Why the Hawks still haven’t gotten past missing on Chris Paul
Chris Paul (in blue) is not now, nor has he ever been, a Hawk. (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin)
Every Hawks blog post elicits the same two reader comments. The first: “We should have drafted Chris Paul!” The second, following close at hand: “Can we please stop talking about Chris Paul?”
Reader No. 2 has a point. The draft in question came in 2005. But a misspent pick of 5 2/3 years ago is the gift (to other teams) that goes on taking (from the Hawks).
History lesson: The Hawks entered the 2005 lottery with the NBA’s worst record (13-69) and stood the best chance of landing the first pick. They had had some good young wings but no center and no point guard.
The 2005 draft, as luck had it, included both a center (Andrew Bogut of Utah) and three point guards (Paul of Wake Forest, Deron Williams from Illinois and Raymond Felton of North Carolina) cut from high cloth. There was disappointment among Hawks brass when they finished second to Milwaukee in the lottery — everyone knew the Bucks would take Bogut — but they still felt they’d make out OK. And they should have.
Marvin Williams, a freshman forward who’d been North Carolina’s sixth man, scarcely missed a shot in his Atlanta audition, and general manager Billy Knight was smitten. On Draft Night the Hawks left the three point guards on the board, each of whom was snagged by the next three selecting teams. Thus did the Hawks spend their highest pick in 30 years on yet another forward. The team exited the draft as it had entered. Not getting a center was bad luck. Not finding a point guard was bad business.
Five and a half seasons later, the Hawks approach the trading deadline still on the PG prowl. They’ve since spent two first-round picks on the position (Acie Law IV and Jeff Teague) and made two trades importing point guards of a sort (Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford), but they haven’t yet found the guy capable of running an NBA team in the way NBA team needs to be run.
Their reported/rumored targets this February? Point guards again — Ramon Sessions of Cleveland, Andre Miller of Portland and the recently dealt-t0-Denver Felton. Also included: Washington’s Kirk Hinrich, who has point-guard qualities. The Hawks have decided they can climb no higher with Mike Bibby, which is true now but wasn’t true when he arrived.
In his final act as GM, Knight acquired Bibby from Sacramento in Feburary 2008 at a time when the Hawks were in danger of missing the playoffs for the eighth year running. Bibby helped settle the younger Hawks, who slipped in as the No. 8 seed and carried the champs-to-be Celtics to a Game 7. That was when the Hawks stopped being losers, and it wouldn’t have happened without Bibby.
But Bibby is idiosyncratic: He doesn’t drive to the basket, and he guards nothing that moves. He’s skilled at distributing the ball on the break and he can make a three-point shot, but he couldn’t have been a starting point guard on a good team if that team didn’t have Joe Johnson. Those two like and trust one another, and Bibby doesn’t mind letting Johnson control the ball.
Thing is, Larry Drew’s new share-the-wealth offense features Johnson less, and the upshot has been that nobody is running this team. (Ergo, the offense often is rendered a fusillade of jump shots.) When Crawford enters, his mission is to score, and Teague, of whom much was expected, has delivered nothing.
The East keeps getting better. The Hawks, the No. 3 seed last season, are positioned to be the fifth seed this year. They need to make a personnel move, but it’s unclear if any of those players mentioned will mesh with Johnson. And if Crawford is included in any deal, the Hawks’ second unit becomes substandard. (Bibby as a sub wouldn’t have nearly the effect Crawford does.)
This could have been avoided had Knight made the right pick at the right time. Having Paul or Deron Williams — I preferred the latter, who was just traded to the Nets — would have made the Hawks a playoff team in 2007, perhaps in 2006. No, they wouldn’t have been drafting high enough in 2007 to land Al Horford, but they’d already have been a good team by then.
Without a real point guard, the Hawks wound up getting pretty good anyway. But their way was the harder way, and that way has reached the point of diminishing returns. Five years later, the Hawks still lack their Chris Paul.
By Mark Bradley
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
214 comments Add your comment
B.O.B
February 23rd, 2011
12:10 pm
First?
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
February 23rd, 2011
12:12 pm
RUNNER UP?
Tech Stinger
February 23rd, 2011
12:13 pm
Mark
Do you think the hawks should trade for a lottery pick a get Kyrie Irving, and do you think the hawks should go after Al Jefferson now that Utah has Derrick Favors.
beone
February 23rd, 2011
12:15 pm
Now that was worth writing about. Anyone who reads this could have written the same. How much are you paid?
bulldawg
February 23rd, 2011
12:17 pm
Unfortunately in this case hindsight is 20-20. It’s fun to talk about what was; but, the Hawks need an upgrade at PG now. Use their draft picks and possibly Jamal’s expiring contract to obtain a PG. It’s easy to label M. Williams as a bust, it’s hard to trade him with his contract. The Hawks will not advance beyond the first round without substantially improving the team.
allan in texas
February 23rd, 2011
12:20 pm
Well said Mr.Bradley,Well said.This team as currently constructed has gone as far as it can go. If I were the Hawks I would offer everyone on this team besides Al Horford for Chris Paul. Any thoughts Mr.Bradley?
B
February 23rd, 2011
12:20 pm
The Hawks should have drafted Chris Paul.
Jamaaliver
February 23rd, 2011
12:21 pm
At this point, I’d settle on getting Ray Felton.
I don’t know which is worse: 1)The fact that Billy Knight at one point drafted 5 straight SFs (Diaw, Dunta, Chilldress, Smoove, Marvin) or 2)the fact that BK passed on CPaul AND Deron Williams because he thought that 6-8 wing scorer Joe Johnson was better suited to play PG for the next decade.
Duke
February 23rd, 2011
12:21 pm
Either Stephen Curry or Monta Ellis is out there to be had. They are not going to keep both of them. Let’s get it done, because if we stand pat, we will be one and out and then things look really gloom. Gerald Wallace would also be a nice addition, he would certainly add some toughness to this lineup. He could be had for Jamaal and a first round pick. What do you think Mr. Bradley?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 23rd, 2011
12:21 pm
So funny watching the game last night. Twice within the first five minutes JJ hung Josh out to dry on the 3pt line w/under 4-5 seconds on the shot clock. Hawks offense is trerrible to watch in half court.
day old fries
February 23rd, 2011
12:21 pm
….resigning Marvin was almost a bigger mistake than drafting him.
Jesse
February 23rd, 2011
12:25 pm
How can two PGs in college (Law and Teague) be so good, but come to the Hawks and just stink it up?
Tech Stinger
February 23rd, 2011
12:27 pm
Kyrie Irving is the next big superstar point guard, the hawks better get in the top 10 to get him
Jamaaliver
February 23rd, 2011
12:28 pm
I don’t know which is worse, the fact B Knight spent 5 straight draft picks on the SF position (Diaw, Dunta, Chill, Smoove, Marvin) or the fact that he honestly belived Joe Johnson would be best utilized as a PG ala Magic Johnson.
At this point, I’d have even been okay with drafting Bogut.
Russ
February 23rd, 2011
12:32 pm
Whiffing on Deron Williams AND Devin Harris with all our movable parts is inexcusable. Sund needs to get a backup plan quick.
Priest Lauderdale
February 23rd, 2011
12:33 pm
You can also post about 2006:
S Williams over Roy, Gay, Redick, Rondo
or maybe 2004:
Childress over Deng, Iguodala, Al Jefferson, J Nelson
You can go on and on with the Hawks missing in the draft.
Jamaaliver
February 23rd, 2011
12:35 pm
I don’t know which is worse, the fact B Knight spent 5 straight draft picks on the SF position (Diaw, Dunta, Chill, Smoove, Marvin) or the fact that he honestly belived Joe Johnson would be best utilized as a PG.
At this point, I’d have even been okay with drafting Bogut.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
12:36 pm
I can I expect a pizzia if I don’t order it.
“GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
Then say he hasn’t delivered.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
12:39 pm
My bad with the spelling but in a hurry. Hopefully you get the point.
Triforce20
February 23rd, 2011
12:39 pm
The Hawks blew it. Worst decision in the past decade. This is why Billy Knightmare is unemployed.
San Diego Dawg
February 23rd, 2011
12:39 pm
Break up this team….im tired of watching middle of the pack basket ball from a underwhelming team….
BobDawg
February 23rd, 2011
12:40 pm
Can we find Billy Knight and tar and feather him???? Geez, to think he had those guys waltz in here and worked them out and still passed on them for a Chapel Hill 6th man…
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
12:42 pm
It’s one thing to miss out on a franchise player in the draft. That is a debilitating mistake, but not one that should haunt a well-run franchise six years later. It’s another thing entirely to make mistake after mistake trying to make up for that original mistake. Speedy Claxton, Acie Law, Jeff Teague, and Mike Bibby’s contract extension were all bad moves (the jury is still out on Teague I guess) made to compensate for missing out on Paul and Deron Williams (my preference at the time) in that draft.
And it also doesn’t help that the guy they picked instead (Marvin) got way overpaid in the summer of 2009 despite having underachieved his entire career and continuing to underachieve after signing the extension.
twitter.com/fakericksund
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2011
12:42 pm
Kudos, B.O.B.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
12:43 pm
I think because we missed out on Chris Paul we expect every guard we draft to come in and be Chris Paul. This is Teague second year with the team. How do you expect the guy to learn how to play NBA basketball with no playing time? He looked a whole lot better than Bibby last night and actually ran plays and made good passes rather dribble the ball up and pass it to Joe (like Bibby does). “GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
12:43 pm
“Whiffing on Deron Williams AND Devin Harris with all our movable parts is inexcusable. Sund needs to get a backup plan quick.”
