A great move by Sund, another step upward for the Hawks
Are we believing this? The Atlanta Hawks, acting boldly? Acting smartly?
We should be believing. Because this long-tormented franchise just took another step up in class.
They won 47 games and a playoff series last season. They should break 50 next time. Trading for Jamal Crawford — assuming the deal goes through, and there seems no reason it shouldn’t — gives them more flexibility than the Hawks have had … well, since Bob Pettit and Cliff Hagan were hoisting hook shots back in St. Louis.
Crawford doesn’t mean Mike Bibby is necessarily a gone goose — obviously the Hawks can’t keep both him and Flip Murray now — but it means the Hawks enter the 2009 draft and the even-more-important summer free agency bazaar knowing they have cover. Crawford isn’t a true point, but he can play the point. And he can score.
He has averaged 15.7 points over the nine seasons since he left Michigan, and he averaged 19.7 for Golden State last season. Think of him as an upgrade on Flip, and think of Crawford as the guy who keeps Joe Johnson from having to scored 25 every night and, even more important, having to work 45 minutes every night. Think of Crawford as the next piece in a team that was already pretty darned good.
To move onward and upward, the Hawks had to get away from having Johnson do everything and their iso-Joe offense. Because, to be frank, Joe can’t do everything. He’s good, but he’s not LeBron, not Kobe, not D-Wade. Crawford will help balance the backcourt scales, and if the Hawks can keep Bibby then Crawford would make an ideal third guard — capable of running the team for six minutes at a time, capable of scoring 10 points while Joe sits.
Best of all, the Hawks got him for nothing. Acie Law was never going to co-exist with Mike Woodson — that ship had not only sailed but sunk — and Speedy Claxton had become the white elephant on the payroll. In one swoop Rick Sund dumped two players who wouldn’t have helped for one who’ll help immensely.
Loading ...This isn’t to say the work is done, or even halfway completed. There’s still the issue of a backup center — Zaza Pachulia is a free agent — and still the greater issue of what to do with Marvin Williams. (A sign-and-trade seems possible, but a one-year qualifying offer, which would enable him to stay a Hawk for the upcoming season but leave as an unrestricted free agent next summer, is more probable.)
And the great Bibby riddle is no longer so great. If he wants to take more money to play for a worse team, the Hawks can manage without him. The belief — always strong — that the Hawks will take a point guard in Round 1 is now stronger. If Bibby’s here, the rookie can back him up. If Bibby’s not, the rookie can apprentice under Crawford.
Soon the Hawks will need a new guard. Bibby is 32, Crawford 29 and under contract for two seasons more. Eric Maynor or Ty Lawson and maybe even Jeff Teague would fit nicely into this new rotation, but the greater point (pun intended) is this: The team that looked forever for a lead guard now has options galore at one of basketball’s two most important positions.
There was a time — not so long ago, as a matter of fact — we expected the Hawks to go splat come the draft. (OK, so Billy Knight did take Al Horford in 2007.) This first Sund move of a hugely important offseason isn’t a splat or anything of the kind. It’s a bull’s eye.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
191 comments Add your comment
AB
June 25th, 2009
12:00 am
To me, it doesn’t seem like Joe Johnson would be a good fit with Jamal Crawford. Crawford can be selfish sometimes, and selfishness can hurt a good team, just look at the Pistons when they got Allen Iverson.
Rufus
June 25th, 2009
12:07 am
LOL at people keep comparing Crawford and Flip . There is no comparison as Crawford has been a number one option on a team before . He understands the pressure and has still produced .Look at the assists numbers Crawford adds another passer of Joe and Bibbys caliber to the lineup and team overall.
I like this trade because we dont need Crawford to carry us but we cant ever have enough players who can go out and take over games and Crawford can do that.You cant just throw anyone on him and that affects how defenses can play Joe . You cant put a West or Williams on him because they are just too small and he would torch them like the Magic guards did but Bibby failed to do.
Crawford has his issues on defense but I remember when we played against Crawford on the knicks when he was the pg and he went for 39 and 8 or something and we won the game mainly because we wore him down as he had no help he then had another game with 25 and 8 against us too. I think that if Woodson plays it right he could work out for us as it gives us another person that can close games . The guy has like 8 game winning shots or something like that .
