Atlanta Hawks: Rick Sund Q-and-A
More from my interview yesterday with Hawks GM Rick Sund.
MC: What is your evaluation of the season?
Sund: There are two seasons. Once you become a real playoff team, there are two seasons. I thought we had an unbelievably great first season: 40 wins, key people hurt, the players and Larry [Drew] kept their focus. We ended up having the fourth-best record in the East. I thought with all the adversity it was really a great year with the compressed schedule and all the obstacles a team has to climb, which every team has those obstacles. I thought it was good.
The second part of the season is the playoffs and that’s disappointing. I think a great thing when you go through the [exit] interview process you get to talk to the players, and to a man—I still have a couple to do—but to a man they all think we should still be playing. And that’s a good thing. There’s disappointment in their heart. They look [at the playoffs] and feel they are good enough to be playing at the championship level.
MC: When you evaluate the team, are you able to separate out the effects of all the injuries from where you need to get better?
Sund: Two-and-a-half weeks after the season, you are a little bit more pragmatic. The emotions are out of the focus. When you look at it and you have to say, the last four years this team in the Eastern Conference has had the third-or fourth-best record either by the end of the regular season or by getting through the first round and getting to the second round. We’ve had the third- or fourth-best record in the last four years. Our goal is to get into those top two [in the East], because that’s when you have a legitimate shot to get to the finals. That’s that championship level. That’s the NBA’s version of the Final Four. You want to be one of those top two teams playing at the end of May and into June because you’ve got a legitimate shot to win a championship. We’ve fallen short of that. That’s our goal. 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. So we will have to explore all opportunities.
MC: The team’s deficiencies were mostly on offense, which came to fruition against the Celtics, a very good defensive team. From a personnel standpoint, how can the team improve offensively?
Sund: Again, you say separate the injuries, you really can’t, because if your key personnel are core members of your club, you are going to miss the points that that person may bring or the rebounds. I think we were one of the better defensive teams in the league, something last season we really wanted to focus on. I think Larry and the team did a great job. Points-wise it was Chicago one, Boston two, Philly three, Miami four, Memphis five, we are sixth. Defending in certain areas [like] field-goal percentage. In all of that, we really improved. I think that was the strength of our team. Now we have got to focus on, can we score a little more. Having said that, our offensive efficiency—which I know you are a big stat guy—was really good in the fourth quarter, particularly the last five minutes of the game. Joe [Johnson] in particular [was good] in crunch time. We were good in the fourth quarter, we were good in overtime games, close games. You are always looking at how you get better. I think some of that will come, if the team is the same, from [Jeff] Teague. Teague is going to continue to get better. He got a lot of easy shots for us in the playoffs for some of our players. Joe really improved his 3-point shooting. Marvin [Williams] shot the 3-pointer pretty good. You are asking me questions that really Larry should answer but I think, overall, the dialogue from the coaching staff and the management last year was [about] defense. We’ve got to focus on that and we can manufacture and we have enough talent to get shots.
MC: Why do you think things like good offensive efficiency in fourth quarter didn’t translate to the playoffs?
Sund: I haven’t really zeroed in on that. I think with the exception of the blowout game, all of the games—and we pretty much dominated Game 1-you take those two games out and the other four games were pretty close and could have gone either way. It was a missed shot here and a missed shot there.
MC: We saw the tension between Joe’s deliberate style that he likes to play and LD’s motion offense, something that he expressed his frustration about at one point. Can that tension be resolved with this personnel?
Sund: That question should be to Coach.
MC: Do you plan to extend a tender to Ivan [Johnson]?
Sund: I’m not going to comment on that right now.
MC: Will you try to sign Josh Smith to an extension?
Sund: I’m not going to get into contract stuff.
MC: Josh had a great year production-wise but–
Sund: I think it was the best year Josh has had, at least in the four years I’ve been here. I’ve said it for the record and I’ll say it again: Irrespective of how the voting came out, he should have been an All-Star. I thought Josh had an absolutely terrific year. He did a great job of making sure, hey, we lost some huge production with [Al] Horford and he picked it up.
MC: But his offensive efficiency fell off, and a large part of that is because he’s taking more shots away from the basket and not shooting–
Sund: You have to ask those questions to Larry.
MC: But from a personnel standpoint, do you think he fits with what Larry is trying to do offensively?
Sund: Yes.
