Clarity

[Swatguy]

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/hawks/entries/2008/09/23/clarity.html

Salim Stoudamire looks like a new man.

He literally looks brand new.

He’s got the ‘fro back. He’s smiling, not scowling.

And he sounds brand new, too.

It’s amazing what a change of scenery does for a man.

After waiting all summer to find a new home the former Hawks reserve guard has found one in San Antonio with the Spurs. He signed a two-year deal with the Western Conference power and moves into a place where there is a glaring need for some scoring punch off the bench.

“They invited me out there three times and let me know they were interested,” Stoudamire said. “They wanted to see how I could fit in with their guys. They knew I was talented but they wanted to see if they could incorporate that into their system. Then [three] days ago Gregg Popovich called me and told me how much he wanted me to come to San Antonio and we came to an agreement and that’s how I got there.”

After three tumultuous and disappointing seasons with the Hawks (he played in 61 games in each of his first two seasons but managed to make appearances in just 35 last year), Stoudamire knows his position in the league is tenuous, at best, right now. That’s why he isn’t taking anything for granted.

“This is definitely my second chance and it might be my last chance,” Stoudamire said. “But I know how to turn negatives into a positive. After these three years in Atlanta I can say that I’ve finally become a man. Being in a situation where I wasn’t playing, it humbled me. It made me appreciate just being in the NBA a lot more. It made me work a lot harder and realize that this is a blessing. There are only 400 and something guys in the NBA and billions of people in the world. So once you take that into account, your focus is there, your clarity is there and you can move forward.”

Stoudamire leaves the Hawks without cashing in on all the potential he showed, but with a chance to seize an opportunity elsewhere (and when it’s with a perennial powerhouse that routinely plays deep into the playoffs, it’s hard to ask for a better situation).

And even though he’ll be focused on his new job and new challenges, he insists he’ll keep tabs on things in Atlanta.

“I’m definitely going to keep a close eye on the Hawks,” he said. “I still feel connected here. I want to see the best for everyone involved. Not only for the players but also for the coaches, the trainers and especially the fans. I just finally want to see Atlanta basketball reach that consistent level of playing well. I saw how far we came in the three years I was here, from barely winning to making the playoffs and getting everybody energized and caught up in what we’re we doing. And it’s really a beautiful thing to come from the bottom up and have that kind of success.”

[Admin]

“I’m definitely going to keep a close eye on the Hawks,” he said. “I still feel connected here. I want to see the best for everyone involved. Not only for the players but also for the coaches, the trainers and especially the fans. I just finally want to see Atlanta basketball reach that consistent level of playing well. I saw how far we came in the three years I was here, from barely winning to making the playoffs and getting everybody energized and caught up in what we’re we doing. And it’s really a beautiful thing to come from the bottom up and have that kind of success.”

I'm very impressed with his maturity in not only not taking any shots at the team, players, coaches, management, etc but he even talks about how he still feels connected and wants the team to do well.

I wish Salim the best and I have a good feeling that he'll stick around the league for many years to come.

[frosgrim]

I'm very impressed with his maturity in not only not taking any shots at the team, players, coaches, management, etc but he even talks about how he still feels connected and wants the team to do well.

I wish Salim the best and I have a good feeling that he'll stick around the league for many years to come.

Yeah, he certainly showed tremendous class in that interview.

My feeling is that he'll provide the Spurs with what they need off the bench, esp with consistant minutes and the proper role.

[capstone21]

I hope he does well over there. I don't see him getting a lot of pt...especially with the signing of Mason. His best option was really Europe. He would have gotten a lot of PT over there. Going to the spurs gives him the ability to compete for a championship.

However, I am glad he is gone. I hated when he or Lue came into the game. I like out new options at guard with Murray and Evans much better.

[Swatguy]

I'm willing to believe Pops had a talk with Woody before they went with Slim. And I believe Salim knows it.

[macdaddy]

it'll be interesting to see if guys like Salim and Sheldon who languished on the bench for Woody will find better success elsewhere.

Salim with the Spurs will be interesting. I can't imagine a backcourt of Salim and Parker. They'd be quick but I'm not sure they could guard anyone.

[DrReality]

Think he's grown up a lot. One of the knocks against him was how he had some run ins while in college.

[EazyRoc]

Salim'll be lucky to get 5 minutes a game. Very lucky.

[frankthetank966]

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/hawks/entries/2008/09/23/clarity.html

Salim Stoudamire looks like a new man.

He literally looks brand new.

He’s got the ‘fro back. He’s smiling, not scowling.

And he sounds brand new, too.

It’s amazing what a change of scenery does for a man.

After waiting all summer to find a new home the former Hawks reserve guard has found one in San Antonio with the Spurs. He signed a two-year deal with the Western Conference power and moves into a place where there is a glaring need for some scoring punch off the bench.

“They invited me out there three times and let me know they were interested,” Stoudamire said. “They wanted to see how I could fit in with their guys. They knew I was talented but they wanted to see if they could incorporate that into their system. Then [three] days ago Gregg Popovich called me and told me how much he wanted me to come to San Antonio and we came to an agreement and that’s how I got there.”

After three tumultuous and disappointing seasons with the Hawks (he played in 61 games in each of his first two seasons but managed to make appearances in just 35 last year), Stoudamire knows his position in the league is tenuous, at best, right now. That’s why he isn’t taking anything for granted.

“This is definitely my second chance and it might be my last chance,” Stoudamire said. “But I know how to turn negatives into a positive. After these three years in Atlanta I can say that I’ve finally become a man. Being in a situation where I wasn’t playing, it humbled me. It made me appreciate just being in the NBA a lot more. It made me work a lot harder and realize that this is a blessing. There are only 400 and something guys in the NBA and billions of people in the world. So once you take that into account, your focus is there, your clarity is there and you can move forward.”

Stoudamire leaves the Hawks without cashing in on all the potential he showed, but with a chance to seize an opportunity elsewhere (and when it’s with a perennial powerhouse that routinely plays deep into the playoffs, it’s hard to ask for a better situation).

And even though he’ll be focused on his new job and new challenges, he insists he’ll keep tabs on things in Atlanta.

“I’m definitely going to keep a close eye on the Hawks,” he said. “I still feel connected here. I want to see the best for everyone involved. Not only for the players but also for the coaches, the trainers and especially the fans. I just finally want to see Atlanta basketball reach that consistent level of playing well. I saw how far we came in the three years I was here, from barely winning to making the playoffs and getting everybody energized and caught up in what we’re we doing. And it’s really a beautiful thing to come from the bottom up and have that kind of success.”

Best luck to Salim. Unfortunately it never worked out for him here. I think he can be a solid player though.

I enjoy what he said about the franchise in the closing paragraph. Thought that was very professional.

[hawkman]

The guy can play the game pure and simple. He belongs in the NBA and I sincerely hope he makes the most out of this opportunity. I wish we could've kept him but what's done is done. Go get 'em Salim.

[OGRat]

The guy can play the game pure and simple. He belongs in the NBA and I sincerely hope he makes the most out of this opportunity. I wish we could've kept him but what's done is done. Go get 'em Salim.

Normally I would say that if he could not make it with a team that needed contributions like the Hawks, he can't make it with the Spurs. My hesitancy is Mike Woodson.

I truly hope this year Woodson proves me wrong about his coaching.

[frosgrim]

Normally I would say that if he could not make it with a team that needed contributions like the Hawks, he can't make it with the Spurs. My hesitancy is Mike Woodson.

I truly hope this year Woodson proves me wrong about his coaching.

Well said