Atlanta Hawks: Camp Report Day 6
Could Jerry Stackhouse be the Hawks’ Alonzo Mourning?.
Normally, I’d say there are two things working against him: I’m not sure if Stack’s role would be very significant if he does make the roster, and he’s the new guy on a team whose main cogs have been together for a while.
But Stack has two other things working for him that could help him overcome those hurdles: His familiarity with Hawks players from summer workouts over the last few years, and the sheer force of his personality.
In fact, Al Horford said Stack has wasted no time making his mark.
“Stack is already doing it, just kind of taking over and pulling guys to the side and talking to them,” he said. “We respect him. I’m happy when he does it because he sees things a different way. You might not see them that way but then they make sense [when he points them out]. I’m happy he’s on the team and I think he’s going to be a big help for us this year with the locker room and keeping people on the same page.”
I get the feeling Larry Drew wants Stackhouse around just for that. It may not happen on a team with a payroll that’s creeping up to the luxury-tax line and needs all the useful guards it can get–Stackhouse’s production and efficiency have generally been on a steady decline since 2007, though he didn’t get to show what he has left in a cameo with the Heat last season.
Here’s a transcript of an interview with Stack on the subject of leadership.
L.D. says he values your leadership, but how do you approach being a leader when you are the new guy on a team that’s been together?
I don’t look at as a new guy on the team. Ain’t nothing about me new. [Laughs] I enjoy it, man, because I know these guys and I’ve been around them a lot in the summer and watched them from afar for two or three years and just felt like they were right there. Even when I went to Milwaukee [in 2009-10], this was a team that I felt I could bring some intangibles to it. They’ve got all the pieces, and sometimes it’s just in between the ears. Sometimes it’s not always about the young guys taking another step, it’s about the veterans taking another step with their leadership. So I’m just trying to stay in Joe’s ear, stay in Josh’s ear, and that is where the value is.
I love to get on the court and do some things but I’m realistic about that, especially with a short season and so many games and trying to manage that. [So] a lot of it is just talking. You are not going to be able to do a lot of on the court once the season gets going. It’s more about how you approach the mental side of it. I’ve been on a lot of good teams and a few bad teams, and I know what the makeup of those are and some of those warning signs. When I see some slippage and we can bring it and address it, and that is one key to a championship team is feedback and not being afraid of feedback, from coaches and players. Everybody accept the feedback from the players and understand it because these are guys on the court getting it done and if they are not cohesive then it’s not going to get done no matter how good a game plan the coaches have. That’s where it’s at. It’s been great so far.
You talked about accepting feedback. When I talk to coaches who played in the league and some older vets, a lot of them say one way the league has changed is it’s gotten a lot younger and players are too sensitive to criticism. Have you seen some of that?
Not with this group. Everybody’s ears are wide open. That’s refreshing. You get some of these guys . . . I have my summer league in North Carolina and I get a lot of those young guys from John Wall to all of them and, believe me, not everybody is as open to it. They feel like once they get drafted, they have arrived, and that is so far from reality. I still feel like right now there are areas I can get better in, even maybe with my leadership. My plan is to coach. I’m always reading up on things. I picked up things from here where, if it all ends today I look at as a positive experience because I can take it back to my AAU team. That’s where I’m at with it.
You said you like to read. Do you mean about leadership?
Yeah, a lot of leadership and self-help.
Anything in particular?
It’s called The Power of Intention. Dr. [Wayne W.] Dwyer. Some people are so finicky on religion, so he just says it’s ‘The Source.’ Well, my ‘Source’ is the Man above. There’s a lot of good principles in there and the ways of winning [as a] team. There is no secret to it. When you have these successful teams and successful businesses there are a lot of parallels you see with those groups, and when teams and businesses that don’t do well there are a lot of parallels between what happens in those groups, too. Hopefully I can take those little nuances and gradually slip little notes to these guys, just something to think about. Because I still want to win a championship. I’m a little selfish, too. As much as I want to give, I want to contribute to putting one [ring] on my finger. It’s a win-win for everybody.
