Hawks should consider trading Johnson, not Smith
Sorry, Mr. Johnson. But you just haven't measured up in the playoffs, unlike that guy behind you. (Kent Johnson/kjohnson@ajc.com.)
Almost every player on the Hawks’ roster is either at the end of a contract, or near the end of a contract, or on somebody’s, “Let’s drop-kick this guy out of town,” list.
Josh Smith doesn’t have a contract issue. That tells you what category he fits in.
But if you really believe the Hawks need to shake things up this off-season and possibly trade one of their starters, don’t look at Josh Smith. Look at Joe Johnson.
People, this isn’t even close.
This week’s Countdown . . .
10: Ordinary Joe: 2-for-18 in playoffs
Joe Johnson is a three-time All-Star. I felt I needed to get that out there right away because it seems like any time somebody criticizes Joe Johnson, one of his defenders screams, “He’s a three-time All-Star!” But this is business and these are the facts: Joe has one year left on his contract. He just completed an awful post-season, during which he played one good game and 10 generally crummy ones. In last year’s playoffs, he went 1-for-7 against Boston. This is not what you want from a guy who’s supposed to be your best player, especially when the game’s matter most. It’s certainly not what you want from a player who should be your leader but seldom acts like one. Or acts like he wants to be one. Joe’s one of those quiet guys who just wants to do his thing, whatever his thing is. But that’s not good enough here.
9. Sund has some difficult decisions
General manager Rick Sund just completed his first season. I’m not suggesting that his first makeover would be a failure if he doesn’t trade Joe Johnson. But it’s something he should look at. Just tweaking this roster may not be enough to get this team to the next level. With Johnson turning 28, chances are we’ve seen the best he has to offer. His skill set would be valuable on the trade market to elite teams that are looking for a complimentary player to round out their roster. He potentially could fetch a lot in trade. It’s worth exploring. Here’s why:
8. Team’s core is smaller than you think
Yes, Josh Smith can be maddening. But he has talent, upside and youth -- and he outplayed Johnson in the playoffs. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com.)
I hear a lot about the Hawks’ having a great core of players. Don’t know about that. But if that’s true, here’s how I would list the guys to build around: 1) Al Horford (absolute); 2) Josh Smith (probably); 3) Marvin Williams (maybe). Johnson is not a core piece. Chances are, he’s out the door next year. Mike Bibby might be gone already. Yes, Smith is maddening. But he remains by far the most talented player on the roster with the most upside. The Hawks’ greatest nightmare would be dealing him and then seeing him turn into a human wrecking machine with another team and under another coach. He scored 26 points in Game 4 against Cleveland. He certainly outplayed and outscored Johnson in these playoffs. You don’t trade Josh Smith. He’s a difference maker. Even if sometimes the difference is for the other team.
7. Lights! Camera! Ethiopia?
It sounds like a set-up line. “So there’s this heavyweight fight in Ethiopia . . .” But it could be true. Spoke to Evander Holyfield and there’s a chance his next fight could be against some guy named Sammy Retta July 25 in Ethiopia. The bout would be part of a celebrity fundraiser for AIDS research and would pay Holyfield $1 million, which is about $1 million more than anybody else is offering him to fight. Manager Ken Sanders said officials from the potential event have been phoning him for several weeks and seem serious about it but he still puts the chances of it coming as “50-50.” Holyfield and Sanders are going to Ethiopia Saturday for four days on a promoter’s tab to check it out. Meanwhile, Holyfield is still upset that, “They keep making me get back in line.” We explain . . .
Some local residents begin construction on an outdoor boxing ring in Ethiopia.
6. WBA: “Nothing to see here. Move along.”
Holyfield is 46. I don’t even ask him about retirement any more. But he probably was robbed in his last bout for the WBA title against Nikolai Valuev, losing a disputed majority decision in Zurich. Holyfield filed a protest. With boxing sanctioning bodies, this generally is as successful as the mafia’s court of appeals. Holyfield: “They said they had 10 judges look at tape. Six voted for Valuev and four voted for me, and that was it. They said, ‘Well, we looked at it.’” But Holyfield said the WBA all but assured him he can fight the winner of the Valuev-Ruslan Chagaev fight, which is May 30. The potential fight in Ethiopia shouldn’t be an issue. The opponent, Retta, is listed as a 35-year-old cruiserweight with a record of 18-3.
