Hawks

By Clyde

November 29, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

I’m tired of seeing the same ole things night end and night out.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By AdamZ

November 29, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

Airborne my man, it works wonders. Also you got a shout out in Bill Simmons ESPN column today, congrats. Now all of his readers will know what we already do. Thanks for all your work.

By mountain_jim

November 29, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

We need Chills and Marvin’s offense back in the worst way - so Smooth can start getting benched more for his turnovers and poor shots..

And why was Sheldon not in more in the 4th? He played way better than Smooth - coach should have had him in there more at crunch time and run some plays for him.

By Astro Joe

November 29, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

Sekou, Nyquil recently came out with Sinus-specific medicine. That and a possum’s foot underneath your seat and a 8’10” glossy of Halle Berry in your lap should help you with your west coast travels.

Looking forward to seeing how Smith matches up against Morrison. It’d be nice if Smith would learn how to constantly stay on the move like the rookie, but maybe that is more of the “expectations too high” theory. And May vs. Shelden may be nice if they get enough playing time.

I assume that Speedy Hartwell will miss the game. By the way, how do you recooperate from tired knees 12 games into a season after missing a few of them already? Maybe Speedy needs to try to possum’s foot treatment.

By Ernest

November 29, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Sekou, regarding #4, I travel with some type of over the counter decongestant, for times when my sinues are giving me troubles. Before I did this, there were occassions I had serious headaches while in the air.

Consider my the eternal optimist, I like the makeup of the team. I think we are also assembling ‘parts’ that could be traded for needs over the course of the next year. It will be interesting to see how we play once those on the injured list come back.

I think another question will be who gets sent down to the NBDL once Marvin returns. I would have said Jones but he has looked decent in limited playing time. He did get schooled last night by Thomas a few times.

By Dr. T.

November 29, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

This team will be like the Braves next year. A little more seasoning and a free agent and we could dominate the east.

By Tremaine

November 29, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

Why haven’t people been talking about the wasted money on Speedy Claxton. He hasn’t giving the team nothing.

By John D.

November 29, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

I am a “half-full” type and my expectations are high. The best indicators of a team’s progress, IMHO, are: Cohesiveness Defensive intensity Effort Rebounding Turnovers Free throw shooting

The last two are the Hawk’s weakest points and have already cost them a few wins

By bill

November 29, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

I initially thought that the esteemed BK overpayed for Joe…I’ve changed my mind. He’s worth it all & more…now if we just had either C. Paul or D. Williams in the backcourt with him!

By honest_abe

November 29, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

tremaine.. one, because it’s only been a month into the freaking season! two, it usually takes a player joing a new team a while to get acclimated to a new system and new players. three, he broke his finger right before training camp and never got a chance to get into game shape.

aj.. i think its unfair to give speedy the ed hartwell label as we have yet to make it to the all star break. i think most people on this blog saw the speedy signing as a shrewd move that would ultimately help this team.. BUT, it wasn’t like he was expected to come in and be another joe johnson. if you’ve followed speedy’s career, he has never had a jump shot… we brought him here for his ability to break down defenses and his defense. the season is still young lets give the guy a break.

limited expecations: good topic sekou.. like i said a few days earlier.. i still see this team as a work in progress. i’ve seen this team improve by leaps and bounds in two years. most of this current teams roster has only been together for a year. they are the youngest team int the nba .. playing without their best player off the bench, a 100% starting pg, a projected starter in marv williams… and this team is still competing!!!!!! with the hawks being so far underneath the cap .. they are in a prime position to set themselves up to be good for a very long time. the future looks bright! (at least it’s brighter than the falcons future) so enjoy watching these little kids grow up right before your eyes.

SS get a vicks inhaler or vapor rub and then flush down some thera flu and you’re good to go!

or go the natural route and try hot water with 4 freshly squeezed lemons and then eat some gold seal powder. :)

i can’t believe most of you guys wouldn’t take lebron. he’s clearly the most gifted player to ever come into the nba. period.

By HB Ando

November 29, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

Gotta second Adam T, SS, Airborne is some really good stuff, when you’re breathing the shared air of other, sickly folks. Take it at home, or on the road, before you go to the airport. Get it at just about any local pharmacy.

