macdaddy

Woodson's comments are just part of the mental preparation. I don't think they are any indicator of how much playing time he's going to get. But the best thing a coach can do for him is keep the hype low. He's going to get plenty of playing time. Its a long season.

Anthony Johnson is only 30 and is basically in his prime. I'm not sure I understand the analogy there. Top players even on the decline are great people to have on a team like this if there is good coaching. With a playoff game on the line do you want to put the ball in KA's hands or Anthony Johnson's. And I'm not knocking AJ I wish we still had him, but you don't lose talent and experience as you get older. And 34 isn't that old.

I agree about team chemistry but that was gone (if it was ever here) when we traded SAR and Theo. Jt was our only valuable trade bait so we had to get rid of him. I like Sura too but looking good in playground ball on a lottery team is a lot different than contributing to a good team. He's been in the league a while and hasn't established himself very well. His hustle is great but he doesn't seem like a good shooter. Still I would have like to have him but I don't know that we really need him. It would be fun to see him play with Walker though.

I agree. I think we are doing really well at putting a competitive entertaining team on the floor without tying are hands with long term contracts. This team has some players and Walker adds some star quality to it.

I disagree. I think Willis is perfect for this year. Even at 42 he's stronger and tougher than most centers we could pick up. And he can teach these young guys a few things about inside play.

I like Laettner but he and Collier are too similar. I don't like Barry that much though, I would have rather had Person as shooters go.

He wasn't as bad as folks around here claim. He put together a solid team under Lenny. Trying to dismantle that team without completely rebuilding was an impossible task he shouldn't have tried (in hinesight). Plus his draft picks were really bad.

Give Pete some credit he pulled off a great trade there. Of course Ratlif didn't play for a while but Deke was going anyway.

I agree 110%. The nba is scared to do that because then MJ, Kobe, Shaq while still great don't look as great. Shaq espcially. Since when are you allowed to just push guys out of the way to get the basket.

I only agree with the point that we do need to sign Willis. There is no reason not to. He would provide leadership and he can still do some banging. The lack of FA signings so far though is a good thing. The worst thing we could do at this point of rebuilding (meaning the start) is sign players that we don't really want for a million or 2 a year. Most of the voids these guys would be filling can easily be filled by NBDL and CBA guys for little money and won't make much difference in our final standings. A guy like Pryz is not going to make or break this team. We'll get players and we'll play hard this year and take aim at real FAs next year rather than sinking money in the bottom of the barrell. But bring Willis on now!

Waiting on Damp didn't hinder us at all. BK knew his chances going in. I can't see any reason to get Barry. He's a good shooter off the bench for a really good team but for bad or rebuilding teams he doesn't really fill a need. I'd rather see us sign Kenny Anderson. He's got a lot of skills and is still young enough to put together a great year. I still think we should sign Kevin Willis to back up these guys at C. He'll provide a physical game off the bench and some much needed leadership.

What's the fascination with Pryz here. He's injury prone, is horrible offensively, and has done nothing so far in the NBA. I like his defense too, but Drob is much better for this team.

News flash. 90% of the league only signs for the money. He can become dedicated once he gets here. Wouldn't you wait until all offers are out there before making a decision?

Including Darvin Ham is a joke. He's a real nba player with a good career going. He's not great offensively but that's not what he's asked to do. Koncak was actually a decent player but just not worthy of the high dollars we paid him. Certainly Priest Lauderdale deserves being in there ahead of Koncak. And what about Mottola?

Was it Wes? Matthews who played guard with Doc? He came to our high school for an appearance and bent the rim. More recent I was fond of Pig and Cadillac. Wasn't Cadillac in trouble?

The good WNBA teams play really good ball. If the league sticks it out it will become successful and it will produce better and better players. People forget that the men's pro leagues have been in development for 50-100 years (in the case of baseball) and you know when they first started play was not that great. You can't expect a pro sports league to be wildly popular in just a few years. Most NBA fans just want to see the marquee players. Just look at the attendance. People like to watch the college game because the players don't get paid and its easier to understand. I don't like it that much because they get too many uncontested shots and layups. People used to complain about the NBA not playing defense but now players have to fight to get open jumpers. 20 years ago there were 15 footers to be had.

Trade good. JT not suck. Things look up.

His commentary makes no sense. Are we supposed to overpay for an average center just to show we are doing something. We aren't going to be viewed much better off with Damp than without him. Its not BK's fault that there isn't much out there. He knows this year is just to lay the foundation so save your big money for real talent. If he signs for reasonable money then great otherwise we can miss the playoffs just as easy with him as without him.

Why not bring back Kevin Willis. I know there won't be much room but he's in shape and can light a fire under these young guys. At some point we will need at least one real veteran to help these guys along and I'd just as soon have someone who can bang inside.

nicholas is exactly right. This is what BK hoped for I'm sure. We're going to get him at a good price and its not holding us up from signing anyone else. Plus, he'll have to work hard to get the contract he wants or a trade to a contender. I think the wait makes us look a lot less desperate than if we 'd just offered too much to get him. Other players realize that we know what we're doing at least when it comes to personnel (so far).

I agree he sounds like he's talking out is a**. This many owners are never going to agree that much but BK is obviously calling most of the personnel shots. He got his coach, his picks, and when its all said and done he'll pick up some bargain FAs with cap room next year. Plus, if Damp signs and plays decently he'll probably be traded before next year unless we have a miracle season. Its hard to sit around and wait for some signings but that's how you avoid overpaying for people. There are lots of things that can happen between now and next year that would make players want to play here. If the team is competitive and Smith and/or Childress show some star quality then others will jump on board for the money.

I hope that was a joke about Kukoc. When's the last time he played a full season? It wasn't with the Hawks. I like the guy but jeez. The problem is you look at JT like he's supposed to be a league superstar and save the franchise. Truth is he's a good scorer (and don't belittle that on this team) and his speed is better than most in the league. On a good team he will be extremely valuable. On a bad team he looks bad like everyone else in the league. On our team as it stands who do you want taking the last shot? Diaw? a rookie? Harrington? Crawford? We need JT.

What about Wesley Person? He can shoot.

ATLien is exactly right. PG is not our problem. JT is better than he gets credit for here and Knight knows that. We can't trade him because he is our only proven nba scorer.

I would have loved Fratello too. He's a great coach and I think he might have signed a shorter deal. 4 years is a long time for an unproven guy, and the truth is how much different in terms of experience is Woodsen compared to Stotts. But, I think hiring someone you know personally for Knight is a smart move. I think bringing someone in from a championship team is going to carry a lot of weight with all these young players.