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298 comments Add your comment
Rusty
February 27th, 2012
1:22 pm
SteveW I know that you only gave LD the grade of B- for our record. I believe that this team would be vastly improved under a good coach. I think he really deserves a D . It is apparent with just about everybody on this blog that we need a new coach for many reasons.
BIG DOG
February 27th, 2012
1:27 pm
If Al comeback by the playoffs.
Teague, Joe, Josh, Jamison, Horford
Session, Green, Tmac, Ivan, Zaza
Pargo, Vlad, Collins
Stack assit coach.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
February 27th, 2012
1:33 pm
Rusty i agree Coach LD deserve D-
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
SteveW
February 27th, 2012
1:41 pm
Ra’mon – I agree with that
Rusty
February 27th, 2012
1:43 pm
I am watching the last 4 games on my dvr,was out of town last week.I can see that JT can get to the basket any time he wants to. I see him making a lot of good passes that should have been assists & see him playing aggressive defense.,what I see is him not shooting the basketball. I see LD jerking him out of the game for an ineffective KH. I swear LD must be telling him not to look for his shots but try to get every one else shots. What other reason could there be.
Rusty
February 27th, 2012
1:48 pm
I love Josh for his hustle & all around good game but he really hurts the team by taking a lot of long jump shots. I wish he would go back & watch these games.
KevinM
February 27th, 2012
1:57 pm
Without Teague, this team is a shambles. He has brought ’some’ life back into the fan base, all except for one blogger, who has an agenda with him.
I don’t think for one minute Sund or the ASG is going to replace Al. They are content with competing some nights. They now have a built in excuse for losing this year. Al will give us very little if he even tries to come back.
So no magic wand is bringing us another difference maker in this lineup. LD will continue to start Marvin because of what he earns. Along with that, 2 feel good 1/2 court shots that Marvin made this year keeps him in good graces with Sund. Wouldn’t you want to be an agent and negotiate with Sund? He has made mediocre become the standard for Atlanta Hawks basketball.
Because of the shortened season, because of Al’s injury, because Joe has too many minutes on his body, the ASG will stand pat and keep what we have on our current roster, GM and coaching staff.
The frustration continues into 2012-13 despite then wrath we hurl at the ASG.
Much to their depression, this is the year we lose in the 1st round provided we can string together a .500 record the rest of the year.
newkid
February 27th, 2012
2:00 pm
Enter your comments here
KevinM
February 27th, 2012
2:02 pm
Rusty, OB, SteveW, Najeh, G-Dad, Terrell, could you envision Josh hurling up long jumpers lie, D12 last night?
Well, Stern couldn’t, and I’m still waiting for Josh’s pts/reb to go up with Al being out. There is no excuse for Josh not to be posting double/doubles….Kevin Love does it every night and he lost Al Jefferson and has a less then physical Beasley helping him.
newkid
February 27th, 2012
2:02 pm
Sessions and one of Cleveland’s two 2nd rounders for Marvin gives Cleveland a young but experienced wing with whom some in Cleveland’s front office are familar.
doc
February 27th, 2012
2:08 pm
o’b yes to cpj. i think gt fans dont get it at all about expectations. braine was right though old timers with money were delusional to think otherwise. the hey day for tech was before ‘64, their entry requirements and limited areas of study work against them. i laugh that the guy they brought in has shown braine to be true even with a losing year with his first group of grown up recruits including a loss at kansas. i give him next year then a year where the ad says it is either now or never. gailey played close to the vest but usually the team was competitive. not sure that can be said for cpj and he still is not concerned with special teams?
Rusty
February 27th, 2012
2:11 pm
Watching the knick game with the score close LD takes JT out & inserts KH & scond team.KH makes 3 or 4 turnovers in 3 min.& the score is 30 to 16 by the end of 1 st quarter. He then starts the same unit to start the second quarter. Is LD retarted or just stupid.
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
February 27th, 2012
2:23 pm
“Is LD retarted or just stupid.”
Like shooting fish in a barrel. No irony quite like a misspelled insult.
Over and over.
pointguardslim
February 27th, 2012
2:31 pm
Josh Smith isn’t Kevin Love. Kevin Love is a 6′10 240lb naturally hefty strong power forward. Josh Smith is a 225 Small forward who matches up against power forwards (and centers).
Its not that hard to figure out. Kevin Love is built like a tank even after becoming 240-250 lbs. Smith tried to bulk upwards to 240-250 and had knee speed and stamina troubles.
Josh Smith is a small forward.
pointguardslim
February 27th, 2012
2:36 pm
Knicks Max money man, Carmelo Anthony tries his best but can’t guard Josh Smith. Smith would’ve worn the injured anthony out. Landry Fields as well. True or false?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNtumdunjcM
Rusty
February 27th, 2012
2:36 pm
Nothing like being an idiot over &over.
