AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA case for Shelden
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some of you out there are making a case for Salim to get more playing time. I have no problem with that. Salim brings energy when he comes to the game and seems to pick the team up.
A player I would like to see more of, though, is Shelden Williams. In last night’s game he was second on the team with nine rebounds. Starter Al Horford led the team with 10. From what we’ve seen lately, we all know that this team doesn’t rebound like it should.
“Look at the score when Shelden comes in, ” a colleague pointed out. “Then look at the score when he leaves.” Usually, the opponent has a big lead when Shelden enters the game. Shelden goes to work, rebounding, scoring some and even picking up a couple of assists. In the meantime, the score is whittled down. Once that happens, Shelden exits. Then the opponent goes to work, outscoring the Hawks.
My point is this: Why not keep Shelden in the game longer? I’m not saying start him, I’m just saying give him more minutes, which hopefully will lead to more of the little thing she does well and maybe the Hawks will be able to eek out a few more “W’s.”
Comments
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By LaRue
December 12, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Funny typo…. “will lead to more of the little things “she” does well… are you calling Sheldan a woman?
I’m not a huge fan of him. He plays soft at times, backs away from people who are driving to the basket. What happened to the Landlord? Cause I haven’t seen him in the paint in a long time. One good game could be a fluke. How was he so good at Duke? I think they played zone on Defense and he was able to hang out in the paint. The man to man stuff eats him alive. He looks too timid at times…. Have you noticed how when Horford does something well the camera will zoom in on SW who’s on the bench?
You have to thank SW for Horford. If we drafted Roy we would have won more games and not gotten the 3rd pick, so at least he’s helped us in that regard.
By ATLplayer
December 12, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
I admit I wasn’t sold on Williams but the last two games he has looked great! I think he has earn a longer look to show how much he’s improved.
TJ Ford is tha man. The Hawks had no answer for him. Where can the Hawks find a TJ? And please don’t say Speedy Claxton! I don’t understand why he’s still on the roster. He’s keeping someone else from getting a shot. CUT HIM TODAY….please.
By Lil E
December 12, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Mike Woodson dropped the ball as far as subs go. Let’s see if he can get better with that.
I believe Shelden can become a good player in this league. He’s starting to develop a mid range shot. I’ve seen him become much more aggressive around the basket. He’s starting to improve his timing for blocking, and rebounding. Keep in mind, this is only his sophomore year. He’s getting better and I’ve even seen him put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. He’s got to be given the minutes Zaza hasn’t earned. He is not as big as a mistake as I, and others, believed. What he really needs to do is develop a offensive game that suits his talents (ex. Boozer or Deng) and he learn how to play defense in the post from good ol’ Woodson. He’s got to focus on fundamentals, and learn all he can from Lorenzen. Stay focused man and you’ll get major minutes. Coach, Give that man some time off the pine. Go Hawks!
By Nunna Yo Biznezz
December 12, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this
The only i like about Sheldon Williams is his girlfriend,well,our girlfriend,CANDACE PARKER U OF TENN. WOMENS BASKETBALL TEAM..
She is so freaking sexy… A poor mans “Beyonce”,LOL
Sheldon u still my boy!! Play Salim more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Ken Strickland
December 12, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
Please stop talking about cutting Speedy. Put a little more thought into the situation before making the suggestion. You see, if we cut him the team is obligated to pay his full salary, unless there’s a buyout or another team signs him, which isn’t likely. If we keep him on the roster insurance pays most of his salary. Use a little common sense and ask yourself what you would do if faced with this situation.
As far as Shelden is concerned, he played well enough at the end of last yr to receive player of the week honors. So he’s not playing above his abilities as of late. In college, coach K designed and ran plays for him. That’s not the case with the Hawks, so Shelden has to get his own points, which he’s done quite well lately. As a starter he would easily be a double/double guy. It appears he has been motivated by the overall play of Horford.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU TJ, AND GET WELL SOON!!!!!!!!!
By new jersey faithful
December 13, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
Like the other guy said, its only his second year, give him time to develope in this league. Look at G. Arenas, rode the bench for a couple years, then got traded I believe, and then got some minutes, and all of a sudden he’s an allstar. Now I know they’re two different types of players, but ya never know what a little time and hard work can do for a man.
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 13, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
I don’t have a problem with playing Shelden more, as long as those minutes come at the expense of Zaza Pachulia. But Shelden should definitely not be cutting into the minutes of Josh Smith or Al Horford, and from night to night he can be better or worse than Lorenzen Wright. Zaza on the other hand bogs down the offense and doesn’t have a good idea of basic defensive fundamentals, so if any Hawk’s playing time is going to be cut short to give Shelden minutes it should be him.
By Jdub
December 13, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
I think Sheldon has earned his minutes also. I am not saying start him yet, but I would love to see a starting five of Law, JJ, JSmoove, AL and Shell. Marvin is a defensive liability. Shells has proven that he can shoot the J and block shots. When you have three shot blockers on the floor at the same time great things can happen.
By Steve T
December 13, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
If Shelden can get his shots to falls game in and game out, he can help this team. I keep seeing him as the guy that the Spurs had doing their early runs. I think his last name was Rose. He was 6-8 and he played some tough D for them.
If Shelden can hit the shots and play some tough D, then this team just became 50% better.
By Big Man
December 14, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
New Jersey faithful,
Gilbert Arenas did not ride the bench for 2 years. He was never traded. He was a second round pick that did not get resigned by Golden State for salary cap reason. He started 30 of the 47 games he played in as a rookie and all 82 his second year before signing a free agent contract with Washington.