Jody23

If the Hawks had rolled out the regular starting lineup, they'd be getting blown out.

True, but Collins has freed them up to do so.

And again, Collins is showing the effect of having legit size defensively at the 5. He was the difference in the first quarter.

I respectfully disagree and this first quarter tonight is showing why.

Completely agree. It's about matchups. The last time the Hawks played the Magic, Collins played significant minutes. The result? He defended Howard better than Horford and Smoove combined ever have. Sure Howard got his points, but Collins had the size to defend him single coverage. This had a big impact because Howard's prescense didn't allow the Magic's perimeter guys to get open looks the way they usually do against the Hawks. Also, the Hawks outrebounded the Magic and had a legitimate shot to win the game. When's the last time that happened? You can't just look at the numbers of an individual player because they don't tell the whole story. It's more about matchups and how they impact the game.

I agree that SG is not a problem, but SF is. The Hawks need more impact at that spot than Marvin is capable of.

I think this idea of having to get an all-star center as the only justification to trade Smoove is off. The Hawks problems up front are rebounding, physicality and post defense. I think you can find solid role playing centers (with legitimate size) to address those issues. I think the Hawks should try to acquire an impact small forward and/or point guard in any trade of Smoove.

I agree that pg and small forward are probably the positions the Hawks should look to upgrade with high impact players. I think if you can find a solid center with legit size who's willing to do dirty work and be physical, that's the route to go. I don't think the Hawks need to find some all-star guy at that position. Just a good role player. Simply sliding Al back to his natural position and acquiring impact players at the 1 and/or the 3 spot will make the Hawks a better and more balanced ball club.

Good point, but if the Hawks traded Smoove, you know they would demand and get good value in return. So, Marvin, Horford and ZaZa might not be the exact front court as the Hawks could get a really good 3 or 5 in return. Also, I think Horford showed during Marvin's injury and on other occasions that he can be really outstanding at his natural position.

They said the reason Smoove didn't start the 3rd quarter was because he got hit in the eye and when the camera panned to him when he came out of the locker room, I could tell he got hit pretty good. As for the trade, I don't know if I would go for that one, but I will say that I would'nt be oppossed to exploring a trade. I think Horford can be a great power forward if given the chance. However, as long as the Hawks continue to play two power forwards (one undersized) as their main big men, they will continue to be a weak rebounding team and a finesse team. That combination will always make sure you go home early during the playoffs.

I have no idea why the Hawks stop going to Al in the 4th quarter.

No offense, but this is an EPIC FAIL. This dude doesn't "get it" if he wants to pen all the blame on Josh. This team has many issues.

And as much as people question the "basketball IQ" of Josh Smith, people need to question the "basketball IQ" of quite a few other players on this team because Josh isn't the only one who makes poor decisons at times. People should at least be grateful that the guy has heart. I don't know if you can say that about everyone this roster.

Agreed. It's amazing to me how folks try to place all the blame on Smoove when things go wrong and refuse to acknowledge the the multiple problems this team has in other areas.

I'd say it depends on the make-up of the team. Right now, I don't think all the pieces of this team are complimentary of each other and they have'nt been for some time in my opinion. To me, this ensures the ceiling of this team maybe what it's been the past two years. I do agree though that Josh Smith along with Al Horford have been the teams best and most impressive players thus far this year.

As painful as it might be, the truth is the truth.

Center and point guard are the positions the Hawks need help with.

Also, this team is filled with players who can play multiple positions and do it well. I think the debate on Josh starting at the 3 should be less about who's a true 3 and who's not and all about who makes the most positive impact on the floor at that position and that question should be answered honestly.

I have to agree with D.J. on this. Even L.D. said Josh's defensive impact is just as good at the 3 as it is at the 4. Also, no one wants to mention the way he locked down Tayshaun Prince in the Detroit victory or how he held Rashard Lewis to 4 pts in the Orlando game. The truth is, offensive players have not been blowing right past him. He's been holding his own defensively at that spot. Will he get beat at times off the dribble? Sure, but Marvin gets beat a fair share of times as well. Even the best wing defenders in the league get beat off the dribble at times. That's the way it is. The Hawks real weakness defensively on the perimeter is and has been in the backcourt. For the first time in a while, the Hawks played a more conventionally sized line-up against the Magic for extended minutes. The result? They were in the game and had a chance to win rather than getting blown out with the small lineup. They actually out rebounded the Magic. When is the last time that happened? I'm not going to predict it will, but if the team continues to play well with Josh and Al at the 3 and 4, then that's what L.D. should stick with, even when Marvin comes back. Having Marvin as a sixth man would most likely make the Hawks bench stronger anyway. I know many won't like the idea, but what's best for the team should prevail over personal preference.

Even though Howard got his points, I thought Jason Collins did an outstanding job on him and allowed the other guys to stay at home for the most part. I think Horford and Josh are doing a great job at the 3 and 4 and I would be hesitant to move either one. However, if the Hawks could get another guy like Collins, not to mention a Lopez or Kaman, without moving Al or Josh, it would defenitely help.

Excellent evaluation. Tonight's game shows that Josh can excell defensively wherever he is on the floor and when there's another big man besides Al on the floor to rebound, it gives Josh more opportunity to get easy baskets on run outs in transition.

Good question. I think Bibby will start at point guard because it's currently his job to lose. However, even though Bibby starts, he defenitely will be giving up significant time to Teague and perhaps Jordan Crawford. I don't see Crawford as a point guard. I think he's a two guard who happens to have really good playmaking ability. The one thing I think he has that you can't teach is heart and leadership ability to go along with his talent. I don't want to jump to conclusions because it's very early and this is preseason, but could the Hawks have landed a guy who may make them regret giving Joe that huge contract in a few years? Only time will tell.

On Sekou's Hangtime blog, he says sources indicate the Hawks will make Al a huge extension offer before Oct. 31. If that's the case, it's no question that Al is only second to JJ in terms of value to this team as far as the organization is concerned. I could be wrong, but I think Sekou's blog said the offer would be "near max".

Actually, Josh did play some shooting guard in his rookie year. For instance, he started at shooting guard when the Hawks went into Detroit and beat the then defending champions on their home floor and he was quite impressive in that game. I know that's not where he'll play nowadays, but it showed to me that Josh is more versatile than he's given credit for.

The article says that Horford would play significant minutes at the 4. I'm in favor of that, but I wonder what's meant by "significant". I guess we'll find out in the not to distant future.