Report: Marvin Williams wants out (OK, what’s the joke?)
There haven't been enough moments like this from Marvin Williams. (AP photo)
The Hawks have enough other issues now, with injuries to Al Horford, Jason Collins and Joe Johnson (who couldn’t finish Monday’s loss at Chicago because of a knee injury).
But here’s one more problem — or maybe it’s actually comic relief.
According to ESPN’s Chris Broussard — and I caution all to not treat this with Woodward-and-Bernstein reliability — Hawks forward Marvin Williams wants out. Quoting directly from Broussard’s “True Hoop” blog: “Frustration abounds in Atlanta right now, and sources say Marvin Williams wants out because he wants to play somewhere where he’ll have an increased role offensively. Williams is averaging just 9.6 points per game, his lowest since his rookie season.”
Let’s assume for a minute (or as long as it takes to finish this blog) that this true. Question: Seriously? I know Broussard covers the NBA but this items cries for some context.
This is Williams’ seventh NBA season. He has been a bust. Forget for a moment that the astrophysicist, former general manager Billy Knight, passed up Chris Paul to take Williams. There’s still an expectation that the second pick in the NBA draft will be a solid-to-great player, but Williams hasn’t been close to that.
It’s true that his scoring average of 9.6 points is the lowest of his career. But let’s not suggest that he has been an 18-to-20-scorer in the NBA. His annual averages: 8.5, 13.1, 14.8, 13.9, 10.1, 10.4, 9.6. Career average: 11.6.
Williams has been almost a full-time starter since year two. He has played 458 games. I think we all know by know what he can do.
In 2009, general manager Rick Sund gave Williams, then a free agent, a five-year, $37.5 million contract extension. I’m sure the thought at the time was that, after four years, maybe the small forward would turn all of that athletic ability into something good. But that hasn’t happened. So the Hawks are now stuck with an underwhelming player who makes $7.5 million this season, $8.2875 million next year and a $7.5 million player option in 2013-14.
In other words, Marvin, if you really want out, we hereby give you permission to pick up the phone and find a team that’s interested.
By Jeff Schultz
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245 comments Add your comment
j
February 21st, 2012
10:29 am
Get out then. He was the biggest draft bust we have ever had. He didn’t even start for UNC the year he came out. Drafts like this are the reason Atlanta sports is so bad.
Jeff Schultz
February 21st, 2012
10:29 am
Funny comments.
Eurt Rellab
February 21st, 2012
10:29 am
Buckhead Benny – That is awesome…and true.
BulldogBen
February 21st, 2012
10:30 am
Seriously Jeff. This team is falling apart. What’s sad is I’d call Williams the biggest bust in Hawks history if it weren’t for Shelden Williams. At least Marvin was “serviceable”. Shelden didn’t make it, what, 3 seasons with the Hawks?
It’s painfully clear that they need to blow it all up and start from scratch but the ASG will NEVER do that. They’ll eek out a what little profit there is left and continue to look for a buyer.
Awful.
Jeff Schultz
February 21st, 2012
10:30 am
Mike — “Seriously? You are quoting Broussard and his “sources”? http://aptheblank.com/broussards-sources-say/
I think I’ve spoken to that gas station attendant in Trenton. He’s usually pretty solid.
Jeff Schultz
February 21st, 2012
10:32 am
Kool — Like I said, let’s forget about CP for a moment. Marvin Williams has been a bust for a No. 2 overall pick.
Jeff Schultz
February 21st, 2012
10:33 am
BulldogBen — Well, if we want to start comparing the degrees of bust-ness for past Hawks’ draft picks, we’ll be here all day.
cdog
February 21st, 2012
10:36 am
i wouldn’t be surprised. as long as rick sund is the GM and larry drew is the head coach, the hawks will awful and pathetic.its a shame how bad they have become under these two
cpsman_atlanta
February 21st, 2012
10:37 am
Smartest thing Marvin Williams has done in a long time. If he really wants out, I wouldn’t blame him for one second. Look who the owners of this franchise are; that would make me want to run for the hills, as well. BOYCOTT ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP!!!!
BulldogBen
February 21st, 2012
10:38 am
Ha! This is true Jeff but come on, Shelden made people long for the days of Jon Koncak.
Shelden is the Gold Standard of Hawks ineptitude.
