T21

I agree... There's a huge difference between those teams... uncomparable... Most obvious weakness was our inconsistant offense and it was surely exposed during the playoffs... How do you deal with that? Well... for one, better coaching! Hawks ran their offense through very simple sets. Once the sets brake-down, offense is basically one-on-one... it worked for most of the season because we have talented, athletic guys... but surely no in the Playoffs! More depth... or simply create sets that would bring the best out of our players and trust those players to execute! Or simply, acquire a player who could step in and complement our current roster! P.S. No drastic makeovers, please! This is still a very young team with huge potential! Just smart fine-tunning! Be patient...

It's not a bad idea... However, Chandler is a liability in terms of his health (feet)...

Yep! He's right up there... I still can't figure out why Hawks never attempted to sign him...

I like it, it's very realistic... However, even though I like Felton, I think we need a PG who can also spot up and shoot the ball... Andersen could definitively give us depth and bring something different to the table. I've seen this guy so many times and it's funny how he's been labelled just as a jumpshooter... OK, he can knock it down from outside, but dude has far superior post game to Horf or Zaza and the ability to hit outside J's is just another asset! He's very experienced too...

... I've seen Rubio in at least 50 games and let me tell you... He's gonna be huge, difference-maker PG... but still, when we talk about him, nobody can grant that he'll ever fulfill these projections and materialize obvious potential... so, to trade Smoove, a near All-Star, a rare talent, who is still very young and learning how to control himself... well, I wouldn't do it... especially because Hawks have already invested so much in him... Smoove's gonna be fine...

Right on! ... for most of the things that you have mentioned, there has to be a strong resolve and determination of the ownership to win and go that extra mile if necessary in order to get there... P.S. I'm pleased with rebuilding and achievements so far, but as you said, now is the right time to fine tune our team and add one or two key pieces to have a true contender.

Everybody's been wearing badges in support of Chuck Daly now-days... and when I think of CD, I remember his Pistons from 80' and early 90'... I remember the pride, attitude and resolve of those teams... the way they treated their opponents as enemies... their unrivaled willingness to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to win! CD was a great coach, but far better psychologist and motivator! That's what Playoffs are all about... you trade blows, make adjustments, try to maximize your strenghts, expose your enemy's weaknesses... prevail... I guess that most of us on this board forgot and overlooked how important this psychologic mind-war is! Sure we have a talented, athletic team, with huge potential... but unless Hawks get on the same page, play to their strenghts and change the attitude, this series could soon be over! Hawks allowed Heat to intimidate them (physically and mentally) withouth any response! It would be such a shame to go down without putting up a real fight against the team that (honestly) besides Wade has nothing (one-legged JO and bunch of second-hand role players)! Somebody has to step up and bring the best out of this team! Woody may not be the worst coach in the NBA, but he's definitely terrible motivator and psychologist... JJ is not a vocal leader... but this team as a group has enough vocal leadership (Bibby, Horford, Flip) to turn things around! I surely hope that a players-only meeting (that allegedly took place on sunday) produced some answers and positive vibrations... I'd like to see Hawks come out with their game faces and new "CD" attitude for game 4, focus on offense, take care of the paint and put D. Wade into the floor or at least 2nd row... everything else will take care of itself! MAKE A STATEMENT! Go Hawks!

I completely agree! In other words, talent, athleticism, skills, don't mean jack if you don't go out there with the purpose! As we have witnessed in previous two games, a classic Playoffs scenario unfolded... Teams always trade blows in the Playoffs, make adjustments, that's normal... But what actually makes decisive difference is willingness to sacrifice (physically and mentally) and do whatever it takes to outduel the enemy! Unfortunately, our Hawks have been wearing skirts in the last two games, allowing Heat players to intimidate them physicaly without even responding (body language said it all)... Heat did that with a plan and purpose, and it worked for them, they have set the tone and alterded the course of the series... Unless Hawks can turn the page and realize that they can actually take all the above-mentioned (athleticism, agression...) to their advantage, well... the series could easily get out of their hands... I see no reason why Hawks cannot turn from victim into an intimidator? Hawks are younger, bigger, stronger and more athletic at almost every position... JO plays on one leg, Haslem gets by on solely on his effort, and finally, somebody please put D Wade into the floor or at least 2nd row! Go Hawks!!!

I agree! The worst thing is that he does't make any adjustments! JJ needs to be the PG on the floor! Bibby, Flip, Mo, Marvin spot up... Al and Smoove roam the paint and lanes... Our D suffers because of frustrations on the offensive end!

