Atlanta Hawks: Camp Report Day 5
The Hawks want to run more often than they did last season. It makes sense when you look at their personnel.
“They call can get up and down the floor, which gives us I think a tremendous advantage in transition if we commit to the run, which I am really trying to get these guys to do,” Larry Drew said. “Jeff [Teague] can really exchange ends. Joe [Johnson] can run. Marvin [Williams] can run. Josh Smith is a deer and Al [Horford] is probably as fast as any five man in the league.
“Running, to me, it has to be habit-forming. It can’t be just a sometimes thing. When you develop that habit it becomes a part of who you are.”
We’ve heard this before. Before last season the Hawks said they would run more often. And then, according to Synergy Sports Technology, they ended up ranking 11th among Eastern Conference teams in the percentage of their total possessions used (shot, free throw or turnover) in transition and tied for sixth in points per possession in transition (1.14).
Turnovers were the biggest reason the Hawks weren’t a more efficient running team: 13 percent of their transition possessions ended with a turnover, worst in the East. Josh Smith was the leading offender with 20.6 percent of his transition possessions used ended with a turnover. Al Horford wasn’t far behind at 18.2 percent but he only used 77 transition possessions while Josh used a team-high 223.
I looked at the video of Josh’s 44 turnovers in transition. It confirmed my subjective view that the vast majority of his turnovers in transition are by way of bad passes: 32 of the 44 by my count, with eight coming on the dribble (though I thought two of those should have been credited to others for bad passes to Josh) and four on charging fouls.
Josh is a pretty good ball-handler in the open court but he often tried to make what Larry Drew called “hero” passes that got swallowed up in traffic, sailed out of bounds or clanged off the backboard. (Frequently heard from Dominique Wilkins during those clips: “There’s where Josh needs to give the ball to a guard. I can’t say it enough.” And oft-repeated by Bob Rathbun: “Josh with the rebound. . . throws it away.”)
Josh would be better off finishing the play himself. He shot 69.8 percent in transition, induced fouls on 14.3 of possessions used and had 15 and-1s–all team highs–and his 69.8 field-goal percentage was second to Al (76.8).
Al, by the way, also led the Hawks with 1.3 points per possession used in transition, suggesting that he should be involved in the fast break more often. So should Marvin Williams, who was second on the team in the percentage of fouls drawn on transition possessions used (13.8 percent) with a low turnover percentage (5.2)
This is where Teague comes in.
“It’s perfect for me,” Teague said of the plan to run more. “That’s the big thing I tried to come in and preach to the guys when I got here is I want to start pushing the ball. We are still young. We are a young team we’ve got to use that to our advantage and use it.”
I’m thinking Al and Marvin should benefit from Teague making more of the decisions on the break. I’m thinking Josh will give it up to Teague because he knows Teague will run with him. It’s not hard to imagine that combination regularly ending with lob dunks, especially since Josh is lighter and faster.
“He looks a lot more explosive, too,” Teague said. “I see him dunking the ball every time now.”
Teague looked to run more than any other Hawks player Last season he had the highest percentage of possessions used in transition among Hawks regulars (23). He turned it over on 9.6 percent of those transition possessions used, drew fouls on 11.4 percent and scored 1.13 points per possession.
Just 10.8 percent of Mike Bibby’s possessions used were in transition, though he was efficient (1.29 points per possession) in large part because he made 16 of 33 3-point attempts on the break, and 13 percent of Jamal’s possessions used were in transition with a good foul percentage (10.7).
To run, the Hawks will have to rebound. Look at how each player’s s defensive rebounding rate ranks among NBA players at their position with more than 15 minutes per game, and it’s not hard to see who needs to pick it up (all rankings according to Hoopdata.com): Al (13th among centers), Josh (15th PFs), Teague (tied for 13th PGs but played less than 15 minutes per game) Joe (25th SGs), Marvin (23rd SFs)
The 6-7 shooting guard with the chiseled body and the 6-9, athletic small forward should not be average or slightly better at defensive rebounding for their position.
“I’m going to challenge both of those guys this year to be better rebounders than they have been in the past,” Drew said. “There is no reason those guys can’t become better rebounders. They have the size. They have the bodies. Rebounding is a dirty job. We are going to challenge them. When we can get the two or the three on glass, they can initiate a fast break effectively. They’ve got to pull more weight in that area. We’ve got to get more rebounding from those spots.”
So, to summarize how the Hawks might improve their transition offense: Run more often, let Teague makes the decisions, send Josh to the rim, get Marvin and Al more involved, and prod J.J. and Marvin to rebound more so there will be more opportunities to run.
Camp report
- Got to see more scrimmage action today. The thing that stood out was Pape Sy’s defensive aggressiveness. He made hay chasing around J.J. and didn’t back down.
- Is there a chance Pape can help the Hawks this year? “There’s a chance,” Drew said. “He really looks good thus far. It looks like playing in the D-League and playing over in Europe helped him because he’s playing at a different level from a confidence standpoint. When he came in for the first camp he might have been a little overwhelmed. But now he looks more comfortable and doesn’t have that deer in the headlight look in his eye.”
- Physically, Sy has the potential to be a good defender. “He’s got the quickness, the size, the length to be a pretty good defensive player, particularly at the top of the floor,” Drew said. “Playng against Jeff every day really helps him out a lot. He has to adjust how to defend guys with the kind of speed. You are not going to go against a guy with that speed every day so if you can keep [Teague] in front of you, then you have a pretty good chance with everyone else.”
- Drew said he still views Sy as a point guard. Teague, Sy, Donald Sloan, Brad Wanamaker and Tracy McGrady are taking turns. “We have to look at this thing realitsicaly,” Drew said. “God forbid that Jeff is out, then we are scrambling at the point guard spot. We have to make sure that we look at each guy individually and very seriously. Hopefully one of those guys will break away from the pack.”
- Kirk Hinrich shot baskets after practice. He said he asked his doctor for clearance on Monday. Hinrich still can’t move his left arm from side to side and can’t lift it very far above his head.
- It looks like the market for Jamal Crawford softened once Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Richard Hamilton and Gilbert Arenas became available. Mike Wells of the Indy Star reported Crawford turned down a two-year, $10 million offer (with opt 2012-13 opt out) from the Pacers and SI.com’s Chris Mannix says Crawford is considering similar offers from the Kings and Blazers and less money from the Knicks.
- Check my Twitter feed for comments from Chris Webber, Steve Smith and Kenny Smith about why they think none of the superstar players include the Hawks on their lists of preferred destinations. I’m writing a story on the topic for Sunday’s AJC.
- To those who asked in last blog: Posted late because I had to break down these transition stats. I also heard Hawks were trying to somehow get back in the Jamal sweepstakes and had to check it out (they’re not). But glad to hear you missed me.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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354 comments Add your comment
zek
December 13th, 2011
11:41 pm
Run more sounds good but we need a center bad al horford is a PF not a center we should have traded marvin and maybe zaza and went after nene or d’andre jordan that’s our only hold back and we need and by trading marving and zaza we could resign jamal crawford i should be the hawks GM
Najeh Davenpoop
December 13th, 2011
11:42 pm
“There’s where Josh needs to give the ball to a guard. I can’t say it enough.”
Fortunately, now he has a guard who can actually run to whom he can give the ball.
DSC
December 13th, 2011
11:44 pm
first?
Michael Cunningham
December 13th, 2011
11:44 pm
@zek: “Run more sounds good but we need a center bad al horford is a PF not a center.”
but he’s a good center for running. he’s a pretty good rebounder, he can handle the ball and he can run the floor.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 13th, 2011
11:45 pm
By the way MC, these camp reports have been great, but this one is probably your best so far. That break down of what the Hawks need to do in transition was perfect.
Huh?
December 13th, 2011
11:45 pm
But, but, but I thought Josh was getting too much blame?!?!?!!
Buddy Grizzard
December 13th, 2011
11:48 pm
Josh Smif, All-Star.
UGA
December 13th, 2011
11:49 pm
Who is left for the Hawks to sign???? Are they done????? Seriously, are we going to sign a Carlos Arroyo and Francisco Elson and be done?
Michael Redd would be a nice get for us as a backup SG or are we serious with Stack?
BEN
December 13th, 2011
11:49 pm
MC, So why are we not signing a legit Center? Is there no one out there other than cheeseburger collins
Slimjr
December 13th, 2011
11:53 pm
Sund took his Christmas break a little too early..lol
Najeh Davenpoop
December 13th, 2011
11:53 pm
“Check my Twitter feed for comments from Chris Webber, Steve Smith and Kenny Smith about why they think none of the superstar players include the Hawks on their lists of preferred destinations. I’m writing a story on the topic for Sunday’s AJC.”
Steve Smith was on point. C-Webb’s argument defeats itself. If he feels sorry for Joe when D-Rose or NY come to town, the logical conclusion of that is that if the Hawks had D-Rose or Melo/Amare, the fans would react the same way for them that they do now. Those die-hard fans who packed the arena in Sac-town when he was there weren’t so die-hard last year. Dallas packs the house for every game, but if you look at their attendance before the Cuban-Nowitzki era, that city was even more apathetic about the Mavs than ATL is about the Hawks.
It all traces back to ownership and management, like Smitty said. Superstars want to play for stable, well-run organizations. Fans have confidence in organizations that are stable and well-run. Fans don’t have confidence in ownership groups that sue each other and GMs who pass up superstars for mediocre players in the draft and let key players walk because they don’t want to spend luxury tax money.
Slimjr
December 13th, 2011
11:54 pm
Teague= Allstar for real..
Teague= “THE BLUR”
Michael Cunningham
December 13th, 2011
11:54 pm
@Najeh: thanks. . . . just wish i got to see more scrimmage and that what i did see wasn’t mucked up by camp bodies. it can look really ragged so sometimes it’s hard to evaluate, especially since they do it at the end of practice when everyone is fatigued.
wall
December 13th, 2011
11:55 pm
MC..Howz T-mac playing>Does he look fit?
Slimjr
December 13th, 2011
11:56 pm
The Hawks will wrestle for the #1 seed!
Reality Check
December 13th, 2011
11:58 pm
When the front office shows that they are seriously committed to winning a championship, not just playoff banners, Atlanta shows up.
The Braves had it, but they lost their way, made dumb trades, and started falling back on the division title banners. Hawks don’t have half of that credibility and never make moves to show they’re serious about a trophy. The Falcons are getting there, just waiting for the bitter Vick-fans to come back.
Rev in Tampa
December 13th, 2011
11:59 pm
“Turnovers were the biggest reason the Hawks weren’t a more efficient running team: 13 percent of their transition possessions ended with a turnover, worst in the East. Josh Smith was the leading offender…”
That brick that Josh threw against the backboard against the Lakers last year was very offensive.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
12:01 am
“The Falcons are getting there, just waiting for the bitter Vick-fans to come back.”
It will be a long wait with B-P Melt at the QB slot…and getting killed in the playoffs 3 straight years..
Michael Cunningham
December 14th, 2011
12:01 am
@Ben: “MC, So why are we not signing a legit Center? Is there no one out there other than cheeseburger collins”
the minimum is not going to get you much at center. Kwame Brown just got $7 mil from the Warriors. Aaron Gray, Jamaal Magliore and Kurt Thomas were signed. about all that’s left in Atlanta’s price range is Erick Dampier, Etan Thomas and Dan Gadzuric.
Michael Cunningham
December 14th, 2011
12:02 am
@UGA: i think Sund still is looking for a PG but Drew’s comments regarding maybe using Sy, Sloan, Wanamaker, T-Mac at PG makes me wonder how hard they are looking.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
12:02 am
When T-Mac says he feels real good, you know we are in for a real treat as fans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
12:03 am
“The Falcons are getting there, just waiting for the bitter Vick-fans to come back.”
Since 2008, the Joe/Woody/Drew/Knight/Sund Hawks have won 17 playoff games. The Ryan/Smith/Dimitroff Falcons have won zero. Until they prove otherwise, the Falcons are no closer to “getting there” than the Hawks are.
Michael Cunningham
December 14th, 2011
12:04 am
@ Rev in Tampa: “That brick that Josh threw against the backboard against the Lakers last year was very offensive.”
Rathbun’s call on that one: “And Josh Smith clanks another one off the backboard.”
BoneKollector
December 14th, 2011
12:05 am
Yes I’ve been saying it forever Josh doesn’t need the ball in his hands in transition. Let the PG handle that and u just get down the court and set up.
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
12:06 am
Let’s be honest, Slim Jr… Even if we had Aaron Rodgers under center, you’d still take shots because he’s not MV7. Averaging 10 wins per season isn’t enough unless Vick does it.
i_am_soulstar
December 14th, 2011
12:09 am
Appreciate these daily Camp Reports MC.
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
12:10 am
I actually agree with you, Najeh… The Hawks deserve more credit than they are given. But do you honestly think the Hawks are closer to an NBA championship than the Falcons to the Lombardi? And do you think the rest of the Atlanta believes the same?
Rev in Tampa
December 14th, 2011
12:11 am
@ Reality Check – Averaging 10 wins a season isn’t enough unless you are advancing through the playoffs regardless of the QB.
MB in SC
December 14th, 2011
12:12 am
I absolutely can’t wait to see this group play together. The Hawks and Heat have the potential to be the two most exciting teams this year. Don’t discount the chemistry level these guys have, especially considering how many teams are still in flux. If they can avoid the blowouts, look out!
Looks like the Celtics have been snacking on Twinkies and are now making excuses: http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/local/link?id=4087228
superiorblogman
December 14th, 2011
12:14 am
My posting is already slowing due to losing interest. We all know that running only sounds good in the regular season and against teams that are not serious about winning a title. We don’t want to get into a scoring match with a team like New York who has bigger better players for running. We don’t want to try and run with the Heat. We don’t want to try and run with any D Rose led team. The fact is that teams like Chicago and New York could both run us off the floor and they have legit Centers. This whole running thing does not hide the fact that we don’t have a legit C and are not a serious team. We are not exactly Phoenix, we don’t exactly have Nash and by the way Phoenix has never seen a NBA finals with Nash and all those situations trying to play Amare at Center.
Team just isn’t serious enough for my temperature.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
12:17 am
@ Reality Check…
It will never happen… The people who gave up on the Falcons aren’t ever coming back… The 5 NFL games that I’ve been to this year were in Dallas, San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Phoenix… I went to the Saints/Falcons, but I did not buy the tickets (Arthur will never get a dime from as long he’s hunting a publicly funded stadium)… The hiring of Petrino, the Vick debacle, and the “whole you’re not welcome here” environment is going to take a new owner to clear that out… It is so bigger than Vick now…
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
12:17 am
MC, Is Joe moving quicker this season than the past couple of seasons?
Also, to everyone saying that Josh should’ve given up the ball on the transition to run in the past, fail to realize part of the main subject of the article. Before Teague (Bibby), Josh didn’t have a point guard who WOULD run CONSISTENTLY for him to give it up to, and feel like he would get it back.
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
12:22 am
I agree that every playoff win matters. Or at least, it should.
So why does the Hawks blog feature more whining from fans than the others local teams combined? Clearly it’s not MC’s fault, he’s a good guy and interacts with the fans.
Michael Cunningham
December 14th, 2011
12:30 am
@Ra’mon: “MC, Is Joe moving quicker this season than the past couple of seasons?”
he definitely looks spry. i think he’s highly motivated to have a good year.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
12:32 am
@ Reality Check…
There is a segment of Thrashers fans (which I happened to be) are just never going to forgive the DASG. They are like old IRA supporters, they never care who they hurt or how foolish they look to the outside world. The rest are the 5150 POAD type who feel that undermining the product (the NBA) is going yo make their point relevant… Of course, it doesn’t… They don’t get Q scores or the NBA culture across the American population… Those I only like baseball and college football because “they are pure” (code words for sure), well you just have to scratch you head…
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
12:34 am
JSS,
You could be right, I respect that. I think it has more to do with a lack of city pride. The Saints sucked for a LONG time, then Payton and Brees showed up and everything changed. If Loomis cut Brees in the offseason, almost NO ONE would desert that team as a fan. Even when they were terrible, they loved that team first and foremost. Atlanta does not have that, and I am from here. The transient thing is real, and so is the history of bad ownership, but people don’t wear this city on their sleeves like they do in other sport markets. Maybe it’s all the years of disappointment. But too many people would rather associate with a winner somewhere else or just sit back and criticize what isn’t happening, than do their part to make Atlanta a better sports town.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
12:34 am
“yo = to”
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
12:36 am
Oh yeah… and GO HAWKS!!!
lol
JSS
December 14th, 2011
12:39 am
Look Atlanta and possibly Miami are the only Southern cities where there is active campaign to undermine the image of the city within the respective region(s)… The city of Atlanta is the enemy, there is a whole subculture built around it…
Carrlos Lyles
December 14th, 2011
12:40 am
THE HAWKS DO NOT NEED A CENTER!! its going to slow things up and clog the lanes. AL can do it he can be an all-star at the forward-center position. the only way that the hawks are going to win more games than last year is by running.. its that simple.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
12:42 am
JSS
December 14th, 2011
12:39 am
“Look Atlanta and possibly Miami are the only Southern cities where there is active campaign to undermine the image of the city within the respective region(s)… The city of Atlanta is the enemy, there is a whole subculture built around it…”
JSS YOU ARE Freaking scary dude!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolute Genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
12:43 am
“there is active campaign to undermine the image of the city within the respective region(s)… The city of Atlanta is the enemy, there is a whole subculture built around it…”
I see a Pulitzer prize book coming from ya JSS!!
