Mark Bradley

By C.O.G's finest

August 8, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

Wow. Only 58 million. This makes it look like the hawks management really new what they were doing by waiting this long.

By Tim

August 8, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

This time next week we will be asking: How did this happen? Watch and see!!!!

By Bill Heler

August 8, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Is it too late for the Hawks to negotiate a sign and trade for Isaiah Rider?

By Art Vandelay

August 8, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

Forget the $58 million, 5-year deal. The Hawks should offer Smith a contract on par or exceeding that of Deng, Okafor or Bogut. Six years should be the starting point. No player has electrified this city like Josh Smith since ‘Nique left, and it’s time to show him that the franchise needs him here for as long as we can keep him. If they fail to sign him, this 30-year Hawks fan will never set foot in Philips Arena again.

By payme

August 8, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

I would hope that ASG pays this guy at least what Bogut has. Bradley is right check the entire stats of all players he mentioned add the turnovers and his skillset is still better than all those players. Dam what are they waiting on? Just sell the team if you don’t want to invest in it!

By C Dub

August 8, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

This proccess isn’t that much about Josh Smith and the present as it will be about what will happen in the future. This type of attitude that the Atlant Spirit Group is taking will really cause problems when they attempt to get good free agents over the next few years to fill in gaps after people leave. It’s time to show everyone that they are serious about the team by giving him more than what the offer sheet is for. No one will come if you don’t build it and this is foundation time for ASG.

By ghost

August 8, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

Mark nailed it. Well written column. “Cheap and slow-witted”…incredibly accurate description of Gearon Jr. and the ownership. They have no self-awareness and blow off this type of spot-on criticism as ignorance.

By Blast

August 8, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

BLOGGERS!

Now the fun begins. I’ve been keeping up with the posts but not posting much, but this is too yummy to pass up. You guys have been going on and on for weeks, talking and analyzing, but now the real fun begins. Lets see what the ASG will do. Bradley is right. They could just mess it up. Personally I believe they need to offer Josh a better, six year contract, just to show some love and smooth things over. But I do not trust this management. they might just screw things up. The image of Sund’s emphatic ‘no comment’ does not sound good. I’m glad for Josh the chase is over in 7 days, regardless. Nice article, Bradley. You were right on point every line. Give ‘em hell!

The wait is over, guys. The fun begins now!! Let’s see what this screwy ownership is going to do.

By Najeh Davenpoop

August 8, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Yeah… you’re pretty much on point with this article. I don’t think anyone can really provide a solid argument for letting Josh walk for nothing at this point.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

August 8, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

The Atlanta (Kill Your) Spirit Group better get this right or all they will hear in Philips Arena next year are crickets chirping.

By This gets old

August 8, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

They’re not going to match this offer. If they were they would already have made a comparable offer. If you value a guy you let him know that and you pay him. The Hawks have made no real offer to Smith just as they didn’t to Chill.

They didn’t have to match the Greek offer, they just had to make an offer which they failed to do. Anybody who sees this as a successful business strategy doesn’t know anything about business or the NBA.

By Big Moker

August 8, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Spirit Group is pathetic. GM Rick Sund has “no comment” - another loser joins the management team. If these clowns work a sign and trade for Josh Smith with the Grizzlies or just lose Josh Smith, Hawks fans should say “No Interest” to the Atlanta “No” Spirit Group!

In 2008, the only Major Professional Team Owner in Atlanta who is actually committed to paying the price to try and field a winning team is Arthur Blank. Go Falcons!

By Hey Soose

August 8, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

Why anyone would be stupid enough to buy season tickets and support this bunch of ignorant losers called the Atlanta Spirit Group?

By Mark Bradley

August 8, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

I don’t think the Hawks have any choice but to match this offer. But the cynic in me wonders what would have happened had Smith found an offer for $70 million, as opposed to $58 million. And I’m guessing he’d have been gone, which would have been simply atrocious.

By David

August 8, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

The ASG sucks. Just because you have money that should not give you the rights to own a sports franchise let alone two!

Sign him or don’t you fans really think the Hawks or Thrashers will EVER win with these bozos running things?

By Steven

August 8, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

lol@ anyone who says the ASG should not only match the offer, but offer Smith even more money then the offer sheet value. That would be stupid.

By Waiting for a winner

August 8, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

Mark, Love how you spend other people’s money! Didn’t realize that Josh Childress was Michael Jordan. Obviously, he didnt want to play for Woody or with Josh smith. See ya! How about that post “no one has electrified the city since Nique”. Really? Im a Hawks season ticket holder. Come sit with me and watch Smoove go thru the motions on those mid-March extravaganzas against Golden State. Nique always gave it his all. Smoove doesnt want to be here, either, and I predict, despite getting all the money, he’ll find a way to be upset. How about a sign and trade and get some players who want to be here?

