Hawks

By honest_abe

October 16, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

interesting ss… i noticed you didn’t mention any specific names, when you talked about trading a player to get the most in return… but, that really narrows it down to two. i feel like there are only two players that have some trade value and that are also expendable. Jchills & Salim… i never like chills in college… but once he became a hawk, i began to appreciate his effort and professionalism. i don’t recall too many instances where he didn’t bring it 100%… which tells me he is mature beyond his years as well as a consumnate professional…… i’d hate to see him go..but if someone offered a serviceable big i’d definitely have to consider it.

By Matt

October 16, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

1. Shelden Williams is better than he looked in summer league. If he is able to play a productive 20 minutes in the NBA this season has yet to be seen.

2. Joe Johnson came back from Greece a man. He’s a leader and we can expect big things from him this year. All-Star Team. Playoffs.

3. Salim Stoudamire is a streaky shooting guard that loves the big time shots. We’ve already got Josh Smith and Joe Johnson, who both love big time shots as well. But they can also create their own shots, which Salim can’t seem to do.

-Matt from Hotlanta Hawks Blog

By Andrew

October 16, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

GO BLUE BABY!!!

By mykhalc

October 16, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

i really believe SALIM is the odd-man out if/when there is a trade to be made (as i said in the previous blog also). most teams are always looking for a shooter/scorer. tho he’s more a shooter than a scorer right now. i think JCHILLS’ role is defined and accepted so i think his total value to the team might be too high to let him go, at least right now. let’s hope this new shot of his brings more value!!!???!!

By G-Money

October 16, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

The Heat might win again in the East, but some changes will be necessary. Shaq is nearing the end just like Jabbar was. DWade will have to pick it up even more and two others will have to step up, Haslem and someone else. It won’t be Walker and it won’t be Peyton. Riles always has a plan and knows how to properly motivate a team. I happen to think that the balance of power is clearly in the west though. New rule changes and new styles of play are rendering the classic less and less effective. Stern wants an international style of play in the US. Stern usually gets what he wants. I hope I’m wrong but with Amare back it could be between Phx and Dallas. They’ve got the international look and feel that Stern is going for.

As for who stays or leaves, I’m with Honest Abe. Give up Chills. He hustles and is a great off the court role model, but I don’t see a role for him on the court that allows us to keep him. The question will also be one of whether MW or JS can play the 3 effectively. Marvin will become a man in time and his body will be even more developed than it it now. It would be ludicrous to give that up. JSmith seems to be the candidate for the 3 spot. Does he have the quickness to keep up with the other elite 3’s?

As for TLue…I haven’t heard of anyone really complaining about him. He’s a back up. We’re all anxious to see what happens with the team in Speedy’s hands? Will it go as expected? Can he kick it up a level?

By A Thinking Fan

October 16, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

SS I know you got your eyes on those BUCKEYES!!!* So I won’t go there on you!

The Hawks have some tough player personnel decisions to make now and at the end of the season. My guess is as good as yours on who should stay and who should go…

By michael m.

October 16, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

sekou,

it’s a little early to start seriously contemplating who to trade. do you not get that we finally have a team that under contract that doesn’t feature someone in their contract year. the focus needs to wholly be on building the chemistry and playing together on both ends of the floor, sharing the ball on offense and helping each other out on d. i guess it’s a losing battle with everyone so enthralled with wondering who to trade away and for, but come on, you should at least lead the charge for allowing this team half a year to see how they interact and play off one another before pronouncing the predictable preamble that this squad can not grow as one. i can sit here and throw out stuff with the best of em - chill, salim and perhaps even a 1st round pick - for devin harris. happy now? i’m not. i dont want to play that game because chill and salim are our guys and over the course of a year that will feature injuries for most teams, even ours, we are going to need them. is it really that hard to focus on what we have and what they can do together, and stick with that. this is not the time to think about who is going to need to be traded away. i’m shocked you even wrote that sekou. come down off that wolverine high and focus on what really matters.

By mred

October 16, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

I say keep j chill a good sixth man is just as valuble as a starter.

By Mash

October 16, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

Outside of J-Smoove and Joe Johnson, I think anyone on this roster is tradable. Of course we should get something pretty special to give up Zaza or Marvin. I don’t think anyone would put it past Knight to trade both of those guys for Boris Diaw.

By HB Ando

October 16, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

I like the Bulls in the East. Of course, what do I know, I picked the Heat last year when everyone else liked Detroit. The Bulls have balance, depth, youth and experience.

SS, don’t know what to say that I haven’t already regarding the imbalance of the roster. Obviously, Michael is struggling with the implications of that truth. What’s funny is that you’ve (SS) got Josh at the four, and I just read a fantasy hoops writer’s assessment of the fact that Marvin will be our starting at the four.

There’s just no getting around that placing our best players on the floor, at the same time, will probably not be the best lineup to capture wins. Four of our best players play two positions, and I think Childress is going to get squeezed, which is why I advocated trading him at the end of last season, as he’s got more potential value to another team than he will for ours.

I don’t think anything has changed in the Marvin looks great, so we can stop talking about Paul perspective. I said all along that it was never about comparing them as individual players, and more about the fact that Marvin projected to be (hopefully) a moderate long-term improvement over Harrington, while Paul represented a tremendous upgrade over anyone we have, or have now obtained. So would we be better with Paul, JJ, Harrington and Josh Smith, or Speedy, JJ, Marvin and Josh? I’ll take Marvin over Harrington, but this team would be way ahead of the rebuilding game if we’d taken Paul over Marvin.

The only person I heard knocking the Smith pick was Bilas. I’ve said all along that he was a no brainer at 17, as, arguably, the best athlete in the draft, and a local product, with an apathetic fan base. What’s funny about your comment, SS, is that you don’t mention Childress, who we took at 6, while highlighting the Smith pick at 17. Our sixth pick projects to never start for this franchise (not unlike last years’ fifth pick).

If you think this team will make the playoffs, you’re on the pipe. 31-34 wins, and a real challenge to decide which is more important: developing both Josh and Marvin, and pushing the tandem to see if they can man the 3 and 4 collectively, on the defensive end, or winning a couple of extra games, with no real shot at the playoffs, at the cost of learning the what we need to know about Marvin and Josh staying together. As the second and third most gifted offensive players on this team, if either one ends up sitting behind the other, because of Knight’s ridiculously imbalanced roster, you can bet that young man will be getting with his agent and shoe company and plotting his ultimate exit from Hotlanta.

But, if we’re lucky (Atlanta Hawks’ fans?!), one of these guys will stand up and make like a man at the four, with the support of Wright and Zaza, and it could be very special if these two can co-exist, and win, on the court together.

