AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US‘Tough love’ at practice
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thank you Mother Nature for slapping us all in the face with reality this morning. Freezing temps and the heater blaring is a reminder to us all that the joys of summer and fall will soon come to an end around these parts.
The changing of the season also signals something else: the start of the NBA season, which is just days away. After sitting through an exhausting (even for those of us just watching) Tuesday morning practice, I don’t think I can take too many more of these training camp grinders. We need game time to get here already.
Tuesday’s version of the five things we know right now:
Speedy Claxton’s as quick and shifty as advertised. Watching him work through his first full practice of the season was enlightening. Like so many players that you have to see on a daily basis to truly appreciate what they bring to the table, I had no idea how smooth an operator Claxton was. Keep in mind that his conditioning is nowhere near where he wants or the Hawks need it to be right now, and he was still able to do whatever he wanted to during the scrimmage work at the end of the practice. Stay tuned to the daily paper all this week for a more detailed feature about Speedy.
The NBDL must be doing something right. – I don’t want to be a shill for the league or anything, but after watching Matt Freije and Andreas Glyniadakis for the better part of the past four weeks, it’s clear to me that someone messing with the D-League knows a little something about basketball. These guys are polished and work hard, as do fellow free agent campers Cedric Bozeman and Andre Brown. They’re the best free agent campers the Hawks have had in years, according to several camp observers I’ve spoken to in the past few weeks.
Accountability is the name of the game this season in Hawksville. Having missed Monday night’s game (thanks Karen Rosen for a great job pinch-hitting) I wasn’t privy to the less than acceptable effort the coaches were hounding the players about at practice. They were called up to the middle of the floor more than once and told by not just head coach Mike Woodson but assistants Larry Drew and Bob Bender that those types of performances are a thing of the past. It simply won’t be tolerated. Tough love baby. Tough love.
If you think I’m dropping hints about something you’re probably on to something. I’ve refrained from making too many comments about which guys I think will and will not be on the opening day roster for the Hawks for good reason. I know that some tough decisions will have to be made in terms of who is kept and who is not. I also understand that the coaching staff might be in favor of this guy or that guy, but that those decisions are often made above the head of the coach and his staff. That said, every player on a training camp roster without a guaranteed contract knows that he’s rolling the dice with his immediate future. So there need not be any sympathy dished out for anyone who is let go.
Finally, and totally off the subject, but are we really supposed to believe that Kenny Rogers had dirt on his hand? I just couldn’t help but clown this idea that he had dirt that looked like motor oil conveniently slathered on the palm of his pitching hand. What are we, idiots? And now people have the nerve to debate the integrity of the game of baseball. This is comical. As John McEnroe said, “You cannot be serious.”
Comments
By john edwards
October 24, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this
Freijeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!
By BeFrank
October 24, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
Sekou,
Thanks for the info on the happenings in camp! Can you provide an assessment of each of the guys without guaranteed contracts (Matt, Andreas, Cedric, Andre)? It would be helpful to know what each one could potentially bring to the table.
By Harry Hawk
October 24, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this
Sekou, the thing about Rogers’ hand is awfully overblown. After all, he washed his hand off and continued to shut the Cards down afterwards. Sure, Rogers was trying to cheat. Guys do that all the time. It’s part of baseball, but LaRussa screwed up by not calling him on it during the game. I suppose we could say that LaRussa is “the bigger man” by not calling Rogers on it, but LaRussa has one ring he earned with outright cheaters (Canseco and McGwire). I guess those who live in glass houses shouldn’t cast stones, huh?
By Gutz
October 24, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this
So it sounds like Ivey and Batista are gone and Bozeman and Glyniadakis could be coming on board. I think that is what needs to happen either way. Bozeman is better all around and will help our team more than Ivey can. Batista is a stiff with no offensive skills. The Greek is huge and can help provide some scoring and defense off the bench. This is who we need to keep! Maybe Freije too!
By mred
October 24, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this
Since ivey is under contract i think that he will be sent to the d-league to work on his shot ithink he’s too good a defensive playe to just let go.batista i don’t know.
By mykhalc
October 24, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
SEKOU, what are the rules on sending players to the D-league?? does the team have the option of sending someone like IVEY there?? and how many players can actually be sent there and how does that affect the 12 active and 3 non-active spots?? clarity is needed here!!LOL
By Sekou K. Smith
October 24, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this
Teams can assign a player they have under contract to the NBDL and send him up and down a total of three times in one season.
As for what these free agents bring, all four have a specific skill set that helps their cause.
Bozeman is a big point guard who can play multiple positions, a guy who can finish on the break as well as spot shoot from the perimeter. He’s got great instincts.
