Atlanta Hawks: Minicamp Day 1
Notes and quotes from League (Pre) Lockout . . .
Lighty is a live one. (Phil Skinner / pskinner@ajc.com)
- Before you ask: I didn’t get to see much live action. Media types got to see about 15 minutes of scrimmage at the end of the morning practice. So please hold your “How did [overlooked gem] look?” questions.
- I didn’t get to see Keith Benson scrimmage at all. When practice was opened, he was with a group that was off lifting weights. He does indeed look thin.
- The Hawks won’t be able to sign any players out of this camp because they have no open roster spots after signing Magnum Rolle. Their free agents technically don’t become free agents until Friday, but we know why that’s not going to happen.
- Whenever the Hawks can sign players, it sounds as if they will make a run at David Lighty. The Hawks worked him out before the draft.
- L.D.: “Lighty is a gutsy defender. He can defend maybe three positions. That is what we are looking for as we move into next summer. I want guys that can defend where it’s already instilled in him, it’s in their DNA. Lighty has been a tremendous defender throughout his career and certainly he would be a plus to have on this team.”
- Lighty on defense: “That is something where you help separate yourself from others. Everybody wants to see somebody score but the little things are what win basketball games. I try to focus on that.”
- Lighty said the Cavaliers, Pistons, Suns, Spurs and Hornets also wanted to bring him in. Why the Hawks? “It was about [looking at] teams that I would like and fit my style of play,” he said. “They have open spots and they have free agents at the two guard.”
- Lighty said he was less upset about not being drafted than were his family, friends and supporters. “For me, I’m the type of person if I have a goal I am going to reach it no matter what and I’m not going to stop until I do. I was a little down; I’m human. That was my dream and my goal to get drafted. And hear my name called, that was the big thing. I will play in the NBA one day. I won’t stop until I get there.”
- L.D. echoed Rick Sund in saying the Hawks want to bring back Twin. They seem less certain about Damien. “We are still taking about it,” L.D. said. “We haven’t made any decisions there. We will see what happens.”
- L.D. said the Hawks have “got to put a little meat on [Benson's] bones.” Benson said he’s ready: “They have good weight coaches here so I can put a lot of focus on that and plan out my meals. My main focus will be to put weight and strength on.”
- Benson said he thinks he can maintain his athleticism with another 15 to 20 pounds on his frame.
- L.D. on Benson: “He’s a really good kid. We did a background check on him and he’s one of the quality kids at the collegiate level.”
- Benson plans to hook up with fellow Detroit Country Day alum C-Webb, who lives in town. “I have his number. I’m going to reach out.” Benson played under Webber’s brother, Jason, who is an assistant coach at DCD.
- Peachtree Ridge product Jason Graham also worked out for the Hawks before the draft. “Graham can really shoot the basketball,” Drew said. “I didn’t know about him but watching some film on him and working him out, he can make shots.”
- When the topic turned to Al playing more power forward, L.D., like Sund, started talking more about versatility as a virtue than adding a full-time center: “The more versatile we are, it keeps the other team guessing a little bit. We did move Al around a lot last year. We moved Josh around. Joe played some three. Having a verstaile team makes us more potent.
- The word from multiple NBA people over the last few days is there was nothing much to that Josh to Minnesota trade rumor on draft day.
- But David Aldridge reports (about halfway down the page) there was something to that SI.com story on the imminent sale of of the Hawks.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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339 comments Add your comment
Grandad
June 28th, 2011
3:46 pm
Al is a capital H hawk or Hawk
Grandad
June 28th, 2011
3:52 pm
* [G-dad @ 3:45]
* I’m re-posting the Damn thing,
* ’cause nobody reads the bottom of the page.
Could we please quit with the Damn “Diaper Al”
remarks…..now look what yawl did…..,
yawl made me cuss, and I don’t cuss much.
Ms G-dad’s gon’ whoop my ass now !
Mary Ellen – as much fun as that sounds like,
-it really ain’t-.
