T21

I have posted before that I don't want Messina coaching our team. I don't understand why his name is even mentioned... So I'll share my thoughts with you... I've been following Messina and his work for years and let me give you objective first-hand observation... I'll never say that he's a bad coach, 'cause he's not. However, throughout his career he's been pretty fortunate to coach big market teams at the right time. Also, he won't be able to adjust to the NBA game the right way (as other Euro coaches would also struggle with adjustment). Messina, along with a long list of other successful coaches in Europe, have been a student and follower of basketball philosophy preached by prof. Aleksandar Nikolic (the most influential figure in european basketball), whose nickname was Iron Sergeant because he always insisted on tough defense and discipline... That's where Euro and NBA games differ like day and night...

Logic alone should tell us that we're in the mix! We shouldn't pay much attention to the media... Dwight's from ATL and if he's not a complete asshole, his emotions alone should play at least a role... plus, ATL is one of only few teams that can give him the max deal and potentially team him up with Al and CP3, thus comprising a championship caliber team... what else would you want!? P.S. Perhaps Hef's job too...

Bynum is a better center than Howard as far as fundamentals are concerned (offense, low-post game)... However, he just missed the whole year and with his history of injuries that would be a huge gamble for us! Anyway, it would be a very risky move. The one that could go both ways... if healthy, Bynum would give us top 3 center at a good price (because I can't imagine anyone overpaying for him right now)... or he could financially cripple us if he's not good to go...

Al must add a couple of post-up moves... a jump-hook and a little fade-away, or step-back jumper, that would make him more complete and difficult to guard (both for opposing 4 & 5). P.S. In today's game, there are a lot of 4's who are able to shoot the 3-ball and stretch the floor (especially in Europe...), I wouldn't mind if Al develops that kind of range and add another offensive weapon.

One thing's for sure... I don't want Messina coaching our team! He isn't a bad coach, but throughout his career he's been more lucky, than good! Plus, he wouldn't be able to adjust properly to the NBA at his age...

He did.

Don't let Euro-stats deceive you... I've seen this guy in action and he's a beast! He's got all the tools to thrive in the NBA game... He would have surely averaged 15 ppg / 10 rpg / 3 bpg in NCAA, plus the kid has good head on his shoulders and he works extremely hard on his game.

I forgot about Jack! I'd love to have him in our uniform, as he would bring experience and the right locker room presence, attitude, plus, I believe that he would strongly consider Hawks because of his roots...

I would surely consider bringing Harris back for a reasonable price and length of the contract... Him and JT would give us a solid PG depth and an option to go small as well.

He is a starter for your info... Manu has not started a game in a decade, yet he still makes a livin'. Oh, and BTW, he did declare. I brought up this kid's name because I've seen him play and I've seen a potential...

BTW, kid is French and plays FC/C for Partizan Belgrade, already has International experience...

I know that most of you will keep beating up on me for bringing up another European ("unknown") talent, but I just can't help it... I've seen this guy play on many occasions and I know how good he is... Listen, this kid is an athlete and an extraordinary physical specimen... at 6'11" he's got a huge wingspan. Lauvergne can run the floor, rebound, block shots, finish at the rim, occasionally knock mid-to-long range J, plus he's got a tireless engine! This is a steal of the draft! We could possibly draft him with our 2nd round pick...

Well, we must take into consideration that DF can go different ways, he also has an option of trading Horford and keeping Smoove... It's gonna get tricky...

I know that we're mostly concerned with free agency and the topic of landing D12 and CP3 anyway we can... and that's OK. However, since we all know that we'll need good complementary players, especially wing players who can play on both ends of the court, I thought that I should bring this guy to everyone's attention. He's a 6'10" forward who plays excellent team basketball, above-average D, above-average passer for his position, decent shooter with range, doesn't need the ball to be effective, excellent handles for his size... He has got lots of international experience as well, both for Serbia and his Spanish team Caja Laboral. If I was asked to compare him to one single player it would be Toni Kukoc... a tall, lean forward, with huge wing span, good handles, high BB IQ, runs the floor well and can guard multiple positions (better defender than Kukoc was). I know that he was drafted by the Washington in 2010, but perhaps we could trade one of our picks and get him, because he's already complete basketball player that would need less time to crack into the rotation than most of the kids that will be available at 17 and 18... I'm sure that he's DF's type of player and would certainly be a true asset for us going forward.

