BornandDieHawks

Hang in there for a while....It's the first summer league game and way too early to consider anyone in Summer League a bust.

AI has to be worth more that just Wally.

Some other deals will have to be made if this goes through...How many people will be on the roster and there is still a chance D Andersen may be coming over. We still haven't seen what the summer league has to offer this year.

I think it's a three way which bring us Magloire.

Maybe Milwaukee wants another rebounder. Charlie V is not an enforcer on the boards to be a PF.

I understand what you are saying but if we get someone who has a bad contract it can handcuff us for years and a better FA market will be out there next year. Now AL will not walk because there are not anyone who can offer him more than the MLE who has showed interest in him. I just don't want to be the one who get stuck with a contract another trade negotiated.

I not sure if he would want to play down here. He has been asking to go back home to Toronto. If we got him there is no way to determine his value because if his value was high he wouldn't be so hard to move this season.

I don't think AL will accept anything under 10-12 mil a year. Especially with Nene deal there is no way his agent would let him get low ball for any deal.

If we didn't wait, BK would have been force to take a deal he probably wouldn't have wanted and bring on some unneccessary salary. Even if it was for an expiring contract, the FA market was weak this year and we still wouldn't have got good value for AL. Now BK is in the driver's seat on any trade and we really have the potential of getting someone who can help this team now.

Denver really wants to get rid of K Mart. Even if he was 100% healthy, too much happen last year in the playoffs to keep him around. I am hoping Denver didn't get into this three way to unload him.

agreed..

Harrington anxiously awaits deal By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 07/13/06 The choices are simple for Al Harrington. He can return to his NBA roots with the Indiana Pacers or explore the promise of the Golden State Warriors. "I've waited this long," the Hawks' unrestricted free agent said laughing Wednesday. "I guess a little while longer can't hurt." Harrington, an eight-year veteran, has waited nearly two weeks to find out where his NBA future lies. A sign-and-trade deal is most likely, but it typically takes longer to negotiate. The ongoing legal feud between the Hawks' owners forced Harrington into a holding pattern, until a ruling Tuesday cleared the way for the team to move him. "I was always confident that things would work out the way they should," Harrington said. "Now it's just a matter of finding the right fit." The Pacers and Warriors have remained the most steadfast suitors in a group that included as many as eight teams. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound Harrington averaged a career-high in points (18.6) for the Hawks last season. "I have a genuine interest in both of those teams," Harrington said last week. "My only focus is getting back to the playoffs and eventually competing for a championship. I thought we were getting better and heading in that direction [in Atlanta], but sometimes it's time to move on." All that's left is the agreement, on all sides, on a lucrative sign-and-trade. "I can't say something is imminent," Hawks general manager Billy Knight said Wednesday, the first day of the free-agent signing period. "There's nothing on the table that needs to be decided on immediately. We're talking to people. That's where we are." Andy Miller, Harrington's agent, confirmed both sides are working tirelessly to get a deal done. "Billy and I are continuing to evaluate what is in everyone's best interest," Miller said Wednesday from Las Vegas, where one of the NBA's summer leagues is in full swing. "Hopefully, we'll be able to work something out shortly." Harrington played his first six seasons in the league with the Pacers, and his mother and father still reside in Indianapolis. He'd also be reunited on- and off-court with one of his best friends, Pacers All-Star power forward/center Jermaine O'Neal. The familiarity with the team, franchise and city holds special appeal for Harrington, who was on the Pacers' roster when they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2000 NBA Finals. But the lure of what could be is equally tempting when he's factored into the mix with Warriors stars Jason Richardson and Baron Davis, two of the league's most dynamic scorers and overall talents. There also would be a chance to do what he couldn't in two seasons as a Hawks co-captain: lead a playoff-starved franchise back to the postseason — the Warriors have the league's longest playoff drought at 12 years. There are other teams that could get involved, possibly a third party to facilitate the trade and net the Hawks a coveted player on another team. Whatever happens it won't be rushed, Knight said, not when you're giving up a piece as valuable as Harrington was the past two seasons. "We're talking to some people who have interest in Al. I can't predict how it's going to go," Knight said. "Teams are very interested in Al because he's a good player and an even better person. "With the way the draft went and the makeup of our team, mainly Josh [smith] and Marvin Williams, it just didn't make as much sense [for us to do something] with Al. It certainly doesn't have anything to do with what we think of Al as a person or a player. We love Al. And we appreciate what he brought to our team and our organization." WHAT MAKES SENSE? Three deals that make sense as the Hawks try to move unrestricted free agent Al Harrington: • Sign-and-trade Harrington to Indiana for Jeff Foster, Anthony Johnson and a future draft pick. Foster's reasonable salary ($5.2 million and $5.7 million over the next two seasons with a player option for a third) has made him one of the talked about trade pieces of the summer. His rebounding prowess, 6-foot-11, 250-pound frame and lunch-pail attitude are things that will most benefit the young Hawks. Johnson has two years (at under $2.9 million per season) left on his contract and rounds out a much-improved backcourt rotation. And draft picks are always a plus. • Sign-and-trade Harrington to Golden State for Troy Murphy and Mickael Pietrus. Murphy's expensive ($10 million per season over the next five years) but he rebounds (averaging 10.4 the past two seasons) and drains jumpers from 17 feet. Pietrus is the deal sweetener. Much like his friend and French countryman Boris Diaw, the athletic swingman is poised for a breakout season in the right situation and should be eager to prove himself in a contract year. • A three-team deal that sends Harrington to Golden State, Murphy to Milwaukee and Jamaal Magloire to the Hawks. Magloire's expiring contract ($8.3 million this season) works perfectly for a Hawks team that seeks to maintain its salary-cap flexibility. And he's the veteran bruiser they lacked last season. Magloire has helped anchor the middle for playoff teams in New Orleans and Milwaukee. http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h...harrington.html