She don’t like for me to cuss. (nary a bit)
Now back to my point;
I’ll try to refrain from using the JJ Maxx sobriquet,
if yawl will stop with the Al ____.
Look…Al is a hawk, Josh is a Hawk, Joe is a Hawk.
They all chose to be here.
[they re-upped]
Seriously, the dpr Al remarks are offensive.
Now have at it / Bash away !
drmaryb (*_*)
June 28th, 2011
3:57 pm
SlimJr!
IDK Da Brat was Lisa Raye’s brother … Ugh, I mean sister. Dang! LOL!
Astro Joe!
It’s all good baby! If we had nothing to complain about, our lives would be miserable!
drmaryb (*_*)
June 28th, 2011
4:04 pm
Pussin’ Boots!
Now see what yawl done did? My Grand-Daddy gone’ git a spankin’ now – for cussin’! G-Daddy tell the wifey to take a load off – I’ll deliver the licks and blows! (no pun intended)
I just believe in corporal punishment, that’s all. LOL!
Grandad
June 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
Mr Cunningham
If you would interview Brad Wannamaker;
I surmise that it would be, at the very least,
tacitly acknowledged, that defense is in his
DNA as well, just by the mere fact that
he is a Pitt guy.
_________________________________________
Mrs G-dad- washed out my mouth with soap. (lye)
Grandad
June 28th, 2011
4:15 pm
Mary Ellen
Oh Lawdy !
@Najeh 'depth' chart; sign MALCOLM
June 28th, 2011
4:15 pm
Najeh I don’t understand your depth chart? The past 17 years the title contenders have allowed 102 points or less.
The only player with that on the roster for the past 2 seasons is Josh Smith and he only plays 36 minutes a game.
and you put Smith starting @ 2 positions, I know he gets a lot of the blame around here but looking at that “depth chart” its easy to understand why.
Smith is our only all around defender and getting fatter Johnson slows the pace to 107 points per 100 possessions and Hinrich is old and gets injured on a routine play.
Hawks would be nothing without Josh. Horford is the next best defender and he allows 105 points per 100 possessions.
In the playoffs Smith stepped his game up defensively and was @ 100. And you guys wonder why everyone laughs at us.
You guys expect Al to play 96 minutes each? No u fully expect to lean on Josh and start Marvin not @ the 2 but the 3 once again
Load of bullsh**. Hawks should have had 2 championships in the past 4 playoffs by now. Sign and Trade Childress no.
Iguodala/Chris Paul, Josh Smith should have been the core. Joe Johnson has been holding this franchise’s SG defense hostage for year
Al is not an All Star reserve next year. Al is a great player but not a foundation piece. Lazadasical Lamar Odom created more wins than Al last year.
Al has peaked. 180 free throw attempts? At best he is Brad Miller w/o the ability to space the floor as well.
The Coaches flavor of the month obsession has ended.
drmaryb (*_*)
June 28th, 2011
4:15 pm
Grand-Daddy! You better go wash your mouth out with soap.
You nasty – boy.
Seriously, I have never been into personal attacks and name calling of anyone. it’s cool to: “Hate the Game – Not the Player”
I never participate in that type conversation – it’s not basketball related.
Slimjr
June 28th, 2011
4:23 pm
Except for one, everyone on this blog knows that w/o ISO this team is not playoff bound regardless of whether pretty boy tied as an assist leader cause he cant dribble so he has to pass out if his feet arent set…
And when your 5 is leading in assist with 46 wins that says Houston we have a problem Genius…
.493 winning % all time..
@rambover
June 28th, 2011
4:24 pm
Big mistake. 5th guard???
Dwyane Wade rebound 10.2%
Marvin Williams 10.1%
Paul Pierce 9.5%
Jeff Teague 6.4%
Joe Johnson 6.4%
Mike Bibby 5%
Kirk Hinrich 4.7%
now I’m not a gambling man but I’d say Dwyane Wade is laughing his @ss off if the Hawks sign another guard.
You can’t get the ball you can’t win the game.
