Hawks

By way to go billy

February 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

can speedy make a single jump shot? the spirit and billy are genious. 4 backup pg’s! wow they really have their $hit together. if i was dominique my blood would be boiling. he has poured his life into this organization and they thank him by trading him and then hiring him in the front office so he can watch this garbage first hand.

spirit and billy: you have officially killed this already pitiful organization. hand over all power to nique so at least the fans know someone who cares is in charge.

By go_back_to_the_tri_cities

February 27, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

take this garbage organization back to moline. a complete fking embarrassment to this city. who wants to make the 8th playoff spot if you can’t even play .500 ball?

oh and by the way, it’s nice watching this team on sportsouth every fking night. literally not 1 game on espn, tnt or abc. NOT 1! uhhh, does this team even exist?

By hock

February 27, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

At the beginning of the season another horse crap season with no more than 30 wins seemed like a good bet and that’s about where this bunch figures to finish. Playoff contenders? Yeah, right. This team couldn’t make the NCAA tournament.

By Volman

February 27, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Alright, with the garbage posts out of the way.. Can we get some regular blogs from the “normal” ones on here? :) Thanks!

By rian

February 27, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

I used to read Word Up magazine

Salt and Peppa and Heavy D up in the Limosuine

Hangin pictures on my wall…

By preston

February 27, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

I actually think that we have a pretty good team, but after following these guys for the year, I have come to the conclusion that we do not have the right coach to guide us. I have tried to believe and stick with Woodson, but I can’t anymore. We are not a very disciplined team. We do not box-out, we give up way too many easy baskets, and we stand around watching one player on the offense hoping to score. These dificiencies are coachable and can be corrected, but I just don’t see the adjustments. And why are we not playing Salim or Solomon more?? We didnt see much of either of those guys last night, and we still lost the game by over 20 points. Dirk was scoring at will, so what would have hurt to put a taller man on him like Solomon?? No personal attacks on Woodson but it is very frustating watching him coach this team.

By Tyger

February 27, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Hawks need to focus on two upcoming games, as Sekou says. In our wildest imaginations we couldnt have hoped to come out of this weekend any better than 2/3, instead we sit 1/3 against the cream of the league. Not all bad…

But next two games are NEED games. March is reasonable but theyve got to win 10-15 games over the next month starting now.

What if they dont? They cant tank, they need to learn to win and see the results of their hard work more than they need another rookie player thats 3 years away.

By rob

February 27, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

The performance last night was not surprising. They have fought very hard the past 4 games and it is expected to hit a wall against the best of those teams in Dallas. It would have taken a superior effort from us and a very down night from them to get a win. Since they didn’t miss a 3 until their 7th attempt I would say Dallas was on their game. We really need to play up to our full potential these remaining games to keep the playoff hopes alive. AJ will need to bring what he brought Sunday to the table every night and Speedy needs to spend a bit more time on the pine. Marvin will also have to keep up his recent play and work on not dissapearing for stretches during the game. I don’t know about all of the Post up Plays for J Smith, they typically end in disaster and he should focus more on intangibles and driving the ball rather than posting up (and NO LONG JUMPERS, from him or Speedy) ZAZA needs to keep up the intensity and Lo/Sheldon/Solo need to make their PT productive night in night out. JJ needs to get back to making clutch 3’s in the fourth as they have been scarce in recent games although they have definitely been attempted. Get T Lue back to back up AJ and throw in a steady dose of Chills…now if we can do ALL of that then the 8th seed is ours! I’m not saying it will happen but here’s to hopin’. Thats my 2 cents.

By Ricardo

February 27, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

There is no “playoff-push” this year. This team isn’t good enough. There are some pieces in place - we have 1 of the 2 requisite stars you need to win (JJ), a excellent complimentary piece that can do a little of everything (Chills) and 2 talented but uneven players in MW and JS. Other than that, there ain’t much here. Playoff pushes aren’t made from this kind of team. The Hawks really need a focused and aggressive off-season to make the next step, but the problem with that is that BK isn’t the guy for the job and ownership is too cheap/in flux/stupid (take your pick) to do anything to fix the problem. The NBA should be ashamed of what is happening in this market. Is it just me or does the Spirit seem to do a better job with the Thrashers? As a team they have young talent nurtured by a great coach and supported by a intelligent GM who is getting the right pieces in place. What gives?

By ToeKnee

February 27, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

I hate when a blog starts off with a bunch of random garage….anyways.

The Hawks were doomed as soon as this Dallas-Phoenix back to back was scheduled by the league. I havent checked, but I doubt one of their poster-boy teams would ever get this kind of treatment. But the Hawks are slowly gaining respect, I saw a shout-out by Cowlishaw on Around the Horn the other day about how the hawks are “really not that bad” and have a shot of sneaking into the playoffs. It might be the frst time I’ve seen anything remotely positive said about the Hawks by an out of town reporter.

As far as the game goes, it started beautifully, but couldnt have tanked worse. Dirk looked unbelievable! when his shot is on like that…i mean…theres a reason he’ll probably be the mvp this year. a couple of those were literally nuts. totally off balance, 8 freakin feet tall in the air, and barely touching the net. he has one of the best shots in the game. nuff said about this game already. its time to move on. looking at the schedule NOW is the time to turn it on. I know it seems like that time has been all year, but we are slowly running out of it. The other teams we’re fighting with have tough stretches ahead of them, and the hawks, for the most part, dont have to play against too many more “heavyweights”. We do play Miami like 3 times, so that should be interesting. A win against NO would be HUGE!! with a capital H,U,G, and E!!!dont lose hope boys, if we turn it on now, we could be right there going into the last week, and i like our chances looking at the schedule.

