If the Hawks trade Josh, they lose me. (Unless it’s for Kobe.)
The annual Josh Smith trade rumors are swirling (ESPN.com link requires registration), and they make less sense than ever. The Hawks are getting close to something good, but they must negotiate a summer in which four of their top eight players are free agents of some stripe. Josh Smith is under contract through 2013. He’s not the immediate problem.
On the contrary, he’s a massive part of the solution. He’s a very good player bordering on greatness. He’s 23. He has already had his free-agent summer. He’ll be the best player on this roster in two years, and that’s even if Joe Johnson sticks around. Josh isn’t the guy you move. He’s the one you keep.
Last month Rick Sund, the Hawks’ general manager, said: “I like our club. The only reason I say that is that there’s still growth from within.” Of Smith in particular, Sund said: “I think Josh is going to continue to get better — every year he’s gotten better.”
And he has. And he should continue to do so for at least three more seasons. That’s a good thing. So why are the Hawks, if the rumors are to be believed, shopping Smoove?
Beats me. How many power forwards could you plug in for Smith and render the Hawks better overnight? David West of New Orleans? Maybe, and that’s a big “maybe.” Anderson Varejao of Cleveland? Nope. Kenyon Martin of Denver? Too old. (Same with Kevin Garnett.) Tim Duncan? Dirk Nowitzki? Sure, but I doubt their teams would do those deals.
Loading ...Chris Bosh, you say? Now that’s a teaser. Bosh is better than Smith at this moment, but Bosh also becomes a free agent next summer. Bosh-for-Josh would gamble four more years of Smith for what could be one-and-done of Bosh. Me, I wouldn’t do it. (Go ask the Braves if they’d make the Teixeira trade again.)
If the Hawks are looking to package Smith with an eye toward improving their draft position, they’re nuts. There is no player in this draft — not Blake Griffin, not Hasheem Thabeet, not Ricky Rubio — who’s superior to Smith today, and there might not be one who’ll ever be better. This is not a LeBron draft. This is Andrea Bargnani draft. Nobody’s going to get well overnight on June 25th.
Speculation also holds that the Hawks need money to keep their aforementioned free agents. If Smith is the price for re-upping Mike Bibby or Marvin Williams, that’s a price not worth paying. Smith is more than just another Hawk. He’s the key to this team’s future. I’ll put it this way: If the Hawks trade him for anything less than Kobe Bryant, they lose me.
And now for the good news: I’m pretty sure they won’t. The trade kicker in Smith’s contract — the acquiring team must pay him $6 million on top of his salary — makes it cost-prohibitive for any prospective suitor, especially in today’s marketplace.
It’s part of the GM game to dangle players and see if there’s interest, and Sund has been a player for a long time. But if I know Sund — and I think I do, a little — I believe this is all smoke. I think Sund knows what he has in Smith. If he doesn’t, he should give me a call. I’ll tell him.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
100 comments Add your comment
mobetta
June 16th, 2009
2:19 pm
ME FIRST, ME FIRST!!!!
Trade ANYONE but Josh Smith.
mobetta
June 16th, 2009
2:21 pm
Even if it is for Kobe, don’t trade him. Get rid of JJ for a starting center and let Bibby know he needs to do some restructuring.
Marcus
June 16th, 2009
2:23 pm
MB,
looks like I got in early on this one:
Was your ‘All-trade Friday’ blog a coincidence or just prepping the masses (based on insider info) for Sekou’s intel on yesterday?!!? ; wink, wink.
I agree with you. Trading Josh Smith would be a mistake (esp. for a 1-year mercenary like Bosh), regardless of how many wild 3’s he jacked up in ‘08 – ‘09.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
2:28 pm
All-Trade Friday was, as we say in the Digital world, a concept. (Actually, I believe they say that in Hollywood, not Silicon Valley.) And the rumors had been out there since the end of the season. They just got hot with Chad Ford’s post on ESPN.com yesterday.
David
June 16th, 2009
2:32 pm
Would losing Mark Bradley be that big a deal to the Hawks? It would not be a loss for the AJC either. You could write for AOL with the rest of the hacks. Say hi to Lisa Olsen for me.
e
June 16th, 2009
2:37 pm
Josh Smith is a selfish crybaby, please package him in a trade with Mark Bradley for anyone who will be a team player. Move AL to PF (his natural position) and use the crybaby and sorry blogger for a real big man in the middle.
Marcus
June 16th, 2009
2:40 pm
MB,
Who exactly is this team built around? For the near future (5 years) who SHOULD it be built around, esp. given the youth?
