ToeKnee

It's because Joe Johnson is still underrated from a national perspective. People are picking the Heat to do so well because they've seen Wade win a championship, but I think the Hawks will be much better than the Heat this year. Miami is going through a lot of transition, and everyone seems to think they will just gel because wade, marion, and beasley are all so versatile, but i think they will struggle, that team is still missing pieces. those guys will be worn out against a much improved eastern conference this year. i see them in the low 30's for wins Our Atlanta Hawks on the other hand have filled in the missing pieces they needed. No, they didn't add an All-Star center, but most teams don't even have one, and with Josh and Al creating such a great combo in the post a little size was all we needed and we got that in randolph morris, and i wouldnt count out pachulia, hes got potential, but hes run out of years for that word to apply to him now. we actually have a frontcourtrotation now, something we havent before, and it well help to keep josh and al fresh. JOE JOHNSON and MIKE BIBBY! People are underestimating this duo. The Bibby we saw last year was injured and coming into a new system where he had to direct traffic and make plays. Sekou said that Bibby is still the same Bibby he was in Sacramento, and I think he and Joe will both have an incredible year together. And even after Joe tore the Celtics apart pundits doubt him as a franchise player, but he is, hes ours, and he is the man. childress made some big plays in the playoffs, and i had always thought hed be around here forever, but he often disapeared during games, a downside of having no plays called for him. i blame childress for leaving us, the hawks did not act out of character WHAT DO YOU EXPECT its a business josh, if he cared at all about what we've been building here he would have stayed, but he didn't. josh smith on the other hand played it cool and is ready to go to work for the hawks. maurice evans fills in enough for chills that hes not a major loss, but because of the chemistry and upside its still a loss. i wish it wouldnt have happened, but it did, alot like vick. but i think the hawks will hang around the top of the eastern conference all year. that is if they dont get killed in that opening stretch, still no respect with our schedule from the head office.

"Detroit is doing it with a different style than us, because our style is to be athletic and push the ball. I know (coach) Mo Cheeks wants me to get him a shooter because he asked me the other day if I could get him one or two. I want to, but we're really looking for people who are athletic and long and defensive-minded. That's our first priority." For that reason, Atlanta's top free agent, Josh Smith, has been linked to Philly. But he's a restricted free agent and the Hawks can't afford to lose a local product and key part of their team from a credibility standpoint after they gave the Celtics a tougher playoff series than the Lakers. If Philly signs Smith to an offer sheet, Atlanta is determined to keep him. "I don't want to say we're confident, but I will say that we're optimistic that we'll re-sign Josh, and also Josh Childress, and that we want to continue to make progress and take the next step with this team," said Atlanta GM Rick Sund. "Josh Smith is an important part of our team, just as Josh Childress is." DO WHATEVER IT TAKES YOU IDIOTS!!! HAHA seriously though, it's taken so long for us to get here, and we can't lose Josh. I don't want to lose either, but Childress seems the more replacable of the two, Josh will be an ALLSTAR maybe this year! Its Gotsta be done son!!!

jermaine o neal?? let me spell this out for you W-A-S-H-E-D. U-P. He can barely make it up and down the court. and jamaal "shoot-em-up" tinsley??? are you crazy. i remember being upset when we drafted, and then traded, tinsley on draft night a few years back, but he's a wreck off the court, and inconsistent on it. Not two guys I would be interested in picking up or cheering for. I see your logic, but that would only be if they were to always play at their best, and they have both proven they aren't capable of it. Talent-wise it would make sense, but they would both be dissappointments.

This always has been and always will be about money. They should have signed both joshes last year, but decided to wait, stupidly thinking they could get them for cheaper if the hawks had another dissapointing year, and counting on the fact that alot of other teams in the league dont have the money or resources to offer these guys a contract based on what they have done until now. well, they both had good years, josh proved hes a star in the making and a one-0f-a-kind talent, but I think they also planned on using his ATL roots as leverage to keep him around. Either way, they will definitely keep josh smith, because this has been and always will be about money. A successful basketball team makes more money, and josh smith sells tickets. He will be back in a hawks uniform one way or another, no doubt about it(i like to stay positive). If they were to let him leave the team it would honestly be one of the dumbest decisions in Atlanta sports history. Not only would it set us back for an endless rebuilding project, it would completely kill the enthusiasm built from last year, squash the hopes of ever creating massive fan loyalty( which is a distinct possibility if they keep this team intact), and cripple season ticket sales, which would lead to less money for the organization, which is the last thing they want. This season is their opportunity to actually MAKE money, and it requires keeping the team together. The Spirit want to make money, and their best bet to sell season tickets and sell out their home games is to keep josh smith first and foremost, and letting childress go would only lead to having to find a replacement. honestly, just keep them both, keeping team chemistry and creating some loyalty around here will go a long way to more wins and making more money. It is the smart economic move to re-sign both josh smith and josh childress, and i see no logic whatsoever in letting either of them go, from a basketball or financial standpoint. To address a few other proposals i have read about: josh smith for rasheed wallace?? are you crazy, WE MADE THAT TRADE ALREADY! just the other way around. And for anyone considering any kind of trade involved in us getting draft picks, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??? you want draft picks!!!?? we didnt even need them last year!, but thank god al horford became the best draft pick this franchise has ever made. Draft picks are the absolute LAST thing this team needs. and last but not least, personally, even though they're young i would like to see mario west, solomon jones, and jeremy richardson return to the team. richardson can hit 3's like nobodies business, solomon is an athletic (almost)7-footer, and mario gives us a boost every time he touches the court and in practice. plus the guys(our core) seem to like them. except for zaza who i heard solo rocked one time in practice late last year. but either way, why move these guys when you would just need to replace them. i understand the need for adding a little veteran help off the bench, but honestly, i would still be excited about the same team coming back next year. i think we should just pick up a bruiser veteran in the post like that guy orlando cut, just somebody like lorenzen wright, but who actually plays basketball. the thing about "veteran leadership" is that if they can't produce, their expertise is useless.

