Hawks plagued with too many issues, from owners to Joe
Whether it's Larry Drew or another coach, Hawks have problems that can't easily be fixed.
In many ways, the Hawks are no different than other organizations. They end the season with a loss and for several weeks plot their makeover.
Maybe they need a new coach. Maybe they need a new general manager. Maybe a star player who can be the rose one minute and the thorns the next needs to be traded. Or maybe a dysfunctional ownership group comes to the realization, “This isn’t working. Let’s go back to selling cellphone towers and newsletters. We’re outta here.”
But in at least one way, the Hawks so often are different from other organizations: No matter what decisions we logically think they can make this summer, it’s difficult not to come away with the belief that they’re still going to be in trouble when next season opens.
Most franchises give you hope. The Hawks give you hangovers.
The Braves missed the playoffs and did little this past winter to improve themselves, but one could reasonably believe they wouldn’t be subjected to a similar string of injuries and improbable slumps again. The Falcons were one-and-drummed in the playoffs again, but they have since filled two needs with a Pro Bowl cornerback and two offensive linemen in the draft. They are sufficient teases.
The Hawks just finished a season that was part impressive: 40-26, mostly without Al Horford. Also part depressingly reaffirming: They won their playoff opener against Boston, only to inexcusably lay an egg at home in Game 2 when Rajon Rondo was suspended, look catatonic in Game 4 and ultimately had too many brain lapses against a veteran team, losing the series.
The spin from franchise officials will be: “Next year, we’ll be healthy. Next year will be different.” Really?
The Atlanta Spirit tried to sell the team, had a deal fall through, then tried to convince everybody they were suddenly reborn and committed. Even if we bought that as truth (work with me here), the owners couldn’t make it through the playoffs without another goof. Michael Gearon Jr. called out Kevin Garnett and referees before a potential elimination game in Boston, and then blamed the Journal-Constitution for reporting the comments. Garnett’s response included 28 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and this verbal knockout: “I want to say thank you to the [Hawks] owner for giving me some extra gas. My only advice to him is next time he opens his mouth, actually know what he’s talking about — X’s and O’s versus checkbooks and bottom lines.”
Success and failure in every business always starts at the top, so an ownership change could only help. But the Hawks aren’t an enticing product. Think of them as a house with several cracks in the foundation. Most potential buyers say, “No thanks. I’ll bid on the place down the street.”
General manager Rick Sund doesn’t love it here. If we needed reminding of that, his contract is up but he doesn’t know if he wants to come back. If Sund (also among the lowest paid) leaves, it’s difficult imagining that an established GM would want this job because of the ownership’s reputation and the inherited roster issues.
Coach Larry Drew, one of the lowest-paid coaches in the NBA, is waiting to see if the team brings him back. The guess here is that the option in his contract will be picked up, but he won’t get an extension. It’s the cheapest, safest route for ownership.
The core of this roster never has won more than one round of playoffs and, regardless of who the owner, general manager and coach are next season, there are two major issues: Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.
Johnson reaffirmed in the playoffs that $20 million a year doesn’t buy heart or courage. His playoff shooting percentage: 37 percent, a career-low as a starter. He had games of 11, 9 and 15. He complained about not getting enough touches and double-teams. Rondo, Garnett and Paul Pierce stepped up at key moments for Boston. Stars do that. Johnson disappears.
Smith was the team’s best player this season. He helped bring the Hawks back late in Game 6. But when the Hawks trailed by a point with 10 seconds left and a play set up for Johnson broke down, Smith forced a 20-foot jumper and we slapped our foreheads again.
Where is the hope?
Drew was asked about his future Friday. But he looked like a man who cared more about his next two aspirin.
“It’s not something right now I’m going to worry about,” he said. “It’s been a long season. I just want to take a step back.”
If he returns, the view may not get better. This isn’t a simple makeover.
