Atlanta Hawks: Minicamp Day 1
Notes and quotes from League (Pre) Lockout . . .
Lighty is a live one. (Phil Skinner / pskinner@ajc.com)
- Before you ask: I didn’t get to see much live action. Media types got to see about 15 minutes of scrimmage at the end of the morning practice. So please hold your “How did [overlooked gem] look?” questions.
- I didn’t get to see Keith Benson scrimmage at all. When practice was opened, he was with a group that was off lifting weights. He does indeed look thin.
- The Hawks won’t be able to sign any players out of this camp because they have no open roster spots after signing Magnum Rolle. Their free agents technically don’t become free agents until Friday, but we know why that’s not going to happen.
- Whenever the Hawks can sign players, it sounds as if they will make a run at David Lighty. The Hawks worked him out before the draft.
- L.D.: “Lighty is a gutsy defender. He can defend maybe three positions. That is what we are looking for as we move into next summer. I want guys that can defend where it’s already instilled in him, it’s in their DNA. Lighty has been a tremendous defender throughout his career and certainly he would be a plus to have on this team.”
- Lighty on defense: “That is something where you help separate yourself from others. Everybody wants to see somebody score but the little things are what win basketball games. I try to focus on that.”
- Lighty said the Cavaliers, Pistons, Suns, Spurs and Hornets also wanted to bring him in. Why the Hawks? “It was about [looking at] teams that I would like and fit my style of play,” he said. “They have open spots and they have free agents at the two guard.”
- Lighty said he was less upset about not being drafted than were his family, friends and supporters. “For me, I’m the type of person if I have a goal I am going to reach it no matter what and I’m not going to stop until I do. I was a little down; I’m human. That was my dream and my goal to get drafted. And hear my name called, that was the big thing. I will play in the NBA one day. I won’t stop until I get there.”
- L.D. echoed Rick Sund in saying the Hawks want to bring back Twin. They seem less certain about Damien. “We are still taking about it,” L.D. said. “We haven’t made any decisions there. We will see what happens.”
- L.D. said the Hawks have “got to put a little meat on [Benson's] bones.” Benson said he’s ready: “They have good weight coaches here so I can put a lot of focus on that and plan out my meals. My main focus will be to put weight and strength on.”
- Benson said he thinks he can maintain his athleticism with another 15 to 20 pounds on his frame.
- L.D. on Benson: “He’s a really good kid. We did a background check on him and he’s one of the quality kids at the collegiate level.”
- Benson plans to hook up with fellow Detroit Country Day alum C-Webb, who lives in town. “I have his number. I’m going to reach out.” Benson played under Webber’s brother, Jason, who is an assistant coach at DCD.
- Peachtree Ridge product Jason Graham also worked out for the Hawks before the draft. “Graham can really shoot the basketball,” Drew said. “I didn’t know about him but watching some film on him and working him out, he can make shots.”
- When the topic turned to Al playing more power forward, L.D., like Sund, started talking more about versatility as a virtue than adding a full-time center: “The more versatile we are, it keeps the other team guessing a little bit. We did move Al around a lot last year. We moved Josh around. Joe played some three. Having a verstaile team makes us more potent.
- The word from multiple NBA people over the last few days is there was nothing much to that Josh to Minnesota trade rumor on draft day.
- But David Aldridge reports (about halfway down the page) there was something to that SI.com story on the imminent sale of of the Hawks.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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339 comments Add your comment
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2011
11:43 pm
I mean seriously, we’ve got two of the best passing big men in the NBA and Horford and J-BALLS. Don’t you think they get tired of passing it to JJ and JC1 and watching them incompetently waste possessions?
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2011
11:54 pm
“G Teague, SG Joe, SF Smoove, PF Al, C a free agent/trade acquisition…”
Najeh why don’t you want Zaza to start at C?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2011
12:06 am
“Najeh why don’t you want Zaza to start at C?”
Zaza’s game is dependent on how much energy he brings, and I think as an energy guy he is better suited to playing in spurts off the bench than as a starter. Plus I’m not a huge fan of having two non-help defenders start together at PF and C.