Rusty
February 27th, 2012
2:48 pm
Just like LD.
pointguardslim
February 27th, 2012
2:49 pm
Rusty, seems like you’re intimate with the idea. Only championships PFs who were under 6′10 this last decade played with Shaquille O’Neal.
If you want to win you have to account for Size. Those are the breaks.
Furthermore, if Josh Smith played as much of the 3 as he has played center he would be judged differently and have made the all star team over either Iguodala or Luol Deng.
They’re the same size as Smith. Compare Smith to their stats not Kevin Loves.
drmaryb.[*_*].
February 27th, 2012
3:02 pm
Blacked Out!
“No news; no buzz; no interest; no fans; no appeal;
no fannies in the seats; no outlook; no prospects;
no plan; no pride; no self assurance; no chance; no hope.” -G-Daddy-
____________
And, no scoreboard, center, heart …
honest_abe
February 27th, 2012
3:23 pm
was there an argument in here last week about kevin love’s outside shot compared to josh’s? one word…. idiot.
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
3:26 pm
KevinM, Josh averaged a double double all of February, and is having a career season in rebounding. So what are you concerning? And he lead the team in assists since midway point in January.
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
3:33 pm
By the way KevinM, Josh shot 38% from beyond the arc in February also.
Slimjr
February 27th, 2012
3:36 pm
Jhonest_abe
February 27th, 2012
3:23 pm
“was there an argument in here last week about kevin love’s outside shot compared to josh’s? one word…. idiot.”
Josh would have made 1 and air ball 6 at least Saturday night! LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rusty
February 27th, 2012
3:37 pm
We need rebounding & LD gives Ivan Johnson very little playing time.
Slimjr
February 27th, 2012
3:41 pm
Kevin> All NBA at the PF slot….Huh? Yep..
FYI, MC was on 790 The Zone with the Two Live Stews about an hour ago and said Big Al is still in a sling, no time table for rehab..
Stick a fork in this dude for the year.. He’s done…
The Streak will continue (0-46) ECF visits…….Yawn….
Just Joe
February 27th, 2012
3:44 pm
There’s no reason to fool ourselves in to thinking we can compete in the playoffs with or without Al Horford (any by compete, I mean for a championship, not a 2nd rd appearance).
McGrady & Willie Green have been great for us, but these are exactly the types of players that contenders will be looking to trade for. Draft picks and/or young players should be our asking price.
Kirk Hinrich’s $8M expiring contract has value even if he’s playing poorly. He’s got a little over 2 weeks in which to heat up and build some trade value. Otherwise, we’re trying to package him with Marvin and take back mediocre players on bad contracts. Worst case scenario is we hold his rights and keep the option of a sign-and-trade in the offseason.
I keep praying that a team like Cleveland, Minnesota, or the Clippers will offer us something for Marvin. He’d be a decent role player on a team that already has 2 or 3 proven scorers.
My only hope for a Joe Johnson move is something that goes along with Dwight Howard (Orlando or New Jersey).
I’m OK with keeping Jeff, Josh, Al & ZaZa unless we can bring in an allstar in return.
Slimjr
February 27th, 2012
3:45 pm
Larry Drew=Wade Phillips, Coach Mike (Deer in Headlights) Smith: round peg-square hole
pointguardslim
February 27th, 2012
3:58 pm
Just Joe praying for what? A decent big man on a good contract for 3 years of Marvin on a bad?
We’d have to pay to get rid of him. Only one with value is Al Horford. And I trade him for deron WIlliams and a big man last season or Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett this season. Its no comparison.
He’s average at PF and always saying how others need to carry him. Didn’t he say Josh Smith carries this team as far as it will go?
Just stop it.
If We get a Duncan (expiring) + Tony Parker or Garnett (expiring) + Rondo. For Horford and Teague and Hinrich and Marvin.
Who the hell wouldn’t take that? Boston’s GM says Boston isnt a contender. We are with that team and we pack the highlight factory everynight if we make that Boston trade.
Look at the positive matchups with Miami or Chicago that we’d get.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=842rv4m
*cant sub Horford for Smith in the trademachine until March 1st but salary works
pointguardslim
February 27th, 2012
4:02 pm
Rondo vs Chalmers
Johnson vs Wade
Smith vs Lebron
Garnett vs Bosh (go either way with Garnett’s lockdown length IQ and defense)
Pachulia vs Joel Anthony (Pachulia has advantage here)
——-Stand Pat——–
team lose
Teague vs Chalmers
Johnson vs Wade
Smith vs Lebron
Horford vs Bosh
Pachulia vs Joel Anthony
team lose
Teague vs Chalmers
Johnson vs Wade
Duck vs Lebron
Smith vs Bosh
Horford vs Joel Anthony
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
4:14 pm
Here’s a trade that will make the Hawks better in the Playoffs, and a very tough out in my opinion.
