Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Hawks hire Mark Price and Duane Ferrell

The Atlanta Hawks today named four-time NBA All-Star and Georgia Tech legend Mark Price as a Shooting Consultant, and former Hawk and Yellow Jacket star Duane Ferrell as Player Relations and Programs Manager, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Sund. Price joins the Hawks after spending last season as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Shooting Coach, while Ferrell served in a player development role for the Washington Wizards from 2001-04.

“Coach Woodson thought it was important that we add a shooting specialist to the staff,” Sund said. ”Mark is recognized as one of the premier shooters in the history of the league, and is a welcome addition to our coaching staff. We’re also pleased to enhance our basketball operations area with Duane’s experience. His work with the Wizards, coupled with his time as a player, adds another valuable asset to assist our guys with their development off the court.”

Price enjoyed an outstanding 12-year playing career, spending time with Cleveland, Washington, Golden State and Orlando from 1986-98, and averaged 15.2 ppg and 6.7 apg (.472 FG%, .402 3FG%, .904 FT%) in 772 games. He holds the NBA record for highest career free throw percentage in both the regular season (.904) and postseason (.944). The Cavaliers’ all-time leader in assists (4,206), he also ranks 19th in NBA history with a .402 career three-point percentage.

Price appeared in four NBA All-Star games, was named All-NBA First Team in 1992-93, All-NBA Third Team three times and led the league in free throw percentage five times. In addition to having his number retired in both Cleveland and at Georgia Tech (where he played from 1983-86), the basketball arena in his hometown of Enid, Oklahoma is named after him.

“We’re happy to have Mark on our staff, and we feel like he’s a great fit,” Woodson said. “As a player, he was one of the purest shooters to ever play the game, so we look forward to him working with our guys to improve their consistency from everywhere on the floor.”

“I’m very excited and honored to accept this new position with the Hawks,” Price said. “I’m thrilled to join Coach Woodson and his staff and look forward to working with such a promising organization filled with incredibly talented and exciting players.”

Ferrell played 11 NBA seasons for the Hawks (1988-94), Indiana Pacers (1994-97) and Golden State Warriors (1997-99). His best pro season came in 1991-92, when he averaged 12.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg, appearing in 66 games with the Hawks. In 583 career games, he put up 6.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg (.480 FG%, .750 FT%).

He is Georgia Tech’s ninth all-time leading scorer (1,818), where he played from 1985-88.

“It’s a dream situation for me to return to the organization where I saw my most success as a pro,” Ferrell said. “I played here for six years, and have been proud to call Atlanta my home since 1984. I want to do anything I can to help the players, coaches and franchise to reach their ultimate success, and I think this group is headed in that direction.”

Spurs sign Salim Stoudamire

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have signed guard Salim Stoudamire.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Stoudamire, 6-1, 175 lbs., has spent his entire three-year NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks.  Last year he appeared in 35 games, averaging 5.7 points in 11.5 minutes.  He scored in double figures in nine games including a season-high 18 points vs. Golden State on 2/22.  Stoudamire enjoyed his best season in 2005-06 when he played in 61 games, averaging 9.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.3 minutes.  For his career, he has appeared in 157 games, averaging 8.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.0 minutes per game.

Originally selected by Atlanta with the 31st pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Stoudamire played four seasons at the University of Arizona where he played in 129 games, averaging 15.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists.  Stoudamire finished his collegiate career in ninth place in NCAA history in career three-point field goal percentage (.458, 342-747) and tied for 18th in career three-point field goals made.  As a senior he led the nation in three-point shooting (.504, 120-238) and ranked fourth nationally in free throw percentage (.910, 122-134).

The roster now stands at 19.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim retires

Sacramento Kings’ forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim today announced his retirement from the NBA as a player due to a reoccurring knee injury.

“First of all, on behalf of the entire organization I want to thank Shareef for his contribution to the Kings and NBA both on and off the court,” said Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. “He has had an exemplary career as a player and citizen. It is unfortunate for any productive career to be felled by injury. However, no one can ever doubt Shareef’s effort, commitment or desire to excel. It is our intention to find a new role for Shareef with the organization as he begins the next phase of his professional life.”

Abdur-Rahim enjoyed 12 seasons in the NBA with four different teams (Vancouver 1996-97 to 2000-01, Atlanta 2001-02 to 2003-04, Portland 2003-04 to 2004-05 and Sacramento 2005-06 to 2007-08), amassing career averages of 18.1 points (.452 FGs, .297 3FGs, .810 FTs), 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game through 830 outings. His most productive season, statistically, occurred during the 1998-99 campaign in Vancouver when he averaged 23.0 points (.432 FGs, .306 3FGs, .841 FTs), 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game through 50 contests (NBA Lockout season). The following season (1999-00), Abdur-Rahim averaged double figures in both points (20.3) and rebounds (10.1) per game, in which he played in all 82 contests for the Grizzlies.

“I’ve been in a situation where I’ve been trying to get healthy over the last year and a half,” explained Abdur-Rahim. “I came to grips with the fact that, health-wise, I won’t be able to get back to the condition and level that is needed to play in the NBA. My right knee has become arthritic over the years and is to the point where it won’t allow me do the things and play at the level in which I’m accustomed to playing. As tough as it is to come to grips with, it’s the reality.”

Abdur-Rahim was a member of the gold-medal winning United States Olympic team in 2000 while still with the Vancouver Grizzlies. He was selected to the Eastern Conference NBA All-Star Team where he scored nine points in 21 minutes as a member of the Atlanta Hawks in 2002.

“Regarding my career, I’ve been really blessed and fortunate,” said Abdur-Rahim. “I’m thankful that I had basketball and was able to play in the NBA. There aren’t a lot of people who actually get to do what they grow up dreaming about doing. I’ve had that opportunity and I’m really thankful for that. I’m also thankful for the coaches, trainers, owners, front office people and friends I’ve made through my time in the NBA. It was a tough decision, but in no way am I bitter. I’m just really thankful and happy that I was given the opportunity to play in the NBA.”

On December 28, 2002, Abdur-Rahim became the sixth-youngest player in NBA history to reach the 10,000-point plateau when he scored 18 points at Washington at age 26, trailing only Kobe Bryant, Bob McAdoo, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with that distinction. He scored a career-high 50 points (including a career-high 21 field goals made) versus Detroit on November 23, 2001, becoming the first Hawks player to hit that mark since Dominique Wilkins poured in 52 points in 1991.

Selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies (now Memphis) as an undergraduate out of California with the third pick of the 1996 NBA Draft, Abdur-Rahim has a long-standing history of community service involvement. He was named by The Sporting News as the NBA’s Number 1 Good Guy for 2004 after funding the Reef House in Atlanta through his Atlanta-based Future Foundation with the purpose of assisting at-risk and underprivileged youth.

Salim Stoudamire to Spurs

The Arizona Star (Greg Hansen) reports: Salim Stoudamire has escaped pro basketball’s burial grounds — the Atlanta Hawks — and now will play for a winner. The ex-Wildcat shooting star has signed with the San Antonio Spurs and is expected to replace the three-point shooting threat of Brent Barry and perhaps Robert Horry.

InsideHoops.com editor says: A shooting guard in a point guard’s body, Salim is good at making it rain from three-point range. His attitude has been questioned over the years, though. But this could be a really good fit for him.

Quick East thoughts

The season is approaching, folks. Training camps open in around one week (I’m in Prague right now, haven’t looked at a calendar in a while. Tuesday I’m off to hang out in Berlin for a week, then about 8 days in Amsterdam. I’ll be back in New York City right around the start of preseason.)

In the east, the Celtics remain the best of the conference, though I wonder if Ray Allen will drop off a bit this season. They also need to improve their bench.

The Pistons bring back last year’s team, with Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups a year older.

The Magic still need to improve their backcourt.

The Cavaliers add scoring punch with the addition of point guard Mo Williams, but it’s still the LeBron James show with a supporting cast that will have to work very hard to carry their weight.

The Wizards must once again play without Gilbert Arenas for a while, though even with him they’re a lower-level playoff team.

The Raptors have to hope Jermaine O’Neal regains former All-Star form; it’ll be tough.

The 76ers added a star by signing power forward Elton Brand, and that should definitely raise them in conference standings.

The Hawks aren’t locks to return to the playoffs, but it’s good they kept Josh Smith.

The Bucks improved on paper, adding a pass-first point guard in Luke Ridnour, but more importantly, a legit good forward in SF Richard Jefferson.

The Knicks have the same talented yet flawed roster, but a new coach. Can Mike D’Antoni work miracles?

The Nets are rebuilding and aside from Vince Carter and young Devin Harris, everyone on the team who matters is young and in development.

The Bulls have the same team as the last few seasons, though Ben Gordon remains unsigned. Will they play like the good Bulls from two years ago, or the disappointing ones from last season? Flip a coin, because they’re capable of going either way.

The Bobcats have nice swingmen in Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace, plus Emeka Okafor, but everyone else is young and in development.

The Heat could make a leap in the standings now that Dwyane Wade is healthy, plus Shawn Marion needs a new contract, and Michael Beasley doesn’t like losing. The supporting cast is still extremely weak, though.

The Pacers always do a bit better than expected. The bad news is, almost nothing is ever expected. Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavey and TJ Ford are very nice players, though. They may surprise a little, but not a lot.

I’ll share quick West thoughts tomorrow. Right now I’m off to hike up to the Prague castle. I’ll be right here in about an hour.

–Jeff 

13 training camp signings reported here

Brad Ames of Priority Sports informs InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that the following players will be in the following training camps:

Eddie Gill: New Jersey

Trey Johnson: Phoenix

Ronald Dupree: Cleveland

Frank Robinson: Atlanta

Linton Johnson: Washington

Antywane Robinson: Philadelphia

Jared Reiner: Philadelphia.

Britton Johnsen: Utah

Matt Freije: Milwaukee

Luke Jackson: Portland

Rob Kurz: Golden State

Chris Alexander: Oklahoma City

Darryl Watkins: San Antonio

Fan Poll Results: 8 East playoff teams

InsideHoops.com ran a poll for the last week asking fans to pick the eight Eastern conference teams they feel will make the playoffs in 2008-09.

The voting for the first four teams was pretty close, with the Celtics (592 votes), Cavaliers (588), Pistons (582) and Magic (578) taking the home-court seeds.

The Raptors (504) came in 5th, though from our experience Toronto fans, being very enthusiastic, tend to bump their team up slightly higher than tends to be expected. Though, if new Raptor Jermaine O’Neal can stay healthy and play anything like his old former All-Star self, this is a very reasonable prediction.

One vote later, coming in 6th, was the 76ers (503), who played better than expected last season and now add star power forward Elton Brand, who is returning from injury, to their mix.

The Wizards (459) came in 7th. They welcome a healthy Gilbert Arenas back.

And now, a dropoff.

Fans feel that last year’s #8 seed, the Hawks, won’t do as well in 2008-09. Rather than pick them to return to the playoffs, fans went with the Heat (294 votes). This is reasonable. Miami welcomes a healthy Dwayne Wade back, alongside Shawn Marion, who needs a contract, and superkid rookie Michael Beasley. The supporting cast is still weak, but slightly improved from last year.

The Bulls (195) finished 9th, just outside the playoff seedings. The Hawks (180) were 10th.

Here are the complete final results:

1) Celtics 592 votes
2) Cavs 588 votes
3) Pistons 582 votes
4) Magic 578 votes
5) Raptors 504 votes
6) Sixers 503 votes
7) Wizards 459 votes
8) Heat 294 votes
—
9) Bulls 195 votes
10) Hawks 180 votes
11) Bucks 83 votes
12) Nets 68 votes
13) Knicks 53 votes
14) Pacers 53 votes
15) Bobcats 43 votes

Cavs sign Lorenzen Wright

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed veteran center Lorenzen Wright to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Wright, 32, played 13 games last season with the Atlanta Hawks and five games with the Sacramento Kings. The 6-foot-11, 255 pound center was drafted by the L.A. Clippers with the seventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft and has played in 761 career games (445 starts) with averages of 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game.

“Lorenzen brings us valuable size and experience and adds depth to our front court,” Ferry said. “We think he’s a good fit for us and look forward to him joining our team.”

The 12-year veteran has appeared in 15 postseason games (11 starts) and averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 24.2 minutes per game.

Web viewing of NBA games may soon exist

The Oklahoman (Mel Bracht) reports: Say you’re working late and can’t make it to the Ford Center to watch Oklahoma City’s new NBA team play its game that night. Instead, you log on to your computer and watch streaming video of the team’s game broadcast. Sound far-fetched? Not if the NBA has its way. The league is aggresively promoting three new Internet elements — video streaming in home markets, interactive TV and video-on-demand — for the upcoming season. Ed Desser, a media consultant for Oklahoma City’s team, said many details have yet to be worked out, and didn’t expect the team to offer the Internet elements anytime soon.

Hawks sign Flip Murray

Seeking to add additional depth to its backcourt, the Atlanta Hawks General Manager Rick Sund announced today that the club has signed free agent guard Ronald “Flip” Murray to a contract. Per team policy, no other details were released.

“By signing Flip, it provides us with another experienced player who has the ability to play multiple positions for us,” said Sund. “Because of his versatility, he will be a valuable asset for us as a reserve, and we look forward to the contributions he’ll bring this season.”

A 6-3, 197-pound combo (point/shooting) guard, Murray is a six-year veteran who last played for the Indiana Pacers. He saw action in 23 games after he was signed a mid-season free agent (March 1) following his release from the Detroit Pistons, and he averaged 11.0 points and 3.5 assists (.425 FG%, .389 3FG%, .754 FT%) in those contests.

He started the final 15 games at point guard for the Pacers last season during their playoff push (Indiana went 10-5 during that stretch), and he averaged 11.0 ppg (.439 FG%, .450 3FG%, .703 FT%) in his 17 overall starts with Indiana.

In a season-and-a-half with the Pistons (88 games, 2006-07 and ’07-08), Murray tallied 6.9 ppg and 2.9 apg (.406 FG%, .694 FT%).

He brings career marks of 9.3 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds to the Hawks, having played for five teams (Milwaukee, Seattle, Cleveland, Detroit and Indiana) over his six seasons. In addition, Murray has played in 29 postseason games with totals of 5.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg and 1.4 apg.

The NCAA Division II Player of the Year during his senior season at Shaw University, Murray was selected in the second round of the 2002 Draft by the Bucks. He saw limited action as a rookie and was traded during that year (along with Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie and a conditional 2003 first-round pick) to the Sonics (for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason), where he developed into a scoring threat one year later (2003-04) while subbing for Allen who missed 26 games due to injury. Murray turned in 12.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.5 apg in 82 contests (18 starts) and connected on .425 FG% and .715 FT%.

He spent two more seasons with the Sonics before being traded to the Cavaliers during the 2005-06 campaign, and he scored 13.5 points in 28 games in helping Cleveland reach the playoffs. He recorded his career-best playoff numbers that year, with 8.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1.6 apg.