phoostal

Hey nice picture of you, but I can't see your face your head is cut off in the picture. Tell the guy bend a little lower so we can get a look at your face. P Here is my photo http://profiles.yahoo.com/phoostal

My point Chillz, we should win. If we don't win games we should win. It is going to shake this team mentally. It's funny I just read two San Fran newspapers and the Golden State team is telling the papers this is a must win for them as a team. They will have J. Richardson back as well as Nick Van Exel.

I pose this question for everyone, Do you feel tonight's game is a must win? I say Yes. Here is my reasoning: We need to take advantage of a underman Golden State team We need to beat a team we should beat We need to start this trip on a positive note We need to get a road win Those are the main points for the must win scenario. This team needs to win tonight to prove to itself it can win on the road, beat a team they are better than and build confidence for the rest of the trip. Now I know this is only game 5 of the year. But, this is a stepping stone this team needs. It's a small success. And as you get one small success after another you start to build something bigger. But, before you get bigger you have to take these small steps. I feel if we lose we may get into another rut. Our psyche will take a huge hit. Let alone I think we will have a below .500 road trip. Something like 1-4 or 0-5. Also, a loss would test their will to win with the next game at Portland. That would prove to be another big game if they lose tonight. A bounce back game testing this team. I feel the team's mental state is fragil and the more close losses or games they should win (tonights game) is the closer I feel they will get to their breaking point. Which is where they basically giveaway the season with their rally cry being "Same Old Hawks." No one here wants to see that, I'm sure we all feel this team is good enough to compete for a playoff spot in the East. And winning a game they should win will take a step in the right direction. With a win I could see 3-2 or 4-1. Winning breeds confidence. This team can only take so many close losses. A win would go a long way for their mentality of winning on the road. Your thoughts? P

When it comes to Diaw. Everyone has them as a starter and he is so good at doing this and that. Well, I have watched all three games and I have no idea where people are getting the idea he should be a starter. It has only been three games and I think we made a good draft pick with this guy. But, in no way do I want him as a starter. This guy makes one bad pass after another and can't shoot. Both can improve and will improve. But by no means should this guy start. Everytime he comes in the game it's a given he will make some sort of bad pass. I think he is more prone to TO's then anyone else. I will give him this, he hustles and plays good Defense. Even though Fred Jones was lighting him up last night. I like Diaw, but he is not starter quality yet. P

Play, I really can't speak on what Stotts will do. But, like you I agree with the spacing aspect of this team. It was awful last game. I think everything should run through Reef. But the supporting cast needs to be better spaced. Case in point in the N.O. game Reef was about to spin off his man and Wesley made the critical steal in over time. Reason: spacing was bad. Wesley came off his man and got to Reef. Better spacing will either allow Reef to score or recognize the double teams quicker. I also like the pick and rolls utilizing Reef. The reason I have everything running through Reef is simple he is our only low post threat that also can step outside and make a shot. I would like to see us to continue to run when we have the opportunity. Keep up our defensive style as well. We need this team not to get down when a team makes a run at them. They have to learn that is part of the game as well. Every team makes a run. Other than that I didn't have a problem with their intensity, heart and hustle. Those are my thoughts on the offense. I must add when someone is hot on offense they should keep feeding them. That is obivious, but sometimes we get away from that. Weather it was Glover last game or S Jax after he had 3 out of 4 3's. Sometimes you have to feed the guy that is hot. Also, probably most important, cut down on the TO's. P

BIG DOG IS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JT IS STILL ON THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET'S MOVE ON AND GET HARPING ON THE PAST!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not going to mention any names. I think most can figure it out yourselves. But, it really isn't enjoyable coming onto this site. It is a far different scene then when I first started on this site a little over three years ago. The spew of negativity and hatered towards this team is sickening. People will bring up facts about the Hawks, and the people that dominate this board are just so one sided with their negative views. That nothing ever gets through to them. This site should not be called Hawksquawk. It should be called "My opinion is the truth by (name 1, name 2 and name 3), yours doesn't matter!" This way everyone knows what they are in for when coming on this site. At least most of the people on this site have objective opinions. Even when these naysayers spout off. Supporters will somewhat agree with what they say and give their opinions in return. Instead of having an inteligent conversation they are shot down like they don't know anything. The dominant faction doesn't even respond to the comments people make. They are so stuck in their views they won't change. What kind of board is that? At least I can say I look at the whole picture and not dwell on the negative. But, I hear those views and I can make arguments for the negativity and for the positives. Which most on this board do. With the exception of a few and this is who I'm talking about. WHAT THE F***? It's only been one game, it's a new coach, the players are finally healthy for a year, new ownership and they are a young team. GIVE THEM AN F'N CHANCE! Instead we hear the pathetic rhetoric that comes across in these threads. It's shameful these people are even Hawks fans. I think we have one common goal and that is the Hawks to do well. But, with some of the fans we have they don't deserve to support a winner. They should just jump on to another band wagon. They don't know the meaning of support. I would almost be happy seeing the Hawks fail for their entire lives for all the S$$$ they say against the team. But, because I care about the Hawks I would rather them win. This is just my opinion. I know some of you might not agree and I'm okay with that. Unlike most I look at the whole picture. Sometimes you just have to vent. And NO, I'm not going to leave this site because we have some people that are one-sided with their opinions. Why should we let them rule this site with their views. I'm sure others might agree. P

