F'N SAD not to get Shaq!!!

[ACE_reppin_ATL]

I DON'T CARE ABOUT ARGUEMENTS OF US (HAWKS) NOT NEEDING SHAQ OR NOT WANTING TO PAY HIM MUCH. IT IS FLAT OUT PATHETIC THAT OUR OWNERS:

1. dump almost all of our cap on Joe when it more than likely would'nt have took more than $90-100M (or less since Lebron was still undecided) to keep him from other teams,
2. basically half-azzed efforts to entertain signing Shaq when he first expressed interest in ATL,
3. have made it extremely tough to resign Horf now, yet along Horford and Crawford URGHH!!!!
4. turned down an offer to sign & trade for Shaq because involved Marvin, then stating they refuse to move any of their starters! WAKE UP! Maarvin (who I like and support) has given us bench production at least 4 of 5 years, with the only exception being his contract year (big surprise, huh?),
5. they also are not understanding the positive financial impact Shaq would have on the city, including the casual NBA fan that doesn't really care for Hawks but wantsa to see Shaq,
6. now we sit back watch another EAST contender (looks like BOS) better their squad and become a tougher team for to beat, and THEY WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE THERE COME ROUND 2, will WE????

[Atowngetdown]

True Statement. I wouldnt be surprise if the Hawks wont get pass the 1st round of the playoffs. I wouldnt pay my money to see the same roster again.

[evildallas]

I want to counter the o.p. point by point.

#1 Joe would have walked at 90-100M (although I don't think that is all bad). Resigning him took going to a 6th year, but it didn't take Max (just more than anyone else). They should have offered him more than anyone else had they wanted him, but by my calculations he's getting 20M more than necessary. 6yr/104M would have been more than anyone else could offer.

I wanted him to walk period because his contract is being based on his numbers as the man in a system tailored around him and we know exactly how far that gets you (2nd round of playoffs with no hope of going further).

#2 I agree with this one. It was rumor mill song and dance that Atlanta was interested meant to satisfy fans without accomplishing anything. If they were only willing to offer 2M then they weren't that serious.

#3 They haven't made it any harder to resign Horford. They've made it impossible (given their budgeting) to resign Crawford.

#4 I'm not sure was or wasn't offered, but if they were serious about the short term then trading Marvin for Shaq (not at 8M, but maybe at 6M) and signing Matt Barnes (who was available at the time) would have made for a much more competitive 2010-2011 Hawks squad. Marvin will never get to reach his full potential with Joe on the roster, but hopefully he'll get used enough to restore some of his trade value.

#5 Full agreement there. The casual fan would show up more to live games and talk about the Hawks more with Shaq on the roster. Even at the age of 38, you can't underestimate the marketing value of that established name.

#6 Yep that sucks.

I'm still torn between my hope that Jeff Teague and Larry Drew are a revelation and my desire to have Joe Johnson traded for expiring contracts by the trade deadline. I say this with the thought stuck in my head that when we had Koncak's albatross contract on the books that it contributed to trading Dominique away ultimately (he was dealt primarily because they felt they couldn't afford to resign him).

[wallsfamily]

Shaq would have been a great fit for the hawks. First of all he would be satisfied with early touches and limited 10 or less second half minutes so the team could be small and quick for the stretch run of the game when teams are in foul trouble. He could trick dwight into at least 2 first quarter fouls and give us a two man game with Joe inside back out for the jumper. His presence has always made okay power forwards have their best years. Grant, Haslem Walker, Horry, and last year Hickson was at his best with Shaq. Now picture Horford or Josh crashing the glass from the weakside. guys going down the lane would feel a little (lol)contact and think twice. He would not be on another contender who we actually can beat. Remember we are the only east team to have the athletes to hang with the big three of Miami Josh/Bosh, Marvin/Lebron and Joe/wade. This was the year to roll the dice Boston another year older with Perkins hurt, Shaq could help handle dwight and let our athletes stay home on the shooters and then there is miami. The ticket sales would be a bonus remember the moves mean that there will be extra sellouts this year and a splash like this makes a big difference. by the way trade Marvin for Greg Oden and get the same results. Joe can play more at small forward and Jordan and Jamal crawford would give us a great versatility.