On the issue of expectations, I kind of feel like we covered this ground a few days ago. Folks in towns with pedigrees of success are up in arms over current or ongoing struggles. Washington is mediocre and not playing very inspired basketball. But so is most of the Eastern Conference, as Doc reiterated in a brief phone conversation last night. Atlanta would be in real trouble if it was in the West. But so would a lot of the East. Early struggles will bring an immediate revisit to rumors of KG, AI and Pierce all being on the move, as those 3 clubs continue to struggle despite the presence of their local stars.

I have to say that suggesting that we, the fans, are the problem sounds suspiciously like blaming the victim. Just because I’m in a short skirt and flirtatious, it doesn’t mean you get to force me into the back of your car. This team had no where to go but up, once it bottomed out. We’ve now had 3 straight years of top-six, or better, picks (no, I’m not about to start again), a second, mid-first round pick, and the acquisition of Johnson and Zaza. We SHOULD be improved. But are we improved enough? Are we where we should be? I don’t think so. But, then, you already knew that.

By skippy

November 29, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this

Sekou - Give Zicam a try.

A couple of points:

(1) Have y’all noticed how Josh Smith recently has gotten into a pattern of dribbling the ball down the middle of the court on fast breaks? He hangs onto that ball until someone steps up and gets in his way. Sure, a defender should stop you before you dish the rock, but no matter how fast he thinks he is with the dribble, he’s faster running the lanes without the ball and will have more opportunities to finish (um, dunk) on some poor bystander.

(2) Down the stretch, why do we insist of running a triangle set at the top of the key with Joe, Tyronn and Zaza? Each time, last night, Joe would come run off Zaza’s pick, get the ball, and get double-teamed by Zaza’s man. Joe would then have to give up the ball and wouldn’t have an opportunity to shoot with the shot-clock running down, like we’d want. My point is, if Zaza sets that high screen, and gets the ball, he’s not a threat 20 feet from the basket. Sure, he sets a nice pick, but why not run that set with Josh Smith, Tyronn and Joe? At least, then, all three are offensive threats from the range, and opposing teams will be hesitant about double-teaming Joe and leaving one of those two guys open … and if we miss the shot, Zaza will be around the basket for a possible offensive board.

Just my 2 cents.

Go Hawks - big game tonight.

By TD

November 29, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

I haven’t used Airborne, I always rely on Sudafed, my son uses Benedryl (makes me sleepy, not him)

Josh and ZaZa need to work on their ball handling skills as well as their shot selection. They were stripped at least twice last night, once each in the 4th qtr. Childress and Williams need to return right away. I thought Childress was only supposed to hurt a week? Thanks for the Clyde’s tip. I usually go see a couple of Wizards games a year.

By doc

November 29, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

again as we discussed last night ando, certain expectations are incredible. folks from the perspective of what does the hand injury do to a player and why cant he run to keep in shape, it just isnt that simple. first the hand injury is significant for the loss of muscle tone and range of motion. for any injury that is imobilized for that long the tendons shorten and the hand and wrist shrivels, docs put the wrist into a very neutral position to facilitate the recovery but it still takes a lot of rehab to work the literal kinks out. speedy wont be the same for awhile. please remember this when frankly stupid expectations are placed on marvin when he comes back.

to carry further i dont care how hard you runin practice if you arent doing the cutting and stops and starts that happen in the natural flow of things it just isnt going to happen in a contrived setting outside of the game. again it is stupid to expect him not to have problems as he rushed to get back into it to justify his presence.

now around the league and expectations there. what is happening to the new orleans juggernaut. four straight losses in a row with a really bad loss last night when chandler gets 17 bounds and paul has his usual lusty numbers, losing by about 15 to the lowly raptors?

By Jay

November 29, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this

“It’s the same there with the Wizards. “

Last time I checked, the Wizards were a play away from going to the second round of the playoffs last year, have more then a single scoring option, and have size at center.