By jacson

February 27, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

First, Dallas is a superior team to most if not all of the leagues teams. That said, the Hawks scored 87 points, 51% shooting and had somewhat of a balanced attack. We have talent on the team. Not Speedy or Wright. Play Solo more. Stop daydreaming of the playoffs. Protect the draft pick. Draft a point guard. Trade anyone except Joe or Josh S. for a decent big man. Get a new Coach and GM. Someone who can teach and motivate the young guys. The Hawks are no pushover for a young team and will get better. Anyone who has watched enough games knows this bunch is more entertaining than in previous years. Did I say, protect the draft pick? Get a new coach?

By ToeKnee

February 27, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

I love how some of you totally contradict yourself all the time.

If you really watched every game this year, like some of us have, you would see theres obviously SOMETHING right about this team. they’ve won some great games. A TOTAL SHAKEUP IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING IVE EVER HEARD!!!!

WE’VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR 8 FREAKIN YEARS!!!!

YOU REALLY WANT TO REBUILD AGAIN!!!!??

get your facts straight, actually PAY ATTENTION instead of just readin the boxscore, and maybe you’ll see this team isnt too far off. they are one or two simple moves away from seriously being in the playoffs every year.

By Notorious

February 27, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl…

By Anakin Joe

February 27, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

I think the use of the word “playoff” in conjunction with the team “Hawks” is absolutely nonsensical for this season. I recognize the waste land that is the Eastern Conference, but these fantasies about making a “push” toward the playoffs are really delusional. Let’s win tomorrow and then fight to finish March and April with a .500 record over that span. That would be the carrot I would dangle in front of the team for the remainder of the year.

I watched some of the Dallas game last night and boy, Anthony Johnson must have been eating Moon Pies on the Dallas bench. I started having flashbacks of Ladell Eckles (Flash, I’m sure you remember him). I still like the trade, even though he looks poorly conditioned.

Blog Z, how about asking Woody why JJ was in the game with about 5 minutes left and Dallas up by 20. Seems like a perfect chance to get dude some rest. I understand not wanting to concede, but you would think that a coach who has seen a rash of injuries this season would adopt a “live to fight another day” approach when it comes to being blown out in the arena of the league’s best team. Ask him about that right after asking him about Speedy’s glorious return to the starting line-up.

By Tyger

February 27, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

BK has done a great job with this team. Absent Speedy and Shelden, he has made his mark with the acquisition of All-star-like talent.

JJ, Smoove, Marvin, Chill all will be likely All-stars in the future. 1 current and 3 future all-stars in 3 years is to be commended. All the while, avoiding massive dead - end contracts, like those of CWebb, AI or JKidd.

Our options are wide-open: 1 - 2 first rd. draft picks; $6M under the cap; expiring contracts; and a stallion of young studs.

Of course we hoped for more outta Speedy and Shelden, but Shelden is not only a rookie, but a Grade A rookie, he’ll come around.

Speedy was a mistake, but AJ goes a long way towards correcting it. And hats off to BK for not putting his selfish interest in saving face before the interests of the team.

He couldve easily condemned the team to Speedy’s $7M mercy, but he didnt, he acknowledged error and took corrective action - leadership!

Gentlemen, we are one BIG away…

By HB Ando

February 27, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Tyger, you’re a crackhead. Seriously.

As usual, I posted on the previous blog after SS had started a new one. So, as usual, I have to bring it on over:

By HB Ando

February 27, 2007 02:06 PM | Link to this

Wow. Give myself a time out for being so bored here that I dissolve into slap fighting with Joe again (actually, family in over the weekend and too busy with work), come back and it’s the same litany of excuses.

Who, exactly, hired Woodson, and keeps him as the coach? Who drafted a team built to run, and a coach who’s forte is defense and half-court? Good Bloggers says Billy has put together good talent, but Speedy and Shelden are killing us. Who spent $25 million on a career back up, with bad knees and a full career of games missed due to injury? Who drafted Shelden at #5 despite having exactly no one else associated with the NBA viewing him as worthy of that high a slot.

Who just upgraded his point guard position, by wasting a second rounder, to trade for a guy who is better than his $25 million point guard, and, who, was previously waived by said GM?

Hawks are 1-4 since the break. So much for making a statement that they are for real. They’re not. They are 5-8 in February, with a full contingent of players. Four of those five wins came against teams missing their top player (Nash, Davis, Brand and Yao).

Can you guys please, please just be realistic about how bad we are, and how bad we project to remain? We’re going to end up with the fourth or fifth worst record in the NBA. We will get one of what could have been 3 picks, in a very highly rated draft class. We now lack picks or contracts to trade for an upgrade in our front court. We have no money for legitimate free agents and appear to be a destination that most players would refuse to come to, if given the offer.

Orlando, Dallas? I have one word for you: “Cuban”. That’s why that will never happen here, so get over it. It’s just a ridiculous comparison.

I’ll give you a better plan, ‘cause I am smarter: Sell the team to an investment group, led by Magic Johnson, and move it to Las Vegas.

We’re so bad that I’m actually hoping for an owner, Belkin, who I have no reason to believe will be any better, save for the fact that he’ll fire Billy Knight 3 seconds after he walks through the door. Problem is that with the unnecessary loss of this lotto pick, the damn Billy has done here will haunt his replacement for the next several years.

Finally, I have to go back to Mavid and my discussion on Shawn Williams as our previously discussed option for using the now gone 2nd rounder. If you look at his production and level of competition, at BC, it’s safe to say that he’s a bigger, stronger, more legitimate prospect than Soloman. So, if he ends up going at, or just past, where are second rounder ends up, I will respectfully disagree with all who said giving up a second rounder was unimportant. However, I will, obviously, agree with the likelihood that Billy would have, once again, botched the pick anyway.