We have done wonders will the youthful talent and the vet presence of JJ and Bibby, but at some juncture, there has to be a focal point around which the team added supplemental pieces to forge a cohesive unit.
ant banks
June 16th, 2009
2:40 pm
MB,
why is josh untradeable to you? he is a sporadic shooter, can’t dribble, takes ill advised three, a turnover machine, very contentious with the coach. what gives. he has been in the league 5 yrs, when!! WHEN, i ask you, will we see all of this “POTENTIAL”.
his numbers were worse this year than last.
ant banks
June 16th, 2009
2:42 pm
also, MB,
packagin’ josh for bosh makes hella since for the hawks!! if bosh opts out next year, that would mean more money on the books to get players!! i say make it happen. and if jj opts out and if bosh won’t re-sign that is 30mil that the hawks have to work with
e
June 16th, 2009
2:44 pm
Josh Smith is the Jeff Francouer of the Hawks. Hometown hero, ultimate zero. I am tired of waiting on BOTH of these underacheivers to grow up and stop playing selfish. Smith will never stop taking bad threes and Jeff will never stop swinging at terrible pitches. Face the facts MB and get off the hometown boy bandwagon.
ant banks
June 16th, 2009
2:45 pm
MB,
who puts that 6mil kicker into the contract? the team or the player? and does it stay on there for the life of the contract? the 6mil kicker would serve as a deterant to trade for a guy.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
2:45 pm
When will we see all of his potential? Just guessing here … April 11, 2011. Sorry I can’t be more specific.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
2:49 pm
It was, as reported first by esteemed colleague Sekou Smith, part of the offer sheet he signed with Memphis last summer. To match the offer, the Hawks had to agree to the exact language of the Memphis deal.
Sekou tells me the trade-kicker figure — at $6 million now — decreases over time.
smh
June 16th, 2009
2:53 pm
ant banks I’m sorry but you do realize that the last time the Hawks had money to spend that nobody wanted to come here right? Whats the purpose of having 30 million to spend if you cant get anyone to come here? Players pay attention to how other teams treat their own players. Why would a player come here knowing that if the owners start penny pinching again they will trade them too. The funny part of your post if you list all the things Josh cant do yet he was our best player in the playoffs. So what does that say about the rest of our roster? Don’T worry ill be back to see your answer.
John
June 16th, 2009
2:55 pm
Mark is absolutely right. Josh has a little more maturing to do, but when you have a guy who can do all the things that he can do (he blocks shots, rebounds, runs the floor, even passes better than he gets credit for), is one of the two best athletes in the league, is locked up for several years, and is 23 years old, you do not trade him.
Also, I think we can all agree that Josh takes ill-advised threes from time to time, but to keep things in perspective:
Josh Smith, in his 5th year in the NBA: 26 3FGM, 87 3FGA (29.9%)
Michael Jordan, in his 5th year in the NBA: 27 3FGM, 98 3FGA (27.6%)
e
June 16th, 2009
2:58 pm
wait, let me make it more clear. josh and jeff are the Mark Bradley’s of their respective teams. So will we have to wait til April 2011 to see YOUR potential reached MB? I think the AJC will have to go in another direction by that time. And you’re pathetic quips in an effort to be sarcastically humorous are tiresome. You stroke your ego almost as much as you stroke the other smallest part of your body.
Terrell
June 16th, 2009
2:59 pm
e,
Comparing Smith to Francouer? Now I know people on here really lost it. In the Cleveland series what player showed up? Josh did, and while nobody else seemed to care he did. You all call him a cry baby? Have you seen Kobe and Lebron when they don’t get calls? Oh that’s right it’s doesn’t happen to them too often. I would be upset too if I kept driving to the lane and getting smacked and not foul is being called. You may win a championship if you get vet “all-stars), but if you build this team like the Falcons are and not the Braves, that means you build your young players and develop them, then you will be a consistent threat. Look at Portland. We keep Josh and move him back to the 3, Al to the 4, get a decent big man at the 5 (Jordan had serviceable centers not all-stars), JJ at the 2, and lets see what Law can do when given a chance to pay everyday. He’s a different type of PG. He drives to the basket and that is what help gets other players open. If Rick Sund knows what he’s doing he will keep those guys as well as Marvin, Flip, and Moe
e
June 16th, 2009
3:10 pm
John I agree, neither Jordan nor Josh should shoot threes. Good point. Can’t believe you even put the two names in the same post.
sheryl
June 16th, 2009
3:11 pm
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks, Mark!
I would also like to say that there is more to a basketball team than just spouting the statistics of the players (like so many of these radio people seem to do). A player can be very, very skilled, but not have the intangibles to truly become a great player! Josh has that emotional spark that greatly contributes to making the Hawks who they are! Go JOSH! Go HAWKS!
ant banks
June 16th, 2009
3:12 pm
SMH,
i ride or die with the hawks. alot of y’all will ride with the hawks, but won’t die with ‘em.
i want josh to BE mature on the court. Don’t take three’s with 20secs left on the 24 sec clock. practice dribblin’, quit bitchin’ to the refs about calls or non calls.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
3:14 pm
I’ve said it before, but here goes: Josh is a game-changer. Not many players are. Sometimes he changes games for the better, and sometimes for the worse. But he’s learning.
And that stuff with Woodson and him not getting along? In my view, that has always been overblown.
mountain_jim
June 16th, 2009
3:15 pm
They will lose me also. Sund needs to get an f’ing clue and replace Woodson with a coach with an offensive plan that will help Josh succeed and one who can actually support, develop, and creatively utilize player’s talents rather than ruining them and trading or running them off.
Rufus1
June 16th, 2009
3:21 pm
Mark
Josh makes 10 million a year and does not command a double team. He cannot lead us to a championship until he learns how to play basketball.(He should tryout for the Olympics, because his a better ahthlete than basketball players.)
WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED TO JOSH’S UPSIDE FOR 5 YEARS..WHEN WILL WE GET MARRIED TO HIS GREATNESS.
