Wretch

It's like a symbolic reminder that no matter what our franchise tries to do, there is always somthing that puts us on the NBA's back burner. The Bobcats are barely out of the womb, and already they are set to make a splash. Meanwhile, the Hawks as usual can't get any attention for the curse on our franchise. I know we can still come away with a good draft; and from the outset I was in favor of sitting tight with both our 1st rounders...maybe acquiring an additional one or moving up. But I am sick to DEATH of our luck just twisting up in the strangests ways...

(as someone said in another post) something about selecting the player that we wanted at #6...and he believed that to be Howard. Now Bickerstaff says no mention of Howard in the players that he's interested in. And The initial word out of the Bobcat's draft was that they didn't want to build around a Hssr. Okafor is the guy that the Bobcats want and Bernie came all out and said as much after the draft lottery - making jokes about how Ok's back was REALLY bad. Perhaps this deal was made in case Orlando selects Howard? The Cats could not afford to miss the opportunity if LA was willing to deal. If Ok is taken 1st, perhaps the cats will trade down... Or just maybe Howard will fall through the Bulls, who obviously don't need another hssr, and a PF at that, and the Clippers (obviously), through the Wizards (who already have a failed HS experiment in Kwame)... To us...? That's very possible. Especially considering that Howard has not worked out for the Bobcats, or anyone else for that matter, and hadn't planned on it.

Worst thing that happens, we select Livingston best thing that happens we screw up this Bobcats/Clippers BS.

Then an impromtu news conference would make sense. If they were planning a pre-draft news conference just to answer questions, that would have been announced long ago. News travels fast though; so by now, we should have heard something.

He was more concerned about winning than he was about developing players; when it was apparent that we were in a developmental phase. As soon as JT would make a mistake, Lenny would yank him...eventually to the point where JT would only get sparing minutes in the waning moments of games. He wanted to bring him in slowly, but it got to a point where Lenny locked him outside of his 6 man rotation. I know that Kruger did the most damage, but Lenny set it up for him.

What D says is really what's making me lean towards dealing him. It's true that he hasn't had the kind of help that he needs, but very few PGs NEED the kind of help that he does. The need is the problem. It forever links our PG and SG positions. You can't get a guy to come in and play SG, unless he can handle the ball. So not only are we crippled by having a liability with JT, but we eliminate prospective available talent because we need a specific compliment to one player. If we keep JT we either A) bring him off the bench or B) force him to play PG - with or without ball handling help.

That's supposed to happen AFTER the draft, and I believe there is still one person left to interview.

...but JT has redefined the role - in a bad way. It's not all his fault, but I don't expect guys to come in and turn out like him. People that pass on talent because of what happened with JT are going to shoot themselves in the @ss. First of all, PG is the MOST DIFFICULT position to play in the pros. Players come in, even with years of college PG experience, and struggle mightily to adapt. However, they are forced to sink or swim. Usually, the good "combo" guards turn out like Francis, Davis, or Marbury. JT is an example of what could happen, not what will happen... Guys like Gordon come into the league ALL THE TIME. This hasn't changed over the years. The difference is how they were developed. LENNY WILKENS AND LON KRUGER COMPLETELY F#CKED UP JT'S DEVELOPMENT. They molded him into what he is and establihed him to the league as a SG in a PGs body. Now the world thinks that there is a new type of player coming into the league.

Orlando, Okafor. This was the plan all along. They just wanted to milk the shot clock for all it's worth. Clips, Gordon? Not if we're dealing JT to them. He's too short to play beside JT in the backcourt.

Then why in the hell would TMac agree with a trade to the Clippers? Yes, the Magic could trade him regardless, and it's a hell of a deal for them; but I can't imagine the Clips giving all that up for a guy who will opt out after a season...and what is his incentive to stay? A perpetual lottery team owned by a tightwad and managed by morons? *lol* What's more interesting is the source of this rumor - Chicago.

