Hawks

By tb

November 13, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Gotta love it.

I love the recount of JSmoove learning to do the right thing. When he learns to do that in game time it will change the whole look of the Hawks offense.

I can just see it; Smoove pump fakes from the three leaving the D standing there as he gathers momentum for a moster tomahawk slam.

That will break down a D. It will also leave JJ stading ready to receive a three kick out. I like our odds better if it’s Smoove breaking down and JJ ready to launch it.

By bronson

November 13, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

Sekou, Thanks for another great blog. Unlike your colleagues at the ajc you consistently put out good stuff which I can’t say for anyone else. Keep up the good work. GO HAWKS!

By hazer

November 13, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

I’m sticking with the 40-win prediction I lofted up a couple of months ago. Very doable, even out-doable.

Yep, JJ sure is making Steve Belkin and all the poo-poo’ers around here sound like a bunch of damn fools. Paid too much for what looks to be our perennial all-star and cornerstone franchise player? HELL naw…

Especially with the way JJ’s playing, compared to the way Diaw’s playing lately, and the fact that the Hawks still have a 1st round pick next year. 2 pix if they tank, which is looking more and more unlikely.

One amazing shot away from a 5-1 record. Can you say “8th and final spot in the East”?

By Astro Joe

November 13, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

Pump fake? Pump fake? If I were defending young Mr. Smith, he’d have to hit at least 2 boms before I would leave my feet to defend his shot. Pump fake? Get the ball and drive. That should be his one and only thought. Not pump fake. But catch and drive. Catch and drive. Catch and drive. Don’t try to be cute. Don’t think about it. Just catch and drive. Catch and drive. Catch and drive.

Let’s hope Speedy’s recent haircut doesn’t take a toll out on his ankles.

By John D.

November 13, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

Excellent analysis, and not just because you are positive but because you are right.

Having Speedy, then Marvin, back into the games will do nothing but help. This group of players seems to genuinely like each other.

If JS only pump fakes and takes a step or two inside the line many good things can happen as the defense is forced to react.

Coach K praised JJ as much (more?) than any player he had this summer. We have a truly talented multi-dimensional player. Joe has all the skills and is unselfish to boot. What more can you ask for? Trite perhaps, but true!

My prediction was for 35 wins with the low 40’s possible if the breaks (no pun intended) went the right way. We now know the Hawks, and maybe the Bulls, are the teams who can play through injuries to key players in the East. Except for Joe Johnson, of course. Are there other teams as deep and balanced?

Great article and I look forward to your take on the team each week.

By honest_abe

November 13, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

lol aj… i like the new slogan.. catch and drive young fella!

prediction time is over… lets stop all adjusting our predictions.. heh i mean seriously what’s the point of a prediction if your going to change it after the fact..

i really don’t see the hawks making any trades…especially when you have this young talent signed for the cheap for the next few years..

how bout them dawgs!

By jhan

November 13, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

AJ - very nice (LOL)

By Buckwheat

November 13, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

What is the deal with Salim. Elbow not healthy. Coach p** at him. Attitude a problem? Sekou what is up with him riding the bench. Chances he’ll be traded?

By John B.

November 13, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this

Damn this team looks good. You can’t help but like the hustle that these guys are playing with every single night that they’re out there. Tough loss against Seattle, but you can’t say they quit. 110% till the clock ran out. Right now, this teams looks to be able to hang with almost any out there (yes, any team). Let’s hope that this all keeps up, and we’ll be watching Hawks basketball in the summer, instead of the Final Four.

For all of us who believed in them from the start, let’s be humble about it. Just let the season speak for itself; that’ll be even better than having us rub it in the naysayer’s faces.

By honest_abe

November 13, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this

oh ya…where you at steve b??

By kenny d

November 13, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

sekou, keep bringing it to the hole strong. you are going places. if i end up finally jumping on the hawks bandwagon, it will be because of the insight, info, and analysis you provide. you seem to love writing and seem to love the hawks and basketball in general. keep it up. i’ve been sleeping on you and am now just catching on after seeing repeated references to you by many bloggers on the sites for the falcons and dawgs. you are giving me a reason to care. 1 5-1 team is not all that fun and interesting unless someone who loves the team and sport explains it to you. you are providing that to me. if you and the hawks keep it up, i may very well end up becoming a converted knicks fan. some of that blame also falls on good old zeke up there in the nyc as well. many thanks. alright, sekou i am done now kissing your a*.

By mavid

November 13, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this

sekou, what is the deal with salim?

By mykhalc

November 13, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this

SS, great blog as usual!!

one thing i’d like to hear your take on is WOODSON…this year’s version!!LOL since i first came to the blog summer of ‘05 i tagged WOODSON with ‘not-ready-for-primetime’. obviously, he’s grown and changed as a coach. so what are the most noticeable things to you???

By RyaN

November 13, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

Just a note…Smith IS hitting nearly 36% of those threes. 36% is enough of a percentage to have to respect. And if he learns to pick his spots better that percentage could go up.

A dunker learning to hit threes is NOT a bad thing so long as her also learns to pick his spots.

By Bertie

November 13, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

It has been a very long time since it has been this much fun to be a Hawks fan. Congratulations to JJ for Player of the Week. The best part is that we know the best is yet to come once Marvin gets back and Speedy gets in season shape. In addition to JJ, we have to be pleased with Zaza and Childress play. Josh Smith’s potential is unlimited but has to spend more time around the basket. The bench is also contributing, Ty Lue is playing great.

By mykhalc

November 13, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this

SS, i’m diggin’ your report on MARVIN’S desire!! it says alot about his makeup and work ethic. MARVIN has INCREDIBLE potential and upside. the most of any HAWK other than JJ, IMHO!! i’ve said it before, but i really think he has the potential to be a shorter version of KG??!! he’s got a ‘polish’ to his skills already. now he’s just gotta develop it and make it an ‘everyday’ type thing. he’s got the ball IQ, the handles, and the shot. now bring some intensity on offense and defense, and i think we’ll have a solid #2 scoring option. but no doubt, he’s on the right track!!

one other thing i like about this team is the team character, developed thru the character of each individual. BK DOES deserve credit for that, whether you like him as a GM or not. (there is/seems to be/might be only ONE UNHAPPY SOUL on this team. and for some reason i think that’ll be addressed sooner than we think???!!) JUST my opinion….

By Swatguy

November 13, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

1. Sekou, Lot’s are curious about Salim. How is he in practice and what’s really going on? I for me really want to see him on the court.
2. It is difficult to imagine how good this team can be with a healthy Speedy. Awesome comes to mind.
3. Childress is incredible efficient in the dirty game and doin some point.
4. Why is it called “Blog-Z’s”?
5. How’s going to the NDBL ?

By tyger

November 13, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this

I witnessed Ray Allen’s layup drill over the Hawks first hand Saturday night and came away very dissapointed in the Hawks defense and overall approach to the entire game.

