mattlanta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=tLq6GOIXJFQ#t=425s Don't know how to embed videos, but he said that's his nickname and that he likes it in that vid.

I'm so late on my initial thoughts on this signing, but I like it. Elton Brand is an above average veteran big man who can come in here and provide solid minutes off the bench and perhaps mentor some of our younger bigs. I would like it even better if we signed one more big -- and I mean a big big like someone who can provide more legitimate minutes at the 5 to allow Horford to slide to his more natural position. I read that Ferry views Brand as more of a 5 "at this point of his career" but I just don't see it seeing that he's only 6'9". This is also a bitter sweet signing because this probably marks the last we see of Ivan Johnson in Atlanta. But realistically, I would rather have Brand than Johnson... Although we WILL miss Ivan's mean streak.

Definitely: Schröder Jenkins Scott Probably: Cunningham Maybe: Noguiera Muscala

But you're watching Schröder against summer league competition. Sure, he looks promising and is showing a load of potential, but saying that he's better than Jeff Teague right now is a little premature.

Honestly, I don't think Muscala is ready. I wouldn't mind him going to the D-League to work on his game and gain some weight. He's SO easy to push around down there. Mack isn't impressing at all so far.

Were we hearing the Hawks involved at all with Dalembert?

For those that missed the game, here are some of my thoughts from it, feel free to argue about the grades I gave them:Nogueira = Grade: B-+: Ability to change shots at the rim on D-: Looked a little lost on both ends of the court, easy to push aroundSchröder = Grade: A-+: Quickness, court vision-: Looked a bit passive at times on offense, on-ball defense was spottyMuscala = Grade: B+: Runs the court well, great hands-: Lack of strength is obviousOverall, I'm neither overly disappointed or overly impressed with our young draftees. It's just ONE summer league game, so I didn't have any high expectations. I knew Noguiera would be very raw, but he is definitely at least 1 or 2 years away from being ready.Muscala looks a lot thinner than I expected him to. He almost looks like a power forward right now. He and Noguiera need to work out together or something lol. The reports were right that Muscala has the right skill set but just doesn't have the NBA body right now. If he can work on that, he should be a pretty decent big for us down the road.As for Schröder, he's the one that impressed me the most. Aside from a few pretty bad throwaways (you have to expect some turnovers from a 19 y.o.), he showed pretty court vision and ball handling. Schröder may be a bit too raw to start, but he can certainly hide that with his speed and agility. With time and experience, he may be a very good point guard… And yes, he reminds me a lot of Rajon Rondo! Not ready to start though... I'm on board the "sign a veteran to help bring Schröder along" bandwagon.And a quote from Coach Bud himself, "I think that the system we're going to put in is going to look a LOT like San Antonio." (For all the members that complain about people drawing lines back to SA.)

Samuels is annoying. Wish that dunk went in so that his highlight of the summer would have been getting posterized.

Check your inbox.

We have to convince him why Atlanta is the greatest city to play in first! Honestly, I would be happy if we matched Teague's offer sheet. But if he doesn't want to be here, then why force him to? Sign someone like Mo Williams to help Schröder develop.

It doesn't matter to me, honestly. I haven't seen them play with my own eyes, and I just think that all these comparisons to Pippen for Wiggins and Melo for Parker is too premature.

I don't think Teague is coming back... Also, I think your plan of playing Schröder and Jenkins for 48 minutes a game each is brilliant! And I assume you sent down Millsap to the NBA D-League with that roster which is also brilliant he could develop more there-- maybe you plan on developing him into a SF?

Perhaps he was hoping Dwight would come to Atlanta... Ha. (Sort of joking.)

Can we at least see how this season goes before we start making these threads concerning a complete rebuilding process?

Seriously why don't we just use Muscala as our SF this year then?

Not to be redunant or anything but... Why would he want to play for Atlanta???

If we're able to get a healthy Bynum, we would already have a DOMINATING front court regardless of whether or not Millsap is thrown into the mix. A center of Bynum's caliber (in 2002) would be perfect to pair with Horford. Also, I may be in a small group but I honestly do not see Millsap playing the 3 against most of the teams in the East.

Was there any public statement of the intent to keep Korver? Just curious.

I'm honestly interested if it's true that he'd be willing to sign a one year contract, with a year or two team options attached at the end. He's a better offensive center than Dwight *IF HEALTHY* and would be perfect to pair up with Horford.

I'm just confused as to how a backfourt of Jennings and Lou Williams is supposed to work out when a similar concept was already tried at Milwaukee with Jennings and Ellis?

Does Jennings know how to finish with his right hand? I know he's a lefty, but I haven't seen him finish with his right hand in a few of the highlight videos that I've seen of him.

Didn't see this posted anywhere, but inside Marc Stein's FA report of the Hawks having interest in Monta Ellis, he also states that we have shown interest in Bynum... The article can be found on ESPN here: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/60990/free-agency-reports-hawks-eye-ellis

Why is it one extreme or the other? What's wrong with picking up smart, young players who we could develop and would buy into a system?

I don't understand why people don't believe Teague will be our starting PG next season. Barring something like a CP3 signing or a Rondo trade, Teague is our next best option. And who's to say that he won't be a valuable guard off the bench once Schröder is ready to take over the starting role 2-3 years down the line?