insider

[shock]

can someone post the chad ford article please

[Lascar78]

The NBA and Players Association continue to postpone the NBA equivalent of Christmas Day for roughly 35 free agents on the verge of signing a combined $800 million worth of guaranteed contracts.

I'm surprised Michael Redd and company haven't stormed NBA headquarters in New York by now. I can barely keep my kids at bay for 15 seconds -- while I grab the video camera on Christmas morning -- over a Barbie dream house and some Star Wars action figures.

Michael Redd
Redd shot 43.8 percent from 3-point land in 2003, but fell off to 35.5 percent in '05.

The latest revision is now targeting Monday as the day when NBA check writing and contract signing can begin. Isn't it just a matter of time before Bucks owner Herb Kohl realizes he might have overpaid a little for an undersized sharp-shooting two guard who shot just 35 percent from 3-point land last season?

You want to know what's even more curious than the procedural delays that keep dragging out the moratorium? The unusual decisions by some of the worst teams in the league to sit back and wait out the free-agent period altogether.

While playoff teams like the Nets keep getting richer, a number of bad teams still have nothing to show for their efforts over the past 25 days. Thirty-five free agents have agreed to terms. The worst five teams in the NBA have landed none of them.

That, in and of itself, isn't surprising. But when three of them have major cap room and the other two have or had valuable trade assets, it makes you wonder … what are they waiting for?

While lottery teams like the Bucks, Knicks and Cavs clearly have gotten stronger, teams like the Hawks, Hornets, Bobcats, Jazz and Blazers clearly have not.

Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are way under the cap (to the tune of $23 million) for the second straight year and so far have zero to show for it. We all expect the Hawks to tender Joe Johnson, a restricted free agent, a max five-year, roughly $70 million offer sheet.

Will the Suns match? It depends on whom you talk to. A report in the Arizona Republic today says Suns staffers are worried owner Robert Sarver doesn't want to spend the money.

Sarver might be a little tighter with the purse strings and it's true the Suns think the Hawks way overpaid for Johnson. It's also true if the Suns match the deal, their payroll will be roughly $62 million. When Amare Stoudemire agrees to his max extension this fall, that number will move into the $66 million to $68 million range in 2006-07.

However, it may cost the Suns more to let him walk. While their cap problems would be lessened by not matching Johnson, the team would be without their most lethal shooter and would clearly take a step backward next season. With Steve Nash not getting any younger, that's not the plan in Phoenix.

Suns GM Bryan Colangelo sounds confident the Suns have made the necessary moves to absorb Johnson's huge contract offer. Colangelo already traded Quentin Richardson away, along with their first-round draft pick to clear some long-term cap room. And the Suns intend to use the amnesty rule in conjunction with Howard Eisley's waived contract as a way to dodge the luxury tax next year. In other words, it sounds like the Suns are making every effort to keep him. That, or they're putting up the best smoke screen we've seen in years.

If the Hawks land Johnson, they plan to play him at point guard, with Josh Childress at the two, and Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Al Harrington (if he isn't traded) at the forward spots. They'd be long and athletic and no starter would be shorter than 6-foot-7.

If they could use the rest of their cash (and Harrington as trade bait) to land a long, athletic shot-blocking center like Jamaal Magloire via trade, they would be much improved this season.

However, if the Hawks lose Johnson, they'll likely spend another summer without a marquee free agent. They could still throw a max offer Tyson Chandler's or Eddy Curry's way. However, the Bulls would likely match any offer for Chandler. Curry they could probably have in a sign-and-trade. But be careful what you wish for.

If the Hawks walk away for the second summer with nothing, Billy Knight might as well pack his bags. It won't totally be his fault the Hawks couldn't lure a top unrestricted free agent to Atlanta. But it was his idea to trade away all their assets two years ago in order to get the cap room, so that excuse won't go very far.

Ripping down a team to build it up again works some of the time (see the Nuggets). But much of the time, GMs find it impossible to lure top free agents to a losing situation (see Jerry Krause's Bulls). It takes good decisions, a little luck and a lot of planning to get it right. We'll see in the next few weeks if the Hawks have any of the above.

New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets have done something. They came to terms with two of their own free agents, Chris Andersen and Bostjan Nachbar, and they agreed to a deal with the top shooter in Europe, Arvydas Macijauskas.

That's a ripple in the ocean compared with what the Hornets really need to do. First-round pick Chris Paul will make a major impact. But the team still needs a real small forward and has to address the Magloire situation.

The Hornets have been working hard to address the latter. They've talked with the Raptors, Knicks, Pacers and even the Sixers about cutting a deal. However, the talk hasn't gone anywhere.

