Face Off: Hawks need to get the point — and it’s Rafer Alston
Rafer Alston is giving the thumbs down to staying in Orlando.
Read Mark Bradley’s view: Say goodbye to Marvin Williams, hello to Caron Butler
There is a point guard who just started for a team that reached the NBA finals — and he’s available. He also comes with a contract considered Atlanta Spirit budget-friendly. Hello?
The Hawks shouldn’t re-sign Mike Bibby. They should trade for Orlando’s Rafer Alston. He requires less of an investment than Bibby and might get them further in the playoffs. Look what he just did for the Magic?
I know. The Hawks finally got good again. The last thing you want to do is blow things up. But this isn’t a razing as much as it’s a needed remodel. (See ajc.com photo gallery.)
There’s a pretty good chance that we’ve seen as far as this Hawks team can go. They survived a seven-game series with Miami in round one. But they were waxed by Cleveland in the second round, and it turned out the Cavaliers weren’t nearly as dominant as everybody believed. Something needs to change.
Bibby, who is about to become a free agent, will not get a contract close to the $15.2 million he made last season. But he still will require a longer and more expensive commitment than Alston (one year left at $5.25 million), who is likely to be traded. The Magic needs the payroll relief so it can re-sign Hedo Turkoglu. The team acquired Alston in February only because they needed to replace the injured Jameer Nelson.
Even Alston suspects a trade might be coming — and he doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. That’s probably Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy made the questionable decision to give the just-rehabbed and rusty Nelson extensive playing time in the finals. “I always think I’m going to be traded,” Alston said (but then he has changed teams five times). “I don’t know. I think [teams] don’t respect my point guard abilities. That’s every team I’ve been on.”
After being traded by Houston, Alston started the rest of the regular season for Orlando and all 23 games in the playoffs. The Magic took out Philadelphia, then Boston and then the expected unstoppable force, Cleveland, in six games. In the key Game 4 win, when the Magic took a 3-1 series lead, Alston contributed 26 points, four assists and two steals. He also scored 20 points in Orlando’s only finals win over Los Angeles.
The Hawks probably have a core. We’re just not really sure what it is. Al Horford is a definite keeper. Josh Smith should be a definite keeper, drama and trade rumors notwithstanding. Joe Johnson will be going into the final year of his contract. But he had another disappointing post-season and this isn’t the time for long-term commitments.
Alston does not possess Bibby’s scoring ability. But he’s a better defender and can penetrate, which is what the Hawks need. And unlike the scenario of re-signing Bibby to a multi-year contract, acquiring Alston affords management flexibility after next season. A trade wouldn’t be difficult because Alston is 32 and expendable. Even then, they have pieces to move, starting with Marvin Williams. (One suggestion: Keep hope alive with Acie Law for one more season.)
Bottom line: If the Hawks really want to see how much this three-man “core” can accomplish, it makes more sense to do it with Alston than Bibby.
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125 comments Add your comment
Fuffar
June 17th, 2009
11:33 am
i LIKE THIS IDEA, WE SHOULD OFFER THEM JUST ACIE LAW FOR ALSTON. I THINK ORLANDO WILL TAKE THAT BECAUSE THEY NEED JUST A BACKUP GUARD AT THIS POINT.
The Dust
June 17th, 2009
11:36 am
JOSH SMITH MUST GO!
hmmm...
June 17th, 2009
11:37 am
don’t you think the hawks need a center? Why not bring in a wallace and slide everyone down a spot well AL and josh. and trade marvin and/or acie. when does speedy’s contract expire??
HawkKingBibby
June 17th, 2009
11:41 am
Speedy and pick #19 matches up perfect salary wise and save Orlando some payroll both on Speedys insurance and paying pick 29 ( I think thats Orlando’s pick) is less than 19.
Chea
June 17th, 2009
11:41 am
I’m not sure about this one. The reason Acie Law never played is because Woody runs no pick-and-rolls and needs his guards to be great spot-up shooters. Alston is not one, so I don’t see how he’s going to replace Bibby in Woody’s system. Replace Woody, and then we can talk about PGs with suspect jumpshots.
Brendan
June 17th, 2009
11:44 am
I love this proposal Jeff! Let’s hope Rick Sund makes it happen!
scoopj
June 17th, 2009
11:45 am
this is an excellent idea and a great place to start
dap01
June 17th, 2009
11:48 am
Good idea, please don’t sacrifice the future of the hawks by signing a diminishing PG like Bibby.
gdg73
June 17th, 2009
11:48 am
What is this “another disappointing post-season for Joe Johnson” crap you have been spewing for the last couple of days. When was the first disappointing postseason. i asked this question the other day and still haven’t gotten a response from you. Could it be that you have no clue.
Jonathan
June 17th, 2009
11:52 am
Schultz I really would like to know why u keep saying Joe Johnson had ANOTHER bad postseason well I don’t know about u but I think without Joe there would be no postseason. And although Joe didn’t have a great postseason this year he had a great one last year (that is why I don’t understand why u keep saying another bad postseason Joe did great last postseason vs Boston). So basically my point is u let go Joe no more playoffs for the hawks (Atlanta sports teams love to get rid of stars Domonique, Deion Sanders, All of the great Braves Pitchers, Mike Vick, Andrew Jones, and Brett Favre Can we for once keep a good player in Atlanta gosh)
HawkKingBibby
June 17th, 2009
11:57 am
OOPs nevermind Orlando doesnt have a 1st round pick. Still give them Speedy and pick 19.
edward
June 17th, 2009
12:00 pm
No way do I want Rafer Alston on the hawks unless its to be our backup point guard and only for Acie Law. The 19th pick too? Sorry HawkKingBibby, that is WAY too much. Wouldn’t mind though for us to draft Ty Lawson or Eric Maynor and maybe have Alston starting until Lawson or Maynor are ready. Alston might have had a couple good games, especially game 4 vs cleveland, but look at the rest of the games he played in the playoffs. He does not shot the ball well and there is a reason teams have traded him so much.
darrell starks
June 17th, 2009
12:05 pm
We have acie law.
GO HAWKS!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
12:07 pm
FUFFAR: Don’t know if Orlando would do that deal straight. But obviously it depends on the trade market. Could be other teams interested, given Alston only has only a year left.
THE DUST: Why?
HMMM: Yeah. I think the Hawks need a center. But I refuse to campaign for one until the Thrashers get one!
HAWKKINGBIBBY: I think there’s a real chance Speedy might come into play here. Insurance would pay salary next year and Magic gets an expiring contract (which teams love).
BRENDAN, SCOOPJ, DAP01: Thanks.
E. Tampa Ironworse
June 17th, 2009
12:09 pm
At the end of the day…the Hawks actually HAVE all the role players they need. They need the ONE star. Joe…nope. Josh…see Joe. You put a big time player with these current Hawks…you put a LEADER with the Hawks and they can go a long way. When they Woodson, during the playoffs, who would lead this team…he didn’t have a “one guy” answer. So like quarterbacks…when you have 2, you have none. When you have 5 guys that MIGHT be leaders, you don’t have any leaders. So until they get one, there’s out in the cold. Oh, to have Chris Paul right now.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 17th, 2009
12:09 pm
When has Rafer Alston ever been a reliable starter? Even this year as soon as someone challenged him for playing time he started whining. He’s always had questionable shot selection and has never been the steady hand you need at the point guard position. On a good team, he really should be coming off the bench. When Bibby and Jason Kidd are free agents, it makes no sense to go after Alston to fill your point guard needs.
Art Vandelay
June 17th, 2009
12:10 pm
For the life of me, I can’t understand all the passion in these comments for keeping Acie Law as our starting PG. Sure, he’s probably capable of more than Woodson has let him show, but let’s get real here — Law is a borderline NBA player at best, and not in any position to be a starter on a team with hopes of real success. I agree that Woodson has probably been a little too heavy-handed with him, but from what I’ve seen, Acie hasn’t really earned much playing time, either. I’d be fine with him sticking around as a backup (either to Bibby, or to Alston as Jeff suggests), but the day Acie Law IV is the Hawks’ starting PG is the day I finally accept the fact that this franchise has no hope.