PS.. FIRE WOODY
dap01
June 16th, 2009
3:21 pm
That would be typical of Woody and the Hawks, to trade Smith (a young, athletic player) to make room to resign Bibby (old, not athletic, on the decline).
Bibby was the worst defensive PG in the NBA last year, how bad will he be next year and the next?
Rufus1
June 16th, 2009
3:22 pm
I WANT TO WIN CHAMPIONSIPS, NOT DUNK CONTESTS!!!!!!!
Jesse
June 16th, 2009
3:23 pm
If we could just hypnotize him not to shoot jumpers things would be perfect. Maybe after he scored 20 +ppg in the playoffs around the rim got to him. Maybe he’ll realize he can do that all next year.
Halsey
June 16th, 2009
3:28 pm
I’m not open to the idea of trading Josh because he’s a bad player or anything, but because the Hawks have multiple needs and 2 starting quality power forwards. I’d rather keep Horford if I had to choose between the 2. I’d only want to trade Josh if he could be used to address a position with a long term starter, such as PG or C Sometimes players get traded because there is wealth at their position and needs at other positions. The best situation to me would be if the Hawks could trade sign and trade Marvin, start both Horford and Smith at forward, and get a center in return for Marvin. Yeah, that means the Hawks would basically be starting 2 power forwards, but that’s not unheard of.
tree rollins
June 16th, 2009
3:31 pm
Trade Mike Woodson – Keep Josh Smith!!!
Mike In Valdosta
June 16th, 2009
3:34 pm
We will miss you, Mark! Just kidding.
Josh is a prime example of the pitfalls related to drafting teenagers and giving them millions of dollars. He has all the physical tools but he sometimes plays with the IQ of a potted plant. If nothing else, college forces you to exercise the brain and learn to think. Josh appears uncoachable at times. He will never get it through his head that the reason he is always open for a three point shot is because that is the shot the opposition wants him to take. We can all see the flinch, he knows he shouldn’t do it, but gosh darn he is going to do it anyone. Just like a spoiled child.
I hope we keep him and he gets his head straight because I do believe the sky is the limit with regards to his potential.
GeeMack
June 16th, 2009
3:39 pm
Mark I totally diagree with you on this one. If I can get Amare from PHX. I’ll let Josh go in a heart beat. The current make up of this team is not one that can win a championship, and thats what the teams play for a championship. Al Jefferson had great upside, but Celtics wanted to win a Championship. So they traded a player with great upside great player in his prime.
Dr Richard Handler
June 16th, 2009
3:41 pm
Josh Smith is a selfish player. You say no matter how many ill advised 3’s he jacked up??? Come on, the guy might have the least basketball knowledge of any player I’ve seen!!! Please, trade him and you trade the future??? Let him go be a G.A. for Mike Davis and let his dad have a seat next to “M.D.” on the bench.
TROTTINGHOME
June 16th, 2009
3:43 pm
Josh Smith ain’t going any where.
Woodson is a different story.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
3:43 pm
I don’t trust Stoudemire’s knees, GeeMack. Otherwise I’d do that one, too.
Jus Sayin...
June 16th, 2009
3:46 pm
How can you be against something if you don’t know what it is?
We don’t know what some other team might give up to get Josh. According to the columnist this guy is very good, so why not see what you can get for him. If someone will make you a Herschel Walker like trade you would be dumb not to take it. Josh Smith is not a top10 player and never will be. You telling me Shaq can get traded but not Josh Smith? Puhleeeze!
tree rollins
June 16th, 2009
3:47 pm
While on the subject of trades I suggest the following:
-Trade Mike Woodson for a used Yanni CD and an autographed picture of Boy George
-Trade Acie Law for any point guard in the NBA that averages more than 3 points
-And since an NBA franchise actually traded Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown let’s offer the Lakers Marvin Williams since for Gasol since at least he’s an NBA starter (when he plays)
Mike Smith
June 16th, 2009
3:48 pm
He still plays without any depth to his game and will never win anything, get him outta here!!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
3:52 pm
Advance warning: Mr. Schultz and I offer our different takes and present one move to fix the Hawks tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Sneak preview. Mine involves trading Marvin.
lawton
June 16th, 2009
3:52 pm
what have they won WITH smith???
shresee2
June 16th, 2009
3:52 pm
I think the organization will realize after 2 playoff seasons how great it was to have playoff basketball in the ATL. The players have commented on how the fans get them going, even when they came home for game 3 against Boston, Phillip’s was sold out they never saw anything like it. You heard Miami comment on how Atlanta has built a home court advantage, and Josh is a part of that. Trade him NO WAY. In game 7 everyone said for the hawks to win the guy to change things was Josh Smith, not JJ or Biddy. In game 1 with the Cav’s at half time Lebron said they must stop Josh from inside. He does not get double teams because teams have trouble with Josh inside, look at his dunks they get out of the way. Instead of putting him down he needs to learn a jumpshot, because teams just stop up the lane and not let him to the basket, so he needs no double team because they know he is not a jump shooter. I think playing in the summer with other stars may improve his game and his jump shot. I know he has been in the league for 5 years but he is 23 years old. Most of us at 23 was still finding out who we are and that is where Josh is. I think there is where college ball would have helped a player like Josh. Al and marvin seem to have matured quicker, coming from college I believed helped. Hawks fans hold on, we can do it. I hope the coaches get back to the inside out game because when they were on the big winning streak in the beginning of the year and in december it was the front court of josh and al. They may not be bigger then some but they can out jump them. JSmooth practice that jump stop and see you next year. There is no highlight factory without you.
