Hawks

By HB Ando

April 24, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

After pondering all the points you’ve made today, my primary response is:

Do you need someone to carry your bags while you’re in South Beach? Maybe a bodyguard to keep all those sportswriter groupies off your back (or front)? An intern (not Monica L. style, mind you)? Somebody to say all the things you’d like to about Billy and the Hawks, but can’t? I AM YOUR MAN, SS!!!!!

Seriously.

Elton Brand, my darkhorse for MVP! Why can’t this guy get more love on that subject. Everytime I hear somebody on this blog say we need someone over 6’10 inside, I think of Brand and smile. It’s all about heart and wingspan, baby.

How much money is Diop signed for? $6 million? Is Dampier 12 times better than the young man. I remember telling Levenson, early in the season when he was pretending he cares what we think, that at least he could be happy that Dampier turned Billy down. He said that Dampier in Atlanta was never going to happen. Riiiiigghhhhht.

Gasol would have had to have been at 150% for the Grizz to make noise here. Unfortuneatly, that’s literally impossible, AND, he’s at half that. Plus, these are you’re Great Aunt Nellie’s Mav’s, baby. The Little General has put his stamp on this squad, and they play with heart. It’s the Mavs, not the Suns, who are most likely to unseat San Antonio.

How about the slow rebirth of what Kwame Brown will actually be as an NBA player. Dude is not going to be a star. Never. But he’s learning to take advantage of what tools he has, to be a serviceable big man, and he’s playing hard. If the Lakers nut up and beat the Suns, he’ll be as responsible as anyone in LA for the upset.

Have to admit, I had my own agenda with the situation in New Jersey. They needed a big man before the all-star break worse than we did. And they couldn’t get one either. Never wanted to make too much of a point, because I liked ripping Billy too much to give him the pass, based on the comparable needs of both teams. But where things do relate to us, does anyone really think that, offered the same money, any young, free agent big man will choose to come to Atlanta for a rebuild, versus signing with New Jersey this summer to play with Kidd, Carter and Jefferson, and compete immediately for the Eastern Conference title? Doubt it very seriously.

And finally, how does Ron get a one-game vacation for doing the same thing to Mano that Mano did to him at the beginning of the game. Ron got 3 stiches in his lip and an unpaid leave of absence? Think anybody in the NBA front office is wearing an Artest throw back jersey from Indiana? Who says the league can’t hold a grudge?

I’m out like Al Harrington in a Hawks uniform next season……..

By HB Ando

April 24, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, Lebron; Buddy of mine likes to wager on games, asked me about Cleveland and Washington before game 1. I said all he had to know was that he was about to witness the first of a decade of playoffs where LeBron James shows the world why he will retire as one of the top three players to ever play the game. More so than any other player, ever, LeBron is a prodigy in the truest sense. He was born to be a basketball star. And he gives no signs of Bondsian type of personality flaws that makes appreciating his greatness that much harder. He is pure joy to watch. And he is the single best reminder of the way basketball should be played, at the highest level. Wow.

By Astro Joe

April 24, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

Nash is very similar to Kidd from a few years ago, when he is allowed to be a more traditional PG, his team wins. When you take away his primary options and require him to score, his team loses. When JJ was out during that playoff stretch last year, Nash scored a bunch of points and the Suns lost. The problem, of course, is that he has sooo many weapons this year.

LeBron may very well average a triple double against the Wizards and then he may average 50 points against the Pistons. But of course, the Pistons will win in five short games. Their philosophy of let one guy score and hold everyone else down was how they beat LA a few years back. Shaq scored, no one else did. So LeBron fans will likely be happy, but watch his assist get cut in half agianst the Pistons and watch his arms get tired from havingto shoot 35 times a game to keep his team within 15.

Oh yeah, if I didn’t say it today, Miami is a sham. But much like Ando, I would be more than willing to help you order those mojitoes and gaze at the wonder that is South Beach (but can you tell my wife I’m attending a class on “How to Keep the Golden Goose from Moving Your Cheese While You Fish for Golden Parachutes”? I hear it is the most popular corporate course at Atlanta companies like BellSouth, Scientific Atlanta and Georgia Pacific).

Oh yeah, Riley is a demon bird with moth balls in his spread collar shirt!

By doc

April 24, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

anybody see the schooling that bogut got last night? cant convince myself that he is going to be a force, either that or it reinforces that it takes a while to learn the game at the nba level. we have said marvin has looked lost at times, well it seemed mr bogut looked lost without the athleticism that marvin has. he looks ponderously slow and doesnt have athletic feet, kind of reminds me of sabonis in his late thirties. if he can pass like sabonis and take up space like sabonis then he will be a star but i just didnt get wowed last night against the best.

look forward to a steady diet of tnt. if the games arent entertaining at least the studio show can make up for it.

By EW

April 24, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

I agree that Livingston could be special, although he could be derailed if he keeps getting hurt.

Injuries is also why I wouldn’t go crazy to make a deal for J. O’Neal - he’s always hurt.

Every once in a while Diaw would throw in a real good half and look like he really could play some day, especially if he played with a lot of energy (he generally didn’t). I think a combination of playing out of position, for a terrible team, and for a coach and GM that didn’t pick him and didn’t seem to like him contributed to his problems.

I heard that Diop lost weight and is quicker now. I think him, Diaw, and Darko show another issue that will come up a lot more now that players go pro real early - a lot of guys who initially look like busts will ultimately show that they can play, often after a change of scenery.

By Samuel

April 24, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

Cuz, What’s Up. I thought you were out in the desert man. I hey ya about that trophy love though. My wife and kids know how I am about the NBA. I went out and caught me about 12-15 bream and had them cleaned and fried in time for the game. I show hate it but pretty much every thing has to be 2nd fiddle to the hardwood right now.

Kobe really made me mad. I, historically am not a big Kobe fan but I am pulling for him this year. After all that he’s been through. He needs to quit this, getting everyone involved stuff, and take over like he can. I believe he will next game and the Lakers will steal home court. I told yall about Kwame before the season started. If he sticks with Phil, Magic and Kareem he’s gonna be a good one.

The Spurs put on a clinic against Sactown and your boy Artest. He didn’t look too much like Mr. Defense trying to “D” up Giiinnooooobbbiiillllii. He looked kinda bad.

In the east, It will come down to Shaq, DWade and the Pistons. Right now Sheed and the boys look kinda unstoppable but you never know. Shaq keep getting younger, DWade stays healthy, White Choc keeps running, Tone hits the open 3, Zo comes back full strength and you never know.

All I’m gonna say about that South Beach trip is, “Blood is thicker than water”.

Gotta go. Them Baby Bulls and Heat are bout to jump it up.

By HB Ando

April 24, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this

I yield to blood………

By Alec

April 24, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this

All I can say is that Billy Knight better show Sam Cassell the money this summmer and convice him that we are serious about winning next season.

As for our big man situation, we need as many as we can get!!! I say use Al Harrington in a trade package to land a player like Jermaine O’neal. On top of that use both our lottery pick and our second round pick on big men.

WE NEED TO WIN NEXT SEASON BK!!!! MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

By Dejay

April 24, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this

This seems to never get old: overpaying for gas, paychecks being spent before receiving them, and the Hawks watching the NBA playoffs with you and me. Call me a homer but I can’t get behind the playoffs if my hometown team isn’t involved in them somehow. It’s like a UGA fan rooting for Tennessee or Florida in their national title games years ago. I just can’t do it.

As for the, ahem, homefront, they have to find a way to get into next season’s playoffs. With ownership already in a tenuous position to begin with, BK cannot afford for this team to give a repeat performance of their 2-16 start this coming season. Would they get Zaza and Joe some help already??

By HawksFanFromDecatur

April 25, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

I agree Dejay we need to get ZaZa and JJ some help, and if Aldridge is gone by the time the Hawks are on the clock in the draft then if I were BK I would trade down with New Orleans.

Here is my proposal:

ATL trades its 1st round pick to NO (assuming that Aldridge is off the board)

• NO trades the 12th and 15th picks to ATL
• NO trades J. R. Smith to ATL

This trade will allow the Hawks to draft a PG and a Big Man or 2 Big Men with the 12th and 15th picks. Both Marcus Williams and Rajon Rondo are projected to be available at the 12th pick and there are also a bunch of young bigs with potential that should also be available (Patrick O’Bryant, Cedric Simmons, Hilton Armstrong, Josh Boone, Saer Sene, Shelden Williams).

Picking up J.R. Smith would be icing on the cake because he is a scorer who can play off JJ in the backcourt with his long range shooting ability. Imagine Smoove and J.R. Smith on the wings catching alley-oops on the fast break, man you talk about exciting!!!

NO would do this deal IMO because they really need a 2 or 3 that can score and there will be plenty of players that fit the bill at the Hawks spot in the top 5 of the draft.

Come on BK, if Aldridge is not available then let’s trade down with NO and pick up what we really need instead of drafting another SF type at the top of the draft!

By Ashy Larry

April 25, 2006 04:57 AM | Link to this

If you think New Orleans is gonna trade 2 first rounders AND JR Smith (who might have fallen out of favor with Byron Scott, but it hasn’t even been 2 months since the Spurs wanted to trade for him) for our first rounder in this weak draft, I want some of what you are smoking. If the Hawks can’t get Aldridge I would rather see Billy trade the pick for a veteran defensive big guy who we can get cheap. It would be amazing if we found a way to swap our #1 and Al for Ben Wallace in a sign-and-trade, even though it would never happen. But even getting someone like Melvin Ely and a future #1 for our #1 this year wouldn’t be that bad of a deal really, it would be better than spending our #1 on a non-factor or overpaying for someone risky in free agency like Nene. As weak as this draft is, if the Hawks can’t get Aldridge I don’t think any other big man they get will be good for more than 20 minutes per game off the bench this season, and we need a lot more than that to make the jump to the playoffs.

This team is closer to the playoffs than the record would indicate, but we have to find a reliable, shot-blocking big guy who can play defense if we wanna make that jump.

EW, correct me if I’m wrong but I thought Diaw was the first pick made by Billy Knight. Diaw didn’t work out here partly because of confidence like you said, but also because he didn’t fit the Hawks style of play and he didn’t fill any of the needs on the team. The Hawks drafted him to play point guard since that’s what he played on his team in France, but his ball-handling and shooting were not nearly good enough to play point. Even now, he has a hard time knocking down mid range jumpers, and he doesn’t have to handle the ball on the perimeter much in the Phoenix offense. If you watch his games in Phoenix he gets a lot more room to operate in the paint because the floor is spread out with 3 point shooters. He never had that luxury playing in Atlanta. I think even now if he signed with a team like the Knicks that played a more slow-down pace without the floor spacing the Suns have, Diaw probably wouldn’t be putting up the kind of numbers he has in Phoenix. But Phoenix really is a perfect fit for him.

By Astro Joe

April 25, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

The best thing about the first round of the playoffs is seeing the major flaws of the lower-seeded teams when compared to the true elite. It is easy to quickly see that teams like Chicago, Milwaukee, Sacramento and the Lakers are probably closer to the Hornets and Magic than they are to Detroit to and San Antonio. There will be an abundance of veteran movement this off-season. The draft will not provide many players to help teams take that next step by themselves, mostly quality role players or second scoring options. But teams will not simply stand pat, as these businesses still must compete for a fair share of the entertainment dollar in their local market. And lastly, if “true teams” like Detroit and San Antonio dominate as expected, then that will clearly force some GMs to move away from the 2 superstars/10 role players approach that Chicago & LA employed. Of course, the million dollar question is will we shop at Bloomingdale’s or Marshalls?

By Ryder

April 25, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Sorry but the Spurs will be watching the Western Conference Finals from home once Dallas takes them in the second round (how absurd is that? the NBA ought to really change the seedings next year so this won’t happen again). Coach of the Year Avery Johnson really has this team playing defense. Although Memphis will take this series to a grueling six games, Dallas has too much depth and finally some defense to go along with it. Ericka Dampier is finally playing to his contract and with Diop form an inside tandem we Hawks fan can only ever dream about.

Lebron is just sick! Even though Nash will win the MVP again (and deservedly so) the sky’s the limit for Lebron. As long as they keep him in Cleveland he will truly lead that team to the promised land one day. It won’t be this year (they need a true number two scorer and Hughes isn’t it).

This is truly the best time of the year on the sports calendar (NBA & NHL playoffs, baseball’s in full swing) it would be nice if we can declare a moratorium (sp) on how Billy Knight is going to screw up this offseason for once ok?

By HB Ando

April 25, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

OK, I’m going to take a one week vacation for pointing out all the ways Billy will screw up this off-season. It will be difficult, as I have some what of an addicition to speaking the truth. But the playoffs are in full swing, and all the boys are bringing their best. But wait. Whither Carmelo Anthony? Did anyone mention to ‘Melo that the playoffs have started. He seems to have missed the first two games. Ooops. Another strong game for my darkhorse MVP candidate, Elton Brand (why isn’t anyone else talking about him for MVP?).