Proud-Dawg
February 21st, 2012
10:39 am
How to fix the Hawks:
1. Amnesty Joe Johnson (We still have to pay him 1 trillion dollars but atleast it frees up cap space….Pipe dream considering we have to worst owners in sports)
2. Trade Marvin for some big league chew
3. Fire ASG, Drew, the beer guy at section 213, and Sund
Unlikely, but hey its worth a shot
NekiEcko
February 21st, 2012
10:41 am
Screw all-day, it will be here until the end of the year for that. The only teams that have done worst was Clippers and Blazers (Sam Bowie, anybody)
Dirty Dawg
February 21st, 2012
10:43 am
Mark, you’re obviously confusing us with somebody that actually gives a $&/! what another of these overpaid, petulant punks says or does.
Casey
February 21st, 2012
10:45 am
Is there really any drop off if Joe is out for a while?
Heisenberg
February 21st, 2012
10:46 am
Hawks going nowhere. Blow it up the 2012 draft is suppossed to be deep. Oh well Barves are back in business so there is at least that.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 21st, 2012
10:47 am
In a related story, Sam Baker demands a trade from the Falcons so that he can get more snaps at tackle.
IceColdATLien
February 21st, 2012
10:50 am
Marvin still plays for the Hawks? Every now and again I see an 85-year old great-grandpa waddling up and down the court, but I just thought it was a “Come Play With the Hawks” senior citizen community outreach program… but I had no idea that was Marvin!
Ray
February 21st, 2012
10:53 am
This is the biggest load of crap ever how is Marvin even upset at all?
This guys is the worst #2 draft pick of all time Marvin go look at your stat sheet and then go look at CP3 or even Josh Smith who was like #17 the previous year.
Josh has done a lot more than you have taken 15 spots later.
IceColdATLien
February 21st, 2012
10:59 am
Seriously, though. Can NBA teams make trades with D-league squads? That’s where he’s gonna end up after his time with the Hawks is over anyway.
kbb
February 21st, 2012
11:00 am
I’ll trade Marvin for a half empty bottle of gatorade and a game used towel.
PMC
February 21st, 2012
11:00 am
Guys the team isn’t falling apart. This is what they do. They have lulls every single year. They are a better team than how they have played and they are missing Al quite a bit. Al will be back eventually. It’s a playoff team and it’s a playoff team that could very well get to the 2nd round yet again though obviously that’s thier ceiling without some help.
Pargo had a great effort yesterday. They can play with the Bulls when they rebound.
It’s just that they can’t get any better now because Joe is what he is.
Jeff Schultz
February 21st, 2012
11:01 am
Najeh — Great analogy.
Hawks Fan
February 21st, 2012
11:03 am
The sad thing is that the next 3 picks after Marvin were Deron Williams, CP3, and Ray Felton. DWill and CP3 are all star players and Felton is at least an average pg in the league. All these guys would have been much better fits at the time. In 2005, we already had a young Josh Smith and J. Childress, plust Al Harrington up front. We had Salim Stoudimire and Ty Lue at PG…Obviously, the weakest spot on the team was PG.
Marvin would probably average 15 an 8 on a bad team like the Wizards…But he’s a 6th man at best on most teams with playoff aspirations.
Hawks Fan
February 21st, 2012
11:06 am
I forgot to add Royal Ivey to our 2005-2006 PG rotation. LOL…Come on man…The Marvin decision was the difference between 2nd round elimination and a team that may have been battling in the Eastern Conf. finals the past few years.
dap01
February 21st, 2012
11:10 am
Marvin is not as big of a bust as the management and the coaching of the whole Hawks organization.
Hogans Word
February 21st, 2012
11:14 am
Boris Diaw was a crappy Hawk. Then he went to the Suns and played out of his mind. Whose to say a different situation wouldn’t help Marvin? He sure isn’t doing much here. Trade him for a less than decent big or a lottery pick (doubtful). At the end of the day it at least shows ownership cares.
Mr Mojo
February 21st, 2012
11:16 am
The main problem with this team has always been ownership and the GM’s. We can talk about all the draft day misses and there has been alot. Currently though the main problem is ownership and Sund. Every team in contention goes over the cap and uses there MLE and Mini mid level. The Hawks just do nothing year after year to give themselves a better chance. Its pathetic and sickening. They will not go the extra mile to try to win. Tell me any other contender who would lose a guy like Horford and do absolutely nothing but add Eric Dampier. Hey Jeff, How about Marvin and Hinrich for Kaman? Or would NO not even want Marvin which is probably the best bet. Didnt this mutt Rick Sund say when Horford got hurt we will see when Hawks hit a tailspin before we make a move? 3-7 in last 10 isnt enough for this clown. We will watch the trade deadline pass by and see no movemnet form the Hawks while all other teams in the East add players. Dont bash the players bash the ownership and there puppet Rick Sund.