Luther
June 16th, 2009
3:59 pm
Sund said: “I think Josh is going to continue to get better — every year he’s gotten better.”
Bradley-And he has.
Is this excluding last year, because unless your only talking about increasing his field goal percentage I just don’t see it.
G FT Reb Ast Stl Blk Tov Ppg
2007-08 22 ATL NBA 81 .710 8.4 3.4 1.5 2.8 3.1 17.5
2008-09 23 ATL NBA 69 .588 7.4 2.5 1.4 1.7 2.4 16.0
Nookah
June 16th, 2009
3:59 pm
I don’t post here very often but I do read the posts from other bloggers quite frequently. However, due to the topic of this blog I feel compelled to post.
I have been watching the Hawks for quite a while now. Ever since the Domininque, Doc, Spud Webb era, there has been a steady decline in this franchise. There is a direct corelation between success and the quality of management of any sports franchise. If you get mediocre quality of management you’ll get mediocre results and if you have enterprising and high quality management, there is a high probability you’ll get success.
Mark you are indeed on point. If they trade Josh Smith I will be indeed lost for ever. That will be it for me, unless as you say, Kobe, which as you know is indeed impossible, not even improbable. It just is not going to happen. The sad thing is that it just might happen.
A number of posts, both here and on other blogs, have alluded to the fact that Sund’s drafting history leaves much to be desired and that has me very very worried. This therefore increases my stressors for this summer. I was not only worried about Sund’s draft pick but I am now very worried that they’ll trade Josh. It will be a sad, sad day if that trade is ever made.
Let me just say that if that trade is indeed made I’ll have no option but to sing……………
Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee…………
Go Hawks!!!
Let’s hope we don’t R.I.P!!!!!
P.S………….Can a coach be traded? Just asking!!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!!
Rick Sund
June 16th, 2009
4:03 pm
Mark,
Just read your column. You raise very interesting points. I agree with you on some counts but disagree with you on several others.
All in all, I still have conflicted emotions on Josh. His play can be tantalizingly good but he only plays consistent basketball in short spurts. By definition, that makes him an inconsistent player, no? I mean, when in tarnation will that young man stop jacking three-point bombs? Shucks, even that Shaquille O’Neal fella listens when coach says “Hey pillowhead, drive to the basket.” When Coach Woody says that, Josh just puts on this pouty face and cringes. He looks like a 4-year old who is debating whether to throw a temper tantrum. And I have to pay this booger 48 million buckaroos over the next 4 years. Gad-zooks!!
I’m off to scout these two guys that Chad Ford of ESPN says the Hawks are projected to draft – one’s name is Jeff Teague from Wake Forest and the other is Tywon Lawson from North Carolina. I like the idea of drafting a kid from the ACC because Shelden Williams and Marvin Williams worked out super well for us in past drafts. And that Chad Ford guy is right – we need a point guard because that kooky former GM of ours kept drafting busts!! (If you’re reading this, Acie, jk rotfl).
My good friend Mark Bradley, always nice to converse with you the old fashioned way – via message board. Give me a ringy-ding next week and we’ll catch up.
Richard Sund
General Manager, Atlanta Hawks
John
June 16th, 2009
4:06 pm
e @ 3:10 – sarcasm noted. My argument was not that neither Smith nor Jordan should attempt threes. Rather, I was using those statistics to illustrate a couple of related points:
1. Most NBA players become more skilled and make better decisions as they age and gain experience. Jordan, whose jump shot improved greatly later in his career, is a prominent example, though individual examples are probably unnecessary, as the general point should be obvious to anyone with more than a casual interest in professional basketball. It’s possible that Josh Smith will improve neither (a) his jump shot nor (b) his understanding of what a good shot is, but it’s unlikely.
2. No player is perfect, despite what Jordan’s hagiographers would have us all believe. It’s shortsighted to dismiss a player solely based on his flaws, especially if outweighed by his positive attributes, as I believe they are in Smith’s case.
RG
June 16th, 2009
4:08 pm
Right on MB, trading Josh would set the franchise back when it is just now going somewhere. If they trade him for draft picks in a weak draft they will lose a life long fan in me. It would have to be a great trade, but that will be hard to find something that makes sense when you have a game changer that is only 23 and under contract for several more years at what may turn out to be a bargain price.
Glenn
June 16th, 2009
4:11 pm
We need to shop Joe Johnson . He is only under contract for another season .
GOTech610
June 16th, 2009
4:16 pm
Don’t Trade HIM!!!!!! DUMB MOVE…..ASK THOMAS DIMITROFF HOW TO TRADE!!!!!!!
ROLLTIDE23
June 16th, 2009
4:24 pm
Come on guys. You know we all hold our breath when smith let go of one of those wild jump shots. He has been in the league 6 years and still cannot shoot a jumper. Get him out of here. JJ needs help from the other wing.
