Atlanta Hawks: Video: Life without Zaza

“please don’t count Teague rookie year. He needed to sit the bench that year to learn. ”.

From the nytimes;

Teague, who was selected 19th over all in the 2009 N.B.A. draft, may be in his third season, but he is essentially a rookie. He averaged about 10 minutes a game, starting three of them, in the 2009-10 season, Mike Woodson’s final year as Atlanta’s head coach. “My rookie year, Coach Woodson told me I wasn’t going to play, straight up,” Teague said. “That was just how he worked. So I respected that.”.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/sports/basketball/next-up-for-jeremy-lin-hawks-emerging-point-guard.html/

Hmm. That’s just how he worked. Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Marvin etc got PT early on, but who else would have played? For some reason, Woody fell in love with Bibby, and LD fell in love with Jamal, both at the expense of Jeff.

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Idiotic talking about McGrady starting and Avery Bradley vs McGrady.

If all our bigs are healthy we have to play a playoff style lineup

Celtics; 76ers ; Bulls ; Heat ; NY lineup:

Pg- Teague / Pargo/ Hinrich
Sg- Johnson / Green / Hinrich
sf- Smith / Tracy McGrady
Pf- Ivan / Marvin Williams
C- zaza/ Al Horford / Dampier+Collins

if Carmelo is going to play the 4, then we can go with the normal lineup. Also watch out for Indiana.

For the uneducated Hawks (McGrady/Marvin/Hinrich) fanatics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buy0P4e7×3w

We would never have won a playoff game last year without playing a normal NBA sized lineup. Outside of the Heat; Josh Smith and Joe Johnson at the wings is too versatile to stop.

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Hopefully, Zaza will be back before the end of the season. Tmac should either become the starter at SF or the first forward out the bench during playoffs. Anything can happen during the playoffs: injuries, players choking, and sometimes a Star is born!

Now for next year, Marvin has to go; his salary determines if Josh, Zaza, and Ivan can be resigned! Now, that is clear that the starting lineup should be: Zaza, Al, Josh, JJ, and Teague. This lIneup would have the best chance to challenge for the ECF as well as Final!
Trade Marvin any way possible!

salary determines

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Teague, Joe, Josh, Ivan, Collins

Hinrich or Pargo, Green, Tmac, Marvin, Dampier

You might have a chance with this line up instead of the smallish lineup, because playoffs games are played half court with top notch defense.

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

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Teague vs Rondo edge Rondo

Joe vs Allen edge Joe

Josh vs Pierce edge Josh

Ivan vs Bass toss up

Collins vs Garnett edge Garnett

I would have Ivan guarding Garnett the hole series.

Hawks would win this series from defense, defense, defense.

Hawks wins 4 – 2

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

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Look who NBADraft has going to the Hawks in the upcoming draft…

Terrence Jones
NBA Comparison: Marvin Williams
Strengths: Southpaw combination forward possessing a multi-faceted set of skills … Not biased against any particular area of the court – gets his points from a variety of avenues (16 ppg) … He’s maintained ball handling aptitude and court craft cultivated as a freshman PG in high school … Dynamic in the face up game with excellent creativity off the bounce, breakdown ability and a quick first step … Favors his left hand dramatically, but right side is not a detriment and continues to improve … When given time, can extend his range beyond the college three line (33%) … Utilizes the pump fake to great effect … Forced into the post out of necessity for UK, he’s done an admirable job playing out of his comfort zone … Displays good patience down low, with surprisingly good footwork and ability to finish over either shoulder … Makes prudent decisions passing out of double teams (1.6 ast) … Extremely well put together frame for a 19-year old with broad, burly shoulders … His wingspan is outrageous allowing him to rebound out of his area (8.7 reb), block shots at their apex (1.9 blk) and get his hands into passing lanes (1.1 stl) … Length, lateral mobility and quickness off the deck make him a versatile force on the defensive end and on both backboards … Instant fast break potential with his ability to handle and push the rock in transition …

