Atlanta Hawks: New bench same as the old bench?
The Hawks liked their bench players so much last season they are hoping they can lure them back for 2012-13.
“When we go forward I would anticipate–because our bench was so good for us last year [and] in our exit meetings with our veterans to a man said, ‘Can we get our same bench back?’–we are definitely going to make an effort to do that,” Hawks assistant GM Dave Pendergraft said. “Because, as you know, that was one of the deeper benches I’ve been involved with. It helped us sustain the injuries. I think they enjoyed the experience.
“I feel like the guys who came off the bench felt they had an identity. I think they felt appreciated by the starters. I think we would be their first choice. Now, I think a lot of things play into that but we talked to all of them and they had a good experience. ”
All of the 2011-12 reserves except for Ivan Johnson (the Hawks plan to extend him a qualifying offer to retain salary-matching rights) will be unrestricted free agents next month: Jason Collins, Erick Dampier, Willie Green, Kirk Hinrich, Tracy McGrady, Jannero Pargo, Vladimir Radmanovic and Jerry Stackhouse.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a scenario in which the Hawks rebuild their bench by bringing back most of those veterans if possible while supplanting one of them with their first-round draft pick, a player they hope can immediately join the back of the rotation.
“We have got to play it out,” Hawks GM Rick Sund said. “You can’t make any decisions even in your head right now. You can only play out scenarios because you don’t know what the [luxury] tax is going to be, you don’t know what the cap is going to be, you don’t know who you are going to draft.”
The Hawks did have a solid bench last season but, for various reasons, there is some risk in bringing back each of those players.
In the front court, Collins had some slippage and you wonder if Dampier will stay in shape this summer. Dampier turns 38 next month and Collins will be 34 in December.
The Hawks might be pressing their luck to hope Green can duplicate his career-best season–his inability to create shots in the playoffs against Boston’s defense may have been a sign. Also, he’ll be 31 next month after lingering injuries cost him 13 games last season.
Pargo also had the most efficient scoring season of his career but, like Green, the lasting impression was being overmatched by the Celtics. Larry Drew really likes Hinrich because of his defensive tenacity but Hinrich’s offensive production and efficiency continued to drop off and he looked beat up for most of the season.
On the wing, McGrady’s occasional flashes of his old play-making magic couldn’t compensate for his physical deterioration and his seeming inability to fully come to grips with that. Radmanovic also couldn’t stay healthy and went through stretches where he seemed reluctant to do the one thing the Hawks signed him to do, shoot 3-pointers. Stackhouse played in just 30 regular-season games and none in the playoffs.
Whatever the individual weaknesses of those players, Sund said he believes they collectively created a good blend for the Hawks.
“Last year I think we were the deepest team in the from league one through 15 once we picked up Dampier,” Sund said. “We had a great composite with the versatility and flexibility. It gave a lot of options for Larry, which he used a lot. He changed lineups and he could match up well.
“Also I think the really good teams can play the different styles. You can play an up-tempo game, you can play a defensive game, they can grind it out. I think the team with the best record, San Antonio, was the best at that. I think with all the versatility we had that was a plus. We could do that. And we were one of the best defensive teams in the league.”
Of course, the realities of the marketplace could trump whatever misgivings the Hawks have about bringing back last season’s reserves or signing other similarly-flawed free agents. You have to take what you can get if you are limited to filling out the roster with minimum-salaried vets.
If last season’s reserves don’t find much love on the free-agent market then perhaps they return.
“I think some of the guys are definitely in the mix,” Drew said. “My feeling is a lot of the guys are probably going to try to obviously get the best offer they can and go where the best offer is. We will be talking to most of them to see what they are thinking. We are going to have to make sure we are strengthening our bench and guys who can fit in with the core.
“There are certain pieces we are looking for. Last year I thought was a pretty good blend, a pretty good mix, and we kind of have an idea now of the type of players we need to bring in. We have already started to look at that free agent list and what’s out there and whether we can afford them or not. But with nine free agents got our work cut out for us. I don’t know who we can get.”
