Weez

hopefully until he's healthy. he's played horribly when in the game ~ and the last thing this team needs is 'uncertainty'. It seems that we've assembled some chemistry / continuity ~ I'd rather not risk that in trying to bring ANYONE back before they are ready, especially a touted 'starter.'

people should be making a big deal about this...seriously, huge kudos for the team.

Hawks crack the top 20... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking...son=2007&week=2 Power Rankings: Rockets streak up charts; Hornets, Bucks crash -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Marc Stein ESPN.com How do you fill out a top 10 when only four teams on the NBA map have found anything close to a groove? Never mind. It's a rhetorical question. Just consider this a heads-up for Tuesday night, when the lonely foursome of clubs playing legitimately good ball at this early stage pair off for a measuring-stick, Power Rankings-sponsored doubleheader: Spurs at Rockets and Clippers at Jazz. Read on to see where your team ranks ... or any of the 13 teams that awoke Monday sitting at or within a game on either side of .500. Click here to send in your feedback. SportsNation: Rank them yourself! Team Archives: Select Team Atlanta Boston Charlotte Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit Golden State Houston Indiana LA Clippers LA Lakers Memphis Miami Milwaukee Minnesota New Jersey New York NO/Oklahoma City Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Portland Sacramento San Antonio Seattle Toronto Utah Washington 2006-07 Power Rankings: Week 2 RANK (LAST WK) TEAM REC. COMMENT 1 (1) Spurs 5-1 November normally doesn't mean much to Spurs, but Oberto and Elson already have Duncan feeling good about the frontcourt help he's going to be getting. 2 (8) Clippers 5-1 I'm eager to see Clips' testing trip Tuesday to Utah, just their second roadie all season, because their home games -- no joke -- have been too easy lately. 3 (3) Jazz 6-1 Normally, we'd make a big fuss about Kirilenko's latest injury, but AK-47 has been only the seventh-leading scorer (8.4 ppg) so far for scorching Utah. 4 (14) Rockets 5-2 JVG has been saying T-Mac's greatest strength is his decision-making. Judging by T-Mac's 6.4 apg and Yao's early dominance, perhaps they're all in agreement. 5 (4) Cavaliers 4-2 No one in the East has a better record, but Cavs' losses to Bobcats and Hawks were a major letdown after their San Antonio breakthrough. They should be 6-0 or 5-1. 6 (7) Heat 3-3 Second half vs. Sonics. Second half in New Jersey. So make that two glimpses of Miami's ''on'' switch to go with two ugly home losses (Chicago and now Houston). 7 (6) Mavericks 2-4 After a four-game losing streak to end last season and another to start this season, Mavs have actually won two in a row. But they still don't look quite right. 8 (9) Lakers 5-3 Lakers have to capitalize on that favorable early schedule, but there's a catch: Kobe says it'll be ''January or February'' before he's at full strength. 9 (11) Nets 3-2 The only team out there to beat Utah can't exactly celebrate. Not after dropping to 0-2 against Miami just two nights later and losing Jefferson indefinitely. 10 (12) Bulls 3-3 Offensively challenged Bulls need more consistency from Ben ... Ben Gordon, that is. Gordon's wacky scoring totals in the first six games: 6, 24, 5, 37, 2, 3. 