Hawks

By Kappy

June 2, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

Sekou I agree the game is changing. A couple of factors that i think opened our collective eyes. The U.S. getting wooped in international competition lately. And the success of international coach mike d’antoni and his system.

But lets not get over our heads either. If the western conference rep(Dal or Phoe)can beat either the pistons or the heat, then i’ll give them some major props, and i will be ready to announce the changing of the guard in hoops. But if Detroit or miami wins it all, it will just reconfirm for us that defense and low-post presence wins championships. And that these gimmicky western conference teams are just not good enough to win it all. We’ll find out soon!

Since this is a Hawks blog, lets discuss how this changing of the guard affects that hawks. maybe BK should really take a look at what style will win this year’s championship and recognize that either a changing of the guard is happening, or you cant win without defense.

By Sports Fan

June 2, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

Great column, I agree with you. It has to start with the youngsters in sandlot learning the game.

By Rise Up: who's with me?

June 2, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

I disagree with the “need” to innovate the game. I personally detest the Suns brand of basketball- jack it up and see what happens. Yes they seem to be effective at the moment, but to me they are no better than the Maverick teams under Don Nelson and of course they didn’t win until they played some defense and Dirk developed inside moves. Clearly the idea of positions is already being eliminated so this notion isn’t very revolutionary. Rasheed Wallace jacks 3’s at will and Tony Parker was among the league leaders in scoring in the paint. Lebron plays what a 2,3,4? and KG? Dirk? These players and many others already display a versatile skillset when it comes to the hardwood. I’d still say the problem is that people are trying to be too versatile- that’s why there are few jump shooters in the league- 3’s or dunks. And to bring this idea home how about BK. It would seem that having 5 players who can play 5 positions is with similar skill sets is him trying to be ahead of the curb. So why is he now behind the 8 ball?

By Matt T

June 2, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

It seems as if it’s almost a perfect storm this year. There are still a lot of stars who are playing a a high level, but the young guys are so far ahead and are legit stars as well.

Innovation is important, but fexibility is probably the most important thing. The Mavs have played different styles to give them the best chance to win.

It is so refreshing to see this rather than the slow sluggish, defensive fights of the past few years.

Hopefully the Hawks will come up with some kind of offense for all of their swingmen.

By Clyde

June 2, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

Why woulb Billy hire a defensive minded coach and draft a bunch of swingmen?

Fire Billy and Woody

By fromphilly

June 2, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

Rise-up, I’m sorry but I disagree with you. I don’t believe Phoenix is just a run and gun offense. They play a spread-out offense, you need skilled big men to play it. Diaw, Marion, and Thomas can all put the ball on the floor, shoot the three and take you off the dribble. They present major match-up problems in the half-court set. Then all 3 of them are atheletic enough to not get killed on the defensive end.
I’ve never seen a team play like they do. I believe you have got to give alot of credit to Boris Diaw. Yes Nash is the MVP, but Diaw, has incredible basketball instincts. The guy is the total package, it’s a shame that the Hawks couldn’t ultilize his amazing abilities. BK is behind the 8ball because None of his 6’8/6’9 guys (except for Joe Johnson) can handle the rock nor consistantly hit the 3.

By Mike

June 2, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

The game has turned into. Who can dunk harder, who has the most “bad boy” tattoos and who can dress more gangstah. The game has turned to crap since they started bringing in these gangster idiots.

By fromphilly

June 2, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

Hey Mike, why don’t you stick with bowling or something like that. Unlike MLB the NBA doesn’t have a huge steroid scandal, and more than 50% of NBA players can speak english. Unlike football, you don’t hear stories of players killing people (see Rae Carruth), attacking people (see Sean Taylor, Ricky Manning Jr.) urinating in public (see Mike Mamula), having sex with teenage girls (see Mark Chamara).
The NBA I see is loaded with fresh talent like Chris Bosh, and Dewayne Wade. Players that carry themselves with class like Joe Johnson, Ray Allen and Chris Paul. International superstars like Yao Ming, Pau Gasol and Tony Parker. Players with great heart like Allen Iverson and Raja Bell.
I believe the NBA is in great shape and is more exciting than ever. I’m glad the NBA has been able to over come stereotypers like Mike, and still generate more excitement worldwide then any-other professional North American sport!

By John

June 2, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

I think the should add more white guys, to make the level of difficulty greater..it leads to better games. Certain quarterbacks in football creates a unfair advantage for offenses.

By Mike

June 2, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

I have listened to the interviews most of them CAN’T speak english. Ebonics is not a language. Iverson is leader of the I am a tough guy deal in the NBA. I do hear stories about players going into the stands and starting brawls on a monthly basis. You don’t see the NFL or MLB be forced to put a dress code in because these guys dress like gangsters.

I’ll second the vote for more white guys. Bring back Bird now there is a guy who knew how to play the game. Most of these idiots today can’t even spell pick and roll.

By FJG

June 2, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

What are you talking about?

This years playoffs has been the most memorable in years!

40 games 40 nights!

i cant miss a game.

By Mike

June 2, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

Most people haven’t watched one.

By honest abe

June 2, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

mike is right….middle aged white men just aren’t interested in the nba….when david stern started marketing to the hip hop culture he ended up losing a vast audience….it didn’t help that the nba was in a post jordon depression…

i work with a bunch of middle aged white men and i’m always encouraging them to watch the playoffs…but there just isnt’ any interest there…

stern has to somehow regenerate interest in white america….if the nba is to be successful….

it’s sad because the product the nba is displaying right now is pretty good…and is goign to be great within the next few years…!! i really believe the nba’s golden age is right around the corner…

well have a great weekend everyone!!! wish me luck as i go on the P prowl…har har

By HB Ando

June 2, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

I think you have to take a hard look at whether we’re seeing innovation or just adaptation to personnel. I have to agree with Kappy. Wait to see how these finals turn out before trumpeting the beginning of a new era. As long as Shaq is playing, and to a lesser extent, Wallace and Duncan, good luck winning a ring without a viable presence in the paint. Add to that the return of Stoudemire to Phoenix next year, and the game will still revolve around the big man. The anomolies are the LeBron’s and the Dirk’s. You can’t build for these type of players, because they’re too rare to plan for. If you get one, you adapt your approach based on their unique skill set.

I hear Stoudemire talking about coming back as a small forward in a power forwards body and all I can think is that everyone else in the league would love to see him hanging out on the perimeter and settling for jump shots, instead of dunking on their heads ten times a game. Seven-foot swing men are a luxury, when you can live without them serving a role for the teams’ betterment. But when a 7’4 Sampson wants to avoid rebounding duties so he can show everyone how versatile he is, it’s of no value to the team.

San Antonio barely lost to Dallas. They were exposed as a little old and slow. They’ll address that this off-season. Detroit will get it’s chip back after getting too big for their britches and getting ousted by Miami (no, it’s not too early to say that). Dallas has two seven footers, in Dampier and Diop, who contributed mightily to their success this season, despite being less relevant against this incarnation of the Phoenix team. But next year, it will be Shaq, Wallace, Stoudemire and Duncan, in addition to the Dallas team, that go into the season as legitimate contenders for the title. Even up and comers have legitimate post presences, like Cleveland and the Clips. Rumors of the demise of the big man are greatly exagerated, and it would be foolish for Atlanta to not put effort into addressing it’s glaring need in the post. Greg Oden will show up in the next few years and the torch will be passed from Shaq to the next great big man.

Talk like this is all that ego maniac, Billy Knight, needs to believe he’s on to something. The truth is that no post and no point got them 26 wins. Playing your 2 at the 1 and your 3 at the 4, or playing 4 3’s at the same time, was good for 26 wins. If that’s progress it’s time for me to follow a new team. Versatility is good, but stops and sound decision making wins games. We could use a little of both, on and off the court, before we can expect vast improvement in the local product.

By HB Ando

June 2, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

Mike, ratings are up like 15% this playoff season. So you get today’s FedEx award for being just plain wrong. We haven’t had to give it out in a while, but from the looks of your insights, we can expect you to hold down the title until you move on to whiter pastures (and I’m a middle-aged white guy).

By Tim Raymond

June 2, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

This is a horribly written article.

“I’m talking about something much bigger than that…”

No actually, you’re writing; badly, yes, but still you are not talking.

And to think this guy gets paid to “write” for a paper.

Sad.

And what changes? Taught differently?

They need to be TAUGHT the following:

1. How to shoot a jump shot (does anyone shoot a mid-range shot anymore? Either a dunk or a set 3-pointer)
2. How to set a screen
3. Post work (can any NBA player work the post like Kevin McHale or Hakeem? No) Dribbling: can anyone do a jumpstop like MJ or even Rod Strickland for that matter? This piece is so dumb. And inane.

Are you sure this is the basketball writer?

Did he following the Hawks this year?????????????

Stoudamire, a player who can shoot, play defense, defend is benched so the GM can save face by forcing the coach to play his stupid free agent pickups (hmmm I wonder who….and we need a point guard? Wasn’t Jason Terry on this team? Oh, right he’s leading a team to the finals..)

GM’s need to stop coaching players. And work with coaches to set a system and stop determining playing time due to salary cost.

By fromphilly

June 2, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Mike, I not even going to take your comments serious. You have an image issue to work out, you need counseling. Honest Abe, I can’t help but to disagree with those comments. I’ve watched game after game this playoff season, and noticed a whole lot of white people in the stands. Believe me, the NBA is very diversified, the 1# pick in last years draft was white, the best player coming out this year is white, the reigning MVP is white.

I also agree that about 6 years ago the NBA was overrun by a lot of thugs, with teams like Portland and their merry band of potheads. But now they are the minority. I don’t believe that these young guys are thugs, they may be black, but guys like Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, Emeka Okafor, Shawn Marion, Dewayne Wade, Micheal Redd are some of the most well spoken and intelligent athletes in the Country.
Please let’s not get caught up in the Rasheed Wallace, Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, Stephon Marbury types, because there are idiots in sports know matter what their skin color is.

By Kappy

June 2, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

is this 2006? or 1686? Umm, im a white male and have none of the same feelings that “mike” does. Keep your bigotry and hate for the nba off of an nba blog!!!! Go find something else to do. I didnt know the Ku Klux Klan knew how to blog.

sorry sekou and everyone else that gets offended by this garbage.

By honest abe

June 2, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this

ando just because ratings are up does not mean the playoffs have become a ratings bonanza…the past few years the ratings have been beyond pathetic…

ando you are not in touch with reality if you don’t think that the majority of middle america could care less about the nba and the product they deliver….

mike is a bozo…but the it is fact that nobody gives a rat a** about the nba…

By Mike

June 2, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

HB

Please post a link to your 15% stats. You get the pepto bismol “your full of crap award”.

