A rare Hawks’ draft highlight: Jordan Crawford falls to them
Jordan Crawford averaged 29 points in three NCAA tournament games for Xavier.
Did this just happen?
A Hawks’ highlight … on draft night?
This is the franchise of Cal Bowdler. This is the franchise of Doug Edwards, Shelden Williams, Roshown McLeod, Ed Gray and Priest Lauderdale.
It doesn’t end there. But if I mention more names, I believe it becomes felony verbal abuse.
Last year, Hawks general manager Rick Sund acquired Jamal Crawford from Golden State for Acie Law (another past draft mistake) and Speedy Claxton (a significant free-agent mistake). When the press release came out, we all figured it was some belated April Fool’s joke. Instead, it turned out to be the trade of millennium. Crawford was the biggest — possibly the only — reason the Hawks won six more games last season.
What happened Thursday night may not equal the Crawford trade in impact. But given the Hawks’ largely inglorious draft history — notwithstanding the grand slam of Al Horford and the wonder (though maddening) of Josh Smith — this draft qualifies as a significant highlight. Actually, it qualifies as a reason for a parade.
After a post-draft trade with New Jersey, the Hawks will end up with the one player, Xavier’s Jordan Crawford, who was still available in the draft who could significantly help them.
Jordan’s name had come up quite a bit over the past week. He can score. He can jump. He can hit jumpers with defenders in his face. The shooting guard — no relation to the Hawks’ other shooting guard named Crawford — averaged 20.5 points for Xavier last season. He averaged 29 points in three NCAA tournament games.
You may also remember him for YouTube “VideoGate”: He dunked on LeBron James in a summer camp last year. Nike officials immediately tried to confiscate everybody’s video. Fortunately, it lives on in Google. (Google is Kryptonite for spin artists. See video below.)
How high were the Hawks on Crawford? When I asked Hawks assistant general manager Dave Pendergraft about him the other day, he said: “I like him a lot. He’s a guy we’ve talked about quite a bit. But I’m afraid he might be gone before we pick.”
Surprisingly, he wasn’t gone.
Actually, Crawford lasted longer than the Hawks’ pick. At 24th overall, with Crawford on the board, Sund selected Texas forward Damion James. But reports immediately surfaced that the Hawks had worked a trade with New Jersey for the Nets’ 27th overall pick. That was pretty much confirmed when the Nets took Crawford. In the process, the Hawks were expected to pick up an extra draft pick.
It’s also an Atlanta Spirit-friendly transaction: The Hawks will save about $90,000 in salary by signing the 27th overall pick instead of the 24th. They also received the Nets’ 31st overall pick, center Tibor Pleiss of Germany, in the deal, then turned around and sold Pleiss to Oklahoma City for close to the league maximum of $3 million. The team’s preference is to use that salary spot for a veteran player.
Sund was elated to get Crawford. He and Pendergraft both were surprised the player was still there.
So why pass on him at 24? Sund admitted it was a calculated risk, but said: “We felt pretty comfortable he would still be there [for New Jersey at 27th].”
The Hawks also had two other players they liked if Crawford wasn’t there.
In the best-case scenario, Crawford gives the Hawks scoring depth. In the worst-case scenario, it gives them some help if they lose Joe Johnson in free agency and/or can’t re-sign Josh Childress, who is expected to return to the NBA from Greece.
The Hawks can’t afford to stand pat this offseason. Getting swept out of the second round for the second consecutive season.
“We finished the season as a really good basketball team,” Sund said before the draft. “We didn’t play as well in the second round against Orlando as obviously we thought we could. But we’re in a situation now where everybody obviously got a little taste of that and we’re hopefully more focused.”
And next?
“Hopefully we sign Joe. Hopefully we’ll add to this roster and look at some things that will make us better. We’ll see how it plays out.”
It’s a good start to the summer.
♦
Once again, with feeling: Crawford dunks on LeBron
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119 comments Add your comment
Gravy Train
June 25th, 2010
1:15 am
Is there a chance Cuban will part ways with Dirk? Not only no, but heck no. Is there a big man who can contain Howard. See answer above. The Hawks need to take some notes from Boston and LA, spread the floor and play tenacious defense, and for all that is holy on hardwood, get more than one scoring option and a point guard who can run. Resign Joe, package “Smoove” and Bibby for a big man, and let Jamal run the point.
