The Atlanta Hawks seem to be running out of players, and we’re not joshin’. First, Josh Childress forgoes another season in Hotlanta to go play in Greece. Now, Josh Smith has given Hawks management a bear of a problem by signing a $58 million offer sheet with the Grizzlies.

(In stereo: “So long, suckers!”)

Sekou Smith of the ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION reports that the Hawks have seven days to match the five-year deal offered to their star player. Smith had earlier rejected a five-year, $45 million contract offered by Atlanta back in October, and negotiations have been dragging since.

Is it really so awful to play in Atlanta that hoopsters would rather toil in Memphis or flee the country?

Speaking of NBAers heading overseas, it turns out Jason Williams will not be one of them. Read more…

• Khalil Greene of the San Diego Padres fights a storage chest - and loses.

• Mike Ditka is bringing his haute cuisine to the Steel City. Bon Appetit!

• Mike Williams’ weight gain may have ended his NFL career. That’s heavy.

• An Aussie football analyst is in trouble for sharing sexy thoughts about a female member of parliament.

• Jason Williams may burn the Miami Heat to go play in Israel.

Read more…

The exodus of mid-level NBA free agents to pro leagues around the globe continues, as THE MIAMI HERALD is reporting that Jason Williams is considering signing a deal with an Israeli League team. But apparently he’s having trouble coming to terms - most Israeli teams are offering around $1.5 million a year, about what NBA teams were offering and half of what White Chocolate expects.

I think you can join me in praying that there’s a way to make this work. Other than Ron Artest, I can’t think of another NBA player with the higher comedic potential when heading off to Israel to play pro basketball than Jason Williams.

Read more…

Lang Whitaker over at SI.COM has assembled a quick list of some of the worst tattoos in pro sports.

Notably absent from the list: everyone else with a tattoo. Unless you were in the service or did time, your tats are lame. Read more…

Jason Williams doesn’t like the trade rumors swirling around his team - especially the rumors concerning himself:

The Miami Heat guard tells the SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL he might as well hit the streets, since he feels like he’s working them: “We’re like some high-paid prostitutes anyway in this league. They just use and get rid of us whenever they want. ”

Williams is in the final year of his contract, worth about $8.9 million this season. However, we don’t know many call girls that can pull in such an amount for their services.

Um…that is, if we ever actually dealt with such ladies of the evening.