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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
343 comments Add your comment
Ray
June 23rd, 2012
8:34 am
@ Vava74
Preach it man
FIRE LD AND GET A REAL COACH ASG ONE FROM A WINNING ORGANIZATION! You don’t ever hire from within unless you know this coach got what it takes everyone and the world knew LARRY DREW DIDN’T HAVE WHAT IT TOOK! EXCEPT YOU DASG.
You(ASG) talk about how you got highest payroll like it’s something to be proud of when in reality NFL teams and other NBA teams know how to spend their money wisely it’s something you learn as a kid apparently none of you ASG knuckleheads know what that means.
STOP TRYING TO TRADE JOSH HE’S THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WILL WATCH THIS SORRY EXCUSE OF A TEAM ON THE FLOOR ANY NIGHT.
It surely isn’t Horford, Johnson, or Marvin they want to watch. No knock against my man Horford, but it’s just the truth. Josh = Excitement Horford = Tim Duncan except maybe a little better as far as excitement goes.
This draft is fools gold the only legit player and he might not be is Anthony Davis there may be a few sleepers like Austin Rivers and what not, but this draft won’t be as deep as 09 10 or 11.
KevinM
June 23rd, 2012
8:51 am
Danny Ferry huh? I think we could do better……….LeBron’s swan song in Cleveland…..
“Besides Jamison, Cleveland also will acquire Clippers guard Sebastian Telfair.
Ferry tried to find a #2 to LeBron, but it cost him his job. Nothing against making changes, especially when you know what you have is definitely broken. Shaq and the return of Ilgauskas didn’t help matters either.
Ferry built his team to be able to beat Orlando (sound familiar) but that he didn’t consider Boston a contender. I can’t applaud his draft record either, but he almost got Amare for JJ Hickson…that today would have been a steal.
Based on Danny’s playing days, who Cleveland traded to get him and then bring him back and fail to keep LeBron home, wouldn’t you think Cleveland would despise this guy more than LeBron?
I wanted to pile on the thought of Ferry coming here, but in thinking about it, he didn’t stand pat with a team that he inherited.
So if Ferry can come in and make lemonade our of sour lemons with Marvin and talk someone into taking him or talk the owners into swallowing that albatross disaster of a contract that Sund signed him to, I’m all for it. A player option for 2013 at 7.5M? Are frickin kidding me?
Sund has done very little with what was presented to him. We have moved 1 starter in what, 5 years? That’s insane to accept.
Do we have 1 draft pick left that has made our roster? Obviously, that tells you Sund doesn’t believe in the draft, and his history should tell you that. Pape Sy is a NBDL project and you wouldn’t hear his name if he was on a roster there either.
Sund’s as a GM was a horrid decision, and one I was 100% against when he got here. I don’t like the way he goes about his business, and his interviews are short of being wretched.
Name me the best FA we have signed since Sund has been GM? Joe doesn’t count.
All this tells you that Sund has no idea how to grow a business. He has been taking money for his ‘advice’ and don’t cop out telling me its the owners who have limited him. If anything, Sund and his assistants have wasted money bringing in rookies for workouts when you know you aren’t invested in developing them. Applaud that bench if you want….it was a useless resource when needed the most.
The ASG has spent money, they have wasted money. They have wasted out time trying to convince us LD is the guy. What Sund has done has absolutely not made us better. What is it about Atlanta that brings in GMs who have done nothing in their career? Remember once the rumor about Jerry West?
We’re 14 games away from being in the NBA Finals. We’re 2 games better than teams that didn’t make the playoffs. That ought to tell you where we are at.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2012
9:15 am
This team doesn’t need to change a thing. East Finals next year and STILL the best team in Atlanta.
Hawkfan
June 23rd, 2012
9:36 am
Keep Ivan, Green, Pargo, Damp (old but not many centers out there and I thought he played pretty good at times)
Need better perimeter defender like Damien Wilkins. Nice to upgrade to one who also shoots the ball well. Biggest thing our bench or starters lack is shutdown defender (Pietrus, for example)
Start ZaZa over Marvin or better yet get Marvin out of my sight. Fire LD cause he gets out coached against every good coach in the league. Hire a defensive minded HC and get tough defensively and on the boards. Resign Josh.
