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
northcyde
June 24th, 2012
4:16 am
Ray
June 23rd, 2012
5:19 pm
@ Grandad
I could go for that That would be our way of dumping Marvin
And then Amnesty Joe Johnson from the team just let him go I’d rather draft another SG in the second round only if they get both picks then watch Joe Johnson again.
I’m not a huge believer in stats, but I’ve said this before look back at Johnson’s this past season and he didn’t do anything worth being mention even on ESPN Top 10 or 30 for that matter.
In fact if it’s not for Josh half the games we competed in this year we probably would have lost them all regardless further reason we shouldn’t be so quick to trade Josh Smith.
***********************
Nope, he sure didn’t
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxmGqHS647M
Ray
June 24th, 2012
7:50 am
@ Northcyde
So to make a point you show a video of Joe Johnson forcing overtime in Cleveland of all teams?
You do realize how bad Cleveland is correct?
The Corps
June 24th, 2012
7:51 am
NO jOE HIGHLITE HERE, EITHER.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzx3052GRcs
The Corps
June 24th, 2012
7:54 am
BOO YAH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqS0u00UmoA
Ray
June 24th, 2012
7:55 am
Actually my entire argument many blogs ago that Joe Johnson kept beating the smaller teams of the league this entire season. You didn’t disprove anything you only made it worse.
We shouldn’t have even had to go to OT with a Cleveland team basically featuring a one man show in Kyrie Irving in a rookie year just saying.
@ Buddy G
I was about right Al Horford and Al Jefferson are about equal out to be the same person because Al got injured this year so early he could have been better you never know.
Ray
June 24th, 2012
8:04 am
Oops mean same player they both produce about the same amount in the stat categories.
The Corps
June 24th, 2012
8:12 am
Joe annihilated the Jazz. I must have missed this one cause it came on too late. WOW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NABojcdl8M4&feature=related
KevinM
June 24th, 2012
8:41 am
G-dad, Odom to Dallas for a #2 was not a salary balance.
I believe any deal can be done and Charlotte def has room for a Josh contract. Is it an equal deal?
It leans in the ‘Cats favor especially if Pendergraft picks a bust.
If any team knows about the 2pick being a bust, it’s us and our Detroit model…….and I think in that regard, we are following he DET model..:)
If we had the 2nd pick under some miracle, I’m picking MKG. The guy is Mr. intangible and could be an all-star if scoring wasn’t the primary factor.
KevinM
June 24th, 2012
8:50 am
So if Barkley knows its a players league, and our players are at best 3rd team All-NBA, and we aren’t bringing in any notable FAs, then how else are you going to fix this mediocre roster unless you gut it?
That is our only chance in competing in the future. Didn’t OKC teach us anything? We have failed on 3 huge lottery slots in our rebuild, which can’t happen.
And to finish this, going young until you get it right is cap friendly. Would this have been a good year to gut the roster? I would like our team much better heading into this season had we been able to have 3 #1s coming in. The cap would not be an issue.
Plus I think our city is a top tier NBA city; it’s just that management has no clue how to hone in on that segment. We always have strong NBA nimbers.
And for anyone saying we’re close, you must be part of the ASG way of thinking.
KevinM
June 24th, 2012
8:55 am
Rick Sund doesnt have the guts to pull off a big deal. His big deal is a visit to Costco so he can take another long vacation.
You guys want a GM/staff? Go get me the Denver staff. They see talent and go get it. I compared us to them last offseason and their assets are much more favorable than ours.
KevinM
June 24th, 2012
9:14 am
I would be totally shocked if Boston doesn’t end up with Austin Rivers. If a Portland or a MIL can get a 2 for 1 deal for #1s, then BO’S has a great shot to pull it off.
They need an Allen replacement and he fits in immediately. It is set up for it,
And one trade rumor: Iggy for Pau……then why not JJ for Pau?
Ray
June 24th, 2012
9:32 am
@ The Corps
Yet on other nights Joe is either nonexistent or he’ll stink it up, and plus you looking at one category.
He (Joe) did beat a few big name teams like Clips, Jazz, and Heat, but this season he was half the time inconsistent.
KevinM
June 24th, 2012
10:03 am
For those looking to finding a guy to take on the role of 2/3, something that Kirk isn’t built for, cnnsi.com has us taking Wil Barton at 23…..Barton himself thinks he’s the best wing in the draft and his numbers back that up.
And as I have said too many times, any thing but a PF, and that looks like what is in Moe Harkless’ future also.