And Mr. Hughes, where are you talking about your boy, Francisco Elson. He’s the “young” big man from Denver you said we should be obtaining in the offseason. Well your 29 years’ young PF has 1 point in 19 minutes, over two losses to the Clips. No Nene and limited Martin minutes, and this guy can’t crack the rotation, and you think this would be a wise choice to improve our frontline next year? Send your resume to the Atlanta Spirit quick, before the Grizz hire you to replace Jerry West.

Hey, I love Ely, have since we started talking about him six months ago. But why would Charlotte take on 2 early lottery picks in this years draft, especially when the guy they’d pick (assuming Aldridge and Bargnani are gone, which is why we’d do this?) wouldn’t be as good as Ely. AND they’re supposed to throw in a future first rounder (like in next years’ super draft)? I’d make that deal. Shame Charlotte wouldn’t.

And again with Ben Wallace! He’s not leaving. He’s said so publicly. And why would Detroit break up a championship team, which Wallace is the anchor for, to pick up Al and a pick? WTF?

By doc

April 25, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

well on tnt last night amd espn today i heard how smart elgin baylor is after over ten years of futility with his “sterling” owner.

care to think that ownership’s expectations doesnt play into how we perceive things?

By cowa

April 25, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

Just a quick thought on the draft. Let’s say the Hawks get the 4th pick (or worse) in the draft, and Noah, Horford, McRoberts and Splitter stay out. Now let’s say we can’t trade the pick, as the offers are horrible. At the draft, Thomas goes #1, Aldridge goes #2, and Bargnani goes #3. What would Billy do (and I’m not going to bash Billy)? Does he take Morrison or Gay and hope to trade later? Or would he go for Marcus Williams (or Brandon Roy or Randy Foye, hoping to turn them into PG’s) to fill the point? Or does he go big with Simmons or Williams, or maybe even Bryant, even though none of them are projected to go anywhere near this high? Everyone just assumes if the big three aren’t available, we just trade, but who wants to trade up in this draft once the three bigs are gone? Billy can’t win in this scenario.

I just depressed myself.

By Basketball Princess

April 25, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Well SSyou may not see Kobe in a Hawks uniform but you may see and Ex-Hawk in a Laker uniform! Al’s going to see the LA sites this Weekend. I wonder why? Must be for the beach! It is Summertime! Girls!, Or maybe it’s because he wants to go to the hot LA clubs in Hollywood……HMMMMMM Just a small part of his vacation this summer!

By Kappy

April 25, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

I dont like Aldridge. I want Noah or Ty Thomas. Or, if we can get our hands on marcus williams too, that would be fantastic.

By HB Ando

April 25, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Noah is not in, and Thomas plays the same exact position as Marvin and Josh (small forward, athletic enough for the four, but not thick enough to bang down in the post with the big boys). Aldridge fits what WE need. Boards and blocks at the 4/5, with the ability to run up and down the court (which is what this team is being built to do). Problem is that, like cowa, I don’t think Aldridge OR Thomas is going to be there at #4. I do think Bargnani will, and I think we’ll have to take him. The team who holds the key is Portland. Do they want a big man or a swing man with that pick? If they want Morrison or Gay, then trading out of that pick makes the most sense. I still say swap Childress and #4 for Jack and #1, IF Portland wants one of the two swing men. If they want a big, forget about it. Chicago doesn’t need a project. They’re in the playoffs right now. And they don’t need an offensively limited rebounder/shot blocker. They already have one in Chandler. I think Chicago could draft for us and swap the rights of Aldridge or Thomas, and maybe Duhon, for Al Harrington. Either way, if we make trades with either Portland or Chicago this summer, we’ll be making good moves. No moves and pick at four, I’d take Bargnani and throw him in the mix next year. How do you turn down a player that is drawing legitimate comparisons to Dirk Nowtizki, in a draft this weak?

I don’t think Marcus Williams is as good a prospect as Jarret Jack. So I’d rather use the a pick on a big man, ala Astro Joe’s idea, with a drop down to do it, than drop down to draft Williams. I think Jack could be obtained from Portland for a very fair price.

By Astro Joe

April 25, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this

Cowa, there is a team that will want one of the premier wing players in this draft. I personally think that someone like Roy will rise to the top 5 as the premier SG. So I think chances are fairly slim that no team would want to trade up to draft Roy or Gay or possibly Bargnani.

I completely disagree that Chicago would trade Aldridge for Al. They could easily have both no need to use one for the other. Plus, they need a scorer in the post which Aldridge should be able to provide fairly quickly. Much like Frye, he should be able to score 12 points a game from day one, even if he only pulls down 5 boards due to his lack of strength.

I agree with Ando that we would take Bargnani if no other options were available. When all else fails, choose the most talented big man available. Of course when people hear the Notwitzi comparison, they always forget how bad Dirk was in his rookie season. Imagine the ridicule we will hear next year if Pizza-Boy replicates Dirk’s first season in the League and someone like Cedric Simmons looks like the second coming of Amare.

By Andy

April 25, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

I know it doesn’t matter—but I enjoyed the stat by TNT that said every team in the play offs has an ex hawk on the team and in the coaching staff. We are the glue that keeps the playoffs going. AND Barkly said some nice things about the HAWKS in a playoff show—he also said we could very well be in the playoffs next year. AMAZING—I know there is so much to be done—all that—just grateful—and happy with the words hawks playoffs…same sentence…progress.

By HB Ando

April 25, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

You DO know that Barkley does those shows drunk? We very well could be in the playoffs, if. If. If. There are about 3-4 big ifs for us to be in the playoffs next year. If those ifs are not addressed in the offseason, we’ll be lottery bound again.

Joe, you think that Chicago would be a better contender in the East next year with Aldridge averaging 12 and 5, while their center averages 5 points and 12 boards, than if they had Al legitmately averaging 18 and 7 as their power forward? I disagree whole heartedly. And that is not to say they would take the deal, but I think it’s very reasonable to believe, and I think Chicago would probably agree (given that they’ve expressed strong interest in bringing Harrington there) that they’ll be a step closer in the East with Al, and a step farther in ‘06 with a rookie who is, by all reports, not ready to step in and start for a quality NBA team next year. I don’t see them wanting to wait for youth to be served. They did it with Chandler when they traded Brand, and it set them back a several years. They do not want to get younger. I think the logic of the proposed deal has significant merit. Merit has nothing to do with the Hawks creatively pushing for such a trade.

By Astro Joe

April 25, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

Ando, I think they would play Aldridge next to Chandler, much like they played Chandler and Curry together. Aldridge may eventually be a center, but like Dwight Howard, it may take a few years before he is physically ready for 35 minutes of pounding. Also, Chandler is a foul machine, so he is not likely to ever stay on the court for more than 30 minutes a night. Aldridge should be able to play a decent 5-8 minutes at center from day one.

I assumed they were looking for Al to return to the SF position not PF. That may be a bad assumption on my part. Maybe I was thinking about Al’s prefernce to return to that position. But I guess I do not see them thinking Aldridge vs. Al but that they could draft Aldridge and use their existing resources to out-right sign Al or do the S&T with BK.

Personally, they need to figure out how to upgrade their SG spot, first and foremost. I’d trade Gordon and Deng to the Clippers for Maggette and Ross if I were them. Arenas ate them up last year and Wade will do the same this year. Hinrich/Gordon/Duhon just give up too much size in the backcourt.

By Ashy Larry

April 25, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

I don’t really get why Chicago is gonna want Al when they already have Deng and Nocioni who are pretty similar. It would seem to me like they could use Aldridge inside more than they could use Al, since Aldridge is more of a real post up player.

Bargnani might be the most talented player where we pick, but I haven’t seen any evidence that he can be the dominant inside defender that we need. We need defense more than offense out of the center position on this team, one of the main reasons we lost so many games is because Zaza is completely clueless on defense. If we can’t get Aldridge we should get Marcus Williams who at least fills the other glaring hole on the team. I would rather see us trade down to around 10 and get Cedric Simmons and another player or pick than see us get Bargnani who seems more like a 7 foot version of Marvin Williams.

And let’s not forget, the majority of the so-called “next Dirk’s” have been major busts in the NBA. Nikoloz Tskitishvili ring a bell to anyone? I would be really careful about going after a guy like that, the Hawks can’t really afford a mistake in this year’s draft since we are more than likely giving away our next 2 1st rounders to Phoenix.

By Clyde

April 25, 2006 07:36 PM | Link to this

Here’s my plan. I say draft Marcus Williams and sign no free agents. Marcus Williams is good but he can’t save us so our record should be the same. At the allstar break FIRE WOODY for a more offensive minded coach. After the allstar break give us a good show by running people out the gym but keep loosing. In the 07 draft get Noah or Oden and we will have a playoff cliber team. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By HB Ando

April 25, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

You’d have to ask Chicago why they covet Al, but that’s been the word out of the area all season long. We may not fully appreiciate him here, since some held him accountable for the unconscionable decision to have him play the four on defense. But he’s a legitimate low post scoring machine. Again, guys, he’s rated as the #2 unrestricted free agent in the NBA by ESPN.com. You want to discount his value, feel free to watch this team continue to flail. But teams want him, so we need to leverage as many teams in the market for his obvious scoring abilities as we can.

So Joe, you see Chicago as a better team with a PF/C combo that averages roughly 15-17 points per game? You think that a team with two legitimate scorers, neither big time in that category, Gordon, better off the bench, and Hinrich, playing out of position at the two guard much of the time, makes Chicago a better team next season. I disagree. There is a reason they covet Al, and that’s to have a legitimate scoring forward. Same reason New York wants him. Look, I’m all about watching him leave here. Billy wrote the story when he drafted Marvin the year after he drafted Smith and Childress. But why the desire to discount him or let him walk for nothing? A bad GM concedes such things. I don’t see it.

On Bargnani, I’d rather miss on a 7 footer, who has the potential to be Dirk, then go pick up a 6’2 point guard who’s not as good as any of the first five taken in last years’ draft. I’ll say it again, having seen both players play, and having a fair confidence in my player assessment skills. Williams is not as good as Jarret Jack. He’s arguably the best point guard in a truly woeful draft class, by default. And I’m not willing to concede that he’s better that Rondo, or Farmar, for that matter. He played with more NBA talent than any other point guard in college basketball last year.

Here’s Chad Ford’s brief summary on Bargnani:

“GMs starting to back up international scouts opinions that Bargnani might be the best player in the draft. But who has the guts to pull the trigger with the No. 1 pick?”

Won’t take too much guts to take him at #4, but you could be sorry not too.

Look at this realistically, you can take picks that are safe, and know that the players will be solid, if inspectacular, like a Williams, or any other player currently projected in the 8-20 range. They’ve all got well-defined flaws that suggest that stardom is unlikely. But a team this bad has to take it’s shots with these top picks, to select a player that has the potential to be special. Being scared to take your chances, so you can trade down for serviceable role players is a true recipe for mediocrity. I want a team that shoots for the top, not a team hoping to be an 8th seed for the next 5-10 years. Marvin was drafted on potential, and we passed on Paul. Stay the course of rebuilding and draft a big man with talent and upside. There are 30 point guards in the NBA better than Marcus Williams, at least. Sign one, or trade for one. How many Dirk’s are there? Guys like Tskitishvili happen (and his career is far from over; he’s what 22 now?).

This won’t be decided by folks like us. So our disagreement is for conversational purposes only. I can promise that you guys won’t dissuade me from my position, and I can’t really say I care if you change yours. But I’ll say again, that I am indifferent about a franchise that’s goal is mediocrity. When you’re bad a enough for a top-five pick, use the opportunity to draft a player who has the possibility of greatness. The guys you want to trade down and draft are a dime a dozen, available via trades and free agency, to fill out the holes in this roster.

This team can never compete for championships without great big men. And we’re unlikely to bring a great big man here via free agency or trade. So our one chance to possess a talented seven-footer is through the draft. If we miss, no one can blame us for not taking the same shot other teams would have in our position. Trading down is a cop-out and an admission that we aspire to mediocrity. We need to draft a big man who has the potential to be an all-star. Billy and the Spirit will make the final call. I know where I stand.

By HB Ando

April 25, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this

And deep down, I agree with Clyde, anyway. Always have. The track record for this front office gives me hope that keeping that pick, top-3 protected, is still a very real possibility. What’s one more year of futility if it means the chance to draft greatness?

By tb

April 26, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this

Ando, your arguments are so flawed. I love how you make a totally flawed premise and use it to develop an even more flawed argument.

I really enjoyed the F. Elsoncommpent the other day, went something like this; he can’t even crack the lineup on his current team with no quality bigs in front of him. Ever heard of K-Mart and Camby. They could easily start at the 4/5 for our team.

