lethalweapon3

Heck, I'm still waiting on Alain Digbeu. ~lw3

http://www.hawksquawk.net/community/index.php/topic/349898-merged-suns-acquire-childress-in-a-st-for-2012-2nd-3-mil-tpe/ One year later, just curious what 'Squawkers feel about the Sign 'n Trade deal now. Anyone feel differently after seeing Childress play (a little) for Phoenix this past year? We received a second-rounder and about $3 million in TPE from the Suns for the trouble. I know Childress' broken finger on his shooting hand (in combo with the infamously clunky jumper form) likely hindered his in-game performance (1-for-16 from 3-point land, 1-for7 from 16-23', 2-for-4 from 10-15'. 49% FTs), and not being able to shoot efficiently led to the lack of minutes (just 3 starts and 16 minutes per game) behind Hill, then Dudley, then Turkoglu and Pietrus. In retrospect, I wonder whether 5 years, $34 million was just a contract bullet dodged by the Hawks. Alternatively, if we had signed him AND that preseason injury not occurred, would he have made a significant difference for the Hawks' competitiveness, especially at playoff time? Assuming he shot similar to his earlier seasons here (maybe 35% from 16' out, 80% on FTs) and remained strong with offensive rebounding and slashing to the rim... would he have been the clear "next option" behind Smoove at SF, or would he have been behind Marvin for defensive reasons? ~lw3

"Now that's a fire!" ~"unclegus"

Can you make the polls Multi-vote (maybe the first two)? ~lw3

One drink for every time he said, "It's tough, man." ~lw3

So, I went to the American Statistical Association convention and a Braves game broke out... (/rimshot) ~lw3

~lw3

"Joe Pulls a Chrissy Evert" FTW ~lw3

Jamal in the talks as well, according to his agent via SI: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/07/11/drew.league/index.html ~lw3

A triumphant return to the Great Lakes State for the one-time Wolverine? Don’t rule it out. Crawford’s greatest professional season came under the helm of one Mike Woodson, who is a leading candidate to take the reins after the team’s tumultuous period with John Kuester. The Pistons are emboldened by the promise of their young center (Greg Monroe) and their rookie point guard (Brandon Knight). Not so much in between. They’ll be looking to move at least one, if not both, of their overvalued contracts at the shooting guard position. Richard Hamilton ($12.5 million in 2011-12) fell out of favor with the coach, then many fans and the organization, in mid-season after boiling disputes with Kuester. Ben Gordon ($11.6 million in 2011-12; $13.2 million player option two seasons after that) shot especially well very early in the season, but waned once he was moved to the starting spot in place of Rip. Any trade is likely to bring in some help at the frontcourt spots, or veteran backup point guard insurance in case the team doesn’t re-sign Rodney Stuckey. Given Detroit’s desire to move Hamilton, Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, plus the free agent statuses of Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince, Chris Wilcox, and Tracy McGrady, it is quite possible that 7 of the 10 leading scorers (including their top 5 scorers) on this team will be gone by the next formal tip-off. In the absence of veteran playmakers, the Pistons would have to rely on young players like Austin Daye, free agents Jonas Jerebko (returning after a season-long injury) and DaJuan Summers, and Knight and Monroe to take charge. With its faded legacy and a team no longer identifiable by its defensive prowess (last place in opponent FG%, next to last and tied with Cleveland for defensive efficiency), look for Joe Dumars and new owner Tom Gores to remake this squad with a free-wheeling, gambling defense and a revamped offense keyed by its decent-passing big man. Crawford, who led the low-swooping Hawks in steals last year, can also offer up some Microwave-style offense and help the Pistons improve their woeful free throw shooting (26th in free throw rate, 27th in FT%), all while playing in a low-pace style similar to his seasons in Atlanta. If Woody is brought in to lead the charge, one can betthat Crawford would be a target as a familiar and cost-effective alternative toGordon/Hamilton, and a likely fan favorite in Motown. Undoubtedly, at least oneof these two Pistons would have to be moved (probably Gordon) before Crawford entertains thepossibility of a return to the land of the Wolverines. ~lw3

Also check out NBAF for visual arts events next week: http://nbaf.org/schedule/ ~lw3

FYI, the city just opened up their first public skate park about a month ago, in Northeast Atlanta: http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2011/06/10/atlanta-streets-alive-beltline-skate-park-opening-beckon-you-on-wonderful-saturday-morning ~lw3

One momentary-Hawk-trainee headed to Turkey, FWIW... http://www.chicagotr...0,7911564.story Denied via Twitter, so never mind... http://twitter.com/#!/Meechi32/status/89711349088788480 ~lw3