Some of last season’s reserves talked about the possibility of returning as they headed out the door.
Green: “I’ve got nine years in the NBA and I’m just looking forward to the next challenge. We will see what happens. If the opportunity is here [in Atlanta], this is where I will be. If not, I wish the Hawks the best.
Pargo: “Just looking for any team that wants me. Once I find out what teams want me, then go from there. If [the Hawks] will have me, I would love to be back.”
Hinrich: “Talent-wise, we are one of the better teams in the East. You play in this league for a certain amount of time and you want to be on a winner. We will see what happens. I could be back here, or could not.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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343 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
June 22nd, 2012
4:51 pm
I also am not buying Kirk as the perimeter defender. For one, he can’t guard big 2s or 3s. And secondly, he is declining even more rapidly than Joe. What he does can be replaced. Let him walk unless he is willing to take the veteran’s minimum, and even if he is, they still need to add a veteran point to the mix anyway since he is strictly a 2 at this point in his career.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 22nd, 2012
4:52 pm
“Last year I think we were the deepest team in the from league one through 15 once we picked up Dampier,”
LOL
NUNNA!!
June 22nd, 2012
4:54 pm
THATS IT!!!!! IM FINISHED WITH THESE NUT JOBS!!!
“Last year I think we were the deepest team in the from league one through 15 once we picked up Dampier,” Sund said.
ARE U SH-TTING US????
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE HEAT/THUNDER????
AND YO DUMB A– WANNA MAKE A STATEMENT LIKE THAT??!!!!
FIRE DAT M——F—— NOW!!
THAT IS THE DUMBEST STATEMENT I’VE EVER HEARD AND HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE OUR GM??!!!!
IM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FREAKING PISSED RIGHT NOW!!
IM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FREAKING PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW!!
He is talking about what happened because of the injuries and we kinda stepped up,i get it..
But in a coded way that is not different from the title of this article this nut is saying,”this is it,we’re gonna ride or die with this bunch if we can get them alllllllllll back next year!!
He– Naw!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
June 22nd, 2012
4:54 pm
“Was there a more overpaid player in the league last year than Hinrich?”
Sadly he was probably only the 3rd most overpaid player on this roster last year.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 22nd, 2012
4:55 pm
The Nuggets’ 4th through 8th best players would have beaten the Hawks’ 4th through 8th best players by 50. That statement by Sund has to be in the DASG Spin Hall of Fame.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 22nd, 2012
4:58 pm
“Can we please take a risk reward on Brandon Roy?”
Hell yeah. If he passes a physical, no excuse not to. Sh-t, I’d gladly pay him the $16 million the Hawks still owe Marvin.
Buddy Grizzard
June 22nd, 2012
5:01 pm
Here you go Najeh:
http://nbaplaybook.com/2012/05/11/how-atlantas-d-fared-against-rondo/
Tell me about the good team defense you see in that video.
Ray
June 22nd, 2012
5:05 pm
Having someone like Brandon Roy in the lineup would be 2000x better than THE DUCK!(Marvin)
The first thing ASG needs to do is admit a mistake and get rid of Marvin that is one of our all-time mistakes(notice I didn’t say The all-time just one of).
Second thing admit their second biggest mistake of paying Joe Johnson all that money.
hawksfancents95
June 22nd, 2012
5:11 pm
Ivan Johnson,Jason Collins, Erick Dampier, Willie Green, Kirk Hinrich, Tracy McGrady, Jannero Pargo, Vladimir Radmanovic and Jerry Stackhouse.
We did have a good versatile bench last year but we need to move forward and honestly, maybe three of them i would bring back(def. Ivan 9-5). i think hinrich would be great to bring back in a backup PG role but i think he will fetch more money elsewhere. TMAC would be valuable off the bench but i think he had enough of LD and ASG. there is no reason and i mean no reason to bring jason collins,erik dampier,vlad rad, and jstack back. pargo and green are iffy but jannero is too liable on defense and willie is an undersized older combo guy, but ultimatley both need to be let go but i appreciate everyones contributions to our team last year.
