chillzatl

Q: Mr. Ford, I am one of the administrators at Hawksquawk.net, the premiere message board for fans of the Hawks. Many people from the site read your column daily, including myself, and we have become very dismayed by your suggestions about trading Jason Terry or that the team is disappointed in him. . .Pete Babcock and Lon Kruger have said repeatedly that JT is the point guard of the future and that the only roster spot to fill is the SG position, which will be a battle between Dermarr Johnson and Dion Glover. Dan Dickau will be the backup point guard to JT this year and likely in the future as well in a Bobby Jackson-type of role. Also, your comments about the team being disappointed in DerMarr Johnson are off the mark. He is the best perimeter defender on the team and has done everything the team has asked of him. He isn't a scorer and will be filling the role that Doug Christie has done for the Kings, being a tough defender and complimentary scorer. -- Jason Murphy, Houston, Tex.FORD: I think I got an e-mail from all 12 Hawks season ticket holders protesting my Hawks fixer-upper. Jason's was the most polite. My comments about Terry's future as a point guard weren't based on media reports or even a close analysis of every game Terry played for the Hawks last season. Admittedly, I saw only a dozen or so Hawks games last season. However, I did spend a few days in Boston at the Shaw's summer league and talked extensively with several members of the Hawks' front office and coaching staff. On the record, they'll all say that Terry has a great future. Off the record, several of them told me that he doesn't have a future as a two guard in Atlanta. While they admitted that he's improved every year at the point, they also felt that he had a long way to go. Too long for some. He's not a pure point guard nor does he play the game the way Kruger wants his point guard to play. Dickau may not be a pure point either, but the team did a lot of research on him before the draft and were very impressed with his play in Boston. They spent most of the summer trying to work out a draft day deal to get their hands on Dickau and told me that, if he keeps it up, he's the point guard of the future for this team -- not Terry. That may not be this season or the next. Again, the Hawks have insisted publicly that they're not shopping Terry. But league sources continue to insist to me that Terry is available if the team can get a young, dynamic two guard in return. As for Johnson, he didn't look like a third-year player in Boston. He looked lost at times and struggled to get into the flow of games. However, my comments were based on off the record conversations I had with the Hawks' staff. From what they told me, Johnson has not progressed as they hoped.

we have code that scans all the articles that are collected in "basketball news" for Hawks related content and automatically adds them to our Hawks news section. This saves us the time of having to add links manually. It's not intelligent, if it finds Hawks in the title it will grab it.

From the reports Clark will be a backup for them. Unless he plays over half a game 24mins+ he will be the disappointment that he has been his entire career. Even if they play him more than that he won't bring it every night. They got a big body and someone who CAN do a few things very well. He doesnt' make them considerably better though. Divacs is 100X more intelligent about the game than Clark, has better hands and is a MUCH better defender. I don't see him alone putting them passed L.A. Though Shaqs toe surgery certainly does.

Stoudamire deserves to get out fo there. If eel sorry for him. He's not old, yet everyone talks about him like he's a hasbeen. He's wasting away in portland and I think he could be back close to all-star status again if he were playing somewhere else.

of the first round. KG is a curse on that team.

they really aren't all that deep. They'll never pay what it takes to keep all those guys together.

The mention of E.Davis or Ira starting at SG was ONLY done as a backup plan. Becuase we really have to consider that. DJ CAN distrupt players and CAN cause matchup problems. But will he? That's the reality. He's never done it on the pro level. He played OK defense last year, at best. He wasn't a stopper by any means. He was probably 60% the defender that Ira was. That's not going to get it done. If he steps it up this year then we'll be fine. Because the reality of it is that DJ is now the 4th option, maybe even 5th. He's not going to get a lot of things ran for him. He's going to have to thrive as an opportunity scorer and key defender if he is going to have any success this year.

I've felt this IS a possibitly, though a remote one. It's really up to DJ. IF, say again IF, DJ isn't able to provide the defense/scoring that is needed. I think the scoring will be fine (he's not going to get more than 10-12ppg on this team). His defense is the big question mark. On this team the SG position is mostly going to be an opportunity scorer and a defensive stopper.

