Atlanta Hawks: Elite talent, not ‘Detroit model,’ still best path to title
Assuming the favored Heat beat the Celtics tomorrow and advance to the Finals, it will add to the mountain of evidence suggesting the best way to build a championship team is to acquire elite players.
Yeah, I know: radical statement. But before you lump me with Captain Obvious, remember it’s at odds with the “Detroit model” currently favored by the Hawks.
My view is that there are two kinds of NBA teams–those with top 10 players, and those without–and everything an organization does should be in an attempt to be the former rather than the latter. The Hawks’ view is that they can build a team with three not-quite-elite talents and keep knocking at the door until they become championship contenders.
That’s assuming the Hawks do have aspirations of winning an NBA championship, something that’s not always clear. The franchise often seems more preoccupied with dinging its critics and demanding credit for its successes (and there are many) than raising the bar. That perception is fueled by superficial-but-telling tendencies (such as statements boasting about making the playoffs) and the embrace of a team-building philosophy that rarely leads to a championship.
In a league where superstars contend for titles, the Hawks have tried to do it without one.
“It is going to be very hard for us to get that MVP candidate unless you pick one or two [in the draft],” Rick Sund said last summer. “Or unless you happen to have … free-agent money, to get one in free agency. It’s going to be tough, so we are going to have to do it the hard way.”
The Detroit model certainly is that.
There have been 62 NBA championship teams since 1950, and 57 those teams placed at least one player on one of the top two All-NBA teams in the season they won it. In fact, only 15 of those champions failed to have at least one player voted first team All-NBA (a third five-man All-NBA team was added starting with the 1988-89 season).
Furthermore, only 10 of 62 finals runner-up teams failed to have at least one player considered among the top 10 in the league. That means just 15 of 124 teams to make the finals — 12 percent — did so without a player voted to be among the league’s 10 best.
The Heat or Thunder would add to those totals while the Celtics would not. And chances are if Boston advances it’s because Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce once again rekindle their form from the recent past and/or Rajon Rondo plays to the level that has him on track to reach top 10 status.
The Hawks tried to do build a contender the way the Thunder have done it. They executed the first part of the plan by getting bad enough to get a chance at a high draft pick and lucky enough to land one. The second and most important part, drafting the right players, didn’t go so well.
Making the wrong pick hurts, but it happens. Worse is that instead of cutting their losses and turning Marvin Williams et al into assets they could use to take a shot at acquiring an elite player, the Hawks doubled down. And instead of using Joe Johnson to acquire more assets (draft picks, relatively cheap and productive players, cap space) that hey could parlay into a top 10 player, the Hawks gave him the richest deal in the league.
Now the Hawks aren’t projected to have real cap space until after next season, by which time Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia could be gone, Johnson will be a year older and they’ll have no more than four players under contract. Tough to get an elite talent and complementary players with $15 million or so in cap space.
I understand the calls for a new coach as the answer with this group of Hawks. Sometimes, though, I think that’s the most popular thing because it’s easier to change coaches than acquire a top 10 player. I’d rather have the elite talent–Scott Brooks just beat Gregg Popovich and I’ll go out on a limb and say that had more to do with OKC’s two top 10 players to San Antonio’s one than any Thunder coaching advantage.
The Hawks could try to trade for an established top 10 player. There’s precedent for this with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving (who was actually “sold” to the 76ers by the Nets), Tiny Archibald, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley and Jason Kidd.
Going that route would almost certainly mean the Hawks would have to trade away part of the proverbial “core” and perhaps take a step back in the short term. My feeling is this is less likely to happen if Sund returns as GM. After a season in which injuries legitimately hurt their chances to advance in the playoffs, the Hawks under Sund probably would stay the course.
That’s a defensible position insofar as it keeps a good team intact. It’s not a proven plan as far as contending for a championship, unless you believe Johnson, Josh Smith, or Al Horford can be top 10 players next season. Essentially, the best way for the Hawks to become true championship contenders is for one of their players to be good enough to transcend the Detroit model.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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768 comments Add your comment
Ray
June 12th, 2012
7:19 am
Josh is technically an all-star twice now same for Al Horford.
If we can get rid of Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson and bring in a legit SG not an iso guy and make both Josh and Al the focal points on the offense we’d be in better shape then currently constructed.
I’d rather work with Teague, Josh, and Al Then Teague, Joe, and Al or Teague, Josh, and Joe.
