joannes3000

Arg. I forgot to mention that I picked it up on the PS2.

What platform? I was thinking of getting 2k6 myself because I wasn't overly impressed with Live. The AI finally got ramped up to par (your players get rebounds finally!) but I agree with the feel being half sim and half arcade.

Quote: no Yeah, I do believe it has to be one of our own picks and not one acquired from another team.

I picked up a copy yesterday for a few reasons: *NCAA Football and Madden aren't out yet *I prefer to go with a dynasty when I play, and it's far easier to win with the Hawks, Thrashers, Falcons, Braves, and Dawgs so I wanted to give the Diamond Dawgs a try *It was only $30 I think it's worth the price of admission, especially with game rentals costing upwards of $6. I was playing on the second hardest setting on ESPN Baseball 05 and was wrecking teams, so like I mentioned earlier, I wanted to see if I could build GA to a national baseball powerhouse (which should be much harder than in football). I won't go super in-depth with a description but I'll hit some highpoints: *The gameplay is similar to MVP 05 with tweaks that incorporate the R analog during everything other than pitching (unless I haven't figured that out yet). *The dynasty mode and recruiting leaves a lot lacking compared to NCAA Football but that's an unfair comparison. It's good enough for casual players. *It's definitely challenging enough on the 2nd highest difficulty setting. *EA seemed to prioritize more on gameplay and graphic look versus depth of play in general. Overall I think the game is worth the $30 tag. It was this, ESPN Basketball, or NHL 06. I figured I'd go out on a limb and go with the more obscure sport of the bunch and I'm happy with the choice.

Total load of crap. I watched a highlight and come on, a stretcher! You'd think that KG threw an anvil at the guy.

I don't get to watch many games either, but from what I can gather it's due to: *JJ's and the rest of the team's increased comfort level with their own roles and their teammates. *Natural progression on the part of JJ as a leader on the team and as he has become more of a scorer he is creating more open looks for the rest of the team.

Good way to clarify the offseason signing. All along I felt that even if we had to overpay to get JJ it was going to be worth it both short term and long term and the only way to be 100% sure of getting JJ on board was to go forward with the trade. This keeps me optimistic looking forward to the offseason with Al's status being in the air as of now, but I don't have any concerns that we made the right move by not moving him at the deadline and holding off for a better deal (keep him or trade him). It would take an absolute meltdown for Al to just walk away.

Quote: i would say the big difference this year is obvious, Joe Johnson. while i am on the side that they overpayed for Joe i am smart enough to realize his long term importance for the franchise. I was happy with what I saw when the JJ trade went down and I'm happy to this point with the results that the trade has produced. I'm gonna be investing in some sort of league pass for next season so I can get a chance to watch our Hawks in action.

Quote: I'm not really sure what to think of Deron yet. I certainly don't want to pick up Kwame's or Giricek's contracts either. I dont' want any multi-year contracts unless it is a cheap productive player or a possible starter. I agree. There's a reason we didn't bite on Kwame last year and there's no way I'd understand taking on two long contracts at this point, even if it nets us Deron. We're not quite to the point of adding one or two pieces to make a run deep into the playoffs.

Quote: JJ is like a modern day Oscar Robertson. He can score, but he is terrific at getting his teammates involved. His scoring comes within the offense, not outside of the offense. I was thinking of the same comparison but didn't want to sound crazy. Just to set the record straight, KB said it first but I definitely second it! How about a less athletic but what looks to be a more cerebral LeBron for a more modern comparison? I'd actually rather have someone that doesn't rely solely on athleticism because that can become a crutch when the player thinks sheer talent without enough drive can make you a superstar.

I'm still hoping we can be players for Ben Wallace this offseason although it looks highly unlikely now that Detroit made that Darko/Arroyo trade for more cap space.

