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Well to that extent that means anyone that has anything negative to say has to be considered as "Hating on LeBron". Like you mentioned I do hate the hype and his ego, but I will contradict myself and say the kid has a great game. So take it for it whatever you want it to mean. The reality is that because of corporate america we can't just watch a person become a success in something they choose to do. Because if he or she ever gets good at something corporate america in all ascpects (tv, radio, satellite, retail, food chanins, soda, etc.) will shove them down are throat. Because the public craves this. When I was the game last night the crowd was going crazy for LeBron. So when he gets the reaction he got last night. The hype is only going to get worse, as well as his ego unfortunately. Pretty soon teams won't have city names any more they will be companines. Look at the Chicago Bears. They are now positioned as "Bears football brought to you by Bank One" In a few years the sports ticker will read "Wendy's 14 Coke 10, etc" It's sad. I guess the next thing will be Nike paying LeBron's kid "200 million to change his name to Nike" So on ESPN they can say there goes "Nike James for the slam dunk" It sounds funny but it maybe happening soon. P

All apologizes Chillz, But I may have forgot to add this last night. But LeBron is a Horrible defender. He got taken to school several times by Reece Gaines, Keith Bogans and Britton Johnson. So I wouldn't say he is a good defender. If you want to categorize him as a defender it would be below average. As for hating on the guy. I don't. I hate the hype. I don't like some of his comments. Like I'm giving 50% of my effort to the Cavs and the other 50 to Nike. That doesn't sound right. I think he has an ego that needs to get knocked down a few notches before he becomes a player in this league. But, he is young and immature still when it comes to his press conferences and handling himself off the court he will learn. At least you would hope he will. That's it I just wanted to clear up the fact that he plays good defense. Because that is laughable to say that. P

I don't know how forgot this as well, but LeBron did get posterized last night by Utah rookie Britton Johnson. Basically, LeBron got the nutz.

Hey guys as you know I live here in Orlando and I got to go and check out LeBron's first game. By the way the arena was filled up more than any regular season game. With maybe the exception of the Lakers for when Shaq comes to town. I was amazed by the LeBron mania. Here is my LeBron critique after watching him last night: The guy is gifted. He is 6'8" and he played the point guard. As you all know by now, he busted out 14pts 7 boards and 6 assists. He also had 3 turnovers. He had one of the best reverse layup's I have ever seen last night. You could say Jordanesque. A few things I noticed though. He was playing against guys that were physically outmatched. With the exception of Bogans and Gaines there was no one on the Magic team that will be on the professional team this year. Lebron also had his starting lineup with him. He had Miles, Wagner, Boozer and Diop starting with them. With the exception of Diop who will be replaced by Illegagus (whatever the centers name is) that is the Cavs starting lineup this year. Rumor has it that R. Davis will probably be traded before the start of the season. He only scored 4pts in the second half. This was when the Magic started guarding him full court. They made him work the ball up the court every possession in the second half. This seemed to bother him. Also, in the first half when he scored 10pts. I believe every basket came in transition. When he had to play in a half court set, he seemed to struggle. The Cavs were in hurry to get out and run. On a side not D. Miles looked very impressive last night. He has always been a good finisher who could jump out of the gym, but he hit a couple of 3pt bombs and made almost all of his outside shots. If this continues expect a big year from Miles. Back to Lebron, he was good. But, I still have to see what it will be like when he goes up against a starting NBA point guard. He struggled with the full court pressure, the double teams seem to bother him as well and the half court sets weren't smooth at all. But, I do love the kid's build. He already has an NBA body. He is not some skinny toothpick. I like his court presence. He wasn't phased at all by the crowd. Overall I give him a solid B for the night. You have to remember he was playing his first game and it was against summer league scrubs. I will be very interested to see how he fares against NBA starters. He still has a lot to prove and he will struggle at times, but if he continues to get better as much as I hate to say it (because I would love Nike to eat that 90 million they spent on him and I'm tired of hearing about him) I think LeBron is going to be the real deal. Just my opinion though. P

That maybe true. But, since when has the Clippers done things the right way. The Clippers big goal is too make money. Not to have a good team. Do you know who has been the most profitable team over the last ten years. The Clippers. They just had an article on Clippers owner Donald Sterling in Forbes magazine on how he runs a profit making machine in the LA Clippers. He doesn't care about winning, he is in it to make money. So, why sign L. Odom back for a five or six year deal. When he has 30 mill under the cap let the others walk get G Rob. Whose salary will clear in two to three years. That way it looks as if he isn't giving the players away. You say GRob doesn't fit there. Well, guess what if they don't have Odom, Maggette, Miller, Piawkowski, Brand and Khandi. What style do they have? I don't think GRob would have a problem fitting in when there is nothing there to begin with. Just my thought. I wouldn't be so quick to discount the Clippers in anything. But I do agree that there are better fits for Robinson than the Clippers. I was just throwing it out there as guy in return (Odom) that possibly could help the Hawks.

