Atlanta Hawks: Still no decision on GM Rick Sund’s return
Nearly three weeks after the end of the Hawks’ season, general manager Rick Sund’s future with the team remains up in the air.
Sund’s contract expires at the end of June and he’s had discussions with the team’s owners about re-signing. But Sund said today no agreement has been reached to return for a fifth season.
“We have had a little bit of discussion but we’ve been focusing so much on putting closure to the season,” Sund said. “Nothing has been resolved at this point. We will have some more discussions and then the process will play itself out at some point and time. I’m here until July 1.
“Have I thought about it? Yes. Have I focused on it? No, because we just have too much that had to be done here in the last two weeks.”
Sund is scheduled to leave tomorrow for the scouting event in Minneapolis. He said he also still has to conduct exit interviews with a couple players.
Sund declined to comment on the details of his discussions with Hawks owner or say which factors play a role in his decision.
“I’m not going to talk about it until the process plays itself out,” he said. “It will probably happen relatively soon.”
In addition to re-signing with the Hawks, Sund’s potential options include an advisory role with either the Hawks or another club. Sund, who turns 61 next week, also could opt for retirement.
Sund replaced Billy Knight in 2008. The Hawks had their streak of second-round playoff appearances snapped at three with the loss to Boston.
Sund described Atlanta’s regular season as “unbelievably great” in light of the significant injuries suffered by key players. He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
“Having said that, we have to look at our club and say where are the areas we can improve, what can we do without taking a step back,” he said. “So we will have to explore all opportunities.”
Check back later for more from my interview with Sund.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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175 comments Add your comment
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
5:00 pm
1st again?Nice!
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
5:04 pm
Who’s up for a Jamal Crawford discussion? Forget Rick Sund. [LOL]
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
5:04 pm
14-25 against the winners is great? Mr. Sund you are full of the smelly stuff…..LOL!
Hey please do yourself and the Hawks fan a favor and retire!
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:04 pm
“Having said that, we have to look at our club and say where are the areas we can improve, what can we do without taking a step back,” he said. “So we will have to explore all opportunities.”
So all of you Cap Flexibility fans can start your belly-aching now. The goal is to maintain the minimum standard (likely 4-6 home playoff games).
Go get Pau Gasol.
Mike
May 30th, 2012
5:05 pm
So in other words, they have no idea what to do with Sund when wait until next month to play his fate out and its about 3 to 4 weeks away from the draft (with the lottery tonight). I am starting to think that ASG loves having ppl complain about them and that Josh isnt going to get trade during the draft.
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
5:06 pm
The streak will continue for sure:
44/2056
PMC
May 30th, 2012
5:06 pm
Read: Rick Sund hasn’t yet decided if he wants to work for peanuts or not.
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
5:07 pm
Hey Josh run dont walk outta here!
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:09 pm
“We have had a little bit of discussion but we’ve been focusing so much on putting closure to the season,” Sund said. “Nothing has been resolved at this point.
And yet they made a decision to pick up LD’s option? Seems kind of strange to make a decision on the head coach if they are still closing out the previous season (including holding exit interviews). I guess the opinions of that last group of players is about as valued as the opinions of this blog community.
Rod from College Park
May 30th, 2012
5:10 pm
“Sund described Atlanta’s regular season as “unbelievably great” in light of the significant injuries suffered by key players. He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.”
At least he admitted that the playoffs were dissappointing. That’s a step in the right direction.
cp
May 30th, 2012
5:12 pm
Even if he doesnt decide to come back I see the Hawks promoting Pendergraph (spelling)
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:12 pm
Playoff revenue was cut in half this season (compared to the previous 3), I seriously doubt that anyone in the front office is feeling too good about the playoffs.
Ra'mon
May 30th, 2012
5:13 pm
Guys, when I really think about it Gearon’s comments about Garnett messes up so many things. KG is the one stretch 4 who the Hawks could’ve signed this off season to move Josh to the 3 and drastically improve their rebounding and defense. Josh would be able to play on the block and post up the 3, because he would’ve had KG and Al at the high posts, with Joe in the weak side corner. A REAL management/ownership would have amnestied Marvin’s contract, so that the salary cap space could’ve gone to KG to sign a 2 year deal. And you still would’ve kept your draft pick to select a rotational player in the post. But now that Gearon’s made it personal with KG, he will not consider signing here.
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:13 pm
cp, I agree. That would be the status quo move to make.
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:18 pm
Ra’mon, I don’t think KG would consider signing here because Boston will likely look to keep him, he likely feels the same way about Hawks fans as Josh (don’t fill their arena and don’t provide unconditional love to their players) and he likely wants to win another ring and there are a hlaf-dozen teams that have a far better chance than the Hawks. gearon’s comments wer stupid, but even if he didn’t say them, would KG choose the Hawks over the Celtics, Mavs or even a retunr to the T’Wolves (KG, LOve & Rubio would be pretty sweet and a great farewell story)?
RaJaH
May 30th, 2012
5:20 pm
Ok so we bring Drew back but we still dont have a GM. Then again, the GM didnt want to hire coach Drew in the first place.
And consultant? Lol!?! Hawks fans have to laugh to keep from crying these days!
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:20 pm
MC any news on Horford or Zaza and their injuries? Is Al still rehabbing and has Zaza recovered?
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:20 pm
FTPB:
OB, absolutely not. Blatche is a knucklehead who produces every 5th game and Rashard is a modern day Brad Sellers but less healthy at this point. Neither are as productive as Marvin and they are paid far more.
Get me Pau Gasol. A top 5 6′11″ or taller player in the NBA. If he is available, make that a priority. Cap flexibility? In the next 2 years, it is highly unlikely that cap flexibility will deliver a player better than Gasol. If the ultimate goal is to improve the roster (by trade, FA signing, cap flexibility, draft picks, cloning or whatever), there is very little risk with a premier big man with only 2 years left on his contract.
Link Report this comment Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
4:58 pm
Rashard is paid far more, Blatche about the same (as Marvin).
I’d rather see the Hawks bring back RandMo and Antoine Walker than have Lewis & Blatche join the team.
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:22 pm
Trying to get a few days worth of basketball talk in before the “Old Hawks Bench Guards” drama continues.
Ra'mon
May 30th, 2012
5:27 pm
AJ, I understand that, but I think he would have considered it. Because with KG minus Marvin, the Hawks are easily the second best team in the East, and far better than Boston and Chicago. He also would’ve brought that nastiness to the Hawks team and it would have paid dividends. Also Stephen A Smith said the other morning that Boston will not try to bring back KG and Ray Allen this off season. And KG likely knows wherever he goes the fans will follow.
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
5:29 pm
@Rick Sund
““Having said that, we have to look at our club and say where are the areas we can improve, what can we do without taking a step back,” he said. “So we will have to explore all opportunities.”” – Michael Cunningham quoting Rick Sund
Rick Sund, the Atlanta Hawks averaged 82.2ppg in the [2012] playoffs. Don’t you think scoring should be targeted as one of the areas of improvement. Rick Sund, why don’t you “explore the opportunity” of re-signing and/or reacquiring Jamal Crawford to help the Hawks with scoring? You do know who Jamal Crawford is, right? As a Hawks player, he [Crawford] was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year for the 2009-2010 regular season.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 30th, 2012
5:31 pm
Sund described Atlanta’s regular season as “unbelievably great” in light of the significant injuries suffered by key players. He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
****
LOL there u have it folks. The goal is not to win a ring. The goal is to be one of the best teams in the East. This has been confirmed by an owner AND now our GM (who has implied this for all 4 years)
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
5:32 pm
@Rick Sund
Why don’t you retire so I can have the Atlanta Hawks GM position?
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 30th, 2012
5:33 pm
So no one in this FO want to win a ring. What a joke. This franchise is run by a bunch of arrogant defiant losers
Wink
May 30th, 2012
5:37 pm
Sund described Atlanta’s regular season as “unbelievably great” in light of the significant injuries suffered by key players. He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference…..bam there you have it….championship not even considered!
