Mid-Season Grades for ATL Hawks

[Jamaaliver]

CNNSI was the first to post their midterm report card. Hawks came out looking pretty good.

Cynics will point out that Atlanta is barely above .500, has lost franchise big man Al Horford for the season and — barring a terrible catastrophic injury to an opposing superstar — has zero shot of reaching the conference finals, rendering its No. 3 seed pretty worthless. Optimists will note that the Hawks were expected to be a sixth-seed type and have outperformed the likes of Brooklyn, New York and Chicago during what was supposed to be a retooling year as general manager Danny Ferry continued to get his roster house in order.

Josh Smith: 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 40.8 percent shooting, 23.9 percent three-point shooting, 14.4 PER, 102.5 offensive rating, 105.1 defensive rating, four years and $54 million
Paul Millsap: 17.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 46.8 percent shooting, 38.1 percent three-point shooting, 20.1 PER, 103.8 offensive rating, 102.3 defensive rating, two years and $19 million

The “Millsap over Smith” decision looked intelligent at the time and it looks genius now. Ferry got the better scorer, the better rebounder, the better shooter, the better three-point shooter, the smarter shot-taker and the more efficient overall player — and he paid 70 percent of the annual price and 35 percent of the total price to get it done. He ditched a player with historically awful shot selection for a strong All-Star candidate.

http://nba.si.com/2014/01/24/nba-midseason-grades-heat-pacers-blazers-knicks-lakers/?eref=sihp

[Jamaaliver]

Sounds about right. We've struggled to stay above .500 (even when Horford was healthy). But we're one of the top teams in assists. We play hard, smart basketball.

Our coaching hire clearly is a keeper. Truth is, this was a rebuilding year. Hopefully, we turn enough heads with our strong play to merit strong consideration from a top Free Agent in 2015. Or get the opportunity to trade for a top young talent.

Either way, this season is pretty darn good.

[Jamaaliver]

Keep in mind though, this almost wasn't possible since D Ferry initially offered Josh Smith an extension last Fall that he promptly turned down. That would have been catastrophic.

Thanks goodness good ol' wha's-his-name is such a blockhead.

[diesel50]

Sounds about right. We've struggled to stay above .500 (even when Horford was healthy). But we're one of the top teams in assists. We play hard, smart basketball.

Our coaching hire clearly is a keeper. Truth is, this was a rebuilding year. Hopefully, we turn enough heads with our strong play to merit strong consideration from a top Free Agent in 2015. Or get the opportunity to trade for a top young talent.

Either way, this season is pretty darn good.

I agree with the Millsap over Smoove being Smart. Here's my question about it though... How do you rate defense? Some examples.

Deke was not an offensive player whatsoever, however, his show blocking and LANE INTIMIDATION is something that you can build a championship run around.

Mike Bibby could fill up all the offensive stats in the book... but his defense was piss poor.

Don't get this wrong, this is not a defense of Smoove because aside from him not doing the defensive stuff anymore (by choice) he makes terrible decisions. He was never smart on the floor.

[Rip2137]

Weird comparison there by SI. Josh Smith playing SF in Detroit is not the same as Milsap playing PF in Atlanta. Th

Through 40 games last year:

Josh: 16.7 points, 44.3% from the field, 29 percent from 3 (had taken 86 threes) 8.45 rebounds, 3.9 assist, 1.2 steals, 2.2 3 turnovers(big number there).

Through 40 games this year:

Millsap: 17.6 points, 46.7 from the field, 38% from 3(has taken 105 threes) 8.25 rebounds, 2.92 assist, 1.65 steals, 1.2 blocks, 2.9 assist, 2.3 turnovers.

Basically Millsap is shooting more threes(as he should) and not shooting like crap at the freethrow line, which makes the scoring difference. Everything else is pretty much even. Even our record. We do come out ahead because of the contract.

