Hawks

By Clyde

April 11, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

The question is can we afford Garnett and Joe Johnson on one team. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY.

By 21298OK

April 11, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

If I remember right, JJ’s contract was pretty well front-loaded, so even though he’ll be expesive next year, it’s not that bad as far as tha actual salary cap goes ($10m ??).

Question is - would the ownership situation prevent the Hawks from obtaining a cornerstone player like Jermaine O’Neal who could shore up our main weakness immediately.

If opportunity knocks will the Hawks be listening? -Saluki Dave

By Greg

April 11, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

Ben Wallace is a free agent and from Alabama, add him and a quality Guard and you got one hell of a team next year.

By vdunkndunk

April 11, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

I’ve been hoping the Hawks target Jermaine O’neal this summer for a couple of reasons.

First, from a practical standpoint there’s reason to do this and also reason to think it could be possible: (1) if JO really becomes available it’s a chance to get a young, athletic, all-star big man (and we should take what we can get in that department); (2) we have young assets, draft picks, expiring contracts, AND cap space (which makes things easier when you’re trading a guy with a huge salary like JO); (3) BK has a relationship with the Pacers as a former employee, so that might help them get a deal done; and (4) JO is from the south and might not mind coming to Atlanta, plus we swept IND this year so maybe he sees some potential in our young team.

Second, from a basketball perspective he’s a young big man who gets respect from the refs, blocks shots, defends his own man, and gives us size and athleticism to battle in the paintthat we just don’t have right now. He’s been a winner and has advanced in the playoffs, and he can play PF or C. My only real concern is his health. (Sure you’d like him to shoot a higher percentage for a big man, etc., but where are we going to find someone better than JO?)

But if you like JO, though, the main question is what it would take to get him and who we would be willing to give up. I would hope that Al Harrington would be the starting point: maybe Al and Marvin, maybe Al and Josh Smith, maybe Al, Childress, and Salim, maybe Al and a pick, etc. What price would you be willing to pay?

Personally, I would try and trade Harrington, Josh Smith (only because we could replace him with Marvin and through this PF-heavy draft), and Salim Stoudamire. Then draft, say, Tyrus Thomas or LaMarcus Aldridge. Then with the mid-level try and resign Jason Terry.

Ideal New Lineup:

G: Jason Terry / Tyronn Lue G: Joe Johnson / Royal Ivey F: Marvin Williams / Josh Childress F: LaMarcus Aldridge / Esteban Batista C: Jermaine O’neal / Zaza Pachulia

That’s a team that could make the playoffs next season and stay together for a long, long time. Within 3 years that team would field multiple all-stars and go deep into the playoffs.

By Tyger

April 11, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

Way ahead of yourself young man, until this ownership fiasco is settled, we’ll be lucky to sign draft picks, no less participate in blockbusters.

By vdunkndunk

April 11, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

P.S. ^I know that’s a lot to give up, but that would be my best offer (and I think it might actually be enough to do the trick). You have to give to get.

By Traceman

April 11, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

I think we could afford O’Neal and even Garnett salary wise. The question is what would we have to part with for the other team to agree to the deal? I would give up a signed and traded Al Harrington and this year’s #1 for either O’Neal or Garnett. We could take back more in salary because we are still under the cap.

By Traceman

April 11, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

I think resigning JT would be out of the question if we get O’Neal or Garnett. He will definitely get more than the MCE on the open market. I’m sure Dallas would offer him more than that to stick around.

As for including Smoove in a deal for Garnett or O’Neal, I don’t know about that. I LOVE Marvin but I don’t know that he has quite the upside of Smoove. I would prefer to trade the pick and keep both Marvin and Smoove but if I had to move one of them, I think it would be Marvin.

By Johnnybravo

April 11, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this

All of you guys are on crack. We aren’t getting Jermaine O’neal.

By Astro Joe

April 11, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

The reason these guys are likely available is because they failed to take their team beyond the “above average” level on a consistent basis. I would submit that it was Reggie Miller and not O’Neil who led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference finals. I’d stay away from AI, I think he would be extremely disruptive on a developing team. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Garnett and O’Neil traded for each other, with Indy throwing in someone like Granger or Tinsley.

Personally, I think this team needs another year of development and maturity before adding in an instant ingredient to propel them to a home-court playoff birth. And one big band-aid sometimes masks the need to address other problem areas on the team. Spend too much on Garnett & O’Neil and you may not be able to find a qaulity PG to pass them the ball (isn’t that what is happening on their current teams?)

By asihd

April 11, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

are you crazy..who the hell are the hawks going to give to get a player like jermaine oneal, or kevin garnet. to start, the pacers are a team that want to go to the playoffs right away with the new aquiston of peja, you got stephan jack at the 2, and jamal at the 1. This team does not need any guards/forwards, and thats all atlanta has, also, the pacers want someone with PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE, which may make al harrington available, but who else would be involved? he’s certainly not good enough for a trade of that copasity.

By Hal

April 11, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe, I understand what you’re saying about using the band-aid theory for a year or two. But the Hawks have been toiling in a horrible rebuild mode for years now. So you sometimes have to take a leap every now and then to try and help the jumpstart. They did the same thing this current season and I think we can see how that turned out. Quite nicely I think.

I agree that we might not need an AI, but we could useal O’Neal or Garnett.

Sekou, I know it’s a dream. But that O’Neal/Johnson combo is nice to look at.

By hawkfromhinesville

April 11, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

the south georgia hawk nation cannot wait until next year…this year was grooming for playoff run….GO HAWKS…RETURN TO 80s GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By David

April 11, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

If I remember correctly…..O’Neal and Harrington are real good friends

By Astro Joe

April 11, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

Hal, I hear you. But I see two differences between O’Neil/Garnett and JJ. JJ publicly claimed he wanted to be here and backed it up by agreeing to the deal. Trading for Garnett or O’Neil means that a top 20 player is forced to a bottom 5 team. That is not an ideal scenario. We all hope that they will rise to the occassion, but in KG’s case, he could be doing that now with his current team (I have personally been disappointed with his lack of leadership the past 2 seasons, especially last year). The other difference is that we already have 1 max player. While many teams have 2 max players, they generally have a well-developed set of role players around them. If our owners want to maintain salaries around $42M and more than half of that is tied up in 2 players, it makes it difficult to do more than sign obscure projects like Edwards and Batista. I much prefer to give some of our youngsters one more year to mature before bringing in a hired gun. And in one more year, this team should be able to go from bottom 3 in the league to hopefully playing within 3-5 games of a playoff spot. That should make the team a little more attractive to a vet player.

By 21298OK

April 11, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

I dunno Astro Joe - once he JO goes to another team he’s gone…waiting another year could be losing out on a real chance.

I’m not saying we could get him but any combo of 1st pick, Al, 1 of MW,JS,JC might do the trick.

I’d like to see a lineup of Zaza, JO, JS, JJ, and the best PG we can get (even if we start the season with TLue it would give us a fighting chance).

