Atlanta Hawks: Shaq said to choose Celtics over Hawks (UPDATE: Celtics announce Shaq signing)
It looks like Shaq is taking his power game to Boston.
Shaquille O’Neal won’t be suiting up for the Hawks.
Multiple media outlets reported last night that he was “close” to joining the Celtics, and the team announced today that it has signed O’Neal.
“It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille’s caliber to your team,” Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, said in a statement released by the team. “His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster.”
O’Neal, 38, will play for his sixth NBA team in his 19th NBA season. He won three NBA championships with Los Angeles and another with Miami and now will seek another title with Boston, the defending Eastern Conference champion.
“I am honored to be joining the Celtics,” O’Neal said in the statement. “I have played against Paul [Pierce], Ray [Allen], Kevin [Garnett], Rajon [Rondo], and Jermaine [O'Neal] for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my teammates. I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship.”
Shaq’s signing with Boston means the best center is off the free agent market as the Hawks look for another big man to join their frontcourt rotation. As it stands now, Atlanta has Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and Jason Collins at center.
Last month Horford said the Hawks need to add an “impact” center and power forward Josh Smith agreed. Said Al: “We need to have someone to come in and have an impact. I think that is the position we need if we want to be any type of contender in the East.”
It doesn’t look like the Hawks will add that player in free agency even as the Eastern Conference has gotten tougher. Miami’s SuperFriends are in Atlanta’s division, Jermaine O’Neal and Shaq joined the Celtics, Chicago added Carlos Boozer and Andrew Bogut is set to return from injury for the Bucks.
It’s not that the Hawks are weak at center–Horford is an All-Star and Pachulia is an effective backup. But the big, physical frontlines of Boston and Orlando figure to be tough challenges for the Hawks in the playoffs.
Horford is undersized for center by NBA standards and Pachulia is not a big defensive post presence. Collins is a true 7-footer but he struggled with his conditioning last season and hasn’t been a rotation player for going on two years.
There don’t appear to be any “impact” centers left on the market after two waves of free-agent signings. Atlanta was said to have some mild interest in Kwame Brown, who could provide some post defense but is limited offensively. Other centers yet to sign include Josh Boone, Francisco Elson
and Brian Skinner.
The news that Shaq could join the Hawks created a buzz among Atlanta fans. All indications are that his interest in Atlanta was genuine.
He told friends early in free agency that he would be open to signing with the Hawks and one of his representatives contacted the team to gauge its interest, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. The Hawks were intrigued by Shaq but weren’t sure if he would be willing to accept a relatively small salary and a bench role as he nears the end of a career that will lead to his induction in the Hall of Fame.
Shaq’s initial contract demands were for a two-year deal that starts at $8 million, according to a person who talked to him about his plans. The Hawks, unwilling to exceed the luxury-tax threshold, weren’t willing to come close to that figure and eventually it became clear that no contending team would pay Shaq big money.
Boston is limited by salary cap rules to offering Shaq a contract starting at the veteran’s minimum salary of $1.35 million for a player with his experience. The Hawks could offer more by using salary-cap exceptions but weren’t willing to go much higher since their team salary is roughly $2.7 million below the luxury-tax threshold.
With the money being equal, Shaq apparently decided Boston gives him a better chance to earn another NBA championship.
MC
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323 comments Add your comment
Daniel
August 5th, 2010
12:44 pm
Big Ray you need to add to your comments about Joe being overpaid and not a team leader. He has also turned out to not be the quiet, respectful, love of the game player we thought. He is sullen, snippy and (now we know)more interested in being a “playa” at magic city.
northcyde
August 5th, 2010
12:46 pm
GeeMack
August 5th, 2010
8:05 am
northcyde
The reason the Hawks won’t get more TV games is because the quit 4 games in a row on national TV last year in the playoffs.
It’s one thing to lose, but quit and lose in embarassing fashion is unthinkable for professional athlete.
******************
That definitely doesn’t help. But had we done something in the offseason to change the makeup of the team, we would be a more attractive TV draw. And it’s not like our games last year on ESPN weren’t exciting . . win or lose. The Phoenix, Dallas, Golden St, and San Antonio games were all exciting games.
We deserve 10 national TV games . . but I’m sticking with 6. It could’ve been over 10, if you know who would’ve been added to the Hawks.