1. Stopping Ray Allen is a handful, they dont call him Jesus for nothing, but you cant let the purest shooter in the league shoot from the middle. Those are FTs for him, push him out the sides at least. I’m not even commenting on the repeated layups. What happened to all that interior defense we imported this year?

2. Ray Allen shooting you out is one thing, but Luke Ridenaur is another. After holding down LBJ, MoPete, Starbury, SFranchise - we allow Ridnaur to score 20??? No, we have nothing to be proud of.

3. Bozeman is doing a good job, needs to provide a lil’ offense with his great defense. Vs. Cle hit drove and hit a 3, since he wont shoot. Sat. he played like the ole’ Boris Diaw.

4. Woody needs to rethink JJ’s defensive matchups on a nightly basis. Sometimes its the right thing, vs. LBJ but not against Jesus. Not that he was overmatched, but he cant play defense too aggressively b/c if he fouls out, its game over. So, down the stretch Woody needs to switch the matchups.

5. Young emerging Hawks in danger of being content, a lil’ early success is dangerous for a young team like these. They have to remain hungry and Woody has to keep riding them like their 2-4, instead of 4-2, b/c it could turn around real fast with more efforts like they gave Sat. nite.

6. Dont be fooled, the Hawks were outplayed vs. the Sonics. Josh hit two big improbable 3’s late and Chill had a floating backwards tap-in to go OT.

And we still couldnt stop them at home in front of a sell out crowd to make one of the biggest statements we couldve made in years.

This team is not that far removed from last years’ team that couldnt finish close games. And they cant forget that.

By HB Ando

November 13, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this

34 is still my number. I’ll stick with it until they cross it.

JHan, Doc and Ando will be attending tomorrow night’s game together. We’ll be arguing, no doubt, about what we see, and think we see. We’ll likely have a beer or two. And then we’ll argue some more. We’ll offer our opinions of what we see, when we return.

I will also stick with my opinion that Marvin’s return creates more questions than answers. I said all summer that the lineup most likely to lead to wins was the lineup that didn’t see Marvin and Josh sharing starters’ minutes on the front court. From my perspective, the start is not surprising. I expect a defensive drop off, when Marvin returns, despite the conundrum that is Marvin’s solid individual, defensive capabilities. Marvin’s return means less minutes for Childress and Wright, and likely, Shelden.

I don’t understand why folks like Hazer, and many other Homer’s, continue to see the acquisition of Johnson as either/or. Smart folks continue to recognize the third option that Johnson was acquirable for the cost of this term sheet, and not the unecessary offer of Diaw and 2 first rounders. It never had to be “give them the house or lose Johnson”. It’s still “Sarver wouldn’t have paid $70 million for a fourth option who publicly dissed the franchise by demanding to leave the city”.

When this team finds the no-man’s land of being too good to keep it’s top-3 protected pick, and not good enough to make the playoffs, which I have been predicting since the days immediately following Johnson’s acquisition, then Billy will have undermined the long-term future of this franchise, despite the gradual, and unecessarily slow rebuilding that we’ve had to wait for.

People will continue to confuse “improved” with “where we could realistically be right now”. People will continue to confuse “Shelden is doing OK” with “Billy had no business wasting the #5 pick on a career back up”.

Fans like me asked for Billy to seek out Bynum, in LA, or Biedrens, in GS, in trading Harrington. Both those teams were viable options for the sign-and-trade of Harrington. Go look at the numbers of those two players right now, as they emerge as legitimate centers, ages 21 and 20, respectively, and compare them with Shelden (now 23, and still 6’9 and able to only play the power forward position).

Realistically, we could have gotten more value out of #5 by trading Harrington, AND THE PICK, to get either one of those players, for the lack of value we got out of Shelden.

No one ever said Shelden wouldn’t be a contributer. But to have no realistic upside, as a future starter, or even star, like Roy, is unconscionable.

Even in the face of the expected improvements of this team, which no one here, of any viable opinion, did not expect, we have a team that is so much less than is could, or should, be right now.

So while we can appreciate the 4 and 2 record, and look forward to Marvin’s return, do not be surprised by the difficulties that will soon follow.

How’s that for some optimism?

Tootles,

Andro

By reese

November 13, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

mykhalc and samuel, as long as J Smith is mixing in other types of shots, dribbling a little more and getting some foul shots, I still don’t mind him taking the open 3.

The hawks are playing inside out. The problem is that JJ and the point guards are in the inside and Josh seems to always be open on the outside.

The hawks do not have a back to the basket low post player. Zaza is the closest to being that, but that is not his strength.

Josh Smith driving to the lane and dunking of Matt Frieje is not the same as Josh smith driving to the lane on shaq, etan thomas, dwight howard, mourning or any other elite shot blocker. I agree that he should drive to the lane and get to the foul line. However, he does not have confidence in his dribbling and his free throw shooting at this point in this career.

mykhalc, I think that it was you who said that not even Ray allen takes that many 3 pt shots. I would venture to say that Ray has shot close to 40% 3 pt shots in his career, he is an excellent ball handler, he is an excellent free throw shooter and he is aggressive. He has a complete offensive package.

Hopefully, Josh Smith will also develop a similar type of package. I just wish that there was a shaq, etan thomas, dwight howard type player on our team for him to practice against.

By michael m.

November 13, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this

yes, like me you asked for bynum, biedrens, etc. those guys were apparently not available. while phil seemed amenable, mitch kupchak and jerry buss’ son were not willing to give up bynum. the numbers didnt work either since mihm needed to be the centerpiece financially, and they werent going to give up two centers. i live in los angeles and the radio guys were wanting the lakers to make the trade. i prayed they could convince the lakers to pull the trigger on bynum but it wasnt gonna happen.

you are twisting the truth in order to make your point. we could not trade harrington and our pick because he was a free agent at the time. get it straight if you are gonna make those kinds of comments. otherwise it comes off as ridiculous, a variation of yellow journalism if you will. i do still wonder if we could have turned harrington and delk into darko last year. i talked about that at the time, but it seemed woodsen wasnt into it. not sure if dumars would have gone for it since a potentially high 2007 first seemed to be what he was aiming for.

for the last time, roy didnt fit here. he is not a point guard. hell, they dont even think jack is much of one either apparently. a new jersey paper mentioned that portland is looking for a quicker point guard in trade. they realize roy isnt a point guard. this is in the cnnsi rumors section. there wasnt good value to be had at the #5 spot. shelden does what we needed so let it go already. it’s a lot easier for zaza to be effective on the floor next to shelden.

and i for one am glad we got back into the first round of the 2007 draft.

anyway, lets move forward and stop rehashing the same old garbage. its so boring.

By Astro Joe

November 13, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

Ando, did you really just say that BK should have acquired Beidrins or Bynum for Harrington in a sign & trade?

