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
1:08 pm
Josh is better than Al , clearly, and he plays defense so Amare will take Al’s place.
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
1:09 pm
To get a big – I see your thinking.
AtlSouthside
February 18th, 2010
1:17 pm
Hawks might as well not make any moves… why risk the future of the team for the 2010 playoffs? We’ll be alright with what we have….
Tracy McGrady to tha ATL???
February 18th, 2010
1:22 pm
Just send 3mill, a 2nd rd draft pick, and RandMo to the clippers to cover Drew Goodens 4.5mill 1yr contract. It shouldn’t be that complicated.
Ted Striker
February 18th, 2010
1:24 pm
Welcome back, Jeff.
For Real
February 18th, 2010
1:35 pm
First lets set the record straight:
1. Dwight Howard is not 7ft he is 6-10 just like Al Horford
2. The Hawks CAN make a trade (see below and reasoning and numbers work Sund)
3. The Hawks a have big lineup they can use:
PG: JJ
SG: MV
SF: JS
PF: AH
C: ZaZa/Collins
Here is the trade the Hawks need to make. 3 team deal:
Hawks get: Chris Paul and James Posey
Hornets get: Tracy McGrady, ZaZa and Morris
Rockets get: Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby and Emeka Okafor
Hornets: The Hornets want to get under the cap by taking McGrady’s contract, reducing salary ZaZa 4.7 mil instead of Okafor 10.7 mil and they want to trade Chris Paul and get something in return because CP3 will not resign with them.
Rockets: The get to move McGrady’s 22.8 mil contract, get a young swing man (Marvin Williams), a vetern point guard (shooter Mike Bibby) and a young rebounder (Emeka Okafor) to go along with Yao when he returns.
Hawks: Finally gets a point guard (CP3 and he should be by April), a tough defender and 3pt shooter (James Posey) at the 3 spot and insurance whether Joe Johnson stays or goes.
P. Bull Terrier
February 18th, 2010
1:37 pm
If the Braves won’t sign Michelle Damon’s husband, maybe the Hawks will…or the Thrashers…or maybe we can just take up a collection and bring her to town ourselves.
T & C
February 18th, 2010
1:38 pm
ummm…..why don’t we just aquire Drew Gooden and call it a day?
tnt
February 18th, 2010
1:38 pm
mcgrady to knicks
ChippersLoveChild
February 18th, 2010
1:41 pm
The the blogger that said what centers would you take besides Horford… I’d say Andrew Bogut would be one. He is having a great year, should have made the all star team over Horford because he is an actually center too. Horford is a 4, a really good one at that, but he isn’t a 5.
ChippersLoveChild
February 18th, 2010
1:42 pm
Also, why not just move Joe? If he doesn’t want to be here maybe he you could turn his expiring contract into something? The Thrashers improved since they moved their superstar, why not move the Hawks’ star?
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
1:46 pm
CP3 is injury prone and while he is a very good guard hes a long way from championship ball, hes still a ball hog!
KD
February 18th, 2010
1:47 pm
The Hawks need to work out a trade for JJ if they think they will not resign him and for those of you talking about Michelle’s hands, why are you looking at the hands anyway ?
Barrington
February 18th, 2010
1:55 pm
I mentioned earlier that we needed a true center but I never said I wanted to move Horford to the 4. We still need 1, maybe 2 guys who can come of the bench and knock Shaq, Perkins, and/or Howard to the floor. Presently, we don’t have that. Additionally, if I read another suggestion regarding Rand Mo and/or Collins in the lineup, I’m going to break something. Seriously though, Collins and Rand Mo are garbage and we should have traded for another big man.
Tale of Woe
February 18th, 2010
1:58 pm
Killer bod, but a butter face
For Real
February 18th, 2010
2:01 pm
“CP3 is injury prone and while he is a very good guard hes a long way from championship ball, hes still a ball hog!” – Really you believe all of that about CP3? That’s funny the best point guard in the league is a long way from championship ball and he is a ball that avg 10 assist a game.
“Seriously though, Collins and Rand Mo are garbage and we should have traded for another big man.” – If they are garbage who would trade for them?
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
February 18th, 2010
2:11 pm
welcome back JS!! we missed the countdown but this will suffice. me thinks hawks make a last minute trade, damon’s wife is ok..looks like she had a few face lifts and tiger should’ve done this months ago. it’s only going to get worse for him.
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
2:19 pm
Championship ball is not about stats. Josh has great assist number but hes a power forward. When you are competing for a championship its not about 10 assist pergame. if that were true N.O. would be alot more competitive.
TheStinger
February 18th, 2010
2:24 pm
The easiest and best trade for the Hawks would be to trade with New Jersey for Devin Harris and Yi. The Nets tanking and are probably going to end up taking Wall from Kentucky anyway, that makes Harris expendable. Harris, Yi, and throw in Tony Battie (expiring contract) for Bibby, Marvin, and Zaza. Money lines up, and Bibby mentors Wall in New Jersey next year without any problems; plus Harris might give JJ a reason to stay in ATL.
Gamer
February 18th, 2010
2:31 pm
If the Big Z is available then the Hawks should get him. The Big Z will be a better fit for the Hawks then he was with Cavaliers!!!
