AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBeen wrong before?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Being wrong doesn’t bother me at all.
(I am the same cat who back in 1987 thought the high-top fade would never go out of style. So I’ve been here before.)
But never in my wildest dreams did I think that the first round of the NBA playoffs would play out like the 2006 NCAA Tournament (Golden State=George Mason?).
The Pistons dismantling the Magic in four straight games was nothing if not expected. The Bulls (striking another blow for the team concept over the two stars and a bunch of junk approach) bouncing the Heat in four, though … didn’t see that one coming, the Mavericks on the brink of elimination to the Warriors … not on your life.
There won’t be any Mulligans around here. I’ll live with my first round picks and fry with the ones that were 100 percent wrong. It’s cool. Like I said before, I’m perfectly comfortable with being wrong (I’ve predicted Michigan would go undefeated in football every year since 1990 and been right just once).
But let’s be serious for a minute about some of the jaw-dropping things that went on the past few days.
Ben Wallace stroking seven of eight free throws? He hasn’t shot like that ever, let alone in a game (and he made seven straight).
Baron Davis channeling his inner-John Bagley (you old heads will remember him, he was a forerunner to the current crop of bulldozer scoring point guards) for four straight games? I’m not mad at the Warriors. This is how you’re supposed to act when you haven’t been in the playoffs in over a decade.
Jason Kidd turning back the clock to the pre-microfracture surgery JKidd that led the Nets to back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals? No one was sure it could happen. But Kidd is showing us that he is one of the game’s all-time greats even at this late stage of his (better be) Hall of Fame career. Steve Nash has the MVP’s that Kidd couldn’t sniff when he was doing basically the same thing Nash has done the past three years.
As I stepped off my flight from Orlando Sunday afternoon Smitty (Hawks TV analyst Steve Smith) finally sent me the text message I knew was coming. “You still like Dirk as your MVP?” We talked about it late in the regular season and even debated if Dirk was the best player on his team (a strong case could be made for Josh Howard after four games). I’m sticking with him based on his and the Mavericks’ performance during the regular season. But he wouldn’t be in my current top five for first round playoff MVP (Luol Deng and Baron Davis currently top that list).
Brady Quinn lost what one analyst projected could be $17 million Saturday by dropping to the 22nd pick in the NFL draft Saturday. Ouch. Maybe ESPN should make up the difference since they paraded dude around for 72 hours prior to the draft as this year’s golden boy/pet.
Now, back to basketball.
The NBA is announcing its All-Defensive teams this morning. I’ll be curious to see if Josh Smith makes any of the teams. Marcus Camby won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year Award based solely on his prowess as a shot blocker (he and Smith finished 1-2 this season and were the only two guys with 200 or more blocks during the regular season), so it only makes sense (to me) that Smith make the All-Defensive team for the same reason. - In a classy move, Camby sent out an email thanking all the NBA writers for voting him Defensive Player of the Year. I didn’t (technically, we’re not allowed to vote, AJC rule), but the gesture was impressive.
I talked about it last week and I’ll say it again, the playoff atmosphere is so drastically different to what goes on during the regular season that it’s almost embarrassing to me. Magic star Grant Hill made some good points about how important it is for teams aspiring to be real contenders to “comprehend the importance of the pace of the regular season.” Those games aren’t played with the same intensity but they mean so much in terms of playoff seeding and mental preparation for the postseason. The Magic had the will to compete. They just didn’t know how when it mattered most.
Finally, we’re 23 days away from Lottery Day for the Hawks. The only question I got more than “what are you doing here?” in Orlando was “Do the Hawks have a chance to get both of those top 15 picks?” The simple answer is yes, however slim it might be. Bu that’s all they’ve got is a chance. What’s perhaps even more important, as one team league player personnel guy I respect reminded me, is the work they do in evaluating and making the proper selection with the pick they will get (there’s a 98 percent chance they get Indiana’s pick). Whatever they do they can’t make a mistake (passing up either the right point guard or big man that’s there).
Comments
By Samuel
April 30, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Cuz,
You’re definately not alone. The Heat stunk up the place. Same with the Lakers. Even with a healthy DWade, I don’t believe they would have beat the Bulls more than a couple of games if any.
So much for the Euro poster boys. The Boys from the hood who can’t dribble, pass or shoot are kicking as_ and takin names right now.
