Hawks

By HawksFan

January 26, 2007 04:01 PM | Link to this

How does Mike Woodson keep his job.His winning percentage is like .230 As long as he is here we are going to suck big time. We need to get Adelman or Stan V. Gundy.

By Kappy

January 26, 2007 04:04 PM | Link to this

In my opinion, you have to start off with a superstar. The NBA is a league of individuals, and in order to compete, you must have a superstar. So here’s my list of superstars:

LeBron/Kobe/Nash/Wade/Garnett/D.Howard/Dirk/Duncan

That’s it. That’s my list. We can spend all day arguing about who could be included in this list(Carmelo,AI,TMac,Marion,JJ,Ray Allen,Redd,Yao,Shaq,Gilbert,etc. etc.) but I had to draw the line somewhere.

So that leaves us with 8 no-brainer superstars IN MY OPINION. So naturally, I’d want one of the top 8 picks.

Off the top of my head, if i could choose 3 of the top 90 players, within reason of where they might be drafted, I’d go with LeBron, lets say Emeka Okafor for an inside presence, then T.J. Ford to run the show. Not a bad 3-some, and I think those last 2 picks are within reason of something I could get.

Great exercise Sekou. I could think about this for hours.

By A-town Vet

January 26, 2007 04:11 PM | Link to this

I’m pick number 11 which is close to the middle as you can get and based on the fact the Carmelo wasn’t voted in as a satarted for the All-star game there are at least 10 other players more popular than him. With this , I hope he falls to me at # 11. I’ll fill the rest of my team with a little int’l flavor to drain open three’s and a defensive point guard with vision. Filling in the bangers and Melo’s running mates shouldn’t be hard after that.

By hawks have no loyalty

January 26, 2007 04:31 PM | Link to this

We need to tank the season, get the top pick and get Oden. Then get Gasol, or Garnett and keep joe johnson…and we would be very dangerous!!

By your daddy

January 26, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

If we were picking General Managers, Billy Knight would be last. He is awful. I bet if we get the 1st or 2nd pick in the draft, he will go with a forward.

By vdunkndunk

January 26, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this

I would take Duncan, Wade, Dirk, KG, Kobe, and a handful of others before I’d even think about putting Steve Nash on my team. Nash is a good player, but man…OVERRATED!

Nash, the two-time MVP, has already played on a team with Amare Stoudamire, Sean Marion, and Joe Johnson, and he couldn’t get them to the finals…just like Nash didn’t get they’re with Dirk and Finley playing alongside him.

In fact, if you picked Nash first in this fantasy draft then I doubt you could even assemble a team as good as the Suns…unless you think guys as good as Amare and Marion and Joe will still be available after 59 other players have been picked.

Let me put it this way: Can you imagine what Shaq would have done a couple of years ago if he were playing alongside Amare Stoudamire and Sean Marion and Joe Johnson?

And when has KG ever played with guys as talented as Nash had with the Suns and the Mavs? For instance, what would a team with KG and Dirk and a younger Michael Finley do? They’d win a title!

I mean, Shaq leaves the Lakers and L.A. instantly goes from the NBA Finals one season to lottery land the next. In the meantime, Shaq’s new team wins a ANOTHER championship … Shaq’s FOURTH (in SIX finals appearances).

Nash, on the other hand, leaves the Mavs and they instantly go from perennial playoff pretenders to the NBA Finals…after replacing Nash with JASON TERRY. And Nash still hasn’t won a single title or even played in a single title game.

Nash is good, but I just can’t understand why people actually think he’s the most valuable player in the league. Give Wade or Shaq or Duncan or KG or Dirk or Lebron or Kobe a supporting cast as talented as what Nash has had over the last 5 years and you’d be talking about mulitple titles.

By St. Bernard

January 26, 2007 05:28 PM | Link to this

You pick a player with the first pick who would make the other nominal stars real stars….Nash, James,maybe even Paul or Kidd.

Oh yeah, and Billy Knight would be on the FA board all year long for GM’s.

By Dan

January 26, 2007 06:39 PM | Link to this

I have to go with Kobe. I think he is the best player in the league. I love LeBron, Garnett, Howard, and Nash. If I had to win one game, I would go with Kobe. I just think he is the 2nd coming of Jordan, or as close as we will ever see.

Any chance the Hawks win tonight? Didn’t think so….

By HawksFan

January 26, 2007 07:08 PM | Link to this

Shouldn’t the players be talking about game plans and ways to win instead of playing fantasy basketball.What a joke.Bring back Lenny Wilkens.

By Clyde

January 26, 2007 08:05 PM | Link to this

WOODY SHOULD BE FIRED TODAY JUST FOR ALLOWING LORENZEN WRIGHT AND SHELDEN WILLIAMS PLAY AHEAD OF SOLOMON JONES. SOMETIMES I WONDER IF HE’S WATCHING THE SAME WE’RE WATCHING. THEY DON’T SCORE, THEY DON’T BOX OUT TO GET REBOUNDS, AND THEY FOUL TOO MUCH. WITH 4 MINUTES IN THE SECOND HALF SHELDON WILLIAMS HAS THREE FOULS, ONE REBOUND AND NO POINTS. LORENZEN WRIGHT HAS 3 FOULS, 0 REBOUNDS AND 0 POINTS.