By TLS

August 8, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

So Matt Ryan has an endorsement deal with AirTran. The endorsement I want to see is Michael Gearon Jr endorsing Priceline.com.

By TheAntiMe

August 8, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

Of course, they will botch this but if the Hawks ownership has any sense, at all, they will lock Josh Smith up for 6 years at 75 million.

This would be a bargain, as ownership would be spending less than a million a year to accomplish 2 very important goals:

1> They would be able to re-establish some seriously damaged good will with arguably what will be, if he isn’t already, the best defensive player in the NBA.

2> They would go a long way toward assuring the long-suffering fans of the Atlanta Hawks that - not only do they want to build a franchise that can compete for championships in the next 6 years - but that they are trying to do so with very popular and highly exciting players that the fans can really feel good about.

The Atlanta Hawks ownership has a very unique opportunity to accomplish these 2 very important objectives for less than 1 million dollars per year for what this 6 year offer would cost them. I dare say that they would spend that much on billboard advertising for the Atlanta Hawks over this same time period.

In the immortal words of Pink Floyd:

Is there anybody out there?

By darrell starks

August 8, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

MARK BRADLEY DO YOU HAVE TED TURNER PHONE NUMBER IF YOU DO PLEASE CALL HIM ASSP ITS AND EMERGACY

By Mark Bradley

August 8, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

The Hawks have announced they’re keeping Josh Smith. An updated column should be posted soon.

By TheAntiMe

August 8, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Mark. I’m very relieved to hear this. Now, I just hope that they, at least, match the deal that Emeka Okafor got with Charlotte.

By bigeasy830

August 8, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

I am glad they are keeping J-Smoove. But, can any one tell me how that plays out in trying to keep upcoming free agents such as Marvin, Joe and Al within the next 3 years. Marvin has improved each year in the league and at his rate of improvement he may average 16 to 18 ppg. If this happens what will be his market value be and will we be able to afford him and then Joe in a year after that. I knew at least one of those forwards was going to be the odd man out. It may be another next year in Marvin. If he has a break-out year and is offered that 70 million dollar range money. The ASG has shown they are slow to pay. I like many others is disappointed that J-Chill is gone but, like I said earlier at least one of them had to go. Even though those guys are similar in height 6’8” to 6’9” they bring different skills to the table. The Hawks just had to pick their poison to swallow and J-Chill the 6th man off the bench was the odd man out, now I wonder about Marvin and, did we make the right decision in resigning J-Smoove over J-Chill. Most believe that Al is better suited to play the 4. But, how will this happen if we have J-Smoove at the 4 for the next 5 years. Move him to the 3 then you have no mid range game that Marvin gives you plus if you move him to the 3 then Marvin is the odd man out next year. Its gonna be interesting to see how this all play out over the next few years. But, like they always say “A bird in the hand is better that two in the bush,” we had to match so at least we know we have him locked down for the next 5 years. But, I am sure major moves will be made by the Hawks in the next few years to tweak this roster let’s just hope for the best.

Holla….

By TheAntiMe

August 8, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

Incredible. Yes, Michael Gearon Jr. showed the world that he isn’t totally brain-dead. Just incredibly cheap.

By merely matching the modest offer of the Grizzlies he sends the clear message to one and all that him and his ASG group will only do what is the realistically bare minimum to field an NBA franchise without making it completely obvious that he only wants to be an owner for the sake of being one, to placate his ego.

This ownership has no class and even less vision for their captive franchise’s future. He was in the unique position to offer a 6 year deal to Josh Smith to show to him and the fans that he does value his NBA franchise as well as the talented players who will be needed to make his Hawks a winner. However, it seems he is more interested in showing his low-ball bargaining skills and how cheaply he can do business in an NBA environment and not field a team that is a total joke.

Michael Gearon Jr. probably buys used underwear at the local Goodwill store.

By MannyT

August 8, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

There is a cost to being a reactive management group instead of a proactive one.

Is ASG Penny wise and pound foolish?

How is it that a room full of millionaires, cannot find someone to do the math!?

A 5yr/58 mil contract from Memphis starts at 10 mil with 8% raises over the life of the contract. The first year of that deal is worth 10 mil.

If the ASG had done a “market” contract looking at the recent signings. They could have started Josh at 9 mil with 10.5% raises. He would have earned LESS for each of the first 5 years than he will under the Memphis deal. The big money is in the 6th season where he would earn 13.725 mil in 2013-14 season. The total of this deal would be 6yr/68.175 mil.

For all the arguments about not getting stuck with a bad contract, the proactive risk in offering Smith a market rate contract was having a 6th year out there in 2013. Note that Bibby and Joe will make more this season than Josh will make at 27 if they had done the risky deal.

The Memphis deal will require a cash outlay of 3.55 mil MORE over the first 5 years than a 6yr/68 mil deal would have. Forget time value of money and interest for a minute. If they stuffed that savings under the bed, it would have lowered the 6th year risk to just over 10 mil for Smith’s last year of a 6yr deal.

