T21

One of the biggest reasons (in my opinion) why Hawks drafted Al and Acie lies in the fact that they are both great, stand-up kids, very confident, but with down-to-earth attitude and great work ethic... PG's need to be cocky and confident and its great to know that Acie brings that! Al is also very confident and aware of his abilities, but in his own way, just waiting to inflict the pain on opposition!

We all know that Hawks need one or two moves to round up the roster and get the shape of a real contending team... How will that be done and what will it take, who knows?! However, there's one thing that we can't overlook. We have too many forwards and not enough minutes nor money to keep'em all! Hawks will have to make a decision whether to trade Marvin or Chillz! Its a heavy decision and obviously Hawks are still waiting to see how will things turn out (Marvin's development...), so I don't think there will be any major deals until trading dead-line. P.S. Obviously, Hawks will have to get rid of one or two of our PG's, and I expect that move to take place very soon.

Hollinger gave very realistic and down-to-earth analysis and prediction... and I find it very good! Although its clearly evident that Hawks have made huge strides and are poised for a break-out year, everyone is still very cautious with predictions... We should understand that, because it mainly comes from the fact that we have been very poor for quite some time now and we'll have to earn back that respect! It is also evident from Hollinger's article in which, although he was very critical, he concluded it with a very positive (but still cautious) 42-40 prediction. All-in-all, most of the input information that we gather day-by-day leads us to believe that Hawks are not far from becoming a strong team with more than a bright future ahead!

Quote: I may do that move mid way through the season once we see what we got on the floor. Not sure yet if Horford and Shelden can hold down the center spot by themselves full time. ZaZa is a necesity until we find out. Marvin is only 21. In the same breath getting a 4 time allstar who can play effectively with Smith as a foward would improve the team now. I am really hesitant with Marion b/c: His game is based on raw atheletic ability. That being said, he is 29 and has chronic plantar fasciitis in his left foot (his power jumping foot). Even without this chronic problem Marion only has 2 years of production before he loses atheltic ability and he wants a 4 year committment with big $$$$. I'm also not sure if Marion is AS good as his stats say b/c Phoneix's system has been know to really help his style of play. On anoher team I am not sure if Marion would still average a double a double. The fast pace they play in Phoneix sure does give you alot more oppurtunities for rebounds and more offensive possessions to try and score. Then again, if Horford shows he is a beast and can play C twice as good as ZaZa and Marvin is the same old Marvin as last year.......Only then do I pull the trigger. JJ would no if Marion is a good locker room guy or if there is something in Phoneix that just rubs you the wrong way if your name is not Nash or Stoudamire. If we made a move for Marion it would be b/c JJ pushed for it and had a glowing review for Marion. Word up! You covered all the angles... Personally, I want to see how Marvin will come out this year, and I'm also not sure how we would look against some teams (with strong inside presence) without Zaza...

Smoove is just a forward! Obviously he can play both, but eventually it comes down to the team and the style of basketball... If a team plays half-court game, he is probably better suited at SF, because he would be exposed guarding bigger post players and would quickly run into foul trouble, also his true assets would be limited... However, if we're talking about a running game, Smoove can play PF, where he can take advantage of his athleticism and speed on both ends...

Absolutely. I think swapping Wright/Jones for Horford + an improved Shelden will do wonders for the Hawks' interior play on both sides of the ball. There remains a lot of pressure on the PG's, though. Can Speedy return to form, and will Law play well as his backup? Those questions are going to have to be answered. As you said! We improved already in both areas with Al and Acie. These two are not just ordinary players... they are both well schoolled and have kind of experience (big games, pressure) that Smoove, Chillz and Marvin never had coming in... When we add improved Shelden (with up and down rookie year behind him), healthy Speedy, more focused Salim and even more matured and polished JJ, to this group, you can see why we're all excited! When you put that kind of talent on the floor, its just the matter of implementing the right style of basketball and allow these guys to excell at what they do the best!

Don't get too hypnotized by all these stats! I understand where you're coming from... and I agree that our team can improve by putting the right team on the floor, maximize potentials and speed up the chemistry... So I'm not saying these stats should't be studied! All I'm saying is that (if studied carefuly) these stats confirm something we all already know! The keys for success of our team remain better post play and PG position! Hawks can play inside-out type of B-ball successfuly, with likes of JJ, Acie, Salim and Marvin making perimeter shots, but not without strong inside post presence (hopefully Al can bring some of that)... and running game, where just about everyone on our roster can fly, especialy Smoove, Chillz, Marvin and Al... in order for that to happen', we need a floor general! Either healthy Speedy, or Acie (I hope he'll turn into our floor leader)!