ALL YEAR THESE 2 PLAYERS HAVE BEEN DOING THE SAME OLE THING NIGHT END AND NIGHT OUT AND YET WOODY KEEPS PUTTING THEM IN THE GAME. HE HAS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Jay

January 26, 2007 08:15 PM | Link to this

I forgot we were playing the Magic tonight. When I saw, my first thought was “oh, we’re gonna get killed tonight”. Its halftime and they are laying it on us. A couple observations…

1. JJ is pressing, forcing up some bad shots. I dont remember him doing this as much in the beginning of the season.

2. Ive been one of the biggest Shelden defenders on this board. But watching him tonight Ive gotta say he looks like one of the shortest 6’9 pf’s in the league or he just cant jump. Because I see lots of rebounds he tries to make a play on but gets plain outjumped to the ball. He has the mass, the width to do it but he just cant elevate to the ball! I remember reading a couple places that he is really 6’7. Whatever he is, he needs to work on some kind of leg training to increase his ups.

And I gotta say..that was the #5 pick in the draft????? Its even more frustrating when you see how Roy and Foye have been doing this year and how they both can play the point. Shelden is looking like a bigtime reach and yet another pass over better players at positions we need.

Billy Knightmare is just awful at drafting. Out of the four 1st round picks, only Josh Smith has really done anything…and that was his latest 1st round pick and biggest risk! Everyone said to grab Deng over Chills, everyone said to grab Chris Paul over Marvin, everyone said grab Roy or Foye over Shelden. Imagine if he had followed common sense how much better we’d be.

Who wants to bet on us drafting another swingman this year? I’ll raise you my house.

By Clyde

January 26, 2007 08:16 PM | Link to this

MY FAULT FOUR MINUTES LEFT IN THE SECOND QUARTER.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Clyde

January 26, 2007 08:34 PM | Link to this

THE ONLY THING SHELDON WILLIAMS HAS GOING FOR HIM IS CANDANCE PARKER. DAMN SHE’S FINE.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Clyde

January 26, 2007 08:50 PM | Link to this

CANDACE

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Logical

January 26, 2007 09:24 PM | Link to this

Isnt it great when your centers have more fouls then points?

Thanks Knightmare.

By Melvin

January 26, 2007 09:38 PM | Link to this

Great win but the Hawks tonite. Monster games by JSmoove and JJ…

By Dan

January 26, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this

Great win!!! I did not see that one coming at all. Be nice to keep it going tomorrow night. Joe Johnson statue night, baby!!

Philly played tonight, so it is not like they should have fresher legs. Might have a shot (knock on wood) at another three game win streak.

I love Josh Smith when he attacks the basket. Earlier in the year, when he was just jacking 3’s left and right, he was driving me nuts. The last few weeks he has played great. I can live with his outside shots, if he only shoots a few a game (3-4). That guy has so, so, so much potential.

Joe Johnson rules!! Speedy Claxton drools!

By Wedgie Evans

January 26, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

Assuming you’re building a team to win now and in the future, Dwight Howard’s the best choice. Nearly every NBA champion has been anchored by a dominant big man inside. Sure, Lebron and Wade and Carmelo are great, but it’s a lot easier to find a great SG or SF than a great center. Considering that Duncan, KG, and Shaq are all at least 30 years old now (and Dirk is 29), Dwight Howard and Yao Ming will probably be the most dominant big men in the game for the next 15 years, and I would say Dwight has a better chance of staying healthy over that time period.

And point guards like Steve Nash are great, but if you take Howard first you can still probably get a solid point guard like Tony Parker with your 2nd pick. Anyway, Nash is over 30… if I was picking a PG with my first pick I would take Chris Paul.

By HB Ando

January 27, 2007 01:22 AM | Link to this

Sam, at least you admitted you were playing the race card. I’m not too concerned about the ridiculous idea that I’ve got any relationship to the R word, as you called it. All I would say about Nash and Dirk is that they’re both pretty much on the edge of winning a title, and I’d just say let’s see what happens this year. That’s the only reason I would leave them out of the discussion. Truth is that, as I’ve now had to say 3 times, Philly dumped it’s meal ticket, clearly indicating how much faith they had in his ability to take the Sixers to the promised land, after 11 seasons. And Vick’s team just missed the playoffs for the second year in a row, after starting each year with division leading records, at the mid-point.

I guess my question to you is what will you have to say, on this issue, if either Dallas or Phoenix wins the title this year? My guess is you’ll just act like you never said s** about it.

Just calling a spade a spade……

By ray

January 27, 2007 02:39 AM | Link to this

Talk about pointless banter. I’ll know to avoid replying to any “y’all” statements in the future…

As for this blog topic: whatever. Trade deadline is getting closer. Guess I’ll be waiting for more of that dust to be kicked up so I can speculate about things that probably won’t be happening. What you want to bet Billy makes not a single move (well, other than another 10 day contract)? Oh, and that Slava guy…what’d we sign him for again? For 2.2mpg off the bench? You know, if you’re not going to give Solomon some burn, at least play Slava. Geezz….

By tb

January 27, 2007 05:15 AM | Link to this

Agree with the banter comment.

The last few blogs reek of “let’s change the subject”.

There are so many questions and possibiliies for change, even if only small ones. it shouldn’t be a problem to question things, it is an essential quality. The only way to truly progress is to question, analyse and experiment.

I am not one of the perpetual “negative attitudes” here but when the ONLY Atlanta paper fails to cover our NBA team, it’s a problem.

This blog should be a forum where we evaluate, argue, question etc…

What should we be talking about; BK’s players, moves and lack of moves, Woody’s coaching or lack thereof and the players performance, qualifications and effort.

