Hawks being too passive in free agent market
Listen up: Rick Sund wants you to know he thinks the Hawks are going to be just fine.
When the Miami Heat went shopping in this NBA offseason, they chose to bypass the markdowns at the strip malls, the polo shirts from Old Navy that morph into dust rags after two washings and the lime green shorts with a broken zipper from the $1 table at the neighborhood yard sale . They cruised Rodeo Drive. Why? Because they could. Maybe they also have some strange desire to win.
The Hawks are still in the midst of their shopping this offseason. It has been quiet, even as they roam the aisles of Value City. There’s still a chance they will come home with something other than used Play-Doh and a bag of defective socks. But don’t count on it. They have made it clear that their heads are bumping up against the ceiling of their budget. They won’t add a player if it means having to pay a luxury tax. They won’t add a player if it means trading a perceived player of significance. It doesn’t matter if the new player can actually make them better, or if he would ignite a fan base that’s just looking for a reason to walk through a turnstile.
Loading ...Maybe this passive approach works. There was that whole tortoise-and-the-hare thing. Maybe drafting Jordan Crawford, giving more playing time to Jeff Teague and getting Joe Johnson to share the ball will make a difference. But after going 0-8 in the second in the last two years, is this the mindset an NBA franchise should have?
General manager Rick Sund said what he often says: “I like our team.”
He is hesitant to trade a perceived core player, disrupt chemistry or blow the budget. Let’s put aside for a moment that the organization recently overpaid to keep Johnson, who has fizzled in the postseason and doesn’t quite unite the fan base. Sund still sees the Hawks are trending upward.
He states his case: “Our goal is to continue to put an elite caliber ballclub on the floor and stay within the model [owner] Bill Davidson had when the Pistons were winning championships and what San Antonio did with their spending and the way they stayed under the luxury tax.”
Not every team can sign Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Most can’t even sign one. But sorry. The idea should be to aim higher. Bringing back Jason Collins, just because he lost weight in Europe and comes cheap, doesn’t cut it.
Replacing Solomon Jones and Randolph Morris with Solomon Jones and Randolph Morris clones is not what aggressive teams do. It’s like painting over a water stain on the ceiling without fixing the leak.
Strange. Sund’s analysis of the roster actually jibes with everybody else’s.
“We need two bigs – a center and a power forward,” he said.
But after some negotiations, the Hawks bailed on signing free agent center Brad Miller because he got too expensive. (Miller ultimately signed with Houston.) They’ve played footsy with Shaquille O’Neal, but they believe the would-be Big Peach’s asking price is too high (for now) and he seems unwilling to take a bench role (for now).
The problem: Shaq is the best player left in the depleted free agent market. It’s not even close.
Here’s the question Sund and ownership should be asking themselves: Who makes us better? They’ve convinced themselves that a center-by-committee (Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia, Collins and maybe you if can get a resume in) will be enough to challenge Orlando, Boston and Miami in the Eastern Conference.
Maybe Sund really believes this. Maybe his hands are tied. Maybe he just likes playing it safe, and if it doesn’t work out, well, he’s near retirement anyway. But can you feel comfortable with the status quo?
Sund again: “I think we’re pointed in the right direction. I’m hopeful we’ll improve with some changes to our offense and our young players getting older, and we can stay among the top four teams in the Eastern Conference.”
It doesn’t make much of a rallying cry.
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369 comments Add your comment
ChippersLoveChild
July 23rd, 2010
2:12 pm
Kurt Thomas just signed with the Bulls… take another big man off our options… and watch another East team continue to improve.. Shaq or bust? Unfortunately I see bust being the end of this one.
Matt
July 23rd, 2010
2:16 pm
If you can trade the three I mentioned before (Smoove/Ja. Crawford/Bibby) and 2 future 1st rounders to NO for Paul/Okafor, you get a top 5 PG and a new C that can move Horford to PF and solidify this team, hell you even cut off $2 mil from your budget with that trade. If the ingrates at ASG had any sort of basketball knowledge, they would go for this deal in a heartbeat.