11 (22) Kings 4-2 Bibby's playing hurt, Miller's out and Muss has to coach under a microscope. But Kings are a healthy 3-0 at home amid all the questions about their future home. 12 (2) Hornets 4-3 The first 4-0 start in the club's 18-season history and being the last team to lose this season, just like that, are memories. Blowing a 27-point lead at Portland will do that. 13 (5) Pistons 3-4 Life without Big Ben is off to a rocky start: Rip's hurt, Sheed has more Ts (four) than Pistons have wins and you're even starting to hear Etroit jokes. As in no D. 14 (20) Warriors 4-3 Beating two of last season's 60-win teams (Dallas and Detroit) in the same week is nice, but Warriors can't stop there with nine of their next 10 games in Oakland. 15 (11) Suns 2-5 If Saturday night's 25-point, 14-board Amare sticks around for a while, I'm guessing Suns will say a 1-5 start was a worthy sacrifice. 16 (21) Magic 4-3 D-Howard has had some quiet nights offensively, true, but he also just went for 21 points and 22 boards against Kevin Garnett. In other words, he's doing fine. 17 (17) Pacers 4-3 Something to talk about besides that mohawk: Harrington has averaged 24 ppg the past five games after totaling just 12 points in his first two games back in Indy. 18 (15) Wizards 3-3 It's been just a so-so start for Wiz, but our first check of Arenas' rebound from the free-throw line is promising. He's shooting a tidy 92.5 percent, 49 for 53. 19 (23) Hawks 4-2 Joe Johnson scoffed when his coach called him an MVP candidate, but it's no exaggeration to say J.J. will get some votes if Hawks win four of every six. 20 (25) Trail Blazers 4-3 Dallas brought 'em back to Earth and Roy (for ROY) got hurt in his fourth NBA game. But tip your cap to Zach's Blazers anyway, with their twice as many wins as Mavs and Suns. 21 (27) SuperSonics 3-4 Sonics had to have that one-point OT win in Atlanta. A tense locker room couldn't take another heartbreaker after losing every close game in a 1-4 start. 22 (19) Nuggets 2-3 Nugs are in a quick hole to Utah already after becoming just the second team in history to open with three straight L's by three or fewer points, then losing K-Mart. 23 (16) 76ers 3-3 With the For Sale sign removed and the team yanked off the market, it's only natural to ask: Does this mean Iverson is going back on the market? 24 (13) Bucks 2-5 When you lose five of six after an opening night W at Detroit -- and when 57 points from my favorite lefty don't add up to a win -- you deserve a steep drop. 25 (18) Timberwolves 2-4 Of all the coaches feeling pressure already -- Rivers, Stotts and, of course, Isiah -- Casey's seat could well be the toastiest with Wolves quickly slipping under .500. 26 (26) Raptors 2-4 This November is already better than last November, when Raps went 1-15, but Friday's home L to Hawks was hardly an uplifting prelude to a five-game trip out West. 27 (29) Knicks 2-5 On top of every other crisis that keeps Knicks in the news, now Frye is backsliding further than the naysayers ever predicted, at 3.4 ppg on 22.2 percent shooting. 28 (28) Grizzlies 1-5 The good news: Pau insists he'll be back on the busted foot before January. The reality: Whenever he returns, it'll be way too late for outmanned Grizz. 29 (30) Celtics 1-5 It hasn't lessened the serious heat Doc's facing, but Pierce wasn't kidding on that NBA TV fantasy commercial when he promised 10 boards a night. He's at 11.7 rpg. 30 (24) Bobcats 1-5 We'll get into Morrison's postgame tobacco chewing later. First, we must lament Bobcats' inability to do more with resurgent Okafor's 18.2 ppg, 12.2 rpg and 3.5 bpg.

