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.)
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Follow @ajchawks on Twitter.
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
464 comments Add your comment
Just Joe
August 18th, 2012
3:16 pm
If I could go back and get one player from the middle of the draft it would be Royce White. 6′8″ 270+ point forward.
At the end of the Rockets summer league game against Portland where Nolan got hurt, one of Portland’s bigs took exception to how Dragic had been guarding Nolan and told him he’d see him after the game. Royce quickly stepped up and said, “you’ll see me first”, and later told the media, ” he didnt want no part of me”.
Another good quote from same game was White running down the court taunting Meyers Leonard, telling him to put on some weight.
This guy plays with an edge. Quoted as saying he loves to rebound, push the basketball, and create plays for his teammates.
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
3:18 pm
Danny Ferry-If you are on this website and reading this blog, Two vets who can help? Andray Blatche and Mehemet Okur. Pick up the phone and call these men Danny…
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
3:20 pm
Who in this league can guard LeBron”4th quarter meltdown” James???
Just Joe
August 18th, 2012
3:21 pm
Royce White’s last three summer league games: averaged 10+ pts, 10+ rebs, 5+ assists.
Rough around the edges, but could be a star one day.
Ken Strickland
August 18th, 2012
3:51 pm
HAWKSFANSINCE95/TY777-All of the key frontline PFs and centers(Josh, Ivan, Horford, Zaza) from last yrs team will return. Replace Collins and Dampier with Petro, Williams, and/or Benson, and we become considerably younger, quicker, faster, deeper, more athletic and talented along our frontline.
How can it not be a definite improvement when marginal bench players like Pargo, Green, Stackhouse, TMac, VRad, Collins, and Dampier are replaced by younger, quicker, faster, and more talented and/or potentially talented, players like Jenkins, Harris, Williams, Williams, Scott, Petro, and Morrow? With the depth we now have at OC(Horford, Zaza, Petro, Williams or Benson, IJohnson won’t have the disadvantage of being overmatched by being forced to play the 5.
DFerry has already made it clear that he wants this team to consistently play uptempo and fastbreak. He’s also indicated he wants this team to play good DEF. That to me is a definite mandate to LDrew about how he expects him to mold this yrs team. If Drew can’t get it done, Ferry will not rehire him, period.
Once everyone learns his role, and learns to play with and off each other, this will be a very dangerous team come playoff time. Also, just suppose we don’t get one of the BIGs everyone wants us to get, like DHoward, ABynum, or AJefferson. And suppose all we can get is CP3 and JHardin. What do you think the possibilities are for a lineup composed of PG-CP3, SF-JHardin, PF-JSmith, OC-AHorford, SG-JJenkins or AMorrow. BENCH: Zaza, IJohnson, Teague or Harris, Petro, Korver, LWilliams, and Williams or Benson?
Cunningham is an idiot
August 18th, 2012
4:27 pm
That idiot Cunningham starts his censor s hit not wanting to advance the fact that the hawks tried to trade Al Horford 4 times this past summer. So he took down all the discussion about how we need to find a center and get rid of Al. Instead of bringing a true argument to the table M. Cunningham got on his knees in front of Al Horford and unzipped Al’s pants.
As usual.
Ken Shoe N Mouth Strickland
August 18th, 2012
4:30 pm
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.
Ken Shoe N Mouth Strickland
August 18th, 2012
4:39 pm
“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.” -
These Al Horford cultist make me laugh Now its God’s fault Al is sorry in one sentence but hes Larry Bird in the next sentence. These fool have graduated from weed and are now on uncut heroin!
I think a better comparison is to compare Al with JON KONCAK,
Ken Strickland
August 18th, 2012
4:55 pm
Like I’ve said before, the truth hurts, and when certain very immature individuals have their feelings hurt by the truth, they demonstrate just how moronic they are by their responsive posts. When you have to make up BS to try and make your point, there obviously isn’t an intelligent or legitimate point to be made.
I guess when Houston didn’t make another offer for Dwight, or Brooklyn preferred to resigned BLopez rather than Dwight, that automatically meant Dwight was an unwanted scrub as well. STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
Ken Strickland
August 18th, 2012
5:01 pm
Good obviously blessed Al Horford with enough OFF and DEF talent to convince NBA coaches, players and writers to vote him to 2 All Star gms and and All NBA status. Just how stupid and delusional does one have to be unable to digest these FACTS. OPINIONS are just like AHoles, everyone has one, and no matter what some might think, they all stink.
Ken Strickland
August 18th, 2012
5:04 pm
That should be God obviously
Ken Shoe N Mouth Strickland
August 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
“I guess when Houston didn’t make another offer for Dwight, or Brooklyn preferred to resigned BLopez rather than Dwight, that automatically meant Dwight was an unwanted scrub as well – mental retard
Brooklyn did not have the right pieces to offer nor did Houston. Its not like teams were making offers for Al as they were making offers for Dwight. We were making offer for Al and nobody was interested.
WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ?
Al has been shopped to 4 different teams, no body was interested. Hell we could not get Danny Grainger for Al LOL really LOL
Al is not worth much on the market guys. Funny how you Horford cultist want to compare a career 12pt player with Larry Bird and D12.
You’ll really need to turn yourselves in for help detoxing.
Ken Shoe N Mouth Strickland
August 18th, 2012
5:11 pm
Ken loves the taste of leather in his mouth
“Good obviously blessed Al Horford with enough OFF and DEF talent to convince NBA coaches, players and writers to vote him to 2 All Star gms and and All NBA status”
Al has never been voted to an allstar team. his has been an “add in reserve” by 2 different coaches who are allowed the privilege to add players to the team. There is no Vote to the all star team for reserve players.
That said If Al was worth any thing at all you’d think we could have pull off one of those four (4) attempts to trade Al this summer. No body was interested.
You 2 Brutus
August 18th, 2012
5:37 pm
“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 Fan Club-
Huh. Bath salts are illegal. Just stop the madness. Nuts……
Rusty
August 18th, 2012
5:57 pm
All of you fools talk like al is a scrub,get real everyone isn’t as stupid as Steven smith, I hope.
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
6:23 pm
Al Horford was a “Scrub” yesterday. Al Horford is a “Scrub” today. and Al Horford will be a “Scrub” tomorrow! I am sick and tired of “Blog Scrubs” trying to defend this man. We all “Know” that selection to the NBA all-star game is entirely political and means absolutely NOTHING! MAY ALL OF YOU HORFORD LOVERS GET GREETED AT SOME POINT BY NOT ONE, BUT 2 CHAD OCHOCINCO HEADBUTTS!!!
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
6:27 pm
“Ochocinco Headbutts to anyone who believe that Joe Johnson and Al Horford should have been selected to the allstar game ahead of JOSH SMITH!!!
pointguardslim
August 18th, 2012
8:29 pm
Al Horford was shopped to 4 teams? Link?
Ken Strickland
August 18th, 2012
8:37 pm
Even if he was an alternate, the HC that selected him obviously thought he was more deseerving than anyone else. And are you a big enough dumbass to think he was an alternate All NBA selection? Being selected All NBA trumps being an Allstar every day of the week, but you’d have to have an actual basketball IQ to know that. You’re too stupid and immature for me to continue responding to your BS.
Ken Strickland
August 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
“DEVIN HARRIS IS A MUCH BETTER POINT GUARD THAN JEFF TEAGUE, AND IS MUCH MORE OF A BALL ORCHESTRATOR/FACILITATOR, AND WHEY MO” INTELLIGENT.
DHarris(JTeague)
FG% .445(.476), 3PT% .362(.342), FT% .746(.757), REB 1.8(2.4), AST 5(4.9), BLK .2(.6), STL 1(1.6), PF 2.2(3.5), TO 3(2).
This was JTeague’s 3rd yr, 1st as a starter, yet DHarris has started every yr in his entire career except one. Tell me what is it about last yrs stats that makes you think DHarris is a better orchestrator/facilitator and smarter that Teague? When all is said and done, we once again have your DUMBASS OPINION being presented as some form of delusional fact. STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES, AND CONTINUES TO DO.
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
Ken Strickland puts the “upid” in “stupid” Stats are for losers. Kendrick Perkins’ stats are not as good as Al’s, however, he affects the “Game” far more significantly than Alecia Horford’s soft Butt!
steven a smith
August 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
I do not understand why i waste my time debating with you Strickland because your weak a_ _ arguments are not even in the same ballpark. This is like Varsity(me) Vs. Junior Varsity(you)…
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
August 18th, 2012
9:59 pm
Ken Strickland
I prefer Teague over Devin Harris because Harris is more prone to injury.
vava74
August 18th, 2012
10:16 pm
For Buddy:
Buddy, go to ESPN and check how Jason Collins, simply by beIng picked up by the Celtics, suddenly escape the ESPN’s NBA players ranking bottom 50.
What do you make of that? Is it worth it using this ranking for any argument? Don’t think so!
Otto Dunkleblum
August 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
who is whom on the blog tonihgt. I cant decicide if people are who they say they are are not.