ScottBravesfan
June 25th, 2010
1:17 am
Every NBA team is hemorrhaging money it’s not just the Hawks. The Lakers were going to give Phil Jackson a 50 percent pay cut because they can’t afford to pay him anymore. Get ready because after this season there is going to be a long and nasty lock out because the owners aren’t making any money.
Casey
June 25th, 2010
1:28 am
ASG is a JOKE!!! First they risk losing the guy they wanted to draft to save a few thousand dollars. Then they SELL a 7 footer which the Hawks desperately needed for $3 million. This shows how bad off they are financially. They don’t have the money to own one pro sports team, much less two. ASG YOU ARE IN OVER YOUR HEAD. PLEASE SELL THE HAWKS AND THE THRASHERS!!!
Also, let’s get real here. They are not going to use that cash to sign Joe Johnson or anyone else. I guarantee you all right now. The Hawks will keep the cash and will not sign any major free agents.
Andrew
June 25th, 2010
2:00 am
Yo Casey, The Center wasn’t going to play in the United States for a few years. he is going to be stashed overseas, so do your research before you start crying all night. plus, ASG doesn’t make draft selections, thats the coach and GM. Plus Whiteside wasn’t going to come in and start and play 30 minutes so thats why you dont draft him. FA is still available
Steve
June 25th, 2010
2:15 am
All you people whining about selling the pick have no business talking basketball whatsoever. The chance of ANY second rounder being a significant contributor for any part of his entire career is less than 10%. Basically, about 3 guys per each years draft. The Hawks instead traded him for a cash and also kept the money free for some off-season movement. If it were up to me, I would trade every second round pick in the Hawks future if we could get that kind of deal. Those picks are next to worthless, especially given that no one picked in the second round would get significant minutes for a team worth a crap.
I love the Crawford trade. Damian James might turn out to be a stud, but he would not have gotten significant minutes on the Hawks for a couple of years at the least. Let’s also not forget he is labelled as probably being the laziest player in the first round. Does he have talent? Yes. Does he have drive? Not even remotely. The Hawks don’t need to take the risk with him.
Great move by Sund. Now, let’s sign and trade JJ and move forward. No sense over-paying for the easiest position on the floor to fill with a talented young player. With Joe gone it opens up the offense for more from Marvin and Jamal. Let’s not forget Marvin has stil never had a chance to really shine, but almost every time the Hawks actually got him the ball he got hot and took over games. If they actually TRIED to bring him into the offense rather than just making he and Josh the last second prayer shooters, he might actually flourish. There are only a handful of players in the league tall enough to impact his jumper and still quick enough not to get beat by him off the dribble.
I am already lovign this offseason for the Hawks. Now, if they don’t butcher it by overpaying and keepign a fading second-tier star, then we are really on to something. Don’t get me wrong, I really like JJ, but his game isn’t getting any better and he could possibly bring a bundle in a trade and there would be little dropoff if we lose him as we have plenty of weapons that don’t get the ball enough as it is.
MsDee
June 25th, 2010
4:30 am
truthspitter,
U need to calm down..if u dont like what decisions the Hawks just made, u can leave just like JJ..peace-out!!
I totally agree with Steve. Finally, someone who sees the potential this trade for cash could possibly do for the Hawks. Joe is gone, get over it!! We need to move on and that’s just what the Hawks did under these circumstances. We are losing our top scorer with the #24 pick: the #24 pick!! We trade down to get the player we really wanted, a POSSIBLE replacement of Joe and was able to get a 2nd rounder who WE KNEW was going to be a project, instead we recieved much needed cash to use to grab a better, proven player along with some players to move as well (Bibby, Mo Evans). So all u cry babies who cant change a damn thing need to just take yall selves to bed..GOODNIGHT!
MsDee
June 25th, 2010
4:36 am
Najeh,
You are right, those 2nd rounders u just mentioned would be a few PROVEN PLAYERS we could use right now, a team who is dam-near elite..we dont need to rebuild like those teams may have been doing when they pick those guys way back then..We are still young enough, dont need to get younger, just better!!
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June 25th, 2010
5:25 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by . said: [...]
STRETCH
June 25th, 2010
5:52 am
Steve,
like what you are saying. Makes too much sense for the Hawks not to do this. Looking good so far for this team, lots of balance, all they need now is to pick a proven big, which Sund expects to do.