Kwame Brown of the Los Angeles Lakers, formerly of Brunswick,GA, was booed by the home crowd last night. That's right, booed, individually. Having moved to Brunswick a few years back, I've tried to follow this guy. Really, when you hear some of these stories it's hard not to feel for the guy, and wonder how he's even still in the nba. Drafted straight outta high school Numero Uno by MJ himself, this kid just wasn't ready for what awaited him. Talent-wise yes, even though thats debatable for some, but psychologically just not ready. Have you ever been to Brunswick? Seen where Kwame grew up? well, its not L.A., to put it lightly. There were stories about him perpetually buying new clothes because he didnt know how to do laundry. He's just a kid, and he's still struggling, and not just ON the court. I think he needs to come home, back to the good ole GA and thrive as a dynamic post presence for the hawks. and i heard the lakers are shopping him. Thoughts?

i love the team loyalty man. but trust me, if horford keeps playing this CONSISTENTLY all year, he'll get ROY for sure. another thing is that if the Hawks keep winning they will be a "Surprise Team", not to us of course, but teams like that always get strong award consideration at the end of the year. hell, we could be talkin joe for mvp possibly, but i'm getting waaaaaaaaaaaaayyy ahead of myself, impossible not to do at a great time like this. i remember being upset when we drafted/traded tinsley but until this year it hasnt been too much to regret, from what i hear he's playing his best basketball right now. hope we can shut him down

sweet film. christian bale is such a bad ass

short answer: NO long answer: you are an idiot.

haha, yea that was Definitely a hideous shot, i was all ready to break down before chillz saved the game and my health. lol. what i wanna know is, did anybody else see after wests free throws when joe kinda threw josh off of him, he kinda gave him a brush off like "get offa me man". it looked like they were ok, but i hope so. sometimes i wonder if joe just gets frustrated being around a bunch of "kids". oh well, at least they're not playing like it.

yeah, you gotta give woody some cred right now. i mean, winning makes every decision look good, but i really do see woody improving as a coach. way to go woody! i've always liked the guy, and hoped he could figure the whole playcalling/substituion thing out, and it's definitely improving.

yeah those were bull. i think sometimes the refs just get bored and feel that they NEED to make a call.

You all need to wait a minute on this one. The Hawks have been rolling lately and ZAZA needs to be given a few games to get back up to speed. Woody has worked him in a little bit, but not so much where he screws up the game, note the W's. haha. i expect zaza to look better after the break. the thing about being sidelined in basketball is that you really need to play!! you cant just get better in the gym! you've got to play live games, "game-speed", patience my friends. I'm just glad that woody has some.

yea. for the most part i'd say keep this team together. we've waited long enough for them to build chemistry, why screw it up? i like shelden, and even solo. the only players i'd get rid of are speedy(just take the hit and dump him already, he's only taking up a roster spot), salim(just can't do anything besides shoot), and lorenzen(just too old). we dont even need to look at the draft, use the picks for whatever, we dont need them, actually we just have a 2nd rounder. but fill those roster spots with some role-players/veterans and i think we're good to go. here's my new motto to ownership : KEEP THE CORE!!! Dont let chillz or josh go!

Wrong! One-dimensional players are becoming obselete in the nba now with the unbelievable athleticism of the new guys coming in. josh needs to keep working on his offensive game, and i think its coming along nicely. he's got the range for that 3, and thats something you dont want to take away from him. he should never take more than 2 or 3 a game, but i see josh as a more athletic rasheed wallace. that 3 is a great weapon for josh, and when it goes in it barely touches the rim. he can make that shot when hes open and sets up right.

I just like how Smitty giggles whenever they mention them. Has anyone else noticed that little chuckle/giggle he has when he gets excited? cracks me up. he's doin a lot better this year with bob. i thought they'd never work out together but they're not bad.