MC: Does that mean the migration away from the basket–
Sund: Those are questions you have to ask Larry. I think he’s an All-Star player. He played a total All-Star caliber play this year. He’s been exceptional in the post. I thought his defense was great. He’s one of the better passing power forwards in the league. I think he had a very good year.
MC: Is it your perception Josh is still happy being here with the Hawks?
Sund: I’m going to have his exit interview sometime this week. But, yeah, when you read the things of him saying . . . He’s such a competitor. I was talking to his dad the other day, and he mentioned we all think we should be playing, and that’s great. And [Josh] is one of them.
MC: Can you discuss tour team salary situation going forward?
Sund: I don’t like to talk about it until we find out what the taxes are and the league does its audit. We are in a situation where we have six guys under contract and we will have to fill in either via trade, first-round pick, second-round pick. How much room [under the tax level] do we have to use the mid-level, the bi-annual. We have all of those exceptions. Its’ too early to say.
MC: Is it possible you may have to build the same way as last year, when you had to find some value with minimum-salaried guys?
Sund: Many of the good teams are going to have to finesse their way around and look at that as an option. If you don’t want to be a perennial taxpayer, you have to look at those options. . . . I thought our team this year had a legitimate chance to get to the one or two spot [in the East]. We ended up with the fourth-best record in the [East] but we thought we could still be playing. I asked ownership if we think we are going to have a chance to make a run at it, we are going to have to dip our toe into and go into the tax and pay a little bit of tax. And they did it with no problem. We are an official taxpayer this year and I thought that was a good move for us given the injuries.
MC: I know you probably haven’t had much chance to study prospects in detail, but do you have an idea of the quality of depth in the draft?
Sund: I’m a real division of labor guy and that’s Dave Pendergraft and Mike McNeive, they focus on that all the time. I am getting more involved. During the year I go out and see some people but really focusing in on the groupings, where we pick at 23 who is going to be there, who do I really need to look at, who do you like in the combines, who do you not like. Chicago [combine] has become a really good tool because it’s basically all interviews for two or three days. That’s turned out to be really more productive than even in the past, when they just play.
MC: Have you gotten a feel from Dave and Mike on what they think about the draft prospects?
Sund: They’ve handled the draft pretty good the last couple of years. We got a good player in Teague and we got a good player in [Jordan] Crawford, which we parlayed into [Kirk] Hinrich. They feel that we will get a quality player at the 23rd pick, or there are quality people there. There are a few people they like that they might want to move down to get. Who knows. It’s way too early to tell. The lottery is tonight and next week is when it really starts to focus.
MC: How do you think that Crawford trade turned out now that Hinrich’s contract is expiring?
Sund: We felt we could make a run last year. Not quite as good as this year [but] we had to get through Orlando. It was the first time in four years we didn’t have home-court advantage and many people picked Orlando to win the conference. And then we took the best team record-wise [the Bulls] where we won the first game and then won another game. Hinrich didn’t play in that [series]. We like to think if Hinrich did play we would have advanced that round. It’s just unfortunate he came in with the injury this year. But I don’t think there’s any question in my mind that we wouldn’t have advanced to the second round last year without Kirk on our team.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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535 comments Add your comment
northcyde
June 1st, 2012
12:00 pm
SteveW
May 31st, 2012
11:09 pm
You guys do know that Sac is not going to trade Cousins for Josh or Al straight up in all probability, and forget the lottery pick.
Last year in a weak draft it was reported Boston shopped Rondo for a lottery pick. No takers.
Most NBA teams highly over value lottery picks. So Cousins and a lottery pick for Josh or Al is not going to be happening anytime soon in all probability.
And another drawback of Josh/Marvin for Gasol is salary in 2013/14 – if you keep Teague and Zaza your looking at about 65 mill realistically for 5 players, not including 1st picks etc.
It gums up your cap space to bad
****************
If you have Gasol in the mix, Zaza is expendable. That’s actually another reason why to do a Gasol for Josh/Marvin trade. Not only does that somewhat protect you from the loss of Josh, it protects you from the loss of Zaza as well.
The most overpaid people in the NBA are mediocre centers.
In a Gasol – Horford – Zaza – Ivan frontline, I could see the minutes going something like this
PF – Horford ( 24 ) – Gasol ( 12 ) – Ivan ( 12 )
C – Gasol ( 22 ) – Zaza ( 16 ) – Horford ( 10 )
You lose Zaza, and you still have Horford and Gasol who can man the 5 spot. At that point, you’d need another center to at least give you size in the middle. Or you increase the minutes of a guy like Ivan.