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
12:44 am
People, to be honest, it was only 4-6 seasons ago everyone looked at Dirk, the way they’re looking at Joe. They thought Dirk would never be a winner, after how he played in the first finals. Remember GSW upsetting Dallas (a number 1 seed). Joe definitely has the natural ability to be able to score at a high rate. And he is easily one of the best defensive SGs in the league. If Josh is no longer worrying about how people will look at him if he dunks every play, and Teague stays healthy. The Hawks can beat anyone in a 7 game series.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
12:46 am
Prediction: Mr Blanks will be selling within 3 years….Good riddance!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
12:48 am
QB Driven League:
Drew=1 Melt=Never
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
12:48 am
JSS,
You could be right again, and I can see it from the Braves perspective pre-Heyward, but have the Hawks done that? If anything, they embraced Atlanta culture more than the other local teams have and yet the fans give them the least amount of support.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
12:50 am
The Hawks are going to get off to a roaring start out of the gate:
18-4 in their 1st 22games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
12:50 am
Mr Cunningham
If you’re still awake;
would you check on two FA’s for me [from the Hawks perspective].
Alex Ajinca – multi talented, still young, would come cheap, project
Troy Murphy – can play [4] or [5], always has been a good rebounder.
Thanks.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
12:50 am
Sorry, but Atlanta reminds me of what Boston and Detroit were like back in the early 70s where certain leaders can’t open their mouths without taking a jab at the city, the perception of the populous, and the excuses for not working to do the right things to stop biting the hand that feeds most of them in reality…
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
12:54 am
Slim Jr,
You’re missing my point. Drew won New Orleans a Super Bowl championship and those fans STILL wouldn’t desert that team if Saints FO tossed him out. Most Atlanta fans are simply not that loyal to teams, only to individual players.
Robert Yates
December 14th, 2011
12:55 am
Everyone seems to to be somewhat down on the Hawks goin’ into this year, and I understand why, but…..this is virtually the same team that took out a solid Orlando team (using a method that can only be credited to the competency of the coaching staff) and pushed Chicago and the MVP to the brink with a young, inexperienced point guard that played almost as good as the best in the league. I know that ASG sucks, but that’s what we’re dealing with at the moment….we’re at their whim, and it don’t seem like it’ll change. For a team that pays no lux tax it seems like we’re getting a decent amount for the money…..IF Josh smith works that hook this season ( the shed weight makes me happy…ups buddy) and is running all over the place and Teague looks even close to what he did against against CHI you’ve got a brand new starting line-up without changing a starter….hmmmm
Neki
December 14th, 2011
12:55 am
Slimjr
You are crazy, batty and crazy. There is no way that Mr Blank going to sell to the Falcons and if he do, it is going to be a Rankin Smith type owner and I know all of us in here doesn’t want that(and if you do, put your computer down and shut it off completely). Slimjr, i think you are a aints fan
JSS, NVM you just need help.
Back to Hawks, I believe that they need to do a purge of everything and start over, get a owner(s) that want to bring a championship to Atlanta, not receive revenue for just showing up, don’t interfere with basketball relations and let that job go to the people that you are playing for it do that for you.
Maybe
December 14th, 2011
12:58 am
“They call can get up and down the floor, which gives us I think a tremendous advantage in transition if we commit to the run, which I am really trying to get these guys to do,” Larry Drew said. “Jeff [Teague] can really exchange ends. Joe [Johnson] can run. Marvin [Williams] can run. Josh Smith is a deer and Al [Horford] is probably as fast as any five man in the league.
Why is LD including marvin in that top lineup SMDH!!!!! —____—
He may be able to run but he cant finish. Why does this kid continue to get the world handed to him on a silver platter? Ho doesn’t deserve to start.
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
1:03 am
JSS,
So it’s a red state thing? (I’m a lefty btw). The people who don’t support the Hawks because of their racist perception of NBA players will never become NBA fans, so we can forget them. But Atlanta is a top 10 US market, with a long line of Democratic mayors, and I only see a few thousand people at Philips every game to support a team that has been to the playoffs the past four years.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
1:04 am
I always love the “Neki’s” of the world… They never see the point always the insult…
Nobody is going to live through another Hawks implosion… They tried that before and look how long it took them to climb out of that… And the CBA and talent environment in the League is far worse… You’re more apt to become like Sacramento, Golden State or New Jersey then to get lucky like OKC… They were a Portland pick away from being the Kings before Durant fell into their laps…
Neki
December 14th, 2011
1:05 am
I am j/k JSS, totally understand you but you have to smile and laugh through this crap.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
1:05 am
Not as much of a “Red State” thing as a phony ultra conservative thing…
kwooden
December 14th, 2011
1:06 am
Clearly this team is going to run as often as it can but as already stated you can’t run without the ball. It’s good to hear that Sy is showing well during practice because we’re going to need him during the season. From the highlights I’ve seen of his games in Europe, his speed can make a big difference for this team. LD is going to have to live with the mistakes Sy’s going to make on defensive, because his stats in the Euro league show that he’s extremely foul prone. From what LD showed last year Sy would be planted on the bench after the first bad foul, which is the main reason why I don’t think the HAWKS should bring back Crawford. I like Jamal as a player and he’s really good with the fans on Twitter, but LD just used him to much. Teague never got a chance to work through his mistakes and this year Sy wouldn’t either.
GO HAWKS!
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
1:07 am
“To run, the Hawks will have to rebound” -MC-
A truism for sure.
I always told my teams;
To run, they had to acquire the ball.
Two ways to do that:
(1) rebound
(2) take it away (steals & turnovers)
Both require great defense.
rebouding = causing the opponent to miss the shot
[opponent shooting %] …
boxing out, anticipation, wanting it more, of course,
but 1st they have to miss the shot.
Taking it away via steals & causing turnovers – speaks for itself.
** Which is why I’ve been preaching to the choir about another *Big
plus another pure *Rebounder !
*** The pure Rebounder could be a [3].
Not necessarily a 7 ftr. Just a Rebounder.
Reggie Evans fits that bill, to name one.
____________________________________________
Sorry; Ive been beating this corpse since I’ve been a blog member,
though I shall continue as long as the ASG disregards our franchise
in terms of building toward a championship.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:07 am
Mr Blank is part of the problem for fans departing..It was not all MV7.. I still dont believe anything coming out of Blanks mouth!
Thats my point..A certain group of people just hate MV7 but Ben rapist Burger instead getting 30 years here in Georgia walks free because the so called evidence was destroyed….The Land of the delusional…..
Rev in Tampa
December 14th, 2011
1:07 am
@ Maybe,
I am no Marvin fan but the reports are that he, along with Teague and Sy, are the standouts in camp. Marvin got relegated to the second team for a big portion of last season. MAYBE he is well on his way to earning a starting position.
The biggest reason I am happy to Marvin in the starting line up is that it pushes Josh and Al to match up with the 4 & 5 positions.
Reality Check
December 14th, 2011
1:12 am
JSS,
Fair enough. I don’t want to disrespect MC’s blog with political talk (lol), but we agree on most of this stuff.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
1:13 am
You’ll never fill Phillips with fans from the city of Atlanta… It has to be wider… The Atlanta demographic make-up is an economic demographers dream, it is not what must people think. The people who have disposable income in the ATL itself and rising populations are not marketed to by the NBA… It is Hispanic, it is the young professional with no loyalty to American urban sports… Nobody means that you have to have to turn Phillips into Tijuana Saturday night, but they need to reach multiple communities in a concerted effort…
Rev in Tampa
December 14th, 2011
1:14 am
It is encouraging to hear Drew call out Joe and Marvin for not rebounding. Marvin would hang out at the three point line even after the shot went up last year.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:16 am
All I’m saying is Mr Blank is not innocent as he claims in ref to the MV7 situation…He’s too shewd of a man not to have known what whats going on years before…
Human nature is predictable and flawed when it comes to judging others…Same ole ish for 6 thousand years…..
Maybe
December 14th, 2011
1:16 am
@Rev, I really hope he doesn’t turn the corner this season. before he injured his back in the 08-09 season I thought he was well on his way to living up to his potential somewhat.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:19 am
Hey Neki, call me anything but late for dinner!lol
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:21 am
was^
Buddy Grizzard
December 14th, 2011
1:22 am
“People, to be honest, it was only 4-6 seasons ago everyone looked at Dirk, the way they’re looking at Joe.” – Ra’mon
GREAT POST! I think J-J-J-JOE JOHNSON has a chip on his shoulder from all the bad press after he had a down season due to injuries (after signing the mamoth contract). It looks like he’s coming back in tremendous shape and ready to make another All-Star appearance. And remember, with Bibby and Jamal gone, the rest of the Hawks won’t have to play 4-on-5 on the defensive end. This will help everybody.
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
1:22 am
Slimjr
Take your Falcon talk to the appropriate blog.
While you’re at it build a Vick alter to whine about ea day.
Put a photo of him flippin’ off the fans on your alter and stare at that.
He’ll be lookin’ right back at you.
By the way vs Houston was it Matty Ice that dropped that ball
which was placed right in his hands to send the game to OT.
Oh ….. right ….. I guess not.
That was Julio, , , who is gonna be a good player, , ,
I’m not calling Julio juvenile, , , sophmoric names for dropping that pass.
Any knowledgeable fb scribe knows that Matty Ice falls within the top 6-10
QBs in the league.
Plus he’s younger than the top 5 for sure.
Now begone.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:23 am
Start winning some Championships and the house gets packed by people from all over the region…
Prison Mike
December 14th, 2011
1:25 am
With JT running the show we may finally see “the Suns of the East”. Joe’s and Marv’s rebounding numbers suck compared to their position. You can’t be lollygagging when the ball is in the air, you Marv.
Teague and Josh can be a very special fast break combo considering the type of athlete Jeff is. What’s up with Marv, is his back holding up or does he look like he’s reforming to walking like he has a cane?? He’s the key to this running biz, if he can rebound like he’s capable (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Marvin-Williams-59/), then they will be tough to beat.
Carrlos Lyles
December 14th, 2011
1:25 am
@JSS i agree with you completely Atlanta is a beautiful diverse city and they are neglecting some major demographics with not advertising to the proper groups who would come out and support the home team..
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
1:28 am
Slimjr
Mr Blank
*Bought the fighting dogs
*built the pits
*flipped off the fans
*picked vick’s friends
*smoked dope
*attempted to smuggle dope on a plane
Yep – Mr Blank – Guilty as Charged.
-apologist-
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 14th, 2011
1:29 am
Marvin Williams is NOT a power forward. If Josh Smith is rebounding how is he getting down the floor?
He’s supposed to rebound, get the ball to a guard AND beat his man down the floor? How many years have we tried this?
You get 2 rebounders, rebound, outlet to a guard and while the ball is in the air Josh is “rim runnng”
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:36 am
Marvin is a big #3 who can spread the floor with his mid range and occasional 3 pt. jumpshot.. He can also fill the lane on the break! It is going to be an interesting year for these Hawks for sure!
JSS
December 14th, 2011
1:40 am
The same way Russell, Rodman (before he transformed), Hakeem, and a young Moses got down the floor. You get the board, you outlet with a purpose and then you hustle your butt off to the offensive end… They are not mutually exclusive things…
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 14th, 2011
1:41 am
Hawks have ALWAYS sucked at fast breaks. lol at Marvin can run.
Pau will rebound, trail and post up.
Dirk will rebound, trail and post up or fade for 3.
McAdoo will rebound, trail and post up or fade for 3.
Kemp will rebound, trail and post up or stand at elbow and make plays.
Josh will rebound, trails and now hes on the perimeter where he cant shoot and has to use his handle to beat bigger players.
I thought we wanted him inside. Marvin Runs and does what? Take Marvin out for a PF who can rebounding shooter and give Josh Smith the head start on the wing in transition.
How often does the center or PF get a rebound and then a fast break bucket? Josh Smith is athletic but hes not God. In basketball the rebounders are under the basket and The wings get out on the fast break.
No rebound no fast break. Hawks are so retarded sometimes.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:42 am
Agreed JSS
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:44 am
@JSS, the ole man doesn’t get it….Waste of time…lol
JSS
December 14th, 2011
1:47 am
Robert McAdoo was a jump shooter… He never saw an in-rhythm jump shoot that wouldn’t take… That is why he and marvin Barnes couldn’t co-exist… Well that and cocaine that is….
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:49 am
I read that Bob McAddo led the league in scoring 3 years in a row! Wow thats some jumpshooter!…
JSS
December 14th, 2011
1:51 am
Leave Granddad alone… He has his firm beliefs on basketball (and the Falcons)… Just agree to disagree… I mean it could be Vava… Count your blessings!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:52 am
I hear ya! lol
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 14th, 2011
1:52 am
RE: The same way Russell, Rodman (before he transformed), Hakeem, and a young Moses got down the floor. You get the board, you outlet with a purpose and then you hustle your butt off to the offensive end… They are not mutually exclusive things…
You mean when someone falls down and then its 5 on 4? How many points you think those guys got off fast breaks?
You need to rewatch wings run the wings. PFs and Cs beating 4 other people down the floor rarely happens.
Wings get the easy shots, which the Hawks have continued feeding to bumbling Marvin. Over The course of a game the PF and C, the rebounders, are most commonly the trailers.
Dennis Rodman, before he transformed, was an SF. “Dennis Rodman’s career high – 34 points” as a SF. IE he had 2 other bigs, one on the perimeter, Laimbeer, on the floor with him.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
1:58 am
A bulging Disk will cause a lot of problems from walking like a duck, falling down, getting your shot blocked by a 5′9″ pt guard, leaning to the right on your jumpshot and missing, et al…
But that’s all behind Marvin now! Thank goodness he is healed!!
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 14th, 2011
1:59 am
To run, the Hawks will have to rebound. Look at how each player’s s defensive rebounding rate ranks among NBA players at their position with more than 15 minutes per game, and it’s not hard to see who needs to pick it up (all rankings according to Hoopdata.com): Al (13th among centers), Josh (15th PFs), Teague (tied for 13th PGs but played less than 15 minutes per game) Joe (25th SGs), Marvin (23rd SFs)
The 6-7 shooting guard with the chiseled body and the 6-9, athletic small forward should not be average or slightly better at defensive rebounding for their position.
athletic small forward Is Josh a SF or a PF? Because as a SF I see Josh Smith ranked #1. Hmmmm.
As a PF Horford’s nothing special. Josh Smith outrebounds all NBa SFs, Lebron, 6′10 Durant, in rebounding.
Pro-Horford Bias seems strikes again? What say you?
JSS
December 14th, 2011
2:00 am
Bob McAdoo along with Ernie DiGregorio in Buffalo (now the Clippers) were as wild of a jump shooting teams as the league had seen… They couldn’t play a lick of defense… They gave the 70s Celtics fits…
TMAC to da RACK
December 14th, 2011
2:03 am
TMAC all day baby!!!
GO HAWKS!!!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
2:05 am
I agree with what Grandad said in a previous blog, that rebounding wins Championships..
Defensive rebounding will be key! Time and again last season it seemed like the opponent would get multiple off. rebounds to score the ball. It hurts. Marvin will need to focus on crashing the boards also to help start those fast breaks!
JSS
December 14th, 2011
2:06 am
Russell scored plenty on the break… Rodman still hit the board (hated the Worm), because he was on the boards and was aggravating as heck… Rodman rarely was on the floor with Laimbeer… He came in with Edwards, and Salley… They swung back and forth when Dantley and then with Aguirre when they came out… That was really the only time Detroit ran and pushed the pace….
Buddy Grizzard
December 14th, 2011
2:11 am
No sleep for MC! Round the clock Hawks =)
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
2:12 am
Hey JSS those Clippers are gonna make some noise this year ya think?
JSS
December 14th, 2011
2:15 am
Bill Fitch used have Hakeem flying down the lanes all the time…. Problem was, he was playing with Sampson and Robert Reid… They were black holes
JSS
December 14th, 2011
2:20 am
The Clips always find a way to mess up a good thing… They are uber talented now… It all depends on how they blend Billups, Blake Griffin, and Eric Gordon come together…
JSS
December 14th, 2011
2:22 am
Night y’all… Don’t kill each other, we have a long and tight season coming up!!! Luv the NBA!!!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
2:26 am
Yes, on paper they are loaded up, but like the Eagles found out chemistry is important along with coaching..
I hope they start beating up on the Lakers.. That will be fun to watch…
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
2:34 am
Slimjr -&- JSS
Yawl were both polite and respectful.
I appreciate it.
You two are a hoot as well.
JSS, you are so right when you say my beliefs are firm.
You two have a nice evenin’ – you hear.
Buddy Grizzard
December 14th, 2011
2:37 am
“Just wish i got to see more scrimmage and that what i did see wasn’t mucked up by camp bodies.”
I was pleasantly surprised to see the Hawks ink Vlad and T-Mac. I’m really hoping they sign Stack. We need veterans that know how to play and win. This isn’t the time for the Hawks franchise to be developing players for 5 years from now. As far as I’m concerned, Magnum Rolle and Kito Benson can hit the D-League and work on their careers.
