Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq
Shaquille O'Neal squares off with Justin Bieber, who I think is playing center for the Hawks next season. (Orlando Sentinel)
The Hawks want to believe they’re knocking on the door of the NBA’s elite. This is confirmation that they’re not.
Shaquille O’Neal is expected to sign with the Boston Celtics for the NBA veterans’ minimum salary of $1.4 million per season. For O’Neal, who was determined to try to play for up to two more seasons with the hopes of winning another league title, this means one of two things:
♦ Either Shaq doesn’t view the Hawks as being that close to a title (certainly behind Boston, Orlando and Miami in the Eastern Conference), or . ..
♦ The Hawks don’t believe that O’Neal does anything for them. Because for all of the smoke coming out of the organization that O’Neal wanted way too much money or was demanding way too many minutes or even a starting role, the fact is that he’s going to Boston for a bench spot and NBA pocket change.
ESPN reported Boston coach Doc Rivers, “began pursuing O’Neal last month when the two met in Orlando … and sources say O’Neal chose the Celtics [over the Hawks] because he believes they have a better chance of winning what would be his fifth NBA championship.”
There you go.
The Hawks can be an entertaining team. But they’re also a flawed one. Signing Josh Powell and Jason Collins doesn’t cure their size problem in the post. Al Horford is playing out of position. This decision more likely ensures that they again will be the No. 4 playoff seed in the East and exit in the second round.
How much of this is the result of money? A lot. Ownership and general manager Rick Sund did not want to go into a tax situation with the salary cap. That meant not doing anything of significance to improve the team in free agency this offseason (other than overpaying to keep Joe Johnson).
There are obvious issues with O’Neal, not the least of which are age and weight. But he can still play and provide valuable minutes off the bench, at both ends of the floor. He also would have taken some of the media attention off of Johnson (in a good way) in the locker room. Marketing-wise, of course, he would’ve been a bonanza.
But now it appears he will be a Celtic. The Hawks will point out that they defeated Boston four times in the regular season. Shaq would point out that the Celtics reached the NBA finals (losing in seven games to the Lakers) while the Hawks were swept in the second round (after being taken seven games by Milwaukee in round one). Checkmate.
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160 comments Add your comment
Steve
August 4th, 2010
9:49 am
FIRST
Reggie
August 4th, 2010
9:50 am
Yes we did drop the ball by not signing Shaq. I dont think anyone is saying that he means a championship however we certainly wont win one this year anyway so whats the harm in bringing him in? Tis ownership main problem is money and if nothing else Oneal offers you a box office attraction still. His 13 pts and 7 rebs a game are a lot different than Marvins 12 and 6.
Reggie
August 4th, 2010
9:51 am
Oh yea congrats Steve
Herschel Talker
August 4th, 2010
9:56 am
Schultzie:
You the man!
HT
Kev
August 4th, 2010
9:57 am
cheap dump management
Kev
August 4th, 2010
9:57 am
cheap dumb management
BATTER UP
August 4th, 2010
9:57 am
This franchise is cursed!
Mr. Mojo
August 4th, 2010
10:03 am
shows you how stupid they are Shaq would of made them money. ASG sell the team and do us all a favor your a joke.
ryan
August 4th, 2010
10:06 am
I am done with Hawks I don’t know what anyone can do except boycott this horrible team. This ownership is not committed to winning wither we get Shaq or not the moves and past draft picks Chris Paul is our Babe Ruth .
doggoneit
August 4th, 2010
10:08 am
THe Hawks are Idiots! THey would of sold out every home game had they signed him. Who the hell is running that organization? stupid stupid stupid!
gtmike
August 4th, 2010
10:08 am
I don’t know if it even means they will get back to the second round. Milwaukee with Bogut would probably have dropped us in the first.
allan in texas
August 4th, 2010
10:13 am
With all due respect to readers of this blog as well as Mr. Schultz, I don’t believe that Shaq had any intention of coming to Atlanta and even if he did he wouldn’t have want to come off the bench. The Celtics are also better equipped to put up with his foolishness should he decide to act up. Think about it, from Ainge to Doc to the big four, Shaq will respect them when he walks in the door. I love the Hawks and will continue to support them but sometimes you just have to be realistic! Let’s go Hawks!!!!!!
Hoops
August 4th, 2010
10:13 am
I understand balancing your budget. Something that our political leaders need to understand! In this situation with the Hawks, the ASG needs to understand that you will not make money unless you are willing to spend money wisely. Shaq will make the Hawks better on the court and he will put people in the seats. That’s increased ticket sales, parking, concessions, & increased merchandise sales! Not to mention that the Hawks fans need a morale boost!
What a mistake! We are letting the Celtics sign Shaq when all we have to do is give him the MLE and pay for the luxury tax with the 3M that we got for the 31st pick! Unbelievable!!!!!!
NCBravesFan
August 4th, 2010
10:16 am
The points about the Hawks’ franchise & team are well-taken, but I don’t know that Shaq is a good fit here. He’s a polarizing presence in the locker room – he might have been a handful for a rookie head coach who is leading a still fairly young team.
allan in texas
August 4th, 2010
10:16 am
Give this team 30 games under Coach Drew to see who does what in this system and if it doesn’t work then look to move pieces.
Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Free NBA Videos
August 4th, 2010
10:18 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
BMC
August 4th, 2010
10:21 am
The only way this Hawk’s team gets better ,is if, the Atlanta Spirit Group will sell it to a locale owner that has deep pocket’s and a sense of pride the existing owner’s do not have!
dap01
August 4th, 2010
10:22 am
The Hawks dropped the ball on the whole offseason. Wasted opportunity. Poor management. The Hawks are destined to stay only above average.
The best case senario for the Hawks to get to the 2nd round again. Sigh…..
Tweets that mention Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
August 4th, 2010
10:25 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by J.E. Skeets, Steve Alexander, Daniel Harari, Amanda Duncan, Darnisha and others. Darnisha said: RT @JeffSchultzAJC: Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq http://bit.ly/bpujWh (I so agree we could've used him) [...]
Jeff Schultz
August 4th, 2010
10:25 am
Herschel – How can I be the man if you’re the man?
Jeff Schultz
August 4th, 2010
10:26 am
Mr. Mojo — I imagine they coud’ve sold a few jerseys and you know he would’ve been in EVERY ad and commercial.
Jeff Schultz
August 4th, 2010
10:27 am
Ryan — “Chris Paul is our Babe Ruth.” Never thought of it that way.
Ted Striker
August 4th, 2010
10:27 am
I don’t see it as a big deal either way. First of all, I don’t blame Shaq for preferring the Celts over the Hawks (if he did). Boston has a better recent history in the playoffs and well, their overall history ain’t too shabby either.
That aside, I don’t see this as a failure on the part of the Hawks. Shaq isn’t a big enough piece of the (Hawks) puzzle to warrant even addition as a minimum salary cap add. Yeah, Boston thinks so. But if Doc Rivers wants to jump off a cliff, that doesn’t mean anyone in Atlanta needs to do it.
Here’s my comparison, with wide latitude. T.O. would’ve been a talent addition to the Falcon’s roster. He has game. O’Neal has limited upside and simply put, isn’t an upgrade at this stage of his career. Bottom line: he doesn’t feel a real need.
Hoops
August 4th, 2010
10:28 am
ESPN is reporting that Shaq has agreed to go to the Celtics!
Ted Striker
August 4th, 2010
10:29 am
p.s. I’m feeling a fill.
