Atlanta Hawks: Amnesty now?
Let’s assume the lockout eventually ends (please) and that two of the provisions reported by both SI’s Sam Amick and Howard Beck of the New York Times both are part of the new CBA: an amnesty clause and a “stretch” provision.
Beck reports that there is a “tentative agreement” for both items, while Amick says the amnesty clause is “resolved” and the stretch provision is “mostly resolved.” It’s also worth noting that David Stern has said more than once that there’s no deal on anything without a deal on everything.
Let’s also assume that Alex Meruelo will be approved to assume majority ownership of the Hawks in the near future. Should he/will he take advantage of these new CBA provisions right away? If so, on which player(s) should he use them?
First, the details of each provision as outlined by Beck and Amick:
- Under the amnesty clause, teams would be able to waive one player (already under contract) over the life of the CBA and the player’s salary cap would not be . Repeat: this will not be available for future contracts. It’s also not clear if the amnesty clause can be used on a player acquired via trade.
- The “stretch” provision would allow teams to waive a player and then spread the money owed out beyond the length of the contract. Both Amick and Beck say the formula is double the amount of years remaining on the contract, plus one. So if a player with two years and $10 million left on his contract is waived, he will be paid the $10 million over five years, or $2 million per year, with that amount also counting against the team’s annual cap payroll for five years. (Amick reports that the provision can be used once per year.)
Over at ESPN.com, Marc Stein and Chad Ford nominate Marvin Williams as Atlanta’s most likely candidate for the amnesty clause:
Sources with knowledge of the Hawks’ thinking insist that the team isn’t ready to give up on Williams. Atlanta apparently still thinks that, at worst, it can deal him away, despite the Hawks’ inability to find any sort of trade market for Williams up to now. The fact that Atlanta’s ownership situation remains highly unsettled, thanks to the latest revelations about Alex Meruelo’s attempt to buy the franchise potentially collapsing, might also buy Williams some more time in the ATL.
Yet most rival teams believe that, at some point in whatever amnesty window is ultimately made official, Williams and the remaining money on his deal ($25 million through 2013-14) have to go. . . .
Seems to me there’s some contradiction here. If the Hawks haven’t given up on Williams, then why did they shop him at trade deadline in each of the last two seasons? They certainly would trade Marvin if they could but there’s just been no market for him.
Anyway, the thing that makes Marvin a more likely candidate for the amnesty clause than J.J. is that the salary still must be paid after a player is waived. Do you think Meruelo would rather eat the $25 million owed to Marvin, a player who can be replaced by a player making less money, or be on the hook for $107 million to J.J. who–while making superstar money without superstar production–would be much more difficult to replace?
Wiping away J.J.’s salary now with the amnesty clause and keeping Marvin would make Atlanta’s committed payroll look like this over the next five seasons (not counting non-guaranteed deals and prorated amounts for canceled games and assuming Marvin exercises his $8.05 million option for 2013-15):
- $47.0 million for six players in 2011-12
- $41.8 million for five players in 2012-13
- $20 million for two players in 2013-14 (not counting Teague’s qualifying offer
- $12 million for two players in 2014-15
- $12 million for two players in 2015-16.
Wiping away Marvin’s salary now and keeping J.J. would make Atlanta’s committed payroll look like this over the next five seasons (not counting pro-rated salaries for canceled games or non-guaranteed deals):
- $57.0 million for six players in 2011-12
- $53.5 million for five players in 2012-13
- $32.5 million for two players in 2013-14 (not counting Teague’s qualifying offer)
- $35.2 million in 2014-15
- $36.9 million in 2015-16.
Assuming the cap continues to hover at about $60 million, the Hawks would gain significant and immediate relief by waiving J.J using the amnesty clause. They would have to wait until 2013-14 to see dramatic cap benefits from waiving Marvin using the amnesty.
But could the Hawks use the “stretch” provision to get better results?
Waiving Marvin using that mechanism would spread his $25 million over seven years (3 x 2 +1). The cap figures for each of those seven years would be 25/7, or about $3.6 million. It might be better to live with Marvin’s salary for at least another year (or two years, and then try to trade his expiring contract in 2013-14) than spread it out for what would be moderate cap savings.
Waiving J.J. now using the “stretch” provision would mean spreading the $107 million over 11 years (5 x 2 +1). The cap figure for each year would be 107/11, or about $9.72 million. That seems like too much dead money for too many years (and writing “dead money” makes me feel like I’m back covering the NFL).