Hoops
June 29th, 2011
1:06 am
Guessing @ the 2011-12 Hawks line up-
PG-Teague/Hinrich/Wanamaker
SG-JJ/Sy/Lighty
SF-Marvin/Wilkins/Thomas
PF-Josh/Rolle/Benson
C-Horford/Zaza/Samhan
I assume that the Hawks will not sign any Vet. FA’s other than Wilkins.
EmirS ("One of my main objectives this summer is to take a very aggressive defensive approach" -Larry Drew)
June 29th, 2011
1:57 am
@doc
June 28th, 2011
10:09 pm
Actually yes i did, which kind of side tracked me a bit. As I thought Josh is predominantly a 4. I’m assuming Sam Smith did the lists as far as what position he’s seen each player play on a consistent basis.
What really caught my eye was the fact that “according” to his layout…the Hawks are [suppose] to be an elite team.
Go figure…
Grandad
June 29th, 2011
3:20 am
brigadierjerry
From earlier;
I’ll attempt to answer your query.
1st a little history.
In 88 / 89 the Hawks screwed up their roster.
At that time they had a core somewhat like today’s Hawks.
But, dare I say, better.
Bigger, more balanced, + a bonafied SuperDuperStar. [Nique]
The Core:
*Nique
*Doc
*Tree
*Spud
*Kevin Willis
*Randy Wittman
*Koncak **[koncak was not a bad player]
**Detroit snookered us into givin’ him a big kontract
You know they were a Jim Dandy bunch
when the 1st four I mentioned are known by one name.
It began in 83 / 84 when they hired Fratello,
this young midget, ex-football player / coach…
as head coach of the Hawks.
He already had Nique, Doc, Tree, & Wittman on board.
I can’t remember if Doc or Witt were drafted that yr or not.
Two of the other three came in subsequent years.
I suppose Tree was already around – he was the oldest.
They had a good run.
Tree was only 33 or 34 in the summer of 88.
I do not remember the particulars of the trades,
-but-
we brought in,
Moses malone & Reggie Theus
gone were *Kevin Willis, Tree Rollins & Randy Wittman.
Willis must have been inj – he was back the following yr
Theus was around only 1yr, Malone 2 yrs.
The chemistry was damaged irreparably.
The shame was they were not old…..
Tree was the oldest, yet he and Malone wer the same age.
That year 88 /89 they lost to Milwaukee in the 1st round.
The following year they did not make the play-offs.
After that season they fired Fratello.
Enter the Bob Weiss era……………….3 years / I think ?
______________________________________________
The reason I gave the history lesson was to
contrast the difference in those years & now.
Those Hawks were considered for a couple yrs
to be the best team in the NBA.
They should have kept that core together.
They were ultra successful.
[hand grenades & horseshoes from winnin' it all]
Fratello the “Little Napoleon” stressed Defense.
pg = Doc / rim defender = Tree / SS = Nique
Witt could shoot / Spud pushed the pace /
Koncak rebounded & knew his role /
* and Kevin Willis was the enforcer !
*** Balance ***
Also they had Ted running the show – who better.
They were the model of consistency,
built through the draft, from the ground up,
they were exciting, “Human Highlight Film”,
and they were winners.
Every year they had a chance to win it all.
_______________________________________________
The Difference, then & now:
“A Winning Culture”
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2011
3:41 am
“What really caught my eye was the fact that “according” to his layout…the Hawks are [suppose] to be an elite team.”
The Hawks fit his criterion of “two top 5 players at their positions”, which is the reason why they are mentioned there. He has Joe and Al rated 4 and 3 respectively at their positions. Of course, shooting guard and center are pretty shallow positions in terms of talent at the top. Put it this way: the 3rd and 4th ranked PGs, SFs and PFs on that list are significantly better than either one of them.
Those other teams he mentions that had two top five players at their respective positions had two players who were arguably top ten in the entire league. Joe and Al are nowhere close to that.
All that aside, there is plenty to take issue with in regards to his rankings. Smoove should be listed among the power forwards first of all, and secondly he should be no lower than 9th in that list of power forwards.
