Carmelo Anthony goes to New York — will Hawks respond?
The Hawks will see Carmelo Anthony more often now that he's with the New York Knicks. (AJC file photo)
Now that Carmelo Anthony is in Manhattan, what will the Hawks do? And are they on the verge of sinking in the Eastern Conference standings?
We’ll soon find out about the first question, as general manager Rick Sund has spoken to Cleveland about Ramon Sessions and New Jersey about Devin Harris, according to our Michael Cunningham. But the fact is, Sund was pursuing a deal, anyway. The trade of Anthony to the New York Knicks doesn’t necessarily increase the sense of urgency for this season, even if it dramatically changes the big picture for future seasons.
Consider: The Hawks entered Tuesday at 34-21 and fifth overall in the East, 5½ games ahead of the Knicks (28-26). If they go 16-11 in their final 27 games, which seems reasonable, the Knicks would need to go 22-6 just to pull even. That’s not likely to happen — not with this New York team.
There’s a little too much early euphoria in Gotham. The fact is, the Knicks aren’t great yet. They have two great players (Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire) but they just gave up a boatload of the present and the future: six players, including Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler, a first-round pick and $3 million.
The Hawks’ biggest potential problem comes this offseason, when New York is expected to add either Chris Paul or Deron Williams at point guard. (You remember Paul and Williams, don’t you, Hawks’ fans? They represent the oil stain former general manager Billy Knight left in the driveway.)
If the Knicks acquire Paul or Williams, and the Hawks don’t do something significant to improve their core, they’ll drop like a brick in the East.
The Hawks obviously need point guard help. But to make a huge-impact trade would likely mean dealing a major piece, like which probably won’t happen right now. Josh Smith is the most obvious candidate but ownership has been resistant to moving him.
Where the Hawks are fading in the East is with their three-player core (Smith-Joe Johnson-Al Horford). The blueprint for success of teams seeking a title is to have three stars to build around. Boston was the first to this a few years ago. Take a look at these conference six teams, listed in order of record:
♦ BOSTON: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen.
♦ MIAMI: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh.
♦ CHICAGO: Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng or Joakim Noah.
♦ ORLANDO: Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson.
♦ ATLANTA: Johnson, Horford, Smith.
♦ NEW YORK: Anthony, Stoudemire, Chauncey Billups (with Paul or Williams possibly replacing him next year).
This gets back to what we discussed the other day. If the Johnson-Horford-Smith core doesn’t make significant progress in the playoffs, it will be time to make a significant change, because the Hawks have ridden this bunch long enough. And they’ve got nothing to match Carmelo Anthony.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Instant Re-post
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– VIDEO: Former Georgia Tech assistant suspended for hitting player
– Hawks’ Rick Sund puts onus on players: ‘Challenge is up to them’
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153 comments Add your comment
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 22nd, 2011
9:36 am
1ST! Even though Jeff doesn’t care…..
beone
February 22nd, 2011
9:37 am
Vince Carter no longer plays Orlando. He is in Phoenix. Do you follow the NBA?
Hankie Aron
February 22nd, 2011
9:39 am
Jeff- I laughed when I read your headline
Danny O
February 22nd, 2011
9:40 am
Hawks need to make a move if they are going to have a shot at the conference finals.
On another note, any sign of the Count?
beone
February 22nd, 2011
9:40 am
Correction: plays for Orlando.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 22nd, 2011
9:40 am
Hawks should not worry about the Knicks in the rearview mirror. They need to look ahead and determine just how they get to and past the 2nd round. The piece that is movable is also the hardest piece to part with due to his immense talent, Josh Smith. He can fill up a stat sheet, but can he be apart of a Title team?
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
February 22nd, 2011
9:42 am
Yes the hawks will respond !
by saying we have to step up and play better and make no excuses that is the only response you will get out of this team that will probably lose in the 1st round this year.
JBWright
February 22nd, 2011
9:48 am
Hawks need a heart transplant.
marcus
February 22nd, 2011
9:48 am
the hawks have to pull the lever on a trade for monta ellis. package williams, bibby, teague and do it! he plays decent defense and that jerk johnson would not dominate the ball with him in the backcourt. they will run teams to death.
Paul in RDU
February 22nd, 2011
9:49 am
I’m just glad the Carmelodrama is finally over.
www
February 22nd, 2011
9:49 am
notice all of the other teams mentioned as having 3 stars all have guards who can distribute the ball (if you include rajon rondo as a star for the celtics, which i would).
atlanta doesn’t.
basketball is a very simple sport – someone needs to get the ball to scorers.
Hawk
February 22nd, 2011
9:50 am
The old saying..The hawks are” dead in the water” applies……….. I hate the spirits.
Stephen
February 22nd, 2011
9:51 am
This is a terrible article… first off, who in the world thinks Luol Deng is a star? Secondly, if you didn’t even know that Vince Carter got traded a couple months ago, then you obviously don’t keep up with the NBA enough for your opinion to matter.
Josh Kinsey
February 22nd, 2011
9:51 am
We can all tell you’re paying attention Jeff. VC is in WESTERN conference. Haha
Tech Stinger
February 22nd, 2011
9:53 am
Yea lets get rid of the whole team for one superstar. The hawks should try to get Kyrie Irving in the draft because he is the next top guard, make a trade for a top 10 pick.