Cwebb
June 24th, 2012
10:07 am
Ray, about your ” Joe Johnson can’t beat good teams” claim, the facts are:
Season: 18,8 points, 3,7 rebounds, 3,9 assists, 45,4 %
Against over 50% teams (30 games), He is averaging 18 points, 3,6 rebounds and 3,8 assists, 45,1% (6,9/15,3)
Against over 50% teams (last two months, 13 games): 22,7 points, 4,4 rebounds, 3,5 assists, 52% (8,6/16,6)
NEW GM
June 24th, 2012
10:16 am
Marvin Williams to Cleveland Straight up for Anderson Varejao.
High-sider
June 24th, 2012
10:26 am
I just got finished eating my last (fried crow) drumstick and my last piece of Humble pie while drinking the last few ounces of green (with envy) Hater-ade (belch). I must tip my hat to you both Coach Spoelstra and Chris Bosh. You two (Coach Spo’ and Bosh) helped the Heat “get it done” (win an NBA championship).
P.S. Coach Spo’, if you don’t “get it done” next year for the Heat, the media may be “calling for your head” and making you out to be the next “Paul Westhead.” Coach Spo’, you do know he [Westhead], as [a] former Lakers head coach, was replaced by [Pat] Riley – right? See the correlation and similarity.
NEW GM
June 24th, 2012
10:44 am
Just got a call from Utah. They are desperately trying to get into the first round so I offered Marvin Williams and our 1st round pick (#23 overall) for Derrick Favors, Raja Bell, and their second round pick.
Buddy Grizzard
June 24th, 2012
11:50 am
“If the Hawks had cap space, they could trade for one of these players and send the Bulls back a Trade Player Exception.” – Melvin
Now would be a good time to dump Josh and Marvin for picks and an exception to send to the Bulls for Noah. He may have under-performed but he still has a reasonable contract.
“Even if our Hwks trade Josh for a pick; we must take back some salary.” – G-Dad
Not true. If the team we are trading with has the cap space to absorb Josh’s salary, we don’t have to take back any salary. That’s how Hawks could obtain picks and a TPE to send to CHI for Noah.
“Why not JJ for Pau?”
Iggy fills a defensive need for LA. They don’t need a volume shooter, they already have Kobe. After Kobe told Dwight that he would be the third option on that team, do you think he wants to compete with JJ for shots?
“I offered Marvin Williams and our 1st round pick (#23 overall) for Derrick Favors, Raja Bell, and their second round pick.”
And they laughed hysterically?
KevinM
June 24th, 2012
12:06 pm
Buddy, I don’t think we would have a chance at moving Joe to any contender with that contract. It was just a hypothetical to say that yes, Iggy and Pau are being discussed. Is there not enough interest in a Joe that it doesn’t even garnish a rumor?
I think to compete for any title, your Top 3 cannot average more that 48M if you are staying within the cap. The Hawks Big 3 average well, but they talent is overlapped and we don’t have 1 leader out of the bunch.
Ray
June 24th, 2012
12:18 pm
@ Cwebb
Not saying he can’t beat good teams, but he was inconsistent with them scoring wise.
Just Joe
June 24th, 2012
12:30 pm
Al Horford for Corey Maggette and #2. (Charlotte gets a proven young player)
Marvin Williams and #2 for Luke Walton, #4, and #24. (Cleveland gets Beal at 2)
#4 for #7 and #30. (Warriors get either MKG or Barnes)
Hawks draft Dion Waiters at 7….Jeff Taylor and Andrew Nicholson at 23 and 24….Festus Ezeli at 30…..??? at 43.
Teague / Waiters (backup either guard spot)
Johnson
Taylor / Maggette (defense / offense)
Smith / Nicholson (low post scorer off the bench)
Pachulia / Ezeli (big bodies up front)
Smith, Pachulia, and Maggette = $28M in expiring contracts. Look at your rookie-progress up to the trade deadline. Make deals if needed.
Buddy Grizzard
June 24th, 2012
1:29 pm
“Is there not enough interest in a Joe that it doesn’t even garnish a rumor?”
Not when it has Joe going to LA, a team that doesn’t have a need at shooting guard. By the way, I thought Joe was terrible at small forward, so I don’t buy a team trading for his contract to have him play out of position.
Ray
June 24th, 2012
2:22 pm
Yeah you got to give Joe to a team that would need an SG and that’s why I suggest Bucks because they might be willing to part with their picks plus some players to try and keep Jennings there. In a way the nets could also be another plan as their trying to keep Deron Williams there also.