By Jeff Schultz
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224 comments Add your comment
No Mas $$$ for the ASG
May 11th, 2012
11:58 pm
You could not have written a better storyline than this. The ASG dumped the Thrashers and kept their true love, the Hawks. It really wouldn’t matter if it was a tiddlywinks team with this ownership group. This is their legacy and it could not be more entertaining to watch…..from a distance.
day old fries
May 12th, 2012
12:09 am
Infiltrate.
Destroy.
Rebuild.
Jim
May 12th, 2012
12:15 am
Joe Johnson is a piece of poop. Josh Smith is the best player on the Hawks but can’t exist with JJ because of the coach. JJ can’t be traded because nobody in their right mind would want his contract. I believe the only answer here is to get a coach that makes the Hawks “Smiths” team, tell Johnson to get on board, and pray you can get something for Marvin Williams,WHO MUST GO!!!
The Monger
May 12th, 2012
12:23 am
ROFL!! Stay classy J-Smoove!! You want to play in a better basketball market?? Oh Lord, just wait till Boston or New York fans hound you incessently for your idiotic turnovers and ridiculous jumpshots during clutch time!! You think it will be better in a “better” basketball market. Obviously Josh Smith is as athletic and talented a basketball player as their is in the NBA, but he is inconsistent, prone to emotion and taking plays off, and terrible at recognizing his strengths. I wouldnt even mind 3 or 4 jumpers a game if he was feeling it, but not 10. Also, he is unstoppable at times taking it hard to the rim, faking bigger guys out with spin moves, and crashing the boards, yet 60 percent of the game he is either standing at the 3 point line doing nothing, or trying to be a point guard leading the fast break (which ultimately he turns it over 80 percent of those occasions). So why does he not realize this, and play into his game?? Needless to say, he is part of the reason for the Hawks problem, you helped lose Game 6 single-handedly with your stupid technical in the 4th quarter, and that terrible jumpshot in the 2nd to last possession, not to mention a few more of those terrible jumpshots earlier in the game. Look, Josh Smith, the reason Hawks fans aren’t as crazed as Boston’s or Chicago’s is because they have winners and attitudes that are different than you and your Hawks teammates, they are champions and they breath, eat, and sleep every second for basketball, they train their bodies and minds to win. The Hawks organization has been full of nothing but Losers and loser mentalities for years, such as this Hawks core for the last 4 years. You guys are just collecting your paychecks and laughing all the way to the bank. Joe Johnson is the most unclutch guy in the NBA, he dissapears in the playoffs. Josh Smith makes stupid decisions. Teague only shows up half the games. They have a delusional coach, owners, and GM who think this team actually has heart, talent, and chemistry, of which they have none of those in reality. This team is composed of whiny, selfish, inconsistent premadonas and a terrible coach, that is outmatched nightly. Combine that with the worst GM in the NBA and the worst ownership and you wonder why Hawks fans dont want to show up, and hate the Hawks organization? After 45+ years of this patheticness of pro basketball in Atlanta with these same type of loser minded teams that anybody shows up at all….me and my 4 friends no longer step foot in Phillips until new ownership, a new coach, and a team with more heart and effort shows up….which may be awhile…
Iceman 865
May 12th, 2012
12:24 am
ROFL!! Stay classy J-Smoove!! You want to play in a better basketball market?? Oh Lord, just wait till Boston or New York fans hound you incessently for your idiotic turnovers and ridiculous jumpshots during clutch time!! You think it will be better in a “better” basketball market. Obviously Josh Smith is as athletic and talented a basketball player as their is in the NBA, but he is inconsistent, prone to emotion and taking plays off, and terrible at recognizing his strengths. I wouldnt even mind 3 or 4 jumpers a game if he was feeling it, but not 10. Also, he is unstoppable at times taking it hard to the rim, faking bigger guys out with spin moves, and crashing the boards, yet 60 percent of the game he is either standing at the 3 point line doing nothing, or trying to be a point guard leading the fast break (which ultimately he turns it over 80 percent of those occasions). So why does he not realize this, and play into his game?? Needless to say, he is part of the reason for the Hawks problem, you helped lose Game 6 single-handedly with your stupid technical in the 4th quarter, and that terrible jumpshot