I think we have lost some defense at the POSITION, but with Carol and a better team defensive scheme, we have more than made up for it. I think the biggest add is that Josh's complaining on calls was contagious and the whole team would do it last year. This year, I see less of that and that's a good thing.

I just think its a little disingenuous to take Smiths numbers this year, playing out of position, as a indicator of what he would have done here at his natural position. Milsap is still playing better, but its not the landslide that stat comparison tries to make it out to be.

[azuresou1]

If you're comparing Josh/Millsap, you NEED to include TS%. I'm on my phone so I can't check but I bet Millsap's is at least 10% higher.

My grades:

Coach Bud - A+
Ferry - A
Al Horford - A
Korver - A
Millsap - A-
DeMarre - A-
Mack - B+
Pero - B+
Scott - B+
Teague - B
Brand - B
Jenkins - C
Lou - C

[Hawks champs]

Personally I'd say Lou is around an F-

[PandaKidd]

Lou is coming off an ACL, it takes time. Hes had some decent games, but he has had terrible games too. Give him about 30-40 games see where hes at. this season may be a wash for him

[theatlfan]

If we're handing out grades, then...

Ferry: B
All the FA signings have come on, but the draft picks slid a bit from a sterling SL. One big problem that remains is the fact that it's still questionable if we have the key piece to build a team around.

Coach Bud: A+
A superlative effort in everything from from X's and O's to motivation. I think he can be a championship coach if he ever gets the personnel.

PG: B
Teague - B / Mack - B+ / Schröder - C+
Teague has really fallen off since his hot start, but there's no doubt that this year has been better than last. Mack has been a slight revelation and has earned a roster spot going forward. Schröder hasn't quite lived up to his SL billing, but he does show flashes of competent play.

SG: B+
Korver - A- / Lou - C / Cunningham - D- / Jenkins - INC
Korver has gone from role player to the center of the team's marketing campaign. His overall play is much better than he's given credit for. Lou is still recovering and has his ups and downs. Cunningham has been fair to middling in the D-League. Looking like a lost year for Jenkins.

SF: C+
Carroll - B- / Martin - C- / Nunnally - INC
Carroll is fun to watch and is one if those guys that just seems to make "the play", but a notch below the others and has been hurt a fair amount this year. Martin did well out of the gate but once his 3PT shot cooled, he was exposed as a very average player. Nunnally doesn't have the minutes yet to make a fair assessment, but I have to think we're hoping he's our Shelvin Mack for this year - a kid who might be in a tad over his head in y1 but after a dedicated offseason he becomes a solid rotation guy.

PF: A
Millsap - A / Scott - B
Without Millsap, it's questionable we're a playoff team right now. It took a month or two for Millsap and Horford to get comfortable playing next to each other, but that duo was starting to take off right before Horford's injury. After the injury, Millsap just took on a some extra responsibility and kept chugging. Definitely deserving of an AS bid. Scott has proven to be useful in part time action.

C: B
Horford - B+ / Antic - B- / Brand - C+ / Ayòn - C-
As noted with Millsap, it took a month or two for Horford and Millsap to get used to each other, but the duo was taking off before the injury. With more time, I think Horford would be an easy A but you have to judge him based on the time he had. Antic really came into his own after Horford's injury - his grade probably went up from a C-. A few weeks ago, I wouldn't have thought that we'd take Antic's option for next season; now it's a no brainer. Brand looks stiff and slow, but he's productive. Ayòn was the statistician's darling coming into the season but has been buried by the others all season. Has run hot and cold when given minutes - can rebound but not much else.

[parson]

Coach Bud: A+
A superlative effort in everything from from X's and O's to motivation. I think he can be a championship coach if he ever gets the personnel.

I'm in love with Coach Bud and the results of his 1st season ... and I think he's, indeed, a championship coach.

