tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post2895433764516281240..comments2023-06-09T11:52:06.321-04:00Comments on Hoopinion: Hawks 111 Raptors 89Bret LaGreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000566742639583055noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-65836715564257773582009-12-12T18:25:14.677-05:002009-12-12T18:25:14.677-05:00They look good when measured by PER. Crawford is a...They look good when measured by PER. Crawford is at 18.7, close to all-star level. Teague, and Evans are both over 15. And Zaza, and Old Smith are both over 14. <br /><br />Those would all be decent numbers for a starter.thirdfalconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15943193896421669390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-73655030051991193782009-12-12T17:50:24.620-05:002009-12-12T17:50:24.620-05:00Karibo, the plus/minus during the first 10-12 game...Karibo, the plus/minus during the first 10-12 games looks really bad for the bench. Since then, they've improved quite a bit, but pretty much all the statistical evidence you'll find for the bench thus far will show them as below average.<br /><br />Partially, I think substitution patterns are to blame. With the exception of Jamal Crawford, the second unit plays as a unit, instead of just one or two guys playing alongside the starters. 4 or 5 of our bench players playing together have a tough time matching other teams when they're using 3 or 4 starters.Bronnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11706422637764110117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-39604819795301307642009-12-12T16:59:23.903-05:002009-12-12T16:59:23.903-05:00Does anyone know how good the Atlanta bench is co...Does anyone know how good the Atlanta bench is compared to other teams in the league? Zaza said they are one of the best in the league .Can someone use stats to guage the Hawks bench? Not sure what stat to use...+/-, Points scored etc.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06493039860236957982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-58391468731029664672009-12-12T16:04:22.443-05:002009-12-12T16:04:22.443-05:00John-in short, it's basically impossible to cl...John-in short, it's basically impossible to clear up enough cap space for the Hawks to even make a reasonable offer to LeBron, much less a competitive one.<br /><br />There's a lot of information I can't track down, so I don't have a complete picture, but I can estimate a good bit of it.<br /><br />1) The cap next year is projected to drop. The amount is uncertain, but the largest number I've seen is $53.6 million.<br /><br />2) Hawks have guaranteed contracts to Josh Smith ($11.6 million) Mike Bibby (about $6 million), Marvin Williams (about $8 million, depending on incentives), Jamal Crawford ($10.08 million), Jeff Teague ($1.47 million), and Zaza Pachulia ($4.75 million).<br /><br />3) Additionally, Horford will be a restricted free agent, and the Hawks will have a cap hold for his Qualifying Offer, which, if I understand correctly, is about $5.6 million.<br /><br />3) The Hawks' bird right cap holds on JJ is something like $20 million. For Childress, it's something like $10 million (I believe, but am not certain). For Mo Evans, it's $3.25 million. For Randolph Morris, it's $1.11 million.<br /><br />4) There's also a cap hold for drafted players who are overseas, meaning Sergiy Gladyr. I'm not certain what the hold is, but I'm guessing it's in the neighborhood of $.8 million.<br /><br />5) The Hawks have a cap hold for their first round pick next year as soon as the season ends, unless they manage to trade the rights to it. If the season ended today, the cap hold for the 27th pick would be $.868 million.<br /><br />6) Offers made to free agents from other teams must not push the team's total salary over the salary cap.<br /><br />So, if the Hawks renounced all rights to Joe Johnson, Josh Childress, Maurice Evans, Randolph Morris, and Sergiy Glayr, the maximum amount the Hawks could afford to offer LeBron is $5.175 million for 2010-2011. If they refused to offer the QO to Horford and renounced his rights, that number increases to about $10.757 million.<br /><br />LeBron James is already making over $15 million. Perhaps it's possible to renounce everyone (including Horford) then draw up a huge backloaded contract that averages $15 million but stays under 10.757 for the first year. But there are restrictions to how much of a raise players can receive each year-I don't have all the details, but I'm sure they pretty much make it impossible.<br /><br />I probably missed something, but hopefully someone else will catch it.Bronnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11706422637764110117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-58972531056280975772009-12-12T15:31:27.211-05:002009-12-12T15:31:27.211-05:00We cant let Joe go!!.Why mess up a good thing??? T...We cant let Joe go!!.Why mess up a good thing??? The Hawks will continue to Improve and have not reached their ceiling. Can't Josh or Al turn into a legit all star? <br />I see your point John but the Hawks can offer Joe the best deal. Why would he want to go and become a second fiddle for less money especially if the Hawks make a great run this playoffs.