DC
June 16th, 2009
4:38 pm
I am a huge Hawks fan. Basketball in Atlanta was more exciting to watch these past fews years, moreso than it ever had (since the Nique era). I do not agree with a lot of stuff Josh does, but he is still growing and will become a great player. He is a huge part of the excitement for the Hawks and a bigger reason most of the fans come out and support the team. My biggest issue is the coach, if anyone should get traded it should be good ole Woody.
rms
June 16th, 2009
4:53 pm
trade Woodson for a bag of beans!!!
O'brien
June 16th, 2009
4:53 pm
Mark,
We always talk about Josh reaching his potential in time, especially if he plays somewhere else. But On Sekou’s blog, somebody mentioned Lamar Odom. Like Josh, he is very skilled, but very inconsistent. When he plays well, the Lakers are a different team. He played for Pat Riley in Miami, and Phil Jackson in LA. Been in the league over 10 years, and he is still inconsistent. And if If I’m not mistaken, years ago, everybody thought Lamar Odom would be a great player. He can play SF, PF, handle the ball, and play good defense. But he is still ridiculously inconsistent.
Dont get me wrong, I’m a Josh Smith fan, but I wanted to present another (borrowed) side of the equation, which leads me to say that in 2 years, we might still be having this discussion about Josh. About how inconsistent he is etc…
jj
June 16th, 2009
4:54 pm
Hey how about this mike Bibby and Josh Smith for Ben Wallace Delonte west J.J. Hickson and Daniel Gibson and a first round draft pick
Vespa In Tights
June 16th, 2009
4:58 pm
Wowsers! Did anyone else notice that Rick Sund himself just commented on Bradley’s blog! Sund pulled a CHIPPER!! And he made some news – he called Josh Smith a “booger” and used the word “ringy-ding” to describe a phone call.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
5:09 pm
I wouldn’t be too sure that’s the real Rick Sund.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 16th, 2009
5:22 pm
I think you’re overvaluing Josh a little too much… he is definitely one of the NBA’s unique talents and COULD become the best player on the team, but he could very easily also follow Lamar Odom’s career path, where he is a very talented and versatile player who isn’t quite good enough to be the best player on a good team. Saying you would only trade him for Kobe is a bit of a stretch. I’m a huge Josh Smith fan but I would probably consider trading him for someone along the lines of Al Jefferson if such a deal became available.
What I don’t understand is how trading Josh could possibly help the Hawks unless they actually get someone as good or better immediately, like Jefferson. It’s not like his contract is killing them — on the contrary he is signed to a very reasonable deal for someone at his age with his skills. And despite having very few plays run for him, he’s still able to contribute in a variety of ways for this team. Replacing his contributions while improving this team would probably require the acquisition of more than one player, one of whom would be a true center that can block shots, contribute offensively, and allow Horford to play power forward full time. I don’t see anyone like that available in the draft, in free agency, or via trade, unless the Hawks have a deal lined up for Shaq and have discovered the fountain of youth somewhere.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 16th, 2009
5:23 pm
Well, I see I’m not the first person on this blog to bring up Odom… maybe I should read all the responses next time before posting.
wow
June 16th, 2009
5:24 pm
JOSH SMITH IS HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE WORST PLAYERS ON THE TEAM. HE SHOOTS LONG SHOTS AND MISSES NEARLY ALL OF THEM. HE MAKES THOUGHTLESS PLAYS AND IS A TRUE EMBARRASMENT TO THE TEAM. HE’S GOOD FOR ONE THING, AND THAT’S DUNKING A BASKETBALL. OTHER THAN THAT, HE’S A WASTE OUT THERE. PLEASE TRADE THIS JOKER AND GET SOMEONE WITH SOME COMMON BASKETBALL SENSE. THE GUY IS ILLITERATE, FOR CRYING OUR LOUD. BARELY GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.
Bubba
June 16th, 2009
5:27 pm
Trading Josh would be a big mistake. Josh is the only one of the current Hawks that can really be identified as a “Hawk.” Horford? Maybe in a year or so. The rest of them are play-for-pay players. That’s not bad, in and of itself. If they play well, it’s money well spent.
What these Hawks lack is an identity. Same with the Thrashers. They could be the Seattle Hawks, or the Albequerque Hawks. There’s nothing that says Atlanta. Not like ‘Nique, Doc or Spud. Josh is the only player who puts “Atlanta” in the Atlanta Hawks. Even Fratello, bless his pointy little head, said “Atlanta” more than Woodson does.
Mr. Sund should consider this when he makes deals. The Hawks need an identity, and Josh is the closest thing we have to one right now.
G. Tampa Bedwetter
June 16th, 2009
5:27 pm
If Kobe ever comes to Atlanta, I hope it is to spent time at the federal pen.
RAD
June 16th, 2009
5:30 pm
That’s not the real Rick Sund. I know him personally and he doesn’t read these blogs at all. Plus, he would not talk about specific draft choices.
Mark, I agree with you 100% about Josh Smith. Folks in Atlanta don’t appreciate all of the good things Josh does for the Hawks. All they see are 3-4 ill advised shots per game. The same people complain about his turnovers. Did you know that Josh reduced his turnovers from 3.02 (2007-2008 season) to 2.33 (2008-2009)? Did you know that Josh reduced those turnovers to 1.91 during the 2008-2009 playoffs? Did you know that Josh improved his field goal percentage from .457 to .492? Then for those who really watch the games, when Josh is out of the game the opposing teams take the ball straight to the rack. Of course you know all of this. Keep up the great work Mark. I can’t wait to see your article tomorrow. I believe you are on to something about a possible Marvin Williams trade.
