Hawks

By stevo

July 21, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

i said it on the last blog (jumped the gun, so much brilliance lost…..), i will say it on this one.

there is no way in the world childress goes to greece. are you kidding me? not to mention it is only a few million more than a three year mid level extension contract.

it is not even a mildly brilliant move by the agent as i am sure the hawks are not the panic types like everyone on this blog.

childress got a nice trip to greece, the greek team got some nice pub (i had never heard of them before), and childress is not going to go get lost in the european wilderness for three years for a few million more.

i stand by my statement that it is really silly for people (writers and bloggers) to take this seriously even a little bit.

it is as if nobody has ever seen how agents operate before.

no way, no how will it happen.

By Lacsho

July 21, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Wow we get a new GM, and the same problem exists. My question, is the ASG broke, or are they really this damn stupid? This ownership group never learns. Loosing Chillz to Europe would be a travesty; however, I could not blame him for leaving. As a fan it sucks to be stuck with this ownership group. How long do we have to go through this drawn out drama?

Just think if we loose both RFA’s, no one in their right minds would want to play for the worst ownership group in the league. Everyone use to pick on the Clipper’s ownership, but I see him spending money trying to put a decent team together. Whereas the Hawks, as always this group is stagnate. Thank God Billy Knight is gone, or else he would be reaping some of the blame. I really don’t see Sund addressing issues; he did a couple of interviews in the beginning, but now he’s pulling a BK. Why do the ASG hire GM’s? When it’s obvious they are running the entire show. I left this blog two years ago; I still read it daily, and it’s like nothing has changed. Every summer same bullsh*t with this ownership group. I wonder if Belkin could do a better job, at this point we need a change in ownership.

Peace to the old heads on this blog!!!!!!

By Lacsho

July 21, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Wow we get a new GM, and the same problem exists. My question, is the ASG broke, or are they really this damn stupid? This ownership group never learns. Loosing Chillz to Europe would be a travesty; however, I could not blame him for leaving. As a fan it sucks to be stuck with this ownership group. How long do we have to go through this drawn out drama?

Just think if we loose both RFA’s, no one in their right minds would want to play for the worst ownership group in the league. Everyone use to pick on the Clipper’s ownership, but I see him spending money trying to put a decent team together. Whereas the Hawks, as always this group is stagnate. Thank God Billy Knight is gone, or else he would be reaping some of the blame. I really don’t see Sund addressing issues; he did a couple of interviews in the beginning, but now he’s pulling a BK. Why do the ASG hire GM’s? When it’s obvious they are running the entire show. I left this blog two years ago; I still read it daily, and it’s like nothing has changed. Every summer same bullsh*t with this ownership group. I wonder if Belkin could do a better job, at this point we need a change in ownership.

Peace to the old heads on this blog!!!!!!

By chuckw/deadjournalist

July 21, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

The Hawks are the new Clippers.

By Lacsho

July 21, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

Forgive me for the double post, its been a while. lol

By Realist

July 21, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

And the Sekou campaign for more money for the Joshes. You say the Hawks are forcing these guys to play out their deals well below their “true value,” but value is only what someone is willing to pay you. If no other team is willing to offer Josh Smith $11M, then guess what, HE’S NOT WORTH $11M. There is no reason the Hawks should be paying a nickel more than his market value, which right now looks LOWER than $9M, since no one else has made an offer.

McDonald’s can’t sell the Big Mac for $7.50 just because it thinks that is what it’s worth. If customers are only willing to pay $2.50 for a Big Mac, then guess what? That’s its true value.

By randy

July 21, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

What is up with these clowns? When you are so pathetic as to lose your players to FIBA, you are one sorry franchise. Both Smith and Childress have both complained about the current coaching staff…Its funny that Woodson, with his .300 winning percentage, is more important to the Spirit than our team’s players.

680 the Fan said something about Joe Dumars wants to make a move on Josh Smith with a sign and trade…Prince and pick for Smith.

If they let both Smith and Childress go, sad thing is they will sign Marvin the Duck next year to 9 mill. That is how dumb our franchise is.

By Sekou

July 21, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

Sekou

What in the hell are the hawks thinking, is ASG that droke, or just damn stupid.

If this happens, Im offically naming the hawks the most cursed franchise in sports!!

By rp

July 21, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Good for J Chill. I hope he goes. I hope Josh Smith does the same thing. Its obvious this Hawks franchise will never be serious about winning.

By daddyrich

July 21, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

If the hawks dont take care of business with the joshes, count me out for caring about the hawks until new ownership comes in. If they let these guys get away next summer without even a sign and trade that is ridiculous. Im not too concerned yet, mostly because none of the other teams have resigned their restricted FA’s either. The market value hasnt really been set yet.

By Ben

July 21, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

You people need to realize how weak the u.S. dollar currently. Some Spanish player (Navarro) got a 10 million/year contract in Europe a few days ago. Transferred to U.S. Dollars, that’s 20 million.

2:1 conversion ratio. 7 Mill for Chillz in Europe is like 14 million here.

Good bye Josh Childress

By Realist

July 21, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Another thing. How come Sekou isn’t campaigning for the Hawks to lock up Marvin, the way he did for Josh Smith last summer? Is Marvin’s agent just not as nice to Sekou as Smith’s?

By j

July 21, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Hello, This is starting to be absurd. Just when we are finally gaining traction, all of the goodwill and hope are being replaced with negativity and disillusionment. I have loved this team while they drafted Priest Lauderdale. While they drafted Ed Grey. How much is too much? To lose Childress is absurd. To lose Smith will make us the laughing stock we are perceived to be. Say it ain’t so, J

By ajw

July 21, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

With the dollar weakening every day, Europe could easily woo some of the NBA’s best players overseas. E20 mil = $40 mil. Are we really ready to pay chills 40 mil? He hasn’t done near enough to deserve that yet. Smith needs an offer from the Hawks pronto. Rumors are already circulating he wants to move somewhere else. He needs to be strongly encouraged that he is wanted here. He is the only player the Hawks have had the past 4 years that made me excited about watching the Hawks.

By Ernest

July 21, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

I believe there is a LOT of merit and truth in what Stevo posted @ 9:11 am. This is how the process works. It’s like playing a game of poker and at this time, the Hawks have all the leverage. There is definitely a risk with their approach however they seem to be willing to take it for the sake of the long term financial benefit of the organization.

I would really like to see this situation resolved with both Joshes signing 5-6 year deals with the team, sooner rather than later. I’m rather not see the team ‘break the bank’ to do this and possibly cripple the team from adding the necessary pieces to the team that would allow them to compete for the championship. If the Joshes want more than what ASG feels is ‘market value’ for their skills and they are adamant they want that price, ASG should actively seek out SNT deals. The goal of the organization should be to compete for championships and not overpay players because we ‘like them’. There are too many quality players out there to get hung up on those that want far more than what they are worth. I hope that is not the case with the Joshes.

By Wake up, Sekou

July 21, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Sekou,

What don’t you understand here. The Hawks really don’t want these guys. They don’t have roles other than showboating and being malcontents. Stop getting snookered by their agents and see what is happening here.

Has it even occured to you that the fact that the only team making an offer of any sort to Childress is from GREECE means that many GM’s and Coaches in the league share the same feelings on him that our own coach and GM do?

STOP trying to justify the Hawks signing these guys. Smith and Childress should be paying you, not their agents.

This is getting a little ridiculous.

By Frustrated Fan

July 21, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

With the value of the dollar declining and more money than he would probably recieve from the MLE, J-Chills is legit in entertaining this offer and it wouldnt be surprising if he takes it. The ASG is horrible…we all know that. But They need to at least sign Josh Smith, make a qualifying offer to Chills, and at least they have kept one RFA (smith) and still have the rights to chilldress by making the qualifying offer. Atlanta sports franchises are making me mad. You want your hometown teams to be good but somethings u cant control. And they wonder why they cant sell tickets (falcons, hawks, and braves)

By Eric

July 21, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

The word is Josh Smith has no plans to return to the Hawks. Rumors say the Hawks may do a sign and trade with Dallas, Josh Smith for Josh Howard. On another note, Jeremy Richardson can really play some ball, to bad the Hawks organization don’t know that. All you here is the Hawks need a shooter, well we have a shooter and his name is Jeremy Richardson. Mike Woodson keep Jeremy on the bench the entire second half of the season.

By Astro Joe

July 21, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

So one rumor says that the Greek team will be willing to Pay Childress’ taxes. I’m no foreign currency exchange expert, but here’s guessing that a $7M tax-free annual salary in Greece has to be close to around $10-11M American dollars. I’m sure someone will correct me.

I’m a huge Hawks fan and a big Childress fan and I sincerely hope that Chill signs the offer in Greece. This ownership group deserves the embarassment of having a youung, good RFA take the Euro route for the first time. Childress is NOT a fringe player… he’s not Will Bynum or a young Anthony Parker nor an old ‘Nique. He’s a guy who earns 30 minutes a game and always competes hard.

Go ahead national media, shine the spotlight on this stench that we deal with. Walk Chill, and enjoy the food, the money and the culture. And don’t let the Hawks play you like a used and broke down second fiddle.

By darrell starks

July 21, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

THEY ARE BROKE IM TELLING YOU GUYS THE RUMOR HAS IT THAT THEY ARE BROKE EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO COME TO LIGHT look at WHAT THEY did to the THRASHERS THEY let all they star PLAYER GO SO they could GO CHEAP now they ARE DOING the same with the HAWKS in till the HAWKS and THE BRAVES sell the TEAMS THEY BOTH WILL CONTINUE to decline do we have any buyers?

By Paul-Devon

July 21, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

This could be but the first domino to fall that starts the cascade effect…

We’re gonna lose this franchise, not just the players, to another city…

The Atlanta Spirit Group is the WORST ownership group in the history of professional athletics; they’ve destroyed the Hawks and Thrashers and shouldn’t be allowed to continue…

The fact the NBA hasn’t stepped in is furthering my theory that they will eventually move the Hawks to another city; we shouldn’t have to be another Seattle!

We, the few true Hawks fans in this city have GOT TO DO SOMETHING to get the word out to the ASG CLOWNS that we won’t allow them to further ruin our once proud franchise.

The ASG should be in everyone’s crosshairs as the Cause of this embarassment…

Shame on you CLOWNS!

By Joey D

July 21, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Settle down people. Obviously a smoke screen by his agents to drive up his value in Atl. By the way, how many other RFA’s have reached agreements with their own teams? It’s called negotiating.

By kgbsfinst

July 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Sekou, you are totally right! I dont know if people just arent thinking this through or what! Talking about an extension for Williams when you still havent signed the Joshes! COMMON SENSE PEOPLE! They wont talk extension when 2 of their top 6 players (who both are better than Marvin by the way) are still out there. Another thing is, how do you think this looks for other players out there? Do you really think any, ANY other FA will EVER want to come into a situation like this? Would you?

By Darrell

July 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Could it be another player on this team didn’t like the ideal of keeping Woodson around for another year!? You let the most effective guy playing with out the ball come off the bench because you’re afraid it will hurt the confidence of player that didn’t do anything notable all season (Marvin Williams); it’s not a huge surprise that Chill’s doesn’t want to be here! If at least one of the Joshs’ doesn’t resign the team will be hurt for a few more years and will be in the same boat the Thrashers were in 2 yrs ago; a playoff appearance to get our mouths watering only returning to the basement not even a whole season later.

By RealSquawk

July 21, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

* ditto on that Realist*

there is a reason why all these teams with money did not offer Josh Smith the money. there were better options available and sixers and clippers choose a power forward coming off a serious injury and an older center respectively.

As far as the ASG its there money they can spend it as they want to spend if they don’t want to lock up their future on these two then let them wait until they find a free agent and players they want to lock up

me personally would like to see both of them on the team reasonably priced,

but most of josh childress cause i know he is a piece that could help in the long run without much risk

smith to me carries a lot of risk as i have said before smith could end up overpaid and performing under value i.e. shawn marion, lamar odom, darius miles, andre kirelnko, all these guys can fill a stat sheet, but all of them under perform and are over paid

By dj

July 21, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

this is good news turn the heat up on the complacent ASG, many need to be fired anyway, cuz this ordeal is really a reflection on the foolishness that still exists in the ASG. what do we have to do to make these guys care? why do fans, writers, and bloggers care so much more about this team than the people who pay them do? i think the fans should start a petition or do something to make the ASG mad, i as a hawks fan, want to be excited about this upcoming season, i want to be purchasing my season tickets but..

if the hawks don’t have josh smith i will elect for the trade of al horford and i will never support the atlanta hawks again, until the ASG FIRES THEMSELVES

sekou, love the blog man, u write the best columns and get the best interviews, dont worry bout Hawks.com’s Micah Hart, he is trying to get on your level, lol

[http://playoffshawks.blogspot.com]

check me out if u got time, see u next season no matter what

By kwooden1

July 21, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Sekou The offer from the Greece to Childress looks about right, a few million over the mid-level. I’ve always been of the opinion that the Hawks have to do a sign and trade with Chills for cap reasons. With that said what is your gut feeling on the top number the HAWKS are working with? (62M-64M????) They will have to at least go there to sign both Josh Smith and Chills. If you can’t give your opinion on that then how long do you think Josh Smith will wait for these negotiations to go on? Is he the type of guy that always listens to his agent or does he make his own decisions. (make his agent do what he wants) I hope that at some point, before training camp that one side makes a decision.

GO HAWKS??

By Dan

July 21, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

We played the Celtics better than anyone in the playoffs ??? What are the Hawks owners waiting for? Sign the Josh’s already !!! Also what happen with Kwame? I thought they were impressed with him? I thought they were going to add some bigs. The ownership has said that their priority was to sign the Josh’s and to tweek add some key pieces? What atre they waiting for?

By Frustrated Fan

July 21, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

I’m a true fan..but the Hawks were 37-45. 8 games under .500…thats really bad. The 7-game playoff series tricked you all into thinking they were that good. I’ve had season tickets for the past 4 years (the Woodson era) and they just arent that good. ASG is driving them into the ground though. Still love my Hawks

By stevo

July 21, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

oh, it is too hard.

this is a 3 year, $20 million dollar contract, not 20 million euro contract (my computer does not have the euro symbol). learn the symbols, understand what is being spoken about.

so we are comparing dollars to dollars here.

i think most of you people are way over your heads trying to understand conversions and such.

there is a saying:

a smart person can talk to a smart person; a stupid person can talk to a stupid person; but a smart and a stupid person cannot talk to each other.

i am too stupid for this place.

cheers!

By Darrell

July 21, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Why is anybody talking about locking up MW; when he should be locked out of the gym? Marvin showed us that he has maxed out…he’ll never be more than an off and on midrange shooter, why Woodson stuck with him all season if highly questionable!

By Dawg 'n IT

July 21, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Falcons are done, Thrashers are done, Braves are done, and the Hawks fresh off a 7 game playoff series against World Champion Boston appear to be headed for the showers too. Sad sad time to be a pro sports fan in Atlanta. Atleast UGA football is right around the corner! Go Dawgs!

By Frustrated Fan

July 21, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Why not re-sign Marvin? To the Realist… Ignorance should be entertained here. You can’t be serious when you talk about re-signing Marvin when he hasnt proved anything except he’s a lanky streak shooter who looks rather awkward on the court

By vdunkndunk

July 21, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Long humiliating summers seem to be the status quo in Hawksville ever since the ASG took over. What is it with these people? Are they too poor to pay their players? Are they too stupid to avoid p** off the entire team as well as the fan base? Can’t they capitalize on the first ounce of good will the Hawks have ever generated since the ASG showed up? There was the Joe Johnson debacle that lasted all summer, followed by the Al Harrington debacle that lasted all summer, and now the Joshes debacle is lasting all summer, not to mention the fact that the ownership has been suing each other for years now. It’s disgusting as a fan to watch this stuff happen over and over again.

By Lacsho

July 21, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

I think the main reason other teams never offered the contract, was due to the perception that the hawks would match any offer. Therefore, other teams didn’t want to tie up a huge amount of money for seven days.

By ATLborn

July 21, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

As another blogger noted, the Greece deal for JChill is in U.S. millions, not Euros. Yes that is a few million more than the mid level extension he’d get here dollar for dollar but it’s much more than that when you look at the whole picture. The Greek team has offered to pay all of his taxes, so that means he’d get all 20 million which wouldn’t happen over here. So that could mean up to 8 million more bucks in his pocket w/out having to give the tax man his cut.

Also, he won’t have to pay basic living expeneses, as its common for European teams to provide their foreign players with housing, paid utilities, and a vehicle. Some will even give them a food allowance.

So when you look at all the perks JChill may get to go to Europe, it may far outweigh anything the Hawks may try to give him. Not to mention this team is rolling out the red carpet for him where the Hawks are acting as if they’ve given him their azz to kiss.

By Randy

July 21, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Sekou, you should be the 2 Joshes agent the way you shill for these guys.

The Hawks want to pay market value. These guys are getting ZERO interest from NBA teams at the dollar figures they want. I think other NBA teams see them for what they are, BENCH GUYS on a good NBA roster.

Simple Econ, you are worth what someone will pay you. If they are worth more, someone will make them an offer.

Why should the Hawks overpay for these guys?

By Dave

July 21, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Hey Childress, send me a postcard from Greece, I never liked your game anyway you’re expendable.

By BravesFan79

July 21, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Dan: Kwame Brown? are you KIDDING!??
haha… wow if thats the Hawks answer to the big man problem then thats SAD!

Both Joshes should of been resigned last summer…you are 100 % RIGHT !!

We should of traded Marvin before the draft, ive never liked his game…and hell NEVER live up to the hype!

By Ryder

July 21, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

I don’t believe that the ASG wants to keep Josh Smith in the long run unless he drops his salary demands. They are looking to change the roster and hope someone will want to trade for him. Face it, 11M is too much to pay for a third option who can’t really shoot. He possessed too many question marks to invest in the long run. I think option B will be what the Hawks hope he will take.

As far as Childress goes, Joey D is right. This is all a negotiating ploy to get the Hawks to ante up. However if I’m the ASG I lock him up right NOW! He’s the kind of player you want in the postseason.

By Sekou is right

July 21, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Sekou, Thanks for the update. As I agreed with you last summer I whole heartily agree with you now. This is ridiculous. This organization went with these young players to pull them out of the gutter. The Joshes are the backbone of this resurgence and to spurn them would devastate the franchise. The ASG didn’t get any good NHL free agents (Thrashers will be worse next year) and haven’t done anything with the Hawks. As a business man myself I can’t see this working in their favor. Holding out means less money given to the Joshes (granted if they get them locked up) but more money is lost due to the PR nightmare and effect it has on future free agents and the potential for current players to want to stay and deal with them in the future. In addition, it tears at the fan base and the unity the city showed during the Boston series. This city needs something to rally around and the ASG is destroying it.

By Darrell

July 21, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Expandable!? Dave are you serious…What or Who on this team makes Chills expandable; he may be the only player on this team that they don’t run plays for yet he still gets his.

By Frustrated Fan

July 21, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

You guys are over reacting…teams in NBA are interested in Chills and Smith. The market value for them hasnt been let out for them because they are restricted FA’s and teams don’t want to lock up their money for the 7 days that the Hawks have to match. Hence why all the big UNrestricted free agents get signed first. Josh Smith is worth the money but his restricted status and the threat that the hawks will match are keeping teams away. Dont get it twisted and believe that teams arent interested in him.

By outside observer

July 21, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t be surprised if more players opted for Europe. The American dollar is worth squat. The University of Arizona just lost a kid to Europe. He can get legally paid over there while showcasing himself for the NBA. The winds of change are blowing and the NBA better wake up.

By Mark B

July 21, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

i cannot believe this. There is no excuse for this laxness on the part of the owners. If they want to make sure that the money they will be spending will come back to them in the form of NBA revenue or ticket sales, put incentive clauses in there contract. It can be something like if the team wins 42 games you will get 2 million dollars worth of incentives. If you make the all star team you will get x amount and so forth. There is absolutely no excuse for this. We know Josh smith is one of the pillars of this team. I also feel that he has to be traded at some point for a center because Horford is the answer at the 4 spot. But we got to keep this kid interested in playing for his city. Give him some signing bonus money. Do something to get this kid interested in playing for this city again. Remember it is his city. this guy was born and bred right here. As for childress, he has single handedly won games for this team running the baseline and getting garbage buckets and playing soli perimeter defense. He can shoot free throws at a high percentage and he gets fouled alot working that baseline. He has also played the point for us when our PGs were in foul trouble. Pay this guy some damn money! They need to stop thinking as giving someone a 60 or 40 million contract and see it as an asset investment. The team wins, the fans win. The team generates more money, the owners win. stop with this market value s**. If you need to keep a guy to retain the support of your fan base, you gotta give these guys long term deals.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

July 21, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

I swear this has to be THE dumbest front office in the history of the NBA. Why doesn’t the ASG just move the Hawks and spare the fans here the pain of the Tom Foolery. I get so sick of the same b.s. year after freaking year and I’ve been suffering this franchise since the mid 80’s. From Jon “Contract” to trading “Nique for a pair of bad knees named Danny Manning to signing J.R. Rider its just one bonehead move after another over and over and over no matter who owns the team or who is running the franchise. From Terry Stotts to Bob Weiss its just loser move after loser move and we finally get some interest going and here they are trying their best to kill that momentum. I swear they should just move the Hawks to another city and let us try to get another franchise with new owners cause this loser virus this current ownership/franchise has is making me wanna PUKE! GET SOMETHING DONE STUPID!!! WTF are you waiting on?

By kgbsfinst

July 21, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

FOr everybody who thinks we should wait to sign the Joshes, or think $11 million is too much, would you please explain what you think trying to “lowball” the Joshes will do to our image to the other players in the league? I know, you dont think they are being “lowballed” but I bet you most of the league does think that.

By Realist

July 21, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

If all these other teams are “afraid to lock up their money for 7 days” in Josh Smith, how come they aren’t doing anything else with that money right now? And why would they care if their money were “locked up” if they actually wanted Josh Smith. Fact is, no one wants to pay him big money. For the Hawks to overpay him because Sekou thinks his “true value” is $11M would be ridiculous. The Hawks have all the leverage and they have every right to use it. What they should be doing though is looking for a sign-and-trade (should have done it weeks ago when more teams were interested in Smith).

By mississippi

July 21, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

I only start to worry when Sekou starts to worry and from this blog it seems like he is there. But here is what I noticed: None of the other big name restricted free agents have signed, nor have they been offered contracts. Okafur, Deng, Gordon, Iggy, their teams have not offered contracts and other teams have not presented offer sheets so it seems that the ASG is on pace with these other organizations. Are Bulls fans freaking out about their players, what about in Charlotte? When you look at the rest of the RFA still on the market, things look OK. Of course I would feel better if we signed them both today.

By Najeh Davenpoop

July 21, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Stevo, do you work for the NBA? It makes perfect sense for Childress to go to Greece and get more playing time and more money, what the hell are you talking about?

By Darrell

July 21, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Expandable!? Dave are you serious…What or Who on this team makes Chills expandable; he may be the only player on this team that they don’t run plays for yet he still gets his.

By ASf'nG

July 21, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Honestly sign or no sight either of the joshs this ownership group is still a joke. To even let it get to this point is crazy. If chill or smoove walk it’s just proof that they are broke and cant afford to sign big name guys and will go after the kwame browns of the world. I bet they let Joe walk when his contract is up and sign duck butt marvin williams to a max deal. What a f’n joke man. I’ve been a hawks fan for 26yrs, my whole life but if they let these guys go it just shows me they have no interest in winning and this team is just a tax writeoff. Here’s to steve belkin taking over the team..

By Michael

July 21, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

If everybody else in the NBA values the two Josh’s so highly somrone would have already made them an offer. But guess what, most other teams even if they want to can make them a decent offer. I think every team except Philly and maybe the Clippers are over the salary cap so they have no where to go. Go to Greeece be serious, who would want to go play in some third world league plus the food really sucks there.

The Atlanta Spirit are not stupid, they have all the leverage and are using to their advantage.

