HAWKS1986

Diesel, your analysis of Marvin's negligible and/or non-existent impact is right on target. And in my opinion, Marvin shouldn't be the starting forward on opening day 2009. To be more frank, the Hawks should go ahead and get rid of him now...

Ike has several teams showing interest in him (including Boston), and the Hawks need to make a competitive offer (you might add incentives that could add up to five million a year)..What's wrong with that? Ike is a young veteran with talent and the Hawks have to roll the dice with someone. This Hawks team can't go into the 2009-10 season with the same frontcourt essentially. This team had trouble with the likes of one of the Lopez brothers from New Jersey, Big Baby Davis in Boston and others.. The Hawks need to change their frontcourt profile right now, and Ike at 6'8 260 with the offensive skillset he has would definitely do that..

I hate hearing that in the early stages about Acie, but he needs to take more shots and make more shots. Stephen Curry is an aggressive offensive player and Acie has to be able match him to stay relevant... Acie has to show he has the ability to take games over offensively. And he can't be afraid to fail. Golden State brought him there because they believed that he could have an impact. Acie needs to maintain a positive attitude ON THE COURT. If his shot isn't falling, play great defense, pile up the assists, but keep being aggressive and showing your coaches 'positive' on-court body language.

Diogu at 6'8, 260 has the ability to be a poor man's Carlos Boozer. If signed, he would be our best interior scorer if he gets fair of minutes at either power forward and center. Diogu might not have Big Al's athleticism, but (RIGHT NOW) he has a more mature offensive skillset IN THE PAINT than either Horford and Josh Smith. How about three years, 17 million as a competitive offer?

This isn't about Zaza who was not seen as a first round talent entering the NBA, but Marvin was...Zaza has overachieved and found a niche role as an occasional starter, but Marvin has severely underachieved. And actually, the "joke" would be on the Hawks if they allow Marvin to stay as an underachieving starter (entering his fifth year) and paying him more money per year than Ron Artest. We need "team first", "fit in" guys, but if their starting and were picked as a first rounder, HAVING TALENT and being able to have an impact on a game on a consistent basis is something that is required.

Big Al is a willing team leader and brings a lot of energy to the court. He has intangibles that other young Hawks don't have. However, Big Al was picked as the #3 player in the draft nearly three years ago and 2009 is a critical year for Horford. Is he a franchise player or just an average guy trying to fit in? Al has had a couple of nice games vs. his old teammate Joakim Noah against Chicago. However, Big Al has disappeared at times against the likes of Boston and Big Baby Davis and was made to look smallish and insignificant at times. Al is 245lbs, but he needs to add another 10 to 12 lbs. Against comparable power forwards, Carlos Boozer (266lbs.) or Big Baby (280lbs.). Big Al seems to get pushed around a little bit. Al is a quick player, but I would to see him have more confidence in shooting the basketball. Can he improve his offensive game enough to get on the same level (at least offensively) as a LaMarcus Aldridge, a third year player from Portland. Al is a keeper for now (as a starter), but I think he risk playing time as a starter in the future if he can't expand his game and have a bigger offensive impact.. Either he becomes a more proficient shot blocker and a Ben Wallace or Nene type player or find a way to play at a similar level shooting the ball like a LaMarcus Aldridge or Carlos Boozer. 2009 is a year of growth for Al Horford, and I hope he has re-dedicated himself into improving his offensive game. The summer is the time to do it. Turnaround jumpers. Jump hooks. Kareem hooks. Post moves. The ability to hit a 15 ft. jumper without hesitating at the top of the key or on the baseline. Horford has to improve and play better than he did in the 2008-2009 for the Hawks to get to that next level. If Horford plays better and raises his level of play that means more wins in road games against good teams. Big Al has to be held accountable and played up to his first round status as well. I belive he is capable of doing this, and I am looking forward to seeing a new, improved Big Al for 2009. And a new and improved Big Al with the possibility of adding a veteran like Marcus Camby would change the Hawks frontcourt profile considerably.

Marvin has had four years to distinguish himself and signing him to a long-term contract would be counterproductive and limit the team from truly finding a legitimate FRANCHISE small forward. I doubt very seriously if any team would offer Marvin a contract (north of 40 million for five years)... Former #2's in the whole draft shouldn't have to be pushed, but already self-motivated with the capacity to make a consistent impact on the court just about every night. Whether it is his youth, ability to get stronger or overcoming injuries, there always seem to be something holding Marvin back. Four years is enough. And people will use the injury-excuse, but in last year's playoff series, Marvin was afraid to shoot threes and when he drove to the basket, he got stripped multiple times and/or turned the ball over to Cleveland...I remember Woodson saying prior to the Cleveland series.."We need Marvin".. Marvin can be a difference maker, but its simply not there. It's a confidence problem and it's a talent problem to a certain degree. However, I hope just like Shelden, Diaw and others, let Marvin be somebody else's problem...

In all due respect, it doesn't really matter what kind of system Marvin is in. He will underperform, and he has no desire to be the best or be a team leader, but just to fit in. Other teams are getting better, the Hawks are stagnating if they extend Marvin and keep him.. He has had four years to show what he can do and can't do, especially during the playoffs... Youth had been a reliable excuse, now its that he was injured last year... It's time to cut ties with young injury-prone, excuse-ridden Marvin Williams.

It would be stupid to keep Marvin and give him an undeserved extension... Many were saying letting Chillz go would hurt, but the team didn't miss him at all...same thing goes for Marvin...

If you think Marvin is the future and worthy of an extension, then I have some swampland in Antarctica I want to sell to you...

..." Williams’ contract looks as though it will be five years for $40 million dollars, which breaks down to around eight million dollars a season (though the details of the contract have not been released..." The quicker the Hawks come to an agreement with Marvin, the sooner this team can explore their options in trying to upgrade the small forward position. Many believe that Marvin will primed for a breakout year and that he is only 23, but the reality is that he is more likely to become this decade's version of Alan Henderson or a clone of Boris Diaw. Marvin has an skillset, but he is not a leader on the floor and really doesn't desire to be one. Marvin is no Carmelo Anthony or even a Kevin Durant or Danny Granger. The Hawks have to cut their losses NOW while some teams think Marvin has potential. Teams in the Eastern Conference are getting better, but Marvin isn't likely to take that next step and become a legitimate, consistent impact player for this Hawks team. Alan Henderson teased with his skillset and team-first attitude, but he was injury prone and once he signed his big contract, he became an albatross for the Hawks and ended up trading him. Marvin also resembles Boris Diaw who teased Hawks fans with his skillset, but he and Marvin have no desire to be an impact player and show up when their team needs them the most....but just do enough to get their contract extension THAT'S IT... Sign Marvin and find a team that will take him off our hands.

I believe Brandon Bass would be a great addition to the Hawks team. He sort of reminds me of Antione Carr from the late 1980's. Solid defensive rebounder, but has some offensive skills around the basket.

What about Brandon Bass, 6'8 245... strong rebounder who runs the floor and has a mid-range game..?

I concur. Sign Jarrett!

Amare would be a great addition to the Hawks, but he should be required to wear protective goggles for his eyes-- all the time (not some of the time). He has had two major eye injuries in his short career. I feel he is what the risk because of his talent and impact he can have with the Hawks.