Canopy

I think third year is a player option.

F*$K!!!! I am glad Paul is okay! Praying for person on bike.

I have never played fantasy sport before, but I am interested. Not sure if I am "eligible".

Noah for Horford - No; kills our spacing as he does not have Horford's range. Noah for Splitter - Yes; both of them are injury prone, but Noah brings more energy and is a better overall player.

Fact that Patterson who plays the same position is getting more minutes speaks of confidence coaches have on Hardaway. It's the same treatment that Jenkins got because he couldn't play defense.

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/budenholzer-now-trying-to-prove-himself-in-two-job/npqCt/ I am one of those couch-GMs who don't like the Hardaway deal.

Charles Barkley.... I would say David Aldridge and Zach Lowe.

1. Baze was good for most of the game on both offense and defense including boards. But, erratic Bazemore returned during the last minutes of the 4th quater when he fouled Batum -- that was at critical time and easily avoidable foul. 2. Al has to make more effort in getting the rebounds. 3. Splitter weakness of not able to finish the play showed up few times....but he is still plus defender. 4. Love Lamar's game; I predicted in one of the threads that Lamar will get more minutes than Mack and will eventually replace him for roster spot...but didn't expect he will get more time than anyone on bench (except Schröder). He is still hesitant shooting the ball...most of the time he passes the ball even when he could easily take the shot.....it may be by design. Lamar's defensive play will crucial during playoffs. 5. Thabo did on defensive end what Thabo usually does. 6. Our strongest position is PG...we never miss a beat. 7. Millsap pretty much does everything -- 3 points shooting, rebounds, blocks, steals, assists, drives to the basket, boxes out etc. etc. When he drives to basket sometime it feels like he does not have good control and causes turnover. But, overall his game is always a huge plus.

51 win season. Other predictions for regular season: 1. Lamar Patterson will get more minutes than Mack and slowly will replace him. 2. We will trade either Muscala or Scott before trade deadline. Mack may also be the trade mix. 3. Dennis will perform at same level as last year - no improvements. 4. Holiday will get more minutes than everyone here is predicting. He will surprise lot of folks, and he and Lamar will be candidates for most improved player within the team....of course, comparing with last year's performance for their previous team. 5. Two players will go to all-star game and Bud will be a candidate for coach of the year.

I think Coach Bud tried the big lineup in Pelicans game, which was not televised. I don't recall seeing it in Cavs game. May be we will see in other upcoming preseason games.

If Larry Drew was our coach then this projection may have been close. But, with coach Bud and fact that roaster has mostly remained the same, I would say they are off by +8 to 10 win. Almost every player saw improved efficiency under Bud and even though current SF situation is not ideal, team's overall depth have improved.

I saw a tweet from AJC that Patterson is training for summer league, but didn't see any confirmation about Edy Tavares. Just googled and found a Spanish article indicating that Edy will be participating in Afrobasket that runs through Aug...so I guess no Edy for summer league. http://www.tintaamarilla.es/noticia/2015/06/16/183/16295-Walter_Tavares_se_prepara_para_su_concurso_en_Afrobasket_2015.html (translate using google)

hawks in 6

Horford....he is getting more aggressive with each game...and I like aggressive Horford. He is in his prime and will bring ring this year.

I am sticking with Millsap.

I thought I responded to this thread earlier -- before the series my guess was Millsap. But, now my vote goes to Demarre even though Millsap improved with each game. Demarre was awesome on both ends of the floor. Demarre does get some open shots at perimeter due to attention Korver gets, but he was able to make those shots and do much more. He was effective and efficient on scoring, defending and rebounding. Hollins too thought Demarre was MVP of the series.

There is always an economic impact of a sports franchise. As I mentioned earlier it's debatable if the "net" impact is positive for local government and tax payers. But, no matter what studies say, most of the local government offer incentives to sports franchises to stay in their community. Kasim has mentioned that he would consider concessions to new owners for Hawks to stay in Atlanta. Here is his quote from USA Today article: "Reed said the city will likely be willing to offer concessions to any new owner to ensure the Hawks commit to remaining in Atlanta for another 30 years. He said there could be as much as $150 million available after the city sells Turner Field, the current home of the Braves, though the mayor said that process has been held up by the baseball team's refusal to set a definite date for its departure."

All sports franchise get benefits (public expenditures) from cities....it's kind of quid pro quo, they help bring businesses/jobs which boosts cities tax revenue, and in-turn cities offer goodies to attract them. Also, there are other intangible benefits like quality of life for residents, which is hard to measure but politician can claim them during elections. Some of the benefits to cities are debatable, but that's the main reason why Kasim Reed is involved. Any mayor will be involved during such a big decision to make sure Hawks are not moving, some may not be so public about it. Also, Kasim has already lost Braves to Cobb, so he has more incentive to be more involved to ensure it does not happen this time.

Austin Daye.... I think it would be Millsap. If he is fully recovered, which I am hoping he will be by Sunday, he will dominate the PF match-up.

Just read on a website a tweet from David Pick from Eurobasket.com that Hawks intend to bring Edy for next season. With Muscala development as PF, we will have a "big" bench. Already excited for next season!

Muscala.

I heard on a TV commercial that there is no "i" in birth....I mean assist, so I would say all the starters and coach Bud :).

Just checked the NBA website and it shows we have clinched the playoff birth! Wow! Just wow! I thought we were one more win away from it. Is it a franchise record for the soonest playoff clinch?

One guy we can sign in order of preference: 1) Andray Blatche 2) Hamed Haddadi 3) Von Wafer

I know Turnover and not making free throws were big reason for loss, but for me the most critical was second chances Toronto had. They were getting too many offensive rebounds and at important stages of game. Our front court is small and my fear is tonight's rebounding struggle will be replayed against bigger teams.