Hawks

By mykhalc

October 2, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

and i know there are some that DO NOT want to hear it BUT the MOST PRODUCTIVE unit was when JC, JJ, MW, and JS were ALL on the court together…when they ALL were gettin’ 25+ mins a game (and REESE i hear you already!!) LOL

but what i just said is a FACT!!! now we KNOW WOODSON will not pencil in CHILLS as a PG (makes toooo much sense to put your best unit on the floor at the start of a game). but UNLESS there is a clear cut winner of the PG position then i certainly would NOT rule out CHILLS.

and fellas, I/WE KNOW WOODSON ain’t gonna do it so don’t get all worked up with reasons why he shouldn’t do it!!LOL again, i hope LAW wins the job hands-down with no room for questions!!!

By Astro Joe

October 2, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

Good News, I see your point and thought about that too, the importance of chemistry from the beginning. But I agree with mykhalc that the chemistry would be destroyed if he goes hobbling off the court 8 games into the season. I’m assuming that his knee still requires some post-surgery rehab. I’m assuming this is not just a “tired knee” but one that still requires some strengthening. Now that we know there was a structural problem last year and now that we have several credible options to cover 48 minutes of PG play, it just seems the more prudent thing to do is to give him an opportunity to get that surgerically repaired knee in better shape. If after a few more weeks of rehab/rest, it is still no better than 80-90% good, then so be it and throw him out there on the floor with a little prayer and duct tape. But if there is a chance to help him get healhier (while utilizing AJ, Law, Lue and Salim), then do it.

By mykhalc

October 2, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

you cannot build chemistry with someone that you KNOW will NOT be healthy enough to stay in the lineup…ie..see last season for an example!!!

SPOT DUTY/LIMITED ROLE is the answer if BK and WOODSON feel they GOTTA show SOMETHIN’ for their $25mil invest. it gets some production (hopefully) from him WITHOUT tryin’ to FORCE him into a role that his body will not allow him to fulfill!!! IMHO

the difference is this year there APPEARS to be some other/BETTER options!!

By Good News...

October 2, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

I somewhat agree with you AJ if this team was more seasoned and a little more talented. But I think at this point in his career this is the best that knee is ever going to get, so do you play him now so the team builds some chemistry going into the season or do you introduce him into the lineup after the season starts? Remember how that worked last year? His shot was off, he was out of shape when he came back from the broken hand. I don’t believe in this idea of “playing” into game shape during the season. Between travel and short practices, when exactly do you have time to condition.

By mykhalc

October 2, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

JOE, if i remember correctly WOODSON already said SPEEDY probably gets first look!!??!!?? in a way i’m glad ‘cause it’ll get him outta the way QUICKLY!!!

i really hope WOODSON IS NOT crazy enough to repeat the same SPEEDY fiasco of last year. wait i should stop there ‘cause I AM talkin’ about WOODSON!!! geeessshhhh

i wish SPEEDY a full recovery but OBVIOUSLY he’s NOT THERE YET!!! so why freakin’ even start there??? i’m gettin’ pi$$ed already!!

i’m with ya JOE. sit MR CLAXTON ‘til he’s healthy and THEN take a look. a no brainer for everybody except WOODSON!!!

By The Flash

October 2, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Astro Now that your off those meds, man are you starting to cook. That was a pro take. (Just funnin boyz, he got off them years ago.)

By Charles

October 2, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

man i’m pumped with the options and talent the hawks have this upcoming season. Build my Hawks, build with youth and character.

Go Hawks!

By Astro Joe

October 2, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

If Speedy is looking good at less than 100%, then the Hawks should shut him down until December 15 and give his minutes to AJ. Let AJ build up a little trade value while Speedy nurses his knee. If this team wants to play Horford and Shelden at C, then we must stop dribble penetration, which means Speedy needs to stay reasonably healthy. I’d give Speedy 8 more weeks of serious rehab and then another 2 weeks to get ready to return to action. With our depth (and need to increase the trade value of our excess PGs), it just doesn’t make sense to force a player returning from surgery into action prematurely.

