ThomasCredle

Ohh didn't realize that but I will be the first to tell you I'm no cap wizard. Would we get if we exceeded the lux cap signing LMA and DMC? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bismack Biyombo could be a steal with a mid level to bring size, rebounding, and rim defense if we did sign LMA couldn't recall his name in my first post

At least we are being mentioned by top level FA's this year because they want to come here and not using our cap space to try and drive up their price where they really want to go. Several rumor sites have said LMA is very intrigued about playing beside Al Horford and that he would love to play in Bud's system. Most sites have him in San Antonio or LAL but he will share minutes with Duncan or ply at center so I think that will be a discouragement. The Lakers have the mystic but if he wants to win a ring they are still a long way away. For the first time in ages a top level FA looking to win a title can realistically decide they are the piece to put the Hawks over the top. If Aldridge came to Atlanta they can easily tell him he would be the number one option in the offense. He would play along side a multiple time All-Star center and with an All- Star point guard. Plus the path to the finals is way easier in the East. Especially now that LeBron is talking about opting out and maybe breaking up the Cavs. Outside the Cavs and Bulls there's not really another team considered to be contenders. In no way do I think it's a lock, or even likely, but if we did sign Aldridgre and resign DMC I think we're the best team in the East. We would have two versatile studs at PF & C. An elite wing defender with a steadily improving offensive game in DMC. Maybe the best one - two combo at PG in the league if Dennis makes similar improvements in year three, when most players make a big jump in production. We would also have the best pure shooter in the league. Our second team of Dennis, Hardaway or Baze, Thabo, and Moose would be strong. I would love to see us try and land and a bruiser at the five with our mid level exception maybe the Wizards back up center. Having been a Hawks fan for too long I know this probably never happens and we resign Sap or DMC and lose one add some mid level player and end up at best a push on team quality; but at least this year I think there is a possibility the first All-Star FA since Dikembe actually may sign this year.

I really think you can throw most of THJ's numbers from last year out. He was playing for a totally dysfunctional team. The Knicks were terrible on defense as a team. Hard to have good D-Efficiency when the help defense is non existent and half the team quits trying. He was also playing in a poorly executed triangle offense with no center to anchor the triangle and demand interior help. If the point of the triangle is a non factor the wing had to carry the load and will not have midrange spacing to facilitate a drive or midrange pull up game. TMJ was asked to do WAY more in NYC than he was capable of at the time. I can see why if his options inside the offense are limited but he has to score that he started chucking threes. He is young and can grow his game. We know he can at least be a rotational player in the NBA. Any pick in our range that's all you really hope for. With our system to open floor space and help defense he could really improve and maybe show the potential from when he was first team all rookie season. Not saying we just got our SG for the next 5 years that will torch the league but we got an experienced NBA player for less money than a totally unproven rookie (our experience with pics here hasn't been stellar either). Trade made sense financially. Bud probably didn't like anybody available in our spots as he definitely saw more of them than any of us. I am willing to give THJ the chance to show what he can do and bring to our second unit. We also stashed 2nd rounders which rarely amount to much but can be ammunition to move up in a future draft if we really want a player and hopefully we will be picking late for the foreseeable future. The added depth also may allow us to be players in the sign and trade and straight up trade market. I think everyone should at least wait and see how this plays out before declaring our future ruined over not taking an college SF's that all had on obvious holes in their game or they would be lottery picks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think this is a prelude to another deal but at least we know THJ can actually play in the NBA and be a rotation guy. No guarantee on almost any rookie and you really rarely get more than a good reserve where we were picking. Holding a new system shows he had room to improve. Plus we can all have some hope that this deal becomes a great one because it was from the Bricks and they always end up on the worst side of trades. I think this is a prelude to another deal but at least we know THJ can actually play in the NBA and be a rotation guy. No guarantee on almost any rookie and you really rarely get more than a good reserve where we were picking. Holding a new system shows he had room to improve. Plus we can all have some hope that this deal becomes a great one because it was from the Bricks and they always end up on the worst side of trades.