By buddy

April 11, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Jermaine O’Neal is that big of a prize. Clearly the absense of the defensive presence that Ron Artest brought is what has precipitated Indiana’s plummet from elite status to also-ran. See also: Sacramento is tied for 7th in the brutal west while Indiana is clinging to 6th in the East. Pass.

By 21298OK

April 11, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Well maybe he’s not worth it - but he sure would fill a SERIOUS need on this club. I personally would be happy to see the Hawks clinging to the 6th seed - this clinging to ping-pong ball counts is getting old.

By Astro Joe

April 11, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this

JO makes $18M next season and it goes up to about $23M in 4 years. That’s $82M for a guy who stayed hurt this year and has yet to prove that he could do anything without Reggie Miller on his team. If a $70M deal for a guy that plays every game tore apart this ownership group, what does an $82M player who just missed 20+ games do?

By AJ

April 11, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

Why fire woody and billy? Because there black? Fire clyde!!!!!!!!!!!

By doc

April 11, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

get real folks. i’m voting along the lines of astro and bursting ballons for o’neal. if o’neal is available from one of the most savvy organizations that is not in apparant financial difficulty then you really have to ponder what is wrong with o’neal and as astro says, do you want to pay all that money to for him over the next four years? this is the same group of bloggers that have been agast at spending “so” much money and “prospective” talent in the form of one draft picks on a guy who has played in over 350 straight games and delivered under duress to the point some have been saying we are riding him too hard. speaking of paradox, whew.

remember, just a few months ago, we were led to believe that the pacers were trading artest because it was now o’neals team. i would be very suspicious that you were going to be taken, even more so than last summer when ALL the point guards were taken as well as the quality free agents therefore you had NO leverage in anything to play your cards with? careful, is all i would say, which i didnt say for the jj thing.

now, for those that would like the experience doing for others join me at a soup kitchen on wednesday mornings for the homeless where you can also enjoy the company of a present day falcon and an retired falcon. flash, you too are welcome to join me to see my truly non-compassionate heart with no bedside manner. like ando with his ego, i did get a rip about that comment a while ago. still got the ando smirk on that one.

for the record kg is more available because of financial reasons as the timberwolves are cash strapped and probably a better deal for the right players or draft picks. you can also look at the seattle and portland rosters for cheaper deals than you would get than from having larry bird, et al steal your shorts for o’neal. just smells too much like potential larceny. sekou you seem to be heading these guys to purgatory. :-)

now, how do you think ray allen would look along side of jj, in the same uniform as josh and marvin with another big guy with zaza and chills hangin around. i think it would hasten marvins game as well as others. it also appears josh smith with his outside shot is now beginning to look a little more like the guy i like now that he has learned to stay in a whole game, sheed. dont think ray wouldnt help that as well?

one problem, where is the bank we can rob to help the spirit pay for all this?

By alex

April 11, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

idk, i think that a team w/JO,KG along with johnson,smith,pachulia,stoudamire,lue,and estaban batista would be a very good team and they would finally bring some respect to the Hawks.Picture this lineup:G,Lue,G,Johnson,F,Smith,F,(Garnett/O’Neal),C,Pachulia.I’m all for the Hawks trying to get a big name to Atlanta as long as he can help them finally win and make it to the playoffs even as a #8 seed

By The Flash

April 11, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this

ahem, I don’t have to remind you guys who it was that months ago said that O’Neal would be available. How he was on the outs with his teammates and management by foreclosing a change of mind about what’s his name. Only thing is, you want O’Neal; you gotta keep Al. Sorry, just the way it is. Said it back then, and I’m saying it now. No Al, no O’Neal. Come on Thinking Man, where’s my props?

By doc

April 11, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

flash, i batted .500 in college. i was a pitcher, who got 2 hits in four years. i once got a double and got back to the dugout and all my coach could say was, “EVEN A BLIND SQUIRREL CAN FIND AN ACORN SOMETIMES!”

sorry, couldnt resist, just having fun dude. now take your props. even better, answer this; would you buy o’neal when you know he is going to try and influence the makeup of the team and might not play as hard ala stevie boy frances does in new york? do you want him?

By The Flash

April 11, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this

I wish I could think of a good comback, doc, a really good one. I’ll wait, pick my spot, don’t worry, you’ll never know what hit you.

To answer your question, I’m not sure but I think I probably would and here’s why. I think Artest got to O’Neal in a big time way. Called O’Neal on O’Neal’s inability to perform in the clutch as the go-to guy, which is no crime, but which O’Neal couldn’t deal with. Probably would have wanted to go after Artest physically but, hell, he ain’t crazy. So, he flexed his muscle in another way that also did not serve him.

I think that, for all O’Neal’s talk about his little brother, Al might actually prove to be the big brother in this instance. That’s why I say, if you want O’Neal, you have to keep Al. Al can assure O’Neal that he will have his rightful place on the top along with JJ and Al, and that someone will have his back. With that, I think that O’Neal will go back to being what he is, a basically fine guy. He might not have the nasty to make him a champion, or permit him to carry a team on his back, but as a major cog along with someone like JJ to be taking his share of the shots down the stretch, I like the guy.

But, I would speak to as many people as I could who really know him before I decided. In the end, that’s why they pay professionals to be GMs, but I really think that this could work, and that Al could be the key.

By doc

April 11, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

so flash, with us cash strapped, probably,though no one has said that, you would then pay big money to al and even bigger money to o’neal in hopes that one or both didnt break down? i see your point and well put but for the hawks i cant see it as a reality to ultimately pay 25 to 30 million or more a year to keep o’neal in the game. a good sports psychologist would be cheaper. also from this, please dont ever say we spent to much on you know who draft choices or not.

yes, i know my time will come, that is the fun of this. since you arent from the south and may not have seen me state it this way, this is what happens in country towns at the “liars table” every morning around coffee. i just get to do it 24 hours a day, if i want, with a guy from where was it, d.c.?

now watch your shorts.

By justin

April 11, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this

That sounds great, but remember….we’re talking about the HAWKS—the same hawks who traded Pau Gasol and Jamaal Tinsley for players I can’t name, and then passed on Andre Iguodala and Chris Duhon in THE SAME DRAFT.

I love the Hawks, but they give me hearburn.

By christopher smith

April 11, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

we NEED to get a big, powerful , and strong center say… BIG BEN WALLACE and then we would be a dominant team to win the NBA championship!!!

By The Flash

April 11, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

Ooh, doc, I’m gonna stay up nights, actually I already do that, I’m gonna stay awake days, and I’m gonna use all my considerable talents, well all my talents, and I will have my revenge.