Diesel, All I can say right now, is it's only been one game. We have 81 to go. Let's see how the season goes. If the same thing is taking place in game 30 I would start questioning coaching and the players. But, let us see how it plays out, before we call for everyones heads or say they stink. By the way I never bashed Dog. I really didn't care what happen with him. I was fine if he stayed or left. So I'm not a dog basher. I'm just tired of bringing up players we use to have or should. We have what we have. Let's make the best of it. One thing I noticed last night, which no one has mentioned. Was how the team was poorly spaced last night. Everyone is quick to blame JT. But, look at the game he was running into his own teammates or their defenders. That isn't necessarily his fault. For instance, on the last play in the 4th Dion almost ran into JT and then Reef brought his guy over. The next thing you know he didn't have a shot. I wouldn't blame JT for that. I thing the whole team needs to understand the offense. It is easy to blame just one player in JT or Reef, but let's look a little deeper. It doesn't seem people on this board do that. Like someone mentioned earlier, everyone hates on Reef now. He had a bad night shooting against one the most physical teams in the paint. Yet, look what else he did 16 boards, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 turnover. He didn't let his offensive struggles take him out of other parts of his game. But, he has no heart. That is should an ignorant statement. Watch the game. P

I should have known all you Hawk fans that predict doom and gloom would be spouting off today. It's easy to say these things after loss. Yes, it was disturbing that we had 27 turnovers. But, let us stick with the team and see the outcome for the year. Then after the year you can say I told you so and I know more than you speeches. Until then let us see how the season unfolds. As far as this team having no heart or effort. That is a stupid comment. Because you have turnovers doesn't mean you have no heart and effort. It was one game, a game we should have won, but didn't. The players were pumped up and very tight. Everyone wants to slam JT and Reef, but in the 4th qt they made some tough shots. Yes, they had turnovers but so did everyone. For Christ sakes it's one game, get over it and move on. We play the Bulls. Let's plan on getting a W there. Besides if we polled most people they would have predict a loss for us last night. There were some very nice things by the team last night. Let's build on it and work on making corrections to our mistakes. Instead of dwelling on the negatives. Diesel, can you please get over it? G. Rob is gone. He is not on the team. Enough said. Just like DJ isn't on the team. Or no team for that matter. Also, someone mentioned why we didn't sign D. Armstrong. We didn't have an owner and this prohibted us signing him. Living in Orlando I know D. Arm listed Atlanta as team he wanted to play for, but unfortunately we didn't have owners. Just to cap off this message. Let's watch the season unfold. Make our comments each game, but the threads I have been reading suggest Armageddon. What the h$$$, it's one game. Let's move on. P

I think one point that is not being brought up in this whole debate is the fact that Kobe wants to test the waters in the off season. So no matter if he gets traded to another team, he is still going to be a free agent. So why would teams gamble to trade for him? He would only be there for half the season and possiblly leave. I saw Jim Gray discuss this issue last night. He discussed the very topic of him opting out and Kobe's words to Jim Gray was "I want to explore free agency, I don't know if I will sign with anyone else, but I want to test the waters. I have only been with one organization for my entire career. I want to see what other teams have to offer." This doesn't sound like a guy who when traded will stay with that team. So why would you trade for him? P

After reading the thread about S. Roberts, does anyone know if Billy Knight has an email address? You know like Pete had. I think it was "ask the gm" or something like that. A good question to Billy would be the pick up of Roberts. Plus it just would be nice to ask him anything about the Hawks. P

Who says we have to tank the season? Weather we win or lose, we will have that much money under the cap. So, tanking the season has nothing to do with us getting Kobe. I actually think having a good season would only enhance the chances of getting Kobe. The money we have under the cap is going to be the same win or lose. So let's go out and win as many as possible. That way it would be more attractive for Kobe to be here. I maybe wrong on the money, but that is my opinion. P