Sign Malcolm Thomas Sund. A post up 3 with a jumper. Richard Jefferson – Malcolm Thomas comparison is best.
Moves Marvin to the post 2 that Joe never was and Hubie Brown approves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XAHWI0phYs
drmaryb (*_*)
June 28th, 2011
4:27 pm
G-Daddy!
He He! We both said “soap’ … Great minds – ba bay! (-winks-)
Re: slimjr
June 28th, 2011
4:29 pm
Come on man enough of that insulting the team.
Joe Johnson accounted for 2.5 offensive wins and 1.8 defensive wins last regular season.
That’s 4 games. Marvin won 4.3 and missed 17 games.
Joe was below average and played 2600 subpar minutes. Playoffs give us hope he can still be a second option next to Teague
But Josh cannot be the best/only defender on this team anymore. We’re stuck with the guards and we need to overhaul the bigs.
Slimjr
June 28th, 2011
4:35 pm
“But Josh cannot be the best/only defender on this team anymore. We’re stuck with the guards and we need to overhaul the bigs.”
You know where to start with over haul?
Slimjr
June 28th, 2011
4:39 pm
He’s not a facilitator, his game is non creative and hes getting bailed out! Stick that in your pipe and smoke it…..Get that…
doc
June 28th, 2011
4:43 pm
astro, this is only a continuation of the dialogue heard during the season. dont kid yourself into thinking what was said during the season was any more rational than what is said now for the most part. luck got the hawks where they are now, not skill marked by the draft that got us al to fall in our laps. certain decisions might have made the ride less bumpy and a bit quicker as well but i am sure you havent forgotten the days of anakin joe either as the hawks somehow found their way.
just because you have come to your senses doesnt mean it is time for everyone else to stop having their fun either.
i said all season enjoy the rewards as the team seemed to be wanting to do something special in spite of its dithering idiot owners, gm’s and coaches and they almost did.
i was very satisfied with their performance this year and very defeated during the season of 53 wins which could have been a great year if coached differently. not many coaches get caught with their pants down to actually lose a game because they were on the court as woody did. it was just the most glaring fault of his that year. last year with all they were under and overcoming, including a new rookie coach and new “system”, they went much further than i thought they would, so, i commend them as players. the askg still gets an f for no other reason as to their continued lies about the thrashers and their intent all along. it wasnt much better for the hawks either we will find out when the dust settles is my guess.
until the cba is done and maybe a new owner then i remain quiet as to what can be done. personally as we both wanted action last year, this year i hope we get status quo and a quick hook if things falter and a look at getting rick adelman for the next 5 years.
terrell
June 28th, 2011
4:48 pm
David West opts out of his contract. Which means thst CP3 is all but out of New Orleans. Where will he go is the ?
drmaryb (*_*)
June 28th, 2011
4:51 pm
Word Play!
“Joe was below average … ” – Re: SlimJr -
_________________
The answer is in the details: “below?” Can you see the “elbow?” In that?
You say Marvin missed 17 games, but where is the balance re: Joe playing with pain and underwent surgery and returned in 10 days versus 4-5 weeks?
What irony?
terrell
June 28th, 2011
4:52 pm
Not sure about bringing Damien back? But we hurried up and gave Marvin a 4 yr extension last year at quadruple the price? Wow!
Slimjr
June 28th, 2011
4:52 pm
“Al is not an All Star reserve next year. Al is a great player but not a foundation piece. Lazadasical Lamar Odom created more wins than Al last year.
Al has peaked. 180 free throw attempts? At best he is Brad Miller w/o the ability to space the floor as well.
The Coaches flavor of the month obsession has ended.”
@@Najeh ‘depth’ chart; sign MALCOLM
Very Interesting observation of one of the captains..
You just made Oscar mad…..lol
drmaryb (*_*)
June 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
Prediction
I predict a new blog around 7:09 PM titled: Camp Day 2.
Slimjr
June 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
CP3 to the Knicks or Miami???