5. Layla Kiffin (Did that hook you in?)
Here's Layla Kiffin, standing with two unidentified schmoes.
The Knoxville News ran a story on the Kiffin family, but I’m pretty sure it was just to provide slobbering male SEC football fans with a photo gallery that includes several pictures of coach Lane Kiffin’s wife, Layla. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. By the way, did you know that there’s now a Facebook group that’s called, “Our Coach’s Wife is Hotter Than Your Coach’s Wife”? It already has 5,790 members. If you’re a Facebook member, here’s the link.
4. Roger Clemens is innocent
Not really. But he says he is. Again. There’s a new book out, “American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens And the Rise of Steroids in America’s Pastime,” and Clemens felt the need to go on the radio again and claim that everybody is lying and he’s innocent, and that he wouldn’t think of taking drugs because his father and brother died young of heart attacks, and, “It would be suicidal for me to take any kind of dangerous drug.” Several syringes are expected to offer rebuttal testimony in the coming weeks.
3. Hey, Jim: Tony Cole still has eligibility left
Tony Cole: inmate.
I realize this covers a lot of judicial proceedings, but Tony Cole might be the worst human being ever given an athletic scholarship at Georgia. If you missed the latest, Cole, who lit the grease fire that helped eventually bring down Jim Harrick and the Georgia basketball program in one of the most embarrassing scandals in NCAA history, is in Cook County (Ill.) jail and just got into a fight with another inmate. The Chicago Sun Times reported that Cole told a corrections officer: “This is how you run this jail? I am going to call my people and I am going to call the press.” Hah! Wait. Is this where Jeremy Schaap comes in?
2. Anybody got Jesse on speed-dial?
Just a little reminder of Tony Cole days in Athens. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com.)
Cole is in prison (lately) for violating terms of his parole. Something about a protection order of a former girlfriend whom he is accused of punching. He also is being blamed for the forced resignation of the Chief Financial Officer in Cook County, which the more I read about it makes Clayton County government look like nirvana. The CFO, a woman, hired Cole for a $61,000 a year government job despite his past criminal convictions and twice bailed him out of jail without telling anybody. During one recent court appearance, Cole, according to the Sun Times, said, “My whole case needs to be looked at,” and then turned to a reporter asked that they summon the Rev. Jesse Jackson to help him. Yeah. That’ll happen. If you want to get caught up on the miserable life and times of Tony Cole, here’s a helpful link.
1. The new fight scene
If Holyfield’s fight in Ethiopia falls through, I believe Somalia and Yemen have recently built casinos and are looking for a draw.
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288 comments Add your comment
freshd
May 12th, 2009
12:19 pm
Mike Woodson needs to evaluate his coaching methods also. I learned more about the HAWKS, after listening to HUBIE BROWN on the telecast Saturday night, than I have learned from WOODY in 5 years. He should bring HUBIE in as a consultant to help on offense and defense, and get rid of all those old pistons sets he still uses.
Spud Webb
May 12th, 2009
12:20 pm
Gotta disagree with you on this Shultz. Let me think Joe vs Wade & Joe vs James. Correct me if I’m wrong but those are 2 of the best 3 players in the league? Oh and not just on offense, 2 of the BEST D players in the league? Yes Joe played poorly, no DOUBT, but c’mon those two make everyone they play look bad. See Ray Allen vs the cavs last year. Joe IS not a leader, never has and never will be, he didn’t ask to be or for that contract, that was what was given to him. I’m not taking anything away from Josh, but really, developmental players on the Heats frontline and a little bit better for the Cavs front line. Josh SHOULD be putting those numbers up. Josh is the future, no DOUBT. Bibby, goodbye, we need a real point guard, dish, penetrate play solid D & be the leader. Looks like Bibby can’t move at times or just doesnt want to. Marvin Williams, good lord, can you tell me if he works hard or not, being serious? I look at him and how talented he is and I wonder, does he work to get better? I mean Marvin, MAKE YOURSELF a better player. I would leave the rest, get a point guard, remove Marvin and oh, GET A COACH. Just my opinions, good season Hawks! Let’s build on it.