If we want to be realistic, let's look back the last two years. Two years ago, Theo never played. JT was in his second year and this was the first year with SAR. Lon K. was the coach. The problems were: we had no direction, the players were young and still learning each other. So I wouldn't think this is a valid year to say the Hawks blew it. Last year. The Hawks made a big trade for Glenn. Had Theo for a full year and still had Lon as a coach. Once again, problems were: still no direction with Lon, had to deal with a coaching change in the middle of the year, Glenn never worked in Atlanta for whatever reason you want to say. But the fact is he never worked out. It is evident by the way the team played and the comments from team mates that Glenn didn't fit and had to go. I would call this season a wash, due to the coaching change and chemistry problems with the Dog. I think this is the turning point year. The Hawks have a decent coach. We will see what he will be able to provide for an entire year. At least we don't have a college coach trying to coach and learn the NBA. We have our young players healthy and all ready to go. They have played with each other and should make strides. They don't have the NBA learning curve. I am a realist and I think this team just may surprise people. I was encouraged to see there record of 21 -19 over the last 40 games. It is what it is. You may knock that down with a negative, but the facts are they still went 21-19 and played better ball. I only think S. Jax will help. He is young and will fit in better with this group. I will say this, if this team doesn't improve on their record from last year. Then it maybe time to change. I do believe this is the year of no excuses. I think the Hawks will step up to the challenge. The funny thing is people will jump to the conclusion we suck with first losing streak. All I say is wait to judge at the end of the year. I know one thing. I don't see this team winning less than 30 games. These predictions from the so called experts that they will finish in the low 20's with wins is ridiculous. We will see my friends. I'm excited, like we all should be it is the beginning of new reign. Not only on the court, but on the bench and front office. I think this team will surprise, we will see over the course of this season. P

Not to come down on some people on this board, but I'm glad Terry Stotts doesn't think like them. Below are some quotes from him in the recent AJC article. Granted I don't think this team is a title contender, but the east isn't that great. Who knows the potential for this team? But, at least you can have hope for a good season. Instead of predicting doom and gloom. We may struggle to begin the season. This of course will lead to the negative Hawk fans to write off the season and blame anything in site. But, I think we should judge the season as a whole. Find the positives, instead of always picking up on the negatives. Sure there are negatives and you must notice them to improve. But, I challenge those to find the good things in this team, instead of always finding the negative. Below are quotes from Stotts: "I'm realistically optimistic," Stotts said. "There are gung-ho coaches, salesmen, that say things are always rosy. I don't think I'm like that. "But you always have to feel like you have hope," he said. "The minute you quit or the team senses you quit, then they have no reason to keep going, either. That's what being a leader is." Here is to a good season. Go Hawks!!!! P

Once again you prove your ignorance. I have posted only two times on DJ. So it isn't everytime. Let's get that straight. Since you do tend to exagerate in your posts. Next because I have come out and said that DJ is not an impact player isn't hate. Let me give you the definition of hate stratight from Webster's "to feel animosity or hostility toward; detest, to have distaste for" I don't have any animosity or hostility toward DJ. I don't detest or have a distaste for DJ. This has been proven the two emails I posted. I always state that I wish him the best and I'm happy he has recovered. What I do have animosity and hostility towards is the fact that people think he is actually a good NBA player. Let me help everyone out, HE ISN'T. And that's a fact, prove me otherwise. You can't. He hasn't done anything in the league. So it isn't a big loss for the Hawks. You may bring up Nailon, and yes I favor him over DJ. Reason is he has proven more than DJ in this league. You say DJ is athletic, let me help you out if you are in the NBA you have to be a decent athlete. He is a good shooter, well so is S. Kerr, but I'm not billing him as a good player. I'm just saying the qualities you mention you can find in most NBA players one way or another. Even with these qualities he has how come he isn't a better player then? There has got to be a reason? Also, if he such a can't miss player how come teams weren't beating down the door to sign him? So hopefully when you respond you can see I'm not attacking DJ as a person. I'm attacking his NBA ability. So, my friend if you want to say I'm hating, I will agree in one way and that is "I hate his basketball playing ability" for the simple fact he is an average player at best. But, "I'm not hating him as a person". Once again I wish him the best and maybe he will prove me wrong. But, until he does something who gives a crap about DJ the player. Stop making him out as this guy that is going to be something special in the NBA (his recovery was special, not his game). He isn't helping the Hawks and that is why we are here posting. If I wanted to hear about DJ I would join the Suns site. P