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
9:47 am
For those of you who don’t believe in stats ( real, advanced, or fantasy ), or don’t believe that they can tell you a good chunk of the story about something, please disregard this post.
For those of you who can interpret how stats can validate or disprove a perceived belief, please keep reading.
The following is a statistical breakdown of “one of the deepest teams in the league”, with specific focus on what the bench gave us ( Hawks ) and what the opposing team’s bench did against us ( Opponent ). Their perspective rank across the league in that category will be beside the raw statistical number.
This can also be viewed as what the Hawks bench gave us offensively . . compared to what the Hawks as a team did defensively vs the opposing team’s bench. Viewing it this way will give the rankings in each category a little more meaning
2011 – 12 REGULAR SEASON STATS
( I won’t even bother viewing them overall, because the playoff performance will bring them down )
EFFICIENCY ( NBA.com style )
Hawks . . . . . 33.6 ( 17th )
Opponent . . . 35.5 ( 18th )
POINTS PER GAME
Hawks . . . . . 30.2 ( 21st )
Opponent . . . 31.8 ( 18th )
REBOUNDS
Hawks . . . . . 13.9 ( 22nd )
Opponent . . . 14.8 ( 14th )
ASSISTS
Hawks . . . . . 6.4 ( 15th )
Opponent . . . 6.2 ( 8th )
STEALS
Hawks . . . . . 2.7 ( 18th )
Opponent . . . 3.0 ( 25th )
BLOCKS
Hawks . . . . . 1.1 ( 30th )
Opponent . . . 1.8 ( 18th )
TURNOVERS
Hawks . . . . . 4.8 ( 15th )
Opponent . . . 4.7 ( 21st )
FIELD GOAL %
Hawks . . . . . 43.7% ( 10th )
Opponent . . . 43.9% ( 22nd )
3 POINT %
Hawks . . . . . 38.2% ( 4th )
Opponent . . . 34.7% ( 18th )
FREE THROW %
Hawks . . . . . 76.2% ( 6th )
Opponent . . . 73.9% ( 20th )
So for those of you who can use stats to formulate a “profile” of our bench, what does it say about “the deepest team in the league”?
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
9:55 am
I forgot to add MINUTES
Hawks: 17 min per game ( 22nd )
Opponent: 18 min per game ( 15th )
Clarification
June 23rd, 2012
10:10 am
“As you (Clarification) stated, Hinrich played the first three quarters of that (Game 3) overtime but, yet, he (Hinrich) did not score a single point – zero, zilch, nada, nyet, nothing, goose egg, etc. ”
That’s correct. He was 0-3 from 3 and did not attempt a 2 point shot. So what? He averaged less than 5 shots per game, but you want him to score 12-14 points? He better shoot better than Jamal for that to happen. But, guess what? That wasn’t Kirk’s job.
“P.S. Clarification, your criticism of Jamal Crawford is concerning his performance in the second round (EC Semis) of the 2011 playoffs – a playoff round in which the Hawks did not advance. My criticism of Kirk Hinrich is concerning his performance in the first round of the 2012 playoffs – a playoff round in which the Hawks did not advance. Do you see “the difference” in the Hawks’ two post season performances of 2011 and 2012 – one (post season performance) with Jamal Crawford and another (one) without him (Crawford)?”
Sure I see the difference. Jamal’s epic fail was all the more pitiful because the stakes were that much higher in the second round. We needed him to do well, even more than we needed Kirk in the first round this year. Jamal was a more important cog, failing to turn.
That’s easy to see, but thanks for pointing it out to the rest of the blog..
Ray
June 23rd, 2012
10:11 am
Well my ranting is over for now. Honestly as fans we should be calling BS on ASG they are giving LD and some of these players a pass when the reality strikes it actually doesn’t look that good.
Rad, Pargo, Hinrich, Damp, and Collins must go. I was never for bringing Hinrich here at the cost of 4 total players(draft pick included).
When you look back at last year’s draft and see just what we could have had that makes the Hinrich Trade that much worse. Faired and Marshon Brooks(Hometown hero) were both there at 18 and beyond. Then there was Chris Singleton although we didn’t need another PF at the time.
As for the rest of them as the season wore on they became highly useless if Pargo does return I can only see him as 3rd string PG not even 2nd string.
