JETSET

So do ya'll think it is better for us, (as far as the hunt for Paul/Howard goes), if the Spurs win this series or the Heat? If the Heat win, they will seem to be a dominant force that can only be beaten by the best of the best which could lead Paul and Howard to joinging forces in Atlanta. If the Spurs win, it's a good look for Coach Bud and the Spurs culture that we are attempting to bring to Atlanta. It shows that the Spurs know the recipe to defeating the Heat and Coach Bud will have played a solid role in the victory.

A Horford/Howard frontcourt would be the best frontcourt defense in the league by a mile and a half.

@JTB - I just noticed it on Tuesday so I am not sure the exact schedule of the show but it looks like it comes on every weekday at 11 pm on ESPN2. LOL at yall thinking that's Smoove.

Have any of you seen the new show that comes on at 11 pm est on ESPN2 called "Nation at Night"? I was watching it on Tuesday night and they were discussing the ATL possibly tampering incident and they asked Broussard what he thought about Howard and Paul in Atlanta. Broussard responded with saying that they will go to Atlanta if their biggest deciding factor is winning as Atlanta is by far their best opportunity to win a title. It was nice to see a commentator finally give some respect to Atlanta and not just blow us off like the trio would be a joke. It's a pretty good show with Max Kellerman, Broussard and Brian Scalabrine commentating. They also have a guest celeb each night. It was Marlon Wayans that night and Michael Rappaport was the guest last night. Best talk show on ESPN in my opinion.

I have to go with this. Dwight and Horford would own the paint on both ends of the floor. Add a playmaking wing to this pair and they can play with anyone in the league. I would love to have CP3 also though.

There are a ton of people already fleeing California. Businesses and individuals included. California's state income tax and sales tax are insane and he would save around 3 million over a 4 year deal in state income taxes if he came to Atlanta. This isn't including state sales tax where he would probably save another million or two. They say he stands to lose 30 million if he leaves LA. Take out the 20 million of the fifth year and the 4-5 million in state taxes and he will actually only lose 5-6 million over 4 years.

This sounds impossible because you would be way over the cap. Besides, you are better off having shooters around Dwight. There really is no need for Evans or Jack if we have Paul.

It's going to be a real bummer if we actually do land Paul and Howard and then they screw it all up by keeping Smith over Horford. I think everyone involved is smarter than that and it won't happen.

Best PG of all time has to go to Magic. Paul is the best point in the game today in my opinion though. He has the perfect mix of elite handles, passing and scoring. He can take over a game by getting in to the paint (also an artist of the pick and roll) and creating opportunities and he can take over a game by scoring on his own. Not many points in the league can do both (looking at you Rajon Rondo) My top 3 PG's: Paul Parker Westbrook

Surround Howard with a competent 4 and some shooters and he will put up 22+ points, 13+ rebounds, and over 2 blocks per game. Those are superstar numbers.

If we are able to convince CP3, Howard will be easy to persuade.

Ben Wallace HOF?? Say what

You obviously didn't watch the series. In the first few games Paul did what he usually does, to his own detriment, which is sacrifice his shots to try and get his teammates involved. The Clippers are a terrible team. They have ZERO post defense. Jordan and Griffin also provide ZERO post offense. The rest of the team is a bunch of has-beens in Crawford, Butler, Billups, Odom, Turiaf, Green. Barnes is older but he actually stepped up in the playoffs and played well. Chris dominated the Grizz in the last two games. He scored 63 points on over 50% shooting against the best defensive team in the league with no one to help him on offense. He is a top 5 player in this league and this would be obvious if the Paul/Horford/Howard trio happens. Chris Paul isn't overrated. Your problem is you are overrating his non-existent supporting cast.

Take away the fifth year and add in the fact that California's state millionaire tax is the highest state tax in the country and the difference isn't all that great. They pay 13.3% state income tax in California. Georgia's rate is 7%. So take away the 20 million for the 5th year and include the 3-4 million they will save on paying less state income tax and they will lose about 6-7 million over a 4 year span. This is less than 2 million per year. Win a title in ATL and they will easily recoup that money in endorsements.