Man, the Warriors are running Dallas right off the court. Eventhough my boy Monta isn’t having a great playoff, I’m trilled. Just goes to show what you can do with real ballers who are hungry and are allowed to just play ball. All this talk over strategies, X’s and O’s. Sometimes the best strategy is just plain ole Front Street Park hoop’n. Spread the court and go to work. I love it.
I really hope PHX and Golden State make it to the Finals along with Chicago and New Jersey. I can’t wait to see it play out.
By vdunkndunk
April 30, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
Random Thoughts:
-I actually had the Bulls beating the Heat this year based on how tough the Bulls played them last year, plus the fact that the Bulls are better this year and the Heat are worse due to aging and especially to Wade’s injury. I’m very surprised it was a sweep, but overall this isn’t a huge upset to me.
-The Warriors over the Mavericks, however, is an absolute shocker, despite all the talk about how well the Warriors have done against the Mavericks in the regular season lately. I still thought that a team that had won 67 games this season and been to the NBA the year before would find a way to beat a team that qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the season.
-I still think Dirk Nowitzki is the MVP of the league this year based on the regular season and based on the stupid “logic” that has made Steven Nash a two-time MVP. But in reality I think Duncan is the MVP of the league right now. I say that because I think he’s going to win another title this year.
-Personally, I think it’s stupid that anyone besides Shaq or Duncan has won the award in the last 8 years, considering the fact that either Duncan or Shaq has won 7 out of the last 8 championships. Kind of makes you think that one or the other of those guys is “most valuable,” doesn’t it? Especially if value has anything to do with winning it all. I know the MVP is a regular season award, but I believe that the playoffs are where you see if you were right or wrong about your MVP pick. And lately, if you didn’t pick Shaq or Duncan, you were wrong. Their run is almost over, but I think Duncan’s going to win one more this year.
-I wonder if the Lakers are watching Jason Kidd right now and wishing that they had pulled the trigger on the rumored Bynum for Kidd deal.
By Willie Coyote
April 30, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
I haven’t commented for a while but I had to say something about the “defending champion” Heat.
When D Wade is less than 100% and he doesn’t get all those ridiculous calls (like he got last year), the Heat can’t compete. If the officials hadn’t given him all those fouls last year, they wouldn’t have gotten past Chicago in the first round then either. This team is still intact from their “championship” run from last year and they can’t even win one game when D Wade isn’t put at the line 20 times a game. I love it.
By Ricardo
April 30, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Will someone who KNOWS please explain to me the formula for the Hawks to get both of the draft picks this year?
Thank you!
By Wedgie Evans
April 30, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
I had no problem with Nash winning back to back MVP’s, because both those years he was the engine that made that team run. Phoenix may not have had the postseason success they wanted, but they were the team to beat in the regular season. Without Nash they were significantly worse as we saw this year when the Barbosa-led Suns lost to the Hawks.
Dirk, on the other hand, is just the best jump-shooter on a team that relies on jump-shooting. Dallas is a good team because they are deep, they share the ball, and they are well-coached, not because Dirk somehow transforms them into a powerhouse. Not to say that Dirk isn’t a good player, but he’s not the most valuable player to his team in the entire league. I’d still have Nash higher than him on my MVP vote this year, same with Duncan, Kobe and LeBron James.
And why is it so surprising to everyone that Golden State is taking Dallas to task? Both those teams are deep teams with a lot of swingmen who can shoot from deep, and while Dallas has the best player (Dirk) Golden State has the advantage in athleticism at nearly every position. The Warriors were 3-0 against Dallas this season. Surely more people should have at least predicted a tough series. Don’t get me wrong, I had the Mavs winning it eventually (in 7) but I fully expected Golden State to give them a run for their money. I know the Mavs were a much better team in the standings this year, but in a sport where matchups are so important the head to head record means a lot more. And when a team was winless against another team in the regular season, you have to believe they will have a tough time in the playoffs.
By Anakin Joe
April 30, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
I expected Chicago would win the series but never would have predicted a sweep. I’m not at all surprised to see the Nets doing their thing, they are made for the playoffs and will likely be in the Eastern Conference Finals (I have little confidence in the Cavs).
vdunkndunk, good point about that Bynum-Kidd trade that didn’t happen. I’m sure Kobe will be spending a few minutes with Kupchak before leaving for the summer. No way he wants to be on another team that can’t win in the first round of the playoffs. And the Nets will ask for FAR more than just Bynum and loose change if Kidd comes out of this post-season healthy.
