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.
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Once again, with feeling: Crawford dunks on LeBron
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119 comments Add your comment
moorman
June 24th, 2010
11:36 pm
like he said, insurance in case joe johnson leaves.
jMeg
June 24th, 2010
11:38 pm
welcome to the hawks crawford! now you’ll be dunking on lebron all the time! FIRST!
Landon Donovan
June 24th, 2010
11:38 pm
FIRST!!!
Ted
June 24th, 2010
11:39 pm
Pape Sy? Oopsy!
Bobby
June 24th, 2010
11:39 pm
Good stuff! Now let’s hope we can sign Joe..
Steve
June 24th, 2010
11:40 pm
First?
Jerry West
June 24th, 2010
11:40 pm
Was Doug Edwards so bad that you had to list him twice?
P. Bull Terrier
June 24th, 2010
11:41 pm
The fact that the Hawks would take a “calculated risk” just to save $90,000 on the player they really wanted speaks volumes about the sorry state of the organization. I hope Crawford works out well for the team, but it looks like he’s boarding a sinking ship.
Steve
June 24th, 2010
11:42 pm
I guess if we can’t get Lebron the next best thing is to get a guy that dunked on him????
Herschel Talker
June 24th, 2010
11:45 pm
Pape Sy is the man.
PUBLIX
June 24th, 2010
11:46 pm
HELLLL YESSSS!!!! FINALLY WE DRAFTED RIGHT. I WATCHED THIS GUY FOR A WHILE AND HE IS VERY GOOD. NOW SIGN AND TRADE JOE, CHILDRESS AND ZAZA TO MEMPHIS FOR GASOL, GAY AND 2ND ROUND PICK OF NEXT YEAR. TRADE BIBBY AND WILLIAMS TO CHARLOTTE FOR CHANDLER.
PG- CRAWFORD
SG- GAY
SF- SMITH
PF- HORFORD
C- GASOL
PG- TEAGUE
SG- CRAWFORD (NEW)
SF- WILLIAMS
PF- RANDMO
C- CHANDLER
WHAT A GREAT TEAM.
Reid Adair
June 24th, 2010
11:46 pm
It saves a little money the way they did it. Where/when is the other draft pick involved?
As for the alleged “dunk on” LeBron, I guess that depends on your definition of “on.” If being the opposing team member closest to the dunker, “on” would apply.
I hope Jordan’s ready for some minutes. They’ll be available once Joe Johnson is gone.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 24th, 2010
11:47 pm
I’m happy that the Hawks added J. Crawford part 2. He seems like a nice player, although I’d be surprised if he makes a huge impact this year. But the f-ckery with the #31 pick still leaves a hell of a bitter taste in my mouth.
Bishop
June 24th, 2010
11:50 pm
WE NEED A BIG MAN! Jesus I hate the ASG
Smooth
June 24th, 2010
11:50 pm
I thought Jordan was the little brother of Jamal, during the tournament that was said.
LEA
June 24th, 2010
11:51 pm
why do u still have a job
Remarkable
June 24th, 2010
11:53 pm
Jeff, whwn and if Joe jumps ship, who can we afford to sign with what little salary cap room we will have. Won’t all the other teams get all the even decent players with their abundance of money and won’t that inflate the value of players?
Boycott Hawks
June 24th, 2010
11:53 pm
Still need a big man!!! Bye Joe Johnson thanks for the memories!!
Bishop
June 24th, 2010
11:53 pm
Cant wait to see Crawford try to guard Dwight Howard.
Joey M
June 24th, 2010
11:53 pm
If we don’t at least sign/trade Joe Johnson than the Hawks are going to be awful for several years to come. Ideally I would love to see the Hawks resign Johnson, than package him in a trade with some other players for Labron James. Or just sign the guy and enjoy the sales generated from his merchandise. If not, Dirk Nowitzki would look great in a Hawk’s uni. Preferably next to Joe Johnson. Dirk is the most underrated player in the NBA.
Another Crawford
June 24th, 2010
11:54 pm
Did we get the Nets 31st pick?? He looks like a 7-footer, which we need badly.
StateHawks46
June 24th, 2010
11:57 pm
Great pick. However, the next 2 picks are what??? Tibor Pliess for close to 3 millions. And Pape Sy or Derrick Caracter or Stanley Robinson. (Really?)