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
12:16 pm
GDG73: The first disappointing post-season was last season (save one game vs. Celtics). The second disappointing post-season was this season. Look at the numbers. Whether Joe was worn down or injured, I dunno. But he did not distinguish himself as a difference-maker in the playoffs, and when I’ve written that most readers have agreed. But I have no problem with you disagreeing. That doesn’t mean I don’t like Joe as a player. He’s just not up in the class of centerpiece player. My opinion.
JONATHAN: See above.
EAST TAMPA: Sure, the Hawks can get Chris Paul. All they need to do is give up…um…well …no, they can’t get Chris Paul.
ART VANDELAY: I don’t necessarily disagree with you. I’d just like to see Acie Law play more to see what he is. I have no idea. But I wouldn’t be crushed if he was dealt, either.
Long Lost Hawk Fan
June 17th, 2009
12:25 pm
The problem with the 3 man “core” is that 2 of that core fit the same role. Horford and Smith are both best suited for #4 role. If Horford is really the best building block on the roster, given Josh’s perceived attitude issues, then you have to find a way to get your best player slotted where he best fits. That means a center is priority target. If you find a good center available for trade, and it takes Josh to get it done, pull the trigger and you really accomplish 2 goals with that move. I personally love Josh’s huge potential, but Horford looks more the team player with more attainable upside. That would still leave you exposed at point, but some suggestions on here make sense, even using Marvin as trade bait for that piece. If you cannot locate a top tier center, you still find some way to get Horford out of the 5, with an atleast serviceable center, and put all your efforts into the point guard with a great shot, but Josh would be off the table in that scenario. Horford and Josh playing together as dual #4’s could be interesting but only if you have some serious outside shooting to free them up near the basket.
adam
June 17th, 2009
12:27 pm
Trade for Alston, and take SG Jodie Meeks at 19 in the draft. Meeks is capable of becoming a big time scorer on the wing alongside Joe Johnson. Alston is younger and is a better distributor than Bibby.
Mac
June 17th, 2009
12:27 pm
Uh, Jeff. Speedy Claxton. Hello? Point guard solved and use the Bibby money for something else … you know, Spirit legal fees or something.
Mark C.
June 17th, 2009
12:27 pm
I like Alston, but the Hawks need a PG that can knock down open shots from outside. That’s not Alston’s game.
John
June 17th, 2009
12:32 pm
Jeff,
One problem. Bibby was the only consistent kick-out shooter the Hawks had during the post season. Without his shooting, the Hawks lose to the Heat in round 1. Without a legitimate 3-pt threat, teams will pack the lane forcing more Josh Smith jump shots and traffic for JJ to navigate – neither is an appealing scenario. Clearly, anyone who watched the Magic-Lakers series will agree that Rafer Alston is not a legitimately consistent long-range threat.
Now – if can combine the Bradley scenario (Caron Butler for Marvin Williams) and sign Rafer Alston to less money than Bibby – I think it makes sense. However, never know what kind of team chemistry issues that creates.
Mac
June 17th, 2009
12:33 pm
You know, one of these days Woodson and Sund are going to open a broom closet at Phillips Arena, see Speedy Claxton there behind the mops and do a V-8 to their foreheads. Billy Knight can’t have been wrong about Craig.
Pete Orr
June 17th, 2009
12:39 pm
Are you going for the all knucklehead team?
Josh Smith and Alston in your starting 5 with Woodson as coach?? If you want to write how one of them is pouting every other week when something doesn’t go their way or question Woodson(which is understandable), then it would be a good trade.
Dan
June 17th, 2009
12:43 pm
Problem we need allstars not someone elses backup to be our starter? Look we are not getting to the finals with scrubs..
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
12:44 pm
LONG LOST HAWK FAN: You wouldn’t like Josh at the 3? He’d dominate small forwards inside (assuming you stop letting him shoot outside).
MAC: Funny visual. And did you say Billy Knight couldn’t have been wrong about something?
PETE ORR: We’re not talking long-term commitment. For one year I think Alston would be fine because he’d be in a contract year. KEY factor.
Darrin "The Vent King"
June 17th, 2009
12:45 pm
I said this same thing about Rafer Alston to a friend of mine during the Finals. I agree totally. But how would Woodson affect this is what I wonder about. Would accept Alston? Does it matter if he’s not going to be here long term? I think outside the point guard issue we have, dealing with the coaching situation is 2nd on the list.
Cleveland
June 17th, 2009
12:50 pm
I definately like you idea better thatn Mark Bradleys. I agree Bibby should go and the team needs to be more up tempo. I still think that Law is the answer at point. Given playing time he could be as good as many of the point guards in the game. He may not be the three point treat, but is a better defender and is capable of gettin to the hoop.
We shoulg go after the Orlando backup center, move Harford to the four and make Josh Smith to sixth man. What team in the east can match him with a bench player if he is play in the four.
Starters == Law/Murrary at point, Joe at two, Marvin at three, Harford at four, Gartin at center.
Bench == Law/Murrary, Josh Smith, ZaZa, Mo Evans
Hedo Fan
June 17th, 2009
12:53 pm
Why isn’t anyone talking about the Hawks signing Hedo Turkoglu?? The guy was clearly Orlando’s best player in the playoffs (Howard included) and is a match-up nightmare for opponents. As between re-signing Bibby for $10M (he made $15M last year) and signing Turkoglu for $10+M (he made 7.3M last year), I’ll take Hedo any day. That signing also gives us the flexibility to let Marvin walk.
ATL_LOVE
June 17th, 2009
12:55 pm
PG problem: I’m fine with experimenting with Acie and Lawson at the one if we can find a bonafide center. I’d hate to break the bank with Bibby knowing that JJ will be a free agent next year along with Bosh, Kobe, Lebron, Wade.
Center problem: If we can save $$ at PG then we can contend for a good center. If we want the problem fixed this year we can either package Marvin + Speedy and go after a decent one or wait for Bosh next year.
Coaching problem: Regardless of the top 2 moves, coaching can kill it all. We need to find someone cabable to taking this talent to the next level. IT’S NOT WOODSON.
scott
June 17th, 2009
12:55 pm
Jeff -
I don’t think it’s a good idea to get an oftentimes emotionally unstable an cranky guy to be the PG/floor leader for a young team.
This team needs veteran leadership at the point, not this guy. he succeeded in Orlando because he was surrounded by professionals like Hedo and Rashad Lewis. We dont need a guy more petulant than Zaza being our floor general.
Kmjs
June 17th, 2009
12:57 pm
Jeff – what happened to the ‘trade for Jarret Jack’ talk that was brought up immediately after our playoffs ended? Is that no longer a possibility?
Rick Sund
June 17th, 2009
12:58 pm
Hmmm – acquire a point guard via trade? I had not yet considered that as a feasible option. I was going to focus solely on the free agent market, since that’s how we signed our “point guard of the future” Speedy Claxton a few years back at the behest of Atlanta Spirit ownership (minus Steve Belkin – that guy’s such a goofball).
As it turned out, Speedy Claxton has been more like Broken Claxton – if only this were fantasy basketball, he would have hit the waiver wire already!! Anyway, I figured we would have better luck this time around since people are always saying there’s a 50/50 chance of things working out.
All in all, I have thoroughly reviewed your column and you do raise a very fascinating concept, Mr. Schultz. You AJC sports columnists have really stepped up your suggestions lately. Give your colleague Mark Bradley a high-five the next time you see him, on my behalf. I will consult with my management team (i.e. ownership) and look into the prospects of such a possibility (i.e. I need their sign-off on any expense over $10 because our ownership situation has been a bit hairy over the past few years).
Best greetings,
Richard Sund
General Manager, Atlanta Hawks
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
1:05 pm
DARRIN VENT KING: Coaches coach for today, not tomorrow, Woodson included.
