Character is a key rider in Hawks' interest in J.R

Sporting News, The, August 9, 1999 by Dave D'Alessandro

Steve Smith has always been one of our favorites. Sometimes that feeling is influenced by how easy a guy is to deal with and by his good works away from the gym, but that's not all of it. The fact Smith can hit any shot, from any spot, under any circumstance also makes him a compelling figure. But mostly, he is one of those players with an uncommon gift: a dazzling athletic ability and, more important, an open joy for life and the game. Allan Houston told us last year he saw more of that quality in Smith than in any other opponent and that he wished he could be more like Smith.

On the other hand, J.R. Rider has never been one of our faves. It has nothing to do with his talent, which is abundant, or getting the most out of that extraordinary body, which is built to roughly the same dimensions as the Maginot Line. Mostly, it has to do with his being entombed in a prolonged and awkward adolescence. Sure, we' re as guilty as anyone of labeling certain guys and not allowing them to redefine themselves even when they're making the effort. We'll concede J.R. took a small step in that direction last season, but let's just say we want to see more-at least before he can be placed in Smith's class for joie de vivre and class itself.

As the league's trading period began last Sunday, it appeared these gifted players were about to trade working addresses--Smith to the Trail Blazers and Rider to the Hawks. What are we to conclude from this?

Sure, they are two very good shooting guards in the prime of their careers. When they are on their game, both rank among the best, so talent level is a push. They have almost nothing in common in terms of style, other than shot judgment that looks as though it has been beamed into their conscience from Alpha Centauri. Both can post, both can board. Rider is quicker and more dogged defensively. Smith has the better handle and more length.

But the most salient difference between the two is you can depend on one to make it to practice on time and give his teammates a genuine lift every night,

while the other might be found dozing in an abandoned car on the side of a freeway on any given day.

So what is Atlanta thinking? Just this: The needle was stuck, and the time had come for a clean break with the past while the team still had the resources to enact one. The Hawks were obviously shattered by their second-round embarrassment against New York, which held what had been purportedly the best back-court in the NBA-Smith and Mookie Blaylock--to an unfathomable 29 percent combined shooting during the sweep.

Never mind that Smith was playing on cranky knees--management had seen enough. The Hawks have experienced too many seasons that included 50 wins and early playoff exits. They're moving into a new building next year--trying again to get the attention of a city that couldn't care less about the NBA, judging by the Hawks' attendance figures-and they have to give the townspeople the impression they're moving forward. They're also trying to find a mix that will score more than 86 points a game because being the best defensive team in the league isn't as commendable as it once was, sad to say.

Ergo, Blaylock was shipped out. His point guard role will be filled by a rookie (Jason Terry), which is playing with fire. They're trying to move forwards Tyrone Corbin and LaPhonso Ellis. They're trying to add some key pieces-Charles Oakley has been mentioned-with their $4.4 million in cap space. They've made it clear Dikembe Mutombo is the only untouchable because able centers come along only once in a decade.

So Smith was the next guy who had to go, ostensibly because he could bring the most in a trade while he still had game. It's Cotton Fitzsimmons' first rule of roster management: "I love each and every one of my players," the great coach once said, "and I hope to trade each and every one of them before their careers are over."

It has some validity. Hawks G.M. Pete Babcock admits he ascribes to the same philosophy. He told the Atlanta Journal- Constitution last week, "With today's salary cap rules, you're in trouble if your players finish their careers with you because you can't replace them. The goal is to trade a star player when he's at his peak or just past it, so you can get something back."

In this case, Atlanta is getting Rider. Maybe it works out for the Hawks. Maybe they think this is the best they can do because Babcock can't find a decent salary match anywhere else. It's the kind of deal that can make or break reputations. But in making this move, we suspect the Hawks are overlooking the second rule of roster management: When the talent is even, you go with character.

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