Ayanna
May 12th, 2009
12:21 pm
Thank you Dan and Niremetal. What you guys said I second that!
Astro Joe
May 12th, 2009
12:22 pm
Excellent, newkid.
AveryBrooks
May 12th, 2009
12:23 pm
The Hawks should bring in Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello as consultants. Also hire Steve Smith, Mike Glenn and Dominique Wilkins as assistant coaches. Finally, fire Mike Woodsen and hire Avery Johnson to coach the Hawks. All of these moves would make the Hawks a bona fide championship contender for years to come.
Josh
May 12th, 2009
12:23 pm
Marvin is the one that needs to go. The Marvin Williams project is over and it failed, way to go not drafting Chris Paul or Deron Williams we got Marvin. Trade Marvin, let Bibby go. Grab a PG that can actually do more then shoot the 3, we need a penetrator and one that can play D. Resign Flip, bring in an actual 7 footer and a new lineup of: New PG (Jarrett Jack), Joe, Josh, Horford, New Center
Somebody Got To Say It!!!!!!
May 12th, 2009
12:23 pm
Jeff
I see you are at again, so I had to come out of the closet and comment!
SURPRISE, I AGREE WITH YOU JEFF.
Your idea of trading Joe Johnson makes sense. But trading JJ and keeping the current coach would be a disaster. Why; because Woody whole offensive system is built around ISO Joe. His claim to coaching fame has been ISO Joe. That is all he knows. A new star player would expose Woody coaching weaknesses even more. Even Woody admits his obvious flaws: under-utilization of team talent and over-utilization of one star player in his no-movement offensive system. Woody may have played a role in the injury issue that plagued us in the playoffs because of his refusal to use his bench players more in the regular season. It finally caught-up with him as we had only a few able bodies left to finish the playoff.
I say to move Joe Johnson means to move him, Woody and Bibby and build around Josh and Al Horford with Flip as your main supporting cast.
crs
May 12th, 2009
12:28 pm
I hope Lawson from UNC drops to us. I love his ability to push the ball. A big needs to be addressed via free agency or a trade. The last thing this team needs is another big to develop.
The hawks need to go out and find someone to tutor Josh, Zaza, Al, and Soloman on some low post moves, our bigs are far too eager to settle for jumper they can’t shoot effectively.
Jeff Schultz
May 12th, 2009
12:28 pm
Hawks73: Thanks… I like Murray also. I also like Marvin, but not sure about team’s feelings on him. I guess we’ll find out soon since he’s unsigned.
MrFill: Sorry. Next time I’ll try to insert a flashing yellow light.
Brian: I’m not banging a “Get Rid Of Him!” drum. I’m saying it’s something the team needs to explore.
Ed: Did you ever Joe isn’t the first player to face a double team?
Ellis: Thanks. I’ll keep it quiet that we agreed.
Ayanna: Joe Johnson – Dominique Wilkins? Not a parallel. … I do agree with you that Al’s play tailed off of late, but I attribute that to his ankle. And I’m sure you noticed the difference with the team in the paint when he wasn’t in the lineup.
Cursive: You’re right, that’s worse. I thought he said “father.” Stepfather? Oy.
Ayanna
May 12th, 2009
12:29 pm
Get rid of Joe and the Hawks will no longer get anymore of my money. It’d would remind me too much of when they let Dominique go.