*************
@ drmaryb . . . lol @ the Luniz reference. One of my favorite hip-hop songs.
Cracker Jacket
August 5th, 2010
12:48 pm
Don’t blame him!!
northcyde
August 5th, 2010
12:50 pm
Big Ray’s 10:50 post is one of the best posts of the year. Nothing but pure truth in that post.
Fundamentals
August 5th, 2010
12:51 pm
Spurs are usually the model for refining talent, putting together quality teams and coming out smelling like a rose. Yeah they’ve got some age/injury issues lately, but what other team has made something out of nothing on at least a 1/2 dozen players. We can’t do it with one!
northcyde
August 5th, 2010
12:52 pm
And let’s clear up something right now about the JJ situation. I believe that his girlfriend is a WAITRESS at Magic City . . . not a dancer.
People can work at a strip club, but not be a stripper.
Ken Strickland
August 5th, 2010
12:52 pm
STEVEW-adding better talent doesn’t automatically translate into a better team, especially if that added talent influences the starting lineup. CBoozer and EBrand have virtually identical OFF styles, and we all saw the devastating effect EBrand’s addition had on Iguodala, and the teams starting lineup. We also saw the same effect take place with AJamison after he joined the Cavalier’s starting lineup.
Unless I’m mistaken, didn’t the Bulls hire a new HC, just like the Hawks, which means a new coaching staff, OFF and DEF? However, according to our GLASS HALF EMPTY fans, these issues will have a negative affect on the Hawks, while at the same time vastly improve the Bulls. We won 2 of 3 regular season gms with the Bucks, 2 of which were played in Milwaukee.
ABogat played in the 1st 2gms and JSalmons played in all 3. So this idea that ABogat’s return, and joining JSalmon, will automatically make them better than the Hawks is nothing more than WISHFUL THINKING. We all know Woodson would forget all of what little he knew about coaching once the playoffs started. Sund and the ASG solved that problem when they replaced him with LDrew.
DOC-we could definitely end up being affected by injuries to our key players, but we could just as easily have another relatively injury free season. The aging Celtics have already lost their #1 backup center to retirement, and their starting center will be out until late Jan. They’ve replaced them with a pair of injury prone geriatrics. You can’t use injury WHAT IFS for the Hawks, yet rate the Celtics potentially better than the Hawks without applying the same WHAT IFS to their old and injury prone roster.
The Magic were just as lucky in the injury department as we were, and that could certainly change. We proved in the 08 season that won’t collapse as a team if we lose any one of our key players. But, we all know the Magic would collapse if they lost DHoward, or JNelson, unless they get lucky again and find another solid replacement.
With a structured half court OFF system, a structured and more traditional DEF system, which will lead to better perimeter and interior DEF, the Hawks will be better prepared to compete in the playoff than in the past.
MannyT
August 5th, 2010
12:59 pm
As long as JJ’s woman isn’t doing something illegal, why does it matter, who she is or what she does?
It’s not basketball; it’s not our business. Just because you make a lot of money, should that make everyone you know/date available for public attack?
JoJo the Godfather
August 5th, 2010
1:08 pm
ken…the only place i agree with doc on the injury front, is that the celtics & magic are much deeper teams than we are…their rosters will probably go 15 deep…we’ll have the minimum with our last 3 spots being collins, powell & ???.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 5th, 2010
1:10 pm
In the Heat of the Night!
Aye … Crybabies! Joe’s comments were made in the “Throws of a Battle”
and immediately after a severe butt – whuppin.
Not only were his comments taken WAY out of context, they were
vacillated by an overzealous reporter. (and we wonder why no one wants to talk to a sleuth?). Joe answered a specific question, and is actually the victim in that interview.
For those of you who seek the truth of the matter, the gist of what Mr. Johnson said was, …… It doesn’t matter if the fans come or not, the team has to play well.
It has been saiod in many sports for many years by athletes that when they are in the zone? They don’t hear the crowd. It’s surreal!
You don’t need a High School Diploma to understand that statement.
Unless, you take remedial English and Reading Comprehension classes.
So, get over it and move on.
Clyde
What’s wrong with marrying a stripper? IF you men didn’t like it, they wouldn’t be there. Many ladies need money to pay for College and unpaid Child Support.
