lethalweapon3

Anybody seen Al's old pal TJ Ford lately? ~lw3

I still hope his 3FG% will be infinity. ~lw3

I'm always reminded of my reaction during his rookie preseason: "The minute he figures out what the hell he is doing out there... watch out!" He looked incredibly comfortable getting to the rim, and finishing when he got there, and that was a stunning revelation that came right on time last spring. ~lw3

Somewhere in the world today, Zaza Pachulia cracked a smile. ~lw3

No truth to the rumor Marvin's been working on a remake of an old Skee-Lo video. :) ~lw3

LOL at what they call a push (video). Must've been NBA Refs' No-Cover Night.Either way, save those bonier 'bows for the hardwood and not the club, J-Slim!http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/man-accused-of-attacking-rajon-rondo-speaks-out-20111123~lw3

Bah, Humbug! http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/01/spud-webb-quits-coaching-stripper-basketball-ricks-cabaret/#.TtgNWLKBq0s ~lw3

A little more of Smoove's mindset going into the free agency/player movement rush, via nba.com. Shades of EPMD... ~lw3

More JSTV. I'm off to Memorial Drive to make sure Ann's didn't close down. http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Smith_Workout_120111.html ~lw3

LOL I was getting ready to post that with the EXACT same quote... ~lw3

At this moment? I'm guessing something akin to a mani-pedi. ~lw3

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7300507/nba-updated-amnesty-candidates-every-team Slight revision from the previous report from Stein and Ford: ~lw3

It's not. So he won't. ~lw3

from NBA via M Cunningham (AJC), introducing J-Slim! http://www.nba.com/hawks/fans/smoove_workout_2.html ~lw3

Here's a global "Stuck Like Chuck" list, Motel 6 and J-Pow included: http://www.sports-reference.com/blog/2011/11/list-of-nba-players-stuck-overseas-for-2011-12-season/ ~lw3

Is that a tat of Georgia or Delaware on that bicep? lol Three cheers for weed a commitment to a low-carb diet and a high-intensity fitness regimen! ~lw3

Based purely on where everyone is right now, before the free agent frenzy kickstarts, is it safe to pencil in the Hawks as the second-place squad in the Southeast Division? I think it is, but I’m curious if others feel differently. As for our division opponents: HEAT – The "Big 3-Plus-Whatever" is probably enough to push Miami to at least the conference finals again. It could get tricky, though, if another team (Lakers? Kings? Suns?) is swayed by Chalmers’ late surge and gives him a ridiculous offer. Mike Miller may very well get the amnesty boot due to luxury tax complications. I believe they will sign Dalembert, but failing that, they could very well start the season with Norris Cole/Eddie House at the point and Joel Anthony/Dexter Pittman in the post. Sounds like lots of minutes on short rest for LeBron and Wade, and maybe even Bosh if Haslem’s health regresses. (early estimate: 70% wins) Magic – Hey, Jameer. See you in third place! They’ll need him to return to at least 2009 levels of play just to have a chance to stay in contention. They gotta use amnesty this year on somebody (Gil? Hedo?), they just gotta. Still, if they cannot re-sign J-Rich, who are they trotting out at the wings? Redick? Q-Rich? Either one, as their best option, makes the bench look especially bad. They’re pretty well hamstrung by the salary cap in what could be Dwight’s last hurrah there, kind of a distraction for Stan Van and company. (early estimate: 55% wins) Wizards – Wall and He Whose Name will try to light up the scoreboard, creating ample opportunities for Blatche and McGee to crash the boards. Will there be anyone on the other end of the floor making stops? Might a rookie (Singleton) compete for the starting role with a guy making the league’s second-biggest salary (Lewis)? Can another (Vesely) push Blatche and McGee out of their comfort zones? Washington has decent cap room but will be spreading it among five or six free agents. (early estimate: 40% wins) Bobcats – Kemba can do for the Cats what Cam is doing down the street for the Panthers -- not necessarily win ballgames right away, but make things much more interesting for fans. It will be fascinating to see if the rest of the team can keep up the tempo. Will Tyrus Thomas return healthy and in shape, lest they have to rely on defensively-challenged Maggette? And how is Henderson’s hip, lest they have to rely on defensively-challenged Matt Carroll? MJ’s good buddy Kwame Brown has got to get re-signed. What they can get out of Biyombo this year, if anything given the FIBA issue, is up in the air. (early estimate: 25%-30% wins) ~lw3

I'd be crying worse than, well, Ammo did. ~lw3

Yeah, there are no untouchables on the team, depending on the deals being offered. I suspect, though, MG Junior and Sund are taking a passive approach to dealmaking, waiting for other teams to come to them. As for Josh, this young man is growing up before our very eyes! (sniff) I mean, how many cats have had the opportunity to be drafted by their hometown NBA team fresh outta high school (Bill Graboski, anyone?), much less have the opportunity to play for them for nearly a decade? This unique opportunity has been a blessing overall, but not without the curses of local yokels and his closest associates within arm's reach hampering his professional development. "It's not you, Josh, it's the refs... We all know Coach was wrong for benching you, you only have four fouls!... How 'bout another before practice? Mmmmm... I know you just got blown out, but can you invite (insert opposing star players here) to The Club for an afterparty?... Go ahead, Smoove, take that shot -- for threeeeeeeee!" Just my opinion, but "Josh Smith of the Utah Jazz" would have been a VERY different ballplayer after just a few years, and I think he realizes that now. I don't agree with Woj that Josh is openly, or even privately, welcoming a trade anywhere. But I also don't think he'd mope terribly much, either, so long as it's not a cellar-dwelling lottery team he gets shipped to. Not having the coddling Team Smoove in his ear for 100-plus days out of the year (and paying his salary... I'm looking at you, MG Junior) would have been good for his pro development, and I suspect it would continue to be. Just wishful thinking on my part, but I still could see Josh being part of a sign-and-trade by Orlando for Dwight (thank you, owners, for nixing the proposed Carmelo Rule, by the way), then returning in free agency to join D12 in the 404 for a triumphant title run in 2013-2014, IF the ownership and management can get their collective **** together by then. ~lw3

