No Shaq and no more Hawks’ big spending? No shock there

First?

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first?

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I’m not disappointed (at all) that the Big Shaqtus isn’t coming to town for many of the reasons you mentioned before.

That said, I can’t say that I expected any less from the Hawks ownership in regard to this matter.

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Getting Closer to first

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Joe Johnson is a wanna be super star. He is a bal hog that thinks the hawks revolve around him. In which it doesnt. At the end of the season last year he made a comment F the atlanta fans I dont need them. Then we resign him for one of the worst deals ever made? I am a true hawks fan and I hate to say the Hawks have no chance this year. Not just because of the die hard trio on the heat, but just because of bad descions made on the owners rookie coaches and the ball hog JOE JOHNSON.

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Atlanta Spirit is a joke. Now they saddled themselves for years with a huge contract for the most overrated player in the NBA. Goodbye any hope of ever winning the championship.

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I disagree with ‘joe is a ballhog’ Woodson had no offensive plays in his playbook forcing Joe to do what he did.

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ASG needs to realize in order to win you have to spend money. If you spend nothing, you get nothing.

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I am happy with the offseason. The Hawks gave the max money to JJ. That makes me happy. Even though we will be unable to add to the team for 6 years, I am happy that the Hawks can achieve being average. Average is good. We don’t even need a center on the roster to be average. Heck, Centers actually cost money.

We really don’t need to draft anyone because we can just send them overseas and pretend that we have them. We don’t even need a center on our summer league team.

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as long as the ASG owns this team we will be in a cycle…..suck…build up to 2nd round of playoffs…..suck…..build up to 2nd round

we are about to suck again

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Looks like the Hawks and the Braves have the same ownership issues. They both say they will spend whatever it takes to win and then put a cap on it. Atlanta sports teams have the worst ownership in Sports. Thank God we have Arthur Blank. I wish he owned the Braves and Hawks.

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Blank suck too.your right worst ownership and divided fans.

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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley and Paul Judge, Ph.D., Aaron Binion. Aaron Binion said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: No #Shaq and no more #Hawks big spending? Big shocker, huh? http://bit.ly/9IfIT8 [...]

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I actually think this is a smart move by ownership, and I know I’ll take flak for this but hear me out. Why should we make a move for average (Brad Miller) or over the hill (Shaq) centers when there is a pretty good free agent class coming up in 2011 that would could be in play for. We have the trade exception from the Childress trade Jamal and Mo are in the final years of their deals and Bibby will be an expiring contract next year that we could probably move. So let’s hope that their thinking long term here and wanting to only go over the luxury tax for a good player, or maybe even a great player one would hope, and not just an average one.

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SPIN-SPIN-SPIN! That’s all the SORRY ASG does. There’s no reason to follow this team.

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Mark, I do think that Management was in a non win situation with the Joe Johnson contract. If you do not give him max offer fans call the owners cheap and the team would bottom out. However, after hiring the cheapest coach from the previous staff they do not look so good. The status quo with basically the same roster that got run out of the playoffs lsst year gives fans no hope. Boston, Miami,and Orlando are all clearly better and Chicago has a lot more potential to move in the fourth seed. Hawks may be a 5th or 6th seed with no room to go up. I do not know if Shaq would be a good fit but would jump at the S&T just to see some change.

This has to be the worst run franchise for a team that managed to win inspite of the bumbling ownership group. MB, what are your thoughts on any change?

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I don’t see a 2nd round playoff exit – 1st round playoff exit unless we pull a major surprise in signing or trading – and then we lose Jamal probably to keep Horford. Well at least we have Gladyr and Sy to take Jamal’s place on the cheap.

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I like Shaq – but the price is too high and he can’t get us a championship. I think Childress is overated and not worth the money the Suns gave him. No sense in spending the money if you can’t improve the team. Don’t panic and don’t just give Marvin away.

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Really though, this would be like buying jewelry you don’t need.

It’s pointless. No one out there that the hawks can afford is going to make them a better team. It makes economic sense to go with the guys that got them 53 wins last year.

They overspent the entire world on Joe Johnson so they don’t have money to spend to get the point they need or the Big. That’s life.

THey can still be the 3rd seed in the East without much trouble really. Boston doesn’t care about the regular season. They can still beat the Bulls with who they’ve got.

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I don’t think the franchise has the money or the will to even sign an aging, over the hill Brad Miller to help this team. And is Brad really any improvement over Joe Smith other than the fact that he’s bigger and can guard Dwight 5 minutes per game, to keep Horford from getting thrashed?

I think we’re looking more towards 38 yr. old Kurt Thomas territory – then Aminu because he’s a Techie (who I like) and Richard Dixon. Man I hope I’m wrong. At least get Kwame and Tolliver – that would at least breed some hope in the fan base.

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Shaq has nowhere to go! Golden State has tons of bigs! Cleveland really wanted Marvin! Maybe I didn’t expect all of these deals, but you gotta make one. I was one who thought a sign and trade with JJ really made sense. Dallas was brought up and I would have loved to get Caron to play the 3 and one of their bigs (they already moved Dampier). Sign Dampier, after his contract is bought out, or sign Shaq outright. He will not be as demanding when he sees that his options are gone. I love Al but he does not match up defensively on some nights. Keep Marvin if you want but don’t just stand pat when you know your team is not the best! That’s not inspiring!!!

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What is the point of signing Joe and nobody else? We have no shot of beating the Magic, Heat, celtics and most likely the Bulls with our current roster. The owners are a joke. Joe is not going to perform well in the new offense and we are destinede for a first round loss. We were better off trading Joe or not signing him and letting our team bottom out. I take that back. We will be better off with a competent ownership.

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Mark, Don’t we have to reassess the JJ signing in light of the fact that the Hawks are unwilling to go over the luxury tax threshold? I mean, if the Hawks are unwilling to go over that threshold, giving JJ the biggest contract in the NBA seems to be a pretty bad move. A really bad move. Now we’re already seeing the effects in assets getting traded away for nothing and free agents that we won’t sign because it puts us over the luxury tax line.