James
July 23rd, 2010
2:29 pm
@Matt
It sounds like a good deal but the hawks management aren’t smart basketball people they don’t know what they are doing. the team will forever be mediocre and never great until they get some smart basketball people running the organization.
ryan
July 23rd, 2010
3:26 pm
Chris Paul has turned into a jerk the way he is treating NO he is a coward in my book those people are going through a rough time i just don’t think i would want him on my team.
WaltHazzard
July 23rd, 2010
3:37 pm
ryan: I agree with you. Chris Paul is a jerk and has turned into a coward going after this “pie in the sky” method of building a winner. Not only is Paul a coward and a jerk, he is obnoxious in that it was HE WHO HAS BEEN INJURED AND DISABLED ALL THESE YEARS, which has deprived the fans of seeing perhaps one of the best point guards to come into the league in recent years. We are all dying to see Paul at his all-star best, but every time you look over to his bench he is always on crutches or is bandaged up and unable to play. Most of the times NO has lost and couldnt compete, Paul has been injured and unable to help his team, yet he feels that depsite his crutches, bandages, scars and reems of taped limbs he feels he should be paid a max deal and should demand a championship calibre team get built instantly and quickly as microwaved popcorn. This guy is sick, literally and figuratively and should be fined by David Stern and put in his place.
Ray
July 23rd, 2010
3:42 pm
I’m guessing the people here must not read the news much Chris Paul doesn’t want to come anywhere near ATL, and giving away Smoove and Ja. Crawford would be the worst deal ever.
There are at least three people in the Hawks group that are untouchable Smoove, Horford, and Joe(apparently). Smoove for the fact that he brings in a lot of the ATL fans and is a face for many of us. Horford because he’s a dominant PF, and Joe well he just got paid 126 mil need I say more.
Seriously all these trades with NO won’t be any good because NO would want Joe Johnson, Smoove, Crawford, Williams, and Horford just for Chris Paul. Would you really want to give those 5 guys away. Now Williams I know most of you are willing to give away, but the other 4 would you? Also be reminded that giving those five guys away and only getting CP3 and a C means we have No SG’s well their’s JC2, but we don’t know how he’ll pan out. Plus their’s no SF or PF that’s of any good. What Josh Powell yeah right he’s probably about as good as Joe Smith if at all.
With all that said Hawks need some C’s and that’s it. I fear the day they trade away Marvin to an up and coming team and he becomes a superstar remember we had that happen twice already.
Jeff
July 23rd, 2010
4:08 pm
Ray,
anywhere near Atlanta?
Orlando is near Atlanta man…the state below, take Geography class man
JesusAlou
July 23rd, 2010
4:09 pm
Trade Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams to the NO Hornets in exchange for Chris Paul straight up. The Hawks would then have the best point guard to come into the league since Tiny Archibald led the league in scoring and assists concurrently. I cant imagine Chris Paul in a hawk uniform although it should have happened when we mistakenly drafted Marvin Williams ahead of Chris Paul while Paul was still on the draft board. THE HAWKS COULD HAVE HAD CHRIS PAUL INSTEAD OF MARVIN WILLIAMS.
ryan
July 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
Hey Ray Knicks don’t have a roster except for Amare but the Hawks do have peices now the Magic , Trail Blazers, Lakers, and Mavericks could pull of a better trade than Atlanta.
ZeussRichardson
July 23rd, 2010
4:28 pm
I think the Hawks should try their level best to acquire Chris Paul. Since Paul wants out of NO maybe atlanta could put together a deal to accomodate Pauls wishes. Orlando wont take Paul because they already have one of the premier point guards in the league in Jamir Nelson. The Hawks have as good a chance as any to land Paul. I hope we get him because we should have gotten him instead of plastic man marvin williams in that infamous bothched draft when Billy Knight was general manager.
BillyKnight's Correction
July 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
CP3, James Posey, Emeka for J.Smith, Jamal, Mo Evans, and Marvin.
Lets get it done!
