Atlanta Hawks: New era begins
“We would be good, but not good enough.”
When Danny Ferry said it, I felt like Micheal Keaton in “The Paper” (underrated flick, by the way).
“He said the headline! The guy actually said the headline!”
Ferry succinctly summed up the frustrations I’ve heard expressed so many times by my blog people. That’s why the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive to Ferry’s decision to extract the franchise from two burdensome contracts.
But already I sense some anxiety among you about the next step. No doubt that feeling is heightened by Ferry’s failed (for now) pursuit of a trade for Dwight Howard, who’s status is in limbo. I’ve seen Hawks fans already fretting that no superstar would ever actually choose to sign with this franchise.
None of this surprises me, of course. It didn’t take me long in this job to learn that a sense of insecurity and pending dread appears to be a common symptom of your affection for the Hawks.
But, more than that, these concerns are reasonable. You recognize this is just the first step in a plan that’s difficult to execute. Bold moves may be necessary at times but they don’t always or even usually lead to more success than the status quo.
Ferry’s decision to take a step back comes with significant risk. That’s still true even if you believe there never would be any greater reward for staying pat.
Ferry chuckled when I told him that elation among Hawks fans about the trades had been supplanted by some nervousness that there would be no follow-through.
“I can’t give you all the answers,” he said. “We were good but not good enough, and now how do we find a way to get even better than before?”
Some tweeps interpreted Ferry’s comments about the status quo not being good enough as a shot at his predecessors and the team’s ownership. I didn’t read it that way–and, besides, Bruce Levenson himself was blunt in acknowledging that the franchise’s basketball operations needed a fresh philosophy.
On the day Ferry was introduced as GM, he mentioned that the organization seemed a bit too humble in light of its accomplishments. He seemed a bit incredulous when reporters peppered him with questions about his plan to make the Hawks better.
“They’ve been good here and I have to come to that with respect,” Ferry said. “There are teams that are trying to get to where the Atlanta Hawks are at now.”
These new Hawks are now behind those Hawks and it’s up to Ferry to get them where they’ve never been. He has the assets to do it now: expiring contracts, productive young players with reasonable deals, draft picks and massive cap space in the near future.
In fact, those chips should help alleviate your worries about free agents choosing Atlanta. Ferry has the tools to bring talent here in trades (the cap space will make that simpler, too). It’s telling that when Ferry is asked about free agents, he usually comes back to trades.
“There should be options but it’s also not all going to happen on July 15,” he said. “We have through to the trade deadline and we will continue to build on our team.”
Ferry decided that the Hawks’ good wasn’t good enough. It may take a while before my blog people can hope for greatness and it’s possible it may never come. But you said all along you wanted the Hawks to shoot for a championship and now they can at least try.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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264 comments Add your comment
pointguardslim
July 12th, 2012
2:28 am
Josh Smith @pf?
You really want Smith playing Magic Johnsonn/Barkley on the fast break? Undersized PFs playing PG? Unless I have an elite scoring SF no thanks.
Josh in the Barkley/Lebron role + role players is a fail.
Put Josh in the SF role, similar to Iguodala. Triple Double waiting to happen who passes instead of shoot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS92xrjkSKg
Give him the SF and he is likely to post them up.
The alternative is Smith taking Horf’s spot at the above video. You remember the Bass shot don’t you?
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
July 12th, 2012
2:45 am
PG-Teague/Devin Harris
SG-Morrow/Lou Williams/Jenkins
SF-Jsmoove/Stevenson/Sy
PF-Horford/Big Ivan/Scott
C-Zaza/Jordan Williams
Eric
July 12th, 2012
3:51 am
I’m cool with the moves Mr. Ferry made honestly Joe and Marvin had to go fast. Josh Smith is the star of the team with teague progressing and Horford coming back. Yeah Al is coming back watch and see. Smoove and Al were the defense, you slide Dwight Howard in at the 5, and best D in the league. Scoring not an issue Howard got you 18-25 a game when he beasting. Smith and Horford 15-20, and Teague can get you a some good numbers. We gone need a good 2 guard and we can challenge. Just a thought….. Back to reality…
Jae Evolution
July 12th, 2012
4:19 am
Why don’t we pick up Brewer? We have enough 3pt shooters, add a defensive slasher that can lockdown the other teams best player.
