Hawks

By A Real Fan

October 13, 2005 04:27 PM | Link to this

I thought that Zaza was doing a good job. I’m I misreading the Box Score stats? I did notice looking at the pictures on the Hawks website that 7ft. Collier let a guard leap over him for a slam dunk. Man, I wish I was 7ft.

By Jesse

October 13, 2005 04:32 PM | Link to this

As for reasonable big men who could be available, Jamaal Magloire may be an option — especially if the Hornets were interested in having Al Harrington play small forward for them.

I’m also still a Darko believer, so I wouldn’t mind a Harrington for Darko swap, but apparently BK has tried that twice and Detroit apparently isn’t interested.

At any rate, Harrington + Delk is probably our best hope for getting a center.

By Sekou K. Smith

October 13, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this

Zaza is playing fine but he needs an accomplice. The Hawks need another built just like him who wants to rebound and get greasy.

By Astro Joe

October 13, 2005 05:19 PM | Link to this

I was hoping that we would sign a bully like Jahidi White to serve that purpose or someone a little more skilled like Othella Harrington.

Without having access to contract terms, maybe we could get someone like Danny Fortson in exchange for Tony Delk. Fortson rubs people the wrong way, but he delivers a bushel of boards when he gets 20+ minutes a game and Delk is redundant with Salim.

Or, Scott Pollard. Scott Pollard anyone? Anyone? Hello, is this thing on?

By Wendell Thomas

October 13, 2005 05:50 PM | Link to this

What difference does it make? The Hawks will be forever stuck in mediocracy. This is the worst team in the NBA. They have the curse of the Danny Manning for Dominique trade. Now they sell the franchise future for a gaurd. Our GM keeps picking up then trading quality players for draft pick. When does this building for the future meet the present. Admit it…The Hawks really, really, suck!! I

By A Real Fan

October 13, 2005 06:20 PM | Link to this

Mr. Thomas

Why are you wasting our enjoyable reading time with your blog? We are here to discuss what can be done to make the Hawks a better team and entertain ourselves. If you are going to be a critic of the Hawks, atleast be a constructive one.

By Anderson

October 13, 2005 07:41 PM | Link to this

Dont sleep on this Zza Zza dude. Word around the league is that he was the steal of the free agents available! He’s no shaq but who is? I think he can get the job done with the help from the big men coming off the bench. One thing I noticed about Za and Batista is that they are great free throw shooters. Batista was 11-11 last night and Za hit like 7 or 8 the night before.This shows that both of those guys like to hit the boards and thats all you can ask from a big man.

By ray

October 13, 2005 07:49 PM | Link to this

It takes some skill and knowledge to be a constructive critic, Real Fan. Otherwise, you’re just a hater or basher. Either shoe fit, Mr. Thomas?

Getting back to the blog…I think the trade for a big man issue is up for now. It would be great to have a guy like Magloire, but who is going to the bench, him or Zaza? Magloire has been a starter for some time. We need someone who can spell Zaza from time to time, or be on the court with him from time to time, not take his spot away. Not to mention what do you do with the other 3s and 4s if such a guy is on the court WITH Zaza? This could be solved in a trade, but not likely anytime soon. Would be good to be rid of Delk and Collier, but unless you put a quality piece with them, you likely don’t get anything, let alone anything worth while. Trading Harrington is what always comes up, but unless you get another vet with good skills and more than a year or so left in him, you’ve wasted your time. Harrington is still learning but has some serious skills. Chicago will not let Harrington go, they know what he’s worth to them. Pollard might be a good fit, but how do you get him? Only two things jump out at me. Trading someone of quality with a Delk or Collier…or signing a rugged tough guy for pretty cheap. A trade probably wouldn’t develop until near the deadline.

By Samuel

October 13, 2005 08:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t know. If we’re talking about holding us over until we get Ogden in ‘07,Elden Campbell maybey. I haven’t seen him on the Pistons roster yet.

J. White. I too have always liked jahidi. He is one of only two centers I ever saw hold Shaq to a pushing standoff, the other A. Sabonas of Portland. Hey, anyone know where we can find him? One of my all time favorites.