Unfortunately the Hawks don’t have that many movable parts, because Sund has overpaid everyone on this team other than Smoove and Horford.
Tweets that mention Why the Hawks still haven't gotten past missing on Chris Paul | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
February 23rd, 2011
12:44 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley and LaShandra, Bleu Cheese. Bleu Cheese said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: #Hawks didn't draft Chris Paul or Deron Williams in 05. 5 years later, they haven't gotten past it. http://bit.ly/eFtGR6 [...]
HWJ
February 23rd, 2011
12:44 pm
Mark,
There are several players on the block that are up for grabs. There are several and we can get one. The following players in order are who the Hawks should go after Monta Ellis (I think G State wants to build around S Curry) Ray Felton, Aaron Brooks, Devin Harris, Ramon Sessions, Andre Miller (Miller is getting older so I don’t like this deal for long term), Kirk Hinrich (If this happens Rick Sund will personally get a call from me and I will ask why?)
The Hawks need to get rid of Marvin Williams like I’ve said for years.. there are several bench players who play his position that are much better CJ Miles for one.. Only problem is no one wants him.. Last night he was just horrid…. Marvin would be at best the ninth player coming off LA’s bench, which is pathetic being a second pick in 05 draft
Monta Ellis for Josh Smith straight up is a good deal… its basically a swap of two 11 million dollar contracts.. It gives Golden State a small forward that they are lacking.. We can grab someone in free agents for center or small forward next summer because J craw comes off the bench.. I’d trade J craw here but G state is looking for something in return.
Jeff Teague/mo williams for Ramon Sessions and Manny Harris… I’ve heard this come up and don’t know why cleveland would do it but tell me where to sign…
I’ve heard rumors that Devin Harris would be an option… but we don’t want to give up Marvin.. that makes no sense to me…
Look this team needs to be broken up one way or another… I say start building around Joe and Al… I’d like to just build around AL, but Joe with his contract will never leave here…
Positives for Hawks… Next year Bibby will be easier to move because of his expiring contract.. J Smith value is high and he is our most valuable trade piece… J craw’s 10 million dollar contract is expiring and we could get value with him also… hard for me to say this but Teague is young and someone could take a chance on him.. I’ve heard from numerous sources however Teague can’t win the Job over Bibby… (which is pathetic also)
Negatives for Hawks… Joe’s High contract, which time after time I read on these boards to go after CP3 or Derron next year… thats not possible with the way the salary cap works unless something happens with the collecting barganing agreement.. another negative is ZAZA contract (this may be the worse move by Sund) ZaZa hogging up 5.5 to 6.5 mil a year is a joke… He can’t guard any starter in NBA… (Josh Powell should be playing over him night after night)
Sorry for long post, but WE HAVE TO MAKE A MOVE… WE HAVE TO
NCHawksFan
February 23rd, 2011
12:45 pm
Yes, we would have been a 50+ win team and no ring to show for it if we had drafted Paul or Deron Williams and we would be losing them to FA this upcoming year! Wow, looks like we are in the same place we would have been….shopping for a Point guard to run an above average team!
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
12:45 pm
When I saw Rick Sund yawning before the game even started I knew it was going to be along night.
tony
February 23rd, 2011
12:50 pm
BK fell in love with MV shooting during workout and Rick Sund fell in love with Pape Sy defense during workout.
Don’t they(BK/RS) realize that these players will give it their all during workouts and then regress when they go up against real competition?
MW couldn’t start in college and Pape Sy didn’t do much against France players.
DHD
February 23rd, 2011
12:53 pm
Good grief. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. They didn’t so MOVE on. The trade deadline is tomorrow so I come here to see if there are any rumors and you write about a draft for YEARS ago? How about a REAL story???
St. Bernard
February 23rd, 2011
12:53 pm
We didn’t get Rondo either….
day old fries
February 23rd, 2011
12:53 pm
“but not one that should haunt a well-run franchise”
@najeh…what franchise are you talking about?
Smiling Jack
February 23rd, 2011
12:53 pm
Just maybe, the failed drafted point guards, (Law and Teague) is more a commentary on the Hawks coaching than on the ability of the players in question. Apparently neither Knight nor Drew have a clue about developing a talented point guard…hence, they draft forwards. However, I suspect they don’t know much about evaluating and developing talent. I’m tired of smiling and being positive!
Sam
February 23rd, 2011
12:54 pm
Totally agree DHD. Focus on what we can do, not what we didn’t do under old general management.
St. Bernard
February 23rd, 2011
12:55 pm
Paul said he wanted to be a Hawk at the time of the draft.
Hankie Aron
February 23rd, 2011
12:55 pm
Mark- Billy Knight always favored “long athletic” players. At the time, Chris Paul was viewed as some as too short. Who knows why. I can only imagine what CP3 would like like with our current linup.
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2011
12:55 pm
The Hawks are just not good. Chris Paul would have been great here or anywhere. Irving is very good but he is out for the season now. Will he recover or does he have one of those injuries that never really heals?
jon
February 23rd, 2011
12:55 pm
this organization is happy with medicrioty and it shows…. ONE BIG JOKE!
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2011
12:57 pm
Hey Mark,
How ’bout them Vols?
Pearl is a dead man walking.
He won’t survive this.
Gwinnett Fred
February 23rd, 2011
12:57 pm
This same article has been written (updated) every year since we passed on Paul.
It is showing a pretty narrow minded thought process to STILL be beating this dead horse.
BTW – Has it ever occurred to you that even if we drafted Paul, he would have been an eligible free agent by now? What makes you think we would have been able to resign him?
Quit harping on this and try something new – like an even worse pick in 2006 by taking Shelden Williams instead of:
Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay or Rajon Rondo.
Tim from EP
February 23rd, 2011
12:59 pm
It wasn’t just the fact the drafted Marvin Williams over Chris Paul, but they gave him an extension.
Gordon
February 23rd, 2011
1:02 pm
When I saw the headline, I thought you were talking about Dave Braine.
MOOKIE
February 23rd, 2011
1:05 pm
Mark,
There comes a time and point in a GM’s career that a specific move is needed. It comes now for Sund and he has to make a move a the deadline.. Hawks play the Warriors on Friday.. Why don’t we make a trade for Monta Ellis for Josh Smith… Monta would bring some excitement to the team and he’s also a prolific scorer who can play the point… Maybe even go for Stephen Curry, but Monta Ellis looks like the most movable part in that deal… Monta would be top on my list but here are some others who are just asking to be moved
Ray Felton, Devin Harris, Aaron Brooks, and Ramon Sessions. If Sund does not go out and get one of these guys should he keep his job? Realistically the only two point guards that Hawks have had in past 20 years are Doc Rivers and Mookie Blaylock.. Yes Jason Terry was good, but hes more of 2 guard….
Positives for Hawks: Mike Bibby Contract comes off books next summer, so next year we can move him if needed…. Josh Smith is a valuable trade piece and has lots of upside ( we can get something for him maybe even Monta), Jamal Contract is expiring and we can get something in return
Negatives for Hawks: Joe’s contract… You people who are asking for Deron or CP3 just don’t know Basketball or how the NBA works… We simply can’t afford these guys… That is why the Hawks are stuck with one of the names I listed above.. Secondly, ZAZA contract… no one wants this guy and to this day Sund’s worst move. He cant guard any starter in NBA and people like an aging Kurt Thomas would take him any day of week.. With that being said hes being paid 5.5 million a year jumping up to 6.5 next year…. Another negative is Mike Bibby contract he has one more year next year so it will have to be next summer to move him….
Super Negative: Marvin Williams… this guy has to be moved , but the problem is no one wants him… Nets have actually expressed interest for Devin Harris, but we don’t want to move Marvin (which makes no sense) Marvin would of been the ninth to tenth player coming of Lakers bench last night… pretty bad for a second pick… BUT we should still try to move him because I’m sure one GM sees upside…,.
WE HAVE TO MAKE A DEAL FOR A POINT GUARD… we aren’t doing anything in playoffs so we need to start now… Now is the time… you can’t win in NBA without a point guard unless you have a KOBE, MJ, WADE or LEBRON type player…. Joe is def not in that class….
MOOKIE
February 23rd, 2011
1:06 pm
zzzzzz
MOOKIE
February 23rd, 2011
1:06 pm
Mark,
There comes a time and point in a GM’s career that a specific move is needed. It comes now for Sund and he has to make a move a the deadline.. Hawks play the Warriors on Friday.. Why don’t we make a trade for Monta Ellis for Josh Smith… Monta would bring some excitement to the team and he’s also a prolific scorer who can play the point… Maybe even go for Stephen Curry, but Monta Ellis looks like the most movable part in that deal… Monta would be top on my list but here are some others who are just asking to be moved
Ray Felton, Devin Harris, Aaron Brooks, and Ramon Sessions. If Sund does not go out and get one of these guys should he keep his job? Realistically the only two point guards that Hawks have had in past 20 years are Doc Rivers and Mookie Blaylock.. Yes Jason Terry was good, but hes more of 2 guard….
