AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFirst 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.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By mo gangsta
October 21, 2005 04:20 PM | Link to this
Salim stoudamire is off the hizzle foshizzle mynizzle
By jhan
October 21, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this
I think what we need to get from Batista and Edwards is someone to spell ZaZa and hammer the opponents when the drive the lane. I got sick of watching people drive the lane without consequence last year. Let’s become physical in the middle. If you can’t beat them with skill, beat them with physicality!
By cashmere36
October 22, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this
i think what the hawks really need to do is a trade for another big man.i mean batista and edwards are back-ups at best with batista being the favorite. but i dont know if n e body seen the stats that mark lampe put up against the spurs while going at and through duncan all game,or how about the hard play of loren woods of the raptors. now hes the type of player that does the dirty work as well as throw in 10-15 a nite.
but one thing is clear though and thats the hawks are going to be a force and this year not next but one of those players could easy be the difference maker and you can get either one for either donta or delk.
its a no-brainer if u read their stat lines this season.
p.s. nene hasnt done anything to impress so maybe its best to leave him alone even though we could get him for a cheap trade as well.
one.
By doc
October 22, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this
hate to rain on the parade but jj apparantly has plantar fascitis which is not an insignificant problem because there is no quick fix and can continue to plague throughout a lifetime when the foot is stressed with activity especially of the nature that is common in the nba. it ranks up there with the chronic knee problems that shorten careers and there is no effective sure thing surgery to aleviate it. i hope it is a mild case if there is such a thing.
By HB Ando
October 22, 2005 10:53 AM | Link to this
If what you say is true, Doc, then we’re about to see one of the upsides to having depth for the first time in a while. If he is to miss any time (which I understand is premature to say) then it means an opportunity for some of the younger guys to get meaningful minutes, which in the long run will be beneficial to the development of this team. It would mean Lue, Ivey and Salim can get on the floor at the 1 and 2 and show the coaches and the fans what they bring to the show. The players on this team are going to learn how to compete at the NBA level this season. Our future as a franchise is over the next several years to come, not this season. So if JJ were to miss some time early in the season, that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, in the grand scheme of things.
Cashmere, As a young big man, who is just starting to show some promise, developmentally, Lampe isn’t going to be available. Especially for an end-of-the-liner like Delk, or a young player who can’t even break the rotation like Smith. Like Zaza, he’s the kind of risk/reward big man that teams bring in. When they show the upside the teams hope for, the teams don’t turn around and give them away for other teams unwanted parts. It’s just not realistic. From what I’ve read about the Raptors, Woods continues to underwhelm despite what many have seen for years, in regards to some physical talent. Nene cannot be had for the cheap either. He is the primary backup to two injury-prone players on a playoff team in Denver. Both K. Martin and Camby are apt to go down at any minute, and Denver is looking to extend Nene’s contract as we speak. Nene would like the chance to start, and it may impact his willingness to agree to an extension, but Denver has no intent on moving him.
Quality big men are difficult to find. When other teams have them, they don’t let them go without a fight or substantial compensation. You and other fans who think we can get a big man good enough to play consistent minutes, for a Delk or a Donta Smith, just aren’t dealing in the real world.
By doc
October 22, 2005 11:30 AM | Link to this
aaron b you are right on, it is always important to find the positives and with this team to get other guys minutes is not a bad thing in the long term. i just hope all involved are really careful with this investment in jj and dont get impatient with the injury and decide to push him into action too early just to show us what he can do. we all need to continue to think out a few years if we are going to have any fun in the mean time.
bottom line, chronic foot problems and knee problems in the nba are like shoulder and elbow problems in baseball.
By cashmere36
October 23, 2005 05:10 AM | Link to this
well golden state has plenty of extra big men and i think we should give roderick riley another shot based on his physical stats alone,6-11 320 lbs one more project wont hurt (definitely when you start with someone put like shaq)
p.s. channing frye anyone
By Samuel
October 23, 2005 11:52 AM | Link to this
ONE LAST PROMO FOR OUR FANTASY LEAGUE. We need at least 5 more teams. The Draft is tonight at 6:45. If you can’t be in attendance, you can pre-rank players and the computer will pick them in order of availability.