Big Z is a big body to hit the boards with a deadly outside shooting eye!!
IF HE’S AVAILABLE WITHIN REASON MONEY-WISE THEN GET HIM!!!
This move would put the Hawks over the 2nd round playoff’s hump!!
tnt
February 18th, 2010
2:35 pm
god this is so freaking gay the hawks wont do crap.
F-105 Thunderchief
February 18th, 2010
2:40 pm
If he’s not taking questions, why not just send out the statement?
BravesFan79
February 18th, 2010
2:46 pm
Why the crap would ANYONE wanna live in Detroit!?? There used to be a great website called Detroitsucks.com… i guess it was considered “2 racist” … or what white people like to call… “keeping it real”
BravesFan79
February 18th, 2010
2:49 pm
Tmac to the A: Wow…. you must do the ebonics version of math… dosent quite add up buddy. By tha way… Tmac is my favorite player in the league over Kobe and Queen James.. but common man… all those salaries? its not like we have the Redskins owner as our owner.
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
2:57 pm
I don’t think the Thrashers are in any danger of relocation. I think they’re in danger of finding ownership that cares enough to fire a GM after a decade of failure. And I long for that day.
All I'm Saying Is...
February 18th, 2010
2:58 pm
Drew Gooden is like Chinese Food—once you have him on your team, you’re hungry for a true post player in two hours. In other words, there is a reason why he is on his seventh team.
Truth-Serum: I agree that our team as presently composed has limited upside but we have got to do something assuming we get to the second round in the playoffs and have to take on the Magic or the Cavs because we will need to either sprint the floor with a three guard lineup or go big (as much as we can) and put JC and Horford out there together.
I for one would like to hope that Sund is at least on the phone with the Nets and trying to swing a deal for say Lopez or considering taking a real gamble and nabbing Thabeet from the Grizzlies where he is currently in Coach Lionel Hollins doghouse (threatened to send him to the D-League last month if he didn’t play with some passion) or at least considering another huge gamble by grabbing Hibbert from the Pacers (who many think is as mobile as a tree).
We don’t a scorer at Center especially with what we have, we just need an intimidating defensive presence and either Lopez, Thabeet or Hibbert would fill the bill.
I don’t know the economics but I’m sure we could work something out to offset salaries as each of the three guys above are young and not making much which could help us to unload Marvin.
LET’S GO HAWKS!
GraveDigger
February 18th, 2010
3:12 pm
The Hawks should have traded Marvin Williams and Za Za Pachullia for Amare Stoudemire. Then all you have to do is trade Mike Bibby and Flip Murray for Chris Paul and we would have UPGRADED OUR TALENT TO THE HILT!
Going after Ilgauskas would be right move for Hawks | Jeff Schultz
February 18th, 2010
3:28 pm
[...] Even if Ilgauskas didn’t start for the Hawks, it would allow them to bring him off the bench in the post-season and shift Al Horford to power forward and Josh Smith to small forward (with Marvin Williams going to the bench), giving them a potent front line. The Cavaliers beefed up for the playoffs Wednesday when it acquired Antawn Jamison from the Wizards. [...]
Mike Jay
February 18th, 2010
3:35 pm
I’m pretty sure all those bulls teams did not have a center that could “Post up and score and play good defense” They had a center who was a scrappy defender but never one who did that and could post up and score. The trade scenarios in here are universally silly but i am enjoying reading all these fantasies.
Hoford is an all star at center and makes 4 mil a season as of right now. He’s 22 and will get bigger, stronger and better. Dwight Howard is not 7′. Stoudamire does not play defense and is not 7′, he is a better scorer and worse rebounder. Do not undervalue how good a passer Hoford is. That plus the fact he can even lead a fast break are big contributers to Hawks being one of the best shotting teams in the league. You all want to insert some slow footed unathletic 7′ dude that will not mesh with the rest of the team. Dumb. Bibby and Marvin are what is holding this team back. IIRC Howard has not really killed us going head to head it’s the other guys that do.
Truth-Serum
February 18th, 2010
3:58 pm
All I’m Saying Is… Id like to say great minds think alike, but the reality is its a no brainer. you are spot on and walking point! I don’t know If I could have put it any better. “Lopez, Thabeet or Hibbert would fill the bill.” would give us a defensive presence horford doesnt, I mean for real , come on, # 18 among nba center for blocks? What the hell is that ?Defense wins games. I would not rule out Amare because hed command so much attention to defend and that would force the other teams defense to stay home on him and double team. 21 points a game from the center post in excellent. Either way you’ve got to do something now, because we are so close, got to stay close, or else we will fall back to the pack. Cant believe Sund is sitting on his hands.
Going after Ilgauskas would be right move for Hawks? I like it, Better than nothing, maximize out potention. 7′3″ was averaging 14pts before shaq, cool. Lets start him that will be 16 and nate robinson/tony parker wont abuse us. Make it happen.
We can still use Horford to get major minutes behind Josh and The big I, there enough minutes to keep every body happy. I dont see Ilgauskas as a bench guy. we are getting him to stop the bleeding in the paint and to protect the rim.
