Hawks Media Day: Atlanta 'Looking To Turn The Corner'
by Kris Willis on Dec 13, 2011 12:35 PM EST
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"Its time to turn the corner."
I heard this phrase uttered more than once at Monday's media session from the likes of Larry Drew, Joe Johnson and others. Clearly it is one of the major points that the coaching staff is trying to hammer home as they frantically prepare for a regular season that promises to be grueling.
There is no mistaking that this is a team that understands the challenges that are laid out before them. While other teams around the Eastern Conference are adding pieces, Atlanta is trying to round out its roster with veteran minimum players in an effort to stay below the luxury tax. Hawks players may talk about wanting more pieces, more help but they understand that the help they get must come from within.
That is the correct approach for Larry Drew and his staff as he begins his second season as the head coach of the Hawks. The team can't afford to get caught up in who isn't here and must instead focus on getting the most out of what they do have. From the looks of things, everyone passes the eye test and is in good shape with the exception of Kirk Hinrich who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Whether it is enough in an Eastern Conference that is reloading remains to be seen.
Joe Johnson talked at length about the upcoming season and the challenges. When asked about the absence of Jamal Crawford from this year's team he replied that it was a big loss but comes with the terrritory.
"Yes its a big loss but at the same time its part of the business and it comes with what we do. All it means is that somebody else has to step up to fill the void"
When the questions turned to how the Hawks might fill the void, Jeff Teague became the popular answer. That is the same little used point guard that burst onto the scene during Atlanta's second round playoff loss to the Chicago Bulls. Everyone essentially had something to say about Teague who looked much more confident and sure of his surroundings. At one point Nick Van Exel came over to Teague and made a remark about how he was actually getting interviewed at this media day after not getting much attention the year before.
Joe Johnson offered the money quote in my opinion when it came to Jeff Teague putting it bluntly. "When he turns the corner, the Atlanta Hawks are going to turn that corner as well." That is a lot of pressure to put on a guy that has never been an everyday starter in the regular season but Teague in his own quiet way looked ready for the challenge.
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@Kris_Willis
Atlanta Hawks slogan:
“Ballin’ On A Budget Since 2004”
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Dec 13, 2011 12:57 PM EST reply actions
With Teague, a renewed Marvin, an even better Smoove,
I think that this team is ready to rise to new heights. Lang Greene over at Hoopsworld commented on his twitter that Marv, Teague, and Pape Sy have been the standouts at camp thus far. If that is the case, especially if they could build on what they are doing and carry it over to the season, the Hawks will be formidable.
I do have one reservation though. It was not talked about much at all, but according to Larry Drew, Al Horford was the only core guy to not come into camp in good shape. I know Al has a great approach to the game and he will be steady as always but doesn’t it raise a flag that arguably the best leader and second All-Star on the team did not come into camp ready to go. I just know that had Smoove come into camp out of shape, all hell would have broke loose.
This...
I agree with your first paragraph.
The Hawks, even as currently constituted, will be better next season.
Unfortunately, the reality is we don’t have enough to compete consistently with the top of the NBA; hopefully, the Hawks will prove me wrong.
GATA!
Had to find where I saw it but MC said it not LD.
“@Astro Joe: No one looks sloppy. I’d say Al is not in optimal condition, which he admits, but nothing two weeks of preseason can’t improve.”
This was a comment MC made on his “Camp Report Day 2” blog post.
I think you mean Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico is probably fighting words to a Dominican.
by Evil Dallas on Dec 13, 2011 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That was my initial thought.
He seemed burnt out come the play-offs, then to couple the time playing in the FIBA Americas championship that he’d need a bit of time off just to rest and get over the niggling injuries.
Will making it back to the Eastern Conference Semis give Larry Drew another year at the helm?
This is exactly what I was speaking of.
If Smoove had come into camp any bit out of shape, there would be major calls, on top of the already high volume of angst, to trade Josh and people comparing him to Shawn Kemp or other outrageous things. But with Al, he gets a pass because he played basketball during the summer. But what about September, October, and November.
I just wonder why people don’t demand more of Al as much as they do Smoove or even Marvin or Joe really.
Well Josh would get a pass
if he’d been a smarter basketball player last year. He’d probably get one this year if he is! Besides, people notice the hard work Al does (getting back on defense) and (moving without the ball) and (not complaining to the refs about everything), that people don’t get on him as they would Al. Just saying…..its obvious why that is.
And people want more out of Marvin and Joe all the time if read the archives of this blog…..I see it almost after every game.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
It's not like they haven't earned their respective reputations
Al DOES work hard, put out great effort, and is giving it his all. Josh does get lazy sometimes, and certainly pouty on the court.
