LamarHampton

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/9/27/4776306/danny-ferry-press-conference-atlanta-hawks Yeah, buddy! I've been so bored waiting around for basketball season to start up, I've even recently re-watched the press releases on YouTube from when they brought in Bebe/Muscala/Schröder and then the other presser with Millsap and also when the introduced Bud. Every other word out of Danny or Bud's mouth is "competitive this," "competitor that" ... That one was easy!

I'm betting on "competitors/competitive" and "smart basketball"

Talk about a walk down memory lane ... damn. Miss some of those guys.

I really don't understand this. Does this mean Mike Scott is out??? Or likely out?

Say what? Need more info, please.

I think that's the game plan, but here's the situation as I see it: Asik's salary cap hit each year is $8M and some change (from memory). But I think the actual terms of his contract are something like $6M this year and $14M next year. (Right?) So we'd get him for part of this year on the cheap, but next year would actually be fairly pricy. And I understand that ASG is not likely to want to pay out a ton of cash on contracts, even if the hit against the salary cap is not really the problem. (We will have Teague at $8M, Horf at $12M, Kyle at ~$6M, and Lou at ~$5M already, so adding in Asik would put us at $45 - 46M for just 5 players next year.) This year we're not really doing anything playoffs-wise, and honestly with that kind of salary hit next year AND cheap owners, I'm not sure we'll be able to make much noise next year either. (In Ferry We Trust, I know, I know ...) I do think that we would have a great starting lineup, but I don't know how deep our bench would be. But we'd be pretty likely just to lose Asik the following year (2015-16) to UFA, while not really being deep enough to make a real run against the Heat and many other teams in the next two seasons, even in the East. I don't know the rules about getting players to sign extensions, but maybe someone can enlighten me. Could we get Asik at this point to agree to an extension as part of the trade deal? Even if possible, is that likely? Would it be better just to keep Millsap and see what happens? Or would Millsap be good trade bait for another legit C that has a longer or more favorable contract? Thoughts? Am I missing something or over-thinking things?

ESPN is doing their Top 500 NBA players ranking: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9680298/2013-nba-player-rankings-401-500 These rankings are always fun to look at, but mostly when it's NBA slow time like right now. But a few things jumped out at me as ESPN unveiled the bottom 100 in their ranking of the top 500 NBA players: 1.) I'm willing to give the man a shot, but really, what did Jared Cunningham do to jump all the way from 468 last year to 408 this year? 2.) Why all the hate for Shelvin Mack? He did okay for us in an injury crunch last year but got dinged so bad he fell from #396 last year to below Jared Cunningham to the #431 slot. Say which? 3.) Not that I thought he was the next Timmy Duncan or anything, but with all the COMPLETE scrubs out there, how is Fab Melo practically falling off the list at #499? The man played decent in SL after all. Did I miss something? Dang. I'm sure other people will notice some things I missed. Go ahead and share what you find interesting on the list and from the next batches that will be coming out in the next few days. I'm itching for the NBA season to start already and this crap's gotta keep me occupied for the time being. Oh, and in case you missed this one, SI did one on the Top 100 NBA Players: http://nba.si.com/2013/09/12/top-100-players-of-2014-nos-100-51/ Notice some of the love our Hawks are getting in the bottom 50 on that list: Here's a good Peachtree Hoops article about what SI's posted thus far: http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/9/16/4737106/si-com-top-100-nba-2013-14-atlanta-hawks

I always thought he had good energy and potential, but just couldn't seem to get playing time; lots of guys in front of him. Always gave good effort, maybe like an Ivan-lite? Not sure if there's still enough gas in the tank though. Meh.

Speaking of trying to make up for losses at the 4/3 spot, has anyone heard of what's going on with Mike Scott? Seems like signing him to a contract would be a no brainer but everywhere I look I can't find anything.

I've never bought season tickets or any ticket package before, but I'm considering it this go 'round. I think Teague and Horford could both see notable step ups in their game, and I'm really excited to see Korver come back, maybe seeing Al shift to the PF slot more frequently with Ayón and Brand in the mix, AND I'm excited about getting an up-close look at Schröder. Do I think these guys are going to be kicking the Heat in the nuts and running for the Title? No. Do I think it's going to be fun basketball to watch? Yes. Do I want to be there to support the new faces (Coach Budweiser, Schröder, Ayón, etc.)? Hell yes.

SAY WHAT?!?!?! OOOOH NOOOO!!!! Just when I thought we were rid of Josh ...