By Sekou K. Smith
April 30, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
If the Hawks’ pick lands in the top three, they keep it. If not, it goes to Phoenix. If Indiana’s pick lands inside the top three, they keep it. If not, the Hawks get it.
By Sekou K. Smith
April 30, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Indiana’s pick is top 10 protected, but if they don’t get in the top three, it’s gone.
By St. Bernard
April 30, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Sekou, Have the Hawks worked out anybody yet, or is it too early for that?
By Sekou K. Smith
April 30, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Can’t work anybody out until after the pre-draft camp. New league-wide rule.
By mike
April 30, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
Sekou, Thanks for the info. My suspicions about the motive behind the Spirit silencing of BK is a lot clearer. It’s no surprising that you’re the only guy that BK trusts. You basically gave BK a change to see not only how his peers in the NBA see him, but also how the fans see him. You never hit below the belt, but you gave us bloggers a forum to express to the organization how we felt about the decisions being made, and also how reprehensible fans feel towards the public comments BK is notorious for making. I think the Spirit is real excited by the prospects of the draft, and want BK to concentrate getting the best guy to fill a need. It’s imperative that the Spirit shows up big for this year draft; they need go over these guys with meticulous details. I think if BK would focus on feeling the gapping holes he has in the roster, he could easily resurrect his image with the fans. This will also help Woody out. God knows he can use all the help he can get.
The playoffs are great. It’s exciting to see GS and Bulls handed it to the big guys. As you know the playoff are about match-ups. The task for both of those teams will loom even larger going into the second round of the playoffs. Phoenix will fare better as long as they have Nash. Steve Nash is a man on a mission. The Bulls will not be able to dominate Detroit the way they did Miami the same goes for GS. TshunPrince will be matched up against Deng, which should be the marquee match-up of that series. Ben Gordon and Racheed will be the wild cards. Not sold on Cleveland they had the easier draw in the first round. You gotta go with SA if Dallas gets knot out. I’ve taken 2 early hits, but overall my project for the final is still alive. If Dallas get knot out I’m shot, I picked Dallas to win it all. The other blogger was right, I was one of those guys that thought the struggles Dallas had with GS during the regular season didn’t matter. Right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dirk has really been expose by his old pal Neely. GS is basically calling him out; the question is will he respond.
Baron Davis is a Beast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jick
April 30, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Sekou, what’s the deal with the AJC rule on not voting? I seem to remember the baseball guys talking about their votes for MVP and Hall of Fame elections all the time.
How far do you think Golden State can make it if they put Dallas away? They crushed Utah earlier this month and kept Yao down when they played the McGrady-less Rockets. I’d love to see a GS / Phoenix conference finals, even though I don’t think Phoenix will get past San Antonio.
By Sekou K. Smith
April 30, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
We have a hard and fast rule about voting. It was big stuff a couple years back and had something to do with the BCS and all that good stuff. That’s why I do my own stuff all the time in the Sunday packages we do.
As for Golden State, if they do knock off the Mavs, I’m not doubting them again. The conference finals shouldn’t be out of the question, although, I really think Utah is dark horse to get there. I still like their team and I think if they can get AK47 going, they could be trouble, too.
By Melvin
April 30, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
I’m also shock to see Gloden State dominate Dallas the way they have. I knew they would give dallas problems but to be up 3-1. As a previous blogger mention, Golden State is more athletic at every position than Dallas. I was surprise to see Avery leave Devin Harris on the bench in the 4th quarter. Much as I like JT. Baron Davis has him intimidated. JT is scarred to take Baron off the dribble, fear of Baron taking the ball from him. Baron has JT running Dallas offensive sets from dang near half-court. At least Devin had some success getting into the lane and breaking down the Warriors defense. Also, Dirk is playing too soft. He trying to postup guys that are 5-6 inches shorter than him near the three point lane. Could he please stay in the paint. Which would give him the advantage of shooting over his smaller defenders and not allow the Warriors two double team him so easily. Dallas also need to slow the game down. Trying to play that uptempo style plays to Golden State advantage. They need to work the ball inside than pass out for open jumpers (like the Spurs) and drive the ball to the goal more. Either to get higher percentage shots or create more calls to get to the free throw line, instead of settling for all those jumpshots. Once they slow the game down, they will minimize Golden State chances to capitalize on their badd shot selections… Finally, in the great words of Bill Walton. GET A REBOUND….