What do you see as your value as a player at this point in your career?
I still can’t be guarded. [Laughs]. I can still get my shot off and do what I do. It’s amazing how it goes. [Holds one hand above the other]: When you lack the knowledge you got all this athleticism. And then right in your prime they kind of equal out. [Brings hands together]. And then you lose the athleticism but this [holds opposite hand high] is real high right now. I am able to use my smarts to get to my spots and do the things I know. These coaches and everything have been around me and they know the spots that I like best.
Cap report
During the Jamal Crawford drama last weekend, I heard Rick Sund was desperately looking for ways to shed salary so the Hawks could gain some relief under the tax line and add a vet free agent or do a sign-and-trade using Jamal. There are two main ways for teams to dump salary: 1. Use the amnesty clause, which the Hawks have ruled out (likely because of cash flow concerns as much as anything else) or 2. Send out more salary in a trade than they take back.
No. 2 is more easily accomplished if the trading partner has a trade exception to to help with the salary matching. Then a team can send away a big salary and take back a small one or a draft pick (plus earn its own trade exception)–see the Lamar Odom trade to Dallas.
But that kind of trade doesn’t happen often, and it works best when a team has a productive players with a reasonable salary they are looking to dump. The Hawks, of course, don’t have any of those kind of players beyond the ones they want to keep, so that probably explains why Sund ultimately wasn’t able to find a way to shed salary. I’m not certain if he’s still trying to do it but it’s going to be tough without using the amnesty.
In any event, ShamSports.com has a list of teams with trade exceptions, though it doesn’t look to have been updated since the summer.
Camp report
- Word is Brad Wanamaker has stood out among the young camp invitees. John Hollinger likes Wanamaker, whom came in at No. 37 in his draft rater (Insider).
- The Hawks updated some weights on their official roster. Jason Collins is 255, down from 265; Horford is 250, up from 245; Josh is 225, down from 250; and Marvin Williams is 245, up from 240.
- I haven’t heard anything on the Hawks and Gilbert Arenas. Arenas reportedly is waiting to see what happens with Dwight Howard. The latest news is that Howard will stay in Orlando for now. Or maybe not.
- Howard was reportedly upset that the Orlando amnestied (verb!) Arenas and also because the Magic haven’t made moves to his liking. Of course, there would be no way for the Magic to make any significant moves if they hadn’t amnestied Arenas. This just goes to show you that a lot of players don’t really understand even the broad outlines of how the CBA works and how their own contracts make it more difficult to get them help.
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
223 comments Add your comment
Just Joe
December 15th, 2011
7:09 am
NO would have four SF’s then though: Marvin, Ariza, Poindexter, and Aminu.
I guess it all depends on what the Hawks do with the three million, and what they are prepared to do with the cap situation next year.
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
7:40 am
Well we could trade Josh for Okafor or Kaman and Minny’s #1 – the salaries fit.
Or Al for that matter. They may give us Okafor, Kaman and the #1 for Al, you never know.
I kinda doubt it.
Or Al and Marvin for Okafor/Kaman, Ariza and the #1…
Al is well thought of around the League…
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
7:45 am
Some interesting perspectives on our problems from Bleacher Report:
“Sund was rumored to have told Hinrich on his draft day in 2003 that he shouldn’t be surprised if he one day played for him. Sund made it happen, but gave up too much youth in the process.
He sent over Jordan Crawford (not to be confused with Jamal), Mo Evans, Mike Bibby and a first-round pick all for Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. Evans and Bibby weren’t young but at least Evans could give solid minutes off the bench. Crawford exploded upon arrival in Washington, going off for 39 points one game and tallying up a triple-double the next. Armstrong was another unusable big body on the Hawks roster, teaming up with Etan Thomas and Magnum Rolle as players who would wilt away on the bench because they weren’t good enough.