Seriously, what about Doleac of Miami. He seems to be an odd man out there, with Zo’s comback and the young guy Barron, Semien and Walker.

Then, if you’re talking shot blocking and space, eventhough more verticle than horizontal, there’s always Shawn “The Missionary” Bradley.

The Pacers don’t seem to sold on J. Bender. They might want Harrington back in exchange for Pollard or Foster.

I know he’s not too wide either, but Chris Bosh will be a FA next year. The Raptors just drafted Villanueva. Think Bosh may be ready to come back home. I know he’s tired of that “Hawk” up there in “Ole Canada”.

Let’s pull the trigger on something. These Hawks are trying to make a believer out of me.

HEY, ANYONE INTERESTED IN A LITTLE FANTASY HOOPS? IF SO, GO TO YAHOO AND SIGN UP. LEAGUE: SEKOU’S BLOGGERS. LEAGUE ID# 88712.

Only eleven spots available, so hurry.

By Ty

October 13, 2005 09:13 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

I had high hopes for Big John Edwards and Roderick Riley. Are they simply not hungry enough?

By Sekou K. Smith

October 13, 2005 09:51 PM | Link to this

Rod Riley got cut this afternoon and Edwards is still very much a work in progress. But he has a chance. What the Hawks need is someone who can fill that role right now.

By HB Ando

October 13, 2005 10:32 PM | Link to this

Guys, what up? Just got back in town from a business trip. This teams’ going to have a board imbalance as long as Harrington is getting 40 minutes. You say Zaza needs help, but that means somebody has to line up at the four next to him to do it. I actually think that the Magloire idea has some merit, in trade for Harrington. There’s another guy on that team that I think will develop into a solid rebounding four, and that’s David West. Doleac is not much of a rebounder. In fact, he’s a lot like Collier in that he’s a big face-up, stand still shooter. I think a guy like Fortson brings too much baggage to the locker room. Woodson is going to have to take someone on this team and give him a challenge to rebound (J. Smith comes to mind). Here’s the problem: this team, based on its personnel, needs to send five to the defensive boards and four to the O end. Hard to be a running team when you send all five to the defensive boards. And if you go get a plodder, like a Fortson or a Reggie Evans, they can’t run, so it changes the whole dynamic they are trying to establish, style-wise.

Honestly, I think we’re going to have to sit tight the first 20 or so games, and let them work out the rotation. Let other teams do the same thing, and then see whether we move Al or Childress (I still think it could be Childress if the franchise decides that Johnson’s best value to this team is primarily at the two-guard). Somebody has to go, and the two most likely have value in this league. Delk won’t get you much, so it has to be Harrington or Childress to get a starting quality four.

I haven’t gotten to see anything yet, so I can’t comment on what they’re showing so far. How does Batista look, from a rebounding perspective?

Samuel, what’s the password to the Yahoo hoops league? I’m in.

By doc

October 13, 2005 11:20 PM | Link to this

ray go get em dude. i love it when you play the captain man. though it cant be controlled it is a pleasure to see most of the blog be attempts at intellligent discussion or disagreement that is constructive, sarcastic or dry humor aside. but there is one way to ultimately deal with the drival, note who said it and ignore completely.

right now, i think we are going to have to see if something falls out from another team that is “overstocked” in big men the way the bucks were to allow zaza to fall our way. i dont think we know who could step up to fill the void if we let go of big al and realistically we wont get value for al until another team is desparate to make a move at the end of the season.

unless a proven entity shows itself, it is time to run like the wind.

By Mel

October 13, 2005 11:42 PM | Link to this

I like the J.White suggestion. However, i think a guy like Keon Clark would be a good fit to this team. Here’s a guy that’s a FA, 6’11, runs the floor well, rebounds and block a ton of shots. that’s if he’s in playing condition. by the way, does anyone know of his where abouts?

By tb

October 14, 2005 01:55 AM | Link to this

I’m very surprised that Batista and Edwards are not getting any respect. They have only had two preseason games with Batista having done quite well. They both have the size. Until something better comes along, let’s give them a chance and our support.