O-M-G
June 24th, 2010
11:58 pm
I was happy with the Crawford pick. I was super happy when Whiteside was available @ the 31 pick. I am disgusted we cheaped out the pick for cash or whatever. Cheap @ss ASG.
brandon
June 24th, 2010
11:58 pm
watch damion james go on to be one of the great forwards in the league.
Rufus1
June 24th, 2010
11:59 pm
I wanted James…..
Rufus1
June 25th, 2010
12:04 am
The Hawks need toughness and size…I wanted Damion James, his is TOUGH.
bilbo
June 25th, 2010
12:07 am
As long as I don’t have to watch Joe shoot 5-18 in a playoff game after doing four quarters of iso/one-on-one stuff, I’ll be happy.
moorman
June 25th, 2010
12:10 am
lets be honest, how many of us CRINGED, when the hawks selected a FORWARD initially?? lol
newkid
June 25th, 2010
12:12 am
What a crock.
MsDee
June 25th, 2010
12:15 am
Say what u really feel, newkid.
StateHawks46
June 25th, 2010
12:19 am
Selling the pick= ASG ownership…..
Atlanta Spirit Group…please sell Hawks. Y’all are worst than the Smith owner who owned the Falcons before the amazing Mr. Blank came to the rescue. You have no business in the NBA when you make cheap decisions.
Avery
June 25th, 2010
12:23 am
I was elated with the way the first round panned out. Utterly disgusted with how the 2nd round unfolded. I can’t believe we cheaped out and sold the pick when good centers were available. What a travesty.
Oh well, they already got my money for next year. I guess I’m a bigger sucker than ASG.
i_am_soulstar
June 25th, 2010
12:23 am
Damion James was #2 on my list of players available at #24.
Oh well. But good move trading the #31 pick for cash if the intent is to go after a veteran big. I’m wit it.
nes
June 25th, 2010
12:25 am
Well, it could have been a flop of a draft. i am happy they got Crawford, just wish they had drafted center Whiteside instead of selling the 31st pick for 3 million. Cash won’t win championships, players do. lets face it, Joe Johnson wants to play with either Lebron or D. Wade as a twosome without having to shoulder a franchise like in Atlanta, he is good as gone, we should sign and trade JJ fast as possible. i say plug Morris in as back up center behind ZAZA and develop him into a steady banger and scorer in the middle. just my opinion, go hawks
i_am_soulstar
June 25th, 2010
12:25 am
The Hawks just worked New Jersey and OKC over for 3 million. That’s awesome.
True 5
June 25th, 2010
12:25 am
Trading a pick really shows that the Douche spirit group is just trying to save a buck. sell our team please to someone who cares about the hawks!!!!
True 5
June 25th, 2010
12:26 am
*selling the pick
LETS GO ATL
June 25th, 2010
12:27 am
Ok Good Pick, Now Lets Get JaJaJa Joe Back
i_am_soulstar
June 25th, 2010
12:28 am
Are you guys serious?
You’d rather draft a PROJECT center than use that 3 million to help sign an established NBA big?
Listen to what you’re saying. A big at #31 is not going to contribute immediately or even in the near future.
Jon
June 25th, 2010
12:29 am
Selling the #31 is quite telling about the ASG.
2nd rounders are not guaranteed a contract. There’s no financial commitment. Draft a guy, cut him by Nov. 1, pay him nothing (other than the minimum given to summer/training camp fillers.)
If you’re attempting to run an NBA team, you shouldn’t be so financially stretched that you need to sell assets in order to gain a small amount (in NBA financial terms) to use for another player. Selling the #31 didn’t create cap space. $3 million doesn’t even buy a legit NBA big…
Remarkable
June 25th, 2010
12:33 am
What center are you going to get. Everyone else out there in NBA land has tons more money than we do to throw at these guys. Who would want to play for these guys (ASG)?
True 5
June 25th, 2010
12:33 am
Get real this is the ASG not mikhail prokorov. we would be lucky for them to go out of their way to sign someone half as good as zaza. the german guy was growing on me
newkid
June 25th, 2010
12:37 am
I wish the ASG had a dollar for every time I’ve heard the expression “…if you can’t run with the big dawgs, stay on the porch”. The fiasco at 31 yells the truism that a ‘for sale’ sign is long past due.
Avery
June 25th, 2010
12:41 am
soulstar……..you could have done both. Second round contracts are not guaranteed. Draft the guy and then let him try to make the team.
James Adams
June 25th, 2010
12:47 am
Ask Keith Askins about Doug Edwards. I’ll bet he NEVER says anything bad about Doug Edwards, lest he be busted upside the head, again.
i_am_soulstar
June 25th, 2010
12:52 am
Interesting arguments.
