Hawks

By buddy@sundaysportstalk.com

October 20, 2005 04:16 PM | Link to this

Paul’s line from that game: 1-8, 2-2, 4 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists

By HB Ando

October 20, 2005 04:35 PM | Link to this

SS,

By calling these the starting five, are you saying that Williams has taken Smith’s starting SF spot? Who will start once Josh is healthy?

Care to take a shot at breaking down how you see the rotations taking shape (minutes, etc.)?

As soon as Lue hits the floor, with Johnson still in, aren’t we still facing the log jam we’ve been questioning with regards, Childress, Smith and Williams?

Haven’t heard much from your cuz. Where’s he hiding?

Andy

By Sekou K. Smith

October 20, 2005 04:51 PM | Link to this

Hey man, you’re trying to trap me. I’m not saying anything. Williams is in the starting five as of Today. He is starting right now because Josh Smith is hurt. But I fully expect Smith to be back in the starting lineup when he’s healthy.

And slow down on the breakdown of the playing rotations. I’m blogging five days a week during an 82-game season. I’m trying to pace myself.

As for Sam, you better leave him alone. He’s like Ron Artest, a “caged animal” when he’s challenged. Ha.

By H. Low

October 20, 2005 04:56 PM | Link to this

Sekou, What up? Look I love the game and will watch almost any team play, but I’m afraid the Hawks will still be….well the Hawks. There will be alot of ESPN highlights with Williams and Smith, but there won’t be many wins. Hopefully the majority of the scoring won’t fall on Joe Johnson. Also when do the Hawks come to Houston?

By Samuel

October 20, 2005 05:31 PM | Link to this

Don’t measure this season by wins. Measure it by how this team grows and show signs of improving. Who now how many wins they will get. Just enjoy the team playing, and quit bashing them everytime some of you get.

Good to hear positive things about Marvin. All he need is time to play and everything else will work itself out.

Who do you all think will be the 6th man for the Hawks- Lue,Salim, or Marvin?

By Sekou K. Smith

October 20, 2005 05:48 PM | Link to this

H. Low, my man. Now I know this blog has some reach. The scoring could be spread out if the Hawks keep playing the way they did against the Hornets (wouldn’t it be nice for the Hawks if they could play the Hornets twice a week all season?). I’m not ready to make any defining statements about this team either way right now. Oh, and when I get to Houston it’s going to be crazy, so make sure you are ready to clown.

Glad to see you back at ‘em Sam.

By doc

October 20, 2005 06:49 PM | Link to this

the marvin thing may be the surprise of the season though howard in orlando made a big jump last year and performed well. sometimes the jump to the bigs isnt as big as one thinks as shown by the baby braves from double a, the true stars elevate once they get to the show. i suspect marvin might go back to the bench when the other josh gets healthy.

you brought up a good point regarding lue and johnson being on the court together and one i have speculated would be seen a lot and to our advantage. i wonder if that combo along with marvin, al and zaza are the guys you (sekou) think are going to be the go to guys at the end of the games. i have asked it before and i think it is the biggest question for the hawks is who can close games not start? face it most games are contested in the fourth quarter not at the inital jump.

so sekou can you go out on a limb, how about you ando, sam, aaron b, et. al….. who is going to get the ball when it counts?

call out time boys!

by the way ando i was sorry to hear that your education was from uga after reading your thoughts about bradleys story on chan. you seem to have learned a lot once you left and gained a lot of class.

grin!

By Beck Price

October 20, 2005 08:28 PM | Link to this

Sekou, Your blog does have some reach, I’m living in Sydney, Australia and counting on you to keep me up to speed with my Hawks! (You can take the boy outa the ATL but not the ATL outa the boy).

With Zaza looking like he may be able to handle the middle for us, do you still see a trade by the deadline? Are we better off letting this crew gel a bit and waiting for the offseason to see what pieces we need? I for one really like the idea of this roster of multi-funtional athletes and think we need to see if the BK brand of basketball can work before we send off our young talet to another team.