2 things. BK did in fact negotiate a trade of Al for Bynum. The problem was that the Lakers offered Al a below market value contract. This according to Breakfast with Bernie Mullen (BK’s boss). Can’t blame BK for Kupchak offering a cheap deal to Al.

Second. You may recall that you and I went round and round on the owners situation. We even made a little bet about what the Hawks would get in return for Al. Someone suggested nothing because the owners couldn’t afford the salary and you suggested a player. I believe the wager involved one of us accepting that the owners either have or do not have the financial resources (or desire) to spend on this franchise. One of us won. You did not.

Why are you bringing up the returning value of Al in terms of BK’s resume when it is quite clear that he was forced to make a deal with both hands handcuffed by his bosses? Is all of this winning driving you mad? Doc, buy him an extra beer tomorrow night, kill off those last remaining brain cells.

By HB Ando

November 13, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this

MM, you are correct in suggesting that the idea of combining Al and the pick was not plausible. It was more about identifying the how little value we got out of the pick, that either of those players would have likely been more valuable to this team than the combination of Shelden and whatever we end up getting with Indy’s pick.

And since you suggest we move forward, then you should focus your response on my predictions instead of my historic review. Why don’t you step up and offer your projection of what Marvin’s return means to our W’s and rotations. It’s odd that you take the time to critique my “old news”, as boring, while ignoring taking the chance to address the immediate, and future, perspectives, that I take time to discuss. Seems kind of convenient and risk-free.

What do you think will happen when Marvin returns? How will it impact the rotations and our win-loss record. Doesn’t take much effort to whine about the repetitive nature of certain aspects of my posts, while safely hiding from what happens from here.

So why don’t you stop rehashing your same old gripes about me, and actually address what’s happening.

And, by the way, since it’s a rehash, I didn’t think I had to re-address why choosing Roy was a far better choice than Shelden. But since you’ve mischaracterized it, again, I guess I have to:

Roy, whether he would have fit in the backcourt with Johnson or not (I believe that he and Johnson would have made one of the top backcourts in the NBA-and certainly better than Johnson and Speedy, Lue or Ivey), his overall value to this franchise, as an asset or a player, would have clearly surpassed Shelden’s. I would take Roy and Johnson in the backcourt over any of our current options. And I would defy you to argue what trade value Roy would have, right now, or in the future, versus what we could get for Shelden.

It still amazes me how hard it is for people to see these players, and the draft choices GM’s make, as assets. Both Colangelo and Paxson both made public comments about drafting for talent and value, and ignoring fit, leading into the draft. Paxson, who’s team I still believe has a great shot to come out of the East this year, said his team wasn’t deep enough, or good enough, to pass on best talent, for fit. But the Hawks are? Huh? You use free agency and trades to address immediate needs. You use the draft to build for the future. Drafting a career back up, because he was a good shot blocker and rebounder in college, and this years’ team needs help there, is about as myopic, and misguided, a move a GM could make. The fact that websites like DraftExpress and ESPN.com felt the exact same way, not withstanding.

By Richie Rich

November 13, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this

Ando, your last comment hits the nail on the head about Roy and Sheldon. GREAT POINTS.

SEKOU, “if not for Ray Allen’s circus shot, the hawks are 5-1” What circus shot?…Ray Allen broke everybody’s favorite defensive stopper’s ankles, and drove right by him for a layup! That is not what you call a circus shot, unless you are making excuses for Jchill getting abused, and taken to the hole!

By michael m.

November 13, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this

ando, i have written extensively going back to last summer about how we needed to play and what the rotations would be. the main difference between us was that i thought childress would be a valuable asset off the bench and that you have to account for injuries. i said he would average 20-25 minutes a night. you said he was wasted on our team and that he would get about 5 minutes a night. i would say i was right on about that prediction.

in terms of marvin coming back, it’s a positive. it’s ridiculous to think otherwise. it will mean less minutes for zaza, childress, bozeman, josh smith, and perhaps shelden. freije and solomon will get a few DNP’s.

the key will be how marvin and josh smith play together on the floor. i agree that we will be stronger offensively while a bit weaker defensively. i am curious to see how they play together on the floor. interestingly, when josh smith and childress are in there together, smooth is often on the wing and childress hangs down low on the baseline looking for a bit of space near the basket. one could say offensively he is acting more like a 4 than josh smith. one of the keys is going to be the coaches getting josh smith to buy into playing closer to the basket. he can’t keep jacking up 3’s at this rate, as i mentioned in an earlier blog and then you basically repeated what i said. not to say you didnt realize it on your own, but im just saying so that you don’t get it twisted.

i am just as eager as everyone else to finally get a healthy speedy and marvin back in order to see how we operate at full health. we could use a little luck in the medical dept. as we are long overdue. speedy needs to get us out running and marvin is going to be our #2 option on offense. i believe that will become clear by the all-star break.

By Wedgie Evans

November 13, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

The Hawks started off slow against Seattle but the way they battled back on the 2nd day of a back-to-back showed me they are for real, or at least much improved from last year. Last year’s Hawks team wouldn’t have recovered after falling behind in the first half. I’m still not ready to call this a playoff team but I definitely think it’s possible. And I’m glad the coaching staff is yelling at Josh Smith for jacking up 3’s all day, because I was at the Sonics-Hawks game and I was doing the same thing.

The NBA’s gotta be out of their minds to not have Josh Smith on the All-Star ballot though, I mean the guy was at least our 3rd best player last year, and after Harrington left he would naturally become the 2nd best player on the team. If they are going to have Speedy Claxton why would they leave out Josh Smith? Makes no sense to me.

And I would have loved to see Bynum on the Hawks at center, but I can’t imagine why the Lakers would have traded a promising young lottery pick center for a guy who is basically a poor man’s Lamar Odom with more turnovers and less defense. Harrington and Odom basically duplicate each other, that trade would have made no sense from the Lakers’ point of view. But then again, it wouldn’t be the first ridiculous trade an NBA GM ever made.

Great blog Sekou, keep up the good work.

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this

MM, you’re prediction about Childress’ role is only accurate in light of Marvin’s injury. I’ll stick to my belief that he’ll be relegated to a 10-15 minute player (great value for a #6 overall pick) once Marvin returns. And the thing is that I’ve been moved by his play since last years’ all-star break; enough to admit that he’s a solid player. I’d still rather have several players taken after him, including Igoudala (my choice for that pick, who is only held back by playing with Iverson, who limits all other players save Webber to single-digit shot attempts) and Deng. I still think that he has more value to a team lacking a quality swing man, than on a team overloaded with potentially great ones. I now think that Bozeman’s abilities further validate that Childress should be packaged to address a lack of playoff-caliber talent at either the 1 or the 5. I believe that Zaza is, increasingly, a natural four (something that quite a few other folks have surmised here, as not to confuse it with an a opinion I think is unique).

