Duff_Man

Quote: Quote: Ivey stinks....Salim should start...period I seriously doubt either one is the answer at PG. A defensive PG is a great bonus, but being able to run the offense is job 1. Good defensive teams can cover for a defensively challenged PG...and it's something the bigs will likely do if they are getting set up with good passing and a few free dunks a game. Our problem is we have guys like Felton last night, getting by their man and gettting into the paint where they are challenged by ?? generally nobody... I think the point of the whole situation is this: Ivey may not be across-the-NBA starter material, but on this team, he obviously is bringing more to the table all-around than any other PG we have. The reverse lay-in he had on the assist from JJ last night was nice, and I thought to myself, "could Lue do that?" Not a chance. Lue is better from 3, and a stronger overall shooter, but I think Ivey is a MUCH better passer and ball handler...he fights through picks, and cuts off lanes way better. I am not saying Ivey is our 30+ minute guy every night, but splitting time with Lue is at least an acceptable soloution. Or get a feel for the flow of the game and play whichever would fit the pace better. Ivey should be getting more minutes for this team. Period.

Quote: According to Diesel if Al gets an offer he likes from another team he won't take it. he will talk the other team into doing a sign and trade to help out his good buddy BK. And if the other team doesn't have any players the Hawks want then Al will simply turn them down, even if he likes the deal and wants to play there. I am a little skeptical of this scenario. A LITTLE skeptical?? Two words: Carlos Boozer. And he betrayed a blind man. You think Al is going to give a crap? We really need to get something out of Harrington if he is indeed not in our long-term plans. We will end up getting .60 on the dollar, but if we get a PG or a big man, it might be well worth it.

Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: I said JJ isn't worth 70 million bucks, 2 first round picks, and Diaw. He's a second tier SG... But then again, the Hawks best players have been 2nd tier players since 1995... So I guess it isn't surprising. Belkin? Is that you? You small, lost, little boy. LOL. Somebody that lists drinking as a hobby shouldn't be trying to talk trash. Must be some reason you like to get wasted. Duff_Man drinks because you cry. I just noticed where you're from... No wonder. Don't like what I say? I never asked you to comment on my opinion. Seriously, have you ever talked to a girl without having to give your credit card number?

Quote: Quote: Quote: I said JJ isn't worth 70 million bucks, 2 first round picks, and Diaw. He's a second tier SG... But then again, the Hawks best players have been 2nd tier players since 1995... So I guess it isn't surprising. Belkin? Is that you? You small, lost, little boy. LOL. Somebody that lists drinking as a hobby shouldn't be trying to talk trash. Must be some reason you like to get wasted. Duff_Man drinks because you cry.

Quote: I said JJ isn't worth 70 million bucks, 2 first round picks, and Diaw. He's a second tier SG... But then again, the Hawks best players have been 2nd tier players since 1995... So I guess it isn't surprising. Belkin? Is that you? You small, lost, little boy.

Quote: Nok just picked up Steven Hunter from Philly for second round draft pics. First we miss out on Skita...now Hunter...what in the hell is BK doing up there at Phillps...picking out his fro? Wow...am I reading this tripe? Sitka and Hunter? Some people are really reaching.

Quote: BK had they opportunity to send Al to Indiana and didn't do it. Who do you think Al would rather be playing for this year? Indy is a playoff team and Al is best freinds with their top player and is popular among the other players. Indy is clinging on to the 8th seed right now and is 2-8 in their last 10. If they keep playing like that, they will be taken over by Boston or Chicago eventually. They are very much weakened defensively by the loss of Artest and will have to adjust to a different style of play with Peja in order to use his talents. I think Indy's ship may be sinking somewhat.

