Audience-participation time! Submit questions for Rick Sund!
Dear readers:
I plan to speak with Hawks general manager Rick Sund tomorrow morning. (He’s a fine fellow, by the way, and a great conversationalist. Not that you asked. But I thought I’d throw that in.) And I kind of know what I want to ask: What’s he going to do this offseason? Keep Bibby? Keep Marvin? Trade for Kobe?
But I’m only one person, and a flawed one at that, and I might miss something. So I’m asking for your help. If you have a question for Mr. Sund, please submit it below. I’m not promising I’ll get around to all of them, but I’ll try to work in a few. So have at it, and please keep them clean.
Thanks in advance.
M. Bradley, interactive hack
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245 comments Add your comment
Mike
May 19th, 2009
4:54 pm
Mark, according to Draftexpress.com David Andersen wants to come to the NBA this year. Here’s a link:
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Blogging-Through-the-Euroleague-Final-Four-Part-Two–3205/
I personally thought he looked not-NBA-ready in the Olympics, but it sounds like he’s had another good year in Europe.
Skicky
May 19th, 2009
4:59 pm
Why don’t we play offense like a western conference team instead of a half court eastern conference team? Why do the guys not move without the ball and Joe is always iso? Why can these guys set screens to get people wide open like other teams such as the Celtics?
ILL-logical
May 19th, 2009
5:08 pm
Mr. B: After your tete a tete with Mr. Sund would you engage Mr. Woodson similarly? Would love to compare and contrast the results.
KingCobra
May 19th, 2009
5:09 pm
I believe there is one guy who can really help the Hawks. His salary is real high though, but he would impose a series problem for opposing teams to get into the paint. In the Cavs series, the Hawks were unable to block the painted area from being driven through by Mo Williams, DeLante West and King James. Those guys continued to relentlessly drive through the paint and score at will. I realize that Horford was not 100% but even if Horford was available more in the Cavs series I think those three guys would have still gotten inside the paint. I do believe if the Hawks were to go out and sign Shaquille O’Neal, no one will get into the painted area ever again. Signing Shaq would be like building a brick wall as strong as fort knox which would completely block the paint. The only way to get through the paint with Shaq standing there is to drive a bulldozer through. When Shaq guarded the paint in Los Angeles for the Lakers, he was awarded with three world championship rings. Shaq can help the Hawks climb to the top of the mountain and leap over it.
Astro Joe
May 19th, 2009
5:16 pm
Please ask Sund the following, “who will see more action next season, Spirit or Speedy?”
Astro Joe
May 19th, 2009
5:20 pm
Bernice, I assume that you prefer educated, well-spoken, murderous professors to the Hawks players who have done NOTHING criminally wrong in the past 10 years.
Mark Bradley
May 19th, 2009
5:22 pm
Astro Joe, you’ll note that the comment to which you refer has disappeared. It included a word I have come to consider objectionable.
Chris from Acworth
May 19th, 2009
5:23 pm
The Hawks are finally watchable after some 20 years, so please have him move Josh Smith’s game in closer to the basket. Watching him miss the whole freaking goal (a pro) in the playoff was painful! Pay Bibby; we finally have a legit PG; short term only. Hire a coach who would grab Josh by the short-and-curlys when he gets out of hand (A. Johnson, D. Collins). Get a big man to move Hoford to his true position. Lasty, Flip needs to work on his outside shot too.
Mac
May 19th, 2009
5:27 pm
When are you finally going to flush Speedy Claxton?
Mac
May 19th, 2009
5:29 pm
Four letter word starts with t and ends in g? If so, good call.
JoeSensure
May 19th, 2009
5:29 pm
I can think of two players who I believe would make an enormous impact to the Hawks. Furthermore, I believe bringing in BOTH of these guys would just about guarantee the Hawks winning the NBA championship next season. Amare Stoudemore and Antonio McDyess are the two gentlemen who I think would make the Hawks an elite team (on the level with Orlando, Boston, Cleveland, and Lakers). We would have also develop our point guards (veteran Mike Bibby and Acie Law) and would need to dramatically improve. Hopefully Bibby can regain his form that he had in Sacramento. With a substantial improvement at the point coupled with bringing in Stoudemire and MyDyess, the sky would be the limit for the Hawks in the future.
