Atlanta Hawks: Slimmer Josh Smith back in his ’sanctuary’
First, let me say I don’t think attendance at the first day of voluntary workouts should be any kind of litmus test for the Hawks’ leadership. It would be different if coaches were allowed to run workouts but, since they are not, what’s the difference between guys lifting weights and playing ball at Philips or doing those same things somewhere else?
With that being said, Josh Smith was the first guy at Philips, which he called his “sanctuary.”. It could turn out he was the only Hawks player to use Philips today, though I can’t know for sure because players can access the facilities at any time and eventually us media types had to go.
More relevant than who or who didn’t show is that J-Smoove is slimmer. I noted he looked to be in good shape when I saw him at the local pickup game back in October, but he’s even slimmer now, suggesting he’s been putting in work since then. The torso is slimmer but the shoulders are still stout, as you can see here at the Hawks web site.
If you are keeping count, Josh joins J.J. and Teague as guys I’ve seen recently who look trim and ready for camp. Smith said Al came out to L.A. to train for a bit and he looked good to go, too.
“I think everybody else is ready to go, too,” Smith said. “I think if the captains are ready to be in shape and be ready to go, I think everybody else will, too.”
Josh said conditioning will be key for a short camp and truncated, busy game schedule.
“I like it, obviously,” he said, laughing, about the shorter camp. “It just depends on if you come in shape. It’s probably going to be a couple of guys [around the league[ who are going to come in out of shape and they probably won’t be able to get rolling until midseason. I think that everybody has done a good job staying in shape on this team. I don’t think a short camp will hurt this team.”
Games will begin nearly two months later but the season was extended only 10 days. Those 66 games are going to be squeezed in.
“It is probably going to affect us physically because they say we are playing three days in a row sometimes,” Smith said. “It is probably going to become a mental and physical challenge but you have to be able to just be strong in all those angles.”
Smith said he did most of his conditioning in LA, where he ran hills at the Runyon Canyon and played pickup with other pros. He also said he was neighbors with Kim K.
Smith didn’t talk about today’s Adrian Wojnarowski’s report that he “welcomes” a trade. The reported motivation this time is doubt that ownership will commit to improving the team; back before the draft it was Josh’s unhappiness with criticism from L.D. and media.
For what it’s worth, a Hawks official flatly denied the June report on Josh-for-Kanter, saying teams called to inquire about Josh but the Hawks weren’t trying to deal him. But it does seem as if Rick Sund and ASG have softened their stance on the sanctity of (and the members of) the proverbial “core” group.
For his part, Josh didn’t sound as if he’s eager to escape from his hometown team. Of course just because he doesn’t say it publicly doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t want to be traded, but he seemed sincere when talking about playing for the the Hawks.
“I am just ready to get back to work,” he said. “I’m excited to be here.”
Etc.
- Confirmed that the Bobcats will be Atlanta’s opponent for home-and-home preseason games, with the first game probably about 10 days after camp opens on Dec. 9.
- No word yet on what happens to the $3.6 million trade exception the Hawks banked with the Josh Childress deal. It was supposed to expire in July but I’m guessing teams will get extensions.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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69 comments Add your comment
Marvin Josh Horford for Bogut Josh JonLeuer
December 1st, 2011
7:26 pm
A 26yo Kobe would be the 1st one there and make sure he beats out the other “leader” Shaq.
That being said this is ATL where they dont take basketball as seriously as LA.
doc
December 1st, 2011
7:32 pm
aj the guu you always tie to the whipping post has defied you one more time. i am sure the defile point will be reached soon enough but for now the whip remains in its sheath.
Worldwide Clyde
December 1st, 2011
7:34 pm
FIRE SUND
Drewcat
December 1st, 2011
7:40 pm
It’s encouraging to hear that Smoove for workouts with a good attitude considering the “brush” he had with fans in the playoffs last season. Smoove will benefit the franchise one way or another:
1)Either he will play out the season as a much improved player with a much improved attitude. Remember, this team got better in the playoffs! Fans should be excited knowing that we are sending out a lineup that KNOWs each other’s strengths and usually plays to those. I attribute Josh’s growth and team chemistry for these team advancements.