Most of us do these things. Sekou seems to try and divert the analysis more that contribute to it. That is Homerism.

Since the “national accolades” Sekou has changed his style. Ambition or ego?

But hey, if I was paid good money to talk B-ball with access to the players, coaches and GM’s I might kiss up too, nah.

I’ve never had a job where I didn’t put integrity before hiarchy. It’s a result of all the political correctness BS; someone “above you” tells you what is politically correct and you listen. Basicaly you do what your told.

I would much rather represent myself than the company or PC line. And when people’s behavior is a representation of their own values and evaluations, then you get diversity and integrity. When we simply kiss up and let PCness dictate our opinions we are merely conforming.

I have challenged Ando’s attitudes many times, but the truth is that I respect him for his display of individuality through the development of his own ideas and perceptions.

I am not here to market the Hawks or the NBA. I don’t think that is the role of the fan. I’m here to live, think and form and express my own opinions.

By JB

January 27, 2007 06:31 AM | Link to this

Question: I LOVE* the idea, but it suggests it is possible to do have a fantasy team without fantasy play. Who wins and loses, Sekou? How would it work?

By jhan

January 27, 2007 09:13 AM | Link to this

tb, be careful when you get off your high horse, it seems like it could be a pretty long fall. heh heh

By Samuel

January 27, 2007 09:31 AM | Link to this

Ando,

What ifs don’t count according to you. What if AI wins or what if MV wins. You said they won’t. I’m thru with it. Let’s just wait and see.

Cuz, I would like to draft around the 15 spot and take Shaq. He’s still got 2 or three good years left in him. He would put my franchise in the top two or three in the league Marketing value wise. I would then come back at 45 and draft Rip Hamilton or Prince. That would give me a good all around player on both ends. Not too young and not too old. With my 75th pick I would take the best available PG or combo guard. Perferably my boy Monte Ellis or Felton.

If i’m in the top 5. I’d go with Dwade or Kobe. IMO they are the best out there on both ends of the floor.

By Samuel

January 27, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Oh yea. I never said that Nash or Dirk won’t win. I said they don’t play defense. One man never won or lost a Championship although AI almost did.(he he).

By HB Ando

January 27, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

We does like to argue Sam, no?

I’ll give you mad props on Ellis. He’s a kid I first talked with your Cuz about before the draft we took Salim. He was on my short list to take with that pick. Since we’re in to “what ifs”, just imagine if Billy Dumbass had taken Ellis instead of Salim. How about a backcourt of Ellis and Johnson. Billy has missed so many picks it’s simply astounding. Ellis was rated as a late first rounder, and has a little knee tweak, and drops right past us.

TB, I’m going to thank you, because I know that’s the absolute closest thing nice you’ll ever say about me.

Sam, I think that Jordan dude may have single handedly one a few (a made Pippen look like a much greater player than I think he was-Pippen never should have been on the all-time top-50, over ‘Nique).

By HB Ando

January 27, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

One other thing: as much as I abhor Billy’s work here, these kids really do get up off the ground ever time they get knocked down. I don’t know how much of the credit goes to the coaching staff, but these players are resilient. Before the season, I said that if either Marvin or Josh eventually had to go, my bet was on Josh. But he just does so many unique, valuable things, that I’m just going to have to flip-flop. What Marvin does on the floor is much more easily replaced than what Smith does.

I still think one goes, to address the need for a legitimate big man. My money now goes to Marvin.

And oh yeah, on that article about Randolph Morris. Can’t say I’m surprised. I really wanted Billy to take him or Dwayne Jones with that 59th pick he wasted on the Turkish PG (anybody heard from him lately). My boy Pete and I thought taking him, and stashing him in the D-League was just the smart move to make. Since he’s a free agent, and we need a big, maybe he’ll come home to play with his boy Josh Smith. If I was Billy, I’d be all over him to sign here. He’d have a great chance to play here. They could sign him at any time.

Pull the damn trigger, Billy. Make one smart move this year. Please.

By mykhalc

January 27, 2007 01:30 PM | Link to this

can anyone tell me what’s up with DIJON?? i think his 2nd 10 day is up now??!! TYGER did you post somethin’ about him bein’ replaced on the roster?? maybe it wasn’t you, can’t remember.

not a fantasy league kinda guy. so i’ll leave it at that.

good win last nite YOUNG GUNS!!! whatcha gonna do tonite???

By tb

January 27, 2007 01:36 PM | Link to this

Hey Ando, in my way of seeing things, it’s actually one the nicest things I can say about anyone.

Also agree on the Smoove/Marvin thing.

I thnk we are in a position to make a major move with possibly some kind of combo of:

Marvin/Zaza/Lo/Salim and the Indy pick.

I also think with the right move we might be able to improve the team in the long run (next year and further) by sacrificing this year and trying to keep our pick.

Even with the irregular win streaks, I don’t see us making the playoffs this year. So, given the choice of winning 5 or 10 more games or making some sort of trade that will get us the center or other star player that we need, I choose the trade.

As you have so often said, the goal shouldn’t be to make the playoffs but to try to assemble a championship caliber team .

By Samuel

January 27, 2007 02:32 PM | Link to this

Ando,

Nelly and Mullin are doing some weird stuff in Oaktown. With Ellis playing so well I don’t understand them bringing in Jackson. I heard they were talking about moving Ellis possibly to Detriot. His uncle is Chauncy Billips. He’d look good in a Hawks uni and probably good for at least a thousand more fans a night. There are a whole lot of Mississippi folk here.

