Hawks

By Astro Joe

September 9, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

I’m sitting on the fence this year. Woody should NOT have been brought back. I have argued for years on this here blog that “coaching matters”. I think Woody came back because of the ownership divorce. So I’m sitting on the fence this season waiting for the final ownership resolution to occur. I’ll root for the players but I’m not going to get too caught up in GM decisions (e.g. balanced roster, Magloire vs. Randolph Morris, Solo vs. Josh Powell, etc.) because it is clear what interferes with every possible transaction. So I’ll try to get a ticket to the single nationally televised game (Boston in December) and will likely save my money until ownership is resolved and we hire a real coach. My passion for the team went from a rolling boil after the playoffs to room-temperature cool when Woody was re-upped. And I will likely stay luke-warm until we have a clear path and an effective coach.

By vdunkndunk

September 9, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

I think the Hawks might play better this season and still miss the playoffs, since the East keeps improving. If the Hawks had kept Childress, still added Evans and Flip, and signed Kwame instead of Morris, then maybe I could see them as a strong contender for the 7th or 8th seed. But right now it looks like it could be tough. Possible, but tough.

By Mike is back

September 9, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Sekou yes I definitely believe, I believe that the current roster of Hawks is an improvement over the previous seasons, therefore I feel that the Hawks has progressed to the point where making the playoff is no longer a pipe dream. They definitely have the personnel to compete in the east.

I’m reminded of this boring team name the Spurs, a team that have produce the lease amount of All Stars, but rank at the top of the league when it comes to producing championship. Before I am slammed to oblivion, I am not comparing the Hawks franchise to the Spurs, I know that would be wayyyyyyy to much Kool-Aideeeeee. I’m just saying the lack of All Stars want prevent this team from reaching the playoff. I want state my obvious reason for trepidation because we have beaten that dog to death.

I’m through slamming Woody, it’s the start of a new season, I always start off with a clean slate. I think Woody is smart enough to realize that a two year contract is not a big vote of confidence. Surely, he will take advantage of the opportunity afforded him and devise a system that incorporates more players on the team. If we are using all of the assets on the roster, than the chances of making the playoff is very good.

If not than the goal for season should remain making the playoff even if it requires a coaching change.

By get real

September 9, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

If the Hawks avoid injuries, they will end the year above .500 and make the playoffs. All I keep hearing is, “well if marvin stakes that next step and we see his true potential”, “better schemes for josh and al”, “bibby for a whole year”, “added depth”..blah blah blah.

Joe Johnson better stay healthy or this team goes nowhere.

Woody has got to cut down everyones minutes.

Side note: Where is Rick Sund and WHAT is he doing?

By Ben

September 9, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Is this the best you can do for a blog? You could’ve asked this question a month ago.

By RG

September 9, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

I believe in them despite the ownership. I believe in JJ, Josh and Al, not letting this team move backwards. I think that they will be leaders and push this team to better things.

By Ben

September 9, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

vdunkdunddundk you’re right. We just have so much money to get every player out there. Heck, we should trade Acie Law for Marbury, Solo for Jermaine O’Neal, since we’re so loaded with money!

By Eric

September 9, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

It depends on whether or not you believe Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby come back better prepared for the rigors awaiting them. And there’s

Do you proofread your work?

And there’s…….. WHAT?

By Swatguy

September 9, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Sekou I am inclined to believe the team is improving. It is so difficult to measure young players progress. But, there is no doubt about the core talent. Bringing in Mo, Flip and Bibby have made the top 8 as good as many and better than most. We still have questions and shortcomings. My mind does tell me we need more. This team is putting a lot on Al’s young shoulders (Zaza needs to step up) and another big hopefully will buttress the frontcourt. I also believe Woodson is more than capable with a maturing team, but an additional “big man” coach can certainly help (Hakeem maybe?). So I anticipate a playoof season, in the mist from the beginning and throughout.

By the way, Are we finished with the roster? We here what the street committee says, what’s in the wind?

By Astro Joe

September 9, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Anyone have any scoop on what happened to “Home Team” Brandon Leak on The Zone? He was the only radio personality in Atlanta who was well informed on the Hawks. And now he is gone.

By SSI Fan

September 9, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I do not believe that the core of this team can win consistently. It is one thing to play with a lot of enthusiasm in 3 home games of a 7 game playoff series and a totally different thing to play that way over an 82 game season.

I still don’t believe the Hawks are big enough with Horford and Smith at center and power forward. At the two inside positions I prefer a mismatch of size rather than a mismatch of quickness.

By Bertie

September 9, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I agree with Astro Joe, resigning Woody was a mistake. His coaching style does not match the strenghts of our roster and does not bring out the best from our young players, particularly Josh Smith. In a faster pace system Josh would be an All Star.

Although I wished Childress would have been re-signed, I like the roster additions. I find the addition of Morris an intriguing one, he could help against bigger teams that last year pounded it inside against the Hawks.

By Swatguy

September 9, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Bertie, who should Woody have used to push the ball “In a faster pace system”?

By richbrave

September 9, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

YES SEKOU I do believe in the players and like you in the personnel moves made this offseason, CHILDRESS excepted. These players attracted me to the team in the first place, as I am a long-suffering WIZARDS fan looking for relief from the hapless ownership of ABE POLLIN.

NO SEKOU, I don’t believe until I see WOODSON’s ability to put together an offense and defense capable of utilizing the pieces he has on hand in an optimal way. Hopefully, he will be less wooden this season. He will make or break the HAWKS this year.

AMBIVALENT as to this year’s prospects. Let the games begin. By January some answers will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, GO HAWKS.

By kirknga

September 9, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

I think as a fan, hope springs eternal this time of year.The NBA season is long so there is a good chance that belief could turn into disbelief and back before the season’s conclusion.

Many here do not believe in the operation, or are very skeptical, but see possibility in the team. That is to say, despite ownership and or the coach, the team does stand a chance of having a winning season, perhaps even another playoff run.

I believe those playoff chances depend in part on the unknown factors such as health and the play of other teams. If healthy,the Hawks have enough depth and talent to challenge for one of the last playoff spots. Whether or not other teams took a step back or forward remains to be seen.

As mentioned by some, the ability to win some games on the road in the first month is likely to be the difference in making the playoffs or not.

I believe if the Hawks can avoid multiple double-digit losing streaks, they will be one of the final eight teams in the East. Their schedule, at least based on how teams played last year, is not a forgiving one;but if they are able to hang around they should be able to close stronger this year because they had that playoff taste.

By Joshua

September 9, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Look Childress had an ackward shot and really never stepped up as a starter and I’m not going to pay a bench guy 9 million , But for the value Flip Murray and Mo Evans are worth it . There like James Posey they win titles for teams . Gritty dirty players who don’t get the credit they deserve . Our bench is safe for now we have the best starting five in the nba , Do you know if you this five was in it’s prime right now we’d be talking title ok . So yes they can make the playoffs . Here’s what we need to focus on Bibby and Marvin are gone next summer , Law needs to step up and I think it’s that time we bring over Anderson and Akyol . Right now we build on our core of JJ Josh Smith and Al Horford . We give them play off experience and in five years with Akyol JJ Smith and Horford we celebrate a title .

By Dan

September 9, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Sekou

Good post. Here is where I stand on this team/season:

I like the moves that were made. I would like them better if Childress were still on the team, though. I get the feeling, however, that Childress was leaving, no matter what.

Anyway, I think Evans will not be as good of rebounder as Childress. He will be a better shooter, though. And, he should be able to play just as good, if not better, defense. I have a feeling that Evans will be a guy we all like a lot as this year unfolds.

Also, Flip Murray should help take some of the workload away from Joe. I am hoping Joe’s minutes are in the low 30’s to high 20’s this year. There is no reason for him to have to go 40 minutes every night. We have the guys that can fill in for him.

Morris is an ok pickup. I would have rather of had Brown, though. Morris should be able to play at least 10 minutes a game.

Here are my questions

1. Will Woodson use the players he has?

At the beginning of last season, the Hawks were rotating in a lot of guys and were having success. Suddenly, Woodson stopped doing that. Joe was playing every minute of every game every night.

2. Will Law be developed?

I thought Woodson did a sh*tty job with Law last year. If you draft someone that high, you should make sure he gets major minutes. Law sat the bench too much.

3. Speedy?

I hate Speedy Claxton. I mean, I REALLY hate that guy. I think he knew he was hurt when he signed that big $$ contract. He screwed this organization over in a major way.

If he is healthy this year, though, can he contribute? Personnally, I would like to see him run out of town on a rail, but if he can provide a few quality minutes, at least the team can get some value for the money.

By Volman

September 9, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

everyone, it’s pretty simple. This team is PROGRESSING. They are getting better each and every year… I see improvements coming from Marvin, Bibby, Al, and even some more CONSISTENCY from Smoove. If that happens, and the bench can come in and be consistent (Zaza, Randolph Morris, Mo, Acie, and Flip) then this team will be around 42-45 wins.

Now when I think about it, I’m going to have to say the main X-Factors for this team are Zaza, Acie, and Marvin. Zaza is going to need to get VERY aggressive on the boards and find this scoring touch from a couple years back.. And if Acie can keep playing great defense, and become a scoring threat, then that’s definitely an improvement. Marvin will go up in productivity as well, and I’d like to see him post up more, and go beyond the three point line some… but CAN HE GET SOME HANDLES and BALANCE DRILLS?

Woody is going to have to coach better, plain and simple. He’s got tools to work with… He does NOT have any excuses.. He has just got to be a better coach, or he should be gone.

I’m being optimistic, but I think this team can win 40-45 games.

By GaSouthernEagle

September 9, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

ZaZa and Marvin - main keys to improve

Sekou,

I believe that ZaZa must continue the type of play he had in the Boston series and return to the starting lineup. Marvin must become a SUPER sixth man A-la Bobby Jackson from a few years ago with SacTown. Our starting five would conist of: Bibby at 1, Joe at 2, Josh at 3, Horford at 4 and ZaZa at 5.

What are your thoughts?

By Ryder

September 9, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

Everyone needs to relax, it’s September. It’s difficult to gauge any NBA team until around Christmas. By that time teams have played enough games where you can determine if they will be contenders.

The Hawks do benefit from having a full year of Bibby at the helm, and I think that Woodson will play his bench more now that he feels he’s no longer coaching for his job.

Funny as that sounds, he feels not as much pressure as he did last year. This way he will play more than just two guys off the bench the way he did last year. We’ll see more Acie, Zaza, as well as new additions Evans and Murray.

More veteran scrappers off the bench will make Atlanta a more well rounded team.

Personally I believe that the Hawks are no longer fighting the same pressure that they did last year, so they’ll play a bit more relaxed but also with more intelligence.

By JerryWest

September 9, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

• Marvin’s improvement
• Acie’s improvements
• Horford improvements
• Smoove improvements
• JJ’s confidence after playoffs
• Bibby for whole year & training camp
• more depth and outside shooting
• Chillz hustle, versatility, rebounds
• not likely to have injury free year again
• more experience playing together
• playoff experience
• Woody sucks but he’ll be better
• Eastern teams got better
• Without Chillz inside and too many outside shooters, Smoove will be forced to stay inside more than he wants to.
• Zaza/Bibby/Marvin will play for contract.
• Smoove won’t play for contract. Probably won’t matter.
• Players are more convinced that we have the worst management in sports.

By Dan

September 9, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Volman

45 wins is my goal for this season. I think it can be done, assuming health never becomes a major issue.

That is another thing that worries me…This team was, for the most part, excempt from any major injury problems last season. Will they get that lucky this time around?