I think upgrading our PG beyond what Speedy brings, and drafting, or trading for, a legitimate future center makes this team something worth considering (and I thought bringing in Speedy, in light of repeated failures to address the position through the draft, was the best of our remaining options). I think that because we had no real chance of competing for the Eastern Conference title this year (my hands tremble with laughter at the very typing of such a silly notion) that we should have taken the best available player (Roy), or traded down and taken a legitimate center prospect. Your right, much of this is the same old news. But I haven’t stopped FEELING any of it, so it’s hard to let go.

Hey Joe, as you continue to minimize Jack’s abilities in Portland, he had 20 points, 10 dimes, 4 steals and was 12-12 from the line last night. He’s now averaging 13.3, 6.6, with 2.6 steals and a 90+% from the free throw line. Didn’t you say he was Eric Snow? Didn’t I bet you $100 he’d average more than Snow’s best single season scoring average? Didn’t you dance around and fail to address the bet?

That pick we gave to Phoenix should have been Jack, and it became Rondo. Both would have been better long-term options to lead this team than Speedy. And I’m not even going to mention Paul (but I do want to know where the idiots who said he peaked his rookie year are hiding out right now).

By obet

November 14, 2006 12:27 AM | Link to this

good blog sekuo….well said ,i saw the whole match,,against raptors,,this is the same team with different attitude.winning attitude..what s up with salim….what s up with salim???? he s not needed . not yet..the present five..is doing well and the bench they re doing well why would you messed it up..

By ray

November 14, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this

Wow. So now we beat at the dry bones of the dead horse?

By ray

November 14, 2006 12:50 AM | Link to this

If the roster is so imbalanced (and it is imbalanced), then why is Marvin’s return more questions than answers? What changed, other than we didn’t get to see him and Smith on the floor at the same time yet? I don’t see where Marvin’s return raises new questions as much as it brings to light those which have been delayed. I prefer to look at it like this: his return, and subsequent play (which I hope is damn good) gives OPTIONS. What others have already predicted may indeed come true: we choose between two very talented forwards as far as who to keep and who to package in trade. I would like to see them both on the court at the same time. But if a good deal can be had that will greatly improve and balance the team, then what’s got to be done has got to be done. The real question is whether what needs to be done is what gets done.

I still see us better than 34 wins, barring more injuries (particularly major ones). But hey, it only takes 35 to be better than that.. Marvin will make us better, and unless there is a huge chemistry problem, he’ll become either the second or close third option on offense. We’ve seen what Smith is capable of in real games this season. Now we need to see what Marvin can do. Something tells me that he will be more willing to play that post game and more effective on the perimeter. But we will see. In the meantime, until proven otherwise, it’s the same ol’ same ol’ with the Spirit Group and Billy. So I guess we’ll get to talk about the same ol’ complaints about drafts, free agents, and trades. On the flip side, I’ll enjoy every win we get.

By ray

November 14, 2006 01:06 AM | Link to this

I’ll bring this up again, just to stir a little something. I really don’t know how much merit it has. Boston has three young point guards: Telfair, West, and Rondo. Telfair is getting the most of the burn right now and has the starter’s job. Rondo has some good ability. Delonte West has some too. You gotta know all three can’t stay. Why don’t we go after one of them? I’d probably go for Rondo or West, whichever they’d be willing to let go. West has more experience, but Rondo’s got good potential. Boston is having all kinds of problems, but they have people that other teams could use. Other teams like the Hawks. We might even be able to get one of their young pgs and a center. Who knows? Either way, the young pg would be somebody that could develop under the tutelage of Lue and Claxton (when healthy). Besides, doesn’t Boston need another talented G/F next to Pierce? Sorry, Wally, you’re a good shooter, but that’s about it. Well, at least Bozeman is working out fairly good for us right now. He’s not the pg of the future, though. And as has already been mentioned, he could be another Childress type with pg skills. I think the Boston thing is worth consideration. Although they may be doing what everyone is thinking of..waiting for Garnett to throw his hands up and enter the FA market or demand a trade.

By michael m.

November 14, 2006 02:54 AM | Link to this

ando, wow its great that you can recognize we would be better off with paul, jack, rondo or marcus williams on our team. its not that we dont realize it. hell, i still have to fight against the image of adding paul to our current team on the floor. its just time to get over it. quit looking in your rearview. if, if, if. it’s your favorite word, it seems. and it’s what you like doing best on this blog. if the people running our franchise were as paralyzed by past mistakes as you are immersed in reliving them, we wouldn’t get past our own shadow. it’s not that we disagree, it’s just that we are soooo over rehashing it. i know, it’s your favorite thing. but find a new hawks hobby. or at least push the discussion into present and future tense. history nothwithstanding, the past is the past for a reason.

By tb

November 14, 2006 03:46 AM | Link to this

Maybe when you grow up you’ll be the real Hawks GM, not just the imaginary one that you seem to think you are.

One thing is for sure, if BK’s arrogant style is a pre-requisite, you are a shoo-in.

Anyone not know who I’m tallking about?

Quote: “Even in the face of the expected improvements of this team, which no one here, of any viable opinion, did not expect, we have a team that is so much less than is could, or should, be right now.

I understand your frustration at having to share this blog with all of us non-viable opinion people. When you are in a class by yourself, everyone else just seems so inferiour.

You have the characteristics of a arrogant ego-maniac. You always seem to think that everyone else is wrong. Then, if need be, you reach for some obsurd coulda been senario just to propose how wrong everyone else is and how right you are.

I’m sure if BK reads this blog he gets a big laugh out of your weak critiques of his moves. At least he would have a reason to look down on you as you never cease dissing everything he does.

You really think that the things that you think up are that important; they are just figments of your coulda been imagination. We can all play that game. The blog would be a mess though.

Why don’t you let BK GM and you just stick to blogging without the attitude that you and your dreams are superiour to BK’s actions and everyone else’s ideas and opinions.

Your nnever ending negativity is very boring and a clear sign of your pompous position

By ray

November 14, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this

Ah hell. Y’all have got to quit taking the bait, it only feeds the Andro drone, LOL! No, seriously, here comes a rebuttal of “novel” proportions. Just you wait, I’m tellin’ ya…

JohnD, great idea on the pump fake and then a few steps forward. Developing a fake and drive, fake-drive-stop-and shoot would work wonders. Many of the great ones had the midrange game going. If Josh Smith can get to and hit jumpers anywhere from 12-20 feet with consistency, he’ll be deadly. Then he won’t be “settling” for anything. Defenses can’t sag on him or leave him open. Which always opens something up for someone else.

By Astro Joe

November 14, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

Jack is playing well. I still think he is an Eric Snow-type. I haven’t personally watched any Portland games, so I don’t know if his scoring and assists area function of Randolph’s outstanding start or not. But I have always thought he would play better in half-court sets and we definitely know that is what is happening with Randolph.

