Beefed-up East mightn’t be too brawny for new Hawks
Mike Woodson said it Monday: “Everyone’s loading up in the East.” On paper, that’s true. Each of the Eastern Conference teams that finished ahead of the Hawks have added a bigger name than Jamal Crawford. But games, as we know, aren’t played on you-know-what.
And there’s a chance the Hawks, assuming Marvin Williams returns to their roster or a reasonable facsimile is found in a sign-and-trade, have closed the gap even more. Think of it this way:
1. Cleveland: The Cavs added Shaquille O’Neal, one of the five greatest centers ever. But he’s 37 and he hasn’t played on a team that won a playoff series since Miami took the NBA title in 2006. And, just as he didn’t fit with Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire in Phoenix, there’s no guarantee he’ll mesh with LeBron James in that charming American city on the banks of Lake Erie.
LeBron is the world’s best player because he can get to the rim anytime he wants. Shaq has always been at his best two feet from the rim. Mightn’t the latter gum up the works for the former? Doesn’t a team with LBJ need to space, as opposed to clog, the floor? And won’t the presence of two of the game’s outsize personalities make things more difficult for coach Mike Brown, already believed to be in disfavor after the Cavs’ loss to Orlando?
2. Boston: 35, 34, 33, 32 … No, that’s not a countdown. Those will be, come Opening Night of the 2009-2010 NBA season, the ages of Rasheed Wallace, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. By way of contrast, the oldest contributing Hawk — Mike Bibby — is younger than the youngest of the Celtics’ Big Four.
Wallace is the Boston newcomer, but isn’t he just a more temperamental version of Kevin Garnett? (This assumes it’s possible to be more temperamental than Kevin Garnett.) They both shoot jump shots. They’re both forwards, as opposed to post presences. Is a backup — Wallace figures to play as a reserve — who averaged 12 points a game last season apt to push an aging team back to the top? And who juggles all the egos?
Loading ...3. Orlando: Vince Carter will open up things for Dwight Howard, right? Consider: Carter took 366 more shots for New Jersey last season than Howard did for the Magic. (And the Nets had a pretty fair young center in Brook Lopez.) Vince Carter usually opens things up only for Vince Carter.
Once considered the next Michael Jordan, Carter isn’t even player Joe Johnson. “He makes big shots,” said Woodson, speaking of Carter, but he also stops the ball. Orlando reached the NBA finals because its perimeter players — Hedo Tukoglu, Rashard Lewis, Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston — played expertly off their burgeoning big man. Three of those four are gone. That’s a net loss, not a net gain.
Bottom line: Nobody is apt to move the Hawks ahead of any of the above in preseason rankings, but preseason rankings weren’t kind to the Hawks last season, either. And they won 47 games and advanced to Round 2 of the playoffs. They could well win 55 and reach Round 3 — yes, the Eastern Conference finals — next time.
And maybe I’ll get to go back to Cleveland! Yes!!!
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99 comments Add your comment
Mike Jones
July 16th, 2009
5:57 am
FIRST!!!
dakast
July 16th, 2009
5:58 am
Well that makes me feel a lot better about the upcoming season.
Mike Jones
July 16th, 2009
6:01 am
LOL The best commercial ever
JSS
July 16th, 2009
6:15 am
Slapping the downtrodden, obviously you haven’t been to Porterdale lately… Thread lightly, that was Cabbagetown in 1989…
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 16th, 2009
6:45 am
I don’t feel great about the Hawks but I do feel better about Atlanta.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 16th, 2009
6:48 am
I usually don’t travel to areas with horrible economies but when I do, I prefer Cleveland…..Stay depressed my friend.
Jt
July 16th, 2009
7:29 am
One thing is certain- the Celtics may be good next year, but they are getting very old and will be falling fast in a year or two. Also, older players get imjured more often and heal much slower. The Hawks can beat the Celtics if they can rebound on the defensive end and run them out of the gym. The Celtics are going to look like the Pistons did last year. They do not concern me as much as the either the Cavs of the Magic.
Shaq is still a defensive presence in the middle but he is a liability to the pick and roll and the Hawks have one of the best guard tandems in the league to pick and roll. The Cavs manhandled the Hawks last year in the playoffs, but in all honesty the Hawks played with an injury-depleted roster.
I am not sure what effect Carter will have on the Magic. In the playoffs, Turkoglu carried them in several games. Carter is more athletic and versatile, so I think he is an upgrade.
Jt
July 16th, 2009
7:33 am
Also, by the way, MB, you conducted yourself very well during the playoffs when doing the interview with that jackass from the local Cleveland televsion station. He looked like a fool!
Sleeze
July 16th, 2009
7:56 am
Hawks may not have lost any ground to the Big 3, but you have to wonder about other teams catching up to them – Washington, Philly, Chicago.. Still would like to see the Hawks figure out a way to add another low post presence, even if its just to help on the boards and D.
DHD
July 16th, 2009
8:15 am
The Heat are looking to add Boozer and Odom. We could use one more big man.
GT Fan
July 16th, 2009
8:16 am
No, Rasheed Wallace coming off the bench is probably not going to be enough to push Boston to another title. However, a healthy KG, and Wallace starting in his place when he’s out, might do it. Boston had the third best record in the league with KG missing 25 games last year, and took Orlando to 7 games in the second round of the playoffs without KG playing a single minute.
55 wins might be about right, though. Enough to keep the Hawks in front of the pack, but questionable if it will be enough to leap frog one of the big 3.
GeeMack
July 16th, 2009
8:30 am
Hey Mark good article….nice way to say the Hawks didn’t make enough moves to upset the East 3 elite teams. Hey age & chemistry problems of better team should help us get to the ECF. Let the fate of someone else determine how far you go in the playoffs.
The biggest problem the Hawks have is we will trot out the same starting line up that got man handled last year, and the teams that man handled us have gotten better inside.
Ron E.
July 16th, 2009
8:38 am
55 wins? Perhaps. Eastern Finals? LOL.
Anthony
July 16th, 2009
8:43 am
Mark, No one believes me when I make this statement! I want to see if you do. If Marvin Williams, Al Horford and Josh Smith develops a floor game, the Atlanta Hawks could very well reach the finals. In addition to a floor game, they will have to become more consis and become more consistent with making shots. It will all depend on these three players because we already know what Mike, Joe, Jamal, ZaZa an company can do. Theses three need to start forfilling their potential. Do you agree Mark?