PF – Horford ( 24 ) – Ivan ( 24 )
C – Gasol ( 36 ) – Horford ( 12 )
or
PF – Horford ( 22 ) – Ivan ( 16 ) – Gasol ( 10 )
C – Gasol ( 24 ) – Horford ( 14 ) – free agent/young center ( 10 )
No way should the potential loss of Zaza prevent the Hawks from doing a Gasol for Smith/Marvin deal. Zaza is definitely replaceable.
northcyde
June 1st, 2012
12:03 pm
HawksFanSince’89
June 1st, 2012
9:15 am
Dear Rick Sund,
This is how you improve the Atlanta Hawks give Joe Johnson a contract extension, where he makes less per year and a little more over the life time of the contract, and make the contract more “performance based”!! Also, Give Jeff Teague, Al Horford, and Josh Smith contract extensions w/ more money to keep our core group together, then go out and a “True Star Player”, and strengthen our bench.
*******************
Can’t extend the contract of JJ until after Year 3 of his deal ( which is next season )
and
You can’t restructure his contract unless the Hawks are under the salary cap ( which we are not )
(( shrugs ))
High-sider
June 1st, 2012
12:03 pm
^Correction: “…FYI, Jamal Crawford [at 0.927] led the NBA in FT% this 2011-2012 [regular season*]…”
Just Joe
June 1st, 2012
12:09 pm
I’ve noticed that when rumors come out about teams interested in trading for Josh (like the Golden State rumor yesterday), that a lot of times, Josh gets included with lists of SF’s (Granger, Iguodala, Rudy Gay, Deng, etc…). Is this just because the media looks at his size & athleticism only, or do a lot of teams out there think that Josh is a 30+ minute a night SF?
drmaryb.(*_*).
June 1st, 2012
12:36 pm
Slim-Juice,Jr
“BTW, In the book “The1 minute cure” by Madison Cavanaugh, she talks about curing MS and a host of other diseases using food grade 35% Hydrogen Peroxide! Fascinating read too!
Hydrogen Peroxide= H2O2, that extra molecule of Oxygen[donor of electrons] is so powerful, NASA
used it to send rockets to the moon and beyond….Imagine what it can do for the Human[energize] Body?”
________
I just ordered this book online at Amazon. I can’t wait for it to get here. You have all the mental mappings of a health care provider. The world of medicine could use a forward thinker like yourself. I feel lucky to have met you.
drmaryb.(*_*).
June 1st, 2012
12:43 pm
Slim-Juice,Jr
“I’m in dmaryb. Thanks for the breakdown. I would like to make copy and paste that dissertation into a windows file if you don’t mind? I’ve got to go back and read it again and again… lol”
________
Sure, send that pdf to: drmaryeb@yahoo.com & I’ll get back to you offline.
drmaryb.(*_*).
June 1st, 2012
12:44 pm
Slim-Juice,Jr
you can also visit my website @: optimalkeys.com
BIG DOG
June 1st, 2012
12:49 pm
Just Joe – I have heard that rumor 2, Rudy Gay is on the trading block and Memphis is trying to pursue Josh.
Rudy for Josh in a straight up trade.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
northcyde
June 1st, 2012
12:50 pm
High-sider
June 1st, 2012
12:03 pm
^Correction: “…FYI, Jamal Crawford [at 0.927] led the NBA in FT% this 2011-2012 [regular season*]…”
*******************
. . . . while only averaging 3.4 attempts per game.
It’s like I said about JJ earlier in the week. What good is it to be a great FT shooter, if you don’t get to the line nearly enough for that to be a factor?.
BIG DOG
June 1st, 2012
12:57 pm
If im Hawks i wouldn’t make that trade.
A trade i would make is Josh for Brook Lopez.
The Rumor now is that D William wan’t to stay in Brooklyn and D12 will be headed there, Josh will be in Brooklyn New York after this year.
D William, D12, Josh, will all be in New York in 2013 that’s the rumor right now.
If im the Hawks i Trade Josh ASAP, he have made his mind up to go New York so trade him now for Brook Lopez.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
cdog
June 1st, 2012
1:12 pm
time for a change. it’s time for rick sund to go.the hawks will be stuck in failure as long as he’s GM
Najeh Davenpoop
June 1st, 2012
1:53 pm
” Is this just because the media looks at his size & athleticism only, or do a lot of teams out there think that Josh is a 30+ minute a night SF?”