If they are cash flow light, they missed the cash savings boat.

If they have money, but just wanted to make him do their work, then they can be happy that they get a contract that Memphis and Josh’s agent(s) wrote. I hope it has some fine print in there that shows them the down side of their ways.

The ASG keeps finding ways to look like the keystone cops with a winning lottery ticket.

By Gus John

August 8, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

I just don’t understand the commotion here…

1st thing 1st…we have if not the MOST EXPENSIVE backcourt in the league with Bibby around 14 mil, Johnson for even more and a BACKUP (Claxton) at 6 million…so if I were the hawks management, I would also check every penny…

We are not the Knicks or the Blazers of Paul Allen of back in the days where he did not care how much he spent…at some point you have to be fiscally responsible, for now and the future…

Marvin Williams might be re-signed and he won’t come cheap, and the year after, Horford become a priority and will go for a contract better than what Okafor got and a little less than what Brand got… and you still need to have a decent bench…

So I don’t undertand how people would justify paying CHildress at aroud 7-8 million a yr when he’S not starting. If the Hawks were to come close to the figures he got from the Greek team, it’s that type of deal that puts you in cap hell…and I don’t blame Childress at all to take on that type of deal, I know I would too without having negative feelings toward my former team…

I don’t understand either players and agents who KNOWS in advance when their contract is up and become restricted and try to create a media circus against the management because they don’t get resigned right away. The process has been there for a while so just get with the program…see what is the most you think u can get from teams you would wanna play with and see if your former team can match or even outbid…unless management is making you promises and don’t keep their end of their stick…

By Joe

August 9, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

Josh Smith is probably relieved to hear he is staying in Atlanta because I think his heart is in Atlanta. I also think that by singing Josh to a reasonable deal makes the hawks have more freed up money to spend on some of the other needs on the roster.

Welcome Back Josh Smith.

By HHoops

August 9, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

Great Job Hawks & Josh

This is simular to the late great Thurman Munson’s comment when being critized by the way he threw the baseball down to second base. He said, “Don’t judge me by my techniques, but by my results”. I don’t like the techniques that the Hawks used to get Josh back, but I sure do like the results. Now let’s fine some other players that can improve our team and help us get into the playoffs.

By scottBravesFan

August 9, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this

The Atlanta Spirit is awful. I don’t know which franchise they run worse, the Thrashers or the Hawks. Absolutely a joke.

By Mike

August 9, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

Sorry by Smith isn’t worth $11.6 million a year.

Watch and see what happens.

Childress was more important to the Hawks than Smith.

Smith will bring a lot of highlight video but a lot fewer wins.

Smith is probably worth about $8 million a year.

Other than jumping and running he has absolutely no game. He can’t shoot. He can’t handle the ball, His defense other than a spectacular block or two is below average. His rebounding for a PF is terrible.

Good luck with Smith. The Hawks would have been better off keeping Childress and letting Smith move on. It would have a PR nightmare at first, but in the long run the team would have been better.

By Jsmoove = overrated

August 9, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this

the hawks front office wins again. here’s to all the idiots demanding we give mr.overrated the big contract - sekou included. the hawks got this man for dirt cheap, and would have had childress for the same, so he resorted to bolting to another country. advantage hawks.

maurice evans. josh childress. the difference in the team? i think not.

hopefully, during smith’s five-year-plan, he’ll learn how to actually play basketball.

By ????

August 9, 2008 2:05 AM | Link to this

“Mark Bradley” Who is the Hawks second best player? I hope you are not going to say Al Horford or Mike Bibby. Please tell me that was a typo.

By smartguy

August 9, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this

that’s too bad. After resigning Woody and letting chills go, I had already decided to ditch the hawks- ala the Nique fiasco. I was looking forward to cheering for a new team (other than olympiakos).

Still done with these clowns. F Gearon and the asg GOONS.

By Tim S.

August 9, 2008 4:57 AM | Link to this

Waste of money, the guy is a ME player.

By Myrtle Beach

August 9, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this

Sorry don’t agree with your opinion there Mark, have to do a total 360 on you and say the Hawks made a smart business move. (Period)

They did not fall all over themselves an kiss JS A$% which does not need kissing.

He was not worth what the other front 3 got because he can not shoot with someone in his face and sure can not dribble, plays when he wants to play inaddition to being uncoachable.

The 2 players they picked up for little to nothing are better than the next 2 bench players they have at the same position and that would have included JC.

For what it’s worth they really need to package the dude JC, with the duck out to LA for Bynum then move Harford over to his natural position. Then we would have the front line to beat Boston head up.

By GIlley

August 9, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this

They re-signed him. Thank GOD, but you guys who are calling Josh Smith overrated obviously don’t watch Hawks basketball and sees what he does. While I think Smith is the second best player, he is third best in terms of accomplishment and stature behind Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby.

