been a favorite of ownership, too. I just don’t see the Hawks dumping Smoove in a weak trade just because he feels he’s taking too much blame. He’s too valuable for that.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
247 comments Add your comment
Grandad
June 22nd, 2011
10:45 pm
Rumors of Josh leaving town has brought out the Josh love.
He drives us all crazy but the thought of him leaving:
All Of A Sudden;
* Josh has a Big pair.
* Josh is the best defender since Rodman.
* Dwight & Josh together = Russell & Pippen
* Trade Al instead.
* Josh, Josh, Josh !
Now, if Josh were to be traded…..(and I like Josh) mind you,
additional codicillary would need to be attached to any transaction;
such as:
1. We must obtain a Big Center / who Rebounds & Defends !
2. Marv needs to be attached
*[even if we have to take somebody else's bilge in return]
3. Make every effort to get into the 1st round. *(acquire a pick)
*[high motor guys = Kawhi Leonard, out of reach / Faried Gettable]
**(is gettable even a word ?)
My 1st choice…trade JJ Maxx, but not attach Al.
EmirS.
June 22nd, 2011
10:46 pm
Also giving up Smith without getting a starting Center would mean Horford would still have to play the 5 and Tyrus Thomas would be our starting….Power Forward.
Grandad
June 22nd, 2011
10:49 pm
above…^…^…my…1st…choice…^…^…trade…JJ…Maxx…
I mean’t rather than trade Josh at all !
James on Pharr Rd
June 22nd, 2011
10:50 pm
Grandad
Stop susing my cheat sheet-but you are right about Smoove
Coleman Hudson
June 22nd, 2011
10:54 pm
EmirS,
Thanks for the insight! I just knew Charlotte is looking to make trades, and are willing to use one of their first round picks. Josh Smith is the type of player that Jordan would love to acquire and be willing to overy pay for. Personally my preference would be to trade Smith to Minnesota.
EmirS.
June 22nd, 2011
10:54 pm
@Grandad
The Josh Love has always been there. Like Josh said it himself, its a ‘love-hate” relationship. Besides Section 303, I don’t really think anyone wants to see him really go. Sometimes our emotions get the best of us. As I’ve said before, Smoove is my ALL-TIME favorite player. Always will be, no matter what team .
But like most relationships (and most recently mine), sometimes it’s for the best. =/
James on Pharr Rd
June 22nd, 2011
10:56 pm
Most valuable in order of value and on the court worth-Josh,Teague,Al,Kirk,Joe,Zaza…..
Najeh Davenpoop
June 22nd, 2011
10:59 pm
Matt Carroll = Sergiy Gladyr, except older and with a long term contract
Tyrus Thomas = Smoove, except less talented, worse basketball IQ and longer contract
Joel Przybilla = unrestricted free agent, can be signed outright
#19 pick in this draft is pretty worthless considering how weak it is. I’d like Kenneth Faried but I’m not willing to give up Smoove to get him. Would have been nice if the Hawks had simply hung on to the #18 pick and picked him in that spot.
Grandad
June 22nd, 2011
11:08 pm
Najeh / Amen
” Would have been nice if the Hawks
had simply hung on to the #18 pick
and picked him [Faried] in that spot.”
Teedub
June 22nd, 2011
11:31 pm
I’m with BirdDirty. Horf is the trade. His rep exceeds his output.
hawksfancents95
June 22nd, 2011
11:47 pm
anybody hear bout lamar odom and luke walton for andre iguadola? how do the lakers keep getting these amazing deals?
we couldnt trade marvin for jeff foster or nazr mohammed or even jason kapono
SteveW
June 22nd, 2011
11:55 pm
It looks like this is the year of the decent Sr. G’s. Could be quite a few 2nd round Sr. G’s this season that hang on as players 9-13 on a bench somewhere. Some may make a rotation as a backup somewhere in a couple of years.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
12:00 am
One sports writer says the Hawks should seek Javale McGee and the #18 pick for Josh.
Bass, Anderson, Orton, Duhon works for me, especially if Orlando kicks in their 1st pick this season.
Yes, that does mean Al at 5. And I think Orton is more 5 than 4.
We’ll see how bad Orlando wants Josh. Or how stupid the Hawks are.
Or we might just keep Josh.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
12:15 am
The Bobcats want to deal? About the only two guys I would want from their team is Augustin and Kwame. If the ‘Cats signed Kwame, and gave us Augustin, their 9th pick, and Kwame, I would possibly consider giving them Josh.
