Why the Atlanta Hawks’ future is, in a word, questionable
Kirk Hinrich waves goodbye to the first-round draft pick that became Chris Singleton. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The NBA draft is behind us, and all the Hawks have to show for it is Keith Benson, a skinny center of some promise who might not play a significant minute next season. But there are greater issues facing this team. To wit:
1. Having all but admitted they’d like to trade Josh Smith, don’t the Hawks now HAVE to trade Josh Smith?
Yes. Some players could shrug off being shopped as the price of business. Smith isn’t so thick-skinned. He really wants to be appreciated as a great player, and he can’t understand why Atlanta fans cringe when he rises to shoot a 20-footer. If the Hawks were willing to dangle Smith in the attempt to land the draft’s No. 2 pick and the Turkish center Enes Kanter, they shouldn’t pull back now. A disgruntled Smoove would be a greater distraction than he already is.
2. Does the Kirk Hinrich trade look even worse with time?
Yes. It’s one thing to deal away a draft pick, quite another to realize that pick could have yielded Chris Singleton, the forward from Florida State who’s an Atlanta native and who could have stepped into the Hawks’ rotation on defensive prowess alone. The Washington Wizards now have a shooting guard (Jordan Crawford, also included in the Hinrich deal) and a swing forward (Singleton) who came gift-wrapped from the Hawks, who — and this is the real kick in the head — might not have needed Hinrich at all.
3. Speaking of whom … is Jeff Teague the real deal?
He was terrific against Chicago as an emergency starter, but it bears repeating that he worked just under 10 minutes in the Round 1 series against Orlando. The Hawks went to training camp last fall hoping that Teague would show enough that Mike Bibby could be phased out, and that didn’t happen. If you’re counting, that makes two Hawks coaches — first Mike Woodson, then Larry Drew — who have praised Teague’s talent but haven’t trusted him enough to put him on the floor.
4. We’ve been told all along that the Hawks are “athletic.” Why did they turn into a bunch of jump shooters?
Actions have consequences. By giving Al Horford more minutes at power forward, Smith was pushed to the perimeter. The shifts turned two of the league’s more dynamic talents into standstill shooters. The damning numbers, courtesy of Hoopdata: The Hawks took fewer shots at the rim than any NBA team but hoisted more from 16 to 23 than any club save the Wizards. This is simply a poor bit of asset allocation.
5. Can Jamal Crawford be retained?
It’s hard to see how. The Hawks have nearly $67 million committed for next season, and Crawford is going to command upwards of $10 million as an unrestricted free agent. There’s also this: Of that $67 million, almost $30 million will go to guards Hinrich, Teague and Joe Johnson. Do you really want to pay $40 million for your backcourt?
6. Is Joe Johnson’s contract worse than Jon Koncak’s notorious deal?
Yes. Koncak re-upped for $13 million over six seasons, which was big money in 1989. Johnson stayed for $123 million over six seasons, which is huge money now. Koncak was 26 when he signed his new contract; Johnson had just turned 29. The Hawks will have little wiggle room so long as Johnson is a Hawk, and he’s under contract through 2016. Whoa.
7. Is there any hope here?
Sure. Horford and Smith and Johnson are good-to-excellent players, and Teague shows promise. If the Hawks make the right trade involving Smith, they could remain one of the better teams in the East. But the core, which has existed since 2007, needs to change. They didn’t sink from 53 victories in 2009-2010 to 44 last season because a bunch of guys got hurt; they got worse because the guys on hand stopped playing as well together. It’s up to general manager Rick Sund to rearrange the elements.
8. Is Sund capable of such alchemy?
Good question.
By Mark Bradley
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177 comments Add your comment
superiorblogman
June 27th, 2011
7:36 pm
There are 2 trades that make sense involving Josh Smith
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3ekvgdx
Hawks get : Andrew Bogut
Bucks get: Marcin Gortat and Pietrus
Phoenix gets: Josh Smith and Zaza
PG Teague
SG Joe
SF Marvin
PF Al
C Bogut
decriz
June 27th, 2011
7:37 pm
the Highlight Factory + Rick Adelman as coach = i smell fear in the East….they are afraid..hehehe
the Highlight Factory + Rick Adelman as coach = I’m watching the games, I’m buying tickets, buying merchandise…i’m seriously following the team just like everybody else in Atlanta and with fans all over…
the Highlight Factory + Rick Adelman as coach = everybody finds their mojo back, everybody is playing the best bball of their lives…
when he was at:
at Portland – championship caliber
at Sacramento – championship caliber
at Houston – over achieving bunch, you couldn’t deal with adversity any better way, surprised many in the playoffs as well
at Atlanta (if ever)- championship caliber once again
he knows how to use the available offensive talent.