I will buy on to us getting A.Miller and Biedrins. BK would get executive of the year if he can pull that one off.

ESPN ORLANDO, Fla. -- He showed the sophistication in his scoring, hitting stutter-step runners in the lane, high-arcing jumpers from the outside and even the occasional spin move from the post. And he showed that famous fire, practically willing himself out of a first-night stinker with a jaw-dropping start for the ages. But most of all, Adam Morrison showed Tuesday night why the Charlotte Bobcats feel they culled a megawatt star from last month's NBA draft with the third overall pick. A night after missing 11 of 14 shots in a jittery NBA debut, Morrison bounced back in a big way by systematically dismantling the Chicago Bulls' summer league team. In the moments after his sizzling 25-point first half and 29-point night, Morrison had longtime NBA executives in awe of the performance he had just turned in Day 2 of the Pepsi Pro Summer League in Orlando. Everyone was surprised, except of course, Morrison. The former Gonzaga star seemed to take great pride in silencing his critics by hitting his first five shots Tuesday and scoring 15 of the Bobcats' first 21 points. Morrison did cool off in the second half, but by then it didn't seem to matter. "I think what the Bobcats saw in my workouts that I can move better than people give me credit for and I'm faster, I guess, than people think at first," Morrison said following Charlotte's 88-87 defeat of Chicago. "I like showing out here that I'm not just a spot-up shooter. I never was at Gonzaga, so I don't know where people ever get that idea. I think it's something that will transfer to the next level.'' That looks like a certainty now, but some might have had their doubts after Morrison missed nine consecutive shots at one point in his first NBA game Monday. Bobcats summer league coach John-Blair Bickerstaff challenged Morrison in the moments before Tuesday's game, telling him, "the goal is to put the ball in the hole.'' Morrison did have a chance to write a storybook ending to the game in the closing seconds, but his runner over fellow first-round pick Tyrus Thomas (17 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks) rimmed out. But Charlotte center D'or Fischer tipped in the miss to keep Charlotte (2-0) perfect in the summer league. Morrison said he isn't about to get too high about posting a big game against the likes of Ugonna Onyekwe and fellow rookie Thabo Sefolosha. But, like most, he's quite eager to see how his game will transfer against some of the NBA's best small forward stars. "I think every rookie is thinking the same thing right now, and it's going to be fun to get out there,'' Morrison said. "This league is so good for us young guys right now. To have a game like I did [Monday] night, making all the mistakes that I did, I was able to come back [Tuesday] and learn from them.'' MOST IMPRESSIVE: Earl Barron, Heat. While Morrison's play was certainly impressive, the Barron was dominant in a different way for the Heat. The 7-foot, 245-pound center demolished New Jersey's front line to the tune of 33 points and 15 rebounds Tuesday night. Fernando Medina/Getty Images Earl Barron could give the Heat another big option.A night after scoring 18 points mostly on pick-and-pop jump shots, Barron did most of his damage from point-blank range Tuesday. He made 9-of-17 shots and he got to the free throw line a whopping 17 times, hitting 15 in Miami's 91-85 win. Barron is hoping to stick with the Heat this season after spending most of last season on the inactive list and in the Developmental League. He has a $475,000 team option in his contract for next season, one the Heat must pick up by July 25. Barron's chances of making the Heat improve dramatically if Alonzo Mourning decides to retire. And his chances certainly improve with more performances like Tuesday's. "I'm just out here trying to prove myself and show how much I've improved,'' Barron said. "`I just want to continue to be aggressive, make strong moves and get to the foul line. As long as I keep playing hard, I'm going to be fine.'' MOST DISAPPOINTING: Kevin Pittsnogle, Heat. The tattooed power forward was an unquestioned college star at West Virginia, but he has struggled mightily with his shot so far in this summer league. His lack of athleticism and unwillingness to attack the rim have been apparent so far and were major reasons why he wasn't selected in the NBA draft. Pittsnogle made just 1-of-8 shots in nearly 23 minutes Tuesday, half of those shots coming from beyond the 3-point line. Not helping matters, he had more fouls (six) than rebounds (four). In two games, Pittsnogle has hit just 2-of-9 shots. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rookie roundup Fernando Medina/Getty Images Injured Orlando guard J.J. Redick was not a happy camper watching Tuesday's action.• The news seemingly just keeps getting worse for Orlando Magic rookie J.J. Redick. The former Duke star isn't playing this week as he continues to rehabilitate the herniated disc in his lower back. And on Tuesday, Redick revealed that the back injury he suffered more than a month ago will keep him from participating in the tryouts for Team USA later this month. Redick was one of two college players -- Morrison is the other -- picked to try out for Team USA's entry into the World Championships. He was a longshot to make the roster with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade expected to play most of the minutes at shooting guard. The NCAA's all-time leader in 3-pointers made (457), Redick was hoping to provide Team USA some much-needed shooting from the perimeter. Redick said he has yet to inform Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, Team USA's head coach, of his decision to pull out of the workouts. Redick still plans to attend the training camp starting July 18 in Las Vegas, but he said sitting out is the smart thing to do. "I'm going out there, but I just can't play in it right now,'' Redick said. "It's just a matter of how much stronger I can get my back now. The MRI I had [last Thursday] showed that the herniation is getting smaller. I'll have another MRI to check the progress, but I'm not feeling any pain.'' • Overshadowed somewhat by No. 4 overall pick Tyrus Thomas, Chicago guard Thabo Sefolosha has raised some eyebrows with his dazzling play. Over the course of two games, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound native of Sweden has proven himself to be a solid defender and crafty scorer in the open court. He's made 11 of 16 shots -- most of them on slithery drives to the hoop -- and is second on the Bulls in scoring at 16 points per game. Of course, that's 2.5 points a game more than Thomas. Chicago traded up to get Sefolosha, who was originally drafted 13th by the Philadelphia 76ers. Chicago has used him at both guard slots so far. • Marcin Gortat is making a strong push to make the Orlando Magic's roster, delivering a second strong performance Tuesday. But despite the Magic's need for another big body alongside of Dwight Howard and Darko Milicic, the Magic are expected to keep the 6-foot-11, 240-pounder in Germany for another season. Gortat tipped in the game-winner with 17.7 seconds left, helping the Magic (1-1) defeat the Indiana Pacers (0-2) 80-79. Gortat, a native of Poland and a 2005 second-round pick of the Magic, had 15 points and eight rebounds a night after scoring 15 points, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking three shots on Monday. Gortat just started playing basketball four years ago, leaving behind his burgeoning career as a soccer goalie. The Magic would prefer that he return to his professional team in Germany and work on his game and body before possibly returning a year from now. "You can see that he's still very rough, but he's athletic, runs the floor and blocks shots,'' Magic coach Brian Hill said. "I really think another year in Europe will do him good. But there's no doubt he's a young player who has a future in this league.'' http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2516792

I know...I seen you arguing with them on several treads over what they wanted to give us for AL.

