Atlanta Hawks: Kirk Hinrich to miss at least first month of season after shoulder surgery
Hawks general manager Rick Sund said guard Kirk Hinrich had surgery to to remove a cyst and repair the labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season.
Hinrich experienced discomfort in his shoulder as a result of offseason workouts and had the procedure in early November.
“The injury typically requires three to four months of recovery,” Sund said
Based on that timeline, Hinrich could be out through the end of February. The 66-game NBA regular season schedule is to begin Dec. 25 if there are no snags in the ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement.
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com first reported Hinrich’s surgery.
Hinrich, 30, was acquired in a Feb. 23 trade with Washington for rookie guard Jordan Crawford and a 2011 first-round pick. Missing training camp would rob Hinrich of a chance to further develop chemistry with his teammates and his injury deals a blow to Atlanta’s guard depth.
With Jamal Crawford set to hit free agency, Hinrich is one of three experienced Hawks guards under contract for this season along with Joe Johnson and Jeff Teague. Teague now enter camp on Dec. 9 as the only point guard on the roster and, barring a major addition, would be the starter for at least the first month of the regular season.
Teague started seven of 70 games during the 2010-11 regular season before replacing the injured Hinrich for the East semis against Chicago. Hinrich suffered a hamstring injury near the end of Game 6 of Atlanta’s series against Orlando.
Hinrich injured his right shoulder during training camp with the Wizards last year and missed games during the season with elbow and calf injuries. He’s averaged just over 73 games played per season for his career.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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179 comments Add your comment
Section 303
December 2nd, 2011
1:08 pm
northcyde, I hope you’re wrong on the Nate Robinson thing. Granted, Nate Robinson has torched the Hawks in the past (like when he was with the Knicks), however, he has become a sideshow act these days. The whole “Shrek & Donkey” act with Big Baby during the ‘09 Finals and all his clowning with Shaq…..I’ll pass. The simply is not good enough to act as if he is center of attention.
I like the idea of Patty Mills.
Another name….undrafted, 2-time Final Four starting PG, former Big Ten Player of the Year….Kalin Lucas. Loved him at Michigan State. And, I still think he can play in the NBA,had he not blown out his achillies in the ‘10 Tourney.
mountain_jim
December 2nd, 2011
1:08 pm
This injury just makes Sund’s trade that much worse. And I hated that trade even when I assumed we would have Hurt (I mean Kurk) for the whole season.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 2nd, 2011
1:12 pm
The Helm!
So O’Brien, with Captain Kirk – does that mean we have four captains now? I’m just wonderin’? LOL
___________
I believe I heard Captain Kirk injured his shoulder just recently in a pick up/practice game? Does anyone have any specifics on this injury/surgery or mechanism of injury?
O'Brien
December 2nd, 2011
1:32 pm
303,
Hinrich is expiring, so no matter what he does, the Hawks will either trade him, or keep him and let his contract expire at the end of the season for the cost savings.
Now that I think about it, since th ASG is selling the team, I think they will explore the option of trading Hinrich. I think they didnt mind giving JJ a max deal because they knew they are selling. I think they will do the same thing in a Hinrich trade. be willing to pick up long term salary in return for Hiinrich (for the right player of course), because they dont plan on being owners much longer.
AJ,
I remember LD being adamant early in the season, that he won’t play JC2 at PG. However, He had also mentioned not playing JC1 at PG, but eventually, he changed his tune, and played Jamal at PG even when he was struggling (bulls regular season game in Chicago comes to mind). So I don’t believe much of what LD said, because he is full of talk.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 2nd, 2011
1:34 pm
Double An tundra!
“I don’t think there is a whole lot not to like about our first year coach.” Dawglasville-
_______________
Hugh? Looks like a double negative comment that makes no sense. What are you trying to say?
northcyde
December 2nd, 2011
1:54 pm
Astro Joe
December 2nd, 2011
12:55 pm
northcyde, LD was pretty adamant last year that JC2 would NOT play PG. Remember when he was outplaying Teague during the pre-season (including at PG) and LD said that JC2 would stay at SG?
******************
Yeah I remember that bunch of crap that LD was spitting out. I wonder what he thought about Jordan’s triple double?
alex
December 2nd, 2011
1:55 pm
on last add from asg at 680AM hawks are ready for title run this year, sound similar to Stanly cup run add for thrashers just before famous relocation in 2011. so hurry up to buy season tickets for asg liars let them prosper and good luck hawks.
northcyde
December 2nd, 2011
2:04 pm
Honestly 303 . . if Patty Mills and Lucas are the alternatives, then give me Nate Robinson and all of the sideshow stuff.