If it turns out that Horford’s play is affected early in the year because he still hasn’t gotten in shape, that’s when I’ll start questioning his commitment. Not after what might literally be the first time there’s ever been the smallest question about his work ethic. If you can find me one or two more instances where Horford’s work ethic has been questioned, ever, I’ll give you a big gold star.
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
Al
It would be nice if he worked on his post at all in the offseason. I can’t wait to find out
by frootbooty on Dec 13, 2011 11:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Keep in mind
That it was MC that said Horford wasn’t in “optimal condition” that is the equivalent of the eye test. I love MC but I don’t understand why you throw something like that out there.
@Kris_Willis
It's the AJC...
his editors probably told him there wasn’t enough unsubstantiated bits of inflamattory hating, so he had to come up with something in the rewrite.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 14, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
Please, MC is an unabated Horford loyalist.
Horford came in 5 pounds heavier and was beat out by Joe, Jeff, Marvin, Josh and Zaza in sprints.
MC regularly gives him a chance to reassure with his post game in closed comments reports.
“Al said his conditioning is about what it should be entering training camp. He said he was able to work on his game while playing last summer for John Calipari, the coach of that other school.”
* Andrew Bogut * Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Joe Johnson * Jeff Teague *
* Zaza Pachulia * Keith Benson * Tracy McGrady * Marvin Williams * Kirk Hinrich *
inj. reserve: Pape Sy, Jason Collins
Hawks trade {Al Horford} for {PF Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
by PointGuardSlim on Dec 15, 2011 9:24 PM EST up reply actions
If all we had to worry about on this team was Al Horford
then we would be in great shape
@Kris_Willis
But we have size, and skill balance concerns
Chris Paul + Kobe + Lebron James + Josh Smith + Al Horford = trade Smith for any center at all.
Teague + Joe + Marvin/Radmanovic + Josh Smith + Al Horford = trade Horford for DEFcenter + PF perimeter. bench Marvin/Vlad and Jason Collins and Zaza for depth.
* Andrew Bogut * Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Joe Johnson * Jeff Teague *
* Zaza Pachulia * Keith Benson * Tracy McGrady * Marvin Williams * Kirk Hinrich *
inj. reserve: Pape Sy, Jason Collins
Hawks trade {Al Horford} for {PF Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
by PointGuardSlim on Dec 16, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
Other than maybe Zaza, I'd expect those guys to beat him in a spring...
especially Teague and Smith. But by all means, continue with the hate Horford meme you’ve so carefully crafted the last few months.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 16, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
Even Marvin.
What hate meme? How old are you?
All I’ve said is:
A) Horford + Smith are both inside players,
A1) You need a perimeter to balance the floor, Childress, Jamal, Marvin, Flip, Hinrich
A2) Those guys have some perimeter skill but leave the Hawks “undersized”
A3) Unless you have a center with perimeter skill you cant play Smith and Horford with a center.
A4) The center and Horford will be inside, and Smith forced outside for floor balance.
B) With his skill and size Horford has more trade value
B1) Smith was #1 rebounding at the SF position so thats one way to get “bigger” impact
outside + inside + inside
7’0 Leuer** + Smith + 7’0 Bogut
6’10 Vlad** + Smith + Horford
6’8 Marvin* + Smith + Horford
6’8 Smith + Horford + Thabeet (Smith is not a perimeter)
- small perimeter
**defend PFs + play perimeter
Even if you trade Smith for say Lopez, to help Horford, its only manageable because, Dwight and Smith will team up, meaning the best case scenario is this.
Marvin + Horford + Lopez
vs
Smith (the leading SF rebounder, ahead of aging Gerald Wallace, Shawn Marion) + shooting PF + Dwight
Unless we trade Horford, for Perimeter 4 and 30mpg type defensive center and Hawks are stuck.
Now you can counter point for point how Smith + Horford can work or complain like a baby about unwarranted hate.
* Andrew Bogut * Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Joe Johnson * Jeff Teague *
* Zaza Pachulia * Keith Benson * Tracy McGrady * Marvin Williams * Kirk Hinrich *
inj. reserve: Pape Sy, Jason Collins
Hawks trade {Al Horford} for {PF Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
by PointGuardSlim on Dec 16, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
Marvin is a SF, so yes, even a healthy Marvin
and old enough.
As for the rest, as always, tl;dr.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
Old enough to answer What hate?
Horford + Smith are both inside players, you need a perimeter player to balance playing them together (see Childress, Jamal, Marvin, Flip, Hinrich).