Ra'mon
May 30th, 2012
5:40 pm
High Sider, if you’re trying to improve team scoring, shouldn’t you look to bring in a high assist point guard over an isolation two guard, to help jump start the team, because scorers have more bad days shooting than facilitators have bad day passing the ball. So I would attempt to sign Nash, Felton, or acquire a pass first point guard via trade or draft before signing an isolation player. A good point guard raises the scoring average of most who play with him. And that’s what the Hawks need more than Jamal.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
5:42 pm
The realization amongst the owners …
[not excusing their inept tenure]
is … discerning the simple fact
that Sund has not a clue.
LD may never win a championship.
I acknowledge that concept.
We are stuck with the owners for the time being.
But;
Sund cannot differentiate a butterbean from Betty Jean
when it comes to player evaluation !
[please - Pendercrap noooooooooo!]
Sautee
May 30th, 2012
5:45 pm
Grandad, was that a reference to Kobe’s dad?
Sautee
May 30th, 2012
5:47 pm
Oops, sorry, Joe Bryant was Jellybean. I was mixing him up with Bob Love.
Sautee
May 30th, 2012
5:49 pm
Ramon, that’s a good point, IF we will allow a PG to control the ball.
That’s a big if.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
5:51 pm
Sautee
Butterbean
-capitalized-
Was the pseudo boxer / brawler.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
5:51 pm
butterbeans
little b
give me gas
Sugar Ray
May 30th, 2012
5:55 pm
“Pau Gasol is not a top level player. He is the 3rd best player on a team that got bounced in the second round the last two years. Kinda like Joe or Al depending on who you like better.”
Najeh,
In fairness for Pau, LAL ignored the offense that made them champions and went to pick-n-roll offense, reducing him to a stretch 4 and handing the keys to Bynum, who still struggles to pass out of double teams. If Pau is still motivated to play, most teams could still run an offense through him and he would still hit over 50% of his shots and get double digit rebounds, which is more than we can say about most bigs in the league.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
5:56 pm
I would trade JoeJ`s contract in a Hb,
for Whosamit`s contract and Blatch.
`Cause whosamit’s contract runs out this yr … correct ?
Oh yeah Rashard Lewis … couldn`t think of his name ?
Durrtydogg
May 30th, 2012
5:57 pm
I really really really hate this team.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
5:58 pm
Paugasol *is* a Top notch / Top level Player !
-was and is-
Future Hall 0` Famer !
Just Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:58 pm
Rashard Lewis’s $23M contract can be bought out in June for $13.7M.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
5:59 pm
Pau Gasol
typin` tooo fast !
Sugar Ray
May 30th, 2012
6:00 pm
“He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference”
The fact that no one in the organization has the cojones to say “the goal is to be NBA Champions” tells you that they know they don’t have the horses to make a serious run… which is why no one should be untouchable and nearly all trades should be explored.
Durrtydogg
May 30th, 2012
6:02 pm
We need a point, shooting guard, small forward and center. Al Horford is all we got.
Sugar Ray
May 30th, 2012
6:04 pm
“Paugasol *is* a Top notch / Top level Player !
-was and is-
Future Hall 0` Famer !”
Agreed, GD (as long as he is still motivated to play after the 5-year circus in LA)
ryan
May 30th, 2012
6:22 pm
I have a feeling nothing will change its going to be boring summer just don’t trust ASG to make any big moves .
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
6:28 pm
@Ra’mon
“High Sider, if you’re trying to improve team scoring, shouldn’t you look to bring in a high assist point guard over an isolation two guard, to help jump start the team, because scorers have more bad days shooting than facilitators have bad day passing the ball…” Ra’mon
Knowing what I know now, if I had to choose between Michael Jordan ["an isolation two guard"] in his prime and John Stockton ["a high assist point guard"] in his prime, I think I’m going to choose Michael Jordan over John Stockton. Trust me this isn’t a “racial decision” as I am the “new black bigot” to some [bloggers] on this blog. I would also take Kobe over Nash and D-Wade over Rondo.
Jamaaliver
May 30th, 2012
6:30 pm
Trade Josh Smith & Marvin Williams for Gasol.
A trade so good even Magic Johnson endorses it!!!
Ray
May 30th, 2012
6:36 pm
@ Jamalliver
NO! You can get so much more for Josh Smith than that I don’t think people realize how old Josh is and why he’s not near his prime yet.
When you got people like Doc Rivers saying something about you it means you’re worth a lot more than most people let on.
Just Joe
May 30th, 2012
6:46 pm
Joe to Washington for Lewis and the 32nd pick. Draft SG Kevin Murphy at 32. Sign a free agent SG like JR Smith or Gerald Green with part of the MLE. Hawks haven’t taken much of a step back at all.
Ray
May 30th, 2012
6:50 pm
@ Just Joe I like that trade, but only on paper cause you never know.
I say trade Joe to a team like NO for their No. 10 (like it would ever happen).
Rufus1
May 30th, 2012
6:56 pm
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-berger/19205829/sources-sund-agrees-to-stay-with-hawks
Sund is probably staying.
doc
May 30th, 2012
6:56 pm
Probably not so big a deal about Sund bird isn’t signed yet either though he is committed to stay whereas my bot rick isn’t:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/bird-wants-come-back-pacers-195318762–nba.html;_ylt=Apfts20zzooEJ8xSDM9F4Gu8vLYF
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:09 pm
Just Joe
-atta boy-
Kevin Murphy;
I keep hearing names such as Doron Lamb, J.lamb [UConn], J.Jenkins,
and Dion Waiters 2 the [2] guard position … rightfully so.
But,
this young man from Tn Tech [northcyde] should know all about him,
is as pure as any.
I`ve watched film and this kid has perfect form, a perfect release,
stands 6-7, put up 50 one game … and what he has (his shot)
is *God given.
Like King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes;
* `tis a blessing, enjoy it … paraphrase.
*[everything comes from God]::
white skin, dark skin, black skin,
even;
Manute Bol`s purple skin ! …(-&-)… Kev Murphy`s shot !
Double Zero Eight
May 30th, 2012
7:11 pm
There is no hope for the Hawks
as they are currently configured
The Hawks will be rebuilding for another
44 years, unless that get a proven GM
and an elite coach..
I rest my case.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:12 pm
High-Sider
If your the new Black Bigot
and I`m 0l` Grandad the Cracker
Can we still be friends ?
Just Joe
May 30th, 2012
7:14 pm
Anyone want to bet that New Jersey (Brooklyn, whatever) winds up in the top 3 so that they keep their pick and have another trade chip to bring in Dwight Howard? You know this lottery is rigged. I’ll say New Orleans gets #1 as well. Kind of an apology from Stern for messing up the Chris Paul trade.
Just Joe
May 30th, 2012
7:16 pm
Kendall Marshall, Eric Gordon, and Anthony Davis in New Orleans.
I.MUS WRITE
May 30th, 2012
7:20 pm
Rick Sund?? Anyway………
Do we really want Pau Gasol? Id rather have Marc. That man looked really soft….I mean finesse against the Lakers and Nuggets. Al Horford is finesse enough….Jump shot bombs away!
WTH….Rashad Lewis? Id rather have Huey Lewis 80’s pop idol. Blatche is a no go as well. He sux..
JJ/Horford for Kevin Love/ 1st
C’mon are we still on the Jamal Crawford thing. Our bench played well this yr,Willie Green and Pargo were better for the team. Jamal played no defense and turned the ball over too much for me. If he isnt dominating the ball then he isnt that effective. We didnt hear much from him this yr up in the great north west………..Ivan,Pargo,WG >>>>> JC1
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:22 pm
High-Sider
There are N0 / Very Few elite White American Basketball Players.
-unless-
They are @ least 6-8+ or above !
I have a hypothesis to which I can refer and will offer someday as to
-why-
there are not more white kids playing basketball.
At the risk of being the “white” antithesis to Terrence Moore.
[r.e. black kids playin` baseball] there is a corollary.