in the 2nd to last possession, not to mention a few more of those terrible jumpshots earlier in the game. Look, Josh Smith, the reason Hawks fans aren’t as crazed as Boston’s or Chicago’s is because they have winners and attitudes that are different than you and your Hawks teammates, they are champions and they breath, eat, and sleep every second for basketball, they train their bodies and minds to win. The Hawks organization has been full of nothing but Losers and loser mentalities for years, such as this Hawks core for the last 4 years. You guys are just collecting your paychecks and laughing all the way to the bank. Joe Johnson is the most unclutch guy in the NBA, he dissapears in the playoffs. Josh Smith makes stupid decisions. Teague only shows up half the games. They have a delusional coach, owners, and GM who think this team actually has heart, talent, and chemistry, of which they have none of those in reality. This team is composed of whiny, selfish, inconsistent premadonas and a terrible coach, that is outmatched nightly. Combine that with the worst GM in the NBA and the worst ownership and you wonder why Hawks fans dont want to show up, and hate the Hawks organization? After 45+ years of this patheticness of pro basketball in Atlanta with these same type of loser minded teams that anybody shows up at all….me and my 4 friends no longer step foot in Phillips until new ownership, a new coach, and a team with more heart and effort shows up….which may be awhile…
Eb
May 12th, 2012
12:26 am
@Mountain Jim- head back to the hills pal because you’re banjo has more sense than you. Get it through your thick head that If Gearon hadn’t opened his big mouth the AJC- who’s in the news reporting business- would have had nothing to write about.
Ed Stone
May 12th, 2012
12:29 am
Just wondering, do you guys actually watch the games you write about? Josh Smith needs to go #1. Somebody must have told him along the line that he can shoot. He has no business taking jump shots yet they let him fire away. Rick Sund is not the problem but I wouldn’t blame him for walking. This ownership group is always going to go the cheap route on a coach. No disrespect to Drew but we all know why he has the job, it’s all about dollars. For those trashing Joe Johnson, you should thank the Lord we have him. Don’t blame Rick Sund that we have Marvin Williams and not Chris Paul. We passed on Luol Deng and took Josh Childress. Duh! I wouldn’t blame Sund for walking. On another note, why would a free agent want to come to a major league market and have to deal with “bush league” reporters. Has anyone noticed athletes move to Atlanta “after” they retire?
Josh Smith for 3
May 12th, 2012
12:31 am
The Hawks management is easily the most frustrating aspect of all Atlanta sports. The owners signed Joe to that ridiculous contract and now can’t do anything but try to peddle him away to the most foolish taker. Golden State apparently offered Monta Ellis for Josh Smith earlier this season, but the Hawks just tried to trade them JJ instead. We wouldn’t have wanted that trade this season, but it is proof that the Hawks could add very strong talent to their roster in return for a guy who doesn’t even want to play in Atlanta anymore. Unfortunately, I think we’re all betting on the Hawks screwing themselves out of any improvement.
najeh dappenfart
May 12th, 2012
12:34 am
Next yr brothers!
aldog
May 12th, 2012
12:38 am
No you don”t blow up the team. Heard Al Horford in an interview say the coach wanted him and Josh to push the ball up court up the court at every oppurtunity. Right idea wrong people. You need a new coach and a decent center. Keep Joe, Josh, Al ,Marvin and Teague add a center. Off the bench Zsa Zsa, Ivan, Green and Pargo. Dump every one else. You need an established and expierenced coach that can keep Josh on the low post and keep him from bringing the ball up the court. Give it to the guard and run the floor. Same thing for Al. Can’t blame Joe he keeps getting doubled and tripled teamed at lot. Please shut up about his contract, you offer me the money and I’m going to take it in a heartbeat. A good coach will not allow him to dribble so much get him better shots off screens. He’s a better shooter when he goes quickly. This will be Teagues 2nd year. He needs to run at every oppurtunity and the whole team needs to run with him. This is a very athletic team and they are not playing to there strength.With the right coach (smart and tough minded) this team is of championship caliber. He will just need to impose his will on the players and if they don’t respond then you can BLOW THEM STRAIGHT TO HE####%^^**%****%$%$$$$ UP
Dongle
May 12th, 2012
12:45 am
Here’s my assessment:
1. The Spirit are completely clueless and must have gotten their money through inheritance. No other way to explain it.
2. Joe Johnson is simply a weakminded pusty who got pushed around as a kid. This guy is basically worthless and contributes nothing beyond showing up for games.
3. Marvin Williams: only the Spirit could have made the same mistake twice on the same guy. This guy should be playing in Europe for $200k a year.
4. Josh Smith excels at nothing. His ball handling is atrocious and his shooting is even worse. If not for our illustrious owners, he might be in Europe with his pal Marvin. I wouldn’t get up out of my chair to open the door for this guy to discuss a contract.
Atlanta Spirit: PLEASE JUST GO AWAY!
May 12th, 2012
12:58 am
Bravo Mr. Schultz! This is definitely your best piece in the past year.
If an ownership group actually TRIED to buy both pro hockey and pro basketball franchises and run them straight into the ground, then they could hardly do it better than the Atlanta Spirit. Don’t these guys know when to quit? Have they no shame?
I’m PROUD to say we did not attend a single Hawks game this season! This ownership group ripped my 3 young boys’ hearts out when they repeatedly LIED about the Thrashers being for sale and then (once their legal hurdles were overcome) they promptly shipped the team my boys LOVED off to Canada without apology.
For the past 4 years, we attended at least a dozen Thrashers and a dozen Hawks games each season…Which is neither convenient nor inexpensive for a family of 5. But we are fools for this franchise no more. This ownership group will never see another DIME from our family…And sadly enough, that’s the ONLY WAY TO GET RID OF THEM. They clearly won’t leave of their own volition.
We love living in the Atlanta area…But I’m absolutely ASHAMED to bring my sons up in a city that is this PATHETIC in the world of Pro Sports. We’ve started putting our support and dollar$ behind the local high school and college teams. And while they may never win a championship title, at least I take comfort in knowing that I’m no longer one of the suckers paying Sleepy Joe Johnson’s ridiculous salary. This is also a concept my young boys fully understand…
Bluestreak
May 12th, 2012
1:10 am
The Crying Owner needs to take himself and all his slack-jawed buddies and go away. Gearon is an IDIOT. I don’t care that he grew up watching the games with PaPa. So did I. If he loves the team and Atlanta so much, he needs to find a real owner and sell, sell, SELL!!!!
Gearon, Peskowitz and Ted Turner’s mooch need to all GO AWAY!!! The most hated people in Atlanta since Sherman. In fact, I’d rather have him owning the team then these goofs.
You wonder why the NHL helped sell the team to ANYONE just to get rid of these fools. Why else go from a top 10 tv market in the US to a city the size of Columbus, GA?
Watch out fans. If Stern gets tired of these FOOLS, he’ll find anyone to sell this team to and move them to Seattle.
mike sr.
May 12th, 2012
1:49 am
how dare you? Mike has grown up with loving this franchise! Its a learning experience.
Coach
May 12th, 2012
2:08 am
People want to blame J.J. it is not his fault that this management gave him that kind of money. He is a very good player not worth being the highest paid but again it is not his fault. This management team should sell, they have bundled every move. There is still hope for this club. An unexpected Star in the draFT -SHED SOME HIGH PAID DEAD WEIGHT TO GET A PLAYER. THIS MANGEMENT TEAM IS BROKE and need to get new part owners at least to bring some $$$ into organization and then spend it wisely. We could have used Crawford.
