Atlanta Hawks: Season Review: Willie Green
Season reviews presented in alphabetical order. Previously: Jason Collins and Erick Dampier.
The fact that Willie Green was an offseason afterthought, signed-and-traded to the Clippers in what amounted to a housekeeping transaction for the Hawks, shouldn’t overshadow the fact that Green probably ranks second to Ivan Johnson among the team’s unexpected surprises in 2011-12.
The Hawks were keen on Green as soon as the free agency period opened but figured he’d be out of their price range. Green thought the same. But then the post-lockout market was harsh for an undersized, 30-year old shooting guard who had put up middling numbers for his career.
“It was a crazy free agency,” Green said at the time of his signing. “There was a lot of scenarios with players going different places and no one knew where they were going to go. It’s a blessing to be here. I’m excited about the opportunity.”
Green made the most of it by turning in a career year with the Hawks. For the first time, Green was a low-usage, high-efficiency scorer. His 1.04 points scored per possession (on 395 possessions used) ranked 24th in the league, according to Synergy Sports Technology.
That was in large part because Green shot 3-pointers at career-high rate and made them a career-high percentage (excluding 2005-06, when he played just 10 games for the Sixers). Green still didn’t draw many fouls but he had a great year at the free-throw line, too, missing just eight of 56 attempts.
Green proved to be a good fit playing off the ball and spotting up for shots in the half court and in transition, or catching and shooting off screens. That role also allowed him to continue to cut his turnover rate and percentage.
Defensively, Green was too slow-footed to handle particularly athletic opponents and too small to fend off stronger players. That’s reflected in his individual numbers: .91 points per possession allowed (276th in the league, according to Synergy) and 15.9 opponent PER at shooting guard. However, Green proved to be a decent team defender when properly deployed as reflected by the efficiency of the top four lineups in which he played.
Green couldn’t carry over his play into the postseason, which made him like pretty much every Hawks reserve. He struggled to create shots, didn’t attempt a free throw in 63 minutes and was a defensive liability.
Overall, Atlanta’s acquisition of Green turned out to be a good, cost-efficient move. In what may be a sign of the new NBA world of fiscal restraint when it comes to role players, Green’s good year apparently didn’t translate into the kind of lucrative contract regularly offered to scorers. According to Hoopsworld’s Eric Pincus Green’s first-year salary with the Clippers is $1.375 million, just a bit more than the league minimum, and the final two years are not guaranteed.
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
191 comments Add your comment
NUNNA!!
August 25th, 2012
3:00 am
Jimmy Mack AKA Sekou Smith
vava74
August 25th, 2012
3:05 am
Just saw an highlight of Anderson: glued to Wade’s chest whilst he tries to shake him with his tricky dribble. JA sticks with him, rises, blocks Wade’s shot AND kept the rock for himself.
His college highlights also him as having a good release from outside (quick and high over his head) and the ability to drive and finish in the paint.
Should be a decent pick up. Pitty that he is only 6′6″ and yet another undersized guy to play SF.
vava74
August 25th, 2012
4:20 am
Rod,
You are soooo funny.
I am sure that you agreed with my post about Lou, PHI and his new role with us but you were unable to say it.
… so you went against Buddy and talked about Iverson?
Lou played his first two years in the league with Iverson an average of 4m47sec in his rookie season and 11.18 in his second season.
I bet they were on the court at the same time less than an average of 1 minute per game.
Then, on his final stint in Philly, Iverson was already kind of washed up… and Lou’s role was to replace Iverson so… your argument that Lou played with a talented player in Iverson seems very weak.
You should also take into consideration that Buddy was probably talking about these past 3 years.
If you argued, as I do, that Iguodala is offensively more talented than Horford (but not by a great margin) and that Brand is offensively more polished than Josh (but since his injury in his last season with the Clips no longer had the legs to produce at a high level), I think would have something.
Buddy Grizzard
August 25th, 2012
5:33 am
Let me sincerely apologize for the fact that my blog posts don’t meet your journalistic standards, Rod, but my point stands. Lou Williams has never played SIGNIFICANT MINUTES with an offensive player in their prime who was better than Al and Josh are presently. If you want to play semantics and feel smart because Lou Williams was once on a team with Allen Iverson, who was once good, then by all means.
