Atlanta Hawks: Prospect focus: Vanderbilt’s John Jenkins
The first time Larry Drew saw John Jenkins play live, during a workout in Santa Barbara, the Vanderbilt guard didn’t shoot well. The second time Drew saw him, at the Chicago pre-draft camp, Jenkins was “just OK” shooting it.
That changed during Jenkins’ workout at Philips Arena.
“He came here and he shot the hell out of it,” Drew said. “He has an NBA skill. He’s a guy that, watching him play and the way teams play him, it’s kind of that J.J. Redick feel. If he’s on the court, you better be with him at all times. It would be great to have a guy like that.”
Jenkins’ shooting display during his Hawks workout was no fluke. He was an elite shooter in college, posting the best effective field-goal percentage among D1 perimeter players.
Jenkins will have to prove he can do enough other things well enough to help offensively once defenders crowd his jump shot–presumably John Hollinger’s draft rater doesn’t like Jenkins (Insider) because of concerns about his ability to do so. His assist rate ranks last among DraftExpress.com’s top shooting guard prospects and his free-throw rate wasn’t much better.
The more pressing questions regarding Jenkins are his potential as a defender because he’s not particularly quick or athletic. Not surprisingly, Jenkins said teams have keyed in on testing his defensive ability during workouts.
“I’m a good shooter,” Jenkins said. “They know I can shoot and score the ball but they need to know if I can play defense. This league is so good, you have got to be able to defend, too. I just want to prove that I can.”
He apparently made a good case during his Hawks workout. Drew, Dave Pendergraft and Rick Sund all used the word “deceptive” to describe Jenkins’ athleticism.
Jenkins said he’s heard that a lot along the workout trail.
“They really underestimate it,” he said. “I didn’t show it so much at Vandy because that wasn’t my role and I didn’t get enough opportunities. But now that I’m in my individual workouts I can show that I can dunk the ball and do a lot of good things athletically.”
Jenkins rarely missed while putting up shots after his workout, but that was expected. I was surprised to see that Jenkins has good size. He’s legitimately 6-4 with long arms and broad shoulders.
Drew, Pendergraft and Sund all said they believe Jenkins has the potential to be an adequate NBA defender.
“I think so,” Drew said. “I think he’s got the package. It’s just the know-how. Knowing personnel, knowing how to defend certain guys, what they like to do. This kid, he’s a smart guy.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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182 comments Add your comment
Tru ATL Fan
June 20th, 2012
1:40 pm
So long as we have the ASG and JJ, honestly, no one cares. We know what the end result will be.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
1:41 pm
Good stuff MC.
I don’t have Insider but I wonder how these attempts to use stats to evaluate draft prospects, like Hollinger’s player rater, stack up with the way drafts turned out in previous years.
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
1:45 pm
It will be fun to read some of the posts over the next few days. Some who want to know yesterday who the Hawks are selecting next week will likely drive yourselves crazy with all of these quotes hyping up players A, B and C.
Grandad, so what is your source saying these days? Still holding firm on the pursuit of #18?
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
1:48 pm
cp posted the whole draft rater post a couple blogs back:
http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/06/17/atlanta-hawks-assistant-gm-dave-pendergraft-on-the-draft/?cp=4
Apparently it’s done really well predicting successful small forwards. But this year’s rater has Wroten ahead of Teague, Lillard, Rivers and Marshall, which makes me wonder about how it’s calculated as well.
SteveW
June 20th, 2012
1:53 pm
Najeh – I don’t know about Hollinger’s overall rankings historically, but I do know he nailed it on Rondo. Then in 2009, when asked about who could be the next Rondo – picked later, but do well in the League – he said Jeff Teague before the draft – In my opinion, he nailed that one also.
Also cp on the last blog posted Hollinger’s player rankings for this year – very informative.
Jenkins – Kyle Korver, JJ Reddick, Steve Alford – I’m just not that into those guys style of play. I want them to have some other skills besides shooting the ball. That’s just me. In the NBA, it’s too easy to put an athlete on a guy and crowd him, so he gets no touches, and is bothered when he shoots.
VD
June 20th, 2012
1:54 pm
Gonna have to agree with true ATL fan. As long as we have this ownership, this gm, and Joe Johnson’s contract, we won’t do much.
SteveW
June 20th, 2012
1:55 pm
Listening to Gearon talk, he seems to like smart guys, like Collins from Stanford – that’s why I won’t be surprised if we pick one of these guys from Vandy.
I like Jenkins a whole lot better at 43 than 23, but I doubt he last that long.
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
1:57 pm
Najeh, Hollinger’s Draft Rater (according to the modeler himself) tends to work best on big men and guys who have played more than one year of college ball. Obviously, any model is better with more data, so one and done players are harder to model than a junior. He predicted that Kahwi Leonard would be better than many projected and he rated Fredette fairly low (relative to his draft slot). At the same time, he didn’t give Faried much love and completely missed on Marshon Brooks. So pretty much like the human way of evaluating players, it is a crap shoot. (BTW, he rates Quincy Miller and Wroten much higher than their current projections… but again, they are both 1-year college players).
SteveW
June 20th, 2012
1:58 pm
I think Wroten in the right situation, and with the want to, will be a very good NBA player in 2 to 3 years. But with the Hawks desire for “now” players, I can’t see us drafting him, unless he’s there at 43.
And I remember the begging the Hawks to draft DeJuan Blair a couple of drafts ago – that guy was supposed to go like #16, and he kept on falling thru the 2nd round. He’s been a good pickup for the Spurs. Decent, not great, but ok.
SteveW
June 20th, 2012
2:02 pm
Doron Lamb or Jordan Jenkins? I guess I’d take either, just not at #23.
That guy Kim English? from Mo. – Draftexpress has us taking at 43 – looked solid as a ball player.
SteveW
June 20th, 2012
2:06 pm
Meyers Leonard looks like a ok prospect also – If we could trade up to obtain him, i’m not against that, depending on what we traded.
Jared Sullinger falls to 23? Take him in a heartbeat – Your looking at a guy projected as a top 5 pick, and maybe a top 2 last season, who may have a health concern. Sullinger is a BB player plain and simple. I’m not interested at getting another Oden, but at 23, take a chance on that guy.
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
2:06 pm
From Hollinger’s post:
“Evan Fournier of France, didn’t play in the Euroleague this year and thus has no projection. Subjectively, I’m not sold on him — he’s basically a slashing scorer who isn’t athletic enough to score that way in the NBA — but he at least has the benefit of being only 19.”
Fournier is my pick. He hasn’t shot lights out but he’s improving rapidly. From what I’ve read, there’s nothing wrong with his mechanics but he tends to take a lot of off balance shots and not keep his body square. This is correctable. Also, the guy has the handle and passing ability to play some point. He doesn’t have Wroten’s athleticism, but Wroten doesn’t have Fournier’s skill at either guard position. People probably didn’t think Ginobli (whom Fournier gets compared to) was that athletic when he was drafted at the end of the second round (the Spurs had a higher second round pick that didn’t pan out… they weren’t that big on Ginobli).
The Pacers are trying to get Fournier back for a second work out in front of Larry Bird because he was not present at the first work out. Apparently they like him at 26.
KevinM
June 20th, 2012
2:08 pm
AJ, I totally agree with you, and that quote about Green is something for us to fawn over.
Saying that, it would not surprise me in the least to see LD bring in another PF/SF/athlete…
Nothing would surprise me as to which direction the Hawks would go, but I predicted Chills and Shellhead when they came here, and Stanford and Duke players seem to help guys on our draft board.
Time to get a Vandy player now…..I don’t expect much from Taylor, Jenkins or Ekezi.
Melvin
June 20th, 2012
2:10 pm
Not a Jenkins fan. I would prefer Quincy Miller. Give me the guy with length,size, skill set and potential over a guy who played 3 or 4yrs of college ball. It’s not like the Hawks will win the championship next year as constructed, so give me the guy with the greatest upside that could be a main cog for years to come versus a older college guy that’s limited, with a lower ceiling and almost reach his peak.
Admiral Ackbar
June 20th, 2012
2:17 pm
MAKE THE TRADE
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6tbdo4n
Admiral Ackbar
June 20th, 2012
2:17 pm
ITS A TRAP!!
BIG DOG
June 20th, 2012
2:23 pm
Admiral Ackbar – What that Muslim ? i dont laugh much because im Big Dog but that’s some funny sh t.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
UGA
June 20th, 2012
2:26 pm
Here come the trades! From ESPN
NBA source tells me Emeka Okafor and Trevor Arizona have been traded to the Washington Wizards for Rashard Lewis and the #46 pick
High-sider
June 20th, 2012
2:32 pm
@KevinM
KevinM
June 20th, 2012
11:55 am
Has there been an explanation why the format is 2-2-1-1-1 all the way though the playoffs, and then it goes 2-3-2?
Does that make sense to anyone?