Without Al, who we probably could not afford also if we were gonna sign O’Neal, as doc has so thoughtfully pointed out, I don’t think I would go after O’Neal. I don’t think that O’Neal would want to come to a place that let his little brother go because of money. Now, would people come out in much bigger numbers to see a team with JJ at 2, O’Neal at 4; ZaZa at 5; Al at 3, to make it economically feasible to offer MW for O’Neal along with either our 1 or JC or SS, which is probably what it would take? Depending on the mix that it actually takes, and, depending on who Ando could come up with as the point with say our 1, I might consider it because as a starting five, we could compete with anyone. I say might, only because we gave away too much for JJ. If we had next year’s one, then I’d definitely do it and we’d have a team that could compete for a championship for several years. But, alas, we gave away that number 1 unnecessarily to Phoenix, who would not have resigned JJ if we had offered Diaw straight up. Then, we’d have another no 1 this year, and 1 next year in a draft that Ando has been pointing out since before all of us were even born is going to be one of the best draft field’s ever.

So, we are screwed and are denied a championship because, yes doc, we gave away the ranch unnecessarily in acquiring JJ. Now, that didn’t take too long, did it my friend. And, I didn’t have to miss a single afternoon constitutional either.

By The Flash

April 11, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this

Doc has an excellent point about the payroll implications which I must say escaped me (see doc, that’s what folks actually do when they make a huge misstake, they admit it and go on, they don’t try to make believe it wasn’t a misstake). But, somehow I feel that our neighbor up North in the big Apple is gonna grab both of those guys somehow and are suddenly going to become very credible.

That said, I’d like Frye for Al. The Knicks would probably also need to unload a big paycheck, I’d take Franchise if we could send him to San Diego and get something valuable in return. I’m not sure I’d take Sam, he’s almost as old as me, but I have to think that, with one half of the pair, SD might be liking Franchise. There might be something there, help me out here Ando. Somebody. That’s what I thought. I’m on my own here, ain’t I. You all are just going to sit and watch me squirm.

Okay, we send Franchise to Portland for my favorite point, Jake. They get a star shooting guard and have Blake and the other Maryland guy to get Franchise out of his funk. We are loaded now and Frye can play the 4 or 3. We move MW for the one-one and take Aldridge, and now have more proven fire power up front along with a true 4/5 with a big upside and keep our payroll down. Who needs your stinkin help anyway. I’ll eat what I kill, and it looks to me that I just killed me a biggin. That the way you say it down South, doc? Yeah, I know, you are more impressed with me now, you don’t have to say it. G-d I love this blog.

By doc

April 11, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this

flash, i like how you spend someone elses money.

so why dont we get either ray allen or ai to fill in the gap and go for it. you can flip flop jj for either one and really, allen gets more than the avg of steals and assists per game so he might be the perfect running partner. we could throw in the draft choices for 2007 through 2009 and chills along with the salim and marvin and get o’neal and one of the guards. then go after a few fill in free agents and our one from this year and the twos for a while and do quite well for a couple of years.

instant credibility.

who needs zeke to spend money for this organization?

By doc

April 11, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this

does anyone know what the problem is with griffin up there in minnesota. he is a guy who is in his fourth year with dwindling time from his first year down to this year. im talking from 26 mpg to 18 mpg this year. if you extrapolate his production he looks to be a legit 9 rpg, 9 ppg and 3 bpg playing 30 minutes a night. he got the chance briefly this year and did well until the trade with boston brought in another guy.

the point is is he a guy who could spell zaza some time and do some dirty work on defense as a rejector? and can he be gotton cheap?

By MBATL

April 11, 2006 09:17 PM | Link to this

Stay sub-mediocre for another year because we’re not good enough to make the really good players happy? Geez!

Money, an athletic young team, and living in “the ATL” (God I hate that cliche’ term) will make Jermaine O’Neal plenty happy.

Hawks are too young now (and I do give credit to many of the players for a good effort, btw). To rely on ANOTHER 21-year-old to get us to the next level? Aldridge (if we even get him) will be another Marvin Williams, which is not bad - just in need of ‘seasoning’ - and will not get us to championship-contention until about the time JJ’s contract is running out.

By hawksnumba1fan

April 11, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

I would trade MARVIN WILLIAMS before I trade J-SMOOVE anyday MARVIN has shown nothing while SMOOVE has. AL and MARVIN might get us ONEAL but hey who knows.

By reese

April 11, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this

Well, if getting J oneil means we have to keep Al. Then, I don’t want J oneil. However, a combination of Josh Smith and Jermaine Oneil would look very nice on the defensive end. But, Josh smith and Kevin Garnett would look much better. That would also make Atlanta look more attractive to Jason Terry. Now a lineup could consist of JT, JJ, JS, KG and Zaza. 2nd string could be Tyronne lue, Josh Childress, draft pick, draft pick, who cares who fills out the rest. If we can’t get JT, then I’m back on the Steve Francis bandwagon.

By The Flash

April 12, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this

Doc, nobody spends there own money, certainly not rich guys. This is America; good Americans always play with other people’s money.

What do you think of my plan B. I kind of like it; think it might work too.

On the lighter side, I figured out the reason for JC’s truly ridiculous way of shooting. He’s shooting with the wrong hand, only he don’t know it. The guy, ladies and gents, is really a lefty. I’d pay him a bonus to work in the off season shooting nothing but lefty. For two months, thousands of shots a day. Beginning really close in, off the backboard, swishes, holding the ball high above his head. Working his way out, trying maybe slightly different positions and styles. After two months, two things will happen. One, he will know if he is truly a righty. Second, his ability to shoot the ball righty in the different ways practiced lefty will have improved dramatically. Then, if he wants to stay with that ridiculous way of shooting, I still think he’s a terrific asset for this team.

By HB Ando

April 12, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this

I’ve been thinking, and talking with friends, for months about the possibility of a lot of big name players trading places this offseason. And while the official reason is they haven’t taken their teams to the promised land, the reality is that ticket sales in towns like Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Boston, etc. have declined due to stagnation. These guys being on the market, if they truly are, is more about revenues than winning. Truth is that all the teams in the league know there are only four or five teams that can compete for the championship. To win it all you’ve got to have the stopper in the middle, and either depth and versatility (SA and Detroit), or two stars (the Shaq and Kobe Lakers). Truth is that 25 teams start the season knowing they can’t win.

This is why I’ve been so hung up on the idea of maintaining a lottery pick in next years’ draft, instead of handing it to Phoenix. I know guys like Astro Joe don’t want to wait four more years, but if you ever want to see the Hawks compete for a championship in the next decade, Oden is the guy that could take them there. And whoever gets him will be competing for championships down the road.

J. O’Neal’s injuries, over the last few years, combined with his onerous contract, leave me uninspired by the risk/reward. The truth is that Aldridge could become O’Neal in the next several years. He has the same lean build O’Neal did when he was that age, is a 4/5 combo, with a soft touch and a defensive identity. So let’s not pay $18 million a year for the risk.

Everyone knows you can’t win with Iverson, but if the Spirit want to sell tickets, he’d be as good a choice as they could find to backcourt with Joe Johnson. Of course he would retard the development of every young player on the team, as he has in Philly for the last 10 years. But he plays with absolute heart and there’s nobody tougher.