Marvin and Salim for Ellis and Foyle. I know Foyle is somewhat of a “scrubb” but he is a pretty good low post defender and rebounder. He’s getting zero playing time in Oakland.

Yall, my Birthday is Tomorrow

I’m hitting the big 45. I’m blessed to be here. Ando, you know we’re still cool. Just a little family squabble amungst the Sekou Blogger Nation.

Yall are really sticking it to me in the Fantasy league. Hopefully the Big Fella can pick it up and carry me the rest of the year.

Cuz, I saw you reserves. I can’t argue with you except for maybe Butler. You only have two Centers and Shaq is probably not going to play many minutes so I would have to go with my boy Curry in that spot. He deserves it. He or Okafor.

By mykhalc

January 27, 2007 02:50 PM | Link to this

SAMUEL, happy b’day man!! i hope you AT LEAST got 45 MORE of ‘em comin’!!! and i think you have OFFICIALLY named this channel SBN SEKOU BLOGGER NATION!! NICE!!LOL

By JohnGTfan

January 27, 2007 03:10 PM | Link to this

ATL cannot, nor would they anyway, make any trades. Let’s just hope these kids can top last years win total. Because the team you see now, is the team you’ll see on the last day of the season

By tb

January 27, 2007 03:32 PM | Link to this

I’ve tried to put an interesting trade together many times and the truth is that it is very difficult to find good centers.

The only two that I can see reamistically (besides the new unproven bigs out west and in Orlando; Darko) are Kristic and Gasol.

While I was looking (at every teams roster) I realised that there is a real lack of quality centers in the league. Many teams don’t have one.

What do you think; is keeping what we have and supplementing it with a 7’0” draft pick the best realistic solution.

I think it might be.

Speedy and Lue can hold down the PG IF HEALTHY. We are still too smal with very little quality play over 6’10”, but we have some very impressive kids coming into their own and Marvin who still may and JJ.

One quality 7’0” could make the difference.

By HB Ando

January 27, 2007 04:26 PM | Link to this

tb, that’s the way I’ve been thinking for some time. That’s why I really felt that the Hawks should have traded down a few slots, picked up a player (remember discussions that we might have been able to swap our 5th for Houston’s 8th, and pick up Luther Head?), and drafted O’Bryant. He wasn’t expected to step in right away, but he’s a legitimate 7 footer, with great potential. What we got, what we’re getting, from Shelden, could have been found on almost any roster. The league if full of slightly undersized, one-dimensional power forwards. Detroit has a much more talented one in Maxiel, that they picked up as a second rounder a couple of years ago. Look at Haslem, who wasn’t even drafted. How about the previously discussed Milsap, in Utah, picked 50th overall. There simply was no value in using the fifth pick for what Shelden does on the court.

There can be no doubt, never has been for me, that losing this year, and keeping that top-3 pick, gives this franchise the best chance at near term respectability. It’s no guarantee, and it’s no quick fix, and I know we’re all tired of looking out several years for gratification. But it’s our sad reality.

It’s rare that I flat out want one of my predictions to be wrong. But I’ve predicted, since two summers ago, when the Johnson deal was finalized, that Billy would fail to move this franchise sufficiently to avoid giving up a lotto pick to Phoenix this summer. As much as the owners have to shoulder some blame, the buck still stops with Billy Knight. Even with the financial limitations, he’s had ample opportunity to make good decisions. And he simply has missed on almost everyone.

Sam, Happy Birthday, bro. Hope it’s a great one.

By tb

January 27, 2007 07:39 PM | Link to this

I was also interested in optimizing our fifth pick and I wasn’t sold that Shelden was worth that pick. I looked at all of the potential trades and draft moves that I could think of.

But, I have to admit that given the possibilities I thought that Shelden would be the best pick given our biggest deficiency; post D. When we then drafted Soloman, I was at least looking forward to toughening up in the middle. Then we signed Lo who was also coveted as a reasonably priced FA by a few other clubs and got Speedy who was either the first or second best FA PG available.

Can’t say that I wasn’t a bit impressed.

I really think that it is difficult to really improve an NBA team without hitting it big in the draft or fleecing someone in a trade (which doesn’t happen all that often).

I hear you on that pick thing (this years due to Suns) but I always figured that we would give up a pretty decent pick.

Look at the situation; we got JJ for a useless (for us) Diaw, a #20 and this years first (top 3 protected) which left us with the following;

JJ, a very young Smoove and a young Chil, Al and that was about it.

BK then got Zaza which remains a good signing even if it is clear that he is a weak stater at best.

So with JJ still just a hopeful star, Al, a 19 year old Smoove and a not ready for prime-time Chil and little else at the beginning of the 2005-06 season; my question to you (Ando) is what in the world gave you the idea that the Hawks could improve enough to avoid sending a top 5-10 type pick to complete the deal?

Even with this being the case, I would have taken the deal ten times out of ten.

Even the Marvin over CP or Deron was totally understandable. I was hoping and preying to the B-ball gods that we would get Deron, but everyone remotely asociated with the NBA said take Marvin way before the PG’s.

You have argued forever that it is important to maximize the talent when drafting. That is exactly what BK did. Plus I think BK went lottery fishing for what he sees as the new NBA prototype player; the 6’9” wing with all-round tools (see Chil, Smoove, Marvin).