<br />Among the top 4teams in the East, the Hawks are the only team that still has a lot of upside. Patience..In 2 years with this team intact, we will be competing for a championship.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06493039860236957982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-75723743544803867862009-12-12T15:24:51.902-05:002009-12-12T15:24:51.902-05:00although i hate lebron and his dancing, etc... our...although i hate lebron and his dancing, etc... our team would be pretty sick with him in the starting lineup.. you make some good points, if joe does leave, i think Lebron would love to come here (great supporting cast, "black hollywood" scene, etc)Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16668852637197337768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-3895702481006954092009-12-12T13:28:50.048-05:002009-12-12T13:28:50.048-05:00Interesting theory. I instinctively agree, though ...Interesting theory. I instinctively agree, though i don't have anything to back it up either. I think it dovetails nicely with all the old cliches about defense winning championships.<br /><br />The larger point is that while the majority of the Hawks blogosphere has been focused on problems with the offense that are really pretty minor considering we are currently ranked 2nd in offensive efficiency, The Defense is really the black mark on this team so for.thirdfalconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15943193896421669390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-48834240275650746282009-12-12T13:26:47.149-05:002009-12-12T13:26:47.149-05:00Bret,
I know this comment isn't really releva...Bret,<br /><br />I know this comment isn't really relevant to the game, but I was just curious. If Joe Johnson leaves as a free agent in the summer of 2010 (I believe that many analysts have expressed sentiments that indicate he will leave, and will want to sign where there's another "star" so-to-speak), how do you think Sund and the Hawks will respond?<br /><br />If they are able to free up cap-space by somehow getting Childress off the books whether in a trade or him simply signing as a restricted free agent elsewhere, would any of the big name free agents be enticed to play in Atlanta with a young, athletic Hawks team?<br /><br />I feel like the youth, energy, and athleticism of the Hawks would definitely be attractive, and other players seem to feel like Atlanta is one of their favorites places to visit, would LeBron even sniff Atlanta? He'd have shooters in Crawford and Bibby as well as strong defense from Marvin, Horford and the newly invigorated Josh Smith. Pachulia and Evans are solid bench role players, and Teague is only going to get better. I'm not sure if Woodson would be an issue, though - I think other coaches like D'Antoni might have a stronger pull in that sense.<br /><br />I think the Cavs have hit a ceiling and don't have anywhere near the upside of the Hawks. I think LeBron has taken that team as far as he can and I don't think that there is anything in the near future that will change that, even if they trade Ilgauskas's expiring contract for another piece (Unless someone pulls a Chris Wallace and gives them a Gasol for 10 cents on the Dollar).<br /><br />Moreover, the Knicks are a mess and it could take a couple of years before they could even put themselves into contention for a title. The Nets are even worse, and getting LeBron with another big free agent would might not immediately make them title contenders (even if Lopez continues to improve). <br /><br />Even if the Knicks can clear enough space to sign another big free agent alongside LeBron, Lee and Gallinari are the only attractive pieces on that roster. They'd have no bench either (even if a couple of old vets sign for the minimum.)<br /><br />I think that the Rockets are the real darkhorse here but I think the Hawks could be just as attractive. LeBron won't go to Miami either because both he and Wade are too ball-dominant to coexist effectively (although I'm sure they'd make a hell of a run). <br /><br />I love Joe and I think hes one of the best players in the League but I don't envision him as the superstar-calibar player that could elevate the hawks to a championship (by himself that is- sometimes I wonder how he'd look as a second banana). If LeBron truly wants to immediately compete for championships and join a team that still has upside, as well as younger players for him to develop with, then I think the Hawks could be a great fit. I think that the Hawks are just on the cusp of being able to compete for a championship, and LeBron would make them title contenders. <br /><br />Anyway, Who do you think the Hawks should pursue? Is it worth even discussing the possibility of getting LeBron? If not LeBron, would any other free agents fit well?<br /><br />D-Wade looks awfully tired of carrying that disaster of a Heat roster night after night. I don't think Stoudemire is the answer because I see him more as a second banana anyway.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07483911718691687158noreply@blogger.com