mattlanta

I don't think Schröder and BeBe are ready to start. At one point, we also have to keep in mind the mentality of these kids (no pun intended). It's one thing to already be questioning their readiness on a physical level, but we should also keep in mind the downside of playing a kid too early on his mentality.

kurupt, thank you for the insight on Schröder. Can you tell us more about his defense and how it is overseas? I know he's got a pretty long wingspan, so he can really disrupt the opposing point guards, but since Coach Bud says he's going to focus on a defensive minded team, I'd like to learn more about how he fared against the better guards over there at Germany.

Well one positive would be that we would have one of the cheesiest teams on NBA 2K.

Here's the pitch:

How would you like to be a part of a dynasty? A dynasty that will go down in history as probably having the best frontcourt ever. You will finally be a part of a team where you were the face, but all the pressure wasn't placed on you. We have that in Atlanta. IF you go to Dallas, you might win a few, but that team is not good enough to beat the competition in the west. IF you go to Houston, if you all can ever get the money right, Lin is a turnover machine that doesn't do good in playoff pressure and Harden is as much a ballhog as Kobe. Here in Atlanta, if you come, we're getting Paul. We will have the best team that this game has ever seen.

And then if we don't get Chris Paul, you'd better expect to hear those Dwight trade rumors out of Atlanta as soon as the deadline approaches!

I would give him the knuckle curve, but that's just me.

Oh and since we're out in LA trying to woo Dwight, I might look into the porn industry and find Brianna Blair and have her stop by for a visit with Dwight and let her wear her old Hawks cheerleading uniform. Let her show him all about team spirit and taking one for the team!

So the rabid fanbase angle?

They can send us Green and Olynyk for Josh and I would be pretty happy.I'm not crazy about Green but I'm willing to give him a shot if we aren't getting Dwight.

I don't think the Celtics will be trading Green for Josh Smith. You may not be crazy about him, but I have a feeling the Celtics value him a pretty good amount.

#FLEXGANG

I think this kid has just as much potential as any big in the draft... And is that Neto (#13) running point in that video? It's too bad we couldn't keep him. It looks like he's got pretty good chemistry going on with BeBe (even though these are just highlight films).

They just casted this dude for a "major season 4 role":

Pedro Pascal... He will play Prince Oberyn Martell aka "The Red Viper".

"Top 5 Player by the Numbers" Ferry and u guys make me wanna puke with those comments. ..The guy played at f***in Bucknell for peaks sake..smh

Damn, you're right! We should have drafted that one guy with LeBron James-like superstar potential with the 44th overall draft pick! Damn you, Ferry!!!

why would Josh want to play there?

Not quite sure, but maybe he wants to pair up with his best buddy Rondo.

What I love the most about our draft picks in the first round is that although they're international prospects, their game can really translate well into the NBA. And I really like the Muscala pick... From what I'm reading, he really does sound undervalued. If he can add more size, I think he could really be an impact player in the league.

Of course their priority is to land CP3 and Dwight, but I'm sure Ferry & Crew know that that the chances of that happening are slim to none. I trust that their Plan B would be just as good as any.

I can't stop saying this enough: I LOVE this pick! I heard that someone read on DraftExpress that Ferry was going after Giannis and that Schröder was his Plan B, but I think Schröder is a little more NBA ready than "The Greek Scrabble" and may have just as much potential as he does. Man, I wish I wasn't at work when the draft was on because I would have been so psyched to hear Schröder's name called.

Schröder may be a draft-and-stash prospect, so I don't think this draft pick will impact the Hawks' decision on Teague too much.

Hahaha Leadership vs. Dwight? I cringe sometimes on what I read here hahaha.

DeMarcus Cousins is eligible for a maximum contract this summer and a trade demand looms if he and the Sacramento Kings are not able to reach a deal.

In the meantime, Cousins has been instructed by his agent, Dan Fegan, not to speak about anything regarding the Kings, their new ownership or their management.

"No comment," Cousins replied when asked about his thoughts on the Kings' new regime, which includes majority owner Vivek Ranadive, GM Pete D'Alessandro and coach Mike Malone.

Cousins will participate on the U.S. Select team this offseason.

Via Jason Jones/Sacramento Bee

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228247/DeMarcus-Cousins-Instructed-By-Agent-Not-To-Discuss-Kings

Any chance you guys think we'll be able to land him in a trade? I know he's had plenty of behavioral issues in the past, but maybe a change of scenery could do good things for him... A front court consisting of Horford and Cousins in the post is a pretty good one I think. I'm no financial expert though so I'm not sure how that would work out...

Anyone else run into this special on ABC News the other night?

