ATLSmith

Cool, I like their format explaining strengths, weakness, and matchups. I guess the 76ers don't have a weakness . I didn't know we were 24th in free throws... We could have won a few more close games with a better % I'm sure. Should be a good game.

Quote: Guys, its pretty clear we are one big away from being a contender in the East. 1 player away! I agree that a big will help tremendously. I don't know if we would be a contender for the title, but we would be a lock for the playoffs for a while. Our bench needs to improve drastically if we are going to contend for the title. If Solo and Richardson can get their game up to the NBA level we will be in good shape. That is terrific news about Joe and Al. Good for them.

I loved the way the Hawks controlled the pace of the game. The first quarter was a little slow, but the Hawks were taking their time and makeing good shots. You could tell that they didn't feel pressured.

Quote: So him going from never taking these shots to rarely taking these shots is worth the consideration that he's added something to his game?? Dude. Exodus was just pointing out that Marvin did add "something". AtLas's challenge wasn't exaclty specific, he just asked for one offensive "thing" Marvin added to his game in 3 years. Here. Relax, watch, and enjoy.

Quote: In three years, the fact that you can't name one move that he's added speaks volumes. I'm glad you hold me in such high regard when it comes to evaluating players, but the fact that I can't name a move doesn't speak to much at all. I'll take the compliment though. Oh, this one time I did see Marvin dunk with his hand behind his head, like he was taking a Sunday nap on the way up to the basket. Does that count as a new move? It should. It was sweet. I bet Mike Woodson taught him that move. Quote: The fact that he's been here for 3 years and hasn't yet done so IMO means that we should deal him now while he's still young and has value. Maybe, or he isn't getting the right coaching.

Quote: I am challenging ANYONE to come up with ONE thing that Marvin has added to his game offensively in his 3 years here. Just one. I think you might be looking for someone to point out that Marvin suddenly developed a deadly sky-hook or some other addition to his offensive skill set. To that end, I do not have an answer, but I can tell you that offensively he has improved his FG%, FT%, and makes fewer turnovers. The lack of additional offensive "moves" could be the result of where coaching is focused. And by the looks of things, the focus has been on defense.

Marvin fan here. There are games where you have to ask why he doesn’t get the ball more often. Maybe it is his movement on the court, maybe we need a different offensive system. I don't really know. I'll admit that he has some work to do, but I'm confident that he will show a marked improvement next year. I'm looking for Marvin to show the same improvement next year that Smith has shown recently. Here is where Marvin sits with respect to the rest of the team. FG%: 4th Points Per Game: 3rd Rebounds: 3rd Blocked shots: 4th Steals: Tied for 2nd. TO's: Tied for 5th with Horford Blocks: 4th on the team Marvin has shown most of his improvement in rebounds, assists, and steals this year. I wouldn't be surprised if Woody is trying to get Marvin to focus on the defense this year as his offence is pretty descent already.

I hope this isn't a re-post, but USA Today has an article on Josh Smith: USA Today

What league do you guys play in?

It probably has more to do with the caliber of team we are playing. Granted Washington is no pushover. It is great to have Acie back though.

Quote: Quote: Hey Hotlanta1980: Yaah Trick!! Yaah!! Please do not reference no-talent ass-clowns around this board anymore (aka soulja boy). God knows Woody, BK and ASG are plenty for one community. Ha, yea, I heard it on the radio that morning and it was stuck in my head all day. Trust me, that will be the last no-talent ass-clown referance from me... well maybe one more... When are the Hawks going to the playoffs? This Yaah Trick!! This Yaah!!

I'm so glad Marvin finally got a chance to take more than 10 shots. I mean, the guy has a better shooting % than most of the team, including Joe. The problem is that he usually gets about 10 shots off during a game. While he makes about %40 to %50 of those, it limits his scoring. Joe and Bibby did a great job of recognizing when Marvin was open. It forced NY to play man-to-man defence, which in turn benefited the whole team. This is a TEAM game and the Hawks are finally acting like one.

Just a tip. Clicking on the Hawks/Portland link showed the Boston game... Clicking on the Boston game shows the Hawks game.