By DLAW_III

June 2, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Mr. Smith,

I agree and disagree with your thoughts on the NBA. Yes, you are right the NBA has taken on the international style of play and the players are more versatile in their abilities. The main thing that the playoffs has shown is the fundamentals are missing from the game like free throw shooting for example. Also the coaches have to adapt to the players abilities instead of the players adapting to the coaches. As far as the Hawks, Billy Knight needs to be ashame of himself and the organization as a whole. We have a Hall of Famer in the organization and he has no say in who we draft or trade for it doesn’t make sense. We have a team full of wing players and nothing else. Billy draft a point guard and get some sort of low post presence.

By Kappy

June 2, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

Its true. Most people dont care about the nba. We can write a novel as to whats happened since the Magic/Bird/MJ days. But lets just say that most people i talk to: white,brown,yellow, purple…arent paying much attention. Thats the ONLY thing Mike said that has any validity.

But, having said that, most of us bloggers here DO like the nba. so thats why we talk about it. lets move on.

THE DRAFT seems to be all over the place. I cant remember seeing so many experts having so many different opinions of who is going in the top 5 picks. Really, what Toronto does will help explain what the next 5 do. Ive seen Ty thomas slipping past us. Ive seen Bargnani anyway from 1-6. Ive seen Roy picked AHEAD of us at 4. Just a lot of crazy scenarios. Anyone know anything?

By honest abe

June 2, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

fromphilly…that is such a naive statement….go down to phillips on any given night..and you will see that most of the arena is devoid of white surburbia …. now if its the playoff’s things would change of course…playoff’s become an event…people there aren’t necessarily bball fans…it’s the the hip thing to go to………

it’s a fact that white america is oblivious to the nba..

By fromphilly

June 2, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

Kappy, The Hawks need to trade this pick. There are too many bums at the top of this draft. Aldridge reminds me of Brad Sellers. Ty Thomas is a poor man’s Stromile Swift. If I’m Atlanta and I can’t get rid of the pick, I’m going with a proven commodity like Sheldon Williams or Adam Morrison. I think older players like JJ Rideck and Randy Foye will be much better players than the two tall guys projected to go one and two.

By honest abe

June 2, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

i pray to god we don’t take tyrus thomas….

By fromphilly

June 2, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

Honest Abe, I honestly disagree, I believe most whites in metro Atlanta don’t care about basketball because our team sucks. If you were to ask white folks living in Dallas, Phoenix or Sacramento if they are interested in the NBA they would say yes.

By cowa

June 2, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

Enough of the White/Black thing. Let’s stick with Sekou’s subject or talk draft/free agents.

I agree that Phoenix has “revolutionized” the thinking of a lot of folks who thought they knew winning basketball. The problem is, as Ando stated, that Phoenix will go back to a more standard set once Amare comes back next year. It will be interesting to see what Phoenix does with it’s draft picks, as they might go big and screw up the whole theory!

I have no poroblem with a bunch of 2/3/4’s on the roser, but to make it truly work, you need a full time distributor, which Phoenix has in Nash. The Hawks don’t have anything resembling that, and therefore can’t play that style successfully. There aren’t many teams with a PG who has a coach who allows him to constantly push the ball up the court and have the ability to stop and pop as well. There was a guy drafted at #4 last year who turns out can do it, so don’t be surprised to see New Orleans go that way in this draft (adding swing players).

The Phoenix/Dallas model is more fun to watch than the Detroit/Miami model, but my money is on the East for winning the championship this year.

I think the one thing the Phoenix style of play proves is that if you don’t have a dominating big man, you need to improvise and stop playing like you have one. For ATL to play a standard style of hoops with Zaza in the middle isn’t a formula for winning championships. That’s where you need a creative coach, and unfortunately, I don’t think Woody qualifies under that heading. Give him a quality big man, and watch what a better coach he becomes.

By honest abe

June 2, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

kappy is right this is an irrelevant topic….

but i will continue…i think interest can be measured by tv ratings…this year the nba has seen an explosion in it’s ratings due to the fact that there has been many close finishes….having said that…the past few years the general public was very apathtic towards the nba…the ratings were so bad during the playoffs…that nascar, baseball, the NFL DRAFT…had higher ratings…

hey i hope everyone in this great country becomes nba fans…the game is at a point wehre it’s about to explode…the young kids that came out of high school are beginning to develop…and scores are going up…and there is a level of parity in the league that hasnt’ existed over the past 6 or 7 years ….obviously the excitement is starting to generate some interest which is encouraging…but they still have a long way to go in getting rid of that negative hip hop image….(i’m not saying that hip hop is bad)

By doc

June 2, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

sekou, i think this year has proved that you can win in different way if you can think outside the box a bit and have the personel to up tempo. there are still some up and coming teams that will do it the old fashion way such as the clips who have two big guys that can rumble. the cavs have the next great forward who can dominate like bird and magic once did. no one can argue in the hey day of jordan it was post presence that won the games, necesary but not the dominant theme. their post play was sorry at best but served its purpose in the jackson/jordan scheme of things.

i do think what is changing is the astouding numbers of really athletic guys that are coming out that can fly and will put pressure on the old standard of play but there will still be a presence and a place for the great big guy. great talent changes games but doesnt necesarily change the game itself. after the job that d’antoni did this year with substandard size and talent WITH nash has shown that coaches cant simply reside in the old school mentality that you cant win without certain pieces.

unfortunately, the young talent is raw and the problem with the young guys coming out is that they havent been coached well to play to their skill level as the competition isnt here in high school and aau ball. there will still be many busts. one of the interesting comments form herb brown the other week was that josh never knew he could or how to block a shot before coming into the nba, that he had never had to really do that. that is the level a lot of theses superstar teenagers are coming out and why no matter what the sheet says on them there is no sure thing including odum.

mike, feel free to throw your racist stuff if you must. i learned that those types of beliefs only get you wars and terrorists as it i the same intolerant attitude towards others. i also found out you can never talk someone into a loving way of approaching all in life, cant say you are ignorant but maybe not enlightened. you may be vey smart but so was hitler.

i do have a suggestion mike, if it offends you that there is the ghetto image that you cant see past which is a really small number maybe, but just dont know where google that stat. i would suggest you watch hockey or baseball unless hispanic professionals displease your mirror of life as well. heard recently that only 5% of the top 15 rounds of baseball draft choices this year will be african-american. so maybe those games will be less insulting or offensive to you so you wont have to asssociate with white folks that like this game as it is and insult us as we carry on with our band of brothers at the liar’s table.

just a thought mike, love and peace to you this weekend. same to my other brothers here as well.

By Rise Up: who's with me?

June 2, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

philly,

Shawn Marion 6-7, Diaw 6-8, Thomas 6-10. That’s my point, with the exception of Thomas none of these guys would qualify as big men, yet they play the interior (as 18ft and in as opposed to real interior). The league is moving away from standard positions already. What my point is that a Phoenix style offense is no good for the league because it only reinforces the bad habits already apparent in the league: 3pt shots, too much dribble/bad passes, and lack of fundamentals and defense. And their spread offense is predicated on “all-star calibur” Bell, Barbosa, and House jacking shots after Nash has penetrated. Then crossing their fingers that their counterparts won’t be able to outscore them on the other side.

I may be coming off as a hater, which I fully admit to being, but the western finals, and the Suns apparent struggle with previous teams, only butress my arguement. It’s nightime in Phoenix- and that means it’s time for the Suns to set

By A Thinking Fan

June 2, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this

Doc I thought you and I settled this black/white thing! LOL I’m out of town, but still watching the payoffs…

GO HAWKS! OOPS! We’re not in the NBA playoffs.

By A Thinking Fan

June 2, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

Doc I thought you and I settled this black/white thing! LOL I’m out of town, but still watching the payoffs…

GO HAWKS! OOPS! We’re not in the NBA playoffs.

By Malone

June 2, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Wow. Lots o’ vitriol today.

Doesn’t Basketball Princess have any trade rumors?

By doc

June 2, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

atf, i didnt know it was a white/black thing bro, but a u.s. vs, international thing as nash is a furrener from north of the border.

i hope you caught my reference to labron and put him in the same breath as magic and bird. he has that kind of potential but he also has the potential to be a garnett still looking for the big win. personally, i think he will get it as he has some good guys around him and a good gm. i also feel that if he had been playing with nash this year, nash would have made him into a legit mvp a year earlier. heh, heh!

well bro, it is my night tomorrow or no night. luv ya, mean it.

By deltahoops

June 2, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

Yo, Tim Raymond.

Don’t be hating on my boy Sekou. Especially don’t criticize him over some spurious “error” and then turn around and commit grammatical howlers like this passage:

“Did he following the Hawks this year?????????????

Stoudamire, a player who can shoot, play defense, defend is benched so the GM can save face…”

I won’t address your incorrect use of an apostrophe in your final paragraph, nor the fact that your last sentence is actually a mere fragment.

What a putz.

By Ty

June 2, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

Also, Tim, if we’re going to be picking apart each other’s grammar, you misused a semicolon. And “and work with coaches to set a system and stop determining playing time due to salary cost” is not a full sentence unless it is in second person imperative, which, given the context, it isn’t.

This is an NBA blog. Let’s talk about the NBA. My money’s on Brandon Roy going to us at number five.

By doc

June 2, 2006 08:15 PM | Link to this

ty, i hope you are right as the only other guy i would want that high is aldridge. it will be interesting to hear about the workouts and what the real evaluators think but i thing roy has the same make up as wade and would be a hoss to pair with jj. those two could hit from the outside, push the ball, overpower most defenders and work off each others strengths plus play pretty solid defense and might have trouble only with the quickest guards who would have to be taken care of by someone we take in free agency.

By RPH

June 2, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

“Hey Mike, why don’t you stick with bowling or something like that. Unlike MLB the NBA doesn’t have a huge steroid scandal, and more than 50% of NBA players can speak english. Unlike football, you don’t hear stories of players killing people (see Rae Carruth), attacking people (see Sean Taylor, Ricky Manning Jr.) urinating in public (see Mike Mamula), having sex with teenage girls (see Mark Chamara”

Ummm Just to name a few…

Kobe Bryant - rape, i think we all have heard of this little incident.

ANTHONY MASON

CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF STATUTORY RAPE IN AN ATTACK ON TWO GIRLS, 14 AND 15 * ARRESTED FOR BATTERING A POLICE OFFICER, SEXUAL ASSAULT, GUN POSSESSION, MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT

ALLEN IVERSON

CHARGED WITH ASSAULT, CRIMINAL TRESPASS, TERRORIST THREATS, & GUN OFFENSES * DID PRISON TIME AS TEENAGER * DEROGATORY TERMS TO GAYS * MARIJUANA AND CONCEALED WEAPON CHARGES

DERRICK COLEMAN

CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE DUIs * CHARGED WITH URINATING IN A RESTAURANT * CHARGED WITH INTERFERRING WITH A POLICE OFFICER * MADE PHYSICAL THREAT TO AN NBA OFFICIAL

You could throw the guy who blew his limo driver away with a shotgun, but I think you get the point. This is a very small sampling from the nba. All of the world, America, and the different sports have problem childs and terrible people. White, black, asian, latin…there are major menaces to society in all colors.