Since everyone has a trade that will turn the franchise around, here is mine. Let me know what you think. Atlanta sends Big Dog to the Clippers for L. Odom (S-N-T) You may have to add some fillers to fill out this deal. I think this will help out both teams. The Clippers get Robinson for another two or three years whatever is left on his contract. So they will lose that salary soon. Also, they give the look that they are still trying to compete. Instead of letting their players go for nothing. Since they may be losing Brand, Miller, Khandi, Maggette Odom. The Hawks get an athletic SF who has handles and can create on his own. What is everyone's opinion? P

Here is an article from the local beat writer for Memphis. Let's just say this, if Memphis is actually considering the deal he is reporting in the paper I would do it in a heartbeat. What is everyone else's thoughts? By making deal, Grizzlies could earn some immediate dividends By Ronald Tillery tillery@gomemphis.com May 30, 2003 What Stu Jackson taught us, if anything, while studying Inept GM 101, is that you never trade future first-round draft picks. The unknown can come back and bite you like Memphis mosquitoes. Somebody pass the rubbing alcohol, and also a soothing solution to the Grizzlies' bumpy and uncomfortable draft predicament. 2003 NBA draft When: June 26 Where: Madison Square Garden, New York Grizzlies' picks: No. 13, No. 27 in first round; none in second round Here's a worthwhile idea: Trade the 13th pick. Move it. Have Charles Ewing's moving service load that baby on a truck. He is the official mover of the Grizzlies. Just get it out of here. Lucky 13, my foot. Why? Because the 13th pick is in front of the Grizzlies, and they know exactly what the last lottery selection is worth in this draft. Dwyane Wade? Undersized and no immediate help. Frenchman Mickael Pietrus? The guy supposedly is a Michael Jordan clone? Please. Pietrus can't even spell Michael. Oh, and then there's this 7-4, 300-pound center from Russia. Pavel Podkolzine is his name. I'm thinking Cezary Trybanski is more like his game. Let's get real. Griz president Jerry West wants Carmelo Anthony. But moving up to No. 3 in the draft to get him is a daunting task. Plus, Denver makes for a bad trade partner. The Nuggets have enough of what the Griz can realistically offer: power forwards. So what's left is simply to use the 13th pick as a sweetener for potential deals that could land the Grizzlies the serviceable, veteran brute they need. Offering Shane Battier alone can't get it done. Who is going to take Brevin Knight and his nearly $6 million salary without something extra? Stromile Swift is the other logical trade bait. But he belongs on the unstable stock market. That's how much Swift's value fluctuates. Trade the pick with these scenarios in mind: Atlanta needs a true point guard and a better pick than No. 21 overall. The Griz could send Knight and the 13th pick to the Hawks in exchange for second-round picks and six-year veteran center Nazr Mohammed, who averaged 12 points, nine rebounds and a block in his best season (2000-01). The Golden State Warriors could be good trade partners because they employ several big men. The 13th pick and Knight would make a deal involving Mike Dunleavy and either Erick Dampier or Adonal Foyle feasible. The Griz get a big man. The Warriors replace the soon-to-be-departed point guard Gilbert Arenas and make up for the mistake of taking Dunleavy. New Orleans Hornets big man P.J. Brown makes sense for the Griz. How about a sign-and-trade deal for Brown in exchange for rights to the 13th pick and Knight (giving the Hornets a backup point guard)? Sure, the Grizzlies need a superstar like yesterday. That is the theme my colleague, Geoff Calkins, is emphasizing with those wishful words next to mine. "You find a superstar by swinging for the fences in the draft," he says. Not at 13. NBA superstars are either bought through free agency or born in the top five picks nowadays with prospects getting younger and younger. Quality players have fallen to No. 13 in the past decade. Richard Jefferson (2001), Corey Maggette (1999), Keon Clark (1998), Derek Anderson (1997), Kobe Bryant (1996), Corliss Williamson (1995), Jalen Rose (1994) and Dale Davis (1991) come to mind. Bryant, though, is the only superstar among them, making the odds slim of finding the Pro's Pro that deep in the draft. The rest of those players are complementary types, which is what the Griz have plenty of if they are committed to building the team around Pau Gasol, Jason Williams and Mike Miller. Trade the pick. An example of what can happen by moving the 13th pick came in 1999 when the Seattle Sonics took Maggette. Seattle chose Maggette for the Orlando Magic and also shipped them three players in the final year of their contracts for veteran forward Horace Grant. The point is Seattle received immediate help up front and earned a playoff berth that season. It's not ridiculous to believe the Griz could follow that route. And that'll teach you, Calkins, and your boy, Stu, a thing or 13.

