phoostal

I think you are a joke or an embarrassment if you root for this team to lose. That is if you are a true Hawk fan. If you are then you shouldn't be rooting for the team to lose. Now that is just my opinion. But, I think true teams pull for their teams to win. Even if they do suck. No I don't live in California. I live in Florida and is just as bad here. Last night listening to the Orlando broadcastors making jokes about the Hawks. You think I appreciate that? Hell no. Especially when the Magic have the worse record in the league. The only way to shut those people up is by winning. And yes I have been to every Hawks game in Orlando. That is 15 years for a total of 30 games. But, I have never found myself sitting in the Orena rooting against the Hawks. So you maybe pissed called you an embarrassment as a fan, but you are if you deliberately root for this team to lose. You mine as well jump on the LA or King bandwagon. P

I think B. Knight deliberately puts players on the injured list. I think he does this to make the Hawks short handed on purpose. He wants to do everything in his power to make sure this team loses. Last night if they had anyone of the following guys Bracca, Person, Henderson or Hanson. They probably beat Orlando. I just think Knight is making the Hawks play with 8 or 9 just so they have had a better shot at losing. Even this pick up of Fuller I questioned. Orlando just picked up a guy that was averaging a double a double in that NBDL league (Pinacle, made the shot at the buzzer in the first half). We pick up a guy that is getting 6pts and 4 boards a game. Looks like Knight was just looking for a scrub from the NBDL to fit in with these NBA scrubs. Unlike most people on this site I root for this team to WIN. What kind of fan are you to cheer for them to lose. You better hope we end up with either the first or second pick. If not this franchise gets screwed again. But, then again for some of you it will be good. Because you can root for them to lose again next year. To try to get the next high school superstar. The sad thing is we could have easily won last night, but most of you on this site don't care you would rather have the team lose. You guys are an embarassment as Hawks fans. I said it. Have some pride. I don't care if you are banking your hopes on Howard or Okafor. I would still like to see this team win. You guys don't have to worry, your boy B. Knight will make sure it doesn't happen. Someone mentioned that Crawford has been playing well of late, but he will have an injury in a week or so. You are absolutely right. Knight will see to it. A mysterious ailment that finds him on the injured list. We can not have us winning games. I can't wait till they replace Knight in the off season. Please get Rivers in here as GM and Coach. I know he wouldn't deliberately try to lose games. I saw that first hand in Orlando. His first year he took a bunch a scrubs and got them to play 500 ball for the entire season. Thank goodness he didn't have Knight as a GM. Because he wouldn't have had it that way. By the way the 500 heart and hustle record led the team to signing McGrady and Hill. Shows you what winning could do for a team. P

Play, I wouldn't say the Blazers are way over 80%, because they have gone 4-4 since the trade that is 50%. As for who got the better of the deal only time will tell. P

KG is the man to have, all he asked his who you would want on your team, ignore salary P

News David Joseph might want to think about a new line of work. SportsLine.com's Jay Glazer reported that Joseph, the agent of 49ers' wide receiver Terrell Owens, failed to send in the necessary paperwork to void the last three years of the Pro Bowler's contract. As a result, Owens will not be a free agent until after the 2006 season. Browns' receiver Dennis Northcutt made a similar gaffe on Wednesday, taking another wide receiver off an already thin free agent market. Views We're not sure who is going to be more displeased with this blunder - Owens, the 49ers, or the Bay Area media. The cap-strapped 49ers now have Owens signed on for three more seasons, albeit at a relatively cheap price, and it will likely keep the team from filling other gaps this offseason. With Owens returning, the 49ers may also want to sever ties with Jeff Garcia, who doesn't have the best rapport with Terrell these days. Meanwhile, the teams positioning themselves to make a run at Owens may now have to refigure their offseason game plans, and Darrell Jackson has very little competition as the top free agent receiver on the market.