What doesn’t make sense was Crawford’s place on the bench and Jeff Teague’s seat next to him, but we’ll get to that in the next slide.”
It mentioned before this Sund’s loyalty to guys, like Vlad Rad.
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
7:49 am
About Larry Drew:
“His issue is playing the young talent that he has. It’s understandable to make players earn their spot on the court, but when a player has been warming your bench, gets traded and drops 39 points in his first game with his new team, questions will come up, especially when that’s followed by a triple-double.
The Hawks would be happy to let Jamal Crawford walk if they knew what they had in Jordan Crawford, but they didn’t as he sat on the bench the whole game.
Also, because Drew was apprehensive about handing over the reins to Jeff Teague, the Hawks were never able to see he was the point guard of the future until it was too late. They’d shipped out Mike Bibby and Mo Evans, but more importantly Jordan Crawford and a first-round pick all to get a perimeter defensive stopper in Kirk Hinrich for $8 million a year.
Guess what the Wizards did what that first-round pick: They took a defensive stopper in Chris Singleton out of Florida State. If Sund wasn’t so infatuated with his former players and Drew played either Teague or Jordan Crawford enough, that mess wouldn’t have happened. It’s poor managing and coaching working together.”
I think that’s a fair assessment. So I wonder If LD has changed enough to let Sy play, since he’s “his” guy, and a Rolle or a Benson?
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
7:52 am
Now if we released Rolle and Kito, we could offer Kris Humphries somewhere around 1.8 mill and still be under the LT. I don’t know if he would take that.
Or Reggie Evans.
Or somebody…
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
7:53 am
That would be part of our mid – level to obtain Humphries
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
7:55 am
On that Al trade – I know the salaries wouldn’t work on the Okafor and Kaman for Al – just jawing a little bit there.
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
7:56 am
Let’s see – so Al and Marvin for Okafor, Ariza and Minny’s #1. Or for Kaman, Ariza and Minny’s #1.
I’d have to think about those for awhile.
Buddy Grizzard
December 15th, 2011
8:03 am
Both Reggie Evans and Kris Humphries will sign for the full MLE at MINIMUM… maybe more.
“Simmons says that the Clippers are cursed…”
Here’s my prediction. The T-Wolves unprotected 1st will end up being the #1 overall pick, making it two years in a row that the Clippers have traded away the #1 overall pick. Paul will tease for a season and get Clippers fans hopes up then his knee will be done. Seing that the Clippers don’t have the pieces to contend without a healthy Paul, Blake will decline to extend. Karma’s a bitch Donald Sterling. Enjoy those beautiful black bodies while you can.
PS LOL at superiorblogtroll for making up ID’s to agree with himself.
Wait… this post was one of the most intelligent things I’VE EVER SEEN on this blog!
Mike is Back
December 15th, 2011
8:12 am
MC, I hope Sund finds a way to sign Stack…having Tmack and Stack in the locker…will bring strong leadership to this team. Plus, Stack intangibles would be invaluable in the playoff.
I like the signing of RAD…dude can shoot the THREE, and he is another season vet with playoff experience…we talking minimum salary…he might end up surprising some you.
As long as LD defines the right roles for the guys…all three of these can help this Team…especially in the playoff!
Mike is Back
December 15th, 2011
8:17 am
BTW MC, can you please unblock my home IP…u killing me…is there such thing as foregiveness.lol
O'Brien
December 15th, 2011
8:24 am
Steve W,
You’re dreaming again
Hornets are not going to give up Minny’s draft pick. Minny should be terrible again, so if things break the right way (or wrong way, depending on how you look at it), they could end up with a top 5 pick (or even the #1 pick) in a deep draft.
That will be enticing to a new owner.
Section 303
December 15th, 2011
8:27 am
I still say some of you are taking the negative spin on this team a little too far. Reading some of the posts, you would think the Hawks would be lucky to win 10 games this year. This team is not that bad. They have a realistic shot at a #3 – #4 seed by the time the playoffs roll around. And, once the playoffs come…who knows?