Mr. Mojo
August 4th, 2010
10:33 am
Jeff plus the tickets they would of sold. Signing Shaq made alot of sense from a basketball perspective as well as a business persepctive. I would love to hear the ASG’s explanation on why they didnt want to bring him in.
ken
August 4th, 2010
10:34 am
The only cure for this team is a new ownership that’s serious about building a championship level organization. These guys are just looking to be competitive and make the playoffs at most. They are just not smart basketball people. Don’t blame Shaq for going to the Celtics because their actions demonstrate a willingness to do whatever it takes not just compete, but win it all. As currently consrtucted, these Hawks will regress . Its really sad that in a city like Atlanta, we have to settle for this type of mediocrity from our professional sports teams. If the fans quit paying their hard earned money to support such nonsense, maybe they will sell the team to some real owners.
Mr. Mojo
August 4th, 2010
10:37 am
So basically we bringing the exact same team back and even downgraded from Joe Smith to Josh Powell. What happened to them using the MLE? Didnt they promise that? Or what about Joe recruting other players to come here? He must of did a heck of a job getting Powell to sign. This franchise is disgusting and pathetic they are so clsoe to being an elite team with the right couple of peices and they are just sitting doing nothing. I mean as an owner can you honestly say this roster being same as last year can compete with Miami, Boston, or Orlando. And I dont wanna see the kool-aid fans statrt saying we beat the Celtics 4 times last year in regular season cause everyone knows if we would of played them in the playoffs we would of lost.
Mr. Mojo
August 4th, 2010
10:39 am
BTW I am a Hawk fan that lives in New York. I may be the only Hawk fan in NY.lol
AJGREENFAN
August 4th, 2010
10:41 am
When will you guys scrutinize Sund the way you did Billy Knight? Sund did nothing to improve this team during the off-season and for all the talk about how brilliant the Jamal Crawford signing was. The 2010 result was no different than the 2009 result except that the 2009 team looked slightly more competitive during their expedient 2nd round exit.
Dave
August 4th, 2010
10:42 am
I watched every Hawk game I could last year, and it was obvious to even a casual NBA fan like myself that the Hawks are most effective when they run and fast break.
When that is not possible, their half-court game is most effective when the players move and make the extra pass to get the open shot,
If Shaq had signed with the Hawks, NEITHER of these things would have happened whenever he would have been in the game, because he has lost all of his mobility, Charley Rosen of Fox Sports has analyzed Shaq’s game in detail, and he correctly notes that anytime Shaq is in the game, you lose any movement that you would otherwise have as soon as Shaq gets the ball.
Would Shaq have sold tickets? Maybe initially, but once the novelty had worn off, the sales would have reverted back to pre-Shaq levels.
Would Shaq have meant more wins? I doubt it.
Could Shaq have made a difference against Dwight Howard and the Magic in the playoffs? Not likely, given the fact that, even with Howard’s limited offensive moves, he is much younger and MUCH quicker than Shaq and would have exposed Shaq’s immobility early and often.
By not signing Shaq, the Hawks got this one right IMHO.
JerryT
August 4th, 2010
10:49 am
Shaq is no help. He won’t even be able to participate in half of the plays while he’s on the floor because he won’t get down the court fast enough.You don’t put a guy like that with a team as athletic as the Hawks. It would damage the very thing the Hawks are good at.
Also, if you were the Hawks owner, is this the year you would break the bank trying to win a title? Really?
Jeff
August 4th, 2010
10:49 am
We can do two things.
1. Don’t buy the tickets to the games
2. Don’t watch them on T.V and the ratings will plummit.
We can hurt their wallets like they do ours. It is that simple. All the talk in the world isn’t going to change anything. But these two actions will speak volumes.
Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) « My NBA Video
August 4th, 2010
10:54 am
[...] Hawks dropped the ball on not signing ShaqAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)(Orlando Sentinel photo) The Hawks want to believe they're knocking on the door of the NBA's elite. This is confirmation that they're not. …Hot stuff for NBA's opener: Celtics vs. MiamiBoston GlobeNBA Rumors: Shaq Close To Signing With CelticsBleacher ReportSources: Shaquille O'Neal to BostonESPNYahoo! Sports -The Associated Press -Los Angeles Times (blog)all 717 news articles » [...]
ChippersLoveChild
August 4th, 2010
10:56 am
1. Miami
2. Orlando
3. Boston
4. Milwaukee
5. Chicago
6. Atlanta
Going to get weaker and weaker… ASG needs to go.
Tony
August 4th, 2010
10:58 am
LOL, Great Article!! Jeff!!! I agree with you 100%Holla!!
IDK Y
August 4th, 2010
11:07 am
Maaaaaaaan praise the LORD!!!!!! Why would anyone want washed up Shaq in ATL? He already stalking someone here, this would set the franchise two huge size 22 shoe steps back
IDK Y
August 4th, 2010
11:08 am
and do you all seriously think we would sell out every game to watch Shaq lolly gag down the court on defense and score a whooping 10 points? the man is trash, he should retire while he has his legacy
jon
August 4th, 2010
11:12 am
Jeff I couldn’t agree with you more! That was a bad message to the fans… He could have only helped and help put fanies in the seats. We have not improved the ball club AT ALL. The message is loud and clear….very disappointing.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
11:15 am
Jeff,
I think we should just trade chipper. Love the show. I’m going to hang up and listen.
DP
August 4th, 2010
11:16 am
Who cares where washed up Shaq goes? He clogs up the basket area on offense, has little mobility on defense and can’t be on the floor at crunch time because of his terrible free throw shooting. And he could be a cancer in the locker room, particularly on a team that doesn’t have a player with the stature to stand up to him (like the Hawks).
Shaq went to Phoenix to play with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire and they didn’t make the Western finals with him. But they did make the Western finals the year after he left. He went to Cleveland to play with LeBron and they got knocked out in the Eastern semis. If he couldn’t make those teams any better what was he going to do for the Hawks?
ryan
August 4th, 2010
11:17 am
Hawks has missed other opportunities Shaq or not I mean there were other good centers out there like Tyson Chandler , Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas , Okafor was on the block Al Horford is not a center . My patients has warned out this team .
F-105 Thunderchief
August 4th, 2010
11:20 am
The ASG sucks … wind. Again.
Halsey
August 4th, 2010
11:23 am
The NBA is a league of a few teams that can compete for titles and a bunch of also-rans. The Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Knicks(if they ever get thier act straight), teams in Texas and teams in Florida can compete because they can get top free agents. The rest of the league is just a bunch of also-rans. Shaq is just the latest free agent to show that only those select teams can compete in todays NBA.
Johnny3Steps
August 4th, 2010
11:23 am
SHAQ is an attention driven HAS BEEN Good move by Hawks
Bishop
August 4th, 2010
11:24 am
SELL THE TEAM! JESUS!
rock
August 4th, 2010
11:26 am
The Hawks have dropped many other balls. They are:
1. Overpaying Joe Johnson
2. Not Signing Josh Childress
3. Hiring the cheapest coach they could find
4. Not trading Marvin Williams
Veteran Fan
August 4th, 2010
11:27 am
Shaq is over-the-hill and slow! This team needs to get serious and try to move Marvin and Bibby for Thabeet with Memphis. Other than that, keep in touch with the Knicks so we can move JJ as the season deteriorates for at least a first round pick! The problem is really Josh Smith and his lack of basketball smarts. I sincerely hope Coach Drew is a miracle worker as all we have is Al and a bunch of overpaid back up players!