A lot of this, of course, depends on Meruelo’s strategy, which is difficult to ascertain since the lockout gag order comes with the threat of hefty fines from the league and Meruelo hasn’t even taken control of the team yet. (These are also the reasons it’s been impossible to write anything meaningful about the Hawks, but I digress.)
Is Meruelo willing to eat salary and then also double down by adding to the payroll to replace the player(s) let go? Does he even have the cash flow to do so even if he wanted to? Or would the reported lack of cash flow make Meruelo even more likely to use the stretch provision on J.J. and then not try to replace him with comparable player, thus trimming Meruelo’s annual expenses significantly while tying up long-term cap money (and no doubt angering my blog people)?
Would ASG be willing to waive players and then add payroll while the sale of the team is in limbo? Would ASG do it if the sale of the team falls through? If so, would the current owners use one of the provisions now or leave that to the next buyer, assuming they find another one?
Shoot, could they even wait to use the amnesty or stretch provision? Just getting the roster to the minimum would push them over the current luxury-tax threshold, and I’m assuming that still is a no go no matter which owner(s) calls the shots.
My hope is that soon after the lockout ends the answers to these and so many other Hawks questions will finally be answered.
Etc.
Dinamo Sassari waived Hawks draftee Keith “Kito” Benson. Benson’s mother, Janice Hale, called it a “mutual parting of ways” and said Benson will work out at Oakland (Mich.) University with a focus on building his strength. Sportando Basket tweeted me a take on Benson’s departure. . . .
I’ve called and emailed Zaza to check on the reports of his injury but haven’t heard back yet. Will update if/when I do. . . .
It turns out Damien Wilkins’ “Monster Slam” exhibition game on Saturday will be at Clark Atlanta after all. Tickets and info are available here. . . .
Hoopinion notes that Pape Sy had a good game. . . .
Peachtree Hoops is part of a black-white thing. . . .
If you want to help ensure the comments stay open, please shoot me an email directly (mcunningham at ajc.com) if there is a troll issue. That way I can take care of it quickly and leave the thread open. The online complaint form does not come directly to me so usually I don’t see it until much later, if at all, and by then the comments are subject to being closed by the tech folks without my knowledge.
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
165 comments Add your comment
FreshFromAtl
November 2nd, 2011
8:24 pm
So what is going to happen with Jamal? Should we just assume that he is done as a member of the Hawks? So, if we amnesty Marvin, the starting lineup is going to look something like:
PG Teague
SG Hinrich
SF Joe
PF Josh
C AL
?
ryan
November 2nd, 2011
8:24 pm
Hopefully the new owner will be in charge if we get that extra cap space not the ASG .
darrell starks
November 2nd, 2011
8:28 pm
FreshFromAtl please not one more year with AL playing center, im tired of being rank at the bottom of the league in rebounding.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
November 2nd, 2011
8:30 pm
Teague and Hinrich in the backcourt along with Josh and Horford in the frontcourt would be the smallest team in the league 4 years is a enough.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryb.(*_*).
November 2nd, 2011
8:33 pm
The Best Man is Super Man!
Josh recruited Dwight to be his Best Man. So, can Josh double down and recruit Dwight one more time to be his Super Man?
I’m just wondering … with Alex Meruelo in the wings, perhaps Dwight will just come home and make that line up for the best DEFENSE in the NBA a reality!
This city, this town, these fans sure deserve a Winner! We are long over due.
doc
November 2nd, 2011
8:34 pm
mc, ignore it. when i was a management consultant a very high up gm in a very important us buiness gave me a very simple formula; 1/3 will like you, 1/3 will hate you, you got to work to the middle third to paraphrase. where this is most vivid is the polls for political offices that run between the middle thirds and rarely above and rarely below. most of us have insight to know that you are also involved in a business and as i have said it before if the ajc wanted more from you, they would ask for it and you would jump. i think you know when bball is in session, for what you want to do in life, you got a pretty good gig.
again, just get on with it and know most of us appreciate your efforts and timely info, personally if you have to go to the civic section and deliver hawks info about where they spent their summer and how their business is going and who they been dating then it is really going to be a harsh off season as if it hasnt been awful enough. for all the positives some bring to the table the discriminating customer will know when to scroll, as dr mary b says and when not to. enoughnow if you could give us a little more on the business side f the possible buy out so we can direct a few commments that was then it would be appreciated by me. also maybe soliciting for some ideas that he shallow idea folks at ajc might overlook even though it is about readership, as important, might be a constructive idea. whatever, you know?.
