HawkTodd

76ers trade Snow to Cleveland for Ollie, Brown (7-20-04). http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-c...ov=ap&type=lgns CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Eric Snow PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: Kevin Ollie & Kedrick Brown

Hawks News (7-19-04) Suns 74, Hawks 71 (7-19-04) (Rocky Mountain Revue) Suns Hand Atlanta Their First Loss In Summer League Play. http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/RMR_gamerecap_071904.html link to box score. http://www.nba.com/media/jazz/game13.pdf ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks make pitch to center Dampier (7-19-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h.../20dampier.html Josh Smith's raw skills attracting notice (7-19-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/20notes.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks have interest in free agent Dampier (7-19-04). http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgere...cal/9192931.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ Next set of moves figures to bring questions, puzzlement (7-19-04). http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/7510142 The No. 1 unrestricted free agent left on the market, though, remains Golden State Warriors center Erick Dampier, coming off the first double-double average of his eight-year career. The questions are clear cut for Dampier, a 6-11, 270-pounder just a week removed from his 30th birthday. The New York Knicks, with the promise of competing in the heart of the playoff race, have made the sign-and-trade offer that the Warriors will accept with Othella Harrington and Nazr Mohammed as bait. Then there are the perpetually rebuilding Atlanta Hawks, trying to lure Dampier as a cornerstone and with the promise of being closer to home and his Mississippi roots. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks: Dampier visiting (7-19-04). http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=fanb...nball&type=lgns ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-19-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_9073.shtml Atlanta Hawks: There's nothing like youth. Youth have exuberance. Youth have enthusiasm. And youth don't know that they're unstoppable ... until you tell them. So, as the Hawks open their new era with summer league play in the Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue, let's keep a lid on this "losing" thing as long as we can.

Hawks News (7-17-04) Hawks 83, Supersonics 61 (7-17-04) (Rocky Mountain Revue) link to box score. http://www.nba.com/media/jazz/game6.pdf link to game recap. http://www.nba.com/jazz/Revue/rrmr04_game6.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks 83, SuperSonic 61 (7-17-04). http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfu...ry.asp?ID=41846 ------------------------------------------------------------ Rocky Mountain Revue Day 1 (7-17-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_9049.shtml Bobcats 62 vs. Hawks 87: The Bobcats were without leading scorer Gerald Wallace, who is not playing in Salt Lake. He led the Bobcats to a 5-0 record in the Minnesota Summer League. The Bobcats did add Melvin Ely who was recently traded to the team by the Clippers. Ely plaid well in his 11 minutes. As I was watching the game, the guy next to me continued to say that Loren Woods should dominate each of these games. Woods was one of the better players getting 3 blocks, 16 boards and 13 points. It was quite though for a guy that is over 7’0 foot. Maurice Carter played very well for the Cats and got 15 points. The Cats were really quite the whole game and got totally outplayed. The Hawks team started slow but took over the game in the second half. Rookie Josh Smith had the most impressive game out of all the players. There was a ball that bounced off the rim, up to about the top of the square on the backboard. Smith jumped up in the air and grabbed it with one hand and power dunked it down. This was the first big dunk of the game and everyone was on their feet. All the Hawks players were going nuts. Smith struggled some in the first half and really turned it on in the second. He handles the ball well and really has a touch on the offensive end. Smith looks as if he could play the four in the East if the Hawks were playing a faster, scoring lineup. Josh Childress had a good game and showed that he can handle the ball. Childress looked as if his fro was cut down some, good thing the smaller fro didn’t affect his game. He finished with 12 points. Home town favorite, Travis Hanson, only scored 5 points in 17 minutes. Not exactly what the Utah fans were expecting. The most improved player I saw from last year was Junior Harrington. Harrington spent last year overseas after playing the previous season with the Nuggets. Harrington ran the offense very well and was able to calm his teammates whenever they would get in the face of the refs or other players. Harrington looked like he could really run a team well and also be a good team player and leader. ------------------------------------------------------------ Dribbles: Ready for take-off (7-17-04). http://www.tsn.ca/nba/news_story.asp?ID=91376&hubName=nba DRIBBLES: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Hawks forward Alan Henderson has high hopes for the coming season. Why, you might ask? Because he had a torn disc in his back, which had been erroneously diagnosed as a sprain. Now healthy, Henderson sees room in the Hawks' frontcourt rotation and expects to contribute. TRADING POST: Jackson to the Pacers, Harrington to the Hawks - A case of both teams getting something that they need. Stephen Jackson gives the Pacers an athletic wing who can play good defence and shoot the three. He'll likely take minutes away from an aging Reggie Miller, then slide over to small forward at times too. The Hawks desperately needed some muscle up front and Harrington will provide a physical presence on the glass. Harrington was looking for a starting opportunity and now he'll have the chance to not only start, but play a significant role on the rebuilding Hawks. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Pacer Report (7-17-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_9061.shtml Harrington Traded: As was reported last week on the Pacer Report, 26 year-old shooting guard Stephen Jackson officially became a Pacer on Thursday via sign-and-trade. Jackson signed a six year contract with the Hawks and then was traded (unfortunately without Jason Terry) to Indiana for Pacer’s 6th man Al Harrington. At first glance this trade will make most Pacer fans scratch their heads. It isn’t so much that the trade is uneven, but the bothersome part here is that it seems the Pacers could have signed Jackson to a nearly identical contract with their mid-level exception and kept Harrington. However, if you look at the transaction a little closer, you will see that Walsh and Bird do indeed have a plan, and I for one am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Here are a few reasons why Bird and Walsh made this trade: -- A sign-and-trade allowed the Pacers to offer Jackson the largest amount of money. Because they made a sign-and-trade they were able to sign Jackson for a slightly larger contract than they would have been able to offer with their MLE (mid-level exception). While this may seem a little selfish on Jackson’s part, you can be sure that the Pacers weren’t the only team offering Jackson the MLE, and the larger contract certainly would have been more appealing to Jackson, who has never been paid over $1.1 million dollars in a season. -- The Pacers wanted to be able to keep their mid-level exception. If you look at all of the angles of this trade then you will see it basically boils down to the Pacers trading Harrington for Jackson and another MLE. That is why the value of this trade will probably be decided after the off-season is over. If the Pacers are able to add a piece or two who are more valuable to the team than Harrington, or they are able to use their extra cap space to add another player via trade (remember the Pacers are on a tight budget) then this trade will be a success. Don’t get me wrong this trade will make Atlanta fans very happy. It isn’t every day you can get a young promising forward for a player you were planning on losing anyway, but if the Pacers play their cards right this trade will be a success for both teams. ------------------------------------------------------------ Jackson is a great pickup for the Pacers (7-16-04). http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c.../ACN3362960.htm

Hawks News (7-16-04) Hawks 87, Bobcats 62 (7-16-04) (Rocky Mountain Revue) link to box score. http://www.nba.com/media/jazz/Game1.pdf link to game recap. http://www.nba.com/jazz/Revue/rrmr04_game1.html Next Game (7-17-04): Hawks vs Supersonics (6:00 PM) ------------------------------------------------------------ Josh Smith scores 21 as Hawks open summer play (7-16-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/17hawks.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Harrington says he hoped Atlanta would want him (7-16-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/162912-9800-179.html Jackson fine with the pine (7-16-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/162902-7970-179.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Stein: Free agency’s winners and losers (7-16-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/stor...marc&id=1841190 On the border: Atlanta Hawks: Getting K-Mart to choose Atlanta over Denver was a fantasy, but at least the Hawks made a decent run at it. The sign-and-trade for Al Harrington, by contrast, was a better-than-expected resolution to Stephen Jackson's unsurprising departure. And with its leftover salary-cap space, Atlanta can still pursue Dampier or Miles if it wishes ... or listen to trade offers from teams looking to offload salaries to a cap-room team (such as Denver with Tskitishvili) ... or save it for more of a blockbuster trade down-the-road and/or next summer's open market. ------------------------------------------------------------ SMITH STILL NEGOTIATING WITH ATLANTA (7-16-04). http://www.southernillinoisan.com/rednews/...rts/SPO002.html ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-16-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_9044.shtml Atlanta Hawks: The long-awaited Stephen Jackson sign-and-trade with Indiana for forward Al Harrington was officially consummated and Harrington couldn't be happier to be joining a rebuilding franchise. Atlanta GM Billy Knight helped draft Harrington back in Indiana and is looking forward to letting him develop with big minutes. Meanwhile, Philadelphia assistant coach Bob Bender may become an assistant in Atlanta. And on the latest great news with a great attitude front, Atlanta captain Alan Henderson is declaring himself healthy for the first time in a long time.