Dose of Reality
June 25th, 2010
5:58 am
Well, I am late on this post…. At first, I was upset with the addition of yet another forward on the Hawks roster, but then I realized how tough and physical he was and realized that he fit the hawks very well. But then all of a sudden, he was traded for a SG that fit us very well, I will be blunt and some of you will not like it but here it goes, I see a great situation if it balances out like I think it could for the Hawks… Call me crazy, but the best scenario for the Hawks would be to….
1) Let JJ walk, Jamal Crawford Start at SG, with Jordan Crawford taking his former place on the bench
2) Since Joe is gone, and with the addition of the 3 million earned in the 2nd round, we now could have enough money to pick up a true 1st TIER Superstar, perhaps Bosh?
3) Sure Bosh isn’t a true Center, but he would be a GREAT OFFENSIVE addition who could enable Horford to move to his true position at PF, a position in which he would be truly Dominant in……
4) My only real concern would be where to put Josh Smith, his shooting and dribbling is too inconsistent for SF, but could you imagine a team with Josh Smith, Chris Bosh, and Horford in the post???….
5) That would be scary combination, not to mention a pretty good SG in Jamal Crawford, with a clone (possibly better clone) coming off the bench in the name of Jordan Crawford….
6) PG Jeff Teague is only a great coach and some quality experience away from being a clone of Rajon Rondo, Yep….it might sound crazy…
7) Bibby and Marvin are bench players, plain and simple… and along with Zaza and Jordan Crawford, we will have a hell of a bench!!!!!!!!
Starting Lineup: (Drum Roll)
C- Chris Bosh
PG- Jeff Teague
PF- Al Horford
SM-Josh Smith
SG-Jamal Crawford
Hawks Fans, we have finally gotten over the hump!!!! Our championship team has now arrived!!!!!
MsDee
June 25th, 2010
6:00 am
Now that’s what I’m talking about, A ‘Dose of Reality’
Dose of Reality
June 25th, 2010
6:01 am
THANKS ^^^^^^ : – )
kirkinga
June 25th, 2010
6:32 am
I don’t know what the causes of his dismissal were, but I sure wish there was some way Kevin Pritchard could join the Hawks front office perhaps as a consultant. I have little confidence in Sund, especially if things go south this offseason.
Joey M
June 25th, 2010
6:41 am
Why would ASG want to dump a lot of money in this team anyway? Ever been to a game where the Hawks were playing a team with a good player? The fans cheer louder for LaBron, Kobe, Shaq, and any other marque name that’s out there. They than turn and boo the best player in Joe Johnson, yet expect him to hang around. You people are insane. I think if the fans are going to turn on the home team because the other team has a superstar on it, than just fill the Hawks with garbage and let the fans root for the other team anyway. Let the other team entertain the Hawks “fans”. There is no loyalty here.
dap01
June 25th, 2010
6:45 am
Jeff, has anyone asked why the Hawks did not draft any of the centers available at the 31st pick? I thought that previous years drafts were based on stupidity, but now I realize that the Hawks do not really want to win. If they win by accident, that is great.
Why pass on the centers?
The Hawks ownership and management are the WORST in the NBA.
Boooooo, Boooooo, Boooooo
Joey M
June 25th, 2010
6:47 am
Oh, and if winning an NBA championship in Atlanta is the same as in L.A. with those animals destroying the city, than no thank you. Those people looked like a zoo of prisoner animals let loose and they “celebrated” by seeing what they could burn and destroy. Anybody that celebrates by destroying other people’s property is an animal. A dirty filthy animal. It’s probably the same people that went to the screening of Transformers in the park. Same group of disgusting animals masquerading as people. If having a losing Hawks team keeps the trash of this city from destroying it further, than please trade the team away. Don’t encourage the trash to “L.A.” the few nice parts that are left of Atlanta.
Paddy
June 25th, 2010
7:00 am
Trade a center(#31) for money, don’t draft a center and no Joe Johnson. Yea, thats a great start to the off season. You can see the confidence build for the ASG in the eyes of their fans. Whats next? Raise ticket prices!
MsDee
June 25th, 2010
7:26 am
I’m curious, all u guys who have been complaining like girls, tell me this..if the Hawks bring in a proven center that can start RIGHT NOW, not sit on the bench if they were a 2ND ROUND PICK, get some great free agents and clear up bench waste with extra pocket change they received from a 2Nd ROUND PICK who they were NEVER EVER EVER EVER going to use, and finish the 2010-2011 season with a record of 58-24 and reach the semi-conf finals with a 4-2 series lost to Chicago, would you cry babies finally put yall thumbs in yall mouths so we, the true die-hard fans, could appreciate the success in our team without all the noise from yall???