If more men would step up and provide for their families – Some women wouldn’t have to work outside the home at all. Some women prefer work over WIC!
(i.e. Food Stamps)
ryan
August 5th, 2010
1:13 pm
drmaryb what i was trying to say if the Hawks had a big name coach like Avery Johnson or Doc Rivers who took there teams to the finals we could have had a Shaq you to my words out of context. The problem is this horrible ownership we have.
GeeMack
August 5th, 2010
1:16 pm
Rufus1
You are correct it does take a little luck, & relationships to build a champion. The Hawks have had their chances.
The year after you draft J-Chills and J-Smmove, you get JJ and are in position to get the PG you’ve needed the last 10 year and a franchise player.
Instead (this is were savvy comes in) we pick the same type player we had in the previous draft.
5 years later you are still stuck without a proven PG. You still don’t have a leader on the floor, and the best player on the team disappears in the playoffs.
Clyde
August 5th, 2010
1:30 pm
SAVING A WAITRESS IS WORSE THAN SAVING A STRIPPER!!! THEN HITTIN IT RAW?
JOE JOHNSON NEEDS TO BE RUN OUT OF TOWN
NO WONDER HE DIDN’T SHOW UP IN THE PLAYOFFS. HE HAD BABY MOMMA DRAMA
ATLEAST GET YOU A WAITRESS OUT THE CHEETAH BUT MAGIC CITY?
ATLEAST SKEET IN A DOCTOR OR LAWYER BUT A WAITRESS IN A STRIP CLUB?
I’M SORRY BUT I CAN CHEER FOR A DUDE THAT SAVES HOS
RUN JOE OUT OF TOWN
JoJo the Godfather
August 5th, 2010
1:32 pm
geemack…you’re correct, but is there a big difference in these starting 5’s?
Paul, Johnson, Childress, Smith, ???
(how would the Horford draft have been different? pick probably goes to Phoenix and we pick the next year instead?)
???, Johnson, Williams, Smith, Horford
(plus future 2nd rd pick as a result of trading Childress)
Allstar PG with injury issues or allstar PF/C???
Like someone said before, the real screw ups were the landlord & ac law picks in the top 11 of their drafts…both guys are now league miminum players. I can look past Marvin over Paul.
ant banks
August 5th, 2010
1:32 pm
MANNYT, KEN STRICK, DR. MARY B, ET AL,
why are hawks assistant gm’s being considered for gm positions in the league (see article on pendegraf) if the spurs, trailblazers, and okc are gettin’ it done.
do the hawks have the “blueprint” that other teams are lookin’ for? WHAT are the hawks doin’ “right” that other teams would consider our asst. gm’s?
waitin’ until all top f/a are gone before you pick over the scrap heap is what atl has done the past two years and havin’ horrible 1st picks has been a staple for decades.
northcyde
August 5th, 2010
1:34 pm
Ken . . let’s be a little honest though. Brand was a DOMINANT PF in this league . . until he ruptured his Achille’s Tendon. Philly gambled that he could come back and return to form. Unfortunately for them, he never did. That injury directly coincided with Brand’s decline.
Carlos Boozer, on the other hand, came back from his injury, and had one of his best years of his career. The Boozer – Noah frontline combo could very well lead the league in rebounding. The only question for Boozer, is if Deron made him a much better player than what he really is . . and can Derrick Rose get him the ball in the right spots.
Chicago may or may not overtake us, but they’re going to be damn good next year. Boozer represents a legit inside go-to guy to pair with their talented PG in Rose.
************************
When it comes to Milwaukee, I don’t think they’ll be better than us either . . but they might be. Because it’s just not Andrew Bogut’s return that we have to worry about.
- they added Corey Maggette ( a guy who is a legit scorer and a person who perennially gets to the FT line in bunches. He averaged almost 20 ppg last year )
- they added Jon Brockman . . ( a guy who if anything, gives them another rebounder at the center position . . . and Brockman is better than Collins )
- and they get back Michael Redd . . ( the true wild card for the Bucks. We’ll see early on if this guy is done or not. But at the very least, he can serve as a spot up shooter off the bench. )
*********************
The question for me isn’t the teams in our rearview mirror. The question for me is what did we do to catch the teams in front of us? The answer . . we simply changed coaches, and now we have a rookie head coach running the team.