I feel as though we can draft and SG as good as Joe in this draft right now.
Ray
June 12th, 2012
7:31 am
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
How does this trade work out for you guys doing this for getting rid of both contracts and also this assuming we can get both #24 from Cleveland and also Milwaukee’s #12 pick which could turn into Dion Waiters, or even a bunch of other picks.
So what you guys think?
If I’m ASKG Jeffery Taylor > Royce White if we can get him
At #24 I’d pick up Fetus Ezeli out of Vanderbilt honestly I’d take him over Fab Melo.
Aaron Pryor
June 12th, 2012
9:12 am
Let me make this as clear as possible. Josh Smoove is the center piece of this team and has not reached his peak as far as talent is concerned. There are very few players that have the raw talent to make it to the pros straight out of high school and come in as a starter. Josh hasnt even begun to reach his capabilities and has really barely reached manhood. He show a great level of maturity last summer with his dedication to making his self better as a player. As josh continues his hard work and dedication to the sport he love so much he will continue to blossom.
Not so with Al horford who has limited tools and an even more limited work ethic. Al has peaked. He will never be the caliber of player that Josh is now or will become. Al at his very best is a decent starter but is really suited as a role player who is best coming off the bench.
If its possible to let Al headline a trade where we get Gasol, Bynum or Howard,(or any of the other impact center) you have to make that trade. We dont disrupt the chemistry of this team by trading Al. We probably wouldnt even notice it as Zaza and Ivan proved last season.
Use AL Horford to get a real center. He doesnt want to play center and Is bad for the chemistry of this team. Add the necessary trim pieces with Al and upgrade Al’s position.
You dont fix what isnt broke as in Josh. and his play at the power forward. He is one of the best in the game and will only get better.
Fix what is broke and that is our center position manned by Al horford. We’ve being saying that for years.
If there are teams that
Aaron Pryor
June 12th, 2012
9:18 am
If there are teams that interested in Al and we can get a legitimate center who can have an impact and loves playing center then by all means dont hesitate to move Al and his 12,000,000 dollar salary to which we get very very limited production from. We can do much better than a 12pt career average for 12,000,000. Thats not good at All.
Aaron Pryor
June 12th, 2012
9:21 am
“Tough to get an elite talent and complementary players with $15 million or so in cap space.”
Really?
Al can chip in 12,000,000 quadzillion add that to your 15M and that gives 27M.
Now go get D12 !
doc
June 12th, 2012
9:24 am
well bring it on. this could be one of the better stories in the nba of match ups since the days of magic and bird. compelling and maybe the start f some more big series between the two. hawks take a back seat now.
Ray
June 12th, 2012
9:26 am
D12 won’t come to ATLANTA I repeat D12 is not coming to ATL.
No one wants to actually come to the Atlanta Hawks of their own free will the only reasons we got the players we got this year either they were on their last legs or weren’t very good.
We got lucky getting both Al Horford and Josh as much as people bash Horford he also hasn’t reached his limit yet as most people are saying.
I do agree Josh > Horford, but one thing I can say is this Josh Shines in his Athleticism while Horford has the best Fundamentals down. I’d rather not trade Horford for Gasol because we’d actually decline a bit because one you just traded for a 32 year old guy vs. the 25 year old that hasn’t reached his limit yet.
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
9:31 am
So if Josh and Dwight are good friends, then do you believe that Josh has told Dwight all kind of good things about playong for the Hawks and why he should sign a long-term deal here or do you believe that maybe, just maybe, Dwight has heard a negative thing or three about playing for the Hawks and in front of this fan base?
Ray
June 12th, 2012
9:31 am
@ Doc
I hope Kevin Durant sweeps Lebron in this NBA Finals actually if The Heat and Lebron lose he failed as this greatest player all time bid or whatever.
The King James stuff will need to stop when a King lost way back when he was no longer King you know?