NekiEcko
February 21st, 2012
11:16 am
@PMC,
I can understand you but you got to see the big picture here, do you think we can beat the 76ers or Pacers 4 out of 7 times, then you have to go against Bulls or Heat in the next two rounds even with Al (he will be back but he wont be the same Al after the injury). Right now, the core need to “shaken” not “stir” or Hawks will get a early round exit this year (btw, Genron there is no banner for going to the first round)
BAMA dude
February 21st, 2012
11:20 am
PMC
February 21st, 2012
9:31 am
Can I help him pack? The absolute worst #2 draft pick in NBA history.
Hmmmm. Darko Milicic would like a word, and Sam Bowie just because he was picked between Hakeem and Jordan.
PMC
February 21st, 2012
11:22 am
Oh, make no mistake I’m all for change Neki Ecko, In fact, as a fan promotion, I’d let Najeh handle the lineup for a week instead of Larry Drew.
PMC
February 21st, 2012
11:25 am
Sam Bowie was picked of course because they had Clyde Drexler.
The problem of course is that that our GM at the time having no point guard, decided to draft ANOTHER forward after just drafting two forwards with 3 potential PG’s that we did need on the board. To make up for that, he decided to take ANOTHER forward the next year in Shelden Williams and ANOTHER Forward in Al Horford. At least Al is pretty good even if center isn’t his natural position.
Between Billy Knight and Don Waddell it’s sort of amazing they sell any tickets at all.
PMC
February 21st, 2012
11:27 am
It’s similar to the Falcons really. Building the exception to the rule. League is now guard driven, we have all Forwards. League is now passing driven, we have a team predicated on the run that can’t pass block to save it’s life.
wcj
February 21st, 2012
11:28 am
Lets play the trade game: The Hawks send Kirk Hinrich, Marvin williams, Tracy Mcgrady, and the Hawks 1st round pick to the Lakers for Andrew Bynum and Luke Walton. The Lakers send Pau Gasol, Lakers 1st round pick, Hawks 1st round pick, Marvin Williams, Tracy Mcgrady to the Magic for Dwight Howard. The Hawks send Zaza to the Magic, and Gets Jason Richardson. Can this be done?
iBall
February 21st, 2012
11:32 am
This is a joke!!! Let him go anywhere he wants to go. Maybe the D-League?? I can’t stop laughing at this one. Marvin wants out!!! LOL!!!
moboman
February 21st, 2012
11:33 am
Hindsight is always 20/20, at the time of that draft, the buzz was about Marivin’s potential, since he had only played one season at UNC. It was a “the skies the limit” pick, and a definite gamble on Marvins ability to develop his game. As for Chris Paul, the question was about size and durability. IN hindsight, if the Hawks had drafted by position need at the time (as they probably should have instead of drafting the same position over and over again), they would have been much better off, because CP3 blossomed and Marvins potential never got a lot better. And Deron Williams would have been a better fit as well. So it was a gamble we lost on. But everyone is a genius 5 years later who knew better.
Spud Web
February 21st, 2012
11:35 am
This is a gift! Why isn’t he packed and gone already?
KBP
February 21st, 2012
11:40 am
Marvin has not been used properly in the 7 years he has been here. If he is a bust, then it is a function of the coaching staff moreso than his lack of ability. If he got 12-15 shots per game he would hardly be a bust. Name 15 small forwards who are better all around players. . . LeBron, Pierce, Granger, Melo,Caron Butler,Iguodala,Gay? Marvin is in the top half of small forwards in the league. I hope he gets traded to a team that will allow him to be a bigger part of their offense and then everyone will know if he is a baller or not.
Wreckmaniac
February 21st, 2012
11:46 am
Williams wants out ? Why haven’t the Hawks already said “we can’t use you. You’re taking up space”.?
