Nurlman

Actually, it's a nonsense nickname my wife gave our baby son. No meaning. I think she heard it on that "Accountemps" radio spot.

... a decent defender who, with coaching and emphasis, could become a fine defender. I've just seen him get roasted too many times. This team needs to spend every minute, every practice, every waking hour for about the next six weeks thinking, learning, teaching, practicing and playing defense. There's no excuse for the performance against Orlando the other night.

And Babcock very candid... With the exception of the Rider trade, his deals make sense (and that one might have, if Rider had an ounce of decency and self-respect). Wonder what he's got in mind? I can't get over the candor from Babcock...wow.

No one should/can tell others not to read what people post. And I didn't. I just said what helped me enjoy the site. I get irritated when the shortcomings of the entire team are pinned on the coach, night after night. That doesn't mean I'm thrilled with the status quo. I think Kruger's done a lousy job with the team the last week or so, for instance, but I think he's not alone. The bench has been awful. I'm not sure there's much to work with there. Ratliff's been sick. When JT and Robinson aren't constantly monitoring their defense, they lose that aspect of the game. And you can't bench those guys - you need their offense. So they have to play defense, and defense is "want to". The second night of a back-to-back against the Hawks is basically a gimme for the opponent. Why does Lon not address this? And he's gone from having bad substitution patterns to playing his starters 40 mpg, which, in my opinion, is worse in the long run. I appreciate good, well thought-out criticism of Lon - or anybody else on the team. But firing Lon is not going to make Glenn Robinson and Jason Terry play defense.

... for a guy whose signature line is an ode to marijuana. If you don't lighten up, you're going to give weed a bad name.

You've made my point beautifully.

Keep working- just like our guys.

using the bench as a motivator. There's no question that Dion adds a lot offensively, but the second unit has played dismal defense this season (as chronicalled the last few days). You don't bench your best offensive weapon off the bench... unless you're trying to make a point to him -- Play defense, or ride pine.

Perhaps you, like me, have struggled to enjoy this website with all the idiotic blanket negativity spewed forth by Diesel and Hotatlantadude. You enjoy the Hawks, are interested in talking about them, but just get bogged down by hating morons. Here's what you do: As you're reading the threads, once you see one of their names, immediately scroll down to the next poster. Don't wait to see if they'll say something intelligent for a change. Odds are 50-1 against it. Just say no. This has been great. Hope I could help.

I want a team that wins with character. The music, the halftime entertainment, the gimmicks -- it's all irrelevant (well, except the Dance Team). I don't think race matters. (Actually, it probably will always matter in a profound way to a minority on both sides of the fence, but you can't worry about that stuff. Move on.) I want to see good guys grow together, enjoy their gifts, develop their defense, continue to work hard and eventually compete for the NBA crown. I think a lot of that puzzle is in place right now. Stay patient, hang in there, spend as much money on 'em as you can afford, maybe they need another player or two, but they're absolutely headed in the right direction. From a basketball and a marketing standpoint, I think they need a focal point with leadership and charisma and game and personality. I think that guy is JT, and he seems reluctant at times. I'd like to see him assert himself as the leader of the team - I think he's capable and commands the necessary respect. Go Hawks!

You're right, he needs to be a little less wholesale about his subs. It's his biggest flaw, and it matters a lot. I just get tired of people blasting him out of the water when he does a lot of things very well.

A slow white guy who can't shoot. If you're going to be a slow white guy, you should at least be able to shoot (I'm allowed to say this, I'm a slow white guy.)

Not a bad idea...

Let's see. The team is 6-5, on the way to something like 48-34. That means your post-loss "Lon sucks - here are eight mediocre out-of-work coaches that would be better" thread will appear about 29 more times this season. The team lost. Not Lon. None of that other crap matter when you shoot 15%.

It's a bad game. Lon didn't shoot 15% from the field in the second quarter, the team did. It happens. JT was 1-9 on threes, for the love of God. Try and regain a little perspective.

Amen, brother. Calm down. And how JT's 1-9 and a 15% shooting second quarter are Lon's fault, I have no idea. That's a big, long stretch. The team had a bad game. Period. Move on.

