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DEL.ICIO.USHawks GM will play waiting game on draft night
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Say this for Billy Knight: He spared us the usual summer angst. The Hawks don’t have a pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, and given that Knight took the wrong guy with his first choice four Junes running — he got it right last year with Al Horford — this can be seen as a parting act of mercy.
Rick Sund doesn’t use those words. But Knight’s successor is more cheerful than most incoming general managers would be over a total absence of picks. “If there was ever a year for the Hawks to pay their debt to Phoenix [the No. 1 pick packaged for Joe Johnson], it’s this year,” Sund says. “It’s post-lottery for the first time [since 1999], and we’re in a situation where you probably don’t need another 18, 19 or 20-year-old kid on a team where we’ve got eight or nine under 25.”
Sund will be in his office Thursday night, standing by in case Mitch Kupchak calls and offers Kobe Bryant for Speedy Claxton. (“You’ve got to be prepared in case something falls in your lap,” Sund says.) He does not, however, expect the Hawks to trade for a pick in this draft. Five players — Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Salim Stoudamire, Mario West and Jeremy Richardson — are free agents and cannot be dealt.
“You’ve got five players out of the equation, and of the other five or six, two of them are Al Horford and Joe Johnson — you’re not going to trade those,” Sund says. “You don’t say you can never make a deal — nobody’s untouchable — [but] it’s very unlikely.”
And that’s OK. For the first time this millennium, the Hawks are good enough to win. (That’s provided Smith and Childress are re-signed, which seems probable no matter how much they’re offered elsewhere.) There are no longer any glaring holes on the roster, a truth Sund underscores by saying, “There’s a pretty good chance we’re going to have three spots — nine, 10 and 11 — open, and we’ve got to be able to say, ‘Who out there as No. 61, 62, 63 [the best undrafted players] would look at the Hawks as a good place to come?’ “
Most new GMs arrive with a mandate to change. Not Sund. Ridiculed though he was, Knight nonetheless built a core capable of pushing the Boston Celtics to a Game 7, which was more than Joe Dumars and Kupchak could do. Knight’s failing was that he didn’t usually take the right guy; his strength was that, with the exception of Shelden Williams, he didn’t pick any duds.
And here’s one last little Knight note: Had the Hawks held this No. 1 pick, they’d have the 15th choice overall. NBAdraft.net projects that Phoenix will use the No. 15 pick on D.J. Augustin, the 5-foot-11 point guard from Texas. Knight, as we know, hated little guards. (All together now: He could have had Chris Paul!)
For the Hawks, this draft night should pass uneventfully. Sund and Co. will be waiting for Round 2 to end to find out who’s still available. Given that the Hawks most need help underneath — David Andersen, the Australian center who plays for Moscow CSKA and whose rights are held by the Hawks, probably isn’t a real possibility this summer — they figure to be assessing the likes of David Padgett of Louisville and maybe James Mays of Clemson.
No, those names don’t carry the sizzle of Horford or Smith or Marvin Williams, but that’s no longer the issue. The Hawks don’t need sizzle anymore. They need only the proper seasoning.
Permalink | Comments (60) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Comments
By Derrk
June 23, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
I agree Go Hawks!!!!!
By Mike
June 23, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Why isn’t David Anderson ready? He’s 27 and plays lots of minutes on one of the best European teams. Draftexpress.com thinks he could contribute right away on an NBA team.
By cp
June 23, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
David Anderson signed with another team overseas so he wont be playing in the NBA anytime soon. I wish we had a second round pick. I think some good players will fall and we need to fill out the bench.
By JB
June 23, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
Fill out the bench, yes…but not with rookies. For the first time in eons, there WILL be some quality veterans who wouldn’t laugh at the idea of going to ATL.
By Astro Joe
June 23, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
My goodness, our GM is asking, would an undrafted player consider playing for us? Is he worried because they may not like our city, they may prefer to find another job in this economy or because the coach that he just re-signed has done such a terrific job of developing talent outside of the 1st round? Never mind, I forgot, he’s operating with a Dollar Store budget.