Nobody ever posts these, so here's a nice one... Quote: Hawks report: Notes, quotes Feb. 1, 2006 The Sports Xchange Notes, quotes · Getting inside · Roster --Every time you get ready to write the Hawks (12-31) off, they go and do something like they did against the Knicks, 14-29 and losers of eight of their last nine games. Facing the prospects of a four-game losing streak with just five more home games before the end of February, the Hawks took the Knicks' best shot early and counterpunched their heavy-handed visitors into submission with a combination of hot shooting -- they were 10-for-17 from beyond the three-point line -- and well timed execution; they converted 23 Knicks turnovers into 30 points. The Hawks played with energy and cohesion missing around these parts for anything more than a spurt the past few weeks. Six different Hawks scored in double-figures for just the second time this season, led by co-captains Al Harrington (26) and Joe Johnson (24). Harrington and Johnson are both averaging better than 30 points per game against the Knicks, 30.5 and an even 30 respectively, in three games this season. But as well as they played Monday night, it was their supporting cast that really stepped out of the shadows. Tyronn Lue (11 points) did the damage early, and Josh Childress (15), Marvin Williams (13) and Salim Stoudamire (13) followed it up with stellar play of their own. "We're just happy we're able to get one of these," Childress said. "That's the first time all season we got up on somebody and stepped on their throat. We needed to keep pushing, and that's what we did. Al and Joe were big; drawing double-teams and finding the open man, and we knocked down shots. That was the key." --The Knicks made no attempt to disguise a game plan that included going after the Hawks' soft spot in the paint. They outscored the Hawks 50-36 in the paint, including 30 at halftime when the Hawks led 61-53. But they couldn't keep up the pace or take care of the ball. The Hawks countered the Knicks' pressure inside by taking care of the ball; they committed just three first half turnovers, and stroked six of their 10 shots from beyond the three-point line; including a 23-footer from Childress with 1.9 seconds to play before the break. "We started off the night like we wanted to get home," Knicks coach Larry Brown said. "The first half, we didn't get them to turn it over. I think they missed like 28 shots and got 12 offensive rebounds. Every time we went inside, something good happened. And then we were breaking off plays, trying to make great plays, and gave them life. And the half ended terribly." It was just the beginning for the Hawks. "I was telling Al (Harrington) and T-Lue (Tyronn Lue) to make sure coach didn't call a timeout in the third when we really got rolling," a smiling Childress said afterwards. "We didn't want anything to interrupt that roll we were on." --When a team struggles to an 11-31 start, the talk inevitably turns to what changes can be made to jumpstart a team that's struggled basically from the start of the season, save for a brief stint in December. But Hawks coach Mike Woodson said every team takes a good look inward halfway through the season to determine what moves need to -- and in some cases do not need to -- be made for the remainder of a season. "I do think there is some thought to re-inventing yourself as a team at this point of the season," Woodson said. "You shake up the roster or the rotation, and if you're struggling, the trade talk is going on. That's just the nature of the business." Even with one of the most coveted free agents on the roster, co-captain Al Harrington, the Hawks haven't been involved in any significant trade discussions. "When you're a winning team and you know you have a legitimate shot at winning a title, you sit back and let things play out," Woodson said. "All the other teams are on the outside looking in. Those are the teams that will start to tinker and make moves. Sometimes you think you're making a good move, and it goes the other way. And that too is the nature of the business." --Knicks coach Larry Brown reworked his starting lineup for Monday night's game against the Hawks by inserting veterans Maurice Taylor and Malik Rose into the starting forward spots alongside Eddy Curry in an attempt to pound the Hawks' paper-thin frontcourt rotation. Antonio Davis, scheduled to play for the first time after serving a five-game suspension for going into the stands in Chicago two weeks ago, was penciled in to start about 90 minutes before game time. But a Knicks spokesman informed the media two minutes before the tip that Davis didn't dress while suffering from lower back pain. But the message, Hawks co-captain Al Harrington said, was clear. The Knicks scored 18 points in the paint during the first quarter alone. "It's not the last time we'll see something like this," he said. "Teams are going to try and attack us inside because they know we don't have the number of bodies most teams have inside. But that just means our forwards, guys like myself and Josh (Smith) have to step up and help take some of the pressure off of Zaza (Pachulia). And we have to use that size advantage against them by playing quicker than they can." --The contestants for next month's Slam Dunk competition during All-Star Weekend in Houston won't be officially announced until Wednesday, at the earliest. Count Hawks forward Josh Smith, the defending champion, in on the festivities. Two other contestants, New York rookie Nate Robinson and Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, have also been identified. The fourth participant remains a mystery. But the 5-9 Robinson's inclusion coincides with the 20th anniversary of former Hawks high-flyer Spud Webb's win in 1986. QUOTE TO NOTE "We've got pride. We don't want to come out every day and get our (behinds) kicked. And sometimes this happens." -- Hawks co-captain Al Harrington, after Monday's blowout win over the Knicks.