I disagree with you about Ginobili;
but everything you say is not unfounded.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:25 pm
*** an *** hypothesis
should have said:
“an hypothesis”
Did not wish for D.0`U.I. to arrest me.
Ra'mon
May 30th, 2012
7:26 pm
High sider, that isn’t a fair comparison because MJ and Kobe not only were great scorers, they were more efficient scorers than JC, and they will go down in the top 5 of top defensive SGs in league history, while JC isn’t even in the top of defenders on whatever team he signs on next season. A fairer comparison would’ve been would you prefer Nash or T-Mac in his prime, or Chris Mullin or John Stockton. MJ and Kobe have less than four or five seasons in which they’ve not made the playoffs, while JC has only been in the playoffs 2 seasons. John Stockton and Nash were staples in the playoffs for the longest as well. As I said, give me Nash over JC1 any day, and my offense will score more points than yours.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:27 pm
I would bring in KG as a Player Coach in training:
-train him for half a season-
*or less
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:34 pm
Pure pg:
Scott Machado, Iona
Scott Machado – projected @ (No. 25)
Machado is an athletic point guard
who can really create in transition or off of penetration.
He changes the tempo of the game quickly
and is a better shooter and athlete than Kendall Marshall,
a better shooter than Tony Wroten
and far more consistent a ball handler than Marquis Teague.
-Doug Gottlieb-
Ra'mon
May 30th, 2012
7:34 pm
G’dad, I would also. With the exception of Duncan, I think KG is the smartest player in the league right now on offense and defense, as well as rebounding. I just think players would grow weary of him crying before every game for the pep talk, lol.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:46 pm
Josh to Houston for both 1st round picks !
I keep sayin` this !
This here Draft is deep as heck !
Three 1st rounders;
could totally re-build in one season !
Maybe a bit young next yr:::::
-but-
‘`Hope Springs Eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest:
The soul, uneasy and confin’d from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come`’
-seemed appropriate-
(`though really I just wanted to use the word ~expatiates~)
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
7:48 pm
@Grandad
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:12 pm
High-Sider
If your the new Black Bigot
and I`m 0l` Grandad the Cracker
Can we still be friends ?
——————————————
Why not? As the song goes:
Ebony and Ivory
Live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano, keyboard, oh lord(?) why don’t we….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZtiJN6yiik
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
7:49 pm
Ra`mon
His coaching persona might change ?
heck – Nobody likes LD – why not ?
Just Joe
May 30th, 2012
7:54 pm
It really is going to be hard for this team to pass up Fab Melo if he’s there at 23. For as long as we’ve been looking for a shot blocking 7 footer, to have one sitting there for the taking (even if some say he’s lazy and not too bright), and pass him over for another forward or combo guard would be tough to take if he pans out. 5 pts, 5 rebs, and 1 block in 15 minutes a night would help this team out big time next year.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
8:00 pm
H-S
As Mary Ellen would say:
ROTFKMC
Funny thing is:
I`ve tried both hair-cuts ?
Now I`ve got a “Bruce Willis”
formerly known as a;
” Yul Brynner “
JustSayinB
May 30th, 2012
8:01 pm
With all due respect: Lord help me, if I continue to read about the Hawks getting back Jamal Crawford… it ain’t going to happen. Let it go! Por Favor!
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
8:11 pm
@Grandad
“High-Sider
There are N0 / Very Few elite White American Basketball Players.
-unless-
They are @ least 6-8+ or above !
I have a hypothesis to which I can refer and will offer someday as to
-why-
there are not more white kids playing basketball.
At the risk of being the “white” antithesis to Terrence Moore.
[r.e. black kids playin` baseball] there is a corollary.
I disagree with you about Ginobili;
but everything you say is not unfounded.” – Grandad
It sure is strange [and ironic] what’s going on in the NBA and MLB. The NBA has less and less American-born white superstars and white players, in general, while MLB has less and less American-born black superstars and black players, in general. The NBA has quite a few foreign-born white players coming primarily from Europe and South America while MLB has quite a few foreign-born black players coming primarily from the Carribean, most notably the Dominican Republic, and South America. Grandad, please give me your “hypothesis” as your reason[s] for this trend.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
8:30 pm
Just Joe
I watched film of the guy [Fab Melo]
runnin` ,,, `scuse me ,,, lumbering up & down the floor,
against a bunch of sissy white cherub faced bantamidget cub scouts.
He was so slow he was always on the wrong end of the floor.
never got a rebound, scored a point, blckd a shot, nuthin !
with the action going the opposite direction.
Henry Sims / G-town = better !
terrell
May 30th, 2012
8:31 pm
Poor MJ. David Stern is just sad. Move CP3, end up with AD. Pretty good move, I’d say.
Marcus
May 30th, 2012
8:31 pm
Grandad and Astro Joe,
I would trade Marvin to HOU for (disgruntled) PG Kyle Lowery and throw-in PF Patrick Patterson (must have to make the $$$ work) per ESPN Trade Machine.
Draft the BPA @ No. 23, hopefully a good SF like Jeff Taylor (Vandy), Moe Harkless (St. Johns), or Quincy Miller (Baylor).
Sign 9-5 (Ivan Johnson) to a new deal
Fill in the rest with servicable vet min. players, hopefully like T-Mac, etc.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
8:33 pm
Fab Melo
** should have read like this **
He was so slow he was always on the wrong end of the floor.
with the action going the opposite direction.
never got a rebound, scored a point, blckd a shot, nuthin !
** Not sure how I did that **
Well I do, but, stupidity, is not a good excuse.
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
8:39 pm
Coach Grandad I present Kevin Murphy’s 50 pt game compressed into less than 2 minutes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KSyZuzXeYo
Sweet jumper….Just like you said..God Given!
Marcus
May 30th, 2012
8:57 pm
dang .. the Bobcats are so sorry, they just lost the lottery. Hornets “won” the right to draft No. 1 overall.
doc
May 30th, 2012
8:58 pm
grandad and hs the problem with white guys not playing absketball, besides they have the same problem i do regarding no hops, is too much access to video games or weed or both
and soccer. a huge competitor to basketball as the type of kid doing them are of a similar size if not 6′8″. also a very good way to college if you arent going to be 6′3″ with extraordinary hops. after playing some soccer for the first time at 27 i would have chosen it as well certainly over football and maybe over basketball, more room to roam. i honestly say parents would do well to encourage kids to at least try soccer as you dont have to have the bulk or physical presence that weeds kids out beyond desire or talent.
cp
May 30th, 2012
9:01 pm
I read a few weeks ago that if the Bobcats didnt get the first pick they might be willing to trade. Well they got the second pick and if im the Hawks I would at least call and see what it would take to get that second pick.
doc
May 30th, 2012
9:08 pm
says nets lose their sixth pick to the blazers. wow they are trash?
cuban smiling as deron might be available to him as a high bidder?
and is there a scenario he can get his hands on dh?
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 30th, 2012
9:16 pm
According to our GM, our goal this year was to make the Conference Finals. The goal, after having the core together 6 years, was not to win a ring.
You look at the teams in the ECF and WCF and you look at us, and you understand. Those teams do not accept losing.
We are in loserville. DawgNole, plz chime in
Mike
May 30th, 2012
9:20 pm
If Sund is going to be here for another year, i think this team is going to stay the same again. This is getting crazy, I don’t know what they can say that is going to make ppl want to come to support this team.
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
9:21 pm
Rod from College Park
May 30th, 2012
3:59 pm
“His job was to take bad shots?
Interesting strategy.”
No. His job was to score. Most scorers take bad shots. See Kobe, Iverson, Nique…… the difference is a scorer never saw a shot he did not like, and they make difficult shots look easy.
__________________
Let me repeat what you said: “He took bad shots sometimes because that was what his job was.”
Now, you may not have meant what you said, but you sure as hell said it.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 30th, 2012
9:21 pm
“Sund described Atlanta’s regular season as “unbelievably great”
Yeah finishing 4th (really 5th with the seedings) in the conference is unbelievably great.
