Keeping Mike Bibby: The biggest mission accomplished
Mike Bibby was the key to this offseason. If he re-signed, the Hawks would be OK. He’s going to re-sign, and that means they’ll be more than OK. They’ll be really good.
Bibby was always going to be the toughest case. He made $15 million last season, and he has been a big name since he was a freshman at Arizona. He’s not the player he was in college or at Sacramento, but he’s ideal for what the Hawks do, which is play off Joe Johnson.
Bibby also represents the line of demarcation for the Hawks. Without him they were rudderless. With him they became a real team. To have gone so long without a point guard and to lose him now would have been a blow. But they kept him. They kept him and they added Jamal Crawford and Jeff Teague, and no matter what else happens this summer must already be deemed a success.
The key was that Bibby didn’t overrate his current value. He’s 31. He’s not a point guard who penetrates and dishes (or, as we know, defends). He administrates and he hits open shots, and for a team that has Johnson that’s plenty. He’s taking roughly a $9 million pay cut per season to remain a Hawk for three years more, and that says something about Bibby the pragmatist and more about the Hawks as a growing concern.
It says Mike Bibby really likes where this team is headed. You should, too.
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74 comments Add your comment
Ernest
July 7th, 2009
3:20 pm
As the old saying goes, “Slow and steady wins the race”. Hats off should go to the Hawks and Rick Sund for getting this deal done at a reasonable price. As Mark mentions, it also says something about Bibby by taking a substantial pay cut to stay with the team. Perhaps he believes it the team and wants to be a part of it.
Next we’ve got to get ZaZa and Marvin signed they review the ‘big man’ landscape for another rotation guy. I fee good about the management and direction of the team.
Glover
July 7th, 2009
3:25 pm
I think that the Hawks should resign Bibby under very specific conditions. The Hawks did a great job keeping him at the right price.
FIRST
July 7th, 2009
3:26 pm
FIRST.
Deep
July 7th, 2009
3:36 pm
Great job so far Sund. Now if somehow we can get something of use for Chills and resign Marvin and ZaZa within the next few days, we can then go sign another big body. If all that happens I will be very happy with the Hawks. Hopefully those David Anderson rumors are true also. Still what about Flip?
My realistic line up-
Pg- Bibby/ Teague/ Crawford
Sg- Johnson/ Crawford
Sf- Williams/ Evans
Pf- Smith/ (F/A or Chill trade)/Anderson
C- Horford/ ZaZa/ Anderson/ (F/A or Chill trade)
Reid Adair
July 7th, 2009
3:36 pm
I am impressed with Mike Bibby and this deal. I agree, Mark. I think this says a lot for where Bibby thinks the organization is at this point and, much more importantly, where it seems to be headed.
It would certainly seem more likely now that Flip Murray will be gone. I just don’t see how they can have Bibby, Crawford, Teague and Murray. Hopefully I’m wrong.
MikeInValdosta
July 7th, 2009
3:40 pm
Boy, a competent GM makes all the difference in the world. Now let’s see how Sund is w/ the courtroom stare down
A Tribe Called Quest
July 7th, 2009
3:43 pm
“They kept him and they added Jamal Crawford and Jeff Teague, and no matter what else happens this summer must already be deemed a success.”
What makes you say that? Have you seen our big man depth? Our big man depth this coming season might be so bad that we might as well have kept our big man core of Cal Bowdler, Jason Collier (R.I.P.) and Slava Medvedenko
We need some Chris Wilcoxes to round out this roster, or this team is done
mudcat
July 7th, 2009
3:47 pm
What held the team back last year was the lack of another shooter(which we now have in Crawford) and more defensive muscle under the basket. Signing Zaza is a must and we need another rebounding bruiser. Do that and we can compete with the Cavs, Celts or anybody else.
Steve Brown
July 7th, 2009
3:49 pm
On a team with its act together the point guard of the future would be eased in over a 2-3 year period of time and the Hawks just never seem to get it…hold it…they just did!
PS the brief action I saw of Teague early this past season was amazing, something to look forward to.
Mark Bradley
July 7th, 2009
3:54 pm
Believe me, the Hawks will not go into 2009-2010 with Randolph Morris as a backup center. Even if Zaza leaves, they’ll find somebody out there. And maybe not just David Andersen.
Signing Bibby for $6 million per season leaves some money still to spend, don’t you think? And there’s still the possibility of a sign-and-trade for Josh Childress.