As for the draft itself it’s official draft a Center or find a SF that can replace Marvin for a much lower cost as of right now.
Trade Marvina Williams to Cleveland for their #24 they might welcome that trade.
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
10:12 am
And what did I say the Hawks may do last week?
Re-sign
- Pargo
- Hinrich
- Ivan
Add
- 1st round pick
- 2nd round pick
- young free agent
- young free agent
Except the Hawks may opt to go with one vet free agent, and one young one.
Not only do they “like their core”, they also like their mediocre bench
St Louis issa callin...
June 23rd, 2012
10:17 am
I feel sorry for u sir, having to cover this sorry excuse for a franchise. The Hawks organization is the pus on the scum on the flea on the dying dog.
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
10:28 am
Add your comment
Ray
June 23rd, 2012
8:34 am
STOP TRYING TO TRADE JOSH HE’S THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE WILL WATCH THIS SORRY EXCUSE OF A TEAM ON THE FLOOR ANY NIGHT.
It surely isn’t Horford, Johnson, or Marvin they want to watch. No knock against my man Horford, but it’s just the truth. Josh = Excitement Horford = Tim Duncan except maybe a little better as far as excitement goes.
***********************
Ray . . no one on this team is a box office draw. If Josh represented a player that people wanted to see on a nightly basis, the Hawks would draw much better on a weekday night vs a non-elite team. The Hawks would be able to draw 16,000+ people vs a team like Golden St, if Josh was a true box office draw.
People who go to Hawks games aren’t saying . . . “man, I can’t wait to see Josh Smith tonight.”
They go to Hawks games because they’re hardcore fans of the team . . because a star from another team is in town . . or just to have something to do for the night.
It’s not because of one player on the team.
KevinM
June 23rd, 2012
10:56 am
If you poll the fans, who would they want to see most at Philips, I bet it’s Josh.
And Zaza may have a better result than the other 2 captains.
The point is, if Josh is gone, are you going to hang banners of the 2 captains and say come see the Hawks at the factory? Because there won’t be any thought of any ‘Hi-lights’.
I would trade Al if it was me, but only if Josh will play on the block.
If he is Jumpshooter Josh, than I’m ready for him to walk as well.
And can we please quit the Marvin for #1 draft picks? The Dream won’t give you a #1 for Marvin!
Some results from the playoffs this year:
Going position for position in matchups, our won/loss at each position:
SF – 3 W 3 L
PF – 5-1
C – 0-6 (Garnett killed us)
SG – 3-3 (we won a game on each side of the matchup)
PG – 1-5 (Ouch!)
Bench – 2-4 and Boston has a horrid bench
So if I’m looking at this overall, I’d say our PG and C are our weakest positions. Garnett and Rondo were the 2 factors we couldn’t overcome.
I wonder what position we’re going to draft at #23? My guess is the only position where we had an advantage against Boston.
KevinM
June 23rd, 2012
11:01 am
MC, when you say we had a solid bench last year, does that mean average?
16th is where I see us in the league based on n’cyde’s averages.
It’s all smoke and mirrors for our management team. They blow it, we try to filter through it.
UGA
June 23rd, 2012
11:24 am
Can someone answer this?
If the Hawks use their mid-level exception or bi-annual exception in full, then fill out the roster with veterans for the league minimum, does this put them in the luxury tax?
Astro Joe
June 23rd, 2012
11:32 am
I’d be careful about isolating Presti as the main factor in the Thunder’s success. I would consider that he had a new owner who moved the team to a new market that had new fans of a professional sports team. Presti did a great job of dismantling the Sonics and rebuilding the Thunder. But he was clearly enabled by an owner and community that is not found in Atlanta. Also, there is NO indication that the next GM will be able to dismantle and rebuild. In fact, there is absolutely every piece of evidence that would suggest they won’t dismantle (anytime soon) and rebuild. So yeah, a “Presti impact” should not be expected, especially if the next GM won’t have 3-5 consecutive top 15 draft picks to help re-make the roster. Presti has one more year before he will be evaluated more fully on a “post-rookie scale” bases. And this is where Ferry can match wits with his other peers in a similar spot… a roster with some long-term contracts, declining players, little rookie contract “relief” and a need to get better.