I agree with Ebert I think Bud would defiantly play match ups but our bigs behind Horf and Sap were so vastly inferior he really didn't have an option. He did play Moose more so I think he was trying but Pero was just worthless in the playoffs and he didn't have another real SF to do much but leave DMC out there. Plus he was our best player for most of the playoffs. If we had a back up center anywhere close to Splitter or Diaw he would have tried using them. He definetky tried different things with the guards as Korver struggled mixing and matching Dennis Teague Korver and Baz. I think Bud will surprise us if he gets a bench with a diverse skill set that can be mixed and matched. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lee is way overpriced at that level. How tall is Seraphin and what price would he come at. I'm interested in a player we could nab with our exception and the 7 mil or so we may have left if we bring back DMC and Sap. I think both will get big deals but they have both said the right stuff about playing for a winner and being happy to maybe give a hometown discount. That stuff is usually just talk when the big money is on the table though. The union also hates players taking discounts because it sets the pay for players behind them lower as the FA market gets set. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What do people think about pursuing him in free agency. He is restricted and I don't know have a clue how much Charlotte may value him so that is definite negative. He does do a lot of the things that we all keep begging for here. Rebounds well, eats up space on the block, defends the rim, young with room to improve, offensively limited but might perform better with our spacing and having more room to attack the rim. Should be the kind of player we could afford to bring without breaking the bank and could really improve our bench. Anyone think he could be another little known player that becomes a real contributor in ATL or do some folks that watch a lot more Hornets ball than me know some reasons to stay away. Of course you usually have to overpay to get an RFA so as said above that could derail him being a reasonable cost sub and make this whole post moot.

I think that is due the inconsistency. I see such flashes of brilliance followed by a poor decision on theory their end. If he can up his mental game, improve his 3 ball, foul shooting, and defensive footwork I think we have a starting caliber player. But we could have just what we saw this year and never anything more. I have high hopes. He played really small college ball (old dominion I think). This is his third year to adjust to a massive jump in play. I really think and hope he may break out in his 4th year. His definecies are things you can really improve threw effort and practice.

Couldn't agree more. We were bottom dwellers, then a inconsequential playoff team. I remember those years well and how painful they were. Now were a number one seed and in the ECF. This team overachieved almost any hope of expectation of this team and system. This team needs tweaking and some limited upgrades. They also need the psychological edge of we almost made the finals last year so this year it's Finals or nothing. The Hawks will be much more prepared mentally for this deep a playoff run next year. Make reasonable financial decisions, add some new skill sets where they are needed, (Rebounded, defensive size, more defensive speed on the perimeter...) through smart signings. Don't start swapping pieces trying to build a NBA 2K team.

I think Baz could develop into a starting caliber 2 but he has mental lapses that have to get fixed and improve footwork on d gets out of position a lot. His three ball needs to improve to really be a good starting 2. KK as a sixth man would be deadly. I think DMC played his way to contract the Hawks won't match. A bottom dweller is likely to throw stupid money at DMC. Sap does so many things for us that makes our motion offense go I really hate to lose him and I also wonder if we all would really love Al at the 4 as much as we think. Sap can do a lot of things as a stretch 4 that I'm not sure Al would do as well. While I agree, and would LOVE, to see a true 5 that defends the rim, rebounds on both ends, and had a low post offensive game, they are find to actually land. Aldridge I really think will take the extra year and money and stay in Portland. If not that he is a Texas boy and I think he heads to one of the Texas teams. I alsI worry about injuries. He has had minor issues several times those could become major ones as he gets older. Monroe doesn't defend the rim at all, look at his blocks per game, and his feet are slow on D. With our switching style of defensive I think we will all be bitching about him getting to his assignment late and not moving. I also question his passing ability. Jordan could be a major looker room issue and I don't see him adjusting to Hawks motion offense well. He also takes plays off on defense and I could see him frustrated with his number of touches and the expectation to pass out of the post. He wants to catch lobs attack the rim not draw the defense and find a shooter. I also think he is definetly going to take the extra year and money and stay put. Gasol intrigues me. Defends the rim, great defender, low post moves and playing beside Al and in our system he will have some space to play. He is open, according to rumor reports, to seeing what is out there. I hope the Hawks go after him. My only question is if he is truly a max talent. I also didn't watch enough Grizz to see how he passes or moves without the ball on offense. A healthy Lopez would also be a great option and will be cheaper. If Sap gives a home town discount because he loves the city and the team and we could sign both a second I would be in heaven (don't know if that is even cap feasible). Sap is a total team what's my role guy. If our second unit was KK, Sap, Dennis, and Thabo we would have the best bench in the league by a wide margin. Again that's a total pipe dream though. Last thoughts that beast we drafted last year could possible come over and be some help at the 5 late in the year.