I would personally rather see Ira in that spot if that's how things go. He's bigger, more offensively talented and a better defender than E.Davis. Davis has a bit more range than Ira. But that's not a huge issue. They would both be opportunity scorers whose primary role would be defense. Either of them could do it, I just feel Ira would be the better man.

I think DJ would be better there than either of these guys personally. But we'll have to wait and see how he does against real NBA comp before we can decide. Ira proved last season that he can get it done against the best in the NBA. DJ has proven he can get it done against the best in the summer leagues. BIg difference but one that will hopefully be meaningless in the up coming season.

Your ranking of our ballhandlers is inconclusive at best. Early last season I would have definitely put E.Davis above JT. Now I would not. You have nothing to base a comparison of JT vs. E.Davis on at this point. JT is a much more controlled and smarter player than he was when E.Davis was able to play. I remember one of your biggest complaints early last year about JT and his ballhandling was that when he brought the ball upcourt, he would always allow himself to get trapped and picked by opposing defenses. That all but disappeared late in the season, once he got some real experience at it.

You should also put your favoritism aside and wait until we see just how good DD is before you rank him above a guy who had one of the better Ast/TO ratio's among players at his position.

The point i'm trying to make isn't about JT being better than anyone. It's that we need to see what we have before we start looking to make even more changes. None of us knows what we have at this point. We have so many players that either haven't shown what they are capable of doing on this team due to injuries or have shown the ability to make great improvement at a given position that it's just foolish for any of us to assume that we know what this team is or is not going to be capable of. The only thing that we know was that what we ended the season with had VERY good chemistry. Shuffling players before we get a chance to see what they can do and how they may or may not have improved is begging to ruin that chemistry. It's like trading an apple that you have never tasted for another apple that you've sampled before. How do you know that first apple isn't sweeter than the other until you give it a try?

But realistically if we kept this team together for 2 years and they don't get to a certain level you have to look to make changes. Not dismantling, because we have a young, strong core to build around. But you have to retool the team, try to find that missing player or players that can help that core get to the next level. I wouldn't move any of the core players for at least 2 years though and I think keeping JT/Reef together for years to come is a smart idea. That's really our core, our shaq/kobe, our walker/pierce, etc. You keep those guys together and build around them. We should be strong for years.

no point in getting frustrated with it anymore. once we start winning people will actually watch the team enough to know whatsup.

Those are minor tweaks. FAR from dismantling. If it made us better I wouldn't be opposed to trading any of those players you mentioned. But that's not dismantling.

we shouldn't have to dismantle this team for quite a few years. We have the core, JT/Reef and possibly either DJ or G.rob. Hard to say which one at this point. If DJ steps up this season, it's him without a doubt. JT/Reef/DJ. But if his defense isn't good enough and his offense doesn't grow then probably Robinson. But there is no reason at all to break up that core for another 5-6 years. We have the luxury of having those players at a good age, unlike Mookie/Smitty where age was a very realistic factor. We can keep retooling and working with the team for years before we really have to consider breaking it up and starting over. If this team, as is, can't get it done THIS YEAR, there is NO reason to dismantle. Make some tweaks yes, but dismantle, no way.

I'm always sceptical about the braves and the postseason. But the last two seasons they've had teams that were set for post season play. Last year injuries messed up that flow a LOT. This year they are just on another level. What looked like a hot stretch early on has turned into a hot season. They've been playing postseason style ball all season. Manufacture runs, make the most out of the other teams mistakes, etc. But they've also got some HOT hitters which they've always lacked. Sheffield, Chipper, Furcal and the Francos are killing teams. And when one of those guys are off they always have someone step up and get it done. They certainly don't play the game the way some of the previous teams have.

Yes it would be something to see all 3 teams succeed.

I know it gets said in the major media enough. But since there is nothing going on in the basketball world I gotta give them props. THey are playing lights out ball! Sweep the cards, 2 of 3 from the D'Backs, 2 of 3 from the Astros. The D'backs series being the biggie, they outdid Schilling! They went into that series with a mindset of how to beat him and it worked perfectly. You can't stop his strikeouts. But if you make him throw 8-9 pitches to get a strikeouts he isn't going to go 9 innings on you. Then you either have him worn down enough that he's hittable or you get to their bullpen which makes them an average or below team.