This is kind of funny do you think his agent has a job right now. LOL

This is kind of funny do you think his agent has a job right now. LOL

Fair Enough. But, one think I will state don't blame other teams for giving away their players. Some teams have to do it so they don't lose money. For example, the Devil Rays have a payroll around 38 million, lets say they increase their pay roll to 70 million. That is almost double what it is now. They would lose a lot of money. One being that they can not recoup a pay roll that size from attendance and the market they are in. The other being what is the purpose to have a pay roll that size. Lou Pinella is going to have a heart attack. He is so pissed about what the Yankees and Red Sox are doing. What's the sense of increasing pay roll when there is not a chance at winning the division or being a wild card. What's the point? No one is going to come out for an entire season to watch a team that is 15 to 20 games out of first. Tampa Bay could have their best year and win 85 games and in all likelihood not make the playoffs. So not only do they not make the playoffs they lose big in what they will have to pay. They will be losing money big time. It's just the economics of baseball. I just wouldn't say that teams deliberately give players away or don't want to win. Maybe one or two teams fall into that. Not all teams. Pittsburgh is the same as Tampa Bay and they even have a new stadium. I may see your point that teams have more of a chance to win a World Series before they win their own division. Because even you have to see that over a 162 game schedule the teams with the most talent will win. In a short series that isn't necessarily the case. P But you are right you will never see my POV and I will never see yours. I just thought I could bring a different perspective, because I'm not a Yankee fan. I just like baseball. I would prefer parity like the NFL. Some do not. I like the feeling of having every team being able to possiblly win the World Series.

I'm not saying that someone else can't win the World Series. Re-read my statement. I'm saying they are suppose to win because they have the most talent. When you have the most talent that's what usually happens. You win. There are times when it doesn't happen. But you give yourself the best chance possible. Other teams may have a shot like you mention 5 to 6 teams. (Geez, that is great for the game knowing that there are only 5 to 6 teams that can win it.) But, your team still has the best shot of any. Due to the talent you bought. So where is the since of accomplishment is what I ask you. It is one thing if it was home grown talent. But you only have 4 players on your roster from your minor leagues (Jeter, Posada, Rivera and Williams). Home grown talent there is a since of accomplishment. But, the Yankees will buy the title and they will win. The Yankees did nothing wrong. They just didn't really accomplish much to me. Also, its not like the Yankees are in some sort of drought. They haven't been champs in 3 years big deal. It could be worse if you were a Red Sox or Cubs fan. I just think it would be a big choke job if the Yankees don't win it. By all means they have the best roster. If injuries hit them, I can except that. But, if they just lose then they are overpriced chokers. P

First off the teams that received money from the luxury tax didn't get much at all. When all was said and done each team that got the luxury tax got around $700,000. Also, the Yankees were the only one paying the luxury tax. So please tell me what kind of player you are getting with $700,000? Next I don't blame the Yankees. They are doing everything within the rules. If the salary cap was implemented I guess the Yankees would have trade some of their high priced guys for prospects. It works both ways. P

I agree a salary cap should be in implemented in baseball. The problem is that the even though the owners don't have a problem with a salary cap (even George S. has agreed on a salary cap) the players union has always voted against the cap. So until the players can agree to adopt a salary cap it will never happen. So many people blame the owners of not having a salary cap, but its the players that are not allowing this to take place. I think there is a way to make it happen though. If the owners also voted yes for a minimum salary cap. Meaning you can exceed over $100 million per team, but you can't go under $60 million. This way players are still guaranteed money. It just wouldn't be with the same team (like the Yankees and Red Sox). Just my thoughts. P

I will give it up to the team as well. I was very critical of the trade of Wallace. I still am. But, I support all of Knight's other transactions. The team played hard and it was entertaining to watch. Lets hope I don't have to eat my words after tonight's game against Philly. P

Is it really going to be a big accomplishment if the Yankees win the World Series? They should, right? So what if they win the World Series, they are suppose to win? They have a bigger advantage than anyone. I'm not saying it is wrong. But, really what since of accomplishment is there? If the Yankees don't win they are a bunch of overpriced chokers. If the Yankees do win, well they are suppose to they have the best roster in baseball. P