All of your money is banking on that Drew can take this team to the next level, without making a single personnel change other than giving Teague more playing time. That’s pretty much the extent of your plan for next year.
Meanwhile, everybody around us is upgrading their teams like crazy, other than Orlando.
In year’s past, the Hawks have upgraded their personnel each year:
- 2005 . . traded for Joe Johnson ( who has been more than adequate in ATL )
- 2006 . . signed Speedy Claxton ( who would’ve helped us had he stayed healthy )
- 2007 . . drafted Al Horford ( only because we were lucky enough to get into the top 3 )
- 2008 . . traded for Mike Bibby ( who stabilized the PG position for a while )
- 2009 . . traded for Jamal Crawford ( which paid off big time in 2009 – 10 )
- 2010 . . unless Jordan Crawford turns into a gem . . nothing.
So don’t act like that we haven’t made upgrades to the Hawks in the past. We have. And those upgrades have paid off, to cover up for our plethora of drafting mistakes. Teams should ALWAYS strive to improve themselves. Adding Josh Powell and Jason Collins does not achieve that goal.
Michael Cunningham
August 5th, 2010
1:35 pm
@dap01: “MC: What are the Hawks focused on now? We really have not heard anything about what they are trying to do. Wing? Big Man? What are their efforts now?”
i’ve mentioned in the last couple blog posts that they are still looking big. there will be an update later this afternoon i’m making a rare visit to the office for training. what i’d really like to do is train Truth-Serum old-school style.
Michael Cunningham
August 5th, 2010
1:37 pm
@Daniel: “Michael, you don’t think there is a story there? C’mon man stir this pot a little. It is better than talking about not signing players or dealing with a blog troll.”
even if it’s true, there’ no way i touch that unless it’s relevant to Joe’s job with the Hawks. consider the source on that story.
ant banks
August 5th, 2010
1:38 pm
CLYDE,
you are lame as hell…what stock did your wife come from? bein’ a waitress is gainful employment. at least she wasn’t ridin’ around town stealin’ atm machines. please don’t judge the personal habits of jj. rip his ball hoggin’ style, rip his no-show in the past two playoffs, rip him for dissin’ the fans of the hawks, but don’t talk about his “girl friend” because she is a waitress.
i know several doctors and lawyers, who by your standards are “good stock” who are evil biotches.
man, you are a trip….
ant banks
August 5th, 2010
1:43 pm
NORTHCYDE,
i still wouldn’t automatically put put the hawks 6th in the east. sure, they are not better on paper than boston, orlando, miami, milwaukee, but until i see larry drew’s PRINCETON MOTION OFFENSE, i will reserve my opinion. the hawks lost several games last yr due to woody’s NON-MOTION offense.
personally, i think that we will have a better record than boston, milwaukee, and miami.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 5th, 2010
2:01 pm
ryan
Then you should THINK before you type: Go back and re-read your words – not mine.
You said, “If Avery Johnson was the coach, Shaq would be in a Hawks uniform.”
There was no mention of Doc Rivers or any mention of reaching the ECF, nor did you say, we COULD have had Shaq. I am NOT a mind reader, and
neither are you or anyone else. I can’t figure out what you were TRYING to say,
but, I do know what you said.
That’s the problem niremental has with you irresponsible bloggers,
You type from baseless emotions and NO facts, and really have no idea whatsoever, what you are talking about.
Shaq was targeting Boston, all the while and used the Hawks, other teams and even Europe as leverage to get the deal he really wanted. The problem he and his Agent ran into? Was market value, he is only worth the veteran minimum and a bench seat.
Just, check your emotions at the blog – door, or you will be called to task by the savvy blogger….count on it.
-smiles-
doc
August 5th, 2010
2:06 pm
ken, the celts have big baby, shaq and l oneal to cover while perkins gets better and joins them mid season. dude all we got is three post players period and those are their centers. i played the old routine last year and said before the season we would get them on age. cant say it this year because two oneals trumps one sheed in my book and that is just a start. dont they have a little spark plug to back up their point that can beat us single handedly? nate heh heh he did and i was there. dude it aint the same team as last year. that ole geezer line wont quite work because they have gone out an gotten deeper too.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 5th, 2010
2:21 pm
Daddy’s Home!
