Joe Smith and the official end to my weeks long worry as to who could possibly replace Solomon Jones

by hawksdawgs on Aug 16, 2009 10:29 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

Joe Smith is a Hawk according to Ric Bucher. And we didn't even need to illegally maneuver to sign him! The team now has a first, (two) second, and third overall pick on the roster. We have some of the best, one time long ago projected talent in the league. The Joe Smith signing will not change the course of the team too much. If Joe Smith gets enough minutes to make a large impact positively or negatively, we are looking at serious time without Zaza and/or Al Horford, and that would mean only bad things.

But what the signing does say, is that Rick Sund is interested in and capable of putting together a full team with real depth and a variety of skills. Joe Smith may only play the same amount of minutes as Solomon Jones, but nearly every single one of those minutes will be an upgrade from last year. Really, Joe Smith provides everything you would want in a veteran's minimum salary. He has leadership, playoff experience, and a needed and still decently effective skill set.

Some people may have wanted a player that has more of an upside than decent effectiveness, but the Hawks were not in position to spend anything more than they just did, and with the kind of minutes available, the intangibles Smith will bring to the locker room may be just as valuable as the 800 or so minutes he gives on the court.

And let's get serious. That "Joe Smith" jersey is worth at least a roster spot.

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Hawk or Cav???

What is it I’m hearing too different stories

by Cmart34 on Aug 17, 2009 8:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good line and agree...

“the intangibles Smith will bring to the locker room may be just as valuable as the 800 or so minutes he gives on the court.”

I’d expect more minutes than that, but was wondering myself how someone like him could have an effect on the other J Smith in the lockeroom. Could we see the savvy vet shares some of his wisdom with Smoove? We’ve had Bibby as a veteran presence, but between Smith, Horford, and Pachulia, have they ever had the chance to play alongside a veteran big that can give that 10+ year perspective on things.

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 17, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The first paragraph

of this post tickled me in ways that only you can Drew.

by Co Co on Aug 17, 2009 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How you doin?

by thirdfALCON on Aug 17, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a huge signing, but after this it can fairly be said that the 2010 Hawks are on paper slightly better than the 2009 version. That’s good.

by redwards95 on Aug 17, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Still Expecting a Trade Any Day Now

The Hawks will be eligible to trade Jeff Teague’s contract on the 20th. I am sensing something like a completion of the earlier trade with Golden State. Sensors may be wrong, but vibes seem to indicate maybe Stephen Jackson to the Hawks. I think Teague’s new $1.3 M contract might be a victim if the Hawks do make such a trade. Jackson’s contract is ripe for the numbers he puts up. C. J. Watson could end up a Hawk, also, I think, with GS agreeing not to match on a free agent contract offer as a condition of a trade. Watson is a restricted free agent…

If anyone has time, check out the Hawks on Facebook. There are AWESOME videos of the mini camp which ended a couple of weeks ago. They were BALLIN". Randolph Morris looks EXTREMELY good after losing 30 pounds and attending Tim Grgurich’s skills cap in Las Vegas this summer…check out the videos and see for yourself…

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=109797247397

by realdreamcards on Aug 17, 2009 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs