BlogsJosh Childress visiting the Bucks today
by hawksdawgs
on Jul 2, 2009 9:26 AM EDT
6 comments
As Hawks-Semi fan found in a fan post, Josh Childress is visiting Milwaukee today. Can you say sign and trade for Ramon Sessions? .....Probably not.
But what it does mean, or at least probably means, is Childress is looking to return to the NBA. The Bucks seem like a good spot with Richard Jefferson gone, a starting position may be available.
Not sure if the Hawks can convince anyone that they may actually match an offer to Josh after all the hurt feelings and bad blood that boiled into a nice little stew over the last year, but at the very least, Childress' cap hold will no longer be held against the Hawks' cap.
Tough to say what to expect here, but even a second round pick would be nice for the Hawks sixth pick overall.
Just for the record, I would still take DeJuan Blair for him too....
Update...Brew Hoops thoughts:
One intriguing possibility is former Hawks' swingman Josh Childress, whom Woelfel reports was in town today. It seems like ages ago that I harbored vague and in retrospect comical dreams of using Jamaal Magloire as bait to pry Childress from the big man-starved Hawks, but in reality that was just three years ago. Hey, Magloire wasn't that bad at the time. Combining efficient scoring with the length to be a disruptive defender, Childress could either start at small forward or be a killer sixth man at both the big guard and three. He's still technically the Hawks' RFA, but with Bibby and Marvin Williams also in free agency it's possible the Hawks could let him walk for a full MLE deal (the most the Bucks could offer) or more. Or he can play another year in Greece.
Update #2...Sekou Smith weighs in:
And two of my spies have made it clear that were Childress to receive any sort of “reasonable” NBA offer (the $5.6 million mid-level exception or below), the Hawks would match it before Childress finished signing his name on the offer sheet (the aim, however, is to work out a sign-and-trade deal to appease both sides since Childress has made clear his desire to play elsewhere, per a source).
It seems like a reasonable thing to say. The Hawks are not going to come out and announce they would match a mid level offer for Mario West before they would think of bringing Josh Childress back. But it also seems reasonable that Sekou's spies are two guys that Rick Sund told to call the paper and announce they would match.
I am all for a sign and trade and respect the organization for putting their best poker face on despite what seems to be a forgone conclusion that Josh Childress will not play here.
But if Childress signs a 5 year deal worth 25 million, I think the Hawks are going to have to tip their hat and say you called my bluff. Tough to spend that kind of money on a guy you don't want there and does not want to be there.
That being said, I reserve the right to rant and rave if Sund does not get something for Childress. So have fun with that one big guy...
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Sources indicate Hawks are inching closer to common ground w/ Mike Bibby's camp on a new deal. Nothing concrete as of yet, though.
I guess if you are going to have a guard heavy offense, the team should have a lot of serviceable guards.
2 days ago
hawksdawgs
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Where and how much should the Hawks spend this free agency?
by hawksdawgs
on Jul 1, 2009 11:54 AM EDT
49 comments
That ping you feel in your stomach? That yearning for you don't know what? Oh that is NBA free agency, and it has begun.
How much the Hawks should pay is almost as important as who they should get. With all the holes the Hawks have, it is not simply target and sign. The whole thing is a tight rope to get the best player that is the best fit for the least amount of money all while knowing that the best players are being pursued the most. It is a dangerous game of filling needs and overpaying. And I am not going to lie, it freaks me out. The Hawks could make or break quite a few seasons not only with who they sign but how much they sign them for.
And now I am nervously sweating...
For this post, I am assuming anyone and everyone that is restricted and unrestricted is not with the team. Even though qualifying offers have been extended for the likes of our defensive specialist Mario West (sign and trade?).
So here you go the needs for the Hawks in free agency 2009.
A true point guard.
Remember when Joe Johnson was going to play point guard and instead of that working out the Hawks just created an offense where true point guards are unnecessary? Yea, that was awesome.
Well, Joe, Jeff Teague, and Jamal Crawford are not true point guards. I have hope for third year Teague becoming one but not so much rookie Teague.
For the Hawks to push the pace, distribute down low, and create better ball movement a passing point guard that can drive the lane would be a huge asset.
