Hawks and Pacers Get Together cont.
By Cory Elfrink Email Cory
The Hawks don’t necessarily lack size as it is (they have seven players 6'9" or taller), but none of them can really produce against other big men. J. ONeal has proven year after year what he is capable of.
JERMAINE O’NEAL
YR |
G |
MIN |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
PF |
OFF |
DEF |
TOT |
AST |
PTS |
04-05 |
44 |
34.8 |
.452 |
.167 |
.754 |
0.6 |
2.0 |
3.0 |
3.9 |
1.9 |
6.9 |
8.8 |
1.9 |
24.3 |
05-06 |
51 |
35.3 |
.472 |
.300 |
.709 |
0.5 |
2.3 |
3.0 |
3.5 |
2.0 |
7.3 |
9.3 |
2.6 |
20.1 |
06-07 |
69 |
35.7 |
.436 |
.000 |
.767 |
0.7 |
2.6 |
2.9 |
3.4 |
2.2 |
7.4 |
9.6 |
2.4 |
19.4 |
As previously mentioned, Tinsley is not as bad as his public image would suggest. Judging by his ability and athleticism, he has the makings of a very good PG. Tinsley’s biggest problems have been his motivation and consistency, both of which have resulted because of a general unhappiness he has within the Pacers’ organization.
JAMAAL TINSLEY
YR |
G |
MIN |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
PF |
OFF |
DEF |
TOT |
AST |
PTS |
04-05 |
40 |
32.5 |
.418 |
.372 |
.744 |
2.0 |
0.3 |
3.4 |
2.8 |
0.7 |
3.4 |
4.1 |
6.4 |
15.4 |
05-06 |
42 |
26.7 |
.409 |
.229 |
.637 |
1.2 |
0.1 |
2.6 |
2.3 |
0.8 |
2.3 |
3.1 |
5.0 |
9.3 |
06-07 |
72 |
31.1 |
.389 |
.316 |
.720 |
1.6 |
0.3 |
2.8 |
2.6 |
0.8 |
2.5 |
3.3 |
6.9 |
12.8 |
Moving Johnson also allows ATL to make Childress a starter, which he deserves. His defense, rebounding and passing are all better than Joe Johnson’s. Also, he doesn’t always need the ball in his hands to be effective.
ARE THE PACERS’ GETTING APPROPRIATE VALUE FOR O’NEAL?
Every GM in the league understands the inevitable split between the Pacers and Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley. Every GM in the league is also very hesitant to commit to their contracts so the value part of trade offers will rarely swing in Indiana’s favor.
However, Joe Johnson did average over 25 points per game and he was an All-Star last year. Furthermore, GM Larry Bird desperately needs a SG.
JOE JOHNSON
YR |
TM |
G |
MIN |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
PF |
OFF |
DEF |
TOT |
AST |
PTS |
04-05 |
Pho |
82 |
39.5 |
.461 |
.478 |
.750 |
1.0 |
0.3 |
1.8 |
2.0 |
1.5 |
3.7 |
5.2 |
3.5 |
17.1 |
05-06 |
Atl |
82 |
40.7 |
.453 |
.356 |
.791 |
1.3 |
0.4 |
3.3 |
2.3 |
1.2 |
2.9 |
4.1 |
6.5 |
20.2 |
06-07 |
Atl |
57 |
41.4 |
.471 |
.381 |
.748 |
1.1 |
0.2 |
3.1 |
2.0 |
0.9 |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
25.0 |
Shelden Williams might be a lot like Ike Diogu. Both players have a team option in their contract at the end of next season, meaning that if Indiana would want to let one of them walk, they could. It should be pointed out that in April when Williams earned starter-like minutes, he averaged a double-double. They also have Troy Murphy at the PF slot. Depth is never anything to fear.
SHELDEN WILLIAMS
YR |
TM |
G |
MIN |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
PF |
OFF |
DEF |
TOT |
AST |
PTS |
06-07 |
Atl |
81 |
18.7 |
.455 |
.500 |
.764 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
1.2 |
2.5 |
1.6 |
3.8 |
5.4 |
0.5 |
5.5 |
Finally, you have to believe 31 year-old Lorenzen Wright has a couple more productive seasons left. Last year he was very limited, but it wasn’t long ago when he was a double-double threat on any given night. With Wright, Jeff Foster, and David Harrison manning the low-post, it’s not exactly an overwhelming offensive mix, but it’s certainly a tough defensive rotation with depth and reliable rebounding.
LORENZEN WRIGHT
YR |
TM |
G |
MIN |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
PF |
OFF |
DEF |
TOT |
AST |
PTS |
04-05 |
Mem |
80 |
28.6 |
.469 |
.000 |
.662 |
0.7 |
0.9 |
1.3 |
3.1 |
2.2 |
5.5 |
7.7 |
1.1 |
9.6 |
05-06 |
Mem |
78 |
21.7 |
.478 |
.000 |
.564 |
0.7 |
0.6 |
0.9 |
2.6 |
1.8 |
3.2 |
5.0 |
0.6 |
5.8 |
06-07 |
Atl |
67 |
15.5 |
.448 |
.000 |
.281 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
0.6 |
3.0 |
1.3 |
2.0 |
3.3 |
0.6 |
2.6 |
TYRONN LUE
YR |
TM |
G |
MIN |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
PF |
OFF |
DEF |
TOT |
AST |
PTS |
04-05 |
Atl |
49 |
31.2 |
.464 |
.364 |
.871 |
0.5 |
0.0 |
1.7 |
2.4 |
0.3 |
1.9 |
2.2 |
5.4 |
13.5 |
… |
Hou |
21 |
22.8 |
.393 |
.333 |
.778 |
0.4 |
0.0 |
1.1 |
2.3 |
0.0 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
2.8 |
6.0 |
05-06 |
Atl |
51 |
24.2 |
.459 |
.457 |
.855 |
0.5 |
0.1 |
1.5 |
2.2 |
0.3 |
1.4 |
1.7 |
3.1 |
11.0 |
06-07 |
Atl |
56 |
26.5 |
.416 |
.348 |
.883 |
0.4 |
0.0 |
1.5 |
1.8 |
0.3 |
1.5 |
1.8 |
3.6 |
11.4 |
WHY HASN’T THIS ALREADY HAPPENED
Atlanta is in a constant state of turmoil within their administration. Does anyone really know who is responsible for making these decisions? We would like to believe Billy King is the guy. Or would we?
Some might argue that Atlanta shouldn’t move JJ because of how much they have invested in him. However, if your team is perennially one of the worst five in the league maybe it’s time to change the active ingredient in your recipe. Personally, I prefer JJ to JO but JO has more value b/c of the position he plays. There are plenty of good SGs to be had but very few talented centers.
JO and Tinsley have been fragile the last 3 years, but none of the injuries are recurring. Honestly, they probably could have played in a lot of those games but were simply unmotivated by the Pacers team and staff. These two would love the city of Atlanta and the younger, more athletic personnel. They get the fresh start that they both need and line up with Josh Smith, Childress, Marvin, and potentially Horford or Brewer.
Also, Bird might honestly think he can get Bynum, Odom and either Brown or the #19 pick in this year’s Draft for O’Neal. I say he’s crazy, but if there was any hope for that deal, you have to hold onto Jermaine in case the Lakers foolishly pull that trigger.
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