By Astro Joe

April 26, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

Ando, I have no idea what you are talking about. I am suggesting that Chicago could have Chandler/Aldridge/Al or Peja/Maggette/Hinrich and yes, I do think that is a very strong line-up that still has upside. I never suggested that Al’s value is low nor overstated. I fully understand what he brings to a team and I also think that his value is optimized at the SF position as opposed to PF. And I think that Chandler, Aldridge and Al can play on the court at the same time, especially since Chandler has no offensive game and would not clog the paint on the offensive end.

By Basketball Princess

April 26, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

In all actuality Al is the #1 available free agent this year, cuz BEN aint going anywhere! Trust me he knows that his stock is high. Al is in New Jersy right now chilling out waiting to catch his plane on thursday to fly out to CALI to enjoy the 1st fruits of of being the #1 AVAILABLE coveted Free Agent.

Jason Williams is just about ready to get back involved in the league. Inside source tells me that he is comming out with a documentary about his process’s that he had to endure to get back physicaly ready to play again. Kinda like a Sebastian Telfair thing. Gonna be hot though. Look for Stephan Maubury to be comming out with his DVD to. Just got finished up!

By Astro Joe

April 26, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

The problem with Bargnani is that he is not likely going to help us with the number 1 problem, stopping the perennial lay-up drill. People want to foucs on having a floor leader to help us in the 4th quarter, we need defensive help to get us there. How much energy does this team use trying to overcome a 15 point deficit. And does anyone think that an occassional defensive stop in the last 2 minutes of a game might help us win? Guys who have an intense desire and take pride in their defense are far from a dime a dozen.

Lastly, I am certainly delusional to think that our 06-07 line-up is the championship team. This is an iterative process. Most teams need a big-time free agent to make the jump to be a contender for the conference finals. Getting this team to 38-45 wins should make signing a free agent possible. First things first.

And by the way, drafting for stardom without acknowledging the “bust potential” is like a poor person spending half of their income on lottery tickets. If anything, when you are likely competing with a bottom 3 payroll, you better make sure that every salaried player is producing as much and as early as possible. And mediocrity is a neccessary step in our rebuilding process. Instead of avoiding it, let’s accept it for at least 1-2 seasons.

By Basketball Princess

April 26, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

I second that motion Astro

By Kappy

April 26, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

ANDO — “I don’t think Marcus Williams is as good a prospect as Jarret Jack”

I like Jack and all, but that comment shows how little college hoops you watched this season. Marcus Williams is a stud. He will become a great starting PG in the NBA. I’ll even go far as to say in 10 years, Marcus Williams will be better than chris paul. Write it down.

By Kappy

April 26, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Another rant on marcus. i was trying to come up with a good pro to compare williams too, but the name i came up with was jay williams(duke/bulls), when he was healthy of course. an explosive PG who can get to the rim. Marcus is young and needs to work on his jumper and PG intangibles, but he’ll be a stud.

By HB Ando

April 26, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

Joe, you’re picking philosophy has two flaws of it’s own, from my perspective (again, folks, this is our subjective opinion): first, it presupposes that we can’t address a presence in the middle via trade or free agency, and secondly, it only concerns itself with immediate need. So your thought is that we should pass on a player increasingly viewed as the most talented big man in the draft, at 7 feet, because he’s not a center? And three years from now, when Shelden Williams, who you would trade down to draft, is averageing his peak NBA numbers of 12-8 (don’t tell me Shelden Williams’ numbers are going to be any better than Drew Gooden’s, he’s now where near the player Gooden is and he’s good for those or slightly better/ and should be a strong consideration as a restricted free agent to fill the need we agree exists since Cleveland may not resign him), and Bargnani is the next Dirk, playing for whomever we trade his right to, what will you say then? Comparing drafting a highly rated (top five by every credible source) 7-footer to risking your paycheck on the lottery is just silly. Do you see Bargnani’s chances of becoming great somewhere in the 130 million to 1 range? The thing that continually escapes you is that we’re going to be bad next year, most likely, but the decisions we make will determine how good we are in 3-5 years. You want immediate mediocrity, with no chance for greatness (Shelden Williams). I’ll accept mediocrity with hope for something special as young talent with upside develops.

What’s funnier than guys like you and TB calling me out about my logic is when your comments are in direct conflict with my statements. Joe, I readily acknowledged “bust” potential, and said I’d (that’s me, not anyone else) take my chances on that potential for greatness, as long as the choice was readily accepted as reasonable by our peers. It seems that at the 4-5 slot, most folks are thinking Bargnani could be a tremendous pick. How does that become a “bust” pick, akin to buying lottery tickets with your grocery money. You guys think like chickenshits. You have to dare to be great. We drafted Marvin on pure potential as well last year and I don’t hear these comments from you.

Joe, you can be so myopic in battling me over opinions. Drafting is one of three ways we can improve this team, and is the one way we build for the long term. If you want a scrapper, and who doesn’t, it doesn’t have to be for the price of a top-five pick. We can get the roles filled without trading out and trying to pick two rookies to start at PF and PG next year. There may not be a single player in this years’ draft that is good enough to start in the NBA next year, so looking to the draft to find our starters for those two positions is flawed from the get go. If we are to have a new starter at PG next year, he WILL come to us via trade or free agency. Book it.

TB, you’re a fricking idiot. Did you even read my statement? Elson never accumulated major minutes this season WHILE Martin missed a multitude of games due to injury. If Nene had played, he would have been the fourth player in a two man rotation at center and power forward. He’s 29 years old, so it’s not like there’s some hidden upside (the comment was directed at Mr. Hughes, who called him a “young big man we should try and obtain”). Um, yeah, Martin and Camby could play here. Is that the best you can do? Problem is, we’re not talking about either of those guys. We’re talking about Elson. And with Martin crippled (how much is he playing right now, no different than all season?) and Nene OUT, he still couldn’t become a primary contributor. Where’s the upside?

By HB Ando

April 26, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

And one last thing, Joe. If you’ve noticed, most GM’s are reluctant make a trade to an Eastern Conference competitor. So, I’m saying that if Billy Knight knows that Chicago is going to end up with Aldridge, he’d be an absolute idiot to agree to do the sign-and-trade with the Bulls. What Eastern Conference GM would assist the Bulls in creating a front line of Chandler/Aldridge/Harrington? That’s truly moronic. If what Princess says is true regarding the desire of many teams to acquire Al, the Hawks will try and give Al as much contract as inquiring teams would be willing to take on, with the condition that Al takes his game to the Western Conference (ala Tim Thomas’ deal with Chicago after the trade deadline). See Paxson wouldn’t pay off his deal and let him go play this year unless he agreed to go to the West, which is why Thomas didn’t end up in New Jersey.

Bird has made it clear he intends to re-sign Peja. He’ll do the same thing if Peja wants out. He’ll pay him to not go to Chicago. You’re making your analysis in a vacuum. Billy Knight already blundered by handing Detroit the final piece of what is now a dynasty, by not following the tenet that you don’t make a good, competing team, great (So we got Josh Smith, what if we’d traded Al to Boston for their 14th pick and drafted Al Jefferson? Think how different the East would look right now. ‘Sheed wanted to play for the Knicks, and would have signed with either the Knicks or re-signed in Boston, and Detroit wouldn’t be the best team in basketball. And we’d have Jefferson and wouldn’t be looking for our power forward of the future. And BTW, consistent with your theme on Nelson as the obvious pick over Smith, Detroit probably would have followed your logic and drafted the young point guard out of Philly with the pick they didn’t trade us for ‘Sheed, but I digress), when he traded ‘Sheed to a rival. But we were so far out of it and he wasn’t staying, so no big deal. But you can’t hand Chicago Harrington without extracting a starter from that team, or their pick. Al’s legit. And taking a role player or two for him, and allowing them to walk away with their core intact, adding Aldridge AND Harrington, would be another example of BAD GM work.

Joe, all your ideas are better for the teams we would ostensibly deal with than they are for the Hawks. I don’t think that’s the way we should go about fixing this team.

By Astro Joe

April 26, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

Kenyon Martin suspended indefinitely by Karl for being a problem child (essentially). Boy, $70M, 3 draft picks and dude is told to home by his coach. I guess Nene is about to stay a Nugget.

Ando, I don’t need for bargnani to be a center. Heck I don;t care if he is the first low-post defender to play the PG position. The need is clear, stop the lay-up drill. And if in 5 years I have Gooden and someone else has Skita, I won’t blink. If 5 years from now we are competing in the eastern Conference Finals with or without Shelden and someone else has the next Dirk, I wouldn’t blink. Dumars did not blink when Wade, Bosh, Carmelo etc. had great seasons, because the TEAM was successful. If Iguodala becomes the next Jason Richardson and Childress is the 6th man on an Eastern Conference version of the Sacramento Kings (top 4-5 team in the conference with an occasional appearance in the conference finals), I’d be more happy for Childress than I would be for Richardson. Bottom line, individual player success is NOT a guarantee for team suucess. Do you think Dallas is better positioned this year than previous years just because of Dirk or is it because guys like Howard, Daniel, JT, Dampier, Diop and even Stackhouse are playing team ball better than ever?

Team, baby, I don’t care who becomes the next Dominique Wilkins, Charles Barkley or Karl Malone. Just give me one or two premier guys (JJ and Marvin or Smith?) and a bunch of Robert Horrys and Horace Grants and Derek Fishers.

By HB Ando

April 26, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

Kappy, come on. I’ll give you that there’s no way to win an argument on Jack versus Williams, but please find me one scout or basketball writer who thinks Williams will be better than Paul. I’m laughing while I write this. And comparing him to the pre-injury Jay Williams is a joke as well. Williams was twice the athlete that Marcus is. Period. JW’s weakness, as he transitioned to the pros, was his decision making. He had a little too much shooting guard in him. Your boy, Marcus, is all about passing. See it’s not that I don’t like his game, I just think he’s the best of a really weak crop of players at his position.

Chris Paul. You kill me. Really.

By Astro Joe

April 26, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Ando I have never suggested using a top 5 pick for Shelden. Trade down, see if we can get Ridnour/Watson & the #10 pick, for the rights to Morrison/Gay (as an example) and then draft Shelden. Get a vet PG and a defensive presence for the price of a top 5 pick. Much rather do that than draft a one-dimensional risk. I don’t need for you to agree with me, but I do not understand how that is not a reasonable approach to building this team.

There are far more answers to the question of what is 2+2 other than 4. Think out of the box, why don’t you?

By HB Ando

April 26, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

Joe, do you think Cuban doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night screaming over letting Nash sign with a conference rival? You’re just talking in generalities now. Stay specific. Address the points as they are laid out. Take the time to look at what I say. If you don’t agree with the point, and want to take me to task, make sure you’re clear on my position and that your rebuttal answers/addresses it.

I wouldn’t mind if someone had the next Dirk and we were in the C. Finals either. But MY point is that your plan won’t get us there. Detroit has great players who have roles. Don’t confuse that with them being a great team of role players. You’re not going to win any rings with Shelden Williams as your 4 unless he’s playing next to Greg Oden in five years here. You’ve got to have a Dirk to build the role players you highlighted around him. Dirk leads that team. So why not go after another Dirk and fill in around him? Rather than draft a role player and surround him with OTHER role players?! You’re starting to lose me now.

Let’s go back to the basic point: Great teams have great players, and role players. We have an opportunit with this pick to draft a potential all-star. None of the guys you like in the teens is projected to be those type players. Use free agency and trades for roles, because no established, great players are coming here via those routes. Our ONLY chance of having great players here is to develop them, or on the off-chance of a Joe Johnson deal (which shocked everyone, but even he was a fourth wheel on his team, not considered a “great” free agent, and he sanity was widely questioned for coming to Atlanta; What does that say about the perception of the franchise throughout the league, and it’s impact on our ability to recruit players here?).

Use the pick to take your best shot at a future all-star. Use Al and cap space to address immediate needs at 4 and 1 (or Childress, etc.). But don’t trade out of the top-five pick for a couple of kids that do not project (this is the point I want you to address if you’re going to argue about it; find me a credible projection that says any of these mid-teen picks is supposed to be ready to step into a starting role as rookies) to start next year. Because if they don’t project to start, then, logically, we have to find our STARTERS for those positions, through one of the other two avenues for change. Since they CAN’T start next year, and we’d likely bring in veterans, who are starter quality at their positions, what’s the point in drafting role players? Since we’re not going to be great next year, Bargnani doesn’t have to come in and be ready, just like Marvin didn’t last year.

Look, I still would like to draft Aldridge. But he’s not going to be there at #4, if that’s where we end up picking. So we move up to get him, via a trade with Chicago or Portland, or we get real about the best player at #4. Given that we can eliminate Gay, Morrison and Roy as choices, that leaves Bargnani. So get on your computer and start doing some real research on people’s opinions of him. Because he is a very real candidate for our pick. And no one out there thinks that Boone, S. Williams, the kid from NC State, O’Bryant, or any other big men who aren’t good enough to warrant realistic consideration for a top-5 pick, are good alternate choices. Don’t you think that league talent evaluators are looking at him twice as hard BECAUSE of Tskitskivili, and lingering questions about Darko (though he started answering those in Orlando, like I hoped he would in Atlanta)?