The new CBA includes a requirement for teams to spend at least 85% of the salary cap every year, which leads to things such as Kwame Brown for one year and $7m and Reggie Evans seeking the full MLE. As MC noted, there just aren’t alot of significant big men available for the minimum.
So I’ll go on record… Vegas is saying and doing all the right things at this point. He called out All-NBA Al with his “no excuses” sign. That’s a great indication that he’s ready to start holding his players equally accountable and not show favorites. This behavior might keep Josh Smith in Atlanta beyond next year.
vava74
December 14th, 2011
2:46 am
I see that TS, our favourite Troll, is getting a bit out of control after a fairly civilized and almost entertaining period.
He should resume his medication pronto:
TS, don’t forget to take those lithium tabs. They’re good for you.
vava74
December 14th, 2011
2:48 am
KevinM:
“We’re gonna miss his 4th quarter heroics! Fingers crossed for T-Mac to have some Mac-magic left in him.”
Look into http://www.82games.com//1011/CSORT11.HTM
And rephrase your post.
Jamal made his impact, 7/10 times in the second quarter and then, in the 4th, he usually fizzled bad.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 14th, 2011
3:14 am
“To run, the Hawks will have to rebound.”
Getting defensive rebounds was a problem against Chicago. Now we are bringing back the same team we had last year. I wonder will we have the same problem?
FIRE SUND
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
4:14 am
Propaganda!
“Drmaryb, I think he was posting that except from the ESPN article. Are you always that emotional about ESPN articles??” – the idiot Lil-Dog-
________________
I stopped watching ESPN 10 years ago. Again, Al for Nash is dumb size wise. AL is our starting center, like it or love it. How many decent centers do you see lying around?
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
4:45 am
SSDS
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
4:46 am
Seriously.
SSDS
vava74
December 14th, 2011
5:21 am
Rod,
It’s obvious that Jamal had a great series against ORL but if you remove Hinrich from that line up and replace him for Bibby, we would lose 4-0 and Jamal would not have played at that level.
O'Brien
December 14th, 2011
6:48 am
MC,
I’m thinking Josh will give it up to Teague because he knows Teague will run with him..
Hmmm…Last season, some of us said one big reason why Josh kept it on the break is because Bibby was so slow. It sounds like you are agreeing.
O'Brien
December 14th, 2011
6:58 am
Drew said he still views Sy as a point guard. Teague, Sy, Donald Sloan, Brad Wanamaker and Tracy McGrady are taking turns..
I think the Hawks still need to get a vet PG. Can’t they get one on a non-guaranteed contract? Given the way Teague plays fast, I wont be surprised to see him get banged up. And then what?
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
7:40 am
Fan Club!
“Sorry; Ive been beating this corpse since I’ve been a blog member, though I shall continue as long as the ASG disregards our franchise in terms of building toward a championship.” -Grand-Daddy-
______________
Grand-Daddy good morning dear. Persistence is omnipotent – so, you keep beating that corpse until all the RED is gone, kill it dead! You sir, are on the right path!
Disregarding the franchise in terms of building a championship? Again, you are right here too.
The only thing ASKG are interested in building right now is a restaurant named: RED and certainly not a championship. We need a rebounder bad, and I don’t care if he is 2 feet tall. Like Barkley says, “You can not win without the ball.”
Buddy Grizzard
December 14th, 2011
7:42 am
“Getting defensive rebounds was a problem against Chicago. Now we are bringing back the same team we had last year. I wonder will we have the same problem?” – Clyde
Zaza had 8 defensive rebounds and 13 rebounds total in 23 minutes in the deciding game 6, but it didn’t make a difference because the Hawks could never dig themselves out of the hole that was created by starting Jason Collins against CHI’s young, mobile, athletic front line. Collins was the difference in the ORL series but he simply can’t guard a player like Boozer, who can shoot out to 17′, or a player like Noah, who was given the ball at the three point line, probably for the first time all season, and allowed to drive around Collins for a layup.
When Zaza entered the game with 3:25 to play in the first quarter, the Hawks were down 19-11. As I’ve extensively documented elsewhere, most of that deficit can be attributed to CHI’s predictable (I predicted it before Game 5) strategy of going straight at Collins. The Hawks did commit two turnovers and Horford had a 3-second violation that led to two CHI baskets, but play after play they were attacking Collins. As soon as Horford switched to Boozer on defense, they gave the ball to Noah at the three point line and he went right around Collins. Boozer made three long jumpers in that stretch with Collins defending and Noah made the layup with Collins defending.
In each game of the series, the team that won the first quarter won the game. By starting Collins and expecting him to guard Boozer 16′ from the basket, Las Vegas Larry handed the series to CHI.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
7:43 am
They must be banking on sliding Kirk back over to the point in all events… Does that make me happy? Nope, but I see the reasoning…
Section 303
December 14th, 2011
7:46 am
No surprise that Josh struggled so much on the break last year. Just watching the games, without looking at numbers, he was atrocious handling the ball and making decisions. He has to get better. He has to go back to being the 2009-2010 Josh Smith. The one who did not force passes and take bad shots.
My only concern with pushing the running game is the schedule. The games are so sandwiched together that running 100% of the time will take its toll. Larry Drew has to use all the guys. If Sy looks like a capable defender, give him time then! We always here about player X or player Y doing well and then those players hardly ever see the floor. There has to be a deep bench this year. Simply has to! Can’t go through this season playing only 7 or 8 guys.
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
8:04 am
Section, you say Josh was terrible. But even when you subtract the transitions that ended in turnovers (20%), Josh still lead the next person by over 100 successful transition possessions. So if 80% of the time whatever Josh was trying to do worked, I would take that every single time. Do you realize, that means Josh still had 179 SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS? That means because of Josh’s aggressiveness, the Hawks had 179 successful transitions that ended in quick points, which also helps in momentum.
Trojan
December 14th, 2011
8:07 am
We need one true PG on the bench.
darrell starks
December 14th, 2011
8:08 am
Unbelievable a Leopard generally have yellow fur with dark rosettes and spotts that never changes lol!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 14th, 2011
8:10 am
LD has the to be the worst coach i have seen, the same old same old WOW!!!!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 14th, 2011
8:14 am
Marvin starting again again again again again again again.
Horford starting center again again again again again.
FIRE LD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doc
December 14th, 2011
8:22 am
yup to najeh at 11:53, regarding his reaction to steve smith. as i responded to northcyde among others that ask “wtf atl fans, just go”. there is NO TRUST that these owners will do the right thing when it is necessary to make the team better, even if it costs a bit more. sadly the players come to that conclusion as well as the season wears on and their bodies and psyche wear down, too.
everyone remember how folks said bibby would help these guys run when he got here? the brakes just got applied that much harder it seems? hard for josh to run a break and give up the ball if he had to pass backwards. al was a little offensive at times, too.
i wonder now that we hear jj needs to rebound the ball a little better along with marvin, his coach is going to say maybe he needs to be a little more aggressive and get to the line more often. it is fun to hear the coach sound like a blogger occasionally, but we dont know what we are talking about, rigt?
STRETCH
December 14th, 2011
8:25 am
Hey, if i were a Superstar, i would NOT want to come to Atlanta either. Its such a shame. We see how involved the NBA is in the CP3 fiascal.
Im sick of ASG! Maybe i have missed something cause ive been overseas for so long, but why doesnt the NBA step in like the FEDS do in those cop movies and take control over the local Mayberry/ASG??
doc
December 14th, 2011
8:27 am
yeah ob, pass it backwards to make it go forward faster was the motto with bibby. shoot biiby used the fast break to catch a breather. he looked like shaq used to do and watch fast breaks. way too often, bibby was the last one back on offense, not the first.
wordsmithtom
December 14th, 2011
8:28 am
Darrell Starks, you can’t blame LD for club’s failure to trade Horford for what you see as a true center. You can’t blame LD for starting Marvin until TMac proves he’s the “old TMac”. LD does have the benefit of seeing these guys in practice, and thus far, they’re the best we have. Give it a rest.
These are the guys management gave him…he’ll have no choice but to play them.
darrell starks
December 14th, 2011
8:29 am
Undersize line up, this will happen all year so be prepared.
http://youtu.be/NWqaNnmKpfE
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
STRETCH
December 14th, 2011
8:34 am
Larry Drew is nothing but talk.
This season will be just like last years. They dont respect Drew, therefore they wont listen to him. Folks, we are talking about a league full of arrogant millionaires who think that as along as they do what got them in the league, they dont need advice.
Drew is not the type of coach this team needs, but ASG and Sund operatinbg on the cheap brought him in. Look for another 4th or 5th seed.
There are just too many “what ifs” and “whys” about this team right now which the popular opinion is nobody wants to play here.
Just plain bad management.
PG – They will find a way to shove him in the closet and lock the door.
SG – Robin, not a Batman
SF – Where????
PF – His nickname should be “Big Baby”
C – Too small, what 99.9 percent of us know
Hawks Fan
December 14th, 2011
8:35 am
Oh man, if the Hawks can learn to rebound on the defensive end, it’s over.
Truth
December 14th, 2011
8:37 am
“To run, the Hawks will have to rebound. Look at how each player’s s defensive rebounding rate ranks among NBA players at their position with more than 15 minutes per game, and it’s not hard to see who needs to pick it up (all rankings according to Hoopdata.com): Al (13th among centers), Josh (15th PFs), Teague (tied for 13th PGs but played less than 15 minutes per game) Joe (25th SGs), Marvin (23rd SFs)”
It’s about time someone called out these 2 guys for rebounding. Joe is a terrible rebounder for someone who is probably the strongest SG in the league.
vava74
December 14th, 2011
8:42 am
Buddy Grizzard,
LD made atrocious decisions against CHI. The most striking miss management of a game was Game 2, in CHI, we were neck a neck – not playing well – but with some psychological advantage and with the home crowd BOOOING their team.
And what does Larry do? Takes Teague off at the 6.40 mark (tied game) and replaces him with Jamal.
At the end of the first quarter, we are down by 6.
When Teague re-enters the game, at the 3.00 mark of the SECOND QUARTER, we are still down by 6 to.
After Teague re-enters, we still make a push and get within 2, but then we get derailed completely and end the half 11 points down and with Jamal posting a ± of MINUS 11 (in spite of him scoring 8 points on 2/7 from the field).
Rose scored 12 points on the first quarter, with most of them coming AFTER Jamal got in.
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20110504&game=ATLCHI
Geemack
December 14th, 2011
8:43 am
STRETCH
The NBA involvement in the CP3 fiasco is a travesty.
David Stern is blinded by delivering a message, not doing what’s best for the Hornets.
The last guy that was motivated by proving a point drafted Marvin Williams instead of Chris Paul. We don’t need that again.
Derrick Jones
December 14th, 2011
8:56 am
MC….
How is Jeff Teague looking? Has he put on any muscle? Last I read he was 180….
MsDee
December 14th, 2011
9:10 am
MC,
How has T-Mac been looking thus far? Like a new and improved Tracy or a “play-it-safe” kindda proformance?
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
9:11 am
The notion that Bibby had anything to do with it is silly. The old school Boston Celtics were masters of the fastbreak with slow-footed players like DJ, Ainge and Bird (among others) leading the way. It is mostly about smart passes as opposed to speed. And anyone that thinks Bibby didn’t have good court vision is plain hating. Fast break ball is about grabbing the rebound (a problem area for the Hawks) and making smart passes (a problem area for the Hawks). LD seems to be back at it, saying one thing while you get the sense that he will allow something different to happen.
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
9:16 am
vava, consider it rephrased….I must be remembering the ORL series last year when he came up big at the end. He did have his clunkers though. The odds of being able to close out in the 4th aren’t good anyway. I saw a stat somewhere where LeBron struggled in those situations. I know you can wrap some JC1 highlights in a tight neat package, but I think he brings more than Marvin does, and therein lies the first problem with this team.
I just think if we get little scoring from the bench we will be exposed greatly and I know we are depending on Marvin to fill a gap there. I just don’t want to do that….I don’t care how tall he is now. He still has that fadeaway jumper and he doesn’t visit the paint often.
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
9:20 am
“God forbid that Jeff is out, then we are scrambling at the point guard spot. We have to make sure that we look at each guy individually and very seriously. Hopefully one of those guys will break away from the pack.”
OB, our head coach with the confidence he has in our roster. You think he and Sund are in agreement here or Sund is saying, well, you wanted Sy, now use him?
And yes, Ray, don’t believe any spew coming out of the ASG. This team’s play will determine if they totally alienate the entire city of Atlanta, because there are some who still believe in this model. I think we have seen the best of this model despite Jeff being inserted.
Frankly, Sund is out of easy options. He is going to ride these horses as far as he can while he takes his siestas or whatever he does when college basketball is being played.
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
9:21 am
Heading to the open practice this Friday….anyone else going to be there?
I would hope we could see a serious few minutes of scrimmage and improve my outlook on this team.
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2011
9:29 am
When you have a team that’s built to run, and the players want to run, but your HC(s)insists on starting a PG who can’t run, then it’s up to your SG, PF, SF or C to run the fastbreak, if that’s what they want. They all knew than if the ball went to Bibby, they might as well conservate their energy, because a team could setup its DEF and deal a hand of poker by the time Bibby crossed half court.
Like I said earlier, Teague’s presence as our starting PG will add so many dimensions to both our OFF and DEF.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
9:37 am
I’m sure that Hinrich must run the fast break incorrectly too (along with Bibby). Because what I saw Hinrich do last year was get the ball from the rebounder, look up court and throw a line-drive pass to the streaking wing while NOT crossing the half-court line. The pass is ALWAYS faster than dribbling, so he quickly advanced the ball without worrying about who got the assist or making the picture perfect pass inches from the rim. Fast break is all about taking advantage of fewer defenders in transition against more offensive players attacking the basket. It isn’t about the PG running to the free throw line and passing the ball, there are multiple ways to effectively take advantage of transition opportunities, including never dribbling the ball during the break (as teams in the 80s were adept at completing).
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
9:43 am
And
And, one more thing, unless Nash can guard NBA centers? You don’t trade AL for him. I mean really? Does this even need to be a conversation.
Jeff VAn Gundy said it best after the Hawks were run out of town with 108 aggregate points by the magic, “The Hawks are just too small inside to compete for a title.”
What has changed since then? Give credit to Coach Drew! He did design a Dwight stopper by utilizing Twin very effectively. But, we need more (see Chicago).
I guess with Twin ripped up this year, he’ll have more power and strength to match his brain power. Jason is noe very very intelligent young man.
cdog
December 14th, 2011
9:44 am
thats right rick sund, sit on your butt, let dwight howard get away to the another team, then you will be praising that team for being tough. you’re stealing money from the hawks because you definitely don’t earn it. you do nothing but they still keep you.what a shame
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
9:56 am
Irony?
“You can’t blame LD for starting Marvin until TMac proves he’s the “old TMac”. ” -wordsmithtom-
____________
Hello there tom, great to hear your comments today. Now would that be the “old T-Mac” or the “ole” T-Mac? I think we got the first phrase down pat. LOL
____________
“Oh man, if the Hawks can learn to rebound on the defensive end, it’s over.” -Hawks Fan-
___________
Say what we will about Mr. Woodson. But he had the Hawks amongst the league leaders in rebounding, (ranked #4 I believe?). Woodson sent the whole team to the defensive glass when he was here, conversely, Drew has the whole team running back for transition defense.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:02 am
IMO i don’t think Sund or Larry Drew or even the players the reason we can make big moves to improve its ASG they don’t want to spend money because there cheap for example they could have Avery Johnson they decided to the cheap route as long as this group owns the team nothing will change period we need a new owner like the Nets have .
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
10:02 am
Star Power!
“the pass is ALWAYS faster than dribbling,” -Astro Joe-
_______________
Rodman comes to mind here. You can always count on Astro Joe for a great sound bite. Astro has star power.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:04 am
Meant to say can’t make big moves because of ASG .
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:07 am
Teague= THE BLUR
Run baby Run, like the wind!!!!!……………..Hawks will wrestle for the #1 seed…Got this feeling…..I hear music…………………lol
kwooden
December 14th, 2011
10:08 am
I refuse to believe that Sund can’t find a serviceable back-up PG or combo guard right now. There are so many guys out there in Europe, D-League or just waiting for calls. I assume that they see something in Sloan and Wanamaker that makes them really want to take a look at those guys. If those guys are confident in their games, I’m sure they can play for 8-10 minutes and do just fine. I just don’t want to hear any excuses if Jeff gets hurt, that we couldn’t find any serviceable backups Serviceable rebounders, yes I understand, but Guards no chance!
GO HAWKS!!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:08 am
The three man weave still works! lol
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:09 am
18-4 in their 1st 22 games! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:12 am
Somebody teach Josh the “three man weave” please for the LOVE OF BASKETBALL!
ICECOLD
December 14th, 2011
10:15 am
Lets Just see what happens, Jeff Teague changes the Hawks from a set team with a bunch of athletic young guys to a running team with a bunch of athletic prime ( because of age ) athletes.. AND PEOPLE FORGET THAT MARVIN WILLIAMS IS 6′9 AND MIGHT BE 6′10 NOW !!!
If his posture is adjusted and he knows it, his confidence is built up.. he should be shooting better too, because he went from tuckin his feet up under him, to shooting and hittin more threes and keepin his feet down. and if he is going to run and gun cool, start him..
he looks bad, start t mac early or ( 6 10 dead shooter name here ) .. but every starting 5, somebody has to sacrifice points.