By Dan

October 2, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

I love the idea of Horford and Law both starting. Although, I think Law makes a little bit more sense. Regardless, both will earn big minutes this year.

Sekou, was disturbed to read in your article this morning that Speedy is already saying his knee is not 100%. We all know this clown is not going to play through pain. Why is he still here?

They should start Law at PG. Lue, Johnson, and Salim can back him up just fine. Speedy can hop on the first plane out of town. That will help clear up some of the questions on the PG position.

Big year for Marvin. Time to see if all that talk on draft night a few years ago was true or not. He has to perform. I don’t want to hear the BS about how young he is, either. At some point, he has to be a player. That time is now.

By Astro Joe

October 2, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Samuel, thanks. If I can swing it, I’ll be there live. Unlike Woody, I can optimize my talent, even if it isn’t perfect. My problem last year was a combination of not setting my roster several weeks at a time and Carmelo’s lengthy suspension. Oh, and some really dumb draft day decisions didn’t help either (Steve Francis?). But it was fun.

By ray

October 2, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

Flash, of course all of those things work. You only need a coach to institute the idea and get his guys to buy into it. See where I’m going with that one?

By Samuel

October 2, 2007 6:28 AM | Link to this

Stro,

Yes. Just make sure you prerank your players. That way the computer will choose for you based on who is still available on your board. I hate you can’t make it live though.

By Arsheeeeeezy!!!

October 2, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

SEKOU!!

I’m ready for this team to have a breakthrough season!

Sick of the losing….knowwhattamean??

See you soon!! Peace!

By BosnianBaller

October 1, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

Can’t wait for the season to start.

By Remembering Roundfield

October 1, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

I agree that JJ & Smoove are locks to start, I for one am campaigning for Shelden and Horford for 5 & 4 respectively. At point I’ll take whichever one of those guys who can push the ball, distribute on the break, hit the open jumper, and play defense. The problem is there isn’t any one of them that can do all the those things consistently. Speedy can push and distribute but can’t shoot, A.J. & Lue can do 3 of the things but can’t play up-tempo, Salim can push & shoot but can’t defend/distribute. Could it be that our unproven rookie high draft pick is the one that can do it all? We just don’t know. Time will tell!

By Astro Joe

October 1, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

Samuel, if I can’t make the fantasy draft live, can I submit my player list and let game select my team? I may have a conflict at that time on 10/20.

By tyger

October 1, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Hawks 2007 Training Camp Roster

1 Josh Childress G
12 Speedy Claxton G 15 Al Horford F/C 8 Anthony Johnson G 2 Joe Johnson G 6-7 235 44 Solomon Jones F 4 Acie Law IV G 10 Tyronn Lue G 27 Zaza Pachulia
32 Antwayne Robinson 5 Josh Smith F 3 Steven Smith F 20 Salim Stoudamire G 7 Jamaal Tatum G 6 Mario West G
24 Marvin Williams 33 Shelden Williams 42 Lorenzen Wright F/C

By mavid

October 1, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

Whassup yall!

Sekou, just how hurt is Speedy still? When you say “admittedly not 100 per cent”… what per cent we talking ‘bout?

Man, these workouts must be fun to watch. I wish I could be in the ATL for that open practice coming up.

By ...................

October 1, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

The only way Smoove does not starts. Is if he sucks in training camp. Or he is benched by the coach. And we all know neither one of those things is going to happen. Marvin is the one who needs to be worried about his starting job. Seeing as how he has not played like a number 2 pick is supposed to play…

By The Flash

October 1, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

Ray Chills fits in the backcourt if they play the Princeton offense and there is no true point guard. Chicago and LA, when they played the triangle, had no true point. In LA, it was that 6’6” defensive stopper who once was a great scorer with Cleveland whose name escapes me.

Think old style Knicks. That was the day before there were “point” guards as such.

