Packfill

Quote: Sorry, but it would be awfully hard for me to like that selfish and arrogant bumhole... I still don't think he'd come to the ATL... but we'll see. I agree. But winning could do alot to cover up Kobe's warts . . .

I have to disagree a bit on what the Hawks most pressing need is - as currently constructed. The biggest missing piece is a power forward, plain and simple. Crawford has performed admirably, but in the long run is better suited to a role of the bench (if healthy, he has shown he can be a good scorer/energy guy). Sure the Hawks have a bunch of seven footers on the roster right now but none of them are what Howard is and will be - a great run/jump athlete. Pryz, Collier, Rebreca and Mamadou are all centers - though Collier can probably play some power forward. None is a star, and for the hawks to be successful with them on the floor they need a Duncan/Garnett at the 4 spot. Our wings are not great and can be upgraded, but at least we currently have Jackson (if resigned), Sura (if resigned) and Diaw. End of the day, Howard is the better pick but I imagine we would all not be too disappointed if we end up with Smith.

Bulls definitely have a chemistry problem, because they have talent.

Paul has more potential than any of those guys in terms of being a complete player. Should he stay in school, yes. But he has a truckload of potential and I would take him with the Bucks pick if he were available. Have him come of the bench for a year behind JT, then turn him loose.

Grant's contract is too large and too long, no way is he worth it. He is starting to slip as well - see one of the recent insiders for details.

Agreed, he is like the girl you would love to have a one night stand with but not the type you bring home to mom. He is fun to watch, but I wouldn't want hims as my building block if my goal was to win a championship. Give me boring old Tim Duncan for that!

If you are going to talk about the bottom of the high school pool than you have to talk about guys like (I know I am butchering these names so I apologize for that) Deshaun Stevenson, Lenny Cooke, Desagana Diop, Jonathan Bender, Ousmane Cisse and the rest of the guys that faded from memory or failed to get drafted. I think I can speak for everyone on this board in saying that no one believes european and other non-US players are better simply because they are from another country. They are drafted because they have potential and skills, not because they are a fad. There certainly are european draft busts, but there are US-born player busts too. A ton of euro players have succeeded in the league to date – Dirk, Peja, Vlade, Gasol, Kirilenko, Kukoc, Sabonis, Petrovic, Ginobili, Marcilonis, Ilglauskus, etc. There are also a ton of young players with potential to succeed – Darko, Okur, Skita, Carbakapa, Boris, Pachulia, Kristic (next year), Delfino (next year), Giricik, Lampe, not to mention other international players like Yao, Nene, and Barbosa. All these guys have as much or more potential than Bender, Curry, Chandler, Brown, Outlaw, Ebi and Perkins. The NBA is going global much like other aspects of our life – industry, art, cuisine, fashion and culture. It’s not a bad thing if you open your mind to new ideas. I am trying to flame the post, not the poster, so no harm intended

Duhon is a good floor general but he has a weak shot - look at his shooting percentages. He was benched for a time last year. I still think he can be a successful NBA player, but he may not be anything more than Jacque Vaughn, a similar talent who came out of a top program, with alot of post-season experience, was a true team leader, but lacked a good shot and never developed. No way Duhon is picked before Nelson and he is likely destined for the second round. Devin Harris from Wisconsin is a PG to look at for a mid-first round pick - Very athletic, 6'3", decent shot.

I agreee, he is a talented player but not a franchise player. Kind of the same deal as Reef - though I think Reef is a more valuable player then Q. He would be a nice piece though.

I may be alone here, but not getting a big free agent this offseason may be a good thing. Get a high draft pick and some mid-level free agent, and struggle for another year. Then in '05, Hendu and Crawford come of the books, we have tons of money, another high draft pick and lots of free agents to choose from. To me it is a two year process. This offseason and next season are to develop young players - i.e., diaw and first round pick. We all know the draft is the best way to build a team and this scenario allows this. (granted this there is no guarantee going that route, see Chicago, but it is the best we can hope for). We get another high pick in '05 and suddenly this is a very attractive destination for a free agent. We will have two things they want: (1) money to spend and (2) some young pieces in place. I am willing to suffer through another losing season or two if it means a legit playoff team two years from now. That and if we are going to lose, I rather do so with teenagers than established stars. That way, I can at least think about potential.