Meanwhile, most of the top free agents have signed without the Hornets even noticing. Most of the agents for the top 25 free agents on the market claim they haven't even heard from the Hornets this summer. Why they didn't make a strong push for Samuel Dalembert, Stromile Swift or a small forward like Vladimir Radmanovic isn't a mystery. They were all asking for too much money, and tight owner George Shinn doesn't want to pay.

You can't fault the Hornets for not overspending, but at the same time, you have to wonder whether the Hornets will ever get out of the Western Conference cellar now that it's clear Shinn isn't going to spend any money.

Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats have a ton of money, but are content to sit this one out. Unlike the Hawks and Hornets, the Bobcats have time on their side. They're still in the honeymoon period and have a well thought-out plan that they're sticking to.

GM Bernie Bickerstaff wants to continue building through the draft. The Bobcats are still stinging over their slip to No. 5 in the draft lottery -- missing out on two players, Marvin Williams and Paul, who they believed could be franchise players.

The Bobcats had the money to go after a guy like Johnson in free agency, but felt they were better off being bad for another year and taking another swipe at getting the No. 1 pick in the draft in 2006. If they could add a player like Rudy Gay next season, all their patience will be worth it.

They'll have a nice core of young players and will be able to spend their free-agent money to augment them with solid veterans.

In this case, it's hard to fault them for their plan.

That doesn't mean the Bobcats will do nothing this summer. They want to re-sign Gerald Wallace and Kareem Rush and will try to use the rest of the money on one-year deals for intriguing players with upside.

Utah Jazz
The Jazz got their man, Deron Williams, on draft night, but they've been unable to do much else during the free-agency period.

After landing (and overpaying) two big free agents (Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur) last season, perhaps they're being more conservative this year.

They've already lost Raja Bell, and three former No. 1 picks in Kirk Snyder, Curtis Borchardt and Raul Lopez, while only adding Greg Ostertag to the roster.

They've made hard pushes for players like Sarunas Jasikevicius, Antonio Daniels, Earl Watson and Mark Madsen, but haven't been able to seal the deal.

Their backcourt is seriously thin right now and they need some help. Why they haven't made a stronger push to land a local kid like Travis Hansen (who played very well in Spain last year) is a head scratcher.

Even if they don't go in that direction, with guys like Matt Harpring as trade bait, you'd hope they could get a decent player back in return.

Portland Trail Blazers
The good news for Blazers fans is that this is one of the brightest young teams in the NBA. Travis Outlaw, Sebastian Telfair and Martell Webster all had good summers. Russian swingman Sergei Monia is coming over for his rookie season. Jarrett Jack (the Blazers' other first-round pick), Viktor Khryapa and Ha Seung Jin round out a talented, albeit extremely young, core.

The problem is the Blazers now need a few veterans who can show them how to win. The Blazers were surprisingly hard line in their Shareef Abdur-Rahim sign-and-trade negotiations and got nothing that can help in the short term.

They own another valuable contract (Nick Van Exel's) that they've been unable to trade. Because Van Exel's contract is not guaranteed this season, it means they can trade his $12 million deal and give a team instant cap room if they decide to waive him.

So far, the Blazers have struck out. They've made pitches for Daniels and Jasikevicius but are still looking for the leadership, toughness and experience that Nate McMillan needs to turn the Blazers into a winner.

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

[emeans]

Chad Ford really doesn't like BK. He rarely says anything good about the our GM other than he needs or might be packing his bags.

BK has only been here 3 years. He acts like he has been here for 15 years or so. Will someone remind him of that!!

He came into a bad situation, looking to get worse and he corrected that problem. Now he is building the team from the ground up and doing a pretty good job of it. His worth shouldn't be judged on whether he lured a FA in only 2 years of work. Now in 4 to 5 years he hasn't been able to lure anyone then fine, he may need the criticism, but it is too early to judge him by just that criteria of 2 offseasons.

What is Chad Ford's email address?

[TheDude]

chad'd been reading the board again, with the talk of macgloire..

[capstone21]

Well here you go. Ford is leaving ESPN

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives..._to_leave_espn/

Still he does have a point. We can't come away from this summer with nothing.

[WraithSentinel]

When it come to Free Agency. Ford bashing of BK is will deserve. Even though I cannot stand Ford. I gave BK a free pass last year. This year he had no plan. Just go and throw max dollars at players and hope someone will take it.

[Admin]

Its unbelievable the lengths that some of you will go to in order to BK bash. We cant even offer a contract to RFAs yet and you guys want to get all over him like its his fault. I could understand if this was the end of the offseason, but damn the only legit big men this year are RFAs and we arent even allowed to offer them a contract yet.

[Wretch]

Good deal.

[WraithSentinel]

Hawks had no chance at Dalembert,Curry and Tyson. Is he going to offer Curry and $60+ Million contract with the huge risk involve? Anything less than $60 Mil, the Bulls will match Curry. Also Curry doesn't want to leave the Bulls. He came the same as Dalembert was. To ask BK to drive his market value up and nothing more. Then there is Joe Johnson. Who hasn't even bother to visit. BK still offers him the max. As I said he has no plan. BK drafts well, but he does a sorry job in Free Agency.

[tmac13]

Lets hold judgement on this years free agency until we see how it plays out..I feel we will definately see some movement on Joe Johnson and probably Curry as well..If we strike out on both I hope we at least sign some younger guys that may have potential. I have no desire to see a repeat of last years Kenny Anderson/Kevin Willis type of signings..That serves absolutely no purpose..It only feeds the image the rest of the league has of the Hawks as losers. As far as JJ not visiting, he probably either did come in quietly or was already sold on the city..One thing that I cannot understand about BK is why he insists on such a silent mode of operations..I can't see that it is an advantage one way or another and only feeds the national reporters perception that we aren't doing anything..BK definately needs to loosen up with the media..It can only help his cause.

[KB21]

The media has no effect on the Atlanta Hawks or Billy Knight, as it shouldn't. Billy shouldn't suddenly become warmer to the media just because a few fans have the perception that he isn't doing anything.

The only thing the media affects is the fan perception. When idiots like Chad Ford start blabbering at the mouth with no factual backing, the only purpose it serves is the media bias against the Hawks at this point.

It's a lot like the Miami Dolphins beat writers right now. They will take every opportunity they can to slam the home team simply because Nick Saban has put the kabosh on them hanging around training camp, trying to get quotes and making stories where there isn't any.

[tmac13]

The new owners want to build an exciting, winning , personable NBA team..They are doing all kinds of cool things at the arena to help attract new fans..They have gone out of their way to talk up the franshise in the local media..It would not hurt BK to be just a little personable himself..Being media unfriendly all the time doesn't help the Hawks cause..Having national reporters slam the team continuosly may not hurt BK's day to day operations, but it sure as hell doesn't help anything. Operating in top secret mode doesn't build a winning franchise..

As far as a few fans having the perception he is not doing anything..Well, that is because he has NOT done anything..Maybe when he does something, that will change.

[mrhonline]

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The new owners want to build an exciting, winning , personable NBA team..They are doing all kinds of cool things at the arena to help attract new fans..They have gone out of their way to talk up the franshise in the local media..It would not hurt BK to be just a little personable himself..Being media unfriendly all the time doesn't help the Hawks cause..Having national reporters slam the team continuosly may not hurt BK's day to day operations, but it sure as hell doesn't help anything. Operating in top secret mode doesn't build a winning franchise..

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I think you give the average fan way too much credit. I firmly believe that winning will get fans to come to games and nothing else will substitute.

[chillzatl]

I don't agree with everything Chad Ford says. But not everything he says is baseless BK bashing. I actually thought his commentary was rather complimentary of the Hawks and BK in general. He called it like it is. BK was brought in to build this team and bring in some quality free agents. If he can't bring in talent or get this team to a point that it's attractive to marquee free agents, he's failed. I disagree with him that this off-season is his last shot. Next off-season will be it. If we haven't turned a corner and spent our cap well, he'll likely be on his way out.

[KB21]

How has he not done anything?

He rid the Hawks of some very bad contracts. He has added more young talent in two drafts than the Hawks added in the 15 previous drafts combined. He has put the team into a great financial situation, one where he can go out and offer a guy like Joe Johnson the max to come to Atlanta.

There is no doubt in my mind that Billy Knight is building this team the right way. He's not looking for the quick fix and is not going to mortage the future for a few meaningless wins now.

He is approaching free agency the correct way. You don't build teams through free agency. You build teams through the draft and then augment that with free agents that fit what you want. There is no sense in giving a big contract to a player that is a bad fit for the type of team the Hawks want. There is no sense in taking a chance on a lazy player that is a health risk.

BK can do more to harm his future in Atlanta by being overzealous in his spending of the cap money. The deal they have in place for Joe Johnson is a sound deal, and the vision BK has with Johnson as the point guard is fabulous. He has more foresight than just about any other GM in the game.

BK made it clear to the owners what his plan was, and his plan didn't include a two or three year plan. This is a long term process, and every move BK makes will be made with an eye towards what the benefits for the team will be long term.

BK got a five year extension last year, and he will see all five years.