Walt Frasier was a great guard and handled the ball well but was hardly a point guard. They did not have a player taller than 6’10” (Willis was no 6’10” by the way) and everybody handled it. The second Championship team had no center and played with a 6’9” Jerry Lucas. He outplayed Wilt, btw, in the championship series.

A lineup (whether starting or not) of JJ and JChill in the backcourt, MW and JS at forwards, and Horford in the middle, could be very interesting if the “everything goes thru JJ mentality of the past” is jettisoned, and Drew has some real influence on the offense.

Like I said, just making a $2 bet on a longshot. My safe money is on Law. I also think that either JS or MW does not start, and, if that is so, it make sense to me that it is MW who comes off the bench.

By Hawks-N-Post Season

October 1, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

Dear Sekou,

You are the MAN!!! Thank you for bringing us quality reporting on what promises to be a much awaited post seaston appearance for our Atlanta Hawks.

Interesting that you show AJ with ALIV - because of the PGs we have I see Law learning more from AJ than any of the others. What I also will forcast is that AJ, Speedy, and Lue will soon be “passing” the PG spot off to ALIV.

My starting line-up by mid-season is:

Center: Al Horford PF/SF: Josh Smith SF/PF: Marvin Williams SG: Joe Johnson PG: Acie Law IV

End of year record = 41 and 41. Not sure if we advance beyond round one but if we stay healthy and hungry - anything is within the realm of possiblity.

Go Hawks!!!!!!

By Sekou K. Smith

October 1, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

No news at media day (other than to say that everyone reporter without any injuries for the first time in a while - knock on wood now for you doomsday cats).

The real drama kicks off in the morning, of course. But if you assumed guys are coming into this camp tense about jobs and about who contributes where, you’re right. They understand it the way we all have the past few years. When you’re thin on depth and talent, the incumbents have a much more comfortable time of things.

But now that Al Horford and Acie Law IV have joined the fray, the competition kicks up to another level. Those guys are hungry, too. They all are. Everybody wants minutes and everybody wants starting jobs.

That means more competition at practice and shorter hooks for guys that don’t perform. Without any built-in excuses for faltering (youth, injuries, etc.) the Hawks will be forced to deal with the reality that this team has the pressure of showing itself early.

They don’t have the luxury of developing an identity over the first couple months of the season and then coming into their own. They’ll have to show it from the start and do it consistently or risk having the entire thing picked apart.

But that’s the type of pressure several guys said they crave. Josh Smith, in particular, said he’s waited for the raised expectations to hit this team. He knows that the external and internal push that comes with those expectations is what will fuel this team, if it is indeed ready to step up into the mix for playoff contention (still a huge question mark in my mind).

But on the workout front (per one of my spies), Marvin Williams packed on seven pounds of muscle and has been impressive. Lorenzen Wright came back to the team in top shape. And both Horford and Law have made lasting early impressions on their teammates - the buzz about both potentially breaking into the starting lineup this season is already there.

By The Flash

October 1, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

Thinkingman You ain’t been listening: who are the Wizards and why would I care if they had problems? Don’t know a soul who does, either.

By A Thinking Fan

October 1, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

Now is the time for the real “Bloggers” to dictate! Flash give it a break bro. I’ve got peeps in the Wizard camp now and y’all need help! Alright Doc who’s on first? OOPS! Wrong routine, I wanted to ask who’s at the point for the Hawks? mykhalc & Ray y’all were great this summer, but this is the season, so let’s step it up to a higher level. HB & AJ please give us some insight on the season now - no negatives, just insight - ok!

By bwtbird

October 1, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Would it be possible to please arrange this blog in a normal (top to bottom) reading fashion?? What possible reason for this changed layout? Is it in honor of the Hawks who so often do things backwards? Well…I think they may finally have it right so let’s have the blog join them!!!

By Woodywoodpecker

October 1, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

I want to know if Woody has gotten his head out of his _.

By Hawksville Resident

October 1, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

I want to know if there is a person who wants to be the leader of this team.? Who will step up and embrace that role? Is Acie ready to assume that role much like Chris Paul took over the Hoenets and never looked back. We need a leader. Who’s that gonna be?