Hawks News (7-15-04) HAWKS OBTAIN AL HARRINGTON FROM INDIANA FOR STEPHEN JACKSON (7-15-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Harrington_Trade_071504.html Quotes From Al Harrington Press Conference (7-15-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Harrington_quotes_071504.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Harrington happy to be a Hawk (7-15-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...harrington.html Hawks move to adjust to Diesel (7-15-04). http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/ha...04/15hawks.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Hit the Road, Jack….and Thanks (7-15-04). http://hawks.realgm.com/showarticle.php?artid=462 ------------------------------------------------------------ Pacers deal Harrington to Hawks for Jackson (7-15-04). http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgere...rts/9163858.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ Wishes Granted (7-15-04). http://www.fanball.com/ph/article.cfm/ID.2589 ------------------------------------------------------------ Jackson ready to take his shot (7-15-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/3/162591-6513-036.html ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-15-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_9030.shtml Atlanta Hawks: General Manager Billy Knight needs to start combing the free agent market, with all that coin to spend, and even think about re-signing Zeljko Rebraca, though one has to wonder ... will that help, having another seven-footer, besides Jason Collier and/or Joel Przybilla, to throw at Shaq, or would he be just another person that becomes O'Neal's toe jam? ------------------------------------------------------------ Al Harrington, right, speaks to media flanked by Atlanta Spirit President and CEO Bernie Mullin, left, during a news conference, Thursday, July 15, 204 at Philips Arena in Atlanta where the Atlanta Hawks announced a trade for Harrington. The Atlanta Hawks obtained Harrington from the Indiana Pacers for Stephen Jackson.

Lakers loose Derek Fisher to Warriors for $37 million (7-15-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1840670 Quote: While the Lakers got the most important member of their starting five back on Thursday, they also lost one of their clutchest playoff performers. Point guard Derek Fisher agreed to a six-year, $37 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, agent Mark Bartelstein told ESPN Insider Chad Ford. The deal is for the Warriors full mid-level exception. The choice for Golden State is interesting, as just last summer they signed point guard Speedy Claxton to a multi-year deal and traded for point guard Nick Van Exel. The Lakers, Heat, Rockets and Sonics also pursued Fisher this summer. Derek Fisher:

Hawks News (7-14-04) Hawks Sign Jason Collier To A Contract (7-14-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Sign_Collier_071404.html Summer League Practice: July 14, 2004. http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Summer_Leagu...ice_071404.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Henderson: 'I'm on a mission' (7-14-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/15hawks.html Hawks' offer sheet declined by Martin (7-14-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/14hawks.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks Roundup: Hendu Sounds Off, is “On a Mission” (7-14-04). http://hawks.realgm.com/showarticle.php?artid=461 07/14/04 Hawks Roundup. http://hawks.realgm.com/showarticle.php?artid=460 ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks rookies have better chance at making roster (7-14-04). http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfu...ry.asp?ID=41548 ------------------------------------------------------------ Brewer looking to make good impression in summer league (7-14-04). http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/9155107.htm TRADE UPDATE: No official word came down Wednesday on an expected sign-and-trade deal that would send Al Harrington to the Atlanta Hawks for Stephen Jackson. The two teams have been in discussion for several days now but did not officially come to an agreement on the first day after 14-day moratorium on trades and free-agent signings expired. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Wednesday night he thought a deal was close, but could not say when it might be announced. Harrington has told Pacers officials that he would rather be traded to another team than come off the bench for another season in Indiana. Pacers president Larry Bird made it clear on draft night that Harrington would not start next season for the Pacers. Jackson led the Hawks with 18.1 points a game last season and would give the Pacers the consistent outside shooter they sorely lacked last season. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-14-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_9010.shtml Atlanta Hawks: What a crazy off-season the summer of 2004 has been. You've got superstar players changing conferences, testing the waters of free agency and now you've got players trying to set their own market value ... who needs agents anymore, right? On a day when sports management agency SFX fires it's client, Carlos Boozer, to save face in the league, you have to wonder what Brian Dyke and Kenyon Martin are up to in feigning interest in the Atlanta Hawks. Martin has reportedly shown interest in the Hawks and Nuggets, saying all the right things along the way at each stop of his free agency tour, all the while spouting out a third side of his face that his first priority is to remain a New Jersey Net. It would be oh-so fitting if this kid ended up in Washington, where pandering and lies are the norm.

I appreciate all the kind words. Most of the time I just do a search on google news and can find most everything linked there. Some sites, that I know post a lot of Hawks related info, like Hawks.com or AJC.com I will visit daily. I usually do it about twice a day. I store all the stuff I find in the morning in Microsoft word and then just open the file up when I am ready to post. Again, thanks for the kind words from everyone. Sincerely, Todd

Hawks News (7-13-04) Summer League Practice: July 13, 2004. http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Summer_Leagu...ice_071304.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks News (7-13-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8993.shtml ------------------------------------------------------------ Doleac, Heat agree to $12M contract (7-13-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1839092 Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have agreed to terms with one of their own free agents, Jason Collier, agent Richard Howell, told ESPN Insider Chad Ford. Collier's two-year agreement is worth $3.2 million. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-13-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8999.shtml Atlanta Hawks: The Atlanta Hawks signed both of their draft picks -- the two Joshes, Childress and Smith -- as well as Jason Collier to contracts. That means the Hawks roster is actually filling up. These three players join Jason Terry, Boris Diaw, Travis Hansen, Alan Henderson, and Chris Crawford as contract players, soon to be joined by Al Harrington, and, if the stars align just right, Kenyon Martin, to whom the Hawks have offered max money. ------------------------------------------------------------ Throwing 'Bows (7-13-04). http://www.insidehoops.com/throwing-071304.shtml Other Free Agency Notes: Kenyon Martin reportedly got a 6-year max offer from Atlanta, which is great for him, but the problem with signing an offer sheet with the Hawks is that you might have to play for them. ------------------------------------------------------------ Free Agents Commitments (7-13-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8991.shtml Stephen Jackson – Indiana Pacers - $44 million over six years (sign and trade for Al Harrington). The Pacers retain their mid-level exemption by executing a sign and trade. They better use the mle wisely otherwise they gave up a solid player in Harrington for nothing. Jason Collier – Atlanta Hawks - $3.2 million over two years. Collier put up some big number late last season in Atlanta. Why not?