CLEVELAND: For the money team’s paying Josh, he’s not going to be on the bench. Nor should he be. I’ll take him at the 3.
HEDO FAN: Hello, $$$$$$? Not happening here.
SCOTT: “Unstable” might be a little strong — cranky sometimes, yes. But like I noted above, I think there’s something to be said for last-contract-year motivatiion.
KMJS: I fully endorse the Jarret Jack idea. But I think this is more realistic from an ownership/management perspective, given finances and long-term commitment.
RICK: Mazel Tov!
bird
June 17th, 2009
1:06 pm
There’s got to be a better option out there other than Rafer Alston. He would make a great back-up though.
Hedo Fan
June 17th, 2009
1:10 pm
Jeff: Signing Hedo actually SAVES the Hawks $$. Hawks paid Bibby $15M last season and it will not take $15M to sign Hedo. Plus, with Hedo around, we don’t need Marvin and his contract anymore. A lineup of Acie/Flip, Joe, Hedo, Josh and Al would be a strong contender.
Daniel
June 17th, 2009
1:13 pm
Rafer Alston is NOT the answer at point guard for the Hawks. Just read your own article Jeff. Rafer is always being traded because teams don’t value his abilities at point. Yes, he helped the Magic get to the finals, but he was surrounded by a deeper more talented team than the Hawks currently have. I dunno one decent second half of the season with a few nice playoff games do not outweigh five years in the league as being a journeyman. This move screams Speedy Claxton to me. I know you are going to say but the contract is better. Well, yes but the contract doesn’t play, and this team needs to be better next season before the year of the free agent and the whole league gets turned upside down. We have to become a legit destination next year or we will be lost in mediocrity for another 5 years.
NoleRick
June 17th, 2009
1:18 pm
Hell bring in Hedo and Rafer…lol
a1andonly
June 17th, 2009
1:20 pm
Hey Jeff, what do you think about Wayne Ellington? Do you think he could fit somewhere into the future of the Hawks?
Hatertots
June 17th, 2009
1:25 pm
Jeff- I’m afraid you’ve contracted a severe case of Jannero Pargo Syndrome. JPS is a terrible affliction that affects thousands each year, convincing them that unproductive career backups can become successful starters, usually after witnessing a couple of anamalous high-scoring playoff game performances. JPS induces selective amnesia, causing forgetfulness of terrible performances like 3 pts on 1-10 shooting in the ECF or 13-45 shooting combined in four Finals losses.
My recommendation to you is a strong dose of Ramon Sessions, a Milwaukee second year PG and RFA who is not only better, bigger, and much, much younger than Alston, he’s also not expected to cost much more to sign than Rafer.
Here’s a sample.
jpmoney
June 17th, 2009
1:25 pm
Dummies, why do you want to break up what is working. If you can get Alston for little then make the trade, but not at the expense of losing your best players for a 32 yr old point guard.
T-Dogg
June 17th, 2009
1:26 pm
Jeff your idea is wack!!! Teams get better with time. The Hawks have gradually gotten better throuhgout the past three years, first making the playoffs in 08′ and then to the second round in 09′. They should try their best to keep all of the starters, get a dominant Center, move Al to PF, and get great role and bench players that understand the meaning of a team. If they were to make any trade they should think of acquiring the hometown boy Dwight Howard.
Daniel
June 17th, 2009
1:31 pm
T-Dogg- you had me going until you got to the point where we should trade for Howard. Dude, you are right while we are at it lets get, Tony Parker, Lebron and Kobe too. Heck, let’s just take the entire olympic team and put them on the Hawks. Yeah, that is what we should do.
Manny
June 17th, 2009
1:32 pm
I liked the idea, but I wanted it to fester because I was seeing Skip2mylou doing good things in the Finals. But I like his game. He can bury the 3. He can penetrate. He can defend.
The downside is that he can break down mentally, and needs to constantly be coached up. And I don’t see him as a player that would work well with Mike Woodson. He’s too hot in the head.
But Rafer Alston would be a nice fit here, as long as we get a young big man that can run and can get Al and Josh to learn a post-up game.
Tyger
June 17th, 2009
1:34 pm
Just politely say NO! to Schultz’s rantings…
T-Dogg
June 17th, 2009
1:37 pm
Although I do like Rafer, we still shouldn’t get him because a point guard is not our weakness or main need. Besides Rafer is two years older than Bibby and that would only make us older, looking for another point guard sooner. We need more of a dominating center that draws the double team, which would allow for Joe, Mike, Marvin, Josh, Flip, and even Al gain better shots.
Manny
June 17th, 2009
1:37 pm
Doggone it, I just read more information on Rafer Alston. Rafer got a real bad temper, huh?
Uh, this is simple: if you get Rafer Alston, you must package in a Van Gundy at coach, because he can only perform well if there’s a Van Gundy as coach.
ReggieATL
June 17th, 2009
1:42 pm
Why doesn’t Woodson ever play young guards? Wasn’t Acie Law a first round draft pick? Why is he languishing on the bench?? That aside….
Mike Bibby’s an outstanding point guard. So the Hawks need three things (none include Skip to my Lou)
1. A CENTER (this isn’t rocket science. five years into the rebuilding project, we still have five power forwards and zero centers).
2. Another scorer. Josh Smith doesn’t have the work ethic to develop a full game. Marvin Williams is made of peanut brittle. Al Horford rebounds with the best but has the offensive tools of a benchwarmer. Bibby can score. Joe Johnson can score like crazy when he’s not triple teamed. You need someone else who can score to let JJ lose.
3. A new coach. Yeah, I said it. No one can run ‘n gun on a fast break like the soaring hawks. Have you seen their set offense recently? It’s literally embarrasing. Also, have you ever seen someone do a worse job at developing talent? The Hawks are a black hole for lottery picks…every year its the same story…look at all that potential, that scary talent, and then we’re throwing up 70 points in a playoff game. It’s ridiculous.
All I'm Saying
June 17th, 2009
1:46 pm
I agree with you Jeff but priority one has to be to get the big man in the middle problem solved first and then figure out the point. Why? Because there are far more options in the marketplace for the point guard we need than for a 7′ foot defensive oriented man in the middle we have to have to compete in the East given where Dwight Howard is now. We get a big man in the middle then we can slide Al to power forward. (Trade Marvin, Solo, and Speedy’s expiring contract to get either Tyson Chandler from NO (they tried to trade him once so don’t want him clearly), rights to draft Thabeet from Memphis or take Marc Gasol if they offer (Grizzlies need a Marvin type player more than another big man), or Adris Biernis [sp] in Golden State (new GM wants to deal)).
The Hawks have a real window of opportunity in the next couple of years and Acie is not ready so I like Rafer as an alternative. Rafer can definitely play better defense than Bibby (not a compliment), needs to work on consistency with respect to his outside shot but he is a legitimate threat to shoot and make the three, and his decision making on the fast break was suspect during the Finals but at least he now has Finals experience.
I’d keep the Speedy expiring contract option to get the big man in the middle we have to have as that is a valuable chip in the NBA.
Trey J
June 17th, 2009
1:52 pm
I got a deal for you!
Get Mark Jackson or Avery Johnson or Van Gundy to Coach the Hawks!
None of these trades will mean issh if Woody is coaching the team.
Only thing he did different last year was cut his hair.
T-Dogg
June 17th, 2009
1:54 pm
We dont need Rafer.
Daniel
June 17th, 2009
1:56 pm
All I am saying- I love Biedris, but he has a huge contract number that makes trading him so difficult.
Hedo Fan
June 17th, 2009
1:59 pm
Hedo, Hedo, Hedo. This is a no-brainer. Let Bibby go and give his $15M to Hedo, who can shoot, penetrate and even bring the ball up when needed. Hedo was the best player in the Finals not named Kobe Bryant.
Daniel
June 17th, 2009
2:01 pm
Hedo Fan- who is your starting pg then and where does Hedo play? 3/4?
