Ira Resigned - Twelve Man Roster Complete

[Guest]

HAWKS: Newble consents to one-year ontract

Jeffrey Denberg - Staff

Friday, September 6, 2002

It took nearly two months, but the Hawks have finally come to an agreement with 6-foot-7 guard Ira Newble on a one-year contract for next season.

Securing Newble means the club now will have its 12 preferred players under contract for 2002-03.

"We have our inside defensive specialist in Theo Ratliff and our outside defensive specialist in Ira," vice president and general manager Pete Babcock said Thursday.

The Hawks did not reveal numbers on the deal, but Newble, 27, is believed to be getting $700,000. He turned down an offer of one year plus an option.

Signed last Feb. 11 for the remainder of the season, Newble started 35 of his 42 games, averaging 8.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in a little over 30 minutes a game. Over his last 25 games as a starter, the Hawks were 15-10 en route to winning 33 games.

His strength provided a solution for the problems on defense for one of the smallest backcourt combinations in the league. Newble got the assignments on players such as Michael Jordan, Jerry Stackhouse or Paul Pierce because he could physically match up and relished the challenge.

Agent Steve Kauffman had hoped his client could do better, but the tight money market in the NBA made that prohibitive. The Hawks' team payroll already exceeds $54 million, well into anticipated luxury-tax territory.

"There was some interest in a three-year deal from at least one team," Kauffman said, adding that fear of the luxury tax made that impossible to finalize.

Newble also doesn't have the cachet of some other defensive aces. "He's in the mold of Tree [Rollins], Greg Buckner, Bruce Bowen, players coaches really appreciate," Kauffman said.

Newble, who played 27 games for the San Antonio Spurs as an undrafted rookie in 2000-01, did not stick with the Hawks on his first try last October and was waived after training camp.

[chillzatl]

isn't able to defend the top players like we hope he can. Ira has proven he can hold his own defensively. He may not have the offensive potential that DJ has. But he can hit the open shot, though not with the range we might like.

[kelston827]

Great news for Hawks fans!

Just like Babcock said, Newble's importance comes from the fact that he is clearly our top perimeter defender and provides a potent 1-2 defensive punch with Theo. This also gives the Hawks one of the most capable benches in the league.

DD/Dion/Ira/Hendu/Nazr is a very solid backup 5.

Personally, I'd feel better if we bought out E-mail's contract and brought in another big man but that's OK. Contrary to what most think, E-mail will not be COMPLETELY useless to us as his versatility and experience could come in handy late in the year. I just think we could be better helped by bulking up.

But with that being my one and only gripe about the 2002-03 Atlanta Hawks, I say let's start the season.

[Diesel]

What's your depth Chart Look Like?

JT/DD/Email

DJ/Glover

Big Dog/Ira/CC

SAR/Hendu

Theo/Nazr

Is this it? I mean, if CC is injured when the season starts, do we go after A Big Man (PF/C)?

[jaywalker72]

I think that his "defensive" specialist role speaks loudly for how much the staff values him.

Also....

What a shock that Ira's agent mentions Greg Buckner and Bruce Bowen by name as players who teams "appreciate".

Translation: They got big contracts where no other fringe free agents are.

Also he mentions that "at least another team was talking about a three year deal".

Translation: There was a team that wanted to discuss signing us for nothing over three years at their option, but even that flimsy deal fell through and he we are signing for 1 year, 700K, which is what the Hawks wanted all along.

Nice job, Pete....

[Diesel]

Actually, what I believe is that Email will be used as our defensive standout at SG and Ira At Sf.

Can you imagine the shutdown we will put on teams when we play:

JT/Email/Ira/SAR/Theo?

We have basically stopped all perimeter action and if a team is to score, they will have to do it past Theo/SAR?!

[Diesel]

Ac tually,

I'm glad Pete didn't give in. Ira is good but not irreplaceable. PLUS, with DIon back, Dion may just sneak into the starting Lineup!?! I got a feeling that playing him solely as a SG will reap great benefits for us.

[chillzatl]

DJ is going to have his work cut out for him at the 2 spot. He's got 2 guys behind him we CAN play great defense. Dion has shown a more polished offensive game (at least in the summer leagues) and E-davis has shown that he can will the 3pt shooter role as well. I hope he steps up and plays at a level that forces the team to keep him on the floor. But if he doesn't we have two guys behind him that can fill that role very well. Especially if Dion comes back out and plays the kind of D that I think he is capable of.

[JTFan31]

Diesel I actually think that DJ is the better defensive player than E-mail. He gives opposing 2 guards problems with his long arms and long frame contrary to E-mail is only 6'5.

[Nique21]

I was just on my way over here to make a post on Newble. To ask if anyone had heard anything. Looks like they have. Now, I am much happier. We have our key pieces intact and now we are adding Theo and GRob. Wow, this just made my night. I don't know if anyone is happier than me. I was just getting ready for my former high school's football team to play a big game tonight. (Cherokee @ Starr's Mill) Cherokee is heavely the underdog, but we beat Northview last week 57-0. So maybe we will have a chance at Starr's Mill. Go Hawks, and Thank you, good job Pete. I will stop emailing those threats to you now, lol.