Hawks

By Big "O"

October 9, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Sekou, There are only so many minutes to go around and the 2 guys you mention, unfortunately, do not figure to get a lot of p.t. during regular season. I think Woody is correct to try to build chemistry early as well as develop winning ways early!

By cp

October 9, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Good way to start the pre season. I just hope that Marvin finally breaks out and has a good season. When he is being aggresive and getting to the line he is fine. Yea he should be grabbing more boards aint no doubt about that. Im ready for the season to start. How did Horford look defensively?

By roan st

October 9, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

If these two things happen next offseason I don’t care if the Hawks move to Siberia as long as they take woody, billy, and the spirit with them.

1. They lose hometown product Josh Smith in free agency. Sign him now because it is obvious to anyone with a brain cell that his price is going to go up the longer these idiots wait. Even on nights when his scoring isn’t there he can still have a tremendous impact on the outcome of a game. Very few players in this league can make that claim. Oh and did I mention he is still only 21 years old and will get better.

2. If they bring back Woody as coach next season. His mismanagment of games is mind boggling. Whether it be terrible strategies against a particular opponent or guys not getting minutes that clearly deserve them. I already have a sick feeling that he will screw up this season even though we now have a squad with some promise.

By Sekou K. Smith

October 9, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Horford looked fine until he got switched on to Dwight. But Dwight makes most mortals look bad.

By Ryder

October 9, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Woodson encouraging the Hawks to run? What planet is this? I know it’s going to be a challenge for this team from adjusting from a half-court to an up tempo style, but that is what preseason is for. I like the fact that they are at least willing to see how it works.

Props to Law and how he took command late in the game. Even if he doesn’t start in the beginning it is imperative to the team that he and JJ are the backcourt at the end of games. His ability to create his own shot will be huge while JJ is being double teamed.

Playing time will be an issue for this suddenly deeper Hawks team. While they are not going to be able to physically handle most teams, if they utilize their depth correctly I think they will win those close games they were unable to win last year.

By Gutz

October 9, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

I listed to the game on NBA league pass and we got KILLED when Orlando’s starters were on the floor!! Dwight Howard had a FIELD DAY against everyone (including the undersized Horford!) on our roster and they PULLED ALL their starters AND bench players up by 12 with like 7 minutes to go in the 4th!! Then we made a comeback on their scrubs who won’t be on the team come the regular season!! Our comeback was on players named Gortat, Augustine, and Torrel Martin!!! All the while WOODY (The class CLOWN) ran our STARTERS (J Smith, J Childress, JJ, Zaza, and Law) to beat the scrubs!! Who the hell are those guys we beat in the final 7 mins of the game!?!? We sure didn’t beat Dwight Howard, or even harrassed the turnover machine known as Jammeer Nelson into 1 measly turnover!! 6assists 0 turnovers (Speedy u SUCK!!) Don’t go giving ATL praise SS where they CLEARLY DON’T DESERVE IT!!!! They were smashed last night when the regulars were on the floor!! They have ALOT of work to do before they can consider themselves “playoff” worthy!!

By Greg

October 9, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

I keep make this point as long as Jsmith is playing the 4 we will not have success as a team. The best line up we can put on the floor is Horford & ZaZa or (SJones) at 4 & 5, JSmoove, JJ, & AC Law on the wing. Bring Marvin off the bench. The experiment didn’t work.

By Harry10

October 9, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Gutz makes a good point. We were beaten very badly when Orlando ran there starters against us, and it seemed that no one on our roster could contend with Dwight Howard! Now I hear alot of people saying “Let Howard do what he does as long as we win” but lets face it guys, with Howard on the floor (Without R. Lewis b.t.w.) they were beating us badly. Maybe Horford can step it up early in his career because he looked like the only one who could ever deal with that 21 year old beast in Orlando. I could see the Magic winning the southeast if Dwight can hit that 15 footer like he did last night. That kid is gonna be SO tough to beat, i still blame Terry Stotts, and B. Sura for Orlando getting Dwight over us! Why we won those extra games that year when the season was over already is (and will forever be) beyond me. He could be ours if not for that!! But no! I once held a small glimmer of hope that he would demand to return to his hometown team, but alas he seems to be happy in Mickey Mouse’s city. Oh well…..