You’re increasingly swimming upstream, Joe, against a rapid current. I know you’re good, but you’re giving me your B game right now.

By HB Ando

April 26, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

Joe, we just don’t agree. You think our pick could net a starting point guard and a late lottery pick, for the unproven Morrison or Gay, but don’t think the number 1 rated free agent (I’ll go with Princess on this one, because she’s right, Wallace ain’t going anywhere) could never fetch the #2 pick. I don’t get the logic. The picks are either that valuable or their not. Morrison or Gay, who are the type of risky, unproven picks you fear here, fetch more in trade than Al Harrington? Huh?

Is it because Bargnani is foriegn? You’ve lost me. You tell me I’m crazy to think we can get something serious for Al, then suggest that someone will pay us a starting point and a late lottery pick for either of two flawed small forwards. So on one hand you say no one will pay us such an absurd price as my suggestion, for Al, but then turn around and make a more absure suggestion about the value of our pick?

OK, Joe.

By Astro Joe

April 26, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

Not just someone, but someone with a need. Yeah, I think that Seattle would decide that they have 2 PGs and would give up one for a chance to get the SF that need. Absolutely. Essentially, they are trading UP! Having Chicago trade away their #1 or #2 pick for Al, when they could just outright sign him is comparable to BK trading our draft pick for Nene. You, among others, would go ballistic with such a move.

I absolutely agree with you that this team needs a dominant big man. But that is not likely Bargnani. So why pretend? Dude averages like 4 rebounds against Euro competition. 4! Sure, he could improve, but do you really think that any American 7-footer who averages 4 boards in college would be considered a top 5 pick? Here’s my point, Dirk is a better player than Ben Wallace. But one of those guys would immediately make Marvin, JJ, and Josh a better player. One would set a tone for work ethic, shut down the middle and ultimately provide this team with more possesions. The other would score a ton of points, put more fans in seats and only marginally improve our defense. Which player fits better with this team is a different answer than the question of who is the better player. I’m more interested in team fit than I am in the right player. Go ask Zeke about what happens when you pair a collection of above average players with a HOF coach and don’t figure out who plays the less glamorous roles on the team.

By Kappy

April 26, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

i hear ya ANDO. i dont think im crazy by saying that williams will be as good if not better than paul. i guess time will tell.

By tb

April 26, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

I really like Bargiani. There is no reason we can’t builb a hybrid Suns type team around JJ, Smoove, Chil, Marvin, Zaza, Bargnani and either Al or what we get for him in a trade. Need a good PG to do that though.

I see no reason not to try and keep all of these players longterm. We need to keep the payroll manageable so that we can reap the investment in our talented youth.

Next years pick is top three protected. A mainstay on this board that has repeadedly complained about giving up next years first because it is the year that Ogden comes out seems to have missed the fact that the first pick necessary to get himm would remain ours. If we pick after third… oh well; but we will not have missed out on Ogden.

Our team at the beginning of 07-08 season should look a lot like this:

PG: /Salim/Lue

SG: JJ/Chil

SF: Marvin/D.Smith

PF: Smoove/Al?/Batista

C: Barngani/Zaza

We should get a starter at either PG or C/PF for Al or keep him. I think we should try to get the PG for Al and go for an athletic (FA/draft) big (cheap) as a solid back up.

By HB Ando

April 26, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

Joe, the flaw in your logic is that Al will sign with Chicago without allowing us to leverage a better contract for him. Why would he leave an extra year and more money on the table just to shaft us? If BK lets Al walk, to an Eastern Conference foe, for no compensation, then we’re so screwed, as Hawks’ fans, that all our other discussions about how to make this team good are essentially moot. It means we’re being run by buffoons and we need to find a new team to follow. Seriously.

Sooooo, if we assume that the team is being run with a semblance of a plan, then the reason Chicago will give us value for Al is that they CAN’T get him for free. If Al screws us and walks, all rational basis for my position is out the window. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. I suspect that Al will give us a short list of teams he’d be willing to work jointly with us on getting him to, with the best possible contract in hand. That’s called win-win.

And on the Sonics and Gay or Morrison, where does the presence of Rashard Lewis fit into their “need” you described at the small forward position?

By Basketball Princess

April 26, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

The following players are eligible to become free agents as of July 1, 2006:

Acker, Alex (1;RFA) Anderson, Shandon (10;UFA)
Ariza, Trevor (2;RFA) Armstrong, Darrell (12;UFA)
Atkins, Chucky (8;UFA) Augmon, Stacey (15;UFA)
Banks, Marcus (3;UFA) Barnes, Matt (4;UFA) Barry, Jon (14;UFA)
Battie, Tony (9;UFA) Baxter, Lonny (4;UFA) Bogans, Keith (3;RFA) Bradley, Michael (5;UFA) Brunson, Rick (10;UFA)
Burks, Antonio (2;RFA) Burleson, Kevin (1;RFA) Butler, Jackie (2;RFA) Butler, Rasual (4;UFA) Carter, Anthony (8;UFA) Cassell, Sam (13;UFA)
Cato, Kelvin (9;UFA) Cheaney, Calbert (13;UFA)
Claxton, Speedy (6;UFA) Collins, Jarron (5;UFA) Davis, Antonio (13;UFA)
Delk, Tony (10;UFA)
Dupree, Ronald (3;RFA) Elson, Francisco (3;RFA) Ely, Melvin (4;RFA) Evans, Reggie (4;UFA) Frahm, Richie (4;UFA) Gaines, Reece (3;UFA) George, Devean (7;UFA) Gill, Eddie (6;UFA) Gooden, Drew (4;RFA) Green, Devin (1;RFA) Griffin, Adrian (8;UFA) Hardaway, Anfernee (13;UFA)
Harpring, Matt (8;UFA) Harrington, Al (8;UFA) Henderson, Alan (11;UFA)
Hunter, Lindsey (13;UFA)
Jackson, Bobby (9;UFA) Jackson, Jermaine (6;UFA) Jackson, Jim (14;UFA)
Jeffries, Jared (4;RFA) Johnson, DerMarr (6;UFA) Johnson, Ervin (13;UFA)
Jones, Fred (4;RFA) Jones, Jumaine (7;UFA) Kasun, Mario (2;RFA) Kukoc, Toni (13;UFA)
Lenard, Voshon (11;UFA)
Marks, Sean (7;UFA) Martin, Darrick (11;UFA)
Mashburn, Jamal (13;UFA)
Mbenga, DJ (2;RFA) McCarty, Walter (10;UFA)
Medvedenko, Slava (6;UFA) Mohammed, Nazr (8;UFA) Morris, Terence (4;UFA) Mourning, Alonzo (14;UFA)
Murray, Lamond (12;UFA)
Murray, Ronald (4;UFA) Nailon, Lee (6;UFA) Ndong, Boniface (1;RFA) Nene (4;RFA) Olowokandi, Michael (8;UFA) Ostertag, Greg (11;UFA)
Outlaw, Bo (13;UFA)
Owens, Andre (1;RFA) Palacio, Milt (7;UFA) Pargo, Jannero (4;UFA) Payton, Gary (16;UFA)
Piatkowski, Eric (12;UFA)
Pollard, Scot (9;UFA) Przybilla, Joel (6;UFA) Radmanovic, Vladimir (5;UFA) Randolph, Shavlik (1;RFA) Reed, Justin (2;RFA) Robinson, Bernard (2;RFA) Russell, Bryon (13;UFA)
Salmons, John (4;RFA) Sampson, Jamal (4;UFA) Smith, Charles (6;UFA) Storey, Awvee (2;RFA) Terry, Jason (7;UFA) Thomas, Tim (9;UFA) Van Exel, Nick (13;UFA)
Van Horn, Keith (9;UFA) Vaughn, Jacque (9;UFA) Voskuhl, Jake (6;UFA) Vroman, Jackson (2;RFA) Wallace, Ben (10;UFA)
Wells, Bonzi (8;UFA) Welsch, Jiri (4;RFA) Wesley, David (14;UFA)
Wilcox, Chris (4;RFA) Wilks, Mike (5;UFA) Williams, Aaron (12;UFA)
Woods, Loren (5;UFA) Woods, Qyntel (4;UFA) Wright, Lorenzen

By Astro Joe

April 26, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this

Ando, compensation is one thing a top 2 pick is another. Yes, we should get something back for Al. But why would Chicago pay through their noses for this guy when they could either try to sign him outright or just use their cap space to find another player? They have too much leverage to give up Aldridge. They have assets like Gordon, Duhon, Sweetney and Othella to package with perhaps their second first round selection to acquire Al AND keep Aldridge. Or, they just tell BK that the Aldridge price is too high and go off and sign someone else because they have the resources to do that.

Seattle, on the other hand, is in desperate financial problems. Stern even threaten to move the team. Is there anyway that they would NOT trade a redundant PG like Watson or Ridnour and their pick for the rights to a regional icon like Morrison? Let’s see, would Watson, Ridnour & Cedric Simmons (as an example) draw more fan interest than Watson, Morrison and (insert scrub PG name here)? Uh, NO!

Some teams have assets to leverage, others do not. I think that your Chicago arguement is bad because it is a team that can attract free agents, has the cash, has a deep roster of attractive talent and has potentially a top 3 pick in each of the next 2 drafts. I do not see them as feeling any need to be pressured into a bad deal. Seattle, on the other hand (and some others as well) is much more vulnerable. Your asking BK to pick on the 1990-version of Mike Tyson, while I would send him after the 2006-version of Tin Mike. And the problem is that when BK comes back after taking a real beatdown, you will be the first to yel at him for bleeding.

By buddy

April 26, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Okay, sign me up for the Marcus Williams bandwagon. I’ve got a bad feeling we’re not going to get one of the top three picks and if people jump past us and we end up picking 4-6, we should pick based on need. The likelihood of trading down is pretty remote (does anybody really like any of the guys in this draft enough to trade up for them). So we’d have to take the best thing available at the 1, 4 or 5 if we don’t get Thomas, Aldridge or Bargnani. Shelden Williams will have a long career as an average NBA player. Marcus Williams could be an all-star in a few years.

By Sekou K. Smith

April 26, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

Ando and Astro, I’ve read the posts and I’m still trying to figure out what in the h-e-double hockey sticks you boys are arguing about. From what I read, you agree with each other on more stuff than you disagree on. That said, if I’m Chicago, I want Al and Aldridge. Two very different players at two very different positions. And remember, Aldridge or any other top draft pick will cost you money. But not free agent, five to six years and $50-plus million type money.

A sign-and-trade with Al works only with a team that covets him and is pushing the cap and scared of paying the luxury tax. The Bulls don’t have to get a sign-and-trade to get Al. They’ve got money to work with because they didn’t pay Eddy Curry last summer.

Astro is right, the Bulls are not desperate. They can woo Al with everything that we all know they have, a sound roster, a feisty coach and the tradition (however long ago it seems now) of a city that embraces a winning team and knows how to treat one that is scrapping its way to the playoffs the past two seasons. They also have the cosmopolitan feel that a veteran player is going to want, and they’re ready to show Al the money.

The Hawks have pressing needs that we’ve been over incessantly. And any combination of players that fill those pressing needs (PG and inside presence, I’ve decided against saying a”PF or C” since those designations aren’t fair to the majority of the current crop of players in the league filling those roles) would be welcome.

The reason I say that is because after watching the playoff teams go at it, I realize that there are guys in Washington (Jamison), Miami (Haslem when he’s not throwing mouth gear), Chicago (Malik Allen for David Stern’s sake) and others who serve the purpose the Hawks need in the post. They don’t need a low-post superstar. They just need someone that can help provide the post defense and shot-blocking prowess that the Hawks don’t currently have (Josh Smith does his thing but he needs some help inside and Zaza, for all his qualities, just isn’t the defensive intimidator a playoff team is going to need).

Every team needs a brute who does the dirty work and is willing to set the hard picks, play the scrappy defense, dive on the floor for loose balls and never complain about touches on offense. The Hawks just need him worse than just about everybody right now. Again, they don’t need a great player. All they need is one or two really good ones. Role players that will add the toughness that’s lacking.

But I’m not done …..

