Hawks

By HawksKaput

March 5, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Agree 100% that the Hawks are done. I’ve watched almost every game this season and while some players look like long terms solutions, its clear that the roster is a mess without a decent PG or C. And thats from someone who is a huge T-Lue fan (when healthy).

Bottom line, Knight is responsible for this debacle. How good would Jason Terry or Boris Diaw look starting at the 1 and 4 spots in the Hawks lineup? Everyone talks about his poor drafting, but no one talks about the fact that he threw away big time players that are contributing to championship caliber teams.

By Anakin Joe

March 5, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

Ando left you message on the last blog.

Blog Z, Woody would play Oden for 45 minutes a game or for 10 minutes a game, as there doesn’t seem to be a middle ground with this guy.

I still believe that if Woody coached the Western All-Stars, they would be no more than a .500 ball club averaging 92 points per game.

By mavid

March 5, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

looks like Blog Z is on the tanking bandwagon with the rest of us!

ando, great posts at the tail-end of the last blog.

my thing is, while Oden would be perfect for this team, durant would be an incredible player too.

we get oden, we keep him and maintain much of roster

we get durant, how bout trading marvin, jchill, zaza, and the indy pick for garnett??

i gotta think that minnesota would do that. they would prolly want durant, but would take that offer too.

any pg, jj, smoove, durant, garnett is a 70-win team!

Haha, i know, its fun to dream. we could have the worst record and still not get the 1st 2 picks

By mavid

March 5, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

http://www.realgm.com/src_lottosim.php

play with that. Our odds only get better with every loss!

By mykhalc

March 5, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

ANDO, ditto on leavin’ a message on the previous blog.

this again is my feelin’ on college players comin’ into the NBA, especially at the early age most are comin’ in at…IT DON’T MEAN JACK!!! i’ll say it again…THEIR POTENTIAL DON’T MEAN JACK!! see you in 3 yrs on any of these cats!!!

now i realize that is ALL we have to go by with these young cats but this franchise is sooooo FLAWED from the top down. and that is the first thing that needs addressin’!! ODEN or DURANT under WOODSON????!!!! PLEASE SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!! in fact, as much as i’m a diehard HAWKS fans, i WOULD NOT WISH WOODSON ON ANYBODY!!! he is just that flawed, in mind, as a HC!!! take care of first things first. then we can talk about possible players makin’ some sorta impact!!! until then it’s just more inexperience bein’ guided by more inexperience!!! continually, the worst of all situations!!!

By mavid

March 5, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

mykhalc, dont forget that it is way easier to change coaches than it is to change your player personnel

if woody can’t cut it with an oden/durant added to the roster, he can be replaced (I think the owners would step in and demand it. they may be dull, but not that dull)

but, its way harder to get an impact guy like durant/oden outside the draft.

also, i think that if ATL does somehow get the 1st or 2nd pick, oden/durant would still come out for a few reasons:

1) ATL is an attractive city to live in 2) JJ, J-Smoove, Marvin. It’s not like we dont have any talent. I think the entire NBA realizes that they would be in trouble if Oden got added to this roster. 3) When you’re touted as a top 2 pick, you come out. There is ALWAYS the chance of a major injury in college. Don’t wanna miss your payday.

By Outside Observer

March 5, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

The hawks will always be the hawks. Your pick will fall at four.

By farthammer

March 5, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Blah blah more about ownership. C’mon Sekou you’re better than that! That’s not an excuse. It’s Billy. Plain and simple. He may not be the ONLY reason this team isn’t making the playoffs again (and doesn’t have it’s top 5 pick to look forward to), but this team IS NOT getting better until Billy Knight is jobless.

By Volman

March 5, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

Guys, I really don’t think we can talk about Oden/Durant right now… I really doubt that this franchise will end up with that top 3 pick.. why dream about it?

We need to seriously look at the Indy pick and see what this team could get with that..

What do you all think/who do you want at that mid-round pick?

If we do, by chance, get that top 3 pick… Definitely try for Oden and hire a new coach… Playoffs.

Come on Hawks… play tough in Miami… PUT SOLOMON IN, WOODY!

By mavid

March 5, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

why dream about it?

its more the realization that 2-3 wins could be the difference between the 3rd worst record and the 6th or 7th.

The following are the odds that a certain lottery position will end up with a #1-3 pick:

1. 64%
2. 56%
3. 47%
4. 38%
5. 29%
6. 22%
7. 15%

47% vs. 15% is something to think about

By Jay

March 5, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

Do all of your blog topics have to end with an exclamation point?

By jhan

March 5, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

Didn’t the JTerry trade end up netting us JSmith? If that is true, I’ll take JSmith over Terry. Give me JJ over Diaw any day. I understand your point, but those are bad examples.

I’ve joined the ‘tanking’ bandwagon at this point. Let’s run Solomon, Salim & Batista until they drop. I would like to see Salim jack about 12-15 shots per game to see if he gets into a groove. If this kid has a confident stroke, he can truly be a scorer in this league.

By Volman

March 5, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

That other FIFTY THREE PERCENT needs to get accounted for when talking about these percentages.

The Hawks are WAY better than the bottom 3 teams, and that’s why I’m saying they won’t make the bottom 3.

Alright, alright.. I’ll dream along with you guys too and hope we can get that top-3 pick!

By mavid

March 5, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

i wouldnt necessarily say the hawks are WAY better than philly or boston (with a healthy pierce and jefferson is who starting to come into his own)

we clearly arent better than the bobcats (they own us all the time)

we also arent better than the bucks (mo williams, michael redd, charlie V, bogut is a balanced roster we can only dream of)

we may be about the same as seattle, even tho they actually are better at the 1 and 5 positions (which they suck at too)

these are all the teams in the race for the top picks

memphis will have to do a lot of winning to surrender the worst record. i just dont see it happening.

The main problem is, our record isnt really that difficult from here on out. The reality is that we probably will win too many games and give phoneix the 4th or 5th pick (which the rest of the NBA will hate BK for)

By mykhalc

March 5, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

the dream you cats have is that you think you can cheat/manipulate/tank/sorta tank (wink wink) fate!!!! well dream on!!! i’m all about play it out FOR REAL and i’ll take the ping pongs however they bounce, roll, or whatever the f$$k they do!!!

and i’ve been callin’ for a lineup of JC, JJ, JS, MW, and SOLO since january!!! i’m still callin’ for it and it ain’t for tankin’ either!!!!

By mavid

March 5, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

mykhalc, i agree that now is the time to give solomon some real minutes (15-20 a game)

the season is over, its time to see what this kid can really do

By HB Ando

March 5, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

Mavid, thanks for addressing Volman, so I didn’t have to. Spot on.