By Lamont

October 14, 2005 04:02 AM | Link to this

I agree with you tb. There’s nobody out there now that could solve the Hawks problems at center. I like Magloire, but doubt the Hornets would let him go. Anyway, I dont think we should desperate try to get a center now. It takes time to rebuild a franchise. A bad trade can screw it up. Harrington has a great value, if you can find someone at his level or better to play here, trade him.. if not,keep him… he’s going to have a great season… and so far, it seems to me Marvin and Josh S. will need much more time to develop, though it’s very early to say anything.

By Samuel

October 14, 2005 07:42 AM | Link to this

Yea,Ando I forgot to give the password: ataliens.

From what I have heard and observed from the first two preseason games is pretty much what I expected.

I am however a little bit “pleasantly surprised” at how good JJ is and ZAZA too.

I still think JJ would make this team a lot better at #2. Mayby when Lue gets back he(JJ) can play more #2.

I think we need to move Childress or Harrington, “now”, why wait. We got what we got and they are not going to get “that much better”.

Let’s put the same intensity and desire into landing a legit bigman as we did landing JJ. There are always some deals out there.

By T Robb

October 14, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this

Well, wait a minute. I knew Zaza was a real good signing - his 40mpg stats were about 14p/11r. That’s a big piece.

And then, Sekou, there was some controversy over how big Batista really was - 6’8” 240 or 6’10” 270, and it turns out he’s closer to the latter, right? Didn’t he average 15rpg in the PanAm tournament? And he was 11-11 from the line the other day?

None of the suggestions I’ve seen here, save Magliore, represents a clear upgrade over our current roster. And if we can get Magliore for, say, an expiring Harrington, we might need to do that.

Seems to me like we might have some skills right here in camp. How ‘bout a little patience with these guys? It’d be nice to have a nice, Neanderthal enforcer like Jahidi White to come in and hack Shaq and foul out in 12 minutes, but we can have Edwards do that, right?

I think the main thing we need with this team is some patience. BK made some good moves and took some interesting flyers the last two years - let’s give them some time to gel, and especially how to play defense together. If they can do that, they could surprise.

By T Robb

October 14, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

I just registered for the Sekou’s Bloggers Yahoo fantasy league, 88712, pw ataliens.

By HB Ando

October 14, 2005 10:34 AM | Link to this

I’m in too. Now we get to see who can walk it. Comin’ for you, Sam I Am…..

Is Sekou in? What about the rest of you hardcore regulars?

Sam, glad you set that up. I was planning on doing the same thing and seeing if I could get any interest up. Very much looking forward to the friendly comp.

By reese

October 14, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this

I wish that the hawks had drafted the 6’10 Randolph Morris from Kentucky, he might have hung around if he had been drafted. He would have been a great compliment for ZaZa, he is young, he is familiar with playing alongside Josh Smith at small forward, and he would provide competition for Marvin Williams. Does anyone know if he was reinstated at Kentucky. If the hawks do not trade Al Harrington, the best position for him to play and help this team is small forward. He played that at Indiana and he played the position while antoine walker was here last year. Moving him to power forward is hurting the team. If no trade is made, the hawks need to start experimenting with batista and zaza on the floor at the same time. The hawks should wait and see how Stephon Marbury and larry brown get along. If there are issues, trade Al or Josh plus Delk or Royal to New York for Stephon and Jerome James. Apparently, the knicks are shopping james. Then the starting line up could be stephon at the point, joe at the 2 spot, al or josh at the 3 spot, zaza at the 4 spot and jerome james at the 5 spot.

By HB Ando

October 14, 2005 01:21 PM | Link to this

Reese,

I have been saying that since the night of the draft. His upside at 59 was huge, even if he went back to school (which he did). Now he goes and grows up, and he comes back to the draft in a year or two and is a top-ten pick (potentially). We could have snagged him at the end of the draft and sent his tail to the NBDL, where he would have realized how bad he was willing to work to utilize his tools fully in the NBA.

Still can’t believe we drafted some Turkish PG instead of a big man (or, as I’ve pointed out previously, Jones, from St. Joe’s, who ended up undrafted, but signed a two-year, guaranteed deal with the T-Wolves. He only averaged 11 boards and 3 blocks a game last year. Wonder if that would help?).