One thing's for sure... Hawks couldn't have asked for better scenario going into off-season as far as D12 and CP3 are concerned. Chances definitely look much better than few months earlier... Lakers are in a difficult position with cap space, age, injuries... and Clippers, well, they're just not made for playoff success, when things slow down, get to fundamentals and half-court game... I wouldn't comment on our chances, but even a objective observer would be able to conclude that we can offer one of the best situations for those two... Playing with either Al or Smoove in the East (to form our own big 3), with good 6th man in Lou, young crop of players (Jnkins and 2 draft picks) and GM who will be able to complete a contending roster and find a real coach...

... if DF is able to work wonders this off-season (D12 & CP3), we'll need creativity to complete the roster with the right pieces, and I wouldn't mind Ariza as long as he can still defend and knock that outside shot.

Surely we would have depth and consequently an excellent regular season record... but the true question would still remain the same, would this team be able to contend? This would present one of those fall back plans... I think that DF should swing for the fences and go all-in for D12 and CP3! If we can't land those two, DF should try his best to get one of the following three centers and pair them with Al: Pekovic, Jefferson, Splitter. That would give us a presence in the middle. Re-sign Teague and Korver. Perhaps get Iggy (depending on price and lenght of contract) and draft well...

If we don't get Dwight and Paul, a long-shot anyway... we shouldn't go crazy like Detroit and Dumars a couple years ago when they overspent on Gordon and Villanueva! Plan B should be focused on re-signing Teague, Korver, Smoove (70 mil / 5 yrs. max) and build from there, have a solid draft and keep financial flexibility...

I think NBA should implement mandatory pre-game videos reminding it's employees how much they get paid to PLAY THE GAME!!!

I agree that DF will certainly need to explore all available options out there and not just focus on D12 and CP3... That would surely include Pekovic, Granger, Mayo, Jefferson... However, in Bargnani's case I'd say hell no! 7-foot jump shooter, with no D, injury prone.

I know that we all want D12 and CP3... R2-D2, C-3PO... and we shoot for that stars... right! OK, but in reality, if the above-mentioned plan doesn't work I think it would be wise to sign Al Jefferson, re-sign Smoove (15mil/year), re-sign Teague, re-sign Korver and use the rest of our cap space to build depth with veterans... I remember back in the days when signed Lenny Wilkens, then added Andrew Lang, Craig Ehlo and Whatley (not household names) to an already strong core of Wilkins, Willis, Blaylock, Augmon, that Hawks began playing up to their potentials and if Nique wasn't traded who knows what would have happened that year... The way our boys, Al, Smoove and JT, have been playing lately I would strongly consider this plan. We have our new core that has very good dynamic and chemistry and adding few right and valuable pieces would hopefully make us true contenders for Eastern Conference Finals... and then who knows...

I share your sentiments man... I'm personally torn on these trade speculations, mostly because I understand that a team cannot take that step forward by subtracting talent, plus I still believe that Smoove and Al present unique dynamic combo that I would build on... P.S. I know Josh ain't Nique, but I just don't like trading away our own...

Hell no to Ilyasova! In my opinion he is just not good enough for that contract, he's just a decent sub (20 mpg)... If they're willing to part with some combo of Sanders, Henson, draft picks, Ferry should at least look at it.

Pekovic is one of the best low-post players (the lost art, especially with centers) in the entire NBA and one of the strongest. He's complete package! He's got so much experience from International basketball, Euroleague and now NBA and he's still young... I've seen him in person on so many occasions while he played for Partizan Belgrade, where he learned most of his craft, fundamental basketball.

I didn't crunch any numbers as far as how much would it take to sign Pekovic to a new contract, but I believe that we would still hold enough cap space to re-sign Teague and carefully round out the roster to create a contender...