VickSwitchHitter
July 23rd, 2010
5:12 pm
The Hawks should have let Joe Johnson walk and attempted and get CP3 and JC2 with the $126mil they gave johnson by mistake. The Hawks wasted their money on Jonhson, a guy who is and will be no more than an average journeyman player. Bad deal.
AtlSouthside
July 23rd, 2010
5:13 pm
When was the last time Atl has seen a pure scorer like Jamal Crawford…thats the last person I’d trade on this roster… w/o Jamal Hawks would have been a totally diff team…
I say trade Bibby,Marv Williams, Mo Evans & draft picks
AtlSouthside
July 23rd, 2010
5:18 pm
Hawks had to over pay… but Joe has credentials… 4-time All Star, SG… If Amare got a $100mill deal, Joe deserves it.. people are quick t bring up the playoffs, but who carried the team, consistently? It was Joe… Joe made the Hawks relevent, and we know what to expect from Joe… Hawks wouldnt have been able to ATTRACT anyone of Joe’s caliber… w/o Joe here, who’s gonna want to play for Atlanta…???
AtlSouthside
July 23rd, 2010
5:21 pm
I agree with Zeuss… this is Atl’s chance to make up for not drafting Paul… almost seems like destiny… BUT of course… ASG….
JewellNelson
July 23rd, 2010
5:24 pm
Atl Southside: you just gave me a great idea for a trade: I SURPRISE MYSELF SOMETIMES! THIS IS ABSOLUTE GENIUS. IVE GOT A PHENOMINAL PROPOSED TRADE THAT IS SURE TO BE ACCEPTED BY NEW ORLEANS IN EXCHANGE FOR CHRIS PAUL. THE HAWKS SHOULD GIVE THE HORNETS FOUR PLAYERS OFF THEIR CURRENT ROSTER PLUS A DRAFT CHOICE IN EXCHANGE FOR THE AWESOME CHRIS PAUL. THE FOUR PLAYERS THAT THE HAWKS SHOULD LET GO ARE BIBBY, MARVIN WILLIAMS, MO EVANS AND TEAGUE. YOU CERTAINLY DO NOT NEED TEAGUE IF YOU ARE LANDING CHRIS PAUL THAT IS PROVIDED THAT PAUL STAYS HEALTHY. HOWEVER AFER CONSIDERING PAULS HORRIBLE TRACK RECORD OF BEING INJURED ALL THE TIME, YOU MIGHT WANT TO KEEP TEAGUE FOR INSURANCE IN THE EVENT PAUL IS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH. SO HERE ARE THE TWO TRADE POSSIBILITIES: SCENARIO 1: BIBBY, WILLIAMS AND EVANS + A DRAFT PICK FOR CP3. SCENARIO 2: BIBBY, WILLIAMS, EVANS, TEAGUE + A DRAFT PICK FOR CP3. THE HAWKS SHOULD OFFER SCENARIO 1 FIRST HOPING THAT NO’S ACCEPTS THAT OFFER. WE WOULD THEN STILL HAVE TEAGUE TO BACK UP PAUL IN THE EVENT PAUL CONTINUES TO GET INJURED. I BELIEVE THE HORNETS WILL AGREE TO ONE OF THOSE TWO TRADE POSSIBILITIES.
AtlSouthside
July 23rd, 2010
5:30 pm
Hawks can pack up everyone except Joe, Josh Smith, Horford, Jamal, & Jordan Crawford…
coll
July 23rd, 2010
5:48 pm
I think ATL organization would not even think about trade for CP3 because SUND have never being none to make smart and bold move. Check his record with seattle he blew that team up when they had salary cap trouble. So you think he will make a bold move like that. ATL. have more to offer than the other team who want CP3 like MAVS,LAKERS,MAGICS,AND KNICKS if those teams plan on keeping their core together.ATL. to me is the best team for CP3 but i know the ownership problem and their history will hurt ATL.SUND hear me and hear me good this trade is so easy for the hawks.Just send Ja. Crawford expiring contract,ZAZA,MARVIN,BIBBY future 1st and 2nd rounds pick for CP3 AND E. OKAFOR and still keep your core but you have extra money on the book for extra years.KNOW tell me why wont ATL be in the running for the east crown. CP3,JOE,MO,SMOOTH,AL YOUR STARTERS, OKAFOR,TEAGUE,JO.CRAWFORD,POWELL COMING OF THE BENCH.We will still need to add a SF and another big what about SHAQ.This could be a team that could really contend for the big ONE.
