LamarHampton

Surprised to see this ... I always assumed this guy was a spiffy, upstanding guy. He was a solid role player for the Hawks back when I started watching. Really enjoyed watching him play back in the 90's. He was also famous for having MJ make "The Shot" on him when he was with Cleveland, but you can't hold that against him ... it was MJ after all. But anyway, never thought I'd see an article like this about him. Mookie, yes. But Craig? Nah. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9529448/former-nba-player-craig-ehlo-jailed-wash

AHHHH!!! Sorry, I was thinking much dirtier than that. My tainted mind never once thought of the very word that was designated as unmentionable just a few posts up. Thanks!

Maybe I'm naive, but I've been trying and trying to figure out what starts with a 'p' and has that many * 's after it that would need to be censored. Help?

I think Boban Marjonavic has a better shot at being our starting center. Truth is, at this point in roster formation, if it's not Horf, then it's probably falling on Brand. And if that happens, it'll likely be a center by committee scenario since Brand isn't likely to give us a ton of MPG.

Mmm ... bangers 'n mash ... sorry, got me sidetracked there for a second. Maybe the terminology is off a bit. Sure, we'll be a blue collar yet efficient team. But when I think "banger" I think of guys like Zaza and Ivan and Josh. Like yungsta was saying, we're an undersized jumpshooting team. I'm excited for the flexibility we've got and I can't say that any of the moves made by DF are bad (despite not having a legit C and a serious need at the wing). But I don't know if "bangers" has the right connotation.

I'd venture to guess that the culture thing relates to Ivan having such a temper and having been kicked out of the Korean Basketball League "forever" for throwing a middle finger at a ref, something he did to a fan last year (and got fined $25k). That would be my guess. He's apparently done other things that amount to "conduct detrimental to the team" and is likely not the best guy in the locker room. But I'd love to have him back. I know DF and Bud are trying to build their own thing with nice guys like Duncan - Horford types, but Ivan Johnson brings it every night and plays extremely physical. All that said, I doubt he is brought back. Just not sure we have the room for him with everyone else that is being brought in and the guys that DF/Bud are trying to develop.

I'd feel more confident about signing a legit 7-foot center over Antić. Don't have anything personally against Antić, it just seems like need a center more than a guy who's apparently more of a PF. And Aldrich put on a good show with the limited minutes he got.

I think this is about Pero Antić, but I thought he was mostly a PF who likes to throw the 3 ball around. I'm not a huge fan of the decision myself. I'd rather see Ivan come back than this guy personally.

Our guys + Oladipo, Burke, Adams, and Karasev

And I forgot about Lou ... throw him in there somewhere

I would think:Teague/SchroederKK/Jenkins/CunninghamSap/ScottHorf/PeroBrand/BebeIf Brand doesn't get in a ton of minutes, Bebe could be the beneficiary.

And what's all this talk about not having a rim protector? http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/7/20/4530268/2013-NBA-offseason-danny-ferry-josh-smith-paul-millsap-elton-brand So how did GM Danny Ferry address the defensive concerns that stemmed from a Millsap-Horford frontcourt? He brought in one of the league’s most effective defensive power forwards, Elton Brand. It was only two years ago Brand was perceived as a realistic candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award. He was the anchor of Philadelphia’s stalwart front line, and though it helped having Andre Iguodala shut down opposing wings and limit penetration, Brand was the glue that held the pieces together—a strong rim protector who upheld Kirk Goldsberry’s principles of proximal field goal percentage. According to Goldsberry’s research, which covers all of the 2011-2012 season and a good portion of the 2012-2013 season, when Brand was an interior defender within 5 feet of any shot attempt, he held opponents to the fourth lowest field goal percentage of any player in the NBA (38.0%). He finished better than notable defensive mainstays Roy Hibbert (5th, 38.7%), JaVale McGee (10th, 42.5%), Tim Duncan (14th, 43.4%), Dwight Howard (15th, 43.5%), Kevin Garnett (21st, 44.9%), and Tyson Chandler (28th, 45.7%). In other words, while Brand may not block shots as well as Hibbert or McGee, he alters and challenges shots better than almost anyone in the NBA because of positioning and defensive understanding.