By St. Bernard

June 2, 2006 08:45 PM | Link to this

Sorry to interrupt the conversation with Hawks info, but draftexpress.com has a very interesting report and interview with Marcus Williams. It should be noted that he’s interested in playing with the Hawks and wants to run our offense using JJ, Marvin, and Smith. (Remind anyone of the words of this year’s Rookie of the Year?)

The article also gives a nice report on the progress of Jay Williams. How about we take a chance on one of these guys?

By Clyde

June 2, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this

Just because a young man has tattoos, plays basketball and listens to rap music doesn’t make him a gangsta. There are plenty of white folks out there clean cut and in suits committing more crimes than these players. The problem with America is when a black person commits a crime he’s a gangsta but when a white commits crime its just honest mistake.

Martha Stewart has a felony under her belt but Iverson doesn’t. Why isn’t Martha considered a gangsta?

Basketball in America is flawed because of lack of fundamental development in the middle school and high school level.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Clyde

June 2, 2006 09:01 PM | Link to this

Ok Iverson may have a felony but so does Martha. Why is Iverson a gangsta and Martha not?

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By doc

June 2, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this

clyde, ill take this oportunity to argue on your side as i already have spoken up but to continue along your lines. what could have been more gangsta than the enron scandel as those guys printed money for tehmselves essentially while stockholders and even worse their employees were left hanging. their offense made martha look like a nun, some folks were devastated and will never recover. it is nice to see those white collar gangsta going down even with the best lawyers that their money.

By IL-logical

June 2, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this

As long as the great god T V rules America there will be an NBA. what would /should help the product would be the division of the league into major and minor divions: The 10-12 best markets-population,attendance,etc-would be the major league. The rest ,minus the bottom 2 markets would become the minors. The major league teams would play on the weekends and prime time one day a week. The minors 3 times a week and on saturday afternoon. Tryouts would allow the top talent to stock the teams and salaries would be based on ability -by position and senority. None of the current players would make less money but some may be riding the pine in not prime time. Just my imagination running away with me

By Sekou Smith

June 2, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

I won’t even address the racist nonsense being tossed out here except to say that this is not now and will never be the forum for anyone’s foolishness on that subject. So kindly take it elsewhere if you just have to talk about it.

And I don’t think you have to wait and see if the Suns go to the Finals to start thinking about innovations in the game. And I by no means am talking about ALL big men playing on the wing and shooting 3-pointers. Dallas plays a wide-open style, so does Washington, Sacramento, Seattle and plenty of others. They might not be as radical as the Suns. But the game has opened up tremendously from the half court wrestling matches we saw in the years during and immediately after MJ.

My point is there should be no limitations on what can be done, no constraints, no rules based on any preconceived notions because of someone’s size.

And for anyone to suggest that the Suns didn’t get up and down the floor with Amare is comical. With Nash, Amare, Marion, Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson and that crew they were just as fast-paced and wide open as they are now, if not more.

I’m arguing for the acceptance of all styles, something the NBA has had a problem with for years (remember the NBA-ABA merger and the wide held belief that the ABA style was inferior because they weren’t married to the traditional style of play?).

I’m advocating a return to the style of play John Wooden mastered at UCLA during their glory years. It was a precise but free-flowing game that involved plenty of fundamentals and boodles of team work. Anyone that has a problem with that kind of basketball needs to school me on why?

Free your mind and the rest will follow!

By Clyde

June 2, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Thank you Sekou. I agree there should be no limitations on what a player can do out there on the floor. But in Mike Woodson’s system players are limited. Lets take Josh Smith for instance. This season I have seen Josh Smith get yelled at for bringing the ball up the court and shooting threes. But instead of listening to the coach, he kept handling the ball and shooting threes and he has gotten better at it. Josh Smith has developed into a solid NBA player by taking off limitations his coach wanted to place upon him.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By RichieRich

June 3, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

hey clyde, are u going to the open house tomorrow?

I am going , and was wondering were the t-shirts are? I want to wear one when i go.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY……SERIOUSLY

By Tim Raymond

June 3, 2006 07:26 AM | Link to this

deltahoops & ty.

First off, I’m not “hatin”. Hate is cheap and easy. And I always avoid it. Your offbase snipes at my correct judgments about someone who gets paid to write, still, do not prevent me from agreeing with Ty that yes, Roy, would be a great pick.

By castoffswinelsewhere

June 3, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

Fact is people that the hawks are, have been, and will continue to be the worst franchise in any league in America. First, the team endures years of poor decision making by Stan Kasten- how did that guy ever keep his job? Draft picks and trades one by one blew up in their faces. Then the playoff guarantee came along. The hawks front office answered the phone saying “your playoff bound Atlanta hawks”. Does it get any worse than that? Yeah it does. Atlanta Spirit comes along to rescue the hawks and promotes year one as a “new start”. That blows up because the new start team won fewer games than the old start team. In a couple of years, the Spirit manage to bungle draft picks, free agent signings, and personnel issues. The Spirit are so bad that they are suing each other over the Joe Johnson trade. They pick Marvin Williams last year and he doesn’t even make the all rookie team. Chris Paul- who was taken after Williams- runs away with rookie of the year. Billy Knight is a pompous goofball and Woodson is in over his head. Until ownership takes control and gets a proven GM & coach, more of the same is coming.

By HelloAtlanta

June 3, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Hawks like Dumb and Dumber but not funny.

By JohnD

June 3, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

History Lesson #1:

When the Hawks moved to Atlanta there were significantly more opportunities for an offense to run out on breaks because players did not defense the break as well as today. The half court offense revolved around the Center and relied on players such as Lou Hudson who could shoot jumpers. This style persisted into the 70’s and early 80’s when Magic and Bird appeared.

Defense had become a primary issue in the 70’s, more in the half-court than the full, but the emergence of more athletic big men and taller more well-rounded guards started the change from the post orientd offense to a more wide open style from the Lakers and Celtics. Now teams put less emphasis on offensive rebounding and more on sending 2, 3 or 4 players back on defense.

The Bulls then proved that enough talent could make up for the lack of a dominant center and teams moved toward that style to offset the double teams and other defenses designed to keep the center from scoring down low.

Next comes Shaq and the league recognizes his charisma and subtly changes the rules to allow his physical powers to dominate. The game changed from one of finesse and position to allowing Shaq to play more like a defensive end or a defenseman in Hockey. Not one of the GREAT centers in the history of the game was allowed to simply run over the defense, not Russell, not Wilt, not Kareem. Absent this change Shaq would be as ineffective as he was in college.

Now we have teams such as Dallas and Phoenix who have adopted a style to fit their talent and acquired talent to fit their style, Dampier and Djop being the exceptions. These two were acquired for one reason - to be competitive against Shaq. Shaq is the only low-post center who remains the focus of the offense ( I know Wade is the key). The other centers are defense and rebound oriented with some offense thrown in on occasion.

The point of all this - the league morphs from time to time to a “new” style of play and unimaginative GM’s are behind the curve and trying to catch up with the leaders. One thing has remained constant from the late 70’s to today and that is the emphasis on defense. During the playoffs this year you most often saw 3 or 4 defenders back inside the three point line before the ball was at the line and in each game there seemed to be a different strategy to deal with each team’s offensive sets. Game 5 saw Detroit stop Shaq with a Wallace in front and a Wallace behind, but game 6 saw the same strategy and Miami was ready, thus Detroit is gone.

The Hawks need to decide on a style, and perhaps Billy Knight has, and then acquire talent to play that style. If BK does not fill his role then the team will not succeed. The easy thing is to watch a player, Chris Paul for instance, after the draft and state BK should have drafted him. The difficult part is to watch the players and determine whether a fit is there. Detroit is an example of a team made up almost entirely of other teams castoffs. Tayshaun Prince is the only starter drafted by the Pistons and he is a perfect fit to the veterans.

Would Chris Paul have fit in as a Hawk? We will never know. Remember there were no veterans like Harrington and Johnson at NO/Oklahoma City to push Paul to a secondary role. Can he contribute without being “the man”? Physical skills are required but they are not the only issues. Is BK up to finding the players who fit with the current cast? The next few weeks will answer that question.

By Ty

June 3, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

castoffswinelsewhere…that is the most depressingly realistic summary of Hawks’ history that I’ve ever read. Hawks fans have been so abused that it almost made me laugh.

By A Real Fan

June 3, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

I have watched the playoffs this year and I think they are more exciting than they have been in years. How many of the so called NBA pundits picked a Detroit-San Antonio final? Probably the same dummies that picked the Lakers over Detroit a couple of years ago. So many people are jumping on the Pheonix Sun bandwagon but it isn’t much different from than the Dallas Mavericks a few years back with Don Nelson as the coach. Or the Denver Nuggets of the late 70’s and early 80’s. They run and gun and play a very exciting brand of offensive basketball but never win the title. I do like the fact that guys like Dirk and Boris Diaw are showing that big men with skills can play away from the basket. I agree that big men shouldn’t always play with their back to the basket and they should be allowed to play on the perimeter if they have the skills. I also think that guards should post up and do their work in the paint if they have those types of skills. This isn’t going to happen any time soon with American players because the vast majority of COLLEGE coaches don’t want the players to showcase their skills. They are only going to use the same tired strategies they have used for years. Big men post up and little men handle the ball and show from the perimeter. I honestly don’t believe a lot of our younger big men in the NBA like Kevin Garnett, Jermanine O’Neal, Lebron James, etc. would have been allowed to develop their games in college. They would have been put in traditional big man roles and crucified by the likes of Dick Vitale and his cronies for playing away from the basket. Its my understanding that European players like Dirk, Pau Gasol and others are drilled on all phases of the game from their early teens. Ball handling, shooting from the perimeter and running the floor for hours a day beginning in their early teens. They aren’t confined by so many of restrictions our younger guys face because they aren’t worried about maintaining their NCAA eligibility. Nor are they going to American colleges where their considerable talent is watered down. I may be wrong but other than Nash the best foreign players do not attend division 1 programs. Andrew Bogut did but he isn’t an elite player yet and he was given some freedom to play away yfrom the basket at Utah. If you want to see more guys like Dirk, Pau, Jermaine and KG the coaches at a lot of the division one programs have to let their big guys play and not confine them into one dimensional back to the basket robots. (By the way I think the 19 year old age limit for playing in the NBA is dumb.) As for Mike talking about thugs in the NBA he is a big idiot and like one of the other guys said he and others like him are racist to the core. There are idiots in the NBA without a doubt but they also have them in the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, etc. As for adding more white guys to the NBA if they can play they will make it and if they can’t they won’t. They shouldn’t put a black guy in a NASCAR automobile just because he is black and he shouldn’t get a spot at an PGA tour event because he is black either. Let skill tell the story.

