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 ..."
July 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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So much has been made here about Josh Smith and how his summer is playing out (more about that in a minute), but what of Josh Childress? He is absolutely considering an offer to play overseas, Olympiakos in Greece, this season (as first reported last night by Yahoo! Sports) with the Hawks having no right to match an offer from an overseas team. This is getting nuts. How in the world has it come to this for the Hawks and their own free agents?"
July 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks all-star guard inquired about the status of Hawks restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress while at a charity event in Mississippi over the weekend. That's our summer right there," Johnson said. "That's all there is to it." Neither Smith nor Childress have signed offer sheets with other teams as the NBA's free agency period continues. Johnson, who said he talked with Smith prior to the start of the free-agency period, just wants a team ready to build on last season's playoff appearance."
July 14
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Veteran NBA point guard Tyronn Lue said Sunday he is scheduled to take a physical with the Heat this morning and is hopeful of receiving a contract offer from the team shortly thereafter.
In South Florida for Zo's Summer Groove, Lue said before the charity game that he has narrowed his free-agent choices to the Heat, Celtics and Suns.
Lue said the decision would be difficult because of his friendship with Boston's Kevin Garnett and Phoenix's Shaquille O'Neal, his former Lakers championship teammate.
However, Lue also gushed about the possibility of playing alongside Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion."
July 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Smith is expected to be in Philadelphia for a visit later in the week. And the 76ers, with more than $11 million in projected salary cap space, can offer Smith a lucrative, frontloaded deal greater than the $45 million offer the Hawks made ? and Smith turned down ? last summer, when Smith was eligible for a contract extension. Philadelphia president Ed Stefanski hasn't mentioned Smith by name, per league rules, but in his description of what the 76ers are looking to do this summer, the image of the player he's described could easily be Smith."
June 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Mike Woodson said that he intends to sign a contract the team
offered Thursday. The deal is for two years, according to two people familiar
with the situation.
Woodson would not comment on the specifics of the offer but told the
Journal-Constitution that he intends to sign the contract. Woodson's current deal expires June 30, as do the contracts of his entire
staff. But after two weeks of evaluations, new Hawks general manager Rick Sund
has decided to stick with Woodson."