F-105 Thunderchief
August 4th, 2010
11:27 am
To improve, the Hawks must have a better coach. They hired an assistant of the old coach. Jury out, but highly skeptical. Teague must be a really good starter. It’s possible, but hard to know, considering Woody didn’t let him play. Again, I’m highly skeptical, but hopeful.
If some improbable things happen, like Jason Collins again becomes a useful NBA player, Marvin becomes more than just a guy (i.e., plays remotely like his draft position demands), Zaza plays more like 2008, etc., etc.
Close your eyes, cross your fingers and wish really, REALLY hard, Hawks fans and our dreams might come true.
Mojo
August 4th, 2010
11:28 am
Shaq would have been a terrible influence on Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and the rest of the players not named Horford. Shaq coasted through his prime without worrying about how good he could have been. Wait a minute… that sounds just like Josh Smith. He also would have made Larry Drew even more of an after-thought in the locker room.
Jack
August 4th, 2010
11:35 am
If memory serves correctly when it was first mentioned that the Hawks were interested in Shaq, there was a AJC blog saying he would be a big mistake, and he would just put people in seats. Now we are saying not signing him is a mistake. Very Interesting.
Shaq will be injured half the season. So not having him is one of the few good thinks going for the Hawks
JV
August 4th, 2010
11:37 am
The only argument for washed up Shaq here is the fannies-in-seats argument, and teams that make decisions based on that interest tend to lose on the court. He was not the answer. Better to stand pat and see what the new coach can do rather than go down nostalgia road.
SEC4Life
August 4th, 2010
11:37 am
@ ChippersLoveChild – That list is on the money.
Had Andrew Bogut been healthy last spring there’s no way that series goes seven games.
Can’t really blame Shaq for going to the C’s either. If all he’s concerned about is a ring, they’re definitely much more of a lock than the Hawks. The ASG could’ve at least given the appearance that they were making an aggressive play for him though. Clearly, it’s not about the money for Shaq.
Basically, the Hawks went from a team full of 2-guards and swingmen to a team full of swingmen and not-tall-enough centers.
Sheesh.
Manny
August 4th, 2010
11:47 am
This horrible off-season started by the firing of Mike Woodson. Remember? We were SOOO excited because we thought that by getting rid of Mike Woodson, the Hawks were looking to upgrade at that position.
And remember the banter on the blogs? ‘Oh, we shouldn’t pick up Avery Johnson because Avery Johnson didn’t win anything!’ Or, ‘Perhaps we should wait for Doc Rivers and go get him.’ Remember that???
And then, when the ASG laughed at the blogs while offering the job to Mike Woodson’s assistant; we stuttered a little bit but kept it up. We looked at the Joe Johnson situation.
Y’all remember Joe Johnson, right? That was that guy that played very well during the regular season, then melts down like a Snickers bar on the window sill in the summertime during the postseason. Well, the fans rewarded another annual complete blowout exit by the Hawks by booing the team. And the booing was well warranted- like what’s going to happen… the fans were going to applaud the team after losing by 40 points on a nice regular season???
But JJ responded by telling the media that he really doesn’t care if the fans ever show up. The fans were livid. The fans were kinda glad to see him go. I mean, if he didn’t like booing, go and take that sort of game to New York! I mean, I really wanted him to go to the Knicks!
But instead of that, the ASG group rewarded Joe Johnson by giving him the kind of money reserved for folks like Kobe, LeBron, etc. This, to a guy that can’t win in the postseason. Ever.
And now this. We didn’t make any more moves. We didn’t upgrade, even when the Heat brought the Dream Team back together. Even when the Magic is upgrading, the Celtics are upgrading, the Bulls are upgrading. We STILL didn’t go out and get a center. We STILL have Marvin Williams as a starter. We STILL have nothing to get excited about!
No upgrades ANYWHERE! And you expect for people to go out and spend good money on tickets? Wow.
This is what I’ve said before: If you cannot afford to bring a competitive NBA team to the court, you cannot afford an NBA team! And Joe Johnson got his wish. He got paid like he’s in the Top 5 in the NBA. He can be the face of a franchise. And since he doesn’t care too much about what fans do, he’s going to be on a team that will play in front of very few fans every home game.
crackbaby
August 4th, 2010
11:50 am
Schultzie!
Stick to comedy, please. Shaq would not help the Hawks advance in the playoffs. In fact, he would also hinder regular season play. Might sell a few more tickets, but that’s it.
Don’t know what the answer is after they overpaid to keep Joe (you are correct on that point). Maybe the Hawks will continue to improve and win 60 games next season. I hope so but we’ll have to wait and see.
And another thing, let’s not just grant Miami the championship. If the Celtics or Lakers or (insert your favorite) can play as a team, the collection of self adoring superstars in South Beach will fall and fall hard. Only David Stern and the NBA refs can guarantee a Heat victory at this point.
Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Basketball Video Zone
August 4th, 2010
11:51 am
[...] Hawks dropped the ball on not signing ShaqAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)(Orlando Sentinel photo) The Hawks want to believe they're knocking on the door of the NBA's elite. This is confirmation that they're not. …Hot stuff for NBA's opener: Celtics vs. MiamiBoston GlobeNBA Rumors: Shaq Close To Signing With CelticsBleacher ReportShaquille O'Neal coming off Boston bench?Yahoo! SportsThe Associated Press -ESPN -Los Angeles Times (blog)all 713 news articles » [...]
Don't Drink the Coolade
August 4th, 2010
11:52 am
The inactivity of the Hawks management and the overpaying of Joe Johnson (I know I know – signing was necessary to insure a playoff spot each year) has caused the Franchise to take at least two steps backwards. Atlanta will struggle mightily to be a 5th seed or lower and get axed in round one most years. Miami, Boston, Orlando, Milwaukee, and Chicago are better than the Hawks – that equals one and done!!
Ted M
August 4th, 2010
11:52 am
Josh Powell and Jason Collins won’t even play (anything over token minutes).
jon
August 4th, 2010
11:53 am
your not the biggest fan in new jersey mr. mojjo
gdg73
August 4th, 2010
11:54 am
If Shaq would have signed with Atlanta, we would have seen what Al Horford could do playing against other power forwards in league. Probably would average 20 and 10. We could have traded Marvin for Shaq as well. We could have played Joe, Mo, or Josh at SF or signed Josh Howard. This ownership group is just cheap. There could have been a five team race for the Eastern Conference Championship, with Atlanta squarely in the thick of things (Heat, Celtics, Magic, Hawks, and Bulls). Instead, we are left wondering what if. I wish I had the resources to buy a sports franchise. I know exactly which one I would purchase.
Roro
August 4th, 2010
11:56 am
Shaq is the hawks lease problems! how about developing the young pg Jeff Teague and getting a small foward(mw) that can do more than just shoot jump shots.A center is needed but the answer is not Shaq..
All I'm Saying...
August 4th, 2010
11:57 am
Typical smart move by the Celtics (”Doc Rivers met with Shaq a month ago in Orlando”) and, unfortunately, more of the same old, same old lack of vision, budget, or smarts by Hawks. Sund says he knows team needs a Center and then proceeds to do virtually nothing about it during off-season. Apparently convinced that Collins losing weight will be the difference. Excuse me if I’m unimpressed.
Still, time remains to surprise and despite what many may think Marvin is a trade bargaining chip for a team that needs some size upfront. Trade options (i.e. can we get a serviceable Center in exchange) are limited although I’d take the aged Erick Dampier in return for Marvin at this stage.