By HB Ando

November 29, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

OK, I just read the Bill Simmons article in which he outs Sekou as the star we all know him to be. He also accurately counts Hawks’ fans in the dozens, net, suggesting that he uses a rough head count of the regulars here and multiplies by a factor of one to win the “guess your weight” prize. I must say that I DID NOT read this column before asking Doc for his opinion of the Hawks pursuing Gasol. I had simpy heard that the Bulls and Celtics might pursue him if he was on the block. I do think Simmons is giving up too much for Gasol, and I’ll stick to offering up Josh instead of Marvin, and giving the Griz a pick ‘em on Zaza or Shelden (I mean 10 and 10 is the same regardless of your origin of birth, no). Since Simmons suggested that Shelden was heads’ up with Micheal Ruffin for “ugliest mug” in the league, I know longer feel that I might be on the top of Shelden’s list of people he would flatten if introduced to them (me) at a cocktail party. I haven’t found a way to move down, in similar fashion, from the tops of said lists of Billy Knight, Astro Joe, TB, Bruce Levenson, Rutherford Sey……, you know what, I don’t have time to list all of you. You know who you are.

Flash mentioned that Josh Smith needed the occassional breather. Flash, Josh Smith is a 20-year old genetic freak. When I was 20, I used to do 3 or 4 big bong hits and play for 3 straight hours at Stegman gym in Athens. Saying he needs a breather is like saying a pre-injury Barbaro should stick to harness racing to maximize his talents.

I’m concerned that Simmons sees this team as the 8th seed. I’m tired of folks encouraging you optimists, only to see you guys repeatedly play the role of Charlie Brown to their Lucy, pulling the football away just before you think you’re going to kick it, again. But then I read all of his half-baked (or possibly, full-baked) trade scenarios, and I realize he doesn’t have any more of a clue than the rest of us as to how the East is going to shake out. I think the NBA should consider a Conference Re-Allocation Draft, kind of like an expansion draft. Each conference can protect their best four teams (how in the world would the East find four worth protecting?), and then they take turns rebuilding each conference. NBA travel would get kind of squirrelly, but we would run the risk of having the 5-8 seeds in the East all ending the year with losing records without it.

There’s always the idea of contraction, but, as we’re in Atlanta, it’s not hard to guess which team might be first to go (OK, the league is 1 for 2 in acknowdging the folly of having a team in Canada; don’t you figure that if all of the Argentinian players were returned to their national team that they would make would make a better team than the Raps, especially if Bosh successfully applied for Argentinian citizenship? And don’t you think the NBA players deserve a little international flavor when it comes to the groupie buffet?).

Micheal M., Ken Strickland, pre heart-to-heart Ray (that one had me worried more than Shelden, as Ray is almost 3 bills and is a trained “peace” officer, with gun, mag-light, “Billy Knight” club, and, I’m just guessing, sap and throw-down), Samuel, that drunk-a* guy that showed up for a few weeks last fall, who’s name escapes me, Abe, before he went to the Betty and cured his RedBull addiction……………..

All I know is that if Simmons, who is Celtic green as they come, thinks that Gasol could be had for Gerald Green and the “may never actually turn out the way you guys thought” Al Jefferson, I have to believe that Smoove and Zaza are a far better combo to get the deal done. As Tyger (oh yeah, I almost left Tyger off my list) continues to opine that Billy is the best in the business, I say “Show me the Gasol”!

By honest_abe

November 29, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this

doc: the hornets are really missing david west.

jay: i’d much rather be in the hawks shoes than the wizards. the hawks for the longest time in the 90’s were one of those middle of pack teams. they were guaranteed to make the playoffs and guaranteed to lose in either the first or second round. i hated that team as there was no way to improve the team considering the team was strapped with huge contracts… the team was good enough to win just enough to get a lousy pick every year. and since good ol petie was making those picks they were guaranteed to be horribly bad. this team is on the way up.. there’s a lot of flexibility in terms of payroll. so although their are some comparisons between the two teams, in terms of annoying losses at the end of the game…….the hawks are in a much better position!

and just because a team is at the bottom it doesn’t guarantee a turnaround…… i.e. charlotte, toronto

By JB

November 29, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

My responses to Sekou’s five things in order:

1. I’m not sure making the Landlord our second option is the best bet. Shelden does not strike me as an offensively gifted player. Both times he has scored early, I have seen him score one of two ways: First, his understanding of the game is so thorough that, when all his other options are covered, he knows it’s better to get to the basket and try to make the defense pay for neglecting him than to try to force a pass. Sometimes he has looked downright awkward & clumsy getting to the basket, but he just knew to take what the D was giving. Second, he knows when to go to the weakside or backdoor and look for the pass from Joe. Again, a testament to his knowledge, more than his ability to create. Still, you gotta like what we’re getting out of him, compared to what most of us thought he could give his first year.

