March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks believe Zydrunas Ilgauskas eventually will re-sign with Cleveland when he's eligible to do so. But the Hawks, unlike some other suitors for Ilgauskas, are not giving up hope. If Ilgauskas decides to play for another team, the Hawks feel they have the best shot at landing him, a person familiar with situation said on Monday. The person said Ilgauskas is "leaning towards" re-signing with the Cavaliers after they traded him and then the Wizards subsequently released him. Ilgauskas officially cleared waivers on Monday."
March 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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At least three reports surfaced over the weekend saying Zyrdunas Ilgauskas will re-sign with Cleveland. His agent, Herb Rudoy insisted those reports are "very premature" and said the Hawks are still in contention to sign Ilgauskas. "I've gotten a number of calls about that, and it's absolutely not true," Rudoy said today. "Could it happen? Absolutely. But he has not made a decision. That will be at least a few more days from now if not more." Rudoy said he wasn't sure of Ilgausaks' motivations other than a desire to play for a team with championship aspirations. "We haven't gotten past this whole thing of being traded away," he said. "That was sort of expected but it didn't make him ..."
February 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks general manager Rick Sund said he expects the team's core group to remain intact after the Feb. 18 trade deadline. "People are talking about us as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and that's what we strive for," Sund said Monday. "If there is something out there that will make us better, we'll look at it. Do I anticipate [a trade]? No, I don't." Sund wouldn't discuss specifics about trade chatter, but keeping the core together would rule out any trade involving Joe Johnson, who can become a free agent after the season. The other core players (in descending order of 2009-10 salary) include Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby and Al Horford. The Hawks ..."
December 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Mike Woodson says he is comfortable with his contract status. Said Woodson, "I have no choice." Woodson is in the second year of a two-year deal granted him in June 2008 by general manager Rick Sund shortly after Sund's hire. While the Hawks reached the second round of the playoffs last spring for the first time since the 1996-97 season, Woodson went into this season with no talk of an extension. The Hawks, who play Memphis Wednesday night at Philips Arena, have since gotten off to one of the best starts in team history. However, indications are that any new contract talks will still wait until season's end. "Am I happy about it? No," Woodson said Tuesday. "But it is what it ..."
December 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Forward Joe Smith is ready for the season to start. The Hawks' backup big man may have had his best game of the season Saturday night in the team's 80-75 win at Dallas, scoring nine points with seven rebounds in 19 minutes of floor time. "It's all about getting my legs up under me," Smith said. "I missed most of training camp, so I'm trying to use the first part of the season as my training camp. Now I'm finally getting my legs up under me and getting into a rhythm." Smith, the 14-year veteran and former No. 1 draft pick, signed with the Hawks in August but was sidelined during camp with a knee injury. He was brought in as a backup to forward Josh Smith. He scored 20 points in the Hawks' ..."
December 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With a full roster, the Hawks lost 94-88 to a Pistons team that was without guards Richard Hamilton and Ben Gordon and forward Tayshaun Prince, a trio who last year averaged a combined 53.2 points. Detroit then lost starting forward Charlie Villanueva in the fourth quarter. The Hawks were still out-rebounded 53-27 and 24-6 on the offensive glass, allowing the Pistons to break a seven-game losing streak. "It gets me frustrated because we have a talented group of guys," forward Josh Smith said. "We're coming to a situation like that, where pretty much all their core scorers are gone. It's kind of disheartening to lose a game like that because when you're going into the postseason and you're ..."
November 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks were uncertain Monday if guard Mike Bibby will play against Orlando Thursday on his sprained ankle. The team began working on its contingency, testing out rookie guard Jeff Teague with the starting unit. "If [Bibby] can't go, then I've got to go to Plan B," coach Mike Woodson said. "Either [Teague] or Jamal [Crawford] will start." Woodson said Bibby was still day-to-day after spraining his left ankle in the loss to New Orleans Saturday. "It still looked a little puffy sitting over on the sideline," Woodson said after practice at Philips Arena."
November 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks guard Mike Bibby's sprained left ankle is very sore, but he is "day to day," team spokesman Arthur Triche said Sunday. Bibby was injured in the the first quarter and played just five minutes of the Hawks' 96-88 loss to New Orleans Saturday night. The loss broke the Hawks' seven-game winning streak. The Hawks' next game is Thanksgiving night at home against Orlando."
October 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After a reasonably injury-free preseason the Hawks came crashing back to reality Sunday. Al Horford sat on a corner table with wires hanging from his ankle (courtesy of a twisting in Friday's loss in Orlando) and Mike Bibby joined him later on wire duty (on his non-shooting wrist) after jamming it during a drill in practice. That scowl on Hawks coach Mike Woodson's face, also a product of Friday's dismal showing against Magic, immediately turned into a look of worry. Woodson hadn't planned on either his starting center or point guard being questionable for Wednesday's regular season opener against Indiana at Philips Arena. But as of this morning there's some concern that one or both of ..."
