Elton Brand just resigned for 1 year 2 million

[ATLHawksfan21]

Welcome back Elton!

I'm happy to see Elton back and think he can contribute a very solid 10-15 minutes per game for us. He ran out of gas at the end of last year, especially in the Pacers series, but he was asked to do far more than what he should have.

[Jamaaliver]

Clearly a vote of confidence by a Duke alum and friend of D Ferry for him to re-sign in the midst of all this drama.

But he has so little in the tank. I doubt he plays much unless injuries wreck the season again.

Or he is just desperate for what little money he can get on the open market these days.

The fact no one outbid a simple $2 million salary speaks volumes about his market value.

His performance in this years playoffs is quite possibly the single worst I have ever witnessed. Rivaled only by Pero Antic's performance.

Seriously, how do we still not have a dependable, quality backup Center?

[ATLHawksfan21]

Clearly a vote of confidence by a Duke alum and friend of D Ferry for him to re-sign in the midst of all this drama.

But he has so little in the tank. I doubt he plays much unless injuries wreck the season again.

Or he is just desperate for what little money he can get on the open market these days.

The fact no one outbid a simple $2 million salary speaks volumes about his market value.

His performance in this years playoffs is quite possibly the single worst I have ever witnessed. Rivaled only by Pero Antic's performance.

Seriously, how do we still not have a dependable, quality backup Center?

Only Jamaal can turn every positive post in to a negative. Great work as usual buddy.

[Jamaaliver]

Clearly a vote of confidence by a Duke alum and friend of D Ferry for him to re-sign in the midst of all this drama.

But he has so little in the tank. I doubt he plays much unless injuries wreck the season again.

Or he is just desperate for what little money he can get on the open market these days.

The fact no one outbid a simple $2 million salary speaks volumes about his market value.

His performance in this years playoffs is quite possibly the single worst I have ever witnessed. Rivaled only by Pero Antic's performance.

Seriously, how do we still not have a dependable, quality backup Center?

Only Jamaal can turn every positive post in to a negative. Great work as usual buddy.

Hard truths, young man.

We had a gaping hole at backup Center last year. it cost us the season. It seems very foolish to go into yet another season without shoring up the position.

I'd think after this summer, you'd have learned. Blindly buying into every move Ferry makes without taking a serious accounting of the consequences and inherent risks is something a child does.

[azuresou1]

Anyways I like the signing. Brand did an excellent job at being a backup center last season, including manning the 5 for more than 40 minutes a night for multiple nights after Horford, Ayon, AND Antic all went down. He was also effective defensively in the playoffs, and I like that he bring a workman's mentality to the team and in the paint. He's a good vet signing and at a 1 year deal for $2M I like it for what it is.

[ATLHawksfan21]

Clearly a vote of confidence by a Duke alum and friend of D Ferry for him to re-sign in the midst of all this drama.

But he has so little in the tank. I doubt he plays much unless injuries wreck the season again.

Or he is just desperate for what little money he can get on the open market these days.

The fact no one outbid a simple $2 million salary speaks volumes about his market value.

His performance in this years playoffs is quite possibly the single worst I have ever witnessed. Rivaled only by Pero Antic's performance.

Seriously, how do we still not have a dependable, quality backup Center?

Only Jamaal can turn every positive post in to a negative. Great work as usual buddy.

Hard truths, young man.

We had a gaping hole at backup Center last year. it cost us the season. It seems very foolish to go into yet another season with shoring up the position.

I'd think after this summer, you'd have learned. Blindly buying into every move Ferry makes without taking a serious accounting of the consequences and inherent risks is something a child does.

How old are you old wise one? I would expect you to show more humility in your old age.

[PandaKidd]

A NEEDED signing. But, can't help but think there are other options out there

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[simon24]

He was solid during the regular season. I'm curious to see how they are going to distribute minutes at the center position.

I'm guessing Horford only going to play 30 minutes a game (to reduce the risk of injury) like Tim Duncan while Muscula, Antic, Brand get minutes as well.

[hawkschop1]

Welcome back EB!! This signing makes me extremely happy considering the nightmare that transpired recently. I believe Brand's market was there. Teams like Chicago or New York would've given him the minimum. but the OG that is Elton Brand refuses to the play for the min. Keep getting em checks big fella. He must believe in coach bud and our system and I love what Elton brings to our team.

Anyways, this puts us at 15 and creates by far the deepest team I have ever seen in Atlanta.