By A Real Fan

June 3, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah I think Mike Woodson should go if he is going to try and play Piston style ball with Hawk talent. I have gone down to Philips to see the games and we have some nice talent. I say put the 5 best guys out there and turn them loose. I think Zsa Zsa is a good tough big man, Josh Smith is a player, Childress is pretty good too. I would like to see them get rid of Tyron Lue and trade Al Harrington so we can hopefully get something in return. I think Billy Knight is ok as a GM and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a coach here that can work with what we have than to have a disciple of Bobby Knight and Larry Brown like Woodson who would seem to be better working with older guys.

By dale

June 3, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

Hey JohnD, that was excellent.
I do not believe that people are going to return to Phillips Arena until Billy Knight is gone. I used to go to 41 games a year, for several years, and would be willing to return, when the Hawks replace Billy Knight.
I stopped attending Hawks games after Stan Kasten said he would never bring in a guy like JR Rider, then 4 months later, Pete Babcock trades a class act (Steve Smith) for that low life. I’ve been a hardcore NBA fan for 30 years, and I have never seen such bad PR from a GM then I see from Billy Knight. I could put up with it, if I felt he made good decisions as far as acquiring talent that can play well together. I hate to see a guy like Al Harrington go, this kid was the team leader last year. He is 25 years old, has incredible talent, plays hard every night. Could you imagine the type of numbers he could have put up with a guy like Chris Paul last year? Why work so hard to acquire a good young talent like Harrington, then draft a guy to take his place, that might not ever be as good as Harrington is now. Joe Johnson is a great player, but why risk so much to get him, when you didn’t have to. I love basketball, I love the NBA, I want to see good basketball in Atlanta. This city is too great not to have a good NBA team.
I just hope we can get new ownership, with one vision, and a true passion for the game, when that happens I will be willing to support it.

By St. Bernard

June 3, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

When I look at our team to try to find what we’re missing to being an up and down ball club, it’s obvious. We need a point guard to distribute the ball. He doesn’t have to be the perfect defender, just a decent team defender (which shouldn’t be hard with all our other athletes). He needs to be a passer first who gets people the ball where they need it and control the pace of the game. And he needs to be GREAT at these two things. For all of you who want to draft another “almost pg” Roy or whoever, I have to disagree unless we can pick up a pg somewhere else. Right now, the best pg in the draft (M. Williams) wants to come to Atlanta (remind anyone of Paul). But, he is getting no interest! WHAT?! Do we not even have memory enough to remember last year’s draft??? What’s more from all reports Jay Williams is almost back to form….but he’s not coming to Atlanta to workout?????!!!!!! With all do respect, if you’ve got a racecar, get a professional racecar driver to drive it! Don’t pick someone who you think might have the potential to become an average racecar driver.

So, here’s to picking MARCUS WILLIAMS. If you can’t make yourself like him then tell me who is better than him at running the one. I love JJ and he’s a great distributer, but he’s not a pg. So, give me a real name of someone who is attainable that will be better than Marcus. Maybe that means trading down and getting Rondo. Maybe that means signing J. Williams. But, whoever it is they need to play the POINT.

By HB Ando

June 3, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

St. B, you’re neglecting plausible options via free agency or trade. Marcus Banks, Mike James (though I don’t think we’ll pursue him as he wants to go to Houston), Charlie Bell, Jason Terry, a guy like Anthony Johnson (who we let go here previously), are all guys who could come in and run the show next to the versatile Johnson. Now, name me some big men we can realistically pick up via free agency that won’t cost us 8-10 million per year to start at the 4/5 next season. You can’t. Because of that very fact, the most logical thing to do is use our pick, where it stands, moving up (for Aldridge) or down (S. Williams or O’Bryant), to draft a young big man who can develop into a quality starter in the next two seasons. Big men are so hard to come by, and once they hit the league, if they don’t have any warts to their game, their virtually impossible to pull away from their teams unless they refuse to re-sign and wait it out for unrestricted free agency. Even then, Atlanta ain’t the place most folks want to come to. Guys either want to play in the limelight or with stars, to shoot for a championship. Draft ‘em, develop ‘em, and keep ‘em. That’s the most realistic way for us to have a strong front line. If we were capped out, or didn’t have some viable assets to trade, I’d be all for drafting a point guard. I’ve been one of the biggest critics all season, of Billy’s failure to address the glaring need of a point guard. But I don’t subscribe to drafting Marcus Williams, because I still believe he’s a below average defender, and his lack of conditioning (from multiple workout reports) suggests that he has a less than focused attitude about the level of commitment required to succeed in this league. I’m not questioning his talent as a point guard. He’s clearly the purest point guard in this draft. But I also don’t believe this years’ crop of PG’s is as good as last years, so the basis for comparison, of Williams to his peers, is subjectively lower than last years’ crop of Paul, Williams and Felton (and even Jack, for that matter).

By Clyde

June 3, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this

Sorry Rich I’ve been blogged down the past couple of weeks. I’m a part of the promotions team involved in that Youngbloodz in Columbus. They got locked up but I still had the club jumpin’ without them. The t-shirts WILL be ready for the pre-draft party so you can pull it out when Billy makes another draft mistake. I can’t believe he hasn’t had Marcus Williams in for workout yet.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By HB Ando

June 3, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this

Props and Flops:

So my Heat over the Pistons pick, from a couple of months ago (pre-playoffs picks) comes to fruition. In addition, I think we can declare a winner in my Dirk vs. ‘Sheed argument with Samuel (and to a lesser extent, doc).

Must give props to Astro Joe for this one:

“Atlanta is expected by many to trade down a few spots and draft Shelden Williams. We’ve heard from sources at two different workouts this past week that Williams “did not really compete,” leading us to wonder whether he is sending some sort of a message to teams. DraftExpress.com”

‘Course I still maintain that’s only a consideration if Aldridge is out of our reach, which I would have to believe is the assumption if such planning is to believed.

And to the guy who said we should trade down to the middle of the first round and pick up Kyle Lowry, I offer this:

“NBA scouts have said Lowry could go anywhere from the bottom of the first round to undrafted. Most mock drafts have Lowry being selected at the end of the first round or beginning of the second round. “I think he’ll get drafted,” said one NBA scout, who asked to remain anonymous. “I think he plays hard and all that, but I don’t think he’s an NBA starter. Why give him money?” While Lowry’s weakness is shooting, the scout said the upside includes heart, determination and defense. “He can change the pace of a game,” the scout said. Philadelphia Inquirer”

Let’s trade our top five pick and move down to draft a guy who might not even get drafted. That’s brilliant.

By Clyde

June 3, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

HB ANDO

Charlie Bell, Jason Terry, Anthony and Marcus Banks are not very good on the defensive end themselves. Matter of fact the only star point guard that’s decent on the defensive end is Jason Kidd but his defense is slippin’. To me Nash is the best point guard in the game and he doesn’t really play defense. All we need is a point guard that can push the ball up the court and distribute the ball.

I’m not for paying for overpriced veterans when we can develop young talent for less. That’s what business is about getting more for your dollar. I belive Marcus Williams will be able to match the productivity of those veterans you mentioned above. Maybe not this year but surely next year.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By RichieRich

June 3, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

SHELDON WILLIAMS IS CRAP…..EVEN THOUGH HE HAS A 7’2” WINGSPAN, THE GUY IS SMALLER THAN AL HARRINGTON IN SIZE…..NOT EXACTLY WHAT THIS TEAM NEEDS PATROLING THE PAINT…NOT TO MENTION THAT THE SCOUTS SAY HE IS STIFF AND MECHANICAL IN HIS MOVEMENTS……THAT S** MAY HAVE WORKED IN COLLEGE, BUT NOT IN THE PROS!

By RichieRich

June 3, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

I’M SORRY THEY ARE THE SAME SIZE, EXCEPT FOR WINGSPAN…..I DON’T CARE FOR THIS BUM BECAUSE HE HAS A TRMENDOUS WINGSPAN….BILLY ALWAYS WANTS LONG PLAYERS WITH A HUGE WINGSPAN, MEMO TO BILLY WE ARE NOT DRAFTING SILVERBACKS, YOUR KNUCKLES DON’T HAVE TO DRAG THE GROUND IN ORDER TO PLAY BASKETBALL…..WINGSPAN DOES NOTHING IF YOU CAN’T SHOOT OR DRIBBLE.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS COMMENT THE WRONG WAY, I AM TRYING TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT A PLAYER’S WINGSPAN COMPARED TO OTHER ASPECTS OF HIS GAME…..AND TO MAKE FUN OF BILLY

By St. Bernard

June 3, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

HB, You’re right on alot of points. Here’s the thing. I think Marcus Williams can be critized on alot of points justly, but as far as NBA careers go, He’ll have a better one than any of those big guys with the exception of Aldridge. If we manage to get Aldridge GREAT, I’m with you get him. Sheldon Williams is at his peak. O’Bryant might never peak, even though I do like him. I would rather have someone who everyone believes will be a starting point for years to come (even with his faults) and pay for or trade for someone like Gooden, Nene, Wallace (I know it’s not likely), or Wilcox. These guys aren’t great, but they’re still young and they’ve already been through the developmental stage that you’re wanting to do with a big guy in the draft. These big guys never play to their potential to the second or third contracts. These guys will probably never be stars, but they are legitimate starters for us.

Of the guys you named Marcus Banks and JT would be nice players, but JT isn’t coming back to the ATL I don’t think and Marcus will be hard to pry away from Minneapolis as well. I like Jack and Telfair as well. Lots of folks forget that Telfair is still really young. If BK brings in Banks, Jack, or Telfair and drafts Sheldon I won’t complain. The problem is I have no trust in BK’s ability to get one of those guys, and I the only thing I know for sure that he can competently do is draft someone. So, because of this I would say pick Marcus Williams over any big except Aldridge.

Don’t give BK more credit than he’s due. Once he brings in a quality young pg or big through a trade or FA then I’ll be more likely to go with your thinking.

As for Sekou’s answer that the Hawks aren’t bringing anyone in until after Orlando….well that just proves my point on BK’s uselessness. How come every other team seems to be bringing folks in? How dumb?! If Jay Williams is looking for an NBA home, he at least deserves a try out with our group of pg’s. I think a recovering JW is better than T.Lue and any of those other guys any day of the week. There’s no excuse for not having folks in for workouts other than lazyness. Or maybe this is just another part of BK’s great scheme to keep the world in the dark about his master plan……I just hope he knows what it is!

By RichieRich

June 3, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

I’M SURE THAT’S WHY HE SIGNED JOHN EDWARDS BECAUSE OF HIS WINGSPAN…..LOL

By RichieRich

June 3, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

I WENT DOWN TO PHILLIPS ARENA TODAY TO MEET UP WITH MY BUDDY THAT WORKS THERE, HE SAID THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME GUY’S WORKING OUT IN THE PRACTICE COURT, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHO THEY WERE….IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD FIND OUT WHO THEY HAVE HAD IN FOR A VISIT…KINDA GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT.