Peachtree John
May 12th, 2012
2:13 am
Well, it’s nice to have all the Hawks problems solved. Now, all we need is to have a group from this column buy the team and put the solutions in place. We will live happily everafter.
Gritsfalcon
May 12th, 2012
2:43 am
Braves got here in 1966. Falcons too. Hawks in ‘69? So that is 46 + 46 + 44 (years) = (nevermind the Flames, Thrashers and Atlanta Chiefs-remember them?) =136 years (total) of professional sports. And only ONE championship (Thank you ‘95 Braves!) Says it all doesn’t it?
hasan
May 12th, 2012
3:25 am
I’m from New Jersey, and I’ve rooted for Atlanta this entire year. My issue is this people are sitting here saying trade Josh Smith. Do people not realize that if it weren’t for him the Hawks, wouldn’t be this far?
I remember one game when he had around 28 points and there wasn’t another player that was even in double figures. There was plenty of games this year where he was the leading scorer and nobody else did virtually nothing. Yeah the jump shots get a little aggravating at times but this season he seemed to be the only player playing with passion. Also do you notice that for a big man he make passes that Jeff Teague can’t seem to make? So not only is he their best overall defender, he’s their best rebounder, scorer, and best passer. How many times have we seen Teague have costly turnover after turnover? Teague drives into the paint against 5 opposing players and either force a stupid shot up against a big man or he just turns the ball over. I’m not going to even speak on Joe Johnson. So complain about Josh, all you want but just remember this. The Hawks was a fourth seed this year and that was mostly due to Smith. With this roster they really should have been more like the 8th seed. Look at the Knicks. Smith was the reason the Hawks was seeded so high. Imagine this year without Smith and then imagine this year with just Joe Johnson and Teague. Then you Hawks fans would have really been going crazy.
Hawksd
May 12th, 2012
3:56 am
Im with you jgsbirds!
Josh has a point with hawks fans. True loyalty is missing. If you are a fan then you must deal with the rollercoaster. Sure, at some point you want to see the hawks take “the next step”.
Im a fan, im sticking to them.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
May 12th, 2012
5:53 am
The Hawks are plagued with a lack of talent and a coach hired for his bargain-basement salary rather than his effectiveness.
Nahila
May 12th, 2012
6:01 am
Joe Johnson’s contract was and is the headache that will plague the Hawks until the contract expires or he is traded, no player can even begin to earn the money in that contract and Joe Johnson is a good player. Pro teams had better rein in these MEGA contracts and realize that they need to reduce their overhead and spread their roster money by building a solid 15 man roster. The Hawks had a great season this year when you consider the injuries. But for the Hawks to really improve, they need to hire the best point guard coach ( as a special assistant) in pro basketball to work off season with Teague and any other roster point guard. That is the best way to get this team to the championship level. Teague improved this year but a vastly improved Teague ( he has more talent that an be developed) would be the best investment. You can evaluate your options, but if it were me, I would extend The contracts of Zaza and Smith, evaluate Marvin Williams to see if more development of his game can be accomplished, if not trade him this off season and go after another big man to develop a front line of Horford, Zaza, and Smiith to go with Johnson and Teague, then bring in that new big center for backup or start and a strong 3 point shooter paying off the bench for meaningful minutes, and a backup point guard to spell Teague. Rookie Johnson had a good year and should be developed as a good backup rotating payer on the front line again next season with meaningful minutes. I know that is what Sund thought he had this season, but losing Horford changed all that. Please allow Twin to now retire and develop or trade for a young Center.
yodaddybrother
May 12th, 2012
6:31 am
We can’t amnesty Joe Johnson because if some team claims him off waivers for say 9 million dollars…..the Atlanta Hawks will be stuck with paying the rest of his contract and the other team would have Joe Johnson without even paying him.
The Hawks are too cheap (I would be too) to go that route.
The best case scenario for the Hawks would be to amnesty Joe Johnson…have him completely clear the waivers (fat chance), resign him at a much lower rate (8 – 10 mill)….resign Josh Smith and then have room to get quality free agents at backup center and starting SF.