Joe, I appreciate the clarification. Without going into my same spiel, my concern is all the inhibiting factors that will likely keep us from making any significant improvements for next year. I said it earlier today, and I’ll say it again. Woody won’t be the head coach here next year. He’ll either be scapegoated by the Spirit (if they maintain the team), or rightfully cast out with Billy-boy if Belkin wins. You know I think that Billy should be head MOST accountable for this tragic joke (not solely), but I doubt that the Spirit ousts him before Woody. Would not be surprised to see them booted at the same time.

If we DO happen to luck into keeping our top-3 pick, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it packaged (unless it’s 1 or 2 and BOTH Oden and Durant come out). I think everybody knows that getting younger isn’t the solution for dwindling fan apathy and plummeting ticket sales (which is what they can expect without a top pick or any significant off-season moves).

Myc, I’m not sure you’re giving some of the key Hawks players enough credit for knowing that they need an infusion of talent in a BIG way, and that with all the other factors I’ve harped on here, incessantly, keeping that pick is the most likely path. They have to know they need an upgrade in the post. They have to know that ownership is hamstrung. They have to know that without that pick, it will have to be a trade of one of the swing men and probably something like Indy’s pick, to get a veteran upgrade inside. They have agents, and they know what the word around the league is. They have to know that folks (free agents)look at Joe’s decision to come here and think, “I don’t want any of that”.

So while I can’t say I’m right, I can say that there is a logic that would support the idea that some of the Hawks players might go on cruise control, in hopes of getting a shot at Oden or Durant. Players want talent to join them. These guys regularly recruit one another, when a top player is becoming a free agent. I can imagine that Joe Johnson sees the value in having the best shot at Oden that we can. He knows he needs help here. He knows that help is not on the way if it’s left to Billy and the Spirit. I know the idea is hard to accept, but you have to give a real solid consideration.

SS, are you stealing my ideas? Just a few days ago I posted about how sad it was that the two most important days/events on this years’ Hawks calender, are the Maryland court date and the draft lottery. You have to keep up, son. We’ll see you on Wednesday. Enjoy Miami and don’t try to pull any crime with Horatio Cain around. That dude and his CSI’s always get their man………….

By Wedgie Evans

March 5, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

Interesting choice potentially for the Hawks, if by some miracle they get a top-2 pick. On the one hand you have Oden, who fills the biggest need on this team, which is a post presence on both ends of the floor. On the other hand you have Durant, who will probably be a better player, but who is basically another small forward. It doesn’t matter that he’s 6’11”… his tendencies are still more like a 3, and he’d duplicate a lot of the things Josh Smith does. So what do you do if you get Durant? Trade the existing players, including Josh Smith, for the best big guy possible?

Then again, having been a Hawks fan for a long time, I’m inclined to agree with Outside Observer… based on our history, we’ll probably get the 4th pick and send it to Phoenix. David Stern hates Atlanta.

PS. Please play Solomon Jones more. I’m so sick of seeing Zaza Pachulia and his backne for 30 minutes every game.

By jhan

March 5, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

Marvin took one in the mug!

I can’t condone injuring another player, but I would love to see someone get hammered for daring to enter the lane against the Hawks like that.

By ray

March 5, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

Yeesh. Grind it out basketball against the Heat? Who’s idea was THAT? Oh wait, we’re supposed to be tanking.

By Volman

March 5, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

Ando, I’m sorry my point of view isn’t good enough for you to even respond to. I really hope you’re not trying to belittle my opinions on here. Come on now. We’re all on this blog for one thing…The Hawks.

I’m just saying the chances of hoping for a ping pong ball to get pulled is something tough to control…wait, you can’t. The only thing the Hawks can control is THE GAME.

Talent-wise, the Hawks are as good/better than the other “bottom-feeders” in the league. When it comes down to wins/losses, the Hawks aren’t performing… BUT, talent wise.. they measure up when healthy.

Mavid, what is the difference, then, between the Hawks and the other bottom-feeders towards the end of the season? Why WILL the Hawks win more games? Should they not LOSE more if they aren’t superior to those other teams?

Go Hawks.

By mykhalc

March 5, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

fellas, just checkin’ in on the boxscore at the end of the 3rd. and what the hell is goin’ on with the PT and rotations??? HUH????????? and SPEEDY???? is he back in the ‘healin’ chamber’???? fill a brotha in!!!

VOLMAN, where u at????LOL

By mavid

March 5, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

volman, hawks have a chance to win more games because of the fact they have an easier schedule

I don’t deny that the hawks have a brighter future outlook than some of these teams (i mean, our best players are in their early 20s)… but as of now, we arent all that much better is all

Looks like we may actually be tanking. Look at the minutes given to batista!

By mykhalc

March 5, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

well BATISTA was more freakin’ productive than LW!!!! soooooo is that tankin’???????? MAYBE, just MAYBE he shoulda been playin’ all the F’n time!!!! i have no words that can describe my view of WOODSON!!!!! maybe JOKE!!!

By Mike

March 5, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

Ya its pretty obvious what left for the rest of the season? I watch the Heat game and it’s no way you take Solomon out of the game tonight. If anybody doesn’t think Woodson coaching is not hampering this team, they didn’t see tonight’s game. Pat Riley was not going let Joe beat’em tonight. If you’re Woodson you gotta play Salim tonight. Use Joe as a decoy. What do the Hawks; they keep trying to force the ball to Joe. You gotta expect teams jogging for seeding in the playoff to take Joe away and make someone else on the Hawks team beat. It’s not that Woodson can’t coach, because he’s a good coach, but he’s limited in terms offensive creativity. He makes the guys play defense you have to give him credit for that. Then you gotta blame BK for not drafting players that fit his system. Having said that, if you’re the head coach you need assistance that can compliment what you’re trying to accomplish. None of his assistance has a clue when it comes to creative offensive sets. Maybe Woody needs to add Steve Smith to his staff. Other than that, you have to consider bring in another coach that capable utilize the skills of the players have. The talent on the Hawks is built for up tempo basketball.

By Dan

March 5, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

I don’t think there is any chance that this team manages to hold on to that lottery pick. That would require luck and they just do not have any. They will probably draw the #4 pick in the lottery, just to make it hurt a little worse. Why do I care about this team?!?!

Screw Speedy for being hurt again. I almost threw my romote control when I saw that clown was in street clothes again. Just keep collecting the pay check, ars hole! I hate that guy. He is the worst thing to happen to this organization since Pete Babcock.

By reese

March 5, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Well, I almost fainted when I saw Solomon Jones and Zaza on the court tonight at the same time in the 3rd qtr. I’m glad the kid played well in his small stint on the floor.

I’m not even upset with woodson for taking zaza out the game. He gave up on the play and let mourning get a easy layup. Plus, he shielded solomon who was trying to come and help.

Again JJ is playing too many minutes. If he is not going to be aggressive on the court, I just don’t see the need to have him out there for 45 minutes. I wouldn’t care that he had 5 turnovers, but they were in situations where he was being agressive. I thought that his stint at playing point guard last year would have improved his passing and dribbling as well as his court awareness of where defense players are attacking. Maybe he should sit more and strategize with the coaches.