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Mark, the problem as I see it is that Shaq wants too much money and wants to start (based on Michael’s other reports). Paying Shaq more than the Mid-level and promising him a starting spot is a bad move in itself. And giving up a player who still has some value on top of that is a worse move.

What is the problem here?

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Also, Mark, can you explain who the Hawks’ credibility is on the line with in relation to JJ? And how is their credibility not on the line when they give Joe Johnson the biggest contract in the NBA? Instead of just looking cheap, now they look cheap, desperate, and dumb to a lot of the NBA community.

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*how the Hawks’ credibility…

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Lowcountry, I don’t think there’s any guarantee that the Hawks will beat out the Bulls for the 4th seed in the East, or the Bucks for that matter. Their ceiling is probably the 3 seed this year (if the Celtics mail it in again during the regular season), but they are just as likely to drop to the 6th. .

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Guys, no way we’re 4th in the East if Bogul is healthy in Milwaukee – 6th – have you seen what Chicago has done (unless Boozer gets hurt or something)? The East is something like this:
Magic
Heat
Celtics
Bucks
Bulls
ATL
Hope I’m wrong…..

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Yeah, I said “instead” twice.

Satan wouldn’t be worried about a group of buffoons like ASG taking over his “franchise.”

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Bradley, quit criticizing Mr. Marvin Williams, who is one of our favoe Hawks players!!! You are the one who we do not love!!!!

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Third paragraph, “And this is where *it* gets maddening…”

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[...] the Hawks now ruling out acquiring Shaquille O’Neal, Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Mark Bradley looks at the disappointment in the Hawks spending this [...]

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Now over the last couple of weeks we have watched several centers get traded or signed. Tyson Chandler, Samuel Dalembert, Brandon Haywood, last year Marcus Camby was given away for a bag of basketballs. Im really starting to think the Hawks feel they dont need a center. They feel Horford is their All-star center so we might be wasting time on this topic. They might be looking for a backup to fill roster spots that will play behind Zaza. This is why i dont get caught up in our franchises because when your dealing with any kind of business its about philosphy. And Hawks think they are fine, I mean Sund as admitted that.

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BTW—when you have bankers for owners, you know that the only interest they have in the Hawks is how much interest they can put in the bank. If the Atlanta fans stopped attending games, since they are going to see other teams only, the Hawks owners would have to get players to attract them back.

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I cant wait to see the turn out on opening night at Phillips Arena.

The past 3 years have been like so…knowing you need to have engine repairs done to your car, but as soon as you get the money, you go out and spend your money on a state of the arc stereo system or a nice set of rims.

The fans need to stay away from the games. Its very rare that a team will be successful when there are some many different hands in the pot. Its just not going to happen when you stir in all the different egos.

So, Hawks fans, stop getting your hopes up so much.

Absolutely the worst organization in NBA history!

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If Joe really cared more about winning, he would at least consider taking a little less money so the team can add a or some quality pieces around him. everybody on the team except Jamal and Al seemed to under perform for the money they received last year so all of the big contract player should consider giving up at least 1 or 2 million dollars to help out he team. Players today make the game seem all about money and superstar attention instead of playing for the love of the game. I’m not mad at the players for taking the money, its mostly these Owners who is throwing out money to these players to make a name for themselves.

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Everyone keeps saying the Hawks made JJ the highest paid player in the NBA. As it has been said before, this is only because he stayed with his current team and got the extra year. If Lebron would have stayed he would have got the same deal. If Wade would have stayed on the Heat without any help, he would have got the same. However, Miami was a destination place for other Free Agents and Atlanta is not.

The contract Joe signed really had no implications on the roster because you still would not have been able to replace him with a legitimate “All-NBA” type performer. Matt barnes, Ronnie Brewer, JJ Reddick are not the answer. Plus, Rudy Gay, Boozer, Amare all got real good deals at five years and they are all suspect. Add another year to their deal and their numbers are very close to Joe’s numbers.

What you Hawks fans have to realize is you are the Hawks. You are not main tier market with a main tier managament team with huge pockets. However, you still have a very solid team with JJ. You have to ask yourself with some real self-honesty, “what legitimate super star will you ever get”?
The answer is likely none in today’s market. You should be thankful that JJ did what he did several years ago to come to Atlanta. The Hawks have only gotten better since. Plus, if you believe that Josh and AL will continue to improve, then with Joe you have a very credible trio of top level NBA All-Stars to build around.

I know you would like to win a NBA championship, but that is the focus of all teams and very few have won a championship over the last 25 years. The key is staying relevant and putting yourself in a position to win with a trad or two in each year.

Just remember, Orlando was at the bottom a few years ago, Boston was not doing well, Miami was knocked out by the Hawks and Kobe was demanding a trade from LA. Furthermore, just imagine how it must feel to be a Knicks fan, a Nets fan or a Cavs fan at this point. Hawks fans you need some self realization of who you actually are.

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[...] to ball. So far this summer, …Shaq Challenges Justin Bieber to Dance-OffNBC PhiladelphiaNo Shaq and no more Hawks' big spending? No shock thereAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Justin Bieber vs. Shaq — Singer to take on NBA legend in [...]

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Well, MB, now you know why I’m even more of a cynic than you about the ASG. And though it may have been the right choice to re-sign Johnson for all that money, why are so few people asking why JJ wouldn’t take less (like Durant, like Wade, like LeBron) so his team could afford to remain competitive and even get better in an increasingly tough conference. It is clear he cares much more about $$ than winning.

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Pray for the sale of the Hawks and Thrashers to Arthur Blank!

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Count me in as one who will keep my $$ in my pocket. Some here are talking about opportunites in 2012…really? Let’s wait til Bibby comes off the books huh? That is utter ridiculous.
These owners aren’t looking to win now and they want your money. Why don’t we wait until they are serious about a championship before we pay for games?
Mark, your ‘Joe had to be signed’ is an absolute mockery of the system.
He brings nothing to the playoffs, has proven it time and time again, and you justify it by rewarding him with 25% of your salary in the 1st year alone!
The ASG has just thrown all their cards in with JJ as our leader for the next 6 years. Unbelieveable, and when Mike Gearon comes out and says he understands the fan base and how he is trying to mold a championship team, just tell him to go get employee #2 to get out there and start recruiting! Ha-ha.
The fans of Atlanta have been sold a bag of rocks! Courtesy of max contract Joe Johnson!

