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So I'm gonna start the chant now (given the condition that oit doesn't interefer with resigning Chillz or Smoove)... DON'T QUIT CRAIG!!!! DON'T QUIT CRAIG!!!! DON'T QUIT CRAIG!!!! DON'T QUIT CRAIG!!!! DON'T QUIT CRAIG!!!! Here's to hoping that one day Craig will contribute to the success of this franchise.

I think we will be pleasantly suprised by Mike Bibby's playmaking ability. I think it's funny how short people's memory can be. In the three years Bibby was in Vancouver, he averaged 6.5, 8.1, and 8.4 assists per game. Mind you, Vancouver was not an offensive juggernaut...they averaged 88.9, 93.9, and 91.7 ppg. Those two years of 8 assist per game was on a team that didn't score THAT much. So why the decrease in assists when he went to Sacto? Sacramento runs the Princeton (aka motion) offense. The offense usually starts out with four players outside the three point arc with one player at the top of the key. The ball is kept in constant motion through passing until either a mismatch allows a player to cut inside to the basket or a player without the ball cuts toward the unoccupied area under and around the basket, and is passed the ball for a lay-up. Having a strong post player is important because this player is critical to passing to backdoor cutters, and can draw help defense to open outside shots. It requires all five players on the floor to be adept at ball handling, dribbling, passing, and shooting. In this offense ball handling, dribbling, passing and shooting are all shared. On the 2004 Kings Webber had 5.5 apg, Peja 2.1, Mobley 3.4, Miller 3.9, Christie 4.9, Bobby Jackson 2.4, and Kenny Thomas 2.9. The Kings have had some great passing big men while Bibby has been there (Webber, Divac, Sharef, Brad miller). They actually run their offense through the high post, where players weave around that area to get open. So Bibby's skills in making the pass that leads directly to a bucket where de-emphasized and his ability to shoot off the handoff, catch, and single dribble emphasized. When Bibby played in a more traditional offense (where the PG generally makes plays for the rest of the team), he put up big time assists numbers. Had Vancouver run more and/or had better scorers he'd probably would have averaged around 10 dimes a game. Do I think he'll average 10 a game for us? No. Do I think his assist total will go up? Yes (if we can hit some shots). I expect Bibby to average about 7-7.5 assists for us this year and about 16 points (like Chauncy Billups lite).

I've been thinking about this trend that we see in the league whgre good players are getting dealt for basically nothing but expiring contracts. We see Pau Gasol go for a bust, a has been, a mid 1st rounder, and very late 1st round picks. tha's nothing. We saw Vince Carter get traded for New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two future first-round draft picks. Kidd almost got traded for Stack, Devin Harris, and expiring contracts. And so I see this trend and have to wonder, is having a few "bad" contracts such a bad thing? With the way things are in the NBA, just about everyone is over the cap. We all know that in trading for a guy that makes 10 mil a year you gotta send that team about 10 mil bucks in contracts for that year (if both teams are over the cap). So if you want to be able to make moves, you NEED these types of contracts. Kwame Brown, bust of all busts, has been traaded for Caron Butler and Pau Gasol. If having Kwame Brown rot on your bench gets you an All-Star...that ain't so bad. With this logic, Speedy Claxton can actually still help us two years from now. The 5 mil or so he'll have in an expiring deal could be used toward getting a player to help us go deeper in the playoffs. Also, if things don't work out this year with Bibby, we could always just shop him and his 13 mil dollar expiring contract for another disgruntled star. I say all that to say this. Us hawksquawkwers are always concerned about having dead weight on our team...those overpaid scrubs that collect checks and wear fancy Italian suits. Well in the final year of their deals, those guys become assests comparable to first round draft picks. We just got a guy who I think has a decent chance at an All-Star slot next year for 3 expiring contracts (none of which will see any significant minutes on their team) and a guy who averages less than a point per million (2.9 ppg, 3.5 mil). We need to remember this when we talk about how we need to get rid of "so and so's" contract. I'm starting to think that if you can keep an overpaid guy of two on your team...while winning...you put yourself in a great situation. I'm not saying that we become the Knicks, and pay our waterboy 2 mil a year because he's tall for his age. However, I am starting to see that being aggressive in taking on contracts isn't as rsiky as it may seem...you just may have to wait longer for the return.