he knows how to utilize gifted passing bigs like Al and Smoove.
a coach that players will play for. he respects the guys, knows how to effectively commuicate. the guys respect him and embrace his philosophy whole heartedly…
Come on ASG. You know it’s the right thing to do. Hire Rick Adelman.
Let’s not allow this great collection of talent in one team to never play for a top notch coach.
Let’s get Rick Adelman and let’s rock and roll!! Let’s be the beasts in the East that we really are!
dub366
June 27th, 2011
7:38 pm
Lets look at the real picture here. It is not Josh Smith’s fault that he’s open to take the shot; especially when you have him playing small forward. The coach should make the change. His shots were no better than Joe Johnson’s or any one else’s shots. When the ball is moving we’re a different team; but when the ball stop in Joe’s hands, that’s when we’re in trouble. There is nothing wrong with Marvin’s game; however, he doesn’t get a lot of touches.
When Joe gets hurt you see a different Marvin, he averages @ 20 points a game until Joe returns. If Teague is the point guard then put the ball in his hands; that would solve a lot of problems. Larry Drew, run your offense, even if you have to put your foot down. The bottom line is, Joe has to learn to play with everyone else.
superiorblogman
June 27th, 2011
7:39 pm
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3opsl5n
Hawks get: Monta Ellis, Biedrins, and Dorell Wright
Golden State gets: Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Zaza
PG Monta/Teague
SG Joe/Hinrich
SF Dorell Wright
PF Al
C Biedrins
superiorblogman
June 27th, 2011
7:49 pm
At the end of the day there will be no trades and with the way Sund does business I am not sure he has the ability to get value for Josh Smith. Giving up 2 1st round picks for Hinrich remains one of the worse trades I have ever seen.
This should be our lineup
PG Teague/Bibby/Demetri McCamey
SG Joe/Jordan/Pape
SF Josh/Chris Singleton/Marvin
PF Al/Keith Benson/Magnum Rolle
C Jason Collins/Zaza/ Fesenko
Jordan Crawford, Chris Singleton, and Mike Bibby for Kirk Hinrich that’s 3 potential rotation players for 1. Horrible
How about trading Kirk Hinrich’s expiring for some depth and future cap relief.
Notso Fast
June 27th, 2011
7:56 pm
I think the Hinrich trade will come back as one of the worst made. . I still thing the Crawford will turn our to be a very good player Better than any of the players involved in the deal. The Hawks just are not very smart in their decisions such as Johnson’s contract and this deal.
DP
June 27th, 2011
7:58 pm
Mark, in the future every time you write that Joe Johnson’s contract is a terrible one, please note that a year ago you said the Hawks had to resign him to a long term deal, over the vehement protests of many here. That came on the heels of his horrible performance during the record 4 game first round sweep at the hands of the Magic. With the money they have tied up in that ballhog it frankly doesn’t matter what other moves the Hawks make for the duration of Johnson’s contract, they’ve hit their peak with a second round exit.
ASG Buffoons
June 27th, 2011
8:00 pm
Wishing for nothing but the status quo for the Hawks until Atlanta is rid of the ASG. As long as the ASG owns even a one dollar stake in the team, I will revel in the misery that is the Hawks. Those buffoons could not run a pee-wee team successfully. They neglected the Thrashers and ran them out of town, yet they LOVE the Hawks and are running them into the ground. Sweet irony……
Badgerina
June 27th, 2011
8:03 pm
Sund ruined the Sonics and now the Hawks. Where’s Pete Babcock?
superiorblogman
June 27th, 2011
8:03 pm
Trading Kirk Hinrich for depth and or cap space.
Marvin and Kirk to the Cavs for Jamison and Sessions
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3p7btca
Since Kirk supporters swear he makes young PG’s better let him go make Kyrie Irving better, take Marvin which you and give us some cap space.