JChikara
February 22nd, 2011
9:53 am
I think that Atlanta management will not make many moves this year in hopes that the core will have learned from two straight second round sweeps.
Jeff, it looks like to me that they are waiting to see what happens with the CBA in the offseason before deciding whether or not to trade Smith. I know it’s not the flashiest move, but I think waiting it out this year is the best move. The Hawks do have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs if Johnson and Smith step up.
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
9:53 am
Sund will double Joe Johnson’s salary and draft another small forward.
Hawks should move
February 22nd, 2011
9:58 am
Best thing is to get the thugba out of Atlanta and take the ice capades with you. Louisville Hawks and Cleveland Thrashers have nice rings to them!!!
Veteran Fan
February 22nd, 2011
9:59 am
Josh and Zaza to Minnesota for Kevin Love and Darko. Both teams benefit and Darko is probably available with Curry going to the Timberwolves. Love has the basketball IQ that Josh lacks and he brings it every night(41 straight double doubles)! doesn’t help at the point, but Bibby and Marvin or Jamaal for a true point(Nash, Sessions, or Harris would solve that problem! Another possibility with great long term potential is JJ, Bibby, Marvin, and Josh for Lopez, Favors, Harris, and NJ’s #1! We free up the money to resign Jamaal and we solve our PG and C issues for awhile. Favors is not Josh yet but he has that same potential!
doc
February 22nd, 2011
10:00 am
jeff, really careless there, hedo is now in orlando, not vince. gortat is gone, too if you missed that. orlando looks the weakest of the three amigos bunches, but has money to spend or willingness to spend.
Tech Stinger
February 22nd, 2011
10:02 am
Veteran Fan
We don’t need an old point guard, that is a waste of a trade when Kyrie Irving is right there coming out of the draft. Then we can focus on a center.
JacketFanMarcus
February 22nd, 2011
10:03 am
Jeff,
Is this a real column, or something thrown together for a reaction.
There are so many IFs in the situation, it’s laughable.
Next season in 2012, the Hawks could be a 2 or 3 seed in the EAST, easily, if a couple things break their way.
1. BOSTON – Getting old. That nucleus didn’t scare us two years ago. And won’t next year.
2. ORLANDO – I’m sorry, Jameer Nelson and old Vince Carter???? Come-on, that’s gone next year. Maybe Gilbert Arenas.
3. KNICKS – They don’t have that 3rd All-star yet. May not be able workout that deal for Paul or Williams!
4. CHICAGO – Deng nor Boozer seem that much better than Smith or Hortford. Not scared or bothered by the that line-up at all. I think we match-up well.
And we all thought the BUCKs were going to have a good year. So who knows what next season means….
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
10:03 am
When I think about some of the idiotic moves the Hawks have made over the past few years, it just steams me up.
Despite these awful moves, we somehow ended up with a pretty decent team. That will happen when you’re constantly in the lottery. If we trade Josh Smith, that will be the last straw for me…Josh could be an excellent player with a good POINT GUARD to get him the ball. He is a superb defender, and a strong presence near the hoop. He is not a shooter, but he has matured in learning this about himself (I almost went crazy when he used to shoot so many outside shots).
Smith and Horford are great players…Johnson is WAY overpaid but a very good player.
We should have let Johnson go and prepared to make a big splash in the future for one of those POINT GUARDS we should have drafted in the first place. It’s one thing to be wrong about Marvin Williams’ potential. It’s another to take a huge chance when you already had 4 guys on the team who played the exact same style of game and you REALLY needed a POINT GUARD.
I realize Sund didn’t do all of this, but the re-signing of Joe for a max deal was a HUGE mistake. We will be crippled when Horford and Smith are both long gone and we are still paying $20 million/year to a 36-year-old, still invisible in the playoffs, Joe Johnson.
Chuck Sheen
February 22nd, 2011
10:04 am
Marvin and Bibby for Harris. Get it done
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
10:08 am
The Nets would have to be brain damaged to take that trade.
Tech Stinger
February 22nd, 2011
10:09 am
Chuck Sheen
February 22nd, 2011
10:04 am
Marvin and Bibby for Harris. Get it done
Horrible trade
Jerrell Stewart
February 22nd, 2011
10:09 am
I agree with the earlier post about a three-for-one for a good point guard. Our three being Marvin, Bibby and Teague.
Trojan
February 22nd, 2011
10:11 am
We need a move this year but we also need a move to help us continue to build toward a championship team. Sund or the Hawks never mention building towards a championship. They are simply going thru the motions.
There seems to be no plan.
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
10:11 am
“GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
10:12 am
Jerrell,
No one in their right mind would give up a good player for those three uniforms.
Tech Stinger
February 22nd, 2011
10:13 am
Jerrell Stewart
February 22nd, 2011
10:09 am
I agree with the earlier post about a three-for-one for a good point guard. Our three being Marvin, Bibby and Teague.
The league would laugh at that offer, what good point guard can we get with that?
