AnnArborHawk

Even if they do match it, they have the mend the relationship with Smith. Otherwise you're paying a pissed off player $12M/yr for the next 5 years.

OK, well I shouldn't have said "pulling up for 3s" because I was more just referencing his general taking of 3s, not pulling up off the dribble. I gather from your post that you're suggesting Smiths shortcomings are due to bad coaching. The fact that he is the kickout guy is one thing, but his job as the kickout guy isn't to take that 3. Why would Woody pull him from a game for doing such things if that's what how he designed the play to work? I know Woody's a below average coach, but he's not mentally challenged. As far as the weakside blocks go, I agree Smith should be matched up with the lesser offensive player, but even a below average offensive player can make a bucket when left open 5-feet from the basket. He also cheats on the perimeter for steals. I'm not saying he shouldn't be doing those things, but he doesn't seem to have the smarts (yet) to strategically choose when to take that risk. Not saying he won't get there, but his lack of BBIQ is much-discussed on this board.

Obviously you don't watch road games :) But seriously, there's no arguing that when Smith gets off to a bad start, he gets frustrated, starts putting up bad shots, gets sat on the bench, and then buries his head in his hands and pouts. To me, that's quitting. That's why I'm on board with the Hawks FO in terms of limiting the guaranteed money. I'd be fine with offering him something incentive-laden that gets him to where he wants to be, but it has to be structured to try to elicit the right behaviors, not pulling up for 3s and leaving your man unguarded near the basket to go for the weakside block. Structuring incentives to encourage production but while not encouraging these other behaviors (which can lead to inflated stats - not necessary quality production) would be difficult to do.

If you read the section I quoted, I was supporting the talk that Smith was an average on-ball defender who likes to swoop in for the weakside block and that Al Horford is valued more by other teams. But I like the sarcasm, nice touch.

A thousand times YES!

Have you considered the converse situation may be true? That it doesn't look like we have a system because we've got some starters who don't play within it? Truth is it's probably somewhere in the middle.

Didn't he have a bad falling out with the Hawks?

Part of me thinks Chillz wanted his ego stroked a bit.... but to not even meet the kid face-to-face does seem a little cold.

That was my logic as well...

The skeptic in me says that is Sund was really being such a dirtbag (and was responsible for the way the ASG handled negotiations with Childress), he wouldn't have lasted 30 years in this league. I definitely could be wrong on that, but it's something to think about anyway.

Why are you taking time away from your profession to post on this board?

1) I don't think the Clips do that deal 2) Do you really want 4 more years of Billups, at his age and with the money he's making? That might be a good deal for us now, but 2-3 years from now, we may be stuck with a very bad contract.

Well I went to roughly 35 games last year and if your figure is right, people must be buying tickets and not using them. I've seen more people at minor league baseball games than when the Hawks play on a Wednesday night.

PLEASE....the people haven't "spoken" until they buy some tickets. Nothing worse than the people talking about paying Smoove $12M a year when the go to 2 Hawks games per year and sit in the cheap seats. That $12M has to come from somewhere.

Just to show how stupid Hawks fans are...52% think Randolph Morris should be our new starting center (if Al moves to PF). (based on AJC poll)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3509914 Looks like we'll get to see what David Andersen would have looked like against NBA competition...

Somehow I have a VERY hard time believing that. Even if they weren't credible calls (lowball offers), I'm sure there's been more than one.

That, plus another vet big, makes us a pretty deep team that could be pretty competitive. We wouldn't be winning any championships next year, but we could continue to improve upon last year's mark and then have 2 first round picks. Plus we could play some team ball for once. I like it!

Cause we don't have Bob Johnson's checkbook loaded with BET cash...

Prince is a better defender than Josh Smith. He's not as flashy because he's not as athletic, but he works within the system. Josh Smith often gets caught cheating off his man going for steals and blocks (which doesn't show up in the stat sheet). Prince is a much better on-ball defender. With Prince, JJ, and Horford in the line-up, we'd have a pretty solid foundation for a good defense at the 2-4 spots (assuming Horford would move to the 4). Granted, I wouldn't do a Smith for Prince deal straight up, but with Amir Johnson in there, it makes this deal look pretty nice considering the alternatives (overpaying Smith or getting nothing in return for him).

At this point I think the only "big" roster change that will happen for the next couple years will be the Josh Smith trade (if that happens). After that, I don't see any big FA signings next year because the ASG will be looking into the future at extending Horford and JJ. Hopefully we get Smith back or get a nice piece for him. After that, I think this roster is set for a while (save a couple changes in role players off the bench)

The converse is also true...if you're not going to re-up Marion (who will be very expensive), you'd still be better off keeping Smoove and letting him sign the QO. Don't see any way this deal makes sense.

I have to believe Sund would take back a little less to send Smith to the Western Conference (rather than in-division)

I'm not one of the Marvin haters on this board, but I would strongly consider starting Mo over Marvin. Here me out...I'm not saying Mo is better than Marvin, but I think it works based on fit. - Mo (with his shooting ability and solid D) might be a better fit with our other first team guys to help spread the floor. - Then let Marvin lead your second team as your scoring threat off the bench. I think it's worth STRONG consideration.

Nice, fun topic. Sounds like something off ESPN radio. I definitely have to go 2003 as well. Between the other classes it's a tough call....