It’s risky..because if someone picks up Joe for say 6 million we’d be stuck paying this fool 14 million to play for someone else and the other team would have a complete steal.
The difference between him and say Gilbert Arenas or Rashard Lewis….is that those guys aren’t even good players so it’s likely and expected that they would clear waivers and the team be completely free of them paying anything.
Basically Joe Johnson needs to play the role that he played for the Phoenix Suns which was basically a spot up shooter. Play him like a Ray Allen, JJ Redick, Rip Hamilton type of player which is exactly what he is. ISO JOE as a play needs to be in the garbage bin.
Either post him up, or run him off a series of screens where he can catch and shoot.
yodaddybrother
May 12th, 2012
6:46 am
Since it is unlikely we can get rid of him…we have to utilize his talents. One thing he does very well is shoot the basketball and is DEADLY if left open. Also if we can get some mid range curls (like that play Boston runs for Ray Allen) that guy would be unstoppable.
Basically we need a new offense and head coach.
A coach that will draw plays having Josh Smith on whichever block he’s most comfortable, Al Horford in his mid range sweet spot or running pick and roll with Teague and Marvin and Joe Johnson somewhere spotted up at the three point line.
We don’t need the play where Jeff Teague gets the inbound immediately passes to Joe Johnson, he dribbles up the court looking silly for 20 seconds and then desperately passes the ball to Josh Smith at the 3 point line to force up a BS shot because he cleared out for Iso Joe play.
A competent coach would immediately get that play out of the playbook FOREVER
Paddy
May 12th, 2012
7:05 am
Mountain_jim……….that is not how the news reporting business works,you should know that! And stop blaming the referees, you sould like a HS kid!
Paddy
May 12th, 2012
7:12 am
I don’t think the the ASG can continue to call it a re-building process after 12 years. I believe most of us understand the situation. Though there are a few folks that still buy tickets, not many, but a few!
realist
May 12th, 2012
7:13 am
You forgot another key: The worst group of reporters covering the team in the history of newspapers. Between you, Bradley, and Cunningham, we get a team of idiots whose only focus is to try to damage the team and insult everyone and try to keep fans away from the best team in town. Always looking for the quick smart ass comment, nothing in the way of sports analysis like real newspapers in places like DC and Boston.. We all know the AJC is withering and will someday die, but for me it can’t come fast enough. My junior high newspaper was way better.
Road Scholar
May 12th, 2012
8:34 am
The Hawks need to “hire” some officials like Boston did! Kevin Garnett getting his FIRST foul well into the 4th quarter and the call on Horford at the end was 2-3 seconds LATE. The ball was not inbounded, so there would have been 2 foul shots instead of inbounding it from the side…which screwed the play they called from the baseline during a time out! Granted Horford missed one free throw, but…
I will never attend another NBA game…ever! And I used to attend them before.
Paddy
May 12th, 2012
8:39 am
realist……guess you never read newspapers from Philly, Chicago & NY? The newspaper business may be dying, as you suggest, but so is the NBA.
KBP
May 12th, 2012
9:14 am
Other than Kobe and D Wade, what 2 guard is clearly better than JJ? I am amazed that so many people think JJ is just an average player. Amnesty him and get who? Trade him, Marvin, and Hinrich to Chicago for Noah and Rip Hamilton? If Joe is in Chicago, then the Bulls are the team to beat in the East. Let’s keep JJ,Josh,Teague,Al,Marvin, Green, Ivan, Zsa Zsa and sign Chris Kaman, and whomever else to fill the roster. We could compete with anybody in the east with Kaman at center.
Really?
May 12th, 2012
9:42 am
Just remember… if you blow it up, it is not necessarily the case it will be better and then there is the wait… last blow up, we win 13 games in a full season. Then, if I remember correctly, we doubled that the next season (or the season after). That’s what a blow up did last.. and this is what we ended up with. Still want a blow up?
