There goes another: Miller signs with Houston over Hawks

“When you don’t pitch and you don’t play defense, and you don’t hit at all, that’s a good formula to get taken out behind the woodshed,” said Jones, who was injured while swinging in the seventh inning — the inning where the Braves left the bases loaded while trailing 6-3.

And when you don’t stretch and you go out on the field like Chipper you pull something everytime.

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What do you do with Josh Smith if Horford plays PF?? Play him at SF???? You have got to be kidding. They would have absolutely NO ONE to stretch the floor and their primary gift of out athleting other people by playing somewhar small would be comepletly gone. Brad Miller is horrible…if they can get a modestly priced big that does give them the option of going bigger at times that is fine. ASG may not be the best but how do some use the logic that they are simultaneously prolifigate and foolish (signing JJ) and stupidly tight (refusing to sign overpriced, almost useless large people, i.e Miller, Dampier, Ilgauskus, yikes

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Let me get this straight… ASG stood pat and didn’t spend money on someone other than Joe Johnson and try to improve this team?

Come oooooooonnnnnnnnnnnn. You expect me to believe that? LOL

(sell the team ASG clowns)

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Two cheap centers we can sign just for hustle and defence both unrestricted DJ Mbjenga from Lakers and Anthony Tolliver from Golden State along with ZaZa and Al gives us more size in paint plus both are better options than Joe Smith and Collins keep Morris around also he’ll get better i hope.

Teague-Bibby-JC2
JJ-JC-JC2
Marvin-Smoove-Mo
Smoove-Al
Al-Zaza-Tolliver-Mbjenga

More depth in the hole plus ASG and Sund stay under cap until trade deadline if this team falters b4 the allstar break can also pick up Allen Iverson real cheap with new coach and young legs to cover for AI and Bibby plus now we got 24 fouls to use on Howard or Big Z. I kinda like this line-up keeps us under cap and gives flexiabilty to trade JC and Marvin for Oden or Kaman or we could still trade Joe if this is not working. Hawks will be okay if they run.

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Jody raises a good point. Al has openly stated that he wants help down low. If the Hawks don’t bring in a big man to help take the load off, not only does that hurt our chances of contending next year but it also runs the risk of causing a rift between the organization and Horford with Al due to be a free agent next year. Not good.

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The Heat are doing a good job loading up on big guys. Since Wade-LeBron-Bosh, they’ve signed Ilgauskas, Haslem, Anthony, and second-round pick Dexter Pittman. Second-rounder Jarvis Varnado will sign soon, as will Jamaal Magloire and possibly Juwan Howard. None of those big men are great, but if you can throw six of those seven big men, along with Bosh, against teams like Orlando and Atlanta, you’re going to have a huge advantage in the paint.

We don’t need any of those guys, though. We’ve got Randolph Morris.

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If The Hawks sign Shaq, then the other teams become concerned. If the Hawks do not sign Shaq then you will not be able to wipe the smile off their faces!

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ASG is a joke. Just look at who they hired as a head coach? Are you telling me that LD is a better coach than MW? Please, I do not care anymore. Let’s go Braves and Falcons. Hawks can join Thrashers another sorry ass team.

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Maybe they didn’t want him. YOU create stories about who the Hawks want and then YOU say they had another loss. I say that YOU don’t know.

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I like Shaq to but he is old and stays injured why trade Marvin for him you kids watch to much sports center. Good teams have hustle players come off the bench just to spell the starters. Back in the day when the Sixers couldnt beat the Celtics to get out the east with Dawkins they added Caulwell jones and MarK Ivorni to go with Bobby Jones the following year they added Moses. Then the Celtics made adjustments added Walton then the following year the Lakers got Kareem help added Mcadoo and Mikal Thompson see you kidds don’t no basketball and manuervring. I hate the Lakers but I hope they beat the Heat with there bought team who’s gonna defer their game on the Heat not LeBron he loves himself to much and I hope he nevers wins a ring.Hawks just need to puttm on their ass when they drive the paint thats why you need the players i suggested earlier when I played we wern’t friends on the court you not go highlight me put u on ur a** you’ll think about driving to paint next time no pretty boy wants to get hit.Make shot jumpers we’re there weak.Thats why they’ll never compare to MJ, Dr. J, Nique, Barkley, Bird,Iceman theie highlight reels then Wade says he and James torch barriers these guys never fled like LeBron and Bosh those players teams made adjustments not big splashes like all of you want our core is solid and young keep them together we will get better Woodson took us as far as he could and did a good job. I bellieve Drew will take us alittle further just gotta stay healthy.

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Why wont we all just concede that the second Miami locked in the big 3, the ASG’s ‘grand plans” to surround JJ with more talent died. And they resorted to what they know best…. In all honesty, the worst thing that happened to the Hawks future was Lebron’s move, Boston’s run to the finals, Dwight Howard and maybe Chicago.

It became obvious that we couldn’t afford an overhaul that would keep us relevant talent-wise…….

