Hawks squawks: Hawks 86, Magic 84
Greetings, all-
some quick thoughts -
- One of the plays of the game was Dwight Howard’s getting called for a moving screen on Jamal Crawford in the first quarter. Howard was having his way to that point and the Hawks looked tentative. It was 20-10 near the end of the first quarter. By the time he got back in, with 9:34 to go in the second, it was 24-23 and the Hawks had some confidence going.
- I’m with Najeh. The Hawks defended the 3-pointer better and the numbers would indicate as much. The Magic came into the game on a roll from 3-point range and shot 6 for 21. Howard got his – 19 points, 24 (!) rebounds – but he had to work for it. He was 4 for 11 from the field and went to the line 16 times.
Al Horford: “We did a good job on him tonight. We made him work, earn most of the stuff he got. But he’s an All-Star player, so he’s going to go out there and get his.”
- I echo some of the questions about why Jason Collins didn’t play. It seemed like a spot where he would have been useful.
- Magic players got a little salty afterwards, notably Matt Barnes, who was pulled with 5:38 to go. From the Orlando Sentinel:
“(Stan Van Gundy) obviously must not trust me down the stretch. Only thing I can think of. I’m knocking down 3s, I’m playing D, I’m rebounding. I couldn’t believe it,” Barnes said. “I could see it if the person I’m coming out for is cooking or something but that wasn’t really the case tonight.
“It’s very frustrating to sit on the bench the last five minutes when I held Joe to 13 points. It’s very frustrating.”
- As I noted in my game story, Josh Smith’s heroics were necessary because the Hawks nearly gave the game away. After Mike Bibby hit a 3-pointer to put the Hawks up 73-64 with 10:37 to go, they made just one out of their next 10 shots (until Smith’s putback) and turned the ball over four times. And Smith’s jumper was the only basket! (Excellent timing on MC’s last blog. I’ll be curious to see what effect that this has.)
Josh: “I’m just confident in my all-around game. If it’s there, I’ll take it.”
He also said that he doesn’t hear the fans shouting “NO!!!” when he sets up to take jumpers.
Al: “We have to execute better down the stretch, there’s no question about it.”
Second team did its job. Mo Evans (10 points), Zaza Pachulia (took his turn on Howard), Jeff Teague (filthy bounce pass on the break) and Crawford (11 points, four assists) all helped the cause.
Josh: “Definitely give credit to the second unit. Mo Evans was outstanding in the first half, guys like Zaza, who was in there doing dirty things that we need him to do (Josh laughed at this point). It really helped us out.”
- If you’re wondering, the Hawks are now 3.5 back of Orlando. If the Hawks run the table, they’d finish 57-25. Orlando would have to go 6-4 to finish behind them. Obviously, don’t see it happening.
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271 comments Add your comment
BPJ
March 26th, 2010
1:01 pm
Forgive me if this is old news, but is Ilgauskas still a possibility for the Hawks? Horford is a terrific center, but for some opponents the Hawks need another big man. Against Orlando and Cleveland, a frontcourt of Horford, Ilgauskas, and Josh Smith might make sense.
BirdDawg
March 26th, 2010
1:04 pm
Rod from College Park,
Obviously you’re the one with limited basketball knowledge if that is your assessment of Marvin Williams. Raw talent means the physical tools necessary to be successful and regardless of the negative you could throw at Marvin he has better quickness, ball handling and shooting form than most of the guys in this league at his size. I also didn’t say that he could replace Joe Johnson, I said he could replace some of his production if he ever puts it all together and becomes more aggressive. As I said, he doesn’t show it at all times on the court, but you seem to confuse having no talent with not being aggressive. Allow me to me explain the difference to you. Shelden Williams has no talent. Boris Diaw with the Hawks was not aggresive however, look at his production once he left. I think class registration is open at the local junior college. You should probably look into signing up for Basketball 101 before you come back on this blog.
O'Brien
March 26th, 2010
1:08 pm
northcyde,
It has been mentioned that if Marvin can become a Bruce Bowen type of player (very good defender, and knock down the open 3 at key moments), then that will be good for the Hawks.
The question is, if Marvin is who he is, is he worth $7.5 mil for the next 4 years. What’s your opinion on that?
I look at guys like Petrius and Matt Barnes who (combined) still make less than Marvin, and I can’t help but think that Marvin is overpaid. I dont even think Marvin is top 15 among SF in the league.
