Atlanta Hawks: Brighter future for Hawks in ESPN.com rankings
In a few short weeks the Hawks transitioned from a good-but-not-great team with no financial flexibility to a franchise that can clear gops of cap space and has a long-term plan.
No surprise, then, that the Hawks moved up in Chad Ford and John Hollinger’s latest future power rankings at ESPN.com (Insider). The rankings are Ford and Hollinger’s attempt to project the on-court success for the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
The Hawks improved from No. 19 to No. 15 largely on the strength of their dramatically improved salary-cap situation. That development moved Atlanta’s “money” ranking (worth as much as 200 points) from No. 26th to No.1 Ford and Hollinger noted this “25-place jump was the largest of any team in any category.”
That was offset by Atlanta’s league-high drop in the “players” ranking (600 points), down to 23rd from 12th. Ford and Hollinger dock the Hawks not just for the talent disparity in the Joe Johnson deal but also because Josh Smith is in the last year of his contract. The authors opine that “[Al] Horford is the only key player who is both signed [long term] and guaranteed to make an impact.”
The Hawks rank No. 13 in the “management” category (200 points), up from No. 17 in the previous rankings. Ford and Hollinger give Danny Ferry high marks for both his tenure as Cleveland GM and his initial moves with the Hawks.
Atlanta ranks No. 14 in the “market” category (100 points), up one spot. The considerations: “Appeal to future acquisitions based on team quality, franchise reputation, city’s desirability as a destination, market size, taxes, business and entertainment opportunities, arena quality, fans.”
Finally, Ford and Hollinger place the Hawks No. 13 in the “draft” rankings (100 points), up from No. 19. That’s based on future draft picks and draft positioning.
The teams ranked ahead of the Hawks in the overall rankings, in order: Heat, Thunder, Lakers, Jazz, Pacers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Bulls, Spurs, Celtics, Hornets, Cavaliers, Rockets, Nets.
(Note to blog people: Please respect the paywall and refrain from reproducing substantial portions of the ESPN.com link.)
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464 comments Add your comment
vava74
August 18th, 2012
6:04 am
What is really relevant is that one of the free agent targets for next year is… GONE.
I like Ferry’s attitude and no doubt that he made a bold move as we all expected to try and land us Howard and have a different future, but the short term (at least 2 years) will be far worst than if he simply had told the ASG that he would like to see this core with a whole new coaching set up.
We had the talent to be competitive, we did not have the guidance.
Just Joe
August 18th, 2012
6:30 am
So what does Ibaka’s deal mean for Josh?
Josh – turning 27 yrs old in Dec, 8-year veteran, last year averaged 18.8 pts, 9.6 rebs, 3.9 assists, 1.7 blocks, 1.4 steals, 2.5 turnovers and shot 45.8% from the field, will earn $13.2M in salary this year.
Ibaka – turning 23 yrs old next month, 3-year veteran, last year averaged 9.1 pts, 7.5 rebs, .4 assists, 3.7 blocks, .5 steals, 1.2 turnovers and shot 53.5% from the field, will earn $2.2M in salary this year. Supposedly just agreed to a 4-yr $40M extension.
To me, this puts Josh in to the 4-yr $70M extension range ($17.5M per), and may price him beyond what the Hawks may be willing to pay.
The biggest winners from this extension are OKC (great value), and the group of free agent forwards that no longer have to compete with Ibaka in free agency next summer (Josh Smith, Taj Gibson, David West, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Dejuan Blair, etc…).
Kendrick Perkins better start packing his bags!!! 3 years and $25.5M left just doesn’t fit when you’re trying to pay Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, and Harden.
ty777
August 18th, 2012
6:54 am
Joe Johnson was good but he slowed this team waaaay down!! When he was out this season the Hawks had much better ball movement. We are even faster this year than last year. This team is going to be better than last year. Watch and see! We will have a few identity issues early but once they realize the weapons they have (speed, ball handling, finally more than one penetrating guards, and deadly shooters on the outside) this team is going to be dangerous!! Joe Johnson’s scoring has easily been offset with Lou Williams/Devin Harris/Morrow/Jenkins. When have we had 5 guards who can go for 20 on any given night? Teague will score more and have more assist now that Joe won’t be there to slow the game up or serve as the only late 4th quarter option. All we need to do is get Ivan back and a solid 3 defender/rebounder and we’re going to turn some heads!