I wouldn't want to have to rely on having both Jenkins and Korver as starters. I would prefer to go after a guy like Francisco Garcia to start at the 3. We can use our 1st rounders to go after an athletic playmaking wing even if it means trading both to move up some and get the player that we want. Paul has already proven that he can excel as the primary playmaker if need be though. He got to any spot on the floor that he wanted to against the Grizz and they are as good as it gets defensively. I think this rotation would be perfect: Paul/Lou Will Korver/Jenkins/Lou Will Garcia/Korver/Ivan Horford/Ivan/Scott Howard/A vet Center who provides defense (ie Dalembert) We use our first for a playmaking wing if one is available. Use the other on a Post player. This lineup would give us plenty of shooting and we would be able to use a variety of guard lineups. (Paul, Lou Will, Garcia), (Paul, Jenkins, Korver),

What feels different is the fact joining forces in ATL is the most logical choice to form a title contending team for each of them. A Paul/Howard/Horford trio is the best chance they have at winning a title. They also both have ties to the area and we are the only organization that can offer two max contracts. Sure it's a longshot, but it's a realistic longshot. This can and will be done if both players primary goal is to win. I don't see how people are upset about these rumors. This offseason has barely started and this is the most enjoyable offseason I have had as a Hawks fan already. We, for once, have a chance at being elite instead of stuck on a treadmill.

The money that it takes to acquire Lopez or Jefferson (basically a max) is Ludacris (ooh ooh) when they provide nothing on defense. I will more than happily take Zaza as a backup on a 4 million deal over one of these 1 dimensional clowns any day of the week. Atleast Zaza will leave us flexibility with the cap and not stuck on a treadmill for the next 5 years. Why would you be happy with mediocrity when he have dealt with it for the past 7 years?

What about game 7 where Noah had like 24 pts and 14 boards? Brook is slow and cannot defend the PnR and this killed the Nets throughout the series.

Horford had his best game of the year that night, so once again you are helping to prove us right with your own posts. Jefferson went off that game, on a undersized Horford, and they still lost because he allowed Horford to get any shot he wanted that night. This is exactly what we are saying. Jefferson can put up a statline that will make you say WOW but his team still loses because he provides no defense. As for Korver. Here's a little pro-tip: The Center position is the most important position on the floor defensively. Korver not playing good defense has a far less effect on the team defense than having a Center who can't play defense. and I don't even care to have Korver back unless we get Dwight.

By bringing up Lopez, you are actually helping to prove our point. This so-called "elite post scorer" couldn't help his team win a series against a depleted Bulls roster that was missing 2 of its best 3 players and was down to their 3rd string PG.

Did you even watch the Bulls/Nets series? Lopez's lack of defense was one of the main reasons the Nets lost. They ran the pick and roll with Noah non-stop and Lopez was too slow to guard either side of the pick-and-roll. Once again, another big man who looks all nice and shiny on offense but will never lead his team to winning anything significant. There is a lot more to this game than post offense.

Northcyde. You need to go back and watch our first game against Utah this season. Jefferson is as bad as it gets on the defensive side. He is a stat-padded that doesn't translate stats in to wins because his defense is so atrocious. Jefferson would be a waste and we would be right where we started. A 4-6 seed treadmill team.

LOL no. Dump Josh and sign Paul. We need maximum spacing if we are going to get Howard and who would create shots for people with the lineup you mentioned. It would be left up to Teague to be the facilitator and he likes to disappear in games far too often. Pau/Horford/Howard with shooters and a solid defender on the wing is a much better starting 5.

Can someone explain why they can't sign both? or give me a link that explains signing free agents and staying under the cap?

What is the rule on that? Are you not allowed to sign max players if it puts you over the cap?