The Truth
May 19th, 2009
5:29 pm
Mark
Ask Mr. Sund the following questions:
1) What is the outlook for the upcoming player salary budget? Will it go up or down or stay about the same?
2) Can he shed insight into the Hawks draft selection process? How much is he involve? How much is Woody involve, etc.?
3) Can he tell us what the Hawks draft priorities are?
4) Is there any plans to add more coaching assistants to the roster?
5) Is he pleased with AC Laws progress?
6) Is there anything he is disappointed about regarding the Hawks season?
DW
May 19th, 2009
5:31 pm
Mr. Sund, when are you going to draft or trade for someone with a “killer instinct” like Kobe or Lebron? The Hawks will never rise above a #4 seed without such a superstar.
Mark Bradley
May 19th, 2009
5:32 pm
That’d be the one, Mac.
Oh, and Chris: I think Flip would be delighted to work on any shot, any time. The man does enjoy putting the ball in the air.
Joe's place Joe speaking
May 19th, 2009
5:33 pm
Mark Bradley let’s pretend for one second that you are the GM, what would you do??
Adam
May 19th, 2009
5:34 pm
I think it was obvious that we need size down low for defense. Any chance of us going after Shaq?
Kyle
May 19th, 2009
5:37 pm
Rick,
Amare Stoudamire was on a radio station this morning saying, “Your Atl Hawks need to look into acquiring this young Stoudamire”….. Any chance we take a run at this guy? Could help get Joe to stay, and would let Horford move to PF.
Skyhawk1
May 19th, 2009
5:52 pm
1.How are you going to address the Hawks biggest weakness, rebounding?
2.Is David Andersen by any chances on the Hawks radar?
3.How do you evaluate Woodson’s offensive schemmes?
4.What do you think about Horford’s improvement? A big men coach?
UGA_2001
May 19th, 2009
6:10 pm
Can we please get a real coach in here?
That and someone who is a legit three-point threat?
Mark Bradley
May 19th, 2009
6:15 pm
Mike Bibby isn’t a legit three-point threat?
And I have to say: I don’t get the fascination with Shaquille O’Neal at this point in his career. His team didn’t make the playoffs. The Hawks made the playoffs and won a series.
To Joe’s Place: Here were my recommendations. Thanks for asking.
ant banks
May 19th, 2009
6:16 pm
MARK,
please ask Sund why he feels that Horford is a 5, when all of the prognosticators say that Horford is a natural 4 and that we need a “true” center in order to move Horford to the 4 spot.
jake
May 19th, 2009
6:18 pm
What is going on with david anderson, and what free agents are the hawks looking at?
darrell starks
May 19th, 2009
6:28 pm
Rick sund we as fans is tired of medorice in this city why is this organization content on settling for less specially if there and opportunity to go after a coach who i fill that can take this team to the next level such as avery johnson who will be gone by 2010?
wendell white
May 19th, 2009
6:37 pm
yes i hope we resign flip he was a good pickup and instant offiense
JustaThought
May 19th, 2009
6:38 pm
A lot of very good questions from everybody, but I get the strange feeling NOTHING good is going to come this organizations way until this
owners mess gets resloved. They can’t fire Woodson now because none of the coaches that this team needs will put themselves in an “unstable” (to say the least) situation. The same can be said for any of the top FA as well. I don’t think Bibby will be re-signed, I don’t think the Hawks will match any decent offer he gets in free agency market(and he will get a couple). The only hope of getting any quality players will have to come thru draft/trade. Any agent worth his salt knows about the instability that this organization is in (thats why they could only hire Sund). It’s no secret they are loosing money.
Mac
May 19th, 2009
6:43 pm
Do you think former Falcon and almost 49er Jimmy Williams would be better than Speedy Claxton?