Lakers went to 2nd round and I’m 99.9999999% sure every single person in that city and organization views their season as an epic fail.
FIRE SUND
Rusty
May 30th, 2012
9:27 pm
There’s nothing wrong with JT. He is the bright star on this team.get rid of iso Joe &LD. Oh I forgot those idiots brought him back, I guess they couldn’t afford anyone else.
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
9:31 pm
Sund: “. . . we have to look at our club and say where are the areas we can improve, what can we do without taking a step back.”
Too late. You’ve already taken a step back. Round 2 exit last year; Round 1 exit this year.
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
9:37 pm
Astro Joe
May 30th, 2012
5:09 pm
Seems kind of strange to make a decision on the head coach if they are still closing out the previous season (including holding exit interviews). I guess the opinions of that last group of players is about as valued as the opinions of this blog community.
_____________________
They’d do well to value the opinions of this blog community. I’ve seen a lot better ideas from some of the posters on this board the past few months than I’ve ever seen from Hawks ownership/management.
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
9:39 pm
Celtics layin’ the wood to Miami early. Shooting lights-out like they did against us in Game 4. May not last, obviously.
O"Brien
May 30th, 2012
9:50 pm
High-sider,
I think I’m going to choose Michael Jordan over John Stockton..
So are you saying you would rather sign Jamal instead of Steve Nash? If that’s the case, I’m glad you are not our GM.
Jamal is a one trick pony, whereas Nash would get Joe, Josh and Al easier shots, and Teague could also learn from him.
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
9:52 pm
PMC
May 30th, 2012
5:06 pm
Read: Rick Sund hasn’t yet decided if he wants to work for peanuts or not.
____________________
Or, more accurately, “Rick Sund hasn’t yet decided if he wants to work.” He’s been here a few years, and we’re still waiting.
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
9:54 pm
Ra’mon
May 30th, 2012
5:27 pm
And KG likely knows wherever he goes the fans will follow.
__________________
He doesn’t know Atlanta.
O"Brien
May 30th, 2012
9:54 pm
AJ,
OB, absolutely not. Blatche is a knucklehead who produces every 5th game and Rashard is a modern day Brad Sellers but less healthy at this point. Neither are as productive as Marvin and they are paid far more..
I agree with everything you said. However, Rashard only has one year left on his contract, so next year, $23mil comes off the books, which would provide some financial flexibility.
And although Blatche is a knuckle head, maybe the change of scenery will do him good.
O"Brien
May 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
From ajc.com;
He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
I thought the goal was to win an NBA title.
Grandad
May 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
H-S + doc … others
I wrote a dissertation on;
*HS basketball
*AAU
*Terrence Moore
*blk kids vs whte kids plyng bsktbll
* all sorts of good stuff
blg-mnstr ate it
I have it saved but do not feel like editing it tonight.
Some other time.
HS;
last eve – I tried to define racism
also mentioned Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon
did you see ?
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 30th, 2012
10:03 pm
From ajc.com;
He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
I thought the goal was to win an NBA title.
LinkReport this comment
***
goal is to be competitive and entertaining. It is unrealistic to expect a championship. –Gearon
I am also waiting for Sund to begin his job. It’s been 4 yrs and he has done nothing.
Just Joe
May 30th, 2012
10:08 pm
I was half right on the draft. Nets didn’t hit in top 3, but New Orleans did get the first pick. Stern owed them a favor.
Rod from College Park
May 30th, 2012
10:09 pm
“Let me repeat what you said: “He took bad shots sometimes because that was what his job was.”
Now, you may not have meant what you said, but you sure as hell said it.”
All scorers take bad shots. It comes with the territory. A good shot for a true scorer is a bad shot for anybody else. See Kobe Bryant.
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
10:09 pm
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 30th, 2012
5:31 pm
Sund described Atlanta’s regular season as “unbelievably great” in light of the significant injuries suffered by key players. He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
****
LOL there u have it folks. The goal is not to win a ring. The goal is to be one of the best teams in the East. This has been confirmed by an owner AND now our GM (who has implied this for all 4 years)
____________________
Not much has changed these past 4 years, has it? For that matter, not much has changed these past 44 years, has it?
Rod from College Park
May 30th, 2012
10:11 pm
Just interested since their are so many Jamal haters. What has been the best move Sund has made since he has been the GM?
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
10:12 pm
Rod from College Park
May 30th, 2012
10:09 pm
“Let me repeat what you said: “He took bad shots sometimes because that was what his job was.”
Now, you may not have meant what you said, but you sure as hell said it.”
All scorers take bad shots. It comes with the territory. A good shot for a true scorer is a bad shot for anybody else. See Kobe Bryant.
_____________________
I don’t care if all scorers take bad shots. Their job is NOT to take bad shots. Their job is to SCORE.
O"Brien
May 30th, 2012
10:17 pm
Ra’mon,
High profile players do not want to come to ATL. Why would KG come here? I think he would take less money to go somewhere else.
High profile players are not enamored with our ownership and our coach, and we dont have a dominant PG either.
O"Brien
May 30th, 2012
10:19 pm
If only JJ could draw fouls like Pierce…
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
10:20 pm
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 30th, 2012
9:16 pm
According to our GM, our goal this year was to make the Conference Finals. The goal, after having the core together 6 years, was not to win a ring.
You look at the teams in the ECF and WCF and you look at us, and you understand. Those teams do not accept losing.
We are in loserville. DawgNole, plz chime in
_____________________
I’ve probably chimed in enough for tonight, GM, but glad to see you back on here indignant about Sund’s senseless mumblings. Seems like we were lamenting the team’s less-than-inspirational goals way back when I first started whining on here regularly (probably January). Obviously, based on Sund’s latest proclamations, not much has changed since then. Forty-four years and counting.
Double Dribble
May 30th, 2012
10:22 pm
Welcome YOUR 2014-2015 Seattle Hawks….
As long as Gearon and the bums are running the show, you can’t completely rule out them selling this team off to the highest non-Atlanta bidder, just like they did the Thrashers.
(Yes, I know the NBA wouldn’t let Atlanta lose its franchise, but I thought the same thing about the NHL too)
DawgNole
May 30th, 2012
10:27 pm
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 30th, 2012
9:21 pm
“Sund described Atlanta’s regular season as “unbelievably great”
Yeah finishing 4th (really 5th with the seedings) in the conference is unbelievably great.
Lakers went to 2nd round and I’m 99.9999999% sure every single person in that city and organization views their season as an epic fail.
FIRE SUND
______________________
Now that, in a nutshell, explains the difference between “Losersville” and championship cities, which are NEVER content with falling short of the top. NEVER.
doc
May 30th, 2012
10:33 pm
gdad i understand i have been losing posts frequently and i cannot send any by iphone. that maybe the result of the collective conscious oand collective fieldo f the blog members rather than the ajc because of the errors but just the same it is frustrating to put something down and find it isnt to be read as thius is an act of sharing.
rod, i dont hate jamal at all nor should any criticism of it be considered as such. just tired of hearing about a guy who had one good year and one fairly routine one as a hawk. yes, he had a good series against the magic that helped us win however it wasnt the only reason because if it had been then we would have won the year before because his nimbers were exactly the same, seems he played well against the magic and matched up well against them, not so much against the bulls, eh? but the team won against the magic playing differently year two than year one when they had woody at the helm and players different on the other side. sorry, to disagree, again if it was all about him by the nimbers we should have won both years. and yes i loved to see him light it up. i coined flip on roids. i also saw less of this the last year he was here and it didnt seem he brought as much magical stuff to the blazers this year either though he tried. but man he wasnt going to get the money he wanted and i say pay the man if he deserves it and good for him in taking the chance and winning the 5 mil lottery.
doc
May 30th, 2012
10:36 pm
doube dribble, prostate got you down?
they will have to pay for the phillips and move it too to seattle. funny how you guys covet the hawks, why not the sacramento team as that is easier fodder for you guys isnt it? or is your city so bad you cant even get a team that wants to move?