So, we eat the JJ contract and pray for a miracle: we aren’ bad enough to tank games, so we cant get up in the draft, we wont have any money to spend on free agents. The Hawks can only hope a contender showers us with expiring contracts for JJ PERIOD and make another run in 3-4 years.

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Keep up the posts that record when Sund and Co. said they were going to use the 3m they made on draft day by selling a draft pick to OKC on vets to make us better. Jeff, please don’t let ASG get away with it – keep it in the paper everyday to make us better. Help the beleagured fans here Jeff – ASG said it, make them pay up. I know they lost 20m last year – if they can’t afford that, tell them to sell the team – but don’t move them to Vegas!

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The hawks have not improved while everyone else has (except cleveland of course). We do need a good big man in the middle to help control dwight howard or the same thing will happen to us that happened this year. That is, if we get to the magic in the playoffs.

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That one hurts, I think Miller would have been a good fit. I am just hoping against hope we don’t trade for shaq, unless he signs for the minimum. Regardless of how you feel of marvin, trading a 24 yr. old with up side for a 38 yr. old is insane. I think the smart move would be to sign kurt thomas, he proved in the playoffs, he is a good defender and leader.

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I’m just about on board boycotting the Hawks until the team is sold.

ASG, you once again lie to your fans and fail to do anything at all to please them, then you once again will fail to sell any tickets. Have it your way…you’ve got to be the cheapest millionaires in existence.

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Lakers – Josh vs. Gasol – we’re toast
Bynum to big for Horford
Artest beats Marvin
Odom better than ZaZa

Back court – Blake/Fisher maybe Brown – Better than Bibby/Teague
Kobe better than JJ and Jamal, although I like 2 players better than 1

Throw Shaq in the mix, and we have a chance

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The hawks, miss out on talent? Surely, you can’t be serious! Come on, the ownership group signed the great joe johnson to a max $120 million contract—that means they are on top of it—they’re savvy personnel evaluators baby! The hawks will dominate the NBA next season with those unstoppable joe johnson iso sets!!!! YES!!!!

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Another cheap move , or no move, by the Cheapo ASG!!!! It is just a shame these losers can own the team. BTW….. have the Hawks hired any assistant coaches or are they going to save money and ask a usher to shout down advice to Coach Drew!!! What a joke!

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Sorry SteveW, neither the Bucks or the Bulls are better than the Hawks, and we owned Boston last year. We’re no worse than a 4 seed, which means a likely second round matchup with the Heat and another year without making the conference finals.

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Aw, quit panicking. So what if we traded Josh Childress away for a few more lap dances for Mike Gearon, and gave Joe enough money for lap dances for the rest of his life?

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Sorry SteveW, neither the Bucks or the Bulls are better than the Hawks, and we owned Boston last year. We’re no worse than a 4 seed, which means a likely second round matchup with the Heat and another year without making the conference finals.

Owned Boston? Let me see…after getting swept by us in the REGULAR SEASON, Boston went to the NBA Finals after trashing the team that swept US in the second round. Meanwhile the Bucks nearly took the first round from us WITHOUT Andrew Bogut, and now they’ve ADDED talent and depth to their team.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have gotten better by putting a 20 and 10 player with Derrick Rose, and adding a lights out shooter in Kyle Korver. And I’m betting they are not done.

So yeah, if you’re happy with a 50 win season and another perplexing trip to the playoffs, then I guess the glass is always half full. What have we done to get better besides firing Mike Woodson. Oh yeah, we gave Joe Johnson a huge raise. Wait….did that make us better?

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We need to sign Kwame and be done with it.

The guy really hasn’t played in the right scheme imo to really take advantage of his talents.

He’s athletic, young, and very similar to the rest of the good players the Hawks have. From a skill point, he’s not developed enough to be a fit in the various roles and scenarios a big man can fit into, but he’s athletic, and runs well for a big guy and since the Hawks are best when they’re scrambling on defense getting hands in the passing lanes and running the floor after TO’s and defensive RB’s then I don’t see how a big like Kwame wouldn’t fit right in. Especially in a back role.

One thing no one has really brought up is why is ZaZa not a trade piece when trying to get a big man. The reason we’re trying to bring someone in is becasue ZaZa sucks on defense and isn’t a banger. He’s not returned to his best which was in the Celtics series 2 years ago in the playoffs. That earned him a new lucrative contract much like Koncack of years past. Both were terribly overrated.

Personally I don’t want to trade Marvin because I thought Woodson was quite possible the worst offensive coach I’ve seen at the NBA level. I’m inclined to think Marvin will do much better in a better and more fluid offense that’s not built around isolation plays. Add Kwame to the mix and he gives you a big off the bench that can bang and rebound defensively. If he can assert himself on the offensive glass and score a few times in transition utilizing his athleticism then I fail to see how he wouldn’t be a very good pick up for the Hawks. Not to mention he’s not old and can grow with the rest of the Hawks.