RA
May 19th, 2009
6:43 pm
What I would ask is to what extent management is going to encourage mentorship of the younger players this summer. I mean, Josh Smith has worked on his game with Hakeem Olijawon. Has there been any thought to bringing a James Worthy in to work with Marvin Williams, a Vinny Johnson to work with Mario West, getting Za Za signed soon enough so that he can help get Solo ready for next season, if indeed either player is a piece of Sund’s long term puzzle. Not to mention Acie Law IV. I’d just like to see a lot more mentorship of the younger player. My question is, will it happen?
Mac
May 19th, 2009
6:46 pm
I think Shaq is done. Also, I don’t think there’s going to be a fight to get Bibby at this point in his career. Hawks might be able to keep him.
Ken Strickland
May 19th, 2009
6:49 pm
Mr Sund, we have a significant number of current and upcoming RFA’s and UFA’s on our roster. Over the last 2-3yrs, Woodson has demonstrated an unwillingness to continue his committment to developing our younger players, particularly backcourt players, and we’ll surely lose some unnessarily as a result. Knowing this, and the effects this attitude can have on our future draft picks, will you consider his preferences for potential free agents and draft picks, assuming a decision hasn’t already been made concerning his retention after next season?
Cecil Pendragon
May 19th, 2009
6:54 pm
How will we keep Joe Johnson from getting…TIRED??
wag the dawg
May 19th, 2009
6:56 pm
Are the Hawks interested in Yi Jianlian?
Bob Pettit
May 19th, 2009
6:59 pm
Why haven’t we raised a banner for the 1958 St. Louis Hawks Championship in Philips? Titles relocate with the franchise, so let’s do it!
hawktalker
May 19th, 2009
7:01 pm
Would you rather work for Steve Belkin？
Gravy Train
May 19th, 2009
7:02 pm
Mark, thanks for asking about our questions. Excellent way to pile up hit stats and readership.
Does being linked to the Thrashers cause a negative impact on the Hawks?
What can be done about freeing up some capital for getting a consistent big man while still keeping Joe and Marvin? Is Bibby really worth a big contract when his age and limited defensive skills are factored into the equation? I think getting Felton from Charlotte makes sense.
Thanks in advance Mr. Sund.
darrell starks
May 19th, 2009
7:04 pm
O yeah Rick sund one more ? we need another player who command double team in the post what about trading horford marvin and 19pick for bosh and sign hakim warrick free agent and bring back chill.
starters acie, joe, chill, josh, bosh.
bench flip, evans, hakim warrick, solo, zaza.
Astro Joe
May 19th, 2009
7:07 pm
Thanks, Mark. I immediately regretted that I jumped into the fray. Any chance that you can have that word deleted from Cuban’s vocabulary?
l. crane
May 19th, 2009
7:09 pm
sir, could we get a young starting point gaurd, by draft or trading & a real center to battle d. howard and we could move from 4th to maybe getting even with the cavs.
Mark Bradley
May 19th, 2009
7:13 pm
Darrell, let me note that the Hawks just finished fourth in the East and won a playoff series. I don’t consider that mediocrity. I consider that upward mobility.
La Jolla Dawg
May 19th, 2009
7:38 pm
Ask if he believes in second chances and if so, will Spirit The Hawk be allowed to once again roam the arena? Along those lines, I’d like to know which player was most afraid of being dive bombed by the bird.
HAWKS 4 LIFE
May 19th, 2009
7:56 pm
How about a Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby trade for Al Jefferson?
niremetal
May 19th, 2009
8:02 pm
A real center to battle Dwight Howard? Sorry, don’t think those exist anymore.
Blast
May 19th, 2009
8:03 pm
Great questions! In a nut shell, the question everybody wants to know is? Mr. Sund, what is your overall vision for this team? How do you plan to improve this team? The you start breaking down the nitty gritty. Point guard issue, desperate need for a center, Marvin and Acie questions. Truth is, we all know Sund will not be able to answer most of those questions in details. Al least not ones concerning specific players. Some questons, though, I can answer for fans.
Ron attest said he wans to re-sign with Houston, and Houston said they want him back. So rest that case.
Danny Granger just signed an extension with the Pacers. He ain’t going nowhere.
Shak is too old.