Kirk, Marvin, and Zaza to the Clippers for Chris Kaman, Mo Williams, and Travis Leslie or Trey Thompkins
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6b7dgko
Kirk to the Twolves to trade Rubio for Anthony Randolph, Anthony Tolliver, and Wayne Ellington
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3u6tw6n
Badgerina
June 27th, 2011
8:04 pm
Sund needs to go. As long as he’s around, why bother.
superiorblogman
June 27th, 2011
8:05 pm
Oops I meant Kirk to the Twolves to train Rubio.
Jay
June 27th, 2011
8:05 pm
I’ll take a Smoove+Marvin for Ellis+Biedrins any day of the week. We could slide JJ to small forward and start Ellis and Teague or Ellis and Heinrich based on defensive matchups. Ellis would cover for the drop in points that we’ve going to have when Crawford leaves, his speed element matched with Teague would run other backcourts out of the gym.
Hubie Green
June 27th, 2011
8:09 pm
Trade Smith for Tyson Chandler; bring in a shooter at the three; start Teague; trade Crawford to a contender in the West for for on of portland’s young guns; then do not allow any jump shots in the 4th quarter; everything at the rim.
Why the Atlanta Hawks' future is, in a word, questionable | Mark … | | The Hawks StoreThe Hawks Store
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8:57 pm
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The Hawks
June 27th, 2011
9:03 pm
You ungrateful fans don’t know how lucky you are to witness us playing basketball. After all, we carry the burden of having to play basketball for a two bit hick town like Atlanta.
SteveW
June 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
Bogut just had another surgery on his elbow. He’s not sure if he’ll ever be 100%. He also suffers from terrible migraines.
That’s why the Bucks offered he and the #10 pick for the #2 pick and were rejected. Bogut is making people nervous with his health related issues.
CONservative Johnson
June 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
Hubie Green
June 27th, 2011
8:09 pm
That’s a lot of trading of free agents . . .
SteveW
June 27th, 2011
9:29 pm
A healthy Bogut I take all day long if the the trade is right however.
And Marvin and a 2nd pick is not going to get you any where near Eric Gorden. Marvin and 2 1st picks won’t get you close to Eric Gorden.
superiorblogman
June 27th, 2011
9:52 pm
I hate to post so much but I forgot to mention we dont have to trade Josh Smith. When you put yourself into a position where you feel you have to do something you end up looking desperate and acting that way, way too often. There are only a few moves in which we can get value for Josh Smith and like I posted Bogut and Monta +Biedrins and Wright are probably the most reasonable ones. You have to get a borderline all star if you trade Josh because that is what Josh is.
The new owners need to fire Sund and Drew to make a splash. Give Kirk, Marvin, and Zaza away to get under the cap to teams that are way under the cap then go out and sign some free agents such as Dalembert and Tayshaun Prince.
I am patiently awaiting the new owners the firing of Sund and Drew and getting rid of the dead weight players so we can get some healthy pieces. Josh Smith and Al Horford are too good and too young to trade away. Teague has too much potential to give away without even knowing what he is like you did Jordan. Joe Johnson is the 3rd best shooting guard in the league, and unless you are getting the 3rd best player at some position back then you don’t need to be trading the guy just because you signed him to a bad contract.
BYE BYE HAWKS....
June 27th, 2011
10:03 pm
Does anybody really care about any of this????? Amazing…..
Joe D.
June 27th, 2011
10:08 pm
People will you stop the whinning about JJ; he is NOT the problem. The main problem besides ASG and Sund is Marvin has NOT given the Hawks anything of value since he has been here. He needs to go because is blocking the development of the team by not producing or growing into a real player. Next, don’t trade Al or Josh until they have an opportunately to play with a Real Point Guard. Now that you have a confidence Teague and Hinrich; there’s solid PG rotation. Get Josh to down 15 lbs and works on his handles and move to the 3. Package Marvin with a 2nd round pick for cap relief a la Beasley form Miami to Minny. There’s hope!
chuck
June 27th, 2011
10:09 pm
The return for Josh is only going to get worse so it is time to cut the cord and take the best offer. Al needs to stay at PF and we need to find guys or a guy to play center.
Teedub
June 27th, 2011
10:44 pm
Horford’s the trade. His rep exceeds his performance,, which means the Hawks get more in return.