LET’S GO HAWKS!
Tman
August 4th, 2010
12:01 pm
The Hawks have no need for Shaq, as he brings no athleticism to the team that is built with athletes. Sure Shaq would be a presence in the lane but that’s all. He is a liability in every sense of the word. No foul shooting ability and his best days are way past. The Hawks were smart to pass on Shaq’s buffoonery.
DP
August 4th, 2010
12:04 pm
I don’t buy the “Shaq would sell more tickets” argument. He might generate a bump for the first month or two, but his presence would make the Hawks even more stagnant offensively. With Shaq clogging the middle, fans would be treated to more walking the ball up the floor, more Josh Smith jumpers, iso-Joe and iso-Jamal. It’s not like Shaq is pounding down a lot of thunder dunks like in the old days. After his initial small jump he’s virtually chained to the floor.
Shaq is about as entertaining to watch these days as Eric Dampier.
Gator Man
August 4th, 2010
12:11 pm
Move over heat, boston will win the eastern conference championship, they are stacking, Jermain Oneal, Garnett, Shack.
Once again the Hawks slip””’
Shaquille O’Neal Signs Two-Year Deal With NBA’s Boston Celtics, ESPN Says – Bloomberg « My NBA Video
August 4th, 2010
12:15 pm
[...] With Boston CelticsBleacher ReportSources: Shaquille O'Neal to BostonESPNYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -The Associated Pressall 747 news [...]
The Real JC
August 4th, 2010
12:15 pm
@Jeff (the commenter, not the columnist) – No matter how many times the ownership shoots themselves in the foot, devoted Hawks fans still want to watch games.
You can’t blame the players for the bad decisions, and it’s them on the floor still trying to win every night. If you don’t watch the games, you don’t get to see the maturation of Teague or how good JC2 is. You don’t get to watch Josh or Marvin hammer it down, or Jamal shoot a buzzer-beater to win the game. You don’t get to see if LD’s motion offense actually has legs and can improve not only offensive presence, but bench utilization as well.
Yes, I’m upset we have 4 centers, none of which can guard Dwight Howard or anyone over 7 feet. I’m upset they’ve cheaped out on nearly every free agent, including the vet they were supposed to get with that $3 mil. But it’s not Larry Drew’s fault, it’s not any of the player’s faults, it’s not even Rick Sund’s fault.
It’s ASG, who has made it clear that the team is not for sale. Not buying tickets or watching games on TV isn’t going to help – they’ve literally already lost hundreds of millions of dollars and have one of the lowest attendance records in the NBA, despite making it to the playoffs three years in a row.
What fans need to do is go to games, make signs and boo the ownership. It’s easy to ignore fans that aren’t there, but when they all come to your game and chant “ASG Sucks” it’s a little harder.
Mitun
August 4th, 2010
12:16 pm
all I have to say I wish Arthur Blanks owned all of the Atlanta team cause none of this would have happen.
benchwarmer
August 4th, 2010
12:16 pm
Resigning Joe Johnson for the max was the last great example of a clueless ownership. To my mind also the NBA seems to be losing its relevance anyway. Seems more like a superstar boys club than a competative sports league.
ADR
August 4th, 2010
12:24 pm
the hawks need to go after kwame brown, hes the last viable option
James
August 4th, 2010
12:26 pm
Shaq it doing the right thing I would rather play for the Celtics they got a better chance of winning the championship than the Hawks. The Hawks will be lucky to get out of the first round but this year I don’t even see that happening.
Big Dog
August 4th, 2010
12:27 pm
I’m done with the Hawks until either the Joe Johnson days are over or we have new owners. This is pathetic.
akjd
August 4th, 2010
12:30 pm
shaq will be sitting on the celts bench wearing his suit by the all star break
MannyT
August 4th, 2010
12:30 pm
Thinking that Shaq would come here under the same conditions that he would go to Boston is like thinking people buy Playboy for the same reason they buy National Geographic…same on the surface, but so different in reality.
Atlanta has not attracted a desirable free agent on its merits since Joe Johnson came here from Phoenix. Until the perceptions change, management will either overpay (i.e. the Hawks tax) or not get noteworthy players.
Good thing Joe & his agent were hard on the recruiting job to get Jason Collins back
James
August 4th, 2010
12:36 pm
AL Horford is going to ask for a trade real soon or he’s not going to re-sign with the Hawks when his contract is up cause he’s already stated that he feels more comfortable at his right position which is PF.and the Hawks still haven’t gotten him any good help. Josh Powell and Jason Collins that is a joke the Hawks management should be ashame of themselves and embarrassed.
Tmac
August 4th, 2010
12:40 pm
kudos to them. They have been dropping the ball for about the last 15 years now.
Well done sir’s, well done.
ryan
August 4th, 2010
12:42 pm
Yea starting to think Joe should have went to Chicago or New York because he is obviously back in bad environment .
craig donahue
August 4th, 2010
12:46 pm
I’m a season ticket holder but I eas waiting hoping the hawks would sign shaq. I won’t be going to any hawks games until they get new owners who are willing to spend on proven BIG centers. Hell times are too hard to through my money away on a mediocre team at best.
Tao
August 4th, 2010
12:49 pm
Joe Johnson makes more than Labron. That by definition is an organization that does not know what the hell it is doing. Nothing else needs to be debated or said.
Another GM
August 4th, 2010
12:52 pm
I’ve been a Hawks fan and supporter since 1978. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is the issue with Shaq being washed up and a cancer. Well wake up folks he is a hall of famer and has multiple rings, how many rings does this franchise have. I guess that Doc Rivers is a idiot because he wants Shaq.
I will not buy season tickets this year and probably not watch many games becase the regular season is for seating in the conference and there is no hope with this roster to be at championship level. Shaq could have possibly put us over the top, maybe not but now we will never know.
This is just about the final straw for this fan of 32 years.
The Real JC
August 4th, 2010
12:53 pm
@Shultz – not sure we could get Beiber for the minimum. He’s so hot right now.
Manny
August 4th, 2010
12:54 pm
Me and a couple of my boys are trying to put our money together to buy the Hawks. Plus, we might even do some fundraising- like we may be out on the corner, selling donuts and cold water to passersby. Or we may even throw a couple of house parties.
By the time this season is over, we might be in contention because the Hawks aren’t going to be worth much by then.
GStateBen
August 4th, 2010
12:54 pm
Jeff,
I really wish you’d taken some time go cover Georgia State’s media day rather than writing this blog. Al Horford is a center in the Eastern Conference. Look at the starting centers in the Eastern Conference Finals – Kendrick Perkins – 6′11 vs. Dwight Howard – 6′11. Al is 6′10! He is an All-Star so enough with him playing out of position. Josh Smith is an athletic PF because he doesn’t need to play the wing and shoot from the outside.
Enough with the morons that say the Hawks screwed up by maxing Joe. The numbers don’t lie, you would have had less money under the salary cap to spend. You kept you top 9 players from a team that won 53 games! This team will win 50 games again this season as they are better today than they were against Orlando. Jeff Teague will be better, Jordan Crawford is better than Mario West. Logic people. We’ll be in the Playoffs again this season and fighting for an Eastern Conference Title birth as currently constructed.