Matt
July 23rd, 2010
6:01 pm
Jewel…you are a tool for believing NO would take 4 lame players for Paul
ryan
July 23rd, 2010
6:05 pm
I just have a felling that Chris Paul will wind up staying in NO until 2012 because the Hornets are going to want a lot and expiring contracts .
ryan
July 23rd, 2010
7:38 pm
I just heard from ESPN ’s Chris Brussard that the Hornets will listen to all offers & not let Chris Paul have what he wants so if the Hawks put a package together NO will listen.
coll
July 23rd, 2010
8:55 pm
Come on ASG at least talk to NO about him even if you know your not going to deal for him. Who knows they might what to deal with you.Like i said before ATL got the pieces to make big trade with NO even if they have to deal one of their core players.If they do trade one of them they still have a nice core. With addition of CP3 and Okafor because he have to be included in any deal for CP3.
Ray
July 23rd, 2010
11:07 pm
Oh my god ya’ll seriously enough with all the trades their not happening ever like never ever.
To get CP3 two people from the core group will be leaving ATL. Sad to say it will be Horford and Most likely Josh. Plus Marvin and bibby most likely.
Reason being Chris Paul beings garners a lot of media interest for NO so you have to match that. Again CP3 is nothing coming anywhere near ATL hawks not geographical speaking either.
Our team is pretty damn good we’re only missing a Center is all. You know for those of you quick to get rid of people always remember that we’ve gotten rid of people before that turned out to be All-stars/great role players.
Plus I find it funny that the people quick to work out these trade scenarios are the ones who don’t play basketball.
Hoops
July 24th, 2010
12:21 am
I,m not saying that the ASG will make a serious offer for CP3 & Okafor, but this is the trade IMHO that the Hornets would go for:
Hawks get-CP3 & Okafor (we finally get a PG & a center)
Hornets get-Crawford & Evans (expiring contracts), Bibby (back up PG), & Zaza (replacement for Okafor
***This could happen. I just don’t believe though.
the big bust
July 24th, 2010
1:10 pm
6 comments
Shaquille O’Neal’s latest delusion involves the Celtics
Sat Jul 24,2010 10:00 AM ETBy Matt Moore
Helpful tip for NBA free-agents. If you’re looking at possible teams to join? Try looking at their roster first. If they happen to employ someone who plays your position and plays at well, for more money and is younger? They’re probably not interested. If they employ two, halve that percentage they’re into you.
Shaquille O’Neal thinks that tip is dumb.
NBA FanHouse’s Tim Povtak reports that Shaq is lobbying the Celtics to sign him for the veteran minimum so he can join the Eastern Conference champs. I’m going to do this bullet points because it makes my head hurt and it’s simpler this way.
The Celtics signed Jermaine O’Neal this summer to the MLE.
The Celtics still have an injured but coming back Kendrick Perkins on roster.
Shaq is older than most of the remaining fossil fuels on the earth.
Notice how all of the rumors about Shaq joining teams are coming from Shaq’s camp.
This move would only further seek to resuscitate the Kobe-Shaq feud which is dead in the cold, cold ground.
Shaq can still play. He can. He can rebound, He’s still got more touch around the basket than Dwight Howard, plays defense in the post, can pass, has some quickness, and has all the veteran tricks.
He’s also a monstrous liability in pick and roll defense, can’t extend out to mid-range, is still out of shape, is very old in NBA years, and has been known to be a locker room problem because of the size of his ego.
So there are pluses and minuses.
Perkins is facing a hard come back and the Celtics do need frontcourt help, especially to battle Dwight Howard and Miami’s triple threat.