By St. Bernard

June 3, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this

Here’s a couple more bigs that would add great depth to our bench and play: Mohammad, Pollard, Radmanovic, or even Brandon Bass and Posey from the Heat would look nice off the bench. The top three are as good as Sheldon.

By reese

June 3, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this

Doc, when I heard Herb Williams make the statement that Josh Smith did not know how to block shots and had to learn how, I was not surprised. I never saw the AAU team that Josh Smith played on, but didn’t it have Randolph Morris and Dwight Howard. I’m sure that with those two down low, there was not a need for Josh to block shots. Josh Smith proved that he was able to recognize a fault in the team and he stepped up to seal the crack by compensating for the flaw of not having big men that were the same caliber of his high school AAU team.

My free advice to Josh Smith and Josh Childress is to play point guard in a summer league this year. The common theme among the players on both Dallas and Phoenix is that their 2, 3, 4 and 5 players can dribble the ball. This allowed dallas to compensate for the fact that JT is not a pure point guard.

The other common theme is that each point guard on the four teams can score when needed and are not only passing point guards.

My free advice to BK is to acquire big men who are the same caliber as the AAU team that Josh Smith played on. Then, you can leave Josh Smith at the small forward and have 3 shot blockers.

My free advice to Mike Woodson is to evolve your game plan to use the defensive plays utilized in Detroit and the offensive skills displayed by both Phoenix and Dallas.

My free advice to the spirit ownership. We fans don’t go to the game to see the owners and really don’t care who wins in the dispute. We just want it to be over and lets move on with improving this team.

Way to go JT and the Dallas Mavericks. Thats the team I’m hoping will win it all. They have 12 players that allow Avery Johnson to adapt to either a big or small lineup. Plus, their players play defense and offense.

By reese

June 3, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this

Oops, I mean’t herb brown

By dale

June 3, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this

BORIS DIAW IS A BEAST.
BILLY KNIGHT SHOULD NEVER WORK IN THE NBA AGAIN. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, I JUST WATCHED THIS MAN DOMINATE 24 MINUTES OF A NBA CONFERENCE FINAL. 30 POINTS 11 REBOUNDS, AND IT DIDN’T COME ON FAST BREAKS. THE MAN MOVES WITH OUT THE BALL, HAS EVERY LOW POST MOVE IMAGINABLE. WE TRADED THIS MAN AND TWO FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICS FOR A RESTRICTED FREE AGENT. THAT MOVE IN INDEFENSABLE!!! I’M CALLING FOR THE REMOVAL OF BILLY KNIGHT IMMEDIATELY.
MAGIC JOHNSON JUST SAID BORIS DIAW IS GOING TO BE A STAR IN THIS LEAGUE. I’LL SAY IT WITHOUT ANY DOUBT IN MY MIND, BORIS DIAW IS A BETTER PLAYER THAN JOE JOHNSON!!!! IF ANYONE IN THE SPIRIT GROUP IS READING THIS, I’M REQUESTING THAT YOU REMOVE BILLY KNIGHT IMMEDIATELY. HE IS MAKING THINGS WORST!!! I FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN CHEATED. LAST JUNE I WAS SO EXCITED TO THINK OH MY GOD THE BUCKS JUST PICKED BOGUT, WERE GOING TO GET CHRIS PAUL!!! BUT NO, OUR GM BELIEVES JOE JOHNSON IS A POINT GUARD, AND OUR OWNERSHIP WHO PROBABLY DOESN’T KNOW CHRIS PAUL FROM CHRIS MULLIN HAS ENOUGH, BLIND FAITH IN THE KNUCKLEHEAD, TO ALLOW HIM TO MAKE SUCH POOR DECISIONS! STEVE BELKIN, YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT, YOU DID LAST YEAR, AND YOU DO NOW. MUCH OF ATLANTA IS ON YOUR SIDE, PLEASE KEEP FIGHTING!!!! I HAVE TO GO NOW, CRAIG SAEGER IS INTERVIEWING BORIS DIAW!!!

By JohnD

June 3, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

I have been away. Thanks Dale.

I do not believe many people decide to come to the games based on the person that occupies the GM’s chair. BB fans and those who will watch a winner come to the games. This group of players is much more athletic and has a much bigger upside than any Hawk team in many years.

Unless Zaza muscles up he will have to be a 4 in the future, but remember he is only 21 years old. The Hawks still need a center and a pg but please do not encourage them to take someone at either position that does not have starter skills and physical ability unless they are cheap. We already have backups for those spots.

One comment on the trades of Mookie and Steve Smith. Prior to the trades both players were exposed by the Knicks in the playoffs for their lack of speed and quickness. The Knick guards met both of them in the backcourt and generally made our offense stagnant because Mookie and Steve were unable to beat them off the dribble or penetrate. Our guards waited inside the 3 point line for the Knicks because they could not defend in the open floor. Both Steve and Mookie are great teammates but the trades had to be made, unfortunately JR Rider was even more sorry than advertised.

The Hawks have quality individuals on the team now and an Allen Iverson could destroy the chemistry faster than you can say Terrell Owens.

Make a sign and trade Harrington deal for one of our needs and then, perhaps, the other need can be filled through free agency. ATLANTA THE TEAM may not be the first choice of some players right now but ATLANTA THE CITY is one of the first choices for most players, so fill one need and attract the other.

The most important thing right now is not to overpay for average talent just to make a few zealous fans - or bloggers - happy. We did that with Jason Terry in the past, a $4-5 million talent with 7-8 million money. We did so with Koncak also, but the market eventually reached his contract even though the real mistake was spending a #5 pick for him in the draft. The Pistons sandbagged the genius Kasten on that deal. Not the first time one team has hand-cuffed another with a ploy of some kind. Red Auerbach was the best at doing so.

Enjoy this group of Hawks for their hard work, athleticism and potential for now and hope, as we all do, the help needed is soon coming.

The finals should be an interesting example of two contrasting styles of play that include many similarities. Dampier and Djop will most likely use all of their fouls each game, the Dallas guards will have all they can handle with Wade, and there does not seem to be an answer for Nowitzki on the Miami roster (double team on each touch). If the games are under 90 Miami could win, even though Dallas has the deeper roster, thanks to Pat Riley.

By Mel

June 3, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this

Boris Diaw is not better than Joe Johnson. Who in here thinks JJ wouldnt be putting up big numbers in the playoffs with Phx. He dropped 26 on Bruce Bowen last year after he damn near broke his face. If hes so better why didnt he do anything here, everybody talks about systems but JJ did his thing in whatever system we have here. JJ is our best player and is way better than Diaw. JJ doesnt have half the help Diaw has, you cant just focus on Diaw, no why?, cuz he plays with the MVP of the league. THe only legit threat during the entire season was JJ. If BK gives the him some real help watch out.

By JohnD

June 4, 2006 12:16 AM | Link to this

One more thing. Thank the Lord that Mark Cuban and Dallas bought Eric Dampier. The Hawks were rumored to have offered $10-11 million to that slug. He makes $12 million or more now to watch most games.

There would be no hope for the Hawks with Eric Dampier on the roster at anything more than half the money the Hawks were rumored to offer.

Okay, one more thing, Josh Smith and Bill Russell are aproximately the same size (6’9”) and block shots, or in Russell’s case - blocked shots, and Dampier is 6’11” but a statue.

One more, we effectively traded Pau Gasol for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a bigger blunder than the JR Rider deal.

By JohnD

June 4, 2006 12:22 AM | Link to this

I liked Boris Diaw when he was in Atlanta and think he was mishandled. A player with his size and skill set should be utilized and not beaten down. Boris was hammered night in and night out and never had a chance, in my humble opinion, to show his skills or to progress. He may have also languished in Phoenix but for the injury to Amare.

By dale

June 4, 2006 12:33 AM | Link to this

I apologize for my hateful words about Billy Knight, for trading Boris. I’m just a diehard Hawks fan, and it seems like everytime we take a step forward, we take two steps back.
I like Joe Johnson alot, he is a great player, I just feel we gave up way too much for him.

By JohnD

June 4, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this

I would guess the Diaw trade was a coaching staff call. There never seemed to be any support for Boris from Coach Woodson.

The great coaches, Wooden, Rupp, Smith, even Bobby Knight, won with whatever they had at the time. As said about Bear Bryant, ” He would take his and whip you or he would take yours and whip you with them”.

I do not care much for Phil Jackson but he has been successful with varying types of talent, of course the talent he won with happened to be the best in the league at the time. If he wins a title at LA now, only then he will be the best.

The Hawks keep hiring projects as coaches. The last successful coach,at the time hired, was Hubie Brown. Lenny Wilkins was past it when hired and then forced the trade of Dominique in an attempt to stamp his brand on the team. Mike Fratello was the only unknown to succeed.

Does anyone have Rick Adelman’s cell phone number?

By Najeh Davenpoop

June 4, 2006 01:24 AM | Link to this

Sekou, I would also like to see a seismic shift in the NBA. I would like to see the 3 point line eliminated. This would drastically reduce the number of bad shots taken in standard NBA games — no more jacking up 3’s in transition by Antoine Walker, no more teams like Seattle that live and die with the 3, no more lazy bums like Tim Thomas who slack off the entire length of their contract and then drain a bunch of 3’s over a 3-week period so they can get paid in the offseason. Players have realized now that instead of working hard for easy 2 point shots and making 50% of them, they can just jack up 3 pointers and hope they make 33% of them and still score as many points. This is why you see even mediocre 3-point shooters like Jason Richardson jack up as many as 12 3’s in a game. Even everyone’s precious Suns haven’t “revolutionized” the game in any way — the Nets made the Finals running a similar fast-break based offense 3 years ago. The only difference is that these Suns jack up 3’s all day long and run the score up into the 120s. Removing the 3-point line would not only force players to develop fundamentals better, but it would also set apart the truly gifted shooters like Ray Allen and Dirk, since these players can shoot from anywhere on the floor, not just from the 3-point line.

The NBA constantly innovates every year — this is why the rules limiting hand-checks and allowing some zone defenses were passed a couple of years ago. But thankfully, the NBA doesn’t “innovate” at the expense of developing skills — skills like defense, for example. The European game still lags behind the American game because Europeans, for all the hype they get for having better offensive fundamentals, still mostly have no idea how to play defense. As a fan of both sides of basketball (offense and defense), I am glad the NBA hasn’t created a Europe-style league where one-dimensional shooters like Trajan Langdon dominate the game while low-post monsters like Tim Duncan struggle and defense is de-emphasized.

By Najeh Davenpoop

June 4, 2006 01:34 AM | Link to this

One more thing:

“Players can no longer be pigeonholed at certain positions based on size at the early stages of their careers.”

Funny you would say that, because it seems like of all the people, Billy Knight is one of the GMs who believes in that the most. Marvin Williams at PF? Joe Johnson at PG? Josh Childress at SG?