2. Re: Josh, believe it or not, I came away more impressed by him than any other game this year. I say that because, despite the fact that his shots were not dropping, he stayed the course, made some huge rebounds and put-backs late, and still makes really savvy passes. I guess the reason I’m encouraged is because he kept at it the whole game. I do think he’s gonna show up big time at some point this year. Maybe early, maybe late, but this kid is gonna be huge for a long, long time.

Re: Zaza, he’s an undersized center, but he IS a center, but he doesn’t have much of a game with his back to the basket. He looks awkward at times and like a gazelle at others. He just needs time to get all that footwork down. Robert Parish & Kevin McHale were the gawkiest galoots I ever saw, and they both tore up the opposition in the post because their footwork was so disciplined.

1. It’s hard to blame Joe for not making a harder foul when he & T. Lue were the only ones who got back on D that trip. Maybe his energy would be better spent kicking a couple of his teammates’ butts. If he’d done it right after that basket, he’d probably have broken a couple of their fingers.

2. You know, don’t you, that the best thing for sinus congestion is Sudafed or its generic equivalents, but NOT the Sudafed PE (doesn’t contain psuedoephedrine), which they’ve offered ever since psuedoephedrine was put behind the counter because it’s an ingredient in meth manufacturing?

Go to the pharmacy counter and ask for the generic Sudafed. You have to sign your name and promise not to be a terrorist or wear a veil, but you’ll still get your medicine.

Take one Sudafed (the recommended dose is two, but that works too well for me. Take a couple of ibuprofen if you’re really hurting. And buy a generic bottle of saline spray to keep your nasal membranes moist. Non-habit forming. There’s a bottle sitting next to my keyboard as I type.

1. No back-2-back excuses tonight! PLEASE!

By tyger

November 29, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this

Another loss tonight is unacceptable. Something is seriously wrong with this team beyond expectations or injuries.

The Hawks signed two street free agents, Bozeman and Frieje, supposedly for depth. However, despite the loss of Chill, Speedy and Marvin they barely play. Yet, in the big win over Cleveland everybody played and played well. So why not now?

By mountain_jim

November 29, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

Congrats on the ESPN The Sports Guy Simmons column props, Sekou.

By Wedgie Evans

November 29, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this

Shelden’s a much better offensive player than I thought he would be, but I think he is best suited to his current role, where he gets a few shots a game and makes the most of it. I’d like to see him become a great post defender before he starts working on becoming a reliable scoring option. As hard as Zaza tries, I don’t think he’s got the athleticism Shelden does, and Shelden’s going to have a better chance against guys like Dwight Howard down the road.

I think the expectations for the Hawks are partly because it’s been so long since we’ve seen a winner that we are desperate to believe that this team can finally make the playoffs. But as Bill Simmons points out, the Hawks play in the worst conference ever. So I don’t think it’s completely unreasonable to expect a playoff berth, because the Eastern Conference is so pathetic.

But regardless, I don’t think this team goes anywhere without Josh Childress. Can’t wait until he gets back.

By sbroor

November 29, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

Sekou, I’m glad you’re getting national attention from Simmons on Espn.com. You do a great job and deserve it.

By Volman145

November 29, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this

Sekou, you are the man! I almost got chills when ESPN gave you the props that they did! :-)

Man, we SHOULD expect big things out of the Hawks year in and out; it’s human nature. In all of our perfect little worlds there will be sellouts at Philips Arena, and the Hawks would win every night. That’s just not the case..

When we get Marvin and Chills back, I can see us struggling a couple of games.. BUT, I think we will start to find our identity, and Marvin will become a #2 option.. Add in JChills, who can come off of the bench and add a SPARK like none other on this team, and I see something good happening.

I really see this team making the playoffs if we can get a GOOD SECOND OPTION out of Marvin.

Oh yeah, Sekou, use AIRBORNE. I can PROMISE you that it will work. Use it for a couple of days and you’re set. I promise (A college student at GATech, who is around LOTS of germs, hah)

-Chris

By Clyde

November 29, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

Speedy Claxton is robbing the bank.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Volman145

November 29, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this

I don’t know, Clyde..