Tony-O
July 12th, 2012
5:17 am
For everyone who is praising J. McGee. I can’t honestly call you true basketball fans. McGee is a 7ft goof. Worst/dumbest player basketball IQ wise. Josh had more upside to his game than Iggy and with all the Moves made by ferry we still are lacking a solid Center (you better not follow up with a McGee chant) hawks best bet is lying on trying to land D12 & CP3 in the summer 2013 FA. Is it possible? Highly unlikely but nonetheless it’s worth a shot and we have the cap space now to land max deals for the 2 of them.
brigadierjerry
July 12th, 2012
5:53 am
Mcgee is looking for a contract minimum 10M a year. i am suprised the market seemed to have dried up for OJ Mayo. I havent heard anything regards to Ivan?
MC any updates with Ivan and his QO?Is he getting any interest from other teams?
I think Ferry will still make some minor moves and will see at the trading deadline what happens
brigadierjerry
July 12th, 2012
6:22 am
Also, I watched a lot of Lou Williams and talk to some Philly fans and go on their forums. Problem is Doug Collins would let him take 4th quarter shots and a bunch of fans would go crazy. If used right Lou Williams will be fine. Will have to see if LD will use him the right way
Big Daddy
July 12th, 2012
7:20 am
I am expecting Ferry to get us a really good 3 pt shooting wing in here to spead the floor and give Al and Smoove some working room in the paint. I also think Jeff will continue to get better after his first full year at the point. Smoove can move back and forth between the 4 and 3 and I expect to see some sets where you have Zaza, Al and Smoove in at the same time.
The problem in all of this is the coach and/or coaching staff. To date, I have not seen the development of players by the coaching staff to move any the team to the next level. When I read some of the other teams blogs there are stories of how certain teams sent their young centers to big man school to improve post moves and defense or matched their point guards with veteran retired players to help them improve their game. I see little or none of that with the Hawks. Can LD now come up with creative plays that will work to the strengths of his players and help them in critical situations? That will determine the success of any team the Hawks put on the floor. GO HAWKS.
Kidd, Billy
July 12th, 2012
7:23 am
I sure hope Al doesnt injure his self or do any thing ugly to blow the offer on the table to the Magic. We should have people around Al 24/7 til the deal is completed.
Kidd, Billy
July 12th, 2012
7:30 am
Al ya’ll horford weed smokers are stupid to think that wed take the best power forward on the team and a top 5 in the NBA and slide him over to make room for a power forward who is rank some where between 15-25.
Its stupid “my favorite player” thinking that has the hawks going backwards anyway. Al has peaked pot smokers, hes not going to lead us anywhere. Al goes back to Florida in the Howard trade. this is Josh’s team, until D12 gets here.
KevinM
July 12th, 2012
7:33 am
Stackhouse moves on to Brooklyn, seeing a better situation up there ad telling all of us what we already know….Avery Johnson is better at his job than LD.
What’s wrong with considering OJ Mayo? He played well in Memphis and would be a nice combo with Teague on a starting role. He gives us one more weapon in the backcourt.
I’ll take a Mayo/Lou/Morrow trifecta over keeping Joe. We’d still be under the salary that Joe made by around 5M. That’s huge!
And we have a Josh/Al/Zaza frontline until further notice, but that’s not formidable enough. We need a better Big 3 than Josh / Al / Teague.
Kidd, Billy
July 12th, 2012
7:35 am
“The problem in all of this is the coach and/or coaching staff. To date, I have not seen the development of players by the coaching staff to move any the team to the next level. ”
No, you cant get water from a rock. Moses aint here. Weve spent enough time on Teague and Hoford projects. Time to move on. Teague and Al just dont get it. and probably dont want to . Heck at this rate they will be 35 years old and you will still be looking for a coach to teach them how to play basketball. “news flash” they’ve been playing B ball all their lives. If they aint got it by now they aint going to get it. Let them be a project on some other teams payroll. We are trying to win a championship not be a developmental league team.
KevinM
July 12th, 2012
7:37 am
MC, is your trade article coming up soon? Would like to hear Ferry talk about he pieces he brought us back.
Yes, they’re all pieces, but do they give us a bench that we can count on? Stevenson is the contract I’d like to get clarity on.
O'Brien
July 12th, 2012
7:39 am
I have never been a fan of LD. But I would not be surprised if he does a better than expected job coaching the team this season. With no ISO-JJ to fall back on, he will be forced to come up with other options. And I think he will.
And with Ferry already saying we will play through our guards more, and play more up-tempo, I assume he has already talked to LD about the team’s expected playing style going forward…which should mean Josh and Al giving up the ball on the break, and filling the lane.