But Shaq is 38 years old, will still want a starting spot, and we’ve yet to hear any indication that the Celtics are interested in going in this direction. The Celtics taking on a player who isn’t versatile in their help defensive sets doesn’t seem very likely. This isn’t Penny Hardaway being discussed for the Heat, but you can see it from here.
what i dont understand is how come he wont take the vet minimun in atlanta fat fuc* lol
coll
July 24th, 2010
1:25 pm
I dont know why people think that NO want trade CP3 why not trade CP3. They are cap struck, they have to free up money some how and fast.CP3 will not resign will his contract is up,so they have to make a deal. I hear stuff like he is a jerk and he is wrong for wanting out of NO,but the thing is if u want 2 win sometime u have 2 leave were u call home.I will take CP3 anyday so take JA. CRAWFORD,BIBBY,ZAZA,M.WILLIAMS,1RD PICK, AND WE ALSO GET OKAFOR.
ryan
July 24th, 2010
1:36 pm
I know CP3 wants to be closer to home with his family so Atlanta does have some what advantage but the Magic could a better deal with Jamier Nelson and Vince Carter.
JewellNelson
July 24th, 2010
2:22 pm
I’m surprised and even SHOCKED that Chris Paul would believe that the “LaBron Plan” of free agency of using CONSPIRACY, COLLUSION and UNDERHANDEDNESS in trying to FORCE A CHAMPIONSHIP through TRICKERY and DISHONESTY is honorable, noble and worthy of copying. It would take an absolutely DEVIANT MIND or someone without a CONSIENCE or without CHARACTER (like a Mike Vick) to pull a labron james and attempt to FORCE A CHAMPIONSHIP OUT OF THIN AIR. I really believe Paul is delusional, demented and crazy to think that the LaBron way is the new way of success of building championships. I for one cannot believe how stupid Chris Paul is to follow in LaBrons footsteps. I really thougth that Paul was one of the brightest minds in the NBA. As it turned out by his extreme, beligerant, ruthless, offensive and obscene request to muscle a champsionship by forming his gang of bandits to overthrow the league is pure foolishness and silliness. I am surprised that David Stern has sat back in his easy chair and has said absolutely nothing because Stern now feels that LaBron has pretty much TAKEN OVER THE LEAGUE and is now the new comissioner of the NBA. Introducing the new commisioiner of the NBA—–LABRON JAMES. Its utterly ridiculous but I think its now in effect. LaBron will now make decisions for the league since is hit show–THE DECISION–was such a big hit. In fact I heard that espns Labrons Decision program was watched more than one of the games of this years NBA Finals between the Celtics and the Lakers. Thats quite a feat that was pulled off by Labron James. It makes me sick to my stomach to think of LaBron, D-Wade and Chris Boshe. What those three guys have done is unforgivable and it looks to me like its going to ruin the league. Pretty soon the NBA is going to go out of business because of LaBron James selfishness. What LaBron has done is create a league full of LaBron James copycats. Chris Paul was the first one to emerge. Many more will follow.
BobTolliver
July 24th, 2010
2:59 pm
Jeff Schultz: I agree completely with this article. The Hawks have been way too passive during this free agent period. I understand there was another chance to get Heidu Turkelu and somebody else signed him. Signing Heidu would have been a phenominal move by the Hawks GM, but it is my understanding that the Hawks GM is not aware of Heidu’s talent levels and skill sets. Heidu, in my opinion, is one of the 5 most skilled players in the league AND probably is one of the top 5 gifted talents in terms of overall talents and abilities. If the Hawks had been smart enough to sign Heidu, the Hawks WOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH TALENT TO GET TO THE NBA FINALS THIS UPCOMING SEASON. Now I dont know that they will make it there. Its ok but when somebody like Heidu who is as skilled as he is, can elevate a team to get to the finals. Two years ago the Orlando Magic had Heidu on their roster. Two years ago the Magic made it to the finals, WHICH IS NO COINCIDENCE. you simply shouldnt pass on Heidu Turkelu and you should try and ink him to a great contract whenever he is on the market. The Hawks will be fine but I think the fans are hungry for them to win a championship and bringing Heidu in would have all but guaranteed that they would have won the NBA title this upcoming season.
ryan
July 24th, 2010
3:19 pm
If they don’t make any moves the rest of the summer and if Hawks fail to make the playoffs there is going serious consequences they past Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas , and Tyson Chandler and got nothing for Childress this going to come back and haunt them like CP3.