After 6 games and a 4-2 record, it sounds like Ando’s debate is would you rather go to the prom with Jessica Alba (BK picked different players) or what we have now in Jessica Simpson? From my perspective, we’ve been dating our right hand for so long (last year’s 2-10 start), that I am thrilled to have Ms. Simpson on my arm and no one can tell me that I could have done better with Ms. Alba. So ya’ll go ahead and debate, I’ll be enjoying the daisy dukes and smiling my a$$ off. And even if Jessica Simpson becomes Nicole Richie later in the season, its better than our right hand and dreaming about Jessica Alba.

By doc

November 14, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this

well been saying that the pr stuff about j smoove is a nightmare as the kid has begun to believe it. cant understand why the coaching staff hasnt listened more intently to the directives that aj, ando and i have been giving them about his development. that aside when he becomes j smash then he steps into the group of elite ballplayers and commands what he wants down the road. he can become that great if he doesnt listen to the tragic hype that the pr department allowed to go on too long.

as noted will be at the game with andro tonight. should be a blast to walk in his shadow.

heh heh

much thanks to jhan to include the old senile man.

By A Thinking Fan

November 14, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this

What time is it? GAME TIME!

No more boring blog post for a brief minute…

GO HAWKS!

By Clyde

November 14, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

The only thing that would keep my mind of Chris Paul, Marcus Williams and Rondo is getting J Crittenton from Ga.Tech next year.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By doc

November 14, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

well roll tide clyde we agree again. lets work on what we have and what might be and be grateful. glad to see the positive.

aj, thing about young white girls? they would call me a dev if i got that worked up over those names and my right hand.

where are bp and glutton for punishment when you need them? gfp any clinical ramifications there?

By mountain_jim

November 14, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Just a short post to let Sekou know I am still reading and enjoying his AJC prose, and also enjoying the writing and debating from all our opinionated regulars here.

I also wished we could have gotten Bynum, but don’t blame BK as the owner’s situation did leave him with both of his arms tied this offseason, greatly limiting his trading flexibility.

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Joe, that’s a very good analogy, as long as we’re playing .667 ball. When the clock strikes midnight, and Jessica turns into Ugly Betty, will you have downed enough cocktails to know the difference?

Joe, Gosh Darnit! I run over to Yahoo Sports to pick up my Guy, Aldridge, and find you’ve beaten me to the punch.

If anyone can tell from my posts last night, no one beat me to the Punch during Monday Night Footbal……..

Looking forward to the game tonight, with Doc and JHan. I sent an e-mail to Sekou, to see if a brief knuckle-bump was arrangable, but have not heard back from him.

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

Ray, see what I’m talking about? At least you know the difference. Every time I break out Andro, folks go absolutely nuts. The responses are priceless. It can’t be enough that I’m talking smack. It has to be:

“I understand your frustration at having to share this blog with all of us non-viable opinion people. When you are in a class by yourself, everyone else just seems so inferiour.

You have the characteristics of a arrogant ego-maniac. You always seem to think that everyone else is wrong. Then, if need be, you reach for some obsurd coulda been senario just to propose how wrong everyone else is and how right you are.”

Too F’in funny. It’s good to know that one, simple outlandish post can get folks to bunch their panties. I had to test the waters and make sure the Andro police were still waiting, nightsticks, mag-lights and saps in hand. Clearly, they’re ready.

TB, when I go to the game tonight, with Doc and Jhan, do you really imagine that my ego is so out of control that it will create a scene? Will they be forced to look away as I scream for Billy’s head through out the evening. Do you imagine that I’ll find a soap box to stand on, above the passing throngs, demanding acknowledgement for all my opinions on the Hawks?

Or, back in the real world, do you figure that I’ll have a couple of beers, with a couple of nice guys, and watch the game, and discuss what each of us sees out on the floor, and what we think it might mean for this team going forward?

The only thing more outlandish than my occassional rants is being clueless enough to think that my words define me as a person.

But as Ray said, keep egging me on. Your reactions are priceless.

By Astro Joe

November 14, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

Doc, just trying to diversify my posts. I wasn’t sure if everyone would appreciate names like Mya, Christina Mulian and Maria Menoudos. But I’m too old for all of those ladies, more in the age range of vintage hotties like Halle, Janet and Selma. YUM!

By Astro Joe

November 14, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this

* At the risk of being political, please go to www.nba.com and cast your vote for Zaza.*

We know that JJ is getting major love from the media (and he deserves it). But our boy Zaza has not yet made it past the inner circle of believers. Even Ando is still talking about trading for a Euro project when we have a 21 year-old Euro averaging 18 points on 55% shooting.

Let’s give our starting center some love. Please don’t forget to vote a few times a week for our man, Zaza.

Paid for the committee to send Zaza to Las Vegas.

By tb

November 14, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

If you think your words don’t help to define you as a person , you are even less intelligent than you appear.

I too enjoy a good round of sparring.

But, with time i have learned to identify a severe case of superiority complexe and I love to throw a week argument from such a person right back where it came from.

Enjoy the game and hopefully for our fellow boggers that have moved the relationship from the virtual to the real, you arn’t the a-hole that you come across as on this blog.

Once again, it’s not what you say as much as how you say it that is defining you in my book.

I’m with you ray. josh is the key to the Hawks having a good season(35 wins) or a playoff season.

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

Joe, be fair, I only want a shot-blocking center in light of the idea that Zaza may, ultimately, be better suited to play the four than the five. I know you’ve contemplated it as well. But if you can even imagine a scenario where we were to trade Josh, the position’s we’d likely attempt to bolster would be the one and five, and you have to admit that the idea of having a legitimate defensive force, on a front line of Marvin and Zaza, makes this “fantasy” team pretty appealing to project.

And from the sounds of Joe’s “young lady” desires, a trip to Vegas for old Astro might see his yard man increasing his fees from $30 a visit to $75 (if anyone else has seen that very funny commercial).

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

TB, now who sounds like a blathering ego-maniac? Seems like you’re engaging in a little projecting. But you are well within your rights to believe as you see fit. I tend to not attempt extrapolating very much about anyone here, based on their rants about basketball. If you believe you can psycho analyze an individual based their posts, more power to you. But I analogize such efforts as attributing to an author the personalities of his books’ characters.

As I’ve said before, the ease with which I slip back and forth between this over the top character and conversations such as these should make pretty clear that there is an obvious distinction between the person and a chosen voice. But some folks still seem to struggle with it. And other folks just aren’t happy if there isn’t a bad guy around. So feel free to call me names and convince yourself that you have insight into my personality. If that’s all it takes to make yourself feel better, I’m all for it. I mean we are just talking basketball here, right?