Ray Allen plays Johnson’s position, so what’s the point? If Seattle wanted Marvin, the home town boy, I’d send Al, signed and ready to trade, and Marvin, for a re-signed Rashard Lewis and Watson (who’s played tremendously in about 25 minutes per night since arriving there) or Ridnour. Hell, I’d certainly take Wilcox. Lewis is a big X factor in the free agent market, because he can opt out of his contract this off-season. Yet that fact is rarely discussed. If he does, he’ll jump to the head of the free agent class.

And please, will people please get it through there thick skulls that Ben Wallace has made it absolutely clear that he will not be leaving Detroit? He’s said it over and over again. Why would he leave the opportunity for more rings to come to the circus that is the Atlanta Hawks? If outsiders like us know how scattered and disorganized the Hawks ownership and management is, do you really believe that players and their agents don’t? Fact is that there’s not a prominent agent in the league who would recommend to his client that he come to Atlanta, unless we were offering way more money than anyone else and their options were flat limited. If we draft ‘em, or trade for ‘em, they have to come, and we can only hope they take a liking to the town and their teammates, and buy into the idea that this thing will turn around. But given even a couple of alternative options for a new destination, most of the guys we’d like to see here prolly have us on the bottom five of their wish list.

Finally, Flash, I have a different theory on JC’s shooting form. I think his right arm is possessed by aliens. We need to call the Men in Black…………..

I’m out like Stromile Swift’s heart (which I’m guessing he traded in for another Mercedes after he signed with Houston).

By The Flash

April 12, 2006 01:19 AM | Link to this

your theory is as good as mine, Ando man, but I have a plan for progress. Really, try it yourself. Shoot a bunch of short shots with your off hand from layup positions on either side of the basket, using the backboard first and then swishing. Make five from each position without hitting the rim. Then in front. Then shot with your strong hand. See if there’s been any improvement. It is really quite an effective way to make progress with shooting.

I tried it with golf. Bought myself a lefty seven iron. Was sure it would work. Almost broke by g-d damn wrists. Everything has it’s limits.

By Steve B.

April 12, 2006 01:20 AM | Link to this

1rst P.Babcock was the GM when we traded P.Gasol to the Grizz who’s GM was Billy Knight. 2nd no racial slurs, Clyde says the same thing every day and although I don’t agree with Clyde and wish he would stop no race slurs lets keep it Basket Ball. 3rd To trade Smoove right now would be stupid, stop hating this guys going to be an all-star(soon may be 2007). 4th If the Hawks are going to put fans in the seats Iverson is the guy to go after. Like him or not( most Basket ball fans LOVE him)the guy gives his all on the court every time he’s on the court.He can breath life into A team with his boundless energy.If they want to make the play-offs and advance past the 1rst and 2nd round in 2007 KG is the guy. He leads his team in every way possible, This is 1 of only 3 guys in the NBA who plays as hard as AI(best little man ever)and Kobe(I want to be MIKE)every night. He’s a first ballot hall of famer and it’s time to give him his due. He knows better than any one else in the NBA what D.Wilkins went thru with the HAWKS. Being one of the top 5 players and only having 1 real chance with a supporting cast good enough to win it all. If they want to make the best long term it’s O’Neal. He’ll only be 28 when the season starts and can give you 20pts 10rebs and 2blks every night. If we get one of the top three picks it would be unwise to trade it. Out side of that we could trade it. If we have A top 3 pick it should be Al,Marvin(only if the HAWKS know he’ll never be able to play PF) and Salim for KG/AI/JO.If we don’t have a top 3 pick our#1, Al and Salim(if Al agrees to any of this he is an UFA) for KG/AI/JO. O’Neal will be the one who will be moved, the PACERS won games with out him and Granger is ready to take his place( have you seen this Kid a lot of teams slipped on him). Iverson will be hard to move because the fans LOVE him. KG same problem plus Minn knows this guy is one of the top 5 players in the NBA on every one’s list. Look for KG in LA, CHI, or NY they have more to offer and will bite the bullet and over pay for him. My guess KG in LA or sleeper PHI.IF this happens AI will stay in Philly. O’Neal should be the target.

By Steve B.

April 12, 2006 01:31 AM | Link to this

STOP with the gave up to much for JJ. You think we did, I think he’s proving you wrong, but we can AGREE TO DISSAGREE. To bring it up everyday makes no sense. Me, you, Ando, and countless others have argued and hammerd this thing to def along with Chris Paul. Can we stick to the topic one day and let the past be the past

By tb

April 12, 2006 01:34 AM | Link to this

There is no way the Hawks are going to keep their team weak and make a run at the worst record in an attempt to get lucky enought o get the #1 pick.

That is the kind of thinking that kills franchises. it is actually the worst suggestion on the blog.

The Hawks are on a pace for about 35-40 wins next year. They should get another talented pick this year. Plus Smoove, Marvin, JJ, Zaza, Chil, Batista and whoever they get for Al. Slim needs to develop more as does Batista.

Point is that the Hawks achieved (will) about the best expectations in improvement, they have tremendously improved the upside of the franchise with the young talent and good cap situation and they get another top pick and something for Al.

Ando your insane plan to “retard” the development of the team for two years (this and next) to only have a crap shoot chance at Oden is absurd.

By robert gillispee

April 12, 2006 07:10 AM | Link to this

The hawks will never be a winner as long as they have the same GM and owners.

By p

April 12, 2006 07:53 AM | Link to this

LOL, what a joke. we still have the worst GM-head coach combination in the league. what decent player is going to want to play here.

Isn’t this the same foolishness we’ve been hearing for the last 15 year? wait until next year.

there are two things you can count on in atlanta every year. 1. the hawks will over-pay another mid-talent FA, and 2. the hawks draft the worst possible player available in the alloted draft slot.

By buddy

April 12, 2006 07:54 AM | Link to this

The only idea that I like that’s been talked about in hypothetical terms is the sign and trade to send Al to NY for Channing Frye. Someone else would have to be included but we’re not about to take on the bad contracts of Francis or Steph.

This team is being built, in my view, the right way. That is, through the draft and key free agent acquisitions. JJ is a bona fide star and I remember somebody calling BK a “draft guru” after Diaw started having his breakout year with Phoenix. Getting JJ shows me that BK is a “talent evaluation guru” because not only is JJ a star-calibre scorer but he gets his teammates involved as well.

Meanwhile Josh Smith is developing into an absolute monster. As bad as the Hawks have been this year, they’ve gotten their young guys alot of experience and I see it paying off majorly in the coming seasons. The last thing we need to do is take this team that’s been so carefully constructed and developed and throw some overpaid malcontent into the mix to completely blow the chemistry.

By EdoRiver

April 12, 2006 07:56 AM | Link to this

Astro Joe, don’t waste your time arguing with some of these………folks, But if you and Sekou and one or two others want to start your own SUBSCRIPTION based bball discussion, I’ll sign up (cheap, though!)