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We fans stop showing up to the games, stop buying merchandise and not watch any games. We should completely destroy the Spirit’s revenue needs and force them to sell the team!!! I’m dead a$$ serious!!

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When did the ASG say it would do whatever it takes? Didn’t Gearon Jr. get fined for his comments on only exceeding the luxury tax line to sign players he deemed worth it (mentioned Lebron).

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You get exactly what you pay for. Unfortunately, we paid too much for the lump we did get–JJ.

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Shouldn’t be shocked. The ownership is a joke. The GM is a joke. The coach will get a chance before I call him a joke. The fact that they broke the bank for a 21 point a game player who vanishes in big game situations is a joke. This franchise has been a joke since Pistol Pete was dealt away.

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It’s all Belkin’s fault.

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Hey, isn’t Larry Ellison looking for a team? I don’t care if he renames us the Atlanta Oracles if it means we’ll spend money for free agent talent. Hell, I’ll change my name to Oracle if he buys the team.

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Get used to it. The JJ contract will be a mill stone for the next 6 years (I think that is how long it is). If you don’t think JJ is the type of superstar you can build a franchise around and he can take you to the title, then get used to first and second round exits. Maybe worse as other quality players start leaving when they see the writing on the wall.

Fan credibility and franchise credibility has to do with how the franchise is run not if they sign JJ.

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I also wonder what JJ would have done if we had offered on $10,000,000 more than anyone else would offer? I bet he would not had left one dollar on the table. With that $10,000,000 we could have hired an extra player each year.

Joe is a great player but a poor leader and a poor playoff performer. Oh, I am so glad that we have him signed to the max.

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No choice? The Hawks had a choice. Problem is our GM isn’t creative enough to build a team in Atl. Mike Miller and JC would have filled in at the 2 just fine. Could have made an attempt to get Kirk H from Washington. It’s easier to stand pat and know you have enough talent to make the playoffs, it’s work to look for deals to take the next step. We don’t have the ownership nor a GM willing to take a chance.

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@ BILL$ I agree with you 100 percent! I say you are all wasting your breath with this topic! The NBA has the Lakers and then everyone else. We will see a team go spend a bunch of money (like Miami this year) compete and lose because they don’t have Phil Jackson to help balance the egos! Sometimes we will have a team with a guy like Orlando has in Howard push hard to make the finals but the one man show burns out at crunch time! Look at the history, THE HAWKS WILL NEVER BE WHAT ATLANTA FANS ARE WISHING FOR WHILE THIS SPIRIT GROUPS OWNS THEM! All we can hope for is that Blank gets interested in hoops as he is not afraid to open up the wallet! On another note, Go Braves!

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for all the fans who s always talking about we should have let jj go and sign another #1 free agent we couldn’t have unless james or wade was going to come here and take like 8 or 9 mil a year and they would just be plan stupid to do that the only reason we were able to sign jj for that much is b cause the hawks have his bird rights so just stop thinking the hawks could have went out and sign a top free agent

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This is all because they gave JJ that ridiculous contract. You know, the same contract that Bradley and many other people supported. I hope you all are happy now.

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atlanta needs to get kurt thomas if they can i think he would be the best fit because dwight have trouble with players who flop and he dont compain he still can hit a jumper around the foul line and he plays hard and he is cheap enough for the asg

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Maybe that deadbeat J.J can finally pay for his Black and White 69 chevy . ASG SUCKS.

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This management has shown that they are committed to losing. Seems Shaq is the only big man available, so bite the bullet, and give him a chance. No, he’s not as dominate as he was in years past, but enough to take the load off Horford. (If he doesn’t get hurt) If you are going to compete with Dwight Howard in the middle, you have to have a big man to guard him. Shaq may not stop him, but is experienced enough to at least contain him. As for this management, what can I say? I’m throwing the towel. I give up. I’m beginning to wish we had Pete Babcock back, AND THAT SAYS A LOT!!!!

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ASG SUCKS PLEASE SELL THE TEAM!!!

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The Hawks already have Kwame Brown; they call him RandMo.

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I think Joe Johnson would have took less if he knew Lebron and Bosh would come to Atlanta. However, that was never going to happen. Thus, you say let’s make our own Trio (JJ, Smoove and Al).
Let’s get real what free agents (that would really have come to Altanta) could have made the difference up for JJ. This deal was good for Atlanta the next three or four years. You deal with the results of the last year or two four years from now. Maybe some team will be willing to do a trade for an expiring contract for Joe to clear cap space the following year or something.

Everyone keeps talking about the Miami Trio, but what did that do to their overall budget. If the TRIO was so open to winning why did they not take several million less so they could have added additional pieces. The idea in Miami was for immediate impact. Who knows what the TRIO will look like three or four years from now when they are older and their contracts only provide for minimum level players to sign with the Heat. The Mike Millers, Big Z’s, U. Haslem’s will be over the hill and that team could be in major trouble. How about if one of the guys gets hurt?

There are many variables to all sort of equations, but I can tell you this, if you really believe the teams in the East got that much better, having Joe Johnson playing with the new Chicago team, a piece of the new Miami team, the New York Knicks or Nets (with Amare and new team or Harris and Lopez) and the Hawks with K. Heinrich, Ronnie Brewer or Matt Barnes and Kwame Brown would have been better then I have some swamp land to sell. Joe Johnson would have still signed a 5 year $100 million contract with any of those teams with the exception of Miami as he would have taken a pay cut of $8 million or so total over five years to play with Wade and Bosh because they would have had to have other players to fill their roster out. Plus, the Hawks can still get Barnes or Brewer and likely K. Brown now. Joe Johnson is a legitimate All NBA stud and likely the 3rd best shooting guard in the league currently only behind Kobe and Wade. Neither of those guys were coming, nor was B. Roy, nor was Lebron, nor was Bosh, nor was Durant, nor is C. Anthony, nor was Amare, so get real.

