Hawks

By Statesboro Blues

October 29, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

I need to see if the Hawks have finally, finally paid their penance for trading Nique in 1993.

Part of me hopes not. Part of me would like to see good hoops in Atlanta again. I’m torn.

By Astro Joe

October 29, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Sekou, thanks for the unofficial update on Zaza and Claxton. Any word on Acie’s wrists? And should we assume Horford will get the nod at center or will Woody go with Shelden or Lo? Here’s hoping Woody plays Shelden big minutes against the Pistons in the second game, because Shelden played very well against that team last year.

And with League Pass being free this week, we can still check out Jazz and Warriors, albeit with a different studio and announcer crew.

By the way, put me down for 37 wins. If both Ando and Doc are predicting 36, I have to go at least one more since I am more optimistic than those 2. WTF, put me in for 38… with Marvin and Chill having terrific seasons.

By MannyT

October 29, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

We have to take advantage of the strength of the 2nd unit. That means more balanced minutes and a high energy pace consistently. If a little Mario West intensity rubs off on the regular rotation, they can make teams tired late in the game.

If the Hawks can have a decent November, I think they can maintain for the season. For the sake of extreme optimism—put me down for the 500 club—41 and 41 for the season. If they can weather the first week with a good attitude and close games, they can carry that confidence a long way.

I guess I’ll join another fantasy league to pass the time until Friday.

By doc

October 29, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

sing it loud aj … blue skies, nothing but blue skies coming my way. yes sir really stepped up on that prediction, no crack pipe like some of our other brothers.

By Mike

October 29, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Sekou you are off the chain mannnnnnnnnnn. I need to see all those things too. First and for more, I need to see some love for my young Hawks if they struggle coming out the gates.

I think the young guns will induce a trade. Teams will clamoring for Marvin, Chill, and Smoove, somebody is going to make a hard push for one of these guys. I see us getting the Big we need, not from any effort by the cheap @ss Spirit, but because these young cats are going to do there thing like Cisco Wayne.

Sek if you talk to Woody, “Tell that dude to give my boy Salim some PT time!!!”

GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By John B.

October 29, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Hey Sek, you ready for that big game this weekend (MSU v UM). As an MSU student, I can’t wait to see the Spartans whoop some Wolverine *! As for the Hawks, I hope they build off of the preseason success and take it to Dallas. I’m really interested to see who we’ll match up against Nowitzki (Smoove or Horford).

By Mr. GIlley

October 30, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

I concur…I am postponing my date to the movies to see American Gangster to watch the Hawks….I cannot wait I am sooo excited and I believe in them. People laugh at me when I say the Hawks doing big things this year but I am dead serious when I say I believe the Hawks will do something serious. GO HAWKS!!!!

By Bronnt

October 30, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this

John B, I think normally you’d see Josh Smith on Josh Howard, but the good news as far as the Hawks are concerned is that Howard will be suspended. It seems a waste to put Smoove on whoever they use to fill in for him, so my bet is that he’s guarding Dirk at least half of the game. As the Mavs will almost inevitably deconstruct our defense, there’s going to be a lot of different looks thrown at them.

I’m hearing that Lorenzen is likely out for the opener. If that’s the case, we really need Zaza healthy. It’s tough to ask Sheldon, Horford, and Solomon to carry all the minutes at center for a game like this. The only good thing I could salvage from news that Pachulia and Wright and both on the shelf is the possibility of seeing West get a chance to play on opening night.

By JohnGTFan

October 30, 2007 2:13 AM | Link to this

SEKOU

Great article as always!!! I believe we are all on the edge of our seats. I hate not being able to see the Hawks living in DC, but on 21 December, I will be in full support, watching live at the Verizon Center against the Wizards. The Hawks seem to me to have one of the deepest teams in the NBA; what is your take on the depth Sekou??

By jc_dawg

October 30, 2007 3:58 AM | Link to this

Remember the 13 win season from a few years ago? It could not get any worse than that and I was right.

Nice to see this team pick themselves up and rebuild the way they have. I still think that the kids in Vegas are out of there minds with an over/under of 29 1/2 with this years Hawks team. 40 wins is dooable.

If the Hawks do trade Smoove or Childress at the end of this season…for gods sakes get a player of equal value in return!

Dont dismantle what looks to be so promising.

By ray

October 30, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this

Well one would certainly hope it couldn’t get any worse…Even expansion teams tend to do better than that.

