Quick hits: With Jamison to Cavs, do Hawks need upgrade? (UPDATE II)
Josh Smith and the Hawks now will face Antawn Jamison in a Cleveland uniform, not Washington's. (Jenni Girtman/AJC)
Hello. I am back.
After a few days off for family reasons, I wasn’t sure what to lead with this morning. So I figured I would just offer up this snack pack of morning items. Let’s call it, “Quick Hits.” The NBA trade deadline is at 3 p.m. today and I plan to speak to Hawks general manager Rick Sund about the Hawks’ plans (which is expected to be to do nothing). Which leads me to the first item:
♦ 1.) The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Antawn Jamison from Washington Wednesday as part of a three-team trade with the L.A. Clippers. Great trade for the Cavaliers. It now gives them a front court of Jamison (power forward), LeBron James (small forward) and Shaquille O’Neal (center). The Cavaliers also had a chance to get Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix but it’s hard to argue with this deal, which gives them a 6-9, 235-pound forward averaging 20 points and nine rebounds. They’re clearly the team to beat in the East.
Question: Are you OK with the Hawks’ standing pat, or do you think they need to make a move to try to keep pace with Cleveland and Orlando?
(UPDATE: For what it’s worth, Sund, who had been open to speaking this morning, now has passed along through a spokesman that he would prefer not to talk until after the 3 p.m. trade deadline. Read into that what you like. If there are any worthy developments Hawks-related, I’ll pass them along.)
(UPDATE II: The Hawks will go after former Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas if he is released by the Washington Wizards, which is expected. Here’s why it’s a good move.)
This is Michelle Damon. And that's all I have to say.
♦ 2.) When I left town, I expected Johnny Damon to be signed by Detroit by the time I returned. Hasn’t happened. If the reported numbers are accurate, the Tigers have offered by far the most dollars (two years, $14 million or one year, $7 million), far north of the Braves and Chicago White Sox. So why hasn’t Damon signed? There have been reports that his wife, Michelle, doesn’t want to live in Detroit. I would say that makes her fairly human. She prefers something more “cosmopolitan.” Hey, Michelle — how about Atlanta?!? I’m posting a picture of Michelle Damon. I figured that would be the best way of starting a write-in campaign for Damon to sign with the Braves, even if the letters come from mostly dirty old men.
♦ 3.) Speaking of letters: Got an email a week ago from somebody wanting to know if I thought the Thrashers-to-Winnipeg rumors were true. Never had a chance to answer before my time off. But I see where the rumors mutated to the point where the team felt the need to respond. For the record, only half the rumor would shock me: It’s easy to see the Atlanta Spirit putting the team up for sale, but the relocation part doesn’t make sense — at least not yet. Commissioner Gary Bettman reaffirmed he wants the franchise to work in Atlanta. He presides over a league with a number of weak
Tiger Woods won't be taking questions at his news conference.
markets already. Do you believe he really would be open to swapping Atlanta for Winnipeg? The Phoenix Coyotes went into bankruptcy and were taken over by the NHL. That puts them far ahead of the Thrashers as a candidate for relocation. This doesn’t mean the Thrashers aren’t in danger of being moved — they are. But I don’t believe it’s imminent. Bettman wants to make sure all avenues of possible strong local ownership are exhausted first.
♦ 4.) Tiger Woods has announced he will end the silence on his personal problems and sex scandal Friday. He will meet with the media but only a select few members. (The Count has not received an invitation.) He will read a statement but will not take questions. I understand the whole “this is between my wife and I thing,” but I’m not sure this is the way to go about it either. This saga has grown far beyond the usual celebrity marriage infidelity story. Fortunately, Nike has a lot of skilled speech writers.
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191 comments Add your comment
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
11:10 am
What was the day’s subject any way?
ELVISINTHEHOUSE.
February 18th, 2010
11:10 am
Hoops are you crazy? horford,noooooooo! Maybe marvin and the rights to childress.
Stupid is as Stupid...
February 18th, 2010
11:13 am
Who is going to take Marvin and rights to a player in Greece? I really cant make this shyte up!