However, I'd like to add that the wonderful way we're playing is also testament to the players we now have. I think too many here think we're going to upgrade our talent and keep the same performance. That's a poor assumption, one that expects new players to have the same mind and heart as the players we have in there now. We may upgrade SF but he probably won't have the same stuff inside his chest that DeMarre Carroll has. Ditto for whomever upgrades Kyle Korver. Or the Center we get to upgrade Paul Millsap. Or the backup Center who upgrades Elton Brand. This is a great group of veterans.

[Jamaaliver]

If we're handing out grades, then...

OOOOH, this sounds fun.

Budenholzer: A- He's a phenomenal hire, great X's and O's guy. Not sure about his ability to handle difficult players as most of our guys are solid citizens. My biggest gripe, his lack of hands on attention to our first and 2nd year players. Mike Scott's had his moments, but Schroeder, Jenkins, Jared look like they've never seen a basketball too often. His work with Mack should be applauded, though.

Ferry: B Solid roster of role players working together as one. He let Josh go. (Not going to hold his inability to move Josh last season effect his grade this season.) Demarre is a diamond in the rough and Millsap's contract is a revelation. Let's see what he does with the DPE, now. His inability to find a true backup big man last summer is his biggest blunder. The guys he has brought in have at least been serviceable.

Horford: B In the midst of a great season, he got hurt. Again. Seems like he always has some nagging injury or is recovering from a major one. But when healthy he was far and away our best two-way player.

Teague: B Cooled off after a torrid start, but his playing solid ball for the season.

Demarre: A Everything you could want in a blue-collar role player.

Millsap: B+ He's been forced to take a larger role on offense with AL down, but he's been a great pickup. He's not a #1 option, but he's a great #2 option and being paid like a #3 option. Hope his next contract is a good one. He's earned it.

Korver: A His play this year has been above and beyond what I thought he was capable of as a starter. Stuff of legend. I hope he finishes his career in ATL and gets his jersey in the rafters. Seriously, he's been great.

Mike Scott: B
Brand: C
Antic: B-
Mack: B Has developed into a solid backup.
Schroeder: D Looks lost out there. He should be either overseas or in the D-League. He clearly isn't ready for the big leagues...but he should be playing somewhere. Not just warming the pine.

Lou gets an INC as he is not the player he was last year when healthy. This feels like a redshirt season for him.

[Jamaaliver]

Cunningham - D-
Jenkins - INC
Nunnally - INC

I think you might have been a little harsh on Jared considering he's played less total minutes than the other two guys listed. 17 total minutes of big league play makes it difficult to ascertain his true impact. He's had to fly cross country a dozen times between ball clubs and learn two different offenses simultaneously. (Though having a negative PER is pretty damning stuff.)

Nunnally's been here 2 weeks and has already played more total minutes than Jared. Talk about a lack of opportunity.

[theatlfan]

Cunningham - D-
Jenkins - INC
Nunnally - INC

I think you might have been a little harsh on Jared considering he's played less total minutes than the other two guys listed. 17 total minutes of big league play makes it difficult to ascertain his true impact. He's had to fly cross country a dozen times between ball clubs and learn two different offenses simultaneously. (Though having a negative PER is pretty damning stuff.)

Nunnally's been here 2 weeks and has already played more total minutes than Jared. Talk about a lack of opportunity.

Cunningham's grade includes a bunch of mediocre to (well) below play in the D-League...

[Jamaaliver]

NBA.com (and old friend Sekou) released their Mid-Season grades, as well.

Whether or not the Hawks can sustain the momentum they built throughout the first half of the season is the greatest mystery surrounding this blue-collar bunch. Working without Horford for the duration of the season could be more than this group can ultimately handle.
The Hawks have to decide if they're going to ride the season out as is or use some of the assets and flexibility they've acquired under Danny Ferry to add a big man (free agent Andrew Bynum is an option, as is disgruntled Rockets big man Omer Asik). There is risk with both, more, obviously, with Bynum. Ferry just has to decide if it's worth the risk for the Hawks to make a move.

Final Grade: B-
-- Sekou Smith

http://www.nba.com/reportcard/midseason/2014/hawks