The point of my post was that there was nobody on the 76ers who could take the pressure off Williams to score. He was the best offensive player on that team, and opposing defenses payed a lot of attention to him. Allen Iverson didn’t take pressure off Williams, because when they were on the same team there WAS NO PRESSURE on Williams. Josh and Al will take pressure off Williams in a way he has never experienced in his career.
Just Joe
August 25th, 2012
6:17 am
James Anderson is another Marvin Williams. Nice guy that comes off kind of shy in his interviews. Not athletic at all. No ball handling skills. Low basketball IQ. For the most part of his career, more turnovers than assists. He’s a guy you tell to lock down one guy on defense, and go stand in the corner on offense. If you catch the ball, shoot! Hopefully Mr Anderson will have a non-guaranteed deal vs. Marvin’s $8M salary though. He should be competing with Deshawn for a spot. Anderson is the better shooter, but Deshawn is so much more confident and athletic.
prison mike
August 25th, 2012
8:34 am
Yeah but he would be making roughly a million to Ducks 8 mill. This guy has a serious foot injury that still lingers according to SA fans. Take his ass to Dr. Andrews.
SteveW
August 25th, 2012
8:41 am
According to draftexpress Morrow is 6-5.5 w/o shoes and 6-6.5 w/ shoes. At 215-20 he’s probably big enough to play the 3. He’d be a smallish 3, but hey, it’s an imperfect world we live in.
Jimmy Mack
August 25th, 2012
9:49 am
NUNNA!!
My last response to my blog, I just stated true facts. He got a promotion because of his writings.
Section 303
August 25th, 2012
9:51 am
The Truth, I just read your post from yesterday, with the SI/Joe Johnson interview. I agree with you, Joe was great (not good, great) Hawk. And, the Hawks got him at the peak of his ability. NJ won’t see the Joe Johnson we saw from 2006-2010. That was Joe’s prime.
Another thing…the national media just kills me. SI, ESPN, and the rest were lining up to rip the Hawks for Joe Johnson’s contract. Now that he plays in New Jersey, they’re asking him questions like “how did you deal with the fans in Atlanta ripping your contract?”, which seems to imply the fans were wrong to not like the deal Joe signed and that he was some kind of inspiration to be able to perform under the heat.
Section 303
August 25th, 2012
9:52 am
I’m sure you’re all joining me in waiting with baited breath for the Jason Collns and Eric Dampier Season in Review blogs. They’re next!
DS
August 25th, 2012
10:20 am
Danny Green from the spurs tweeted that James Anderson is coming to Atlanta. Does it mean Devin Harris is on his way out? All hail Ferry
vava74
August 25th, 2012
10:32 am
SteveW,
The draftexpress page on Morrow also has in the left side a tweet which says the following:
“Worst NBA defenders vs isolation sets (min 50pos): Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, Vlad Radmanovic, DJ Augustin, Anthony Morrow,Chase Budinger
2010-03-01 12:20:05
From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz24ZHoxydk”
It’s an old tweet but Morrow is probably an horrible defender.
SteveW
August 25th, 2012
10:51 am
Vava – yeh, I saw that tweet. I’ve also been reading an article the Charlotte Observer did on Morrow in early August. He admits when he came in the League, he could play no D. Seemed to indicate he had improved.
And doing some research on Anderson they say since his foot injury, he can play no D either. And he’s shorter than Morrow, weighs less, can’t shoot as well.
What we lack in quality, we certainly make up for in quantity.
SteveW
August 25th, 2012
10:59 am
Vava – Really we’re in kind of a pick your poison mode at SF. Do you play Josh somewhat out of position at the 3? Or do you cobble together some framework of Stevenson, Korver, Morrow, and Anderson and hope for the best?
I’m not sure LD won’t do the 2 starting Lineups thing, a Big and a Small.
Any lineup with Kyle Korver starting is going to be trouble for us. He’s a definite good bench guy, but he can’t handle the starters in the NBA for the most part.