Keep up the good work. Basketball down under is just not enough to keep a true fan satisfied!

By HB Ando

October 20, 2005 10:04 PM | Link to this

It’s OK, Doc. My uncle and cousing both went to Tech. I’ve been thinking about offering both of them jobs, so they could make some real money.

With regards to who’ll have the ball in their hands when it counts, I think Johnson will be making the decisions. The fact is, I think there’s increasing signs that versatility abounds here. Salim has a well established, and deserved, reputation for hitting big shots at the college level. Johnson’s money from deep. And Harrington is an excellent one-on-scorer, who can shoot the J, get to the rack, and get off a nice little turn around fade down on the block. Those are your three guys.

Hey Doc, I’m coming off of a sesamoidectomy that hasn’t healed right. Synovial fluid and laxity remain in the joint. Had a cortizone shot about three weeks ago. Taped it and played tennis tonight (wisely)and it’s flared up again. How about I buy you lunch at the Varsity tomorrow and you bring your ‘scrip pad for your favorite blogger. Seriously, let me know, because I am all out of painkillers, and there will be no getting in to see my orthopod until next week.

Andy

By doc

October 20, 2005 11:32 PM | Link to this

hey ando i think you are back onto the roids man as you wear out that bradley gut. i really think it is andro not ando.

i tend to agree with you on the possible guards as i lost confidence in tyrone down the stretch last year. too many times the hawks came up empty. he didnt have much help but i didnt see him create much for himself or anyone else nor did he knock them down to “take over”. i think jj can and salim can and the latter desires just that as he hates to lose but maybe not ready for prime time just yet. al will be there and just for fun say that marvin will be there at the end during the last part of the season because he can do so much with the ball and goes to the line to take the free throws well. zaza finds his way on the court unless fouls are an issue. i also wonder if we wont see zaza sitting from time to time with jj, joshes, marvin and al in there to create some misery in match ups?

im no longer writing scripts but i do recommend something called traumeel for your foot. you can probably get it at whole foods. it is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic without the side effects of the nsaid’s (motrin/advil) type of drugs. i was a vascular and general surgeon who has gone to the dark (really light) side as i will be practicing acupuncture soon. to be honest what you have sounds like something that acupuncture might help in the post-operative period as it moves fluid well and acts to decrease inflammation as well as provide pain relief.

your bone doc will probably choke if asked about it but maybe not as there are beginning to be a few enlightened docs to the benefits of the needle. in the program i went through there were many ortho guys there to learn and instruct. there is just not much money in it so i might have to get a job with you if your family continues to turn you down.

by the way during the herschell years i really came around as i must say i almost want you guys to win every week.

keep in touch if things dont improve and maybe we can work something out to help the foot.

now sekou where do you stand on the last guys standing? are we close in your mind and when are you going to get with the hawks to set up an area in the arena for your die hard bloggers to promote espirit de corps?

By AaronB

October 21, 2005 08:00 AM | Link to this

Sorry Doc. I am slow on the call out. Normally I check the blog at night before I go to bed, but last night my girl wanted an extended love session ;). As for who will take this last shot(which was an earlier blog if I don’t recall), I believe JJ is our first option. The second has to be Saline Stoudamire. This cat has been hitting big shots his whole life, and I wouldn’t expect him to stop anytime soon. And BTW for all you J-Smoove fans out there… don’t worry Sekou will talk about JS when he starts playing again. There is no need to comment on some-one’s game who is currently on the injured list. And it’s nice to hear from Sekou this blog. He does talk to us, but this is the most I’ve heard from him in a given blog. Well we haven’t heard from Ray yet, but maybe he’ll give this topic a visit too.

As for you Samuel, I think SS will be our 6th man, although it’s tough to choose this year(finally, I can say that about the Hawks). Whatup Doc! Haven’t heard from you in a while. And let me get this straight, HB Ando is really Andy?