I doubt he'll see many minutes. I think muscala and pero will have that covered.

lets get this season started finally! go hawks.

[Jamaaliver]

How old are you old wise one? I would expect you to show more humility in your old age.

Young enough to know I still have much to learn.

The issue at hand: last season was undermined because the depth at Center was insufficient to weather losing Horford for a long period of time. This occurred after Horford went on record asking for more help at center. Even asking that we draft Gorgui Dieng specifically.

So we go into this season, knowing last year was ruined because we only had Brand and Pero at backup Center.

And then decide to go with the exact same tandem at backup center AGAIN?
Are we now going to depend on a rookie PF to backup the 5 spot should Horford struggle or get re-injured?

It's a risk. An unnecessary one.

[azuresou1]

How old are you old wise one? I would expect you to show more humility in your old age.

Young enough to know I still have much to learn.

The issue at hand: last season was undermined because the depth at Center was insufficient to weather losing Horford for a long period of time. This occurred after Horford went on record asking for more help at center. Even asking that we draft Gorgui Dieng specifically.

So we go into this season, knowing last year was ruined because we only had Brand and Pero at backup Center.

And then decide to go with the exact same tandem at backup center?
Are we now going to depend on a rookie PF to backup the 5 spot should Horford struggle or get re-injured?

It's a risk. An unnecessary one.

We went in with Ayon too. This narrative that 'we went into last season knowing the year was ruined' is probably only true for you in which case you're a psychic. This year, we shed Ayon, and added Muscala fulltime as well as Adreian Payne.

If you think Payne is too small, well he's within 1 inch/5lbs Greg Monroe who you've been pining for, as well as Jordan Hill, Larry Sanders, Tiago Splitter, Marcin Gortat, and Enes Kanter. With a 9'1 standing reach he has better reach than Monroe, Hill and is just shy of Splitter, Gortat and Kanter.

He is less than an inch shorter than Dieng while weighing 10 more pounds - admittedly he doesn't have Dieng's long arms.

Why you feel the need to typecast Payne only as a PF baffles my mind.

[HMFFL]

Elton is a welcoming addition.
I enjoyed watching him last season and I hope is productive this upcoming season.

[Jamaaliver]

We went in with Ayon too. This narrative that 'we went into last season knowing the year was ruined' is probably only true for you in which case you're a psychic. This year, we shed Ayon, and added Muscala fulltime as well as Adreian Payne.

If you think Payne is too small, well he's within 1 inch/5lbs Greg Monroe who you've been pining for, as well as Jordan Hill, Larry Sanders, Tiago Splitter, Marcin Gortat, and Enes Kanter. With a 9'1 standing reach he has better reach than Monroe, Hill and is just shy of Splitter, Gortat and Kanter.

He is less than an inch shorter than Dieng while weighing 10 more pounds - admittedly he doesn't have Dieng's long arms.

Why you feel the need to typecast Payne only as a PF baffles my mind.

A) We did also have Ayon, thanks. I forgot. But the point still stands. We feature an injury prone, undersized Center. And have no dependable, capable backup Center.

B) Regarding size and Payne, I don't know how he will respond to the size difference from College to NBA. Every single night, he'll face guys at Center stronger than anyone in the college ranks. Monroe, I've seen more than enough to know he can effectively hold his own at the 5 spot.

C) I typecast Payne as a PF for the same reason I typecast Horford as a PF: Size, skillset and preference.

NOTE: I don't believe in evaluating Center prospects by reach and jumping ability.
Instead I ask: Are you big/strong enough to man the position? Are you willing to bang in the post on both ends of the floor?

[Rip2137]

I like the signing but I also see where Jamal is coming from. Last year without Horford, the remaining guys didn't really cut it so you should try and upgrade the remaining guys.

However I think Muscala with an entire off season with the team and Antic getting healthy along with Brand actually coming in in shape this time(I don't think he EXPECTED to play last year) we should be good.

[Jamaaliver]

This narrative that 'we went into last season knowing the year was ruined' is probably only true for you in which case you're a psychic.

Seriously?

November 1st, 2013:

3) Our frontcourt DEPTH is not bad. It's really not.

Time will tell. I'm going on record as saying I have deep concerns. Ayon is already hurt. Elton is old. Antic is a three point specialist.
Time will tell.

October 21st, 2013:

Again, it is exhausting to have to guard bigger guys every game. And there is currently no real Center anywhere on our roster. We basically employ a team full of Power Forwards...