good recap (echoing earlier sentiments). couple of things: Quote: That's either the mark of a true gunner, or a guy who understands that he's the superstar engine that makes the team run. I think at one time, he was 7 - 19 from the field, but kept firing away because he had open looks ~~ this happened in the Cavs game as well. Though JJ's stat line ended up looking quite nifty (shooting % included), those watching the game on tv (with the privy of in-game stats) would have realized that he was shooting a 'terrible' percentage prior to the 4th quarter/OT. Simply put ~ he's willing to put the team on his shoulders and live/die with his shot selection. Certainly one would hope that others would step up (or that JJ would get to the line more when his shot's not falling) ~ regardless, it's certainly a trend worth keeping an eye on (hello 82 games.com). JChill ~ the embodiment of why 'fantasy sports' does not equate 1:1 with 'real-life'. Finally...Smoove. The games that I've gotten to see this year he's been more aggressive in taking the ball to the hole...however, he often misses those 'touch' shots, esp. fingerroles and the like. Here's hoping that he avoid becoming discouraged and continues to attack/learns to take the 'hard foul' and still finish.

link?

live or "tape-delayed"?

better than all that, and I thought about not posting this...one of those 'highlights' shown by the world-wide leader was of LeBron finishing strong on a 2/3 on 1 fastbreak...looks impressive ~ unless you watched the game and realized that the dunk was negated due to Damon Jones' plowing over Lue at almost the same time he dropped it off to LeBron~ (no, they don't tell you that the basket didn't count). whoops...

actually got to watch this game...and the assessment is correct. I was quite impressed with Smith (though his stats don't reflect it) ~ he was driving quite a bit (not posting up), often with a single dribble move. he blew a couple of the gimmes/tougher 'touch' finger roles (and thus not getting the and one's), but overall his aggressiveness was definitely noted ~ though he only scored 15 points, and didn't shoot particularly well...he got 8Ft's (and made six). 'nice' game for him.

my wife bought me mini-corn dogs during the pre-season, these worked wonders as well!!! one giant corndog...or four mini ones (one for each quarter?)

we also don't know if we were then (or even now are) under the premise that we cannot really 'sign' FA's (went into effect just after the Speedy acquisition) and only limited to resigning current players due to the legal battle... that's assuming that we resigned him during the July FA period ~ anyone remember when we extended/resigned him?

agreed. end of message.

new Sekou article has him playing some Friday night (per Woody). Just fyi.

so address it as such. take it to the next level. provide a little insight into how they built their teams, how they cut salary (both of them had HIGH payrolls not too long ago)... this board has declined in the overall insight dedicated to posts and statements. Use to, most of the 'big time posters' would truly research their points, make good arguments, and generally show a great deal of knowledge about our team and the league in general.... just a request from a long-time member who can't post as much given work right now (damn residency). I still read nearly all the posts (though obviously have stopped posting the daily insiders as ESPN changed their format and now have TONS of columnists)~ Up the bar loyal Hawks fans. It's what sets this board apart (or used to).

thinking about this, Woody made a pretty big jab at Ivey (in saying that we're, "bringing in better talent")...and then I got to thinking. Oh crap. We're gonna take the lesser player simply because he's already under contract...then I thought it out further... Ivey makes 700k this year. Bozeman would cost an additional 350k or so (anyone know the league minimum?). For that extra 300k (or even a mill), if it bought the team a few more wins, a chance at even ONE nationally televised game later in the TNT schedule ~ it'd pay off immediately right? Wouldn't those extra wins (even if it was two) help draw more fans? It's not like Royal with Cheese is an arena-favorite? Simply put, I'm not taking sides, just employing the owners and powers that be (who-ever they are) to make the decision for the 'better player' (if they're even allowed to ~ see court battle). For a franchise trying to build an identity, within its own locker room, arena, and city, let alone league-wide, it's truly the only 'smart' decision....and possibly for the low low price of 300k and a bit of humble pie in admitting that the extension/resigning of Royal was a jesterly move.

Backup guard shines in loss to Wizards By KAREN ROSEN The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 10/24/06 With an abundance of guards on the Hawks roster, Cedric Bozeman had nearly 11 minutes Monday night to prove he deserves to stay. Undrafted after helping lead UCLA to the NCAA championship game his senior year, the 6-foot-6 rookie scored all five of his points in the first period of the Hawks' 110-105 exhibition loss to the Washington Wizards. Backup guard shines in loss to Wizards 'The missing piece', Claxton, returns Johnson's shot beats Cavs in OT If healthy, rookies have shown promise SI adds insult to Hawks' injury "Whatever time I get," Bozeman said, "I've got to go out and bust my butt." He's also a guy coach Mike Woodson didn't mind having on the floor in the final two minutes of a tight game. The Hawks (4-3) rallied from a 20-point deficit in the third period to take a two-point lead in the fourth, but they couldn't hold on because of seven missed free throws and four Wizards layups when the Hawks had fouls to give. "The fact [bozeman] can defend three positions makes him a little unique and intriguing," Woodson said. "And he can run your offense. He's heady, and he's not scared to make mistakes. "We'll have four or five days to look at him a little closer and see if he's worthy of keeping on our ballclub." Woodson knows what starter Joe Johnson (28 points) and backups Tyronn Lue (16 points) and Josh Childress (12 points) can do at the guard position, and he has Speedy Claxton resuming practice today after fracturing his hand Sept. 18. But in determining the rest of his bench in the past two preseason games, Woodson has gone with Bozeman instead of Royal Ivey. Salim Stoudamire has a right quad contusion and also didn't play. Neither played against Cleveland on Saturday either. "It's no knock against Royal," Woodson said. "He started for us last year a great deal of the season, but we've had an opportunity to bring better players in and an opportunity to look at them as well. We've got some decisions to make this week." Bozeman played for the Hawks in the Rocky Mountain Revue in July. Going into Monday night's game, he had played in every exhibition game, averaging 13 minutes and 2.7 points. On Monday, he entered with 6:37 left in the first period at point guard. Bozeman scored on a 10-foot jump shot, was fouled and made his free throw. Less than a minute later, he had a steal and dunk. "I'm not really coming in here to score," he said. "Everybody in the NBA can score. I've got to kind of find my niche, and if defense is what it is, that's what I'm going to do." Ivey, who has a guaranteed contract reportedly worth $744,551, said he still feels good about his role. "The season's starting," he said. "I just want to win; it doesn't matter if I play. If the guy ahead of me is playing good, then so be it, that's how the game works. And you cheer for your teammates. My main concern is just to be ready when the coach calls my name and then go from there."