ty777
August 18th, 2012
6:59 am
*finally more than one penetrating guard (correction)
actually i can’t remember the last time we had a penetrating guard before teague. and joe johnson running in there with floaters doesn’t count. i mean someone who gets all the way to the rack.
by the way. i’m still happy marvin is out of here. even though i was impressed with his improved shooting, i’m not going to miss his failed attempts of driving to the hold that seemed to always end in an offensive foul!! that used to get on my nerves!!! lol
vava74
August 18th, 2012
7:07 am
ty777,
“Joe Johnson was good but he slowed this team waaaay down!! When he was out this season the Hawks had much better ball movement.”
Can’t argue with that, but it’s on the head coach to make things happen the right way. The problem was on LD and that is why – short term – we would be VERY competitive with a real coach.
Remember, we were competitive with 2 absolute lame @ss coaches.
I MUS WRITE
August 18th, 2012
10:27 am
Ibaka for AL would be nice………..Joe Camel is a joke he got paid and did nothing ….NEXT
Ken Strickland
August 18th, 2012
11:00 am
I don’t have a clue who will end up starting at SF for the Hawks, so I’ll have to speculate on that one. But consider the makeup of this yrs starting lineup compared to last yrs.
SF-JJohnson (18.8PPG) AMorrow (12.0PPG)
PF-JSmith (18.8PPG) JSmith (18.8PPG)
OC-ZPachulia ( 7.8.0PPG) AHorford (15.3PPG)
SG-KHinrich ( 6.6PPG) DHarris (11.3PPG)
PG-JTeague (12.6PPG) JTeague (12.6PPG)
_________ __________
64.6PPG 70.0PPG
There wasn’t a single bench player that matched LWilliams’ 14.8PPG, and only MWilliams exceeded KKorver’s 8PPG, which makes them upgrades. Both Petro and Williams individually exceeded the production of JCollins and EDampier combined, so they are definite upgrades. No one on last yrs bench could match the shooting potential of JJenkins, and with Zaza coming off the bench, along with IJohnson and Scott, gives us far more frontline depth and talent than we had last yr.
This yrs team will definitely have to take a different approach than the slow, halfcourt, ISO dominant style of OFF we relied on so heavily. We might not be as strong defensively, unless LDrew does a good job utilizing our vastly improved speed, quickness and athleticism, and installs a more team oriented DEF approach.
This yrs team will defiinitely be able to put 4 quarters of solid pressure on opposing OFF and DEF backcourts with our wealth of speed, quickness, athleticism, penetrating and outside shooting ability.
Horford’s return definitely improves our OFF and DEF ability, plus adds frontline depth, along with the additions of Petro and Williams, and/or Benson.
This will not only be a far more exciting team to watch, it could be a much improved one as well, depending on how well our talent and depth is utilized and coached up.
ty777
August 18th, 2012
12:00 pm
Forgot to mention the LD factor, but we still played better/up tempo basketball without Joe Johnson last year even with LD. I hated LD’s substitutions too! I hope he realizes what he has this year and utilizes his bench. We could run most teams to death if we pushed the pace the entire game. We have a bench that can be just as quick as the starters. Don’t let up at all
Totally agree with you Ken Strickland
ty777
August 18th, 2012
12:04 pm
oops, tons of mistakes today.
**i’m not going to miss his failed attempts of driving to the HOLE (not hold)
BIG DOG
August 18th, 2012
12:06 pm
James Harden could be in Hawks Uniform next year.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
August 18th, 2012
12:08 pm
Serge Ibaka just sign 4 years extension 48mill, this might be Harden last year with Thunders.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
August 18th, 2012
12:14 pm
2013 Atlanta Hawks free agent signing.
Josh 5 year 85mill
Harden 4 year 48mill
Al Jefferson 4 years 70mill
Zaza 5 years 20mill
Teague 5 years 30mill
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
August 18th, 2012
12:18 pm
2013 Atlanta Hawks
Teague, Harden, Josh, Horford, AL Jefferson
Lou, Jenkins, Korver, Ivan, Zaza
Bill Laimbeer Head coach.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Pit Bull
August 18th, 2012
12:25 pm
“That article by Schultz is where I recall it being said Al would be more effective at the PF.”
That doesnt say alot. He is not a very good center so to say he might be a better power forward than he is a center doesnt say much.
More importantly we have a power forward who is leaps and bounds (pund) over Al in terms of talent and performance who is rated a top 5 Power Forward in the NBA – JSmoove.
It would be idiotic and foolish to move our NBA top 5 power forward out of his position because our non productive center needs to be fired from his position.
Al ranks some where between 15-30 as a power forward, depending on who’s rating you follow. Al The same ratings almost always have Jsmoove as a top 5 in NBA.
The point here is Just because Al is not a good center, and its time to move him from that role, doesnt mean he should get Josh’s Job. Josh is one of the best in the game at powrer forward Al is not, although he may be a better power forward than he is a center….which should tell you a lot about how he plays center.
If Al is not going to play center he needs to be traded or come off the bench, because he cant move Smoove from the power forward position.
Pit Bull
August 18th, 2012
12:46 pm
Little Mutt doesnt often make sense but looks like he got 1 right….
Al Jefferson 4 years 70mill is now the man the Hawks should target. Id trade Al for Al right now.
Funny you Al Horford Enthusiasts miss a key observation, The hawks tried to trade Al 3 times this summer, and 4 if you count the D12 mishap.
They tried to trade Al for draft picks to the Bobcats
They tried to trade Al for Danny Grainger
They tried to trade Al for Tony Parker
They tried to trade Al for Dwight Howard.
Non of the above wanted Al. Orlando settled for considerably less than what was assumed by the hawks as a good deal with Al and Teague being shipped.
The reality is not many teams out there are interested in building around Al or making Al a significant part of their team. So it amazes me why the idiots on this team want us to build around Al or make Al give Al a significant role.
Al doesnt have the will to play center and he is far less a power forward than Josh.
I recommend we go after Al Jefferson using AL, how ever judging by Al’s trade value we’d have to added something with Al
Ken, foot n mouth Strickland. Devin Harris is a better Point guard than Jeff Teague. and is far more of a ball orchestrator/facilitator, and “whey mo” intelligent. If anything Harris Should run the offense and Teague moves to the 2 guard until we find a suitable trade for him.
Pit Bull
August 18th, 2012
12:49 pm
**So it amazes me why the idiots on this site want us to build around Al or make Al give Al a significant role.
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:15 pm
Golden State of the East. Run and Gun! Better keep up Bigs or sit down..Hmmm
hawksfancents95
August 18th, 2012
1:15 pm
Ken S,
I agree with your post as I think we will be superior to many teams with our speed and quickness, and we should apply full speed ahead all 4 quarters with teague and devin harris. I do think your starting lineup will not be what we actually go with. we got lou will for CHEAP considering he is jamal crawford #2 but jam craw was at 9mill a year and lou is at like what 6-7 range, I think GM DF has told him he will start. So Teague/Lou Will/Josh/AL/ZaZa will start, I believe. This is GM DF’s observing year and I think he will experiment with AL at 4 and let ZaZa dish out the pain downlow and let Josh overwhelm most SF’s. AL will still play a lot of Center but won’t start there. Also Morrow will probobley be traded and that will free up minutes for devin harris to play PG and some SG. Im honestly not even worried about extended minutes for jenkins early in the season as korver and morrow will take up those minutes.
Also, Big Dog, that is great news but idk if we get Harden because we have Lou unless we keep Lou at PG and let Harden start at SG next year while letting teague walk, I absolutely do not want to pay James big money to come off the bench here, he is to good. Theres a lot to think about for GM DF for sure..
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:22 pm
Not sold on James Harden..can he handle a starting role at the 3 or the 2 in the NBA? And how much would he cost?
Would he become an overpaid bust that the Hawks seem to attract over the years? Hmmmm
The more I here Al Jefferson’s name the more interested I become..Time to take a closer look at this [Real Big].
Wow, Chipper for President.. In a Hall of Fame zone..Too bad he will not get another ring..
Thanks to David Justice for his first and only one as a rookie in 1995..
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
BIG DOG
August 18th, 2012
12:14 pm
2013 Atlanta Hawks free agent signing.
Josh 5 year 85mill
Harden 4 year 48mill
Al Jefferson 4 years 70mill
Zaza 5 years 20mill
Teague 5 years 30mill
Looks solid. Would like Danny to trade for Al Jefferson before the trading deadline….
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
“Funny you Al Horford Enthusiasts miss a key observation, The hawks tried to trade Al 3 times this summer, and 4 if you count the D12 mishap.”
Put Capt. Sautee at the top of that list! [President and CEO of Al's Fan Club].. LMBO!
Rally Cry
August 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
hawksfancents95 you are doing wishful thinking. Even Al horford enthusiast M. Cunningham has said in recent post:
Harris
Williams
Morrow
Smoove
Al
I personally dont like Al weakening the team in the front court but hes not good enough to move Josh. We aint trying to fix what aint broken. The one thing we got right was Josh as the power forward.
Like the earlier post. Al is being shopped. Its just hard to find any takers, which is funny no body wants him but you want us to move a top 5 PF for a 15-30 PF. Where’s the logic?
We cant even trade Al and you want this guy to have a role on the hawks? SMFH
Josh is a top 4 or 5 power forward.
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
I would allow Jeff Teague to walk. Sign the Taylor kid from Wisconsin/summer league, to back-up Lou Williams.
PG Lou Williams/Jordan Taylor
SG James Hardin/John Jenkins/Anthony Morrow
SF Josh Smith/Deshawn Stevenson
PF Ivan Johnson/Free Agent PF
C Al Jefferson/Zsa Zsa/Benson/Petro
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
Why would you move an Allstar/All-NBA player from the position that got him the [accolades] as Sautee put it last night to another position that requires more skills he’s lacking in? Wow..
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
The Atlanta Hawks will need another athletic “Big” to be taken seriously. In the mean time, Mehemet”12 pack” Okur, would be a nice Big who knows how to play the game the right way.
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
If we run and gun, maybe they can clean up the scoring droughts of the past especially against the winners..
Just food for thought?
Rally Cry
August 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
Devin Harris
Chris Paul
Morrow
Smoove
Jefferson
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:43 pm
The new guards and Korver will definitely have to take up the scoring slack to take pressure off the front line ineptitude at times on offense late in games and maintain leads for a change..
Nothing new there..We’ve seen this B4
Rally Cry
August 18th, 2012
1:44 pm
If the “accolades” were worth any thing why have 4 teams refuse him in trade this summer?
Thats exactly what those “accolades” are worth.
Rally Cry
August 18th, 2012
1:47 pm
steven a smith I like your make shift line up, but Ivan Johnson Doesnt move Josh from the 4 either. In fact theres only about 3 maybe… maybe 4 power forwards that can move Josh from the 4 spot.
Ivan aint one of them.
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:49 pm
Rally Cry
August 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
Devin Harris
Chris Paul
Morrow
Smoove
Jefferson
That starting 5 is no Joke! Eastern Conference contenders? Yes? Possibly..Morrow? Hmmmm
BADASS
August 18th, 2012
1:51 pm
Al can start as a power forward on some teams. Just not the hawks as long as Josh is here.
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:51 pm
Maybe GM’s don’t rate Al as high as the coaches who keep voting him into the AllStar games? Yawn..
Rally Cry
August 18th, 2012
1:52 pm
Slimjr you are right. who do we put in Morrows place at the 3?
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
Not sure? To fill the #3 with a quality player who can do it all is just tough..
I like Rudy Gay a whole lot at the 3…But Pietrus can ball out too. Just not as talented offensively.. Not even close.
Rally Cry
August 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
Al was never “voted” he was added by the Allstar coach if I am not mistaken. Al never gets a lot of votes from the fans. Unless you count all the times Michael Cunningham and Sautee vote.
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
My bad. Hand picked by coaches..Al was..
Way to go Tito..
Rally Cry
August 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
Devin Harris
Chris Paul
Morrow
Smoove
Jefferson
Theres a big 3 1/2 with Jefferson, Paul and Smoove, add Harris for ya 1/2
Yes this team compete for the conference finals. Its better than Boston, better than any other team out there save the heat but this team can play with the heat and extend the series. Its a better team than OK so yea, this a a finalist type team
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
Devin Harris
Chris Paul
Rudy [6'9, but two guard moves along with two guard jumper]
Smoove
Jefferson
ag
August 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
are you kidding.. Al or Ibeka.. Heck no… Ibeka looked horrible in the Olympics. I would keep Al over almost EVERY center in the league!
