T21

... If the numbers would work out fine, I would pull the trigger on this one! One of the reasons I believe this trade could possibly go down, is because I think WASH is realy looking forward to make their cap more flexible... plus, they already have enough scoring options in "0", Jamison (3rd option being Marvin). This would solve 2 out of 3 issues for the Hawks! We would get legitimate 2nd scorer, plus add depth to our frontcourt... (PG is the 3rd issue). P.S. I guess that this could be one of those "It works for both teams" trades.

Agreed! Who the hell in the world would trade 23 year old, soon-to-be an All-Star player with unique skills, with reasonable price-tag for another 5 years (just over 10 mil. per year), during wich he will peak?????????? Hawks have already invested too much into Smoove just to let him fly high in another teams' uniform!!! s*** like this makes me mad!!! P.S. Sund isn't Babcock part 2, or is he?????!!!!!!!

Good one! :lol6:

... Actually, European refs allow much more contact that NBA refs now-days. NBA has deliberatelly refined rules, in terms of protecting offensive players and allowing free flowing (more atractive) game. Take my word on this one...

Yep! T-Mac was great talent, but injuries screwed him up... No way Hawks would even remotely contemplate this one...

I wouldn't mind adding Jack, but perhaps we can do better than that... Dre Miller... Kirk Hinrich... P.S. People have to realize that adding guys who are proven ballers like DA, Dre, Hansbrough would also dramatically raise our BBall IQ and add positive character building vibes to the team (like Al and Bibby) ...

DA plays excellent from pick'n'roll sets, because he can go either way as he can knock outside shot or drive to the hoop if he rolls inside... basically no other Hawks' big can successfuly play from that basic offensive set (if you have dominant players P'n'R can be devastating)... We all know too well that Hawks have very simple (if any) offensive sets... Anderson and eventually Hansbrough, together with Acie (who deserves the chance), Flip (if he's back) and Mo would make a very solid 2nd unit, which would enable Hawks to play high-intensity basketball for 48 minutes without black-outs!

The thing is that we must agree that we need a player who could immediately step in and contribute! We don't need another project, who would take 2-3 years to develop... Therefore, given our pick (19), we won't be able to select PG or Center who'll be able to give us much production... so with our pick we can't go for our need but for the BPA, in other words, the player who is most-NBA-ready! I believe that Tyler Hansbrough (4 years of quality basketball) would fit Hawks very well and give more depth to our front-court, especially in case we don't resign Zaza. He could come off the bench and have a solid contribution on both ends of the floor...

I've said this before and I will say it again... DA can present a solution to our current issues with Center position (size, lack of depth, Zaza becoming FA...). Here's why: 1. DA is true 7-footer with experience and set of skills that no other Hawks big posseses! He's much more than a jump-shooter (as many of journalists have labelled him to be)! That's just one part of his game. He's got the complete package, as he can play well in the post (hook shots, fade-aways, up'n'under moves), plays decent D and runs the floor well. He's very experienced, having played at the highest level of Euro-basketball for so many years, where he won just about everything! 2. I honestly believe that Hawks could sign him for less money that they would end up paying Zaza for a new deal (he will look for 28/4). I love Zaza, but DA would be a huge upgrade over him... I guess that 12-15 million for 3 years would get the job done... and it would be a bargain! 3. This guy wouldn't mind starting of the bench as long as he plays 20-25 min/game... My guess is that he could average 8-10 ppg, 6-7 rpg and bring something different to the table (in such limited role). 4. Overall, the thing is that DA would fit perfectly with Hawks because, we need a player with experience, who can contribute straight away and make our team better (no projects, we're not in a rebuilding mode anymore)... plus, this move would keep Hawks' balance sheet easy to manage, with lots of room for further improvements (FA's, Draft, even trade for a superstar...) I honestly think that we cannot afford to keep this guy away for another year! P.S. Draft Hansbrough to complete the front-line and sign a PG FA (hopefully an upgrade over Bibby)... we could fly!

... Nick Anderson part 2!!! The way Dwight missed those two clutch FT's... well, I couldn't help but remember how young Magic team from 95' (Shaq, Penny, D. Scott, Horace Grant, Nick) lost key game 1. against the Rockets... exactly the same way, at the FT line!!! P.S. Plus terrible coaching on the last D stand! Instead of fouling Fisher, as soon as he crossed over the half-court line to protect the lead (clock at 6 sec.), SVG did nothing!