October 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Mike Woodson issued the challenge after Saturday's first training camp scrimmage. Jamal Crawford and his buddies on the reserve squad supplied him with a resounding answer Sunday. They not only held up against the starters unit in Sunday's second scrimmage. They won in overtime behind a "fantastic" effort from the veteran guard, whose scoring and playmaking ruled the day. Unofficially, Crawford finished with more than half of his team's 49 points and at least 10 assists in a one-point win. Much more important to Crawford, however, was the resilience the second team showed after being pushed around Saturday. "I made sure to have my guys get some rest [Saturday nght] and we came ..."
September 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks captain and All-Star Joe Johnson said he will not sign a contract extension with the Hawks and will play out the final year of his contract this season. Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Hawks extended a four-year, $60-plus million contract offer to Johnson this summer. But Johnson said he decided not to sign the extension after mulling it over during the offseason. By not signing Johnson will enter a deep free agent crop next summer headlined by reigning MVP LeBron James as well as fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. "My sole focus right now is on this team and what we're trying to accomplish this season," Johnson said. "I have some goals set for ..."
August 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks forward Marvin Williams always assumed the paparazzi was only for Hollywood types. That is until the NBA version found its way to his doorstep this summer. There were at least two premature reports about Williams, a restricted free agent, agreeing to and signing a new deal with the Hawks. "It was crazy to look on the Internet and see stuff about me signing with the Hawks or that I was staying with the Hawks," Williams said Thursday. "Yet there was never anyone quoted. It was always some anonymous person saying it was done or saying it was going to happen." All speculation was removed earlier today as the Hawks announce the re-signing of the 23-year-old forward. The team didn't ..."
August 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Might the Hawks be interested in keeping captain and All-Star Joe Johnson off of the robust free agent market of 2010? It seems so. Multiple sources have confirmed that Hawks general manager Rick Sund is on an extended trip to the left coast, and part of his itinerary includes time in Los Angeles for face-to-face talks about a contract extension with Johnson's camp (I mentioned this on Twitter late last night after hearing for sure that this was going on). A three-time All-Star, Johnson is heading into the final year of the five-year, $70 million deal he signed in August 2005 (which if traced back, you will realize was the rebirth of the franchise that has since made the playoffs in ..."
July 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Marvin Williams will remain a Hawk, according to a report by Marc Spears on Yahoo! Sports. Hawks general manager Rick Sund would not confirm a deal had been reached Wednesday night, but the sides seem very close to a signed contract. (Indeed, that's the word Williams used in a text message to AJC colleague Sekou Smith on Wednesday — "close." And Williams told Sekou via text he's hopeful something works out.) The proposed contract, Spears reported, is for "about $40 million over five seasons," although that $40 million is believed to include incentives. As a restricted free agent, Williams could have accepted the Hawks' qualifying offer of $7.5 million and become an unrestricted free agent ..."
July 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The word spreading around the NBA summer league in Las Vegas is that Marvin Williams and the Hawks have agreed to terms on a new deal (so say our friends at hoopsworld.com). That would be news to Williams. "Somebody is lying to them," Williams said via text message Sunday afternoon. "That's not true." As reported here last week, the Hawks are working hard to get something done. But it's not done. Not yet. In defense of the folks at HOOPSWORLD, their headline ("Marvin Williams gets his deal") reads much stronger than the actual text of their item, which clearly states that "sources" told them that the sides are "close" to a new deal. It makes sense that they heard that. Everybody in this ..."
July 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Free agent point guard Mike Bibby has agreed to a three-year deal worth an estimated $18 million to return to the Hawks, according to two people familiar with the situation. Wednesday is the first day NBA free agents are allowed to sign contracts. Bibby, 31, guided the Hawks to back-to-back playoff appearances in his year and half with the team after being acquired in a trade with Sacramento at the trade deadline in February 2008. An 11-year veteran, Bibby averaged 14.9 points, 5.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 last season for the Hawks, who won 47 games during the regular season and advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time in over a decade."
July 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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From Athens to Milwaukee and back to Atlanta, the name Josh Childress is being tossed around in every direction these days. Childress is in Milwaukee today visiting the Bucks with his agent, Jim Tanner. What that means for the Hawks is that they might get a do-over with Childress, a restricted free agent again this summer as he was last summer. Last summer they lost him as an asset when he chose to sign with Greek power Olympiakos (for $20 million post taxes). What the Hawks didn't lose was the right of first refusal on Childress if he decided to return to the NBA this summer. And two of my spies have made it clear that were Childress to receive any sort of "reasonable" NBA offer (the $5.6 ..."
