Atlanta Hawks: Camp roster rounds into shape
Zaza and Magnum Rolle were at Philips today. Twin is expected to re-sign with the Hawks tomorrow. Earl Watson told Jody Genessy of the Deseret News he hasn’t decided where he will sign.
So, assuming T-Mac and Twin follow through and sign with the Hawks and Watson ends up picking Atlanta, this is what the team depth chart would look like for the start of camp (not counting Kirk Hinrich):
PG–Jeff Teague/Earl Watson/Pape Sy
SG–Joe Johnson/Tracy McGrady/Brad Wanamaker
SF–Marvin Williams/Tracy McGrady
PF–Josh Smith/Magnum Rolle
C–Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia/Jason Collins/Keith Benson
That’s 14 players on the roster, 10 of whom have guaranteed contracts.
Still don’t see any of the “knock-down 3-point shooters” L.D. said he wants. Twin, when deployed in favorable matchups, ended up providing some of the defensive toughness L.D. is seeking and T-Mac is a pretty good defender and very good rebounder: According to Hoopdata, last season he was seventh in defensive rebound rate among shooting guards who played at least 15 minutes.
But so far it looks like the Hawks haven’t addressed two of their main concerns. Stay tuned.
Etc.
- I don’t think there will be a sign-and-trade with Chicago for Jamal. The Hawks aren’t looking to take on the kind of salary the matching rules require and the Bulls are focused on using their MLE to sign a free agent.
- Zaza said he’s fully recovered from the left calf injury he suffered during FIBA play and aggravated while playing in Turkey.
- It looks like Damien is not in the Hawks’ plans.
- Word is Hinrich will be at camp tomorrow to continue his rehab.
- Rob Mahoney, writing for ProBasketballTalk, endorses the T-Mac signing: “For the league minimum, this is very likely the best the Hawks could possibly do.”
- AJC wise guy Jeff Schultz does not like a T-Mac-for-Jamal swap: “It’s a good sign if McGrady’s addition is meant only to add depth on the bench. It’s a bad sign if his signing is intended to soften the blow for the possible loss of Jamal Crawford.”
- Hawks blog legend Sekou predicts “this is the year the Hawks hit the skids.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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399 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
December 8th, 2011
4:18 pm
MC, thanks. Then tell Sund to call Roger Mason, Troy Murphy or some other proven deep ball shooter (please).
mykhalc
December 8th, 2011
4:18 pm
yep Joe…you called it early and often!!! i laugh and cry ’cause really we are STILL at the same f’n place, discussin’ the same weaknesses of a roster as when the blog started…what 7 yrs ago!!!??? UN-F’N-REAL!!!!
Rev in Tampa
December 8th, 2011
4:20 pm
I clicked on the Hawks Blog hoping to hear encouraging rumors of the S&T with Chicago and MC throws cold water in my face. Have we really ’rounded out’ the rest of the roster??? Are we going to let the Luxury Tax ceiling stand between certain mediocrity and an opportunity to compete with the Bulls and Heat. Its like I logged into the blog today and got kicked in the groin.
I may go home and kick my dog.
Fire Sund
Fire ASG
Fire LD
Fire MC for not punking Sund when he saw him at Phillips yesterday
Fire Worldwide Clyde for yawning
Fire Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut for covering up the first word of every post
Fire T-Mac for willingly joining this hot mess
Fire Sekou for being realistic
Woody
December 8th, 2011
4:21 pm
Stretch,
I won’t disagree. My opinion heading into the season has been if ASG doesn’t want to the pay the luxury tax yet again, they have to deal Smith to get a center. Fans are sick of this core and he will bring back the most in return.
Trojan
December 8th, 2011
4:22 pm
Lock em out again! Lock out the management of the Hawks!
mykhalc
December 8th, 2011
4:23 pm
TMac is the smartest cat in all of this!!! his ONLY question was…where can i get a meal??? aaahhhh the HAWKS!!!!
Woody
December 8th, 2011
4:25 pm
This is the final season of Sund and Drew’s respective contracts, if I’m not mistaken. So it will all be over soon.
Did the Pistons really just sign Prince to a huge long term deal??? SMH
mykhalc
December 8th, 2011
4:25 pm
STUPIDITY continues to reign supreme with the ASG…LMAO!!!
tyger
December 8th, 2011
4:26 pm
Jon Luerer is nice, thats why Milwaukee drafted him.