I think the new combination of a deep pocketed ownership group and Grant Hill to be their spokesman in chief is a massive upgrade over the dysfunctional Atlanta Spirt. That will assist us. I also think that our talent level is to the point now that an "elite" could look at the Hawks and say I'm the piece that will put this team over the top. We have never been that option before. Previously we were the "ain't gonna win a title but there desperate and might get a max deal". That only brings stat stuffers that usually also bring locker room problems. I also think Bud's style is one that matches up with modern NBA players. The team this year showed chemistry and looked like they had. A great locker room culture. I also think the endorsement money would come to a player in Atlanta. We have never had a single player to be the face of the team. If we had an elite talent that lead us to finals corporate sponsors would find him. All that said I just don't see an Elite FA (with the possible exception of Gasol) this season that I think would really improve this team. IMHO Aldridge is the cream of the class and I worry about injuries and don't see him being a massive upgrade over Sap. Plus he either gets the extra money in Portland or heads home to a Texas team more than likely. Gasol really would solve some of our needs at the 5. I don't think he is an "elite 5" by historical standards but could easily fit that bill in the modern NBA. He does bring the interior toughness, rebounds, and some low post game. I dont think Al brings the same game to the 4 that Sap does and we might be surprised when we actually see him try to play a stretch 4. I have no doubt Bud could adjust the game to more of a low post focus with Horf and Gasol but then do we reduce Our motion and guard play. Monroe doesn't defend the rim at all and I worry his slow feet on D just won't work with our style of defense. I don't Jordan would mesh with the team concept of the Hawks at all and he could be a locker room mess and I also really question his commitment to a team defense. All that said I want to see the Hawks get a reasonably priced big bruiser to bring some defensive rebounding and another wing to replace DMC who I think has played his way to massive deal elsewhere that the Hawks won't match. Roll with that and a resigned Sap and then I will have my Wet dream that Durant sees how he fits perfectly in our system and comes to ATL.

I was mistakenly thinking Love was better defensively and would have brought some additional rebounds while still stretching the d from the 4 spot. I have seen enough lazy or incompetent post defenders with the Hawks. I'm with you be Ben we need an anchor post with some offensive game and I think a bruiser of the bench Charles Oakley Reggie Evans type would be a huge help to reduce the offensive boards we surrender. Moose shows some of those traits so maybe he grows into the role and he has some offensive game too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

On that is legit concern. I'll be honest I never watched Timberwolves basketball or much Cavs this year either. My main knowledge of Love is reading stat lines and high lights so I am wanting to hear problems with his game. Does Love struggle on the block defensively more is it both sides of the ball?

No I totally agree with you all regarding the physical abilities of the teams and lack of Superstars. I was mainly asking about the psychological state of the team and the way they seem to be mentally engaged in the series

Let me start by saying I am no Capologist and don't knew if we could even do this. But if DMC gets a big deal early and we renounce our hold, or similar thing for Sap, does anyone think a Love deal could be financially viable. Furthermore, would he be attracted to Atlanta? I think his game fits our system well and would bring a better rebounder at the 4. Would we want Love if we could get him at all? Thoughts about the idea and especially potentially downsides or reasons it just couldn't happen would be great from the folks that really know the Cap.

Does anyone else see some similarities to the Hawks in the ECF and the year the Thunder went to the Finals. It is tough psychologically when you exceed expectations and make it to a "goal" . The Thunder seemed just happy to make the finals and exceed expectations. Do the Hawks feel the same on the ECF. A LeBron lead team will always be championship or nothing for a goal. I don't think this thing is over yet but I fear the Hawks are subconsciously happy where they made it. The taste of the ECF and exposure to yet another escalation in the intensity of next round of the playoffs bodes well for the Hawks. They come back next year expecting ECF and thinking title next year. I also think we finally have the ownership group, system, head coach, and team that an elite free agent may finally think they are the piece to bring a title to Atlanta. Even though this series looks rough I have never been happier about the prospects for next years Hawks team.

I would not put it at GoT levels yet though that is still my favorite show on television I would not put it at GoT levels yet though that is still my favorite show on television

I was never into the Daredevil comics. The first movie was terrible. However, I really enjoyed the Netflix show is really good. Kingpin is a really well developed character and the acting and action are top notch. Makes Arrow or Shield look B-Movie by comparrison. Really looking forward to season 2 and the other "street level" shows coming like Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Very surprised how dark and violent the show was. Definitely different for Marvel. Highly recommended from me.