I would love to have him coming off the bench. I think it's going to be hard for Ivey and Edwards to make the team. Now that I think about it. None of the trade treads have had none of these two in them as a throw in.

I have been monitoring GS sites, but they have some stupid ass trades. All of thier rumors involve us taking trash for AL. Indy's site says they are close to signing Bonzi Wells. http://forums.warriorsworld.net/main/ http://forums.warriorsworld.net/main/

PRO BASKETBALL Hawks looking for more from Marvin Williams Last year's first-round pick says he's 'definitely a better player' By CURTIS BUNN The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 07/12/06 If you did not know any better, you would think all was well with the Hawks, that the peculiar and potentially crippling legal machinations were a figment of someone's cruel imagination. There was Billy Knight, the team's general manager who has constructed a team of youthful, potential-laden talent, laughing and chatting it up Tuesday. Coach Mike Woodson and his staff were teaching and instructing a collection of young players. And the players, none with more than two years of NBA experience, hardly seemed fazed by the legal proceedings that have consumed team ownership. Rather, it was business as unusual for the Hawks, who begin play in a summer league in Utah on Thursday. It should mark, according to Woodson, the start of the emergence of their prized first-round pick of last year, Marvin Williams. A breakout summer for Williams — and a trade of forward Al Harrington — certainly would assuage the taint of the court proceedings. Selected with the second pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, ahead of a couple of credible point guards, the 6-foot-9 Williams slowly progressed as a rookie, earning more and more playing time. "Now, we're looking for Marvin to step up and do more," Woodson said. "I want him to shoot as much as he wants. ... I won't put the clamps on him at all. We brought him along slowly last year, which I think was the right thing. This [summer] team is his team; it's his time to shine. He can go out and do his thing." Which brought a smile to Williams' face. "I'm excited," he said. "It should be good for me. It's a big difference from last year to now. Completely different." For one, Williams has worked hard on getting stronger, which promotes confidence in his ability to physically match up. "That's definitely better," he said. "I've been working on adding a post-up game, and being stronger helps with that." Additionally, Williams, who last month turned 20, has an NBA season from which to draw. "I know so much more. I watched some tape from last year, and it didn't even look like me out there," he said. "Last year was a learning experience for me. I'm definitely a better player, and I'm ready to show it." Speedy Claxton is expected to show up today for the first time as the Hawks' new point guard. And Harrington could be dealt in a matter of days. See, business is moving right along. "I'll let that [legal] stuff play itself out and keep going about my business," Knight said. "If the players ask questions about it, I answer them. But our focus is on what we have to do as a team, getting ready for next season." Added Woodson: "I can't concern myself with [the legal issues]. I'm concerned, though. The side I'm on has done a great job in working hard to get this organization turned around. We're coaching and teaching, and that's what we're focused on. With Marvin, Salim [stoudamire] and Shelden [Williams], we have a lot to be excited about." http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/h.../0712hawks.html

I don't think BK will tear the team he is building apart for AI. Since Belkin has made it public he wants AI, the Spirit might have compromised to get the ban lifted but not for those players.

This year was different from last. BK took the BPA last year because he was assembling talent for the team. Now we all know where our most need and that was defending the basket. If Williams have a good year then I know BK will get some heat from writers, but I think he did the right thing for what our team needed.

I am happy to see someone from the NBAPA speak out. I am looking for the big man, Stern. If he comes out publicly against Belkin or the court ruling then we might see some things start to move in our favor.

Don't feel too bad, we are all guilty of reading something like that and losing our mind.

I feel the same way. Let's just make the deal so we can start looking at our team for this year.

If Indiana is involved...it will be interesting to see what they would have to offer because they really want AL.

By the way welcome to the board