Gators Chomping For SEC Title
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the last, oh I don’t know, however many years John Calipari has been at Kentucky, the Wildcats have been far and away the best team in the SEC.
They almost always have the most talent, and as much as Calipari annoys me with most everything he says and does when searching for a microphone to put in front of that smug face of his, he is one hell of coach.
This year however, it’s a little different. To me, the best team in the conference, and certainly the team playing the best right now, are the Florida Gators.
When Florida hired Mike White to lead their basketball after Billy Donovan bolted for the NBA’s version of Hatfields vs. McCoys in Oklahoma City, most fans probably had no idea who White was. I can’t really blame them.
To be honest, when I heard the name Mike White I actually thought of this guy (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_White_(filmmaker).
When you’ve had the type of success that Donovan had in Gainesville, hiring someone that nobody has heard of isn’t always the most popular choice.
Regardless of his anonymity, White is making Jeremy Foley look like a genius. In only his second year, the Gators are not only neck and neck with Kentucky for the SEC regular season crown, but are doing so with a bunch players nobody has really heard of.
When I watched Florida play Duke earlier this season I knew of Kasey Hill, but the remaining roster might have been made up of the Lost Boys from Neverland, for all I could tell.
While I’m disappointed there still isn’t a Rufio on the team, the only name I might remember besides Hill is KeVaughn Allen.
The lack of individual attention makes sense though when you look at their statistics. Besides Hill being in the Top 5 in assists and steals, they don’t have a single player in the Top 10 in points, rebounds, or field goal percentage. They are truly the antithesis of a team like Kentucky.
You don’t have to watch them play for very long to understand they are well coached. They play tough defense, move the ball well on offense, and most importantly, they don’t seem to beat themselves.
Besides their two point loss to Vanderbilt earlier this year, which is a bit of a head scratcher, their other losses have been to teams they weren’t favored against. And even those games could’ve gone the Gators way.
The University of Florida has always been, and will probably always continue to be, a football school. They have a rich history of Hall of Fame players and coaches who have come through their program. They reside in a state that takes great pride in being a hotbed for young football talent.
Plus, they play in a conference that directly associates your manhood with what college team you root for. (Admit it, have you ever met a Vanderbilt fan that you didn’t think you could beat the crap out of?)
What Billy Donovan was able to do there was nothing short of phenomenal. The expectations aren’t for Mike White to excel in the way Donovan did, but if I’m a Gators fan I’m excited about the bright future that lies ahead.
If this year’s team is any indication of what to expect out of Gainesville over the next few year there’s one thing I know for certain; there will be mistaking which Mike White is responsible for the Gators success.
Pender’s Promises
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Earlier in the month new Brunswick High Football coach Sean Pender spoke to a packed house of Pirate supporters at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Glynn.
It was a meet and greet event where Pender got to meet the Pirate fan base for the first time since his hiring.
Hawks To Make Big Move?
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Hawks have been battling through an up and down season all year. The team started out hot, and it appeared as though the offseason signing of Dwight Howard would pay immediate dividends.
However, the team hit a rough patch to counter that great beginning and fell back into the cycle of being good enough to make the playoffs, but never good enough to take the step to achieve elite status.
The Hawks are hoping to make their tenth consecutive playoff appearance, which is second only to the San Antonio Spurs. The question is what good is that if you are never the last team standing?
Hawks head coach and team president Mike Budenholzer recently made it known that four time all-star Paul Millsap “will not be going anywhere” at the trade deadline. My question is why not?
This Hawks roster, as currently assembled, has likely peaked in the middle of the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The third seed is likely as high as they will attain, which would allow them to max out in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Hawks shouldn’t be afraid of any other team in the east, not named Cleveland. However, what good does that do? It prevents you from winning the NBA championship, while also keeping you out of the lottery with the chance to bring in a franchise type of player in the draft.
While dozens of NBA players make Atlanta their offseason home, the franchise has either been reluctant or unable to lure the major stars of the league to sign with the hometown Hawks; that is until Atlanta brought Dwight Howard home.
Paul Millsap is a tremendous player. Millsap seems to be a great teammate, but he is also the Hawk’s best bargaining chip. While I realize Coach Budenholzer said that Millsap “isn’t going anywhere,” I believe that is more of a negotiation tactic.
