Atlanta
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
And just like that, the Atlanta Hawks have (a) shored up their backcourt and (b) brought in more locals. Former Georgia Tech teammates Kenny Anderson and Jon Barry will be introduced today at 1pm. It is expected both signed for the veteran minimum.
If it wasn't clear before it is crystal-clear now. The Hawks strategy is to have local players on the team. Atlanta seemingly has decided that it won't be competitive enough to generate attendance, and it won't be athletic enough or showy enough (think Dominique Wilkins or Pete Maravich) to generate excitement, so they have decided to go local to generate familiarity.
Anderson is a long-expected pick-up. Our own Eric Pincus has been reporting its imminence for what seems like months. Barry has also been rumored for a while though he had been holding out for something from Denver.
With the addition of these two players, the Hawks have three-quarters of their veterans in the backcourt. The only players other than Anderson and Barry over 29 are Tony Delk and Chris Crawford.
The combination of Anderson, Delk, and Walker ought to be a powerful one, as it reunites the three Celtics from the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals team that lost to the Nets. Had the Hawks been able to snag Erick Dampier, they would be considered a viable playoff contender now. Without him, they may still be able to sneak in if more heavily favored teams go belly-up.
The Hawks should have plenty of chemistry despite the massive roster turnover. Not only are Anderson, Delk, and Walker familiar with each other, but the likely starting point guard, Anderson, played last season with the starting small forward, Al Harrington.
Who are the Hawks considering going after for the big man spot? Remember their strategy: locals. Kevin Willis's name has been floated around.
TEAM NOTES
Dance team finals are this Saturday, and you can attendfor free, and hang out with them at a mixer as well. You can also votefor which dancers should make the final cut.
Angry at the Hawks owners? Pleased with how they've handled the offseason? Got an idea for how they can make more money? Send email toowners@hawks.com.
Michael Lee ofThe Atlanta Journal-Constitutionwrites: The team has added veteran guards and former Yellow Jackets Kenny Anderson and Jon Barry, sources familiar with the situation confirmed Wednesday.Anderson and Barry, who played together one season at Georgia Tech in 1990-91, will be introduced as Hawks teammates today at a 1 p.m. press conference in Philips Arena. Terms of the deals were not disclosed but they are both believed to have signed one-year deals at the veterans' minimum of $1.1 million. The NBA journeymen already have residences in Atlanta and are expected to provide experience and leadership for a young Hawks team that previously had just two players older than 29 on the roster -- Chris Crawford and Tony Delk.
Phil Jasner ofThe Philadelphia Daily News writes: The 76ers are close to signing free-agent forward Josh Davis, last season's Most Valuable Player in the Continental Basketball Association. The 6-8 Davis averaged 18.7 points and shot 59 percent from the floor (41.1 on three-pointers) in 40 games for the Idaho Stampede. He also appeared in four games with the Atlanta Hawks on a 10-day contract.