Positives for Hawks: Mike Bibby Contract comes off books next summer, so next year we can move him if needed…. Josh Smith is a valuable trade piece and has lots of upside ( we can get something for him maybe even Monta), Jamal Contract is expiring and we can get something in return
Negatives for Hawks: Joe’s contract… You people who are asking for Deron or CP3 just don’t know Basketball or how the NBA works… We simply can’t afford these guys… That is why the Hawks are stuck with one of the names I listed above.. Secondly, ZAZA contract… no one wants this guy and to this day Sund’s worst move. He cant guard any starter in NBA and people like an aging Kurt Thomas would take him any day of week.. With that being said hes being paid 5.5 million a year jumping up to 6.5 next year…. Another negative is Mike Bibby contract he has one more year next year so it will have to be next summer to move him….
Charles
February 23rd, 2011
1:08 pm
Lets not forget the fact that we got EXTREMELY lucky to get the 3rd pick in order to take Horford. Billy Knight’s genius arse only had the 1st round pick given to the Suns as top 3 protected that year and we finished with the 5th worst record in the league.
Imagine how bad this team would be without that bounce of the lottery balls.
As Davenpoop mentioned, the numerous idiotic pg missteps made after the Marvin pick exacerbated the problem even more. Then ASG hired another moron in Sund who overpaid Zaza, Bibby, Marvin and Johnson putting us in even worse shape.
I hope Gearon Jr. gets hit by a bus.
Oh and this Sund quote from Hoopsworld is flat out comical and shows just how delusional the front office is as he compares us to the spurs:
“Chemistry is so important, and if you look at San Antonio, in some ways they’re analogous to us,” Sund explains. “They got through the first round last year and got swept in four. We got through the first round last year and got swept in four. They didn’t really make any major changes and we didn’t make any major changes. They’re a more veteran team than us, we started the season with three starters who are 24 or younger in Horford, Josh and Marvin. Joe, Bibbby and Jamal are all in their primes, so that combination is good. But we think continuity and chemistry are important for us, just as they have been for San Antonio.”
KCG
February 23rd, 2011
1:08 pm
The funny thing about that draft is that usually when a player leaves early its because he had a stellar year and there is not much bright side to going back to College. Marving could not even start at forward at UNC over players I bet most of you guys could not even name. Billy Knight still drafted this guy number 2!! Does not game film take precedence over a work out?
MOOKIE Blaylock
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 pm
Super Negative: Marvin Williams… this guy has to be moved , but the problem is no one wants him… Nets have actually expressed interest for Devin Harris, but we don’t want to move Marvin (which makes no sense) Marvin would of been the ninth to tenth player coming of Lakers bench last night… pretty bad for a second pick… BUT we should still try to move him because I’m sure one GM sees upside…,.
WE HAVE TO MAKE A DEAL FOR A POINT GUARD… we aren’t doing anything in playoffs so we need to start now… Now is the time… you can’t win in NBA without a point guard unless you have a KOBE, MJ, WADE or LEBRON type player…. Joe is def not in that class….
Born2Buzz
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 pm
We Hawks fans are saddled with the worst owners/managers of any NBA team. It is truly heartbreaking to think what would have been and what has happened.
And now Utah has dealt D Williams to NJ? Yikes.
And Gwinnett Fred, you are right. The Marvin pick was bad but the Shelden pick was even worse. Shelden Williams is now the guy who gets thrown into trades to even out salaries and bodies. And Billy Knightmare took him with the #5 pick????
MB, why are you kicking sand in our faces?!?! ARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!
JJ
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 pm
Right about one thing…..it’s the gift that just keeps on giving.
The Hawks management (whether Knight or Sund) is just plain incompetent. And stubborn. How any “basketball mind” can look at this roster and think “we’re getting better” is beyond me.
The ceiling on this team is getting lower, not higher. We get blown out, humiliated in the 2nd round last year so what do these genius’ do? Promote an assistant to be coach and keep the roster exactly the same.
It’s no wonder no one shows up at the “Highlight Factory”. No one in this city actually believes any longer that the Hawks are doing whatever they can to win. It’s ridiculous.
Midweek Linkage, including a few updates | Control ATL Delete | Atlanta Sports Blog – News- Discussion – Scores – Recaps
February 23rd, 2011
1:11 pm
[...] Derrick Favors) in exchange for Deron Williams. The Hawks still need a point guard though, and as Michael Bradley writes, the decision to pass on Chris Paul (and Williams) in the 2005 draft still haunts the team. [...]
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
1:12 pm
“@najeh…what franchise are you talking about?”
The Hawks in my dreams.
KCG
February 23rd, 2011
1:12 pm
Testing
Ted M
February 23rd, 2011
1:14 pm
What would it take to get Ty Lawson?
Double Zero Eight
February 23rd, 2011
1:15 pm
Just shows the price paid for poor management and bad ownership.
The Falcons drafted Brent Favre and felt he was destined to be
a third string/ back up quarterback, before he was traded to the
Packers.
Luke M
February 23rd, 2011
1:16 pm
Can’t wait for your next column, on why Kennedy’s trip to Dallas was probably a bad idea.
It was not a bad pick
February 23rd, 2011
1:17 pm
The hawks need a big man..That has always been their problem not PG…We are too smalll
RealSquawk
February 23rd, 2011
1:17 pm
Mark seriously every year you come out with this blog, every year! And I am not sure if I would rather you stop pointing out the obvious or if you had nothing to point out. Actually I prefer the second. Keep posting Mr. Bradley. Keep Posting.
HWJ
February 23rd, 2011
1:17 pm
Deron WIlliams just got traded for favors and harris… it shows that deals can be done… we just won’t do them
01HAWK
February 23rd, 2011
1:18 pm
ACIE LAW
MARVIN WILLIAMS
JEFF TEAGUE
WASTE, WASTE, WASTE
bgdawg
February 23rd, 2011
1:18 pm
SMH…..we drafted shelden williams over brandon ROY!!!!!!!WTF BK?!?!?!
jfreak13713
February 23rd, 2011
1:19 pm
Well now the Devin Harris is off the table there is NO chance the Hawks will advance far in the playoffs. Not that they had a much better chance with him but they will not advance without him for sure. I hope they will make a move to improve this team but I question now if that move shouldn’t be a more long term move instead of a move to salavage this season?
I just can’t see a reason to keep this team together?? To me Josh Smith is the odd man out with Marvin Williams if a deal could be made? I believe Smith has reached his potential and what you are getting now is all you’ll ever get out of him and its simply not enough for this team! A really good PG with JJ and Hordford would be better than what they currently have.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2011
1:20 pm
How would you folks feel about Kirk Hinrich?
Better still, go ask DOB about Kirk Hinrich. He’s his favorite player ever.
BALI
February 23rd, 2011
1:21 pm
tired of hearing what the hawks shoulda done 5 years ago…what gets me is why dont the hawks pull the trigger and do something now..new offense is boring rather see the jj show than what is going on nwas the point guardow.i think its time to blow the hawks up and start over…still cannot believe they paid 120 million to keep joe johnson,,tired of josh smith and marvin williams and bibby looks so old i think i am having flashbacks and watching ucla when his dad
HWJ
February 23rd, 2011
1:22 pm
Mark,
Getting Kirk Hinrich would be an awful play… He’s getting older and it’s just a short term solution…. Is Kirk really going to help us win a series? NO
BALI
February 23rd, 2011
1:22 pm
played the point for the bruins
oldmike
February 23rd, 2011
1:23 pm
This team is totally irrelevant. Not worth the time it takes to watch on TV or the money to go to a game. Ownership is pathetic. The league should take over the franchise. Is it just me or have the players been saying the same things about effort andf focus after losses for 4 years now? Maybe they should blow this thing up again.
Sage of Bluesland
February 23rd, 2011
1:24 pm
Mark Bradley is Captain Obvious…but conveniently omits one key factor in the aversion to Chris Paul: Attitude concerns. I recall more than one “expert” opining on this due to brushes Paul had while at Wake.
Many “experts” also had Marvin as the most talented player coming out of UNC since Jordan…that the upside-potential IF it worked out was off-the-chart….
Yes, Mark, you have proven once again that hindsight is remarkable in its accuracy…Kudos to you…
(I just wish you would share for all of us what the connection you had with Pete Babcock…I don’t recall ever…EVER…reading a disparaging word to that equally-buffoonish GM of the Hawks….Funny, isn’t it?)
JROLL1
February 23rd, 2011
1:24 pm
I TOO HAD WANTED US TO DRAFT DERON WILLIAMS. I HAVE 3 WORDS FOR BILLY KNIGHT…”GLSD HE’S GONE!”
Ted M
February 23rd, 2011
1:29 pm
I’d go after Ty Lawson.
no mo
February 23rd, 2011
1:31 pm
I wish the worthless hawks would leave town with the thrashers. They suck as usual and get blown out by all the good teams.
nique
February 23rd, 2011
1:33 pm
Ramon Sessions is the best we can do? Hopefully we don’t have to give up too much for him.
kirkinga
February 23rd, 2011
1:35 pm
I agree with the premise, but in Knight’s defense, Williams’ selection was about more than a great workout.