But we got Collins, only for trully big teams knicks, lakers, orlando ( ?) its not that many .. we don’t need a starting center.. we got vets that can run in t mac , and whats his name ( shooter, his name is hard to spell ) pop sye (how ever u spell his name. they got him for a reason,
looks like this team has been building, training, creating ( Marvin Williams back surgery , teagues perfect stage opportunity and taking of the starting job but sitting back and learning before doing so, joe johnson contract and then surgery and Josh Smith getting faster quicker lighter, and Al Horford is always working on his game ‘.
If you look at it optomisticly then this team still have its upside while the rest of the league go crazy trying to get three superstars , and most of those superstars have never won a ring either, so the only team who is good enough to win was dallas, and now they lost tyson chandler. so i dought that they be as good as they was…
THE Hawks this year kept their core , and made their bench even stronger, and stayed under the luxury tax. Thats pretty good when a bunch of teams are going to struggle to make a solid bench,
( Jerry Stackhouse would be a good edition too.)
In all, I just cant wait for the season to start so I can say I told you so. We should have so many match up problems with any starting 5 because we would have a team who runs and guns and play as a team. People trying to do what Miami did and they didnt even win a ring.
Teague is a huge difference maker, especiailly if he can knock down the open jump consistently.
GO HAWKS!!!
vava74
December 14th, 2011
10:15 am
AJ,
The issue about Smoove is that he does not respect guys who are not athletic, so he would not give the rock to Bibby because Bibby could not play the fast break the way Smoove perceives it as good.
Basically, Bibby on the fast break was something that hurt his eyes to look at (frankly, it hurt mine too most of the time).
Younger bucks like Smoove – who live for the highlight reel – will, conversely, easily pass the rock to a guy like Teague who can start and finish a break with a thunder.
It’s a matter of misguided respect.
Bibby was a good transition player, but unfortunately, perception beats substance 9/10 times nowadays.
With this, I don’t mean that we are not better off with Teague, heck, Bibby had ZERO chance to do HALF of what Teague did against Rose (and Rose’s ankle is no excuse, he was playing at least at 95%).
Buddy Grizzard
December 14th, 2011
10:19 am
Vava… he played Pachulia 8 min in that game? Crawford 11 points in 34 minutes, -9 +/-
JRL
December 14th, 2011
10:21 am
The 2 year deal at 10 million I’m sure is far below what Jamal was expecting to be offered when he became a free agent. What would he have to except from the Spirit Group in order to stay in a Hawks uniform? What is the maximum number the Hawks can reach in terms of the salary cap in 2012 without having to pay the luxury tax? I still cant believe the Hawks are not even considering using the amnesty clause on Marvin Williams.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:24 am
Marvin is fixed! He is going to have a positive impact on this team for sure..
Big surprises coming your way from the #2 Lottery pick!
Rufus1
December 14th, 2011
10:25 am
vava74
December 14th, 2011
8:42 am
Co-sign
I also think he made a mistake in game 5 when he took Zaza out in the 4th. Zaza was providing the physical presence we needed againt the Bulls to win the series….I don’t think he will make those mistakes again this year.
I think they looked at the film of the games in the offseason and realized how bad JC1 was on defense…..That is why this roster looks the way it does….IT IS ALL DEFENSE!
doc
December 14th, 2011
10:27 am
what still comes to mind to me is how ineffective bibby was as a finisher on the break as he missed lay ups regularly much less being a part of it. open ones! geez.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
10:27 am
Just Because!
“Via @jwquick POR offered Jamal Crawford 2 yrs, $10 million. Agent says Crawford considering, doesn’t want LT deal. 14 hours ago”
________________
That’s just because Jamal knows he will never get one. The ASKG will not receive what they consider “tax worthy” player(s) in a trade scenario for Jamal. They are letting him go like a glass Coke Bottle.
Not recyclable
No Deposit
No Return
Nada
That was the “master” plan all along. Had Jamal been paper, plastic or aluminum – he may have had a chance.
Falcons4Eva
December 14th, 2011
10:27 am
If the Hawks sign Tim Tebow, hey would be a better team…its called having a HEART of a Champion!
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
December 14th, 2011
10:33 am
“thats right rick sund, sit on your butt, let dwight howard get away to the another team, then you will be praising that team for being tough”
You mean one of the teams that Dwight said he’d go to? It’s now SUND’s FAULT that Dwight didn’t list the ATL as one of his destinations?
I guess it’s also SUND’s FAULT that Stern vetoed those CP3 trades.
Sund is an awful GM, but this line of thinking is absurd.
SaintSparky
December 14th, 2011
10:37 am
For me the guy to add would be Sammy Dalembert. I know he wants quite some money, but by maybe shedding one or two contracts, or a sign and trade with SAC (I’m not sure if that works), sending Jamal and maybe Marvin westbound could solve it
Starting lineup: Teague, JJ, JSmooth, Al and Sammy. Up tempo attack, should be fun to watch !!!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:39 am
Falcons4Eva
December 14th, 2011
10:27 am
“If the Hawks sign Tim Tebow, hey would be a better team…its called having a HEART of a Champion!”
How bout Tim Tebow for Matt Ice Melt Ryan? Now the Falcons “have a better team” with “the Heart of a Champion”..lol
Oh thats right Ryan is a proven winner..I almost forgot he has over a .600 winning % in the “regular season”….. Regular QB he is, Elite? Nada………………………
How bout them thar playoffs? PLAYOFFS?????????????
Rod from College Park
December 14th, 2011
10:40 am
Slimjr,
“Marvin is fixed! He is going to have a positive impact on this team for sure..
Big surprises coming your way from the #2 Lottery pick!”
Wake up!!!! The dream is not real. A repaired back, does not fix 2 left feet. LOL
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
10:40 am
You Pick ‘Em!
SlimJr darling, I sure hope you are right about Marvin. I’m from Missouri though. One can only hope and pray. LOL!
Here’s my point: after seven years of seeing Marvin play, I have no dreams of Marvin living up to the hype. But, as a role player and a glue guy Marvin should figure who he really is and be that guy.
Hopefully, that will be defend, rebound and make the open shot from his range. Of course, all of that is predicated upon Marvin staying upright and off the floor.
Perhaps some: ballet, yoga, pilates or P90X. Anything to achieve core strength stability would work miracles. Strength only comes from the gut, the abdomen region and pelvic stability, balance. Line that sacrum up.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:48 am
Show me State:
Hey Marvin show’em will ya???? lol
DMB: ballet would be good for him.Stretching out that 6′10 inch frame would work wonders? Strengthening his core could only help him..Then he could post up these pip squeaks and eat em up…….
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
10:50 am
vava, messing up 20% of fast breaks when you are likely one of the top 5 finishers in the NBA is inexcusable. I don’t care if Bob Cousy (the 2011 version of Bob Cousy) is your PG. Opposing teams delighted when Josh took away an elite finisher on the break by pretending he was Michael “throw-a-way” Richardson. When you consider that Bibby played less than 28 minutes during his abbreviated time with the Hawks last year, it is hard to put that 20% rate at his feet. That would suggest that Josh was around 30-35% TO-rate in the first few months and then he went to around 5-10% once Bibby left. We all know that wasn’t the case. Josh has never needed another player to justify his bad decisions.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:50 am
Just saw on ESPN that potential three team trade involving D12 to Nets could happen in a couple of days also Paul to the Lakers is back on looks like Clippers are scared to give up Gordon .
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:50 am
Hey Rod: like Jesse used to say ” KEEP HOPE ALIVE”….HaHaHa!
Section 303
December 14th, 2011
10:51 am
KevinM, I am planning on going to the practice on Friday night. Looking forward to it. Anxious to see the guys play.
Also, there is a season ticket event, prior to the scrimmage. Anyone going to that as well?
Mike
December 14th, 2011
10:53 am
It is not Sund fault for nothing trying to make trade for superstar. But it is that ownership is tha problem. They are like the Pink Elephant in the room.
I am hearing that Nets want to do a four-way trade to get Dwight because if they lose Dwight, then D-Will will be asking for a trade after that.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:57 am
That what i have been saying i don’t think its all Sund’s fault the ownership group is holding him back it would be hard for any GM to make a big trade with the ASG .
cdog
December 14th, 2011
11:06 am
if they can’t make moves then why have a team? how can a team like the lakers, celtics, heat and mavs make moves to get stars and the hawks can’t after years of losing? with stars on their rosters, you’re going to tell me they are not over the cap with their big salaries like joe johnson? its the asg and rick sund’s stupidity that is holding the hawks back.i want be keeping up with the season.without a big move, nothing is going to change. it will be the same old same old, losing and failure to make the playoffs and if so, failure to make it past the first round.got better things to do.get rid of rick sund and you’ll see the team start prospering.
Mike is Back
December 14th, 2011
11:09 am
MC, is just me…or is anyone else already getting tired of SHAQ…nothing wrong with a little promotion…but jeeeeeeze.
I will be the first to admit…it drove me crazy watching Josh making silly turnovers on the break TOO…no excuse for that…now that Teague has garner a little respect from his teammates…I see no reason why the Hawks can’t perform better in transition.
LD is actually sounding like a HC going into this season…hopefully it’s not all lip service this time…he has hold everybody accountable…or the team will regress back to their old ways.
Just from the sound bites I’m hearing from different guys…there seems to be a higher level of comments this season…but you would expect that after a lock out.
GOOD FOR THE HAWKS…IT’S TIME FOR THESE GUYS TO STEP TF UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J.J.M.
December 14th, 2011
11:12 am
*yawns*
vava74
December 14th, 2011
11:16 am
Mike is Back,
LD sounded perfect last year, around this time (pre-season).
Then… ha!
AJ,
I was not making excuses, merely explaining the wrong mind set on Smoove’s mind: Bibby did not command his respect as a ball player because he looked like a dead turtle out there.
It’s a highlight reel mentality: they guy did not feel good about handing over the rock to someone who could not finish on his own if necessary.
vava74
December 14th, 2011
11:28 am
Buddy,
Another striking issue about Jamal:
His “help value”, which is rebounds+assists+steals+blocks-turnovers frequently were negative and seldom were close to 10.
Rufus1,
Yeah, that game 5 is still stuck on my mind. After all that effort to get even at the end of the 3rd LD messed up when he took Zaza out.
And again, he used Jamal from the end stretch of the 3rd all the way until the end of the 4th (2 minutes to go, the bench came in to close the loss).
Jamal is a guy who is effective/ineffective in spurts. If he is NOT SCORING is doing nothing on the floor.
You have to take him out when he is not impacting the game on offence since its the only thing he does.
And you can ALWAYS put the guy back in to give him a new chance to make a splash. He is just like the basketball version of a designated hitter (bear with me on this analogy).
He is always hot in his mind, so you can put him in and take him out 6 or 7 times in a game, if necessary until he makes a dent.
I always said that Jamal is like a drug for a coach: the coaches can’t stop overusing and chasing that elusive “high” and quickly forget the lows.
That imbecile LD tried to stop runs by opposing teams with MORE OFFENSE for crying out loud!!! And people got surprised that we had so many horrendous losses…
vava74
December 14th, 2011
11:31 am
http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/rosen/
Charley Rosen on the worst FA signings and… we are in it with V-RAD!!!!
(So are the Knicks with Bibby)
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
11:43 am
““Look Atlanta and possibly Miami are the only Southern cities where there is active campaign to undermine the image of the city within the respective region(s)… The city of Atlanta is the enemy, there is a whole subculture built around it…””
This is true, but I don’t know that it necessarily extends to the sports teams. People out in the boondocks seem to support the Braves and Falcons just fine. They will just whine every step of the way as they drive into and out of the city.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
11:46 am
“But do you honestly think the Hawks are closer to an NBA championship than the Falcons to the Lombardi? And do you think the rest of the Atlanta believes the same?”
I don’t think either one is all that close, but any given NFL team at any point in time is closer to a championship than any given NBA team, because of the nature of the sport and the deeper talent pool. Winning one game against a superior team is more likely than winning four, and beating a team with superior talent is much more likely in the NFL than in the NBA. Both those factors weigh heavily in favor of the Falcons and any other NFL team for that matter.
Melvin
December 14th, 2011
11:48 am
•MT @NYPost_Berman: Mo Evans’ agent says @jcrossover is all style but Mo is all substance. #Knicks http://t.co/Pb6ZQ9r8
Man please. I’m so glad that Hawks #1 jersey will not be worn by Mo Evans again…
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
11:52 am
“Drew won New Orleans a Super Bowl championship and those fans STILL wouldn’t desert that team if Saints FO tossed him out. Most Atlanta fans are simply not that loyal to teams, only to individual players.”
Your point about ATL fans being more loyal to players is somewhat true. But your point about fans deserting a team doesn’t really apply to attendance. Look at the 49ers for example. For about two decades, they were one of if not the most consistently successful team in the league. But at the end of the 90s, Steve Young retired and ownership turmoil started, and from 1999 to 2008 they only finished in the top half of the league in attendance once. That doesn’t mean their fans deserted them; it just means they chose not to pay for a mediocre product. If two decades of goodwill wasn’t enough for the 49ers to sell tickets during a down decade, why should we expect five decades of mediocrity to inspire Hawks fans to sell out Philips Arena?
Fans everywhere are the same. Put out a good product and they will come.
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2011
11:52 am
Here’s a reality check. The Hawks finished last yrs regular season as the Eastern Conferences 5th seed. The Bulls, Heat, Celtics and Magic finished ahead of them in that order. I expect the Bulls and Heat to remain in their lofty positions this yr, but not the Celtics and Magic.
An already old Celtic team is now a yr older, with no depth to speak of, and no solid dependable Bigs, unless you consider a past his prime injury prone Jermaine Oneal dependable. The Magic also have very little depth, and we all know DHoward will be traded before the trade deadline passes.
And for those of you who keep insisting that we need to make big trades in order to improve, take a look at the Magic and see how silly that approach can turn out to be. Since making it to the 08-09 NBA finals, they have soought to get better through making trades and a lot of FA acquisitions. And keep in mind that they already had the NBAs most dominant big man.
They’re about to lose DHoward, their franchise player, and they don’t have a single player on their roster that they can build around, or that’s worth much in trade. I also took a look at the impact some of the so called true centers in the East that some of you are so desperate for us to acquire.
Here’s another reality check for those who insist on claiming AHorford is UNDERSIZED, TOO PASSIVE, TO SOFT, PLAYING OUT OF POSITION, AND/OR CAN’T LEAD THIS TEAM ANY FURTHER ETC. We’ve heard a lot of ABogat trade suggestions. As great as some of you seem to think he is, he’s yet to elevated his team above the Hawks in the 4yrs Horford’s been our center. It took JNoah 4yrs to elevate the Bulls above the Hawks with Horford at Center. BLopez has yet to elevate the Nets above the Hawks. If fact, the Nets don’t seem to think he’s as great as some of you do, since they’re more than willing to trade him, and some others, to acquire DHoward.
Even the DHoward led Magic have been on the decline. They’ve gone from 08-09 NBA finalists to being a 1st rd elimination by a depleted and injured Hawks team. What did these teams have that the Hawks didn’t have, besides a BIGGER/TALLER center? They had better interior and/or perimeter DEFENSE?
The absence of Bibby and Jamal, and the addition of Teague as a starter and primary contributer, will eliminate the advantage they had in perimeter DEF, and greatly reduce the advantage they had with their interior DEF. The Hawks will no longer have to compensate defensively when teams consistently run pick and rolls to create mismatches by specifically targeting Jamal or Bibby.
None of our current guards are DEF liabilities, and all have the ability to fight over picks, and/or the speed, quickness and athleticism to recover. That means our frontline players won’t have to compensate for DEF liabilities like Jamal and Bibby by switching off on PGs and SGs who’ll take them out on the perimeter.
Having our C and PF near the basket guarding the oppositions Cs and PFs, instead of being out on the perimeter guarding PGs and SGs, is a hell of a lot better than having our PG fighting Cs and PFs for rebounds. That change alone will drastically improve our rebounding capability, and eliminate one of the major reasons we got outrebounder so often last yr.
DRMARYB-What’s up PYT? Eliminating Jamal’s $10M+ contract was more important than anything we could get back for him in trade. Dumping is salary allows us to sign draft pick Benson, add FA’s TMac and Radmanovic, and still remain under the luxury tax threshold.
Considering where we are right now salary wise, we can get FAs, or maybe UFAs, who can do as much as anyone we’d get back in trade for him. It would be stupid for us to pay luxury taxes in order to take back in trade what would amount to no more than filler, or bench warming material.
Truth
December 14th, 2011
11:56 am
“It would be stupid for us to pay luxury taxes in order to take back in trade what would amount to no more than filler, or bench warming material.”
It wouldn’t put us in the LT because we have a trade exception to use
Melvin
December 14th, 2011
12:02 pm
Truth,
I’m not exactly sure but I don’t think the trade exception would prevent a team from paying the luxury tax. It allows a team to acquire a player for the amount of the exception and his salary would count towards the team payroll as well.
O'Brien
December 14th, 2011
12:03 pm
Bibby had good court vision, and did make good passes. But quite often, the Bibby fast break was make a pass, and then run to the 3 pt line, and wait in case somebody passes it back. At least with Teague, he will be forcing the tempo, and attacking the rim,
AG
December 14th, 2011
12:14 pm
I tend to agree with one of the people who posted earlier. With JT in the starting lineup and a slimmer Josh, I think we improved the team. JT should average about 15 ppg, and he certainly will speed the team up and help reduce the turnovers. I would like the team to add one more vet we can take a gamble on like Mike Redd or GIlbert.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
12:15 pm
I Got Jokes!