By Kappy

April 26, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this

Starting to agree with you Sekou and maybe your ideas work with the current management situation. they dont have to go out and get kevin garnett. just a serviceable inside presence who takes pride in defense and aggresiveness. Maybe a young Bo Outlaw would work. as i look at the list of free agents next year, nothing jumps out at me. Jarron Collins maybe?

this would also allow us to draft marcus williams.

sweeeet

By doc

April 26, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

well sekou i agree with what you are saying. i went to comment earlier that aj and ando were really entertaining themselves and us with their dialogue today but lost it when i went to check stats. i dont care what they say today, they both have said many times over and agree that there are five needs; two vet bigs, one vet point that is quick and defensive minded and a distributor first, a point and a big from the draft.

i also am amazed at the folks that think a big name is going to turn it around as if we could afford it. its like going to a fine restaurant on a cafeteria budget. i enjoy the enthusiasm for a big ben wallace but we dont need him as he really is on the downside at 33 and his numbers are beginning to fade. what we need is the next big ben. he came to the pistons in his fifth season, never avg more than 25 mpg, 8rpg, 6ppg or 1.5bpg. his stats sound pretty proletarian but he really came on when given a chance to exhibit his energy and desire in 35 to 40 mpg. same goes for their gaurds, chauncey was a bounce around until he grew up in the piston system and rip was a reject of the wiz. they havent gone out and spent for anyone and only have one draft choice in their starting lineup. possibly two of those guys were on their last team before leaving the league in chauncey and rip, huge disappointments prior to detroit. only sheed was a big name before he got there and he has remade himself as he was not dependable to stay in games and therefore not a good teammate that you could depend on until he came to detroit.

bp put the rfa and ufa list out there for us earlier. are there any sleepers on the list that can be had and who is ready to blossum? i like claxton and ely but would love to get a big guy like griffin that is versatile and loves to reject. who are the bigs on that list with defensive prowess that can fulfill this teams destiny. can gooden and or wilcox be pried away? who have i missed?

i also would rather stay away from trades at this point if possible unless it is a chills or a slaim as i am not ready to rid myself of anyone else that is of value. i too am concerned about going after rfa as we have little to offer and we just dont have leverage, didnt to get jj and wont have it when it comes to al unless other teams just happen to have what we want and they dont need. otherwise to some degree we are still the beggars.

this discussion is moot to some degree because we dont even know what the true needs will be until the lottery and draft is complete. if we get aldridge and a point in the draft then we probably only need a vet big that scraps and digs the dirt along with an upscale point. it will also depend on what combination of players or draft choices if any we get from al.

By HB Ando

April 27, 2006 01:53 AM | Link to this

I see that Penny and Mashburn are free agents this summer. I think we should push hard to add two tremendous names, that play the 2 and 3 slots, as we are thin there………

By Samuel

April 27, 2006 06:17 AM | Link to this

How bout them Lakers!

By doc

April 27, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this

yeah, how bout them lakers. where did the zen man get the govenor for kobe? sam, i dont think you saw the game as your post was at 6 this morning so i doubt you can answer, did i read they somehow got two basketballs on the court for kobe and his gang and wouldnt tell kobe which one was real?

speaking of the lakers, bp has alluded to the notion that al might be interested in the hollywood lights and the star atmosphere. how do you think al would look in the lineup for the lakers instead of luke walton? is there a sign and trade that would involve mihms coming here? could anyone else live with that and what else would be needed to “fair it up” for the hawks?

By Astro Joe

April 27, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

Like I said the other day, force Nash into a scoring mode and Phoenix loses. Same was true for Kidd and to a lesser degree with Magic way back when.

Does anyone know if Kiki V. signed a new deal in Denver? That franchise may be in BIG trouble. Again, i am expecting a ton of vets to be moved this off-season because there are a bunch of teams (including playoff teams) that need some significant “home improvement work”. Denver, Cleveland, Washington, Sacramento and the Lakers to name a few.

By Astro Joe

April 27, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

An excerpt from ESPN’s Chad Ford on the Hawks needs for the upcoming draft (excluding the cliche jabs at BK):

The Hawks need a point guard badly. The problem is, none of the prospects in the draft played like a top-10 pick this year.

The Hawks also could use more size. Zaza Pachulia has been good in the middle, but Atlanta needs more athleticism and shot blocking in the paint. Tyrus Thomas would be great if he’s available. Ditto for Joakim Noah and LaMarcus Aldridge.

The Hawks, according to sources, also are jonesing for Andrea Bargnani. Although he’s not quite another athletic swingman, he’s yet another perimeter forward who won’t play defense or with his back to the basket.

If all four of those guys are off the table when the Hawks pick, there’s going to have to be some soul-searching in Atlanta. The other great players are all swingmen.

The right pick might turn out to be Villanova’s Randy Foye — a tough, athletic combo guard who could thrive next to Johnson in the Hawks’ up-tempo offense.

By The Flash

April 27, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Doc, You’re wrong about Rip. Used to hang with Polin’s right hand (a lawyer named Osnowitz whose grandson played travel soccer with my son). Oz said that MJ forced the trade of Rip because Rip rebelled against kissing up to MJ; that Polin was furious about it because everyone in the organization except MJ and therefore Collins were extremely high on Rip, and that the Rip thing was a principal reason that Polin cut MJ loose. Horse’s mouth, or the closest thing to it. Personally, I thought Rip was doing great here and that all that was holding him back was MJ. Spent an hour or so chatting with him one evening when we were both shopping big screens. Terrific kid.

By The Flash

April 27, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

Doc, You’re wrong about Rip. Used to hang with Polin’s right hand (a lawyer named Osnowitz whose grandson played travel soccer with my son). Oz said that MJ forced the trade of Rip because Rip rebelled against kissing up to MJ; that Polin was furious about it because everyone in the organization except MJ and therefore Collins were extremely high on Rip, and that the Rip thing was a principal reason that Polin cut MJ loose. Horse’s mouth, or the closest thing to it. Personally, I thought Rip was doing great here and that all that was holding him back was MJ. Spent an hour or so chatting with him one evening when we were both shopping big screens. Terrific kid.

By tb

April 27, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

ATL

Trades:

Al Harrington

Royal Ivey

Recieves:

Speedy Claxton J R Smith

Draft:

If Splitter or Sheldon Williams slip to #13 take em.

If not take two out of these three:

O’Bryant H. Armstrong Sene and maybe a Paul Milsap in the second

Roster next year:

PG: Speedy/Lue

SG: JJ/JR/Salim

SF: Marvin/Chil

PF: Smoove/#15Armstrong/#35Milsap

C: Zaza/#13Splitter/Batista

By Astro Joe

April 27, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

Doc, Mihm is a free agent after next season, so I’m not sure that I would deal Al for him as the principle piece only to see him walk away a year later. I guess I would ask for Mihm, Bynum and either their ‘07 or ‘08 pick. But I think I would look to other teams on Al’s short list forst as that does not seem like a great fit for the Hawks.

By Basketball Princess

April 27, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

Astro, atually it’s really a long list of possiblities when you think about him just going and signing with a team. If Al decides to re-sign with ATL it a short list. but him not re-signing is a lot longer list

By Ty

April 27, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith is not a 4 and never will be.

By Astro Joe

April 27, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

Princess, I was referring to the list for sign and trade considerations, which I guess is probably no more than 4-5 teams.

By Sekou K. Smith

April 27, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

The next person to post anything or repeat anything Chad Ford says on this board will be banned. Dude has no sway here. Not after Darko, Skita and all the other Euro’s he’s tried to pass off as the next Dirk. Newsflash, there’s only one Dirk. Just like there’s only one LeBron and one Kobe and one everyone else. This never ending search for the next great European player is hilarious to me. If there were hundreds of them running around as good as Dirk, why in the world would they need to play in the NBA. Europe would have its own rival pro league rather than sending the cream of their crop across the Atlantic Pond to cash NBA checks. So again, this crusade to globalize the game has to stop before it hits this blog because I won’t tolerate the river of misinformation that flows continually about these international gems that show up and can’t break into the playing rotation in the states. I won’t do it!

By Basketball Princess

April 27, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

Oh, ok Astro. My bad!

This just in from CHAD FORD….just kidding SS!

By Chad Ford

April 27, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

Don’t expect any holiday cards from me, Mr. Smith. And I hope that your leg quarters burn to a charred crisp on the grill. How dare you call out all of my inaccurate statements and predictions over the past few years and my sinister desire to turn the NBA into the Euro league. Just for that, I wish you another decade of Mr. Carr as your caollege coach.

By Astro Joe

April 27, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this

Geez, the hostility around here is getting severe. How is it that guys are more hostile AFTER a 26-win season and not during a 26-win season? Anyway, Sekou, this is your party and I like the tunes that you play. I will never bring Chad Ford’s name back to your house, so you can send the rottweiler back to his cage. Now give me a brat.

By A Thinking Fan

April 27, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

AJ we have no Hawks’ games to focus on…

By HB Ando

April 27, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

See, isn’t it fun when SS joins in on the ongoing theme? I only quote Chad Ford, or any other supposed expert, when their opinion supports mine (how convenient).

If Mihm were to re-sign with the Lakers, and with the way Brown is playing, I can conceive of the Lakers being willing to trade us Bynum, and maybe a pick, for Al. And I’d take that deal and never look back. I think Bynum is a guy who very well could have been the number 1 pick this season, if he’d have gone to college (though he would have fought for minutes, as a true freshman, at UConn). He also would likely project to the second pick, behind Oden should he have chosen to come out after his freshman year, in ‘07.

Speedy is unrestricted, so the idea of trading for him gets us back to the same argument that has been made about why Chicago wouldn’t give us much in a sign and trade for a guy they can sign outright (I still think there’s leveraging to be done if Al is willing to play ball; as I’ve said, if he’s not, we’re truly screwed and errored big in not trading him before the deadline. Only time will tell).

We still don’t know if this franchise is going to aggressively pursue all the outlets available to them, to improve this team in the off-season. So for all the time and effort we are putting into agreeing or disagreeing on what needs to be done, there remains the question of committment to improvement. Not much value in fighting over strategies, if they’re going to give us a repeat of this season, in terms of pulling the trigger on some transactions.

I’m going to watch some more playoffs and wait for the ping pong balls to sort out our actual draft slot before I put any more energy into where we go from here. Because if they can’t or won’t commit resources to signing a free agent, and don’t obtain anything of value in exchange for a signed Al Harrington, then who we draft won’t make much difference as we head for another season in the NBA basement.

By HB Ando

April 27, 2006 05:56 PM | Link to this

OK, let’s engage in some unsubstantiated rumor mongering. Kenyon has bought himself a one-way ticket out of Denver. His contract is such that very few teams could take it on, or even find a player with similar cap numbers, who it hopes to swap out. Enter the Knicks. Starbury for Martin. What’s this got to do with us?

Andre Miller for Harrington. Knicks get their enforcer. Denver rolls out Starbury, Carmelo, Harrington and Camby. We get a legitimate point guard.

Anybody see a reason this wouldn’t work from a practical standpoint (in other words, some reason that doesn’t include the statement “I don’t think Denver/New York would do that”; none of us have any idea what goes on in the heads of GM’s, so “I don’t think” isn’t a rebuttal)?

Also, there’s a blurb in Hoopshype today that says Portland’s GM is heading over to Europe this week to scout Bargnani. Sure would help us out if they drafted him at one, especially if we could move up just one slot to 3. How about Portland taking Bargnani, Chicago taking Thomas, Charlotte taking Morrison or Gay and Aldridge falling to us at 4? A boy can dream.

By The Flash

April 27, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

Ando, you should be ccing the big boys on these. No reason I can see to be paying BK all that money. You are sizzlin.

By The Flash

April 27, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

Oh, and Ando, it’s not like I’m trying to get with you or nothin, but that take the other day, on the Sheed trade to Detroit, you know, something like “how about making a trade like that now that actually helps us.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

By buddy

April 27, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

Works great for me, Ando.

By Ty

April 27, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

Wow. Ando, that trade makes a lot of sense. A lot of sense. Nuggets get rid of their problem, Knicks get rid of theirs, we get rid of our problem (no PG).

How’s Andre as a defender? I haven’t watched him play too many games. And what’s his contract status like?

If this doesn’t work out (which it probably won’t, unfortunately), look for Knight to consider the Bulls’ glut of good, young PG’s in exchange for Harrington.

By Samuel

April 27, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

Doc,

You’re on point man. You’re right also in that I didn’t stay up to watch the Lakers. I had absolutely no doubt that they would take the Suns after game one. The Lakers in 6.

Actually, as a Laker fan i’m not crazy about Al at the 3. I can’t really see Phil making that move. Al doesn’t play enough “D” for Phil and Magic. I actually like Luke as a nice role player. I can’t see them moving Bynum either. I can see them moving Mihm.

Now Ando. You know how i’ve been preaching A. Miller of Denver. Yea, he plays great defense and can do it all. He is exactly the type of PG I would be looking for as a Hawk.

Cuz, Glad to see you “Go Slap Off” on this Euro mess, please.

By Astro Joe

April 27, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this

The Denver trade scenario works well for the Hawks (always has), the question for the Denver execs is do they trust that Melo has matured enough for him to play/hang with Starbury. That just feels like mixing gasoline with a faulty lighter. I have a feeling that Denver is too conservative to gamble that the camps of Melo and Starbury won’t become too disruptive. The other thing to keep in mind is the UNC connection between Larry Brown and George Karl. Will LB warn Karl that Starbury is a coach and team killer?

From a pure talent standpoint, great idea. But I think that the chemistry question (especially off the court) may not support Starbury joining Melo. (I still think the deal will be Marbury for Baron Davis and loose change).

