CHORO44

It's time for the following trade: Big Dog, Hendu, and Theo for Dale Davis and Scottie Pippen. This trade accomplishes three things: 1 - Salary cap space for next year via Davis's and Pippen's expiring contracts. Kidd, Duncan, and Odom as well as other Clipper's become available. 2 - We finally have a point forward in Scottie Pippen which allows us to finally see if JT can play PG along side a true point forward. 3 - We gain veteran leadership to fulfill our playoff promise before it's too late. Reasons why Portland would do it: 1 - Scottie Pippen and Dale Davis don't mix with the younger players on this team. During a game in Sacramento Pippen didn't even enter Maurice Cheek's team huddle during an important part of the game. He just looked away at the end of the bench. 2 - Sabonis and Davis both leave after next year and Theo would provide a shot blocking center who doesn't need to score. 3 - Big Dog would provide a consistent scoring threat from inside the three point line as the majority of Blazers drive to the lane or hoist up threes. If this experiment works then I say we go out and spend money on some combination of Odom, Kidd, Duncan, and Olowokandi. Odom would probably be the most realistic as he can be the point forward we need to work with JT. I'm not sure if we can afford to go after Kidd and Duncan as they would benefit from the no state sales tax in Texas. Olowokandi is also an option at center to fill Ratliff's void. Let's get a petition going to send to Babcock.

If JT is traded for anything less than a top flight point guard or Shawn Marion then I'll be pissed. I seriously think we should play JT as a 2 and run with Dermarr playing the one with a point forward like Odom. Trade the Big Dog and get Odom.

I think it's so funny that people still want to trade Reef. I mean come on you have one of the freaking best post players in the game with him. Sure, he is undersized by today's standards and he has a slow developing jump shot but if he isn't doubled in the post it's two points. If you really watch him play closely you'll realize that the players around him are more a problem than he is. For one we don't consistently run plays for him through the post which I believe our new coach is now doing. Second when we do run plays we don't have the kind of players who truly move without the ball. I don't want Reef to ever leave the Hawks but I'd love to see him play for a team like the Kings so the naysayers can just shut up as he averages 24/10. Also this guy doesn't get nearly the kind of foul calls he should. I've never seen another player get less respect in the post than SAR for all the hardwork he puts into getting position. Just ask Jamison if Shareef sucks since Shareef pissed on him last year at Golden Staate. Now Jamison is a Power Forward who ain't worth his contract. If we want to talk players not worth their contract on the Hawks I can list three: Ratliff Big Dog Hendu Move those guys for Scottie Pippen and let's get this team infused with some real talent. Guru

He will fill seats....

I'm not going to say much about the team except that we are underachieving for sure. I'm proposing that the current regime clears cap space and makes way for some new management. Yes, we will probably miss the playoffs and owe the fans but we need to get in some players that people want to come to see. I think we are wasting the talents of Shareef with our current style of play. I propose we ship off Big Dog/Theo/Hendu and a pick to Portland for Pippen and Dale Davis. We then go out and sign Rafer Alston to put some fans in the seats. We lineup: JT/Rafer/DD Ira/Dion/EDump Pippen/CC SAR/DDavis Nazr/DDavis We will clear close to $30 million in cap space which we can use to resign JT and go after Duncan, Kidd, and Odom. You probably will say why would they agree to come here but figure that we are in the Eastern Conference with a new stadium and two proven scorers in the lineup. If all three come we lineup: Kidd JT Odom SAR Duncan It doesn't matter who comes off the bench. Kidd allows JT to score by relieving the point guard play. Odom also makes life easy with his passing ability and he makes up some size that SAR gives up. Duncan speaks for himself. Lets all get together and sign a petition to ask Babcock to make this happen. The voice of the fans fellas...What do you guys think?

Just read DJ's comments on the Hawk's not letting him play this year and was wondering if you guys think he'll be back next year? His words seemed to say that he intends to play elsewhere next season. While I understand that the Hawks want to protect him from injury this year I hope they make some kind of commitment to sign him next year if he can play. DJ is crucial to our offense and we can really use his shot. Any thoughts?

Hello everyone. I went to the King's game last night and boy was I disappointed with how things turned out. Reef had an awesome game and his freethrow shooting really helped us keep the game close. JT and the Big Dog never got on track and Email was killing me. The turnovers really hurt. I know many are down on our team but I really think that the loss of DJ will cost us many of these types of games. Without DJ teams don't need to respect the three point line as much and the defense tends to sag on us. I like Ira's defense but you never have to go all the way out and guard him and I think DJ's defense is even better than Ira's due to DJ's shotblocking ability. Babs, if you are reading this please cut Email...he sucks and he can't get our offense to keep the game close. Every time Email was playing point Sacramento went on a run and we never recovered. I'm not sure if it works salary cap wise but we should really trade DJ and Hendu for Kenny Anderson.