Make it an All-Star Year Smith

By mandm

August 9, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

morons that say smooth only dunks for points are, well, morons. Little fact…..smooth only scored one basket a game on dunks last year. Where and how di he score the rest of his baskets? If you have not seen the development of his inside game, then dont watch because you are an idiot…..idiot.

By Jeff

August 9, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

Sorry, I will not worry about the feelings of any player who makes 58 million bucks to play ball. Unbelievable in this economy that a franchise can be called “Cheap” when handing out dollars of this magnitude. I am a HUGE sports fan but I shake my head in amazement when comments like these are made.

By SP the Fan

August 9, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

Let start off by saying the ASG did something right for a change. It’s sad that someone else has to do it for them. Someone made the comment earlier about the Hawks being over the cap with this and having an expensive backcourt. Bibby is in the final year of his deal and can be moved easily by the All-Star break. That alone can put you under the cap since he makes $14 million per. Claxton can be cut at the end of this year or bought out as the buyout wouldn’t be that expensive. So the Hawks suffer for now but at the end of the season they should have some cap room to get a good player to supplement the roster. That’s if they do it right.

Also, the guy ahead of me is right, athletes make too much money, but when the market has been set, that’s it. That offer they made Smith was embarrasing to me, and looking at Smith’s comments he isn’t shy about his displeasure, but seems committed to win here in ATL. So ASG better be happy about his attitude because if that were me, I would have signed the one year tender and left based on how I was treated compared to the other players.

I need to make some money so I can buy the team and run this thing right!!!!

By Ken Strickland

August 9, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

This entire episode makes me wonder who’s really calling the shots. I find it very hard to believe Sund, with all of his experience in these matters, would’ve handled these negotiations in this inept manner. I can definitely see an inexperienced, egotistical, GM wanna be owner leaning over Sund’s shoulder whispering mandates.

The rift between ownership and BK, which eventually led to him being forced out, might have been cause by his refusal to continue playing that gm. We must also remember that Belkin is still an owner and has input into decision affecting the team. There’s no way of determining how much influence he’s had on the SAASG’s foot dragging.

At any rate, this episode probably means Smoove won’t be a Hawk for the entire 5 yrs of the contract. I doubt he’d be willing to resign once he becomes an UFA. Therefore, he’ll likely be traded before his contract is up in order to get compensation before he walks. That would be the same situation we had when we resigned fprmer Hawk Steve Smith to his last contract. I remember him saying that he was told by mgt, after signing his new contract, that he would most likely be traded prior to the expiration of his contract, which he was.

By HyunATL

August 9, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

Gus John, Who cares about re-signing Marvin Williams. He is much more expendable than Smith. And we have the most expensive backcourt? that doesnt matter in terms of the future because both Bibby and Claxton are free agents in the next 2 years and will NOT be getting re-signed with that amount of money, probably not re-signed at all.

and Mytle Beach, your comments on Josh were so friggin ignorant. Im sorry, but he is a PF not a PG. His handles are better than most PFs, his shooting is not good because his shot selection is horrible but HE IS ONLY 22!!! He proved that he works hard and he acknowledged his shot selection is off, the thing is that he is forced to be number 2 on offense and he shouldnt be right now. But no one is willing to step up to that role because Horford is a rookie and Marvin is soft. Bibby hopefully will now that his finger is better but he was way too streaky last season. Play when he wants to play??!!?? Dont comment if you dont watch the Hawks. please stick to the other blogs and dont make yourself look like a total idiot.He is easily one of the hardest working hawks on the floor every night.No I take that back he IS the hardest working Hawks every night. And I am not a big Josh Smith fan. Joe is my favorite player.

Ken Strickland, i agree with you completely. The process probably really hurt the chance of Josh staying here. We got him on the cheap cheap and he probably feels like they should have just offered him money and not doing so was a slap on the face, but the ASG has to be careful with what money they have. Hopefully we will get more talent and stack some wins and he will agree to stay.

By Ted Striker

August 9, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

While it’s impossible to know, I lean toward believing the ASG would have matched a higher offer sheet for Smith.

My greater concern would be what might have occured if Memphis had taken a pass on doing the negotiating — figuring the Hawks to simply match. Would the Hawks have then played hardball with Smith & reverted to their original 5 year/$45 million tender? That, my friends, would have become the true benchmark for ill will with Josh Smith.

The best scenario this offseason would have been for ASG to make a respectable (NBA) market offer to both Smith and Childress on day one of the signing period — even if both players ultimately negotiated elsewhere. Still, doing so would have been no guarantee of retaining Childress or signing Smith until he shopped his services elsewhere.

Being reactive as opposed to proactice with a restricted free agent isn’t the approach I’d adopt, but this isn’t the worst case scenario for retaining Smith either.