We’re botton-3 in record, come years’ end. Hopefully, we won’t get screwed by the ping-pong balls. Then it’s Oden, Noah or Durant, and I’ll be buying season tickets again.

But all you glass-half-full folks better put on your patient panties and deal with reality. This is not a playoff team.

And, finally SS, you Maze and Blue will blow the big game, like they do every year. It’s just the way life goes…….

By honest_abe

October 16, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this

ando stop copying and pasting…i’ve read everything you just wrote at least 100 no 2000 times! heh…

i think you and i are closer in our opinions than maybe we both realize.. i think the hawks will win aroudn 36 games which is pretty close to your projection.. give or take a few games.. having said that… i will see that win total as considerable progress…while all you see is ineptitude and incompetence…

i can’t say i’m sick of the chris paul talk because it’s going to be around as long as the hawks are bad… but having said that… in the long term.. not short term and by long term i mean within the next five years…if this hawks team becomes a legitimate contender, year in, year out (which is where i see this team going) and marvin being a major contributor…then it was a great pick! i know you aren’t comparing the two players…but ultimately how else can you compare the situation…the bottom line is who contributes more to wins and losses. right now CP has obviously been the bigger factor for his team. in two years..who knows?

i’m starting to babble…but anyways i like (hope) the Cav’s take it this year in the east… got to go with my man LBJ!

By Sekou K. Smith

October 16, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this

Someone had a bad day at the office, Ando. The pipe? Are you kidding? If we don’t see your point we’re on the pipe? That’s harsh. Love your thoughts on everything but my Wolverines. Just like Hawks fans can’t really be counted on for unbiased opinions about their team, it’s not wise for me to argue about Michigan.

Michael M., I said in the next 12 months not the next 12 minutes. The roster has to be balanced, though, my man. It’s one of those sad truths about the teams that keep getting better. Rosters have to be tweaked and continuously analyzed (by the decision makers and string pullers) in order to do that properly. So they don’t have to trade anybody today. They just have to keep that in mind as they watch how this young team plays together this season and have a plan to make the right moves.

Nothing more and nothing less.

By G-Money

October 16, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

Ando, I must admit that I pretty much agree with your assessment. It is about determining if both JS and MW can be on the floor at the same time. Chills will get squeezed, no doubt. While this may not be a playoff team (unless 35 wins gets you in), I believe it is going to be an exciting year. I even looked into seeing if I could get my old seats back on a mini-plan. Yeah, I too gave them up a couple years ago because I knew that the product was not going to be one that I was willing to pay thousands to see develop. Now, I’m thinking that we might have a team that is going to be entertaining and competitive again.

By Samuel

October 16, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

Cuz,

I agree. I can’t tell what to think concerning these preseason games. I do however think the Hawks are way ahead of the last couple of years. I think the key will be Woodson’s ability to continue to “sell” this pressure defense. They have to understand that it will require them to be in better condition and work harder than every team they play. If they do this they can be better than my 32 win prediction.

I continue to say that the expendable players are: 1) Salim 2) Ivey 3) Childress 4) Marvin. I realize that Marvin may be untouchable to some but with Josh Smith and JJ as wing players why not Marvin and Salim for Delonte West and Al Jefferson or Salim for M. Ely or Maybe Childress for Kurt Thomas.

My NBA 2006-07 Power Rankings

1. Miami Heat- They’re the Champs til someone knocks them off. I’m gonna say it again. Shaq is the biggest difference maker in the NBA. His meare presence automatically makes any team he plays with the favorite. DWade will only get better and that’s scary.

2. Dallas Mavericks- They actually improved their roster during the off season with the addittion of Deven George, Anthony Johnson and Greg Buckner. They actually have better talent top to bottom than the Heat but they still don’t have Shaq and DWade and that’s a lot.

3. Detroit Pistons- I actually think they will be a better team without Ben Wallace. My boy Mc Dyess will be a much better offensive thret and Detroit will understand that they will need to play better defense to win in the playoffs. Also, look for Jason Maxiell to have a breakout season with his additional minutes.

4. Pheonix Suns- Actually, if Amare continues to improve health wise they actually could overturn the Mavs if he has a setback they could drop to sixth or seventh. Either way, with the continued emergence of Diaw and Barbosa and the addition of Marcus Banks to cut Nash’s regular season minutes they still will be right there come playoff time.

5. Chicago Bulls- They pushed the Heat as well as anyone in the playoffs and Big Ben, Tyrus Thomas and PJ Brown, Adrian Griffin(of last year’s Mavericks) will only make them better.

6. Cleveland Cavs- Last years playoffs show Lebron to realize just how good he really is. With this newfound realization the Cavs should step up another level and I wouldn’t want to play them in the playoffs. They are still one player away from moving up into the elite.

7. San Antinio Spurs- They are gettn old. They did pick up my boy Jackie “the iceman” Butler and Fransisco Elison but will be hurtin in the team speed category and on one to back up Parker.

8. Los Angeles Clippers- Shaun Livingston will move to another level and “IF” Tim Thomas can have anything like the season he had last year the Clips again will make some noise.

9. Sacremento Kings- Having Ron Artest for an entire season will undoubtably make the Kings much better and they made a good run in the playoffs last year.

10. Los Angeles Lakers- Of course it all depends on Kobe’s health after knee surjury. If he comes back 100% and Kwame Brown continues to progress under Phil Jackson and “My Boy” Jordan Farmar can prove to be the player I though he would be, the Lakers will again make the playoffs then with Kobe anything can happen.

11. Washington Wizards- Gilbert Areanas will be p** off all year for not making Team USA and will take it out on the rest of the league. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much help.

12. New Jersey Nets- When you got 3 potential allstars you’re gonna be competative. The addition of Marcus Williams and Josh Boone hopefully can give the Big 3 a rest.

13. Houston Rockets- IF Yao and TMac are healthy, the Rockets could move up considerably in the power rankings if either one goes down, they don’t even make the playoffs. Bonzi and the Greek PG Spanoulis will help out considerably but make no mistake about it. It all depends and the one two punch of Yao and TMac.

14. Golden State Warriors- My surprise team of the year. Actually, it may not be such a surprise to those who are familiar with Hall of Fame coach, Nelly and the talent on that squad. Byron Davis is reportably in the best shape of his career, Jason Richardson is one of the most talented players in the league and My Boy Monta Ellis primed to take full advantage of this run and gun style. Dunleavy and Murphy should also thrive in this system and possible comeback player of the year candidate, Djuan Wagner. These guys will be fun to watch. Mark it down Golden State vs Pheonix, 11/20, 12/15, 1/7/07, 3/29/07. The Hell with Defense.

