Hawks

By Khao$

October 19, 2005 05:54 PM | Link to this

Yesterday’s game was a sign of encouragement. Harrington has been playing hard it seems. In the wake of Jason’s death, I commend the guys for leaving on the floor. I’m glad to hear that Marvin showed some flashes. Sekou, what part of his game needs major tuning? Just curious…

By jhan

October 19, 2005 07:22 PM | Link to this

This team has to be more interesting to watch than last year’s team.

By Matt

October 19, 2005 10:16 PM | Link to this

We’ve played our preseason games against some of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference (Orlando, Charlotte and New Orleans), so lets not get too excited about how good we are. We played those teams pretty tough last year, too (they accounted for 3 of our wins).

By Nookah

October 19, 2005 11:35 PM | Link to this

Thanks Matt, for putting our preseason in perspective. However, it must warm the hearts of Hawks fans to see flashes of good play from our young guys. Let’s hope the Braves rookies have started a trend that our Hawks rookies will emulate and set ATL on fire. It would be great to see Phillips Arena full for a game by say mid-season, and the fans actually cheering for the home team.

I was particularly impressed with the 30 assists and hope that this can be sustained; maybe not 30 but close to that and at the same time keeping the TO,s below 15. I know this is only a first but let’s hope it is a sign that we are gelling as a team and will continue to share the rock!!!

Nuff Respect!!

GO HAWKS!!

By Lamont

October 20, 2005 06:44 AM | Link to this

I think we have to be excited. We have a young, athletic and talented roster. I know we’re far from being contender, but you have to start at some point. I like the way J. Childress has been playing. Al seems to be in great shape, it’s kind of hard to see how the Hawks would be doing without him, which makes me think if a trade is really the best thing to do, I personally dont think so. Marvin just needs time. he’s got much talent. Next Mashburn ??? He may be. Salim will be important too. I like his energy. Zaza could be the biggest surprise though. JJ and Lue will lead us… and since Josh Smith is around, there’s going to be show time at Phillips Arena.

By AaronB

October 20, 2005 08:13 AM | Link to this

Great to hear it Sekou! I checked the box scores that night to find that it seemed like they all had around 6 assists a piece. As far as being too excited, I don’t think we are. You see, I still believe that one of our biggest stars is Josh Smith. And if they can win with out him in the lineup, against any NBA is saying something positive. And BTW, yes 3 of our wins were against those teams, but you failed to mention that we blew out the Pistons last year too. Plus we were close in a bunch of our losses too. So basically the point is mute about who we beat. These teams have overhauled rosters too. Except for Dallas who actually looks easier this year.

You see this team hasn’t even got their defense working yet. Nor have they gotten JJ acustomed to the pg position. Give it time and they will surprise you. I am very happy with Zaza’s progress. He is proving his worth every night now. Look for him to be possibly the most improved player of the year at his current rate. As for Josh Smith and Joe Johnson, I believe both of them will be canidates for the Allstar team this year. Al will give his 19 a game average, and Josh childress will prob average 17. Lue will continue to be the best back up pg in the league(except maybe Payton). Look for the Fifth Element(AKA J-Smoove) to be the real X-factor for the Hawks this weekend. Apparently they said he may play this Saturday. I like that Marvin is coming along too as he has to compete with Andrew Bogut for rookie of the year awards. I predict Saline Stoudamire to allow the Hawks to rally when they are behind late in games.

So this will be a good season I think.

By Astro Joe

October 20, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this

It’s nice to have options, whether to be optimistic or not, whether to project J. Smith as the next superstar or Marvin, whether to expect JJ to play a full 30 minutes at point or Lue to contribute 25 minutes at the position. All of that means that we have talent, flexibility, options… and that is a very good thing.

And by the way, don’t sleep on Salim… he will likely be our version of Ben Gordon or Juan Dixon, instant offense off the bench and hopefully some clutch scoring as well. And if JJ is successful as a big PG, it allows Salim more time on the floor at SG.

By AaronB

October 20, 2005 09:42 AM | Link to this

Oh I wouldn’t sleep on Saline either. He scored 39 in the last summer league game. That’s almsot twice the amount of points any other other rookie scored in all of the summer games. I can see 25 being a fluke. But 39 is just plain sick. You can’t accidently score that many points against pro level talent. And yeah I know most of the other players aren’t pro level yet, but the team he scored that many against had Raymon Felton. So you can ask yourself any questions about his potential, but you must admit it obvious why the Hawks drafted him. He is the steal of the draft. Mark my words. Give him time to get comfortable, and watch him explode.

BTW, as a last tid bit or FYI; Saline Stoudamire was 3/5 from the three point arc last game… he’s only warming up.

By Khalid

October 20, 2005 10:34 AM | Link to this

All the hawk fans, you guys are too consumed on Marvin williams and joe johnson. The player that will be the key difference this season is none other then salim stoudamire. Salim is going to light your stadium with one of the most prolific three point game in world. He is an absoulte threat beyound the arc. He ravishes his game on clutch performances, I think he has a better chance of winning rookie of the year then Marvin Williams. You can insane, but continue viewing his performance when the season progresses. Salim has something to prove to league especially the teams that didn’t draft him. Salim is a unique left hander, that has a quick release that is particulary unblockable. Critics have been question his attidue, there is no problem with displaying your emotional affection to the game.

So Hawks fan, I present to you the incredible Salim Stoudamire

By Beebs

October 20, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this

I have a couple of questions about what Mike Woodson is planning on doing this season. Who are going to be our starting five? Is it pg- JJ, sg- J-Smoov, sf- Harrington, pf- Marvin Williams, c- zaza? If so, where does that leave Josh Childress. I think he could develop into a Shawn Marion type and should be on the floor as much as possible. He has a knack for getting putbacks and big offensive boards. I think his development is key to the future of the franchise.

By AaronB

October 20, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

Khalid, as I said. I agree with about SS. But Marvin is also a good draftee. You see, that’s why I am so happy about our selections this last draft. We got two first rounders for the price of 1,and a second round pick. In fact on my pre-draft selections I had Saline as 15th over all. And I thought I may have had him too far down. But when The second round started I was praying that the Hawks would select him.

But we all know that potential isn’t everything. That’s why it’s impportant for this team to have all the opportunity to gel. Saline has to find his game as a pro now. For this to happen, coach Woodson needs to give him the chance to screw up, by placing him in the drivers seat alot. That will give him the chance to grow his game, but will also temp. hurt the Hawks for greater gain at a later time.

By mark

October 20, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

I KNOW IT’S STILL EARLY. I AM REALLY HAPPY WITH THE WAY THESE YOUNG FELLOWS HAVE BEEN PLAYING. THERE IS STILL I LOT MORE IMPROVING. I LIKE WHAT WE HAVE. I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO BE AN EXCITING TEAM TO WATCH AND I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO COMPETE NIGHTLY. IF WE TAKE CARE OF THE BALL . WE WILL WIN OUR SHARE OF CLOSE GAMES. ZAZA JUST KEEP IMPROVING . I LIKE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. IT WANT BE LONG BEFORE THE HAWKS ARE BACK TO RESPECTABILITY AND A PLAYOFF CONTENDER. HATS OFF TO BILLY KNIGHT.

By HB Ando

October 20, 2005 04:38 PM | Link to this

Lamont,

I like the Mashburn comparison. That one hadn’t occured to me. I could definitely see a similar ability to play inside or out. If he could develop that turn around fade, he could do some damage on the blocks. Nice call.