ryan
November 2nd, 2011
8:39 pm
I hear the Sac Kings could end up in Anaheim geeeeeeeez can you imagine Lakers , Clippers, Kings all in the same area at the same time i know one team that wont be happy .
doc
November 2nd, 2011
8:42 pm
grandad, with the best retort, najeh and rod, agree, andruw was not even close to marvin. i think like so many of his era might have even given his body to science to make sure he did what he did and boy could he cruise in center field. i think it is also a low blow to frenchy as he may not have been the golden boy many made him out to be but as marvin his head sure got in his way especially when he treid to get his mind around how much money boros had gotten for him and how to make it woth while. i think he was one of the guys who would have been better getting paid less and living with it and trying to perform to that level rather than be a superstar. it might have gotten into uggla’s head as well. self worth is a hard thing to judge and justify.
Grandmaster JeJe
November 2nd, 2011
8:52 pm
FIRE MARVIN
Same guy who injured his back when trying to wrap up LOUIS AMUNDSON on a layup attempt and subsequently ENDED UP ON THE GROUND WITH AN INJURED BACK
He is frail, a career underachiever, zero basketball IQ, and I think 99% of us agree that his favorite part about the game of basketball is when he is taken out of the game and he does that weird towel on his head wrap thing. LOL
Astro Joe
November 2nd, 2011
8:54 pm
A druw is more akin to Josh Smith. Tremendous physical talent, usually very productive and usually very frustrating because they sub-optimize(d) themselves. Marvin may eventually become Yunel Escobar.
drmaryb.(*_*).
November 2nd, 2011
8:56 pm
Take Out!
“I’d take Granger, Gay, Butler, but Damien? No way” -KBP-
______________
What rock does this guy sleep under? You can’t just take
Granger, Gay, Butler, – they are not “Take – Out Dinners”
LOL! Those guys are franchised properties who belong to their team owners. Damien is an UFA and is available and dreams of playing for the Hawks. Has more Heart, Brain and Courage than the characters from The Wizard of Oz!
And, will work for food!
__________________
Back to the serious blogger … We need to just woo Dwight and wait for him to sign. We don’t need a trade deadline deal that will gut our team. The Magic are not in the driver’s seat, like Melo … They can’t trade Dwight to The Clippers, because he simply won’t go there. Let’s pray Josh can recruit him and he comes here straight up after next season.
day old fries
November 2nd, 2011
9:06 pm
Amnesty Marvin would be a good band name
Jay
November 2nd, 2011
9:22 pm
Comparing JJ and Chipper? Don’t insult Chipper like that. Let’s see JJ win a championship and MVP first, fat chance either happen.
brigadierjerry
November 2nd, 2011
9:28 pm
Grandad, drmaryb, Najeh and others,
Good discussion by all today. One thing I would say though that I find interesting, although they play different positions if you compare Paul Pierce career and Joe Johnson before Pierce got Allen and Garnett, who would you say was a better player between the two?Joe Johnson and Paul Pierce game’s are both very similar. Pierce went to a conference final early in his career but his playoff history with the Celtics wasnt good at all. He almost got traded before they made those deals in 2007 because he wanted out. Then look at the deals they made and then they won a championship and Pierce is considered one of the greats. Pierce is a very good player but is he really that much better than say Johnson?No it is because the management got him help. I remember Celtics fans when the trade for Garnett happend they was upset giving up Al Jeffereson because he was a future star. You think they care about that now?Look how the Celtics been good for about 4 years now although their shelf life is about to run out. The Hawks if they want to really make a difference needs to make a trade to get Howard to really make a difference for this Hawks team.
Also I see Johnson much like Pierce playing on a high level for probably 4 more years. His game just like Pierce do not rely on athleticism so he will last for a long time on a high level. Johnson is a very good player he just isnt the kind of player that going to carry u on his back like say a Kevin Durant or a Carmelo. Hawks are a lot like Memphis Grizzlies or even the Denver Nuggets post Melo trade, sum is greater than the parts but to win a championship you need a star player that can carry you or if you can get a star player who is a difference maker and a very good player with some good role players and specialists that play team basketball you can win.