BlahBlahBlah
February 22nd, 2011
10:13 am
NY probably won’t be able to afford either Paul or Williams because the next labor agreement will be much more restrictive. Amare + Carmelo = no room left for either of those PG’s.
wawel78
February 22nd, 2011
10:14 am
Good article. It probably won’t happen this year but the hawks need something to knock them into the 6-8 seeds in the conference. The front office has become content with being the 4-5 seed.
Personally, I would rather see them in the lottery than the 5 seed but that’s just me. The Johnson contract, however, is going to hamstring them for a few years.
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
10:15 am
I do think we should give Teague a chance…why not throw him into the fire. There are enough good players around him, so it’s not like we’re asking him to take the team on his back.
PMC
February 22nd, 2011
10:16 am
When has the league ever NOT been like this at the top? When it was good anyway?
Even playoff teams in the NBA can be irrelevant teams. The Hawks management and ownership knows that they lack a great point guard and guard play is what holds them back when it matters. They can put up the money or the trade bait…or they can shut up and continue to get pwned in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
I’m not sure what’s so bad about this star conglomeration. I like the Hawks… but for me who pretty much enjoys mostly playoff NBA basketball…. this is great. We’re going to see several very good players on the teams that will play for championships.
I wonder how these games will be refereed.
We’re still going to wind up with mostly…. LA and Boston and that’s the way it’s been for most of NBA history.
I’m not sure why media people are whining about Carmelo to NY. It’s about freaking time they were relevant again…. they haven’t been very good since the demise of Patrick Ewing.
haha
February 22nd, 2011
10:17 am
Vince is on the Suns
You should do some research before you post a blog
Veteran Fan
February 22nd, 2011
10:18 am
Tech Stinger, Nash for a couple of years and draft your point if he is that good! Nash fixes the problem NOW and is a winner! NJ might be desparate enough to take JJ off our hands and if we throw in Josh, Bibby, and Marvin we might get our center in Lopez and a PG in Harris, and Favors for Josh would be strong!
Tweets that mention Carmelo Anthony goes to New York -- will Hawks respond? | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
February 22nd, 2011
10:19 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ajc sports editor, Myron Abernathy, Leo Mc., Roy Harris, Jeff Schultz and others. Jeff Schultz said: POSTED: #Knicks get #Carmelo, so what will #Hawks do? And what this does to the East: http://bit.ly/e4FvA5 [...]
PMC
February 22nd, 2011
10:20 am
The Hawks obviously should be having garage sales and office furniture bazaars what have you to find the cash in FA to wine and dine the two PG’s they blew it on in the draft when they come up.
If they had an elite distributor that could play great defense they could go far.
haha
February 22nd, 2011
10:20 am
lol at this fans thinking Harris, Lopez and Favors are the answer
You guys are idiots, the Nets are 17-40 with these 3 players.
ryan
February 22nd, 2011
10:22 am
I did see on ESPN rumors that the Hawks are interested in Devin Harris if want impact OJ Mayo that game changer .
haha
February 22nd, 2011
10:23 am
Melo will not be a factor in NY
He couldnt win in Denver with far superior talent than the Knicks. Melo plays no defense and is not clutch
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 22nd, 2011
10:24 am
The team is 4th in the standings and is 25th in league attendence. At this point resigning JJ was a waste of money. Should have made a sign and trade, how much worse could attendence be if they where 21-34? What is the direction ofthe franchise? No leadership obviously.
Paul in RDU
February 22nd, 2011
10:24 am
Tech Stinger
Irving will be a lottery pick – he’ll be gone by the time the Hawks are drafting.
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
10:26 am
Not a chance NJ gives up Lopez.
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
10:27 am
RambleOn84, let’s make a trade for a point guard so we can win 1 or 2 games in the first round rather than getting swept again by Orlando. NO THANKS! This team isn’t going anywhere until they break up their “core” by getting rid of Josh Smith and building around Al Horford (the true leader of this team).
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
10:28 am
Brook Lopez average 4 rebounds a game. No thanks, we are already getting killed on the boards.
Tech Stinger
February 22nd, 2011
10:29 am
Paul in RDU
February 22nd, 2011
10:24 am
Tech Stinger
Irving will be a lottery pick – he’ll be gone by the time the Hawks are drafting.
Thats why I am saying we need to trade with either Minnesota oR New Jersey for a top 10 pick.
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
10:30 am
My question is why get rid of Josh Smith? He is our best defender, one of our best rebounders, and an excellent dunker. Yes, a dunk is worth the same amount of points as a 15-foot jumpshot, but thundering dunks have a MUCH bigger impact on the game.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
10:30 am
The Knicks have no more trade assets and will not be acquiring their point guard this offseason. CP3 and Deron Williams don’t become free agents until 2012. 2012 is the summer when the Knicks will have a legitimate chance to upgrade. Until then, they are what they are, since they have no draft picks and they can’t sign any long term free agents without taking up the cap space they would want to use on CP3 or Deron.
Tech Stinger
February 22nd, 2011
10:33 am
Get rid of Jamal Crawford because the hawks can’t afford to resign him anyway and our first round pick for a top 10 pick and draft Kyrie Irving. Then maybe if we draft smart we can find a center
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
10:33 am
And yeah, Vince Carter has played for Phoenix for a couple of months.