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Shaq can still come – if he’s willing to come as a free agent and play of the mid-level exception. The Hawks shouldn’t have to trade Marvin for him to come here. As time comes goes on, the Hawks may be his best option.

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SO WHY DID WE TRADE PICK 31 THEN? SUND said it was to add a veteran, rumors said it was to offset luxury tax. So now they will fill out the roster with the likes of Randmo and Collins or stiffs like them instead of drafting a young center at 31 and trying to develope him. IDIOTS

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Whether Shaq comes to Atlanta or not, I am glad that when he made the statement he would like to play 2 more years with a contender, Atlanta was one of these franchises. It is kind of like the Braves in the late 70’s and late 80’s, the true fan knows those were tough years. Well all these complaining about the Hawks, I remember when I just hoped they would win 20 games. We better enjoy these years!

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I can’t help but think that if ASG sold the Thrashers, the spending on the Hawks franchise would be a different story. If they got the money for selling the Thrashers, and in turn made money off leasing Phillips Arena to the new owners of the ATL hockey team, ASG’s finances would be different. And in turn, be able to open the pocket book if they solely had to spend on the Hawks.

The Thrashers need a hockey loving Russian billionaire to come in and save that franchise, which would help the Hawks in the long run as well, because ASG is in over their heads.

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ASG sucks. Too many owner with too much say, and 95% of the decisions made are on the cheep. Sund is not a top flight GM, LD lowest paid coach, and no FA moves made. Everybody else gets better and addresses needs except us. wa wa wa…

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You are right, Dr. Warren. Joe is about the money…which is why he came to Atlanta in the first place. He was playing in a wide open offense and winning games with the Suns and chose to come to the worst team in the league. He didn’t do it to be some sort of savior. He did it to add a couple of cars to his garage and maybe an extra digit to his account balance.

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Co-sign Hawk n the Ham @12:34. I have felt this for a while too. If the DASG sold the Thrashers, it would benefit both franchises.

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Why do i feel like the hawks management always seem to make terrible decisions? they will never “do what it takes” to become a championship caliber team. it will be very frustrating watching a good team get worse and worse every season due to time and how the ASG is wasting all of our (time). I say we will only become a championship caliber team when we ditch a group ownership, especially this weak basketball-minded group of owners.

My proposal? bring in a new owner.

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I wish i could just sit down in a room with the ASG management and ask them to explain to me, a Hawks fan, why i should be interested in this team. I want to support them, i’ve been a Hawks fan all my life, and i’m just running out of reasons to keep spending my $ on them (other than blind fan loyalty).

In terms of sports franchises, they really don’t get much worse than this – 40+ years in this city and we’ve never even been a possible contender for a title. That’s inexcusable. I can appreciate sticking by your team through thick and thin, but so far it’s just been thin with this team.

The last few years have provided a little bit of hope, but that hope has just vanished this offseason. We are going to trot out a team that finished 3rd in the east (although was likely the 4th best team) and got beaten in the 2nd round on a level that was historic.

Now the management of my team is telling me they are serious about winning an NBA title, but they have done nothing to make this team better, while at least 2 clubs that were worse than us have made significant improvements in the offseason.

What am I missing here? Do they just think the fanbase is clueless? If you’re going to do nothing, at least be honest with the fanbase about your intentions and stop telling me that you’re trying to win a title. I think the 40+ years of misery this team has put us through warrants at least a little honesty.

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Why can’t Joe restructure to backload the contract so they can spend more now…or better yet give 2M a year back. He wins back the fans and we get a Big or a PG with the money. Hell he can make the money up in endorsements.

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So! All you sucker hawks fans still think/believe Steve Belkin is the devil (or whatever other hiddious name you could think of…….)? LMAO!

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He was right about JJ in the beginning and I bet if someone at the AJC got the balls to call the man, to get his take on this whole matter, he’d be right again. I believe he’s “STILL” a member of this great brain trust call the ASG.

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“Money, so they say, is the root of all evil today”…

It’s not money but rather the “love of money”………. there is a distinct difference there!!!

TruthSeeker, your 1:14pm post is bang on!!! That is my frustration too and I am past the point of wondering whay our owners are the way they are. Perhaps there are unrevealed constraints that are fueling these decisions or rather the lack thereof.

As fans we have to face reality………we are not an elite franchise (understatement of the year) and we are just here for the regular season and as far into the post-season as we can get.

Go Hawks anyway!!!!

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This ASG has turned out to be the worst thing to happen to this city (atl sports community) in a long time.

To call them morons or label them as “cheap” or fill in your own adjective, IS doing a disservice to that individual adjective because they are sooooo much more!

ASG, please sell your property’s and do the sports fans in this town a solid.

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@Example – ha! If I were, the Hawks/Cavs would look a lot different, and I’d probably fill out the roster with former slam dunk contest winners for my own personal amusement.

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Unfortunately, you are right Mark. It is hard for us die-hard Hawks fans to swallow the fact that we will be mired in mediocrity as long as ASG are our owners. It’s not about winning for them, it’s all fiscal. Now we will get dominated by Dwight Howard and every other bonafide Center just like we did last year. Looks like we made 0 improvements from last year while everyone in the East got much better. Looks like a 6 seed for us this year, way to go ASG, nobody is excited about the Hawks this year now. All we did was make a pretty good scorer who is not a leader and doesn’t play Defense the highest paid player in basketball. It really is heartbreaking as a fan who love his hometown team and wants to see us do well. Just when we are in a position to go over the hump, ASG keeps us on the hump because they would rather us stay under the luxury tax than try to win a championship. Maddening, heartbreaking, depressing

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If Jeff Teague wins the starting job, and plays good perimeter defense, this will solve the Hawks biggest problem.

Having Shaq also would’ve addressed the issue of help down low.

With Teague playing above-average perimter D, and Shaq coming off the bench, and Jordan Crawford as our 12th man, the Hawks would’ve been a team with few weaknesses.

Oh well, Go Hawks?

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if joe realy wanted to win he would take less to get other players in here just like wade, bosh,and james did in south beach

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Go Heat!