Shaquille O’Neal Signs Two-Year Deal With NBA’s Boston Celtics, ESPN Says – Bloomberg | Basketball Video Zone
August 4th, 2010
12:55 pm
[...] Signing With CelticsBleacher ReportSources: Shaquille O'Neal to BostonESPNYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -The Associated Pressall 740 news [...]
Jerome
August 4th, 2010
12:55 pm
I will say it again: We can post all the vents in the world the only thing that will change things is to “not buy tickets”. Some will always go to the game but if enough fans stay away, that will be the only way to get ASG and JJ attention and a warning to any potential buyer of the team,that the Atlanta fans will no longer tolerate mediocre.
ChippersLoveChild
August 4th, 2010
12:59 pm
@Manny
Joe was traded here from Phoenix.
Manny
August 4th, 2010
1:10 pm
GStateBen-
That was LAST YEAR! Are you even aware of what happened this off-season? Do you honestly think that you can take the same group of guys and win the same amount of games as last year? Really?
Have you noticed that the East has gotten more competitive? Have you seen the Heat’s roster? Or the Celtics? Remember, the Celtics was in the NBA Finals, yet STILL found the need to upgrade their team. Where’s our upgrade? Name one position with the Hawks where we’ve gotten better? Name ONE position where we’re better than the other teams in the East that are contenders. Name ONE!
I’m a huge Hawks fan. My wife is a HUGE Hawks fan! My son plays basketball at the same gym where Josh Smith got his start. We go to games all the time, until now. And I’m not going to jump on you whatsoever.
But you just gotta wonder where we’re going to win over 30 games this year. Seriously. Perhaps we’ll get to play the Nets, Bobcats, and Grizzlies a lot this year, but we simply CANNOT beat the Heat, Celtics, Bulls or Magic in the postseason. And if we have to rely on beating these guys consistently over the course of the season, there will be no postseason to even think about.
But the upside will be this: you’ll have a LOT of trade bait for next year with Josh Smith and Al Horford requesting trades.
tom
August 4th, 2010
1:12 pm
cheap fans, cheap owners. cheap owners, cheap fans.
bill
August 4th, 2010
1:13 pm
To Another GM — Amen, brother! I’m with you…wake me up when playoffs start and we are a 6th Seed in the East (which means we’ll probably match-up w/Shaq & Celtics).
ryan
August 4th, 2010
1:18 pm
You figure that a guy like Tyler Perry who has Billions of dollars who is a big NBA fan would be interested in buying the Hawks .
GStateBen
August 4th, 2010
1:25 pm
@ Manny: Look at the starting lineup this season and their ages on opening night – Jeff Teague (22), Joe (29), Marvin (24), Josh Smith (25), Al (24). They’ll continue to get better because they are still young. 4 straight season in the Playoffs. All of the idiots that say they got worse. Come on man!
How did the Atlantic Division get better? Toronto took a huge step backwards, NJ still is terrible, Knicks got a little better but not as good as the Hawks. How in the world did the Celtics get appreciably better? By replacing Rasheed with an aging, broken down Jermain O’Neal. Come on man! They drafted Avery Bradley who will get less burn than Jordan Crawford.
The Hawks will win 30 in the East alone. Think I’m nuts, they won 32 conference last season. I think they can duplicate that. Add to the list that Joe’s been told by everyone that is listening that he’s not worth the money, Bibby’s been told that he’s done. I expect big things from this team. I’m sorry you do not.
Add that to the fact that they have more than $15 million in salary cap space again next season, the Hawks are in great shape to stay in and thrive in the Playoffs year after year.
The Real JC
August 4th, 2010
1:31 pm
@Ryan – Tyler Perry has billions? That’s probably news to him.
Wahoo
August 4th, 2010
1:39 pm
Good God Almighty! Will this idiocy ever end!!! Who gives a rat’s A$$ where Crack plays next year or any year for that matter? Aren’t there better ways to waste your time Schultz?
ryan
August 4th, 2010
1:43 pm
The Real JC i don’t know how much money Perry has i am just saying i would like him or someone to buy the Hawks .
cheshire
August 4th, 2010
1:47 pm
while i would liked to have seen Shaq as a Hawk, let’s be honest: it wouldn’t have made a difference. this team’s chances to matter ended as soon as they overpaid Joe and as soon as 3 superstars decided to make the NBA boring by joining forced in Miami. the Hawks are now just one of about 26 teams who have absolutely no chance at winning an NBA championship.
the Hawks have issues, no doubt about it, but the bigger issue is the viability of the product known as the NBA. the NBA exists for entertainment, and if the league isn’t competitive, it’s no longer entertaining. and if the vast majority of fanbases know their team has no chance to matter, the league loses $$$, which it’s already doing. that’s the true tragedy of the Lebron decision… yeah, he’s a douche, and yeah, he screwed Cleveland over, but he also assisted in screwing over the NBA by watering down the product and making it that much less interesting to fans.
so yeah, we didn’t get Shaq – so what?
Justin Bieber » Blog Archive » Shaquille O’Neal versus Justin Bieber ~video – Examiner.com
August 4th, 2010
2:00 pm
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STRETCH
August 4th, 2010
2:00 pm
Another GM,
Man i feel your pain! I remember when i was a kid watching Tom Millen, John Drew, Tree, Eddie Johnson and Dan Roundfield just to name a few. I hated when they lost, and then came the Air Force with Nique, Doc, Spud, Willis, Hastings and Carr n Llivingston (naming a few more). I still remember the Battle in the Garden between Nique n Bird, i was crushed.
Then came Mookie and Steve Smith n Motumbo and that picked me up only to send me crashing back down to earth! So its safe to safe that around every ten years or so they give us hope, but i must say that after last seasons 101 point series lost to Orlando and this off-season, IM DONE.
Just want say, you just spoke for many fans. ASG was blowing smoke from the very begining. They knew as soon as the final horn blew last season, they werent gonna do anything!
The Real JC
August 4th, 2010
2:02 pm
@Wahoo – Crack? You can do better.
@ryan – I’d be very wary of a non-business guy like Perry buying a franchise. Usually celebs like Jay-Z or John Melloncamp are only minority owners, with real business people running the show. Plus he makes a lot, lot less than you’d think. Single franchise owners like Arthur Blank are billionaires, not millionaires.
STRETCH
August 4th, 2010
2:04 pm
And i wonder what us fans are going to do about this? Really nothing but NOT go to the games, which will be pretty easy to do! Actually, im seriously thinking about getting on the Celtic bandwagon. That organization knows how to get things done!
hawksfan23
August 4th, 2010
2:04 pm
im with you mitun i would definatley take authur blank as the owner of the hawks too
because this group just never comes through on anything and empty promises but you never know, i personally think they have something big planned for next summer because we have the trade exeption from the childress trade, crawford and his 10 mil, bibby and his 6 mil, marvin and his 5 mil, thats 21 million off the books right there and maybe we will get dare i say carmelo anthony next year in free agency or cris paul through trade that would be an encridible trade and pick up i think it is possible but then i come to the realization that as long asg runs the show that will only be in my dreams but if the nets can have the worst record almost ever in the nba and get a billionaire owner maybe it happens to us? im not saying we will lose that many but we need a good owner that is not afraid to roll the dice wake up asg and make us a contender like authur blank made the falcons and all it took was a bad year keep that in mind
Shaq
August 4th, 2010
2:18 pm
I don’t want to play for Atlanta cause I want to play for a professional basketball team.
Elvisinthehouse
August 4th, 2010
2:20 pm
More like 6 or 7th seed.The bulls are better and the bucks have 2 key players back in m.redd and there center.So i think even the 1st round will be a tough task and thats IF they(hawks)make the playoffs.
