AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDollars and Sense?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SMYRNA - That’s the only thing standing between the Hawks right now and signed contracts for both Josh Smith and Josh Childress.
The Hawks have the dollars to spend (they can bust the bank to sign both of these young cats to extensions) but don’t appear to have the sense of urgency where these two guys are concerned.
If they do, they have a strange way of showing it (daily contact with your free agents apparently does not indicate that it’s anything more than high-stakes phone tag to keep up appearances).
So much has been made here about Josh Smith and how his summer is playing out (more about that in a minute), but what of Josh Childress?
He is absolutely considering an offer to play overseas, Olympiakos in Greece, this season (as first reported last night by Yahoo! Sports) with the Hawks having no right to match an offer from an overseas team. This is getting nuts.
How in the world has it come to this for the Hawks and their own free agents?
Here we are, working on three weeks now without so much as a hint that the Hawks and these free agents are speaking the same (salary range) language.
That wouldn’t normally be cause for concern. But since it’s the Hawks and this is July (soon to be August), my sonar is bleeping like crazy.
It’s going to be mid-August before you know it, and the Hawks are still going to be bogged down in negotiations that are far enough apart that neither the agents nor the team are willing to speak on it publicly (as has been the case so far for both sides, no one has spoken on the record about this stuff yet).
Something just doesn’t add up folks.
There was never a reported offer to Childress last October (and I’ve never been able to confirm if there was one or not), so it’s hard to know what the Hawks had in mind had they been having those sorts of concrete conversations then.
If Olympiakos is indeed talking about a robust $20 million over three seasons (with the Hawks retaining Childress’ NBA rights, with a qualifying offer, the next two summers), Childress or any other professional athlete has to seriously consider that offer.
If this is all a ploy to put the heat on the Hawks, as one Hawks’ staffer insists it is, then Childress’ agents (Lon Babby and Jim Tanner) did a great job. Because once again the Hawks look like the cats left holding the bag
SMITH, TOO: How the sides could be this far apart where Smith is concerned makes little to no sense at all. If the Hawks were offering a starting salary of $9 million last October (as reported here last summer when it was clear that a deal was going to be tough to come by before the Oct. 31 deadline), before Smith’s stellar season that culminated with a playoff berth and some rather huge moments from Smith, both sides should certainly be working in upwards of that range now. I don’t think anyone’s ever uttered anything about max money for Smith. But certainly something along the lines of what Kevin Martin ($55 million) and Al Jefferson ($65 million) re-upped for before the 2007-08 season.
A member of the previous Hawks’ front office administration famously argued me down (to the folks who saw us debating the topic at least) before a preseason game that there was no way Smith or Childress should get extensions last summer or fall because the Hawks hadn’t been to the playoffs, as if they alone were responsible for it not happening prior to our verbal showdown.
“If you feel that way,” I told him, and this is a direct quote “all of you clowns should resign on the spot or be fired for making colossal mistakes with choice draft picks most teams would die for.”
My argument then and now goes something like this, if the Hawks believe at all in their scouting, coaching and training staffs and how they pick talent, develop it and nurture it - if they feel confident at all that they did the right things in drafting these guys and feel they’ve progressed at a sufficient or better rate - paying the cash for extensions is merely a procedure. The figures need to be fair and probably a bit on the generous side, what with all the extra curricular activity these players have had to deal with in their four tumultuous years as staples of a beleaguered the franchise. If there was ever any doubt whatsoever, even the slightest bit … the Shelden Williams approach would have been the proper way to end the relationship.
Instead, we’re heading into the tall grass section of yet another endless summer.
NOT THE SAME GAME: All that said, the former Hawks’ staffer I debated this with nine months ago made some good points to the contrary. He pointed to Charlotte’s Emeka Okafor ($60 million turned down) and Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala ($57) and the Chicago duo of Ben Gordon ($57 million) and Luol Deng ($50 million) and argued that they were all in a class above both Smith and Childress.
I didn’t agree with him then and I certainly don’t agree with him now, not even close. But that wasn’t even the point I was trying to make. Those teams extended offers that were legit at the time and are probably overdoing it now (at least in a couple of cases). If the Hawks were playing in that same realm, then or now, I can’t imagine they would have to endure Tom Foolery that has stained the franchise this month (the negative vibes, real and imagined, are all over the place).
As one of the players said to me last week during mini-camp, “What the #!*% is going on around here? That playoff series against Boston is getting further and further away and it’s like we haven’t had any good news since then.”
OPTIONS: That brings us to the options portion of today’s program, for both the players and the Hawks.
Smith and Childress, by virtue of their status as restricted free agents, only have three options at this point. They can a) come to terms with the Hawks on extensions (best case) or b) find the right sign-and-trade deal that appeases all sides (good luck) or c) bolt for a team overseas or play out the year on qualifying offers far below their true value and at great risk (someone in this restricted free agent class is bound to do it, with Childress quickly assuming the mantle of trailblazer now that he’s seriously considering the offer to play in Greece).
Naturally, a) would the ideal. But b) offers some intrigue. And c) would place the player and the franchise smack in the middle of a potential firestorm if things go awry for this team early in the season, the finger pointing would be intense if this team went into training camp with not only Mike Bibby playing out the final year of his deal but also the Joshes.
It’s something that you don’t even want to think about going sideways, particularly after all the progress that’s been made.
THE REIGN IS OVER: Since we decided against making the trip with the Hawks’ summer league crew this year, ending Blog-Z’s seven-year reign of terror on the fine folks of Salt Lake City, like you I’m left to get eyewitness updates from people who are there watching that mesmerizing action in person for the goods on Acie Law IV and the boys.
The Mad VP is on the scene, blogging live from the site and posting his stuff on Hawks.com after games. I’ve already warned him to tone it down (he doesn’t need to be too good or too funny, otherwise he’ll put us out of business).
But he has provided some quality commentary and insight into the goings on out there that you might want to check out if the summer league team is your focus right now.
The Hawks carried a 2-0 mark into Sunday’s off day, posting impressive wins over Dallas and Utah in their debut set. Jeremy Richardson appears to have shaken off whatever the ill effects of that twisted ankle were and is shooting the ball particularly well.
Luke Jackson (keep an eye on dude, he’s a shooter with size and he’s got some NBA experience) also seems to have gotten off to a nice start out there.
Acie Law IV and Speedy Claxton are the guys most people were focused on heading out there and they’ve both had their moments, with Claxton showing well in the opener and then Law taking over things late in the second game.
I’ve learned my lesson with summer league, however. Whatever goes on there is merely a glimpse and not the full story about a guy.
Comments
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 ma