Oh, and really finally, how many folks out there want to defend Shelden Williams talent right now? Mr. Ready to Contribute Right Away (AKA, why would you suggest he has no upside, Ando) is showing the following improvements, for the month of February (and please don’t tell me that he’s been unfairly buried on the bench-there is simply no logical reason other than he can’t cut it on the floor) here are his “monster” numbers: 8.3 minutes, 2.6 points, 2.3 boards, and .08 (not a typo) blocks. Please tell me some more about how Shelden just needs time………

Shaq “Rhinopossum” Watch: Joe says 11 and 8 the rest of the way. Current numbers since break: 19 and 9.5. Saying that’s not a significant difference is like saying that Drew Gooden’s numbers aren’t that much different than Pau Gasol’s……….

By HB Ando

February 27, 2007 02:29 PM | Link to this

Here’s an interesting quote by Danny Ainge, on his failure to leverage his young assets via trade this season:

“I acknowledge that, and I’m trying to rectify that, but at the same time I’m not going to trade Gerald Green and Rajon Rondo for some 30-year-old guy just because he’s a veteran. It has to make sense for us in the long run.”

Sound vaguely familiar? Bad picks, wasted picks and traded picks. The legacy of Billy Knight……..

By honest_abe

February 27, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

aj too funny about aj…!

i was sayin the exact same thing when he came into the game last night. talk about pudgy!!

about jj being in the game when it’s a blowout.. blame it on the fact that woody has a pea sized brain which he doesn’t even use. bah!

By Anakin Joe

February 27, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Ando*, welcome back. And you’re right. Shaq is back to his 2005-2006 form, 20/9. 1-3 in last 4 games but who cares. He’s getting his. You’re right. I’m wrong. Feel better now?

By Anakin Joe

February 27, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Ando and I see that your rising star has improved his shooting in the last 3 games up to 40% from the field. Again, you’re right and I’m wrong. He’s a franchise-type talent. After failing to build a contender with a SG who scores through volume shooting, I could see why the 76ers have now decided to build around a larger SG who scores through volume shooting. Makes complete sense to me. Damn, your smart!

By Dan

February 27, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

ToeKnee,

Great post! I agree with everything you said. A total shake up is not needed. This team is alright as is. They do, however, need to add some players this offseason and Billy Knight has to have a more productive summer than this past summer. The Hawks are not as far away as some of the clowns on this board think.

First, the Hawks would have been arriving a year early if they had made the playoffs this season. The injuries they had put a stop to that happening. Although, had they held on to beat Seattle (in November, at home), Chicago (in December, at home) and Utah (also, in December, at home) then they would still be breathing for the 8th playoff spot.

I would be willing to bet, as long as they do not get leveled with injuries, that this team makes the playoffs next year. If a free agent quality big man can be added, this team will grab a better spot than just the 8th spot.

It comes down to Billy Knight regrouping and having a better offseason than this past one (Speedy Claxton and Sheldon Williams both suck, but for different reasons). I think he will. It can’t be any worse!

I just renewed my season tickets for next season. I am planning on playoff games to attend next year in May.

By mavid

February 27, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

ando, i’m at the point now where I think we almost have to reach for Sean Williams in the 1st round (or maybe even Jarmearo Davidson)… although I do like Rodney Stuckey too (pg/sg combo who could surprise a lot of people). We need a defensive 5 in the worst way. If you look at free agents for this summer, none fit the bill. So, we can either draft one or trade for one.

I say draft Sean Williams (so long as he has stayed in shape, has continued to work on his game, has a commitment to act properly, etc), sign Randolph Morris as a FA.

After that, we need to do something about the PG position. The problem is, we have too many crappy ones. So, we need to get rid of a couple:

Ivey is gone after this season, so thats taken care of.

Speedy is pretty much untradeable unless he starts really performing (who wants that contract for someone who is chronically injured). So, I see Speedy as our backup pg/6th or 7th man (a role in which he is more suited)

Then, we need to trade either AJ or Lue. Lue can bring us more in a trade, so I say give that shot, and let AJ be our 3rd pg (who might get dealt during the season because of his expiring contract).

Package Lue with someone like (or a combo of): Salim, Shelden (hopefully), Lorenzen, Chill or ZaZa (if it brings us the right piece), etc, to get more depth at the PF/C position (I would LOVE to get Varejao (sp?) from Cleveland, but that would probably be too costly because he is a restricted FA and cleveland likes him… plus, i think every team in the league has their eye on him).

Then, with that trade, we make room for a real, legit pg. I would go after either Mo Williams or Monta Ellis (Mo Willaims in unrestricted, ellis is restricted)

So basically, the players I am currently interested in adding to this team are:

Sean Williams, Randolph Morris, Varejao at the PF/C positions.

Mo Williams or Monta Ellis at the pg position (both of whom are from Mississippi and might be more willing to play in ATL)

Now, these are just ideas (pretty realistic ones though), so don’t roast me on them.

These are all players who I am interested in adding to this team. Just throwing some ideas out there, because until we get the 1 and the 5 straighetned out, we will continue to struggle.

Not that BK will do anything remotely similar…

By Dan

February 27, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Ando,

I don’t agree with everything you said in your last post. I have a more optimistic outlook on next season than you.

You are, however, right on about Sheldon Williams. that guy cannot play at this level. He should be getting Bautista minutes. I would like to see Solomon and Slava get Williams’ minutes.

I think Billy Knight was listening to Dick Vitale a little too much when he made “The Landlord” the number 5 pick. He sucks. And, as Lee Corso says, that is not a second guess, it is a first guess. I said the samething in June. I am a Michigan State graduate and fan. I saw Paul Davis had Sheldon his lunch twice in one year. It was not hard to tell that Sheldon would not be an NBA factor.