By Hawksville Resident

October 30, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this

I’ll be there Opening Night! We have a team worth supporting this season we need to get behind them. A lot of people say that Atlanta is a horrible sports town. That’s the kind of talk that usually gets me thrown out of a bar, but now we have the team and the opportunity to support. If you can, Be there Opening Night!

By Dan

October 30, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Sekou

I’m with you. Let’s get this thing going. I have not been this optimistic about the Hawks in a long time. I am sure, as long as injuries do not creep into the picture again, there will be postseason hoops to watch at Philips this year.

Also, glad the Hawks are here. College football ended on Saturday when my Michigan State Spartans lost at Iowa, despite dominating every possible stat but the scoreboard. Sekou, enjoy watching UofM pound the Spartans this weekend.

By JohnD

October 30, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

I hope I am wrong but the weak link is Marvin. A 6’9” jump shooter with little else to offer. He does not rebound, can’t play D at the 3 spot and has shown no more than average ability to pass the ball.

The Hawks will go as far as the new talent of Law and Horford can take them. The best point guard on the team is Acie Law and Al Horford is an all-around player - very good at all aspects of the game.

Lorenzen Wright? He should be outta here!

Speedy Claxton? Outta here!

Anthony Johnson? Very, very average but likely to stay.

Tyronne Lue has some trade value, the only point other than Law anyone is likely to want.

The key Friday will be how the Hawks defend Dallas’ bigs and how they rebound. Do those things and a W is possible.

By Astro Joe

October 30, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

I heard Mario West on 680TheFan this morning. Wow, talk about a likeable guy. I didn;t know much about him from his Tech days. After hearing him talk so well about hard work, good parents and faith, I’ll be cheering for this guy throughout his career. I hope he sticks long term and I look forward to seeing some of that unbridled energy and determination that I read about during the pre-season. If nothing else, the Hawks appear to have some guys worth supporting on a personal level. While I’m not all that interested in choir boys, I’d rather have that than a Jailblazers-type fiasco (or the Bengals from the past few years). Damn, is it Friday yet?

By Ken Strickland

October 30, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

I would love to try and predict the number of wins this season, but I guess I’m a coward. This yrs Hawks have sooo much individual talent that they could become this yrs version of Golden State. However, for that to happen several important factors have to fall into place. (1)All of that individual talent would have to come together and form a talented cohesive unit on the court. (2)Certain players must raise their overall level of performance and/or contributions(Marvin & Shelden Williams, SJones, SStaudamire and Zaza). SClaxton and TLue must remain relatively free of serious long term injuries, especially in the 2nd half of the season. (3)The overall coaching must correspondingly improve. They must force the team to consistently embrace the uptempo style of play that better suits their talents. (4)Woodson must do a better job of utilizing all of this talent and not let personal issues influence his decisions. (5)Our 3 rookies will have to come out of the block making positive and consistent contributions to the team. (6)Overall team chemistry and confidence will have to be established during the 1st quarter of the season.

If most, if not all, of those things materalize, all of you prognosticators will have to eat crow(you know who you are). However, I have no doubt whatsoever that all of you would gladly do so in the event you are proven wrong. After all, we all want the Hawks to be successful.

By Edo River

October 30, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Astro Joe, You’re drinking and thinking the same thing I am. Regards from Japan.

By Willie Coyote

October 30, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

I just hope all the up-tempo talk wasn’t just talk. I want to see these boys run and gun a little.

Hopefully Salim will get some PT if they are serious about pushing it.

If they do this half court mess again, I’ll be the guy threatening to jump from the Chamblee-Tucker Bridge during rush hour because I can’t take that anymore. I’ll post a message on the blog before I do it so noone will get caught in the traffic jam.

jkd, of course.

By mavid

October 30, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Sekou, that comment on Joe has me more worried than anything else. Consistently “down” body language is a very worrisome sign coming from your star. I’ll just have to assume that it’s no biggy, and that he’s just focused (I’m not so sure tho).

Im praying for an opening night victory. And, if Smoove can handle Dirk at least somewhat decently, we have a chance (they won’t have Josh Howard).

By mavid

October 30, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Oh, and Im also excited for the fantasy season to start.

My team is belovingly called “McLovin” in honor of my Halloween costume. May you all go down respectfully.

My prediction for the year is 42-43 wins if we stay reasonably healthy. But, that won’t happen, so my REAL prediction is 39 (40 just aint gon’ happen yet).