15. Denver Nuggets- Health will be the key to this team. Carmelo Anthony is an elite player but needs Camby, KMart, and NeNe to stay on the court for the Nuggets to make any noise. If they continue to stay hurt, they could fail to make the playoffs due to the fact that other teams in the West have improved.

16. New York Knicks- Yall know I had to stick them in. I actually do believe that Zeek will have this collection of talent step up enough to make the playoffs.

On the bubble: NO Hornets, Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzles, Utah Jazz, Milwakee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics.

Bottom Tier: The rest of the league

As yall can see, I’m ready to get this thing started.

By Tyger

October 16, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this

Funny how, and maybe its just me, but I dont see any imbalance, except that some are more talented than others.

PG: Claxton, Lue, Ivey SG: Johnson, Stoudamire, Bozeman SF: JSmith, Marvin, JChill PF: Shelden, Batista, Solomon C: ZaZa, LoWright, Glyniadakis

Most of these guys are interchangeable and will play multiple positions, so where’s the imbalance? Financially perhaps???

Surely, they cant all expect to get max extensions but it’s too early to worry about that. Plus, none of them have anything but potential.

And for the big 3-4 it’s in their best interests to stay with the team that drafts them. If not, whomever’s the most selfish will go.

By Astro Joe

October 16, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this

Guys, Ando is right. We should just tank the season immediately. Why even play one regular season game? Who needs to evaluate talent in a real game? Why should we consider things like chemistry, team dynamics or teamwork when we could just read fantasy experts and review box scores? Its pointless. This team is doomed to less than 35 wins. So what if the 76ers kept there fans engaged during about 80 games last season while only winning 38 games? We don’t need to feel inspired or hopeful, we just need to lose every game so that we can draft the next franchise center. What, he may not come out? Well, there is always Noah. What, his resume only includes 5 games? So what, if he is a bust, it puts us back in the lottery to draft Oden the following season. Yeah, Ando is right. Let’s call it a season about 6 games before it starts. Wake me when the ‘08-09 season starts (or when Dumars becomes our GM).

By HB Ando

October 16, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

Ahh, Joe, in your attempts at irony you’ve paradoxically found truth. I never said this wouldn’t be a fun team to watch. I’m looking forward to seeing Josh and Marvin blossom. I’m looking forward to seeing Johnson ascend to all-star status. But I’m EXPECTING a team that lacks balance and sufficient talent, at key positions, to fail to move past it’s neighbors in the basement. I can’t help it that my personal expectations are so low. As I’ve tried to explain before, it’s just how I see it. And if I’m right about this team, and their fortunes for this season, am I guilty of being the harbinger of doom? Or just spot on in my assessment of the organization?

We all have our opinions, or we wouldn’t still be here after a year of talking all things Hawks. Don’t hate me for being right, Joe…….

Sam, I like your rankings, but I think you’ll see that Detroit will struggle without it’s anchor in the post, as ‘Sheed will fail to step up his rebounding sufficiently. I think the Mavs will play with the ultimate motivation of knowing they blew it. Avery will have them focused nightly, and they’re a real threat to make good. Miami, who I chose last year, is only as good as Shaq is healthy and motivated. They cannot repeat if he has issues with either point. They’re supporting cast is really aging quickly, and almost all of them have significant flaws in their game. But, as you point out, Wade has a presence on the floor that trancends stats and comparative athletic talent. He refuses to lose, which fairly or not, will continue to draw comparisons to Jordan. I really like the Bulls here, and they are absolutely my dark horse for the title. I would not be shocked to see Duncan have a big bounce back year. Discounting the Spurs would be premature. Parker and Manu are coming into their own. Phoenix is a question mark, because I can’t escape the hints that Amare may never be quite the athlete he was two years ago. He doesn’t have to be, but he does have to be healthy for most of the season, for them to be a legitimate threat to win it all. The Rockets may be the biggest Q-mark of all: IF Yao and T-Mac are healthy, with the additions they made, Battier and Gay, they improve defensively and athletically. And Yao’s averages of 26 and 12, after he returned in the second half, have to viewed as the shape of things to come. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Rockets break the top-six of your power rankings if they stay healthy.

Tyger, your positional rankings underscore exactly the problem. You have listed 3 of the Hawks’ five best players at the same position. If you don’t see the inherent problem with that scenario, I don’t know how much we can help you here….

I’m ready too. Can’t wait for our fantasy draft!

By stephanie

October 16, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

Sekou, Hail To The Victors. Go Blue.

By michael m.

October 16, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

at least tyger understood what i was saying. our squad is not necessarily as imbalanced as it obviously was in the past. sure, we are a little swingman heavy, but adding shelden, zen and speedy corrected a lot of our previous imbalance. forget about past years and take this team for what its current components are. all i’m saying is i am not ready to concede that we are still imbalanced. the key is seeing how marvin and josh smith are as a forward team. i dont even care about labels of 3 and 4. who cares if some reporters out there don’t know which is which. this season is about seeing how the pieces fit and building chemistry and learning how to work off of each other. the pieces that need to be discarded will make themselves apparent. we will all be paying attention. but this is not the time to even start discussing who should leave. this is the time to focus on what we have and see what they are made of. but it’s your blog, that’s just my opinion. bringing it up now seems a bit early is all i’m saying.

michael

ps. ando’s glass is still half empty. what a surprise.

By Ken Strickland

October 17, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this

ANDO, I have to agree with you as far as you having a right to your opinion. However, you have a way, or habit, of presenting your opinions as a matter of fact not to be disputed. I certainly disagree with your assessment of the teams lack of sufficient talent. This team might be short on the experience, chemistry and/or continuity needed to harness that talent, but they certainly aren’t lacking in talent or potential. CPaul inherited a veteran team with a veteran mentor, SClaxton, both of which contributed to his overall impact. It’s questionable whether he could have had the same impact on the youngest team in NBA history. DEF was the Hawks major problem last yr, not OFF. The World games exposed CPauls weak DEF and inconsistant outside shooting. SClaxton will never be Pauls OFF equal, but at this stage in his career, he’s not Speedy’s DEF equal either. That combination of facts would make Speedy more valuable to the Hawks than Paul. Drafting MWilliams allowed mgt to trade Harrington, replace his PT’s, RB’s, improve our DEF, quickness and speed. It also allowed us to reduce payroll considerably, get rid of an unwanted contract, plus gain a 1st rd pick. And since when did athleticism, potential, versatility and youth become the basketball translation for unbalanced?

By tb

October 17, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this

Speedy is a deffinate upgrade at the point. He makes us competitive at that position and will do what a PG should; get the team playing.

Lo and Sheldon are going to make a difference in the paint. Do we have a top C? No, but two good NBA players, Zaza, Lo and two Rook’s that look like good additions.

I can see the future and ponder that it might include a move, but I also think the time to focus on is the present. Let’s let our team gel and lay off the trade talk.