I think it’s probably because the media doesn’t watch Hawks games.
Astro Joe
June 1st, 2012
1:56 pm
Maybe they saw a ranking of the most long 2s in the NBA, and decided that Josh must be playing SF.
Just Joe
June 1st, 2012
1:57 pm
“I think it’s probably because the media doesn’t watch Hawks games.”
in other words, they are in the majority. Not many people of any profession watch Hawks games.
Grandad
June 1st, 2012
2:06 pm
Listen Yawl:
we do not need a player for player trade [Josh].
* r.e.; Rudy Gay
This yr [2012] is the deepest draft since 2003. LBJ, Melo, Wade; et al
In the `03 draft there were:
*58 players drafted
*28 players are still in the league – *(have had a 9 yr career)
*18 of those players are / were on play-off teams ” this ‘ yr [2012]
*9 of those players are playing on teams that are still alive / play-offs
My point:
trade Josh to Houston for the diminished trade value of Kyle Lowry !
-Plus-
Both Houston`s two first round picks.
Addendum;
add Teaguer to the trade
-also-
attempt to add Scola.
The objective – coup de gras – is to receive the *’`two picks`’*
Grandad
June 1st, 2012
2:18 pm
In the yr 2021
I will most likely -not- still be alive
[not being morbid, just statistics]
Josh Smith will not be in the NBA
Moe Harkless, Andrew Nicholson, & Scott Machado
will be on play-off teams.
Mark my words !
I doubt anyone would be able to collect on a bet,
so no need ?
That`s just 9 seasons down the road.
If the ASG are still owners of the Hawks:
The saying:
” He`s in a better place ”
will never have been more true.
Just Joe
June 1st, 2012
2:18 pm
BIG DOG,
I could get behind a Josh for B. Lopez trade if Lopez signed for no more than $8-$10M a year and Brooklyn threw in a future pick of some sort. There are worse trades to be made. Lopez has more of a post game than Josh or Al. Unfortunately, he can’t rebound a lick & his defense is very average. Heck, use Pachulia is a S&T for his brother. Draft Nicholson at #23. That’s a very young front line with good size. Hire a big man coach (Patrick Ewing???) to teach them Lopez boys how to rebound & defend.
1st team:
A. Horford $12M (high post) / B. Lopez $10M (low post)
2nd team:
A. Nicholson $1M (low post) / R. Lopez $5M (high post)
Astro Joe
June 1st, 2012
2:23 pm
G’dad, that is a less than 50% success rate. I’d rather have the 100% (or dang near close to it) certainty of Gay or Gasol’s production than roll the dice. If we can make a trade for a player that is top 10 at his position (like Gay, Lowry or Gasol), then I’m all for it. Folk were once excited by Jordan Hill, OJ Mayo, and Brandon Wright (as examples). I cringe at the thought of trading one of our 3 captains for any of those guys.
msc
June 1st, 2012
2:24 pm
What do you guys think about drafting Royce White or Quincy Miller?
Royce a 6′8 270 pound sf who is good at everything and Quincy a 6′10 sf.
or even Fab Melo or M.Teague and move J.Teague to the 2 spot?
any opinions?
Just Joe
June 1st, 2012
2:30 pm
Grandad…how would you see Scola fitting in on this team. He’s got what…a 3 yr $30M contract left???
I’m not as confident as you in this team:
Lowry / Machado
Johnson
Williams / Harkless
Scola / Nicholson
Horford / Pachulia
Just Joe
June 1st, 2012
2:35 pm
msc…R. White’s anxiety issues & jumper worry me. Miller’s knees worry me. Both have high upside though.
Slimjr
June 1st, 2012
2:49 pm
will do drmaryb..
cp
June 1st, 2012
2:58 pm
If White didnt have those anxiety issues I think he would go in the teens in this draft. Miller will be a steal if he can get back some of that lift and quickness he lost with the injury in High School. From the workout reports Ive read he looks to be moving a lot better than he did this past season at Baylor. I think after the Chicago camp and the measurements come out a lot of guys will start rising while others fall. Miller could be one that rises if he does have a crazy wingspan and test out well athletically. I read somewhere he has like a 7′4 wingspan. I dont know if that measurment is correct or not.
BIG DOG
June 1st, 2012
2:59 pm
Just Joe – If you trade Josh for Lopez this team is a better team with more balance, Look Josh is not coming back, so trading Josh to a team he is headed for why not get something for before he leave.