Note to the media (Dick Vitale): Stop the nutsucking of Duke players. I’m not in the camp that says all Duke players are NBA busts. I do, however, think that a lot of them are overblown and benefit from all the east coast media love that goes their way.

By The Flash

February 27, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Andoman, no reason to think he’ll do better? Sure you do. I say so! Just funnin.

BTW, there seem to be sooo many quality points in college these days that it is hard to imagine that the influx of these guys is not going to make an immediate upgrade a real possibility.

Ditto at the power forward position.

And, then there is my guy Coppenwrath. Doesn’t anybody still not dislike him as a center? Yeah, I know Thinkingman, but who cares about your opinion anyway.

By mavid

February 27, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Also, no one is talking about this:

If Carter or Lewis sign with Orlando or Charlotte (which is highly possible), our lives in the NBA SouthEast division WILL get a lot more difficult.

Both teams need scoring wing players and our already set at the 1 and 5. Bring in either of those 2 extremely talented scoring wing players, and uh-oh, the hawks aren’t looking quite so good anymore in this division (unless we take care of the 1 and 5)

By Anakin Joe

February 27, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

I completely disagree with drafting Sean Williams. There is NOTHING about this coaching staff to make us think they have the ability to reign in a guy who has found problems galore in Boston as an under-aged, non-revenue earner. Now bring him to Atlanta, home of more vices than just about any place east of Las Vegas. Give him a few million dollars, scores of beautiful women, access to various narcotics and watch him go Roy Tarpley/Chris Washburn/Keon Clark on us.

If we had a veteran team or had an Antonio Davis type to bring the guy into his home, then maybe, I would see it as a good idea. I’m not saying that we don’t need that type of player on the court. I’m saying that we don’t need that type of person on the team. Let him “mature” someplace else. Let him go through the process of becoming a responsible person on someone else’s dime. But having a guy who may not be better than Etan Thomas (another Big East defensive stud) is not worth the potential problems of bringing in this guy to potentially influence Marvin, Smith and any other player who is roughly his same age. I’d rather ask Solomon to lift some weight in the off-season before asking this guy to bring in his kilos.

By mavid

February 27, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

AJ, very valid points.

I’m only interested in him if it is clear that his dismissal from BC has profoundly affected him (perhaps his family is depending on him to straighten up his life), and he has had a serious attitude change.

If any of that is questionable, I agree, its NOT worth the risk.

Any thoughts on the more intriguing free agents of the summer: Mo Williams, Monta Ellis, Varejao, etc?

By B.I.G.

February 27, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

I let my tape rock ‘til my tape popped/Smokin’ weed and bamboo, sippin’ on private stock /Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack/With the hat to match

By Anakin Joe

February 27, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Oh, if we only had a 1 and 5, we’d be set.

Oh, if we only had Andre Miller and Dalembert. Oh, if we only had Mo Williams and Bogut. Oh, if we only had Marbury and Curry. Oh, if we only had Felton and Okafor. Oh, if we only had Bibby and Brad Miller. Oh, if we only had Jack and Pryzbilla/LaFrentz/Magloire/Aldridge. Oh, if we only had Baron Davis and Biedrins/O’Bryant/Foyle. Oh, if we only had Ridnour/Watson and too many recently drafted big stiffs I can’t name them all.

Yes sir, give me a 1 and a 5 and we’d be set!

By BosnianBaller

February 27, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

What’s up with David Anderson in CSKA? Are we too cheap too give one of the best euro players a contract. I’m gone

By Orlando Rivera

February 27, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Ando, I figured a fool like you would fall for my post with dimwitted, half-baked answers (move the team to Vegas, yeah typical fanboy response). Now that i’m done with you little boy I’ll move on to those who actually know how to put together an intelligent post.

Mavid, I have to agree with Anakin Joe about not going after Sean Williams basically for the same reasons. This staff is incapable of building up young players and maybe they can finally use that cap room to bring in a veteran foward/center who can help this young team get rebounds in crucial situations. Solomon is a project in waiting, but in the offseason it’s time to actually bring in some veterans who can contribute.

As much as I like the play of Anthony Johnson, he is only a “band-aid on a gunshot wound” solution. However, knowing BK an his disdain for drafting PG’s that will be out of the question come June. For the life of me I can’t understand why.

For once I would like to see Atlanta do something that makes sense. A shakeup’s not necessary, but a sensible plan for this franchise is. If they have one in place I’d love to see it.

Someone inform me please WHAT IS THE PLAN?

By Anakin Joe

February 27, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

mavid, I think dude was suspended twice with the same teammate before they were both dismissed from Boston College. Do we really want to risk dude moving down to Atlanta with his buddy in tow? Put a 6-figure salary in Williams’ bank account and suddenly we have the beginnings of the Indiana Pacers/Cincinnati Bengals.

I think we are stuck with Speedy indefinitely and we are not likely going to spend big bucks on any other PG. But I think the 3-headed approach that we now have (once Lue is healthy) should be sufficient. Again, we’re not looking to dominate the NBA next season, just compete for a playoff birth. If we do trade AJ or Lue, I’d like to make a run at Steve Blake. I like Varejao, but I’m not convinced that Woody even wants to play more than one big at a time. So before signing him to a lucrative deal, we need to make sure that Woody would play him alongside guys like Zaza or Wright (as opposed to instead of).

I like Joe Smith because he plays a little bigger than his measurements and he’s a veteran (free agent). The other thing to watch is the emergence of Nene in Denver. My guess is no one will touch Kenyon Martin, so they may have to trade Camby in the off-season. Those 3 can’t possibly co-exist with AI and Melo (and JR Smith). If I were BK, I’d start having talks today about trade ideas for Camby during the off-season. Sure, he’ll miss 12-15 games, but he’ll absolutely will make his presence felt when he is healthy.

