Robdawg

Hello everybody!

For those of you that know me, it's good to be back. For those that don't, I was a regular poster for a little while but took a break. Regardless, I plan on becoming more active.

Now for the topic.

One of the common topics we've discussed in detail as a forum on this board is the lack of a superstar on this team. The problem we have as an organization is that star players don't want to play here since we don't have a winning tradition and/or lack of fan support.But the reason we don't have tremendous fan support in the city/area is because people don't want to support a team that can't land a star (at least initially). This cycle goes on and on and is the reason for our issues today.

This never-ending cycle of treadmilling has to stop for us to be relative again. Something must give.

The team could invest more in marketers and demographics to better market their product but I feel like this will not result in success unless we get the adequate talent first. So, here's how we do it.

Step 1: Sign young-but-talented free agents with something to prove. We aren't gonna get the LBJ's and Anthony's of the world right away. They have no reason to come here, even IF we offer the max. Top-tier players want to go to a proven winner and make their $$$ at the same time. By signing a young player with upside we not only get better today but could possibly hit a home run within 5 years, even less.

Example of a step 1 player under our current management: Kent Bazemore

Bazemore is the first young free agent with this quality to my knowledge. He might very well be the next player to elevate us as long as he gets the right type of development.

Step 2: Take a note from professional soccer/football teams. Develop a "youth league". Expand our D-League team and further develop domestic and international scouting. Soccer and Association Football teams around the world not only have their professional team, they also have developmental teams with young players. These young players have talent but what they also excel at is the ability to learn a playbook from day 1. They're quick learners. When they are ready for the opportunity to play, they excel.

Players under step 2: Dennis, Eddy, Patterson, Payne, and Muscala.(almost every player drafted within the past 2 years)

These guys have the opportunity to learn the system and are young. They can learn our system quickly and combined with talent, result in more production at an earlier age.

And that's about it guys, we just gotta keep at it and hope that the young guys contribute. Thoughts?

By Ellis ending up in SAC does he mean via 3-team-deal? I don't get it.

I'd rather have Jennings than Ellis, seems like he would be a better fit for our team.

His scoring kinda reminds me of Gilbert Arenas. (which is good to me cause he was one of my favorite players in the league)

Tomorrow should be interesting to say the least. Good news for us!

The Millsap signing pretty much says it all for Josh.

Trade Teague & Smoove to get some 1st rounders for next years draft on top of our own 1st-round and 2nd-round pick (plus what other picks we currently have) and then trade up to a top 5 spot while still being competitive. Best of both worlds.

I like that team because nearly every player can easily slide down when Lou comes in

Exactly, our team will be able to pose problems for almost every other team out there. We can match up with anyone.

Tired of the hate and feeling of defeat a large amount of Hawks fans have because our super team didn't happen... Okay well it didn't happen, Ferry did everything he could to get us a star ( and he will succeed eventually ) it takes a little time to make a franchise appealing to a star... Yes this is a rebuilding process but Ferry is going to put a contender out there on the court in hopes of starting a new tradition of winning that will hopefully become attractive to stars in the near future.

You and I are pretty much on the exact same page, diggin it.

Assuming we get Lin/Asik for Smoove via sign-and-trade:

PG: Jeremy Lin

SG: Kyle Korver

SF: Paul MillsapPF: Al Horford

C: Asik

Solid and very smart team.

My dude Scrublove coming thru in the clutch. Nice stuff bro.

If we get Pek or Asik and some PG help we will definitely be a tough out for sure. We could potentially pose some problems to older teams (Brooklyn) or small-frontcourt teams (Miami).

Is he similar to Ivan and Zaza in terms of heart?

I wonder if this is why Ivan was let go. I believe the next signing we'll here of will be Devin Harris.

I wouldn't mind it, dude is a true professional and one of the nicest guys from last season.

In all reality, you dont win in the NBA by drafting. You win it in Free Agency. Right now no one wants to come here because we are seen as a joke. Like someone said, Ferry is trying to build a respectable franchise. 2-3 years from now who is to say Kyrie Irving or John Wall wont come down? Or Klay Thompson/Curry/Barnes?

Our best bet isnt tanking. Our best bet is to build something respectable and attract players in the future.

Oh and trades. Millsap and Korver will be mighty nice bait if nothing else.

That would be me good sir

One thing everyone should look at is the larger picture of how Ferry is attempting to run this franchise. We were more than just a team stuck in mediocrity...we were (and still pretty much are) a laughing stock to the rest of the league. By having a solid foundation with a GM and expanding outward we will eventually show the rest of the league that we are ready for a A-level player even though it feels like we are in the same situation as last year.

Personally, I hope we get Lin and Asik for Smoove via sign-and-trade and then sign-and-trade Teague to a team like the Bucks for a 1st round pick + filler/whatever. That way we not only have a deep team but people will automatically become fans due to Linsanity and we can get some outside interest in this franchise.

My take:

One of the major issues we seem to have is the fact that A-level superstars (and most B-level) players HAVE NOT WANTED TO PLAY HERE RECENTLY. I touched on this theory in the Linsanity thread but I believe that Ferry's plan is to not only compete but to make the Hawks a respectable organization from top to bottom and the main way to do that is to establish solid business practices with players around the league. If Millsap and other solid players enjoy things here then we will finally earn some credibility among superstars. Although I do not fully understand what Millsap bring to the table we still have some money left and i'm fully convinced Smoove (and possibly Teague) will be moved for assets via sign-and-trade.

I'm not directly linking Lin to respect. It's more like

Lin (leads to) - Growing Fanbase (Which leads to) -More respect in NBA circles

THIS.

Asian guys on Twitter already saying they'd buy Atlanta Hawks Lin jerseys. You can bet that Asian fan support will play a role in this decision.

Honestly I wouldn't mind him, seems like he as a high BBIQ and is willing to learn and be coached. Either way Asik and Lin is better than just letting Smoove walk for nothing. Gotta pay somebody.

Like it or not but I have a feeling that Lin will be a star here on name alone.

If we strike out on D-12 i'd say give him a 3-year deal with a team option in the 3rd year.

I'm with ya there Robo Dog! Definitely time to add to my jersey collection, beyond Al and Josh. Especially if I might not be able to wear my Josh jerseys anymore.

lol Robo Dog, I can dig that as a nickname

Last season the team clubhouse at Phillips had some alternate and unique unis exclusive to the store. If I can get me a black and silver Korver jersey (they had some for Al and Josh last year) i'll be one happy customer.

Strongly considering purchasing a Korver jersey for next season, been a big fan of the dude's game....just didn't wanna get one last year when we weren't promised more than a season with him.

Hopefully the Hawks and Korver have a press conference within the next few days. I would love to hear about how DF and gang sold him on coming back.

Man...did this come out of nowhere or what?This signing is great for us because it proves that our team is not gonna tank. However I still have this empty feeling...Korver is good but he would only come back if he was sold on us being serious contenders, in fact out of all the one-year-rental players we acquired from last year I expected him to be the first to leave. Something has to be going on in the Hawks camp we don't know about.

that's 30 seconds of my life i'm not gonna get back. thanks bro. lol

Welcome home, Dwight Howard Al Jefferson!

Dahntay Jones.