Daniel
June 17th, 2009
2:04 pm
Clevland- Zsa Zsa is already a better player than Gartin. That is a dumb idea. Just like Jeff you are being fooled by mediocre players in the finals.
PerfectSwagger
June 17th, 2009
2:10 pm
I like the Marvin Williams,and Ace Law trade for Butler and Crittenton that would provide is with another playmaker, and a young player ((Crittenton)) that has a little experience and upside to his game. If Josh Smith want’s to leave, I say let him go, because to win in this league you need an inside presence, I think we need to trade him for some notable big men. (( Marc Gasol, Brendon Heywood,)) or to get multiple picks in the draft, to bolster up that depleted bench, free agent Rafer Alston would be on my wish list as well, but if we can get him, i feel like there are Point Guards in the Draft that may be able to start right away that we may be able to get at the pick we are at right now, or via moving up in the draft ((by Trade)) such as: Johnny Flynn, Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, Tyric Evens, Ricky Rubio Brandon Jennings)) personnaly I like Lawson in a Hawks Uniform, because it would give Atlanta the Floor General they need to be successful, and to not depend on Joe Johnson to do everything.
Depressed Hawks Fan
June 17th, 2009
2:20 pm
I think we need a veteran PG that can actually “groom” and play defense. I don’t really know if Rafer Alston is that type of PG. And I agree, Alston wouldn’t fit, because we don’t run any pick n’ rolls. And, what’s up with all the Southeast Division trade idea’s? Bradley had Marvin and Acie going to the Wizards, and Schultz has us trading for Rafer Alston?
Terrell
June 17th, 2009
2:21 pm
For you guts that are getting on Alston. How would you feel if you were playing very well and the coach took you out for the “future” PG that is PRESENTLY struggling in the playoffs? The Magiv lost game 6 because of the suspect defense on Fisher from Nelson. Alston has been playing well and he was upset when the coach took him out when he was doing well, but I guess nobody here is human right? You all would just be happy if you are doing everything you are suppose to do and you get cast aside for someone else who wasn’t playing up to par.
crawdaddy
June 17th, 2009
2:22 pm
Hawks should trade their pick for a center and draft some euro point guard and drop bibby as well.
T-Dogg
June 17th, 2009
2:22 pm
PerfectSwagger it would be great if we could get Ty Lawson in the draft. I still think that Mike is OK until we get more talent on the roster. The Hawks have had problems throughout this decade with having a well-rounded roster. If we really do get rid of Mike, putting Jason Terry back in a Hawks uniform looks beautiful, that dude still can play and lead.
JJ Fan
June 17th, 2009
2:23 pm
Enter your comments here
404atlhoops
June 17th, 2009
2:29 pm
I like Rafer Alston and think he is legitmate starting point guard in the NBA. However, he is not a good fit with the Hawks. Alston goes to the basket but when he does, it is to shoot and not pass. He also lacks a midrange game. Alston only thrives on teams that have a dominant big because it allows him to set up for the three on the weakside when teams double down on the post. If you look at Alston’s career, he played well with Miami when Shaq was still dominant and this season on both Houston and Orlando that have Yao Ming and Dwight Howard respectively. The team Alston struggled playing with was Toronto. He was a bust there because the Raptors lacked (and still do) a true low post threat and defenses were able to play Alston straight up. Personally, I would like the Hawks to draft Eric Maynor at 19.
ben
June 17th, 2009
2:34 pm
Spoken like someone who hasn’t lived in Houston for the past 5 years. Alston will have good games and he will have bad games. They refer to him as “Mr. 4 for 13″ in Houston. We never got out of the first round with him and McGrady, yet were the only team to take the Lakers to 7 games with a youthful Aaron Brooks at the point.
T-Dogg
June 17th, 2009
2:37 pm
This upcoming draft has plenty of talent in the guard department. To be dominant in the NBA you need legitimate BIG men. AL and Josh are nice but their natural positions are PF & SF, respectively. We could get J.J Barea from the Mavs, or a PG out of the free agent pool or draft but we will still need a Big Man. Boston, Orlando, and Cleveland all have Big Men that can play, if we want to make it to the finals then we should make it a priority to get BIG down post.
SN
June 17th, 2009
2:43 pm
Why do folks get on Joe Johnson, he is the main reason they win alot of games. The only reason he doesnt have good playoff numbers is that other team know the easy way to beat the hawks is to double team him and make other people score and since Woodson runs just about the entire offense through Johnson, everyone just stands there and doesnt know what do to when they get the ball.
Get rid of Claxton, 3 yrs and hes probably hasnt played 20 games yet. Marvin Williams is about as good as he is going to get unless he gets a consistent long range jumper. Acie Law will only get better if he gets playing time. Is anyone get rid of Woodosn, and get Avery Johnson or some other coach that knows how to run a young team.
Bumms!!!
June 17th, 2009
2:44 pm
What possibly could the Hawks offer Orlando? The Hawks are a bunch of no talent stiffs!!!!!
JJ Fan
June 17th, 2009
2:46 pm
Bradley, why do you continue to dump on Joe Johnson, this guy is the ONLY reason your beloved Hawks made it to the playoffs. You seem to think that Josh Smith could have led them to this point and if you truly believe that your CLUELESS about this sport. Joe Johnson is a 2 time All Star and was voted in by the Coaches not the fans so, you see the respect that he gets from the coaches and can’t get any love from a sports reporter,WOW. It seems to me that you are a fan not a student of the game, Joe Johnson is your franchise the guy plays hard doesn’t whine or complain he just works. So, since you have this love affair with Josh Smith tell him to get in the gym and work on his mid range game, his handles and could he learn how to play pick and roll and then maybe we have a chance. And yes let’s work on that behavior as well. Joe Johnson is your best player and shouldn’t be dissed by you, a Fan. FYI, if Josh Smith was the best player on the Hawks team why didn’t he see one double team in either series. I would think the best player would demand the double team, I’m sorry I forgot he did, JOE JOHNSON
fanATicaL
June 17th, 2009
2:48 pm
This comes down to the Spirit group and thier decision making.Woody or Alston ? I mean Woody’s coaching style as to guard play. Is open and free playing.No set plays,which is why our half court offense sucks.Espscially,when JJ is tired or shot is off.Under this offense Acie is terrible.He has always run plays not create plays.Alston on the other hand ,always created plays from his And1 days.Keep Bibby and trade for Alston.This will give us 10 more wins,atleast.
As to our center problem.Spend the money and bring David Andersen from the European league. This gives us Dirk N. like play and allows JSmooth and Horford.To continue to learn to play together and defined the offensive goal.
Hedo Fan
June 17th, 2009
2:57 pm
Daniel: If we let Bibby go and sign Hedo, the starting lineup is Acie at point (with a re-signed Flip getting significant mins at PG), Joe at shooting guard, Josh and Hedo at the forward positions and Al playing center. With Hedo shooting and penetrating, Joe will have more room to operate. Having Hedo out on the perimeter shooting threes will also force Josh to play down low where he belongs.
Eagle83
June 17th, 2009
2:58 pm
I could not be less confident in an owner as I am with Spirit Group. They don’t have the money necessary to compete for players in the NBA. We need a Blank, Cuban, Turner type. Let’s hope Belkin wins out in the end.
Gemini
June 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
Rafer Alston can’t shoot! Avg 12 pts in playoffs. Why would you relace Mike Bibby, averaging 13 pts and more experience with Rafer. Van Gun (Jeff) is a loser. Has never won beyond playofs, why do they continue to recycle losers. I agree with get rid of Claxton although they won’t get much but at least they’ll have the money.
Big Ray
June 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
Pretty empty blog.
Who are we trading for Alston? Did you suggest 1 player? Alston is a basketcase who, when things don’t go right for 2 seconds, will complain and antagonize the coach.
Also, he cannot shoot a basketball consistently, or at all, except for that one fluke Cleveland game
Bumms!!!