2) Josh increases his own trade value by being a team player with a boatload of talent. If Sund and the rest of management maintain their “poker” faces, Hawks should get a return on a potential deal for Smoove (maybe they package him for D. Howard, CP3, or Deron Williams).
Whether some of hiics like to admit it or not, Smoove can ball. And maybe this extended offseason will rejuvenate him so much that he returns for his first All-Star season with ATL. Hawks are in good shape.
Marvin Josh Horford for Bogut Josh JonLeuer
December 1st, 2011
7:40 pm
Horford is very similar to Laimbeer. Both low ceiling IQ players but aside from “toughness” one thing Laimbeer was taller.
And that becomes 3 things A) Laimbeer could shoot over you B) being bigger its easier to shoot from farther C) being bigger its easier to shoot from farther close to the rim
Horford can stand behind the 3 point line but his push shot is not going in. And teams will let him stay out there all day and prove them wrong.
chuckw/deadjournalist
December 1st, 2011
7:45 pm
For those of us like me, who sit behind a desk or a television, it’s hard to know the whole story … but I’ll be damned if I’d be trading Josh Smith unless I was completely overwhelmed by a deal.
Marvin Josh Horford for Bogut Josh Smith Jon Leuer
December 1st, 2011
7:46 pm
RE: Fans should be excited knowing that we are sending out a lineup (playoffs) that KNOWs each other’s strengths and usually plays to those.
We know the core and what happens when Smith plays the SF. So fans should be [b][i]excited[/i][/b] about Jason Collins *(not even signed) or Pachulia.
Its a 66 game season. Not a 20 game season. No one wants to trade for Smith when they can sign him as a FA in 1 and 1/2 years.
I dont know what there is to be excited about.
Drewcat
December 1st, 2011
7:49 pm
* i meant to write “critics” (paragraph 3).
Also, Teague improves our roster on paper and on the court. AFter his breakout series against CHI, teams now have an idea of what he can do, and he can definitely be thrown into the mix for deals considering his potential and his cheap, rookie contract. We have more roster flexibility than some bloggers would lke to admit: JJ, AL, Smoove, Teague, Hinrich, Marv.
Now we just need some depth in the frontcourt, and a solid wing defender that can shoot to fill the void J. Crawford will leave with his inevitable departure
Drewcat
December 1st, 2011
7:56 pm
MJH4BJJL:
Bill Lambeer and Horford are not comparable players. Despite what your imagination tells you, Horford is NOT a perimeter shooting big. (See Mehmet Okur)
Now i do agree that Horf needs more operating space because he does have a tendency to face up and get in the lane from the high post. However, make no mistake about it, Horford’s 25 footer should NOT be extended beyond that.
Maybeif we somehow got a center to crash boards and clog the lane we could maximize Horf’s offensive potential… BUT PLEASE, NO THREES!
Ole Hawk's Fan
December 1st, 2011
7:58 pm
I was ready to go back as a season ticket hawk’s fan since the playoof lost here to the celtics with Cliff Levingston taken that final shot here instead of Nike. My wife and I(there was a group of us(30) who had been season ticket holders for years) was ready to purchase 4 season tickets with the new ownership but since that didn’t go through, I will never attend a game with ASG & Sund running this team. FIRE ASG and RICK SUND!
northcyde
December 1st, 2011
8:07 pm
I guess I’m the only one that doesn’t like the “slimmer” Josh Smith.
So I guess he;s officially our SF now. SMH.
OK Marvin . . hopefully you GAINED about 10 – 15 pounds, and is ready to play PF instead of SF. Can a 220 lb Josh Smith still grab 8 rebounds a game?
Drewcat
December 1st, 2011
8:09 pm
And here we go with the cluttered and unclear ASG rants and fire SUND rallies. SMH
Just a Fan
December 1st, 2011
8:10 pm
Good to know everyone is in shape. Last thing we need to laziness.