If the two Josh’s think they are so marketable and worth more than $10 million a year (we know they are not worth anything close to max money) sign the tender offer and see what you can get next year, but my guess is the same thing will happen. The one or two big names will get a big contract offer and everyone else will get the scraps.

With the salary cap in the NBA structured the was it is, it is very hard to have player movement. The players current team can sign a player for more than a new team. Blame the braintrust at the NBA union for the great deal that they signed.

By david

July 21, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

I told you guys a million times. When the Hawks made a decision to keep Woodson that said many many things. Yes we have a pro basketball team in our city but no we don’t care anything about winning and/or being productive or loyal or in the least bit caring for the fans. We are not one of the teams that care. That really care. Don’t ever even mention the Clippers with the Hawks again. We don’t even have the balls to make any offer to the Joshes. How much do you think they feel loved now? Start the season off with Woodson and the most unmotivated team in the history of the NBA. Wonder how Phoenix is looking to Joe now days?

By KnicksFan

July 21, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

I am a Knicks fan and only marginally follow the Hawks.

That said, I really would love J.Smith on my favorite team and think he’s getting shafted by the Hawks currently.

As to Childress going to Europe, a few things: - contract is in USD (as stated) - the Greek team, in the news accounts, only offered to pick up the local (Greek) taxes. So he’ll still have to pay US taxes. Working abroad may mean that he won’t have to pay state income taxes, but federal income taxes are a must. Still, saving state (and local city) income taxes can be 2-10%.. I’m not from Georgia. - Euroleague plays like 37 games IF your team wins the championship (and plays out the 3-out-of-five 2nd round playoffs). Again, I’m not a Euroleague guy, so I may be off by a few games. But the point is the entire Euro season is as least 50% less than the NBA season. Just think how much wear and tear you can save on your knees if you play Euroleague.
- Same pay, 50% less games? Let’s just say that 3 years in Europe adds just one extra year at the tail end of Josh Childress’ NBA career. What is one extra year of NBA income worth?

Head to Europe, my man!

By Frustrated since 1985

July 21, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

I am irritated and frustrated with the ASG. I don’t care what anyone says, the Hawks are a good team. If they are so terrible then how the heck did they take the so called Boston Champs to seven games? Think about it. Terrible teams or players don’t do that. Besides Boston wasn’t that good to me anyway. Josh Smith is a great player, he can score and play defense. Josh Childress should having been starting. The rest of the free agents didn’t really get a chance to show what they were made of because Woodson kept giving them seconds to play.Check them out in the RMR, they are 2-0 and the game today is at 6:30pm.

JUST CONFUSED AS TO WHY THE ASG RE-SIGNED WOODSON SO QUICKLY BUT NOT THE JOSHES.

By VandyMan

July 21, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

The Hawks should re-sign Matt Freije! He played great in Vegas - the guy can score from anywhere, and he’s a lights out 3 point shooter…the Hawks need him!

By MannyT

July 21, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

It was amusing to catch up on some of the recent past postings.

kirknga I’ll summarize with this…once you keep coming back you are a part of the regulars, the norm, etc. Everyone plays the role that they define for themselves with their participation. I think Sautee nailed it yesterday…in many ways we are all looking at the mob from the inside…even those who claim regularly to be outsiders.

doc You KNOW the Chills story gives me chills inside. He’ll do what is best for him. Hopefully granny will get the Hawks to do something proactive before it is too late, but those Olympiacos unis sure look similar Stanford’s.

I do wonder if the Hawks (and other NBA teams) are uncomfortable making Chills an offer because it sets a floor for the guys above him that they don’t want. If you can get him for 5 mil, why offer 6? Now that the Euroleagues might offer options for a year or three, this is a dynamic that the NBA is less comfortable figuring out, especially for US born players.

stevo Guys have jumped to Europe at the end of their careers. If Chills cannot get what he wants here, but can get it there, why would he not give it a try? If he cannot get MLE offer here and the money is tax advantaged there, why take less to stay here (18 mil not offered, but hopeful versus 20 mil firm offer with tax advantages)? If non-athletes are willing to travel for a job opportunity, why is it unfathomable that Chills might do the same for part of his basketball career?

McNasty/SalimFan You crack me up. Once Salim is officially gone might you change that handle to Frazier Crane, Blog psychologist/videologist?

This could be global PAIN.

By Halsey

July 21, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

The Josh’s are just as responsible for getting their deals done as the Hawks are. The Hawks have every right to want to avoid overpaying. There are WAY too many bad contracts in the NBA and a team should be fair but firm about trying to avoid them. Bad contracts are keeping most teams from even competing for the best players in free agency. If I was Hawks GM, I would be trying to figure out what a well managed organization like Detroit thinks the 2 Josh’s are worth.

By I.MUS WRITE

July 21, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Who the hell are these people?………………

O -before I forget SteveO shut your trapp fool-

By Ken Strickland

July 21, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

I know some of you might not want to hear this, but maybe now we can see that BK wasn’t the real problem after all. We now have a new GM, but the same old BROKEN SPIRIT GROUP. We can ponder all we want about what the problems are, whether financial or otherwise, but we definitely know there are some serious problems eithin this organization. THE INMATES ARE IN CONTROL OF THE ASYLUM.

After finally making the playoffs, and making a strong statement while there, we might end up losing most of what got us there. Because of the STUPIDITY and INEPTITUDE of the SAASG, we just might end up with only 2 remaining draft picks(Horford & Marvin)and one other key player(JJ)remaining on this team after the season. That means, these fools would have to start rebuilding through the draft, a team that was already in the process of rebuilding through the draft.

To the SAASG: STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES. You fools should have learned this little bit of wisdom from your parents.

By Frustrated Fan

July 21, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Realist- no teams have offered a conttract to any of the big name free agents. This is normal for Restricted free agents. Sign and trade deals take forever to negotiate.

We all have to be patient , however, this Greece thing give me hope that the ASG will move a little quicker if they are serious and stick to their word about wanting to keep the Joshes. Teams are supposed to sign their players first because without them there is no team. ASG has no committment to winning. Sad…but uncontrollable..

By LD3223@YAHOO.COM

July 21, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

The hawks are doing the right thing. no one can pay both josh’s more than the exception except memphis whos not interested in neither. the hawks may luck up and sign childress and perhaps smith like the bobcats did gerald wallace three yrs ago at 6m per year for 3 yrs.the hawks hold the card if both players think they can make more then they should sign a 1yr deal. hawks got to watch money because we see horford is gonna be the player who should get paid soon so you dont want to over pay these to players then down the road be stuck with them and over the cap. marvin williams is gonna have to be a full time small forward he’s gonna have to play to his potential if he does that they dont need smith.childress is a 6 man who the hawks can get cheap at that postion right now. they can sign ricky davis or bonzi wells cheaper than childress. so let childress go overseas by the time he comes back the hawks still have his rights to match and ricky davis or bonzi wells contract would be expired by then.i wuold look into getting a center like kwame brown for bout 6m per year he would fit with that young rising team.pg-mike bibby sg-joe johnson c-kwame brown pf-al horford sf-marvin williams//// pg-speedy claxton sg-jeremy richardson c-zaza pachulia pf-? sf-ricky davis//// pg- acie law pf-sheldon jones so al the hawks need to do is get a back up pf to play behing al horford. so they can afford to let josh amith and josh childress go only if its more than 6m per year. they can sign kwame brown for 6m and ricky davis for 4m.

By doc

July 21, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

dont worry guys the BASG is doing it the right way just like they have handled all internal personal dealings and draft picks the last four years. they have done it just like they say to do in b school.

stevo, i get exchange rates and i get your bravado and bluster for what it is.

as you did i will repost:

By doc July 21, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this stevo most of us eat fine especially at half time as we throw back a brw and gulp a pretzel talking about the hawks whether they are ahead or behind.

stevo, you read cp’s post above. funny how you derided it just last week as manny t and i brought it up as a legitimate concern as a fan and certainly should be one of the owners. dont know if it will come to pass but right now it is about the money as it always is and with best offer the one that will win out in the end. the economy lesson for all of us is that of ASTRO JOE ….. FOLLOW THE MONEY whether it be in greece or us. simple concept and it is probably why you are where you are wanting to find some chinese individual to argue with instead of here a home. yep, they as you did are exploring all options for making money, just as i said they would, even if it means going overseas. ultimately, if it isnt there then they come back and decide qualifying offer and insurance and play their game or get a reasonable offer they and the hawks can be happy with and continue on as members of the team.

i just dont think it is best for the team to have two players on qualifying offer. do you or does anyone? what ultimately becomes of the team in such a situation? that is my boy rick’s question and the owners question and a big gamble. it is also the drama of the hawks as we watch expectantly.

cp, thanks for posting the relevant article. it kind of helps to educate us all, crazy or not.

By doc July 21, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this manny t, i hope you enjoy the article above as much as i did whether chills goes or not. the money not fame is the issue, add a few perks and he is gone to live the good life, mediterranean climate, good healthy food and hot women. only care is whether his lot was over a volcano or fault. coming from california he is used to that. 6.5 mil to play 40 or so games or to take less to play 82 games ….. hmmmm. he’d be crazy not to, but to each his own.

BASG = ARROGANCE

arguments well stated sekou.

oh by the way stevo, those taxes you were saying were going to be the deal killer have been included as an extra beyond the quoted 20 mil over three years. would you really turn down such an offer as you now make you live outside the us of a for i guess similar reasons as the job offers are better there than here or shall we say you are plying your trade in a foreign country.

By sayoung68

July 21, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith averaged 17.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.52 spg, 2.80 bpg… and playing out of position.

His numbers are better than Lamar Odom (not rebounding), Rasheed Wallace, Kenyon Martin… to name a few. Who are all making over 12.5 million.

So he is very valuable to this team & need to be compensated correctly.

PAY HIM A.S.G.

By terrell barron

July 21, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

I will never, EVER, blame BK for ANYTHING that happened during his tenure. Not a GD thing! The picks, the trades, NOTHING. I actually applaud him for being able to work with such a bunch of idiots for as long as he did. He probably had to hold a gun to someone’s head, just to make the Bibby deal. And Lord knows he did’nt make all of the draft picks alone. I actually read somewhere that said BK wanted Deron, but NO, they had to have OL Marv, with all the upside. FOOLS! Now I get it. They wanted to go the CHEAP route. They knew how much Deron and Chris would want, after their Rookie contracts. lol! And btw, can you blame Chills? Imagine having to look at these clowns(BASG) on an everyday basis.

By Mitch

July 21, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

It’s every American player’s dream to win an NBA Championship…something a player cannot do playing for Greece in the Euro League.

The telling thing is, neither JSmoove nor Chills has received an offer from an NBA team this summer…why?

For one, the NBA teams fully expect the Hawks to match any offers to Smith and Childress, as the Hawks have said they would.

The Hawks wanted to guage the market…and thus far, there’s been no market for these guys…not because teams wouldn’t want them: teams can’t afford them.

The Hawks, at this point, need to get the negotiations going. JSmoove deserves a contract @ roughly $9M per year, and Chills deserves $5-6M per. Both should sign three year deals, so they can hit the market again as unrestricted free agents in three years. By then, if the Hawks make a serious run at the Eastern Conference Championship, both players will be hot commodities…Smith will still only be 25 and Childress 28.

Get’r done, ASG!

By oh my josh

July 21, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Childress should go to greece this year and get paid. the hawks are a crappy organization only because they dont hav one voice. A biz needs a leader, not a group of old foggies talking crap. Childress…GET PAID!! Now for J-Smoove, your agent sucks, so get a new one and make the sign and trade happen. Dallas, Miami, and the Knicks sound like possible destinations for the high flyer. I am sorry but your agent SUCKS! All these other agents suck too. What the hell are you guys doing for your clients? Deng, Ellis, Igoudala, Biedrins, Gordon, should all be getting PAID! everyone is saying the money is not their, but it is. The teams think they have leverage and the agents are waiting for the other agents to make qualifying offers or move to greece or something. no one has the rocks to make a move. Deng should be signed by nw and I hope he gives the finger to the BUlls for not signing him earlier. Ellis is too greedy, but a Kev-Mart contract is not out of the question. Igoudala is a great player at both ends and should get paid big bucks but 76ers roster has 4 million going to Kaman fingering Reggie Evans. You see, the teams and agents for these free agents are a bunch of clowns. I bet those guy wish they played fr the Hornets now.

By Cedric

July 21, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

I am officially sold on the fact that ASG has no clue what the hell they are doing. Why in the world have we not taken a page from the Wizards and lock up our key pieces from the jump start and concentrate on building from where we left off in the playoffs. Now I have to just focus on football and come basketball season watch other teams because I cannot continue to support a franchise that is not sold on building a winner. They might as well sell the damn franchise if they don’t want to succeed. Holla back when things change but better yet why bother cause in my 32yrs watching this team called the Hawks s** still the same. Feel for you Sekou but keep ya head up and do like you always do your best.

By Ben

July 21, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

**If both Joshes leave this year, the Hawks don’t make the playoffs, and the same ownership is still here, I will quit being a Hawks Fan.

—20 year old, 14 year Hawks fan.**

By KevinM

July 21, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

In response to Dan’s thought on the Hawks playing the Celtics the toughest in the playoffs….have you already forgotten LeBron and Game 7 in Boston? His team had a legit chance to win, where we shouldn’t have even made the trip. And we got zero motivation from Woody’s tactics! Knicksfan, you posted the best info in this blog…kudos for clearing up the salary options for Chills…..you have provided more info than the ASG has here the whole summer. IMO, Chills leaving will hurt more than retaining Smoove. If it was Smoove putting that threat out there, I wouldn’t believe it, but Chills to me makes sense. Will he play against top competition? Well, for 40 games, I would jump at that. and I would get to play as much as I wanted. And you can’t compare previous NBAers who have gone overseas; the majority of them were in their declining years like Dominique. 2 names that started overseas and came back to be very good: Bill Laimbeer and Brad Miller. Both big men, but 2 who gained that experience needed. Will Chills take the offer? If he can handle being away from the ‘Hawks’ for a year or 2, yes, I would give it big consideration. Who is very interested in this movement? Can you say David Stern, who is watching this game globalize more than ever now. You have already seen some talented guys commit to overseas teams, along with high schooler Brandon Jennings, so why not Chills? He starts and doesn’t play behind Marvin and JJ, whom he will never get a starting spot from. In that case, what would you do with your career? Me, I take the Greek all expense paid vacation and start improving my porfolio faster than what the ATL Stagnate group would do for me.
This should not be happening. You draft these guys, yet you are trying to determine their worth? Okay, go ahead and roll the dice. The players are more important than the coach by a longshot.

Good Luck with Woody leading a team who may have just lost his ‘only’ bench ammunition!

By Paddy

July 21, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

The ASG lost its core fan base awhile back. Those people saw what was working inside that organization.

Yes the ASG is about broke. As bad as the perception of the NBA is, this ownership is rudderless and only adds to the leagues miseries. Is it no wonder the NBA has lost so many, many fans. Now even the casual fan is about to go overboard.

By Realist

July 21, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I hope the people who think that Smith and Childress deserve to be paid big money, despite the fact that there are no other competing offers for their services, aren’t running their own businesses.

By Joshua

July 21, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Let Chilly go , S O S and it’s time to waiver or move Marvin Williams . He’s a bust . Look Honestly I want Josh Smith back but that doesn’t look to be happening so sign and trade to Detroit and bring us Tayshaun Prince . Sign Luke Jackson and look into a free agent like Bonzi Wells who is instant offense off the bench and look for a new back up center , Move ZaZa into a starter role again and play Horford at his natural four . Look at this line up Pachulia Horford Prince JJ and Bibby that’s a play off team with solid shooting and strong defense .

By MannyT

July 21, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

For all those folks that claim there is no market for the Joshes, remember that as a RFA, other teams have no incentive to put an offer on the table unless they believe they will get the player.

Rony Turiaf has a new deal with the Warriors. He is not a better player than either Josh, but he was more available due to the Lakers financial situation.

If the Joshes did stay with the Hawks on the tender offer and played exactly the same this season, there would be more visible offers for them as unrestricted free agents.

Chills move of looking beyond the NBA is his only real leverage to get some idea of current market value.

tb I won’t go quite that far, but I do believe that the perception of BK was far worse than the reality of how he did that job. I wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear his perspective of the current situation.

Maybe this is one of the reasons he was willing to walk away. Woody or not, the GM job has much more ownership pressure, because that is the role that actually spends their money.

Maybe BK knew that granny was related to the ASG. It could be that Sund is willing to deal, but granny won’t let him go to the bank to check the balance…let’s take another ride around 285 at rush hour, we’ve got plenty of time to get to the bank. hahahahaha

PAIN?

By Joshua

July 21, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Oh and I’ll say this yet agian why Woddy ? Have you ever heard of Avery Johnson Flip Saunders Doug Collins amoung others . I hate being a Hawks fan . Every since I saw them trade Nique for a rental Manning . By the way why Rick Sund ? Oh yeah cause he’s a pawn that’s why . I wanted Nique to be gm personaly .

By randy

July 21, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

At first, I thought they were cheap…then I thought they were deviously smart business men…but I guess the ASG are just stupid…even more stupid than they appear to the rest of the league. Well look on the bright side, if both Josh’s get away, they will have plenty of money to sign Marvin “the duck” to a nice big 6 year contract!! Lee[ reaching for that potential Marv! ahahahaha.

By Peter

July 21, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

oiw it makes sense for Childress to go………. $8.3 million a year X 3………… and when he comes back………. he will probably be offered more money then as a free agent……

Hawks are fighting a loosing battle…….. this team is in serious decline !

By mykhalc

July 21, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

usually when you do NOT like who you work for you LEAVE…PERIOD!!! despite my luv for the HAWKS this organization is who we thought they were and who they’ve shown themselves to be…CLUELESS!!! when you’ve had no forward momentum over the last ‘X’ number of years, the BASG is showin’ it’s lost when it comes to knowin’ what to do when it does show itself. the BASG coulda sent all kinda ‘positive’ signals to its’ players and fans at the start of FA signings. all they did was follow the path they showed in re-signin’ HINDSIGHT…RIDICULOUS and SAD!!! BUT TRUE!!!!

By nique

July 21, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Well said Sekou. Does this “Tom Foolery” indicate to you that Sund is not really in charge of making personnel decisions and that instead the owners are making these decisions? I can’t imagine a real professional NBA exec would be dragging this process on like this.

How much longer before the damage between the Hawks and the Josh’s becomes irreparable?

By kirknga

July 21, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Well, is this a piece of advocacy or what?

I believe Sekou makes a good and rational argument. Draft player highly-develop/nurture-like him-pay him generously but fair to whom? I would just respectfully point out that this path makes no distinction between a Chris Paul or Josh Smith. Following this path, the Koncack contract can be seen as a correct one, no?

So Childress to Greece is it? Let’s think this through a bit more.

Childress, we’re to believe, is going to go international for 3 years. That’s 3 prime years, at $20 million. After which he will return to the NBA, and make more or less money?

By taking a step back and playing against perceived lesser competition for 3 years, what will be his leverage to increase his salary upon his return? Doesn’t value increase when you do well against the strongest of competition than it does a lesser amount?

I would argue that by taking this position, Childress has put the Hawks in a position where they must now dig in even more. This is no longer about just a team dealing with it’s own RFA.

If the Hawks sign him too quickly, now future RFA’s will surely make the same threat having seen it work to a players advantage. Other teams have an interest now and I can’t imagine that they want to see the Hawks look like anything but strong and resolute, because it could be them next should the Hawks be seen as giving in. He may have prolonged, rather than shortened his waiting time.

Stern is all for global growth of the NBA brand. It is good for the league to have international players come here to play, but what value in the reverse flow? Not much I would think.

Should Childress return, will he be seen as a renegade? Will teams really be eager to extend him lucrative offers or will they want to make an example. Isn’t it in their best interest to low ball offers so as to discourage any players who might want to take this route in the future should they disagree with an offer?

Should Childress leave, will we be able to look back and say as a whole, his leaving cost or made him money? Yes in years 4-6 he made $20 million, but in years 5-7 he makes below MLE when he could have made more if he stayed, then is this really the best deal deal for him long-term.

No, I think there is more risk for Childress than meets the eye here. I would call his bluff. He already went to Greece, they have phones there, surely they could have made the Hawks make an offer right then and there. But no, back he comes, with nothing signed and a bunch of pub.

I hope the Hawks do sign Childress, I think he is very talented and valuable to the Hawks. But this is business, there is a process being played out here and it is not conducive to a hurry-up mentality for players who aren’t consensus maximum-offer players.

By Tree Doc

July 21, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

This goes to show you that some team owners in the NBA are handling their franchises like hobbies instead of businesses. They are not serious about contending for a title. This will set the team back years if they don’t sign these guys to the money they are worth. What Free Agent would want to play for a team that has proven to not only be disloyal but cheap? This was a team on the rise. However with this game of cat in mouse one has to wonder what type of impact this will have on the team’s chemistry and momentum. Josh Smith is a player with tremendous upside he has the ability to be one of the best players in the game. What he brings in excitement alone is worth the price of admission. Josh Childress may not have the same appeal but he is definitely a player more than capable of starting on most teams in this league. I wouldn’t mortgage the farm on this guy because I believe he still has something to prove. But he is worth a salary in the range of 4 years 30 mil range. Note to Hawks management put up or shut up! Either trade these guys with hopes of getting something of value back in return or pay them the money they deserve.

By randy

July 21, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Pathetic…I hear Seattle needs a basketball team.

By Ricardo

July 21, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

ASG sucks, it’s as simple as that.

By jhan

July 21, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

European Basketball = NFL Europe. Financial analogy is USFL Football.

Is Childress getting pumped about those European playoffs? Will he thump his chest & say he won a championship ring playing on a Greek team? Will anyone even see the games?

The money is there but do you dream about playing in Greece when you are growing up? Are you ready to leave your family & friends behind for 3 years. At least in the USFL you got to play in the States.

How much notoriety will you get traveling through Europe. If you do, will you even understand what they are saying to you?

If the money is even close there is no way he will jump overseas.

But, what do I know really? Maybe money is the true driving force - it typically works that way. Some people will leave their jobs to make an extra $.25/hour. Why wouldn’t you leave for an extra $2-3 million per year?

By terrell barron

July 21, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

My source tells me that the BASG is building this team around JJ and Big Al. Everyone else is expendable. I dont know if it’s true, but it sure seems that way.

By terrell barron

July 21, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

My source tells me that the BASG are building this team around JJ and Big Al. Everyone else is expendable. I dont know if it’s true, but it sure seems that way.

By Jeff

July 21, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

I heard the Mystics fired Tree Rollins to make way for the Hawks to sign him.

By terrell barron

July 21, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Not to take anything away from the Joshes, but if either one of them had a good jumpshot, they’d probably be signed already. Just a thought.

By terrell barron

July 21, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

It was reported that if we lost Childress to Greece, we would then go after Bostjon Nachbar. Too bad, he just signed with Dynamo Moscow. There goes another one.

By B. A. ToDa

July 21, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t be too surprised if Childress takes their offer…. and you can’t blame him either. Only thing that could prevent him from leaving is if his love for the game is to win a NBA Championship and play in the NBA, rather than winning summer Euro Championship. If we lose Childress please, don’t lose Smith.

If we lose both Josh’s for nothing… that would set our franchise back another 5-7yrs. 1st the Falcons offseason last summer… now this! Don’t let it happen!!!

By barron terrell

July 21, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

If you read the report, it says that Nachbar would have been an option for the Greek team, not for the Hawks. Folks, this whole thing is just the art of negotiating, ever heard of it?

By knicksfan

July 21, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

jhan, you talk of Europe like it is some mysterious place.

Yes, agreed that no kid from the States dreams about winning Euroleague championships (or even playing there) and if the money was pretty close, he would stay in the NBA.

But the life in Europe is not a whole lot different than the States. ‘Will you even understand what they are saying to you?’ - in my travels, it seems to me the average foreigner knows at least two languages, their own and English.

I’m a snobby New Yorker, so in my mind living in Greece and traveling Europe is an improvement over the ATL! Ok, you guys can flame me for that one.