By mykhalc

March 5, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

and you wonder why i was sooooooooooooooooooooooo pi$$ed when WOODSON, in his ALL KNOWINGNESS, put him back into the startin’ lineup!!!!?????!!!! WOODSON IS A JOKE THAT CANNOT COACH OR MANAGE THIS TEAM!!! ALL HIS MOVES ARE THAT OF AN ASST COACH!!! OH THAT’S WHAT HE REALLY IS!! ‘NOUGH SAID

maybe not…between him and BELKIN, i DO NOT know who’s worse!!??? ok i do…IT’S BELKIN…hands down!!! GREED and INEPTNESS!!! the one-two punch for us HAWKS fans!!!

By Volman

March 5, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Mykhalc, this game was just really boring to say the LEAST. It seemed like a foul fest in the first half (fouling Shaq everytime he got the ball)..

This was a game that the Hawks “should” have won, but didn’t. Kapono got hurt… Wade is hurt… The Heat don’t really have any scorers, and the Hawks didn’t score the ball at all. The Hawks looked REALLY lethargic out there… Why wasn’t Speedy playing? A.J. looked good out there, but couldn’t really knock down any open shots…

I kept looking to see if Joe Johnson was on the court.. he was a nonentity the ENTIRE game. How come they were doubling Joe, yet no Hawks could get open for a shot?

I REALLY liked seeing that so many Hawks got playing time… Heck, Esteban got in there to battle Shaq down low… Solomon got some extended PT, and Shelden got a good amount as well.

What about any love for Salim? Let’s face it.. Woody must not like him for some reason.

The Hawks brought this game back to a really close game later on in the 4th, but the Heat answered every single time with a 3 point shot (something this Hawks team is very vulnerable to late in the game for some reason).. Eddie Jones killed us in the 4th with some of his 3’s.

Mykhalc, this game was not fun to watch at all.. Childress looked like he was the only one out there giving his all tonight.. He had some BEAUTIFUL moves off of the dribble….

The Hawks and the Heat both tied for rebounds (I think 40 each) and points in the paint (36 each)…so, I don’t think that those two categories were that big of a problem… The Hawks played great defense in the first quarter, but seriously COULD NOT score at all.

Shaq pushed YOUR SOLOMON down on the ground with one hand (haha). Solomon looked good, battled, and competed… I wish he could have blocked some shots when he was in. People aren’t intimidated by him.

Did anyone see Shaq’s clothesline (WWE Style) on Marvin? Wow, that was a tough foul on Marvin. It really hurt us tonight because I feel that Marvin is “the guy” who gets the open jump shots (and sometimes knocks them down) when Joe get’s doubled… The Hawks simply didn’t have an answer for the double team tonight.

Can someone keep T-Lue on the bench right now? NONE of his shots are falling… I’d like to see Salim get a shot right now…

Hope this helps with an idea of the game and how it went…

I guess we’re one more game closer to those ping pong balls? That’s what we’re all aiming for, right?

By Volman

March 5, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

mavid, I know! We MIGHT just be tanking! Hahaa…. Seriously, how many screens can one guy set on an offensive possession? Esteban pretty much brought double teams to Joe Johnson himself, and Joe is too afraid to throw him the ball… It’s a lost cause.

Like I said… 1 step closer to the ping pong balls?

CLYDE come out of hiding!

By Volman

March 5, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Wasn’t Salim the guy who scored what…21 in one quarter? Why isn’t this guy seeing the court? SEKOU, we need answers, please!!!!!!!!!

By mykhalc

March 5, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

VOLMAN, you’re my eyes bro!!!LOL big mahalos man!!! headed to gym to work off my ANTI-WOODSON, ANTI-BELKIN vibe!! check back in and post more later!!!

my boy, SOLO (THE THIN MAN) showin’ his skills!!! NICE!!!

SPEEDY, call it a year PLEEEEEEASE!!!!!

WOODSON, call it, TIME UP!!!!!!

By Volman

March 5, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to compare Solomon to Esteban, but I just have to (they are our “left out” big guys)….

Solomon can’t push around down low (yet) like Esteban can, but I think overall Solomon will be more beneficial to this team. I am HOPING that he can turn into a Garnett-type player (NO NO NO, not the jump shot skills and playmaking ability) but that his BODY will mature a little more like Garnett’s did… The two have the same body type. If Solomon can be a DEFENSIVE presence off of the bench who can catch and finish alley-oops, then I’d be pretty happy.

Atleast the “bench” in the NBA is a nice ergonomic seat for each player. His butt/back can’t be hurting THAT much.

Woody HAS TO BE reading these blogs.. He has to know that we are all calling for Solomon Jones!

Guys, we need to push the SALIM button now! I’m telling you, if the Hawks want to do a marketing campaign to get some butts in those seats, then they should do the “coaching by committee” where us bloggers can insert starting lineups/player rotations…and even do substitutions via the internet (I could get that setup…heck, I DO go to Georgia Tech).

I am pretty sure there’s a AA Baseball team that does that. We do have some good basketball minds out here to be coaches… or else big egos!

By mavid

March 6, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this

its time to play some players to give them enhanced trade value. specifically salim, shelden, and esteban

By Reggie

March 6, 2007 2:52 AM | Link to this

Thank you to everyone who knows that Salim,Solomon,and Batista need to get more pt. Woodson’s decision not to play Salim is 100% personal,someone over him has to force him to play those kids. L.w,Speedy,Za-Za are you kidding me.Why keep sending the same lineup out there to get beat game after game.I use to think the g.m had to go but its the coach.Woody keep making those bad choiches and I guarentee this will be your first and last head coaching job. To Salim-keep your head up and continue to be a pro even though your coach isnt. Even if we dont get a top pick a new coach will use the obvious talent sitting on the bench. FIRE WOODSON!!!!!!!!

By Chris D'

March 6, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

If the Pacers keep sliding we might be looking at no draft picks next year.

The perfect storm would be the Pacers go into the lottery and pull off the miracle and get a top 3 pick and the Hawks get the 4th pick.

By Chris D'

March 6, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this

Interesting we play the Pacers twice more this season and the last game of the year is against….Da PACERS

By kdp003

March 6, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

This was definitely a winnable game. We did a pretty good job containing Shaq, no Wade, no Kapono for most of the game. We basically let Eddie Jones beat us.

I didn’t think that we would intentionally tank the rest of the season but looking at tonight’s game, the Hawks definitely looked like they were tanking. None of the players looked like they were even trying or playing with any enthusiasm, aside from Chill. In the 3rd quarter, I kept asking why isn’t JJ out there? Then I looked and he was out there the whole time. He definitely was a non-factor.

Glad to see Este, Solo, and Shelden get some minutes. They actually looked half-decent.

Not that I’m mad about it, but anybody know why Speedy wasn’t dressed? I wish we would just buy out the rest of his contract and be done with him.