J
May 12th, 2009
12:30 pm
Schutlz, you show up for a few Playoff games, and think getting rid of joe is the answer? once again, bad reporting … this is what needs to happen:
Woody needs to stop playing joe so many minutes during the regular season, and we need to find a better bench than Mo Evans and Acie Law … resign West, Flip, Pachulia for sure
I mean, the guy was hurt, and not to downplay how poorly he performed, but that has a huge impact. Did you ever plays sports Schultz? guess not!
David Smith
May 12th, 2009
12:33 pm
The hawks disappointed me in this series but, joe’s lackluster play disappointed me the most. When joe first came here in 2005 i thought we had robbed phoenix blind (although diaw did have a decent first year there) because of his size and sweet stroke from outside. Four years later we are still being teased with a team that has improved record wise but, not fundamentally. Joe just doesn’t have an sense of urgency in his game and passed up shots he should have taken instead of other players. Josh may be a bit immature at times but, at least he showed a willingness to play hard on both ends of the floor. I would hate to see joe go (woody needs to go first) but, if we can get someone of equal value i say make the deal.
Ayanna
May 12th, 2009
12:33 pm
Jeff, Al’s ankle sure stayed hurt a long time. I just don’t buy it. I just really believe he was faking. Call that women’s intuition. I believe
Spud Webb
May 12th, 2009
12:34 pm
Flip was GREAT, Pachulia, West & Evans all played as hard as they could. LOVED it, loved seeing Solo play also. Whats the deal w/Acie? Is he a bust or what, someone let me know on that?
What was up with tito, doh, Al throwing up a few airballs last night? UGH, I didnt know what was going on!
J
May 12th, 2009
12:35 pm
we’ve waited this long for a playoff team, and now that we have the pieces getting put together, you write we should trade joe and possibly kill the momentum?
If anything, we should subtract the pieces that didn’t help us get there and build around what’s there … getting rid of Joe is not the answer, unless you’re making way for Lebron or Kobe … Joe is unselfish and does great in team play. It would be nice for him to get upset every now and then against the non-calls he gets but he’s a role model athlete for our children and somebody who works hard and does what he needs to do for the team
J. J.
May 12th, 2009
12:36 pm
IT’S THE COACH…AND JOE WAS NEVER A “GREAT”…WAKE UP…
JOSH SMITH IS THE STRONG ONE FOR THE TEAM; HE ALWAYS PLAYS WITH ZEAL AND TO WIN…
GET RID OF JOE AND MAKE JOSH THE “LEAD MAN”…
THE HAWKS WOULD EXCEL MORE WITH A NEW AND MODERN COACH…
WHE WILL YOU LEAN, HAWKS OWNERS?
RealSquawk
May 12th, 2009
12:36 pm
Hawk Eye I doubt the grizzlies we give up those two players.
And Marvin might look sloppy going to the basket, but at least he doesn’t loose the ball. At least he knows how to create contact.
As previously stated when Joe went down we went to MArvin and he picked up the slack. And you know what happened all the ball handling and stuff MArvin had to do caused him to cramp up. That’s not an oops on Marvin thats an oops on the coach and kudos to Joe JOhnson for being able to do it for a whole season.
I am not sure we should trade anyone. I mean Josh matches up well with KG. He just needs to develop his moves going to the right and his right hand, while also improving his moves going to the left since he only has one, while also improving his jump shot. and his dribbling and his IQ and his passion. Maybe we should trade him. Wait he is a native nevermind.
Josh I know you were talking about all the records we broke this year. None that will matter in the big scheme of things, but you did make the history books. YOu helped Cleveland become the first team to sweep the two first rounds and have every win be in double digits.
Congratulations for being on the wrong-side of history. Did Lebron sign your jersey or his. Is Delonte going to sign that poster for you?
freshd
May 12th, 2009
12:37 pm
If the HAWKS are gonna keep J-SMOOVE, then someone needs to teach him the fundamentals of dribbling the basketball, because he is horrible, and why don”t the point guard or “Captain JOE” take it from him. He was a joke last night when he brought the ball up and then turned it over at a critical time. Also hire CURLY NEAL as an assitant to work with JOSH.