As to Ando; I think I mentioned over a year ago that you have a habit of presenting a premise (argument), then because you’ve explained it so succinctly, you use it as a “truth” upon which to build your next argument. Then you make statements saying that we have to be on the pipe to not see the “truth” of your opinions.

When you get someones opinion on things over a period of time, it becomes possible to gauge mood, tone and attitude. Over-bearing and condecending is how you come across to me. And I also noticed how though your tone hasn’t changed, you seem to be raising you opinion of our team.

By mykhalc

October 17, 2006 01:42 AM | Link to this

SS, good article on the BIG GREEK!! got a feelin’ he’ll make the roster too. it’s amazing what that trade to INDY, which supposedly brought us ‘nothing really’ in return (according to some) has allowed the team to replace EDWARDS with someone that actually has a chance of contributing to the team. and yeah I KNOW he has not made the team yet. but i think MOST of us are at least thankful that we’ve got another big that can contribute. could this cat have been in BK’s sight all along thus his demanding INDY take EDWARDS as part of the sign and trade??? if so, how many of our BLOG GM’s saw it coming??? and i ain’t callin’ any names!!LOL and just by JJ’s endorsement, you can just about bet you’ll see the big guy opening nite!!!

By John

October 17, 2006 04:01 AM | Link to this

Do you really think the Hawks drafted Marvin Williams second only to trade him in a couple of years. They knew they had Josh Smith and that he was going to be a player, as he had a good rookie year. This is the type team the Hawks are building. They drafted Marvin knowing he would start next to Josh one day.

By doc

October 17, 2006 06:20 AM | Link to this

some argumjents never change, so be it. it is ironic that my main man is picking a team that suppoesdly made all the right moves in rebuilding much the same way as the hawks but forgets to say that they were predicted to go up so much faster because they built around youth and size (but got imbalanced in the short term). funny how when it is all said and done they have become a team to be reckoned with only after they gave up their twin towers that all said would take them to the top so much quicker.

it is always a transition from year to year, most teams are rightfully “imbalanced” the cavs and the suns though did quite well last year with an unbalanced roster only to finally get exposed. that is what the teams have gm’s for, to try and make the necesary changes to “balance” rosters from year to year. i still reiterate the team with the least done to it for the past three years was the griz who was put together by our itenerant punching bag bk. it will be intersting to see how the griz do now that west has finally made some significant changes to his roster to make it his own team. it will be intersting to see how the loss of battier efects theem but bolsters the rockets.

finlly if ando were to be realistic he would see that drafting paul might have looked great in the short term but accelerate the hawks to mediocrity as he definitely brings wins but ironically puts the team in the no mans land for future draft considerations. after all points dont get you to the playoffs all you have to do is look to the sixers to see one of the best players in the league playing with a dealocked roster situation in ai.

also interesting to see after all the posturing samuel did to get ai here he couldnt even put the sixers with ai into the mix of his top 16. also he seems to have seen a fall in the griz’ game after the changes made finally by west the gm that took bk’s job.

By Samuel

October 17, 2006 06:40 AM | Link to this

Actually Doc,

The sixers did not make the top 16 but they might make the playoffs. I actually think Atlanta has more overall talent than the 76’ers and I was dreaming of pairing JJ and AI which IMO would make us have the BEST backcourt in the NBA. Is anything wrong with that.

Yall know I saw the Greek Guy first, he’s my diamond, so I’ll give BK props on that one. It’s a “NO BRAINER” to me but then again, some here never accused our GM of having one(a brain) anyway ,so stranger things could happen.

By dap

October 17, 2006 07:25 AM | Link to this

This team is much improved in all areas. It is very deep, very athletic, and very versatile. We have pieces to continue to grow, see how everyone evolves and make one big move in a year or two and we will have a top tier team. I have complained about BK but he has done well.

By doc

October 17, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this

samuel, more of a comment on how a point can be left out in the cold if he doesnt have all the parts around him. besides the last few years have POINTed out how irrelevant a point is to winning it all. didnt see anyone trying to rest the points for the heat away from them this past of season.

By Chris

October 17, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

Check out the preseason box scores on Marcus Williams and Rajon Rondo (Luther Head another player mentioned in the offseason trades is also blowing up). I would trade Lue, Ivey and a bucket of chicken for any one of them right now. I was with Billy Knight until he drafted Sheldon…illogical. So now the plan is draft as many forwards as you can and then trade them to get the other positions filled that you passed on in the previous 3 drafts. That is an interesting concept.

By doc

October 17, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

flash, you will love this!

opps, look the other way atf. i’m about to mention the name of you know who, mvp man.

nash spent the summer rehabbing his back with a physical therapist while playing a lot of his other favorite sport. yep you have it, soccer. go figure. give it up to the old guy. how are ya bud?

By HB Ando

October 17, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this

It’s no secrect that all of us engage in the belief that our subjective opinions are the basis of fact. And that we all like to hang on to those opinions over the course of time, here on the blog. It’s funny that I’m the only person who gets called out on it. But tb, the most insightful point you made, in joining others who’s sole purpose over the last few hours was to comment on my words, was that I was acknowledging improvement.

Of course! When have I not? The only thing that weighs me down in a perpetuity of firm negativity is that most of the folks here are unrealistic about this teams’ chances this year. I mean JEEZ, Doc’s now suggesting that Paul’s brillance as a point guard is ultimately a limiting factor in that teams’ fortunes, because Iverson, who shoots more than any other player in the NBA, similarly small? Others say Paul benefitted from going to a veteran team? RIDICULOUS! The Hornets had junk, and he took them from 17 wins and doubled it on his back. Even our own Joe Johnson said it was hard for him to even think about what drafting Paul, and playing along side him, would have meant for this franchise, when he played on the national team with him this summer. Again, for the millionth time, I’ve never knocked Marvin Williams, and I think he’ll be tremendous. But you guys are plain fooling yourselves if you think this team wouldn’t be better off with Paul guiding it’s fortunes for the next ten years. PLAIN FOOLING YOURSELVES.

Doc, me thinks you’re adding a bit of bourbon to the morning coffee, but I do like the comparison to the Bulls. Problem is that Paxson got rid of bad choices, like Curry and Chandler (though I believe Chandler still has potential to be a very good player), and he drafted the best player available, regardless of position, when it was his time (a point he made this summer about his draft philosophy, which was that they still weren’t deep enough to draft any other way; so that’s not an Ando-ism). Billy passed on the need and took upside, two years ago, then passed on talent and tried to address need, and ended up with the well-documented over-reach of the lottery. I’d have respected him more if he stuck to his plan, and drafted the most talented, upside player, in Roy or Foye, or got down and took a center. But he wasted that chance to appease an uneducated fan base, by purportedly filling our shot blocking and rebounding needs, with a guy who can’t start for a bottom-five franchise.