Now my second choice would be a Josh for Rudy Gay and starte Zaza at center.
Teague, Joe, Rudy, Horford, Zaza
look good on paper.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
High-sider
June 1st, 2012
2:59 pm
^Correction: “…Crawford’s NBA free throw rankings for the 2011-2012 [regular season*] are…”
BIG DOG
June 1st, 2012
3:04 pm
Josh for Lopez
Teague, Joe, ? , Horford, Lopez
Draft Terrence Jones
Bench Terrence, Marvin, Zaza
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
cp
June 1st, 2012
3:05 pm
ESPNU will be showing the draft combine June 7-8 for those who want to check it out
Slimjr
June 1st, 2012
3:14 pm
Andrew N. is going to slide down to a lower pick my gut is thinking..
Maybe 12-18? Sure wish the Hawks could get him! He’s legit in the post.
And can shoot three’s to boot…Nice.
High-sider
June 1st, 2012
3:41 pm
^Correction: “…Crawford’s rankings in FTM Average [43rd] and FTM Totals [42nd] [are*] better than many, if not most, starting guards in the NBA…”
I’m making too many mistakes. LOL
northcyde
June 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
Grandad
June 1st, 2012
2:06 pm
Listen Yawl:
we do not need a player for player trade [Josh].
* r.e.; Rudy Gay
This yr [2012] is the deepest draft since 2003. LBJ, Melo, Wade; et al
In the `03 draft there were:
*58 players drafted
*28 players are still in the league – *(have had a 9 yr career)
*18 of those players are / were on play-off teams ” this ‘ yr [2012]
*9 of those players are playing on teams that are still alive / play-offs
My point:
trade Josh to Houston for the diminished trade value of Kyle Lowry !
-Plus-
Both Houston`s two first round picks.
Addendum;
add Teaguer to the trade
-also-
attempt to add Scola.
The objective – coup de gras – is to receive the *’`two picks`’*
Josh Wants Out!
June 1st, 2012
3:47 pm
Hawks are on the right path. Stay the course, grasshopper.
good things come to those who wait.
2013 NBA Champion Atl Hawks!!!
ya gotta believe, if ya wanna achieve.
northcyde
June 1st, 2012
4:07 pm
SMH . . let’s try that again
Grandad
June 1st, 2012
2:06 pm
Listen Yawl:
we do not need a player for player trade [Josh].
* r.e.; Rudy Gay
This yr [2012] is the deepest draft since 2003. LBJ, Melo, Wade; et al
In the `03 draft there were:
*58 players drafted
*28 players are still in the league – *(have had a 9 yr career)
*18 of those players are / were on play-off teams ” this ‘ yr [2012]
*9 of those players are playing on teams that are still alive / play-offs
My point:
trade Josh to Houston for the diminished trade value of Kyle Lowry !
-Plus-
Both Houston`s two first round picks.
Addendum;
add Teaguer to the trade
-also-
attempt to add Scola.
The objective – coup de gras – is to receive the *’`two picks`’*
************************************
I’m like Astro Joe. Give me the guy who is already a proven player, over a bunch of draft picks that we’d have to develop.
And let’s keep it real about the 2003 NBA Draft.
Lebron was the high school phenom that was immediately seen as a superstar
Melo had just won the NCAA Championship in which he played like a superstar
Dwyane Wade had a triple-double to beat Kentucky in the Elite 8, to get to the Final 4
And Bosh was the best big man prospect in the nation.
3 of those 4 players are going to the Basketball Hall of Fame . . if Bosh wins a few titles, he may go too.
David West was arguably the 5th best player in that draft. So would you trade Josh Smith for David West? I wouldn’t
How about T.J. Ford?
Mo Williams?
The truth about the 2003 draft is that it was very top heavy, with the rest of the draft containing mediocre or role players.
If we’re talking about trading our young star for a draft pick, it better be for a guy who has the potential to be as good or greater than the guy we’re trading. No way am I trading Josh for a guy in the late lottery or in the middle of the 1st round.
Especially not in this draft. After Anthony Davis, who really has the accolades and the ability to be the #1 guy on a team in 5 years? I honestly don’t see a one. And even Davis looks more like the 2nd coming of Dikembe Mutumbo.
Here’s a question. Look through that draft, and tell me which guys could IMMEDIATELY start for the Hawks.
Grandad
June 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
Pau Gasol:
‘` I think that we had a good season,
*-but- it could have been *[way better]
*-since- we didn’t achieve our *[goal] of
*[winning the championship].`’
_____________________________________________
This is how Champions;
with a Champion mentality;
who have been cultivated within a Winning Culture;
think, speak, and answer questions.