SteveW
August 25th, 2012
11:04 am
Some interesting things about that tweet above with bad defenders:
Coach TT with the Bulls just got Vlad
That Cavs team of a few years ago was trying to win with Jameson and Mo on it
And people were falling all over themselves to get Chase Budinger as a low cost, decent quality SF.
brigadierjerry
August 25th, 2012
11:24 am
Over the years, my take on being a fan has changed. I’m sure it does for a lot of people. What did it for me thirty years ago doesn’t do it for me today. As I get older, I see different things and I see things differently. In my younger days, I probably would feel like I was part of some accomplishment if teams that I root for won a championship. So the end goal was a lot more important. These days, the journey and methodology is probably as rewarding to follow as the end goal. That is why i am looking forward to see how Ferry makes this team grow into a contender or rebuild if necessary. With so many more things competing for my attention, I do look for something compelling to follow.
doc
August 25th, 2012
12:30 pm
slimj still waiting for your rationale.
Sautee
August 25th, 2012
12:33 pm
Best of luck there, doc. He’s a dodge ball champ, that one.
steven a smith
August 25th, 2012
12:41 pm
James Anderson makes great sense. Low risk, high reward kind of a guy. Still in the hunt for a proven defender. When Mickael Petrus was in Orlando, I had a chance to watch most of the Orlando Magic basketball games, and this guy always filled up the stat sheets in limited minutes. He always allowed the game to come to him. I watched him guard Big time “2s” and “3s”, he always held his own on the Defensive side of the Basketball.
steven a smith
August 25th, 2012
12:57 pm
MEHEMET OKUR-If he is healthy, he could provide valuable minutes off the bench. He can stretch the floor on offense!!! Call him up D. Ferry!
the hawks is the word
August 25th, 2012
1:19 pm
@Steven a smith: mehmet okur would be an excellent veteran pickup in case we don’t sign scott or benson, buy minny want’s them too
Astro Joe
August 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
If we’re adding Anderson, Ferry must have a trade lined-up with the stale bags of chips we acquired for Joe Johnson. And just because someone “can play SF” doesn’t mean that person should play SF. It would seem that Hawks fans should understand by now how playing guys out of position generally limits their effectiveness.
steven a smith
August 25th, 2012
2:14 pm
the hawks is the word
August 25th, 2012
1:19 pm
@Steven a smith: mehmet okur would be an excellent veteran pickup in case we don’t sign scott or benson, buy minny want’s them too
Agree;
I watched Benson and Scott play Summer League and they both look like keepers. However, i was not impressed at all with Jordan Williams. Jordan Williams did not show any upside, he needs to go to NBDL or be part of next trade package.
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
2:16 pm
Once again:
What`s the dif between the [2] and the [3] ?
Defensive match-ups … correct.
-okay-
Anderson is not quick enough to defend [2s].
Anderson most likely is human and cannot guard LBJ.
-so-
It is all about match-ups and not the position
we wish to stamp on him.
Let`s call him a punter and forget about it.
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
2:26 pm
Todays -Season in Review- ” Jannero Pargo ”
He came / he turned it over / he went.
-nuff said-
___________________________________________
MC
I took care of that one for you.
No need to research synergysprtstch for material.
steven a smith
August 25th, 2012
2:29 pm
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
2:16 pm
Our real problems are at the “4″ and “5″ spots. Dennis Scott, 3D(NBA TV) suggested during summer league ganes that the Hawks needed to move Al Horford to the “4″ permanently.
SteveW
August 25th, 2012
2:43 pm
AJ – Well, what if we don’t make a deal? Who would you start/backup on the current roster?
And if we do trade Harris, I’m for giving Flynn a shot if he’s still out there.
steven a smith
August 25th, 2012
3:15 pm
Rookie on the Hawks Summer League team displayed “True” point guard skills. Jordan Taylor can play Basketball in the NBA. He should be the 3rd PG on this team. He is too good to let go.
SteveW
August 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Maybe in the new NBA, they’ve basically got it down to 3 positions:
PG’s/Small G’s – Devin, Teague, Lou
Wings – Anderson, Korver, Morrow, Jenkins, Stevenson
Bigs – Josh, Al, ZaZa, Ivan, Petro, Williams, Scott
With Josh and Scott being able to play some wing also.
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
Has anyone signed Scott Machado yet ?
