Newble Contract Gets Sticky After Spurs Sign Bowen

[jaywalker72]

The Spurs just crapped themselves by laying out 7 years and 42 million for Malik Rose, but they also screwed a lot of teams by paying 11 million over 3 years for Bruce Bowen, a defensive specialist (like those are sooo hard to find) who had trouble getting a long term commitment even last year.

Bowen brings some of the same things to the table as Ira, and if I were Newble's agent, you could bet your house that I would be not-so-subtlely making this argument.

I do NOT want to see us lay out 3 years and 11 million or anything close to it for Ira.

He should not start for a playoff team, but is a nice part of a rotation.

That said, anything more than what the Spurs paid Danny Ferry (2 years, 2.1 million total) is too much for Ira.

Maybe this is why a contract has not been signed yet.

[Traceman]

Bruce Bowen money. Ira may actually be a better all around player already but still, Bowen has been proving that he is a great defender for SEVEN years in the NBA. In addition, other teams were expressing interest in Bowen so San Antonio had to make their offer a LITTLE better than the other offers in order for Bowen not to feel slighted and take a lesser offer somewhere else.

Ira was an important part of our team last year but he's still a role player. I am not convinced that we couldn't get almost as much from a healthy CC (what's that you might ask). I don't think the Hawks are going to pay Ira as much as Bowen, particularly when they might be able to go out and get Rodney Rogers for the same contract Bowen just signed for. If they offer Ira 3 years, $3.5 million with a player option after year 2, I would think that would be fair for both sides. Ira gets some security and we get him signed at a reasonable salary.

[Guest]

Ira has proved nothing except that he deserves to make an NBA team. He played more than usual because 50% of our players were hurt. Despite his minutes, the Hawks didnt win 30 games. So, what impact did he really have???

Answer: He's not an impact player, he's a role player on weak team. They cant afford to dole out a big K to a player thats not going to make a big impact.

Plus, now that Rodney Rogers and Keon Clark are available for what appears to be less than $3M, he better hope he's not in the NBDL this year.

Sadly, the CBA has hurt a lot of deserving players. I'm not so sure the union did a good job for the players a couple of years ago. Seems like they sold out.

[Traceman]

short. He DID have a signficant impact on our team last year and he was a big reason for our success in the 2nd half of the season. We actually had a winning record with him as a starter. We were 18-17 when Ira started and 15-32 when he didn't. He CLEARLY had a huge impact on our team. In addition, at the season ticket holders event the Hawks hosted after the season, almost EVERY player of significance (SAR, JT, DJ, DG, etc) I talked to said that we HAD to have Ira back. Resigning him will be great from a team chemistry standpoint and it will give the other players confidence that the team is trying to build on last year's finish. All that being said, you can't invest big money in your role players but we need to get him resigned!

[capstone21]

of Iras defensive impact. I think he a nessecary piece to our roster to make us successful this coming season. I don't want to give him big bucks but if other teams offer him the money I bet we will see the last of Ira in a Hawks uni. I doubt that will happen though (knock on wood).

Bruce Bowen has a reputation league wide of his defensive role playing abilities. Like JYD in TO last year, this helped him get the big contract (which I think was a poor decision). Ira does not have the reputation YET outside the Hawks. Last year he was not even in the league until midseason. I think we should be able to get him at a fair price. At least I hope so.

[Guest]

How can you expect a Bruce Bowen contract when you only played in 30 games? Bruce played for 7 years to get $3M, now Ira's going to play 30 games w/ half off the bench

[cyman3]

I dont think NEWBLE is even heard of OUTSIDE ATL. I think we are the only ones (other than other star SGs.. hehe) that knows NEWBLE. If i was KOBE and Newble shut me down for 1 game, ill be thinking "ima get him back next game" other than "we really need to sign this guy!"

With RODGERS still on the table, the hawks are the only team interested in NEWBLE.

I can see an average of MIN - $1.5 Million a year type contract. How many years? my best guess is somewhere between 1-3.