Also, other teams will probably overlook the Hawks, so we will have the chance to surprise some teams. I think this team has the potential to compete for 6-8 in the East. Hopefully fans will come out and support them.
vava74
July 12th, 2012
7:41 am
Players worthwhile checking (with varying need, depending on next moves):
List based on NBA.com (not fully up to date, so bear with me)
Barbosa, SG, UFA
Barnes, SF, UFA
Belinelli, SG, UFA
Sh. Brown, SG, UFA
M. Daniels, SG/SF, UFA
Delfino, SG/SF, UFA
Felton, PG, UFA
Foye, SG, UFA
G. Green, SG/SF, UFA
G. Hill, SF, UFA
J. Hill, FC, UFA
Landry, F, UFA
C. Lee, SG, UFA
Mayo, SG, UFA
Pietrus, SG/SF, UFA
Redd, SG, UFA
Tolliver, PF, UFA
D. Wilkins, SG/SF, UFA
S. Young, SG/SF, UFA
Pretty decent guys still available. Not too many real SFs though.
O'Brien
July 12th, 2012
7:42 am
KevinM,
When JJ signed his contract with the Hawks, his agent said he would recruit players. Maybe JJ recruited Stackhouse to come to BK
Kidd, Billy
July 12th, 2012
7:42 am
http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/07/05/atlanta-hawks-the-next-step/Once
the trades are completed and Farmar is bought out, Atlanta’s depth chart will look something like this (just for example, so please save your outrage if you disagree):
PG: Jeff Teague/Devin Harris
SG: Anthony Morrow/John Jenkins/Devin Harris/DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Josh Smith/Anthony Morrow/DeShawn Stevenson
PF: Josh Smith/Ivan Johnson/Jordan Williams/Mike Scott
C: Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia/Johan Petro
kwooden
July 12th, 2012
8:02 am
MC, no one is fretting, the fact is we’re weaker than last year! If we want to win a Championship, you have to have a team that can compete with Miami in the Playoffs and we don’t. Having cap space doesn’t change that and acquiring weaker players doesn’t change that! Basically Ferry punted this season in hopes of getting Dwight and CP3 next season, which is fine, just don’t tell me he’s turned water into wine! Besides moving Marvin, the only positive thing he’s done is change the perception that this team wasn’t willing to make moves.
Ferry make a real gamble and go get Dwight without a guarantee and then I will believe your putting it all on the table to win a Championship. Otherwise keep making your bosses happy and lengthening your resume.
Mike is Back
July 12th, 2012
8:17 am
MC, good stuff…I thought it was a great move to hire Danny as the new GM, and he has done nothing but impress me since he got here.
Dude can’t wave a magic wand…and bring Howard to the Hawks…it don’t work that way…at lease he has the tenacity and guile to try to make it happen.
The important thing for me is…Danny has relieved this organization of some stifling financial obligations…and gave this organization some HOPE for tomorrow…I’ll take risk every time.
AG
July 12th, 2012
8:19 am
Al Thorton is available. I would love to have him in a Hawks uniform.
Ray
July 12th, 2012
8:23 am
Well his some good news actually.
B. Haywood
Kyle Krover
Luis Scola
O.J Mayo
Are out there if you pick up O.J Mayo and Scola that locks down SG and PF spots. Picking up Haywood would def help the Center spot question is do you play Zaza are starting or backup over Haywood?
Personally I play Haywood at Backup.
Ray
July 12th, 2012
8:27 am
@ kwooden
First before having a team to compete with Miami you got to beat people like The Knicks, Celtics, Pacers, Sixers, Bulls, Magic, and then Miami.
Every year I hear that and every year I’m like you people always forgetting about these other teams that beat us.
Then some of y’all will ramble on about how important Home Court Advantage was and Boston proved to me this year how unimportant it really is.
Didn’t seem to do us any favors nor many other teams.
kwooden
July 12th, 2012
8:34 am
@Ray, your right, especially right now, which is why I’m saying we’ve punted this season. I just don’t want to be spoon feed Ferry’s performed a miracle! If we don’t get Howard and Smoove leaves next summer, we’re a none Playoff team plain and simple!! I understand that might have happened even if Ferry didn’t make the moves, but that makes my point he hasn’t done anything accept change a perception!
drmaryb.(''_*).
July 12th, 2012
8:35 am
DANNY BOY!!!
Bring home the BEEF and this BEEFEATER will be forever grateful!!
OMG, I LOVE THIS MAN!!!
*swoons*
KevinM
July 12th, 2012
8:38 am
Ray, the last thing we need is a PF. Let Houston flounder around with the 6 they have…the easiest slot to fill IMO, yet ORL never had one to go with D12.
We could use Mayo for sure and see if he can take the SG slot away from the current group.