Freije is a 6-10 power forward who can nail shots from all over the floor while also doing battle inside on the glass. He’s more than just a tall shooter, though, because he’s shown some tenacity on the defensive end as well.
Glyniadakis, the Big Greek, is the towering presence the Hawks don’t have under contract. He’s all of his 7-1 and 280 pounds and can make shots and will be a presence inside, something that’s always needed in the NBA.
Andre Brown is probably the least talked about player of the bunch. But none of these other guys has his explosiveness or ability to finish at the rim. Brown’s a muscular, 6-9, 245-pounder that plays much bigger at times because he can play above the rim whenever he wants.
By Davey
October 24, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this
Didn’t Freije go to vandy? Also sounds like Andre Brown is a lock for this team. 6-9 is the ideal height for the hawks how can we pass him down? The big greek maybe just as lunbering as Bautista. But is he tough inside? Just because he is 7-1 doesn’t mean he plays like it. Lasltly Bozeman seems so much like all the other guys we have. I see The Greek and Brown stay……..but Bozeman sounds like the best of the bunch. Who knows? I have no clue now that I think about it.
By Don
October 24, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this
Sekou,
Any chance the Hawks might be interested in picking up Paul Shirley, who was released by the ‘Wolves this week?
And if they did, would he be more of a help or harm to your column, based on his ESPN exploits?
His last chat over there was an instant Internet classic!
Later,
Don!
By honest_abe
October 24, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this
davey… seriously though fella…that whole little crack about everybody being 6’9 is really, really OLD… it’s not even funny anymore, i don’t think it ever was… and no it’s not smart, because most of the people here are already FREAKING KNOW THE GENERAL HEIGHTS OF THE PLAYERS… so get a life and come with something a little more original ….pleeeeeeeeease!
By Tyger
October 24, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this
Never before have I been so excited about cuts. This is clearly a sign of improvement when this many folks are concerned about who your 13th + 14th inactive players will be.
You cant underestimate ownership’s perspective on this: For example, why eat $1.5 - $2.5M when we’re bleeding out our buttholes when the 12/13/14 guy wont see the court anyway?
After the preseason, the rotation will probably be 8-9. So even if we may get a slightly better player, they wont get to play anyway???
Reality is we are a 25 win team under financial duress. $3M may not seem like much but considering the way BK squeezes every penny I dont see them splurging now on journeymen.
Truthfully, I think we welcome Bozeman and Glyniadakis and keep either Ivey or Batista. We probably can eat the smaller contract of the two if we cant find a last minute trade for them.
I’m afraid Freije and Brown are just caught up in the numbers like alot of guys this time of year.
By JB
October 24, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this
I want to add my kudos to Sekou for the awesome coverage we’re getting. I had reconciled myself to the idea that, as Hawks fans, we deserve what we get, which until Sekou, was a few lines and a box score. I do know that Mark Bradley knows a little b-ball. But Sekou strikes me as a guy who actually is rooting for the Hawks
Now I want to add my thoughts on some of the roster questions. From the scrimmage at Woodward, I’d say Glyniadkis definitely plays “big”. Not quite as nasty or athletic as a Mahorn-or-Laimbeer type, but way more massive (and at least a little bit more athletic than Laimbeer).
I’m divided on keeping Bozeman vs. Freije. If Bozeman really has enough handles to run the point, that’s a big argument for him, because I am still playing the cynic on Speedy staying healthy all year.
I haven’t seen enough of Freije to know, but if he’s a Steve Kerr-type who can and WILL nail those kick-out jumpers—not just streak-shooting, but Mr. Reliable—then that’s got to take a lot of pressure off Joe. Still, I think Bozeman’s defense gives him the edge.
Wut wood U dew, CQ?
By JB
October 24, 2006 08:43 PM | Link to this
One more note: I saw the Woodward scrimmage, and would never have believed Frieje is 6’10” if Sekou wasn’t the one saying it. Not saying he looks short, but he definitely PLAYS short.
By King of the Ring
October 24, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this
Bozeman seems to be impressing everyone so far, at least until final cuts are made, but what were his drawbacks,according to the experts, that kept him from being drafted in the first place!!