The ASG suck. But the Hawks do not.
Question….how many other teams are in the luxary tax this season? I don’t know the answer to that, but I bet there are not many. A lot of GM’s and fans want to add new players, but can’t due to ownership restraints. So, stop acting like the Hawks are the only team out there with limited spending.
O'Brien
December 15th, 2011
8:28 am
Vava,
I don’t always agree with Bill Simmons, but I usually find his stuff entertaining. If I’m Dwight, there is no reason for me to stay in Orlando. The payroll is off the charts, and they don’t have many good players. Does anybody really see Orlando contending for a championship anytime soon?
Similarly, if I was JJ, I don’t think I would have re-signed with the Hawks. I would have signed with Chicago (and taken the 5 years, $95 mil).
STRETCH
December 15th, 2011
8:34 am
Mike is Back,
having Tmack and Stack in the locker…will bring strong leadership to this team.
“TMack n Stack”…sounds like something on the menu at truck stop. LOL!
STRETCH
December 15th, 2011
8:46 am
So, can anyone tell me what the Clippers’ starting 5 is gonna look like?
wordsmithtom
December 15th, 2011
8:47 am
TMack n Stack
Like the sound of that. Should hold us over until Kirk returns. We could see Kirk’s expiring contract traded come mid season if TMack delivers the goods.
Liking that Josh has lost weight, looks ready to run with Jeff.
This team looks ready. Remember, JJ played hurt most of the year. Ditto Marvin. Point guard was a snail position and 2 guards pounded the rock while everybody else watched. They won’t be watching this year with Teague in the game….if they do, they’ll be left out.
TMack and Stack offer the leadership to keep the young guys on point.
I see a Chicago Bulls kind of year for the ATL.
Easy 4th seed.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 15th, 2011
8:52 am
ASKG
“They are killing my passion at this point.”
That’s why I put the “K” in ASKillerG. The owners are the problem here and they deserve all the blame for where the team is at this point.
STRETCH
December 15th, 2011
9:19 am
“We like our bigs” LOL!!!
Slimjr
December 15th, 2011
9:25 am
Maybe Stackhouse could show Marvin a thing or two about posting up smaller opponents then using his 6′9.5″ length to step into a turn around jumpshot?????? Hello?????
it works wonders even against taller opponents vava74.
Slimjr
December 15th, 2011
9:26 am
AT least @ 245 Marvin can root himself in the block sometimes against these smaller #3’s and rip em a new hole…….lol
Another GM
December 15th, 2011
9:55 am
Hinrich is a good player and can play both backcourt spots. ZaZa is so overrated I would trade him to get a shot a Dalembert. Im not high on Dalembert, but ZaZa couldnt guard a tree. He has some hustle but he is so uncoordinated. In addition, I would like to see Marvin in the low post, I think he could be productive there.
Big Crimson 75
December 15th, 2011
9:57 am
I Like this Team
STRETCH
December 15th, 2011
10:01 am
Another GM,
I think the same thing about ZaZa. Like the guy, but man is he clumsy! Kinda like Mutombo was. Which gets me thinking back to the same issue they face every stinkin year, they need a center. Wow, come to think of it, they havent had a real center since he left.
KevinM
December 15th, 2011
10:06 am
No rumors for the Hawks needed unless you are getting a salary advantage. We simply have too many long-term commitments to do anything significant because Sund can’t use his ‘experience’ to get us the proper blend of offensive/defensive talent.
I always thought Marvin would be our LeBron matchup, but that hasn’t worked out. Marvin doesn’t even rank in the top 25 in small forwards in the league….he has John Salmons, Grant Hill, Buddinger, and Turk ranked ahead of him…totally a disappointment. He is our Darko.
You can blame JC1 all you want, but Marvin’s contract is killing any flex in this roster. Marvin’s hoopshype bio:
‘Great athlete/runs the floor well/Pretty good shooter/Looking good from the 3 pt line now/has not lived up to lofty expectations’….no thought on post play, defense, consistency of play….