actually, with everyone talking about how Marvin and JoJo are the only ones that can 'really create their own shot' and how much Marvin's abilities have matured...it actually makes more sense to bring Marvin off the bench (i.e. letting Smoove play with someone who will more consistently draw a double team and can create for others) than come off the bench (as he's not considered 'instant firepower/offensive spark) ~ the latter would more (in this mindset) be applied to Marvin...

the rub is that if they're 'waiting and trying' to continually incorporate Amare and he's not up to standards/ doesn't mix well...it WILL hurt the team. This is a well documented phenomena that occurs when a team learns to play without a player (a 'critical/integral' one) ~ then that player returns but is out of rhythm and timing with what the team has been doing...to the entire team's detriment. While it may not sound logical, the statements in the article title about 'integrate or bench' are somehwat accurate. Case in point ~ the Kings a few years back when Webber returned just in time for the playoffs ~ they looked awful (and had previously been on a great role). It'll be interesting to see how it's handled in Phoenix given the success that the team had last year without Amare and given the 'new guys' such as Diaw who are soon to be up for contract negotiations.

doesn't really apply to the homecourt forum...but thanks for the update. Site looks fantastic and is much easier to navigate ~ and perhaps something I will use more now (too junky before). cheerio.

and it wasn't on TV anywhere in Memphis either...

throw in that the Grizz played their first preseason game last night...in Houston. They're traveling home, off of a come from behind win in Houston last night... it'll be interesting to see Gay match up with Marvin/Smoove...

and all of that sums to leave you with the new 'career' of Paris Hilton (don't even get me started on this!).

move this tot he around the league forum and you'll get more responses. The rockets are really very little like us...

he's been quoted as saying that it stands for, "24/7", and outright denying the 'one-up MJ' rationale. He applied for this number 6-8 months ago, per NBA rules; this marks the first year that he will not be sporting (I think) he's father's old NBA number.

Correct me if I'm wrong...but I thought that the coach decided who the starters are, not the owners...

in the days of the salary cap and 6-7 year player deals (now less, 5-6, but there remain active holdovers of these)...then no, not definitively can one say that four years is too long think about this: in college sports, most poeple 'argue' that a coach is not given a chance when he's not able to hav a roster full of people that he recruited... in professional sports, the player turnover (ie graduation) isn't nearly as large, thus one must find ways to move players, sometimes 'taking what you can get' simply to make a move... this, combined with draft picks (which, in general, have been more inexperienced/younger) that typically take 3 years to develop (rule of thumb for 1-3 year college players, perhaps even longer for those drafted from HS)... to look at it in a different light... What if West had left the position in LA (and not had Shaq) shortly after Kobe was drafted/acquired? would subsequent success not be inherently linked to that pick? *sorry, not the best argument (or fully fleshed out), but it's 5am and I gotta diagnose some cancers before sign out this morning..