RedDawg#8

I think you meant Trae. DJ doesn’t play like that. Trae is the low BBIQ player. His teammates hate watching him dribble in to double teams and make stupid turnovers. DJ, is too much of a team player to do that. Sorry to correct you. I read your post and was like “Ooooo, whose gonna tell him…” We just dominated one of the most talented teams in the NBA, wire to wire, and it’s all because of #5. Bad Trae, Bad Trae

This is the same coverage that we played when we let Luka go for 73 in our house. Oh look, we play the Mavs tomorrow night. At least we got in a quick dress rehearsal on how to get killed by one player with minimal resistance.

Somehow Im sure it has to be Trae’s fault that Flynn is going off tonight. Im was convinced we only struggle with guards because of Trae’s limitations.

Props to Dylan Windler for shouting out my alma mater Tennessee State during his pre game feature with Garrison and Bob. It was focused on the Belmont v Lipscomb rivalry as the schools are virtually a mile apart, same road, and Garrison and Dylan played each other in college. He made a point to mention Vandy and TSU as well considering how close each campus is to one another in Nashville and all the students interacting. We used to sneak in to the Lipscomb gym after hours and play hoops as they had very minimal campus security. Funny part was when Garrison (Lipscomb) mentioned that Dylan's (Belmont) wife played on the Lipscomb Women's team and Bob's first response was "Lot's of cross pollination in Nashville" and both dudes just kind of looked down lol Dylan looking like "they better not have been pollinating my girl" lol

All this says to me is that we really didn’t have an answer for when Jalen went down early in the season. And by we I mean the coaches all the way down. This team is still solidly mid otherwise.

So DJ and Bogi have now both popped off on Quin. And Dre reportedly was not a big fan of his going back to last season. What the heck is Quin doing to get under everyone’s skin? Lol

Who goes back to the bench once JJ returns? Remember we initially promoted Vit after Bey’s injury. Does he stay on as a starter or do we run Dre out there with JJ?

You somehow managed to both insult me and prove my point at the same time. You just listed a bunch of backups/journeymen, the majority of whom either stand under 7ft or never played important minutes for us. Point being, the last couple of instances that we needed a starting center, we ended up with and invested Horford and Capela, not to mention drafting OO as our center of the future. You think that we are bringing in Edey, the same franchise that traded Gasol, passed on Gobert/Jokic, and has never been rumored to be in play for or even interested in any centers with comparable size or skillset as an Edey in the modern era. Your own explanation for this is the very point that the others have been trying to make. Teams do not carry( thus do not need) that kind of big man in today’s NBA. This not an indictment on Edey, your opinion of him, or the premise of putting size next to Trae. I actually have been banging the drum for us to acquire a low post threat for a while. It is a cynical, informed observation of the patterned behavior and groupthink that make it unlikely for us to draft a guy who is so different than anything we have ever seen in a Hawks uniform in the last almost quarter century.

We are arguing about a bunch of big man prospects when everything this franchise has ever shown me is that we would rather be smaller at the 4 and 5 than bigger. Not since Mutombo have we had a real starting caliber center over 7ft tall. (cue the Dedmon and Len crowd) Theo Ratliff- Shelden Williams-Horford-Capela all stood 6-10 or shorter. We are looking at an insane crop of talented 7ft plus big men, yet everything in my spirit tells me they will end up playing anywhere but Atlanta. We will end up with another highly skilled combo wing player or at most a power forward. Also, we would need to figure out what happens with CC-OO-and now Bruno. All I am saying is, don’t get too wrapped up in what WE think we need or need to do. The front office is likely not on the same page. I doubt they even agree on what type of team to build around Trae.

I’m just saying. I did it again. You’re welcome. I have to re watch the replay now. #sacrifices Go Hawks!!!