By Randy

October 9, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

I think I am more excited about Law than Horford. Horford is a workhorse but Law is a playmaker. I don’t think it will take very long before Law becomes the starter. And you are correct on Josh Smith. I would have signed him monthes ago. Whatever he is asking for, it isn’t enough. I am with everyone else, if they let Josh Smith get away after this season I will never watch the Hawks again! SIGN HIM NOW!!!! By the way, great blog Sekou, keep it up.

By kaye

October 9, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Sekou K. Smith, tell me this, why wont the Hawks play Jsmith at 3 where he is better suited and put a real PF at the 4. Why contine to start MW…he is a tweener, you dont want he is. He cant bound, and he cant defend a natural 3. See look, the 3 is suppose to be ur most gifted player, able to score from the block and wing. please explain this

By LEA

October 9, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

LOL at you Gutz , you really need to calm down, The young guys played well and they showed us some things. And for the last time people. Josh Smith is going to start at the 4 whether you like it or not….. Since Marvin was the number 2 pick Woody won’t put him on the bench. And Smoove does not put up those same numbers at the 3 spot. He is the 4 of the future. And also remember we did not see this game, Sekou probably did, So I think what he says means a lot more…

By Astro Joe

October 9, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Gutz & Harry10, let’s see, a team that made it to the playoffs last year and added a maxed out player and a superios coach was beating a squad that is introducing a new offensive concept when each team played it’s primary players. Is that right? And we’re supposed to be disappointed or shocked by that result? And didn’t Sekou include Woody’s quote that he was disappointed by the team’s offensive play? Where is this parade that you guys infer is being thrown for this exhibition victory?

By The Flash

October 9, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Brand and Artest played on the same AAU team, with two ther guys that started with Artest at St. Johns.

AAU teams are running the game, in my opinion, and shoe companies that sponsor them are exploiters of the worst kind.

Those shoe companies should be paying to refurbish school gymnasiums, put in new turf fields in inner city schools, creating the real opportunity for sports to flourish and not just for the best of the best. Instead, they throw an unseemly amount of “product” at the best athletes, give them all-expense-paid trips to play “exhibition” games in all kinds of exotic places, have them myopically focus on plying ball under the supervision and direction of so-called experts, at the expense of their forgeting how to learn for themselves, and expose them to all kinds of corrupting influences. Now we have cable channels upping the ante even further.

There is an exploitation factor in all of this that would make a cynic or worse of the most principled kid. The next time somebody in the media talks about the lack of character of some professional ballplayer and starts blaming it on his family or his boyz, they need to look at the wholesale exploitation of those players since the time they were 12 by anybody that could make a buck off of them.

Just trying to keep it real folks, just trying to keep it real.

By Willie Coyote

October 9, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure there are too many people in the league who can consistently contend with Dwight Howard. Duncan probably could keep him honest but who else? Shaq is getting old and wouldn’t be able to keep up for a whole game, Amare and most others probably aren’t big enough. Whoever in the NBA is playing him really has a physical disadvantage against him. If they are strong enough, they may not be athletic enough. If they have the athleticism, they probably aren’t strong enough. Why should the Hawks big men be criticized like they are the only ones in the league that can’t play him?

By Tyger

October 9, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

The Hawks still have not addressed the Center position and are running out of time. Dwight Howard is the first of a series of Monsters of the East coming ATLs way.

Trying to “run” around the problem is illogical, you have to confront it head-on.

DHoward, Okafor, Shaq, Rasheed, KG, Curry, Randolph, Big Ben, Zydrunas, Dalembart are huge players capable of dominating the paint.

We should at least expire our BIGS in defense. LoWright, Shelden, ZaZa and Solo should all be used to slow these guys down.