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
11:57 am
Sund and the other people in the Hawks front office can’t fool the majority of fans who follow this team on a nightly basis. There are too many things that people can look at, that will prove that the only team this bench did on a consistent basis, was shoot the 3 pointer. But even that prowess went down the tubes in the playoffs, with the Hawks bench shooting 23.3% from three in the playoffs.
The bench needs to be balanced out as much as the starting team does. We just can’t have a bunch of 3 point gunners on the court + Ivan and/or Zaza, and expect to get it done vs good teams. There has to be some versatility amongst that 2nd team that will enable them to compete vs most teams they’ll play.
Sund ( or the new GM ) needs to limit the amount of offensive options that Drew can go with.
Wish list
June 23rd, 2012
12:08 pm
My wish list?
Convict and sentence the Homosexualchildpredator Jerry Sandusky.
Fire Sund
Fire hawks beat liar Michael Cunningham who will never point the conversation in the right direction.
Trade 6′ 10 1/2 265 lbs center Al horford for a “willing” defensive specialist center who has enough offensive skills to make 10 or 12 points.
So far?
1 down 3 to go.
Paddy
June 23rd, 2012
12:09 pm
KevinM…..if you poll the Atl folks on what they would like to see at Phillips, it would be the circus not the Hawks.
Exactly!
June 23rd, 2012
12:16 pm
“If you poll the fans, who would they want to see most at Philips, I bet it’s Josh.
And Zaza may have a better result than the other 2 captains.
The point is, if Josh is gone, are you going to hang banners of the 2 captains and say come see the Hawks at the factory? Because there won’t be any thought of any ‘Hi-lights’.
I would trade Al if it was me, but only if Josh will play on the block.
If he is Jumpshooter Josh, than I’m ready for him to walk as well.”
I agree totally. Stop putting Josh on the wing and perimeter trying to make him a SF so that you can make room for the boring, lackluster, non productive (defensive or offensively) Al horford.
Josh is a top 4 Pwr Fwd. Al is not even a top 25 power forward. LEAVE JOSH RIGHT WHERE HE IS!
You’d have to be a pot smoker and rolling up big ones to trade Josh but then with Michael Cunningham and the ASG, the phrase is :
Stupid is as Stupid does.
Derek Jeter
June 23rd, 2012
12:19 pm
Paddy that is a really good name for you. You must be a patty. We play basketball and not games in the ATL. Are you some kind of sissy or something? Take your sorry as to the circus, We trying to win ball games B!!tch.
JustSayinB
June 23rd, 2012
12:20 pm
Hawks managemnet talking to Danny Ferry as the possible new GM. A step in a positive direction.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8085969/sources-atlanta-hawks-talk-danny-ferry-general-manager-position
ryan
June 23rd, 2012
12:20 pm
One word to describe the Hawks CHEAP same old same old stuff .
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2012
12:21 pm
People always talk about Josh as the player Hawks fans want to see. That may be so, but the fact is…here is where the Hawks rank in attendance;
2012: 23rd (15,199 per game)
2011: 22nd(15,648 per game)
2010: 18th (16,545 per game)
2009: 20th (16,748 per game)
2007: 26th (15,594 per game).
I am not a statistician, but the numbers suggest that since 2009, the average attendance has gone down every year..while ASG continues to stand pat.
ryan
June 23rd, 2012
12:21 pm
Danny Ferry if that is true anyone would be better than Sund .
TMACfan
June 23rd, 2012
12:37 pm
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=469443259750870&set=a.367811313247399.97794.367810133247517&type=1&theater
Bruce
June 23rd, 2012
12:44 pm
Unbelievable that the Hawks think they can keep the exact same team, plus their draft picks that may or may not make the team, and improve from last year. This is why we will never have a winner with the ASG as owners. Not to mention the uncertainty at GM and our inexpensive coach.
Jacobite
June 23rd, 2012
12:45 pm
“LEAVE JOSH RIGHT WHERE HE IS!”
Josh will be the one leaving after next season. Better get what you can for him. But the ASG thinks they are so great that Josh won’t want to leave. Wrong!
Josh will be gone by this time next year. Book it. He’s way too smart to stay with this ownership train wreck. And who could blame him?