But, as long as he is a Hawk, I will continue to root for him, and hope he gets it going, because he can be an X-factor in the playoffs.
drmaryb
March 26th, 2010
1:08 pm
Sorry for th multiple posts this morningg, my blackberry was having issues.
northcyde
March 26th, 2010
1:10 pm
And Woody has and does play Marvin with the 2nd unit. It still hasn’t helped. He played with the 2nd unit in the Milwaukee game, and basically did nothing offensively. Woody has tried to play that guy in multiple lineups this year, and it hasn’t worked.
He’s simply comfortable being a secondary guy. A little too comfortable at times, because he doesn’t function as an energy player most games. I’m most disappointed how his mid-range jumper has seemed to have completely left him. That’s the one thing you could say that he was known for 2 years ago. He can’t even make that shot now consistently.
northcyde
March 26th, 2010
1:20 pm
O’Brien . . he’s definitely the X-factor in the playoffs, no doubt on that. And you’re right. At the very least, he could be our Bowen, or Pietrus, or Martell Webster, or any other mediocre or niche SF you want to name.
And is he worth $7.5 million? Nah . . . not right now. Not until he plays with the consistency he showed back in the 07 – 08 season. Crawford coming in has definitely reduced his touches, there’s no doubt on that. But he has to make the most of his limited opportunities.
We’re going to either need the defensive version of Marvin . . or the mid-range version of Marvin, come playoff time. If he gives us nothing, we’re going to have problems most nights.
darrell starks
March 26th, 2010
1:34 pm
Marvin has no identity woody have 2 think of something, one thing i would like for marvin 2 do is stop standing around at the 3point line and get more invovle on the offensive board and starte playing inside more and help josh and horford more with the inside game and build up some type of identity on the team.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
bigdave
March 26th, 2010
1:35 pm
“What is wild about JJ is how he waits for the defense to come to him much of the time or even dribble towards them. ”
he’s inviting the double team so that he can find a open man… if he swung the ball too quickly the double team is just as affective as him holding the ball too long b/c it takes your best player out of the equation, and forces others to beat you. by being patient, Joe is able to find a open teammate who can either shot or make an additional pass to a teammate who has cut due to the rotating defense…
examples of this twice in the San An game where Al knocked down 2 late jumpers.. and when Joe hit Josh who then hit Al for a finish right at the rim.. this is due to Joe accepting the double team and making the right decision with the ball.
it is true that even as a jump shooter Joe likes to feel his opponent. you’d be surprised at the subtleties within his game that enable him to convert tough shots. such as how he uses his size, space, and strength to get his defender off balance or guessing…
darrell starks
March 26th, 2010
1:44 pm
Marvin will be the most important part on the hawks if marvin show up come playoff i believe we can make 2 conf. finals, if not we might get nock out in the first round and CLYDE GET HIS WISH BECAUSE WOODY WILL NOT BE BACK.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
March 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
Woody faith depend on marvin come playoffs, if i was woody i would starte moe and bring marvin of the bench.
GO HWKS!!!!!!!!
Melvin
March 26th, 2010
2:12 pm
OB, cosign your 1:08 post. Northcyde, like your at 1:20 as well…
O'Brien
March 26th, 2010
2:16 pm
If I’m Sund and Woody, I would do my best to bring Chills back at a reasonable price this offseason. And then in training camp, I would tell Marvin and Chills that it’s open competition for the starting SF spot.
Marvin has had that spot handed to him from season 2 (this is his 5th season in the league). And except for maybe one season and a few games here and there, I dont think he has earned the right to keep the starting spot just because of chemistry.
Stephen Jackson might create some chemistry problems early on, but is there any doubt that he would make the Hawks a more dangerous team (on and off the court lol).
bigdave,
The problem with JJ waiting so long to make his move, is sometimes the Hawks players end up in bad positions, not knowing whether he is going to pass or take the tough shot that he so often takes. And there have been numerous times when JJ’s attempted pass out of the double team gets picked off.
I would prefer if he makes the pass early, that way there is more time left on the shot clock, and with good ball movement, he could end up with the ball again (on the same possession), but in a better scoring position this time.
Rod from College Park
March 26th, 2010
2:25 pm
BirdDawg,
“Obviously you’re the one with limited basketball knowledge if that is your assessment of Marvin Williams. Raw talent means the physical tools necessary to be successful and regardless of the negative you could throw at Marvin he has better quickness, ball handling and shooting form than most of the guys in this league at his size.”