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Brad Miller really worth 15 million poor Shaq is becoming like the TO of the NBA can’t find a job. Shaq is going to have take mid level price if he wants to play for a playoff team.

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why don’t we trade Zaza and Williams to Golden State for Biedrins? He is a legit 7 footer and pretty good!!!

If we can’t get him, then just take Siller, he was in the camp last year and is HUGEEEEEE! I know he is pretty slow but he would get at least 10 rebounds and 7-9 point just because of his size.

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Whatever!

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I always thought the ASG resembled a number 2.

Well, that’s what grandma used to call it.

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Don’t look at the Hawks being able to re-sign Al Horford when it’s time if ownership keeps screwing with him and playing him out of position – Al is a smart young man and will sign with a team that 1) wants to win, 2) has a center to allow him to play his position, 3) can and are willing to pay him. After paying Joe Johnson, this cheap team will not be able/willing to pay anyone else. The Hawks make it hard to cheer for them. Is it football season yet?

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The Hawk’s ownership needs to sell out to someone else but they are now selling out their fans.. This will go down as the worst GM/ownership bungling of a good team. All they had to do is offer Joe a little less, save room for signing a good center backup and a couple more veterans or to trade some of their bad contracts to improve the team and one by one those players that could have helped in the playoffs are being signed by the other teams. Meanwhile,Sund is sitting on his you know what and it seems he is not being allowed to spend the money to improve the team in addition to being inept in trading for or adding players to the team while other GM’s are wheeling and dealing, he has made nary a trade to improve the team. Go figure, where is Joe, I thought he said he was going to help recruit some good players to the team? Joe was way over paid and the Hawks will be sorry they signed him in a couple of years. He will stink the place up now that he has a fat contract. How much was guaranteed, I assume all of it was or he would have gone to Chicago or New York/New Jersey.

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[...] miller Author: admin July 17, 2010 Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Miller, Rockets agree on $15M dealESPNLAS VEGAS — Veteran center Brad Miller has agreed to a [...]

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With the exception of firing Mike Woodson, the Hawks have done evrything wrong this offseason. I was really hoping they would ASG would loosen the purse strings and really make the Hawks into a contender. This just shows that they are content with mediocrity and that they don’t really care about giving the fans something to really come out and root for. I am a loyal fan but I am really disappointed with the moves or lack thereof this offseason. Maybe Coach Larry Drew is going to work some kind of miracle but good luck with that.

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I don’t blame Josh Childress for leaving this joke franchise and playing oversees. Welcome back to the NBA Chillz PHX will appreciate you more.

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ASG not Cheap, Savvy

Orlanda has a 93mil payroll..that is 23mil above the salary cap. JJ Reddick will cost as much a JJ next year and we the right big man away from being top 2 in the East. We need start giving them credit for the team they have built, without spending foolishly.

Brad Miller is not worth 5mil a year , plus we already have Bibby’s contract that can’t move. Miller is worth about 2mil a year and not penny more.

Question..Does Shaq make the Hawks a title contender? IMO, No.

If we sign Shaq for the MLE and 2 free agents, it may cost the 5mil in lux tax….that is like signing shaq for 10mil. Shaq has very few options and the Hawks are waiting himteam out…..be patient. Shaq isn’t worth going into the lux.

I have faith in Sund….I have Jamal Crawford and Jordan Crawford as examples.

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Reading some of the comments you would think your team was the Timberwolves. You have a 53 win team of exciting athletic highlight inducing players. You have a 4 time all star, an all star center, the reigning 6th man of the year, a power forward with athleticism second only to Lebron. You have ownership smart enough to turn speedy claxton and Acie into the friggin 6th Man of the Year and offer their all star a max contract because everyone and his sister knew there were multiple teams waiting to give max – one year to this talented guard. Joe’s numbers are on par with D Wade and Kobe. Understanding that to allow him to leave would destroy the chemistry and make them a lottery team. Now they are one of the few teams athletic enough to challenge Miami’s big 3 and cast of old role players. A team that last year owned the aging Boston Celtics who are now another year older. They have a new coach who believes in capitalizing on this team’s talents. When this team runs, they are scary good. Add a 2nd year guard who is super fast and if he learns to deliver will make them even more dangerous. We have an embarrasment of riches in Atlanta. I for one look forward to see what the ever improving TOP 8 NBA team does next.

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I think what u are miussing Hawkstruefan is that everyone else in our division is getting better and we are standing pat. The ownership is a joke thinking we can be better than the teams in our division based on last year. Don’t ever compare Kobe and DWade to Joe Johnson..they don’t dissapear during playoff time..they get better! Joe averaged what….8 points during the playoffs?? Yeah let’s give him a max deal that no one will trade for…at age 35 he will be making 16 million a year. Another Ken Norman/Jon Koncak deal it seems…I think Eienstien or someone once said..”doing the same things and expecting different results is insanity! The ASG is insane…and sucks

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@ Hawkstruefan

It took a miracle to beat Orlando at home during the season. It was clear to see Boston and the Lakers didn’t take the Hawks seriously when they lost at Philips. How may points did they lose by to all three teams on the Road? Like i said HORRIBLE

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At the end of the day you have a team that finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Where the other teams are older and lack the chemistry, this is a very exciting team to watch. If you can’t see that you are high. You are correct the team didn’t show up against Orlando, but basketball is about matchups. Which is why Orlando was dismantled in the next round by the same team who couldn’t beat us. Doing the same thing has resulted in improvement every year for 5 or 6 years so you I don’t get you same thing point.