I expect Howard to go #2, but true to Hawks ill-luck form, we'll probably be @ssed out by the same strange factor that has oddly screwed up our franchise year after year. The current flavor of Screwin' the Hawks Over...? Start with two large cups of TMac. How often is it that a star player just loses his wenis? What a whiney wuss... Mix in a little expansion team jumping in the 1st year that we have a decent pick without Babcock at the wheel... Sprinkle over the top a few trade throw-ins suddenly showing game, tapping us further and further away from the the bottom of the lottery and... Viola!

...as wing players. They're so big in HS and college that they are always thrown into the post. So unless they have a natural ability to hit the outside shot, then they won't develop it. They're taller and slower, so their handles aren't as sharp either. But a dominant big man is worth more than a dominant guard or swingman in my book. And if Emeka can become dominant on the pro level, then he could have a bigger impact on that team than TMac could.

The Magic are in the driver's seat - they're the dealer and they get to lay down last. In other words, they (and their press) are spinning a lot of information trying to milk the #1 pick for as much as they can. Regardless of who they want (Okafor or Howard), they would like to make the selection that they are going to make and get as much out of it as possible. They probably want Okafor. But if they come on out and say that's the guy that they are leaning on, then only the teams interested in trading for Okafor will be contacting them about that pick. Teams that want Howard (like us) won't even talk with them - they will talk to the Clippers about the #2 pick. That is what has been happening and if you read between the lines in all this press, then you will see the truth of the situation. Dwight isn't working out for the Bobcats because they wouldn't be moving up to select him. They want to jump Chicago for a player that they want (probably Deng). That would make Howard slide to the #3 - which is probably where the Atlanta/Chicago rumors were coming from. Dwight isn't working out for the Clippers because he doesn't expect to play there. The Clippers will draft him and then package him to someone else. The Magic probably want Okafor, but if they can get a late 1st, or dump a contract, for a promise not to select Howard (which they probably have no intention of doing)...then that will mean coming away from this draft with more than just the #1 pick. Orlando fans are expecting Okafor. Orlando media is expecting Okafor...and so does the rest of the sports nation. We are openly dealing with the Clippers... I would be surprised to see Orlando select Howard...and keep him.

If he didn't shoot it so well, I'd say that his game wouldn't translate. But Ben can hit the shot from anywhere on the floor from any distance out. That won't change coming into the NBA and the defense will have to respect it. However, he's got long arms, he's quick, and he's athletic. That means if they play him to shoot it, he'll go around them and either take it into the lane (which the good scoring PGs do) or pull up and shoot it over whomever is guarding him. Gordon is going to be difficult to guard. I think Gordon would make a better 2 guard than JT...only because he brings the ball into the lane. That's how you open up your game in the NBA. It's also how you get your teammates involved. When a guy attacks the lane, the defense will usually collapse on him. That's where you see the biggest difference in scoring guards that make their teammates better. Does he take it up or does he rotate the ball or kick it out? JT doesn't get into the lane. He never has. I've watched him since his very first game, almost every game...frustrated because he could become a MUCH better scorer and playmaker if he would just use that quickness to penetrate. Even when he played the 2, he would get around his defender and pull up. He would come off screens and pull up. He would run the break, get the ball, and pull up. I'd say for every 10 shots JT takes, one might be a penetration and it's always been that way. The thing is, he nails that shot with regularity. He's got a VERY good shot. But he needs to take that ball into the paint to open up the game for himself and everyone around him.