I hope this isnt a game being played by Sund where it just for shore to make it look like he tried… dont try, dude, make it happen. Thats the stuff championship GM’s are made of!
Jeff Schultz
February 18th, 2010
4:02 pm
For those who haven’t heard/read, the Hawks likely will make a pitch for Ilgauskas if — as expected — he is released by the Washington Wizards.
Link: http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/02/18/going-after-ilgauskas-would-be-right-move-for-hawks/
(Sorry: No Michelle Damon pictures on this link.)
BobbyCrocker
February 18th, 2010
4:17 pm
I think the guy who the Hawks should try and get is BARON DAVIS. When the Baron is hot, he’s capable of making 10 3-pointers in a row. That is who the Hawks need to go to the next level. Someone who can score at will, and that is precisely who Baron Davis is. Baron Davis is a scoring machine! If Baron’s not available then by all means try and bring T-Mac in here. We need offense, but our defense is spectacular. We need to outscore people. Ive seen west coast teams just run up the score on the Hawks and there was nothing the Hawks could do to keep up. Last year we went into Denver and lost by almost 40 points. Its embarrasing how we seem to always get blown out by west coast teams. Lets see the Cavs and the Magic beat us if we put up 140 points on them. You get my point. There Hawks are currently in a west coast swing so we’ll find out if Im right.
byDawg
February 18th, 2010
6:18 pm
Jeff – No way imo, can the hawks win a championship as currently constructed – this year, or going foward…especially, with Cleveland making all the right possible moves they can – and not with Orlando being a thorn in our side. Signing ZI would certainly give us hope though.
Hopefully, we can do a better job of drafting going foward and put the mishaps of Marvin and Sheldon behind us. Teague looks like a player for us in the future so maybe this Sund guy knows his talent a little better than our previous GM./
Dr. R
February 18th, 2010
11:48 pm
Tiger Woods is a golfer. He should go play golf. If people are upset at him, they don’t have to watch him play golf. Those (like me) who don’t care about his personal life can watch him play golf, which he does very well. Why we have to engage in this celebrity worship culture that turns every personal peccadillo into a news story is beyond me. I think anyone who is a serial philanderer is a poor quality person and needs to get right with his family and his God, but that’s up to him. I got my own life to lead and my own family to raise. In the meantime, I do my job and he should do his, and all the tabloid stuff shouldn’t really matter. Unless the blow on the head he took keeps him from making putts, he should go play golf and get on with his career and his life.
Dr. R
February 18th, 2010
11:54 pm
And as for Michelle Damon, other than the fact that all that silicone is about to make that dress explode, she ain’t all that special. Though I’m guessing she probably has a stronger throwing arm than her old man, who couldn’t knock over the milk bottles at the county fair from 10 feet away. The Braves endured the ultra-immobile Garrett Anderson last year; they don’t need another aging, creaky old has-been with limited athleticism. Give Shaefer another chance first, or just go with Melky and Diaz. Every year they try to find someone to push Diaz out but he winds up hitting .320 and playing every day by midseason, so just let him be. And I don’t even care what his wife looks like, nor should any of you, since a) most of us have our own ladies to look at, and b) even those of you so desperate you want to glom onto someone else’s arm candy should realize that they aren’t going to let you sit near her at the Ted, so what’s the diff?
About Jamison To Cavs | Worldwide News
February 19th, 2010
3:17 am
[...] Quick hits: With Jamison to Cavs, do Hawks need upgrade? | Jeff …The Atlanta Hawks may need to make a trade to keep pace in the NBA’s Eastern Conference after the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Antawn Jamison from Washington. Read more [...]
Arealblkwmn
February 19th, 2010
4:27 am
Never ceases to amaze me ,how “boys” droooooool over fake boobs!!!!
JuliusCesaer
February 19th, 2010
1:25 pm
No one should be worried about the Hawks. Please watch the Hawks mature carefully before you complain. First point. Al Horford goes to the all-star break as a reserve and contributes; then comes back to begin the second half with a mammoth 31-point effort (a career high), an absolute beast in the paint. Al Horford is just one scoring option. There is also Jamal Crawford who has had two (50) point games in his career. Joe Johnson (future hall of famer, superstar) who is as good as LaBron James and Kobe Bryant; and then theres josh smith who plays a solid all-around game (blocked shots, steals, assists, points and rebounds). Smooth has evolved into a great defensive player and when his defense is on, a much improved offensive player who will get better in time. Right now the way the Hawks are set up, and THEY HAVE PLENTY OF SCORING OPTIONS AVAILABLE. Mike Bibby should be getting a pile of assists as our Hawks are ready to bust out and join the elite status. [THEY ARE ALREADY THERE]. Dont worry about the Hawks, just support them and go out to Phillips Arena and scream your lungs out AT PROBABLY ONE THE MOST EXCITING AND ATHLETIC TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE.
CavyShomo
February 22nd, 2010
12:01 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYCVpPo1WQ&feature=related
CavyShomo
February 22nd, 2010
12:04 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HHbeILuwVM&feature=related
osgoodoliv
July 28th, 2010
8:54 am
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