Peter
May 12th, 2009
12:37 pm
Wow how many years are we rebuilding ? I would try to keep Joe Johnson and rework his contract………..that way we can free cap room. If he won’t do that trade him with Marvin.
We need a point, How many years have we said that ???????? Even more importantly a BIG…..not sure what to do with Bibby, but if you can keep him for $5 Million I would………defensively he stinks !
AC Law, and Speedy have to go…….Flip should stay along with Zaza,
We need a new offensive system…… perhaps a different Assistant coash to work on that ?
J. J.
May 12th, 2009
12:37 pm
LEARN OWNERS THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BETTER COACH AND TRADE JOE…
Jeff Schultz
May 12th, 2009
12:38 pm
Ayanna: If it takes that kind of anger for Joe to score 40 points, maybe he should get angry all the time?
Bernie: Thanks for the journalist tag. It beats the hell out of creep or moron.
Scott: I’m not going to throw names out there because, no, I don’t know what they could get. But I know this: Joe has a lot of value to teams looking for a great second or third option on offense. He’s comfortable in that role, doesn’t cause problems and he has an expiring contract. So he has A LOT of value to other teams.
NC Braves: Don’t be fooled. Several teams are/were interested in Josh. But not many are going to go through the process of signing him to an offer sheet when the existing team (Hawks) publicly states it will match any offer. They don’t want to waste their time during the signing period.
EarlWoodsen
May 12th, 2009
12:38 pm
Trade Mike Bibby because Bibbs looks like he is over the hill. Bibby doesnt compete the way he used to when he was in Sacramento. Bibby is much older now and doesnt look much like a consistent player any more. Bibby no longer looks like he is hungry to win. Last night Bibby gets a handful of points, almost nothing in the first half, and was a non-factor. When Bibby played for the Sacramento Kings, Bibby had a bunch of playoff games of 30+ points. Im not pinning this loss on Mike Bibby but Bibby does not play consistently from half to half. In the Miami series, there was one game where Bibby scored 20 in the first half, but scored zero in the second half. You leave the game scratching your head thinking if this guy can score 20 in one half of basketball, why cant he even scratch for two points in the second half. If Bibbys play was consistent in both halves, the Hawks would be flying high. Dont even bring up Josh Smith and his shortcomings. Someone needs to tell Josh Smith that he is not a point guard. Smith continues to dribble the ball up the court and subsequently turn the ball over repeatedly. That has become his trademark and his m.o. Thats all he does these days. The ball is inbounded to Josh Smith, Smith dribbles the ball upcourt as if he is Walt “Clyde” Frazier and then simple kicks the ball out-of-bounds, fumbles the ball until someone takes it from him, or gives it back by turning it over. Josh should also work on his jumpshooting in the offseason. Josh should go to the gym every day and shoot at least 400 jumpers every day. If he does this consistently, Josh has a chance to become an elite player (like a Kobe, Labron, D-Wade or Joe Johnson).
Spud Webb
May 12th, 2009
12:40 pm
Said it before & I’ll say it again, Joe vs Lebron and Wade. Cmon, what did you want the guy to do? Score 30 a game? Isn’t going to happen vs them, they are in another league and unless your name is Koby, you’ve got no shot. Josh did what he was supposed to, dominate lesser players. Great job on Josh’s part.
injuries
May 12th, 2009
12:41 pm
wasn’t joe playing on a badly sprained ankle?
AT
May 12th, 2009
12:42 pm
Yeah J.J., keep fooling yourself, it’s the coach! Josh always plays with a zeal to win!?!? Are you freaking kidding me? When he is interested yes, he plays hard, when he is not, well, he’s nowhere to be seen. The guys is arguably the most uncoachable “star” in the NBA, he doesn’t listen to anyone, not even the 18,000 fans screaming at him not to throw up another ugly brick. Never seen such a clueless player. For someone who’s been in the league as long as him, it’s sad he still can’t figure out what his strengths and weaknesses are.
mj23
May 12th, 2009
12:43 pm
Sounds to me like Steve Belkin had a valid argument back in the summer of 2005. Hawks gave up too much to acquire a good (not great) player. Joe was outstanding with the Suns because Steve Nash was the point guard, and he was the 3rd option there. He got a lot of open looks. This is one of many screw ups by Billy Knight. He drafted Childress over Iguodala, Marvin over CP3, and Shelden over Brandon Roy. Hawks line up could’ve been CP3, Roy, Iguodala, Jsmoove, and Horford. We would’ve been one of the elite teams in the NBA. Hawks sucked for 10 years, and this is what we get in return?