By doc

June 4, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

excuse me, MR. ando, i’m your friendly fed ex man. where do you want your eastern conference championship trophy delivered?

well the suns are dead and gone but they sure made it fun. thought it was really between the spurs and the mavs but the nba and their system to rank the playoffs ruined that opportunity.

now, who will be schoolin, dirk or shaq? can anyone on the mavs keep the wade man in check, as it hasnt been done yet this post- season?

By HB Ando

June 4, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe, so much for your theory that Cato was obtained to give fouls on Shaq during their series. He didn’t play a single minute.

“Veteran center Kelvin Cato was on the Detroit playoff roster, but he was so far out of the picture that his name was spelled wrong (Kato) in the game program Monday and Friday. He was sitting patiently on the Pistons’ bench, just waiting for the season to end. He was bored. “Detroit is a nice place, the players are nice guys, but I don’t think the coaches had any confidence to use me,” he said. “I’m healthy, but I don’t get much work.” Cato and his expiring contract were obtained from Orlando at midseason for point guard Carlos Arroyo and power forward/center Darko Milicic. Orlando Sentinel”

Don’t know why it was so hard for you to accept that his only value in the trade was his expiring contract, similarly valued to Harrington’s. Don’t know why it was so hard for you to acknowledge that we could have easily moved Al, his expiring contract, and our second rounder to obtain Darko and Arroyo. Billy just didn’t have the creativity to go do something smart. Let’s see what he gets for Al, if anything.

By HB Ando

June 4, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

Doc, Devin Harris has the length and quicks to stay in front of Wade. But I haven’t seen anyone stop him, so it’s not likely that’s going to change during this series. Will be interesting if Daniels gets more minutes to try and defend him. He’s long and quick, and is an excellent defender. I suspect it will be one of those two who gets the primary responsibility. Bigger question is whether Avery is going to turn more to Diop than Dampier to go at Shaq. Was only a few years ago that Dampier was doing some talk about being the only guy in the league who could defend Shaq. When Shaq gets challenged, it’s usually not very pretty for the opposition.

By A Thinking Fan

June 4, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

DOC I’m back home and Phx. is gone - finally! I like this bloggers comments abt the Euro vs USA style of Bball. Najeh Davenpoop, see his comments above…

By A Thinking Fan

June 4, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

With Shaq “finally” rounding into playoff shape, the Heat can & are playing traditional NBA “Championship” b’ball: inside/out… When Phx. gets their big man back watch out! You have to have the inside presence to win the NBA championship.

By Ty

June 4, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

As for free agency and the draft…

It seems like bigs are costing a lot more money than PG’s these days, just in general. I think it’d therefore be smart to draft a big and not rely on signing an expensive and mediocre one in free agency…depending on who’s available.

I think we can pursue some good PG options with Al. Chris Duhon for Al might be a bit lopsided in favor of the Bulls (who are loaded at PG and looking for inside scoring, a la Al), so I’m wondering if we couldn’t get Mike Sweetney as well?

By doc

June 4, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

atf, as i said above and before the playoffs began, the nba did a disservice to fans and the spurs by their “seeding” system. i am proud of the way the suns competed as they were leading at the end of the first half in about five of the six games. to me it means they didnt quite have the legs or the depth that the mavs had but over all the best team is going to the finals.

ando, i like and saw your comments about devon harris who is the mavs up and comer and is about to make j. terry expendable for those in the market for him. nobody has slowed wade much less stopped him in two years. the mavs cant depend on that occuring to win.

By St. Bernard

June 4, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

The real question concerning the draft is whether we want to try to get a mediocre pg or mediocre c through FA and draft a pg or center. Here’s the reason I would draft a pg, Marcus Williams will start for us for several years starting next season. He’s an immediate impact guy. If we draft any big other than Aldridge they are not a starter. Sheldon Williams is going to be a great backup and spot starter for several years (aka Kevin Willis), and then we have to pick up a pg who will probably not be a star (probably be able to start over Ivey, but not a star). So, ultimately the choice comes down to adding Marcus Williams and someone like Wilcox or Gooden compared to adding someone like O’Bryant or Sheldon Williams and a Speedy Claxton type. I will give Ando this, if we could get Marcus Banks, Telfair, or Jack (young pg with lots of potential) and still keep our draft pick I think it’s an even comparison. Duhon is not going to be a star. This summer will really tell the tale of BK and his master plan. It does have potential, but that potential is unfulfilled at this time.

By HB Ando

June 4, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

I think we see things pretty similarly, ST. B. Though I think S. Williams is going to be more productive than you suggest. I think he’ll be a starter for a long time. He won’t be an all-star, but he can board and block and score on the blocks, and he’s strong as a bull. Like I said before, I’ll give Astro all credit on his appreciation for his game. I just don’t see him at #5, and I think O’Bryant has a much higher ceiling (it will just take a few years for him to develop, which we really don’t have the luxury of waiting for).

By Mel

June 4, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this

Toronto could end up helping us out if we play are cards right. If they draft bargnani, maybe Bosh doesnnt want to re-sign and he comes back to Georgia where he played his college ball. Or they draft Williams for Uconn, there would be no need for Mike James and we make a run at him, and Bosh has expressed how much he wants James around. I pray one of those two happens. Go Hawks

By Mel

June 4, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

Also, anybody see nbadraft.net saying Aldridge could slip to five and guess who picks there? Another wish of mine.

By Melvin

June 4, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

Mel, I’m hoping that we are able to draft Aldridge or Marcus Williams. I do not agree with trading down to draft Shelden Williams. He’s a undersized PF with no low post moves. Players like him are a dime a dozen. We could signed Reggie Evans instead and keep our #5 pick. Question, if we acquire another #1st rnd pick in the upcoming draft. could we send that pick to to Phx to complete the JJ trade?

By HB Ando

June 4, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this

Bosh’s most recent comments suggest he does not want James back. Seems James’ penchant for shooting frequently, wore thin on his teammates towards the end of the season. Playing for a contract will do that to a guy. Also, James has been publicly campaigning for Houston to sign him, as his home is there.

On Bosh not wanting Bargnani, I’ve been suggesting for six months that the Hawks do some “unofficial” inquiry to Bosh’s agent to see if he would want to come here long-term. I think if he were to publicly say he’s not re-signing that anything is possible. Though I’d be surprised if he didn’t leverage for a trade to Dallas, his hometown, over Atlanta, his residence for one year at Tech. But I know I’d be chatting his agent up on the subject if I were the Hawks.

By Steve B.

June 5, 2006 02:33 AM | Link to this

I don’t think their is any changing of the gaurd going on in the NBA. As in every sport once in A while their comes A players coach, from the very start of his hire he decides to run things diffrently. Instead of teaching players his system he learns theirs. He adds a few things but in all he lets them play their game. When he wins they say he’s an innovator, when he losses they say he has no control of his team. The NBA will always revolve around it’s star players and copy cats. As far as Dirk I’ve seen a player like him before. He was a better passer but 2 inches shorter his name was Larry Bird. Lebron, A better scoaring Penny Hardaway/ Majic Johnson. D.Wade, Jordan minus 2 inches. Chris Paul dose anyone not see Kevin Johnson in this guy. K.G. ok youv’e got me their but my point is theirs nothing new under the sun. We have seen players like them before so I don’t think the games changing just getting a little better.

By Steve B.

June 5, 2006 02:55 AM | Link to this

On the NBA and Hip-hop. You can look up in the stands and wonder where the middle age white man is and blam it on Hip-hop and the gangsta NBA players, but that would be A lie. 15-20 years ago their where thug black players and thug white players, just not enough Sports Center to report it all.It’s not new so don’t blam it on Hip-hop or Allen Iverson. As much as I love Atlanta, most people that live in the city are not from Atlanta so we don’t have many life long Fans. In short if the teams are not wining there will be empty seats in Atl. Check the Braves now that their loosing, the Falcons if their lossing and the thrashers. David Stern did not make a mistake by marketing to the Hip- hop fans. No they don’t buy the tickets. BUT THEY DO BUY THE JERSY’S,SHOES,POASTERS,THE SWEATS,HATS,JACKETS,SOCKS,HEAD BANDS,RISK BANDS, RUBBER BANDS,VEDIO GAMES,CD’S, AND T-SHIRTS. MOST MIDDLE AGE WHITE MEN DON’T BUY THESE THINGS. So please don’t make Hip-hop an issue, I listen to other music and you guys might be older but Guns’n’roses, Kiss, Ozzie Osborne say some crazy things as well(I’m not putting them down).Think David’s worried about the empty 75 dollar seats, just look at the 200 dollar jersy sales.

By dale

June 5, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

To touch on some of the last few things I’ve read. First of all Atlanta will be okay in this draft as long as they stay away from the following 3 players: Aldridge, Thomas, and Roy. All 3 of these guys, will be major bust in NBA.
Aldridge, is soft, weak, and dosen’t play with passion. Think Brad Sellers. Ty Thomas is barely 6’8”, has no offensive skills. I would compare him to a Kenyon Martin, but he dosen’t even have the limited skills that Kenyon does.
Then there is Brandon Roy, very similiar to Antonio Daniels. He is a better shooter than Antonio, but that still ain’t saying much. I’m hearing the same things about Shelden Williams, that were said about Carlos Boozer. Shelden is bigger than Carlos, and is a better defender. Out of all the bigs coming out in this draft, none of them is as proven as Shelden Williams. Remember Duke did not lose to LSU because of Shelden Williams, Duke lost because JJ Redick was shut down, by LSU’s guards. I also would like to see the Hawks go after Randy Foye. Foye is solid, he is a hustler and plays with a lot of heart. Very explosive, can get his shot off against anybody, and is a tough defender.
Also if Adam Morrison somehow slides to the Hawks. The Hawks would have to take him. I have no idea how they could fit him in, but the guy is too talented to pass up. He reminds me of a young Glenn Robinson with a heart and a brain. I would pay to watch Morrison play. Steve B. I have to disagree with the Dirk/Bird comparison. I see very little Bird in Dirk. I would compare Dirk more to Tom Chambers, maybe even a little like Roy Tarpley. Also to touch on this whole hip-hop thing, I’m a brotha that couldn’t name one song that JayZ sings. I could care less about hip/hop, rap or whatever they call it nowadays. I don’t watch NBA for the halftime entertainment, or the hype songs during the pre-game. And yes I believe some of the players look pretty silly with those big ghetto diamond stud earings. But I realize that these are very young men, with more money and fame than must people could ever imagine. And I’m more impressed with the maturity level of some of these great atheletes, then upset with the lack of judgement of a few. As for myself, when I was twenty-years old, and if someone was to give me ten-million dollars back then, I wouldn’t be here today, I probably wouldn’t have made it to twenty-one.