MC
As the man of the house, you got a mental patient in the basement.
When you go to work each day, he comes up to the main floor and is terrorizing your wife and kids!
We got mold in the basement, and we need to set of a mold-bomb and exterminate the problem. It’s like the AID Virus, we can’t pronounce it nor get rid of it. I suggest calling the internet police and issuing a substantial monetary fine. Ticket that idiot! He is bogging down my Blackberry Browser and killing my phone battery with all this Non-Data and is border line- harassment and stalking, not to mention disrespectful to the AJC blog staff and employees!
I trust that you will get that Sucka!
smdh … LOL to keep from Crying!
-smiles-
northcyde
August 5th, 2010
2:32 pm
Ant . . on the contrary . . I still think we are 4th in the East. I don’t think Chicago nor Milwaukee are going to overtake us, because they have to deal with the same teams that we do. But they might be very close to us, especially Chicago. To me, that’s the main team that we have to worry about.
Every bench guy that they added this offseason ( Kyle Korver, CJ, Watson, Kurt Thomas and Ronnie Brewer ) could be key rotational guys off of our bench. That’s how weak our bench is.
niremetal
August 5th, 2010
2:35 pm
There are people actually putting Milwaukee ahead of the Hawks????? They upgraded their depth on the wing. That is ALL. It’s like the Wizards last year – some people were predicting they would jump ahead of the Hawks because they had a busy summer that brought in some recognizable new faces. But “new faces” does not mean “improved” – and even if it did, “improved ” does not automatically mean “improved enough that they passed another team that started off way better than them.” If you actually examined their roster, all they did was shore up parts of their depth chart where they already were strong. They added two more solid tweener wingers and swapped Kurt Thomas for Drew Gooden. Woo-hoo.
The Bucks still have zero frontcourt depth, undersized forwards, and streaky backcourt players. I don’t see how you could look at the Hawks’ roster – which features an All-NBA player, a young All-Star, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, a guy who didn’t make the All-Star team who many consider our best player, and at least 4 solid rotation players behind them – and then the Bucks’ roster, and conclude the Bucks better than us. I really don’t.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 5th, 2010
2:39 pm
I told yall MC was gonna’ delete all that ISH on here. And, he came through for us! Yeah! MC Yeah!
Life is Good – Not Hood!
Now, if we can just get him to fix the Hawks roster as quickly.
Wouldn’t that be grand?
Ant Banks
@Clyde: Get Em’. Co-Sign your rebuttal post. I could care less who Joe marries.
I think it’s great that he is in Love and will be a Father soon. He’s Lucky to have found a nice girl that makes him happy! She looks beautiful in that photo.
I like the fact that he chose any everyday girl and apparently she is NOT a gold-digger, If so, she would have been buying tickets behind the Hawks bench and
tossing her panties on the court! He could have been arrogant and said,
“I don’t talk to waitresses!)
Even though Tiger Woods made a lot of bad choices? He did marry Elin Nordegren, who was a former – Nanny. A live in Baby-Sitter.
Would you rather Joe date Kim Kardashian? Uuuggghh!
JoJo the Godfather
August 5th, 2010
2:44 pm
I think the Hawks & Bulls are very close.
PG – Bulls +++ (Rose & Watson > Bibby & Teague)
SG – Hawks +++ (Joe & Jamal > Korver & Brewer)
SF – Bulls + (Deng > Marvin, but very similar skillsets)
PF – Bulls + (Boozer & Gibson > Josh & Josh)
C – Hawks ++ (Horford & Pachulia > Noah & Thomas)
AtlSouthside
August 5th, 2010
2:45 pm
I like our team, as is… As a true fan who watches all the televised games, I think alot of critics/doubters dont understand our point-distribution… our biggest problem of the past was our Head Coach and his game plan…our d-scheme was weak and offense-scheme lacked ball-movement, inside scoring…too many jump shots…
We didnt need Shaq but we could have used a Carlos Boozer or another 6′10+ guy to play Center so Al Horford and play his natural position…
I think we are good offensively…just need to pick up 1 athletic guy who’s 6′10+ and can start from day 1(Powell doesnt count)
Big Ump
August 5th, 2010
2:48 pm
JeJe
I’m with you about TS. I guess he didn’t agree with certain bloogers and stood his own ground.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 5th, 2010
2:49 pm
Recycle and Go Green!