———————————————————————————————
I think that playoff format change has something to do with regional proximity, logistics, time zone changes and/or travel scheduling. Since the NBA Finals is decided between [the] Eastern and Western Conference Champions, there could be a lot of travel involved in a [hypothetical] matchup between, for example, the [former] Seattle Supersonics and the Miami Heat or the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. See the distance in mileage and the time zone changes involved in those two hypothetical matchups. If a series goes seven games in a 2-3-2 format, the teams and media personnel travel only two [2] times after the first two games of the series whereas in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, the two teams and the media personnel will have to travel four [4] times after the first two games if the series goes seven games. I think the 2-3-2 format was primarily instituted to cut down on the travel [and jet lag] of the players and the extra media personnel coverage.
BIG DOG
June 20th, 2012
2:32 pm
West Brook is a beast and scored 43points.
18 for 32 but he get the blame, I BE DAM
The dumbest comment ever the guy score 43points and shoot 62% percent from field.
Thunders lost because this dum coach continue to play small ball instead playing big with solid defense, the same thing LD continue to do with his philosophy, always thinking small ball.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
June 20th, 2012
2:37 pm
Teague, Joe, Josh, Horford, Zaza
Would beat the Heat.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Rick James
June 20th, 2012
2:40 pm
John Jenkins is an assasin..If he’s there when the Hawks pick they wont choose him because it makes too much sense.I’m sure they will take a forward from Armpit State and tell us he will replace Josh Smith who they just traded for a coke and a bag of chips..The band plays on.
TMACfan
June 20th, 2012
2:42 pm
Do you guys remember my trade request? Marvin Williams for sandwiches? Anyone think any teams will still make that trade?
O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
2:42 pm
Through 4 games in the NBA finals, Harden is averaging 10 ppg, shooting 35% from the field (including 4-20 the last 2 games), 28% from 3, and 72% from the line.
Compare that to his regular season average of 17 ppg, 49% from the field, 39% from 3, 85 % from the line. If Harden came close to duplicating his regular season numbers, I think Thunder would be leading 3-1.
With his lackluster performance, lucky for him he has one more season to make teams get this bad taste out of their mouth before he becomes a RFA next offseason.
O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
2:45 pm
What’s the Wizards motivation? They already have Nene (4 years, $52 mil), so why trade for Okafor (2 years, $28 mil) and Ariza (2 years, $15 mil)? Too bad we couldn’t find a deal that involved them taking Marvin.
New Orleans has a ton of cap flexibility now, and will be able to match any contract offer Eric Gordon gets. If they are willing to spend money, and get their draft picks right, they should be competing for a playoff spot in no time (imo).
Jimmy Crack
June 20th, 2012
2:48 pm
Jenkins has been a thorn in UGA’s side for years. Thankfully he has graduated and we all knew he was NBA material since he was a sophomore. As a tepid Hawks fan I wouldn’t mind John on our side making that last shot instead of “you know who”.
Grandad
June 20th, 2012
2:49 pm
A J
Nothing new here – though I`ve been digging.
Amick`s rumor yesterday intimating we are fishing, with
Josh & Marv for bait; ties in nicely with my original disclosure.
O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
2:51 pm
This NBA finals reminds us that you need your stars to play like stars, but role players have to step up too. Where would Miami be without Battier and Chalmers?
Imagine if KD and Westbrook had more teammates stepping up. To tie this back to the Hawks, we won’t get anywhere with a bench filled with vet min players (imo). It’s ok to have them sprinkled in, but last year, our entire bench (except for Marvin and Zaza) were vet min guys.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
2:55 pm
cp has Andrew sliding down to 38th? Wow….
1. Anthony Davis
2. Thomas Robinson
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
4. Dion Waiters
5. Andre Drummond
6. Quincy Miller
7. Jared Sullinger
8. Terrence Jones
9. John Henson
10. Royce White
11. Bradley Beal
12. Harrison Barnes
13. Tony Wroten
14. Kendall Marshall
15. Marquis Teague
16. Draymond Green
17. Jeremy Lamb
18. Damian Lillard
19. Austin Rivers
20. Doron Lamb
21. Furkan Aldemir
22. Will Barton
23. Tyler Zeller
24. Evan Fournier
25. Tyshawn Taylor
26. Meyers Leonard
27. Terrence Ross
28. Perry Jones
29. Festus Ezeli
30. Fab Melo
31. Kostas Sloukas
32. Henry Sims
33. Terrell Stoglin
34. Kostas Papanikolaou
35. Moe Harkless
36. Leon Radosevic
37. JaMychal Green
38. Andrew Nicholson
39. Drew Gordon
40. Garrett Stutz
41. Robert Sacre
42. Arnett Moultrie
43. Elias Harris
44. William Buford
45. Jae Crowder
46. Jared Cunningham
47. Jordan Taylor
48. John Jenkins
49. Orlando Johnson
50. Jeffrey Taylor
51. Quincy Acy
52. Maalik Wayns
53. Tornike Shengelia
54. Scott Machado
55. Mike Scott
56. J’Covan Brown
57. Reggie Hamilton
58. Khris Middleton
59. Tony Mitchell
60. Miles Plumlee
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Matt
June 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
I’m a Vandy alum and watched Jenkins Ezeli and Taylor for their whole careers at VU. It hurts to say it but I wouldn’t draft any of them – none of them showed the killer instinct the Hawks need, especially Jenkins – that guy had open threes in the NCAA tournament losses to Richmond and Wisconsin and bricked. Not good in the clutch and very streaky. the Hawks can do better.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
Watching this Finals just goes to show you how far the Hawks talent level is from competing in an NBA Finals?
Never going to happen with this regime…
Grandad
June 20th, 2012
3:00 pm
Unlike many prospects –> jenkins has a Skill.
An important skill that translates well into the trending NBA.
Prospects such as Q.Miller are athletes with potential.
There are always questions:
If he does this, or, will he develop, what if , if only, will he ?
Jenkins can shoot. //// Period. //// All the other stuff = icin` on the cake.
Regardless, he can shoot. [and make `em] … no questions.
Now;
do you wish to draft a question ? at # 23;
or, do you wish to draft a discernable skill.
____________________________________________
There are other choices of course.
Bravesfan79
June 20th, 2012
3:01 pm
Its a shame that Queen James will finally get his title, not because he dominated the series, but because of the Thunders mental mistakes. Westbrook proves some of the most athletic guys in the world, are also some of the dumbest!
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:06 pm
Yea your Braves make some dumb mistakes on a nightly basis? Used to it Huh?
That organization has not won a playoff series since 2001…
Yea just dumb Sh t!
Litte Dog
June 20th, 2012
3:07 pm
I didnt want to see the Heat win it because their fans dont appreciate Chris Bosh. Without Bosh, they wouldnt of beat Boston! Bosh and Battier, 2 main reasons why they will win it. 2 bad James will get ALL the credit.
LITTLE DOG IN THE HOUSE…. yap yap yap ;p
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:08 pm
Brave are by far the worst professional sports franchise in GEORGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yea dumb CHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:08 pm
[Braves]^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:09 pm
[Georgia]^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^66
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:10 pm
Hey Bravesfan79 go crawl back in your hole you dumb chit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
brigadierjerry
June 20th, 2012
3:15 pm
that noh/was trade was salary dump for noh. wash will be little better with more veterans.
hawks going to pick best person that can play right away. would like for them to pick up benson. he wont cost a lot and can block shots. i see hawks picking either a smalll forward or
BravesFan
June 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
Im guessing your about as retarded as Westbrook. Give me a Steve Nash or John Stocton anyday! At least they would have the game awarness not to be a moron!
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
Slimjr, that was Hollinger’s ranking based on his Draft Rater model.. not cp’s evaluation.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
Bravesfan79=MORON
STRETCH
June 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
Souce confirms @DraftExpress report that Hornets have agreed to trade Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to Wizards for Rashard Lewis, 46th pick.
Wow, Hawks could have used those guys!!!!
brigadierjerry
June 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
slimjr whats good
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:20 pm
feel like stomping a stump jumper today Bjerry!LOL
Whats up home slice?
cp
June 20th, 2012
3:22 pm
Lol no Slim I dont have Nicholson that low. That was Hollingers rankings not mine. You know Im high on Nicholson., I dont see him sliding past Boston
@Kevin. Yea I dont like the Vandy guys either. If the Hawks are going to take a combo guard I would rather have Lamb or just take Cunninham in the second. Jenkins can shoot but thats about all he can do.
@Melvin. Thats the point I was making yesterday. Give me a guy who in a few years will be better than half the guys who will be drafted ahead of him rather than a guy who has a low ceiling. This team wont be much better than this past season so get a young guy in here who has the potential to be a stud in the future. Im not a fan of Wroten but I understand why some guys would like to draft him.