“Slimjr,
“Marvin is fixed!” -SlimJr-
_________
Does this mean he can’t father kids?
____________
PMA
Ken Strickland, my tent mate! I just love you positive mental attitude on here, you give us eternal hope and, when you are MIA, the whole blogs goes down in flames and negativity. Keep the underlying facts coming babe.
AG
December 14th, 2011
12:34 pm
Great observation Ken
vava74
December 14th, 2011
12:39 pm
The playoffs should be revamped: back to the 5 game series on the first and second rounds.
That would allow for more upsets and with upsets comes a (justifiable) sense of “competitive balance”.
Rufus1
December 14th, 2011
12:56 pm
How did we win????
No perimeter defense, undersized frontline, poor rebounding, a rookie coach, no 3pt shooters, no low post presence, no bench and Marvin… HOW IN THE HELL DID WE WIN????
Now we have better perimeter defense, better bench, 2nd year coach, better PG, better 3pt shooters and MAYBE a better Marvin….HOW IN THE HELL WILL WE LOSE???
I WILL SAVE SOME OF YOU A SEAT ON THIS BANDWAGON!!!
Go Hawks!!!
Section 303
December 14th, 2011
1:07 pm
vava, just because some writer says Vlad was a bad free agent pickup does not make it so. Seems to me the national press almost refuse to give the Hawks credit for anything. As much as we all p#ss and moan on this blog, the Hawks have still been better than most teams in the past 4 years. No taking that away from them. Are they title contenders? Probably not. But, they’re still a decent team. And they will be in the playoffs. Can’t say the same for a lot of teams.
So…before we just buy that Vlad is a bad signing, let’s remember that the Hawks get credit for nothing. So, here’s hoping Vlad plays well enough for us to all tell that clown of a writer to go F himself.
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
1:09 pm
VAva, the problem is with 5 games series, come less TV money. So they won’t do that.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
1:13 pm
OB, true, but the notion that fast breaks is solely PG driven is false and shouldn;t be used as an excuse for some of the decisions Josh made in that situation. Bibby didn;t play enough for the issue to be related to his time on the court.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
1:13 pm
For those ho live outside of Atlanta:
With the NBA season set to tip off on Christmas, NBA Digital is giving basketball fans a three-point play by combining its NBA League Pass linear, broadband and mobile offerings for one price. The league’s out-of-market package, which will offer up to 40 games a week, will retail for $169 for the league’s abbreviated 66-game 2011-12 regular season schedule, according to industry sources. For the first time NBA League Pass will include mobile access to live games — last year the mobile package was an additional $39 on top of the $189 NBA League Pass package — along with broadband access of the games, according to NBA Digital general manager Christina Miller. NBA Digital will also run a free, two-week preview of NBA League Pass beginning the day after Christmas and ending Jan. 8, Miller said.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
1:17 pm
Bibby was slow as heck, couldn;t shoot, and couldn;t defend. but let;s not blame him for everything that went wrong. He wasn’t responsible for guys not boxing out, making poor decisions in transition, teammates shooting jumpers ad nauseum, Joe’s shoulder problem, LD’s 2-foul rule and Zaza’s 2 months of lethargic play. We can lay plenty at his feet but let’s not blame him for the global economy (just for the sake of piling on).
vava74
December 14th, 2011
1:20 pm
AJ,
Yeah, they are now bundling the mobile access BUT for me, the package is worse:
For an international user, there were two packages:
1. Full access (including mobile and the ability to watch all games played during the whole season, including all past games since day 1 of the season);
2. 24 hour access (no mobile and the ability to watch all games played in the last 24h), which was excellent since it was cheaper (about 33%) and allowed me to watch the Hawks AND any other teams/games I found interesting.
Now, they only have:
1. Same full package at a whopping price.
2. Single team league pass (at 33% discount). Which for me, is a major bummer…
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
1:22 pm
Section 303, a few days ago, someone posted that any team could have earned the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. The funny thing, of course, is that only one team DID earn the 5th seed and did it with room to spare. Folk just sometimes get into the “I can make this look worse than you” competition and lose all reality about the accomplishments of this team. No, we’re not competing for the ultimate prize but we’re still doing far better than most. Heck, far better than all but 3 other teams in our conference for the past 3 seasons! I know it is unreasonable to ask for a modicum of fair perspective, so I won’t even waste the key strokes.
vava74
December 14th, 2011
1:23 pm
Whopping price for international users = USD $219.90
%&$#”$&%!!!!
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
1:25 pm
vava, I guess I should have said outside of Atlanta but inside the USA.
Locally, all games will be braodcast on 93.7 FM now that the ASG have “disposed” of the Thrashers.
vava74
December 14th, 2011
1:34 pm
Section 303,
I respect Rosen’s opinion and consider him one of the best writers on bball and V-Rad had been on his dog house for ages.
If MIA, NYK, or whatever other franchise had signed him, his opinion would be always the same, which is something that is not guaranteed with so many other writers.
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2011
1:36 pm
The reason I’m so doggone excited about this yrs team is since I’m not focused on promoting a personal agenda, and I’m not focused on promoting any personal hate campaign against any of our players, I can remain openminded enough to realize how much we accomplished while overcoming 2 extreme DEF liabilities and an extremely exploitable perimeter DEF.
I also know enough about basketball to understand how much of an impact having a solid perimeter DEF can have, especially with the absence of a shotblocking center to compensate. I understand how much Teague’s speed, quickness, athleticism and DEF will improve the Hawks on both ends of the court.
There was a Denver Nugget situation that represents the best example of the importance of having a solid perimeter DEF over having a big shotblocking center. Denver had Allen Iverson, a high scoring DEF liability at PG. They also had MCamby at center, who was the NBAs DEF player of the yr, as well as the NBAs leader in rebounding and blocks.
They got rid of both Iverson and Camby, traded for PG CBillups, who was an exceptional perimeter DEF player, and promoted backup C Nene, who wasn’t in Camby’s league as a rebounder or shotblocker. What was the end result of them improving their perimeter DEF by giving up Iverson’s scoring an poor DEF, and giving up MCamby’s premier shotblocking and rebounding? They immediately realize a very noticable improvement in overall team DEF.
I see the same situation with the Hawks, who will lose 2 DEF liabilities, one of which was a scoring DEF liability, much like Iverson.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
1:44 pm
The Truth of the Matter is:
“It wouldn’t put us in the LT because we have a trade exception to use” -Truth-
____________
the real Truth is it would matter, because, the whole point in a SNT from Jamal’s perspective is to get a contract worth more than a teams MLE (approx 5M) oe a teams vet min (appox 2.5M) using Jamal’s Bird Rights helps him and his agent get closer to his prev salary of 10M or at least 7M.
Problem for Jamal is, the ASKG are satisfied with their core and bargain chips.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
1:50 pm
Trade Exception
Isn’t the whole purpose of a trade exception is to take back a player of it’s value up to one year later and not have that salary count towards the cap? Thereby, avoiding the luxury tax, otherwise, what would be the exception?
Can some explain the benefits of the TPE if, I’m wrong?
Rick D.
December 14th, 2011
1:53 pm
It’s hard to get excited about this season. A lock out extended into regular season, A new owner.. then same old tired owners, another season with the same team minus Jamal… geeze… go figure the logic in that? The spirit group decimated the Thrashers and they are well on their way to doing the same with theHawks. This franchaise will never soar above just being good as long as these tired, do nothing, cheap owners own this franchise. We need boldness and real say with a real commitment to winning a championship… not these tired wimp for owners. They are all talk, hot air and no substance. Get out of the way and preferably out of town Spirit Group.
Rufus1
December 14th, 2011
2:00 pm
Nene resigns with Denver 5yrs 67mil….No one lets go of a good center.
northcyde
December 14th, 2011
2:04 pm
Ken . . that’s not entirely accurate, although somewhat true.
Nene only played in 16 games in the 07 – 08 season that you cite. Iverson had a tremendous season, even averaged 2 steals a game. That 07 – 08 Denver team was #10 in defensive rating, but 29th in points given up. The problem with that team is that they didn’t have a 2 guard that could even begin to slow down the elite scorers in that conference.
They routinely started Anthony Carter and Iverson in the backcourt ( 6-1 and 6 feet respectively ). Karl simply tried to outscore people because he knew that backcourt couldn’t stop many people.
The next year . . yeah, they got rid of Camby and Iverson . . added Billups . . and promoted Nene. But they also added Dahntay Jones ( defensive 2 guard ), Chris Andersen ( a shot blocker at PF ), and Renaldo Balkman ( a defensive SF )
Honestly though, that 2007 – 08 Denver team just go a bad matchup in the playoffs, by drawing the Lakers. The next year, they played New Orleans and Dallas, before they lost to the Lakers in the WC Finals.
c'mon man
December 14th, 2011
2:26 pm
I have a general question… what do you guys think about moving Joe johnson for much less than he’s worth to dump the contract… think Joe for ariza. or something like that?
Section 303
December 14th, 2011
2:29 pm
c’mon man, it does not make sense to dump Joe right now. He is still a good player. Plus, the Hawks would still be on the hook for the rest of his contract.
Assuming he is the player they choose to amnesty, it probably would not be until the last year of his deal. That way they only owe for one year of the deal (minus however much he signs for with another team).
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2011
2:32 pm
RICK D-I don’t understand your logic. You call our ownership cheap, yet they’re over the cap and barely under the luxury tax threshold because they’ve been willing to spend money. WHERE’S THE LOGIC? They became owners to make money, not to satisfy certain fans who seem to think paying a luxury tax for a player, or players, will somehow automatically transform us into a championship team.
Most of the problems we’ve had in the past, can be resolved internally. Our major weakness over the last 5yrs has been DEF, especially PERIMETER DEF. Making JTeague our starting PG, having Hinrich and Pape Sy as backups, and getting rid of MBibby and JCrawford, our 2 biggest DEF liabilities, will automatically solve that problem.
Having Teague, Hinrich and Pape Sy as our PG rotation will also allow us to run and defend, and do so consistently. Having a healthy MWilliams, a slimmer, trimmer and more committed JSmith, an always dependable AHorford and JJ, along with a much more confident and improved JTeague, should get you excited, unless you don’t know as much about basketball or the Hawks as you might think.
Section 303
December 14th, 2011
2:34 pm
vava, I don’t think I read Rosen as much as you do. But, in general, national writers seem to hate giving the Hawks credit. They’re so dismissive of the Hawks that I almost tune them out when the Hawks are brought up.
Example: If you listen to the NBA Today podcast from ESPN…..last year, before the 1st round, Ryan Rousslo (sp?) and Ric Bucher previewed every opening series. Bucher had just finished saying that the winner of the regular season series should be favored in the playoff series. Well, when they got around to Hawks/Magic, both Rousslo and Bucher laughed at the idea that the Hawks should be favored to win the playoff series with the Magic, even though they had won the regular season series. I mean….they literally laughed at the Hawks.
Never bothered to mention how wrong they were when the Hawks sent Orlando home. They just did not talk about it. Typical ESPN, I guess.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
2:38 pm
Amen!
“Rick D.
December 14th, 2011
1:53 pm”
__________
Amen Bruh! I feel your pain from the ownership perspective. I just want to support the team itself at this point. Were gonna’ really some warriors on the court to overcome all the things we have no control over.
Winning covers up a multitude of sins.
northcyde
December 14th, 2011
2:43 pm
As for this year’s version of the Hawks, I don’t think that it is unreasonable to ask management to add quality pieces that will give us a better chance of reaching the NBA Finals. I mean, that IS the goal, right?
Most of us know that were still a playoff level team. But is that where it stops? Or another question is. . . Have you ever heard Sund or Gearing or Nique or anybody in the Hawks organization set a specific goal of reaching the NBA Finals or winning it all. Does the ASG exist to only assemble a competitive, but non championship team here?
I think for most people who have a major problem with the ASG, that’s what it is.
A good Hawks team was enough to placate the fan base
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
NORTHCYDE-Excellent research, but it actually supports my point. They gave up OFF for DEF, especially shotblocking in the middle for better perimeter and overall DEF. Anderson and Nene combined didn’t outrebound or block more shots than Camby. Also, most of their additions actually strengthened their bench as much as their starting lineup.
That’s what I’m seeing with the Hawks. Except for Radmanovic, our bench additions offer DEF improvements. Teague’s OFF production, along with his DEF, will make Jamal’s departure a forgotten memory. TMac will definitely give us more than DWilkins overall. Radmanovic will give us the long range shooting off the bench we’ll lose with Jamal.
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2011
2:55 pm
MORTHCYDE-Do you remember how upset fans were when we traded for Jamal instead of resigning Flip Murray? They also thought we were making a big mistake with that move. Now we’re hearing some of the same complaints about us going in another direction with certain personnel, and philosophy. I’d trade Jamal’s streaky OFF, and NO D, for solid DEF any day of the wk.
MsDee
December 14th, 2011
3:02 pm
Ken Strickland, I jus LOVE you!!
ryan
December 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
Looks like trade talks have ended with Orlando and most likely set up a big FA Summer but i guess the Hawks wont be involved oh well .
northcyde
December 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
I didn’t finish my thought on that last statement.
A good team was enough to placate the fan base back in 2009. That’s not the case now.
Once the Hawks started to make the playoffs again, the natural expectation of the fan base is to see just how far we can go.
If the ASG is unwilling.or unable to go to the next level as a championship management group, the fans aren’t going to be happy.
It is what it is.
Melvin
December 14th, 2011
3:05 pm
Ken Strick,
Forget the Sliver lining, I think you can find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow…. The Hawks (ASG) can do no wrong in your eyes… LOL
MsDee
December 14th, 2011
3:07 pm
Northcyde makes valid points but at the end of the day, how can we automatically assume we will be a NBA Champion team just by adding a Dwight or a CP3? Orlando and N.O had them and we went further with more limitations than they did…WAY TO GO, Ken, as always!!
Rod from College Park
December 14th, 2011
3:07 pm
“Most of the problems we’ve had in the past, can be resolved internally. Our major weakness over the last 5yrs has been DEF, especially PERIMETER DEF. Making JTeague our starting PG, having Hinrich and Pape Sy as backups, and getting rid of MBibby and JCrawford, our 2 biggest DEF liabilities, will automatically solve that problem.”
Actually our major problem in the playoffs over the last three years has been the inability to score. Teams know to focus on shutting down Joe, and not one else on the team has the ability to score consistently. When Jamal was hot, against Orlando, we won, but when he was clod against Chicago, we lost. Last year, our playoff average was 86.3 ppg. I agree that our perimeter defense should be better, but without scorers on the floor, unless Mcgrady turns back into TMac, Horford becomes a bonified 20 ppg scorer, and Teague becaomes Chris Paul, we still won’t be able to score enough points in the playoffs to beat elite teams..
MsDee
December 14th, 2011
3:11 pm
Its not about adding pieces just to be adding pieces. Dallas had Dirk for years and pears but he couldnt do it all by himself until he got the RIGHT pieces to get that RING!! No other player on Dallas’s team stands out and they were able to may it happen. Not saying the Hawks are on the same level as Dallas but just like it took them years to get it right w/o making block busters trades, the same COULD happen for us..it just takes patience!!
Section 303
December 14th, 2011
3:13 pm
northcyde, I agree. The ultimate goal should be the NBA title. I don’t think we get there with the ASG owning the team. Although, they are not the only team avoiding the luxary tax this year. Seems like most of them are. Even teams that have been the big spenders in the past are checking themselves this year. Does anyone know the teams that will be in the luxary tax this season? I don’t think many will.
I heard Chris Webber rip the Hawks for not re-signing Jamal. Weak take on his part. Jamal, as much as I like him, was not that great last season. He was no where near as productive as he was in 2009-2010. He is not a player worth breaking the bank for. And, he is not a player that will be the difference between a title and no title.
I am warming up to T-Mac and I’ve always liked Stackhouse (assuming he makes the roster). Willing to give Sy a chance. Vlad should get some open 3-point looks, if the Hawks push the tempo as much as they say they will. We’ll see…would be nice to add Hinrich, but the guy can never answer the bell when needed. He’s made of glass.
doc
December 14th, 2011
3:15 pm
durn, i was hoping nene would come here for a song of say 1.5 mil a year to play with jj and the gang like everyone else.
really glad to see coach karl got his wish after the melo stuff he had to deal with last year. he was pretty outspoken they should keep nene.
an aside, been funny to hear kincade trashing the owners after his trashing of the fans for not showing up last year to see the thrashers. seems he is pointing out among other things, like “money”, how the phillips is showing signs or disrepair because the lack of funds for upkeep; so why would a star come here.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
3:18 pm
Cat Fight!
“Ken Strickland, I jus LOVE you!!” -MsDee-
____________
Hey Ms. Dee! Wassup home gurl? Uggh … Are you hittin’ on my man? (she winks)
Rufus1
December 14th, 2011
3:26 pm
The Nets offered Lopez and five 1st round picks…Wow.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
3:31 pm
Plop … Plop … Fizz … Fizz!