To me, Iverson in the guy to go after. He’s right here in the city, He still can play better than most reserve backup PGs. And he can bring people out to Philips Arena more than any other player we have on the roster.
Offer him anywhere from the vet minimum to a 2 million ( one year contract ). Cut an under the table deal with him telling him that if he’s instrumental in getting us to the EC Final or beyond, the Hawks will offer him another year at no less than MLE money.
Bringing in Patty Mills, or Sebastian Telfair, or Earl Boykins, or Anthony Carter does NOTHING to move the meter in Atlanta.
Sign Iverson, and watch how this city starts buzzing, even before he plays a game.
And if the Iverson move doesn’t work out, oh well. It’s not like we’re projected to go to the EC Finals right now to begin with. We’re going to be a team picked somwhere between 4th and 7th by most “experts”.
I would love for the ASG just ONE TIME, take a damn chance. Bring in a guy who at 35, will instantly bring in dollars, just because he was/is so beloved by many in Atlanta.
KNOW YOUR DEMOGRAPHICS. Bring in “the answer”, even if he turns out to be a “question”. And if you have to pay a small amount of luxury tax, trust that Iverson still has box office appeal, and may make you more money, even if you pay out a little tax money.
Astro Joe
December 2nd, 2011
2:10 pm
northcyde, so why would A.I. be better in Atlanta than he was in Memphis? The last data point suggests that he is Evander Holyfield, a guy who needs to retire but doesn’t know it yet.
Slimjr
December 2nd, 2011
2:22 pm
AI=Mike Bibby now..Cant defend his shadow…….
And since we have All Overrated Alice defending the rim, it would be a disaster…
Slimjr
December 2nd, 2011
2:27 pm
Worldwide Clyde
December 2nd, 2011
10:05 am
“Can we please get rid of Sund. This Hinrich situation he got us in is a mess. You knew good and well he could not stay healthy but yet you traded for him anyway. The Spirit group has a habit of keeping people that underperform.
FIRE SUND”
Hey Sund, you keep this up you will be surpassing Billy Knight..Keep it up oh clueless one…..31+ years?
Horford for Andrew Bogut + 21yo 7 footer Leuer
December 2nd, 2011
2:28 pm
“The Answer” is not a 36 year old Allen Iverson, please if you want to put butts in the seats then win basketball games.
What demographic wants to see Allen Iverson gambling and griping, and Jason Collins against the Bulls. That would be good for Bulls fans or any other transplanted fans.
What the “Demographic” wants to see is the tough changes that need to be made. The demographic wants defined and cohesive basketball roles.
PG Teague | role: penetration, open up teammates
SG Joe Johnson | role: bully guard, go to scorer
SF Josh Smith | role: 6’8 paint scorer; see prime Gerald Wallace, Shawn Marion;
PF* Jon Leuer | role: 7’0 perimeter player adequate rebounder see: Rasheed Wallace
C Andrew Bogut| role: see Jason Collins, Tyson Chandler, Joakim Noah
stands outside and defender A) forgets he can shoot or B) sticks to him like glue and lets his teammates get burned by Joe Bogut and Josh and Teague C) he leaves to double the guard leaving his man wide open; he then burns you for 8 points in the 4th quarter from 3 despite being 7 foot tall. see Rasheed Wallace* (16 ppg, 7rpg career)
Slimjr
December 2nd, 2011
2:29 pm
Hawks=Falcons= Braves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WTF is up with this town???????????????????????????????????
Horford for Andrew Bogut + 21yo 7 footer Leuer
December 2nd, 2011
2:39 pm
no Jon Leuer does not = Rasheed Wallace size but not toughness. Sticking with Gugliotta comparison.
Jeff Teague = ?
Joe Johnson = ?slower Mitch Ritchmond?
6′8 Gerald Wallace
7′0 Gugliotta
Andrew Bogut = ?
Jeff Teague = ?
Joe Johnson = ?
Josh Smith = a 6′8 Gerald Wallace
Jon Leuer = a 7′0 Gugliotta
Andrew Bogut = ?
duronimo
December 2nd, 2011
2:40 pm
He’s had plenty of time to get this taken care of. But why should he? Now he gets paid and doesn’t have to play. What other reason could there be? Why was he allowed to delay long enough to adversely affect the team. Someone is asleep at the wheel. Who cares really. There’s not much really playing until the playoffs anyway.