Slimjr
June 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
44 wins, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I gave the Hawks two more wins…It must be Happy hour??
Big Ray
June 28th, 2011
5:10 pm
I realize that I’ve sunk to a whole new low level for morbid and tasteless amusement.
Said another way, I’ve actually read the last 20 asinine posts by Slim Jr ….
Big Ray
June 28th, 2011
5:11 pm
I think I’ll go watch a resoundingly stupid reality show, now. There is certain to be more sense in this venture…
jason
June 28th, 2011
5:17 pm
GET A DAMN CENTER THAT CAN REBOUND 12 TIMES A GAME AND GET OVER 2 BLOCKS A GAME!!
brigadierjerry
June 28th, 2011
5:23 pm
Grandad,
Do you feel that right now the Hawks right now at this point in time are in the same position the late 80’s hawks were in when they lost in seven games to the celtics?Even though the Hawks lost in 6 i felt as if it was a 7 game series because they had chances.to win this series. Interestingly enough, the records of the Hawks after losing that series against boston were the following:
52-30 Lost First Round (Milwaukee) 3-2
41-41 DIdnt make playoffs
43-39 Lost First Round (Detroit) 3-2
38-44 Didnt Make Playoffs
43-39 Lost in First Round Chicago 3-0
Sports have shown you only get so many opportunities to make it to the Finals and win. The Hawks are really not that far away. Think about it a break here or there but I think a factor is in part LD coaching.
The focus will have to be defense for the team to go forward and LD will have to improve on that.
Also I am a Hawks fan and enjoy the team. I follow the team since Eddie Johnson and I think Steve W brought this up stating it seems more now it is this player vs that player instead of the team problem. I admit sometimes I get caught in it but I stated to myself any negative issues in regards to the teams success or failure I will address it on a team basis and then be specific with some players in their success or failure or if coaching was the culprit.
I give credit because northclyde always mentions this in regards to Joe Johnson. Some fans want hm to play both ways. If he doesnt take enought shots he is not aggressive and if he takes a lot of shots he is being selfish.
Your thoughts and what do you see going forward for the Hawks positive or negative?
Re: drmaryb (*_*)
June 28th, 2011
5:28 pm
“Joe was below average ”
The sad thing is looking at the roster is that Joe had his career high in 8.4 wins last year, a byproduct of Smith playing out of his mind defensive Wins wise.
For his career Joe is .093
But he’s a five time All Star.
Why? Because he stays on the court.
His appearance on the leaderboards is not based on efficiency at all but playing time. He is generating 9% of Wins while on the court for his career.
There’s 10 players on the court at any given time. If each player is the same then they each get 10%. So what does Joe’s 9% tell you?
Terry for his career has generated 86 wins!!
Joe Johnson 55. Are you telling me Joe is going to reach a Kobe-esque 10 wins every season to make up the gap?
Joe Johnson Leaderboard
Minutes Per Game
2003-04 NBA 40.6 (3)
2004-05 NBA 39.5 (7)
2005-06 NBA 40.7 (6)
2006-07 NBA 41.4 (2)
2007-08 NBA 40.8 (2)
2008-09 NBA 39.5 (3)
2009-10 NBA 38.0 (10)
Active 36.8 (10)
Career NBA 36.8 (38)
Career 36.8 (39)
USG% 26%
I’ll give him a pass for not playing with Dirk but the season after Terry generated 5.1 wins ATL traded him.
6′8 big guards that make Otis Smith look dumb for a Nelson-Redick backcourt are rare but …Just saying.
brigadierjerry
June 28th, 2011
5:33 pm
drmaryb,
dont you find it ironic that jason terry assistant coach on dallas is terry stotts?