Go back and read the predraft assessments of all the players mentioned. People questioned whether Bogut’s game would translate well to the NBA. Paul’s height and his ability to defend (which is still suspect, but better than Bibby’s) were in serious debate. Then we have the recently jettisoned from Utah, D. Williams who had a fantastic tournament, but wasn’t in NBA shape and there were questions about his commitment to dropping weight, his attitude, and yes, his ability to defend (which is not a strength at this point but is ok).
But there was one guy that almost all pundits thought had the most upside of any in that year’s draft and one that many pundits thought would turn out to be the best player drafted that year as time wore on. That is the guy the Hawks picked.
So yes, the Hawks should have rolled the dice and picked for need instead of the best player route. When we knock M. Williams, we should be honest and admit that many basketball people thought that was the better pick and they too were wrong.
Lastly, who is to say that if the Hawks had drafted Paul or D. Williams that they would have developed the same under Coach Woodson? Bibby thrived here in part because he was already a veteran. We don’t know if either of those guys would have played much their first season much less become the stars they’ve seem to become now. Would they have deferred Johnson and Smith? Would they have transformed the defense? I think there is more than a bit of revisionism and wishful thinking when folks say that Paul and D. Williams were obvious superstar picks that would have lifted this franchise to glory.
jarvis
February 23rd, 2011
1:36 pm
If they’d drafte Paul, this ownership group would have manged to find another way to f’ that situation up.
One thing I am certain of is their incompetance and an uncanny ability to make the wrong move.
jarvis
February 23rd, 2011
1:37 pm
Joe is completely unmovable. Who wants that contract?
Luv 2 hate me
February 23rd, 2011
1:39 pm
Ok Utah just traded away Darren Williams. What in the H*ll is going on with the Hawks. They need to make some moves and NOW. Marvin and Bibby can get lost.
kirkinga
February 23rd, 2011
1:40 pm
I agree with the Hawks still lack a PG, among other things.
Go back and read the predraft assessments of all the players mentioned. People questioned whether Bogut’s game would translate well to the NBA. Paul’s height and his ability to defend (which is still suspect, but better than Bibby’s) were in serious debate. Then we have the recently jettisoned from Utah, D. Williams who had a fantastic tournament, but wasn’t in NBA shape and there were questions about his commitment to dropping weight, his attitude, and yes, his ability to defend (which is not a strength at this point but is ok).
Almost all pundits thought M. Williams had the most upside of any in that year’s draft and would turn out to be the best player drafted that year as time wore on.
Lastly, who is to say that if the Hawks had drafted Paul or D. Williams that they would have developed the same under Coach Woodson? Bibby thrived here in part because he was already a veteran. We don’t know if either of those guys would have played much their first season much less become the stars they’ve seem to become now. Would they have deferred Johnson and Smith? Would they have transformed the defense? I think there is more than a bit of revisionism and wishful thinking when folks say that Paul and D. Williams were obvious superstar picks that would have lifted this franchise to glory.
Ted Striker
February 23rd, 2011
1:40 pm
Very good analysis in this column.
In Knight’s defense, the NBA draft is one of the most inexact non-sciences there is. That said, it would be hard to goof it up as frequently as he did.
Tweets that mention Why the Hawks still haven't gotten past missing on Chris Paul | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
February 23rd, 2011
1:43 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by PRO Law, PRO Legal. PRO Legal said: Why the Hawks still haven't gotten past missing on Chris Paul …: No, they wouldn't have been drafting high eno… http://bit.ly/hRCkUH [...]
bobby
February 23rd, 2011
1:43 pm
i think that what the hawks should’ve done was draft deron williams because i think he’s a better player than chris paul because he a better shooter and dose’nt need the ball all the time or traded the pick for a proven big man.
Playmakers!!
February 23rd, 2011
1:45 pm
Hawks, Falcons, neither know how to draft…(M.Ryan,wait and see)…
mountain_jim
February 23rd, 2011
1:54 pm
and in the same 2005 draft the Hawks and BK could have drafted Monta Ellis in the 2ND ROUND.
There were several folks at Hawksquawk back then touting Ellis, and he was available.
BK picked Salim Stoudamire at 31 and Ellis went at 40.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_Draft
Hawks should have hired the fans here and at the Squawk to run that draft – would have done so much better. God I hate BK – where is that self-important know-it-all hiding out at these days?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 23rd, 2011
1:55 pm
Hawks asleep at the wheel as Nets aquire Deron Williams…
mountain_jim
February 23rd, 2011
1:58 pm
Well at least BK drafted bodies – did not sell the 2nd round picks for dollars which go unused to improve the team, just like the exceptions do. Fire Sund!
coolio
February 23rd, 2011
2:02 pm
Trade Joe Johnson for Deron Williams Then Trade Jamail Crawford,Jeff Teauge and Marvin Williams for Tayshawn Prince and Rip Hamilton
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:03 pm
Why can’t we go get Felton or Lawson? One of those two has to be available.
Braves 2011
February 23rd, 2011
2:05 pm
Harris, Favors, Jerseys 1st round pick and Warriors 2012 1st round pick for Deron Williams.
I like Utah’s side of the deal.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
2:05 pm
“How would you folks feel about Kirk Hinrich?”
Apathetic, as we should. Hinrich is an upgrade over the current situation, but so are about 30 other point guards in this league. What will Hinrich really account for, one extra playoff win before the Hawks lose in the first round anyway?
Mr. Mojo
February 23rd, 2011
2:05 pm
Rick Sund is a joke!
Mr. Mojo
February 23rd, 2011
2:09 pm
No PGS left. Ramon Sessions isn’t a difference maker. Maybe Andre Miller? But not sure of his contract situation. Hawks are screwed they will get no PG or C and then we will here same old crap form this GM and ownership. What a disgrace
Veteran Fan
February 23rd, 2011
2:09 pm
Tick, tick, tick time is slipping away on the Hawks! Please send the “CORE” somewhere else! It would be nice to get some players in here who want to play basketball! First, we are stuck with JJ as the only team with anything we wanted who would be stupid enough to pay him is NJ and they just gave away Harris and Favors and 2 #1s which we could have used along with Murphy. Oh well, now we need to send Josh, Zaza, and Marvin and swap #1s to the Timberwolves for Love and Darko. Upgrades our frontline and gets us a decent draft pick. Second, Bibby and Jamaal to the Suns for Nash. Makes the team more uptempo immediately and Teague can learn from a league MVP how to play the position!
Braves 2011
February 23rd, 2011
2:10 pm
Glad Favors is away from the Russian know it all billionaire.
He’s going to reget this deal so much.
SR
February 23rd, 2011
2:10 pm
Yes, you are absolutely correct, not drafting Paul is the gift that keeps on giving and keeps on haunting this franchise, along with miserable ownership. If you had to choose one word that best defines the Hawks, it is “irrelevant”.
Deacon Blues
February 23rd, 2011
2:12 pm
Tremaine, I absolutely ate up your pizza delivery metaphor. Nice work!
Thank God for the weather. Otherwise, things would be so depressing around here: Hawks (stuck in the middle with you!), Hewitt, hockey and homefield (in the NFL playoffs).
I need a beverage.
Dee
February 23rd, 2011
2:13 pm
Josh Smith and Marvin Williams is who needs to be move for a point guard and maybe center. Josh is good but he’s not consistent and I don’t even have to speak on Marvin. They should get a good guard for that, should have traded them to Utah, maybe Nets now for Williams and Lopez since Williams didn’t like the trade so obvisiously he does not want to be there!
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:13 pm
We need to send Smith, Bibby and a pick to Denver for Felton/Lawson and Nene.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2011
2:15 pm
Let’s note: If you’re trading Josh Smith, you’re losing an All-Star caliber player. Not sure Felton or Lawson would make up for that.
Braves 2011
February 23rd, 2011
2:16 pm
Turner should have sold to the Texan.
Couldn’t have turned out any worse.
Texan lucked up with the court judgement.
He should have been glad the deal didn’t go through.
AG
February 23rd, 2011
2:17 pm
Pretty tough for Teague to contribute something planted on the bench. Mark, if they gave you a Hawks uniform and you sat on the bench like Teague does, your contribution will be the same. Why is everybody giving up on this kid without giving him an opportunity to play. I have seen some good and some bad, but he deserves an opportunity to start.
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:17 pm
Felton is an all star caliber player…Ty Lawson will be. We have to many of the same type players with no point or center. Smith will be addition by subtraction.
PG – Felton/Lawson
SG – JJ
SF – Marvin
PF – Horford
C – Nene
Braves 2011
February 23rd, 2011
2:18 pm
Mark, this franchise is stuck.
What is the JJ contract going to look like in another year or two of diminishing returns?
True Hawk Fan
February 23rd, 2011
2:23 pm
Rallllph, upchuck, Ralllph! There you go Mark. I said I would throw up if you mentioned drafting Chris Paul one more time. Get a life and move on to some real solutions. Please! Oops! I forgot, you don’t know diddley about basketball.
reality
February 23rd, 2011
2:23 pm
With a real point guard, this team could have been and still could be a championship contender. They have a lot of weapons but the offense just doesn’t flow b/c of no point guard (not to mention the defensive breakdowns).
It’s almost impossible to win without a point guard or center. You better have Kobe Bryant or Lebron James on your team if you want to do it that way.
