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Friday, October 24, 2008
Predictions anyone, and more
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
GOD’S COUNTRY, Mich. - Now that we’re done with the farce that is preseason basketball, it’s time we get down to the business of predicting exactly how this season will play out for the Hawks.
The players have actually talked aloud about a goal of winning 50 games this year, which is a quantum leap for a franchise that hasn’t accomplished anything near that in over a decade.
But I can respect guys with big goals, even if they seem a bit far-fetched or at least out of reach.
I can’t ride on the high side like that, though. Can’t do it.
The realist in me won’t allow it, especially not with my front row seat at the difficulties the Hawks have had climbing out of the 13-69 sink hole they were in a few years ago. The climb is just too steep without an infusion superstar (or at least All-Star) talent.
A 45-37 mark, however, is totally within the realm of possibility.
That record would have been good for the fourth seed in the playoffs last year, a spot held down by LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers. I don’t see it being good enough for that spot this year in what should be an improved Eastern Conference. But it should certainly be good enough for another playoff berth, which I think these Hawks can attain.
No Hawks fans in his or her right mind could complain about a 45-37 record … well, save for a few of our good friends around here.
It’s your turn now, to weigh in on this season and where you think this team will finish. And know that Ando is keeping track of who says what and will be glad to share the prognostications with you later if you try and flip the script later.
So have at it.
BUT BEFORE YOU GO: In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to share an email that was sent to me recently by a former Hawks staffer that wanted to get me straight on how Othello Hunter came to be a part of this franchise.
In a story last weekend I wrote about Hunter receiving a glowing recommendation from Bobcats coach Larry Brown in the summer and the Hawks snapping him up after that. But according to retired Hawks scout Herb Livsey, who set me straight with an email (cut and pasted below) earlier this week (and I don’t mind getting told by someone who has the details from the other side when I don’t):
Dear Mr. Smith:
Othello Hunter came to the Atlanta Hawks’ attention way before Larry Brown may have called Mike Woodson about Othello’s play in Charlotte.
I scouted for the Atlanta Hawks for the past four years, retiring at age 72 at the close of the 2008 draft week. Each summer I have been working for Nike at, first, the All America Camp in Indianapolis, and most recently at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron. My assignment has been with the college players, serving on that teaching staff. College players come to the Nike summer program as counselors, and have classes each day as well. I work with the inside players. In July of 2007, Othello Hunter was in my class. He had had a so-so junior year at Ohio State, after an outstanding career at a Florida Community College. Someone from the Ohio State staff attended each of my sessions with the inside players; Othello had come to Akron to work on his skills in a setting away from the Ohio State campus. At the end of each of the five days a member of the Ohio State staff and I discussed what had taken place with Othello that day.
At the conclusion of the Academy I submitted a report evaluating Othello Hunter as a player for the Atlanta Hawks’ roster, as I could see his potential, and predicted he would continue to grow as a player under the excellent Ohio State staff. I saw him as a 2nd round draft pick. I asked each scout on our staff to follow up, watch Othello when possible, and order film on him so that we could stay updated as to his progress. When we traded for Mike Bibby and lost our second round pick, I made a presentation to our staff and to our administration and to one of our owners: if we do our homework, we can get a player at “61” — someone not drafted, but whom we know and would have a possibility to still make our roster. Not knowing what might happen with him, we kept Othello Hunter at the top of our list for pick #61.
When Mike came into the draft room prior to the actual draft, I presented to him the play of Othello Hunter and one other player I had recommended. (Know that during draft week I met Rick Sund and Dave Pendergraft for the first time, and learned that they, too, felt Othello Hunter would have a chance to make our summer team.) Mike saw film of each player at that time. As it came to be, after not being drafted, and after working out for many NBA teams, Othello ended up on our summer team, played well, secured a contract and quite possibly will be on Atlanta’s roster.
As stated in your article, that Mike learned about Othello Hunter via his friend Larry Brown, that is not so. Our scouting staff at Atlanta during my four years, under the guidance of Mike McNieve, and under the leadership of Billy Knight, worked diligently each year, and it was our purpose to improve the roster through the draft. We work behind the scenes. Othello Hunter came into focus in July of 2007, he was followed throughout his senior season, and both our scouting staff and the new administration recognized he could be a good addition. Mike learned about Othello Hunter way before Larry Brown made any comments to him.
It is not my purpose to be negative toward anyone. Scouts often do not get credit for the work they do. I feel that this is one time that it is the case, and I wanted to support the work we did in bringing Othello Hunter to the Atlanta Hawks roster.
Thank you for “listening.”
Very respectfully, Herb Livsey
PAINT THE TOWN: Anyone looking for the Hawks this weekend need only find their way to the Edgewood Shopping Center Saturday afternoon (3 p.m.)
All of the Hawks’ players and coaches will be on hand for their “Paint the Town” celebration, “assisting customers at various stores, including Target, Starbucks (inside Target), Kroger, Best Buy, Game Stop, and Five Guys, as well as mingling with fans. At approximately 3 p.m., the team will conduct a free public autograph session. A number of other festivities are planned, including Hawks inflatables and interactive elements (beginning at 12 noon), appearances by The A-Town Dancers and mascots, and more. Visit www.hawks.com for more information.
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