Hey Mark, maybe by auctioning off that Gary Payton Hawks jersey (that has never been worn), he could consider calling the agents of Fred Jones, Jarvis Hayes, Kareem Rush, Francisco Elson, Kurt Thomas, Chris Duhon, Patrick O’Bryant or countless other free agents who won’t demand top dollar. If he shops at Target, he can find a vet who will assuredly produce. If they have a bake sale, I’ll promise to buy 2 chocolate chip cookies.
By Mark B
June 23, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
The fact of the matter is our front court will help us win games but it wont develop into a championship front court. Unless Josh Smith can really develop his perimeter game to be a serious Lamar Odom, Al Harrington kind of 3/4 mismatch we will always rotation and mismatch problems not so much with Smith, but with Horford. I’m not so sure that he can go up against Dwight Howard,Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, an emerging Greg Oden every night and not take a beating come playoff time
By newkid
June 23, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
Don’t go for the head fake Bradley, Sund’s full of cheap tricks at this point in the game (but why wouldn’t he be?). Between now and draft night Sund will be busier than a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest. Here’s why. One of the most glaring longer-term needs our Hawks have is a tall, talented pivot player. Huge need, right? Now, no one gives away tall, talented pivot players; very rarely can you trade for one without giving over the #1 or #2 player on your side; and falling into such a player in the draft is about as likely as being able to definitively quantify the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin. Take a quick peek then at the stock of really tall and reasonably talented pivotmen expected to be available in the 2009 draft; yes, about 1.5. Now have a look at the same talent pool in the 2008 draft; 6+ right? So, if he’s not (even at this very moment) aggressively seeking a route into the middle 10 rounds of Thursday’s draft to try and fetch one of those pivotmen, he’s terribly overpaid. I doubt he’s overpaid.
By joe
June 23, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Can anybody tell me why did we keep Mike Woodson, who has lost 100 more games than he has won. He didnt have a .500 record last year and only got into the playoffs because the East was weak with their 4 - 8 teams.
By SEC1
June 23, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
From what I’ve read, Euroleague teams are offering David Andersen more $$ than the Hawks are willing to pay. We’ll see what he’s got this summer as he plays in the Olympics for Australia.
By Sweet NeoCoon
June 23, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Hey, HAWKS, how about some of that Affirmative Action so we can finally get some white boys to play basketball here in The A T L ?
By Bojack
June 24, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
sec 1 - there’s a new man in town with more money to spend.
Mark good job!
Sund will get his big man, bet on it. We have a New Sheriff in town.
By Gilley
June 24, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley….Maybe I am being optimistic but I don’t consider Sheldon Williams a dud. Albeit, he didn’t deserve to be picked #5 but he rebounded well, played good defense, and showed signs of hitting the jumper. He also was a banger and tough when he was on the court. He just needed time to work on his footwork, just like Horford, who seems to travel a lot. I don’t regret that we traded him to get Mike Bibby but I still don’t think he is a dud.
By ray
June 24, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
Newkid,
Damn, I hope you’re right. I have continuously said that I hope Sund is really playing his cards close to his vest…we shall see, unless of course he gets nailed with a Michael Gearon Jr. road-block…
By Some Jive Turkey
June 24, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this
Dear Hawks,
No More Thug Negroes, Please.