I don’t see Harris long for this team backing up Teague…..
We’re stuck with Josh at SF unless another deal is done to move a captain. Of the 2, Josh s the unknown because if I had to guess, he’s standing on the perimeter hoisting up shots after his Starbucks run. So if we go into the season without D12, I’m ready to move Josh before he bring us nothing I return. But the way it sounds, he’s not bringing much back right now.
We can’t expect to sign Josh and D12 in the same offseason….and I’m not even considering CP3.
OB, the next time I see LD tell Al or Josh to get the ball to our PG will be the first. I. Don’t think LD changes one iota….so look for his W-L against +.500 to continue to decline.
KevinM
July 12th, 2012
8:43 am
Lakers get shut down on CP3 deal…one year later, enter Steve Nash…..I’m read for them to fail miserably……Slowtime!
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 12th, 2012
8:49 am
Mike & Mike!
Rick Buchler-sic explains why The Nets pulled out of the D12 trade talks with The Magic. The Nets ran out of time to keep going back and forth with The Magic because, Brooks Lopez would very soon begin receiving offer sheets from other teams and with that wrinkle, he would no longer be available to trade on the open market. Lopez would then have his price tag set or driven upwards against his own team.
In other words, Lopez is running his own table and had no desire to play in Magic on a signed extension. The Magic have 58M this year and, 55M in bad guaranteed contracts right now and, that is without D12’s salary included. It has come to the point where The Magic need to move D12 right now just to relieve cap space and not for anything in return. The have no flexibility to re-build their team, whatsoever right now.
See Otis Smith. My question to you guys is what does this do for The Hawks chances since, D12 can not force a trade to Brooklyn? They have closed the book and moved on.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 12th, 2012
8:51 am
* and, 55M guaranteed for next year.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 12th, 2012
8:52 am
* plus … don’t forget the 20M amnesty number for Gilbert Arenas this year + next year (?) too?
howard harlow
July 12th, 2012
9:04 am
THE HAWKS WILL HAVE TO CHANGE, JUST LIKE OKC RUN RUN RUN AND SHOT. NO HALF COURT SETS WITH THESES PLAYERS. COULD WORK , WE WILL C. ALL OF THEM ARE SCORERS.
JOSH IS OUR POWER FORWARD
July 12th, 2012
9:08 am
PG: Jeff Teague/Devin Harris
SG: Anthony Morrow/John Jenkins/Devin Harris/DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Josh Smith/Anthony Morrow/DeShawn Stevenson
PF: Josh Smith/Ivan Johnson/Jordan Williams/Mike Scott
C: Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia/Johan Petro
tjhook
July 12th, 2012
9:09 am
Maybe we can convince Al Thornton to come back to the state and play for the home team. Look at this dunk he got over Zaza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmRh5ixbta4
In Ric Flair’s words: W-OOOOOOO!!!
Remidtown
July 12th, 2012
9:09 am
@kwooden –
I disagree when it comes to Ferry. He HAS performed a miracle. Well, at least half of one. He managed to untie the financial knot that this franchise was in and provide it will major flexibility. NOW, his next miracle (or the second half of the first miracle, however you want to look at it) will be taking advantage of the flexibility and building the Hawks into a legitimate contender. Obviously, that part is unkown and as of yet unfinished.
BUT, he did perform a miracle in getting someone (two actually) to take the Marvin and JJ contracts off our hands. It ain’t like teams were knocking down the door for those two contracts.
al horford supporter
July 12th, 2012
9:12 am
Look, josh fans. We admit that al is not a good center to take us to the next level. We also admit that Josh is a better power forward than Al, but if we dont find a position for Al he will be traded, so the best we can hope for is josh will play the 3 and let al play the 4, even if it lowers the level of play at the 4 position. We are not concerned with raising the level of play, we are concerned with finding a position for Al.
Remidtown
July 12th, 2012
9:14 am
To put it another way using your own miracle example…..Ferry took the sludge that was the Hawks and turned it into water. Now he’s got to take the water and turn it into wine!!
tjhook
July 12th, 2012
9:14 am
here is a longer display of his abilities- Mr. Al Thornton, that is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E9B9i1lais&feature=related
Kidd Billy
July 12th, 2012
9:15 am
OK here’s the position and dept chart from M.Cunningham/ Drew
http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/07/05/atlanta-hawks-the-next-step/Once
the trades are completed and Farmar is bought out, Atlanta’s depth chart will look something like this (just for example, so please save your outrage if you disagree):
PG: Jeff Teague/Devin Harris
SG: Anthony Morrow/John Jenkins/Devin Harris/DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Josh Smith/Anthony Morrow/DeShawn Stevenson
PF: Josh Smith/Ivan Johnson/Jordan Williams/Mike Scott
C: Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia/Johan Petro
Remidtown
July 12th, 2012
9:17 am
al horford supporter
July 12th, 2012
9:12 am
Look, josh fans. We admit that al is not a good center to take us to the next level. We also admit that Josh is a better power forward than Al, but if we dont find a position for Al he will be traded, so the best we can hope for is josh will play the 3 and let al play the 4, even if it lowers the level of play at the 4 position. We are not concerned with raising the level of play, we are concerned with finding a position for Al.