By smartguy

October 9, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Yo, SS! Hoop there it is. Great blog. A few observations:

Woody is the most clueless coach I have ever seen where it comes to individual playing time. There is no rhyme or reason. How hard you play has little to do with whether or not you’ll get more minutes. We’ve been over this several times this summer. See: Salim and Solo 2006-07.

As far as DH, it seems to me that Smooth does a pretty good job on him. Dwight is a beast, and slowing him down is a more realistic goal than stopping him altogether. I see Horford as a total mismatch against him, but at least its good practice.

And the officiating. Oh the officiating. After spending most of the summer constantly bashing Woody, I can say that Mike Woodson is a better coach than most NBA officials are at refereeing. The Hawks get very little respect, and many times bad/wrong calls against us have cost us big. Zach Zarba, Bernie Fryar, Sean Corbin, it really doesn’t matter.

By Ryder

October 9, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

Naturally no one can keep up with Howard. What people like Gutz doesn’t seem to grasp is that this is preseason, and with a new philosophy it’s going to take time to establish a rhythm. As a matter of fact, what many of you people don’t seem to realize is that the majority of NBA teams don’t get into their regular rhythm until December at least.

I will say this though, I think it is best that Marvin come off the bench right now as their sixth man. I don’t care what spot he was drafted, it’s obvious that he will continue to be a step slower on offense than most SFs unless there’s a fast break.

As for Josh Smith, I still wouldn’t resign him long term. Let’s see if he can handle his own at the 4 first before making any judgements. If he can’t prove it by now then he’ll prove what I’ve always thought about him: he’s nothing but an athlete and not a baskeball player. Big difference.

By LL Cool Scott

October 9, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Things you guys need to accept: 1. Josh Smith is our starting 4, and will be for the foreseeable future. 2. Marvin Williams is our starting 3, and will be for the foreseeable future. 3. Al Horford isn’t starting now, but will eventually be our starting 5. That’s a solid front line if we can learn to play Phoenix-style-small-ball (either with this coaching staff or another one). LL has spoken.

By ILL-logical

October 9, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Ryder’s comments forced me to say what few are willing but many are feeling:Atlanta’s professional sports franchises are grounded in the conflict between the “suburban” market and the “Atlanta” market and the “suburban” market holds sway in matters of which player is “good” (see J. Francoeur) or which player is an “Athlete” or worse a “thug”(see M.Vick).

And the decisions made on that basis have produced few if any championships.

So maybe J Smooth should consider the plight of Andruw Jones(but please don’t marry a white girl) and get out of this town and make some money and win a championship(s) somewhere else.

By honest_abe

October 9, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

damn damn damn!

it’s widespread knowledge that woody is the worst coach in the nba. period. we’ve talked about why for days and even months. but his failure to maximize his personnel is most glaring. the royal ivey for 3 minutes to start the game was classic. was it even 3 minutes? now he can’t even give some minutes to a “defensive” stopper in a meaningless exhibition game. i hate tech, but i know a solid player when i see one. west is that type of player. energy and defense. who’s the last hawk you can point at and say he’s our shut down guy. hmmmm.. ok i can’t remember. mario probably won’t even make the roster and then he’ll end up on a team like san antonio or detroit and blossom…

woody wouldn’t know talent if it hit him in the face.

By LL Cool Scott

October 9, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

Ryder - that last sentence you wrote about Josh Smith is one of the most ignorant things I’ve ever read.

By ray

October 9, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

ILL-logical, to a point, I can understand the basis for what you have to say about Atlanta’s professional sports franchises. To a point, I say. But what does interracial relationship have to do with anything? It’s merely a choice, and in most cases, a person chooses another not for the sake of that person being of another race, but because they choose THAT PARTICULAR PERSON. By all means, have your opinion, but don’t be openly ignorant. And I think you can guess as to why I might take particular offense to that statement, no matter how out of the way it might have been…

By Floze

October 9, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Sekou:

Please don’t start with this again - remember the run you gave Cedric Bozeman last year? If Solomon Jones and Mario West are getting any playing time this year then Pheonix should be very happy come June.