WISE
February 18th, 2010
11:15 am
your wrong we do need a true center. not for the regular season but to go up agianst shaq, howard, and bynum. without one we have zero chance in 7 games
WISE
February 18th, 2010
11:15 am
“Stupid is as Stupid…” hahahaha i know right
Mickey
February 18th, 2010
11:22 am
I would have no problem if the hawks did not make a trade, but i would think it would be a GREAT sighning if the wizards buy out big z’s contract.
AtlSouthside
February 18th, 2010
11:26 am
You need a true Center. Its a common trend in championship teams or “elite” teams… They all have a 7ft Center in the paint. In fact, name a championship that didnt have a legit Center?
Bill
February 18th, 2010
11:27 am
Wise is wise..right on about true center….giving up 7 big games.
ICECOLD
February 18th, 2010
11:27 am
i like the trading marvin williams, the rights to josh childress, and a second round pick for stademire… heck ill even throw in our second round pick from last year, we are never gon need him, and cash!! and give stademire a contracat extention!!! i wish we can sign some type of papers saying that the whole city want the trade to go down!! and we once again will be givin up nothin for somethin ( bibby for sheldon, anthony johnson, tyrone lue, and two others) ( crawfordfor acie law and speedie claxton) ( joe johnson for first round pick, cash, and a whole bunch of nothin) we need to make this deal now or we not gon be able to keep up… amare wants to go to a team that he might can win a championship, not the heat or some where weak like that….. come on front office!!!!!!
WISE
February 18th, 2010
11:29 am
I just hate seeing all these other teams making moving moves and we just stand still. I mean i know good centers in this league dont grow on trees but still can we find one that can help us out guarding the big boys down low…..
Whopper Dawg
February 18th, 2010
11:29 am
If she were my wife, I know where I would live and I am not talking about a city.
AtlSouthside
February 18th, 2010
11:29 am
TRADE HORFORD. JOSH can play PF, Joe Johnson could play SF, start Crawford at SG
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
11:32 am
Wise is wisdom, and stupid is as stupid does is spot on!
Ditto on the hawks need for a center, but it be said over a billion times, is anybody listening?
We had this same discussion last year.
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
11:33 am
Co-sign with Southside!
Chris
February 18th, 2010
11:34 am
Jeff…..
I believe even if the Hawks make a move, they are not one player away from beating Cleveland. One player might get them past Orlando though if it was for a true “Center” so Horford could play his natural position. So if the Hawks make a move….I want a Center.
As for the Braves, I am not fired up about the Damon Offer. I think McLouth will be just fine in the leadoff spot. He steals bases, doesn’t strikeout a great deal, and has the power to sort of have that Ricky Henderson threat to hit it out of the ballpark. I am not comparing him to Henderson by any means, only that he is a threat for the homerun. I’d prefer Dye in the outfield if the Braves are going to bring in another player.
Tiger is the face of Golf whether he likes it or not. He is a celebrity whether he likes it or not. When you make mistakes as a celebrity you have to face the music. Stand up at the podium, set a time limit on the news conference. Read your statement and show some guts by answering a few questions so that this saga can start being put to rest.
AtlSouthside
February 18th, 2010
11:35 am
Yep, trade Marv & Al together
bibby/teague -PG
crawford – SG
Joe Johnson – SF
Josh Smith – PF
LEGIT CENTER – C
WISE
February 18th, 2010
11:36 am
and its about time tiger talked. I mean is it so bad to screw like 30 chicks here and their….
niremetal
February 18th, 2010
11:37 am
Schultz,
The Cavs had a backup center with an 8-digit expiring contract that they could use as trade bait. The Mavs had an overpaid swingman with an expiring contract that they could use for the same purpose. The Hawks don’t have any trading chips. We have no expiring contracts besides JJ’s, and no players that other teams would value who we can spare (ie Smoove and Horford). Nobody will want Bibby’s contract on their books, and Marvin is a BYC player which limits how much we can take back for him. In other words, we aren’t in a position to make a move that would help us.
Oh, and for all the people who keep saying “rights to Childress,” we have no rights in Childress that we’re allowed to trade. Childress is a free agent. We have the right to match any offers that other teams make to him, but we aren’t allowed to trade that right to another team under the NBA’s salary cap rules.
niremetal
February 18th, 2010
11:39 am
We used our two trading chips (Speedy and Acie) to acquire Jamal over the summer. That was our “deadline” deal. And I’d say it’s worked out pretty damn well.