No one is hating. I guess that is your rebuttal to my comments. But, I don't like being called hater when it is not deserved. If you would read what I wrote, which I can only assume you didn't. You will notice I wrote that is terrible what happen to him and that I hope he can come back and play. I have wrote that in any post that I have discussed DJ. My point which everyone seems to ignore, because they are so enthralled with the guy. Is the following: he doesn't play for the Hawks anymore (so quit crying about him), he has never done anything in this league (so quit trying to make him better than he is) and he doesn't even have an NBA body. But everyone seems to ignore these things. I think it is mostly because everyone is caught up in the fact of what a miracle it is that the guy has come back from such a horrific injury. I agree he should be applauded for the come back he has made. But, let us not be blinded about the fact that he is just an average player if that. He hasn't proven anything in the NBA. This is my point. No where was "I hating" as you claim. Maybe you should realize his playing ability instead of just looking at his come back from injury. I wish him the best, just quit shoving him down our throats like we are going to regret that the Hawks don't have him. He hasn't done anything period. But, as everyone says I wish him well in life. I don't think he is a good NBA player though. Also, maybe the only reason he got two minutes is the fact he doesn't deserve to play anymore minutes. Maybe (I know it maybe hard for you to understand) he just isn't as good as you think. Just my opinion. But, you should call me a hater for stating my opinion's on someone's playing ability. Has nothing to do with DJ as a person. P

It's funny how you didn't mention his first game where he played 2 minutes and got no points. DJ really made a big impact in that game. Can you please get over the fact he is not with the team? Do you feel the need that you need to mention his stat line after every game that he does well? Like I mentioned above you didn't seem to mention his game on Tuesday. He's not on the Hawks! Get over it. Also, he has never proven himself in this league. Please mention his stats at the end of the year. And if he is the impact player you think he is I will be the first to send you an apology. But, til then will you get off his D($#! I'm sorry about his accident and I wish him the best. But, he is not some saviour you think he is. P

No more DJ talk please the guy isn't here. Quit crying that he isn't here. Get on with it all ready. Not to mention the guy has never proven anything. You can all call me out when he does something for the entire year. He hasn't and I'm sick of hearing about he is a saviour of some sort. Also, I wouldn't be so quick to judge the Hawks and players by their performance in a pre-season game. You seriously aren't telling us that JT needs to step up in a pre season game. The whole could have been working on different things through out the game. Maybe JT was working to get the team to work well as an offensive group. Maybe it was Nailon's job to look to score. Unless you are in the huddle how do you know what their agenda was for a pre-season game. Let's wait til the real season starts before we start making judgements on players and NO MORE DJ. The guy doesn't play for us and we won't be resiging him. Plus, right now I would much rather have Nailon than him. Just my thoughts. P

Sounds like the team is pretty up beat for the up coming season. Interesting how they see Big Dog as the problem and not the solution. Guarantee, no -- optimism, yes By MICHAEL LEE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Hawks admittedly underachieved last year, failing to fulfill the silly promise of a playoff "guarantee." But coach Terry Stotts likes to constantly remind people that they won 21 of their final 41 games. Over the summer, the Hawks shipped leading scorer Glenn Robinson to Philadelphia in a cost-cutting trade, but it's no secret the team was 9-4 without the "Big Dog." While Hawks players and coaches feel optimistic about the upcoming season, the local and national perception is that they will be one of the worst teams in the league. You'd expect Stotts to issue a non-guarantee any day now, but he said the postseason is a realistic goal. This year. "I think there is a difference between a goal and a guarantee," said Stotts, entering his first full year as head coach. "We should be as competitive as any team in the East. "We all have a little bit to prove," he said. "Expectations, frankly, from all I read and see aren't very high for us. Maybe we'll sneak up on some people. As long as we don't believe what we read, we'll be fine." The addition of free-agent swingman Stephen Jackson, who won a championship with the San Antonio Spurs and will join the team today, probably has done little to change the negative opinion of outside observers. But even before Jackson signed last Friday, the Hawks refused to believe that they had gone from hopeful this time last year to hopeless with training camp underway. "We feel good about this team," forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. "Nobody really expects anything out of us. That's fine. We'll keep it quiet, keep our head low, go out and handle our business. "Our backs are against the wall," he said, "and when your backs are against the wall, you have two choices: come out fighting or curl up and get beat up. And I believe, with the guys we have, we're going to come out fighting." With what? The Hawks still have two former All-Stars in Abdur-Rahim and Theo Ratliff and a rising star in Jason Terry -- but they will have to compensate for the absence of Robinson, who, whatever his shortcomings as a ballhandler and a defender, still scored 20.8 points a night. After Robinson, Abdur-Rahim (19.9 points) and Terry (17.9), there was a significant dropoff. Ratliff, however, said Robinson's shoot-first mentality hurt the Hawks because players often competed to rush up shots, damaging team chemistry. "You need a guy that can step up and get you 20 points a game, but you can find that within the team," said Ratliff, the league's reigning shot-blocking king. "If you're getting [points] with the sacrifice of team play, it's no good." Said Stotts, "In the games we played without Glenn, the team took it upon [itself] to play together. The sum is greater than the parts. It's important that they see that and they believe that. You can play well together and win a lot of games." That's something the Hawks realized in the second half last season, when they missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. They moved the ball around, took better shots and had success. They also became upbeat that the playoff drought could end. "The way we finished the season -- that left them with a good [taste] in their mouth," general manager Billy Knight said. "We certainly aren't making any guarantees . . . but we're cautiously optimistic. This team feels maybe this time it can happen for them." But the list of doubters could fill a few Philips Arenas.