By mavid

February 27, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

camby would be perfect for this team

and yes, sean williams is only appropriate if he is a changed man

By Dustin from Dville

February 27, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

I told everyone earlier in the year this team is not good enough to be a contender. Now if we had Oden or Durrant that would put fans in the seats next year , but instead managnment chooses meaningless wins over actually wanting to be a contender in the future. owell go Braves and Falcons….screw u hawks and your dumb managnment…uve been making mistakes since trading nique. Go Houston Rockets…now thats how u build a team!

By ray

February 27, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Ando, between Joe and Orlando Rivera, how are you going to decide who to slap fight with? And hey, call out the people who are saying retarded things. Don’t just call out everybody. Plenty of us regulars have been faithfully b**ching and complaining while you were out. It’s not like you’re the only one who can’t stand Knight.

In this organization, there is no one to mentor our low post guys. So it’s true, they have to learn all on their own, by playing in the games. Well, naturally they don’t do well (I’m not making excuses for Shelden, so don’t f’ing start with me) and then they don’t get to play. Vicious circle. You can sit in your armchair all day and talk about talent, upsides, you name it. It comes down to this really: no young big on this team or drafted by this team will excell on this team unless he has the goods, is a phenomenally hard worker, and/or seeks out help from someone who can mentor him. And let it be known, lack of talent or whatever you want to call it means you need not apply. Period.

Does this mean we should or shouldn’t draft Shawn Williams? I don’t really know. At the moment, I don’t care either. What matters to me is who is picking when the draft comes around and what that person does. Face it, Billy will probably be the guy, ‘cause I doubt the two ownership parties will have a resolution before the draft comes around. But I could be wrong. We should be so lucky.

I think that it’s more like this: if you get a shot at a “can’t miss” (how I HATE that phrase) guy like Oden or Durant, you grab them. Because they are special players who can transcend and overcome all the would-be obstacles that the Sheldens of this world cannot.

Also, who exactly said that AJ was our savior? I tire of bloggers that come out with general statements about “everybody else” that thinks this or that. Many of us have recognized that even in mediocre shape, AJ is potentially more effective than any of our other pgs. Lue is good off the bench too, but AJ is big enough to post guys up and even guard a few SGs. Nobody’s saying he’s the shiznit. Just that he brings something we’ve yet to see on this squad at that position. That’s just how bad things are here.

By hock

February 27, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

For you Kool Aide drinkers, repeat after me: “22-35 is horrible, 22-35 is horrible, 22-35 is horrible” at least 100 times. When are some of you guys going to wake up? How do you expect to be winner without a single decent point guard or center on the roster? Billy Knight set out several years ago to create a team with the best group of 6’7” players on the planet and he has almost succeed. But he and you Kool Aid drinkers still haven’t figured out that the two most important players on an NBA team are the point guard and the center. You might do OK if you only have a great center or a great point guard, but you won’t be a winner without at least one or the other. This team is going nowhere fast.

By GatorHater

February 27, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

Anakin.. what a memory. Bringing back Ledell Betts. AJ does remind me of him a little bit.

By Volman

February 27, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

Dustin, you obviously are fat and have never played sports in your life :)

How about you walk into that Hawks locker room and tell them you’re grand idea.. Tell them that they should walk out into the arena and go belly up, let the team dominate them, and lose every game for the rest of the season, being the laughing stock of the league…again.

Go ahead, do that..

As an ATHLETE, I NEVER want to lose… I have NEVER played any sport to LOSE. That’s unbelievably pathetic that ANYBODY ON HERE suggests that this team should lose games on PURPOSE to gain a player through the draft.. Unbelievable.

Don’t get me started on the Go Rockets crap.. I think you said something about that last time.. how the Rockets are such a smart organization because they landed a lucky ping pong ball to get Yao Ming.. whatever.

Give me a call when you’re at Philips, I want to see the reactions of the guys when you tell them they’re going to take the rest of the season.

By mykhalc

February 27, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

i’ve determined that this franchise is bein’ run as if it were a state owned university where ALL the professors MUST BE TENURED!!! how else do you explain that SPEEDY was put back into the startin’ lineup??? tenured with LOTSA ACCRUED SICK TIME???!!! how else do you explain re-insertin’ a player that DOES NOT present you with the best chance to win??? how else do you explain re-insertin’ a player that IS NOT part of an offense that runs as smoothly as when your 6th man runs it, or your newly acquired/re-acquired PG???!!!! how else do you explain NOT playin’ a player who less than 24hrs prior provided MUCH NEEDED energy and production off the bench???!!!!

i predict that LUE will return (tenured ya know) and he will be paired in the backcourt with SPEEDY (REALLY TENURED!!) to give us the most ‘INJURED TENURED’ backcourt in HAWKS history!!!!! (and i actually like LUE)

how do i know??? ‘cause our coach DOES NOT REALIZE HOW TO COACH TO WIN THE GAME!!!!! GEEEESSSSHHHHHHH!!!!

just had to vent!!!!!! but fellas, i believe the insanity has worn this brotha down!!!!

By Jay

February 27, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Why anyone was talking about the playoffs when you see that we only play maybe six guys any substantial minutes, our starting center contributes nothing but defense through fouls, we have four back pointguards with none of them starter worthy (except in Knightmare’s eyes), our #5 pick cant get on the court for more then 8 minutes a game and is looking like a HUGE bust, at our best we were ten games under 500, we have the lowest scoring and worst fg% shooting in the ENTIRE nba…

What am I missing here? I look at that and I sure as hell dont see a playoff team. For those of you that do, puff puff pass.