I understand where you're coming from, but I've always thought that versatile and unselfish players found ways to play together, play for the team and play well... I just imagined that front court of AK-47, Smoove and Al would create nightmares for opponents (eventhough economics would be almost impossible to work out)...

Forgive me for instantly reacting to the announced rumors about AK-47 wanting out… But he's a guy who can definitely improve every team he plays for and Hawks should, at least, think about the possibilities of acquiring him… Maybe Jazz would accept Marvin straight up! I know that Kirilenko has a large contract and I know that we haven't seen best of Marvin yet, BTW I'm sure he'll turn out a great player, but just imagine this front court: SF AK-47, PF Smoove, C Al! They are all great athletes, versatile, around 6'10”, they can all fly, play great D and interchange positions... Plus, Hawks would become instant contenders in the East! P.S. I understand that the economics of the deal would be difficult to work out, but it would be worth a shot.

I don't want to be rough on any of listed guys, because they are all good basketball players. Let's be fair and honest, we should all know better... it takes lot more to have success in the NBA... sure you need talent, but players also depend on many other things like: adjustments to the NBA and new systems, pressure, injuries... We start judging young fellas from the moment they step on the court, why? Because of the hype (as you mentioned) created by NBA, agents, media, and god knows who else... People who would basically sell their mothers for money! We should not buy that crap and we should understand that young players need time to develop (remember, guys on the list are 22 or younger), and we'll realize that few years down the line they will lead their teams and be all-stars...

Yep! I read the article this morning... Good stuff from Sekou! It realy looks like Hawks will break out this year! I know that all of us always get excited during this time of the year, but who wouldn't?! We're all hungry, and we all know that Hawks deserve much better place and respect as an organisation (regardless of our ongoing internal situation) in the NBA. This year is special, I think we can all feel it in the air... I believe that Hawks will play well this year and break .500 mark!

Quote: He's a 6'9/6'10 forward and is over 30 years old. He currently plays for Prokom in Poland (together with Travis Best and Ruben Wolkowyski), in the past he played for Joventut in Spain, Unics in Russia, Partizan, Crvena Zvezda (pretty unsual for a player to have played for Partizan and Crvena Zvezda, they're fierce rivals) and Vojvodina in Serbia. He did make this basket yesterday to send Serbia-Greece into overtime: ] Since he was born in 1975/1976 (I've found both as his birthdate) I doubt that he'll ever play in the NBA and most likely he wouldn't be good enough anyway. Profile from the tournament site: Quote: Milan Gurovic is the top shooter in Europe, period, end of story. The Red Star’s best player is coming off the best season of his career. At 207 cm, he is a match-up nightmare who is capable of breaking an opponent’s back with a barrage of three-pointers. It’s exactly what the 32-year-old did all year, earning the ULEB Cup regular season MVP. With 270 points in 10 games, Gurovic posted records for the highest scoring total and average. What's more, no player in either the ULEB Cup or the Euroleague has finished a regular season with a higher scoring average this decade. With the uncertain participation of Stojakovic, Gurovic will probably find himself as one of the principal go-to-guys for the National Team. Well... I'm Serb and I'll tell you, Gurovic is basket-case who can only play well when he knows his role. Such was the case when he was surrounded by likes of Danilovic, Djordjevic, Divac, Bodiroga... he was defensive stopper, who would occasionally drop an open three! Whenever he was given more important, leading role,he folded... His teams (when he was option No. 1 or 2) never won anything... He would score alot, but his teams would always lose. He is 6'9" but he is very soft on offense and rarely agressive, mostly looking to jack up threes... Well, that sums it up... just a bad apple...

Quote: Quote: I think that coaching is probably our biggest weakness right now. I don't see Woody as a good head coach with future in the NBA. I question his knowledge, B-ball IQ... he is not a good teacher or motivator, and those are the things this young group of players really need... Some time ago, I wasn't exactly the greatest Rick Adelman fan, but boy I wish we signed him somehow! I believe that he has the right tools and set of mind to take this team to another level, but... I disagree. A guy sucessfully in 4 years of Bobby Knight's system has to have high BBall IQ. In fact to be recruited into that system alone evidence high bball IQ. You do not play 10-13 years in the NBA and have not "high bball IQ". You are not the Head assistant under Larry Brown and Not have "high bball IQ". When you see a team quit on a coach it means they are not motivated. The Hawks have lost but Never Quit. I believe Woodson is a good coach. I believe these last three seasons have undergone an unprecedent learning curve of talent in progress under fire. I believe we will see the fruits of three years of nurturing and teaching as a strong team. Well, I hope you're right! However, being a part of a successful and established program doesn't necessarily translate into your own success... Remember that Brown himself was guilty of depriving Pistons of at least one ring... Don't get me wrong, I understand that past few years were hard on everybody, including Woodson, and under such circumstances you can't just look at the record and start pointing fingers at people... All I'm saying is that I do not believe he's the right coach for our team, not the right match... Again I hope I' wrong...

I think that coaching is probably our biggest weakness right now. I don't see Woody as a good head coach with future in the NBA. I question his knowledge, B-ball IQ... he is not a good teacher or motivator, and those are the things this young group of players really need... Some time ago, I wasn't exactly the greatest Rick Adelman fan, but boy I wish we signed him somehow! I believe that he has the right tools and set of mind to take this team to another level, but...

Quote: If we really wanted Critt he would have been drafted instead of Law don't ya think. Right now I think Chills fills the necesity every team has of being a SF / SG /wing who plays defense. Marvin is too slow footed to guard other wings effectively making Chills his perfect compliment. We don't really need a 5th PG do we ? Especially at the expense of our only wing guy on the bench over 6'2'' who can play. Why would we want 3 rookies out of the same draft class in their rookie year ? Is 2 rookies not enough ? Do you really want 2 rookie PGs running your team ? Chills can back up JJ and Marvin. Critt cannot backup the SF position. Marvin must have a very good back up playing behind him. Exactly! Chillz is a super-glue! He accepts his role and plays hard on both ends, plus he's versatile... When you combine all that you realize that's such a commodity these days!

We all need to understand that the things you've mentioned(and I agree with you) are steps forward (from health, conditioning, to personal sacrifices and improvements) by our players that could translate into team success! From what I've read (numerous sites...), our key pieces have already comitted to hard work and improvement... so it will come down to putting all those pieces together, achieving chemistry, better coaching and making that step forward together, as a team! I like what you brought up about JJ - him being more agressive, both as a leader and taking the ball to the paint, drawing fouls, dishing off... Remember that we are yet to earn respect with the refs in this league! The only way to do it is to show them that Hawks won't back down and that they are willing to take that extra step, determined and agressive... JJ should be our role-model for that and I think refs will not ignore him... Those are just some of the little things Hawks need to do in order to be successful, because the talent is already there...

Esteban will never be more than just a hustle player in the NBA and he will be used only for hard fouls and during garbage time... Sorry, but that's the truth!

Quote: I think that Trading Za Za and AJ for Brendan Haywood and a second round pick would be a good addition by Subtraction move for us. IMO, Za Za is the better player but Brendan would add great size and also create more minutes for Horford and Sheldon. Za Za wants to be too much of a force on offense and i think its really going to hurt team chemistry this year. Brandan would be better fit for Hawks and I would do that trade. They are totaly different players... Brandan is a center who wants to play center, and thats what Hawks need! 7-footer with big body inside, to set solid picks, bang inside, grab boards and block few shots here and there... Hawks don't need their C to score alot... Zaza (although he's a decent player)will never fit the profile of an NBA center and thats why I think Haywood would be huge upgrade!

Well... They are both great athletes with huge upside. The fact of the matter is that Al is something between 4 and 5, while Smith is in between 3 and 4. In todays basketball we don't have clear lines between positions like some time ago, and we have to look at the picture in a different way, because the game is also being played at a different level and speed... So it will come down to what kind of basketball Hawks chose to play... If they indeed play faster, more dynamic type of B-ball, Al can play 5 and Smoove can play 4. In a half-court sets they can play 4 and 3, together with Zaza or Shelden... Anyway, those will be sweet problems to have, because Al and Smoove will create hell for opponents on both sides of the court... and finally, I realy believe that they can coexist and play successfuly together!