Scott
May 12th, 2009
12:43 pm
All the Joe defenders bringing up that he was double teamed are proving the point to trade him. Your superstar and number one option should not be able to be shut down that easily. The way he handled (or didn’t) the double teams is the issue. Joe never adjusted, never got the ball moving before the double team collapsed on him, never found the open man created by the double team. I watched him react the same way for 11 games, by dribbling back out until he could get it to someone 5 feet behind the 3 line.
Speaking of coaching, would someone please explain the Hawks offense? Bibby brings it up, who gives it to Josh, Al, ZaZa behind the 3 point line who then give it to Joe, who tries to break down the defense and then throws it back out with 5 sec on the shot clock. Why are my bigs handling the ball behind the 3-point line? Do I want to run the offense through them that far out? Why are they so far away from the paint?
J
May 12th, 2009
12:44 pm
wow, i just some above comments, and glad i’m not the only one who’s been attending the games and know what Joe does for this team … i’ll keep blogging about this bad reporting … this is downright awful that this gets printed in the paper. Yeah, negative stuff sells but so do facts. You can’t just start following a team and think you know everything, and then write about it, and then have people who don’t necessarily watch the Hawks but who are coming onboard read this crap and take it for the truth … oh wait, i guess you can … ugh, this is so horrible … our city deserves better sports writers who actually care about the teams, and watch them instead of this garbage that’s being released. I’ll have to revert abck to reading Sekou’s Blogs I guess. It just irked me the wrong way to see these headlines and then actually read something that’s not even fairly justified.
Jeff Schultz
May 12th, 2009
12:45 pm
CRS: You make a good point about minutes and fatigue.
Avery Brooks: For what it’s worth, I think Steve Smith would be a great guy in the front office. So would other teams.
Somebody Had to Say It: You agree with me? There’s hope for world peace yet! I like Josh, Al and Flip as starting points for any team.
CRS: I’d take Lawson. But how about Jarret Jack?
J: You’re right. I’ve actually never even watched a basketball game live until just the other night. … And does hopscotch count as a sport because, like, yeah, I played that. Wasn’t very good though.
Ayanna: Al Horford faking? Really?
The double team
May 12th, 2009
12:46 pm
In order to properly respond to the double team you have to have movement. If your teammates don’t move then the double team is effective. When we did double Lebron he knew where his teammates were going to be. Not because he is Lebron, but probably because they have their spots they know where to go
Ayanna
May 12th, 2009
12:47 pm
Joe sure was playing on a badly sprained ankle. And scored 20 or more points. I saw him limping on Saturday too. He’s my warrior of the series. I wonder if Rick Kamla would agree.
Jeff Schultz
May 12th, 2009
12:50 pm
Earl: Bibby won’t be traded. He’s a free agent. He’ll either be re-signed or not.
MJ23: Surprised it took this long for the first Steve Belkin reference. Not sure but I think you means you’re off the Christmas card list of every other Atlanta Spirit owner.
J
May 12th, 2009
12:50 pm
mj23 – no, the line-up wouldn’t have looked like that … those draft picks came b/c of poor play by the Hawks, and you should slap yourself for even saying something that retarded … had the Hawks drafted Chris Paul, we wouldn’t have seen Horford or any of those other players. Also, back in 2005, the talk was about Marvin, not Chris Paul, so it’s easy to say that after the fact. The only thing i will agree with was the Sheldon pick … that one could have gone better, even though BK was trying to get a big man.