Wins SHared
June 28th, 2011
5:36 pm
Moses Malone 33yo – 10,7
Nique 10.4
Rivers 8.5
Theus 5.9
Livingston 5.5
Koncak 3.7 103 – they paid him for his defense but lowballed Smith?? LOL CURSED/RIGGED
horford 10.4 105
Smith 6.4 101 DRtg* Hawks are at championship threshold (102) until he gets old/fat
Williams 4.2
Johnson 4.3 below avg play above avg minutes and USG%
Crawford 3.4 below avg play above avg minutes and USG% – Hawks sign Malcolm Thomas
Chawne
June 28th, 2011
5:53 pm
Perfect backup big just came onto the market today: Brandan Wright. Name 5 potential additions with more upside. You can’t.
O'Brien
June 28th, 2011
5:57 pm
David West opting out? I need a source, because that’s hard to believe.
He is coming off an injury, there is a threat of a lockout, and his salary for next year will be lower under the new CBA. So why opt out?
O'Brien
June 28th, 2011
6:02 pm
Greg Oden is due a qualifying offer of $8.8 million.
If you are the Blazers, do you make that offer? Can you take the chance on him not being healthy?
If the Blazers dont make him the offer, do you think the Hawks should take a flyer on him? High risk, high reward, but if the price is right….
Chawne
June 28th, 2011
6:07 pm
West is opting out. Locked into a $7.5M starting salary or so if he resigns with NO, which I imagine he can get even under the new CBA. I have to imagine Oden is gonna get a QO at least, would probably take full midlevel to pry him away, and even that’s a maybe.
SteveW
June 28th, 2011
6:36 pm
OB – On ESPN it is being reported West did indeed opt out, knee injury and all.
And it is being reported that the Trailblazers told Oden as long as he followed their workout plan and rehabilitation instructions, they would make the QO offer to him.
What if the Hawks look like this next season:
Center – Al, ZaZa/Collins/Samhan
PF – Josh/Rolle/Benson/Malcolm Thomas
SF – Marvin/Sy/Joe Alexander
SG – JJ/Lighty
PG – Teague/Hinrich
Or if we ditch one of the Thomas/Samhan/Alexander crowd, and kept a Wanamaker or McCamey
That may be an extreme youth movement, but if the guys can play, hey I say keep them.
I still would like to see a Grant Hill/ T. Prince/Battier backing up or starting in place of Marvin.
I do find it interesting instead of needing vets, we now feel like we have the correct vets and can go with youth. And I know cheap money factors into that as well. You don’t have to pay the 2nd round, undrafted types nearly the money of even the vet. min. guys.
Oh well, should be an interesting off season – Except for the lockout.
It doesn’t even look like there trying on a new CBA, either side really right now. Could get ugly.
I wonder if that favors the Heat like the Journalists seem to think, if there is a shortened season that is. Some have said the Heat win it all in a 50 game season. Not sure of their rationale
SteveW
June 28th, 2011
6:39 pm
And the Hawks should be grizzled vets by now. 4 straight playoff appearances. 3 consecutive trips to the semis.
If we’re not vets yet, I don’t know if we ever will be.
Chawne
June 28th, 2011
6:44 pm
SteveW -
That’s basically a 7 man rotation there, unless you think any of those street guys can actually be a useful 8th man on a playoff team (I personally don’t, I like Benson and Lighty for the future but they’re extra guys next season. Maybe Alexander or Woods are worth something next year from the camp guys, but that’s a big maybe). And the guard rotation is really thin… you’re really rolling 3 deep there. Lighty can fill in for a game or two, but imagine a situation where JJ and Hinrich have to sit a game. That’s scary.
I wouldn’t mind seeing one or two of these guys make it if Sy last year is proof we want to use the D league, but I’d rather see 2 more guys on the roster that are ready to be rotation players.
Ken Strickland
June 28th, 2011
6:50 pm
BIG RAY-you categorizing this fools last 20 posts as asinine is actually a compliment compared to what they really are. He’s nothing but a child minded individual who’s starving for attention, and he’ll continue making these stupid negative minded comments and attacks as long as he gets him the attention he craves.
I continued to go after him so he can experience what is like to be singled out and negatively attacked on a constant basis. I knew he wouldn’t change, because he’s to arrogant, egotistical, deprived and ignorant, as far as basketball knowledge is concerned.