By ray

October 1, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Flash, get out of the sauce, you nutcase! Heh, heh! Naw, you could be right, but I think that this is against Woody’s principles and instincts. Then again, like I said, if Law explodes in camp…As for your Chill/JJ mix in the backcourt, you really are in the sauce. Either that, or Woody’s had a brain transplant. I just have a hard time believing that he’d change that much until I see it. I don’t care how many articles dear ol’ Sekou tries to “set us up” on. No sir, the proof’s on the tube at game time.

By mykhalc

October 1, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

FLASH, my man, WE ALL know who the CHILLS at PG cat is around here!! you cannot have my crown!!!LOL

no way i think MARVIN sits before ZAZA!! BK have his #2 pick sit??? nah, don’ think so.

i think HORFORD could start tho. ZAZA also showed he’s much more effective goin’ against the other teams 2nd stringer!!

personally, i really hope both LAW and HORFORD claim startin’ spots!!!

is SPEEDY still on the roster??? geesshhhh!!!!

By The Flash

October 1, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Intuition talking: Law is tough and rugged. Woody likes tough and rugged. This team needs tough and rugged. If Law shows he can chew gum and tie his shoes at the same time, he starts.

I also think Horford starts. That puts Marvin on the bench, because Zman is also startin.

With Marvin on the bench, they hopefully can add fire power at the end of the first and go charging into the beginning of the second. Marvin will use the time on the bench to feel the game, to really get into it, and figure a strategy for being effective as soon as he comes in.

The only possibility that Law don’t start is if they go to a true Princeton, in which case Chill and JJ just might be the starting backcourt. Yeap, remember where you read it. (No use making conventional predictions because, if they are right, so what. I making my two dollar bet on a long shot).

By bob weiss

October 1, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

How does John Koncack look so far? Is Doug Edwards ready to have his breakout season? Will Ken Norman stay healthy all year? Will Morlon Wiley contribute off the bench? Heck, I’ll take any nugget of info you toss out, man.

By ray

October 1, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Yeah, yeah, you were never gone. Now will you turn this blog right side up?

As for the pgs, one will start. The real question is which one will be starting 20,30,40 games into the season. I figure that unless Law just blows Woody away in training camp, it will be Speedy. That is, if he’s up to speed and doesn’t get hurt AGAIN before the season starts. Or, it will be AJ, who seemed to have some decent effect on the court last year, and is larger. It won’t be Lue, because he’s a valuable back-up and that’s nearly always been his role here as long as the other guys were healthy enough to play.

I doubt it will be Law because as I said earlier, anything short of spectacular training camp play will not get a guy like Woody’s attention. He doesn’t care so much for rookies, particularly at that position. Yeah, Law was a 4 year player and well-coached, but this is Woody we’re talking about. Remember how much like his mentor he is.

Funny thing is, if this team is going to get up and down the court, who do you suppose is the best guy at point for that style? That’s why I say wait SEVERAL games into the season, then we’ll see who’s running the point. I say that because Woody says they’ll get up and down the court more, shoot more threes. But I choose to wait and see just how much that’s employed, and how much he sticks to it when things get rough.

By SF or PF?

October 1, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Is Josh Smith a SF or a PF?

By A Real Fan

October 1, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

You are such a tease Sekou!

Give us some news!

By ...................

October 1, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

We know Joe,Marvin and Smoove are going to start… But I wanna know who you think should start at PG and C. I like Law but he is young …. And also Horford it’s gonna be interesting to see how well him and Smoove can play together

By Astro Joe

October 1, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Is AJ coming back determined to land a season-long gig in the town of his residence? Did he drop some L.B.s during the off-season? Is Speedy up-right? And physical changes to any of the young guys? Solomon gain weight? Marvin? Can law & Salim really sit on the pine next to each other and watch this team lose? They both seem way too competitive to have to sit out one lost after another (even though their fire is what this team needs).

Heck, I’ll take any nugget of info you toss out, man.