By AaronB

October 21, 2005 08:11 AM | Link to this

Samuel, BTW I wanted to ask you when the fantasy draft starts for the League? My team name is the same as my name, so you knew who has joined up. I think everyone should join this league. Oh and my first choice would have been the NBA’s fantasy league over Yahoo. It seems better organized. But it’ll be fun regardless.

By Old School Hawk Fan

October 21, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this

In my opinion, I think the city and fans of the Atlanta Hawks should make a sincere effort to support the new and improved Atlanta Hawks. Given the recent aquisitions and Knight’s committment to making the team more competitive, I really expect the Hawks to bring more excitement and pride to new and old Hawks fans in Georgia and other parts of the country. As part of my committment to supporting the Atlanta Hawks, I will be in LA the first game of the season to support and cheer the Hawks to victory over the Clippers. GO HAWKS!!!

By HB Ando

October 21, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this

AaronB, HB and Andy are one and the same. There was at least one other Andy out there, who was sullying my hard earned reputation for insightful prose. Needed to make sure there was no doubt about my spout. HB Ando is an old college nickname, and unless an imposter tries to appropriate my monicker, you’ll always know where I stand.

Doc,

I have decided to ride Mr. Bradley for the foreseeable future. I’ve rarely agreed with him over the years, and the idea of being his foil, in this type of forum, agrees with me. Even if I’m only humoring myself. From the responses I got, it seems I’m humoring a few others, so I’ll continue to play along until it ceases to be pleasurable.

By Sekou K. Smith

October 21, 2005 10:46 AM | Link to this

First off, I’ve got to give Beck Price some love for blogging with us all the way from Down Under. That’s some serious long distance. Glad to have you.

Now, as to who will be there at the end. After watching this crew for four preseason games, I know I want the ball in Joe Johnson’s hands. If he doesn’t take the shot, he’ll dictate, to a degree, which guy does. Salim’s confidence in those situations is what I think makes him dangerous. Because I’ve yet to see him take a shot that he didn’t think was going in, which is always the greatest and most maddening trait of a great shooter. Al Harrington has that same type of confidence in his game, so a two-man set with he and either one of the aforementioned guys would work, too. You’ve got to want to take the big shots to have any chance at making the big shots. So those are the guys I’d want with the ball in their hands with the game on the line.

And Doc, I’m working on the Hawks to get us squared away with the blogger section at Philips. I mean, it’s not like there isn’t room in the place on game nights. Oops. I mean, surely they can find some space for their tried and true fans right?

By HB Ando

October 21, 2005 12:25 PM | Link to this

SS,

That’s what I’m talking about. What’s ten seats allocated in an empty Philips for a few folks who will do nothing but spread the gospel regarding these Hawks? That’s grassroots marketing at it’s most logical and finest.

I request that my seat is next to Samuel’s, so we can talk trash throughout every game (with maybe Doc on the other side in case he finds an old prescription pad)………..

By doc

October 21, 2005 12:35 PM | Link to this

the blog wouldnt let me in earlier, server issues. i wanted to know if there was room for one more in the fantasy world who doesnt know anything about this fantasy game stuff. we used baseball cards back in my day. if i get in it will be as an alias as i dont want to be identified with the results. how does hb ANDRO sound. maybe it would get a chuckle as my team sank in the dust.

andy i know where you are coming from as i used to do that with terrance and even took a similar strategy to respond to one of his articles. i ultimately took the attitude that i approach life, to be very discerning about what i read of his and really ignore the rest, i mean stop reading his stuff. my life improved immediately. maybe bradley is where your foot pain is coming from.

seriously, about your foot take heed of the recs last night and try them. at some point i might be able to let you try acupunture gratis my friend. it would be an honor.

now sekou i feel some real bonding happenin’ here at the liars table as that is what it is called in the country. my thoughts exactly about the hawks ability to fit us in. i guess we could meet at the varsity or a restaurant at the omni and then go and get nosebleed seats if they cant accomidate.

sekou again thanks. i like your impressions and passion for the game. i really like the fact that jj is doing it, i have not backed down once from my stand that he will be worth the price and that was only based on what i heard about him while i was studying at an acupunture course in the phoenix area in may. i was really pleased that he would consider coming as he showed a lot to come back from his face being broken, in less than two weeks i think, a real stand up guy.

peace all.