Go to Yahoo.com, sports, Fantasy Basketball.
League Name: Sekous Bloggers League ID#: 88712 Password: ataliens
“I know yall can talk the talk but can you walk the walk”
By reese
October 23, 2005 01:52 PM | Link to this
Now that preseason is winding down, I like to see the hawks play the 2nd team more. Its hard to gauge how well they are playing when they are getting short time periods. Would be nice to see a starting line up of Salim, Royal, Donta or Marvin, Batista and Edwards. Let them play starters minutes for a half or full game. Bring in the starters as subs. Do this for just 1 or 2 games to see who is ready now and who needs time in nbdl.
By golden tornado
October 23, 2005 03:46 PM | Link to this
ok samuel im a playa … NOT. it should be fun and i am fully revealed and a true rookie. hb it looks like it is you and me buddy the first week, whatever that means.
By ray
October 23, 2005 09:52 PM | Link to this
I am interested in Batista’s and Stoudamire’s development. Stoudamire could prove to be better than his cousin.
By doc
October 24, 2005 01:50 AM | Link to this
guess i missed the fantasy draft playing soccer dad this weekend. any chance to get a novice in there at this point?
By Jameyan
October 24, 2005 11:15 AM | Link to this
I am very excited about this season and what to expect. I expect us to have a better season than anyone ever thought of. Zaza is the real deal. But there are rumors going out that Hawks are in the bidding for possibly getting Nene from the Nuggets. Sekou and the rest of the blog would you make this deal? Al Harrington and Tony Delk for Nene, Demarr Johnson and a future 1st round pick. Or what deal would you make to get Nene. Imagine Zaza,Nene, J-Smoove, Chills, and JJ with Marvin, Lue, and SS off the bench.
By doc
October 24, 2005 01:06 PM | Link to this
wouldnt disagree with that deal if nene comes to play, besides i think someone has already brought to the table the idea of having nene and zaza together on the court from time to time. realistically i dont think delk fits into the plans and al will probably go at some point to return the first rounders that everyone was freaking about including belkin when jj came here. delk will only get in the way of the development of others and his body only allows him to be a solid sub.
By Astro Joe
October 24, 2005 01:11 PM | Link to this
Jameyan, I don’t think that particular deal is possible, as Harrington and Delk together probably make about 2-3 times as much as Nene and Demarr together. Given how prone to injury guys like Marcus Camby and to a lesser degree, Kenyon Martin have been, the Nuggets would be foolish to trade away a dependable, young big guy.
But beyond a shadow of a doubt, I would jump at dealing for Nene, especially if I were convinced I could sign him to a long-term contract. I fully expect that we may try to sign him to an offer sheet in the off-season. But I doubt we could acquire him via a trade.
By bird dirt
October 24, 2005 01:45 PM | Link to this
i’ve also read a little of the hawks trying to get nene, though i haven’t seen any specifics of who would go where. that deal sounds too good to be true. i think the nuggets will trade him, but probably not until the last possible minute to see if camby and martin will be ok. they won’t be able to sign him for the amount he will draw next off-season. the bulls and grizzlies are two other main teams trying to get him as well. another name that is out there connected to the hawks (as well as bulls and griz) is jamaal magliore from new orleans. seems they’re trying trade him as well. he was an all-star just a couple seasons ago, and he’s still fairly young. i’d be happy to see either one of them in one of those ugly yellow jerseys.
By ray
October 24, 2005 04:57 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, either one would be great. But, I’ll believe it when I see it.
By Jeremy
October 25, 2005 04:14 PM | Link to this
Sekou…help us out here on the trade myths. We need to be set straight and you have the inside scoop on all things Hawks (or maybe you just can’t tell us what you know already).
Are we REALLY lookin’ at Nene and Magloire or other folks of this caliber (and if so, then who?)?
Later.