I thought you were done posting Mr. Positive. I guess maybe you do care since you are still on here. Or you have nothing better to do with your life. Maybe this board is your life. Considering you can't go a day, or for that matter an hour without posting. You must spend the other hours looking for girls you can use as your signature. Life must be awfully dull for you. Anyway's I guess to be a fan of team they have to win something, that's a great philosophy. You can't be a fan of a team unless you win a championship. There will be room for you to jump on the bandwagon when they turn it around. When that is, I don't konw. Can't wait to see your posts then. They will probably state that you supported this team through thick and thin. You knew they were going to turnaround and blah, blah, blah. Well, welcome back anyways we missed your positive side of things. I'm glad you aren't fighting for our country. I can see it know, oh my gosh Saddam said we will lose and he looks tough in his uniform. You know he has won most of the battles he has fought in Iraq. We need to leave immediately. We are in trouble. That's the spirit, glad to have your support. I know I shouldn't expected a response from you, because you are through posting. Right? Whatever.

I just want to let everyone on the board know I'm still a Hawks fan even if they have taken a dive on this road trip. I know it's been a rough three years, but things will turn around, when I don't know, but they will. It's easy to kick a team when they are down and out, but to give support to them when they are bad I thing seperates the true fans from the fair weathered fans. Yes, I know they got blown out in Memphis and Chicago. And this shouldn't be happening. But, I thought the team responded well in the last game they played at Toronto. Even if they have quit like everyone has said, then why not just get blown out by Toronto. I think when you watch the Hawks you should try to build on the positives, then the negatives. I know this is hard since the negatives are easier to find, but this way you can come away feeling good about something. It could be with an individual player, coach, effort, etc. But there is always some sort of positive you can take away. For example last night I thought the team played alot better than they have on the first two games of the road trip, but yet we still have people calling the players dumbazz. They gave good effort last night and had a chance to win. Not to mention there was a questionable call that gave Toronto the lead to begin with. Let me ask you this, if that call wasn't made and the Hawks won, would they still be dumbazz's. I think everyone should take a timeout before they post knee jerk reactions. Do people actually think before they post on this board? I know everyone on here is smarter than that, just take sometime to digest the game before we start making crazy comments. Maybe it's an hour for some or even a day. Listen, I'm not telling you what to do or not to do as a fan. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. That's what makes this country great. But, I feel a true fan supports the team through thick and thin. I am a Braves fan and from 83 til 91 they were the laughing stock of baseball. Guess what they are a model organization now. And the years they sucked were a lot longer than the three years the Hawks have had now. You have to be patient and roll with the punches. It will turn around you have to have faith. This is just one person's comments, I was trying to be a little positive sense everyone is so negative all of the time.

This team needs a lot more than just DJ. They need to make some adjustments to the entire roster and coaching staff. If DJ were here today this team isn't any closer to getting to the playoffs. Maybe they would have two to three wins more. I don't think having DJ is going to make to make the chemistry of this team any better. But that is just my opinion. You maybe right, but not from what I'm watching every night.

The lottery is for the first three picks. If you don't get lucky enough to get in the first three, then you will get the spot you finished at during the regular season. You won't drop or get a higher selection selection. For example, if the Hawks finished with the 8th worst record. They are slated to pick 8th, if they are fortunate in the lottery they may get to pick 1, 2 or 3. If they don't they will stay at the 8th spot. Hopefully this helps you out in the explanation of the lottery.