By black bee
June 24, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this
HAWKS ARE AN EASY FIX-GET MUTOMBO FROM HOUSTON-HE WILL GIVE THE HAWKS LENGHT, A QUALITY PERSON AND EXPERIENCE-HE WILL GIVE THE HAWKS GOOD MINUTES OFF THE BENCH TO REST THE YOUNG LEGS-A QUICK REAL BACK-UP PG IS NEEDED ACIE IS GOING TO BE A PLAYA BUT HE IS MORE OF A COMBO THEN A TRUE PG-THERE WILL BE A PG OUT THERE THE HAWKS CAN GET FOR LOW WHO WON’T BE DRAFTED
By BA
June 24, 2008 4:22 AM | Link to this
Do us all a favor, Bradley: Don’t write anymore of these half-azz articles that tell us absolutely nothing that we didn’t already know. Isn’t there anyone at AJC.com who could come up with something better than this? Hey, lets kick this Billy Knight dead horse one more time. Let’s see, Chris Paul, Chris Paul, rewrite my last Hawk’s article-yep, I’m all done! You can make that check out to “mark bradley” and I’ll see you guys in a month, when I rehash the same Hawk’s article I’ve written six times already.
By Dan
June 24, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
Please stop!!! Please Stop !!! WE could have alot of players over the years but didnt draft ( Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman, Monta Ellis, Tayshaun Prince) I could fill up this entire page of page. Chris Paul is a great player but we have Mike Bibby who has been an All Star longer? Do you also know if we have drafted Chris Paul we wouldnt have had Al Horford because we wouldnt have stunk enough and had enough balls in the lottery to have had that chance. So here is the question would you trade Mike Bibby and Al Horford for Chris Paul if you say yes than talk about Chris Paul all you want but if no that shut the f up already…..
By CJ
June 24, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Trade Marvin Williams and get a center so Al can play his natural position. If not your gonna end up wasting money on marvin’s lazy behind.
By CJ
June 24, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Trade Marvin Williams and get a center so Al can play his natural position. If not your gonna end up wasting money on marvin’s lazy behind.
By St. Bernard
June 24, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Dan, what you said is a little flawed. I love Horford, but the second place finisher to the MVP would have been nice. Not to mention he probably has 10 years of basketball left and he would have made the Joshs and Marvin possible all-stars. You forgot that we still would have had a first round pick in Horford’s class and that Bibby may not be resigned next year anyway.
By Dejay
June 24, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Please tell me Dan is kidding. You ARE kidding, right? We wouldn’t have Bibby and Horford but would gain a member of Team USA, an All-World PG who literally saved pro basketball in New Orleans, a face that would’ve been put on every billboard in town (especially after YKW went to the pokie), and a runner up for the league’s MVP and you balk at that?! Are you insane???
Bibby helped the team make the playoffs this year but with Paul, they could have been there TWO YEARS EARLIER and in serious contention today. Can you name a better starting backcourt in the East than Chris Paul and Joe Johnson? Besides, if he could make David West and Tyson Chandler viable, what he would’ve done in the East with JJ and the Joshes?
Do you know that this team currently has over $20 million invested in the PG position? Close to half of that could have gone to finding a viable big man to do all the dirty work if BK had played it right.
If Paul was drafted, they wouldn’t have had to break off $25 million for his backup to show off his Armani collection on the bench (see Claxton, Craig), let alone spend a pick on another PG when he didn’t work out (see Law, Acie IV), then trade for yet ANOTHER PG when he got hurt (see Bibby, Michael).
And folks wonder why this team hasn’t drafted an All-Star player since 1984.
By Mike is back
June 24, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Bradley normally I don’t waste my reading your articles, you see I’m a home grown ATL fan. Your s** is old and never chances. There were occasions last season where you wrote some meaning articles, and thought there may be some hope for you. But you, Terence Moore, and Shultz just don’t get it. Here is golden opportunity for you to try mend fences with the fan base of the Hawks, and as usual you want to use the AJC to carry out your personal vendetta because you three ASSSSS HOLESSSS think that you far superior to any coach or player that comes to the ATL. Can I let you in on secret, these sports franchises are here for the fans. All you guys spew out is negativism.
I can’t wait to SUND make some questionable decision, lets see what happen then. The Hawks have generated the biggest buzz this city has felt in years. They had Phillips arena filled over capacity during the playoff, and they was one of only two teams that push Boston to a game seven in the playoff. Why in the H wouldn’t Sund give some credit to his predecessor?
