Atlanta Hawks Updates: Joe Johnson, Jeff Teague, Josh Smith And More

by Kris Willis on Nov 25, 2011 7:15 AM EST

For the most part, members of the Atlanta Hawks have stayed under the radar during the NBA Lockout with a few clips of offseason workouts or appearances at charity games along the way. Hawks beat writer Michael Cunningham ran down a few players at Louis Williams' charity game at Atlanta Metro College and gives us some updates.

It doesn't come as much of a surprise but Cunningham says that Joe Johnson looks like he is in great shape. Johnson is known as a work out warrior during the off season anyway and has extra motivation after his injury plagued 2010-11 season. Johnson also said that he originally had a deal to play in China in place but that fell through after the Chinese Basketball Association banned lockout opt-out clauses.

Here are a few more bullet points from Cunningham's article and from around the web:

Al Horford is drawing overseas interest but at this point hasn't committed either way and is keeping his options "open"
Free agent forward Damien Wilkins said that the Hawks let him know before the lockout that they were interested in bringing him back and he confirmed that he was interested in returning. Once the lockout does end, there is going to be an absolute sprint through free agency as the Hawks try to fill out their roster.
Marvin Williams has spent his time during the lockout recovering from back surgery and is trying to get back in shape.
Jeff Teague has been a frequent participant in the many charity games during the lockout and told Cunningham that he is playing everyday and trying to get ready for the upcoming season.
All of the news isn't good as it appears that Josh Smith was involved in an incident along with Nate Robinson and Rajon Rondo at a Boston nightclub that led to an assault charge being filed against a man for allegedly taking a swing at Rondo.

It is good to hear that some of the Hawks key players are keeping themselves ready for whenever the season starts. That could be even more important this season because a compacted season will no doubt take a toll on many players' bodies.

For more on the Atlanta Hawks be sure to follow Peachtree Hoops on Twitter. Also check out the Peachtree Hoops Facebook page for daily updates about the Hawks and around the league. For more Atlanta Hawks coverage be sure to visit SB Nation Atlanta.

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It is time to play basketball

This is what we need. Real basketball news. Finish the deal.

Sign Allen Iverson today. Make him agree to play backup point for Hawks. Allen Iverson brings crowds into the game to watch Hawks. Hawks need the crowds. AI can’t play a full game, but he is exciting and he and Teague can be a tenacious backcourt. Them move JJ and Captain Kirk to SG. Damien and Marvin (assuming his back is ok) to SF. Lion and Smoove. What a team.

Marvin is playing tennis. Marvin is going to football games. Where is Marvin practicing the art that pays him like 8M per year?

Damien must be signed. I never forget the D he put on Lebron in Miami. Lebton was surprised at his tenacity. This is a must keep player.

ps – i keep trying to watch college basketball, but darn it sure is boring

by ATLpaul on Nov 25, 2011 11:11 AM EST reply actions

Under no circumstances

would I condone bringing Allen Iverson anywhere near this team. That is the last person that Jeff Teague needs around him

@Kris_Willis

by Kris Willis on Nov 25, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

I second that

It’s not just that Iverson has demonstrated that he’s lost a step, but he’s failed to adapt his playing style as his skill has waned. And to be honest that playing style while exciting to watch doesn’t really improve or involve the rest of your players on offense. I hold out hope that Jeff Teague develops a style of break down the defense to get bunnies for Al and Josh or wide open looks for Marvin or Joe. I don’t want him to get entrenched on the idea that your PG should lead the team in shot attempts.

by Evildallas on Nov 25, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

That is why you need to set AI with expectations of his role

That is he as a veteran, helping Teague. Not as a super star trying to save a franchise any more.

I am sure he has matured. And plus, the big thing is Hawks need an attraction to bring in the crowds both at home and on the road. AI will bring in the crowds from the city. Hawks need flair. That is the huge thing about the Hawks. And AI will also be a big attraction.

Is it a risk? Yes, but you can always let him walk if it doesn’t work out. Without Jamal, Hawks need a spark off the bench. AI is that spark, both on the court, and off the court as in additional ticket sales.

by ATLpaul on Nov 25, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

In this case the risk outweighs the reward

There is nothing that suggests that A.I. is willing to adapt his role or admit that he isn’t the same player that he was a few years ago. If he signs in Atlanta he would expect to be the No. 1 option just the way he always has been. An unhappy Iverson is the last thing this team needs.

@Kris_Willis

by Kris Willis on Nov 25, 2011 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

Thirded

My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.

by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT

by Bronn on Nov 27, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

You have to take a risk

Do you think signing Jamal was a risk? A few years back, no one thought Jamal could be a team player. Everyone believed he had talent but he was selfish. So he was available. We took a risk, now look, Jamal will be one of the hottest free agents around.