July 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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From Athens to Milwaukee and back to Atlanta, the name Josh Childress is being tossed around in every direction these days. Childress is in Milwaukee today visiting the Bucks with his agent, Jim Tanner. What that means for the Hawks is that they might get a do-over with Childress, a restricted free agent again this summer as he was last summer. Last summer they lost him as an asset when he chose to sign with Greek power Olympiakos (for $20 million post taxes). What the Hawks didn't lose was the right of first refusal on Childress if he decided to return to the NBA this summer. And two of my spies have made it clear that were Childress to receive any sort of "reasonable" NBA offer (the $5.8 ..."
June 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks and Golden State are close to finalizing a trade that would bring Jamal Crawford to Atlanta and send Acie Law and Speedy Claxton to the Warriors, according to two different sources with knowledge of the negotiations. Hawks general manager Rick Sund declined to comment through Hawks' spokesman Arthur Triche. In Crawford the Hawks would get a veteran player capable of playing both guard positions. Crawford, 29, averaged 19.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds last season, splitting his time with New York and Golden State. He also gives the Hawks insurance in the backcourt since starting point guard Mike Bibby and backup guard Flip Murray are both unrestricted free agents. Law and ..."
June 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tyler Hansbrough has heard it all before. About how his game won't translate to the next level of basketball, how he's not athletic enough to deal with the elite players and how he'll struggle to dominate the way he did before. That's what they said about him in high school, before the North Carolina All-American went on to become the most prolific four-year college player since Tim Duncan, finishing with the one thing Duncan never could win at Wake Forest - an NCAA title. Hansbrough's critics are saying the same things about him now, with the NBA draft on tap Thursday. They're convinced he'll struggle against taller and more athletic power forwards in the NBA and that he won't be as ..."
June 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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B.J. Mullens didn't need a freshman economics class at Ohio State to master the law of supply and demand in the NBA. The supply of quality big men, particularly 7-footers like Mullens, falls woefully short of the demand. There isn't a team in the NBA that isn't on the lookout for someone like him. So you take a 7-footer with elite athleticism, with all the requisite offensive skills, even a kid that is two or three years away from being ready to work in a grown man's league - a player just like Mullens - and the payoff is still in millions. That's why Mullens said he couldn't bypass the opportunity to enter Thursday's NBA draft after just one year at Ohio State. "I knew I was one and ..."
June 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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The annual Josh Smith trade rumors are swirling (ESPN.com link requires registration), and they make less sense than ever. The Hawks are getting close to something good, but they must negotiate a summer in which four of their top eight players are free agents of some stripe. Josh Smith is under contract through 2013. He's not the immediate problem. On the contrary, he's a massive part of the solution. He's a very good player bordering on greatness. He's 23. He has already had his free-agent summer. He'll be the best player on this roster in two years, and that's even if Joe Johnson sticks around. Josh isn't the guy you move. He's the one you keep. Last month Rick Sund, the Hawks' general ..."
June 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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First, a disclaimer: The Hawks aren't apt to trade anybody this summer unless it's Marvin Williams (or Josh Childress) as part of a restricted-free-agent sign-and-trade. But the matter of dealing either Joe Johnson or Josh Smith keeps arising, and Ian Thomsen of SI.com addressed it in his Mailbag last week. Thomsen argues that, of the two, Smith should be the one to go. First, because Johnson will be a free agent next summer and therefore wouldn't elicit full value. Then this: "Smith is an upside talent who may yet mature to become an All-Star. He isn't there yet, while Johnson is the bird in the hand. It wouldn't make sense to trade a 27-year-old All-Star at his peak because such reliable ..."
June 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Los Angeles Clippers won the NBA lottery Tuesday and wasted no time announcing they plan to take Oklahoma power forward Blake Griffin with the top overall pick in the June draft. It won't be as easy for teams such as the Hawks to decide which player best fits their needs. They own the 19th selection and still have to rummage through the data on scores of players who could conceivably be in play when they pick. There will be no shortage of experts suggesting what the Hawks should do. Already the mock drafts have them taking everyone from Wake Forest point guard Jeff Teague to Ohio State center B.J. Mullens. Funny thing is, before the Hawks are on the clock on draft night, their options ..."
May 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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What looks like pressure to some people looks like an opportunity to Hawks coach Mike Woodson. That's why he was undeterred Thursday after it became clear he'll enter next season in the final year of his contract. "There's always pressure, if you want to call it that," Woodson said after a day filled with meetings with Hawks officials and ownership. "I don't look at it as pressure because I'm not made like that. All these people talking about fire Woodson and all that stuff, it's never entered my mind. I swear. "The chatter is what it is. But we're not going to do anything but keep pushing ahead trying to take another step next year." Neither Woodson nor general manager Rick Sund broached ..."