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3rd sead 2nd round exit seen it they past two years. They will be lucky if they finish 7 or 8th this year

Heat will destroy them
Magic has already destroyed them and will continue to do so
Bulls has a Solid starting 5 to destroy them
Bucks has Bogut back to get revenge on them
Bobcats will be competitive
New York lost to the twice,couldn’t even beat them at home last year the will be more improved this year
Wizards could possible past them for that 7 spot
Hawks same ole same ole just

“Doing the same thing has resulted in improvement every year for 5 or 6 years so you I don’t get you same thing point.” this sound comical LMAO

It takes 5 or 6 years to get second round exits OMG

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Going over the luxury tax is not a prerequisite to a championship. Ask the Knicks. If it was about spending money Dallas and NJ should be perennial nba champions. BTW the Heat were so awful last year they were exploded, Orlando failed last year to get to the finals and are pretty much the same team.

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The Hawks played no defense in the Playoffs and their offense was stagnant. Their play was heartless. And there was no excuse for it. I hope that being older and more mature and with a new coach who stresses ball movement and a running game will improve the team.

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At least NJ has a proven coach in Avery Johnson someone else the Hawks passed over & If the Hawks wouldn’t listen to Woody what makes you think they would listen to LD?

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Luke, I think Shaq would be a disruption. He has burned bridges with almost every team he’s played for. I don’t see his personality changing. It’s a shame because he has the skills to help us.

Real you are assuming they didn’t listen, maybe Woody’s system took them as far as they could go.

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@ Hawkstruefan

I would rather have Shaq being disruption maby he would reveil the truth behind the ASG than actually someone who don’t care if the fans who pays his salary show up or not.

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Real, what a strange statement. Well the real fans don’t want a disruption. You don’t really care about the game of basketball, if that is what you prefer. You just want to complain. Fans want a winning team and ASG provided that. The fact is that the Hawks have been a consistently improving top team with the same core. If you don’t think so follow Minnesota. You might not like the fact that Joe is getting paid, but at the end of the day it was the best move if you want a winning product on the floor in this now tough division.

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ray we are not near a 50 win team with all the action that has taken place around us. say 43 as it stands right now.

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I honestly think, some of you guys are paid by the AJC to fill this the comments with vitriole. LOL.

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You no who the ASG reminds me of Lindsey Lohan she started out good then her life came crashing down.

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Ir should be obvious Sund has absolutely no plan—(should I lump in ASG)?

Will say it again…..Kevin Pritchard is available now for a GM’s spot (hint,hint)

He’ll get the team movin in the right direction

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@Hawkstruefan

This team is already a disruption and is the laughing stock of the League I gotta hear that from everybody that I talk to from different cities about this overpaid contract. I am a REAL fan of REAL BASKETBALL I am not a fan of the ASG version of the Atlanta Hawks”

You said “Fans want a winning team and ASG provided that.”

ASG provided that with passing over Chris Paul, Deron Williams, & Brandon Roy in the Draft and it took four years to make the playoffs in a weak eastern conference. When they do make the playoffs every game has to go to seven and two second round sweeps.

I don’t blame Chillz for playing overseas I hope Al have enough sense to leave this franchise after this year. I won follow Minnesota but I will be following Miami Heat until ASG sell the Franchise. So GOOD LUCK supporting insanity.

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No one in their right mind would want to play for the Hawks.. The hawks are losers and will always be losers!

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Hawkstruefan

I agree with everything you said. People want the Hawks to waste money like Dallas or Orlando on scrubs. Thay also forget it took Jordan 7 years to win a title. People think the Hawks are Cheap, but the other teams are stup with their money. It doesn,t make sense to pay the lux for marginal player, old busted players or just to make a trade…..stay the course Hawks.

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Boozer, Brewer, Korver with the Bulls – Rose another year older – 41-41 last year – have to figure their a 50 win team now.

Bucks – Corey Magette – Bogut – need I say more? and they were a 46 win team last year – rookie PG figures to be better – they look like a 50+ win team. I think we are currently a 46-36 team

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Lets stay on our 8-10yr plan to get to Eastern Conference Finals, then another 2 after that to the Finals

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I would not say there are loosers 3 years in the playoffs they have some nice peaces with JT0 and Al Horford its not the players it management this ASG group are cheap we are just a couple of players away Jordan Crawford looks like a steal.