By doc

September 9, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

hmmm,, where did that missive come from?

half full at best is all i can muster. kirk enumerated several points that temper my enthusiam. i think this team got smaller when they needed to get bigger to play woody’s game. fortunately i like many here like the players and dont see complacency as part of the mix in these guys. that is huge for saying we can nudge into the playoffs again.

can they win 41 games? yup, but it will require no injuries. can this be repeated after a season where there really werent any?.

it will be interesting if jj becomes the replacement for chills when a smaller evans enters the game. match ups could be a problem playing traditional style which is all i can see woody doing thus far.

it will also be like last year, seeing how other teams fare. this time last year no one expected the pacers, bulls and heat to have fallen so far and mightily. i see those three teams as the reason we are patting ourselves on the back as though we came so far. was it really the other guys fell further in one direction and we actually were standing still in a way? my intuition suggests it was more of the latter, if they climb back quickly then hopes are dashed. if not then we continue the slow progression and not meteoric climb we would all love to see. where we are it can only take one team to go the meteor route and we are on the outside looking in. who will be the meteor to mess up our expectations and is there one out there?

By Joshua

September 9, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

45-50 or it’s a lost year. Plus what happens feb 21 . do we deal Bibby Marvin Williams Claxton and Pachulia . I can’t believe Marvin will take less then ten if he has a great year and the hawks can’t afford that with JJ coming up

By some sense

September 9, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Yes…upward and onward. Here’s why:

Smith and Horford are WARRIORS…mother shut your mouth’s.

By richbrave

September 9, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

RYDER:

Regarding your clairvoyant prognostications on the mental state of Woodson. Really? You have regular discourse with the man? I like your opening statement, however. Christmas will provide some answers to my uneducated musings.

By JD

September 9, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

Consider this: the Hawks as it was constructed last season backed their way into the playoffs with a short bench. They acquired Mike Bibby half way thru the season and still went 15-17. Just imagine having this group together for the start of the season. I think the Hawks are going to be fine. The core group will have improved and I expect to see big things out of Al and Marvin, especially Marvin because he is much maligned here because of his draft position and his perceived inability to be aggressive.

The additions to the team are going to work out. I think this team, as it’s constructed, is a more balanced product than we’ve seen from this franchise in recent years. While I still maintain that the ownership group needs to step back and let the basketball people do their jobs, I feel that the Hawks are moving in the right direction (sans the complete bumble with Josh Childress) with the acquisitions and signings they’ve made this off-season to make this team competitive in the East.

By Tyger

September 9, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Hawks still Immature

Despite the playoff run, the Hawks are still an immature group. Even with JJ, Smoove and Horford leading the way, they average 25yrs. old.

Bibby sways the numbers but he has to prove he’s not on his downside. His playoff performance shows otherwise. He could even be the weakest link.

Flip Murray and Mo Evans will be very helpful in the backcourt if Woody has the balls to play them. He hasnt shown those kinda nutts in the past, so we’ll see.

AC is poised to assume leadership at the PG spot, but he has to stay healthy and make shots, something he hasnt done yet either.

Marvin has to prove that he’s not a bust. A #2 overall pick has to do more than fit in, he has to show an ability to dominante, which he has not yet done either.

Smoove needs to keep progressing and prove to the naysayers that he deserves Allstar consideration.

Ditto for JJ; Olympic snub should be a wake-up call.

Horford is the Machine, he’s money in the bank. His champions attitude and skill set will propel him to the upper echelon. Others need to grab hold and hang on for the ride.

Morris has a huge opportunity before him to establish himself as one of the true steals in the league. You dont lead the SEC and not be able to play. He could easily surprise alot of people if he puts in the work.

By Harry Hawk

September 9, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

I don’t care for Mike Woodson, but this team ought to be better in ‘08-‘09. I don’t expect much (maybe 42-44 wins), but that should be good enough to get them into the playoffs again. A better coach would make a world of difference with this team.

By 50 wins homie

September 9, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Quote me………Flip Murray is tha sh#%!t. Wathch and learn kids. If Not, Woodson will be gone by the all-star break. Cause at this point, it aint the players nomore.

By ray

September 9, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

I’m a Hawks fan, win or lose. I’ll watch the games. They’ll be competitive barring injuries or major chemistry issues. The former can never be predicted, the latter I don’t expect to happen.

As a fan, I have to choice but to accept the franchise as a whole. However, I do NOT feel the same way about any part of the organization as I do the players. I tend to like everybody wearing a Hawks uniform, even if I don’t always like how they’re playing. Love those guys.

I am not enamored of Woodson. Perhaps he will change my mind. Perhaps he will not. But now he has a new 2 year contract and more useful veteran players than before. The way I see it- Bibby, Flip, Mo, and healthy-so-far Speedy beats AJ, Lue, and not-playing-at-all Speedy. We’ll see what Woody knows about Xs and Os…and Jimmies and Joes.

I’m not enamored of Sund, either. His history isn’t anything to be truly excited about, but his history with this team is what matters now. Haven’t seen him do much, but then how much is he allowed to do? Chances are we’ll never know just how much creativity or cleverness he really has, what with the micromanagement that seems to come from above. Hard to judge the guy. Is he a mouthpiece who takes orders, or a braintrust with some free reign? I think we will have more to work with by the passing of the trade deadline.

Having said that….the signings of Evans and Murray were solid (and I was worried our roster would be filled out by summer leaguers). I think we could’ve done better, but the Smith saga lasted a while, and money is always an issue. Or so it appears (heh). The Morris signing could turn out to be forgettable, or it could make Sund look like a genius. Hoping that it leans more towards the latter, because the team needs that kind of help.

As it stands right now, Zaza is the elder statesman and veteran in the frontcourt. The rest of the players are still being called “young guys”, and they are just that. This is disastisfactory in my opinion. Younger guys need older, solid, established guys to help them. Established meaning that they know how to operate within the NBA and the NBA game, and know their limitations. These are guys who can help challenge younger guys and teach them so tricks. Can Zaza do that for any of our guys? No, he cannot. We need one more veteran, and he needs to be a low post player, or big man if you prefer the term.

The owners? I have one caveat left for them, and it involves conceding a point to those whom I have done battle with for weeks and even months over this opinion. Perhaps they cannot be truly, fully judged until they get a final ruling and can get past the financial complications of their legal/court issues. They may yet lose out in full, or lose out in ways that continue their ability to operate like a normal franchise. Who knows. Am I giving them a pass? No. I still disagree (until Woodson proves me wrong) with bringing Woodson back. My other gripes have been well stated. I have nothing further.

In the end, just as in the beginning…the Hawks are my team (okay, okay, one of them…but my main team), and I’ll root for them to win every time they step on the court. I never root for them to lose. Never. Winning is most important. Better than being right, because being right about any of our reservations as it stands right now…is losing. And there’s no two ways about it. I’m not disheartened, nor am I disillusioned. I see clearly. And I’m ready to watch some basketball! I’ll save all the emotional swings for the appropriate times: when the future becomes the present and we know how far we’ve come.

By BA

September 9, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

45 wins this year. Sorry, haters

By Ariose

September 9, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Doc Evans didn’t play SF until he got to the Magic last season. He played SF everywhere else. He’ll be OK.

I agree with 50….

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By ray

September 9, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

If Sund has his way, sooner or later you’ll see a big center here. Don’t know how good he’ll be, but he won’t be a 6’9 or 6’10 type. Randolph Morris was the beginning…and he’s a full 6’11 270. Big boy.

Ariose, I like Flip. All journeymen seek a home. Hope he found a good one here. He’s a vet, and he’s been on some winning teams, including Detroit.

By Ken Strickland

September 9, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

The Hawks won 37gms last yr with Bibby, the deciding factor, only being on the team half the season. He played hurt and with limited knowledge of his coaches, teammates and the system. There were obvious chemistry issues after the deadline trade that brought him here.

With all of the aforementioned issues removed, and having Bibby potentially for the entire season, why wouldn’t we improve on those 37 wins? You also have to factor in the size, experience and OFF improvements we’ve added, like Randolph, Evans and maybe Morris, without sacrificing any DEF. Stir all of this up with the individual improvements of JSmith, AHorford, MWilliams and ALaw, and I can see a team capable of play 500 ball or better.

I’m hoping, and half expecting, the experience, versatility and one on one ability of Evans and Randolph, plus the individual improvement of Acie, Josh, Al and Marvin, to take our OFF beyond it’s obvious limitations. This yrs Hawk team will enter the season with better perimeter OFF and DEF, more versatility and experience, without sacrificing rebounding.

If Solo or the summer league standout makes the team, I can’t remember his name, we’ll be younger, stronger, deeper and more athletic inside. With the addition of Randolph, Evans and Speedy, we’ll be quicker, faster, deeper, more versatile and more experienced at SG, PG and SF.

Bottomline, the overall success of this team will depend on Woodson’s ability to successfully utilizes the versatility, experience, talent, athleticism and exuberance of this team and its players.

By doc

September 9, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

ariose, evans had an all world payer behind him with the last name of howard last year in orlando. he lacks length on a team that has little size or bulk, no? that might require adjustments is all i am saying.

i assume you meant “sg every where else”?

i think they will have to explore match ups that put jj at sf with evans in the game, it might be a set up that forces other teams to adjust to us rather than the other way around. jj is, was, and will be a load as a sf. he did play a bit there before he came here though he was billed our next point when he arrived.

again i think it will require that woody use his imagination and think out of the box. yup, it will be a strain. shoot, i might like how bibby, evans, jj, smith and horford looks on the court more than what we anticipate the satrting five or at least that line up at the end of games. again jj is the sf or point forward in that line up.

By This Gets Old

September 9, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

While you can replace the numbers that Chill put up I don’t think that you can replace the energy that he brought to the party. That was a game changer and everybody doesn’t have that.

In addition JSmith has to have some negative feelings regarding the contract situation. Plus they looked ill prepared in game seven. Is Woody the guy?

By Ryder

September 9, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

Richbrave: I should’ve stated that I HOPE Woodson would use those guys more off the bench this year and not exhaust his starters.

Personally I believe the Smith signing was the biggest factor in watching this team take it to another level this year. Yes, I know there were a lot of bad feelings with the negotiations. However, the way Atlanta responded right away once Smith signed that offer sheet shows me that perhaps they can put everything behind them and be ready to play.

Along with Horford they could become a really dominant frontcourt, and with Bibby/JJ in the backcourt they can still create havoc.

Evans and Murray may not be able to create the same energy as Chill did but they will be able to do something he coulnd’t do; provide great outside shooting and perimeter D that the Hawks desperately needed.

richbrave, did you go to the last game at the Diamond? Sad, sad day.

By Mychelfromatl

September 9, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

Even though they lost Josh Childress..this team is better than last season. With progression from AL, Josh, Mavin, and Acie. Having Bibby from the start. JJ in the contract year. Upgraded bench. This should be a better team but only one thing remains the same, which is Woodson. Anything less than 45-48 wins, Woodson needs to be fired(Unless injurys happen).

By Ariose

September 9, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

Doc, I hary you. My bad. I meant he played SF in Detroit to spell Prince for a while. I like the lineup you mentiond. With Chills Gone, JJ is the only one really capable of playing all three positions. Hopefully the mistro AKA Woody WAFFLE can get his act together.

By Ariose

September 9, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Chill….energy???? If the paint was closed chills was invisible just like Marvin at times. He played way better defense though, which is what kept him on the floor, along with his high B-Ball IQ.

Flip and Mo are defently high energy guys. Flip on offense and Mo more on the defensive side.

By Ariose

September 9, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

Hary….o_0??? Oh my. Hehehehe……

By Ariose

September 9, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

Also, am I the only one who thinks the Hornets won’t be as good without Jannero Pargo this year?? I mean the guy torched everybody from the bench. I’m just sayin’……

By BA

September 9, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

doc’s onto something with this Johnson at the three thing- I can only hope the coaches see this as a viable possibility. We’d have three shooters on the floor?! I hope we’ll see that.

And Ray is right- we NEED another veteran big, even if it would have been doc’s beloved popcorn king. They must think Z is going to come up big this year- punking opposing centers around the league in a similar fashion to Ms. Garnett.

Ariose, can’t you see a little defense/offense plan late in the games with Evans/Murray, ala A.J./T. Lue early last year? Mostly I want to see those guys playing in the third quarter when we’re already AHEAD.