Uncle Fester
June 27th, 2011
11:02 pm
Bring Billy Knight back. What a bafoon.
Tryin' to fill the Hockey Void
June 27th, 2011
11:27 pm
I’m doubt Chris Singleton would have flourished here (or will flourish anywhere).
I’d like to see Josh Smith stay around, but as was mentioned that might not happen, I just don’t see the Hawks getting back a good enough talent to make any trade worth it. And I don”t want to see them downgrade the overall team talent only for salary considerations (although improving overall team chemistry is a legit reason).
Let’s keep Hinrich too.
Marvin “donk” Williams is by far the most overpayed player on the team (not much we can do about that though is there)
I might miss Jamal’s clutch jumpshots, but if he must go, maybe we could put in someone who plays when the other team has the ball too
-Justin
_sturt_
June 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
You’re paid to write your opinion, so kudos to you that you have that gig and that you get some cred as a result. However, I find nothing in this piece to indicate that your insight is any better than any other Joe Fan’s.
I believe you’re misguided or straight-up wrong about #1, #2 and #6.
You apparently didn’t catch it, and worse, neither did the editors… there is no answer given for #3, and there is only a vague insight given to #4.
I agree with #5 and #7.
Just for the record.
And if AJC wants to know more, I’ll be happy to provide that at a steep discount from what the paid guy is getting.
mark louis
June 27th, 2011
11:56 pm
There’s another report that the Hawks are on the verge of being sold, this one from David Aldridge at NBA.com. That’s 2 reliable sources now. And Aldridge has a price-around $300 million. He says ASG will remain minority owners.
get dwight
June 28th, 2011
12:24 am
trade horford and josh smith for dwight howard, dump some more deadwood and things will be ok.
ICECOLD
June 28th, 2011
1:55 am
LLet Crawford go and add Allen iverson with the mid level contract .. let him be 6 man.. or a true back up shooting guard.. he lives in Atlanta , his son lives here.. he would do it.. at least AI can still get to the free throw line. And he might put people in the seats !! We should not even try to resign Crawford , or sign and trade him with Marvin , zaza, cash , and next year 1st round pick for hopefully dwight Howard or a true starting center… Or a good 3 guard like Danny granger or Paul peirce .. its worth a shot.
P. Bull Terrier
June 28th, 2011
1:57 am
At least when the Hawks signed Koncak, they were reacting to another team (Pistons?) that was supposedly ready to sign him to a big money deal. When they signed JJ, they were only bidding against themselves.
ICECOLD
June 28th, 2011
2:06 am
Trading josh is the dumbest move u can make.. because your still need to find a starting center and small forward.. so you better off trying him for another year.. along with al.. we have the same conversations every year.. and nothin happens. So I’m not trippin.. I’m just ready to watch some more basketball.. we as fans forget.. it suppose to be fun for us.. we not coaches or GM’s .. let them handle it.. we been in the play offs the last 4 or 5 years, when we don’t make the play offs.. then panic. Trade Marvin for cash. And go from their. That’s it.
G. Tampa Bedwetter
June 28th, 2011
2:18 am
It’s NBA basketball ………………… who gives a sh1t?
Tim
June 28th, 2011
2:25 am
No way Jamal commands $10 million a year. Especially with the new CBA.
James
June 28th, 2011
2:28 am
Trade the whole team except Al Horford.
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2011
3:59 am
Don’t trade J-BALLS. He’s the only Hawk with any.
KevinM
June 28th, 2011
4:11 am
Yes, bring that AI guy in here who’s known as a team player….he looked old in his 2nd stint in Philly…can you imagine his attitude now?
JJ not the problem….how about not the solution! You get rid of him, you gain flexibility and start to remold this team.
I keep Josh and Teague. Move our ‘all-stars’ who have the be the least perfoming all-stars of all time….
That JJ encounter about returning salary is classic! Joe jumped on that one quick….now he’s out there still negotiating and bringing in other FAs to help us.
So all Sund has done is resign journeymen to exorbitant contracts. He has stifled any progress to be made going forward.
To say Sund is average is a reach…..his team is the king of teams who play less than .500 basketball.
Mark, had there ever been anything significant Sund has been quoted?
One of the worse interviews in basketball today.