I guess my point is that you can’t really fault BK for these decisions. Like I said, it is incredibly difficult to turn around a bad NBA team. The Hawks that BK inherited were pretty awful and contract wise pretty unfixable.

I now look at the Hawks and see JJ, Smoove, Chil, Marvin, Sheldon, Zaza, Speedy, the Indy pick and one of the best cap situations in the league.

What I see is about one more calendar year of growing pains and then the potential to have a very good team.

I think the near future may offer Hawks fans the best opportunity to witness the development of a top type team since I’ve been following the Hawks (about ‘75). It’s difficult to struggle through all these years and to witness so much losing, but the promise of a much brighter future is reason to remain patient and positive.

Hey remember the Braves of the early nineties.

Us Hawks fans may very well enjoy the same kind of turn-around in the near future.

By Nick

January 27, 2007 07:58 PM | Link to this

I want Dwade at all costs. Then I want to take a guy josh smith, which its very possible could still be around at 60 and 61 possibly later. or if by some oddity and hes not there I get luol deng or jameer nelson.

By HB Ando

January 27, 2007 09:27 PM | Link to this

tb, you actually make my point for me. There wasn’t any realistic reason to believe we wouldn’t still be a lottery team this year, and, thus, Billy should have done a better job of protecting the pick. Remember, we gave up Diaw and 2 firsts for a restricted free agent who had already publicly challenged the Suns and their ego-driven owner, Robert Sarver, by saying he didn’t want to play for them; didn’t want their money. That kind of slap in the face to an owner, by what was their fourth option, usually doesn’t lead a team to keep such a player, by matching the offer. It is still, will always be, my position, that we had to give up nothing. That Billy got bluffed. It’s been discussed a million times. I won’t ever change my opinion on it. And those who disagree with my conclusion seem equally unwilling to move.

I do blame Billy. I said, on the very first blogs here, a year and a half ago, that to not do a better job of protecting that pick, Billy had to have a viable plan to improve the team quickly enough to mitigate the final cost of the Johnson acquisition. He did not. That is a problem for me. If a layman like me understood, that long ago, the implications of the deal, then Billy and the Hawks should have to. If they didn’t, they’re in the wrong business. If they did, and did not act accordingly, to protect the future of the franchise, that’s equally unacceptable to me.

BTW, just finished watching the Hawks lose by double figures, at home, to the Sixers. So we win in Orlando and flop in our own house, against Philly. Crazy. But we did pick up another game in the loss column. Come on top-3 pick!

By gb

January 27, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this

well billy signed another 6’7” swingman to a ten day contract. you just can’t get enough of the perfect size players, and we don’t neet a center anyway.

By Clyde

January 28, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By HB Ando

January 28, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

Two observations from last night:

1) After watching Igoudala and Childress on the same floor, I simply cannot understand where Astro is coming from with his persistent belief that Childress is Igoudala’s equal. It’s laughable. 24 points, 5 boards, 4 dimes (he’s a swing man averaging 5 assists a game, putting him in the rare company of James and Odom, as 3’s who can run the point) and 2 steals (third in the NBA at 2.13 per game). He’s emerging as a legitimate young star, and Joe continues to maintain that our sixth man is every bit as good. Madness.

2) Paul Millsap steps in for the injured Boozer and puts up 15 points and 17 boards, with 2 blocks. Soloman plus Shelden do not equal one Millsap. While Billy’s narrow vision seems challenged to see beyond the ACC, he continues to misfire with nearly every draft pick he’s made, save Josh Smith. And I’ll still maintain that Smith merely fell in his lap, as he was predicted to go as high as 7th overall the year we drafted him.

I know, I know, but I just can’t let it go……….We did not have to stay this bad. Just following the consensus pre-draft rankings, over the last 3 years, and we’d have been a much better team (though those rankings would have validated the choice of Marvin over Chris Paul, a place where my rankings, amongst others, diverged from the majority).

FIRE BILLY AND…..WELL, JUST FIRE BILLY AND I’LL BE HAPPY

By reese

January 28, 2007 04:44 PM | Link to this

Thanks to my cousin for treating me to the Auburn vs Florida game. Yakim Noah played decently. He was not dominate, but he really didn’t need to be against the undersized Auburn team.

Except for the fact that he is 7’0” tall, he fits BK’s player profile. He is skinny, has a flawed looking shot and is not very strong.

I really don’t see him coming out next year. He doesn’t need the money, he is having fun and his team is winning. I will say that he does know how to work the crowd (heckling the auburn fans, signing autographs after the game)

By HB Ando

January 28, 2007 04:54 PM | Link to this

Phoenix has won 17 straight, and we’re in a virtual deadlock for the 4th worst record in the NBA.

Imagine this Suns’ team with the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft. What a way to celebrate an NBA championship. DraftExpress currently predicts athletic, 6’10 PF, Branden Wright, of North Carolina, as the 4th overall pick, with 7-foot center Spencer Hawes, reportedly with the best low-post offensive game in the country, as a freshman, predicted to go fifth. I guess we couldn’t use either of those guys here in Atlanta, with Zaza and Shelden dominating the paint.

Could Phoenix be any happier right now? If it wasn’t so damn hot, I might move there, knowing just how bright their future is.

Many folks around the league still give Billy Knight credit for handing Detroit a championship. Now he looks to assist in finalizing a dynasty in Phoenix. Billy builds winners for everybody but Atlanta.