I’ve been trying to post comments saying I wasn’t going to waste anymore time and effort on this idiot, but the blog monster keeps eating them. I’ve lost 5 so far.
Assuming we don’t make any trades, what starting lineup do you think would be the best way to go. My suggestion would be:
OC-AHorford
PF-JSmith
SF-JJohnson
SG-KHinrich
PG-JTeague
Of course, this lineup would necessitate we sign another PG, but it strengthens our bench otherwise.
KevinM
June 28th, 2011
6:53 pm
SteveW, I bet we have more centers than that on this roster. Al/Zaza/Collins/Thomas(current player rep)/Benson and he might even have Hilton back.
I see Benson getting little if any minutes. He gets the Pape Sy treatment followed by the Teague treatment…totally ignored until forced to start. Larry has a system when dealing with rooks.
And you see Benson as a PF? Yes, Sund really got us a guy who is going to take minutes away from Josh and Al.
And having Alexander, Lighty, Benson, Thomas, and Samhan all make the major league roster? Never in your lifetime. Larry/Sund aren’t going into the season with so little experience. They aren’t going to babysit. We’ll be lucky to see 2 new faces besides Benson.
I don’t think we go 15 deep either. Sund does not and never maximizes his options. Larry will have preseason extras, but it then thins out dramatically.
We will be fortunate to actually have Teague as a starter, and that will be a reach.
Joe/Josh/Al/Zaza/Hindrich – Teague as a pipe dream
Chawne
June 28th, 2011
6:59 pm
In fairness, I think it’s ASG that doesn’t want to go 15 deep, not Sund. I think, were it up to him, there’d be a full roster with some developmental players.
And am I the only one that actually likes Teague a bit more providing a spark off the bench than starting? Doesn’t mean he can’t get the 4Q minutes, as we’ve seen with JC.
Ken Strickland
June 28th, 2011
7:07 pm
The Hawks won 2gms in rd 2 against the Bulls, and could have easily won a 3rd. We managed to do it without Hinrich, with Teague being thrown into the fire under very difficult circumstances, and Jamal giving us next to nothing offensively and hurting us defensively as always.
This yrs team will likely have,
1-no more DEF liabilities,
2-more speed, quickness, versatility, size, athleticism, depth and experience all around,
3-a more focused JSmith, who wants to prove everyone wrong and show he doesn’t deserve to be traded,
4-a team that’s more familiar with the systems, the HC, and his expectations.
With all of these factors at play, how much improvement do any of you see taking place with this team?
JoJo the Godfather
June 28th, 2011
7:11 pm
I prefer a starting lineup of Teague, Johnson, Smith, Horford, and , with a bench of Hinrich, Williams (do I have an option?), Pachulia & Collins.
I also think 4 unproven players make this roster as the Hawks go with the minimum 13 players (Sy, Lighty, Rolle & Benson). Personally, I’d like to see Wannamaker & Thomas make the team as well.
JoJo the Godfather
June 28th, 2011
7:13 pm
Should read “insert free agent center better than Pachulia” as the starting center above.
Big Ray
June 28th, 2011
7:13 pm
Ken Strickland ,
Ehhh, you’re probably right, but you know me…sometimes I just can’t resist.
I’ve learned over time that the blog monster is a biased and picky eater. I can’t even control it when moderating my own blog…
As for the Horford Hate, I don’t lose sight that some of the criticism (by some people) is on target.
But, I maintain that you have to watch and see how a player like this reacts. One rough playoff series and suddenly we forget his accolades to this point? All I can say is that a guy who makes the all star team more than once and even makes all NBA is usually a guy who can work on his game and get better. He’ll let his work ethic do the talking.
I can remember when people said he had no offensive game. Yet, he just had his best season yet (excepting the playoffs).
That’s how it works – you become good, then people gameplan against you. Then, you have to learn to overcome that. I’d say he’s doing well on the path for somebody who doesn’t have elite talent.