By ray
October 24, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
Heh, heh! Now y’all had to know that Sekou threw this ball in front of us just to see how many different ways we’d kick it! But, I can’t resist taking a shot anymore than anyone else can. I’ll say we should keep Glyniadakis and Bozeman to start things off. Why? Hmmm, a 7-footer with some skills and the physical size to be a real presence in the NBA. No, I didn’t say superstar, all-star, or even starter. But we don’t have anybody near that size (let alone with decent fundamentals) on our roster. Even if he simply remains a decent-to-good backup at center, how do ya lose? We only have two guys who really can play center, Shelden isn’t ready for long or even intermediate minutes there, and might not ever be. Better to have the size and not need it than the other way around. As for Bozeman, look at the article Karen Rosen put out. It’s obvious the coaching staff at least likes the guy. Woody himself says he can run the team. That has GOT to be a plus. And although I’m probably reading too much into it, I think they’re more than open to the idea of acquiring a guy with more skills than Ivey has to offer. Just read the comments Woody made concerning Ivey and Bozeman. I seem to remember him saying something to the effect of bringing in better players. Hmmmm. Could that be literal or taken out of context? Yeah, I know I’m stirring the hornet’s nest with that one. But can you really ignore a guy who can at least defend pg, sg, and sf? Neither Royal nor Salim can do that. Childress can do 2 out of 3, but can’t run the team (not saying get rid of Childress). But say injuries hit pg or sg, and hit small forward at the same time. What we want is a good overlap. If this happens, instead of Chills at the two, he slides to backing up the three. If it’s JJ that’s hurt, Bozeman slides to the sg position, if it’s Speedy that’s hurt (more likely, much as I hate it), then Bozeman either starts at pg, or backs up Lue. If he starts, JJ can still slide to pg at times if it helps the offensive flow. Either way, you have a sizeable backcourt. Otherwise, you’re stuck plugging holes with Ivey (not enough handles or offense) or Salim, who is hurt even as we speak, and doesn’t have enough handles or confidence right now anyway. Speaking of which, Salim seems to be starting a friendship with the injury bug. I kinda feel bad for him. Then there’s Freije and Brown. Given our much-maligned glut of athletic small-power forwards, I don’t know how it will shake out for them. I like Frieje’s shooting. I have never seen Brown play. Seems that they would have to bring something to the table that is clearly needed. Smoove seems to be developing an all-around game. The game against Washington showed what he can be…wow. Marvin is and will be coming into his own. Shelden shows he can rebound and now he’s blocking more shots. He will score some, if not sooner, then later. Guys like Ando will say that minutes will be hard to come by between the three and Childress. True. So what do we want in back-ups? Hard for me to choose between Brown and Freije, but who says that’s what the choices amount to? I could be dead wrong on all of my ideas.
By ray
October 24, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this
Sekou, when are final cuts to be made? If you’ve already mentioned it, pardon me for missing it.
King of the Ring, there’s no telling what the “experts” said about Bozeman in the first place. People can go undrafted for all the right and wrong reasons. Look at Michael Olowakandi. I don’t think there’s a single NBA coach that he really made happy since he came into the league. That includes the assistant coaches, man. A lot of guys end up taking the “rough road” , if you know what I mean. But it’s better to be able to tell the story when you’ve got a roster spot and a contract than be telling the story about when you almost made it. I hope Bozeman makes the cut and gives us a significant boost.
By ray
October 24, 2006 09:29 PM | Link to this
Glad to see the coaching staff is cracking down hard on lackluster effort. The team needs that. Glad also to see that the team is responding properly to such discipline, at least in practice. Now we get to see how it translates to the games. I hope Speedy comes out with a vengeance too. That game against Washington should remind them what life was like last season, which CANNOT be repeated. Or Clyde will have one heck of a t-shirt market, ‘cause some of us will be wanting to fire EVERYBODY. LOL!
By Davey
October 24, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this
Abe it isn’t a joke bud. Do you really think its a just some by accident that we have 7-8 players that are roughly 6-9. Don’t get me wrong I am a big hawks fan. I watched all their games last year(they were a few that weren’t televised). I have followed the team for sometime. Billy Knight likes big guards and small big guys. Most would say that the whole idea is crazy but maybe it could be revolutionary. To be honest I would like to see what happens. Maybe Brown could be a poor-mans AL. Who knows. Do you? No. I for one enjoy being one of the more unique teams in the league but until we win people will laugh at us. I hope we have a good year a proove all the doubters wrong. Go Hawks!
By Clyde
October 24, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this
I think Josh Smith will be the player to watch this year for the Hawks. I predict at least 3 triple doubles for the man this year. All he needs to do is work on his post game and we will become the complete basketball player. He needs to take a page from Tayshon Prince’s page. Back your man down and baby hook right over the top of him.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Ken Strickland
October 24, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this
We have 13 players under contract and one of them, probably SJones, will be sent to the NBDL. I believe Gylniadakis will make the final cut while Bastista and Freije will be assigned to the practice squad. That leaves either Bozeman or Ivey as the odd man out. If MGT is willing to eat a contract, it will likely be Ivey’s. A bench consisting of, STAUDAMIRE, CHILDRESS, LUE, BOZEMAN, WRIGHT, GYLNIADAKIS and SWILLIAMS, with JONES, BATISTA and FREIJE waiting in the wings ain’t bad fans. And that’s my take on the matter.