“… how the phillips is showing signs or disrepair because the lack of funds for upkeep; so why would a star come here.” -doc-
__________
That’s funny, didn’t they just Plop down 2M on a restaurant inside the arena?
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
3:37 pm
“MsDee
December 14th, 2011
3:11 pm
Its not about adding pieces just to be adding pieces. Dallas had Dirk for years and pears but he couldnt do it all by himself until he got the RIGHT pieces to get that RING!! No other player on Dallas’s team stands out and they were able to may it happen. Not saying the Hawks are on the same level as Dallas but just like it took them years to get it right w/o making block busters trades, the same COULD happen for us..it just takes patience!!”
The patience it takes should also allow if necessary the need to exceed the cap to get the right players. I guarantee you Dallas does not go to the ECF or wins a title under the luxury cap. I see ASG spending money; I don’t see them spending it wisely. We have a #2 draft pick who after 6 years is still trying to find his way with this team. He is an unknown at this point and ranks on the low end of SFs in the league. Those are facts. Will one removed bulging disc resolve that?
I dunno, as a bulging disk is not the reason for that fadeaway jumper Marvin is so fond of.
And I point out Marvin because if we are stuck at the luxury tax water level, then he should be part of the solution, an so far, he hasn’t been the solution. We are moving Josh to the 3 because we can’t count on Marvin. So our versatile lineup we have is only good if the jumpers fall.
Dallas changed key pieces in their lineup to find the right combination. They had previously figured out a way to get to the ECF 4 years ago also. We are not a model of Dallas; we rely more on a model like San Antonio, yet we don’t have that HOF type player, or PG yet. We don’t have guys who create mismatches. We have a lot of guys who are good guys who are happy with the level they are at.
Dallas put no limitations on the number of coaches they went through, nor the number of players they signed, traded, and waived.
We could only hope to be that competitive and be even mentioned as a threat to win the title.
Those are all facts and we continue on making small changes, keeping the bulk of the starting lineup, and still make bad signings the norm.
It hurts here more than Dallas; they just go out and spend more. We tell our incumbents to go find a better offer.
I cannot and will not defend this philosophy that is the ASG. They consider this a successful franchise right where we stand as we dropped from a 4 seed to a 5 seed last year on a very experienced team.
Oh yeah, 1/2 the league makes the playoffs. That shouldn’t satisfu anyone, unless you’re a Bobby Cox fan who found every way possible to lose on their home field in the 90s playoffs.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
3:38 pm
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
3:31 pm
Plop … Plop … Fizz … Fizz!
“… how the phillips is showing signs or disrepair because the lack of funds for upkeep; so why would a star come here.” -doc-
__________
“That’s funny, didn’t they just Plop down 2M on a restaurant inside the arena?”
Yea these owners will probably charge “Bones Steak House” prices……#@#$%^^ @ their new joint called “RED” as in RED State? I guess.
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
3:42 pm
“Oh yeah, 1/2 the league makes the playoffs. That shouldn’t satisfu anyone, unless you’re a Bobby Cox fan who found every way possible to lose on their home field in the 90s playoffs.”
Cox had to be one the worst x and o guys in baseball history? Just dayum with all the implosions his teams had throughout that 20 year run………Yawn………
FreshFromATL
December 14th, 2011
3:42 pm
So first the Warriors give Kwami Brown 7 milly for 1 year and now the Bulls just signed Rip Hamiliton for the FULL MLE? SMGDH. Sund is looking better and better by the day with the T-Mac signing. Hawks may very well surprise a lot of people this year.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
3:45 pm
“The Nets offered Lopez and five 1st round picks…Wow.”
Considering they got 3 first round picks for sending Kenyon Martin to Denver, using that exchange rate, they should be offering about 15 first round picks for Dwight.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
3:47 pm
“Oh yeah, 1/2 the league makes the playoffs. That shouldn’t satisfu anyone, unless you’re a Bobby Cox fan who found every way possible to lose on their home field in the 90s playoffs.”
In fairness, only 1/4 of the league makes the playoffs in the MLB, and Bobby Cox managed to win a championship.
northcyde
December 14th, 2011
3:50 pm
MsDee
December 14th, 2011
3:07 pm
Northcyde makes valid points but at the end of the day, how can we automatically assume we will be a NBA Champion team just by adding a Dwight or a CP3? Orlando and N.O had them and we went further with more limitations than they did…WAY TO GO, Ken, as always!!
**********************
First off Ms Dee, Orlando played in the NBA Finals 3 years ago and the Eastern Conference Finals 2 years ago. And New Orleans lone glory in the playoffs came in 2007 – 08, when the lost to the Spurs in 7 games in the West Semifinals.
So technically, those two teams have gone further than we have.
But to answer your question . . no. We can’t know if adding Dwight or CP3 will make us an NBA Champion. And that’s part of my point.
The alternative to not adding those type of players, is to keep what we have. And in the past 4 years, what we have hasn’t even been good enough to get out of the 2nd round.
And while we’re good enough to beat about 60% of the league on most nights, nobody considers us as even a remote threat to even challenge for a title. We’re not even in the conversation.
So how long do we wait for this particular group to become a great team, before we shake up the mix to try to build a great team using potentially better fitting players? That’s actually part of Ken’s rant on the Denver situation of a few years ago.
Denver changed the entire makeup of their team by getting rid of two key cogs and bringing in new people to replace them. So the question is . . when does the Hawks do something like that?
People are mad because it was really Chicago’s 2nd team who beat us in the playoff series last year. A 2nd team that routinely went up against our top 7 players, and handled us for the most part.
I like Ken Strickland’s optimism, but I simply can’t believe that ALL of our vet and rookie minimum guys are going to make a positive impact. Sund is nowhere near that good of a GM to believe that he can pick up a bunch of vet minimum and 2nd round guys, and have all of them be key contributors. Our “core” is essentially the Billy Knight core of 2006.
- Johnson
- Smith
- Marvin
- Zaza
- Horford ( as a draft pick )
I hope Ken is right. I hope now that we finally have the type of bench here that won’t blow the leads that the starters build. Jettisoning Jamal Crawford might be a blessing in disguise, because we’ll be forced to score as a team, and not just watch him try to get his points.
But to get to that next level, we have to go through Chicago and Miami and Boston and possibly still Orlando. To me, our best chance of getting to that next level, is to get a #1 or #2 seed, so that we can at least have home court in the EC Semis.
Being #3 or #4 isn’t going to be good enough, if we have aspirations to advance further in the playoffs. But will that be enough for the ASG? To simply be “good”, but not “great”?
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
3:52 pm
northcyde, I am fairly certain that when Gearon sent his letter out last year, that he said something to the effect “bring Atlanta an entertaining product”. My guess is that over the last 8-10 years, only luxury-paying teams have won the gold (maybe the Pistons are the exception, they are the exception to many rules when it comes to winning a title). So if you know that your team’s overall talent level is going to be below the elite, then you seemingly would focus on coaching. And from all reports, the ASG opted for a coaching candidate with low salary demands (in addition to no previous head coaching experience and a past contributor to the team’s sometimes dysfunctional culture). So when you add all of that up, how can anyone sit here two weeks before the start of the season and expect a true contender? I don’t. Maybe I should yell at the rain, but that hasn’t worked in the past 3-4 years (while others blamed Woody, I suggested that fans “follow the money” and lay blame at the feet of ownership). As I’ve said recently, I have above average hopes for this particular team. I like the balance and the notion that some old heads may have some new tricks in their bag. I believe this team is up for sale… any attempts to tear down a wall to make the house look better could easily lead to structural damage that may make the house unsellable. So I think the owners will apply a fresh coat of paint, change out a light fixture or two and cut the grass. I wouldn’t expect much more than that. Still, the house looks better than most.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
3:56 pm
Bone In Rib-Eye!
“Yea these owners will probably charge “Bones Steak House” prices……#@#$%^^ @ their new joint called “RED” as in RED State? I guess.” -SlimJr-
________________
SlimJr Boy! We have got to meet and soon. O was just thinking about “Bones” prices when I was tying that restaurant ISH! Dayum … I can’t stand these owners.
northcyde
December 14th, 2011
4:00 pm
It’s just amazing the talk that is coming out of Memphis
***************************
Interview with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley:
Q. You recently said for the first time publicly that you’re committed to winning a championship. How close are you to winning an NBA title?
A. The players are going to determine how close we are. I can honestly tell you that I think we have a real chance over the next two or three years to win the NBA championship if we get some breaks and a couple of our players develop into their potential. We’ve got a few years where Zach (Randolph) will be playing at a high level. Rudy (Gay) is young and just beginning to come into his own. (Mike) Conley is young. We’ve got a team that’s young and they like each other. The chemistry in the locker room is good. I’m not sure what is going to happen, but I feel like we have a good, deep team. It isn’t like we have five players and then we drop off a cliff. I’m not telling you we’ll win a championship but I’m saying I won’t be surprised if we make a big run for it. That’s honest. I haven’t gone around saying that my whole career in Memphis. I feel like we have something special.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/dec/06/qa-with-grizzlies-owner-michael-heisley-there-to/
********************************
Now Hawks fans . . . have you EVER heard anybody connected with this organization say anything remotely to this? This is friggin MEMPHIS we’re talking about, and their expectations as a franchise from TOP to BOTTOM is higher than ours.
What do we get?
“We like our core”
“I like our bigs”
“Josh Smith is the closest thing to Lebron in the league”
Memphis was a franchise that people last year at this time said should be FOLDED. So they’ve gone from the “Fold” list . . to the “Championship” list?
Incredible.
Just a totally different mentality. That’s why people have ramped up the rhetoric against the ASG. If they’re serious about building a championship team in Atlanta . . THEN PROVE IT.
But as Big Ray pointed out a few blogs ago, we know what their goal is
“to assemble the best possible team, while NOT going over the tax”.
LOL . . it isn’t even about going over the tax, it’s about seeing if you can turn a good team into a great team BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
No chance at that though. So our only hope is that JJ or Josh or Horford turn into superstars.
doc
December 14th, 2011
4:02 pm
dmb you mean patience and an owner willing to spend twenty mil over cap and have a fleet of two planes for his team right?
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
4:03 pm
northcyde
Can it be ? … We agree !
Winning Culture = Championship Culture
Never have I heard ASG say;
-we are about winning championships-
or, even “a” championship.
All we hear is;
-not gonna go over the cap- / -not gonna pay the tax-
Whatever / Whichever ?
The most exciting off season FA frenzie / trade speculation,
rumors a flyin’, generating interest all-over, hype abounding,
hope springs eternal … yet … our Hawks;
no money, no hope, no trades, no FA signing, can’t keep Jamal,
can’t even S & T Jamal, no Big man, no # 1 draft pick, Hinrich inj,
unwilling to even get involved in any trade speculation that is creative,
just the same ol’ same ol’, polish the core, shine up the station wagon,
no splash but a couple ripples; T-Mac & VladRad, useful but re-cycled,
let’s stay the course, make the play-offs and see what happens;
somewhere between 3rd and 6th, that’ll keep ‘em happy … yeah …
maybe win a series, back home after two, sell our draft pick, let Kirk walk;
say bye to T-Mac & VladRad, next year … hey Kito gained 10 lbs;
he’s up to 241 … if he gains another 5 or 6 lbs we can let Zaza walk;
and on it goes……………………………………………………………………
so sad to be a Hawks fan, with the confounded ASG still in charge –
can we [the fans] sue them for a lack of competitive balance in the ATL.
A frustrated, pissed off, irascible ol’ man.
doc
December 14th, 2011
4:05 pm
northcyde it is about providing an ENTERTAINING team without going over tax cap.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
4:08 pm
If the Hawks are still looking for a minimum salary backup point guard, they could probably do worse than Rafer Alston.
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
4:18 pm
The owners are not willing to S & T Jamal
for fear of going over the cap;
“I do not understand” G-dad.
They do not go into tax land until what ? Feb ?
ASG / Sund would have until the trade deadline
to get back under the cap.
Trade deadline – they could move Kirk,
or, if we are having a tremendous season, roll the dice.
Heck, they could S & T Jamal for a Big,
then [again] dump Kirk or Marv & Zaza at the Tr Deadline.
Isn’t that what ingenius GM’s do ?
Work the #’s.
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
4:19 pm
Why can’t Sund be creative ?
northcyde
December 14th, 2011
4:20 pm
LOL @ “an entertaining product”. Like the ASG just signed Monica or Young Jeezy or somebody.
That’s a fair assessment what you gave Astro. I can buy that.
I just don’t want to see happen to the Smitty – Mookie – Dikembe Hawks, in which the organization waited until Smitty and Mookie were in decline, before dealing them. And they dealt them for fools gold, sending this franchise into an abyss.
Maybe that’s what Gearon and his buddies are afraid of. Trading one or two of our “Medium 3″ for guys who look good stat wise, but are horrible fits team wise. We got an All-Star center that doesn’t want ALL of the responsibilities of playing center . . so in effect, we’re STILL looking for a center after the departure of Dikembe.
While the team looks more balanced on paper, it’s eventually going to come down to one or two of our top 3 guys drastically improving. Heck, maybe we become the 1996 Seattle Supersonics . . not the 1993 version.
northcyde
December 14th, 2011
4:25 pm
Yeah Grandad . . we agree.
kwooden
December 14th, 2011
4:25 pm
Astro, I hate to say this but I agree!
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
4:41 pm
BTW, I’ll be cutting confetti, wearing goofy gear and acting like I just won a ring if the Hawks ever win the whole dang thing. So don’t get it twisted, I want to enjoy the euphoria that Mavs’ fans had last summer. I just don’t think it comes until the owner crosses that magical luxury line AND we see an elite head coach on the sideline. Until then, this is like an enjoyable movie with a predictable ending.
doc
December 14th, 2011
4:45 pm
gdad culture is also a problem at uga. have you ever heard mark richt say his team is playing for more than a chance to win the sec championship that puts you in position to play for it all?
Melvin
December 14th, 2011
4:48 pm
Sign Troy Murphy or Craig Smith…. Comeon Sund…
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
Grandad, you know its sad, when ASG can’t even sale a team right, lol.
How do you not verify the buyer’s funds BEFORE the press release, lol?
doc
December 14th, 2011
4:53 pm
astro gearon said on the radio that he felt they were doing their job as an organization and fans should support it because it was good entertainment to paraphrase him. never did he say gans should support us because it is our objective to do what it takes yo win a championship. others have argued you dont spend money over tax until you think you can win. me i think that is doible dpeak or catch 22 buy just yhe same we are stuck with what we have until the desire of ownership changes. so enjoy it like you would a movie, just buy stale overpriced popcorn while you do.
Truth
December 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
“never did he say gans should support us because it is our objective to do what it takes yo win a championship. others have argued you dont spend money over tax until you think you can win. me i think that is doible dpeak or catch 22 buy just yhe same we are stuck with what we have until the desire of ownership changes.”
Wow.
kwooden
December 14th, 2011
5:02 pm
Melvin, I would definitely take Craig Smith over Rolle, especially if Benson and Rolle are the same. I like Smith’s aggressiveness in the paint.
ArtMan
December 14th, 2011
5:23 pm
I wanted to offer a few random thoughts.
Ken, I follow your reasoning and agree that we should be a much improved defensive team. However in the back of my mind I still question if Drew is a good enough coach to get the best out of the players we have. I still remember the end of last season when the team was playing poorly, i.e. coasting into the playoffs, and Drew said they needed to pick it up the last couple games of the season rather than try to turn it on during the playoffs. Well the players did not pick it up until the playoffs began. Drew seemed confused at the time. I still wonder if the players just stopped listening to him and did it their own way.
The value of a good coach is getting players to know their roles on the team and play to their strengths. I did not get the impression the players knew what their roles were or played to their strengths. So do you have confidence that Larry Drew will be able to mold the team to reach their full potential?
Also for those who want to make changes to the core. Do you trust Sund to make trades that would improve the team or is he as likely to make poor decisions and make the team worse by changing the core?
If we had a good GM and coach I would feel more optimistic about the team. They may have peaked or they may just have not had a coach that maximizes the potential of the existing core. I would like to see what an Adelman or Thibodeau could do with this team.
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
5:29 pm
doc
I understand your point.
I think the difference with UGA;
winning the “mythical” Nat Championship is implied.
Plus, winning the SEC puts you in position to play for the
“mythical” Nat Champ.
The SEC championship is a “real” title.
I keep saying mythical due to the fact that the BCS
is a load of crap.
I probably am a CMR apologist to a certain degree;
as I think McGarity has reinstilled the “Winning Culture”
that was lost during the Damon Evans years.
A Winnning Culture begins at the top, r e McGarity.
Nevertheless, you make a great point.
tidog
December 14th, 2011
5:52 pm
The Braves have a solid fan base, good ownership and a good product. The same can be said for the Falcons. The Hawks on the other hand have a bandwagon fan base, horrible ownership and a good product. Ownership without a vision holds the organization back.
STRETCH
December 14th, 2011
5:59 pm
RIP HAMILTON TO THE BULLS.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
6:13 pm
FIRE SUND
AMNESTY ASG
USE THE TRADE EXCEPTION
SMGDMFHFFSROTFLMAOLOLKTC @ THIS OWNERSHIP
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
6:19 pm
“Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
4:08 pm
If the Hawks are still looking for a minimum salary backup point guard, they could probably do worse than Rafer Alston.