[HMFFL]

Boston has been on his list from the start, so he possibly used us as leverage, and he probably starts for them during most of the first half. If Boston can stay healthy we won't be able to contend with their size and Perkins should be back around Feb or March.

[evildallas]

Remember they already signed Jermaine O'Neal, so if Shaq signs as well they have enough bigs that if they have a marathon focus they could probably be healthy come playoff time by splitting minutes. It's just a matter of managing the egos. If they are healthy and in shape I like their matchup against Miami this year.

[ACE_reppin_ATL]

Remember they already signed Jermaine O'Neal, so if Shaq signs as well they have enough bigs that if they have a marathon focus they could probably be healthy come playoff time by splitting minutes. It's just a matter of managing the egos. If they are healthy and in shape I like their matchup against Miami this year.

Yeah, that's sounds good for BOS, but this is our HAWKS board and this is very disappointing to us, mainly because we didn't have to do much this summer to grow to next level and join the elite. We made resigning Joe a priority, cool. Not mad at that. But we overpaid dearly and we are already suffering from that before we even start his contract.

Then all we had to do was improve our frontline with a solid, defensive big who can rebound and pose a challenge for big skilled guys like Dwight, Yao, Brook, (Shaq for that matter), and Duncan. Our draft was decent, not great (with us passing on a bunch of 7'ers). The Josh Powell (GA native) signing was nice. But adding a big to challenge the elite bigs that give us problems was huge FAIL! Shaq was clearly obtainable for (may still be) and he had/has interest in signing here. We took cheap route and instead signing a A- player, our cheap GMs signed a D+ player who is probably still outta shape and has never really done anything great when in shape...SAD!!!

[wallsfamily]

Ace you make great points. Other teams rolled the dice this year. We cannot beat Orlando so why not immediately address the one person in the league that can give Howard trouble. In addition it allows the coach options for lineups. Great chance we said forget it.

[D21]

Shaq is signing with BOS for a one year deal, at the veteran minimum !!!

We can say that ASG did not have to pay Luxury Tax for him, but this ridiculous to see him taking the minimum contract when ATL could offer him up to 3.5M this year without paying any Tax.

It says a lot, Shaq leaves 2M on the table in order to play with BOS instead of ATL : as he was supposed to be interested to play here, only one answer, they never gave him up to 3.5M offer.
This is a really frustrating summer.

[parson]

^Or, it means he thinks the Celtics give him his best chance at another ring. He may feel that, if he has to take less than the (apparently) $8 million he wanted from us, he'd rather go to the C's for the minimum.

[evildallas]

Or it means that Atlanta never offered more than the minimum either. Just because we could have paid 3.5M doesn't mean they ever made up their minds to do so. Management by tribal council and all.

[evildallas]

Remember they already signed Jermaine O'Neal, so if Shaq signs as well they have enough bigs that if they have a marathon focus they could probably be healthy come playoff time by splitting minutes. It's just a matter of managing the egos. If they are healthy and in shape I like their matchup against Miami this year.

Yeah, that's sounds good for BOS, but this is our HAWKS board and this is very disappointing to us, mainly because we didn't have to do much this summer to grow to next level and join the elite. We made resigning Joe a priority, cool. Not mad at that. But we overpaid dearly and we are already suffering from that before we even start his contract.

Then all we had to do was improve our frontline with a solid, defensive big who can rebound and pose a challenge for big skilled guys like Dwight, Yao, Brook, (Shaq for that matter), and Duncan. Our draft was decent, not great (with us passing on a bunch of 7'ers). The Josh Powell (GA native) signing was nice. But adding a big to challenge the elite bigs that give us problems was huge FAIL! Shaq was clearly obtainable for (may still be) and he had/has interest in signing here. We took cheap route and instead signing a A- player, our cheap GMs signed a D+ player who is probably still outta shape and has never really done anything great when in shape...SAD!!!