Sometime in life, you have to take a risk. Especially because the rewards could be multiple, and the risk is small. If AI doesn’t work,. you let him walk. You set the rules up from the start.

But if it works, more tickets sale, more home town crowds, more Hawks exposure. And we need scoring off the bench. Same reason we should have signed Shaq. But that is another story. Here we don’t have to trade any one for him. And again we can set the rules on what conditions he can play for the Hawks.

by ATLpaul on Nov 25, 2011 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

No I don't think Jamal was anywhere near the risk involved that A.I. would be

While Jamal had an on court rep as a selfish player he came to Atlanta and immediately bought into his role here. Jamal also had a solid reputation off the court that Iverson can’t touch. In addition we traded a big contract (Speedy Claxton) that we weren’t going to play for Jamal so it was a win win even if Crawford didn’t work out.

We might sell tickets and it could be similar in some ways to the Shaq discussion last year but I really don’t believe Iverson can bring anything to the Hawks. Sure if he embraced the sixth man role maybe but he has never shown that he was willing to do so. He destroyed a Detroit team and was cut loose in Memphis before he had the opportunity to do so there. If an NBA touches him it is going to be a team with an extremely strong head coach and a team with a big time veteran presence. Maybe the Celtics.

We don’t need a six foot guard teaching Jeff Teague that it is ok not to practice or play defense while chucking up 30+ shots per game or that is my opinion anyway.

@Kris_Willis

by Kris Willis on Nov 25, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

you had me at speedy claxton

But also didn’t AI not want to come off the bench and claimed he can still start? I remember this with Memphis but not sure about Philly.

M-V-TEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upon hearing that the nfl lockout was over, I faced in the general direction of Seattle and gave them the finger. GO RAMS
Follow me at @Th3_Prophet

by Throw on Nov 25, 2011 10:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

You forget...

Paul doesn’t want to see good basketball, or a winning team. He just wants “exciting”, and has said so repeatedly.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 26, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

Wow...

- Jamal will be one of the hottest free agents around.
- we should have signed Shaq. But that is another story
- Hawks need flair

The Hawks need Jeff Teague to develop a style to break down the defense to get bunnies for Al and Josh or wide open looks for Marvin or Joe. Josh and Marvin need to knock down shots.
Teague must be so good at this to outpace the bunnies that the Hawks will give away from being undersized on the boards.

I dont think Teague is this teams savior and to compete with Chicago.

Teague- handle and probe
Johnson- handle and probe and post up/bully ball
Leuer- handle and trail pick and pop plug holes with jumper; 7’0 helps rebounding and box outs
Smith- pick and roll defend and #1 SF at rebounding advantage
Bogut- finish inside, 7’0 helps rebounding and box outs

Teague vs Rose
Johnson vs SG
Smith (inside) + Leuer (outside) vs Deng + Boozer
Bogut vs Noah

I know how good Horford and Smith are but but Smith cant ever bring back a valuable center to help Horford and move Marvin to the bench. Even if you get say Smith for Okafor. Are you comfy with Horford + Okafor + Marvin or some old guy at SF? vs the Heat or the Bulls

Smith is a PnR player and needs a perimeter guy on offense (Childress, Marvin) but at the same time that perimeter guy needs to be able to defend and rebound with the bigger guys to give the Hawks matchups with championship defensive size.

Horford is a PnPop player and can defend the PF but at the same time he has no natural advantage besides his smarts and he needs great teammates to assist and take attention off of him and so he can assist them. Like a Rudy Gay and a Dwight Howard. The pick and roll with a C and the PF changes the spacing and means the PF needs footspeed to end up with a dunk. Footspeed Al does not have but he does make up with a great set shot off of the pop. He has problems if the person closes out and he is forced to put the ball on the dribble.

The best offer I’ve come up with is Horford for a stretch 4 and a center who has peaked and potential is limited by injury. The best offer for the Hawks that I can find is Andrew Bogut + Jon Leuer

I suggest Leuer :
perimeter offense {} PF defense
Smith
inside offense {} SF defense
Bogut
inside offense {} C defense

Hawks trade {Al Horford} for {PF Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Andrew Bogut * Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Joe Johnson * Jeff Teague *
* Zaza Pachulia * Keith Benson * Malcolm Thomas * Marvin Williams * Kirk Hinrich *
inj. reserve: Pape Sy, Jason Collins

by PointGuardSlim on Nov 27, 2011 5:01 PM EST reply actions