SteveW
August 25th, 2012
3:33 pm
Jordan Williams probably has the natural skills to be a poor mans Al Jefferson – but from what I understand he’s his own worst enemy. He doesn’t develop himself enough.
If he’s a real loser, I’d ditch him and keep Benson.
And if Stevenson or Anderson comes in out of shape, I might consider moving 1 of them and keeping Sy – For old times sake.
SteveW
August 25th, 2012
3:34 pm
Grandad – No, but on Hoopshype a couple of weeks ago, they were raving about him
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
3:40 pm
As for who to start ?
I`ve said it before:
” play your best five that play [together] “.
- John Wooden -
*also:
It`s not who starts but who finishes that matters.
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
SteveW
He [S.Machado] was listed as a SummerLeague all-star.
Personnally, I wish we would have drafted him.
Now, I say, grab him ! (please)
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
3:47 pm
SteveW
J.Wiiliams = no thanks
K.Benson … I was totally unimpressed during SummerLeague.
KB … disappointed might be a better word.
His defense was the area of his game that I was most disappointed;
followed closely with his rebounding or lack thereof.
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
3:49 pm
SteveW
I was equally unimpressed with M.Scott
-or-
should I say; I expected more.
Grandad
August 25th, 2012
3:53 pm
I would prefer to load up with talented guards
-than-
have a bunch of sorry ass Bigs that can`t play.
I realize a team needs size;
-yes-
but, at least by overstocking guards with skill;
then trades become a real possibility.
Melvin
August 25th, 2012
4:03 pm
James Anderson 2010 pre-draft profile…
NBA Comparison: Nick Anderson/Daequan Cook
Strengths: Prolific scoring swingman in a wiry 6-6 frame … Highly efficient offensive game (46% FG for his college career) … Lights out shooter with textbook form and high release … Possesses boundless range with no deterioration in accuracy from distance (38.4%) … Has no conscious, even in the face of repeated misses … Extremely effective in catch-and-shoot situations, with his feet set and ready to fire … Always squares his body to the rim with great balance and elevation on his jumper. Shoots well off the dribble when driving to his left … Likes to take a jump stop just inside the paint for a little right-handed floater. Uses his vertical to quickly elevate over defenders inside. Has the ability to hang and adjust his shot mid-leap … He’s increased his aggression taking the ball to the basket … Attempted 3.2 FT as a freshman, 4.7 as a sophomore and 7.2 through ten game as a junior (86%) … Not afraid to take smaller defenders into the post … Boasts an incredible wingspan … Provides an incredible boost on the boards where he hits the offensive glass hard (5 rpg, 2 offensive) … Has the skill set of a lockdown defender with his lateral quickness, length and dedication to the defensive side of the ball … Was asked to take on an enhanced leadership role by coach Ford, and has responded commendably.
Weaknesses: Lack of ball handling skills really constricts his game … He is not comfortable creating offense for himself or teammates … Appears hesitant with the ball in his hands with a lack of ingenuity … Despite his athletic gifts, does not look “smooth” when forced to make a basketball move … Drives to the basket are predominantly to his left … Unable to change directions with the rock … Dribbles with his head down … Turnovers (2 per game for his career) and offensive fouls have been a problem … Not a particularly adept passer (1.3 ast per game) … His basketball IQ needs work … He’s a natural shooter, but not a natural basketball player … Could certainly stand to add some bulk, which would aid his ball handling woes … Knocked off balance too easily on drives … Despite improved aggression, still spends too much time floating around the perimeter, especially in crunch time. Needs to augment his mid-range game.
Notes: Has some oddball statistical games early in the 2009-2010 season, with a 15 rebound game vs. Seattle and a 5 block game vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Was selected to the USA team at the World University Games where he averaged 7 pts and 2 rebounds in 12 minutes per game.
Astro Joe
August 25th, 2012
4:07 pm
Steve, first, I’m not trading Devin until closer to February (if then). The PG position is far too important to have one guy still in his learning curve (Teague) and projects behind him. I’m looking to trade some of the players acquired from the Nets… pretty much all of whom are expendable the first day they can be moved again.
If the roster does not change (heaven forbid), then let’s aggressively go for the lottery pick and play Josh at SF, Ivan at PF and Horford at C. And Teague and Lou in the backcourt. That should all but guarantee a 35 win season and the excitement of participation in the ping-pong ball lottery.
