After the first Hawks practice of training camp, forward Josh Smith made clear what he believes the team needs.
"We need a for real, for real knock-down shooter," Smith said. "I'm not asking for [Bulls sharpshooter] Kyle Korver, but a guy who can just spread the floor and just knock the shot down."
Late Friday the Hawks announced they'd signed that type of player in veteran forward Vladimir Radmanovic.
Radmanovic made 40.5 percent of his 3-point attempts (70 of 173) last season for Golden State, which ranked No. 23 in the NBA. Radmanovic, 31, is 6-foot-10 but he's a so-called “stretch” power forward who plays on the perimeter.
Hawks coach Larry Drew said the team needed a real 3-point threat who can take advantage when opponents double team guard Joe Johnson.
“A guy that has the reputation of a 3-point shooter, [the defense] always have to be aware of him,” Drew said. “I watched a lot of film on him and he has a very uncanny ability to get to an open spot very fast. ... We are a team when we move the basketball and get the ball in right people's hands it's going to force the defense to collapse, and the more shooters you have out there with those type of guys the more it helps you.”
Hawks general manager Rick Sund selected Radmanovic with the No. 12 overall draft pick in 2001, when Sund was Seattle's general manager. Radmanovic is expected to join the Hawks on Sunday.
Collins bulks up for Howard
Hawks center Jason Collins made his camp debut Saturday and was met with an ovation from teammates and coaches impressed by his new physique. After getting fit before last season, Collins focused on muscling up for this year because he said he needed more bulk to tangle with Magic All-Star Dwight Howard.
“I know that there is one player in particular that I need to go up against,” Collins said, smiling. “I really focused this offseason on getting in the best possible position to help my team.”
Collins, 33, started 28 games last season as part of Atlanta's “big” lineup. Drew said Collins will be used in a similar role this season.
Collins was central to Atlanta's successful defensive strategy against Orlando in the first round of last season's playoffs. Collins defended Howard without double-team help, allowing his teammates to focus on controlling Orlando's shooters.
Collins' showing against Howard earned him interest on the free-agent market -- he said the Celtics and other teams pursued him -- but he opted to return to Atlanta.
“One of the reasons was the coaching staff and the players,” he said. “I am very familiar with everyone and we all get along. It's fun to play with these guys.”
Etc.
Drew said the Hawks are interested in point guard Gilbert Arenas, who recently was released by Orlando under the amnesty clause included in the new collective bargaining agreement. If teams with salary-cap space don't claim Arenas he would become a free agent. ... Free agent Damien Wilkins signed with the Pistons on Saturday. Wilkins, nephew of Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins and son of Atlanta native and former NBA player Gerald Wilkins, averaged 13 minutes in 52 games for Atlanta last season.
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