PG Speedy Claxton, Tyronn Lue, Royal Ivey
SG Joe Johnson, Salim Stoudamire, Anthony Grundy (FA), Donta Smith (FA)
SF Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Al Harrington (FA)
PF Marvin Williams, Esteban Batista, Solomon Jones
C Shelden Williams, Zaza Pachulia, John Edwards
The ones that I would question are the PF/C starters. I mean, you could put the Williamses together, or Marvin and Zaza, or Shelden or Zaza or even start josh smith at pf. But besides that, I think everything is right for now. If the pacers deal is done ,(for Harrington), I heard that Edwards could be moved, leaving only 12 players under contract. Anyone else? ( And if it was up to me, I would sign Grundy because he was killing in the D-League.
I think we have a very nice foundation and a very athletic roster. I also like the chemistry on our team. 1 through 3 we are well balanced and deep, but my only concern is that missing link - true center (hopefuly Camby or Magloire)! I don't know why people position Shelden at 5 spot, because he is a classic "Old fashion" PF, like Charles Oakley or Grant Long, who had a decent spell with the Hawks. He is only 6'8 - 6'9, plus he is a rookie... so let's be realistic, we can't expect him to play center for us. He could serve as a center during spells when we have a small line-up on the court. Bottom-line, true center would round-up our team and give us legit shot at playoffs!
I think we have a very nice foundation and a very athletic roster. I also like the chemistry on our team. 1 through 3 we are well balanced and deep, but my only concern is that missing link - true center (hopefuly Camby or Magloire)! I don't know why people position Shelden at 5 spot, because he is a classic "Old fashion" PF, like Charles Oakley or Grant Long, who had a decent spell with the Hawks. He is only 6'8 - 6'9, plus he is a rookie... so let's be realistic, we can't expect him to play center for us. He could serve as a center during spells when we have a small line-up on the court. Bottom-line, true center would round-up our team and give us legit shot at playoffs!
Sheldon is certainly not center material. Not only that though, they need another missing position = experience.
Grundy, Smith and Harrington are not on the team, and Marvin Williams should only start between the 2nd and 4th weeks of July.
Thast why they're free agents. The team that they were last with is the team I put them on.
Here's a updated depth chart.
PG Speedy Claxton, Tyronn Lue, Royal Ivey
SG Joe Johnson, Salim Stoudamire, Anthony Grundy (FA), Donta Smith (FA)
SF Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Al Harrington (FA)
PF Zaza Pachulia, Marvin Willams, Esteban Batista, Solomon Jones
C Lorenzen Wright, Shelden Williams, John Edwards
I heard rumors that the Hawks signed Wright to a two-year deal. So he'll probably start a few games before the Hawks realize how underacheiving he is. I also have a problem putting Shelden as a backup 5 knowing that he's a true PF. You also could put Marvin as a backup3 and Childress as a backup2.
Thats gonna really be a good team in the future if they can keep all their young players, but I still don't think that Speedy is a good starting PG, he's more of a spark off the bench.
Here's my depth chart.
PG Speedy Claxton, Royal Ivey, Tyronn Lue
SG Joe Johnson, Salim Stoudamire
SF Josh Smith, Josh Childress
PF Marvin Willams, Shelden Williams, Esteban Batista, Solomon Jones
C Lorenzen Wright, Zaza Pachulia
Hawks needed veteran center and they got it in Wright. Josh has all potential and I think Marv has the potential to be the best of the hawks (in the long run) if he gets playing time, starting time, this season.
Here's the fun part. If the hawks get a good start to the upcoming season, like win 4 and lose like 1, They are going to be fun to watch untill couple of months in, then their experience, or lack of, will show and they finnish the season out of playoffs. But after next season they are going to be better.
Atlanta Hawks Depth Chart