Grandad, after watching the Hawks for many years I always have felt this franchise has never made the right moves or make a big splash to get a star or even a second star for say Nique. Only time was when they got Moses and Theus although Moses was way past his prime but he still played on a high level. If Willis didnt get hurt that year would’ve been interesting to see where the Hawks would’ve fared.
Getting back to the Hawks if they want to really make a move they need to get another star player such as Dwight and it is up to management to do that. Would love to see if the new owner if approved will make a difference. Depending on the CBA sometimes you have to take chances and the Hawks are really this close to being a championship team. It worked wonderful for Pierce and the Celtics
brigadierjerry
November 2nd, 2011
9:49 pm
Also on the subject of Marvin, I think it would be best if Marvin would be better suited playing elsewhere. Marvin biggest problem other than not seemingly to care about improving his game is that he was picked so high and picked instead of Chris Paul If he was picked say between 15-20 no one would complain. The biggest problem with Marvin is he is an underachiever just happy to be below average to average player. I dont get the impression to me that he works hard and it has nothing to do with his personality either. RIght now who would you rather have Marvin Williams or say Lou Deng who is overpaid as well or even Taj Gibson?
I dont see Marvin even if he is gone elsewhere being that much better. He has his moments but it is too few and far between. He is what he is. He could be if he worked at it be a good defender or specialist in one area but i think he is the type of player who is happy if he scores 15 pts or 5 points. It doesnt affect his any way. He has bad mechanics footwork and release on his shot. He is best playing in Minnesota or a lower level team so he wouldnt have to deal with the pressure
doc
November 2nd, 2011
9:58 pm
aj, yunel left because he was not doing well with his teammates, a malcontent prima donna without the cred. marvin doesnt meet these criteria at all. yes to the josh, andruw thing, close, as both have acheived just not how we want them too.
doc
November 2nd, 2011
10:01 pm
bj i hate to admit it because i dont like pierce but he has a dagger mentality that i dont see in jj. he really wants to step up and be the man every time.
brigadierjerry
November 2nd, 2011
10:35 pm
doc,
That is true but you know what early in his career before he got Garnett and Allen, it didnt amount to anything as far as success of the team. HIm and Walker used to take turns and they would have high scoring games but a lot of games they lost. They did go to the conference finals that one year but outisde of that check out Pierce’s success as far as the team goes before he got Allen and garnett and drafted Rondo. Pierce has a swagger and has gots but until they got Allen and Garnett the teams success when Pierce was not good.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2011
10:39 pm
Rod from College Park
November 2nd, 2011
11:13 am
Anybody want to guess who I want to get rid of?
Best post all day long….and even better? I agree 100%.
Grandmaster JeJe
November 2nd, 2011
11:09 pm
FIRE SUND
doc
November 2nd, 2011
11:11 pm
rod your wisdom gets shorter and shorter but is just as powerful. heh heh
Grandad
November 2nd, 2011
11:40 pm
As much as I like josh and can see some similarities,
-still-
no comparison.
as a matter of fact … have the hawks ever …
since being in ATL had the very best at something ?
Pistol … maybe ?
Andruw was perhaps the -Best- centerfielder to -ever-
play the game.
Sources = myself + Bobby Cox + Tony Guinn.
Now on to other stuff…………………..basketball
Grandad
November 3rd, 2011
12:01 am
Chances of dwight playing here = less than 50%.
Joe is not a SuperStar +plus+ he does not play hard
nor does inspire, neither is he one of those rare “Stars”
“who make their teammates better”:
Bird, Magic, Jordon (through intimidation),
Zeke, Russell, et al.
Or even to a lesser extent;
Rodman, Derek Fisher, Jason Kidd, or Hondo.
less talented but Champions nonetheless.
-Therefore-
If a trade could be made,
in which we could latch onto a young …
SuperStar in the making plus a Big …
then that would be just dandy.
Were there a team ?
On the cusp of a championship that would;
part with the above:
[a young SS + a Big] + +
for Joe and maybe even Josh …;
does anyone connected with the Hawks have the forethought
to make such a deal ?
Do I have such a deal in mind … oh yeah.
Does Sund … whaddayouthink ?
Does anyone think that far out of the box ?
vava74
November 3rd, 2011
6:49 am
Anyone even remotely suggesting that we should use the amnesty clause on JJ is a lunatic.