PG of Teague and Augustin and a SG of JJ and Hinrich would be pretty solid. And you could play JJ at the 3 alot also.
And then take the best SF or even PF available at #9. Kawhi Leonard? And start grooming him now to take Marvin’s spot.
C – Kwame/ZaZa/Collins
PF – Al/Rolle?
SF – Marvin/Leonard
SG – JJ/Hinrich
PG – Teague/Augustin
Sy for filler. Sign Josh McRoberts or somebody as a better backup 4 than Rolle, just in case Rolle is no better than Josh Powell.
Section 303
June 23rd, 2011
12:27 am
SteveW, I don’t think Orlando has a 1st round pick this year.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
12:33 am
Section 303 – You are correct
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
12:40 am
Josh Harrelson in the NCAA tourney:
Princeton – 15 pts, 10 rbs, 7 of 8 from the floor
West Virginia – 15 and 8; 7 of 10 from the floor
Ohio State – 17 and 10; 7 of 9 shooting
North Carolina – 12 and 8; 4 of 6 shooting
U Conn – 6 and 4; 3 of 6 shooting
Put up 23 pts, and 14 boards against Louisville earlier in the year.
6-9 275, looks legit. Could be a 10-15 mpg banger in the post.
realsquawk
June 23rd, 2011
12:47 am
Why is the second round so deep if this draft is so weak?
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
1:00 am
Realsquawk – I think it is a bunch of marginal players without alot of upside, but with their experience and positions they play, they can be the 9-13 guys on a team, with some of them becoming rotational players.
The draft is supposed to go like this:
Picks and 1 and 2 – All Stars, possible superstars
Picks 3-15 – An eventual NBA starter after 2 to 3 years.
Picks 16 – 30 – Eventual rotational guy – 6 thru 10 on the bench
Picks 31-60 Your 11 thru 15 guys on the pine. Hopefully can be rotational if someone ahead of them is hurt, and can help in practice.
Where this draft appears weak is the 1-30 guys. Irving has played 11 college games? Derrick Williams seems like a sure thing, but after that? Guys with some talent, but probably no sure things. All of them come with a question mark of some sort.
One GM said teams are trying to get out of the 20’s in droves.
But when you get to 31 – 60, you have your Charles Jenkins types. Probably not going to be a star. But most think he’ll end up as a backup PG/Combo G in the League. Not much upside, but a solid pick.
The 2nd round seems full of those type of guys this season. So a terrible draft really, but the 2nd round could be better than normal. It’s a back loaded draft.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
1:02 am
It may be a good year to have a few 2nd picks, like the Lakers do.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
1:14 am
There are about 420 NBA players at any given time. Each draft should give you about 50 or so eventually.
You just don’t want the misses to be the Luke Jackson’s and Adam Morrison’s. You want to miss late if you miss.
Grandad
June 23rd, 2011
1:34 am
2011 draft is not weak per se and yes it is deep.
When the experts say weak;
it’s for two reasons;
1. no sure-fire Alpha Dawg to build a team around.
[KI & DW, teams (Cleve + Minny) don't even know if they want 'em]
2. The players from # 6 to # 36 ain’t all that much difference.
(beauty in the eye of beholder & all)
*Alot of good to really good players, but no clear cut great ones.
Predictions:
** Jon Leuer is every bit as good as some of the Euros
which will be drafted higher.
** Justin Harper will be as good as one of the Morris twins.
** Charles Jenkins will out-perform, Alec Burks.
** Norris Cole will be as good as or better than two of the big four pgs.
** Kawhi Leonard & kenneth Faried will impact their teams as much or more
than anyone else in the entire draft.
Trading Sy and Horford for Rocket big men and #14 + 23/2nd rounder picks for Donatas#14 & Malcolm Thomas #48
June 23rd, 2011
2:11 am
Media is full of dirty trix. You link us back to a speculation article and we have
Josh on camera just a month ago saying he’ll take all the blame
Trading Sy and Horford for Rocket big men and #14 + 23/2nd rounder picks for Donatas#14 & Malcolm Thomas #48
June 23rd, 2011
2:24 am
@Grandad
Jon Leuer has the wingspan of David Lee, Carmelo and Josh Smith, but is taller.
Very proportionate player and has a 36″ vert.
I daresay he could be a better scorer than Al. But like Al or Motiejunas he’ll need a center next to him.
Sad he has longer arms than Motiejunas but some say Motiejunas can be a center. Only Chuck Hayes has a wingspan shorter than Motiejunas.
Draft experts are always searching for the mythical European center and then they say they cant play defense.
