Jody23

If this is true, then it's a good move. Playing Al all those minutes out of position was ridiculous and it was limiting his effectiveness. Playing him more at his natural spot will make him more comfortable and he will be, as a result, more effective. Playing with a bigger lineup will also help the Hawks rebound the ball better on the defensive end and that's key to being a good defensive team. Kudos to L.D. if he decides to play Al more at the 4.

The Hawks may not need a true seven footer per say, but they need more size in their main front court rotation. I know many like to point to Kendrick Perkins to justify playing Horford at center because Perkins is 6'10. However, Perkins is much bigger than Horford. His size and length allow him to defend at the center spot without needing help. The difference in the way the defended oppossing centers in the playoffs clearly show that. The Celtics also had the size and/or length of Garnett, Wallace and Davis who were also great defenders. This Hawks present front court does not have that type of size or defensive capability. Period. If nothing changes personnel wise, the Hawks will once again struggle defensively inside and on the boards come playoff time.

R.I.P. Lorenzen Wright.

Disagree. Marvin does not impact the main component of being sucessful in the playoffs, that is interior play on both ends of the floor especially interior defense and defensive rebounding. When you look at points in the paint and rebounding for the last two years in playoffs, the Hawks have been absolutely destroyed and exposed. Marvin Williams scoring a few more points and maybe grabbing a couple more rebounds isn't going to change the most fatal flaw of this team. Sad to say, neither is some new and untested offensive scheme.

You're right on with your post. Obviously, you get it, but unfortunately, the ASG and the Hawks don't.

Very true. If only the Hawks believed that. Sigh. That said, I really do like Jordan Crawford though.

Sorry NJHAWK. Didn't mean to -1 your post. I just pressed the wrong button.

Crawford is more comfortable at the 2 and you can tell that in the summer league games. What is it with the Hawks wanting play good players out of position? First it was Joe, then Horf and now Crawford. Anyways, I am really impressed with Crawford's skill and disposition at both ends of the floor even in summer league. He's got a chance to be really good if he gets playing time (which is going to be tough unless a move is made).

Agreed. I don't think people realize how hard it is to battle against bigger guys every night and both Horf and Smoove have to do that for 82 games a season + playoffs. That's extremely tough to do physically and mentally.

+1 Great post.

I think the bigger issue is the main rotation in the front court (Smith and Horford play the most minutes) is undersized and will struggle or be ineffective against bigger frontlines on both ends of the floor and on the boards like they were this year. A new offense is not going to fix that problem. Neither will bringing in a bigger guy to play 10-15 minutes a night. If you take an honest look at the teams who end up playing for the title, you'll see that they NEVER play small ball. I think the Hawks will be a more uptempo team this year and will win a lot of games in the regular season, but when the playoffs come around and they play against bigger teams, they will struggle and revert to a perimeter team (jump shooting) on the offense end. As fun as good offense is to look at, the game is won or lost in the paint come playoff time. After winning two titles with two other big men alongside him at Florida in Richard and Noah, Horford realizes this and that's what's behind his comments about needing more help. We could talk about the undersized guys playing center today, but those guys aren't winning titles.

I don't think it's simply Dwight Howard. I think the lack of size among the guys who get the most minutes at those two positions (Horf and Smoove) is going to make it difficult to advance far in the playoffs no matter who the Hawks play.

I definitely agree, but the Hawks seem content to marginalize his talent by playing him almost exclusively at the 5 while ignoring his requests.

Agreed. Re-signing Joe to that type of contract makes very little sense if you're not going to be all in on building a title contender. Despite the rhetoric about liking the "core" (I hate that word), I think they fully realize that this team is not a title contender and don't intend on making it one. That's a loser's mentality and they shouldn't be suprised or complain when the majority of Atlanta fans don't come out to support a half-baked plan. Hawks fans are not stupid.

+1 No disrespect to Marvin, but he's not going to solve one of the Hawks most pressing issues. Shaq, on the other hand, just might.

Marvin has four years left on his deal I do believe.

Interesting point and I get what you're saying. Sund indicated himself that he was a guy who liked to have as much information possible before making a decision. Only time will tell if the performance of Teague or Crawford during the Summer league will have an impact on future decisions. I think it's key to look at skill sets, disposition and ability rather than just stats when looking at these games. In light of that, Dion Glover's and Marvin Williams' performance in the summer league didn't impress me much.

+1 Well said sir. Refusing to listen to Horford's comments about getting help could result in dire consequences.

That's a legitimate point and for that reason, if they offer Chill a substantial offer, let him walk.

I wasn't talking about his numbers versus Portland, I was talking about a few possessions when Aldridge got switched onto Horford. Also, during the 08-09 season, when Smoove was out, Horford put up 27 and 17 against the Bulls at the 4 in only his second season. Outside of that period, Horford's never had a chance to play exclusively at the four. Also, Horford was getting very few touches on the block that year.

I understand the concern of letting Chill walk for nothing, but after committing so much money to Joe Johnson and to Marvin last year, I highly doubt the Hawks match a substantial offer. They spoke the big talk of re-signing Joe Johnson as just being the first move of several and that they were ready to add the pieces neccesary to become a title contender even if it meant paying the luxury tax. So far, it looks like that was just a lot of hot air. Also, they've Crawford and Crawford under contract for next season. The numbers game appears to be against matching a solid offer.

They may try to talk sign and trade, but if the right deal is offered the Hawks won't match and I think the Suns know it.

Al's back to the basket game is not great against centers, but against power forwards, it's a different story. When guarded by 4's in the post last season (David Lee for example), Horford usually got whatever position and shot he wanted and commanded a double team. He did the same thing to Lamarcus Aldridge when he got switched onto Horford. Power forwards are not strong enough to guard him on the block and Horford knows it where as it's another matter against centers. The numbers he put up against David Lee were not from facing up, they were on post ups.

I know we're Hawks fans, but let's be realistic about this. If the Hawks return with virtually the same team next year (even with a new offensive philosophy), it's going to be a problem. Contrary to popular belief, getting whooped in the playoffs was not all Woody's fault. It's foolish to think that. The roster has issues that need to be addressed if they want to contend in a ever stronger Eastern Conference.

The Hawks should be concerned. VERY concerned IF, IF they're genuinely serious about competing for a title. Let's be real about it.