Well, it's not that they wanted it more than us, but they came out with the plan and they executed, period! The only consolation for me comes from the fact that we really played bad, they had a great game (especially shooting the ball), and we still had the chance to win in the end (in my oppinion)... Hawks screwed up on almost all key possessions in the game, while Heat executed on almost all of them (with the help from God, refs, and us...). If JJ or Flip didn't go head-first into 4-5 key possessions late in the game when we were down by 6,7,8, well, who knows... I know that JJ missed wide-open Bibby on at least two key possession when the game was in a make or brake phase... and Bibby was our only hot shooter in the game and he was begging for the ball! We need game 3, and although it will be very difficult to pull it off, under the circumstances in Miami (crowd, refs...), they won't hand it to us for free (like we did)... I believe that better D and more focused and agressive offense can do the job!

I would never hire Pitti-no! This is probably one of those media provocations on behalf of Miami Heat... Pay no mind...

I like that! F...'em all!

I truly believe that Griffin and Rubio are outstanding talents, who will become superstars in the NBA and very soon! I don't think that any of the guys on our current roster fit that bill... Sure, JJ is an All-Star, Smoove is "kind of close" to that status, but that's it! I like the Hawks style of play, up-tempo, athleticism and all that... but in reality, if we played in the West... well, I don't think we would have made the PO's... I wasn't suggesting complete re-tooling... I just felt that for JJ (whose contract ends in a year), Smoove, plus fillers, we could get outstanding players and still have financial flexibility to add very good FA's... That team would have the chance to win it all in 2-3 years... that was my only point! I just brought this idea on the table because you don't get this kind of oportunity that often...

I was thinking about our team, the current state of the franchise, and the future ahead... I came up with certain conclusions: 1. This current team has many limitations, which probably means that the best it could do is to win 50 games and advance to the second round of the playoffs, period! I'm sure that most of us are not happy with that? 2. I believe that we all realize that you're in this league to win it all! Let's be realistic and admit that this team, or some slightly enhanced version of it (that we could see in the future) won't get it done! 3. Knowing the above-mentioned is probably true, Hawks need to be active and make steps to build a winner or this generation will fall short of the ultimate goal! 4. These steps mean taking the risk! However, as long as we can calculate the risk and consciously make decisions, we can hit the jack-pot! 5. And this year's jack-pots are Blake Griffin and Ricky Rubio! Griffin is going to be a monster in this league (and very soon!), while Rubio is a unique talent, pass-first PG, with great BB IQ, vision... 6. You see where I'm aiming at?! I would do anything to make a trade that would land us 1 and 2 at this year's draft! We have all the right pieces! 7. The only untouchable player on our roster would be Al Horford (pure winner!)... 8. I guess that this move would also enable Hawks to quickly add all other necessary pieces, via free agency, to set truly winning foundation for years to come! Your thoughts gentlemen?

That's the whole point! If you read between the lines and truly know what kind of a ballclub the Hawks are, you can understand that there's so much more to this team than just the record, stats, etc.

Here's the Hoopsworld article written by Mike Moreau... "As the playoffs loom on the horizon, and teams are jockeying for positioning and seedings, most of the talk is about teams at the top who can win it all and teams at the bottom trying to get in. That's where all of the conversation tends to focus. But, there are two teams in the middle, one in each conference, who will be dangerous at playoff time, and who will be not only a tough out, but also a threat to make a run to the conference final. And they just happened to play each other Monday night. Eastern Conference: Atlanta Hawks Last year, I wrote a fictional piece before the first round on how the Hawks would beat the Celtics in 7 games. It was spooky how close that came to becoming reality. Forget their recent mediocre play; having taken the champs to the brink, no one can tell them they can't contend. Statistically, the Hawks aren't as impressive as some other teams. They are middle of the pack in about every category, but they have a swagger to them that makes them scary, and they have enough of a combination of start, scoring and interior toughness to take anyone to the brink – or send a favorite over the edge. Joe Johnson can take over and close out a game, Mike Bibby can get hot at any time, and Josh Smith is capable of huge performances. Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia give them interior toughness, and Marvin Williams provides solid play at the other forward, with Flip Murray and Mo Evans, both playoff seasoned vets, coming off the bench. This season, the Hawks are 3-0 against the Detroit Pistons and 2-1 against the Miami HEAT. They are 1-2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing by one point on March 1st. And although they are 0-2 against the Boston Celtics, those losses were by one point and three points. No intimidation factor there. Atlanta has not had the regular season many expected, but make no mistake about it: the Hawks can beat anybody. And keep in mind that last year, they beat the Celtics more times in a playoff series than the Lakers did". Western Conference team picked by the author is New Orleans Hornets. ... Well, we must admit that Hawks thrive under pressure and often need a challenge to perform at their best! Just look at the make-up of our team and you'll see that this man has got the point! We've just seen flashes of potential, streaks here and there... Hawks are not a team built for regular season, it's too boring! But come Playoff time, things change rappidly and our true strenghts come to play especially in PO's series'!!! I truly believe that we can make some noise this year!