Halsey
February 18th, 2010
11:39 am
‘Legit’ centers are so easy to acquire that you guys can’t even name a specific guy that the Hawks could actually get.
WISE
February 18th, 2010
11:40 am
I know its not easy but we could of had marcus camby if we really tried….just saying
All I'm Saying Is...
February 18th, 2010
11:44 am
Mike Jay: Look at teams winning championships in NBA over past 30 years and with exception of Ben Wallace on Detroit, can’t argue with fact that they all had 7 foot guy in middle who could post up and score and play tough defense. All elite teams in NBA today especially last year’s final four (Denver (with Nene), LA (with Bynum), Magic (with Howard), Cavs (with Z))and final eight teams (with exception of Hawks) too had legit center so that’s why we need one and Al is undersized.
Of course we would all say yes to trading Marvin Williams to get a legit center but who is going to take him given the contract we gave him, especially in the East? Might find someone but typically unlikely. One poster had it right, however, in that you need to look at teams already out of the playoff picture to make a trade with as key piece(s) could be obtained and I think we could unload Marvin Williams on NJ Nets for Brook Lopez and I’d make that trade in a heartbeat but likely Nets seeking salary relief and not looking to take on a deal like Marvin’s.
Truth Serum: You may not like what I said about what Hawks can do with the pieces we have but given how unlikely it is that Rick Sund will pull off a deal, then you’ll need to revisit my post about our GO BIG or RUN THE FLOOR options cuz that’s what we’ll have before us by 12:01 a.m. Friday morning. Hope I’m wrong and we get a big guy and move Al to PF but not likely.
LET’S GO HAWKS!
tnt
February 18th, 2010
11:49 am
find a way to get rudy gay!!!
AtlSouthside
February 18th, 2010
12:00 pm
we should have kept Flip Murray for trade bait
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
12:03 pm
All I’m Saying Is…
I hear you. I see your view, I just reread a comment that Schultz wrote earlier, yes, trades can be made. We do have some talent to work with and “allstar”-LOL, Horford ,marvin and Zaza, moe evans,Teague and Morris are trade-able commodities without disrupting the chemistry of the team and dont forget we can offer draft picks.
Josh is an assist,shot block dunk inspiring monster and a better power forward than Horford, hes a keeper.
I agree with you that Sund and the ownership are not the movers and shakers to win championship but rather or the play it safe, “we had a good year” types who will never have a great year. – But then again I remember the 13 win season.
Im just saying you are getting all the mileage you are going to get out out Collins, Zaza and Randolf. You cant get water from a rock… OK Ive read the bible-LOL
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
12:05 pm
*of the play it safe types
Sautee
February 18th, 2010
12:15 pm
Inconvenient truth:
Al Horford – named by the Head Coaches as second best Center in the East.
Better than Lopez, better than Perkins, better than Shaq.
And he’s only 23 years old. And getting better as we watch.
31 points against an All-Star Center last night.
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
12:22 pm
How do you spell defense? its what wins championships not taking advantage of a defenseless clippers team.
A better question is how can you win a championship when your center is #18th among NBA center for Block shots? He is a lot like a jelly filled doughnut, very soft on the inside.
Defense wins championship, not jelly fillings.
AtlSouthside
February 18th, 2010
12:23 pm
Horford is not a Center, like Ben Wallace was never a Center. Horford is like a young Lorenzen Wright, from back in the day… Remember the Hawks tried to get by with Lorenzen Wright as a Center and it didnt work…I’m telling you the Hawks are wasting Horford’s youth by playing him as a Center at 6′10
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
12:26 pm
He dont play defense either. Josh does all the defensive work and then horford picks up the rebound. How lazy. #18 among center for blocking shots….dude what the hell is that?
Ken
February 18th, 2010
12:29 pm
Friends, here is the reality. Cleveland just found a way to become the best in the East and give themselves a great shot at a championship this year because that has been their goal from day one. Not improvement, but championship. If you listen to the Hawks players and coaches, their goal is much lower. They are content to get to the second round and make it competitive, but no talk of winning it all. Championship caliber organizations figure out a way to get what they need, while others like the Hawks are content with a few more wins each year. It takes more than more focus, it takes talent and teamwork. It’s just fustrating.
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
12:31 pm
Keeping it real!