Paul in RDU
February 22nd, 2011
10:36 am
Tech Stinger
Trading for a pick to take Irving is reasonable – but you make that trade at the draft not 6 months before hand on the hope that you will be in position to take him.
JeJe
February 22nd, 2011
10:38 am
How exactly will CP3 or Deron go to the Knicks? They are not eligible to be Free Agents till next Summer.
Wow,…
Tech Stinger
February 22nd, 2011
10:39 am
Paul in RDU
February 22nd, 2011
10:36 am
Tech Stinger
Trading for a pick to take Irving is reasonable – but you make that trade at the draft not 6 months before hand on the hope that you will be in position to take him.
I realize that but who will the hawks have to trade when the draft comes? Minnesota just took Eddie Curry’s expiring contract so why not strike while the fire is hot with a team that will be in the lottery. We all know the hawks won’t resign Jamal so package a deal around him, while he is valuable and make a trade because we have missed out on to many good point guards.
JeJe
February 22nd, 2011
10:39 am
Watch Vince drop 35 tomorrow night. Against the Hawks and Toronto are the only times Vince ever plays like Michael Jordan
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
10:43 am
“Melo plays no defense and is not clutch”
Melo is actually the most clutch player to play in the NBA over the last ten years, if you look at shooting percentages in close situations with under 10 seconds left in a game.
Dr. Warren
February 22nd, 2011
10:48 am
The Hawks will be who we think they are. They will bring in a 2nd to 3rd tier point guard who helps them remain at the 50–52 win mark. I think the Spirit, with its hapless Hawks teams in the past and with the current Thrasher financial trouble, see being 4 or 5 in the Conference as a positive.
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
10:49 am
Beone (and others) — A thousand pardons. Blanked out on December trade. Fix made.
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
10:53 am
Stephen — Just looking for a third player on Chicago. I’m giving you a choice of Deng (who’s Chicago third-leading scorer) or Noah (who’s leading rebounder). No reason to get testy.
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
10:53 am
RambleOn84, we have two power forwards. So why not trade one? Al Horford is the only player on the team that has seem to improve from last year.
bigeasy830
February 22nd, 2011
10:56 am
I don’t care who is on the Knicks team,they won’t play any defense, they will try to outscore their opponent and that won’y work in the play-offs. The Hawks need a big man and to use Joe as more of a playmaker for them, quite bring Jamaal off the bench, start Jamaal and Joe at guard Move Smooth to the 3 get a decent big man and move AL to the 4.
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
10:57 am
RambleOn84 — The answer is that Josh Smith is the best at a lot of things when he wants to be, which isn’t always the case.
matt
February 22nd, 2011
10:57 am
Beone- way to slam somebody and then be wrong yourself.
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
10:57 am
JeJe — Did you just see Carmelo force a trade?
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
11:00 am
Agreed, Schultzie, but I think he has definitely matured. I just don’t think we will get value equal to his skill.
Re-signing Joe Johnson to a max deal will be the nail in the coffin of this nice little run we’ve had.
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
11:01 am
Tremaine — “Give Teague A Chance” … What have you seen that leads you to believe he’s a starting NBA point guard?
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
11:01 am
Jeff do you see this team beating Orlando or Chicago in the first round even if they bring in Sessions or Harris?
EW
February 22nd, 2011
11:06 am
This just in, good teams have good players….SHOCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike
February 22nd, 2011
11:10 am
It is a league of 3 star teams. The problem is Horford and Johnson are borderline stars. Josh Smith is no where close. Hawks need another major piece to compete come playoff time.
DHD
February 22nd, 2011
11:11 am
Even if we HAD drafted Paul, he would still be on our bench waiting on Bibby to retire.
G.Rhone
February 22nd, 2011
11:12 am
Okay, so why don’t the Hawks wait and get either Paul or Deron? Remind me why in the world did the sign JJ for the max again? JJ? While Josh Smith does whatever he pleases…I don’t understand the ASG’s level of committment. I’m proving from 13 wins, to 37 to 52 is okay, but look at what the rest of the east is doing. The Bulls are all of a sudden a team thats looking better than the Hawks….and the Knicks will as well if they get one of these two mentioned.
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
11:13 am
Jeff, I don’t know if Teague is a starting point guard but I do know that Mike Bibby is not one. I don’t see how the hawks expect Teague to learn how to be a starting point guard when he doesn’t get playing time. I think they should let him start now to see what he can do and learn from his mistakes. That will also give old man Bibby a chance to rest and be useful in the playoffs.
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
11:13 am
RambleOn84 — I agree that if the Hawks trade Josh, they won’t get equal value to his “potential.”
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
11:14 am
Mike, the problem is 2 of our so called stars play the same position.
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
11:15 am
Tremaine — Orlando’s not that great. Dwight Howard is the obvious X-factor. Probably wouldn’t beat Chicago but not sure. Bulls have been a great reg. season team but have to do it in playoffs.
jfreak13713
February 22nd, 2011
11:17 am
Assuming the Hawks do land Harris which is a long shot if recent history tells us anything will Harris make this team that much better? Yes and No I think. Yes because he solid PG but No when you compare the Hawks core to Miami, Chicago, and Boston. They can not beat either of these three teams in a 7 game playoff series. But the trade would be a good start and would show fans that they do want to win not just now but next season and on!