Weaknesses: Is he a tweener or a mismatch? Deliberate jump shot and tendency to “push” the release (failure to follow through) limit his effectiveness on the perimeter … Mechanics on his shot are unorthodox, does not get his elbow under the ball when he shoots … His mid-range game currently consists of unorthodox push shots and floaters … Development of jumper off the dribble would take his offensive stock to another level … Doesn’t play with a consistent mean streak on the interior, often double clutching and going the “clever” route rather than playing physical and finishing with authority … His athleticism shines when presented with room to operate, but his explosiveness is inhibited in confined areas and when contacted … Solid but not overwhelming foot speed and vertical leap … His movements appear restricted, lacking fluidity with an overall awkward gait … Needs to be more efficient with his shot selection (12 attempts, 44%) … Critical that he find the balance between playing within himself and not conjuring up a disappearing act … Mental lapses, bad body language, dips in concentration and loss of confidence are not foreign territory for Jones … Plays with passion, but needs to remain on an even emotional plain throughout the game … Eliminate the flash and make the simple play- can be careless at times (2 to).

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* We had two 2nd round picks
in a yr when 2nd round picks are the most valuable !

** AND … we SOLD one of them ! ! !

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Al is a scrubb with no talent just a press favorite. He is trade bait and should be a bench player.

This is Josh’s team and Al has to go.

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Henry Sims;
* true 6-10, in bare feet, at least 6-11 wi shoes; 7-4 wing-span; 265;
* very smart, High B-ball IQ; Great Passer (typical G-town center):
[Hibbert / Monroe] … a true Center / not a tweener

Kevin Murphy:
6-7; [2] guard; led NCAA in scoring; had a 50 pt game;
I watched this kid shoot and he has a picture perfect shot.
” a pure shooter ” / literally perfect shooting mechanics
* note – from Creekside HS – right here in our backyard.
_____________________________________________

** either or of these kids would be a tremendous choice
with our 2nd pick.
Murphy … may be one of those kids who somehow
work their way to the 1st round.
____________________________________________

*** Turns out I coached against K. Murphy
although at the time I never realized how good he would become.

Creekside HS has put out some really good athletes
over the last several yrs both fb & Bb.

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“This playoffs is going to be the most important in Atlanta Hawks history, because if this team doesnt get passed the first or atleast win a couple of game in the second.”

Um… they won two games against the Bulls last year in the second round, and almost beat them in game five…

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Grandad – I was perplexed at that as well. I know ASG needed the money because of Luxury Tax and all. But even if we could have packaged our #44 and #53 for say a #38 pick, or traded one or both of our 2nd picks to move up a couple or few notches in the 1st round to take a player we liked a little better, I think we would have come out ahead in the long run.

The team would be better, would draw more, and hence make more money over the life of the pick(s) contract(s) than the mill or two they made from selling the pick. Very short term thinking.

Or even as you said, stay put and draft well – it does seem like 1-50 in this years draft is solid – unlike last years. Still some good players from last year however – Shumpert (we could’ve had him!) Faried, Norris Cole, Harrelson and more – all selected way after the lottery, and some even in the 2nd round.

But last years draft was still pretty sad really.

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“On the other [hand*], Al Horford’s scoring averages increased ”

Roll it up home boy…

12pts, 8 rbs

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PS – I’ve been impressed with Shump’s play with the Knicks this season. He’s really come thru when they had some injuries and things. He went 17, and our draft spot was 18 – we coulda traded up a spot and snagged him if not for the Jordan Crawford/Hinrich trade.

And Faried is a beast. Where was he drafted, 22nd or something?

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*He`s from Turkey;
geographically a neighbor to Zaza … let Zaza recruit.

*He`s from Turkey;
geographically a neighbor to [Zaza's / Georgia] … let Zaza recruit.

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Josh has shown me enough this season, ill advised J’s and all, that he needs to be the guy we build around. But what if he refuses to budge from his trade request? You’ve gotta get something for him.

I could see the Hawks trading Josh for Rondo, and making Teague into Jet, just to save on salary. Rondo’s is signed for 3 more years for 36 mill. And he’ll make 2.2 mill less than Josh will make next season.

The Celtics blogs and beat writers say that Doc and Danny want to rebuild around Josh. That let’s me know they think he’s pretty good.