Ant Banks
Man, I saw that article re: the ASG staffers. Man, I never saw that coming
the Suns and Trailblazers picking from the ASG garden?
All we fans see is weeds and thickets.
But, like they say, “One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.”
I guess in this business, you form alliances and relationships over the years.
These families go on family vactations and celebrate holidays together.
And at the end of the day, you can’t blame the employees for what the owners and operation managers do or Not do. You hire people based on their merits, character and talents. It’s only fair. I think it’s great for these guys to get looked at.
dap01
August 5th, 2010
2:57 pm
Thanks MC.
AtlSouthside
August 5th, 2010
3:03 pm
Our line-up is solid…we deserve better than Shaq… remember when everyone wanted the Braves to sign Griffey, Jr last year, and Griffey went to another team and retired half way thru the season… I can invision Shaq doing that this year… we dont need that on this roster… If horford and josh can hold it down in the post, we’re good… use the other scrubs for fouls on D.Howard
sam'l
August 5th, 2010
3:09 pm
Calm down. Shaq would have hurt this team as a starter. He’s slow, clumsy, and injury prone. He has his chance in Cleveland and Phoenix. He is too OLD to run.
Sometimes there are no good moves in the NBA. Congratulations to Sund for not making this idiotic move..
Now, as to Bibby, Marvin and Pachulia……Marvin is the key.
Bibby apparently has some horrible physical limitation that has virtually ended his career. Pachulia seems slow and inept and can’t hold on to the ball in a crowd. He’s not very good defensively. Hard to improve on basic slowness. In contrast Marvin Williams has shown both shooting and rebounding ability and some say he’s had great defensive games. This is where the upside will be this year.
Teague is fast but just watching the way he acts on the court……I don’t think so……
Miami will never win anything. Wade is an egomaniac and it won’t take Bosh and James long to figure it out. I predict Spoelstra will be the goat here….first coach out the door.
Orlando will win as long as Howard gets 8 fouls per game. I see those elbows…..how come the officials don’t?
So, we have the same old team……well, by my count, there were about ten games we blew last here because we just couldn’t figure out a zone or stood on the court and got hit by an opposing guard, and went completely nuts in the last few minutes of a game or coudn’t stop a marginal player who just happened to have a “career” game against the Hawks……on and on and on………
So 60 and 20 sounds okay to me.
We’ll see if Drew has any brains….We’ll probably see that other Crawford pass Teague.
We’ll also see 1 TRADE…when it’s makable…..that gets rid of deadwood and brings a passable center.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 5th, 2010
3:10 pm
Big Ump, JeJe, JoJo, Joe Mamma, Daniel + 17 more monikers are ALL the same person – Truth Serum!
He blogs with the 17 people who run around in his head and they all have TWO sign-ons each. So, who cares what they say back & forth to each other.
Blaah .. Blaaah … And regurgitated some more with themselves!
We know by content of the comments who the ICONIC bloggers are!
Hey, it’s all about the Hawks all the time anyways!
BIG JIM
August 5th, 2010
3:21 pm
Shaq can go to hell. Real talk.
He’s an old fat bum.Like me.
His game never progressed.
He’s always had the advantage
of having good players and
coaches. He sux. Real talk.
If he did come to the A, he would
cause problems. The Hawks are still in
in good shape for years.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 5th, 2010
3:30 pm
Ant Banks
Clyde makes pretty T-Shirts. So, based on his comments re: Joe’s wife being a former waitress at a strip club, then we shouldn’t blog with him either.
I know some MD’s, CEO’s, Ex-Mayors and lawyers who are in prison.
It doesn’t matter what your craft is – it’s your character that counts.
Speaking of: Mayor Julliani – (sp) of New York City, his daughter was
arrested yesterday in Upper Manhattan for shop-lifting cosmetics for less that $500 in value.
Hey Ant, maybe Joe should marry her, after all, her Dad is the Mayor of NYC.
I’m just sayin’
Rondo
August 5th, 2010
3:35 pm
What Dirk Nowitski did was nasty. Leave Joe alone.
