Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Jul 30, 2008 20:16:42 GMT
A Reason for Optimism
July 30, 2008
Although the off-season has been unkind to some, the Atlanta Hawks have been able to orchestrate a plethora of deals that have brought them back into championship contention. Upon their heartbreaking game 7 exit in the conference semi-finals against a riveting Detroit Pistons team, the team did not hesitate in reconstructing their starting lineup. After the ousting, Coach Phil Jackson was quoted in a press conference saying, “Our team looked winded out there, but our starters did a great job in keeping us in the game.” This statement, although positive in its own right, echoed within the front office as room for improvement.
With the ensuing rookie draft and off-season approaching, the organization moved quickly by trading away their starting point guard, Jamaal Tinsley, to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Bonzi Wells, Josh Boone, and Jason Kapono. By acquiring this depth, the team was left with two things: a solution to their depth insufficiencies, and a glaring hole at PG. Even before being introduced as a Hawk, newly acquired Jason Kapono, was traded along with the 18th pick in the draft and a future 2nd round pick in exchange for the rights to rookie PG D.J. Augustine and the 47th pick in the draft. Smaller deals followed, including the shipping of former lottery pick PF Sheldon Williams, which eventually landed them a freakish athlete in the early 2nd round, FC DeVon Hardin.The Hawks were pleased with what these deals yielded them in return; a potentially starting PG, and depth at the center and small forward positions. All that was left was Free Agency.
With their constant and consistent offers to players who they deemed as perfect fits on their team, they were able to sign current starting PG Jose Calderon, PF Leon Powe, SG Sasha Vujacic, and C Robert Horry to million dollar contracts. These signings would be for naught had it not been for their biggest off-season move; re-signing their franchise player PF Al Jefferson over the course of five years. Al Jefferson was recently named Most Improved Player of the year, and has now put his focus on becoming one of the premier big men in the game. He was quoted in saying, "At one point, I wasn't sure if they could keep me, but I'm sure happy they did. I want to finish out my career here in Atlanta."
The off-season has truly left the organization and Atlanta Hawk fans something to be optimistic about. Only time will tell if this year will be the one in which they are able to bring home the title.
The Hawks recently dealt Marquis Daniels and Jackie Butler for Antoine Walker to complete their rotation and give them the veteran leadership there are in dyer need of. Along with Horry, Walker is the only player on the team with Championship experience.
July 30, 2008
Although the off-season has been unkind to some, the Atlanta Hawks have been able to orchestrate a plethora of deals that have brought them back into championship contention. Upon their heartbreaking game 7 exit in the conference semi-finals against a riveting Detroit Pistons team, the team did not hesitate in reconstructing their starting lineup. After the ousting, Coach Phil Jackson was quoted in a press conference saying, “Our team looked winded out there, but our starters did a great job in keeping us in the game.” This statement, although positive in its own right, echoed within the front office as room for improvement.
With the ensuing rookie draft and off-season approaching, the organization moved quickly by trading away their starting point guard, Jamaal Tinsley, to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Bonzi Wells, Josh Boone, and Jason Kapono. By acquiring this depth, the team was left with two things: a solution to their depth insufficiencies, and a glaring hole at PG. Even before being introduced as a Hawk, newly acquired Jason Kapono, was traded along with the 18th pick in the draft and a future 2nd round pick in exchange for the rights to rookie PG D.J. Augustine and the 47th pick in the draft. Smaller deals followed, including the shipping of former lottery pick PF Sheldon Williams, which eventually landed them a freakish athlete in the early 2nd round, FC DeVon Hardin.The Hawks were pleased with what these deals yielded them in return; a potentially starting PG, and depth at the center and small forward positions. All that was left was Free Agency.
With their constant and consistent offers to players who they deemed as perfect fits on their team, they were able to sign current starting PG Jose Calderon, PF Leon Powe, SG Sasha Vujacic, and C Robert Horry to million dollar contracts. These signings would be for naught had it not been for their biggest off-season move; re-signing their franchise player PF Al Jefferson over the course of five years. Al Jefferson was recently named Most Improved Player of the year, and has now put his focus on becoming one of the premier big men in the game. He was quoted in saying, "At one point, I wasn't sure if they could keep me, but I'm sure happy they did. I want to finish out my career here in Atlanta."
The off-season has truly left the organization and Atlanta Hawk fans something to be optimistic about. Only time will tell if this year will be the one in which they are able to bring home the title.
The Hawks recently dealt Marquis Daniels and Jackie Butler for Antoine Walker to complete their rotation and give them the veteran leadership there are in dyer need of. Along with Horry, Walker is the only player on the team with Championship experience.