By terrell barron

September 9, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

GSE, Zaza Starting? wtf! If you want to bring Marvin off the bench we should go with Bibby, JJ, Evans, Smoove, Horford. With Acie, Flip, Marvin, Morris, and Zaza as the 2nd unit.

By Ariose

September 9, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

Good read…

~SalimFan Sir Links A lot

By Blast

September 9, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

The general agreement seems to be that the Hawk as currently constructed, are a better team that last year’s. I agree. Love the Flip and Evans signings, hope Morris turns out to be a beast, but I like this team. All to be said about Woodson and his coaching skills has already been said. If the Hawks win the same number of home games as they did last year, and win five more road games, then they get 42 wins. I can’t wait for the season to start, man. Sekou, can you track down Steve Smith for an interview? I would love to know his thoughts about the team before the season starts. While you are at it, why don’t you ask Dominique Wilkins also?

By doc

September 9, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

ba, i know you arent serious about rens or at least hope so. the cat has too much diamond on his ears to do much dirty work anymore. he only “played” in 17 games total and he had no injuries that anyone revealed. he is only good for; DNP- COACHES DECISION. the guy looks good in a suit, model material. magliore still had the game more than rens. boy 3 mil a year for loading up two cars with popcorn. oh, if i could have been 6’10” 250. yup, i am envious.

By ant banks

September 9, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Big 3 Theory

every team that has won any significant title has had a “Big 3”-three players who were strong on the offensive and defensive end and rebounding. as a matter of fact if you look at the teams who made deep runs in the 08 playoffs had a big 3:

1. Det-Billups, ‘Sheed, Rip
2. Orlando-Howard, Turkoglue, Reshard
3. Boston- YOU KNOW!
4. Clev-Lebron, Wally, Zydronus
5. Lakers-Kobe, Gasol, Odom
6. N.O.- CP3, Tyson, Peja
7. S.A.-Duncan, parker, manu
8. Utah-AK47, Boozer, D. Williams

In addition to this “Big 3” these team had some valuable pieces off the bench.

WHO IS OUR BIG 3 Will they show up nightly? JJ took some games off last year. Smooth shot us out of some games by taking ill advised 3’s. Marvin was Marvin. Bibby didn’t show up in Boston series.

A Big 3 shows up nightly and “worry” teams. Our pieces off the bench will be good complimentary pieces.

Thoughts?

By Lacsho

September 9, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

I’m tired of this same argument. Hollinger finally gives the Hawks props.

(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=SummerWrap-080909)

By A Thinkin Fan

September 9, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

SS BASG is still BASG! That hasn’t changed!

By BLUE HAWK

September 9, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

expect

believe

have faith

i think it’s very important for the fans to keep the excitement up for this coming season.

this team feeds of that energy, that excitement.

on our part, the fans have to believe in the team if only to create a strong ‘pygmalion effect’.

remember faith is believing even if you do not see.

let’s be of strong faith, for our team and hopefully this team will have a strong faith in themselves.

let’s stop complaining about the hand that we have been dealt and let’s start playing the hand the we’ve got the best way we can. in the end that’s all you can do anyway.

have a good one guys!

By Sautee

September 9, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

ant banks

You asked for thoughts, so here you go:

From your post:every team that has won any significant title has had a “Big 3”-three players who were strong on the offensive and defensive end and rebounding.

And then you actually listed Wally Szerbiak. Who, I’ll admit can shoot. However the next player he defends will be his first, and rebounding… not so much.

Had to say it, even though your premise has some merit, though I’m not sure it applies to all three areas.

By Samuel

September 9, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Cuz,

I hope you know where I stand too. I believe this team Gets It Now. I believe the playoffs caused everyone to see what this team is capable of when firing on all cylinders, whether they want to admit it or not.

We gave the eventual World Champs all they could handle at a time when they too were firing on all cylinders.

We are definately deeper. We actually have 5 players who can play the point effectively in (Bibby, JJ, Acie, Speedy and Flip). Not many teams in the league can do that. Then we have 4 legit twos in (JJ,Flip,Evans and Bibby/Acie). We have (Marvin, JJ, and Josh at the 3. Josh, Al, ZaZa and Solo at the 4 and Al, ZaZa, and Morris at the 5.

That’s a highly interchangable roster.

I know i’m one of the few here who has confidence in Woody. That doesn’t bother me at all. I saw something in that last playoff series. I saw that light bulb come on for Woody and the players. That feeling that “all this makes sense now”. I know that coaching is important but I KNOW that players are more important.

Ask Bobby Cox, Pat Riley, Doc Rivers, and many more.

We’ve got the players now. Whether its natural progression or what. We’ve got em. I’m not worried about one or two inches on some program. That don’t mean A HILL OF BEANS. It’s all about ability and heart and this team has both.

I look for this team to play at least .500 ball during the season and make the playoffs. Our seed will determine how far we go after that.

By doc

September 9, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

hollinger speaks TRUTH:

“Will Solomon and Lorenzen Wright signed with the Raptors and the Cavs, respectively, for the minimum. They both are overpaid. Solomon washed out of the league five years ago, and his numbers from Europe have been unimpressive since; Wright was such a horrific bust with the Hawks that he didn’t play even though they were desperate for frontcourt help. There’s little evidence that either player belongs in the league.:

oh, i couldnt have said it better.

By MannyT

September 9, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

Early in the offseason, I put PAIN (for the bad) and CRAP (for the good) out there.

On the Good (CRAP) side - more depth, kept Smith, continued development of younger players expected

On the Bad (PAIN) side - lost Chills, Solo hiding out, funky ownership situation has real costs

WILDCARDS - Woody—can he step up his game? Sund - Is he better GM or just passive agressive guy past his prime? Fanhood - Playoff type support in regular season probably worth 5-6 games, but typical ATL support says win first, then we’ll get on bandwagon.

Sekou You asked whether you believe in this (entire) operation or not, whether you are willing to believe or not?

That answer is easy for me - nope. Call it the smell of old food in the fridge, walking carelessly in grass where a dog had gone before, or questionable ownership moves, but the whole outfit is not ready for prime time. Nothing personal, just answering the question.

That said, you can still do well without a great back office. Sure it is harder, but Woody has yet to score a bucket for this team. Sund won’t block a shot and Gearon won’t take a charge that doesn’t involve a small plastic card.

I DO BELIEVE that these PLAYERS can get better and do more than most expect. Last season we were in the middle of the pack for PPG for and against. A 3 pt swing in either direction would make us a top team or a struggling franchise. I think you can muster up 3 pts or lock down 3 pts with confidence and enthusiasm, so I’M IN. I am willing to put on my fan gear, scream a bit, clap some more and maybe even make a sign. It should make the games more exciting.

Because, I have no plans to move to Portland or Philly soon, I will attack this fan thing (in November) like it’s the playoffs. If enough of that new playoff crowd comes along for the ride, I am sure it will be a good year and we can see a winning record. If we stink at the start, I’ll be in my season seat, but I know the leg room is coming and I can roll out a long stream of cynical acronyphisms.

In the meantime, what I learned from 37 wins—it’s all about the WIMP, yup Winning IS Making Playoffs

By kwooden1

September 9, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a HAWK fan for years, so I will follow every game win lose or draw. I got a sense last December that the HAWKS could make the Playoffs because of the drop-off other teams and they were definitely as good as the Bucks, Pacers and Philly. This season will be a little different, because Philly should be really good and the Pacers should be better. My basketball sense still says we’ll have a problem scoring inside (Al isn’t polished yet, Zaza and Randoloph can’t be even as good as Al) We’ll have a problem scoring overall if JJ and Bibby aren’t hitting. This leaves the real x-Factor, JSmoove! (not Marvin, even though I believe he is the key) If this team wants to go to the next level it’s all on JSmoove. I bought the three Boston series wins off of NBA.com and have watch the games several times. JSmoove, made almost all the game change plays, some on defense and on offense. (his 3’s in the first win were HUGH) If he can be that consist inside/middle-range scorer, they will actually be a good team. They are some what undersized, but the only teams that really took advantage of them were Houston and Orlando. (they beat Orlando at least once, if remember correctly) JJ is a great scorer, Bibby’s a very good shooter, Al’s a very good rebounder and JSmoove a great shot blocker. They’re problem has and will still be who is the other consistant scorer? Flip can score, but JSmoove is really the one you want scoring! He’s an extremely unique player, in that you never really know what he can or can’t do. I think if he’s figured out the spots on the floor that he can score consistantly from (also knock down the open jumper) then he will be a step closer to being an All-Star and the HAWKS will be a legitmate team!

I’m just going to have to wait and see like everyone else.

GO HAWKS!

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 9, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

I have said this before, but since I have nothing better to do I’ll say it again: You cannot discount the fact that three of the Hawks’ five starters still have a lot of room for improvement. Like Astro Joe says keeping Woody may slow that development, but it’s hard to imagine that Josh and Al are not gonna significantly improve this year and over the next few years. Based on that alone I think this team will be as good as, if not better than last year. It does suck that we couldn’t make any significant additions to the roster but other competing teams like Milwaukee and Miami do not have the luxury of expecting big improvements from their core players.

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 9, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

1. Det-Billups, ‘Sheed, Rip
2. Orlando-Howard, Turkoglue, Reshard
3. Boston- YOU KNOW!
4. Clev-Lebron, Wally, Zydronus
5. Lakers-Kobe, Gasol, Odom
6. N.O.- CP3, Tyson, Peja
7. S.A.-Duncan, parker, manu
8. Utah-AK47, Boozer, D. Williams

Lmao @ the implication that Sheed, Rashard, Wally, Zydrunas, Odom, Peja and AK47 show up nightly. I’d rather have Josh Smith and Al Horford than any of them… except maybe Sheed.

By ray

September 9, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

Doc, right on about Lorenzen Wright. As for the JJ at 3 thing…didn’t we get torched before for even suggesting such a thing? Hahahahaha! I know when I brought it up, most of the blog hammered me for it, screaming that he’s a 2 and only a 2. Hee hee…you must be smoother than me with that info…hee hee!

BA, JJ at 3 is a wonderful idea. He’s played it before. It’s where he might have stayed at if he stuck around in Phoenix.

Before anybody decides to panic, no I’m not suggesting we keep him there or even let him play the bulk of his minutes there. But it’s a great mismatch in the right situations. A great one.

Sam,

Not to put to fine a point on it, but most teams don’t need five guys who are capable of running the point. And wait a minute…did you not say that we needed Bibby so damn badly because Acie just ain’t ready? Not that I’m disagreeing, but how does he suddenly make your list as one of the five legit pgs? Hell, how did he make your legit sg list? What changed? Just curious. I think the guy’s going to be all gangbusters if Woody lets him play…but will he? If Acie is going to truly develop and progress…one of them 5 legit pgs will have to play more sg. But we know where all the minutes are going to there….

Having said that, I’m looking for these guys to play .500 ball. Last year, they had a hell of a December and took some folks by surpise. They should be able to do that right off the bat.

By mykhalc

September 9, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this

WOODSON is a single point of failure…PERIOD!!! his re-signin’ will produce NO BENEFITS…PERIOD!!! bad move…PERIOD!!!

By FALCONSFAN

September 9, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

2009 Atlatna Hawks Preview: Hoopsworld; Great Review, spot on.

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By doc

September 10, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

mannyt have you now annointed samuel king wimp?

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah, check this out. Do you beleive now?…..lol

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By Clyde

September 10, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

ROLL TIDE!!! WE’RE COMING FOR THE #1 SPOT

By BLUE HAWK

September 10, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this

I believe in Randolph Morris.

I have seen enough.

check out his youtube clips, especially the highlights of the Kentucky vs, Florida game (against Joakim Noah and Al Horford).

I believe that he has a significant competitive advantage as a bigman since he is very agile, has more than adequate mobility, and has a good handle.

I’ve seen this big guy grab a rebound, go coast to coast for a layup, and he had to spin around an opposing guard at half court.