By Willie Coyote

March 6, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

If Woodson wasn’t from the Larry Brown School of Not-Playing-Rookies-Because They’re-Rookies and give Solomon a chance at center, it may not be quite as important to sneak into the top 3. I’m not saying that Solomon is the answer for the Hawks over an Oden, Noah, or whoever, but he goes out and plays well enough to earn more minutes and Woodson just won’t play him.

By vickisick

March 6, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

another game on sportsouth….whew, what a franchise. even if the hawks lose out, they’ll get screwed out of any lottery pick. the earlier poster is right: david stern hates the hawks and there is no way in hell they’ll get a lottery pick.

the front office can’t evaluate players anyway so what does it matter where they draft. an absolute fking embarrassment to this city. i’m through caring two shts about this team. take it back to the tri-cities. this front office is the worst run franchise in professional sports.

By Dee

March 6, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

The Hawks has a few games here in Atl so what we all should do when we come out to the games is shout out PUT IN SALIM & SOLOMON!!!!!! over and over again so that he would look stupid if he doesn’t…that’s how u get what u want as fans!!

By Anakin Joe

March 6, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Blog Z, did I miss it or did you just decide that writing about Craig Claxton missing last night’s game wasn’t worth a few pecks on the keyboard?

That was a nasty fall Marvin took. I hope he takes care of that back and doesn’t rush back. What’s the point?

Amazing to see AJ play well, after Woody stopped playing him in the last few games. And of course, Solomon looked worthy of playing every night, but we all knew that.

mychalc, it was a FUGLY game. Neither team could shoot for about 2.5 quarters. And Riley showed why he is a defensive mastermind. He took away JJ and the Hawks died on the vine.

Abe, I think you mentioned this a few weeks ago. Josh Smith makes some of the most bone-headed plays in the NBA. I’m loving the production over the past 20-25 games, but DAMN, he makes some plays that make you want to send him to his room without dinner.

By Dee

March 6, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Hey..let’s all petition Steve Smith to be the Hawks new head coach. The guy knows what he is talking about as he anounces the game. He has points when we should play full court defense when Woody (wood-pecker) lets the players pick up at half court. Steve knows when JJ should have the ball & when Salim should come into the game. And the biggest reason why I would love for Steve to take over, because he mentions Solomon Jones all the time!! How much he should be playin and how he just “LOVES” the guy. How many of yall agree that Steve Smith should at least get an interview at the coaching position?

By ray

March 6, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Stern doesn’t hate the Hawks, but he probably hates Knight. But then, the head count on that population is probably rather high anyway…

Woody should not have this job next year. No way, no how. Same for Billy. Even the Spirit, should they retain ownership of this team, should see that. And get this: no matter what the explanation for all the losing-tanking or otherwise-anything less than a 8-10 game improvement in the W category this season must be considered a failure. Especially since last year’s win total doubled from the previous year’s total. And that failure should spawn the jettison of two scapegoats. They’ve already been named. Overhauling the team via player personnel has already been tried. Time to do the same in management.

By William

March 6, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Batista, Sheldon Williams and Solo all outplayed Lo Wright with fewer minutes last night. Sheldon was a better rebounder, Batista was setting monster screens and banging people around, and Solo once again forces people to miss by challenging shots. They all played like they deserved more minutes. Anyone want to be they all get DNP’s for the next game? Tyronne Lue playing when his game is obviously off, the Heat are leaving him open for jumpers, but he can’t hit them. Salim is sitting right there and you don’t budge. Anthony Johnson who’s minutes have been cut the last few games since Lue got back gets proper minutes and plays in a way that makes you wonder what would have happend had he been playing when it mattered in the Knick and Wizard game.

Our coach ladies and gentlemen.

By firehawk

March 6, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Looking at the rest of the schedule, which isn’t too bad, I can see the hawks struggling to even top last years 26 win total. True hawks fans must love to suffer, all I heard in the off season was how this team was going to prove everyone wrong and take the next step. Yep they have taken the next logical step all right, backwards. To top off all the gnashing of teeth, the hawks will lose their spot in the top 3 and the suns will get their pick! The icing on the cake could be drawn out court battle that leaves a black cloud hanging over this franchise for years to come.

By Anakin Joe

March 6, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Ray I agree that BK and Woody should be fired regardless of who ends up with the ownership. I just think this thing will take the better part of the summer (including appeals).

Dee, I like Steve Smith. But if he is interested in coaching, then he should put in the work and become an assistant. Personally, I want an experienced head coach next time around. My long-documented preference is Bill Laimbeer. Yes, I know, his head coaching experience is in the WNBA. But much like an NFL head coach gets the job based on who he will hire for his staff, I’m convinced that Laimbeer would surround himself will really good assistants (like Rick Mahorn) and will bring a definite attitude and personality to the team. He has 2 rings as a player and 2 as an WNBA head coach. I like his credentials. Adelman would also be great, especially if he installs the Princeton offense. With all of these long athletes with better than average passing skills, that would be a great offense for this roster. And that offense does not require a traditional PG as everyone has responsibility for moving the ball.

By mykhalc

March 6, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

ANDO, i will say this, you present your side/view/arguments so well sometimes i have to stop and go hmmmm????LOL still don’t buy it but i hesistated there for a minute!LOL and like you, i DO NOT know that i’m right, just merely statin’ my perspective on the tank thing. but you framed your argument very well my friend (especially in the last 2 posts)!! and i GET IT!!!

VOLMAN, JOE, thanks for the recaps. VOLMAN, really do appreciate you takin’ the time to break it down again as you see it!!!

you know, more than anythin’ about this season, I HATE seein’ the team handicapped by the coachin’ of WOODSON!! i know ANDO and others want to throw BK it there first, and deservedly so maybe. but it’s WOODSON, nite-in nite-out, that REALLY F’N brings me to throwin’ sh$t at my screen!!! he, first and foremost, not quite single-handedly tho, has ruined my enjoyment of watchin’ (boxscore watchin’) the YOUNG GUNS take the next step in their growth!!!! HE CANNOT LEAVE FAST ENOUGH FOR ME!!!!

By Anakin Joe

March 6, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

A few quick stats on Anthony Johnson:

3 games with more than 28 minutes:

16 points per game 58% FG Shooting 60% on 3s 2.75 Assist:Turnover Ratio No Free Throws (he fits right in with this cream-puff team)

Ty Lue is something like 3/18 since his return.

Neither will be that good/bad next season, but they look like a pretty decent 1-2 punch. If AJ could shed some of those Krispy Kreme donuts, he will surely be worth more than a 2nd round pick.

By mykhalc

March 6, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

JOE, your post to DEE is spot on!!! and i especially like the offense that DOES NOT require the tradidtional PG!! ‘cause that’s what we have in CHILLS right now!!!

people can b$tch and moan about JC not bein’ a 1 but again the fact is, the lineup with the CORE 4 and ZAZA PRODUCES GOOD RESULTS!!!! and as RAY mentioned recently, you put a difference maker at the 5 and that unit has EVEN MORE possibilties of takin’ it to the next level!!! i like your idea and like the choice of ADELMAN too!!! well said!!