When my predicitions turn out to be accurate, you guys can blame me for the Hawks’ failing to live up to your unrealistic expectations. Because I am SOOO powerful that my very words guide the fortunes of this franchise, when they would otherwise, clearly, keep pace with your hopes and dreams. Guys, I’m bad, but nobody is that bad.

We just don’t see it the same. There’s plenty of unwarranted optimism to go around here, with the still plausible temptation of the playoffs, wafting in the air. I’m just trying to layer the hallowed grounds of our blog, with my words, if nothing else, to soften the blow, when you all come crashing down with the reality that we’re still a bottom-five team this year.

Just ‘cause your momma’s didn’t want to hurt your feelings by acknowledging that you weren’t the cutest, or brightest, kids in your school, it doesn’t mean I’ve got to baby some of you folks for being wrong……….

Sekou, am I in mid-season form yet?

By HB Ando

October 17, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Gosh, doc, I had some many daggers to remove I didn’t realize I wasn’t done with you: so don’t you think that you should be comparing Paul’s potential franchise value to a less-than-imposing floor general, like, say, Nash, rather than a shoot-first scoring machine like Iverson?

“finlly if ando were to be realistic he would see that drafting paul might have looked great in the short term but accelerate the hawks to mediocrity as he definitely brings wins but ironically puts the team in the no mans land for future draft considerations. after all points dont get you to the playoffs all you have to do is look to the sixers to see one of the best players in the league playing with a dealocked roster situation in ai.”

Points don’t get you to the playoffs? Nash? Doc, this quote ought to haunt you the rest of your time here (and, specifically, led to the thought that you were hitting the bottle a tad early). Now that NO has added some parts (parts that many here believe are over-valued), let’s just see how they compare with the beloved Hawks this year. You guys say Paul is overrated, joining Chandler and Peja in a similar view. Let’s just see how Paul’s arc continues to explode throughout the NBA.

By HB Ando

October 17, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

And last but not least, to TB:

If you’re going to call me condescending, be man enough to climb to the top of Mount Olympus and say it to my face……….

I’ll come back later today and see how many of you have got your panties in a bunch.

By doc

October 17, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

love it ando when you take one comment out of context and build a rebuttle built around it. stated they dont take you to the playoffs if you look at some of the teams that had some of the best but didnt make it and gave the example of the sixers. add the knicks to that and maybe some others. we all agreed that they dont assure you a championship nash or not.

you diverted from the comment i made in that paul might have given us game but not enough to go beyond mediocrity, moving us farther away from that number three pick next year you keep alluding to wanting desparately.

im not hitting the bottle my friend but see you have dipped into the roids today, big time and come out of your corner. who be callin em out a bit today after such a quiescent period? android rage is back in time for the new season, i suspect to lose a little bit of the edge as we close in on the opening toss. it is still early and the rants are part of the preseason warmups. kind of feeling it out, right?

By G-Money

October 17, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this

Chris, those guys are putting up stupid numbers in preseason. I was smacking my lips when I read about them as well. Nonetheless, I like what we have. I agree with Ken. You can’t really entrust a young, rookie team to a rookie point. It doesn’t work. However, you can entrust the development of a young team to veteran leadership. JJ, Speedy, and TLue bring that to the team without being selfish.

Moving Harrington was extremely important for the development of positive leadership and the other players. He played power forward for us, didn’t he? His height?? 6’9”. His weight? 245lbs. No one was complaining about him being the PF. Marvin is already that size, so is Sheldon. The modern game is about interchangeable/flexible parts. So what if Tyger listed them as 3’s and one of them plays 4? I’m with michael m. It doesn’t matter as long as they match up on the defensive end. When you look at the top SF’s, they are all quick and proficient in several aspects of the game (Lebron, Vince Carter, Nocioni, Michael Redd). They are also smaller than our guys. I believe this will be the real match up challenge. Otherwise, I think we’ll be fine with our roster. The key becomes one of whether JS can guard these guys. If not Smoove then what about Chills? Solving the SF equation equals big time wins for the Hawks. It might be called “team D”.

By LL Cool Scott

October 17, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

It’s funny that the only people on the face of the earth that are still trying to defend drafting Marvin Williams over Chris Paul are Atlanta Hawks fans. It’s time to come to grips that it was a bad choice and move on from here. This discussion is boring.

As for drafting Admiral Akbar over Randy Foye - I’m still speechless over the stupidity of that. It’s going to be fun watching Foye blossom into a poor man’s Wade and make all-star teams for the next decade along with Brandon Roy, while the Admiral posts 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 fouls a night for his entire career.

By LL Cool Scott

October 17, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

2 other points worth considering:

1. The Marvin Williams-Chris Paul debate is over in the minds of everyone on the planet outside of Hawks fans in denial. Billy f—-ed up. Deal with it and move on.

2. Drafting Admiral Akbar at NUMBER FIVE over Foye has still left me speechless several months later. It’s going to be fun to watch Foye blossom into a poor man’s Dwayne Wade over the next decade while the Admiral posts career averages of 7 points and 5 rebounds. The same goes for Brandon Roy, Rajon Rondo, and Marcus Williams. Billy Knight is a freaking genius - I’m telling you!

By honest_abe

October 17, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

before we start going overboard defending the hawks front office… let’s take a deep breath and think for a second.. a great point is a great point! period.. cp wouldn’t have made this team into a playoff contender in his rookie season.. the hawks were too young and too many problems defending the paint. however, he would have solidified a certain position that was vacant and we could have used the speedy money along with lorenzen’s and maybe we could have worked a deal for a better big.. chris paul is already a great player..and would have made our players better.. BUT, my only defense is that in the long run…marvin has the potential to be a player…which could possibly translate into more wins…or become such a valuable player which could greatly increase his trade value… bottom line..the story is not finished…it’s been one year. let’s see how this plays out before crying doom and gloom. marv is an exceptional talent and if the reports of his development are true..it is something worth getting excited about… cp has gotten off to the better start, but we have no idea how this whole thing will play out.. so let’s at least see another season before passing judgement that the marv pick was a mistake of epic proportions..

as for comparing jsmith/marv to harrington playing the 4.. i see your argument gmoney..but harrington had a solid post up game..and didn’t mind going down low and banging around with the big boys… (not as much or as aggressively as i would have liked, but that’s besides the point) marv and josh have yet to show the willingness to get down and dirty… jsmith has the body and ability to take his game down low…but it will take a certain mean streak and nastiness i have yet to see… i’m not too worried as i think this team will flourish in situations when they are able to pressure opponents the whole length of the court the entire game… problems will arise when they cross teams that have a legitimate low post threat and a solid half court offense and i still don’t see anyone that will be able to gaurd the lane.. sheldon will help …hopefully

By doc

October 17, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this

ll c s agree with the rap about roy. dont want to go there but will hope that the s. williams brings something that sometimes doesnt show up in stats and he could. if roy or foye had come it would have brought better talent but maybe not what was needed and more imbalance since at least sheldons style is different than the other 6 foot 9 guys.

i will wince if roy is r of y but i can do an ando and say loudly i told you so, along with flash. just not necesary to continue to harp there we are what we are and i look forward to seeing how they progress, the rest will take care of itself in time. lets just give it time and manifest something positive instead of the negative.