Talk about making something outta nothing.

Quote: not happening. they would never trade O'Neal with Al as the best player they get back. O'Neal is a very good first option. Al should be a second option on a good team I am not sold on O'Neal. No leadership, etc. Not sure his addition here would be what we need.

ALL wins are good wins IMO....well, exept when Sura and company started winning and screwed us in the draft.

Quote: I file this right up there with football players who get labled "great" because they do a good job one year and win a championship and baseball players who get to the world series, hit a few dingers to help their team win and suddenly become "great clutch players". Basically it's a bunch of crap. Sure it might mean something in the whole rally the troops, rah-rah situation for teams at a very high level. But even in those cases, it's mostly stuff for fans and media to yap about. The game is the same regardless. You do the same things as a winner as you do as a loser. The difference is that the winners have better players who just do those "things" a little better than the team that doesn't win. You won't find one team in the league that wins without good players. You can find plenty of them that win without players or coaches who are "winners". In all but the rartest of situations coaches, regardless of their records, don't make bad teams into good teams without swapping big personel changes. When and if we make a change, I agree that it has to be someone with experience. But woodson has plenty of experience. High level, winning experience at that. I will play Devil's Advocate here and ask about players like SAR, I Rider, T-Mac, Derrick Coleman, etc...born losers or bad situations? There definitely appears to be "losers" out there. I think "winning" can be a combination of players with winning attitudes. I mean, does anyone really think Portland is a few players away from a championship when they are centered around Zach Randolph?

Detroit has a championship ring, and was a game away from 2. Phoenix has gaudy stats and are fun to watch.

Splitter looks like the better pick right now, but it is too tough to tell with the Euros. I liked the part about "giving up individual interests to help the team" or whatever it said.

Quote: Quote: Where is the promising big man? The NBA has a dearth of promising big men, so I'm waiting to see where one is going to come from. Atlanta turned down a Ron Artest for Al Harrington swap because they didn't want the headache of Artest, and I don't blame them. Who knows what the psyche is in the locker room right now, but I guarantee you that Artest wouldn't do much to help it. We did't get Ron Artest because our GM is gutless and didn't want to take a chance to improve the franchise. This is also why Woodson is still the coach of our team. We should be about 10 games better than we are. And who will you give up for Artest?

Zaza in the high post scares me to death right now. He needs to develop better passing. Can he do it? Yes. But not right now.

Quote: Got two postcards in the mail from the Hawks yesterday. These offers are good for Monday's game vs. New York or Friday vs. Orlando. Use "Marvin" as your password on Ticketmaster and get 50% off your tickets. (Up to $55 seats) Use "Stars" as your password on Ticketmaster and get a Seat Upgrade. ($10 off per seat on tickets between $25 and $55) Dunno why anyone would use the "Stars" password, since the other is a better deal, but I figured I'd list it anyway. I'll probably be at the game on Friday, hopefully a few others will show up. Nice post. Hopefully this will get some more Hawk fans out there. Can't pass up this deal for weekend evenings. If I were anywhere even close, I would take it up.