Dap01
June 29th, 2011
5:59 am
To a 44 win team, we are adding undrafted rookies. From a clueless coach, we are hearing about toughness. From a team with no top players, we are hearing about a core. From a young athletic team, we will not run.
It sucks to be stuck pulling for such a hopeless bunch (Sund, LD and ASG).
JoJo the Godfather
June 29th, 2011
6:49 am
Trade Kirk Hinrich & ZaZa Pachulia to Dallas for Brendan Haywood, Corey Brewer & Dominique Jones. Hawks take on a ton of long term salary ($40M compared to $9M), but save about $2M for the upcoming year. I think Hawks might do it though if they see Jones & Brewer as the keys to the deal. Both are solid defenders and versatile enough to play a couple different positions.
dukester
June 29th, 2011
6:56 am
@JOJO I love the thoughts of getting a center but as far as trades lets make sure we trade Marvin and sign a center. Tyson Chandler,Sam Dalembert comes to the top of the list. Right now I would trade marvin for just about anything.
Buddy Grizzard
June 29th, 2011
7:25 am
“Smoove should be listed among the power forwards first of all, and secondly he should be no lower than 9th in that list of power forwards.” – Najeh
Even if you want to put him as a small forward, J-BALLS is ranked kinda low on that list. What’s funny is, if Smith is our SF and Horford is our C, who tha F is our PF? I like Sam Smith but that one had me scratching my head.
Trojan
June 29th, 2011
8:36 am
MC: Thanks for the updates. Are there any rumblings or even distant rumors about the Hawks trying to do anything more than sign undrafted free agents? Any trades rumored?
JoJo the Godfather
June 29th, 2011
8:57 am
dukester…I think we’ve all scrambled our brains trying to come up with a Marvin trade. It’s just when I turn any potential deal for Marvin around and look at it from the other team’s perspective, I have trouble making it work. Why trade for Marvin when you can sign any # of free agent SF’s for less? For instance, in a Marvin for Haywood swap, what’s Dallas’s motivation? Dumping the contract? Then ask for an expiring contract in return. Houston can probably help you out. Adding SF depth? You can probably sign Butler or Stevenson or Battier or Prince or Howard or McGrady for less than what Marvin makes, and you already have Brewer, Marion & Fernandez that can play the position.
There are 3 teams that I think can use Marvin as a starter or backup (Cleveland, Golden State & the LA Clippers). Two of those, Cleveland & Golden State, I think would have trouble getting a free agent SF of much value to sign with them.
I think Cleveland might give us the expiring contracts of Gibson & Hollins for Marvin.
Golden State is a little harder to match up. I think a Hinrich, Williams & Pachulia for Ellis & Biedrins trade could make sense for them. Hinrich plays behind & mentors guards Curry & Thompson. Marvin backs up the SF position, and Pachulia is better and cheaper than Biedrins. I think this is a Jerry West type trade where he sees value in veteran role players. Hawks would be thinner (trading 3 rotational players for 2 at equal money), and would have even less cap flexibility for the future. We would definitely be getting the best player in the deal though.
ntrigue
June 29th, 2011
8:59 am
Hopefully we sign Jeremy Hazell he’s a beast!
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2011
9:00 am
“Smoove and Al had identical defensive rebounding rates last year. Al’s offensive rebounding rate was higher than Smoove, in part because he plays closer to the basket, which in turn is in part because he doesn’t have to play small forward.”
Glad someone pointed this out. Josh only averaged about 1 less rebounds than Al during the regular season, and less than one playing a lot from the 3 spot in the playoffs. Josh would be considered one of the top rated small forwards in rebounding in the league.
KevinM
June 29th, 2011
9:09 am
NBA TV brought up the idea of who might like to make a run at Nene, with the Hawks and Celtics mentioned. I just don’t see the room there to do such minus a captain. But Denver could use a PF if Nene is inclined to move on from there. It would make them smaller quickly.
I just wish we had a more defined front office. Our identity is in more influx than Denver. I can’t buy into any elite player looking to come here.