Najeh, I’ve been asking for Rafer Alston since he led the Magic to the ECF, then Van Gundy turned on him by throwing in Jameer Nelson. He totally killed the momentum that team built up.
Going forward now, Rafer has been in some trouble the last couple of years and there is no way Sund brings in any baggage. He wants ‘em clean cut and no baggage. Plain and simple and it cost ASG the minimum.
Why do we have to deal with these embasciles that call themselves owners? That ASG is an absolute horror story. If we are never going to fight for a championship, we might as well go Pittsburgh: spend the minimum you have to spend and be in the lottery each year.
To love the ASG is to understand them……….sheesh…impossible!
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
6:24 pm
Ish Smith was just waived by the Grizz today; didn’t he spend time with Jeff in the Wake backcourt? He might be worth looking at.
J.J.M.
December 14th, 2011
6:27 pm
“The Braves have a solid fan base, good ownership and a good product. The same can be said for the Falcons. The Hawks on the other hand have a bandwagon fan base, horrible ownership and a good product. Ownership without a vision holds the organization back.”
All this is true..but funny out of all the teams which one is actually winning a playoff series!
O'Brien
December 14th, 2011
6:30 pm
Dirk was in a similar situation like JJ, in that for years, he was criticized as not being able to step up and lead his team to the finals. However, Mark Cuban did not keep the same coach and the same players every year, and just hope for internal growth.
He continued to tinker with the team, tried to bring in other stars, and kept mixing and matching until he found the right mix, and he went into luxury tax.
The ASG, on the other hand, have stuck with the core, and has continued to keep their fingers crossed that it will be enough, and will not go into the luxury tax.
tyger
December 14th, 2011
6:30 pm
What word on Gilbert Arenas?
He stated he wanted to go where D12 is going, but if D12 aint going nowhere, where’s he going? Nowhere also?
Hawk Billed
December 14th, 2011
6:56 pm
Can they trade Marvin Williams for a 2012 5th round draft pick ?
Hawk Billed
December 14th, 2011
6:57 pm
Arenas was plain awful last year. He was so bad that Marvin outplayed him…
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
7:00 pm
Gordon, Kaman, Aminu, and MIN unprotected first rounder to Hornets for CP3 is a done deal.
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
7:01 pm
O’Brien, I totally agree. But I must admit I feel its Cuban’s tinkering that stopped the Mavs from having a title by now. If Cuban was patient, he would’ve re-signed Nash, and had the point guard that he spent the next 4-6 seasons searching for. For what its worth, Don Nelson is a much better coach than Mike D’antoni, to me. Also, Cuban let go of Jamison, who left to have great years in Dallas. Nash, Finley, Dirk, and Jamison should’ve played 3-4 more seasons together. Cuban grew impatient on waiting for the Lakers’ window to close.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
7:02 pm
Analaphor!
Astro Joe is in “rare air” today – he musta’ ate his Wheaties! The unsellable house is a brilliant analogy.
Taking our beat up words and painted a picture Picasso would be proud of. That’s what’s up. (she winks)
_________
doc you nailed it too! I forgot what you said on the previous page, but it was quite impressive when I read it. My neck hairs stood up. LOL!
______________
Grand-Daddy is on fiyah too. Great posts all over the blog place today.
Good reads!
AMNESTY ASKG!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2011
7:06 pm
Clippers are going to have to move Mo Williams at some point. They have four point guards on the roster now. Paul, Williams, Billups, Bledsoe.
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
7:12 pm
I’d like to have grand pa Anthony Johnson signed as a back up PG, just in case.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
7:14 pm
And
And re: that RED restaurant? SHUT IT DOWN! If you cant sell over priced tickets, how are you gonna’ sell over priced steaks? On grand opening night, imma’ picket RED with sandwich board: picture me in an orangatan suit with the the front side saying: Going Out Business and the back side saying: For Sale by Owner. LOL!
They trying to sell us the “sizzle” without the “steak”. Aye ASKG! We’re not buying it.
Sell us a super star and we will come!
_______________
Is that the Ishmael Smith PG from Houston? I love that kid a lot! He would be awesome behind and in tandem with Jeff Teague. That would be some super bang for the buck! Get that kid in here ASAP!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, Stack. Ishmael is the whole truth and nothing but.
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
7:21 pm
Najeh, FYI, Rafer Alston agent reporting his client would like to return to the NBA….
Popeye
December 14th, 2011
7:35 pm
All this talk about going coast to coast is good, because that what you do a) when you have young guys who lack experience, b) when you team has limited half court capabilities, c) when your coach has vacancy between his ears.
Run an Gun will serve the Hawks well. Al Horford is the slow one on the starters. But when you talk Josh, Teague and JJ the ball is moving so fast down court it warps to the shape of a seed.
Thats good and you will beat other teams early in the season, leaving them gassing and some teams late, just because you can.
But this aint a bunch of inexperience rookies, these are seasoned vets – minus Teague. who despite his playoff success has many still in doubt. The hawks are seriously looking at guard play and thats not to back Teague up, but to put in major minutes.
The bottom line is running will get the hawks to the playoffs.,( left out of the article is that run n gun is always high risk high rewards basketball. turnovers are to be expected), but once you get there you got to play… you need player(s) who can create and take you off the dribble, sharp shooters, and a center with an attitude and a coach who has a clue if you are going to go deep….
As Big Dog pointed out and is being said by others, insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Its like De ja vu all over again when Woody took the run n gun hawks from 13 wins to 53 wins only to realize… the hawks really dont have the tools to go any further. Outside of JJ and Josh, maybe an improving Teague just dont have the talent or depth.
Sorry.
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
7:39 pm
DMB, just for you………
BACKCOURT
The Demon Deacons essentially start two point guards in sophomore Jeff Teague and junior Ishmael Smith. Both have great wheels ? they could be the fastest tandem in the country ? and they complement one another because each uses his speed for different purposes.
Sophomore guard Jeff Teague averaged nearly 14 points a game last season.
2008-09 stats
G Ishmael Smith, 6-0/Jr.
8.6 ppg, 4.7 apg, 1.3 spg
G Jeff Teague, 6-2/So.
13.9 ppg, 1.8 spg
Luke Cage
December 14th, 2011
7:43 pm
Guessing JC1 over valued himself because offers are drying up, teams offer like 2.5 per, may as well just re-up with the Hawks
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
7:44 pm
ONE OF THE MOST CURSED FRANCHISES IN SPORTS HISTORY JUST LANDED A SUPERSTAR
WHILE WE ARE STUCK WITH 18 PPG JOE JOHNSON WHO MAKES ABOUT AS MUCH AS CP3+GRIFFIN COMBINED
FIRE SUND
FIRE ASG
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
7:44 pm
Hawks Blockbuster Move!
IF we move Jeff Teague to the starting line up permanently, that would be the equivalent to a blockbuster trade for us!
This kid is really, just that awesome – special talent. Who knew, he was buried on the bench this whole time. Imagine how far along we would be if he didn’t have root rot and pine splinters up his azz all this wasted time?
We could have solved our PG a while ago and have had another big man by now. Marvin would have been long gone too.
I just makes me so sick to see mismanagement to this level on this team. No guts no glory. I guess the Lakers are just sick about CP3 playing on their floor, but not their team. It’s about time The Clipps get some love though. Can you imagine them sitting on top of the Lakers in that division looking down on Kobe’s team. I like that part of it, but I just wonder – why not us? Perhaps Jeff and Josh will be our future super stars, one can only pray and hope.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
7:49 pm
Clippers look dang good on paper. They have a great mix of players in their prime and guys still on the rise. At the same time, they have some guys who have missed significant playing time in CP3, Caron and Blake. Paul is there for only two years, so some of the drama could re-emerge as early as next July.
Lakers can now offer Bynum and Gasol to Orlando.
The plot thickens.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
7:51 pm
SCREW YOU ASG
YOU GUYS DON’T CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT YOURSELVES
YOU WON’T USE THE TRADE EXCEPTION
INSTEAD OF IMPROVING THE TEAM, ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS YOUR CRAPPY NEW RESTAURANT WHICH NO ONE WILL GO TO BECAUSE NO ONE GOES TO THE GAMES BECAUSE THE TEAMS ARE NOT BEING UPGRADED
AMNESTY ASG
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
7:53 pm
“Hawks Blockbuster Move!
IF we move Jeff Teague to the starting line up permanently, that would be the equivalent to a blockbuster trade for us!
This kid is really, just that awesome – special talent. Who knew, he was buried on the bench this whole time. Imagine how far along we would be if he didn’t have root rot and pine splinters up his azz all this wasted time?”
ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER MOVE FOR US IS IF MARVIN AVERAGES 14 PPG AND ACTUALLY REBOUNDS
ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER: JOSH NOT TAKING JUMPSHOTS
IT’S ABOUT TIME JOE AND MARVIN HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT FOR THEIR REBOUNDING.
STEVE FRANCIS OWNS JOE JOHNSON’S REBOUNDING NUMBERS
STEVE FRANCIS FFS
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
7:53 pm
HAS KOBE REQUESTED A TRADE YET?
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
7:55 pm
Its a Wrap!
KevinM thanks baby for that info! I had no clue that Ishmael played with Jeff @ Wake Forest. This is too good to be true – there is a God! Get him in here yesterday.
I saw him play for Houston’s Summer League and almost fell off my chair. Ishmael’s game was jaw dropping to me. I posted about him on here to see if we could steal him away from Houston. How did he end up in Memphis?
He is small, but dyno-mite! If we do that, I will send Sund an olive branch today. Jeff would be so happy as well. I saw the IT factor in his game.
Thanks KevinM!!!!!!!! Could we even use him properly is the question? Our bench would show no drop off whatsoever. We would run other teams out of Atlanta on the nightly.
superiorblogman
December 14th, 2011
8:09 pm
Time for Sund to act like he has a clue and swoop in to get Kaman or Okafor. Preferably Kaman.
Kirk and Zaza for Kaman
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cwfed8z
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
8:12 pm
CO-SIGN SUPERIORBLOGMAN
KIRK AND Z FOR EITHER OF THEIR BIGS
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
8:16 pm
The Clippers trade reinforces what I was saying the other day. The Clippers are in the same “big market” as the Lakers, heck, they play in the same arena. So why did the League/owners allow CP3 to go to the same arena but a different team? Luxury tax, baby! Non-luxury tax owners are in a civil war (of sorts) with the money-to-burn owners. They won’t likely stop the Lakers from trading for D12, however. Orlando has been willing to spend big in the past and they have a new arena that likely has the potential for higher revenues for the owner.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
8:17 pm
I give up on the Hawks for making a move i guess we have live with what we got there is nothing we do unless we force ASG out .
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
8:23 pm
http://www.foxsportscarolinas.com/12/13/11/Can-McGrady-show-old-magic-with-Hawks/landing.html?blockID=625872&feedID=8660
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
8:26 pm
DMB, Ish was traded with Battier at the trade deadline:
Updated: Feb 24, 2011 6:37 PM EST
NewsTeen found shot in busy parking lotSalmonella outbreak traced to Corinth Mexican restaurantSuspect’s tip helps police solve dozens of burglariesBarbour taps Fair for Miss. Court of Appeals seatProtesters fight to keep Mason YMCA from closingArk. AG rejects proposed tax amendment’s wordingMemphis man found dead in Louisiana bayouMemphis man charged with baby’s murderMemphis airfares nation’s highestAnalyst: Full TN job recovery could take 5 yearsMEMPHIS, TN – HOUSTON (AP) – The Houston Rockets sent Shane Battier to Memphis Thursday in a deal for center Hasheem Thabeet to Houston, according to a person familiar with the specifics of the trades.
The Rockets also recieved a first round draft pick, and sent Ish Smith to the Grizzlies.
Apparently, they have a backup to Conley, unlike us. We have the potential of Sy and a bunch of tall guys who will try to fill the void.
This does sound like Sund doesn’t it?
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
8:26 pm
Here’s what Sund could do to clear a bunch of cap space in light of the CP3 trade. Trade Joe for Kamen and Randy Foye. CP3, Joe and Blake would be a top 2-3 team in any conference. We’d get a serviceable center and combo guard for only one year. Next summer, we’d have around $24M vanish between Kamen, Hinrich and Foye. Other reason for Clips to do it, CP3 isn’t signed long-term and may want to see them truly compete for a title.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
8:28 pm
Preacher Man!
“SCREW YOU ASG
YOU GUYS DON’T CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT YOURSELVES
YOU WON’T USE THE TRADE EXCEPTION
INSTEAD OF IMPROVING THE TEAM, ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS YOUR CRAPPY NEW RESTAURANT WHICH NO ONE WILL GO TO BECAUSE NO ONE GOES TO THE GAMES BECAUSE THE TEAMS ARE NOT BEING UPGRADED
AMNESTY ASG”
-Grandmaster JeJe-
_________________
Hallelujah … Hallelujah … Hallelujah … Hallelujah …
Preach that sermon Brother JeJe! We don’t want no RED MEAT Steaks! This town, this city, these fans – WE deserve a WINNER!
Yawl got some Trophy Steaks on that menu?
Yawl got some Championship Steaks on that menu?
Yawl got a Super Star Steak on that menu?
I didn’t think so!
________________
Aye ASKG! You’ve been black-balled and banned from the Dollar Tree’s Bargain Bin! Ain’t no more 2fers $1.00! Only one per customer – you have exceeded your limit!
Larry Drew
Bobby Bender
Kito Benson
Magnum Rolle
Jerry Stackhouse
Jason Collins
Best used by December 10, 2011 – they’re expired! We don’t want the Manager’s Special – bad meat sale and yawl can’t switch the dates on the packaging!!!!! We Know how long they’ve been sitting on the shelf! You can’t fool us!!!!
____________
I need some bottled water. Not LOL either.
I’m just tired of watching the drug dealers roll by with big, shiny thangs!
“Lakers for Dwight” (coming soon)
Ticket holders – Get your stale popcorn & cherry coke now!
Melvin
December 14th, 2011
8:29 pm
CP3 to the Clippers for Kaman, Gordon, Aminu and Minny 1st rd pick. The Clippers got rip off, bamboozled, hood wink….
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
8:30 pm
Oh and for this year, Hawks could start TMac at SG and have Marvin come off the bench. Kamen, Horford, Josh, TMAc and Teague. A really poor shooting line-up but if y’all want to be in position for FAs in the future and want to get rid of Joe’s contract, you can’t have it all.
new guy
December 14th, 2011
8:33 pm
30 post, page 6 most current page
Blog Hogs
Score
JeJe 6
Drmaryb 4
KevinM 4
___________
page blog 30
Blog hogs 14
____________
others 16/13 = 1.23 average other bloggers
yoursporthouse.com
December 14th, 2011
8:36 pm
Astro Joe…stop smoking before posting. You are not trading Joe 3 time All Star Johnson and leaving Marvin Williams on the team. Hawks would be back to winning 20 games a year.
yoursporthouse.com
December 14th, 2011
8:38 pm
You can’t go on hoping that a FA would sign with your team just because you have cap space.
Sautee
December 14th, 2011
8:39 pm
AJ,
Bledsoe instead of Foye (or both)?
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
8:39 pm
Blog B ! T C H!
_____________
“30 post, page 6 most current page
Blog Hogs
Score
JeJe 6
Drmaryb 4
KevinM 4
___________
page blog 30
Blog hogs 14
____________
others 16/13 = 1.23 average other bloggers”
- NOBODY -
____________
F U! B!TCH!!!
Neki
December 14th, 2011
8:40 pm
Finally, CPIII has been traded, so should we tried to see what NOH wants for Kaman or Okafor, in fact lets added on Eric Gordon just for kicks
yoursporthouse.com
December 14th, 2011
8:43 pm
You guys are idiots. Nobody is taking Joe’s contract first of all. Second, why would the Hawks trade their BEST player? No matter how much you think he’s not worth it, well he is still your leading scorer at 19 points per game. The other things you people don’t value is Joe is not a guy getting into trouble off the court. That also holds a lot of value nowadays.
Sautee
December 14th, 2011
8:44 pm
AJ,
my bad. I thought the Clips kept Kaman.
northcyde
December 14th, 2011
8:46 pm
PG – Paul
G – Billups
F – Butler
PF – Griffin
C – Jordan
Damn . . .
new guy
December 14th, 2011
8:46 pm
WHISTLE
FOUL CALLED ON THE BLOG HOGS
Foul on drmary
Free blog for the others.
new guy
December 14th, 2011
8:48 pm
I believe that’s a flagrant!!!
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
8:48 pm
My bad, Sautee. You’re right, Kaman is gone. Never mind.
yoursporthouse.com
December 14th, 2011
8:55 pm
Trade Marvin, Zaza and future pick for Kaman.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
8:57 pm
OCCUPY PHILLIPS ARENA!
I wish we could organize a crew and march on the ASKG executive offices and show our disdain for:
Ownership Brutality!
Perhaps, we can get the Thrasher Fans on board to get these owners Amnestied out of Atlanta! Its time to go POSTAL!
CP3 identified Atlanta as a team he would sign an extension with, but we didn’t even pick up the phone to answer the call? It’s past time for ASKG to get the hella on! What did they do? Announced the opening of a full service restaurant named: RED? What the hella is that about?
We now know where their head is at, and it ain’t about basketball operations! I don’t care what they “LIKE” about their core – I really don’t. We get nothing for Christmas – but re-wrapped old toys and a load of bull sh!t. I’d rather have a crack-pipe in my stocking. Imma’ need to get high to kill the pain IF I gotta’ watch Marvin fall down one more time.