O'Brien
December 1st, 2011
8:14 pm
Smith said. “I think if the captains are ready to be in shape and be ready to go, I think everybody else will, too.”.
I really hope LD goes away from the 3 captains rule and just has them vote for one.
3 captains didnt work last year (record blowouts, no leadership etc), so what’s the point. And Hawks were the only team to have 3 captains (they might have been the only one to have more than 1 captains).
Ramon
December 1st, 2011
8:22 pm
Northcyde, Josh just added more explosiveness to his game by losing weight. Slimmer doesn’t mean weaker! How much did Riemann weight?
Drewcat
December 1st, 2011
8:25 pm
I honestly belive the Hawks rough regular season last year was partially due to trade rumors. Remember, Bibby was booted midseason and the team was forced to adjust to Hinrich in the lineup; not to mention it was L.D.’s 1st year at the helm.
L.D. in Year 2 should command strong defensive effort night in night out
vava74
December 1st, 2011
8:27 pm
I just saw Josh’ workout video.
He looks great and I am sure that he will more energetic and dynamic around the rim like this.
Last year, IMO, he was much slower and less athletic at the rim on the half court than in years past.
Actually, he was getting consistently out jumped on rebounds and tip ins.
Weight and strength are two different things and Josh did not seem to be in good shape with those extra kilos.
Ra'mon
December 1st, 2011
8:28 pm
Rodman*
Slimjr
December 1st, 2011
8:30 pm
YEA Marvin probably gained 20lbs in his azz.. He’ll be ready alright! Yea that will cushion his falls as pt. guards block his shot at the rim….LMAO!
Slimjr
December 1st, 2011
8:31 pm
Ld aint the one Grasshopper……..
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
December 1st, 2011
8:38 pm
“being bigger its easier to shoot from farther close to the rim”
Is “farther close to the rim” anything like “nearer away from the rim”?
????
Section 303
December 1st, 2011
8:40 pm
Props to Josh for showing up in such good shape. But, I still think he will be traded. Really, love him or hate him, trading him just makes sense. The Hawks have peaked out with this group. Going another season with them is just treading water at this point.
I just hope they are smart enough to get value in return. Don’t trade Josh and get back a piece of crap like Kamen or some trade exception.
bsg3003
December 1st, 2011
8:40 pm
CP3 lists ATL as one of his possible destinations. who would ya give up to get him?
JaeEvolution
December 1st, 2011
8:45 pm
Apparently Kirk had shoulder surgery and will be out until late December-early January, that can be seen as good for us Teague fans as he will no doubt get the starting nod when Hawks begin pre-season and regular season games.
http://ken-berger.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/11838893/33617022
Last line of the article
Section 303
December 1st, 2011
8:47 pm
Vava, the reason Josh was getting out jumped for rebounds was his refusal to box out. If he would just put a body on his man, and then jump for the board, he would be an elite rebounder. Instead, he just turns and jumps. When he does that, it’s 50-50 on who ends up with the ball.
Guy is a million dollar talent, with a 10 cent basketball IQ.
Dept. Of Reality: Hawks Suck
December 1st, 2011
8:50 pm
@bsg3003 anyone
Sheridan stops short of putting the Atlanta Hawks on that list but does say that Paul is fond of the city of Atlanta and the Hawks could offer New Orleans an enticing package.
The Atlanta Hawks are another team that could offer New Orleans an enticing package of, say, Marvin Williams and Jeff Teague. It’s not known whether Paul would consider signing an extension with the Hawks but he is known to be fond of the city of Atlanta.
A) What player doesn’t like partying in Atlanta, Georgia.
B) What player doesn’t like the idea of the Atlanta Hawks Spirit Group
C) What player doesn’t like the idea of All Star Reserves vs New York
Once you give up a key piece like Al Horford or Josh Smith then Chris Paul is not signing an extension in Atlanta
And Teague + Marvin Williams is not enticing, nor would it work financially. This Sheridan sounds like a crock.
Offseason Celeb parties “The city of Atlanta” is not “playing for the Atlanta Hawks”.
http://www.vladtv.com/blog/60788/carmelo-chris-paul-party-with-ludacris-in-atlanta/
Slimjr
December 1st, 2011
8:53 pm
CP3 is going to NewYork and play with Melo..