I don’t have basketball knowledge, but you are saying that raw talent has something to do with shooting form (LOL). I would venture to say that Marvin is probably one of the worst ball handling 3’s in the league. He rarely ever puts the ball on the floor, and rarely dribbles more than 3 or 4 times before he passes the ball. If you did have knowledge you would realize that he can’t change directions while dribbling. Josh handles the ball better than him at the 4. Quickness? What game are you watching. You need to gett you eyes checked. Shooting form has nothing to do with talent. Being 6′9 with a 7 foot wingspan does not have anything to do with talent either.
Rod from College Park
March 26th, 2010
2:26 pm
you should be your
Rod from College Park
March 26th, 2010
2:31 pm
O’Brien,
“Stephen Jackson might create some chemistry problems early on, but is there any doubt that he would make the Hawks a more dangerous team (on and off the court lol).”
No doubt. I really think if we could have added Jackson this year, we would be in the finals this year. Would have added another guy to defend Lebron as well as made him have to work on defense, and not leave his man. Imagine our lineup at the end of the game. Double teams would have been a thing of the past.
BPJ
March 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
Ilgauskas? (see 1:01pm)
bigdave
March 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
O’brien..
id credit that to floor spacing, either by design or just players being out of position including Joe. it doesnt help that Joe likes the ball on the wing more versus the middle of the floor. as of late our players have begun to open up and anticipate the ball. Joe is going to take tough shots, a given. you’re going to have turnovers. he’s not turning the ball over from double teams enough to call him liability. what i dont want to see is a lack of patience you’ll be expecting a double team that might not even come.
outside of a tough shot, Joe makes the right decision 9-10 with the ball, and for heavy critics 8-10. rather it being Bibby wide open.. or Marvin wide open, will they convert who knows.. im pleased with the Al/Josh option..
KevinA
March 26th, 2010
2:52 pm
Starting the game is one of those ego/tradition deals in the NBA. I will pine for games with more minutes for Teague, ZaZa and Evans regardless of who starts. JJ Al and Josh just need more bench time to keep fresh. I commend Woody for finally making the adjustment for Bibby minutes.
Did anyone else notice that when ZaZa was in the game, Howard guarded him witch allowed Al to get off his shots easier? I have noticed some of the bloggers are picking up on the fact that Al is much improved at hitting that 10′-15′ jumper. Another great option to get wide open shots. Howard has yet to move out to guard those shots as far as I could see. Even with ZaZa, we should run a couple of plays that give him wide open jumpers at least until Howard moves out to defend.
Can the guards go to what works more often?
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
3:13 pm
“Did anyone else notice that when ZaZa was in the game, Howard guarded him witch allowed Al to get off his shots easier? I have noticed some of the bloggers are picking up on the fact that Al is much improved at hitting that 10′-15′ jumper.”
KevinA Its not so much that Al can make 14 pts a game. Most power-forwards can do that and better. If he were good he would not need someone else to take the center off him so he can score. He should be able to create in the post regardless of who is guarding him. In-effect by saying Al plays better playing 10-15 ft from the basket, what you are saying by default is “Al is better when he is playing as a power forward and someone else is play center.”
Thats a no brainer. But note that Josh is a better powerforward than Al.
Now, can you tell me when Al is going to show much improve numbers at playing defense? Thats more of what I’m interested in. We have many guys who can score and we beat Orlando with Al having a very minimal impact offensively, and defensively.
So again my question is can you tell me when will Al make the top 5 list for block shots, or altering shots, or putting people on the seat of their pants? You know, things that centers do, like protecting the rim at crunch time.
DEFENSE WINS GAMES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Mike is Back
March 26th, 2010
3:23 pm
darrell starks, I hear ya on Marvin…maybe expanding his range to three has added a steeper learning curve to his game. This is only his second season with this experiment…perhaps going back to the one thing he excelled before he started shooting three…could be a good place for him to focus on…like someone mentioned Marvin use to be automatic with the mid-range jump shot. That is the one constant I notice about Marvin…when has the jump shot going…he is a different guy.
Going to the second unit did wonders for JT in Dallas…I still love that cats from his days with the Hawks…maybe it could work for Marvin…as long as he got that Hawks jersey on…I will continue to root for Marvin regardless…that’s how I roll.
Melvin
March 26th, 2010
3:27 pm
Truth-Serum,
Just out of curiosity, please post some good defensive nimbers that you would like to see from Horford.
northcyde
March 26th, 2010
3:28 pm
BigDave . . . you understand what JJ is doing.