Absolutely agree. Everytime I feel ready to completely give up on this team they pull out a win like this and that flicker of hope returns.

Well, looks like the Hawks will have a new coach once the sale is finally approved. I like the idea of bringing Doc in, but am not sure about the dual GM/coach role. Also, now that O'Brien is out in Boston, he seems like exactly the type of coach this underachieving team needs - minutes based on work ethic, results over potential, good X/O guy.

I hope you are right. I am still optimistic but if they tank on this homestand then I wouldn't argue with anyone that suggests a fire sale is necessary.

If we could get him for Nazr and a second I would do it. Obviously he is not a savior but he would be a good "glue" piece. His outside shooting, ballhandling ans smarts would definitely compliment the other starters. Heck I can even envision a lineup of Barry, Diaw Jackson, Reef and Theo. I would even try and re sign him. Nazr is a solid backup center, and a nice player to have, but I would still pull the trigger. Still, I don't think the sonics would do that deal.

I really like the idea of turning the NBDL into a real developmental/minor league for the NBA. Travis Hanson and Dan Dickau would greatly benefit from such a system.

Everyone is probably speechless in light of the fact the Hawks no longer occupy last place in the central division. Heck, maybe everyone was out celebrating last night. If they can throw some consecutive wins together, then we will have something to talk about.

Stephen Jackson obviously has his limitations as a player, but recently he has been the Hawks second best player, contributing in many facets of the game. He still is jacking up too many three pointers, but his overall effort the last few games has been welcome. Since we always trash him on this board, I though it would be nice to give him some props for his recent play.

I am still hoping that they can through consecutive wins together. Even a small 4 or 5 game winning streak would do wonders to te psyche of both the team and the fans.

I would pass on this one just because it would make the Hawks the absolute worst defensive team ever - and it ain't like they are good now. Lots of offensive potential sure but Curry, Crawford and Walker all do not play a lick of defense.

If Felton could learn how to shoot the ball he would be the complete package. At this point though, I think Nelson is the better PG prospect because of his all around game. Igoudala of Arizona seems like a really good prospect - great athlete, excellent defender and he leads his team in assists. Deng also has a nice all around game but I think he stays at Duke for another year.

I'd take that Memphis deal in a heartbeat. At this point, I would even consider throwing in the philly first rounder to get the deal done.

I know Pozkiline (sp?) has potentially but he is years away from contributing - if at all. I saw Mihm play for Cleveland earlier in the year and liked what I saw. Probably was an aberation but his stats, based on minutes played, actually look decent.

In light of the insider posting about the Hawks players quiting on Stotts I think the team needs an "intervention." Time for some tough love. Troubled teens are often taken to workshops that have inmates testify about what happens when you play with fire - i.e., drugs, crime, etc. and end up in jail. Kind of a scare them straight tactic. Basically I propose the Hawks organization sending their millionaire players into a prison for a game of b-ball where they get the snot kicked out of them. Teach them what playing hard is all about and how privileged they are to live the lives that they do. Rant over.

I am all for throwing Diaw, Henson, Dickau and Crawford to the wolves. If that insider article is right about the vets quiting on Stotts then maybe at least these guys will provide some effort.

I could be wrong but I remember reading that the Clips were happy to see Mcinnis go because he has a bad attitude - supposedly a me first/stat guy. Doesn't sound like the type of guy you want at the point. Outlaw is like Darius Miles lite - great athlete, no skills. I actually like the sound of the Boston trade. Mihm has some talent - I know he is considered somewhat soft - but if we are trading the whole team anyway then a young center with good size, offensive ability, rebounding and shotblocking capaility is not a bad starting point. He could be resigned on the cheap. If we keep Reef on the other hand, this may not work. Definitly would need at least a first round pick though, which I would use on a point guard ala jammer nelson.