By ray

October 9, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

I am anxious to see the results of the rest of these exhibition games. That’s how you get to see the trends.

I disagree with anyone who says Josh Smith isn’t a 3. I disagree if you say he isn’t a 4. I say he’s a ball player quite capable of playing both. The two questions are these: Which position is Smith best served by playing? Which position do you play him at that best serves the team? You have to consider that this is also quite often going to be a game-time decision, and may change throughout a game. To say that he’s absolutely one or absolutely the other is to limit what he can do.

Then there’s Smith’s play and body language itself. Tell me he doesn’t want to act like a 3 when you see him out there puttin’ up jumpers…all the way out to 3-point range. Tell me he doesn’t want to act like a 4 when he goes to man-up on guys like DHoward, attempting to block a shot. Watch the guy play, and tell me without a doubt which position he is. Even Smith would probably tell you he is both. The bigger of the two questions is which position does this TEAM need him to play, and WHEN? Again, it may change from time to time.

Instead of making idiotic black &white statements, like “he’s a 3, and that’s all there is to it” we should be glad we have a guy who can play both when needed. Which means we need to sign the guy. As I and others have said before: if you let this guy go, you better be getting somebody equally impressive in return. And that somebody had better be a franchise-leading center. After all, we drafted the pg and pf. We have the sg, and a choice of SFs. What other reason should there be for letting go of Smith?

Seeing as how I don’t have much reason to trust the judgement or motivation of the current ownership and managment, I say keep the guy. Take a chance with them, and we’d be trading Smith for Kelvin Cato and a bag of chips.

By morris

October 9, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Illogical, there are a lot of white hawks fans who love josh smith and will be angry if he leaves because of management. Don’t try and turn this into a racial thing like on that stupid falcons blog. Andruw Jones is leaving because he hit .220 and wants 20 million per year from a team that has serious payroll constraints. I have heard the complaint over the years about the braves letting go of justice and now andruw and the suggestion that it is based on race. Why then have the same braves let go of white icons tom glavine, greg maddux and dale murphy if player movement is race based? And as far as mike vick goes he was once highly regarded by almost all fans until his off the field incidents led many to the conclusion he could never be true leader. He is the only one to blame for his downfall and not the fan base.

By curious

October 9, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

16pts & 8.6rpg and 2.9bpg and he is not a ball player. Ryder - What else does JS have to prove to you. See if he can handle his own. He has been handling his own for 3 years improving every year. He dominates everyone they draft higher who is supposed to play in front of him. Just say I don’t like the guy not that he can’t play. It is going to be funny when he leave this summer and becomes an all-star and people like u will say I knew it. I wonder why some of you guys are so personal. Did these guys not sign your autograph?

By Ryder

October 9, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

LL Cool Scott - you come up with a name like that and have the nerve to call me ignorant?

curious - if Atlanta management believed he was a franchise player, then they would’ve signed the extension by now don’t you think? I understand the owners can’t decide on a take out order much less how to run a franchise (Bill Simmons’ words not mine) but if they thought Smith was someone they could build around they would’ve already taken care of this issue.

I think he puts up great numbers, but is he able to play the 4 the way they need him to? Will he be able to keep his attitude in check? I have no problem admitting I’m wrong but as of now I still say he has to bring it night in and night out.

By RealGM Sucks

October 9, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

Speedy, don’t you go and get injured the next game you hear?!

By John

October 9, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

All I have to say is SIGN JOSH SMITH. THere is no one in the league with his exact skill set and talent. Plus, HE WANTS to be in Atlanta.

By Floze

October 9, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

I like this 5:

Sheldon Horford Smoove Chill Joe

Not to start, but in the flow of the game. Many times Chill brings the ball up and with Joe, I think they could both handle point. I think Sheldon is the only person on this roster that can defend the 5 - even at 6-8. This roster gives us the best defense and play making possible with Horford, Smoove, and Chill running and Joe trailing to knock down shots.