By bg

October 30, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

I will have to agree with one of the guys up top. We are too deep a team to not be able keep the tempo up. This team reminds me of the UNLV running rebles when they went to back to back NCAA Championships. We got some real athletes I really feel like our bench is just as good as our starters, and it shouldn’t be a big drop off if any when the second group comes in. I do feel as though we should run a zone on defense though, it will help us out as far as not having a true big man, enableing us to give help to each other on the inside.

By Astro Joe

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

JohnD, for a minute there, I thought you were describing Rashard Lewis, who earlier this summer took home a $100M contract from the Orlando Magic. But I think he is 6’10”, so never mind.

By terrell barron

October 30, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Why is everyone wanting Woody to GIVE Salim some playing time? I thought you had to earn it. When he gets on the floor, he has to show the coach that he deserves to get more playing time. Sekou, I know you want your boy Mario on the floor, so where does this leave Salim? NOT ENOUGH MINUTES FOR BOTH

By terrell barron

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

I heard Gordon and Deng were offered 5 yr 50 mill. Maybe the Hawks can keep Smoove around with the same amount. If they take it, the Hawks should go ahead and get it done. But what about Chill, will he demand the same thing? Sekou, what is the possibility of us resigning both? I just cant see the SPIRIT throwing 100 mill around like that. Can you? Unless they plan on moving Marvin after next year, which might be a good idea, unless he shines in 2008.

By Ryder

October 30, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Salim might see some mins against Dallas on Friday depending on the matchups. I would also like an update on Acie’s wrist Sekou. I know he’s not going to start but what’s the plan from Woodson?

Is it true Sekou that Lorenzen is out as well? If so then it only makes sense to start Horford at the 5.

I need to see how Woodson will implement both the half court offense and the up tempo game as well. This is my biggest concern with the Hawks as he has shown a tendency to fall back on slowing down the pace as the preseason was winding up.

Hopefully Mario will see some playing time on Friday. I’m also giving up American Gangster so I can see the game on NBA League Pass. I haven’t been this excited about a Hawks team since 93!

Mavid, I wouldn’t be too concerned about JJ. He is getting locked in and ready to go as a captain should be. He’s not going to give in to the hype and he needs to be the most zeroed in of all people. JJ is just not that rah-rah type that Smoove is, which is fine. It’s intensity and a desire to finally lift this team out of its abyss.

As for Marvin he needs to continue coming out of the gate strong on offense. The rest of his game will come around, but he needs to establish himself worthy of being in the starting lineup. Now that Josh Howard won’t be playing he should be at an advantage.

By MannyT

October 30, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

terrell I don’t think Woody needs to give any player time. However, the depth that the Hawks have allow them to take advantage of match ups at certain times. Salim is the shooter that the 2nd unit needs to provide outside scoring. The claim is that his defense is much better this year, so he should be in a position to contribute.

Mario brings a very different skill set (defensive pressure, high energy) that should not impact Salim’s minutes.

The larger question might be who is on the active 12 for a game when everyone is healthy. No need for 4 PG active every game.

By Astro Joe

October 30, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

An excerpt from Hollinger’s ESPN.com blog:

If there’s one thing we’ve heard over and over again this month, it’s that preseason games don’t matter. But it turns out the preseason can be useful after all. The research comes courtesy of Roland Beech of 82games.com. His 2006 study showed that in some cases, preseason results can be quite telling.

In particular, it seems to matter for teams who win at least three-quarters of their preseason games. Beech studied five NBA seasons and found 20 such teams; all but two had winning records in the regular season, and the average won 48 games. Throw in last season’s Raptors and Warriors and it’s 20 for 22.

That preseason trend is a good omen for Atlanta, Orlando and Indiana this season. Atlanta was the league’s preseason “champion” at 7-1, while Orlando was 6-1 with a whopping +15.6 victory margin and Indiana went a surprising 6-2.

By Astro Joe

October 30, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Opening Day rosters. I had actually forgotten about David Harrison in Indiana. Remember how often his name came up during the Harrington trade discussions?

http://www.nba.com/news/rostersset071029.html

By Mike

October 30, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

One interesting thing to look for this season; if these young athletic guys have truly grown up, which I think they have, then maybe we get a chance to see these guys actually play like 6’7’’, 6’8’’, and 6’9’’players. It’s no reason why an athletic guy 6’7’’, 6’8’’, or 6’9’’ can’t climb and dunk on a guy 6’10’’, 6’11, or 7 foot. We always complained about having guys with the same height, but half the time these guys don’t even use there height to their advantage. That what impress you about AH he plays like a 6’10’’ guy.