By Jamal

February 27, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

Daaaammunn. Everybody just chill. Billy Knight knows what he is doing. Don’t tell him how to do his job. Can’t you tell. Just watch the Hawks play. Billy Knight knows what he is doing! It is so OBVIOUS.

By Volman

February 27, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

I love it how all of the “I told you so” guys come out after a couple of losses…

Seriously though, this franchise is on the RISE (as far as players developing chemistry and how to win)… I am not so sure about the front office, but the players and coaches are working hard and IMPROVING.

I don’t know why everyone can come on here and just bash this team for not being a playoff team when they’re the youngest in the league for three years now..

Can anybody honestly tell me that you thought the Hawks would have won a game in February? I didn’t think they had a good chance, but they have a great chance to finish this month off at around 6-8, right? 6-7? Pretty good to me considering the hand the Hawks got dealt for February.

Didn’t the Hawks go what…3-12 ish in December? If it’s December again with a healthy Hawks team, WE ARE TALKING PLAYOFFS. Nobody can disagree with that..

The Hawks are close to being a playoff contender.. Don’t bash them if they aren’t in the playoffs.. I think everyone needs to focus on how this team is improving.. Yes, they have terrible offensive nights, are very young, and made poor decisions a lot of the time.. But this has been a VERY exciting and thrilling season for me as a fan.

I appreciate all of the regular bloggers on here who share their thoughts, but these 1 or 2 post a year guys who come on after a couple losses and say the Hawks need to start cutting heads off and cleaning the slate…well, they’re out of their minds.

Guys, let’s not be GM’s.. let sit back, and be fans.. let’s enjoy this team right now so in a couple of years when the pieces of the puzzle are hopefully fixed, we can look at this time and laugh thinking, “I hope we don’t get back to those times again!”

Come on Hawks, let’s get a good end of the season run going!

By mavid

February 27, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

wow, check out the new article on shelden.

looks like he’ll definately be on the trading block this summer!

By gatorhater

February 27, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

We are young, and we do have talent. With a few changes, this team could start to blossom. First of all, we need a veteran, successful coach. Second, we need a true point guard. Look what Phoenix did. A few years ago they went 29-53 (close to what the Hawks will finish this year) They add Steve Nash and Mike Dantoni. They finish up the very next year 62-20. 33 GAME IMPROVEMENT BY ADDING A POINT GUARD AND A COACH. The Hawks are young (very much like PHX was) and can only improve. If we could just get a GM to make some positive moves, I think we have a bright future ahead of us.

By mavid

February 27, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

^^^ true, but they also had a young center by the name of amare… that kinda helped too

By GatorHater

February 27, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

I am not saying the Hawks have a player like Amare. But look how PHX does w/o Nash in the lineup. (recently 1-3) We do have some very good young players who need a true leader on the court. Maybe not a 33 game improvement like PHX but a 12-15 game improvement would get us into the playoffs. If it takes trading some of our “big name” guys, then so be it. It is something that has to be done to take this team to the next level. We missed that type of pg in chris paul, so we will have to do via trade or FA. Probably through trade after locking up J. Smith with most of our remaining $$$ after this year. Just some food for thought.

By CJ

February 27, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

This blog is sounding like last years posts…and the Hawks are still going to be out of the playoffs. Like last year when they were supposed to make a leap. This team will have to ‘rebuild’ because there is a limited amount of time for success. BK missed that opportunity with Harrington, draft, and Walker. It’s like a pendulum except nobody in the organization can seem to put the right pieces in place. But hey most of the East sucks too.

By reese

February 27, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Well, just read the Shelden article and its not surprising that a rookie who is not playing anymore and a coach don’t see eye to eye.

The problem is that they are both clueless. Shelden states that he doesn’t understand that you should foul just to foul.

Well Shelden let me help you understand. Try moving your feet faster and get in front of a player, trying jumping higher and blocking or altering a shot. Tape a game and watch how Josh Smith goes after shots agressively.

Don’t just stand there and watch people shoot. Don’t just grab a player instead of trying to play position or help defense. Be agressive, if you make a mistake, so what. At least you were trying.

As for woodson Goes, this is the second time that I have heard it said that he doesn’t care if his big men foul. The first person to say it was Woodson himself in a pregame interview. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that you have to foul sometimes. However, the frequency at which Wright and Zaza foul is shameful. Its lazy don’t care because I won’t be penalized by my coach with less playing time or more drills.

You can tell that Dirk Nowitski has played against talented big men in practice and in games by the arc that he puts on his shot. He is 7 feet tall and he doesn’t take it for granite that someone can’t block his shot.

By mykhalc

February 27, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

regardin’ SEKOU’s article on SHELDEN…he just confirms, to me at least, that WOODSON IS NOT CLEAR on communicatin’ what he wants/needs from his players!! and WOODSON’s here’s an ABP for ya!!!!…WE ARE NOT A WINNIN’ TEAM!!! so it’s THAT MUCH MORE IMPERATIVE that roles and rotations be CLEARLY DEFINED!!! this team will continue to have a ‘JEKYLL and HYDE’ personality as long as the coach maintains one!!! and your rewardin’ players that DO NOT deserve rewardin’ is case in point!!!! there is NO method to your madness right now!!! GET SOME…DAMN IT!!!!!

By reese

February 27, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

The true dream here is that the combination of jj, jsmith, jc and marvin is going to lead us to the promise land.

At some point, someone is going to have to make the tough decision of deciding 1) Which of these players is going to be on the bench when a true Center and Power Forward are added to the team to provide balance on the court. 2) Which of these players will be used as trade bait to acquire that true Center and Power Forward to provide balance on the court. 3) Will Mike Woodson ever be comfortable playing a balanced roster (sorry folks, jsmith and marvin starting together is not my idea of a balanced roster and it is worse when you place Lorenzen or zaza next to them) on the court and mixing in the other gimick lineups to provide a change of pace.