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 16th, 2009
8:46 am
Outstanding Cleveland video. Fabulous.
ATMAN
July 16th, 2009
9:28 am
I still remember how bad we were a few years ago. Making the playoffs as a fourth seed is not the end of the world for this organization. We are building some momentum and with another big or two plus improvement from within the Hawks will be competitive with those top three. Overtake them, I doubt it, but there are no guarantees if we start tearing this core apart, we could get worse. All I’m saying is how about some thankfulness for a team that can win 50 games, compared to what we’ve had to pull for in the past few years as fans.
Mark Bradley
July 16th, 2009
9:32 am
Thanks, JT.
Anthony, obviously the Hawks’ prospects of moving up in the East depend a great deal on Horfy, Josh and Marvin improving. Each still has considerable room to grow. That’s what Rick Sund meant when he said it’s possible for this roster to have “growth from within.”
woody
July 16th, 2009
9:37 am
Boring Boring and More Boring. There are two sports in this World Football and Hockey everything else is for non-men.
No lets talk some football.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d811508fe/Best-fans
ATMAN
July 16th, 2009
9:41 am
Mark, any idea how much the big three (Clev, Bos, Orl) are spending with there teams? Are they all in the luxury tax area? Also, a dumb question: Why is there no penalty from the cap to the luxury tax limit? Why not have them the same if this is the case because the cap is just some random number?
Mark Bradley
July 16th, 2009
9:47 am
I’d imagine all three are nearing the luxury-tax level, even though final rosters and numbers aren’t yet set. And the reason there’s a difference is because there are exceptions in the cap — the mid-level exception, the Larry Bird exception — that leave an opening to exceed the cap number without getting penalized. (For example, you can always pay to keep your own free agent no matter how much it costs you.)
NC Braves Fan
July 16th, 2009
10:07 am
Mark: I agree with your last point – it really sums it up nicely. The Clevelands and Bostons of the world will get their due in the preseason rankings because they went after “the big names,” and a lot of the so-called experts tend to glom on to names rather than Xs and Os. Meanwhile, the Hawks will fly under the radar screen.
One thing I think is true – Sund’s theory about a collection of very good players being able to overcome a team with a bona-fide star or two (and a plateful of schlubs on the back end of the roster) is really going to get put to the test this year.
Alp
July 16th, 2009
10:13 am
It takes one man to change a team, if we can get more production from Marvin and Josh,maybe move ZAZA to starting center and teach him how to finish a LAY-UP, we dont really need big trades, just two more role players… if we can get to a 12 men rotation for the entire season, we can compete with anyone… I have hope…..
bball whiz
July 16th, 2009
10:13 am
Mark You Are Forgetting That The Real Reason The Hawks Lost To Cleveland And Would Have Lost To Orlando, Is Because The Really Have No Real Presence In The Middle(center). ZaZa Is A Good Backup(sometimes),Horford Is Really A Power Forward Playing Out Of Position, Josh Smith Is Still Relative IMMATURE, But, Can Be Better With Better Coaching(physcologically). I Just Think That The Coaching Still Sucks. They Really Need To Look At Trading For A Real Center(Solomon Jones Might Can Stay, But Randolph Morris Has Definitely Got To Go). So, How You Like That Mark?…..
Nique
July 16th, 2009
10:15 am
Mark
Would you agree that we still have no real hope to win a title though without adding another big who can play tough interior D, score in the low post, board with the big boys, & be a shot blocking presence? Going back to the playoffs is all well & good, but is that really what we’re trying to accomplish here?
Those were all good point that you made above, but the fact still remains that those teams have Shaq/Big Z, D Howard/Gortat, & now K.G./Shed & Perkins at the C/PF slots & there’s no way that we can even come close to matching up with these teams in the paint & defensively. They kill us on the boards & with 2cnd chance points all of the time & as soon as things turn into a half court game, which is what the playoffs is about this always comes back & bites us! WE HAVE 2 GET ANOTHER LAGIT BIG 2 BE SERIOUS CONTENDERS. Don’t get me wrong, Crawford will really help, as will Teague, & bringing everyone else back, but this isn’t a new issue, so returning everyone won’t solve an already existing issue.
wxwax
July 16th, 2009
10:17 am
Two curves concern the Hawks.
The curve that measures the ascendancy of Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams. And the curve that marks the possible declines of Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby.
Where those two curves interest will determine how good this team can be. One can only hope that Smith miraculously matures and that Marvin and Jamal Crawford can compensate for whatever decay there is in Joe Johnson’s game.
Am I being unfair to Johnson? Last year’s heavy minutes really seem to age him, to take their toll on his body. Maybe he’ll be rested more this year, who knows? But for the Hawks to “grow from within” Johnson will have to be a steadier presence than he was last year.
Anakin Joe
July 16th, 2009
10:20 am
I agree that our front court has room to improve. So what off-season moves did Sund make that would further their maturation? Was it trading for Crawford? Drafting Teague? Bringing in quality veteran big men to work with daily in practice? Hiring a big man consultant to teach them low post moves? Or does this growth come naturally with a daily glass of milk and a Flintstones vitamin?
honest_abe
July 16th, 2009
10:23 am
mr. bradley: have to disagree with you about boston. the big three haven’t once had a problem with their ego’s. for them especially at this age they just want to win. they added rasheed who can get out of hand sometimes regarding fouls but when’s the last time you heard a peep from him regarding lack of shots or spotlight? he’s a team player. he meshed in nicely when he went to detroit and i expect him to do the same in boston. sure rasheed and kg both shoot jumpers but they also have a nice post up game. not to mention they’re excellent passers out of the post as well.
also, when it comes to crunch time boston seems to always give it to their hottest player. it doesn’t matter who it is. the hawks could learn a thing or two from boston regarding that. jj doesn’t need to get the ball every time with the game on the line. of course if woody could diagram a play that might help too but i digress.
boston is the favorite to win the championship because not only are those veterans capable they also have an excellent head coach and a top 3 pg. this team will be extremely hard to score on especially inside and when it comes to crunchtime you won’t see a team execute better.
go ahead and do it now bet on boston to win the whole thing.
bball whiz
July 16th, 2009
10:27 am
Further More, At 15 Of The Games I Attended Last Year, It Was Obvious That Coach Woodson Had No Idea What Was Going On In The Game. Against The Spurs, They Lost A Game They Should Have Won. All The Coach Had To Do Was Match Speed Against Speed. (Mario On Parker), He Put Mario Williams In For About 5 Minutes, He Stopped Parker, Even Had A Steal From Parker At Mid-court, Parker Could Not Penetrate He Shut Parker Down For That Time Span. He Then Put In Bibby And Murray Whom Parker Blew By, Like Driving On The Autobahn, End Result (Parker 42 Points). I yELLED aND yELLED To The Coach To Put Mario, Back In, But He Never Did The Rest Of The Game. What An IDIOT!!!!!!!…….