I like the info on Sund because it give us Hawks fan some insight into what’s going on with the GM, but like another blogger said, leave that old bull-s** in the past, we want to know what the future holds for the Hawks, DAM PAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Ryder
June 24, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
It’s so funny how all of these people so love to play fantasy GM on the blog with no idea on how the NBA works.
First off, for anyone saying the Hawks should trade Marvin Williams, here’s a question for ya:
What team in the NBA would realistically want Marvin Williams on their team?
Not too smart to figure that one out? Also, salary cap implications come into play.
Should Atlanta keep both Joshes (not a likely possibility) they are still going to be over the cap with Bibby’s contract still on the books until next summer. They will have to trade him or risk losing him for nothing.
Also, next summer the Hawks will have to deal with extensions for JJ Zaza and Marvin, so anyone they bring in will have to be in the last year of their deals in order for it to make sense.
Remember the ASG is losing a lot of money, and will have to hope and pray they can get a vet for the mid-level exception.
Say what you will about BK, but he did obtain enough talent for this team to compete. Now Sund’s job is to keep it all in place!
By Mark Bradley
June 24, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
I’m always a little surprised when people are insistent on the Hawks’ need for a center. See, I think Al Horford is a center, and a really good one.
By Veteran Fan
June 24, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
OKAFOR! Charlotte will take Marvin for Emeka(Carolina Blue) sells tickets up there! Also, Chicago may be willing to part with Noah after his arrest! Maybe even a sign and trade deal, Josh Smith and Marvin to Chicago for Noah and Deng. We need to move before the Knicks and Bulls make us an under 500 team on the outside looking in on the playoffs. Oh wait we were two games from that this season.
By tyger
June 24, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Hawks Contenders 2008-2009
ATL sends Bibby, Speedy, Marvin, ZaZa, Childress to Denver = $36M.
Denver sends Iverson, Anthony, JR Smith, #20 to ATL =$36M.
Why? Melo and AI are East Coast guys that didnt make Denver better.
Bibby, Marvin and Chills are West Coast guys that would give Denver a make-over w/ young legs, character and cap relief.
Both Marvin and Melo are #2 picks as well as Iverson and Bibby.
Tarheel Karl will love Marvin, who with Chills, gives him 2 young stallions on the wings. ZaZa would be his only healthy big among several. And both Speedy and Bibby come off the books this season.
ATL gets the vets it needs to make its run: AI, JJ, Melo, Smoove and Horford would run the table. The Phipp would sell out every night. The ASJ would roll in the dough.
Use the #20 pick on Roy Hibbert and we get a true center for the Shaqs and Yaos of the league and we’re talking championship.
I’d much rather pay Allen Iverson over the next 2 years than Bibby and Speedy.
Melo is what Marvin could be, better get value for him now before he turns into Kwame Brown.
JR is an uber-athletic shooter that also needs a change of scenery.
Character issues my arss!!! We’ve got enough good guys to corrall them all. Horford, JJ and Smoove are still the core.
They would love the ATL and the ATL would love them. Its a match made in Heaven, just need the balls to pull the trigger.
By newkid
June 24, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley, here’s what you had to say about Al Horford in June of 2007.
“He’s a polished power forward who’s close to being a center.”
You were correct then; he’s indeed ‘close to being a center’ but he IS a power forward.
By Harpie
June 24, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
We need BOTH Joshes!!!!!
By Mark Bradley
June 24, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Newkid: Thanks for remembering. But my opinion of Horford has, shall we say, evolved. In 21st Century basketball, he’s a center. He’s better than Kendrick Perkins, who starts at center for the NBA champs, and he’s stronger than Pau Gasol, who started at center for the Western Conference champs, and I’d take him over Emeka Okafor, who’s not as big — forget the listed heights; watch them stand next to one another — or as strong or as polished offensively.