You're right. It didn't interrupt the flow of our play to use less wholesale lineup changes. We're a unique defensive team, too. It starts with Theo, but it seems like the whole team has a weak side/help/shot block and steal mentality -- not a straight up on-the-ball defense. I don't think the Hornets had a lot of fun last night.

Graymule, that would be giving the keys to your Porsche to your 16 year old son.

Barking at [censored] Bavetta after his fourth foul. He was just a clod tonight. [Edit] Apparently, our censor didn't like me using Richard Bavetta's nickname.

At Florida, Lon's highest praise was that a player was "active". He loves that. Dion was scrapping on defense, blocked a shot, had a couple steals, and was generally disruptive on defense while remaining his usual efficient self on offense. We really need somebody besides JT to handle the ball. How does Dion handle? Anybody got opinions (silly question with this group)? If Dion could be a secondary ball handler, it probably makes sense to bring Newble off the bench for 20 minutes of defensive intensity and start Glover. Geez, he was good tonight...

It looks to me like Dion is still a significant liability defensively... he is a thickly built 2 (or a too short 3) who really has to work at it to stop people. Clearly, he can help us on offense. Remember last year, DerMarr started really getting after it -- and his minutes went way up. Hopefully, that'll happen with Dion. Are you comfortable that his feet are OK?

Translation: Babcock screwed up, Babcock screwed up, Babcock screwed up, Babcock screwed up, let's fire Lon. Diesel, I'm curious. Do you think about this stuff before you post, or do you just wing it? I'm beginning to wonder if you're retarded. Do you understand what a non sequitur (look it up) this is? How flawed and circuitous your logic always is? Do you just argue to break wind from both ends? Unspoken, of course, is that you're trying to defend your defense of Len Wilkens, whose performance in Atlanta is indefensible. Big job, but you're failing. Miserably. Do yourself a favor, Diesel. Give your next stupid, poorly reasoned post a little time to percolate before you post it. Perhaps it'll make some sense.

What is Lon doing when he puts Hendu, Glover, IRa, Email, and Ham on the court at the same time? Is he trying to see if the other team can come back if we put all NON shooters on the floor? Well, Phoenix did. --I agree and have already agreed. This is asked and answered. What is Lon doing when he goes away from an offensive scheme that was working? Is he trying to see if we can confuse the other teams' defense by not scoring for a while? --Again, he's trying to go 8-9 deep. This is a necessity in the NBA, unlike in college. Back-to-backs and West Coast swings require you to develop your roster. Otherwise you're out in the first round, like your idol, Lenny. You say Lon handles people well... Coaching isn't really about making everyone happy. --Happiness is not the question. Motivation is. If a player busts it in practice and gets minutes as a result, that player works harder. The team improves. You've seen it in the last two years - repeatedly - but you're too busy hating to realize it. --I'm also talking about a base level respect. Lon doesn't care where a guy is from, or what race, or what socioeconomic situation a guy comes from. He treats people with respect. Generally, he gets it back. Keeps the dysfunction to a minimum. It's also why guys play hard for him. Don't suggest handling people is not part of an NBA coach's job; to do so would be foolish. Lon is a good college coach, but the NBA has proved over and over again, that there's a huge difference in coaching on the college level and coaching on the pro level. Lon's weakness' on the pro level are huge... Whereas in college it wouldn't mean as much. --I disagree with your conclusion. There are differences; recruiting and playing your bench are two. He's actually better suited to the pro game in these respects. Lon can coach on a pro level, period. Why don't you shut up and enjoy the ride?

...So now the failed Lenny Wilkins is your barometer for good coaching. I remember the whole town throwing up their hands because Lenny wouldn't go more than 5 deep. We'd go out in the first round because Steve Smith's legs would go after playing 43mpg down the stretch and in the playoffs. You're going to absurd lengths to prove your thesis, which is that Lon can't coach. Your logic is circular at best. Lon needs to improve his substitution patterns, yes. You and Hotlanta, among others, have pointed that out, and you're right. He needs to improve in this area. Lon handles people well. Lon understands and teaches defense. Lon motivates his players. Lon develops players. Lon helps players improve themselves. Everyone on the roster has a chance to contribute. He puts them in a position to succeed. Lon is a [censored] good coach and you're ignoring all of those positive qualities that he brings to the job.

If the team wins, it's the players. If the team loses, it's the coach.