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
10:52 pm
High-sider’s first week as Atlanta Hawks GM:
Bye Kirk. Bye Marv’. Welcome back Jamal! Yeah, yeah, baby, yeah [laughing in my Austin Powers' voice].
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2HBdRCroks&feature=fvwrel
And then there are you skeptics, cynics and pessimists who are probably thinking and saying to yourselves, “If High-sider becomes our [Hawks] GM, he’s going to change the color scheme [and the Hawks uniform colors] to red, black and green and he’s going to have a big portrait of a hawk flying across the night sky with a crescent moon showing in the background. You know that crescent moon is shown in honor of those muslims [probably pronounced by some on this blog as MOOZ-lambs].” [LOL and LMAO]
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
10:58 pm
@Grandad
“…HS;
last eve – I tried to define racism
also mentioned Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon
did you see ?” – Grandad
Yes, I read both posts.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 30th, 2012
11:09 pm
Sund!
Head West young fella Head West. We don’t want none – bye.
_______
Go Celtics! Beat the Heat!!!
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
11:25 pm
Dang, James cant make two clutch shots?
Figures……Its in his head now…..
Keep shooting…
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
11:32 pm
Hey DUI whats your take on this blog? Lets see your opinion about the situation. Take the focus off of us bloggers for a change or is that asking too much?
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
11:34 pm
James penetrates into the paint and turns down a layup or jumper? Passes back out with one defender on him!
Lebron is flustered!
Dude is soft!
Buddy Grizzard
May 30th, 2012
11:38 pm
“But now that Gearon’s made it personal with KG, he will not consider signing here.”
KG is a championship calibre player. He never would have signed here. What kills me is that Ivan called KG a dirty player, and unlike Gearon, he had the opportunity to back it up on the floor. KG is a bully. He pushes people that back down and avoids people who fight back. By not letting Ivan play, it took all the fight out of the Hawks.
By the way, in regards to waiting to find out that Sund will be back for another year of coach/GM lame duck status, the suspense is killing me!
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
11:39 pm
I hate to admit this but I think Skip Bayless is right. LeBron has no n-ts; he’s not [a] clutch [player]. LeBron is missing free throws tonight and couldn’t even make the game-winning 15-16 foot jumper over Rondo. D-Wade can’t shoot worth a damn from the FT line tonight either. Rondo is killing the Heat; he’s definitely clutch. I think I need to retract my statement in my earlier post about taking D-Wade over Rondo. Rondo is a special player.
Rondo just got “mugged” going to the basket and the refs didn’t call a damn thing.
O"Brien
May 30th, 2012
11:40 pm
Of course. Rondo should have gotten 2 FT (Wade wacked him in the face), but refs missed it, and it leads to a dunk for Miami. If it was LeBron or Wade, they would have gone to the line.
Meanwhile, Lebron has been to the line 22 times.
Anybody but Miami, please win the NBA title.
High-sider
May 30th, 2012
11:41 pm
Make Smoove happy; trade Josh for Bosh.
Old Man Peabody
May 30th, 2012
11:43 pm
Pat Riley is not that stupid to trade for Josh lol
Old Man Peabody
May 30th, 2012
11:43 pm
Pat Riley is not that stupid to trade for Josh lol
Rod from College Park
May 30th, 2012
11:44 pm
Celtics getting treated like they are the Hawks. Getting no calls. That’s how the NBA works when the winner is already pre-determined.
Old Man Peabody
May 30th, 2012
11:48 pm
How was the winner predetermined, Stern told the Heat to let Boston get up by 15, then Boston let the Heat come back and win in overtime. Lol, you guys sound bitter and pathetic. SMH
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
11:50 pm
up 2-0= win 94% of the time!
Old Man Peabody
May 30th, 2012
11:52 pm
I don’t see why so many on here hate on the Heat, most Hawks fans want what they have.
1. A president/GM in Riley that will do whatever it takes to make his team better.
2. A owner in Mickey Arison that will spend whatever to give the city of Miami and its fans a championship.
terrell
May 30th, 2012
11:54 pm
Rondo is a beast. But NOOOOO, we had to take Shellhead. smmfgdh. Marvin over CP3 is bad, but taking Shellhead 16 spots before Rondo might be worse. If there is such a thing. Do we HATE pgs’??
terrell
May 30th, 2012
11:57 pm
Stern:
Thanks for taking the Hornets off my hands Mr. Tom Benson. Here’s Anthony Davis for your troubles. Youre going to need him.
Slimjr
May 30th, 2012
11:59 pm
Old Man Peabody
May 30th, 2012
11:52 pm
“I don’t see why so many on here hate on the Heat, most Hawks fans want what they have.”
Cause when the Hawks match up with the Heat, its always 8[3 refs] on 5! We are tired of the biased help they receive from the Chief Gangster! Lebron does not need any help or does he? Hmmmmm
Slimjr
May 31st, 2012
12:05 am
If I’m a Miami fan you need to be a little concerned that the chosen one has become a choker?
Without the refs help Miami get stomped on! 49 freaking free throw attempts? Huh? Rigged?
Najeh Davenpoop
May 31st, 2012
12:11 am
“He said the playoffs were “disappointing” because the goal is to be one of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.”
One of the top two teams. Not even the top team in the conference, let alone the best team in the league.
Old Man Peabody
May 31st, 2012
12:12 am
I don’t think Miami or any other contender in the East is worried about the Hawks, out of the 16 playoff teams, the Hawks ranked 13th against teams over .500. PRETENDERS
Buddy Grizzard
May 31st, 2012
12:14 am
“I would attempt to sign Nash, Felton, or acquire a pass first point guard via trade or draft before signing an isolation player.”
Ra’mon I like your thinking with regards to Nash, but not Felton. Felton is a bust, a coach killer, a lazy, out-of-shape player and the absolute last player you want in your locker room. It’s funny you’re depating scorer vs. facilitator then you bring up Nash who does both at an elite level. I talked about the Hawks pursuing Nash this offseason here:
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/04/wishful-thinking-part-ii-steve-nash.html
If the Hawks had made it to the ECF this year and proven themselves one of the top 4-6 teams in the NBA, someone like Steve Nash might consider signing here. Nash might look at the Hawks and think he’s the piece to push them over the top. Plus the Hawks could free up some cap space by using the Amnesty on Marvin to pay him. But after the Hawks flamed out in the first round, I doubt someone like Nash would even consider the Hawks. As JeJe pointed out, this team has zero championship aspirations. That’s no more appealing for a player like Nash than it is for KG.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 31st, 2012
12:16 am
““Paugasol *is* a Top notch / Top level Player !
-was and is-
Future Hall 0` Famer !””
Uh, no. Tell me Grandad, are Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh future Hall of Famers? Because their career accomplishments and Pau’s career accomplishments are awfully similar, with the exception of Amare never getting to have Kobe win him a ring.
Based on talent, sure, Pau is a Hall of Famer, but Pau has never lived up to his talent.
Melvin
May 31st, 2012
12:17 am
Below is my fantasy trade of the day and it successful on the ESPN trade machine.
Kings- Al Horford
Magic- DeMarcus Cousins, Marvin Williams
Hawks-Dwight Howard
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
Najeh Davenpoop
May 31st, 2012
12:21 am
“Just interested since their are so many Jamal haters. What has been the best move Sund has made since he has been the GM?”
Drafting Teague.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 31st, 2012
12:24 am
“I don’t see why so many on here hate on the Heat, most Hawks fans want what they have.”
Isn’t that a good enough reason in and of itself?
I hate the Heat because Wade is a whiner and LeBron’s Decision is one of the worst NBA-related things I have ever seen in my life. But obviously if I could trade the Hawks roster for the Heat roster I would.
Slimjr
May 31st, 2012
12:24 am
Lebron will end up like Charles Barkley, RINGLESS…
He does want it dude..Even at home he’s flustered? What the?
