Josh Powell Signs With Atlanta

shannWOW · Post #1 » by **shannWOW** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:08 am

Hawks close to adding frontcourt depth in Josh Powell
-The Atlanta Hawks are close to addressing their need for a backup big man by acquiring Los Angeles Lakers reserve forward Josh Powell on a one-year deal expected to be for the veteran minimum $992,680, according to league sources. Powell is expected to pick the Hawks over Cleveland, Chicago and New Jersey in the next couple of days.
The 27-year-old Powell has played the last two seasons for the Lakers after signing with them in 2007. Injuries to starting center Andrew Bynum created time for Powell as a backup forward when Pau Gasol had to move into the middle; Powell appeared in 60 and 63 regular season games the last two years, though his minutes dropped from 11.7 per game in 2008-09 to 9.2 last season. He played in 13 playoff games this past season, including an appearance in Game 6 of the Finals against the Celtics.
Powell was well-liked among his Lakers teammates and Coach Phil Jackson, who respected the 6-9 forward's work ethic in practice and his positive demeanor on the bench. But Powell is seeking an opportunity for more playing time, and is likely to get a little more run in Atlanta behind Josh Smith.
The Hawks have been looking for a veteran big to replace Joe Smith, who fell out of favor with former Coach Mike Woodson's staff last season. They explored centers like Brad Miller, who wound up signing with the Rockets, and looked into free agent Shaquille O'Neal, but weren't willing to promise him the money or minutes he was seeking.
Powell has also played for the Mavericks, who signed him out of the NBA Developmental League in 2005, along with the Pacers, Warriors and Clippers.

Post #2 » by **TyCobb** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:09 am

We didn't even want to offer him the vet min.? Doesn't make sense to me.

Edit: Ah, wants more playing time. Don't think he'll get it over there with Horford and J-Smoove. Haha.

Post #3 » by **semi-sentient** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:14 am

Well, I wish him the best of luck. I don't know what happened to Josh this past season, but he really sucked. His shot was no where to be found and he seemingly regressed defensively, so I'm surprised anyone would offer him a contract at this point.

I'm kind of disappointed because I thought he took a step in the right direction in 08-09 and figured he'd be with us for a few more seasons. Oh well.

dub81 · Post #4 » by **dub81** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:14 am

TyCobb wrote:We didn't even want to offer him the vet min.? Doesn't make sense to me.

Edit: Ah, wants more playing time. Don't think he'll get it over there with Horford and J-Smoove. Haha.

He will. Horford is playing out of position at center and Smoove is playing the 4. He will back them up. Good luck Josh

Flipdog69xxx · Post #5 » by **Flipdog69xxx** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:15 am

I would've liked to see him back. Oh well good luck Josh!

Anklebreaker702 · Post #6 » by **Anklebreaker702** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:19 am

Good Luck Josh! Always liked that guy. Wish he could have gotten more PT

chefy · Post #7 » by **chefy** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:23 am

good luck!...at first he looked like a steal and a great replacement for ronny. but he slowly disappeared and imo he got outplayed by mbenga a lot of times.

H00PDREAMS · Post #8 » by **H00PDREAMS** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:25 am

Nice fit i think they will love him there.

magic1fan · Post #9 » by **magic1fan** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:29 am

hate to see him go. he was one of my silent favorites. atlanta will like him,a big who can step out and hit the 12-15 foot shot.

Venomspain · Post #10 » by **Venomspain** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:41 am

Good luck in Atlanta Josh hate to see you leave

driver · Post #11 » by **driver** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:07 am

Josh is a good locker room guy, and most likely an upgrade over Joe Smith.

Gek · Post #12 » by **Gek** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:13 am

Good luck to him - I enjoy seeing Lakers that got no PT joining other teams and doing well - it shows how good we are.

Desiderium · Post #13 » by **Desiderium** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:14 am

walton next! come on!

Lakeshow2417 · Post #14 » by **Lakeshow2417** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:41 am

he wasnt going to get playing time on LA unles a injury happened

shannWOW · Post #15 » by **shannWOW** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:32 am

Lakeshow2417 wrote:he wasnt going to get playing time on LA unles a injury happened

*cough* ANDREW BYNUM *cough*

TrueMambaV · Post #16 » by **TrueMambaV** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:33 am

He had a nice mid-range game at times, Best of luck to him. I wish he didn't sign with Atlanta though. Atlanta will never be winners, then again he got a ring with the Lakers. Two rings to be exact. :lol:

So Gutta · Post #17 » by **So Gutta** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:55 am

Caracter > Powell.

Derrick Caracter's offensive game is much more versitile and creative than Powell's. Caracter can simply do things on offense that Powell cannot.

stunnar0b · Post #18 » by **stunnar0b** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:55 am

i think seeing josh leave is going to sting the most out of anybody else leaving. that guy was cool, oh well

Tee212 · Post #19 » by **Tee212** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 5:01 am

who is kobe goona do the fist pound pound to the back hug on now???

TruSkool · Post #20 » by **TruSkool** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 5:07 am

he will be missed. kinda.