JJ will be trade chip all the way through his contract since he can easily be perceived as the missing piece for a championship contender and his game – not very physical oriented – should age well (last year he was hampered by the elbow injury but his playoff run was very good IMO).
All points out for a new CBA that will continue to preview the luxury tax but with harsher penalties.
That translates into JJ having market value for heavy spenders like Cuban, Dolan, Buss … looking for that extra player.
Using the clause with Marvin may not generate huge cap benefits, but at least we would get him out of our system.
vava74
November 3rd, 2011
6:58 am
Ous spark and our star potential which will get us out of our funk has ONE NAME:
TEAGUE
Given him the car keys and let JJ work a Joe Dumars’ role: steady 20ppg, 5rpg 5apg with good defense and have Hinrich make with them a really versatile and dangerous 3 guard rotation.
O'Brien
November 3rd, 2011
8:02 am
Brigadierjerry,
Two big differences between JJ and Pierce (imo). 1) Pierce draws fouls and gets to the line, while JJ does not. That is one area that JJ needs to work on (although this late in his career, I don’t know if he ever will), and it would even prolong his career/effectiveness.
2) Pierce seems to be a better leader than JJ.
Vava,
If this was baseball with no salary cap, I think JJ would have more trade value. But if the Hawks trade him, they have to get close to equal value in terms of salary from the other team.
JJ’s salary (after this year) is 4 years, $89 mil. The year after that is 3 years, $69 mil. And then 2 years, $48 mil. His last year, $25 mil. Which means the Hawks will probably have to take back a bad contract in return for JJ.
Also, the luxury tax penalty will be more severe, so that might make some teams think twice about how far into luxury tax they’re willing to go.
doc
November 3rd, 2011
8:52 am
grandad carry over from last blog. yes ithink there is potential for a plantation mentaity in the nba. you have rich white “owners” powerful and controling as they buy sel and trade athletes. bryant gumble alluded to it in describing stern and sterling has been quoted along those lines before. yes players are entitled but owners are enpowered and a very priviliged class beyond mist of our imaginations even more dangerous as they take public moneys have fans buying their product at top dollar though it might be for a last place team and have excellent tax accomidating business’. this is an investment and not their meal ticket by any stretch but a veryexclusive club that brings huge profits in the end.
vava74
November 3rd, 2011
9:08 am
OB,
Not necessarily: you can get in a trade for JJ multiple pieces, so it is not written in stone that a trade would mean that the Hawks would have to absorb a bad deal.
Some of the contracts could be expiring deals and not necessarily an Agent 0 type of contract.
Astro Joe
November 3rd, 2011
10:00 am
doc, my Yunel/Marvin comparison was mostly rooted in guys with very good physical tools who sometimes flash above avergae talent but lack something insode to make it happen. In Yunel’s case, it seemed to be discipline and hard work, in Marvin’s case it seems to be passion and tenacity. No, Marvin isn’t a malcontent but his principle “barrier to success” is intgernal, much like Yunel. And they appear to be destined as drafted products of the Atlanta team that never came close to reaching their potential.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 3rd, 2011
10:10 am
“Pierce draws fouls and gets to the line, while JJ does not. ”
Co-sign. Other than this they are very similar, but that is a HUGE difference. And Pierce finds a way to get to the line despite not being overly explosive, so it’s not like Joe couldn’t do it if he wanted to.
At this stage of his career, though, expecting Joe to change his style of play much is probably an exercise in futility, which is why the most likely way to maximize his value to the team is probably to deemphasize his role in the offense and let Teague shoulder more of the ball handling and shot creating duties.
Lou Hudson could flat out shoot
November 3rd, 2011
10:25 am
Amnesty the whole bunch except for Al and Teague. And, really, who cares?
drmaryb.(*_*).
November 3rd, 2011
10:34 am
Poop on That!
Very nice comment, insightful. Man do we need a Real Coach and a Real GM and a Real Owner.
Grandad
November 3rd, 2011
10:47 am
doc:
* …”grandad carry over from last blog”…
Yes, I heard bryant Gumbel’s assertations.
doc – when I heard Gumbel – My 1st thoughts were,
how can a man in his position say something so ignorant ?
I refuse to put you in Gumbels classification.
I respect your opinion;
but … slavery … nah.
-Be- for the players rights above the owners = fine and dandy.
Slavery as an analogy … don’t go there.