June 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
hedo is going to Atlanta!!!!!
Homer
June 17th, 2009
3:07 pm
FIRE SCHULTZ!!!
O'brien
June 17th, 2009
3:32 pm
Jeff,
I agree not to resign Bibby. But the problem with signing Alston is that next year, we will be looking for a PG again. Why not just sign a young up and coming PG?
Rafer costs $5.25 mil. You can sign (restricted FA) Jarrett Jack or Ramon Sessions for roughly the same price. (Jack made $2.2 mil last year, Sessions made $800k). Alston is more experienced, but you would only have him for 1 year.
I would prefer to sign Jack or Sessions for 4 years. They’re younger, and they will stick around for a while (not just 1 year).
Reggie Reg
June 17th, 2009
3:34 pm
Can we get a real baller like Aaron Brooks? He is fearless, runs like a rabbit and he has some serious handles. He would be a good fit..let Acie Law and Marvin go. At some point they wil have to address the center issue so Big Al can play his true position. He is simply not an NBA center…
404atlhoops
June 17th, 2009
3:35 pm
Ben,
I think the Rockets not getting out of the first round all of these years is a by product of an ineffective McGrady more so than the production of Alston. After all, he is the superstar. Aaron Brooks played well and Houston went toe-to-toe with a lackadaisical Lakers team. I just think Rafer Alston is a serviceble starting point guard and can help a team win given he is in the right situation that’s all.
ATL_LOVE
June 17th, 2009
3:41 pm
Playing starters extended minutes (hurtful to Bibby, Rafer, and anybody else over 30).
Not developing guards (have to hope we sign someone compatible instead of using the strengths of what we do have).
Total disdain and lack of desire for a big man when it’s apparent that you canNOT get by without one.
How long are we gonna put up with this?
todd
June 17th, 2009
4:14 pm
heres what the Hawks are working on right now:
(nothing)
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
4:15 pm
A1ANDONLY: Ellington’s obviously great athlete and fun player to watch. Still not sure what kind of NBA player he’ll be, or how he would fit with the Hawks, if that’s what you’re asking. They need PG and C. He’s neither.
HATERTOTS: (love the name) “Jannero Pargo Syndrome.” Sounds series. I better go lay down.
JPMONEY: The idea is to get better every year. If you think you can do that with last year’s team, then you don’t make changes. But that will require at least a 3-year deal for Bibby. Are you willing to do that?
TDOGG: “Get a dominant center.” Love that. You make it sound so easy. Anybody in mind. “Dominant centers” aren’t exactly falling out of the sky. And trade for Dwight Howard? Sure. Kobe can pick him up at the airport. Geez. Get real, dude.
DANIEL: Ah, man. Beat me to the punch, didn’t you?
REGGIEATL: Question of the day. Was Acie Law a bad first-round pick, or is Mike Woodson under utilizing him? Answer: Don’t know. Only time will tell.
NCBravesFan
June 17th, 2009
4:17 pm
Jeff – do you think the Magic would deal him to us, since we’re in the same division/conference?
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
4:21 pm
ALL I’M SAYING: Agree on the center need. They’re just hard to get. This one’s easier.
TREYJ: There will be no coaching change this summer. You might as well focus on other areas.
PERFECT SWAGGER: I have not heard anywhere that Josh Smith “wants” to leave, head-banging with Woodson notwithstanding.
DEPRESSED HAWKS FAN: Speaking of the Southeast Division, I like the Capitals again. How ‘bout that Ovechkin, huh?
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
4:28 pm
JJ FAN: Bradley’s the other guy.
BIG RAY: Available: Marvin Williams. Acie Law. Speedy Claxton (salary spot). Draft pick. There’s no shortage of possibilities. Satisfying Orlando won’t be the issue.
HOMER: Thanks for the love.
NCBRAVESFANS: That’s a valid point. But if there’s no equal option to trade him to the West, they’ll take the best offer. It’s not like they’re trading a player who will haunt them for 10 years.
Say goodbye to Marvin Williams, hello to Caron Butler | Mark Bradley
June 17th, 2009
5:26 pm
[...] Read Jeff Schultz’s view: Hawks need to get the point — and it’s Rafer Alston [...]
Elijah
June 17th, 2009
5:45 pm
Rafer will make this team worse.
If you say 1 thing he doesn’t like, he’ll whine whine whine whine. Come on Jeff. Did you do any research? Rafer can’t shoot a 3 and his ego stinks. You already know how the other New Yorker PG on this team turned out (Speedy)
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
5:46 pm
BARKING BULLDAWG: If you want to re-post without the profanity — and, no, abbreviations are not OK — your comments will stand.
jdewayneatl
June 17th, 2009
6:25 pm
Ok so I have it. It’s all becoming clearer. From the Bradley vs Schultz trade blogs, it is clear how the Hawks will be a better team this year.
1. Trade Marvin and Acie to Washington for Caron Butler and whoever else if that matters.
2. Trade Speedy’s INSURANCE PAID contract and this year’s 2009 2nd round pick to Orlando for Rafer Alston.
1 + 2 in this Scenerio = a better Hawk’s team.
Atlanta Hawks starting lineup for the 2009-10 season looks like this:
PG – Rafer Alston
SG – Joe Johnson
SF – Caron Butler
PF – Josh Smith
C – Al Horford
GO HAWKS!!!
Stoned Mountain
June 17th, 2009
6:37 pm
Rafer Alston is a temperamental pain in the ass. Woodson already has Josh; why would another whiner???
This is the Rafer Alston who announced to the press his “friends” wanted to see Van Gundy dead for not keeping him (Alston) in the game.
There is a reason why this guy plays for a different team every year.
Reggie
June 17th, 2009
6:46 pm
Jeff: I wouldn’t say JJ had a bad postseason against Boston last year. If we can get a PG who can take some loads off of him he might be better next year for the postseason. He has to guard the opposing PG every game and try to fight off triple teams. Get a true PG he will tear it up next year. No Joe= No playoffs. He took this team from last to where it is now.
jdewayneatl
June 17th, 2009
7:07 pm
Oh Yeah: Who the heck really think that Gortat is the Center the Hawks need. ZAZA is pretty much the same player but better. Gortat is a better defender but has no offensive game except for catching passes and dunking because he was hella open after the opposing team left him. Gortat? Really?
That leads me to my next point. Horford is not the traditional sized Center but he could play the position. Al Horford can play the Center position for this team. He has held his own and played like a man in his brief career. He is 6′10” and 245 lbs. If Nene (6′11” and 250), Amare Staudamire (6′10” and 249), Emeka Okafor (6′10” and 255), Kendrick Perkins (6′10” and 280), Sam Dalembert (6′10” and 250), Troy Murphy (6′ll” and 245), Andris Biedrins (6′ll and 240) can all play the center position, well then Al Horford can play Center for the Hawks. Even Ben Wallace (6′9” and 240) has played much of his career at the 5 spot including 2004 when he won a Championship with Detroit. He probably wont grow an inch but I’m sure he’ll come into next season with atleast an extra 5-10 lbs.
There’s only a hand full of Centers in the league that may give Horford problems but at the same time those hand full of Centers gives headaches match-up problems throughout the league. That hand full of centers would include Dwight Howard, Yao Ming, Pau Gasol and Shaq.
So before suggesting to trade one of the core players for a Center, his name better be Howard, Ming, or Gasol. And we know that that’s not gonna happen. Hawks fans stop WHINNING!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!
Big Ray
June 17th, 2009
7:52 pm
Jeff,
Sorry, but that wasn’t the real Big Ray posting at 3:03 p.m. It’s somebody who enjoys posting as me. You know what they say about imitation and flattery…
Here’s my take on bringing Alston here. On paper, it looks good, though people will argue (and to an extent, rightfully so) that a one year rental on a 32 yr old pg is no better than a year-and-a-half rental on a 30/31 year old pg. Well, yes and no. For one thing, Alston never will cost what Bibby has.