Slimjr
December 2nd, 2011
2:42 pm
Captain Picard wake the FREAK up please?????????????????????????/
EmirS.
December 2nd, 2011
2:46 pm
northcyde
December 2nd, 2011
12:49 pm
Don’t tease.
Slimjr
December 2nd, 2011
2:51 pm
I saw Hoops on YouTube, put her dude “THE BIG ARISTOTLE” 7′1″ 300+lbs on her back and walk in 4 inch heels on some late night talk show!!!!!!!!! Hugh??????…..DAYUM………….lol
She is 5′2″ and 125lbs….Shoot! Hey Sund why dont ya put her at the 1 as Teagues backup!!!!!! lmbo
the slimmer Smith is like Gerald Wallace a tweener. But it can be advantageous.
December 2nd, 2011
2:52 pm
Defense | Offense
PG | perimeter: Jeff Teague
SG | perimeter: Joe Johnson
PF | perimeter: Jon Leuer
SF | inside: Josh Smith
C | inside: Andrew Bogut
That team is better than the Bulls and as close as you will get to Lebron and the Heat. Heat’s upgrade is likely Samuel Dalembert and bench Joel Anthony.
Slimjr
December 2nd, 2011
2:56 pm
The Heimlich was injured when Sund gave away his two 1st rd picks. This guy is one of the best GM’s the Hawks have ever had!!!!!! lol
KevinM
December 2nd, 2011
3:05 pm
Out of the PGs available, I like Chalmers. I saw him play decent ball last year trying to massage the egos of South Beach. I like he and Teaguer as a combo similar to Westbrook/Eric Maynor.
Northcyde, you stick AI behind Teague and you will hear nothing but public griping.
That’s as bad as bringing ‘prime’ Bibby back.
Section 303
December 2nd, 2011
3:16 pm
northcyde, if the Hawks bring in AI, I would be happy. I love that guy! He is a little rough around the edges, but he plays hard all the time. Though, I’m still not convinced he will ever get in the mode of “just fitting in” on a team. I think he will always see himself as “the man”. He could be on the Lakers, with Kobe, and still see himself as “the man”.
Who knows….maybe last year’s debacle in Memphis humbled him enough to accept a role off the bench?
Rufus1
December 2nd, 2011
3:21 pm
NBA Rankings
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtVdpJJQ7fptaxYX9iAAqe68vLYF?slug=nba_com-preseason-rankings-20111201
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 2nd, 2011
3:21 pm
Really?
Kirk is injured people. Can you really blame him for having a cyst and a labrum tear? Are we that heartless of a fan?
How many of you fellas are fat, lazy couch potatoes, dogging a world class athlete? I mean really?
LMAO & (tongue in cheek)
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut.ECF.
December 2nd, 2011
3:22 pm
Iverson is a stop gap PR stunt at best. Chalmers? Does Teague regress if you bring in another PG?
I’d do it if it hurt the Heat. But when is Chalmers due for a raise? How much can you pay him? Will he accept and be supportive while being benched and watching Teague make mistakes and help him grow?
IDK but I’d do it now if it Hurt the Miami Heat and opened up a chance in the ECF. Why did Hinrich wait? He cant be traded while injured can he? This screws us.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut.ECF
December 2nd, 2011
3:27 pm
NBA Rankings
“The Hawks were easily the most confounding team of the 2010-11 season, and their numbers say their record was inflated. In order for them to remain in the East’s top five, they’ll need to figure out how Kirk Hinrich(notes) fits in. They were downright awful offensively after he arrived at the deadline.”
Bibby knew the schemes and it hurt thinking we could play small with Kurt and win games.
Defense and rebounding is essential now with these super teams. And Kurt is not as effective as some would lead you to believe. He can only really play the PG where he has a size advantage or against backups without really hurting the team.
Kirk was a negative until the playoffs where we played his 6′4 butt exclusively at PG.
Al and Josh still were the best at closing out possessions.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 2nd, 2011
3:31 pm
Debacle?
What debacle?
Iverson went AWOL, left the team,
ski-daddled, disappeared, bounced, poofed, went gone …
something about a family crisis.
I guess the wifey was re-filing those divorce papers down at the Fulton County court house.
Michael Cunningham
December 2nd, 2011
3:35 pm
new blog is posted. shutting down this thread.
Bring the Captain back to Chicago | From the Sports Cave
December 7th, 2011
2:32 pm
[...] one setback is that he had shoulder surgery a while back and is expected to miss the first month of the season for rehab. But for a team that was just able to win 62 games without their star center for 31 of [...]