Dennis Clinton
August 4th, 2010
2:30 pm
The man can’t even stand on his own big toe, what is the loss? He is not an addition, he would have been a subtraction. The big goog up is in signing Joe to the highest possible contract in the NBA.
jfreak13713
August 4th, 2010
2:47 pm
Shaq is wise beyond his years! The Hawks as an organization are far behind the Celtics and Sha
G-Money
August 4th, 2010
2:56 pm
I don’t believe that the Hawks dropped the ball. Boston is quite simply a better opportunity for someone like Shaq who is looking to win now. He would have eaten through this team so bad, it would not have been funny. This team is breaking in ROOKIE coach, has a pathetic playoff history as of late, and a few guys who need to mature emotionally. There is no way he would have come here for the veteran’s minimum and not inevitably cause problems from within. In Boston you have an experienced coach and team that has been successful without him, and veteran players that will hold him accountable for his actions.
ReddJonn68
August 4th, 2010
3:10 pm
Dropped the ball ??? We can’t get the guy to sign for a mid level exception, this tells you everything you need to know about this organization. We are about become a 3rd tier team in the Eastern conference, though some teams got better the West is still # 1. Why is this franchise penny pinching when they are about to be in the red for the next 3 to 4 yrs. I predict attendance will be down this season.
The JJ contract will come back to haunt this team for yrs to come. Why is it no player out there ever considered us during the off season. This speaks volumes about what direction players around the league, actually think this team is headed in. Nobody outside of us Hawk’s fan feel we can make a run, this is a reflection of this franchise from top to bottom.
None of management can say they feel that with the moves we made we will be in the finals. I guess we are stuck with what we have as owners, I don’t see anybody buying ASG out anytime soon. We are doomed, & some fans even thought CP3 was an option he’d rather stay in NO, nuff said. This summer has been painful to watch, remember there is always someone to get picked last in a pickup game, we did not get picked we are watching from the bleachers !!!
boots
August 4th, 2010
3:10 pm
Steve, you are a tool for saying first. Grow up. The Hawks play in a city that would readily embrace a championship calliber team, and they have 80% of what they need to get there. Either finish what you start and go 100% after the elite talent or sell the team and let them move to another city. But why have a team if you are just going to lose money, not win anything and not try to win?
Vick Supporter
August 4th, 2010
3:12 pm
We’re going to be an average team forever
NBA 2010 Updates : Shaquille O’Neal and Celtics is a Done Deal – The Daily Tech News | Free NBA Videos
August 4th, 2010
3:24 pm
[...] security for the CelticsBoston GlobeLos Angeles Times (blog) -Hot Cappers -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 779 news [...]
Tim
August 4th, 2010
3:28 pm
Schultz – for a guy that writes about sports as a living, you don’t seem to know much about sports.
NBA 2010 Updates : Shaquille O’Neal and Celtics is a Done Deal – The Daily Tech News « My NBA Video
August 4th, 2010
3:35 pm
[...] security for the CelticsBoston GlobeLos Angeles Times (blog) -Hot Cappers -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 783 news [...]
Joe Johnson
August 4th, 2010
3:46 pm
Who cares if fans show up to games? My $124 million is guaranteed. By the way, how do you like my recruiting so far? I got us Josh Powell and convinced Jason Collins not to elope to Europe.
PaulieOldschool
August 4th, 2010
3:56 pm
One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results each time. That’’s the Hawks in a nutshell. If they’re lucky, they’ll make it to the 2nd round this year. I don’t see them getting into the playoffs, frankly. They are one injury (esp. if it’s Horford) from a losing season.
Harry The Hawk
August 4th, 2010
4:04 pm
Sund dropped the ball again. He just can’t seem to get it done in the clutch
Hawks appear destined to remain a second-tier team under his watch. Guaranteed, based on his moves since the end of last season..
Only LeBron has had a worse summer…..ASG, cut your losses
A true hawks fan
August 4th, 2010
4:21 pm
I post few comments on these Hawks blog but read them every day. When the season start a lot of you all opinion will change. Remember we got to 53 wins off of pure talent and iso plays.Think about what ball movement will do. Shaq would have hurt both of those areas.
James
August 4th, 2010
4:35 pm
The Hawks gave $124M to Joe Johnson who got a stripper pregnant who he met at Magic City lol.
Navigator
August 4th, 2010
4:39 pm
Jeff, I’m with your opinion most of the time, but the fact is he’s not wanted for a starters salary and a part time player. He’ll sign with some franchise for another pay check, and that’s the extent of his present and future.
NBA 2010 Updates : Shaquille O’Neal and Celtics is a Done Deal – The Daily Tech News | Basketball Video Zone
August 4th, 2010
4:49 pm
[...] security for the CelticsBoston GlobeLos Angeles Times (blog) -Hot Cappers -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 779 news [...]
JASon
August 4th, 2010
5:01 pm
You’re right, Jeff. Shaq is “the missing piece” to the hawks success. All we need is this old, washed-up player and we are guaranteed to make the finals. The answer was right there in front of us this whole time!
Pete
August 4th, 2010
5:13 pm
The Hawks dropped the ball ??
Get serious.
Shaq is nothing but a shadow of his former self…………a pathetic side show. Any team willing to pay that “beached whale” to go through the motions is beyond desperate.
The Hawks showed some professional pride and sense passing on a tired, worn out vaudville act. Hats off to them.
Dinosaur
August 4th, 2010
5:51 pm
I guess we won’t get to see Shaq die a grisly death on the Phillips Arena court, unless he comes to play with the Celts.
Dinosaur
August 4th, 2010
5:52 pm
Who cares? It’s basketball!
Hawks' Nest Monsta
August 4th, 2010
6:19 pm
Why aren’t we considered among the elite? This Jeff Schultz guy really has no idea what he’s talking about, and he has no right to be writing about the Atlanta Hawks. We had a better record than the Celtics. We SWEPT the Celtics during the season. We beat every single team in the league (except OKC). The last time we played the Lakers, we embarrassed them, dominating them in every way imaginable. The Cavaliers are done. How can anyone rationally say that the Hawks are not an elite team?
JerryT
August 4th, 2010
7:17 pm
I’ll jump on the Kwame Brown bandwagon.
He”ll be cheap, low expectations, doesn’t need star minutes, big body, still some potential in there somewhere.
The one caveat is if that guy has bigger problems than we know about and nobody wants to play with him. A coach has to consider that.
8.9 Brain Fart AKA Jeff Schultzy
August 4th, 2010
7:18 pm
“The Hawks can be an entertaining team. But they’re also a flawed one. Signing Josh Powell and Jason Collins doesn’t cure their size problem in the post. Al Horford is playing out of position. This decision more likely ensures that they again will be the No. 4 playoff seed in the East and exit in the second round.”
The hawks will be lucky to make 7th seed. Very few (1 or 2) are projecting the hawks at 4 most have them 6/7
Nice try Schultz
Luke Cage
August 4th, 2010
7:21 pm
FIRE SUND!!!!!!
tyger
August 4th, 2010
7:35 pm
On-line Petition for ASG to sell Hawks with Godspeed!
The undersigned, life-long fans of the Atlanta Hawks petition the ASG, NBA, NBA Governors, City of Atlanta and other significant corporate sponsors/partners to sell the franchise as quickly as possible.