MsDee
June 12th, 2012
9:42 am
Ok, I have been reading several comments about how either Josh is great and Al is crap or Josh is crap and Al is awesome. When is reality, BOTH ARE GREAT in there OWN ROLE!! Josh can fill the stat line like no other on our team BUT, he NEVER makes the right decisions at the right time AFTERWARDS. On the stat line, lets start with POINTS; Josh will make his 1st 5 jumpers(GREAT) , but wont stop if he misses 10 straight(BAD). REBOUNDS: Josh will box out and get rebounds(GREAT) but dribbles up the court INSTEAD of giving it up to THE PG,(BAD)… ASSISTS: Josh will make some great passes to Zaza as he is running up the court(GREAT), BUT tries THAT same pass next possession and over throws it out of bounds instead of realizing Zaza is covered(BAD)..STEALS: Josh has great anticipation on steals(GREAT) BUT will gamble a little to much and allow his man to get an easy layup or bucket(BAD). BLOCKS: Josh again has a great eye on when to block shots(GREAT) BUT again sometime relies on his blocks and allow his man to get pass him(BAD). Josh has been in this league WAYYY TOO LONG to still be making these kind of mistakes. I would like to keep Josh BUT we desperately need another head coach to handle him cause being in this league under the same coaches has gotten JOSH tired of their voices.
Aaron Pryor
June 12th, 2012
9:55 am
What garbage that Josh has told his buddy negative things to block the trade of him being swapped for
Al Hoford. – Rubbish. Both Josh and D12 are about winning A worlds championship.
Josh is a Finesse player who is a 4 or 5 tool player. yea, he uses his athleticism but that is what he does to excite the fans. Dont get it twisted that is for show. Josh is super talented.
Josh can take you off the dribble, from the wing, cross over, distribute, fade, postup, slash. baby hook,face up, left hand right hand either hand, dish. and more. Josh has all the tools and is only getting better. The man loves the game and is about winning.
Ive heard the hawks have renewed the talks about bringing D12 to Atlanta to put with Josh. Im All on board with this
Go Hawks.
Aaron Pryor
June 12th, 2012
9:58 am
“So if Josh and Dwight are good friends, then do you believe that Josh has told Dwight all kind of good things about playing for the Hawks”
NO! .
I think those two would run the team and bring in millions to the franchise. They would pretty much have their way which fortunately is about winning a world championship.
Bobby T
June 12th, 2012
10:00 am
You are crazy I make that Al for Gasol trade in a heart beat.
STRONGHAWK
June 12th, 2012
10:15 am
HOW IS IT THAT TWO TEAMS HAS BEEN SOLD IN THE LAST MONTH BUT WHEN THE HAWKS HERE UP FOR SALE THE DEAL DIDN”T GO THREW?
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
10:42 am
Sund may be a candidate to run the 76ers.
Potential candidates, according to league sources, include San Antonio vice president of operations Danny Ferry; Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey; Jeff Bower, who was a general manager for the New Orleans Hornets; Oklahoma City assistant GM Troy Weaver; Atlanta GM Rick Sund, whose contract expires at the end of June; and Milwaukee GM John Hammond, who has a year remaining on his deal. Hammond, who was denied permission to talk to Portland last month, was an assistant coach for Doug Collins with Detroit. The Sixers’ interview group consists of owner Josh Harris, CEO Adam Aron, Collins and Thorn, a source said. Philadelphia Inquirer
KevinM
June 12th, 2012
10:43 am
The latest: Philly needs new management as Thorn is walking away. Sund is on that list. What does that tell you about his status here?
He doesn’t appear to want to be here, and is stringing this out to the end to see if he can land another gig.
Please leave already so we can do something different because this GM doesn’t have it in him.
And for those who want to move Al Horford:
1) If you move Al, will Josh go back to the block full-time or does he continue to float outside? If so, I am for moving Josh and his jumpers.
Give me Al in the block….Al more consistent, Josh more exciting.
2) Say D12 comes here, which team would have the worse FT% in the league? Trust me, you don’t want to see Josh and D12 on the same team with the game on the line.
I used to be all about keeping Josh, but I don’t like where his game has headed and the coach is accepting of anything IMO.
Move Sund and Josh this offseason, and there will be a lot of people interested in watching this team despite the LD Princeton offense.
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
10:49 am
Of course, falling in love with a player for #7 is completely different than falling in love with a player further down… but I found this interesting.
When all was said and done Monday, neither Baylor’s Perry Jones nor Kentucky’s Terrence Jones wowed Warriors management, according to sources. They’re good players with top-level talent, sure. And both played well. But they didn’t do enough to make the Warriors fall in love, which is probably what had to happen for either of them to be the No. 7 overall pick.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2012
10:50 am
“Say D12 comes here, which team would have the worse FT% in the league? Trust me, you don’t want to see Josh and D12 on the same team with the game on the line.”
The 2000-2002 Lakers, who won three consecutive championships, never finished higher than 28th in the league in free throw percentage.