Quote: Quote: don't want to see Joe Johnson be made into a traditional shooting guard. What JJ showed tonight is that he has some Kobe, Tmac in his game. It wasn't his passing or ball handling that made him the man. it was the fact that he took over the game and scored 40 that made him the man. Notice also that Tmac or Kobe or Vince can take the team and become essentially PGs who score for their team but the question is does that make them better or worse. I think it takes away from their ability. I believe the same is true of JJ. If we try to make him a PG, he will not be as potent as when he is a pure SG. I don't want to see JJ cast into the Kobe (and somewhat Vince) mold of a SG either. To me, these guys definitely make buckets but they HAVE to be the focal point of the offense at some point during the possession - bringing the ball up or taking the actual shot - to be at their best. Granted, if JJ does turn into a pure scoring machine I'd be fine with that. What I'd rather see is JJ become more of a a team guy versus a superstar + roleplayers guy.

Quote: As far as PG. I think BK has a team with at least 4 ball handlers. That's scary becuase old school dictates one general, but it's good because you never can gameplan on who will bring it up. I instantly thought of the Knicks when I read this, and that's not a good thing. I was watching them play against the Nets tonight and it was laughable. Nothing but isolations and one of the guards waving for a pick so they can slash to the basket. They were the antithesis of team play and it looked ugly last night. On the other hand, I do think it's good to have guys that can bring the ball up and/or take care of the rock when a press or trap is on. Going back to my original thought of the Knicks, it is definitely a bad idea to have 4 guys on the court that have to have the ball in order to be effective on offense.

Quote: Quote: A big athletic big man that can challenge/block shots and rebound!!! I agree! So shouldn't this be priority #1 instead of point guard because our assist numbers are going up with familiarity but our team defense has not improved. In fact, it may be worse. It's possible that with more familiarity our team defense should improve as well. Continuity in the same system with roughly the same personnel works wonders; take a look at Detroit and San Antonio. Those guys do have very good 1x1 defenders but I think just as important is the comfort level of each defender with the other 4 on the court. From what I've read regarding Fred Jones tonight, that's where good team defense comes into play. Granted we can definitely use a defensive presence in the middle - could you imagine Smoove with the freedom to roam around a bit with a legit big??? - but regardless I think our defense will improve naturally with more seasoning as this year ends and next year begins.

Quote: Marvin brings those types of abilities to the table. Just wait till he becomes comfortable when his role becomes that of a scorer. Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams are the guys that the offense will be around, and I think it is fantastic that both players bring multiple skills to the table. Both are terrific jump shooters. Marvin has terrific ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. He will become a better finisher as he grows, gets stronger, and simply gets more confident in that ability. Potential being realized! Now let's put that wasted pick bandwagon in the past. I hate not being able to watch many games up here but you guys put up very informative and detailed posts regarding the games.

Yeah, was too late to edit my original post.

Yeah, watching more NBA stuff on tv has me feeling the same way. Regarding Garnett and Iverson, it's great because they're very well proven stars and are difference makers on both sides of the ball. It's not so great that they have big contracts which is understandable for their production level when they signed. It's far worse trying to project how many years they will be able to produce at the level that they currently are; anyone think it will be more than 3 years before these guys start to hit the downslope of their careers - Iverson especially? In the end, I'd still love to have either of the guys in a Hawks uniform next year, but I think it's safe to assume that Marvin would be moved in deals for either. Then you're looking at a real case of salvaging the near future for the present and I don't think that's part of the plan.

Quote: Quote: I am in Section 107 punk...come on down! I'll destroy you both! I wrestle polar bears for fun! I smash glaciers with my forehead! RARRRRR And on that note, I'm outta here for the day. See you peoples this evening. Keep fighting the good fight, section 107. Let me know how your revolution goes.

Quote: Who cares, he doesn't address our problem. He is 6'10 230. What is he a PF or a SF? He is basically Lamar Odom. You would've missed the boat entirely on The Matrix and Amare, huh? Oh wait, you'll say they were freakishly athletic to defend yourself. Right.

Quote: I am in Section 107 punk...come on down! Sweet, a trolling e-gangsta. Step away from the computer and take a breather guys, seriously. And stop whining about the Hawks!