I hope the can pull this trade off but fear it will be Session not Harris??
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
11:17 am
Tremaine (on Bibby-Teague): We agree Bibby is done. But I think most expected more from Teague and he hasn’t shown it yet. Trust me, the Hawks/ Drew have WANTED Teague to win that job.
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
11:21 am
Orlando is not that great now because guys are still trying to adjust but they have 27 or 28 games to get better. As far as Chicago I don’t see anybody the hawks get stopping Derrick Rose.
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
11:23 am
Jeff, We can’t stop Earl Boykins or Shaun Livingston but we are suppose to stop Derrick Rose and Jamier Nelson?
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
11:24 am
They’re not stopping any point guard right now.
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
11:27 am
Jamaal, Collins, Marvin,Teague to Nuggets for Nene and Felton. They dont seem to need Felton and ESPN said NeNe maybe available. Nuggets get proven vet talent with Jamaal and get projects Marvin and Teague that could help them replace the talent of Melo(I think marvin and teague are good. Just not here) Hawks get good PG in Felton and much needed Center in Nene.
Hot err
February 22nd, 2011
11:27 am
And they wonder why newspapers are dying
Tech Tard
February 22nd, 2011
11:31 am
Until you dump and rebuild, the Hawks will continue to make the playoffs and lose in the first or second round. I thought the goal was to win a championship? This “team” (use very, very loosely) has no shot of winning it all with the big 3 ahead of them.
Congrats on 5th place Sund.
NBA is a joke.
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
11:34 am
On Tech Tard’s point- We will never win a championship with the way the NBA is. Its almost turning into the MLB. The teams with the highest population and therefore the highest available payroll will dominate the league. Hmmm lets see. Boston, LA, Miami, NY, Chicago are the good teams. All huge cities with huge cashflow. The only team that is able to combat this is San Antonio and we are not San Antonio unfortunately.
RambleOn84
February 22nd, 2011
11:36 am
nobody,
That’s a trade that actually MIGHT work…I would be pleased with that trade.
Gwalk34
February 22nd, 2011
11:36 am
Any news on a Hawks trade yet?? If they don’t make some move this current team is not going far. Our regular season record is already set to take a 4-6 game slide if not more!
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
11:38 am
Ramble- The nuggets have definitely given up for the next few years. That is evident. However, they still need someone that sells tickets and jamaal would do that for them. Plus they dont need felton cause they have ty lawson. Ty and Teague could be a good 1-2 PG punch down the road when theyre ready to compete.
AG
February 22nd, 2011
11:42 am
Schultz, I don’t know about the coaching staff, but what I see of Teague I think he deserves an opportunity. Look at his stats in the games that he has played 20+ minutes. He averages over 10 ppg. Also, last year against the Lakers, he scored 12 pts in 17 minutes and had 6 assist. Then Woody benched him the next game..WTF???????
Friends
February 22nd, 2011
11:43 am
Does anyone else think D.Howard might want to come home and play with his good friend J.Smoove when he (#12) becomes a FA. That alone should be enough reason to keep the man who is a premier defensive presence (most of the time) and really is the only exciting player to watch in a Hawks uniform.
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
11:44 am
2nd option. Jamaal for Devin Harris. Nets get scorer with an expiring contract. They then can use that freed money to get whichever superstar doesnt go to the Knicks( Paul or Williams). The Hawks get a scorer/distributor PG that is young and is what we are missing. Also, I love Jamaal and he says he wants to play for Atlanta. Are we allowed to sign him in the offseason after trading him?
Braves' Heyward, Freeman make S.I. cover (uh, danger?) | Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
11:45 am
[...] – Carmelo Anthony goes to New York — will Hawks respond? [...]
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
11:46 am
Friends- Unfortunately I dont think there is ANY way we can afford Dwight. He definitely will get a max contract
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
11:50 am
Joe Johnson’s contract pretty much ensures that the Hawks won’t have a shot at Dwight Howard unless the new CBA rules are radically different. Unless the Hawks find a way to unload Joe or restructure his deal in such a way that they gain additional cap room, signing Dwight probably isn’t going to happen.
Friends
February 22nd, 2011
11:56 am
Probably will get a max. But maybe he will pull a Lebron/Bosh thing and take a pay cut for the chance to be on a team with other good players plus a chance to play in his Home town. I mean most superstar players make more off the court than on. So maybe I can dream.
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 am
haha we all can dream. I think any hawks fan would give up half the team if we could have Dwight. He’s my favorite non-hawk because he played here. But with that said I dont even think we have the cap room to give him a Bosh type deal. Hed have to take like 13 million which I dont see
Reporting on Par with Play
February 22nd, 2011
12:00 pm
Can we trade Schultz to The Orlando Sentinel for a pair of rookies and an intern who actually follow the game?
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
12:02 pm
Reporting- Im a college student. Ill be the intern
Marcus
February 22nd, 2011
12:03 pm
I would match our big 3 vs. anyone listed above on any given night … our problems haven’t really changed the last 4 years : PG play and bench strength. We got Bibby as a short-term fix (3 years and 1 GM ago) and still applying band-aids.
