Atlanta Hawks: Afternoon notes
Notes contemplated while waiting in an empty gym . . .
- Stopped by Philips Arena today. No players showed up during the couple hours I was there and none were expected. Again, I wouldn’t read too much into it, especially since guys have access to the facilities at any time and don’t need to work out at Philips.
- It turned out Joe and Al were at Philips yesterday to get their physicals but didn’t take the court.
- As you hear the Hawks connected to one free agent or another keep in mind that, like a lot of teams, they can’t be sure of their plans until the CBA is ratified and they know the rules. So take all these rumors with a grain of salt.
- Also, I don’t think the Hawks have decided on their financial plan yet. Hawks officials aren’t commenting because they still are concerned about league fines but I’m hearing they haven’t yet ruled out spending into the luxury tax.
- I wouldn’t look for the Hawks to use the amnesty this year. In fact, I don’t think many teams will use it now unless they are looking for major relief from the luxury tax or can gain cap room (and some teams in the latter category can’t use it because they would drop below the new minimum team salary). The Hawks don’t qualify on either count. They can save it for J.J.’s deal down the line.
- It’s true Josh still is unhappy, and the reasons go beyond internal and external criticism of his play and extend into concerns about team chemistry. It seems as if he simply could use a change of scenery. That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.
- From what I can tell, none of Atlanta’s players have been declared untouchable for trades. So, at the very least, this would represent a shift in thinking by the Hawks about their proverbial “core” group. But if they do decide to pay the tax to add some significant pieces then it would seem to decrease the urgency of seeking a trade.
- The Hawks will play two exhibition games against the Bobcats, Dec. 19 at Charlotte and Dec. 22 at Philips. The Hawks will hold a free public scrimmage Dec. 16 at 7 :30 p.m. at Philips. If you see me there, come down and holla.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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426 comments Add your comment
vava74
December 5th, 2011
5:54 am
There is NO WAY that the Bulls are foolish enough to:
1. Desperately want Crawford; AND
2. Being so desperate that they would trade a young and legit 7 footer who was shown enormous potential.
FreshFromATL
December 5th, 2011
9:01 am
Why do the Bullls need a SignNTrade when they can just sign Jamal outright?
FreshFromATL
December 5th, 2011
9:01 am
Are they over the cap?
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2011
9:13 am
Is Ronnie Brewer so much better as a 20 minute/game bench player (which he would likely be for us) than Damien Wilkins? Because the ASG could sign Damien and stay below the luxury tax line while Brewer costs 4X as much and pushes them over.
vava74
December 5th, 2011
9:47 am
I would say that Brewer has the potential to be “more dynamic” if he returned to his Utah’s form BUT he is not worth the price tag.
Basically, this trade rumour is major hogwash: we have absolutely no interest in doing it.
KevinM
December 5th, 2011
9:59 am
My preference: if I’m taking on Ronnie Brewer, I’m moving Marvin. I truly don’t expect any S&T for JC1.
We aren’t getting Asik; he is not going to another EC team unless the Bulls have to big to replace him.
As for bringing in guys as FA, the only FA Sund knows if a FA that will accept the vet minimum or is one step from not being on a league roster.
That trend will continue.
For any changes on this team, one of our captains will have to go. And if you even think you have a smidgen of a chance for Dwight, go ahead and offer Al/Teague/Marvin. And I like Teague a WHOLE lot.
KevinM
December 5th, 2011
10:01 am
Problem with any scenario…Marvin isn’t worth 25% of his current contract. Thanks Rick, you still owe him 23M!!
FreshFromATL
December 5th, 2011
10:02 am
“@WojYahooNBA: One league official says there are seven NBA teams that have two stretches of 5 games in 6 nights this season. Good luck with that.”
Better hope the Hawks are not one of these teams…
O'Brien
December 5th, 2011
10:03 am
Vava,
I dont see anything wrong with the Bulls desperately wanting Jamal. The Bulls have bought into Thibs team defense, and if Jamal buys in, and is used effectively, he can be a very good bench player for them. Rose carried most of the load offensively last year, and he needs help. Playing Jamal 15-20 minutes off the bench would help the Bulls a lot (imo).
In the playoffs, when the Bulls go up against a good defensive team, they will not let Rose beat them, so they need another ball handler and shot creator. Jamal can do that. The key is to use Jamal effectively.
That being said, I agree with your second point. No way the Bulls trade their backup center with potential (and Noah does get hurt at times) for Jamal.