May 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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Almost every player on the Hawks' roster is either at the end of a contract, or near the end of a contract, or on somebody's, "Let's drop-kick this guy out of town," list. Josh Smith doesn't have a contract issue. That tells you what category he fits in. But if you really believe the Hawks need to shake things up this off-season and possibly trade one of their starters, don't look at Josh Smith. Look at Joe Johnson. People, this isn't even close. This week's Countdown . . . 10: Ordinary Joe: 2-for-18 in playoffsJoe Johnson is a three-time All-Star. I felt I needed to get that out there right away because it seems like any time somebody criticizes Joe Johnson, one of his defenders ..."
May 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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This is not the way Mike Bibby wants to go out - not out of the playoffs and certainly not out of Atlanta. The Hawks point guard scored just three points in nearly 31 minutes Monday night as the Hawks were swept out of the Eastern Conference semifinals after an 84-74 loss to Cleveland. "If I do anything more than what I did tonight, we win this game," Bibby said. "I didn't shoot the ball well. I do anything and there is a good chance we come out on top." Bibby made just 1-of-6 shots, a 3-pointer. He had just one assist. It wasn't just one bad game for Bibby during the series, but part of a pattern. He averaged 10 points and four assists a game. The Hawks needed far more to have a chance to ..."
February 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Good luck catching Hawks general manager Rick Sund without a cell phone stuck to the side of his face this week. It was that way in Phoenix during the NBA's All-Star weekend when Sund tried to enjoy himself in between constant calls. It has been that way in Los Angeles the past three days, where he joined the team for a five-game Western Conference road trip. Sund has been feverishly working the phones to make sure there isn't a deal out there to improve the Hawks in advance of Thursday afternoon's trade deadline. Unlike many of his colleagues, Sund isn't presiding over a franchise desperate to shed big contracts in anticipation of crossing over the league's luxury tax threshold. That ..."
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Good luck trying to figure out who was happier to see Al Horford back on the practice floor. The Hawks' starting center was ecstatic Monday to be at work full time after missing the last 12 games with a bone bruise in his right knee. His teammates were just as happy considering their recent struggles. The Hawks were 5-7 record without their leading rebounder and best post defender. Horford should play Wednesday at Minnesota, but that is contingent on how his knee responds. "It's definitely a big boost to have him coming back," Josh Smith said. "We've missed his toughness." Horford went through an entire practice for the first time since suffering his injury during the second half of a Jan. ..."
January 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When the Hawks reached the midway point of this season nine games over .500 in the standings, Josh Smith knew instantly that his team's goals had to be reorganized. Unlike in recent years, when the Hawks were scrapping to win games just to stay out of the NBA cellar or trying to claw their way into contention for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, a new level of accomplishments beckons this season. At 26-16 the Hawks have maintained their grip on a top-four slot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase, a grip they hope to tighten with a victory Sunday over the Phoenix Suns at Philips Arena. "This is definitely a change for us," said Smith, who five seasons into his NBA ..."
January 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Joe Johnson's corner of the Hawks' locker room is usually quiet. The reserved personality of the Hawks' captain and All-Star guard rules most days as teammates roam around without much hassle from their leader. Mike Bibby's corner, on the far side of the room, is the epicenter of energy. It's a joke-filled zone run daily by the Hawks' veteran point guard and most outgoing personality. While their personalities couldn't be more different, the Hawks couldn't have asked for a better fit in a backcourt that ranks as one of the NBA's best. Bibby serves as the feisty and often mischievous yin to Johnson's laid-back and stoic yang - on and off the court. It seems an unlikely marriage that came ..."
December 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks forward Josh Smith had designs on an early return from the 12-game layoff caused by the high left ankle sprain he suffered Nov. 7 against Toronto. He wanted to play against Washington on Saturday night at Verizon Center but said others decided that he should wait until Wednesday's home game against Memphis. "I'm ready to go right now," Smith said before Saturday's game. "But if the guys that know [the Hawks' athletic training staff] think I should wait a couple more games, I have to go with it." The Hawks are undefeated (4-0) with Smith and close to .500 ball without Smith, going 5-6 in the 11 games before Saturday night. They've missed his athleticism, energy and shot-blocking ..."
September 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks are hours away from the start of training camp. Even after last season's playoff run, there are questions that need answers. Five burning questions (and answers) about the Hawks: Bibby is entering the final year of his contract ($15.5 million) and looms as a huge trading chip, if the Hawks were so inclined and not interested in signing him to an extension. He was the linchpin to their playoff push late last season. They were listless in the weeks leading up the trade deadline in February and then finished 15-15 over the last 30 games. There is no riskier move for the Hawks this season than trading Bibby without any assurance that his backups (Acie Law IV, Speedy Claxton and ..."