By Nostradumbazz

March 6, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

In the coming week, it is written that the birds of prey, clad in red and golden garb and determined to protect their own nest, will vanquish four consecutive opponents.

These victories will prompt many of their easily impressed followers to, once again, forget the ineptitude of the past several years. They will proclaim that the franchise is indeed headed in the right direction, and that just one or two additional players are needed to contend for a championship.

And Nostradumbazz will laugh, heartily, at their ignorance.

By preston

March 6, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

I didn’t watch the game last night b/c I have given up on Woodson, and from reading some of the blogs here, it looks like he was up to his usual shananigans…..overplaying his starters….horrible game time adjustments and substitutions….leaving Salim and Solomon out to dry on the bench…..I have become so frustrated. This is not a bad team….inspite of the past draft gaffes, this team still has a good core group of talented players, and we should at the very least be a 500 team competing for the playoffs….easily, and it is all being wasted by Woodson. We should not still be in a “rebuilding mode” after 3 yrs with Woodson…the core group has a couple yrs of cohesiveness in playing together, they know and understand Woodson’s philosphy, but his system, and style of coaching just does not work for this team.

By Dee

March 6, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Anakin Joe u make sense on the Bill Laimbeer but I doubt very seriously that he would want to come to a team like the Hawks. With the owners situations here, I don’t think he would want to put his reputation on the line. I considered Steve cause he has nothing to lose, he understands what the Hawks organization is going through, he makes a heck of a lot more sense than Woodson, I believe he will give the players freedom, and I think he would be a breathe of fresh air. I really dont believe experenced/seasoned coaches would want to jeoperdized their records to come to Atlanta, so if I had to choose one who has nothing to lose but everything to gain, I would say Steve Smith

By Volman

March 6, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

What about Rick Adelman? The guy brought Sacramento to 8 straight playoff appearances.. The guy can coach.

By honest_abe

March 6, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

steve smith has no coaching experience you nimbwit.

bring in doug collins!

aj.. jsmith sometimes falls into the trap of trying to get too cute at times. he needs to just play ball and stop trying to be a combination of magic, larry and michael… ah what am i talking about… do whatever you want! you bastards suck!! heh

an extended losing streak takes me places i dont’ like to go…

it really sucks donkey bollocks being a hawks fan!

By Mike

March 6, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Dee What you said about shouting out Salim and Solomon name might work. I remember being at a playoff game when the Hawks were playing Detroit. Grant Hill was the leader of the team at that time. The ref’s was making some terrible calls. We were sitting by the tunnel when the ref’s came by at half time. We started booing the ref’s and the whole crowd got involved. It worked that night. The ref’s got so Pee’ed they made it a point to call every foul they could on the Hawks in the second half. They wanted to make a point that they heard us booing them. Woodson might respond the same way, but it would be good to let Woodson know the fans want to see these guys get more playing time. I’ve said all alone it’s personal with Salim. It goes back to the flare up they had last year. I think Woodson has had more than enough time coaching this team. You see it all the time in professional sports. Some guys are just better at being assistance than being head coaches. If Woodson is allowed to return next year, the organization should demand he bring in some offensive minded assistance. If we bring in another coach, my choice is Rudy T. He won two rings with the Houston Rockets, and I think he would be a great fit for the team.

By Dee

March 6, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

honest_abe I understand that Steve Smith has no coaching experence but who does when its their 1st time coaching? How do one get coaching experience until they coach?? Did Isiah Thomas have coaching experience before he took over New York? Did Larry Bird have coaching experience before he took over Indiana?? Did Avery Johnson have coaching experience before he started w/ Dallas Mav??? Must I go on? You must start somewhere. Give them a try and if they cant delivery, replace them. That’s what u would do with any employee, right!!

By mykhalc

March 6, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

GUESS WHAT??!!! HAWKS fans finally have a SURE thing!!! the court thing only has the possibility of ONE appeal…that bein’ to the MD SUPREME COURT!!!! finally there is a finality to SOMETHIN’ IN SIGHT!!!!!

I NEED FINALITY ON WOODSON’s EXIT!!!! PLEEEEEEEEAAASSSSEEE!!!!!

By mykhalc

March 6, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

DEE, hate to tell ya but yes they did!! ISIAH coached at INDY not sure before that. AVERY was an asst before HC. not sure about BIRD.

we get your point but MOST HC’s pay their dues by workin’ their way thru the ranks!!!

By honest_abe

March 6, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

isaiah thomas? larry bird? are you freakin kidding me? they both sucked as coaches.

as for avery he was an assistant learning from gool ol don nelson.

sure lets go from clueless woody to another first time head coach.. that’s just brilliant dee. maybe you should apply to be the new gm!

By Kappy

March 6, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Umm, Dee, Isiah Thomas coached in Indiana too. But I get your point.

By Dee

March 6, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Ok Isiah Thomas coached at Indiana 1st, that was still his 1st coaching position!! I’m a female an I have been playing basketball since age 5 and I’m now 29. I have been on many basketball teams/camps/aau and have won many championships games. I would say about 2 of my coaches have never played basketball in their life but were basketball educated. They knew how to lead a team to victory. They had no coaching experience.

Dont get me wrong, I too would love for a veteran/expericed coach to come here, but you tell me who in their right mind would really want to come here under these circumstances??????? With the ownership junk, BK drafting wrong players, not-very-supporting-fans??? I mean, really??

By mykhalc

March 6, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

DEE, welcome to BLOG HEAVEN and HAWKS HELL!!!LOL

as much as i like STEVE SMITH, it would be just another experiment!!! this team NEEDS EXPERIEMCED and PROVEN leadership at HC position!!! no more experiments with the UNPROVEN!!!

our best hope right now is to pray that ALL the courts renderings are FULLY COMPLETED in 6 to 9 months!! ‘cause i’m not sure how much will change before all that is completed. tho i’ll continually call for WOODSON to be ousted on a DAILY BASIS!!!!! but your points are valid ones, that for sho’!!!

By honest_abe

March 6, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

it’s not like i go out and try to get into with female either.. they just get under my skin on this blog… no offense dee.. i’m actually referring to all my childish outbursts with the “bp” … heh

something about the hawks blog and women and i go psycho…

By Dee

March 6, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

What..are u gay, honest_abe?

By Dee

March 6, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Dont respond to that, honest_abe. I’m just kiddin!!

By Kappy

March 6, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Ouch. Abe just took one below the belt! Ha!