Just Joe
June 1st, 2012
4:27 pm
“Here’s a question. Look through that draft, and tell me which guys could IMMEDIATELY start for the Hawks.”
In this lineup: Teague, Johnson, Williams, Smith, Horford….there are probably 12-15 guys between the SG, SF, PF & C positions that we could insert in the place of Marvin Williams, and come out just as good, if not better.
If you can trade Josh for a rotational player at PF or C (depth along with Horford & Pachulia) and Marvin’s replacement (wing player that would force Marvin to the bench), all while creating cap space, then you’ve come out way ahead of the game this offseason.
I’m not so sure we can’t draft Marvin’s replacement at #23 (M. Harkless, J. Taylor, Q. Miller, T. Jones, K. Murphy, O. Johnson, etc…), but getting an earlier pick improves our chances.
Grandad
June 1st, 2012
4:43 pm
Astro Joe / Just Joe / northcyde
two scenarios:
1st:
Lowry starts at pg …
Teague @ the [2] if he`s not inserted into the deal.
*[subsequent JoeJ trades in the works as well]
Lowry player for player Josh (besides the picks)
*50% chance = 2 picks / Harkless or A.Nicholson 1 will pan out
* for Astro Joe
* for Just Joe Intelligent bench player / low post scorer /
trade bait when he goes into his final contract yr
I see Harkless `though 19 yrs old as a defensive stopper yr one.
I also see him as a [2] guard / wing defender:
Battier / Kawhi Leonard = dynamic offense by yr 3 !
A.Nicholson could start yr one:
However; I would not due to Zaza, has earned the starters job.
Coaching psychology:
let A. Nich come off bench play starters min at three pos. [3, 4, 5]
Both these kids are legit.
I`ve seen one scouting report that has M.harkless above kidd Gilchrist.
Scott Machado will be a true pg;
if we have to give up Teaguer, then Lowrey is no slouch with Machado
backing him up.
We become deeper, more well rounded, better defensively;
*Lowry = tenacious
*Harkless = defensive stopper … think Gerald Wallace [def only]
*Nicholson = Rim Defender [length] will measure 6-9 or 6-10 ?
Josh does not wish to be here.
2nd possible scenario:
Flip Lowry & Joe for Gasol !
-then-
sign Steve Nash !
-also-
make a run @ Gerald Wallace !
[dependent on unloading Joe`s salary] !
Yes – I understand forward thinking.
Yes – I understand the industry !
Grandad
June 1st, 2012
4:47 pm
Do yawl wish to paddle water for 10 more yrs ?
-or-
do something bold with a chance of being Great !
Grandad
June 1st, 2012
5:07 pm
*Scola
* for Just Joe Intelligent bench player / low post scorer /
trade bait when he goes into his final contract yr
KevinM
June 1st, 2012
6:23 pm
I love the fact the reason we went over the cap was having guys like Stack and Damp on our bench.
We also justify keeping Marvin because he’s healthy now.
We spend more time making decisions on marginal NBA players than actually bringing in guys we can improve with.
Injuries aside, when healthy, this team was not an impressive starting 5.
Hey Slim, what was LD’s record in Year 1 vs. teams over .500?
We’re a 4 or 5 seeded team because we can’t beat anyone above us. Why is that so hard for this organization to see?
Sund not wanting to take a step back tells me how few options he really has. After 32 years, shouldn’t this guy be paying poker with a guarantee of 2 aces in his hand by now?
There is not a draft pick in this draft that LD will allow to infiltrate his system. That guy will get Teague’d for 2 years.
If I was a draft pick of the Hawks, I might they’ve to sit out a year and re-enter next year.
DawgNole
June 1st, 2012
6:44 pm
Josh Wants Out!
June 1st, 2012
3:47 pm
Hawks are on the right path. Stay the course, grasshopper.
good things come to those who wait.
2013 NBA Champion Atl Hawks!!!
ya gotta believe, if ya wanna achieve.
______________________________
“Good things come to those who wait.”
Wait how long?
After 44 years of waiting, you suggest we “stay the course”?
What an insult.
Rufus1
June 1st, 2012
6:52 pm
Josh’s money is the most important thing….
We could sign a free agents or potential free agents that would give us better options than a rookie.