Hawks Receive:
Rajon Rondo
Pau Gasol
R. Artest
Boston Receives:
Jeff Teague
Al Horford
Lakers Receives:
Joe Johnson
Kirk H.
This deal gives the Lakers a new big three who can compete and beat OKC, and possibly Miami. Boston gets a replacement for Garnett if he leaves this season, and if he stays, they get Al to play center for them, along with another Rondo like point guard in Teague who is much cheaper.
Atlanta gets a brand new identity on the team. And gets to team Josh with Rondo and Gasol to make them only one shooter shy of being title contenders. Also the Hawks are no longer under Joe Johnson’s long term deal. If Josh doesn’t work out with this lineup, trade him in the off season or let him walk next season and replace him. Willie Green and T-Mac can man the SG position for the remainder of this season. And you have the option of amnestying Marvin for the duration of his contract.
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
4:18 pm
G’Dad, Barbosa is available. Kirk for Barbosa straight up? And Toronto buys out Kirk?
doc
February 27th, 2012
4:18 pm
yeah i wanted to pipe up that for some reason love was chosen and it may be legit for him to take as many as he does though that was what folks were arguing and comparing josh. no josh needs to stay inside and work to keep his fga to 55% or better to get into the all star game next year. simple formula and one that will make sure politics stay out of it anything less than that leaves him on the sideline possibly. it is really up to josh and that is always been true, just his hard head gets on the way.
Just Joe
February 27th, 2012
4:26 pm
pgs…no, I’m sending up reasonable prayers. Marvin for an expiring contract or at least a shorter term contract. I don’t care what position the guy plays. Just get rid of Marvin.
And Boston is at least saying that they’re not interested in giving up cap space for the summer. They’re taking on an extra $12M or so in your deal. And the Hawks are risking the chance of Garnett walking at year end, with only Rondo & cap space to show for Horford, Teague, Marvin & Hinrich.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2012
4:29 pm
pointguardslim,
So despite Josh having shaky handles, and an inconsistent jumper, you think he is a SF? You can’t go by size alone. You have to look at skill set too, and Josh does not have the skill set to be a good SF.
Kevin Love is a 6′10 240lb naturally hefty strong power forward..
Who also won the 3-pt shootout…
O'Brien
February 27th, 2012
4:31 pm
KevinM,
I think Josh’s rebounding is up since Al went out. But I think once we got into the tough stretch, he has had some struggles (like the rest of the team).
doc,
If Josh wants to be like Kevin Love, he needs to emulate him and his rebounding, not his jumpers.
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
4:34 pm
Or Another deal is:
Hawks Get:
P. Gasol
M. Barnes
D. Ebanks
Lakers Get:
Joe Johnson
Kirk Hinrich
2nd Round Pick
Grandad
February 27th, 2012
4:39 pm
Ra’mon
I like Barbosa – always have.
I like him as a pg.
Use Teague as a trade chip / bring in LB to play the [1].
I like that.
I just realized;
Teague is Barbosa:
That is Teague’s game.
* speed; * not really a [1]; * not a great shooter; * a [1] and a half;
* a slasher looking to score.
Dawg
February 27th, 2012
4:40 pm
If the Hawks decide to blow up the team and start over, perhaps they will draft all of the upcoming lottery picks for “tween” forwards. That is an excellent way to build a team. Great teams are always built upon swing men. Centers and point guards are over rated. Minimum contract vets can fill out the roster.
We can get a “core” of swingmen.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2012
4:49 pm
Even though Josh deserved to be in the AS game this year (imo), he needs to take it upon himself to leave no doubt next year. Go out and average 18 pts, 12 rebs, and 2 blocks per game (even with Al playing alongside him). If he puts up those numbers consistently, he gets in (imo).
However, he has to be more consistent too. 9.6 rpg this year is definitely a step in the right direction. But there have been 14 games where Josh collected 7 rebounds or less. 14 out of 34.
There have been 2 games this year where Kevin Love played, and got less than 10 rebs. In those 2 games, he had 8 rebs, and 7 rebs. Consistency.
Similarly, there has been 9 games this year where Josh scored 9 points or less. Kevin Love has scored at least 10 points in every game this year (not counting his suspension). Josh is having a good year, but he has the potential to have a great year.
To those who have been given much, much is expected. And Josh has alot of talent. But his head gets in the way.