Quote: I was very happy of the way the future played in the 4th quarter: WILLIAMS, SMITH, ZA-ZA, JOHNSON, when is WOODSON going to figure out SMITH is basically our only post defender WILLIAMS did get fouled alot but since he's a rookie and rookies dont get the calls that they deserve, we were playing great but we had to take MARVIN out who is coming along nicely I might add WOODSON has no idea what he is doing Smith played well when he came back. I just see two sides of him: Inspired and Lazy. When he went to the bench he was lazy. When he came back, he was inspired. I can't figure him out.

Quote: It doesn't make sense to me why TD is not active. I remember reading an arcticle in the AJC not too long ago that he is playing well in practice. If the man still has gas left in the tank, why not showcase it and try to get something for him? Even if it's an expiring contract and a 2nd round pick, it's better than him wasting away on the bench. I mean, "What do we have to lose?" He is a proven scorer in the league. He can also knock down the 3 with decent consistancy. Let's do ourselves and TD a favor and make a trade to help everyone out. These are a few trades I'd do... Medvedenko/2nd Rounder for TD Darko for Delk/Donta Kandi-Man for Delk Tony should be playing. It is a mystery that only coaches and management know for sure. Anyone could help us right now and I am not sure why they are holding Tony out. Rather sad.

Quote: I don't know what happened to Mike Fratello, but he went from being a highly energetic, up tempo coach in Atlanta to a slow the pace down, put you to sleep coach in Cleveland and now Memphis. Play with the hand you're dealt.

Quote: Quote: but there's a hell of a lot more shots going up. Again it is pace of play. Detroit is the slowest team in the league. Phoenix is the fastest, averaging over 9 posessions more than Detroit. After adjusting for the pace of play Detroit and Phoenix are about even on defense. San Antionio is about 4 ppg better than both. San Antonio has the best D in the league by a sizable margin. Believe it or not both Detroit and Phoenix are in the top 5 in both offensive and defensive ppg after adjusting for the pace of play. Right now Phoenix has two major weaknesses. They don't rebound well and don't get to the line. Both will change once Amare comes back. Detroit is damn near 100ppg...slow? Not like they're the old Heat or Knicks.

Quote: Quote: I will take Duncan, Parker, Finley , Van Exel , Ginobli, Horry , etc over the Suns any day of the week. The guys in bold are getting old....a poet and didn't even know it. They brought in Diaw, Bell and Thomas for defense, and it is working. They played Miami the game before us and the Heat shot 44%. The Hawks shot 42%. People are getting fooled that the Suns aren't good defensively because they play at a fast pace. Plus they are scoring 106 ppg shooting 47% without their leading scorer. How would the Spurs offense look without Duncan? Phoenix gives up 100.5 PPG for a whopping 6th worst in the NBA. San Antonio gives up 88.07 for 2nd best in the NBA. They may be only giving up 44%, but there's a hell of a lot more shots going up. You want to know who the champs will be? Detroit. They score 99PPG while giving up 90PPG. They play great defense and offense.

Quote: Phoenix overhauled their roster and brought in guys like Diaw, Thomas and Bell specifically to match up with the Spurs. And those are the guys you're going to lean on in a best of 7 Series? I will take Duncan, Parker, Finley, Van Exel, Ginobli, Horry, etc over the Suns any day of the week. As the saying goes...defense wins championships. The Mavs, Suns, and Kings had "stacked" teams for how many years now and never made the finals.

Quote: I'd give up Tony Delk for Villanueva. He'd be a good bench player for the Hawks, behind Marvin Williams and Josh Smith. What?

Quote: how young ZAZA is. I mean we all talk about Josh and Marvin but I have noticed ZAZA is developing a nice offensive game as well. With enough shots he can be a 15-20 ppg and 8-10 rpg type of player which is pretty solid. I mean dude is only what 21 years old and has been in the league for three years. He is still young and his numbers are pretty good considered he hasn't started before this year and was just warming the bench. Let's not forget about ZAZA in all this talk about potential. He looks old as hell though.... Old? He's Cro-Magnon dude!