Atlanta Journal Constitution This could be the last training camp for Al Harrington in a Hawks uniform. Or it could be the second of what could be many more. At this point, no one is quite sure. But the unspoken significance of every moment, every second even, is clear for the Hawks' versatile veteran forward who is in the last year of his contract. Is he here until the NBA's February trade deadline or for the long haul? "As of right now I'm a Hawk, and that's all that matters," Harrington said before today's start of camp with media day. "I'm a true professional, and I'm treating this season like I do every season. So I'm here to do work and help my team. Everything else is what it is." With Harrington, All-Rookie pick Josh Smith and No. 2 overall draft pick Marvin Williams playing what appears to be the same position, the rumblings about Harrington's possible departure began on draft night and haven't let up. As valuable as Harrington is to a still-young Hawks team on the floor and in the locker room, he could be even more valuable at the bargaining table as the season progresses. Playoff caliber teams eager for a shot at a championship are always looking to add difference-makers near the trade deadline. Usually, most any serviceable talent will do, provided they can fill a specific role. But the chance to acquire a 6-foot-9, 245-pound workaholic with a knack for scoring inside and out, and a history --- save for last season's 13-69 campaign with the Hawks --- of playing a vital role in winning situations, is sure to entice many teams. "I know there are teams out there that feel like I can be a difference-maker or whatever," Harrington said, "but that's really not up to me. I'm here to do whatever I can for the Atlanta Hawks to win games. All I want to do is win. Whatever it takes, I'm going to do it because I can't take another season like last year." Source
I bet Al would love to be in a Pacers uniform now. He wanted to become a star and the losing got to him. The Knicks could use a SF but it would create another big mess, although knowing Isiah he would still do it. The only team im thinking that would benefit Al could be the Nuggets. They did try to get Paul Pierce, so AL may be in their future.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GotSkillz92:</div><div class="quote_post">I bet Al would love to be in a Pacers uniform now. He wanted to become a star and the losing got to him. The Knicks could use a SF but it would create another big mess, although knowing Isiah he would still do it. The only team im thinking that would benefit Al could be the Nuggets. They did try to get Paul Pierce, so AL may be in their future.</div> The Nuggets were after Pierce so he could play the shooting guard for them. Denver has Carmelo Anthony at small forward and Kenyon Martin at power forward, so Harrington would have no viable starter's role to compete for. I think any playoff team would be very interested in landing Harrington. He is a solid defender, good shooter, post player and an above average rebounder. By the trade deadline, it's very likely that Harrington would be on a playoff team's roster and contributing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nuggets were after Pierce so he could play the shooting guard for them. Denver has Carmelo Anthony at small forward and Kenyon Martin at power forward, so Harrington would have no viable starter's role to compete for. I think any playoff team would be very interested in landing Harrington. He is a solid defender, good shooter, post player and an above average rebounder. By the trade deadline, it's very likely that Harrington would be on a playoff team's roster and contributing.</div> Carmelo would be moved to SG and Al would be put at the SF.
Carmelo is great but he is in no way an SG. He's got a great post up game and he can hit a shot or two from the outside as well but not quite the player type to play the 2. If Al was to go anywhere I think it'd be to New York, Houston or some other western conference team contending this year. New York because a while back if I'm not mistaken I heard that Isaiah was interested in Al, but I dont know now and Houston because the only player backing up T-Mac at the 3, if he plays that now. I have no clue if T-Mac is playing the 2 or the 3 but from what I heard last I think it was the 3. Im probably the only Hawks fan, of the few, that doesnt want Al to leave. He's a great player and he can be a usefull player no matter where we slide him in. Marvin and Al can split time at the 3 and either or could back up Josh Smith considering that he'll be playing more PF this season because of his added muscle and arrival of Marvin.
The main reason AL came to the hawks was because he was tired of being a bench warmer. Al wants to be a star and have lots of minutes. Backing up a rookie isnt in his best desire. I dont want him in Ny because he has a huge ego and he's not going 2 like sharing minutes with Q. There's no other teams that I can think of.
