Highpozt

Two Live Stews mentioned Baron Davis (unrestricted) and Raymond Felton may be expendable if Monta Ellis remains a beast. However Monta is also a restricted free agent. Would Warriors give up Monta for Marvin Williams and next years 1st rounder. With Bobcats signing DJ Augustine will Raymond be trade bait? Can we shake Felton lose with a draft pick or a trade Marvin Williams but not Childress. I know we have not given bBibby a full training camp but Monta Ellis or Felton at a reasonable price would be choice.

30 Years Old 6.2 Assist 16.7 points per game 3.3 Rebounds 1.3 Steals 2.5 turnovers 37.1 % from the 3 point line 44% Shooter 80.6% from Free Throw Line Mike Bibbys Numbers are consistent and good. If there is any concerns it would be to increase the the shooting percent. The numbers that are very solid are points, steals, assist and rebounds for a point guard. His numbers should stay consistent are even increase with the Hawks. The best outside shooters JJ and Marvin Williams should benefit from Bibbys drive and kick style. Feeds to the post for Smoove should improve. But more importantly when defenses collapse Bibby can fill it up. Childress can continue as our energy guy off the bench. Za Za could really help if he would develop a post presence so Bibby can feed him. Acie now gets playing time and who knows what happens with Salim?

I don't disagree that BK has made some bone-head picks particularly Shelden --- However Woodson has enough talent to win in a very weak Eastern Conference. Even with the hand he's been dealt. He has JJ, Josh Smith, Horford, M Williams and Childress. That is enough talent for a average to excellent coach to have significantly more than 21 wins at this point. I am not letting BK of the hook, not for the players he chose, but as you stated he did choose Woodson. Nevertheless, Hawks not winning are issues dealing with motivation, player rotations, Xs and Os and player development. That is why I think removing Woodson and not BK would be far more effective than the reverse. In fact I would venture to say if BK stayed and we got a very good coach that developed players (i.e. a Jerry Sloan Type)we would look at BKs picks differently.

Yes I am not blaming BK or the players he chose this team is at least as talented as 75% of the teams in the Eastern conference. Hawks could still use a 7 footer that can play defense and rebound, nevertheless the hawks should be significantly better than the are. Woody is standing out as the link that has the control of whether this team is good or bad. Right now they look atrocious

I know the Hawks are not a championship team and I am now questioning whether they are even a playoff team in the weak Eastern Conference. But when you are trying to fix a problem you look for the weakest link. I am not sure if we know what the weakest link is but as much as i don't want to shake things up the Hawks are going nowhere with the current construction of this team. What will be the most effective addition by subtraction?????

It is all about how much you have to give up and also how much you have to take on contract wise. If that is reasonable then Hawks should consider the benefits. Heres the problem ---- Zach and Horford are similar Zach could play 5 while Horford plays 4 but then either Marvin or Zach are coming off the bench. Zach has a better outside shot than Horsford but about equal to Williams. Curry would pose a different issue he is definitely the 5 but then you are sharing minutes with Marvin, Smoove and Horford. Curry makes more since because you get a legitimate 5. In the east that buys you a lot. Still what is the price

Should the Hawks even look??? --- physically we are very lite in the middle. Can Zach and/or Curry be had at a small price in regards to trade and more importantly what is left on their contracts. Pieces that are tradeable for the Hawks are not very attractive Lue, Shelden Williams, Solomom Jones. The only attractive piece we have would be Childress and is he more of a asset to us than a Curry or Randolph???

Yes I think the Hawks need to pay special attention to Acie because AJ is just a band-aid at PG, he is serviceable but that is as far as it goes. Acie is our future however with Woody on the chopping block the future is here. Acie needs a player on the floor to give him confidence (he shouldn't but that how it goes). Similiar to what Labron did with Daniel Gibson last year in the playoffs. JJ is not vocal and Acie often looks lost. But I think Acie has the skill set to be a real good PG.

Also Salim was considered for his outside shot (which he can fill it up) but apparently he is such a liability elsewhere that he can't even get on the floor ORRRR is it that Woody does not know how to mesh his talent??

In NJ Lawrence Frank took on the Nets after Byron Scott and he was instantly credited with being a good coach. Byron Scott 2000/01-2003/04 Lawrence Frank 2003/04-Present

Yes I remember the whole discussion about toughness in the middle with Shelden. Yes no doubt the Hawks as an organization have missed on so much. Brandon and Chris Paul are the most recent. Of course letting Nique go when he was at his peak, and missing on Carl Malone, Chris Mullin and Detlef Shrempf and picking Jon Koncak. I think what is so disappointing about Shelden is that at least Marvin JSmoove and JChill look like they are becoming ballers, while Shelden on the other hand has not had a game except summer league, were you see what he could potentially bring. I hope we are wrong on Shelden.