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[...] ♦ There goes another: Miller signs with Houston over Hawks [...]

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I’m sick on mediocre. Al Horford is a tremendous player. Get a darn center in here so Al can go back to his natural position. This organization doesn’t want to be excellent. It’s just a bunch of kiss cams and $20 beers. Where’s a title? You’ve been here in the Atlanta since 1966.

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@ Rufus

Thanks for the insight you just explained all ther reasons why ASG sucked at least those teams drafted smart, traded smart, and did whatever it took to make themselves contender

What you failed to realize is those teams everyone of them you just named with the exception of Memphis has been somewhere the Atlanta Hawks franchise has NEVER EVER EVER been before and that is the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, and NBA Finals. Those teams have some history already so don’t even compare the Hawks Franchise to those teams until they reach that level.

and by the way Guess Who drafted Pau Gasol with the 3rd pick and traded him to Memphis for Shareef Abdur-Rahim your Atlanta Hawks another dumb move but ASG wasn’t running the show then.

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Shocking, the Hawks don’t get their man. I am stunned.

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Well said Tired of This

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why are you guys even writing about the hawks this is worse than the cavs.

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hawks true fan, if you arent moving ahead, you are falling behind. last year was perfect with no injuries and a lot of teams falling down early. i think the knicks are better, along with the heat, bucks and bulls. the cavs have fallen back though the nets and pacers shouldnt be worse and the magic and celts the same. many in the west are certainly no worse, if not better. i think if we dont do something else, that we end up somewhere between 43 and 46 wins at best, especially since we are learning a new offense that will take some time and probably cause a few losses. you have no idea how that will affect things.

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Trading Marvin for Shaq is a GREAT idea. Marvin is Terrible, absolute bust. The guy is an optical illusion. He has a nice looking jumpshot that doesn’t go in. He never steps up, ever. He has 0 Basketball IQ, and can’t create his own shot. He just runs at the basket and falls down and hopes for a whistle. He looks like a good athlete, but has no hops or explosiveness. He has been handed the starting job for too long, Mo Evans outplays him constantly. Get rid of Marvin, he’s a bum, Shaq fills a tremendous need for size in the middle, not to mention what kind of work Al would do at his natural position. If we don’t get Shaq, we will get dominated by Orlando and teams with bonafide 7fters again, and we won’t not make it to the 2nd round this time with other teams like Milwaukee and Miami getting much stronger. All we did this offseason was grossly overpay an above-average scorer, who plays below-average Defense and is not a leader at all. Sign Shaq and there is hope, don’t sign him and we are doomed

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[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

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Rufus1
July 17th, 2010
7:50 pm

And all subsequent posts: Right on!

The only which puzzles me is why do you waste your time on this jack ass’ blog.

This guy and Bradley are strictly writen garbage producers.

Hop into the hawks nest where you will find a lot of nonsense from the bloggers as well but in general the athnosphere is much more sanitised.

We need you to provide some reason to an overly sensitive blogging group.

People see scrubs being signed right and left and go nuts as if we are talking about carmelo signing for the veterans minimum!!!

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I don’t think we know how good any of our players are- I think Woodson was that bad of a coach. That said, ASG talks big, but they knew the available centers out there, and there isn’t much. Shaq wasn’t the answer in Cleveland, with LeBron- how the heck would he be the answer here?
Teague’s showing in the Summer League will tell far more about the upcoming season than any trade the Hawks make.

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No Jeff, I was disappointed long before this non-move. I look at it this way. The Hawks are a solid 4th place team with or without JJ and his GNP type of contract. Fans don’t much care for him, so no extra ticket sales as a result of this monster contract. Really no good PR in the off season, so no extra ticket sales there either. ASG has no money and it seems every move they make is made because of tight purse strings. A rookie coach with a new offense that no NBA team has tried. And this with the same cast of players that refused to believe “ball movement” was a basketball fundemental.

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Go back and read the criticism for the Hawks the last few years and the reality of the comments as the season is played. This was one of the worst teams anywhere in professional sports just three or four years ago. Every moves was chastised by this modern loud and usually clueless press we have here in Atlanta. These guys gets the names right but that is just about it when it comes to what went wrong and seldom do they predict things will go right. It is playing the odds ,for people who have no clue to predict bad, hell you have one champion and everyone else in the eyes of these jerks are losers. I remember the AJC had a editor that would insist on radio and in print the Braves were losers because they had not won but one world series. The Braves or still around in 1st place the writer has disappeared.

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[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

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ASG saving money for the strip clubs…

If they pay luxury tax how are they going to entertain themselves? Let’s be real, Magic City, Cheetah, Platinum are way more fun than a Hawks game, so why would we keep dumping money into this venture, when the real fun happens after the game anyway?

Look its nice to say you’re an owner and get VIP treatment, but dude, please… enough is enough, you guys are cutting into the lap dances. What do you want? Joe Johnson and Shaq!!! Is Joe going to buy me a lap dance? Is Shaq going to pick up the tab? Hell No!

