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Friday, October 21, 2005
First impressions, Part 2
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Welcome to Day 2 of our first impressions list.
Esteban Batista: I have to admit, the big fella is growing on me. I wasn’t sure what to think when the Hawks signed him. I’d never heard anything about him and Uruguay isn’t exactly known for producing big-time hoops talent. But he’s as tenacious as advertised. And he’s not scared of anybody (he went toe-to-toe with big men from Charlotte and New Orleans in his last two appearances). He could be a keeper.
Donta Smith: Where he fits is a bit of a mystery. He’s clearly got some talent but whether or not he can help this team this season is still up in the air. He’s playing at a position where the Hawks have depth that goes on and on. With Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Al Harrington, Josh Childress and Batista all slated to see minutes at the forward spots, there won’t be many left for anyone else.
John Edwards: The raw materials in attendance. The execution, however, remains a work in progress. Edwards is basically a rookie, he played so sparingly last season in Indiana last season and was mostly a spectator in practice. He’ll be the biggest project for the coaches this season. And the more work the better. Because the Hawks are going to need him before season’s end.
Salim Stoudamire: His summer league reputation has only bolstered his status with fantasy league gurus. But his transition from full-time shooter (in college) to ball handler/long-range gunner (for the Hawks) is still in its embryonic stage. His shot is as smooth as ever. But he’ll have to shore up his defense and take better care of the ball to stay in Mike Woodson’s good graces.
Royal Ivey: Like Smith, Ivey is another guy who could simply fall victim to a numbers crunch. There’s no doubt that the work he did over the summer helped improve his game. He’s a better shooter, more confident in his handling and physically stronger. But the concerns about whether he can lead during crunch time are still there. He wasn’t healthy during summer league, so he didn’t get a chance to show it then. Stay tuned.