Well, I never said he was a loser. I think you nailed it by saying he is a possible above average role player. I think Christe was a good comparison. But DJ isn't at Christie's level yet. I hope when you were bringing up TMac you were joking. I maybe wrong, and I hope I am. But DJ is no where near TMac. I don't even see anything DJ does that resembles TMac. With the exception of his frame. But, TMac is more built than DJ. I live in Orlando and TMac has trainer through out the year and really hits the weights hard in the off season. I get to see his greatness year around, I wish somehow the Hawks good get him. But oh well, I just don't think DJ will ever be in TMac's level. But that doesn't mean I think he is a bad player, I think like you said a role player. Not someone who is going to single handly turn it around for the Hawks. Like some feel. But I will agree he won't hurt the cause.

Let me start off by saying it was horrible to see the accident occur to DJ this summer. I wish him nothing but the best in his recovery and quest to make it back to the NBA. With that being said, let me ask everyone on this board a question: Why is it that most people on this board think DJ is some savior or the next best thing in Atlanta? I would like to believe that, but watching him play last year he did nothing to make me thing he is going to make a huge impact. Yes, he could spot up and make the three on occassion. I wouldn't say he is automatic from 3pt land, like some people feel that he is. I also haven't seen him take it to the hole with some authority but a hand full of times in his career. He just sits out on the perimeter. He also weighs something around 100lbs and that is soaking wet. Now, not only does he have to rehab, but still try to get some meat on that frame of his. This why I don't understand how alot of you think he is the answer to some of our problems. I think he is a mystery and the jury is still out on him as far as his career goes. I'm just not ready to crown him as the answer to all of our problems. I was just wondering because throughout the year I see numerous posts about if DJ was here we would be winning more, he would go strong to the hole and he is the 3pt shooter we need and so on. I just don't understand where that is coming from, please help me understand. Because in the two years he has played he has only shown some flashes of being a good player and nothing consistent to make me thing he is some sort of a savior for this team. Let alone one of our two best players. I would love to hear everyone's comments.

After reading this morning's article in the AJC, where the article discusses teams that want to deal before the deadline. They mention the LA Clippers. What if we sent Terry and SAR, plus whatever fillers for Brand and Miller. The article discusses those names specifically in trade talks for the Clippers. I like the lineup of Robinson Brand Ratlif Glover Miller What do you guys thinks? By the way that Laker deal sucks.

You once again have proven everything I said about you is correct. 1. Everyone knows we suck. I remember reading that Doc Rivers is shocked that we haven't played better this year. A couple of weeks ago Mark Cuban says he still thinks we are making the playoffs. I guess everyone doesn't know, Right? But, let me predict your answer to that -- something like who are those guys anyways. I guess TMac was right about us being cupcakes after Sunday, Right? and that statement was made last year, not this year, regarding the cupcakes. Let's try to stay update with our information please. 2. JT gets 17pts and 7 asst. a game and his game is garbage or he sucks in your opinion. I don't know a lot of guys in the league that suck and average this. Please help me out. I don't think that means you suck when you have those averages. I love your excuse his assists are bloated. That's a good one. That's like saying they suck because they suck. Let me guess your come back on this one, he only gets them because he makes a pass to the guy that scores, no big deal. 3. No depth, I think there would be plenty of teams in the league that would love to have what Nazr and Hendu bring on as a reserve. I want to clarify this as a RESERVE. I don't think they are starters and if you watch them play they bring some good play as reserves. But, I just remember you don't watch the games. Once again, let's go back to what you might answer with, these guys suck and everyone knows it. 4. As far as coaching how do you know about Stotts? You already dismiss him as a bad coach and he has only coached 22 games. That's pretty ignorant don't you think. Shouldn't a guy get a chance to prove himself and what he can do. I guess not in your book. You have already painted the picture for him. Let me think of what you can say to this -- Well look at him he looks like a bad coach, plus no one has ever heard of him. 5. So what that the Hawks have won 5 of 7. The team made some strides in a positive direction. That is something. Maybe not in your book, because you don't want to see it. But that is progress and it was a lot better than what they have done in the past. It beats the alternative of them losing. Don't you think? It's not there fault they play their schedule is it? I love this one from you the Sacramento win is a fluke. That's a good one, is that your cop out for every win we get. It's fluke, once again you give the team no credit. Real positive. You will probably say if they play again they will lose, and I won't argue you with that. But, you can't take away from the win they did get and how they played that game. They deserve credit for that game not a &&&& attitude from a so called fan. Why should they be defending themselves for a win. You are a piece of work. 6. As far as you saying that the Nugs and Cavs have a better future, that is strictly opinion. I'm sure if you ask their fans, most would like to switch teams with the Hawks. Also, there are more teams that have worst records than the Hawks than just the Cav's and Nugs. Please check out a Cavs game one time and listen to their announcers. The other night they were all over R. Davis and wanting him out of Cleveland. Yeah their future looks real bright. 7. Even though the team is below 500, there are always some positives to be taken away. You just have to open your eyes. For example, during this latest 5 and 2 streak the defense has played better than it has all year. This is a step in the right direction. But, you don't notice these things. Don't get me wrong right now, there are a lot more negatives than positives. But, my point here is you don't look for them. You thrive in the negative. Hey come to grips and rationalize things, you will be a better person for it. But, once agian with your latest comments you have proven everyone in the poll that has voted, RIGHT. Nice work. I knew we all weren't crazy. We can always count on you for that. Let me be the first to tell you I will be the first to congratulate when you don't player hate. As you seem to do constantly.