By mykhalc

October 9, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

BIG RAY, while i do agree with your overall theme of JS bein’ both/hybrid/tweener, we should not be confused as to what his STRENGTHS really are. as much as he might wanna act like or be a 3, as of the end of last year, his handles (especially in traffic) says he’s not a 3. his beyond mid-range jumper says he’s not a 3. his 3pt shot DEFINITELY says he’s not a 3. SHEED probably brings more offensive 3 skills than SMOOVE!!??!!! however, in the open court, pick a number!!LOL or better yet just make him a 6!!LOL but i’m sure you get what i’m sayin’!!???!!??

BUT on the defensive end JS can go easily between the 3 and 4, no doubt. i kinda compare this argument sometimes to MAGIC. the cat was a 6’9” PG!!! did his b’ball skills and smarts allow him to play in other spots on the floor at times??? NO DOUBT!! but to call him anythin’ other than a PG (and baller period) would be a mistake IMHO. PG was his natural/skilled position.

i think we can get so caught up in a guy’s physical attributes that we automatically think he belongs at position X. and tho physical attributes DO help determine if a cat can man a position, it is not the ‘ALL DETERMINING’ factor that some make it out to be (even when they say they are not makin’ it out to be). the SKILL-SET has to go hand-in-hand with WHATEVER physical attributes a player has. one WITHOUT the other PROBABLY is the definition of D-LEAGUE (except for the exceptional few)!!!..IMHO

By The Flash

October 9, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

Having Smooth guard Howard is a good thing. Think about it.

Can you pay Smooth superstar money if all he wants to do is develop the skills, temperment, mindset, concepts, to play an incredibly entertaining 4?

I have no idea how Smooth is showing, but if he don’t show it as a 3, in the long run what’s it mean. Yeap, I am serious. Dead serious.

By MannyT

October 9, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

It’s preseason. We get 7 more games to play with line ups and match ups without caring about the record.

Woody doesn’t make the trades and BK says he likes the squad as it is. Unless anyone has a secret method to make a big burly center appear out of David Blaine’s shoe, we gotta run with who we have. LoWright was supposed to be that big to plug the middle, but it hasn’t worked.

So we do need a plan that says use our weakness as a strength. That’s a great reason to run this season like the team is being chased by all Vick’s pit bulls.

We can still do things with match ups because we can still run in the right situations with a big (JJ, Chills) or small (Speedy, Lue, Salim) backcourt. (Law still plays, but he is neither overly big or small.)

In the front court, it is hard to be big, but the closest we get is with JSmith at the 3. The small front court small puts JSmith at 4.

Hopefully we can play a chaotic defensive style to take advantage of our shot blockers.

By curious

October 9, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

Ryder- That is my point he does bring it night in night out. He led the team in rpg not Zaza. He led the team in blocks. Does he need to work on his attituide. Yes, I think he does. So does Woody. JS is the not the only player on that team that can’t stand Woody. About the owners, they have no respect around the league. They are not signing this kid because they don’t have the money not because of what he can do. Until this court case and legal fees are paid up everything will be done cheaply. Why do you think they haven’t got rid of those expiring contracts. Any other team would of tried to buy out LW. He make 3 mil and avg. 3 pts.

By curious

October 9, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

Ryder- There are three guys with JS skill set. AK-47, Matrix and Gerald Wallace. 2 make the max and the other who I think signed a bad contract makes 9.5 mil a year. There is no way Kevin Martin should make 1.5mil a year more than GW. Also Rashard Lewis just signed for 118 mil this year. I don’t think he is a better all-around player than GW. He is most definitely not worth 61 mil more. JS will get a lot of money on the open market. Have you noticed he does not seem to be worried about the Hawks not resigning him. He hasn’t said a word that should tell all of us something.

By Fantasy Q?

October 9, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

Hey Sekou and crew:

This is my fantast BB team I have in my league. As the resident NBA expert Sekou would you give me your opinion. Thanks for your time.

