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
Truff Hurts
February 21st, 2012
4:05 pm
The Hawks are a mess. No leaders. No ownership. No direction. No coach. But they’ve got a disgruntled starter that puts up bench player numbers…
Truff Hurts
February 21st, 2012
4:06 pm
Jeff, what are your thoughts on fixing the Hawks ?
Felix
February 21st, 2012
4:09 pm
Even the Bobcats don’t want him. They already took a chance and lost their shirt on another overated UNC dud named Sean May.
Felix
February 21st, 2012
4:17 pm
I ain’t exactly one who admires the current ownership and management of the Braves, yet the Hawks ownership/management is so bad they make the Braves look like geniuses.
3dub
February 21st, 2012
4:18 pm
Hey Coach Drew – ever think about bringing Marvin off the bench? – he should get more opportunities with the 2nd unit.
Nator
February 21st, 2012
4:21 pm
as stated in earlier blogs, bust up this team. joe, marvin and al for dwight. sund, wake up! no one here wants to be a 4 or 5 seed (again) and lose in the first or second round.
3dub
February 21st, 2012
4:25 pm
@ Nator
joe, marvin and al for dwight would still leave the Hawks in re-building mode. Dwight is a beast and a good piece to build around, but he can’t do it alone.
Marmaduke
February 21st, 2012
4:28 pm
Marvin-
I don’t know where the “athletic” moniker ever came from because he has hobbled around since the day he got here. Bygones. Joe is such a loser, Josh Smith will never win a chammpionship. Ever. The fact that he is carrying our team is crazy. We have ruined another point guard in Teague. He looks so much more tentative now that the other jackasses told him not to shoot so much. Coach is a putz. Thats all you can say…just a putz. We need to do something or we will continue the trend of mediocre Atlanta teams that continue to sucker us with respectable regular seasons. I would rather suck for a year or two to have a chance at long term success. who is with me?
lee
February 21st, 2012
4:36 pm
trade with the laker for gasol,give them marvin and smith,put gasol at center move horford to his nature positon powerforwad, if not gasol then move them two and jj for howard,this starting five has had years to get it together and hasnt done it, they will always be a playoff team but not a NBA champion,i feel they really need to blow the team up and keep only teague and Horford,geat draft picks for them or get a true allstar player for all three like a Howard
heartofdarkness
February 21st, 2012
4:52 pm
Sounds like Marvin got an offer from the Greatest Show on Earth.
Joe Johnson should skip All-Star game for Hawks’ sake |
February 21st, 2012
5:12 pm
[...] The Hawks are on a slide. They lost more games in the past 10 (3-7) than they did in the first 22 (16-6). This isn’t completely unexpected. They’re banged up. They’re worn down. They’re starting to play some better teams. They’re missing their starting center (Al Horford) and his backup (Jason Collins), and this was an undersized team to begin with. It figured at some point that a 16-6 team would have a market correction. [...]
Kelvin
February 21st, 2012
5:13 pm
I will never understand us drafting Marvin Williams. We needed a point guard, we had two highly regarded point guards sitting there and we don’t take either one. Marvin Williams talent peaked in High School. He is nothing more than a role player and we are stuck with him for another two years.
Hawk to the Tawp.
February 21st, 2012
5:19 pm
If we trade him for a real SF, come playoff time we will be rockin. All this team lacks is a true SF. Anyone who thinks that C is our problem is a moron. Al is a top 3 center in the NBA behind Bynum and Howard.
Sleepy
February 21st, 2012
5:19 pm
Lucky that Jamal Crawford guy is not here anymore to hold back Marvin and his enormous potential .
LOL OMG WOW ROFLMAO
Hawksgoingbackward
February 21st, 2012
5:21 pm
Marvin Williams has played above average when given legitimate opportunity. Lets recall if you will:
6:00 PM ET, March 27, 2011
Marvin scores 31 pts, 7 rebs, 2 assts against cleveland while playing 43 minutes (Joe Johnson didnt play)
Coverage: TNT
8:00 PM ET, December 16, 2010
Marvin scores 26 pts, 5 rebs, 1 asts against the Boston Celtics while playing 36 mins (Joe Johnson didnt play)
Coverage: SportSouth
7:30 PM ET, December 3, 2010
Marvin scores 22 pts in 34 mins against the Philly Sixers (Joe Johnson didnt play)
February 07, 2009
Marvin scores 29 pts and goes 18-20 from the free throw line against Charlotte (Joe Johnson didnt play)
The guy can play. Joe Johnson has been anointed the Alpha Male by management and coaching and no one else gets a real opportunity. Unless he is out.