Listen, when have you seen me post and have a lovefest with the Hawks. So don't start calling me out for that BS. You may enjoy his comments and think it's a nice change of pace, but if you look at the poll you are in the minority. The poll speaks volumes of what people think. Also, it is a lot easier for people to say something negative about someone else. That goes for the Hawks and the people on this board. I challenge people to be more constructive with their statements. I think everyone gets tired of the statement "He sucks, get rid of him" Let's have a little support for the statement. I think if we took another poll on let's say JT with two choices, 1. He sucks 2. He is a good player. I don't think he sucks would win. You can give Hotlanta credit for saying we suck at the beginning, but why. That's an easy statement to make. The better statement for anyone to make is wait and see, and let's evaulate at the end of the season. This way we have seen this out and we aren't making knee jerk reactions. If the season is a failure that's great he made a 50/50 guess. Either we are going to be good or bad. That's why it's nonsense to make predictions. You never know what is going to happen. Also, as quick as people are to trash the team and Babcock. It's funny when people thought we had all these great pieces they weren't complaining. They actually made sense at the time. Yes, you can say there was one voice that said it was going to fail all along and that was Hotlanta, but honestly can someone please tell me when has he ever said anything positive about the team. Have you Hotlanta? I've been on this board since it was on the ez forum and have never heard anything positive. I'm for criticism, don't get me wrong. You call me out saying it's all about a love fest. I don't promote that. I think if one things negative all the time it outweighs the positive. You have to have a balance between the two. He is just one sided and I only singled him out because he stands out the most(seems to enjoy, getting everyone pissed off). I could have also single out JTfan, he is one sided as well on just the positive side of things for the Hawks. But I have seen JTfan post some negative statements about the team. It's a rarity but he does. I don't want this to be misconstrued, no one is better than anyone else. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But, like anything when someone only sees the cup half empty or it being grey all of the time. It presents a negative outlook. Please explain to me him being negative all the time as being a true fan. It's easy to bag on something when it's going bad. It's tougher and takes a lot more thought to find the positive. For example, the Hawks have gone 5-2 before the all star break. They have played a lot better basketball of late. But, all we hear from him is negative. Explain to me how that happens and how that is positive for the board. Like one person mentioned he looks forward to when the Hawks lose. It's like Christmas for him. This board I thought was for Hawks fans to support the team. Not to gloat about who was right in their predictions and I know more than you jargon. Isn't it or am I wrong? I probably was harsh with the statment I made, but prove me wrong. All I ask is for more thought out statements, when commenting. Don't take the easy way out on a loss or win for that matter. I challenge everyone to find a positive and negative in each game. Sometimes there is more of one than the other. I read a post the other day on Wilks, he had a good game in Philly. But, guess what someone comes on and post that he has a good game. And they get scrutinized for posting that he had a good game. Listen, I'm not saying Wilks is the savior or the answer. I think all anyone was saying is that he had a good game. Is that so wrong, he did have a good game. If you think he didn't have a good game, then you don't know basketball. So why bag on a guy for saying that? You guys can do whatever you want with your comments. I don't care. But this was an interesting poll and somewhat speaks volumes about people that just talk negative all of the time. I think it's an old act, just like if someone just said positive things all of the time. That's why I challenge everyone to fine the best and worst of each game and person on the team. But, in the end everyone will do what they want and so be it. This is just my point of view and no one has to feel this way. I'm sure Hotlanta doesn't and thinks I'm a piece of ****.