In addition to that they brought in Lawrence Franks and decided he was a great coach after Byron constructed the championship team. The Hawks have got to get Acie or Salim ready to play. AJ is steady for now, but he is lacking the set up skills that we need. Lue is a better shooter but also is low on set up skills. Besides both are a low enough threat on the scoring side driving to the hoop, to effectively draw and kick. I think Acie has the skill set, but he seems to be lacking confidence. He needs JJ to do for him what Labron did to Daniel Gibson last year during the playoffs --- making him ready for all the open shots he can stand. Labron would kick it to Gibson and it was target practice. I hope Acie is working on that open jumper because JJ sure can draw and kick. I partly give coach Mike Brown (Labron to Gibson) and Coach (Byron Scott) Chris Paul to West the credit for recognizing the dynamic and giving the green light. The Hawks with Woodson have yet to find that money combination. It is Joe Johnson on the isolation with no one to kick to when he is doubled.

I have watched the New Orleans Hornet go to the top of the list in a super tough Western Conference for two reasons. The Hawks missed on both of the reasons. First CHRIS PAUL (averaging 20 points and 10 assist) the consummate point guard he passes when he needs to, he calls the right plays at the right time, he feeds the hot player and he scores when they forget about him. Yes AJ and Lue are serviceable and steady but they are steady at about 3 notches below the level of Chris Paul or even Daron Williams. The second reason is BYRON SCOTT. Even after the Hawks saw him take the Nets to the championship twice they absolutely ignored him as a coaching candidate. Byron has the Hornets looking awesome they run some of the best play sets you will ever see. They had the Spurs in so many mis-matches it was laughable. The Hawks missed on both of these talents. I don't state we should have Chris Paul because I don't like Marvin Williams. In fact I am glad we have him. What I am saying is until we get a coach who can develop a point guard because (lets face it Lue and AJ are peaked0 we are going to struggle. Now the question is can Acie Law and Salim be developed into the type of paint guards this team needs?? I think Acie definitely, I am not sure about Salim. Salim does have raw talent but not necessarily natural point guard instincts

Yes I think you are right in that players are much more concerned about getting players on there team that can make them a winner. Not only with the game itself but with endorsements and just generally a good overall profile. I think the Hawks can turn that corner wit one more offensive go to guy. The question then is if he is already on the team waiting to be given the green light or not. I tend to the not because we don't really have a pure shooter after JJ. Marvins shot is decent and Lue at times. But a pure shooter and/or Scorer like Ray Allen, Peja, Pierce, Amare the Hawks don't have. JJ will see double and triple teams if the Hawks cant threaten with another scorer especially in close games.

First let me define turn the corner Turn the corner is when a team makes the playoff and every yearif they keep the core team and core coaches they go further and further into the playoff rounds. Not turning the corner is of course not making the playoff or barely making the playoffs and then getting worst the following year. With that as a premise I think the Hawks desperately need another bona-fide scorer preferably in the post. Josh Smith is good but without a jumper and faulty decision making, he is not there yet. Horford, Childress, Lue and Williams can score but not consistently enough to be the second go to guy. This is particlarly apparent in close games. If JJ does not score other teams are comfortable leaving others open to double and triple team JJ. The same is happening to Wade in Miami. I know this is no revelation but note All the top NBA teams have 2 to 4 go to guys. (Duncan, Parker, Manu) (Hamilton, Billups, Price, Sheed)(Nash, Amare, Barbosa),(Allen, KG, Pierce) (Paul, West,Peja. Not great players necessarily but ballers that can score when the game is on the line. Now the exception to this would be Kobe and Labron however they are the best in the game period. Also Labron has made other players around him really play above expectations (Just ask Danielle Gibson during last years playoffs)

This leaves the question of who besides JJ is a bonafied scorer. Josh Smith is a all around contributer but he is not a scorer. Marvin, and Childress are similiar in that they are good players but not scorers. When I say scorer I think of a player that can get a high percentage shot against any one on one situation. JJ Can but who else? Teamseams know that at the end of the game shut down JJ and no one else is going to really create a shot off the dribble. Particularly we dont have a player that you can give a low post pass and he can create (just ask Shelden, Za Za, Solo, LoWright) Horsford is our best shot at a low post scorer and as good as he has been his low post scoring needs work. Celtics have three that can create there own offense. Suns Have 4 maybe 5 with Barbosa, Nuggets have 2 at least, Miami has one and look at their record. Spurs have 3 Manu, Parker and Duncan Nets really have 1 although many say Kidd and Carter with Jefferson make 3 but look at their record. Point Being one it is very hard to win when every team knows you have one scorer. The question is who is even close to being the #2 scorer? I would have to go with JSmith but he has to get a jump shot.

