Yardbarker: Josh Childress

American Ballers Can Have The Cheesecake Factory, Euroleaguers are Much More Sophisticated

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:04:33 -0500

The The Give Me the Rock...well, unless you're in a fantasy league with me in which case go screw yourself and make sure to

Team Preview #19: Atlanta Hawks

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:35:10 -0500

LAST SEASON The Hawks went 37-45, but still managed to make the Playoffs for the first time in 9 years. Shockingly, they gave the Celtics a better run for their money in Round 1 than the Lakers did in the NBA Finals. I'm not a huge fan of Coach Mike Woodson, but he's improved their team every year since taking over in '04-05. As a team, their 91.1 pace factor (18th) and 98.2 points (15th) was in the middle of the pack. OFFSEASON MOVES Key Additions: Maurice Evans, Flip Murray, Randolph Morris, Othello Hunter Key Losses: Josh Childress, Salim Stoudamire The most talked about offseason loss of the summer was Josh Childress leaving Atlanta to join Greek powerhouse Olympiakos. Apparently, his new contract is a sweet one that will pay him a lot of tax-free money, includes perks like a free car & apartment, and STILL allows him to opt-out and return to the NBA if he so chooses. For the time being, the Hawks have lost one of the league's top 6th men, the best 'fro in the game, and one of their most athletic & versatile players from last season. A tough loss for Atlanta, but you've got to give it up to Josh for making a bold decision and landing in a sweet situation. To replace Childress, the Hawks signed swingman Mo Evans to a 3-year deal for $7.5 million. He's a better shooter and solid defender, but he's still no J-Chill. To replace Salim Stoudamire's scoring punch, they also added veteran guard Flip Murray. The Hawks also beefed up their frontline by adding 22-year old Randolph Morris (who played just 224 total minutes for the Knicks the past 2 seasons) and 22-year old Othello (I haven't played that game in a long time) Hunter, an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State. Oh yeah, the Hawks also re-signed Josh Smith to a 5-year deal for $58 million. ROTATION / PLAYING TIME The leader of this team is Joe Johnson. Last season, he finished 2nd behind Iverson in minutes played with 40.8 per game. He's finished in the Top 7 in that category in each of the past 5 years, so don't expect that to change. Joining him in the backcourt is Mike Bibby, who averaged 33.3 minutes after coming over from the Kings. A heel injury bothered him at the end of last season, so I'll bump that number up to 34 for '08-09. Backing up Bibby is 2nd year prospect Acie Law (15.4 mpg) and the veteran Speedy Claxton (0 games played in '07-08). IF Speedy is 100% healthy, I could see him moving ahead of Law in the rotation, but that's a huge if. Flip Murray will backup Joe Johnson, so his playing time will be limited unless Joe goes down. At small forward, Marvin Williams is still just 22 years old, but he's entering his 4th season and needs to step up. He played 34.5 minutes in '07-08, and that number should increase to 35-36 if he's ready. If not, his backup Mo Evans (22.9 mpg) is capable of playing big minutes. At power forward, Josh Smith will provide 36 minutes of high-flying action once again (just cross your fingers for an improved jump shot). At center, Al Horford is ready to improve on his rock solid rookie season. He averaged 31.3 minutes in the regular season, but a whopping 39.6 vs. Boston in the Playoffs. I'm projecting 33 mpg in '08-09, which means a slight stat increase across the board. Zaza Pachulia may appear to be gangsta in this picture, but he's really just a giant man who wants peace and love. In one of the cooler NBA player moments of the summer, Pachulia appeared on CNN to plead for peace in his home country of Georgia. Mark him down for 15 minutes as the backup center. Morris, Hunter, and Solomon Jones will battle for the remaining big man minutes. DON'T SLEEP ON: Mike Bibby The last time we saw Bibby, he was getting schooled by Rajon Rondo in the Playoffs. In 7 postseason games, he averaged a meager 10.3 points, 3.1 dimes, and .6 steals while shooting 33.8% FG, 29.2% 3P, and 65.6% FT (U-G-L-Y). Based on that, I'm somewhat hesitant to recommend him. And if you compare his 13.9 points, 6.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in '07-08 to the 19.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.6 steals that he averaged in '04-05, it seems that Mike Bibby has fallen off. But those numbers are somewhat skewed, as he played a lot better after being traded to the Hawks (6.5 assists in Atlanta vs. 5.0 in Sacramento). And don't forget that Bibby battled major injuries last year. Right before the season started, he tore ligaments in his thumb and had to miss the first 36 games. Then in February, he bruised his heel and was often seen limping around the court. If people are high on Acie Law (I'm not), then they'll likely shy away from Mini-Me this year, making him a potential mid-round value pick. One last thing: Bibby is a free agent after this season, and he'll want to cash in with one more nice contract before he retires. BE CAREFUL OF: Marvin Williams This pick is going to surprise some people, as Marvin seems like the player most likely to benefit from J-Chill's departure and he could be ready for a breakout season. However, if everyone is expecting this (like when everyone targets the same "sleeper"), Williams could be drafted too soon in some leagues. First, I would like to see him prove that he knock down open threes. In '07-08, he was just 1-10 from beyond the arc (no confidence). In '06-07 and '05-06, he attempted a lot more threes (98 total), but he made just 24 of them (24.5%). To open things up for Atlanta's offense (and to contribute in another category), Marvin needs to knock down some treys. Supposedly, he's working on this aspect of his game, but it could come at a cost to his fantasy owners. Last season, he shot a respectable 46.2% from the field, but if he starts jacking up more threes (and continues to make them at a poor rate), that number could fall well below 45% and start to hurt. Most young, athletic forwards rack up steals and blocks, but there's a big difference between Rudy Gay's 1.4 steals & 1.0 blocks per game, and Marvin's 1.0 steals & .4 blocks. Also, with J-Smoov & Horford around, you can't expect Williams' rebounds to climb much higher than the 5.7 that he pulled down last season. He was the #2 pick in '05 and still has a lot of potential, but he doesn't excite me very much from a fantasy perspective. If you take him in Round 7 or earlier, you're making a mistake. ROUND BY ROUND TARGETS (Where you should draft these guys in an 8-cat Roto league with 12 teams and 14 man rosters) Click the link to find out!