I’ve seen him take it to the hoop from the top of the key, dribbling with his left (he’s right handed off course)

I’ve seen him make a steal, dribble downcourt, recovering from a near steal and finish with a layup (bigmen don’t make layups anymore, all they know is to dunk)

hey, i’m not saying he should play guard or small forward or something.

man, he can tear it up in the paint too.

I’ve seen him split a double team with his dribble and finish. He bangs inside and He has a sweet turn around J too.

And the man gets fouled a lot, meaning plenty of freethrows.

I think he’ll rebound adequately and defend adequately for a big man, he doesn’t have to be a monster rebounder or shot blocker anyway. He can even pass well enough.

I hope he’ll won’t be bashful and bring his chest thumping and battle cries to Atlanta. This guy was a warrior for Kentucky, he should be a warrior for the Hawks too. (Acie was a warrior too in college, he also needs an opportunity to let that out)

I really want to get people excited about him because if the excitement is high, he’ll be expected to produce. The expectations will result in a chance to play. To show off what he’s got and ultimately develop, this guy really needs a chance to play, and not just spot minutes. He’s not a rookie anymore, two years in the league already. Hopefully, he’s already in great shape and ready for camp.

The next 2 years will be very exciting for this guy. I hope that Atlanta is smart enough to take advantage. Man, I’m betting we won’t be able to afford him after two years.

By cp

September 10, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

I love the players but Mike Woodson just dampers any hope I have for this team.

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 2:31 AM | Link to this

Lang Whitaker…

By vava74

September 10, 2008 4:49 AM | Link to this

GaSouthernEagle is right, the starting five should be:

Bibby, JJ, JSmoove, Horford and Pachulia.

Then MWilliams @ 4, MEvans @ 3 and Flip @ 2 should come in together as a high scoring trio off-the bench (with Horford still in @ 5 for a few minutes).

This would stretch our leads with the bench instead of diminishing them, with an up tempo dynamic bench squad.

Bibby should also get good relief minutes from both Law and Speedy.

Finally, Morris would come in @ 5 giving 7 to 12 minutes of banging inside in relief of Zaza and Horford.

By ant banks

September 10, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

Najeh while you are laffin’ your azz off, those teams made it farther than the hawks did. Who are our big 3, bruh? you said that you would rather have josh and al any night than any of them, but josh and al alone ain’t gonna get us deep into the playoffs!!

Name one team from any era that didn’t have a big 3, who won a title.

By doc

September 10, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

ariose, no i am not impressed with flip. i just cant get excited about highlight film that shows a strip of a ponderous 6’10” white guy that evans beats down the court for the dunk nor a shot over diaw in the lane. he reminds me of a cross between lue and aj, so only a minor upgrade with a little more lift and because he can do what the combo of lue and aj did.

remember evans is a guy who lost his job to a rookie last year. that rookie stuckey should have been on the hawks roster but billy once again went very safe or vanilla. acie could end up being our next installment of the same show that brought us the landlord.

By doc

September 10, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

what i can hope for in randmo is that he works hard enough to become a second coming of big baby who at the end of the season was respectable as a back up big. big baby had some help getting there in the vets around him. will randmo hae similar luck or is the team to young to provide it?

as astro has said many times the bigs dont seem to be taking precedent when it comes to coaching or special big man coaches on the bench. randmo may fall into this bag as well. after all josh smith goes off to houston to build his big man game each summer. that reflects on solo as well, as we have not heard any plans he had to work with a true builder of paint guys and shied away from contact in the summer league.

By Samuel

September 10, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Ray,

You obviously didn’t watch the games last year. At times we had 2 or 3 PGs in three piece suits. You can never have too many who are capable of running the point.

I didn’t say Acie wasn’t legit. I said he’s not as good as Bibby and he still is not. I figure he’ll get 10-15 minutes between the 1 and 2 if he is still here come regular season. I actually think he could be a candidate to be be packaged, along with Marvin and Speedy.

Ant B. That is kinda funny. Wally Z in anybody’s Big 3. Also, you need to replace Peja with David West don’t you think?

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Doc, I think you mean Flip and not Evans Right? Either way we’re saying the same thing….it’s an upgrade lol. I see Flip playing more 2-guard thatn point.Like many have pointed out, we have enough point guards already.

Honestly, at this point you can’t really say that Stuckey would be any better than Law. Look at stuckey’s 3pt% if you don’t beleive me. Sure he’s big just like Chauncey but his Jumpshot is still suspect. If the draft could be done again I would still take Law over Stuckey. Law didn’t see the court even half the time that Stuckey did. Coaching is also a factor here. We all know how much of an overbearing prick Woodson can be. He sucks out confidense like leaches suck out blood. Not every player responds well to his methods. In the end though, true talent will prevail regardless.

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

BTW doc, he stripped Iverson too…..and posterized LeBron and Joe Johnson…..take a closer look. IDK about you but I love it!!!!!

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

…..0k so it wasn’t LeBron. But he sure chumped the rest of the Cavs. Boobie, Ilgauskas, Donyell Marshall, and…..I can’t make out who that last guy is so he get’s a pass but damn…..the whole squad pretty much. I’m going to enjoy watching him in the WAFFLE House to say the least.

By Bulldog Mike

September 10, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

This is shaping up to be another disappointing year for the Atlanta Hawks. Generally, you get better in this league through making wise choices during the draft. For a team this bad to not even have a draft pick, means that every other team in the league got better and we sat pat with almost the same team. What we will hear: 1. well with the new players we’ve added it’s going to take a little while for us to gel 2. We still are one of the youngest teams in the league and we need to be patient. 3. we’ll have some cap room to add some key veteran pieces….In other words excuses!

By Halloween Hawk tickets won’t be worth as much as a Reeses Peanut Buttercup.

By R U SERIOUS?!?!?!

September 10, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

For a team this bad to not even have a draft pick, means that every other team in the league got better and we sat pat with almost the same team.

We traded that pick in the Joe Johnson deal. Terrible move right bulldog mike?

scratches head at all the uneducated responses

of course this team got better and will mature. i guess some see year to year progression and some are blind. oh well.

By ant banks

September 10, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

bulldog are you referring to the kingsize reese’s or the regular?

By doc

September 10, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

yeah ariose early and things to do. yes, i did mean flip. stuckey fared well as a rook and well enough to make flip obsolete and expendable in march an unlikely time to be let go unless your name is delk. he also played huge defense i thought for a young guy and could manage vet roster without issues when he was at point. acie has promise only. stuckey has shown he belongs so he is one step further along in the process of maturation.

love the links man, sir links a lot, sir. :-))

By reader

September 10, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Here’s the thing — even though the Hawks lost a pretty good talent when Childress walked, part of what held them back is that arguably their top 3 players last year were all perimeter players, and the offense ran almost entirely through them. If Childress leaving means that Horford gets a bigger role in the offense this season, I think there is a chance, albeit a small chance, that the team actually could be even better simply because their attack will be more balanced. Horford is a beast and will only get better over the next few seasons; he already averaged almost a double-double last year without getting many plays called for him. Once he establishes a legitimate, consistent post threat for the team, things should open up for the wings.

By Lacsho

September 10, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Sekou

I know I won’t get a response, but here we go.

Instead of rehashing the same arguments, it would be nice to read an interview from Speedy, R.Morris, Filp, Solo, or even Evans. It would be nice to know where their heads are at. Can we get a Solo sighting? I want to know what JJ thinks about the new additions.

I just hate going at each others throats with the same arguments. I mean Speedy dropped off the map after Summer League. I wonder what’s really going on with him. I would like to know how R.Morris is approaching this upcoming season. What is he going to do different here in Atlanta? I would like to know more about Flip and Mo, or can we at least get an interview from Woody?

Last but not Least, I hope my Buckeyes make me proud Saturday night against USC. My soccer team has its first game Saturday, thank GOD, my kids are ready for some action.

By doc

September 10, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

ariose what is there to know?

yeah, he didnt get labron and it wasnt the only time jj got taken last year. the other guys are cumbersome to say the least. man even aj has a highlight strip as i saw some unbelievable things he did in isolation. as i said flip is a slight upgrade from our previous vet guards and he is better because he can do alone what those two guys had to do separately. not dishing him just calling it like it is. kobe he aint.

By ILL-Logical

September 10, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I believe: 1. That despite being a wonderful father and caring family man that 4 years of turmoil from the fans,in the front office( from the guy that hired him) and from the players have created a mind set in Woody that will prevent him from becoming a championship coach for the Hawks;

1. Flip Murray , despite being on 4 teams in 5 years,will be the starting PG by playoff time. Look for a major trade before the deadline to bolster the team’s playoff chances;

3.the front court players on the current roster could use some vetern leadership in assisting them to reach their full NBA potential.The backcourt cagers(remember that term) has Calvin Claxton and Mike Bibby but there is not an equivilent player/ players for the bigs;and,

1. memo to coach Drew, there is a new Atl resident who, as rumor has it, is experienced in professional basketball as frontcourt player. I think his name is Julius Winfield Erving. I believe he could help.

By Dennis

September 10, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

I saw coach Woodson at the Orlando airport several months ago and talked to him for a few minutes. First, a class guy, very gracious to a complete stranger. Represents the organization well. Second, I’m a Boston fan, but was pulling for the Hawks because they’re young and up and coming and told him how I excited I was. His response to me indicates leadership on his part. He said, we’ve got a lot of work to do. In other words, they had a good series, but they’re not where he wants them to be. He’s the right coach for this team. He’s old school and some of the young guys need that. Horford was with an old school coach in Donovan at Florida, who did not coddle. Some of our guys have wanted to be coddled because they’ve been “the man” all their life; Woody will have none of it, he’s forcing these guys to grow up and mature. THAT’s why they’ve made the strides they. Enough Woody bashing from us armchair guys.

By Ken Strickland

September 10, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

KWOODEN1-I’m a longtime Hawks fan as well. In fact, I go back to the early days of JDrew when attendance was so bad you could buy a cheap seat ticket and sit anywhere you wanted, except directly behind the players. You think our current frontline is undersized, try PF Leonard “Truck” Robinson 6’7”, C-Steve Hawes 6’10” and SF-John Drew 6’6”, with a 6’3” SG, that couldn’t shoot, named Dean Meminger.

I think your assessment of our ability to generate inside scoring, and scoring overall, is overstated. It was a problem last yr due to Woodson’s attempt to play a halfcourt power gm. With no clear cut inside OFF threat teams focused on our main OFF threat, JJ. If a team like ours can run and create an open court OFF, it would lead to a lot of easy scoring opportunities. That would make having to consistently run a halfcourt OFF and score inside less of a necessity.

Last yr, when JJ and/or Bibby were on the bench, we had no serious outside scoring threats. The addition of Randolph and Evans will allow us to maintain an outside scoring threat with them on the bench. Truely skilled inside scorers can score when being doubled. We have no scorers with that kind of inside scoring skill, but we have players that can effectively score inside one on one.

Check the stats, we did very well scoring points in the paint, especially on OFF rebounds. Also, points in the paint can be a very misleading stat. After all, the NBA’s top scorer in the paint over the last couple of yrs has been the PG for the Spurs. So, posting up isn’t the only way to score points in the paint. Layups off fast breaks are counted as points in the paint, which we need to concentrate on more.

By I.MUS WRITE

September 10, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Does anyone here really believe that Al Horford is a top 50 player in this league. Jeezuz ….talk about man crush

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Doc, I can’t argue with that. Det gave Flip tha boot. And i’m defently not denying that Stuckey is a beast. But i’m defently glad to have Flip and his highlight reel here…….minus his poor shot selection at times.

Yeah and AJ is actually on a lot of Horfords mixes on youtube throwing some nice passes/oops. Still though AJ+Highlight=ugh…;-)

Doc, i’ll keep the links comin’. Your friend…

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By Sautee

September 10, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Samuel

From your September 9, 2008 9:31 PM post:

I saw something in that last playoff series. I saw that light bulb come on for Woody and the players.

Does this mean we’ll lose all our road games by more than 20 points?

Did you watch the playoff games in Boston, where we looked totally overmatched and clueless? And who was coaching those games?

We better be GREAT at home, if that’s the light bulb that came on.