Leuer is ranked #9 amongst forwards so he is getting some attention. Rank 9 in 2011 Forwards yet Motiejunas amd is put amongst “Big Men” next to Markieff Morris
and a skinny gunner 18 yo who will stay overseas to gain weight named Davis Bertans is ranked higher than any of them
Trading Sy and Horford for Rocket big men and #14 + 23/2nd rounder picks for Donatas#14 & Malcolm Thomas #48
June 23rd, 2011
2:27 am
Josh Harrelson measured identical to Kevin Love but nearly 275 lbs.
needs to lose weight to reach performance.
Draft Malcolm and trade Al’s 10 and 11 for rebounding and 7 foot 3 point scoring.
Grandad
June 23rd, 2011
3:28 am
TSy&HforRbm+23/2ndrpksforD#14&MT#48:::
Jon Leuer is a stretch [4,5]
closest comparison Ryan Anderson
He grew 8 or 9 inches in HS;
after playing guard his whole life.
Thusly, he is a terrific ballhandler and shooter.
Plus, rebounds well, although lacks NBA strength.
Scorer as well as shooter / for those who know the difference.
Extremely high B-ball IQ.
He would not be a great defender but would be an asset.
True 6-11
I would love to trade up to get him.
I have heard that he may go as high as the lottery,
or as low as early 2nd round. (31-35)
Once again deep draft…No SuperStars…good solid players.
J.J.M.
June 23rd, 2011
4:18 am
Josh Smith wants out!
Columbus
June 23rd, 2011
4:58 am
The hell with the Hawks until ASG is gone or makes some SERIOUS amends for how they screwed the Thrashers fans, employees, City of Atlanta, state of Georgia, took our money. They should get a center and a center only and until they do, this team is going NO where any way. I love the Hawks. I was there in the playoffs in Philips but no center = no chance to advance. If Josh would be coached to play around the basket at least 70% of the time, the odds would improve trememdously but that obviously is not going to happen. Center, play Zaza more, all the big men MORE and let AL and Joe and use their mismatches and let Teague and Heinrich and Jamal do their thing. Josh MUST play around the basket if this team is going to contend without a dominant defensive center. Where is Dikembe? Center by committee might be workable to an extent but Josh….I dont know if it is Drew or Josh, better NOT be Drew, but PLEASE stay AWAY from the 3-point line 75% of the time….we will have a higher seed next year, which is needed! The Bulls, Heat, Celtics, Bucks, Magic(with Howard) will ALL be very difficult to have a chance at winning without home court….Teague is gonna help, if Drew and Josh will do their part too, I wont be at Philips though….!
sam'l
June 23rd, 2011
6:22 am
Went to one of those links MC provided about Josh…….
This sums up my feelings perfectly……….from a Sports Illustrated writer Mannix on WEEI radio site
This is coming straight out of Atlanta, and straight out of Josh Smith’s camp,” Mannix said. “Listen, guys, Josh has told everybody — family members, friends, anyone that really would listen — that he wants to get out of Atlanta. It’s been seven long years down there, seven tumultuous years where he’s been heavily criticized for his inconsistent play, his perplexing affection for a jump shot. He wants out.”
Based on Smith’s record, Mannix did not offer a great deal of optimism about the player.
“Right now I think this is only a deal that Atlanta’s exploring, that Josh Smith is heavily interested in. I’m not sure what the level of interest is on Boston’s side right now,” Mannix said. “And if you’re the Celtics, be very careful with taking Josh Smith. He is incredibly inconsistent. There’s a reason Atlanta hasn’t gotten out of the second round for the last few years.
“Josh has incredible talents. He’s a high-flier, he’s a great rebounder, when he attacks the rim, he’s one of the better power forwards in the entire league. The problem is, he only does that about 60 percent of the time. He’s a massive head case. There’s a reason Atlanta is willing to part with him. So, I would be real careful about any kind of deal — believing any kind of deal, and being willing to talk about and accept any kind of deal for Josh Smith
End of excerpt…..
My question is…..why does it take someone from the outside to say this?
Smith had the athletic potential to be a superstar on a championship team. But so far he wasted his time and the team’s time with his crummy attitude and incredibly stupid decisions, i.e. (and yawn) playing away from the basket and just as incredibly not being benched, fined or traded.
Is this player talented? Better believe it. Is he partying before home games? Seems like it. Will he shape up? After 7 years wouldn’t bet on it.
Is he out of the court daily with shot coaches working on his jump shot, taking 400 jumper a day and being fed the ball? He should be IF he wants to include that in his game.
But all this is obvious and has been said many times before.
