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Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:25 am
by HMFFL
“We’re in a bind right now,” Woodson said. “When you see it up there on the wall, it really hits home where we’re lacking right now.”
While big men have been flying off the free-agent shelves all summer, the Hawks have had no luck in luring talent outside of the organization. The Hawks’ have been pursuing veteran power forward Joe Smith since last month but haven’t been able to secure a commitment from the former No. 1 overall pick.
One of the first to come in will be Augusta State 7-footer Garret Siler. The 305-pound Siler attended the Hawks’ rookie/free agent mini-camp last month and made an impression. He has already been added to the training roster. Veteran center Jason Collins, another 7-footer, is also expected in for a look as early as this week.
Johan Petro, Stromile Swift and Courtney Sims are other names believed to be on the Hawks’ radar.
“We’ve got several guys we’re going to take a closer look at,” he said. “We have to find some answers, though, because right now we’re not where we need to be.”
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks ... orts_82038
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:42 am
by raleigh
Those are some decent names.
Honestly, Smith's contributions on the court are not all that significant. Better than most of the players out there, but not shockingly.
He's still the top choice, but it's not the end of the world if he doesn't come.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:17 am
by Hawkamanic81
Jason Collins?
Ouch!
Has he even played the last 5 seasons?
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:22 am
by Hawkamanic81
Jason Collins numbers last year:
31 games
13.6 Minutes Per Game
31% FG
46% FT
2.3 Rebounds Per Game
1.9 Points Per Game
Yeah, I can see how he would help. It's always good to have guys that can't: Rebound, Score, block shots, get steals or make free throws. I bet teams are knocking down his door.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:53 pm
by raleigh
Collins has never had good stats. He's one of those few big men that can impact a game (not overwhelmingly, though) without actually having the ball in his hands.
Plus, he's a veteran. For the minimum, he's not terrible.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:03 pm
by joeshmoe
It is starting look like we made a mistake rescinding the offer to Solomon Jones. I thought he made a lot of improvement last year. It would be nice to make an upgrade, I am just starting to doubt that is what is going to happen.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:56 pm
by Hawkamanic81
mrhonline wrote:Collins has never had good stats. He's one of those few big men that can impact a game (not overwhelmingly, though) without actually having the ball in his hands.
Plus, he's a veteran. For the minimum, he's not terrible.
If he impacts a game so much how come nobody wants to play him in a big men starved league?
He is not nba material. This is a down grade from what the Hawks already had in Solo.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:47 pm
by LL Cool Scott
Have to agree with our antagonistic friend from the country-lands on this one. Jason Collins is a STIFF. He's a clone of Lorenzen Wright. There's a reason nobody wants him.
Jason Collins = G.A.R.B.A.G.E.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:55 am
by Bologna Smasher
Collins is one of the best post defenders in the league. Problem with him is that he does nothing else...at all.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:26 pm
by azuresou1
The illusion that Collins is a good post defender is a relative compared to his other skills. He's an okay defender, but nothing spectacular.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:16 pm
by rag-time4
Just read that the Hawks are looking at Stromile Swift.... I think he's far and away the best choice -- and furthermore, I think he would be the best big man on the roster if the Hawks got him. There's absolutely no reason to consider Joe Smith when Stromile is still out there. The Hawks need another impact player in the frontcourt and Joe Smith is not an impact player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPXY2nbeaW8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0UT_hzNq_M
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:40 am
by azuresou1
Stromille Swift would definitely better than Collins, but I'm not sure about him compared to Joe Smith. The two have very different games, and more importantly, bring different things to the table.
Swift brings more energy, a faster paced game, and is probably a better player.
Smith brings a slower, more deliberate, post-based game, and is probably a better mentor.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:09 am
by FCNATL85
Is Stromile the answer? the guy is fading away way before retirement age.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:26 am
by rag-time4
FCNATL85 wrote:Is Stromile the answer? the guy is fading away way before retirement age.
He is the answer! He had a very rough season last year with the Nets going into full rebuilding and giving minutes to Yi Jianlian and Ryan Anderson (without holding them accountable for poor defense), he had a shoulder injury, then his mother, who he was very close to, passed away.
azuresou1 wrote:Stromille Swift would definitely better than Collins, but I'm not sure about him compared to Joe Smith. The two have very different games, and more importantly, bring different things to the table.
Swift brings more energy, a faster paced game, and is probably a better player.
Smith brings a slower, more deliberate, post-based game, and is probably a better mentor.
I don't think Joe Smith is a better post up player - I think Joe Smith might be a better outside shooter but Stromile is better at getting to the line, handling the ball and creating his own shot, and
posting upAlso, in 27+ minutes per game for his career, Joe Smith averages less than a block a game. Smith would be a good fit for a team like the lakers or cavaliers that's already loaded with great players. He's like a modern-day A.C. Green.
Stromile would be a much better fit for the Hawks because he has the ability to dominate games -- particularly defensively -- and would make the Hawks better and more talented.
The Hawks don't need a mentor who can't play. It's no good being a mentor if you can't make the team better. The younger players will tune him out because they are better than he is.
EDIT ~ After looking at Joe Smith's career stats, I see that Joe Smith doesn't really shoot threes as part of his arsenal... and comparing their career stats Stromile is way more effective at getting to the line... Stromile averages more free throw attempts per minute despite far fewer shot attempts!
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:06 am
by raleigh
^^^Stromile, why are you wasting your time selling yourself to Hawks' fans? Just have your agent call up Rick Sund and give him this selljob.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:43 am
by rag-time4
mrhonline wrote:^^^Stromile, why are you wasting your time selling yourself to Hawks' fans? Just have your agent call up Rick Sund and give him this selljob.
Welcome aboard the Hawks board rag-time!
LOL
Anyway Stromile Swift would be risky for the Hawks because he may not be happy being on the bench behind inferior players... If it works he could really push the team to get better.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:32 pm
by raleigh
I wouldn't mind Swift, but I'm sure the Hawks would want to be sure he's mentally prepared for this season. His breakdown was completely understandable from a human perspective, but those things tend to get skewed out of proportion when you're seeking millions of dollars.
Re: Hawks roster depth is shallow
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:46 pm
by CViggity
Jason Collins could very well be the worst offensive big in the league. A defensive 7 foot roleplayer who demands no defensive attention having a TS% around .400 is just embarrasing.
Also he's a bad rebounder. The Hawks do not need a defensive roleplayer who can't score or rebound.