George Hill
Jordan Hill
JJ Hickson
JR Smith
Courtney Lee
Kyle Lorver
JJ Redick
Ryan Anderson
Gerald Green
I would trade Josh to Houston for Dalembert, Patterson and the 16th pick… Cut Dalembert and sign Jordan Hill and JR Smith or Hickson and Green or Keep Dalembert and sign George Hill….
Any of those combinations are better than bringing in Rookies.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
June 1st, 2012
6:55 pm
“Hawks’ Summer 2012:
June 22: Rick Sund accepts job as GM of Portland Trailblazers. David Pendergraft is named the Atlanta Hawks GM.
Michael Gearon Jr: “We want to thank Rick Sund for his contributions to the Atlanta Hawks franchise. He is a very savvy and professional executive who really helped this team mature and grow through the years. We wish him nothing but the best”
June 24: Hawks pick up Larry Drew’s option.
July 3: A list of teams interested in JaVale McGee is reported, with the Hawks among them. The Hawks do not end up signing JaVale McGee.
July 5: A list of teams interested in Jason Terry is reported, including the Hawks. The Hawks ideally want Terry in a 6th Man role, but he shuns the Hawks, given how his prior stint with the franchise occurred.
July 6: Hawks sign Kirk Hinrich to $12 million/3 year contract.
David Pendergraft: “Kirk Hinrich has been an integral part of this franchise since we traded for him in February 2011. He has taken Jeff Teague under his wing and shown him the ropes of the game”
July 12: Joe Johnson on whether moves need to be made: “Nah man. What we got here is good. We just need to sign a few vets. We really kept our resolve this year, given all the injuries we had to endure.
July 14: Marvin Williams on his summer:
“Man I’ve just been at Chapel Hill. I just got a few semesters left until I get this African Studies Degree.
**MC: What aspects of your game are you working on this summer?
-Marvin: Just perimeter shooting in general. I need to become more reliable as a 3 point shooter also. I’m still working out with Sean May, and I even saw Raymond Felton drop by a few days ago
July 18: Michael Gearon Jr. interview with Michael Cunningham
**MC: What do you think about Joe’s performance on his contract so far?
-Gearon: I think he is still an elite shooting guard. Most people don’t know this, but Joe has had knee issues the last few years, and the fact he has insisted on playing shows he is a true warrior. That’s the funny thing about the NBA. Going into summer 2010, we had about 8 million in cap space if we let Joe go. So who do we go sign and still maintain our status as the 3 seed in the East if Joe leaves? Do we sign Bubba Jones off the street [Gearon laughs while MC looks at him curiously]?
**MC: What do you have to say to those who claim the team has taken a step back from last year?
-Gearon: That’s the funny thing about the NBA. You can overachieve in the regular season given what you have, and in the Playoffs, it’s a whole different animal. You look at the Dallas Mavericks. They won the Championship last year. They lost Tyson Chandler. They added the NBA’s 6th Man from last year. This year, they got swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder. We lost in 6 games to a team that has been elite for 5 years. We were the most injured Playoff team in the league this year. You cannot judge this team based off one Playoff series. We had a two-time All-Star who missed almost the entire regular season.
**MC: A lot of fans have the feeling that it’s the same drill every season and the ownership isn’t dedicated to winning – that this core has hit its ceiling
-Gearon: [Laughs]. Michael, you look at the Detroit Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Boston Celtics. Those main cores have been together for years. Have they been to the Finals every single year that their core has been together? An analogy I like to use is that you have to crawl before you walk. Josh and Al are just now entering their prime ages, and Joe is a 6x NBA All Star. You look at our Playoffs series against Boston. Going against 4 future Hall of Famers and a Hall of Fame coach, we played tremendous defense. We are always looking to build on what we did well and address what didn’t. Like, if I go to the same restaurant, let’s say ZaZa’s, and the service is lousy each time (God Bless ZaZa [chuckles]!), do I just quietly take the bad service every time I go? Let’s say the restaurant allows the patrons to fill out anonymous surveys. The key, Michael, is you always have to evaluate the situation and try to improve what’s good and address what’s bad. [MC thinks: "What the hell does that story have to do with anything?]
-Gearon: I know a lot of fans are upset about not winning a Championship this year, but so are 28 other teams. You look at Sacramento and Golden State. Those teams were last relevant when I HAD hair [chuckles]!