That is my problem with Jason Terry. First off, let me say that JT has been my favorite Hawk for quite a while. When he nailed his first 3 pointer, I could just tell that he was a sharpshooter. Then he did it again, and again, and again. He had several games as a rookie where he'd dish out 10+ assists and I had much faith in him. He has been mishandled by management/coaching, which I believe is his biggest problem, but I don't dislike his game. All intangible issues aside, what I don't like about JT is simple. He creates too many liabilities. He's a liability on defense because of his hieght - we need a bigger PG so that they can match up with the opposing SG. He's a liability on defense because he doesn't play good defense. He's a liability on offense because we need a tall PG, or ball handling SG, that can allow him to play SG - but if that player goes down, we are stuck with JT running the point...alone. He's a liability on offense because he has trouble running the offense. You get a guy, 6'3" or 6'2" that doesn't need anyone next to him to help handle the ball or share playmaking duties...then you have eliminated 3 of these liabilities. Yes, there are many shoot first PG's in the league. In fact, true IMPACT point guards are very few and VERY far in between (I believe Livingston is the next one). But out of all the scoring PGs in the league, I can think of only one that NEEDS to have someone help him run the offense. That should tell us all something. I would deal Jason Terry now if it meant that we could select Livingston or another high lottery prospect. If we are keeping him, then SOMEBODY has to drag him through point guard boot camp. If Jason Terry could function ALONE at the point, then there is no way in hell I would deal him. His speed, handles, and shooting are just too good to let go. If he can't do this, then all we are doing is creating a liability for when the games begin to count. I shudder to think about our star ball handler at the 2 going down...in a playoff game, having JT, as he is now, bringing the ball up the court for a critical play in the waning moments of the game. He can get his shot off, no question; but what if the defense commits to him as the shooter...

That's the biggest difference. He's got inside/outside game. You never see JT with the circus shots, going up over anyone... It isn't that JT can't, he just doesn't. Gordon uses his speed and athleticism to get INTO the lane and get the high percentage shots. If the D tries to play him like he's taking it it, he's got NBA 3pt range. JT is a jump shooter and a pull up guy. He'll take guys off the dribble, but he'll stop around 10' - 15' for the J...which he usually nails. You are mistaken too... Gordon shot a nice dime inside to Okafor in one of the later highlights. Ben Gordon is longer, more atheletic (SERIOUSLY MORE ATHELETIC), and he LOOKS to get his shot. Without a year in the NBA Gordon looks every bit the player that JT is and then some.

The Magic just want to make everyone sweat who has eyes on the #1 or #2 pick. The most telling piece of evidence is how there has been very little talk about Atlanta trying to move up to the #1... They'd take Howard there in a heartbeat. And nobody is really saying anything about the Clippers except the Hawks are really looking at the #2...and the Bobcats. It's a hard decision to make, but I don't think they could go wrong with either of these two bid dudes. In the end, I think Livingston could prove to be the MJ of this draft - not like talentwise, but in how teams pass over him. Guys that tall that see the floor like that only come around once in a millenium. I'd take him in a heartbeat.

Dude just explodes to the basket...and he's fast. Okafor seems stronger, less mobile...but being that strong, he probably doesn't need it around the basket. He's gonna be a monster down low. These guys look like they'll mirror each other throughout their careers - with their prospective strengths making them both VERY productive. I really like Livingston. His passes look flashy and whatnot, but they connect like Legos. Precise. And he's tall, that'll give him the ability to see the floor better. I'd snatch him up...could you imagine a backcourt with two guys like 6'7"...!!! Damn... Livingston is going to be special. And... Ben Gordon does not resemble Jason Terry.

The man is a beast in terms of size and strenght. He's young, strong, quick, defensive... Who's to say he won't be a stronger Elton Brand? Dude is what, a chiseled 260 right now? I think the questions about his offensive game are premature. What will really determine his offensive game is how he responds to the level he's coming to. He's strong, has moves around the basket, and shoot it down there...who can really stop him? He's a rookie now, but if he becomes a dominant PF, with defense like Brand or Zo, then I take that, his high percentage shots and his quiet, mature, workaholic attitude over a whining, atheletic SG ANYDAY. I think Emeka is coming into the NBA with something to prove. Something tells me that he's going to do just that.

With rasies and whatnots, we'd be looking at one player taking up 70% of our available salary cap. Meaning Shaq comes, we sign nobody else. We'd also likely have to trade multiple 1st rounders, plus any talent that we have. It's going to be very difficult for any team to trade for him without destroying their roster.