In light of recent events, especially this free-agency period, it is clear that current ownership/ management do not have sufficient resources to maintain a competitive, championship caliber franchise in the city of Atlanta. That being the case, the only honorable thing to do, is divest ownership to a more able body.
Recent history shows this ownership group was flawed from the start – with owners suing owners – openly and publicly bickering over player transactions. They have not conducted themselves like owners, instead they continue to shed an unfavorable light upon the NBA. In fact, according to the Courts, they never should have come into ownership of the franchise. see victorious lawsuit by Mr. McDavid, which TBS is currently appealing.
Moreover, their very limited resources have been a source of constant and persistent embarrassment throughout the league, city and it’s fan base. They are incrementally and systematically eroding the fan base and depreciating the value of the franchise with cheap player transactions, cheap coaching hires and openly touting a pathological cheapness if left unchecked, will condemn this franchise for the near future and beyond. For example, the Hawks have not signed one free agent beyond, Joe Johnson, to a salary higher than the NBA minimum wage.
Certainly, winning 53 games and making the playoffs 3 yrs. consecutive is admirable. However, that is a by-product of the former GM Billy Knight. This current group appears to be in a “wind down” of operations prior to “foreclosure or bankruptcy.”
SAVE OUR HAWKS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
7:37 pm
I’d take The Bieb at center over Jason Collins or Josh Powell.
FrustratedBird
August 4th, 2010
7:47 pm
Let’s just be honest. The Hawks are terribly mismanaged and they make horrible business decisions when it comes to personnel. They greatly overpaid for Joe when no other team was gonna offer anything close to the max for him. He’s a good sh…ooting guard not a franchise player. And let’s remember his agent was the one braggin about how Joe was gonna recruit other stars here. i doubt joe actually said that. He had dollar signs in his eyes. You moderators can delete my comments all you want to but until we get some competent folks runnin the show we’ll be stuck with a 2nd class team in atlanta. I’m not spending a dime of my hard earned money on those overpriced tickets til i see some changes. Now run tell THAT! HomeboySee More
FrustratedBird
August 4th, 2010
7:49 pm
Hey fans. I have started a facebook movement to rid of the ASG. I’m trying to rally as many frustrated fans as i can. I’m tired of our ownership’s broken promises and utter passiveness when it comes to improving this franchise. Please check it out. We need to send a strong message. I want these guys out of here and i know most if not all of you do too. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hawks-Fans-Unite-to-Buy-Out-The-Atlanta-Spirit-LLC/123761924335428?ref=ts
DHD
August 4th, 2010
8:21 pm
You’re wrong. We don’t need a overweight, over paid, out of shape, hurt half the time distraction. Thankfully, we didn’t sign this guy to keep us frustrated all season.
yep
August 4th, 2010
9:52 pm
and we wonder why the nation thinks Atlanta is one of the worst sports towns.
VIDEO- Shaq Sings To Justin Bieber – Tech Banyan (blog) « My NBA Video
August 4th, 2010
10:15 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
niremetal
August 4th, 2010
10:31 pm
What MannyT said.
Tweets that mention Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
August 4th, 2010
10:32 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by TimD, dc101, TimC, sportscardcollector, lsportsfan95 and others. lsportsfan95 said: Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq: Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)(Orlando Sentinel) The Hawks want t… http://bit.ly/a3YvBi [...]
M. mitchelll
August 4th, 2010
10:45 pm
I don’t agree with any of you. The problem with Hawks was the fact they switched players every year not giving them time to gel or have a chemisrty. Now with everyone stayin we should see that chemistry even more this upcoming 2010 season!! I didn’t see anyone talkin _hit when they mad to the playoffs and when everyone thought they were gonna sweep the Bucks. Get over and let My ATL Hawks do thre job!!!
An early look at NFC's Super Bowl picks: Falcons are No. 2 | Jeff Schultz
August 4th, 2010
11:04 pm
[...] ♦ Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq [...]
northcyde
August 4th, 2010
11:16 pm
If the ASG were REAL about building a winner, this would be our lineup:
COACH: Avery Johnson
PG: Bibby – Teague
G: Johnson – Jamal C – Jordan C or Evans in street clothes
F: Marvin – Childress
PF: Smith – Varnado ( #31 pick )
C: Horford – Shaq – Zaza
That squad at least generates the necessary buzz around Atlanta, and on a national scale, to really get people excited about the Hawks.
Oh well . . . I’m just glad my Cincinnati Bengals aren’t afraid to take chances, unlike the ASG.
Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq | NBA & Basketball
August 4th, 2010
11:54 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
MsDee
August 5th, 2010
12:29 am
northcyde,
That is only your opinion, not factual! Just b/c the ASG didnt choose the coach YOU WANTED or choose the players YOU WANTED which doesnt give us the ‘buzz around Atlanta’ u were hoping for, doesnt mean they arent trying to build a WINNER IN THE HAWKS!!
Like I wrote earlier on MC’s blog, people lack to realize that we have improved 6 consective years while being under the radar. Tell me something, would you rather be mension every single year as being the team to beat for the finals(CAVS) but NEVER make it there, or would u like to have nevered been a thought in the finals, but actually make it there,(Boston)?? I COULD CARE LESS IF WE ARE EVER MENSIONED BY THESE SO-CALL ESPN ANNOUNCERS, CHRIS BROUSARD, CHARLES BARKLEY AND WHOEVER ELSE FIT THE BILL. ALL I AM CONCERN WITH IS HOW WELL THE HAWKS HAVE IMPROVED, ARE WE MAKING THE RIGHT ADJUSTMENTS DURING THE SEASON TO HELP US IN THE PLAYOFFS(WHICH IS ONE AREA WOODSON FAILED AT DOING)..The regular season should only be to help us find what works and what doesnt work when playing different teams who we might face in the playoffs. The regular season should not matter how many wins we have cause how did that help the CAVS 2 seasons in a row????? EXACTLY!!
GROW UP HAWKS FANS AND JUST BE PATIENT!!
Big D
August 5th, 2010
10:01 am
@MS DEE
The Hawks are regressings as evidenced by the last 2 years playoffs where they struggled with a Miami Heat and Bucks teams in Rd 1 and got easily handled..excuse me SWEPT each time in Rd 2 by double digits by Cavs and Magic.
Yeah real progress..Learn the Game !!!!
maurice
August 5th, 2010
10:31 am
ALRIGHT MS DEE!
niremetal
August 5th, 2010
10:44 am
MsDee 1, Northcyde 0
And Big D – that was with the worst coach in the history of professional sports at the helm. You know, the guy who took 5 games and a 3-2 deficit to a vastly inferior team (Milwaukee) to figure out that he might not want to keep implementing a defensive strategy that requires Al Horford to guard Brandon Jennings on the perimeter.
There is no plausible move the Hawks could have made this summer that improved the team’s prospects as much as firing Woodson the Eyebrowless Wonder does. The only question is whether Drew was the right man to replace him.
KevinM
August 5th, 2010
10:45 am
This offseason:
Boston – fills holes left by Tony Allen,Perkins and Wallace
Orlando – signs JJ Redick/Barnes to the Lakers
Cleveland – loses LeBron/Delonte West/Z/Shaq – add Byron Scott
Atlanta – Josh Powell / Jason Collins on the bench this year, Teague and LD in the spotlight.