As for the effect on other players observing the process, I’ll readily agree they are doing just that. However, I’ll also point out that what matters most to other players is how the Hawks actually treat them when it comes time for their own individual negotiations. If it’s a pleasant surprise to the players, they’ll welcome it.

If ASG does somehow have an eureka moment (ha!) & negotiate differently with other players, it might not make Smith feel warm and cuddly, but it’s doubtful giving him a $70 million 5 year contract would cause his points, rebounds, and blocked shots per game in the league to increase either.

What seems apparent about ASG is this. They’re not overly concerned with outward appearances. You have to ask yourself why.

It could be because they’re arrogant & therefore don’t care about the fans opinions. Doubtful. Arrogance is easy to spot.

It could be because they’re incompetent. Questionable. (Yes, they make some dubious decisions but mediocrity is more likely a catalyst for certain choices rather than incompetence.)

So, what is it? I’m guessing it’s a manifestation of sports owner’s mentality. An understanding that fans will always second guess decisions — especially involving professional sports — unless the desired results are achieved. Desired results = winning.

So, if ASG believes they’re on the right track, they’re willing to weather criticism, fair or unfair, because they believe they’ll ultimately build a winner.

I hope they’re right.

By TROTTINGHOMETUDD

August 9, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

WHERE’S SEKO ???

YOU GOT NOTHING FOR MARK!!!

By John K

August 9, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

All you fans who are critical of the Spirit’s wanting to make the best deal possible are the same one’s who think that all these ball players are overpaid. Smith thought he was worth more than the market thought he was worth. He has yet to prove that fact. Hopefully he will in time. Meanwhile he has been offered an incredibly lucrative contract. I hope he lives up to it.

By Random

August 9, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley: “Compare that $58 million over five seasons [$11.6M per annum] with what Luol Deng got to stay in Chicago ($71 million over six) [$ 11.83M pa], or what Emeka Okafor received to re-up with Charlotte ($72 million over six) [$12M pa], or what Andrew Bogut accepted from Milwaukee ($60 million over five) [$12M pa]. Smith is younger and better than all of the above, and the Hawks were gifted the chance to lock him up for only $13 million more than their lowball offer ($45 million over five) [$9M pa] of last fall.”

What’s your g******* point, Bradley — sumpin to do with $400k per year?!?!?

Blow it out yer g******* hose, you g******* dumb-axe!!!!!

By Big Mac

August 9, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Rejoice!! The “dumb” strategy worked. You never did tell us what YOUR strategy was. How would it have been more successful? At how much additional cost? I guess you knew about Greece from the beginning too???

By Ken Strickland

August 9, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

TED STRIKER-they might have matched a higher offer, but not much higher. Their strategy was this. They established an unknown max amount they would pay, and a lowball amount, which was $45M for 5yrs. Once they did that, they announced to the world they would match any offer made to either of their RFA’s. That was designed to scare off all but the truely serious. They knew only teams truely serious about acquiring Smoove would risk tying up their cap for 7 days during the critical signing period. They probably would have increased their offer, but only after he’d exhausted all of his viable options, and asked for the one yr tender.

This entire episode, and the way it was handled, demonstrates the SAASG wasn’t that highly motivated to resign Smoove. If everything wasn’t within their preestablished parameters, they would have allowed him to leave and moved Horford to PF. Imagine what the trade value of he and his contract will be, say after 3yrs, if he continues to progress.

By Will

August 9, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

I think the Hawks did the right thing. Why on earth should they simply give away money when it isn’t necessary. I personally think that every pro player in most every sport is highly overpaid and that the line has to be drawn somewhere. You dummies can’t seem to realize that the majority of the players is only concerned about the money—-not the sport! the same could be said for many owners, I agree. However, I think they Hawks were smart in this issue.

By Ted Striker

August 9, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Ken Strickland: Excellent points (as usual) although we don’t arrive at entirely the same conclusion in this particular case.

We agree the Hawks established a maximum they’d pay, although nobody this side of the ASG knows the exact or even the ballpark amount. I may think I do, you may think you do, but we’re both merely two guys sitting around speculating. I also agree that the Hawks announcement on matching offers was a shot across the bow of any teams planning to offer Smith — except the truly serious, as you phrased it. That said, if any NBA team tenders a multi-million offer to a player in the RFA signing period, they’re quite serious. When there is ink, dollar signs and lots of zeros following another number — NBA teams are not “joshing around” — obligatory groans from the gallery, please.

Thank you very much.

I concur with your belief the Hawks would probably have increased their initial fall offer to Smith after he had exhausted all viable options…at least I hope they would have. Again though, nobody can be entirely sure except the inner sanctum of the ASG.

Where we diverge in opinion is on the point of ASG being “unmotivated” to re-sign Smith. I believe ASG was highly motivated to re-sign Smith. However, I also believe ASG felt they were holding an ace in the hole — the right to match another offer sheet. They wanted to pay Smith a fair price, a price the market would bear, but not more. Their strength (cap space) increased after Childress took a windfall signing opportunity overseas and Philly dropped out due to the Brand signing.