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Joe was in the perfect storm this summer. The Hawks wouldn’t have much room under the cap if they had let the man walk, and they could not afford to have let him go for fear that they would miss the playoffs in 2010-11. Since Joe made it clear that he wouldn’t stay in Atlanta for anything less than a max contract, the Hawks’ ownership and front office had to make the only decision they felt was offered to them.

I don’t give a damn for the decision, though. Smart owners and front office types don’t allow stuff like this to happen.

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They could have done a S&T with NJ and got the # 3 pick and took Cousins. Just a thought.

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Shaq needs to be with a real contender the hawks are not a real contender.

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The Hawk players ought to let Joe play by himself since he hogged all the payroll and so far he has not offered some of his millions to help the Hawks bring in a big center so that the team can advancein the playoffs. Now the playoffs seem to be far emoved since a number of teams that finished lower in the standings have improved themselves and the Hawks have done little or nothing other than make a spoiled and selfish player rich. The owners and Sund deserve to sink down in the standings maybe even to the bottom of them. See how much the hawks will be worth with a 30 win season in lieu of 50+.

C’Mon Joe, give up some dough.

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The Hawks organization is not committed to winning so I’m not gonna commit myself to supporting them.

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gdg73,

My point exactly. With that line-up, we would be considered true contenders.

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I’m sick of this with Sund, he’s like the guy who worked all his life to afford a Jaguar & when he gets to the lot he buys a BMW, cause he’ll save extra money each month. What are we waiting on for, 2yrs from now & this team to be disbanded & a Slow Joe with a big contract. Everybody knows you need firepower now no way around it. We will be the laughing stock of the east next to Cleveland. In a year where all these guys are taking less money to ride the Miami train, you mean to tell me Sund could not make a pitch to win now !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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171st?

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MC, in case you forgot, the ASG is doing all this so that there will be enough reasons Larry Drew should be fired after 2 years. They gotta find a scape goat and poor Larry Drew happens to be it. Mark my words.

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I would love to have Shaq but not at the expense of Marvin..Shaq needs to get off his high horse and come on and play for the ONLY TEAM interested in his butt..Its not about spending money, its about spending money that makes sense!! Shaq ONLY deserve the MLE..nothing more, nothing less..I like the fact that Sund and the ASG arent letting 38yo Shaq call the shots about starting time and more money when he was willing to take the Spurs MLE right-up!! If the ASG would have allowed that, do u really think SHAQ WOULD HAVE RESPECTED THEM IN THE MORNING??

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@ Just SHOOT ME I am SICK of hearing people talk about not attending games always some lame excuse with this franchise. Hawks management has been slow, stupid and cheap for the past few years which started with overpaying PHX third option and trying to make him into a superstar and finally paid him into one this year. Drafting Marvin Williams with the #2 pick over desperately need PG Chris Paul and Deron Williams at that time and we still need a decent PG as of today.The following year drafting Sheldon Williams over Brandon Roy when we already had Smoove and lame duck Marvin at that position. HOW CAN YOU BUILD EXCITEMENT FOR A FAN BASE WITH DUMB DECESIONS LIKE THAT?

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MB, Please! no more, I had enough, talk about the braves, leave these clowns alone.

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Marvin is awesome…and i really like having him on our team…problem is he fades. he fades for long stretches. we need his offense…any other team would be lucky to have him…but i just wish he wouldnt fade for us so much.

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Again, I would love to have Shaq, but Shaq is not a neseccity!! Did Boston have Shaq to beat Miami? Did Boston have Shaq to take care of Orlando? Did Boston have Shaq to finish off the MIGHTY CAVS? Did Boston NEED Shaq to take the Lakers to a game 7 in the finals??

All yall who constantly say the ASG is cheap and stupid and all that, MANN its very easy to say all that when u arnt in their shoes pondering over trying to sign a 38yo guys who wants to call the shots for more money, a starting position, at the expense of a player (Marvin, 24yo,defensive minded SF)? Yall are the STUPID ones!!

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@ MsDee Supporting a team that just gave 124 million to a second or third option player is STUPID

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Agreed. I like Shaq, but not for Marvin.

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No tax free day this year. Sorry, No Shaq, no one above minimum wage. Trying to get LD to lower his salary to save us money. Paying him way too much.

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(correction) So naw, I still have to sa YALL are the Stupid ones, esp if u Still think you way is right!!

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Mark, you siad it bet right here: “And this is where it gets maddening to follow the Hawks. The Atlanta Spirit insists it will spend whatever it takes to assemble a first-class team, and then we discover there’s a ceiling on “whatever it takes.” The Hawks said money wouldn’t be a deterrent to signing the best coach available to replace Mike Woodson, but lo and behold they wound up with Larry Drew, who figures to be the lowest-paid coach in the NBA in 2010-11.”

I guess they figure words speak louder than actions.

And now for something completely different, Mark; please quit it with the kiss of death on the Braves by picking them as the team of destiny this year. Just because you picked Spain to win the world cup not at the beginning of the tourney but before the final match is no reason to et all heady and pick the Braves to win it all now!

LOL. JK, dude. If the Braves dont appear to be destined this year, I dont know who is.

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Well ok than..cant get my comments posted anymore..Sorry ReddJohn68

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ReddJohn68,

Come on now..be for real. How u compare the city of Atlanta with Miami?? Miami is a vacation port in inself. Dont u think LeBron tried to entice Wade and Bosh to join HIM in Cleveland if its the RING they are only after?? Its was not hard for Pat Riley to get those 2 guys to join him there and u say Miami is building a team overnight?? Its the SuperFriends, its not hard to create a team in a day with those guys so come on now.

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@ ReddJonn68 I agree with you Miami has shown that they are serious about winning alone with the other teams that went after Bron.
@ MsDee losing Joe would have been a risk that I was willing to take I mean he could care less if we show up or not anyway but I serious doubt if a team would have max him out. We could have had 124 mil to save and went after Bron or another top FA. They could have went after Salmons to fill the void before he signed back with Milwaukee or let Jamal started.The Bottom line is ONLY FOOLS TAKE THE ATLANTA HAWKS SERIOUSLY UNDER ASG

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Later when shaq and all his atl fans realize that he is not a super star any more maybe he will take the mle and become a piece on a winning team. Or he can become an over paid mal-content on a losing team. As for us being the laughing stock of league, how is that difference the last three years. eventough we won more games than 70% of the league. yall problem is your opinion of the hawks come from the bias media not from you Hawk Fans. Maybe you should examine your commitment to the team and look up the definition of fan. How could anyone who call himself an informed basketball reporter or fan think that this would be a good deal now and in the future. Shaq won’t last a year with any team.