Hawks News (7-12-04) Hawks Sign First Round Selections Childress And Smith (7-12-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Sign_Picks_071204.html Summer League Practice: July 12, 2004. http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Summer_Leagu...ice_071204.html Hawks rookie Royal Ivey at Monday's summer workout. ------------------------------------------------------------ K-Mart still a no-sale (7-12-04). http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/ha...04/13hawks.html Photos: Woodson's first practice (7-12-04). http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/ph...ce1/image1.html ------------------------------------------------------------ 07/12/04 Hawks Roundup. http://hawks.realgm.com/showarticle.php?artid=459 ------------------------------------------------------------ Jackson no longer on hold (7-12-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/stor..._ric&id=1838685 ------------------------------------------------------------ Woodson conducts first practice with Hawks (7-12-04). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/bask...2/hawks.rdp.ap/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Jackson's gamble yields $44 million deal (7-12-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/6/161770-5966-179.html ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-12-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8983.shtml Atlanta Hawks: Indiana's Al Harrington has been looking to start and now he will with almost all certainty be traded for a re-signed Stephen Jackson at the stroke of midnight Wednesday morning, making him the belle of Atlanta's ball. Harrington's Cinderella story is not an illusion however, and he expects to keep both shoes firmly attached to his feet: he will finally start at the three or the four with the Hawks next season. Meanwhile Kenyon Martin seems unlikely to agree to Atlanta's offer sheet unless Denver chooses not to offer one at all, as most observers expect New Jersey to match any Martin deal. ------------------------------------------------------------ Free Agent Breakdown - Shooting Guard (7-12-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8976.shtml 4. Stephen Jackson, Atlanta After Daniels, we get three similar shooting guards. All have good size for the position, all are young, and all are offensive minded, scoring a lot of points without tremendous efficiency. Of the group, I prefer Jackson. Last summer, I ranked Jackson second in what was a weaker shooting guard free agent class. While Jackson was widely criticized for turning down San Antonio's offer, ending up signing for about a third of the money in Atlanta. A year later, Jackson looks much smarter after earning a reported six-year deal with the Indiana Pacers for far more money, while still ending up on a championship contender. As of mid-season, it looked like Jackson had made a mistake, and that his 2002-03 performance with the Spurs was something of a fluke. I even included my advocacy for Jackson last summer as one of my mistakes in my anniversary column. After the trade deadline, however, Jackson turned it up to 11, averaging 22.7 points and 5.2 rebounds on 44.0% shooting in the second half of the season. You could write that period off as a fluke, but it's hard to write off an entire solid 2002-03 season in San Antonio (there was a certain belief that Jackson was thriving because he was playing with Tim Duncan, but the only place that argument seems to hold any water is in Duncan guards improving their three-point percentages, and Jackson's actually went up from 32.0% to 34.0% in Atlanta). Despite the shift in how he was used -- one that even occurred during last season -- I rated Jackson virtually identically each of the last two years. While Jackson certainly isn't a high-efficiency scorer, his efficiency is solid, significantly better than that of the two players I'm about to discuss. Defensively, Jackson is probably a little below average for a shooting guard. Overall, he's not a great starter, but a team with him at the shooting guard position need not worry about it. It looks like that team will be the Indiana Pacers, who reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks that brings them Al Harrington. For the Pacers, this move means shifting resources towards the perimeter. While Jackson can play small forward, and did so almost exclusively if 82games.com is to be believed, I think he's better suited at the two, where he projects as Reggie Miller's eventual replacement. Indiana gets more minutes for Jonathan Bender as a backup forward, though you have to think they should have been able to get a draft pick out of the Hawks. For Atlanta, I'm a little dubious on the move. Harrington's never impressed me that much, and he's undersized at the four, where I have to imagine they're going to use him. Then again, given the contracts flying around in free agency, you can't blame them for wanting to go the trade route. 8. Bob Sura, Atlanta Acquired to replace departed free agent Jon Barry (and to shed Clifford Robinson's contract after this season so the Pistons could re-sign Mehmet Okur), Sura struggled with the Pistons and fell out of the rotation. As a result, he was included in the Pistons' three-way deal with Atlanta as an ending contract. With little talent on the roster, the Hawks through Sura out there as their starting shooting guard, and the results were nothing short of remarkable. In 27 games with the Hawks, Sura averaged 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, recording three straight triple-doubles in the month of April (the third one, as you surely recall, being of dubious validity). It was the kind of performance that a lot of people, myself possibly included, had been waiting for Sura to put up for a long time. I've liked Sura's versatile mix of skills for some time. As a result, I'm somewhat hesitant to term what Sura did a "fluke", especially since his rebounding was the only thing that really changed dramatically on a per-minute basis from what Sura did two years ago as a reserve in Golden State. With his performance in Atlanta, Sura has probably vaulted himself over Barry (Jon) in terms of free agent interest, and he's the top reserve option available, not counting Richardson as a reserve.

Hawks News (7-11-04) Hawks wait for response from Martin (7-11-04). http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/ha...U`UcTYWYWZV ------------------------------------------------------------ Stephen Jackson being dealt to Indiana Pacers (7-11-04). http://www.panews.com/articles/2004/07/11/sports/news02.txt ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks, Pacers Near Deal for Two Players (7-11-04). http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/9131872.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ Sign and trade: Jackson on way (7-11-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/3/161604-1583-036.html ------------------------------------------------------------ NBA RUMOR MILL – Shaq to Miami (7-11-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8973.shtml BABY AL TO THE HAWKS: The Atlanta Hawks have a verbal agreement for a maximum contract out to New Jersey restricted free agent Kenyon Martin, but while Kenyon weighs which maximum offer to accept (the Hawks or the Nuggets), the Hawks are ready to pull the trigger on a sign and trade deal sending Stephen Jackson to the Indiana Pacers for Al Harrington. The deal is basically complete and Al will be shipped out later this week. Jackson who was considered one of the more promising scoring guards is set to land a 6-year deal worth $44 million over the contract. The Hawks are expected to find out the verdict on Kenyon Martin this week. Martin is reported to have received a max offer from both the Hawks and the Denver Nuggets, but printed reports say the Nuggets would rather complete a sign and trade to preserve some of their cap space. Kenyon Martin’s agent Brian Dyke told the New York Daily News’ Ohm Youngmisuk "I don't think it's likely he'll come back to the Nets..." The Nets have the ability to match any offer Kenyon receives, so much of the speculation is moot. Martin himself continues to tell media that the ball is entirely in New Jersey’s court and that they have not received an offer from the club. Rod Thorn continues to remind media that because of the restricted nature of Martin’s free agency there is nothing his club needs to do but wait this out saying "Until we get an offer sheet, there is not really anything to talk about… I'm not under any pressure to do anything. We will look at all our options and decide what we will or not do. And one of the options is sign-and-trade. The other option is look at whatever the offer sheet is and decide 'yes' or 'no.'… We have the final say here because we have the right of first refusal." Much of the pursuit of Martin is academic because New Jersey really saves money in matching a deal rather than straight up negotiating, because other teams can only offer a 6 year deal, with 10% annual increases, New Jersey would be on the hook for 7 years and 12.5% increases a difference of about $25 million. ------------------------------------------------------------ NBA Beat: Shaq trade will depreciate the Lakers (7-11-04). http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/baske...-10883021c.html Hawks land their man: There are more attractive NBA posts than the dreary mess that is the Atlanta Hawks, but Mike Woodson is certain better days loom. A key player for the Kings' first team in Sacramento in 1985-86 and a freshly minted NBA champion as Larry Brown's assistant in Detroit, Woodson becomes coach of a franchise that has not won 35 games for the past five seasons. Hawks ownership trusted general manager Billy Knight, who has known Woodson for 30 years, from when Woodson was a prep star in Indianapolis and Knight played for the ABA Pacers. Atlanta does have $20 million of play money to pursue free agents this summer, though it will be curious to see if any marquee names want to join the Hawks. The Hawks' brass hauled New Jersey's Martin around Atlanta in a white stretch limo last week, and he was spotted handing his wife, Heather, a packet of real estate material. The Hawks can offer Martin a maximum of $85 million over six years. Martin told Atlanta reporters that the Hawks' wooing meant, "They kept it real for me." ------------------------------------------------------------ The Grizzlies Report (7-11-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8975.shtml Stromile Swift: West reportedly continues to say that he’ll match any offer for Stromile Swift. Atlanta seems to be the team most likely to make a run for Swift. They are on the brink of trading for Al Harrington and Swift would get plenty of time at the power forward spot in Atlanta. One interesting (but extremely unlikely) possibility is for the Hawks to sign Dampier, the Griz to sign Swift and then trade them for each other (along with someone else from Memphis) when it is allowable in December. I can’t imagine this happening, but why not throw it out there? ------------------------------------------------------------ Reports: Stephen Jackson to Indiana (7-11-04). http://www.woai.com/spurs/story.aspx?conte...EC-F55AD76F5437

Hawks News (7-10-04) Harrington In, Jackson Out (7-10-04). http://hawks.realgm.com/showarticle.php?artid=458 ------------------------------------------------------------ Pacers close to deal for Jackson (7-10-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/8/161524-6228-092.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Pacers land Stephen Jackson for 6 years, $44 million (7-10-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1837655 ------------------------------------------------------------ Competing offers for K-Mart (7-10-04). http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/ha...04/11kmart.html ------------------------------------------------------------ His turn at last (7-10-04). http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/ha.../11woodson.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks Give Sales Pitch to Kenyon Martin (7-10-04). http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgere...rts/9126033.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks are offering the max to Martin (7-10-04). http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?...45800139970.xml ------------------------------------------------------------ Pistons' Paulding earning camp invitation (7-10-04). http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/pistons10e_20040710.htm COACHING-GO-ROUND: Pat Sullivan, an assistant coach and video coordinator for the Pistons, will know more about his fate Monday when Brown and Woodson discuss his future. Sullivan has been offered a similar position with Woodson, who already has added Herb Brown, Larry's brother, to his coaching staff in Atlanta. Sullivan said he'd like to stay in Detroit but that either job would be good. Woodson has a four-year deal in Atlanta. And if Sullivan stayed with the Pistons, he'd continue to work with one of the best coaches in the business. ------------------------------------------------------------ It's Plan B for Blazers after Barry picks Spurs (7-10-04). http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian...94610153820.xml Cheeks said shooting guard Wesley Person has been talked about, and the Atlanta Hawks free agent figures to be involved in some way when the Blazers distribute their $5.3 million mid-level exception and $1.6 million exception. And guard Bob Sura, who could play point guard and shooting guard, has not been contacted by the Blazers, according to his agent, Jeff Wechsler. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Cavaliers have bunkered down and have to decide their next move (7-10-04). http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cf...4&PAG=461&rfi=9 Guard Dajuan Wagner could be sent to the Hawks, who have more cap space than they'll be able to spend.

Hawks News (7-8-04) ATLANTA HAWKS NAME MIKE WOODSON THEIR NEW HEAD COACH (7-8-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Woodson_Name...ach_070804.html New Hawks Head Coach Mike Woodson (center) with Atlanta Spirit President & CEO Bernie Mullin and Hawks GM Billy Knight ------------------------------------------------------------ Woodson Knows Defense WIns Championships (7-8-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/woodson_defense_040708.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Q&A with Mike Woodson: 'Effort won us an NBA title' (7-8-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/09hawks.html Hawks pull out all stops for Martin (7-8-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...4/09martin.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Woodson takes Herb Brown along to Atlanta (7-8-04). http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/pistons8e_20040708.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ Chat wrap: David Aldridge (7-8-04). http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=5534 Matt: Atlanta, GA: David, do you think Mike Woodson can be anywhere near as successful as his mentor Larry Brown? Is it possible for him to finally be the one to get the Hawks back to respectability? David Aldridge: I'm not sure how good Mike can be with the lack of talent down in Atlanta. But I think Billy Knight is going to be patient with him and see if they can grow the Hawks together, like McHale did with Flip Saunders in Minnesota. It's going to take time, Matt. matt (cambridge, UK): David, I will be out of the country untill the majority of the free agency period is over and i was hoping that you could fill me in what the hawks plan to do with jason terry and all that money they have saved up. any chance of k-mart or manu? David Aldridge: Kenyon's in Atlanta today. I would be surprised if the Hawks made a max offer. I think Billy Knight is content to go slow and roll that money over to next summer if need be. He's not going to overspend like some of the other bad teams have done to get players. ------------------------------------------------------------ Long friendship led Woodson to Knight, Hawks (7-8-04). http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/coll...cer/9109732.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ Atlanta GM: Brown lost job in 'close call' (7-8-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/160804-3172-179.html ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-8-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8936.shtml Atlanta Hawks: "I think what Billy is doing is more creative and has more upside," said co-owner Michael Gearon, who pushed Knight hard to hire an experienced NBA coach. "We're young," Woodson said. "We don't have a full team yet. But we're trying to put the pieces together. They gave me four years to try and figure it out." After finishing 28-54, upside is about all you have and four years may not be long enough, so Woodson has his work cut out for him. The Hawks have missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons and it's Woodson's job to come off a championship team and lend that experience to getting the Hawks there. Otherwise Knight's 'creativity' and 'upside' may cost two people their jobs. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE LINKS (7-8-04). http://slamonline.com/links/07052004/ New Hawks coach Mike Woodson is already talking about the Hawks playing "the right way." Now we just need Big Ben and Rip we'll be set. Also, it's interesting that he's planning on taking Larry Brown's brother, Herb, with him to the ATL. Is there love lost there? And in my SI column this week, I suggested the Hawks should've made a run at Coach K. Well, it turns out they did, well before the Lakers, and got shot down immediately. So why didn't they leak the news of this and get a lot of publicity out of it, like the Lakers did? If you know you don't have a chance, why not at least gain something short-term from it? From what I'm told, they didn't want to burn any bridges with Coach K or his associates. Anyway, the word is out now, so I guess we'll never get Quin Snyder in Atlanta. ------------------------------------------------------------ Keeping Swift is likely (7-8-04). http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_3019470,00.html Atlanta is one of a half-dozen teams that have expressed interest in Swift. Reportedly, Detroit may attempt to lure Swift to make up for the loss of Mehmet Okur, who has an agreement with Utah. But the Pistons want to first wrap up negotiations with Rasheed Wallace before proceeding, and they have only the midlevel exception to offer. The Hawks, meanwhile, hope to continue discussions in the coming days. ------------------------------------------------------------ Nets' Martin to visit Hawks Friday (7-8-04). http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/new...ry.asp?ID=82619 ------------------------------------------------------------ Stanford sports notebook (7-8-04). http://daily.stanford.edu/tempo?page=conte...ry=0001_article Josh Childress chosen in first round of NBA draft: June seems to be the month of making history for Stanford athletes, and basketball standout Josh Childress was not one to be left behind. The 6-foot-7 forward entered the draft early and was chosen in with the sixth pick overall by the Atlanta Hawks-the highest that any Stanford player has ever been selected into the NBA. Childress is the fifth Cardinal player chosen in the first round in the last five years. (Mark Madsen, Jason Collins, Curtis Borchardt and Casey Jacobsen are the other four.) Stanford was 74-21 during Childress’s three-year career on the Farm. Childress was the first-ever Cardinal player named Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year during the 2003-04 season, and averaged 15.7 points with 7.5 rebounds per game during the year. To say that Atlanta has a club in transition would be an understatement. The Hawks were 28-54 last season and haven’t seen the playoffs in the past five years. Needless to say, Childress and the other three Hawks newcomers will have a challenge to face in the 2004-05 season. Childress spoke confidently, however, during a press conference two weeks ago. “We’re in a situation where we’re going to be part of the rebuilding process,” he told reporters. “The city of Atlanta is ready for success from the Hawks. That’s the goal — to come out here and bring that back to the organization. It’s just a good situation.” ------------------------------------------------------------ Who will win the Kobe Bryant sweepstakes? (Hawks' odds are 30/1) (7-8-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/0704/09kobe.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Top free-agent shooting guards (7-7-04). http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2552496 4. Stephen Jackson, Hawks Drafting Josh Childress and Josh Smith sealed the obvious — Jackson is not going back to Atlanta. He used his time there well, though, showing that his performance in San Antonio the previous season was not a fluke by averaging 18.1 points. He can play the 2 or the 3, and does both well. The Spurs, who missed Jackson's clutch shooting in the postseason, will be one of the first teams in line to sign Jackson. Denver, which passed on a chance to sign Jackson last year, will be there, too, though the team prefers Richardson. Chicago is expected to make an offer, as well as the Blazers. 5. Bobby Sura, Hawks After Sura was traded to the Hawks, he averaged 14.7 points and 5.3 assists, had two triple-doubles and added another now-famous near triple-double. He does well in a fast-paced offense and has the ballhandling skills to run the point. The Hawks might look to keep him around, but he has gotten interest from the Bulls and could see more from teams in need of versatility off the bench, like Cleveland, New Orleans and Portland.

