hawks21

When JJ was hurt in early December, the Hawks' assist totals were up, and the team spread the scoring around. However, the impact of Horford on this Hawks' team is felt even more. The Hawks hung around for a little while in the first half, but the team seem to lose its aggressiveness in regard to driving to the basket and having more of stronger inside presence--defensively. The only highlight in the second half was JORDAN Crawford stealing the ball from Chris Paul, and streaking down the court for an alley-oop. The Hawks lacked energy, and look really while getting totally blown out. Even though I apologize for adding one extra letter to Al's last name, but this team plays differently when HORFORD (LOL) is absent from the starting lineup.

This erratic play from Jamal AT HOME has continued for a long while, and I wouldn't be surprised that Jamal has a good game on the ROAD against Charlotte, regardless if the Hawks win or not. It the rumors are true about Stephan Curry, maybe GM SUND should consider trading Jamal back to Golden State along with Josh Smith and find some more stable players who can help the Hawks go further in the playoffs.

The Hawks have played better against the Magic this year. Al Hortford is a building block moving forward, but this team needs another impact post player who can score and committed to playing defense and battling Dwight Howard or Kevin Garnett or Kendrick Perkins. GM SUND has to make some moves. Josh Smith is an immensely talented, but flawed and emotionally unstable player ON THE COURT. WE ALL SAW HOW JOSH MELTED DOWN AGAINST ORLANDO IN LAST SEASON'S PLAYOFFS. Hortford, despite being under-sized brings a mature, aggressive, and athletic style of play from a winning program at Florida...and has continued thus far in Atlanta.. THIS IS WHERE Hortford and Josh separate as players, and this is where GM SUND has to find a player who can pick up where Josh Smith left off and be more consistent and better in other areas of the game. I know it is not possible to get a player such as Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge, but his growth as a player is type of growth we need from a player such as Josh Smith. Smith still shoots an inordinate amount of jumpers, gets mad when things go wrong (ON THE COURT) and neutralizes all the good things he does with his erratic play.

I would definitely try to go ahead and sign Horford to a long-term deal, and build around Horford. And if that means trading the tempermental Josh Smith and the Marvin williams for a Carmelo Anthony or other players who can help the Hawks, then maybe GM SUND should go ahead and do so. Hortford brings on-court leadership, and even though Josh Smith has his moments, Hortford should be seen as the FUTURE moving forward.

Jamal Crawford has averaged around 10 points a game and has played TERRIBLE AT PHILIPS ARENA. It begs the question, what is going on? Coach Larry Drew had called out players earlier this year about getting to the bottom of why parts of the team are struggling. Is it an off-court issue that has caused Jamal to play consistently poorly. Something is up, and if it is more serious THAT CAN'T BE RESOLVED, then maybe he should be traded before the deadline.

Then JARRETT JACK comes in and adds 10 points to add insult to injury. Marcus Thornton, another young PG, is making contributions. WHERE ARE OUR YOUNG PLAYERS? (Teague, Jordan Carwford, etc.) ACTUALLY GM SUND NEEDS TO PICK UP ON THIS...AND MAKE SOME MOVES...

ZERO MINUTES AND/OR COACHES' DECSION in Teague's second season is something that shouldn't be happening... Either play the guy consistently and SET EXPECTATIONS or find another point guard via trade THIS SEASON

If Teague isn't injured, then he needs to be IN THE GAME. Bibby has no business playing the whole game against Chris Paul. How is Teague is going to learn? How can the Hawks truly evaluate his growth? A lot of teams are MAKING TRADES anf getting what they need, and the Hawks are heavily relying on Bibby to save them. Our backcourt is getting older and slower by the minute as all of our main guards are 30 and older, starting with Bibby. Chris Paul just decided to TAKE CONTROL and it was over.

The Hawks are playing better on the road than they are at home. Drew's somewhat cryptic comments revolved around what are players doing on their days off ---here in ATLANTA. Is there drama going on with certain players that is causing multiple players to play tentative, scared, and sluggish. Is someone threatening one of the players or did someone place a large gambling debt with a LOCAL bookie? Is there a psycho girlfriend making threats here in atlanta and she is in the stands? This is extreme, but the Hawks poor play at home is a SIGN. Something is wrong, and obviously the COACH DOESN'T KNOW and is searching for answers.