This guy makes Jon Koncak look like Superman. What a bust. Thats what you get when you take someone with only one year of college. Occasionally, but rarely, do you find a Dwight Howard. Get rid of this dude and bring in a contributor. You’re right. No one will want him. He needs to play in Europe for 2-3 years. Good grief, how does anyone get to hide in a job for 7 years like Williams has. I can outscore him myself and I’m 65.
kbb
February 21st, 2012
11:48 am
Please give duck-butt his wish. Trade him to the Bobcats or the Hornets. He can get all the time he wants there
Scotum
February 21st, 2012
11:48 am
It took me a few minutes to assimilate Williams with a current Hawks player. My mind drifted back to Freeman Williams who I believe is an ex Hawk and ex Portland Stater. I also seem to recollect that he favored shooting free throws two feet right of center.
Anyway- it has become apparent that Jimmy the Greek missed the part that the Chinese have that extra eye and hand thing that makes them great at basketball. With a population of 2 trillion over there maybe the Hawks should post a want ad.
Also- speaking of China- has anyone kept up with Starbury and his phoenix type rise in over there. Shoes are selling like egg rolls and he speaks fluent Cantonese
ClemsonBrad
February 21st, 2012
11:51 am
I agree…time to blow this team up and bring back Bob Sura and Chris Crawford to fill out the roster, and end this season.
keepinitreal
February 21st, 2012
11:54 am
Just heard Bill Simmons on Cowherd’s show. He was talking about how your only hope in the NBA is to be really good or really bad. He said a team like the Bobcats is in better shape than the Celtics because Charlotte could potentially land a franchise-player in the draft, where as the Celtics are in no-man’s land.
I’m beginning to think the Hawks should just blow this thing up. Maybe keep Smoove/Horford and Teague, but get rid of everyone else.
BigTimeTECHFan
February 21st, 2012
11:56 am
Just think, 2 weeks ago Hawks could have traded Williams stait up for Jeremy Lin.
not anymore.
I agree, throw this season in the tank and trade anyone but Teague and Ivan Johnson for Dwight Howard
Say J Johnson, M Williams, J Smith, V Rad for Howard
Start:
PF Keith Benson (pick him back up)
SF Ivan Johnson
C Dwight Howard
PG Jeff Teague
SG Hinrich, Willy Green
would be solid defensive team, maybe best in NBA
Then you attract nice FA because Howard is here next off-season
plus better draft pick because team will be better but lose more games as they take time to jell.
KJ
February 21st, 2012
12:01 pm
Next we’ll hear Sam Baker wants out from the Falcons.
John
February 21st, 2012
12:04 pm
I am not saying Marvin is an all-star. I realize he has not lived up to the potential. However, he has been underused ever since he has been here. He is usually the fourth or fifth option when actually he should probably be the third option and average 10-15 shots a game like another poster said. He shoots a decent percentage but does not have enough shot volume to raise his PPG. He is at his best when Joe and others are out and he is asked to carry the load. When he is assertive he is actually good at getting to the foul line.
STRETCH
February 21st, 2012
12:04 pm
Or that back up Short Stop for the Braves will be asking to be traded!
Rick James
February 21st, 2012
12:08 pm
Seriously? Marvin should be playing in Greece or China and I’m sure he would get all of the playing time he wants.Another bad decision by Hawks management not to use the amnesty rule and release him.
Time
February 21st, 2012
12:17 pm
First things first. Larry Drew must go. He has in a short time proven he really is Woody Jr. He always has to have someone in his mythical doghouse (teague) just like Woody. He is not as good of a coach as Woody. He must GO. Now rather than later.
And we should do everything we can to give Marvin his wishes. For years I’ve supported this guy while and he is just not going to get it done here. Period. The Hawks should get in the rumored talks between Washington and Charlotte as 3rd team in a Blatche/T. Thomas deal. Washington gets Thomas and the expiring contract of Kirk Hinrich. Charlotte gets Marvin. Who fills a open hole in their roster and maybe going home to Carolina would be the thing to finally get him to step up. With the Hawks receiving Andray Blatche. A young, and sometimes frustrating, big that has some skills and upside that the Hawks needed even when Horford was healthy.
petebabcock
February 21st, 2012
12:18 pm
Its players like Marvin Williams that make it hard for me to watch the Hawks play. Bye Bye Marvin and take LD with u.
moboman
February 21st, 2012
12:19 pm
Marvin could be every bit as effective on offense as Josh, but his game is too passive. He’s too content to be the open jump shooter. (Or the Hawks arent asking him to do any more than that.) Needs to develop an inside game, take it to the rim, and get to the free throw line.