Milwaukee – add Maggette/CDR/Drew Gooden/Dooling/draft Larry Sanders returns
-lose Kurt Thomas/Gadzooks
Chicago – loses Hindrich/Brad Miller adds Boozer/Ronnie Brewer/Korver/CJ Watson/Kurt Thomas
Knicks – lose David Lee/add Stoudamire/Felton/Turiaf/Azubuike/Randolph
Miami – A total makeover and the favorites to go to the Finals
Charlotte – loses Felton/Chandler/ Dampier in
Charlotte and Atlanta do the least, Miami/Chicago/Knicks/Bucks revamp their lineups.
Those optimist here have a reason to be if they are happy with a playoff slot. I would just think with all the uncertainties of each team’s moves, now would be the time to add a center and insurance like a Rafer Alston.
I
Big D
August 5th, 2010
10:54 am
Sorry niremetal not buying the arguement that the big deisel wouldnt have made a huge impact. We lost in the playofff because we got outhustled on the boards,. That happens when you have a 6′8 PF Al) playing C and 6′8 SF (Smith) playing PF who shoot more brick 3’s than drive to the hoop. Adding Shaq would move both players to their natural postions and allow the Hawks to have a true inside outside game vs the dull iso sets for JJ that proved to be our detriment in each rd 2 series.
A 38 year old Shaq is still better than ANY of the Hawks options at C. Its about overall impact than scoring. Also with Shaq I think our defense improves as teams will be less inclined to goto the hole with a 7′1 330lb boheamuth in the middle.
Bad move by mgmt. This team will lose in rd 1, if it even makes the playoffs.
The Hawks are not mentioned in the conversation with teams that have improved, but yet we have some idiotic fans who believe we can be a contender…That in itself is a laugher !
KevinM
August 5th, 2010
11:00 am
GStateBen: Add that to the fact that they have more than $15 million in salary cap space again next season, the Hawks are in great shape to stay in and thrive in the Playoffs year after year.
Its going to take more than that to get JC1 and Al resigned. Better try and dump Bibby and/or Zaza. Then the ramifications for E#2 and the cap limits really come to realization.
Anyone wanna predict who leaves first: Sund or LD?
Matthew
August 5th, 2010
11:24 am
A big F*** YOU ASG. This was a cheap signing that could have gone miles towards proving y’all weren’t in essence, retarded.
James
August 5th, 2010
11:46 am
The Hawks gave Joe Johnson $124M and he got a stripper pregnant that he met at Magic City lol.
ICEMANcometh10
August 5th, 2010
11:50 am
Shaq is SEVERAL years past being able to give the Hawks what they need. Everything starts with ownership it’s just too bad we have “boner”ship as our leaders…………………Jason and Josh can plug up the rest of the bench to even out the dead weight.
Hawker hal
August 5th, 2010
12:18 pm
The hawks owners went cheap—-they make millions no matter what the record–why spend $10 mil per year to sign shaq—who is over the hill?
Big D
August 5th, 2010
3:18 pm
Shaq wanted 6M/yr for 2 years, 1st year a guarantee the 2nd a team option as well guarantee to be the starter at C. Thats a bargain in todays NBA.
Shaq could easily dominate ANY of the Hawks bigs, which is more incriminating on the Hawks bigs
Bill Walton
August 5th, 2010
4:15 pm
Why would anyone want to play for the Hawks? One of the worst franchises in NBA history. Flawed? they are a bunch of wanna be one on one look at me players.
Mark
August 5th, 2010
5:57 pm
Sorry, Jeff, but I think you got it wrong this time. Does Shaq have some talent left? Yes, but not 2 years worth. Does he bring size & smarts? Absolutely! However, after moving from Atlanta to S. Florida about 8 years ago, I watched the Heat get Shaq & win the championship with him (after he ran off 1 coach for Pat Riley). Then I watched him destroy the team. Remember, the Heat went from champions to a 15-win team in nothing flat. Could Shaq have helped the Hawks? Absolutely! Could he have destroyed the team? Absolutely! It wasn’t worth the gamble. And I don’t think Riley will be walking through the Hawks door anytime soon. He has put together a nice team down here. Should keep him busy.
MitchC
August 5th, 2010
10:06 pm
Jeff, if Shaq wants a chance to win a title now, one can understand why he signed with the Celts. As we know, Boston won it all in 2008, and went to the seventh game of the Finals this year. Unless the Lakers wanted him back, Shaq couldnt have made a better move.
As for the Hawks: Yes, we know they overpayed to keep Joe Johnson, but they almost had to. I think you’re probably right about them being no better than the number four team in the conference. Personally, I think either Boston or Miami, and I’m leaning toward Miami because of Wade and James, is going to win the East. The Hawks? They will probably be what they usually are. 50 wins, and bye bye in the second round, as you said.
It’s unfortunate that the Hawks cant get over the “we are good but not good enough” hump. I dont see this team ever being much better than they currently are.
Eric Hinske goes bald (and then goes deep) in Braves' win | Jeff Schultz
August 5th, 2010
11:27 pm
[...] ♦ Hawks dropped the ball on not signing Shaq [...]
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
August 7th, 2010
8:41 pm
I agree with Ms Dee and Niremetal. This team excelled with a Woody at the helm and some of weakest excuses for offensive and defensive schemes in the history of the sport. One can assume or at least look forward to improvements just by spreading the spreading the floor, moving the ball more and up tempo play.
HawkKingBibby
August 8th, 2010
5:43 pm
Roses are RED Violets are BLUE The Hawks are CHEAP
Barry
August 10th, 2010
8:46 am
Hey Y’all:
Hell Yeah, WE MORE THAN DROPPED THE BALL WITH SHAQ. This management team and Rick Sund showed they do not know a damn thing about basketball and winning. WE NEED A CENTER!!!!POINT BLANK!!! And Shaq is the best center out there even in his elder state which is not old at all. This management team “SUCK!!” None of them have never played basketball. They sit around talking about stocks and bonds, and do not have a clue about the stock they are trying to put on the basketball court for the fans. THEY ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE FANS. WE NEED “ONE” OWNER!! Not a bunch of “BUFFOONS” who drop the ball on every basketball management decision. Their not signing shows exemplifies how distant they are from basketball and the FANS. Doc Rivers is now going to take Shaq and turn him into a “MONSTER” with the Boston Celtics.
GO HAWKS!! WE NEED ONE OWNER. SELL THE TEAM TO ONE PERSON WHO KNOWS BASKETBALL AND LOVES THE COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST STOCKS AND BONDS!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………..HARD TO “SHOCK THE WORLD” WITH THIS MANAGMENT….
sam'l
August 10th, 2010
1:39 pm
Jeff, I couldn’t disagree with you more.
Shaq is too old to run and hustle on a consistent basis. And should he try, he risks a career-threatening injury. The Hawks need someone who will be able to play fast, hard and smart.
As for the marketing aspect, I personally would never go see an oversized goofball who just happens to be a physically dominant specimen. I would go to see a winning basketball team who plays smart and with heart.
This actually sears the core of Atlanta’s dilemma. The populace apparently doesn’t know the difference between being presented a quality team and a warm,and fuzzy man-child who thinks he’ll become a deputy sheriff when he grows up. But yeah, you could watch Shaq manhandle an opponent, shove him off the court, lean back and go, “Yeah, that’s my man……”.
You’re smart enought to know that. But you wanted an angle to fit into your blog……I suggest you try living, breathing, and dying like a Hawk……For starters you could take Steve Holman and Ryan Cameron and bludgeon them to death with their microphones…….
Score Check
August 16th, 2010
9:44 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEdkLVzHUO4