AJC: An Unfamiliar Buzz About the Hawks

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Hawks finished the regular season with a losing record. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. They ranked 28th in NBA attendance and that’s even counting each head twice, which they tend to do at Philips Arena.

These are the bottom line numbers we look at in sports before arriving at such well-thought out, bar-stool analysis. Such as: “They stink.” And: “This is why they never should’ve traded Dominique.” And: “What does this have to do with spring football?”

But other than the familiar ending, this season was different. Before the year started, we didn’t know what to think about Mike Budenholzer as a head coach. We wondered about Jeff Teague as a starting point guard. Realistically, there wasn’t much to expect from a pedestrian roster where the two biggest moves in the Danny Ferry regime were subtractions (Joe Johnson and Josh Smith), not additions.

But something significant changed in the playoffs. There was an unfamiliar buzz. People cared.

This was brought home strangely enough in a defeat. They flubbed a late-game lead to Indiana in Game 6 of the first round and with that game went the series. But Philips Arena rocked like nobody could remember, at least not for a Springsteen concert.

“We had the crowd and the atmosphere that we’ve been dreaming about,” guard Kyle Korver said.

This was Monday, locker clean-out day. Korver said he was still “bummed” as he reflected on the season, largely because of that game, even while it may have represented a turning point for this franchise.

“One reason I came back here was we wanted to help build something like that,” he said. “You see what’s possible in every way with the team, the city, the crowd. It takes time to build some traction in this city. It starts with us. We have to put a product out there that fans want to come and watch. We laid a decent foundation. The next level for us is we have to learn how to win.”

Some of that will require the Hawks’ existing players to learn the art not unraveling in the final few minutes of games.

Some of that will require new players.

For the Hawks to take the next step, general manger Danny Ferry will need to do something he hasn’t done in his two years in Atlanta: spend money.

The Hawks will never be in the stupid payroll club. It’s not the Ferry way. That’s not to suggest he won’t give a bad contract at some point because even visionaries get blinded sometimes, or yield to an owner in mid-sugar rush. But Carmelo Anthony probably isn’t happening here. San Antonio is the blueprint and that’s not a franchise generally known for free agent splashes.

But the Hawks can, and should, spend money. Their payroll ranked 24th out of 30 teams this season. They have move-able contracts. They have enough space under the cap that they can be a trade partner for other teams that might be headed for salary cap Armageddon.

What the Hawks achieved against Indiana also likely caught the attention of expected free agents this summer. If Atlanta didn’t gain “Gotta be there” status, the franchise certainly isn’t the pariah it might’ve been. The perception is that things are getting better. Quickly.

Ferry’s ability to watch this team perform without the injured Al Horford allowed him to more easily identify this team’s core. Horford isn’t going anywhere. Neither is Teague, who flourished under Budenholzer. (Teague: “He took my game to another level.”) Paul Millsap carried the Hawks for a while and became an All-Star for the first time in his career. Korver, now 33, led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (47.2) and averaged 12 points, his highest since 2007.

Second-year pro Mike Scott became an important player down the stretch. DeMarre Carroll was the team’s best defender. His goal now: to improve his three-point shooting. He wants to be “The African American Kyle Korver.” Yes, he said that.

There’s your core. Now it’s about upgrading.

Ferry will have some attractive options in the free agent market. Luol Deng isn’t the player he was five years ago, but he can still be a major asset at both ends of the court and likely won’t command nearly the $14.3 million he made this season.

If the Hawks have designs on moving Horford to power forward — and they should — Detroit’s 6-foot-11 Greg Monroe (restricted) or Cleveland’s 7-1 Spencer Hawes (unrestricted) would give them some needed size. The Hawks also need more scoring help and Utah’s Gordon Hayward (restricted) averaged over 16 points this season.

A team doesn’t get a lot of opportunities to sway a fickle sports market like Atlanta. This is Hawks’ chance. Ferry and Budenholzer succeeded in creating an identity in a short amount of time — an identity the Hawks actually want. It will be interesting to see what they do with it.

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/hawks-have-rare-chance-to-keep-our-attention/nfptH/

[IheartVolt]

Sign Monroe and put him back at center where he made people notice him , trade Lou Williams for a back up wing to add to the mix , and last but not least sign Hayward and make kk sixth man. Sap and DMC at sf and you have a deep ass team. Who could argue against this? Horford and sap at of with DMC and Sap stretching the floor at the three. Makes too much sense

Edited May 5, 2014 by IheartFerry

[Buzzard]

Its a good write up; but I don't see the get it done this year or else mentality. It all depends on our draft first; then free agency this year or the next IMO.

We cannot be Detroit and just spend our money because we have it. If the opportunity is there use it; if not, wait another season...

[nathan2331]

"I want to be the African-American Kyle Korver" that bit had me rolling. Just might have to put that in my signature.

Great article from the AJC for once and it had me excited for next season. If we could somehow trade Lou + Jenkins for Afflalo, sign Monroe and put this team out there next season:

Teague/Mack/Schröder

Afflalo/Korver/

Millsap/Carroll/Draft pick

Horford/Scott/Antić

Monroe/Bebe/Muscala

I'd peg us as contenders. More likely I can see us maybe waiting for 2015 to start spending money. In that event, we might just sign someone like Hawes or Gortat to a big one year deal to tide us over.

[IheartVolt]

Its a good write up; but I don't see the get it done this year or else mentality. It all depends on our draft first; then free agency this year or the next IMO.