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
3:23 pm
Okafor, Nene, Seraphin and Booker makes for a very powerful group of bigs. This would suggest that they will draft either Beal or Barnes, as they don’t need anymore beef (unless a subsequent trade is pending. Somewhere Audray Blatche is calling his realtor.
cp
June 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
Another guy im starting to like is the kid Hollis from Georgetown. He might be a better pro than college player because of the system he played in at Georgetown. Ive seen a few guys on here mention him but I just recently looked at some footage of him. Could be a second round gem.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:26 pm
10-4 AJ and cp…lol
cp
June 20th, 2012
3:30 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHG2DhIwf-4
Interview of Hollis Thompson
brigadierjerry
June 20th, 2012
3:32 pm
im good slimjr. see what happens in draft in about a week or so.
yes wizards looking to draft beal, they dont think j crawford is a starter
contrary to some, i am not sure i see th heat being a back to back nba champions if they win it even if some ring chasers go there. hawks if they do well has a chance again to get to ecf. celtics wont be as good neither chicago. pacers, philly knicks hawks nets if howard tier below miami.
cp
June 20th, 2012
3:34 pm
This is a nice article on Will Bartohttp://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/memphis_barton_looks_past_size_for_success/11054651n.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:37 pm
Here’s a horrible stat for the Braves Fanatic:
The last time Larry “Chipper’ Jones and his boys went to a “CHAMPIONSHIP” [1999] they were swept like a bunch of sissy…..
The word “Choke” comes to mind Genius…..
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
3:38 pm
“What’s the Wizards motivation?”
Make the playoffs. Unfortunately that’s all they will do. This doesn’t make them contenders. Southest Division just got tougher though.
Ra'mon
June 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
MC, I understand his assists and free throw shooting is down. But how is he at ball handling and creating his own shot? Or is he a spot up shooter?
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
Bjerry, I have a gut feeling the Knicks are going to be pretty good this coming season…
Maybe 56-63 wins?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
3:45 pm
“What’s the Wizards motivation? They already have Nene (4 years, $52 mil), so why trade for Okafor (2 years, $28 mil) and Ariza (2 years, $15 mil)? Too bad we couldn’t find a deal that involved them taking Marvin.”
Sounds like the type of deal a team would make if they are tired of losing money and want to “win now”, even if that “winning” only gets them to the first or second round. In other words, kind of like a deal the Hawks would make.
Wall – (insert SG here) – Ariza – Nene – Okafor
Jordan Crawford – Chris Singleton – Jan Vesely – Trevor Booker – Kevin Seraphin
That will be a very good defensive team. Good defenders at every position and plenty of athleticism on the bench and depth at the big man positions (which they will need when Okafor and Nene inevitably get injured). If they add someone like Ray Allen to that mix they will be a dangerous team.
Whether they seriously contend will entirely depend on whether Wall can become a Derrick Rose-caliber player or remains at his current level.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
3:47 pm
If Beal is all he’s cracked up to be, he would be a perfect fit on the Wizards.
Definitely an interesting roster, but they better go out and sign some veteran shooters and hope Wall makes the leap, or else they are stuck in Hawks-like purgatory.
O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
Najeh,
I think this also confirms that Wiz were not sold on Andre Drummond.
The Hornets will probably draft a center now at #10 (imo).
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
3:51 pm
“wizards looking to draft beal, they dont think j crawford is a starter”
Curb thy tongue! JC2 is the second coming on this blog!
Melvin
June 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
The Hawks really need to consider using the amnesty exemption on Marvin this summer if they can’t find a suitable trade for him. It’s highly unlikely that they can afford to amnesty Joe so they may as well use the exemption on Marvin prior to the start of free agency to allow other teams an opportunity to sign him before using their cap space to fill out the roster. Hopefully Marvin’s next team will pay a good portion of his contract to give the Hawks some relief. No need to keep this guy on the roster when you can add cheaper talent for more production.
brigadierjerry
June 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
slimjr,
i could see 50-55 for knicks. nash and kidd said they wouldnt mind playing for knicks but sounds like fake hustle to me
also, may be me but i am somewhat big on past history and vandy guys dont translate well into the nba sometimes
Ra'mon
June 20th, 2012
3:55 pm
The Hawks are rumored to be gearing up to make a run at Ray Allen. And I forget, but I think it was Sund who gave Allen his BIG contract in his career when he extended with Seattle. So maybe that connection may bring Allen here. Along with knowing that, he will end up getting significant time in this line up.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
3:55 pm
“I think this also confirms that Wiz were not sold on Andre Drummond.
The Hornets will probably draft a center now at #10 (imo).”
I don’t know if the Hornets should really be targeting or avoiding a position at #10, other than making sure they don’t draft someone who duplicates what Anthony Davis does. They are starting from scratch. Their mindset should be (and probably is) to take the best player available.
As for the Wizards I think their owner was just tired of trying to build a young team after seeing the Blatche-McGee experiment fail, and probably gave their GM a directive to get some veterans in there to accelerate Wall’s development and see some return on his investment (since he bought the team relatively recently).
northcyde
June 20th, 2012
3:56 pm
O’Brien
June 20th, 2012
2:45 pm
What’s the Wizards motivation? They already have Nene (4 years, $52 mil), so why trade for Okafor (2 years, $28 mil) and Ariza (2 years, $15 mil)? Too bad we couldn’t find a deal that involved them taking Marvin.
New Orleans has a ton of cap flexibility now, and will be able to match any contract offer Eric Gordon gets. If they are willing to spend money, and get their draft picks right, they should be competing for a playoff spot in no time (imo).
***************
What’s the Wiz’s motivation? Maybe they’re tired of losing.
Rashard Lewis was literally dead weight on their bench. So instead of simply believing in “cap space” and letting him walk at the end of the year, they decide to get 2 decent players who have been starters, for that money.
Washington’s roster right now
PG – Wall /
G – Ariza ( who may be a spot up 2 on this team ) / Jordan C ( 6th man )
F – Vessley / Singleton
PF – Okafor / Blatche / Booker
C – Nene / Seraphin
They simply want to build a team, instead of “hoping” that “cap space” will land them the big prize. Plus Okafor only has 2 years left on his deal, which means they can trade him for somebody after next season, if need be.
This also proves that people worried about JJ’s contract in Years 4 – 6, need not worry that much. They’ll be SOMEONE who will take that dude, while giving us players in return for him. When the Hawks decide that they want to move his contract, they’ll be able to do it.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
3:57 pm
“The Hawks are rumored to be gearing up to make a run at Ray Allen. And I forget, but I think it was Sund who gave Allen his BIG contract in his career when he extended with Seattle. So maybe that connection may bring Allen here. Along with knowing that, he will end up getting significant time in this line up.”
I seriously doubt players like Ray Allen and Steve Nash — future Hall of Famers looking for a chance for one last ring — are going to come here. The Hawks lucked out with T-Mac coming here, but T-Mac’s agenda was more to reestablish himself as a viable NBA player than to win a championship. Allen and Nash are smart enough to know that they are not going to win a title here. I am fully expecting them to end up with the Spurs, Heat, Thunder, Bulls, or some similar team.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
3:59 pm
“This also proves that people worried about JJ’s contract in Years 4 – 6, need not worry that much. They’ll be SOMEONE who will take that dude, while giving us players in return for him. When the Hawks decide that they want to move his contract, they’ll be able to do it.”
Lewis’ contract is expiring. He was previously traded, yeah, but he was traded for Gilbert Arenas, whose contract was arguably even worse. Joe expires in 2016. Until then, his trade value is close to zero unless the Hawks are willing to take back a worse contract or find a way to simply salary dump him on a team that thinks he can put them over the top.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
4:01 pm
2 homers for Heyward. .960 OPS in June and climbing. Maybe there is hope yet that one of Atlanta’s sports teams contains a superstar.
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
Also consider that Washington is a great market for Big East basketball and Okafor may sell a ticket or 3 with his return to the East coast. I like the trade myself. Stock piling serviceable bigs is never an awful idea.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
“They simply want to build a team, instead of “hoping” that “cap space” will land them the big prize.”
Cap space is useful for far more than just “landing the big prize”.
Section 303
June 20th, 2012
4:07 pm
As much as I would love the Hawks to draft Draymond Green (Go Spartans!), I think Jenkins is the guy I want the Hawks to draft. Not only can he shoot, he can defend. Skills that will get him on the floor next season, which is what the Hawks need out of this draft. A player that can contribute right away.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
bjerry,
I agree [Nash and Kid] just thinking out loud about signing with the Knicks..Amare’ has been talking to Nash to come play with him again though..I had read that a couple of months ago..
Nash and Lin? What a combo? Huh? lol…
Then the Knicks become real dangerous in the East!
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
4:17 pm
If Joe can survive another year with LD, his value will increase as soon as he is out of a system that encourages any of the 5 players on the floor to launch a jumper. Heck, most of these players will improve if they play in a system that optimizes their individual talent, as opposed to simply create space and time to heave a jumper.
I don’t want Ray Allen on this squad. If the Hawks decide to spend more than the vet’s minimum on a free agent, it needs to be on someone who can operate INSIDE of 16 feet.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
4:20 pm
Andrew Nicholson is NBA ready…
6′9.5″ 240lbs with a 7′4″ wing span…Has a superior post game compared to any Atlanta Hawk Big right now…Oh did I mention he has a beautiful jumper, with 3pt. range to boot?