By mykhalc

February 27, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

SHELDEN might not have the skills that i had hoped or that the team really needs but i bet ya that his b’ball IQ is higher than WOODSON’s!!!! yep, what i said!!!

By Clyde

February 28, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By HB Ando

February 28, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this

Ray, brother, that’s easy. While I disagree with almost everything that comes out of Joe’s mouth, and, while I think that he’s at his weakest when he focuses more challenging me rather than objectifying his position, he’s still a damn genius next to Orlando (or whatever silly-a* name dude is offering).

What’s funny about O’s closing is that he just restated what I’ve been asking for a year and a half; WHAT IS THE PLAN?

But, clearly, I’m clueless, so we’ll let O lead the charge of obvious questions.

Joe, damn you’re smart. Shooting percentage, over a 15 game spread, is the defining statistic of all great players. Let’s consider some other players whose percentages are equally definitive is objectifying their lack of value to their team, as well as their limited perceived impact around the league.

Iverson-.436 Kidd-.428 McGrady-.443 Wallace-.413 (same guy that Sam spent all of last year arguing that he was superior to Dirk-WOW) Billups-.437 Arenas-.420 Bibby-.392 Igoudala-.444

Based on your logic, all of these guys are inferior to Josh Childress. I’m now convinced, even more than at any other time, that you are, indeed, Billy Knight. Which makes a lot of sense given how critical I’ve been of you/Billy, over the last few years. I can understand your bitterness. Just not your ineptitude. But you’re likely to either retire, or gravitate towards a lifetime scout position, in the very near future. Then you’ll just be a footnote in the history of absurdly bad GM’s.

I find it odd that no one took my assessment of the February record to task. In the end, there is a bottom line. And ours is squarely on schedule for bottom-five record, for the 3rd year in a row. That’s an impressive rebuilding, in any context.

Woo hoo……….

By HB Ando

February 28, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this

BTW, Joe, classic evasive perspective on the real cause and effect. You’re blaming Shaq for their record, when they lost, arguably, the best player in the NBA?

How do you live with your words?

Seriously, I would be driven into the earth’s core, in a shame spiral, to offer some of the completely inconsequential correlations that you proffer as conclusive. I know you’re smarter than that. So I just can’t figure why you continue to expose your limitations, analytically, in the name of your obvious crusade against your foil, Ando.

By hopeless

February 28, 2007 6:32 AM | Link to this

I don’t remember the warnings about February being a back breaker. I remember your prediction that the Hawks would go winless for the whole month. I think you would have considered 5-8 a success given your previous predictions.

By gaboystock

February 28, 2007 6:53 AM | Link to this

Bring in Charles Barkley as coach. We need a coach with nads who can communicate. Articulate, a big that played bigger than his size, a presence. I don’t care that he is not a proven coach. He has BB knowledge up the yazoo and these young pups would bark when Alpha dog says bark. Bet the farm.

By doc

February 28, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

i have had a bit of trouble getting on line the last few days. i wrote most of this the morning after the suns game but it seemed approprtiate for the mavs as well. yes it was a tough stretch to go through a gauntlet of four of the top eight or nine and probably three teams that are the top three. in saying that it really emphasizes how disparate the level of play is in the league and the best and in particular the hawks. it is also an indication of how close all teams are if they can put together the right big bodies and wing players, when you see one of the best teams lose “their” guy and begin to falter miserably. remember the point ando made about our big wins before the all star break; it is telling to the lack of depth in the league as well. you can only look to the suns or the heat for good examples most recently. i guess you can say then hope springs eternal.

most teams are ready when they have the big to go places when teamed with a star two or three the knicks the exception, curry certainly isnt their savior in spite of the numbers he gets and the starberries and what all they collected. nash is the exception and paul may follow his lead along with deron williams, they may be changing the face of the game. unfortunantly paul hasnt been able to do it yet with a big guy who can board so we will let history tell it from there.

man it is fun to see teams do it right, hate to be too critical but am unsure exactly what d’antoni is doing with his rotations as he is playing five guys only to win games. again they should have been players in the market for some help if he is that crippled for subs. that will be their achilles heel and may keep them from the western finals even.

so this relates to the suns and could be added after the mavs game as well…. last nights game emphasizes how desparate this team is for bigs, period, no matter how athletic or young they are. if woody doesnt keep them running against the bigger guys he is just playing fantank. glad he let the guys run last night, good game by the sound of it. an athletic big would be nice but there are too many situations in the east where teams have just out sized us this year and the guys beating us are not the class of amare (could add dirk here as well). those types are a phenomena that dont fall off of every tree. amare just puts the exclamation point to the needs and glaring deficiency there. let solo play against guys that aren’t all world to get a bit of confidence.

point guard is not the primary need outside of health. aj will correct some of the mismatch probs that have required either jj or chills to end up at point. though he isnt huge aj is big enough to challenge the bigger guards that have abused speedy and t lue. he also appears to have a shot which speedy didnt come with that will afford him more time on the court especially at the end of games. if not that is a significant coaching error. (didnt realize he had put on some pounds and looks more like a tall walt hazzard than the prototypical point guard).

reality check; if the hawks dont start on a run of 7 and 3 or better in the next ten games then i hope they begin to see what is on the bench, even if it looks like fantanking. we need to get some experience for soloman for sure, let sheldon get more p t unless he is injured and see if salim can run an offense for short periods or put down some outside shots to get his courage and confidence back. i would welcome a few losses if they come with this philosophy along with a change in offensive tendencies and let the boys run. it might even get us enough ping pong balls to sneak in there like toronto did last year.

think positive guys on the balls. unfortunately, i am not sure if the spirit have belatedly taken the approach that there is an outside chance to get into the playoffs and desire to raise revenues a bit before they hand over the reins. it would be a way to get a little more return on their invesment.

interesting aside, heard on 680 from hockey fan kincaid who was in boston for the game there saw belkin and tried to speak with him. he politely refused until things were solved. kincaid did note that steve didnt rise to cheer the thrasher goal to go a head and questioned him about it and only got a glare for a response. seems he still is a bean boy and likes the bruins even over the team he has invested in. geesh!