By cowa
April 30, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
If the Hawks don’t get in the top 3, but do get Indy’s pick at 11, and assuming there are no “real” surprises (Clippers, Hornets & 76ers not moving up), who should the Hawks take? This is the most likely scenario, so that’s what I’m trying to concentrate on and keep my hopes in check! According to ESPN, the follwoing players would be gone: Oden, Durant, Noah, Jianlian, J.Wright, B.Wright, Brewer, Hawes & Hibbert. That would still leave Conley for us. But let’s say Conley was gone and J.Wright fell out from the players above. Who would the Hawks take? The likely players we would consider would be Law, J.Wright, Green, Thornton, J.Smith, Splitter, Crittendon & T.Young. Not exactly thrilling possibilities. In review, this would leave us to choose from a 6’3” PG, 6’8” SF, 6’8” SF, 6’8” SF, 7’0” PF, 6’11” PF, 6’5” PG, and 6’8” SF. Let’s throw out the 6’8” SFs for now. If Smith and Splitter don’t thrill you (as they really don’t thrill me), it’s down between Law and Crittendon. no one thinks Crittendon should go this high, so it seems to me we’re locked into Law.
Unless we trade up/down.
So, my real question is: would you take Law, trade up (and you’d have to move one of the wings to do this - Chills, Jsmoove or Marvin), or trade down and pick up another piece given this scenario?
By Anakin Joe
April 30, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Baron Davis has abused JT from the very first time they were rookies in the league. My guess is that something happened during their Pac-10 days, because I distinctly recall Baron having HUGE games against JT when he was a Hawk.
Too bad we’re too far away from contending for a playoff birth to attract some quality vets like PJ Brown and Eddie Jones next season. We always seem to end up with the vets who have nothing left in them but a half-hearted locker room speech (see Kenny Anderson, Kevin Willis and Lorenzen Wright). Heck, Derek Anderson even looked good in his stint with the Bobcats. Is Penny truly done with basketball? Maybe he would be desperate enough to play agin that we can allow him to take our money for a few months. Heck, what’s Rod Strickland up to these days? Okay, never mind.
By Melvin
April 30, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
AJ, I still think Jamaal Maglorie should be our #1 FA target this summer…
By allen
April 30, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
how did josh smith not make the all nba defensive team he was the only player in the league to have over 200 blocks and 100 steals the hawks are always getting snubbed
By Hawks # 3 fan
April 30, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Sekou, I am wondering who votes for the all defensive team. Could you be the one who gave Josh his lone first place vote? Or was it from the coaching staff? I have it narrowed down to two people.
By al
April 30, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
how did josh smith not make the all nba defensive team he was the only guy in the league to have over 200 blocks and 100 steals
By Bone Diddy
April 30, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
Hey, if the Hawks do get those two picks, which two 6’8” forwards do you think they’ll choose?
By Sekou K. Smith
April 30, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this
Hawks #3 Fan,
What part of we’re not allowed to vote didn’t sink in my man?
By Wedgie Evans
April 30, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this
If the Hawks get the #11 or #12 pick, they have to go after Conley or Crittenton. One or the other should be available at that spot, assuming Crittenton remains in the draft. Both have better upside than Law. If Conley’s gone and Crittenton’s the guy, they should probably trade down to #14 or #15, acquire a rebounder/shotblocker type in the trade, and pick Crittenton.
Even if they come away from the draft with just the point guard and no big man, they should still be much improved next year. I don’t think it’s worth trading one of our wings and the Pacers’ pick to move up to get a low-ceiling big man like Hibbert or Hawes who’s better suited to a half-court offense than a running offense. Now, if a trade like that would get you Oden, that’s a different story altogether.
By Tyger
April 30, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
Lets not get too caught up in the slim draft prospects. We need a BIG and a PG, both, one or neither have to come from the draft necessarily.
It’s always better to build through the draft but like last year, you cant pass over better players just to fill needs. You always have free agency and trades, which might be a better option for the Hawks anyway.
Does this team really need a green PG running the team? Conley is the best on the horizon, but the NBA aint the Big Ten. In my opinion, its Roy Hibbert or bust.
Trade the pick(s) and a forward and get Mo Williams, a real BIG and a 5 tool SF in here with the quickness.