It is now known that if a team wants to bring Millsap in to be their missing piece for a championship run, that team had better bring their best offer, or Atlanta won’t even entertain the notion.
Hopefully, the Hawks learned their lesson last season, allowing Al Horford to walk and not get anything in return. If Atlanta allows their best player to walk away two seasons in a row, it could lead to that rebuild mode much faster than anyone anticipated.
Here’s the thing, Atlanta will never get out of the Eastern Conference without making a huge move. There are two potential trades that work monetarily that would provide Atlanta with a legitimate bonafide NBA star.
The first would be for Phil Jackson’s punching bag, Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is the same age as Millsap and is under contract for three more seasons. Carmelo also has a no trade clause that would have to be worked out before a deal could be reached.
On the court, Carmelo is a high volume shooter, and the wonder is would he fit in Coach Bud’s offense where sharing the ball is its biggest strength. The other move would be to send Millsap to the LA Clippers for Blake Griffin.
Griffin would likely be the better fit at power forward. Griffin has good range on his shot and would bring athleticism not seen from a Hawk since Dominique Wilkins. Griffin is oft injured, and is a free agent this offseason, but the Hawks would retain right to pay him the most money in free agency. It would fill a lot of needs in Atlanta.
While there is enormous risk moving a player as stable as Paul Millsap, the possibility of taking that next step is too enticing to just sit back and mire in mediocrity.
It is time for the Atlanta franchises to follow the Falcons lead and quit playing the role of small market team. Atlanta is as desirable a place as any to live, and if a franchise will take a risk to win a championship, the fans will reward them monetarily. In the words of Dale Carnegie, “Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.”
What Brandon Phillips Brings To Braves
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In what seemed like an out of nowhere move, the Atlanta Braves traded minor league pitchers Andrew McKirahan and Carlos Portuondo to the Cincinnati Reds for second baseman Brandon Phillips.
It was a rare case of cause and effect where the cause came to light after the effect had already taken place. The Braves had signed Sean Rodriguez to handle at least half of a platoon or at most the majority of the starts at second base for 2017; but shortly before spring training began they became aware that Rodriguez would need shoulder surgery stemming from a car accident in January and would miss 3-5 months due to recovery. They needed to act fast to find a replacement, and act fast they did.
Phillips is a 3-time All-Star who can hit for average and power, as well as swipe double digit bases, but his real asset is his glove. He’s a four time Gold Glove winner at second base, and can occasionally still make the same kind of jaw-dropping, highlight reel-worthy defensive plays that Braves fans saw on the other side of the infield during Andrelton Simmons’ stay at shortstop.
This is a great deal for Atlanta. They fill a need in their infield (for a second time this offseason) and add a reliable veteran presence in the lineup and clubhouse as well.
The cost for Phillips was staggering low to my eye. The amount of pitchers with high ceilings in Atlanta’s farm system is monstrous, and to not have to sacrifice any of them in this trade is a boasting point for John Coppellela; but not as much as that the Reds threw in $13 million to cover the $14 million that Phillips is owed in 2017 – after which he’ll be a free agent.
Add it all up, and you’ve got yourself a great deal for a player who will both keep the spot warm until Ozzie Albies is ready to take over at second and a player that can legitimately improve the offense and defense.
I would argue that as solid of a player as Rodriguez is, Phillips is a better option for the team.
Phillips at 35 may not be a destiny-altering addition to Atlanta, but having a player that smooth with the glove is only going to benefit the pitching staff and Dansby Swanson.
Playing across the diamond from a player with that kind of skillset will be a boon to the young shortstop, especially given that Phillips in his prime might be a good comp for the kind of player Swanson may evolve into.
He’ll also likely alleviate some of the offensive pressure on Swanson, as I assume he’ll move into the two hole behind leadoff man Ender Inciarte. This will allow Swanson to hit lower in the batting order.
Phillips comes with two interesting oddities as well: the Braves are in a period of rebuilding. Phillips adds to the irony that many of the Braves’ starters will not be all that young: he joins the likes of Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey, Nick Markakis, and Matt Kemp. It’s a roster that would have terrified the NL East in 2010. Although they still all can contribute immensely to Atlanta’s hopes of competing and respectability in 2017.
The other oddity is this: with Phillips gone from Cincinnatti, second base will now be occupied by Jose Peraza, the former Braves top prospect. Baseball poetry at its most ironic.