But, seriously, Euro is a short season so he can come back easily. It’s only a 10 hour flight. I’m currently posted overseas for work, a good 24 hours of flying from the East Coast.. and there are tons of Americans working here, and it ain’t as nice as Europe.

Greece is a great option because a) money is comparable or more b) it’s always nice to be wanted c) NBA teams will keep an eye on him.

To say that the NBA doesn’t pay attention to Euroleague is to miss the last decade plus of player development and scouting. Hmm.. didn’t some big city team draft a kid 6th who played in the Euroleague?

And finally, thanks for the props KevinM.

By jcarson

July 21, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

This is just how the game is played….this season’s top restricted free agents (in no order) were Josh Smith, Okafor, Iguadola, Deng, Ben Gordon, Josh Childress, Monta Ellis. Not a single one of them has signed, if I’m not mistaken. It just takes time. The Hawks hold the cards (forget this ridiculous Greece leverage that Childress’ agent has concocted). They won’t let either of these guys get away.

By RG

July 21, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Let him go. If he wants that kind of money he needs to go to Greece. He is an average NBA player. We need a shooter in hisplace anyway. We have way to many of the same types of players. The problem with a sign n Trade is somebody has to want you Josh for that to Happen.

By Frustrated Fan

July 21, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

I know one thing—

I wouldnt want the ASG running my business. They fail to realize that all investments have risk. They have drafted these two young players and then to let them walk without value in return would be throwing your investment away. It seems some of you fans are keen on letting other teams set the market price. Its good the ASG has kept their hole card by knowing they can match whatever another team offers. However, the downside of that is a Chilldress bolting overseas, or a Josh Smith playing on a QO or 1 yr-tender and bolting next season.

Do we get any better? No. We get much worse and lose two core players that we invested so much in these last 4 yrs. Realist now you tell me if you want to have a successful business now and in the future or you can be like the ASG and be complacent and wind up regretting it all very soon.

By terrell barron

July 21, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

Frustrated since 1985, first you say that the if the Hawks were’nt any good, they would’nt have took Boston to 7 games. And then you turn right around and said that you did’nt think that Boston was that good anyway. Which is it? I see why your’re FRUSTRATED. lol!!

By CANN

July 21, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Well… Guys look out there, if it was Billy he would have spent all the money out there and signed these guys!! Here is the problem: Do you want to be a championship contender or playoff contender? I would not want to lose chill, i would be ok with Josh Smith… What we need for this team is not a jump shooter, we need a solid big man, and there are not many options out there, so Sund is being careful to manage this space, it is good to have options for this year and next year… Just chill out, they are not going anywhere…

By doc

July 21, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

knicks fan thanx for the clarity and perspective. it isnt as thogh he wont be ale to ever come back and he might extend his career unless he is black balled for going which might be thrown in as part of the negotiations however subtle the message.

again there seems to me there is collusion in the air or weakness of the liquidity of teams or both with the emphasis on the latter.

By knicksfan

July 21, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

the other problem with a sign-and-trade is that if a team is trying to run a low-cost operation, it would not likely cooperate in a s-n-t.

Why? Because you have to match (or come close enough) salaries in trade. So if ATL does a sign-and-trade, it will have to commit to pay at least one year of Childress’ new salary, in the form of the salary(ies) of the players it gets back in the exchange.

Because of this restriction, the main benefit to a team doing a sign-and-trade is to get back expiring contracts (and bad players attached to those contracts) to clear cap room, and not usually equivalent on-the-court performance.

Joe Johnson for Diaw is one of the few s-n-t of recent memory where the team getting rid of expensive talent actually got some production back. But look at how Diaw regressed since that initial year in PHX.

I believe ATL has plenty of cap space currently, so it shouldn’t really have any incentive to pull off a sign and trade.

By jhan

July 21, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

The only way the Josh’s walk without the Hawks getting any compensation is to go overseas. If they do that guess what, if they ever want to come back the Hawks own their rights.

It might be a gamble worth taking for Childress if he believes the ownership mess will be conluded in three years & the new owners will be better. If not, he has to seriously consider the fact that he might not ever be back to the NBA. Or when he does get back, he will be playing for the veterans minimum because he is old & hasn’t played against NBA talent for years.

I’m not saying Europe is a mysterious place, I know where it is & have been there. I’m just saying Europe is not the final destination most players are looking for. The NBA is the top dog. That is where the top players want to play.

By terrell barron

July 21, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Your’re right barron terrell. My bad. And use your real name next time.

By jcarson

July 21, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

No reason for the Hawks to save cap space right now. Remember that they will have about $20 million freed up next year with Zaza and Bibby’s contracts expiring. I can’t imagine re-signing either of those guys, unless they have HUGE seasons. Let’s hope that Acie can take over the point.

By ronosl550

July 21, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Even if it’s tax free over there, because he is a citzen here, that money will be taxable as well. If you live and work overseas you still pay taxes to your country of citizenship. Same with voting, friends… Your rights and obligations will not cease because he works overseas. Personal experience here, not speculation. And the offer is in dollars and not the euro. On another note, the exchange rate (euro to dollar) is still far below 2 to 1. It’s closer to 1.14 to 1. let me know if you need the link to support my tax and exchange rate info…

By Tyger

July 21, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Too Much Ado Over Nothing

If Childress goes to Greece for $7M per year then God Bless Him - thats more than he’ll ever get in the NBA.

He’s a young smart educated guy that can appreciate an international experience for a few years and come back and pick up where he left off.

But what effect will that have on his long-term NBA career? Its a gamble, he’s not a starter now, will he be three years from now after playing in the E-league?

Will he be a Euro-star? Maybe, Nique won a championship there and came back and finished in the NBA as a role player.

What’s Chill’s upside as an NBA player? 5th/6th Man on a good team? Good floor runner and great baseline player but weak and injury prone with an unreliable and awkward jumper.

Unfortunately for the Joshes, this is how RFA works; its designed so that players re-sign with their home teams. They know this and if they dont their agents do.

And if your name aint Lebron, Wade or Deron, then youve got to play the waitin game. Otherwise, play for the qualifying offer and hope that UFA treats you better. Even then, your home team can still offer more money than anyone else.

The grass always looks greener, until you get there. ATL is here for the taking - that has value and they both are stupid not to consider it fully.

Otherwise, we look at taking the $18M in future cap space and using it to balance out the roster. Build around JJ, Horford, Law, Marvin and keep it moving.

Bottom line is we won 37 games, why would you break the bank for these guys when we didnt even break .500?

37 games is a losing season, anybody else would be looking to break this team up, but we’re trying to keep them together???

By Angry Fan

July 21, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

This situation is absolutely DISGUSTING!!!! Hawks fans have suffered through an excruciating 9 years of “basketball.” The team finally appears to have turned a HUGE corner, and ASG seems content to let that progress all fade away. Are you kidding me?! Childress to Greece? Step up and pay him what he deserves! Then, do the same for Smith! If you can’t afford both, have your “GM” do his job, and at least get something in return via S&T. It ain’t rocket science. The formula has been posted here for months. The name may change, but the formula stays the same.

Unless both Joshes are signed by the Hawks, we, the FANS need to be as vocal as possible in our disapproval of the current state of the “franchise!” As a fan, I am sickened by the way this group is “operating” the Hawks!! They are on the cusp of crippling the franchise. Are we supposed to just sit back and watch our favorite team be dismantled? Now, is the time for Hawk fans to make some noise!!

By Samuel

July 21, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

I have said that the Hawks can afford to lose Childress. Looks like the owners and GM may have also decided that.

Guys, have you noticed that no RFA has signed? Imagine what the fans at Golden State are saying.

If Childress goes to Europe, so what. It’s better that he goes there than he goes to another NBA competitor. I know he’s a good athlete and defensive player but he and that FLICK’ED A$$ jumper are both definately expendable.

Let him walk and consentrate our efforts on the best two players we have yet to sign, Smith and Bibby.

I think this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as players going to Europe. Why not, money is money.

My son is in Barcelona right now and just loves it. He wants to stay there. Aparently there is life outside of America and the NBA.

By Boo-Yah

July 21, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Not signing J-Chill is LUDACRIS!!!! He is as impoortant, if not more to the overall franchise than Smith. He seems to be a better “ambassador” for the Hawks than J. Smith. He’s extremely intelligent (Stanford U.) and if I were a betting man I would bet that he wouldn’t mind being overseas for a new cultural experience for a year or two. In my opinion there is no way he would come back to the Hawks after the ASG treating him the way they have. Have been a Hawks fan since John Drew & Tree Rollins, and will probably continue to cause pain to myself & family (b/c of the whining I do b/c of the Hawks front office/owners) by continuing to watch them without Chill &/or Smith, but this would be a Horse-pill to swallow. We need another NBA team in Atlanta!!!!!!! Or another ownership group of the Hawks. ASG take the $ & run-sell to the Seattle group!

By Haps

July 21, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

The contract terms have been converted into American dollars so the value really is $20million US. The big difference is that it is tax free so its significantly more than a mid level exception. If I were Childress I would take the money and get away from the pitiful Hawks and enjoy the beautiful Greek women.

By kgbsfinst

July 21, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

If you look at most sign and trades, the team trading away the talent doesnt get anywhere near equal value for the player. I dont see how getting rid of one of your best players for an average player, and maybe a draft pick is very good business. Whats one of the best ways to make your business a sucess? Advertise. You cant tell me we could get someone in return that would put more butts in the seat than Smith.

By AtlFlavor

July 21, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

NBA players get paid through the season Nov till May. The ASG is in no rush and wont be anytime soon. Its very clear they are being Frugal. Probably to survive. If they can get away with 1 year deals for the Josh’s, they will. The Best product on the floor at the best cost is the best bet. Wouldnt be surprised if the Hawks income last year was more than the last 3 years combined. It sure seemed that way at the games last year. If they can keep the same team Josh n Josh add a CHEAP big and give all involved a minimum deal AND make they Playoffs again with basically the same payroll its DONE. That said 20 million TAX FREE is a damn good deal for a young guy thats Free to roam and Travel. Some guys dont like to leave home or the US. Some would love the chance. I wouldnt expect news (Signings) till late Oct. This is a Business. Nothing personal atleast not public. Chillz and his agent are treating it as such. I know its hard from a Fan’s view, but it might make it a little easier to deal with the WAIT.

By Kraehefish

July 21, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

I heard a caller on 790 make the interesting point involving a sign and trade of Smith to the Clippers, and rent Camby for the season. The next year we make a move to get Chris Bosch. This sounds better than anything else I have heard or read.

By Ron

July 21, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

The Hawks must not have the cash/revenue stream to sign folks.

By knicksfan

July 21, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

As an outsider, I don’t get the backer of ATL’s management in these comments.

• yes, RFAs have not been resigned by other teams, but from press accounts it sounds like other teams at least TALK to their RFAs to negotiate.. Chicago has a few guys, but they have a history with their RFAs as they have made offers to Deng and Gordon in the past that have been rejected. Same too for Philly. So there is a outline with those RFAs. ATL seems to be ignoring their guys.

• Childress is only 25. If he stays in Greece for the whole 3, he’ll be only 28. That’s hardly over the hill, competing for a veteran’s minimum given his skill set. I don’t watch ATL games, but his stats and his press rep and body reminds me of another guy - Tayshaun Prince, who is, conveniently, 28 this year. And Prince is on an extension that he signed in 2005 for 5 yrs for about $50M. Similar defense rep, similar thin body, awkward jumper. Childress is a better FG% guy, but gives less assists. Rest of the stats are virtually mirror images.

• if Childress goes and returns, ATL still has his RFA rights, but things change. He can choose to return when ATL is capped out and cannot match offers. This would spur on teams to make offers, knowing ATL cannot match.

• ATL only won 37, so why sign these guys? Because they are young and good. These guys should give you better production going forward. I would love to swap the entire Knicks roster with Atlanta’s. D’Antoni offense with ATL’s young studs? Man, that would be great.

By Chris D'

July 21, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

ronosl550,

You might want to update your currency conversion link.

If your wondering current exchange rate is:

1.00 EUR = 1.58950 USD

Olympiakos has offered to pay his taxes on the equivalent of a $21 Million 3 year contract . So he would make $7 Million a year after taxes. Do you think he really cares if he ever plays in the NBA again. I don’t know why he wouldn’t want to go to Greece unless the Hawks can work out a sign a trade.

Childress is a smart guy and he realizes the Hawks aren’t very smart. Jason Terry realized the same thing a few years back and he has been very happy in Dallas.

Nice knowing ya CHILLS….

By bigeasy830

July 21, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Great article Sekou, I can’t believe that a Hawks exec made those statements about the Joshes. Man that tells me just how bad upper management really was over the last four years. Pass on CP3 and Deron, guaranteed Sheldon the 5th pick when everyone knew Roy was rookie of the year material. Imagine him and Joe in the back court last year you would not have needed Bibby and his 14 million salary. But, we would have but him on the bench and screwed him up as well. Maybe Chills want to go to a team and be a starter. Maybe its not all about the money. Who knows what the true relationship these players have with Coach Woodson. Its hard to blame Sund for whats going on now he walked into this mess and got blindsided. BK created this monster and then jumped ship. I hope it is a ploy be Chills to get more money but if not, its looking bad for the home team. But, if they suck I will still be able to get tickets off CL and from the scalpers for the low, low. HAHAHAHAAAA. Gotta make lemonade out of lemons.

By B.A.ToDa

July 21, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

I agree with the dude who said most sign and trades doesn’t work out too great for the team getting rid of their player. And I wouldn’t be surprised if we did do a SNT we would lose in the final outcome of it. So I’m hoping that’s our last option.

Besides, what “big men” are you guys desperately talking about us getting? It’s not really that many dominant Centers in the league as you guys are talking.

And to the dude who heard about Marcus Camby then get Chris Bosh. Camby would be out Center you guys have been begging for, but turn around and get Bosh would be another player who can play the 4. I guess Horford would have to stay out Center.

By Explicit

July 21, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone panicking right now? I have been very unhappy with the Hawks ownership since day one but even I can’t blame them for what they are doing right now.

I don’t think it was fair for the ASG to turn on Belkin the way they did and make him the outcast and referring to him as, “cheap” but right now all the ASG is doing is letting the market stabilize and show it’s self when it comes to the Joshe’s.

Why would the Hawks just throw money at either one right now when they don’t know if they would be overpaying. I feel secure despite what Sekou Smith or anyone else says when it comes to the Hawks re-signing both players.

Don’t jump the gun and pay until the market is settled.

By Blessed1

July 21, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Realist

How do you know what other teams are offering Smith? By him not accepting the 9 million from the hawks, clearly states that he has been and is being offered more than that. If the Hawks can pay Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson well over 14 million, then they can at least give Smith 11 or 12 million. That is not too much to ask, considering how marketable he is for the team and also haw far he has carried this team. Lets be real, REAList!! Smith is one of the main reason this team had a playoff spot!!!

By Ken Thompson

July 21, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

I just think this shows that Hawks ownership does not have a clue.

By Explicit

July 21, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Let’s also be real when we mention that Smith layed a massive egg in game 7. All of the Hawks played bad which means that Smith had to play really really bad in order for me to notice it.

I don’t know what anyone is offering Smith but it’s obviously not what he’s looking before because he hasn’t signed an offer sheet yet.

The same argument that you make against me is the same you can make for me.

By randy

July 21, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

I agree with another blogger. If Chillz can get a 7 mill a year contract in Europe, good for him. Hawks, nor any other team in their right minds would match such an offer for a 6th man. Chillz is a smart guy and he will enjoy the Greece culture and women.

As for Smith, time for ASG and Sund to get on their phones and start talking. Losing Childress will no doubt hurt, but losing Smith and we might as well start talking about the Lottery for 2009. Offer him 9-10 million/yr and see if he jumps.

By B.A.ToDa

July 21, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Plain and Simple- Josh Smith fills seats. Keeping him in Atlanta would be the smart thing to do with a “cheap” ownership.

By kgbsfinst

July 21, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Why do we have to sit back and let the market stabilize? Why not be the ones to set that market? Why not show the Joshes, and everybody else around the league that we are loyal to our players and we are trying to be proactive, rather than reactive? It not like I think we sould give him a max contract, but $11, even $12 mill? Do you really think thats overpaying him?

By randy

July 21, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith makes this pathetic Hawks team watchable. If he leaves there isn’t too much left to watch. Its stupid to let a guy that hasn’t even reached his potential and a guy that is so marketable as Smith get away. Hopefully tho, the dude is working on his jumpshot during his city tours, cuz he needs one bad.

By Najeh Davenpoop

July 21, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Y’all are crazy if you think this team makes the playoffs without Childress… last I checked he’s really the only guy who consistently contributed all year for us off the bench this past season. The Hawks better ante up.

By NBABets

July 21, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Childress is overrated—-no way is he worth $20 million over 3 years. if he wants to go to Greece and play in that inferior league against stiffs, good riddance! The hawks need a lot more talent to have a winning record next season—childress isn’t the answer.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

July 21, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

With all of the disdain towards the ownership group, I wonder how far we are all willing to go. Would we rally against the ownership group in public? How many of us would actually do this? This would make a statement if it were largely attended. How about you?

By Explicit

July 21, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

We let the market stabilize because we are in the position to dictate. We can match any offer that either of these players get and the minute that we truly feel that one will slip away (signs an offer sheet) then that’s when we make our offer and get them back.

Right now despite what anyone says unless one of these guys wants to play overseas they can’t leave so we are in the position to control our futures.

The Hawks have not turned their backs on either of these players but I am sure that you have heard, “basketball is a business” well this is why they say that.

If you are wondering why it’s necessary to save now and not just throw, “good will” money at the players it’s because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

We will have FA’s next year of our own to sign and hopefully some other teams FA’s to sign. It’s not just a question of, “how much money will the ASG spend.”

There is a salary cap in basketball and we have to work under it.

Marvin better finally come around this season too or else he may be seeing his last season in the ATL. We passed on Paul for you so you better produce in 08-09.

By travis

July 21, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

some of y’all are loosin’ me when you talk about “waitin’ on the market” and “don’t overpay” for the joshes.

make a respectable offer to both, 11 mil for smoove and 6.5/7mil for chillz. are these prices “overpayin’?”

if you value these guys and “need” them to build on past success (playoffs) don’t “wait” for someone else to determine what YOU are willin’ to pay for somethin’ that you say you NEED.

chillz should take the money. i have never been outta the country, but if i can make 2+million/yr MORE than i would get here, i would jump at it.

by estimates atl “should” pay josh 15 mil over 3 yrs and if i could get 20mil over 3yrs. playin’ a game that i love, i would do it.

FINANCIAL SECURITY is what it is about. if you get a ring or championship along the way, so be it, but take care of your family first.

By St. Bernard

July 21, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Chilz, from what I’ve read, is probably one of the few NBA guys who might actually see going to Greece as a positive. It might actually seem like a step up from this organization.

I’m not worried about Smith leaving, so much as I am worried about him not wanting to sign with us.

Here’s a question: If any of you were in the Joshs’ shoes would you sign with the Hawks?

By Nikos

July 21, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

Hello from Greece

Some info for you.

He will take USD20 Mil net in his pocket + house + car. 1 Usd Million bonus if team wins the Euroleague

In Greece you do not play 40 games per season.

Team plays arroung 40 Games for the Greek Leaugue

Arround 35 in Euroleague

And arroung 5/6 for the Domestic Cup

So it sums up to arround 80 games per season.

Childress is a done deal he came this morning to the airport with 30 suitcases and will be official annouched tomorrow afternoon Greek time or morning in US

Bulls people will be the next that will be hurt from Olympiakos as they are preparing a 20 Usd mil contract to Ben Gordon to replace Lyn Greer who will be waived from the team.

Olympiakos presidents are one of the reaches people of the world and do not care about money

P.S Sorry for my English

By Nikos

July 21, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Hello from Greece

Some info for you.

He will take USD20 Mil net in his pocket + house + car. 1 Usd Million bonus if team wins the Euroleague

In Greece you do not play 40 games per season.

Team plays arroung 40 Games for the Greek Leaugue

Arround 35 in Euroleague

And arroung 5/6 for the Domestic Cup

So it sums up to arround 80 games per season.

Childress is a done deal he came this morning to the airport with 30 suitcases and will be official annouched tomorrow afternoon Greek time or morning in US

Bulls people will be the next that will be hurt from Olympiakos as they are preparing a 20 Usd mil contract to Ben Gordon to replace Lyn Greer who will be waived from the team.

Olympiakos presidents are one of the reaches people of the world and do not care about money

P.S Sorry for my English

By drmaryb

July 21, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Hey we still need a #5! I can no longer be the ORATOR of the obvious….until the HAWKS stop smucking - THEY SMUCK!

By Nikos

July 21, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Hello from Greece

Some info for you.

He will take USD20 Mil net in his pocket + house + car. 1 Usd Million bonus if team wins the Euroleague

In Greece you do not play 40 games per season.

Team plays arroung 40 Games for the Greek Leaugue

Arround 35 in Euroleague

And arroung 5/6 for the Domestic Cup

So it sums up to arround 80 games per season.

Childress is a done deal he came this morning to the airport with 30 suitcases and will be official annouched tomorrow afternoon Greek time or morning in US

Bulls people will be the next that will be hurt from Olympiakos as they are preparing a 20 Usd mil 2 year contract to Ben Gordon to replace Lyn Greer who will be waived from the team.

Olympiakos presidents are one of the reaches people of the world and do not care about money

By Nikos

July 21, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Ben Gordons 20 Mil is for 2 years not 3 as Childress

By travis

July 21, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

nikos are you serious? can you provide some links?? i hate to see josh leave, but i liked him. good kid, never in any trouble. and i hate that the hawks haved dragged their feet on this guy.

to all of you who say, “don’t worry about chillz” remember that the hawks get NOTHING for him, so they should have considered a sign n trade. now we get nathin’.

if chillz signs, i think that smith will be galvanized to do something unprecedented.

By Billy

July 21, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

I’m a Spurs fan who also follows the Hawks to some extent. Maybe Billy Knight is the smart one: he left!!

By kgbsfinst

July 21, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Your basically saying, “we are only going to pay you what we have to” to the Joshes. How do you think they are going to take that? I would find that a little disrespectful. How do you think Bibby, Marvin and anyone else thats going to be a FA next year is going to look at that? Yes, I know its a business, but do you think Donald Trump would tell one of his top executives “Go find another offer from a rival, and maybe I will match it”? If you have a good thing going, and we do, why not do everything you can to build upon that?

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

July 21, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

That’s bogus! 30 suitcases? Did he count them? Come on, get real!

By Najeh Davenpoop

July 21, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

Bring back Billy Knight

By HB Ando

July 21, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Sure had a lot of folks scoff at me when I suggested, a year or two ago (can’t remember if it was last summer or two) that we might actually, gasp, be better off if Belkin were to get the team back.

How many of you would take Belkin over his former wives right now?

Steve-O continues to solidify his stranglehold on “the dumbest Hawks’ blogger ever”, with his nearly incomprehensible bungling of the basic math involved in Childress’ supposed Greek offer. 3 years, at mid-level, in the NBA, would be around $16 million, minus 40% for state and federal taxes, which would leave him around $10 million. Conversely, $20 million, US, received, tax-free, from a Greek club (and I am assuming that $20 million is US, and not $20 million Euro), would mean that Childress would make DOUBLE in Greece, net, over what he would make here IF the Hawks would even extend him a stinkin’ offer for mid-level money.

Truth is that if the ASG had any track record, for spending money and being a class organization, like, say, Cuban, then they could survive the publicity that is blowing up over this situation with the Josh’s.

BUT, the reality is this is just another in a long, consistent history, since they purchased the franchise, of seemingly under-funded, disorganized, clueless management.

Call it the cherry on top, or the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s (in this metaphor, the Hawks’s fans are the camel) back.

It’s beyond my comprehension that none of these owners either get, or acknowledge, that they have just about run this franchise into the ground.

Would someone, Belkin or otherwise, please, PLEASE, come buy this franchise from these broke-a* owners (no personal disrespect, Bruce, as I really like you, but you’re partners are buffoons)!!!