The Atlanta Hawks
December 1st, 2011
8:54 pm
CP3 or D12? Idk who I would rather the Hawks if they could get either. I wouldn’t mind them trying to sign Tyson Chandler, but I doubt that happens. If the Hawks wanted to pay the luxury tax, they could resign Crawford, and use the MLE on Chandler if he would do that.
Anyways… I’m excited for Hawks basketball.
vava74
December 1st, 2011
8:55 pm
Section,
I was not talking about technical deficiencies (which he has) but on actual balls lost strictly jumping.
He was losing tip offs too. That can’t be right and has nothing to do with boxing out which is a different factor that he should improve.
As for trades? Trade Al. Perceived as better than he is, very high trade value, perfect trade chip.
Gold plated silver. Perfect description for Al, IMO.
Dept. Of Reality: Hawks Suck, Smith value is low
December 1st, 2011
8:57 pm
Props to Josh for showing up in such good shape. But, I still think Horford is most logical to be traded. Really, love him or hate him, trading him just makes sense. The Hawks have peaked out with this group. Him and Josh are similar weaknesses creating offense. Going another season with them is just treading water at this point.
Trade Horford for a young perimeter 4 and a Dwight-Noah stopper. Start the perimeter 4 and Josh over Marvin and you’re defense and rebounding is bigger and better.
Jon Leuer fits the bill.
Oh yeah and that Andrew Bogut fella is not a bad throw in as well. Bucks do it because unlike ATL they have to play Bogut 35+ minutes just to compete. ATL can go like DAL with Tyson+Haywood and play Bogut and Pachulia as a 2 headed center.
I just hope they are smart enough to get a stretch 4 and center in return for Horford. Don’t trade Josh and get back a piece of crap like Kaman or some trade exception.
And if Smith comes out averaging 20ppg 5 FTA per game then that you still wont get a Dwight Howard or CP3. You’ll never get fair value because hes hard to build around. This just settles Horford being gone.
O'Brien
December 1st, 2011
9:01 pm
Ra’mon,
Rodman was 6’8”, 220 lbs, but looking at him, I would be shocked if he weighed less than 240lbs. Josh was listed at 6’9”, 240 lbs, so if he lost 30 lbs I assume he is down to 210 lbs.
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
December 1st, 2011
9:02 pm
“Trade Horford for a young perimeter 4 and a Dwight-Noah stopper.”
Yeah, there must be a dozen or so of those Dwight-Noah stoppers around. Surely we can find ONE.
LMFAO
Grandmaster JeJe
December 1st, 2011
9:19 pm
” * No word yet on what happens to the $3.6 million trade exception the Hawks banked with the Josh Childress deal. It was supposed to expire in July but I’m guessing teams will get extensions.”
There is absolutely no point in mentioning this.
ASG has not spent the MLE in the last 7 years once (I don’t think).
Nice blog
Big Dog
December 1st, 2011
9:20 pm
Dept. Of Unintended Irony- LMAO
Great piece MC, although I dont think a player who’s calling the Philips his sanctuary, wants to be traded. I think that plant seed is some local press politicking, hoping to keep the camera off the real trade bait on this team…..
People act as if Dwight is the only guy keeping the Hawks from advancing and being a serious contender. Just for the record, we couldnt even get past the Bull(s).
This team needs some restructuring and letting Josh and Dwight bring this city its first championship since the… Bravos would be great for the city, great for the economy and great for the press. There would be too many angles for stories with the two local stars playing together and competing for a championship.
Any team with Josh and Howard on it will be automatic contenders.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 1st, 2011
9:20 pm
And Hinrich had SHOULDER SURGERY?
When did he hurt his shoulder? I thought he hurt his thigh back in April/May
Grandmaster JeJe
December 1st, 2011
9:22 pm
*Hamstring
“Any team with Josh and Howard on it will be automatic contenders.”