Ra'mon
June 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
Najeh, Nash thought of going to Toronto and to New York. Players do look at the Hawks as being on the brink of having something special if they can keep this core together. Think about if Marvin’s salary spot was going to Nash and Kirk’s was going towards Ray Allen. You think the Hawks wouldn’t have still been playing in the ECF with a healthy Zaza? The Hawks have Kirk’s salary off of the books. If they can find a way to get Cleveland or another team (even LAL) to take on Marvin’s contract for a 2nd round pick, then they will be in a great position to add some veteran skilled players WHILE adding youth through the draft.
O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
Give N.O credit too. They have no problems paying Rashard Lewis $13 mil to go away.
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
4:23 pm
Why did the Hornets make the trade, that should be the question? To clear up space because so many free agents want to play with a shotblocker and live in a city that still has significant infrastructure issues? When Eric Gordon arrived in Nahlins, they had Kamen, Landry, Okafor, Ariza and Jack. Now, he has Davis and mostly, he has Jack… Jack-chit.
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
4:28 pm
Ra’mon, I think when we did the math before, getting rid of Marvin’s salary would free up around $5M in cap space (not the whole $7-8M of his salary). And that includes Hinrich walking out the door. So instead of Nash or Allen, think more like Foye or Pietrus (which would not be bad acquisitions but would not exactly translate into an ECF appearance).
Ra'mon
June 20th, 2012
4:31 pm
AJ, if you have Zaza, Al, Josh, and Ivan coming back. You’re only one more big away from having a full rotation. Look at both of the teams in the finals. Neither are using a big rotation of more than three or four players. However, with Kirk gone, and Marvin being a liability, you’re needing a spot up shooter (Allen), and a true facilitator (Nash), to round up your back court rotation and to bring the most out of this roster. That’s to go along with your first and second round pick.
Ra'mon
June 20th, 2012
4:34 pm
AJ, I think Allen would accept a 3 year $15 million deal or a 2 year $11 million deal.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
4:40 pm
“Nash thought of going to Toronto and to New York.”
Nash is Canadian and played six years with Amare Stoudemire. I doubt that Ray Allen’s connection with our wholly uninspiring GM, if there is one, is even close to the kind of connection that might attract Nash to New York or Toronto.
I think if players thought the Hawks had something special going, it wouldn’t have been so hard to get Shaq to sign here a few years ago. Players see the best player on the team demanding a trade, Charles Barkley roasting this team on national television, and the lowest-paid coach in the league getting his option picked up because he agrees to be cheap. I don’t see anything about this franchise that would inspire a future Hall of Famer who wants to win a championship to come here.
Of course if you replace two marginal players on this team with two Hall of Famers, their prospects improve considerably. I just don’t think this team is capable of making that happen.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
4:45 pm
“Why did the Hornets make the trade, that should be the question? To clear up space because so many free agents want to play with a shotblocker and live in a city that still has significant infrastructure issues?”
Because that team with Okafor and Ariza is a lottery team, and the few wins those two would get them only serve to weaken their lottery chances next year and do nothing to get them closer to being a contending team.
There are four kinds of teams in the NBA:
1 – the team that has the pieces to seriously contend (e.g. Miami, OKC)
2 – the team that sucks bad enough to be able to draft and/or trade for the pieces that will allow them to seriously contend (e.g. New Orleans)
3 – the team that has the pieces to be good and the cap flexibility to possibly add or trade for the pieces that will allow them to seriously contend (e.g. Indiana)
4 – the team that has the pieces to be good but no cap flexibility to possibly add or trade for the pieces that will allow them to seriously contend (e.g. the Hawks)
#4 is the worst place to be. #1 is ideal, #3 is pretty good, but if you can’t be either of those, you are better off being #2 than #4.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
4:47 pm
Paying Okafor and Ariza $21 million combined in 2013-14 gets the Hornets nowhere. Losing the one or two extra games they will lose next year because of their departure may be the difference between drafting a superstar next year and drafting a Marvin next year.
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
4:50 pm
That pretty much sums it up Najeh, or as Worldwide said… it’s tough out here for a Hawks fan.
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
4:51 pm
Ray Allen is done. Rather get JC1 back.
Ra'mon
June 20th, 2012
4:57 pm
Buddy you said you’d rather have JC1 than Allen? Allen was injured during the playoffs. Yet I’m sure that Allen had a much better season than JC1 did.
EmirS.
June 20th, 2012
4:57 pm
From the previous blog:
So the Finals are a 2-3-2 format? While all the other rounds are 2-2-1-1-1
If so then I honestly had no idea. I thought the Finals we’re a 2-2-1-1-1. Since that’s not the case…then I don’t see OKC winning Game 5 in Miami.
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
4:58 pm
“Why did the Hornets make the trade, that should be the question?”
To try the OKC model. OKC got their core in consecutive drafts, not by adding a high draft pick to existing veterans. The Sonics/OKC got rid of every veteran that preceded the drafting of Durant.
Think about the Cavs after they drafted LeBron. They got good too fast and didn’t have consecutive high draft picks to surround him with talent (they could have done better with the picks they did get). By dumping the vets, NO is saying “Davis is our Durant, let’s get our Westbrook and Harden in the next two drafts.”
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
4:59 pm
This trade could easily result in Eric Gordon taking the QO so he can bail and choose his team next summer. I absolutely understand trading Okafor & Ariza, I don’t get trading them for a non-basketball asset. No real draft pick (sorry, not expecting a pick after 40 to do much for them or us). Seems to me that they may have inadvertently “traded” Eric Gordon by accepting stale donuts in return for Kamen, Landry, Okafor and Ariza. Anthony Davis may become the modern day version of KG in Minnesota.
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
5:00 pm
Ra’mon, Allen can’t create his own shot. He relies on multiple screens and an elite point guard to deliver him the ball. The Hawks have neither the coaching to get him open looks, nor an elite point guard to pass him the ball. Because of the Hawks deficiencies, they need a scorer like JC1 who can score in isolation. They are both equal defensive liabilities.
UGA
June 20th, 2012
5:05 pm
If we add Ray Allen, stay healthy and even return our roster from last season, that will put us 2nd in the East easily.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
5:13 pm
UGA, I thought you were crazy at 1st, but you know you maybe onto something wonderful?Hehehehe
Ra'mon
June 20th, 2012
5:14 pm
Buddy, how many open looks did Marvin and Joe get last season? So you mean to tell me, that Allen on the perimeter spotting up, wouldn’t open the lane for Josh to penetrate and make teams less likely to double down on Josh in the post? It doesn’t take just an elite point guard to get a great shooter the ball. Rondo just became an elite point guard the last two seasons. And Josh is as good of a passer as majority of the point guards in the league now (especially with half of them becoming scoring point guards). You give Ray Allen, the open attempts that Marvin had last season, and you have more than enough fire power to withstand a lot of scoring droughts they had this season. Teague – Allen – Joe – Josh – Al make you play 5 on 5 and not 4 on 5 when the Hawks are on offense. And it prevents you from being able to run zone.
cp
June 20th, 2012
5:15 pm
Here are the Will Barton and Jeff Taylor interviews after their workouts
http://www.nba.com/hawks/2012-draft-workout
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
5:21 pm
BG,
Ray has a bum ankle that he will have surgically repaired in this off season..
In his prime he could put the ball on the floor to reset or attack the rim. He still shows flashes..I believe he has gas left in the tank since he’s such a well conditioned athlete…
Rod from College Park
June 20th, 2012
5:23 pm
“Ra’mon, Allen can’t create his own shot. He relies on multiple screens and an elite point guard to deliver him the ball. The Hawks have neither the coaching to get him open looks, nor an elite point guard to pass him the ball. Because of the Hawks deficiencies, they need a scorer like JC1 who can score in isolation. They are both equal defensive liabilities.”
Most sensible thing you have posted in about 6 months.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
5:26 pm
“This trade could easily result in Eric Gordon taking the QO so he can bail and choose his team next summer.”
If he does that, the Hornets still have seven months to trade him for a basketball asset. And taking the QO would be monumentally risky on Gordon’s part considering his injury history.
“Anthony Davis may become the modern day version of KG in Minnesota.”
Only if the Hornets try to circumvent cap rules to sign the modern day version of Joe Smith and end up forfeiting five first round draft picks.
Rod from College Park
June 20th, 2012
5:29 pm
“Buddy, how many open looks did Marvin and Joe get last season? So you mean to tell me, that Allen on the perimeter spotting up, wouldn’t open the lane for Josh to penetrate and make teams less likely to double down on Josh in the post?”
Ra’mon. The difference is teams would not leave Ray Allen open like they do Marvin, and Ray does not posses the ability to create his own shot anymore. He scores coming off screens, and picks which is not apart of the Hawks offense. Yes he may help to spread the floor and prevent double teams, but its not like our stars like to operate in the post, or drive by their man and get to the rim anyway. He would just add to the jumpshot fest.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 20th, 2012
5:33 pm
“Think about the Cavs after they drafted LeBron. They got good too fast and didn’t have consecutive high draft picks to surround him with talent (they could have done better with the picks they did get).”