For those clamoring for Bibby to anchor that position, I am a bit perplexed. Bibby is not a true PG. He is a three point specialist that can handle the ball and throw alley hoops with above average touch. He cannot however defend other point guards or penetrate. Bibby could stabilize the position but not improve it.
Three decent names come up to fit the bill. Ramon Sessions, Jason Kidd, and Andre Miller.
- Scale of 1 to 10 need for the Hawks: 6.5
This goes up of course if the Hawks ran an offense that required a point guard. Still, with unknown that is the Hawks first two acquisitions, a known quantity like Bibby might be what is best if not totally filling the need. We do not want to be forced to give up a second round pick for Anthony Johnson in mid January again.
- Scale of 1 to 10 willingness to pay: 4
The Hawks drafted Teague to be their point guard of the future whether others think that is a possibility or not. They cannot put a lot of money long term in this position. Neither Jason Kidd nor Andre Miller will probably get long term deals, but their services may require extreme over payment for diminishing returns.
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Still no qualifying offer for Marvin Williams as of 4:45 pm. Hawks fans on twitter are starting to freak out. 12 am no QO and Marvin can sign with anyone in the league.
3 days ago
hawksdawgs
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Three links of optimism?
by hawksdawgs
on Jun 29, 2009 8:25 PM EDT
32 comments
1. The Bucks did not tender an offer to Charlie Villanueva making him an unrestricted free agent. The final, team option year was worth 4.6 million. Villanueva averaged 16.2 points 6.7 rebounds, and consistently great tweeting last season in only 27 minutes.
The Cavs appear to be a serious contender and they have around 5.6 million to spend. Would the Hawks outbid that? Is it worth it? Could they still sign Zaza, Marvin, and/or Bibby? All good questions. But the dude can score, would add size, and just got a whole lot easier to sign.
And for those with the Ramon Sessions crush, don't let the Bucks tendered offer sadden you. Milwaukee is not looking to spend money and the qualifying offer for Sessions was only a little over a million dollars. The team had nothing to lose giving him that QO since he is going to make more than it anyway. Sessions could still easily be stolen.
*****Update*****
The Bucks may not have offered Charlie the QO because he could have ended up accepting the qualifying offer leaving the Bucks unable to match an offer for sessions. So Sessions is probably not an option. Charlie V. is. So....one and half links of optimism?
2. TrueHoop had a short post today reminding me that with the hand checking rules the NBA first implemented in 2001 a lightening quick first step is one of the best offensive moves in the game. To the point where it can be down right unstoppable. Jeff Teague has a lightening quick first step, and he can also finish.
Teague is entering the NBA as a rookie point guard. For most rookie point guards and the fans who root them on, that is not a comforting sentence. But in this case, the NBA is going to be a welcome boost to Jeff's game over his college experience.
3. Jamal Crawford is ecstatic to be a Hawk. And Mike Woodson is almost as happy. Because you as coach says,
"I never try to take anything away from a player that's his strength. In that regard, there are a lot of things I can do with him on the basketball court offensively."
Somewhere Marvin Williams, Al Horford, and Josh Smith are finding walls to introduce their heads to.
Like I said....two links of optimism.
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The Hawks acquired Jamal Crawford and drafted Jeff Teague. Congratulations on being the Hawks. We all look forward to your insane athleticism, missing point guard, and unrealized potential getting Mike Woodson fired really soon.
5 days ago
Ben Q Rock
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Q&A with Blogger So Dear on Jeff Teague
by hawksdawgs
on Jun 28, 2009 8:46 PM EDT
6 comments
I watched Jeff Teague for an entire game three times (UNC, Duke, and the first round NCAA ). The men of Wake Forest blog Blogger So Dear happened to watch all of them. So to get a full report on Jeff Teague and what he was as a collegian player and what he might be as a Hawk I asked WakeJake and MRickman84. And they were gracious enough to respond. Many, many thanks to them and enjoy.
What did Jeff Teague bring to the Wake Forest team last year?
Jeff brought the ability to score in bunches at any time. That's his biggest strength--the kid would just go off in a variety of different ways. He could shoot the three, shoot the midrange, dunk, make nice feeds and run the break. He was a big part of the reason that the team catapulted up to #1 before subsequently falling.