The 2004 Pistons were in the middle of the pack in free throw percentage and had one of the worst free throw shooters of all time playing center for them.
Obviously Josh and D12 are not Shaq and Kobe, but having two bad free throw shooters in the lineup isn’t necessarily a crippling weakness.
MajikMan
June 12th, 2012
10:53 am
This blog is one of the funniest I ever read because of the nutcases who are sure that Dwight would come to the ATL. Did Josh tell Dwight anything negative? Hahahahahah.
Of course he did, but Dwight already knows he’s going to Brooklyn. And if that didn’t work out, LA. If you are a Josh Smith fan you better hope he gets traded to Brooklyn this summer. Dwight has let it be known that he’s not interested in going “home”, as long as that pitiful excuse you guys have for owners are there. Dwight is not dumb, and neither is Josh. There won’t be any Josh – Dwight reunion unless it happens in Brooklyn. Dwight thinks the ATL is too small for the endorsement possibilities he wants to follow.
But you guys can keep on hoping, and I’ll keep on laughing at you. And if Josh doesn’t get traded, he’ll walk and follow Dwight. You guys are so screwed.
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
10:53 am
Preach, Doc.
Rivers absorbed some criticism for not giving Bradley quality minutes sooner, but the coach said even with the benefit of hindsight, he wouldn’t do it differently. “You can’t hand it to them,” Rivers said. “I look at the Washington [Wizards] model, where they played Andray Blatche and those guys, and what did it teach them? That they’re going to play them anyway?”
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2012
10:54 am
For all of y’all who come here complaining about how “so many people want to trade Al”, is it really that hard to observe the writing style in people’s posts and figure out that 90% of the “trade Al” posts are written by the same person?
Just Joe
June 12th, 2012
10:54 am
I have no reason to believe that the Hawks, who haven’t even named a GM yet, will make any trades leading up to the draft.
However, what I hope they will do, is spend a lot of time evaluating draft prospects. Hawks need to hit on both draft picks this year in order to improve.
This team has the following needs (IMO):
Backup PG – Someone with a solid handle that defends. They do not have to be able to shoot, but of course, that would be a plus. Healthier than Hinrich. Better handle than Pargo.
Backup SG – Someone with length & a quick release that allows them to get their shot off against almost anyone. Defense again is a plus, but we’re really looking for two or three 5-10 minute scoring clips off the bench per game.
SF Depth – Not setting the bar high here. We just need someone to take minutes away from Marvin Williams.
5th Big Man – My assumption is that we go in to the season with Josh, Al, ZaZa, and Ivan. I think Brian Butch has a shot at this role with his 3-pt shooting & defensive rebounding. You could also see the Hawks go after a veteran (future 2nd rd pick to Portland for Kurt Thomas???). But eventually the Hawks need to try to develop a young shotblocker.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2012
10:55 am
“Rivers absorbed some criticism for not giving Bradley quality minutes sooner, but the coach said even with the benefit of hindsight, he wouldn’t do it differently.”
Easy decision when you have a future Hall of Famer who is competing for those minutes. Not so much when you have an immobile corpse taking those minutes.
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
10:55 am
Doc, say it again for the guys in the back pew:
Rivers absorbed some criticism for not giving Bradley quality minutes sooner, but the coach said even with the benefit of hindsight, he wouldn’t do it differently. “You can’t hand it to them,” Rivers said. “I look at the Washington [Wizards] model, where they played Andray Blatche and those guys, and what did it teach them? That they’re going to play them anyway?”
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2012
11:02 am
Andray Blatche career minutes per game:
Rookie year: 6 MPG
Second year: 12 MPG
Nice try Doc. Maybe use an example that proves your point next time.
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
11:05 am
Yeah, Doc should have gone to his ESPN app to use a precise example for those too dense to absorb the general point of the message.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2012
11:06 am
“Yeah, Doc should have gone to his ESPN app to use a precise example for those too dense to absorb the general point of the message.”
No, he should have just clarified his message for people who are too dense to understand why playing a Hall of Famer who still contributes over a second-year player is different from playing a zero-time All Star who is a liability on both ends over a second-year player.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2012
11:09 am
Maybe if Andray Blatche had played more earlier in his career, while the Wizards were still good, he would have turned out better.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2012
11:10 am
“Good” being a relative term, of course.