That’s why I stay so angry with Josh. He actually has elite potential , but he just can’t get it together and keep it. Which is why he also has never received the accolades of his teammate. Well, that and his attitude.
Fact is, Josh should be as good as or better than Shawn Marion was in his prime. But I don’t think he’ll ever reach that level. One day his athleticism will be gone, and then what will happen to those dunks and blocks?
Big Ray
June 28th, 2011
7:15 pm
The Hawks won 2gms in rd 2 against the Bulls, and could have easily won a 3rd. We managed to do it without Hinrich, with Teague being thrown into the fire under very difficult circumstances, and Jamal giving us next to nothing offensively and hurting us defensively as always.
Good point. And that was with Horford’s hesitantcy and struggle on offense, and Josh’s idiocy on offense and horrid inconsistency on the glass.
Sy and Horford for Thabeet, Hill, Motiejunas
June 28th, 2011
7:16 pm
Our strength is post play and while Al is a good player you can’t build around someone who cant post up at the 4.
He created 266 assists last year. How is he not getting enough touches? He has peaked. Its all right.
Height
Blake Griffin 6′10 plays like he 6′11* and handles like a small forward
Motiejunas 7′1 plays like he’s 6′11* and shoots 3s
Toni Kukoc 6′10 played like he was 6′11* better point forward than Josh and shot 3s
Zach Randolph 6′10 plays like he’s 6′11 with great rhythm shooting release
Kevin Love 6′10 plays like he’s 6′11 with great rhythm shooting release
In case you guys missed it big guys with 6′11 wingspans work on their shooting release.
Nikloa Tskvlistki smh
more like Shareef for Pau Gasol and you guys are still high and mighty like you dont realize what you’ve done.
The only person close to Motiejunas’ measurements is Chris Kaman and he’s a 7′1 center. Greg Monroe. Griffin. Kanter.
My God Hawks are dumb. Every other year there will be a 7′0 kid who wants to play next to a center to avoid banging.
Ryan Andersen lol this is just the beginning of the end for the Hawks. I’ll Go with the local teams (Lakers, Clippers) instead.
Having Horford penciled in as a long term player is just as bad as having Smith at the 4 and expecting him to score with his ball handling and no jump shots.
Hawks will suck (as in no title) because they missed the only chance to upgrade their defense. No NBA champion in the past 10 years has ever won with only one top defender.
You had a chance to build around Smith and win with bad contracts and you blew it, Ironically you lowballed Smith and gave Johnson 3 times as much money to get outplayed by Marvin Williams while moving Williams out of his natural position at the 2. What incompetency my God.
Only God can write a script like this
Big Ray
June 28th, 2011
7:20 pm
JoJo ,
I don’t think we’ll do better than Zaza as a backup center. Somebody who produces better than he does in consistent minutes is going to cost money, and without a trade happening, I doubt we acquire such a person. I mean, Sund and crew are talking about re-upping Jason Collins and what not. I think I can tell which way THIS stream is flowing, ya know what I mean?
In light of the money issue, I think the best thing we can do is concentrate on acquiring a PF who best compliments Zaza. My suggestion is a tough guy who can defend the rim and rebound, and maybe has an outside shot (although an inside game would probably fit better).
We didn’t have that in Powell, and I don’t think we can count on Rolle/Armstrong/Benson/ for that. I mean, we just don’t have the evidence that supports that idea. However, knowing Sund and his current bosses, they are just fine with proceeding exactly that way.
The fact that we can’t give Marvin away to anybody is the ultimate indictment. While I don’t know how he sees it, that would be enough motivation for me to make something out of myself…
Sy and Horford for Thabeet, Hill, Motiejunas
June 28th, 2011
7:21 pm
Josh’s idiocy on offense and horrid inconsistency on the glass.
He’s a 6′8 guy who bulked up to play the 4 and is the 11th best defender in the league. Hawks allow 105 ppg. Horford allows 105 everyone else (especially Hinrich at the 2) on up.