Green Tea
May 12th, 2009
12:50 pm
No Schultz, you don’t trade Joe, you just bring in a #1 guy. Case in point Boston in KG. It is time for Atlanta to get that top tier guy like ‘Nique was. Joe can be the Scotty Pippen to ______ Michael Jordan.
Dan
May 12th, 2009
12:51 pm
Hey, Scott…you know what all of us “Joe defenders” have in common? We actually watch this team play their games. So….
Nice how you throw in the ol’ “what’s our plan on offense” line. Try getting your ideas from someplace other than 790 The Zone. Original thought can be a good thing…
Ayanna
May 12th, 2009
12:52 pm
Scott, a lot of the times when JJ was doubled the Hawks were slow to come over to help him get it out. They don’t call it a team for nothing.
J
May 12th, 2009
12:53 pm
Hopscotch … i could see you getting into that, and actually giving us some real good reporting then … seriously though, why write about trading Joe? If you know better, you know the facts on why Joe was dead come playoffs, just like last year … Woody rode his butt all the way to the playoffs … unless you were just trying to get people like me upset about writing the article in the first place, then you did your job
mark
May 12th, 2009
12:55 pm
trading joe would be a big mistake, we need new leadership with this team, mw has reached his peak with this team,he didnt the best he could do, they need to hear a new message. keep flip. if necesary let bibby go.resign or snt marvin. up grade our coaching staff, and explore free agentency. we are stiil relatively young. and believe with a little tweaking and a good coach we still be in the house. i am proud of where this team has come from in five years. i m proud of the progress we’ve made this year. looking forward to the future
BugKiller
May 12th, 2009
12:56 pm
Did some idiot on here claim that Al Horford was FAKING his injury???
What the unholy hell is wrong with some of stupid people?
Are you the same people who believed Soviet Premier Obama was responsible for gas prices going down, giving him credit, and now have absolutely nothing to say (and no one to blame) now that prices are going up, and will hit $4.00 this summer again?
Are you the same stupid, gullible people who elected the single-least experienced candidate ever for President based upon two inane buzzwords that have no meaning whatsoever?
I think so.
I really do.
Because anyone claiming Al Horford, the ONLY man on the Hawks roster who’s actually taking this loss hard, the single-most competative athlete in Atlanta not named Matt Ryan, is an utter fool.
A damned fool.
A maroon, as Bugs Bunny would say.
Wow… and I think I’d heard everything.
E
May 12th, 2009
12:56 pm
The Hawks in no way will entertain the thought of trading Joe Johnson. Sorry Jeff, good way to get people to read your column, but its unrealistic, with the money they will have to build the team this off-season. The Hawks will be $20 million under the salary cap, when Mike Bibby and Za-Za’s contracts come off the books. They will probably offer Speedy Claxton a buyout or trade his expiring $5 million contract to a team trying to get under the cap for the 2010 free agency sweepstakes. The Hawks will be in great position to go after restricted and unrestricted free agents. I wouldn’t offer M.Bibby a contract, even at a reduced price. He’s 32 and a liability on defense. I would go after one of the young point guards who will be restricted free agents, like Raymond Felton or Jarrett Jack.
Marvin Williams will be a restricted free agent, I would offer him a contract in about the $ 7-8 million range, it won’t be many teams trying to steal him away this off-season. Lastly, I would go after a young true Center, that can rebound and play defense. Like a Chris Andersen from Denver or a power forward like Paul Millsap from Utah who will be a restricted free agents. I would only keep Za Za at a reduced price as a back up Center. But what do I know, I’m no GM……..