Maybe we can win ALL of our home games and go .500. ;-)

Sekou No, sadly, I do NOT believe, BUT I’d LOVE to eat crow at the end of the year as we make the playoffs. I’m a 40+ year Hawks fan and will watch every game possible regardless of our record. But, like Kirk in the offseason, my expectations are low, though I love some of these players.

If they prove me wrong, you’ll get my mea culpa with no prompting, and I’ll be delighted to do it.

MannyT

Once again I find myself in agreement with you. And Gearon taking a charge (card) was a good one!

Lacsho

Yeah, good luck asking a Michigan man for a response from a Buckeye!!!

Hope the soccer game goes well.

Ray

Yeah, I threw out JJ at the 3 too (a few blogs ago when I suggested that with Marvin’s first game suspension, the Hawks might have a more potent lineup with Flip at the 2 and JJ at the 3, rather than simply starting Evans at the 3). AJ simply said he thought Evans would start, and I really didn’t get much response otherwise. But I didn’t get torched. (Apologies to those who did respond and I didn’t list - my memory is a bit faulty, and I’m too lazy to look it up). At any rate, it’s an idea that I hope Woody would consider.

So Ray, I guess you and I need to start posting in all lower case. ;-)

By Sautee

September 10, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Speaking of a man crush - shouldn’t Blue Hawk change his name to:

Blue-veined Throbber for RandMo?

By Lloyd

September 10, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Sekou, I’m writing to ask you if you could help out a family in dire need. The Greer Family in College Park, GA just had a horrible tragedy befall them. The mother, and three daughters were killed in a car accident. The father is left with a five year old son and 17 year old daughter. The funeral costs are enormous considering there will be everything times four. Could you please pass this on to the Hawks hierarchy/players and the community at large to make a donation to the family. An account has been set up to help with expenses at the following: Greer Family Memorial Fund @Bank Of America 3340 1581 9402 acct#. Thanks for any help you can solicit/provide.

By ray

September 10, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

Sam,

I actually did watch the games. I recall having a few guys on the bench. But we actually had good luck with injuries last year. I’m not going to get into all the reasons we’ve needed so many guys who are pg capable, but they are reasons that most teams have managed to avoid. Who really cares at this point anyway, we’ve got the matter solved for the moment.

Wow, you think Acie could get packaged in a deal and sent away along with Speedy and Marvin? For whom or what? And what does that do for our future pg situation? Seriously, are we going to go get the wonderful Cenk Aykol or something? Perhaps draft another guy? Hey, I’m not saying it’s impossible, but where do we go with that kind of move? That would be interesting to say the least.

Sautee, yeah I recall you posting that. Lower caps it is, Haha! As for the light bulb coming on, hopefully that means a few things, one of which is: put the ball in Horford’s hands more. He can score down low, shoot from 15 feet, and he makes good decisions with the ball. Of course, that last sentence I got pretty much from you, so I’m preaching to the choir….

Blue Hawk, Morris looked pretty good in college. Unfortunately, we have yet to see all those beautiful moves/skills in the pros, which is where it counts right now. I for one am hoping that the lack of contribution is directly related to how things were in New York, and that this was merely an aberration. Hope springs eternal….while reality tempers enthusiasm….

But then I could say that about the Hawks’s season in general. But I’m still a Hawks fan, win or lose, facts or fiction, reality or conjecture.

To hell with believeing. That’s not a requisite for watching, now is it? Hah! That’s why they call it a bandwagon! You can walk beside it or behind it while it’s moving slow. If it ever picks up speed, you can hop on and enjoy the ride! For some of us, you know this is the TRUTH…

By doc

September 10, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

careful now

By ray

September 10, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Sautee! You ain’t right! Wahahahahahaaaaa!

Ariose, great link. That assessment was right on. Only thing I don’t agree with is the idea that Woodson convinced the team to run, which created some wins against Boston. For one thing, it was Woody who kept slowing the game down all season long. And Horford was the one who came in with the inspirational video tape. Lastly, this still doesn’t explain the incredible disparity between our home wins and our road losses. Not trying to bash Woodson here (and I don’t have to, either), but….And those guys are absolutely right: leadership is key. Bibby has to step it up and so does Woody. Boy did they ever get that right.

Perhaps most important is that it will take a .500 or better record to make the playoffs this year. Yeah, I believe that. Question is can we play .500 ball?

Truth be told, I’m tired already of the same ol’ crappy conversations involving finances, team improvement (or lack thereof), and all that other crap. The same opinions that were here last year are here this year. I still have hang-ups when it comes to Woodson. Does anything ever change?

One thing I anticipate is another move. By the trade deadline, and perhaps no sooner. By then we will know what the deal is with this team….whether we’ve made strides forward or taken steps backward. Until then, we can keep on soaking in the juice of our own self-securing opinions. That includes all of us, regardless of where our opinion lies.

By travis

September 10, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

WOW!!

Doc Rivers turns the Celts from worse to first in one season, wins the championship and all he gets is a 2yr extension.

meanwhile, woody amasses a 50-250 record and gets a 2yr extension? something is wrong with this pic.

Do we have more confidence in woody than the celts have in doc? Or do the Celts have little confidence in Doc?

By Lacsho

September 10, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Sautee

You’re right about the Buckeye statement. I knew I wasn’t going to get a response anyways, so I had to add that part in. I have a hungry soccer team, and I know we will do well. I have a team that understands a team concept, and for a team of 6 and 7 year olds they past the ball really well. Thank GOD this season I don’t have a special child on the team (the type of child that really needs home training) everyone on my teams has a great set of parents, and it makes the coaching so much easier.

Ray

I feel your pain; I’m glad you handled that situation on the falcons blog. When I first read that guys post, and he call you a trailer trash hick, I fell out of my seat onto the floor cracking up. Those fans over there are nuts.

Doc

Are you guys still feeding the needy? If so I wouldn’t mind helping out during one of my off days. I’d like to at least start dedicating one day a month, and perhaps we can go from there.

Peace to the rest of the crew!!!!!

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 10, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

“Najeh while you are laffin’ your azz off, those teams made it farther than the hawks did. Who are our big 3, bruh? you said that you would rather have josh and al any night than any of them, but josh and al alone ain’t gonna get us deep into the playoffs!!

Name one team from any era that didn’t have a big 3, who won a title.”

Well off the top of my head, the Jordan Bulls and the Kobe-Shaq Lakers had a Big 2. I’m not really old enough to remember the Bad Boy Pistons all that well (so correct me if I’m wrong) but from what I do know there were a lot more than just three key players on that team, because as much as Isiah and Dumars were responsible for scoring Laimbeer, Rodman etc. were responsible for setting the tone of that team. I’m sure there are other examples — maybe some of the older posters on this blog can enlighten us.

“WHO IS OUR BIG 3 Will they show up nightly? JJ took some games off last year. Smooth shot us out of some games by taking ill advised 3’s. Marvin was Marvin. Bibby didn’t show up in Boston series.”

Like I said before, are you really, seriously trying to say that AK47, Rasheed, Peja (aside: don’t you mean David West?), Odom, Rashard, and Gasol didn’t take games off, take ill advised shots or fail to show up for games? Seriously? Come on now.

“Najeh while you are laffin’ your azz off, those teams made it farther than the hawks did.”

Yeah… that doesn’t mean they made it farther because they supposedly had three key players that made their teams tick. For San Antonio and Boston, your theory works. But like I have already mentioned, some of the players you include as part of your other “big 3s” are laughable. Teams like Cleveland, New Orleans, the Lakers, and even the Magic to an extent succeed mostly because they have one transcendental player who carries the team on his shoulders. Utah succeeds because they have a great coach and two (AK47’s whining inconsistent injured b-tch azz is not a key player on that team, I’m sorry) key players who execute that offense. San Antonio is a good example of a big three, but even they would be a lot more lost without Duncan than they would be without Parker or Ginobili. And you fail to mention that Detroit’s so-called big three has won exactly zero titles without Ben Wallace, who set the tone for that team and truly made them a title contender.

As for the Hawks, I stand by what I previously said, which is that if Joe, Josh and Al are not a legitimate big three now, it’s pretty realistic to assume they will be in a year or two. Individually I would take any of them over Sheed, Rashard, Wally, Zydrunas, Odom, Peja and AK47, and it stands to reason that at their age they have plenty of room for improvement, unlike the mediocre veterans you apparently believe are key to their teams’ success. What the Hawks need is not a revamp of the roster entirely, but a coaching change and better depth.

Basically my main points are: a) yeah it’s nice to have a big three, but that’s just one of many ways to build a championship contender, and b) your examples are terrible.

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 10, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

“Does anyone here really believe that Al Horford is a top 50 player in this league. Jeezuz ….talk about man crush”

Is he right now? No.

Will he be in a year or two? I would bet on it.

By Samuel

September 10, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

Travis,

They(Celtics) understand that it’s about THE PLAYERS. Even Ray could have won a ring with that team.

By doc

September 10, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

hey lascho, i work at crossroads on wednesday am’s. i work in the food service end with my service usually to pass out soup. we fed 200 today.

it is quite a place in that it provides other services and really tries to act as a bridge for folks. some folks either live on or under that bridge the rest of heir lives but some move on. they work to provide a place to receive mail and triy to help folks get the basics like id and then will also provide counseling services.

originally it was the outreach program for st lukes episcopal church but now though connected physically to the church is a separate entity. they have been doing something along these lines for upwards more than 25 years with the same man doing the food service for over 23 years. i was there when he served his 2 millionth meal. quite an accomplishment for a retired army cook. he can say a grace too that beats all. let me know how it fits. you can google it to learn more or make donations. hollar back when and if you are ready.

time is tough on the street right now as the pressure is to get folks off the street but give them no where to go. most places require a fee to let them sleep, so on one hand they say dont panhandle and on the other we dont donate money or time to help them stay off the street. most of the folks look like regular folks, very appreciative of what they get.

well i guess i need to go read abut the trailer trash i associate with on this blog. as far as the falcon blog i mean why go there?

By ant banks

September 10, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

Najeh the bulls big 3 was Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman. I appreciate your points, bruh. I just wanted to share my opinion like every one else here, sir!!

My points, laughable? Ain’t nuthin more laughable than the Hawks giving up 2 1st round draft picks for JJ (he could have been had for 1), takin’ Marvin over CP3, then following that up with Sheldon Williams, then getting Craig Claxton, then giving up a 2nd round pick for AJ, then trading AJ and Sheldon for Bibby, then letting JChills go

NOW THAT’S SUM LAUGHABLE TISH

By ray

September 10, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

Sam, hah! Don’t be so sure. Why would those guys listen to me? Nope, I’m not an NBA basketball coach any more than you are. Yeah, it is about the players. But it ain’t all about the players. Show me a team that has won it all that didn’t have someone guiding them on the sideline. Show me a team that grew together that wasn’t groomed by a coach who had what it took to stick with them and help them be what they are now.

It took Popovich to show Tony Parker and Manu Ginobilli learn to play under control, so they could help Duncan win it all.

It took Tex Winter to design the triangle offense, and Phil Jackson to implement it as well as contain the egos he had to deal with in Chicago and L.A. Ask Jordan what the difference was between him and Doug Collins.

Stockton and Malone are two of the NBA’s 50 greatest, are they not? Who taught them how to run the pick and roll to such perfection? Why have the Jazz been so good for so long?

Don Nelson has never had a team for very long that had a lot of size. Out west, that’s like a death sentence. Still, he has a career winning percentage of .573. He has a style of ball named after him: Nellie Ball.

I could go on with this for a while. It is the coach who implements an effective system, not the players. It is a coach who recognizes each individual talent and how to use it in conjunction with the others. It is the coach who knows when to substitute and how to exploit mismatches….and so much more.

Doc Rivers did need better players than he had. But it ain’t all about the players, because he proved he could win in Orlando….in his second year, when his team was picked to finish last in the entire League. And you can’t tell me the squad he had there was anywhere near as good as the one he had in Boston last year. ‘Nuff said.

