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
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191 comments Add your comment
steven a smith
August 26th, 2012
8:22 pm
PG-Teague/Lou Williams/Harris
SG-Hardin/John Jenkins/Morrow
SF-Josh Smith/James Anderson/Korver
PF-Al Jefferson/Ivan Johnson
C–MeHemet Oku/rJohan Petro
Dump Zsa Zsa by trading deadline.
glw
August 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
@steven a smith
man you tight with that money. first you said bynum was only worth 4/48 mill
now you say harden is only a 5yr 40 million player. In theory that is their worth probably, but just like Bynum is getting max money, Harden is getting pretty close to max money too.
that 5 yr deal better be in the range of 5yr/65 mill and that might even be a low ball figure.
steven a smith
August 26th, 2012
9:12 pm
glw
August 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
I just don’t see James Hardin as an “Elite” player. I am not sure he can beat double teams or consistently beat his man off the dribble. He is a nice Scorer/jump Shooter.
glw
August 26th, 2012
9:27 pm
he really isnt an elite player as is the no.3 option in OKC, but his situation is so similar to Joe when he was in Phoenix and we overpaid and gave Joe 5/70mill and the same thing will happen this time too. Not sure I am all that crazy about paying that to have him here, but if not, am sure Phoenix, Houston and maybe Dallas might throw that type of money at him. I know Houston and Phoenix are desperate for a No.1 or a wanna be No. 1.
steven a smith
August 26th, 2012
9:45 pm
If Josh Smith signs eleswhere in 2013, I like Taj Gibson to replace him.We could probabaly get him for 1/2 of Josh type money.
steven a smith
August 26th, 2012
9:52 pm
In the 2004
steven a smith
August 26th, 2012
9:55 pm
In the 2004 NBA Draft, we took Josh Childress ahead of Luol Deng and Al Jefferson. Go figure! Imagine if we had Deng at the “3″ right now.
doc
August 26th, 2012
10:32 pm
sweet, chipper just got a standing o in san francisco as he pinch hits in last at bat against the giants. class act by their fans.
Ken Strickland
August 26th, 2012
10:48 pm
KEVINM-Why should I show any tact for a select number of ANAL MINDED MORONS who post under various names? None of these idiots have shown any tact when it comes to posting their HORFORD HATING BS, yet you somehow think they’re deserving of consideration. Where’s the logic?
doc
August 26th, 2012
10:51 pm
nice, say hey kid just took one “bay” his third in three games. i am hoping he is the real deal and has had a huge comeback this year. freeman goes back to back.
SteveW
August 26th, 2012
11:16 pm
Hawks 48 minute ratings – 5.0 being the League average:
PG – Teague/Harris – Teague is approaching being an average starting PG in the League. Harris may be the best backup PG in the League if this is the way it rolls.
Average – 6.5
SG – Lou is good but small – defensive matchup issues. Jenkins is an unknown quantity.
Average – 6.0 – Maybe higher if Jenkins plays well
SF – Just play Morrow, Stevenson, Korver, and Anderson in 12 minute human waves – 1 guy each quarter.
Average – 3.5 – Only because of decent quality depth is it this high.
PF – Josh/Ivan – Josh is a top tier PF. Ivan is a very good backup.
Average – 8.5
C – Horford is good, but undersized and coming off an injury. ZaZa is an average starting C, also coming off an injury.
Average – 8.0
Our average – 31.5
League average – 25.0
We are 21% over League average per position. This would equate to a 49 win season.
With our Big lineup:
PG – Same – 6.5
SG – Morrow/Lou/Jenkins – 6.5 – But may have minute issues like Just Joe said above.
SF – Josh/Korver/Stevenson/Anderson – 8.0 – Not Josh’s natural position – may have minute issues – see above. But deep
PF – Al/Ivan – Al isn’t is good as Josh, but he’s still a very good player – 7.5
C- ZaZa/Petro – ZaZa is an average starting C in the NBA. Petro is probably an average backup. 5.0
Big lineup 48 minute average – 33.5
League average – 25.0
25.4% over League average – should equal 51 or 52 wins.
SteveW
August 26th, 2012
11:25 pm
The small lineup above is actually 32.5 average = 50 wins.
I have no idea how we accomplish those win totals. But we do have some real, quality players.
And worst case scenario next summer – we have 3 guys, Al, Lou, and Jenkins signed for approximately 19 mill.
You could add four 10 mill per year guys, a mid level, and another 1st
Two 18 mill per year guys to that group, and a mid level and another 1st
One 18 mill per year, two 10 mill’s and a midlevel along with another 1st pick.