There are so many times where I see Speedy as being a good backup guard for us..but why do we have T-Lue?

There are also a lot of times where Speedy looks ELECTRIC, and creates some great shot opportunities for our guys.. So I don’t know…

Only time will tell.

By JohnD

November 30, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this

Trading Josh Smith would be a BIG mistake. Marvin is a better candidate for trade simply because I see Josh as having a much bigger upside.

The Hawks were 17 for 17 from the free throw line tonight, held the turnovers to a reasonable number (gave up fewer points on more turnovers than Charlotte) but were in trouble once stopping JJ became the priority for Charlotte. T Lue is the only other reliable offensive option right now.

Josh Smith had a double/double with 10 and 13 along with 5 assists - a solid night. Salim did not score but still made a solid contribution on both ends of the floor by being another offensive threat and taking good shots even though he missed them all.

Despite the limitations there is much to like about the Hawks.

By reese

November 30, 2006 12:30 AM | Link to this

Great win tonight hawks. The best part I enjoyed about tonights game is the 11 blocked shots and many other altered shots.

I liked the combination of Solomon Jones and Josh Smith on the floor together. As high as Josh can Jump, Solomon had his back and was jumping even higher. Reminded me of the old rockets (sampson,olojuwon), celtics (parish,mchale) and cavaliers (nance, daugherty) days.

Any talk of getting rid of Josh Smith is laughable. His defensive intensity makes up for any flaws in his offensive game. At least his is not afraid to open up his offensive game by trying to bring the ball down court, shoot with either hand, drive hard to the basket and take the 3pt shot. Basically, he is learning on the job. The key is that he plays hard on both ends.

The hawks were 17 for 17 from the free throw line and shot 36% from the 3pt line. Although, the hawks had 17 turnovers, they had a very balanced offensive and defensive effort for the game. The bench (t lue and s jones) played well.

The combination of lue, salim, jj, jsmith and s jones was very impressive. The threat of 3 scorers and 2 shot blockers kept the bobcats off balance.

Woody has got to figure out some kind of way to address the free throw discrepency between the hawks (17 free throws) and the visiting teams (33 free throws) in Philips arena.

Sekou, try a daily regimen of noni juice to build up the immune system and prevent getting the sinus problems. 2 table spoons a day on an empty stomach and wait 30 minutes before eating/drinking. Also, try echinacea tea.

By mavid

November 30, 2006 01:26 AM | Link to this

sekou, what is wrong with speedy??? i mean, seriously!

By honest_abe

November 30, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

hmmmmmmmmm that solomon jones pick don’t look so bad now…… eh?

By doc

November 30, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

ando, i know we will be going on a bit about this one after the dish you served up ALL last year but aj and i might have figured out diaw. i hope you listened and didnt go and sign him up for all your fantasy efforts because by now you will have seen he had another triple single highlighted by t.o.’s = to bounds and a single point as he put up another triple single. maybe they are playing him for his defensive abilities the way the spurs use bowen …. not.

flash, you better check out what amare is doing as he leads the resurgance of my suns dude. ando, i hope you signed up the latter guy for your team.

good win over another cap challanged team, the hornets. sure would like to see morrison on jj every night. that wont happen again. it seems not so long ago everyone was wishing they had the team that was being put together by the hornets because it was so much better balanced and the drafts had been so much better. time to fess up guys it just isnt working the way you insisted it would as though it was the truth. last year the excuse was injuries, now they just seem worse.

now we hit the road, predicted 7 and 13 to start the season, with the road coming up it might hold, if they do better than that then get healthy we got a team that will challange for a spot in the dreadful east postseason. the experience would be excellent for such a young team before anyone jacks off how meaningless it would be as they will lose anyway … unless they use it as a springboard like the bulls seem to have this year, comprende mi amigo, andro. heh heh, boy i love that laugh honest.

By jhan

November 30, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

Solomon Jones looked great last night in his limited role. The man really does get up higher than Josh Smith. Sheldon looked good again also. This draft class looks solid. Maybe BK was right when he didn’t take Roy. Do you think he was talking about Roy when he mentioned he was scared of some players because of health issues? How many minutes is he playing right now?