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
I believe that we will, like several other teams, “Regret” not drafting Perry Jones III. PJ3 is probably a guy who can play 2 positions for you…
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
That front line would give Miami Fits^^^^^^^
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
2:06 pm
Perry Jones should have been a top 3 or 4 pick! He’s is the real deal..Hope his knees hold up..
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
if Serge Ibaka is Kim Kardashian, Al Horford is Kris Kardashian Jenner. How does that taste Ken Strickland???
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
I would have taken Perry over John Jenkins..Perry>John
Get high Yall
August 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
puff, puff, inhale, deep, hold, hold, gag but hold. Pinch nose, hold….exhale, Puff, puff, inhale, hold,,,, pass the s hit back to ag.
Get high Yall
August 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
I would keep Al over almost EVERY center in the league! – ag
Slimjr
August 18th, 2012
2:12 pm
“I would keep Al over almost EVERY center in the league!” -ag-
And here-in lies the problem. This guy will not put you over the top..Hmmmm
The Truth
August 18th, 2012
2:36 pm
“I personally dont like Al weakening the team in the front court but hes not good enough to move Josh. We aint trying to fix what aint broken. The one thing we got right was Josh as the power forward. ” – Rally Cry
Danny recently commented when asked about Josh constant love-fest with his outside shot. Danny replied that every player has areas to improve suggesting Josh is no exception. This will manifest itself in team weaknesses. Nearly every NBA team has kryptonite match-up problems, the Hawks are no exception. Some teams have problems with an elite back-court while other teams can’t handle a big long athletic frontline; sometimes its speed, sometimes its size that’s problematic. These elite teams with their complimentary depth of speed, quickness, and length, they are so flexible, they can exploit any opponent weakness. The Hawks talent diversity has gotten worse after these recent trades because gone are JJ who played 3 positions (SG, SF and PG) well and Marvin who sometimes played 2 positions (SF and PF) though not as well as JJ.
Picking on Al because he struggles with big centers is unfair because “quick-feet” AL usually gets the best of slower-moving big men like Roy Hibbert. Furthermore, long PFs sometimes are even problematic for Josh because he’s undersize at that position. Watching him play guys like Dirk, Bosh and KG bears that out.
Since God didn’t bless Al with any special offensive talents, he’s a guy that will have to “work hard” and develop offensively to add to his game. He’s not alone though, Larry “the legend” Bird was the slowest un-athletic but the most successful player I can remember.
Al Horford greatest blessing is his speed for his size and he hasn’t fully exploited it yet. Since he pick-and-pop so well with consistency, he is always a concern for his opponents. His problem has been falling in love with the few things he does well and not expanding his game in the paint. On offense, Al needs to work more on hook shots, post-up moves etc. On defense, Al needs to learn more from guys like Collins about playing position defense to draw more offense fouls to stop the constant lane penetration. He has had identity problems trying to define the type of player he wants to be (or not to be).
He showed us his heart though when he nearly single-handedly won the playoff game 5 against Boston while not completely rehabbed. Even Rondo commented after toying with the Hawks through the playoff series that when Al is in the lineup, the Hawks are a different team (implying concerns and red-flags for Boston when Al is in the game).
hawksfancents95
August 18th, 2012
3:05 pm
Rally Cry
you are just one blog to late, i have advocated hard for a al horford trade. i like al but i think he is what is setting us back from ecf/finals. im saying with right now as is, i would put al at PF and josh at 3.
top 5 pf(imo)
1.love 2.aldridge 3.dirk 4.josh 5.bosh
top 5 sf(imo)
1.LeBron 2.Durant 3.Melo 4.Granger 5.Josh Smith(if he starts there) 5b.Paul Pierce
Just to make my point Josh is top 5 at SF and PF so moving Josh to SF for a year, while moving a small Center AL to PF gives us a very strong/athletic frontcourt while ZaZa just fends off the opposing C down low freeing AL and Josh to get a lot of rebounds, and rebounds =possesions and we need more possesions than the other team to increase our chances of winnig.
Im not saying Josh at SF is our long term solution but I wouldnt mind seeing that for a year since we have no expectations anyway. Start the game off smash mouth style getting our points inside and making it tough to score inside on us and then we start throwing in these shooters and spread the floor and hopefully start getting some nice leads going into half-time.