High-sider
May 31st, 2012
12:26 am
After a second look, that attempted game-winning jumper by LeBron at the end of regulation tonight appeared to be closer to 22 feet as opposed to 15-16 feet. I still feel that last Heat possession at the end of regulation was poorly executed.
Slimjr
May 31st, 2012
12:27 am
insert[not]
mykhalc
May 31st, 2012
12:28 am
i finally have the perfect word for this franchise…APATHY!!! ladies and gents..please meet your AaaaaaaaPATHY HAWKS for the 2012-2013 season!!! at SG……6′7″ Joe……ZZZzzzzzzzzzz
Old Man Peabody
May 31st, 2012
12:31 am
I do think a lot of the Heat’s execution has to do with their horrible coach. If Riley was coaching this team, I would have no doubt they would win the Ship, but with Spoelstra, it’s up to Lebron and Wade to bail him out with his non play calling butt.
Slimjr
May 31st, 2012
12:34 am
Agree Spoelstra is out of his league….
High-sider
May 31st, 2012
12:42 am
@terrell
terrell
May 30th, 2012
11:57 pm
Stern:
Thanks for taking the Hornets off my hands Mr. Tom Benson. Here’s Anthony Davis for your troubles. Youre going to need him.
—————————————————————————–
I was thinking the same thing. It reminds me of how the Cavs got the No. 1 pick after one season removed from “The Decision.” Even though the T-wolves had the worst record of the 2010-2011 regular season, the Cavs still “won” the lottery and got the No. 1 which seemed to be a setup to pacify and console Dan Gilbert for “losing” LeBron James and a lot of [Cavs'] “franchise value.”
cp
May 31st, 2012
12:46 am
I see the mod didnt like my post with links to workout videos.
High-sider
May 31st, 2012
12:48 am
^Correction: “…the Cavs still “won” the lottery and got the No. 1 [pick*] which seemed to be a setup…”
prison mike
May 31st, 2012
1:23 am
The Hawks need to make history. Make a contest/reality show after the “Apprentice”. Let contestants build various D league teams for a season from scratch.
Whomever wins gets a 1 years job as Hawks GM… what ya think.
Grandad
May 31st, 2012
1:52 am
Najeh
1st of all;
Najeh you are way to smart to attempt this argument.
Stoudemire & Bosh ?
2nd;
It`s like someone said the other day:
[apologies to the source]
HOF in basketball includes College & international.
3rd;
One can make the case, PG is the 2nd best Euro
to play in the NBA.
4th;
Since when did Kobe win the Title by himself.
Most people recognize that Kobe woul not have won
his last two rings w/o Gasol.
5th;
What is potential anyway ?
PG has been a very productive player.
Holds most career records for Memphis franshise.
6th;
Why does it diminish a player who subjugate his own ability
for the greater good.
Mickey Mantle said:
when asked what he wanted on his monument @ Yankee Stadium,
[Monument Park]
” I was a good teammate ” -MM-
*Up until maybe this yr Gasol was a Top Ten Player !
** Maybe this yr he drops into the 3rd group of five ?
*** I still say top 12.
****Best pure post player since Shaq`s prime !
Scores, Rebounds, blcks shots.
So what … the Kobe propaganda machine places blame on Pau
to take the responsibilty, blame, accountability from Kobe;
yet Kobe gets all the credit when LAL wins a championship.
Heck no – I do not buy that atall !
Kobe can`t have it both ways and you Najeh cannot endorse
a hypocritical concept.
Grandad
May 31st, 2012
1:53 am
too smart
Grandad
May 31st, 2012
1:55 am
I was typing tooo fast for the greater good.
Buddy Grizzard
May 31st, 2012
2:06 am
depating = debating bleh
High-sider
May 31st, 2012
2:34 am
Najeh Davenpoop
May 31st, 2012
12:21 am
“Just interested since their are so many Jamal haters. What has been the best move Sund has made since he has been the GM?”
Drafting Teague.
———————————————————
Sund’s best move as the Hawks GM – Acquiring Jamal Crawford
Sund’s worst move as the Hawks GM – Squandering Jamal Crawford
Buddy Grizzard
May 31st, 2012
2:34 am
“Do you realize that players are primarily judged and evaluated by/on individual statistics such as points per game averages, rebounds per game averages, assists per game averages, steals per games averages, blocks per game averages, turnovers per game averages, field goal percentages, free throw percentages, 3pt. field goal percentages, etc.?”
High-Sider, there’s an entire movement you may be unaware of, championed by the ESPN TrueHoop Network, which I write for, called “Advanced Statistics.” Yes I know that players are primarily judged by individual stats… by CASUAL fans such as yourself. I’ve heard +/- mentioned by commentators all the time, but only by the good ones (you won’t hear Dominique mention it). But hey, since all you want to talk about is individual stats, let’s talk about Jamal Crawford in Games 5 & 6 last year against CHI, the games that would decide if the Hawks would go to the ECF for the first time since the franchise was in St. Louis.
Here’s Jamal Crawford’s stats for those two games: 3-19 FGs (16%), 0-7 3P (0%), 5 PPG. So you see, when it mattered most, when it meant a shot at going to the ECF, Jamal Crawford was terrible.
Go ahead, talk about how great he was against Orlando, a team that hasn’t made it out of the first round the last two seasons. Maybe he did win that series for us, I don’t know. But I prefer to talk about what the Hawks did the last two seasons against Eastern Conference Finalists Chicago and Boston.
I’m done talking to you about this. We can pick up the conversation if you ever get on my level. Hinrich didn’t score but didn’t allow Rondo, the Celtics’ most valuable player, to score a basket in Game 3. And yet you say because Hinrich didn’t contribute in the PPG dept., he didn’t contribute to the team’s chances of winning. This is the statement of a casual fan who is not capable of analyzing the game at anything above the most cursory level. It’s like debating a kindergartener, and I’m done with it bro.
EmirS.
May 31st, 2012
2:57 am
Since when does a franchise hire the coach before they determine the future of their current GM? Rick Sund is coming back for ATLEAST another year.
If Sund is to not come back, then the sole reason for that being is to get a better GM to scout this DEEP draft pool. Other then that, I don’t see Sund going anywhere. And even with that reason, I highly doubt it will happen.
EmirS.
May 31st, 2012
2:58 am
And let me add this:
Rondo is a BEAST!
Celtics will build around him. Celtics will win another ring with Rondo wearing green. And the Celtics will still be better then the Hawks.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
May 31st, 2012
3:31 am
Woody passed up on Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Rondo.
Woody wanted Speedy Claxton, Tyron Lue and Mike Bibby.
Buddy Grizzard
May 31st, 2012
4:23 am
“And even though he’s in another dimension than the other guys, you could make the case that James Harden plays the role of “gunner” for OKC.” – SteveW
Steve, I don’t know if you’ve watched the Thunder when they have two point guards on the floor (Fisher and Westbrook) and they give the ball to Harden, not to jack up shots, but to be the actual point guard and facilitator while two other PG’s play off the ball. Harden is a complete player, not a gunner.
“He got wherever he wanted to get on the floor with no resistence from Teague, Hinrich or Joe.” – Rod from C.P.
Game 3, not one basket scored by Rondo against Hinrich. No resistance?
“Anyone want to join me in discussing the mistreatment of Tony Delk when the Hawks desparately needed scoring? Bueller?” – AJ
LOL.
“We are all on bended knee begging for Sund to make a decision.” – KevinM
QUIVERING with anticipation.
Buddy Grizzard
May 31st, 2012
4:25 am
“Prove to me where Iv’e been wrong, and I’ll admit it, but guess what, you can’t.” -Rod from C.P.
Game 3, not one basket scored by Rondo against Hinrich. No resistance?
“I don’t have a problem with Just Joe’s three-way Josh for Noah trade.” – Najeh
Neither do I.
“MJ may end up hiring his former HS coach.” – AJ
Given the talent level on the Bobcats, that sounds entirely appropriate.