That would be great. I'm thinking if they did it for Lue, Wright and Zaza (and maybe Cenk Akyol) we'd really be in a great position. AJ/Law/Salim Joe/Chillz/Mario Smoove/Marvin/Chillz Horford/Smoove/Solomon Miller/Horford/Shelden I like that squad. Miller's passing helps ouffset our weak PG position. We instantly become MUCH deeper and a better rebounding club. That starting fron line would get about 25 boards per game. We can play Miller less (he's getting 36 minutes a game) and use Marvin and Chillz to give fits to our opponents bench. Also the Miller, Smoove Marvin frontline would open up space for Smoove (or anyone else) to drive. Finally Brad Miller has real playoff experience. In 21 playoff starts he's averaged about 10 points, 6 boards, and 3 assists. Not great stuff but he's been there and he can help us.

This leaves us with AJ/Law Joe/Chillz/Mario Smoove/Chillz Horford/Shelden Miller/Zaza The more I think about this deal the more I like it. We just gotta get Sacto on board.

Here's the deal. ATL sends... Ty Lue Lorenzen Wright Marvin Williams SAC sends... Brad Miller Sacramento does this deal because 1) they are an old team that is mediocre, so they need to make changes 2)they geta 21 year old with a sweet jumper (who may complement Kevin Martin's slashing quite well). 3) They get a couple expiring contracts that will free up about 5 mil next year. Atlanta does this deal because 1) we desperately need low post scoring...DESPERATELY!!!!2) Brad miller can rebound (9.7 or so this year) 3) this trade finally gives us someone to run pick and pop plays 4) Horford gets to move to the 4 (which will help him offensively and defensively) 5) we gain much more versatility, as we have some one to score in half court sets So what I'm wondering is...would Sacramento ever go for this deal? And should we try to pursue it? I guess if they did this deal they'd need to do something with Artest, as they'd have a logjam on awkwardly talented small forward that don't rebound as well as they should. Anyway, tell me what you think.

You may be right...but who actually wants to play for the Hawks with this ownership situation? JJ came here...and look at how frustrated he is. We trade him for a guy that helps us make the playoffs and they bolt the 1st chance he gets. I really think if the Hawks are to be a good team in the next 5 years we gotta do it with JJ, Smoove, and Woody. I am going to stay in Smoove's corner until I absolutely can't anymore...because I gotta. I bet he really needs our support after seeing how bad his shooting percentage is.

Let me rephrase that...you can only compare his skill set to those guys. Not production...skill set.

How many 6'9 235 lbs guys out these can handle the ball enough to occasionally cross all-stars over (he got Dirk Nowitzki in the 1st game), can rebound (he gets 7 or so now...it's not a stretch to see him getting 9-10 when he turns 25, four years from now), has the lateral mobility to do a decent job on big 2 guards and quick 3's, gets a good number of steals (2 a game this year), has shown shown the willingness and ability to pass (3.4 dimes this year), has freaky athleticism, and can almost lead the league in blocks before he could legally buy a drink. You can only compare him to Amare, AK 47, or Shawn Marion. And he's a MUCH better shot blocker than all those guys and all those guys came into the league as 20 or 21 year olds (remember Amare was an old high schooler). I'm not saying that he will be better than Amare or Marion. Tonight I think my sister (all 5'2 of her) could have played better on offense, but let's just wait. What if Boston had waited for Joe...or Denver with Chauncey?

You are right about that...but was I the only one that saw that Josh was actually scoring with some regularity with his back to the basket last year?!?!?!? Seriously I need to know, because maybe I imagined it.