By reese

January 28, 2007 05:00 PM | Link to this

Now, back to the current hawks. Sorry, sekou, not interested in fantasy world. Don’t have the time or energy.

I do agree that 2 out of 3 is not bad. Also, I have to say great games to Josh and Joe.

Even though they lost to philly, I see that JJ and Josh each had an entry in every offensive/defensive stat category.

I have to blame saturday’s loss on Woodson. Not once did he place a taller lineup on the floor to counter the twin towers of dalembert and hunter.

Steven hunter shoots 7 for 9 and dalembert shoot 8 of 11.

Not to mention, 11 blocks for Philly to the hawks 5. This led to both Lorenzen, shelden and zaza pass the ball back out when they were in the lane. Unless you are trying to eat clock, I will never understand this.

With all the undersized players on the floor and the fear of getting their shot blocks, the hawks stayed outside and shot 40% for the game. Where as philly shot 54%.

Woodson, its time for you to get a clue. Your players have proven to me that they respect you and are attempting to improve aspects of their game. Now, its time for you woodson to improve yours. I’m not saying your team will win every game. But at least it will show that you are not stuck on stupid.

By Jay

January 28, 2007 07:15 PM | Link to this

” I simply cannot understand where Astro is coming from with his persistent belief that Childress is Igoudala’s equal. It’s laughable. “

Yeah its not even close. Though Chills is hardly the big problem of the team and he is a good player, Igoudala blows him away.

I watched most of the game last night. We simply do not have enough good players. We have only a couple players trusted to score (JJ, Smith,Marvin). Otherwise we arent scoring points. Lue doesnt look the same from the start of the season…guess that was a fluke. Our centers are a black hole except every third game where Zaza decides to show up. Salim has apparently played his way out of the rotation, so there goes our only other jump shooter. Our offense is just bad. We’re a jump-shooting team with a problem of not being good at jumpers. My once-strong support for Shelden is eroding daily…the team doesnt trust him for offense, he isnt tall enough or have the ups to rebound. I really would prefer to just play Shelden and Solomon as backup centers to Zaza…Lorenzen doesnt do anything for this team.

Its funny looking at the 76’s to see how far ahead in rebuilding they are compared to us. They have a solid pg, good 1st scorer, and servicable center. They probably draft Durant this summer, plus they have #1 picks coming from Denver. This team wont stay down too long.

I went to Publix today and saw Speedy Claxton’s face on a milk carton.

By Clyde

January 28, 2007 08:11 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY T-SHIRTS STILL AVAILABLE AT ATLCONNECT@HOTMAIL.COM

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Jrock

January 28, 2007 09:24 PM | Link to this

I love Atlanta as much as anyone but this has to stop. We have one of the worst rosters, coaching staffs, and front offices in league and we are talking about fantasy. I don’t know Sekou Smith personally but I see he does not hold people accountable when they are wrong. We have a coach who is known for defense but does not have the players to do so. He also does not coach offense very well. Josh chilldress is a good 6th man but was the 6th pick.Solomon Jones and Salim are rotting on the bench while the great Lorenzen Wright and Royal Ivey get playing time. I wish Sheldon was my landlord because I would pay no rent. Marvin is being underutilized and will flourish elsewhere. I like Joe and Josh Smith but there is no balance in this roster. The suns preach to make every player on the floor a weapon.You get the impression in the half court if Joe Johnson does not score we are in trouble. We have a beat reporter who would rather turn his eyes on the actual team and talk about a fantasy league. I usually just read the beat topic and you guys entries. Enough is Enough!I’m tired of talkin about next year and I dam sure don’t care about fantasy. All of you ask yourself are we settling to be mediocre.I’m not saying abandon the team or be negative all the time.I’m just saying stop talking about scenarios that will never happen. What about trading Marvin and Salim for Mike Bibby. Is there any possibility of trading for Pau Gasol? Someone please tell me why for three plus years we’re still talking about a point gaurd and center. I would never say a man should get fired but someone needs to resign. Its time for real Hawks fans to stand up and have passion for there team. Agree or disagree I just want to win. GO HAWKS!!

By Anakin Joe

January 28, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

Why pay attention to field goal attempts when comparing scoring production from 2 guys. After all, surely plaer A can score as many with 6 field goal attempts as player B. Right?

By Clyde

January 28, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY!!!!!!!!!!!

By Don!

January 28, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

If we were having a total re-draft of the entire NBA, and I wanted to win a championship … I’d like to pick 5th.

Mostly, that’s because I would feel relatively sure that Tim Duncan would still be on the board, and I would have the best possible pick to put with him in the second round.

I still believe in the MJ and sidekick theory of winning NBA titles. You really want one truly dominant player, and the best sidekick (Scottie Pippen, where are you?) available.

I’m assuming that some combination of King James, Kobe, Dwayne Wade and Nash would be most people’s first four picks. However, I’d like to pick a lead dog in the MJ position who can play a big as well. It’s a lot easier to fill in the other four holes in the lineup when you have the 5 taken care of.

Anyway, that’s my two cents.

Later,

Don!

By travis

January 28, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

well, here we are at the end of january. the hawks have 3 mo’ months, they have to win a minimum of four games a month to top their record from last year. they have to win atleast 8 games a month to make the playoffs…they won’t make the playoffs,whether they beat last years record is goin’ to go to the wire.

By ray

January 28, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

Well, the comparison between Childress and Iguodala was inevitable. Not like we didn’t see that one coming. I’m sure there will be a rematch sometime, giving Anakin another shot at Darth’s argument.