By HB Ando

October 21, 2005 12:39 PM | Link to this

Samuel,

We’re still at six players. You want to open it up to public, or push the date back a few days to give us more time to fill?

Samuel’s Yahoo Fantasy Hoops league needs players with game:

League ID: 88712 PW: ataliens Draft Sunday night at 6:45 PM

We know who can talk it. Let’s see who can walk it. It’s free!

By Tyger

October 21, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

The achilles heel of the Hawks will be Rebounding. ZaZa, Al, Smoove, Chill + JJ will scrap. But we need a “beast” that just cleans the glass offensively and defensively, for those 2nd chance opportunities.

That’s why I suspect we may quietly make a run at Nene Hilario. He could be the answer! I wont throw out fantasy proposals b/c I like all our players, but Nene could be the spoke to the wheel down low.

By reese

October 21, 2005 01:38 PM | Link to this

I’ve listened to 2 games on the internet and tried listening to 790 the zone while in the car (790 the zone you have got to do something to improve the reception at night). My first impressions are I like the way Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Harrington and ZaZa are playing together. However, the lack of rebounding and large number of turnovers is a concern. Placing Lue in the mix won’t improve the rebounding and placing Marvin or Josh won’t improve the turnovers. Anybody know a good rebounding point forward to add to the mix. Also, if Al is going to be the one to take the last shot, he better improve his free throw percentage. I appreciate the fact that he’s not afraid to take the last shot, but teams will foul him until he proves he can make the free throw.

By jeremy

October 21, 2005 02:16 PM | Link to this

hi everyone. im fairly new to all this blogging stuff. anyhow, i wanted to know if getting nene is a possibility this year or next year? and if this year, then when (at first of year or near all star break). i had seen in another blog info about him maybe being traded just b/c of the backlog of expensive contracts and luxury tax problems in denver. that would be SWEET to have nene in the lineup. plus, given the fact that the ATL is quickly becoming much more int’l, having the brazilian nene come play here would be even better.

sekou, thanks for keeping us up to date on everything.

By AaronB

October 21, 2005 02:53 PM | Link to this

That would be flat out awsome Sekou! I’ve been a true fan of the Hawks ever since I’ve first played the sport. As far as seating, I need a space next to the other two so I can referee their trash talking. As far as the Mr. Bradley thing Ando, I jumped on his case because he dared open his mouth about the Hawks in an ill-conceived attempt at logic. His lack of basketball knowledge, left me with a sense of rage, that I usually only experience when dealing with an egotistical jerk! That said I would gladly join you on such blogs if you wish.

By Samuel

October 21, 2005 06:53 PM | Link to this

Hey yall. I’m BAAAAACCCKK.

I hate to disappoint yall but that last Post by “Samuel”(Oct 20th)was an imposter.

Who ever you are, you need to change your name. (hopefully you won’t have any motorcycle accidents either).

Actually, yall this is my first year coaching high school hoops. I’m not going to say where. I’ll wait until the season is over, so yall won’t get on me too hard.

I am excited about the fantasy league.

We went public today. So far we have seven teams but I expect that to grow by Sunday, so if yall want some you better sign up.

