skaughtybee

...potentially netted us Shaun Livingston and Al Jefferson. I'd rather have those two than Howard, and combined will cost us (slightly) less. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise that we now aren't forced to make a bad trade for the local boy.

The reason I keep referencing Danny Manning, is that he has this similar way of hopping around the court (instead of jumping). He hops up for rebounds, he hops for both his face up and turnaround jumpers. These moves are smooth, but if he shot with a Shareef arc, he'd get many shots blocked in the NBA. I guess his moves are very fluid, but somewhat predictable. Lack of competition has allowed him to be a little less crisp than required. He strikes me as someone who would need some coaching to fight through a double-team. He doesn't seek contact, but also doesn't seem to be (too) afraid of it. This is based on seeing 2 playoff games of his. Scott

He is Danny Manning in his Kansas days.

Nope. Partially because Kobe and PP couldn't thrive together. Not that we are getting Kobe - but why kill your chances before we try?

ESPN is reporting. Mike Montgomery (Stanford) is the supposed successor. I guess it makes sense to go local for them. Could this be the man we wanted? We'll see. Skaught

Quote: The question about Daly is if he would run the up tempo style that Stotts is currently employing, which is the style that Billy Knight wants to see? up tempo style...and you propose Fratello? I'd love to see Fratello as the coach, but if Billy Knight is employing any "up tempo" coaching criteria, Fratello is no Paul Westphal! Skaughtybee

Yeah...a man amongst boyz. 26 pts 17 boards 10 blocks He really reminds me of a Chris Bosh type - right now! If Dwight wants to play for the Hawks and Stern rigs the draft that way, I'd think it is justified that he be a #1 pick. I expect that if we got #2, he'd still be there. Some may say that he's more like a Kwame Brown, but even so, I think Kwame is still recovering from what MJ did to destroy any shred of confidence he had. Skaughty

If Boris Diaw is any indication - our guard scouting in France is excellent.

I keep having to remind myself to root for them to lose! It gets down to crunch time and my instincts kick in again... I guess the easiest path is to root for Chicago, Orlando, etc...to win.

They were the team wanting Doleac, and should have waiver priority. How do we figure they enter the mix with/without Detroit?

The reason his numbers (FG % and RPG) have dropped seems to be BECAUSE of Randolph getting the room in the inside. We all know Arvydas wasn't there in the past. The only reason both numbers won't improve in ATL relates to the personnel: A) Nazr is a rebounding force (have you seen his rebounds per minute lately - WOW!) B) He'll be forced into some bad shots b/c any shot of his is better than Boris or Glove. Regardless, he'll play more of an inside game, and should show some success against Eastern big men. The least we got out of this deal is a guy who will have increased trade value. -Skaughtybee

I agree about Glover's D being a factor in last night's game. I remember when Denver was looking at Dion, and noted that he was impressive on D. We all laughed at that (me included). He has always had the physical tools to be a good defender (bulk, speed and quickness), but hadn't previously shown any effort. This wasn't the only game where I've liked what he's given on the other side of the ball. Glover's D get's my vote for the "most improved" so far. Terry Stotts (and his team) should get some credit for that. -Skaughtybee

The reason a team that shoots 70% in the first quarter, then loses the game is because they focus to heavily on the outcome of specific actions. If we are taking bad shots and playing recklessly, but still scoring...the fact that we are scoring should not reinforce that this is sustainanble long term behavior. This is the responsibility of the coaching staff. They have to sell and reinforce the right system, and praise and curse players based on execution of a plan. If a player takes and makes an ill-advised three, then does it again the next time down the court - bench him! The fact that he made the first one will (adventageously) gain more defensive pressure on the same shot the next time. This is where you exploit a defense for their bad judgement, and burn them where it would've been easier to score in the first place. Sound familiar? This is what opponents have regularly done to the Hawks since Lenny left. -Skaughtybee

"Unless your name is AI, no point guard has any business leading his team in shots." Phoenix wouldn't mind it if Marbury led the team in shots (only because Marion tends to have games where he sleeps). -Skaughtybee

As much as I love DerMarr... my guess is no. He seems to have gotten fair trials in a couple places and couldn't stick. I wonder if Knight had DerMarr in mind when he was trying to add a roster spot with the league. I think he probably wasn't. With Babcock gone - I don't see the Hawks having the vested interest they had before. Call me crazy... I still think (pre-injury) that DerMarr would've proven himself to be worthy of the #6 pick. Clearly that is what led to the 2nd chances he has gotten. Apparently he has either not recovered, or is not close to game shape. -Skaughtybee

The fact that opposing defenses know EXACTLY what each player will do with the ball sure is making it hard to score in the half court set. Glover will drop his shoulder and drive for a shot. Reef will drop step, then spin to either side for a shot. SJax will hoist a shot from anywhere. JT will go full speed in the direction from which he originated. Diaw will pass to the most difficult target. How many of you see exactly what is going to happen almost every time? Plenty of teams have succeeded with limited offensive sets. Succesful offenses allow options and wrinkles in each set, so the outcome is not so obvious to the defense.

Count your blessings. I am a person of lesser character after watching this mess of a team. The easiest way to break this painful addiction would be to ditch cable. Then I'd have to listen to Steve Holman whining...hmmm...at least my eyes would not be offended. -Skaughtybee

A BRILLIANT IDEA! ...with all the turnovers we are used to passing to unfamiliar players. New uniforms is the best way to disguise our own players. Now each time down the court, the boyz will see 9 open men (as if they don't already)! -Skaughtybee

The best assist of the night was Shareef's pass to Stotts. Nothing beat the look on Stotts face when he got the ball...almost as if he was expecting it. Maybe that is part of the plan... "OK guys, when it all breaks down...I'm usually open on the sideline..if not - aim for Eminem - he's usually east to spot"! -Skaughtybee

JT did his part... but when you are outshot 97-70, everyone can take the blame! -Skaughtybee

He has no idea where anybody else on the court is when he drives. He lowers the shoulder and just plows to the basket. He leaves himself 3 options: A) Offensive Foul B) Bad Pass C) Brick He's never gonna learn. -Skaughtybee

"If Dickau comes in with Hansen, Diaw, Nailon, Glover, and Nazr... Of course their numbers will look horrid compared to the starting lineup." MAYBE. They'll likely play against inferior competition. That is why the measure is so flawed...it doesn't take into consideration the level of opposition talent. Regardless - the first month should be completed before the splits mean anything. The sample size is to small for individuals. -Skaughtybee

The way Stotts uses certain shifts, some players always seem to be out there with the other scrubs...so how can you effectively judge individuals? It is kinda like +/- in the NHL - shows more the effectiveness of certain shifts than individaul players. The most telling team stat: 58 "ballhandling" turnovers to 39 for our opponents. Ouch! BTW - Any list that shows Dion as our #2 contributor thus far is suspect.

Knight was denied the exception. -Skaughtybee

What would it be? I'll start. TO REEF - get the lead out! This is a reason he: A) gets the most shots blocked in the league B) gets TOs when he puts it to the floor C) can't prevent the double and triple-teams He's so deliberate...sometimes as bad as Dikembe used to be. All the being said...there is no excuse for Jackson and Glover to be hoisting up more shots than Reef and JT! If those shots were open looks coming from an inside-out offense (Jerry Sloan style), I'd be fine. Too bad it looks like we have 2 Mookies out there, sans Defense! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Skaughtybee