Marvin got his extension, but his play on the floor has flat-lined. Marvin has rarely played at a high-level for FOUR QUARTERS--especially offensively. The Hawks need for a small forward is dire. And I had been rooting for Jeff Teague to have his break-out game and be able to have a similar impact that a Stephen Curry had when he first came into the league or a John Wall, but it appears Drew may have lost some patience with teague. JT only played four minutes at HOME... Is Jordan Crawford increased playtime a sign that somebody is going to get benched or moved via trade very shortly... Look at what the Hornets are doing...they got Jerryd Bayless and added Jarrett Jack.. along with Chris Paul..

Marvin has regressed, and doesn't appear he wants to take his game to another level. I thought he would play better after signing his extension, but he has not.

That was a very mean-spirited response. Maybe there is a reason why he didn't choose Cleveland. The owner got some anger issues and may have shown it in the past and Lebron didn't forget. Gilbert became owner a few years after Lebron got drafted, so that connection isn't as strong as many people believe.

I just don't see Joe Johnson re-signing here in Atlanta, and the team should NOT over-pay. John Salmons is a good option, but I hope the team also considers signing Tony Allen from the Celtics. Allen and Salmons have playoff experience and can help the Hawks if Joe leaves.

I hope Jordan is a "lights-out" player for the Hawks, but Mike Bibby has those good nights on the perimeter, but when he is cold-- he is very cold. That is why I suggest being able to consistently draw fouls is an asset when things aren't going your way from the perimeter. Paul Pierce is an example of player who shoots very well, but gets to the line...same thing for guys like Kevin Durant or Corey Maggettee or Wade... I hope we see the same Jordan Crawford that we saw in those You Tube videos ... can Jordan hit 90% of his FTs, 50% of his FGs and 40% of his 3 pointers just like Steve Nash in his prime, if so-- I am sold on Jordan Crawford...?

I believe its possible.

Most have seen him play, but does his style translate to consistent success on the NBA level--especially in half court situations.

Jordan is a very creative player in the open floor and has some positive attributes. However, the ability to get to the free throw line is an asset --especially in the half court game (especially against teams like Boston and Ceveland and Orlando). Plus, Dominique is a strong finisher in traffic and the Hawks need that..Marvin doesn't do it, Bibby doesn't do it. Joe Johnson could do it, but rather shoot the jumper...

Jordan is definitely a scorer who shoots the ball a lot, but Dominque Jones is a more physical guard who gets to the line in the same fashion that a Dwayne Wade gets to the line. Last season, Jones got to the FT line 10+ times (TWELVE TIMES) to Jordan's two.

Lenny wasn't patient with Dominique Wilkins in 1993. Josh may be too set IN HIS WAYS and his on-court temper tantrums flare up throughout the season. Even though he had refrained from taking deep outside shots for most of the season, and three pointers for most of the regular season, it seems he was determined to do what HE wanted to do. Josh plays like a 6'5 guard who can't shoot than a 6'9 power forward. At times, Josh refuses to play inside. The Orlando and Milwaukee series are prime examples. It may be too late to RE-PROGRAM Josh Smith at 25. He has been in the league for six years. Josh plays with more spirit and energy than Marvin, but lacks self-control on the court when situations get bad. If the Hawks goal is to win a championship, then Josh Smith .... and Marvin Williams MUST GO.

Bibby/Evan Turner or John Wall/Teague Crawford/Raja Bell Maggette/Chillz Stoudamire/Collins Horford/Zaza

Unfortunately, Diesel, in all due respect, that lineup is just RESHUFFLING THE DECK CHAIRS. The Hawks have to address the lack of speed in their backcourt and especially at the PG position. That PG doesn't necessarily have to be a starter, but someone who can play 15-18 minutes a game. I still have hope for Jeff Teague, but the Hawks still need to find another young guard who can break down defenses and run an offense. I don't believe Steve Blake would be a difference maker for the Hawks-- especially against Orlando or Cleveland (Lebron is likely to stay in Cleveland). Obviously, there is a void at the small forward position. Marvin must be traded. There must be more production from the small forward position. Looking at what Jason Richardson has done for Phoenix, the Hawks need that a player to have that same type of impact. I had suggested someone such as Corey Maggette, who is an aggressive scorer and has a reputation of getting to the free throw line. Maggette is not exclusively a jump shooter and able to take the contact (unlike Marvin) and get the opposing team's small forward such as a Paul Pierce or even Lebron in some foul trouble or at least pose a threat. I have no problems with Childress coming back in some capacity off the bench. Josh Smith has peaked as a player. His third quarter antics in Game 2 at Orlando and the emergence of jacking up long outside shots in the post-season suggest his on-court basketball attitude won't change. Plus, he won't battle Dwight Howard(for whatever reason) and that's a problem--moving forward. He can't manage his emotions under adversity. Josh has trade value and the Hawks should try to package him with another player and try to move up in the draft and get an impact player who can help the Hawks in 2011. A player such as John Wall or Evan Turner would change the Hawks team and give us a different profile against teams such as Cleveland and Orlando. If Lebron and Dwight Howard are staying where they are, the Hawks have to find a way to beat them. Johan Petro and Steve Blake aren't the answer. Vince Carter has terrorized the Hawks for a decade along with Manu Ginobli, so going after a guy such as Raja Bell could be possibility. If the Hawks don't re-sign Joe, then give that money to Amare Stoudamire or Chris Bosh. He brings more to the table in terms of front court scoring.