By darrell starks
June 24, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
MARK BRADLEY I TOTALY AGREE WITH YOU IF THE HAWKS ARE GOING TOO KEEP JOSH SMITH AL HORFORD HAVE TO PLAY CENTER JOSH SMITH IS MY FAVORITE PLAYER BUT HE HAVE TO BOX OUT BETTER AND HELP ALHORFORD ON THE BOARD AND STOP TRYING TO BLOCK EVERY SHOT BECAUSE WHAT THAT DOES IS LEAVE HIM OUT OF POSITION FOR THE OTHER TEAM TO REBOUND AND THAT COME FROM COACHING CAMELO ANTHONY WOULD LOOK NICE IN HAWKS UNIFORM BUT IF THIS TEAM GOING ANYWHERE THEY HAVE TO MAKE TRADE.JOSH CHILL, MARVIN WILLIAM, BIBBY HE MAKE $14MILLION TO CLEAR CAP SPACE FOR CAMELO ANTHONY FROM DENVER STARTING FIVE ACIE LAW AT POINT JOE BIG GUARD CARMELO AT SMALL FORD JOSH SMITH POWER FORD ALHORFORD AT CENTER BENCH PLAYER SALIM CAN PLAY POINT BEHIND ACIE LAW IF COACH REALY WORK WITH HIM ZAZA, AND SOLLOM JONES,AND TAKE TIME OUT AND PUT THIS BENCH TOGETHER THIS TEAM COULD WIN NBA TITTLES. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
By JMF
June 24, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Trade Marvin Williams for a draft pick and get Roy Hibbert. We need a center. Remember we limped into the playoffs last year. Chicago will be better this year. If we stay put we may miss the playoffs this year. I think Marvin is a good player and will get better in another system. Lets face it we are not going to sign Marvin next year anyway. Sund earn your money. Staying put is not the answer and we need to do more than address 9, 10 and 11. Ask Boston!
By newkid
June 24, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Being open to evolution in one’s thoughts is an admirable trait indeed Mr. Bradley. You’re to be commended.
To your point regarding Horford’s creditable performance in the pivot against several of the opposition this past campaign, there can be little doubt that he often performed well under difficult circumstances against players who were superior in height and often in experience. No reasonable person would contest that point. But to argue that selected instances of such creditable performance makes him a formidable center night after night against the likes of D. Howard, G. Oden, Shaq, Yao, Ilgauskus, etc is perhaps beyond just a bit of a stretch, wouldn’t you say? It is unfair, and unlikely to consistently yield acceptable results, to expect Horford to be a defensive stopper at the 5 spot while battling men of thestature and caliber mentioned above. If we the fans wish to see consistent success from our side, then the Hawks must consistently put their talent in positions to perform up to - and sometimes beyond - their capabilities. Placing ‘center’ expectations on Horford going forward is asking for individual and team failure on a regular basis. But don’t take my (and others I’m sure) word for it, if you’ve not yet heard Horford opine on the matter (I have), ask him when next you have the opportunity.
I say again, ASG leadership would have failed the fans and the players yet again if, on Thursday evening or in the ensuing weeks, they elect to sit idly (for whatever the reasons)and not make the most valiant attempt to acquire the pivot talent this team so badly needs. It must be said that taking such a decision must be equated with stealing their Hawks-related incomes.
By ruben
June 24, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
is good at the center spot but he is a natural power foward. they need a real center and trade marvin williams
By ruben
June 24, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
al horford is good at the center spot but he is a natural power foward. they need a real center and trade marvin williams
By FreeBirdin'
June 25, 2008 2:58 AM | Link to this
Have they re-signed Al Hartford yet?
By AWI
June 25, 2008 3:59 AM | Link to this
trade marvin williams for a shooterand a center,move al horford to PF,let’s play some basketball!!