Al, Lou, and Jenkins at 19 mill per year is not a bad group for the money to build off of.
And yes, I give Harden max money. Got to. Somebody will. But it will be the 3rd tier max, not the top tier max like Kobe, or the 2nd tier max like Joe Johnson. And it will be under the new CBA, so it’s only for 4 years.
And I’d give Taj Gibson 10 mill per for 4 years. He’s probably going to get that in this market. Look what Asik got.
SteveW
August 26th, 2012
11:29 pm
I’m guessing Josh gets that 2nd tier max money – especially if Dallas makes a run for Dwight – Cuban will for sure give it too him. 4 years 74 mill, or around there.
We can offer 5 years at 95 mill, or about 19 mill on average, I think. 1st year is 16.4 mill, and goes up from there, 7.5% raises. I’m doing that from memory, so somebody probably needs to check me on that.
SteveW
August 26th, 2012
11:30 pm
Josh’s non-Bird team can only give 4.5% raises per year.
Melvin
August 27th, 2012
12:37 am
Why would Dallas go after Josh when they already have Dirk at the PF?
Also, how come folks can suggest that CP3 or Dwight would not leave their current teams and money on the table (the 5th year contract option) but would suggest that Josh will leave the Hawks (and his 5th year option) ?
Grandad
August 27th, 2012
12:46 am
Season in Review … Marvin Williams
“Goodbye, Farewell, Amen”
with the tune:
“Suicide is Painless”/ circa 1970 / playing softly in the background
Grandad
August 27th, 2012
12:48 am
Old timers will get the M*A*S*H reference.
Slimjr
August 27th, 2012
7:51 am
Hey doc thanks for the kind words Sir the other day.
Slimjr
August 27th, 2012
8:08 am
Just Joe, keep up the great trade Ideas even if they involve the former Allstar. Your a trail blazer.. The rest of us will catch up? Maybe not? heh heh heh
Use your scroll key for when you see unacceptable child like verbiage being spewed out their hearts..
Works great.
SteveW
August 27th, 2012
8:24 am
Melvin – Only saying Josh will be offered Max money – didn’t say he would take it.
Why would Cuban offer Max money to a 27 year old F, when he has a 35 year old PF, when the 27 year old F happens to be best friends with the FA (Dwight) your trying to build your franchise around?
You tell me.
And Dwight would leave money on the table possibly to be with Mark Cuban – that guy has the $$$$ to take extreme good care of you when your playing days are over.
vava74
August 27th, 2012
8:24 am
This is for Ken’s enjoyment (From Sheridan Hoops and Sheridan himself) – OFF SEASON REPORT CARD:
“ATLANTA HAWKS – When you have gotten rid of the worst contract in the NBA, as Danny Ferry did by trading Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets, you have to be somewhat lauded. Of all the players acquired in that deal, only Anthony Morrow figures to contribute. The moves we liked most were the signings of Lou Williams and the trade for Kyle Korver, and it should be noted that Al Horford may be the best center in the East now that Dwight Howard is gone. (Andrew Bynum might disagree). Ferry could have as much as $30 million in cap space next summer, and he’ll probably get a meeting (at the very least) with Howard after D-12′s contract expires. Al Jefferson would not be a bad fallback. Probably still a middle-of-the-pack team, but possibly better than that with more depth (don’t forget Devin Harris) and more shot opportunities now that Johnson’s 15-20 per night are gone.”
SteveW
August 27th, 2012
8:30 am
And are we sure it’s a done deal that ATL will offer Josh Max money? I know we’ll offer close – I’m not so sure we get back into another max contract so soon after JJ, unless it’s a Dwight or a Chris Paul.
Slimjr
August 27th, 2012
8:33 am
Melvin as a GM, it is your duty to pursue these FA’s even if the world says no way they would leave the teams they have been playing for plus leave [money on the table]. To not even talk with them would be a dereliction of duty imho..
vava74
August 27th, 2012
8:36 am
SteveW,
Howard will not leave LA until he retires or until his value is greatly diminished and LA trades him like they did to Shaq.
LA’s good life, constant party scene, the possibility of furthering his interest in cinema and huge endorsement market will make it so.
Howard does not strike me to be a guy who will think about a move to Dallas as something good.