By ray

October 23, 2005 10:30 AM | Link to this

This blog is LIVE, y’all. I’ve been working several 12 and 16 hour shifts lately, so I’ve not eve been checking this blog, but I can see I’m way behind. Let me start by saying that there isn’t much I can contribute that hasn’t already been said. I think JJ is also the best man for the last moments of the game. But, Stoudamire is a viable option. I think the reason Lue never became that kind of guy is because he doesn’t desire to be and lacks the instinct. That doesn’t make him a bad player, it’s just not his natural role. Stoudamire, however, has been doing this most of his college days and is NOT afraid, a trait needed for this role. Harrington is also an option, as others have mentioned. But not necessarily the best option all the time. Sometimes the situation dictates who is the best option. If the play needed or play available is closer to the basket, Harrington is probably the best option. Outside, JJ and SS. As far as the sixth man thing goes…you’re right,guys this is an out-on-the-limb prediction. Why? Because the sixth man seldom reveals himself right away. You can speculate all you want, and that’s what makes it fun, but how soon do people really start talking about the sixth man of the year? This is why…the sixth man is usually someone who is playing for a starting role and cannot get it due to the currently (supposedly) superior skills of the person playing ahead of him. Or the sixth man is someone who accepts the idea of coming off the bench and just providing solid minutes, only he begins to develop his skills so as to maximize his role. My example for the first theory is the first who comes to mind: Ben Gordon. A rookie who needs to prove himself. He progresses slowly at first, and then all of a sudden the light comes on and he is burning the competition. Eventually, he’s outscoring his starting teammates night in and night out. He figures to be a starter this season unless they still want Duhon to man the point with Hinrich at the 2. The second theory example is Donyell Marshall. How many times have we seen him not start on a team? And yet, lead in rebounds and be second or third in scoring. He doesn’t seem to mind not being a starter and usually puts up decent-to-good numbers.

By ray

October 23, 2005 11:00 AM | Link to this

Here’s a few ideas to add to my last post. We all know that Marvin is playing for a starting spot, even though he wouldn’t likely say that he is. Why set a high expectation? Because to expect less is to accomplish less. The point is not necessarily to gain the starting spot this year, although that would be nice, particularly for him, but to maximize his progress and development. He won’t get it first thing unless Josh Smith remains injured. But let’s be honest, Knight didn’t draft him to ride the pine, sixth man or not. If he remains motivated and works hard, he’ll either gain a starting spot, or be the sixth man. On to Stoudamire. With JJ running the point and Lue being his backup/occasional backcourt accomplice, SS would have a serious uphill battle to be a starter, so let’s not go there right now. However, he is also a possible sixth man. His shooting skills are obviously up there, and as aforementioned, he’s fearless. His ability to create his own shot will set him apart, and will help him score in bunches. If he can develop some good ball-handling and passing skills to help his teammates, this will make him a multi-dimensional threat. It’s probably way early, but don’t count out Bautista. This guy can rebound and score some. Continued rebounding and scoring development mixed with a good defensive effort and nasty streak make for a good sixth man. The reason behind this is we don’t seem to lack for shooter/scorer/slasher types. Wouldn’t it be great for the sixth man to be a guy who provides good post defense, offense and rebounding? After all, this is the weakest position right now. And finally, there’s the possibility of Childress. Now I know this doesn’t sound right. I like his game, but say JJ starts running a lot more SG than he does PG. That puts J Chill on the bench for a minute, where he’ll still put up good numbers. In all likelihood, this doesn’t happen, but since we’re going out on a limb….the possibilities are endless.

P.S. WHAT is up with all the impostor stuff? This blog is definitely popular, but that’s ridiculous. By the way, I know an HB Ando post when I see one. He articulates himself well, and the grammatical skills are above reproach. He could easily take Mark Bradley’s job…and should. And Sam’s style? Passionate and Direct. Or should I say, off the chain and provacative? LOL As for Sekou, man much love to you, never seen you talk this much in a blog…refreshing. Doc and Aaron B, you know the deal. I enjoy reading all of your posts. I gotta say Doc, you must be smokin’ the peace pipe to stay so cooled-out. JK LOL!

By Wendell Thomas

October 26, 2005 05:50 PM | Link to this

How can anyone get excited about this team? They are still the worst in the NBA. The preseason has gone just as the regular season went last year. These guys will not play .500 ball. I still can not believe they traded away the future for another average gaurd.