Tweets that mention It's a rare Hawks draft highlight: Jordan Crawford falls to them | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
June 25th, 2010
7:32 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Todd Resch, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Crawford column posted. Had to wait until deadline unfriendly NBA office rubber-stamped #Hawks trade for Crawford. http://bit.ly/bO7BYz [...]
Sloan
June 25th, 2010
7:37 am
Good move getting Jordan Crawford. Now what are we going to do about JJ?
JEWELL
June 25th, 2010
7:40 am
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE WITH THE HAWKS. CRAWFORD WAS A GOOD GET. BUT THEN TURN AROUND AND WASTE THE VERY FIRST PICK IN THE SECNOND ROUND! WHITESIDE OR ALABI COULD HELP NOW ON THE BOARDS AND WITH REBOUNDING. IT HAD BEEN REPORTED CRAWFORD WAS JAMAL’S LIL BORTHER, BUT THEN CORRECTED TO HIS NEPHEW…WHO KNOWS?
JSS
June 25th, 2010
7:42 am
Actually Pape Sy #10 plays for STB LeHavre (up on the Northern French coast of Normandy) in the Pro A League. That should make it easier for you guys to look him up. LeHavre is the city, not the whole name of the team. His teammates include Andrew Lovedale (the power forward on Stephan Curry’s Davidson NCAA Elite 8 team) and for you SEC folks Ansu Sesay (Ole Miss alum).
http://www.stblehavre.com/spip.php?page=menu2011&id_rubrique=15&var_mode=recalcul
“who is Poppy Seed and why would we draft him?”
Oh I looked at user name attached to that asinine comment, never mind… (Crapapple doh strikes again)
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 25th, 2010
7:47 am
Hawks management reminds me of the woman that owned the Indians in major league. Selling draft rights for cash. Next year the Hawks will keep a poster of ownership and remove clothes for each win. By the way, Sund did a great job on the deal. He moved 3 spots and picked up the first pick of the 2nd round. Just a shame the Hawks couldn’t draft someone to keep.
JSS
June 25th, 2010
7:48 am
I say once again, as fans, let’s not make the same mistake we made with Boris Diaw. Temper expectations, but push the kid to get better the right way…
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 25th, 2010
7:52 am
JSS, great link on Pape Sy, now can anybody read French and translate to awesome, texas ranger?
JSS
June 25th, 2010
7:54 am
@ Walker…
Do you have the Google Chrome browser? It will translate it for you… Which browser do you use?
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 25th, 2010
7:56 am
Awesome, thanks
Jerry West
June 25th, 2010
7:57 am
Dose of Reality,
Here’s a dose for you. Bosh doesn’t wanna come to the Hawks. The Hawks can’t sign him even if they let Joe walk. They’d have to trade for him (sign and trade), but there’s that little issue again of him not wanting to be here. Especially if he has to play C (if you paired Al and Bosh, guess who’d be doing the dirty work in the middle…. it ain’t Al).
ME BE NBA PLAYER SOME DAY
June 25th, 2010
8:20 am
What is the NBA?…and, if I knew, I still would not care what the NBA is….or was. All I know is, it probably keeps a lot of socio-economically deprived kids from taking school seriously….because they are all going to play in whatever the NBA is…or was.
Skip Harlicka
June 25th, 2010
8:23 am
Lets not get too excited..I was a first round pick for the Hawks way back in the day. Everyone loved me. Who am I? Do you remember me? Exactly.
UGASlobberknocker
June 25th, 2010
8:26 am
I havent been this hyped up since we drafted Koncak.
dap01
June 25th, 2010
8:33 am
The Spirit Group should not be allowed to own a NBA team.