PG is still an issue – Earl Watson nor Teague is the Answer?
Does Chauncey Billups fall to the Hawks?
You know....
December 8th, 2011
4:31 pm
If they start Twin, Al, Josh, Joe & Jeff the Hawks will be a playoff team.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 8th, 2011
4:36 pm
If they don’t add a quality big to the bench, they are going to exit in the first round. They got lucky playing Orlando in Round 1 last year. I don’t think they survive a Round 1 matchup against some team like the Knicks — especially if they add Chandler — and I could very easily see some young hungry team like the Sixers knocking them off even if the Hawks are higher seeded.
Melvin
December 8th, 2011
4:36 pm
What about Joel Pryzbilla? He would provide toughness and size in the paint.
J.J.M.
December 8th, 2011
4:38 pm
herehttp://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2011/12/dwight-howard-wants-andre-iguodala-monta-ellis-or-josh-smith-in-orlando/
so why cant howard come here if he wants to play with josh so bad?
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
4:38 pm
?????
I think this roster is better than last years….The pessimism about this team is unwarranted.
Boston is Old as dirt and the Magic are going to implode…So please tell me what causes the Hawks to “Skid”.
We may have the best PG situation we have had in 15 years and we are supposed to be worse….Really.
The national writers just want the Hawks to go away.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 8th, 2011
4:43 pm
The UnSellables!
“The national writers just want the Hawks to go away.”
-Rufus1-
__________
So do the owners.
Maybe
December 8th, 2011
4:43 pm
Wanamaker is a 6′4 PG/SG a great ballhandler with some nice assist totals. Don’t like what i’m hearing about his lateral quickness or his ability to chase ppl around screens though. Sounds like a Bibby/Crawford syndrome to me.
Maybe
December 8th, 2011
4:45 pm
I guess Wanamaker is here in case Earl Watson doesn’t sign with us.
David Smith
December 8th, 2011
4:46 pm
This is the season where we find out what our core lineup is all about. Joe Johnson has to play up to his ludicrous contract, Marvin Williams has to prove he can play in this league, Josh Smith has to play smarter but keep his intensity, Al Horford has to keep developing his post game, and Jeff Teague has to build off a stellar playoff performance against The Bulls. We have enough talent to play with anyone in the league but inspiring this team to reach it’s potential will be Larry Drew’s biggest challenge.
Maybe
December 8th, 2011
4:46 pm
Draft Express says Wanamaker has good “Defensive Fundamantals” though.
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
4:47 pm
You know…. Twin played 12 mpg and 500 minutes total and still got injured multiple times last season.
Lol and people were dissing Bogut.
Milwaukee drafted Luer because he played in Wisconsin. Only teams interested in stretch 4s are Orlando with Dwight.
And Leuer wont get off the bench for MIL. Guys like him and Ryan Andersen and Josh Childress need dominant players like ATL has to open his shots up.
But if you play off of a solid guy he can drop 20 on you. What would it take for him to get 4 points per quarter? A pick and pop for 3 here a baseline drop off for a dunk here.
Hawks management is so stupid. This team was built around Josh early on. Then we went from Shelden to Horford who does everything right, everyone treated him like God. Consumate role players.
Shelden to Horford. Is like going from Rosie O’Donnell to Halle Barry.
Damien to Leuer. Would be like going from Jocelyn Wildenstein to a Victorias Secret 3some. Tremendous Upgrade and very versatile scoring.
Starting Jason Collins to starting Andrew Bogut and Collins as a 3rd stringer on the bench…. need I say more.
THIS is why no one likes the T-Mac and Wanamaker crud. Its mediocre pandering, mediocre size.
Even the coach doesn’t like it. Drew is like wtf? I didn’t ask for a broke down JJ (McGrady). I’ll look for LDs quotes.
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
4:49 pm
Seems Rick Sund wants the fans to just be happy to exit the 1st round. Lowering our expectations from the gates.
This is like dog training or an abusive spouse.
Maybe
December 8th, 2011
4:50 pm
Wish we could S&T for Nene. I’d Give up Kirk/Marvin easy
Teague, Joe, Josh, Al , Nene
Thats nice, and I havn’t heard Nene’s name in the rumor mill much lately. Only teams with cap space like Indy seem to be interested. Looks that way for Jamal as well if Chicago doesn’t deal with us.