High-sider
May 31st, 2012
5:23 am
@Buddy Grizzard
“High-Sider, there’s an entire movement you may be unaware of, championed by the ESPN TrueHoop Network, which I write for, called “Advanced Statistics.” Yes I know that players are primarily judged by individual stats… by CASUAL fans such as yourself. I’ve heard +/- mentioned by commentators all the time, but only by the good ones (you won’t hear Dominique mention it). But hey, since all you want to talk about is individual stats, let’s talk about Jamal Crawford in Games 5 & 6 last year against CHI, the games that would decide if the Hawks would go to the ECF for the first time since the franchise was in St. Louis.
Here’s Jamal Crawford’s stats for those two games: 3-19 FGs (16%), 0-7 3P (0%), 5 PPG. So you see, when it mattered most, when it meant a shot at going to the ECF, Jamal Crawford was terrible.” – Buddy Grizzard
The “movement” to which you are referring that is supposed to “champion” “advanced statistics” and/or sports [data] analytics sounds more like a “pause” because I haven’t heard anything about it [yet]. When NBA analysts and commentators discuss scoring leaders, you hear names like Durant, Bryant, James, Love, and Anthony. When there’s a discussion about NBA rebounding leaders, you hear names like Howard, Love, Bynum, Cousins and Griffin. When there’s a discussion about NBA assist leaders, you hear names like Rondo, Nash, Paul, [Deron] Williams and Calderon. When there’s a discussion about +/- statistics [statistical] leaders, what do you hear? That’s right; you hear nothing because there is no discussion about +/- statistics [statistical] leaders.
Another problem you have is that you continuously criticize Jamal Crawford for his performances in Games 5 and 6 of the 2011 EC Semis vs the Bulls. You want to use those two 2011 EC Semifinals playoff games vs the Bulls [Games 5 and 6] to completely nullify all the good performances Jamal Crawford had for the Hawks in the regular season and the postseason while Jamal Crawford was a team member of the Hawks from 2009-2011. I don’t need to waste my time summarizing and listing Jamal Crawford’s contributions and accomplishments as a team member of the Hawks. You and I both know that Jamal Crawford’s contributions, achievements and good performances as a member of the Hawks far outweigh his flaws, shortcomings and bad performances. On second thought, I will mention a few of his accomplishments to you give the readers a little perspective. Jamal Crawford is/was the only player in Hawks franchise history to receive the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award for his reserve performance during the 2009-2010 regular season. Jamal Crawford scored 20+ points off the bench in 49-50 regular season games for the Hawks and scored 30+ points off the bench in four regular season games from 2009-2011. Jamal Crawford scored 20+ points [actually 23+ points] in four consecutive playoff games which is an achievement that had not been accomplished since Kevin McHale performed this feat back in the 1991 playoffs for the Celtics. Jamal Crawford never started a regular season or postseason game for the Hawks. You, Buddy Grizzard, point out and criticize two subpar or poor playoff performances while I give you an extensive body of Jamal Crawford’s work or performance that covers one or more seasons or at least more than two games. The biggest point you seem to refuse to acknowledge is that this year without Jamal Crawford the Hawks failed to advance past the first round of the 2012 playoffs, a first round playoff series in which the Hawks averaged 82.2ppg. In the previous two postseasons, the Hawks with Jamal Crawford advanced past the first round of the playoffs. The Hawks regressed this past postseason without Jamal Crawford. Furthermore, your favorite statistic, +/- statistics, revealed that Jamal Crawford had an aggregate +/- statistic of +256 and +4, respectively, for the regular seasons of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. That should put an end to the [false] idea that Jamal Crawford gave up more points than scored while he was with the Hawks.
“Go ahead, talk about how great he was against Orlando, a team that hasn’t made it out of the first round the last two seasons. Maybe he did win that series for us, I don’t know. But I prefer to talk about what the Hawks did the last two seasons against Eastern Conference Finalists Chicago and Boston.
I’m done talking to you about this. We can pick up the conversation if you ever get on my level. Hinrich didn’t score but didn’t allow Rondo, the Celtics’ most valuable player, to score a basket in Game 3. And yet you say because Hinrich didn’t contribute in the PPG dept., he didn’t contribute to the team’s chances of winning. This is the statement of a casual fan who is not capable of analyzing the game at anything above the most cursory level. It’s like debating a kindergartener, and I’m done with it bro.” – Buddy Grizzard
Jamal Crawford didn’t win the 2011 Hawks-Magic playoff series [by himself] because I know basketball is a team sport and no one player can really “win” a[n NBA] game [by himself] much less an NBA playoff series [by himself]. However, I do know that Jamal Crawford in that 2011 Hawks-Magic playoff series was the MVP and averaged a team high 20.5ppg as a reserve [off the bench] and the Hawks won that playoff series over the Magic 4-2 or four games to two games. I guess I can plan on not having conversations with you in the near or distant future because I don’t plan on “stooping,” “stepping,” or “coming down” to your level. I am all about progression not regression.
Please understand that Fortune 500 CEO’s, executives, business and large organizational leaders, presidents, heads of state, top administrators, etc. are all about the “bottom line.” The “bottom line” for Kirk Hinrich this past regular season and postseason is as follows:
1. In the 2011-2012 regular season, Kirk Hinrich averaged 6.8ppg, 2.1rpg, and 2.8apg.
2. In the 2012 postseason, Kirk Hinrich averaged 5.7ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.0apg.
3. In the 2012 postseason, Kirk Hinrich went scoreless for six plus [6+] playoff quarters [from the beginning of the 3rd quarter of Game 2 to the end of the 4th quarter and OT of Game 3].
4. In the 2012 postseason, Kirk Hinrich scored a total of two points over ten quarters [from the beginning of the 3rd quarter of Game 2 to the end of the 4th quarter of Game 4].
5. In the 2012 postseason, Kirk Hinrich lost his starting position, was demoted to coming off the bench and was replaced by Marvin Williams.
6. In the first four games of the 2012 postseason, the Hawks with Kirk Hinrich as a starter went 1-3 [0.250] against the Celtics.
As you can see, Buddy Grizzard, the “bottom line” for Kirk Hinrich this past season for the Hawks was not good or, in other words, a failure.
High-sider
May 31st, 2012
5:52 am
^Correction: “…That should put an end to the [false] idea that Jamal Crawford gave up more points than [he*] scored while he was with the Hawks…”
Marcus
May 31st, 2012
6:37 am
I think the Hawks should build on the defensive prowess they showed this year. Offense will come, but locking folks down and playing ugly was one of our calling card this year. We can’t lose the grit we had to go high-scoring.
Draft SFs Jeff Taylor or Moe Harkless and/or trade Marvin for HOU PG Kyle Lowery and PF P. Patterson
Just Joe
May 31st, 2012
6:57 am
Marcus….I don’t see any reason why Houston would want to give up Kyle Lowry for Marvin Williams. That team already has Chandler Parson, Chase Buddinger, and Marcus Morris that can play the SF position. Lowry has more value than that. There’s already been talk of Toronto trading the #8 pick to Houston for Lowry and #14.
Just Joe
May 31st, 2012
7:07 am
One of the two Marvin Williams trades that I keep coming back to is Marvin to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince.
A lot of mocks have Detroit taking Henson at #9. A young front line of Marvin, Henson, and Monroe would give Detroit a pretty good rebounding front line (they were 27th in the league last year).
With Big Ben retiring, Prince is the last holdover from the championship team.
Prince has a 3 yr deal ($6.7, $7.2, $7.7) compared to Marvin’s 2 yr deal ($8.1, $7.5).
I think Prince will help the offensive flow for the Hawks as he’s a much better ball handler and passer than Marvin. You also can’t overlook the $1.4M in cap savings for this year.
It doesn’t hurt that Marvin absolutely put on a show against Detroit this year. 15 pts and 6 rebs in 28 minutes a game. Shot 64% from 3.
Just Joe
May 31st, 2012
7:13 am
Prince just turned 32. He’s about a year and a half older than Joe, with one year less on his deal.