DJ
July 16th, 2009
10:28 am
The hawks need to go after Ben Wallace or Chris Wilcox. Ben Wallace would have to take the minimum because no other team wants to pay him higher than that. Chris Wilcox will also get the minimum because nobody is interested in paying him 8 million.
Solo and Randolph both need to find another team because Randolph Morris is dead weight and alot of weight at that. Solo is the opposite of Randolph, too skinny, if solo ever got 15 minutes to 20 minutes of playing time every game, he would be hampered by injury. Thats why the need to sign Garret Siler.
Wink
July 16th, 2009
10:29 am
That’s the point, the beefed up East, we have no beef, Pachulia & Horford are small in comparison.
If we run the ball then small & youth work for us, but we don’t consistently run the ball by design. We play half court basketball, burn clock, rush jumper at end of clock. One shot we are done, no beef to get that rebound. Check the losses last year, crunch time we just can’t get the ball. To small & too tired…no bench play.
Playoff basketball, is basically half court, with flashes of accelerated play. The team are usually better in the playoffs, chemistry is at an all time high from playing together during the season, and if your opponent is smaller you have an advantage on the boards; if they are younger and don’t push the ball, the veteran team with experience again will have the advantage. If you are playing against a Coach who can’t make in game adjustments, you have an even bigger advantage.
So we need BEEF, BRAWN & BRAINS, to succeed in the East!
Show the BEEF the MULA $$$$$
lawton
July 16th, 2009
10:33 am
surely you jest mark. there is no reason to believe a team that has tried for FORTY YEARS to make it to the CONFERENCE FINALS, WE TALKING ABOUT CONFERENCE FINALS, NOT NBA FINALS, CONFERENCE FINALS, will do so anytime soon. lol
Beautiful Monte
July 16th, 2009
10:33 am
I asked this question yesterday on Schultz’s blog, and I’ll ask it again here:
Where, exactly, is Sund supposed to find a “big” who can rebound, play defense, run the floor, and score 15 ppg? Some fans make it sound as if all Sund has to do is visit the nearest Wal-Mart, where he will find such a seven-footer stuffed between the paper towels and the charcoal.
Another question for the would-be GMs: since quality “bigs” are valued commodities, which current Hawks would you be willing to trade in exchange for such a player? Keep in mind that any team giving up a quality “big” will be wanting equal (or greater) value in return.
So, please, no ideas like the one I heard on an ATL radio station in the early 90s, when a caller suggested that the Braves trade Belliard and Lemke to the Mariners in exchange for Junior.
bball whiz
July 16th, 2009
10:44 am
I Agree With You DJ, They Do Need To Go After Chris Wilcox, He Can Rebound And Is Not Afraid To Bang And He’s A Big Body. Mr. Wilcox Can Also Dunk As Persa (ZaZa) Whom Misses Layups. Ben Wallace Would Be Good Too, Because He Knows How To Play The Game, No Foolish Stuff. He Can Also Offer Some Personal Coaching To Josh Smith. But Bottom Line, Randolph Morris And Solomon Has To Go.
T.C
July 16th, 2009
10:44 am
Say what you want about cleveland,boston,and orlando’s players being old ect…No disrespect,but i will have to say wishful thinking.In order i would say (1)boston (2)orlando (3)cleveland and boston comes out the east with a healthy garnett.I think the hawks slip to 5th or 6th and the bulls finish 4th even without gordon.That could change considering who the hawks pick up in the off season(BIG MEN).We gotta bring in the bigs or we will have a mitch match everytime we play these three teams(Cavs,magics,Celtics).Za Za is a good back up but definately not a starter that can hang with these three elite teams without fouling out.I love the hawks but im not gonna place them somewhere there not just because they are the home team.The truth is the truth and i just don’t think they have enough to get past the first round next year.I will give them 6th seed at best and we all know the lowest seed plays the highest seed which would be one of these three teams(cavs,magics,celtics).We always talk about age but i thought basketball was 80% mental anyway.The only player i have seen a little decline in is shack but he still made a forceful impact last season and was a force in the post.Imagine this matchup,shack v.s ZaZa? Howard v.s ZaZa? perkins,garnett,rasheed v.s Za Za or who ever that is now present on the hawks roster thats considered a big man.You can throw horford in there to foul out and thats what he do everytime he plays the center position.Hawks i love you but unless you make a incredible move in the off season,i cant see it.
bball whiz
July 16th, 2009
10:49 am
Amen, TC
Michael
July 16th, 2009
10:51 am
Who cares about Shaq he is washed up and old. Health issues can destroy a team and I sure do like my chances with kids in their twentys not mid to late thirtys. The hawks are not a team of ego’s they are a TEAM. Yes a TEAM all these other teams have loaded a hot revolver and its just waiting to go off. Shaq at 37 I rate him in the middle of the pack sliding dow the scale and I rate BIG AL HORFORD as Mid to top of the pack Climbing with passion hard work and agression. Thats the Hawks a team that is growing up in front of us but instead of growing pains its growing Gains and cant wait for the NBA season to get kicked off this year! the Cavs better be ready cause WE READY!
cdog
July 16th, 2009
10:55 am
if sund sign a big man who can close down the middle on defense plus get marvin williams signed then i would say we are moving in the right direction. but if sund and woodson fool themself and believe what we currently have on the roster is enough then its going to be a long fustrating season. we need to get a big man now.
Art Vandelay
July 16th, 2009
10:56 am
I think what Sund and the Hawks are doing is very pragmatic. We’re not in a position to build a team around a single superstar like Dwight Howard or LeBron, so it makes good sense to put as many solid players on the court as possible and let them complement each other’s games. If you look at the teams that tend to win the NCAA tournament, they’re usually collections of very good players with bench depth at every position — not one star and a few role players. The Hawks are building a similar team where everyone has an important role. Now the key is to get guys like Josh Smith to understand and embrace their roles in the system and execute it, rather than trying to take too much on himself. While the Bostons of the world age and are forced to rebuild, the Hawks can have a core group of players in place for several years.