O'Brien
July 7th, 2009
3:56 pm
Mark,
Although I preferred Jack or Sessions, I like the fact that the contract is $18 mil, which is reasonable. I wish the third year was a team option, but at $6 mil a year, Bibby could be traded as an expiring contract 2 years from now. (However, the Hawks still need a 3rd PG, because what happens if Bibby gets hurt)?
With the money saved on Bibby, there is no excuse for not resigning ZaZa, and also, using the mid-level on another FA big.
HawksNeedaBig
July 7th, 2009
3:58 pm
I agree with the other comments. I like Bibby, but he was far from the most important acquisition this summer. Why is Sund spending all his time on the 1 and 2 positions when we need help at 4 and 5?? Zaza is the only “big” we had, since Josh Smith plays “small” in the paint. Horford, Marvin and Solo are all finesse, and no brawn. Look at Orlando — all that speed and shooting on the perimeter does no good if you can’t get a rebound to either start a fast break or get 2nd chance points on the offensive end. Let Marvin go, and re-sign Zaza, then go out and pick up Leon Powe.
STRETCH
July 7th, 2009
4:09 pm
Well either way you want to look at it folks, no matter how you look at it, the starting lineup is pretty good up until you get to the center position, Horford is not a center. ZaZa is a banger and tough enough but if he jumped, you couldnt slide a AJC paper under his feet!
JMar
July 7th, 2009
4:09 pm
Why are we so content with mediocrity? Put this team in the west, and they’re still not a playoff team. Leave it in the east, and they’ll get trounced by the big three. And what does this really say about Bibby? He’s getting the most money he could have asked for, and the only other team to attempt to talk with him – Philadelphia – didn’t want him for more than a year, and rightfully so. We’re eschewing even a possibility of improvement to maintain the status quo.
STRETCH
July 7th, 2009
4:11 pm
HawksNeedaBig……ditto!
Herschel Talker
July 7th, 2009
4:12 pm
The Hawks won’t even make the playoffs next year. Which is fine because they are irrelevant.
FIRE BOOBY COX! HE IS A CLOWN!
HawksNeedaBig
July 7th, 2009
4:35 pm
JMarPut this team in the west, and they’re still not a playoff team. Leave it in the east, and they’ll get trounced by the big three.
This is what happens when you’re not accustomed to winning!! The Hawks are so used to losing, that they think squeaking into the 4th seed, and getting hammered in the 2nd round, is “winning.” The progression to “respected,” to “feared,” to “champion” will not happen with such small thinking. Nor will ticket sales increase.
shresee2
July 7th, 2009
4:40 pm
Mark wonderful read. I know Bibby is not in his prime and sometimes he can drive me crazy with the jump shots but what he means to the team as a overall person and calm spirit is vital on a team with young guys. I have seen him numerous times quiet Josh down and josh does not back talk like he would woody, he just goes. Woody can sometimes yell but Bibby motivates. JJ says how Bibby came in and gets the team together for dinners etc. This creates chemistry and will allow for maturing on this team. Crawford will be another mature piece that will help Teague, AL and Josh. I hope this Anderson can be effective off the bench and provide some tough play. For a Hawks organization that has done very little in previous off seasons, they are going in the right direction now.
Chris
July 7th, 2009
4:43 pm
Thankfully Acie Law IV was kind enough to give up his seat on the bench this year to Jeff Teague. Doesn’t this signing just say, hey Jeff, don’t bother suiting up this season? Last year we used Bibby and Joe for most minutes and interchanged each of them with Flip Murray. Now we have Jamal Crawford to take Flip’s spot and no room for Jeff Teague. This I wouldn’t mind so much for a year, but for 3? Is Woodson ever going to let a young PG develop on this team? Not to mention he’s going to have to compete with my favorite Yellow Jacket/Hawk Mario West for the scrub minutes.
Volman
July 7th, 2009
5:04 pm
Come on QUEST…ripping on someone who has passed? That’s low.
I’m happy that Bibby stayed. He’s a heckuva lot better than T-Lue and Anthony Johnson! Hopefully Teague can take the point position in a couple of years!
Matty Ice
July 7th, 2009
5:05 pm
Hawksneedabig,
are you serious? you said that Al Horford plays “small” in the paint. Sorry, but Al Horford is THE MAN in the paint – tough strong guy and good rebounder – take it back!
Volman
July 7th, 2009
5:07 pm
HawksNeedaBig… You’re saying that the Hawks should focus on getting “bigs”.. I understand, resign Zaza…
But, Leon Powe? Give me a break. He’s going to solve the Hawks’ problems at the 4 and 5 position? There aren’t any legit C’s out there that could make a difference from the FA market. Gortat is gone, and Zaza will be soon (but I think he stays a Hawk). The only option is to trade (someone from the “core”) to get a C. I’d throw Childress at the Clippers and see if they want to give us something.