And now that Drew has bought into the Joe ‘blue-collar’ comments, I guess that is our focus this offseason. I would hate to see the current executives get their hands dirty.
And Larry isn’t changing anybody. He is trying to keep his job. Without seeing the ending, I think we all truly know the last chapter to this coaching run.
JayboiHAWKS4LYFE
June 29th, 2011
9:44 am
I feel we need to spend more time talking about the real issue on our beloved atlanta hawks…JOE FREAKING JOHNSON.. ATL please offer up a pick joe johnson and if you absoultly have to josh smith for ray allen and kevin garnett. i rather you offer kirk but they have rondo so that wont happen unless danny ainge moves him (which he might). Rick sund prove to me your not braindead.
Mike is Back
June 29th, 2011
9:51 am
Big Ray, what’s up…I can kind of give LD break because of the Hawks playoff performance. I’m reaching hear…but it appeared…the guys finally start to buy end into his coaching philosophy…with that said that doesn’t excuse the gaffe he had during the regular season…or game five in the Bulls series…or the fact that we should have brought in someone new and with previous coaching experience…if they were serious about challenging for the ECF…and changing the culture of the team…ONE THING FOR SURE…LD want be able to talk his way through this year…I believe we will see a more defensive focus from the Hawks.
Call me crazy, but this Free Agent draft class…may out perform a lot of the guys that was drafted this year…maybe even some the lottery picks…dare I say. I really like Lightly…when look at all gambles being made in this weak draft class…acquiring Lightly would be a Boone for us…I can’t help but winze at some of the moves being made.
I agree with Ken Strick , Sund is bringing in different type of guys to help change the culture…Actually I agree with LD statement of you have bring in guys with a curtain DNA…especially reserve guys…LD survive this season…let’s see if can improve next season…hey, if not…by than new ownership should be firmly in place…so actually LD is auditioning for his next gig…I think LD ain’t too far gone…to realize that.
Also, this year it makes sense to go after five seniors…in our situation… SOMEONE POSTED A LINK ON THE UPCOMING 2012 FAs…After seeing that list…if we can get a guy like Lightly…and get another serviceable BIG…that might be more prudent…that to go all out in FA in 2011.
In terms of Serviceable BIGs…if not a S & T with Marvin and filler for Haywood…or S & T with Marvin and filler for Dalember…I would take a chance on Gray if the price is right…or just resign Armstrong.
I also thing Zaza deserves to gets some starts…based on the opponent. To me Zaza proved just as much as Teague did…that he deserves more minutes…he is just a different player now…he plays with way more physically when he is in game…he could end up exceeding the value of his contract…MARVIN…not so much.
I hope ole Woody gets the Pistons job…I heard he was one of the front runners for that job…Woody deserves a second chance…like rest of his colleagues…that have circle the wagons before…I don’t miss him coaching the Hawks…at times…I was one of his biggest detractors…But I will always appreciate and respect what he did for this organization.
Mike is Back
June 29th, 2011
9:57 am
Dang, did I post that last blog… that’s about two months of blogging for me… Grandad must did some kind of metaphysical thing to me.lol
The Truth
June 29th, 2011
9:59 am
According to this link, Lighty is scheduled to attend a basketball mini-camp in Phoenix today. Either it didn’t work for him with the Hawks, he left early which would be odd or this writer was misinformed.
Hey Clyde, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Sean Williams got his sight set for Phoenix (lol)
hawksfancents95
June 29th, 2011
10:02 am
@jojograndpa 8:52am post
i liked both of ur trade ideas involving marvin. cleveland fudged up their future bad with their #1 and 4 pics. cleveland doesnt have a small forward and i think marvin could be productive for them. clev shoulda took derrick williams and kemba walker (two starters that could bring excitement/wins) i like marv for boobie and hollins and i guess we could throw in a armstrong or powell. im intrigued by ur GS trade as well. A) we get monta who can score, penetrate, get to the free theow line. B) get rid of marvin and get better product in return! imagine this starting lineup
teague
ellis
johnson
smith
horford
bench biendrins, benson & sy
sign some good role player FAs, sebastian telfair, jamario moon, jeff foster, david lighty, jason collins, joe alexander, demetri mccamey
that would be a pretty big shuffle of new players but we would be vastly improved.