Good Night everyone! Stick a fork in me – I’m done!
I can’t believe I was hoping we get CP3 or Dwight? Not in my life time – it ain’t gonna’ happen with ASKG in the way
What a seismic shift when the Clipps eclipse the Hawks. We shoulda’ all saw it coming when Stan traded Nique to the Clipps for drooling mouth Danny Manning! We shoulda’ seen the train coming then.
I feel dumb for believing.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
9:01 pm
FIRE WOODY
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
9:04 pm
Well, the Clippers actually have a plan….Sund and the ASG? Not so much….make money and make us just competitive enough to keep the fan base interested.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
9:04 pm
FIRE SUND
AMNESTY ASG
PEOPLE ACT LIKE THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT. EVERY YEAR IS THE SAME ISH.
JOE SAYS T-MAC IS A VOCAL LEADER.
DAMN RIGHT HE IS. YOU AREN’T A LEADER AT ALL YOU MONEY-STEALER
new guy
December 14th, 2011
9:16 pm
Grandad I thought you said this was a holy woman who preached on Sundays?
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
8:39 pm
Blog B ! T C H!
_____________
“30 post, page 6 most current page
Blog Hogs
Score
JeJe 6
Drmaryb 4
KevinM 4
___________
page blog 30
Blog hogs 14
____________
others 16/13 = 1.23 average other bloggers”
- NOBODY -
____________
F U! B!TCH!!!
O'Brien
December 14th, 2011
9:16 pm
Melvin,
Did the Clippers overpay for CP3? Probably. But it also increases the chances of keeping Blake Griffin, because big men like to play with PGs who can help elevate their game.
Hopefully, everyone stays healthy, because I would like to see what the Clipps can do.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
9:19 pm
I guess the restaurant called Red its true what they say you are what you eat ASG this kind of reminds of the old Charlotte Hornets ownership fans got rid there owner win they traded Kobe .
O'Brien
December 14th, 2011
9:19 pm
John Canzano: Source: Jamal Crawford asking for year No. 2 of 2-year deal to be a player option…. either Sacramento or Portland… either place. Twitter.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
9:26 pm
Hornets will be known as the franchise that traded two superstars away to the LA area first it was Kobe Bryant and now as NO Hornets Chris Paul .
Snap
December 14th, 2011
9:28 pm
Occupy this blog page! Oh, Drmaryb is already doing that. Continue.
Melvin
December 14th, 2011
9:31 pm
Clippers will need a SG since they traded Gordon. I hope Crawford lands there….
ryan
December 14th, 2011
9:37 pm
Atlanta sports fans just frustrated its hard to see other teams make big moves when these Atlanta franchises sit on there hands and do nothing that were the anger comes from we are tired of being mediocre maybe this team can do something who knows hopefully we get to see Teague play .
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
9:39 pm
KBergCBS Ken Berger
Bulls officially announce the signing of Rip Hamilton. It’s a three-year deal with two fully guaranteed.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
9:42 pm
Has the brilliant Acie Law landed someplace yet?
ryan
December 14th, 2011
9:47 pm
Any news on Gilbert Arneas are the Hawks showing any interest at all .
superiorblogman
December 14th, 2011
9:52 pm
Trade Zaza, Kirk, and a 2nd for Kaman
Teague
Joe
Josh
Al
Kaman
T-MAC
Marvin
bums
Rather have that than
Joe
Jeff
Marvin as a starter is a bum
Josh
AL
T-Mac
bums
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
9:59 pm
People who say Joe is stealing money, are being unrealistic. I’m not 6′6, but if ASG came and knocked on my door and offered me Joe’s contract, I’d sign with the closest pen that I had. And any player in the NBA player would. Joe’s contract would’ve been offered to him by over half of the franchises in the league, if they had him. Look at the contract Chicago gave Boozer, or what NYK gave Amare, even with their checkered injury history. Truthfully, Joe would’ve been the 3rd highest paid player on the Celtics last season. He would’ve been the 3rd highest paid player on Orlando. Joe’s contract isn’t what’s killing the franchise. What’s killing the franchise is ASG’s lying saying they would be willing to go in luxury tax, when they’ve offered NO proof of the kind. The Hawks have had the lowest payroll in the 2nd round of the playoffs for the last three seasons! That says enough.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
10:02 pm
Death Certificate!
I buried -NOBODY- @ 8:39PM. Rigir Mortis has set in, no moment of silence will be necessary. Flip IT over, (face down) and gas it – so, I can plant my foot in IT’S azz.
Move on people, there is nothing to see here. Next blog troll puh-lease!
______________
“Atlanta sports fans just frustrated its hard to see other teams make big moves when these Atlanta franchises sit on there hands and do nothing that were the anger comes from we are tired of being mediocre maybe this team can do something who knows hopefully we get to see Teague play.” -ryan-
__________
You Sir, have nailed it. (Nuff Said)
steven A.
December 14th, 2011
10:05 pm
Latest rumor is Hawks plan to bring in 7″1″ Alexis Ajinca and Eric Dampier. I hope Ajinca makes the
roster.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
10:08 pm
FisolaNYDN Frank Isola
Knicks signed Mike Bibby and are reportedly interested in Mo Evans. Both once played for, you guessed it, Mike Woodson. Notice a trend?
steven A.
December 14th, 2011
10:11 pm
Please bring in Alexis Ajinca. “best offensive center left on the market”
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
10:11 pm
* Rigor Mortis
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2011
10:12 pm
With Bibby’s departure, and the way the team played in last yrs playoffs with PGs that played DEF, it appears our players realized how much better the Hawks can be with Teague and Hinrich as our 2 primary PGs. I believe this was the motivation for most of our returning players to go all out this off season to get into top physical condition.
They know LDrew will no longer be able to bury Teague on the bench and rely on Bibby and Jamal. He’ll finally have to rely on DEF, rather than continuing Woodson’s habit of relying almost exclusively on OFF players that are total DEF liabilities. They also know the Hawks will finally be able and willing to run, and run consistently.
Not having a one dimensional DEF liability as our starting PG, or a streaky, ball hogging, DEF liability as our primary backup PG/SG, will definitely help our overall OFF, and DEF. With Bibby and Jamal’s departure, I see Horford, Josh, Marvin, and JJ getting more touches and becoming more involved offensively.
Our frontline players will finally be able to provide interior help DEF for each other, rather than for 2 defensively challenged PGs. Barring serious injuries, this is going to be a very competitive team, and will definitely challenge for a top 3 seed during the regular season. This yrs team finally has a legimate chance to get past the 2nd rd.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:13 pm
Dampier would be good pick up also i guess Sund must have back tracked about being comfortable with his bigs .
brigadierjerry
December 14th, 2011
10:15 pm
The Hawks reminds me of the New York Mets. Are we sure that ASG didnt invest any money in Madoff ponzi scheme? If we think about it even small market teams are making moves but the Hawks are making small time moves. One thing with this 66 game schedule there are going to be a lot of games condensed in a small schedule and the Hawks are going to have to use their bench more often than in years past.
I think more so now than ever to really compete to make an ECF or finals u need depth. I dont mind losing Crawford but the Hawks should’ve gotten a replacement for him. Reggie Williams who isnt a bad shooter The thing is also some of these player signings around the league are signing for cheap but the management doesnst want to go into the luxury tax. To have a TPE and possibly not use it? It just doesnt make sense. It is the equivalent of having the money to buy jack pepper cheese but claiming poverty and getting government cheese instead while the money is hidden in cans in the dirt in your backyard!!
A person like Reggie Evans hawks could offer full MLE which would be a wise move. He is a tough defender and a good rebounder. Hawks just needs to make moves to fill their weaknesses.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
10:18 pm
I don’t personally believe either rumor. If Sund doesn’t like the young, skinny bigs in camp now (Benson & Rolle), why would he go out and get a different young, skinny big? And Dampier was so bad with the Heat, they preferred to sign Eddy Curry to a contract.
ole riche
December 14th, 2011
10:20 pm
now that the clips have billups and paul, i read on espn that they plan to waive Baron Davis. He could be a good fit as a veteran point guard to back up Jeff Teauge. MC, you think the hawks could sniff around into that. Seems like a good fit to the naked eye.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
10:20 pm
I remember when some suggested that with playing time Hilton Armstrong could be this or that. Where are those guys wanting to see more of Armstrong, now that he is a FA and the Hawks have opted for rail-thin youngsters?
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
10:25 pm
Ken Strickland – I needed the PMA antidote badly.
Briggs – I needed the rationale for my upset-ness badly.
I’m PMS-ing, old and peed-off!
No Excuses! I stand behind all my words, because I lost my BP and Mind tonight! I can do that – imma’ b!tch!!!
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
10:25 pm
new guy
“Grandad I thought you said
this was a holy woman who preached on Sundays?”
[..r e drmaryb..]
I’ll lay hands on her, that ought to fix her right up.
hey, hey, hey
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
10:25 pm
SpearsNBAYahoo Marc J. Spears
Baron Davis’ agent Todd Ramasar tells Y! Sports his client has a serious herniated disk injury and will be out 8-10 weeks minimum.
And even if that wasn’t the case, we don’t want any parts of Baron Davis.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:31 pm
I guess i will Benson a chance Davis is hurt real bad we should not take a chance anyone other than Arneas who should we target that left .
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
10:32 pm
steven A.
-sources please-
Regarding Ajinca;
I could care less about Dampier.
I have been an Ajinca advocate for two years.
So…sources…please…! – and – Thanks in advance.
ole riche
December 14th, 2011
10:33 pm
unaware he was injured. i think we need a vet to back up jeff
doc
December 14th, 2011
10:36 pm
saban says we want national championships. lsu as a teamset that goal last spring and credit that to staying focused each week. cmr talked it down the year they were picked to win it. you said it as an apologist making excuses. he set the bar too low that year and every year as it is about winning beyond tha game.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 14th, 2011
10:38 pm
@ northcyde is Horford Rudy Gay or is he Zach Randolph?
Were set on keeping Horford around when he does nothing elite.
PG – Paul
G – Billups
F – Butler
PF – Griffin
C – Jordan
PG – 6′1 Teague (young gun) vs 6′1 Paul (MVP caliber)
G – 6′8 Johnson (Power 2) vs 6′4 Billups
F – 6′8 Smith (Power 3) vs 6′7 Butler (Perimeter 3)
PF – 7′0 Leuer (Perimeter 4) vs Griffin (Power 4)
C – 7′0 Bogut vs 6′11 Jordan
As long as you keep Horford you will be under the tax and thus undersized and underskilled.
You can sign Dalembert but if you want Smith inside where does that put Horford? At the 3 point line? No it puts Smith there because hes more natural and comfy on the perimeter. Are you guys stupid?
If you bench Marvin you need to replace him with a perimeter. Hence Jamal, Flip, MO Evans. If we get sme luxury center ie Dalembert then where does Smith play?
Smith needs a perimeter 4. Joe needs a perimeter 4. Jeff needs a vstretch 4.
superiorblogman
December 14th, 2011
10:39 pm
Ajinca is garbage. He is 7″2 and can’t average anymore than 2.5 rebounds a game.
doc
December 14th, 2011
10:40 pm
gdad we need your guy anjinca bad. send an email to rick.
superiorblogman
December 14th, 2011
10:44 pm
Zaza, Kirk, and a 2nd for Kaman. Act like you have a clue Sund. It is not about you liking your bigs because you are not selling any tickets and no-one will go to a game to see the bigs you like, but plenty will go to see bigs they like and actually think can make the team better. No hope with this lineup. We have seen Marvin fail enough to label him a failure, we have seen enough of Al at C, yes it will be fun to see Teague grow but unless he is a Chris Paul or Monta Ellis he will not put anyone in the seats or give any new hope. Get on your job and get some more players in here that can promote hope.
dragon slayer
December 14th, 2011
10:46 pm
God, in you we trust, Its your people we are afraid of .
ole riche
December 14th, 2011
10:54 pm
Kaman is in the Paul deal. Not coming to Atl
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
10:59 pm
superiorblogman
AA has avg 8 rebs & 2 blks per 36 min played [career]
last yr only 24 games 11 min per.
7-2, tremendous wing-span, wi shot-blking potential,
good frame to gain wgt.
I’ve studied film and the kid can play.
needs the right situation
He has all the potential in the world,
we should roll the dice – what could it hurt.
This kid is no Benson / Armstrong / Rolle
he’s a legit 7-2 with skill.
“I’m talking about talent, skill, ability”
I know of what I speak.
Now, he still must perform.
What is the harm ?
We have nothing anywhere near this kid’s talent level as a Big;
either now, or on the horizon.
Sign him now.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
11:01 pm
“They all can get up and down the floor, which gives us a tremendous advantage in transition if we commit to the run, which I am really trying to get these guys to do,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “Jeff can really exchange ends. Joe can run. Marvin can run. Josh Smith is a deer and Al is probably as fast as any five man in the league.”
I read this same thing like 4 years ago. OF COURSE IT WAS 4 YEARS AGO BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD THE SAME DAMN CORE FOR THAT LONG + 2 YEARS
*Yawn*
FIRE SUND
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
11:01 pm
WHEN SUND DID NOT RETAIN WOODY, HE SAID WE NEEDED A NEW VOICE
MAYBE WE NEED A NEW CORE.
WE WENT TO THE 2ND ROUND 2 YEARS IN A ROW, THEN WE BEAT ORLANDO AND LOSE IN THE 2ND ROUND AGAIN AND PEOPLE THINK WE’VE IMPROVED
Melvin
December 14th, 2011
11:07 pm
“Updated weights on #Hawks roster: J. Collins 255 (was 265), J. Smith 225 (250), M. Williams 245 (240), Horford 250 (245)”
Uh oh, Marvin is up 5lbs from last season. Quack, Quack….
doc
December 14th, 2011
11:14 pm
dmb, you know blog police are so boring.they remind me of the little girls in pigtails that sat in front of teachers as their little tattle tale pets. ignore it.
doc
December 14th, 2011
11:16 pm
ole richie, baron davis got shipped to cleveland for mo williams last year, i do believe.
say no to mo.
is billups pleased about going to the 2 spot?
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
11:17 pm
Save Jeff!
“Baron Davis. He could be a good fit as a veteran point guard to back up Jeff Teauge. MC, you think the hawks could sniff around into that. Seems like a good fit to the naked eye.”
__________
Eight words stand out here:
A good fit
Back up
Sniff around
Naked
__________
Uggh … Baron Davis “likes his core” too. Translation: he likes what Sandusky likes. Now, do we really want this guy to be:
Fitting into, sniffing around, backing up and playing with our very own Jeff Teague – naked?
___________
Hey I ain’t got nothing against Baron Davis, I’m just looking out for Jeff. (she winks)
DSC
December 14th, 2011
11:19 pm
What are everyones thoughts of amnesteying Joe after the season and offering the Restricted Free Agent Eric Gordon a max contract in the offseason. Teague and Gordon in the A? Of course this won’t happen if the ASG is still owning. Sell ASG please! No one likes you!
superiorblogman
December 14th, 2011
11:22 pm
ole riche
December 14th, 2011
10:54 pm
Kaman is in the Paul deal. Not coming to Atl
There is no rule saying he can’t be traded again. SMH
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
11:24 pm
Grand-Daddy!
Bless you Father … I’m upset right now, but I will confess my sins tomorrow. Hallelujah! God is good and he knows I am weak and human. The ASKG devil got to me … Imma’ blame it on the devil – he made me do it.
I’m only human.
superiorblogman
December 14th, 2011
11:29 pm
Grandad
December 14th, 2011
10:59 pm
superiorblogman
AA has avg 8 rebs & 2 blks per 36 min played [career]
last yr only 24 games 11 min per.
7-2, tremendous wing-span, wi shot-blking potential,
good frame to gain wgt.
I’ve studied film and the kid can play.
needs the right situation
He has all the potential in the world,
we should roll the dice – what could it hurt.
This kid is no Benson / Armstrong / Rolle
he’s a legit 7-2 with skill.
“I’m talking about talent, skill, ability”
I know of what I speak.
Now, he still must perform.
What is the harm ?
We have nothing anywhere near this kid’s talent level as a Big;
either now, or on the horizon.
Sign him now.
Grandad. I could care less about some skewed stats. Ajinca averages 3.1 pts and 1.6 rebounds per his career. He averaged 4.2 pts and 2.3 rebounds per game last year. There are several reasons that per 36 minutes and 48 minutes are garbage fantasy stats and the main being that guys play the amount of minutes they play for a reason. Ajinca will never play 36 minutes probably because he hurts you in too many ways to leave on the floor that long. Keep your stupid fantasy stats. The guy is a 7″2 clown that averages 1.6 rebounds a game for his career and only 2.3 last year.
Melvin
December 14th, 2011
11:33 pm
“The Lakers will look at two veterans to possibly add to their roster. Power forward Troy Murphy worked out at their facility Wednesday, though the Lakers could only offer him a veteran’s-minimum contract of about $1.4 million if they liked him. ”
And the Rich keep getting richer…. I prefer Murphy over Vladimir and definitely over Rolle… SMH at some of these decision by Ownership
Michael Cunningham
December 14th, 2011
11:44 pm
new blog is posted. shutting down this thread.