Next, Dwight had some interesting comments about the Hawks.

 On whether O’Neal would be a good fit for the Hawks: “I don’t know. I like their lineup now. I know a lot of people get mad and say they’re not big on the inside, but they’re a big team. They’ve got big guards. They’ve got big forwards. They’ve got a flying forward [Smith]. So it doesn’t really matter about having a seven-footer.

His comments were made when asked if Shaq would be a good fit for the Hawks.  I know some will say that he is just saying this because he feasts on the Hawks.  He did that in the playoffs, but in the regular season, the Hawks actually held Dwight six percentage points under his season average in field goal percentage.  I like that he calls Josh Smith a “flying forward”. 

I feel that Dwight is absolutely right though.  I have nothing against adding a center, but with Al and Zaza, the Hawks are not in bad shape at this position contrary to popular opinion.  Where I feel the Hawks have missed is with their perimeter defense.  This was the area that was poor last season, and the Hawks are basically relying on Jeff Teague taking a step foward to improve it.  Teague has the length to be a difference maker defensively and averaged a block per game in summer league play, but relying on him at this point is very risky. 

Does anyone think Dwight may try to force his way to the Hawks when he becomes a free agent in 2012?  Dwight is a big time Hawks fan, even though he plays for the Magic.  I really feel that if he has a choice, he would come to Atlanta.

Josh’s next step will be to take the next step offensively and cut out all the long two point jumpers he shoots.  Josh shot 240 shots in the 16-23 feet range last season, almost 70 more than what he shot the previous season.  He essentially traded three point shots for long two point shots, and with a 29% make rate on those shots, it is pretty clear that he still has more adustments to make.  To his credit, Josh did set a career high on shots at the rim in 2009-2010 with 356, and he has hit between 65-70% of those shots during the past two years. 

Josh has the ability to be a very good offensive player if he will accept what he is and play within his limitations.  He’s tremendous around the basket though he isn’t a polished low post offensive player, and he is a very good passer from the post.  Hopefully Larry Drew will be able to maximize Josh’s talents in the Hawks new offensive system.  I really feel Josh could become an efficient scorer if he avoids the long jumpers and concentrates on getting his buckets around the basket.  He could be an 18 and 10 guy if he just dedicates himself to becoming that.

Rick Sund was part of a stat savvy organization when he was with Seattle, but you couldn’t tell that based on his last two signings.  Maybe he is being handcuffed by ownership.  I don’t know.  I do know that neither Josh Powell nor Jason Collins are strong rebounding big men or even strong defenders.  They also just happen to bring very little offensively.  I have defended some of the Hawks moves this offseason and criticized few, but I just cannot fathom why this organization thinks it is better to bring on veteran players like Powell and Collins, who will add absolutely nothing to this team rather than bringing in a young big man via the draft that has the potential to at least be something for the team 2-3  years from now.  This is an ownership group that gets openly criticized for not being willing to spend money, yet they aren’t utilizing the most cost effective means of filling out this team.  Yes, I’m still sore over the Hawks not using that 31st pick, but good grief.  Does anyone seriously think that Josh Powell and Jason Collins would have more of an impact than Gani Lawal?