Howard
May 12th, 2012
9:51 am
There is only one way for this team to succeed. Get rid of Joe Johnson. Every year in the playoffs he disappears when stars are supposed to step up. During the season Josh became the star and we did well. In the playoffs Joe was made the star again and we looked bad. Trade him even if you have to eat half his salary. This is addition by subtraction.
GT
May 12th, 2012
9:58 am
I think Larry Drew is a pretty good coach. I think Josh Smith is uncoachable, which allows opponents to sucker him into 30 footers while they double team Johnson. Smith doesn’t think of Al Hortford or Teague as his outlet pass, maybe Drew doesn’t either, but Drew knows his problems. He articulates exactly what is not happening, lazy starts, no aggressive moves to the baskets, too much perimeter shooting, yet ,especially Smith, they keep doing the same thing. I truly believe it is a few of the players starting with Josh Smith. He is just not smart enough to understand what is suppose to happen. Watch Paul Pierce and you see a player one with his coach, who can execute what Rivers puts on a grease board. Pierce came out of Kansas playing for Roy Williams. Was good coming into college and got better because of coaching in college. There is a lot more about winning than talent, Roy Williams teaches that, Josh never has learned that lesson. This is very much to me the problem with these kids coming directly into the pros.
Al Horford and Jeff Teague are those kind of players that understand what a winner is suppose to look and act like. Johnson comes out of that soft west coast basketball. He plays very much like a California kid, got skills but no aggressiveness, laid back no leadership. Look at kids like Carlos Boozer smart, physical and compare them to Johnson. Boozer is tough and coach-able, Johnson is going though awkward motions not really in the game. I would trade Smith, for someone like Joakim Noah. Put a team together that kicks Johnson around and makes him play, let the team lead the leader.
cpsman_atlanta
May 12th, 2012
10:02 am
ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP = BIGGEST OWNERSHIP FAILURE EVER!!!
Paddy
May 12th, 2012
10:02 am
Howard….ASG won’t eat 1/2of JJ salary. Even if they could eat some of it, it is too much of a monster for ANY team to be interested in someone elses aging super star! The Hawks are stuck with that terrible contract till it runs out. By then you will be able to have hand gernade practice at Phillips and not hit anyone!
Paddy
May 12th, 2012
10:08 am
GT…….well said. But Joakim Noah? You can’t build a team around a major head case!
GT
May 12th, 2012
10:57 am
Noak was a reaching I admit, but the idea of higher coached and basketball IQ still stands. Players making 10s of millions of dollars that never reach a maturity level of an adult, more less the level of a leader is killing this team. We have mature people just not the ones getting paid or being allowed to lead.
falCANS
May 12th, 2012
11:05 am
Uf your still asking to trade Smoove your an idiot!!! We wouldn’t have won 20 games without Josh. This IA y were the worst sports city cuz our fans are unappreciative. And fickle. Great season Hawks sorry the refs were against yall all series
Paddy
May 12th, 2012
11:15 am
falCANS…..pls tell us all how we can be more appreciative and less fickled toward the ASG? Your ans should be very interesting!
And quit blaming the ref’s. Sounds like something a kid would write in his/her school newspaper. That remark has been around as long as there has been sports teams. It is called the “rub of the green”! Yes, ref’s make mistakes. But sure as h_ll they don’t care who wins! They get paid either way.
Hunkerdown
May 12th, 2012
11:33 am
JJ’s play was disappointing to say the least. I agree that the future of this team is in jeopardy.
Fats O
May 12th, 2012
11:45 am
TEAMS do not get that many technical fouls in a critical playoff game. That is one reason The Hawks in Alt have NEVER beaten the Celtics. NO discipline will kill ya EVERYTIME
Sid
May 12th, 2012
11:52 am
Falcons Fans: Don’t waste your time blogging with Ledbetter, the writer protects and supports the trolls and may actually be a troll himself. Move somewhere else to speak freely and not be deleted by God himself. Hitler’s own SS had more freedom to speak.