No longer NBA fan because of what Miami did
July 24th, 2010
5:31 pm
For the first time in over 32 years, I will not be attending NBA games. In my travels, I would attend games all over the country, because I could. But the fact that Miami has tried to assemble an all-star team to make it impossible for most all teams to compete, I refuse to give my money to an organization like the NBA. Miami has done so much to circumvent the ability of others to win, so I will not offer my money to them, and I hope many others do like me, and I hope that it teaches the NBA a lesson. There should be a grading scale of 1-15 on every player, and teams cannot exceed 70 points on the scale. This way you couldn’t have 3 players who would grade at 15 on the scale, because you would have 10 other players who would have to average between 2 and 3. This scale would only be allowed to go over 70 points if a player had increased his scale while playing with the team he is on, and he continued to play with that team. This player would keep his old scale number until he chose to sign with another team, when he would use the new number then. For example, when Josh Smith joined the Hawks, he was probably a 7. He would be probably a 12 now. But since he was signed by the Hawks as a 7, when their scale was added to include a potential Free Agent, his value would still be a 7. This would cause players to stay with the teams they are playing for, and on top of that, they could be financially compensated better to show loyalty, as the CBA that the union has allows this. It would allow teams to build from younger players, and for fans to see players for their entire careers more often, and without players moving to places like Florida so even though they are “paid less”, they bring home much more money due to the fact they don’t have to pay state income tax. It would also make parity similar to the NFL has now. Attendance would be so much better, as so many teams would be more competitive.
ryan
July 24th, 2010
5:59 pm
I might boycott the NBA and ASG because i have not this crap it sucks I wish something could be done to get rid of this horrible ownership.
Dee007
July 24th, 2010
9:35 pm
GO GET CRIS PAUL
BIBBY & WILLIAMS
MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
GhostMatheson
July 24th, 2010
9:49 pm
CP3 leaving NO will mean the Hornets will need CPR to breathe life back into a dying franchise!!!!
Joshua
July 25th, 2010
12:45 am
What really kills me is that the Hawks should have either Rajon Rondo or Chris Paul, Andre Igoudala and Deron Williams, Instead they took Shelden Williams and Marvin Williams. When other teams are scooping up big time prizes the Hawks are lucky to have Josh Smith and Joe Johnson. Hawks needs to be moved back to St.Louis where they won a ring where the fans actaully care and get an owner like Stan Kroeneke. This team has sucked since it got to Atlanta, Nothings new except they might get Harrison Barnes in the 2011-2012 draft , What they had the first pick and took Talor Battle as they’re point of the future NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joshua
July 25th, 2010
12:50 am
now here is a concept, The NBA is going to push for a soft non gaurenteed contract clause. They wont get the NFL absoloute hard non gaurenteed contracts. But it might make the Hawks day, Say you sign Speedy Claxton and then he gets hurt, then you can waive him for half of his contracts value
that would help, I dont see being able to waive a player to get under the cap or because he sucks (ALA Marvin Williams) But at least when they re-sign Al Horford they’ll have the option a year from Febuary after the lockout
coll
July 25th, 2010
1:32 am
I NO THE HEAT GOT THREE SO CALL SUPERSTARS BUT IT TAKE A TEAM TO WIN IT.THE REASON BOSTON WAS SUCCESFUL WAS THEIR 3 STAR GAME WASNT KNOW WERE THE SAME. RAY OUTSIDE GAME,PIERCE WAS THE SLASHER AND MIDRANGE GAME. BUT THE KEY WAS RONDO AND PERKINS. THE HEATS DO NOT HAVE THE DEFENDERS AT THE OTHER POSITION LIKE THE CELTICS. DONT GET ME WRONG I THINK THEY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE BECAUSE OF D WADE NOT LBJ BECAUSE DWADE HAVE THAT KILLER INSTINT THAT LBJ DONT HAVE.SO WHAT IM REALLY TRYING TO SAY COME ON ASG GET CHRIS PAUL AND WE GOT A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL.
