Packfill

Well, hopefully Doc desides to sit out the rest of the year and then pick his spot in the summer. (really, why not rest up, collect a paycheck, maybe do some TV work and then pick your team with a full off season to work with). Then maybe the new ownership can offer him both the GM and coaching gig - assuming the Hawks continue to yuck it up this year. Best bet is for the Hawks to not make any trades this year because it will be easy to trade Theo/Reef/Hendu/Terry this summer because of the short term contracts. Correct me if I am wrong but Theo, Reef, Hendu and Crawford will all only have a year left after the conclusion of this season and Terry will only have two. The incoming coach would have alot of flexibility to create the team of his choosing.

I agree on both points. The Hawks need some more heft in the middle than Theo, but need to avoid the trap of getting some big dud who lacks movement skills. Problem is, people with size and athleticism are really hard to find.

I guess you could say we know one area where the Hawks come up short! (sorry, couldn't resist).

I don't think many post players are adept at "taking over" a game in the fourth quarter. Maybe Duncan and Shaq, but otherwise the my sense is, in the NBA, you ride the big man for the first three + quarters and then you need a perimeter player to step up - especially in the playoffs when defenses get tight in the paint. I know I have read the same thing about Garnett, for example, that he can carry the team till the fourth but needed someone to step up and hit shots to close the game. At any rate, I agree Reef is not going to be able to carry the team alone. But, as others have suggested, an inside-out approach on offense does make the most sense with the Hawks personnel - particularly if Jackson and Glover can drive/cut to the hoop and Jackson, Glover and/or Terry can hit some shots from outside. I am beginning to agree with D in that Ratliff is not the right fit at center for this squad - and at any rate will not likely be around when his contract runs out. They need a mauler in the middle who can rebound. Problem is not many of those exist. And don't say Ekizie!

Hill was the head coach at Columbia - that school is notorious for having poor athletic teams, it is just not a focus for the university. I don't think a losing record at Columbia is indicative of the abilities of a coach. That said, he is a smart guy who should do well.

Its not like Nazr is that special either. Battier is not a star, but he is a solid role player. We need a starting small foward alot more than a back-up center, in my opinion.

The Suns will get in before Portland, Denver or Seattle.

From the looks of the box score Boozer dominated down low - which he should given the competition. Dickau continues to shoot well. Since they lost to a team that has 4 lottery picks in the starting lineup (th only other starter being Boozer!) I don't think the loss should be hard to take. That Cavs lineup is one that they will actually use during the regular season. As far as players making the Hawks regular season roster, I think Dickau, Boris and Hansen are givens, the surprise might be Holman. Seems like a good shotblocker, but probably needs to but on 20 pounds.

I don't think that helps the Hawks. Jamisons game is too much like Reef's, Fortson has a terrible contract and Richardson, while exciting and athletic, is limited in terms of his skill level. He could definitely develop though, but it is risky. If we traded JT and Dog I would rather have Dunleavy (they wouldn't need him) and Foyle, then pick up a point guard like Speedy Claxton. Of course, I have no idea if those contracts work. But, that is a nice team: Speedy/Dickau Diaw/Hanson Dunleavy/Crawford Reef/Hendu Theo/Foyle/Mohamad

No way Golden State would do that deal!

Its no Dickau/Hanson/Crawford/Henderson/Mohammed but it will have to do!

They are deep. If they resign Harris then they are stocked. Starting line-up of Kidd/Kittles/Jefferson/Martin Deke, with a bench of Planinic/Harris/Williams/Collins/Zo. That second unit would give the Hawks starters a run for their money.

I don't think they would put both Deke and Alonzo in the starting line-up. They probably will rotate them to keep their minutes down - Alonzo due to illness and Deke b/c of age.

Does Dallas have two summer league teams? Where was Josh Howard?

I agree, this is a stinker. McInnis, Bonzi and Wallace all have bad attitudes.

Looks like Rasho is signing with the Spurs, which means they might get desperate and trade Brandon's expiring contract. Are they desperate enough to trade Brandon for Glenn Robinson? If it came down to a money issue for the Hawks with respect to resigning Terry, I sure as heck would rather have Terry then Big Dog! I am definitely not a Big Dog supporter, so maybe I am biased, but I would do that trade.

Amen! (no religious conotations intended).

Apparently Carl English is going to play with Orlando and Lenny Cooke with Boston. My source is another message board - nbadraft.net - so this information is obviously not set in stone. I guess we will see. I posted the message originally to see what other had heard. Not ot living in Atlanta, I don't get any of the local hawks media.

Jerry Holman from U. of Minn. is said to be joining the Hawks summer camp roster.

Anyone hear who, if anyone, the Hawks may pick up for their summer league team. I read that players like Lenny Cooke, Carl English, Ron Slay, Jason Gardner, etc. have signed with teams. Hopefully Diaw, Hansen, DJ (if resigned) and DD will play for the Hawks. But they will need a big man or two.

I would trade Ira for Alvin Williams in a nanosecond. Won't happen though.

If the Hawks could come away from the draft with Diaw and English I would be stoked. Either would be a good fit with Terry in the backcourt. I rather have Gaines or Pavlovic in round 1 but both are almost certaintly gone. Since I think we need to go combo-guard/shooting guard w/handle in the draft my order of preference is as follows: 1. Gaines 2. Pavlovic 3. Diaw 4. Hayes 5. Hanson 6. Delfino 7. English

If you look at the stats for most of the top euro prospects this year, inlcuding Lampe, Pietrus, Diaw, etc. their stats are not that impressive either. As such, I don't think stats alone tell the story on these guys - which means you have to see them play. He has one skill that none of the current hawks have - he is a seven footer. Point, who knows if he will help or not.

What about Outlaw other than his athleticism makes you think he will be a star? From what I have read - and I fully admit to having never seen him play - he is very athletic but lacks skills - he can't shoot, dibble or pass and he is way, way too skinny to play in the post. Sure he could develop ala Corey Maggette, but that is four years down the road. Being a great athlete alone does not make a great player. Moreover, having a lot of great athletes does not make a great team, witness the success of realatively unathletic teams like the Spurs, Pistons. Mavs and Jazz versus the lack of success of very athletic teams like the Clippers, Cavs, and Warriors. I think having some good run/jump athletes is important for having a balanced team but too many people want all athletes/no skill.

I guess you can add Planinic to the list of players the would fit the Hawks back court needs - i.e., tall athletic guy with a handle, defense and passing skills. Depending on how the draft falls, Gaines, Pavlovic, Diaw, and Planinic are all options at 21.