The only thing worse that people who argue with you without a clue, are the NEGATIVE hair brains. They don’t know basketball, their specialty is complaining about what can’t or shouldn’t be changed yet.

By buddy

April 12, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this

“LOL, what a joke. we still have the worst GM-head coach combination in the league. what decent player is going to want to play here.”

Say it with me now, P…

Joe Johnson is a Hawk

Joe Johnson is a Hawk

Joe Johnson is a Hawk

…and the reason that is so significant is now that one superstar has signed on to help turn around this moribund franchise, the possibility is very alive that another star calibre player could be next.

By doc

April 12, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

ando, i hope by now you might have picked up on the facetious nature regarding allen or anyone of that nature that is a big name that might have two good years in him on a five year contract coming to the hawks. i think they tried it a few years back so you can say been there done that. but you talk about getting things stirred up, that type of transaction would. that is what the philadelphia, bostons and indianas hope for as well as get rid of some problem children.

last year was the year to get allen or a redd etc. and they were gone by the time the collective bargain was played out. ultimately, the collective bargain issue was a big hurdle for a team like the hawks that needed bodies. like you said you draft first and then think you can fill in with free agents. i thing that bk was thinking along those lines last year, yeah the same as you. in spite of some brothers bloggin i dont think bk or anyone knew exactly who they could get two months after the draft. they didnt have jj in their pocket in june when they drafted.

jj was the make do point for this year at a tremendous cost but without him where would we be. he kind of admitted that last week in the interview you have referenced, it is what i have stated was the plan all year long. face it he was all there was left. but bk has been left at the alter so to speak with some of his efforts, as they havent panned out.

hope you are still with me flash because i think you forgot how the draft sequnce, cba and final time period to sign fell out last year.

i know the other side is now we got problems next year with the draft but drafts are pure speculation. rant all you want but our rants would have been worse if we had to watch a team flounder with about ten victories this year as that is what jj represented to us. sekou would have been paying us to blog. admit it last year was unusual for free agency because for most of the signing period no one knew if there was going to be a season or when, until labor matters were solved and it was pretty contentious if i remember correctly. all of what we say is with the retrospectoscope, with that gadget i was the smartest doctor in the world in spite of flash’s opinion of me.

i wholeheartedly agree there are some financial issues in the league and a huge driving force. if paul allen is about to bankrupt his team to get out of a deal in portland and claiming poverty and being one of the richest men this side of bill gates we all have a problem. there could be some interesting movement this year but i imagine it will be among the haves and not for the have nots which includes the hawks.

unfortunately even with the salary “cap” basketball really doesnt have one, if teams can go over by what 150% and not blink, kind of like baseball. hate to be pessimistic but i have often gone back to what really makes these guys tick is the bottom dollar, after all they are where they are because they play that game a lot better than we do. after all we spend discretionary dollars on their lousy product and spend time here bemoaning their stupidity. see thee paradox dude? yeah, i know you do.

By Basketball Princess

April 12, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

Ok so like we all agree that the draft is gonna be heavy next year. so, can we just concentrate soley on landing a big guy, and building up our depth. Cuz that has been a problem this season is a few injury’s has stopped us from maybe getting a few more wins than what we have.

So why not get our depth game up and bring in the two guys from Wake Forest. Justin Gray, and Chris Ellis. Justin aint the most hyped but this kid has talent, and heart. He’d be a great addition to provide depth in the 1 and 2 and we could use Salim in one of our many deals that we’ve been cooking up on this blog, drop Edwards and bring in CE0 (Chris Ellis)who has a wide big body that’s ready for the NBA, agressive, rebounds, block shots, and has a decent out-side game. He can knock down shots, great 3 point and free-throw shooter shooter. CEO could give ya 10-15 min a game. Besides he’s from the ATL and I’m sure his father’ll be able to give him some valuable pointers (Dale Ellis).

None of yall will agree but I bet Justin gray is going to make some team happy to have em. Why can’t it be us?

I stick to the depth projection end as to not give up my Sekou’s Mock draft choices.

By Astro Joe

April 12, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

Ando, I’m just playing the odds. And my odds say that losing 55 games next season does not guarantee us anything. We have a VERY recent example, the 04-05 season. We lost 59 games and still didn’t get the top pick. This year, we will likely lose another 55+ games and once again, we are guaranteed nothing. What if? What if we are beginning to see a rebirth of college basketball? What if Ohio State loses next year in the regional finals and misses the Final Four? Does Ogden decide to return and take anoher shot at the Final Four? Does Noah decide to be the basketball version of Matt Leinert and stay for his senior year? Does UNC beat the heck out of Duke and McRoberts decides to stay for his junior season to get revenge? Bottom line, too many questions and too many unknowns. A plan to draft a superstar is simply too risky. And of course, this assumes that these guys are sure-fired things (aren’t we still waiting on Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler and Eddie Curry to do anything). I’m glad Noah is staying, because I have great concerns about drafting a player in the top 3 who had 3 very good months of ball. (See Pervis Ellison).

Any who, I still think that we need to focus on a 38-win season next year, stay within 3-5 games of a playoff birth and then make a bold move through a trade or free agency to take us over the hump the following season. Basically, I believe we should be 2 seasons away from a 6th or 7th playoff seed. Let’s crawl before we walk. I’ll take the recent Sacramento/Dallas run, about 5-8 years of solid basketball without a trip to the Finals in a heartbeat. Sure I want a title, but I will settle for a relevant NBA team in my home town.

By Ryder

April 12, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Offer up to Indiana Al Harrington and either Josh Smith or Marvin Williams with the number one pick for this year for Jermaine O’Neal and watch Atlanta dominate to the playoffs next year.

By Sims

April 12, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this

There aren’t enough basketballs on this team for Iverson. Say what you want about his heart, it’s his head that I’m concerned with. There is no way all of our young talent will grow with Iverson taking every shot he gets his hands on. Now KG or O’Neal, though it seems somewhat unlikely, would be perfect fits for our team. The only problem being if KG doesn’t want to play for the Wolves, why would he want to come to Atlanta?

By Basketball Princess

April 12, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

Ok, so King Ando, Big Willy DOC, Sto’, who has a team with the most missing pieces other than us that would seem to do bad next year. Can’t we just do some sort of trading for that teams #1. Or do they not do that? Oh wait 1-3 is always protectd right?

By Ryder

April 12, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

As much as I enjoy AI, we have a two guard who can distribute and is 5 years younger in JJ. KG would be a great pickup however he may come with too big a price tag. The best solution is O’Neal, and I would give up the first round pick in a second. This team already has a young nucleus and with our guard rotation (JJ< Salim, Childress, Lue/Ivey) along with Zaza and Marvin or Smith, Atlanta desperately needs a veteran big presence who knows how to win.