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Cleanshot, fans don’t fill the stands because they don’t want to watch GARBBAGE! Who want to pay money to watch JS shoot BRICKS? Who want to pay money to what MW trip over himself every time he drives to the basket? Who want to pay money to watch JJ dribble the ball every 20 seconds? Who want to pay money to watch some1 who could careless if I came to the games or not? Only you and the rest of those BUZZARDS want to watch that GARBBAGE! Put a smart basketball team on the floor and players who appreciate the fans….. only then will I pay my money to watch them play.

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What is it with the Chicken Little syndrome. The reality is that we don’t know what we have.

Teague looks good in summer league play. His up tempo style along with LD’s motion offensive will make us a better team. JC2 call straight out ball. Why give up your young starting SF, who’s been the 3rd option on your team for a guy that should have retired 2 years ago. Lets think… Miami got worse with Shaq in the lineup. Shaq along with the loss of JJ almost destroyed the Suns franchise. They just recovered from that one. Cleveland, those cats got worst two. And, you want to take a guy that’s capable of putting up 20 a night for a player who’s now basically a fat dude that will stand in the lane and won’t get out on the break. Shaq was great when he was in Orlando and LA. He was serviceable in Miami. His skills have declined.

Lastly, I love how there’s all this conversatio about how someone else should spend their money. You are the same people I see winding around the building a McDonald’s buying value meals or dollar cheeseburgers instead of eating more expensive food.

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@ MsDee

Shaq is a 4 time NBA Champion who can still play at 38

Joe Johnson is an all star not SUPERSTAR who can’t even carry his team to a second round win in the playoffs at 29

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Couple of things: if you drew a diagram of the worst way to have an offseason after a 2nd round blowout, this would appear to be it. I’m not sure how re-signing Joe makes any sense at all if we were going to try the same approach on signing players (cheaply) as in past years.

Also, with the way things ended last season and the way things are apparently coming together this offseason, I’m not quite sure what the motivation is for people to buy tickets to see this team.

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Omega

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Real Talk, I’m with you 100% BRING SHAQ to the ATL. Who cares what the BUZZARDS saids about SHAQ.

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Where is Ted Turner when you need him??!!! C’mon, Ted… you need a hobby right now…

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No Shaq and no more Hawks’ big spending? No shock there

No shock that you are once again criticizing before the dealing’s done. at least wait until the signing and trade periods are over

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if i see another person mention kwame brown (who has done absolutely nothing since he been a pro) im going to scream!!!!!!!!!!

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The complaining on this blog is astonishing, you would think you have a lottery team that won 13 games! You would think you have a team with no All Stars. Ask any non playoff team if they would take the Hawks in their town. You have a young exciting team that won 53 games and was in the 2nd round of the playoffs. You have a team with the current 6th man of the year, an all star Center, a 4 time Allstar guard with numbers comparable to Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade, You have one of the most exciting and athletic players in the league, second only to Lebron in JSmoove. We’ve just drafted a junior version of Jamal Crawford, you have a lightening quick guard in training under the guidance of a coach that believes in ball movement and utilizing the athleticism this team possesses in spades. You have a team that was money at home, dazzling the crowd with nightly ESPN highlights. A team that owned the NBA finalists Boston Celtics. Instead of being grateful you are not NY, Washington, Memphis, Clippers, heck Cleveland you just wallow in negativity. Fortunately there are alot of people who realize what we have here in the ATL and we have better things to do than spew vitriole and negativity. I dare say 99% of the complainers on here have never bought a ticket. And If you have bought one, and didn’t appreciate the excitement at Philips you should pick another sport or another team. And if you think Joe was paid too much, you don’t understand the business of basketball. Joe would have been offered max money (less one year) by many teams and the Hawks would have had to replace him with an inferior player. Some of you would complain about that scenario if it had transpired. One minute the ownership are cheap, the next they overpay. You just complain about everything OMG, how pathetic some of you are! I feel sorry for anyone who are exposed to your negativity on a regular basis. I’m sure this won’t get posted because it’s too pro Hawks and con ‘fake fans’.

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Can you imagine him pulling this #$*#?

Reported by Michael Cunningham on June 25, 2010:

Quote
They also sold the rights to German center Tibor Pleiss to Oklahoma City for close to $3 million, the maximum amount allowable under salary-cap rules.

While the Hawks could have selected a project center or wing with that pick, Sund suggested the money earned from selling the pick would be used to add proven players to the roster.

“I think we need more veterans,” he said. “We are one of the youngest teams in the league still. I think we need to fill out the rest of the roster with veterans.”

http://blogs.ajc.com…ious-frenchman/

So, we are going to be using the money to upgrade our lineup with a “proven” veteran player? OK

:phone:

Reported by Michael Cunningham on Thursday, July 1, 2010:

Quote
The person said general manager Rick Sund and his staff realize that adding Johnson isn’t enough to make the team better on its own. They would still want to add more talent, including a starting-caliber center, and Hawks owners are willing to pay the NBA’s luxury tax “for the right player,” according to the person.

http://www.ajc.com/s…-to-562671.html

Suddenly, this is becoming clearer we are willing to spend into the tax to upgrade the roster with proven veterans!

:beer11:

Reported by Michael Cunningham on Thursday, July 14, 2010:

Quote
As for Aldridge’s contention that the Hawks aren’t willing to pay much more than the minimum due to “budget limitations,” all I can tell you is that everything I’ve heard suggests they are willing to exceed the luxury-tax threshold for the right player(s).

http://blogs.ajc.com…marvin-williams

Shaq or not, here come those proven veteran talent upgrades!