Hawks News (7-7-04) Hawks owners trusted Knight's instincts on new coach (7-7-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...4/08search.html Woodson to be introduced; Martin set to visit (7-7-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/08hawks.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Woodson's gift to Hawks? Credibility (7-7-04). http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/9098032.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks' new coach recalls Bucks fondly (7-7-04). http://www.jsonline.com/sports/buck/jul04/242010.asp ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks GM hires a friend (7-7-04). http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...0407070253jul07,1,7513643.story?coll=cs-basketball-print ------------------------------------------------------------ Marty Burns' 2004 NBA free-agency scoreboard (7-7-04). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writ...oard/index.html Stephen Jackson Suitors: Hawks, Spurs, Pacers, Blazers, Bulls Leader in the clubhouse: TBA The Hawks say they're still interested in the high-scoring shooting guard, but he elected not to pick up the $1.1 million option on his deal and says he doesn't expect to be back in Atlanta. A return to the Spurs, with whom he won a championship ring in 2003, is a possibility. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-7-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8922.shtml Atlanta Hawks: As their search for a head coach is finally over, with the announcement that Mike Woodson has agreed to a 4 year contract, a new search is just beginning for the Hawks. That being the search to find quality free agents who are willing to sign with the team that hasn't made the playoffs since the lockout-shortened season of 1999. It's going to be a difficult sell for Hawks' GM Billy Knight, but at least he has the money to woe them, close to 25 million worth of space. However, as the Chicago Bulls have proved in the past, money isn't everything, and you can't just go out and buy a competitive squad. ------------------------------------------------------------ `Unrest' feeding a need to leave (7-7-04). http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...0407070426jul07,1,339227.story?coll=cs-basketball-print "A lot of college coaches make good money, but that's certainly a factor," said Lon Kruger, the coach who left Illinois for the Atlanta Hawks and is back to college at Nevada-Las Vegas after being fired. And the NBA doesn't have anything like the NCAA's labyrinthine manual, with its rules on recruiting and team meals and how a coach may conduct practices. Still, Kruger and others warn, the NBA has its own set of drawbacks. The longer pro season can be a grind, with less time for practice. Older players can be considerably less open to coaching. Away from the court, pro coaches answer to bosses who can be more fickle than the average university president. "You'd better be sure you're hooked at the hip with the owner and management, so you're sure that you're on the same page," Kruger said.

Hawks News (7-6-04) Hawks making bird-brained decision in hiring Woodson (7-6-04). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writ...0706/index.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Woodson accepts offer from Hawks as head coach (7-6-04). http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfu...ry.asp?ID=41203 Mike Woodson bio box. http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfu...ry.asp?ID=41211 ------------------------------------------------------------ Picky Pacers (7-6-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/8/160369-2928-036.html He met their bosses, dined with their coaches and waited for an invitation that didn't come. The Indiana Pacers had no room on their payroll for Stephen Jackson a year ago, and he wound up signing an undervalued contract with Atlanta. He hopes the timing -- and money -- is better this year. "That's a situation I'd love to be in," Jackson said. "That team is already a dominant team. I'd just be another piece that helps them get where they want to go." Despite the apparent availability of a few premier players around the NBA, any trades or free agent acquisitions the Pacers make this month more likely will involve the likes of Jackson: players who address needs, improve the team and are realistically available without gutting the roster. Jackson is among the free agents the Pacers are pursuing during the negotiation period that began Thursday. Contracts, free agent offer sheets and trades may not be executed until July 14. Jackson, a 6-8 swingman who averaged a team-high 18.1 points for the Hawks last season, would bring athleticism, energy and perimeter shooting to the Pacers. Jackson listed the Pacers, Atlanta and San Antonio as his top choices. The Hawks drafted three players who are similar to him in size last week. Jackson took that as a sign Atlanta no longer is interested in him, but general manager Billy Knight rejected that notion. Jackson started at shooting guard on San Antonio's championship team in 2003, averaging 12.8 points in the playoffs. He was Atlanta's leading scorer last season and scored a career-high 42 points against Washington. He has a close relationship with Pacers assistant Mike Brown, who worked with him in San Antonio for two seasons. Brown was a candidate for Atlanta's head coaching position, which went to Mike Woodson. "Mike Brown has been a big part of my success," Jackson said. "He taught me how to work and how to get better." Jackson had dinner with Brown and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle last September, and met with Walsh and team president Larry Bird. The Pacers already had extended guaranteed contracts to 15 players, however. He signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract with Atlanta the next day, but exercised his option to become a free agent after the season. "We had a great meeting," Jackson said. "They got a chance to see what type of person I am and how hungry I am." Brown already had that feeling from his experience with Jackson in San Antonio. Jackson has been prone to emotional outbursts, but Brown described him as an energetic player and a "good teammate" capable of motivating others. "He can help any team," Brown said. "He's a big-time competitor; he really wants to win. I think he'd be a great fit here." ------------------------------------------------------------ Free Agent Breakdown - Center (7-6-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8883.shtml 11. Jason Collier, Atlanta Last year, Collier only made honorable mention in my list of free agent centers, and he wasn't particularly high on that portion of the list either. After the Minnesota Timberwolves cut him in training camp, Collier spent most of his season in the NBDL before the Atlanta Hawks gave him a shot after gutting their roster with trades. Collier was a key part of the Hawks squad that was actually respectable, going 10-18 after the trades -- slightly better than they did beforehand with Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Theo Ratliff on the roster. Collier was a key guy in that run, averaging 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Collier has always been a pretty good shooter for a big man, but the problem with this plan -- unless you're Mehmet Okur -- is that nobody's good enough on 15-20 footers to be an efficient scorer if that's all they shoot (aka The Peja Drobnjak Theory). Last year, Collier played inside enough -- 44% of his shots were "inside", according to 82games.com -- to be an efficient scorer. Collier still had his weaknesses. He wasn't much of a rebounder for a center -- and never has been -- and struggled on defense. Last year, however, he made good on the offensive potential that made him the 15th pick of the 2000 Draft. At less than a million, he's a solid pickup to see if he can keep it going. Everyone Else: Zeljko Rebraca - One of Hollinger's honorable mention bargains and an old favorite of mine, but he's 32, has a history of heart trouble and back problems, and did nothing last year, so maybe it's time to give this one up. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-6-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8911.shtml Atlanta Hawks: Atlanta GM Billy Knight has finally hired a head coach for the Atlanta Hawks. Knight hired his 1983 Kansas City Kings teammate and until recently Detroit Pistons assistant head coach Mike Woodson. Woodson had been first in line to replace Larry Brown should Brown pull one one his trademark exits but now he will have his own team to run, as he becomes the tenth Hawks coach of the past thirty-six years. ------------------------------------------------------------ Passing on the Hawks and the NBA (7-6-04). http://www.henryherald.com/articles/2004/0...rts/sports4.txt ------------------------------------------------------------ Spurs Eye Kobe Bryant (7-6-04). http://www.woai.com/spurs/story.aspx?conte...13-6539747BEAA7 Forward Changes? Spurs’ restricted free agent Hedo Turkoglu is receiving attention from other NBA teams. The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly prepared to deliver a “significant offer” to the 6-10 swingman. ESPN.com is also reporting that the Phoenix Suns are “readying an offer” to Turkoglu, using some of the salary cap space they will have left after signing point guard Steve Nash. Turkoglu averaged 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds for San Antonio last season, while shooting 41.9% from beyond the arc. ------------------------------------------------------------ Former Terps Set To Begin NBA Summer League Action (7-6-04). http://umterps.collegesports.com/sports/m-.../070604aaa.html Sharpshooter Drew Nicholas (1999-2003), famous for his buzzer beater against UNC Wilmington in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament, will join the Atlanta Hawks' summer league team. The Hawks will take part in the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nicholas averaged more than 30 points per game for Fabriano in 2003-04, a team based outside of Milan that plays in Italy's Legadue. ------------------------------------------------------------ The 10 Spot: July 6, 2004. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writ...06/10spot.0706/ 10. The Hawks reportedly will name Mike Woodson head coach. Woodson, a Pistons assistant, has the unenviable job of making Hawks fans forget Terry Stotts. ------------------------------------------------------------ Dumars follows Rasheed home (7-6-04). http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/9087061.htm?1c In unrelated developments, there were reports last night that Pistons assistant coach Mike Woodson, a former Sixers assistant, had agreed to become the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks. Woodson had not yet signed a contract, but there was additional speculation that Pistons assistant Herb Brown would be joining Woodson's staff. Herb Brown was an assistant to Larry Brown with the Sixers. ------------------------------------------------------------ The right decision was made (7-6-04). http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display....6/40eaba7444244 If there was ever a college sports head coach who deserved a chance to take the helm of a professional sports franchise, Krzyzewski would be the one. However, the jump from college to the NBA has continually proven to be unsuccessful. Remember successful college head coaches such as Lon Kruger, Tim Floyd and Leonard Hamilton, who were hired by NBA teams because of their winning records in college? Those three failed to translate what made them winners at the college level to the pro level. Kruger, who owned a 318-233 record in 18 seasons prior to coming to the NBA, had a putrid 69-122 record as head coach of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks from 2000 to 2003.