We may not be a championship contender this year, but we’ll be in the conversation for the next several years so long as we’re able to keep the guys we have. Long-term, the franchise seems to be headed in the right direction, no matter how hard the Anti-Spirit Group tries to screw it all up.
hawkfan
July 16th, 2009
10:58 am
I agree with Mark’s assertions that the recent acquisitions of the Celtics, Magic, and Cavs are not so impressive, but the fact remains that those teams were already better than the Hawks before they arrived. Shaq and Wallace will likely see limited action so as to minimize their impact on their new team’s chemistry. Vince Carter will add some athleticism to the Magic, who although they lost Hedo, still have JNelson returning to run their offense. In other words, these teams may not have gained much, but they certainly didnt lose much, if any, either.
In sum, most fans would agree that retaining our core and adding Crawford makes us a better team, but better than the big 3 mentioned above?
Sautee
July 16th, 2009
10:59 am
Mark,
I don’t seem to remember Shaq clogging up the lane for DWade in ‘06. My memory of that Finals is DWade taking it to the rim over and over (and getting some truly bogus foul calls). Why didn’t Shaq clog the lane for DWade?
Methinks your premise is flawed.
Don’t underestimate Cleveland.
Anakin Joe
July 16th, 2009
11:03 am
Oh yeah, and how about a guard who can stop dribble penetration so that Horford or Smith aren’t sitting on the bench in foul trouble midway thru the 1st quarter? Anyone think that may have been a move worth considering to aid our maturing front court?
Mark Bradley
July 16th, 2009
11:03 am
OK, you’re right, Lawton. Just because a team has never gotten somewhere means it will never get anywhere. Just like Arizona will never play in a Super Bowl.
O'Brien
July 16th, 2009
11:08 am
Mark,
We may be closer to Cleveland. Maybe. However, DWade’s game is to drive to the hole, and he and Shaq still won a championship. And when Shaq goes to the bench, they bring in Big Z, who will open up the lane again. Who do we have to bang with Shaq/Big Z/Varajeo? Bibby cannot stop Mo Williams, and Delonte West does a decent job defensively on JJ. And they brought in Anthony Parker, which is a good pickup for them (he’ll probably matchup with Crawford off the bench).
I dont think we are any closer to Orlando and Boston. KG was injured last year (and there was no Rasheed) and Boston still won a lot more games than we did. And in a close game, coaching/execution is huge. And Woody is the worst coach out of all 4 (Mike Brown/Doc Rivers/StanVG).
Orlando still has Dwight Howard, Gortat backing him up, and they added Brandon Bass. We can’t bang down low with them (and Woodson refuses to make this team run).
And if I’m not mistaken, Vince Carter (Devin Harris/Lopez) beat up on the Hawks last year as members of the Nets, so Orlando porbably will again. Orlando won 66 games last year. Maybe they drop off and win 56. But I dont see how the Hawks can beat them when matched up.
Like AJ said. Sund needs to bring in some reinforcements down low.
DawginLex
July 16th, 2009
11:08 am
The east is Boston and everyone else even with Shaq joining Lebron.
Garnett healthy this past year and it would have been a Lakers Boston rematch.
Everybody else is playing for 3rd.
Mark Bradley
July 16th, 2009
11:15 am
Al Horford is 6-foot-10, 245 pounds. Zaza Pachulia is 6-11, 275. That’s plenty beefy. This isn’t the NFL.
Spud Webb
July 16th, 2009
11:25 am
The hawks are going to have another good year, I hope woody can develop this young point guard, I hope woody can develop anything for that matter.
Mark, nice blog, but I have to disagree with this statement in regards to sheed and KG “They both shoot jump shots. They’re both forwards, as opposed to post presences.”
Really??? KG has a great post up game and can use it when he wants. He can also shoot the J. Correct with sheed, but KG is a complete player, but plays to the style of his team. When he wants he can back anyone down and has a variety of post moves.
Nique
July 16th, 2009
11:25 am
Beautiful Monte
Now you asked the ? & I don’t wanna hear that stats don’t answer the ? or mean anything, because they do & I’m not gonna use highlight years either, I’m going off of career stats, which includes the good & the bad.
There are a # of things that I would be willing to do, the first option I’ll address is a trade option, I’d be willing to move either Williams or Smith & our additional 2cnd rounder next year (heck i’d give up both 2ncd rounders if need be)to Utah for Boozer & Kiralenko. Utah has decided that they wanna move him to make room to resign Milsap & Kiralenko has wanted out of there the last 3 years. AK-47 would bring a more intense defensive presence to the SF position & is an all around ball player & stat stuffer with a career average of 1.42 steal, 2.21 blocks, 2.8 ass. 12.5 ppg, & 5.8 reb. a game (within the deal we would need to rework his contract, but that’s normal in trades). Then Boozer is a proven low post threat which we desperately lack & has the skilll to step out & knock down the perimeter J & is a proven allstar
a career 16 & 10 guy.
But if they wanted to make a smaller splash, Patrick O’Bryant, & DeAndre Jordan, Brandan Wright, & Jermareo Davidson are all young big men who are sitting the bench who have alot of upside & that I’d be willing to part with 1 or both 2cnd round picks next year to acquire & of them Wright is the only one with a substantial cap #.
Now for Fee Agents we all know need another PF/C who hits the boards hard, can score in the low post, & can step out & hit the 15 ft jump shot. Defense would be great too, (but to find a FA with everything isn’t gonna happen this late in the game, other than odom maybe) Drew Gooden, Chris Wilcox, & Lamar Odon all fit this bill, lets make a move! We currently are 2 deep everywhere, (well baring SF as we wait on Marvin) except for PF, we just have Josh currently, we don’t need to resign Solomon, lets get some low post punch in here! Gooden career average 12 p & 8 re’s, Wilcox 9 & 5, & Odon 15 & 9. This is the most glaring missing piece to our puzzle!
Additionally, if we aren’t gonna allow R. Morris to play at Center, cut him & go pick up Theo Ratliff for additional insurance & defense, you could get him for the vet minimum & he could give you 8 to 10 minutes a game & he has a career average of 7.5 p 5.9 re’s & 2.5 blocks per game providing us with more interior size, strength, & defense.
I’m not the highest on Big Baby who has averaged 7 & 4 or Leon Powe 8 & 5 but they’re a definate improvements over Solo & what Morris provided & as is Hakim Warrick who has averaged 11.6 & 5 boards a game. All of these options are avaible, we all see & know it, so does Sund, so don’t make it appear as if none are out there, because they are & they are all intriguing.