I believe Hawks will do what it takes to keep Marvin... He's very important to our system, although there are many who don't appreciate him or don't want to understand that he's still very young and keeps improving constantly... As far as Chillz is concerned... he had a so-so season in Olympiacos. First of all, Greeks expected more from Chillz (scoring, creating for others...), eventualy they had to settle for good D, putbacks, occassional slash or two to the basket and freakish lookin' 3ball! Olympiacos is a team with so many international stars (bench deeper than many NBA teams), so at the end Chillz was in a good situation, because he wasn't under huge pressure... Before, when euro-powerhouses used to sign ex-NBA stars, there was a huge pressure and expectations... P.S. Bourousis is a classic center, 7'1".

ESPN's Insider rumors reported that Mavs would trade J. Howard for WAS pick No. 5! I'm sure that if this deal will go down, another deal or two will follow (very soon) involving Wizzards...

Very good article! Hawks could go in so many directions and that's something that drives us nuts (we have no clue what will go down...)! We're heading in the right direction and it would be such a shame to lose this momentum going forward... however, there are so many uncertainties... Anyway, this kid Mills looks good and does remind of Tony Parker... Lang's been around Hawks for last couple of years and I would surely listen to what he's got to say!

I like your assessment... in my oppinion this deal doesn't help Hawks surpass obstacles in form of LBJ and Superman... Hawks need players who can contribute right now and make the team better and Thabeet is far from that point in his career! Hawks have to add pieces (FA) to make things happen'. And I must say that Hawks actualy have an opportunity to come out of this off-season with PG and C... There are some decent PG's (upgrades over Bibby) available via Draft or FA, as well as "Cllipers situation" (availability of Kaman/Camby) which could bring a true C...

I wouldn't be surprised if Olympiakos signs Ben Gordon! The Greek team owner is very rich and tired of losing to City rivals Panathinaikos (who won triple crown, Euro-league, domestic league and cup)... That's certainly by far the biggest rivalry in European baskeball (hands-down)! They could throw 7-8 mil. (tax-free) on the table easily (similar to the Chilldress' contract)... I read somewhere that they were discussing signing Ron Artest!

I cannot disagree on that (lot's of talent in this year's PG crop)... However, the more I think of it, the more I realize that Hawks should sign (or trade for) veteran PG (possibly an upgrade over Bibs)! We don't need another PG project, but rather someone who can imediately contribute and make our team better (we're no longer in a re-building mode)... As far as Draft is concerned, we should draft the best available player and see what happens...

Very good assesment! He's out of Canada anyhow! So, sooner or later Raps might get anxious and pull the trigger, knowing they could end up with nothing! Anyway, unless it's a S&T, I can't see them getting much in return for a one year rental (tops!)...

Can't disagree with you on that one... From the Hawks' point of view it would be acceptable only via S&T and then I would say that's a reasonable, fair deal for both sides. P.S. I still feel hesitant towards dealing Smoove... he's a unique player and still so young! If he keeps improving, he can reach 20 &10, play good D, and make game changing plays (I know some of you will argue that Bosh is already doing that, but...).

Obviously it will have to be Sign & Trade, 'cause nobody will concsiously take a risk on a player who can walk away in a year. It will happen' either this summer or by the trade deadline... My guess is as good as anyones, so he could go to a number of places... However, something tells me that Miami will be very active! If they want to keep Wade, they will have to show him they are willing to compete at the highest level and that means adding another all-star (big). New York should be mentioned too, as always...

I wouldn't mind executing this one! I mean... 1. we get a scorer (to replace JJ), 2. a big (true 7 footer) to add more depth to our front-court, plus 3. a very high pick with which we could draft a PG... This one addresses most of our obvious needs in a single move! P.S. However, I'm pretty sure Wizz would never do it...

I agree! The fact is, that Hawks are in the phase when they need to add more quality pieces that fit the picture... Let's just hope Sund will make some sound moves!

Basically I'm just watching it... and I hope it turns out to be a good series! However, my sentiments are in Orlando's corner...

Perhaps you're a modern dude... but I still like to read dirty newspapers and I love women with big tits... anyway, I live in Europe (all-over) and I have read it in a couple of sports-papers, but like I said, articles were very brief stating the same... that Chillz is staying in Greece for another year.

I understand that we all want Braves to win and contend... that economics around the game are something that has to be managed within certain ballpark... But this is another bad move on the part of the Braves! It could have been done two months ago... no class at all! If this was done to Francoeur or somebody else, I would completely understand all the bla-bla about the reasons... But you just cannot treat icons like Smoltzie and Glav this way...

I'd like that! And I also must agree that I would take Zaza over Varejao any time, plus Z would come much cheaper!