This isnt a savior move and answer to all our problems this is a good team adding to its depth and now its up to the coaching staff to use him properly.I heard people say “Chucker” and I thought I would see 20 fga per game but the guy has never taken more than 17 fga per game . Last year Joe took over 18 fga per game and Crawford only 15 fga . Im having a hard time distinguishing between just a players rep and what the player is really about here .
bravesfalconhawk
June 25th, 2009
12:08 am
well i think the crawford trade is really good…but if josh smith doesnt start listening to the coaches and playing inside the paint and quit taking those long jump shots,he needs to go too!! if hes gonna continue to shoot from that distance then his summer should be dedicated to practicing that…he would be very dangerous though!! atlanta teams are back!! now we just need some true fans to show up n cheer…for atl that is lol
bravefalconhawk
June 25th, 2009
12:12 am
ATL ALL DAY
Ariose
June 25th, 2009
12:34 am
WOW the Cavs just STOLE Shaq!!!!! Shaq to Cle for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic…
Ariose
June 25th, 2009
12:35 am
Does this Put CLE over the top????
HawkKingBibby
June 25th, 2009
12:43 am
Mark am I going to have to change my screen name now????????????
rusty
June 25th, 2009
12:49 am
if we get crawford,i definetly think its
time to trade iso joe for a big man & see if we can throw in woodsan
Perimeter Jacket
June 25th, 2009
12:51 am
Now that we probably gonna get Crawford and PG in the draft, we need a C with bulk ASAP. With Shaq going to Cleveland, and Howard continuing to improve in Orlando, getting bigger on the frontcourt is crucial. If it wasn’t the biggest issue before, it should be now.
MyView
June 25th, 2009
1:04 am
TRUTH-SERUM…I feel you but the Hawks had an awful lot of DNP’s this season, and Joe was at or near the top as far as Mins played so there was times when Acie could have gotten more pt. At least then you could see for certain if he’s a player or not. How many games did he get 12 mins in two years here?
JSS
June 25th, 2009
1:05 am
Ian’t it good to be relcvent again!!! Truth, where you been? Don’t panic… Help is on the way… Even Woody (my hero only the fact he gave Jeff you know the Hi-hat) can foil this…
J-MAN
June 25th, 2009
2:38 am
We need Tyson Chandler
Hawks wheeling and dealing in NBA trade season! | Hawks Blog
June 25th, 2009
2:45 am
[...] deal for Crawford makes sense for so many reasons, as the digital tag-team duo of Mark Bradley and Jeff Schultz have already pointed out in separate takes on this latest roll of the red, white [...]
Josh
June 25th, 2009
5:34 am
Lebron Wade and Kobe have only won with help.Duncan has had help with The Admiral and then Parker Ginobli and now Jefferson MJ would’ve never won six titles without Pip and the boys, Magic had Kareem Worthy and Scott amoung others . Bird had Parish Mchale Ainge and Walton amoung others . Jo Jo is the second coming of Smitty but unlike those great mid nineties Hawks this team has more potential it just needs a new Mookie. This is shaping to be a great team.
GA Bulldawg
June 25th, 2009
6:21 am
Thnx for saying what I’ve been thinking all along Josh! There’s no way you can win a championship without AT LEAST one other player than demands double teams UNLESS you have a solid all-around starting 5, like the 2004 Pistons. And even that is extremely rare these days…most of the recent champions have had a dynamic duo or terrific trio but not a good 5.
GA Bulldawg
June 25th, 2009
6:23 am
In other words, if the Hawks don’t make the necessary moves to surround Joe with another player that demands double teams, then Joe will just end up looking like KG in Minnesota, Chris Bosh in Toronto or even Paul Pierce b4 the “Big 3.”
GA Bulldawg
June 25th, 2009
6:27 am
Anyway to answer someone’s question, I kinda laughed when I heard about the trade because it doesn’t solve anything. Shaq is waaaaay past his prime and now the Cavs will have two 7 footers cloggin the lane…if Lebron doesn’t work on a consistent J, he will have no room to drive and score in the paint which is where he gets at least 80% of his points. He also won’t be able to drive and dish as much he used to
The Truth
June 25th, 2009
7:07 am
With Shaq poor free-throw shooting as a known fact, the Cavs have just been exposed. It’s Shack-a-Shaq Time!! Lebron will be pissed for losing those games at the free-thow line. He will come up short again.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 25th, 2009
7:07 am
Looks like Crawford might finally make the playoffs after all next year. I believe he is the current active leader in years in the league w/o making the Playoffs. Who would have thought the Hawks would be the team to break the streak! Great move, Crawford can flat out light it up if used properly.