I know this may sound crazy, but that decision, that choice, of what is otherwise a seemingly inconsequential pick at 59, has done more to make me question the GM’s thinking than almost any other event. So here we sit wondering where that needed physical rebounder is going to come from, and we could have addressed in during the draft.

By ray

October 14, 2005 04:03 PM | Link to this

Now isn’t that something? The Knicks get Curry and are now shopping J.James. This is clearly Curry’s chance to prove he’s worth the risk. And I’ll have to bow to Sam….LOL.

By ray

October 14, 2005 04:07 PM | Link to this

Andy, Zaza looked good in the first couple of games. Bautista didn’t get to play as far as I saw until the second game. However, he is apparently a good free throw shooter and got a few boards. I think he’s got some skills that haven’t been manifested yet, and like most big men, his largest problem will be not incurring too many fouls. Edwards is a project. I could be wrong, but I think he is very raw. We’ll see. As far as Harrington goes, I still like his skills, but we do need more muscule underneath.

By Samuel

October 14, 2005 05:48 PM | Link to this

I find it hard to believe that Larry B and the Knicks are shopping James,eventhough they are “packed” on the Front Line. Mark my words, that will be a “serious” front line with James and Curry together.

If they are shopping James, we better “JUMP ON THAT ONE”. I’d give them anyone they want, other than JJ.

I’ll believe it when I see it, though.

By HB Ando

October 14, 2005 08:15 PM | Link to this

Samuel, I don’t get your position on James. And it’s even less compelling than your Curry argument. James is a 29 year old journeyman who’s never put up any type of starter quality numbers during the course of a season. He turned it on for a couple of weeks during the playoffs to get the payoff and the Knicks obliged by throwing cash at him. When Curry arrived, James was quoted as saying there would be no controversy because at 29, he was over worrying about who starts (read: I’m getting $36 million for the next six years whether I play or not, so sitting is just as good as playing). “James and Curry together”? Please show me a team in the NBA that plays to lead-footed centers, with no shooting range beyond 6-7 feet, at the same time. Name one. If they ARE shopping James, it’s because he’s already shown in camp that he’s a dog and the contract they gave him was born of desperation. It means that they already believe that Channing Frye, who was labeled as soft coming into the draft, is clearly ahead of him in Brown’s rotation and plans, and they have no use for a $36 million center who can’t outplay a soft rookie.

I don’t understand your fascination with big men who have NEVER shown any type of heart or performance on the court. What is it about James that leads you to believe that he would be of benefit to this team? What is it that makes you think that he will suddenly start playing with effort when he has NEVER done so during his professional career? Finally, what is it that leads you to believe that he has better upside than the 21 year old Pachulia, who, in his limited NBA career HAS shown heart, and has shown PRODUCTION, when given an opportunity to play? I feel safe in saying that if the Knicks do shop James, this will not be his next destination.

I believe the Knicks are looking for cheerleaders. I can’t think of anyone more qualified than you.

By Samuel

October 15, 2005 12:25 AM | Link to this

Ando,

I’ll tell you what. Stick with ZaZa and I’ll take Curry or James. All these “so-called” quotes and heresay BullSh_t from these “so-called” experts don’t mean “Jack”.

Ando, you just don’t get it do you. That’s the name of the game. Inside Out. Curry has a career .529 FG percentage. Why should he go past “6-7” feet as you say. And James aint to bad either at .493 for his career.

We’ll see where all this “heart” gets ZaZa and the Hawks this season if they keep their current squad.

Just because Ando feels safe that the ATL will not be James’ next destination. I think BK and “Woody” now realizes that “HEART” as you call it, won’t get you many “W’s” in the NBA. “You Gotta Have Talent”, my friend.

By HB Ando

October 16, 2005 12:03 AM | Link to this

Samuel, your opinion is an island. This is from Jason Langendorf, ScoutsInc.com, on the ESPN Fantasy Hoops home page. The title of the article is “Top Ten Busts for 2006”.