BehindEnemyLines
June 16th, 2009
5:31 pm
So it’s actually hard to find players with low basketball IQ, an addiction to taking bad shots, and millions in potential stuck with a ten cent head? Who knew? More importantly, why on earth would anyone care since this team is going nowhere meaningful with the second worst basketball coach in the city running the show.
tw3a
June 16th, 2009
5:34 pm
If Atlanta trades Josh Smith I hope no one goes to the game. Keeping what’s the coaches name again oh yea woodson and letting jeff go you just sucked the life out of Phillips
J
June 16th, 2009
5:46 pm
I’ll take him for my Cleveland Cavs team…….Let’s work a DEAL!!!
tree rollins
June 16th, 2009
5:46 pm
Let’s trade Mike Woodson and Acie Law for a bag of pretzels and a beer. Keep Mo Evans and Flip Murray. Make one of them a starter and cut loose Bibby and put Joe J. back on point. Trade Zha Zha for a backup point with some decent skills. Try bringing in Avery Johnson to show the team what how the NBA is supposed to play.
rank
June 16th, 2009
5:50 pm
woody needs to go, period. I think they should get a real coach and acquire Turkoglu while cutting ties w/ marvin.
Tommy
June 16th, 2009
6:25 pm
Hey Mark. Ever hear of a “sign and trade”?? This is when one team (the Raptors) extends their player’s (Bosh’s) contract to accomodate him to a team that he wants to go to (the Hawks) If Bosh wantes to come to Atlanta and get a head start, thsi si how it can happen. This way Toronto gets something for him instaed of letting him go for nothing. Regarding Spurs not wanting to trade Duncan….disagree…They need to rebuild. They are old. But I am not sure this would be a good deal for us (losing Smith). Regarding Ricky Rubibo not being as good as Smith…well they play different postions!! And he can be Much better he hasn’t started yet and he is what we need a PG!!!
darrell starks
June 16th, 2009
6:26 pm
Lets say the hawks trade for bosh with marvin horford and the 19pick and we bring back chill and the following year we let joe go and sign lebron for 22mill and keep bosh for 18mill that 40 mill for 2player this will be the best bussiness move for ASG they will no longer be bankrupt and they will make so much money that they will be able to keep the hockey team and build a winner and the hawks will become a dynasty and win 5 nba title if ASG SOME HOW BRING IN LEBRON FOR THE HAWKS THEY WILL TRIPLE THEY PROFIT EVERY YEAR.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Common Sense
June 16th, 2009
6:29 pm
Everything that Josh Smith lacks can be taught, and with time he will obtain. Hire a coach that can work with young talent since young talent is what the Hawks have. When that talent comes together, we will have a team that will contend for years. The coach must go and keep the young athletic players (and the 2-3 veterans that will help the process). The answer is in the coach (or lack of a coach).
richbrave
June 16th, 2009
6:32 pm
Color BIBBY gone not SMITH.
darrell starks
June 16th, 2009
6:34 pm
2010 my wish full thinking
STARTER ACIE, LEBRON, CHILL, JOSH, BOSH.
BENCH FLIP, MOE, HAKIM WARRICK, CHARLIE V, ZAZA.
RESERVE SOLO, WEST
this will be a dynasty in the atl and ASG will finally wont have to worry about money any more i can this team becoming a dynasty.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
6:42 pm
Clarification: That was not — repeat, not — the real Rick Sund who posted above. I e-mailed him and asked, and he called me and said it MOST CERTAINLY WAS NOT!
For the record, Rick Sund doesn’t read blogs and doesn’t Twitter. And he asked me what “jk rofl” meant. So I, being of a similar age, asked Elizabeth Bradley, who’s 12, and she explained it all.
darrell starks
June 16th, 2009
6:43 pm
Lets not for get lebron loves the atl.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
June 16th, 2009
6:46 pm
MARK BRADLEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON SEKOU BLOG IS THAT LEGAL?
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
darrell starks
June 16th, 2009
6:52 pm
WHOOPS IM SORRY THIS IS YOUR BLOG.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
6:54 pm
It’s OK, Darrell. It happens all the time.
And it is illegal in 27 states to hijack another person’s blog, but Georgia isn’t among them.
Doo Da Day
June 16th, 2009
6:59 pm
You guys kill me. If not for Josh, we had nothing in the playoffs. Ill advides threes??? Get real. Kobe takes a billion ill advised threes, as does every other FRANCHISE player. Josh is not a shooter, we all know that, but he has game my friends. You guys can’t see the forrest for the trees. Everything is always greener on the other side. These guys made it to round two with youth and and a tad bit of experience. If we keep the exact same team, we go just as far next year. I understand we won’t have the same exact team, so back off you freeks, but I’m just saying. I don’t give a rats a-hole if we make it to the play-offs and get bounced in the second round for the next couple of years until we get a break and pick-up that difference maker. Don’t go unloading Sund. We will be back crap. You heard it here!!