I really don't know this guy. But, he is a all of the comments you can vote for in the poll. He never has anything good to say and doesn't know a thing about basketball. I think this poll will prove no one wants this guy around at least on this site. Comments like JT sucks. Listen I'm not the biggest JT fan but he doesn't suck. Speaks volumes of this so called expert or should I say so called Hawks Fan. Who is he kidding he doesn't like this team. Or is he the band wagon guy who jumps on the team when they get good. I will let everyone on the site decide. As for HotAtlanta, don't mean to come down on you but all you are is a cancer to this site. But say something positive once. It's funny how you never post when the team wins or have something negative to say even though they do win.

Here is Pete's Response, I will say this he was quick to respond. First of all, the trades you eluded to in your e-mail are ones I have NEVER heard of before, much less discussed with other teams....that includes each and everyone you mentioned. We would not blow up the team by any means....simply explore all options to improve upon our weaknesses. Even if I thought my job was going to end, I would not make a trade that I felt would ever hurt the franchise....I have too much respect for the team to do that. And I would disagree that we have never produced since I have been here. I realize this is a biased opinion, but we rebuilt the team from 1990-93 with adding Blaylock, Augmon, Ehlo, Lang and hiring Lenny Wilkens and finished with the best record in the East in 93-94....then added Smith, Long, Corbin, Mutombo and Laettner and went on a six -year run of averaging 50 plus wins and finishing in the final eight four times in those six years. Then, we decided to start over after the lockout season where we finished only 2 games off the best record in the East, and we have faltered in the three and one half years since. So, my view is that we have had a degree of success in the 13 years that I have been here, but not the last 3 at all....and I willingly accept full responsibility for all of it. Thank you for your continued interest in the team and I promise you that I will do my best to improve the team without harming the long term status of the franchise as long as I am here. Pete Babcock -----Original Message-----

I know I don't post often and I won't get into the reasons of why I don't. You may remember me or not. But here is an email I just sent to Babcock. I felt as Hawk fans we deserve some answers. I will post his response when I hear back from him. Mr. Babcock, As a life long Hawks fan, I would hope we aren't about to make some hasty decisions. I read your article today regarding the fact that you are to blame for the downward spiral the Hawks have been on since you have arrived. I think that is a stand up statement that you have made, but it still doesn't make up for the fact this team has not produced since you have been the general manager. But, I'm not here to critique what you have done or what you should have done in the past. I would rather think of the present and future. I know that you explore ways everyday to make the team better. I have heard that from you several times and I also know that you take the losing harder than anyone. With that out of the way. The fan base is frustrated right now and they want the team to get better. I know you know this, but I want you to get a feel for all aspects as I'm writing this to you. Reading your article today, basically saying that no one is off limits as far as trades go is a scary situation. I know that you can't believe what you read or hear, until it happens. But, please tell me we aren't in a cost cutting mode or a rebuilding mode once again. I think these are questions we as fans deserve to know? Rumors such as Shareff to San Antonio for Smith and Ferry, Or to Toronto for Hunter and Olajuwon. JT to the Lakers for Medvadenko, and some other role players. What kind of trades are these? We are getting nothing for good young players. Why, to save money? Is this what it is all about, saving money, because the team isn't winning right away. Listen I'm for making the team better, as well as most fans. But this would be a disaster. I think it is a consensus that this team is a point guard away from coming together with the core of guys we have right now. Including JT as the 2 guard. But, listen I don't even think fans would be upset if you trade anyone of the big three for a good player in return. If you look over the NBA history teams don't just win over night, it takes sometime playing together. Especially when you make a coaching change in the middle of the year. Look at the Kings and Mavericks as an example. I'm afraid if you make these crazy trades as a cost cutting measure and to rebuild you will lose whatever fan base we have. The fans are hungry for a winner not another rebuilding project or cost cutting team. Mr. Babcock please let's do the right thing. Last year around this time I sent you an email about the passion in your job, you may have remembered that email or not. I mention this because this has to with the passion of making this team better, not worse. But, the fact is I hope you don't make these moves to save your job. Let's do what's best for the team, players, fans and city. I think we all agree blowing up the young nucleus isn't going to be the solution. Thank you for your time and consideration to this email. I look forward to your response.