C Eddy Curry, Knicks Let’s see, Curry has awful power numbers (blocks and rebounds), is a turnover machine, changed teams in the offseason and has moved into a lineup of ball hogs, and suffers from a potentially dangerous heart condition? Did we mention that he’s so foul-prone and poorly conditioned that he has yet to average 30 minutes a game in a season? Other than that, he’s a peach. Yeah, Curry has the physical gifts to become a top-10 fantasy center someday, but he has a ton of work ahead of him.

Samuel, you, Isiah and Eddy Curry’s momma may be the only three people in the world who continue to look at Curry’s game through rose-colored glasses. All the rest of us see him for what he is: a lazy, coddled athlete, who has never come close to performing near his potential. In his big contract year the best he could do was 5.9 boards a game. Sekou’s own lead-in to this story says the Hawks lack “a defensive-minded big man who rebounds with reckless abandon”. Yet you continue to go on and on, like a broken record about how he would be the answer. The only question Eddy Curry answers is, “What’s the worst way the Hawks could have spent their available cap space in the off-season?”

No one has suggested the Hawks will stay with the squad they’ve got, throughout the rest of the season. And when they do make a move, I pray that it will be for someone who brings his hardhat and lunch pale to the paint everynight, and not some overpaid dog who only plays for the cash. The only comfort I have is that your opinions are so outlandish and clueless that the likelihood of them ever actually occurring is essentially nil. And for that I am thankful.

By Samuel

October 16, 2005 12:41 PM | Link to this

HEY ANDO,

Did you check out “my boy” EC’s numbers last night?

16pts., 4-boards, 1 block. All in 13 minutes. Not bad, huh!

You guys like to do projections and sh_t, right. I figure in 48 minutes that would be about: 60pts,16Reb,4blocks, but you do the math Ando. You’re the scholar on these boards.

PS: I don’t value anyone’s opinion on Hoops with a name like, Langendorf. Sorry, it don’t sound too Basketball smart to me.

So I went to ESPN Fantasy Hoops and saw this guy Langendorf. He confirmed my thoughts, but hey that could be sterotyping, so I went to his site:scoutsinc.com and what do you know. They not only specialize in Fantasy Hoops but: farmsex and grannysex. I swear that’s what it said.

Ando, now I see where you get your Hoops knowledge from.

***WE NEED MORE TEAMS IN OUR FANTASY LEAGUE*******

PLEASE JOIN NOW: Yahoo.com Sports Fantasy Basketball League Name: Sekous Bloggers ID: 88712 Password: ataliens

The draft is this sunday, Oct 23 at 6:45pm.

By HB Ando

October 16, 2005 01:15 PM | Link to this

Dude, that’s funny! You have to be careful. You can pick up alot of stuff besides knowledge when you’re on the internet. Ick.

I saw your boy, Curry’s, numbers. When you project his zero assists for 48 minutes, you still get O assists. ‘Cause he’s a black hole (for a team to play inside-out on offense, the center has to actually be willing to kick it back out). Scoring has never been an issue for Curry. And I think he just likes to get his 4-6 boards quickly, and out of the way, so he can focus on shooting. Who knows, but I bet he drives Larry Brown nuts. Skiles is an absolute hardass, and he couldn’t get Curry to board. I’m still cracking up that the Knicks have a 3-headed center that will make $32 Million this season. They should pay Barkley $10 million to come out of retirement and have his fat a* play a quarter a game. He’d still average more rebounds than Curry. And he’s half a foot shorter!

See you in the live draft, Sam…..

By HB Ando

October 16, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

I can’t quit laughing about the farmsex and grannysex. LOL. That is messed up.

By Samuel

October 16, 2005 02:45 PM | Link to this

Ando,

Is that all you can come up with, “ASSISTS”? When you’re shooting 70% from the floor(5-7), “IT AINT SUPPOSED TO COME BACK OUT” as a matter of fact if it does. Larry B will get in his sh_t.

By the way, being a “hard-a*” doesn’t make you a good coach.

Don’t worry about that 3headed thang. LB and Zeek will deal with that.