:bye1:

Reported by Michael Cunningham on Thursday, July 14, 2010 (later in the day):

Quote
In fact, after post-J.J. indications that the Hawks were willing to push their payroll above the luxury-tax threshold of $70.3 million, it’s becoming increasingly clear ASG wants to avoid paying the tax

http://blogs.ajc.com…mmer-struggles/

Soooo….we are filling the roster with 3 players at or near the veteran minimum, huh?

:help wanted3:

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Can we trade away Mo Evans for nothing, and go under the cap enough to use our MLE? Clips could use him.

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Talk about business acumen.

Stotts Era

July 16th, 2010
9:02 am
“how can you say we need to sign joe for credibility? We are a laughingstock for giving him the worst deal in the NBA”

At least we are (laughing stock) in the Bay Area, where the Golden State Warriors just sold for more than any team in NBA history. (Might wanna read that again.)

2nd consecutive season we have headed into the offseason needing a banger.

Last year, we got Joe Smith. He has good teeth.

Maybe this year we sign that tweeker Cordon Bleu cooking school dude. He’s kinda fiesty. He can kick Dwight in the shins, bake a cake, and snatch a board. Probly dribbles like Curly Neal……..

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@ Josh

Comparing the ASG to President Obama is an insult at least he is rolling up his sleeves and working. This situation is more like Sonny Purdue with ASG bringing back the same old team from last year who is bragging about winning 53 games while everybody forgets how bad they suck on the ROAD.They sign a third or second option player to 120 m who could care less if fans show up or not. They don’t want to spend $ to make this team into a championship contender but rather settle with second round sweeps Yep sounds a lot like Sonny to me just wish they would sell the team and join him out the door next year

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Can we trade away Mo Evans for nothing, and go under the cap enough to use our MLE? His value will go up in February because he got an expiring deal.

Also, throw in the rights of Pepsi or GladyrOut of here, just to sweeten the deal. They will never be worth $3 mill (like Anderson or 31st) in a trade away anyway. What else do we need them for?

Why don’t we just get our MLE now and then trade away Evans later before the luxury tax deadline kicks in. That way, we will know if Marvin can play for a different coach. If not, we could even trade Marvin before the trading deadline.

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Some of us love Marvin. We think he will flourish in a system that allows him to… on another note, what’s up with Mario West?

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Shaq would have been a disaster…can’t run, can’t think, can’t play……Horrible idea…….get a brain……

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Sam’l are you kidding? Shaq wouldn’t have to run or shoot. All I want him to do is stand in the middle and reach. He’s better than what we have now.

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All Hawks fans forget we even have a team.Ownership doesn’t want to win. All of the other treams are improving,and we are sitting pat..4 million dollors to sign 4 players who is going to help for that change?Just sell the team if you cant keep up with other teams.We need a center ,we have R.Morris ,yeah right.We will be fighting for the 8th seed.Do something big and players will come,starting with Shaq and move Horford to the 4.Mr.Blank could u PLEASE BUY THE HAWKS !

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I don’t think it is a real big loss either way.

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I’m disappointed, Mark. Having it both ways just because you’re a journalist is way beneath the high standards you’ve always upheld. You’ve already acknowledged in your previous column that spending big (or at all) for Shaq would be a mistake. Now you want to use their failure to pull the trigger as evidence that they’re not willing to go the distance. The same reasoning brought us Snake Norman. Choosing not to break the ceiling for Shaq (or for anyone who is not clearly the right piece of the puzzle) is being wise and judicious. When/if that right piece rises to the surface…THEN you can nail them to the wall if they don’t follow through.

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I repeat for the thousandth time. The Hawks will NEVER win anything with Joe Johnson…and they made him the highest paid player in the NBA…just insane.

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WE NEED A BIG MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS CRAZY; THEY JUST DONT GET IT; IF WE WANT TO MAKE IT ANYWHERE WITH THIS TEAM WE NEED A BIG MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I am a long time hawks fan, stuck with them in their mess. finally we have some potential and the management is stalling… unreal, its soooooo demotivating for a hawks fan…. some one do something, AGAIN WE NEED A LEGIT BIG MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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cory dillinger: Thanks for that most insightful post!

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HAWKS FANS ASSEMBLE!! THIS CANNOT CONTINUE!!!!!!! I FOLLOW THE HAWKS EVERYDAY FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE PAST 10 YEARS FROM OVERSEAS, THE ABSOLUTE LEAST THING THIS MANAGEMENT GROUP CAN DO FOR THE FANS IS AIM FOR SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS NOT FINANCIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The hawks—laughingstock of the league for that disastrous joe johnson contract—worse than the jon konkak deal years ago.

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Celtics are a year older. The Heat will have no bench. The Magic will be tough. B-Hawk you are a moron.

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As always, you hit it out of the park Mark. At this point, if you are willing to pay JJ as the game’s highest player, it makes no sense to hold onto relative pennies – and avoid making the other relative minor changes (cost-wise at least) in order to make the roster over. We needed Shaq majorly. We also needed either Childress back on the team – or something significant to show for him. This was our one and only bargaining chip for perhaps years, and we come away with a 2nd round pick and future cash?? Unbelievable.

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I’m sure JJ would have accepted less money if it meant signing Lebron James and Chris Bosh with the Hawks. If Hawks didn’t sign JJ to a max deal another team (New Jersey/New York/Chicago) would have. By the way for you all you fans/critics that think the Hawks need a center I only have one question, didn’t Al Horford play in the All Star game as a center. The Hawks don’t need crap. The Hawks just need the season to start so they can shut all you haters and want to be GM’s up.