February 15th, 2010
10:38 pm
DD-10th, PPG-#12, RPG-#10, BPG-#18
There are only 12 centers in the NBA who score more points per game than horford
There are only 9 centers who grab more rebounds than horford
There are only 17 more centers who block more shots than horford per game
There are only 10 more centers who have higher double doubles than horford.
You cant win a championship with this kind of talent on your team.
GET REAL!
T & C
February 18th, 2010
12:31 pm
We need to get Drew Gooden From the clippers IMMEDIATELY!!!1 In the playofss when J-smooove picks up those early fouls, Gooden will really come in handy.
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
12:33 pm
Ken
February 18th, 2010
12:29 pm
BULLSEYE! EXACTLY! THATS WHAT IVE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG!
I’LL CO SIGN THAT!
Bernie Matt
February 18th, 2010
12:33 pm
@jt, man you write as if it’s your money that the Hawks are saving. Give me a break with all this fiscally sound crap. Go join a fantasy league or something. Can somebody tell me when they starting keeping stats on which team is under the cap and how many points and or rebounds do you get for that each night. Real fans want to win, at all costs, other teams know how to navigate the cap and win or they just say to hell with the cap, we want to win! This is why Atlanta is perceived as not having real fans, because guys like JT would rather daydream about being an owner or GM.
Clay
February 18th, 2010
12:34 pm
Sautee, he is good. But he gets abused by the ones that count – big guys on the premier teams. I mean, if having a 50 win-per-year team is the goal, then keep him. You can’t do better. But if you want to win the East, gonna have to get a legitimate big guy.
Sautee
February 18th, 2010
12:34 pm
Yeah, and all those Head Coaches are idiots, right?
AtlSouthside
February 18th, 2010
12:40 pm
How could the Hawks let a hometown guy like Dwight Howard slip under the radar?
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
12:41 pm
No, but you are , Sautee.
jon
February 18th, 2010
12:42 pm
I think the Hawks could use another player ie a big man or a guy like Tashawn Prince for experience and he’s is incredibly versitile. Jeff, i do agree that its no slam dunk jj will be back and i think you need to go for it!
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
12:43 pm
AtlSouthside That happened because they were listening to sautee scouting report which had howard low.
jon
February 18th, 2010
12:44 pm
trading Horford would be nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pmch02
February 18th, 2010
12:46 pm
Have a proposal. Josh Smith and a 1st round pick for Amare Stoudemire. The Hawks are trying to win now. They won’t beat the Cavs or the Magic in the playoffs because they don’t have enough size. If I were Sund, I would pull that deal off immediately.
Tracy McGrady to tha ATL???
February 18th, 2010
12:48 pm
Ok, in the offseason should the Hawks pick up Tracy McGrady(MLE 5-7mill) to go along with Joe Johnosn? Marvin Williams can go to the bench and T-mac can start at Small Forward. Think about what a sick crunch-time linup the Hawks would have. Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Josh Smith, and Al Horford…..that’s Just sick….I can see it now *drooling*
Thoughts?
Clay
February 18th, 2010
12:54 pm
Are you kidding, pmch02? Josh is the best defensive player on the Hawks. And he is 24. Amare plays NO defense. When Josh develops a dependable 12 ft jumper and improves his free throw %, he will be better than Amare.
KevinA
February 18th, 2010
12:57 pm
Stoudemire is not known for defense. Without Nash he would not score the points. Pick another dream.
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
1:03 pm
2009-10 Statistics
PPG
21.4
RPG
8.70
APG
1.0
EFF
+ 21.93
Born: Nov 16, 1982
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight: 249 lbs. / 112.9 kg.
High School: Cypress Creek (FL)
Years Pro: 7
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
1:05 pm
Al Horford
2009-10 Statistics
PPG
13.7
RPG
9.30
APG
2.1
EFF
+ 20.60
Born: Jun 3, 1986
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight: 245 lbs. / 111.1 kg.
College: Florida
Years Pro: 2
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
1:07 pm
I think you have to put 2 men on Amare
To get a big
February 18th, 2010
1:07 pm
To get a player like Bosh (who is on the market) the smartest deal is to trade JJ who may not be here next year anyway. That leaves either ZaZa or Al being expendable. Package either one with Bibby (which is our biggest problem) and go for a good shooting guard and a decent PG.