Who knows though, right?
BrittishAnger
July 7th, 2009
5:12 pm
Somebody in the front office must have read one of my posts, my numbers were pretty much flawless (and it looks as though no team or player option for the third), and we now have a deep set in the back court to push things forward. Marvin and Zaza are the only pieces remaining, and thankfully Sekou said what I’ve been holding back on, that Marvin is an important part of our going forward and it will be hard to replace him (short of sending a 2-year 10.5 Mill a year deal to Odom, and we don’t have that kind of dough). Zaza I’m almost certain will come back without a ton of back and forth regarding the contract, and I figured I would have heard something regarding players entertaining offers to Marvin by now if somebody did really want him, so hopefully Rick Sund knocks those birds off the bath quick and efficiently. This is a really great move for the Hawks, it’s beautiful folks…Let’s go Hawks!
Sautee
July 7th, 2009
5:24 pm
STRETCH,
About this: “Well either way you want to look at it folks, no matter how you look at it, the starting lineup is pretty good up until you get to the center position, Horford is not a center.”
Here’s what Sekou said in an article rating past Hawks drafts:
“Horford was an instant hit and is one of the league’s top centers. ”
“The verdict: Horford’s a keeper and franchise cornerstone “
Don’t believe me, believe the beat writer who has more of an opportunity that you or me to actually SEE what’s what in the league.
bowman
July 7th, 2009
5:24 pm
Like the signing but without Woodson gone, this young team will play like an old team getting older. When is the last time — first time? — Woodson actually developed a player? Smith and Williams both have developed slowly, and incompletely, but neither are where they are today because Woodson motivated or nurtured them. Horford came in an almost complete player, and gets better because of his own drive. If Acie Law ever becomes an NBA-level player (worthy of his draft pick status), it will be because of someone other than Woodson. Additional proof that Woodson cannot develop young players: Boris Diaw and Josh Childress. Sorry, Jeff Teague, but your future with the Hawks is limited until there’s a coaching change.
Mark Bradley
July 7th, 2009
5:36 pm
Leon Powe would be an option as a backup, but he’s not a center, either.
DW
July 7th, 2009
5:47 pm
I guess I have to bring everybody back down to earth.I am a huge Hawks fan, and I must say I didn’t want Bibby back. Why? Because he can only take us so far. I’m tired of treading water. I want to try to compete with the big three. The only way we can do that is to acquire a superstar. Since that’s impossible until next year, we should save our money, let Bibby, Marvin, and chills go. Resign Flip. Give Jeff Teague the minutes that Bibby were going to suck up, and let’s play for next year when we can go after D-Wade, or Bosh, or a superstar. I know it hurts Hawks fans, but in the NBA, you can’t win with 2 players playing out of position (Horford, Josh) and a “tired” wannabe superstar (Joe) and NO BALL DISTRIBUTOR/PLAYMAKER AT POINT GUARD. I don’t even know if we are better than Detroit or the Wizards. Frankly, I was looking forward to seeing an entirely different team. “Expecting a different result with the same product is sports insanity”
Mac
July 7th, 2009
5:55 pm
I like re-signing Bibby. Lots of people on these blogs were saying Bibby would be easily replaced. But, you know, they were rudderless until he got here. He was the X factor in making strides forward. So, I feel better with him on board, rather than hoping another option will be just as good.
Arco Arena
July 7th, 2009
5:57 pm
Treading water? Lifeguard Bibby took a floundering team and gave it direction.
Dawg A
July 7th, 2009
5:57 pm
The signing of Bibby is good and will mean even more when Woody is fired and we get someone who can coach the talent we have. By the way……… I notice that Detroit ( where Woody came from ) has not tried to get Woody. That should speak volumes!!!!!
JMan
July 7th, 2009
6:10 pm
Please DO NOT RE-Sign Za Za! We need new blood in that position.
A true Banger. Even though he is 7ft tall, you barely notice him in the flow of the game. I say take that money and get a big man that’s a physical defensive threat and maybe a bit of an offensive project. I say take a chance on Sean May. He may be ready to resurrect his career. He’s young, and full of potential. Za Za has reached his peak. Sorry!
DW
July 7th, 2009
6:11 pm
Did you guys see how we were almost beat by the pathetic HEAT! Bottom line, we need an upgrade! Bibby is not an upgrade! He had his season with us. He served his task. (Getting us to respectability) Now we’re using the Bobby Cox “keepem till the wheels fall off approach” Take a page from the Steelers. You got to know when to let’em go. We will never have a rookie of the year on this team. Besides Al, our rookies don’t even play.