I am at a complete loss to understand how anyone with a modicum of a clue, could maintain optimism about this team, and its immediate future, given how this summer is unfolding.

And I’m just LMAO for folks who have argued that I have no reason to question the financial commitment of the ASG, when pointing out that they’d need $65-67 million to keep this team intact. It’s looking like we’ll be lucky if they commit the $54.5 million they spent last year, much less mid-sixties.

I guess we should be lucky that Billy DIDN’T draft all the players he should have, as the owners would have just alienated them, and bumble-f’d that situation too. Think how bad it would hurt to see them handle negotiations with Paul or D. Williams like this.

This sucks………

By Nikos

July 21, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

I was there I write for a Geek newspaper he came with his two brothers and his two Managers

The morning he went to see the Gym (14000 capacity ) and in the night had dinner with coach Yiannakis and the Presidents (Aggelopoulos brothers) and tomorrow afternoon he is going to be prresented to press and sign contract.

After tomorrow Aggelopoulos brothers are opening negos with Ben Gordon

By travis

July 21, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

if josh bails to greece, i think that we will see more mid-tier players start to do the same thing, instead of gettin’ “chump change” in the states.

we already have a 18yr olds doin’ that, since the nba won’t take them and they want the right to make a livin’.

josh may start a new trend. in the words of J. Anthony Brown…”WATCHOUTTHERENOW!!”

By femhawkfan

July 21, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Dang! I wasn’t expecting to hear this! But honestly, I don’t blame Chill because at the end of the day you have to do what is best for yourself.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

July 21, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

If this weren’t bogus, do you think some guy named Nikos would be breaking this story on an AJC blog instead of a major sports news outlet breaking it???

What paper do you write for? How did you make your way onto this blog? Just curious. Where are you in Greece? I’ve been there.

By cp

July 21, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

When I posted the story on the last blog I didn’t know if it was true or not. Well I see that it in fact was true. I cant blame Chill if he takes the deal. You never alienate your own free agents and it looks like tht this D.A.S.G. has. Some people on here are crazy saying that if he leaves let him leave. Im sorry but you dont let a guy you took 6th in the draft walk for nothing. If you dont want him then trade him and get something.

As I said earlier this summer, im prepared for the worst when it comes to the B.A.S.G. Even if this is a ploy by his agents to get more money the bigger issue is the perception of this franchise. One player already asked SS what the f is going on. What do you think other players in the league is saying about this team? What do you think other guys on our team are saying? What guy on our team would want to sign a new contract with us, what free agent would want to come here. I cant believe im about to say this but Belkin cant be any worse.

By Danny Williams

July 21, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

I frankly dont care if either Childress or Smith leave for the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR. Who gives a rip? All of the modern day athletes, with the exception of no one chases down the almighty dollar bill until they stuff their bank accounts with millions. A-Rod, T-O, Michel Vick (before he got in trouble) and just about all of them do the same thing. They could care less about their fans who are literally paying their salaries, and I believe that its uterly ridiculous that these overpriced prima donas should be paid the monies that they want, especially taking into consideration in the case of Smith and Childress, the only thing those two proved is that they are losers. They both had a losing season, 37-45, eight games BELOW .500 and then capped off their season by getting shelled by Boston by about 40 points in what I consider the Boston Masacre in game 7 of round 1 of the NBA playoffs (incidentially one of the worst beatings in NBA history). Those two players contributed nothing in that loss, got completely crushed by Boston and now they want to be rewarded for their beatdown. That sounds very odd, twisted and convoluted to me. The Hawks havent shown us anything and Smith and Childress want to be rewarded by mega millions. I would recommend for both of them to play the lottery because they will have a better chance of making millions playing the Georgia Lottery than being rewarded for mediocre performances. For Gods sakes, let them go. They will never be the player that Joe Johnson is, who in my opinion is one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen. Let Smoothie and Chills go and replace them with humble and patient talent that is grateful to be playing and are playing with pure egos and not greedy averice.

By Roberto

July 21, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

Hello all,

if you dont believe the rumors about Chills trade, I would recommend you to check the following link:

http://www.superbasket.gr/?c=136&a=105525

Though you can not understand Greeek, I guess the photos are clear enough.

I hope we can maintain Smith in house :-(

By MannyT

July 21, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Ando You bring a fair argument for Belkin to the table. However, the tricky part of rewinding the clock would be the steps after that break up.

Would Phoenix have done the sign & trade of JJ for Diaw & 1 pick?

Who would have been GM if Knight and Belkin could not have co-existed?

If Phoenix did match, what would the Hawks have done with the extra cap space that went to JJ?

How much extra rope would Woody have gotten on a team that did not have JJ?

Lot’s of mystery—but I do believe that Belkin would have been able to finance basketball better. I could see him selling the Thrashers if the hockey really wasn’t his interest.

On a minor math note regarding the Sekou start of the blog, if the starting offer for Smith was 9 mil in year 1, then a 5 yr deal could have been worth as much as $48.78 mil. A 5 yr/45 mil deal could start around 8.3 mil.

On the Chills to Greece thing, even if it is 100% false, give the agent credit for making it look good. If it is true, even more credit to the agent—he found a market to force a decision for his client. Better to be in the mix than waiting near the back of a long line. I do wonder how the agent compensation changes for a foreign deal? No longer following NBA/NBAPA rules once you go foreign.

Clearly, the Euroleagers have decided now is the time to make some major player moves…thus wise Euro CRAP means ASG PAIN.

How much for that Childress Olypaicos jersey ;-)

By HB Ando

July 21, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

By virtue of having been to Greece, Lifelong will be able to ascertain the validity of Nikos’ post…

OK…

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

July 21, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Roberto, I don’t think anybody(including myself) is suggesting that he isn’t there and isn’t contemplating signing there. But it’s ridiculous for one person on this blog to think they are in the know. I don’t doubt that he signs. I would stick it to the Hawks myself honestly.

Plus, I love Greece! My first time was in Corfu and we were in Chania a few times. So I would definitely sign!

I hope he doesn’t though. Just for my own selfish love of him playing for the Hawks here.

By ray

July 21, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

This kills me: Some people are so quick to hop up and say that teams with RFAs have the most leverage, because they can match any offered contract from another team. Well, that’s true. But then those same people turn right around and want to point at all the RFAs who aren’t getting offered big money contracts by other teams, as if that’s proof that those guys aren’t worth the money. That’s so funny. Here I was thinking it had something to do with the fact that the player’s current team had the most leverage. Silly me.

Stevo, there’s another saying: “It is one thing to be thought a fool. It is another to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

I’m not worried about Childress going to Greece per se. I’m worried about not getting anything in return. Sekou reported some short time ago that eight teams or so have inquired about acquiring Childress in sign-and-trade deals. So ownership didn’t even have to seek anybody out. Yet still no action. Chill apparently hasn’t been getting offers (other than this new one from Greece) from other teams, so…so much for letting the market set his price. Still no action. Now this. Sure we can yap all day about his agents cooking this stuff up. But why are they having to? You can’t tell me its because he doesn’t have value. Again, it has been REPORTED that several teams have inquired about acquiring him through sign and trade. Gee, I wonder why? Probably because management has maintained that they will match any offers.

So, what message is being sent to Childress? “We’re going to match”, yet no contract offer that we know of…not back then (last year), and not now either. I’m just waiting for somebody to blame the player on this one, while extolling the virtues of the mighty ownership group. Interesting to see how this gets “handled.”

In the meantime, even the players are wondering what is going on. I’m waiting to be “wowed”. I’m waiting to go “oh, that’s what they’re doing…” And I’m wondering if I’m waiting in vain. Looks like it.

By Christos

July 21, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Hey Every One~~ It’s Christos From Greece…~~

It was just reported Josh Chil-dress was signed for 3 year 20 million. It is official now~~ Ben Gordon is next on radar

By cp

July 21, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

Well I just read that Chill will be signing the contract. I dont know how true it is. I’ll keep looking around to see if any other sites are confirming this. If we lose Chills and get nothing in return then we are screwed. All the shooters we had on our list are signed and I dont think Richardson can replace Chill. If I find any links or something ill be back.

By MannyT

July 21, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

Roberto Great scoop! Google has a translate function. While the translation clearly leaves something to be desired, I could read much of it using that function and Mozilla Firefox.

Bottom line—it says the negotiations are done. He is there to check out the environment. They are very happy to have The Tsilntres i.e. Childress. They were in search of a big name from the NBA. It is even more of a coup that he is young.

Now that is Olympiacos good CRAP.

By MannyT

July 21, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

ray In the law enforcement world, would this be like holding a guy to roll over on the big bad guy in town? You think it is all going to work out if you just wait until he cracks.

In the middle of the night, the Feds (pick your favorite) show up and take your guy. They explain that he won’t be of any use to you, but he will be cooperating with their investigation, which has nothing to do with yours.

They get the fame and fortune, you get a local bad guy that slips through your fingers.

Forgive me for watching too much TV ;-)

On a semi hopeful note, it is late at night there (about 6 hrs ahead.). I would expect them to have signed earlier today or it would not happen until tomorrow.

ASG - Trailblazers in PAIN!

By Reality Check

July 21, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

Relax; too many of you are blinking way too early while waiting for negotiations to work out. If you applied this approach to selling your house - in this market - you’d be paying the buyer to take the property off your hands!

Bottom line - CHILL - and give Sund his due; let him deal or no deal before you freak.

No doubt its frustrating, but that’s the way it goes during the business season.

:-)

By Explicit

July 21, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Ok well if Childress leaves then he leaves. Like I said earlier any contract he is offered can be matched by the Hawks except for the teams overseas. If that is where Josh wants to go then good luck to him it’s totally his right. The Hawks may have played a waiting game and gotten burned but that’s life in the NBA.

If Josh Childress leaving breaks our chance at success then we weren’t in good shape to begin with.

I have already heard one guy say, “this is what I would do if I were them so they should do it too.” The guy totally misses the point.

As for Belkin I was once of the belief that we were in better hands with him than what we have now too but actually nowadays I’m not so sure. Atleast this group of guys actually goes to the games. Belkin lives in Boston.

By Explicit

July 21, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

Yeah really! Some of these posters are terrible negotiators! As soon as times get a little hot they want to fold.

Childress was not pleased with the market so far and he went to Europe to create a new one. The Hawks have played the waiting game and let both Smith and Childress create their own markets and they did it so good that Childress may leave the country. That’s not a good thing but an understandable move on both sides.

Might the Hawks treat the Euro offer like it was coming from another NBA team and match?

WHO SAID MARK CUBAN RAN A CLASSY ORGANIZATION??????!!!!!!!!

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

July 21, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

HB, I sense a tiny amount of sarcasm there. I’m trying to gain a sense of what an actual “Greek News Man” would be doing here on this blog and why he wouldn’t be offering a link, ala Roberto to help validate his newsworthy claim. We all know that the writing is on the wall.

By mykhalc

July 21, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

Reality Check, i think many of us are talkin’ about KNOWIN’ when to put the house on the market and what house to put on the market!!! this franchise DOES NOT EITHER!!!

By Reality Check

July 21, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

Let’s see if we can tweak the topic dujour…

1) Someone mentioned that most RFA’s are in the same boat as J&J. I saw the Turiaf signing, but what other J&J comparables are still out there?

2) Saw that with the Nets aquiring Dooling that they may be looking to move M. WIlliams and possibly Josh Boone.

Seems to me there were some Williams fans back on the Sheldon draft days. Any thoughts on that one? Yep - I know we got Acie; just putting it out there….

What about Boone? Sure he’s a rail, but he did average 7.3 Rpg & 8.3Ppg. He’s got potential, but may not want it too bad. Still - would be a nice upgrade over Solo.

By doc

July 21, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

ando i know you are fond of bruce, however he is the face of the BASG to thrasher fans and many of them are headed to watch minor league hockey after how they have handled the thrashers and arrogantly stared down the fans as they ask similar type questions as we ask of the horrible management style of the hawks.

said many times over this summer shows really whether the BASG want to be payers or not. maybe they can find the payers to fill out the squad but i can see no one filling the shoes of chills off the free agent ist now or someone filling that void off the bench of last year or the bench of the rmr team in utah. for those wondering how chills could throw his career away he is free to negotiate with anyone after two years away so he then is able to pick and choose his opportunity then to go with the best organization available.

the trialblazer hat is ready to be ordered, the drama of this team is too entertaining to not observe closely but it is nice to see an organization getting it right to follow. i can also officially recall my 1000 bucks that have ben held pending my obtaining season tix if chills goes. smith may not be far behind.

By BrianPorterhouse

July 21, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Chills going to Greece. Good, shove off and dont return. We dont care if you never play again. The Hawks have a great thing going with young, exciting, improving team and now they are going to mess it up because they are too cheap to pay Chills and Smoove what they deserve. Heck, if youre not sure how much to pay them, then why not just give them both blank checks and let them pencil in the amounts that they think they are worth. It is truly a shame that the Hawks are going to continue to suffer as a franchise if they lose Smoove and Chills, taking into account that they are well on the cusp of being a great team. Well, they almost knocked off Boson, the current world champions and if they had, the Hawks might have won the championship with a below .500 record. Well, there is always next year to have high hopes and huge expectations and hope will spring eternal when the bell rings to kick off the 09 season. Just sign Chills and Smoove and bring in more talent so that we can continue to improve on our quest to win a title. If both of those guys leave the country I hope they NEVER return.

By Tyger

July 21, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

Chills Gone, Sund = Crap

By mykhalc

July 21, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

s/b…this franchise DOES NOT KNOW EITHER!!!

By Tyger

July 21, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this

Aaargggh!!!

While Sund has this “deer in the headlights” thing going on, where the Fck is BK before we lose Smith too!!!

And we didnt need a draft pick my arse.

By ray

July 21, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Danny Williams, an interesting perspective. People like you never cease to amaze me. Twisted and Convoluted? Okay, how about this, you nutcase:

1)We lost to the eventual NBA champs because our coach can’t coach, our roster is out of whack, and our guys are young and inexperienced, playing against a team that boasts three all-stars and a very deep bench.

1)I didn’t know that averaging 15.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.9apg, 2.9bpg, and 1.7spg in your first NBA playoff series ever against Kevin Garnett and his crew was inconsequential. I mean, anybody could do it, right?

2)So we’re going to critique only the 7th game, are we?

3)You don’t blame two players for losing a game. Especially not when one of them contributed 27 and 28 points in two of the wins. It’s a team sport, last I looked.

4)Joe Johnson is one of the best players the NBA has ever seen? Just how large is your list of such guys, eh? I love the guy’s game, but give me a F’in break. His career is still young. What has he accomplished so far that others have not? I wouldn’t even bestow such a title on guys like Dwayne Wade or Lebron James, and are they not better players? Not to dump on the guy AT ALL, but his career averages are 16.6ppg, 4.2rpg, and 4.2apg. That and two all-star appearances out of 7 years doesn’t get you a HOF pass.

5)Where was your superhero during our loss in Boston? Shooting 5-17 and scoring 16 points (just under his career average). He’s team captain and according to you…one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen. So why didn’t he do better? Why hasn’t he led us to more than 37 wins? WHY AREN’T YOU BLAMING HIM??

6)Patient and grateful talent? You really don’t understand how the NBA, or any other sports business, or any entertainment business at all, do you? Was Joe being patient and grateful when he complained TWICE about not having enough veterans here to help tame the younger guys? Oh, you forgot about that, huh? Did I mention he was signed for $70 million before he led us to the mighty mountain of 37 wins and a first round playoff beating?

7)I wonder how Phoenix missed the fact that they had one of the NBA’s best players of all time. Of course, I guess I can understand being distracted by Nash, and Stoudamire.

8)You’re right, neither Josh nor….Josh can ever be Joe Johnson. Good thing, too. Or we’d have three Joe Johnsons. Well, why don’t we go out and sign two more so we can have five? Hell, we don’t need a point guard, center, or power forward. Does that sound okay? Sounds like Billy Knight to me…sighhhhhhhhhh

By jay

July 21, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

If Josh Smith wants to leave, we could try and trade him to Dallas for Josh Howard, he kinda plays like Scottie Pippin and we know Joe can light it up, so maybe, but I would still rather keep Josh Smith.

By Astro Joe

July 21, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

Doc, can you believe your guy, Ando? Acting like he’s been on the “owners are the problem” bandwagon for the last 3 years. That’s okay, there’s enoughroom on this bus for a whole slew of folk. Come on board, we’re rding this thing to Seattle. We’ll pick up Mykhalc along the way. Only person happy is Marvin as he’ll averaged 30/10 while playing in front of his family for 40 games a season.

I AM SO HOPING that Childress, one of my favorite Hawks, makes this move. It will be the bowlingball-sized cherry on top of this freaking sundae.

But the reality is, there is a 98% chance that this is an agent’s last chip to get Sund to the table. He’s trying to punk a GM with 30+ years of experience. The problem with playing this chip is that it must work within the next 48 hours. Chill either signs the deal real soon or he isn’t going to sign the contract (with Greece). So it’s a do or die move. And I would like nothing more for the national media to shine the brightest light possible on the first NBA franchise that drove a player in their prime, to Europe because of utter incompetence. PTI should do a show from Centennial Park and have Clyde provide the wardrobe.

1-3-4 STUPID!

By stevo

July 21, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

By HB Ando

Steve-O continues to solidify his stranglehold on “the dumbest Hawks’ blogger ever, with his nearly incomprehensible bungling of the basic math involved in Childress’ supposed Greek offer. 3 years, at mid-level, in the NBA, would be around $16 million, minus 40% for state and federal taxes, which would leave him around $10 million. Conversely, $20 million, US, received, tax-free, from a Greek club (and I am assuming that $20 million is US, and not $20 million Euro), would mean that Childress would make DOUBLE in Greece, net, over what he would make here IF the Hawks would even extend him a stinkin’ offer for mid-level money.

yes!!! it is always good to be the best at something.

but, actually, this is the problem with the world we live in. people not only speak about things of which they have no knowledge or understanding, they vote on them!!! crazy.

anyway, if you are a united states citizen, you pay taxes abroad on income earned abroad, which may or may not offset the taxes you would pay in america on the same income. and for us tax law (and i am sure it is the same in europe, although i do not know, so i make no claims as such), paying taxes for an employee is seen as a compensation, which is then also taxed.

*By ray *

*Stevo, there’s another saying: “It is one thing to be thought a fool. It is another to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” *

yeah, i like that one a lot too.

as for you people who want to make this into a sheltered americans don’t realize there is a world beyond sort of thing, you are missing the point. if one is a competitor with ambition, all things being equal, one will want to play with the best and against the best. and the nba is the best. it is really that simple.

childress has enough money to sell everything and go live on an island in greece if he wants to already. one assumes he wants the challenge and the life of an nba player. meaning, the best at what he does.

i have no doubt he does.

By Ben

July 21, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

The fact that Childress is leaving doesn’t upset me—he isn’t that great of a player, is weak, and can’t create offense.

The fact that upsets me is that ASG is so horrendous.

By Trill-I-Am

July 21, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

I’m gonna do my best Denny Green bit. “He is who I thought he was!!!” We better not let this guy off the hook either. Rick Sund is really falling out of favor with me. On the brink of being a trendsetter, Childress is using Greece as leverage and rightfully so. This is getting mind-boggling every time I read about this 40-year-old franchise that has been mediocre at best. No one remembers the championship year with Bob Petit back in 58 or whenever it was and it shouldn’t be. I compare the Hawks to the Can’t-Get-Right dude in Life played admirably by Bokeem Woodbine. We just can’t get it right and the theme can be heard soundly this whole month. You give me both Joshes or I’m renouncing my rights as a Georgia Boy.

By ray

July 21, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

randy, some people actually think Josh Smith is only valuable to people who like jumping and dunking. Yeah, that’s all he does. Makes me wonder what they thought Shaq was doing….

reality check, I’d take Boone in less than a hearbeat. Then we could stop talking about Kwame, for one thing….

Najeh, from last blog: No, I don’t see Kwame as better than Zaza. I see him as a better defender, though, simply because he is more mobile and able to rotate (and hold his ground) better. He’s not a flopper/hacker. And no, I don’t think he’s the best we can do. Then again, this is the ASG we are talking about. If signing the bottom of the barrel, I’d sign Kwame and Morris. Better to have two extra bigs to choose from…your chances are better that way. And Morris shows better offensive capabilities, even if he is somewhat of a softie.

Hard to be positive about the team right now when two of the biggest parts of the rotation aren’t even signed. Not only that, but the only guys we’ve worked our are Kwame and Randolph Morris…and a slew of summer league hopefuls. Brilliant. I can see it now: lose both Joshes for nothing and then sign a third of our summer league team. 26 wins, here we come (if we’re lucky). And then JJ will want out for sure…

Sorry, sarcasm took over…

By mykhalc

July 21, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

this is why i will NOT blame JJ ‘anymore’ for not gettin’ it done…

‘cause when he goes 5-17 or whatever, it is usually in light of the fact that the REST of the team NOT showin’ up AT ALL while he’s facin’ double and triple teams!!! fact is JJ SHOWED how it IS DONE durin’ the playoffs…PERIOD!!! WOODSON showed how it is NOT done!!! the rest of the team gets a pass for NOT havin’ been there before and havin’ a deer in the headlights look…at times!!! and BIBBY gets a pass ‘cause he was injured!!!

JJ’s got his weaknesses just like others but bringin’ it nite-in and nite-out is ‘usually’ not one of ‘em!!!

and despite it all, somehow, a team with 37 wins and that backs itself into the playoffs, takes the eventual champs to 7 games!!?? and yet the BASG still CANNOT find a better way to do its’ business!!! RIDICULOUS!!! but yet they can decide ‘HINDSIGHT’ is the right coach for the next 2 yrs in 2 weeks after the SUND hirin’ !!! F’n RIDICULOUS!!! if they don’t realize that BOTH JOSHes are far more integral to the overall success of this franchise than the retainin’ of WOODSON then this team really does need to end up in SEA!!!!

By ray

July 21, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

MannyT, that’s a pretty funny, but all too true type of scenario! Good one!

Stevo, so do you think Chill is bluffing…or not? Guess it really doesn’t matter. What matters is what happens next.

Astro Joe, can I get on too? I’ll bring the drinks, salsa, cheese dip, and chips….

For those who doubt Chill’s ability to compete with that wacky jumper and all…just remember…Trajan Langdon plays for one of the best teams. TRAJAN LANGDON, y’all…

By morris

July 21, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

HOOPSHYPE is now reporting that josh childress has accepted the offer to play in greece. I was going to read the full report but of course it was in greek. Can anyone out there translate? Anyhow, now I completely understand why Billy Knight decided to step down as GM with a year left on his contract. Afro man knew the $hit was about to hit the fan. Guys this ownership group is broke and it’s time for david stern to step in and force them to sell this franchise to a viable owner. At this point that would be the best way to settle the lawsuit and allow this organization the opportunity to move forward.

By ray

July 21, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this

Agreed for the most part Myk, but Horford and Smith also “got it done.” Particularly Horford, who was even better in the playoff than he was in the regular season.

Not only that, but only Gasol and Odom did as well as he did against Boston. Nobody else came even close to the production he managed against the eventual champs (except McDyess, who was close).

Smith had a few bad games, but again…he produced a couple of really good games (and not bad production overall) despite all of his drawbacks and having never experienced the playoffs before. You’re right though…where is this organization trying to go??

By Nonya

July 21, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

So what about sign and trade for josh howard and maybe jerry stackhouse and eddie jones?

By TheHawksFan

July 21, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Hawks win a tight 1 74 70. Kinda slow game. Hawks now 3 and O Baby!! Damn looks like Chill deal is DONE. Your only worth what somebody is willing to pay you. Good Luck J Chill!!See Ya in 3. Are we going to lose J Smooth too? Looks real possible right about now.