For the crowd who thinks Hinrich can rebound and defend well enough to start for us you’re kidding yourselves
Jason
June 28th, 2011
7:24 pm
“Assuming we don’t make any trades, what starting lineup do you think would be the best way to go. My suggestion would be:
OC-AHorford
PF-JSmith
SF-JJohnson
SG-KHinrich
PG-JTeague”
There’s no doubt that this lineup features our team’s best players, but I feel like it has quite a few potential shortcomings. For one thing, assuming that Jamal Crawford isn’t back with the Hawks next season, this lineup would essentially leave the team entirely devoid of solid bench depth. There would be no backup PG, and unless L.D. plays Teague significant starter’s minutes, Kirk will be logging a lot of minutes at the PG and SG positions. Our best player coming off of the bench would be Marvin if we used this lineup, and I’m guessing that we would have a very short rotation (probably 7 players, maybe 8 at most in important games). Another shortcoming with this lineup is the fact that it features a very small backcourt. Both Teague and Hinrich are tenacious defenders, but I feel like they would struggle defending many of the bigger guards at the PG and SG positions. This lineup also eliminates the team’s unique ability to switch on most picks, since Kirk and Teague just don’t have the length or strength to defend non-wing players.
Personally, I would go with this lineup:
PG – Jeff Teague
SG – Joe Johnson
SF – Marvin Williams
PF – Josh Smith
C – Al Horford
This is basically the same lineup that we’ve used for the past couple of years, with the only exception being Teague starting at the PG position. Defensively, this is probably our most versatile lineup, and it still enables us to using switching as a tool at times (relax, I’m not suggesting we abuse this technique the way Woodson did). Also, I’d go with Teague over Hinrich since I feel that he enables the team to play at a much faster pace, which more effectively utilizes the skills of our players. Also, Teague has the ability to get into the paint and create for himself and others by doing so. This is something we desperately need from our guards.
Now, I realize that a large number of people hate the idea of Marvin getting a starting spot, but I feel like it is best with the current personnel to keep him as a starter for various purposes. First off, he’s really the only true SF we have on the roster, and Damien may not even be a Hawk next season. Also, if there is one thing Marvin does fairly well, it’s defend his position, and I feel like we are more solid defensively with him at the 3 than with any other player on this roster. Josh is not accustomed to chasing around many of the shooters at the SF position, and playing Joe there negates some of his physical advantages (e.g. his size).
Also, another large factor in why I would suggest the lineup above is due to the fact that it gives us a bit more bench depth. It allows for Hinrich to play backup PG, and to play the PG position more so than the SG position. I feel like Hinrich is at his best when he is playing PG. Hinrich also brings some much needed floor leadership and shooting ability to bench, something that it will surely be missing next season. His ability to stretch the defense with his shooting is also something that our bench will, desperately, need.
Several factors are really up in the air at this point due to the fact that there is no guarantee as to whmo we will see fill out the roster next season, but I feel like the starting lineup which I suggested earlier would likely be the best option, barring any trades for impact players.
Big Ray
June 28th, 2011
7:25 pm
He created 266 assists last year. How is he not getting enough touches? He has peaked. Its all right.
That’s called passing ability. There’s a difference between getting that many assists because you know how to pass to the right guy at the right time, and getting plays run for you in spots where you are most likely to be successful.
It’s the same reason Smith continues to be as inefficient and inconsistent on offense as he is. He gets the ball so much on the perimeter, where he is LEAST effective. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always translate into assists. It translates into badly missed shots and the ball going the other way…
As to the way the Hawks have been managed over the last decade, I can only agree…
Ken Strickland
June 28th, 2011
7:28 pm
BIG RAY-Makes sense to me. It’s all good. Our last 2 HC’s have been very aggressive when it comes to dealing with rookies and younger players and holding them accountable. But when it comes to key veteran players, accountability amounts to nothing more that lip service, complaints, lies, and finger pointing, and little else.
I have a question. With us drafting Benson, who’s a shotblocker, do you think Sund and the ASG will pass on trying to acquire FA DEF minded center?