No Joe of a signing; getting Smith shows Atlanta Hawks’ growth

August 15 09

Breaking news mixed with analysis …

Their News: `Joe Smith has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks for the veteran’s minimum, a source told ESPN’s Ric Bucher on Friday.` (ESPN)

My Gut Reaction: Economic downturns reveal much about an organization.

Good organizations still spend money during tough times, while not-so-good organizations close-up the purse strings, hide at the bottom of the standings and point to the business cycle as an excuse for their inactivity.

With this gauge in mind, it appears the Atlanta Hawks have turned the corner.

In July, the NBA’s former laughingstock resigned Mike Bibby to a three-year, 18 million dollar pact. This was a key move. Not long ago, the Hawks struggled to keep journeymen and are now retaining talented players at reasonable dollars.

Recently, Marvin Williams also re-upped with the club. The North Carolina alum has developed into a solid all-around player and will anchor the three-spot for years to come. Like Bibby, the Hawks got Williams at a fair price of five-years and $37.5 million.

This brings us to today‘s news: Joe Smith has signed a one-year deal with Atlanta for the veteran‘s minimum. On-court, Smith provides depth and scoring to the front-court. Off-court, the fourteen-year man brings professionalism and wisdom to an up-and-coming club.

However, the interesting part is that Smith picked the Hawks over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Yes, you read correctly. ESPN is reporting the former first overall pick preferred Joe Johnson and Josh Smith to LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal.

To be fair, Smith’s decision was surely influenced by role. The post would be hard pressed for minutes in forward-heavy Cleveland, but likely gets more playing time in Atlanta. Of course, on the whole, the Cavaliers are still the superior organization. Yet, the Smith signing shows how the Hawks have progressed.

Atlanta is no longer the league’s Siberia. This summer proves they are, in fact, a good organization.

Got thoughts on Atlanta signing Smith? Follow Oly Sandor`s HoopsVibe Blog and on Twitter. Photo courtesy of KU.

10 Comments: No Joe of a signing; getting Smith shows Atlanta Hawks’ (...)

Posted by
Snika
on 08.18.2009

I am very curious to see the East in action this year. I was confident in my thoughts that Atlanta could easily make the 2nd round and possibly the Eastern conference finals. But Washington could very well be back in that contention. Arenas was an MVP candidate 2 years ago, and if he can get back to where he was... Caron, Antawn, and the front court depth that they added this summer could at least put them in a great position to battle the Hawks in the first round. .

Posted by
ronh
on 08.18.2009

If the hawks play with the right chemistry. They could challenge of the top teams in the east. .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 08.16.2009

Hi Munya, you are absolutely right. They, the Hawks, have come very far in a short period of time. .

Posted by

on 08.16.2009

The ATL will fly high in 2010! .

Posted by
Munya
on 08.16.2009

Either way I got to say...I am really impressed with how far they have come..I remember when they aquired Josh smith in the 2004-2005 season and i dont think they won more than 40games....Looking at Joe Smith decision I think it was a move of obtaining more minutes but also playing for a squad with high expectations. I don’t think Joe would just leave a place like Cleveland to go and play for a useless team. He wouldn’t leave LeBron like that........But for the next season i have Atlanta as my dark horseteam for the championship....Not to mention they now have Jamal Crawford whom I have already decided as 6th man of the year.,........People can say what they want to say about Atlanta but surely people...You must give them credit...They have come a long way .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 08.16.2009

Hi JC ... Good points. Here is my take: Johnson is better than Arenas, because Agent Zero has been out for so long. He also edges Bosh, in my mind. Wade is clearly better than Johnson, but I don`t see Miami in the same second-tier cla-------like as an improving ATL, TOR, or WAS. The Heat are a notch below. Just my thoughts. Feel free to respond. Oly. .

Posted by
jc
on 08.16.2009

joe johnso is not the best player in the second tier teams. Arenas, Bosh are better and more importantly wade. Are you and me thinking in the same conference oly? .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 08.16.2009

Hi no-name and Snika. I agree. They are likely fourth, maybe sixth in a much-improved eastern conference. I think Washington and Toronto will be much improved, too. Of all second tier teams in the Eastern Conference (after BOS, CLE, ORL), Atlanta has the best player in Johnson, so playoffs will be interesting. .

Posted by
Snika
on 08.16.2009

I agree, 4th... but Johnson has the ability to get them further into the playoffs. I will be curious to see who they match up against in the second round. Could be very interesting. .

Posted by

on 08.15.2009

I think the hawks are 4th in the east? Right now where to you have them? .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

No Joe of a signing; getting Smith shows Atlanta Hawks’ growth

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