Mark Bradley
July 16th, 2009
11:29 am
Garnett used to play in the post, I’ll agree. But now I only see the jump shots.
Nique
July 16th, 2009
11:37 am
Mark,
But to your commit about it not being the NFL, that’s 2 guys, what happens when 1 is hurt like Al was in the playoffs this past year, or if one is in fowl trouble, or is just plain off? What then? Not to mention that Al, the starter at Center is able to really match up against D. Howard, Big Z, Shaq, or K. Perkins who are 6-11 265, 7-3 260, 7-1 325, & 6-10 280. That’s not beefy enough, that’s a 15 pound differential & a 5 inch deficit for the closest guy weight wise. The fact is we get beat up in the paint, why try to deny it? & It’s not all about size either, Al couldn’t match up with KG either, he dominated him in that series 2 years ago, yes he’s young & KG’s probably a hall of famer, but that’s the reality, it’s not gonna change, Al’s not gonna get bigger, Zaza’s not gonna evolve much more than what he is now, & 2 big’s plus Smith, who’s not really a big, just isn’t enough!
honest_abe
July 16th, 2009
11:46 am
lol mb. you need to calm down. i know you’re on the bandwagon now but cmon. i’m one of the biggest hawks fans there is but i’m also a realist. the hawks managed to finish 4th in the east while chicago found it’s way. it can be easily argued that chicago was a better team by the end of the season. also washington didn’t have half of its players add that to their additions and they might be just as good as the hawks if not better. yes the hawks did make it out of the 1st round but they beat a horrible miami team. sure they can only play who their matched up against… but miami was dwade and a bunch of rookies. all i’m sayin is i don’t know if keeping this unit together is means for celebration. their needed to be some improvement not just the status quo. the hawks were outmanned inside all of last season and they didnt’ do a single thing to improve that weakness. yet you keep propping up sund like he’s going to be the executive of the year or something. for basically just keeping last years team intact.
let’s take a look. not one problem from last year was fixed while the rest of the conference improved… i hope i’m wrong but it doesnt’ bode well for our hawks.
lawton
July 16th, 2009
11:47 am
FORTY YEARS, FORTY YEARS, FORTY YEARS, FORTY YEARS, FORTY YEARS, AND STILL NO EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS APPEARANCE. LOL
CajunStorm
July 16th, 2009
12:01 pm
THE AUDACITY of HOPE by Dat Dude from the Bayou…
I can’t do it anymore….we don’t know what the hell this team is going to do. Hell we HOPE that we have great growth from within but who the hell knows. We HOPE Joe goes back to 225lbs and be explosive instead of the 250lbs he was last season. We HOPE Sund pulls the right trigger on the 3-4 moves we have left. We HOPE Woody gets it and stops this pure ISO crap and finally let’s this team RUN!!!At the same time we HOPE we finally have a PG that’s able to push the RUN!! Oh wait, Teague is a ROOKIE and there is NO HOPE of him getting playing time. We HOPE ZaZa is really 25 and can get better. We HOPE Marvin gets signed and improves to a 18pt, 8reb, 4ast, defensive stopper. We HOPE Josh decides to stay within 20ft of the basket..ALWAYS!! We HOPE Al continues his solid play. We Hope Crawford is a missing piece and not a misfit like everywhere else he has been. We HOPE that the Big 3 take a step back! We HOPE we are intelligent beings that HOPE someone of significance will hear our HOPES and I HOPE to win the Dang Lotto!! Hey…it can all happen, WE HOPE!!
Vol_In_Ohio
July 16th, 2009
12:37 pm
A Drew Gooden signing makes sense to me. Is he really as cheap as I think he is? He’s got solid numbers but has played for a number of teams. He looks good the times I have seen him play and I haven’t heard that he’s caused trouble in the locker room. Is this like a Flip Murray situation – nobody wants him but he’s actually pretty darn good?
When I look at Wilcox, May, and others like that, Gooden seems like clearly best option at the price we can pay.
HawkKingBibby
July 16th, 2009
12:51 pm
Alot will depend on how Jamal Crawford fits in and if we can add at least two NBA BIGS. They dont have to be superstars but they have to be legit nba players for depth. Al usually bangs with a guy biger than he is so him wearing down and injuries occuring are almost guaranteed. We need guys to fill in when that happens. Oh and Mark you almost had me fooled into believing you enjoyed your trip to Clevland, well up until now. lol
T.C
July 16th, 2009
1:32 pm
Honest abe,your not wrong.Beef and skills is two totally different things.Truth is we are(hawks)soft down low.Look at the games when we played cleveland,labron drove the hole slammed and danced every game and no one knocked him on his butt to make him think the next time he drove to the basket.We need toughness,skills,ect.. and not just size and beef.We need a or some BIGS that plays the same way every game and not have good games when there not playing the BIG names.Za Za and horford is not the ticket for 82 games.Horford is a very good player and i think will be great down the line but we are talking now.Lets stop looking two or three years from now when some of the players we have now probably won’t even be here considering the owners/front office never spend the money to get superstar players thats on the market every year in atlanta.I think a lot of people posting these wishful comments are in denial.The cardnals and hawks are both birds but the hawks don’t have a fitzgerald or a bolden type of player on there team.
Glenn
July 16th, 2009
2:10 pm
With Garnett & Sheed , the Celtics have easily the two biggest psychopaths in the NBA . I look forward to seeing how that plays out . My guess , really bad . Us & Cleveland will be in the Eastern finals .
jhan
July 16th, 2009
2:14 pm
If you haven’t had a date in several years would you expect to suddenly start dating a perfect 10? Or would you start with a 6 & work you way up the ladder? Some folks are so unrealistic when it comes to team development. We’ve waited 4-5 years for these young cats to develop (Smith, Horford, Williams) why trade them now for a bunch of 30+ year old players & make a 1 or 2 year run at the title? Let them have a 4-5 year run at the title.
cdog
July 16th, 2009
4:11 pm
mark you are trying to make an excuse for sund not signing a big man. how come cleveland went through the hawks defense as easy as they did? za za and hortford is not enough
Mark Bradley
July 16th, 2009
4:16 pm
CDog, as I recall, Al Horford came into the series hurt, hurt himself again in Game 1, didn’t play in Game 2 and limped through Games 3 and 4 on willpower only. I don’t think we’re able to take a real measure of the Hawks’ interior defense from that series.
