Sage11

Perhaps the return of Optimus Prime.

Quote: Trade #1 Al to NY for Francis/Frye I really did consider crawford.. But I think that Isiah will want to move Francis. This would be a good move for us. I think Frye is off limits, he will not be in any trades. Why is Francis a good deal for us?

Lets see what the kid has first in the summer leagues. He will get a chance to play with Solomon and the Landlord, that will be interesting to see.

Quote: I am going to be in the minority on this one and say that Milwaukee screwed up. They now have a C and PF who are both weak defenders, to go along with Micheal Redd's and Mo Williams' poor defense. I think the Bucks have a pretty low ceiling in the playoffs. Hmmmm. At least on paper it looks like a good deal for both teams. I would not have given up Charlie this early though. With the problems TJ Ford was having, I wonder if the bucks were not just trying to unload the guy. I think they win big in this deal.

Quote: Why do you think that Shelden will not be a center? Some of BK's comments were things like he could see a lineup like: Shelden, Josh, Marvin, Chill and JJ. So I think we should expect a little time at center. I have to agree, he will play some center, even though, imho, he is a little undersized for it.

Welcome to the board... for the record I have to come in the "let it grow on me" camp. I have nothing but love for the Landlord, I just have issues with the durability of Duke players. In the past Duke players do not endure (productively) very long in the NBA. Coach K seems to squeeze as much as he can out of them in the college years and they peak there instead of the NBA. If this guy is tough, can plug up that middle, can give us at least "Alan Henderson like (year before big contract)" production; I a happy camper. I believe I am justified in expecting at minimum this kind of production with a top 5 pick.

Quote: I would love this trade. I think Mo Williams is an up and coming PG and Jamaal is another big. I would not blink to do this deal, I agree with you.

Quote: Unfortunately it doesn't sound like we're going to give him that many minutes at center although I personally think he'd be a much better defender down low than Zaza Pachulia. I know, any help he can give us on the inside will help.

If that's the case then, for a big, he (his contract)is cheap compared to what other bigs here are making. Even with the benefits it seems cheap to me. If he is any good we need to bring him over. We can use his size in the middle.

At this point Pat is.... Her record speaks, (yells) "I know what I am doing and how to get the best out of my players." Can she motivate men(in some cases, boys) on the NBA level is open for question. I am not that sold on Woody, if he did more selling than yelling the players may perform better. Woody has a lot of growing to do.

I've been away for a while, but yes I've noticed more speed. Thanks for the upgrade.

Transformers.... My favorite cartoon. Welcome to the board. The Problem with the 2007 draft is that we traded our pick to the Suns.

I have to agree. I wondered where this guy was and why the Hawks were not talking about bringing him over. How much money is he making and why is it a big deal for the Hawks to match?

Quote: WOW. That is a fantastic post! *clap clap clap clap* I agree, it shows how BK will get flack no matter what he does. Its a good thing he has thick skin.

I agree, BK has to get a 1st rounder in some of the deals he is making. Perhaps 2007 will be the year we address needs with the proper prospect since the draft is expected to be strong.

I am in the I can live with it camp. He was a "safe" pick for BK. I just hope this Duke player has some real upside. I regret we did not get a little more height for the 5 position; at 6'9 he is a powerfoward trying to play center.

Normally, I would disagree but on this issue I think you are right (in terms of BK feeling the pressure). MW is developing a little slower than BK would like, Chris Paul has shown his worth and Diaw has simple exploded since leaving the ATL. There is no question BK has to make prudent moves in this draft or his employment might become an issue. Now if he sticks to his so called convictions and pick another swingman in this draft, many more people will question his basketball i.q. Yet if he pulls in a pg and fills the bigs spot either from europe or FAcy he may buy himself some time. I'm not ready to bash BK just yet, but his moves this summer are all critical. He needs to look for the best "skills" and bodies he can find to play C and PG.

Bingo Bus: Quote: Zaza is a nice player for what we gave up to get him but by no means should we pass on a big man in the draft for him. In the future, when this team reaches it's prime he could be a nice big man off the bench. He's a hard working young man who is still finding his way and his game. Nevertheless we do not pass on any bigs because we have Zaza in the nest. Any improvements to his game will be a plus.

We need an effective plug in the middle, if he is a "true" big or no, i really don't care. Is there another "big Ben" lurking in the draft or pg like Chris Paul? If so we need to pounce on them and get them in the nest....

If we are smart we will not! Larry is done.

I agree, BK should keep his mouth shut. Too much bravdo. I like the man but this is a bit much. We need a big and we need a point. We either draft or trade for each, it's that simple.

I say 26 to 30 wins with the people we have brought in. I do not anticipate a playoff appearance, but I will be upset over another 13 win season. A double is not unreasonable to expect.

Quote: Is Boris Diaw really a MAJOR subtraction? Yea, I was thinking the same thing.....Gosh darn, how will we ever replace what he "did" for us.

Congrats! I wish a lifetime of bliss for you, your wife, and the crumb-snatchers born of your union.

Not so says the GM. You don't waste roster spots on towel boys. At 7' he may just be good to have as a backup to the backup. Perhaps that is what BK has in mind for the kid. Yet I think the kid has more upside than you recognize, currently. If he is as bad as you and others say, I will be the first to admit you were right and clamor for him to leave town. But until the season starts opinions are the rule of the day so you are free to feel that way.