I’m really just tired of Marvin, and I appreciate Tayshaun’s skill as a team player. 82games.com suggests that Prince defended the SF spot very well this year. 11.4 opponents PER, giving up 16 pts and 6 rebs to SF’s over 48 minutes.
doc
May 31st, 2012
7:39 am
Interesting comments we have all brought up here about the stern effect. This is how deep it can go:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba–nba-s-problematic-ownership-of-hornets-opens-door-to-rigged-talk-over-draft-lottery-20120531.html;_ylt=AvMj4_lpG8ptwzejoEliQ405nYcB
High-sider
May 31st, 2012
7:43 am
^Correction: “…On second thought, I will mention a few of his accomplishments to you [to*] give the readers a little perspective…”
Dawg
May 31st, 2012
7:46 am
The ASG will hire the cheapest GM and it already has the cheapest coach. That is the only discussion. Why is a lame duck GM still “wrapping up” last season? Why not help this team?
Let’s talk about Jamal Crawford.
Buddy Grizzard
May 31st, 2012
8:00 am
“I think the Hawks should build on the defensive prowess they showed this year.”
It’s going to be tough losing Kirk. JJ is fading fast and Teague isn’t nearly as good a defender as we thought he was. If they bring back Pargo, Green and Vlad, that’s three of the worst defenders in the NBA.
Fundamentals
May 31st, 2012
9:03 am
Enough with the Jamal – “I didn’t get us there then, I won’t get us there now” Crawford. I respect what he did here, but it’s like Joe Johnson, that window of opportunity has closed. It’s time to develop something new. Joe is obviously not able to carry us like he did when he arrived. Given the fact that no moves will be made in the Summer of Sameness we need:
Teague to continue to develop his shot and to work on learning to run the offense more efficiently.
Horford needs to work on the pick and roll & jumpshot he likes so much.
Josh needs to continue his development of his post game and maybe Al’s 12-15 footer, not the 22′ shots.
ZaZa – get healthy, hopefully you’ll see the minutes you did last year where you can respond again.
Marvin – most likely getting another degree instead of his shot, handling and post moves. Why can’t dude add some strength and play some SF/PF with his size?
Joe – needs to work on becoming a catch and shoot option as he can’t beat anyone off the dribble.
Stack/TMac – retirement
I.MUS WRITE
May 31st, 2012
9:03 am
Melvin
May 31st, 2012
12:17 am
Below is my fantasy trade of the day and it successful on the ESPN trade machine.
Kings- Al Horford
Magic- DeMarcus Cousins, Marvin Williams
Hawks-Dwight Howard
Now this is a trade I would love to see happen
@Rod from CP…….Nobody here really hates JC1, He carried us alot of nights when JJ was stinking up the joint. But he is what he is a streaky scorer – his defense is terrible and he turns the ball over alot, mainly because he has to pound the rock ala JJ to get his shots off. Last yr in the playoffs against Orlando JC1 and Al horford stunk the joint up. U gotta give it up for the bench this yr. those guys played their tails off. Imagine that bench and Horford for the whole season.
Sund is worst than Billy Knight or about the same. For every good move there are 4 that leave you scratching your head . Signing marvin and Bibby were terrible moves. I would hv let JJ walk personnally he is no leader and he is missing for games on end…… this is who we pay 19 mill.
Im i the only one who thinks Anthony Davis or the unibrow as my nephew calls him is way too light in the pants . 6′11 215???? while he may block shots what else can he do. He looked limited offensively all yr. Post moves?? Shot?? I think he will be okay not great -Okafor type player.
Fab Melo is this years Benson ….No thanx.
I.MUS WRITE
May 31st, 2012
9:07 am
@Just Joe….Forget it man the Front office thinks Marvin is a keeper for sum reason, he will be back count on it. Prince for Marvin yesterday..
Rod from College Park
May 31st, 2012
9:29 am
No GM in their right mind would trade Prince for Marvin. Prince can convert a layup without falling. Marvin can’t.
KevinM
May 31st, 2012
9:39 am
JeJe, Buddy, this will tell you where the ASG stands….from the CBS article:
” Hawks ownersship recently rejected Portland’s request for permission to interview Sund for their GM position.”
So any thought of Sund leaving is a laugh. He’s just trying to negotiate a sweeter deal from the 7 dwarfs!.
Sund will be back….because the ASG has no backup plan. They are all in with Sund. The ASG will meet his demands and allow him to not let us ‘take a step back’.
And the remaining exit interviews………only one remains….Sund is telling T-Mac that he won’t be coming back. Surprise, surprise……
The ASG/Sund/LD regime of the Hawks continues for another punishing year.
One rumor to throw at you: Jerry West is after Josh Smith in Golden State.
Astro Joe
May 31st, 2012
9:48 am
Oh-oh, Buzzy said something bad about Teague, hide the women and children.
Marcus, Lowry is a top 10 PG and is just reaching his prime, who wouldn’t do that trade?
I readily admit that I watched less than 3 hours of college ball last season, but the most impressive player I saw during that short span was Thomas Robinson. I hope that he doesn’t land in our division. I’m not entirely sure that he is a 3 or a 4… but he is a player and could easily become a difference-maker in this league.
Chad Ford still thinks the Hawks need a PG and has us selecting Wroten. He suggests that Wroten’s jump shot is broken and he isn;t a good teammate. Yep, that sounds like a Hawk draft pick.
Go SPURS, show them how basketball is supposed to be played!
O'Brien
May 31st, 2012
9:49 am
The only way a GM would trade for Marvin (imo) is next season when Marvin’s contract only has one year left, assuming that GM is trying to clear salary cap space.
Speaking of Detroit, they have had 4 straight losing seasons, and they blew their cap space on Ben Gordon and Charlie V. How does Joe Dumars still have a job?
Melvin,
I think Orlando could do a lot better than Demarcus Cousins and Marvin Williams for Dwight.
Astro Joe
May 31st, 2012
9:49 am
Oops, Buddy, not Buzzy (my bad).
KevinM
May 31st, 2012
9:50 am
For all you guys wondering why Sund and the ASG dumped JC1 after this contract ended, what about the off court issues? Do you think it was more a contract thing than his controversy off the court?
When I heard he had issues, I knew he was gone at that point. Like Josh, Sund made JC1 go get himself a deal, and that deal wasn’t so great. But JC1 is still in the league, and there will always be a need for him. It just won’t be here with PC Atlanta…..PC=politically correct
Now you know why Marvin got such a sweet deal, why Bibby wasn’t forced to go find a deal……no controversy off the court.
KevinM
May 31st, 2012
9:53 am
Replace PC above with drama free..that works better here.
AJ, there is no way any character issues comes to this team……I will say the exception was Ivan, but we’ll see if he returns since he had few minutes once Al came back.
O'Brien
May 31st, 2012
9:56 am
Sund letting Jamal go is not even in the top 3 worst Rick Sund moves since he became GM. In no particular order, I think they are:
1) JJ’s contract 2) Marvin’s contract 3) Trading Bibby and 2 first round picks for Hinrich
It will be interesting to see if Jamal becomes a FA. I know the Pacers were interested, and I think they could have used his offense off the bench.
Astro Joe
May 31st, 2012
10:00 am
Kevin, Jamal didn’t come back because of money. That simple. Remember, using amnesty REQUIRES cutting a check to a player. You don’t simply fire a guy, you give him ALL of his money in one lump sum and send him packing. Last summer, that would have meant writing a check for around $23M to marvin. No conspiracy theories required… the ASG ain;t writing a check for $23M.
Too bad we don’t have a GM who could MANDATE that LD hire a new assistant or 2. I wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Pat Ewing join his staff or better yet, a former head coach (e.g. Terry Porter, Sam Mitchell, Brian Hill, Jim O’Brian… who cares). At least the Braves and Falcons made an attempt to upgrade their respective coaching staffs… it feels like we won’t do much more than watch a new collection of Dollar Tree players fill the bench. Maybe Bonzi Wells can be this year’s version of Stackhouse.
Michael Cunningham
May 31st, 2012
10:03 am
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.