The Truth
February 23rd, 2011
2:24 pm
Are there anymore Russian billionaire criminals interested in buying an NBA team? Until the Hawks have a solid ownership that is willing to do what it takes to put a winner on the court, all the speculation and discussion is pointless.
tyger
February 23rd, 2011
2:26 pm
POINTLESS ARTICLE
Ted M
February 23rd, 2011
2:36 pm
Is Josh Smith our 1 and only bargaining chip? Ty Lawson is the backup couldn’t we get him for less the JS?
JSB
February 23rd, 2011
2:45 pm
Mark, do you think the ASG would sell the Hawks for $380 million today?
bobby
February 23rd, 2011
2:45 pm
also in the 2005 draft andrew byumn was in this draft the hawks should have traded down in the top 10 and drafted byumn.
DMR
February 23rd, 2011
2:47 pm
The Hawks need to think “BIG PICTURE AND LONG TERM”. They have made the playoffs the last few years, but we all know that the East keeps getting better. The Hawks are not good enough, nor will they be good enough to get past the first round if they stand pat. I would be willing to see the Hawks take a STEP BACK to leap forward.
Signing Joe Johnson to this massive contract was an inept business decision. The Hawks, at times, have performed better when Johnson was on the shelf. The Hawks taking Marvin Williams back in the day was also a major gaffe. Time to forget about the past and make major strides toward the future.
Your best building block is Al Horford. Josh Smith is a great piece of trade bait and you have to get rid of Crawford before he becomes a free agent and you get nothing.
Chris Paul | More Than More Insurance
February 23rd, 2011
2:49 pm
[...] Why the Hawks still haven’t gotten past missing on Chris Paul – Atlanta Journal Constitu… Why the Hawks still haven't gotten past missing on Chris PaulAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Chris Paul (in blue) is not now, nor has he ever been, a Hawk. (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin) Every Hawks blog post elicits the same two reader comments. The first: âWe should have drafted Chris Paul!â The second, following close at hand: âCan we please … Feb 23, 2011 1:49am [...]
true enough
February 23rd, 2011
2:55 pm
True enough, MB. Nice job! I wonder if Marvin made all of those shots with Bk looking on with or without someone in his face, guarding him or if he just stood there with a rack of balls and shot.
It still amazes that we spent a number 2 pick overall, OVERALL, on a guy that couldn’t crack the starting five in college.
40 weeks + and still no signs of labour !!? | Women and Pregnancy
February 23rd, 2011
3:02 pm
[...] Why the Hawks still haven't gotten past missing on Chris Paul … [...]
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
3:02 pm
Lawson was only a backup becasue Billups was in Denver. Now that Billups is gone Lawson will get his chance. He filled in a couple of weeks ago when Billups was banged up a played great. Lawson will be an allstar in the next few years.
Chris Paul | More Than More Insurance
February 23rd, 2011
3:05 pm
[...] Why the Hawks still havenât gotten past missing on Chris Paul – Atlanta Journal Constitut… Every Hawks blog post elicits the same two reader comments. The first: âWe should have drafted Chris Paul!â The second, following close at hand: âCan we please stop talking about Chris Paul?â Reader No. 2 has a point. The draft in question came in … Feb 22, 2011 4:10pm [...]
atlanta fan
February 23rd, 2011
3:07 pm
the problem with the hawks is the upper management and the coach. I am not taking up for mike woodson, but how do you fire mike and hire someone that coached under him. whats the saying (2 peas in a pod)???????
The Game Has Changed
February 23rd, 2011
3:12 pm
Can anybody tell me what Chris and Deron have done in the playoffs. NOTHING. Getting rid of Mike Woodson was our biggest mistake. The owners are out of touch with realty if thought the team would improve with the same players and an assistant coach. Get Real. The Nets did the same thing to Byron Scott and he took them to the finals. It might be 20 years before the Nets get back to the finals. And it might be 10 years before the Hawks get back to the second round.
Ted M
February 23rd, 2011
3:13 pm
Are there anymore Russian billionaire criminals interested in buying an NBA team?
Yes there are!
Jo Bling
February 23rd, 2011
3:14 pm
“If you’re trading Josh Smith, you’re losing an All-Star caliber player.”
Say what? I don’t recall Josh Smith playing in any All-Star games, being selected for any All-Star games, or even being nominated for any All-Star games. What do you mean “All-Star caliber”? Oh, you mean that he SHOULD be an All-Star but isn’t? And why do you think that is? I think everyone on this board and anyone else who watches the Hawks on a regular basis knows that Josh Smith has the god-given talent to be an NBA All-Star, and yet he’s not. Why is that? The reason is pretty simple – he has a 10-cent head.
This season started off with a lot of promise for Josh, and he appeared to have matured a bit. But it didn’t take long for him to slide back into his old ways, and the team has suffered for it of late. He single-handedly cost us a 23-point lead and the game a couple of weeks ago. I’ve never seen anything like it.
The bottom line is that it will always be a question with Josh of whether he’s an asset or a liability – a tremendous defensive presence who is equally devastating (in a bad way) on offense. And here everyone seems so convinced that he’s our best bargaining chip. Really? Don’t you think that other GMs have Josh figured out? I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Sund has already offered Josh once or twice and been laughed at.
BirdDog
February 23rd, 2011
3:21 pm
Clearly one of the dumbest moves in franchise history! Only an Atlanta team could do something that stupid…
The Game Has Changed
February 23rd, 2011
3:24 pm
Jo BLing- You have to consider him a top 15 small forward. Thats good enough for me. He wants to be a point guard and a shooting guard. The Hawks should keep him and bring him off the bench instead of Crawford.
JR1967
February 23rd, 2011
3:30 pm
Just go ahead and sell the Hawks and hopefully, they will go to Seattle and become the Supersonics.
coolio
February 23rd, 2011
3:30 pm
Get Gerald Wallace.All the bobcats want is a expiring contract and a first round pick.Easily done
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
3:32 pm
Smith is not a top 15 small forward…he is a PF, period. That’s the problem, we have two really good PF on this team. One needs to be flipped for a good C or PG. Horford ain’t going anywhere so Smith is the one. It makes me cringe when I see Smith listed as the starting SF.
rebuild
February 23rd, 2011
3:34 pm
remember a couple years ago when the motto was “rebuild”? i think they need to get that motto back. We are stuck in the middle of the pack, and just became the 6th best team in the east. we are currently good enough to make it to the playoffs, but not good enough to win anything. Because we keep making the playoffs, we can’t get very good draft picks, which limits the rookies we bring in. If by some miracle the hawks could trade joe johnson (especially after the dumbest contract ever was given to him), trade marvin williams (second dumbest contract ever to him), trade josh smith (simply the dumbest player ever), get rid of crawford for he is gone anyways, get rid of bibby, and keep horford. ill take a couple of bad years so we can get lottery picks and actually draft players good enough to win championships. we are stuck right now, and without shedding some of these ridiculous contracts we aren’t going to get any better
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
3:35 pm
Flip Smith for a PG or C, or a package for both. Once we get 5 players on the court playing their correct/natural position Mark Bradley will be writing an article about how Golddawg needs to run a NBA franchise.
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
3:36 pm
Oh yeah, Marvin will be just fine at the 3 with an actual PG and C.
Miles D
February 23rd, 2011
3:37 pm
WOW!!! I’m amazed but not surprised!! The Nets have acquired Deron Williams and the Hawks didn’t even make a play for him! The simple fact that we let that trade go down in front of our faces means this frachise will NEVER be true contenders!!! All the Nets did was trade a supplemental draft pick, Derrick Favors, and Devin Harris for D-Will! If I were Hawks management I definitley would have gave up Josh Smith and Jammal Crawford for D-Will!! But I guess thats the thing…I’m not Hawks management..just a fan. ALL HAWKS FANS SHOULD START WEARING BAGS ON OUR HEADS IF WE ATTEND GAMES!!! We’ve essentially missed on CP3, D-Will, and Devin Harris TWICE!!! And I hear the Hawks are thinking about Ramon Sessions??? What a joke of a franchise!!!! WHATEVER HAWKS!!!
TM
February 23rd, 2011
3:37 pm
I’m trying to figure out who is worse:
1. Ga Tech- for still allowing Paul Hewitt to have the title of “Head Coach” of their team.
or
2. Atlanta Hawks for still having Marvin Williams draw a paycheck from the Atlanta Spirit.
I’m leaning toward #2, but can be easily swayed either way.
BOTH are killing their respective clubs.
Mr. Mojo
February 23rd, 2011
3:47 pm
They did rebuild and once they got the the playoffs in 3 years since they only added Crawford. Other well run franchises would fo put peices arounf them and been a contender but not the Hawks. We actually did the Knicks a big favor by offering Joe a Max deal if we didnt he would of been on the KNicks and they never would of gotten Melo. All that asied, I am always sticking up for Josh and we shouldnt trade him unless we can get Chris Paul. The Hawks should be on the phone with NO right now trying to put a package together for CP3.
John
February 23rd, 2011
3:52 pm
If the best Atlanta can do is Kirk Hinrich, they might as well not do anything at all and wait for off-season. No way is Bibby AND first round pick worth a guy averaging 11 and 4 this year. I know Atlanta needs a PG, and a C (why aren’t they going after Thabeet?). Sure he’s a bust, but he’s better than what Atlanta has. But I wouldn’t give up a 1st rounder for either, even though Atlanta has no clue how to draft.