J
May 12th, 2009
12:59 pm
I’ve been a season ticket holder since 0506 when we got Joe (they had some great specials then like they do now) and I’ve been watching him every step of the way … you can’t trade this guy, nor Josh Smith (thankfully signed), nor horford, west, pachulia, or west … if anything, it’s the coach … Bradley had the best quote I’ve seen when he mentioned what Bibby said back to Woody one night after Josh was wide open for a three and missed again … if you didn’t read it, i’m sure it’s archived somewhere but it flat out shows that we need a better coach and validates what so many of us are saying about how this team could be more effective given the right coaching …
Ayanna
May 12th, 2009
12:59 pm
I did.LOL Al Horford was f-a-k-i-n-g that injury or at least milking it as far as it could go. Al Horford is not the leader of the Hawks team. Some other idiot stated that he was the leader of the Hawks team. I’m still laughing at that! HAHAHAHAHA!
Ayanna
May 12th, 2009
1:02 pm
Al Horford was scared to play Ilguaskas and Jermaine Oneal. That’s where Zaza came in. We don’t call him Rocky Balboa for nothing. Zaza is my warrior for the first round.
BugKiller
May 12th, 2009
1:03 pm
Wow, Jeff… please set this person straight.
Anyone who even thinks Al Horford was or ever has faked an injury is the same kind of “needs psychiatric help” people as all those “Free Mike Vick” morons.
Seriously, Ayanna… you really believe that “Gets out of the way” Joe Johnson (as in lead, follow, or get out of the way) is even half the kind of leader that Horford is.
Look again, how this team fell apart with your boy Joe healthy, and Horford hurt.
Please, Jeff, tell this woman how insane she is, and the offer her your shrink’s number so she can get some help.
Someone this unbalanced shouldn’t be in the general population.
mj23
May 12th, 2009
1:04 pm
J: I would trade Horford and Marvin for CP3. He is that good, and what about passing on Iguodala for Childress? I was soo made when they drafted Childress. I never like those Stanford guys like Adam Keefe.
Scott
May 12th, 2009
1:06 pm
Dan… I can’t stand 790 either, but got the “What’s our plan on offense” line sitting in 316. Thanks for bringing nothing to the table. I was expecting something like, “In watching them play the games, it creates a mis-match that Joe can then exploit”, or “It opens up Al’s jumper from the free throw line”. But hey, what you said is good too…
Ayanna… Valid point about teammates helping out. This is one case where I think the teams injury situation effected them. Bench guys moving back and forth in the lineup can’t help the offensive flow. But the team did bail him out in 3 of those wins in the Mia series.
DMC
May 12th, 2009
1:07 pm
Hey Jeff. How about Josh (and change – mayby rights to Chilldress) to TOR for Bosh? I’d have to think they’d grab that deal since Bosh is out the door at the end of the season whereas they’d have Smith locked up for 3 more. Hawks get a BIG upgrade at the 4, then use the cash they save (that has to be reserved for Chills and for dumping Speedy) to find a real PG solution. Massage the depth on the bench and they are a much more competitive team next year.
J
May 12th, 2009
1:10 pm
I would trade now for Chris Paul, but back then, nobody was talking about Chris Paul … that’s why i said it’s easy to say that now … plus, you know if we did get CP3 then, we would not be in the position we are now … Iguodala just started blossoming too, so it’s pretty much the same sceneario … the only bust was Sheldon, and we were all dumbfounded when that pick happened, especially when we needed a point guard at the time … you always about other teams when we beat them, it’s b/c of our long/atheltic guys … you can thank BK for that, even though i disliked the guy b/c he never talked to the media (which is why the media bad-mouthed him all the time)
JD
May 12th, 2009
1:12 pm
J – Joe sure was dead come playoff time. Look at the last few games that he actually played in. 24, 30, 25, 21 points. One more game isn’t going to cause a gigantic drop in performance.
And JS is just throwing out some opinions and viewpoints for what could happen this offseason. What would make it good “reporting”? If he just repeated “Whoo! Go Hawks!”
Coach Carter
May 12th, 2009
1:12 pm
Lets not be hasty here…we need a point guard that can push the ball up court(ben gordan),play defense(ben gordan)is a free agent this year!,then go get a big man in the draft by trading future drafts to move up to get someone like the big kid from connecticut.keep all our pieces in check minus bibby.im even good going after a top notch coach who maybe available.