Lacsho, those guys are over the top on that Falcons blog. It can be a little bit fun if you don’t mind getting dirty for a minute or two. That one clown doesn’t have what it takes to actually engage in a decent debate. So, he just trash talks. And then he gets beaten at that too…I had to laugh at him calling me a trailer trash hick as well, it was too funny.

Doc, what’s with the “careful now” comment? Are you talking to me? Are you tawkin’ ta me? Heh, heh….

By the way, nothing is more profound than the simple things you are doing to help people. This goes well beyond the typical golf clap and there are no cliched words or phrases that do your (and others’) efforts any justice. If this attitude and effort were a staple in the culture of this great western nation, poverty nor classism could survive. But I digress to a greater degree than even I can fathom….

By ray

September 10, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Ant, it would be laughable if it was actually funny. Although, trading AJ and Sheldon for Bibby? Good trade. Please don’t bring up the JJ for two draft picks thing again…that has to be one of the longest standing arguments here…

By doc

September 10, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

your foot coming down on my toes ray in cahoots with sautee. i couldnt find the rialer bit where is it?

what i hadnt heard? jj for two ones and a player, robbery plain robbery. next thing you will tell me they drafted shels at the fifth pick.

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Lol @ Sautee…..in the words of Dave Chappelle “Cold Blooded!!!”

Ray, I also see a trade in the near future. Too many guards. I’m thinking it will be Speedy if he proves he can stay healthy long enough for other teams to notice him. Maybe even solo and zaza(If Morris shows him up). Of course we can’t rule out Bibby getting traded. I have a funny feeling that Sund likes him though. I’m trying to think of something we can get in return for mike and I really can’t think of anything good.

Also Ray, I was also observing your little insitgation fest over on the Falcons blog last week. How Shameless of you ;-) When he called you a hick I couldn’t help but ROFL. I miss vick too but damn, that guy needs medication!!! I was a fan of Matt Ryan while he was at BC so I was happy we drafted him…..I’m glad Bryan Finneran is finally healhy, we’re going to need him this year. The Falcon bloggers will be O.K in time lol. Old wounds heal, so long as certain people don’t aid to their madness :-)

Ken, Good point. Thats been the overall theme around here. How will Woody develop this season?

You’re right, There’s really no need for everyone to be so upset with our starters. We now have a Bench that can come in and compensate for what they lack in tha backcourt(More 3pt Shooting) and in the frontcourt(Size/length). Even if we were to get a guy like Okur or Barngani, I would still start our current starters (I’m leaving Rasheed out of this conversation because of course you have to start that guy, so he throws off the validity of my statements…..anyhoo). Like you said our guys really aren’t that undersized. Pheonix didn’t have a problem using Marion and Amare (overall they are smaller and weigh less than Horford and Smoove if you combine the two). Which brings us full circle back to the coaching arguement………when will it end???

Ant, I would give up two first round picks for Joe any day. Those picks turned out to be Rondo, Lopez, and Horford. We don’t need Rondo and Lopez aint on Horfords level.

By ant banks

September 10, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

ariose those 2 first rounders for JJ is what got us into this whole spirit group lawsuit with belkin. and the only reason those picks turned into horford was becuase we got lucky in the lottery picks. had that ball gone another way, we wouldnot be have this convo.

I like jj as a player, but i don’t think that he was worth 2 picks, when he could have been had at 1.

imho

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

Stop it JOSH SMITH!!! It’s just NOT FAIR!!!

Check out Salim in the #1 play woo!!!

I see Green jerseys all around but there’s a problem. None of them can stop Josh Smith….

So why doesn’t this guy belong in the paint with KG???

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

Don’t call it a fluke…since grade school fellas.

I know you guys remember this game. The first play says it all.

Ant, I feel the same way. I just meant that we made out ok in hindsight, even though we gave up too many picks. But who knows, maybe Phonix threatend to match if we didn’t cough up the picks. That says a lot about what those two teams felt about JJ as a player. And that I can’t complain about.

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

Oh?? You thought I was finished???

NOPE!!!!

[Article from FanHouse. They are ranking the top 50 current NBA players. Here’s Smoove at #32. I expect to see Joe a little further down on the list, but their currently on #30 (Ron Artest).]

In the article they talk about how we got smoove for so cheap when he was OBVIOUSLY the best RFA of the bunch…

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

Just giving you guys somethin’ to think about lol.

Hawks vs. Grizz Highlights

Hawks Vs. Nets…

Well, i’ve got an Abnormal Psychology test tomorrow so i’ll call it quits….for now ;-)

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

yeah…..about that Smoove article…heh.

By richbrave

September 10, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

RYDER:

You know it was tough. I started with the BRAVES as a 23 year old rookie, and ended with them as a 65 year old veteran. That’s most of a productive life-time.

But strange as its seems, it wasn’t as bad for me as SKIP’s passing. That required a non-sober three day sabbatical from normal living. And it inured my senses to the battering I knew was coming September 1.

Anyway, drmaryb’s fab five have become the four tops. BIBBY may join the group. That remains to be seen. Off his post-season mantra, I can’t see the success unless the HAWKS can get him some serious space and transition game. That doesn’t seem to be WOODY’s forte. So I’m waiting for the feet to hit the hardwood, and we’ll see.

I like this team. I believe this is one talented core group and if used properly will come on like gangbusters. So to me its on WOODSON. The front office stumbling block has been cleared out, and the yes man inserted. No more excuses. It’s WOOD’S season to muck up, or break out.

By Ariose

September 10, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

Link to the top 50.

…..ok….now i’m…finished……wait, Damon and Salim haven’t found teams yet???…anyhoo…..holla

~SalimFan Sit Links A Lot

By ray

September 10, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Doc, it was in the Falcons blog prior to the latest one…Myself and Unbiased Blogger going at it…

Ariose, I couldn’t help myself. Speaking of which, good thing I’m not in that Abnormal Psychology class. I’d be giving the professor the fits. Heh, heh.

What? Me in cahoots with Sautee? Noooooooooo…

By ant banks

September 10, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

What do I believe?

I believe that the Hawks will win 44/45 games and make playoffs.

I believe that JSmooth, Horford, JJ will be our BIG 3 and having Bibby for a complete season or atleast up thru the trade deadline will make this possible.

Marvin is going to be Marvin, watch!! Marvin rode the bench at UNC. He couldn’t even “step-up” there and his past 4 yrs he hasn’t gotten appreciably better.

Woody’s plan will finally work. He has the vets that he coveted.

By Sautee

September 10, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

richbrave

I feel ya’ about Skip. I loved him as the Hawks announcer before he ever went to the Braves.

I sometimes play bass with a wonderful songwriter, Chuck Brodsky. You may have read about him from DOB, who’s a big fan. Chuck has a Great song called “Whitey and Harry”, written about long time Phillies analyst Richie Ashburn upon his death. In the song he talks about listening to Harry go on without Whitey for the first time since he (Chuck) was seven. The Phillies used the song on a DVD tribute that they have made honoring Whitey (Ashburn).

The weekend after Skip died, we did the song and dedicated it to Skip’s memory. There were some very appreciative Brave fans in the audience. Of course, I was tearing up. Good thing I didn’t have to sing.

You can find the song on Chuck’s “Baseball Ballads of Chuck Brodsky” CD, available at his website: www.chuckbrodsky.com

R.I.P. Skip, R.I.P. the memory of the Richmond Braves.

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 10, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

“Najeh the bulls big 3 was Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman. I appreciate your points, bruh. I just wanted to share my opinion like every one else here, sir!!”

Haha well I’m definitely not trying to stop you from sharing your opinions… keep them coming!

By richbrave

September 10, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

SAUTEE:

Your props regarding SKIP and the demise of the RICHMOND BRAVES-THANX.

Where are you on this pending season.? I think MANY eastern teams are better and the WIZARDS are not. JAMISON’s a year older, ANDRAY BLATCHE needs to step up, ARENAS has much to prove, CARON BUTLER seems to be injury prone, and DESHAWN STEVENSON has to stop making a fool of himself against LeBRON.

This is the NBA baby. Trash talking doesn’t cut it in this league. If you do any talking, you better be the 800 pound gorilla in the room. STEVENSON definitely is NOT.

I would not be surprised at all if the WIZARDS are this year’s Eastern #8, if they make it at all.

HAWKS may fly if BIBBY can get some game going. I think that’s up to WOODSON. We’ll see.

By BLUE HAWK

September 10, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

*about the big man coach everyone is asking for, i believe we have one in Tyrone Hill. hey, it’s better than nothing. Just signed on as an assistant coach.

he was a real solid rebounder and contributor during his time. i also think he was also a solid post defender. i don’t know if he can teach offense to a big man, but i’m sure our boys will definitely learn a good thing or two especially with rebounding.

Jim Todd is also on board and is a ‘big man’ coach.

*about the ‘big 3’ stuff, i know it’s one of the formulas for winning ballgames but it’s not the only formula nor is it a requirement to win a ballgame or a series or a championship. bottom line is use your troops and use them well. you can only put five guys on the floor at one time, don’t waste a spot on a worthless player.

Detroit 2002-2003? The five players with the most minutes were: Chauncey, Rip, Michael Curry, Cliff Robinson and Big Ben (at that time none of these people were considered stars already, except maybe for Big Ben and he was an unconventional star). Team won 50 games that season and had a strong play off run. Other contributors were Corliss Williamson, Jon Barry, Chucky Atkins, etc. (Prince and Okur were not yet established). I don’t think there were already any all stars on that team at that time.

I loved that team, played with a lot of grit, very tough, but very dry in terms of offense although they could get by and managed to get enough points to win.

That’s my point, make good use of your team, have enough of the necessary pieces, use them right and you can win ballgames.

*I was hoping maybe we could get Adrian Dantley to teach our bigs about scoring in the post. All our bigs will definitely learn a lot from him. I know he works for Denver and was Carmelo’s tutor but hey, coaches can change teams too right? We need him definitely.

• Blue-veined Throbber for RandMohehe

By Mike is back

September 10, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

Doc It’s a true testament of your character that you can remain grounded and have enough humility to dedicate your time and service to cause that is often overlooked in our society. Keep doing your thing brooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Play Ray Man I feel Ya, I mean I have always been down with the Hawks because of the guys that put the uniform on and represent the team. I’m an old school Hawks fan, Misery and Suffering is my middle name. heh heh . I’m not endorsing Woody, but he’s still the coach, so I got to support him. Look bro say I was hit by an Asteroid, or an object from space, but I seen something different in Woody in the playoff. I’m cautiously optimistic, and nervous as a rabbit trap in a shoe box. Woody got me like Keith Sweat, I’m twistedddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ariose Keep hammering them with the links Dawgggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!! Hey the believe, they just don’t want to admit it.

ant banks Look man, obvious you must be some kind of basketball guru, but bro go back and check the archive of this blog. Check out a cat name ANDO. Man he wrote an encyclopedia on the JJ trade. Cmon bro, Surely you can do better than thissssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

By Ken Strickland

September 10, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand the facination with RWallace. He and his volatile personality would be an awful fit for our young team. Besides, for a player his size, his overall numbers, especially his RPG, are no better than our own Marvin Williams.

I hope Woodson addresses one of the major hangups he had last yr in particular. He spent so much time complaining to mgt about the veteran talent he didn’t have, that he failed to recognize and/or properly utilize the young talent he did have.

By BLUE HAWK

September 11, 2008 4:29 AM | Link to this

is there anything like this this year?

SEKOU,

can we get some news and pics please?

i see that our starting the year with the right attitude last year paid dividends - a playoff berth and a strong showing in the first round.

can we get some news that our boys are at it again at the start of the season?

By Sautee

September 11, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

richbrave

I think that spots 7-12 in the East are very, very close, and that ultimately, injuries will make a couple of those teams fall by the wayside. The Wiz are one of those 6 teams, as are the Hawks.

With NO major injuries, the Hawks should compete with 4-5 other teams for one of the last two spots. As should the Wiz.