When JJ goes ISO . . it’s almost like he’s an option quarterback, reading the defense. If they double, he’s almost always passing the ball ( unless he’s shooting very well ). If they don’t double team, he’s taking it himself.
Part of the reason why we have a high offensive rating as a team ( tied for 3rd in the league with Cleveland ), is because we run a low-risk offense. We have good ballhandlers on this squad, combined with forwards who can lead a fast break if need be.
And JJ’s assist total is directly related most nights on how well Bibby and Marvin are shooting the ball when JJ swings it to them. If they’re missing shots, JJ will have a low assist total. If they’re making shots, his assist will tend to be over 6 per game.
And as much as JJ has control of the ball, you’d think his turnovers would be higher. But his 2.1 turnovers is a career low while in Atlanta, and currently ranks 48th amongst all players. If you go from a turnovers per 48 minute standpoint, he ranks 96th.
Turnovers aren’t the issue with JJ this year. He’s definitely making the right decision with the ball most of the time. If anything, maybe he should look to pass to Horford more. But that means that when JJ is probing the defense, Horford has to put himself in good position to receive a pass.
Give the other teams credit too though. When they go to double JJ, a lot of the time Josh Smith’s man is the one who comes to double. This leaves Smoove open on the perimeter. That’s a big reason why Smoove always seems to be open when JJ passes the ball.
WolfmanJack
March 26th, 2010
3:30 pm
Good News for Hawks Fans: The Hawks WILL win the NBA title either this June or next year in June. I’ll tell you why. The development of the Hawks players will be so dramatic that they will have more talent than anybody else. Let me explain. OK. The hawks placed two guys in the all-star game and deservedly so. Joe Johnson AND Al Horford made it, while Josh Smith and Jamal Craford missed the squad. (Both should have made the all-star team). So the Hawks have four guys on their roster (which is the assumption with most hawk fans) who have all-star talents. I agree. We already know that Joe Johnson will be a first-ballot hall of famer so we already know what his skill sets are. Josh Smith: if josh improves over the summer and shoots at least 10,000 jump shots per day, by the time the next season rolls around, Josh will be as good as LaBron James. Next, AL Horford. As I stated in my blog earlier, should Al Horford continue his progresion and get dramatically better, by the end of next season, “Big” Al should be as good as Wilt Chamberlain. Next up. Jamal Crawford. Jamal has scored 50 points about 5 times in his career, second only to Wilt Chamberland, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. If Jamal continues to improve at the rate he is going, he should be approximately as good as Jerry West by the end of next year. So there you have it folks. The Hawks roster by the end of next season should be lethal and very dangerous certainly capable of winning a title if they dont do it next year. In fact by the end of the nba season next year, I’ll go out on a limb to say the Hawks may be wrapping up their second consecutive world championship title. I’d say based on those predictions that the Hawks are certainly headed in the right direction. Woody is guiding the troops right into the Promised Land.
northcyde
March 26th, 2010
3:32 pm
Let me ask you this Truth-Serum.
Does a guy who get a lot of steals, means that he plays good defense?
northcyde
March 26th, 2010
3:36 pm
LMAO @ Wolfman. Great post.
Hahaha @ shooting 10,000 jumpers a day. That means that Josh has to jack up around 8 jumpers per second . . for 24 straight hours.
Let me adjust their player ratings on NBA Live 10 and NBA 2K10, so I can make that happen for all our guys.
gwite
March 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
BPJ, it’s been in the news. (Last I read), they are just ironing the details out, with Cleveland, on how long he(big stiff Z) will be signing for.
Good riddance. He was worthless before Lebron, and would be worthless without Lebron. He knows that. Anywhere else, he will be exposed to what he really is.
Legalized pot in action
March 26th, 2010
3:41 pm
“Big” Al should be as good as Wilt Chamberlain.”
“Joe Johnson will be a first-ballot hall of famer”
northcyde
March 26th, 2010
3:47 pm
And Horford’s defensive numbers have improved, with the latest 82games.com update. As of March 24th, he’s . . .
* holding opponents to 50.3% FG
* giving up 16.4 ppg per 48 minutes
* and opponents only have a PER of 16.5
Those updated numbers would now put him ahead of Andrew Bogut, and put him in the top 5 overall on defense at center.
bigdave
March 26th, 2010
4:05 pm
northcyde…
i like to think so.. but most would say im guilty of just being a pro Joe guy.. which i am.