Today’s Celtics Links 7/16 at New England Sports 24/7
July 16th, 2009
4:56 pm
[...] Las Vegas Review Journal LEFTOVERS: DeRozan’s best move: USC exit – AJC Beefed-up East mightn’t be too brawny for new Hawks Las Vegas Sun For former MWC standouts, summer league minutes are at a premium Yahoo Heat [...]
JAY
July 16th, 2009
6:50 pm
Hey, I totally agree with Nique. Randolph Morris is just taking up a spot for a “BIG” that can help us. He sat on the bench the entire season and didn’t do a thing. When he did get into a game, he was almost asleep. Now as I said to my best friend, Dwight Gooden would give us some quality minutes. Bring back Theo, if only for a defensive presense. Now how about Marvin? A sign and trade with Caron Butler. He’s a very versatile player. A larger version of Flip Murray. Perfect fit for us. Does anyone agree with me? You can email me back with your reply. @ jayjonesjr86@yahoo.com.
JAY
July 16th, 2009
7:00 pm
Forgive my error guys, I mean’t Drew Gooden. Not Dwight (DOC)
CajunStorm
July 16th, 2009
7:07 pm
Jay, only way “Dwight Gooden” is coming here is if we supply enough “powder” that he believes basketball is baseball and it is 1986. I feel you on bringing Drew Gooden here and I also suggested earlier that Caron Butler is another quiet acquisition that can be had in a sign and trade for Marvin so I agree there too. Then we wouldn’t have to worry about matching up to the “Big 3,” they would have to worry about matching up with us.
Ultimately, I wish we would have spent Bibby’s money on Ray Felton and the 19th pick on DeJuan Blai from Pitt (6′9″, 265lbs) who the Spurs stole in the 2nd round. He was A MAN in college and after seeing him twice in summer league play he will be exactly what the Hawks are looking for now…for a lot less money. Anyway, I HOPE all things work out as posted in my “AUDACITY of HOPE” post earlier.
Hawks Number One Lady Fan
July 16th, 2009
8:36 pm
Enjoyed the blog Mr. Bradley. It was a breath of fresh air in all the hype about Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando. And that’s all it is hype. The same teams and players are hyped up every year and frankly I’m sick of it.
Mark Bradley
July 16th, 2009
8:43 pm
Why, thanks, No. 1 Lady Fan.
BD
July 16th, 2009
8:51 pm
wasn’t the reason why dejuan blair fell into the 2nd round b/c he doesn’t have an ACL in either of his knees
Zach
July 16th, 2009
10:09 pm
Mark,
As a season ticket, I very much appreciate the optimism. This has been an off-season of steady improvement. As a life long Hawks fan, I am thankful to the current ownership, front office, coaching staff, and roster for working towards a league-wide respectability. In short, we compete, night in and night out. As we all know, that has not been the case for some time.
This team has gotten better. The addition of Crawford and Teague, will pay great dividends, allowing us much more flexability then that of Murray and Law, with added size, quickness, and ball handling ability. Bibby and Zaza deciding to stay in Atlanta, speaks to the direction that Coach Woodson has this on. They believe in him, and I do not see why not. He has stayed a float, and allowed his team to grow and get better each year.
I give Rick Sund, a great amount of respect, as he has stuck to his game plan and built this team efficiently over the last 18 months. There is more to come. With our addition salary cap space, I see no reason why the like of a Barnes, Wilcox, Gooden or Ratliff will not be added to this already talented roster.
Thank you for making a concerned interest to spend time discussing Hawks basketball, during the offseason. It is much appreciated!
Ken
July 16th, 2009
10:27 pm
The Hawks need another big man, this may be true. But please stop just throwing out random stupid names. People that we have no chance of getting(Chris Bosh), people that it would be stupid to get (injury prone Tyson Chandler), or acting like there is just an abundant source of dominant centers out there. There are like five truly dominant bigs left. They all make way more than we can afford; and their current teams aren’t letting them go anyway. So please stop the dumb&#^t!
T. Shakur
July 16th, 2009
10:39 pm
Mark,
Good points!! I see the Hawks being seeded 4,5 or 6. Possibly making it to the 2nd again. Once there though, the music stops!! Of the Big 3, the Hawks are not designed to beat them over 7 games. And this is coming from a Hawks fan.
“I ain’t a killa but don’t push me, revenge is like the sweetest joy next to…”
Taurasi
July 16th, 2009
10:40 pm
why do you all never blog about the DREAM. are you guys chauvanistic?
Ken
July 16th, 2009
10:54 pm
At this point, it doesn’t really matter whot the hawks get, they are still going to get killed on the boards. Now that is not saying they won’t do well or have success, each team presents different challenges. Cleveland got Shaq who will man the middle better (if healthy), but he may slow them down or make them self destruct with the two big egos. Either way we still have to worry about Lebron. I know we were hobbled in that series, but Lebron practicly beat us by himself. Boston’s big four are all over 30 and gettin’ older by the day. Plus, Rondo may be disgruntled after being drudged through the mud all off season by his own team. None of this will matter come playoff time, but they do have a great chance of an injury occuring. Lastly, the magic will not be the same team after losing Turkoglu to run their offense thru. What we don’t know is if that’s good or a bad thing. With getting Brandon Bass in the fold and keeping Gortat, they will be even tougher down low. They still have all the 3 pt shooters as well. If Vince brings it this year and they figure it out how to play together it could be ugly. The hawks have to first and foremost stay healthy, 2) Use the bench wisely so that starters aren’t dead in the playoffs, and 3) Horford, Smith, and Marv have to continue to develop and get better as previously mentioned.
Raw Dog
July 16th, 2009
10:56 pm
The dream haven’t been around long enough for us to talk about them. They may have a team to physically exist, but they have a lot of work to do before they become relevant enough to be talked about.
Ken Strickland
July 17th, 2009
12:18 am
MARK BRADLEY-Your article is almost a carbon copy of how I’ve detailed the potential problems Cleveland and Orlando will encounter with their new additions. Both will have to deal with chemistry and adjustment issues to start the season. I even predicted we’d move up to the #3 seed. If Shaq starts, their starting line will be altered dramatically. What will they do with Ilgoukas. Who will back up who at center? If they try the twin towers routine, they’ll be the NBA’s slowest and most vulnerable team to the pick and roll.