If we trade Joe and Horford for Dwight, this team will average 80 points per game max. GOod luck contending with Josh and Dwight
FreshFromATL
December 1st, 2011
9:29 pm
Dept. Of Reality,
Man what the HELL is you talking about?
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 1st, 2011
9:36 pm
Never Seen!
I have never seen a power house win multiple rings without a PG & Center, except MJ and his Bulls! Period. And, for those last three consecutive rings they added a dedicated rebounder in Rodman “The Worm”. Er Go Rodman locked down his HOF ring. But, let’s be real – that was all MJ!
That team was an aberration and not the norm. The Pistons won their last ring with a ton of role players – that is not a model to emulate.
Here’s my point: trade every one on this roster for a PG & Center – rebuild from there. Ain’t no more MJ’s coming in this lifetime! Not even Kobe is MJ. Not even Mj’s sons are MJ material even with his DNA.
If we could commandeer CP3 and Dwight, I would trade everybody. This Hawks roster has peaked and their potential is a round 2 exit. I don’t care who is in fantastic shape.
One thing yawl know is: drmaryb is gonna’ always keep it real. Problem is we fans are still being held hostage by The ASKillerG with no ransom.
doc
December 1st, 2011
9:42 pm
hinrich out and untested, zaza went down with a knee this summer with no word on his condition. great.
as far as josh, he has done what he needs to do to go to the next level and stay in the game longer. he was on the edge weight wise last year and it was going to take its toll. good for him and he looks great.
FreshFromATL
December 1st, 2011
9:42 pm
DWill has informed the Nets that he will not sign an extension with them and will become a free-agent at season’s end.
Via Al Iannazzone Twitter…
“The Record just learned Deron Williams WILL NOT Sign an extension with the Nets and will play the year out. Link coming shortly.”
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7303109/deron-williams-agent-says-client-sign-extension-nets
brigadierjerry
December 1st, 2011
9:44 pm
Marvin Josh Horford for Bogut Josh Smith Jon Leuer ,
What makes you think the Bucks would make that trade because I am not sure they would think Horford is better than Bogut?
FreshFromATL
December 1st, 2011
9:45 pm
So the Nets just traded away their young stars for a year-in-a-half rental of DWill. Now the Utah Jazz has a great young team again and the Nets have set their franchise back another 5-10 years. Great. Just because the Russian has a lot of $$$ people, doesn’t mean he knows how to run a team.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 1st, 2011
9:49 pm
Shovel It!
I got a shovel ready job that will put 25 + 1 Americans back to work. All they gotta do is dig one 6′ hole and put The Lombardi Trophy in it. Then dig twenty five holes for the rest of ‘Em.
Here’s my point: 8 owners, (all Indians no chief) 13 players, 3 coaches and, a GM + The Lombardi – now that would put the Hawks to rest. As currently constructed, this franchise will win nothing.
Please build this team and start with management. This core and management must be dismantled and rebuilt.
____________
Kevin M! Wassup Bouy? I already saw this picture show titled:
Ground Hog Day
Big Dog
December 1st, 2011
10:13 pm
JeJe I dont get your math calculations for the hawks offensive production, with Howard and Josh. but really, it dont matter because if the hawks only score 80 they will win because the other team is only going to score s 60.
The reality is Howard and Josh as your primaries with guys like teague and Pepe sy putting up points, just add a few others role players and we are off to the races.
KevinM
December 1st, 2011
10:16 pm
“Please build this team and start with management. This core and management must be dismantled and rebuilt.”
Good to be back here witcha DMB….but as the saying goes, we are what we are! Ground Hog Day resembles what we have here to a tee!
This is our team, and from what we are anticipating, the start of this doesn’t bode to our liking.
Northcyde, from Day 1 I haven’t like Smoove facing the basket. It appears that is where we are headed though. He is looking razor sharp as well while he hoists those set jumpers from the perimeter.
You can’t bank on anything from Marvin consistently, so a short schedule still means plenty of ups and downs for him.