Hawks News (7-5-04) Hawks agree to contract with Woodson (7-5-04). http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/ha...04/06hawks.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Reports: Woodson accepts offer from Hawks (7-5-04). http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfu...ry.asp?ID=41183 ------------------------------------------------------------ Sources: Woodson to become Hawks’ coach (7-5-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/stor...marc&id=1834621 ------------------------------------------------------------ Free-agent Ginobili in hurry to choose (7-5-04). http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_3013292,00.html Manu Ginobili is quick on the court and wants to be quick in figuring out where he'll play next season. The San Antonio restricted free-agent shooting guard returned to his native Argentina on Sunday after visiting Denver on Friday and Utah on Saturday. His agent, Herb Rudoy, will interview officials this week with Atlanta, the other team Ginobili is considering. "He wants to make up his mind," Rudoy said Sunday. "He wants to get this moving." Ginobili, who is getting married Saturday, wants to make a decision by the end of the week. He plans to sign an offer sheet or re-sign with the Spurs, the team he says he prefers, July 14, the first day possible. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-5-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8893.shtml Atlanta Hawks: According to local media sources it appears that the Hawks are about to end their search for the next head coach with the hiring of Detroit Pistons Assistant and Larry Brown disciple Mike Woodson. Woodson spent 11 seasons as a player in the NBA and has totaled five years as an assistant coach including stints in Milwaukee, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Detroit. ------------------------------------------------------------ Ellis steals Hood Classic show (7-5-04). http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...lumhoops05.html Most fans came to the Hood Classic Alumni Tournament see Seattle-bred NBA stars Jason Terry of the Atlanta Hawks and Jamal Crawford of the Chicago Bulls. While they got a nice show from Terry and Crawford in some one-on-one tussles, they really got a heavy dose of 2000 Rainier Beach graduate Tim Ellis. Ellis was the show-stopper, scoring 43 points and making some eye-popping moves and dunks to lead Rainier Beach past Franklin 106-97 in the tournament title game last night at Garfield High. Terry, a 1995 Franklin graduate, finished with 24 points. Three-point contest: Terry claimed the shooting contest by making 13 shots beyond the arc in one minute in the finals, denying 2003 Garfield graduate Marques Echols. Echols made 10 in the final round; Seattle University's A.J. Brooks sank nine; and UW's Will Conroy made seven. ------------------------------------------------------------ Past local hoops stars shine in tourney, but future looks brighter (7-5-04). http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...84_allen05.html This weekend collection of former Seattle-area high-school boys basketball stars had all the makings of a hoops homecoming. It had the Atlanta Hawks' Jason Terry running the point and the Chicago Bulls' Jamal Crawford working wizardry beneath the basket and outside the three-point arc in last night's championship game. Crawford tallied 33 points in his first game Saturday, sinking eight three-pointers. He drew cheers for his fancy dribbling and made the crowd rise to its feet after catching a Tim Ellis pass that had been thrown off the glass and converting it into a rim-rattling dunk. But if Crawford was the showman, then Terry was the maestro. During Franklin's 115-110 victory over Garfield, Terry dove to the floor to retrieve a loose ball not once, but three times. Obviously, the game was much more than an exhibition for Terry, who literally wears his loyalty for his city like a badge of honor. "If I play, then I'm going to give it my all," said Terry, who has the city's skyline tattooed on his chest. "My game is all about winning. ... People here remember that about me." This was old grudges being settled and glory days being revisited. You could feel it when Crawford and Terry traded threes — almost as if it were scripted — in the championship game that was claimed by Terry's Franklin team. "Some things never change when you get all of us together again," Terry said. But to look at them now, they are different. Many of them were boys when their basketball talent reached maturity; now as young men, their abilities have diminished. A few among them, Crawford and Terry, have achieved that which all of them had dreamed about. Others are still chasing the NBA, no matter where the pursuit might take them.