But the wins…. We need more of that too, Coach

That’s why I said “our version” of tanking. I don’t think the players or coaches are in on it. They want to compete. But starting with the inaction around the trade deadline, that was an indication that we already accepted we weren’t going to win this year. Follow that up with the inaction of roster moves after the injury bug hit us hard and players are out with extended injury timelines. You telling me we couldn’t find some 10-day guys to give us a little help instead of playing weeks with only 10 active players ? We’ve gone almost the entire season with barely (1) active Power Forward. To me it’s a sign that the FO removed expectations to win, meaning that they accepted losing was likely, and if we were going to get better on the court, it wouldn’t be because they actively tried to improve the roster and help the cause. I think everyone in the front office is looking ahead at whats next. I don’t think the way Dre, CC and others are playing now changes their mind on their offseason plans. I think we are excited about having an incoming lottery pick to ease the regret of not having a first round pick next year. I think whatever happens on the court is just a bonus. Our version of tanking isn’t to try to lose, it’s to ignore ways to help the team win.

I will say. Trae has a pinky injury on his non shooting hand. Arguably the least important finger he has. If we had something to play for he would probably be out there with a brace playing through it. Ask Kobe about sitting out with finger injuries.

I saw a game clip with Boston Celtics commentary and they reported on a quoted statement about Trae Young progressing and “aggressively” attacking his rehab. I hate the Cs but those guys had me cracking up mocking, “how does one aggressively rehab a pinky injury, is he running up the Rocky steps squeezing a stress ball” ? (something to that affect) I was absolutely dead lol They had a great point.

Last I checked, Trae wants to be a Hawk for life, and DJM's camp was open to/borderline asking for a change of scenery. If we have to move one (we don't) lets start the conversation there, as in, who actually wants to be here and is invested in this franchise/fanbase. We can look at the financials and return later.

Al was getting dominated on the glass when the game was on the line.

This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy down below lol

Yall owe me a big thank you. I sacrificed tonight by not watching the game. Starting at tip off, literally anytime I tuned in we started losing. I went to the gym start of the 2nd. I see we’re down 30. Then I see we are within 20, so I tune in, nope, C’s score a couple baskets. I tune out no way we’re winning tonight. Then I see we cut it to 5, I tune in, nope C’s go back up 10, I tune back out. I see we cut it to 2, I tune in, C’s score. I turn the game off for good. I try to ignore the updates on the ESPN ticker. I said to myself we’ could actually win this game, and it’s because Im going to be strong enough not to pay attention. My last time checking the score was 107-107. I told myself not to look again until 10pm, the game should be well over by then. I keep myself distracted until then. I finally break at 9:55pm Sure enough. Hawks win. I missed basically every second of the comeback. I wanted to watch. But I did this for you guys, for the city. I took one for the team tonight. You’re welcome. Great win Go Hawks!!!

Starting to think this is our version of tanking. We are virtually locked in to our play in seed as well as our draft seed. If we had something on the line, I bet Trae, OO and JJ would all be out there playing through soreness. I think there is a reason DJ, CC and Dre have been playing some of their best basketball of late, increasing their value ahead of the offseason compared to where it was at the deadline. I definitely believe there is more to this team as of late than the “we just have bad injury luck” narrative. I hope everyone recovers soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if we take our time with guys or see more surprise setbacks/injuries.

What this win (and post all star) has shown me is that we can get good basketball minutes out of our end of bench players. This is going to be crucial moving forward as we spend money to reshape this roster and add talent. We are going to need contributions from some minimum salary guys. The system/style of play is finally starting to settle in. I think we are showing winning basketball traits that will eventually become a foundation for us. I also think it’s great for Trae to have a front row seat to see his teammates play with confidence and energy. Hopefully, he can come back and add to it. Take over when needed, but trust his mates. This is the longest he has ever sat in his basketball career, I hope he sees the game in a different light.

We probably just going to draft (2) 6’5 guys and sign and center 6’10 or under who is wiry strong albeit undersized lol

As it stands we are looking at the 10th pick before the lottery draft, as well as Sacramentos pick at around #18

Yup…. back to square one again

OO was a pleasant surprise. I agree that an update on Kobe would be noce.

Agreed That knee has plagued him for years, best continue to moderate him and extend his career.