But this is predicated on Woody changing his stripes, so that’s why I told Sekou that I don’t believe. Once again, I hope to eat crow come Spring. Or be rooting for Larry Drew’s Hawks. Either would be better than 37 wins. That didn’t taste so good, even with the Playoff topping.

By kwooden1

September 11, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

Ken Strickland, sorry for getting back with you late, but you definitely go back with the HAWKS further than I. I don’t want to date you but I go back to Spud and Doc R.

I see what your saying about inside scoring, with Offenses that are designed to create a lot of cutting to the basket and fast-break offenses. But the HAWKS are pretty good at slashing to the basket and finishing (not as good now without Chills) and the HAWKS are really good on the fast-break.

I’m really talking about inside scoring in half court sets against set defenses. I think you have to take Tony Parker out of the discussion because I think he’s very unique in his ability to finish around bigs in traffic. For a PG I think he’s the best I’ve seen at it. (against a set defense) Basketball becomes much easier when you can draw double teams on inside players, and the Hawks have lacked that ability. Some great teams make-up for this by having two or three great outside scores, but things are a lot easier if your drawing inside double-teams. Horford isn’t there, yet, but he definitely deserves more looks in the post. JSmoove can be that inside/outside third scorer with Bibby and JJ, but he’s yet to show that consistantly. I believe that the Hawks are a 40-41 win team if JSmoove can become a consistant 2-3rd scorer, around 20/game. You can’t fast-break all the time and I don’t see this team learning a Triangle or Princeton style offense in one training camp. Besides, Woody’s is going to stick to what he knows which is fine with me. I’ve always said that Woody’s problems come during the game, not in preparing for the game. I think he preaches fast-break before the game, but during the game he gets scared of turn-overs and says slow it down!

I’m looking forward to seeing how JSmoove and Marvin look.

GO HAWKS!

By Sautee

September 11, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

kwooden1

From your 8:27 post:

I think you have to take Tony Parker out of the discussion because I think he’s very unique in his ability to finish around bigs in traffic. For a PG I think he’s the best I’ve seen at it. (against a set defense)

Of course you can’t help when you were born, but it’s a shame you weren’t around to see (and appreciate) Nate Archibald in his prime (early Seventies). First player to ever lead the league in scoring and assists in the same year. And, like Parker, he excelled at finishing amongst the trees. Imagine a Tony Parker who could score 34.0 per game and dish out 11.4 assists. That’s “Tiny”. Sorry you missed him, as he was very special for a few years, and still very skilled when he won a ring with Bird and the Celts in ‘81. And he weighed in at 150 lbs. soaking wet. AMAZING player.

By doc

September 11, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

well i just went back and started to read fast friday. at the end i found i had really practiced up on my scroll technique. i guess i can use it like preseason exercise.

By Lacsho

September 11, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Doc

Thanks for the info, and I commend you for your efforts towards helping the homeless. Once upon a time I was homeless, and I’m thankful for my current situation. GOD has blessed me with a beautiful home and family, now it’s my turn to give back. I’d love to do my share to help people in need. Nowadays, a lot of people are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves

By Ken Strickland

September 11, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

KWOODEN-in reality, we’re on the same page. We’re simply focusing on different aspects of the same thing. How much of an issue our ability to effectively score inside, from a postup standpoint, will depend upon how much Woodson wants to imput his perferred style of play. If he allows the team to consistently run and attack the DEF before it gets set, it will be minimized. If he clamps down, like he did when we faultered after our season opening winning streak, it will become a greater factor.

He can’t do what he did last yr. We would get big leads by running and playing uptempo basketball. Then, he would try to protect that lead by instructing the PG to walk the ball up the court and focusing on our halfcourt sets. That’s when our weaknesses are exposed and teams are able to exploit us. Woodson has to understand:

(1)WE ARE NOT THE PISTONS.

(2)WE WILL NEVER BE THE PISTONS, AND AS CONSTRUCTED, WE WILL NEVER BE EFFECTIVE OR CONSISTENT PLAYING THEIR STYLE OF OFF.

(3)CONCENTRATE MORE ON CONTROLLING THE PLAYERS MINS AND INVOLVEMENT, ESPECIALLY OUR BENCH PLAYERS, AND LESS ON CONTROLLING THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS AND THE GM.

(4)DON’T AUTOMATICALLY RETREAT TO WHAT SUITS YOU(YOUR PREFERRED SLOW DOWN HALF COURT OFF) WHENEVER THE TEAM HITS A SNAG WHILE PLAYING UPTEMPO BASKETBALL. ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE THAT STYLE AND PLAY THROUGH THEIR PROBLEMS, LIKE YOU DO WHEN PLAYING YOUR HALFCOURT STYLE.

(5)ALLOW YOUR ASSISTANT COACHES TO DO WHAT MOST ASSISTANT COACHES ARE HIRED TO DO, “ASSIST”. THEY ARE YOUR ASSISTANTS, NOT YOUR EMPLOYEES, WHICH YOU MERELY DIRECT. TRY LISTENING TO THEIR SUGGESTIONS FOR A CHANGE.

(6)FROM THIS POINT ON, YOUR SUCCESS OR FAILURE WILL BE PREDICATED ON WINS, AND HOW THE TEAM PERFORMS, NOT HOW MUCH CONTROL YOU HAVE, OR CREDIT YOU TAKE, OVER THE FINAL RESULTS.

You became a fan when the Hawks were really exciting. I believe the team would have been much better off if they had made one change. Randy Whitman was a DEF liability because he lacked the strength, quickness and speed to defend the better SG’s in the league at that time. He also lacked shooting range and the ability to create his own shot. Because of the solid indoctrination he received from Bobby Knight, he wouldn’t even consider taking a shoot unless he was wide open. John Battle should have been the starting SG and Whitman should have heen brought off the bench, where he would have been more effective.

Battle was a much better defender. He had more shooting range and could create his own shot, before he tore up his knee. Is he still married to Regina Bell and are they still living in Atlanta? Man, I’d love to make her sing in the bedroom, UMH!

By doc

September 11, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

sekou any comments regarding the detroit pistons’ owner saying that the ref scandle was only the tip of the iceberg? i know how much we are suspect of refs and their skewed view of the nba world. heh heh

lashco, cool bro. it has become the part of my week i look forward to the most.

By John

September 11, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Sekou steals money for this blog. Waste of time.

By ray

September 11, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Excellent points, Ken. Especially #5.

By doc

September 11, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

interesting:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080905/COL01/809050399/1051/SPORTS03

By hector

September 11, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

I honestly think the Hawks will make the Playoffs!!! Bibby will step up, Johnson will be a matchup nightmare for most teams, Horford will have career season averaging 15 ppg, 10 rebounds Smith will be more efficient, Hawks have a bench with law, flip, evan, morris, and zaza, thats looking good for them. I think the east seeds will look like this

By I.MUS WRITE

September 11, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

John- Thats funny!!! I was thinking the same thing until i realized we are two weeks out from the opening of camp .There really isnt much to report right now -most of the players are still scattered about……. Im bored just like you and the rest of this blog…..Didnt think I would be looking forward to see’n a falcons game for a while,especially after Vick left—but I cant wait for sunday.

I Have been going to the park a few blocks from the underground -to play chess…..If any of yall are bored come on down and put your minds to work….Warning - be prepared to see just about anything….I won approx 1 game in 6 try’s these guys n gurls are good.

Sum guy with a long beard handed me my azz twice -I swear he was the real Bobby Fischer……..Nobody whipz I.MUS like that,but I gotta give it up -He’s one of the better players I’ve seen.

How many of yall would’a traded the 3/11 picks last year for A.Stoudamire -Just curious. As for me in a NY minute…..

By MannyT

September 11, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

doc Thanks for that Bill Davidson link. He is the man. I’d love to hang out with him even if he is older than my regular crowd. Mykhalc would enjoy Bill D dropping a BCUP (brainless, clueless, useless, period) on most of his peers. Ken Looks like Bill D wasn’tr the biggest Larry Brown fan, but it does look like a Woody lovefest whenever we play those guys. Maybe he can make self-correction…who knows.

Just a personal observation, any beat writer that blogs about his beat too often during the offseason is either a bit obsessive or has no life outside of work. Check your ESPN, SI, etc. How much content does one individual put out on hoops over the summer. Now divide that down to one team’s worht of information. Half y’all went wacky when Sekou brought up other topics. I can imagine that all the Hawks are not sitting by the mobile waiting to do interviews in the summer.

Sautee Thanks for the kind words. Allow me to be your backup VG (video guard) and sub for Ariose. Here is a quick Nate video montage.

BWAF

By Sautee

September 11, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

hector

So you think LeBron is gonna miss the playoffs?

The league will make sure THAT doesn’t happen!

Maybe you should rethink your list.

By ray

September 11, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Sekou, nice Q&A with Rick Sund. It was a huge glittering generality, but that’s not your fault…

Sund, just make the right moves when the need arises. And trust me, it will arise. Oh, and tell your second-in-command to quit blogging on here. We know who he is and he’s a fargin’ idiot to boot….

By ray

September 11, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Whoopsie, did I just say that? Vodka definitely doesn’t agree with me….hyah hyah hyah!

By richbrave

September 11, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

SAUTEE:

Absolutely stone-cold truth bro’. I been seein’ those first round playoffs between CLEVELAND and WASHINGTON the past three? years.

By Samuel

September 11, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Pretty good Q & A.

Training camp will be HUGE. Mike Bibby will take control of this team and lead them. You guys keep talking about Bibby being moved. I don’t get that from Sund. I have no doubt about that. I like that Hotel idea. Let’s get down to business.

Also, don’t forget that JJ played all last Summer on the Olympic team. Not this year. He’ll be good and rested. This will be a Huge year for JJ. He finally has a PG to run with.

Cuz, I noticed on the Box scores in the RMR this year that Acie played some 3. Is that true or did they just make mistakes in two or three games? I actually could see him at the three.

I agree with Rick that the NBA season is a Marathon. The key is that we play hard and competitive every night. We need to come out pressing and denying from “the jump” just like last year. The difference hopefully will be our health and depth.

By kwooden1

September 11, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

Ken, Sautee thanks for the look at basketball I’ve never really seen. (don’t have NBA Classic) AND also for making me feel a lot younger! I’ve talked to one of my friends and he really didn’t remember seeing Michael Jordan play! I know that some time in the near future the NBA’s going to starting selling old games on the Internet, and I will be the first one in line to buy Nate games.

Ken, the only thing I have to say about your 6 GREAT POINTS is HOW DID THEY WIN ANY GAMES AGAINST THE CELTICS!!!!!

I hope Woodson really learned something from the wins, especially about the emotions of his team. At HOME, they were attacking the basket and shooting with confidence. On the ROAD they were passive and hesitant to shoot. You can say that the Celtics just weren’t ready and it took them almost 3 series to get that Championship form, but the HAWKS fought for their WINS. Woody just can’t ask them to bring that emotion every night, he has to make every move he can before and DURING THE GAME to get them to play with that emotion. Ken your Point (4) is what Mo Cheeks had been doing with Philly all last season, and especially in the Playoffs! Philly didn’t have great shooters and Dalembert is very raw inside, so they constantly pushed the ball and slashed to the basket. They never stopped even if they went through bad stretchs. Woodson has to keep the team attacking and pushing the ball.

GO HAWKS!

By MannyT

September 11, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Sund wants to be like HBO Hard Knocks?

I can’t wait to see training camp on TV.

Who will wear the TO shirts?

because front side iLove back side me some me

In the meantime, some Wheel of Fortune just for y’all.

Thinking CRAP

By ant banks

September 11, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

samuel I was culling through some data and came up wit some interesting stuff…

the hawks got done in on road games. the 1st half of the season nov.-feb. hawks had 28 road games and won only 7 games!! WTF!!

how in the blazes do we win only 7 road games in 4 months??

during 1st half of 08-09 season we have 31 road games, no way we win only 7 of these games starting the season with Bibby, JJ, Marvin, Smooth, Horford.