I know I'm going to take heat for this, but I have to say it. I have said before and I will say it again. I guess I'm the only one on this site that doesn't think DJ will ever amount to anything. I wish someone could give me a valid reason why they think DJ is going to be so good. He showed some flashes, but nothing to show me he is going to be some sort of all star player. Someone stated that they think he is better than Joe Johnson and Penny. Really? Why? DJ has never done anything in his career. Also, now he is coming back from a serious injury. Which means he probably won't be as good as he was going to be before the injury. Did you ever stop to think if DJ was so great, why is it that it took him this long to hook on with a team. I don't blame the Hawks for not committing to him. I would much rather have a Nailon, S. Smith or S. Jax over him. Don't get me wrong it was horrible what happen to him and I would never wish that happen to anyone. But, the fact is that this guy hasn't shown anything. Let alone he probably still has that 100 lb frame. That's not cutting it in the NBA. Good Luck DJ, I wish you the best. But, I'm not sold on this guy like everyone on this site is. He may turn into something, but I for one am glad the Hawks didn't resign him. P

I'm glad he is off the list, I didn't think he would be that big of a help to the team. Jazz to sign Raja Bell September 26, 2003 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Guard Raja Bell is set to sign a two-year contract with the Utah Jazz after spending last season with the Dallas Mavericks. His signing depends on the outcome of a physical, Jazz vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor said Friday. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 3.1 points in 15.6 minutes in his 32 starts and 75 games with the Mavericks last season. In his three-year career, he has averaged 3.2 points, 1.7 assists and 13.6 minutes. ADVERTISEMENT On Thursday, the team announced its 20-man training camp roster headed by veterans Greg Ostertag and Andre Kirilenko. Also from last year's team are Matt Harpring, center John Amaechi, guards DeShawn Stevenson and Carlos Arroyo. Curtis Borchardt, Jarron Collins and Raul Lopez are returning after season-ending operations in 2002-03. Among the newcomers are 2003 draft picks Aleksandar ``Sasha'' Pavlovic, Utah's first-round selection, and second-round pick Maurice Williams. For the first time in nearly 20 seasons, the Jazz face a year without Karl Malone and John Stockton. Malone signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers over the summer and Stockton retired. Jazz camp begins Wednesday.

Who's Stephen Jackson? Who gives a $&*^ about that guy. He's garbage anyways. Would he be in an improvement? Yes, but a slight one. He's not as good as he thinks he is.

Diesel, I just wanted to post this since you didn't think I was making up the fact we had a discussion about Robinson for Odom. P

I think I mentioned this about a month ago, when I said we should do a sign and trade for Odom with Robinson. Actually, Diesel you scolded me for the deal. But, with this Brandon deal going down that is allowing us to make an attempt for Odom. So essentially it was a Robinson for Odom deal. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope the article is correct and that we will sign JT and Odom. We would have a nice starting lineup with those two signed on to the team. If JT and Odom are friends let's hope he is in Odom's ear constantly about coming here. On just a side note, I do like the trade. Clearing money to get better players that fit with our team is the right move to make. So I don't understand how people are saying we are getting nothing. You will see that we will use that cap space to get a good player. So you can't say necessarily that we got nothing. Now if we trade Theo and Reef, along with not signing JT. Then we are having a firesale. So who knows where we will be going from there. P

That was great!!!!!!!!! I need to party with these guys. Nice work Hotlanta. I don't know where you found those, but that was too funny.