Hawks News (7-4-04) Hawks prepared to offer head coach job to Pistons assistant Mike Woodson (7-4-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/04hawks.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Pistons might be minus 2 assistants (7-4-04). http://www.detnews.com/2004/pistons/0407/05/b01-202928.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ Source says Woodson will be Hawks' choice (7-4-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/9/159855-6979-036.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Stars back for alumni hoops tourney (7-4-04). http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...lumhoops04.html Jason Terry plays 82 NBA games a year with the Atlanta Hawks. Still, nothing could keep him away from a game with his alma mater, Franklin High School, when rival Garfield High is the opponent. Terry, a 1995 graduate of Franklin, led the Quakers' floor show as his squad turned back a furious Garfield rally for a 115-110 victory last night in the nightcap of the fourth Hood Classic Alumni Tournament at Garfield. Terry and Rainier Beach alum Jamal Crawford, now playing with the NBA's Chicago Bulls, came back for the event to honor their roots. The NBA guards will square off in tonight's tourney championship as Crawford helped Beach to a 111-101 win over O'Dea. "It's big for the community for me to come back because the community gave me so much support to me when I played here," said Terry, who supplied 17 points, six assists and five steals from his point-guard position. "It's a joy for me to play in front of them and I hope it is for the fans." ------------------------------------------------------------ KOBE LAYING DOWN OWN LAW IN L.A. (7-4-04). http://nypost.com/sports/24396.htm The moment Philly picked Arizona's Andre Iguodala at No. 9 (their target from the git-go) the Suns and Hawks tried to trade for him. Mike Woodson, once a teammate of Hawks GM Billy Knight, appears to have beaten out Mike Brown (Pacers associate coach) for Atlanta's head job. ------------------------------------------------------------ Free agents a tough fit under salary cap for most NBA teams (7-4-04). http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/basketb...l-sp.nba04jul04,0,598049.story?coll=bal-sports-headlines While Atlanta is an offseason home to many NBA players, the Hawks, who have about $25 million to play with, are thought to be a second-level choice for most free agents. ------------------------------------------------------------ Lengthy deals not always wise (7-4-04). http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketb.../sfl-ira04jul04,0,5231695.column?coll=sfla-sports-heat ROOM TO SPARE: In search of a small forward, with interest in a trade for the Heat's Caron Butler apparently a one-way street, the Magic is looking into Stephen Jackson, Stacey Augmon and Bowen in free agency. Jackson we can somewhat understand, but it's difficult to envision where Bowen or Augmon fits in with a win-later team. ------------------------------------------------------------ NBA Free Agent Rankings (7-4-04). http://insidehoops.com/free-agent-rankings.shtml MORE NBA FREE AGENT RANKINGS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER): Stephen Jackson (Atlanta) - Keeps it raw. Every team needs a player who keeps it raw. Bobby Sura (Atlanta) - A versatile baller whose best days are ahead of him. Also, the smell of his hair-dye causes opposing players to feel faint, giving Sura's team an advantage. ------------------------------------------------------------

Hawks News (7-2-04) Pistons assistant Woodson offered Hawks' job (7-2-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1833396 ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks step closer to picking coach (7-2-04). http://www.ajc.com/friday/content/epaper/e...d540180036.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Brown, Woodson on Hawks' short list (7-2-04). http://www.indystar.com/articles/5/159335-3575-179.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Okur will still visit others (7-2-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1833613 Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have contacted restricted free agent Hedo Turkoglu and may be prepared to make him a significant offer in the next few days. Turkoglu received a qualifying offer from the Spurs this week that allows them to match any offer he receives. ------------------------------------------------------------ Josh Smith Likely to Bust…Out (7-2-04). http://hawks.realgm.com/showarticle.php?artid=456 ------------------------------------------------------------ Jackson eyes Spurs' interest (7-2-04). http://www.panews.com/articles/2004/07/02/...ws03%20copy.txt ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (7-2-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8868.shtml Atlanta Hawks: Welcome to Atlanta, where the playaz ..... leave? Jermaine Dupri and other Atlanta area music artists had a city to pimp in their songs and noteworthy Hawks authentics to wear in their BET Rap City video clips. Names such as Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Jason Terry seemed popular ..... once. Rasheed Wallace wasn't here long enough for the hardcore set to get their two cents in, though I really felt that the Hawks could have added more money to their cap space if they'd put his once used #36 jersey on eBay. ------------------------------------------------------------ Araujo pick gives BYU recruiting a boost (7-2-04). http://166.70.44.66/2004/Jul/07022004/sports/180475.asp After a 10-year dry spell, BYU has had two players reach the NBA in consecutive seasons. Travis Hansen is preparing for his second season with the Atlanta Hawks. ------------------------------------------------------------ Blazers limited by lack of room under salary cap (7-2-04). http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2004/...ts/sports06.txt The team also could see the return of Wesley Person, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard who went to the Atlanta Hawks in the Rasheed Wallace trade. A free agent, Person played in 33 games for the Blazers last year and earned the respect of coach Maurice Cheeks. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks Summer League Action Takes Squad To Salt Lake City For The Rocky Mountain Revue (7-1-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/2004_SummerLeague_Info.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks Announce Several Changes In Basketball Operations Deptartment (7-1-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_basket...ps_changes.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Diaw Helps With CHOA Games. http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Diaw_CHOA_070204.html

Hawks News (6-25-04) Draft done, Knight looks for free agents, coach (6-25-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/26hawks.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Ecstatic Childress can't wait to go to Atlanta (6-25-04). http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime.../9010034.htm?1c ------------------------------------------------------------ Thoughts on the Hawks Draft/Hawks Draft Grade (6-25-04). http://hawks.realgm.com/showarticle.php?artid=452 ------------------------------------------------------------ 2004 NBA DRAFT | The Recap (6-25-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8773.shtml Atlanta: 6. Josh Childress, SF, Stanford; 17. Josh Smith, SF, Oak Hill Academy (Va.); 34. Donta Smith, SF, SE Illinois; 37. Royal Ivey, SG, Texas; 42. Viktor Sanikidze, SF, Georgia (Sanikidze was traded to San Antonio) Thoughts: The Hawks got what they wanted… youth, athleticism and some excitement. Now the questions remains can they do anything in free agency to bolster the team. Overall this was a solid draft for the Hawks who came away with some talent. Overall Grade: B ------------------------------------------------------------ Team Draft Grades (6-25-04). http://nbadraftreport.com/draftgrades04.htm Atlanta Hawks: Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Donta Smith, Royal Ivey, Viktor Sanikidze Grade: B—The Hawks did some nice work in this draft getting Viktor, and Donta in the second round and Josh Smith with the 17th pick. I think they could have gotten a better player than Childress but other than that, they did ok. ------------------------------------------------------------ NBA Draft winners and losers (6-25-04). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writ.../draft.winners/ LOSERS: The Atlanta Hawks: I didn't like either of their first-round picks. Although he is a bright young man who will represent the franchise well, Josh Childress isn't quite good enough to go No. 6. And taking prep player Josh Smith at No. 17 was a major risk. Of course, the Hawks don't have anyone to coach these guys yet, either. ------------------------------------------------------------ Royal Ivey selected as the 37th pick of NBA Draft by Atlanta (6-25-04). http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/mbb_p.../062504_20.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Howard makes grade in draft (6-25-04). http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/206181p-177960c.html Mitch Lawrence breaks down the first round of the NBA draft: 6. Atlanta: Josh Childress, 6-8, F, Stanford Ben Wallace finally has some competition in best 'fro contest. 17. Atlanta: Josh Smith, 6-9, F, Oak Hill Academy Hawks' best dunker since Dominique Wilkens will help fill seats in his hometown Atlanta. ------------------------------------------------------------ THE DAILY (6-25-04). http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_8769.shtml Atlanta Hawks: The Atlanta Hawks went Joshing last night, selecting Stanford wingman Childress at the sixth spot and high school small forward Smith over such still available players as Luol Deng and Jameer Nelson. Is lacking a head coach causing the Hawks to have less flexibility in selections? Were they unable to adjust to the surprise availability of players expected to go earlier? ------------------------------------------------------------ SIC'S SMITH TAKEN 34TH BY ATLANTA (6-24-04). http://www.southernillinoisan.com/rednews/...rts/SPO001.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Draft Winners and Losers (6-24-04). http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylc=X3oD...=yhoo&type=lgns LOSERS: Atlanta Hawks: Josh Childress will be a nice player in the NBA, but the Hawks took two players who play the same position as Childress later in the draft. Josh Smith is a talented swingman who has no idea how to play yet – he's just a kid. Donta Smith is a gifted athlete who could end up being a good player. But with Childress playing ahead of him, will be find the minutes he needs? ------------------------------------------------------------ A Peek Inside Hawks Draft Center. http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/draft_center_2004.html ------------------------------------------------------------ I will be out of town for about a week starting tomorrow so if anybody would like to post the Hawks' news of the day please feel free to. Hope everyone here has a good week. Sincerely, Todd