PG Randy Foye

SG Luol Deng

G T.J. Ford

SF LeBron James

PF Carlos Boozer

F Darko Milicic

C Dwight Howard

C Tyson Chandler

C Andrew Bogut

SG Mickael Pietrus

PG Mike Conley Jr.

SF Marvin Williams

SF Jeff Green

By LL Cool Scott

October 9, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

LL Cool Scott did not give himself that name. The Ladies who love him named him that. LL has spoken.

Josh Smith is a great player, probably the second best player we have right now. If he continues his rapid improvement, he’ll be the best player on our team in a couple of years. I love his attitude - he’s got more passion and drive to win than anyone on the floor most nights.

By mykhalc

October 9, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

SEKOU, nice article on ACIE man!!

yep, the cat has…IT!!!!

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

October 9, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

Letting Josh Smith go will have the same effect on this team when the Hawks traded Nique. I will no longer watch or follow this team if that happens. He is the face of this franchise. I mean I love all of the HAWKS but people come to the games knowing that Smoove is going to do something special. You don’t let that type of talent get away…. And plus Marvin has not proven a darn thing , And Horford will be great but not yet….

By destin

October 9, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Every team would like a DHoward, but Orlando hasn’t exactly been racking up the trophies yet. Other teams manage to win consistently with something less than a dominating monster at center. Match-ups against different teams requires some degree of flexibility, and I think the Hawks stack up pretty well here. I agree that Josh Smith can and should play both 4 and 3 depending on the match-up and circumstances. We have several players that can play multiple positions if need be.

By jhan

October 9, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

Does LL stand for “Lousy Lover”?

By doc

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

jhan; chuckle, chuckle.

By Sekou K. Smith

October 9, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Fantasy Q,

Darko and Pietrus are the only two guys who worry me. They might put up numbers this year or they might bust, in the worst way. But the rest looks good. And when you’ve got LeBron leading the way, you could roll.

By Bobby

October 9, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Hey Hawks fans! Excited about the upcoming season with our young team! This IS a playoff year! Starting a NBA fantasy league that will have Atlanta Hawks fans, meaning Atlanta residents, ONLY as members. That way we can attend games while debating who has the best teams and competing against each other in the league. If you love the NBA, and want to be in a fun NBA fantasy league, send me an email at ice4meno@yahoo.com. Go Hawks!

By Remembering Roundfield

October 9, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

I think Woody may improve this year if we give him a chance. Yes I agree that he needs to improve the way he uses his players, but I would think that he might spend his off season talking to Bob Knight and whichever other mentors he has about how to better himself. Let’s hope the players aren’t the only ones stepping up their game this year.

By Fantasy Q.

October 9, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Thanks Sekou! I was wondering if I had enough scorers even outside of THE King.

By HB Ando

October 10, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

I’m confounded by folks who see Josh Smith as a four. The classic for spends the majority of his time in and around the paint. The best ones can step out and extend the defense with consistent outside shooting. This guy, who is has freakish athleticism, still prefers to work from the outside, in. It’s less about his current handle, or his inconsistent stroke from the perimeter, than his obvious comfort in working in open space. Is he the optimal, classic 3? No.

But he brings an array of atributes that make him an absolute challenge, night in and night out, for opposing teams trying to match up with him.

He’s not a banger.

You want to see a four? Check out Al Horford, who couldn’t be more at home inside the paint, on either end of the floor.

And as far as our center situation, Howard make the first of what will be a consistent litany of dominating performances against our undersized, and under manned post options.

30 points, 11 boards and 4 blocks, in 28 minutes, underscores the very essence of what some of us are predicting.

You simply cannot expect this roster to have an answer for his size, length and athleticism.

This mismatch will quickly become a recurrent theme, as we move through the pre-season, and into the “real deal”.

Sure, there are lot’s of individual player developments, which suggest we’re moving in the general, right direction. But this team, for the zillionth year in a row, will be too small, light, and generally inexperienced, to win on a regular basis.

Better? Sure. Definitively better than anyone else in the East? I don’t see it.