By tb

October 17, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Ando,

I’ve never been one to hold back my thoughts or opinions in deffenece to someone else. I am sure that I would tell you that I found your attitude condecending to your face if we were ever face to face and engaged in a conversation and that I thought your attitude was condecending. What you gonna do?; beat me up?

C’mon dude, if your going to lay it on so thick, you got to be ready for people to remark on your behavior (attitude)

No I don’t want to fight, just engage in in little sportive debate and hope that people that try so hard to prove a point, or argue us to death, at least use valid logic when available or at least realize that the rest is just speculation.

Be back later, gotta go

By Ken Strickland

October 17, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

G-MONEY, your assessment was right on the money(pun intended). There has been talk about whether JSmith and MWilliams can play together or play the 3/4 positions. Both players are as tall and as big as all but the elite PF in the league and both are probably quicker, faster and more athletic than most. SMarion, of the Suns, has played both positions and he has trived at the 4. He is 6’7” and weighs 228lbs soaking wet. He out rebounded every center and PF in the league, except JHoward and KG, with 11.8RPG. Remember, DRodman and BWallace went undrafted mainly because GMs focused on what they couldn’t do. We all know how they became millionaires, allstars and NBA Champs when teams started focusing on what they could do. The same mindset seems to be at play with some of our glass half empty fans. If the Hawks significantly improve their DEF, they will make the playoffs.

By tb

October 17, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

my thoughts or opinions in deffenece to …..eh…in defference to anyone. Sorry bout that

By LL Cool Scott

October 17, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Great point guards come along only every so often, maybe once every 5 years or so. Great swingmen come out in every single draft, often more than one in each draft. We took a special forward over a special point guard, which is hard to understand. Every team in the league is desperate for a great point or great big man. It’s not all that hard to find a great swingman.

That being said, Marvin is a great talent who someday (if we ever get a great point guard or post presence and stop trying to create some mythological team of interchangeable 6’8” parts) could make this team a contender.

By honest_abe

October 17, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

ll cool.. wouldn’t you say if marv and jsmith take huge steps in their development process… marv starts to show he is going to be an offensive juggernaut… wouldn’t you agree that would attract some top free agents next off season? chauncey? that’s all i’m saying… ya you can get a quality swingman in just about every draft… a great one? not so sure about that fella.. with that argument the league would have tons of GREAT swingmen… maybe you use that term a little more liberally than myself..but i just dont’ agree that a GREAT swingmen can be found on every sidewalk and corner..

By Jameyan

October 17, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

OK! Chumps Jameyan “The Stuntman” is back in full effect. I can’t wait to see us run these guys out of the gym. First off JJ will be going to the All-Star game, Sheldon will be a candidate for rookie of the year, Marvin will be most improved, and J-Smoove will have the same fan base and excitement we have not see in over 10 years.

I admit at the end of the 98’ season I jumped off the Hawks bandwagon. I stll liked them but we was not committed to winning only getting money and bringing in GDI type of players. Babcock and Time Warner screwed up draft picks, free agents, and trades. From 99-03 I followed my favorite player Jason Williams who is now with the Heat. He went to a joke of a team in Sacramento and with C-Webb and Vlade they turned into a respectable and a eventual powerhouse in the NBA. Then he got traded to Memphis which was also a joke and soon became a respectable team. During this time I was wondering when will the Hawks turn it around.

It starts now. I was there when Josh Smith got drafted and Bilas called him out. I knew this guy was going to be special and the Hawks was on the verge. I am glad Billy Knight got rid of all of the goons we had and now have a young, exciting, and excellent team who I would say will compete for the 7th seed. Not 8th but 7th seed in the playoffs. If you was not down with us back when was 13-69 don’t come on ship when we starts to get good. In the words of Yung Joc “Its Going Down” in Atlanta. The first victim is

Philadelphia because we will finally have the respect and never again will the NBA and especially officials( Who costed us games because we are the Hawks) will think of us as a joke. So if you are with me let me get a HELL YEAH!

By A Thinking Fan

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

Hey Doc One day I will share with you why I was so hard on NASH being voted as MVP by the NBA. Really, it is using peeps at the expense of others that got me riled-up about it! If it was just about ballin’, no problem with Nash, but “The Commish” is a shrewd dude. We’ll get into it later.

Right let the season start so we don’t have to read through this armchair, wonnabe GM crap…

By Chris

October 17, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

The Hawks didn’t want to draft a rookie point guard because they wanted veteran leadership at the point. But they drafted Sheldon Williams because they wanted his rookie defensive leadership.
The interchangeable part thing is really funny. It gets even funnier when you start talking about the having to get rid of one of the interchangeable parts to try to get another part that you haven’t gotten in the past to maintain your interchangeable flexibility. Can someone name me a worse PG rotation in the NBA going into the year than Lue, Ivey and Salim (yes I know Speedy shall return at some point).

By G-Money

October 17, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

Ken, looking situationally at the parts that ATL does have, BK has created a team where if we want to go big, we can. If we need to play small ball we can do that too. Marion has flourished. Elton Brand is only 6’8” and he had done well also. I think that before it is all over with MW will be mentioned along side some pretty special big men.

As for who we could have should have drafted, that conversation was completed blogs ago. The Hawks are who they are. Most of us acknowledge that Sheldon does not seem like a #5 pick and could have been picked up near 10. At this point it’s all about how he develops, how the team performs with him on the court vs. without him on the court. Foy, Gay, Rondo are all special and will do well in the NBA. Sheldon will do well just at a different position. Also, true statement, big men take longer to develop than shooting guards. I’m looking forward to hearing about tonight’s game. How do the Hawks match up with Dwight and company?

By doc

October 17, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

atf, just dragging you in a bit, dont want you asleep on the armchair as the season starts you know. we prob need to sit down and meet so i can hear the story and chuckle a bit at the revelry here, nothin but respect.

my,my the liars table is getting bigger and louder as the “guys in the know” hunt to be the alpha dog. go get it boys, fun to watch.

btw, good stuff samuel, did that pop off your brow or did you craft it a bit?