By Astro Joe

June 5, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

Back from the family vacation. Great subject Sekou, sorry to see that our site has been found by the Committee to Elect Ralph Reed. I haven’t read any draft blogs of late nor insider stuff. Came here first. Let’s face it, many of today’s PFs would be Cs if they played 10-15 years ago (and vice-versa). Is David Robinson that different than Jermaine O’Neal? Compare Amare and Olajuwon or Ewing to Duncan. So I think the BIG is still essential. But as more of a complementary piece as opposed to the centerpiece. Shaq played well in the last series (I humbly eat Heat pie for previously predicting their demise), but it was Wade that stood in the spotlight. It still comes down to one special player (Dirk & Wade), a dependable sidekick (Shaq & JT) and 3-4 role players who come up big at crunch time. But since most great big men need at least an above average PG, having a player like Dirk or Wade who can do it on their own is a huge benefit. I think this series comes down to Shaq vs. Dirk. Can Shaq force Dallas to play big or will Dirk force Miami to go small? If Dallas can speed up the pace and Miami forgets to feed Shaq down low, then Dallas wins. But if Miami maintains their discipline and Dallas has to play big with Diop and Dampier on the floor (instead of Dirk at the C), then the Heat bring it home. Should be a great series. Here’s pulling for the Little General.

By crs

June 5, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

Apparantly fromer Duke PG Jason Williams is rehabed and ready to come back, I think the Hawks would be smart to bring him in and see how he looks, in my mind, he can not be worse than Royal and Lue, if he can run and move adequately I think he could be an ideal backup and who knows maybe we get lucky and he can run the team and be the PG we have been looking for……

By Clyde

June 5, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

I don’t know if anyone saw Beyond The Glory with Dominque Wilkins this weekend but it brought tears to my eyes. Trading away our franchise player for a player for half season. It makes me mad because I see similarities in the trades Billy Knight has made. What did we get for Theo Ratliff? What did we get Nazzy Mohammed? What did we get for Abdur-Rahim? What did we get for Jason Terry? What did we get for Rasheed Wallace? And what will we get for Al Harrington? These players did not have the impact as Nique did but they were worth more than draft picks and players with expiring contracts.

Its too early to say if the draft picks Billy has made were mistakes but all of us can see that that the trades were terrible.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By HB Ando

June 5, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

All I can say about Dale’s player assessment skills is that I hope he’s not really Billy Knight in disguise. That’s some of the most inaccurate scouting I’ve ever seen. Morrison as Robinson? Robinson had a 40 inch vertical coming out of Purdue. He was twice, that’s twice, the athlete that Morrison is. We’ve discussed Morrison quite a bit here, and I don’t think he’s any better than Wally or Mike Miller.

I’ve watched Ty Thomas, and though I’ve advocated not taking him, as I see him as too similar to Josh, and playing the same position as both Josh and Marvin, he’s got better handle right now than Martin has. Martin is catch and shoot mid-range, or one power dribble and attack the rim. Martin takes two dribbles and the ball goes off his foot. Martin also is a sub-standard rebounder for a guy with his intensity and leaping ability (and I mean that even before the knee problems).

Sellers was a seven footer who wouldn’t step inside the 3 point line. Aldridge needs to add strength, like most young big men coming out early, but he’s very skilled inside. People make too much out of the one game most of them saw Aldridge in, the Texas game. He was sandwiched by two lottery picks, including one who weighs in excess of 300 pounds (who will be a very good starting 4 in the league when he comes out next season), in Big Baby Davis. Aldridge had no support in the post, and not a single player on the Texas team knew how to make a smart entry pass into the post all season (which is why Gibson went from a pre-season projected lottery pick to an afterthought in this summer’s draft).

Dale, you get today’s FedEx award (and I give it to you without waiting to see what others might write later in the day).

By HB Ando

June 5, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this

Reading Dale’s comments almost made me forget what I came to say. O’Bryant is a name that came up some time ago. A week or so ago I said that I had this little gut feeling that he could move up pre-draft, to a point where he might be the player we select. Now I read this:

“The word out of Utah was that Blaine native Patrick O’Bryant, who played in college at Bradley, made such a good impression in a workout with the Jazz that the 7-foot center is at the top of their draft list. ESPN.com’s Insider reported that one Eastern Conference scout called O’Bryant the top prospect in the draft. “While that may be one lonely opinion, it does appear that O’Bryant’s stock is on the rise,” read the report. “He is long, athletic and the only legit center in the draft. He might have a big draft in his future.” Minneapolis Star Tribune”

and I’m really starting to wonder if this kid might not be our surprise pick at five (especially if Aldridge is gone). The fact that Bosh has been campaigning for Aldridge as Toronto’s pick, and continues to have the option to forego resigning with Toronto makes everyone wonder if he’ll end up swaying Colangelo and force his hand. If Colangelo really is in love with Bargnani, he’s got a really dilemna on his hands if Bosh bases his willingness to stay long-term on whether his wishes are respected by Colangelo. Will be very interesting to see how that scene plays out over the next few weeks.

I’ll be waiting till the Princess’ June 18th deadline to submit my draft picks for our little contest. Are we putting together an informal get together at ESPN Zone for the draft?

By Astro Joe

June 5, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

What were we getting with Theo? What did we get from Nazy? What did we get from SAR? NOTHING! JT turned into JJ (received Antoine Walker, traded Antoine for draft pick used to obtain JJ). Rasheed turned into Josh Smith (let’s face it, Rasheed had a good year and a half with Detroit but let’s not make him out to be Tim Duncan. And does anyone think that he would have been a good citizen playing for this young and losing team?). Yeah, those guys were decent players. But we were still losing while being close to the salary cap. Of all those guys named, JT is the only one I’d take back, especially playing along side JJ. One of the things this team is still missing is a vocal leader, and JT was that from his very first NBA game. But Cuban is not likely going to allow him to slip away, given their Finals appearance. Let’s not make it seem that BK broke up a dynasty or even a team that was competing for a playoff spot. He broke up a highly paid losing team that had no promising future.

P.S. I’m predicting that Rasheed gets dealt this off-season. His usefulness to that team has run its course and watch Dumars dump him at the nearest bus stop.

By dale

June 5, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this

Mr. Ando, I’ve been a Longhorn fan since the Lance/Blanks/Mays days. If you know who they are.

Aldridge is soft as Hell. I could care less about big baby Davis and Thomas. Big Baby is a 6’7’ fat butt, he dosen’t have the game that Demetius Hill (UF) had. He is a poor man’s John “hotplate” Williams.

Morrison plays just like the big dogg did at Purdue. The only difference was, the vertical. Otherwise, size, and shooting/scoring ability are very similiar.

I’m not hating on none of these three young boys. I hope they all do well. I’ve just been watching bball for a long time, and realize that the talent coming out this year, is some of the worst in NBA history.

Some people like to compair Aldridge to Bosh. Chris Bosh was unstopable in one season at Tech. Aldridge didn’t even dominate the conference.

Ty Thomas is this years Randy White (look him up)

peace

By Astro Joe

June 5, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

Ando, the one problem with O’Bryant is his youth. He is likely a good 2 seasons away. You asked several weeks ago about how long is thie rebuilding plan. If the Spirit say that it is a 3-5 year plan, then draft O’Bryant, especially if he is very agile. If they need to do something sooner (like devalue the pick traded to Phoenix next year), then I would personally stay away from O’Bryant. This draft should provide us with some clear clues about the sense of urgency the Spirit owners have for this team.

Someone posted that Shelden Williams has a reported 7’2” wingspan, is that true? Any news on his vertical jump? Maybe all of that will come with this week’s Orlando camp.

By Steve B.

June 5, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

Dale you may disagree with me on Bird but you are in fact agreeing with me that we have seen these players before. But think for 1 second Bird wasn’t A good defensive player but he understood team defense. Same with Dirk. Tom wasn’t good at either plus Dirk has A better shot than Tom. I know a lot of you like Sheldon Williams but taking him at 5 would be reaching. Most mocks I’ve seen have him going between 9 and 13. With M.Williams, Brandon Roy, Randy Foye, and possibly Aldridge(and you guys said I was crazy when I brought that up last week)still on the board, I don’t like the idea of trading down. One of these 4 would help us more than Sheldon and will have more trade value if we need to move them later. Some one compaired him to Antonio Davis, Davis real value to teams wasn’t his on the court play, but his presence in the locker room. NO NBA ROOKIE IS GOING TO HAVE THAT KIND OF PRESENCE. The guy may be Antonio on the court and that’s solid but He won’t be Antonio in the locker room wich is realy what we need.

By Astro Joe

June 5, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

Steve B. I agree that Shelden is not worthy of the #5 pick. I’d take Aldridge at #5 if he slips, but I’d rather have a big who can stop the lay-up drill more than a combo guard. Our offense is fine. We definitely need a PG, but I would prefer a vet rather than a rookie. And more than a good locker room presence, we need a defensive warrior with the type of work ethic and fire that can rub off on the other young guys. Having someone say good things in the locker room and then get 5 minutes of PT is not good. Players like Shelden can set the tone for the team, “bring your hard hat because we are going to work”. This current team is full of finesse, we need a blue-collar type and drafting Shelden in the 8-12 slot would fill that role nicely. (And by the way, what Antoine Davis did with the Pacers during the Reggie Miller years was a little more than a kind word, he brought toughness to a team that was led by the 180-pound Miller).

By dale

June 5, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

Steve B, My only problem is, I hate to compare a great player today (Dirk), with one of the best players in the history of basketball (Bird). Are there some similarities, yes, but Bird is in a class with only a group of maybe 4 other players in the history of the game.
I hated Bird with great passion, because he would kill my Sixers. I saw first hand the killer instinct this man had. On the otherhand I saw Bruce Bowen, shut Dirk down. Not even Micheal Cooper, or Bobby Jones, could hold Bird under 30pts in the playoffs.

Secondly, I think its a crying shame that Shelden Williams is getting so little respect from so many so-called draft experts. He is the only big man in this draft that will able to step in and contribute next year. The Hawks would really make a mistake by not drafting him. I think Steve B would agree with this comparison, Shelden Williams reminds me of Maurice Lucas. Big, strong, tough and physical.

Watch out for guys like Rashard Anderson (UConn)Gerry McNamara(Syracuse), those guys can shoot the lights out, and have performed very well in the clutch, they are proven. It’s sad that so many people get so carried away with “he is such a great athlete” stuff. Last I checked, guys like Stromile Swift, Hakim Warrick and Darius Miles weren’t exactly tearing up the league.

By 900k

June 5, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

Can’t believe what I’m reading “bring back more white guys…” Pathetic racial crap. Just enjoy the sport for what it is. If one culture is dominating then just what your turn, practice more with your kids.

By 900k

June 5, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

Question:

Who’s more of a Gangsta/ Thug, when it comes to the NBA?