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
11:24 am
Yeah, right. Doc understands that if you don’t teach them the right way early, they won’t likely learn the right way later. Like he said, “you can’t hand it to them”… which infers that they need to earn it. Funny thing is that it has worked out well for both Teague and Bradley… Blatche, not so much.
northcyde
June 12th, 2012
11:24 am
MsDee . . . good post.
Josh is a very good talent in this league, and a deserving All-Star last year. But it’s always “Good Josh vs Bad Josh”. He’s the modern day Antoine Walker/Rasheed Wallace. Great when he plays the right way. Frustrating as hell when he doesn’t.
The bottom line though, is that we can’t continue to have he and Joe Johnson take the same type of shots. Since Drew has been brought back, you know he’s not going to try to reign in Josh. So either JJ or Josh has to go, for the sake of the team.
The reasons why Josh is the one most talked about being traded is obvious:
- He’s the one with the rumors that he wants to leave ATL
- He’s the one who has a contract coming up next summer
- He’s the one who because of the above 2 comments, will be most easy to trade to bring back an asset(s)
- JJ’s contract isn’t to the point where a team will trade for him, unless they covet his talents as a player.
That’s why all of the talk is about Josh being moved, and not JJ or Al.
It’s nothing personal. It’s just business. Even on Josh’s end, it’s just business. He’s going to do what is in the best interest of HIM, and not what is in the best interest of the Hawks. The Hawks should take that same mentality.
northcyde
June 12th, 2012
11:27 am
Domimique was on Colin Cowherd’s ESPN radio show about 30 minutes ago. Talked OKC – Miami the entire time. Nice to hear his opinions on a national radio show, but it’s a shame that he’ll never be asked about the state of the Hawks, because no one cares.
MC . . . that’s maybe the only in-depth interview you haven’t done yet . . . . a long interview with Nique. I’d love to hear his opinion on the state of the Hawks.
Dawg
June 12th, 2012
11:33 am
MC: What are the Hawk’s offseason plans? Who are they working out? What are they looking for? Is Sund involved with anything other than applying for the Philly job? What are the priorties for the team?
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
11:35 am
northcyde, I think ‘Nique would give the “company line”. I seriously doubt that anything honest or insightful would be gained.
KevinM
June 12th, 2012
11:36 am
Just Joe:
“SF Depth – Not setting the bar high here. We just need someone to take minutes away from Marvin Williams.”
I would accept Marvin’s jersey being taken away as well…..we improve either way. I have accepted the fact that Marvin is worth nothing in the market and I’m okay with nothing in return….we can dream right?
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
11:38 am
It looks like the Philly job is for next year (if I read that correctly). They are starting the process early but don’t appear to have an immediate need. There is something new… a team that recognizes in advance that they may have an important vacancy and addresses it in advance. Crazy.
Just Joe
June 12th, 2012
11:42 am
KevinM….to me, you pull Marvin’s minutes and hopefully he has enough pride to walk away from his player option next year in order to find a new team. Doc talked about making a player earn his minutes, this should definitely apply to Marvin. TMac and Hinrich weren’t healthy enough or good enough to take Marvin’s minutes last year. We need more competition at that position.
KevinM
June 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
JustJoe, the T-Mac/LD relationship had some issues and it was obvious. T-Mac looked like he dressed out many times, only to sit and watch Marvin and Kirk contribute their small averages.
Marvin and Kirk continued to get chance after chance while others like Ivan and T-Mac, get inconsistent minutes.
There is plenty of room for improvement on this roster, but it has to start with the starting 5. What we put on the bench is currently not as important and can be a last month decision.
northcyde
June 12th, 2012
12:08 pm
Pau Gasol in a Game 7 situation with all the marbles on the line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xrKGU5Igg
Just Joe
June 12th, 2012
12:12 pm
KevinM…we can improve the starting 5 by replacing Marvin. I do not expect Teague, Joe, Josh or Al to be traded before the season starts.