I think that if you want to either drive Woody insane, find a reason to fire him, or force him to coach better than he has…you get Alston. Why? Alston is a journeyman. There is a reason for this. There always is. I think he will clash with Woody, and part of it will be because he’s not the kind of point guard Woody really wants. Alston will pass the ball, and he will lead on the court. He’ll be a floor general, and distribute the ball.
Is JJ truly prepared to play with a pg like that? I don’t think he is. I think he wants what Woody wants: for the ball to be in his hands. I think the pressure they want to take off of Joe is in the form of a pg who shoots more than he passes. Again, Joe wants the ball to be in his hands, and Woody wants that, too. Alston changes that, and he’s also not the “lights out when he’s hot” shooter that Bibby is.
On the flip side, Alston will play better defense and get our multi-talented frontcourt involved in the game. Again, this is something Woody does not coach, as HIS offense revolves around the guards (and clearly is should NOT revolve around them to the extent that it does).
I like Alston, but I don’t know if I like him in a Hawks uniform, especially for one season. Journeyman Anthony Johnson didn’t get along with Woody so well. Alston won’t either, and that would hurt the team.
But, I’m also not hooked on doing everything the way JJ wants to do it. JJ is a hell of a player, and he’s got very nice court vision. But he can’t see EVERYTHING. This is where guys like Coach and GM come in. If we’re going to deviate from our current Modus Operandi, then I think we’re better served going with a Ramon Sessions or Jarrett Jack.
But that’s just me. Alston is a cheaper option than Bibby, for sure. But is he a better fit? I think not.
O'brien
June 17th, 2009
8:34 pm
Ray,
Agreed. Say no to Alston, because next year we will be tryind to find another PG again. Based on the kind of PG Woody wants, (shooter, doesnt need the ball in his hands much), besides Bibby, is there any other PG out there who fits Woody’s description?
Kraig
June 17th, 2009
9:02 pm
We should trade Acie and Speedy, 2010 1st round pick for Rafer Alston. Then we would be free to re-sign Flip and Zaza, along with others. Flip and Zaza really helped us off the bench last season. Joe would need to be re-signed after this season. We should shop Josh, but we dont need to trade him. He provided a spark often late in games with dunks. If he and Woody can stop feuding, and Josh can become consistant, the Hawks could rise to the next level. As far as the pick at #19, I’d suggest BJ Mullens, a 7′ center out of Ohio State. He’d give us great depth off the bench (assuming we re-sign Zaza).
NekiEcko
June 17th, 2009
9:27 pm
I think Alston isnt a good idea at all, besides if we want a PG will would go after Sessions or Jack for a cheaper price and use the draft to go after another PG or Combo Guard like Jeff Teague or Patrick Mills.
I think that Bibby wont be resigned, Marvin will be signed or traded to someone else for better pieces and J-Smoove isnt going anywhere.
truth-serum
June 17th, 2009
9:34 pm
Homer
June 17th, 2009
3:07 pm
FIRE SCHULTZ!!!
AMEN!!
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2009
10:03 pm
I love how so many of you are making Rafer Alston to be this major head case. Folks, he just started all 23 games for a team that upset Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals and made it to the NBA finals. If he was that big of a loser and a distraction, do you that: 1) The Magic would have traded for him in the first place and; 2) They would gotten as far as they did?
truth-serum
June 17th, 2009
10:11 pm
jdewayneatl
June 17th, 2009
6:25 pm
THAT TEAM MAY MAKE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS BUT WOULD LOSE TO THE CURRENT HAWKS AND SURELY WOULD NOT GO FAR BECAUSE YOU DID NOT ADDRESS YOUR CENTER ISSUE WHICH IS THE MAIN ISSUE CONCERNING THE BIRDS. THE IDEA IS TO UP GRADE THE TEAM NOT TO STAY THE SAME. THERES NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE IN WHAT YOU OFFER AND WHAT ALREADY HERE.
TRY THIS
STRARTING
1 FILP (lets promote the man he can play the one or two and is a vet!)
2 JJ With a center on the team lanes open and defender have to “stay home”rather than roll out and triple down on JJ who would be free to create or penetrate.
3 J.SMITH ( IF HE DEVELOPS A MID RANGE OR PERIMETER SHOT IT SUPERSTARDOM.
4 AL ( BACK TO HIS NATURAL, AND DRAFTED POSITION. HE BE STRONGER AND MORE OF A FORCES HE BETTER FACING THE BASKET THAN WITH HIS BACK TO IT)
5 ANDREW BYNUM (A VERY YOUNG CENTER WHO HAS BEEN TAUGHT BY JABBAR AND IS BECOMING A FORCE AND IS A NATURAL CENTER! YOU WONT BE FLYING IN ON HIM AND HE WONT GET WEAK AS THE SEASON GETS LONG, LIKE HORFORD.)
bench
1 bibby (# 3 three point shooter in the NBA)
2 Marv (one of the youngest hawks that shoots and draws fouls better than jj)
3 Marv again is super talented and would be a sixth man @ 2 or 3
4 Al and josh could spell each other because
5 Brook lopez from new jersey could hold down the post and he showed us his talents.
Role player ZaZa (keeps Shultz happy to have a white person on the team. Its not about talent and he can foul with the best of them….)
Down side (too many blacks for schultz taste this would be a tough sell)
IF SOMEONE HAS TO BE TRADED TO MAKE THE BYNUM AND LOPEZ DEALS A REALITY, THEN JJ IS THE BAIT BECAUSE MARV WILL BE BETTER THAN HIM IN 2 YEARS AND HE CAN HANDLE THE SCORING LOAD WITH FLIP, BIBBY AND MARV. BYNUM AND LOPEZ WONT ALLOW OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION LIKE WHAT 5′ 10″ TONY PARKER DID TO ZAZA AND HORFORD. They would also allow us to pick and roll block out and screen for our 1,2 and 3s to cut to the rack. You have to keep a man home on either guy. Not the case with ZaZa top this turnover Paschulia.
A TEAM LIKE THIS COULD GO BIG OR SMALL. PLAY HALF COURT OR RUN AND GUN AND MATCH UP WITH ANY BODY. YES. IT COULD MAKE IT TO THE BIG SHOW!
truth-serum
June 17th, 2009
10:21 pm
jdewayneatl
June 17th, 2009
7:07 pm
I agree ZaZa ” the road to the basket is now open, please showcase your dunks while I watch with my 2 inch vertical leap” Pachulia and Gortat are about the same and ZaZa is slightly better. Marvin Williams a 2 and 3 had a higher rebound average than ZaZa so what does that tell us about how weak we are at the post. Horford gets an “A” for the ol college try but by the years end his small frame was weak and drained. He almost broke his leg trying to play center with the big boys in the playoffs. Bless his heart. He aint no center.
truth-serum
June 17th, 2009
10:25 pm
T-Dogg
June 17th, 2009
2:37 pm
Good post and right on Point!!
truth-serum
June 17th, 2009
10:31 pm
Brendan
June 17th, 2009
11:44 am
How about Jeff Schultz and Sund for two Michael Vick jersey? Id pull the trigger on that deal and will gladly throw in Mark “Mo Dumb” Bradley”
RealSquawk
June 17th, 2009
10:46 pm
why is MArvin expendable?
Wabe
June 17th, 2009
11:55 pm
I’ve thought about this idea myself, but he’s not a good fit for the Hawks. The Hawks lack shooters as it is, and Alston would just add to the Hawks shooting woes. On top of that, he doesn’t pose the type of offensive threat the Hawks need out of whoever plays the point gaurd. Alston was a great fit in Orlando because the Magic surrounded him with great offensive talent. Aside from JJ, who on the Hawks poses a offensive threat?
Just take a look back to this past post-season and tell me who was the least respected offensive player on the Magic? We heard throughout the post-season how teams didn’t respect Rafer’s offensive abilities. He was moderately effective when he would attack the basket and put up a few floaters, but aside from that, he was extremely inconsistent creating things for himself – and that’s exactly the kind of PG the Hawks should be pursuing.