June 28th is less than a week away and i cant wait to see what unfolds, i hope MC and AJC will have a blog opened dedicated to the draft night. i got our only selcetion correct last year Keith Benson right and I hope to get these two picks correct this year except i hope we actually make use of these cheap salary roster spots.
my prediction at #23 is Tony Wroten unless somehow Perry or Terrence Jones slips that far, i wouldnt mind those two PFs because i see a lot of potential in both .
our #43 pick i predict Kostas Papanikolaou
Mike
June 22nd, 2012
5:13 pm
I dont believe ESPN just say that we contact Danny Ferry for GM position. They should go after Troy Weaver or anybody from Spurs organization, not Danny freakin Ferry.
Sautee
June 22nd, 2012
5:14 pm
“Now, we just need the final touches on the GM decision and we’ll be at top speed going no where.”
LOL. AJ, as my songwriter friend Jeff Talmadge says:
“We’re lost, but we’re making real good time”.
Grandad
June 22nd, 2012
5:16 pm
…manure de jour…
…………or………….
Our BS of the day..
I reckon the starting line-up`s gonna be the same.
The draft choice ain`t gonna start.
I s`pose they gonna sell the 2nd rounder.
Ray
June 22nd, 2012
5:18 pm
Yeah you go after GM’s and Assistant Coaches of organizations that win not lose you know or stay mediocre like we do every year.
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
5:23 pm
They aren’t talking about bringing 3 back…they’re talking the entire squad!!
AJ said it, the summer of same…..the season that Rick Sund says is where he makes roster changes. He is as blind as he is insane. Getting paid to do the same thing is stealing!
Get ready for a balloon burst when Stern announces that the middle-of-the-road Hawks select PF….with the 23rd pick of the NBA draft.
Don’t take one step back, Sund…take a bunch of them, with you staying in charge.
“Those two roster spots should have gone to Reggie Evans and Earl Watson anyway.”
Najeh, I would agree, except for the fact Watson got a 2yr/4M and someone else was actually interested in him. Evans nor Damien Wilkins is taking us anywhere near the ECF.
If we had Evans, then we could be part of the ‘hack-a-Reggie’ a-thon! We might even make the not-so-Top-10 on SportsCenter.
And the worse contract on this team belongs to Joe Johnson, by far! Its not a one year consensus…Joe’s deal takes us way beyond sensible.
I blame Sund.
DaVonte Hughes
June 22nd, 2012
5:26 pm
Heck no we dont want the same bench. Sign ivan and maybe pargo if he can get better in the off-season. Kirk Hinrich maybe if hes 100%. But if we sign our targets Ray allen(not likely) alonzo gee(good potential) Jamal Crawford(needs to learn defense NOW) then we would have a deep team. We want championship not just winning seasons. CHANGE IS NOW
Ray
June 22nd, 2012
5:31 pm
If the Atlanta Falcons don’t win a playoff under Mike Smith, Timmy D, and Matt Ryan you know they get the axe.
If the Atlanta Hawks don’t get past second round everyone can stay. It’s like watching a parent who knows their kids are doing something wrong, but they don’t stop them??? Or give em the old switch treatment you know what I mean.
Ray
June 22nd, 2012
5:33 pm
This upcoming year I mean for the Falcons Arthur Blank isn’t just going to sit on his hands.
Ronnie
June 22nd, 2012
5:35 pm
“…while the Hawks dribbled the air out of the ball and ended up with Josh launching 3s with 3 seconds left on the shot clock.”
Which begs the question: Why the hell is Josh even standing out on the perimeter?
Another reason why they struggle to score.