MsDee
June 12th, 2012
12:14 pm
I spoke earlier about the GOOD JOSH VS BAD JOSH but now lets talk about AL. Again, Im not sure why all the trade talk about AL either. To me, he is the ONLY HAWK with a great Basketball IQ. He isnt turn-over prone, makes sound decisions, plays good defense and knows how to finish around the basket. Only problem I have with AL is if he has only 2 options 1)make a play for himself or 2) pass to an open Josh with the shot clock running down, he would throw the darn ball to Josh for a jumper instead of creating a shot for himself and maybe getting an AND1. If Josh was the one out for most of the season and AL was healthy, I truly believe that AL would have been just as effective as Josh was. If u think about it, the reason AL dont get as many touches is b/c Josh and JJ shoots 90% of the while Teague gets the rest at 10%. If AL had that opportunity to play w/o Josh, MANN OH MANN, AL would have been avg close to 25pts, 15rb b/c the ball would have moved more w/o it stopping at Josh. Also, AL would have had to put that weight on his shoulders, just like Josh did, to step his game up just like he did those last 2 games he DID get the chance to play. So pls yall, STOP TRYING TO SAY HORFORD ISNT WORTHY ON THIS TEAM CAUSE HE IS MORE THAN YOU KNOW. IF JOSH LEAVES, TRUST ME ON THISSS, YOU WOULD SEE BETTER BALL MOVEMENT ON THE COURT WITH MUCH MUCH BETTER SHOT SELECTIONS!!!
Clowns at work
June 12th, 2012
12:19 pm
“It is going to be very hard for us to get that MVP candidate unless you pick one or two”
And yet Joe gets MVP money.
doc
June 12th, 2012
12:21 pm
interesting that doc is commenting on the wizards since one of his “consultants” seen in the back ground is none other than flip saunders who coached em. wonder if it isnt slam at the wiz organization as much as the technique or is he slamming flip.
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
12:25 pm
northcyde, Bynum missed the early part of the 2010-11 season. In about 18 games in October & November of that season, Gasol only averaged around 21 & 12 on 53% shooting with 4 assists and 2 blocks without Bynum in the line-up (and as the team’s second scoring option). he also averaged close to 6 FTAs/game during that span. And you know how many 3 FGAs he hit during that span? NONE. He didn’t take a single 3 FGA. That was about 18 months ago. What a bum. Maybe we can trade Marvin for a bum like that. Marvin, Pape Sy and Mario West sounds about right.
KevinM
June 12th, 2012
12:32 pm
MsDee, “IF JOSH LEAVES, TRUST ME ON THISSS, YOU WOULD SEE BETTER BALL MOVEMENT ON THE COURT WITH MUCH MUCH BETTER SHOT SELECTIONS!!!”
If this is the case, then why doesn’t LD rope in Josh and give him fewer opportunities than doing as he wishes? That includes he and Al bringing the ball upcourt, negating Teague’s effectiveness? Are our guys only capable of playing the way they learned from Woody?
KevinM
June 12th, 2012
12:34 pm
Let’s see if LA would swap like salaries and give us Gasol, and we give them Joe. Would you like that lineup?
Al / Josh / Pau
?? / Teague
I start there and then prep for the draft.
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2012
12:34 pm
Kevin, you may recall that Horford missed almost all of the regular season? That may have something to do with how Josh was managed by LD… he kind of needed both the good and bad Josh (and mostly, he got Good Josh).
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2012
12:45 pm
“Doc understands that if you don’t teach them the right way early, they won’t likely learn the right way later.”
Your argument presupposes that a young player can’t learn the right way while also playing, which is plainly false and can be disproven by every single rookie who has taken minutes from a more experienced veteran and turned out fine, from LeBron James to Kenneth Faried to Al Horford.
If Ray Allen was not on that team, Rivers would have played Bradley. Don’t get it twisted.
O'Brien
June 12th, 2012
12:46 pm
Philly’s list of potential candidates to replace Thorn?
1) San Antonio vice president of operations Danny Ferry
2) Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey;
3) Jeff Bower, who was a general manager for the New Orleans Hornets;
4) Oklahoma City assistant GM Troy Weaver;
5) Atlanta GM Rick Sund, whose contract expires at the end of June
6) Milwaukee GM John Hammond,
My list would be the Lindsey and Ferry from the Spurs front office and Weaver from OKC’s front office. Whenever Rick Sund goes, it will be interesting to see the ASG’s list of candidates (assuming they don’t hand the job to Pendergraph immediately).
From the Philly paper;
A team source said that the process of replacing Thorn could take up to a year, which is why the search has started now. If “Mr. Right” were to come along in the near future, the Sixers would make the hire and Thorn would assume his part-time role immediately..
Maybe this is what Sund wants too. A part time role.
I
O'Brien
June 12th, 2012
12:47 pm
AJ,
It may have worked out for Teague, but it did not work out for the Hawks. They ended up trading 2 first round picks to get Hinrich, when Teague might have been the solution all along.