Mike C
February 27th, 2012
5:00 pm
@Ramon
Ah nice trade ideas but the question is who is going to take that contact of Joe on?
doc
February 27th, 2012
5:02 pm
o’b out of context was directing that to honest in regards to love in 3 pt exhibition relative to a discussion around osh shooting 3 and how love did it more so we should not be too hard on osh.
SteveW
February 27th, 2012
5:03 pm
KevinM – Agreed about Teague. He’s got potential written all over him. I still think if he’s healthy, a 15 and 7 max for him for a few years is not out of the question. I think he’s still adjusting this season and probably next before he hits his best years. And his D is above average to almost well above average also.
Josh vs. Kevin Love – Josh’s standing reach and wingspan are longer than Love’s. Love is 0.75 of an inch taller than Josh w/o shoes. Josh has a much higher vertical than Love. Love is down to 240 this season. Josh is down to 225.
That being said, Josh is beasting it. On D we know he’s good. But even on O, he’s averaging a double/double for Feb. 17.3 ppg, 10.4 rbg, 2.3 blocks, 4.4 assists, and 2 steals per game. Those are phenomenal numbers.
KLove is better at offense and rebounding. Josh is better at defense. Really all there is to say.
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
5:11 pm
O’brien, You’re correct with Josh and the rebounding. But on the scoring comparison to Love, how many games have Love had shot attempts under 11? And how many have Josh had? Love’s is Minny’s number 1 option every night (some games, their only option).
SteveW
February 27th, 2012
5:12 pm
Hats off to ZaZa also – in Feb. his numbers for assists, blocks and steals have really jumped.
1.6 steals per game – up 4x from .4 January
Double the amount of assists per game – 1.8 from 0.9
Double the blocks per game – from 0.4 to 0.8
That’s in 8.5 minutes more per game – but still pretty good, considering it’s been against the toughest schedule in the League during that stretch basically.
6.8 ppg and 7.3 rbg in Feb. also. Decent numbers. His athleticism really fits with the team also. He gets up and down the floor really good for a big guy.
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
5:14 pm
Mike C, the Lakers would take Joe’s contract. Do you remember Glen Rice’s contract when they traded for him years ago? When you think about Joe playing alongside Kobe and Bynum, Kobe gets 4-5 more seasons of high level added to his career. Joe is able to guard the best perimeter player, and still average 18-21 ppg unlike Artest. And Joe will get multiple open looks a night from double teams.
TMACfan
February 27th, 2012
5:16 pm
Guys, hate to break the news but ASG WILL NOT TRADE JOE JOHNSON! No other team is going to take up his contract and if they do, Sund will not make the trade because the player/s we get in return won’t be equal.
ASG screwed up big time on this one.
SteveW
February 27th, 2012
5:20 pm
I’m really trying to be realistic. But i’ve got some things to be thankful for on the Hawks.
Josh is playing the best ball of his career to my knowledge.
Green is playing way better than I thought he would
Pargo is better than I thought.
ZaZa is playing a little better as a starter than I thought he would.
With our schedule in the 2nd half, I really see us as being viable contenders for the #3 seed if we play hard and together. We’ve shown we can beat the Magic. The Pacers schedule is about to get alot harder. Same with Philly. Boston is looking at a dismal 2nd half. The Knicks are still below .500, and their schedule is about to get more difficult.
I even think the Bulls are going to struggle a bit in the 2nd half, but still keep the 2nd seed.
But alot depends on trades and injuries, as we all know.
And about Al – It has been reported all along that his arm would be in sling for 6 weeks after the January 17th (?) surgery – So we’ve been looking at the 1st week of March all along before he could begin rehab. I don’t think ASG will bring him back as a C. They’ll either trade him, or move him down to 4 after this injury I’m guessing. So they’ll either move Josh to 3, or move him for what they can get for him. We’ll see. Could be wrong on all accounts.
SteveW
February 27th, 2012
5:22 pm
The above post last line is if they do not trade Al. And I doubt they do – can’t get much for a guy with an injury like he had.
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
5:25 pm
O’Brien, Love has only one game where he shot 13 attempts this season, the rest or 14 or more. Josh has 10 games where he had LESS than 13 shot attempts thus far this season. And don’t forget, Josh is STILL shooting higher percentage than Love. But I agree, there is no reason for Josh not to have more games where his rebounding numbers are better like they have been the last month.
Ra'mon
February 27th, 2012
5:28 pm
SteveW, for the Hawks, depending on the Bulls, it may be better to be the 4th seed instead of the 3rd seed. The Hawks need to matchup against the Bulls in 2nd round, to have any hope of winning 2nd round. Short of Wade being hurt, there’s no chance the Hawks beat Miami. But they have a 40% chance of beating the Bulls.