Long story short, we should see these guys finishing strong at the rack, and getting And1’s. JJ is a good example. I remember watching this cat with a broken nose and a mask on his face going to the rack dunking on guys in the playoff his last season at Phoenix. For some reason he lost some of that fire he had. I know most of it is because the stage got bigger, and he wasn’t use to being the guy. Time to lead or get out the way.

There is no reason why these guys should not expect to make the playoff this season. We all know that basketball is 90% mental. I think that’s the difference, these guys are mentally prepared to make a run at the playoff this season. Will that translate into wins, I think so. But I’m just a fan like everyone else eagerly anticipating the start of season. I have never been a wagon rider, so I’m going to hope on early. LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Mike

October 30, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

All right guys, the Maverick have waived this guy. Who knows anything about him, and can we use him?

DJ Mbenga Height: 7-0 Weight: 255 Born: Dec 30, 1980 - Kinshasa, Congo

They are going to sign Juwan Howard. I looked at his stats and they are very poultry. I would think that this cat can’t be no worst than LWright.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors;_ylt=Aqiqj7LlrKtDNmy.WO4mvBxFT74F

By Astro Joe

October 30, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

Mike, he is a project, much like Solomon Jones. I guess it depends if we think we can simultaneously develop 2 big men (which I personally doubt). Mbenga is probably better suited to play the pivot than Solomon based on bulk. I’ve only seen him play maybe twice… I’m guessing he is likely a candidate to become a useful defender only (although I do remember seeing him run the floor like he was a 6’4” guard).

By Samuel

October 30, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

What about my boy, Jackie Butler. He was also released by Houston. He’s a southern boy from Mississippi who everyone seems to like but hasn’t been able to catch on anywhere.

Considering how well he played a couple of years ago under Larry Brown in NYC, I believe he would be a welcome addition to our front court.

By Mike

October 30, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe thanks for the shout back.

Yea I agree, I know his name didn’t ring a bell. What ever became of Kevin Cato, is he still with Knicks. All we need is some second tier 6’11’ or 7 footer that can rebound and play defense. But so do 80% of the teams in the league…LOL.

I hear all this chatter about Boston will come out the East. I still think it will be Detroit.

By cp

October 30, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

I also hope that Woody does actually plays a more uptempo game. It seemed that early in the preseason they were running but near the end they were not running as much. As much as I think some players have to step up, I think the biggest factor on whether we become a better team is the coaching. Hopefully Woody will show me something this year. I have decided to skip American Gangsta friday too so I can watch the game.

By A Thinking Fan

October 30, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Doc That Tim Dunkin’ guy is up to his old tricks again this season - a DD!

By Samuel

October 30, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

I said when Portland drafted Oden that they would make the playoffs.

After seeing them this preseason against the Hawks and watching them tonight, I’m sticking with my prediction. They look damn good.

By hawks-4-life

October 31, 2007 4:16 AM | Link to this

HEY PEOPLE I SORRY I BEEN AWAY BUT ARMY LIFE STOP FOR NO ONE….WELL IM BACK (FOR NOW) AND TRYING TO CATCH UP ON WHAT I MISSED…WHAT DO YOU GUYS PREDICT FOR FRIDAY’S SCORE.

By Hammy the Hawk

October 31, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Sekou,

Is it true that Josh Smith turned down a 5 yr, $45 million dollar contract offer from the Hawks? I’m a Hawks fan living in Charlotte, NC and that was reported by their NBA writer, Rick Bonnell.

It almost sounded from your reporting of the situation that the Hawks hadn’t even made him an offer(which wouldn’t be a smart thing). Can you find out from your research, what offers the hawks did make, and if he did turn down that amount of money?

Hammy the Hawk

By JohnD

October 31, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Astro Joe,

Agreed, but Lewis is a better shooter at this stage. Marvin is still young so there is hope.

By Astro Joe

October 31, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

mike, I think Cato is sitting somewhere in Atlanta eating Twinkies and waiting for someone to call. I’m guessing there is a work ethic or locker room issue with him, because to your point, doesn’t every team need a cheap defensive center?

JohnD, I was personally encouraged by all of the free throw attempts Marvin had during the pre-season. That is something this team desperately needs, someone who can earn cheap points at the charity strike. 6-8 free throws a game would be huge for Marvin and the Hawks.

Did Biedrins insult Boozer’s mother at some point? Carlos simply feasts on the Warriors. They couldn’t stop him in May and all Boozer did in his next meeting was go for 32/15 last night.