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
12:07 pm
How come all the players like to visit or live here in the offseason but don’t want to play in Atlanta?
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
12:09 pm
Ok we need to get things straight. The only team that is good solely because of their Big 3 is the Miami Heat and that is because Wade and Bosh are top 5 players in the WORLD. The other teams are great because on top of their top 3 they have great secondary players. The Hawks Bench and other players are lacking
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
12:12 pm
“because Wade and Bosh are top 5 players in the WORLD.”
Bosh isn’t even a top 5 power forward in the NBA. Maybe you mean LeBron. I hope so.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
12:13 pm
“How come all the players like to visit or live here in the offseason but don’t want to play in Atlanta?”
The same reason there are a ton of NBA fans in Atlanta who couldn’t care less about the Hawks — because they are a poorly run organization and have been for their entire 40+ year existence in this city.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
12:15 pm
I’d love to see Dwight in Atlanta though. I still hate Terry Stotts for winning those meaningless games at the end of the 2003-04 season and taking the Hawks out of the running for the #1 pick. Imagine if the Hawks had gotten Dwight and Smoove in that draft — you add Joe Johnson via trade the next year and someone from the fairly deep 2005 draft and you’re looking at a very legit contender.
dirtyo11
February 22nd, 2011
12:17 pm
We need Josh Smith, he’s a game changer. Yeah he’s inmature at times but K.G. is inmature also and he has a ring. Watch Smih on the court he puts players in the right position, i have seen him tell JJ, M. Williams and others where to go.
I like Teague and think he will be a good PG in the league if he get’s a veteran to develope him, Bibby not doing it because he’s trying to keep his job.
We need to keep Crawford coming off the bench and get rid of Mo Evans, M Williams and Bibby via trade.
Trade M. Williams, Evans, Bibby and 1st rnd draft for a PG, C and backup SF.
M. Williams, Evans and 1st rnd(2012) for Gortat/Petritus or Nene/J.R. Smith
Bibby, 1st rnd and 2nd rnd for either D. Harris, R. Felton, A. Brooks or Mo. Williams
ole richie
February 22nd, 2011
12:17 pm
how bout josh and marvin for nene and gallinari. nene is a good big and the nuggetts are trying to get rid of gallinari plus he can shoot
Ryan
February 22nd, 2011
12:18 pm
Bosh as a top player is laughable. But back to trades, I say we trade for Devin Harris, Jamal for Harris straight works financially. Then we should trade Josh Smith for a center like Gortat. Then we would have a real center, a real PG and our entire line-up would be solid. We could get a center + some bench players for Josh Smith.
Hot err
February 22nd, 2011
12:18 pm
We were dead the minute the ink dried on JJ’s contract. We coulda put ourselves in position to go sign a real top ten player. Now we are saddled with what will be remembered as one of the worst signings in NBA history.
HWJ
February 22nd, 2011
12:19 pm
Why wouldn’t the Hawks go after Ray Felton? You could trade teague and marvin for him… Ray is a good young point guard… heck you can get better than Marvin on free agent market… problem is no one wants him
Tech Stinger
February 22nd, 2011
12:21 pm
Dwight Howard coming back to atlanta??? Somebody on this blog is on drugs and we just gave Joe a max deal. But there is nothing wrong wit dreaming.
HWJ
February 22nd, 2011
12:22 pm
also we should trade our draft pick… we obv always balk in draft so might as well go after a proven talent.. only draft picks i liked in the past six years are josh and al… Al was lucky because we got that pick from the suns (cant believe we didnt mess that up) and josh was a mid first round pick in 04, which was the only good thing Billy Knight did in his draft history…
ole richie
February 22nd, 2011
12:25 pm
nene and jr smith would give us a spark
ASHCAN.
February 22nd, 2011
12:26 pm
It don’t matter if the hawks are 5th seed behind the knicks when regular season end,the question is will they beat them in a 7 game series.Jeff i noticed you didn’t add chauncy billups to the big three or four players for the knicks,why? he’s better than any hawks point guards right now even being older in age.
nobody
February 22nd, 2011
12:26 pm
I definitely meant Wade and Lebron. NOT BOSH
Veteran Fan
February 22nd, 2011
12:31 pm
Josh, JJ, Zaza, Marvin, and Bibby to the Nets for Harris, Favors, Murphy, and 2 #1s. works for both teams and we get PG, C, and potential superstar in Favors! Picks let us address some issues and increase our scoring with a trade! we have the money to resign Jamaal. SEND THE CORE TO NJ!
Buckeye
February 22nd, 2011
12:31 pm
I don’t give a rats behind about these 100 million dollar gym rats. Most will be bankrupt a year or two after the contract expires.
Righteous
February 22nd, 2011
12:34 pm
Not even a honorable mention for the WORLD champion Lakers ( Kobe, Gasol,Odom/Bynum)????????????????????
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
12:42 pm
Apparently the Nuggets are offering Nene a contract extension. I doubt that he’s available in any trade at this point.
J.J.M.