Cameron Indoor Craziness
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
On the outside it looks like something you would find in an episode of The Young Pope. The building looks like 16th century architecture, designed by someone whose last name has a vowel to consonant ratio of 2/1.
On certain days you’ll find its’ patrons standing in line, 3-4 hours before the doors open. And during the winter months, you’ll see those same people camp out on an adjacent square, as if they’re standing in St. Peter’s Square, waiting to see the white smoke billowing out into the sky.
On the inside, you’ll find a cult like atmosphere- people covered in paint, worshipping idols, mocking anyone whose opinions differ from their own. Like any religious gathering there are sermons to be taught, although don’t expect to hear anything about “loving thy neighbor.” This is more of an “eye for an eye” type crowd. It’s absolutely ridiculous. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
There is a reason why the national media swarms to Durham, NC, like Donald Trump to a 2 A.M. Twitter rant, for the UNC/Duke game. History of the rivalry? Yes. The number of great collegiate players and coaches to have participated in the game? Sure. Where both these teams rank in the pantheon of great college basketball teams? Absolutely.
But, why do fans pay close to Super Bowl prices just to get tickets to a regular season game? It’s the atmosphere Cameron Indoor Stadium provides.
With all due respect to places like Lambeau Field, Phog Allen Fieldhouse, and The Pit, experiencing a game in Cameron Indoor Stadium is a must for any sports fan, even if you don’t like Duke.
If Cameron were a 12 year old boy it’d have an inferiority complex over the number of times an analyst has talked about how small it is in comparison to other basketball ball venues.
With a seating capacity of just over 9,300 those analysts aren’t wrong. I imagine if Gene Hackman ever visited he would measure the height of the basket and distance to the free throw line, just to make sure he wasn’t on a playground with 9 foot rims.
The intimate venue is great, but it’s how the seating is laid out that make the entire thing a perfect marriage. Most schools have rowdy students. Most schools do not allow those students to take up an entire side of the gymnasium, and give them arguably the best seats in the entire place.
What allows the Cameron Crazies to have the kind of notoriety they do is the fact they are allowed to sit (or their case, stand) so close to the action on the court. If they were forced to sit in the upper sections, the atmosphere would be completely different.
To watch those things meld together on tv doesn’t always do it justice. Two seasons ago my daughter and I went to a game over Christmas break, against Wofford.
By the time we left our ears were ringing and I felt like I had just sat through a Metallica concert. That was for a game with no students and inferior competition. I can only imagine what that place would be like against Carolina.
There are tons of great places to watch sports, but for my money there is no place better atmosphere than Cameron Indoor Stadium. If you don’t believe me I highly recommend you check it out. You may just leave as one of the converted.
Falcons Offseason
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Unfortunately, the season did not end the way the Atlanta Falcons had envisioned. With all of the confetti falling to the ground, and the New England Patriots celebrating the historic come-from-behind win in the Super Bowl, the questions immediately began for Atlanta.
The franchise was already aware that Offensive Coordinator, Kyle Shannahan, would be moving on to become the next head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
The Falcons also knew that quarterbacks coach, Matt LaFleur, would become the Offensive Coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. What took many by surprise was the major shuffle on the defensive side as well.
Coach Dan Quinn decided to remove Richard Smith as defensive coordinator and also dismissed defensive line coach, Bryan Cox. However, no matter who is running the offense or defense from the sidelines, what will determine the success of the Falcons’ future is who is lining up on the field. Let’s take a look at what the Falcons can do to take that final step next season.
On offense, there really aren’t many changes that need to be made. New offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian, comes into a pristine offense that just set historic NFL records for scoring.
Matt Ryan is coming off of an MVP season, the running game is a two-headed monster with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Of course, the receiving corp is led by the incomparable Julio Jones, and the offensive line has a great mix of youth and experience.
Draft possibilities for the offense would include offensive guard Quenton Nelson from Notre Dame or Ethan Pocic out of LSU.
If Atlanta looks to the free agent market to bolster the offensive line, Green Bay’s TJ Lang could provide a quality upgrade on the interior line. Other than line depth or upgrades, this side of the ball is practically intact and ready to build on what is in place.
Obviously, this is the side of the ball that Dan Quinn and the front office want to improve upon given the coaching shakeup. There is still a need for quality pass rushers up front.