KevinM
December 5th, 2011
10:04 am
Is there any way to get Jodie Meeks in here? He has a great stroke and in the final year of a 900K contract.
O'Brien
December 5th, 2011
10:10 am
Remember when Rick interviewed AJ (Avery Johnson, not to be confused with our very own Astro Joe
) last year? Did anyone think they were serious, or was it just a show for the fans?
If I’m not mistaken, in one year, AJ made what LD will make in 3 years. Hawks are not going into luxury tax, so disregard any Jamal SNT rumors (imo).
Look for Damien Wilkins and other vet min guys to round out our roster.
Rufus1
December 5th, 2011
10:10 am
Players I would prefer to JC1
Marcus Thornton
Anthony Parker
Reggie Williams
vava74
December 5th, 2011
10:38 am
“I dont see anything wrong with the Bulls desperately wanting Jamal. The Bulls have bought into Thibs team defense, and if Jamal buys in, and is used effectively, he can be a very good bench player for them. Rose carried most of the load offensively last year, and he needs help. Playing Jamal 15-20 minutes off the bench would help the Bulls a lot (imo).
In the playoffs, when the Bulls go up against a good defensive team, they will not let Rose beat them, so they need another ball handler and shot creator. Jamal can do that. The key is to use Jamal effectively. ”
So many IFs OB, too many.
1. Jamal CAN’T defend. He lacks the concentration and the will to play organized basketball. He is strictly a free-lancer and will not change at 31 years old.
2. You don’t pay semi-top dollar (7 million as it has been reported) for a guy who will play 15-20 minutes. You may pay what Jamal is worth (and has been worth all along) 4/5 million per, max.
So, I am not saying that the Bulls will not try to sign Jamal, but I think they will only make him an offer at 5 million per and there is no way that they will use Asik as trade chip. No way.
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2011
10:41 am
OB, Sund interviewed me too but I refused anything less than $25,000/year. So they hired LD instead.
vava74
December 5th, 2011
10:41 am
Rufus,
Anthony Parker would be perfect since he can shoot and defend. I would even consider starting him and shift JJ to the SF slot where his speed and handle would cause havoc.
Reggie Williams would be a nice addition to have instant, no conscience offense coming off the bench for 7/15 minutes per, but only at the right price (±2 million) and I don’t think he will be available for so little money. Some contender will probably over pay him.
EmirS.
December 5th, 2011
10:43 am
WooT!
We are FINALLY in a commercial!
http://www.sportando.net/tv/eng/7002/new_nba_commercial_20112012_season_nba_is_back_.html
1:52 – 1:53
Dept. Of Quantifying Reality: Hawks Suck
December 5th, 2011
10:47 am
Re: Emir S. “We?” lol Josh Smith, the most marketable Hawk, and Larry Drew…
Melvin
December 5th, 2011
10:55 am
I missed this tweet from Jamal on yesterday. I guess it only confirms what we Hawks fans already knew. He’s not resigning with Atlanta…
‘•RT @JCrossover: “@Chico1289: @JCrossover stay in Atlanta!!!”–u can only stay where your wanted’
EmirS.
December 5th, 2011
10:56 am
The most “marketable” Hawk represents ATLANTA. Seeing as though we are all Atlantians (or in some form of it) then yes “WE”.
Why is Larry Drew in it….I don’t know…..
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 5th, 2011
11:08 am
RESPONSE: “I may as well get northcyde stirred up. Josh & Al work well together.
Regardless of anything said on this blog;
I’m saying not Al, were bigger, therefore better in my opinion with Al playing predominately 2 the [4].
With the right Coach – Josh can play both the [3 & the [4].I think he is well suited fot he [3].
(especially now with his new svelte makeover) Proper Coaching would keep all the players in the right spots. [regardless of position] … (it’s really not that complicated)
Trading Joe would & could bring us a SuperDuperStar; particularly “this year” of all years.
RESPONSE: “For those on this board who constantly belittle Al, if I were to put you on a panel of NBA authorities,
and charge all with a discussion of Al Horford, you guys would be made sport of on a colossal extent.”
I for one would like to apologize on behalf of those who belittle Al Horford. But he’s not good enough and has been playing next to Zaza Pachulia as far back as 3 years.
* He loses his speed advantage and cant get good position to score against quicker players: see vs Gerald Henderson, Luol Deng vs Ryan Anderson vs Brandon Bass.