Michael Cunningham: “As the incoming owner, you’ve articulated your commitment to winning at all costs. But what is your perspective in dealing with the luxury tax?” Herman Cain: “I know one thing, I wouldn’t raise it, not by one thin dime. In fact, it’s my intention to get rid of it on day one. Plus, I’ve got three departments I intend to eliminate. Customer Service, Ticket Sales, Pyrotechnics. Then we just trickle some of the savings down to the ticketpayers!” MC: “Ummm… so, do you believe we have the frontcourt right now to compete with title contenders?” HC: (leans forward) “I’m ready for these ‘gotcha’ questions, Ham. And when you ask me if some guy named Pachuli-ooli-oli-ya-ya-ya can hold up against the likes of Dwight Howard, I’m going to say, ‘I don’t know! Do you know?’” MC: “I do know you’ll need more than Zaza, but overall, what is your strategy for complementing this core with quality players, assuming, of course, that you can’t ‘eliminate’ the luxury tax?” HC: (rolls eyes) “O ye of little faith!” MC: “Mr. Cain, the luxury tax cannot be…” HC: (covers heart, looking skyward) “Then sings my sooooooul…” MC: “Alrighty, then.” HC: “Besides, Ham, you’re looking at this whole thing wrong. It’s quite simple, really. Just call it my 9-9-9 plan. I only offer contracts to players with career averages of 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.” MC: “You’re right, that sounds awfully simple. Let me ask, will you consider applying amnesty to…” HC: (points at MC) “See there? Another ‘gotcha’ question. Look Ham, I’m against the whole concept of amnesty. End of story!” MC: “Okay… so you won’t consider offering amnesty to players like Joe or Marvin during the life of the CBA?” HC: “NnnnnnBA, Hammy. Hello! I bought a MAJOR pro franchise! And no, they need to prove that they belong here in the first place!” MC: “Er… tell me, are you still thinking about MLE?” HC: (slaps desk) “She’s none of your goddam business, Ham! Great Ceasar’s ghost, I paid that woman off eons ago. I should've known, she never could keep her trap shut for more than five minutes, I swear! (sighs) Who leaked Emily to you?” MC: “No, no, M-L-E, the minimum level exception.” HC: “Oh, my bad, you’ll have to forgive me, I’ve only had four hour sleep last night… with my wife, of course! Strike those comments, please. It’s a confidentiality agreement thing, you wouldn’t understand.” MC: “Fair Enough. How about veterans’ minimums?” HC: “They’ve served this great nation of ours admirably over the years. They deserve much more than the minimum we provide, don’t you agree?” MC: “Well… so, can we look forward to seeing Godfather’s among the culinary options in the arena this year?” HC: “You bet your bottom dollar you can. What you won’t see are no more of those sissy veggie pizzas, though!” MC: “I heard Congress recently declared tomato paste a vegetable.” HC: “Really? Well, Hawks fans will certainly appreciate my dry, manly sausage pie, then!” MC: (gulps) "Is, uh, Rick Sund's job safe?" HC: (whispers) "Are you kidding? Pardon my French, but he's frigging perfect! Rick agrees with everything I suggest, and I mean everything. It's like I hired myself. I mean, where did they find this guy?" MC: “Do you plan on re-hiring the people laid off during the lockout?” HC: “They can all re-apply for their positions. In fact, I’ve recently set up a special website for the A-Town Dancer applications! They can go to youwantajobright.com.” MC: “Back to on-the-court matters. Do you have any incentives in mind to entice bigs like Josh and Al to play more in the paint… and away from the three-point line?” HC: “Well, I can’t reveal that, but I’ve ordered Coach Drew to add a plan to his practice drills. Let’s just say it involves a fence and Georgia Power, and leave it there.” MC: “This year, will we see a switching, zone, or more man defense?” HC: “?” MC: “Can we expect to see more tweaks to the motion offense? Maybe some more dribble-drive for Teague?” HC: “??” MC: “Will we see more pick-and-roll? Or perhaps a triangle? Fans won’t see much more isolation, will they?” HC: “???” MC: “Ginger or Maryann?” HC: “Oh, Ginger! Of course! Yeah, Ginger. C’mon, you know me, Ham!” ~lw3

Bring back JaCo and Damien, then add any two of... Roger Mason, Jr. Dominic McGuire Chris Wilcox ...and I'm ready to roll. And get Kito to Reno stat. ~lw3

Thank you bunches for this AHF. One clarification for me, please, on the Mulligan for Marvin, in case I'm reading it wrong... ...was that meant to say LT level, instead of the cap? ~lw3

Any local pizza moguls with some likely free time on their hands next year? ~lw3

http://www.ricksinvestor.com/311/pressrelease.aspx ~lw3