HawkTodd Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 NBA missing free-market society status (7-4-03). http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/6235038.htm Elton Brand (Clippers), Jason Terry (Atlanta), Gilbert Arenas (Golden State), Richard Hamilton (Detroit), Andre Miller (Clippers), James Posey (Houston), Corey Maggette (Clippers), and Lamar Odom (Clippers) have paid visits to one team or another. The question, at least in most instances, is: What for? Since all of them have "restricted free agent" attached to their names, their offers can be matched by the teams they play for. What's worse, those teams have two weeks before they are obligated to give an answer. "The fact that you have to tie yourself up in a player for two weeks waiting for an answer while other free agents are out there looking to sign is a difficult proposition for most teams to accept," Grunfeld said. Translation: It's yet another deterrent for teams pursuing free agents. .................................................................................... Let free agency ring (7-4-03). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_ga.../burns_mailbag/ Who are some of the lesser-known free agents out there who might be able to make a big impact if placed in the right situation? My feeling is that a guy like Damon Jones, formerly of Sacramento, could do big things in L.A. with Shaq and Kobe. He plays the game the right way and he has a very reliable jump shot. -- Terrence Williams, Saint Louis Park, Minn. For a lot of marginal free agents, finding the right team can be more important than getting the most money right away. Jones is an interesting example. He has played for seven teams in seven seasons but can’t seem to find a home. Last year he did a good job with the Kings early in the season, but fell off a bit after ,b>Mike Bibby returned. Jones doesn’t make mistakes and can knock down the 3. He can’t really create his own shot, but he might not have to as much with a team like the Lakers. I’m not sure he could make a big impact, but he might be a valuable reserve. Some other guys in that category are Ira Newble, Lee Nailon, Eric Piatkowski and Reggie Evans. .................................................................................... Malone at Front of the Line (7-3-03). http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers3jul03,1,7691766.story Leon Smith, who has had difficulty fitting into several leagues since he was drafted out of Chicago's Martin Luther King High four years ago, will play for the Lakers' entry in the L.A. Pro Summer League at the Pyramid in Long Beach. The team, coached by Kurt Rambis, opens its season Sunday against the Canadian national team. Smith, who attempted suicide two weeks into the 1999-2000 season while with the Dallas Mavericks, played 14 games for the Atlanta Hawks two seasons ago. In the last year, the 6-foot-10 forward has played for the Globetrotters, in the USBL, the CBA and in Puerto Rico. "It's a summer-league opportunity," Kupchak said Wednesday. "Nine times out of 10, that's where it ends. If a guy shows some promise, then the next thing that happens is a training-camp invitation." .................................................................................... FULL COURT PRESS Joe Aquilar, NBA Editor. http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c...lcourtpress.htm Shooting guards: 6. Jason Terry: Restricted free agent to whom the Hawks have already extended and offer. While this roster needs a major facelift, Terry is one player Atlanta must retain. Centers: 6. Theo Ratliff: Not nearly the force he was in Philadelphia. He will find a home -- just not big money .................................................................................... Making a List, July 3: Top Free Agent Small Forwards (7-3-03). http://www.nba.com/transactions/movement2003_lists.html 7. IRA NEWBLE: Swingman averaged 13.5 ppg in April 10. DARVIN HAM: Good defender, rebounder off bench MAKING A LIST, JULY 2: Top free-agent shooting guards (7-2-02). http://www.nba.com/transactions/movement2003_lists.html 2. JASON TERRY: Mr. Offense (17.2 ppg, 7.4 apg) .................................................................................... Georgia capital . . . and sports capital? (7-3-03). http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?wcd=3663 Then there’s the Hawks. As far as Atlanta franchises go, this has to be one of the worst. The names of bad signings and trades could fill a book. The team has not made the playoffs since 1999, and attendance has gone down every year despite signing high-profile free agents like Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Glenn Robinson. Enter David McDavid. A car dealer from Dallas, McDavid is slated to be the new owner of the Hawks, Thrashers, and Philips Arena, which houses both teams. McDavid has already stated he would like to make wholesale changes to the Hawks. If there is any doubt what positives an enthusiastic owner can bring to a team, you only need to look at Mark Cuban in Dallas and the Maloof brothers in Sacramento. These owners were individuals who cared about the game and helped spearhead the complete turnaround of previously-poor franchises. For a team as backward as the Hawks, McDavid could be a similar breath of fresh air. .................................................................................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 I definitely appreciate you taking the time to link and caption these stories involving the Hawks so often.......makes things very easy to keep up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playoffs03 Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 Todd, I wanna say thanks too. Good job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkTodd Posted July 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 Appreciate the kind words, thanks. Just doing my little part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now