troubleman

I laugh whenever I think of the Bay Area (home for me) since I was born. Let's see: 49ers-5 championships Raiders-2 championships (I don't count the LA one) Warriors-1 championship SF Giants-0 Oakland A's-4 championships Sharks-0 Heck even if I choose one side of the Bay it's pretty ridiculous. East Bay: 7 Championships West Bay: 5 Championships Yeah, the city of Atlanta is pretty sad overall.

No, Horford is not the Hawks best player yet, but as others have said he does have heart. Joe Johnson is still the Haws most complete, and best player, but he seems to be trying to do to much.

Quote: It's the players. they have no integrity. Woodson has been trying to make saled out of [censored]. BK and the ASG abandoned Woody with No Helps. I partially agree with what you said, but Woodson is just as much to blame as the players or BK. A few weeks ago I said Knight has built a very flawed team, but they should be a lot better than they are. A better coach would at minimum have this team playing .500 ball. Heck, I believe Terry Stotts would have this team playing .500. Woodson is in over his head, and yes the players need to be held accountable for their effort, or better yet lack of effort. Last night was pretty much the icing on the cake for me. I'm looking at a $30 coupon for two Hawks tickets that I can't even give away. I refuse to waste my time going to another Hawks game until changes are made.

Quote: I absolutely do see the core of a championship team in place right now. This team has great athletes and skillful, team oriented players that make up the core of this team. When they get a coach that can improve their play on the defensive end, the team as a whole will rise up to the challenge and make a push for a championship. I don't see it. The team is undersized, and lacks shooters. It will take more than a coach to make this team a championship contender.

Quote: Like I said, whoever ASG hires to replace Billy will benefit from the players Billy has brought to Atlanta. Just like in Memphis though, fans like you will never give Billy the credit he is due. Billy is one of the best talent evaluators in basketball. His ability to bring in talented players is the reason this is an attractive coaching situation for some free agent coaches at this point. Just like in Memphis though, Billy will be criticized for not building a team when he put the foundation for success into place in both places. In Memphis, Jerry West initially won with that foundation and then stifled Memphis's growth with his own poor decisions. However, none of you will ever point out the mistakes that Jerry West has made while the GM in Memphis. It's not a coincidence that when Jerry started trading key players that Billy had brought in like Shane Battier, Memphis's success started to fall off. I thought we were building a championship contender here? Wasn't that the reason for trading Shareef, JT, and Theo? No honest person can look at the Atlanta Hawks core players, and say there is a championship on the horizon.

Quote: troubleman, you wanted a PG over Marvin but you were not a big Paul fan like you claim to be. I've admitted that I wanted Bogut first, D. Williams, and then Paul. As you can tell by my post count, I don't post very often, but there is no "Monday morning quarterbacking" here. Again, I wanted Bogut first, Deron Williams, and then Chris Paul. Not sure where you got the troubleman is a Chris Paul fan stuff. Even now when people I talk to mention the Hawks could have had Chris Paul, I say I preferred Deron Williams over Paul.

The Pistons trading for Rasheed, because they needed another big body, and they traded us a 1st round pick that turned into J. Smith. That is different than the Lakers trading a potential star in Bynum for a JJ, because the Lakers do not need a shooting guard/small forward.

Quote: Do you think Bynum is going to play this year? And they might think that with Gasol, having another scorer and defender who is an All-Star would help them more in the short term than an injured Bynum. I just know that this is the best possible trade for a 5 we can get. Not sure it will happen, but I think that now is the very best chance we have of making it happen. Not sure if Bynum is coming back this year or not, but even without him, the Lakers are championship contenders. It is not a realistic trade, and can only be accomplished on NBA 2k or NBA Live.

I like their championship chances better with Bynum, than with JJ.

That trade idea has to be a joke. Why in the world would the Lakers trade Bynum for JJ?

Mike Woodson definitely needs to go, and Billy Knight needs to be right behind him. Matter of fact I believe Billy Knight is more of a problem than Woodson, because he put together this mess of a team. Despite the fact that I blame Knight more than Woodson, it is obvious Woodson is in over his head as a head coach.

Quote: Totally false. If the sports page had the same stuff every day I would not read it. Regardless whether it's true or not it so worn out that it's total B.S. Time to move people. What is totally false? I don't know what the sports page has to do with anything I posted, but yeah, ok.

People are only annoyed, because it is true. I know the "experts" were so high on Marvin Williams, but my philosophy is a great point guard or big man should always come before a small forward with "potential". I'm an honest guy even on a message board, so yes I would have taken Bogut before any of them, but my second choice was Deron Williams, and then Paul third. I've always thought Marvin Williams would become more of a Shareef than a Carmelo, which is not a bad thing, but I knew that Williams/Paul would have more of an impact, especially on a rebuilding team. Of course, I have only agreed with 1 or 2 of Billy Knight's draft picks or free agent signings anyway. I believe he has built a very flawed team, that despite being young, does not have the upside of some of the other young teams in the league. I don't like being undersized at the 4 and 5, because I think this team will always struggle in the low post and on the boards with that combo. Run, run, run is what everyone wants, but I don't see enough ball handlers on the court to achieve that goal. I hate to say it, but I believe this team will need to be broken down again, because the goal was a championship contender, and right now I just don't see it.