I assumed since we seem to have PF covered pretty well, and also because although he busts his a** on the court, I'm guessing he doesn't fit what DF and Bud want for the team culture.

Ivan & Zaza - High energy; never tried to play outside their skillset; always gave 100% with whatever minutes they were given; not afraid to match up with anyone.

Whatever, just so long as we can get back to those early 80's short shorts.

I like the guy. He's a hard worker, and honestly sometimes it helps to have PGs with different skill sets and methods. He always runs. I agree that there were a few WTF moments during SL but he usually followed it up with a really good pass or defensive act. For being shipped around as much as he has, I'm really surprised he hasn't found a solid "home" yet because his play at Butler was pretty strong. Hope he can make the roster.

Idk man, seems like he's done pretty well to snag rebounds for someone that's undersized. Maybe it's more his BBIQ and positioning, but I never noticed his springs not working. Do hope he gets more minutes. He was very solid every SL game. Seems to have great work ethic, smart player, can contribute on both ends, ... and dude retweeted me. So I'm a fan.

I was actually a pretty big fan of the 90's uniform. Love those hardwood classics game they had this past season. Snazzy.

*** Additions: Dennis: Shredder / Dennis the Menace / DTM / German Chocolate Korver: Ashton Williams: Sweet Lou Lucas: Noogie / Noogs

I like that he's 6'11" with an outside shot and high BBIQ. He doesn't seem strong enough to play an NBA C but perhaps PF. I'd love for him to make the team but really should bulk up a lot.

Certainly feels like DF still has something up his sleeve. I'm guessing it'll be at the 5 spot since there are a lot of people we have that can be mixed and matched at the SF/SG spot (like those listed and Scott). Apparently Daly is off the table since he's now agreed to a spot with the Mavs ( http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/9486487/samuel-dalembert-reaches-deal-dallas-mavericks-sources ), so I'm not really sure who else might still be in play realistically. Could be a solid 2 or 3 I guess. Who knows. But in any event, I think you're right in the estimation of wins. Lou coming back should have a big impact - actually looks like we have a very strong 2nd unit we're putting together. Eh .... yeah, I'm not so sure how they came up with those numbers. Even with JR going down and whatnot I just don't see the Knicks dropping that far. And the Heat? What's with them losing so many more games? Mike Miller getting kicked out of town? That team should have no problem getting some key guys to come in on the cheap just for a shot at a ring. Maybe the Pacers overachieved last year, but most all of their key components to that overachieving squad are back, so I would rather overestimate them until they prove otherwise.

Prolly what's going on with the delay in Pek signing - trying to work him in the Brooklyn lineup somehow to make them a Soviet Powerhouse in the Eastern Conference

Yeah Soth, I can appreciate a different POV but I've been looking at this site for only a little over a year and it seems like every time you post (and a couple of select others) it's always hyper-negative. Sometimes that sort of thing is warranted, but not in every single thread. I read tons of threads where I disagree with people but I don't write anything to them because my Mama said if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. You obviously watch a lot of ball and have a lot of knowledge, and a lot of us appreciate that. But there's no need to drop a verbal load on everyone or every thread that doesn't focus on tanking and building through the draft. A lot of moves have been made in this offseason, and for a large number of us who disagree with the tanking strategy (or those who accept that's not the direction we're going), we're excited. The Korver re-signing has a lot of potential. The Millsap signing has a lot of potential. The Teague re-signing has a lot of potential. Our rookies from this year and last have a lot of potential. Brand even brings a good bit of excitement to the table. There's a lot to be excited about around here in Hawks Country. No need to poo poo every single move because (a) nothing has really been all that bad, (b) nobody wants to hear that over and over, and © as a part of the "culture change" of this organization, we could contribute somewhat in our own little way by changing the way we view and portray our team by not pouring out such a negative viewpoint all the time and instead finding positive ways of supporting our team. Just my $0.02 Love you long time.

This is just silly. Absolutely silly. Maybe one day, but not now - no matter how you spin it. No. What's that? I think I hear the Pelicans calling ...

Noogie has like 5 blocks, right?!?!