As we saw in the playoffs, when Atlanta was able to get pressure on Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady, things went amazingly well; when that pass rush wore down? Let’s not go there.
Vic Beasley should continue to progress and seemed to flourish learning from pass rush specialist Dwight Freeney. Atlanta should keep Freeney around for one more season, limit his snaps early to have him fresh for the late season and hopefully playoffs.
The upcoming draft has a solid group of potential sack masters, and Atlanta should prioritize defensive line. This could be a year for Atlanta to make another “Julio Jones” type of move and trade up early to make a run at Myles Garrett out of Texas A&M.
If not, stay at 31 and see if Charles Harris from Missouri or Derek Barnett are available in that draft spot.
In free agency, Atlanta could target New York Giant Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul is still a fierce pass rusher, despite his recent firework incident. Calais Campbell could be a possibility as defensive end or even move inside at 300 pounds. The Cardinals are not in a good spot when it comes to the salary cap and have other high priorities on the roster.
If Atlanta wants to make a move in the secondary, which will automatically get better with their best cover corner Desmond Trufant back healthy, the Falcons could take a run at Atlanta native and best safety in the game, Eric Berry from the Chiefs. It would be a huge boost for the team and a great chance for Berry to come back home and play for his hometown team.
Many teams are not always able to follow up great seasons with another run at the Super Bowl; injuries, chemistry, and sometimes just plain luck don’t always stick around.
However, with the franchise making immediate moves already, it shows that they were not satisfied just to get there. The team wants to take the next step, and right now it seems they are in great shape to do just that.
Georgia Sports Heart Break
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I had a business associate call me from San Diego this week offering his condolences on the epic fourth quarter meltdown of the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51.
He asked me what happened, and I said you would have to live in Georgia and follow college and pro sports in this state to understand.
Natives could see this entire thing unfolding right before our eyes, and yet we knew it was coming and felt powerless because that is how we have been conditioned living in this state and following Georgia based sports teams.
Here are the numerous examples of classic Atlanta choke jobs:
January 4th, 1981: The 12-4 Atlanta Falcons led the Dallas Cowboys 27-17 with 6:37 left to play in the NFC Playoffs. The Cowboys rally and beat the Falcons 30-27. The 1980 Falcons were a good enough team to win the Super Bowl. The loss to the Cowboys killed momentum for the franchise as they only had one more winning season the rest of the 1980’s. It had to come from the hated Dallas Cowboys.
1982 Atlanta Braves: The 82 Braves started the season with 13 straight wins and in late July had a 9 game division lead over the Dodgers. Then the Braves proceeded to lose 19 of the next 21 games and backed into the playoffs after losing to the Padres on the final day of the season as Joe Morgan hit a homerun to lift the Giants over the Dodgers to give the Braves the NL West title. The Braves then proceeded to get swept by the Cardinals in the NL championship series. Do you see a trend starting to develop?
1996 Atlanta Braves: Up 2-0 in the World Series against the Yankees after winning first two games in Yankee Stadium. The Braves drop 4 straight to choke in classic Atlanta fashion. I am not even going to mention Mark Wohlers. Just throw a dang fastball.
1998 Atlanta Braves: This team won 106 games and go up 2-0 on the Padres in the NL Championship series and then lose 4 straight. The 97, 99, 02, and 03 Braves all won 100 games and choked in the playoffs.
2015 Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks won 60 games and were the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Get to the Eastern Conference Finals and get swept 4-0 by the Cavs. Hawks had some good teams in the 80’s that folded like a dove in a cornfield on a Saturday hunt.
Super Bowl 51: The one we’ll never forget. Beat the crap out of Seattle and Green Bay and roll into the Super Bowl clicking on all cylinders and for 43 minutes beat the absolute crap out of the New England Patriots. Leading 28-3 the wheels completely fall off. The 25-point lead evaporates and the Falcons lose in overtime on the biggest sports stage ever, and now will it will be remembered as the biggest meltdown in sports history.
If you are a follower of any major sport in the state of Georgia you know disappointment well. Dawg fans you know disappointment as The University of Florida owns you in all three major men’s sports Football, Baseball, and Basketball.
Atlanta pro sports has only one World Title the 1995 Braves, and decades of heartbreak.
I’ll leave you with this a long time avid Atlanta pro sports fan told me this joke on Tuesday. When I die I want 2 Falcons, 2 Braves, and 2 Hawks fans to be my pallbearers so they can let me down one last time.