Sautee
July 7th, 2009
6:11 pm
An easily overlooked fact is that the Hawks cut their turnovers by over 2 per game with Bibby. That’s the difference in MANY close games.
kjb
July 7th, 2009
6:14 pm
Great job Rick Sund….now let’s keep it going with some more moves (inside help)please!!!!
Sautee
July 7th, 2009
6:15 pm
“Even though he is 7ft tall, you barely notice him in the flow of the game.”
Did you happen to notice the EIGHTEEN FREAKIN’ REBOUNDS in Game 4 against the Heat? When Al was out and we needed him most?
Peter
July 7th, 2009
6:23 pm
I agree Mark, I said in one of the blogs sign him for $5 mil, and he got 6 mil X 3. Plus he will be a good teacher for the new guy.
I want Flip back as well……… he is Big for a guard and can create his own shot !
Sautee
July 7th, 2009
6:24 pm
“I say take a chance on Sean May. He may be ready to resurrect his career. He’s young, and full of potential. Za Za has reached his peak. Sorry!”
May is a whopping 53 days younger than Zaza. Zaza is 25. Why do you think he has “peaked”?
Go look at their career stats. They are nearly identical. Except that Zaza is bigger and tougher than May.
Fixing the Hawks IS NOT THAT HARD!!
July 7th, 2009
6:27 pm
This was an ABSOLUTE TERRIBLE MOVE!!!!!! I have NO IDEA what the Hawks or Rick Sund THINK THEY R DOING!!!!! Bibby is a good point guard but he WILL NOT take us to the next level. While he can hit SET SHOTS because of a team double teaming Joe, he can NOT DEFEND the dribble penetration by ANYBODY, NOR can he create his own shot if things break down.
I just do not understand how we can have a team with the frontline consisting of the heights of 6′9, 6′9, and 6′10. Thats like a GOOD COLLEGE TEAM front line. Not one that can seriously compete in the loaded east where the Celtics go 6′11 twice and a 7 footer, Cavs have TWO 7 footers and the Magic have Dwight Howard. They ONLY way to compete against those teams from our standpoint is to out run them up and down the court. But the problem is, who is the only player in our starting lineup that is not suitable to the up and down running game? BIBBY!!!!!!! And he is the most important part of the running game being the POINT GUARD! I just dont understand why we would sign him unless he will lead the second team. Mark my words this team will finish 5th at best this year in the East 42 win season MAX, either get BETTER or take a chance to ATTEMPT to get better and end up being worst. But for please just dont STAND STILL, and thats what we are doing with a LAME DUCK Coach who has NO stamp on this team.
BraveFan73
July 7th, 2009
6:31 pm
DW, hold your roll on all of this Jeff Teague chatter. I will remind all of you Hawk fans about the hype that followed Acie Law, who has materialized as yet another Hawks first round bust. Mike Bibby provides consistency. He comes for an average of $6M/year. Remember that Billy Knight was paying Speedy Claxton over $6M. I don’t quite get the criticism of Bibby. I definitely do not see the hype over Teague, who has proven nothing. His college team, Wake Forest, proved to do less with more than any major college team in America. Teague is 19 years old and was the sixth point guard taken.
You guys who talk about Atlanta unloading our team to acquire Dwayne Wade have lost it. I was born and raised in Georgia before moving to Washington DC to graduate from George Washington University. Our fanbase is pathetic. We rarely sell out Philips Arena, which is one of the nicest arenas in the world. Nonetheless, Atlanta fans do not show up. If anyone thinks Wade or Bosh is coming to Atlanta, I have some oceanfront property to sell you Nevada.
Bibby, Joe, Josh Smith, and Al Horford give us consistency. Joe Crawford gives us a give time scorer with experience. We MUST resign Zaza Pachulia and I will remind you guys that there are no promises about Marvin Williams. Players with back problems usually continue to have back problems. We need Flip Murray because there are no promises that Marvin Williams will be able to produce at an NBA level.
Are we as good as Boston, Orlando, or Cleveland? Of course not. Are the Washington Wizards going to be better than us? Probably. Will we be better than Miami? I do not know. What I know is we will be consistent and we will have an opportunity to win every night with Bibby’s leadership. I like that!
doc
July 7th, 2009
6:33 pm
you tell em sautee! save my keyboard.