John
February 23rd, 2011
3:54 pm
Miles, that wouldn’t have been enough for DWill (although I would have loved it). Favors is about 2 or 3 years away from being a true stud in the league. Harris is a very good PG, plus they got 2 1st round picks. Atlanta had NO CHANCE of offering something even close to that.
Jerry West
February 23rd, 2011
3:54 pm
@Mojo
Josh isn’t enough to get CP3. Unless the Hawks were offering up Horford, the Hornets would laugh and hang up.
Painfully Obvious
February 23rd, 2011
3:59 pm
Thanks for the reminder Mark
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2011
4:01 pm
I’m not sure Hasheem Thabeet is better than Jason Collins, John.
If you’re looking for the worst No. 2 pick of the past decade, Thabeet, ahem, beats Marvin Williams.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:04 pm
Mark, believe me, I don’t think he’s much of an improvement, but if you put him beside Horford, I can’t imagine how he doesn’t get 8 – 12 rebounds a game and 2 – 4 blocks a game. I know he’s a skinny as a cr*ckhead, but surely he could get those numbers.
Mel from Atlanta
February 23rd, 2011
4:05 pm
Even dumber…give Joe Johnson more money than KING JAMES. Stupid is and Stupid does.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:07 pm
Here’s a thought…to h*ll with the PG. Send Bibby, Marvin, Jamal Crawford to Utah for Jefferson. Let Al stay at center for a while, and put him beside Jefferson. Just wondering how that would look.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:08 pm
If Teague can’t get JJ, Josh, Al and Jefferson the ball, then it would be TRULY OBVIOUS he can’t play at the NBA level.
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
4:09 pm
Why is anyone asking about Lawson? The guy scores is super in Game 1 after Melo, is still on a rookie contract, and you think Denver is that gullible to dump both their point guards? Wow…
The same for Sessions; he scores 30 against the Lakers and the next day, people start pining for his services. Folks, he isn’t being showcased to be traded at that point. They want to dump Mo…you got the wrong PG! FYI, Sessions has no 3 pt arsenal…he is limited. That doesn’t help this team.
As for Hindrich, tell me something Mark. Washington is abysmal on the road. They have bloated contracts with Hindrich/Lewis. These guys aren’t helping their current team win…how are they going to help a team on non-chalants win? Its a junk for junk swap…no gain, and Sund doesn’t do deals just to do deals….frankly, I’m not sure he knows what a deal worth doing is?
Get a portion of Bibby/Marvin/Zaza/Smoove/JC1/Mo out of the picture. They aren’t providing enough for what they’re being hired to do. Get us a PG and a C….why is this so difficult? Because we overvalue our mediocre talent.
By the time the next 24 hours passes, we will have been the only Eastern team not to have made a significant move this season, summer or in-season. We will have Josh Powell & Damien Wilkins as our big additions.
We will have to swap 3 pieces for one and probably give out cash as well….well, we should have 3M sitting somewhere because of the gain in last year’s draft right Mr. Sund? Or was that your bonus?
Give me Brooks, Battier, Miller…guys who have won this season and make us better in the starting 5. Let Marvin and Bibby sit a while if we can’t coerce another team to take them.
When the day is over, Andre Miller will be in the East as we watch Charlotte snatch him up so he can play for a real NBA coach. We have no idea what a real NBA coach is.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:11 pm
Had to rejust…trade wouldn’t work. But this would: Bibby, Jamal, ZaZa and 1st round pick for Jefferson and Raja Bell
Mr. Mojo
February 23rd, 2011
4:12 pm
I doubt it look at the other stars being traded and I havent seen a player as good as Josh go back in any of those deals. Hornets can laugh at that but they wont do better and when Paul pushes his way out next year they will get their hands tied like Denver did.
Mel from Atlanta
February 23rd, 2011
4:13 pm
Anyone have anything positive to say? Jeez.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:16 pm
Mel…the majority of us are supporters of the “Hawks”. The players didn’t assemble themselves. It’s the same story every year with the owners and GM that watch everyone ahead of them get stronger and stronger, while Atlanta stays pat. It’s difficult to be upbeat this time of year…but such is life as an Atlanta fan (see Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, GT, and Braves—minus 1995).
Loserville USA
February 23rd, 2011
4:16 pm
So Deron Williams is out there and we just let him fly by. Unbelievable.
Just move this team to Ruckert Park and let ‘em play on the playground for the rest of the year.
Unwatchable Wunderlichs.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:17 pm
Mr. Mojo…I wouldn’t be so sure on CP3 pushing his way out. After what’s happened the past couple years, and now with Carmelo, don’t be surprised to see a “franchise tag” in the new CBA for the NBA.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:18 pm
People shouldn’t be so upset about Deron Williams being traded to NJ..Atlanta had nothing close to what NJ had to offer…NOTHING.
Whopper Dawg
February 23rd, 2011
4:22 pm
The Hawks are in the NBA netherworld now, good enough to win and stay far from the lotto, and far from good enough to contend. They should package all of their picks for 2011, 2012 and 2013 for a top five pick and get their point guard. They will just waste those picks anyway.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:24 pm
Whopper….hahahahahaha…funny thing is, that’s not a bad idea. However, would Atlanta actually draft a PG?
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2011
4:25 pm
The trouble with the Hawks now is that all their tradeable guys are making too much.
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:27 pm
Mark…there’s more trouble than just that! hahahaha
Mr. Mojo
February 23rd, 2011
4:27 pm
I think there should be a new CBA with a franchise tag. These players planning two team up 2-3 years in advance is ruining the NBA. On another note, Just read on Espn the Hawks main trade chip they offered NJ for Harris was Bibby. Sund you are a joke. Obviosuly we cant compete with Utah trading them Deron but this moron Sund knows no one is gonna take Bibby so hes just making these patheitc offers to save face. We are saddled with 2 contracts that total 20MM (Bibby,Marvin,Zaza) for next 2 years nice job Sund. How this guy is a NBA GM i have no idea. ASG you are the worst owners in sports. You hired a terrible GM and an inexpereinced coach because he was the cheapest. you are a disgrace to the NBA and the city of Atlanta. And this comes from a Hawk fan that lives in NY.
Ryan
February 23rd, 2011
4:27 pm
I think everyone can agree that the Hawks messed up that pick in 2005. Either Chris Paul or Deron Williams should have been selected (both are top 5 PG’s in the league). Personally, I was hoping that we drafted Deron and to this day think that he would have been the better pick.
You have to look deeper than simply that one draft pick though. The Hawks pitch to Joe Johnson in that off season was that they would give him all of this money and he would play “PG” for our team and be the number one option on the team, which was the main reason why he decided not to resign with the Suns. I doubt Joe ends up signing with the Hawks had we drafted a point guard. I am not sure what other all-star caliber player would have chosen to sign with the Hawks.
The second item is the drafting of Al Horford in 2007. The Hawks were extremely lucky in the lottery to keep the top 3 protected pick that landed Al. Looking back, had we lost that draft pick I believe it would have really hindered the Hawks. With Chris or Deron, we would have had an even slimmer chance, if any at all, of keeping this draft pick.
Without Joe and Al, I don’t think the Hawks would be in a better situation even with Chris or Deron.
Last thing. We were one pick away from drafting Ty Lawson in 2009. I felt like the Hawks should have moved up a couple spots to get him where he could have backed up Mike Bibby for a year and gradually take over the starting spot. Instead he goes to Denver and we take Jeff Teague with the very next pick, who is struggling to even get playing time now.
Vick Supporter
February 23rd, 2011
4:29 pm
Marvin Williams Sucks. I can hardly watch the games anymore when he’s on the floor
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
4:38 pm
John, exactly about the Deron deal to NJ….we have assets, we just choose to overvalue them.
Whopper, dead on, we don’t grow our draft picks…we let them figure out what they’re good at….so tired of our ‘interchangeable, unable to match up with us parts’ of a team. We are experts at nothing on this roster, but very flexible at filling different spots on the court.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
4:40 pm
Mark, plead with the hawks to start Teague? Please!
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
4:41 pm
ryan, i was hoping for Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton….got neither, so time will tell on those 2..but they would be glued to the bench under Larry because he has to win now and won’t develop anyone.
You think JC2 is wishing for a fresh start? I bet Teague feels the same way. And Teague’s brother is 2 years away from the pros.
You can bet he won’t be looking at Atlanta for a destination.
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
4:43 pm
At this point, I’m ready to see Larry Drew II at the point! This is riduculous as much as Bibby getting the lead guard role for a NBA team.
The Game Has Changed
February 23rd, 2011
4:47 pm
How this lineup sounds. PG Joe, SG M.Williams, SF J. Smith, PF Horford C. J. Collins. If we dont make a trade, (which I dont see) we need to change the lineup. I think Joe and Marvin could run the pick and role very well if they worked on it. They could cause matchup problems with their size.
coloradobulldog
February 23rd, 2011
4:48 pm
The problem is not just that missed on Paul (and Deron & Raymond Felton) in 05 Draft. Its that we also took Childress instead of Iguodala in 04. We took Sheldon Williams (when we just had taken Marvin) instead of trading down and getting Rondo in 06. Heck anyone (Roy, Brewer, Reddick) over Sheldon would have been huge but we brought Rondo in for a visit and we needed a PG. And we all know we gave up too much for Joe. We just got lucky that the lottery ball landed in over favor in 07. Anything less than #3 and it would have been handed to PHX.