Sometims a person sounds like hisself then he dont. then he does. i dont type much on the blog but I read a lot.and some of you dont sound like you.
Im in high scool so if youse are adult then act like it.
pogojoecaldwell
August 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
The I love Horford / I hate Horford (but J Smoove can do no wrong) discourse is a little tired. What say we switch to the always stimulating debate on the merits of Jamal Crawford? I can’t wait until we have some some actual basketball action to talk about.
Grandad
August 19th, 2012
12:55 am
Earlier … someone suggested Sautee for:
President and CEO of Al’s Fan Club.
I did not realize I had been impeached and disqualified as reigning
Pres / CEO of the ” Big Al is the Boss Fan Club ” [official name].
Please forward official notification.
G-dad
Ken Shoe N Mouth Strickland
August 19th, 2012
2:22 am
PPGSlim If I put 4 links in the post it will block the page, but google Al and bobcat trade/ Al for Grainger trade/Al Tony Parker/ and for Dwight .
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.
Ken Strickland I see why Steven A Smith shakes his head at you. You really dont have a clue about the game of basketball. Any body that is comparing Al (I got 12pt) to Larry Bird and D12 is on bath salts. You need to step away from the keyboard and turn in your Al Horford Cult membership card.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 19th, 2012
2:47 am
Grandad, logistically speaking, you can’t be the president of the Al fan club because your duties as the president of the Pau Gasol fan club will consume all your time.
Grandad
August 19th, 2012
3:04 am
A lot of you are asking am I up at this time of night, what am i searching for, how close was Jerry Sundusky and I?
We if it must be told out side of the court room. Its my business. As Ive always said, nothing can be proven.
Jerry got caught and is in prison. Ill miss him but here I am. Now you are probably wondering what are my likes and dislikes. What did I do and who saw me. I really dont want to discuss that right now.So I wont.
Grandad
August 19th, 2012
3:06 am
There only 5 members. I guess Id like to be a member but the bottom line is Al is gay.
pogojoecaldwell
August 19th, 2012
3:10 am
I wish ya’ll would stop talking about Al so bad. Is it really his fault he plays center reluctantly? I think he just needs more money. since he is the next Larry Bird he should be paid accordingly. Is there any way we can trade Ivan Johnson for Al horford?
Otto Dunkleblum
August 19th, 2012
3:15 am
I really am not sure whether Al is gay or not. I know he married last year, but there are a lot of bi married men. Al does play gay so, I guess if Grandad says he gay then Al is gay. Grandad should now because he’s trying to Join Al horford’s fan Club. There are only 5 members in that club but they use multiple names.
Is Al’s game really like Larry Bird or Dr J ?
Otto Dunkleblum
August 19th, 2012
3:30 am
*Grandad should know
Rusty
August 19th, 2012
3:32 am
I cant say whether Al or Grandad are gay. I know I am and will tell you that Obama helped me and my lover get married.
Rusty
August 19th, 2012
3:52 am
Who is the idiot rusty that justed blogged is it gay grandpa.
vava74
August 19th, 2012
5:25 am
good grief…
vava74
August 19th, 2012
5:26 am
T-S, get back on the lithium pills before it’s to late…
Carlos
August 19th, 2012
6:38 am
Both Al and Josh are good but not great players. Each is better than the other at different things. Josh is more athletic, a better passer and a better shot blocker. Al has better shot selection, more consistent mid ranged jump shot, better back to the basket game and better handles.
Again, both are good but not great players.
You’d think Josh Smith was Tim Duncan in his prime and Al Horford was Kwame Brown reading these Josh Smith jock riders’ posts.
ECF or Bust!
August 19th, 2012
7:12 am
Just Joe, good stuff.
Vava, excellent observation, you nailed the bias toward the Hawks right there.
You 2 Brutus
August 19th, 2012
8:34 am
” Al has better shot selection, more consistent mid ranged jump shot, better back to the basket game and better handles.” -Carlos- Viva Mexico Al Horford Fan Club
Bath Salts are illegal! Cut it out…Here they come..Nuts
Ken Strickland
August 19th, 2012
9:24 am
CARLOS-What ever you do, don’t feed these ANAL MINDED HATERS anything that’s even remotely related to COMMON SENSE or FACTS, or they’ll automatically attack you for trying to make them think. You can lead a JACKASS to water, but you can make him drink, and in this case, think. These ANALS are stuck on stupid and there condition is terminal.