5 tool: shoots, dribbles, rebounds, defends and passes.
By Clyde
April 30, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once again Atlanta gets not respect with the snub of Josh Smith from the all-defense team. Lets do some comparisons.
Blocks: Josh Smith-207 Tim Duncan-190 Ben Wallace-156 Kevin Garnett-126 Tayshon Prince-55
Steals: Josh Smith-101 Tim Duncan-66 Tayshon Prince-51 Kevin Garnett-89
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By ray
April 30, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Snubbed? Of course. As good as Josh Smith is, he’s not getting the respect he deserves. Anyone who watched him play saw how tough of a one-on-one defender he was most of the time as well as being a great weak-side or help defender. The guy has really grown defensively. But a media darling he’s not…yet.
As far as the draft goes, it’s always been about making the right decision and not passing on a pg or big that is sorely needed.
Some people just don’t seem to get it. Any true fan of the Hawks desires for the team to do well. The future is indeed bright…IF team chemistry, overall season long health, personnel decisions/moves, and coaching improves. If it does NOT, then the future ain’t so bright. People talk about talent. Of course there’s talent. This is the frikkin’ NBA. It’s what you do with that talent that matters.
By Wedgie Evans
April 30, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Damn. I was going to post a message about how J-Smoove possibly got snubbed because his team as a whole wasn’t good defensively. Then I saw that Raja Bell, Kevin Garnett and Marcus Camby all made the team, which throws that theory out the window. Yeah, it is pretty ridiculous that he got snubbed. Let’s face it, if there’s anyone on the Hawks who is known nationally, it’s J-Smoove because he won the dunk contest.
By LL Cool Scott
May 1, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
Sekou
1 - John Bagley referenced in glowing terms. Awesome. LL LOOOOOOOVES him some John Bagley. 2 - Your reaction to Mike Gearon’s defense of Billy Knight would be much appreciated…By d
May 1, 2007 2:34 AM | Link to this
Melvin…you don’t want Magloire. Trust me. I live on the west coast, and have seen the guy play in person. Dude does not hustle, and commits more turnovers than he scores points. And how many times is he going to do that “no look dunk.” the guy is a waste. Not to mention his contract is way too high. Better off keeping Lorezen Wright. At least he can still be somewhat of a leader and his fouls can be used as a benefit.
By Samuel
May 1, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
Yes, Smith did get snubbed. I believe he should at least have made 2nd team over Garnet.
I think the players should vote on all awards. Sportswriters are usually about reputation and ink, rather than substance.
While I agree that block shots and steals don’t necessarily mean you are a great defender, in Josh Smith’s case it does.
On the first team however, I’m not so sure who I would replace him with. While his numbers are better than Bowen’s, I’m not so sure he is, in fact, a better defender.
By Anakin Joe
May 1, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Wow, a whole lot of venom over on the Bradley blog this morning. I’ve been saying for years now, blame the owners. Hopefully, I’ll never have to repeat that again.
I don’t ever recall Woody asking Smith to lock-down another team’s best offensive player. In fact, Childress often got that role. Until Smith takes on the challenge of going head-up with LeBron, Jamison, Rasheed, Deng and other offensive juggernauts, he will only be a very strong weak-side shot blocker. And that alone is not worthy of an All Defensive Team honor.
By Sekou K. Smith
May 1, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
I stayed off the computer until this morning LL (it was Jack Bauer and playoffs last night before lights out, so I’ve just now caught up on the fury of reaction to Mark Bradley’s column and interview with Mike Gearon Jr.
Again, I don’t understand how anyone could be surprised by Gearon’s position. Billy Knight is their guy. They believe in him. So I don’t expect anything other than what you read from Gearon.
By Anakin Joe
May 1, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
If there were any doubt before, it should be gone now. This is BK’s make or break year (and Woody along with him). Bradley’s blog has to confirm to the current ownership the overwhelming disdain for the status quo. Either they have to be able to say “I told you so” with a respectable playoff performance next season or they have to make a change. Injuries won’t be accepted again next season. So now that BK has been giving more time to focus on the team (by not having to do any interviews), he better make it happen. And Woody can’t keep the talent BK acquires buried on the bench. One more season to save their respective jobs.
By Ricardo
May 1, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
SS -
Do you really get the feeling that The Spirit believes in BK and Woodson rather than simply being too cheap to fire them? If I was Gearon I’d try to put a good spin on the situation, but don’t you think he goes a bit over board esentially comparing Woodson to Pat Riley?