Denver just lost journeyman, Anthony Carter, for about 6-8 weeks. And Karl was seriously considering him for major minutes. Gotta feel like AJ or Lue could step right in.

So what could we get, of value?

By ray

October 10, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

Myk, I am not at all confused about what Josh’s strengths are. Not even close. I’m saying the guy plays both positions, and should do so based on situations or match-ups. Going by what you’re saying, Josh is not a 3, therefore he must be a 4, right? I mean, he’s not a 5 or a 1 clearly. According to you, he doesn’t shoot the rock well or handle the ball well enough to be a 3, so he obviously can’t be a 2. So he must be a 4 by all logical thinking, right? If he is NOT one position, then he MUST be another, or am I mistaken? Then, you turn around and say that we get caught up in physical attributes and try to force a definition of position “X” on a person. I agree that physical attributes aren’t the all determining factor in what position a guy plays. Never said they were. What I did say was that Smith can play two positions easily.

Besides, just how good does your ball-handling have to be to play small forward? It would be interesting to see how you judge the other 3s around the league, or what your exact definition is for a SF.

Magic Johnson is a great example of a supremely unique player, not the argument that skill set determines position. He could have easily played the 2, 3, perhaps even the 4. But the team he was on needed him at the 1, and his coach was smart enough to keep him there. They were set at the other positions.

If we’re going purely by skill set, then Josh should be our starting center. He led the team in rebounding, dunks, and blocked shots. Have fun figuring out the rest of the lineup…

By ray

October 10, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this

Myk, I don’t want to argue this anymore, but one thing to add. If Josh isn’t comfortable being constantly slated as a 4, then he’s not going to do well if forced there. The reason why I said he acts like he wants to be a three is because his game speaks for itself. Besides, isn’t Gerald Wallace a guy with similar skill set who once couldn’t shoot or dribble so well? Last year, his efforts at expanding his skill set finally culminated in %50 on FGs and %32.5 on 3s.

Forcing could end up with a frustrated but more talented Boris Diaw. And like everyone else has said, Josh wouldn’t be hurting for suitors around the league. Not at all..

Ando, seems like curious got the same idea you mentioned a short while back (and many people ignored). I don’t begin to wonder why Josh isn’t going haywire about a contract right now. Only teams with superstar SFs wouldn’t want him. And even then, some know the value of certain assets. No, finding a job would be no issue at all, and I hate to think what would actually happen if ownership and management had to deal with an honest to goodness offer sheet from another team…

Wonder if low post moves were all Smith was checking out while he was out of town this summer. Hate to sound all conspiratorial, but if he and his agent are smart, they took a look at cities, homes, etc…Never know if you could end up on another team, and doesn’t hurt to know where you wouldn’t mind being traded to. After all, seems to me like these days lots of players are telling management/ownership not only when they want out…they’re voicing a choice or choices of specified destinations. Interesting…but deperessing, too.

By mykhalc

October 10, 2007 3:00 AM | Link to this

BIG RAY, we’ll just agree to disagree. and it’s all cool my friend. just merely statin’ my opinion. nothin’ more to add bro.

regardless, ownership would be crazy not to sign him!!!

By A Thinking Fan

October 10, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this

Maybe we should have drafted YI! Did you see his line from last night? I’ll take our two draftees any day over YI!

By NoD

October 10, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Sekou - What point out the fact Morris was on the AAU team with Howard and J.Smith and miss J. Crittenten (sp?). Think he should be mentioned also

By newkid

October 10, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Trade idea.

Apart from possible injuries to others, Sheldon Williams isn’t likely to get big minutes this year. So, why not try to immediately move Sheldon to Seattle for Johan Petro and a 2nd round pick in ‘08?

By Astro Joe

October 10, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

People, understand that the incumbent team holds the advantage when it comes to signing it’s own players. Next season, the best another team can do is sign Smith to an offer sheet. After that, the Hawks have 2 weeks to match. And oh, by the way, a 4 year deal from another team can’t (by rule) be as lucrative as a 4-year deal from the incumbent team.