Shaq is probably the only center that’s worse than Ilgouskas, and maybe YMing, at defending the pick and roll. Orlando eliminated them last yr because of their inability to defend the pick and roll. How does Shaq make them better when he makes them even more vulnerable to the pick and roll? Everyone thinks the Celtics collapsed only because KG went down. Well, they did collapse, but they were already having trouble adjusting to the loss of JPosey before he went down.
Big Ray
July 17th, 2009
8:15 am
For those who wonder why there is no decent big man coach or consultant, look no further than Mike Woodson.
Rick Sund has made it clear that he leaves all coaching staff/consultant positions up to the head coach. So there you have it.
As for the roster, that’s up to Sund, who says he also takes the coach’s input.
Mark ,
There is a lot of merit to what you say. I find it quite amusing though. Why? Because your dear old buddy and pal Niremetal has said as much to me in conversations. Seems you two agree on this particular subject. I’m not sure he’ll know what to do with that….
Jeff Gardner
July 17th, 2009
8:25 am
Hey Bradley, the only way the hawks either A. stay at the 4th seed or B. move up in the standings is if Josh smith can consistantly hit a 15 footer. LOL I doubt he is working on that right now. HAwks are lucky to get a 7th seed this year.
T.C
July 17th, 2009
9:01 am
Lady fan and strickland,im a hawks fan and hope the hawks will surprise like the falcons did.But i just don’t see it.Shack have 82 games to adjust to a pick and roll and if cleveland plays the twin tower positions,slow or no slow how can the hawks defend that? it will cause problems for a lot of teams.Im not trying to down the hawks but the truth is the truth they are my team but im not counting my eggs for the cavs,magics,and celtics before they hatch.These teams have quality superstar players who are or could be in the hall and knows how to get the job done dispite there age and we are trying to find flaws in other teams to make it seem like the hawks have a chance.If thats how we want the hawks to win off of other teams flaws then our team(hawks)is in for a long season.Like i say,i will give them 6th or 7th seed and that would call for them to play probably cleveland again.But the hawks can still get a player in here that will truely make a difference and time will tell.Somebody mentioned that woodson have control over what players come to atlanta,im sure he wanted a big time player only to be told that “we don’t have the money”.People lets be real here and honest with our selves by giving teams that made the better moves there props.I will like to welcome all our new players(draft,free agent)to atlanta.
Hawks Number One Lady Fan
July 17th, 2009
11:45 am
T.C. just like Shaq and all the other teams have 82 games to make adjustments, so do the Hawks.
Are you saying we should give props to the other teams for adding bigger names than Jamal Crawford? Huh?
Stating the obvious is not finding flaws. Are not Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Rasheed Wallace, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, and Shaquille Oneal not in their 30’s and perhaps near retirement?
Isn’t it true that Shaq hasn’t won a championship since 2006, even though he was paired with two time MVP Steve Nash?
Has Vince Carter even won a championship or been a part of a championship team?
Did Lebron and the Cavs not even make it to the finals even after boasting the NBA’s best record?
What gives you so much confidence in big name players? And so little faith in your own team?
Come on fellow Hawks fan, wake up and smell the coffee. Don’t be so quick to believe the hype!
Orlando Magic
July 17th, 2009
11:58 am
Please go ahead and disrespect the Magic just like last season. The Hawks thought they Owned orlando and they fell behind 50 points to them in a game and lost the season series 3-1.
Cleveland will be no better with Shaq.
Boston- undetermined.
Orlando- Still the best team in the Eastern Conference!
I also believe everyone who worked for the AJC including one Terrence Moore didn’t think the Magic would win a single game Against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals with ignoring the obvious stat that they had beaten them 10 of 13 games over 3 years.
Bottom Line=Sports writers can’t predict anything and they think they more than they do. The only thing that dictates what happens is the players on the floor.
As for you Mark Bradley. You have been bashing the Atlanta Hawks for 10 years plus and I have read many many articles that you have written over the years. Your opinion doesn’t matter because just like Terrence Moore everything you have written is negative and now you are just on the Bandwagon.. Good Job
Hawks Number One Lady Fan
July 17th, 2009
12:09 pm
Orlando Magic go jump in the lake that Orlando went fishing in when they lost to the Lakers. HAHAHA
Josh
July 17th, 2009
12:15 pm
What a garbage column. Have you even followed the magic’s moves this offseason? In case you forgot losing rafer alston is not that big of a deal. Last year the magic’s allstar pg Jameer Nelson was hurt, now he’s healthy. Plus way to rag on VC for never winning a championship. He’s been in Toronto and NEW JERSEY wft do you want him to do? Not once have they put a team with a chance on the floor.
I’d love to see you compete with
Howard
Bass
Lewis
Carter
Nelson
Bench: Reddick, Johnson, Gortat, Pietrus.
Keep telling yourselves you have a chance. Magic are stacked.
Josh
July 17th, 2009
12:17 pm
Orlando Magic go jump in the lake that Orlando went fishing in when they lost to the Lakers. HAHAHA
What are you 12, loser? We beat that cavs that swept your stupid sucky team. Now were better and will take care of business. Can’t wait till we play the hawks again so we can beat you by 50 one more time.
D12onYA
July 17th, 2009
12:50 pm
Orlando will be back in the Finals next year. Carter is way better that Turk. Carter averaged 4 assists in the past 6 years! With the addtion of Ryan Anderson, resigning of Gortat, and now Bass; Orlando will be even better than last years team. I hope we can demonstrate this by playing the Hawks FIRST come October!
J
July 17th, 2009
1:02 pm
I agree, this team healthy would’ve given the Cavs a challenge, albeit i doubt we would have won the series
magicfan23
July 17th, 2009
1:15 pm
no way is this guy seriuos i do believe that the hawks are agood young up and coming team but lets not get crazy here 55 wins that unreal… i do believe the magic inproved there front line and dwight will be even more beast this upcoming year… Cleveland got a little better adding shaq but who knows if he has any gas left in the tank and the celtics are just plained old i dont think the are that good…. i feel that the hawks will be fighting the bulls for the 4th spot in the east regardless they will play the bulls in the first round but the second round will be either against orlando, cleveland or boston thats when there season is over….