By Ryder

April 12, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

As much as I enjoy AI, we have a two guard who can distribute and is 5 years younger in JJ. KG would be a great pickup however he may come with too big a price tag. The best solution is O’Neal, and I would give up the first round pick in a second. This team already has a young nucleus and with our guard rotation (JJ< Salim, Childress, Lue/Ivey) along with Zaza and Marvin or Smith, Atlanta desperately needs a veteran big presence who knows how to win. We have the salary cap to do it too, so git er dunn.

By doc

April 12, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

im in the astro camp on this one. it is simple. you cant plan for the number one in next years 2007 draft. most teams have either lucked into it or because of their potential revenues the league sets them up for it, in the past. to plan for the draft next year is a fools play. after all the pistons didnt do it that way, the bulls didnt do it that way until the tried it after mj left and it didnt get them far as they put all their eggs into the twin towers and failed to make significant progress. the engine for the great teams is the point. dont think jabbar was able to do it without the service of magic.

now what you can do is maybe what some teams have done is to find a “serious” injury in a player and inactivate him for most of the year to position yourself to hope for the ball to fall your way then the next year reactivate everyone to play up to your potential. that is a longshot and decided about a quarter way through when things are falling that way. think the lakers didnt throw a few to avoid giving up the number one to us last year. they wont admit it but putting the right coach in to do it helped and disguised it well along with “injuries”.

what is needed for this team is what ando has dreamed about, a point guard to compete at the highest level. a big man by himself wont get you there. the next step after the serious point guard with a capable backup is a big body or two to give you 25-30 a game with a serious threat or two. then what is necessary is a quality mix of seven players with a few that can give serious minutes. that is the formula that i think will win consistantly. look to the big picture, the formula, then get the pieces, you cant do it the other way around.

as far as getting the first next year, other teams are doing it too, so you cant win that game without serious luck. well maybe keeping status quo and the ownership issue would help and give us plenty of fodder to work with next year.

ill stick to a formula and fill in the pieces but get the point now and we dont get to the number one next year. ando, you will need to decide the best way to make the team bad next year for your boy odum, then wait four years to mature and then by then the team will not be the same. im getting older, it has been fifty years of hawks for me as i pulled for the underdogs which petit was to the celts in my day, have mercy on the old man. :-)

By Boheezy

April 12, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this

Question? Has anybody thought about the Hawks givng Jay Williams a shot at the point? He would be a low cost experiment if he doesn’t work. But we all know what this guy is capable of doing in the league.

By doc

April 12, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

jay, still isnt ready and is training with lucas in houston to try and get back some more strength mobilty and quickness. this is after he went to l.a. to get with a trainer there. after his injury he is blessed to have two feet to walk on much less play nba basketball. hope he can be a consideration but medically speaking he is one of the most serious longshots. he literally had to relearn to walk.

william andrews did it, so it can be done, but he never got back all the way and once he did didnt stay long. i imagine the stop and start of the nba is much more deleterious to the knee than the ususal straight ahead style of football.

By Boheezy

April 12, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

True, true. I was just reading where the Knicks were looking at giving him a workout and thought, why not us. If he regains everything, it’ll be a tremendous pick up. Knowing the knicks though they’ll overpay for him and keep in onthe bench with all those PG’s they have.

By HB Ando

April 12, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

Guys, I’m not saying we should tank. I’m not saying it’s realistic to draft Oden. I’m not saying it’s a sure thing he’ll come out. It’s fantasy. What I am saying is that he WILL be the next great big man in the history of the NBA. And the team that gets him will have a more realistic shot at championships than the Atlanta Hawks over the next ten years. I didn’t hear anyone argue with my position that there aren’t more than five teams who enter an NBA season with realistic hopes of a championship.

And for those of you who think teams don’t tank in the NBA, please refer to the T’Wolves, who just took a 3 game road trip with KG and Davis, attracting the attention of the league. Seems that their first rounder is top-10 protected and they don’t need to win anymore games less they end up with the 11th pick. I know many want to believe that it’s all about the competition, but pro sports is big business.

This team must commit to significant upgrades in the offseason. If they do not, they will be a lottery team again, and their pick will go to Phoenix. It’s up to them whether they want to mitigate the final price tag for Joe Johnson and do this thing right. Like I’ve said before, by the end of the summer, it will be abundently clear which direction this franchise is heading. Projections of another 10-15 wins, in absence of substantial upgrades and financial commitment by the owners, are just folly. Till then, we’re all just taking turns listening to ourselves speak.

BTW, Flash, if you call the Men in Black about the alien residing in Chill’s shooting arm, send them my way. I think there’s an alien in my pants………….

By The Flash

April 12, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

Doc, I think you are extremely insightful and have every confidence in your competence, except that when it comes to basketball, you’re just in the wrong business. Not.

It’s just that you are so in the bag for BK that you are blind to the reality that there was absolutely no chance that Phoenix would have matched; they would have been glad to do the deal for Diaw straight up. They were not going 70 large for JJ who did nothing to help them where they really needed it—inside. Period.

And, this business about not being able to take the risk, nonsense. First, there was no risk (see what I just said). In addition what they obviously correctly saw in Diaw, they had other outside shooters lined up who have filled the JJ role for them just fine.

Some risks in life you have to take. WC Fields routine comes to mine:

WC: My uncle, Irvingham Hoofninkle took a chance. He went up 500 feet in a hot air balloon and took a chance on litting on a bale of hay.

WC in another voice: Well, Did he make it?

WC: No he didn’t. But, had he been a younger man, he might have made it. And, that’s the point, don’t wait too long in life before you take a chance.

Sorry, BK goofed big time.

By HB Ando

April 12, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

See, Flash has hit on a good point here, which I tried to underscore in the last day or so. Very few players in the NBA are so unique as to not be replaceable. Interchangeable parts. Maybe, in the case of Johnson and Phoenix, the Suns used two players to make up for the things Johnson provided them (Bell for 3’s and Diaw for versatility and defense at the 3). But good franchises have a plan when they delete a player. The problem with this team is that the plan always seems hard to pin down.

OK, give Billy his props on drafting Smith. But who wouldn’t have. Me and my friends were screaming for that pick. He’s from Atlanta, home of the empy arena. He was the obvious choice at 17 two years ago. Knight would have been a moron NOT to have chosen him. Johnson was a smart signing. But he gave up something he didn’t have to (but I understand why now, and it wasn’t hoops related as much as ownership related). Again, if you believe in Knight, then this summer will either define his skills, or confirm that his hands are tied by the financial situations emanating from the legal tussle.

Look, even I have to believe that no one could choose to leave this roster unaddressed all season and still keep a GM’s job, unless it was out of their hands. Nobody can be that bad, can they?

By Astro Joe

April 12, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

Ando, no one could be that bad and keep a job unless his boss knew that they were responsible for setting up the employee for failure. You can’t declare the employee incompetent and leave the employee’s boss blameless.

And Jameer Nelson was the “logical” selection at number 17 in my mind, not Josh Smith, especially when he had just drafted Childress. I was screaming, “draft the little man with the big heart & big game experience”. I was personally shocked that he went with a high schooler (who had most recently played in Virginia).