I hope it is as easy as watch the film and make the corrections. I also don't think those driving lanes will be there if our bigs aren't making midrange shots and pulling the Wizard bigs away from the basket. They were camped out early in game 3 daring our bigs to shot and they did and they missed. Those lanes in the second half were there when the Hawks made some of those shots. Dennis was getting in at will because the Wizards couldn't collapse because Scott was hurting them. Horford hitting his signature top of the key and base line J's may determine game 4. Sap being a threat to shot or drive of the high post inlet pass will be huge too. He didn't have the usual quick first step or lift on his shot in game three but I expect that to better in game 4. Teague drive it in the first half but ran into a mass of defenders and couldn't kick it or shot it effectively. Teague hitting from long range would also force the Wiz to guard up on him instead of hanging back to defend dribble penetration. When Dennis was attacking the drive and dish made the offense flow. KK really needs that to force the exterior D to be there to help and give him room to move without the ball and not have Beal just stick to him like glue. Coach Bud has forgot more about basketball than I will ever know so I'm gonna trust and hope that they have the right game plan. They have to play game 4 like it is game 7

I definitely don't want to get rid of Sap. My fear is he gets an offer that the Hawks management thinks is too high and they decide that they would rather have flexibility and rim defender more then throwing huge money at Sap. The scenario I worry about is he gets max or near max money from someone else. Maybe not likely but stranger things have happened. By far my preference would be to find a defensive big that would back up Horf and resign Sap. DMC driving up his value in these playoffs would only make that problem worse if the Hawks couldn't sign him and add a piece or just match a big deal for Sap. Maybe I worry about nothing or maybe the new owners are willing to pay some tax and get another big and bring back our starters. I would love to see that because I would hate to lose Sap to a money issue.

I don't think Moose is ready to be a starter by any stretch and Pero never will be. That was a forced decision that would never had been made normally. Pero sets good screens and plays decent defense. His big problem is his defensive effort seems tied to his offensive production. If he is hitting shots he hustles more on D. When he is missing he gets frustrated and plays sloppy D He also gets over matched physically and fouls against bigger guys. He committed some really lazy fouls way away from the basket in game 3 and seemed to lose effort with every shot. A reserve big needs to bring energy and rebounds if they don't have offense. Pero doesn't do the first well when he is missing. I think he still has a better grasp of the team system than Moose and coach Bud sees that in practice hence the start. However, we can't afford anymore Pero pouting out there. I thought Moose showed a lot Saturday. He did bring the effort, intensity, and rebounding. He also showed a lot more offensive game. I think he was very unsure of himself in the first two games and not ready for the ever increasing intensity of the playoffs. Saturday may have fixed that. We need size and rebounding badly in this series. He brought it in game 3 hopefully coach Bud gives him the shot to do it again in game 4. If he plays like Saturday roll with him and sit Pero. If he looks overwhelmed again let him give Pierce and Beal a couple hard ass fouls and put their asses on the court. I think we really saw Moose grow some yesterday and you can't learn to swim without getting in the water so I'm hopping to see him early in game 4 and praying that he gives us the same production. If we have a big off the bench that can bring size rebounding and just enough offense it really helps nutralize a Wizards advantage. Maybe sitting on his ass watching will also help motivate Pero some. My one big concern with Moose was a lot of the big production from him and the second unit was when they thought it was garbage time. No real pressure so just ball out. The Wizards were also coasting for a lot of that outburst. Real curious how he will look playing more with the starters and handling the pressure of the Wizards playing full out and not coasting thinking it is a blow out. I really want him to rise up because he could be huge the rest of this post season and move from being a tall ass cheerleader to be a huge part of our rotation next year.

I think Sap is probably gone for just that reason. If Bud wants San Antonio East he will want the Rim Protecting Big they always have. I think they SnT Milsap if they can get a good deal and go out for that big of available. Knowing Ferry and his style it will be a Lopez type no max money big out side Aldridge imho and he is duplicative of Milsap in several ways and will cost more. Getting back to my original post would Aldridge even sign here. Disregard reality that he is likely staying in Portland or going to Texas which is home. My question is are we as a franchise a place where the top FA on the market would say I want to play in Atlanta I can win a title there?

We've all been begging for a true center for years so I am always skeptical that will happen. I just wonder if that big fish FA would sign now. We have fixed all the reasons that used to be giving for always being used as leverage but never landing the player. I think they have fixed then outside of Fan interest which is getting much better. I would feel really good if we played a competitive ECF or better yet Finals or God forbid championship. Then that player would easily think I'm the piece to put them over the top. Do they still that if we never get out of the second round and have no legacy of championship success to sell?

We've all been begging for a true center for years so I am always skeptical that will happen. I just wonder if that big fish FA would sign now. We have fixed all the reasons that used to be giving for always being used as leverage but never landing the player. I think they have fixed then outside of Fan interest which is getting much better. I would feel really good if we played a competitive ECF or better yet Finals or God forbid championship. Then that player would easily think I'm the piece to put them over the top. Do they still that if we never get out of the second round and have no legacy of championship success to sell?