They put the Josh interview up same day, so I'm kind of surprised. But you're right, looking through the rest of the podcasts, it seems kind of sporadic.

Man, I'm kicking myself for missing the interview. Does anyone know how to get the audio? 929 says that they have it on this page http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2013/09/04/156946/ but when you click on the link to take you to the podcast, it's either not there or hidden very well. Anyone been able to find it?

Good article. Seems to express the same feeling I have - hesitant optimism.

Exactly.

It really is dead around here. I can't wait for the season to start. Find myself watching YouTube videos of basketball just to get my fix.

Is Sap better than Smith? I don't know. Either way I think the moves were right. And that's tough for me to say. As a true Atlantan - native to GA and been here all my life - I actually took pride in having Smith here. (And had a twinge of excitment about DH coming in too, alongside Lou to actually represent the city/state). I go to the games and see an arena full of transplants rooting for the other team, and it pisses me off. For whatever reason I felt like if Smith could really shine (and maybe DH and Lou, too), people would actually start to take the city and the Hawks seriously rather than being the butt of the media jokes. But he had to go. And I'm happy with Sap as his replacement. Was Josh talented? Hell yes. But I don't care what kind of advanced statistics you show me, nothing is going to counteract the entire arena gasping every time he went to launch a long 2 or 3-pt shot (which happened FAR too often); or bringing up the ball instead of giving it to the PG and then turning the ball over; or having a great play drawn up for him underneath the basket only to turn it over; or bricking FT after FT 50% of the time; or running out the clock and not doing anything with the ball; etc etc. From where I stand, Sap has close enough stats to Josh and lacks all of those bad habits and because of that, I'm good. Some people hate Josh and probably will boo him when the Pistons come to town. I won't do that. I didn't even get in on all the booing when I was at the Hawks-Nets game when Joe Johnson came to town for the first time as a Net. (And there was a TON of booing.) Both Joe and Josh certainly had their faults (and no, I don't blame JJ for signing the massive contract - I'd have done the same thing), but they both wanted this franchise to do well, gave what they had for the team, and that's really all you can ask as a fan. Do I wish Josh wouldn't have been such a bonehead? Sure. Especially since I felt that because he was from here he could elevate this team even more than a player from somewhere else. It hurt to see Smith piss all that away, but I don't walk in that man's shoes and I've made my peace with it all. And it was just time for him to go, regardless of stats. I honestly didn't watch much of the Jazz for the past few years, but from what I've come to understand about Sap makes me think he's more than an adequate replacement for Josh. He seems like a team-oriented player; not flashy, but steady and reliable. Smart. And from what I saw from Smith last year, I'll take that. Peace out, Josh. Don't hold any grudges or anything like that. Wish you nothing but the best. But also realize it was time for you to move on. And a very heartfelt welcome for Paul Millsap.

Dang, not looking good for Moose-cala. Statisfically he looked good coming out of college, but playing for Bucknell probably didn't give him the toughest competition out there. He sure seemed to get shoved around a good bit during SL - I don't think I saw anyone else get knocked to the floor more than he did. Has a nice stroke though, and if he could bulk up and hone his inside game some more he could be lethal. (That's a lot of "ifs" though, right?) I'd guess the odds also aren't that great for my boy, Noogie, either. (Others like to call him Bebe, but with that 'fro how could you not want to give him a good ol' fashioned noogie?) Wish 'em luck nonetheless.

Unfortunately things are almost certainly done for this offseason. Next major activity will likely be near the trade deadline.

I could've gone either way with this. Eh, it is what it is. Good luck Noogie, and I hope you make it back soon (and bulkier).

Seriously hope he's brought back. Cheap contract. High upside. Seems like a no-brainer. Seems like the type of guy that we would regret letting walk away. Scott tore up the DLeague last year, didn't he? Averaging like 26 or 28 pts and 10 rebounds or something?

Congrats!!! After being married only two years myself, I can only assume that after so many years you have developed a deep patience, great understanding, and a healthy level of deafness. May you celebrate many more!

I was expecting it too but went back and all the reports I saw said it was based on "sources" To be fair, I don't know that Broussard had anything to do with it ... I just couldn't resist.

Would love to have him but not sure how he could make it down to the A-T-L. I would guess that DF has been trying to work something out, but who knows for sure. Does sound odd that they're trying to "educate" him.

If Scott could get his quickness where it needs to be he'd be a helluva option