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
The problem with this line of thinking is that you make two positions worse. Josh is not, imo, a viable option at 3 for any long stretch. By moving him to the 3 to accommodate Al at the 4, you weaken both spots on the floor. At least with Josh playing the 4 you are maximizing that spot.
Darth Cager
July 12th, 2012
9:18 am
If Josh is our power forward, why do you have him listed at SF?
Dimwit.
KevinM
July 12th, 2012
9:20 am
DMB, I see no way they go into this season with their salary issues, the drama and bringing in a new system.
D12 Wil be moved, and sooner than later….with the Western Conf the preference.
If I was Danny, I’m going for the gold and trying to get D12 in here…..you only get one chance and next year is not that chance.
Find out what they’re asking for, and go from there. I would think Al and Zaza, 1 reserve in Harris, 2 future 1sts, 2 2nds and taking a bad contract would suffice, but how greedy is Hennigan?
That is more than fair, and screw them if they want more.
Bravesfan79
July 12th, 2012
9:21 am
So Kayman signed with the depleted Mavs?? Dosent he wanna win? And why didnt the Hawks go after him?
KevinM
July 12th, 2012
9:22 am
Er, Kidd, you forgot Lou…..
Mike
July 12th, 2012
9:22 am
First of all, nobody in here is going to doubt Danny Ferry, nobody. He turned this team from a second round, cap-out team to a team that might step back this year but this team will have more cap room then most of the NBA next year. So he gets all the credit for that.
Second, To be in the top three of Orlando’s search for D12 is something that many media pundit and other team fans cant believe it, even now they refuse to put Atlanta name in that list. I have a feeling that Dwight is going to be trade before the season starts to us or Houston or LA. Even if he dont come here, us and Dallas is few teams that will have the money for him. Everybody else has to sign and trade him.
MC, I remember that you wrote that Josh Smith wasnt impressed with some fo the moves, is he still feeling the same way now? Because if he feels like that, then he might need to be moved earlier.
KevinM
July 12th, 2012
9:24 am
Danny’s next step…..zero in on who you want OUR #1 to be……….a top 10 guy in the league preferably.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 12th, 2012
9:31 am
See Phoenix!
“THE HAWKS WILL HAVE TO CHANGE, JUST LIKE OKC RUN RUN RUN AND SHOT. NO HALF COURT SETS WITH THESES PLAYERS. COULD WORK , WE WILL C. ALL OF THEM ARE SCORERS. -hollow-
_________________
Problem is … there is NO running in playoffs.
Luke Cage
July 12th, 2012
9:32 am
I’m in for getting Javale McGee, even at $10mil, dude has a chance at being a Defensive Player of The Year contender every yr. on “O” he may get you 8-10pts but bout 12-13rbs a game and just think about the shots he will not only block but alter as well. Worked for a much smaller Ben Wallace.
H4L
July 12th, 2012
9:39 am
With all the wings on the Timberwolves, I wonder if they’ve given up on Williams already. Looks like after one year he is ripe for the taking.
MsDee
July 12th, 2012
9:42 am
The Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawk, are interested in Rafael Hettsheimeir. Encestando
Sam
July 12th, 2012
9:54 am
Every team in the league had a shot at Gerald Green if they had wanted to pick him up. There is a reason he is hardly getting any love from NBA teams. The sample size is too small for all you bloggers to be saying we HAVE to have him. Mcgee, seriously? Have any of you people ever actually watched him play? He’s hardly worth $3 million, let alone $10.
Players like Matt Barnes, Carl Landry, Jordan Hill, and Pietrus might not be superstars, but those guys are the glue to championship caliber teams. The Hawks should get there eyes outta the sky for now (Dwight, Iguadola) and focus on players who are realistic.
Astro Joe
July 12th, 2012
10:04 am
Add Sam Young to my list of Dolar Store SFs that would be good for the Hawks. He plays bigger than his height… solid build and is a hard-nose player.