PoppaFritz

Some of the main problems that everyone has with this team is chemistry, ballhandling, and perimeter shooting. I don't see how Crawford, Sprewell, and especially Fizer help us improve in these areas. The only improvement would be at 2 guard but Spree can be a cancer that won't help improve the chemistry.

If anyone needs more time to make up their mind about Terry by now they are retarded. Whether you like him or not, at least you know what he is going to give you. As far as seeing what Glover can give us let me enlighten you, he's a truck!

I would like to see JT and Dickau play more minutes together. I realize that there are many times that the match ups just won't allow this to work. Playing Ira and Dion most of the minutes at the 2 hasn't really helped us on the defensive end, like it should. Plus, the perimeter shooting and ball movement suffers. Why not try some different things, especially when the game is already out of hand and the starters look like they've given up. But that's a whole different subject that I don't want to talk about.

I will be at the game tonight and I must say I'm a little worried that the game will be a blow out. The Hawks just don't match up well with Portland. Dion and Ira will have to play alot because of the Blazers size in the backcourt. That isn't a good sign for our offense. Hopefully, Theo controls the middle and our outside shots are falling. Otherwise it will be a long night. The good news is I will be in Seattle and I like our chances there much better. I think a .500 record for the remaining 4 road games would be a success.

I agree. There isn't enough leadership, outside shooting and what I think is most important to this team, players willing to move the ball to get good, open looks. Toni brought all of that. At the time of the trade I thought Atlanta got a steal but now it just shows how important chemistry is.

I think Musselman did a fabulous job this summer and solidified himself as one of the brightest young coaches in the league. I don't think he wanted to wait for the Hawks job to open up. And probably didn't think it would open up this soon. Heck, none of us thought we would be this bad.

Watching the Hawks lately it has been very disappointing to see them get down early and not even try to fight back. They seem content to give up when things go bad, especially if they aren't hitting shots. They don't believe they can stop anybody and feel they have to outscore opponets. If we are looking toward next year I think we need to sign veterans who are proven winners. Look at the Lakers bench when they won their first title. They weren't the most talented group in the league but they instilled a winning attitude into a team that had never won before. Also, the Hawks need some attitude. We need players that are fighters and willing to go to war every night. It's frustrating to watch a rebound go up and only one player battling four opponets for the ball. The Hawks best players Shareef and Big Dog just don't play with emotion. If we are going to continue to rely on them for offense, we need to surround them with some players with attitude. Look at one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, Detroit. They don't have much skill but they all go to war TOGETHER every night. I don't know who we could get or when these guys contracts are up but give me Doug Christie, Bruce Bowen, Eduardo Najera, Michael Curry, or Ron Artest anyday.

I enjoy the thoughts and ideas that everyone comes up with on this post but I think that people are expecting way to much out of Big Dog, SAR, and even JT. For the most part they have given us what should be expected. Of course it would be nice to have them play flawless basketball, but most of the time they put up very respectible numbers and even occasionally they can dominant stretches of games. I think it is time to look at other areas of improvement. When you look around the league the top teams not only have guys that put up numbers they also have guys that compliment the "stars". Our role players are very suspect, any team that is forced to give players like Ira, Dion, Nazr, Ham, & E-mail significant minutes isn't going to be successful on a consistent basis. It might not be possible this year but the Hawks must address their perimeter shooting, especially at the 2 guard. Ira is a sound defender but in this league he can play incredible defense and still give up 25-30 points to the other teams best scorer. The thing is he will never be able to score as much as he gives up. I don't think the Hawks need a superstar to fill this role but someone that can knock down open perimeter jumpers will allow the offense to run smoothly. And allow the main offensive weapons to find easier ways to score.

If you scroll up a couple of posts you will see when I mentioned that Ira is hurting us? F**k, Millers softness, I'll take a soft player for 25 minutes a game if it will help our scorers avoid double teams.

I don't blame you I wouldn't pay much to watch them. But what if you paid $10 to sit in the upper deck and then at half time for an additional $1 you could move down to the lower section and sit behind the visitors basket. S**t not only are the strangest, most enthusiastic fans sitting in the upper deck but [censored] the visting team might miss a free throw toward the end of the game and the Hawks might win a close game. Now that would be a home court advantage!

I agree but let's be honest Miller would be easier to get.

Diesel, my man. You are probably right about Kruger. A change will eventually be made. But until that happens lets talk about the players we have. I like the idea of adding Barry, he adds ballhandling and perimeter shooting but I don't see Seattle trading him unless something incredible is thrown their way. So, how about this? Orlando has to move Mike Miller, he is too good to sit behind T-Mac and G.Hill. I would like to see teams double off of him like they do against Newble. So, get those wheels turning and figure out a trade for Miller.

I truely think Ira is a good basketball player. I don't want this to come off as an Ira bashing, but he is one of the problems with the team. Fact is everyone's job is a little bit harder when Ira's man is roaming the court doubling the ball or sitting in the passing lane. It's interesting to see teams devote entire game plans to stopping Big Dog and Shareef, while Ira is consistently wide open. I think it is wonderful that he is shooting 46% from the floor and playing sound defense. Those are great stats for someone shooting by himself in an empty gym (Phillips Arena). I really don't see the Hawks making any improvements without a consistent perimeter shooter at the 2 guard. Like I said Ira is not to blame for all of the problems, I think he could really help a contender. But, if this team wants to be as good as everyone thought. They need to address glaring weaknesses like Ira's shooting. Just think about the opposing teams scouting report it might go something like this??? *Apply pressure to JT, he's a good shooter but his decesion making is suspect. *Don't guard Ira, ever! *Let Big Dog handle the ball and wait for a poor decesion, but contest around 12-19 ft. His mid-range game is money. *Shareef is solid, but the Hawks never put him in positions to score, so what's there to worry about? *Theo is a fantastic shot blocker. But, completely inept on the offensive end, unless the ball falls into his hands under the basket. *Bench: The chemistry is so poor on this teams starting 5, no need to worry about the bench, except for stretches.