JayboiHAWKS4LYFE
June 29th, 2011
10:05 am
ARE WE ALL BLIND TO OUR JOE JOHNSON ISSUE REALL?
JayboiHAWKS4LYFE
June 29th, 2011
10:07 am
ARE WE REALLY AGAINST A JOE, KIRK, & maybe even Marvin for ALLEN AND GARNETT trade? Think about it you guys know it makes sense.
vava74
June 29th, 2011
10:13 am
MC,
Blog monster!
It seems that the monster disliked my view on the guy on which I have coined a perfect “label”…
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2011
10:24 am
No team would be dumb enough to trade for Marvin. First of all he is not a good player, second of all he makes too much money, and lastly he just had back surgery, and he can’t stop falling. Insurance case waiting to happen a la Speedy Claxton.
JayboiHAWKS4LYFE
June 29th, 2011
10:32 am
marvin is good enough off the bench for boston to bite, hell he is backing up paul pierce for crist sakes, and they would dump KG’s huge salary and get a more versitile sg which they desperatly need in joe johnson, atlanta would get a wing player that can shoot to help offense and loss the iso joe by the way doc rivers would make joe play team ball. and get kg to play PF though he is taller than Al im sure they would move Al to center till they can afford a decent one and with KG managable contract atleast year wise there is a future for the hawks.
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2011
10:35 am
Let me repeat:
and lastly he just had back surgery, and he can’t stop falling.
JayboiHAWKS4LYFE
June 29th, 2011
10:39 am
its a deal worth doing for both sides..
Joe, Marv, and Kirk for
Ray, kevin and if were lucky a 2nd rnd.
and the best part about this deal is we drop KG after 2012 and have a shot at dwight on free agency i honest dont think he will resign or be traded..
JayboiHAWKS4LYFE
June 29th, 2011
10:41 am
just picture
teague
ray
smith
al
howard
OH the rings that would bring atlanta
KevinM
June 29th, 2011
11:00 am
There is no value in Marvin right now…that doesn’t even mention his salary. But if Speedy can be traded????????????
I agree with Ken S….Marvin as a bench player works because he goes against the bench on the opposing team. Marvin not very good other than that.
If this roster here is going to improve minus the minimum vets, it will take amnesty to rid us of Marvin, who will be free to sign with anyone, and/or a trade of a captain.
We still have more PFs than we need. Smoove as a SF….on offense, no thanks. Will Horford be an all-star if listed as a PF? Uh, no.
Those are our best bargaining chips if there is a move to be made.
I still say we only find room for 2 rooks, Benson, who someone listed as a PF? earlier, and perhaps a Lighty. That will be Larry’s 2 whipping boys this year.
The Truth
June 29th, 2011
11:02 am
Another prospective on Keith Benson
If you ask Benson the strengths of his game, the description comes off sounding like a scaled-down version of Hawks All-Star center Al Horford.
“I think my athleticism, being able to run the floor, shot block,” he said. “I can score in the post, and I can also be a pick-and-pop-type player, so I think that will translate.”
vava74
June 29th, 2011
11:13 am
The Truth,
Benson is a shot blocker and seems to have some post moves (good touch around the rim, uses the glass well).
Al is not a shot blocker and always had limited post moves, does not know how to use the glass and now is almost exclusively a pick n’ pop expert. He does have a semi-reliable jump hook in the lane but he is shying away from the paint more and more.
vava74
June 29th, 2011
11:17 am
Only an idiot reporter would make that remark!
brigadierjerry
June 29th, 2011
11:45 am
Grandad,
Good points. I hated those moves for me first Theus and past his prime Malone. They should’ve kept that core. I feel tough that this group might do something similiar in trying to trade AL or Josh and i am not sure it would be a great idea depending who they get back.