By Joel

July 21, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

How about a sign and trade for josh howard and maybe they’ll throw in stackhouse and eddie jones

By mykhalc

July 21, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

BIG RAY, wasn’t meant to knock JS nor AH!!! but they had tough showings in BOS. well AH had a great game one tho!!

everythin’ i saw from JJ in the playoffs showed ‘me’ just how badly he wanted to be there!!! his total game was raised!!! and by that i mean his vocal leadership also.

but i was definitely proud of the entire team durin’ that series!! and OF COURSE totally disappointed in HINDSIGHT!!! and he’s got the f’n nerve to wear his ring and produce like he did!!! gimme me a break…CLUELESS AND USELESS…PERIOD!!!

By stevo

July 21, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

i will believe that childress will play in greece when he puts on the uniform and the ball is thrown in the air. until then, it is all bluff and blather. signing there does not prevent him from playing in the nba (i think…if that is wrong, then i am dumbfounded; yes, the dumb can still be dumbfounded. i think……).

anyway, i was a fan of childress. every team needs a player like that, with energy, loose ball vacuum, doesn’t need sets run for him, etc. etc. - that god awful looking shot not-withstanding.

but if he goes to greece to play basketball, then i have lost all respect for him and wish him the best and all (to each his own), but i would be glad he was gone from this team. the mental is just as important as the physical in winning, and that kind of mentality is definitely a loser one.

going to play in freakin’ greece!?!?!?!?!?!?! this is basketball, right? shows me the dude has no motivation and drive for being the best or competing against the best and would rather take it easy and ‘win’ against second tear teams and players.

i also think it would be the worst decision he could possibly make for his career.

which is why, him being a stanford grad and all that, i still do not believe it is anything but posturing and in the end, he will be in the nba next year, either with the hawks or another team. if not, then good riddance.

loser. (i take all harsh words back if he does stay in the nba)

By doc

July 21, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

granny has been found. her vehicle overturned. the IRU (incident response unit) with the HERO (highway emergency response operator) on the spot is beginning to put up flares to signal a very serious accident where lives are at stake. granny was found barely breathing saying something like “chills are overtaking me” and something about the cause of the accident is “all greek” to her. the HERO operator is unsure what to make of it but was told to be ready for such occurence.

sadly, she is hemorrhaging badly now and a brisk call has been put out to the local emt service to get there as quickly as possible. the flares sent up have brought a lot of attention. surprisingly, it is nationwide wondering how granny could have been left in such a difficult situation having a car that was not properly cared for with so much at stake her life and new tires not paid for. she said something about the negotiation was carrying on too long and she had to go ahead and try to make it home as she has been waiting too long to get there. granny said something about a promise to get the deal done back in april.

it is amazing how the traffic has backed up and the accident is having a tremendous impact on those who are still trying to make a living waiting for granny to get there. her fellow employees are shaking their heads saying something about how unbelievable that all for a set of standard tires this could have been avoided. last heard, granny said the folks taking care of the issue obviously had never been boy scouts as they did not live by the preparedness motto nor the one about trust. she will never trust them with her life or money again as she hopes to still have some life in her and is willing to put her best josh smith on paper if someone would just put it in front of her. she just hopes she can make it until then.

and then there were “the core seven”.

BWAFWMGO =bald woody arm fold with mouth gaping

stevo, he is making the decison because he went to stanford where they taught him to add and think for himself. he also was able to see he was with a loser organization. some folks (YOU) dont really get it or is it you are just drunk again or have been beaten down by your chinese buddies that just love it when you come along and use you for the skin of their drum circle head?

By newkid

July 21, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

Thomas Friedman’s book “The World is Flat” makes it quite clear that there are few remaining national or corporate boundary restrictions to the free flow of financial and human capital, goods, or services. One way or another this thing with Childress will make it clear to Stern and NBA owners that they’re subject to the same 21st century NEW realities that have been causing many to make major paradigm adjustments for the past 10-15 years lest they be left behind.

By Samuel

July 21, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

All this over a non-starter. Chills leaves, so what.

By doc

July 21, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

read it and weep guys and gals:

Real GM posted: Just aired on European sports television. Josh Childress SIGNED a 3 years $20 million net contract that is equal to a 3 years $33 million gross NBA contract with the Greek league club Olympiacos Piraeus. There it is! Childress got the equal of an $11 million a year NBA contract from a Greek club.

He arrived at 10 to Athens and officially signed the contract. Report is the only way Childress does not play in Greece next year is if “something totally unforeseen happens from here on out”.

stevo, do you want to check the math?

By doc

July 21, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

O above is for “open” of course like so many of the rest of us. now all we need is someone to say like custer did “wait until we see the whites of their eyes we got them where we want them. did i hear the BASG say, “we got the rest of the league and players right where we want them because we are so much smarter than the rest of them after all there are more of us?”

guess we got some cap space and can move quickly to sign josh smith and two bigs and a shooter wing man to shift smoove to three and marvin to the bench (thank god) where he is comfy. wonder what the next excuse will be.

cant wait to hear the conversation i.mus writes to tell us next. me thinks his boss is selling a product to mr sund and will be sucking up to him instead of asking the hard questions.

i am about ready to maybe do a sideline falcon blog here so as the hawks one is so offensive and this one is going to be difficult to stomach.

let’s see another leg lost on our journey. first woody, sund as a lackey and now chills gone without compensation. 3 for 3. go get em “my boy rick”, save the day.

By ray

July 21, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

Stevo, did the Hawks even make a contract offer to Childress (as they did to Josh Smith last year)? If they didn’t, what was he supposed to do, come crawling into Sund’s office, begging to be re-signed?

Samuel, it appears that half of our two-man bench is about to be gone. That, and one of our starters is still AWOP (no, not a “wop”…Absent WithOut Pay). Hardly confidence inspiring. No, I’m not panicking. Just concerned.

Doc, that is too funny, although sad all at the same time. Ordered two Blazer hats…you want one still? Heh…

By stevo

July 21, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

doc

i stand by everything i have posted to date. there is an update from sekou after talking with sund. i am more confident than ever that childress will be back. it is amusing to me that all of you feel like sund should have his own blog or something to keep you updated on every conversation he has with everybody.

as for checking the math, he has to pay taxes on income in the united states or go to jail. there is no ‘loophole’ around such a thing. check your sources and your info. i don’t know net or gross with this greek team, but if the contyract is 3 years $33 million, he will pay taxes on that, if it is $20 million, he will pay taxes on that. it is not really that difficult to understand.

anyway, bother me again when this news is from a credible source. until then i will be off to get ‘beaten down by your chinese buddies that just love it when you come along and use you for the skin of their drum circle head?’ huh? or something like that…..

cheers!

By stevo

July 21, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

ray

to answer your question, read sekou’s new article where he quotes sund. basically sund thinks these things are best handles in house as opposed to through the media. wow, imagine that. acts with class and gets blasted for it on a daily basis by the ‘fans’,

By stevo

July 21, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

to emphasize - ‘daily contact’.

which is actually surprising to me. to me it would be, ‘hey, only contact me if you have something new’.

you all have to see this as real life, not some video game transaction. agents check in, they check with other teams, those teams check with other agents, who have to get back, and then there are some negotiations and then they check on possible trades, more meetings, and then of course they have a kid who gets sick, and there are the new cheerleader uniforms, and what about the lease on the practice facility, whatever, whatever.

and yes, there are people to assist in all this, but the bottom line these are all busy people trying to handle lots of different possibilities and scenarios, and sometimes they take time to play out.

of course, if there is urgency for any reason (competition, time deadlines, whatever), that, by necessity speeds things up. but otherwise, you just have agents whining to create manufactured pressure and impatient fans who can’t handle uncertainty.

by the way, to take one of doc’s quotes, childress will play in greece (still waiting for a more reputable source) unless ‘something unforeseen happnes’. translation: unless he signs a contract in the nba, which he will.

By MannyT

July 21, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

Why do we put so many expectations on public athletes that we typically do not hold for ourselves?

Time to extend myself beyond my abilities again. I guess I enjoy flying without the net ;-)

I’d rather pay US taxes on 11 mil/yr in earnings and compensation than 6 mil/yr in earnings…even if I had to work in Europe.

Chills earned a little over $8 mil total in 3 years in the NBA. He gets an opportunity to make much more in Greece than he will be offered here. If he can handle living in Greece, he should absolutely take the money. For all the arguments about competing at the highest levels, I’d call that skunk bunk.

If we compare how and why we typically change jobs, most folks do not apply the same rules to themselves that they would to professional athletes.

I wish Chills much success. I hope he comes back to the NBA as a more accomplished player.

WASP? (Woody Astounded, Sund P**?)

By Najeh Davenpoop

July 21, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

I still think it’s funny that people think it’s no big deal if Childress leaves. Let’s see… we don’t have a bench, and our only good bench player (who regularly played over 30 minutes a game thanks to Marvin’s ineffectiveness) looks like he’s headed out the door (with 30 suitcases? For what, every video game system he has?) That doesn’t look like a problem to you? Whether you like his game or not — sure there are flaws but don’t tell me he doesn’t make positive contributions regularly — you cannot seriously deny his value to the team. Yeah, maybe $7 million per year seems like a lot for a role player who can’t create his own shot, but guess what? If James Posey is worth more than $6 million per, you can easily make an argument that Childress is worth $7 million per. Who do we have who’s gonna replace those 30 or so quality minutes? Our first-round pick? Oh yeah, never mind. Our prized free agent signing? Oh yeah, never mind. Give me a break. Letting Childress walk to Olympiakos would be a disaster for this team.

By ray

July 21, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

That’s strange. Sund’s reply sounds just like Billy’s used to…and the common denominator isssssss…? heh.

By Angry Fan

July 21, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

Where can I purchase my “I Hate ASG” T-shirt?

ASG may own the Hawks, but these players are OUR team! When they wear Atlanta on their chest, these men represent us all. Do you like the way ASG is “operating”?

Hawks fans, NOW is the time to make some noise!

By Ryan

July 21, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

I got a message for the ASG:

” TELL ME HOW MY A*S TASTE ”

By ray

July 21, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

Najeh, exactly…

Stevo, don’t know who your source is, but I’m glad to know that you know Childress will be playing in the NBA this coming season. In the meantime, could ya throw a guy a bone and tell me which team he’ll be playing for? If not, that’s okay…but I would like to know a couple of other things: 1)Will he be playing for the Hawks, and 2)If for some reason he isn’t, who will we be replacing him with? Luke Jackson?

By stevo

July 21, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

I’d rather pay US taxes on 11 mil/yr in earnings and compensation than 6 mil/yr in earnings…even if I had to work in Europe.

ha! you think? the point is that the ‘target’ keeps getting moved. first it is $20 million which is like $40 milion us dollars! then it is $20 million, but because of tax breaks it is like $33 million.

look, you all need to not try to think so hard. he will be taxed, and taxed HEAVILY in europe. i think most of you could not imagine.

but if the contract is for $33 million, then say that, not $20. that is all i am saying. then we can discuss it in the proper terms.

i personally have no idea what european basketball league salaries are like. i do know that the euro/dollar exchange rate and the tax laws do not matter in the way they have been discussed on this blog. (or i think i know, anyway)

By Michael Gearon Jr.

July 21, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

Hey everyone, It’s Michael Gearon Jr., the real GM of the Atlanta Hawks. As you may know, Childress is heading to Greece. He inexplicably would not accept our contract offer at the veteran’s minimum, showing his extrinsic intentions. We don’t need players like this on our team. And if Josh Smith requests more than the MLE, he is gone too. Please buy into the process. We are still rebuilding, and will be rebuilding till 2092. Thanks, Gearon Jr.

By Angry Fan

July 21, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

I am “Give me strength, Lord” fired up, FIRED UP!! Josh & Josh deserve to get paid. Hawks fans deserve a successful franchise. Why are both groups getting shafted by ASG? If they ain’t got no money, they ain’t got no business owning OUR Hawks. Sell them to someone who cares and is capable of cultivating a winning environment!

The current situation makes me sick.

By seriously

July 21, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

Samuel the fact that you think Woody is a good coach lets me know all I need to know about you. You say Chill is not starter so what if we lose him. Well gee golly who will replace him? Who do we have that can come off the bench and do what he does? What free agents options do we have? I dont know if you were sleep, in a coma, or on the beach holding hands with Woody but we have a thin bench. Did you not notice that or is it that once again you have no clue what you are talking about. You are the same guy that thinks we played the Celts harder than any team in the playoffs when it was clearly the Cavs, who had a chance to win game 7. What chance did we have? Thats right you dont know because for some reason you overlook all logical aspects of what happened to make it work in your eyes only. Contrary to your own silly belief there are no more free agents on the board who could replace Chills. Let me see

1.Azubuike-signed 2.Posey-signed 3.Brent Barry-signed 4.Pietrus-signed 5.Hayes-signed 6.James Jones-signed 7.Barnes-signed 8.Eddie House-signed 9.Roger Mason-signed

Thats pretty much the best out of the guys that could help us. So once again who is going to take Chills role if it is true that he signed that contract? You think a Michael Finley would come to this mess? Get real dude. We cant afford to lose this guy without getting something in return. If this f.o. wont even give Chill a deal you think they will offer any other free agent a deal. Im willing to bet they wont even get Kwame. Guys on here amaze me acting as if we lose our top bench player without any type of compensation we will be alright. We probably had the worse bench production of any team last year yet folks are ok with losing our only consistent bench player? FREAKING AMAZING BUT AGAIN THIS IS COMING FROM A GUY IN SAMUEL WHO THINKS MIKE WOODSON IS THE NEXT PHIL JACKSON.

By mykhalc

July 21, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

Samuel, sometimes bro you make me wonder!! you say you COACH??? how ‘bout a non-starter that plays about 30 mins a nite!!! and that’s divi’ed out by ‘your’ man ‘HINDSIGHT’!!! now what was that statement again???!!! geeessshhhh

By stevo

July 21, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

my source is me. i guess the only thing to do is wait and see.

i do not state an opinion on whether he will play for the hawks, or another team through a sign and trade, but i 1000% believe he will be in the nba.

and i believe the hawks have no choice but to sign both childress and smith (for all the obvious reasons). they have sold us on building this team through the draft and taking time, they have done that, and now they have to pay the price of young talented players. or make the team better through trades. but they cannot start over. that would be a disaster. and i, like many of you, would probably be done with them (easier said than done for me).

and i see no reason to think they would do anything else until there is some reason to. childress’ crap about greece is nothing in my mind. really, can’t see it happening at all.

look, i remember as many of you do, 1993. jordan playing baseball and the hawks have the best record in the east and they trade their superstar franchise player to the clippers. they then go on to lose because they lack any kind of outside shooting - something the player they traded away seemed to do pretty good at. losing smith and childress for nothing would be 100 times worse than that.

they know that. it just takes time. but time doesn’t entertain on the blogs on a daily basis, so i have accepted i either have to close the blogs and just wait patiently on my own, or fight the good fight against what i consider nonsense on here.

i have chosen the latter at this point for my own entertainment purposes.

cheers!

By stevo

July 21, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this

as for #2, who can they get for childress, i have no idea who sund has talked to. i imagine every team at some point. how about childress for prince? childress is a better rebounder and more athletic, but prince is a better shooter and defender. how about prince and billups for childress and bibby? gives detroit an expiring salary next year to be free agent players.

maybe these are ridiculous for the pistons or maybe they are ridiculous for the hawks. i agree the hawks have to keep the two or get something for them. what they would get, is open to your speculation as much as mine.

actually, that is something you all do just fine, and you would be better served spending your time thinking in those terms, in my most humble opinion, rather than worrying about not having the joshes next year.

By doc

July 21, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

najeh please he has to take his shoe collection with him.

ray, can i answer that one?……. BASG!

look i am quite aware that something mht turn it around and there is a loop hole. it is funny that some think it is to be all business form the employer side but it shouldnt be for the employee.

oh stevo, we all wait to find out why you are on the other side of the ocean and not making your bucks on american soil? why should you be allowed to avoid competing with good ole american boys making your money and chills shouldnt? dude where do you get off?

and yes stevo he will have to pay some taxes. i never implied he shouldnt or wouldnt. some of the ones that were euro ones that were so much the deal breaker to you initially as part of your rant were taken by the team. then you played another tax card like i wasnt watching “reasoning” that somehow paying taxes on 11 mil or so would be bad because it would be more than if he got paid only 7 mil. dude where is your head, still being tapped on by the local chinese healing drum circle?

By JayL

July 21, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

Sekou - I believe I put this same info out on this blog last week - where was everyone?

So, now does everyone SEE that it doesn’t matter WHO the GM is because it’s the ownership group that keeps this downward spiral going?

somebody show me some love!

By stevo

July 21, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

doc,

at this point i am not sure that we even speak the same language. so i concede all to you!

well done!

cheers!

By ray

July 21, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

Heh….interesting notion, Doc.

Stevo, fighting the “ridiculousness” adds your own flavor to it. But hey…like I always say-we all have to entertain ourselves somehow. I can’t help laughing dude (sense I’m the humorous type): you chastise so many people for not having enough hobbies (which might be true of some of us, you never know), and getting on this blog too much. Yet there you are, right behind them with your internet cat-o-nine tails…..Who’s worse, those of us who come here so often, or you for keeping track of us and telling us we shouldn’t be here so often? Admit it…it’s funny.

Pass the Saki (if there’s any around…imported from Japan) or the rice wine. It’s a long summer already, and I need a drink…

By SalimFan

July 21, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

Wahrt thekjrwklj F*******!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DONE Serously…….I can’t even type right anymore. I’m

Where’s the ESPY for crappiest franchise management of the YEAR!!!!!

F@#$%!$^@^!%^&%^%$#@%$^$%$$#@!$@#$!@%$K

By Die ASG!!!!!

July 21, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

SSSEEEEKKOOOOUUUU!!!!!!!!!!

Do something Darnit. It’s time for the saviour ofthe blog to save fans acroos gorgia from torture!!!!!

Childresss you hert my heart man…..F’ing ASG!!!!!!F A G SSSSSSS

Belkin!!!!! Buy those CLOWNS OUT NOW!!!!!!!!!

SOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SOS!!!!!!!!LOFMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Free Chilly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By jhan

July 21, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

Doc, it sounds like most feel the employer is to blame for not paying what the players want. Who get’s upset when a player holds the team hostage for extra money?

When a player gets more than he is worth he is somehow justified because he just “maximized” his situation. When the owners try to do the same they are called “cheap” or “incompetent”.

That may be true regarding the ASG, but I enjoy watching these cat & mouse games. Is it possible the owners are practicing a little self discipline? Is “fiscal responsibility” something that can be heard at the NBA owners meetings now?

It seems only the true superstars are getting the big deals right now. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Prove yourself & you will be rewarded. This is a novel concept for some, but fact of life for others.

By mykhalc

July 21, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

well Sekou’s article on CHILS with SUND weighin’ in has me truly on alert. so with SUND ‘using’ all the right words, we’ll finally see just who this cat is by the way he handles this thing if CHILS has really signed on with the GREECE team. ok…who’s got next????

By MannyT

July 21, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

If the value of the deals are similar, I think Chills would stay in the NBA. If the real value is very different, it makes sense that he would seriously consider leaving…even if it means playing in a league with lesser overall talent.

Forget the rumored values for a moment. If Chills gets a tax neutral deal (which many companies will do for their ex-pat employees) then the taxes are not the issue. It would be a consideration of compensation and willingness to live in Greece. I do not use cost of living as a primary factor, because he can get an idea of those costs and if he is willing to deal with them. In a similar way, average Americans choose to take jobs in places like San Francisco and New York where the additional pay may not cover the cost of living difference for the same job in Atlanta or Dallas.

The Hawks can outbid the NBA competition with an offer that starts above the MLE. That doesn’t eliminate foreign competition.

Paying Chills does impact the Hawks offers to others, particularly Smith. I cannot envision Smith accepting less than Chills if they both play here. The Greek offer can disrupt the REAL budget that the ASG has for this team.

If Chills can make more money and he’s willing to live in Greece, this is one of the few options he has that allows him to control the situation without sacrificing pay.

Good CRAP for Chills.

By By Michael Gearon Jr.

July 21, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

hey chills would you like to buy some stock in the hawks? we could really use sone cash flow right now.

By stevo

July 21, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

ray

no doubt, i have sunk deeper and deeper into the mire of despair that is this blog. i have to fight it as best i can and try to save myself, but it is certainly addicting. this past week and especially today i have been really bad. i have tried to log off my computer at least five times, but i always come back to see if there is something else to add. problem is, i am sick and it is hot as hell out there and i don’t want to deal with all the chinese dudes hocking up phlegm and picking and blowing their noses all over the place all the time, so i am limited.

but i will try and try to take my own advice for sure. a good book sits right by my side as we speak, and i am sure it would be exponentially better for my personal growth and interest to pick it up and put the computer down. lets see if i can do it.

either way, i am sure you will all entertain yourselves by despairing at the worthlessness of the hawks organization (see SF’s last post) when there is no reason to think they won’t have both joshes and maybe a nice, modest free agent addition or two before the summer is over.

then again, some like to prepare for the worst so they can handle it if/when it comes, so maybe that is the reason for all the wailing and angst.

cheers!

cheers!

By doc

July 22, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

nice little article. it is in english so i hope stevo can read it:

ttp://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/balldontlie/post/Josh-Childress-might-jet-to-Greece-will-others-;ylt=Aobl38enUvSLKeCkL.AHcy8vLYF?urn=nba,94922

it will all work out in the end just as it should. fun to speculate.

yup stevo great trade ideas for the hwaks, it is just that dumars is smarter than that.

i say chills goes, smith stays and gets his money. we get a big that is marginal but keeps the fans interested as he is no better than shels when he had some confidence, we get a shooter/wing that cant come close to doing all the things chill does now because he is affordable such as jackson with richardson to maybe fall back on. then we win 35 games, finish in the lottery but get no better than a 11 pick and really start to swoon as bibby is gone, jj wants out and horford says i am not going to turn out the lights because josh has already signed up for that one. no one lines up to fill the vacancy of worth as a free agent.

By SalimFan

July 22, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Why does the ASG keep kickcing us in the Nutz over and over again?????

By MannyT

July 22, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

Remember how folks were upset that nothing was visibly happening with the RFAs?

Now something is (sort of) happening and folks are not happy. Be careful what you wish for as you may get it.

I think The Great Gazoo had a hand in this one ;-)

I don’t think we can blame this one on Woody.

WAF

By SalimFan

July 22, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

I just read Sekou’s article….Looks like I seriously jumped the gun heh.

Can you blame me??? Everyone is around here just waiting on the bad news to hit the media waves.

Manny, yeah with salim leaving, the permanent name change is vastly approaching lol. I wonder if I should let you guys in on it at first though??? Or have some fun first????

By doc

July 22, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

jhan, i have reasoned a bit that there was something going on that might be called fiscal responsibility or colllusion. the nba can play that game if there is no other game in town, called a monopoly. read the article i posted because it tells the story of how the MLE came into existence as an oushoot of rex chapman being stoned as someone who should have gotten more and didnt because of silly rules.

just the same, by reason the owners have assured their fans and ticket base they would sign these guys, had charted a course and were to follow through on it. so far they have fallen short. i assure you as they made those claims i saw the folly of it, extolled it only to be castigated a bit as being negative on the blog. the numbers i brought up are the same ando brings up. either the BASG have their heads in the sand, lie or are just stupid when it comes to measuring what they can do or expect to do. as many have also come up with the same unbelievable numbers the BASG would have to spend to keep the team intact.

BASG is consistently bad and some are consistently good in developing teams. i suggested many moons ago and heard it echoed by several others including manny t the real number is not what the players are worth but the upper number that BASG is willing to pay. my thought is that number never came close to what they knew they were going to pay.

as a final thought, i imagine the union will be very supportive of chills making the move along with gordon to follow to have their own leverage at the bargaining table. so the union is the third player here and chills is doing possibly what glavine did to the braves. please do not be so naive to think they are not monitoring or even helping the situation along, behind the scenes of course. just like owners can quietly draw the line so can the union.

sad to say, too much fiscal responsibility will cheapen the product and it will show in time. as a season ticket holder you might be concerned about that unless you want only a star driven league.

By MannyT

July 22, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this

SalimFan I’m not sure what is more disturbing to me…a guy who runs around kicking people in the nuts or all those folks who suddenly accept that it is ok because they are getting filmed.