Sautee
June 22nd, 2012
5:37 pm
“Jamal Crawford(needs to learn defense NOW)”
That’s pretty funny. “Learning defense” at age 32? As Grandad has said, you can’t teach someone to overcome a dead battery. Jamal has no desire to be even a decent defender. If so, he could have had twice the career that he did. A curious choice for one so athletically gifted. I guess defense is too much work, LOL.
Ray
June 22nd, 2012
5:48 pm
@ Ronnie
Naw we struggle to score because we’re a jump shooting team while most people pass us by attacking the basket and guess who can stop them. Josh, Al and Zaza, but since it’s been only 2 of 3 of them on the floor at one time well what can ya do.
Plus we lack a legit scorer like a Kevin Durant. I do like Josh, and he may turn into an All-star(already is), but I don’t think he’ll be on KD’s level dude got ice cold veins yeah they may have lost the championship, but OKC will be seeing June at least for a good 12 years or so.
Bernie Matt
June 22nd, 2012
5:55 pm
If Coach Drew really made that statement about Hinrich, he’s playing to a certain audience and I don’t have anymore respect for him. Hinrich was garbage this past year!
donte080
June 22nd, 2012
6:12 pm
WeNeedTree
June 22nd, 2012
3:11 pm
Was there a more overpaid player in the league last year than Hinrich?
Yeah, the guy he replaced…Jamal Crawford was awful last season.
moboman
June 22nd, 2012
6:14 pm
Last year’s bench did an acceptable bench job, but had too much dead wood on it. (Stack, Twin, Dampier) Every year is a new one as far as bench players. Time to reshuffle, and reinvent. Bring back a few, but find some better pieces as well. Thats managements job.
TMACfan
June 22nd, 2012
6:17 pm
Amnesty Marvin Williams (Mrs. Marvina Williams) and use half the money to pick up Brandon Roy. I think we can get him for that much.
Ra'mon
June 22nd, 2012
6:17 pm
Guys, Ferry IS with the San Antonio Spurs. So if they hired him. He must be pretty much worth giving a chance.
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
6:22 pm
Ray word on the street Arthur is already looking for another QB cause Ryan aint the one Grasshopper..
He was willing to trade Ryan for Payton…Just word on the street…
Landen Baywood
June 22nd, 2012
6:22 pm
The bench was too old last year. I remember the Heat being in a simular position last summer, everybody thinking their bench was too old, so they got younger by rid of Big Z, Erick Damiper, Mike Bibby and adding Norris Cole.
I think the Hawks should go in the same route. We looked really slow against Boston, and they’re not a young team either.
Section 303
June 22nd, 2012
6:23 pm
The bench was good during the regular season, but they were awful against Boston in the postseason. That’s my lasting memory of them. They were totally unable to perform in the playoffs. I’ll take Ivan back, but not sure about the rest. Hawks should not kill themselves to re-sign any of those guys. Wait until after the draft and see where you stand.
I certainly do not want Willie Green back. He can take a bus out of town. His blown jumper at the the end of Game 3 was a killer in that Boston series. The Hawks win that game if Green makes a 13-foot jumper that was WIDE OPEN!!!(makes me mad, all over again, thinking about it). Playing short handed, in Boston, and had the game won……don’t need to see Willie Green in a Hawks uni again.
Section 303
June 22nd, 2012
6:26 pm
Also….am I the only one who has given up all hope on the Hawks actually making a bold move this year. Amnesty Marvin? Trade Josh Smith (not that I want that to happen, but just seems like it has to.)? They’re just going to use last year’s injuries as an excuse to stand pat. Typical.
Landen Baywood
June 22nd, 2012
6:33 pm
3 Things That WILL NOT Happen This Summer:
1) The Hawks WILL NOT use the amnesty clause on Joe Johnson or Marvin Williams.
2) Josh Smith WILL NOT be traded.
3) And last, the Hawks WILL NOT be signing Deron Williams.
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
6:34 pm
Is it true OKC had only 23 wins 3 seasons ago? Wow….
790 the Zone said a few minutes ago the Hawks have interviewed Danny Ferry today for the GM job? WT Heck?