J
June 25th, 2010
8:41 am
seriously people, shut up … it’s a business, they gambled and saved money. you guys act like money grows on trees … freaking retards!!! maybe if half you jags would come out to the games & the team was selling out constantly, this wouldn’t be a problem. you can’t fault somebody for conducting smart business … that’s why half of you a-holes are broke, b/c you don’t prioritize!
swoop22
June 25th, 2010
8:43 am
alot of people don’t know anything about anything. JJ is a far better player than Crawford. It is must for the Hawks to resign JJ for the team to continue to grow. The one player who has failed this team is Marvin. That and maybe another player for another SF and possible a center is the right direction.I can’t believe you guys are expecting anything out of Marvin and thinking Josh can play the 3 is a joke. Think basketball and not by the heart
Casey
June 25th, 2010
8:44 am
YO Andrew. How do you know whether Pleiss would stay overseas? You heard one of those idiots on ESPN say it? So what if he stayed in Europe? That is actually a great situation for the Hawks to be in. He develops in Europe and when he’s ready to play, he comes over. Also, the $3 million dollars? What exactly are the Hawks going to do with a whopping $3 million dollars. Do you know how much Joe Johnson makes in 1 season? So, do your research next time. Moron.
J
June 25th, 2010
8:46 am
hmmm … save $90K and then make $3 mil by selling a pick … sounds like a winner … guess half you didn’t read a recent article by ajc about how much the Atlanta Spirit has lost this past year, and then you complain about how come they are saving money … seriously, are you guys that stupid??? i know it’s just an opinion column but do any of you look at facts before you post an opinion? are you really that uneducated when it comes to money??? stuuuuuupid
J
June 25th, 2010
8:49 am
Casey, i think you are one of the retards on here by the way … just stating a fact
J
June 25th, 2010
8:51 am
there are way too many extra chromosomes on this blog … it’s making me feel deficient in the “smart” department … guess special ed is in session
Steve
June 25th, 2010
8:52 am
Remember a couple of weeks ago when Yahoo reported the Hawks were shopping their 1st pick for cash? A major uproar started in ATL. So Sund still got the cash – a little over 3 mill. total, and a 1st round pick to calm ATL. fans – Sund is slick I tell you.
Navigator
June 25th, 2010
9:14 am
The Hawks are starting to act like the Braves with some ability to get good players out of the draft.
Get Real
June 25th, 2010
9:17 am
Anyone who doesn’t like these moves is an idiot! Hawks got a guy that can score and 3 million dollars in cash to spend on a free agent, how in the hell is that a bad draft night?!
wesleywhatwhat
June 25th, 2010
9:22 am
i have no problem with crawford at 24. or 27.
but the hawks could have drafted gani lawal as a talented big off the bench at 31 but instead drafted a nobody and sold him?
FAIL.
anyone who calls this a successful draft is kidding themselves.
wesleywhatwhat
June 25th, 2010
9:24 am
dap01 has it right – “The Spirit Group should not be allowed to own a NBA team.”
Sutton's Fro
June 25th, 2010
9:32 am
Bosh isn’t coming to ATL if Joe Johnson goes, because – in his mind – he would be in the same situation that he’s got in Toronto (having to carry a team). He wants to go somewhere where he can be the “1A” or “2″ guy on the team.
I wanted the Hawks to take Alabi at #31, but it’s obvious that everyone one in the organization thinks that Horford is good enough at center. I love Horford, but he should be at the 4 spot and Smoove should be at the 3. I just hope Sund can find a FA low-post guy who isn’t a complete stiff….
Kenny
June 25th, 2010
9:38 am
Once again no BIG MAN ! You cannot win in this League without a True Big Man ! Maybe next year draft !
Drew finally speaks to Joe Johnson, and he wants him back | Jeff Schultz
June 25th, 2010
9:39 am
[...] the new Hawks coach was happy for two reasons: 1) The team had drafted Xavier’s Jordan Crawford, whose game tape makes Drew light up; 2) For the first time since he was named the team’s [...]
Greg
June 25th, 2010
9:46 am
I am an Indiana Hoosiers fan, so I’m not a fan of us getting Jordan Crawford. While at IU he had some major attitude problems and I question his character. I cringed when I saw the Hawks had traded for him.
chc4
June 25th, 2010
9:59 am
I’m so glad that noted NBL talent evaluator Jeff Schultz has blessed this pick.
JC
June 25th, 2010
10:08 am
Guys, guys, guys, you’re missing the point! It’s not about who we should’ve drafted or should sign or trade for. It’s about what we call the new kid since we’ve already got a Crawford! Please, think of Dominique and Bob Rathbun!
Jeff Schultz
June 25th, 2010
10:19 am
Dap01 — Pretty sure the idea was simply not to have another player from this draft on the roster. They prefer to spend whatever money they have on a veteran.