DW
July 7th, 2009
6:36 pm
Well put, “Fixing Hawks” you took the words right out of my mouth. All I can think about is the playoffs. That’s what kind of fan I am. Bibby did hit some 3’s in the playoffs, but he didn’t do anything else. Hawks nation listen to me WE NEED A PLAYMAKER AT THE POINT. If you fans are happy with a 5th or 4th seed so be it. I will cry loud and spare none until we get a floor general and a Big Banger in the middle that can knock somebody down like ZaZa did.
niremetal
July 7th, 2009
6:50 pm
DW,
You’re right!!! Let’s trade Mo Evans for Chris Paul and Randolph Morris for Dwight Howard! Only then will this offseason be a success!
doc
July 7th, 2009
6:52 pm
braves fan …. yawn, boring stuff when you start digging at fanbases then immediately say the wiz are going to be better … well maybe with the boring and yawn stuff delusion is in there also.
the criticism of teague is unfounded. wake’s problem was the coach as he moved teague out of point to play two and inserted a guy who did less than teague is the story i read. glad you like bibby and agree at 6 mil sort of a bargain. also agree the need to get zaza is imperative or replace him with two guys that will produce like flip did last year only as bigs rather than front court players.
George W. Bush
July 7th, 2009
6:57 pm
What, no banner?
Kevin M
July 7th, 2009
6:59 pm
Having Bibby keeps us from depending on a non-proven rookie Teague, who has no idea about an 82 game schedule and ‘Jamal’ Crawford, not Joe.
It doesn’t look like Flip will get a call to come back and that is a shame IMO. I like him almost as much as JJ. Sounds crazy, but he does good things when our starting backcourt was not getting anything to fall.
Now, saying that we will retain our 4th slot is not over reaching. If we can pry and difference maker using our other roster pieces, we could do some damage in the playoffs. Wouldn’t a big man like an Aldridge look good on this roster? I still have a ray of hope that we offer Big Baby just to get Boston to either match or let him go. He would help our toughness down low IMO. While not a great rebounder yet, he has that energy level that we need to pull in missed 3 pointers from JJ, Bibby and Crawford.
Having those 3 guys on the team should spell the end of Smoove’s presence on the perimeter. Marvin has become a good 3 pt shooter as well. Our low post play is in need of an upgrade and I would prefer a proven upgrade. Just not Dampier, Curry or anh of the Clippers front line.
wink
July 7th, 2009
7:02 pm
Teague, Bibby, Crawford, JJ, Josh Smith, Horford are set on roster.
Bring back Flip & ZaZa next challenge;
Williams & Chillz ( offer scoring & defense)
Bring Anderson ( the Aussie) to work the paint.
Mario West or Bowen for situational defense.
The best we can do this off season, but it would be an improvement.
Sautee
July 7th, 2009
7:05 pm
GW,
We’ll wait until we actually accomplish something. See us in late August or September.
Evander Hossafield
July 7th, 2009
7:15 pm
niremetal: there’s coffee all over my computer screen, and it’s all your fault!
Joe Crawford
July 7th, 2009
7:24 pm
I’ve been a machinist in Walton County for 30 years. How did I get dragged into this conversation??
Suckers.
Eturn
July 7th, 2009
7:35 pm
DW and Fixing the Hawks I agree with you guys about the Bibby signing. I guess we are some of the few that see the real picture down the line.He dont penetrate , no defense, I just dont see it. Im a Hawks fan form way back in the day. In time the others will see.
tim
July 7th, 2009
7:40 pm
If we make all the moves we should (re-sign Marvin and Zaza, pick up Anderson) then we’re a 50 win team that has a chance to make it past the second round. I am more than happy with that.
I think a lot of you people are getting greedy. If someone asked you where you wanted the Hawks to end up last year, EVERYONE would have been ecstatic to get a 4th seed and past the first round.
I like where this team is going. I think you’re forgetting that only a season ago we were below .500 and barely made the playoffs.