* Brandon Bass blocked his shot.
* Check Horford’s free throw attempts.
* He is actually better at center. Smith’s rebounding makes him better as a small forward. He needs a bigger better shooter than Marvin Williams. We need to get bigger. WE KNOW THIS. If Horford’s value is high enough then trade him! INSIDER TRADING? HELLO?
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How did we rank the players?
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=======
#25 of 500 players
Al Horford
Atlanta Hawks | C | Age: 25
Drafted: 3rd in 2007 (by ATL)
@Al_Horford
#33 of 500 players
Andrew Bogut
Milw. Bucks | C | Age: 26
Drafted: 1st in 2005 (by MIL)
@AndrewMBogut
Horford: 7.80
Bogut: 7.31
Stats say Horford is better because he is more active with his speed and he can play 35mpg on a young losing team. Bogut because of his defensive impact.
Sell Horford on his offense and 35mpg to the Bucks.
Rufus1
December 5th, 2011
11:13 am
Vava
None of those players are going to get over 2mil season and all of the would fit well with the Hawks. I like Parker as well because he can shoot and is a hustle defender…The kind of player LD stated he wanted and needed on this team. If we resign Wilkins, I want Reggie Williams.
The Hawks will go over the salary cap this season because being BAD with a high payroll is worse than being an average PLAYOFF team.
Prediction: The Hawks will sign a replacement for Jamal(2-3mil) and an Active Big(2-3mil)…+ the usual bench fillers. Sy, will play the back-up PG and Twin will start at center.
= 73mil payroll
**Always remember that ASG are business men and winning is more profitable.
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2011
11:19 am
**Always remember that ASG are business men and winning is more profitable.
Hasn’t this been the case in previous years? What’s different in 2011-12?
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 5th, 2011
11:20 am
Berger: Agents speculate on Andrew Bogut and Andrew Bynum
Ken Berger reported today that there has been some speculation among agents regarding a three way trade that would send [b]Dwight Howard[/b] to the Los Angeles Lakers, [b]Andrew Bogut[/b] to the Orlando Magic and [b]Andrew Bynum[/b] to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The last time we saw Andrew Bynum, he was a shirtless, lonely man walking off the court and into the locker room at the American Airlines Center. Fans were ravenously jeering him and Mavericks players had to be restrained from attempting to even the score with him after he inserted his burly forearm into the elfish chest of a mid-air J.J. Barea.
So I’m not so certain a trade that brought him to Milwaukee for long time center and almost All-Star Bogut would go over so well with the fans of a franchise always swimming in the shallow end of the public appeal pool. But that’s not a reason to avoid a trade for a guy.
There are better reasons for that.
* Bynum miss the first five games of this season due to a suspension for the aforementioned leveling of Barea and after he returns, he’ll likely find the eyes of referees everywhere trained upon him at all times. A close eye and his historically temperamental manner could prove to be a dangerous combination over the course of the next couple of seasons.
* Beyond that, Bynum hasn’t exactly been a picture of health, even when compared to the oft-injured Bogut. Bynum has played an average of just 55 games over six NBA seasons, 11 fewer than Bogut has averaged.
*And that’s what it comes down to. It’s about the fit, not about the individual talent. Maybe Bynum is a more talented overall basketball player, but he certainly wouldn’t be a better fit for the Bucks as currently constructed, and [b]that’s without even taking into account Bogut’s near unprecedented embrace of the city of Milwaukee.[/b]
Bucks reconstruct with Horford and 2nd round pick embracing Milwaukee as they rebuild? Hawks go on to own a juggernaut defensive identity with a 6′8 shooting guard, and a 7 foot shooter?
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 5th, 2011
11:25 am
For the better part of a decade “Twin” has never been a healthy a full season, nor averaged over 8.0 PER, nor scored over 150 points for a season.
4 ppg would be a 6-7 year high for twin!… An average team scores 90-100ppg. Chemistry issues indeed,
Rufus1
December 5th, 2011
11:45 am
Astro
The idea that ASG is cheap isn’t correct….They may have spent poorly and drafted the wrong players but they are not cheap.
The Thrashers were losing 20mil a year and that cut down on their ability to spend on the Hawks. Now the Thrasher are gone and they have a new and better CBA….That is the difference.
73mil payroll
Michael Cunningham
December 5th, 2011
11:55 am
New blog is posted. Shutting down this comment thread.