KevinM
December 8th, 2011
4:51 pm
A team still setting the standard for a 4th seed playoff slot. We aren’t 3rd based on where we are today. Chi / Mia / Orl or Bos are probably above us…..I think we end up 4th to 5th again with this lineup.
Is it me or is this still BK’s team? He has to be laughing.
mykhalc
December 8th, 2011
4:51 pm
i’ve seen Joe play…Josh play…Al play…Marvin play…i’ve seen them play ‘together’…i do NOT expect them to be different this year!!! why would anyone?
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
4:54 pm
“Going into the draft and looking at the free agency market, certainly if we’re going to be one of the top teams in the East, we’ve got to get better defensively,” Drew said. “What better way to get better than to bring in a shot blocker? He has the length and he has the awareness to block shots, so we’re very happy with the selection.”
Andrew Bogut 7′3 wingspan, 7′0.5″ in shoes
=================
We already know the Hawks are looking to add toughness. What else? “Shooters,” L.D. said. “We need knock-down shooters. Not the guys that are capable of making shots. We need guys that they are open, they get that ball, the opposition is saying, ‘Uh-oh.’ Those type guys. Whether we will find them with these [camp] guys. . . .”
Jon Leuer, 7′0 wingspan, 6′11.5″ height
==========
6′8 shot blocker
6′11 shooter
7′0.5″ shot blocker
vava74
December 8th, 2011
4:55 pm
mykhalc
December 8th, 2011
4:23 pm
TMac is the smartest cat in all of this!!! his ONLY question was…where can i get a meal??? aaahhhh the HAWKS!!!!
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
4:57 pm
Chi / Mia /
Boston ages out but PHI, and IND are ready. 4th or 5th seed. Sund is training us like his dogs.
Jeff Teague.Joe Johnson .Josh Smith . Jon Leuer.Andrew Bogut
POINT GUARD. Tracy McGrady. Marvin Williams. Keith Benson. Zaza Pachulia
IS THAT NOT A CONTENDER? WHO COULD WE NOT DEFEND?
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
5:05 pm
“So do the owners”- drmaryb ….That mage me laugh
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
5:06 pm
“Made”
Sly
December 8th, 2011
5:08 pm
People tend to write of mcgrady but he was a great facilitator last year for detroit. He gets big men easy lay ups and finds cutters and shooters. With jamal crawfords green light given to him I wouldn’t be surprised if he shines. This may very well be the steal of free agency thus far. As a Hawks fan I am happy we finally have a distributor that can make horford and smith work well together.
Maybe
December 8th, 2011
5:15 pm
LD Better not put marvin back in the starting lineup!
superiorblogman
December 8th, 2011
5:18 pm
Michael Cunningham
December 8th, 2011
4:14 pm
@superiorblogman: “I absolutely hate MC’s depth chart.”
welcome back.
Thanks for having me.
tyger
December 8th, 2011
5:21 pm
Few names to ponder:
Chauncey Billups
Raymond Felton
Sam Dalembart
George Hill
Mo Peterson
Michael Redd
Kenyon Martin
JR Smith
Aaron Gray
Allen Iverson
Joel Pryzbilla
Shelden Williams
Kwame Brown
Eric Dampier
Fundamentals
December 8th, 2011
5:22 pm
They’ll claim Marvin needs a chance to start to prove his surgery paid off. Tmac may help get our bigs better shots. If he can he’s well worth it. First game he should just hold the ball up top demanding smoove or al to cut to the basket or post. That’s what I’d like to see. Leadership and attitude, not a green light shooter w no D.
superiorblogman
December 8th, 2011
5:23 pm
Jeff Schultz writes that if we are planning on replacing Jamal with McGrady that is a bad indicator. I agree that if we think we are getting anything close to what Jamal gave from McGrady it is a bad thought process. On the other hand, a better indicator is if Marvin Williams is a starter and if Al Horford is forced to moonlight as a starting NBA C, that is a indication of a bad current situation. Marvin and T-Mac off the bench can give you what Jamal gave statistically. Marvin needs to come off bench and we need to get a solid/legit C. Does Al have to spell it out for the ASG?
MIKE PETERS
December 8th, 2011
5:24 pm
The Hawks continue to be one of the worst run franchises in the NBA.
Fundamentals
December 8th, 2011
5:25 pm
Haven’t we all spelled out our dreams for a C?
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
5:32 pm
Former A level players..