Marvin is a victim of horrible coaching, lack of opportunity, and a management structure that doesnt know what to do with talent.
You dont draft a guy 2nd overall to groom him to be a role player. Kevin Durant (not by comparison of talents sake) is a prime example of taking a player that high and allowing him the opportunity to grow into the role. When Seattle chose K.D. they traded Ray Allen to the Celtics and got back great value for Ray and opened up the spaces and opportunity for Kevin to become what he is today.
Marvin wouldnt have become Kevin Durant but without Joe Johnson the Hawks would have a better team. I hope they trade Marvin to another team in the east and he destroys the Hawks after resurrecting his career.
ross
February 21st, 2012
5:45 pm
trade marvin and kirk to lakers for pau gasol. it works on the espn trade machine and pargo needs more playing time.
a fan
February 21st, 2012
5:55 pm
The hawks need a young smart general manager and tell rick sund bye bye and let him hire a coach who can help the hawks go in the right direction
alex
February 21st, 2012
6:20 pm
this is not about M.W. this is about ASG hired GM. they hired and kept don waddell and billy knight. end of story.
Ray
February 21st, 2012
7:36 pm
Please remember that these comments are based on a report that has not been confirmed. A lot of sports guys write about things that they haven’t confirmed; often based on rumors (No I’m not talking about Jeff Schultz). So let’s say IF he sad those things– he’s a fool and he owes us a rebate on his lackluster performance!
But whether he said it or not– this should be his last year in Atlanta. I think Marvin can play when he wants to– it just doesn’t seem like he wants to play 100 per cent of the time!
Lee
February 21st, 2012
7:44 pm
Move the Hawks to Seattle.
Real Tmac fan
February 21st, 2012
7:49 pm
Marvin Williams for Trevor Ariza or
Marvin Williams & first rd pick for Danny Granger
Pistol Pete
February 21st, 2012
8:23 pm
Bye Marvin! Go sell youself to another team with your over paid contract. Enjoy Atlanta you ain’t goin anywhere
John
February 21st, 2012
9:23 pm
Marvin needs to remain a Hawk. The Hawks have a good team that just needs to be Coached UP and Coached Right. LD did a wonderful job in the beginning of the season and even after Al went down. From what I can tell he is coaching scared. Coach and listen to your instincts…. If a player is showing a hot hand … roll with it until the other team stops it or it cools off. Keep the same defensive philospy and go to Marvin more.
as always… Nubian EYES are watching
Buford Pusser
February 21st, 2012
9:29 pm
Atlanta sports teams make me cry, There is no hope for this city.
Hawk fan
February 21st, 2012
10:08 pm
BYE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe
February 21st, 2012
10:57 pm
Why do the dumbazz’s on this blog think any team is going to take either JJ or Marvin? Both are over rated and over paid. Trade them for some #1’s and let’s move on. This team ain’t going anywhere. BTW anybody need season tickets. Good price!!!!!!!
IceColdATLien
February 21st, 2012
10:58 pm
CJ just MUST be Marvin’s agent or mother (maybe both)… or maybe by “league” CJ meant the D-league.
David Smith
February 21st, 2012
11:18 pm
Marvin has done nothing but tease this city with his inconsistent play since we drafted him in 2005. If another team wants to take a chance on him they are more than welcome to.
Joe Wincze
February 22nd, 2012
12:09 am
I totally agree with getting rid of Marvin Williams but what’s the beef against Joe Johnson? He’s been pretty consistent and has won a lot of big games. His problem is he usually doesn’t get going till the second half.
GradyBABYinATL
February 22nd, 2012
12:48 am
First of all….why is he stll in ATL (oh I forgot!…look at the ownership). The Hawks & the organization is screwed up. I’m remain a Hawks Fan (I do have a sack ova my head)
High Yella
February 22nd, 2012
2:08 am
I bet Chris Broussard has a white mom
superiorblogman
February 22nd, 2012
4:02 am
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=77s53us
Marvin and Josh for Monta Ellis, Biedrins and a 1st rd pick
Jarrett Storm
February 22nd, 2012
9:25 am
Dream Rumor – Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Hinrich for Pau Gasol, Luke Walton, Steve Blake.
Once Horford comes back, McGrady and Teague could be starting back court. Front court would be best in the NBA with Gasol, Big Al, and J Smoothe.
This would give the Lakers a BIG 3 of Joe, Kobe, and Bynum with Marvin coming off the bench to go along with McRoberts, Barnes, Troy Murphy. Hinrich could back up Fisher and be the defensive stopper @ PF the Lakers have needed for years.