Yes, I’d have taken a more pro-active approach (as mentioned in my initial post), but I don’t discount ASG’s genuine interest in retaining Smith. The Hawks simply knew they had Smith on the hook. That’s the nature of the restricted free agency beast. The rest of us wage slaves should be so cursed.

Either way, Ken Strickland, I think both of us should receive season tix to a Hawks luxury box so we can discuss these finer points of sporting management theory during the upcoming season. So, ASG, how about granting us those luxury box tickets, pronto, okay?

Anybody? Anybody?

Bueller?

By Mark Bradley

August 9, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Al Horford is the Hawks’ second-best player.

And it’s my belief that the owners have deferred to Rick Sund regarding these two negotiations.

By Ken Strickland

August 9, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

TED STRIKER-I don’t know if you remember a post by SSmith that stated the Hawks were exploring sign and trade options for Smoove. He also mentioned there was both an Eastern and a Western conference heavy weight that were interested. You don’t do that unless there’s a possibility of you not matching ANY offer presented. It also shows they were looking for a way to get compensation if an offer was outside of their established paraneters. If the SAASG was as motivated as they should have been in resigning him, they would have upped their offer just to see if he’d accept and establish their serious intent to resign him. Instead, they sat back on their low ball offer and allowed another team to make the offer that determined whether Smoove stayed or left.

Frankly, I think even Memphis tried to low ball Smoove by calling the Hawks’ hand. I believe they thought the Hawks wouldn’t budge much from the 5yr 45M offer. So, they made a rather low ball offer of their own hoping to steal him from what they thought was an ownership that had demonstrated they didn’t want him as badly as they should have. If Memphis had made an offer simular to those made to Iggy, Deng, Okafor or Bogut, he’d currently be on the Grizzlies roster.

By GIlley

August 9, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

Wow at Al Horford being the Hawks second-best player. He has a ways to go before when can call him that. He is maybe the Hawks leader and physical force but he is not the second-best player in terms of skills and talent. He needs to work on his post moves and footwork and consistency in the offense. Sorry Mark, I can’t give you that one. Joe Johnson is the obvious first choice and then Josh Smith or Mike Bibby and then you can toss Marvin and Horford in the same avenue. In my humble opinion.

By Eric

August 9, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

I just want to know how Josh Smith became the third best player on the Hawks Roster??? I know for a fact that he is the most valuable player. Joe is a consistent scorer, but Josh is the more complete player. On two or three occasions this season Josh almost recorded a quadruple double, there has only been five in N.B.A. history. I am just happy the Hawks signed him back.

By Post Haste

August 9, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

doesn’t the law of averages come in to play for the Hawks? SHould they make the post season this year simply because quantum math dictates that they should?

It’s coaching, you know. The hawks are fine. They need a coach. It’s always the coach. But coaching is all politics, so few talented coaches are ever invited to coach. But you all know that.

If I were to suggest a strategy for the Hawks this year, I’d say stay in the paint, live by the 3 and die by the 3. and full court press defense defense defense 24/7. (also clone 5 Michael Jordans at 29)

By Nurlman

August 9, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

I’m as excited to stomp on the ASG as the next guy, but I fail to see the logic here. Smith signed for $58m over 5 years, 11.6m per year. The comparables outlined, Okafor, Deng, the suggested $70m contract, were all for 6 years - equal or slightly more in average salary. The ASG probably likes a shorter commitment, but there’s nothing that suggests to me that they wouldn’t have matched had the suitor gone six years.

On Childress, once the Euro and the tax offer from the Greek team were part of the deal, they’d have had to go to absurd lengths to keep him.

I suppose that you can argue that the ASG could have been more proactive with both, but I think that’s somewhat specious. They made secure offers, if a bit light. The player can take the security (McCann) or wait and try and sign a bigger deal later (Francoeur). It’s Monday Morning Quarterbacking to say the Hawks could have handled it better.

I think they were a little unlucky and a lot bad at PR. They actually haven’t made many bad decisions (Shelden Williams, later rectified), but people think they’re buffoons.

By WW5

August 9, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

BEFORE YOU GET CHAPPED LIPS KISSING SMITH’S A$$,OR GIVING HIM THE KEY TO THE CITY, LET’S SEE IF HE CAN TAKE DIRECTION AND INSTRUCTION FROM A COACHING STAFF THAT KNOWS MORE ABOUT PLAYING THE GAME THAN PARENTS OR AGENTS. LET’S SEE IF HE CAN GIVE CONSISTANT BIG GAMES OR JUST A CONSISTANT BIG HEAD!!

By Ted Striker

August 9, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Ken Strickland: Yes, I recall the talk of sign and trade discussions involving JSmith. However, I didn’t view those talks as particularly insightful regarding the Hawks’ intent to match. That they’ve actually done so (matched) since bears this out.