I should note that Thad is a HUGE fan of Doug Collins after last season's playoff run, and strongly prefers to stay as a player under his guidance. Doesn't mean he's not attainable, but the price of any offer sheet that Thad would be willing to sign should be higher under those circumstances. Or maybe not, maybe he'll be nice enough to sign a low offer quickly just so Philly could match it. But I think he'll need a real high bid (read: above what he's worth) if anyone sincerely intends to pry him away from the Sixers. http://www.csnphilly.com/06/28/11/Free-agent-Young-focused-on-remaining-wi/news_sixers.html http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/article_2f5439c3-a67e-55cf-aeeb-50156e619504.html http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/76ers/2011-03-10-doug-collins-turnaround_N.htm ~lw3

I believe there are just verbal agreements on both sides, so nothing inked yet, not until the lockout drags on a little more. ~lw3

Read more: Sports Illustrated link ~lw3

That run was good while it lasted. No doubt, he'll have much success in his post-bball career, in Shanghai and beyond. ~lw3

Actually, the one in Midtown (5th Street Cafe, after he closed Eno by Zaza at the same spot) flopped after a couple months. It's recently re-opened by the Sotto Sotto/Fritti guy as Escorpion. Zaza's Buckhead Bottle Bar is still going, I guess you could say, strong. If you're into some good Buckhead humor, definitely check out the reviews online. ~lw3

Go Bighorns! Didn't read the link, but I think that was the D-League team affiliated with the Warriors before their new owner decided to buy the Dakota Wizards. ~lw3

At least he can say he's the Red Court MVP... http://www.twitvid.com/K8BID ~lw3

No one in The Big Easy wants to be left holding the bag. Just like Cleveland circa 2010, if (when?) Chris Paul leaves, there will be no major star waiting in the wings capable of keeping the Hornets afloat in the Western Conference. Perhaps that is part of former All-Star David West’s mindset when he elected to opt out of his contract and see if the grass is greener elsewhere. Who picks up the offensive load if West, the team’s leading scorer, opts to explore other avenues -- and who picks up the load if he chooses to come back, but remains hampered by his knee injury? The Hornets are likely kicking themselves for shipping Louisiana native Marcus Thornton out to Sacramento for free agent forward Carl Landry. They produced a qualifying offer for three-point gunner Marco Belinelli, but likely hope to add a starter with more dimensions to their game than long-range sniping. Largely with the Hornets’ low-pace style taken into account, their volume of three-point attempts in the second-lowest in the Western Conference. West, Landry, and Jason Smith have all expressed at least a sincere interest in returning, so most of any money expended for additions by New Orleans may be to provide Paul a more reliable backcourt partner, one that can take CP3 dimes from anywhere on the floor and convert them into points. Crawford could be flanked by solid defensive players in Paul, Trevor Ariza, and Emeka Okafor, allowing him to showcase his offensive abilities. Behind Crawford, the Hornets could go with Belinelli or bring back Willie Green if they need more defensive support at the position. With or without West, bringing in Crawford on a reasonable short-term contract can boost Paul’s confidence that it is worth sticking around New Orleans -- for at least one more season. ~lw3

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/06/report-timberwolves-beasley-arrested-for-marijuana-possession/ http://www.kare11.com/news/article/929331/391/Wolves-forward-Beasley-cited-for-marijuana-possession- I'm more disappointed about the "speeding at 3 AM" stuff. But still, when it comes to players getting caught with the leafy green stuff, I expect we will see a LOT more of this action the longer the lockout drags on. ~lw3

Thanks! For my 12th Round pick, I will appoint Tom Thibodeau to lead my coaching staff. I'll buzz alejandro09 in a sec. ~lw3

The Pacers are likely to be thrilled getting out from under unrestricted free agent Mike Dunleavy, Jr.’s $10.5 million contract. Dunleavy’s defensive boards and shooting figures rebounded from the previous two seasons. But he was a certified non-factor in his very first playoff appearance against the Bulls, and it’s hard to assume his contract-year contributions can be sustained going forward. At shooting guard, Indiana is settling for a legion of options representing permutations of players too small (George Hill), too inexperienced (Paul George, Lance Stephenson), too past-his-prime (James Posey), too unaccomplished (Dahntay Jones), and/or too spotty (Brandon Rush) to expect to hold down the job full time. As a result, the Pacers relied heavily on Dunleavy and multidimensional star Danny Granger to start at SG last season, before promoting George for the last 20 games. The services of Granger are of greater use as a forward to shore up the possible lack of depth in the frontcourt if free agents leave. For a returning playoff team, Jamal Crawford can provide at least similar production at the SG position to what Dunleavy offered at SF, at a better price than what the Pacers have been paying Dunleavy to this point. Particularly with Roy Hibbert opening up the paint to draw defending centers away from the basket, Jamal can enhance Indiana’s already strong proficiencies in getting to the line and making free throws. Several of the aforementioned players are above-par defenders that can be paired at the wing with Crawford. With Darren Collison, Hill, and possibly A.J. Price, Indy will not have to rely on Crawford for table setting point guard duties, but can be relied upon (along with Hill) to boost their overall effectiveness with passing on offense. None of the Pacers’ regular-rotation two-guards held assist rates at Crawford’s level last season. ~lw3

Kind of an "obvious title contender," but we'll take it! ~lw3