We cannot be Detroit and just spend our money because we have it. If the opportunity is there use it; if not, wait another season...

I agree with this but think Monroe and Hayward additions is a far cry from Detroit signing Jennings and Smoove. I would be okay with Afflalo too. But I think Hayward would fit better. Afflalo showed out this year

[Guest]

Its a good write up; but I don't see the get it done this year or else mentality. It all depends on our draft first; then free agency this year or the next IMO.

We cannot be Detroit and just spend our money because we have it. If the opportunity is there use it; if not, wait another season...

"The Hawks will never be in the stupid payroll club. It’s not the Ferry way. That’s not to suggest he won’t give a bad contract at some point because even visionaries get blinded sometimes, or yield to an owner in mid-sugar rush."

[IheartVolt]

"The Hawks will never be in the stupid payroll club. Its not the Ferry way. Thats not to suggest he wont give a bad contract at some point because even visionaries get blinded sometimes, or yield to an owner in mid-sugar rush."

That stood out for me as well. Ferry is a business man as well as a basketball man in the whole package. I am thinking the whole Lebron thing in Cleveland was working a bit out of his persona to appease a panicking owner

[Wretch]

There was definitely something different watching Game 6. As disconnected as I am to this team right now, I can't even put into words how happy it made me to see our home court LOOK like a home court. That was a memorable moment for me. It ranks right up there behind the '88 duel, the 2008 playoffs, and 2011 playoffs.

Other than 2008, I can't remember seeing our crowd like that.

It was glorious. I'm still very concerned about our overall strategy for improvement, but I feel a lot better about our commitment to changing the culture.

[dirtypuppet]

Korver is one of the best pros we've had in Atlanta.

He's been a hawks for 2 seasons now and atr the latter part of his career but he actually seems like a wise contract signing as his style of play isn't likely to decline much with age and his IQ and passion for the game is exactly what you want on any team.

[IheartVolt]

Korver is one of the best pros we've had in Atlanta.

He's been a hawks for 2 seasons now and atr the latter part of his career but he actually seems like a wise contract signing as his style of play isn't likely to decline much with age and his IQ and passion for the game is exactly what you want on any team.

Not to mention he loves being a Hawk. ;)

[Jody23]

If the Hawks want to capitalize on the current fan interest, then they need to take a step forward. And it has to start this offseason. Otherwise, you'll see a repeat of 2008 where they become forgotten again.

[Buzzard]

If the Hawks want to capitalize on the current fan interest, then they need to take a step forward. And it has to start this offseason. Otherwise, you'll see a repeat of 2008 where they become forgotten again.

3rd seed when Horford went down. 8th seed without him. Ferry needs to work some Hickson/Verejao type draft magic; best case is with a wing. It all starts with drafting a keeper at 15!

Edited May 6, 2014 by Buzzard

[GrimeyKidd]

Great Article. Kinda hard to sign a rfa but worth a shot. Deng and Monroe seem realistic. Hawes as the monroe cancelation prize. Him or Jordan Hill.

[Jody23]

3rd seed when Horford went down. 8th seed without him. Ferry needs to work some Hickson/Verejao type draft magic; best case is with a wing. It all starts with drafting a keeper at 15!

That's true, but those fans aren't checking for the Horford injury excuse, even if it's a legitimate one. They're expecting the Hawks to take substantial steps towards becoming something more than what they usually are. The playoffs have created that expectation and they'll have to be very aggresive with offseason moves if they want to get substantially better.

[Buzzard]

That's true, but those fans aren't checking for the Horford injury excuse, even if it's a legitimate one. They're expecting the Hawks to take substantial steps towards becoming something more than what they usually are. The playoffs have created that expectation and they'll have to be very aggresive with offseason moves if they want to get substantially better.

Not really, there have been quite a few all stars drafted 15 or worse....

[AHF]

Sign Monroe and put him back at center where he made people notice him , trade Lou Williams for a back up wing to add to the mix , and last but not least sign Hayward and make kk sixth man. Sap and DMC at sf and you have a deep ass team. Who could argue against this? Horford and sap at of with DMC and Sap stretching the floor at the three. Makes too much sense

How do you see that possibly working with the salary cap? I don't think we have room for Monroe let alone Monroe and Hayward.

[Jody23]

Not really, there have been quite a few all stars drafted 15 or worse....

If the Hawks are relying on the 15th pick to make them significantly better, they're dreamin'. He'll likely be behind Dennis in the rotation next year.

[AHF]

Not really, there have been quite a few all stars drafted 15 or worse....

I hope this is right. That remains our best path forward to a star, IMO, even though a 15th pick qualifies as a very low % shot. Teague maintaining the aggressiveness from the playoffs is the biggest player development issue. It is do or die time for Jenkins while Bebe and Dennis should have the chance to earn regular rotation spots. Scott is an almost sure resign - if some other team doesn't get crazy with an offer. It will be interesting...

[AHF]

If the Hawks are relying on the 15th pick to make them significantly better, they're dreamin'. He'll likely be behind Dennis in the rotation next year.

Which would almost surely put us right back in the 'win one or no playoff series' category of playoff, non-contender teams.

[Wretch]

Not really, there have been quite a few all stars drafted 15 or worse....

That's not accurate at all. There are plenty of serviceable players taken outside of the draft lottery and there are a few very big names that have been taken late. However, when you look at the total number of players taken, there is a microscopic number of actual stars. I think we can find a good player where we're picking, but I'm sure Ferry's focus will be on FAcy.