I don't consider myself a true sneakerhead to be honest, but I do like to buy them and have been into Jordans since the very first time I saw him play (and especially since the movie "Space Jam"). But the "sneaker game" as they like to call it nowadays is screwed up. I wasn't able to experience how it was back when it first started, but even right now I can't believe that kids would actually spend over a grand on a pair of shoes that they don't even wear...

Anyone else into sneakers on Hawksquawk? Just curious.

We all deserve second chances... I personally know that very well... Hehe... I have no problem with you coming back -- I do have a problem with you still believing that Parker is the Spurs' best perimeter player.

I have a hunch, and I'm willing to bet a lot of money that I know what is going on here... Hehe...

EDIT: But I don't wanna cause any problems so I'll just keep it to myself. Unless that person wants to come out and say something. :D

Who knows maybe the writers will throw you book nerds a curve and switch up how it ends...

I don't think George R. R. Martin would allow that...

Only Leadership can answer that question for you guys. I already know the answer but I'll let Leadership answer this one.

Now that you mention it...

Common sense tells you if you have Splitter and Duncan with 1.9 SECONDS on the clock that they will be trying to use them to set up a screen. So regardless of how good you think the play will be. NO ONE especally a team as good defending the three as Miami will even flinch at the signs of them being the court. They would know right there, that there are three players who are shooting the three and just take the other two defenders off or Duncan and Splitter and shadow the three shooters. That's what they did. They couldn't even run the play because the defense didn't bother to move with Splitter since they knew he was a non factor in this play. What is so hard to understand about it? But that's not just the only problem. The biggest problem is they took their most clutch player who is also their best perimeter player out of the game to run the play. That was extremely stupid.

On the list of Pop looked like an idiot list. That was number two.

Here is the list:

1. Stop giving Duncan touches. That completely threw off Miami game. It's like whenever Duncan didn't have position once they looked for him, they kept swinging the ball in the 4th when it was clear, he was getting to the line or scoring. At least missing and give others a chance to get the board like Leonard.

2. Leaving Parker on the bench with 1.9 seconds left.

3. Putting Splitter in with 1.9 seconds left.

4. Taking Duncan out of the last two defensive possensions in regulation. Extremely dumb but like Hibbert, I understood their reasoning but it will never make sense to take out your best defender who is also your best rebounder and smartest defender.

5. Leaving Manu in the game. Manu like Josh Smith can be good Manu and bad Manu. It was clear from the beginning he was bad Manu. Didn't add much value and I seen that they were better when he wasn't in the game.

6. Splitter. They completely let Miami control the tempo in the 2nd and didn't use Splitter with Duncan which did wonders for spacing and attacking inside. While Splitter as expected struggled when he was the only true big, he plays well Duncan and they have a good fit. He is also quick enough to fase a small at times and he understands the game. They misused him badly tonight.

These things just extremely stood out to me. Sometimes coaches get too much in their self and that's what Pop did. Hopefully Game 7 is much better for Pop.

As for Spo, putting Wade in the 4th didn't have a really positive effect at all on offense but on defense, he was huge. In passing lanes, cutting off PnR, he was huge!!!

I didn't even bother reading the rest of your post, because the play Pop drew up that you keep bashing actually worked. Bosh, with his length and a little bit of help from the refs, was able to jump into Green's body contest Green's shot. Also, Tony Parker has a lifetime 31% 3pt field goal percentage... He is not their best perimeter player.

They didn't even attempt to guard Duncan or Splitter and Parker in regulation made a step back three pointer over Lebron James and he happens to be your best perimeter player. I am not even sure why you are questioning that but it's ill timed at best from my vantage point.

It wasn't about guarding Duncan or Splitter. It's called a play, and Pop drew up a great one. Duncan was the inbounder and Splitter was the one to make the pick, and both of them did a great job. The play called by Pop was great. I agree with Dolf that I can't believe anyone would have anything bad to say about that play.

Leaving Duncan out on defense was a terrible call though.

And Tony Parker is definitely not the Spurs best perimeter player.

yes klay thompson> monta ellis cause klay thompson fits better within a team concept and can actually guard his position.

When monta ellis left and klay thompson took the starting 2 position that team instantly became better defensively because they were no longer an undersized in the back court every night. Also on offense they got better ball movement, better team play, and a more efficient offense.

By getting rid of monta ellis and all of his shot jacking, curry could finally take full control of the offense which is why he broke out. monta ellis was holding him back. He would do the same thing with teague by taking the ball out of his hands. He is a high usage player who takes a high volume of shots and scores on low efficiency that is who he is.

The same can also be said about Rudy Gay and the Grizzlies. I think the Grizzlies became a better team when they got rid of Gay's terrible shot selection and put the ball in the hands of Conley and Gasol more.

EDIT: Sorry for the double post. Meant to multi quote! :)