Thank you for allowing me to interrupt your Hawks obsequies.
Robdawg
May 12th, 2012
11:53 am
The Hawks have to be realistic about what’s available. There are only a half dozen teams with similar salary situations that would be willing and able to deal with our JJ and JS issue. These would be teams with parts that match our salary issues and that are also fed up with players and want to unlaod them. This would be the Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Orlando, New York, Toronto and Utah. From the Lakers, we could get Pau Gasol, Idiot boy – M Be Stupid, Josh McRoberts and Steve Blake. If Memphis loses to the Clippers in round 1, they will probably be ready to deal – Zack Randolf and/or Rudy Gay. If Miami loses to Indiana, we could probably expect them to be willing to unload anyone other than Labron. That would include D Wade and Chris Bosh. Orlando is in trouble. We could maybe get big Dwight and JJ Reddick. They would make us take Turkaglu to get rd of his contract. Toronto has some interesting pieces that would help the Hawks. This would be Calderon, Barganini and Amir Johnson. Utah would have to include two of three parts: Jefferson, Harris and Milsap. New York would have to include you know who and that might be our best option offered. Of course, we do not have to trade both to the same team. We could trade them seperately and get the players above individually. By trading them together, we could take advantage of Josh being in the trade and get a little more. Sounds like if we could maybe get some combo of Pau Gasol, Zack Randolf, JJ Reddick and maybe Rudy Gay, we could be ok next year. This would give us a much smarter team and players that actually pass the ball. We can find scorers. We need SMART players at the end of the game that will protect the ball and NOT turn it over. NO settling for jump shots. If we do not get a coach to control the inmates nothing will ever change. LD is not the answer. The man in Lexington has shown recently that he knows how to handle young guys with discipline issues. He would be choice #1.
joe white
May 12th, 2012
12:44 pm
The biggest issue with the hawks is our owners, coach and joe johnson please find a team and trade him pick up a good two guard and big man and we good
O'Brien
May 12th, 2012
1:08 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/05/11/hawks-plagued-with-too-many-issues-from-owners-to-joe/?cxntfid=blogs_jeff_schultz_blog/
chuck
May 12th, 2012
1:30 pm
The reality is we are stuck with the NBA version of the Wizard of OZ. Johnson is both Tin Man (no heart) and the Cowardly Lion No courage). Smith is the Scarecrow (no brain). The core of the team other than Horford is all Cowardly Lions.
The best two players on the team by far are both PF and neither should be playing anywhere near big minutes at another position. I have nothing against Josh Smith BUT he is the one that needs to go. The best thing that could happen to Josh is to get traded to a team with some veteran leadership. What do you think Garnett would have done to Josh if he threw up that absurd shot for the Celtics like he did tonight with 9 seconds left? Smith needs a head coach and a teammate enforcer that will tie him to the basket and not let him get away.
What could we expect to receive for Josh Smith? We need to hopefully get a small forward and a legitimate center thru a trade for Josh and the draft. Play Marvin off the bench The additions HAVE to be willing to play in the paint unlike this bunch of gutless jump shooters.
Poncho
May 12th, 2012
1:52 pm
Wait… WHO bombed Pearl Harbor?!
Mister.Earl
May 12th, 2012
2:16 pm
Ever notice how the Atlanta Hawks players do not communicate on the court?
The verbal skills of Joe Johnson need serious work if he to ever lead, or represent the franchise in any capacity. Too many reluctant players alongside the volatile Josh Smith is a recipe for chaos.
It is what it is.
al
May 12th, 2012
2:20 pm
Italy bombed Pearl harbor, or was it North Korea?
Grandmaster JeJe
May 12th, 2012
4:07 pm
When did Gearon blame the AJC? Please provide a link.
And MC has been less than impressive
Paddy
May 12th, 2012
5:43 pm
al…..you are right, Italy bombed Pearl Harbor, while Claire Chanault’s Flying Tigers flew cover. I remember it like it was yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!