$20 parking, $20 at the door, that’s $40 bucks before I even buy a beer. You guys just be happy to have JJ, Smoove and Horford and the two Crawfords. I gotta go…Diamondique is calling…

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my 2 cents:
I think it is still a little early to give up on Marvin.
Lets see him play under our new coach! He may suprise.
And for all of the haters….I’m glad that they spent the money to keep JJ. What would our record have been without him? Think about it. He won ALOT of games for us. Just because he doesnt always hit the game winning buzzer shot and sometimes comes up short (as all stars do) doesnt mean that he isnt a tremendous talent who won alot of games for the hawks.

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For all you folks talking about, “stay the course,” “it takes time,”…I can tell you haven’t been Hawks fans for long. If you’ll recall, some years ago (Billy Knight era), we were told “just be patient, there’s a method to the madness.” Now it seems we’re only a piece or two away from being legit title contenders. Please note, our current roster makes us a legit playoff team…nothing more. I can see it now, you guys will say, “Well, we’ve got a new coach installing a new system. Give it some time.” How much longer? Another few years, huh?

Now some of you want to compare us to Orlando & other squads as far as our lack of spending & say we’re being smart like them. Seriously? Actually those squads, when they felt they were only 1 or 2 pieces away, did more than resign one of their own to a backbreaking max contract. Since you guys want to throw in the Magic, let’s do it. Okay, they felt they were one piece away last offseason & sign Vince Carter to a big contract. You can argue whether or not it made a difference. Now you’ll argue, “Well they haven’t made a big splash this offseason.” Well, I’d say between a team that made the finals & a team that got embarrassed in the 2nd round, the latter would be in need of a big splash more than the first.

Please, please, please don’t get it twisted. ASG is not being “careful/wise” in their spending. After re-signing Joe to save face, they’re simply being cheap. Please don’t confuse plotted, strategic spending with simply being cheap.

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@ Chris Murphy: I hear you about Shaq. But with the way Howard punked us last season, how in world can anyone say Shaq would be useless to us? You saying he wouldn’t make us at least a little tougher inside? You saying we have guys on our current roster more capable, or even as capable for that matter, at keeping Howard from under the basket? I’ll wait for that answer! I’m not saying we’d have to start him (though I wouldn’t oppose), but how could it hurt to have a legit, experienced center on the roster? I just think that for a team thrown around like rag dolls 2nd round last postseason, we’re being a little critical of guys that would do more help than harm.

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Here’s the deal, the Celtics got older and slower, the Majic did not get any better and have an overpaid team, the Bulls still have the same PG who choked in the biggest game of his career, the Heat still have to figure out how to play together, the Hawks are making the correct decisions staying pat for the moment.
The Hawks will sign Shaq to a two year deal for around 12/13 mil. This is their plan; trade Mo Evans (2.8 mil expiring contract) and a 2nd round pick for Shaq. Everybody gets something: the Cavs get a contributing veteran and a pick instead of nothing. The Hawks get a big Man and his Name (season tickets, jerseys, national media, etc) plus a couple mil to fill the bench.
Now, the Hawks have the rest of the summer to experiment with J Smoove refining his game (drbbling, shooting – Mark Price, lose weight, low post development with Nique). Give the starting center role to Shaq, move Al to PF. J Smoove to SF with the combo of JJ for scoring and Marvin for defense and lenght as back up; JJ, JC, and JC2 at the 2, and Teague/Bibby at the PG. Like it or not, the resigning of JJ was necessary get over it. Next, Bibby is in the twilight of his career, but is still a solid back up PG and his contract will become tradable after next season. Marvin is more suitable as a back up SF for the Hawks off the bench. Moreover, he has to sh-t or get off the pot this season. If the J Smoove experiment does work, again you have JJ and Marvin. It is not necessary for ShaQ to play over 20 -25 minutes per game. The playoffs is Shaq’s need not the reqular season. Next, the Hawks have a Trade Exception, 3 mil, and # 1 pick if the needs require; they have flexibility. The will not resign Collins, Joe Smith, RandMo, or Mario, it’s time to move go. Siler will be signed to understudy with ShaQ. The last two roster spots will go to the players who can develop and contribute. With this roster, they are as strong as any of the other teams in the Eastern conference!

2010-2011 Roster

PG – Teague/Bibby
SG – JJ/JC/JC2
SF – J Smoove/Marvin
PF – Al/ZaZa
C – ShaQ/Siler

Back up PG and Big -pick a couple

Go Hawks

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I would have more respect for Shaq is he retires than play for ASG version of the Atlanta Hawks on the Cheap.

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Woody is gone! Knight is gone! So what’s the problem now……………………Hawks don’t want to win, swept by Orlando again this year! Get Shaq so he can show the world & DH who the real Superman is! So what we resigned JJ, we were suppose to & you gave him way to much money, oh well………………get ready for the boo’s…….ASG is a joke!