Cleveland passed on Amare Stoudemire, Nene, and Caron Butler in 2002 to draft DaJuan Wagner, passed on Josh Smith and Al Jefferson in 2004 to draft Luke Jackson, didn’t have a 2005 lottery pick because they traded it in a 1997 deal for Wesley Person, and f-cked up by letting Boozer become a free agent in 2004 when they could have exercised an option on him. Four fatal moves that could have changed the course of their franchise with respect to putting talent around LeBron, and that’s despite getting good much faster than OKC after they drafted Durant.
donte080
June 20th, 2012
5:41 pm
re: Knicks win 50-55 games….
LOL…..there’s good reason Phil Jackson didn’t consider coaching the knicks…that’s a more dysfunctional group then what we have in Atlanta!
bfred
June 20th, 2012
5:41 pm
If the Hawks are looking at a Vandy guy, they should pick Ezili. Legit 7′ big man with a soft touch and shot-blocking skills. Put him at C and let Al slide over to the 4. He was hurt almost the entire first half last year and really didn’t get back into rythm until the end of the season. Jenkins is more likely to turn up as a future 6th man of the year type.
Tru ATL Fan
June 20th, 2012
5:44 pm
The sad thing is that we continue to allow ourselves, the true fans of Atlanta, to continue to accept mediocracy. Yes I remember the blackout days, but there are days now when I black out the Braves, Hawks, and Falcons. So yes, while we should be discussing draft picks, the more pressing issue should be the citizens of the city that supports these teams to demand a killer instinct as opposed to acting in a “gentile Southern manner.” DEMAND more from your city’s teams or be happy with being bounced in the first round (all 3 teams from this past year!!!)
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
5:45 pm
“Cleveland passed on Amare Stoudemire, Nene, and Caron Butler in 2002 to draft DaJuan Wagner, passed on Josh Smith and Al Jefferson in 2004 to draft Luke Jackson, didn’t have a 2005 lottery pick because they traded it in a 1997 deal for Wesley Person, and f-cked up by letting Boozer become a free agent in 2004 when they could have exercised an option on him. Four fatal moves that could have changed the course of their franchise with respect to putting talent around LeBron, and that’s despite getting good much faster than OKC after they drafted Durant.”
Wow, guess BK could have done worse? Heheheh
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
5:50 pm
Yea the Knicks are so terrible they won at a .750 clip with Woody coaching them!
They still made the playoffs after losing their starting point guard and the backup..Yea Whatever…
56-63 wins..The Knicks will be a dangerous team next season…
The Hawks do not want to meet these guys in the playoffs…Hmmmmm
If Nash does decide to lead the Knicks that will make them extremely dangerous in the East…
donte080
June 20th, 2012
6:00 pm
Again, a guy who won 11 rings said he wouldn’t touch the knicks with a 10 foot pole….but I’m sure you know better…
You do realize Nash is pushing 40…Lin is coming off serious injury…if you ever watched Amare and Melo on the court together you wouldn’t be quite so hyped on the overrated Knicks….I agree Woody did a nice job replacing D’Antoni, but once his shine wears off preaching defense to these guys they will rebel against him worse than they did against D’Antoni….
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
6:06 pm
Cant wait till next season! Full of drama it will be? Hehehehe
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
6:08 pm
FYI, Lin was ready to come back and lead the Knicks in the 2nd round if they had eliminated Miami..Oh well…Next time….
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
6:09 pm
Najeh, under the old CBA rules, a player in their QO cannot be traded without giving their permission. I don’t know if that has changed with the new CBA. Gordon could opt to stay put and leave the Hornets with little leverage. And S&T deals are also hard to complete with the new CBA.
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
FYI, winning at .750 clip will keep quite a few people very happy..In fact guys[Carmelo] not known for playing “D” will play “D”.. Go figure?
hawksfancents95
June 20th, 2012
6:20 pm
funny how new orleans trades get processed no prob huh?
if New Orleans wants to be truly ballin they gotta buy the Jazz name back from Utah, add some new slick uni’s and they will have a serious fan base. they will undoubtley draft davis first but if they get zeller at #10 they will have the best C and backup C combo in the NBA in two years. i think someone will slip to #10 though and give them another possible starter.
jarret jack eric gordon al-farouq aminu jason smith anthony davis is their projected starting lineup before any offseason signings. thats sub 500.
now for the hawks
jenkins would be an ok pick but if we can get jamal crawford and have been in contact with him(idk if legal yet) then we have no need for a shooting guard that shoots. we still need a backup PG, a backup C, and a athletic SF defending specialist.
hawksfancents95
June 20th, 2012
6:31 pm
heres a few guys that we should look at that we could get for relatively cheap to try to stay under the luxury tax.
Gerald Green-we all know he is top 10 athlete in the NBA, maybe we can get him for a 2 year-2-3mill deal, he could get 7-15 mins a night at SF/SG
Kwame Brown-maybe we could get him for a little over league minimum for a veteran. could give us 5-15 a night if he can stay healthy.
Nate Robinson-still young and athletic. maybe he has learnt that he needs to mature and be a solid point guard and not need to score 25 a night. would be a good relieft for teague.
Ryan Hollins-active big guy that can come in and give us energy and rebounding on offense. close to league minimum pay as well.
Jonny Flynn-he is that knuckeball that i have no idea how his rehab went or how his attitude is but he was good his 1st year and maybe could have something to prove on a 1 year deal.
Hasheem Thabeet-Ihate to think he is a lost cause because he is 7′3 and if he is somewhat mobile he would be a good guy to have off the bench in certain situations for us.
these are just a few guys i thought we could possibly get for cheap.
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
6:36 pm
Najeh was Danny Ferry the GM that whole time?
Just Joe
June 20th, 2012
7:03 pm
Hawks should have sent Joe to Washington for Lewis like I said weeks ago. Hawks missed an opportunity.
Dawg
June 20th, 2012
7:33 pm
If Atl had not traded it’s extra #2 pick, we could have 2 of the guys from Vandy, (the center and either the sf or sg).
Instead, we sold a pick to pad the pockets of disconnected owners.
O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
7:42 pm
Najeh,
Also, the cap space of N.O. will allow them to get involved in trades as a 3rd team (if they so choose). Next season, the rules will be harsh for teams over the cap, so a team like N.O. can take on a bad contract, if they get a high draft pick out of it.
AJ,
As injury prone as Eric Gordon is, I doubt he plays for the one year offer. I think he will buy in to the possible youth movement. Anthony Davis, the #10 pick, and cap space to still add another solid FA.
And they are doing what the Hawks did, and what OKC did. Trade off your highly paid players, get a bunch of young guys, and build through the draft (hopefully getting it right of course), with one or 2 solid FA signings.
Melvin
June 20th, 2012
7:45 pm
Astro,
This link is for you. I said on this blog many times that the Blazer fans should feel more disappointed than the Hawks fans when it comes to draft day mistakes. The link below shows that hoopsworld agrees with me….
http://www.hoopsworld.com/top-5-nba-draft-mistakes
keepinitreal
June 20th, 2012
7:47 pm
Jenkins probably won’t be much more than a spot-up shooter in the NBA, but there’s a place for guys like that if they can do it well. The Hawks definitely have a need for a marksman.
You have to take Sullinger if he drops that far, but I’d be stunned if that happens. Someone will take a chance on a guy with his talent.
Melvin
June 20th, 2012
7:49 pm
Not sure why the let the Bucks off the hook when it comes to the 2005 draft, it’s not like Andrew Bogut was a franchise player as well.
Interesting how the top 8 draft picks excluding Marvin Williams in 2005 draft are not with their original team that drafted them.
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
7:55 pm
OB, they lost Chris Paul, Kamen, Ariza, Okafor and Landry for Gordon, pick #10 and a young forward who couldn’t find his way on the floor this past season. That is NOT a “bunch of young guys”, that could easily end up being around 85 games of Eric Gordon and pick #10. That’s it… for Paul, Kamen, Landry, Okafor and Ariza. And my guess, Gordon may have been less injured if he were returning to a playoff bound team.
Hollinger loves the trade for the Hornets. Good old financial flexibility. Sorry, that works for franchises that can attract veyry good players without overpaying for them. The one good point he raised, is that CP3 is a UFA next summer (if he doesn’t sign an extension with the CLippers). CP3 may be the only big time player interested in playing for the Hornets (again).
Again, my issue is what they received (or didn’t receive) for all of the assets. If I told you that a team over about 13 months were trading Okafor, Kamen, Landry, Ariza and Paul… you would be okay with getting back a talented injury-riddled undersized SG, a SF who looks no better than a back-of-the-rotation player and pick #10? Really?
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
8:13 pm
Melvin, that is why acquiring draft picks isn’t very thrilling. I’d rather have a $25 gift card than $25 in lottery tickets. Sure, the lottery tickets could be worth far more than anything that I could buy with the $25 gift card. But there is also a great chance that it could be worth the price of the paper the lottery cards are printed on. Not to mention that with the wrong bounce of the ping-pong ball, you can suddenly go from Dwight Howard to Emeka Okafor.