Where is Chris Paul when you need him?

Professional Athletics Ineffective Normalization (PAIN) is different from pain in the pants.

By doc

July 22, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

salimfan very funny pain.

By MannyT

July 22, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this

doc Here is the link to your Ball Don’t Lie Blog article

I would not call it NBA collusion, but this is one of the evolutions we have to go through as the world comes together. When the big money was here, foreign players came here. The ones that can get top dollar, still may do so. The opportunity abroad has existed for several years for those players that were D-League caliber.

As they mention in the blog, guys like Chills make teams better, but they rarely sell season tix. If he stays, does that lock in your seat?

It will happen to some team at some point. Look at Brandon Jennings. He is changing the game from the entry level side. Chills may force changes to RFA rules, not unlike Gilbert Arenas did when he left the Warriors for the Wizards. (The Warriors were not allowed to match the contract Washington offered per the salary cap rules at that time.) Will a high end player that has limited endorsement revenue be the next major piece to go abroad for a larger than MAX deal?

It is a more interesting off season than I expected for reasons I did not imagine a few months ago.

Well, Josh’s trip is doing something to expand our global view, so I could not resist closing with this link.

I need a gyro!

Ownership unease increasing, yup OUI, my international friends.

By MannyT

July 22, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this

You can have some fun with the new name, but can you resist the video links that have become your signature?

New guy with lots of video = TAFKAS

By doc

July 22, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

manny t, thanks …several months ago i speculated that we might see a reverse migration of nba quality players to the euro leagues. do you remember the reaction? no way! just as our own stevo did and ranted about how he would throw chills under the bus and call him a loser unless he didnt really go, only to retract it and begin to sound much more civilized later. it will come to pass if the economics remain headed in the direction that they are.

i doubt a great player will go but josh smith will entertain such a deal for say 12 mil or plus to come back a free agent in two years.

things sure did quiet down after the initial surge initiated by two players rescinding their contracts.

seems also the wiz didnt get the memo. heh heh

By jhan

July 22, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this

Doc, as a season ticket holder I am greatly concerned about what is happening. If this team does as you predict, and those odds are at least 50/50, I won’t renew again.

They are very close to having a legit team. If they go cheap so will I!

By MannyT

July 22, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this

No one else has the cap space to make excitement except Memphis who is happy to sit on the sidelines.

No cap money = no market which is very different from no value that some folks expressed.

Besides offering for a RFA that you think would be matched doesn’t do any favors for the offering team.

Smith would be very interesting in Europe. That closer 3 pt line would entice him to jack up more bombs. However, he would be even more unusual playing PF there. Stuffing the stat sheet as some foreign announcer accelerates his pace has Josh grabs a rebound and starts his own 1 man break, almost losing the ball along the way to a flashy dunk.

Imagine a young Gilbert Arenas over there. If he could get the crowd going, it would definitely be a draw. After a few consecutive scores, the crowd would yell Hibatchi for him. In DC, they can yell Mad Max.

At least he left them a few mil to play with

I’ll check the Euro updates in the morning.

By MannyT

July 22, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this

jhan that is a very valid point. I renewed this time b/c I could see lots of opportunity next season to make a major jump, if we could just do some minor tweaking this summer.

If the team is gutted, I can spend that money elsewhere.

I am in for 08-09, but no promises beyond that w/o a decent product. All that said, I’ll wait until the end of October before I evaluate the new team. Things can happen to change the face of the franchise all the way through the summer.

There is still time for good things to happen.

Patience makes the PAIN more clear or allows the good CRAP to rise.

By christopher hill

July 22, 2008 1:50 AM | Link to this

Lets get real.

Which team in Europe has money to offer for a player who will not fit in to their roster and more importantly, the news only makes sense for filling in a few lines in a news paper.

To pay these types of salaries the owners/sponsors have to pay out of their pocket, since ticket and derivative sales are insufficient to cover these costs. These are very generous owners/sponsors.

You will hear lots of crazy rumours about offers, but why would you leave a structured guaranteed system to venture into the unknown? Ask any player who has played in Europe (D. Wilkens, D. Rudd to name a few).

Is basketball in Europe at such a state that they have to pay for big names to be seen in domestic leagues? Basketball in Europe is equivalent to the NBADL.

There are very few serious teams in Europe in terms of money. Many more are serious in trying to show the fans a good game.

The agents they love the 10% fee the club pays at signing.

;-)

By Samuel

July 22, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

Mykhalc,

All im saying is that Chills is not top priority. It’s looking pretty obvious that one of the three will have to go. Bibby and Smith are more important. It’s much easier to find a good athlete who plays good defense and can occassionally score(11pts a game) than a freak and a veteran point guard who excells in the playoffs and is deadly anywhere on the court.

I believe mostly marginal players will decide to go EURO but the studs will stay. We’re still the Best Game in Town.

By Paddy

July 22, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Some of you have suggested that Josh Smith fills the seats at Phillips. I don’t see it. Anyone care to take sides on this issue, I am interested in others take on this.

By chuckw/deadjournalist

July 22, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

It will be interesting to see how the U.S. team fairs in the Olympics this year because the global basketball aptitude continues to increase at a near exponential rate while the U.S. game has not.

And while the Euro league, as a whole, may not be as strong as the NBA now, that may not be the case in another 10 years. For David Stern’s faults, he has never been less than a shrewd businessman. And he first mentioned the reality of the NBA expansion last year.

One of the largest problems with the Euro leagues is its organization, largely due to the number of countries involved. That is where the NBA and it’s ability to organize a top-tier, multi-country league might play a role. The problem is, while the NBA can typically get the end result it is looking for in the states, dealing with multiple sovereign nations would add a level of complexity even Stern could resolve.

And with the weakened US dollar, the ability for the NBA to retain mid-level players may become a bigger issue. Superstars will always have endorsements to supplement their income, but for players like Childress, this might be their best chance to earn top dollar.

And if he goes, I would not be shocked to see another player in a similar situation also jump to Europe. Not only because the players will know they can follow the lead, but owners of Euro league teams will see an opportunity of getting top NBA talent by throwing more money at guys like Gordon, Deng, etc. than they could get here.

(The end result will probably lead to a lock-out because NBA owners will want a change in collective bargaining agreement. But I digress…)

A final thought on this, the NBA has scene an influx of international players in the last decade primarily because those players could make more money in the NBA than in other global leagues. That’s changing, and changing rapidly. Seeing those players go back overseas for more lucrative deals should be surprising to anyone. It’s the reason they came here in the first place.

This is the reality of the new global economy. For better, or worse.

By docsbro

July 22, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Hey guys I think we are all getting a clear picture of this teams future. You Hawks fans are starting to feel some of the pain that us Thrasher fans felt last year. It is very clear that this ownership is a cancer and the only cure is to “get the hell out”. Maybe the Josh’s are the geniuses… I know I would go to Greece in a heart beat instead of the Hawks and their “plan”….
This started with Hossa last year when the ownership “convinced” him with all their 1 on 1 meetings to “get the hell out”. Now they are doing it to your team……the hawks. NO ONE wants to play in Atlanta for either of these teams and they are turning down more money to “get the hell out”….

By doc

July 22, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

samuel, not if you dont have the money to pay for it. it also hasnt held up in international competition lately. signs of the times in spite of many efforts to change the atmosphere and climate within the team. funny other countries have probably spent less and gotten more.

times they are a changing. as the “mid tier” player leaves that erodes the game significantly. if it isnt chills it will be someone else sooner rather than later.

chills was more valuable to this team than most because of his complete game and the inadequacies of the bench or the coach’s willingness to use it or build it. he filled a vast void. yup, if they bring in some talent fine. i just dont see how or where they can get someone to fill in, not from our bench. plenty of time as we all know however the chances of this organization moving quickly to fill slots have been unseen before.

look only to the thrashers to see how hey handle their money. they go from title contender to bottom three in one year and spend in the bottom six to boot. love your optimism but dont see the reality of making it work with what is at hand or been shown before. hope aint what they have given us as a track record.

maybe “my boy rick” will pull it off. however, if he lets chills go that is a huge suggestion that he isnt the miracle maker you and i want him to be. his back is to the wall now, little leverage with a low ball offer. he is holding a minimum spending cap space budget only. if what is out there is true when all last week thought that chills had no leverage except to fold the tent and come to terms with his head hung low he holds the ace now. i like the fact he is being so contentious in the matter, shows he is a winner and competitor unwilling to give up and is what i like of him as a basketball player. he has the makings of a winner not a loser as some have said.

kings assess and take risk and live another day, pawns die.

chills is a king and a hero in my book.

By LilZ

July 22, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

How does the Hawks beat writer get scooped on this story by Yahoo Sports? Actually, I guess that makes sense. The Hawks are so pathetic even their beat writer misses out on breaking the only Hawks news of the week.

By Ed Gray

July 22, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

How about we just let every single franchise in Atlanta just go away. None of the Teams draw very well anyway. Just stop going and hopefully they all go bankrupt. I’d rather live in Gwinnett, at least there I have low expectations but they are MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS. As opposed to “major league teams” that are run like the minors. I mean really has anyone ever seen a city that SUCKS with every franchise? Good lord, it’s a joke. I love when I travel to tell people I’m from Atlanta, first thing I get laughed at about, Mike Vick, second thing, “do you have a basketball team in the ATL”, third thing, when is that hockey team going to be moved to Canada. ahahahhahahha, GOOD LORD WE ARE CURSED IN THIS CITY WITH THE WORST OWNERS AND GM’S EVER.

By Ken Strickland

July 22, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

I’m not so sure the SAASG is as broke as some of us think. It’s just a matter of how the money is being distributed. Say a team with one owner makes $50M in profit. He can sacrifice $10-15M to get more talent on the team. Now, let’s look at the SAASG. Suppose they made the same $50M profit, but have to distribute it among 5-6 owners. Each owner is already appropriating a portion of his earnings to fund the legal battle they’re engaged in. That makes it a lot harder to get them to sacrifice any more of their portion for the overall benefit of the team. It becomes even more difficult if any of the owners stretched their finances in the 1st place to become partners.

That’s why having Belkin as a single owner might be better for the franchise overall. Even if he ran the Hawks on the cheap, he could still contribute more to the teams operation. I also think the Hawks’ inactivity is due to them, and Smoove, misjudging the market. As I’ve said before, I think they anticipated offers for Smoove to have been made so a sign and trade could be initiated. One with draft picks and trade exemptions instead of players and salary swaps(much like the Clipper/Denver trade). Since none were forthcoming, they are at a loss for what to do next.

By SSI Fan

July 22, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Ken

It is my understanding that the ASG is not making a profit. The court records in the pending ownership suit reveal that ASG lost $20,000,000.00 in the 2005-2006 seasons. It is reasonable to presume that a similar amount was lost in each of the next 2 seasons. I have been told that the projected losses for next season are around $50,000,000.00, and that projection does not include salaries for Smith and Childress. One reason for the increased losses is that the television contracts were front loaded, and revenue from broadcasts are significantly lower nest season.

By bigeasy830

July 22, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Go get your money Chills, “cause if it don’t make dollars then it don’t make sense”. Thank you for the work you have done in the 4yrs you were here in the ATL. I am a fan of the Hawks but a realist. I know its a business. Those players have to take care of them and theirs. The only thing that people in this country is loyal to is the All Mighty Dollar. If the Hawks wanted you the should have should loved and broke bread. Even that will bring out the Haters, just ask MV7. Get that money before it get away. I have been through Greece, loved it.

Holla………

By doc

July 22, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

let’s hear the evander/BASG chorus:

i aint broke, i’m just not liquid.

By HB Ando

July 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

doc, please do not encourage stevo, by referring to him as “our own”. He’s nothing but the latest edition of passers’ by, who squat here for a while, rant incoherantly, and this drift away to bug a new group of people.

I know you are a socialist at heart, but there must be limitations to respect for all living creatures..

Joe, some things never change. Just change your name to “Rigid, inflexible either/or, the world can only be seen as black or white” or, if it’s easier to type, “Anakin Dumbass”. The fact that I was staunchly fixated on firing Billy, and found his draft choices (of which there is simply no evidence in existence to support the ASG having impacted those horrific decisions) crippling, has never minimized my lack of satisfaction with the owners. If you are honest, you KNOW that I never let ownership off the hook.

The blog archives can confirm that I suggested, on multiple occassions, that we might be better off with Belkin than his ex-wives. That long-standing position can only stand to confirm my dissatisfaction with ownership.

I don’t remember ever being told that there could only be one villian in the destruction of the Hawks’ franchise. In fact, I can only blame the ASG for allowing Billy to mangle our draft choices for multiple seasons.

You’ve always been hung up on proving that the ASG was worse than Billy (largely because it was a means to disagree with me). Why can’t they both be reprehensible?

Or are you just too simple to see these issues with some moderate complexity (your position is roughly akin to blaming either the republicans or the democrats for ALL that is negative in our government, right now).

By kgbsfinst

July 22, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

I dont think they are that broke either.

If they were that broke, then why wouldnt they try and sell the Hawks, or Thrashers? I heard someone on here a few weeks ago say the Hawks franchise is worth around $285 Million(i think it was that, correct me if I’m wrong) The only way they would be able to make up that 20-50 million dollar loss would be to sell it, or put a competitive team out there.

If they put a good team out there, they will increase sales, get more nationally televised games, and even sell more apparel. Letting the Joshes go would only be a step back for the ASG.

By doc

July 22, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

more thrasher news:

3: For all the dolts who bashed former Thrashers assistant coach Brad McCrimmon and blamed him even a little bit for the team’s faceplant last season, hear this: He just got hired by the Detroit Red Wings, the NHL’s best team, as an assistant to Mike Babcock. (Credit to pal Craig Custance of The Sporting News, formerly of the AJC, for getting the story before anybody in Detroit. Custance will be moving back to Michigan soon. I believe it was a package deal with McCrimmon and Marian Hossa.)

mccrimmon wanted out so bad he refused to be designated coach and has now gone to the best team in hockey. hossa also was stone walled in negotiations with the thrashers and finally said there is not enough money to play for a team or organization that doesnt want to win championships. signed on with the best team in hockey for 7 mil a huge contract in hockey even if for only one year. oh yeah he led the penguins into the championship playing his best ever.

By mykhalc

July 22, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Samuel, i think i can handle your last post a lot better bro!!LOL but BIBBY is taken care of for this year at least. SMOOVE has gotta be the top priority for this franchise now. but i think CHILS is still a very valuable piece to this team. and with the way HINDSIGHT plays his bench, how long would it take for him to find someone to fill his shoes/mins/role?? unlike you, i have ABSOLUTELY NO….NO…confidence in WOODSON’s ability as a HC!!! ABSOLUTELY NONE!!!! i’d rather give you a chance with the clipboard!!!;o)

By B.A.ToDa

July 22, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Especially getting rid of Josh Smith, that would hurt season ticket sales and possibly even future National Television games. Guys, think about it. After the Boston series these Hawks are destined to get atleast 5-7 National TV games this upcoming year, compared to None this past year. The same thing happened to Golden State the year before after they had a great playoff and had high playoff ratings.

Losing the Josh’s- mainly Smith, would affect the team’s revenue/market.

By Ken Strickland

July 22, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

SSI FAN-thanks for the clarification. I think those loss figures are for the Hawks and Thrashers combined. Also, there are actual money losses and there are paper losses, just like there are millionaires on paper and millionaires based on net worth. I find it almost impossible to believe the SAASG would take on Bibby’s salary, if they’re actually broke, knowing both Joshes would be RFA’s. Personally, I think by the time the Bibby trade was made, ownership had seen enough of Horford to decided not to resign Smoove.

MYKHALC-I don’t think Smoove is ownerships top priority. I think they’ve already reached a consensus that he can/will be replaced by Horford at PF. The consistency, versatility, maturity and professionism of Chills, on the other hand, can’t be replaced. I think their plan is to sign Chills, trade Smoove, bring in a serviceable FA center at around $4M and move Horford to PF. At the end of the season we lose Bibby and Zaza’s contracts(about $19M combined). In addition to that windfall, we’ll start next season with all of our draft picks.

From a financial standpoint, that would put them in a favorable situation by:

(1)Not having to commit 10-12M to a longterm contract for Smoove.
(2)Dropping an additional 19M in salaries by losing Bibby and Zaza. (3)Any trade involving Smoove will likely include trade exemptions and/or money rather than exchanging players/contracts(That might be why nothing is being done. There aren’t many teams with those types of trade options to offer). Therefore, they could sign FA’s to short term contracts and rely on draft picks.

JUST THINKING OUT LOUD.

By terrell barron

July 22, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Ando, Marvin and Sheldon were BK’s only terrible picks. Chills, Smoove, Horford, and Law, were solid picks. Diaw was iffy, but at least he got rid of him in the JJ deal. And he also relized Sheldon was a mistake and sent him packing. Get off BK’s d…! What has Sund done? BK is out walking his dog(laughing at us) and your’re still hammering him.

By terrell barron

July 22, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

And Ando, remember, we didnt need Gay or Roy at the time. We had JJ and all of our wings. lol! Sheldon was a big. We needed a big. Who do you think we shoulda took? Patrick O’Bryant, Hilton Armstrong, Sene, Ryan Hollins? Those guys are’nt any better than Sheldon. And btw, I wish he woulda took Roy, but we already had a star 2 guard. And Woody would’nt bench JJ for ANYTHING. lol!! Maybe they did’nt know Roy could also play point, but they had just tried it with Joe, and it did’nt work. So there.

By doc

July 22, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

ken, agree. i just talked to someone of that very scenario regarding chills and smith and it is what sund is now juggling to make happen. if chills signs in greece it makes it less likely but there might be a chance someone wants smith is negotiating for that end and has an asset or two to bring to the club and enhance the hawks.

By truefan78

July 22, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

He’s nothing but the latest edition of passers’ by, who squat here for a while, rant incoherantly, and this drift away to bug a new group of people.

All you people do is whine and moan. People pass by because it is the same old whiners who stick on here all day every day sucking the fun out of the place. There are many of us fans who love te Hawks, buy tickets and supported this team through thick and thin,

Your bitter bitter people with believe this blog is only for you but ur all posion this blog so don’t go thinking ur high and mighty when all ur r is a bunch of old whinning weenies who ruins this blog like Spirit ruins the Hawks.

By T.C

July 22, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

The person who calls his self the realist,i was about to comment on your response but realized people are intitled to post there thoughts.you can’t say there not worth the money but thats your oppinion,i think there are.i just think all atlanta sport teams organizations sucks and dont have a clue when it comes to talent,value,ect…..what a sorry sports town.

By T.C

July 22, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

The person who calls his self the realist,i was about to comment on your response but realized people are intitled to post there thoughts.you can’t say there not worth the money but thats your oppinion,i think there are.i just think all atlanta sport teams organizations sucks and dont have a clue when it comes to talent,value,ect…..what a sorry sports town.

By T.C

July 22, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

The person who calls his self the realist,i was about to comment on your response but realized people are intitled to post there thoughts.you can’t say there not worth the money but thats your oppinion,i think they are.i just think all atlanta sport teams organizations sucks and dont have a clue when it comes to talent,value,ect…..what a sorry sports town.

By doc

July 22, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

truefan you make no sense at all as you whine about the whiners that take exception to how the spirit drains the hawks of being a fun team to watch while admitting the spirit ruins the hawks. hmm do you bother to read our thoughts our better yet your own?

By SB

July 22, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

You guys can use all the crazy math you want. Smith is still better than Marvin or Al. They are all the same age and he has more potential than anyone on the roster including Joe. I’m not crazy Joe is the better player, But Smith has a much higher celling. You don’t get better by giving this guy away for trade exceptions, Unless you’re going to land L. James next year it makes no sense. Hate on his game all you want, but when you are ready to face the truth you know I’m right.

By Melvin

July 22, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Doc, you are on fire today. Don’t let the BASG inactivity mess up your day…lol… Besides, I’m sure there are others just like me that could not understand the point Truefan was trying to make…lol

By mykhalc

July 22, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Ken, you could be dead on-point ny friend. i’m not even pretendin’ i know what this stupid a$$ BASG is gonna do. but your scenario makes as much sense as anythin’ i could possibly come up with.

By SB

July 22, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

As far as Chill’s goes. I’d love to keep him, but it would be hard to pay some one 7 mil to come off the bench. If he wants to be moved move him.

By sakis

July 22, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Hello.I am Greek and Olympiakos fan.Some of you I have noticed are aware of my team. Olympiakos has the best coach in the world, Yannakis.Yannakis was the master of the upset that happened during the game Greece vs U.S. Greek will win again the U.S in the Olympics.We are the best in Basketball in the world.Now about Olympiakos.Olympiakos has a lot of money.Could sign every player in the world.Remember that in Greece there is huge talent.The NBA will be nothing in the forthcoming years.All the competition will take place here.In Greece, Basketball is something more than a religion.It is a way of living.Just watch the game between USA and Greece.And you will understand it.Thank you.Kisses from Greece

By Glenn

July 22, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Rony Seikaly was pretty good but common . Could sign every player in the world ? All the competition will take place here ? Yeah we we some weak currency & all but please . A big tongue kiss to you from the ATL but man , wake up .

By Melvin

July 22, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

Sakis, I respect that you are a loyal son of Greece. But how many gyros do you want to bet that Greece will beat the USA in b-ball during the Olympics???

By Glenn

July 22, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

BTW , the Josh Smith rumor today is a sign & trade for Josh Howard . Josh Howard = Choker .

By SSI Fan

July 22, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Ken

You’re right. The losses are the combined losses of all the holdings of the ASG, including the Hawks, Thrashers, and the building. It is my understanding that both the Hawks and Thrashers lose money and that the building might show a profit. Even though the losses are for all the holdings, they are still have to be paid. Don’t be surprised if the ASG sells the Thrashers to eliminate some debt.

I would love to see how good Horford could be with a legitimate 6’11” or 7’ center beside him.

By ed83

July 22, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

BTW today Childress spent a couple of hours in Olympiakos’ court, shooting and lifting weights with his brother. He also told local media: ‘I like Greece, it’s really nice here. I checked out a couple of homes and it was a really good experience. The owners are great, honest people, they work hard and love their team. I like Athens and its people, it’s beautiful here’. I translated from a Greek website so it’s not actual quote. Anyway, if he is bluffing he is very convincing. And Greek media report that the Hawks have come back with a 5 year, $35 million offer, which is still less than what Olympiakos offers. Also keep in mind that European teams also cover the taxes of their players.

By kgbsfinst

July 22, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Interesting that Olympiakos could sign anyone in the world, and they choose to pursue Josh Childress, and Ben Gordon. I would have thought if they were that “great” they might have went after James, or Duncan, or about 100 other players that are better. Heck, I would think they would a least go after a STARTER! Turkey has a better chance to beat you guys than you have of upsetting the US this summer.

By B.A.ToDa

July 22, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

sign-and-trade for Josh Howard? It doesn’t excite me, doesn’t really help the team either. Keep Josh Smith and we’d be a better team and sell more tickets.

By Ken Strickland

July 22, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

SSI FAN-so would I. I don’t have anything other than my intuition to go on, but I believe Kwame Brown would be very serviceable with us. He won’t have a hall of fame calibur player(Kobe)and former player(MJ)in his face every practice and/or during gms. He’ll have the support of family and friends. And, he won’t have the burden of trying to carry on a big man legacy(Wilt, Kareem, Shaq)like he did in LA. The same can be said for the Wizards/Bullets(Unseld, MMalone, EHayes)and he was much younger and more inexperienced.

Neither LA nor Washington could put a PF next to him like Horford. His main contribution would be DEF and rebounding. Starting lineup: KBrown(C), AHorford(PF), MWilliams(SF), JJ(SG), Bibby(PG). Bench: Chills, ALaw, Zaza, Speedy, West, SJones, JHoward(If a sign and trade is initiated with Smoove, he might be added to the roster). Marvin and Howard could end up switching places.

I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS LINEUP GIVEN A CHANCE.