[tmac13]

The only bad contracts BK rid us of all would have come off the books this summer anyway.SAR, Theo,Hendu, and CC all came off this summer..He did rid us of JT's contract, although BK was the one who signed him to it..He also rid us of Nazr's contract, which was a bad move since it was very reasonable we are now centerless..SAR and Theo were traded for Sheed which was traded for a lottery protected 1st, which is exactly what Portland just got for SAR alone. Trying to build a team entirely through the draft will not work, it never has..We will have to sign a few key free agents and we will have to make some trades..So far BK has shown well in the draft, made a couple of decent trades, one very bad trade(Nazr), and done nothing in free agency..I agree with Chillzatl, after next year BK will start being judged like every other GM in sports, on wins and losses. If his record does not improve, he may get paid to sit at home the last 2 or 3 years of his 5 year deal.

[mrhonline]

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The only bad contracts BK rid us of all would have come off the books this summer anyway.SAR, Theo,Hendu, and CC all came off this summer..

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Yes, but they would have after two more years of mediocrity, likely meaning that Childress, Smith, Williams, and Ivey would not be a part of this team. Instead, you would have had two players drafted in the 10-15 range.

And don't forget that Theo wanted out of Atlanta.

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He did rid us of JT's contract, although BK was the one who signed him to it..

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No, the Jazz did and the Hawks matched it. The Hawks were then able to get some compensation for it a year later (ie., Walker, cap flexibility, and then a pick).

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He also rid us of Nazr's contract, which was a bad move since it was very reasonable we are now centerless.

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I don't disagree here, but Nazr is an average center. He's not good enough to make the Hawks a playoff team. If this is BK's biggest mistake (and I believe it is), he's done an excellent job.

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SAR and Theo were traded for Sheed which was traded for a lottery protected 1st, which is exactly what Portland just got for SAR alone.

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No, he got MAJOR cap space and a draft pick. And don't forget that that draft pick has the potential to be as good as, if not better than every player involved in those two trades.

And don't forget that trading away the mediocre players, while making the Hawks a bad team, gave them a chance to play their young players without pressure to win.

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Trying to build a team entirely through the draft will not work, it never has..We will have to sign a few key free agents and we will have to make some trades..

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Yes, but you have to have a sense of timing. KB is right that it's not in the Hawks best interest to overpay mediocre players, questionable players, or players who don't fit the rebuilding process.

As far as trades, who would you like to trade? I suggested Childress recently (but only if it improved the team) and have yet to hear the end of it. IOW, almost everyone on the roster is in the team's long-term goals. Harrington is really the only trading piece and even that is debatable.

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So far BK has shown well in the draft, made a couple of decent trades, one very bad trade(Nazr), and done nothing in free agency.

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He's only had one free agency. It's too soon to rush to judgment. (And that includes you, Chad Ford).

[Vol4ever]

It appears to fans and the media that he had NO plan this summer. Maybe he did or maybe he didn't. I am not a fan of BK but I will have to give him this, the market in Atlanta has been tough for 30 years. Heck, the Hawks have never had fan support like other cities. I remember the Eastern Conference finals with Nique, Rounds, and Tree, the media was laughing at the Hawks because they COULD NOT sell out a eastern conference finals game.

It will take more than a marquee talent (which we do not have) and a great team to pack Phillips arena.

The ownership problems, and the complete rebuilding of the team from ground up is going to be extremely painful. There are those fans on this board who are die hard Hawk fans who will be willing to wait it out, but the owners, fans, and media will not,

If this team strikes out in free agency this summer and only wins 13 games next year, BK will be fired.

Just my .02

[KB21]

I'm glad that you know what the owners are thinking, especially seeing how Steve Belkin only reiterated Billy's stance on rebuilding during the draft. That stance being that this isn't a quick fix situation, which is all some of you are looking for.

I don't see how anyone can say that BK has no plan. His plan from the very beginning was to get longer and more athletic. He's followed that plan to a tee. He is looking to sign a 6'8" point guard and has brought in several long, athletic players via the draft. Josh Smith, Josh Childress, and Marvin Williams are the core of what Billy is building in Atlanta. There isn't a better young trio of players in the league. Add Joe Johnson to that, and you have a great foundation.

[pathway23]

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There are those fans on this board who are die hard Hawk fans who will be willing to wait it out, but the owners, fans, and media will not,

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who are these fans you speak of? These are very fickle fans indeed if they feel that way. This team should be sick of mediocrity. Sure we could have kept plugging holes the Babcock way and just MIGHT have won 40 games and slipped into an 8th seed first round knock out in the east. But to win , and to win in the postseason, a slow painful rebuild was completely necessary from what we had.

Also those teams with Roundfield and Nique didn't market themselves as well as they could have. This team is finally marketing itself appropriately and another key move I think was getting on 790. This will endear the Hawks to diehard sports fans inside the perimeter, where most of the potential fan base is.