Patrick
July 17th, 2009
1:18 pm
It’s nice to be optimistic about the home team. I remember an article from the ajc early in the season talking about how the Hawks had a better starting 5 than the Magic. Hoopla talk is nice to sell seats and get excited and I think it’s great that the Hawks are good, but I wouldn’t get carried away. And as for the Magic, people need to realize that this is Dwight Howard’s team and a vast number of combination of perimeter players will thrive around him. I love Hedo, but he shot a very poor percentage with all of his leaning and off-balance jumpshots.
magicfan23
July 17th, 2009
1:22 pm
i believe this guy is a homer and he is just saying this so he does not get fired or keeps his job i bet you if he wrote for the mephis grizzles he would say that the west is not stacked…lol give me a break
Dominick
July 17th, 2009
2:06 pm
Turk was a good influence on the Magic. But Vince is going to average 22
to 23 per game in the Magic offense as a go to the hole guy at crunch time. the Magic used lewis and Turk for that last year. Vince is more seasoned. lewis will average 18 points as a three point specialist and a guy who can create his own shot. Dwight/Bass will get every defensive and offensive rebound. Anderson will average 14-16 points a game and keep us big at 6-10. Jameer will average 18 to 21 per game an push the offense. A great bench. If they stay healthy they win it all.
See ya at the Finals
Carlos D
July 17th, 2009
4:38 pm
Atlanta? ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha….ahahahahaahhah you know theyre one to talk about cruddy clevland, hope gortat brings down the polish hammer on them
Shane
July 17th, 2009
6:58 pm
This writer is going to eat their words…its clear He is bias and is a fan of the hawks…Vince Carter doesn’t open up things for people? Devin harris, Brook Lopez, and alot of the other players on the nets benefited from Vince DRAWING double teams and attacking the basket. He was able to dish it out to open players to hit shots. Many Times players like Bobby Simmons, Jarvis Hayes, Keyon dooling, and even Yi Jilian got wide open shots because of VINCE CARTER!.
Jay
July 18th, 2009
1:13 am
Sekou,
The new ajc format makes it hard to find your blogs, which is a shame. Let them know that one customer is unhappy that I have to search to find Sekou’s blogs.
As for the matter at hand, I dont discount the hawks at all against the Magic, but I dont think they stand a chance of beating a healthy Boston in a 7-game series and I dont think we would last 6 against the Cavs.
Boston now has too much talent in the low block. And the Cavs just own us…I do think Shaq will hurt them but not THAT much.
I think if we could add a vet power forward, that would push us above Orlando into the #3 hole. That would be huge, that would put us against Boston instead of the Cavs in the 2nd round. Boston I think is a better matchup for us.
Truth-serum
July 18th, 2009
1:49 am
The Hawks havent closed any gap. The only things they prove is that listening to the stupid AJC writers and the Racist bubba red bloggers will get you no where. You cant and wont get to the finals level with out a center! everyone and his mother knows that. Espn, and TNT know it. The Hawks did nothing to control the center post. Sadly they want to convince themselves that Horford is the answer when guys like 5′10″ shredder the post for 50 points. The Hawks we be a decent team that wins 50 games and then watch the teams with a center compete for a championship. Instead of going after a legitimate center through trade the Hawks went after a guard who will do the same thing for us that Flip Murray brought to the table. Gee…Just what we needed… another guard. Thanks bubba crew..thanks Red AJC.
Truth-serum
July 18th, 2009
2:00 am
Big Ray
July 17th, 2009
8:15 am
The reason the Hawks dont have a big man coach is there are no quality centers on the Hawks and it not time for a ” project player”. Save that for the rebuilding the hawks will do in 4 years when they finally realize there are going no where with out a center. Center are not made but born and then refined. Hawks dont have any legitimate centers and wont go get one because of low IQ guys like you tell them to develop ZaZa the continuing turnover or Al “masquerading as a center” Horford. Those two will Never be quality centers even if Wilt Chamberlan or Bill Russell was their coach. Why dont we just fire Woodson now and let the Grand Dragon of the knights of the AJC Bubba crew run the team.
Truth-serum
July 18th, 2009
2:08 am
Ken Strickland
July 17th, 2009
12:18 am
MARK BRADLEY-Your article is almost a carbon copy of how I’ve detailed the potential problems Cleveland and Orlando will encounter with their new additions.
YEAH, DUMB, AND MO DUMB! STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES. KEN AND MARK ARE CARBON COPIES OF STUPIDITY IN WORD. YOU HAVE THIS IN COMMON. NIETHER ONE OF YOU KNOW ANYTHING WORTH KNOWING ABOUT BASKETBALL. WHY SHOULD I BE SURPRISED THAT YOU TWO THINK ALIKE? EVERYONE KNOW THAT.
Max
July 18th, 2009
9:39 am
any chance of a sign and trade of Marvin for Boozer
Jason
July 18th, 2009
11:11 am
Wow. Mark, the amount of bias in this article is astounding.
As a lifelong Hawks fan, I wish these pipedreams of yours were true. But, as much as it pains me to say it, you are SOOOOO far off on this subject.
Let’s break it down. This is how the Hawks will matchup with the top 3 teams in the East from last season.
Orlando: East Champs last season
Howard – Zaza
Lewis – Horfy
Pietrus – J-Smoove
Carter – Joe
Nelson – Bib
Cleveland: Runners up in the EC last season
Shaq – ZaZa
Flopper – Horfy
LeBron – J-Smoove
???* – Joe
Mo – Bib
*It appears that it’s still unclear who will start at SG for CLE. Either West, Parker, or Barnes (if they sign him)
Boston- Lost to Orlando in the Semis in 7 games
Perkins – ZaZa
KG – Horfy
Pierce – J-Smoove
Allen – Joe
Rondo – Bib
Does this put this in perspective??? The Hawks will still finish 4th in the East and will probably me dismantled in the 2nd round again this year…barring injuries or any big moves by ATL.
And look out for teams like Miami and Washington. They will be much improved.
Mike, the East WILL be much tougher this season. The Hawks have NOT kept up. Every one of the TRUE contenders improved. You’re lucky you write here in Atlanta. You wouldn’t have a job anywhere else.
Go Hawks!
C. Goss
July 18th, 2009
11:30 am
LMAO @ least we’re not Detriot…Classic!
Mark
July 19th, 2009
1:35 am
Enter your comments here
Mark
July 19th, 2009
1:36 am
I love the hawks
J
July 20th, 2009
7:47 am
Josh, wrong blog … Orlando Magic, at least Mark is being more positive these days. We’re all fed up with reading the negative S&^t. I could care less if we lose by 50 or 1 to the Magic, the fact is this team is not what is was a few years ago and everybody is more positive in general about the outlook and direction.