David Smith
June 16th, 2009
7:00 pm
Josh may be immature sometimes but, he’s certainly not the problem that keeps this team from being a legitamate contender. When the hawks traded Dominique Wilkins to the Clippers for Danny Manning i thought i would never root for them again since they gave away the soul of our team for nothing. Trading Josh would only bring back some of those feelings (unless we get someone who causes a Fred McGriff type of impact) and would haunt Hawks fans forever if he came into his own and led another team to a championship.
hawks_wizzzzz
June 16th, 2009
7:04 pm
if the hawks did trade josh smith i wouldnt mind if it looked like this:
the hawks would also get the thunder and golden states first round picks
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=lsczcf
The thunder really dont need that 3 pick without reaching someone so trading it for a young up and coming shooting guard in marco belinelli, that would fit nice with russel westbrook, kevin durant, and jeff green. and could use corey maggettee off the bench
As for golden state they get a backup point guard, decent foward, and none other than j-smoove and have good players to fill the spots of maggetee and belinelli
The hawks get a big physical center in ronny turiaf and two first round picks to draft idk, ricky rubio and jordan hill or tyreke evans and we could pick up whoever at number 19, b.j mullens? or just trade the pick but my only problem is turaif’s contract but he would take away from losing zaza to free agency
NoleRick
June 16th, 2009
7:17 pm
We just need to get rid of Woody, draft Ty Lawson or Toney Dogulass and bring in a big man. Hawks will contend for ECF.
Tommy
June 16th, 2009
7:19 pm
Onre more thing….If they trade Josh and “they lose you”, does that mean you won’t write anymore “shltty” articles on the hawks anymore?…If so…please trade him hawks.
Sage of Bluesland
June 16th, 2009
7:39 pm
So, Mark Bradley will tell the GM all he needs to know, eh?
Isn’t it the same Mark Bradley who incessantly defended the utter buffoon Pete Babcock?
Yep, one and the same. Mark Bradley–the clown prince of the AJC…
Jon Koncak
June 16th, 2009
7:42 pm
Wow, trading Josh would be like resigning me to a lifetime contract. Don’t you guys ever learn?
Bluestreak
June 16th, 2009
7:48 pm
I love Bibby, think he is a catalyst, but not worth losing Josh over. Andre Miller and Josh Smith is better than Bibby and whoever at PF. Now, if we can get a solid PG that can run a team, move JSmooth and Horford to SF and PF and put a real 7+ footer at the 5 (Tyson Chandler anyone?) and can you say Conference Championship? I knew you could…
Edward
June 16th, 2009
7:50 pm
Bibby should not be resigned. I like Bibby and he brought alot to the Hawks at the point, but he has lost 2 to 3 steps and will only continue to get slower. What this team needs is another big man, someone who can crash the boards. As a GM in sports, you have to make the call when the player gets to the age of declining, do not shell out money for Bibby!!
spiritthehawk
June 16th, 2009
8:03 pm
Mark,
Keep an ear to the ground for any trade rumors about me and also for juicy wriggly worms.
Chris Camp
June 16th, 2009
8:11 pm
mobetta u r very wrong why would u trade joe johnson for a center joe is there best player if i had 2 choose between trading joe and trading josh i would trade josh smith
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
8:14 pm
Will do, Spirit. I’ve got an eye like … well, not a hawk. That’d be you, I think.
ed
June 16th, 2009
8:33 pm
the only way they should make a trade for josh smith, is if its includes chris bosh or charlie v from the bush
J-MAN
June 16th, 2009
8:45 pm
J- Smoove is the best player on our team RIGHT NOW!!!!!! Don’t trade him but get him a true center and you would get that for a Joe Johnson, Marvin Wiliams to Memphis for the #2 pick and Rudy Gay and draft Tabiet. I know it aint gonna happen because I think the GM might be listening to all these self-ritious haters that put J-smoove down. But know this he was the only player to show up in every game in the playoffs. Go look up the stats and you will see Joe Johnson laid up too many bricks to be a superstar and you have to buy low and sell high and JJ aint gettin any better and you could take yourself to the next level and contend. We can beat Orlando, We can beat Boston, We might can beat LA. But we aint gonna Beat Cleveland until we advance in the Rebound aspect of the game, we were mabye the worst team in getting the boards
BrittishAnger
June 16th, 2009
8:51 pm
You’re in the right ball-park about this, Mark (Dobbs that made me feel dirty). Though I think this trade talk is nothing short of ludicrous, there is nobody in the draft worth taking who would replace him, even for all his faults and unused potential he is a solid piece of what the Hawks are and what they are becoming. There’s only so many players we have under contract worth getting rid of in hopes of a better draft pick, and Josh Smith is definitely not the one I’m thinking of. Speedy Claxton and the rights to Josh Childress would be a better bargaining chip anyways, especially for teams looking to clear cap space for the overhyped “2010″ free agent market, and I’m willing to bet a bag of spicy fritos there are a few takers for that sort of worthless trade (schise, just give me cash for those two to keep Bibby and Marvin and I got no quarrels). Josh needs Dominique to become his mentor, something similar to the Patrick Ewing – Dwight Howard relationship, just to keep him in check and to provide him with somebody to provide perspective when he’s getting antsy and aggravated. I think the Hawks, even with a positive offseason, are still two good season away from the Southeast Championship, and likely the Eastern Conference championship assuming the LeBron extravaganza turns into a debacle. Just maintain the core, improve the bench, and I won’t have to throttle everybody in the front office come Summer League. Also, to Sund specifically, keep a mole around the both of them, and take notes on who’s really to blame for the problems between Smoove and Woody, and then depending on the notes, either extend Woody’s contract, or take the diminished worth of the trade: if he’s really reviewing this team, nothing was decided from this year except that losing Childress wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to us (ten win improvement marks that easily).