.

By Anakin Joe

February 28, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Doc, great insight about Belkin at the Thrashers/Bruins game. It sounds like he clearly has an interest in owning a team but is not neccessarily a fan.

The one advantage to Gearon is we know that he is a true Hawks fan. But his short tenure suggests that he has a major learning curve to figure out how to be a good owner (that is the optimistic view. A realist may suggest he is incompetent and relatively broke).

Okay, sounds like we all need to start wrapping pennies, washing cars, selling cookies and whatever else it takes to purchase this team.

Ando, I concede to you yesterday, I don’t understand the venom. Shaq is averaging around 20 & 9, very solid numbers. And I thought that you had offered up Iggy’s February numbers in a previous post as a sample of his greatness. I’m confused why that sample worked for you but doesn’t work for me. But hey, I’m not nearly as bright as you, so I’ll just sit quietly in the corner and watch Iggy become the 76ers foundational player.

By The Flash

February 28, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Doc, doc, you just gossiping here. Belkin is a noted personality in Boston. You think that he wants to bring attention on himself when he goes to a game? You think he wants to deal with Bruin fans coming down on him?

Ever hear of Gearon’s going to Boston and trying to cheer for the Thrashers? There would have been no need for all this litigation, if he had. Come on, doc, if and when, wait until you meet him.

By The Flash

February 28, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

BTW Doc, the hearing on the appeal is on the morrow. Only a moron would be talking to the press at this juncture, or until this is finally resolved.

Even if they lose again, you think Gearon and his boyz are going to hand the reins over, or press on with further appeals and continue to hold the franchises, which they can’t afford to run properly, hostage? Boy that Gearon sure is a fan, but the question is, “Who’s he rooting for?” I can tell you who it ain’t. You lookin in the mirror, Doc? Joe? You guys are killin me!!!

By Hawks could be good but SUCK

February 28, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

This is what ESPN thinks of Billy the dumb A$$ ATLANTA: F-minus-minus-minus-minus Already earmarked for an “F” before giving away its high No. 2 pick (an asset in a loaded draft) for Anthony Johnson, who’s bounced around the league more than Karrine Steffans and only knocks them further away from Oden/Durant. Hey, do you realize the Hawks passed on Chris Paul and Randy Foye in the past two drafts, they’re paying $13 million combined for Ty Lue, Speedy Claxton and Anthony Johnson, and there’s a decent chance they won’t own a single pick in the 2007 draft? It’s true. I might have to hold the “Atrocious GM Summit II” just to pay homage to Billy Knight’s anti-brilliance.

By CJ

February 28, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this

Iggy is a nice player but I have my reservations about him being a ‘foundation’ player. I think they partly propped him up as an excuse to trade Iverson, but we’ll see I guess.

By doc

February 28, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

flash, flash flash, maybe it was a game he might have watched from home if he didnt want folks looking to see how he would react. he wanted to make his presence known subtle or not is my guess as he had a choice to sit that one out.

none of the owners have impressed me thus far including belikn as he pushed many buttons before the thing blew up, flash, dude, please dont try to spin it any other way as it took two to tango. as a fan and not as a friend is the way i see it and we are hostages if you are a true fan of the hawks. expect more truth from you than that after all we have said. funny i make a lot more derogatory remarks against the present ownership spirit minus belkin than i have about your boy stevie but you seem blind to that. maybe the mirror is yours; my motto has been it is the owners stupid for a long time sb included until proven ohterwise a positive influence.

flash, btw kincade is the 3 to 7 talk show host on the local 680 the fan sports talk show. yes, he was looking for a rise and yes, he states that belkin was trying to avoid him from the get go. now if belkin didnt want to be seen in any capacity in a situation ripe for controversy then stay home until the whole thing blows over if it is that difficult to show his colors true or not. yes it willbe interesting as we head to court, personally i dont have a dog in the show, you do so i again i think the mirror is yours to look into for objectivity.

By The Flash

March 2, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Doc, my point was a narrow one: Belkin goes to a game of a team that he owns on a foreign court that happens to be where he lives, where he is in the news almost daily because he is trying to get approval to build the tallest building in town and one that will open a desolute neighborhood to development, and you want to read something into his wanting to stay low key, which, btw, is how the guy always presents. I mean, back in the day, you could never even tell if he got lucky, if you know what I mean.

On the other hand, Gearon, by your own take, has been holding the reins on making moves and making BK take the heat.

Truth, I have had way more contact with you, Ando, Thinking Man, over the last year than with my boy. I’d like to see him win; also think that it will be terrific for my boyz in Atlanta.

That said, I can understand your cynism. However, given how the so-called experts in Atlanta spun this entire thing from the start, and given that I believe that everyone agreed to hold their fire and that Belkin would anyway (he has never trashed anyone throughout this mess), your boy Kinwhateverhisnameis is engaging in the rankest kind of made up gossip to try to create something to say when he has nothing. With rare exceptions, and our guy Sekou is one of them, I think most talking heads have too much time on their hands and not enough to say.

Anyway, NBR, doc, but you know that already.