By Traceman

April 12, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Ando, I agree with a lot of your proposals but I STRONGLY disagree with your proposal to trade Al and Marvin for Lewis and Watson. First of all, Lewis may be a LITTLE better than Al but certainly not a lot better. In addition, Lewis is even less of a PF than Al. He doesn’t rebound, pass or defend even as well as Al does. He is defintely a better shooter though. Still, he is a SF and we already have Smoove, Marvin and Chillz who need minutes there. As for Watson, he is solid but BK has had NUMEROUS opportunities to acquire him and none of them would have required him giving up a player of Marvin’s caliber. He likely could have signed him outright as a FA and apparently, he could have traded Al for Watson and Nene before the deadline. Why would he then turn around and basically trade our number 2 overall pick for a journeyman PG? Sorry, but I can’t go with you on that one.

In my opinion, any trade of Al that does not result in us getting a Center, a PG or a “true” PF is a mistake. Of course if we could get a superstar for Al, it doesn’t matter what position he plays.

By HB Ando

April 12, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

Trace, you’re right. I’m just tossing stuff out, given some of the absurd things others have suggested. I disagree with your assessment of Lewis, but only in that he’s a pure 3. As a premier 3 point shooter and legitimate scorer in the league, I was just envisioning a small lineup of Johnson at the 2, Lewis at the 3 and Josh at the four. None of this is meant to take away from the obvious need for a boards and blocks guy at the four. It’s just that I’ve, and everyone else, said that so many times in the last 7 months here, that sometimes you just want to play with some more obscure ideas. More stream of consciousness than anything.

I still think Watson is a better player than Knight, and many others, is willing to admit. And I’d have done Al for Watson and Nene in a heart beat, because I don’t think what we’ll end up getting for Al, if we even get anything, will be as good. And I still think if we can’t get a starter at either the 4 or 1 for Al, we need to try and get a 2007 first rounder, from a team with the best chance at struggling next year that’s Al’s willing to play for (I still think Chicago could underperform next season, and I think the Knicks will still be bad because I don’t think other teams are going to line up to take their bad contracts and bad attitudes), to replace the first we’re likely giving to Phoenix.

There’s immediate needs, and there’s building for the long haul. If you can’t get one for Al, you’ve got to get the other. Just letting him go, to create a little extra cap space still begs the question of who’s going to want to race to the head of the “sign with the Hawks” line. And if you think that relying on ping pong balls to secure our future is a risky proposition, see how long you live holding your breath waiting for a top free agent to land here.

Now I’ve stayed out of the KG conversation, except to say that I don’t think Taylor would trade him to any team he didn’t want to go to. And I believe that as solidly as is possible. But if they were going to trade him, I do think a package of a re-signed Al, Josh or Marvin, and our pick in this years’ draft, would be as good as any package that a team could offer, from an upside standpoint. Then sign Terry or James, and add them to a lineup of Johnson, Marvin or Josh (whichever you didn’t trade), Garnett and Zaza. Sign Nene as well. You’ve now got a full cap, but you also have a sold out arena and a viable roster for competing in the East. Since Marvin, Josh and Zaza all come cheap, you’ve tied 20 milllion in KG, 8ish in your PG and 10 in Johnson. That keeps you at around 50 million, without the free agent forward, but draft Davis in the second round, or beat the bushes for a viable backup in the post. You’d only have to sell KG on the beleif that this lineup could compete in the East instantly. KG comes and the PG of choice is a done deal. Works on paper, but I don’t think anyone really trusts this ownership situation enough for guys like KG to be willing to roll the dice. Again, we’re just playing fantasy “what if” now.

By Basketball Princess

April 12, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

OH, SO I”M BEING IGNORED??????

I DON’T LIKE BEING INGNORED! SO DO YALL REALLY FEEL LIKE i AINT GOT NUTHIN TO SAY THAT YOU IGNORE ME?

FINE THEN WON’T GIVE YALL THE INFO ON MY 20 MIN INTERVIEW THAT I JUST HAD WITH BEN GORDON.

OR ON THE TURNER SALE TO FOX.

By Steve B.

April 12, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Astro’s right, not many of you cheered the J.Smith pick( and I know because my cheers got covered up by boo’s when they picked him). Every one thought the HAWKS were going with J.Nelson. It’s ok not to like Billy, It’s not ok to take credit away from him by saying J.Smith was the obvius choice. I guess it’s back to the JJ thing. From now on lets try facts not your opinion. FACT PHX offered JJ 60 million. FACT the MVP Steve Nash wanted JJ in PHX and stated openly how important JJ was to the team and was p** when the trade went to the HAWKS. Fact PHX traded Q.Richardson for K.Thomas before the JJ trade to get bigger inside( to cover their weakness). FACT PHX signed Bell after they had already come to an agreement with the HAWKS. FACT No GM in the NBA now or then would trade JJ striaght up for Diaw. FACT Diaw sucked in ATL. If you guys don’t like giving up the 2nd of the 1rst round picks ok, but to say we could have got the trade for Diaw straight up stop fooling your self. When one of you guys comes back with facts to support your opinion cool, but untill then your p** in the wind and you know it.

By Steve B.

April 12, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

Contrary to popular thinking Iverson dose not lead the NBA in fg att. or fg att. per game. He’s 2 shots behind Kobe and 2 shots infront of Lebron James per game and I don’t hear any one saying they shoot to much. This is an example of media molding the public saying he takes to many shots( check the espn stats I’m accurate).He also gets to the line 11.4 times a game and gets 7 plus assist.His misses arn’t bad misses because he drives to the hoop alot and draws attention, it free’s up teamates for easy offensive rebounds and put backs. J.Smith and ZA ZA would clean up. The reason it’s not working in Philly is Webber is not the athlete he once was and Kover is not a rebounder. If the rumors are true and they do get KG watch how quickley things change.Who ever said you can’t win with this guy he got to the NBA finals. When Larry Brown coaches a team he brings in all vets so if you don’t win it all in a two -three year period you get old and have to rebuild. See IND after he left they had the trade to bring in J.Oneal and it took a couple of years, see the Clippers, he got lucky in DET. they are still young.

By Astro Joe

April 12, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

What’s wrong with Eddie Griffin? Not sure but just read where the T’wolves want him to get corrective eye surgery. I’d love to see him in a Hawks uniform next year.

I’d also suggest that we monitor Stromile Swift for the remainder of the season with both Yao and McGrady out. I’m not expecting 25-15 games, but I do expect some 12-10-3 block games.

By The Flash

April 12, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this

Fact: Diaw is contributing more to Ph than JJ could have.

Fact: Everybody knew Diaw was way underachieving in Atlanta.