Marvin is a minimum salary level player…..pure gaff by Sund.
Moving Marv is the only way to help this roster. Its been like that the last 2-3 years. I think Marvin has one big moment in his career, last year with a 3 against the Magic in Philips. That was the only dagger I recall from Marv.
Chicago and Miami are making changes, and are they under the cap? Its being done, and they are much closer than we are to competing for the title. Sund just doesn’t have any creativity or ability to remold a team. He inherited these guys, and he played it safe. How does MIA and CHI get new guys in? Is it because Rip and Battier see the potential there?
We get to watch this unit one more year to see what is going to be different from previous years. We are a Teague-ankle away from a mess here. We can’t get a PG on this roster with experience before the season starts? Ish Smith and Teague in practice would be worth watching also.
Seeing LD play young guys would be a total shock. The only guy he gave 1/2 a look at was JC2 last year, and he slotted him ahead of Teague….all I thought was WTH?
And I would rather see Armstrong than Benson and Rolle. Those guys aren’t helping us this year, and we should be looking at this year-2-year instead of long range. How much longer is it going to take to see the ECF? FWIW, Zaza should be starting ahead of Collins, who is here for one reason only.
Like when this season was saved, I didn’t see us getting a significant piece in here based on Sund’s track record and our guaranteed contracts.
Sund’s most recent comments courtesy of Yahoo!:
“General manager Rick Sund said he had an eye on additional leadership, especially in the playoffs, when he added the three veterans. (talking about T-Mac, Vlad & Stack)
“That had a lot to do with it,” Sund said.
“This is a veteran club now. These guys are now veterans and I think they feel that hey, we were two wins away from the conference finals, which puts you in the elite, championship status of the final four teams. I think that hit them a little bit, and that’s good.”
Sund said he is continuing to look for help, including a point guard to play behind Teague while Kirk Hinrich recovers from surgery on his left shoulder. Hinrich had the surgery in November and could be out until February.
Don’t expect the Hawks to add a big salary.
“We’ve never been a tax-paying team, and our goal is to hopefully not pay the tax,” Sund said. “But you never say never.”
KevinM
December 15th, 2011
10:12 am
“STRETCH
December 15th, 2011
8:46 am
So, can anyone tell me what the Clippers’ starting 5 is gonna look like?”
The Clips might be the best road draw in the league outside the Heat now…
Blake Griffin
Chris Paul
Caron Butler
Chauncey Billups
DeAndre Jordan
That’s some awesome talent there, if the vets buy in….I’m getting my Philips tickets now for their April 24 visit…wow, I just noticed the busy April calendar for the NBA….we will see NBA ball through July!
Astro Joe
December 15th, 2011
10:18 am
I remember when Juwan Howard was on the Bobcats, there were a few reports that indicated he was having a tremendous impact on some of their young players, kind of a “player-coach” at the end of the bench. When guys came out of games, he was providing good feedback on how they played during their stint on the floor. I agree that in a perfect world, the guys playing 32+ minutes are the leaders. But there is also something to be said for the guy who can provide some in-game counsel, especially to younger players. From just a pure cultural perspective, the Hawks need players who have interest in coaching as their next career. Those guys are willing to use the last year or two of their playing career as a coaching apprenticeship… giving free advice to other players. That could be invaluable, especially on a team with serious leadership voids. Heaven knows, this team doesn’t always respond to authority figures so maybe trying something new is warranted.
KevinM
December 15th, 2011
10:25 am
Watching 3 min of Wizards in camp Day 6:
http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/2011/12/14/Day6Highlightsmp4-1935422/index.html
JC2 is looking like he is going to get a starting nod with Wall. I like that roster for some reason.