I would do this trade in a heartbeat. But, Philly wouldn't even come close to doing this trade. JT and Hendu are not going to appease the Philly fans. Iverson would be great in Atlanta. Yes, he may not be as talented as he use to be. But he is better than Hendu and Terry put together. Also, he gives the team instant recognition. Not to mention he would probably be able to attract free agents to come here. I think this would be a great move for the Hawks. I may even forgive Knight in trading Wallace if he pulled off this deal. P

The Bulls a bad argument. The Bulls didn't have cap space. What free agents did they attract to play with Jordan when they first drafted him. I will help you out none. Things didn't start happening until they started to win. The Spurs they had one losing year before Duncan. Robinson was injured. Then they lucked out and won the lottery. Once again a bad example. All your other example prove yes you can rebuild through the draft but you aren't going to get any good free agents till you win. Not to mention the draft for all of the examples you gave was more a sure thing than it is now. When you drafted in the top 10 selections most of the time you were going to get a star player. There were some exceptions but for the most part you were going to get an all star type player. Now a days who knows what you are going to get because you have too many variables: Do I gamble on a college kid, high school kid or foreigner? Thus you may get an all star picking 27 before you do picking 3. Now your chances may increase at 3, but there are no guarantees now a days compared to the 80's. Which are the examples you gave me. P

Listen it may have been coincidence, but the fact is they won. Wether they wanted to or not. They won. That's why it was attractive to go to Orlando. They won. Then you factored everything else. Draft picks, cap space, no state income tax, the weather, etc. Do you actually think free agents would have gone to Orlando if they were the running joke in the league? Come on I know you are smarter than that. People hyped up Orlando before that off season. Because they were winning. Look at the job Doc Rivers did. Those guys are young and only going to get better with the draft picks and cap space. This is what everyone was saying. Winning created this positive press. Not losing and that is what the Hawks will be doing. You aren't seeing the fact that making the playoffs or coming close tells free agents such as Allen, Bryant, and TMAC superstars that hey this team may not be as bad as everyone makes them out to be they just made the playoffs last year (or came close) they have money to pay me, they have some young upcoming players and draft picks. Then the rest is gravy. Like the new coach, owner, etc. Winning changes the way people view the franchise. Everyone keeps underestimating that fact. P

Yeah, he did. But I still would trust West more than I would Knight. So because West may have had one bad draft, let's not bury him. We still don't maybe one of those guys still pans out. And let's not say Knight is better at eyeing talent that West just yet. P

I prefer trying to win games with Sheed. Before I rely on mid to late first round pick. Winning games with Sheed and trying to get the last playoff spot I think is a stronger guarantee then gambling on mid to late first round pick. Just my opinion. P

Yes, but the difference is they won. We aren't going to win. That has been my whole point you have to win. They were winning games. We are not going to be winning games and thus we have the losers label.

The difference between Orlando and us was that the year before Orlando finished at 500 or a game or two below 500. Barely missing the playoffs. It was Doc's first year and it was the year they pushed the mantra of "Heart and Hustle". What is this team going to push we are the worse NBA team in the history of the sport? This is why it was beneficial to keep Wallace and not just tank the season. Believe me I know what Orlando did that summer I was covering the team when Shaq and Penny were drafted up until they signed TMAC and Hill. It was part of my summer internships and part time jobs with the local radio station. We will see what they can pitch to these free agents. I hope I'm wrong nobody wants to see Atlanta win more than me. I'm sure you all feel that way. I just wouldn't be saying the way Knight is doing is so great and the way to go. Everyone keeps shrugging off that it isn't important to win and look competitive while doing so. Showing promise. This team isn't going to this and they will feel the affects. P

We will see but lets compare the situation of Atlanta with others that have cap space. Other players Detroit, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, Utah, LA Clippers and Atlanta. Money, they all have it. Detroit only has 10 million but that is still enough to make an impact. City, hate to say this but all those cities can hold their own to Atlanta, with the exception of Utah Ownership, Detroit, Denver, Phoenix and Utah all have good ownership. Who knows what kind of owners we have yet? So it's not as stable as the above mentioned. Opportunity, all teams can offer that to a player. I give Atlanta an edge over Utah and Chicago, but thats it. With limited free agents this year we won't get anyone of significance. We will probably overpay for Richardson and Martin then be stuck trading them down the road for picks and cap space. I hope I'm wrong and you are right this summer Deisel. But your prediction of Big Dog being a hit in Philly isn't really ringing true right now so you maybe wrong on this one as well, but thats another story for another time. As you said we will wait and see. Besides we have no other option, but to do so. Let's hope Knight knows something we don't like he is getting Allen, Kobe and TMac in the next two years. P