Shawn Kemp to Italy

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:20:33 -0500

Former Sonic Shawn Kemp, 40, has decided to come out of retirement and is the latest NBA player to sign with a European team. American players have started a trend this summer of signing with teams across the Atlantic. The money in Europe is plentiful for average NBA players. Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Childress left his NBA squad in July for a Greek team that will give him $20 million dollars in 3 years.

Some other NBA players that have signed with European teams include Earl Boykins, Carlos Arroyo, and former Gonzaga standout Dan Dickau. High school All-American Brandon Jennings will play in Europe this year to prepare for the NBA after failing to score high enough on his college exams to play for Arizona. Kobe Bryant has even joked to the press about playing overseas for $40 million a year.

Depleted

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:12:25 -0500

Josh Childress. Carlos Delfino. Bostjan Nachbar. Jorge Garbajosa. Flip Murray. Earl Boykins. Loren Woods. and now Dan Dickau. My only concern with all these defections is, who exactly is going to be available on my NBA fantasy league's waiver wire next season? By my last count, there are only like six or seven active Barrys [...]

Would Profit-Sharing Work in the NBA?

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:24:13 -0500

If more players follow Josh Childress and sign international contracts, the NBA will be forced to examine its compensation structure. Is an enhanced profit-sharing system a possible solution?

Josh Childress : "I like the chicks, dawg."

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:57:06 -0500

Watch Josh Childress' face light up when he talks about having fun in Greece.

Josh Snith to remain a Hawk

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:04:46 -0500

The Atlanta Hawks wasted no time in matching the Memphis Grizzlies offer to Josh Smith. So in reality the Hawks only lost Josh Childress, who was a major contributor in last years play off run. However, it is still a win-win for both sides... Josh gets his money and da Hawks get Josh... Big ups to Atlanta for steppin up....

Why Dwyane Wade will go Euro: Josh Childress Now Makes More Money

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 10:34:38 -0500

First Josh Childress signed with Olympiakos for $32.5 million over three years. Then Lebron James said he'd play in Europe for $50 million a year. Now Dwyane Wade says, he would go over as well.