By Dee

March 6, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

I just have 1 question and I would like for you to be totally honest with me. If you were a Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, you name it…would u really want to come to the Hawks??? A team who gets zero respect as an NBA team? A team who gets no love for the players on the team such as JSMoove who has proven to be an ALL Star.(no, he’s no Lebron or Kobe but he spreads the stats very well consistantly). A team who just bearly was able to welcome a player to the All Star game with JJ.(no, he hasnt been shining like an All Star as of late but he was early in the season before Woody wood-pecker has tired the poor guy out). A team with a GM name Billy Knight. A team whose fans come out to cheer for the opposing team and boo’s their own team…ummm?? I would say, NOT

By Anakin Joe

March 6, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

mychalc where did you get that info about only 1 appeal on the court case? And Zeke coached in Toronto even before he landed the Indy gig. Remember, he coached Damon Stoudemire to the ROY award.

Dee, welcome to the blog. I hope you stay. We can use some ladies in this den of hard legs. And don’t let Abe upset you. He’s a good guy who doesn’t take losing very well. We’re mostly civil around here, even when we disagree.

Abe stop running off the ladies. She may be featured in the latest SI Swimsuit issue. YUM!

By mykhalc

March 6, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

JOE, i might be wrong but the way i understood/understand it, the NON-BELKIN owners wanted to get the case heard by MD SUPREME COURT and bypass the COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS. right??? so, in my mind, they were aimin’ to have the rulin’ be a FINAL one if heard by the MD SUPREME CT. so again, in my mind, the loser of the case with the rulin’ comin’ up, will only have the ability to appeal the rulin’ to the MD SUPREME CT, thus makin’ THAT appeal and rulin’ the FINAL ONE???!!!

now this is ALL from the mind of an abused and worn-out HAWKS fans!!! i could be waaaaay off tho!!???

FLASH, jump in and set things straight!!!

By honest_abe

March 6, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

shoot…….. i didn’t know dee was a shemale until she admitted she was. i just spot really stupid posts and point them out. heh

i’m just kiddin too dee :)

truce

By J.W. Booth

March 6, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Evidently, honest_abe is suffering from brain damage.

In a previous post, he said that Larry Bird “sucked” as a coach.

As a matter of fact, in three seasons as coach of the Pacers, Bird guided the team to three trips to the Eastern Conference finals, and one trip to the NBA Finals.

What honestabe really meant to say is that “honestabe sucks”.

By Dee

March 6, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

:) Truce..honest_abe

By doc

March 6, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

i think dee is ando in drag the way she posts!

welcome dee. honest will cool down as he takes his lumps twice today, downin on the bird who really was a good coach. someone has already pointed it out.

now honest you need to look very deep and see if this thing with females goes deep into your dna heritage and really is a cultural thing. it might be good to know. if you dont, you may never get in touch with your female self that all males have and need to eventually come to grips with.

By Anakin Joe

March 6, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Anyone know the status of Woody’s contract? I thought that he originally signed a 3-year deal (which would be expiring in a few weeks). Am I wrong or did he get an extension?

Anyone else notice the other night the similarities between Antawn Jamison and Marvin Williams? Seems like that may be the more accurate “upside” comparison for young Marvin Gaye Williams. Check out Jamison tomorrow night and see for yourself.

By Dee

March 6, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

Wow, I’ll take that as a compliment! Must mean I know what i’m talking about on here..Trust me, I’m all woman!! No drag here..I’m a married woman with a 3month old son. Trying to get him ready to carry the Hawks in year 2020!

By Dee

March 6, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

I’m just a smart black female who knows her stuff about basketball!! (smile)

By honest_abe

March 6, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

lol thanks for the sage advice as always doc.. you’ve been watching too many episodes of lost! actually you might have a point in the whole cultural thing. but, i like to think i’m better than those who actually grew up in the motherland. or i hope.

i shouldn’t have responded so quickly without even thinking. bird was a good coach. my memory escapes me as to why he quit. his heart wasn’t in it? i’m sure john wilkes will fill me in :)

is dee aka basketball princess?

as for the hawks… looks like ando’s getting his wish. sorry bastards! damn i like to think of myself as a fairly patient guy. i always used the crutch that this team is rebuilding and i guess i understand they are still young. but these extended losing streaks are just unbearable. where is the progress?

how many months till football starts again?

By mavid

March 6, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

the hawks and wizards are very comparable

based on what they bring to the game

JJ is like arenas smoove is like butler marvin is like jamison

however, both butler and jamison are still more polished than their younger counterparts. our guys have a higher ceiling tho

By HB Ando

March 6, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

Both Adelman and Rudy T. have the track record for developing consistent, fundamentally sound teams. Very few inexperienced coaches have succeeded recently, certainly not those without prior assistant coaching experience. I don’t think any legitimate coach will come here with Billy Knight and the Spirit running the team. I think Woody is gone either way, as I’ve been saying for the last week or so. And whether it’s as a scapegoat (less arguable after what we’ve seen this season), or on it’s own merits, it’s still best.

Steve Smith is a competent analyst, and an easy to like personality. It doesn’t mean he could translate his observations, or successful career as a player, into a legitimate head coaching candidacy. But whoever replaces Woody, should Billy remain, they will likely be dealing with the same imbalanced roster, and ill-fitting players, as Woody. I don’t agree with anyone who believes that a better coach would have led this lineup to the playoffs.

And as far as bottom-feeders go, I can’t agree with Volman, though I respect his right to disagree. This team is not better than the other bad teams in the league. Assuming that the records are drastically different than the draft lottery results, as well as assuming that Oden and Durant are coming out (I have no real reason to believe otherwise), I’d take either Memphis, with Gasol, Miller, Gay, Warrick, and a top-2 pick, over JJ, Smith and no pick. I’d take Boston, with Pierce, Jefferson, Green and D. West, and a top-2 pick, over Atlanta, all day long. Pierce may be too old to wait for Durant or Oden to develop. But his market value can easily get a top young player two, to build around Durant on the outside and Jefferson on the inside. If Philly ends up with a top-3 pick, I like their core of Miller, Igoudala and Dalembert better than ours, sans a top-3 pick. I like Toronto and Milwaukee better (they’ve lost a ton of games, to injury, with Redd and Villanueva, but with both healthy, Mo Williams, a developing Bogut, and a top-7 pick, they’re a better roster, balance-wise, right now). That’s my opinion. It’s certainly arguable. But there’s no way for me, or anyone who disagrees, to objectify their position. All those teams have better young big men than us. All but Memphis have better PG’s, and that’s a wash. And, unless we get lucky, all those teams have a top-six pick in this upcoming draft. From where I’m sitting, we’re seriously bumming.

See, here’s the thing it keeps coming down to: with a top-5 pick, this team has something to build on, or assets to balance things out. Without that pick, we have to sacrifice Marvin or Childress to seek out a legitimate big man. And, now, thanks to Billy, we’ve got a good amount of cash tied up in a 3 or 4-headed point guard, with not a single legitimate NBA starter out of the bunch. Nobody is taking on Speedy’s contract. It’s every bit as bad a contract as all the deals that Billy was given props for clearing out a few years ago. Who wants Shelden? Who wants Speedy? What will Lue, Wright, or even Zaza, at this point, get you, that’s a serious upgrade in the paint? It’s Marvin or Childress, and whatever somebody else thinks is worth adding in so they can get one of those two guys. It’s probably our Indy pick, if it’s going to be someone truly worth playing down low.