Navigator
June 16th, 2009
9:20 pm
It’s always a tough call to trade your talent for another team’s talent. The up side is that Smith will give the Hawks this years type play for four more years. The down side is that he won’t get much better than he is right now, and he is not going to get you late into the playoffs. Chris Bosh potentially could help this team to another level, but again he won’t get you late into the playoffs. Remember the Hawks drafted Paul Gasol and gave him away in a multi-team deal. Now that was one stupid move that will always haunt the Hawks. The Hawks don’t have good shooters, and that’s what they need by trade or draft. Now if the Hawks had Smith and company, plus a couple of good shooters, then maybe they become the next Orlando Magic.
Ross
June 16th, 2009
9:21 pm
Kill 2 birds with one stone. Trade Josh and get rid of you. Josh Smith is the dumbest basketball player in the NBA. Has no concept of the team game. Every good play he makes is cancelled out by 2 terrible plays. Getting rid of him in a trade would make us at least 5 wins better.
Que
June 16th, 2009
10:27 pm
I have been a hawks fan for more than 20 years and trading josh smith is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Man why do you think phillips is called the highlight factory? Its not because of joe,marvin, or al.This young man brings Energy,Heart, and a tenacious ability to change the game defensively.It seems everyone is searching for the perfect player on offense. Look even though he has to learn about his shot selection he doesnt lose games for the hawks. He wants to win and is just a little misunderstood.
Pat
June 16th, 2009
10:55 pm
Mark, I agree with you. While I get frustrated with Josh’s shot selection, the truth is to go anywhere in this league, a team must have a significant inside game. Perimiter plan will not get it done especially in the playoffs. I recognize that currently Josh does not really have post moves, but he could be terrific on run outs if playing in a system that actually looked more for the inside player on fast breaks rather than the three point line. I say, get a good, defensive minded, rebounding center (even if it means trading JJ), let Josh play a traditional small forward role and move closer to the basket, move Horford to his natural position at power forward; try and find a penetrating guard who can also shoot and go from there. Oh, and have a system that actually includes motion offense.
niremetal
June 16th, 2009
11:56 pm
I hope this is a joke. You wouldn’t trade Josh for Chris Bosh? You wouldn’t deal him for a 6′11 franchise player who is only 1 year older, averages 22 and 10, and would instantly catapult us to title contention? Did the Celtics hesitate on acquiring KG (who was six years older than Bosh is) because it meant giving up Al Jefferson?
On what do you base your idea that Josh might surpass Bosh? Bosh is one year older and one year longer in the league. But he has far outstripped Josh’s production each and every year.
This isn’t rhetorical. What on earth makes you think Josh Smith’s ceiling – he who couldn’t get an offer until August after his BEST year – is higher than a guy that is mentioned in the same breath as Dwyane Wade as one of the two LeBron consolation prizes of 2010?
One-year lease or no, teams that want to win make that trade. You can’t keep eyeing the future if you want to contend for a title.
HawkKingBibby
June 17th, 2009
12:35 am
Smooves kicker right now is 7.2 mil. It will go down August 15th to the 6 mil Ford reported. Tell Chad Ford to buy a friggin calculator.
Buddy
June 17th, 2009
6:42 am
If the Hawks trade Josh I will never attend another Hawk’s game or watch them on Sports South, just like I do not attend the Falcon’s games, I will never forget the way Micheal Vick was treated.
Lazy Dawg
June 17th, 2009
11:52 am
I love Josh first of all but he has been in the league long enough to know what his roll is but I’m not sure if he is capable of that. So if there is an option out there you have to pull the trigger on a trade.Sorry Mark you watched the playoffs how many brain #@$%^ are allowed ?
doc
June 17th, 2009
1:47 pm
Hard to believe you can write an entire column about Josh and not mention a single negative. A joke, really. Blown defensive assignments (more often than not), bad attitude, poor work ethic, immaturity, problems with authority, poor listener (you think the Hawks tell him to take those outside shots? – the opposite is true), the showboat dunk attempt in Game 5 vs. Heat, etc. While I’m fine with you supporting the team keeping him, the fact you didn’t mention a single reason as to why the Hawks ARE considering moving him is pretty irresponsible.
scottbravesfan
June 19th, 2009
4:16 am
Buddy,
What the hell are you talking about the way Michael Vick was treated? The guy lied to the Feds and went to prison what were the Falcons supposed to do? Just not play football for two years while that idiot went to prison?
And if the Hawks trade Josh Smith they better be getting Bosh or Lebron back because Joe Johnson isn’t the guy to build around. They should be trying to dangle him for some trade bait. And you are right Bradley this draft is not very good.
If the Hawks trade Josh, they lose me. (Unless it's for Kobe … | TypicalAd.com
June 20th, 2009
5:19 am
[...] View original post here: If the Hawks trade Josh, they lose me. (Unless it's for Kobe … [...]