And Ando, I fully expect Al will work with us on a sign and trade, but BK still needs to negotiate the returning assets. I cannot remember a time when a team drafted a top 1-2 pick, introduced him to their fans and media, did the whole uniform and baseball hat thing and then when free agency begins a few weeks later, ships that 1-2 draft pick to another team. Not that it would never happen, but wow, that would really be unique.

And your probably right about Bynum and how he would have ranked for this draft. I just see more Jerome James than I do Shaq. Plus, this team really does not need to get any younger (isn’t he like 14 or something?)

By mavid

April 27, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this

harrington and chill for kaman and livingston

By Basketball Princess

April 28, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this

Ok, if the Chicago/Miami Series is not the best one then please tell me which one is! Again that’s why I love this game! The tension, the un-predictable, the competitiveness, the anger……yeah!

The Bulls seem to be getting to a older Miami Heat. Those boys were playing dirty last night because they knew the Bulls were a better team and they had the mojo. Question, So if Haslem hadn’t pulled Antoine Walker Back was he on his way to attacking the REF? He looked like he was squaring up. But did anyone see a reaction from the bench/coach at all about any of the fiasco that took place. Emotionless! Loved the way Hinrich was dishing the ball into Sweetwater(Sweetny) Baby! Really paid attention to his skill level. SS said he looks at the players ability, and skill level. So I took a page from his book, and I actually learned something!

By Basketball Princess

April 28, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

Not that yall care but, whaterver!

By Astro Joe

April 28, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Princess, I care. I think Sweetney is a nice player who is receiving the “Childress” treatment. People want him to be better, but he is a productive player as he is. I’d take him tomorrow to help us off the bench. He blocks a bunch of shots for an “undersized” big man who plays less than 20 minutes a game. As I said several weeks ago, find the guy who helped Diop lose all of his wait last summer and Sweetney could be a 14/10/2 guy every night.

By HB Ando

April 28, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

BP, you KNOW we care. Could calls. Couldn’t agree with you more, watching the Bulls bring it for the home crowd last night. Has anyone ever seen Shaq Diesel so out of it?! How does worst playoff performance ever sound? Ugly.

Here’s what The Grizz’s owner has to say:

“That’s why I’m trying to figure out what the hell we’re going to do to make this team better. (The fans) aren’t obligated to come to the arena. We have to make them want to be there.” Memphis Commercial Appeal”

Billy can you hear me?

Joe, your point about Karl, his relationship to Brown, and his lack of patience for “uncoachables” are sound reasoning why Starbury wouldn’t be the piece that gets swapped for Martin. But here’s what I found the day after I mentioned it:

“The Knicks will again bid for Kenyon Martin now that he assuredly will be traded by the Nuggets this summer”

And finally, when I asked why Billy would even bother making ridiculous statements about re-signing and keeping Al, because nobody could be stupid enough to believe him, up steps the USA Today (guess I need to stop assuming people have a clue):

“The Hawks were the youngest team in the league this season, and one of the youngest in NBA history with an average age of 23 years and 2.6 years of experience. The good news for the Hawks is that they will be able to pursue veteran free agents who can provide leadership, and will be in position to re-sign free agent Al Harrington. “In a rebuilding situation like we’re in, that’s a good position to be in,” said Hawks general manager Billy Knight. “That’s not to say something is going to happen just because you have room; at least you have the flexibility to do something if you decide it works for you.” USA Today

Um, yeah, let’s re-sign Al, and ensure that there’s no room for a true power forward next year as the two forward positions will be overcrowded again with Al, Marvin and Josh. Let’s see, that was such a great lineup we won 26 games. I guess if we want to win 26 again, watch teams run lay up drills on our unoccupied paint, that would be the smart thing to do. Let’s limit Marvin’s playing time again. Let’s spend another season being reminded of how good Chris Paul looks in a Hornets uniform.

I say, Stand Pat and shoot for a Top-3 in ‘07! I can see the fans rushing out to get season tickets after an offseason of an Al resigning and the drafting of Gay or Morrison (long and lean, baby). Not!

Joe, you had me nodding my head in agreement till you got to the Bynum/James comparison. Where did you come up with that? James is fat and has spent his last 7 years in the league dogging it. Bynum is one year out of high school and has unlimited upside at 7’1. I’m just curious why you would compare him to such a bum.

By Astro Joe

April 28, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

Ando, that’s fair. The jerome James reference was probably uncalled for.

Yes, I do think that Zeke will go after Kenyon, but I’m thinking it may take someone like Crawford (Denver hasn’t had a true shooting guard since, well, I can’t remember their last good shooting guard). Anyway, I could see a combo of Crawford (or Q Rich) and maybe M. Taylor. I haven’t checked to see if those salaries match, but I just can’t imagine Karl bringing in Starbury.

Ihope that everyone is prepared for every free agent to claim that the Hawks are interested. We saw that last year with names like Ray Allen. The media (not you Sekou) is a testing ground for crazy propaganda and public contract negotiations. Is there any doubt that if Big Ben’s agent is felling like he is getting hosed, that we will see that the Hawks are looking to add Big Ben? Same for Radmanovic, Wilcox, Nene and just about any other big man with a pulse and no contract.

By HB Ando

April 28, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Joe, Wallace fired his agent a year ago. He will use an attorney to handle his contract details as he re-signs with Detroit. He didn’t want to give up 3% to stay with the same team. But I agree we will likely exist a leverage in the media for quite a few players. Add that to the rumors we’ll be starting ourselves and this summer will be wave after wave of misinformation and untruths. Can’t wait.

By HB Ando

April 28, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

BTW, Jerome James proves you can be a big man, without a pulse, and still get paid…..

By honest abe

April 28, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

it’s been fun everyone….looking forward to next year!

look at one of my olds posts….keep an eye out of kyle lowery….some scouts have him listed the 2nd best pg behind marcus williams….i think the kid is going to be a really good pro….needs some work on his jumper..but his instincts, quickness, defense is exactly what the hawks need.

By HB Ando

April 28, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

OK, guys, take a look at this quote:

“However, Bickerstaff said the real beauty of the Bobcats’ salary situation is the team will have the ability to re-sign and/or extend the contracts of its core group — which includes Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace and rookie Raymond Felton— when they become free agents in the future. “We need to make sure we have the wherewithal to handle in-house (deals),” Bickerstaff said. “You forget that sometimes when you start looking outside. We’re planning five, six years out when you’ll have the Omekas and Wallaces and our core group of guys who are getting a chance to prove their value (on the free-agent market). We want to make sure we have the ability to take care of them.” USA Today”

Felton, Wallace, Okafor, May. These guys have serious contractual obligations coming up in the next few years to lock down that core. They’ll be drafting another top-3 pick, who will also come with future cap obligations. They cannot afford to tie up much cash in Melvin Ely. THAT’S the GUY we need to sign to an offer sheet. That’s the guy who could step in and play the 4/5 next to Zaza immediately, and in the future. There’s a contract amount that isn’t overpaying from our perspective, but is still more than they’re willing to spend. He’s less of an athlete than a Nene, but he’s more of a shot blocker and he’s far more polished offensively. Food for thought.

By Astro Joe

April 28, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

I’d take Ely in a heart beat for a reasonable contract, no doubt about it. I’m also getting intrigued with Cedric Simmons and I’m thinking that he could be no worse than Ely and possibly approach what Wilcox did in his stint with Seattle (except Simmons appears to be a better shot blocker like Ely). I also think that while I prefer a more traditional center (7-footer about 275 pounds) it seems like Woody would prefer the Ben Wallace type, quicker but still strong. I was amazed to see one site suggest that guys like Simmons, Josh Boone and Shelden Williams could play cnter at the next level. So Ely would fit perfectly.

Of course, the Hawks have the exact same salary issue as Charlotte, with all of our young guys. But we may be in worse position, because at least our young guys have stayed healthy and productive and therefore should have more market value. Okafor was hurt in college and has stayed hurt in the League. I actually forgot about May, its been so long since he was in a uniform. I read that Charlotte may draft big yet again because of some of these ongoing health problems.

By Ty

April 28, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Good point again, Ando. And that’s really the beauty of our last off-season: locking up Joe Johnson and Zaza to long-term contracts means that the majority of our “core” is going to be around for awhile.

That said, I do consider Josh Smith part of our core, and he is poised to have a monster season, the type of season that could really demand some major money that the Hawks really couldn’t afford not to pay.

Point being that, while some teams may have a lot of money to throw around, they might not be able to afford to throw it around right now. Chicago’s got to worry about Ben Gordon, Kirk Heinrich, Chris Duhon, etc…so their impressive space to sign free agents isn’t quite as impressive as ours when you get right down to it.

Not that I feel sorry for them…great game last night!

By stunna2

April 28, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

A lot of people keep saying how strong the 07 draft will be with Oden. Well have some of you ever thought that maybe the kid wont come out after one year. He was talking about going to college long before the rule was put into play. Can we at least see him play for a whole year?

By cowa

April 28, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

Going back to the Denver possibilities, from the comments that Stevie Franchise made, he is looking to get out of town as well. Similar contract ot Starbury, with a little less ego, that might fit better with a Melo. Have to be a lot of other moving parts to make it work, something like: Kmart and John Edwards going to NY, Franchise and Harrington going to Denver, and Miller and Nene going to ATL. Tough to make work, but definitely worth the effort. Don’t see how Nene wouldn’t have to be part of the deal to make the salaries work, though. Of course, Denver could still ask for JChill and the trade would still work. Crawford and QRich make too much money compared to Kmart, unless the Knicks took back Najera. Denver then could be very weak on the front line, so I don’t think it would work.

On ESPN, someone (I won’t say his name) has Charlotte taking Bargnani at #3 and the Hawks taking Roy at #4 if the draft went according to record. Uggh.

By HB Ando

April 28, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

Well, we know we’re not taking a shooting guard (I mean I guess we know). Word at the trade deadline, and repeated in the last few days with Martin’s suspension, is that Franchise and Carmelo do not get along at all, and Carmelo would veto bringing Franchise to Denver. Who knows if this is true. But I don’t think we’re way off base to continue to look at some of the usual suspects with regards to a sign and trade.

Now don’t take this as a 180 turn, but instead, just looking at things from another perspective. I’ve said all along that the key to getting anything of value for Al is for Al to collaborate with Billy in exchange for a longer deal and a little more money. That being said, since Al isn’t a max player, it’s not impossible that Al would take a year less on the deal and a tad less money (or not less at all, since he’s not max) and leave without compensation for one very compelling reason: He has to want to minimize the price his new team is paying for bringing him in, because his primary goal, other than getting paid what he wants, is to compete for championships. So it’s not unrealistic that he walks away, getting roughly the same annual dollars that we could give him (I mean the receiving team has to sign off on the contract for it to work anyway), and one less year, guaranteed, to make sure that his new team doesn’t have to give up a core player to the Hawks.

Now. If that happens, there’s no way around the fact that Billy screwed up and weakened this franchise through his unwillingness to trade Al before the deadline. I don’t care what you say about cap space, teams in the NBA CANNOT get better letting assets like Harrington leave without getting something in return to balance things out. Unless they turn around and sign not one, but two, similarly salaried free agents, a point and a big, it will have been a failure on Billy’s part. I mean if you can draft a big, sign Ely and Terry or James, I guess the net result would be very much improved. But in leiu of such aggressive moves via free agency, letting Al walk without compensation has to be viewed as another in a long line of questionable moves (and, I say again, non-moves).

By HB Ando

April 28, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

And Stunna, we all know that Oden might not come out after year one, but he’s only the first pick, in what is believed to be a tremendous class. Don’t forget that if he doesn’t come out, Noah probably will. And there’s Kevin Durant, McRoberts, etc. It’s not just the specter of Oden that makes giving a lottery pick to Phoenix a pretty high price to pay for Joe Johnson. That pick defines the final price for Johnson. And the franchise had a potential opportunity to get off cheap by addressing the roster needs during the season and making a run at the eighth seed (which would have sent this years’ pick to finalize the transaction). Now, they can aggressively improve the team for next season and simultaneously improve the product for the fans, while running that pick into the low to mid teens before handing it to Phoenix. Or they can fail to act on the majority of their needs, letting Al go, failing to attract any viable free agents, and drafting a player who may or may not be ready to contribute right away, and either be bad enough to keep a pick protected at 1-3, or hand a 4 through “you name how low the pick drops before it doesn’t hurt anymore” range, thus paying the highest possible final price for Johnson. My point has been all along, that the final price for Johnson could have been, and still should be, minimized by the actions of the front office and the moves they make. Giving Phoenix a lottery pick in ‘07, regardless of whether Oden comes out or doesn’t, is absolutely paying top dollar. It’s like going and buying a Porsche and the sales guys says to you: “You can pay me $85,000 for this car, or you can make a few reasonable decisions or actions, that are completely in your control, and you have the right to pay me $70,000 for the car. It’s up to you whether you want make those moves or not, because I’m going to take less if you’re smart about it, or I’m going to take the full amount if you’re too stupid to take advantage of your control over the final price”. If we give Phoenix a lottery pick in ‘07, and, understand, that the #4 pick is akin to paying $85K for that Porsche, then our franchise let us fans down in a big way. Because Billy and the owners have it well within their control to act aggressively to retool this team and make them competitors for the playoffs next year. By not doing that, they give us a substandard product in ‘07, and they mortgaged our realistic future with that ‘07 draft pick (final price is pick 19-21 this year, Diaw, and whatever pick we end up giving Phoenix).