In a year or 2 from now, 1/2 of this roster will be out of basketball and Larry and Sund will be gone as well. What a wasteland we continue to be.
Please Mark, dig in and find out who our new potential owner might be. This fan base is in dire need of an uptick. Anyone who is holding hope to Marvin Williams being a factor has absolutely resigned themselves to mediocrity.
KevinM
June 28th, 2011
4:14 am
“Tim
June 28th, 2011
2:25 am
No way Jamal commands $10 million a year. Especially with the new CBA”
Wanna bet that Sund brings this guy back for more than he gets anywhere else or before he gets a competing offer? Sund has a way of doing that.
KevinM
June 28th, 2011
4:22 am
The Hawks have 7 FAs: Crawford, Collins, Thomas, Armstrong, Rolle, Powell, Sy, and Damien.
The Mavs have 6 FAs: Chandler, Butler, Stevenson, Barea, Cardinal, Stojakovic
Which group would you choose from?
dmr
June 28th, 2011
6:03 am
Stick with simplicity. It’s the OWNERSHIP STUPID! The ASG is like President Obama. Great new shine at the beginning and superior at the podium at first. However, when it comes down to decision making, these guys are more destructive than constructive.
Steve Belkin is like Ron Paul. His talk is background chatter, until you realize he was right about every move he was against with regard to this team.
The Hawks are what they are. There is an attempt to generate enough revenue to keep this team afloat. However, if you think that the ASG, other than selling the team, will do anything to really make this team a Championship contender; well then you are “SMOKIN’ AND INHALING.”
Atlanta Fan
June 28th, 2011
6:24 am
The only hope here is new ownership then Sund and Drew would have a early exit. Bring in a new young gm and get a proven coach fellow what the falcons have done.
Paddy
June 28th, 2011
6:41 am
decriz………you predicted more ticket sales for the Hawks this coming season?????????? How? Why?? It is true they have nowhere to go but up. They are at the bottom of the league in attendance. Maybe you are inspired by the ASG’s ability to rally the fan base here in ATL?
Willie Coyote
June 28th, 2011
7:30 am
#4 – I don’t understand why people say that Josh playing the 3 makes him have to take jumpers. There are plenty of 3s that don’t jack up jumpers everytime they catch the ball outside of 18 feet. Also, he shot those same shots as a 4 so I just don’t get that argument.
Furthermore, you say that Al playing the 4 made him a jump shooter but playing Josh at the 4 will make him play inside?
Winnipeg Jets the Thrashers
June 28th, 2011
8:05 am
Boycott Philips Arena and the Atlanta Spirit Group.
John
June 28th, 2011
8:32 am
Saying Belkin was right about Joe is 100% wrong. If we had not brought Joe in, we are looking at a team that just now may be making the playoffs. The Hawks can be frustrating but I think the people complaining so much about them have only been watching since they have been good (fairwether fans) and did not suffer with them through all of the terrible losing seasons. Also, Joe Johnson is not worth the money he is paid, but don’t ever compare him to John Koncak again. If we had not resigned Joe, Chicago or NY would have signed him to a max deal as well. I think he will bounce back and have a much better year. I think he and Marvin will both benefit from Jamal signing elsewhere.
GTT
June 28th, 2011
8:45 am
Re: No. 3
Yeah, but those coaches were Mike Woodson and Larry Drew. ‘Nuff said.
Sage of Bluesland
June 28th, 2011
8:59 am
“Mark, in the future every time you write that Joe Johnson’s contract is a terrible one, please note that a year ago you said the Hawks had to resign him to a long term deal, over the vehement protests of many here….”
Hahaha….Isn’t that the truth?! Bradley changes with the wind–and is now starting to tell us how inept the Hawks are from top to bottom….Real swift, there….
(and, to think, he defended Pete Babcock to the bitter end….oh, yeah, same with Don Waddell…See a pattern here, folks?)
Dirk Pitt
June 28th, 2011
9:35 am
Who cares? N.B.A. stands for Noisy Boring Activity.
Navigator
June 28th, 2011
9:41 am
As one great American Forest Gump once said; “Stupid is as stupid does”. It’s obvious the Hawks management was who he was talking about.
GeorgiaDuck
June 28th, 2011
10:02 am
There won’t be an NBA season in 2011-2012.