Just Joe
June 20th, 2012
9:03 pm
AJ…you’re exaggerating what New Orleans “lost”. They never had Kaman and Paul at the same time, and they still own the bird rights to Kaman and Landry (no team can pay those guys more than NO).
So it was really Paul, Okafor, and Ariza for Gordon, Aminu, #10, #46, the bird rights to Kaman, and a lot of cap space.
Landry and Kaman are still assets until they sign elsewhere.
O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
9:03 pm
From cbssports;
Jim Buss did an interview with the Los Angeles Times this week, and he says that if you’re looking for a wholly different Lakers team next year, you’re imagining things.
What are the chances of the Lakers starting the season with Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol all in Lakers uniforms?
“Very good,” says Buss.
So you don’t agree with those who say the Lakers must turn Gasol into two or three players via a trade?
“No,” he says. “I think changes are going to be made moving Pau lower to the basket. We can improve that way with a change in coaching strategy rather than a change in personnel.”.
I think this is all talk, in order to not make the Lakers sound desperate to move Gasol.
O'Brien
June 20th, 2012
9:07 pm
AJ,
Even if they had kept Ariza and Okafor, they would be competing for the #8 spot in the playoffs at best (imo), which means losing in the first round, and drafting in the mid to late teens. Now, they have some flexibility (even if they do have to overpay), and if they strike out, then that should mean a higher draft pick next draft.
And with Tom Benson owning the Saints and the Hornets, and not in need of $, I don’t think he is worried about taking a step back (like the ASG is), because it could mean taking 2 steps forward within 2 seasons.
High-sider
June 20th, 2012
9:12 pm
@BravesFan [and Slimjr]
BravesFan
June 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
Im* guessing your* about as retarded as Westbrook. Give me a Steve Nash or John Stocton* anyday! At least they would have the game awarness* not to be a moron!
————————————————————————————————
Let’s examine your [above] post. You, BravesFan, have made the following mistakes/errors [see above asterisks]:
1. “Im” should be “I’m.”
2. “your” should be “you’re.”
3. “Stocton” should be “Stockton.”
4. “awarness” should be “awareness.”
According to your [above] post, do you [BravesFan] think you are qualified to call someone “retarded” or label that individual as such? I think not.
“Reading is fundamental, grammar is essential and spelling is important.” – High-sider
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
10:11 pm
Just Joe, you are right. But after the draft, if you put In on the right side of a page and Out on the left side, most Hornets fans would likely need to find a voodoo doctor to help them with their misery. A lot of guys on the right over the past year and not many on the left. After sending Kamen home to watch SpoongeBob (only to ask him to return later) and calling out Landry for not playing while hurt, I wouldn;t hold out too much hope that those players will agree to deals that will help the Hornets. More likely, they take their bowl of gumbo and head out.
BTW, the New Orleans newspaper is now printed something like 3 times/week. Players won’t have to worry about a lot of negative print in that city. They better hope CP3 becomes their prodigal son (or Jonathan Vilma switches sports).
Astro Joe
June 20th, 2012
10:19 pm
OB, remember when the league blocked the first CP3 trade because allegedly, they thought the Hornets should get back young players? So the next deal netted Gordon, Aminu and pick #10? What did Okafor and Lewis bring them? A 2nd rounder and cap relief in the ‘12-13 season. Now, they get the chance to overpay someone like Iguodala to join The Brow and Aminu (who has slightly more playing time in the past 2 seasons than you and me combined). Nope, I ain’t feeling it. Cap space/financial flexibility works for some (see Mavs) but not others (see Raptors, Cavs, Bobcats and my guess, Hornets).
Rev in Tampa
June 20th, 2012
10:42 pm
Sorry I’ve been away from the blog for so long. I haven’t even had time read MC’s write-ups. I’m running hard but am having more fun in the ministry than I could have ever imagined. I’ve got lots of 20-25 year-olds flooding into the church right now. Its sent a shockwave through our old stodgy presbyterian congregation.
I saw an article that I had to pass along – http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670059/moneyball-20-how-missile-tracking-cameras-are-remaking-the-nba
I am assuming that the Hawks are not one of the 10 teams employing this technology.
KevinM
June 20th, 2012
10:59 pm
There is no reason for our team to stand pat and not make a major move. As soon as we bring the same group to Philips next year, they’ll be a new team that surpasses us on a shorter time span that what has been presented here.
And for everyone who wants a QMiller and a Sullinger, did we not have limited talent in the backcourt last year after Joe and Jeff?
303, from what Vandy games I saw the last 3 years, I don’t recall Jenkins ever being mistaken for a defender. If we are taking one of the Vandy guys, at least give me Ekezi, who to me has more upside than Taylor or Jenkins.
Still looking at Doron Lamb to help us at PG and SG. Stay away from the PFs.
And the Lakers are snowing you; no way they stand pat. One of the big money guys will be leaving. They just don’t want to diminish Gasol’s trade value…..reminds me of Sund and ‘prime’ Bibby.
SteveW
June 20th, 2012
11:24 pm
Washington adding Okafor, Ariza, and the #3 pick just got a whole lot better this season, especially if Okafor is healthy.
And Okafor and Ariza come off the books in 2 years, just when Wall is a RFA, so that is a great cap move for the future as well.
And I haven’t liked Ray Allen’s game in 2 years, since he got older and more limited. That being said, if Ray is coming off the bench for JJ 15-18 minutes per nite with our 2nd unit, and we can close out games with Teague, Ray, JJ, Josh, and Al as 1 of our primary closing 5’s, I’m for signing Ray Allen.
He’s already had his surgery, is a Nash like fitness freak, and if his wheels are there, he’s a good addition to this team. Used properly, Coach LD.
SteveW
June 20th, 2012
11:29 pm
But I wouldn’t break the bank for Allen either. Without looking at our cap numbers, I’m not sure what I’d offer him. No more than 2 years for sure.
JustSayinB
June 21st, 2012
12:07 am
The Thunder in their worst day couldn’t be as bad as the Hawks in the best day. LD evaluating in the draft? That’s a joke. Why I’m I even on this blog?
Ra'mon
June 21st, 2012
12:15 am
JustSayinB, the Thunder were beat by the Hawks without their second best player.
EmirS.
June 21st, 2012
1:35 am
Can someone explain this to me:
Lewis is entering the last season of a $118 million, six-year contract and [could be a candidate for the NBA's amnesty clause, meaning he may not end up playing for the Hornets if New Orleans chooses to cut him] loose in order to clear space under the salary cap.
-Copied from http://www.nba.com/2012/news/06/20/hornets-wizards-trade.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2
From what I’ve read on this blog many times….its been stated that only the team that the player was originally with at the time of the new CBA can be amnestied .
So what am I missing?
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 21st, 2012
1:55 am
We don’t need another jump shooter.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
2:36 am
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
4:51 pm
Ray Allen is done. Rather get JC1 back.
————————————————————
Rod from College Park, did you read what Buddy Grizzard wrote [above] about Jamal Crawford?!?!?!?!
Is “The Apocalypse” upon us?!?!?!?!?
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
2:56 am
Buddy Grizzard
June 20th, 2012
5:00 pm
Ra’mon, Allen can’t create his own shot. He relies on multiple screens and an elite point guard to deliver him the ball. The Hawks have neither the coaching to get him open looks, nor an elite point guard to pass him the ball. Because of the Hawks deficiencies, they need a scorer like JC1 who can score in isolation. They are both equal defensive liabilities.
———————————————————————————-
Buddy Grizzard is choosing Jamal Crawford over Ray Allen?! I must be in “Bizarro World.” [head spinning continuously as eyes roll back]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarro
Grandad
June 21st, 2012
3:42 am
Emir S
Rashard Lewis has a $13.7 million buyout clause
in his contract for next year.
You are absolutely correct, only the signing team
can amnesty a player.
However, new Orleans is -not- going to use the amnesty clause
on R.Lewis, rather the buyout.
This is my understanding; I hope this clears it up for you.
STRETCH
June 21st, 2012
6:40 am
The Hawks, who will select 23rd and 43rd overall, are scheduled to bring 27 players in over a 10-day period. Ever since 2007 when the Hawks drafted Al Horford, who has become a two-time All-Star at center, the organization has searched in vain for a center to allow Horford to his natural position of power forward. Several players the Hawks are bringing could fit that bill and many of them are visiting on the same day, June 23.
Syracuse’s Fab Melo (7-foot, 244 pounds) is among those who could fall to the Hawks where they are picking. The Brazilian-born Melo was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore last season. He led the Orangemen in rebounding (5.8 per game), blocks (2.9) and field goal percentage (.566).
Georgetown’s Henry Sims (6-10, 245), who averaged 6.0 rebounds and 11.6 points per game in a four-year career in which he played 121 games, also visits on the 23rd.
A third big man in that day is Vanderbilt’s Festus Ezeli, who helped the Commodores to win the Southeastern Conference title over eventual national champion Kentucky and center Anthony Davis, the likely No. 1 overall pick this year. Ezeli missed almost a third of his final season because of injured ligaments in his knee. Nonetheless, the 6-11, 255-pounder finished with averages of 10.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game last season.