Here is the guy from the sporting news again giving us some good hype. This is become comical now. I thought you guys would be interested in this letter. P I was just wondering what you think my Atlanta Hawks should do with their point/shooting guard problem? Jason Terry can't play both at the same time. Petty Officer Randolph U.S. Navy Japan *** Randolph: A hearty salute to you, P.O. Randolph. I don't think the Hawks did enough to address the problem, and that is one reason I am a little more skeptical of this team than a lot of other people. I don't think this is a playoff team. The only thing that makes Terry a point guard is that he is not tall enough to be a shooting guard. The guy needs to shoot, which is fine, except that the Hawks also want to run a post offense with Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Oh, and they also have to get shots for Glenn Robinson. I think Terry is a good player, but he is not someone who can distribute the ball well, set up the offense and make the right passes. What's worse that is there is no real point guard on the bench, either. Emanual Davis certainly proved he is not up to that role, and Dan Dickau is as much a shooting guard in a point guard's body as Terry is. You can look at the numbers and say, "Well, Robinson averages this many points, Abdur-Rahim averages this many and Terry averages this many, so it is going to be a good team." I disagree. I just don't see the parts fitting together. I think a point guard -- someone who could take charge, make sure everyone got his shots and keep everyone happy -- would solve that problem.

What can you do the media just doesn't believe in this team. This article just doesn't think the trade was good. Like I said before it has become humorous now. P Risky proposition Marty Burns, Sports Illustrated When Glenn Robinson was a freshman at Purdue, a school custodian gave him the nickname "Big Dog." Robinson liked it so much he had the image of a bulldog with a spiked collar tattooed on his chest. The Hawks can only pray that Robinson, acquired in a trade with the Bucks last week, behaves like man's best friend in his new city. While it seems Atlanta pulled off a major coup -- basically giving up only veteran Toni Kukoc and a 2003 first-round pick for the talented Robinson -- the deal is not without significant risk. Big Dog may have an All-Star pedigree, but he's also capable of coming back to bite his new team. Robinson faces three misdemeanor charges of domestic battery, assault and illegal possession of a firearm, stemming from a domestic dispute that occurred last month. According to police and prosecutors, he showed up drunk at his fiancee's suburban Chicago home in the wee hours of the morning demanding to be let inside. Once there, he allegedly pushed the woman and demanded she turn over a handgun he had left there previously. Robinson, 29, apologized for the incident the following day, but the damage was done. He's free on $5,000 bond, and a court hearing is schedule for later this month. Robinson is innocent until proven guilty, of course, but the incident should make the Hawks wary. Burned badly by the failed Isaiah Rider experiment of three years ago, they can ill afford another public relations disaster. The fact that Robinson carries other baggage as well -- he has a previous arrest for public intoxication and was once stripped of his captaincy in Milwaukee -- only makes it more dicey. Still, Hawks president Stan Kasten says the organization is convinced that Robinson's recent arrest was an "aberration" and called the star player genuinely "remorseful." He also said the team researched Robinson's character, talking to people around the league, before agreeing to the deal. "It was a one-time thing," Kasten said. "Having been through this before with guys who screwed up ... it's a very good thing to see somebody say, 'I was just wrong. I was embarrassed. It'll never happen again.' That's not the typical way today, but it's the right way." The funny thing is, for all his scoring skills, Robinson's on-court game isn't without its critics, either. He doesn't play much defense, a major weakness for the Hawks last season, and he often has trouble handling the ball in traffic. Though Robinson is clearly a better overall player than Kukoc, the fact remains that the Bucks were basically willing to give him away. Ever since the Rider fiasco, Hawks GM Pete Babcock has talked about the need for character guys on his roster. It's why he supposedly didn't want Latrell Sprewell, even though the Knicks were shopping the one-time coach-choker to the Hawks. Yet in taking on Robinson, the organization apparently has decided the silky-smooth scoring machine is worth the trouble. "He accepted responsibility," Babcock said. "Some athletes don't accept their responsibilities. That's a positive sign." It had better be. For if Robinson doesn't work out for the Hawks, Babcock might be the next guy who gets tattooed (by fans and the media) and comes out looking like a dog. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