Will Lebron James Join Josh Childress with Olympiakos in Greece

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:07:36 -0500

For $50,000,000 Lebron will join Josh Childress with Olympiakos in Greece

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:12:04 -0500

In 2010 along with other big name players, Lebron James will be a free agent.But will he sign with an NBA team? Tuesday a person close to the King of Cleveland said he would strongly consider playing overseas if he there was an offer around $50 million a year. Who would not take that offer, $50 million a year. Teams are trying make cap space to make him an offer. But no NBA team can even offer him $20 million a year. Will King James become King of Europe??

Memphis make an offer to Josh Smith???

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:30:29 -0500

After playing possom, the Grizzlies have made an offer worth $58 million to Josh Smith. Atlanta has 7 days to match it, but will they with Josh Smiths negitivity about returning to ATL??? If Atlanta doesnt match the offer... Where does that put the Grizzlies? The starting 5 will be: Mike Conley at the point O.J. Mayo at the 2 Rudy Gay on the wing Josh Smith down low with... Maybe Marc Gasol or Darko Milicic Off the bench they have.. Javaris Crittenton, Kyle Lowry, Hakim Warick and Darrell Arthur Whaddayathink???

LeBron Willing to Play Euro Ball?

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:13:42 -0500

Over the past few weeks, the exodus to Europe has begun with borderline NBA players jumping to make the big colorful multi-sized bucks in Europe instead of struggling with an undervalued NBA contract. Josh Childress spurred the Hawks to go Greek and play for Olympiakos, Delonte West has played with the idea of heading to [...]

LeBron would consider European offer of $50M a year or more

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:26:56 -0500

Jay-Z and the New Jersey Nets? Mike D'Antoni and the New York Knicks? Heck, the Cleveland Cavaliers' strongest competition for LeBron James' long-term services could be the deep-pocketed new kid on the block -- Europe. A person close to James said Tuesday that the Cavaliers' superstar would strongly consider playing overseas if he was offered a salary of "around $50 million a year." James' current contract expires after the 2009-10 season, and while several NBA teams are working to create salary cap space for his impending free agency, none could offer a contract beginning at even $20 million a year. The Russian team CSKA Moscow and the Greek team Olympiacos, which recently gave Josh Childress a contract approaching $30 million over three years, have already contacted James, according to the person close to him. The person added, however, that no monetary or contractual discussions have taken place. While $50 million a year seems outlandish, it is within the realm of possibility, considering the reported $250 million contract David Beckham received two years ago to join Major League Soccer, the $33 million Michael Jordan was paid by the Chicago Bulls for the 1997-98 season, the strength of the euro in comparison to the dollar, and the fact that European clubs are not bound by a salary cap. While several NBA players have left the league this summer for more lucrative contracts in Europe, no stars have done so -- or even considered it. Joel Litvin, the NBA's president of league and basketball operations, said the league is not concerned about this developing trend. "I don't want to say it's much ado about nothing, but we think it's overblown a bit," Litvin said. "It's not something we're losing sleep over. " But losing a player of James' magnitude would be nothing short of a nightmare for the NBA. "For the most part, the league considers the players to be fungible products," an official from the National Basketball Players Association said. "But LeBron is one of the three or four players the league would definitely hate to lose. If a team lost him or Kobe [Bryant] to Europe, it would lose its mind. It would be devastating." But both Litvin and the NBPA official said they don't foresee anything -- even the loss of a superstar -- leading the NBA to eliminate the salary cap and thereby compete financially with the European teams. "It would be disappointing to lose one of our star players, but I have no concern at all about the best players playing anywhere but in the NBA for a long time to come," Litvin said. "I'd be surprised if one of our top players chose to go to Europe but if it did happen, there are many players who would step up and fill the void." The source close to James said LeBron would play in Europe only for a year or two before returning to the NBA. He said James would view it as an opportunity to popularize the game and himself overseas. He added that James would not consider himself to be playing in the "minor leagues." "Not at all," the person said. "He believes those guys are pros also." The entire scenario falls in line with James' stated goals of becoming a billionaire and "global icon." But the representative from the players' association will have to see James in a European uniform before he believes it. "First of all, we don't know that there's going to be a $50 million offer," the official said. "And secondly, he wouldn't be able to accomplish over there the things that he wants to do over here, which are to win NBA championships, MVP awards, etc." But he could become filthy rich and a global icon.