That and resigning Joe this off season has set us in mediocrity for ever!
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:50 pm
The Game Has Changed: Not a bad idea, but think about Joe chasing around players like Rondo and the very quick PGs in the league…he’d be totally exhausted by the 4th Qtr. And Marvin trying to guard SGs…no chance. Offense might be ok, defense would be a nightmare.
bjohndawg
February 23rd, 2011
4:51 pm
I dont think they have gotten past Dominque Wilkins retiring.
Rick Sund
February 23rd, 2011
4:51 pm
HAwks make a moovvee
bjohndawg
February 23rd, 2011
4:52 pm
I think Phillips Arena and the Omni were build on ancient Indian burial mounds and the facilities are cursed. Hence the bad play. Heck even Prince gave a bad performance at the Phillip.
Cursed I tell you.
The Game Has Changed
February 23rd, 2011
4:54 pm
Tremaine- Teague is not the answer. If anything they need to try Jordan Crawford at point. He can shoot, he is quick and he takes it to the rack with authority
John
February 23rd, 2011
4:56 pm
Not like any of this matters. Atlanta will probably do nothing, as usual. Lose Jamal in the offseason with no return. Sund will talk about how great the “core” is and how he expects Marvin to have a “breakout” year. He’ll put all his faith in Teague running the point, but he’ll never play more than 8 minutes a game. He’ll tell us that Josh matured during the off-season…yet he’ll whine like a little girl with a skinned knee when things don’t go his way…and he’ll avoid all questions about how much money JJ makes…but still got Horford…so it’s not ALL bad. hahaha
JD
February 23rd, 2011
5:03 pm
Bibby had no points and no assists last night. How does that happen in this league? All the other teams in the league are teeing it up for the playoffs and Sund is either sitting still by choice or by budget, but neither is effective. Who wants to see this team play at this point?? Wither the Thrashers??? Someone find us an owner that believes in dynasty building with the budget to support it…..Bernie Marcus where are you??
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
5:04 pm
The Game Has Changed- Jordan Crawford is a younger version of Jamal Crawford, not a point guard. He should have came in for Jamal when he was playing like crap last night. Jeff Teague showed that he can push the ball up the floor and make plays against the Lakers. He also played pretty good defense on Steve Blake (Bibby couldn’t stop Derrick Fisher). Teague may not be the answer but how will we know if we don’t give him a chance? “GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
the real filipino flash
February 23rd, 2011
5:06 pm
the problem with paul or williams is your starting lineup in 2005 wouldve been one of those point guards, joe, smith, harrington and esteban batista, that team wouldnt of fared too well.
now we are in the playoffs so lets forget about the horrible history, we should make a move for a big man, say marcus camby, wes matthews and joel pryzbilla for marvin, jamal and collins/powell
the problem isnt as much pg play as it is, in this motion offense, you got horford (whos gone from catch and shooting that sweet mid ranger to being able to create that opening) and smoove running around away from the basket. A serviceable big man would create that anchor down low so atlanta can avoid blowing double digit leads when the shooters go cold.
Ill take anybody, even Earl Barron, over twin, hes garbage whether hes fat or in shape
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
5:06 pm
The Game Has Changed- Teague may not be the answer but we won’t know until we play him. Jordan Crawford is a younger version of Jamal. Shoot first ask questions later. We need a guy who can push the ball and get to the basket. Teague did that last night.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
5:08 pm
The Game Has Changed- how do you know when Teague hasn’t been given a chance? He did score 24 points last year when Bibby was hurt.
kirkinga
February 23rd, 2011
5:13 pm
The real answer is that this core group of players isn’t likely to emerge from the East. The Hawks are more than just “one piece away.”
Skeezix
February 23rd, 2011
5:15 pm
Mark: I see that U. Conn.’s basketball program is still ethically challenged.
And yes, the Hawks not drafting Paul was a huge blunder.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
5:19 pm
“Let’s note: If you’re trading Josh Smith, you’re losing an All-Star caliber player. Not sure Felton or Lawson would make up for that.”
Lawson absolutely would. Maybe not this year, but as soon as next year I could see Lawson contending for an All Star spot. That guy is absolutely legit.
I like Felton, too, but I’d have a hard time trading Smoove for just him. If you’re talking Felton and Nene, though, that’s a trade the Hawks would have to seriously consider.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
5:20 pm
“People shouldn’t be so upset about Deron Williams being traded to NJ..Atlanta had nothing close to what NJ had to offer…NOTHING.”
Co-sign. I hate that D-Will and Harris both got traded with the Hawks not being involved, but there’s really nothing the Hawks have that matches the production of D-Will or the promise of Favors.
Stuart
February 23rd, 2011
5:25 pm
3 team trade: we send Teague and Evans and a 2nd round pick to Cleveland, send Marvin to Houston, Cleveland sends Moon to Houston, and we get Sessions from Cleveland, and Battier and Budinger from Houston. It works on the trade machine.
This would give us depth at power forward, and more of a defensive presence with Battier. It would also be a good fix for the point guard problem; still not much D at the spot, but more facilitating and more movement/driving to the basket. Yes, we would give up Teague and Marvin, both of whom have up sides. But, we need point guard help now, and between Joe, Josh, Jamal, and Al taking shots, will Marvin really get a chance to fully blossom in ATL anyway? I would figure Houston would be interested, as they would get Marvin, a younger SF with much more potential. Cleveland would get a young guard with potential who is cheaper than Sessions, plus a pick for the future (as they’re not going anywhere now). It may have to be contingent upon Battier signing an extension with ATL at the same salary he is making now, just because he is in his last year, and if he leaves, that wouldn’t be worth it. The trade machine gives us 12 more wins with the trade. Given that Cleveland and Houston are essentially shopping these players, why not?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
5:25 pm
“Getting rid of Mike Woodson was our biggest mistake.”
Firing Woody to hire LD is like firing Herman Edwards to hire Cam Cameron. Woody is like Herman Edwards — good at relating to and motivating players, but clueless about X’s and O’s, schemes, substitutions, etc. LD is like Cam Cameron — the guy who would be really good as a coordinator but is in over his head as a head coach. Neither one is a good option. What the Hawks should have done is go in a completely different direction; preferably one who has Woody’s player skills and LD’s knowledge of basketball.
Loserville USA
February 23rd, 2011
5:40 pm
We had nothing to offer?
I forgot, most of you just love that genius Josh Smith er……J-SMOOVE (How the heck did HE earn a nickname), who threw 2 passes of the backboard last night…. No court intelligence whatsoever.
Only players of value? Horford. Maybe Collins because of his role. Everyone else — including MR. MAX CONTRACT FAILURE — circles the drain.
Otter
February 23rd, 2011
5:48 pm
I heard that Speedy Claxton is going to be ready to play any day now.
Air Zaza
February 23rd, 2011
5:54 pm
The Hawks
cdog
February 23rd, 2011
6:00 pm
no way mark. you can’t pin the blame on billy knight.knight had the franchise going in the right direcion until he stepped down and allowed us to get this nut rick sund as his replacement.thats the worst thing the franchise could have done.this man has totally almost destroyed the hawks by keeping them at a standstill.if he remains as gm, the hawks are on pace to become the la clippers, the losest franchise in the NBA.
atl
February 23rd, 2011
6:11 pm
no i think darko milicic getten picked b3fore melo was the biggest bust ???????
bigeasy830
February 23rd, 2011
6:17 pm
The Hawks guarantee to Sheldon Williams that they would draft him 5th was the biggest bust.
South ga boy in the Atl
February 23rd, 2011
6:23 pm
Couldn’t agree more, mark. But it goes even deeper. It’s dumb@$$ Knight using 5, yes 5, lottery picks on forwards. Sheldon, chills, and Marvin were wasted picks. And on top of that the 2 good forwards they got play the same damn PF position. What a joke !!!
Honest Truth
February 23rd, 2011
6:26 pm
Najeh Davenpoop: Are you serious? You are one of the guys that usually posts sense on this board.
This is a business, we would have had to pay more money for Woodie to stay when his assistant could deliver close to what he did: +48wins for way cheaper. The overlying issue all of us are missing, and Mark wont admit t is we were, and will continue to be in a bind. We don’t have enough money to invest in talent that can make us a contender.(at least 2 more better than average players) and yet our Conference and Division has become significantly stronger. So, we are stuck because business-wise, our owners aren’t in the same caliber as Orlando, LA, NY or Dallas to spend without guarantees on return on investment.Honestly Hawks nation, we are not going to get Lebron/Melo/Howard type talent to this team in a trade any time soon-it isn’t available.The Hawks will remain mediocre for a while and it wont change barring CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP or The Hawks tanking the season because there is no real long term gain in winning over 45 games for a 4 year stretch in the draft. Mark is right, the 3 missed picks will haunt us for a while, but that’s where we have to go back to-The draft.
ag
February 23rd, 2011
6:47 pm
bjohndog, the Hawks traded Dominque. That actually was the WORST deal in franchise history.