By eazy
June 25, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
I still think we need a G.M.. It puzzles me how he can get fired from Milwaukee and someone think he would do a better jopb in Atlanta
By BIZZLE
June 25, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Trade Marvin, Salim and Speedy to DEN for Camby and JR Smith and pick up a free agent PF…
1st team-Bibby, JJ, Smoove, Al, Camby 2nd team-Law, JR, Chills, FA PF, and ZaZa
GO HAWKS
By Bailer
June 25, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I dont know much about basketball but I do love the progress our hawks have mAde over the last four years. The thing I really dont understand is why in the world the hawks had to go outside Atlanta to find a GM. Just read these blogs and see how many people u have in the Atlanta area that are smart enough to be GM
By HHoops
June 25, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
We all seem to agree that a trade is required to make the Hawks a serious contender next year. I assume that the Hawks Brass want to WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP! Consider this trade proposal:
Sign both Josh’s after they get offers from other teams. Now we have our team back from this past year.
Improve the team by trading Josh Smith and Speedy for Carmello. Horford can now play the 4 position.
Improve the team further by trading Marvin for a Big that can start. The Hawks will probably not resign him next year anyway. We need a BIG that can rebound and play defense. There are 10 Bigs available in this years draft. When you trade for Carmello, any available Free Agent Big in the league will want to play for the Hawks now!
Now you have this starting line up - Bibby, JJ, Carmello, Horford, & New Big
Coming off the bench - Acie, Salim, Chills, Solomon, & Zaza
Guys, that Hawks team is in the HUNT right now!!! Tell me what you think!
By MByatt
June 25, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark Bradley,
Can you give us any more info on what the Hawks are thinking regarding David Andersen. I know the Hawks have had his rights for ages but you never hear any info. I know the deal with him earning more money in Russia than NBA, but now is the time to get him on board. Especially since he has reached the pinnacle in Europe, and will be on show this summer. Are the Hawks even sending people out to see him at the Olympics?
As an Aussie in Atlanta, I’m very familiar with his game and have seen him develop from a junior onwards. I think, though he would not be a starter, he would be a tremendous boost to the second unit. In NBA terms, as everyone likes to compare, I would say he is along the lines of Okur - excellent shooter for size.
Better updates would be most appreciated (no news about him out of Oz either).
Cheers.
By MByatt
June 25, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark Bradley,
Can you give us any more info on what the Hawks are thinking regarding David Andersen. I know the Hawks have had his rights for ages but you never hear any info. I know the deal with him earning more money in Russia than NBA, but now is the time to get him on board. Especially since he has reached the pinnacle in Europe, and will be on show this summer. Are the Hawks even sending people out to see him at the Olympics?
As an Aussie in Atlanta, I’m very familiar with his game and have seen him develop from a junior onwards. I think, though he would not be a starter, he would be a tremendous boost to the second unit. In NBA terms, as everyone likes to compare, I would say he is along the lines of Okur - excellent shooter for size.
Better updates would be most appreciated (no news about him out of Oz either).
Cheers.
By darrell starks
June 25, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
HH HOOPS YES!!!!!!!! BUT IF WE DECIDE TO KEEP JOSH SMITH HORFORD WILL HAVE TO PLAY CENTER AND JOSH SMITH HAVE TO PLAY POWER FORD BUT I THINK TRADE BIBBY HE MAKE $14MILLION A YEAR AND CHILL, AND MARVIN WILLIAM FOR CAMELO. STARTER ACIE, JOE JOHSON CARMELO, JOSH SMITH, ALHORFORD.BENCH SALIM, CHRIS DUHON,JARVIS HAYES, SOLLOM JONES, ZAZA. WHAT YOU THINK ANYBODY? I THINK NBA TITTLE
By Biggdawg33
June 25, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Mark, I like the idea of looking at James Mays. He will probably not get drafted, but I think that he has healed from the injuries and has a workman type mentality that the Hawks need off the bench to spell Big Al.
By wes
June 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
I still can’t believe we drafted Shelden Williams!
Imagine how good we could have been LAST YEAR!!
Thank goodness Knight is gone!!!