I hate to make comparisons to a team that I hate. But they are playing like the Yankees of the late 90's did. Great pitching, a great bullpen and always having a guys step up to help the team when one of the stars isn't quite on. Just like those Yankees you just can't count them out. Down by 2 runs going into the 9th and you still feel good about their chances. Gotta love their chances this year.

I"m not listening to the press conference, just his pre-conference interview by Dan Patrick. Probably just the same old feel good stuff though. Blah blah, happy to be hear, up and coming team, lots of good yougn players, blah blah. you know the drill hehe.

I'm ready for the damned season man, this meet and greet, kissing hands and shaking babies bs means nothing!

he seemed generally happy about playing in atlanta and said that he felt they had a good up and coming team that wanted to make it back into the playoffs. He also said that he felt shots wouldn't be a problem on the team and felt that he'd probably get more attempts here than he did the last few seasons in Milwuakee.

Dan Patrick and his cohorts didn't feel his recent trouble would be a problem for him (jail time) or for the team and that he'd probably get off with some community service if that.

So far so good, bring on the season.

Eddie JOnes is not what we need at this point, at all. He would be nice on paper but at some point you are going to have too many people wanting the ball. It's going to be tight enough as it is. It's not worth dumping DJ and filler for someone who could/would really tilt the scales of chemistry. If you have JT, EJ, Reef and Robinson, someone is going to get the VERY short end of the stick when it comes to shots.

We need good role players who can contribute immediately, not another star level player. DJ is improving just fine and provided he plays defense, is more than enough for us at SG. I've said it before and i'll say it again, you can't have a 20ppg player at every position.

Duncan really isn't a center and from what i've heard doesn't want to be one, even in the east. I'd move any combo of Reef/?? for duncan though. JT, Bigdog, DJ, whoever. It would have to be Reef and someone though.

shoot, while we are dreaming, imagine being able to get him straight up in free agency and not have to give up any key players. Or at worst shipping Reef somewhere for players with expiring contracts. Imagine lining up Theo/Duncan/Robinson/DJ/JT. We'd be in the finals no doubt about it. Not sure if we'd win it, but we'd make a strong showing and nobody in the east would slow us down.

only a few of those teams should hammer us and even then only on the road. The lakers and Kings are the only teams there that on the road I wouldn't feel we had a good chance. We beat the lakers at home and ALMOST beat the Kings at home. That was without an all-star defensive center and without a career 20ppg SF. Suns, utah, sonics, celtics, wolves and orlando I think we have as good a chance to win as anyone.

at one point in time they actually had an email address listed for him in insider. Now it's just a form that you fill out and it sends it to him. You could probably find it by hitting chad.ford@espn.com, cford@espn, etc etc. But if not the form is the only way. I've used it several times. I'm pretty sure you have to be signed up for insider to use it, but here's the link just in case.

http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/writeback?name=Chad+Ford

No, we aren't a lock. But some of your analysis is a bit dodgy.

1. NJ. You are speculating things that didn't happen last year, what makes you think they'll happen this year? Kittles did his best last year. His best shot at being a Ray Allen was about 3 year ago. Those days are gone. Richard Jefferson is nothing but unproven. He's Dion Glover on a winning team. A few big games in the season and a HUGE summer league. He is FAR from a sure thing. Gambling that he's going to be the next Marion is a laugher. They gave up 24 proven PPG and are really only getting 19 PROVEN ppg in return. Not to mention giving up a C who can run the floor and has soft hands for a guy who is fading and has flippers for hands.

2. I think NY is going to be the dark horse of the year. They'll be right back in the playoff mix. I don't see them being top 4 contenders but you never know in the east. If they can land a quality PG they'll be top 4 easily.

3. Indy keeps getting better and better. I look for them to be in contention all the way.

4. N.O has talent. On top of that they have a squad that's been together for a few years with a good mix of vets and youth. THey will continue to be tough for us and everyone else.

5. IF MJ plays and he's healthy they will be solid. Low end playoff contenders at best. MJ did what he wanted last year, he showed those guys how to win. They aren't ready to do it on their own yet though and without him giving all he can they are lottery bound.