A Iverson

B Lambeer

Just for a minute Imagine if Iverson, Shaq or even Ron Artest played just one playoff game like that guy did. Imagine one of them straight out flatening MVP Nash and standing over him screaming or Knocking the teeth out of Dirk on the way to the whole for an entire game. They’d be in cuffs by the end of the night.

By dale

June 5, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

Ando I just had to respond again to what you wrote about my Morrison comparison. You stated that Glenn Robinson had a 40 inch vertical. You sure you ain’t confused with Nate Robinson. The Big Dogg I watched in college like Morrison did not depend on his athletic ability to score 25+ ppg. He used his size and strength to create just enough seperation to get that smooth jumpshot off. Then you said that Morrison plays like Mike Miller, that ain’t even close. Mike Miller can play 3 positions, and is an incredible athelete. The two players couldn’t be further apart.

It appears to me that you are big on Aldridge. Where do you think he would’ve have been drafted in last years draft?

By cowa

June 5, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

Let’s assume the following draft order: Toronto - Bargnani, Chicago - Thomas, Charlotte - Morrison and Portland - Aldridge. We’re hearing that Portland wants to get both Aldridge and Roy. Now this might be dreaming, but what about the #5 pick (Roy in this scenario) to Portland for Jarrett Jack, #30 pick in 2006 and a 1st rounder in 2007 (protected top 5, no protection in 2008). I know this seems like a lot for Portland to give up, but Portland has too many guaranteed contracts to be a player in free agency even to resign their own FA’s (Pryzbilla & Leonard), and they obviously can afford to give up a PG with Telfair and Blake in place. The key is the 2007 pick, which would have to be included. The #30 pick is more of a throw-in, and Portland really can’t afford an additional 1st round pick with a guaranteed contract, which is why I included #30 over #31.

Just another thought…

By dale

June 5, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this

Cowa, I don’t like the deal. Here’s my idea: Trade Josh Childress and our pick #5, to Golden State for Derek Fisher, their pick #9, and a future 1st round draft pick.
Golden State Coach Montgomery (JChills college coach) would love to have Childress. Monta Ellis played great last year at the point, so I don’t see Fisher getting much playing time. I think Fisher would be a great pg for us. Then draft Shelden Williams at #9. Both guys are tough defensive minded players, who know how to play the game.

By Steve B.

June 5, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this

Astro I never said a guy thats going to play 5 min A game. I know we need A vet big guy that can give us 20 to 25 mins a night. I’m saying the things Antonio did on the court where solid(maybe 70% of what Ben Wallace dose),But his value to the Pacers and any team he’s played for is his presence in the locker room. Not just a kind word, but a kick in the but when they need it, or a pick me after a bad game, or as AL will tell you teaching the younger players how to deal with things off the court. Life lessons is what Al and the other young Pacers gave Antonio so much credit for. Sheldon can’t do any of this right now because he’s still got to learn it himself. No one’s going to listen to A rookie and you know that. Down the road Sheldon may well be worth a top 10 selection, but not right now. 1 last example Allen Henderson possesd a lot of these same things Sheldon dose, He was tough,A banger, Good attitude, and a hard defensive player. He also wasn’t much of an athlete and was undersized. When you pick a solid player with not much upside that high they don’t pan out.The Antonio Davis’s, Ben Wallace’s need that chip on their shoulder, they enjoy proving people wrong. Sheldon need’s that chip.

By honest abe

June 5, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

dale i think your talent evaluation is dead on minus the morrison - glenn robinson comparison….morrison is going to be one helluva player in the nba for many years to come…believe that!

By Steve B.

June 5, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Dale me and ANDO never agree on much, but we have been on the same page about Aldridge for A while. You can question his toughness, they questioned Bosh,they questioned D.Howard they both turned out great. I watched a lot of Bosh at GT(by the way he didn’t dominate, he was always in foul trouble) and loved his game, I see alot of Bosh-like things in Aldrige’s game. Plus Aldridge is bigger. If the kid falls to us a five it’s a no brainer. You are realy low on Chill’s, We would be giving up to much. Chill’s for their #9 pick and Fisher ok.You can say we are to high on Aldridge, but the mocks agree with us,you are going out of your way to get Sheldon and he’s just not that good of a fit with this team. Be honest the Hawks are going to use Smith and Williams as their starting forwards, No one knows if it’s going to work but their not going to bring in Sheldon with a top 10 pick.

By honest abe

June 5, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

yak then i saw your trade idea and wow that’s a bad idea…a pg lineup of ty lue and derek fisher??? hmph… nastiness

By Kappy

June 5, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

DALE I absolutely love your trade idea with golden state. ive been asking for derek fisher for 6 months now. Although, im pretty sure he’s a free agent so we wouldnt need to trade for him. maybe a sign and trade for harrington. maybe we could throw in one of golden state’s bigs too.

*Ando i love you and i love your comments, but we may come to blows over aldridge. Whoever the longhorn fan that stated he was soft was dead on. Aldridge is a complete bust! think rafael araujo. i dont have a vendetta against aldridge or anything, i just saw him be a non-factor in too many games this season. Remember, he was supposedly a top 5 pick this year even before this past college season, so i wanted to see what the hype was. And all the hype was just that. He’s not good. Id be happier picking O’Bryant or even shelden ahead of him.

Ok, as far as the draft goes, i started with us picking marcus williams, then i switched to roy, then i thought about o’bryant. BUT NOW IM BACK TO MARCUS!! This is the guy we need. And he’s already said he’d love to play for us.

Werent the owners in court today? and arent we expecting a ruling? Sekou?

By dale

June 5, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Steve, I don’t believe the Hawks are in position to wait a few more years for a guy to develop. Shelden is ready to play now, he is that tough, shot-blocking, banger type that Atlanta desperately needs. I believe Shelden would be more effective at the 5 than Aldridge. Aldridge will play PF in this league, we know the Hawks don’t need another PF. It’s just not a good fit. I love Chris Bosh, but I’d rather have Ben Wallace on this team. It’s about chemisty, we already have young and explosive players on this team, now let’s get some guys that are tough and can play some defense. The eastern conference is still the half-court, defensive dominated conference, it’s the only way we can compete. We’ve got to get stronger.

By Basketball Princess

June 5, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

WOW! What’s been going on around here????

Not that anyone has missed me but I’ve been on the grind with my freelance sports writing career. It’s a hustle boy. But it’s so much fun and not too many female sports writers’ out there. Living in a city like the ATL, Every athlete is accessible.

Basketball is definitely changing, as kids are growing up smarter and more creative. People have to realize that the game of basketball is more than just stats, and fundamentals. Basketball is a life style.

Everyone is human and makes mistakes. Everyone has done something really lame in their life, but just didn’t have the exposure as most of these athlete’s do.

I will be getting into the human side of these kids, not just stats. Look to get the scoop about Marcus Vick from me soon as I will be doing a story on him shortly.

By Steve B.

June 5, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

Dale, Sheldon’s not Ben Wallace he’s more Alen Henderson. Ben’s athletic,Sheldon’s not. At the NBA level Sheldon won’t get the flat footed blocks that he got at DUKE. Sheldon’s a banger that’s true but thats all. Allen Henderson, Malik Rose,these are the guys that play like Sheldon. Sheldon dosn’t have Ben’s hops, but he dose have Ben’s offensive skill do you really wan’t to spend a top ten pick on that.

By Samuel

June 5, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this

Cuz,

Good topic. I’ve been away. Up in your neck of the woods. My aunt on mom’s side died and I’ve been in Flint the last few days.

I too love to watch the Pheonix system, however, as we saw. You live by the 3 and also die by the 3. Props to the Suns for helping make these playoffs the best since i’ve been watching the game and we haven’t even reached the finals yet.

As a coach on the high school level I pretty much employ a version of the Peonix style. Push at all cost minus the 3 pt shot. I hate it (the three) with a passion. I think it has contributed more to the decline of good fundamental basketball, especially offensively, than any thing I can recall. If you go out and watch high school hoops, you definately don’t see the problem of holding big guys back from working on the perimeter. Just the opposite. Most of them need to get their backsides down low and hit the boards. Don’t get me wrong, in a half cout set. If I got a player that can handle the ball,they will do some of the ball handling but if they shoot well and are taller then they will mostly receive the ball as close to the basket as possible. I love layups and freethrows.

I’m all for dismantling these dead “coaching trees” as you call them. I’m sick and tired of loser coaches getting recycled over and over. If I hear PJ Carlisemo and Eric Mussleman’s name one more time, I think ill puke. Hopefully Avery Johnson and Cuban will start a trend of giving new breads a chance.

I can think of a lot of young minds I wouldn’t hesitate to offer a job to. Greg Anthony, Mark Jackson, Kenny the Jet Smith,Scottie, Steven A., NOT!!!!

Should be a good series.

By Mel

June 6, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

Just like Adelman at Sacramento, theres only so far he could take them. Woody hasnt taken us far but I think its time for him to move on. He has the guys playing hard but thats pretty much it. He ran one literally one play where Joe would bring up pass it to the wing curl around the block and catch on the wing and create. THATS IT. We need a coach who is going to cater to their positives: Push,Push and more push. I dont have a problem with him I just think its time for a new plan/style.

By Bee

June 7, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

WHat’s popping people? Just falling through to give my take on what the Hawks need to do this summer… If I were the GM I would sign Jay Williams to a deal with a team option for a 2nd year just to see if he’s the type of player we’re looking for to be our PG.

If we are believed to be a player in the Jay Williams sweepstakes… depending on how the chips fall in the draft if Aldridge is there I’d take him… if not trade down… get multiple picks.. maybe give one to the Suns (only if it completed the JJ deal that is)… and see if a quality big man falls to us. I’d also look for either a serviceable big man in the second or a PG “project”.

There is more I want to say but we have a meeting scheduled in 2 mins! Gotta Go!!! LOL

By bye

June 7, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

What the Hawks really need is a scorer who will score 20 pts. a game on a consistent basis and help Joe Johnson carry the team. That is something they need to address.

By Samuel

June 7, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Bye,

We tried that with the AI rumor. Seems that people here don’t want another 20+ scorer. They say we got enough here.

By Gavin McBrewer

June 15, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

I can’t find a political blog to write to so why not write here? The AJC is a disgrace to ATL. Just look at how they jump to Campbell’s defense, completely one-sided. Their headline is about Campbell’s “letter” from his mother, as if to say, “SEE ATLANTA!, He IS innocent!!!” When he was sentenced, all the paper could do was give his rebuttal and use the word “abomination” when referring to the verdict. They barely quoted the federal judge’s comments at all. The AJC headline was like saying, “Ex-Mayor wrongly convicted”. And look back at Al-Zarqawi being killed. The AJC headlines with “Al-Zarqawi Murdered” and then here’s the kicker; The very next line links to “family reacts”. Then they proceed to describe Al-Zarqawi’s brother and his poor 2 kids. Nevermind the fact that he sawed people’s heads off. Let’s trash the US military for killing a sweet man and father of 2. The AJC is trash and you are a traitor for reading it.