But you’re trying to retain Joe Johnnson and Josh Childress who’s about to sign an offer sheet for the Wizards. Cash for a 2nd round draft pick helps with that. It’s all about asset management. And I’m not saying 3 million for a big, I’m saying that it could go toward acquiring a big. It could go toward a number of things, as long as it gets us someone productive on the roster.
Do some research folks, you don’t get too many productive bigs in the 2nd round. If you think otherwise, you’re just showing your lack of basketball knowledge.
If that guy ends up being a steady contributor in the league, then great. But there’s a reason he wasn’t taken in the first round.
i_am_soulstar
June 25th, 2010
12:53 am
Some of y’all are kiddie-blogging.. all passion, no logic. I’m going to bed.
StateHawks46
June 25th, 2010
12:55 am
Atlanta Hawks welcome back to the lottery.
ken
June 25th, 2010
1:01 am
no point in tradin 4 chandler he can opt out if he wants , we should go after raja bell n chandler
Trigger Trigsby, the Third
June 25th, 2010
1:04 am
yes, yes, yes great move hawks…you traded the 31st pick for $ 3 million..now watch the Hawks go use this $3 million to sign some one like JOE SKINNER OR MACEO BASTON or both…Although a smart move I don’t trust the ASG on the usage of this $3 million acquisition..the Hawks will be in SEATTLE by 2014…please Rick Sund dont let the ASG ruin anything..make sure they do the right thing with the $3 million dollars
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!!
Tweets that mention http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/24/its-a-rare-hawks-draft-highlight-jordan-crawford-falls-to-them/?cxntfid=blogs_jeff_schultz_blog%3Futm_source%3Dpingback -- Topsy.com
June 25th, 2010
5:25 am
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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???
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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.
Notso Fast
June 25th, 2010
10:21 am
The Hawks don’t need more veteran players( look at last year roster), we need players that can play. If money is so short that 3 million for a draft pick is needed to run the team, then it time to see what they can get for the whole team.
Jeff Schultz
June 25th, 2010
10:24 am
I_am_soulstar: You sound far too lucid for this blog.
Jeff Schultz
June 25th, 2010
10:27 am
Remarkable — Two answers: 1) Depends on what other free agents are left; 2) Team signing Joe (or teams signing other free agent(s)) might want to move a player for salary relief. Just impossible to project right now.
Gamer
June 25th, 2010
10:54 am
Maybe the Hawks’ drafts misfortunes are changing to good fortunes..
I’m thinking Joe Johnson goes to another team (chicago, boston, miami), making more money and playing deeper into next season playoffs.
I will be very surprise, if he stays in atlanta.
ryan
June 25th, 2010
11:19 am
I hoped the Hawks would have drafted Stanley Robinson but i think they got Pape Sy save money and we never see him in Hawks uniform. I am glad the Hawks got some cash to sign a top free agent. I think Josh Smith or Josh Childress are traded.
atl fan
June 25th, 2010
11:48 am
atl fan
June 25th, 2010
11:44 am
I think the hawks should let smoove and bibby go in some kind of trade even if they dont get anything in return because it would free up a lot of money. then try to sign dirk or salmons and mcghee of the wizard because he can opt out and ray allen they would have enough money to do that. your starters would be pg jeff teague sg ray allen sf dirk or salmons pf al horford c Mcgee back ups pg jamal crawford sg jordan crawford sf williams or evans pf sy c zaza thats pretty good
BIG JIM
June 25th, 2010
12:39 pm
LOVE XAVIER PLAYERS AND COACHES. There is always a good player
coming out of Xavier. I understand possible insurance for Joe,
but how about insurance for Josh Smith’s meltdowns?
Steve
June 25th, 2010
1:06 pm
To those asking why the hawks didn’t draft and keep any of the available centers with the 31st pick, let me enlighten you.
Any center that would have significant impact in the NBA is taken within the first 20 picks … period. You have the ones that appear NBA ready and could be big contributors going in the 1-5 range. You have projects with decent upside going in the next 15. From 20 onward, you are taking centers that are absolute prayers.
Second round centers are not value picks. Those are the picks that make the second round look so bad when you crunch the numbers to see how many contribute to an NBA team in their career. No, the best picks of the second round are typically small forwards and players who played for winning teams that do not foster individual theatrics. In other words, players that slide because they are neither of the two ‘elite’ positions of PG or Center.