Rod from College Park
August 5th, 2010
3:47 pm
Add Bogut, Redd and Maggette to the Bucks team in the playoffs, and we win 2 games instead of 4. We basically beat them because we dominated in the paint, and they could not score. Those 3 guys solve those problems. Add the fact that they have a coach who proved that he knows how to coach, and get the best out of the players on the floor, they will more than likely overtake us in the standings if everything remains the same. Even if they don’t overtaake us in the standings, I would have no faith in us winning a seven game series, with the addition of those guys.
Skiles > Drew
drmaryb (*_*)
August 5th, 2010
3:48 pm
Rondo
What did Dirk do?
ant banks
August 5th, 2010
3:53 pm
DR. MARY B,
a great man once said, “judge me not by the color of my skin (or occupation) but by the content of my character.” i hate kim HOEdashian. but i guess clyde would marry her, since she is a tv “star” and not a waitress. lol.
Rondo
August 5th, 2010
4:02 pm
Google Dirks Love Life and you will see for yourself.Its old news but it is still repulsive
Rod from College Park
August 5th, 2010
4:19 pm
Joe has problems guarding Salmons, nobody on our team can stay in front of or slow down Jennings. Marvin can’t guard Maggette, and does not provide any threat offensively. Josh would probably really be our only mismatch. Bogut is just as good if not better than Horford. If Redd comes back close to 100%, he is just as good a scorer as Jamal Crawford. Plus a bench which consist of guys like Delfino, Illyasova, Keyon Dooling, Chris Douglas Roberts, Drew Gooden and Tiny Gallon(R), and Maybe Stackhouse. Skiles is a better and more proven coach than Drew. I don’t see how the Hawks would be better than the Bucks, if all things stay the same.
SteveW
August 5th, 2010
4:28 pm
Nire – I think the folks putting the Bucks ahead of the Hawks are doing so based on the addition of a healthy Bogut and Drew Gooden, not just Maggette. And they have a valid discussion when you throw in Skiles as their coach, with an unproven commodity in LD as our coach. I do think the 2 teams are very close.
But I do think Teague can stay in front of Jennings…..
Melvin
August 5th, 2010
4:32 pm
Don’t forget about the Bucks 1st rnd draft pick Larry Sanders. Dude was a beast in summer league. He could compliment Bogut well with his defense, rebounding and shot blocking ability. They also have MammaDo MammaDo (kid from UCLA)…
SteveW
August 5th, 2010
4:32 pm
Rod – Redd could very well be the X-factor for the Bucks….They may have a very good team this year – like challenging for the 3rd or 4th seed behind the Magic, Heat, and maybe the Celts.
Now that the Celts have Shaq, does anybody else fell like their really, really old now? I know Rondo and Big Baby are younger, as is Nate Robinson. And Kendrick when he comes back. But Garnett, Peirce, Allen, and the 2O’Neals are on up there…
SteveW
August 5th, 2010
4:35 pm
I think we’re looking at 46-36, not because we’re any worse, we actually will probably be a little better – but because the East is much better, our record will probably be worse.
Melvin
August 5th, 2010
4:37 pm
SteveW,
Celtics may be old but they have some proven vets on that team. They are built for the playoffs and not the regular season. So I wouldn’t be concern about their regular season record b/c Doc will have his team coast thru the season to remain healthy as possible and turn it up a notch in the playoffs. They are the team to beat in the East. Remember I said. Folks can reference how the Hawks swept them last season but until they beat them in the playoffs, I will not rank the Hawks ahead of the Celtics.
Melvin
August 5th, 2010
4:40 pm
SteveW,
I agree the East may have gotten better so hopefully the West has gotten weaker and the Hawks could steal more wins out West than they have in the previous years. But that may be true for out East teams as well… Oh well, here’s to staying healthy again this season…
Sautee
August 5th, 2010
4:42 pm
Rod,
Bogut got better as the year went on. And perhaps he’s passed Horford, but this is how they did in the two games they were head to head:
2 /28:
Bogut: 14 pts, 9 reb
Horford: 17 pts, 10 reb
3/22:
Bogut: 9 pts, 11 reb
Horford: 12 pts, 12 reb
In my opinion, the biggest thing the Bucks got going is Redd’s return. Of course, he and Jennings are going to have to figure out how to share……..
SR
August 5th, 2010
4:47 pm
Shocking- this just in, the world is round, not flat. ZZZZZZZ.