Aldridge had 30 points the other night. He’s going to keep getting better. But I think it was Joe who pointed out that he won’t be able to play his most comfortable spot on the floor, as long as Randolph is there. I’ll still think it’s paying more than he would have had to if he’d done it when I suggested it before last years’ draft (Childress and our #5 for Jack and their pick), but, with Marvin from that area, and a perfect outside complement to Randolph’s inside game, I’d be OK with offering Marvin for Aldridge. I don’t know if that’s the answer, but it’s going to take Marvin, and a projection on a young players’ realistic potential to develop into a top big man, for us to get something done. Nobody is going to ship us a finished product, a player who’s already at the top of his low-post game. Those guys are too hard to find, and too hard to develop. The Hawks will have to use quality scouting to project the right guy (something they’ve shown very little aptitude for in the last few years).

We’re now in a 3-way tie for the 3rd worst record in the league (yes, I predicted that we would fade, while those teams like Milwaukee and Philly would rise, about six weeks ago). There really isn’t any value in finishing above any of the other teams in our range.

Pride isn’t worth losing a top-3 pick. And while there are no guarantees, we need every possible ping pong ball we can get.

Things here are just that desperate………….

By HB Ando

March 6, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

Joe, I always thought Marvin has better handle and ability to get to the rack. I’ve compared him to a young Mashburn, and think that’s a better fit. I think Marvin has the vision to turn into a 4 dime a night guy, as he gets more touches. Right now, he’s trying to be as productive as he can, getting the left overs from Josh and Marvin. That leads to more shooting and less giving it up.

Am I the only person on this blog who bought Mega Millions tickets and had thoughts of buying the Hawks run through his (or her, Dee) mind? I’m thinking it might be the stupidest financial decision a person in that position could make. Yet I can’t seem to get the idea out of my head……

Doc, if Dee is homely enough to pass for me, in drag, Abe might not want to run across her in a dark alley. Nothing like getting your a* kicked by a 6’5”, 220 pound women, with a perpetual 3-day growth of beard (and a penchant for vodka).

Will be at the game tomorrow night. Joe, I’d offer you my opinion of the Jamison/Williams comparison, but you’d just disagree with whatever I said…………

By HB Ando

March 6, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

BTW, I meant to say “assuming the records are NOT drastically different than the draft lottery results”……….

By Volman

March 6, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Good views, Ando

Do you guys think we should be praying to get in the oden/durent sweepstakes? Will an Oden/Durant automatically put us in the playoffs next year?

By Volman

March 6, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Wow, I wish I could spell correctly… DURANT. Sorry.

By kdp003

March 6, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

Ando, I actually did think about buying the Hawks if I won the Mega Millions tonight, but I decided to keep the thought to myself…I didn’t want to get ripped apart on here. :) But then I went back and read (if the information is correct) that the Spirit Group paid $250 million. I’m a huge Hawks, fan but I’m not crazy. So I’ll have to just find another way to support the team.

By HB Ando

March 6, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

I don’t, Volman. But I think that selecting either one of them, and, either through their development, or the additional latitude that their presence gives us in moving Marvin or Childress for a legit point guard/big man (depends on whether it was Oden or Durant), gives us the potential to be a force in the East, in about 2-3 years, for the next decade.

And I believe without that pick, and with the limitations on the team due to the ownership squabble and horrible GM and coaching work, we are very unlikely to be in the playoffs next season.

By Volman

March 6, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

WEll, you could buy in a PART of the ownership (seems popular to the Spirit guys)… so you would probably be around 50 mil in the hole. Not too bad to have a say in the ownership!

By HB Ando

March 6, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

Not too bad until you consider who your partners are………..

I’d have to bring in some hand picked partners and clean house with this group.

By kdp003

March 6, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

If I bought part of the ownership, after a while it would probably be the Belkin situation all over again after I wreaked havoc when they let Billy try to make another stupid signing.

If I owned the Hawks (completely) I would absolutely clean house!

By doc

March 6, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

ando i was only referring to dee and her comments and style as she beat up on honest a bit. he has toned it down signifcantly and is more aware as he quickly caught himself. i dont think dee would take it as a compliment based on what you look like fuzzy mug and all but the comment was a way to welcome her to the group, all in fun.

By jp

March 6, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

so are we done? I mean not the season but the state of the Hawks in Atlanta? This team is not going to be over .500 for at least 3 or 4 years. Not unless they win the lottery which they probably have a 12% chance of doing. The reason why I believe the Hawks are done is because St. Louis just put up a brand new arena to attract a new hockey and possibly an NBA franchise. The Hawks are not gonna draw fans as long as they keep losing and as long as we have billy Knight giving up JT and Diaw and getting absolutely nothing done in the draft, we will not win. I really believe there might be a chance both Atlanta franchises might be moved to St. Louis if the ownership feels the need(who ever the new owners are). We have to get rid of Billy Knight and hopefully we do it this offseason. I would almost take Pete Babcock over this guy right now. At least we made it to the playoffs under Pete.

By Volman

March 6, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Please, JP, please…

DON’T EVER SAY THAT THE HAWKS’ FRANCHISE SHOULD TAKE PETE BABCOCK BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ahem.

Sorry about that.

By mykhalc

March 6, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

sorry but the DIAW and BABCOCK comments deserve EXACTLY what they bring!!!

By Mike

March 6, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

For what it worth, which at point not much. Even if the Hawks don’t make any major moves in the off season they will still be a much improved next season. Woody biggest problem is the personnel he chooses to put on the floor every night. These guys are still learning how to win. The Hawks had 5 games where they lost by 3 points; 6 games where they lost by 5 points. Most of that is attributed to guys wearing down at the end of games. Barring any major injuries at the start of the season, they should be able to come out of the gates strong. The guys that mention in these blogs sound good great, but guys like Gasol score, but he don’t block shots, besides he plays the 4 position. We need a shot blocker at the 5 position. For what you have to give up to get the guys mention in these blogs your better off keeping what you got and taking a chance in the draft. It would be better to get Solomon a strength and conditioning coach, so he bulk up about 15 or 20 pounds. Send Sheldon to aerobic class, so he can get the concrete blocks out of his feet’s. Send Zaza to the wizard so he can get heart. Just kidding about Zaza, he’s so weak even a heart transplant wouldn’t help him. I like Estaban, he got limited offensive skills, but he’s a banger, plus he’s young. Woodson needs to play his bigs more and cut some dead weight like speedy, royal, perhaps TLue. We should take our change on the best big man left when it’s our time to draft. J-Chill and Marvin are getting ready to brake out like J-Smoove did this season, why would you trade’em. Look at Chicago; they gave up on two young superstars. I bet they wish they had Eddie Curry and Tyson Chandler, instead Ben Wallace and Tyrus Thomas.