By LL Cool Scott

October 17, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

Great Emancipator, If I were in Chauncey’s shoes, I don’t think I would leave the Pistons for the Hawks. Not solely because of the talent gap, mainly because of the ownership mess. I really doubt we’ll ever attract a big time FA with this circus in charge. Is there a worse ownership/general manager combination in the league? (The Knicks are so far off the charts that they don’t count)

By mykhalc

October 17, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this

LL, good and valid points. but personally i disagree with all of ‘em!! MARVIN vs PAUL, we all agree is old news. but there is no way i’d take a 5’11 PG over a 6’9” F. cause the bottom line, no matter how much projecting was goin’ on back then, on who to take where, it STILL WAS PROJECTION!! but the difference now being we’ve got some history to look back on and say ‘see i told ya. we shoulda taken X over Y’. this is just an/my opinion but AFTER observing CP in the WORLD GAMES, NO WAY WOULD I HAVE TAKEN HIM!! did not impress me at all!!! i kept wondering why all the hype??? and there could have been many reasons he did not show well. the first one being…well i don’t know what the first is!!LOL but his rookie year speaks for itself. no denying that. MY SPECULATION is MARVIN will show all, THIS YEAR, why he was the best pick for the team last year!!

By Astro Joe

October 17, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

“He yawns as he moves on to another subject”.

So Childress is working on his shot. I wonder why? He shoots 55% last season. He fearlessly attacks the glass on both ends of the floor. And he takes the ball to the basket instead of settling for long distance bombs. Yet he decides to alter his stroke after how many years of making baskets? I wonder if/when Childress gets dealt to another team if that team will be satisfied exploiting his existing skills. What if they told him “be the best rebounding guard/forward hybrid in the NBA and play tough as nails defense” what would happen. I wonder if they said “stay within yourself and make smart plays, hustle plays and watch film of Shane Battier” what would happen. I wonder if he played PF in a small-ball line-up (for a few minutes a game) and posted up guys like he did in college, what would happen.

When you practice something, you must try it. Do we really need Childress shooting 18 footers with a perfect stroke this season and focusing more on his follow-through than on following his shot to the basket? Do we need another 3rd year player falling in love with jump shots when they are able to get to the rim and draw fouls? Do we need him working on his form or working on finishing around the basket?

This is the type of thing that drives me crazy. Idiot fans focused on the wrong thing (the form of a jump shot) that may influence a guy’s off-season workouts. A coaching staff that doesn’t coach to a player’s strength. I’m predicting a frustrating season for young Mr. Childress.

By honest_abe

October 17, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

lol… good point ll.. of course i was hoping/wishing that the ownership mess woudl be settled by then ……..

By mykhalc

October 17, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

SAMUEL, ok, you got firsts on the BIG GREEK!!LOL but honestly, was he on your radar BEFORE he showed up at camp??? ‘cause IF NOT, how does it become a NO BRAINER?? the NO BRAINER was EDWARDS needed to go!! the sticky part then was filling his slot with with a BIG that fits in ALL the ways this team/mgmt/ownership needs to make ‘em fit. and that AIN’T no NO BRAINER!!!

By HB Ando

October 17, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this

LL and Chris: Please stick around this season. It will be nice to folks who are objective (AKA, outside the ATL perspective) in looking at this franchise.

TB, If the humor of my mock self-aggrandizing response was somehow misinterpeted as anger or defensiveness it’s going to be hard to carry you all season. I guess you have to get the chuckle to enjoy it…….

Abe, you’ve come along way in acknowledging that all is not right with the front office, but LL is right that Paul’s (or Isiah’s) come along much less frequently than gifted forwards. And much as Isiah did, Paul will show the rare ability to dominate games at 6 feet, with winning the focus and by-product. Again, I love Marvin’s upside, but rare? Heck, his ability is comparable to the teammate that got drafted 17th the year before he entered. If his numbers approach those of the player he replaced, Harrington, he will be viewed as a success. The gap between Paul and Speedy is an eternity relative to the minor skill set difference between Marvin and Harrington. Next year you’ll see Durant enter the league, touted as a “once-every ten years” talent, just like Marvin. How about Rudy Gay, who’s talent is every bit the equal (if not well-beyond) Marvin’s? Paul enters the league with not a single player on his roster the caliber of Johnson or Harrington, and sees his team trade away Magloire. He doubled their win total while they played a full season with no real home court. His brilliance and impact were simply undeniable.

It’s mind-boggling to me that folks on this blog continue to engage in cognitive dissonance as a means of avoiding an obvious truth. The ongoing absurdity of the comments regarding Paul’s abilities is the single reason I’m forced to continue to address it. I’ve been over the decision for quite some time. But I can’t ignore people who continue to point to Marvin’s development as a way of re-inventing the reality that we blew it big time on Paul. I’ve said, since the conversation began last August, that as individual players, you simply cannot compare the two. It’s apples and oranges. But there is validity to the argument of how the decision to take Marvin over Paul was yet another in a baffling series of mis-steps by Billy Knight in rebuilding this team.

And here is Chris, echoing my sentiments, in pointing out that after all of Billy’s stubborness and arrogance about building with upside talents, like Marvin and Josh, he goes and drafts a player with the LEAST upside and the LEAST versatility in the draft lottery. A player who only projects to play the four, right when we’re trying to see if either Marvin or Josh can address that spot defensively. There’s just never been any sense of a clear strategy over the last three seasons of Billy Knight decision-making. Did it not occur to the front office that the primary issue to be determined this season would be the on-court compatibility of Marvin and Josh, as it relates to the defensive end of the court? So why draft a player, purportedly to provide starter-level production, who can only play a position you need to have open to either or both of your two emerging forwards? Why not draft a player who projects as the potential third starter in the front court, where the only real position that has to be adequately addressed for Marvin and Josh to succeed playing as a tandem, would be the center, or anchor, behind either of the undersized forwards (as far as four’s go). For Shelden to justify Billy’s decision to draft him, a conclusion has to be reached that neither Marvin or Josh can provide starters minutes playing the four. Short of that, Shelden becomes the second lottery pick in three years, made by Billy Knight, that projects to NEVER be a starter for this franchise. It absolutely befuddles me how that can be viewed as smart drafting and decision making.

G-Money says no one was complaining about Harrington playing the four? HUH?! That’s all we complained about last year. He was incapable of rebounding or defending that position all season long. Out of position all season long. Expendable for that very fact (as his true position is 3, like Marvin, Josh and Josh). And late season games, with Harrington out, made it clear that we were not competitive, defensively, with Marvin and Josh on the floor together. So we now hope to see that summer of maturation, and, hopefully, a commitment by either or both, to match up with opposing fours, will be a success. But using Harrington as an example that there’s no reason for concern about Josh or Marvin playing the four is borderline clueless.

