JJFAN4LF

We need to split at least the four game series vs. Orlando and Miami this season. Everyone has us pegged us a playoff team that can't win against the big boys. Until we show that we can at least hang with them, we're not going to get respect.

Give credit when credit is due. Josh Smith made big plays down the stretch and did a solid job on the defensive side all night. But, I'll agree that even though I was glad that Josh Smith made the shot, I wasn't glad that he took the shot. I'm not sure what the stat is for how many jumpers Josh Smith took last season, but it seems like he's taking a lot more jumpers early this season than last season. I don't remember seeing Josh Smith last season having more jumpshots than drive to the basket. I thought when LD took over as coach that Josh's maturity and decision making will improve, but so far, it has totally gone the opposite way. I thought the role of captain would stop all things wrong with Josh Smith, but I guess I was living in a fantasy world... Even though Smoove made that shot.....stats don't lie....that was a very low percentage shot for the Hawks. We should all be glad he made it, but everyone needs to realize that more often than not, that shot isn't going in. All I want from Josh Smith, which I think most Hawks fans would want, is for him to play up to his potential. He has a good skillset that he doesn't take advantage of. He's effective around the rim, but he chooses not to take it. It's frustrating to watch a player taking jumpers and settling for being a "good" player when he could drive the ball and be a "great" player. Josh Smith's decision making is the only thing that's stopping him from being a top Power Forward in this league.

Champ: Orlando Magic MVP: Kevin Durant Rookie of the year: Blake Griffin Coach of the year: Alvin Gentry Defensive player: Dwight Howard 6th man: Jamal Crawford MIP: Nicolas Batum

I'm not completely satisfied with the roster, but I am willing to give the players the Hawks have on the roster a chance to prove themselves on this new scheme we have on offense and defense. Later on during the season, if it doesn't look like the Hawks will have a chance to compete for the championship title.... I would like to see the front office make some moves. I think the management probably has the same mindset as me. They will probably evaluate what our team is like during the season and go from there.

Source: Click Here. Definitely sounds like a show to watch to me.

By NBA Channel, do you mean, NBA TV? If so, this sucks. The one night I didn't watch is the one time Woody was there? I'm hoping to find a video of the episode on NBA.com though. I wouldn't mind Woody as an analyst though. He can't be much worse than Sam Mitchell right? Plus, I'd like to see how much Coach Woodson knows about the NBA.

I would really be surprised if he ends up in Atlanta. We have a lot of bigs already...we're not even sure how we will all fit them in the rotation. Adding another one will be kind of silly, especially since he doesn't bring that much more to what we already have.

Teague's work ethic this summer has impressed me. To know that he was in Atlanta for the most part of the summer and working out and putting shots in, shows that he does have the desire to get better. The work ethic is there, but we will have to see if he'll still played scared once we start seeing some games. I think Teague has skills to be a good point guard, but does he have the intangibles like a Rajon Rondo has...the toughness and the attitude of not being afraid of the big moment and being the floor leader of of a team with a lot more experience than him. That intangible is what separates players like a Russell Westbrook from a Rondo.

I'm still 50/50 on it. I wan to go for sure, but I'm not sure about my availability that night. For those who are going, care to video tape the whole thing? :)

Alade Aminu is playing in France this year I believe. I read it somewhere a while back.

I love how Joe became one of the most underrated players in the NBA to apparently to one of the most overrated players in the NBA. (sarcasm) He's overpaid not overrated.

I believe that would be the Utah Flash. I don't see the hype in him. We've seen him play one summer league game, that's it. A lot of people are acting like he's Mickael Pietrus or something.

Wouldn't call it choking. They're the clear underdog coming into the series. Seattle has homecourt advantage and that's huge for them considering they are undefeated at home.

If I remember correctly, before the lottery we were projected at the #4 pick(which would have gone to Phoenix). I'm not sure where Portland and Seattle were projected at, but I believe they were projected lower than the #4 pick. I'm almost positive that Atlanta had the highest chance of having the #1 pick when it came down to the last 3 teams. I don't want to think about it, but we were really close on getting Kevin Durant. We would have had ourselves a true franchise player to build around for years. We needed to be the #2 pick in order for us to have picked Durant though. If Seattle or Portland had the #1 pick, they would have picked Oden.

What fantasy website are you using? ESPN? NBA.com? Yahoo? I'd definitely join this. I love Fantasy Basketball.

Tune in to NBATV if you're not in the Atlanta area. If you are go to Fox Sports South. This game is just exciting to watch. Atlanta Dream: 92 NY Liberty: 85 4:00 minutes left in the 4th quarter!

Melo is pretty close with Michael Jordan, so I'm not surprised that he wants to go to Charlotte and play for him.

According to the article, Smoove is the 3rd best PF in the East. I'll take that. I don't think I'm saying this with any bias whatsoever, but we have the best PF going forward and I wouldn't take anyone over him in that list.

I think Roy jumped the gun b/c he wanted everyone to know that he doesn't like to associate himself w/ stuff like that before someone finds the video themselves. I don't think he wanted to take the risk of not saying anything and someone somehow finding it and making assumptions and making rumors while blowing the whole situation out of proportion.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse....e-in-rap-video/ I don't think it's that big of a deal that they made a few, short cameos in the video. Everyone should know that Jamal Crawford and Brandon Roy are two of the most professional players in the NBA. I honestly don't think that this situation should even be discussed by the media. ...... But then again, I'm not helping the matter by posting the news article about it. :zipper:

I worry sometimes our long-tenured Hawks players will struggle with this offense considering they never ran one in years. I worry most about Josh Smith. Has he ever been on a true offense?

I may not agree on Smoove playing SF, but I do like that he is trying to change things up a little bit. LD sounds a lot more creative than Woody and I'm excited for that. I think that we'll probably be worst during the season compared to last season, but we'll be a lot more impressive come playoff time this season.

Again, we can't be the 4th seed if Miami and Orlando are somewhere in the top 3 seeds. Anyway, it's way too early to be predicting seeds, but as of right now....here's what I think. Eastern Conference 1. Orlando Magic 2. Miami Heat 3. Boston Celtics 4. Chicago Bulls 5. Atlanta Hawks 6. Milwaukee Bucks 7. New York Knicks 8. New Jersey Nets Maybe a surprise team: Detroit Pistons Western Conference 1. Los Angeles Lakers 2. Dallas Mavericks 3. Oklahoma City Thunder 4. Denver Nuggets 5. Houston Rockets 6. Portland Trailblazers 7. Phoenix Suns 8 . San Antonio Spurs Could possibly make a run: Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers

I wonder how much NBA League Pass will be worth now since the Three AmEGOS joined forces in Miami. I would think the price would rocket up.

I believe that's wrong. I see Miami 4 times in the schedule. Every team faces teams from their own division 4 times.