By mykhalc

July 22, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

SMOOVE for BOSH…i’d think about that one!!! but MARVIN stayin’ with HORFORD movin’ to the 4 and gettin’ some ‘servicable’ center does NOT excite me!!! i’d rather keep EL GATO GRANDE at the 5, especially since he seems to be comfortable there and WANTS to play the 5 with SMOOVE ALONG side him!!! and the bottom line is HORFORD is waaaaaayyyyy beyond bein’ just a servicable 5!!!

By bobbyczzz

July 22, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

If chills want to go be a star someone else let him, its all the messed up hawks front office fault anyway. Shouldn’t have never taken so long to get the job done. He can go and play where he is paid his worth. Anyway I starting to like this Jeremy Richardson coming out of the six bringing some offense from inside and out. Yea he won’t be able to slice the lanes like Chills, but he does bring in a nice perimeter shot.

By roan st

July 22, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

The hawks aren’t the only team playing hardball with restricted free agents. Okafor turned down a 60 million dollar deal last fall and Jordan has been quoted as saying he will not see that offer again. Likewise, the bulls are offering Deng less than what they offered him last fall. WTF was Okafor thinking last fall? He is a 13 and 10 guy and 60 million was more than a fair offer. It kills me how all of these players think they are max deal guys! Now Deng and Okafor will have to take less money or play on a one year deal and pray they don’t get hurt. If I’m the hawks I offer smith 5yr 50 million and childress 5yr and 30 million. Both still have a lot to prove before they should see any mega bucks.

By Melvin

July 22, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Ken, you have valid points but I sure hope you are wrong. I hate to see JSmoove play somewhere else. Besides, him leaving would ruining the value of my recently purchase and never been wore Hawks #5 Jersey.

By cp

July 22, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

If Childress can be so easily replaced like some say on here then who do we have that can do it? Who did we have last year other than Childress who put up consistent numbers from the bench. What unrestricted free agent that is sill available can come in here and put up his numbers?

By jhan

July 22, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

roan st - that makes too much sense! Looks like the owners are finally holding the line on salaries. Not to sound like a schill for the owners, but it’s about time.

Doc, if nobody in the NBA overpays for mid-tier players do you think they will all go overseas?

In these economic times everyone has to rethink their business approach. I have to believe that corporate sponsors & suite purchasers are cutting down their expenditures. This will ultimately trickle down to the players. If guys like Chills start making $8-10 million per season, you & I will be splitting a beer & pretzel at halftime because they will cost $12 each!

By sakis

July 22, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Now about Duncan,Carmello Antony and their friends ask them about their previous meeting with Greece.They will tell you their experiences.Face the truth.Greece will show who is the global boss in Basketball nowadays my friends.A new era has come.Things change.The U.S Basketball was always the best.But now this has ended.The modern basketball belongs to Greece.Olympiakos can take anyone, if wants to.And he wants Childress.WE don’t like players with much self-confidence, who thing that the game belongs to them.We want good team players, with self-control and hard working.That’s why we have chosen Childress.I am not underestimating American Basketball.I really respect it.But the new era has arrived.Greece now takes control.In both sections, national and team competitions.Greetings from Athens, Greece.

By Ken Strickland

July 22, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

MELVIN-sometimes being right isn’t all it’s supposed to be. This whole RFA thing, and the way it’s being handled by the SAASG, has made this off season very unpleasant for me. How the SAASG handles, or mishandles, the 2 Joshes could impact our chances of resigning JJ and Horford in the future. They’re certainly not sending their current players a positive message.

By terrell barron

July 22, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

I’ve been thinking abpout this whole Chills situation, and as much as I love what he brings to the team, I’ve come to the conclusion that we wont be that much BETTER with him, and wont be any WORSE without him. One good thing that will happen if he leaves is that Woody will be forced to use his BENCH. Guys like Mario, J Rich and maybe even SALIM(for you Salimfan) will actually get more than 2 min. a game. I dont want Chills to leave by no means, but IF he does we’ll be alright. Thoughts?

By Reggie

July 22, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

Article from Espn’s Chris Broussard

First, I’ll address Atlanta forward Josh Smith. Smith lost his leverage with the Hawks when Philadelphia signed Elton Brand and Golden State signed Corey Maggette. Now, he’s basically at the Hawks’ mercy.

But contrary to some opinions, they are showing mercy. According to sources, they are offering Smith a six-year deal worth $60 million.

Smith wants $12 million a year, and I can’t blame him for wanting as much money as possible. But I think the Hawks are being fair.

With no competitors on the market, they could low-ball Smith. They could offer him the same five-year, $45 million deal they offered last year, and no one could better it.

Smith’s options are limited. Sign-and-trade opportunities are sparse because Smith will be a base-year compensation player, which complicates matters financially, and his qualifying offer of $3.1 million isn’t that high because he was just the 17th pick of the 2004 draft.

What Smith has to realize is that the Hawks have to protect their future. If they want to keep their young talent together, they can’t break the bank for Smith. They’re going to have to pay a lot of other folks too.

Mike Bibby’s contract expires after this season, and the deals for Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams expire the following year. That’s not to mention Al Horford, who’ll be deserving of a big raise in a few years.

Plus, while Smith has blossomed into a potential All-Star, he hasn’t led the Hawks anywhere yet. A 37-45 record is nothing to brag about, whether you took the champs to seven games or not. Atlanta is far from a playoff lock this season.

And Josh should count himself blessed. Perhaps he should get a little bit more money, but he could also be in the same position as Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor, who probably wish they had taken deals worth at least $10 million annually last summer.

As for Atlanta’s other free agent, Josh Childress, I’m told the Hawks are offering a five-year deal that begins at slightly more than the $5.5 million mid-level exception. So he’s looking at a deal that could approach $7 million annually.

That’s much more than any other NBA team is willing to pay him. He hasn’t gotten a mid-level exception offer from another team, so the only leverage he really has is overseas, where he’s considering a three-year, $20 million offer from Olympiakos in Greece.

Three years, $20 million vs. five years, roughly 34 million. What’s the difference, other than more security with the NBA offer?

Both Smith and Childress should return to Atlanta.

By doc

July 22, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

now if we can just get chris to talk to thse guys agent it would be cool. i hope josh is able to swallow a 5 mil drop i what he expected or higher. chills may be unable to turn down the bucks in greece though as it is significantly higher and i dont know how broussard thinks u s is safer than what is offered there if it is guaranteed and euros more stable. due diligence is the order there which i doubt broussard has done to consider himself a world economist.

as someone says get er done so i can make leo’s day and order up some tix and woody can maybe get some extra folks to fill out his bench.

By fudd21

July 22, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Roan St do you go to the juco outside of knoxville.

By kirknga

July 22, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the information Reggie

What’s This?

ASG has offered contracts to both players and not only that, they’ve offered contracts that are fair and IN A generous manner (compared to Okafur and Deng)?

$60 million for Smith, $34-35 million for Childress?

Why certainly this can’t be as everyone knows that ASG is doing nothing, is cheap, is broke, it has no clue!!!

Sounds as if there are some flaws in the predominate narrative here on the blog as far as Smith and Childress are concerned.

There’s certainly more information in Broussard’s piece than we’ve previously been given.Broussard seems to give a fair account of both sides, he doesn’t demean either side, nor bemoan the process.

He certainly paints a picture that ASG compares favorably with some other organizations and comes to grip the reality that they do have to consider future budgets in what they offer. He doesn’t fault Smith and Childress should not be faulted for wanting to get paid as much as they can.

We have more clues now and can for get a better picture of what is really happening.

Well as some of us have surmised, the blame for the Childress and Smith not being signed should not be laid solely in the direction of ASG.

By TheHawksFan

July 22, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

Hawks lose a TIGHT one by 1. 83 82 to the Spurs. Law goes off for 27. Mario has the nastiest Dunk of the revue. Speedy has left the building and Utah. Luke played well. JRich kinda off today. Hawks play again on Thursday.

By mykhal c

July 22, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Reggie, thanks for the post. IF this is true then i’ll say that SUND is bein’ true to his quotes in SEKOU’s article. i think the quote was somethin’ like goin’ at things ‘honorably’. again, if true, with no other offers other than GREECE for CHILS, i’ll say these are very fair offers for both cats…IMHO

By jhan

July 22, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Very fair offers if truly extended. Wonder if that happened today or have the players been sitting on them?

By Samuel

July 22, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Guys,

I tend to agree with a couple of bloggers here that the owners are finally starting to put an end to these rediculious salaries. Everything else in America is downsizing and cutting back. What makes us think that the NBA salaries and revenue will continue to go up.

If the Hawks offered Smith 10 mil, that’s more than fair and same with Chil.

CP,

M Finley, B Wells and Maurice Evans can all get 11 points and 4 boards in 30 minutes. We could even go after an unrestricted guy like JR Smith, Dorell Wright or R Gomes.

Like I said, “He aint all That”.

By Donnie

July 22, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

i dont see why detroit won’t give up tay and somebody like maxiell for smith. he’s a crazy athlete who could come in and play defense and bring energy just like both tay and maxy do.

By Melvin

July 22, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

I hope the ESPN article is accurate. Seems like all parties aren’t too far apart. However, the BASG are showing their true colors (being savvy, not) by trying to reduce each contract by 1-2 mil per year. If they are that close, the deals done already… Funny how JChill went across seas to entertain an Euro offer which is close to the Hawks offer. Hmmmm….

By doc

July 22, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

jhan how does it matter?

have they asked the joshes to do their work for them by having them apply for jobs elsewhere to find out their worth and then report back with what the hawks have to pay rather than a reward like atmosphere of we want y here and we value you? we have been led to believe the former which would leave most folks in a similar situation ready to leave taking the offer where we are wanted. i guess if the money is ok and all will be forgiven but will it if it went down the way it has been suggested thus far? so i guess it might huh, as it might be a funny way to run a business?

smoove got no offer, chills got an offer. it will be interesting to find out where the truth lies and how folks respond going forward. that is what makes sports so interesting in the off season as so much is crafted for the season early on. so, i guess it does matter.

personally, i want both retained and a player or two added and have for several years. if i have my druthers with bibby playing two roles and being pad well for it i would hope the effort is to get a big.

By doc

July 22, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

jhan, the other side of the coin is the hawks are throwing up a new twist to save face as chills might have already signed on as suggested by the report i printed up yesterday. in other words it is now about spin to try and save what they can from a pr manner. which is it ,discriminating minds wonder?

By doc

July 22, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

is somebody sounding smug before the fact?

By Kwijibo

July 22, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the update on the game TheHawksFan.. do you have a scoop on why “Speedy” cough cough didn’t play? Says he was a ‘coach’s decision’.

Childress has been in Greece for 2 full days now with no signature, that has to be a good sign. We need to keep him in Atlanta as we wouldn’t have made the playoffs without him. Sekou, any word on negotiations with the Joshes?

As far as adding a big man, Kwame and Randolph aren’t the players we are looking for as they are underacheiving, appearing to be lazy at times and can’t shoot a free throw to save their life. Why not bring back a known entity like Lorenzen Wright. He adds toughness and solid minutes off the bench and won’t break the bank.

This long suffering Hawks fan hopes they can work it out with the Joshes, add a big for some depth and toughness and hope that either Othello or Jeremy can slide into an off the bench shooter role. I feel good about Acie and Bibby at point, JJ solid as they come at #2, Marvin…well.. he impressed me at times last season at 3 and if we can lock up Smith we have a solid middle with Horford and Smooove. Should be a nice season ahead of us if we can do those things. If management can’t pull off signing RFA’s and adding a 2nd tier big, we should probably ask if it is too late to try to beat the Sonics to OKC.

Sekou..we need an update man! :D

By terrell barron

July 22, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

Hawksfan, what did you mean when you said Speedy has left the building?

By jhan

July 22, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

Doc, I doubt we will ever find out the true timelines with these offers. I’m with you on resigning both with some added bench players. Hopefully your boy Rick will be up to the task.

By doc

July 22, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

i wonder when, why and how broussard got his info as just yesterday i heard no word of it when he was interviewed. funny, how info leaks out in such a timely manner especially when it has been suggested there would be no comment from the home team and the two guys wanting money certainly have not suggested anything and have been extremely quiet themselves and this flies a bit in their face.

where do you think the info came? do you think smoove and chills called up to suggest the info and who did broussard check with and confirm the numbers? sucker, made every day if you do.

i dont know if i’d i want to fall for this one guys until the two sign for the numbers as they are stated. again broussard said nothing about it before chills signed his agreement, just yesterday. one of those hmmmm moments huh.

By cp

July 22, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

Samuel let me give it a shot.. Michael Finley wants another ring. He will not be coming to the Hawks. If he plays again next year it will be for a contender. Last time I checked Atlanta is not one..

Bonzi Wells would not get along with Woodson so scratch that. The guy is a cancer we dont need him here.

J.R. Smith is a restricted free agent. We cant even sign our own restricted free agents but we will try to sign another one? RIIII..

Dorell Wright could not average 11 and 4 last year for a horrible Heat team although he was given a chance to play. So a guy who couldnt give you 11 ppg for a bad heat team is going to give u 11 for the Hawks? RIIII

Gomes is rumored to be traded soon so you can scratch him out too.

The only guy who makes sense is Evans but I seriously doubt we get him too.

Any more ideas?

By ray

July 22, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

I like Chris Broussard. He writes a good article. This latest one was indeed well written and seemed to be fairly well-balanced- in favor of management. Make no mistake, if you read the article it’s all about how Smith didn’t lead the team to more than 37 games, and how he should feel blessed, and blah, blah, blah about how he should just take the offer and “help the organization out.”

That’s odd….is he a team captain? No. Didn’t we pump out two first round picks, a talented forward (who didn’t want to be here under Woody) and $70 million for Joe Johnson so he could lead us to the promised land? Uh-huh. How about Bibby (another team captain), who we owe $14.5 million to next year? Yep. And we just extended Woodson 2 years. Hmmmmm…And we’re going to hang 37 wins on a 22 year old guy we drafted and “developed”, when the gameplan isn’t even drawn up for him….how convenient. No mention in the article of what he has done. Funny, if he averages just 2.8 points per game more than he did this past year (and there’s no reason to think he can’t or won’t), then suddenly he’s a 20 points per game scorer. That’s right. Nobody low-balls a 20ppg scorer. Nobody smart, anyway.

I call bull$hit. I say it’s misinformation. Spin to combat bad press, ‘cause the ASG sure ain’t getting good press. I’d love for this to be real, and I’d love for Josh to just go and sign it. But I’d love to hear Sund’s comments. I’d love to hear him, or his benefactor (that would be YOU , Mr. Gearon) say this. I’d love for these guys to at least be able to say: “Hey, we offered this guy 6 years and $60 million dollars.” It’s one more year, $1 million more per year (on average), and $15 million more than the original offer. Then, if Smith says “no” then find ways to get him going out the gate. But I’m not going for what reeks of lies and spin until I hear it from those who make the decisions. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

Go ahead. Read the article. See that it is very much pro-ASG. Almost like it was paid for. Swallow that swill if you want to. I don’t believe either player was offered the money talked about in that article. If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong. I doubt it….

And Chill is gone. I do believe that. Good luck with a bench that Woody hasn’t played historically…Childress was more than half of it.

By ray

July 22, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Well put, CP. Very well put.

Funny how the false stuff nearly always comes from ESPN. You go to a national source if you want to put out some noise…

I wonder what either Josh would say if asked about this. I’ll bet nobody working for the ASG wants anybody to ask them. They’d better hope it doesn’t happen.

No, this is damage control.

They are showing mercy. In the form of adding $15 million to their initial offer, plus an additional year? What team shows “mercy?” Sounds like fairness to me…if it was actually true. I doubt that offer has been made. It might be that it is about to be made. I’d up the ante too, once I found out Chill has already picked out his new apartment…

Speaking of which, if Childress had really been offered a contract that was “approaching $7 million annually” BEFORE he went to Greece…then he wouldn’t have gone to Greece. Bruossard states 5 years and $34 million. Right. So why’s he in Greece if these offers have been made? I’ll tell you why:

Because even if these offers are REAL and are ON THE TABLE, then they didn’t get there until AFTER things began to shake up. NOT BEFORE.

Sounds to me like somebody’s agents are doing their job…

By Samuel

July 22, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

CP,

Everybody wants a ring. Offer him money and he will take it.

How do you know B Wells would not get along with Woodson? You don’t have to be buddies anyways. Most people here say that Woody and JSmith don’t get along but that’s not necessarily the case. As long as he delivers on the court.

Gomes is rumored to be traded. Isn’t everybody?

We’ll sign somebody. I guarantee.

I love that line My Boy Rick dropped on yall in Cuz’s article.

“We will not give out daily updates and weather reports on the process.”

I guess you heard that!!!

By doc

July 22, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

funny ray, who looks the fool, those grabbing the bait here or broussard for even printing it in such a manner. if he was doing his job there might be the answer to the question discerning minds want to know. “excuse me why would chill go to greece to look at an offer if the same offer was in the desk over at BASG headquarters.” either it wasnt there or ….. it is a sign how much disregard chill had for either woody or BASG. now which is it and how many think it is really going down as suggested by the espn media, a shill ultimately for the league?

anyone remember how dan patrick got grilled by the commish when he questioned the decision on the spurs and suns last year. funny how the commish handled garnett’s man handling of an official this year which was stepping way over any imaginary line that was stepped on by diaw.

By kirknga

July 22, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

As a Hawks fan, I find this to be positive news!! Yeah!

I recognize that because it is positive,some may find this news to be suspicious. Perhaps Broussard conjured up some inaccuracies for reasons unknown, we don’t know.

I recognize that in the past, some of my fellow fans have suggested certain contract ranges that they felt appropriate to offer each player. I recognize that this report finds that in fact, ASG has offered contracts in the middle to upper ranges of those suggestions.

I recognize my team only won 37 games last season. I also recognize that the owners thought it best not to give either Smith or Childress a blank check last season but did offer at least one extension which was rejected.

I recognize that with capitalism comes such phenomenon as negotiation and leverage.

I recognize that parties are going to act in their self interest because that is sometimes a part of life,in basketball business.

As a fan of the Atlanta Hawks, I am encouraged by this news. I am comforted that the parties do not seem far apart.

If Childress plays in Greece next year, I am better with it because it will not be for lack of a fair contract offer.

Good news does not go against my programming.

By doc

July 22, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

who then gave the update he said he wouldnt samuel?

you fell for it and then highlighted it man.

i think ultimately you will hear that or do you think it was advantageous for the players in question to bring that out?

man, i think you are the one getting played. big time. i truly hope not but my senses and logic tell me otherwise.

By ray

July 22, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

“We’ll sign somebody. I guarantee.”

Huh. So…sign the worst scrub in the summer leagues and your guarantee is already good.

“We will not give out daily updates and weather reports on the process.”

Translation: “Ya boy Gearon” has his hand up “Ya boy Rick“‘s a$$ and when he wants him to say anything, he just pulls that little lever. That is one of the most common, and common sense glittering general statements ever heard. Nobody with half a brain gives out daily updates. That’s just a cover for “we don’t have one frakkin’ clue what we’re doing, and things aren’t going well, so we aren’t about to tell anybody anything, lest we look even more foolish than usual…if that’s at all possible.”

By cp

July 22, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

Samuel I guess Bonzi Wells has been traded as much as he has because he is a boy scout? Woodson could not get along with most of our players yet he will get along with a guy in Wells who is known as a locker room cancer?.

You say offer a guy more money and he will come here. Well what evidence do we have that this front office will offer free agents more money than a team who is also after that players services? Michael Finley will sign with a contender he will not be coming to this mess.

I went and looked and guess what JR Smith, Gomes, and Wright are all restricted free agents. So please explain to me why would this front office would offer a contract to other restricted free agents when they cant even sign their own?

Out of all the guys you named only two had better production than Childress. That was Gomes and Smith.. Gomes averaged a beastly .8 ppg more than Childress… Smith averaged a towering .5 more points per game than Childress. Add in the fact that they are both restricted and you can cancell both guys.

Childress averaged more ppg than Finley, Evans, and Wright. Gomes is the only guy who averaged more rebounds than Childress. Childress shot a higher fg percentage than any guy you named. Childress 3 point percentage is around the same as all the guys you named. Well Childress actually hit the 3 at a better clip than Bonzi.

So if Childress is not all that why did he pretty much put out better production than almost every guy you named. He surely was better than all the unrestricted guys you named…. So if Childress is not all that what does that say about the guys you are naming on here?

By Ken Strickland

July 22, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

DOC-if Chills does take the offer from Greece, his $20M won’t be tax free. The only taxes they are paying are their own. Because Chills is a US citizen, he will still have to pay US taxes, even though he’ll be living in Greece. The double tax situation is why players hate to play for canadian teams. I believe we are the only country that taxes it’s citizens even though they might live abroad.

By ray

July 22, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

Broussard is like every other reporter/writer. He writes what he’s told….The question is who told him and why.

Again, if these “offers” exist…I seriously doubt they existed before, and the timing is very interesting. But who really cares at this point.

I’ll believe the “happy, happy, joy, joy” news when it comes from the “home team.”

After all, lest our memories fail us….this is brought to you by the same guys who knew Dennis Lindsey and Chris Grant were going to be the next Hawks GMs.

By doc

July 22, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

i assure you not because it is suggested as positive but where it came from probably the man who said he wouldent give out info until he lost leverage and looked the idiot by what might be slipping through his grasp.

answer one simple question kirk and samuel, do you think the offer of as much if not more money was on the table with the hawks why he would go to greece with 30 bags in two or not 30 bags and look to see their offer? dont say vacation and just answer the question. doubt there can be a sensical one but try me and the rest of the enquiring minds. if he did how is that good news since it may suggest something else in the relationship not so healthy. maybe you wont answer because it deflates your “positive” point of view.

By MannyT

July 22, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this

I can tell if there is a leak in my ASG roof when it’s raining even if there is no official weather report.

One way to start reputation repair is to be seen as better than some alternatives. In the case of RFAs, it is to our benefit to get at least one Josh signed sooner than later. This helps the Hawks appear to be more together than Chicago & Charlotte. Philly has a good excuse. They needed to get the big signing done first.

In the short term, Chills may or may not play in Greece, but the door of opportunity is now open for NBA players willing to make the leap. In the absence of a good way to pay the middle 1/3 talent level of the NBA, those guys will be prime candidates to be poached by foreign leagues. No one questions the value of the true MAX players, but it is that next tier of talent that struggles to find the deals that they see as fair.

If the Broussard article is false, but the player likes the deal, you call the bluff. Your rep/agent goes public saying We accept as soon as the paperwork shows up. If the player does not want the deal, you keep quiet. But the reality is that the NBA options for quick cash are about done. There is take what’s offered or play on the 1 yr tender. The Euro option is probably better now than it would be next year as they need that 1st guy to sign the deal.

As long as there is regular communication behind the scenes, I doubt that these negotiations will hurt the Hawks ability to sign their own free agents. However, the ASG has always had difficulty signing free agents. The next domino in that line comes with the completion of the roster. Will there be any quality talents on the bench, or will it be spin the wheel for a minimum deal. If there is no one that you have to compete to get on the bench, the rep remains in the PAIN cellar.

By doc

July 22, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this

ken, thanks didnt ask and i am not sure how that is relevant other than to support further no offer was on the table so generous to chills before he left sunday. we havent heard yet from chills’ side if the offer was made or for how much. the only folks talking are the stern man’s spin team or sund himself. if there was double taxation he should have seen how poor the offer was and jump at the offer instead he goes to check it out. hmmmm

By doc

July 22, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

and please dont allow me to be so “programmed” i cant think for myself any longer.

By ray

July 22, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

Damn, doc.

cp, not only that…but Chill did all that without having plays run for him. That, in and of itself is what his value is about to me.

I will say this: JR Smith is athletic and can flat-out score. However, we still have to account for the Woodson factor. Don’t get me wrong. I’d take Smith in a heartbeat. But I think he, like the others, avoids this mess. Like you said we have yet to manage to sign our OWN RFAs…we don’t have what it takes to sign those playing for other teams.