Lastly, while it is possible that Smith has a phenomenal year that may increase his value, is it also possible that something bubbles up that may keep his value in the $9-10M range? Bottom line, if Smith walks, it’s because the owners decided not to keep him, it won’t likely be because another team outbid them. I say keep him hungry and dangle that carrot for as long as possible. The rules are set-up to give the incumbent team the advantage, why not exploit the rules?

By HB Ando

October 10, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Ray: what I’m sayin’! Unlike the noise you’re hearing out of Chicago, from the camps of Deng and Gordon, not a peep coming out of Childress or Smith. There’s no reason to think that either of both of these guys would more than welcome going to play for a better front office and ownership group. If they don’t re-sign Smith before next summer, and plays like most folks expect, someone is going to throw a near-max (if not max) contract offer at him, and test the heck out of the Spirit. Then, it’s either pay up, or sign-and-trade time. Which makes Marvin as much an insurance policy, as the potential odd man out………

By doc

October 10, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

atf, yeah and did you see how the top two finalists for the ring last year got blown out the spurs and the cavs? or did you see that tim duncan is now finished, he was only 1 for 6 last night and his coach had so little confidence in him he only played 17 minutes? oh and royal ivey got in the game for the bucks and lead them to victory over the hapless bulls and noah with 10 points only suggesting that he was long overlooked on the bench of woody and one more blunder of this management team.

NOT!

preseason guys and one game at that. pleased that it looks like we might have gotten a bit of hot chocolate fudge sauce and maybe a little of the spice cinnamin in the vanilla ice cream that was served up at draft day.

long way to go and it is nice to see a few more voices.

By doc

October 10, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

aj, didnt the magic wait until this off season to go after howard as good as he is and was and keep him or did they go earlier than expected and do what most teams dont, sign them before the sign and trade.

By The Flash

October 10, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Smooth can play some 4, at the right times with the right mix of players on the floor, and excel. He can play some 4 at other times and hold his own. He can play some 4 at other times and it will cost. How much? Let’s just say that it will cost against Detroit, it will cost against San Antonio, Dallas, and anybody else who has a 4 with a true 4 body and the ability to do something with it.

So, seems to me that Smooth’s best chance at big, big time money does not depend upon his ability to reek havoc at times from the 4, but rather upon what he can do as a 3. He will have to play both at an extremely high level to be worth big-time bucks.

So, it seems to me that you have to ask yourselves (or not) has Smooth shown the interest in making himself the most effective 3 for this team that he can be? If so, are you satisfied with that product? If not, will you pay him the big time bucks nonetheless?

By Ryder

October 10, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Thank you Astro Joe, for pointing that fact about keeping Smith hungry to see if he can become the player Atlanta drafted him to be. Atlanta has the advantage and should use it to their benefit.

This is a critical year for this franchise, and it is imperative that they find out who they can build around. Personally I would love to see Josh Smith here for the rest of his career but will he become that number 2 star alongside JJ? Early indications seem to say yes, but it’s just that early.

I do admit that Woodson is still the wrong coach for this team. Ray is right if a player succeeds at a certain skill then they should play him at that position regardless of height. Woodson hasn’t grasped that yet and that is why a supreme talent like Horford will waste away on the bench when he should be starting at the 4.

I really wouldn’t concern myself with sticking one player at a certain position, which was BK’s thinking (by the way notice how no one is calling for his head yet?) of creating a versatile lineup. Now this team just needs a coach who can exploit those strengths and not concern themselves with trivial items such as which position on the floor should they play.

Hey didn’t Boris Diaw get put in the starting lineup as the Suns Center once when Amare was out? Josh Smith can play all the frontcourt positions on this team.

Nevertheless I really hope Woodson grows a pair between now and the beginning of the season and starts Law and JJ as the starting backcourt. That’s a winning combination, let Speedy get injured coming off the bench. This shouldn’t even be a question as this group will be able to handle the rock in crunch time.