Hawks were ahead of Chicago in game 5…….If the team had been together in spirit, courage and good habits…..they could have at least beaten the Bulls. Actually if everyone played up to potential they could have gone all the way.
Yeah, I’m bitter.
Bye Josh.
yodaddy
June 23rd, 2011
6:30 am
fire Larry Drew….I forgot to add that part
dap01
June 23rd, 2011
6:48 am
I wonder what great things the ASG, Sund and LD will do today. Will they:
1. Sell a #2 pick for cash
2. Trade a player for an exemption that will never be used
3. Ignore the obvious pick based on what the team needs
4. Draft an unknown player that has horrible stats and would not be drafted anyway.
I can’t wait, they will screw it up someway.
Grandmaster JeJe
June 23rd, 2011
7:16 am
“The best deal HAS to resoundingly be Joe and Al for Dwight and Arenas. Arenas is allowed to play the 2 guard, because you still have Heinrich and Teague to run the point. That defense would be legendary, especially if you bring in a defensive stopper wing to close out the rotation. Not to mention, how many tickets would be sold after a deal like that is made? And I actually think Marvin would be good in that lineup because he would be more aggressive.”
^Arenas ain’t a defender
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
7:18 am
With all the trade talk, I will be very disappointed if the draft goes quietly.
Mike is Back
June 23rd, 2011
8:23 am
darrell starks, I’m starting to warm to KYLE SINGLER…if the aforementioned guys ahead of him on your list are gone…he’s a high energy guy…with a HIGH basketball IQ…that over achieves…doesn’t mind scrapping in the post…those are type of guys we need…he’s a safe pick at 48.
To me…it’s still Derrick Williams…and everybody else…in this draft.
Coach Ray
June 23rd, 2011
8:27 am
AJC we are missing the boat on a homegrown product out of Tucker Ga. who led his HS team Tucker Tigers to a state championship. Second leading scorer in the country behind Fredette in the toughest conference in the country. Scored 52 and 47 points in games vs at the time #3 villanova and I believe Rick Pitino’s Louisville. Measures at 6′5″ 200Lbs. with a 7′1″ wingspan and a 39 inch vertical. Watch a video and you can see the kobe like game. HE IS NOT KOBE!! but just watch you tube and decide for yourself. His name is MARSHON BROOKS!!!
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
8:41 am
Grandad – Yea, I think this draft has the most uncertainty from 15-50 by far than any draft I can remember. 3 examples of many, besides the one gave, are Charles Jenkins, Imam Shumpert, and Shelvin Mack Those guys have 20+ position swings on where they are going to be drafted. Same with Chandler Parsons. Leslie has about a 15 position swing. Many of the bigs have 20 position swings also.
Deep draft 31-60, but 3-30, and even #1 have alot of questions in my opinion. Good draft to find 9-13 bench guys IMO, but most of the 1st round is uncertain.
joe white
June 23rd, 2011
8:45 am
I love josh smith but the only person stopping josh from being a monster in this league is him with his jacked up attitude. I want to keep him but time for him to go somewhere else away from home, and hopefully we get one or two good players in return.
drmaryb (*_*)
June 23rd, 2011
8:54 am
Atlanta Hawks: Second-round sleepers?
Yes They Are!
_____________
Imagine 8 orangutans scrunched over a 2′ tall cardboard square box marked “2 for $1″ just diggin’ around in the bottom of it – looking for something good. Gearon, Jr pops up and says:
“This is just too much good stuff!”
Josh Powell
Etan Thomas
Hilton Armstrong
Pape Sy
Marvin Williams
Jason Collins
Larry Drew
Now that’s one helluva bench! -smh-
Coach Ray
June 23rd, 2011
8:58 am
MARVIN BROOKS!!! wil be steal of the DRAFT!!!
JoJo the Godfather
June 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
ATL – DEN trade:
ATL gets Anderson, Mozgov, Felton and 22nd pick.
DEN gets Smith.
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
9:36 am
Coach Ray,
Anthony Morrow played at GT, and went undrafted. Golden State takes a flyer on him, and now he is one of the best shooters in the league. Another example of a sleeper from their own backyard who the Hawks missed out on.
drmaryb (*_*)
June 23rd, 2011
9:43 am
What’s Your Point?
With the 20th Pick in the 2011 Draft, The Hawks select:
Jeff Teague
Here’s my point: We already got our PG! We don’t need Jameer, Felton, Duhon, et.al. We need a rebounder/defender with size in the post and a real SF, for the love of basketball!