Reef is one of the best things to happen to the Atlanta Hawks. The trade that brought Reef to Atlanta made me feel that our team actually has a chance in the playoffs. When we get to the playoffs you will see the value of Reef...his post game saves our half court offense. I also watched the Reef in person play Golden State and Sacramento last year. He destroyed Antwan Jamison and every other post player GS put on him. As for his matchup with Webber...Cwebb had better stats but the help defense of Sac is the only thing that slowed Reef. I can't wait till our new and improved team plays Sac...and yes I'm going to the game this Sunday. Hotlanta you are like a spoiled brat...you just don't know how good you have it...Reef is an excellent Power Forward...

Definitely drop Desmond for Jefferson. Jefferson should get most of the minutes this year at his position. Desmond is getting better but with Lewis not out for the year he will only play around 20 to 25 minutes a game. Also it would be great if you got McDyess. Can you trade Spree for the Big Dog? Most people don't really appreciate the Big Dog in fantasyland but he shoots a high percentage while Spree is old and streaky. My 2 cents.

Mchale is definitely one of the 50 greatest NBA players. Watch some old games on Espn Classic and you will see that his post game is close to unstoppable. With that being said I still feel Nique deserves a spot alongside Mchale on that list.

I visit this board daily and find it to be the best Hawks site on the web. Where can I send the money to?

I don't know why BlackHawk is Down on Marshall but I feel he would be an excellent fit for some or all of the midlevel exception we have available. Donyell is long, can rebound, can shoot out to the three point line and plays above average defense. He may not had the career that a number three pick should have but he is in my opinion a savvy, talented veteran player. The great thing about Donyell is that he will play the role you assign him. On the Hawks he wouldn't need to take 15 shots a game but will still get enough open shots and tip ins to get his 15/8 a game. Donyell is exactly what we need.

I keep hearing all of this trade JT talk and I just don't buy it. JT is the heart and soul of this team. He not only constantly works on his game, he also motivates his teammates to do the same. JT is a winner and an All Star Caliber player at this point in his career. Name a player in the NBA that can deny him his shot and I bet there are only a few players who can steal the ball like him. Sure he's not a pure pass first PG and sure he doesn't possess a lot of height but at 6'3" he isn't exactly a midget. As for Dickau I was surprised we drafted him as I thought for sure we would go for a tall SF like Prince or Grizzard. When I first heard about the Dickau trade I was like WTF is Babs doing but now I can see some of his wisdom. Dickau is a mini JT to me who may have slightly better floor vision and passing ability. The great thing about Dickau is his three point shot and change of direction skills. So what does it all mean? We basically got our version of a Bobby Jackson/Mike Bibby backcourt albeit with a little less muscle. Bibby - 6'1 190 vs. Dickau - 6'0 170 Jackson - 6'1 185 vs. Terry 6'2 176 I think our new philosophy is to put three guys on the perimeter who can stretch the defense with the three ball, run in transition, and be quick enough to drive to the basket. I feel that JT, DD, and DJ all can do those things with only DJ needing to work on his dribble drives. We will have one defensive mismatch in the backcourt when the opposing team has the ball but we will have at least two mismatches to exploit on the offensive end. The addition of Ratliff and Leon Smith should help us with help defense on the defensive end of the ball. Some will argue that the mini-me backcourt of JT/Brevin Knight was a failure but Brevin couldn't hit from outside of 9 feet on a consistent basis. Brevin was much like Avery Johnson but with better on the ball skills. Dickau can shoot and I think when you watch him on tape you instantly recognize this. With JT, DD, and DJ hitting the threes and commanding attention Shareef will finally get the space he needs to operate one on one. I think this was in hindsight a magnificent move by Babcock although only the season will tell.

If he's on the Warriors and his name isn't Hughes, Richardson, or Arenas then you dont' want him. Trust me I'm from the bay area and all the other Warriors besides the three mentioned have major holes in their game. Sure Fortson rebounds but his jumper is broke and he makes mental errors in the transition game. Watch the Hawks at Oakland game from last year and you will see what I mean.

I really don't like either but I think Nazr has slightly more of an upside...

Donyell can rebound, shoot the midrange jumper, and defend. He's long enough and versatile enough to give us the small forward we need. I like that he doesn't have to be the first or second option and that he has playoff experience. He was at one time the number 3 pick and would help us out for the next three years.