lethalweapon3

^Minutia question: Are the Grizz assumed to be over the cap once they re-sign Marc Gasol? ~lw3

U.S. DOJ webpage on the indictment of 1983 3rd rounder and former Villanova star John Pinone. His business partner would make a great Congressman: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/April/10-tax-464.html Despite the potential for up to 11 years in the pokey, DelMastro pleaded guilty on his charges and served 4 months, while Pinone's conviction led to a half-year of home confinement, fines, and probation. Home confinement allowed Pinone to continue working as head coach at Cromwell High for practices and basketball games. Here he was two years earlier leading the boys to a state title: Pinone's NBA career lasted about a month. He played 7 games (2.9 PPG) in his rookie season with the Hawks before getting waived. He finished the season in the CBA with the Ohio Mixers, then headed to the Spanish ACB league. Here he was in his balding years for Estudiantes. He won the Spanish Cup MVP, leading Estudiantes to the cup title and the Euroleague Final Four in 1992: ~lw3

Nah, you get an E for Effort! LOL I think all that's remaining are 2 of the 3 players for Question #5 (niremetal got Randy Wittman correct). ~lw3

The owners will save it and use it on 34-year-old Joe in summer 2015 ($24.9 million in 2015-16), assuming they're still stuck with his contract and there are no pretty banners hanging from the rafters by then.~lw3

So, when does the official countdown over here at Gimmick Tech start? ~lw3

Correction on the "Most Playoff Game Wins" list for Question #1... Spud is by his lonesome at 5th place with 18 wins. After correcting a miscalculation, Jon Koncak is at 17 wins and 24 losses. ~lw3

Reward for getting this right is a big 2-liter of orange soda... ...and a pair of Pumps... Most Playoff Series Victories, Atlanta Hawks Era: T-1. Kevin Willis (4 series wins out of 10; First-Round wins in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994) T-1. Mookie Blaylock (4 series wins out of 11; First-Round wins in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999) T-1. Tree Rollins (4 series wins out of 13; First-Round wins in 1979, 1986, 1987, 1988) T-2. DOMINIQUE WILKINS (3 series wins out of 11; First-Round wins in 1986, 1987, 1988) Also with 3 series victories: Alan Henderson (3 out of 6); Scott Hastings, Al Horford, Joe Johnson, Cliff Levingston, Zaza Pachulia, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Randy Wittman (3 out of 7); Steve Smith, Spud Webb (3 out of 8 ); Doc Rivers, Jon Koncak (3 out of 9); John Battle (3 out of 10) ~lw3

Love AI, as always, but there's no doubt, in his mind, he's nobody's "sixth man." Not even "second man." Having Teague looking over his shoulder to find AI's fans screaming for the hook won't work well for chemistry on this team. And we have a dribble-out-the-shot-clock guy already. I do hope he finds a spot (still moderately-conditioned given his age and injury history), just not on this roster. He's burned enough bridges on two continents now that it literally has to be the perfect low-risk set-up. ~lw3

I'm just gonna change my name to Casper. LOL ~lw3

Welcome back 'Squawkers! http://www.hawksquawk.net/community/index.php/topic/362182-battlestar-sciatica-is-the-back-problem-um-straightened-out/ ~lw3

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https://twitter.com/#!/TheJoeJohnson2~lw3

No more "Down" time? He's been trying to "Wing" it for years. But it sounds like he couldn't "Duck" the surgery any longer... (sorry! just getting the jokes out while I still can!) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/nov/15/marvin-waiting-out-the-nba-lockout/#ixzz1e7Ek71nn Here's to 14-and-6 Marvin... we've missed ya! ~lw3