Those guys have some perimeter skill but leave the Hawks "undersized" on the boards. Adding a center would mean Josh Smith is the best perimeter player, and in addition to having a lackluster scorer in Thabeet you have lackluster outside play of Josh Smith who, without a PERIMETER 4, forced to the perimeter for floor balance.
L2ms in other words Hawks have no chance to improve without a big trade.
* Andrew Bogut * Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Joe Johnson * Jeff Teague *
* Zaza Pachulia * Keith Benson * Tracy McGrady * Marvin Williams * Kirk Hinrich *
inj. reserve: Pape Sy, Jason Collins
Hawks trade {Al Horford} for {PF Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
by PointGuardSlim on Dec 16, 2011 6:21 PM EST up reply actions
Unbelievable how much taller Marvin looks
and it isn’t just that 70’s style hair cut that he is sporting.
@Kris_Willis
bring back the stache
"A ‘No’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble."
Mohandas Gandhi
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"
Jesus
"We were real solid on both ends of the floor today and had positive energy coming from the bench tonight."
Jeff Teague
Stache'd Marvin + Headband Joe
Championship
I know where the bodies are buried.....I buried some of them myself. - David Stern
by a hooter's baby on Dec 13, 2011 3:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
+ headband less josh= dynasty
"A ‘No’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble."
Mohandas Gandhi
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"
Jesus
"We were real solid on both ends of the floor today and had positive energy coming from the bench tonight."
Jeff Teague
What if this really is Marvin's year?!
Do you think 15 points and 6 rebounds can be expected and would it be sufficient enough to help this team go further?
Depends on how the playing time shakes out
Things like how many times the big lineup is used and where T-Mac fits will all affect Marvin’s numbers
@Kris_Willis
We'll see early on.
Larry Drew has said that he’ll be using Tracy McGrady at PG as well so that will allow for a hole at the SF position.
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Dec 13, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Kris, after the back surgery does Marv still have the "duck walk"?
Or has the surgery changed his entire posture?
by Hawk n the Ham on Dec 13, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
Looked completely different to me. Granted no one was moving fast
Although these guys are extremely good at vanishing as soon as a reporter turns his head. Mike Bibby is a hall of famer in this regard
@Kris_Willis
A Question or Two.....
How is it that certain teams can afford to pay multiple players high salaries (Miami Heat, L.A. Lakers N.Y. Knicks) and mostly all other teams really struggle to attract big money players at all?
Why are the Hawks strapped for cash and other teams seem not to be?
Those teams are willing to go into the Luxury Tax
They’re high market teams. They have their own T.V. networks which allow them to make millions of dollars in advertisement deals which they use towards their teams payroll. Owners are willing to pay the Tax once they cross the threshold. Players want to go to those teams because they believe they can win with a team that is more flexible with the contracts they give rather than a cash-strapped team a la Atlanta.
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Dec 13, 2011 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
Three cases
Certain teams have higher revenue streams because of tradition and market like Knicks and Lakers. Some have the star power to always sell out games and negotiate better local TV terms like Miami. And some just have an owner more concerned with winning than breaking even (normally Dallas and Portland, but this list varies).
As for franchise attractiveness to free agents LA and NY give greater opportunities to make money off the court. Some states don’t have income tax like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. Then you have the weather factor. Other factors are reputation of ownership/front office and sometimes intangibles (Phoenix is renowned for its medical/training staff).
A lot of players wind up living in Atlanta. Makes me think if we had new ownership who actually tries to build a positive reputation like Cuban did that Atlanta could become a destination team.
Thanks for the breakdown....
It’s has to be the owner situation, because Atlanta is the place to be for professionals. So the Hawks are basically playing for the playoffs and not the ring. Sometimes you have to do what the winning teams do, to achieve the same results. It’s very frustrating knowing the Hawks could be so much better.
In all fairness they did overpay Joe Johnson to stay in the hunt
Not that it was the brightest move. The Hawks were built flawed with many missteps. They aren’t spending to overcome those issues, but they didn’t just start over either. I think they have a bad rep with players around the league because of the public split up of the ownership group. Hard to seem competent when you are suing each other.
Is there a free agent that gives atlanta a ring?
Is there a realistic trade to make that will make Atlanta better than the Heat? If so please share. I’ve seen the owners/GM’s of other teams make WAY worse decisions that ours. Even Mark Cuban, who people say is a dream owner, let his players sign with other teams even though they just won a championship.
For right now it would not make since to make a major move or go into the tax because you don’t know what type of team you have with Teague as the full time starter, Marvin with a new back and T-Mac coming off the bench. If it looks like the Hawks are regressing, I see the ASG making a move before the trade deadline.
Also, I think we need to keep in mind that there are still several free agents out their that could end up going for the minimum.
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