We're tempting fate by forcing him to handle this responsibility full time and alone.

October 26th, 2013:

...this seems like a legitimate concern, long and short term. Not only do we not have a starting Center to play next to him, we don't even have a reliable BACKUP to spell Horford. (Ayon is unproven and already injured.) If AL were to go down to injury for an extended amount of time, we would literally be stuck with 3 power forwards as our frontcourt.

Not a psychic, just insightful. This was BEFORE the season started. I vehemently, repeatedly expressed my concern regarding the undersized, unproven front court. DIRECTLY to you. But you dismissed my concerns. Others outright insulted me. Their was legitimate reason for concern last year.

I express concern again this season based on the same reasoning. Time will tell.

[PandaKidd]

Jamaal, what other center options are out there. Could you look and let me know? What else could we have done?

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[Jamaaliver]

Jamaal, what other center options are out there. Could you look and let me know? What else could we have done?

At the start of the Summer:

Pau Gasol
Channing Frye
Spencer Hawes
Marcin Gortat
Jordan Hill
Bebe Nogueira - Available in Trade
Tyson Chandler - Available in Trade
Omer Asik - Available in Trade
Jusuf Nurkic

Still Available:

Andray Blatche
Greg Monroe - Available in Trade
Emeka Okafor
Miroslav Raduljica
Jason Thompson -Available in Trade
Aron Baynes

Slim pickings at this point. Though Baynes and Raduljica might be worth a further look.

NOTE: Worth mentioning, Gorgui Dieng averaged 16 PPG 10 RPG 2 SPG 1.5 BPG during FIBA play this summer. At only 24 years old, he is poised for big things moving forward.

[ATLHawksfan21]

Jamaal, what other center options are out there. Could you look and let me know? What else could we have done?

At the start of the Summer:

Pau Gasol
Channing Frye
Spencer Hawes
Marcin Gortat
Jordan Hill
Bebe Nogueira - Available in Trade
Tyson Chandler - Available in Trade
Omer Asik - Available in Trade
Jusuf Nurkic

Still Available:

Andray Blatche
Greg Monroe - Available in Trade
Emeka Okafor
Miroslav Raduljica
Jason Thompson -Available in Trade
Aron Baynes

Slim pickings at this point. Though Baynes and Raduljica might be worth a further look.

NOTE: Worth mentioning, Gorgui Dieng averaged 16 PPG 10 RPG 2 SPG 1.5 BPG during FIBA play this summer. At only 24 years old, he is poised for big things moving forward.

It's odd that you list guys like bebe and then write off payne. Payne is far stronger than bebe and is clearly more ready to contribute on the nba level.

We offered pau a contract and he turned us down.

Gortat wasnt leaving washington.

Monroe just peed himself in a DUI stop.

It seems clear by now that Ferry has a pretty strict plan and he doesn't deviate from it. He looks for certain skill sets at each position and he doesn't sign or trade for players just to say he did. This strategy is quite refreshing if you ask me.

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[PandaKidd]

I think I would take brand over all those guys unless we could land Baynes who I like as a bench big

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[MaceCase]

A bit of hypocrisy in that list. Pau turned the Hawks down. Both Frye and Hawes are stretch bigs that aren't willing to bang in the post on either end (someone's definition of a C). Should take a gander at the contract that Gortat signed for. If Hill is considered a Center then Horford is too. Bebe? Yes, as if someone didn't spend enough time all year stating that he wasn't physically ready. Chandler? I'd like to see the dead weight the team had to absorb that deal. Asik? Sure, the team could have burned a pick to acquire him and thus helping a free agency rival in the process too. Nurkic? Ah, because he has a long and storied NBA career of which we can draw conclusions from.

Then we move on to Blatche, the guy who has a storied history of being a cancer and was recently suspended for not being in NBA condition. Monroe, yet another 4/5 tweener that doesn't offer size over the Hawks current crop. Same for Okafor with the caveat that he also had a neck injury. Raduljca? Yes, that's exactly who you want as the first big off the bench. Thompson? Only one of the worst deals in the league for a player that again, doesn't offer size better than the Hawks current crop. Baynes? Certainly another absolutely trustworthy backup of which there are no doubts.

And Dieng's FIBA statistics? Certainly much better than the 17.6 points (on 61FG% as opposed to 42FG% for Dieng) 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1 block that the highly touted signing of Ayon had during the same tournament. Surely everyone listed is vastly superior to what the Hawks had both last season and this instead of just being more sour griping.