Al Harrington was mentioned in several rumors this summer including being swapped for Darko Milic, Eddy Curry, and also being sent back to the Pacers. I would have liked to see the Darko deal go down, it would have been a solid trade and beneficial to both players. My guess is Al Harrington will be traded to the Blazers when the trade deadline comes around. The Blazers have a lot of young talent to offer, and they need expiring contracts. How about Tony Delk & Al Harrington for Zach Randolph?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Al Harrington was mentioned in several rumors this summer including being swapped for Darko Milic, Eddy Curry, and also being sent back to the Pacers. I would have liked to see the Darko deal go down, it would have been a solid trade and beneficial to both players. My guess is Al Harrington will be traded to the Blazers when the trade deadline comes around. The Blazers have a lot of young talent to offer, and they need expiring contracts. How about Tony Delk & Al Harrington for Zach Randolph?</div> I was thinking the blazers but they have alot of players that can play SF like Webster, Randolph, and outlaw. I like the Detroit trade since they need backup for Prince and some offense off the bench to add to their depth. Al can even compete with Prince for the job. Knowing it wont be defense first in Detroit with the departure of LB.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GotSkillz92:</div><div class="quote_post">I was thinking the blazers but they have alot of players that can play SF like Webster, Randolph, and outlaw.</div> It would not be stretch to think they can play Webster as a shooting guard should they acquire Al Harrington. Also Zach Randolph is a power forward not a small forward so there is no problem there. As far as Outlaw goes he is a good talent, but still very unproven. Should he turn out to be really good Harrington?s deal expires soon, but should he not, and just turns out to be a decent role player then they can find minutes for him and Harrington at the small forward rotation. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I like the Detroit trade since they need backup for Prince and some offense off the bench to add to their depth. Al can even compete with Prince for the job. Knowing it wont be defense first in Detroit with the departure of LB.</div> What makes you think that Detroit will be less defensive minded simply because of the departure of Larry Brown. Will the player simply forget how to play defense? I still see them being defensive minded they where before Larry Brown, and they will be afterwards a lot of people forget LB inherited a nba finals ready team when he got the Pistons job it?s not like they don?t know how to win without him. Prince still has a nice shot and is premier defender he has also been in talks about a contract extension with Detroit I believe (not sure if he got it already though). Detroit will have their core intact for the next several years so I don?t see them becoming less defensive oriented simply due to not having LB. A coach preaches defense, but players play defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">It would not be stretch to think they can play Webster as a shooting guard should they acquire Al Harrington. Also Zach Randolph is a power forward not a small forward so there is no problem there. As far as Outlaw goes he is a good talent, but still very unproven. Should he turn out to be really good Harrington?s deal expires soon, but should he not, and just turns out to be a decent role player then they can find minutes for him and Harrington at the small forward rotation. What makes you think that Detroit will be less defensive minded simply because of the departure of Larry Brown. Will the player simply forget how to play defense? I still see them being defensive minded they where before Larry Brown, and they will be afterwards a lot of people forget LB inherited a nba finals ready team when he got the Pistons job it?s not like they don?t know how to win without him. Prince still has a nice shot and is premier defender he has also been in talks about a contract extension with Detroit I believe (not sure if he got it already though). Detroit will have their core intact for the next several years so I don?t see them becoming less defensive oriented simply due to not having LB. A coach preaches defense, but players play defense.</div> Im not saying theyre not going 2 play defense. They were always a defensive minded team even before Larry Brown came. Im saying they can use another scorer in the lineup. Al can give you 15-20 ppg while Prince can give you around 10. but like you said, Prince has very good defense and he can stop the other teams leading scorer. They would both be sharing time. Coaches have different views and aspects of the game and I dont expect things to be exactly the same just like they were with LB.
but the blazers also got miles who plays sf hes the rising star to look out for, acording to many and will be a lock for the starting sf position.plus after getting rid of SAR in order to get zach time i dont think theyre goin to trade him. theyr solid i dont see them making a trade for AL.
i know it would be crazy , but its not like the hawks have anything to lose he'res my idiotic plan !!! play Al at the 5 , alright ? i know he's 6'9" 245 , but kurt thomas did it. start marvin williams at the 4 (he's pretty good), josh at the 3 , the other josh (childress) at the 2 , and joe johnson at the 1 i know they'd get killed on defense and on the boards , but that would be one exciting team to watch ( on offense )
This thread is quite old, but since its the only action in the Hawks forum I dont mind it. Legend 23, that would be a stretch. Billy Knight doesnt want a prototypical starting lineup, or atleast thats not what he's shoting for. Knight wants to make a unorthodox team that cause problems on both ends of the court. Al cant play 5 so I dont see that happenening but Pachulia could do it and no they wouldnt get killed on the boards with the lineup you posted. The Josh's averaged like 6-7 rebounds each last year and they were playing 2/3 respectively and Harrington is an alright rebound and the PG Joe Johnson is 6'7 so he'll be getting his rebounds too.
No, Harrington is big enough but doesnt have the mindset or the game to play center he's more finesse. He's a good PF and an even better SF but he wont be nothing at C.