Maybe I'm trying to stay in my dreamland where Josh becomes a bigtime star...but Josh is notoriously a slow starter offensively. Every year he's been in the league he shoots under 40% in November...and by the end of the year he's found his rhythm. And yes, I know that the schedule starts in November. I just don't want to give away a guy who (I may get flammed for this) has a skill set that no one else in the league has (not saying that he's the most talented player...just easily one of the most unique).

And late last year...20.3 points per game on 46% shooting (38% from 3)in March (15 games). 21.1 on 44% in April (7 games). He showed the beginnings of a real post up game and the ability to hit an open jumper.

He was awesome that Milwaukee game. He was spinning and driving all over the place...and it was falling.

Josh also seems to play too upright. He bends at his waist instead of with his knees on his shot and when he tries to drive to the basket. The lower he gets the more explosive he is. He's less explosive (it's been a while since I saw him dunk) and he NEVER shoots fade aways, so ends up getting blocked and shooting very awkward shots. One good thing he's doing offensively is getting to the line. He's averaging 8 per and went 10 times tonight. A know in a few games he'll give us a game where he gets 21 points (on like 13 shots), 11 boards, 4 assists, 6 blocks, and 3 steals...and I'll remember why I know that we need to stick with this guy.

As bad as he is offensively (and it was pathetic today)...he's only 21. He's leading the league in blocks and has shown flashes to have big time offensive talent. That said, we gotta do something about JJ and him being on the same side. JJ will get doubled leaving Smoove with the open BRICK. That needs to be Marvin shooting that shot (as time winds down). Also, why don't we set screens on offense? It seems like Chicago ran a ton more screens for their jump shooters than we do. I'd like to see Joe and Marvin get more (and better) screens.

Down to 14...and Joe hasn't even hit his 4th quarter 28 foot three pointer yet. I smell a victory.

And we get the dub.

Josh's face up game is far too inconsistent to be relied upon. I'd rather see him try to score with his back to the basket. Either case though, I don't know if I have ever seen him shoot a fade away. He just runs at folks and jumps into them.

I actually think the Morrison injury isn't so bad. Matt Carroll and Walter Herrmann are much more productive than A-Mo. Carroll being considerably a better shooter and Herrmann considerably more athletic. I think there is a misconception that Morrison is a great shooter...he reminds me a lot of Mike Dunleavy. They are good shooters but not great. He only shot .376 from the field, .337 from 3, and (very suprisingly) only .710 from the line. That ain't too hot.

Quote: What does it take to get the "G" away from Josh Smith's "F"? This has been inaccurate for WAY too long now. An exciting winning season...that would give journalists a reason to actually watch the Hawks before writing their articles about them.

That this shows Zaza as a good defender kills this stats credibility. Uncontested layups on Z are about as common as feathers on a bird (and I'm a Zaza fan). They should count for 6 points because they build the other team's confidence and shred ours.

I feel ever so honored to have had my thread hijacked. I believe I have arrived as a HS poster.

This post from Walter is CLASSIC!!! "GSUteke, get a new gig hack. Your ignorant forum haterade is as tired as a Brittney Spears' fall from grace and comeback. Oops - you - did it again, you hated on somebody. Sir Black Knight of HS picking cat fights again. All for the forum paparazzi. You're a worn out forum diva, GSUteke. Maybe you can try justifying that SW "pick" over Roy of yours again? Why don't you ever speak about it I wonder? W"

LOL. With your blessing I'd like to adopt that idea.

Quote: Do we even need to say anything? He's not worried because he doesn't care about the Hawks, us the fans, or the very people that employ him. All he cares about is buying time with excuses and cashing checks. The man is a liar. To himself and everyone else. He will always have an excuse. He has convinced these owners that winning at basketball is akin to quantam physics. Unlike the owners, I've played a game or two and know that it isn't. Could BK get a job in the real world? First off, these guys suck. Let them leave. It's not good business to employ people who don't want to work for you. Especially when they have not produced. Hopefully after another horrible year, BK will never be able to tell anyone what they can and can't do again. Just look at the conviction and dedication to the emotion of rage. It's just so organic.