Nahila
February 23rd, 2011
6:49 pm
Johnson was acquired originally to play Point Guard as well as shooting guard so why not play him at Point Guard some.
coolio
February 23rd, 2011
6:55 pm
Damn Get Mo Williams or Roddy Beaubois man.Something gotta be done.upgrade at SF,PG,or C.Man this ish getting old man.Everyone is bypassing the hawks.We are going straight to the bottom and if the Michael Redd comes back healthy and they resign him and they get healthy as a team i see them bypassing us.They shouldve been on the phone making trade when we were getting handled by them without there best 2 players(Redd and Bogut) and they took us to 7 games that tells you something right there
Joe Roo
February 23rd, 2011
7:08 pm
i hope Blatche is part of the deal with the wizards…. if not, then y do it?
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
7:16 pm
Terrible organization continue to make terrible decisions.
ag
February 23rd, 2011
7:24 pm
Darko was the 2nd player picked. He was picked ahead of Bosh, Anthony and Wade. He IS the biggest bust, and Detroit still feels the pain. Yet unlike us, they did not draft best player (I think Woody thought that by drafting Marvin), and they chose to fill the position they needed. It backfired. Unlike Atlanta, they did not play him and eventually got rid of him. A close second so far is Thabeet, but I think he will do okay with time on the floor. With a team like Atlanta, all he has to do is rebound and block shots.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
7:29 pm
Mike Bibby might be in the trade for Kirk Hinrich. Please make the deal before 9 so Teague can get the start.
Steve
February 23rd, 2011
7:29 pm
Ouch. DW traded to the Nets. Painful.
I would have like the Hawks to have gotten him, but apparently we aren’t willing to risk anything in trade. Simple fact is, this guy is more important than JJ will ever be, yet we had no problems signing him to max.
I would easily have given up Teague, Marvin and two first rounders for Williams. Given the fact the Hawks first round picks won’t be high enough to get a premier PG, it would be worth it. I guess we will keep drafting gys like Teague, Law and the like late in the draft and hoping we can find gold. Good luck with that.
Oh .. while we are on the topic of horrendous picks by Billy Knight, lets not forget Shelden Williams. UGH!
JSS
February 23rd, 2011
7:29 pm
One name says it all: Shelden Williams! No, Acie Law… No, Salim Stoudamire… No, Jeff Teague… Ugh, get my drift, this team screws up drafts!
Horford is our Savior
February 23rd, 2011
7:34 pm
Imagine if we could buy alcohol on SUNDAY…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOM_UuQzc0
JSS
February 23rd, 2011
7:36 pm
I said it another blog, no one wants what the Hawks have to offer! This reminds of when the Blazers suckered the Hawks into taking Isiah Rider… Nobody in the league wanted that walking neutron bomb! But here along come the Hawks! The Hawks are hoping to find a sucker… Only 2 teams are that stupid… And even they are leery of taking calls from the 404 area code!
ag
February 23rd, 2011
7:37 pm
It is what it is, so if we would have drafted one of those point guards, we would not have had Hortford.
ag
February 23rd, 2011
7:37 pm
Horford
JSS
February 23rd, 2011
7:41 pm
ag
February 23rd, 2011
6:47 pm
“bjohndog, the Hawks traded Dominque. That actually was the WORST deal in franchise history.”
Sorry, that one is not even close. This franchise drafted and traded BILL RUSSELL! That is the worst trade in pro basketball history!
South ga boy in the Atl
February 23rd, 2011
7:42 pm
Najeh, I really respect your opinion, but I’m sick and tired of defending Smoove. He’s the most immature and dumbest (in a BB sense) veteran ( yes veteran, don’t anyone give me the “still young” crap anymore), yet with so much talent, in the entire NBA. You either have to pick him or Al because they both are PF. Getting out rebounded so badly last night should settle that argument for good, against the elite teams and that’s who we have to beat to attain a championship. The sooner we part ways with Smoove (the Emporer has no clothes time) and obtain an elite PG (I realize this will have to be done in the off season) the closer we will be to the promise land. But I can’t defend Smoove any longer.
STRETCH
February 23rd, 2011
7:49 pm
The Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards are nearing a deal that would send Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong to Atlanta in exchange for Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans and Jordan Crawford. The trade hasn’t been finalized, but the deal is expected to be completed before tomorrow’s deadline.
——————————————————————————–
http://www.hoopsworld.com
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
8:00 pm
It’s official Bibby is gone. Thanks for the memories but you no longer have it. Hawks gave up a lot for though.
St. Bernard
February 23rd, 2011
8:02 pm
Did we give them this year’s first rounder or not?
atlchris
February 23rd, 2011
8:05 pm
Can anyone disagree that the Hawks would be serious contenders if they actully had a Chris Paul? Look at our starting 5 with him.
Starters: Reserves:
Al Horford Mo Evans
Chris Paul Jamal Crawford
Josh Smith Marvin Williams
Joe Johnson Jeff Teague
Jason Collins Zaza
Mike Bibby
Damien Wilkens
Josh Powell
We see opur reserves right here. What can we do to seriously make it happen. Doesn’t anyone else think we should be seriously be talked about in a possible city for players to want to come. Does our ownership group not realize how close we should be; to us being talked about; as championship contenders? To make the trade for CP3 we start with a package that includes us trading Jamal Crawford and Marvin Williams to the Hornets. I am not sure that we have anyone else to trade, that they would even want! They could want a first round pick also. It would be wouth it. Our reserves would be just as good as any
contender in the east.
Mike bibby
Jeff Teague
Jordan Crawford
Josh Powell(he was on the championship team last yr)
Damien Wilkens(he has scored over 40pts in a game before)
Jimmy Crack
February 23rd, 2011
8:18 pm
The Atlanta Spirit Group should get a side-by-side photo of the Hawks coach and the Thrashers coach and call it “Tired & Tired-er”.
They should both play insomniacs in TV commercials.
I would ask for a rimshot but this is Atlanta.
Mike Bibby / According to the Washington Post’s Michael Lee, the deal sending Bibby to Washington is done. | Sporty Twits
February 23rd, 2011
9:01 pm
[...] both guys Atlanta would like to hold on to. …NBA PM: Hawks Exploring Trade OptionsHoopsWorldWhy the Hawks still haven't gotten past missing on Chris PaulAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)2011 NBA Trade Deadline: Ramon Sessions, Manny Harris For Jeff [...]
kral
February 23rd, 2011
9:08 pm
ooh..I hope my voice can still be heard
kral
February 23rd, 2011
9:11 pm
well this has nothing to do with the article..but tell shultzie when you can…he is S.GA…chicken sugar..he will understand
kral
February 23rd, 2011
9:25 pm
I am not obessive just require equal voice..sorry last week sportsfans..banned from his blog…tick him off..put me onsomething..can not pull up my e-mail…maybe told me I was blocked…maybe deserved it..vulgar, but incripted..seen it a lot…so this is how it works…personal…yes..sorry other bloggers
TNScott
February 23rd, 2011
11:00 pm
Well, folks it comes down to one thing: Clueless ownership. Clueless owners hire clueless people that make clueless decisions, and all of the fans of that team wonder why those running the clueless franchise make the decisions they do and are clueless. This is why the Hawks drafted a player with “enormous upside”, “higher ceiling”, “unlimited potential,” or whatever adjective phrase used to justify the selection of an unproven talent instead of a proven one. This reminds me of the Three Stooges where Curly is trying to fix a leak in a house and winds up building a pipe box around himself as fixing one leak led to another to fix. Now we are once again making a trade for another shooting guard to play point guard. Cue the theme. Here’s a question who plays Larry, Curly, and MO?
Mike Bibby
February 24th, 2011
12:02 am
[...] for Jordan Crawford, Mike Bibby, Mo Evans, and a. Wahington Wizard's Kirk Hinrich and Hilton ArmstroMike Bibby – The Washington Wizards have traded Kirk Hinrich, along with Hilton Armstrong, to the Atlanta [...]
WPB Brave
February 24th, 2011
2:04 pm
When the Hawks passed on BOTH Paul and Williams to draft yet ANOTHER FREAKING FORWARD is when I couldn’t take it anymore and ditched them for another team none other than the Miami Heat baby and boy what a difference it has been following a team ran by Pat R. than the mess of a team in ATL. I do still follow the Hawks but I can’t root for them like I used to after making stupid move after stupid move. JJ a max contract? Are you serious? 1st Round pick for Hinrich?? WTF are these guys thinking? They should have done whatever it took to get D. Williams and right the wrong from 5 years ago when they drafted a M. Williams – who need I remind you DIDN’T EVEN START FOR HIS COLLEGE TEAM THAT YEAR.
Chris Paul
February 24th, 2011
11:12 pm
[...] Why the Hawks still haven’t gotten past missing on Chris Paul – Atlanta Journal Constitu… Why the Hawks still haven't gotten past missing on Chris PaulAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Chris Paul (in blue) is not now, nor has he ever been, a Hawk. (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin) Every Hawks blog post elicits the same two reader comments. The first: âWe should have drafted Chris Paul!â The second, following close at hand: âCan we please …NBA Watch: Updates on Marvin and rest of state's NBA players Kitsap Sunall 20 news articles » Feb 24, 2011 3:32pm [...]