The Hawks are still my team. I’m frustrated, but I want cut and run because the rest of the season is in the tank. I’m stand-by my boys. We could use Steve Smith on the staff, but not as head coach as an assistant. He could give Woody some much needed help with offensive sets. He’s played against all the veteran super stars in the league so he would be a great asset to the young players.

By The Flash

March 6, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Myman, Can’t say that I’m knowledgible about Maryland procedure but I THINK that the Maryland does not accept all cases which a party might try to appeal from an adverse court of appeals ruling.

The Spirit wanted Belkin to agree to ask the Supreme Court to directly hear on the case on the grounds that a ruling was necessary to assure irreparable harm to the public interest, no not joe the fan in Atlanta, but rather Stern and the league. Belkin refused because the claim, I’d have to understand, at least from his perspective, was palpably untrue and, believe what you want, he does not make a habbit of lying. The opposite, from what I know of the guy.

Now, you have suggested in your various posts a variety of scenarios that in your mind make Belkin the bad guy but the judge disagreed and depend on “facts” that you are, how should I put this gently, “making up,” “spinning of whole cloth,” presuming are so but they are not.

Let me name a few. Nothing has ever stopped the Spirit from paying their own experts to come up with an assessement and to have done so within the time allowed. They said that they wanted to reject the first evaluation and perform an alternative. Belkin bet them by filing an objection first. They claimed that that was outside of what the parties had contemplated, that Belkin had no right to object to the first evaluation even though he claimed that the Spirit had given the evaluators erroneous information (cooked the books) and pressured the evaluators.

Okay, they could have chosen to litigate that claim while proceeding with their own second evaluation. They didn’t. Did you read that clearly. They didn’t select an evaluator and have an evaluated done.

Instead, they claimed that the buyout agreement was not designed to deal with a situation in which there were conflicting claims to a second evaluation and therefore that the agreement to buy Belkin out was void. That’s right, having gotten Belkin, with Stern’s intervention, to give up his first lawsuit, which he eventually would have one, in favor of being bought up, they were now saying that they were entitled to keep the team, with Gearon as Governing Manager, and to keep Belkin’s money as well.

Big gamble, imo dictated because they never had the money to buy Belkin out according to the fair-market-value formula they agreed to. Wanted to blame the other guy for creating a situation about which there was no meeting of the minds (you with me here myman) and thus they get the brokered takeover without having to pay for it.

Now, Stern put in a failsafe in case the parties could not agree on a price. Go to him and he’d select an evaluator. Gearon and his boyz had to trust Stern; he walked way out on a legal limb (you have to check my posts of the time to see what a ridiculous position from a legal point of view Stern adopted to rule for the Spirit, actually for Colango, who wanted BK’s give-away deal in the worst way and got his boy Stern to force it over Belkin’s objection the only way he could) to rule for them.

They had a problem with Belkin’s evaluations, do your own, and then get Stern to do his. Live with what the judge rules when you make your claim. They did none of this.

And, you are on Belkin, after he had to put up with all this garbage, and a court that was hand picked by the Maryland investors in the Spirit, Levison and Pesky, who have big businesses in the town where the judge sits, ruled that Belkin was a 100 percent right, you are on Belkin for insisting on his legal rights? Why?

You tell me that you would have done different, and explain why, and we’ll talk. I got to hear this one.

So, if the appellate court upholds the lower court, the Spirit can ask the Supreme Court of Maryland to hear it but I don’t think that they get heard as a matter of right. Even if they do, I doubt that there is anything principle here that will cause the Supreme Court to reverse the two lower courts.

If I am wrong, in my opinion Atlanta loses. Belkin has wanted to own an NBA team for a long, long time; he knows ball and has been involved in the game, and with some of the greats, for a number of years. If you guys get lucky, I think that there’s a more than decent chance that he prove to be an incredibly constructive and effective owner. Or not.

So, Myman, I dig your takes on the game, they show you been around the game; you don’t know jack about Belkin and about the dynamics of this battle. Let it play out; if Belkin ends up with the team, keep your eyes and mine open; I’d be curious to hear what you see. That is for real. NBR, myman, for real.

By mykhalc

March 7, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this

FLASH, been wantin’ to vent on me for awhile regardin’ BELKIN huh???!!!!LOL well consider it done!!!

listen, i understand BELKIN is your boy and i dig you defendin’ his side. and you’re right i DO NOT know jack about him other than the opinions i’ve formed on my own with the LIMITED INFO i have read regardin’ this whole ownership fiasco. so yes it is my spin!! but my man, i trust my intuition. but i am open enough as a being to admit when i’m wrong and make the necessary adjustments if/when that time comes as it relates to my judgement on things, circumstances, or people.

the funny thing about law, IMHO, is you COULD have given me just as long a spiel, just as convincin’ an argument for the NON-BELKIN owners too, if that was your choosin’!! i’m way less informed and read on the case compared to you!! but maybe you’re JUST as biased for BELKIN as i am against him!!! so maybe you need to heed your own advice and remain open too my friend!!???!!

and since when did ‘legal rights’ be void of NOT havin’ GREED attached to them???? how is a court “handpicked” when the state in which any legal contest to be held, was agreed upon by all contesting parties??? sounds like a little ‘FLASH’ spin might be takin’ place too????!!???

we’ll see how it shakes out counselor!!! and until i see/know/realize differently, i stand where i’ve stood!!! and I DO appreciate you answerin’ my ONE question!!! VENT AND ALL!!!!!

By MALONE

March 7, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

Why don’t we throw the bank at Larry Brown? He could coach this group up.

By HB Ando

March 7, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Flash, brother, please tell me that when Belkin wins this thing you’ll set up an introduction, so I can interview for an assistant GM’s position. We all know you have to main line to the man (your sneaky suggestions that I might actually be Belkin notwithstanding). I think I’ve proven my aptitude, time and again, over the past two years. He won’t have to pay me much, I’ve got money. I just want the access and the voice, to be involved in building this team right.

It’s my all-time dream job. And you, you are the man to hook me up.

Flash, you know nobody loves you like me, bro……….

By mykhalc

March 7, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

ANDO, you might be talkin’ to BELKIN already!!! keep kissin’ up to FLASH and that might be your in!!!!LOL yep, the more i think about it, the more i think FLASH IS BELKIN!!! it would explain some things to me…for sho’!!!!

By mykhalc

March 7, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

of course, accordin’ to MY SPIN, i don’t know what team you’d actually get to asst GM!! it certainly won’t be a BELKIN OWNED HAWKS TEAM!!!

By Mike

March 10, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

To all bloggers if you don’t have nothing good to say about my Hawks, DON’T POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!