Joe Johnson is a good player, but his offensive skill set is more replaceable than Mike Bibby's experience--even at 32. In 2007, if it weren't for that Mike Bibby trade, the Hawks would not have made it to the playoffs? Agreed. Remember those epic breakdowns at cleveland when the Hawks couldn't score NO POINTS in the final eight minutes? Joe Johnson having the ball in his hands over half the shot clock is NOT a good thing, Joe Johnson was billed a point guard, but his decision-making skills are below average in a half-court setting. Bibby at 32, even with his diminishing foot speed is a calming influence on the team and can run the offense better than Joe Johnson. Remarkably, the Hawks had the fewest turnovers per game, if I am not mistaken, in the NBA. However, the Hawks inability to matchup with speedier guards needed to be resolved by Rick Sund. SURROUND BIBBY with a Amare Stoudamire type of player, maybe see what it take to get John Salmons and potentially use Josh Smith/Marvin Williams to get a "fast" John Wall or Dwayne Wade-like Evan Turner and let's see where that will take us. And possibly the Hawks should inquire about Sean Williams, and see where his head is at. Has his life changed enough for him to have an impact with a NBA team. Will a new coach be able to keep him in line? Without Bibby, this is a 33-win team. Bibby is a mentor and a SECOND COACH. He knows his best years are behind him, but hte is the BEST POINT GUARD THE HAWKS HAVE HAD SINCE MOOKIE fifteen years ago.

It is amazing that Billy Knight picked Marvin as #2. If I am GM, the player must be driven and have a passion for the game. Marvin's passiveness has always been there. As a GM, if I am picking that high, one would want someone who is a team leader--capable of getting in people's faces. The small forward position is one of the biggest weaknesses on our team, and everytime I see Vince Carter, he destroys the Hawks. I remember Stacey Augmon back in the day, and I guarantee Vince wouldn't being having the type of games Vince has had this decade against the Hawks. I rememeber when Amare Stoudamire was drafted at #9 by Phoenix. He was an unknown, but the talent was there. He played fierce on the court, and played like he belonged in the NBA. These are attributes that you want in a rookie NBA player entering the league. In this years draft, I see those traits in Evan Turner and John Wall. Greg Monroe of Georgetown plays with great basketball I.Q., and is 6'11 and can pass the ball. However, I would like to see it has the type of confidence that a Amare had when he first came into the NBA. Chris Paul played like was in control and not tentative, and his transition to the NBA was much faster than expected. Marvin is a big-time bust for someone t be picked that high.

Milton Bradley has shown leadership at times a few years ago with the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He has his good days in which he looks like a leader, but has BAD DAYS as well, embarrassingly bad days. Josh Smith has those moments, but these episodes are generally confined to the court. I have never heard of any off-the-field trouble from Milton Bradley nor Josh Smith. However, Josh has a problem staying focused for 48 minutes per game throughout the season. At this point of his career, he is not likely to change after being in the league for SEVEN SEASONS. He personifies the Hawks as a team in terms of not being able to handle adversity on the road and it shows in the Hawks overall road record since he has been here. His game has peaked at 25. Josh is a 6'9 player who prefers to stay on the perimeter and has limited post skills. He complains about getting fouled on every other possession, but misses nearly half of his free throw attempts. His antics in the third quarter likely be remembered by Sund. Josh isn't going to change here in Atlanta--unfortunately. He will have to be traded. I am not being extreme...

Josh Smith is the MILTON BRADLEY OF BASKETBALL... Smith's attitude won't get better after being in the league for six years. His game has hit the ceiling, and he needs to be traded.