6. I think detroit will be the dive bomb of the season. THey played above their heads last year IMO. Still a playoff team but not on top of their division anymore.

7. With or without G.Hill Orlando is still a GOOD low post player away from being a serious contender. Better than us, probably. But a real contender, nope.

8. I think the bucks will be a good team, as they should have been last year. I don't see them running away with the east though. They still have teh same problems they had last year, no low post game and post toughness.

9. Miami is another sleeper in my book. I think Zo will be close to his old self and I have hopes that Caron Butler will play it big for them. EVen though they used to kick our buts in the mid/late 90's I've always like Miami.

10. Philly did nothing but get better on paper. KVH looks like a good fit but will Iverson have enough faith in him to let him get enough shots to matter? Plus don't discount the "respect factor". KVH dissed philly and AI once already. I don't suspect that Iverson will forget that disrespecting.

As for us, the only uncertainty for us is chemistry. we had very good chemistry at the end of last season. Thankfully we didn't move anyone that was key to that chemistry. But we did bring in someone who could hamper it. Big dog is going to be looked on as a star here, by fans, players and coaches. I think that's something he will relish again and it will put a little extra spring into his step, figuratively. Bringing Ira back is key in my book. He was a big part of the on court chemistry that we had as he did it by example and didn't have to say a word. Who is going to do that now? we can bring in someone who has that ability. But having the ability and actually doing it and fitting in the same way are two different things. Barring any major injuries I full expect us to be contending for a 1-6 spot all season. If Theo is healthy and DJ can step up and be the 12+ppg scorer and gritty defender many of us hope he can be, we are a top 4 team. If DJ can do that he negates the need for Ira.

I think he should be paid fairly. But he's not deserving of a full MCE or anything like that. I still think he could be a HUGE contributor for us, even moreso with bigdog in the lineup. I mean what if DJ just doesn't step up his defense? We need at least ONE guy on the perimeter who can play hardnosed in your face D on the other teams 2/3. JT can't do it and Bigdog doesn't do it. If DJ can't do it someone like Ira would be KEY. We have more than enough scoring in the starting lineup as it is and his 10ppg would be more than enough.

He fills their need for a Center and he's much more durable than Camby was. He's not going to make them contenders or make anyone forget about Ewing. But playing along side a top flight PF like Mcdysse will help mask a lot of his short comings. One thing about him is that he has heart, which is a big thing when you aren't extremely talented. It's also something that I feel he has over Camby. Camby wasn't terribly talented either and he had no heart.

I do think we could use one more veteran player there. Nazr, Dion, E.Davis, Hendu, etc are all good solid bench players, Nazr especially. I would love to see us land K. Willis though. He's the tough minded, no nonsense player that could really bring the rest of our bench guys together. Everyone on that bench would respect him and follow his lead, whether he played a lot or not.

I think guys like Hendu, as long as he doesn't get an attitude, will be key off our bench. If hendu can become that hendu of old who came in and just energized everything, he'll be our MVP off the bench.

Also Ira. I really feel we need to resign this guy more than ever now. I would have no problems iwth starting him at the 2. I know DJ should get more minutes but I don't see his D being on the same level as Ira's. We have plenty of offense in the starting lineup anyway. We need a defensive stopper who can set the tone on the perimeter to go with Theo down low. Ira can do that. But I digress, i'm getting away from the topic here.

Overall I think we have a good if somewhat under experienced bench.

It's made worse by the fact that we've had a losing team for a few years now. There's not a whole lot of positives to rally behind when you cheer for a losing team. I've been on these hawks boards for about 5-6 years now (accessatlanta, hawksquawk, etc) and it's always been like this. Especially in the off-season. It's like this on any sports forum for any team though. The only reason some Hawks forum members seem more "civil" than Hawksquawk is because they only have a small number of people actually posting. When you have a lot of people sharing their opinions about something you are naturally going to have lots of disagreement and lots of debate. A lot of it will settle down once the season starts and even moreso if we have a winning team. You shouldn't let that hamper your posting though. This is how it's always been and how it is everywhere. It's a sign that we have some real fans who are passionate about their team. There are lots of teams out there, some of them winning teams, that can't say that.