Pulleeze
June 25th, 2009
7:19 am
This is to all you Josh Smith bashers. Put ur thinking caps on for one minute. In the Hawk’s ISO JOE offense, who is the only player left open with hardly any time left on the shot clock? And if you really think about it, Josh Smith NEVER takes a contested jump shot. He is always left open when he shoots. So the questions begs, how is gonna become a better jump shooter besides working on it during the summer (which he does); other than to actually take those opens shots during actual meaningful games? If you’re honest with yourself, you know he has gotten better each year. And with another year under his belt, I expect him to be even better. You may take ur thing caps off now.
bigeasy830
June 25th, 2009
7:37 am
Most of those point guards coming out this year reminds me of Acie Law. Maybe Acie’s untimely injures hurt his development, but i agree with most of you and that is Coach Woodson just would not develop him. But Coach Woodson was fighting for his job so he road the tire bald on Bibby and Joe Johnson to give him the best chance to win everynight. he didi develop Josh Smith and and Josh Childress. Well those two didi develop nicely, I don’t know if we can give him credit for it. Al numbers did not improve because the Hawks play from the perimeter. If they played more inside out basketball, that would take a lot of pressure of their gaurds.
Gabron Salome
June 25th, 2009
7:37 am
Yeah that makes sense. Woodson is an idiot, not the prima donna Law who thought his stuff didn’t stink from day one. Talk about bricks, the point is neither Law or Claxton is a viable option for this team. Yeah, the contract is rediculous but the same was said about JJ and all he’s done is lead the team in scoring and consecutive all star appearances. If we get lucky enuff to get Ty Lawson and pick up a servicable big man were in the money. Go Hawks.
Fred Pennington
June 25th, 2009
7:50 am
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone but Jamal Crawford! RECIPE FOR DISASTER!
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2723-Atlanta-Hawks-Examiner~y2009m6d25-Anybody-but-Jamal-Crawford
Jfreak
June 25th, 2009
8:27 am
Crawford is a solid player and should help make the Hawks better overall with one exception, Woodson! I’m sure he’ll find someway to limit the talent he has been blessed with. In my opinion he is the worst coach in the NBA, but the Hawks did makes the playoffs and they did advance in the playoffs so Woodson almost had to be brought back. Sund couldn’t risk firing the guy and replacing him with another coach and then have the Hawks have a worse season after Woodson was gone. In Woodson the Hawks know what they’ve got. He probably wont help the team get better, but he probably wont make them worse either.
The Hawks have talent and I’m excited about their future!
BH
June 25th, 2009
8:27 am
excellent move!! crawford scored 50 in a game! so do we keep flip? LOL we gave up nothing for him
Johnson
June 25th, 2009
8:52 am
The Billy Knight mess is almost over. That idiot should be publicly flogged for his terrible picks!
SecretKeeper
June 25th, 2009
8:59 am
I have seen former Pitt rebounder and shot blocker Chris Taft, working out in Atlanta. Think the Hawks could use a “big” like that to help out Horford?
A Tribe Called Quest
June 25th, 2009
9:00 am
Great trade.
We gave up 2 injury-prone stiffs who did NOTHING for us (Acie had 1 good game maybe but led us to no wins) for a 20 ppg combo guard who has scored 50 in a game.
We need to draft the best available PG (Raymond Felton ability hopefully) to come here. It’ll be interesting to see how we manage the roster. Does Jamal start next to JJ at the 2? Do we let Duck go? Does Flip get resigned?
I’d like to see us get Lawson, who can hopefully be as good as raymond Felton currently is (a little above average or better) and get a 2nd PG at the end of the bench. Now we MUST resign ZaZa.
I dont know if Flip and Jamal could coexist. Flip already takes every end of quarter shot and every shot on every other possession
Mike is back
June 25th, 2009
9:34 am
Mark, so you know here my post on the trade.