February 22nd, 2011
12:51 pm
trade jamal and teague for devin harris and anthony morrow…trade marvin, zaza, and a 2nd round pick for nuggets nene…new line up devin harris at the pg. joe johnson shooting guard…josh smith small forward…horford power forward..and nene at center…morrow and bibby on the becnch
Stuart
February 22nd, 2011
1:03 pm
How about a 3 team trade: we send Teague and Evans and a 2nd round pick to Cleveland, send Marvin to Houston, Cleveland sends Moon to Houston, and we get Sessions from Cleveland, and Battier and Budinger from Houston. It works on the trade machine.
This would give us depth at power forward, and more of a defensive presence with Battier. It would also be a good fix for the point guard problem; still not much D at the spot, but more facilitating and more movement/driving to the basket. Yes, we would give up Teague and Marvin, both of whom have up sides. But, we need point guard help now, and between Joe, Josh, Jamal, and Al taking shots, will Marvin really get a chance to fully blossom in ATL anyway? I would figure Houston would be interested, as they would get Marvin, a younger SF with much more potential. Cleveland would get a young guard with potential who is cheaper than Sessions, plus a pick for the future (as they’re not going anywhere now). It may have to be contingent upon Battier signing an extension with ATL at the same salary he is making now, just because he is in his last year, and if he leaves, that wouldn’t be worth it. The trade machine gives us 12 more wins with the trade. Given that Cleveland and Houston are essentially shopping these players, why not?
phil
February 22nd, 2011
1:07 pm
The Hawks haven’t been relevant since May 1988. We’re not LA, we’re not Boston, we’re not Chicago, San antonio nor Detroit. We’re the Hawks and that sinking like a rock is already underway. We never pick up, nor even try to pick up, great players and therefore we never get past round 2….ever….not once in 40 plus years….save your money and stay home.
Ted Striker
February 22nd, 2011
1:17 pm
NYC! The Knicks! Melo!
Jeff, you are gonna get job offers from ESPN if you keep mentioning sports teams & athletes who play OTP, outside the perimeter.
I think it’s good stuff though. And with a Hawks tie-in to boot. Now, you just need to figure out how to tie in some SI swimsuit model to a column.
Mike10
February 22nd, 2011
1:29 pm
Just talking isn’t going to make this team any better.Make a move!
Tosh.No
February 22nd, 2011
1:35 pm
Who cares the Hawks suck and won’t make it out of the first round this year or any other year for the foreseeable future. The only chance to get this team up to contention is if we got Kobe Bryant, which ain’t happening.
Tosh.No
February 22nd, 2011
1:37 pm
And Marvin Williams sucks, just cut him already.
John
February 22nd, 2011
1:40 pm
You wonder why Atlanta sports fans are a joke, please read all previous comments. Some of the trades you guys have thrown out there are crazy. Remember this isn’t NBA Live! The Hawks have ZERO flexibility b/c of JJ’s contract.
Puzzled
February 22nd, 2011
2:00 pm
Josh Smith is the most explosive player on the Hawks’ roster. If they could only get him to play consistent, and under control, he would dominate. That would change the Hawks’ outlook greatly. Don’t know what the factors are that cause him not be focused and consistent.
His mid-range game has improved, but he insist on stretching it beyond his current abilities. That, he should work on in the off season.
It’s not Bibby’s fault that the Hawks can’t draft and develop a PG to replace him. They’ve struggled with this (starting PG) for the better part of 7 years. When Bibby came in, I didn’t consider him a long term solution, which is what he’s been forced to become, but a bridge to the next PG.
The Hawks have blown opportunity many times over to correct the deficit at PG.
The Dude Abides
February 22nd, 2011
2:07 pm
OK after careful thought this is the trade that fits our needs, Point Guard and Center:
Atlanta gets: G Devin Harris and PF/C Troy Murphy
New Jersey gets: G Jamal Crawford, G Mike Bibby and F Maurice Evans
Nets will have Crawfords Expiring and Evans expiring and we get Murphy’s expiring and a legit PG.
James
February 22nd, 2011
2:15 pm
The Hawks should go after either Chris Paul or Deron Williams whichever one don’t sign with the Knicks the Hawks should sign him.
Puzzled
February 22nd, 2011
2:19 pm
Jeff,
Forget the long range numbers. Remember the Braves last season and the long range numbers made it seem impossible for the Phillies to catch them. Not only did they catch them, they beat them by 6 games.
If the Hawks experience a 3 game losing streak (quite possible on this road trip), and the Knicks win their next 3, it’s a 2.5 game difference. That’s not a lot to overcome when you have a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde team like the Hawks.
Now that I’ve put it out there, let’s watch the Hawks go on a roll on the remainder of this trip, and get the ship straighten out.
CavilierJones
February 22nd, 2011
2:20 pm
I find it odd and very strange when people are pigeon-holeing the Hawks all-star/superstar players they somehow forget to mention Jamal Crawford who is, in my opinion, THE DIFFERENCE MAKER. Jamal is who makes the Hawks an elite team. Without Jamal the Hawks would be a 37-win team. With Jamal the Hawks are a championship contender capable of winning 60 games. The Hawks should have acquired either Dirk Norwinski or LaBron James to help them win a title this season.