Cheer up the Braves are about to report to Spring Training. I know that brings comfort Atlanta sports fans.
Who Is To Blame For Falcons’ Loss
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If you’re a Falcons fan, it’s going to take you awhile to get over this one. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you want to you look at it, you haven’t had to deal with this type of anguish very often, so here are some tips that I hope will be helpful over the next few days.
For starters, you need to be angry. I’m not talking “they put extra pickles on my burger” type rage. No, I’m talking about DMX “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” kind of fury. There are a lot of different angles you can direct your anger towards, but if I were you I’d start with Kyle Shanahan.
Overall, Shanahan has been the best Offensive Coordinator this year. I mean, there’s a reason he’s about to become the 49ers head coach, and deservedly so. However, I’m not 100% percent convinced he didn’t hop on a plane to San Francisco once the 4th quarter started.
The play calling during those last few possessions were downright atrocious. I respect keeping the foot on the gas and going for the jugular (or whatever other common sports vernacular you want to put in there), but Shanahan has to shoulder this loss as much, if not more, than anyone.
You could also blame the defense and the fact they gave up 31 points in what amounted to just over a quarter of play, but you knew Brady wasn’t going to be held in check for the whole game. You may also want to rant a little about the overtime rules, although, and I hate to beat a dead horse of this one, it’s hard to argue too much when you had to allow 25 unanswered points just to get to overtime.
After you finish stage one and release all that pinned up anger, sit back and realize what Atlanta accomplished this season. They went from a team that basically no one picked to even make the playoffs, and turned it into arguably the most successful season in franchise history.
Matt Ryan proved idiots like me wrong and showed himself to be a legitimate Top 5 quarterback in the league. Your running game and defense surpassed everyone’s expectations. And you probably have one of the best, if not the best, collection of receivers and tight ends in the NFL. It’s tough to see right now, but the Falcons had one hell of season and you should be proud.
Now, once you complete reflection time, the last stage is to look ahead to next year. Sure, you’re losing Shanahan, and it looks like your quarterback coach may be following suit, but you have a great collection of young players at vital positions, who are bound to improve from this season to next. If your team can stay healthy, they should be able to make a run again next year.
Of course, the Super Bowl runner-up doesn’t always seem to have much success the following year- just ask any Carolina fan how that feels- so Atlanta does have some history to overcome.
I know things look bleak now, and it will probably take a few months to get over this loss, and that assuming you even can. I’m not going to lie, you’ve got a tough road ahead. If what I’ve mentioned doesn’t help you though, then know this- most of America is on your side. We all despise the Patriots.
Glynn Academy Sends 16 To Next Level
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
National Signing Day has come and gone and the Glynn Academy Red Terrors had 16 kids sign to play at the next level…yes, 16.
Rocky Hidalgo has built a juggernaut in the short three years he has been at Glynn. When you have 16 kids sign to play college football there is no denying.
DeeJay Dallas-Dallas was a Georgia commit until the firing of Mark Richt. Kirby Smart and his coaching staff had other priorities than Dallas, thus driving the Glynn QB to follow Mark Richt to Miami. Georgia will regret not getting this ‘do-everything’ gifted athlete. Dallas has already enrolled at Mia
Zalon’tae Hillery-Hillery ended up being one of the most sought after offensive lineman in the country. Hillery was thought to be going to Miami all along, until some last-minute indecision. Hillery was strongly considering Kentucky until a phone conversation with Mark Richt eased his indecision and Hillery was back in the Canes fold.
Preston Joseph-Joseph was a Stallworth on the Glynn defense and despite being slightly undersized the Red Terror standout played his way to a Georgia Military College.
Devon Peacock-As the season went on for Glynn, Peacock got better and better. So much so that Georgia State decided to offer him a preferred walk on spot. With Peacock’s abilities he will garner a scholarship in Atlanta sooner rather than later.
Xavier McClinton-The one Terror that did not commit on signing day was Xavier McClinton. McClinton got offers from Georgia Tech, Stetson and FAMU.
Quintavius Walker-Good offensive linemen are hard to find. Walker did a great job run blocking all year and protecting DeeJay Dallas at QB. Eastern Arizona took notice and got Walker to commit. This is a steal for Eastern Arizona.