By ray

November 14, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

TB, to be fair, it’s not what it seems. I’m telling you this because it would be grossly hypocritical of me to say I knew all along that Ando was just funnin’ and gunnin’. Originally, I took issue from time to time with statements that I felt were undeniably provocative and egotistic. But I was only attacking a fictitious character. Once you do that, you have ceased to communicate with the real person. My lack of separation of the two is what became the source of my frustration, not the person himself or even the character created by the person. In the end, either you see it for what it is, or you refuse to see it and remain frustrated. It’s okay to interact with the persona as long as you don’t forget the person. Trust me, when I finally let go of what I had my teeth into, I felt like a natural born idiot. After all, why attack someone who might turn out to be a friend down the road? At any rate, you can take this explanation or leave it, but I thought there was no harm in offering it, ‘cause Andro used to get me hot as fire before.

Joe, it doesn’t matter what age you are, those young ladies ( or even the older crowd you mentioned) would get any red-blooded fella hot under the collar…and a few other places, LOL!

By Chris

November 14, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

I am happy that we are off to a good start this year. If we could have added a bit more in the off season this season might be real special.

Bozeman: is a taller Royal Ivey

Freije: is a taller,paler Salim (FG% .267)

Wright: needs to give Zaza some more rest

Speedy: T-Lue’s backup

Soloman Jones: I like him, give that man some minutes at the 5 hole

Sheldon: As predicted “slow as h*”

For the holdover crew. Childress is in the running for 6th man of the year. J -Smoove dominating on both ends at times. Zaza you can’t be playing 40+ a night big guy, you are bringing it but I am worried about you. Joe Johnson is blowing up. He will hopefully get to play in the all-star game this year. He is the only reason this team is at its current level.

By Chris

November 14, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

Does Joe Johnson remind anyone else of Mitch Richmond? I have been trying to think who’s game Joe reminds me of and I think Mitch Richmond had a similar game. A strong 2 with a great J and he could take it to the basket. Mitch Richmond could create for other guys when he needed to.

By ray

November 14, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I saw that commercial too. For Vegas commercials, that has to be one of the best.

Ando, now that I think about it, we’re in kind of the same position the Bobcats are as far as Euro centers. Primoz Brezec is a good player, but he’s not a defensive dynamo either. But the Bobcats have Okafor. We don’t. And the Oak is blocking shots to the tune of 3.5 per game. Speaking of which, what’s Melvin Ely been up to? I thought maybe he’s been injured, but he’s played in 5 of their six games. Then I see that someone is playing better than him. That someone is Sean May, who’s getting the boards, getting the points, and averaging 1.5 blocks per game. Wow, talk about someone people slept on. To be totally honest, and this is not a Shelden bash, but I’d have taken May over him if they were available at the same time. And although it’s early, Morrison hasn’t shown me much.

So here’s my thing. It would be great if we could upgrade, truly upgrade our pg and c positions. Likelyhood, however, is that we do one and not the other. So which is more important right now? Which is more fixable later, such as through draft or even free agency?

By ray

November 14, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Uh, Chris..I think Bozeman is more talented than Ivey had aspirations of being. Yeah, he’s taller and weighs more. That means height and strength allow him to guard three positions. And he’s a better shooter, as may become more apparent the more he is involved with the offense (if that is part of the plan). Freije is everything but a Salim. He’ll go in for rebounds and make a better effort on defense. He won’t pout on the bench either. Remember, this guy was trying to make an NBA roster, not someone who was drafted with a guaranteed contract. Although he’ll never have the speed Salim has, I also think Freije is less likely to turn the ball over or take bad shots. But that’s just how I see it.

P.S. JJ is a better defender than Richmond was. But you’re right, Richmond was a strong 2-guard who could pile up the points.

By honest_abe

November 14, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

lol … you guys should all just quit your day jobs and become nba beat writers… i swear most of you guys could do it… and would probably enjoy it more than what you currently do!

and a round table of some of you arguing i think would be priceless…

i’ve yet to go to a hawks game this year but i hope i run into some of you characters sooner or later… i’m quite easy to spot… rail thin asian guy, drunk, yelling, harassing the opposing team for the entirety of the game.. :)

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

I don’t know, Ray. I feel like we’ve been talking about Ely forever. He hasn’t developed, statistically, but I don’t know if that’s a logjam or undeveloped potential. I have a hard time seeing the undersized May keeping his blocks average over 1. But who knows. Okafor is the type of player I’m talking about, for sure. Still seems like Soloman might turn out to be the guy we’re hoping for, in a year or two (and then I’d have to give Billy his props for selecting him, wouldn’t I).

Seems to me that we might be looking for another PG prospect with that Indiana pick. Draft is rich with talent, and the lottery will be mainly bigs, with a few swings thrown in. If we can sneak into the late teens with Indy’s pick (I still think they’re a 4 or 5 seed, which puts the pick around 22), then there should be a good potential PG waiting there. We just don’t look likely to pick up a franchise big man in the draft, unless we keep that top-3 (looking less likely, but still very much in play).

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this

BTW, Ray, I appreciate your defense of my character, even if my “character” is frequently indefensible.

Abe, are you going to the game tonight? We’re meeting at Jock’s and Jill’s around 6, for a pre-game beer.

By Ryder

November 14, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

I predicted 36 wins at the beginning of this year and I will literally eat a plate of crow in the middle of Phillips Arena if the Hawks win more than that (I’ll even kill the crow, here come the PETA folks now to complain)…..

….and i’ll love every second of it!

You can tell by the positive reactions that this city has been starving for a winner for quite some time. Although i’ll refrain from that (I’m in the camp that believes that you really can’t gauge a team until around Christmas), it speaks plenty when a young team like Atlanta begins to get a few wins here and there in the beginning of a season. It builds confidence. Add to the fact that BK added enough depth to where this team can withstand an injury to someone like Marvin or Speedy (with the possible exception of JJ), and we can really see much progress in this team.

Also, as much as I have criticized Woodson for not forming an identity for this team (maybe I should save that vent for Mora. different blog, another day) he has done a good job so far, especially with game management. I like the way he got in Smith’s grill after he tried to resurrect the spirit of Antoine Walker by “see the 3, be the 3”. Doesn’t work that way, and Woodson needs to remind him that his best game is driving to the hoop and making contact. It will be interesting to see how he handles the return of Marvin, but that’s neither here nor there.

Beat Milwaukee tonight to set up a matchup with Miami. Now I know that Miami is on cruise control until April, but at least if Atlanta wins these next two games that will fuel much confidence in this team. For that I’m even willing to give Woodson credit, with apologies to Clyde.