I love Johnson’s game, but if that final pick is 4-10 in next years’ draft, we will have paid $85K for a $70K car.

By buddy

April 28, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

Sekou you still grillin? You need to be sellin grills like Foreman.

By The Flash

April 28, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

About JJ’s game and my previous comments. Was just reading an old SI issue, an article about Karl and Mello, about how Mello hated Karl at first cause Karl was always criticizing him. Karl explained that Mello had a bad habit of occupying the ball too long; that he wanted him to catch and do something with it. Shoot, make his move, or get rid of it. Holding disrupted the flow of the game. Mello listened, his nos are up, and Denver had itself a high powered offense.

As I said, I think JJ occupies the ball too long and does it too often. Nothing but love for the guy, but everyone can improve. I hope somebody’s telling him that instead of just singing his praises.

Looks like Kobe is playing the triangle, and a fluid offensive system is up against another fluid offensive system and phoenix’s just might not be all that when up against an equal offensive force. Interesting game. Wish I could still play instead of just talk it. Of course, there are those who will tell you that that’s all I ever could do. Yo Mama!

By honest abe

April 28, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

Now for the End of the Season Awards!!!!!!

MKIA (MOST KNOW IT ALL AWARD) - Goes to HB ANDO sometimes I understand how this guy isn’t the GM of some club. With that depth of knowledge and understanding of the NBA you would think he’d at least have some kind of front office position. Besides, if he were running the Hawks we would have already won 10 championships. He’s got that rare eye for talent that nobody else has, he can look back and criticize an organization in a million different ways, while the whole time saying the exact same thing. NOW THAT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN TAKES SKILLLLLLLZ!!

MAB (MOST ABSURD AWARD) - It was a close between buddy aka the “white” baller and flash aka the a** kisser………However, Flash wins the award. Sorry buddy maybe next year. Flash ran away with this when he said “The HAwks need Etan Thomas” lol one more time ETAN THOMAS.

FMAB (FEMALE MOST ANNOYING AWARD) - Goes to Basketball Princess. Ok so this really isn’t fair, BP is the only female on the blog so there wasn’t really any competition, but when it comes to annoying she takes the cake. Here’s some advice, go back to school! (elementary would be a nice starting point)

BL (BIGGEST LOSER AWARD) - This one was close between Samuel and doc. Samuel with his constant “cuz.” CMON man!! Not only do you NOT sound hip, you sound like a mentally handicapped person who forgot how to talk. I know Sekou is your cousin but damn he’s not a celebrity man, chill out, I dont’ know if it’s something I would flaunt everytime I get on here. But doc you win this award for trying to get into BP’s pants. Nuff said. Besides you let Flash’s brown nosing get into your head. heh

MVB (MOST VALUABLE BLOGGER AWARD) - Not even close, one pretty smart guy that always brought something smart to say. Astro Joe, wins this award because he never had a sense of arrogance like Ando, no A** munching like flash, no pretentious comments like BP or Sam I Am.

OH YA, SEKOU NEXT TIME YOU DECIDE TO BLOCK ME DO IT PERMANENTLY. YOU RACIST PUNK. SO, I GUESS WHEN I GOT INTO THAT LITTLE SPAT WITH BP IT WAS ALL MY FAULT? IF YOU’RE GOING TO BLOCK ME YOU SHOULD’VE BLOCKED HER TOO. THERE WERE THINGS WRITTEN ON THESE BLOGS THAT WERE A LOT WORSE THAN WHAT I WROTE. SERIOUSLY, LOST ALL RESPECT FOR YOU DORKY A**.

And with that I hope everyone has a great offseason. I had fun blogging and wasting time at work. Hawks have an extremely bright future ahead of them. Think positive and I’ll see ya guys down at Philips next season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Sekou K. Smith

April 28, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

Name calling Abe? Very uncool of you my man. And I don’t block anyone on here, that’s the moderator’s job (though I have a suggestion for him!) If you got tossed, it was for something you said that was out of line - sort of like the hot garbage you’ve contributed above. But hey, it’s summer time and we’re not going to let anybody bring this blog down. Not even you. So keep swinging (and missing).

Buddy, I turned the grill off for the weekend. I’m in LA checking out Boris, Nash and Marion and wondering if the Zen Master is going to continue to outwit my coach of the year pick for the next two games. I’m also going to drop in on Monday night’s Clips-Nuggetts game and see what I can see.

Ando, you’re prolific as always. I too read the Grizz owner’s yapping. But I wasn’t impressed. He’s yelling about fans not coming to support a team that’s going to the playoffs. Sounds like it’s more of a fan issue (if you think Atlanta gets whacked for not being a vibrant sports town try spending a few days in Memphis) than it is a Grizz issue. They’ve done everything a struggling franchise is supposed to do to compete. Check their opponents during this 0-for-the-postseason run. They’re not losing to scrubs.

And that 07 draft is going to be solid, with or without Oden. With him, it becomes a monster because you’d have potentially two franchise big men in the same draft (Noah being the other, were he to bolt).

By honest abe

April 28, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

hey at least it was hot :)

By A Thinking Fan

April 28, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this

Is Flash up to his old Blash JJ tricks again?

By CG

April 28, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this

Hey Sekou,

When are you going to invite me over for one those grill sessions????

By Ashy Larry

April 28, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this

Ando, that’s a pretty good trade you have proposed there… the only reason I can think of why it wouldn’t happen is because I think Denver would try to get a perimeter threat (preferably at SG) in exchange for Martin, and with opinions about Starbury around the league as low as they are I don’t know how they would feel, as a playoff team, replacing a reliable guy like Andre Miller with someone as unpredictable as Starbury.

As far as “minimizing the price his new team is paying for bringing him in”… it makes perfect sense, but do NBA players really think like that? Something tells me Harrington would be happy getting paid regardless of who the Hawks got in return. I mean thinking back to last offseason, Joe Johnson wasn’t exactly stopping the trade because the Hawks threw an extra draft pick in there. I think most NBA players have a high enough opinion of themselves to where they think they can more than make up for the loss of whatever players went the other way in a trade.

By The Flash

April 29, 2006 12:23 AM | Link to this

Thinking man, I understand they they are offering a free remedial reading course at the Peachtree Omni. You’ll have no problem getting in if you can read “Omni.”

Come on, bro, I’m not bashing anyone. I am only bringing up my lack of confidence in Woody to get the job done in terms developing an offense really worth watching and that gives everybody the opportunity to create off of desireable touches. JJ slows the ball down because that is the way W has the offense run. I’d like to see it change.

Thus, I said that I hoped there is someone around who will stop patting JJ on his back long enough to point out how he might make progress and maybe even develop a system that supplants some people’s perceptions that JJ has to occupy (hold the ball too long) in order for this team to score.

It is called progress, which usually requires identifying where one thinks progress can be made.

So my wish list includes getting someone who has a vision for an offense where the ball moves more smoothly and creates more opportunities for everyone to create to promulgate that vision and help develop JJ’s confidence in playing in that way. If W can do that fine; he ain’t showed me that yet. I have no reason to doubt that JJ can change his style if someone presents a viable option that will allow others to flourish.

You, on the other hand, I fear are HOPELESS, LIKEABLE AND SOMETIMES EVEN INSPIRING, ALWAYS PASSIONATE THOUGH YOU MAY BE. Have a great weekend.

By tb

April 29, 2006 02:41 AM | Link to this

Hey Honest. Good wrap up. Pretty honest appraisal across the board.

Though i enjoy this blog as another source of Hawks talk, I generally find that most of the regulars have created a little Homerish clique that spends most of its time patting themselves and each other on the back.

The boards at other sites are usually a bit more to my taste though, as most of the posts are not so long winded and are not written by people in love with their self perceived b-ball and literary abilities.

Also to have a real reporter for a major (sorry) newspaper and NEVER get a single bit of inside news or pertinent and timely criticism of actions or inactions by our Coach/Owners/GM really bugs me.

Simple process.

SS: BK, why didn’t you upgrade at PG/BIG before the trade deadline?

BK: No comment (more or less)

SS: But BK, you have a responsibility to the Hawks fan base.

BK: Ha Ha

SS: Thank you for taking the time to grant me an interview BK.

BK: He’s already out of here.

Hey Honest, unfortunately most people are perfectly willing to be Homers. Going against the grain or taking up a position that goes against popular belief or authority would never even enter their minds.

By Samuel

April 29, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

Abe,

My boy. Thank’s for at least a nomination for stupid awards. I don’t see how you can give a “real Doctor” a loser award but whatever. You forgot yourself. How about “Hater of the Year”.

I know you will continue to read this blog and will surely continue to prefrence my comments with “Cuz” when addressing my most famous cousin, SS. Proud of you Cuz.

Actually, Cuz is a celebrity. Don’t you just “Hate” the fact that he can get paid to travel around the world at your expense(assuming you buy or log on to the AJC) and rub sholders with the likes of Shaq, Lebron, Nickolson and the stars. You just hate that. I can tell.

You are the obvious LOSER here and everyone can see it. Get a Life.

By A Thinking Fan

April 29, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

Flash If you had worded your original JJ comment like your last, then “NO PROBLEM!” Say what you mean, mean what you say, and direct it at the right source - cool… I feel you on MW’s ability to innovate with the talent on hand from an offensive scheme perspective.

By Samuel

April 29, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

Hey Cuz,

Please say hello to Halle and Tyra while you’re out in La La Land. You know you’re making Abe and his boy tb grit they’re teeth in envy.

Hey Doc, what about them Lakers huh. I told you guys. I think this summer I predicted the Lakers finishing in the Top 4 teams in the West. You guys have been on me about them Knicks but I don’t believe anybody on this board predicted the Lakers to finish so high. Don’t be surprised if the Lakers end up in the Finals of the Western Conf. Kobe will be playing with a serious chip on his shoulder if he finishes 4th in MVP balloting and Phil will also be looking to show the young cat, Avery a thing or two about playoff basketball. Don’t be at all surprised.

By HB Ando

April 29, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

I think calling the true regulars here “Homers” is fair. We’ve spent 7 months building a forum for communication about the Hawks and the NBA. Folks come and go. A handful of us have consistently shown up and traded opinions, frequently disagreeing with each others perspectives. I think we’ve challenged each other, and I think we’ve challenged the front office and ownership. I do think that the real “Homers” have been the Hawks’ employees who have felt the need to come here and defend Billy Knight.

Am I prone to arrogance? That’s one way of looking at things. If it’s arrogant to believe that I could do a better job running the Hawks than Billy Knight, guilty as charged. I’ve played this game my whole life, and never once, despite being very good, have I ever thought I could play at the NBA level. But I don’t see anything etched in stone that says someone who’s not involved with the league, who’s never had the opportunity, isn’t capable of succeeding in such a role if they had the chance. And I say that with the understanding that there are many folks in this country, covering the full range of sports that we love, who could potentially handle the responsibilities of running a sports franchise. I don’t think I could win American Idol. I’m no candidate for the Presidency (lord knows I think there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people with the intellect to do a better job than our current leader). But putting together a quality basketball franchise isn’t neurosurgery, guys. It’s hoops. And I’ve put my opinions up for everyone to see, unafraid to be right or wrong. That’s more than we’ve gotten from our GM, who doesn’t feel he owes the ticket buying fans any explanation, any insight, into his efforts to make us satisfied. We could do far worse than to have someone as accessible and candid as the GM in this town.

My charter with Sekou was to speak my mind and mix it up. I enjoy getting people fired up. As I’ve said before, this is about as much fun as a hoops fan can have for free. Calling Sekou a racist underscores what kind of person Abe must really be, and that’s kind of sad. But, my skin is as thick as Billy’s skull, so keep firing away. At the very least, I know that I’m never ignored.

Finally, I think Joe is a fine pick for MVB. I look forward to trading opinions with him for years to come…….

By St. Bernard

April 29, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know when the lottery spots are decided?

By tb

April 30, 2006 03:42 AM | Link to this

I am a big proponent of mixing it up a bit to get people to dig a little deeper.

I am never shy about giving an opinion, even an unwanted one.

Arrogance is a sign of one who believes that they are intelligent or superiour. It is nice to think that you have capabilities, though we all do so your argument could apply to anyone, but to exude such arrogance and to suggest opinion as fact simply because it comes from such an intelligent and superiour person; you, is not a sign of intelligence but of a lack of wisdom.

Can’t wait for the draft and FA season to kick in so that I can continue to watch the Hawks develop towards the winning team that I think we will have for years to come.