What part of his game will translate most seamlessly to the NBA?
Jeff's athleticism. He has a great wingspan and a quick first step and he can use that to his advantage. He is a good shooter, but his shot is a bit unorthodox. As long as he has time to get it off, the shot will fall.
What will he need to work on?
He needs to work on a couple of different things. First: his point guard skills. Teague played the point while Ish Smith was hurt but switched back over to SG much of the season. He is not a prototypical point guard by any stretch, he is more of a combo guard, but he needs to improve on his decision making especially. He had a 1:1 A/TO ratio (2.5 per TO per game) and often made some head scratching plays.
In addition he needs to do a better job of getting that killer instinct. At times, he could completely take over games, but other times, with the ball not in his hands, he stood around waiting for the play to come to him rather than getting open or demanding the ball. He can't get away with that in the NBA.
Finally, he has a lot to learn on the defensive end. He has all the physical gifts in the world but was a poor defender, allowing his man to score at will sometimes. He made some great steals and with his long arms had some devastating blocks, but he really needs to commit himself defensively.
or put most succinctly and depressingly by Jake
1) Defense
2) Moving without the ball
3) Turnovers
4) Distributing in fast break situations
Where did you expect Teague to be drafted?
I actually expected Teague to be drafted by the Hawks. There have been talks for awhile of him going there and that range between 15-22 made sense.
What will Hawks fans love about Jeff?
Hawks fans will love Jeff's play making ability. Just Youtube his dunks or watch highlights from the big games he went off in. The kid can play. He is a good shooter, is quick, and has the ability to score at will when he wants to.
Examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
What will drive them to the beer stand?
The key is from the answer above: when he wants to, he can play. Sometimes, it appears that he doesn't really want to be out on the court though. He didn't work very hard on defense and when it isn't his show, he did not move around to try and get the ball or set screens and he makes some very questionable decisions at the point.
Do you think Teague is a future starting point guard in the NBA?
That is up to him. He has all the gifts in the world but he needs to use them. Through the first 18 games of the season it looked like Jeff Teague was a top 10 pick. Through the last games, he looked like he should have come back to school. His game translates well to the NBA but he needs to put the work in. His shooting touch, his athleticism and his length tell me yes, but his decision making, his defense and his lack of energy at times leave me wondering. If he can work on those, he'll be around for awhile.
Thanks again to Blogger so Dear. I will let them know I have posted this and they may even stop by if you have some other questions.
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A fan reaction to the other guy we drafted.
by hawksdawgs
on Jun 26, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
10 comments
The hate is strong with this one. The "F" are coming out so fast I feel like I am back in college Spanish class.
I understand it only in regards to the other second round talent that appeared to be available to the Hawks. Mostly the two Pitt stars that went back to back at picks 36 and 37.
However, in a vacuum, this pick sits pretty well with me. His name is Sergiy Gladyr which alone is probably worth a second rounder. The reviews on him are good. He can shoot, has above average athleticism, will have the poise from playing pro basketball for 15 years by the time he comes State side. I would have been willing to wait for Rudy Fernandez for a few years, and best case scenario, we just got ourselves a poor man's Rudy.
I mean it was the 49th overall. Salim Stoudamire was long gone at this point in his draft. Certain frustrations will always exists when Thomas Gardner has a roster spot and the Hawks draft someone who may never suit up for the Hawks. But the guy seems to have skills and maybe Rick Sund will be more excited about bringing him over since he actually drafted him than he is about David Anderson.
A trade up would have been nice. I would have been on ebay right now waiting to buy the first Blair jersey that came up for auction. But right now, the free agent market with Zaza, Flip, Bibby, and Marvin is much more important to the Hawks immediate success than any pick the Hawks made here.
If the Hawks mess up these next two free agent summers, it won't matter when Sergiy comes to America or how good he is.
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Orlando
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59 | 23 | .719 | 0 | Lost 2 |
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Atlanta
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47 | 35 | .573 | 12 | Lost 4 |
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Miami
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43 | 39 | .524 | 16 | Lost 1 |
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35 | 47 | .426 | 24 | Lost 4 |
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