Astro Joe
August 25th, 2012
4:11 pm
Melvin, I never knew that Anderson was supposed to be an outstanding shooter. I thought he was more of a slasher than shooter. Yep, that’s exactly what we need (if no trade is coming), another guard in the 6′4″-6′7″ range who shoots well.
random
August 25th, 2012
5:16 pm
@steven a smith
Jordan Taylor signed with Virtus Roma some Italian League team.
Slimjr- a.k.a. "Mr DodgeBall King"........
August 25th, 2012
5:21 pm
Hey doc, life kind of got busy for me [ the dodge ball king]! Hey thanks Sautee, me likes! heh, heh, heh..
I should have worded my verbage differently referencing the fantastic guard play from Joe and Jamal against those mean Orlando Magic squads of yesteryear in the 1st rd. of the 2010 playoffs….
They played an intense super critical role in over coming Orlando for the 1st time in years thanks to their fantastic clutch shooting performances in that series..Yes the Bigs played an important role to help keep D12 in check but of course but those two have to be singled out and given game balls…
Thank you Sir… “Nimbers” Shrug…….
Now moving forward I hope these “new” guards can produce the same type of heroic action! Yeah!!!
And for the record: Sautee I was a pretty decent dodge baller…hahahahahahahah.
Slimjr- a.k.a. "Mr DodgeBall King"........
August 25th, 2012
5:22 pm
2011^^^^^
Slimjr....
August 25th, 2012
5:24 pm
“I would prefer to load up with talented guards
-than-
have a bunch of sorry ass Bigs that can`t play.” -Grandad-
I totally agree Sir!
Slimjr....
August 25th, 2012
5:34 pm
“Weaknesses: Lack of ball handling skills really constricts his game … He is not comfortable creating offense for himself or teammates … Appears hesitant with the ball in his hands with a lack of ingenuity … Despite his athletic gifts, does not look “smooth” when forced to make a basketball move “- Melvin-
Man, I read this somewhere before. sounds so familiar? Hmmmmmm
Slimjr
August 25th, 2012
5:58 pm
Falcons won a darn preseason game? Well what do ya know..Did you get a chance to see that beautifully under-thrown 49 yard bomb to Julio. Julio made a All-pro adjustment to go get it and hold on!
Thank you Julio! Gameball to Julio..
Superbowl or Bust, Huh Coach Smith????????????????
ntrigue
August 25th, 2012
6:06 pm
I don’t no what you all were watching during Summer League but Benson was balling. He rebounded good played solid defense including blocking shots and showed he has mid range game and can post up. Im pretty sure Ferry will keep Benson especially if he does good in training camp.
Rod from College Park
August 25th, 2012
6:23 pm
“Well, think about this. Lou Williams has never played with an offensive player as good as Josh Smith OR Al Horford. There was a lot of pressure on Williams to score baskets because the 76ers were so offensively challenged.”
“Rod, but my point stands. Lou Williams has never played SIGNIFICANT MINUTES with an offensive player in their prime who was better than Al and Josh are presently. If you want to play semantics and feel smart because Lou Williams was once on a team with Allen Iverson, who was once good, then by all means.”
Sure look like two different statements to me. Especially when Lou Williams will tell you himself that he learned from and patterns his game after Iverson. Your first statement was not true. Just admit it and move on.
Rod from College Park
August 25th, 2012
6:27 pm
“Then, on his final stint in Philly, Iverson was already kind of washed up… and Lou’s role was to replace Iverson so… your argument that Lou played with a talented player in Iverson seems very weak.
You should also take into consideration that Buddy was probably talking about these past 3 years.”
I don’t make assumptions. If you think Iverson was washed up, that’s your opinion. It still does not change the fact that they played together and Iverson was a better offensive player than Josh or Horford.
Rod from College Park
August 25th, 2012
6:30 pm
“Falcons won a darn preseason game? Well what do ya know..Did you get a chance to see that beautifully under-thrown 49 yard bomb to Julio. Julio made a All-pro adjustment to go get it and hold on!”
Matty Ice- 3 deep passes yesterday, all underthrown. LOL. Wonder what defenses will do against us in the playoffs?