Too much, over the top, off base, disrectful to those who suffered.
I’m sorry, can’t agree.
You are a learned man with vast insight;
on this I most -respectfully- disagree.
* I’m not opposing your opinion – just the analogy.
sincerely,
G-dad
doc
November 3rd, 2011
11:47 am
grandad, funny you were quick to note the entitlements and the problems inherent to that part of the equation but unable to acknowledge the egregious behavior of power, greed and privileged mentality of the owners. no, it is certainly not slavery but the better association is the idea of a plantation mentality of ownership over ones employees that has nothing to do with color and actual ownership of bodies only an attitude that permeates business and why unions were formed to avoid indentured servitude. dolan in new york is out of control and sterling has been quoted in such a way that is comes close to that of how someone might have actually sounded on the plantation years ago.
on the way to work i also was considering how trying to sell this to the owners might go. do you think at times stern is having a bigger time of it than maybe billy knight or rick sund had trying to get 30 or so folks of very independent mind and goals to all come together under one agreement. personally i think it is the owners holding up the process and being unrealistic to what they should warrant. again communities, fans and supprot folks wont get the revenues lost back in any form but the owners forget really the hand that feeds them the tax dollars and fans along with advertiser dollars.
thanks for your thoughtful response grandad. wish i could turn such a blind eye to what the owners are doing and their attitudes as they do it. i think they are very culpable and will still make their money. odd how the mayor said the rally in the park for the masses cost 350k but has been silent to how much the nba is costing us now in revenues as the owners drag this out. for one guy we sacrifice millions. justice for all, eh?
Joe D
November 3rd, 2011
12:05 pm
Again for the 100th time, JJ is NOT the problem. The problems have been many: failing to obtain or developing a PG, selecting Marvin over JChildress, resigning Marvin. Next, Cleveland offer Shaq for Marvin and even if the Shaq trade had been a total failure; it would have been an one year deal. Marvin’s contract and its drain would have gone!!! Last year, the Clippers offered SF Gomes (4 mil) and PF Smith expiring (3.5 mil) contract at the trade deadline. Again, this trade would have gotten rend of his contract. The Hawks could have closed this sad and unproductive chapter.
The ? concerning JJ’s contract is not what happens 3 years for now. He should be an effective player for at least the next 3 years. So, let’s focus on now, Dump Marvin and hope that it is too painful or costly. Pray that Teague is ready ;hopefully, the 3 guard rotation of Teague, JJ, and Hinrich will be very productive. Next, the 2nd pick can become a contributior and sign a scorer.
Go Hawks!
drmaryb.(*_*).
November 3rd, 2011
12:14 pm
Weak Links!
C
SF
Bench
Kito, is the equivalent of Tito of The Jackson 5. (stiff)
drmaryb.(*_*).
November 3rd, 2011
12:22 pm
Tough Guy!
ZaZa is very young and is the only “mean-mugger” on this team. He, my friends has value and an adequate game! I play him over the new kid “Kito”! Keep Collins for size off the Bench. Get rid of the rest of the bench. Start Damien Wilkins and sub for him. Damien sets the tone on Defense!
Build a damn team with what we have, and find the missing parts! Find us a Real GM!, Owner, Coach!
Bring Back Spud & Cak'
November 3rd, 2011
1:41 pm
PLEASE NEW HAWKS MGMT, FIND SOME WAY TO GET RID of that bum, JOE JOHNSON! I can’t sit through another season, watching the Hawks play pretty well & then get to the playoffs only to have ‘Defenseless’ Joe Johnson quit on the team & not show up to play DEFENSE! We are doomed 4 years to come if this bum is the centerpiece of our roster – ZERO LEADERSHIP ZERO lockerroom example/authority. Such a shame too b/c this team has a Fine nucleus – Horford, J. Smith, Jamaal C, heck even Heinrich & Teague can hold their own at the point.
PLEASE EITHER AMNESTY OR CUT JOHNSON, he will bring this team down for years if not!
nique
November 3rd, 2011
1:46 pm
Interesting post. My vote would definitely be to stretch JJ. Their contract $ is just counted against cap room, so it’s not real money to be paid out ever, right?
DTC
November 3rd, 2011
2:07 pm
PLEASE @ 12:17PM – I agree, and I said the same thing the day after the contract was signed.