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I dont understand why everybody is so surprised by the hawks offseason moves. I think the 1st sign off a bad offseason was the draft were i think the really blew it. Dont get me wrong i really like Jordan Crawford but i think that Damien James was a 10 times better fit than Crawford.Then we top that off by trading the 31 pick you got in the Damien James trade away,when that could have been a another big, it was two 7 footer still on the board at the 31 pick. I Know the 2 7footers that was on the board at the 31 pick is better than R.Morris and M. west. So if you knew u was bluffing about not giving Joe the max deal why not take a big when u no when u sing Joe all the money is going to sign a legitment big man. ASG is not out 2 win that just want 2 say they own a pro sports team.The biggest then that sign the deal about ASG was u give all that money 2 a man who put down the people who put money in your pocket, yes ASG the fan. We are the 1s who buy the tickets buy all that high price food and beer. But you dont want 2 take up for your fan ASG. Joe still havent giving apologize for real. I just ASG dont care who the fan feel either or if the show up,because they wont to sell the hawks to the 1st thing smoking out of ATL.Look 4 the 2 be a little better. Dont get me wrong im not talking about the roster really, im talking about ASG and GM Rick Sund.Please will somebody with some pull in the orginazion please listen 2 the fan

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Maybe the hawks should offer to give joe johnson even more money to make him even happier! Instead of $120 million, bump it up to $140 million plus some benefits and perqs, including free limo rides to each game with a couple of damon evans’ girlfriends to make things best.

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My opinion is different than some, as I believe that no Shaq and than goodness!

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The 2 biggest needs this offseason: C and PG

How many years have we been saying this? This is getting comical and I fell sorry for the fans who pluck down the big bucks to watch this team every night. When you think things are going to continue to move forward and the ASG adds the needed pieces, more stagnation for the core we have here.

Obviously, we value Joe and Marvin and Bibby and Zaza more than the league does. Throw Smoove and Jamal in there as well.

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Atlanta is a big time city. Too bad the Hawk ownership think it’s team is a small market team.. there is no reason why we shouldn’t be attracting big time player… The Hawk just suck and always will. GO BRAVES AND FALCONS!!!!!

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Give shaq a max deal, or he may sign with detroit or maybe boston.

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Sounds like a fairweather if I’ve ever seen one. Sorry you’re dissappointed, but seems you never committed to the Hawks so why should they care?

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as a fan,im so disppointed with the hawks front office decisions this offseason….playoffs will become no fun to watch in ATL

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The Hawks Ownership all inhereited their money. Why do rich people buy things they cannot afford? Just so they can screw them up. With a savvy, knowledgeable owner this team could make a run at the championship. With the Owners they have they probably already peaked.

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Hawks, get a center get Shaq, get Kwame Brown for a back up center or power forward, just get a center and a PF for a amount thats decent.

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I dont know whats sadder hawks fans trying to justify not trading Marvin for Shaq

or

the fact that everyone seems to forget that both Joe and Josh had proverbial individual mental breakdowns in the playoffs last year and at this point why should we believe they will ever recover as neither one believes what happened last year was a big deal .

This is team is in trouble and if people have a problem with cynics and skeptics now wait until it hits the rest of the masses that the hawks basically blew it this offseason .

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Yahoo Sports is reporting, it’s a done deal for Josh Powell to Atlanta. Shaq could still be added too???

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Tayshaun to Atlanta for Smoove saves after this year, but not before.

They still have to deal with Al’s contract and JC1 is trying to get in there before the $$ is gone. I can’t blame him one bit with this labor agreement threatening the 2011 season.

Would you be surprised if we find out that the ASG is only willing to gurantee Shaq for one year? It would not surprise me in the least. I dont’ think you want to move Zaza unless you get ’something’ in return. We could easily add 2 more guys to the roster.

Will we be injury free next year? I don’t see that being realistic. We need that depth to prevent such a situation.

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Why not go after McGrady? He could fill the void at small forward and could be gotten on the cheap.

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Frankly, Joe Johnson is a solid player but he
not worth $123 millions. Joe is an above
average scorer, at best, average passer and
rebounder and not very good defensive skills.
Long or short term, this was not the best deal
for the Hawks.

I think if the Hawks should have
worked a sign and trade with Dallas for Caron
Butler and signed and trade with Cleveland for
Shag and aggressively pursued and signed Josh
Childress. If these transactions could have been
worked out, the Hawks will be a more competitive
team.

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JJ’s contract is the worst in this summer. He doesn’t worth to be the highest paid free agent. Agreed the Hawks had no choices but still we need more post presence so Al can play his natual 4. Shaq want to start, which understandable. Let him start and trade him w/ Marvin, then Al start at 4 and Josh on 3. Totally make sense..just hope Shaq can take a pay cut (he’s not worth $8M per year!) then we may able pass the 2nd round.

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Shaq is not the answer, he is one of my favorite players, but with what the Hawks already have, they need an athletic center that is used to coming off the bench, play defense, and rebound since they are set on Horford being the starting center…Or find them a dominant PF (should have went after A. Jefferson) to compliment Horford…Horford holds his own, its just he needs help in the paint…What the Hawks really need is a 2nd scorer to compliment Joe…Everybody bashes Joe, but where would the Hawks be without him (lottery bound every season), so yes, he deserves every bit that the Hawks gave him, now they just need to give him help and surround him with some players that can score, not players that wanna show up to play when they feel like it…Peace…

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I’m sick of being a hawks fan especially since they don’t care about winning. Go Heat!

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Hawks Management are trying to take the slow boat to a champship. They are being cheap when the is at best a two round playoff team. Some of that is because the rest of the east is weak. Out west the Hawks possibly would not make the playoffs with what they have. The Hawks signed a unproven coach because they are so concerned about money. They would not sign a old veteran in Shaq, but that veteran could given 20 mins a night in late part of the season as you head in to the playoffs when you need him the most. Teams traditionally do not win the championship without a true center. The hawks management think they have 5 or ten years to win a championship. Your championship window is small you have to make quick solid moves that will get you to the championship in two years not 5 years from now. Until management changes their approach the hawks will never be better than first or second round.

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ASG don’t want to win they just want azzez in seats at Phillips Arena. I feel bad for JOSH, AL, JAMAL, JOE, MARVIN, and JEFF. Those guys deserve to be place in a situtation where there is a chance to win. The ASG don’t have any clue what a championship would do for this city. But they are just following suit to the previous owner/owners. Take, take, take,take but never any GIVEADAM!!!!!

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The Hawks gave Joe Johnson $124M and he got a stripper pregnant that he met at Magic City lol.

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So riddle me this you hawks fans……………why should Al Horford resign with this sorry assed organization?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEdkLVzHUO4

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