D.Carter
July 7th, 2009
7:58 pm
please allow mike woodson to talk to detroit!!!!!
blonju
July 7th, 2009
8:03 pm
everybody here ragging on bibby thinks the bibby supporters don’t understand the facts – I LOVE THE DEAL, 6 mil a year for 3 years – it’s a bargain – however, i know bibby can’t play defense at all and is more of a shooter than anything… STILL, he takes care of the ball and keeps this team under control on offense – ALSO, all of you who think we should be forgetting about this season to focus on free agents in 2010 are retarded – no one’s coming here until we show some stability and continue as a playoff bound team… the pieces we have are good enough to pull an upset over the “big 3″ in the east.. we have to support the franchise no matter what.. i like the moves we are making, and all you haters will be presently suprised when we pull off a 2nd round upset next year – NOW SIGN ZAZA & MARVIN – 4 years / 18 mil for Z and 4 years / 30 mil for marvin .. the money works and we got a squad!
dtruth
July 7th, 2009
8:18 pm
Teague is going to be a very good player for the Hawks this year. He is going to be better than most people think. Mark my word!
mike
July 7th, 2009
8:27 pm
everyone freaks out in the offseason.. good start for the hawks so far no matter what you detractors say.. got rid of speedy.. re-signed bibby.. got teague (he is gonna shine, lets talk in 6 months!) got crawford.. wait till you see our offense!!
mharris35
July 7th, 2009
9:01 pm
This is a great move. Bibby is the vocal/veteran leader of this team. This deal is the sign of good things to come…I mean, lets be honest, Bibby is a fun player to watch, he seems to enjoy himself EVERY game he is in. His energy cleary spreads to the whole team. The fact that Woodson and Bibby enjoy eachother is crucial to a elite team, as a point guard is the “commander” of the offense.
I expect the hawks to really show the signs of their transformation into a elite team. The ONE step remaining is woody giving JJ enough rest throughout the season so that he doesn’t burn out.
PS. Whats up with RIO????He has to be my fav bench player (being a Atlanta sports fan)?
Doyle, Winder
July 7th, 2009
9:23 pm
How about Bostons Baby? Please correct me, but is there ANY reason to think the Celtics would try to match and keep him? We need a big body down low who can hit the 10′ jumper. What say you?
KC
July 7th, 2009
9:35 pm
I’d rather go after McDyees or Wilcox. People asking about Big Baby Davis know very little about basketball. Big Baby is smaller than Marvin and Josh and not physical or athletic. He works in Boston’s offense, but not here. McDyees or Wilcox provide the size and athleticism we need to bang with Zaza off the bench. I honestly wouldn’t mind if we brought in Theo Ratliff. I just want a veteran big man with some identifiable ability (shot blocking, toughness, Defense, a half a post move, etc). Our inside depth can’t just be Zaza.
BraveFan73
July 7th, 2009
9:47 pm
You guys are on something if you believe that a 19 year old who is the sixth player drafted in a position (in a sport that only has 5) is going to be the golden child. There is a reason that 5 other point guards were selected over Teague. That is because Teague is a combo guard. Someone please name one combo guard that has been an impact player in the NBA. They usually get treaded…see Jamal Crawford…see Ben Gordon…see Acie Law IV.
I believe that there are others that could have contributed more effectively. We improve if we sign Jason Kidd. We improve if we signed Andre Miller. There is no evidence that our team improves with talented young point guards like Jarrett Jack, who had some issues with teammates in both Portland and Indiana, or Ramon Session, who was great to conclude the season with Milwaukee (and is a restricted free agent).
The bottom line is Mike Bibby is the most consistent that we were going to get. Anyone suggesting otherwise is out of their mind. If you guys believe that Dwayne Wade and Company are lining up to sign with the Atlanta Hawks when teams like Phooenix and the NY Knicks are dropping payroll, you are on some silly juice. Atlanta is a great city, with a weak fanbase, poor history, and an, at best, average head coach.
Give me a break! Mike Bibby is a good sign, especially for $6M. By the way, you guys screaming about Josh Childress are beyond insane. That guy could not even star in Greece. He can not guard my sister. He went to Europe because no NBA team would pay him half of what he was offered in Athens, Greece. Simply put, he is not good enough.
Mike Bibby is a good sign. We definitely need to resign Flip Murray and Zaza Pachulia. I am a little surprised that I seem to be the only person who realizes that Marvin Williams and his back are a HUGE question mark. People keep placing Marvin and Childress in the depth chart. Childress will not be back. Marvin is a question mark.
Our starting lineup may include Bibby and Crawford along with Joe, Josh Smith, and Al. I would prefer a more traditional starting lineup that moves Al Horford to his natural position. I would roll with Josh Smith, for better or worse, at the small forward position, put Joe at the 2, start Bibby, and play with Al and Zaza in the 4 and 5 spot. I know that will not happen. It would be nice to see.
BraveFan73
July 7th, 2009
9:51 pm
Oh yes, when did this year’s draft become the draft of 1984 with significant depth. Think about it. Acie Law was an absolute bust and will be out of the NBA in a year or two. He was the 11th pick and one of the first guard selected in his draft class. Now, all of a sudden, we can get rid of Mike Bibby and give minutes to this 19 year old kid Jeff Teague, who has never led a team to success. EVER! I am floored. A point guard in the NBA is like a point guard. You guys should ask Cleveland Cavalier fans what happens to teams that play with substandard point guards (see Mo Williams).