Can’t wait until Chills & Marvin are back in the mix. This team really does have a chance at the playoffs. I picked them to finish with 39 wins & just miss the playoffs so I’m not going to change that prediction. I won’t complain if they prove me wrong though.

Doc, I have Amare on my team this year & I like what I’m seeing! How good would Phoenix look with Joe now?! LOL

By Astro Joe

November 30, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Jhan, I read that Randy Foye has a very, very rare condition where his heart is on the right side of his body. I’m guessing that after Collier’s tragic death, no way the Hawks were going to draft a player with any strange heart stuff going on. I’m not sure the Hawks brought Roy in for a try-out but I know Foye was here.

Doc, I still like the Hornets. I like how they stayed away from “potential” and drafted guys who were productive in college. I think if their owner spent even some modest dollars, they would be in good shape. They are paper thin due to their frugal owner. That and their medical/conditioning staff is obviously among the worse as they keep dealing with injuries. But again, that may be the owner who is hiring his cousin to staff those key positions.

I’m going to the game tomorrow night to see King James. I can’t wait. I just hope that JJ and Lue have something left after last night. Cavs lose at home to lowly Knicks, so they’ll be coming here tomorrow with a massive chip on their shoulders (not to mention the fact that we beat them earlier). Always good to see how teams adjust during the second meeting of the season.

By HB Ando

November 30, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

JHan, I guess that means you didn’t accept my offer………

Abe, as much as I’ve said, right around the draft, that the Jones pick could could have been addressed a year before with the Cenk pick, I have also, subsequently, and on several occassions, opined that Jones may end up being the guy who could anchor the defense and allow Josh and Marvin to play together. We need a legetimate, Theo Ratliff-type player back there. He may end up becoming more valuable than Shelden. Of course, Paul Millsap’s productivity, while AK was out in Utah, suggest Billy, once again, passed on a better player. I’d have rather seen Billy go for legitimate big man upside, with the first pick, and then take a Millsap, second. But this isn’t news.

Anybody else (say, Samuel) watching the numbers Monta Ellis is putting up in GS, and wondering how nice it would have been to have taken him over Salim? And don’t say no one thought about it, because most folks thought Ellis was going to be a late first-rounder two years ago. I know he was on a very short list I had for options for that pick, as I was doing my projections. Kid is a stud.

By Astro Joe

November 30, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah and did you all see Solomon block Okafor’s jump shot? His jump shot! And not from behind but while defending him on the ball. If dude does nothing else his rookie year, he showed me what could be coming when he did that. WOW!

By The Flash

November 30, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

Andoman, we’re talking “quicksand” here, not O2. Josh at times seems to need perspective. In the heat of things, he can’t get it. Second, you are underselling what it takes to make some of the defensive stops that the kid makes. Come flying from nowhere at full speed, leaping over folks and catching a guy in mid air.

You sit a guy down for a few, let him get his wits, maybe sit beside him and talk ball for a moment or two, what you were seeing as possible, and send him back in.

Pointless to sit back and second guess dry spells, in terms of not exploiting seemingly available options, after the game, when, once you notice a lack of focus, or a spat of missed potential opportunities, you give a guy an opportunity to compose himself.

As it is, if you keep him in, you, the coach, have made it a contest within a contest for the guy, needlessly and unproductively in my view.

This is a gueling regimine and everyone deals with fatigue. Smooth uses his legs alot. the Zards strength, outside of A, is in the other two. Butler is a beast, and Jameson is an uncanny scorer. Guarding either takes it out of you.

BTW, Phil Chennier absolutely loves Chill; has since Chill came into the league. Thinks he contributes in many, many ways.

By newkid

November 30, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

Was I deceived by viewing the game on a fairly large screen, or has Solomon actually started to gain weight and muscular definition since the draft?

This team, or at least a few of the players, tease you with glimpses that suggest the strong possibility that with a little more seasoning (and maybe one major supplemental piece down low) they could be quite special. When you see those glimpses - and they happen far too infrequently - it makes complete sense that the ‘in the know cats’ to whom Sekou referred would observe that this is a cast on the rise. Imagine if JSmoove would play an entire game or an entire month (no, an entire year) with the focus and discipline he displayed on the offensive end in the first quarter of last night’s game, and the focus he displayed on the defensive end pretty much through 4 quarters last night. Imagine Solomon adding an additional 20+ lbs of muscle without losing any of his athleticism and hustle, then combining that with a year’s worth of knowledge of the intricacies of the NBA game. Mix in a healthly and ‘in shape’ Speedy (God bless him and his knees), a Marvin performing consistently at a summer, ‘06 level, Chills performing consistently at a November, ‘06 level, S-Will, AND Joe. Then imagine that PIECE somehow thrown into this mix WITHOUT having to give up any of the essential ingredients described above. IMAGINE.

