RedDawg#8

My feeling is it was much more to do with performance than anything. The players attitude towards the coach was just one symptom for the poor on court results, as well injuries, chemistry issues, decision making, etc... I think Schlenk looked hard at how we were performing, how we were losing, and who we were losing to, and realized that injuries or not, we were a team with much higher expectations than our results. The timing to me was strictly about salvaging a season that had been steadily slipping out of reach. Everything we wanted was still in front of us, but even as guys were coming back and getting comfortable, we were not competing the way could. Schlenk was patient when we lost 6 of 7 early. He forgave when we lost 7 of 8 in February. I think getting blown out by OKC basically, and getting our teeth kicked in against Miami game 1, Schlenk realized he could not sit back and allow another extended losing streak to occur. He wanted to set Nate up for success by giving him time before the break and during to prepare for the 2nd half of the season. I think if LP had won against OKC and Miami, he would still be here. If we were .500 at the break, that would have been ok. But we were 6 games under, and looking like we could drop the last 2 games and go 14-22. TS had to something. Whether the players loved LP or not, we were not performing the way we needed to, to reach the goals we ALL agreed to before the season. Conversely; if the players hated LP but we were winning, he would still be here. It's always about results.

Facts. You see how fast the Warriors dynasty ended after Chelsea lane came to Atlanta and Klay and KD suffered long term injuries because no one had the balls to tell them to sit down. I hate how slow we bring injured guys along, but you are very right about us not having any major injuries as a result of poor oversight.

That's not even an option right now I assure you. The most John can be offered by another team is 4yrs 117. We would match that number all day before choosing to offer the full 5 yr max. His last chance would have been before the season if we wanted to go full max. Now it makes sense to wait for the market to speak. JC's next contract from us will land somewhere between the 4yr/90 mil we offered and the 4/117 max that another team can offer. Schlenk has to know right now that he is willing to match up to 4/117 otherwise JC should be getting traded before the deadline. The full max is virtually off the table right now.

7 assists per game would put Zion in Lebron territory. If he can do that then I had him pegged all wrong.

Heard. You know I'm just talking smack right?

Point is if they are going to force Zion down our throat, they should put him to actual use. His massive social media following was built on his dunks. That's what people want to see. Not the Pelicans every week.

I watched every Duke game I could that year just to witness the rock show that was their Big 4 freshmen. Zion was awesome to watch, so was RJ. But in the NBA, I dont have the same excitement for this kid. The league is really trying to recapture the hype he brought to college basketball, but against guys who are just as athletic, he doesn't flash the same way he did at Duke. The rest of his game is pretty average. Zion should be forced to do the dunk contest. If Curry is still participating in the 3 point contest, not afraid to lose and hurt his brand, these dunkers need to be in the contest too.

Asst. Coach Mike D'Antoni his having wet dreams about their lineup

And as I typed that, he just missed 3 straight dunks. Man, the NBA loves pushing these guys, but let me tell you now, he aint the next Lebron. He will not carry this league. They are force feeding us a 6-6 Larry Johnson as the next face of the league, instead of getting behind guys like Trae.

They just said Zion leads the league with 19 points in the paint per game. The kid averages 4.8 FT makes a game. For a guy who averages 25 points, 24 of them basically come in the paint or at the line. Virtually no outside game whatsoever

Apparently, neither player will be replaced according to Woj. Zion to start in place of Embiid https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-all-star-game-joel-embiid-ben-simmons-ruled-out-after-contact-with-person-testing-positive-for-covid-19/

Not being sarcastic but that does suck for them. All because of a hair cut. They won't even be allowed in the building for introductions. Normally All stars who cant play still get the honor of standing next to their team and being involved in everything. Ben and Joel are gonna be locked in a hotel room somewhere on Peachtree staring out of the window lol

Kyrie and Harden can coexist as poor defenders. Portland is always a tough out in the West with despite the limitations of Dame and CJ next to each other. Sometimes overwhelming offense forces teams to take bad shots to keep up pace. If Lavine were just an above average player on offense, I would not even consider it. But he is becoming an elite offensive player with devastating efficiency. We have to figure out, with Trae on the court, will we ever defend at a high level just by surrounding him with defenders. Will teams always find ways to seek him out. If so, maybe you just accept it and force them to have to defend us at a high level so that they don't have the same legs on the other end. There's more than one way to skin a cat. If Trae is the centerpiece, we can't let that stop us from adding All Star level talent just because he doesn't defend.

I just DM'd Trae: "Yo!!!! Get back to ATLANTA they need you tonight!!! And bring JC or Clint with you!!!" Doubt he reads it

Id trade multiple core assets for Zach. His elite shooting, ball handling and dribble penetration is just what the doctor ordered for our SG spot.

If its Simmons AND Embiid out, what if they ask Collins or Capela to replace Embiid too? That'd be too dope.

Points not dimes. But he is tailor made for All Star weekend. 2x dunk king and Chicago is a much more crucial market for the NBA. One would have thought he got a nod for that city alone. To be clear, Im much more butthurt about Trae missing it this year because all of the high and mighty excuses about playing for losing teams, rewarding winners etc....was completely tossed out of the window this year and at the time of selection they gave guys with similar records and worst numbers a spot over Trae. Simmons is not an All Star this year, even if his team is the best in the East. He is a DPOY candidate, all NBA Defense team, but he is not a better G than Trae Young this year.

You mean like Zach Lavine last year?

Trae aint even in Atlanta right now if Im not mistaken. He looked like he was on vacation on his IG.

Yes, Cam apparently was stuck, meanwhile Dre and Trae were finding places to put in work. Why didn't he tag along with them? He apparently got some burn when he worked out with Steph and scrimmaged against KD. The shot ready thing pisses me off. It's a small thing that once someone makes you aware of, should stick in your mind. Especially when you saw positive results. "Stay shot ready, stay shot ready " over and over, repeating to yourself. Footwork needs to be drilled, but not the mental concept itself.

Seriously. And everyone is a cynical expert over there.

Facts. Maybe he should be limited to backdoor cuts only and just meet the ball at the restricted area lol

Facebook was not trying to let me go. That was the most difficult platform to delete. Not because I didnt have will power, but because they literally make it next to impossible to delete. It's like trying to get out of a timeshare haha

I've deleted a lot of my social media. I only have instagram and Hawksquawk as my outlets. I don't even post on the Falcons board anymore, its a really weird vibe. Thats why I have so much time to post on here now. That and my girl goes to sleep at like 9 and leaves me to my own devices lol

Right. I agree with those who say he needs a minimized and defined role. I, however, don't think it should be sticking him in a corner to knock down shots. He simply is too unreliable. I would make him a slasher only and say drive to the rim. If they leave you open, eat that space up and shoot midrange. His priority needs to be getting to the foul line so he can see shots go in on a regular basis lol