By ray

November 14, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

I think you’re right. Now that we have the earth’s largest collection of swingmen, what will Billy draft for? I know I’m getting way ahead of things, but that’s something to consider. We just can’t have another forward or guard unless it’s one of the proverbial no-brainers and the positions we need to upgrade are clearly not upgradeable via draft. But that would be common sense, now wouldn’t it? As for Solomon, who knows what he might become. We may not even have him next year for all I know. But unless he gets some more burn, we’ll never know. Until he ends up on somebody else’s roster and becomes the next version of Dwight Howard or something. Which will earn you another shot at Billy’s dome, LOL! Anyway, y’all enjoy the heck out of the game tonight. Wish I could be there. By the way, what did you think of my pseudo theory on acquiring one of Boston’s young pgs?

By The Flash

November 14, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

Astroman, you know what they call catch and drivers? Taxiis out of town. What is wrong with JSmooth’s catching it in spots from which he can catch and shoot? Not against the rules, you know, to catch it inside the 3 point line. That used to be fundamental to the art of basketball. And, also devising offensive concepts that fit your personnel.

The Man has to have offensive concepts that permit Smooth to make catches in spots that he feels real comfortable shooting it from, coming from angles in which he will feel himself in balance and rhythm. Smooth can work on footwork, as in spots and turns, in conjunction where loading it to shoot, that will make him dangerous on the catch. Then the catch and drive is an option because, hello, people will HAVE to close to stop the CATCH AND SHOOT.

Right now, Smooth still has all that down coming from the inside out, making people defend the basket and the close in post up spots and using his vision to see the floor and the ball and be a great receiver, deliverer, attacker from where he receives. While working on his perspectives to play from the outside in, I’d still make use of those strengths. The rhythm he develops playing his game, that game, will devolve into a better feel when he switches to outside in, which can be built into the flow. Use what is familiar to inform from moment to moment the feel for the game in somewhat foreign turf. Just a thought.

By honest_abe

November 14, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

not tonight … i have to ask my hook up for some tickets… been quite lazy about it this year.. but i’ll definitely be there within the next few weeks..

By tb

November 14, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the input Ray. It’s not a big deal. I just don’t play the pretend game, even when others want to.

Hey Ando, it’s cool. You might be a good guy. But your attitude on this board has been long time overly critical and antagonistic, thus my trying to break down the fallacies of your arguments. I’m not a hater, just a very, very,very, mini SUPER HERO who likes to stand up for the oppressed. BK may not be the ideal symbol of the oppressed, but as I said I have adopted an anti-antagonistic vendetta against big shot mentality and attitudes. Just an underdog kinda guy.

Sometimes it’s hard to do; who is oppressed or are we all are or whatever….

Just remember that even though BK is a B-ball big shot who makes big bucks to do something we would all love to do, he’ s still a person and you have unrelentlessly been on his a$$ for a loooong time. ëace and love baby, but play hard.

I would love to join you guys at a game but though an ATLien since 1970 I am living very far away and my only contact with the Hawks is through he media.

Y’all have too much fun at the game.

Go Hawks

By ray

November 14, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this

No sweat, bro. It’s the least I could do. I owe you a beer or two when I can make it up there for a game. My pleasure.

Abe, it would be fun to sit next to you. Then we can maybe do our version of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Although maybe you’re too thin and I’m definitely too thick. As for a round table with several of us bloggers (even non-Atlanta residents like myself) would be fit to rival the men of the square table (like in the beer commercials). But we can forget about the “man rules”, ‘cause we’d never agree and would be too busy laughing to get anything done. But it would definitely be a hoot and-a-half.

Ando, I’m not even sure if I hope you’re right or wrong about the draft pick status. I’m nervous either way because I have no idea what Billy is going to do.

By tb

November 14, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

Hey Ando et al.

At least try to holler out at Woody so he does’nt forget to ratate in some fresh players. he’s running a very short rotation again.

By ray

November 14, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

Good thought, Flash. But I think the key is where Smith decides to stop and catch the ball. If he keeps wanting to run outside the arc to do it, he’s limiting his options. The 3-ball pays good dividends if you make it, but is Smith a 3-shooter? When you don’t make it, the rebounds can be long, meaning a fast opponent gets down the court quicker and is harder to defend. It’s the mid and long/mid range game that destroys the opponent. I don’t mean that Smith should discontinue trying the long-ball, just that he needs to pick his spots better. That’s where b-ball IQ comes in. Another thing to consider is this: Josh is a decent rebounder, even on offense. But if he’s jacking 3s as much as he did in the last two games or so, he has further to go to get to the glass. So he has to rush in to go after any rebounds, which usually results in an over-the-back type of foul. And then here comes foul trouble. I only say this because if he’s in there with Marvin and whoever in the frontcourt, that’s one less good rebounder crashing the glass against two or three opponents. The other two will likely be looking to start the break and finish it. I don’t know, I just think he can pick his spots better. The midrange game is a higher percentage shot and more damaging to the defense. Even on a good night, the three point game doesn’t save you consistently. Free throws will make or break you, though.

By ray

November 14, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this

I feel you, tb. Like I said, it’s not personal.

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

TB, are you setting me up? If I come back and say I hollered at Woody about his rotations, are you going to call me a know-it-all? LOL. I’m just sayin’. I’ll be too busy looking behind me to make sure that Billy doesn’t have security escort me out of Philips. You are correct that I’ve ridden the man as hard as a person could. And though I doubt he cares, I don’t think he’d care too much to shake my hand (ala Belkin?).

I’m not much for yelling at games. Get’s in the way of discussing them. But we’ll probably have to hold Doc back after a couple of brews.

Ray, on the Boston PG thing, the only thing I can say is it would be hard for me to swallow seeking to acquire Rondo, when he was drafted with the pick that I BELIEVE Billy shouldn’t have given away. So I’m going to recuse myself from commenting on that idea, as I cannot even pretend to be objective about it.

Going to the game tonight has me spending more time here, today, than I have in the last month, collectively. Wonder if Redd is going to repeat his performance from this weekend (57?!).

By The Flash

November 14, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

Rayman, just catching up and see you said it all way before me. Much more succinctly, too!

By BeFrank

November 14, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Interesting how a Hawks blog can quickly degrade into a self-righteous rant.

By The Flash

November 14, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this

Chris.

In the sense that both played with great economy, I can see it. But, Mitch had a certain hard edge to his game, his defensive style, in particular, that is different than JJ.

While the game today is quite different, and no one today can play it with quite the same mastery on the floor as some did years ago, his game reminds me most of two the very, very greats. Both always took what was easy, never went for splash and glitter, but defined the modern game.

Yeah, I know we are talking some pretty rarified company here, but I still agree with Ando and BK overpaid.

By The Flash

November 14, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

Ray, seeing your most recent post, I’m with you again, only I am not so sure that the choices are all Smooth’s.

In other words, maybe Woody needs to be telling Smooth what you are.

And, again, with a guy like Smooth, you want defenders to be fearin first and foremost the pass to the rim, second, the low catch be it in the lane. When Smooth knows that guys must stop those two options above all else, he is dictating. We all know, from what I’ve read, how much that counts.