How hard is it to figure that out? Now is the time. Today is the day.
If you’re the Hawks GM? Get it done!!!!!!
samuel mayhan
June 23rd, 2011
9:47 am
Enter your comments here I whole heartedly agree with BIRD DIRTY horford disappearing act in play offs …..horford you have seen his best josh is the better defender… horfords point production went up this year because of his set shot teams smart enough took that shot a way he was totally ineffective…..add the set shot to josh’s game and hes a bonified allstar. josh shoots jumpers not set shotsevery year he gets alittle better at the jumper jj shot horribly and thats the bigger part of his game besides beating up on undersized shooting guards where he has a clear advantage most nights .. play a guy his size with talent and hes ineffective..most nights at the power foreward position josh is outsized by weight and or height his athletisism allows him to compete! send him to the lakers he is a bonified superstar!
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
9:48 am
He’s long been a favorite of ownership, too.
That alone could be enough to keep Josh from getting moved.
Ironically, it’s the exact same reason why Larry Drew is the coach, and why he will still be the coach this coming season.
Problems start at the top, people. Always at the top.
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
9:52 am
Speaking of irony…..
I’m not at all denying Al Horford’s “disappearing act” in the playoffs. I mean, he did disappoint. Dude only managed a double double in the playoffs. Heh…he should have put up the points he did in the season, I’ll leave it at that.
But here’s the truly funny part –
Folks are saying we’ve seen all we can see from Horford after observing his 4th year in the League.
But some of the same folks are still seeing such potential in Josh Smith after 7 years?
Very interesting.
Jon Nall
June 23rd, 2011
9:56 am
I would take Isiah Thomas in a heartbeat. He is instant offence and plays good defence. If he were 5″ inches taller he’d be a lottery pick.
drmaryb (*_*)
June 23rd, 2011
9:59 am
Blu Ray!
(Picture Perfect)
______________
Enthusiastic co-sign! What’s up big fella? Heard you had a new baby this year? Happy Father’s Day! I hope we keep Josh and find the missing links. We are not that far away from contending, so, stay the course and continue the philosophical core strategy.
Upgrades not downgrades. We’re a 2nd round team, let’s not digress now. (see Dallas) they have the most impatient owner, or do they?
The Hawks got: “Too much good stuff!” Add to it!
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:05 am
Northcyde ,
Good post at the end of the last blog. You’re telling the truth, even if people don’t want to hear it.
What some people just don’t get is that you simply can’t compare Joe Johnson’s numbers to his contract. The man didn’t earn a contract that large, it was ownership’s fear and desperation that made him the winner of the League’s biggest contract that summer. Joe was still our best player overall, and some folks are so hung up on a contract that our dumb owners handed him that they still can’t see it.
I would agree with MC that the offense should flow more through our frontcourt, except for a few things:
1) Al has to improve his inside/outside game. Let me rephrase that – he has to obtain one first, then improve it. He gained an outside game, but a superb defense took that away, and he had no inside game to counter.
2)We lack the pg that you describe, who can not only control the ball and offense, but can get our bigs better looks. Maybe Teague can provide some of that by driving to the basket, pushing the ball, etc.
3) Drew’s offense seems predicated on jumpers. Even when it’s not, we still take jumpers. If the guys are going to do what they want to do, then we don’t need Drew here (which is obvious). Unfortunately, he isn’t going anywhere because he’s cheap, the players wanted him, and the team has to show significant failure before he gets canned. Hawks ownership is minimalistic in their thinking with some things. You know, when it comes to the bench, the coach, the GM….
4)We could run the offense through Josh more if A)He would play in the post more, where his success rate is much higher, and/or B) He can ever learn when to shoot the jumper, where to shoot the jumper, and to actually hit it with some consistency.
No guarantees on any of the above…
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:06 am
drmaryb ,
Hot stuff! What’s happenin’? I gotta go for the moment (work is calling me in for a few minutes) but I’ll be back to holla at ya later!
PMC
June 23rd, 2011
10:07 am
Josh is petulant, but that said, he’s always been the most interesting player and the most fun to watch since he’s been here. Joe and Al have no personality. Dull would be a good way to describe them. He is the best defender on the team, it’s just frustrating because it always feels like Josh could be a superstar if only…. _________. That’s what makes Josh such a lightning rod. That said, he’s never played with an elite PG or center and this team has always been flawed by incompetant general management and ownership.
Unless they bring in a superstar, there will be less butts in the seats without Josh, because no one else is worth paying to see. Joe Johnson brings empty dull points night after night and then fades when they need him to earn his money.