He does not seem to be the type of guy who will be thinking about moving to a generally quieter place due a post retirement “safe ownership environment”.
doc
August 27th, 2012
9:12 am
slimj, no prob. this isnt a place to be personal or take them that way. we all got ideas so let us hear them unless they are broken records or mantras. then it is vendetta’s in my opinion and beyond the scope of discourse. i enjoy ours and he banter, some dpont take it that way and go beyond civil lines.
so, the reality check is, you can say all the good byes you want. if we were going to go forward there was an albatross around our necks and it was jj’s contract. it enables us to think and dream a bit on our own. without the move we were stuck and going backwards on a slide. i commend df and i look forward to seeing what these guys can do on the court. last years team went far beyond where they should have. i can only hope this team does the same and jeff, josh and al are the leaders i can best hope for them.
Buddy Grizzard
August 27th, 2012
9:14 am
“Also, how come folks can suggest that CP3 or Dwight would not leave their current teams and money on the table (the 5th year contract option) but would suggest that Josh will leave the Hawks (and his 5th year option) ?”
Neither CP3 nor Dwight has expressed any dissatisfaction with their current team. Granted, Dwight just got traded. But in spite of any present positive vibes from Josh, the fact is that he is on the record making a trade request. Sure he says he no longer wants to be traded and he’s excited about the team. Hopefully we won’t be asking ourselves how excited he is next off-season if the Hawks miss the playoffs.
Astro Joe
August 27th, 2012
10:46 am
Just Joe, I would trade a 2nd rounder for a proven rotational player. And in the case of Blair, it doesn’t impact next summer’s cap space. I do think Ferry will use the imminently dispensable players acquired for Joe to blance the roster. If the Anderson signing is true, I’m guessing that he already has a deal in place and is simply waiting for the 60 days to expire when he can deal 1 or more of the former Nets.
Ken Strickland
August 27th, 2012
11:42 am
VALVA74-Thanks for the link, but I had already seen it. I actually agree with the findings. I was hoping Ferry would go after Gee, since his name was prominantly and one we would persue in FA. However, Ferry did mention that he’d also consider someone that he could sign to a vet minimum contract, and it looks like Anderson is that choice.
I know virtually nothing about Anderson, other than he was a 1st rd pick, and it’s believed that his failures with the Spurs might have been due to his inability to adjust to their style of play. Who knows, he just might turn out to be the Spurs version of PG JTeague under Woodson, as well as Drew before Hinrich’s timely, for Teague’s sake, injury.
Anderson does bring considerably more speed, quickness, and athleticism that we got from JJ at SF, and he could be a better rebounder. It certainly wouldn’t take much effort to equal or exceed JJs 3.7RPG. DHarris will replicate JJs assists and definitely exceed Hinrich’s 6.6PPG scoring. That, combined with the return of AHorford, will more than compensate for JJs scoring, assists, and rebounding.
Ferry’s unwillingness to commit to a longterm contract, or one higher than the minimum, demonstrates his desire to go all out in next yrs FA. He obviously doesn’t feel that this yr is all that important as far as wins and losses are concerned. He’s committing to minimum contracts so he can be a major player in next yrs FA, whereas Sund was forced to commit to them out of necessity.
While none of us knows what Ferry’s long term plans for the Hawks might be, it’s obvious that Josh does. And when told what it was, he was inspired enough by what he heard to immediately retract his long standing desire and demand to be traded. We certainly haven’t heard any comments from Josh about our so called undersized team and/or backcourt.
pointguardslim
August 27th, 2012
11:42 am
4 years 74 mill, or around there. ($18.5 mil per year?????? Well they do have Dirk and want Dwight but damn thats a horrible contract without other superstars in tow)
“Why would Dallas go after Josh when they already have Dirk at the PF?”
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=carlisleintro-080515
Probably to add athleticism at small forward. Like Carlisle and Cuban tried to do 4 years ago.
U R Blind.
Ken Strickland
August 27th, 2012
11:45 am
That should be “PROMINANTLY MENTIONED” AND “PURSUE”.
Ken Strickland
August 27th, 2012
11:50 am
I’m really looking forward to seeing how LDrew has this team playing uptempo fastbreaking basketball and team DEF. The success of the Hawks will depend on it. And there will be no more excuses, as far as his motion OFF is concerned, since JJ and his halfcourt oriented ball and player movement stopping ISO OFF is no longer be an issue.
MsDee
August 27th, 2012
12:19 pm
KenS,
I do share in your optimistic view of the Hawks this upcoming season. As always, the Hawks out performs what many believes will fail. But would like to ask u a question. If the Hawks do incredibly well this season, maybe finishing as high as 4 in the east, do u think Danny Ferry will still look to get rid of those who helped get us to the 4th place just to get a couple of big time FA next season?