By doc

September 11, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

samuel i dont think jj was with them last summer but the summer before as last summer he was still getting over his leg injury.

By HB Ando

September 12, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this

Wow.

I must admit that I was surprised, nay, apoplectic, when I stumbled upon Sekou’s unexpected epiphany, driven by the disturbing, and hapless, negative perspective of one of the regular contributors to this blog.

Sekou posits that “nothing in their makeup suggests they will go backwards”. But doesn’t that perspective fail to consider the tangible roster improvements of questionably relevant competitors?

Can a team, that failed to make inarguable roster improvements, defiantly stake a claim to an unimpeded route to playoffs?

For every improvement that our realistic peers/competitors, for the sadly compelling a*-end of the Eastern Conference playoffs, made, this off-season, be it coaching or roster-related, there stands the ASG’s collective decisions to extend Woody, be blind-sided by the Childress situation, and do no more than add some curious journeymen, with no clearly defined commitment to the minutes that would make those acquisitions meaningful, given the positions that those free agents play, and the lack of historic minutes those players will find available, given Woody’s track record.

Hey, if they move Bibby, sooner than later, then the emergent overload, at lead guard, considering Law, Claxton, and the addition of Flip, will make more sense, from a minutes-per-game standpoint.

But they added two names, who both, historically, play the same position as JJ, who, not coincidentally, registers 40+ minutes per game, at the two.

I’m still looking for a logical digression from my post, on the previous blog, that questions how the available minutes would be distributed, based on various folks’ positions of the optimal utilization of the revised roster.

For every Zaza/Morris pump, there is an inarguable reduction of Marvin minutes (or JJ, if one is to consider the outlandish suggestion that JJ will slide to the 3).

Where do Flip and Evans get their minutes, in the backcourt, if JJ plays 40, and the Bibby/Law/Speedy collective covers the expected majority of 48 nightly minutes, at the point?

How can Marvin emerge as a star, at the 3, if his minutes are reduced to allow Zaza and Morris to play the 5?

You can’t have the Zaza/Morris compendium grasping major minutes, at the five, if Al, Josh and Marvin are all supposed to explode onto the “organic growth” scene.

And given that five-for-three challenge, where do you stuff an inarguable expectation that there are success-altering minutes available to Flip and Mo, in the backcourt?

I can’t believe that I’ve been reduced to aligning myself to “disheartened”, when I was firmly committed to bear-hugging the projection of an inevitable return to the playoffs, for this obvious team of destiny.

What’s my problem……….

By Ariose

September 12, 2008 1:52 AM | Link to this

HB Ando….Move THIS Mike Bibby??? Or tha healthy, in-shape, un-injured one at 100% that we’re going to have at the start of the season???

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By Ariose

September 12, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this

1) Bibby/Law

2) JJ/Flip

3) Marvin/Evans

They are backups not starters. It’s not like they’re going to average over 25 min a game. Also, Mo Evans has played SF in the past (I’m pretty sure i’ve said that before….most recently in LA and Detroit). The Bench has defenetly been upgraded. Most teams know to keep the paint closed at all times when they play us. But with Chills being replaced with Evans and the Addition of Flip we now have slashers who also provide an outside shooting presense that the “29(mpg)Avg” Childress lacked…..They also play some very solid defense.

I’m not saying the Hawks will be better. I’m simply saying that the bench has been upgraded. I’ll keep my personal opinion to myself until mid Febuary….

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By Ariose

September 12, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this

I also beleive that Zaza/Morris will do what they’re supposed to. Which is to keep Al and Smoove fresh throught the season by coming in and giving decent minutes.

Having servicable Backups who keep the same intensity level as the starters will be key this season. That way we won’t give up huge leads anymore. The starters can re-enter the game fresh and ready to dominate after a productive stints by their respective backups…Morris also has the size to match up against certain bigs that will give Horford trouble during the course of the season (Like Greg Oden).

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By Ariose

September 12, 2008 3:35 AM | Link to this

I Also beleive that Childress leaving, will have a positive developmental impact on Marvin. Now that Marvin is our only “True” SF on the roster, maybe Woodson will be more inclined to play him for longer stretches when size is a facor for the opponet at the SF position (Paul Pierce…even though Marvin got torched by peirce on the regular…which is usually when Chills would enter the game…)

I would also like to know what is so obsurd about playing JJ at SF??? Whose going to stop him??? Vince(No Heart), T-Mac(Washed up/jumpshot happy), Artest(Yup because he sure shut Joe down when we played Sactown last season). Leuol Deng, Stackhouse, Corey Magette, Bruce Bowen James Posey???? I don’t see the problem.

Prince would but that’s about it…..and JJ won’t have any trouble guarding them. Speaking of which it’s about time JJ be mentioned for some All-Defensive squads.

~SalimFan Sir Links A Lot

By ray

September 12, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this

Ant, funny that you mention that. We got tossed on road games damn near all year. And oh looky….we lost the road games in the playoffs. I seem to recall somebody saying something about the light bulb coming on in the playoffs….heh….righty-o…

Ando………you must be bored.

By ray

September 12, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this

Ariose, you took the bait…..

Wow. Acie Law at the three. And here I was thinking that I had been in the bottle a tad too much last night….hee hee hee

By doc

September 12, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this

a couple of things ariose:

who will marvin stop

that thinking is way to simple as far as substututions but because of it you might be right and win the “be in woody’s head” award.

chills was an under rated as a three point shooter and maybe it was a question of not having the green light. will woody give it to anyone besides bibby and jj? i see the three pointer like what you used to see in baseball with the steal before roids took over the game. it is a weapon but not everyone gets to pull the trigger. some coaches just dont believe in it and i put woody in that goup. another analogy is the coach in football that continues to consider winning football as three yards and a cloud of dust.

i was touting marvin saying harrington was superfluous but his “game” has left me cold the last two years feeling i was wrong. it is his make or break year so maybe having chills out of the way will boost his numbers if nothing else. what i do want to see is a coach that has the confidence to have his starters in at the end of games. thus far marvin doesnt fit that bill. the guys that finish are the real studs not the guys that get announced at the beginning of games. marvin is an imposter so far when it comes to fitting that jacket.

By Samuel

September 12, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

He played F against the Jazz on 7/19, the NBAD League Ambassadores on 7/21 and even C against the Spurs on 7/22.

Ray, keep surfing the net. One day you might learn as much as I have forgotten.

By Ken Strickland

September 12, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

As most of you have probably guess by now, I’m just as bored as the rest of you. So, here goes. We know that most of the roster is set for the start of the season, especially the starting five. Now, who do you think would benefit the team most and deserve the final roster spot? We can be assured that Acie, Morris, Randolph, Evans, Zaza and maybe Speedy, if he remains healthy, will make the final roster. The final spot, if Speedy isn’t placed on IR again, will likely go to a BIG. Do you think it should be C/PF SJones or PF OHunter?

Personally, I’d like to see Solomon because of his versatility, greater size, DEF ability and familiarity with the team, system and league. Horford, Zaza and Morris can also play PF, so we’re covered there. Solomon would give us more depth at the 5, as well as more interior DEF. Besides, we all know how Woodson feels about young and/or inexperienced bench players, so he might be more inclined to use Solomon than Hunter, at this point.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

By jhan

September 12, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Last year we weren’t good enough because our bench sucked. Which caused our starters to play too many minutes.

This year we won’t succeed because our bench is better. Which means our starters won’t play as many minutes.

WTF?

By jhan

September 12, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Sounds like Sund wouldn’t answer any Childress questions. You know that was probably the first question on Sekou’s list.

Ken, I like Solo’s size for this roster. I just question whether he has what it takes mentally. It doesn’t seem like he works hard enough.

Hunter already has Sund’s approval from the interview - which doesn’t bode well for Solo.

This should be a scrappy competition between them for the final spot. This can only help the Hawks.

Unless they are actually good enough to play. Which apparantly will be a detriment to the squad!

By AtlFlavor

September 12, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

ALL we needed was 2 bigs and a shooter.Im just trying to figure the “Rotation” for this team. Hopefully this will be clear after the pre season. Its clear Evans and Murray were signed to PLAY. But when and where?? Acie no doubt will get pushed back for Murray to sub for Bibby. Playing the them together makes for a smalll backcourt. Evans will spell Marvin or shift to the 2 with Acie or Murray. Thats if you belive that Joe will play less than 38 mins a game. It gets really cloudy when you look at the 4 and the 5. Its not to far fetched to think AL or Josh get 2 fouls in the 1st half of most of the games. It was common last year. That means Za P and Morris will be in at the same time. Solo and Hunter fill in where??? Excuse me but I just dont get it. Shots and game flow will be an issue no doubt. Billy Knight loved Forwards and Sund loves Guards. Can we get someone to love a BIG??? I would have loved to see a lineup of the best BIG available Al Josh Joe and Bibby. Marvin off the bench along with another quality big or Evans/Chills (still wishing the bad dream would go away) and Za P and Acie. The influx of guards seems to prove Speedy is history. If thats the case can they make him retire or take a medical out?? Last year we lost 1 pre season game in route to a decent year by Hawks standards. I just dont see it now. I hope they prove me wrong.

By Sautee

September 12, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

new blog up

By Explicit

September 12, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

I actually feel really good about what we have done this off-season. The only thing that I was shocked from is ofcourse the Josh Childress fleeing but other than that I think we did really well.

I think that Mo Evans is going to be very solid for us and he could contribute just as much as Childress. It just hurts a bit more that Childress left because he came in with Smith and we watched him grow with the team. It’s almost like one of the kids has left the house and we know he wont be back.

But back to the team of 08-09. I think that our nucleus was in place and we have used some filler players to hopefully expand our rotation from 8 to hopefully 10.

With Bibby spending the whole off-season with us and the expected improvement of Horford and Smith that alone should net us more wins. Honestly though what else could the Hawks have done. The only guy that I don’t trust is Marvin but I have always seen his upside and with what I am hearing about his off-season this could finally be the year that Marvin gets to 20 ppg’s. Combine that with the raw athletcism of Smith and Horford, the scoring of Johnson and the court savy and distribution that Bibby brings and I think that you can only come away believing that the Hawks are going to be much improved this season.

By wynnc

September 12, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

Why does everyone keep talking about allstar caliber players that should have been added. JJ-allstar, bibby-allstar, Josh-soon to be allstar, Al-soon to be allstar(if the fans vote for talent). I like the team if they play as a team. They are much better now. I like Chills but damn there are many players in the league that get hustle points. We need some player that can score and Mo and Flip can. Morris is young and not as much a head case a Kwame. Bench is much better which is the key to winning deep into the season. Learn how the salary cap works and then fans can quit looking to buy a RING. Please see the Denver Nuggets.

By Ray Eck

September 14, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

They can not win as many games with this line up, even with the of season signees. Trade Bibby, with others, to Chicago in a sign & trade for Gordon (with maybe others). They still need a back up small forward with height (like Childress had) & can get the team a few points. Another big might help since getting Randolph instead of Kwame did not happen. Solomon is really no needed value now. Hunter is under contract & available for back court duty. Lets see if MGMT will make a move!

By dtruth

September 15, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

I don’t believe. This team has had the talent to be competitive, but has been held back by WOODY. He has not given this team an identity. He has not made them a great defensive team, or provided any continuity on offense, with such a young athletic team they don’t run enough. He is not a good coach point blank. Any good coach gets their teams to compete and have some signature characteristic that everyone can clearly see (ie. defense, offensive scheme, something we all can identify with). Get rid of him.

By brent a.

September 15, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

Look for this team to start winning more games at home.

Taking advantage of the electrifying talents on this team, and a fan base that will get behind it.

They need to take the same attitude and intensity into home games next season, that they took in the play-off home games in May.

Win 30 games at home, and you’re already moving forward.

Get back intot the play-offs, when at least one game on the road. Who knows? Maybe that will be enough to win a series.

Then, the next year, go out and win 20 on the road, plus 30+ at home, and you’ve got HCA in at least 1 round.

The progression will continue, but it starts by turning home court into a fortress and learning how to consistently close games out.