By Clyde
May 1, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY T-SHIRTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. E-MAIL ME AT ATLCONNECT@HOTMAIL.COM.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By JJ
May 1, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Ricardo u are completetly right. that pat riley comparison was awful. It’s like comparing p** to purified water.
By Ricardo
May 1, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
JJ If u haven’t already, take a look at the online version of Bradley’s article. Gearon (assuming it’s him, but I think it is) was taking some questions and trying to defend his position. I think he got whupped up pretty good.
By honest_abe
May 1, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
b. davis is straight ballin! when he’s healthy he’s a top 3 pg in this league along with jason kidd and steve nash. but damn a.j. i guess you saw all those times beginning with when charlotte hornets took baron and the hawks took terry. for the next couple of years baron ate j.t. up! i was always hoping j.t. might be better but baron was always a better defender, a better facilitator and overall better player. booh for the hawks as j.t. was nothing more than an outside shooter while he was here.
goooooooooo golden state! helluva exciting style of ball.
By Anakin Joe
May 1, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Abe, good to know that I’m not the only “old-timer” around here. Yeah, the way Baron used to abuse JT, I always thought it had to be something personal. Like JT talked about his mother in a college game or something. And the abuse has continued all these years later and into this playoff series. I’m guessing that Baron is a top 3 PG when he plays against JT, he may look completely different in the next series against either Houston or Utah.
By Anakin Joe
May 1, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
You know, you do have to wonder how out of touch Gearon is with his fan base as he clearly thought that he could defend his support of BK (if that was truly him responding to bloggers early in the link of messages). Most leaders know when and how to fight a battle in public. Some battles can’t be won. Once he started writing (again, assuming that was really him), he placed himself deeper into a hole and further alienated himself with the fan base. He must feel like a real schmuck today. Losing money on the franchise, spending money on legal fees, fighting for a team with a defecting fan base, while being ripped by the same. Yeah, he must feel like a bleeping idiot today. GOOD!
By honest_abe
May 1, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
ha, you’re right the best pr move that gearon jr. could make is to settle the ownership mess and then bring new blood into the front office or coaching staff.
By Melvin
May 1, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
A.J and Abe, Glad to see that I wasn’t the only person who thought Baron had something personal against JT. Dang, I hope JT see the Wizard to get a heart before the game tonite b/c I really think he has good character. However, that won’t keep Baron from bullying him…
By mavid
May 1, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
yeah, baron has been RIDICULOUS. And he hasn’t just been schooling JT, but the entire mavs team.
abe, i think the best PR move is to make sure this draft goes perfect. With that 11th pick (assuming we get it), they have to make SURE they get it right this time. Its do or die.
Now, getting in the top 3 would def help too.
By BosnianBaller
May 1, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
I predicted the Warriors in 7 before the series began b/c of three factors. 1. Don Nelson knows the Mavs and their coach 2. Both teams play the same type of basketball up and down 3.Warriors simply have better individual players.(Jackson,Davis,Al,Biendris,Monta,Richardson. Isn’t it weird that the hawks beat GS both times. Davis and Richardson didn’t play though and their defense was brutal both times I saw them
By Melvin
May 2, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
Dirk may have solidified his name on the MVP trophy with his late game heroics last nite. JT needs to borrow a page from Devin’s book and take Baron off the dribble. Baron spent a lot of energy trying to keep up with Devin on defense. I wonder will Nelly use Baron to defend Devin in the next game b/c Baron look a little fatigue during crunch time.
By Hawks limitations
May 2, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Future looks dim. The next 2 seasons 07-08 and 08-09 will bring the Hawks and fans another 25-30 win seasons. The Hawks limitations are many: ownership will be in litigation for the next 24-36 months, bottom 3 in team payrolls, overpaying for Joe Johnson(thus losing this years top pick). BK allowing the Hawks to play for the past 2 years with no legitimate NBA starting PG or center, trading for, signing, and overpaying historical backup point starters $$$. I understand BK’s Oakland A’s strategy for trying to run a lean operation on draft picks and developing young talent. Major flaw - BK makes poor draft decisions. Until the mgt works through the lawsuit, invest more capital and change the GM- the Hawks will remain a below average product.
By J
May 2, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
still confused on how Josh got snubbed on the Defensive Team …