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
2:28 pm
It is clear the hawks don’t want to start Teague because they are trying to get to 50 wins so the Larry Drew hiring want look like one of the many dumb decisions that management has made. TO LATE! “GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
Hawks greatest fan
February 22nd, 2011
2:32 pm
If you look at this Carmelo trade with the Knicks, you cannot forget about Chauncey Billups. With him, the Knicks do have a big 3. Chauncey won a ring in Detroit, and although he is 34 he is still better than any point guard in Atlanta.
John Brown
February 22nd, 2011
3:14 pm
How bout we get Devin Harris AND Ramon Sessions, and Marc Gasol, and not give up too much? 4 teams would get good things in this 4 team trade(some seeking cap relief, others young talent,others role players,etc.).
Link is:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4f8eq2v
niremetal
February 22nd, 2011
3:31 pm
The potential problem comes this offseason, when New York is expected to add either Chris Paul or Deron Williams at point guard.
It’s amazing how you continue to post without having the faintest inkling of a hint of a clue about the NBA salary cap.
The Game Has Changed
February 22nd, 2011
3:56 pm
Veteran Fan, are you serious. That would be the worst trade in modern history. Why would give up a winning team for a bunch of losers? Also Bibby might not be what he use to be but he doesnt turn the ball over and you cant still it from him. I know we should have drafted Paul or Williams but what have they done in the playoffs? Nothing. And they both had talent around them. So why does everyone think they would have come to Atlanta and been the next Magic Johnson
ATL FAN
February 22nd, 2011
4:07 pm
Can people stop proposing stupid ass trades that have no chance of happening??
JeJe
February 22nd, 2011
4:08 pm
Yes, Carmelo forced a trade because the Knicks HAD PLAYERS TO TRADE. The roster is depleted pretty much. They will wait out their contracts and probably sign for less. Sorry if Utah or New Orleans won’t take back Landry Fields and dirty toilet paper for their stud PGS
Jason
February 22nd, 2011
4:10 pm
We need a point guard like many before have stated, but Devin Harris is not that guy. The following would fit into our system: Steph Curry, Chris Paul (who we should’ve taken in the draft), George Hill, Raymond Felton, and Tyreke Evans. You may have noticed a trend — Youth — the Hawks must go young.
JeJe
February 22nd, 2011
4:13 pm
Carmelo was ABLE TO BE TRADED because there were quality players in return. Who exactly would the Jazz or Hornets take in return for their superstar PGs?
ATL4Life
February 22nd, 2011
4:51 pm
Keep Marvin, trade Jamal, zaza, and Evans to get a point guard. Let josh powell play power forward, Josh smith small forward, horford center, bibby at sixth man, joe at shooting, and whoever we get at point.
BigTimeTECHFan
February 22nd, 2011
4:57 pm
what ever happened to Jordan Crawford, he was awesome in NCAA, D Wade type player. Is he hurt.
M Williams, J Crawford, Bibby For
Roy Hibbert, A.J. Price, Danny Granger
BigTimeTECHFan
February 22nd, 2011
4:58 pm
Zaza and a draft pick
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
5:22 pm
Righteous — I was just talking about teams in the East. Obviously the Lakers would be in there if I was including Western Conference teams (as would San Antonio, at least).
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
5:23 pm
HWJ — I’d love Raymond Felton here. So would most, IMO.
Jeff Schultz
February 22nd, 2011
5:24 pm
Ted Striker — if I work in the S.I. Swimsuit models and Aaron Murray’s ankle, I’m golden.
Gamer
February 22nd, 2011
5:25 pm
The Hawks should jockey for Mozgov….
The Game Has Changed
February 22nd, 2011
5:36 pm
We need to stop trying to make so many changes. Its good to dream but Sund is not aggresive. I think Mike Woodson took us as far as we could go. It was up to management to take us to the next level by adding key pieces. Like a center and a point guard. But they didnt and now the fans have to suffer with a team that wont make it to the 2nd round
The Game Has Changed
February 22nd, 2011
5:42 pm
Hot Err, we need Joe. His contract is not as bad as Micheal Reed for the Bucks. He makes 18 million a year and has played in only 36 games in two years.
Ken Strickland
February 22nd, 2011
6:08 pm
I believe the ASG wants to hold onto their expiring contracts, and will only trade for a PG who’s salary fits within our $3.63M trade exception. Having Jamal Crawford’s services for the remainder of the season and playoffs, and having his expiring contract come off the books after the season, is far more important to them than any player they can get for him in a trade.However, I due think they would consider using MEvans’ $2.5M expiring contract, along with a player like Zaza or Bibby, to acquire a player like DHarris and his $9M contract.
NIREMETAL-Your explanation of the trade exception was correct, and I totally misunderstood what you were saying.
hawks
February 22nd, 2011
10:42 pm
will Hawks respond? Why, yes. They are about to squeeze their balls and will go quietly into a lottery pick.
tc
February 23rd, 2011
7:27 am
Jeff: Please comment. Is it possible to move/trade JJ? Also, don’t you know believe that he would ad more value to a struggling team at the bottom of the standings than the Hawks. Having him on the team and under performing based on his huge salary makes it even easier for fans to stay disengaged from the team. What is your feeling on this?
JSS
February 23rd, 2011
3:57 pm
And the Nets cock the trigger! Then pulls the trigger! Shoots the gun!