KevinM
June 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
Well, if you’re thinking MIL, throw in NJ and Charlotte….I do think Joe has interest, but we will have to initiate the talks.
donte080
June 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
grizzard, hawks played their best basketball of the season when Joe moved to SF and Marvin came off the bench….
donte080
June 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
Why do you guys keep referring to whatever charles barkley says about winning teams? What has he ever won?
donte080
June 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
Hey comedians….yes, I was pointing out the obvious on Ferry news…yet all you clowns keep complaining about hawks management not doing anything about Sund wanting out before free agency and draft…..apparantly, they are trying to get a new guy in….
Shamrock
June 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
know what you Hawks fans need? Is for the weak ### dude Najeh to stop blogging like he knows whats going on. Maybe after he quits rubbing on 10 year old little boys behinds he will have some knowledge. Go Celtics!
High-sider
June 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
Austin Rivers is overrated and over-hyped. If available, the Hawks should draft Wroten, Jr., in 2012 and bring back Jamal Crawford for a reliable bench scoring option. The Hawks’ motto for the 2012-2013 regular season should be as follows: ECF or bust.
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
3:46 pm
KevinM
‘`I believe any deal can be done and
*[Charlotte]
def has room for a Josh contract.`’
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Very few teams have enough cap space under the CBA.
Here is the short list:
Sacramento Kings – $11,186,472
Toronto Raptors – $10,185,875
Indiana Pacers – $6,197,107
Cleveland Cavaliers – $4,574,616
Minnesota Timberwolves – $1,199,661
Brooklyn Nets – $844,665
‘`remember draft picks hold no dollar value in trade`’
source:
- Jason Fleming – … -HoopsWorld-
random
June 24th, 2012
3:50 pm
high sider im sure doc is gonna make sure his son isnt a bust lmao
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
KevinM
The Lamar Odom trade involved a TPE.
I do not pretend to understand the ins & outs of the TPE.
-except-
That all outstanding 2012 TPEs expired yesterday, June, 23rd, `12.
Buddy Grizzard
June 24th, 2012
4:08 pm
“The Hawks’ motto for the 2012-2013 regular season should be as follows: ECF or bust.”
If the Hawks draft Wroten or Melo, that will take care of the “bust” part of the motto.
Buddy Grizzard
June 24th, 2012
4:11 pm
Sam Amico: Yahoo! Sports reporting Hawks have offered GM job to Danny Ferry. Rick Sund’s contract up, could land with Sixers. about 23 minutes ago
Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz1yk9sTgNI
Buddy Grizzard
June 24th, 2012
4:14 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba–atlanta-hawks-offer-danny-ferry-gm-job.html
UGA
June 24th, 2012
4:15 pm
Yahoo said deal is close so I believe it!!! Bring on the Ferry!!
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
4:18 pm
donte080
I watched Barkley get reamed out of a Championship by Jordan.
When a player [Team] gets that close;
how do you criticize ?
‘`What has Barkley ever won ?`’ [paraphrase]
‘`I was pointing out the obvious on Ferry news`’ [obvious rejoinder]
-really- ?
(may as well `fess up now)
____________________________________________
Hey everyone … The Heat won the NBA Championship !
-&-
LeBron was MVP – we oughta` talk about that.
____________________________________________
Hey yawl – I heard the St louis Hawks might move to Atlanta, GA.
Buddy Grizzard
June 24th, 2012
4:18 pm
Awesome news.
hawks_4_life
June 24th, 2012
4:23 pm
Best bit of news in Hawksville for some time.
High-sider
June 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
@Buddy Grizzard
“Sam Amico: Yahoo! Sports reporting Hawks have offered GM job to Danny Ferry…” – Buddy Grizzard
Buddy Grizzard, if this is (indeed) true (that the Hawks have offered the GM job to Danny Ferry), then the “bust” for the 2012-2013 regular season has already occurred (before it [the regular season] has started). [SMH]
High-sider
June 24th, 2012
4:36 pm
“Sam Amico: Yahoo! Sports reporting Hawks have offered GM job to Danny Ferry. Rick Sund’s contract up, could land with Sixers. about 23 minutes ago” – Buddy Grizzard
I see now [that] the ASG wants to run the Hawks [franchise] like a “plantation.” Danny Ferry as the Hawks new GM looks, smells and tastes like the same ol’ soup just reheated. [SMH]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpH-BxiMWtM – @0:32~0:33
Michael Cunningham
June 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.
SLAM ONLINE | » Another Round
June 26th, 2012
7:23 pm
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