By NEIL

November 30, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

SEKOU,

I’LL TELL YOU WHAT…. I HAD THE WORST COLD LAST YEAR AND I WAS AT WORK ONE DAY AND THIS MAN CAME IN AND HE COULD TELL I WAS SICK. ANYWAY HE TOLD ME TO TAKE GARLIC AT THE FIRST SIGN OF A COLD (YOU CAN TAKE THE PILLS OR EAT IT STRAIGHT UP FOR THE FULL EFFECT IF YOU WANT TO SMELL LIKE GARLIC FOR A FEW DAYS) BUT I WOULDN’T RECOMMEND THAT. ALSO TAKE LOTS OF VITAMIN C AND YOU CAN ALSO GET PILLS THAT ARE DESIGNED JUST FOR BOOSTING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND A LOT CHEAPER THEN AIRBORNE. THAT IS ALL AIRBORNE IS READ THE LABEL. IT IS NOTHING BUT VITAMINS. YOU SEE THE TRICK IS TO KEEP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AS STRONG AS POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. I’LL TELL YOU WHAT SINCE I’VE BEEN DOING THAT I HAVEN’T BEEN SICK ONCE AND MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN THROUGH LIKE TEN COLDS SINCE THEN AND I HAVEN’T CAUGHT ONE YET.

By Astro Joe

November 30, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

Damn Neil, why don’t you share some of that garlic and vitamin C with your daughter. WTF?

By doc

November 30, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

aj you just broke me down man with that last “wtf”. cant stop the belly for the laugh.

not trying to argue the point with the charlotte team but they might have played it too safe with their picks and will have to pay big bucks to bring in folks. if atl is hard to get folks to come to then charlotte might be the pits in comparison as they have lost some real players and a franchise through the years because of spendthrift owners. they may have filled themselves up with too many folks that dont have upside and made a team of “sheldon’s” who i like but dont want 10 of them to play for my team.

garlic works but echinacea, vit c and zinc are critical at the first sign of a cold if you dont want to smell like your local pizza parlor. just like the medicine that you get from the doctor that is usually given too late as a prescription, it needs to get in the system within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms; scratchy throat, headache, backache, slight chill, whatever you ususally experience. once in the system the meds cant have too much effect whether script or home remedy over the counter style. the latter is much cheaper as you dont have to go to an office, pay the co-pay and then the druggist; by that time the 12 hour window of opportunity is up.

By B

November 30, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

I flew 220k miles last year and just drank a ton of water on the flights to avoid dehydration. Any of those over-the-counter not-tested-by-the-FDA things (read: Airborne) are mostly placebos, IMHO.

PS: You’re not from Tenafly by any chance, are you?

By mykhalc

November 30, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

SEKOU, touching on one passion of mine now…health…specially holistic health. i’ve been a vegetarian for 28 yrs now and have discovered a couple of things that might help you. here are the links for you to check ‘em out and do your due diligence…for overall immune system check out ALKALIFE check out the SCIENCE and HEALTH page for articles on the effects of keeping the body alkaline. also for opening up the sinuses check out spearmint and peppermint oils if you are lookin’ for a natural alternative. and like DOC said, echinacea, vit c and zinc are a must for the immune system.

By mykhalc

November 30, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

GOOD WIN for the young guns. again, did not get to see it but i’m definitely liking the boxscore that JS is puttin’ up these days!! seems like he got that 3 pt bug outta his azz and he’s bringin’ it in the way the team needs!! SJONES seems to be doin’ some good things with his minutes too!! it’d be nice if he brings solid minutes every nite!! SPEEDY’s boxscore was not happenin’ AGAIN!! i really am hoping that the knee thing is not on-goin’!!!!!! JJ just flat out brings it!!! PERIOD!!! be nice to get JC and MW back. can’t wait to see how WOODSON handles the rotations with everyone suited up!!