It’s about Teague, and Kirk, and anyone who will play C for us. I just read the top 10 FAs, and we don’t have a shot at any of them…..We may not even be able to bring Collins back if someone else pays him 1.01M. Sund is known to look at the scrap heap for role players. The TPE from Chills? Its just a formality that it will expire and not even JC1 is gonna get that chunk of change.
KevinM
December 1st, 2011
10:34 pm
“Sources confirmed this tidbit passed along by CBSSports.com’s Ben Golliver: Hawks guard Kirk Hinrich had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago and is expected to be out until late December or early January.
Ummm, when was the last time Hindrich wasn’t hurt? He played 80 games back in 06-07….and his numbers continue to drop.
SteveW
December 1st, 2011
10:36 pm
I wonder which of our Samhan, Lighty, Joe Alexander etc. crowd has not signed contracts overseas they can’t get out of? Because they are our bench along with Sy and Rolle most likely.
Just Joe
December 1st, 2011
10:39 pm
I’d take David Lighty on this team. He and Sy would be fine as the 5th and 6th guards. Both have some experience playing PG.
KevinM
December 1st, 2011
10:40 pm
How ’bout Rip Hamilton for Hindrich and Marvin? Could we work a rotation out with that?
SteveW
December 1st, 2011
10:41 pm
Hazell, McCamey, Harzell, Malcolm Thomas – I think most if not all these guys have signed overseas. But they were our June camp invites. I heard Lighty really looked good, as did some DLeague PF.
But I would assume these are our roster fillers, or guys like them…
Section 303
December 1st, 2011
10:43 pm
Where is David Lighty? I agree with Just Joe. I think Lighty can play. He did not go overseas, with a nonopt-out deal, did he?
SteveW
December 1st, 2011
10:44 pm
I like Smoove losing weight. He was a knee injury waiting to happen – top heavy, but still jumping through the roof. He can be a 6-7 220 PF beast, and out quick most PF’s. With Teague, JJ, Smoove, and Al, we will have one of the fastest starting lineups in the League.
SteveW
December 1st, 2011
10:46 pm
Gerald Wallace, Dennis Rodman, Buck Williams and those types didn’t seem to be bothered playing PF without alot of weight. There’s others I’m forgetting I’m sure.
Big Dog
December 1st, 2011
10:48 pm
Non of the NBA teams in search of a center is interested in Al horford?
Non of the NBA teams in search of a powerforward is interested in Al horford?
We are talking about ALL NBA AL right?
Grandmaster JeJe
December 1st, 2011
10:49 pm
Sucks for thee Nets regarding Deron.
Big Dog, you really think “Pepe Sy” is gomna score points? Lol c’mon bro
Big Ray
December 1st, 2011
10:52 pm
Dept. of Unintended Irony = funny as ever…
So Josh comes back skinnier. Funniest part of that is Vava not realizing that Smith wasn’t getting outjumped for rebounds, he was getting BLOCKED OUT…which goes back to the same fundamental issues he’s always had. So what will a ligher Josh Smith do? Jumper higher on those 21 foot jumpers?
Also nice to see Josh was the first guy back….until it was noted that he had no clue he was the first guy…oh, who cares, nothing to read into that.
I agree with O’Brien – scrap the tale of the three captains. It didn’t work on Pirates of the Carribbean, either….
SteveW
December 1st, 2011
10:53 pm
Taj Gibson looks skinny to me, and he’s pretty good at PF. Thad Young is a combo F who is 6-7 220.
Serge, Amir Johnson, Larry Sanders all those guys look skinnier to me than Josh looks.
Big Ray
December 1st, 2011
10:54 pm
Non of the NBA teams in search of a center is interested in Al horford?
Non of the NBA teams in search of a powerforward is interested in Al horford?
Here’s a better question – which team thinks they have what it takes to trade for him? Which team thinks that ATL will give him up? You gotta think a little deeper, dude…
SteveW
December 1st, 2011
10:55 pm
Umm, I think all 29 teams in the NBA would be interested in All NBA Al. Great role model on and off the court. No personal issues. Hard work ethic. Complimentary player. Every team in the League would make a bid for Al if they thought he was available. A good bid I might add.