ryan
July 25th, 2010
12:06 pm
I do not want the Hawks to move if we can just get a someone like owner who loves the game of basketball and listens to fans like a Mark Cuban does or Author Blank it was a huge mistake not letting David McDavid own the team. Hawks fans need to have your voice heard if you want change.
jborodawg
July 25th, 2010
12:49 pm
Shaq??!! Isn’t that the same as getting used Play-doh at the yard sale?
BobTolliver
July 25th, 2010
12:57 pm
I’m glad the Hawks didnt try to pursue Shaq. Shaq is 38 years old and too old to be productive in the nba. He is holding on just to continue to reach nba paychecks because he knows that once his nba career is over, he’ll go back to either being a bouncer at a nightclub or bagging groceries at Kroger. Shaqs hall of fame career is basically over. Shaq isnt smart enough to retire on his own so he will wait until he gets cut and nobody calls his agent.
ryan
July 25th, 2010
3:31 pm
You think Al Horford can measure up to D. Howard oh and Chris Bosh the Bulls just got better again signing Tracy McGrady and so with the boring summer with crappy Hawks Yon.
GraveDigger
July 26th, 2010
12:05 pm
ryan: you hit the nail right on the head. Here are the hawks doing absolutely nothing in the free agency period during the offseason while other teams are stocking up with improvments. We could have easily added 3 outstanding players to our roster: Shaq, Heidu Turkelu and T-Mac, but Hawks management thought those players were washed up and no good while they were offered and signed to contracts by other teams. I will monitor those three guys this upcoming season because I know all three of them will be all-stars and provide a significant lift to their teams. The Hawks management team are idiots.
ryan
July 26th, 2010
12:45 pm
I have more bad news for the Hawks GM of the Hornets has turned every offer sow it looks like will have use what they have .
Emir S.
July 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
The fact that our AJC Bloggers have’nt had anything to report on about the Hawks for well over a week, shows us just how “busy” the Hawks are in the offseason. I mean even hawks.com has the same story on there for like an entire week. Not even a rumor of anyone coming over.
It’s sad and pathetic and I really do hope someone is bought in to help us.
ryan
July 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
We need to get twitter and facebook and and force this joke of an ownership out if someone in Atlanta can buy the Hawks please Author Blank or Tyler Perry .
3Klub
July 26th, 2010
3:20 pm
I have a friend in Detroit and they’re reporting out there, Detroit News, that the Hawks and Pistons are restablishing talks from last year to trade Al or Josh for Teyshaun and his expiring contract. Neither of us believe it because the trade wouldn’t help either squad.
ryan
July 26th, 2010
4:12 pm
Breaking News some signs of life from the Hawks NBA.com is reporting that Atlanta still wants to sign Shaq.
Hoops
July 26th, 2010
10:54 pm
I can see this coming:
1. The Cavs just traded for Sessions. They have the Bird Rights on Shaq.
2. The Hawks will trade Josh Smith for Prince and Jerebko and a 2nd round pick.
3. Then the Hawks will trade Marvin and Bibby for Shaq (S&T), Moon, and Sessions.
New Hawks line up-
PG-Sessions/Teague
SG-JJ/Crawford/Crawford2
SF-Prince/Moon
PF-Horford/Powell/Jerebko
C-Shaq/Zaza/Siler
If you can make this happen Rick Sund, YOU ARE THE MAN!!!
summerhill ga
July 27th, 2010
3:51 am
did i mis-read josh powell’s career stats?
Pipedream
July 27th, 2010
4:01 am
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
Thoughts?