By tb

November 14, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

C’mon guys. What did he pay? Forget the salary, that’s what JJ was going to get. A fisrt #22 I think and next years first if not in the top 3. So you guys are crying over the loss of Diaw who sucked here,an early twenties pick and next years pick.

If we dis-regard Diaw who was playing his way off the team anyway, then we are left with a late first and probably about a #12-14 this year.

I don’t see that as such a high price for a guy who is emerging as one of the top ten or so players in the league.

Some are so ematiated with the potential of a pick that they way over value them. So many of the guys that were hyped last year or the year before have fallen short. JJ hasn’t.

Good move BK

By doc

November 14, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

it is great to see andro warming up for the night.

aj, what is wrong dont like the bounce in beyonce? thanks for the education, it seems i have a literature search to do; believe in self education. you sure you spelled them right?

By mykhalc

November 14, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

fellas enjoy the game!!! ANDO, if i see anyone gettin’ escorted out screamin’ out and cursin’ BK’s name then we’ll all know ANDRO showed up after a few cold ones!!!LOL knock down a cold one for me!! GO HAWKS!!

REESE, somehow it is hard for me to believe that RAY ALLEN career FGA’s is made up of 40% 3pts??!!! or did i misunderstand your post??? i’ll do some diggin’ on that one to see. but regardless, IMHO, JS DOES NOT need to be close to that percentage no matter how many of them are open!!!

By Chris

November 14, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

If Mr Bozeman is able to push any of his statistical categories past 5 (rebounds,points,assists) I will move him out of the nothing more than a taller Royal Ivey category.

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

tb, my point for a long time has been that you have to have planned to make sure that pick was a mid-teen. All I’ve said is that he could have been had for the price of his contract. And that if we give up a pick between 4 and 10, missing both the playoffs, as well as keeping the top-3 pick, then the front office is guilty of paying an unecessarily high cost (and in this instance, the highest possible cost) for Johnson. It’s not about Diaw, it’s about a team that already had limited assets, giving currency away when it’s unecessary and we can ill-afford it. The final cost of Johnson gets determined this summer. If it turns out to be a top big man, then, from a practical assessment, with the caveat that some will always believe that Billy didn’t have to pay anything more than the contract he signed Johnson to, the price will have been too high.

We’ll see how the season turns out and what the pick becomes. Until then, it’s an incomplete analysis.

By tb

November 14, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

Yeah, that’s all true. But, even if we had kept the pick; there is no telling who we would pick. And there is no telling if the pick would turn out to be a total bust. That’s why I reject the judgement that we over paid for JJ. We might have gotten a good player or possibly a bust. JJ is the real deal. Now.

And your point that we could have gotten JJ without adding the picks is not valid. There is no undoing the deal to see what would have happened, so we can’t say that it would have come out one way or the other.

So we gave up what should turn out to be a mid teen and an early twenty pick. Everyone has those, everyone doesn’t have JJ.

And if we really do suck again, BK and Woody will take the fall, we will keep our top three pick and the deal will improve.

i don’t think that is the likely scenario because IMHO BK has done a pretty good job and Woody will coach a bit and the Hawks will play. And we will get Indy’s first.

I can’t be unhappy about how this is turning out.

I’ve got to side with BK for now. I like the team that he has built and I like the flexibility that he has built into the team.

The Hawks are going places. WINNERSVILLE BABY

By Astro Joe

November 14, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

Doc, I didn’t realize I was providing you with a Google list. LOL. Christina Milian (I did misspell her name), Mya and Maria Menoudos are worthy of a search. And Beyonce is most definitely the triple platinum standard for the under 28 crowd.

Ando, I agree that a shot-blocker would be nice. But have you noticed that Zaza has improved in that area too? Let’s see what happens this year. Instead of another young project, he may be better off with a Joe Smith type vet beside him.

By mykhalc

November 14, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

REESE, ok here ya go for RAY ALLEN… career FGA…13640 3pt A…3456 comes out to 25% of his shots have been 3’s, which is what i kinda thought it would be. sooooo can we NOW agree that JS needs to put the brakes on the 3’s to a degree???? ‘cause if a sharp-shooter like RA ain’t tossin’ ‘em at 50% then NO WAY for JS!!

here’s the link for ya… RA career stats

By HB Ando

November 14, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

You could be right, Joe. With the idea that teams are playing more small ball, he’s a five. But you still have to go through dominant big men to win a ring, like Shaq, and he’s a four in the matchup. The next wave of talented big men arrives this summer. Just as Shaq has done, I expect Oden to carry forth the rebuttal to claims that you can win without star-quality big men (at least, in Wallace’s case, a big man worthy of 3 defensive player of the year awards). In all my criticisms of the Hawks front office, I’ve never found fault with Zaza, or Billy’s strong move to sign him (I think it’s Billy’s best move, from a value standpoint).

‘Course, if Oden goes to the Knicks, like Ewing did 2 decades ago, we’ll know that the fix was in. Oh, that’s right, he can’t, because the only GM worse than Billy is Isiah, and he gave the Bulls two first rounders for Curry, including giving the Bulls the right to trade picks with the Knicks this summer. Looks like Oden may be headed to the Bulls. Can you say “another dynasty”?

As my dark horse pick going into the season, I continue to believe that by years’ end the Bulls have a good shot to come out of the East for the championship series. Now here’s what I’d do if I was Paxson, and I know that the Knicks are likely coming off a top-3 pick this summer: trade Ben Gordon, Deng or Nocioni, or even Thomas, and PJ’s expiring contract, for Pierce or Allen (or both PJ and Thomas if it’s the Big Ticket your acquiring). Probably take all for for Garnett, but that wouldn’t be a bad way for Minny to re-build. And then draft whichever big man is waiting for me next year. If it’s Pierce or Allen, plug them at the two next to Hinrich, and have Thabo back up the 2 and 3, with whoever stays, Deng or Nocioni, getting majority minutes at the 3. They’ve got a lot of depth in Chicago, and the power of that Knicks’ slot for next summer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a move on one of those 3 players this season.

By Gutz

November 14, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

FYI ANDO, your so-called “dark horse” pick was and still is the favorite to come out of the east by several so-called experts before the season even started. In my opinion they don’t have enough consistent offense to win it with Ben Gordon throwing up donuts one night and scoring 37pts the other night. They really overpaid for Wallace who is still a good defender but a HUGE liability on offense which is where they are lacking more than anything now. The best team I think in the East right now is the Nets. They have the most complete team when healthy. After them the East is really wide open for any team to make the playoffs. Detroit isn’t the same and Cleveland is still inconsistent. Hawks could surprise the whole NBA this year especially when we get Speedy and Marvin back 100% healthy.

By Clothes

November 25, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this

Ativan or [url=http://ativan.ds4a.com/ativan.html]Ativan[/url] or http://ativan.ds4a.com/ativan.html