Grandad
June 23rd, 2012
1:04 pm
Ray
‘`STOP TRYING TO TRADE JOSH HE’S THE ONLY REASON
PEOPLE WILL WATCH THIS SORRY EXCUSE OF A TEAM `’
Ray – your kinda like Skip Bayless;
you seem to be trying to turn basketball into an individual sport,
rather than a team sport.
r.e. [..." LBJ won the / his championship "...] -Skip Bayless-
not the team / Heat won the Championship.
The Hawks actually won alot of games.
The Hwks actually are a winning team.
-yet-
You say people only come to see Josh Smith:
*not the team
*but Josh Smith`s performance
*and all that goes with it:
carping at the officials, launching innefective long jump shots,
pouting, moody, overhandling the ball, but mostly;
the incurious simpletonian way he goes about playing the game.
Really !
Grandad
June 23rd, 2012
1:06 pm
should have been *[you`re] rather than *[your]
G-dad the dumb-ass
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
1:06 pm
KevinM . .. but what does that mean?
Do those same people who would rather see Josh play, be willing to go down to Philips on a Tuesday night to see him play vs Milwaukee? Just because he’s a “fan favorite” does not mean that he’s a “box office draw”.
That place isn’t buzzing to see Josh and Zaza play.
And honestly, who cares about some marketing nickname that the team has come up with for the arena. That hasn’t translated into anything tangible on the basketball court. Maybe TOTAL CHANGE is what this franchise needs.
Hell, call the arena the “Fundamental Fun House” or the “House of Talons” for all I care. Keeping players around for a meaningless arena marketing nickname is not the way to operate around here.
Jacobite
June 23rd, 2012
1:12 pm
I resent you guys implying that I am Sautee the Troll. Even though I am, I have a right to resent you guys pointing that out..
RESPECT THE TROLL…
Superman II
June 23rd, 2012
1:13 pm
Enter your comments here
Superman II
June 23rd, 2012
1:15 pm
Out side of Josh and JJ there isnt much to come see about the hawks. Al sure aint putting nobody in the stands. Marvin? make me laugh.
Josh needs some help. Period.
Paul Clifton
June 23rd, 2012
1:16 pm
Cosigning
“G-dad the dumb-ass”
Amen
Grandad
June 23rd, 2012
1:18 pm
Astro Joe
I agree with you 100% on Presti.
For example:
If Portland takes Durant # 1; where is OKC today.
Honestly;
time may bear out that taking Harden over Steph Curry was
the wrong choice ?
Right now – it looks to be the correct choice !
At the time – I would have taken Curry. – We shall see ?
I`m not knocking Presti;
I`m only saying that one must look at these things
through the prism of time.
nelson
June 23rd, 2012
1:30 pm
For a big man in the second round, Kyle O’Quinn looks much better for the Hawks than Henry Sims who’s been projected as our pick by nbadraft.net.
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
1:32 pm
O’Brien
June 23rd, 2012
12:21 pm
People always talk about Josh as the player Hawks fans want to see. That may be so, but the fact is…here is where the Hawks rank in attendance;
2012: 23rd (15,199 per game)
2011: 22nd(15,648 per game)
2010: 18th (16,545 per game)
2009: 20th (16,748 per game)
2007: 26th (15,594 per game).
I am not a statistician, but the numbers suggest that since 2009, the average attendance has gone down every year..while ASG continues to stand pat.
************************
That’s an incredible 5 year trend. We’re back at 2007 attendance numbers? Wow.
But Josh or any other Hawk player is packing them in huh?
Ray
June 23rd, 2012
1:39 pm
@ Grandad
The problem is it’s the truth do people really go to a Knicks game to Watch Mike Bibby?
I do realize it’s a team sport, but in this era of time superstars and or legit All-stars like Josh Smith win you the NBA Championship.
It’s still a team sport down to the core, but as of right now unless I see Kevin Durant, CP3, Blake Griffin walk through the door Josh Smith is the closest thing we got to a Superstar.
When ASG finally trades him it will be Nique 2.0 he’ll go to a team like Boston Doc Rivers will actually do something The knucklehead L.D can’t and reel him in and then we’ll all be looking like the idiot laughing stocks of the NBA again as we always have.
Like I said Josh is the closest thing we got to a Superstar and he’s a legit All-star.
People afraid that Josh will keep shooting Jumpshoots if he moves to SF so what.