Dude, I don't need a lecture on this being a HAWKS board. I've made plenty of comments about the Hawks summer (sometimes i feel like I'm talking to myself) and believe I deserve a little leeway in my posts. I'm not bummed about Shaq in particular, but the summer as a whole. To be completely honest I'm getting a bit tired of posting about the Hawks summer as it has become clear that they will only being signing another player to meet roster requirements and not because it might help the team. Also this is my last year for attending games in person because I don't want to give more money to the ASG. I'm not sure if the ASG doesn't know what to do or just doesn't care to do it, but enough. It is clear to me now that they couldn't be further ideologically from me and the only thing we share is the city. Actually, I live here, I don't think they do.

It was a great signing for Boston and worth the risk of him becoming a distraction because if nothing else it was for the minimum. Atlanta helped make it possible by not giving Shaq a viable alternative. I don't understand how our team can show so much resolve in one scenario (Shaq's demands) and be totally gutless in another (overpaying Joe well beyond what anyone else could offer).

[HMFFL]

It was reported that Shaq signed a one year deal but he signed a 2 year deal worth $3 million. I still think Shaq used us and had intended to sign with Boston all along.

[evildallas]

It was reported that Shaq signed a one year deal but he signed a 2 year deal worth $3 million. I still think Shaq used us and had intended to sign with Boston all along.

I think he would signed here for 8M per year if he could, but without paying the big bounty for him I agree that he had no intention of signing here for similar money. I don't see necessarily how he used us as he signed for veteran minimum with Boston unless they needed to think someone else was in the running to guarantee a deal at all.

[wallsfamily]

My issue is with the fact we are not using the tools of Atlanta to see a free agent likd shaq. we have numerous options and a very versatile team with two major problems. One is that we have a team of athletes such as Marvin, Josh, Al, and even Teague. This team can cause matchup nightmares for most teams. Ask Boston! But with Shaq we would be able to go traditional for about 20-25 minutes a game with Joe Johnson playing a two man game with him and guys like Marvin, Al and bibby spreading the floor. In addition Shaq could get us at least two quick fouls on Dwight and slow down his offensive rebounding. Power forwards have always thrived next to Shaq including Hickson last year. Just picture Al and Josh. Plus our shooters would definitely be better. But same old story.

[td00]

We had a chance to make a stir this summer, and we come up Sund burned! EvilD, kudos to you and your opinion because you bring a lot of common sense to this board and a main reason why I come back here.
This ownership group has no idea re: marketing and what Shaq could have done here. They should have offered the Big fella the MLE, taken him off the market early on, and forgot about Josh Powell and bench splints Collins. It is embarrassing to see this happen truthfully. Shaq has more marketability than this entire organization. 15m dollars made in marketing by one fella. No way this whole unit gets numbers like that to tout their basketball talent.
This team needed a shakeup and the only shakeup was to the fans. Its time to turn to other choices in this city IMO as much as I love basketball, it is sad to watch opportunity after opportunity to be a better unit slip away.
Things I know this coming this year: We don't know what kind of team we are; we have LD and JT who need to figure out how to run an offense. We bring in guys who are no threat to the core, plain and simple. If it weren't for Jamal Crawford, I wouldnt' have paid much attention to last year's team. No major moves, complete confidence in the underachieving core and more of the same as a result.
How many frickin years is it going to take before this basketball team is taken seriously again? You really think Orlando and Milwaukee and Miami and Boston are really worried about matching up with us?
I know I can save my $$, focus on other areas because like a rerun, you know how this is going to end....a championship is not in the offering, and a world of basketball experts knows that the Hawks aren't a serious threat to anything dealing with championship basketball.