Thank God, there is another sensible person on this board. I have been a member on this board for over two years and when I first got here the board was great. Now I find that you find less information and more bitching like little school girls. I wish people would grow up and make well rounded decisions before they make comments. Take in all considerations that is what makes this board what it is. But, knowing the people we have on this board I will probably get called a jackass or something. Believe it won't be a shock, I've come to expect this from some of the people on this board and that is why I hardly post anymore. Take it for what it is worth. I'm sure you will. P

You almost got to laugh at these polls and what people think. I was just on yahoo sports and they had a poll with a very simple question. Do you think the Hawks will make the playoffs? Yes or No Well over 25,000 people voted and here were the results: 43% say yes and 57% say no This goes to show it doesn't matter what the Hawks do in the off season, people across the country just aren't sold on the organization. And remember the question wasn't are the Hawks going to win the east, it was just make the playoffs. No respect from anyone. I'm going to enjoy proven everyone wrong this year and to be honest I like it better this way. I don't want anything handed to us, let's just go out there and hand everyone there a**. P

Here is what an article from the Sporting News said about the deal. Evidently they don't think we will be any better. Thought you guys would be interested. Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. P Did Hawks really get better end of deal? By Sean Deveney - The Sporting News The signs were there all along, with Hawks general manager Pete Babcock repeatedly saying this summer he was working on "something big." The signs were in Milwaukee, where coach George Karl normally rips his team the way most of us rip off post-it notes. Instead, over the last few months of the season, an eerie calm settled over the Bucks and their fiery coach, and he even became complimentary of his team and its effort. It was if he knew it would be over soon, that a change would come one way or another, and that players who were ripped by their coach tend to drop in trade value. Well, the signs came together, with Milwaukee star and thorn in Karl's side Glenn Robinson being traded to the Hawks for Toni Kukoc, a first-round pick and Leon Smith. Heavily weighted toward the Hawks, right? Not necessarily. The financial implications of the deal for the Bucks are obvious. They are freed from the remaining three years and $34 million on Robinson's deal and replace it with two years and $18 million for Kukoc. In terms of the team's roster, the move probably means Anthony Mason and Tim Thomas, two other prime Bucks trade candidates, will stay put. The same can be said for the Hawks. They have obviously taken on more salary -- and for a team that guaranteed a playoff berth or a partial refund to its season ticket holders, taking on more salary for the sake of winning was a necessary step. But, on both sides, there's a big question of how this will work on the court. For Milwaukee, many of Robinson's ex-teammates -- particularly Mason, who dished out thinly veiled slams at Robinson's selfish play almost nightly -- will not miss him. Moving him along is addition by subtraction and makes this a good deal for the Bucks. Robinson could score, but he would frequently rush the offense, take shots before the play was set and put the Bucks in a bind defensively by yielding fast breaks. Without Robinson, the Bucks should emphasize a less freewheeling offense and a more consistent defense. Surely, though, Kukoc will not replace Robinson as the starting small forward. In fact, he is probably going to be the team's eighth man. The starting role will likely fall to Thomas, a versatile scorer who did a good job replacing Robinson when he was injured last season. But that takes away one of Karl's favorite weapons -- a high-energy scorer off the bench -- unless Karl plans to use free-agent shooting guard Michael Redd in that role. Another possibility -- and this would be a big departure from Karl's down-with-rookies style -- is that draftee Marcus Haislip will see significant time off the bench, with Mason flopping between the 3, 4 and 5 positions. Either way, what it means in the end for the Bucks is that the two-third of the team's Big Three that is still in Milwaukee, Sam Cassell and Ray Allen, will carry the offensive load. While the Bucks have cleared a logjam by trading Robinson, the Hawks have created one by acquiring him. The team has been desperate for a small forward, and appears to have given up on lottery pick DerMarr Johnson. But given its current lineup, Robinson does not seem to be a good fit. The team already has two players who need the ball, Jason Terry in the backcourt and Shareef Abdur-Rahim in the post. Finding shots for Robinson could be difficult. Scoring was hardly the Hawks' problem last year -- at 94 points per game, they were in the middle of the NBA pack. Defense (98.3 points per game) was where the team was lacking, and Robinson certainly isn't going to solve that problem. Having center Theo Ratliff healthy would be a big boost, but for matching up with the quality wing players in the East, the Hawks still have no one. Based on talent, the Hawks seem to have gotten the better of this deal. But when looking at whether this can actually work on the court ... maybe not.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I don't think the Bulls will ever make that trade. Unless Jalen gets into some sort of legal trouble.