Quandry Mosely-Speaking of steals for Eastern Arizona, here is another. Quandry Mosely is a ball hawking safety that can also play receiver. Mosely is 6’2 and 170 pounds and I think will become one of the better safeties to ever play at Eastern Arizona.
Amari Cross-It is a long-standing tradition at Glynn Academy; if your last name is Cross you are going to play football at Glynn. Amari Cross was no exception and was a pillar for the Terror running attack this season on the offensive line. Kennesaw State took notice and offered Amari Cross a preferred walk on spot. With Cross’s size and footwork he will have every opportunity to garner a scholarship for the Owls.
Devin Roberson-Roberson was one of the better pass rushers in the region. Ridgewater College got a huge commitment from Roberson, who has a motor that doesn’t stop.
Travis Harris-Harris came on strong as the season progressed and showed his abilities in the secondary. He committed to Ridgewater College.
Shakour Thomas-Thomas was one of DeeJay Dallas’s favorite targets at receiver and showed a lot of big play potential. He is one of seven Terrors to commit to Ridgewater College.
Vance Rowe-Rowe was a vastly underrated player for the Terrors. Ridgewater College will certainly look to develop Rowe in the secondary.
Tre Sailem-Sailem was one of the better corners for the Terrors. He has everything you could want in a DB. Another Ridgewater College steal.
Trashawn Bacon-Ridgewater College gets an underrated OL in Trashawn Bacon. Bacon did an amazing job for the Terrors all year.
Jeremiah Anderson-Anderson came back from a serious knee injury this season and was a key contributor running the ball for Glynn. He may be the most talented player that Ridgewater College signed.
The Hard-A-Way
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
On a night early in February, a player for the Atlanta Hawks scored a career high 33 points in a game against the Houston Rockets.
That’s impressive enough as it is, but consider this as well: 23 of those points came in the fourth quarter, and helped Atlanta erase a 20 point deficit to secure a come from behind win. Now that’s the kind of game that makes people take notice. Tim Hardaway Jr. turned some heads earlier this month.
It was a kind of breakout game, though in reality it wasn’t so surprising to anyone who has been paying attention to the Hawks this season. Hardaway has been so crucial for Atlanta throughout this campaign.
He has managed to be a consistent force on a team that has struggled to stay consistent as a unit. He did have his struggles in December, but if slumps truly are contagious then he merely caught what every other player on the team had that month. Excusing that outlier, Hardaway has improved across the board.
The Hawks have kept Hardaway’s usage static for the most part the entire season and his efficiency has gone up along with his shooting numbers. He currently has the best offensive rating on the team for anyone who receives regular playing time. He is currently second on the team in overall net rating.
The real testament to his usefulness, however, comes from looking at the team stats with and without him. When Hardaway is in the game, the Hawks have outscored their opponents by 143 points; when he’s off the court, Atlanta has been outscored by 171 points.
It’s a compelling story of a player finally leveling out. Hardaway’s tenure with Atlanta has been an up and down one, to say the least. In fact, no one on the roster has had the kind of career turbulence that Hardaway has experienced as a Hawk
Atlanta famously (infamously?) acquired Hardaway in a three-team trade that cost them their first round pick at the 2015 NBA Draft. The deal brought jeers from across the internet and outrage from the Hawks fanbase. That only escalated when Hardaway opened the 2016 season on the inactive list and eventually found himself playing in the D-League.
He deserves a lot of credit for shutting out the noise and putting his head down and going to work on his game. The talent has always been there for Hardaway but he needed to learn that there was much more to the game than accumulating numbers.
Hardaway earned a spot in the rotation during the second half of 2016 although a groin injury in the final regular season game pretty much prevented him from having any impact in the playoffs. This season got off to a rocky start when he opened the preseason with a 3 for 30 shooting stretch. However, he battled through that and has seen his role continue to grow as the season progressed.
The trade can still be debated especially when you factor in that Hardaway will hit restricted free agency this summer while a draft pick would be under team control for a couple more seasons. Still, credit Hardaway for making the situation into where it is a debate worth having.
His breakout this season may be comparable to winning the lottery for Hardaway this summer. The NBA has placed a premium on wing players and Hardaway will likely be looking at a significant raise.
Due to his restricted status, the Hawks will have the ability to match any offer that Hardaway receives from another team. Whether it is with Atlanta or another team, Hardaway has earned it.