Ditch JJ and Marvin if possible for some good young talent, and rebuild around Josh and Al and then Ivan, Teague, and ZaZa. If Al can’t play C, and Josh can’t play SF, trade Al for more young talent.

JJ may bring you some valuable pieces for someone who wants to win a Championship now – and we can reload instead of rebuild. Then we can play for a Championship.

I doubt ASG will ever make a big, bold move. When they do, it usually turns out to be Shareef (who was pretty good) for Pau Gasol or something. I know that was before ASG’s tenure – but still….

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Grandad – A Frontcourt of

Asik/ZaZa
Al/Ivan
Josh/Marvin

Would be a formidable Frontcourt. No way we do that unless JJ is gone, or unless the team is sold to Bill Gates or something.

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yeah I was going to pick out Jon Koncak 2 best years and kind of market it as him being star material, but his career is what it is.

If we take every players 2 best years where they and ignore the 5 bad years we can make it seem like they are something.

14 and 16 pts are still average numbers and thats his best years. Al is a scrubb. I dont know how you can see other wise. The man cant score and wont defend , he fights among his team mates, he injury prone. He helps players score on him and HE DISAPPEARS IN THE PLAYOFFS.

Hes not the player Josh is and it weakens Altanta’s front court to have Al over Josh. Stupid move to put Al at the 4 over Josh.

We lose a very great defender in the post for one thats a pasty in the post, We lose a scoring threat in the post for 12.4

Josh’s career numbers are as good as or better than Al’s best years. Al is not now nor never will be the player Josh is. Josh is averging 19pt 10rb per night. Al is not now nor ever will be in that league.

Josh 2012
18.9 9.6 1.8 21.05

Career
15.1 7.9 2.2

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Zaz/Al
Josh/Ivan
JJ/Tmac
Hinrich/ Green
Teague/ Hinrich

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Zaza or Al = Zaza
Josh or Al = Josh
Ivan or Al = Ivan

Marvin or Al even.

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Grandad,

Thanks for the update on athletic program at Creekside HS. It is sort of my old high school since they combined several schools to create it. I went to Palmetto during our run of state championships in football in the 1980’s

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I don’t care if its IND or BOS, but…

The fact is that BOS is, beyond their natural “favoritivism” in normal circumstances (calls will go on their way by default since they are good for the ratings) they would also be a “feel good story” if they go far this year:

One of the most traditional themes in sports’ imaginarium: a bunch of old geezers which are together for what will be their last playoff run make a push for the title.

Even refs which would not be “by default and NBA ratings/policy” favoring the Celts will be psychologically inclined to give them a few breaks.

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The Spurs look unbeatable right now, a whopping 15-2 in the last 17 games! Wow…

Another title coming their way? Steven Jackson has fit in nicely and gave them more energy!

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11-20

45

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My moves for next season:

1. Amnesty Marvin – someone will probably pick him up at around 4 million per, which means that the cost, as a owner, would be only the differential.

What he produces can be easily replaced by – exactly – players in the 3-5 million range.

The cap relief would allow us to comfortably re-sign Ivan since he will also command something in the vicinity of 2-4 million.

2. Trade Al for cap relief and hopefully a high pick which could replace his production for 3 years on a rookie contract, taking someone’s bad contract – but lower than Al’s 13 million (if an expiring was not achieved).

Al and Josh cannot coexist IMO and Josh is BY FAR a more valuable player on court, whilst Al garners a respect which certainly make him a very coveted asset.

Josh would get from us a close to max deal at 17/18 million and I am sure that he would stay if he received main cog status and be the best paid Hawk (see point 3 for this).

3. There is no way anyone is taking JJ’s contract, so what I would is to offer him an extension, re-structuring his contract to 16 million per on average.

JJ knows that at the end of this contract he will not command in the open market more than 5 million per, so if he gets 2 extra years at 16, he will get the same $$ in total he would get with whatever contract he would sign after his tenure with us.

Use the cap space to re-sign Teague for what will be a more or less a 7 million per deal.

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Point 1 would allow us to convert Marvin into Ivan + any SF who breathes and has a pulse.

I am liking, for instance, Gerald Green who seems to have matured through his hardships.

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