But….Ando and TB actually agreeing…for more than one series of posts? Man, that makes me think there’s even hope for peace in the Middle East!! Mmmmmmnnnnaaaahhhh!

I don’t like Billy. I really don’t like Billy. And what’s worse? Ando and others keep making valid points that help me to like him even less. And he signed another forward to a ten-day contract, that beady-eyed BASTA….ahem. Must control myself. Frickin’ frackin’ sack of SHI…ahem. Must control myself. I didn’t at first think that he really had a thing for “swing” forwards, but it’s obvious he’s not only got a thing for them, he’s got a rock hard BON…ahem. I better just quit typing.

By ray

January 28, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

Yep. I agree with those who say Smith stays and Marvin goes, if you have to choose between the two. Which is probably going to happen, assuming that we get a new owner(s) and a new gm. Well, at the very least, a new gm.

By dap

January 29, 2007 07:44 AM | Link to this

SEKOU,

What your thoughts on a potential deal by the trade deadline? What do you see as the Hawks plan to improve: One last Free Agent signing this summer(before our cap room disappears?), trade for Gasol or other center. What is the status of the point guard that we drafted in the 2nd round a couple of years ago.

What is the status of Speedy? When will he be back? Will he then permantly be limited to limited minutes per game?

Give us poor fans something….We have a lot of talented (but can’t shoot) wing players and still no solution to the center or PG positions. How can you be this far along in a total rebuilding and still nothing on the horizon for PG or Center?

Thanks in advance.

By doc

January 29, 2007 08:10 AM | Link to this

samuel, been out of town and just caught the bday boy was 45 yesterday. sorry i missed it but ive got you a bonds sized hat, xxxl super bowl t-shirt from miami where i was to go with the hung low pants im sure your wife gotcha so you can be cool with the kids a school. happy bday stud!

seems like you been postin less this year, team must have you workin overtime. peace.

By St. Bernard

January 29, 2007 08:56 AM | Link to this

Interesting comments by Johnson and Lue. Johnson says he thinks the team isn’t built right and Lue says people are playing individually at home. How about we let JJ have a say in what’s going on and build a team that can with. I love the Bibby or Gasol ideas.

By St. Bernard

January 29, 2007 09:01 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah, and if the idea is to run. Why not try to bring in Telfair cheap? I know lots of you guys don’t like him, but he’s shown signs of promise when he was getting up and down the floor. The problem is the Celtics don’t do that. Most importantly, he could be really cheap right now!

By Clyde

January 29, 2007 09:17 AM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Dee

January 29, 2007 09:35 AM | Link to this

I dont believe its the team/players we need to replace/trade..its our coach & GM..My reason is take the 76ers for example..they have GREAT players on there team and only have 14 WINS??? We could have Kobe, Lebron, Shaq, Wade, u name it on our team and still lose with a coach like Woodson!! He does not sub well AT ALL!! how do u not play Solomon or Salim at all???? I dont understand that! We need a coach who knows how to use their players at the right time, at the right position, depending on who we are playing..BOTTON LINE!!

FIRE COACH WOODSON!!

Dee

By Anakin Joe

January 29, 2007 09:56 AM | Link to this

Comments from Lue and JJ wouldlead you to a few conclusions. Either they are not effective leaders or some guys just refuse to be led. JJ seems to be saying that putting together the NBA’s youngest team is a fundamentally bad plan. I whole-heartedly agree. Lue seems to think that some guys are interested in looking good in front of the home crowd, I wonder who he is talking about? BK needs to ship some of these youngsters out and bring in some vets. Woody needs to sit guys down when they are not playing team ball. What’s wrong with benching someone? Hell, we’re losing anyway? I have a hard time repeatedly reading comments about players with a lack of discipline. The only player I see who gets punished is Salim and I find it hard to believe that he is the sole reason for our home woes. Id Woody is okay with sitting Salim, why not sit others who have “issues”? Again, what’s another loss or 5 at this point?

By HB Ando

January 29, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

If player A is only getting six attempts, and it’s because he’s viewed as the 4th or 5th option on his woeful team, then that only increases the validity of defining his relative comparison to player B, who is having his team rebuilt around him, and is the primary scoring option (and those five dimes a game, and reputation as one of the most ferocious finishers in the NBA kind of close the argument, for me, and most of the free world).

By honest_abe

January 29, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

i think it’s unfair to compare chills and iggy based purely on their performances on saturday night. josh has a different role on this team. he is so versatile that woody can use him in a variety of different roles. add to the fact that he’s a “team” player and sometime’s he doesn’t get off his fair amount of shots. josh has mainly been used as the person who brings the ball up the court and initiates the hawks offense. this has drastically reduced the amount of shots the josh takes on a given night. he also spends his time on defense chasing down really quick pg’s all over the court.

iggy on the other hand is the focal point of the 76ers team. he gets all the looks, shots and touches he wants.

either way… even though iggy gets plenty more touches and the freedom to do whatever he wants… his stats still aren’t clearly superior to childress..

maybe this goes back to bk’s inability to construct a viable nba roster… but chills and iggy and deng are a wash in terms of what each player brings to the table. their value to their individual teams are comparable.