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
4:07 pm
Melvin, I appreciate the question. Its a fair one. I would like to see all make it to the top 5 in most categories of defense to be consider a “True” allstar and not one who was added by default because a vacancy opened up . I would also like to see Al improve defensively because defense wins championships ESPECIALLY IN TH LOW POST.
Here is a couple of obvious areas that aren’t unreasonable to expect for a center who prides himself on defense.
SHOT BLOCKS, I dont need him to be number 1 but get on the map, at least be top 7. Most of the year Al has hovered between 24th-25th, occasionally that number goes up when we play weak competition but for the most part hes in the mid 20’s out of 30 teams, WONT win a championship with that.
Right now hes number 29!
http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/Blocks.jsp?league=00&season=22009&conf=OVERALL&position=1&splitType=9&splitScope=GAME&qualified=N&yearsExp=-1&splitDD=All%20Teams
When you click the link be sure to click C for center A for all and B for Blocks.
Id like to see a center defend to the post where there is less than a 50% chance he will be scored on by his opposition should his opposing number takes him to the rack. Right now there is a 52 percent chance that if Al’s man were to take he that he would score and that’s not counting how many “and1’s” are completed. By the way, he averages .39 blocks for every personal foul he commits. Id like to see those numbers swap.
Northcyde I think a better measuring stick would be his steals to turnover ratio, which is .53 steal for every turnover…..
Defense wins ball games.
KevinA
March 26th, 2010
4:13 pm
Truth-Serum
That particular comment was about offensive scoring and our lack of it against Orlando/Howard. Your comment that “Al is better when he is playing as a power forward and someone else is play center.” I agree with your assement. I think Al is as good or better Josh on the offensive end in a 1/2 court set though. The idea about having ZaZa and Al shoot those jumpers until Howard is forced to guard them is to open up the lane for the guards and the 4 spot.
I have never had a problem with upgrades on any of our players including getting Howard. I would trade Labron for JJ also. If you would cut a check to the Hawks for 25 million per year for 6 years and maybe we could get both. You would get a nice booth to watch the games out of to boot. Invite me and I will pick up the beer tab.
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
4:15 pm
northcyde
March 26th, 2010
3:47 pm
Im not saying you are giving selective or partial information, im not even saying your data is unproven, fictitious, falsified misconstrued or creative at best. What I am saying is would you be so kind as to post a link, directly to your data and not just throw unsubstantiated stats and conclude them as admissible?
Where is your link to this data? Excuse me?
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
4:16 pm
KevinA
Cheers!
JeJe
March 26th, 2010
4:19 pm
Rod from CP, right on my brother.
LOL have u noticed that when Marvin dribbles, the ball goes up to his shoulders? Seriously, his back already sucks but he dribbles the ball almost up to his face LOL
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
4:25 pm
And Kevin I agree with your assessment of Al being better in a half court set from a 10-15 range set shot perspective.But Josh is clearly better in
Fast Breaks
Finishing
Assists
Blocks
Defense
steals
Al may compete for double double but Josh competes for triple doubles.
And a constant threat of the Alley-opp.
Josh is better in all around play.
2 times this year Josh has had numbers 15 pts, 10 (or more) 5 or more assists and 4 or more blocks. No one else in the NBA can say that. Al surely cant!
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
4:35 pm
*15 pts, 10 or more rbs, 5 or more assist and 4 or more blocks – point forward, Josh Smith!
KevinA
March 26th, 2010
5:02 pm
Truth-Serum,
I would like to see a ZaZa experiment playing 25 -30 minutes so we can exploit the 4 spot more. I like the hard ZaZa fouls. Use them up. Al and Josh being fresher at the end of games could only help.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2010
5:06 pm
“Marvin has no identity”
Darrell hit it on the head. Marvin isn’t devoid of talent, like Rod says, nor is he incapable of improving, like many other people say. He’s the one guy among the starting 5 who doesn’t have a role. The coaching staff needs to focus on one or two things that he has the potential to do well, and get him to become a specialist at those things. What the Hawks could really use is for him to become a perimeter stopper and a 3-point specialist. He has the length, frame, and lateral quickness to be a lock down defender of the caliber of Trevor Ariza, and becoming a 40% 3-point shooter would be a matter of repetition and building confidence. This would take a TON of pressure off Joe Johnson, because then he wouldn’t be required to check the opposing team’s top scorer and he would have a lot more room to drive inside. The Hawks have enough scorers and enough passers to where Marvin really shouldn’t need to be doing either one. Get him to focus on a couple of things at which he can excel, and the whole team will improve as a result.