Just ignore these ANAL MINDED MORON(S) and let them entertain themselves with their HORFORD HATE FEST. They seem to think they can turn lies and misrepresentation into facts if they repeat ignorant and unsubstantiated BS about Horford often and loud enough.
They’re angry at anyone with enough intelligence, comprehension and common sense to realize there’s a reason people associated with the NBA voted Horford All NBA, and made his a 2 time Allstar over their beloved Josh Smith, who can absolutely do no wrong in their biased eyes and opinions. As always, STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES, AND CONTINUES TO DO.
steven a smith
August 19th, 2012
9:51 am
Carlos
August 19th, 2012
6:38 am
Both Al and Josh are good but not great players. Each is better than the other at different things. Josh is more athletic, a better passer and a better shot blocker. Al has better shot selection, more consistent mid ranged jump shot, better back to the basket game and better handles.
CARLOS—You may have equaled, if not surpassed, KEN STRICKLAND, as the “Dumbest” Blogger ever!!!
KevinM
August 19th, 2012
9:58 am
When Al was drafted back in ‘07 by BK and Woody, I was of the mindset that even with Joe and Josh, Al was going to be the one to lead us. He was going to be our version of Tim Duncan. He came off 2 NCs at Florida. Duncan couldn’t even get to the FF. Horford was a leader on that team and he was a 2nd team AA with Noah on the NABC poll, and 3rd team on the AP. What we have gotten so far from Al is a pretty good basketball player.
Head to head against Tim Duncan? Duncan leads 6-1 while both have played C. He has not become as dominant as Duncan has been for the Spurs. Perhaps Danny already sees that what we’ve seen from Al is as good as its going to get.
You know who made 1st team AA on every poll? Acie Law IV. Enough said there. The odds of guys trumping their college careers are few and far for most players.
What we’ve gotten from Al…we should appreciate. What we got from AA Acie Law was the big disappointment. BK had this lineup envisioned:
Joe / Josh / Al / Acie / Marvin
That should have been an up and coming team for years going forward. Having Josh and Al left tells you how much more improvement is needed to contend. Can’t complain about that draft though. There are lots of disappointments.
wpl
August 19th, 2012
10:05 am
Enter your comments here
KevinM
August 19th, 2012
10:13 am
After looking at the opportunities for elite talent out there, I am of the consensus that we need to improve our draft position asap. We should ask for picks for Josh and Al and we simply get into the lottery asap and get it over with.
We don’t have a guy on our team to build around. We don’t have that elite player.
If we don’t get ‘elite’, we won’t compete. I hope Danny sees that early on.
D from Charleston, SC
August 19th, 2012
10:37 am
AWESOME position by position breakdown of the Nationals vs Braves! Who would you rather have at 1B, LaRoche or Freeman? At 3B, Chipper or Zimmerman? LF, Prado or Morse? Which team has the better everyday 1-8 in their lineup? Find out here at http://bravesbanter.com/?p=114. Don’t Stop the Chop!!!
O'Brien
August 19th, 2012
11:01 am
SteveW,
Maybe DF talks about Korver more than Morrow because Korver is the only SF on this team right now, whereas Morrow is one of many SGs.
Slimjr,
Has absolutely one of the weakest big man handles in the game[Left hand is almost non existent]..
Horford has his flaws, and I agree with some of the ones you posted. But I think his handles are better than the majority of CENTERS in the game today. How many other Centers do you see leading the fast break?
Ken S,
I hope you are not taking somebody’s stats from last year on another team, and think they will automatically come close to duplicating that here. Too many uncertainties on team makeup.
cpsman_atlanta
August 19th, 2012
11:08 am
Apparently, Chad Ford and John Hollinger are morons because they forgot that the Hawks are owned by the world’s worse ownership group, Atlanta $pirit Group. They sold the only team that matter, the Atlanta Thrashers.
Until these guys are gone, I won’t spend one dime of my money at Philips Arena, or the city of Atlanta. That’s also a thanks to Mayor Reed, who did nothing to help keep the team here.
O'Brien
August 19th, 2012
11:12 am
Steven A,
Mehemet”12 pack” Okur, would be a nice Big who knows how to play the game the right way..
Okur has a career average of 7 rebounds per game despite being 6’11, 260 lbs (Horford averages 9.5 rpg for his career)? Okur, despite being a center, has attempted 1590 3-pt FG over his 10 year career (Al has 12 3-pt FGA in 5 seasons)? Isn’t Okur just a jump shooter?
The same Okur who has never received votes to the All-defense team (Al has)? The same Okur who averages less assists per game than Al?
So please tell me you were being sarcastic.