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What a blog!

Bunch of uneducated buffoons calling the owners cheap, or stupid, or spending team money at strip clubs or other assorted nonsense.

OK, we understand you sometimes buy a ticket or watch on TV so that makes you smart enough to counsel managment, demand trades, evaluate talent and make the monetary decisions required to build a team and make money. Having accomplished all of the forementioned you are able to sit around all day and criticize a group of successful businessmen.

Since you have the means why not pool your money, buy the Hawks and show us just hwo smart you really are? Or would you rather just write all of this junk and look like idiots?

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Casual Observer

I guess that make you and uneducated buffoons too by comenting on a blog that PAYING FANS & SEASON TICKET HOLDERS are expressing about a team that is getting destroyed by wannabe successful businessmen.

You have a point though maby the city of Atlanta should boycott all Hawks games and actually pool the money to one source and buy this team for these scavengers.

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I think that the meltdowns are a bigger problem than all this true center talk. i say this because jamal crawford had 7 games where he shot .400 or lower in the playoffs. joe7 bibby 4 marvin 9 smith 4 and Horford 2 games. i understand that we dont have Kobe and all but the guy has 2 games all postseason where he shot .400 or below.

i question the effect some believe a true center will bring because heres not a single center out there that wont have a problem with dwight howard. i doubt that this center will somehow just make our team wide meltdowns dissapear.

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The ASG is waiting to see if shaq can get his offer from elsewhere….and knowing that more and more teams are less interested…he will then decide to play for atl for the MLE….

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It will be a long year for the Hawks they will be bad and not worth looking
at this season.
The owners need to sale the team because they never will built a championship
team in Atlanta.
The players are getting older plus they got to pay them big money one day.
Sale the damm team.
They will make the playoffs but who will they play, the heat magic bucks bulls
first round lossers again .
And to hear lies again from the owners talking bout being contenders.

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Look like another 50 win season, barely getting out the first round and getting swept in the second round for the third straight year.Give us owner that will spend money. HELLO TED TURNER ARE YOU THERE…

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So glad the Hawks saved/got all that money by trading the center they got at the top of the 2nd round so that they could use the money to get a center in free agency. That worked out perfectly…

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Dampeir was not-existent in the playoffs – he may be over the hill (35).

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@ grandmasterflash –

If Rose choked then wow what do you think JJ and Josh did in the playoffs against the magic . They basically had full blown collapses and I have yet to to hear anyone even address why they think JJ and Josh will recover from that . Regardless of who we bring in when your two best players show themselves to be mentally soft youve got to be ready to make a move .

This team has a huge asterisk by it now no matter who we bring in.

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ntrigue stated: Just take Aminu and Tolliver

- Thats the smartest comment on this post . The Hawks should sign these two and buyout RandMo so he can go back to Landmark Christian and be the altar boy that he’s destined to be.

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Where the Hawks had the most opportunity to improve was in the head coaching slot. They interviewed three people. They hired the cheapest one … an assistant under the guy they decided not to bring back.

Then, they had to sign, or not Joe Johnson. They offered him a max contract. The fact is Joe Johnson is no more skilled than John Drew was. Does anyone think Drew would have ever been worth a max contract? Didn’t think so. So, they overpay Johnson by a lot, hamstringing what they can to to upgrade the center spot.

No matter, they say, we’ll spend what it takes, including luxury tax to add the right pieces. Um, no, apparently not.

I’ll believe nothing I hear from these clowns. And, I’ll believe they’re not stupid when they prove it.

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We are 1 player away… just needed a Center (like the pass 3 seasons)

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We need some toughness inside. Kurt Thomas is 142 years old and he dominated us at times in the playoffs. Is Charles Oakley available? Bill Lambeer? Any center we get has got to have a decent jump shot too, b/c that’ll move Smoove to “SF”. We can’t have 3 guys clogging up the lane on offense.

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Josh Smith is a competent mid-range shooter. He can handle the 3. That position doesn’t have to be a long-range shooter.

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Im now a Magic Fan…Who is with me?!

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ASG throwing in the towel…

SAM is right…the Hawks signed JJ to save face, they don’t intend to actually compete and a championship is for the smokers…put down the pipe. They are content to be NBA owners.

In retrospect, Woody overachieved and pulled together a bunch of 1st rd. picks and surprised everybody with a playoff team. ASG comes out pretty well with a 1st rd televised playoff, several big game sellouts and their share of luxury tax distribution. They’re not counting on competing in the 2nd rd. – that would require significant investment, i.e. paying luxury tax, and that would forfeit their share of the luxury tax distribution – not happening.

Sad thing is we are THIS close! And Shaq could get us over the hump, he’s the one player DHoward cant bully. The one player that’ll clog the lane from DWade and LBJ and provide the Hawks the “heart” they lack. It’s simply asking too much of Horford to take that beating, even though he gives a yeoman effort, he simply isn’t big enough. And we know Smoove is a PF in name only.