By Anakin Joe

January 29, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Ando, you are assuming that Iggy gets the same treatment on the Hawks, much like you’re assuming Ellis would be starting in the backcourt with JJ. Your entire premise says that what one coach does is comparable to what every other coach would do. If Salim were with GS, is there any chance that Nellie would place him in the starting line-up? Is there any chance that Chill would get more shots (or start) on another team? I don;t know. Likewise, I have no idea if Iggy would start next to JJ for the Hawks nor if Ellis wouldn’t be relegated to the bench where Salim resides. Solomon Jones could be getting 25 minutes a game for some teams, on the Hawks, he doesn’t see the light of day. Does that mean he was a bad pick 40 games into his career? Cedric Simmons is as buried on his bench as Solomon is on ours. Does that mean the Hornets blew it by picking Cedric in the first round? Of course not. You simply can’t apply one coach’s player evaluation to another coach and team. That is a very simplistic (and frankly unintelligent) way of playing fantasy GM.

By Jrock

January 29, 2007 01:02 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight has slowed the progress of his own draft picks!When he drafted the Joshes he should have complemented them with a pg and c. Instead he drafted players in consecutive years that took minutes from his original draft picks(Including Diaw when he was here).A player cannot develop properly if he is not being featured and getting playing time. That is why igoudala is flourishing because he is being featured.Unfortantely, one or two of these young players have to go. Out of Marvin,Smooth,Shelden or Chilldress someone has to go.Not because they won’t become good players.It’s because Billy Knight has cut off there opportunity to develop.What about Marvin Williams and T-lue to Sacramento,Ron Artest to the Clippers and Mike Bibby to the Hawks. Or ZaZa and Marvin to the Grizzlies for Pau Gasol.I don’t know if the numbers work but wouldn’t it be nice!!Go Hawks!!!

By jhan

January 29, 2007 01:24 PM | Link to this

JRock, you’re preaching to the choir. I’ve supsected, and hoped, that BK is stockpiling versatile wing players in order to trade them. He can’t possibly believe that this make up is going to work. It seems like he doesn’t even consult with Woodson before making his picks. I can’t believe that Woodson likes the way this team has been assembled. What coach could flourish without a competent big man and at least an adequate PG? At this time the biggest blame HAS to be put on BK. The Spirit Group has done little or nothing to help this situation either. Even working under the horrible conditions that BK has, he still could have this team much farther along from a talent perspective.

By Anakin Joe

January 29, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

jhan, I don’t blame Rumsfeld, I blame Bush. I don’t blame Knight, (although there is no question that some of his draft picks have been bad) I blame the Spirit. At the end of the day, when an owner is powerless to fire an employee, that is about as bad as it gets. Why does BK continue to get a check? Because of the fumbling, bumbling Spirit who can’t fix the problem.

Now, Woody must accept some blame, as well. Sorry, but when a team loses at home consistently to bad teams, that’s a leadership issue. If the talent is there to win on the road Friday night, how do you turn around and lose to a very bad team at home the very next night? If you can go 5-3 in your previous 8 games, how do you get blown out at home by a team like Philly who also played the previous night? For all the talk about how young the team is, there are only 3 truly young players who are earning significant minutes… Zaza, Marvin and Smith. Smith is in his 3rd season, shouldn’t he know something about how to prepare for games after playing in almost 200 games? If Marvin is the dummy who takes home games off, bench him. There are 47 wing players waiting for playing time behind him on the pine. And why can’t Solomon play against Hunter and Dalembert if Zaza is taking the night off? What, are those guys the second coming of Robinson and Duncan?

The team is bad enough for there to be plenty of blame to go around (anyone notice the team is 5-4 without Speedy during this current injury stint?). But please do NOT excuse Woody from the blame game. Not when this team has NO identity and routinely plays down to the level of competition.

By mykhalc

January 29, 2007 02:25 PM | Link to this

JOE, i’m feelin’ ya!! the STOOGES SPIRIT GROUP is what it is!! WOODSON has only done one thing right with this team so far IMHO. he got consistent playin’ time, nite-in nite-out, for the core 4. and he STUMBLED on that ‘cause of injuries!!! if LUE and SPEEDY had stayed healthy WHO KNOWS how playin’ time would be lookin’!!! ERRACTIC is my bet!!! what contines to P$SS me off is when WRIGHT and ZAZA take the nite off, why are we NOT SEEING SLAVA or SJONES off the bench. this team is bad enough to be playin’ EVERYONE and ANYONE if somebody on the floor is not gettin’ it done!!!

By mykhalc

January 29, 2007 02:41 PM | Link to this

and JOE, whether your JJ askin’ for a trade prediction comes true or not, who knows. but WE ARE seein’ signs of somethin’!!??!! JJ’s latest comments let you know he is not happy in some form or fashion. he is NOW steppin’ out and speakin’ more of the truth about the team!! only time will tell where it all leads!!! but gotta be frustratin’ for him to see the SAME THINGS nite-in and nite-out on why the team cannot develop any consistency!!

By Anakin Joe

January 29, 2007 03:15 PM | Link to this

mykhalc, it looks like my JJ prediction will be wrong (at least the part where I said he’d ask for the trade by the end of January). But you’re right, he appears to be clearly frustrated by the team’s ongoing roller-coaster performance. It really is remarkable that this team has a shot at a decent record this month. I still have a very nasty taste in my mouth from the horrific December and that Hornets debacle from a few weeks ago. I’m sure the prevailing thought is that the injuries combined with the youthfulness of the team leads to this type of schizophrenic behavior. I don’t know. Hell, I changed my screen name so I’m just as schizo as the team.