It is strange maybe cause I am older but i dont get the connection with this team that I do with the Nique teams or even the Eddie Johnson teams. Even in the 80’s when they would play top teams the hawks for the most part gave effort and was a good product. I remember when the hawks lost to the sixers in the playoffs think 82, they reallyt tried just that the talent there wasnt ready. your thoughts grandad?
drmaryb (*_*)
June 29th, 2011
11:48 am
Real GM!
Any real GM should be blowing up every GM’s phone in the league right now. As a matter of fact, this bombardment should have started before the draft and even moreso afterwards.
They should be finding out which FA’s are scheduled to be cut on this Thursday to see if anyone they want will be shook loose. First dibbs will be gone by secret hand shakes before Friday. Is that legal? Probably not, but who’s telling. Like Bilichek says in New England (Patriots), “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying!”
You best bet Pat Riley recruited and had LeBron two years before his “Decision” we all know that DWade was working on him at the Olympic Games. Tampering? Sure, but who’s gonna’ prove that? Lips are sealed.
Sund, hopefully has already decided who he is not bringing back and should be trying to set up deals before the lock out in 72 hours.
I hope he is not pinning all his hopes on undrafted talent from this camp.
We do need another veteran and perhaps, Lighty and Smahan-sp, from what the blog experts are saying are being keyed in on. Especially if
Jamal is a goner, or Damien.
Here’s my point: Be proactive – please? Don’t wait for the cardboard bargain bin this year. A new owner will most certainly be aggressive financiall, if for no other reason, ENTHUSIASM!
I don’t think Cuban will let Tyson get away, especially if the new CBA offers the luxury tax option. I sure hope Amnesty is available.
KevinM
June 29th, 2011
11:51 am
Zaza/Collins/Armstrong/Thomas/Benson in that order for C minutes. It doesn’t sound like Al is going to be our center for any given amount of minutes. It would be great if Benson could become our Taj Gibson, but Larry has his rudimentary ways.
And Marvin and Teague are going to need scoring help on their unit. NBA TV has JC1 as the 6th rated top FA, just ahead of Greg Oden….
10 – D Jordan – R
9 – Y Ming – U
8 – JR Smith – U
7 – Oden – R
6 – JC1 – U
5 – Humphries – U
4 – Gasol – R
3 – Chandler – U
2 – West – U
1 – Nene – U
Not the best class of FAs, and other than JC1, probably all starters.
JC1 isn’t returning. I wouldn’t mind seeing Vince or T-Mac or Anthony Randolph somehow make it to our lineup. The latter 2 will be the cheaper options. Tayshaun is out of our price range.
The Truth
June 29th, 2011
11:51 am
vava74
Who could argue one way or the other about Benson (at this point) since MC has not updated us regarding his workout. However, any over-reaching position on Benson (at this point) is in the category as this “idiot reporter” apparent abstract evaluation of him.
vava74
June 29th, 2011
12:08 pm
The Truth,
Benson – who may be a scrub – was the go to guy on his team and was a rim protector (3.6 blocks per in 32min).
Al was never the go to guy on those Gators’ teams and was never a rim protector (1.8 blocks per in 28min).
They may have some characteristics which are similar but when you have a guy who is an intimidator at the rim, that ends up being a marked characteristic, so “scaled down Horford” seems pretty idiotic to me.
I coined the Diaper Al label and will continue to criticize his underrated softness until he brings back his Boss Al game overalls again and takes off that white collar he now uses.
Nonetheless, I am not saying that Al is worthless, merely that he is overrated and we are making a huge mistake by accommodating his path to baby-ass-skin-softness.
He will never be a top 5 PF in this league but he could be a top 5 C (if he wasn’t already).
Slimjr
June 29th, 2011
12:08 pm
“Its the results that count” unknown Author
Let me try a different approach:
Hey Coach I got number 5 that’s considered a great passer in fact hes tied for the lead in assists?
But my team only won 44 games out of 82…I know there are other issues but lets take a look at this one for now. Okay?
Well there’s two ways to look at this situation:
1- He leads the team in assist but the team is 21st in scoring @103.xx pts. (20 teams ahead)
2- He is not leading in fta’s not even close!