I’d prefer the Hawks be more proactive in negotiations, but I never believed they would allow Smith to go to another team. Lucky that he didn’t? Maybe. But they also knew the odds to be stacked mightily in their favor with Smith.

As for sign and trade discussions having occurred in the first place, I don’t read much into it. Why? When a team has rights to a RFA and a signficant gap in compensation exists in discussions — hearing out sign and trade offers from other clubs and agents is merely due diligence. It’s not savory, it’s not pleasant, it’s not desired. But, it’s occasionally part and parcel of a difficult negotiating process. Sign and trades rarely reach fruition. Everybody, all three parties, want to emerge feeling they’ve won. You can’t place a taller order if Manute Bol was bringing out your fries & shake at Sonic.

Bottom line: the Hawks believed the compensation gap would eventually narrow to a figure Smith would agree on — and wonder of wonders, it did. The Hawks anted up and it’s anybody’s guess how much more they’d have paid, if anything. Ken, I respectfully disagree that the Grizzlies lowballed Smith with the idea that the Hawks wouldn’t budge from paying $45 million. I think $58 million was their top offer…because they knew it would be the only offer they could make. Still, that subject is like debating what the Hawks were willing to pay. Nobody but the great high council of the Sanhedrin knows the answer.

The real tragedy for the Hawks would have occurred if Smith had become so incensed as to take a one year tender of $3.1 million (as the former #17 draft pick) and leave town next year as an unrestricted free agent. However, nothing in Smith’s temperament (or more importantly — leaks from Smith’s agents) suggests he was close to that point. It would have been a huge up front financial sacrifice for Smith as well as exposure to injury risk next season; there’s a reason players usally prefer longer contracts.

By BCS Slave

August 9, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

The shame is that the ASG look like bumbling idiots on top of looking like they don’t value a good player. Star players in the league notice such stupid blunders from an organization. Even if the Hawks make the playoffs again this year…those star players will think twice about coming to a team with such sorry management.

By RA

August 10, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

Again you have a way of trivializing the momentous. Small correction on the Childress situation. If the Hawks were appraised on the situation with Greece as soon as the rest of the world was, there wasn’t time to adjust anything. All of a sudden, he was gone, and maybe, gone is good. Hear me out, HAD THERE BEEN AN OFFER FROM AN NBA TEAM the Hawks might have matched it, for better or for worse. I mean, if they’d dumped oh say 60-70 million on Childress. How much would they have had left to get some depth on that team. I mean, here’s the problem as I see it. Childress was a gifted player, but after him, what did you really have on the bench, not much. And so, already, the Hawks have brought in two players THAT WILL ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING. And while they may not average 10 points seperately (although Evans might if he gets to play the type of minutes that Childress was getting last year) they’ll almost certainly average ten together and they’ll BOTH help on defense. Might be a case of addition by subtraction, or addition by additon… Just a thought.

Oh, and btw, love the way that you must make Josh Smith feel cheated and unappreciated, classic. Leave it to you to make someone who makes more money in one year than a lot of hardworking people will see in a lifetime feel impoverished. Anyway, thanks for making my personal day a little darker than it would have been otherwise, really, I appreciate it.

By Bk Hawk

August 10, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

good report mark. the hawks are a damn joke. nothing in the asc group ever goes good. need to sell.

By HAWK HAWK HAWK

August 10, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Bradley Sucks

This article sucks.

Only reason he has a job is because this is a 1 paper town. Thats the reason he’ll never leave ever, no one will fire the bozo.

Go Hawks!

By Jerome Simmons

August 11, 2008 3:08 AM | Link to this

Let me start by saying the Atlanta Hawks ownership is by far the worst ownership I have ever seen operate. They are a real joke. The NBA should not allow any more multiple groups ownerships. They totally disrespected Josh Smith’s value as a player considering the way other teams paid their star players who are equal to Josh Smith talent or not as good as Josh Smith. They really lied to the fans and the playerS when they said the would be focused on signing both players. They act as if they really didn’t give a dam if they sign the two players. The only way this franchise is going to win anything is to get the Spirit Group ownners out of town and I’m taling about real quick.WILL SOMEONE PLEASE BUY OUT THIS NONSENSE GROUP PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!

By RA

August 11, 2008 7:03 AM | Link to this

Here’s the thing. We all knew that Childress could go somewhere else this summer. The truth is that we don’t know whether or not the Hawks would have matched an offer to him because, quite frankly, they never got the chance. He jumped to Greece for a deal that probably would have been considered bargain basement by NBA standards, but the truth is that no other NBA team made him an offer and, as much as we’d like to point to Hawks ownership and scream Devil! They never got the chance to match the offer, and I honestly believe that they didn’t have time. So, Josh Smith having departed, Hawks ownership has brought in two players for less than it would have taken to have kept him, and while these guys aren’t going to be on anyone’s all-star team, they do bring the using number of players that we have on our team from seven to eight, and last time I checked, we needed depth… So, you can keep right on mourning Josh Childress and bemoaning Josh Smith’s salary, but as for as I’m concerned, Childress left of his own free will, to another country, and Josh Smith makes more money in one game than I’ll see all year. Trust me, they’re both fine.

