Atlanta Hawks Fans Divided on Paul Millsap
As the malaise has gradually worn off, replaced by a bitter acceptance, questions about the Atlanta Hawks future remain front and center in the minds of those who love the team. How exactly do the Hawks address the deficiencies that the Cavaliers exploited so perfectly?
As dynamic as LeBron James was in the Eastern Conference Finals, the four-game sweep wasn’t entirely about him. James was complimented by offensive rebounding, perimeter shot making, defensive hustle and consistency.
The only way to counter that level of excellence in a return trip to the Eastern Conference Finals is an aggressive off-season and an altering of key personnel. Aided by their new owners, Tony Ressler and Grant Hill, who are expected to be approved by the NBA Board of Governors, the Hawks have to decide what type of team this is going to be moving forward.
Is this going to be a championship contender, year in and year out? Or, are the Hawks going to maintain their status quo as a regional player in the NBA, but not much of a threat when it all is said and done.
Are the Hawks going to take this to the next level or are they going to coast now that they have tasted success?
The Hawks flexibility revolves around Paul Millsap and his expiring contract. $9.5 million dollars off the books accompanied by the salary relief from expiring contracts of DeMarre Carroll, Pero Antic, Kent Bazemore, Elton Brand and John Jenkins, the Hawks have the ability to offer a max-contract to a free agent such as DeAndre Jordan, Marc Gasol or LaMarcus Aldridge. That would mean saying goodbye to Paul Millsap.
May 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) fight for a rebound during the third quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Millsap, in his two year Hawks career, reinvented his own narrative. When he was with the Utah Jazz he was considered a complimentary piece, a hustle-and-glue player who complimented Deron Wiliams and Carlos Boozer.
In 2013, he signed a free agent contract with the Hawks after 7 years in Utah which surprised many, a two year deal worth $19 million. Then, Millsap set out to re-shape his body, he added the three point shot to his repertoire and worked on his ball handling skills. He was an All-Star both years.
- Atlanta Reg. Season: 147 games, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 47% fg, 36% 3-pointers
- Atlanta Playoffs: 23 games, 17 points, 10 rebounds, 40% fg, 32% 3-pointers
The lingering question about Paul Millsap as a starting power forward on a championship level team is his offensive rebounding.
If General Managers can’t get a player with length, they drool over players with athleticism. If they can’t get a pure athlete, they want freaky size.
In Millsap, they get none of the above. He’s an undersized power forward without length and average athleticism which means he will routinely get beat on the box by the Tristan Thompsons of the world.
Offensive Rebounding In the Playoffs:
- Dwight Howard: 62 off. rebounds, 17 games
- Tristan Thompson: 56 off. rebounds, 14 games
- DeAndre Jordan: 49 off rebounds, 14 games
- Paul Millsap: 36 offensive rebounds, 16 games
The decision the Hawks make on Paul Millsap will set the course for their future. He is 30 years old and is seeking a 5-year deal which means if they re-sign Millsap, the Hawks are committing to a Millsap/Horford front court for a least one year and probably more than that. They are giving up on the idea of a superstar player pushing the Hawks into the NBA Finals.
If, however, the Hawks cut ties with Millsap and court a superstar, it truly will be a new era of Atlanta Hawks basketball, a signal that they want the NBA world to take them seriously.
Fans, however, are split down the middle. To all, Millsap is a favorite because of his story: second round pick handed nothing, proved himself, was loyal to the Jazz for 7 years, came to Atlanta and changed the way he played so he could fit into the system. Millsap’s stoicism is a breath of fresh air in a melodramatic league. His hard work and expressionless facial features only make him more appealing and someone to root for. Simply put, fans love what Millsap brings every night.
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On the other hand, fans want a superstar. They have grown weary of the Atlanta Hawks as second class citizen argument.
No one will take the Hawks seriously as a contender until they have a great player. Great players get the benefit of the doubt. They don’t get suspended in playoff games. They don’t have to beg for foul calls. They are frequently double teamed, creating wide open shots. Great players have a resume of winning. They understand the approach, the mental angle of a 82 season and a 20 game playoff run.
The argument, both sides:
Let Millsap Walk
I like Paul. He is a great guy, a great role model. He plays hard, he doesn’t turn it on and off, he’s tough and physical and he has a lot of guts. I don’t care who you are. A second round pick in this league who becomes an All-Star has heart and a work ethic and a survivor’s creed. But…I saw Tristan Thompson sky over Millsap to dunk the ball. I didn’t see that once. I didn’t see that twice. I saw that over and over again. I saw him rip the ball out of Millsap’s hand.
No amount of coaching is going to transform Millsap into an athlete. He is who he is. A solid player, dedicated and strong. But he can’t jump over guys to finish plays. He’s 30 years old which means he is getting older while the league is getting younger. His shooting percentages have declined his last four years. He used to be a 53% shooter. Now he hovers around the 46% line. When you re-sign players to large deals you can’t just think about right now. You have to think about two years from now. Will Millsap still have the same impact? And how will his salary hurt the Hawks from getting more athletic?
Give The Man His Money
What more does he have to do? He carried the team when Al Horford went down and they made it to a game 7 as the #8 seed. Averaging 17 and 8, he was the starting forward on the best team in the Eastern Conference.
According to Hoopsstats.com, Millsap had the 5th best season as power forward behind Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Adridge and Greg Monroe.
Paul Millsap is a great teammate who never, ever complains when, sometimes, he should. He wants to be in Atlanta. How many free agents have wanted to come here recently? He represents the team and the city the right way.
I’ll concede he’s not Blake Griffin and he is going to have moments when he gets beat by the Tristan Thompsons of the world but so is everyone. That’s on Bud. He has to be a more flexible strategist so a small frontline can prosper. How about this: stop shooting so many three point shots with long rebounds. How about getting players who can do things in the lane. Millsap has earned a long contract: he did everything that he was supposed to do. He should be rewarded, first. And then thanked.