**MC: It’s been widely reported Josh Smith wants out. How do you plan on dealing with the situation?
-Gearon: I’ve known Josh and his family for so many years and it’s been incredible watching him grow up from a skinny high school kid all the way to a star in the NBA. He is the engine that keeps this team moving, especially with the injuries to several key guys this year. You look at LeBron James and you look at Josh Smith, and these are two very special players……[**notice how the question isn't actually addressed]
July 24: Larry Drew interview with Michael Cunningham
**MC: What changes do you hope to bring to this roster in terms of coaching this season?
-LD: We need to approach this season with a certain physicality. I noticed at times these last two seasons we did not display a certain sense of urgency, and if you do that in the NBA, it will be a long season.
**MC: Many people say that Josh Smith’s jumpshooting has been out of control, moreso than it was when Woodson was here. How do you plan to address this for the coming season?
-LD: ………um, well Josh has to recognize his role in the offense. He is so important to this team.
**MC: Do you have anything to say about Marvin or Horford? Marvin, one can say, had a dreadful first 4 games in the Boston series, and Joe really looked uninspiring at time in the regular season and playoffs.
-LD: No. Those guys are not allowed to be called out. It is clear that Teague and Josh Smith are the scapegoats for every problem this team has.
August 2: Hawks offer Ivan Johnson 1 year contract for the smallest possible amount. Ivan, seeing Pendergraft at the Hawks gym one morning, curses him out and has to be restrained by Anthony Johnson.
August 5: Hawks sign veteran guard Mike James to 1-year veteran minimum contract
August 11: Hawks sign veteran forward Darius Miles to 1-year veteran minimum contract
October 14: Hawks sign Matt Harpring as player development coach
cp
June 1st, 2012
6:55 pm
@Grandad. I’m reading that Harkless might go in the lottery now. I doubt he falls to us…@Slim. I don’t see Nichalson dropping to either. I’m thinking the Hawks will try and trade down from reading this interview.
cp
June 1st, 2012
6:58 pm
I would like to get Gerald Green but I think some teams are going to throw decent money at him after how improved he looked this past season. You know the Hawks want all bargain bin players. They will be looking at vet min contracts again this year to fill out the roster. Probably one or two guys from the summer league team make the roster too.
BIG DOG
June 1st, 2012
7:02 pm
Okay here is my list on Hawks draft by order.
1.Terrance Jones – Is a beast will be a NBA all star in league one day, can shoot from out side and has a nice low post game.
2. Jared Sullinger – Could become the steal of this draft 6′10 weight 285 pounds would be the Hawks starting center, is a monster in the paint on offense.
3. Fab Melo – The second best defender in the draft behind Anthony Davis, Has nothing but potential written all over him, would give the Hawks a legit center that could turn into a star in the NBA.
4. Jeffery Taylor – I have seen him play for the past 3years a cannot miss draft pick would be Hawks starting SF on day one, a great defender also have a nice perfect jumshot Hawks fan will like him alot.
5. Meyers Leonard – A legit 7′0 that would starte on day 1 for the Hawks, he is 10times better than Spencers Hawes of the Sixers.
Every one of these player could starte day 1 Hawks, and will be solid NBA players.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
June 1st, 2012
8:23 pm
Terrance Jones in beast mode
http://youtu.be/aszTWWSwRC4
BIG DOG
June 1st, 2012
8:37 pm
If you could trade Josh for Lopez and draft T. J
Teague, Joe, T J, Horford, Lopez
Pargo, Tmac, Marvin, Ivan, Zaza
Green,
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
O"Brien
June 1st, 2012
8:59 pm
KevinM,
Hey Slim, what was LD’s record in Year 1 vs. teams over .500?.
This year, LD and the Hawks were 14-21 (40%) against teams over .500. Last year, they were 14-26 (35%), so they improved slightly this season. And they did not have as many blowout losses as they had last year.
I think LD is an average coach,but when you have a top 10 payroll, you need more than an average coach (imo).
O"Brien
June 1st, 2012
9:00 pm
Grandad,
If Teague plays SG, won’t defenders back off him and dare him to shoot (instead of playing him close where he can use his speed)? And on defense, wont they try and post him up?
I think its better to make Teague the lead guard off the bench, so he can be the scoring PG he is.
BIG DOG
June 1st, 2012
9:19 pm
I make this trade ASAP if im the Hawks.
Josh for Lopez
http://youtu.be/DLO47cOU6Xc
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
High-sider
June 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
Orlando Woolridge dead at 52
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-0602-woolridge-notre-dame-bulls-chicago–20120602,0,1949134.story