O'Brien
August 27th, 2012
1:13 pm
Melvin,
If Dallas got Dwight, and had the money, they are one team that could get away with Josh playing SF. Dirk is a jump shooter, so that would allow Josh to be in the post more, and although playing SF takes him away from the paint on defense, Dwight would be there to make up for it.
That being said, I don’t think Dallas has the money to go after Dwight and Josh, and Im not sure if they would want Josh at SF.
O'Brien
August 27th, 2012
1:14 pm
I think (when healthy), Bynum is the best center in the East. But I think Al is in the discussion to be in the top 5, especially if he goes back to being boss Al.
Sautee
August 27th, 2012
1:50 pm
O’B,
Co-sign your 1:14 post.
MsDee
August 27th, 2012
2:00 pm
OB,
If Horford goes back to being ‘Boss AL’ and Bynum is the ‘best’ center in the east, then who are 2-4? If Horford goes back to being ‘Boss AL’ and I have great reason to believe he would, than that would make him next best behind Bynum, IMO of course!!
Astro Joe
August 27th, 2012
2:15 pm
Hawks GM Danny Ferry says Spurs free agent James Anderson has been invited to join the team’s veterans camp. Anderson apparently will accept, according to a tweet by former teammate Danny Green. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Free-agent Anthony Tolliver said he’s intrigued by Atlanta, a team that has great interest in him. “I don’t think they have a guy on their roster with that skill set with shooting and versatility,’’ Tolliver said about being a big man who can step out on the floor. When Tolliver was with Cleveland several years ago, Hawks GM Danny Ferry was the GM there. Tolliver also said he has a “really good relationship’’ with Wes Wilcox, then with Cleveland and now Hawks assistant GM.
Astro Joe
August 27th, 2012
2:19 pm
I’m guessing tha Anderson gets that non-guaranteed deal that Ferry talked about offering a wing a week or so ago. Hard to imagine Tolliver signing if Ivan is on board… but who knows.
Speaking of “Boss Al”, if all around you are players who either can shoot jumpers or want to shoot jumpers, it kind of tempting to follow suit, especially when your boss places such a premium on taking the first good shot 9which is often a jumper).
Astro Joe
August 27th, 2012
2:20 pm
Tolliver doesn’t think we have a big who shoots 20+ footers? I guess he hasn’t watched #5 under LD’s leadership.
Ken Strickland
August 27th, 2012
2:59 pm
MSDEE-Now that’s a doggone good question. By rights, he should be rehired if he once again exceeds expectations with this team. As much as some like to put LD down, he’s done a very good job of exceeding expectations during his tenue as HC. However, Ferry is in a very unusual situation.
Unless he has a definite HC in mind to lead this team according to his expectations, and Drew does well, but not as well as Ferry’s expectations, I can see him not being rehired. Which players will be resigned will depend on who we sign during FA, and how well they fit. I can certainly see Teague and Josh being resigned, but whether we resign Zaza will depend on who we sign in FA.
Bynum is accustomed to competing for NBA titles, and that won’t happen anytime soon if he stays in Philly. They’ve lost way too much talent, with the loss of Iggy, LWilliams and EBrand, to be title contenders. therefore, he might be willing to accept a change.
If Drew and his staff can master implimenting the team DEF concept, along with an uptempo fastbreaking OFF to go along with his MOTION OFF, the Hawks can more than hold their own with the Bulls, 76ers, Knicks, Celtics, Pacers and Nets. Speed, quickness and athleticism kills, and we have more than our share of all 3.
Even though we’ll have some serious 3pt shooters with Morrow, Korver, Jenkins, LWilliams, and DHarris, we’ll also have 3 serious penetrators in JTeague, DHarris, and LWilliams. Add that combination to Josh, Horford, Zaza and Ivan inside, and we’ll be a challenge for any DEF to contend with.
Ken Strickland
August 27th, 2012
4:08 pm
MSDEE-One other thing to consider in regards to your question. DFerry definitely became accustomed to decipline and order in his time with the Spurs. And as we all witnessed during LDrews 2yrs as HC, that wasn’t adhered to here. JJ hijacked the ball and the OFF whenever he chose to do so, and Josh launched illadvised jumpers whenever he decided to do so. Decipline was nonexistent with the Hawks under LDrew.
Even if he leads this team to unexpected success, if Ferry doesn’t see the type of control, order and decipline that he wants to see, LDrew will most likely be let go. You don’t bring head strong and tempermental players like DHoward, ABynum, or AJefferson to a team with a HC that can’t instill a sense of order and decipline.