Another day for big men is June 21 when Duke’s Miles Plumlee (6-11, 225) and Wichita State’s Garrett Stutz (7-0, 255) visit. Plumlee, who has a 36-inch vertical leap, shot 61 percent last season while grabbing 7.1 rebounds per game. Stutz averaged 13.2 points and 8.0 rebounds for the Shockers, which were double his averages as a junior the year before.
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
6:41 am
If he gets past Houston and Orlando, the Hawks need to draft Marquis Teague. The Hawks almost know what they’d be getting. Fills the backup PG role. Adds depth, athleticism, and defense to what has been historically one of our weakest positions. Having both Teagues allows us to sustain a defensive intensity and up tempo pace of play for a full 48 minutes. There would even be situations where Jeff could slide to SG and play along with Marquis.
Ray
June 21st, 2012
7:05 am
It’s funny I’ve heard people call out Westbrook for being dumb and what not, but the fact still stands the Alpha Dog in the locker room is not Durant it is Westbrook unless Durant goes through a major overnight change I doubt that will happen this will remain the case.
Also I bet a lot of teams wish they had Westbrook right now say what you want, but he can play for crying out loud their in the NBA Finals.
Some of the other so called players(PG’s) that are better than Westbrook haven’t even got there yet.
STRETCH
June 21st, 2012
7:47 am
Wow the Wizards made out in that trade. I would give them an A- on that one!
So far:
PG John Wall
SG JC2
SF Ariza
PF Okafor
C Nene
If healthy, they could be tough.
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
8:24 am
EmirS,
Lewis’ original contract contained a buyout clause, where he could be bought out by July 1st for ~$13 mil. And that’s what N.O. will do. Buy him out (not amnesty).
AJ,
The original CP3 trade was rejected by the NBA (and David Stern), who owned the Hornets at that time. This deal was approved by the new owner, Mr. Benson. And for what it’s worth (and I know it’s a small sample size, and things will change depending on the moves made later on), but listening to the N.O. sport talk stations yesterday, I did not hear one person (host, , sports reporter, people calling in) who did not like the move.
Obviously it could all change if nobody signs with them, but I think they are excited about the potential.
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
8:26 am
With Jeff Teague being the incumbent Starting PG, I don’t think I would draft his brother to be his backup, unless his brother was heads and shoulders above who was left on the board. .
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
8:43 am
2012 NBA Finals Games 1 – 4 [Partial] Cumulative Series Stats:
Kevin Durant: 44-80 (55%) from the field, 121 total points (30.3ppg)
Russell Westbrook: 48-100 (48%) from the field, 116 total points (29.0ppg)
Shouldn’t Durant have more shot attempts than Westbrook? The stats show Durant is more efficient than Westbrook. Now, do you see why I refer to “Westbrick” as “Mr. Unconscious Gunner Extraordinaire”? I told you that “Westbrick” and/or Perkins could possibly cost the Thunder a series loss. The Thunder is best when Durant is the No. 1 scoring option. Through the first four games of the 2012 NBA Finals, the stats [with respect to field goal attempts] show [that] Westbrook is the No. 1 scoring option for the Thunder but, yet, Durant is more accurate and has a higher scoring average than Westbrook. The team’s best scorer and No. 1 scoring option should have the most field goal attempts.
“It Ain’t Hard to Tell.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-_IFAt8ka0&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL37F204146771C7B1
MsDee
June 21st, 2012
9:02 am
OB,
I dont know about that. Jeff IS a starting material PG if and only if players like Josh and now Horford could simply do their jobs by rebounding the ball and kicking it out to Jeff. Last season was his rookie season and I feel he did a great job at it, we just didnt see enough of it due to Josh. But now if Marquis fall down to us, we should draft him because right now, actually, is the best time to get a backup PG like him cause Jeff has no backup at the time. Marquis would definately come right in contributing.
MsDee
June 21st, 2012
9:11 am
What we need out of this draft is a backup PG (Marquis, if still there) and a starting material SF/PF (Jeff Taylor or Draymond Green) at #23 who could eventually take Marvin starting position. At #43, get next best player remainding. Could use a backup SG via trade if Josh and Marvin are sent packing.
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
9:37 am
High-sider,
I agree in that KD should get more shots. However, I dont think its all Westbrook’s fault. I think the blame is split 4 ways. Westbrook, Coach Brooks, KD, and James Harden.
KD shares some blame because he has a hard time getting open sometimes (LeBron and Battier are good defenders), so sometimes he is not in a position to receive the ball, or does not have a good look so he passes it up.
Coach Brooks shares some blame because he needs to find more ways to get KD the ball.
Westbrook shares some blame for looking for his shot too quickly sometimes.
And James Harden deserves some blame, because if he was playing well, it would open up more opportunities for KD (imo).
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
9:41 am
Ms Dee,
Jeff is going into his second full season as a starting PG. I don’t want a rookie PG backing him up. I think we should get a more experienced backup PG.
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
9:41 am
And not only is Marquis a rookie, he only played one year of college ball.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
10:10 am
O’Brien,
I’m going to ease up on the “blame game” rhetoric. Basketball is, in fact, a team sport and a team loss is ultimately on the team and not on one or two individual players.
Buddy Grizzard
June 21st, 2012
10:14 am
“If the Hawks are looking at a Vandy guy, they should pick Ezili.”
Major sleeper. This guy never saw a basketball before he was a teenager. Could have huge upside.
“LD evaluating in the draft? That’s a joke. Why I’m I even on this blog?”
Yeah this is the guy who thought Josh Powell should be the first big man off the bench in a playoff game, thought Bibby should play ahead of Teague and thought Pargo was a better option in the 4th quarter of Game 3 vs. the Celtics than Hinrich. Not the guy I want evaluating talent.
“If he gets past Houston and Orlando, the Hawks need to draft Marquis Teague.”
I’m already on record saying the Hawks better not sleep on Teague when backup point guard is the greatest area of need for this team with Hinrich’s departure and the marginality of Pargo’s abilities as a point guard.
Buddy Grizzard
June 21st, 2012
10:33 am
“With Jeff Teague being the incumbent Starting PG, I don’t think I would draft his brother to be his backup, unless his brother was heads and shoulders above who was left on the board.”
If Teague lasts until 23, he WILL BE head and shoulders above anybody left on the board. There’s a very good possibility that he could end up being the best pure point guard in this draft. Lilliard is a scorer. Marshall could be a bust. You’re telling me you wouldn’t want a player as fast as Jeff Teague with a similar skill set as your second line point guard? Backup point guard is this team’s greatest need. Who would you pick at 23 if Teague was still available among players you think will be there?
MsDee
June 21st, 2012
10:46 am
Totally agree with ya, Buddy Grizzard!!
OB,
Buddy Grizzard had a great question, “Who would you pick at 23 if Teague was still available among players you think will be there?” You mean to tell me we should NOT draft him due to the fact that, “Marquis is a rookie, he only played one year of college ball?” So the same should apply to the #1 draft pick, Anthony Davis, as well since he too only played 1 year of college ball. And Anthony PLANS ON STARTING! We just need Marquis to backup is brother who pretty much has the same skills.
Melvin
June 21st, 2012
10:49 am
Buddy,
I think Hawks have greater needs than a backup PG. If you could play Marquis and Jeff in the backcourt together than I would be ok with drafting the younger brother but I dont think either are big enough to play SG and their skill sets are similar (speed/quickness of the dribble) therefore I would rather look to draft a player that fills a position of need.
Astro Joe
June 21st, 2012
10:55 am
OB, Bill Simmons had this great editorial a few years ago about how the NBA “sells hope”. It was around the time that teams like the Knicks and Nets were dumping salary in “hope” of landing lebron or Bosh or Wade or one of those mega free agents. New Orleans is a huge market for people selling “hope”.
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
10:57 am
From espn;
The Orlando Magic have hired Rob Hennigan to be the team’s new general manager.
Hennigan spent the past four seasons with Oklahoma City, including the past two seasons as the Thunder’s assistant general manager/player personnel. Prior to joining the Thunder, Hennigan spent four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs..
If I am an Orlando fan, I am loving this move. As a Hawks fan, it is disappointing that we are stuck with Rick Sund.
Astro Joe
June 21st, 2012
10:59 am
Melvin, I agree. I always think that your back-up PG should have a different skill set than the starter. In our case, i would prefer a bigger more traditional PG to back-up Teague… not a junior version of the same skill set.
Ra'mon
June 21st, 2012
11:07 am
MsDee, I think what he is saying is two vital points. One Teague is a rookie who has been shaken in big moments, so he would prefer to have a back up PG who has some type of experience with the NBA season. Also, you want to draft a player who has a CHANCE to develop into a starter with in the next two seasons. If Teague is going to be the point guard of the future, drafting another point guard now, is you essentially drafting a bench player, when you have bigger concerns at the wing position, and center depth.
Rick
June 21st, 2012
11:07 am
We dont need another person who can put the ball in the basket! Draft Fab Melo, stick him in the middle and watch the Hawks put Al at the 4 and Josh at the 3.