Fella's here's where we lie. This team has zero chemistry. I know that every hawks fan would like JT, Big Dog, Theo, and Shareef to be the f**king man but reality is they are all very good players but they aren't Shaq, they aren't T-Mac, they aren't Kobe, they aren't Duncan, they aren't A-I, so let's be honest, they are just good ballers. And if they expect to win they need to come to the realization that they need each other. That is if they really care about winning. S**t the millions of dollars will continue to come in whether they win or not. So, they might as well give a little effort and try and win a few games. Hey! Maybe even show the fans a little heart, doesn't Ted pay them enough? At least enough to put forth a little effort. I know the beautiful skanks of Atlanta will still be there win or lose, the night clubs aren't going to shut down just because the Hawks suck. So, don't you think, just maybe,the good people of Atlanta might show up for a f**king game and support the Hawks, if these players cared enough to put forth a little effort? S**t I'm no expert but I think that would go a long way to putting fans in the seats. And win or lose at least, as a "Hawks fan" I would know that the players cared about winning too! Just some random thoughts, take from them what you may.

That line up would probably be effective against teams that play in the half court. I think teams that want to play up tempo and in transition could take advantage of that line up. And they would especially struggle against teams that press full court, not a whole lot of ballhandling outside of JT. But, for stretches it could work especially if the Hawks need to control the boards.

I'll have more to say about this later but there is an important element missing from this team, CHEMISTRY. I have been reading all of the posts about what needs to happen and what should happen but when it comes down to it I don't think the players have coinfidence in each other. It seems like everyone is looking at everyone else to make plays instead of taking care of business themselves. It reflects throughout the league, teams lack fundamentals and the Hawks are no different. Until they begin to play with coinfidence and start to show coinfidence in each other they will continue to be a .500, borderline playoff team.

I'm not sure what the Hawks future plans are for DJ but has anyone heard how he is doing? Is he making progress? I just hope the organization and players continue to be supportive. Some things are more important than basketball. I hope he does come back, what a great story that would be, DJ returns and the Hawks win the NBA championship.

Maybe that's why the Hawks made the playoff guarantee, they knew that if the Hawks don't make the playoffs they won't have to pay back very much since there are only 5 people with season tickets. That sounds like brillant marketing to me.

I can't consider Miles a franchise player, he has all of the physical abilities but lacks the work ethic or consistent play to even be considered. The problem with the Hawks getting any "franchise" players is that they have surrounded themselves with 3 very good players, all of whom are capable of being consistent all-stars. Unless the Hawks, play below there abilities and then get lucky in the lottery I wouldn't expect to see a "franchise" player in a Hawks uniform for a long time.

Man, it's a joke. The fact that I said Ham has trade value is because teams can always use athletes. That's why the Hawks picked him up. It's a tough situation for him because he has two players that are similar to him but more skilled in Newble and Glover. You still haven't given any supporting evidence why any team would want C.C. Your only argument is that C.C. is better than Ham. That's not what I was asking. I would bet that if C.C. were released he would have a hard time making anyones roster, other than for the league minimum and last time I checked players making the league minimum don't have a lot of market value. Ham must of had some market value for the Hawks to pick him up and from what I can see they really aren't paying that much for a player who at times can bring some energy off the bench. Maybe people on this post have to say crazy things to get a worth while post out of you.

I've figured it out! You are C.C., my apologies for offending you Mr. Crawford. But, unfortunately there still remains no trade value for you or your subpar ability. Plus, you are the one that brought Ham into it, did you guys get into it in practice or something. I don't care about who is better. They both suck and the Hawks couldn't get crap for either of one of them. The point I was trying to make is that most trades posted here are totally unreasonable and no G.M. would even consider going through with a trade because they get C.C. thrown in. Whoopee!!!! Sorry, for the reality of this post Mr. Crawford or Mr. Hotlanta who ever you are?

You are crazy! I mean honestly, C.C. is a joke I can't believe he has been in the league 5 years. The reason Ham has trade value is because he brings energy to the floor, yes he has little skill but he attacks the rim and at least rips a couple of boards. C.C.'s career stats from NBA.com: FG% - .429 3pt % - .291 Reb per game - 1.90 Assists - 0.6 TO's - 0.92 PPG - 5.6 Please enlighten me as to where the trade value is in this player??? I'm sorry, but you have lost total credibility with me, on this argument.

All I'm saying is that if I'm a GM and someone offers me C.C. I would tell them to offer up a real trade with some real worth. I understand that salaries have to fit but honestly most GM's are in the business of improving their teams and I don't see C.C. coming into any team and getting many minutes. Shoot, we'd have to be up by 20+ pts before C.C. would play more than 5-10 minutes.

I love how in every purposed trade, people always have Crawford getting traded, the funny thing is that no one in their right mind would want him. I think everyone is delusional to think that there is any market value for a below average player.

I agree w/ you that Indiana and N.O. will be at the top all year and I think N.J. will be the team to beat when it is all said and done. As for the rest of the Leastern Conf. I think the Hawks could be that 4th team once they begin to form some sort of team identity, it seems that everyone is playing cautiously like they don't want to step on each others toes, someone needs to step up and be a leader. I think that needs to take place by the end of November or we could be in trouble. But overall these other teams (4-10) aren't more talented than the Hawks.