Zach
July 7th, 2009
9:51 pm
Mark,
what do you think about the sign and trade for childress for picks instead of players. Maybe 2011 first round or maybe next year’s first round. Also I really like the sign of bibby i’ve always been a big fan and for $6 mil a year thats a pretty good deal for a starting point. If the haws are interested in resigning marvin why would you not lock him up now long term for less money than he will probably demand next summer if he has a good year?
Mark Bradley
July 7th, 2009
9:55 pm
Can you do a sign-and-trade just for picks? In the NBA, don’t you usually have to get a contract in return to balance the books?
BraveFan73
July 7th, 2009
9:58 pm
Zach, name one team that is going to give up a significant point guard for Josh Childress. Childress came off of the bench on a team that went 35-47 and lost in the 1st round of the playoffs. When he was on the floor, he was average (at best).
Think about it. Childress’ best season was a 12 ppg year. Flip Murray came in and averaged 12 ppg for us and he was a journeyman. Childress is yet another 1st round Atlanta bust. He is not a franchise changer. He was a role player on a losing team. He does not sniff the floor with a veteran like Mo Evans on our roster. Childress does not play hard on the defensive side of the ball. You guys believing that someone is going to make some big trade for this guy, who has shown that he will leave for Europe for the money, you are kidding yourself.
I challenge one team that is going to look at Josh Childress and say that they are going to give up 1st round draft picks for this guy. I do not see it. Childress is just not that good. He does not play for teams like Los Angeles, San Antonio, Houston, Orlando, Boston, or even 1st round losers like Portland. He is not close.
Jed
July 7th, 2009
10:04 pm
Josh is not a big who plays small. He is a small big who plays big at times. He’s getting there. Don’t give up. I do agree on getting help for him & Horford, as they were both worn down at season’s end. If we’re talking about doubts, what I’m interested in is how much rest Woody gives Joe, now that he’s got a legitimate 2/3 scorer (JCraw) to play behind him.
Dub C
July 7th, 2009
10:37 pm
BraveFan73, I see where you’re coming from…to a point. Sure, Chills wasn’t a starter, and he didn’t score a ton of points, but we was a very good 6 man. That role is very important in basketball. You don’t always have to start or play 40 minutes a night or score 22pts a game to be effective. Chills is capable of playing multiple positions for any team, and I’d take him over Mo Evans any day. Chills was in no way a bust!
I’d love to see Chills back with the Hawks, but it’s probably not going to happen. I can see a team giving up a mid-late first rounder for Chills, depending on the team and the circumstances.
Regarding Teague, if he doesn’t get significant minutes, I don’t think it’ll be his fault. Anyone who watches the Hawks realize that Woodson does not play rookie/young PGs. I’m happy and sad that Bibby was re-signed, because we all know Bibby will get most of the PG minutes, followed by Jamal Crawford. I like Teague, but I think he may end up being Acie Law all over again, but it won’t be his fault. Under a different system, Acie will thrive!
Rick Sund…sign some bigs!!!
Whopper Dawg
July 7th, 2009
11:30 pm
Wrong focus, we just fixed the point with the trade and the draft, Bibby just pushes those guys into the background, if you didn’t think they could get the job done, then don’t make the moves. Should have let Bibby walk and also Marvin and get some quality inside.
HawkKingBibby
July 8th, 2009
12:29 am
Mark the Clippers have a 7.3 mil trade exception so we could deal Chills there for a first round pick. They have a couple next year I believe. As far as Chills for Bruce Bowen is concerned that would be like throwing away 4 mil. Bruce Bowen is washed up and dried, It would be like signing Speedy back for 4 mil. I like Amir Johnson on Mil and maybe a salary filler. Deal cant be made till August because Amir has been traded recently and cant be packaged with another player till August 23rd I think.
JD
July 8th, 2009
1:35 am
Here’s what people are not understanding about the Hawks. No BIG free agent is going to come here. They tried. Remember when Kenyon Martin was on the FA market? What happened? He went to Denver. Remember when Ray Allen was on the FA market? What happened? He decided to stay in Seattle. The only reason the Hawks have what they have is because the general manager (past and present) was able to swing a major trade (Bibby) and sign a couple of key FAs (Murray and Evans) in order to shore up some of the holes that this team had. I’m not saying that this was the end all be all, but it helped catapault them from Eastern Conference doormat to the playoffs two seasons in a row. Until the Hawks ownership stop being stingy with their resources and start acting like they want to contend for a championship (instead of just being ‘competitive’) they will never be looked at seriously as a title contender.