By Samuel

April 30, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this

Ando,

While I agree that we are Homers and proud of it, I must say that a couple of your above statements really bother me. Not that you are confident in yourself and your abilities but that you believe you can do a “better” job without knowing what the job fully entails.

Now,I will be the first to admitt that I have criticized BK on occassion, especially at the beginning of the season, but recently I have grown to give him the benefit of the doubt due to a variety of reasons.

Arrogance is not at all an asset but a liability.

It’s perfectly alright to have the confidence that you can do a job “as well as” the next man, given the same opportunity but to automatically think you can do better. I don’t know. If you are serious about being a GM, then pay your dues and get started on the right path. You say that you were a player. Have you ever been a coach or an a sports administrator? Maybe you have and still are. Do some people get opportunities without going through the normal channels. Probably so but most of the good ones, “pay their dues”.

I used to be one who would criticize teachers and coaches to no end. My father, who retired as a teacher and coach, finally convinced me to “walk the walk” instead of always “talking the talk”. So I completely changed my career path in order to got into teaching and coaching and let me tell you, I was truely humbled. Don’t get me wrong, I still have confidence in my abilities and have done a good job but I now understand that, “It aint easy as it seems” and it takes time and sacrafice to be good at anything worthwhile.

I appreciate your basketball knowledge and especially your research and analysis into salaries, contracts and so forth so keep it comming but if I am to see Ando as GM one day. Pay your dues brutha. You’ll appreciate it more. Brutha 2 Brutha.

By HB Ando

April 30, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

I appreciate your comments, Sam. But to be honest, I think folks are taking my hobby here a bit too seriously. And if responsible for creating the perception that I take myself too seriously, let me correct it. I have a company and a life, like everyone else here. I do not anticipate seeking a career in the NBA. I’m just playing around. And I do like to push people’s buttons. Due to the inactivity of the front office during the season, we all were left with little new news to hash out. So we (me as much or more than anyone) frequently fell into saying the same things over and over again (often just in response to new visitors who’s comments made clear they hadn’t heard what many of us had previously said). Showing up here every 3-4 days, with some fresh thoughts would have been one choice, but, having told Sekou that I’d be here daily to support activity was the choice I took.

I honestly don’t think it’s arrogant for me to believe that I might have the ability to do a better job than Billy Knight in constructing a winning roster. I do recognize that it’s a pointless position to take, because I can’t back it up and won’t realistically get a chance to defend the opinion. I’ve always believed that there are a range of professions, with limited positions available, that could be successfully done by many more people than will ever get the opportunity. It’s a broad theory on access that I’ve always subscribed to, and should not be misconstrued as applicable only to me, on this specific subject.

But again, don’t take my trash talk any more seriously than I do. This is just a fun hobby and a forum to discuss a game most of us truly love.

By Samuel

April 30, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Yea,

You may have a business and “a life” but I can tell that basketball is your passion. So don’t rule out making it a career. I think you would be good at it.

By HB Ando

April 30, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

‘Preciate it, Sam.

By Samuel

April 30, 2006 06:50 PM | Link to this

Like I said Doc. Big game on the line. Give me either MJ or Kobe.

By Astro Joe

April 30, 2006 07:35 PM | Link to this

I try real hard to avoid the childish “I told you so” comments, but please allow me to step back into middle school for a few brief minutes. Did any of you see the Gary Payton/Dwayne Wade yelling match earlier today? I TOLD YOU SO!!! As Mark Jackson said at halftime, Payton must think it is 1992 because this is Wade’s team and he’s not the Glove anymore. Riley brought in FAR too many chiefs for this team. I’m not predicting that Chicago will win, but this Miami team is just waiting to implode with players like Antoine, White Chocolate and Payton. It was just a matter of time before one or all of them tried to usurp Wade’s power. I would love to see Wade walk away from Miami in a few years because I really think that Riley disrespected him by mortgaging virtually everything to win now (including throwing away Van Gundy like a used up lime in South Beach). Miami’s run was over with that big trade during the off-season. Call for the wheelchair, ‘cause this old lady is just about done.

Oh and thanks for the props earlier, we are all just having fun and when we keep “fun” in mind, then this is a cool place to hang. When we take ourselves too seriously, well, that’s when we start acting like the Oven Mitt (hey, I made a funny).

By A Thinking Fan

April 30, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

AJ I agree with some if not most of your comments about the heat, but the real problem is that DW does not have a well develop mid-range shot. He can drive to the basket, shot the 30ball occasionally, but doesn’t have the middle offensive skill sets down pat yet.

Kobe, MJ, Jerry West, etc. all the great clutch payoff shooters have that mid-range offensive game. It is achieve by driving the defender off the dribble, taking a last power step with a power dribble, planting the inside foot nearest to the basket & pivoting to the basket, squaring-up with the outside foot (parallel with the inside pivot foot), elevating above the “D”, and seeing the basket like a big ole ocean. Dewayne Wade couldn’t get his shot off. And the Hawks need one player like this. MJ & Kobe are throwbacks (Old School shooters).

By A Thinking Fan

April 30, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

OOPS! Corrections in this copy…

AJ I agree with some if not most of your comments about the Heat, but the real problem is that DW does not have a well develop mid-range shot. He can drive to the basket, shot the 3ball occasionally, but doesn’t have the middle game offensive skill sets down pat yet.

Kobe, MJ, Jerry West, etc. all the great clutch playoff shooters have that mid-range offensive game. It is achieve by driving the defender off the dribble, taking a last power step with a power dribble, planting the inside foot nearest to the basket & pivoting to the basket, squaring-up with the outside foot (parallel with the inside pivot foot), elevating above the “D”, and seeing the basket like a big ole ocean. Dewayne Wade couldn’t get his shot off. And the Hawks need one player like this (Kobe, MJ & JW). MJ & Kobe are throwbacks (Old School shooters).

By tb

May 1, 2006 04:39 AM | Link to this

JJ has already been, and will continue to grow into that role.

The thing that Kobe and MJ have that others don’t is the fact that they are jump shooters and athletes and they are very bright.

I hope JJ can continue his ascension to these ranks.

Add an athletic top pick big and improve the point and team passing and D and rebounding and we will be hard to beat.

By A Thinking Fan

May 1, 2006 06:04 AM | Link to this

TB I agree with you about JJ, but he has to have the FOOTWORK technique down to ascend to that level. JS & JC can jump, but they don’t have the shooting footwork techniques. Kobe & MJ had to work on this over & over to develop it. You are not borne knowing how to shoot like this. You work hard to learn & develop it.

By buddy

May 1, 2006 07:20 AM | Link to this

Abe I was at the Decatur Y taking fools to the hole last weekend. Missed seeing you there. That’s Decatur… where it’s greatur… “THA D-E-C” dog. What you know about that? Where you from anyway? Minnesota?

By buddy

May 1, 2006 07:43 AM | Link to this

And for all you other haters, if you think the regulars on this blog constitute a “clique” I beg to differ. I’ve found that it’s just been a bunch of folks who are truly fascinated by what’s going on with the Hawks and/or the NBA these days, and we like to run our mouths about it. You don’t know much about the NBA if you can’t handle a bit of jawing.

By Astro Joe

May 1, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

ATF, your right about Wade’s mid-range game, but this is his third season (I think) so I am guessing that it will come. My point was more about team chemistry being Miami’s downfall, not the small hole in Wade’s game.

I think that we are watching 2 of the all-time greats in Kobe and LeBron. LeBron is a completely different animal in my opinion. I do not think we have seen anyone quite like him. A little Magic, a little MJ and a little Bird all in one 21 year-old. FRIGHTENING! Kobe is the modern day assassin, cold-blooded, ruthless and apathetic. If MJ, Magic and Bird are the 3 best non-centers ever (most critics would agree with those 3 in no particular order), will they need to make room for LeBron and Kobe? I guess we need to see the King win some titles first, but I think we are watching 2 guys who are knocking on that historic door of the basketballs gods. We need to appreciate what we are seeing.

By A Thinking Fan

May 1, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this

AJ TRUE! WORD!

By A Thinking Fan

May 1, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

Steve Nash WEIGHT ROOM!

BRUISE BROTHAS VS MJ; BB WON until MJ got into that weight room…

By Basketball Princess

May 1, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

LOL!!!! Ok Honest Abe that’s the best you can do? I see you lost your swagger!

Thanks for pointing out the fact that I am the ONLY female blogger left. For me to still be around after 6 months, that goes to show that I am the princess round here and you fled just like a peasant should. SCRAM I say, SCRAM!!!

And TB you are such a follower. Keep you and your “partners” buisness off this blog! You are like so LAME

Hey guys do yall remember that movie LUCAS? LOL!!!!! Thats TB,

But thanks for the award though! It shows that you missed me. Am I the 1st woman that you’ve started to have feelings for. Are you having second thoughts about you know…..

Well that aint the case cuz, I’m the only one that you targeted so hatefully. Guess you still hate women.

My mom’s has always said, “If they aint talking about you then something is wrong. And bad publicity is always good publicity” so keep it comming boys!

By HB Ando

May 1, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

BP, that’s what I’m sayin’ about the PUB!

Joe, you were dead on regarding the Heat. I hated the moves that Riley made, when he made them, but I really thought Shaq still had something left in the tank. He’s farther on the downside than I believed, and it looks like Jerry Buss may have made the smart business decision when it came to extending Shaq’s contract, versus trading the big fella. Riley is going to have to take the Heat (no pun intended) this off-season. ‘Specially if they go down to the Bulls in the first round.

My boy, Pete, called me with 2:30 left in the Lakers game, LA down by 3, and said Jordan wouldn’t let his team lose a game like this. I said let’s see what Kobe’s got (in addition to the 3 rings). Sure enough dude came through with the clutch finishes. But with Smush, there’s no ball for Kobe to shoot. Now I did tell Pete, before the series, that the Lakers would win against Phoenix. So I’ll take one good call to offset my overestimation of the Heat (though it’s not over yet).

By St. Bernard

May 1, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

Once again, when do the ping pong balls roll? Maybe you guys can quite giving each other awards long enough to give me an answer. I quit checking in so regularly after the trade deadline, because I feared this might happen. We’ve been reduced to nothingness. How about some more draft and FA talk?

By Basketball Princess

May 1, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

Hey Sekou, those were some grear story’s on the La-La situation. that would truley be exciting. I may have to get down to a couple of those games. Kobe is playing great basketball. I’ve alwasy though of him being the best in the league, but not the best when it came to his personality. SS I got an edge for you (not that you need it)over the other reporters. Next time you see Kobe ask him about “Cheesaw Connection”. And ask him what that means and what it was. When he gives you that look like how do you know about that and who told you about that, tell him his ex rapping buddy that he saw at Justins when he was here said Hello!

I once was one of his biggest supporters, until the day the change came and he turned into the I don’t know anybody anymore that I’ve known Kobe. But now I look back on that and realize that he cut a whole lotta people off to accomplish what he is accomplishing today. A lot of us felt like, did he gotta do all that to focus, and the truth was, for him, yeah he did.

So I dedicate TUPAC’S “I Aint Mad at Ya” to the City of LA’s MVP Kobeeeeeee Bryant.

By Basketball Princess

May 1, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

St Bernard, Look! how many times do we have to repeat the same stuff dude?

Relax. You shoulda came back from the tropics a little sooner. We just spicin up the joint a little.

By The Flash

May 1, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

Thinking Man: very impressive on the jump shot thing.

I would add that it helps to jab the second foot right next to (I mean touching is fine)and lightly more forward than the left and to tuck the right shoulder under. That cuts down on the centriphical force and rotation and allows a more settled square up to the basket. The wider the circumference of the turn, the more circular momentum. Also, aka the Pearl, I found back in the day that it really helped to bring the ball up to shooting position on the turn and fake ever so slightly, slide my right foot back an inch or two, and without bringing the ball down, and then shooting it without much of a jump which was good for me because I couldn’t do much jumping anyway.

The defender usually assumes a wider turn and cannot recover and get a hand up to the ball, which will be squarely over his head, a hard place to reach. You get a real good look at the basket and really feel your legs under you. Learned it from Earl himself, from way afar (the TV of course). Can step through if the defender really squeezes up to you anyway. If you’re still getting it done, try it and let me know what you think.

BTW, if I had been straightforward the first time, how would I trap guys like you. Actually, you make a decent point about being more clear but I thought I was clear that I had nothing but love for JJ; was just suggesting how he might refine his concepts about his pivotal role in the team’s offense. Seems to be working for Kobe.

By The Flash

May 1, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this

Honest Abe, I take your award as a high complement. If not hurt, Etan would still be starting and getting it done, although Haywood’s length has been great against Ilg. If Etan is healthy and the Zards move on, look for him.

By the way Abe, I don’t know any GMs, I do know a lot of basketball guys and don’t know anyone who brings the type of knowledge and skill base that I would expect GM’s would need to possess more than HB.

So where would this blog be without someone with your keen insights? Hey, we all can use some comic relief every once in a while. And, in case your missing the funny part, all I can say is buy your sorry a** self a good mirror!