We've got enough cap space to take back a player from the Clippers. Actually, we probably have more seeing as how the the Cats can't use their full salary cap and that it looks less likely we'll be bringing Jackson back. They have no players to deal and unless they are giving up THIER future 1sts, have no draft picks to deal. I don't see how there are many teams with as much flexibility as us.

But at least Stephen Jackson gave us something to cheer for during the latter half of the season... {/sarcasm} I know this has been beat to death, but DAMN.

IF he were interested, you'd almost have to hire him. He brings credentials, knowledge, patience, respect, success and an ENORMOUS BUZZ AROUND THE FRANCHISE. The entire sports world would look at us, chronicle our team, and say, "now we get to see if Phil does have REAL coaching ability." But, the question is...would Phil come here? I'm gonna go out on a limb here... I say that if Phil is looking to continue coaching, that this would be a challenge. This would be a situation where he could cement his legacy into the history of the game. If he were successful, there would be no questions surrounding his ability and he would go down as truly one of the coaching greats. If not, maybe Red would have more ammunition to fire at Jackson, but surely it takes nothing away from what he has accomplished. Personally, I don't think he'd fail. People keep saying that Phil inherited all these talented teams...but at the same time, his predicessors in each situation couldn't get their teams over the hump. In LA, he actually took a LESS TALENTED Lakers team over the top. I don't know if he would actually come here, but he'd have to look at Atlanta as an interesting scenario. I could see him coming in a couple of years from now with a young club that needs to learn how to win. I'm not so sure about him coaching a lottery club though.

...and I'm not against taking the best player available. I'm not saying that just because we have JT that we have to draft for position. I'm saying if we draft a 6'3" PG this high that: a) We can't be looking at building our future around a 6'2"/6'3" backcourt. That's asking for trouble just like putting JT at the 2 is asking for trouble. It's like intentionally creating an exploitable weakness. b) We can't be expecting to draft this guy as a bench booster. If we were picking in the late teens, yes. Not with a high lottery pick. c) Because of A and B, we have to be looking at a different role for JT or moving him. Nothing else makes sense. Drafting the best talent available is one thing, but if it duplicates talent that you already have (or is better), then you have to figure out how to manage both of these guys who mirror each other. If you have two swingmen, one goes to the SG and one to the SF. If it's 2 PFs, then one goes to the pivot and the other to the 4 maybe. But with two short PGs, somebody has to go to the bench...or play small ball in spurts. The only productive alternative is dealing one of those players.

He was a young player with a very big ego trying to make his mark. Jordan made his teammates better - not the other way around. Stever Kerr? John Paxon? Craig Hodges? BJ Armstrong? Bill Winnington? Will Purdue? Scott Williams? These guys are any better than this Laker's supporting cast? And the Lakers have guys who can hit the outside shot, but they didn't. But to hell with an outside shot, if (and when) Jordan gets flooded by defenders, he would zip that ball into Shaq with who to cover him - unless you're saying the Pistons would be allowed to have 7 guys on the court... No, Jordan did not win it by himself. That's a foolish point to argue because nobody could do that. It takes a team to win basketball games. However, MJ only had Pippen on offense and (later) Rodman on defense. And everyone saw the extent of Scottie Pippen without Michaeal Jordan - both in Chicago and when he left. There was nobody out there that drew attention away from Michael that allowed him to dominate the game. It was the other way around. MJ drew so much attention that it opened up the game for everyone else on the court; but the biggest factor in his game was not his dominance - it was his ability to use that dominance to get everyone else involved. Against these Pistons, Jordan would have scored his points on penetration and fall aways. But when they were forced to double or triple, he would have picked them apart. And we're not even going to get into what his defense would have done against Rip or Billups. Michael Jordan, Shaq, and this Gary Payton would have destroyed this Pistons team. This isn't even worth debating.