Help me out with this supposition, any disagreements/corrections are welcome and appreciated… Among Hawk veterans, there are no player options, no team options, no restricted free agents, and just a probable reserve point guard as a quality unrestricted free agent in 2012. The other teams have, at best, a quality starting player under a team option, or as a restricted free agent seeking an extension or a contract well above the qualifying offer. My questions are: Is the supposition correctly stated? In your opinion, if true, is this a good thing? On the second question, I believe it is, as a competitive advantage. Going into free agency, while ham-strung for cash to pay for new players, Atlanta’s absolute worst-case scenarios would involve starting either Marvin or Zaza on a regular basis, assuming the Hawks don’t get fortuitous in the 2012 Draft. Draftees or free agents acquired (so long as it's not Maurice Evans or Josh Powell version 2.0) to fill out the roster can only help to push Marvin or Zaza for those starting spots. Some players’ and their “devil-you-know” contracts may also serve as commodities when other GMs start fishing for alternatives to free agents with wildly expensive propositions. The Hawks can shore up on what they have, rather than risk breaking the bank, like other teams might, for critical components. I know this is dangerously close to the tedious “I like our core” mantra we hear from on-high, but I do sense that our “floor” going into 2012 would be higher than most, if not all, other NBA clubs. Assuming everyone stays reasonably healthy, in-shape, and out of trouble, of course. Other teams coming closest to satisfying the above theorem: ((Playoff teams)) Miami – Mario Chalmers (Restricted FA 2011) will likely stay with the Big 3, barring a gi-normous contract offer. But can we assume Joel Anthony would be starting 80-plus games, or will Miami prefer to look elsewhere for a starter? The HEAT have no possible starters with contracts expiring after June 2012. Oklahoma City – Contract decisions will loom for Russell Westbrook (Restricted Free Agent 2012) as well as James Harden and Serge Ibaka (Team Options 2012). Barring any widening rift between Westbrook and center Kendrick Perkins (under contract through 2015), every starter should be back in time for 2012-13. Memphis – Marc Gasol (Restricted FA 2011) will have to have an offer sheet matched if the Grizzlies do not want to spend their time competing for other starting-caliber centers. Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Rudy Gay, and Zach Randolph are all locked down through 2013. Lakers – Andrew Bynum (Team Option 2012) will have to be picked up unless the Lakers prefer to go searching for a new starting center prospect. Having starters at every other position assumes Steve Blake, World Peace, and Pau Gasol will all still be around alongside Kobe by Tipoff 2012. Each will be 32 years of age or older by then. San Antonio – Even if Tim Duncan (Unrestricted Free Agent 2012) and Antonio McDyess (Unrestricted Free Agent 2011) retire before Tipoff 2012, Matt Bonner and Tiago Splitter could try to hold the fort alongside Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Richard Jefferson. The latter may have to compete for starter’s minutes with rookie Kawhi Leonard. ((Non-playoff teams)) Golden State – Stephen Curry (Team Option 2012) has already been picked up, and have their potential starters also under contract through 2012-13 (Monta Ellis, Dorrell Wright, David Lee, Andris Biedrins). One senses a shakeup coming, though, with new coach Mark Jackson on board. Toronto – DeMar DeRozan (Team Option 2012) will rejoin Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, and Amir Johnson as likely starters. Yet, on this perennial lottery team, are Calderon and Linas Kleiza likely to start at their positions? Calderon neither began nor ended last season as the Raptors’ starter at the point. If not, they’ll have decisions to reach on Jerryd Bayless (Restricted Free Agent 2012) and James Johnson (Team Option 2012). Minnesota – Michael Beasley and Kevin Love (Restricted Free Agents 2012), and Wesley Johnson (Team Option 2012) would give the Wolves continuity if they all are re-signed. Chances are good the Wolves may let Beasley walk (or better yet, trade him beforehand, if possible) to move rookie Derrick Williams up the depth chart. Utah – Without C.J. Miles (Unrestricted Free Agent 2012), the Jazz would look to either Raja Bell or rookie Alec Burks to fill the gap at shooting guard. Devin Harris, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, and rookie Enes Kanter are under contract. Sacramento – Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins (Team Options 2012) probably aren’t going anywhere. Jason Thompson (Restricted Free Agent 2012) has the inside track at starting center, but the Kings may let him walk in search of a better option. Houston – Has a probable/possible starter for every spot, but two of them are likely rookies (Marcus Morris, Donatas Motiejunas). ~lw3

Reward for getting #6 right is watching his kid Michael Dane show off his crossover... Lowest Playoff-Game Winning Percentages (Atlanta Hawks era): 1. Pete Maravich - 29.4% (5-12; 1971-1973) 2. Mike Glenn - 30.0% (3-7; 1982-1984) 3. Ty Corbin - 30.8% (8-18; 1995, 1997-1999) 4. Grant Long - 31.8% (7-15; 1995-1996, 1999) T-5. Steve Smith - 33.3% (12-24; 1995-1999) T-5.. Stacey Augmon - 33.3% (9-18; 1993-1996) T-5. John Drew - 33.3% (6-12; 1978-1980, 1982) 20. MIKE BIBBY - 37.9% (11-18; 2008-2010) ~lw3

I'm guessing Team Seattle agrees with you... either that or the flight estimates came in... New Venue... New Opponents! http://proam.eventbrite.com/ Now it's "New ATL" versus "Old ATL" (No idea what that even means). And the game has shifted from Morehouse to Atlanta Metro College on Metropolitan Parkway. I'm guessing Jamal Crawford's foundation pulled out as a beneficiary. I see Trey Thompkins, Travis Leslie, and Marshon Brooks on the "new ATL" side. Ouch? Favors and Teague have to at least be on that "new" side to help them out. Afterparty at Mansion Elan for the grown and... well... http://t.co/xS0xKAXQ (Dwight, Joe, Josh, Teague, Damien, Favors, Morrow, are the "hosts," for whatever that's worth) ~lw3

Fixed! :) ~lw3

Nope! Tree didn't win many first-round matchups early in his career, but he hung on long enough to wind up 4-for-13. The snippets from AP articles below doesn't give the answer away, but details the total unraveling that occurred for the shorthanded Hawks at the closing moments of the game: Utah was the last stop on the 9-game, 19-day road trip (circus must've been in town). AJC referred to it as "the season's most bizarre ending," after the Hawks amassed a whopping 42 fouls. The "correct answer" tied the game in regulation with a free throw to force overtime. He was also the last player to foul out, and thus under NBA rules "fouled in" once Doc got the heave-ho and the Hawks were down to four dressed players. Best headline, from Newsday: "Technically, It's O.K.!" From UPI: ~lw3

LOL yeah I think Carr brought the dark-tinted Oakleys into play, but not until he wound up with the Jazz in the 90s. And yes, your assumption about "fouling in" is correct, as is the modern five Hawks for Question #5. Koncak isn't one of the "other three" (3 series wins out of 9) but all of the answers were teammates of his during the 1980's. (EDIT: ^^ Oops, I forgot! Randy Wittman WAS one of the mystery three Hawks for Question 5. His son Ryan led the Big Red of Cornell to the Sweet 16 in 2010.) I had to double-check, but somehow Lo Wright managed to miss out on playoff years while with the Hawks. The Bibster is correct for #6! He was a winner in 37.9% of playoff games (11-18). Each of the others on that mulitple-choice question won no more than a third. For #7, it's not Mookie (he won in 4 out of 11 playoff series). ~lw3

As a young Sixers fan, watching them finally get over their infamous playoff collapses in 1982 with a Game 7 victory at the Boston Gahden. The "ghosts of Celtics past," haunting Philly in the stands at the start of the game, wound up joining in solidarity, in a classy conclusion for Boston's season, chanting "BEAT L.A.!" (didn't work, at least not for another year, but still a great memory for me). ~lw3