By HyunATL

August 11, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Im glad WW5 is here to let us know more about josh Smith. It’s obvious that he knows Josh personally and spends time in the locker room and on the hawks bench. Thats why he knows that he doesnt listen to the coaches (even though he publicly acknowledges that he needs to work on things that the coaches talk to him about like shot selection and bringing the ball inside more). Im glad WW5 also has the means to magically eavesdrop on Josh Smith’s conversations when he is talking to his parents and agent. Thanks WW5, for that bit of useful information. No im being sarcastic. so shut up. If your not a Hawks fan then your a casual observer who knows next to nothing of what goes on in the hawks organization or with their players. hes 22 it would be idiotic to let him walk. He aint consistent but he averaged 17/8 and almost 3 blocks and 2 steals a game. Plus he improves every year and works hard in the offseason. Like I said, josh smith is not my favorite player but I understand he is valuable and i dont make dumb uninformed comments

By ken

August 11, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

First off , it is good having Josh Smith back in a hawks uniform, it would really have sucked to see him go after such a crazy summer. but looking forward, the hawks have some decisions to make. They are a good team as is, but if they honestly want to be a great team they have more to do. You can’t have all of your stars playing the same position. They have already locked up Josh Smith, Al Horford and Joe Johnson. But there is not a one and a five and those are usually key positions to a championship team. I love Marvin Williams as much as the next guy (carolina and everything), and I hope that he has a great season next year, in which case i’d think twice about trading him, but right now I dont see it . They need to try to get a center and a point guard, preferably one that can get the best out of each of our athletic players. And a true center would allow Horford to play his natural four positon and Smith to slide to the 3 spot where there would be few others that could stop him. I know those are the two most difficult positions to find but i’m saying do your research. There will be some nice prospects (Rajon Rondo, Jordan Farmer) available in the summer of ‘09 and start planning now who and how you want to go after. With another good playoff run that negative stigma the franchise has may began to change and hopefully next summer free agency can go alot smoother. Also pay attention to what other teams are doing if any good trades can be made during the year. Now as far as big men I wouldn’t mind us making a play for Hasheem Thabeet in next years draft if he has the kind of year I expect he will. It doesn’t have to be a superstar but there will be some good veterans floating around (M Camby, B Haywood). If our GM and his staff would do their job we could be in great position going forward.

By T.C

August 12, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Mike and jsmooth=overated,don’t have a clue about the game of basketball.You two simply don’t have a brain or don’t use it.

By Tyger

August 12, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

What’s the Difference?

Josh Smith wanted to be here and Josh Childress did not. They both wanted all the money they could get, and why shouldnt they?

The difference is Childress wanted to abuse the franchise because he didnt really care to be here; and Josh Smith only wanted to get paid and stay here.

So, it worked out fine. The critics would be the same even if we signed Childress. They would then say how stupid the Hawks are for overpaying for Childress, now they complain for not re-signing him.

The Hawks cant win, so might as well ignore the pundits they know not what they speak.

By Chris G

August 12, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Welcome back Josh!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now with that being said, I would really like to know how anyone can say we need to add a few MILLION to make him feel wanted, PLEASE!!!!!!!

The team can now address concerns in other areas and position themselves to sign the REAL best talent since Nique. (Al Horford).

Remember before you bash the ownership. They matched the best offer that he had. Not the middle, not the lowest. The highest and oh yall ONLY offer he got. They said they would do it and they did!

I also like the fact they did not overpay for J. Chills. / Jon Contract. (for those who remember.)

I like this team, always have and always will.

I have been a real fan since the days of Pistol Pete! Loved Nique and can’t wait to see Al Horford in his prime!

I attend several games each year and will continue to do so!

GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Mark Bradley

August 13, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

I’m wondering if Josh Smith will put the Hawks’ non-negotiation behind him and accept it as simply business — risky business, but business all the same — or if he’ll hold it against the organization.

By McRly?

September 2, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

I think the handling of Josh Smith was handled well. Got him at a bargain, and is he really gonna cry being a 58 million dollar man? Seriously, that’s nice money, even at the NBA level for a guy as promising but inconsistent as J-Smoove has been (he will get better; he will dominate; and in 5 years, he’ll get paid for it AGAIN). Losing Chills, now, is another story. They should have upped the offer. Not match by any means, but at least upped it to a more competitive number. If he walked after that, then that would have been on him. As it stands, it’s on us. You’d better shine, Maurice Evans, you’d better shine…