AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 04
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Crickets (and a a surprise)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m guessing Halloween comes and goes without either of the Hawks fourth-year forwards agreeing to contract extensions. Both Josh Smith and Josh Childress are eligible to receive hefty new deals by the Oct. 31 deadline, but from what I can gather there has been no movement in talks for either guy.
There’s nothing but crickets on both fronts.
Everybody involved insists that it’s not an issue and that may be true three days into training camp, but I can’t imagine anyone feels good going into a contract year (which this is essentially for both guys) without his long-term security intact.
The good thing is both Smith and Childress are true pros, guys who wouldn’t think of putting themselves above the team goal (and the better the team does this season the greater their individual value at the end of the season). And truth be told, the Hawks are the taking the biggest risk here, because they could (still) sign both guys to extensions at prices they can play a large part in determining. If they wait and the cost for both guys up in connection with fantastic seasons, they could be forced to pay much more (as restricted free agents, the Hawks will have the right to match any offers made to both guys).
I also think that by waiting you send a message to your young players, even if it’s not intended, that you’re still not sold on them. And that’s a dangerous message to send when you’re talking about talented young guys that could fit into just about any system in the league.
Granted, the Hawks aren’t the only team playing the waiting game. Neither of Chicago’s eligible young stars (Luol Deng and Ben Gordon) have received extensions yet. And neither have budding talents like Andre Iguodala or Al Jefferson. But the Hawks don’t need to concern themselves with anything or anyone but their own.
Because in order for this team to do anything close to what it’s dreaming of this year, both Smith and Childress have to come up huge. And if they do, the Hawks will have to do the same at the bargaining table next summer.
Ramblings from Thursday’s practice (which included the first scrimmage of camp):
Marvin Williams knocked down an off balance jumper at the buzzer to win the scrimmage for his team (the squads were mixed with starters and second unit guys scattered randomly). It was a solid finish to a highly contested and really entertaining scrimmage.
The same guys who have shown well the first few days of camp continued their standout play during the scrimmage. A few notes I made to myself during the scrimmage (I won’t comment on everyone but just the guys I made notes about):
Josh Childress was all over the floor making plays. He’s going to thrive in this new system because he plays so well without the ball and he can work the baseline as well as anyone on this team. He made two fantastic passes in the open court as well.
Solomon Jones is another player who stood out during the scrimmage. He knocked down open shots, ran the floor and contested shots consistently inside (check tomorrow’s paper for more details on him).
Acie Law’s a rugged player. He doesn’t mind mixing it up with bigger guys and he’ll go to the basket when the opening is there. You’re never sure if a rookie point guard is ready for prime time but if he’s not, lots of us who are watching him now will be wrong.
Salim Stoudamire’s trigger finger is as quick as ever. He was a threat all from all over the floor and Joe Johnson found him several times from across the floor for wide open shots. He also played some aggressive defense against Childress when they were matched up on each other.
Camp invitee Mario West also stuck out with his aggressive play and relentless style. He’s the ideal camp guy and the type of player teams keep around to fill that final roster spot because they know he’s going to keep practice lively with his play. He had a great block of an Anthony Johnson breakaway layup early in the scrimmage.
There was one casualty, rookie point guard Jamaal Tatum pulled a hamstring and is probably out for at least the next couple of days. And Shelden Williams sat out the scrimmage (as did Tyronn Lue) while still recovering from their injuries.
Before the scrimmage started I was in the press room off the practice facility writing about how the first and second teamers don’t do go at each other enough for me to get a good feel for how guys will compete. But quite a bit of those questions were answered during the scrimmage. The competition will be nasty this fall and that’s the best part for the Hawks, because the internal pressure to perform will be as high as the external pressure.
From what I’ve been told the blog comments fiasco of the past couple months is now fixed, so your complaining was worth it (I hated it as well). And don’t forget about the public sccrimmage Saturday at Philips Arena. It’ll be your chance to see some of this stuff for yourself.