Rick Sund – offer this trade now!
Jarrett Storm
February 22nd, 2012
9:29 am
This trade – I’d even take Artest if we had to instead of Walton. Time to build around Josh Smith, Teague and Big Al…I don’t care about playoffs this year – we can never win it all as we are now.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
Jarrett Storm
February 22nd, 2012
9:32 am
Sorry – here is link – http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7o6yq8k
Submariner683
February 22nd, 2012
10:06 am
The Hawks have drafted horribly over the last quarter century. Take out Horford and J. Smith their record is beyond abismal. I’ll give Jason Terry a nod as decent as well. The rest of their drafting history is arguably the worst of any franchise in any major North American sport. People have said that hindsight is 20/20 in regards to Marvin Williams. He was considered the #2 prospect that year, for some unknown reason. People saw potential in the freshman who was the 6th man on the national championship team. My arguement against that pick was that the Hawks had a PG need and not a small forward need. They had Josh Childress, Josh Smith, and Joe Johnson. I realize he’s a 2G but is pretty much the same body type as a SF. If there wasn’t a lottery, something I think is ridiculous to begin with, the Hawks would have had the #1 pick and would have picked Bogut that wouldn’t have been much better. At least it would have attempted to fill a need since C and PG were both needs. Sadly, I don’t think this pick was even in their top two in bad moves. The Pau Gasol, Lorezen Wright, and another player I can’t mention for Shariff Abdur Rahimm was worst. The fact that the Hawks gave up a #1 pick to get Wright magnified that. Giving up a player and draft picks to sign Joe Johnson because they were afraid that Phoenix was going to match the ludicrous offer was especially silly. No way Phoenix was going to match that offer and they ended up getting a couple of #1s and a serviceable player out of it. Well, he played nicely for one year at least. I personally think Sheldon Williams was a bigger draft bust than Marvin Williams, if that’s possible.
hawkfan
February 22nd, 2012
11:32 am
well since arthur triche said this story was false, there is nothing left here to say, marvin claims he never said that and to be honest who would actually think he would so at least tonight he has an opportunity on the big stage at MSG to showcase his “talents”
EBDAN
February 22nd, 2012
11:35 am
Joe must go. and Marvin can be traded to anybody for a second round pick of the NBDL draft. At least they will have potential. I think Marvin does an OK job for a Super Star price. Even on video games in season mode. The first thing I do is get rid of Joe and Marvin. And for the record… I miss Crawford…. both of them and best of all Arenas is still a free agent…. fot firgure. The Hawks have moves to make. They just won’t make them for some reason.
Just saying..
February 22nd, 2012
12:07 pm
Salt in a wound that seems to never heal…
KevinM
February 22nd, 2012
3:16 pm
“Joe
February 21st, 2012
10:57 pm
Why do the dumbazz’s on this blog think any team is going to take either JJ or Marvin? Both are over rated and over paid. Trade them for some #1’s and let’s move on. This team ain’t going anywhere. BTW anybody need season tickets. Good price!!!!!!!”
The best suggestion that’s been heard around here in a long time…problem is, you’re only getting 1 #1 out of those 2 guys and it isn’t Marvin. How much did we get for Chills? A 2nd rounder and a TPE for the #6 pick in the 2006 draft? That’s is what is considered an official bust, so no one come on here and suggest we trade for Chills….did you see that matchup against PHX this year?
Our lame duck GM that has been around here 3 years has just ridden the mistakes that Billy Knight made and is getting paid as a basketball expert to resign mistakes we have made over the years.
Marvin is getting paid to play 1/2 of ball games right now….you think any other GM will accept that…..and if Sund comes out and says that Marvin is in his prime, well, that’s the kiss of death.
LawDawg
February 22nd, 2012
3:56 pm
We don’t even need to get anything in return, if he wants out, let them agree to nullify the contract. The Hawks save money and sever ties with this embarrassment and he gets to test the free market. Win win win.
Slimjr
February 22nd, 2012
5:42 pm
2 trades in 4 seasons??
and botched the last one?
Poor Hawks fans..
Hey Marvin, KICK ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R. Royce
February 22nd, 2012
11:54 pm
27 minutes 0 points 4 rebounds. Come on dog! Marvin, you have no inside or outside game. You stole 7 mil bro.-be happy as you is nappy and get the hell on.
jay
February 28th, 2012
4:03 am
I would have passed on Marvin Williams with the 2nd overall pick just for the fact that he looks like a weirdo.
jay
February 28th, 2012
4:05 am
Hawks should have kept Josh Childress if they were looking for a career backup.