<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The flurry of information dropped on Slava Medvedenko during his first practice with the Hawks was nothing compared with what might come his way Friday night, when the Hawks face the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Because practice and the "real thing" are two totally different things, as the six-year NBA veteran is well aware. But one practice to prepare is all the time the Hawks could provide for their newest addition after the 6-10 1/2, 253-pound Medvedenko signed a contract Thursday for the remainder of the season. "We really won't know what kind of impact he can have until we get him out there," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said of the free agent who can play both power forward and center. "We've got play charts for him and everything. We're trying to cram as much information in there for him as we can so we can get him up to speed as best we can, because we're hurting right now with so many guys hurt and banged up." Starting power forward Josh Smith is out four weeks after undergoing a hernia surgery Tuesday. And both Marvin Williams (hand) and Shelden Williams (shoulder) are playing through painful injuries. Medvedenko, 26, spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning championship rings in 2001 and 2002. He played in just two games for the Lakers last season before going down with a season-ending back injury after a Nov. 9 game against Minnesota. He was diagnosed with a herniated disc and had surgery. The Lakers waived him late in the season to make room on their playoff roster for veteran Jim Jackson. But Medvedenko chose to rehab and plot a return to the NBA rather than going back to Europe, where the Ukrainian-born big man began his professional career. His friendship with Hawks center Zaza Pachulia and familiarity with veteran point guard Tyronn Lue, a teammate on those Lakers championship teams, will help ease his transition. "It helps to know guys," said Medvedenko, whose prorated contract will pay him more than $600,000 this season. "My goal is simple, to help wherever I can."</div> Source
Ditto. he's one of those Lakers that you wished would do good but it just never materialized. Again i will wish him nothing but success.