By HHoops
June 25, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Darrell Starks, I hear what you are saying. My only question to your proposal is can we stay small in the post with Horford and Josh S. and be able to win it all? I know Carmello will add scoring, but what about our interior defense?
I’m not too worried about Bibby’s contract. We can win with Bibby! I figure we will trade him before the deadline if we are not in the hunt. I expect to be in the HUNT!!!
Speedy’s contract is the one that we need to move right now if we can make the right trade for a BIG.
One thing that we all will agree on, Sund has some big decisions to make in the next couple of months! His decisions will put us in contention or put us back in the draft lottery!!!
By MrHughes
June 25, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
02/25/08 Hawks vs Spurs
Player Mins FG Pts Boards
Horford 29 5-11 12 13 Duncan 35 5-9 23 10
in this game Duncan shot 13-16 from the free throw line*
03/22/08 Magic @ Hawks
Horford 35 4-7 11 10 Howard 37 5-11 11 16
02/27/08 Hawks @ Kings
Horford 41 4-4 16 14 Miller 40 9-16 25 13
By derrick
June 25, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
I think the Hawks need to resign Smoove , we need him he the hometown man we cant lose him, get rid of Marvin, he is the worst the worst pick Billy Knight ever made, i like bibby but hey Chris Paul and JJ woulda been a hell of a backcourt in the east
By darrell starks
June 25, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
HHOOPS YES I THINK WE CAN STAY SMALL BUT JOSH SMITH WILL HAVE TO STOP TRYING TO BLOCK EVERY SHOT BECAUSE THAT LEAVE HIM OUT OF POSTION FOR THE OTHER TEAM TO GET THE REBOUND AND CONCERTRATE MORE ON BOXING OUT AND THAT COME FROM COACHING MIKE WOODSON HAVE TO DO BETTER JOB. NOW MIKE BIBBY TRADE IS TO CLEAR UP CAP SPACE FOR CAMILO BIBBY MAKE $ 14MILLION A YEAR I THINK ACIE LAW CAN DO THE JOB.
By Go Vegetarian
June 25, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Trade Marvin Williams for a mid 1st round draft pick. Use that pick on Roy Hibbert or DeAndre Jordan. Imagine Al Horford and Josh Smith as the Fowards, Joe Johnson and Acie Law or Mike Bibby in the backcourt. D. Jordan or Hibbert in the Middle. That’s a good young lineup that will go deep in the playoffs for years to come assuming the Joshes are resigned.
By bigjohnhawkfan
June 25, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Why would we need Hibbert at center when we have Al Hartford??
By gringo honeymoon
June 25, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
It would be absolutely incredible to get a 12-17th pick for Williams and draft Roy Hibbert.The guy was #1 on the hawks radar last year. He`s a deal Sund-go get the big guy!!
By Kent Moore
June 26, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
How about trading Marvin Williams and Salim Stoudamire (since Woody won’t ever play him anyway) to the Memphis Grizzlies for Kevin Love, their #28 pick, and a shooting guard?
I wish the Hawks hadn’t hired Woody for these reasons: (1) He won’t use his bench enough and thus, they don’t develop the ability and confidence; (2) He has no sensible substitution patterns; (3) He won’t run consistenly, which they need to do with their youth and athleticism.
Kent
By BosnianBaller
June 26, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
David Anderson is ready to play in the NBA but word has come out that he signed a contract with Barcelona yesterday and will not be coming to the NBA.He moved from CSKA to BArcelona
By Tony Z
June 26, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Man we need to trade the bum marvin williams now.Also I agree with some of the comments about getting a center and moving AL Horford to the power forward. It only makes cents come on how can we compete with teams that have certified big men and expect to even stay close.We will not make the playoffs if we don’t beef up the team a little.If you guys remember we were not even in the 500 club. An yes woodson is being praised and he doesn’t even have a winning record as a coach. We had a horse shoe last year and we can’t expect to have it again.