By doc

November 30, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

mykhalic, have you heard or gotten into adaptogens. i have recently come onto some info about them and am impressed by what they are proven to do scientifically as the research is there and how i feel having started them within the last month. they are a tonic for the little ones too as they are safe, build up the immune system and again have research to back up their claims (listening neil? i mean wtf). started my daughter on them … and garlic… to get the men out of her life at uga as well as to keep her healthy. yeah honest you heard me right.

a lot of the science is from the russian space and olympic training programs but a fellow in oregon, donnie yance, has been using them 20 years for folks with severe catabolic states of cancer and the meds used to “treat” it.

it is really good for old men. now that i have your attention flash, check it out.

By newkid

November 30, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

Mykhalc, one of the things you can’t deduce from the box scores is a sense of the increased level of intensity our defense exudes when Speedy’s on the floor, especially when he’s on the floor with Solomon and Shelden. If/when he’s fully healthy, the defense should be much more of a point producer for us and point shaver for the other side. Even when he does start to consistently play 34-36 minutes per game, I’d be amazed if he were to fill the stat sheet (apart from 8-9 assists and 4-5 steals). Stat sheet nothwithstanding, a healthy Speedy should be quite valuable.

By newkid

November 30, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

Doc, aren’t you somewhat concerned about relying on ‘science’ that may be somehow associated with the old Russian/East German olympic training programs? Didn’t the use of that sort of science result in the ‘creation’ of women who were just a whisker short of actually being men?

By Astro Joe

November 30, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

Doc, does that stuff come with the “call your doctor if it lasts more then 4 hours” warning? Just curious.

I hear you about the Hornets. If and obviously it is a HUGE if, they were able to lure Vince Carter down there and IF and it is a HUGE if, they could all stay healthy, a nuclues of Felton, Carter, Morrison, May and Okafor would be distressing to other teams in the division. Yeah, maybe they could have gambled when they had 2 picks in ‘05 with a high potential player. Or maybe they will just try to entice all of the Tobacco Road free agents back home when their contract expires. I’m just glad that Bob Johnson spends about as much on that team as a radical Republican would spend on an after school program in southwest Atlanta.

By mykhalc

November 30, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this

DOC, i have not checked ‘em out. but i’m doin’ a goggle on them now!!LOL shoot me some links here if you have the time. would luv to exchange some knowledge/info!!

By mykhalc

November 30, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

NEWKID, thanks for that post. nice to know SPEEDY is bringin’ that even with his knee condition. i’m pullin’ for him, no doubt!!!

By Kappy

November 30, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

SEKOU—You’re getting some props from one of my favorite columnist’s/bloggers, the Sportsguy from ESPN. Keep up the good work!

“The Hawks have one of my favorite NBA beat writers: Sekou Smith of the Atlanta J-C. He always breaks a sweat, does a good job breaking games down, passes along a steady stream of inside gossip/anecdotes and strikes a nice balance with his newspaper stuff and blogging. While we’re here, I also like Brian Windhorst of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Ivan Carter and Michael Lee from the Washington Post, Jason Quick from the Oregonian and Howard Beck of the New York Times. All of those guys do an excellent job. I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”

By doc

November 30, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

newkid this is fresh from the earth stuff and not loaded in that way, helps the body create what is needed, just not forced to like the stuff that is prominant in sports today. look all of us in today’s world are significantly depleted from the stress in our lives, natural way to support it. burnout syndrome is an endocrine system gone dead in the adrenal gland that supports all ther mechanisms. some of this has been used for thousands of years but now there is data to support its use. ignore the doubters for now, too many smart folks doing it, like chopra, weil, ornsich in a way, just not supported by the pharmacomafia.

aj, the stuff works just fine without that label, trust me. now i really have flash’s attn.

sekou probably too late this time around but keep ALL that stuff close by on any trip. you wont regret it, again it has to be taken in anticipation of the problem or within hours of onset of symptoms or it wont work as well if at all.

kappy you been in a hole my friend that was yesterdays topic, though we all agree with your kudos to blog z, who is way too cool.

By Al

December 1, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this

Sekou, making us proud. ATTABOY!!! pretty soon, we’ll sadly be left behind by sekou. ESPN is a calling

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/061129