BirdDawg
March 26th, 2010
5:28 pm
Wow, it is REALLY easy to tell the difference between the basketball fans and the basketball players on this blog. Rod from College Park, you’re a great FAN. LMAO!!
BirdDawg
March 26th, 2010
5:39 pm
Najeh,
I agree with you. Others would have you believe that Marvin Williams is useless and has no talent. They probably said the same thing about Boris Diaw when he was here. Marvin could be incredibly effective if he becomes more aggressive and find his niche on this team. I like your comparison to Trevor Ariza because that is exactly the type of player that Marvin could be. He has shown it in flashes which is why I can’t understand why someone would say he has no talent.
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
5:58 pm
Ditto on the Marvin needs a role! I like the way hes played over the last month and think clearly his best days are ahead of him. Tremendous upside.
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
6:06 pm
KevinA Thats a temporary solution to a dogmatic concern. Im all for it. I like your approach. I am also clear that in order for us to contend for a championship ( we are not too far off) we have got to address this low post issue.
I agree that coaching or managing is making the best out of the resources available. I think we have a problem on the horizon when we do get that center that will command minutes in the paint. I see Josh as a point forward with all the bells and whistle and Al being a set shot with 10-15 ft range, athletic and mobile. A starter on most teams but…..but….Josh is considerably more complete with the sky as the limit for growth and a serious candidate for super-stardom…Jumpshot anyone?
JeJe
March 26th, 2010
6:17 pm
WHERE THE HELL IS THE UPDATE ON BELKIN IF HE PAID THE MONEY TO RETAIN OWNERSHIP RIGHTS?
AJC HAWKS WRITERS ARE A JOKE. GET IT TOGETHER
JeJe
March 26th, 2010
6:17 pm
Rod from CP, right on my brother.
LOL have u noticed that when Marvin dribbles, the ball goes up to his shoulders? Seriously, his back already sucks but he dribbles the ball almost up to his face LOL..
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
6:20 pm
KevinA , just a follow up;
there was a time when Zaza was the starter. In fact he was brought here to start. I do like his physical nature but he has no lifts and is slooooooooowww. When you put Al at the 4 and move Josh to the 3 it handicaps Josh’s game because he is a 4 and not the ball handler/shooter you want in your 3. But as a 4 there aren’t many as good as Josh. Which brings me back to my previous post…..we have a problem on the horizon.
KevinA
March 26th, 2010
6:22 pm
Truth-Serum,
Do you think we should get that center your talking about from next years draft? Like the Lakers it would be great to have a third center that can grow with time. Having ZaZa riding the bench would give us the depth needed incase of injury. How about that big kid from Kansas. Dropping Collins and Rando would happen.
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
6:26 pm
BirdDawg Im co-signing with Rod on there is a clear difference between a fans very and a players view on this site and yes…you can tell.
lewis
March 26th, 2010
6:28 pm
its taken josh awhile to get this good, and he’s still not consistent. i like horford cause i know what im gonna get and its usually legit, he’s tougher mentally i think
Truth-Serum
March 26th, 2010
6:32 pm
KevinA
Im thinking along the same lines except I think we need a proven center more than a project or an experiment. Look at what happened to the uconn draftee this year. Is he still in the remedial league? I saw that guy from Kansas and he looks good, but is he NBA ready? how long would it take? Lets say this team can stay in tack for 4-5 years and it takes 3-4 for the new center to be a force in the pro’s we may be in the rebuilding stages at that point. If hes ready for the pro game do it, but there are a few, about 5 guys not named howard or shaq who can help us if we have some super smart GM who can earn his millions and millions of dollars….
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2010
6:32 pm
NBADraft.net has the Hawks slated to pick around where 7′1″ Solomon Alabi from Florida State would be available. If you were really desperate to add a 7-foot shot blocker to the roster, I guess he would be an option.
I haven’t watched much college basketball this year, so I don’t know how good most of these prospects really are. History tells me that the odds of finding a 7 footer who can actually play after pick 15 are slim to none. I’d rather see the Hawks use their pick on a guy who will give them the most bang for the buck, regardless of his size or position. If you accumulate good players, you can then trade them for actual NBA players to fill needs. Not saying the Hawks couldn’t use a 7-foot shot-blocking banger, but using a mid-20s pick to address that need probably won’t pan out the way we hope.