I just want to say I like the trade…Crawford can lighted up…the writing was on the wall for Acie. I like Teague too. If It was to go down like this in the draft with Siler in the second round…need less to say I would be a very happy camper…I’m all about the team…FOLK!!
jerrywest
June 25th, 2009
9:50 am
1. Flips days are over. He is completely overshadowed by Jamal.
2. We still need a legit vet PG. A rookie won’t cut it next year. I think we’ll find a cheaper PG than Bibby.
3. We need Zaza+another center. Any chance with Australian Anderson?
4. Does Chillz fit in better with Jamal than Marvin does?
5. Does Mo Evans have any trade value? His contract ends next summer.
Gortat IS that good
June 25th, 2009
10:01 am
Gortat is very accomplished both offensively and defensively – he doesn’t start because , perhaps , only Mark Bradley would start Marcin Gortat over Dwight Howard
lamar
June 25th, 2009
10:14 am
The Celtics are shopping Rondo.If we need a point guard,why not try to fashion a deal to bring this next MVP to the HAWKS.This a better fit than any that can be made.
Sherewshevsky
June 25th, 2009
10:42 am
Bibby has better shooting and assists stats than Crawford.
Flip has better shooting stats than Crawford.
Crawford does not play defense better than either Bibby or Flip.
When Flip and/or Bibby leaves, Hawks will be worse off.
Now what?
The Hot Button: Why the Hawks still must pluck a PG | Mark Bradley
June 25th, 2009
10:45 am
[...] assume the Jamal Crawford trade is consummated, and let’s even assume the Hawks re-sign Bibby: Even then, there’d always be a need for [...]
Benjamin
June 25th, 2009
11:06 am
I’m not sold on this move unless we keep Bibby.
To be honest, I want to retain Flip, as well. But that’s the selfish side of me speaking.
If we were to go into next season with a front nine of Mike, Jamal, Joe, Flip, Josh, Mo, Marvin, Al, and ZaZa, we could very well be the best team in the Eastern Conference. I honestly believe that. No team would have our depth, and we’d have guys that could at least plug and play into positions across the board.
I’ve maintained for three years now that our biggest concerns, as a team, lie in the head coach (I still do not trust Mike Woodson) and in number 5’s erratic decision-making on the floor (ill-advised threes, no look passes into the third row, chewing out the refs at the most inopportune times, etc.). But a nine-deep roster like that would make it almost impossible for any one person to screw this up.
Bring in Jamal for pieces we don’t use anyway. Retain the other free agents. Go into camp with those guys, plus Mario and Solo. Develop a plan that utilizes Jamal and Joe the right way as scoring options while letting the secondary guys filter in. Tell Josh Smith to stick to being a slasher/stopper and stop thinking he’s Steve Kerr at times. Contend for the championship…
A modest proposal: Flip free agency and the NBA draft | Mark Bradley
June 25th, 2009
2:41 pm
[...] Sund makes a good living, OK? (And he’s doing a nice job, OK?) But Rick Sund is an NBA general manager, and NBA general managers have it tough, logistically [...]
brokenarrow
June 25th, 2009
7:27 pm
Sherewshevsky – Crawford got to the free throw line over 170 more times than Bibby and over a 100 more than Flip and this is with Crawford sitting out games with nothing wrong with playing for crazy Nelson. The defense is a wash but I think what gets overlooked here is that Crawford is a first tier defensive assignment for opponents .You dont double off Crawford ,you cheat off Crawford and you cant hide a weak defender on him . It really changes the way opponents have to defend us
Of course he has his weaknesses but we got him for nothing basically and still allows us to make some moves in free agency
cdog
June 25th, 2009
11:42 pm
GOOD JOB SUND NOW WE NEED TO GET A CENTER WHO CAN DEFEND IN THE PAINT.
cdog
June 25th, 2009
11:43 pm
WHAT KIND OF PLAYER IS THE GUARD FROM THE ULKRAINE?
Sautee
June 28th, 2009
11:09 am
Truth Serum,
Here we go again. You said this:
“ACIE IS NOT BETTER THAN JJ,BIBBY,FLIP OR MARVIN. IF HE GETS BETTER ITS BECAUSE HELL GET MORE TIME TO DEVELOP. HE WONT GET THAT BEHIND BIBBY FLIP,JJ AND MARVIN.”
OK, I’ll buy Bibby and Flip, but what did JJ and Marvin do to impede Acie (a backup POINT GUARD) from playing?
Last I looked Marvin played SF and JJ played SG / SF although he handled the ball a lot.
And are you ever going to admit you were wrong about Horford’s block stats?
And what about asking me to use the 09-10 stats? LOL!
And it's a flying start to this pivotal Hawks offseason | Mark Bradley
July 2nd, 2009
12:05 am
[...] Crawford was an inspired acquisition, one of those there-has-to-be-a-catch coups: A guy who scored almost 20 points a game last season [...]