Oh, and for my part I don’t want Chris Bosh here. The whole situation reminds me far too much of Sharif. That being said, there really isn’t anything in the free agent market that the Hawks can hope to get that will truly put them over the top. The few true studs are not coming here. That leaves us with underlings similar to JJ that are great pieces, but as another said, he and Bosh are guys that are not cut out to carry a team.
ryan
June 25th, 2010
1:32 pm
I think LeBron James is overrated if i had to build a team around it would be Kobe Bryant he is much better all around player and i like Kevin Durant as well. But getting back to the Hawks i think they will trade one of 2 Josh’s and most likely will go after John Solomans.
bravos
June 25th, 2010
1:44 pm
I feel bad that the portland trail blazers fired their Gm im feel even worse about how much job security sund has. ASG will ruin any team they get their hands on! ASG- Sell the hawks and thrash to a REAL OWNER WHO CAN RUN BUSINESS HERE and not save money and buy wal-mart quality players. Hawks owners are too much into quantity, not quality. Even though we drafted crawford whom i think is a great pick our bench lacks scoring pop. Half of the hawks players deserve to be in the d-league but as we all know ASG signs crap players in bunches rather than saving up for quality players. At most a 40 win season for the hawks next season
until ASG sells the hawks which they’re adamant on! Gosh Atlanta sports teams have TERRIBLE OWNERS! Except for the falcons. Liberty Media- cheapos, ASG- cheapos, Arthur Blank you have enough $$$ please buy all the atlanta sports teams!
bravos
June 25th, 2010
1:53 pm
If ASG doesn’t sell the hawks i hate to say this but with the owner the wizards have (Ted Leonisis) Who is also the owner of the Nhl washington capitals the wizards with john wall and good free agent signings could become way better in the next 2-3 years. The hawks are going backwards, will lose joe johnson to teams THAT ARE ACTUALLY COMMITTED TO WINNING, unlike ASG who always seems to take a step backward when failure happens. They have a track record. Thrash made it to the playoffs once but since then it looks like they’re never committed to signing talent to get back but always to “rebuild”. ASG is corrupt and the group just wants quick bucks $$$$$
bravos
June 25th, 2010
1:56 pm
No wonder why atlantas a college town at least in collegiate sports bulldogs yellow jackets etc… those universities are committed to winning. Hawks and thrashers have no winning tradition nor a good track record no one wants to see those two teams to falter again thanks to ASG
marcus
June 25th, 2010
2:04 pm
okay the kid has stones; he dunked on the chosen one, and he’s a proven division 1 scorer and the hawks probably did solidify their draft prowess by picking him. but explain to me again (other than they saved 90k) how this almost backfired. i mean they could have selected him themselves and that would have taken all the “gambling” out of this. I think they will again show their ineptness by not keeping pleiss. this guy could have helped them in the middle and given horford some support upfront. you know that johnson is gone and that crawford is going to move into his spot and hopefully teague will take over for bibby. but they should honestly find a sucker for williams and use that money to sign whatever “veteran” is out there that can help, joe johnson pulled a “vick” by blowing off the fans and i wish he lands in new york will the fans will not be so pleasant and he has to play out his best years on a team that will not sniff the playoffs until they can rig another draft.
Ryan
June 25th, 2010
4:47 pm
Please, all of you drama queens: Name a second round center from the last ten years who is a strong contributor on a good team?
Colorado bulldog
June 25th, 2010
6:05 pm
Here’s a video of Pape Sy. http://www.lnbtv.net/?videos=3099 Sure the competition is like HS but wouldn’t it be great if this kid became a diamond in the rough?
Michael
June 25th, 2010
8:28 pm
Buy your own team(s) and then you can talk s8it and people should listen.
The Monday Melange 06.28.10: Rory Reid, Jordan Crawford « Everyone's Entitled to Joe's Opinion
June 26th, 2010
1:31 pm
[...] –The Crocks have drafted Jordan Crawford. For a team replete with draft-day gaffes (Acie Law, Shelden Williams, Priest Lauderdale, and passing on Chris Paul), this sounds like really good news. [...]
We're LIVE from Braves-Tigers (and is this it for Kawakami?) | Jeff Schultz
June 26th, 2010
5:10 pm
[...] ♦ A rare Hawks’ draft highlight: Jordan Crawford falls to them [...]
Cincinnati.Com | Cincinnati Enquirer | Paul Daugherty » The Morning Line, 6/25
July 15th, 2010
8:45 am
[...] The Atlanta paper likes the pick. [...]