With all those names you have shown us, you should also include every other player that was drafted during that same time period that turned out to be a bust/no body. I think you will see that number will far exceed the list you have compiled. Yes, it is possible to get a good players. But, the odds aren't in your favor. It's not like we have J. West making our selection. P

Fair Enough. I think we can all agree to disagree. But for some to say this is the right way to go, well only time will tell. I just think through trades(actually keeping players that are good in a trade), some draft picks(they don't have to be top 5 picks, like now) and some cap space is how we can rebuild instead of only relying on the draft. That's the only thing we have, because I just feel no one that matters in free agency is going to sign here. The losing is going to be a monkey on this franchise's back. In every aspect from resigning draft picks, free agents, fans that come, etc. But, we will see if Billy's way is right. Hell we have no choice. P

Please explain to me the logic of why they would come here now, after the points I discussed. Please tell me something to contradict the points I made. If you can? I know your snide comments are cute and gets a nice laugh from people that read them(to be honest I do enjoy your sense of humor). But, please disprove my thoughts. Maybe I'm just not seeing some things that others are seeing. I would like for you to help me out. Players are more apt to come to a team that is winning than losing. We would be winning more with Sheed then without him, thus no one wants to come to a loser. P

This is the point I'm trying to make. People mention we can get the likes of QRich and Martin. Is that an upgrade over Reef and Ratlif? If it is slightly. It might make a game or two difference. Next Deisel tells me if I wanted to keep Wallace so bad we can go after him this off season what is the difference. The difference is that this team is worse off now than it was with him. Why would he want to come back to a place like this? A mess. With him we could have had a chance to make a run for the last playoff seed. With that opportunity comes a lot of benefits. People use the old excuse of who just wants to be an 8th playoff seed. Well the answer is no one. But, I'm looking into the future and being 8th seed this year will help us in future years. Because we will have cap room and picks. But what being the 8th seed brings is credibility to top free agents that want to come here. It's too show them that this team is an up and comer. Whether Wallace decided to stay or go we would still have that credibility of being up and comer with that playoff spot. Deisel take a look a round it is easy to see how the Hawks could make that final playoff spot with Wallace. Teams from 8 on down are playing horrible. With the only exception Cleveland. It was a possibility. People on this site don't know what losing does to a franchise. Well we are about to find out. After 5 to 10 years of having cap space and no one coming here. Let me know what you think. When we get draft picks for four years do you think they will want to re-up to sign with a loser? So we sign QRich and Martin. Now we will be stuck with their bad contracts for the next 6 to 7 years. Then what happens do they get traded for cap space and draft picks because the team isn't winning. Everyone clamors about Denver. They got lucky. Let's see if they sustain it. They got lucky Detroit didn't take Carmelo. They got lucky that V. Lenard is playing his best basketball. They got lucky that Camby is healthy. They do deserve credit for Nene and to recruit Miller. But, does Denver really look like a Western Conference power. Come on the Hawks swept them this year. Look at NY. They did a make over to their roster and it wasn't through cap space and picks. Now they might add Wallace next year. You know why? Because people are viewing NY as an up and comer in the East. Who's to say they won't be the beast of the east next year. That seems to be a good rebuilding process. The Lakers Bryant(Hornets), Shaq (Magic), Fox (Celtics), Payton (Sonics) and Malone(Jazz). No draft picks from these guys. And when their time is done, I bet you they don't rebuild through cap space and picks. Winners don't rebuild they reload. Losers keep force feeding you a rebuilding plan. I'm glad some of us are buying into it. I hope I'm wrong. It sucks to be a Hawks. But, I guess I have to keep convincing myself. We will be good. Since I'm 30 I hope I will be alive to see it. P