skyhawk

It's just board talk so no problem and we all have opinions. There's a difference between having great talent and being a great player and it seems that the standard for greatness becomes lower and lower as time goes by - not just in basketball but in all things. I grew up in the 60's(maybe you're in my age bracket) and my standards for greatness are based upon players I grew up watching . No doubt that guys today are more talented but as a whole, the "old" guys were better players and because of that the game was much better. For me, Kobe is the one guy that stacks up to players from an era when the game was truly great - an era that ended with the Dream Team.

I actually agree with this list especially since JJ and Chris Bosh (the most overrated NBA player IMHO) are on it and I think you guys are proving his point as Rose , Jennings, and Durant ,as good as they are - aren't as great as the fans and media have made them out to be. Durant may become a great player in time but he's only great on one end of the court and in my book, a great NBA player must show it on both ends of the floor. I'd say the same for Rose and Jennings but unlike Durant, I don't see these guys as ever being in the elite class of the all-time great NBA players. With that said - I'd take all three of them with the hope that potential translates to greatness at some point. In my view, even though he may be losing it due to age, Kobe Bryant is the only great NBA player in the game today and the only player who lives up to the hype.

The kid is definitely raw but he's got the court vision and mindset of a PG - which is something that Jeff Teague lacks. The handles will come as he's a hard worker and will benefit from playing for a coach who understands the position. I have no idea what Pape can become but I'm intrigued - only because Larry Drew is very excited with the potential he sees. And ,unlike fans, LD has seen the guy in practices which is a much better forum for assessing a playe'rs skillset /potential than summer league play.

I'm the biggest homer on the board and I have big respect for JVG but I just don't see the Hawks finishing ahead of the Bulls - who are a shooter away from being a very, very good team. I woudn't overlook Milwaukee as they're better with having Salmons for the entire year and a more experienced Brandon Jennings. Also, Detroit, Charlotte and NY (didn't they sweep us last year?) have improved and all 3 are tough match-ups for us. The East as a whole is much better this year and I don't see the Hawks hitting the 50 win mark. I still think Boston is the class of the East with Miamii and Orlando not far behind. I'm not buying into the Heat hype as the team to beat mainly because of the hole at center and the fact that Bosh is one of the most overrated players in the league.

I was just as surpised. I like it that he plays with aggressiveness and confidence - to a point where his teammates defer to him from what I saw in the video. He can get to the rim with some nice moves..good first step and knows how to get by people. Moves well without the ball. I can definitely see him taking it to Robinson in the workouts - which he didn't think were that tough...

Perhaps it is a pipe dream but I personally think that Darryl Morey (sp) is the best GM in the league and Les Alexander is willing to spend $$$. The plan at this point is Luis Scola, Knicks 2012 1st (protected #1), Jordan Hill and/or filler for Bosh.....Kelvin Martin, Rockets 2011 or 2012 pick and filler for Joe Johnson. Where the signing of JJ is the carrot for Bosh....of course it all depends on Lebron James.

I've watched quite a few Mavericks games and in my opininon Avery Johnson is a terrible coach who people have overrated. He's a poor game coach and his style is much more suited to a younger squad as veternan players aren't going to respond to yelling and screaming as a means of motivation. The Maverick players lost respect for him and that's when Cuban stepped in and fired him. Coaches get let go all of the time but a guy who takes his team to the finals generally gets a free pass during down years. Although he doesn't have coaching experience, Mark Jackson is my choice. I''m impressed with his knowledge of the game and i just think that he's a good fit .

Zelmo Beaty Bill Bridges

The same thing would happen if Howard, Bynum, Bosh etc..get hurt for their respective teams...

I believe that there were rebounds the Magic should have gotten - just like there were shots they should have made. There are definitely some things that the Hawks need to improve upon but I was pleased with the effort and intensity level - which is all you should expect from a team on any given night We out rebounded them on both ends because we were more aggresive and athletic. Honestly, I'm not sure why this is even a discussion point.

Padded or not it's still an offensive rebound - which gives us another posession/scoring opportunity.

I don't think Okur is the big man that we need - he's not a rebounder and I do have questions about his toughness and defensive abilities. Just my opinion.

I believe he does want to play in the NBA and he's still young enough to improve his game. I'm impressed with the numbers from this game - which are much better than any game he played last year.

I think you guys are looking at this the wrong way as this is just adding another weapon to his game. Being a 3 point threat will open up his inside game more and spread the floor. No doubt he needs to be more aggressive but he can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. He's need to get stronger and finish better - which he will.

I'm not saying that we should overpay Chillz but like many on this board you fail to recognize his value. You can't measure a player's contribution in stats alone. Funny, but other teams seem to value Childress much more than most on this board. Chillz is a much better defender than people give him credit for being, he's one of he most versatile players in the league, he plays without the ball - a value that stat watchers will never see, he brings it every night and he's a straight up team guy. The idea of replacing Chillz with JR Smith is laughable in itself. So what he put up 43 points. He's got major holes in his game and he won't bring the things that Chillz provides. Just one man's opinion.