Fact: 60m is, hello, 10m less than 70m; we are talking MILLIONS here Stevie boy

Fact: We have no idea that the supposed 60m was in real dollars as opposed to deferred income (I’ll bet you a nickle that JJ would have been collecting most of it from a retirement home somewhere);

Fact: Had Phoenix matched that would have had a significantly less successful season;

Fact: That other guy you mentioned could not tie Diaw’s shoelaces on either end;

Fact: If you miss on JJ, where would you be right now? That’s right Stevie boy, 70m more in your pocket; maybe Diaw develops here and you’ve got what you thought you had in the first place; the prized no. 1 Ando so covets; you can sign O’Neal; have another no. 1 this year to dangle with someone for a point; you sign Roy and you got your big 2 scorer/shooter/rebounder poster boy for next to nothing. I could go on, but Stevie boy, all I can say is YOU ARE AN IDIOT. We have lived through a painful season; so, if it had been a little more painful, we sir, would be in the catbird seat of the ENTIRE LEAGUE. Boy that was risky, now wasn’t it!

By A Thinking Fan

April 12, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

Flash & Steve B.* WOW! Talk about *anal… Blab Blab Blab on JJ, Diaw, Phx -GET IT A BREAK - WHO CARES ANYMORE!!!

By cowa

April 12, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

Well, I haven’t posted since the trade deadline passed and I went into hibernation. But I’ve still been keeping up with the blogs. Ando’s right, Oden is the next “man”. I was begging for him myself, but they’re are a lot of guys in the top 8 picks next year that could be considered cornerstone guys to build your franchise around. Oden is probably the only one of the high school bunch that may stay in school after his freshman year, as he has always said he was going to college even before the age limit. The kid has a solid head on his shoulders.

I was trumpeting the Darko/Arroyo trade before the deadline and before Orlando pulled the trigger. Now, I’m going to throw out a new name that I haven’t seen on these posts yet. What about Baron Davis? If healthy (and I know that’s a big if), he is exactly the type of PG that the Hawks need from a playing standpoint. Yeah, he has issues, both physically and mentally at times, but the guy can lead, shoot, lock down on D, and could possibly form the best backcourt in the league with JJ. He’s on the outs with Golden State right now, and I’m sure they would love to move his salary off the books at about $13M per. We could involve Isiah to make it a 3-way. Send Al and some filler to NY, NY sends Stevie Franchise to GS, and GS send Davis to ATL. We could probably get a draft pick out of this from Isiah as well, as I think he would love to get rid of Franchise for Al. Could win for everybody.

Now we still need the two bigs, but again, I agree with Ando, where is the “true 4” going to play with both Josh and Marvin there? That being said, I think you can either draft one of the bigs with the top 6 pick (Aldridge, Bargnani, Thomas, Noah if he comes out), or preferably, trade down and pick up a young back-up PG and a 1st rounder in the 8-15 range. What we need are bigs who can play both the 4 and 5, which I think everyone but Noah would have a hard time doing (I feel Aldridge is a “true 4”). The guys I feel would be better fits would be O’Bryant, or possibly this guy Saer Sene. Splitter wouldn’t be bad, but I don’t think he could play the 5. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Horford come our way if he comes out, even though he is a “true 4” as well, as his body is ready for the NBA. In the second round, it’s a crap shoot, so take a big guy as well, whoever happens to be there.

From free agency, assuming the above happens, targets should be a “past their prime” big man who can teach the youngsters how to rebound and play D. The ideal big man would be someone like Antonio Davis, but he’s not coming here. We’ll probably end up with Lorenzen Wright, as he will be cheap. I also like Banks at the point, but now that he’s had a taste of being a starter, I doubt we’d get him. Not much else out there this year that I’d want to spend money on.

This would leave a team of PG Baron Davis, SG JJ, SF JSmoove, PF Marvin, C Zaza (who really needs to be a back-up long term), and a bench of Salim, JChill, Lorenzen Wright, 2 bigs from draft and possibly a young PG from another team. And, it keeps lots of salary cap room going forward to resign these young guys down the road.

Lastly, Princess, I’ll bite. Tell us what you know!

By The Flash

April 12, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

Right as rain agin, Thinking Man, but Doc started it and then Stevie B joined in. Now, I restrained my self with the good doctor because well, he’s the good doctor, but Stevie B, how could you expect me to hold back. I mean, we’re talking red meat here. I’ll try to do better the next time (yeah right).

By Astro Joe

April 12, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

Ando, you may have missed that as part of the Eddie Curry trade, Chicago has the right to swicth draft pciks with the Knicks in ‘07. So if the Knicks have the 1st pick and Chicago has the 18th selection, Zeke Thomas has agreed to allow Paxton to switch and the Bulls get the 1st spot. So Chicago could potentially get a top 3 pick in ‘06 and ‘07 for Curry. No team will trade for the Knicks pick just to potentially end up with Chicago’s choice. If we get a Knick pick for Al, its best to target ‘08.

By Kappy

April 12, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Guys, as much as i like the idea of getting KG, we already have him. His name is Marvin. And any talk about trading this guy is foolish. He’s 19!!!!!! Give the kid a break. He’s KG and O’Neal all wrapped into one. Remember how many years O’Neal rode Portland’s bench before he developed?

At first, I was excited to get a big name, AI, O’Neal, or KG. But the more i think about it, the more i think the hawks dont need that. Like we’ve all been saying on here for awhile, they desperately need a point guard who penetrates, and 2 bigs.

By Steve B.

April 12, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

I tried to avoid calling you the IDIOT that you are but you just proved what a DUMB A* you are FLASH. I told you to come back with FACTS you came back with more of your IDIOT thinking. JJ is giving the HAWKS a lot more than Boris is giving PHX. Compare what Boris gave the HAWKS last year to what JJ is giving the HAWKS this Year. JJ is +15pts,+1.5 reb,+3.9asst, and + 11 wins, over what Boris gave us. All the time being the guy that’s doubled and teams knowing he’s the guy they have to stop. Boris is a role player playing under no double teams. The only FACT that you have proven is that your waste comes out of your mouth instead of your a*.

By Basketball Princess

April 12, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

This should be a good game tonight. See ya’ll there. Chicago still trying to chase the play off train. Trust me this will be a good one!

By The flash

April 12, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Stevie boy, stick it.

By Ken S.

April 12, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this

I’ve been reading the numereous trade suggestions to acquire J. O’neal. Try my suggestion on for size. Trade Zaza and Edwards(getting rid of his contract)for O’neal. If that’s not enough, we can also swap 1st round draft picks or add another player to the mix like Ivey. If they accept either combination, we would have O’neal while retaining a 1st round pick. We could then do a sign and trade to Portland for one of their 3 young PG’s. This would leave all of our young talent intact. Because all of our forwards are better rebounders/athletes than anything the Pacers have, O’neal will have a greater overall impact. This is my projected starting lineup; O’neal, both Joshes, JJ and sign and trade PG. BENCH; Lue, Salim, Williams, D. Smith, 2 DP’S and FA big man.

By Traceman

April 13, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

Ken, I can’t imagine we get JO for Zaza, Edwards and our first. There is NO way Indy would swap firsts with us in the deal. I’m not even sure that Al and and our first will be enough to get O’Neal.