Barkley can’t do nothing right now but “run his mouth”. Talk about a “BLACK HOLE”, Sir Charles was the “numero uno”, and zero rings, I might add.

By HB Ando

October 16, 2005 07:53 PM | Link to this

Sam, it was an exhibition game. It may well have been against a guy on the other team that will be waived tomorrow. The numbers that count are the ones he’s put up throughout his short career. The ones from last year. 5.9 rebounds a game. At seven-feet tall. That was a bad half for Mr. Barkley (who by the way, averaged nearly 5 assists a game for his career). Besides a solid FG%, there is simply nothing that you extoll about Eddy Curry’s game that can be objectified or substantiated. His numbers, throughout his career in the NBA, tell the full story. And the only thing that can change that truth is what he does from here on out.

I can’t wait until you draft him with your first round pick in our fantasy league. Your infatuation with Curry is kind of wierd. But please draft all these all-star Knicks players you keep droning on and on about. I’ll enjoy watching you languish in the basement of our hoops league. Babble on, Sam.

By jeremy

October 18, 2005 01:34 AM | Link to this

well, personally…i think we have a pretty darn good team like we are..except for the fact that we would use another center in the rotation now with the very, very, very sad news of Jason passing away (I went out, too, to the practice and was shocked. My aunt just passed away, so it kinda hit home even further). anyhow, i think just about every single blogger ive read has put al out for trade bait while i am of the belief that he is the person we need to keep the most. why? basketball smarts. leadership. brings it every night. his bball IQ is way up there…some of it you cant even teach. His high arching fadeaway in the paint (like wayman tisdale and barkley used to do or kevin mchale), his ability to wisely use his backside when posting or when creating space for passes from the elbow, his ability to keep the flow of the team smooth and in synch with coach. also, i think people diss lue way to much. is he a first rate starter potential guy? no. is he one of the best back up point guards in the league (as he self proclaims)…absolutely. sure he is short, but he has been a wonderful pest on many a guards, he does a nice pick and roll, he can stick the j in a half court set and even better in a mild fast break pull up shot, and he can bring the ball up quick. yeah he is exposed by some of the bigger guards of the east, but that is okay. i think batista is gonna suprise some folks…kind of like that white dude who was with the lakers at power forward and is not with the wolves. mark madsen. goofy, almost out of control, but he is like eduardo najera in that he brings it every single freakin night. batista is that in the future. zaza is legit. yes, folks like marcus camby, dalembert, shaq, and others might abuse him sometimes b/c of their weight and arm length to shot in close hook shots and such..but i think he is gonna put a lot of those guys in foul trouble with his cuts to the basket…especially when they have to respect his outside j that he can VERY obviously and consistently put down. he doesnt mind bangin either. of course, i agree with most that salim is another steal and we REALLY needed another 3 point threat to spread the opposing D so all our 6’8’ to 6’10 slashers can get easy baskets or create fouls near the hoop when driving. and marvin…i like this dude. he is still raw to some degree but i think he is tougher than most people thing (watching his old high school and college film). he is skinny up top but man oh man can he slip and slither around the basket…like antwan jamison, dalembert, webber back in the day, and the tall, skinny mvp out in minnesota. im a huge j smith fan and his jumper hasnt improved so much per se..i just think it is getting back to where it was back in college. j chill is for real. slinky, slippery, longggg arms, knows how to jump from way out, get airborne and get the contact when going to the hoop (like grant hill)…im just worried that his shot (that he shoots soooo low) will always be his problem (but like at matrix out at phoenix…and he has flourished…so you never know.).

i say hawks hit 30 to 35 wins this year. washington and orlando and charlotte are all beatable any night. miami is another story. i just hope we can get another center to rotate in and bang …so that we can get a little respect in the middle.

peace out.

By Wendell Thomas

October 26, 2005 06:05 PM | Link to this

I am a hater and a basher! I hate that I have been a fan since the Hawks landed in Atlanta but have never seen them make it to the NBA finals. I am a basher because there are so many ways to bash this team. A critic…please? I would be here all day if I picked all the things wrong with this team to criticize. What I am is a realist. This team is horrible! The preseason should give you a slight hint of the future. They will not play .500 ball.