You can’t just point out that having Lo and Zaza will make us markedly better behind Marvin and Josh, because that only happens if they play together, which would mean that either Marvin or Josh would be on the bench during those minutes. This is why I’m saying that our best chance at winning this year may come at the cost of playing Marvin and Josh together for the majority of the time. Our best offensive lineup may not be able to adequately defend, and our best defensive lineup surely would not be able to adequately score. And somewhere in that likelihood is the connundrum that generates long-term projections that, at some time in the near future, a decision to move one of those two potential superstars may be necessary for this team to become a winner. My money stays on Marvin as guy we would keep in that scenario.

Ken, I’ve been publicly begging Josh Smith to pattern his game, here on this very blog, after Marion, for the better part of a year. Instead I hear how he wants to be more AK47 than the Matrix. There’s no question in what Josh has the physical talent to do. The questions is his willingness and commitment to assume a role like Marion’s. If he does, this teams’ potential is unlimited.

Again, you are reading this correctly, coming from me: IF JOSH SMITH DECIDES TO BECOME MARION, THIS TEAM’S POTENTIAL IS UNLIMITED.

But if he chooses to be a 3, he or Marvin will have to go somewhere down the line (unless, as I’ve said before, we draft a legitimate defensive center of the caliber of an Oden or Noah).

Ken, Rodman was the 27th pick, overall, by the Pistons. Both he and Wallace became suspiciously well-muscled after college. Both players committed themselves to doing the dirty work necessary to help their teams win. Comparisons to them and, say, Josh Smith, at this stage, are wholly irrelevant, as, to this point, Smith has shown zero inclination to subjugate his personal game to bring a Rodman/Wallace type commitment to team defense. If Smith assumes a mindset similar to any of those three, we’re in hoops heaven. But with all evidence, up to date, supporting that reality is 180 degrees in the other direction, it’s unclear to me where optimism for your point comes from.

The problem I have with most of the folks here is that they never break down the finer details of their vague generalizations. They never look at how the rotations may impact the reality of continued struggles for this team. Marvin, Josh and Zaza couldn’t defend the paint last year. Wright isn’t bigger or better than Zaza, but as least we can sustain defensively when Zaza is on the bench this year. I don’t see where Shelden get more than mop-up minutes, which isn’t good enough to justify his selection last year. Speedy will enhance our on-the-ball defense if he can stay healthy, which should put the frontcourt in less frequent breakdown situations than last year.

But all these projections about the Hawks scratching for the 8th seed never come with a realistic projection of the teams they’ll have to be better than to do so. Hell, guys, if I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to admit it. But 31-34 wins will be the number. I said 26 last year, and hit it on the head.

Man, I love arguing about basketball. Doc, you’re correct that Andro has returned. For how long is anybody’s guess.

By mykhalc

October 17, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

AJ, do you know where that 55% was mostly from on the floor last season?? my guess would be it includes LOTSA drives and finishes!!?? so maybe work on his j is needed, regardless of how it looks. and if the NO.1 golfer in the world can break his swing down to become EVEN better, ain’t NOTHING wrong with JC breakin’ his shot down to become better!!

By Astro Joe

October 17, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

mykhalc, no doubt that every player can improve some facet of their game. (And I don’t think comparing a basketball player with a golfer is a fair analogy, as the golfer cannot depend on anyone else to drive the ball, hit the approach shot or bury the put to win the tournament). Why does it matter where Childress scored his points? He is both an effective and efficient player. How many efficient players are in this league? Not many. Shooting with his original form 500 times a day is one thing. Reinventing his form is quite another. When you shoot 55% (and like 40% from 3), it just seems like there are other areas to focus on. Ball handling, upper body strength to finish close to the basket, free throw shooting, lateral quickness. I just wonder what or who got in his head that he decided to do something that is nothing less than drastic for a b-ball player… change his shooting mechanics. Imagine if someone told Reggie Miller that his hand-crossing during his follow through needed to be fixed.

By doc

October 17, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

mychalc, do you have three years to wait for childress to get back to where he was with the new stroke? took tiger two and three years to do it each time. i would not know how long it will take to groove a bball shot to be efficient and be able to have the confidence not to think mechanics. may be ando can provide some insight and new material as most of it is worn shabby or out. :-)

i have retooled a pretty good golf swing to try and unload the back and it took some time to get to where i trusted it at crunch time and not find myself doing parts of both during a swing. again, the basketball shot is not as demanding three dimensionally as golf and allows one to focus on the target with not as many parts to rework and overall less demands to the brain, just the same it is still complex and done under pressure.

By honest_abe

October 17, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

aj i see your points but your comparisons are not relevant. reggie had an awkward looking shot..but had no problem with his release or for that matter the ball going through the hoop……

here’s chills problem.. he has a hitch to his shot which makes his jump shot ineffective unless wide open. he shoots the ball from in front of his face, which unless you have a great pullup or great handles is a tough shot to get up over a defender. it has a low trajectory and i think anyone will tell you that shot needs work if he is going to be stick around this league. most of that 55% fg pct was right around the basket…the three’s he shot were wide open without even a hand in his face… he had to get rid of that little hitch or else his game is too easy to defend… when looking at his game… i always thought his shot had to be corrected at some point… i probably didn’t articulate my argument very well…but i don’t care i’m lazy

By mykhalc

October 17, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

AJ, i do mostly agree with what you’re sayin’. my question about where his 55% was coming from was because if, for example, from 15ft out his percentage was much lower than 15ft in, then defenses will play off him and force him to take the shot. thus MAYBE the need to improve??!! but if his 15ft out percentages were/are that of, lets’ say SHAUN MARION, i’d say leave the J alone…no matter how ugly!!LOL i just don’t think his ACTUAL jump shot percentages are good enough not for him to retool. tho shootin’ 40% from 3pt land is not bad…not bad at all!!

By Astro Joe

October 17, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

Abe, if you’re telling me that he only took shots when open or close to the basket, then I have to ask, “what’s wrong with that?” His role on this team is not to score. We have enough scorers (Marvin, JJ, Salim, probably Speedy and maybe Smith). Having a guy smart enough to shoot when open or to drive the ball instead of hoisting 3s (see Mr. Smith) is not something that needs fixing. I guess I am fearful that he is trying to live out the “chicks love the long ball” commercials from years ago. Fans love the style and fashion of the league, more so than substance and production. If Childress’ shot because a thing of beauty and he shoots 45% this season (around the league average), is that a good thing?

By mykhalc

October 17, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

DOC, who’s to say how long it will take him?? i don’t think it should/will stop him from being effective in the parts of the game in which he excels now. one should not approach anything from a place of fear…fear of missin