Melvin
June 21st, 2012
11:08 am
OB,
I agree. I think that’s a good move by the Magic. Hiring a guy that’s been apart of winning organizations (Spurs/OKC). I wish the Hawks would have done the same this summer. It’s time to part ways with Sund (and LD). However, I think the ASG is trying to keep things afloat until they can sell this team rather than making basketball decisions that would improve this team.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
11:24 am
“It’s funny I’ve heard people call out Westbrook for being dumb and what not, but the fact still stands the Alpha Dog in the locker room is not Durant it is Westbrook unless Durant goes through a major overnight change I doubt that will happen this will remain the case.”
I don’t think KD’s problem is mental. He has made plenty of big shots and has actively taken a leadership role all season to try to deflect criticism from Westbrook. KD’s problem is purely physical. He is nowhere near strong enough to get open against physical defenders like LeBron. That is the reason the Thunder are losing.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
11:24 am
“So far:
PG John Wall
SG JC2
SF Ariza
PF Okafor
C Nene”
I think they will draft Beal if he is available, and if they do, he would be the opening day starter.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
11:25 am
^over JC2 I mean.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
11:28 am
“I always think that your back-up PG should have a different skill set than the starter. In our case, i would prefer a bigger more traditional PG to back-up Teague… not a junior version of the same skill set.”
I would add to this that I’d prefer the starting and backup PG to be at least five years apart in experience. In other words, if I have a young PG like Teague, I’d prefer a veteran backup, and vice versa.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
11:30 am
“If I am an Orlando fan, I am loving this move. As a Hawks fan, it is disappointing that we are stuck with Rick Sund.”
Really amazing that it is so hard for teams to figure out that coaches and front office people from successful organizations will generally be successful. The Magic get an executive from one of the best drafting organizations in the league. The Hawks get a retread executive from an organization that had just blown three consecutive drafts and finished in the lottery three years in a row.
Not that getting people from successful organizations always pans out as expected (I am not a big fan of Tom Dimitroff for example) but it seems to work generally.
MsDee
June 21st, 2012
11:32 am
@Ra’mon,
I understand what u are saying but again I go back to Buddy’s question, if Marquis is still available at #23, u mean to tell me u would NOT draft him simply because of skill sets the same as the starter?? And look, u have to craw b4 u walk. @23, coming off the bench would be pretty fair. Im sure if Marquis is drafted to us, Jeff would have rather been in Marquis’s shoes..atleast Marquis WILL get playing time due to the need of a backup PG verses Jeff who came when he wasnt needed.
Also u said, “One Teague is a rookie who has been shaken in big moments, so he would prefer to have a back up PG who has some type of experience with the NBA season.”
Playing Jeff in those moments IS what makes a veteran PG in the future, not to continue to take him out and replace him with some ‘OLD FART’ to eventually start having more starter minutes than him..I say, NO THANK YOU
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
11:37 am
I think we would all prefer a veteran backup PG, but how do you get one to sign in Atlanta when we’re offering the veteran minimum just like all the other teams that are already better than us?
We saw it last year. The best veteran PG we could find was Pargo. We tried to get Watson, and he chose Utah. I don’t see us attracting a veteran to run our second unit. Drafting a player capable of filling that role would be huge. It doesn’t have to be Teague, but if he is available at 23, I think you take him. Wroten is also a possibility.
MsDee
June 21st, 2012
11:40 am
Now, dont get me wrong, I would LOVE to draft a SF/PF @#23 more than anything cause Marvin isnt going to EVER give us anything and there are more than enough SF/PF in this years draft who could be taking his place as early as yesterday, BUT, we would look like continual fools if we pass on Marquis at #23 only because of his same ’skils sets’ as the starter..just writing that statement makes no sense to me. If we had Chris Paul and we had a chance to draft a mimi me Chris Paul, u mean to tell me we shouldnt get him cause we already have an injury prone starter with his same skills sets????? LOL
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
11:42 am
Also, PG’s and C’s have the most value in this league. Developing Marquis Teague could be a big time trade asset down the road
Dawg
June 21st, 2012
11:42 am
If we still had our extra 2nd round pick, we could pick Taylor with the 1st round pick, the Center from Vandy with our first pick in round 2 and then Sims with the last pick.
Instead, we paid for our owners to have more cash.
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
11:53 am
Im a true Hawks fan, who want nothing but the best for this organization and these players, my biggest concern for the fans are we being short change from the product on this team, the Hawks have talent but can this coaching staff take them to next level.
One thing for sure i do no this Melo is the perfect fit for the Hawks a player who is legit 7′0 that can defend the paint better than any one this draft, he is getting a bad rap because he from Brazil and just now really learning the game of basketball, when first came America he couldn’t speak english but every year he has improve his english the same in basketball before he wasn’t in game shape that need much improvement, so what did he do in the off season work on his game and became big east defensive player of the year, school was very hard for him because of english so he had let it go and work more on his english and basketball.
Melo is the number #23 pick who is getting better in his game.
Draft him and starte him day 1 and move Horford 2 PF and Josh SF this will be a dominate defensive team in the NBA.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
11:54 am
I would draft the best player available at #23 regardless of position. I think in nearly every case, drafting the best player regardless of position is the best strategy in the NBA, where positions are more interchangeable than in other sports. If the best player at #23 is Marquis Teague, so be it. No, he is not the ideal complement to Jeff Teague as the backup PG, but if he is the best player available at that time, at least you are getting a valuable asset you can use in a trade. Much better than reaching for someone at a particular position who turns out to be a bust with minimal or nonexistent trade value.
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
11:55 am
The fact remains that we have two guards on this roster, and both have had recent injury concerns. This team needs depth in that area and won’t likely attract or be able to afford the better free agents on the market. Guard talent will have to be drafted.
Astro Joe
June 21st, 2012
12:02 pm
Let’s say that LD has to take Jeff out of the game because Deron Williams or Jeremy Lin is backing him down into the paint and scoring against him, what are you going to do, put in his little brother?
What if LD has to take out Jeff because Rondo or Jameer Nelson is using every trick in the book to use screens and picks to penetrate into the paint and cause havoc for the defense. What are you going to do, put in his younger and less experienced brother?
Hawks have too many holes to spend their 1st round pick on developing a player to be traded later (while other gaping holes exist).
Marcus
June 21st, 2012
12:03 pm
Sidenote:
New GM for ORL Magic – They hired from Rob Hennigan from OKC.
Can’t remember if he was one of the hot candidates, but he is from the OKC/San Antonio management tree.
Michael Cunningham
June 21st, 2012
12:04 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
12:07 pm
http://youtu.be/D1gpQTUJgsQ
cp
June 21st, 2012
12:07 pm
I doubt Marquis Teague is there at 23. I could see Orlando, Dallas, Houston, or Denver taking him. If he is there I dont think you can pass on him.
I honestly dont think Taylor will be much better than Marvin. His biggest weakness is his lack of handle. I would love to get another guy in here who can create his own shot. They have a vid on Taylor showing his ball handling ability and it is not pretty. Although Green is seen as versatile the dude is a tweener. I dont think he is quick enough to defend sf’s and not big enough to defend pf’s.. Take the guy with the most upside at 23. Im hoping Moe Harkless falls to the Hawks.
MsDee
June 21st, 2012
12:08 pm
Exactly, Just Joe! No decent vet wants to come here to a bunch of owners who doesnt know how to run a basketball franchise, who runs their BIG mouths at the wrong time of the post season just to fire up a hungry future Hall of Famer, and also who is dumb enough to sell Kobe Byrant jerseys’ in the middle of Philps Arena when we are trying to support the Hawks. Where were the Joe Johnson’s, the Josh Smith’s and Horford’s jersey’s?? True, NO ONE would have bought them BUT it STILLS shows the proper support for your franchise!!!
tyger
June 21st, 2012
1:00 pm
1st Domino has fallen…
The Wiz just made the playoffs…
They locked down the low post w Nene, Okafor…
And still hold the #3 pick…Barnes, Lamb, Rivers???
They could still trade down…or out for a vet swingman…
With Walls, Veseley, Seraphin, Crawford, Singleton…
They have assets…
Really like Hawks workout invitees…
Draymond Green wont last until #23…
Neither will Quincy Miller…
John Jenkins in the 2nd round but
A couple of nice BIGs in second round…
What does talk of Jamal Crawford mean for Teague?
Jamal Crawford/Ray Allen – sounds good but doubtful…
JJ slides to SF enough to make it work but…doubt it…
But one thing for sure, the talk of Crawford, Allen, Green…
Tells us that Hawks looking for ballhandling scorers…
Raw size, speed and athleticism isnt good enough…
They need 5 toolers: Shoot, pass, dribble, rebound, defend…
Hard to run if star players cant go left or right…
Or take more than 3 dribbles without falling down…
Actually makes the case for re-signing Tracy McGrady…
Steve
June 23rd, 2012
10:20 pm
Tru nailed it with the first post. This team is going nowhere with an albatross contract given to a player at the deepest position in the NBA .. and only a slightly better than average, aging rapidly player at that.
No need to even pay attention to the next three drafts.