I mean, we don’t want to forget the axiom that has been shouted to us for the last several blogs: The team that owns the RFA’s rights is the one with the most leverage. Heh…

By Ken Strickland

July 22, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

SAMUEL-can either of the players you mentioned play DEF on Chills level, if at all? Can either play PG(and actually run an OFF), SG, SF, and PF(point forward)? MFinley is nothing more than a jump shooter at this stage of his career. Chills shoots a high percentage(both FG and FT), goes to the basket, rebounds(especially OFF), and all without a single play being called for him. HIS PRODUCTION, VERSATILITY, CONSISTENCY AND BASKETBALL FUNDAMENTALS CANNOT, I REPEAT, CANNOT BE REPLACED.

KIRKNGA-if the info posted by REGGIE is accurate, it maeans I was correct about the SAASG’s finances. I still stand by my OPINION that the intention of ownership was to trade Smoove. However, their options died, just like Smoove’s, when teams capped out signing other players. Resigning is now the most viable option for both team and player.

I still like the idea of signing KBrown as the 1st BIG option off the bench. Bringing him, Chills and Speedy, or Acie, off the bench gives us a strong DEF presence. That’s very important when trying to win close gms or protecting leads. We lost so many of those types of gms last yr.

By ray

July 22, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

Ken, I read an article in the Sporting News (saw it on HoopsHype) in regard to the situation with Childress. I forget the author’s name (Steve something..), but he says that the taxes Childress has to pay would be less than he pays here.

Furthermore, there are quotes from American players that have been on both ends, the NBA and in Europe.

I don’t know the facts on the taxes, but I imagine the guy and his interviewees aren’t telling lies. Why should they?

Check the article out. You’ll find it interesting.

Doc, “programming”? Not me either….

By kirknga

July 22, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

doc

I recognize that each party is going to act with self interest. Childress had no more leverage in the NBA, so knowing the Hawks still wanted him, he went international to get a higher offer, an offer he could not get at this point in the NBA, an offer that gives him…leverage.

This entire Greek trip doesn’t work if the Hawks did not want to retain his services, he would just sign and be on his way…over and done.

As I said, I’m pleased with this news.

This is not a personal or ideological pursuit for me.

I going to stay away from impugning the character of Broussard as I believe any person is entitled to basic dignity and civility unless and until they have clearly demonstrated they don’t deserve such respect and even then, I have certain boundaries I’m not going to cross, not even in jest.

By ray

July 22, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

MannyT, I can roll with that. To me that’s exactly what it looks like: reaching out with something that previously wasn’t there.

Now…if I’m Josh, I have a decision to make. I feel that he should think very hard about a deal like this. It is six years, and it’s 60 million. By the time that deal is over, dude is 28 and will have had all kinds of time to establish himself as a “known” quantity. He’ll be in the prime of his career, a veteran, and he won’t even have to realize all of his potential to be worth big time cash. It might not be the 12 mil per that he wants, but he’s already seen that he isn’t getting that anywhere else. It might be nice to get 11 mil per. Maybe he can get it, maybe he can’t. But I say he should go for this offer. It might not be a ton more per year, but there are many ways to structure it, and it’s still more than 5/45. Hope he goes for it (if it’s really being offered) or he is somehow able to get more of what he wants.

I hate that people are comparing his situation to that of Okafor, Deng, and Iguodala. Iguodala is supposed to be the leader of his team. Okafor is a fool. He can’t stay healthy half the time, and while he’s a double-double guy…he’s not an offensive force by any stretch of the imagination. Horford could produce 13ppg if we just give him the ball 5 more times a game than we have been….

Deng is another deal altogether. All of these guys got higher deals on teams with completely different setups. It ain’t the same, and for more reasons than those I mentioned.

By doc

July 22, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

here ken:

So, why not Europe? Three years, $20 million is more money than Childress can get here. And there are perks. Housing is provided. A car is provided. Utilities are paid for. There are no taxes (there is an IRS bill for income earned overseas, but much less than an NBA player would pay here). Players who have been to Europe generally love it.

“The money is great, and you can’t measure the amount of fun you have,” says former Sacramento Kings forward Corsley Edwards, who has bounced all over the globe (Turkey, Spain, China, Italy) playing pro ball. “In the NBA, everything is straight business. Unless you are LeBron James or Michael Jordan, you’re just a player, just a warm body. But you go play overseas, and you are Michael Jordan to them. Everyone loves you. It’s like a college atmosphere.”

Former North Carolina forward Jawad Williams — who played in the NBDL and briefly with the Clippers — has been carving himself a career overseas, too, playing first in Japan and then for Galil-Elyon in Israel. “The big difference is that, in Europe, you’re really going to be part of a team,” Williams says. “In the NBA, you know the ball is going to the star player, they’re going to create mismatches and just keep going back to the same play over and over. That’s not really a team game.”

As a business decision, Edwards and Williams agree, playing abroad is shrewd. Both admit that it’s tough to give up on the NBA dream, but, as Edwards says, “Why should I bust my butt trying to get a veteran’s minimum contract in the NBA, giving 52 percent of that to taxes, buying a car, buying a house, trying to keep up with the Joneses? I can get more money in Europe and not have to worry about any of that. All I pay for is food.”

Indeed, it makes sense for a guy looking at the veteran’s minimum to go off and do better in Europe or China or Israel. And it makes sense for, say, Nachbar or Navarro, born in Europe, to return closer to home. But it’s a much bigger leap for a player in the middle of a bright career — like Childress — to bolt for Greece. To most of us, at least. Guys like Edwards and Williams, who have actually played in overseas leagues, know better.

“Playing for Olympiakos? For that money?” Williams said. “You can’t knock that. Greece is a beautiful place. To get $20 million guaranteed to play there, when you can’t get that much in the NBA, he has to be thinking about it seriously.”

Edwards was more direct: “He has his four years in the NBA. He played in the playoffs and all. He experienced the NBA. Now, take the money. Go see the major cities, the major artifacts, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Seven Wonders of the World. Live in Greece. He’ll love it. If he goes back to the NBA this year on a one-year deal, he might get hurt. This way, no matter what, he has $20 million. And he is going to love it. If I was him, it’d be a no-brainer. I’d be signing the contract by now.”

Sean Deveney is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at sdeveney@Sportingnews.com.

By kirknga

July 23, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Ken Strickland

Ok, that’s great man believe as you wish. What you are saying isn’t something that I really focused on but it does not seem far fetched to me at all.

Since you mention finances, and because it is a frequent issue for some, I must say that when the team was sold, I had no expectation that either McDavid, or ASG would be as generous as Ted Turner.

Neither was a multimillionaire or had a history that would suggest the type of spending that some lament the Hawks lack.

Consequently, from the changeover, I never expected the Hawks would be a team to meet or exceed the luxury tax threshold.

So you don’t find me operating with an expectation that ASG was going to say to Smith or any other player, “How much you want” and then write a check based on the answer.

Once you except that ASG likely is not going to spend like a big-revenue club, it is quite easy to see that they are behaving in a rational, if not smart manner.

No matter how much I wish my team was owned by a caring billionaire willing to extend deep pockets, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen anytime soon.

Therefore I don’t waste my time complaining every day about a reality I can’t change. I just accept it as boundaries of the game and play on.

By doc

July 23, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

kirk as far as your comment suggesting i might be impugning broussard i think i said this:

if he was doing his job there might be the answer to the question discerning minds want to know. “excuse me why would chill go to greece to look at an offer if the same offer was in the desk over at BASG headquarters.”

hardly slanderous simply asking the question of what a good reporter might ask, fair enough?

whereas to quote you possibly turning the words in your own mind but actually you suggested he made it up by saying:

Perhaps Broussard conjured up some inaccuracies for reasons unknown, we don’t know.

gee, i never came close to that. dude it was you that even broached it was broussard making it up thereby you were impugning him not me.

are you desiring to be pious without examining your own self incriminating words? wow, speak of not crossing boundaries and jumping right over them.

i will say it is all very fishy and in this case it is not the agents that dropped this one in broussard’s lap, why would they? if it unconfirmed by the other side then why is it positive? simple questions, now spin baby spin.

By ray

July 23, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this

Heh…you can go trolling with that stinky bait elsewhere.

Nobody’s calling Broussard into question. It’s not about him, and never was. It’s about the puppet masters behind the strings of what was “told”….Ain’t hard to figure that one out, either…well…depending on your programming.

By ray

July 23, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

Doc, I don’t think anybody sitting on a horse that tall can even hear you….

By ray

July 23, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

Oh I love this. So accepting that the ASG is operating on a small budget is a great explanation for all that goes on.

Yeah, I guess when you’re losing money, this is how you act. Better yet, these fools are operating ON THE CHEAP, which is EXACTLY what they accused Steve Belkin of doing, and said this is one of the reasons why they wanted him out of here.

Let me see: Come to the table with a guy like Belkin, who has to provide between a quarter and a third BY HIMSELF of the money needed to buy two franchises. Then, knowing that you didn’t have the money to do it by yourself in the first place, you try your darndest to get rid of this guy (for God knows what reason). You accuse him of trying to run the team on the cheap, and then proceed to bungle the hell out of the buyout appraisal, succeeding in getting yourself limited to 3 and 4 year deals at the most, and tied up in court for years. Meanwhile, you’re forced to run the team…on the cheap…while you lose buckets of money each year.

Huh. Brilliance and rationale at it’s best. Oh, I feel soooo positive now! Praise God and pass the Saint John’s Wort….

By kirknga

July 23, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

doc

I made a general statement about me. I mentioned no one but me.

I’m putting out how I feel,what I think, why I feel and think the way I do, and the boundaries I’m operating under.

I’m explaining where* I* am coming from in regards to the Hawks.

There was nothing in my post about you except an answer to your question.

If I want to say something specific to someone then I think I’ve demonstrated that is what I will do and there will be no doubt to whom I am addressing my comments because I will use a name or names.

I believe the information, perhaps you and others don’t. So what? I take at face value certain sources until they demonstrate a noticeable lack of accuracy. I was saying that Broussard has credibility with me. I don’t say that about all reporters, but even the ones that I don’t think are accurate, I will stay in certain boundaries because factual information can come from anywhere these days.

By ray

July 23, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

Screw it. I’m done with this for the night. I’ll continue my useless ranting later. Besides, the AJC Ref is probably right around the corner with about fifty red flags…

By MannyT

July 23, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

ray As long as there are agents, the other guys in your cohort always matter. At the end of the day, the decision belongs to that individual, but the common measuring stick is the other guys in a similar situation. If I were an owner, I’d hold a hard line to Al Jefferson’s contract (5yr/$65 mil) as the max deal for this class. He signed early and has performed as well as anyone in the class while being the #1 option on that team.

If I am in Josh’s camp—I’d recognize my options. He doesn’t seem to be a guy who would play the Eurocard effectively. I would look at small pieces of leverage that I could get. For example, I’d want an early termination option. I’d wan’t a flatter pay scale. On a standard deal with max raises, for a 6yr/60mil, yr 1 would be $9.195+ with 10.5% raises. I’d ask to start a little higher with smaller raises. Because they can put a signing bonus in there (with the same total amount), get more now and take smaller pay later.

…and just in case the integrity question came from my If the Broussard article is false let me clarify. I have no reason to doubt him, but there were clearly posts questioning the validity of the information (i.e the offers) that may have been communicated. I simply made a suggestion on how to get through that problem if it was described accurately.

On the Chills offer, he should do whichever will make him happy. Unlike Spreewell, I trust that he will be able to feed himself and family on either offer. While the Greek offer holds a bigger historical footnote, he can afford to go there (or come here) during his vacation time. Unlike Smith, at least he has choices and a little leverage.

That’s good CRAP during a negotiation.

By cp

July 23, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

ray trust me I too would love to have JR on our team but him being restricted pretty much kills any hope of that. I remember before the 05 draft the Hornets let the whole world know they wanted to move up and were willing to give up both the first round picks they had and JR. I wanted us to jump on the deal but BK felt that Sheldon was a better choice. I just find it funny that people think we can sign anybody to replace Chills production. The available guys just are not as good as Chill. We couldnt even sign a cheap guy to come off the bench like Hayes so im really confused as how we are going to go after restricted guys from other teams.

I do like a few of the guys on this summer team. Richardson, Jackson, Pinkney and Harrington look pretty good out there. Law looks confident. I dont know how many of these guys will make the squad but I think Richardson, West, and Jackson will make it. I wouldnt mind Pinkney. He is a big who can hit the jumper and block shots.

By doc

July 23, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this

kirk thus far it has been about a team not willing to cross over the threshold of the bottom of the cap pool much less the luxury threshold. you are getting the cart waaaaaay up ahead of the horse man to talk in those terms. surely you are smart enough to see the difference, maybe you arent. to continue such a trend is to see how to continue to stay bottom of the barrel and assures a team as competitive as the royals and pirates and that to speak of signing their young talent is folly if they continue to stay on the bottom rung of the salary cap feeding pool. the other vivid way to see it is as the clippers of the east, knowing you follow both sports actively you get the comparison.

no, i dont expect them to break the bank open into the luxury tax realm you suggest but into a competitive range with other teams. never once suggested it. because of the up coming negotiations i also have said bibby was a bad choice unless he is over his injuries and injects the fountain of youth into himself this summer. i find it exciting him being here but we couldnt afford it then nor now and it would be a setback for the long term growth of the team. neither negative nor positive nor argumentative. still think with a shooter obtained like the kid utah got we could have found ourselves in the end where we ended up maybe higher without he expense.

By MannyT

July 23, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

Not that anything has changed, but I went back to www.superbasket.gr and saw that Josh worked out, wore an Olympiacos shirt/jersey of some kind that they gave him and he checked out some housing options.

He likes the weather and the people have been very nice.

About 80% of the words seem to translate ok, but that other 20%? Maybe he bought a goat for all I know ;-)

But I like his agents! Those folks are the good CRAP team!

By doc

July 23, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

on a lighter note, current events.

man with .491 level on a brethalizer test. rhode island police say it was the highest they had ever heard of.

child’s play, saw one at grady emergency of .760 and we were so busy they let him sleep it off in the emergency room hallway. he was still there 24 hours later when i came back for my shift. man those were the days.

By kirknga

July 23, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this

doc

Well that’s good to know about your expectations. I will say that the rhetoric from you and some others lead me to believe that anything short of paying over the luxury tax would not be pleasing to y’all.

I’ve read comment after comment that included a plea for ASG to do something! Pleas to sign these guys and don’t be cheap! Now when we get news that may be what is happening, all of a sudden that news is no good!

All bad news is credible, any positive news is suspect.

I honestly did not think that there was anything ASG could do that would escape heavy criticism.

We will disagree on Bibby as well, I think he is the key. I believe him to be in the top 6-7 PG’s and don’t look for Speedy or Acie to be better options. He must be signed, unless the Hawks discover an overwhelming post game featuring a frontline that can pass, people that can initiate the offense and take some pressure off takes Bibby’s place.

JJ, Horford, Bibby are my priorities at this point because their skills aren’t duplicated elsewhere on the team or easily replaced. Not to say that either Josh isn’t, they just aren’t as high up on my list.

I’m happy, very encouraged. My team appears to be doing things right, in my opinion.

By MannyT

July 23, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this

Your Greekspeak, err Hawksquawk pals found a video version of the news article I mentioned previously.

Click on it. Let it load to 100%, then slide the bar to 55 minute mark. The blonde lady is the sportscaster.

It’s a small world if you ball, There’s good CRAP if you’re tall If you see ouzo, don’t drink it all Does $20 million end the calls

It’s a small, small world!

WAF

By AJC Referee

July 23, 2008 2:25 AM | Link to this

Cheat code enabled: Ref is blind. Did somebody say something? Don’t know, cause I can’t see the action. Keep up the goodness.

Peace and post politely! (LOL!)

By Red Empire Gate 7

July 23, 2008 5:10 AM | Link to this

First of all sorry for my crap english …

I’ve read all the comments and i saw some serious stuff and some crap…

First of all some ppl say that they dont even know were is greece…

As my answer on that i want to remind you that Greece is the team that beat USA”dream team” and then plays to final versus spain …

Its normal for lot of usa ppl dont know other countries except that countries that very good person BUSH decide to BOMB

European basketball is very good in my oppinon…maybe we not make it such a huge event and dont have such a shine as NBA but i want to mention that european baksetball players are not allowed to take dope or medicines …so no wonder if they cant jump over the basket like nba players do…

I dont know ..im not gonna fight or play the USA vs WORLD game ..some ppl said that Chil never gonna come to greece and this is a joke… my email is on my nickname …if finally is a joke write me and say me what s** u want to make fun of me…but if he sign to Olympiakos im waiting your replies also …

Stay tunes…the desicion is close

Olympiakos Gate 7 ( youtube it to see for what we talkin about…)

By Giannis

July 23, 2008 5:26 AM | Link to this

hey guys i am from Piraeus,greece i play basketball since my 7 and i read these stuff u wrote about hawks, childress, europe etc. etc. i have some things to say. I am an olympiakos fan, olympiakos is one of the best teams in europe but we don’t ahve won a cup since 2002 and we do whatever it takes to get back in our throne that’s why we get players from NBA like childress who is a very talented one. Now i don’t get why u underestimate Europe or Euroleague or Our championship so much. A1 the greek championship is one of the best in europe(means in the world too cuz u know greece now is a world-class power in basketball) we have 16 games+10 for play offs and euroleague games are more or less 23 with the new system, till last year were near 25-30 if i am correct. In my opinion differences between NBA-EUROPE have the tendency to get less and less day by day and don’t get mad if one day european teams compete the best teams in NBA. the european champion can beat mid-level teams imo and national teams like greece have won your dream time 2 years ago and we have a game this year again, these were my states don’t get me wrong but for the owners of my club these offers are nothing for them ;) admit it NBA is not as strong as it used to be these days…

By Dimitrios

July 23, 2008 5:32 AM | Link to this

I m in Greece and Childress trained yesterday with the team Olympiakos and searched for a home to stay in Athens…Also he asked 3 Euro balls to train in U.S.Also one more thing….basketball level here in Europe is in the level as in U.S….we won U.S 2-3 years ago…pays in Europe are simillar as in U.S…its not weird tha players from NBA come to Europe to play….u ll see our level in the Olympics….bb

By dimitris_greece

July 23, 2008 5:48 AM | Link to this

you miss the point dudes, europe will be number one even in basketball just like we are in soccer. and you know why?? cause people here support their teams,shout, get mad and angry sometimes. we do not go to the stadium to eat potato chips and drink coca cola like you do. it is war here. there is no ‘defence defence’ here, but go out and fu## them all. you watch basketball, we live it. p.s i think our national team (greece) taught you a good lesson last time when we easily beat you. and we are gonna teach you how the game is played again in pekino. history has changed

By SFP

July 23, 2008 6:19 AM | Link to this

Hi from Greece . I hope that JC will sign for my favorite club because we do need a player to play in 3 . The thing is that he is not doing it only about the money , Greek league only has 2 strong teams , so in the regular season the tough games will be only 2 , the rest will be a walk in the park. Euroleague is another story but still there are 5-6 top clubs and the rest are just participating in the competition. Still maximum games per week are 3 and the game is not as physical here as it is in the NBA .

JC will have a house with a pool near the beach, taxes payed , a top notch car and Athens by night .Since you don’t know what exactly “Nights in Greece” means i will tell you that many top American athletes are doing their training here ( mostly track and field ones) .

NBA will not forget him because there are scouters of NBA teams watching most of our league games. Olympiacos roster does have some top European players and a very good coach, that will help him to improve his game even farther . JC will not be the 6th player here , he will be the star in one of the best teams in the continent and of course he can go back to NBA at the end of the season .

Now add everything Money+Good working environment+ in a very nice city + respect/ recognition + a good chance to win trophies ( and salary bonuses) + a chance to travel around Europe and see places + a top class coach who can improve his game + he can go whenever he likes.

Would you turn that offer down ?

By mario

July 23, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this

Stevo there is something you did not understand. He will get $20M and the taxes will be paid by the club. That is why the cost for the club will be about $30M. Stop tha do the math etc… The club will pay $30M for him and that is all

By Nikos

July 23, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

Childress is now at the Olympiakos offices signing his contract will be announched from the team in the next hour. And in the afternoon they will have a press conference.

I repeat next target to close Olympiakos roster is Ben Gordon of Bulls

By DHD

July 23, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

It’s time for the owners to sell this team. I’m speechless.

By Nikos

July 23, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this

And it is now official Childress sign to reds for 3 years.

Good luck to Atlanta with Josh

By MannyT

July 23, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

new blog up

By Dio

July 23, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Childress is on his way to sign his new contract with OLYMPIAKOS!!!!!

By LilZ

July 23, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Hey Sukou: Being the Hawks “beat writer” means all you do, your only job, your sole responsibility is to cover the Hawks. Being the “beat writer” means you’re the one who should be breaking this kind of story. Just to clarify, because apparently you were not aware of this, it does not mean you’re supposed to let other news organizations that are not even based in Atlanta and that do not regularly cover the miserable Hawks “beat” you to this kind of Hawks story. Nice work

By michael myers

July 23, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

homies from atlanta georgia sorry for the bad news but josh is going to sign until the end of the day..a huge signing for european basketball and my team OLYMPIAKOS!!we are going to be again after 12 years european champions!!ps.josh is a freaking player

By Stelios

July 23, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Hey, it’s final. Childress has signed his contract with Olympiacos and will be playing in Euro and Greek leagues.

By the way, i don’t understand why most of the US posters here frown upon the Greek and Euro basketball in general? Have they forgotten that every US Senior basketball team(manned with NBA players) has failed to win gold in any international tournament for 6 years in a row now? I wonder where the current US team is going to get it from(again) in the upcoming Bejiing Olympics.

By brent a.

July 23, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

The current US Team will win gold; because, unlike the last Olympic team, this one is well constructed.

We have scorers, shooters, penetrators, finishers, rebrounders, facilitators and defenders.

Yes, international competition has gotten better; but, to try and act like the improvement in international competition is the sole reason for the US losing in 2004 (and other recent years) is ridiculous.

In 2004, all you had to do was send Kobe, Shaq, Garnett, Allen and Kidd, to Greece, and the US would’ve won.

People seem to miss how poorly constructed that team was.

Now as far as Childress goes, it’s hard to believe that someone wouldn’t offer him the MLE for 4-5 years and force the Hawks to match. Oh, well.

If Atlanta lets Smith go as well, they might as well board up Phillips Arena and send the team to Seattle, under new ownership.

Some guy from the Hawks ticket office called me yesterday. I couldn’t speak with him, but I’m looking forward to taking his call. No one needs to buy season tickets for the Hawks anyway; but, I am curious as to how he will handle the Josh-squared situation when trying to pawn season tickets for a team coming off of a 37-45 season.

By Stelios

July 23, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

brent a. granted, the current US team looks amazing, but i’m really interested to see how it will compete against any of Greece, Spain and Argentina, not in one of the standings games, but in an actual elimination game(quarter, semi’s or final). It should be very interesting.

I reckon that the reason US has failed to continue dominating international competition during the last 6 years, is not because of the absence of big stars(C.Anthony, L.James, Webb, P. Pierce, R.Miller were after all amazing players after all), but instead because it lacked cohesion as a team. Should they fix this, it would be very hard(more than it is now) to beat them.

By Willie

July 23, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Well, well where is BK when you need him? Maybe people should have been trying to get rid of the ASG instead of BK. All that time folks were lighting into BK could it have been he was working within the constraints set for him by his employers, ASG. Since he left ASG has made some f’ed up decisions (keeping coach MW, not ponying up with the $ to attract veteran talent, and now allowing JC to go to Greece).

By Giannis

July 23, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

sry american friends but josh childress is a player of OLYMPIAKOS for the next 3 years. 30’ ago he signed the contract and the press conference takes place later

By Tzoni7

July 23, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

LOL and then complete silence in the conversation..

OLYMPIAKOS - GATE 7 - FOR EVER WINNERS

By Stelios

July 24, 2008 5:58 AM | Link to this

This just in. Panathinaikos(Olympiaco’s big rival) is going to offer $40 million dollar for 2 years to Lebron James!!!