DTC
November 3rd, 2011
2:11 pm
Joe D @ 12:05 PM – Yes Joe Johnson is the problem. He never was qualified to receive this kind of money. Many of the other NBA clubs have said the same thing since it was signed. He is not worth half the money he is being paid. If the problem was elsewhere, he should still make sure HE earns his money, instead of playing as lousey as he does. The true #1 stars show up.
DTC
November 3rd, 2011
2:14 pm
Bring Back Spud & Cak’ – Good post. Yes, get rid of Joe. I honestly think Koncack, in his day, could take Joe Johnson on a regular basis, with Joe’s present record being my argument on this thought.
ILL-Logical
November 3rd, 2011
2:35 pm
I believe that Joe Johnson’s CONTRACT , because of its disproportionate share of the current payroll and the fiscal restraints that result, is a significant issue concerning the future of the Hawks’ franchise.
There are arguments to be made ,both pro and con, regarding Joe’s skills and capabilities however, there can be no debate about the fiscal restaint imposed on the franchise by the size and length of his contract.The ability to improve the roster with both the type and number of players necessary to achieve a championship is severely curtailed under the current salary rules; what happens if the new rules are less favorable ?
If there is going to be new ownership and if there is going to be a 2011-12 season, this issue cannot be avoided.
doc
November 3rd, 2011
2:54 pm
gd exhibit a:
http://www.sportsgrid.com/media/donald-sterling-racist-remarks/
there are more
just goggle;
don sterling racist remarks nba
and your
stomach will turn
doc
November 3rd, 2011
2:56 pm
another good one:
http://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/legal-filings-elgin-baylor-donald-sterling/
doc
November 3rd, 2011
3:06 pm
gd remember don gilbert’s reaction:
http://blog.mlive.com/ottoman-empire/2010/07/cleveland_cavaliers_owner_dan_gilbert_takes_low_road_with_tirade_against_lebron_james.html
it wasnt labron, who i dont like, but riles that put the best package together for the queen after gilbert failed for s many years. it was riles that stole his baby fair square and he wants it to beabout the [layer and not his own failure. yup all he says can be just as much seen in himself than the queen.
this is to stop owners from playing the game too hard like riles did and cuban an the celts for years and the lakers as well. it is about saving themselves from themselves.
tell me the league didnt buy into the hype and gain revenues from it as fans flocked in to either praise him or bury him this past season one of their most successful ones in memory and then blame it on labron and his narcissism …. puhlease.
Trade Horford for Bogut + Leuer:
November 3rd, 2011
3:33 pm
@darrell starks You should know the score by now, we’re not getting “SUPERMAN”. Dwight Howard will not be able to sign here and keep Josh and Horford.
Milwaukee was the 2nd best defense in the league iirc. Bogut for Horford is almost fair value considering Bogut’s elbow but a guy who would be a great replacement for Marvin Williams is Jon Leuer.
Great proportions. 7′0 wingspan flat and can shoot.
He’s also 6′11.5 Tall, fluid shooter off the pull up perimeter version of David Lee. In fact he worked Lee over in workouts. Post up small forwards if a switch occurs. Great at attacking the rim on drive and kicks. Unlike shorter Marvin.
Teague
Johnson
Smith
Marvin Leuer
Horford Bogut
This lets Smith play his inside role next to Bogut, Teague and Joe at the controls sucking in defenses and Leuer roam outside.
Once Teague stirs the drink and draws double coverage we have Leuer attacking (whereas before we had Josh outside, or Marvin
O'Brien
November 3rd, 2011
3:36 pm
doc,
David Stern deserves some blame (imo), because he helped get the train on the track it’s on.
When the league was struggling years ago, he pushed stars (Magic, Bird, MJ etc) and their teams (Lakers, Celtics, Bulls etc) to the front of the line. This helped build the NBA up, increase marketability, revenue etc.
But now, owners are complaining, because the stars of the league have too much power, and make too much money, so the owners want to reel them in. But I think it all started with David Stern.
doc
November 3rd, 2011
3:44 pm
stern is slick he usually sends someone else to provide the kicks. he didit by sending allen to blow it up then his protege while he took a doctors excuse. reminds my of poly sci magician adams at uga phd literally at it.
doc
November 3rd, 2011
4:02 pm
the way i see it amnesty only helps teams with deep pockets and haqks arent one if em. marvin is a warm body ajd right now that counts. we wont amnesty anyone as good as the concept sounds.