While we do need a center, I wouldn't trade Marvin just yet. We can always see how well he plays during the first 20 games next season, and then trade him if it still isn't working. I still think Marvins lack of production has more to do with bad coaching and lack of team chemistry. His shooting % realy isn't that bad. His scoring total is low becuase of the low volume of shots he takes.

Quote: Hibbert will be gone before #15. Most likely. That site is a little off anyway. They still have the Hawks on there with a 2nd round pick. Sloppy.

I don't think I was the only one with a list, or predited winnings, but here's mine. The loss to Charlotte is the only one I've missed... so far. Man that game hurt. The Bobcats always seem to have our number. The Clippers game tonight is going to be tough, but it is winnable. @Golden State L @Utah L @San Antonio L Sacramento W NY Knicks W @Boston L Golden State L @New Orleans L @Charlotte W Miami W @Orlando L Houston L LA Clippers W @NY Knicks W @Washington W @New Jersey L Orlando L @Chicago W Milwaukee W Chicago W NY Knicks W @Memphis W Toronto L Philadelphia W @Philadelphia L @Indiana W @NY Knicks W Boston L Orlando L Miami W

Quote: 5 houses Forget the shoes, I'll take these.

Quote: Marvin will play 40 minutes, get his 14 points on 4-10 shooting and 6 FT's, and we'll lose. So... %40 shooting is bad then? You must hate JJ, and Josh S. They both have a lower shooting % than Marvin this year. Here's the kicker, THEY SHOOT MORE. The Hawks need to get the ball into Marvin's hands more often. Make the opposition realize that he can score and that it might not be a good idea to pull someone off him to double-team Joe. My point is that Marvin can score, for whatever reason, he just doesn't take the number of shots necessary for him to put up JS and JJ numbers. I don't know the reason why he doesn't take more shots, this is something I'll have to watch for in the next game.

The Hawks D was much improved last night. Josh Smith ended up with 22 rebounds. 9 of them were offensive. In the previous two games the Hawks had a TOTAL of 8 offensive rebounds in each game. JJ had 8 rebounds. There were quite a few plays last night where the Hawks completely stopped the Rockets from getting off a good shot. We held the Rockets to a low score. Our bench lost the game for us with their lack of offence. And I don't understand why Horford and Marvin don't get the ball more often. Both were shooting %50, each taking 8 and makeing 4; while JJ, Bibby, and JSmith shot %34 combined making 23 of 67. Its like we are a 1 dimentional team on offence, but we HAVE other options out there. I don't get it.

Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all night.

I need to add the last two to my NetFlix queue. Good to hear they are descent movies.

Quote: GO HAWKS!!!! Yip. As a fan, why would you want to Hawks to miss the playoffs? Hey Hotlanta1980: Yaah Trick!! Yaah!!

I think you need to look at the total talent on the team, not just the top two players. Would any of you trade teams with Cleveland if Lebron wasn't included? I don't think so. Okay, just dreaming here, but the Hawks squad + Lebron would be sick.

I wonder if the Hawks will sign a European center. I don't have any suggestions, but it may be the way to go.

Quote: 38-42 seems very doable. Let's all remember this was a 30-win outfit last year, which only showed 4 game improvement from the year before with largely the same cast. If maturation only equals 4 wins a year, and maybe the addition of Horford and a little Bibby can equal 4 more wins, that's your 38 right there. You have to figure this thing is more or less on track with general expectations. Was anyone really expecting more? Thinking back to predictions I heard a lot of people throwing out numbers between 34-42 wins. Very few guessed less or more. It only feels worse because this team tasted some success in December. Now with injuries and turmoil and roster moves and a tough stretch of games, it seems like the dumps. It will get better. I couldn't agree more. I think that some peoples expectations for this season are a little high. I'll be ecstatic if the Hawks can make it into the playoffs. I gave the Hawks an outside chance at the beginning of the year and so far, they are living up to that. Next year is our breakout year. Odds are, we will have a new coach, and possibly a new center. Both Horford and Acie will have improved along with the rest of the team.