In general, Rafer Alston is a great facilitator – but I wouldn’t consider him a stud PG. I would much rather pursue someone like Andre Miller, an underrated veteran who can create his own shot and get others involved.
Bottom Line Schultz, go look at the talent level that was surrounding Alston when he played for the Magic and then look at who he would be working with here in ATL. I would honestly rather keep Bibby > Alston. Even though he’s a liability on the defensive end, Bibby at least adds more consistency shooting the ball.
Wabe
June 17th, 2009
11:57 pm
The Hawks need to upgrade at either PG or SF.
I wouldn’t really consider Alston that big of an upgrade from what we already have…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 18th, 2009
12:39 am
“Why isn’t anyone talking about the Hawks signing Hedo Turkoglu?? ”
Me and mountain_jim mentioned it on Sekou’s blog yesterday. Turkoglu would kill two birds with one stone for the Hawks — he could step in as the starting small forward and make Marvin expendable (maybe as the piece that goes to Orlando in a sign and trade for Turkoglu), and he could fill the offensive niche that Bibby has been filling (handle the ball, initiate offense, play two-man-game with Joe), making Bibby expendable. The Hawks would have a hole at point guard but it wouldn’t be too hard to find someone to fill that spot, since in a scheme where Joe Johnson and Turkoglu are initiating all the offense the point guard’s responsibility would mainly be on the defensive end. The biggest problem, by far, with this is that Turkoglu is probably going to command an eight-figure-per-year salary, and with Joe Johnson becoming a free agent next year it’s asking an awful lot of the DASG to commit a long-term deal to Turkoglu. I’m not sure the team’s finances would allow for such a move.
truth-serum
June 18th, 2009
4:25 am
Big Ray
June 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
YOU HAVE MORE SENSE THAN
Big Ray
June 17th, 2009
7:52 pm
The Truth
June 18th, 2009
10:09 am
Has anyone notice how much better AJ looked since he’s been with the Orlando Magic? I mean, when he played for the Hawks he was completely ineffective and looked very old as a PG. He goes to the Magic and he looked blue chip. Now we are talking about Alston. If he played for the Hawks, Woody would have him looking like garbage. As much as I like Alston, I would hate to see him abused by Woody.
MBZ
June 18th, 2009
10:29 am
Chea
June 17th, 2009
11:41 am
I’m not sure about this one. The reason Acie Law never played is because Woody runs no pick-and-rolls and needs his guards to be great spot-up shooters. Alston is not one, so I don’t see how he’s going to replace Bibby in Woody’s system. Replace Woody, and then we can talk about PGs with suspect jumpshots.
EXACTLY.
Doesn’t everybody see that its the system???? It’s the freaking system. Acie Law should at least have a Jordan Farmar-type role on this team but instead he sits on the bench and loses his confidence. FIRE MIKE WOODSON.
Hoops
June 18th, 2009
12:12 pm
Jeff,
You are correct that the weak spots on the Hawks team is PG and Center. Mark Bradley wants to trade Marvin for Caron. But, that trade still leaves us weak @ PG and Center. Caron might be an upgrade, but it will not get us to the Finals.
I like your plan better, but I think Sessions can be signed for the same or less money than Alston and he is only 23.
This is my plan-Sign Sessions and trade Josh for Barqnani and their #9 pick.(Listen, you might like this) Let Bibby walk. Resign Zaza and Marvin. Sign and trade Flip for Charlie V.
Look @ this line up with Horford @ PF, but staying inside on offense:
PG-Sessions, Acie(there is not a better PG in this draft than Acie)
SG-JJ, Tyreke Evans(#9 pick)-in case we loose JJ next year
SF-Marvin, Mo Evans, #19 pick-Earl Clark, Budinger or D. Brown for when Mo leaves next year
PF-Horford, Charlie V. (Horford plays inside with Barqnani out)
C-Barqnani, Zaza, Morris (Zaza plays inside with Charlie V. out on the second unit)
I would rather have Bosh than Barqnani, but I don’t see that happening! Think this one over! I haven’t seen this plan before.
funkyketchup
June 18th, 2009
12:40 pm
why would orlando, who is in the same division, trade with the Hawks? I do like the idea of saving the money by not resigning Bibby and try to get a center.
Eric
June 18th, 2009
12:46 pm
Rafer Alston will be 33 years old in July Bibby is 2 years younger, and in my opinion better. Skip can be a little sloppy at times, and he’s not the shooter that Bibby is. This would be a dumb move, the draft is loaded with good YOUNG point guards.
Truth-serum
June 18th, 2009
12:59 pm
MBZ
June 18th, 2009
10:29 am
Ill bet you do a lot of copping out in life. The coach did not shoot that brick the player did. The coach did not make that turnover the player did. The coach did not get dunked on the player did. did Jon Koncak ,Rumeal Robinson, Stacy Augmon blame there inability to step up to the pro level on the coach. You remind me of the Mother who takes her soft son to play football or basketball or even boxing and whines when he can make the team or is a bench warmer or is knocked out. She blames the coach because her son and favorite cant make it. Well that coach not only made the playoffs but went to the next level!!
Flip Murray has played for 5 or 6 coaches in the pros and has been cut,traded or let go more than once. He never blames the “Coach” or the “system” he just mans up and raises his game and look at him now!!
Acie Law may one day be a good player but right now hed start on zero,0,none,nil,nada NBA teams. Woody did not shoot that brick for him,make that turnover or get took by his man. I hope Acie has the decency enough to try and step up his game like a FLIP MURRAY and not whine like a
Chea
June 17th, 2009
11:41 am
khandor
June 18th, 2009
4:42 pm
Jeff,
What you said about the Hawks’ need for a PG like Alston vs one like Bibby is, for the most part, inaccurate. The Hawks NEED a PG who can shoot the ball a great deal more than they need one who can penetrate … given the paucity of consistent perimeter shooting from the remainder of Atlanta’s roster.
When NBA Observers make inaccurate judgments it causes me to scratch my head and go, “Hmmm …”
Feel free to drop by for a visit at any time to my blog.
http://khandorssportsblog.com/wordpress
JJ Fan
June 18th, 2009
5:49 pm
Jeff- that was really smooth the way you deflected my comment but the question still remains. Joe Johnson is your best player and option on this team. Josh still has to learn how to play this game that we all love. Do you think he had wide open shots because Cleveland and Miami missed their defensive assignments, if you think that let me help you out they did not miss their assignments the decided to let Josh do his thing (turnover, bad pass, missed shot or something of that nature). You don’t give Joe his props because all he does is play the game without pounding on his chest or acting like he’s never made a shot he is a Professional (PRO), look up the definition. I think you have good insight from a fans point of view I just think when it comes to sports and reporting on it leave that up to Sekou Smith.
JOHN DREW
June 18th, 2009
7:18 pm
IT’S KINDA FUNNY …. WHEN SOMEONE HAS A VERY VALID POINT, OR CALLS ANOTHER BLOGGER AN IDIOT ….. AND HE CAN’T SPELL WORTH A DAMN.
David Smith
June 18th, 2009
7:47 pm
What bothers me the most about Rick Sund’s draft/free agent signings is that he takes too many risks on project players. I wish people would stop hating on Josh Smith and the limitations of his game (He may make his share of mistakes but, at least he will rebound and play solid defense) because this kid is still very young and, has time to become one of the best two-way players in the NBA. If anyone deserves your scorn it should be Joe Johnson (yes I said it!) because Joe has the ability to become a great scorer but, disappears at times during games (the playoffs were a prime example). Sund should package three of our lesser players expiring contracts to either use our draft pick to move up into the top ten or make a deal for a young post player (or guard) and use our pick to draft a point guard (Lawson or Maynor are my choices).