In a league where Rondo has a broken 3pt shoot I say why not because of Rondo on/off again 3pt shoot Boston Celtics got to ECF and almost NBA Finals.
In a league where Chris Bosh doesn’t even have a 3pt shot, but he shot it out there anyway it led the heat to win one of the games in the series you could say, and ultimately the championship(although I don’t want to say that.
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
1:41 pm
If the Hawks aren’t committed to winning a title, they may as well bring in Allen Iverson to be the 2nd or 3rd PG. Might as well bring in what the fan base may respond to, even if he is well past his prime.
As a fan in the arena, A.I. would definitely bring out the females/groupies. The eye candy in the arena alone may be worth the price of admission.
northcyde
June 23rd, 2012
1:58 pm
On a side note . . here is your All-WNBA “Pretty Girl” team
G – Skylar Diggins ( yes, I know she’s still in college )
G – Candace Wiggins
F – Jennifer Lacy
F – Swin Cash
C – Candace Parker
Slimjr
June 23rd, 2012
2:01 pm
Imagine gentlemen if we had the Knicks roster down at Phillips?
Would they sellout every night they played or come close too doing just that?
Would they peak my interest enough to go down and spend money? You bet your next paycheck I’d be down there cheering loud!!!!!
This Hawks roster.. Think I’ll save some money..Not buying what Gearon Jr is selling……Yawn…
Slimjr
June 23rd, 2012
2:16 pm
Did you hear the story about the guy that has the worlds heaviest scrotum!!! His sack has broke the worlds record with an astonishing weight of [hold on] and get a grip:
100 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 OMG? Huh? What? Why? Yikes? OUCH? C’mon man…….LMAO!!!!!!
That means each ball weighs: 50lbs + 50lbs= 100lbs…. Shoot……
Grandad
June 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm
Ray
I go to watch the Hawks because they are -My- team.
I do prefer certain opponents;
not because of superStars, but due to the competition.
Yes;
I realize I`m old-school, but I dfo not think I`m a loner.
Honestly;
I think folks are tiring of the SS “treatment” which was popularized
during the Jordan era. [Jordan Rules]
Being inundated by 24 hours of Lebron by his own personal network
[ e s p n ] is tiresome to all who do not live in the Big Mkts.
*Such as baseball fans who do not live in NYC or Boston.
I enjoy the game of basketball;
and beginning to reject the b a s t a r d ized version of;
[ S t e r n ] basketball, AKA; professional wrestling = scripted.
Stern does not realize that ” competition ” sells !
-Yes-
legit SuperStars sell tickets !
Like it or not Pistol Pete sold tickets in ATL.
I think Steve Nash would sell tickets in ATL.
(for awhile)
But sooner or later / winning is what sells.
UGA Bulldawgs WIN & they sell out.
Brave WON & they sold tickets.
Dale Murphy was the most beloved Brave of all-time;
-but-
he couldn`t sell tickets.
1991 = Braves started winning [Championships];
= Braves started selling tickets !
The Hawks have won;
the problem … as I see it …
Our Hwks need to start selling Hope !
Hope that we can -actually- win a Championship !
1991 Braves fans believed.
Right now – even though the Hwks win – even I do not believe.
Danny Ferry – could sell some ” Hope ” – I believe !
Slimjr
June 23rd, 2012
2:23 pm
His custom pants require a third leg…. Just wow………Hehehehe
Grandad
June 23rd, 2012
2:23 pm
*[dfo] is not a word
however, do is a real word
so we`ll go with *[do]
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2012
2:24 pm
The person who jacked my screen name at 9:15 am should know that I almost never wake up that early on Saturdays.
Grandad
June 23rd, 2012
2:29 pm
Ditch~Weed
Good to hear from you.
Respectfully,
Phillip Masters
Grandad
June 23rd, 2012
2:43 pm
There is nothing I like better than licking a diuretic baby calf in the as, and the smell…. love it love love it !
Phillip Masters
June 23rd, 2012
2:48 pm
Co-signing the Co-signer
Cosigning
“G-dad the dumb-ass”
Amen
Phillip Masters
June 23rd, 2012
2:53 pm
Also co-signing grandad he is very very old
‘Yes;I realize I`m old-’
Grandad you remind me a lot of Sandusky only no one has testified against you yet.