Jay Williams still hopes to return to NBA (6-22-04). http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5270895/ A year after a motorcycle crash left Jay Williams fearful he would never walk again, the former Chicago Bulls guard is holding out hope that he’ll return to the NBA. “I’m not running and dunking on people yet,” Williams said by phone Tuesday from Durham, N.C., where he has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation since last summer. “I wish I could. But I’m definitely making huge steps compared to where I was last year.” The former No. 2 draft pick out of Duke said he started doing some shooting and light jogging about four months ago, and recently jumped off his injured left leg for the first time. His next goal is to work his way up to sprinting and cutting. “The big thing is trusting in the leg again,” he said. “I’m finally starting to believe in it again.” On June 19, 2003, Williams crashed his recently bought motorcycle into a light pole in Chicago, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments and damaging nerves in his left leg. He was still on crutches when training camp rolled around in the fall, and he wound up missing the entire season. The Bulls honored the Plainfield, N.J., native’s contract last season — despite the fact that he violated a standard contract clause that prohibits players from engaging in dangerous activities like riding motorcycles — but waived him in February after reaching a settlement on the remaining two years. The buyout was reportedly worth about $3 million. Williams said he has not had contact with the Bulls in recent months, but would like to play for them again. “My door is still open with Chicago,” Williams said. “When my time comes to come back, I will definitely give them the right of first refusal. I’d definitely play for them as long as I can, but if it doesn’t work out, I just want to play somewhere.” Whether Williams, 22, can return at all is in question. The nerve damage left part of his left leg without feeling, though he said most of that has been restored. Williams has taken inspiration from Duke assistant coach Johnny Dawkins, who was hampered by injuries early in his pro career and recovered to play several more seasons. Nevertheless, Williams has prepared himself for a future that does not include pro basketball. He said he plans eventually to go back to school and get an MBA — he graduated from Duke in three years with a degree in sociology in 2002 — and would like to work in a sports-related enterprise. Whatever he ends up doing, it is doubtful he will be tested more — both physically and mentally — than he has in the last year. “Playing basketball, you think you’ve been challenged, by different coaches, different players, different situations,” Williams said. “But for me, this is the most challenging thing I’ve ever had to go through.”

Yea, I've heard people say that Sabonis was absolutely incredible when he played over in Europe. They said the NBA never got to see his true talent because he was getting on up there in age when he decided to come to the league. Even in his older age he still had amazing touch on the ball and a good shot, you can see how good he was when he still had his athleticism in his younger days. ------------------------------------------------------------ Spurs Select Udrih In First Round (6-25-04). http://woai.com/spurs/story.aspx?content_i...A4-0616C9ECF7CE Quote: The Spurs also acquired 6-foot-8 forward Viktor Sanikidze from the Georgia Republic, taken by Atlanta with the 42nd pick. The Hawks receive San Antonio's second-round selection in 2005 and cash considerations.

Hawks News (6-24-04) Hawks Tab Childress, Smith In First Round of Draft (6-24-04). http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/draft_2004.html Childress was the Pac-10 Player of the Year last season. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks pick Stanford's Childress at No. 6 (6-24-04). http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...04/25hawks.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Hawks take Stanford star with first pick, hometown player at No. 17 (6-24-04). http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfu...ry.asp?ID=40492 ------------------------------------------------------------ Round 1 analysis (6-24-04). http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004/co...chad&id=1827411 6. ATLANTA HAWKS - Josh Childress STANFORD | JUNIOR | FORWARD HEIGHT: 6-7¼ | WEIGHT: 196 | AGE: 20 We began hearing that Childress was the Hawks' guy late last night. They had him ranked on the board ahead of Andre Iguodala and Luol Deng. The Hawks love his versatility, his length and his experience. Like the Bobcats, the Hawks don't want to start rebuilding with high school guys. 17. ATLANTA HAWKS - Josh Smith OAK HILL ACADEMY | FORWARD HEIGHT: 6-8¼ | WEIGHT: 221 | AGE: 18 He's the best athlete in the draft. But obviously, many NBA teams felt he didn't know how to play. He's a local guy, so he's a much better pick here than he would be in the lottery. Smith is a long ways away. Great potential. Also great "bust" potential. ------------------------------------------------------------ Sporting News' pick-by-pick analysis (6-24-04). http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2517360 6. Atlanta Hawks Josh Childress, 6-7, G/F The Hawks took the safe route by taking Josh Childress, a smooth wing man who can shoot. Atlanta is, in effect, an expansion team with only four players under contract and a truckload of cap space. Childress probably will come in and start as the shooting guard, with Boris Diaw as the small forward and Jason Terry at the point. The team will use its cap space to pursue big men who can rebound and defend the paint. 17. Atlanta Hawks Josh Smith, 6-8, SF The Hawks added another athlete who will need some time to grow. He has a ton of athleticism, but he needs to work harder on his shooting and ballhandling. That will take time. The Hawks are a team still without a coach, and the guy they pick to lead the team will need to be adept at developing young players, starting with Smith. Smith probably will get some playing time because the Hawks have no other players, but he will need time to be a contributor. ------------------------------------------------------------ Marty Burns' NBA Draft First Round Analysis (6-24-04). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/bask...ysis/index.html 6 SF Josh Childress (Stanford): The Hawks badly wanted one of the top three point guards, but well, they're the Hawks. They'll settle for this jack-of-all trades, who has a 6-11 wingspan and the quick feet to be a good defender and rebounder. Best of all, there's absolutely no truth to the rumor he's really only 5-10 without the 'fro. 17 SF Josh Smith (Oak Hill (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) Academy): The Hawks didn't get Howard, but at least they got the other high school phenom from Georgia. Smith, an Indiana recruit, is a phenomenal athlete who can run and finish on the break. But he's young, somewhat immature and needs to learn how to play the NBA game. ------------------------------------------------------------ Sam Smith analyzes the 1st-round (6-24-04). http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...firstroundrecap,1,7840677.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines 6. Atlanta Josh Childress 21 F 6-8 210 Stanford Another big loser, though we expect that from Hawks. They wanted Atlanta product Howard. They wanted point guard, but top two went before them. Smart player, but question is toughness. And he'll need it with that team. 17. Atlanta Josh Smith 18 F 6-9 210 Oak Hill (Va.) Academy Well, they got that Georgia high school guy, right? Wrong one. He's one of those big time athletes who knows little about playing NBA game or what he's getting into. Perhaps the perfect Hawk.

Quote: I'm trying to think of a player who was "kept overseas for a few years" who ever made an impact in the NBA. Seems like you never hear from those guys again. Peja Stojakovic: Selected by the Sacramento Kings in the first round (14th pick overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft....Played in Greece from 1995-96 to 1997-98. Gordan Giricek: Selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round (40th pick overall) in the 1999 NBA Draft... Draft rights and a future second-round pick traded by the Mavericks to the San Antonio Spurs for Leon Smith on 6/30/99 ... Rights traded by the Spurs to the Memphis Grizzlies for a second-round pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and cash considerations on 6/26/02 Emanuel Ginobili: Selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round (57th pick overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft....Signed with the Spurs on 7/18/02 … made his pro debut in Argentina with Andino in 1995-96 … played for Argentina's Estudiantes Bahia Blanca in 1996-97 and 1997-98 … then moved to Italy … spent two seasons - 1998-99 and 1999-00 - with Basket Viola Reggio Calabria before joining Virtus Bologna for the 2000-01 season.

I would have rather seen the Hawks take Luol Deng since he was still available but I'm not too dissapointed in the Childress selection. The two play a similar type game. The Hawks must have saw something more in Childress than Deng. I trust their judgement on this one.

I think the Clippers will take a chance on Shaun Livingston. Especially since Los Angeles needs a point guard and I would consider Devin Harris more of a two guard, although he can play some point as well. He reminds me of a Reece Gaines with a better skill level and higher "upside."