Might as well bring back Billy Knight…….Wow….
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
6:37 pm
[Peyton]^^^^
drock.
June 22nd, 2012
6:41 pm
rick,please dont give us that we have waited long enough.Same old good old boyz.
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
6:53 pm
At 12-1 the New York Knicks are predicted to have the 5th best odds at winning a title next season..
They will be very dangerous if healthy. The Hawks, not so much……
Section 303
June 22nd, 2012
6:54 pm
I would not mind Danny Ferry. He built some decent Cleveland teams around LeBron. He showed he is not afraid to tweak things. The Hawks need that.
For those who hate the potential Ferry hire, who would you rather have? I do not think there are many choices.
Section 303
June 22nd, 2012
6:56 pm
SlimJr, give me a f’ing break with this NY Knicks crap. God!! So tired of the national media forcing that team down everyone’s throat. Now, have to come on here and see people buying into to it. Let me help you out….the NY Knicks are not that good! Sorry to break that to you. They’re not that good. Just because they have a few names people know and play in New York City does not make them a championship contender. Enough….
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
6:56 pm
Danny Ferry, the same Danny Ferry who brought in Moe Williams and Antawn Jamison to complement Shaq?
No thx…..
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
6:56 pm
Danny Ferry, the same Danny Ferry who brought in Moe Williams and Antawn Jamison to complement LeBron to stay in Cleveland? For that result, he would never be my GM ever.
No thx…..
SuckerFree
June 22nd, 2012
6:57 pm
Sign a new coach…..wait a second…
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
6:58 pm
Standby Section 303, Najeh did a brilliant job of explaining Danny Ferry f—k ups and they were very impressive a few blogs ago..
I will try and repost for your viewing pleasure….
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
7:02 pm
Go Freaking KNICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cause our F______king “Hakws” will continue streaking…….That was for section 303. LMAO!
Section 303
June 22nd, 2012
7:05 pm
Slimjr, I don’t understand. The Knicks post you just made went over my head, I guess.
Repost the Najeh post, if you don’t mind. The one on Ferry. Would be interested to read his take. Thanks.
Just Joe
June 22nd, 2012
7:30 pm
Andrew Nicholson interview on hawks.com. Kid sounds intelligent. Skinnier than I thought though.
cp
June 22nd, 2012
8:08 pm
Yea im not a fan of Ferry at all. He made a lot of baffling moves while he was with Cleveland.
cp
June 22nd, 2012
8:09 pm
Just Joe you didnt see him at the combine? He really has to bulk up if he is to play the 4. He was getting abused in the post during the combine workouts. I like his game but he has to get stronger.
cp
June 22nd, 2012
8:10 pm
And for those who care, NBATV will have a lot of draft specials starting Monday.
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
8:17 pm
Hear ya Go Section 303!
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.”
Could Billy Knight have done worse?
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
8:28 pm
Section 303, remember this stat proved how incredibly talented Lebron is. Three years ago [Lebrons last season] in Cleveland, they go 61-21..The next year after Lebron leaves, Cleveland post a record 21-61! OUCH!
Lebron had finally realized that Danny was not getting it done..He fullfilled his contract got the heck out of dodge!!!!! And the rest as they say is history….
Danny couldn’t get it done as a player or GM and the underachieving Hawks are about to bring this underachieving buster to ATLANTA? A match made were? Save your money…..
-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-
BILLY KNIGHT
June 22nd, 2012
8:35 pm
Slimjim
Could Billy Knight have done worse?
Sautee
June 22nd, 2012
8:35 pm
slimjr,
FYI, Ferry didn’t start in CLE until June of 2005. All of those things Najeh mentioned preceded him.
You’ve done it again!
That’s not to say that Ferry has been brilliant, but he DID draft JJ Hickson (19th), Shannon Brown (25th), Daniel Gibson (42nd) and Danny Green (46th). I think those are reasonable draft picks for the slot given.