moradi420
Bench
looks like sheldon will have a chance to have an immediate impact, i heard he didnt look so hot in camp but maybe now hell have a chance to improve
Hawks lose Williams with broken finger
By SEKOU SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/27/06
Marvin Williams learned in an instant Thursday how quickly plans can change in the NBA.
One swipe of the ball, and months of training and hard work can be wiped out with the snap of a finger.
And in the case of the Hawks' second-year small forward, it was the cracking of a finger. The third metacarpal on his left, non-shooting, hand was broken during a contact drill at the start of practice.
Williams will miss six to eight weeks, including tonight's exhibition finale against Charlotte at Chapel Hill, N.C., where Williams starred as a freshman on North Carolina's NCAA championship team.
"For this to happen in the practice the day we're leaving for the game at Carolina is truly heartbreaking," Williams said after practice, a cast already covering his hand and part of his arm. "I called my mom and told her and she started crying. So it's really, really disappointing.
"But this is still a good trip for me and something really good for Carolina, having two NBA teams playing on campus. And I'll still get a chance to go back and see everybody."
Williams just won't be able to return as a starter for the Hawks. That job, tonight and for the foreseeable future, will be manned by rookie Shelden Williams, a Duke grad, who moves in at power forward while Josh Smith shifts to small forward.
The injury to Williams is the same injury, on the same hand and bone, that starting point guard Speedy Claxton suffered five weeks ago. Claxton's break was closer to the wrist, while Williams' break was closer to the knuckle.
"How crazy is that?" Williams said. "Speedy comes back and then two days later I go out with the same thing. That's insane. It's just really disappointing. I worked so hard this summer to be in a position to contribute and this happens. This is a setback, but I'm blessed that I'm a quick healer. Hopefully, I'll be back in four or five weeks. It's in God's hands now."
Claxton didn't return to practice until Tuesday and still wears a protective glove over his hand. Williams will also be held out of contact drills but will continue his conditioning work. But after spending the first month of this season down one starter, the Hawks will do so for at least another month.
"This is tough," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "But it's like I told Marvin, this is just a little hiccup. And he's going to have to bounce back from this and not let it drain him emotionally or physically. If you play a long time in this league you'll get hurt. The guys that thrive are the guys that fight back from these types of injuries and come back stronger. And there's no doubt in my mind Marvin will be able to do that."
How the Hawks proceed without him is what will keep Woodson and his coaching staff busy the next few days. Plans will have to be reworked. The Hawks won't be able to play as fast without Williams alongside Smith in the starting lineup.
Lorenzen Wright is available, though he was originally slated to back up Zaza Pachulia at center. Third-year swingman Josh Childress is also an option.
The Hawks also kept training camp free agents Cedric Bozeman and Matt Freije. Andre Brown and Andreas Glyniadakis were cut Thursday. Both Bozeman and Freije are capable of playing minutes at small forward.
"We're going to have to adjust," Woodson said. "There's no question about that. But no one is going to feel sorry for us, man. It's really up to us to rally around each other and figure out a way to get the job done."
Hawks lose Williams with broken finger
By SEKOU SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/27/06
Marvin Williams learned in an instant Thursday how quickly plans can change in the NBA.
One swipe of the ball, and months of training and hard work can be wiped out with the snap of a finger.
And in the case of the Hawks' second-year small forward, it was the cracking of a finger. The third metacarpal on his left, non-shooting, hand was broken during a contact drill at the start of practice.
Williams will miss six to eight weeks, including tonight's exhibition finale against Charlotte at Chapel Hill, N.C., where Williams starred as a freshman on North Carolina's NCAA championship team.
"For this to happen in the practice the day we're leaving for the game at Carolina is truly heartbreaking," Williams said after practice, a cast already covering his hand and part of his arm. "I called my mom and told her and she started crying. So it's really, really disappointing.
"But this is still a good trip for me and something really good for Carolina, having two NBA teams playing on campus. And I'll still get a chance to go back and see everybody."
Williams just won't be able to return as a starter for the Hawks. That job, tonight and for the foreseeable future, will be manned by rookie Shelden Williams, a Duke grad, who moves in at power forward while Josh Smith shifts to small forward.
The injury to Williams is the same injury, on the same hand and bone, that starting point guard Speedy Claxton suffered five weeks ago. Claxton's break was closer to the wrist, while Williams' break was closer to the knuckle.
"How crazy is that?" Williams said. "Speedy comes back and then two days later I go out with the same thing. That's insane. It's just really disappointing. I worked so hard this summer to be in a position to contribute and this happens. This is a setback, but I'm blessed that I'm a quick healer. Hopefully, I'll be back in four or five weeks. It's in God's hands now."
Claxton didn't return to practice until Tuesday and still wears a protective glove over his hand. Williams will also be held out of contact drills but will continue his conditioning work. But after spending the first month of this season down one starter, the Hawks will do so for at least another month.
"This is tough," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "But it's like I told Marvin, this is just a little hiccup. And he's going to have to bounce back from this and not let it drain him emotionally or physically. If you play a long time in this league you'll get hurt. The guys that thrive are the guys that fight back from these types of injuries and come back stronger. And there's no doubt in my mind Marvin will be able to do that."
How the Hawks proceed without him is what will keep Woodson and his coaching staff busy the next few days. Plans will have to be reworked. The Hawks won't be able to play as fast without Williams alongside Smith in the starting lineup.
Lorenzen Wright is available, though he was originally slated to back up Zaza Pachulia at center. Third-year swingman Josh Childress is also an option.
The Hawks also kept training camp free agents Cedric Bozeman and Matt Freije. Andre Brown and Andreas Glyniadakis were cut Thursday. Both Bozeman and Freije are capable of playing minutes at small forward.
"We're going to have to adjust," Woodson said. "There's no question about that. But no one is going to feel sorry for us, man. It's really up to us to rally around each other and figure out a way to get the job done."