Big Ray
December 1st, 2011
10:56 pm
SteveW ,
You’re also talking about a group of guys who have the PF mindset, and who can/will mentally commit to playing the position. If Josh did that, he’d lead the league in rebounds, or be in the top 3. That, and he’d probably keep his azz near the basket (or slashing to it on offense) and make the the all-star team. I’d say…oh….18 and 12 for averages?
Big Ray
December 1st, 2011
10:58 pm
I like the way Taj Gibson plays. Commits to the glass, scores inside, doesn’t back down…never will be a star player, but will always be good and solid.
Will never be as good as Smith is, much less as good as Smith could be (if he’ll ever “get it”)
Big Ray
December 1st, 2011
11:03 pm
I think the trade rumors involving Josh Smith and CP3 are a bad joke. CP3 definitely wants out of New Orleans, but like many other top players, he’ll want no parts of playing in the ATL under the ASG.
We missed our boat when the sale to the pizza guy got botched (thankyou ASG, you suck like a Dyson). A new owner might have given us a chance at a different view, at least for a little while.
Funny – we signed Joe Johnson to try and drum up the business and get other key free agents looking our way. We re-signed him to a contract that’s richer than many think he has deserved or ever will….and guess where we are? Right back where we started.
Ain’t life grand.
SteveW
December 1st, 2011
11:05 pm
It seems to me Kirk is hurt alot also. But in checking the stats, only once in 8 seasons has he not played at least 72 games. That’s pretty durable. But he is about to turn 31. And we all know what happened to Bibby about this age…
SteveW
December 1st, 2011
11:06 pm
Big Ray – Can’t help but co-sign.
So our C wants to be a PF, and our PF wants to play like a SF on Offense. Hmm…
Big Ray
December 1st, 2011
11:13 pm
ATLANTA HAWKS
Most likely amnesty cut: None
How likely not to use amnesty this season? Jump ball
Amnesty candidate: Marvin Williams
Analysis: The Hawks won’t immediately burn their amnesty card on Williams for a few reasons.
(1) Atlanta’s ownership situation is still in flux after the collapse of the team’s sale to California businessman Alex Meruelo. (2) Sources with knowledge of the Hawks’ thinking insist that they apparently still believe a trade market can be found for Williams despite a longstanding inability to find any trade takers for his contract ($25 million to go through 2013-14) in recent months. (3)The unspoken truth in the corridors of the Hawks’ offices is that saving their amnesty clause as an insurance policy for Joe Johnson’s gargantuan contract is their smartest play.
Although there can be no conceivable motivation left within the organization to try to camouflage the grave Williams mistakes (drafting him and then extending him) of the past — since the guy (Billy Knight) who drafted Williams ahead of Chris Paul when Paul wanted to land with the Hawks is long gone — immediately releasing the No. 2 overall pick from 2005 creates no cap space for ATL. So it’s better to bypass amnesty in the short term in case Johnson starts to seriously slip.
Big Ray
December 1st, 2011
11:15 pm
Steve W ,
And Uncle Larry (copyright, Astro Joe ), can’t do anything with any of it. We need somebody in here who can crack the whip…eloquently…oh wait. Those kinds of guys cost money and actually want to be left alone to do their jobs. Ah well, it was a nice thought…
Michael Cunningham
December 1st, 2011
11:18 pm
New blog is posted on Hinrich surgery. Shutting down this thread.
NBA Rumors: Players Not Named Chris Paul or Dwight Howard Who May Be Dealt | DSPN News
December 2nd, 2011
1:11 pm
[...] Smith is involved in his own set of rumors. He came to Atlanta, was 30 pounds lighter and asking for a trade. One thing you have to give him credit for is that he made it easier for other teams to [...]
Atlanta Hawks Josh Smith at Runyon Canyon | The Official Runyon Canyon Site
December 8th, 2011
1:38 am
[...] As published by AJC.com about Josh Smith’s summer training session in Los Angeles. Smith said he did most of his conditioning in LA, where he ran hills at the Runyon Canyon and played pickup with other pros. He also said he was neighbors with Kim K…read more. [...]