By Ken Strickland
June 26, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Horford is a basketball player that can perform at a high level playing PF or C. He’s taller than WUnseld and bigger than Hakeem the Dream or Dave Cowens, 3 of the NBA’a greatest centers. Experience playing the position will make him an even more effective center. Also, how the HC uses him in the OFF will also be a factor.
The Hawks would be much more effective if Woodson took a page out of Larry Browns book when he was the HC at Philly. Brown recognized AI was a SG in a PG’s body. So, he acquired a big PG, ESnow, and moved AI to SG on OFF and PG on DEF. The same concept could be used with JSmith and Horford. Horford is an excellent midrange jumpshooter, much better than Jsmith. On OFF, JSmith should be planted in the paint to utilize his quickness and superior athleticism to score inside and draw double teams. Horford should be used on the high post or outside the lane to use his jumpshooting ability to draw the opposing center away from the basket. In other words, Horford would play PF on OFF and C on DEF.
On DEF, we shouldn’t use so much double teaming to help Horford. We have the NBA’s 2nd best shotblocker in Jsmith. We should rely more on the ability of the NBA’s 2nd leading shotblocker to provide help, which allows our other defenders to stay home. Staying home would cut down on the number of open, uncontested jumpshots that hurt us so much last yr.
Making simple adjustments that take advantage of our superior quickness and athleticism would make tremendous improvement in this team. Also, when playing halfcourt teams like the Spurs, Celtics, Jazz, etc, we should pressure and trap full or 2quarter court to create deflections, stills and take time off the clock. We can match any running team in the NBA, but no running team can match us athletically. YOU FORCE TEAMS TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS BY MAXIMIZING YOUR STRENGTH’S TO MINIMIZE YOUR WEAKNESSES.
By Ken Strickland
June 26, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Some of the comments aren’t based on any logic. First, you want to resign both Joshes. Then you want to trade Marvin and/or Chills to draft a center that will have to sit on the bench, unless you want to bench Horford or Smith. If we resign JSmith, we’ll need a DEF minded backup center, which we may already have in SJones. It would benefit the Hawks tremendously, especially financially, if we gave him an opportunity, and enough mins, to find out. If we don’t resign JSmith, we’ll need a starting center. In that event, Zaza might get the chance to prove he can be effective again.
By good point
June 26, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Excellent points, Ken. I still think Marvin needs to be traded for either defense and rebounding up front. He is neither a small forward defensively or a power forward offensively. I think in the Hawks team concept Marvin seems like the odd man out with flashes of brilliance sometimes to total disappearance at other times. I would like to sign a big like Melvin Ely who would be a good pickup if we are going to be a running team.
By Ken Strickland
June 26, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
GOOD POINT-it’s up to Woodson to get Marvin involved in his OFF. The problem with Woodson’s OFF is it is too dependent upon isolations and pick and rolls. These types of plays limits ball movement and usually means only a couple of players, usually Bibby and JJ, control the ball. Marvin is basically a 3rd or 4th option and very few, if any, plays are run for him. Because he’s not a very good ballhandler or one on one player, it’s difficult for him to involve himself in the OFF.
Woodson’s OFF doesn’t seem to have many or enough options. That’s why JJ, Smoove and Bibby end up taking so many desperation shots. DEF’s usually double team Bibby and/or JJ and we didn’t seem to have a counter. If any player is doubled, someone has to be open somewhere. Horford, Marvin, Chills and Smoove are far too athletic not to be able to free themselves for a lob pass. It only takes one back screen to make it happen. It’s a simple way to punish teams that try to double JJ or Bibby. Woodson is so DEF minded that he can’t seem to focus his mind on how to improve his limited OFF system.
Being a control freak, I doubt if he’d allow his assistants to make any meaningful adjustments to his OFF. Someone like that would see it as a sign that his OFF is flawed. If Woodson would just make some OFF adjustments, let these players run, manage their mins and utilize his bench, the Hawks would be a very dangerous team.
By Billy Knight
June 26, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley…that was a nice very nice write up sir.