Welcome! :beer:

I'm just wondering here... I have seen this kid in at least 50-60 games, and let me tell you, he's going to be top 5 PG in the world for the next 15 years... He's got unbelievable skills, court awareness, passing ability, lightening quick and plays sensational D... He's got huge upside! The only weak spot at this stage of his career is his inconsistent jump-shot, however, that's something that can be fixed! If Hawks could somehow workout a reasonable trade to obtain rights for a high draft pick and select this kid... well, we would be set at PG spot for next 10+ years... Just a thought, but the one worth exploring...

Well, I wouldn't mind that at all... However, I would be a little concerned about his injuries... BTW, I know it would be very hard, but I would do anything to try to get our hands on a high draft pick and select Ricky Rubio... The kid is going to be next best thing to CP3, plus he can play great D! Hawks would be set at PG spot for years!

Yep! That's what's goin' down! Unfortunatelly... I thought Drew Gooden or Joe Smith would be great pick-ups for Hawks, as both of them could help us down the stretch and in the PO's... Obviously, Spurs and Cavs were more appealing to both of them... Or our management wasn't as agressive as they should have been...

Well, I've seen at least 50 games with DA in them (CSKA Moscow, and from this year Barcelona - both Euro powerhouses) over the last 4-5 years... He's more athletic than Zaza, has great range on his shot (easily hits Euro-threes), he's good with his back to the basket (has few good moves, hook shot to the right and fadeaway J's from both sides)... DA can run the floor very well and he's got above-average BBall IQ... He is very experienced, as he played top level Euro basketball leagues and competitions for years now... and won BTW... I think he would help Hawks for sure! There's no doubt in my mind... Hawks don't have this type of a big, and I'm sure he would create a lot of trouble for defenders... However, I think he feels very comfortable in Europe, and he is in that stage of his career, where I'm not so sure he would welcome a challenge... Perhaps that's the reason why he isn't wearing our uniform...

Unless the Hawks are able to get Amare for let's say Marvin, Speedy and Solo (which, by the way, works on ESPN's trade machine), I wouldn't give up Smith in any kind of package... Maybe PHX gets desperate to slash their payroll, who knows... Anyway, I agree. If Hawks cannot "virtualy steal" Amare, I would settle for another experienced big (Miller, Wllcox...)...

I've just tried this one on ESPN's new trade machine, and it worked... ATL parts with Marvin, Speedy and Solo for PHX Amare! Positive side - Amare addition would make Hawks and instant power-house in the East, plus just imagine the front-court of Smith, Amare and Al... Negative side - I would realy hate to lose Marvin, because I strongly believe he is turning the corner and becoming a star player... I'm just curious what do you guys think of it?

I would consider Brad Miller, because he would present valuable addition for second half of the season and playoffs... I think he's a decent passer, who can knock down outside shots, create lanes for our slashers and he's got playoff experience (attitude too)... plus, teams that we compete against in the east are all looking to find ways to improve. Just look at Miami, Chicago (probably)...

I believe strongly that Hawks would have a huge benefit if they sign Andersen (who is free BTW) in the offseason. Let me explain: He is legit 7-footer, who can play in the post and has unbelievable shooting range (easily hits Euro-3's). This guy also has huge experience, playing for best Euro teams for the past 6 years. He's also at least capable defensive player. He won 3 Euro League tittles (or 4, I'm not sure)... I saw him in at least 50 gms during past 6-7 years and I know what I'm saying. In other words, its very hard to find skilled and experienced 7-footers in this day and age, and here's the one who perfectly make sense and fits well with our Hawks. He would perfectly complement and strenghten' our frontcourt rotation, plus Hawks wouldn't be forced to make any trades for obviously needed BIG! P.S. I don't think Hawks need to make major moves (roster-wise), just few brush-strokes to round-up already strong group with huge potential... I'll just remind you of the moves Hawks made before 93/94' season. They signed Craig Ehlo and Andrew "Clubber" Lang! It strenghtenned our bench, rotation and enabled Hawks to play high-octane basketball for 48 minutes. Result = we won 57 games, and if fu.... Babcock and Lenny didn't trade Nique, Hawks would have had the chance to contend for the tittle, which was up for grabs that year!