Guys like Singleton/Turiaf/Butler/maybe Josh Howard off the bench looks pretty good. I expect a very good game against us on opening night at Philips.
doc
December 15th, 2011
10:29 am
MC you are the man with these daily accounts. Even grandad might get spoiled and see the diligent work you do, if not “passionate”.
for all the hinrich haters, the hinrich injury is huge and puts it all on teague. we traded for him because bibby was done and were sinking fast because of it. if bibby hadnt gone into the slide that continued with the three amigos, who couldnt protect him either, order would have prevailed. jc2 was never the answer to our needs of quality depth at the point position, just as relevant to the lack of depth at big and both continue to be our achilles heel.
we cant put the ball back in jj’s hands and expect him to play hard defense, rebound and get to the line and survive this rigorous schedule. nor will we use the asset of speed if that occurs or ld starts putting doubt in teague, where he starts to think to much. that is critical to this offense not going into paralysis mode. our team is dependent on teague as fragile as that sounds because i see him as still mercurial and a year or two, if ever, from running a consistent offense against all comers on both sides of the ball.
what is this team? the one that floundered towards the end or found playoff lightening in a bottle again from the boston series to make a run at the ecf by beating orlando then stubbing its toes against the bulls with it in their grasp? stay tuned. i hope they play well in the two preseason games as a starter.
Astro Joe
December 15th, 2011
10:41 am
doc, you made the same mistake I did a few weeks ago. You are forgetting about Pape Sy, the only back-up PG this team needs.
doc
December 15th, 2011
10:56 am
Roflol astro … you got me square again my friend!
yes we are reassured by someone in the know that he is good but raw and let him play … right.
actually, i did put him in a suit on the second row bench seat during games in an earlier discussion astro. guess you missed it.
i guess i was again reinforcing the idea we still need depth and forgot myself there. why worry, right bro?
doc
December 15th, 2011
10:57 am
Think MC is still in bed anyone with these late posts? maybe he does it that way so he doesnt have to talk to us during the day, only night owls with sleep disorders. the man with a plan.
Astro Joe
December 15th, 2011
11:15 am
doc, you know that I agree. We need an adequate replacement for Hinrich. We’re a twisted ankle or hard fall away from having Nick Van Excel suit up again. While it would be nice to think that Sy or Wanamaker can emerge from left field, I’d be more comfortable with someone who has “been there, done that”.
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
11:20 am
OB – Maybe we could get creative and:
Waive Kito and Rolle
Sign K Humphries for the 1.8m this season to keep us under the tax
And sign him for Max MLE for the remainder of the contract – what, 3 more years at 5.6m per?
If Humphries would take that, I like this team! Better than I do now
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 15th, 2011
11:21 am
Horford for Okafor? Are you guys kidding me?
Joe.Jeff.Smith.??shooter??.Okafor
You end up signing some vet min SF instead or a washed up perimeter PF, with no winning window, ie Troy Murphy.
Leuer and Bogut, Horford and maybe a pick. Thats it. You cant trade Horford one for one for another center. You need a PF shooter or an elite SF as well.
If Marvin were Paul Pierce sure, 1 for 1 . but that’s the biggest problem.
defensive power-inside SF (Smith)
+ perimeter PF (Leuer)
+ defensive inside center (Bogut)
+ supreme skilled perimeter SF (Lebron, Pierce, Granger)
+ undersized defensive power-inside PF (Smith)
+ defensive inside center (???)
Thats the blueprint. You can afford Smith at the PF if you have an elite two way player at SF. But you cant play small ball with Marvin Williams or 10ppg, injured every other year, Hinrich.
You’re just diluting the defense and offense. Hell Smith could become Dominique Wilkins scoring the ball and wed still lose based on the lack of complementary defense and offense.
Again why is Horford still here? What purpose does he serve? Elite rebounder @ PF/C? no? Scorer? Rim protector? no?
Hes the shy guy with the hard hat that no one wants to kick off the team because they dont want to be cutthroat.
Well thats why you play like the pansy-azz Lakers with half the talent.
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
11:23 am
AJ, Doc – Is Ronnie Price about the best vet min. guy left? Besides the scorer Boykins? Acie’s overseas I read.