Have we all not been paying attention, though? What has this Hawks team been about over the past five or so seasons? PROGRESS. When a team is broken down to it’s bare bones and built back up to its current state, you have to mark its progress even if you don’t like the way Coach Woodson holds this team back (which should be running a lot more than they do) or how they develop their future players. It’s been said over and over again. They’ve made steady strides. Maybe not the strides that the fan base wants but strides nonetheless.
I’m not saying settle for mediocrity. The fact of the matter is the Hawks are what they are…..when they play well they are a middle of the pack Eastern Conference team that people seem to want to dismiss because of their lack of this or that. But what they lack in this or that they make up for on most nights. They are also the victim of their ownership group’s viscious and petty behavior toward each other, which has hampered their ability to effectively manage and run this team to contend for a championship instead of trying to run it on pennies to the dollar.
Dr. Warren
July 8th, 2009
4:02 am
Now let’s trade Bibby, Teague, Crawford, and Marvin for Chris Paul.
Miles D
July 8th, 2009
4:25 am
I say resign Marv and Za and then lets do a sign and trade with Chill to Portland for Channing Frye! He fits the bill long term and short. He can play both the 4 and 5, has a nice mid-range game, and will get him at a healthy dolla too!
Mark
July 8th, 2009
7:23 am
Fixing the hawks, jmar, dw. You guys are ABSOLUTLELY RIGHT!
This team, town, and obviously MARK BRADLEY are content with mediocrity. Mark are you serious? Do you really feel that this team will be “REALLY GOOD”. Do you really deem this summer a SUCCESS?!! If so, you are crazy. This team will be what it has been the past two years, the late 90’s with Mookie, Steve Smith etc. and the 80’s with Dominique and that is a 40 to 50 win team that gets beat in the second round. Between your HOMER articles and SEKOU’S blogs, you would think the hawks are on their way to a CHAMPIONSHIP. Mike Bibby, the guy that makes Joe Johnson use all of his energy guarding quicker point guards. Mike Bibby, the one that can only hit set shots. We needed to do something major. Mark and Sekou make Sund to be JOHN SCHERHOLTZ. This guy has never won anything in 30, YES 30 YEARS!!!
We hear the same CRAP every year concerning team. Their favorite terms UPSIDE, PROGRESS, and POTENTIAL (especially concerning JOSH). This is why we will never win a championship, heck we won’t ever get to a CONFERENCE FINALS!! Why because these dumb GM’s and OWNERS never feel pressured. I mean MIKE BIBBY!! He took this deal because we are the only team DUMB enough to give him that many years.
What is sick is that most of you people are happy about this. PLEASE!! Do you people only want to get to the playoffs and lose every year!! While Boston is getting depth with Rasheed, and Detroit signing people like Villenueva and Ben Gordon, and Orlando getting Vince who by the way was on a sorry New Jersey team that kicked our butts 3 times last year and in fact he himself hit a gamewinner (IN JOSH’S FACE), we get MIKE BIBBY and JAMAL CRAWFORD. Well ALRIGHT. Hey, what do I know?, Rick has been in the NBA for more than 30 years!! He has how many championships? Nevermind. I will take a positive perspective. We are only 3 wins away from being an ELITE TEAM and according to Sund we are “CLOSING THE GAP ON THE TEAMS AHEAD US.” (yeah whatever, we shouldn’t try and SURPASS them) Like Woody said last year, “The fans expectations are to high.” He is right about SOME FANS.
GO HAWKS (back to the first or second round where you will get CRUSHED AGAIN!!)
JustaThought
July 8th, 2009
7:48 am
I like you guys passion………….but it’s for a LOST cause! Eventually somebody is going to have to play DEFENSE in the back court. WHO! I have no f$cking idea. Oh yeah……Bibby will, if he fails Crawdaddy will, if he fails Flip will, or Teague will or Joe will……
Well said Mark! I feel your pain brotha!
RedTailHawk
July 8th, 2009
9:12 am
I was about tu write that “I will consider next year a success if it gets Woody fired” but; seeing the difficulties that Detroit had in hiring a coach, I don’t know if we could get a “better” coach to come here, especially considering how tight the ASG’s purse strings are.
Hawk n the Ham
July 8th, 2009
10:13 am
Get Big Baby Davis
Get David Anderson
…..NOW!!