<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Atlanta Hawks: Kevin Willis, second among all active NBA players in games played, will return to his original team, the Atlanta Hawks, for his 21st season, general manager Billy Knight announced Wednesday. The 42-year-old Willis returns to Atlanta after a 10-year absence. In 11 years with the Hawks, Willis averaged 14.5 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was the team's first-round pick in 1984 and was an All-Star in the 1991-92 season. Willis will provide depth at forward and center. Among active players, only Karl Malone has played in more games. Willis spent the past two seasons in San Antonio.</div> ESPN Roundup Page Starting Center? Doubtful, but he's a good addition. Looks like Willis just wants to play ball, even if means playing with a non-contender.
the hawks are quitely putting together a decent team. I'm predicting a significant improvement over last years performance
Willis is a basketball stud. His athletic ability and intensity on and off the court compare to very few players that have played the game. It's obvious when you see him at an NBA game that he WANTS to be there. 20 years in the league and you still see this old veteran jumping up and down and yelling on the sidelines. I remember back in his prime with the Hawks he DEMANDED a double-team when he got the ball. I'd say it looks like he's going to finish his career with Atlanta, but this guy could play til he's 50.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting grinder333:</div><div class="quote_post">Willis is a basketball stud. His athletic ability and intensity on and off the court compare to very few players that have played the game. It's obvious when you see him at an NBA game that he WANTS to be there. 20 years in the league and you still see this old veteran jumping up and down and yelling on the sidelines. I remember back in his prime with the Hawks he DEMANDED a double-team when he got the ball. I'd say it looks like he's going to finish his career with Atlanta, but this guy could play til he's 50. </div> till 50 hey thats a thought. I like that atl gave him a chance to retire in his starting team. I think he might possibly could give some of our guys some help on holding there composure during the finals, season, and playoffs. I also think he could possibly help al harington out maybe by suggesting things that harrington could do to improve his game that Willis has witnessed by practicing and playing alongside Tim Duncan. All in all he brings depth and a body to throw at shaq. thumbs up on this sighning.
The fact that he would play with ATL shows that he truly loves the game. Most vets would rather retire than go from the Spurs to the Hawks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">The fact that he would play with ATL shows that he truly loves the game. Most vets would rather retire than go from the Spurs to the Hawks.</div> I'd say he views it as coming home. He has alot of fine memories of the Hawks I'm sure.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dre:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd say he views it as coming home. He has alot of fine memories of the Hawks I'm sure.</div> Yeah, he got too. Him power housing cats along that ATL frontline with Nique, Tree, and Antoine Carr. The main thing Willis will provide that team with is work ethic, the Hawks have a lot of young guys. And they can learn how Willis works off the court to keep himself in the condition it takes to last long in this league. And that can rub off on them & they can take that with them thru their careers. Iam kind of shock that Willis didnt want to stay in a winning enviorement even if it wasnt the Spurs. Maybe somewhere like Miami, where they dont really have any pyshical players outside of Shaq. Willis could have played minutes here & there, bringing a pyshical pressence. And he could have stayed on a possible contender. I guess he took the Hawks becuase of the pass history. And he now wants to be a teacher of the game. Wouldnt shock me, if Willis calls it a career soon. And joins the Hawks coaching Staff in some form.
This is a good signing, but we need a better starting center all we have right now is Predrag Drobnjak and he hasnt shown much in his career. Willis would be a good backup if we had a decent starter.
This remind me of the days where I use to see the Hawks play as much as the Braves. To bad there not that good anymore.