Coaching Change
June 18th, 2009
9:04 pm
Alston, Bibby, what difference does it make as long as Woodson is the coach? He is the worst coach in the league, hands down, and the sad fact of the matter is that none of you people will face up to it. That includes you Schultz. He took the second most talented team in the East and coached them to a whopping 47 wins…IN THE EAST. With Woodson at the helm, this team would’ve won 35 games in the Western Conference. Think about that. Look at how badly Woodson got out coached in the playoffs. It was down right embarrassing. At some point someone in ownership needs to grow some huevos and kick Woodson’s arse to the curb. Until that’s done, this team will languish, regardless of who is at point guard, or forward or center for that matter. It’s a recipe for disaster when a team puts political correctness above sound decision making and winning. You people are going to get exactly what you deserve next year….another mediocre season, and early playoff exit. Nice job, Hawks.
Big Ray
June 19th, 2009
3:05 pm
Truth Serum,
Gee, I wonder why you would say that. Oh, probably because you’re the clown that posts as me (or just a similar type of person, doesn’t matter which). Too bad you can’t live up to your own surname. Your posts might be worth something then….
Jeff,
It’s not that I think Alston is a head case. But I don’t see him getting along with Woody so well. Veterans who know what they’re doing don’t seem to think too much of him. Well, JJ does, but we all know why. Two key examples are Anthony Johnson and Mike Bibby. Johnson actually walked out on Woody, and practice, once. Say what you want about Josh and his dust-ups with Woody, but he never once walked out. And then there’s Bibby. He talks back to Woody all the time, including the infamous incident where he put things in perspective: Woody got lippy about Bibby passing the ball to Josh for a perimeter shot, and Josh taking it. Bibby said, (and I paraphrase), “Hey, you run the play that way. He was open. I passed the ball. What was I supposed to do? If you don’t want him taking that shot, then you move him from that spot in the play. You do it.”
Case closed. If Alston can “get into it” with Van Gundy, imagine him and Woodson. That’s all I’m saying. That, and Alston is more of a “get it to the other guys” kinda point guard than Bibby is. Will that work for Woody?
I only say this because Woody may not have been extended, but he’s the coach until they fire him. Gotta make the best of the way things are.
And again, Alston is 32 (as in, older than Bibby), and we’re not a title contender by any stretch of even the most koolaid-permeated imaginations. Will Alston come to a team that’s not ready to contend for anything other than a second round playoff series?
Wabe
June 19th, 2009
3:26 pm
I don’t mean any disrespect by this, but honestly, Mr. Schultz, I honestly think you have NO CLUE what you’re talking about when it comes to the Hawks…
I’m not saying my ideas are any better, and I’m not saying I’m a basketball guru/genius, but this idea you’re selling is a TERRIBLE solution to our PG woes. One, we need to get younger. Two, we need a PG who can play within Woody’s system. Three, you guys have been bashing the Hawks shooting abilities all season and now you wanna replace one of our better shooters – who is also 2 years younger – for an inconsistent shooter…
Wabe
June 19th, 2009
3:42 pm
If you wanna bring in another veteran PG to replace Bibby with, ANDRE MILLER. That’s honestly the only veteran PG that I think most would be satisfied with…
He can create his own shot, he’s bigger than Bibby so he can cause matchup problems for smaller gaurds, and he’s a decent mid-range shooter.
I wouldn’t consider Alston an UPGRADE over Bibby.
But Miller could be…
truth serum
June 19th, 2009
9:39 pm
i sure sound like samuel does
rusty
June 19th, 2009
10:24 pm
jj is a ball hog. why is he doubled & trippled teamed? it is because he slowly dribbles into the paint & then often turns the ball over or passes it outside with 3 seconds on the clock. great players go quickly to the hole or passes quickly to open men under the basket. the
reason we have no ball movement is that jj always is dribbling the clock away. barkley & walton has said this, the hawks have a flawed offence.
Chico27
June 20th, 2009
2:51 am
I’ve been a big Hawks fan for a while now. i’m not a season ticket holder, but have spent big money attending game after game for the past few seasons. If Atlanta lets Bibby go for Alston, i will not only stop going to the games but will no longer be a Hawks fan. Making Jeff’s suggested trade would only mean that the Hawks, as an organization, are satisfied with a mediocre team that might barely make it to the playoffs. Obviously Bibby is not worth $15 mil to the Hawks or any other team. Due to the economic situation, and the demand that there is going to be out there for him, he will definitely be forced to take a major pay cut next season. I say if the team can keep him for $10 mil or less, they should commit to him for 3 more seasons. Bibby has proven to be valuable to the team and this is not the time to gamble with a trade like this since we all know Alston is not know for his consistency (Hence the fact that he has played for 6 different teams in 9 seasons). I would love to see Bibby along with Flip, and Marvin stay for next season. Keep the core group and bring in a big man like Glen Davis, Wallace, Bosh, or Stoudemire….
Sund & Bradley Seperated @ Birth (NOT A COMPLIMENT) LOL
June 20th, 2009
4:51 pm
WOW I COULDNT HAVE SAID IT BETTER. THIS ARTICLE GETS 5 STARS FROM ME!! ONLY THING IS IS THAT AL HORFORD ISNT GOING ANYWHERE. HORFORD IS A FAN FAVORITE AND IS PRAISED BY THE BUSINESS OFFICE!! ACIE DESERVE HIS CHANCE TO PROVE TO ALL THE DOUBTERS AND MIKE WOODSON THAT HE WILL AND CAN DOMINATE AS A POINT GAURD IN THE NBA! RAFER ALSTON SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT AND PRACTICAL IDEA BUT AS YOU SAID THIS IS THE BEST AS OUR ATLANTA HAWKS WILL GET WITHOUT ANY CHANGES. IM NOT SURE IF RAFER ALSTON IS A LEADER BUT ALLEN IVERSON IS A PROVEN LEADER PLAYER AND LED THE 76ERS TO THE FINALS. ONE MIGHT QUESTION A.I BC OF HIS PLAYING TIME WITH DENVER BUT IT WAS A DIFFICULT POSITION PLAYING WITH CARMELLO (ANOTHER BALL DEMANDER)..THE MOVE TO DETROIT PISTONS SHOULDVE NEVER HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. ALL AND ALL HE IS AVAILABLE AND WITH THAT BEING SAID THE HAWKS WOULDNTHAVE TO GIVE UP ANY OF THE PLAYERS. AND WITH THE 19TH PICK THEY CAN JUST FOCUS ON A CENTER THAT THEY CAN BUILD WITH FOR THE FUTURE AHEM..B.J MULLENS/DEJUAN BLAIR?
09-10 SEASON STARTING 5:IVERSON,JOHNSON,WILLIAMS,SMITH,HORFORD
09-2010 BENCH:LAW,EVANS,MURRAY,PACHULIA,BLAIR (FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK)
RESERVES:JONES,WEST,HUNTER,GARDNER
ALLEN IVERSON/ACIE LAW OR RAFER ALSTON/ACIE LAW
P.S THE TEAM NEEDS RENOVATION NOT TOTAL DESTRUCTION…2010 EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAWKS!!!
Suicide lines: Grizzlies ‘threaten’ to take Rubio, Rondo rumors … | Hot NBA Videos.com
June 20th, 2009
8:23 pm
[...] Jeff Schultz, AJC: "There is a point guard who just started for a team that reached the NBA finals — and he’s available. He also comes with a contract considered Atlanta Spirit budget-friendly. Hello? The Hawks shouldn’t re-sign Mike Bibby. They should trade for Orlando’s Rafer Alston. He requires less of an investment than Bibby and might get them further in the playoffs. Look what he just did for the Magic? … Alston does not possess Bibby’s scoring ability. But he’s a better defender and can penetrate, which is what the Hawks need. And unlike the scenario of re-signing Bibby to a multi-year contract, acquiring Alston affords management flexibility after next season. A trade wouldn’t be difficult because Alston is 32 and expendable. Even then, they have pieces to move, starting with Marvin Williams." [...]