Kwame Brown is a good specimen, but he doesn’t address our issues. He’s just a more expensive RandMo, maybe not as good. Certainly hasn’t done anything anywhere he’s been.

I don’t think ASG appreciates the embarrassment and humiliation felt by the fans when getting pounded by 30-40 on national tv. And to watch them piss away several negotiating chips for 2nd rd picks, trade exceptions and cash is insulting.

But like clockwork, they’ll complain about attendance! Who’s going to fight downtown traffic after a workday on a Wednesday night to see them beat up on below .500 teams, lose on the road and get swept in the playoffs, year after year after year?

JUST SELL THE FREAKING TEAM ALREADY!

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hawks are going to resign jason collins for the vet minimum for one year according to espn.com…go to the nba section and click on rumors

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Jeff – I have been a die hard atlanta sport fan since 1969… That means I have had to endure losing season after losing season because of ownership’s lack of interest in making any of our teams champions because of bad picks and trades. Ted Turner was the only team owner we had that was willing to pay for the top free agents. Please do not refer to the Cox and Schurholtz team as the best in the history of atlanta sports – those two clowns have made one bad trade after another. Two trades have worked – bringing in Fred McGriff and John Smoltz – all the rest was terrible rent a player trades and absolutely killed our farm system – the Escobar trade should have happen two years ago.
Cox’s has always liked the veteran over young exciting players – Schmidt for Neagle – bust – Tex – for 5 players – 2 all-stars – don’t offer him a contract – but you over pay for Lowe – 38 – Kawakami (spelling) o- for ever can’t pitch in the majors – there was a reason the Japanese teams didn’t want him,.. Grissom/Justice for Ambree/Lofton – who played like a little leaguer who didn’t like his teammates – this just after you won a World Series title – Only an Atalant team would trade two allstar caliber players for nobodies- wonder why we didn’t win more titles – Let me get back to the Hawks now – Onwership sueing each other – you over traded for Johnson – giving up what turned out to be three number one picks – Diaw our number 1 pick from the previous draft- and 2 number 1’s – now you over paid for his lackluster butt again – Hired coaches that had no clue has to run a basketball team – Weiss- Kruger – Woodson – (He had 0 talent – for the first 3 seasons then got talent and had no idea how to use them) our fire sales – Terrible draft picks – Williams (both Sheldon and Marvin) same player type- Josh Childerss- did not pick Chris Paul – and we are still looking for a true point gurad – overpaid for Bibby – to old/slow – this comment is getting me down so I will address those dirty birds they to where a joke because of ownership for 36 out of 40 years – until Author Blanks got them – then he intrusted the convict vick – no one did any type of background on him – a real one – gave up LT and Brees for an unimproved underclassman with exactly 117 pass attempts at Vtect – but I understand why Atlanta needed a a Minority face – and he was the chosen one – even after his conviction and time served the way the falcon crowd chewered for him was sickening – but again the Minority (because of their way of liofe – doing what ever they need to do to survive – I don’t hold that against them – I was forced to go to high school in some of those same projects back in 76 when the state thought it be a good idea to desegregate the public school system. I saw first hand how and what they did to survive – some of my closest friends (still today) are from those projects – we served in the Marines together – and they had plenty of stories to tell. And now getting back to the article the Hawks are now out of money – so we are stuck with this same lack luster of talent – all rebounders and only two scores (Smith one he drives to the rim/Johnson when the shot clock is at 3 – otherwise he just olds the ball – rest of teamjust stands an watches).
Are we fans that go two these venues going to be subject to more lack luster performances by overpaid and spolied brats – Can’t live on millions – a year – I sent a letter to the falcons and Hawks about a year ago – and told them to have some these brats try and live on a Medical Disablity Retirement check with a family of four to support – at $1599.00 – with no benefits from the Veteran’s Administration or Marine Corps for a wrongful termination discharge – 15 plus years I have been fighting the Marine Corps – 14 trips through Congress and now a local state Senator is now willing to take my case – and these athletes constantly wine about wanting more money! And now you wrote about onweeship not willing to spend money – send all of them a copy of this to them and make their players read it – maybe then they wouldn’t be so worried about making millions on top of millions. Thanks – I hope you reply to this – it would be a good thing to read if you do respond!

Semper Fi,

Sgt Matt

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The bigs that the Hawks have passed on thus far, were too expensive (in terms of years and total money) for what they going to give you. There’s no need to repeat signings like last season (Joe Smith, Morris, & Collins) if the coach is going to use them as practice players only.

It appears that the Hawks want to get a good big man for the league minimum, an idea that they should abandend. Find a big man that fits on the team, and sign him!!

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I hear you Tony…
But I wouldn’t trade Marvin for Shaq either.

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Thanks god we Resigned Jason Collins….. Almost lost him to the unemployment line lol….Can we sign a vet like Stackhouse or something instead of getting Mario “I’m on the floor so the opposite team has something to laugh at” West lol

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