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
11:24 am
For a Pg I should clarify on the last post.
doc
December 15th, 2011
11:29 am
ummm, who is ronnie price? is he better than tyrone lue?
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
11:31 am
Joe, Jeff etc. – Why Leuer? He was the 40th pick in a weak draft. Why not Trey Thompkins – about the same skill set with a ton of upside.
So we get a C in Bogut who has migraines that can’t be controlled, an elbow that has to get electric shock treatments to be felt and used, who pros tell you to stay away from long term, and the 40th pick in a weak draft for Al Horford and pieces? Hmm, I’m not too sure I do that trade.
If Bogut was healthy, all day long, but not now…
O'Brien
December 15th, 2011
11:43 am
At this point, I would take Carlos Arroyo as a vet min PG.
doc
December 15th, 2011
11:50 am
who is left that is better than what bibby would have been is my bar right now? anyone?
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
11:54 am
And Ronnie Price signs with the Suns…
OB – We are desperate if we’re looking at Arroyo
ole richie
December 15th, 2011
11:59 am
im glad wannamaker is looking good. i liked his game in college
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
12:02 pm
SteveW ,
We are ALWAYS desperate at the two positions that count the most – PG and C. If it ain’t a starter we’re desperate on, it’s a reserve.
This season, we’ll roll with the same reserve guys at center and the question will be how we get by at reserve pg. Arroyo is better than nothing, for as much as I like to see young guys develop, I am NOT prepared to watch this team go through the kind of pains that a Wannamaker or Sy is going to give us, much less McGrady having to play 25+ mpg at “point forward”, or more if Teague gets hurt (which can happen with the way he goes to the hole).
Trojan
December 15th, 2011
12:08 pm
Big Ray: Your first sentence is true and that is what frustrates me the most with the number of years that we were rebuilding.
We rebuilt with forwards and shooting guards. That was simply stupid. And that is why we are so imbalanced today.
bigdave
December 15th, 2011
12:16 pm
“But there is also something to be said for the guy who can provide some in-game counsel, especially to younger players. From just a pure cultural perspective, the Hawks need players who have interest in coaching as their next career. Those guys are willing to use the last year or two of their playing career as a coaching apprenticeship… giving free advice to other players. That could be invaluable, especially on a team with serious leadership voids. Heaven knows, this team doesn’t always respond to authority figures so maybe trying something new is warranted.”
exactly… we all had suggestions on who the Hawks needed to hire, and what that coach needed to bring to the table. management chose to go with Larry Drew. this is the closest thing to a breath of fresh air. these guys arent from the Josh Powell, Joe Smith mold.. some cat that rode the bench and got a ring, and some old head we can call a leader b/c he’s seasoned.. i like what Stack can offer our vets as well as our coaching staff.
the talent his there.. its all mental with this group. from, consistency, to aggressiveness. this team could improve, say if Joe approaches the game with the mentality of getting to the line 6 times a night. or teammates (genuinely) feel that they are just as good collectively as they are individually.
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
12:20 pm
bigdave ,
While it would be nice, I don’t see Sund/ASG seeing anything that way. They have no clue about what’s needed in the locker room, at the end of the bench. Worse yet, they don’t freakin’ care. All they want to do is shed salary….so while Stack could provide all sorts of benefit, we may never get to see it. One can hope, though….
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
12:22 pm
Trojan,
It all started with the accursed Billy Knight, who was on record for laughing at the idea that a team needed a pg….and then came Sund, who’s lazy and brainless self did nothing more than pander to Michael Gearon’s “I’ve always wanted my own NBA team” rich man fantasies and hadn’t an original thought of his own.
Dlew
December 15th, 2011
12:34 pm
Can we get an update on any possible free agent talk with the Hawks. Who is still on the market worth taking a look at? Any possibilities on Samuel Dalembart or Ryan Hollins
BILLY KNIGHT
December 15th, 2011
12:40 pm
Big Ray who are you talking about ?