Mark Bradley, some coaches go nine deep. Cleveland went 10 deep versus Hawks in the playoffs. Lakers can go ten deep. Denver can go ten deep. Houston, if not injured can go ten deep. Portland too. Coaches go 9-10 deep when they have an effective bench. In games 3 and 4, second quarter, Hawks had the lead, Woodson threw a few bench players in there. Cleveland went in with a completely different 5 man rotation, and they promptly erased the deficit and took the lead, with LeBron on the pine. And that was all she wrote.
Ayanna
May 19th, 2009
8:10 pm
Hummm, so many good questions have already been posted. Let’s see. Well in regards to the leadership role on the team, how important is it? Or is it a major concern for the team going forward?
Warren
May 19th, 2009
8:28 pm
1. If you choose to keep Woodson, would you make him play more of his bench like he said he would on separate occasions throughout the season?
2. How interested would you be if Avery Johnson was interested in coming to the Hawks for the ‘09-’10 season?
3. Looking at the Rockets-Lakers series, the Rockets were undermanned. Same as the Hawks. They took the Lakers 7 games without 2 all-stars (McGrady, MIng) and doing it with a 2nd year PG. Rick Adelman had his team prepared regardless who’s injured or not. Woodson on the other hand was so unprepared that we had to play an injured Marvin and Horford whom would have been out for close to a month if it were the regular season. Will we see changes with his coaching when it comes to developing his players and having them ready to step up when the time is necessary?
melvin
May 19th, 2009
8:29 pm
I am suprised no has mention josh smith.I think i know a little about the game he needs to stay in the paint an develop a killer low post game!!!!!!!!!! it would do wonders for the team and him.Mark my words until that happens we go no where!!!!!1 he plays outside way to much dont need him throwing up 3’s
Ricky
May 19th, 2009
8:44 pm
Why has Acie Law not been given a chance to develop? Acie needs to play and be allowed to make mistakes (he is not Mike Bibby)he is a different type of player that needs to push, penetrate, finish (like Tony Parker) Why is Joe Johnson minutes played at or near of the NBA? Why can’t Josh Smith as talented as he is, understand what is a good or bad shot at this point is his career? Josh needs to look in the mirror and understand one simple thing, talent alone is not good enough, you must play smart. Why has Marvin not been more involved in the offensive game plan? Why are we not a running team? We have young legs we should run like the Lakers of the 80’s catching the ball out of the net and pushing.
I am so afraid that we will trade Acie Law and he will become everything that we expected and more because he just got a chance to play. Woody needs to trust the bench more and play them.
Shannon
May 19th, 2009
9:00 pm
Mark
Please bring the guy from “Lie to Me” with you tomorrow and let me know what he says about Mr.Sund’s response to this question ” Do you think Mike Woodson is the best coach for this team going forward and are you only keeping him because that is what the spirit group wants?”
alexander jones
May 19th, 2009
9:10 pm
i say the hawks get ben gordon. he’s better than joe. joe has been fun to watch but it’s time for him to go he’s not as versatile a gordon and can’t hit big shots when we need him to. this would be the best thing to do in the off season. also resign flip to a 2 year deal and get johnny flynn in the draft
Jed
May 19th, 2009
9:22 pm
I’m not sure how much Knight consulted his coach regarding personnel moves. How much input do you think the coach should have in your decision-making re: draft/trade priorities and re: specific players?
Also: even the Woody supporters among us (I’m one of them) were frustrated to see Acie sit most of the year, only to brought on in desperation during the playoffs. You keep wondering, not how the second round might have gone, but how Acie’s development might have gone. On the other hand, Woody was between a rock & a hard place–needing to develop Acie versus playing Bibby–the one guy who proved he could make the offense go and could score with some consistency. Are you happy with Woody’s efforts this past year to balance those two things? And are your expectations different for the coming year?
Joe's place Joe speaking
May 19th, 2009
9:36 pm
Mark Bradley, Thanks for taking the time to answer! I should have known you already answered my question because I read that post when it came out. Haha! My bad but again thanks for answering.
Your new pal,
Joe’s place Joe speaking