I would always prefer an old A level player -vs- an old B level player. The Clipper just gave Caron Butler 8mil a year( former B level). Miami Just gave Shane about 5mil(former B level). The Bulls want to give the worst defender in the NBA 5-8mil(former B minus Level)…The Hawks Just gave T-Mac 1mil(former A level)…A player that some believe may be better than our 8mil a year SF and some people are unhappy….Really?
I believe 75% of T-Mac is better than all of those players and we got him for the vet min…..Great job Sund.
PS. I think last year in Detroit was his rehab stint. He used last year to get his confidence back.
I BELIEVE IN YOU T-MAC…GO HAWKS
EmirS.
December 8th, 2011
5:33 pm
http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/12/08/trade-rumors-flying-at-wicked-clip/?ls=iref:nbahpt1
You know it’s sad that the Lakers can legitimately pull of several trades and end up with both Dwight and Paul.
As for us, I’m not all that impressed with the bench. Even with Marvin in the starting line-up, we are very good. But besides T-Mac and Zaza, I don’t see anyone else who can make much difference coming off the bench. And if by some miracle Dwight actually does leave the Eastern Conference….then we will end up not needing Collins.
Does free agency open up at 12:01 am? It will be very interesting.
tyger hater
December 8th, 2011
5:33 pm
i hate u with a passion an i dont even kno u
EmirS.
December 8th, 2011
5:35 pm
“I BELIEVE IN YOU T-MAC…GO HAWKS”
I’m jumping onto that band wagon.
leedsatlanta
December 8th, 2011
5:37 pm
MC, what happened to the Hawks management wanting Damien and David Lighty?
superiorblogman
December 8th, 2011
5:42 pm
The Knicks just got Tyson Chandler by using amnesty on Chauncey Billups we are now in a fight to see what we can do to stay in front of the Celtics for the 4th spot and homecourt advantage. Wonder who wins that.
Heat
Knicks
Bulls
Celtics- Willing to make moves and they are the Celtics for a reason will spend.
Hawks
Pacers- Under cap and willing to spend money to get better.
Magic- Trying to impress Dwight so he can stay.
Nets- Trying to impress Deron and already have one of the best young legit C’s. Also, under the cap.
We are cooked without a move. Everyone on that list is more willing and able to do what it takes to get better, or are already better than us. We could legitimately fall from playoff contentions if all those teams use there assets to get better and or Bogut get’s healthy this year.
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
5:45 pm
@EmirS
I want T-Mac, Marv, Earl Watson to come of the bench, we need a better 2nd unit.
Watson is coming, Utah isn’t offering him a contract.
Nique
December 8th, 2011
5:47 pm
Micheal Redd is out there as a knock down shoter & won’t require much over the leauge minimum, we should go get him!
O'Brien
December 8th, 2011
5:51 pm
Is Kevin Martin and Luis Scola enough for CP3?
Grandmaster JeJe
December 8th, 2011
5:52 pm
CAN WE PLEASE GO INTO THE LT?
WE DON’T NEED TO HAVE A LAKERS PAYROLL BUT WE CAN SPEND SOME MORE MONEY DAMNIT
WHY EVERY SINGLE YEAR IS HALF OUR ROSTER MINIMUM SALARY GUYS (I AM FINE WITH TMAC SIGNING)???????
O'Brien
December 8th, 2011
5:52 pm
4 years, $58 mil for Chandler? Big men are so overpaid.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 8th, 2011
5:53 pm
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut ,
CAN YOU PLEASE CHANGE YOUR NAME? NO ONE ON HERE WANTS BOGUT AND YOU POST WAY TOO DAMN MUCH
tyger
December 8th, 2011
5:55 pm
I’ve never bought a Hawks jersey, I’m buying a Hawks’ McGrady, are they ready yet?
Look this team went to the 2nd rd of the playoffs 3yrs consecutive, they’ll make a 6-7th seed intact, minus Bibby, Crawford.
Goal is to improve within the constraints of the salary cap, no need in complaining about it, it is what it is, the CBA favors the owners and thus, chips can fall to mid-market teams like ATL.
McGrady was an excellent pickup – $1.4M only counts $.850 vs. cap – smart
Collins – ditto, so we have a big banger for Howard, Chandler and a versatile shooter.
Point guard is the biggest hole: Billups, George Hill, Felton, Iverson on the backend.
Wannamaker, Lighty too much like Mario West, Royal Ivey, been there done that, you could pick any guy outta the stands to run hard. Cheap talent is what we need.
Whats the market for Dalembart? His name has been awfully quiet.