I would not change a thing if your team won 55-60 games and part took in an ECF for 2011.But that did not happen..So change must occur and its up to the you the coach to make that change.
You make it known to your #5 that he must set up in the post and attack the rim to draw fouls..You would want him to be a leader in fta’s or close to one…
Or you move him to the 4 if he cant comply and put another big @ the 5..but now your putting more pressure on the guards to score more and more consistently due to the fact that Josh has to move to the 3 and he is inconsistent at best in the scoring department..
Change has to come from you Larry…The ball is in your court, so what cha gonna do?
Run and run more?
vava74
June 29th, 2011
12:12 pm
brigadierjerry,
Two major differences between the 80’s Hawks and the 10’s Hawks:
ONE:
Nique was absolutely devastating on offense and the ultimate showman. He could not defend a crippled driving to the basket though and we suffered on account of that.
It’s a shame, but true.
But his “excitement factor” will always be a lot more more enthralling than JJ’s quiet two way game.
TWO:
Fratello’s left shoe would coach the Hawks better than Drew and Woody together.
terrell
June 29th, 2011
12:18 pm
Who is this “Terrell” character? lol. Im the real “terrell”. You need to find another name man. Or woman.
Slimjr
June 29th, 2011
12:20 pm
Sund= BK jr drmaryb
This is still BK’s team mostly after 5 years!
You cant change the spots on a leopard…Sund is a below average GM for 31 plus years..He’s like the Wade Phillips of basketball. How do these guys keep getting jobs they are not talented enough to handle??Its called connections. College connections? Maybe. Lodge connections. Maybe? But it makes you say Hmmmmmmmm…..
But new ownership will have to pull the plug on this guy hopefully sooner rather than later……….
@vvava74
Tell us how you really feel about All NBA…..lol wow….(shaking my head)
terrell
June 29th, 2011
12:23 pm
I like Fratello and all, but I think he’s just a tad overrated around here. The same people that praise him now, are the same people that wanted to buy him a plane ticket out of town. lol
The Truth
June 29th, 2011
12:33 pm
vava74
I too have jabbed at Al (on a number of occasions) for his reluctance to know what he wants to be a C or PF. As a result, his mindset could also be a contributing fact as to why his game has declined manifesting in the playoff perhaps. However, I disliked Dirk’s game in the pass as well and dismissed him as being “too soft” to win anything. But after some of seasoning, I was wrong about Dirk. “Diaper Al”, as you coined him, could follow that same path.
We Shall See
brigadierjerry
June 29th, 2011
12:39 pm
vava74,
True on your points but do you feel that this Hawks team is not that far away with lesser talent as far as competition just as well as those 80’s teams were not that far away from contending?
doc
June 29th, 2011
12:39 pm
vsva, “pampers al” sounds better and more in tune with the times. doubt it will get the seal of approval from grandad though. diapers are old school. young kids dont even know what one looks like or worse yet, smells like, is my guess. heh heh
terrell
June 29th, 2011
12:57 pm
Marvin in the startin 5 = another year down the toilet.
terrell
June 29th, 2011
1:05 pm
How bout Marvin to Chicago for anybody? After all, Thibs said he was one of the more underrated players in the league. lol. Man Please!
vava74
June 29th, 2011
1:08 pm
brigadierjerry,
Bringing Adelman would allow us to know what this group is really worth.
Having LD as the guy at the elm – as Woody, with different but equally glaring shortcomings – is like having a child at the elm of a 747 with no autopilot.
brigadierjerry
June 29th, 2011
1:28 pm
That is true vava74. I actually think if they even had Dwayne Casey they get past chicago.
But going forward what do you see the Hawks doing?Do u think they are going to focus more on defense?LD says it but might just be hot air?Also would you like some of the young guys to get some burn?Only way that really happens if someone is hurt or a blowout. Do you see Benson as a 8pts 8 rebounds guy in the future?He reminds me of his build I am not talking style of play like Kevin Durant. If he can bulk up get stronger I can see him best case scenario a Camby/Chandler type of player. Worst case scenario a Mikki Moore since he seems to have a nice touch