By mykhalc
October 24, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this
RAY, every damn thing you said at 9:18PM and then some!!! i woulda typed the same thing except you did it better and quicker!!LOL but i’m right with you on your post man. again, i just hope it doesn’t come down to counting pennies!! i really hope BOZEMAN and the BIG GREEK are on the active roster with SOLOMON starting the season in the NBDL. IVEY should start the season there too if they don’t want to eat the contract. and BROWN and FREIJE start on the active list. and i say all this not knowing (well,anything really!!) who might become available from other teams. but if this is who we got to pick from, then this how i would open the season. one last thing…my favorite topic…SALIM!! this might cause an uproar but trade him for a pick. between SPEEDY and LUE that’s as small as we need in the backcourt. and with BOZEMAN’s versatlity, to me, SALIM becomes expendable. and the other reason…SALIM and WOODY = DIAW and WOODY!! and i ain’t sayin’ SALIM is not tryin’!! he’s probably workin’ his butt off. but he does not bring what WOODY is lookin’ for. and between WOODY not gettin’ what he wants from him and SALIM not gettin’ PT, it ain’t gonna be a lovefest between ‘em!!
By mykhalc
October 24, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this
can more than one player be sent to the NBDL??
By GuyFromUruguay
October 24, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
“NBA teams will have the ability to send down players up to three times per season, within their first two years of a NBA players career”
“During the 2005-06 season, no NBA team may have more than two players on assignment at the same time.”
I’m not certain if they free roster spots, though.
By mykhalc
October 25, 2006 01:13 AM | Link to this
thanks GUY!!
By Luke
October 25, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
Sekou I have enjoyed reading your NBA blogs, seriously. But why get in on the Kenny Rogers hoopla? Is it in your contract to pile on the hot topic issues? Where is your rant about the Miami/FIU fight? If there was something strange, why didn’t they look for the ball, which would hold more evidence than the lower palm?
Seriously though, I love to read about underdogs getting a shot, good luck guys!
By RSC
October 25, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Sekou, I’ve noticed a lot of questions on this blog. Why don’t you guys open up a chat line, so that we can get answers in a timely fashion?
By newkid
October 25, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
Here’s a feature story on Lo Wright. Enjoy.
http://www.nba.com/hawks/feature/LorenzenWrightFeature_102506.html
By crs
October 25, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
Royal Ivey in my mind would not be much of a surprise, he is very limited offensively. Now Salim would be a bit of a shocker.
By Andy
October 25, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this
Listen I know no one wants a losing season—but greg ogden seems to be worth the wait. Last year the hawks lost I don’t know seemed like 30 games in the last minute or so. Part of me says keep it up—keep bulding the team—bringing them together—-I don’t know but add Greg to this line up.. I know I am dreaming…but I would love it.
By cp
October 25, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this
Yea SS you really do a great job on keeping us informed. I have always liked Bozeman but he was always hurt. He is very versatile with good handles. He is also a good defender. He doesn’t have to score a bunch of points either and is the ultimate team player. I like Ivey and all but he just doensn’t do much in my opinion. Other than having a big body and having 6 fouls I really don’t see the need for Batista. Im ready for the season to start.
By ray
October 25, 2006 08:36 PM | Link to this
Ken, that’s a more complete analysis than I put out, and with fewer words. Nice job.
Mykhalc, thanks for the kudos. You may be right about Salim. It seems to me that he’s in a bit of a quandry. If he’s hurt, he can’t play, meaning he can’t produce. When he’s been playing, he’s not been producing so much (so far this year, preseason being the tape measure). If he’s not producing or meeting at least one specific need, then his minutes will be cut. If his minutes are cut, he’s not playing..which means he isn’t producing. Once again, the absence of production means the absence of PT. It’s all one bad cycle. And I think it’s obvious right now that he doesn’t do well if he’s not playing a decent dose of minutes. And so he gets frustrated, as any player would. The problem may lie in how he handles this frustration. Most young players lose focus at this point. It comes out in his face, his attitude, his play. And what does that lead back to? Lack of production…I have to say that I hope this doesn’t continue, whether he remains with the team or not. At the moment, I don’t see him being dropped by the team. Although, Sekou’s words “anything can happen” haunt me. I agree with the idea that if a contract is eaten, it will be Ivey. Whereas Salim has potential, Ivey doesn’t seem to have much. He’s a steady back-up that should find work somewhere even if he doesn’t remain with the Hawks. Either way, I’m all for improvement.