The vote states most agree with you, although there are several others that stated lack of 1st string PG, Team leadership on the floor and lack of a true center as the reason for bad play. The one that is not been chosen is LACK OF TALENT. That indicates to me that the Hawks have the talent to be a lot better than they are. Even with what I am calling the Shelden Williams disaster, Hawks still have some good pieces with talent. How Long does management give Woodson???? the second half of the season is quickly approaching.

Yes that irks me also ---- Al Horford is an enforcer on the glass rebounding, but not in regards to blocking shots and intimidating. Maybe because he is 6'10" and really much more suited as a PF. However I still believe Hawks need a enforcer in the middle. I think Horford can remain the starter. But at times we just need a intimidator in the middle. The Hawks defense has really looked lethargic over the last 4 games.

Is this 4 game losing streak the real Hawks, or is the 5 game winning streak the real Hawks. I actually believe we are the combination of both 4 loses 5 wins over and over this year. This basically means a 35 to 45 win team. The question is as Mark Bradley said, why aren't the Hawks better. They have less wins than a few teams with equal are less talent. Portland and Washington come to mind. Are we back to Woodson as the culprit??? His ability to mix and match his talents. His ability to develop young players. His ability to make a mentally and physically tough team. Rumors are that Za Za and Woodson got into a shouting match. Za Za has slipped way down from last year. Pat Riley is considered one of the best in the game and he has 14 loses and counting. I say that to state is the NBA coaches role overrated?? Is it more important to have a floor leader?? Joe is the Hawks veteran leader. JJ has been more vocal this year and the Hawks are better than the have been in a few years. Is that a direct reflection of a floor leader?? The Hawks don't look very good right now.

Is there an NBADLer waiting for a Call Up. Lance Allred is averaging 19 PPG and 10 RPG. He is 6'11" 250. Then there is Ian Mahinmi from France at 18 PPG and 7 RPG. The question is are they any better than Za Za and Lo Wright. Even if thier skill set is not better will they give that hustle and energy we need in the paint??

I agree foul trouble is why he is not playing 35 mpg however the reason why we do need Al H for 35 mpg is because Za Za and Lo Wright have been miserable. Za Za in particular is young, and I thought for certain he was improving last year. In fact he looks worst now than at any point as a Hawk. Hawks might do better to grab a Development League Player. With 15 wins and 16 loses --- one piece in particular a Big Man in the middle may be the difference in a 40+ win season. It looks as if the plug has already been pulled on Za Za with Al playing so many minutes. The question is what do the Hawks do to fix it quick. I am pretty certain if the Hawks don't make the playoffs this is it for Woody.

With Lo Wright and ZaZa absolutely looking atrocious, Al Horford will need to be increase his mpg. No time for rookie development. The good news is Al H is a mature player with a crafty game for a rookie. Woody will have to just trust Al H. to clock 35 mpg or more. Even if Al does nothing more than give you his 8.8 ppg and 9.3 rpg he is better than any rotation with Za Za or Lo. Apparently Woody is thinking that way because Al is already playing 30 mpg as a rookie. This likely indicates Za Za and Lo look awful in practice. Hawks need a legitimate back-up big man by trade deadline. The question is do we have a package attractive enough to do it. Shelden, AJ or Lue would be in the package.

If you have not seen it just put NBA consensus mock draft in your search engine and take a look. If you have any faith in mock drafts then what is apparent is that the Hawks are going with either B. Wright, M. Conley or Yi Jianlian at pick 3. I am looking at the individual mock drafts and seeing who shows up the most at 3 and 11 instead of just statistically combining all the mock drafts together. The Hawks are scouting Yi pretty heavy and lately the Hawks have not hidden there choices very well (i.e. Shel. Williams). The # 11 pick is Conley (not realistic at 11) or Acie Law (probably). Of course you can twist mock drafts anyway you want but if the Hawks are impressed with Yi's workout then Yi and Law look likely.

I agree --- Understanding that it is Portland that wants Conley we should milk as much as we can. In fact Hawks would be satisfied to keep Conley so the Portland deal has to be sweet for us to give him up --- at least the Hawks should not show their cards. If we get Aldridge then we still really don't have a true Center but with him and ZaZa we could be formidable in the front court. The 11th pick could then be used on Acie Law. A Law/Claxton/Salim JJ/Child/Salim MW/JC JS/SW/SJ Aldridge/ZaZa/Lo Wright