Quote: I guess you know because you got "inside" information from the Super secret Hawks club meeting...shut the F*ck up you effin fraud.You are Sekou aren't you? Or some marketing intern at Atlanta Spirit sent to gauge the attitude of Hawks fans. Well tell your bosses this....they suck Billy Knight sucks. Tell those folks at Centennial Tower to get a gotdamn clue or sell the team to Arthur Blank and let's win! Sell the team to Arthur Blank.Especially when he just declined to purchase the Braves for 400 mil.

Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: Yeah - lets be just like New York and actually lose more games than the Hawks while locking the team into overpriced losers. That would be awesome. Can you imagine how good it would feel to see the Hawks combining the natural blend of talents that is Marbury, Fracis, Richardson, and Crawford or the tough interior D and rebounding skills of Curry? That would be great. It would be even better if we could give our top 3 draft pick this year to another team like the Knicks are going to do with Chicago. Too bad we are stuck with the youngest roster in the league and roster flexibility. Guys like Josh Smith and Marvin Williams are never going to get better or amount to anything. Salary cap space doesn't mean sh*t. No team has ever won a championship by clearing out a lot of cap space...that is the LA Clippers mentality, and after 30 years they finally got tired of it. Eventually you have to spend money and trade for veterans. We cant win with 10 22 year olds. This is the fact. Salary cap space isn't going to win you a championship. However, capping out your team with a bunch of shot chucking, no rebounding losers will keep you from being competitive for a LONG time. That is the reality the Knicks face. At least a team with flexibility can get better. For a team like the Knicks with no picks, bad roster management and long expensive contracts - they area out of contention for the next 3 years barring an absolute miracle. That is because you don't understand what he is doing. He is stacking talented pieces because he knows in order to S&T you have to have something that other people want..STARS. Folks who sell tickets. Don't be surprised if he doesn't put a package together to get a Kevin Garnett or his caliber of player. Even Isiah doesn't understand what he's doing and you think you do? I'll give you credit for bringing up a good point about trading stars for stars. I'll shoot down your point just as quickly. This isn't fantasy basketball. Salaries come into play and you'd be crazy to take on 3 or 4 large and longterm deals in exchange for KG.

Quote: I have been reading Hawks board for years amd like Braves fans I am tired of the apathy and apologism..I am going to start a revolution to change the attitude of Atlanta sportsfans. I am going to run you apathetic fans off of the internet. I am going to run apathetic fans out of the stadium. Whenever I see a cat from Alpharetta cheering for the Pistons I am going to run his azz out of the stadium too. I am going to turn Atlanta into Philly south if it kills me. Best of luck. The sad truth of it all is that you're doing absolutely nothing to improve the way you are perceived by cussing while you rant about the sad state of the Hawks.I'd like to think of myself as a devoted Hawks fan and like most of the members here, they talk bad about topics/people but I've come to realize that most of them are devoted as well. You can see that because they talk good about topics/people when it is fitting. You, on the other hand, don't seem to fit that category. If you want to troll the forums and rant about seeing the glass being half empty, feel free. But I find it laughable that you could even be serious enough to type that you're going to start a revolution of any kind.

If Al wants to leave, he will undoubtedly not resign with us this summer. I'm pretty sure that the front office has weighed this possibility into the decision that was ultimately made. People seem so scared that we're gonna lose Al for nothing that they're willing to trade him for little to nothing or possibly even worse (bad contract). If the absolute worst scenario were to play out and Al leaves, we lose Al and we gain playing time at his starting slot. I can live with that. If BK were to freak out at this thought and prematurely trade him rather than "just let him walk" there would have been even more threads by the offseason about how BK jumped the gun and should've gotten more value. Naturally there's no way to have pleased everyone on the forums no matter what went down yesterday, but I think the best move was made by standing pat. Again, it's entirely possible that Al walks but I don't think he'll leave money on the table.

Quote: The bottom line is there was value to be had for Al, and BK didn't go out and get it. Thus, he is not doing his job. I can guarantee I'd be doing a better job as GM from my armchair. So what trades were for sure on the table yesterday then? Being the superior armchair GM that you are, you should be able to back up your willingness to bash our current GM with some hard facts.