Quote: Antonie Walker? Are you serious? The same player NBA fans have been making in fun of since he came into the league? Who else ? Eric Williams? Tony Delk? So far, JJ has only lead his team to the lotto. His success in the playoffs come from being a 3rd wheel on and hitting open shots. Yeah, the same Antoine Walker who was a member of the Paul Pierce "led" teams that had success. The same Walker who when traded/released, watched the Celtics turn to sh*t. Pierce and Walker formed a helluva tandem. Paul Pierce has shown me that he needs help to lead a team anywhere, just like Joe Johnson. Quote: He isa better defensive player, a better rebounder, gets more steals, scores over 21PPG, is shooting a higher percentage that JJ, shoots a higher percentage in FT's. His assists are right there, he is a better athlete. He can get to the basket better and he can run the floor better. Besides that... Nothing. Don't forget. ASfter this road trip it could possibly be a 9 out of 10 loss streak. But I think the Hawks will squeak out 2 wins on this trip. Being a different type of player doesn't make you a better player. I believe everyone you mentioned is a complimentary piece, not difference makers. I made a mistake when I mentioned the Wizards losing 9 out of 10, because Butler has been hurt. I'll agree to disagree with you.

Quote: PP has led his team into the playoffs a number of times. And remember, those Boston teams were not overly talented. How many playoff games has Joe Johnson lead the Hawks to? How many? The only the reason it could even happen this year is because the east is the worst it's been since who knows how long. Paul Pierce had help from Antoine Walker among others, so please stop saying he led them anywhere. I guess there were several season where Pierce also led them to the lottery, including last year. Quote: Caron Butler is a much better player than JJ. Joe's best year last year is not as good as the year Butler is having this year. Oh, and he actually plays abit of defense. Something JJ has never heard of. I'm not sure what exactly elevates Butler over Johnson, but everyone has their own opinion. What shocks me is people can't see the flaws with the Hawks when compared to other teams, but the blame goes to the SuperStar, when the people you mentioned also have had problems leading a team by themselves. Last time I checked, the Wizards have lost 9 out of 10.

Quote: I don't have to compare him to Kobe. JJ is not even as good as Pierce, Caron Butler and possibly even Iggy in the east. You don't have the ability to put me in "my place" because I'm right. JJ seems to think he is Kobe. Taking shot after shot. Now that post is truly laughable.

Quote: The Hawks were WAY TOO energetic early on, and it cost them on the road. CHILL OUT. That's it right there. The lack of execution played right into the Lakers hands, well that and the fact that hardly anyone in a Hawks uniform can hit the broad side of a barn right now. Missed layups, turnovers, confusion on defense, yeah they look just like a team that came out a little to hype.

The Hawks came out and played too fast, which led to turnovers, which led to 19-2 and 23-1(or something like that) runs by the Lakers.

Yep he gets it. People wonder why Brandon Roy was able to beat Joe off the dribble, and Joe was unable to shake him. It's simple really. The Hawks had to respect Portland's shooters last night, so they were a step late on help defense (if at all), while the Blazers(heck any team) can afford to play off, because of the Hawks lack of long range shooters. This allowed a Blazer defender to redirect Joe Johnson on the 2nd to last possession of the game, and forced him into a bad shot. Yes, the Hawks have to run, because this team is built to run, despite the fact that 2 of the 3 point guards are not really "push it" types, which leads to the adventures of Al Horford or Josh Smith when they lead the break.

Quote: You got to remember though, There is a reason that Smoove is standing at the three point line with absolutely no one on him. Other teams want him to shoot that shot! Yeah, but by offensive design he should not be there. I can see it happening occasionally, but not darn near every possession. Woody needs to go, unless he can figure out an offense that plays to the strength of each individual.

Quote: You make an excellent point Trouble. However, I think it's a mixture of both. Last night at least 3 times, with the clock rolling down, I saw JJ pass the ball to Smoove who was waiting to take the three or the longshot. My thought was "Hey, this looks like it's by design". Does Woody really draw up the Rasheed Wallace play for SMoove?? Then later I saw Smoove abandon the three point line trying to drive inside. I said "hey, that looks like it's Smoove being able to do what he wants to do..." I think the truth is if you look at the Larry Brown booklet on offense, he likes a PF who can shoot. Brown was the one who first played Al Harrington big minutes. Back when they had Artest, Harrington, Oneal in the frontcourt and said that Oneal wasn't a C?? Who is complaining, they won 61 games. Brown was the one who traded for Sheed in Detroit. Brown's 1991 Spurs team had Tim Duncan who would set up High Post and they would run the offense through him.. Before that, Brown had Danny Manning who he allowed to be a PF who could shoot from the midrange. I'm pretty sure that Woody is trying to redo a Larry Brown... but Smoove is not Sheed or Harrington or Duncan or Manning. Not that you mention it, you are correct. I never tried to put the Brown/Woodson pieces together (despite the fact that Woody coached under Brown), but they fit perfectly. My pet peeve is coaches putting players in a position to succeed. Right now, I don't see that out of Woody.

Quote: Ok genius what do you propose? I have been to countless Hawks games the last two years especially sitting a few seats behind the bench and I'm telling you Josh Smith needs to grow up and increase his basketball IQ. Not only that but you would think in his contract year he would atleast be improving his game. Mike Woodson will most likely be the fall guy this season b/c in my city we get caught up in highlight reels. The same football highlight reels that VIck use to dominate. I know the season is young but we cant blame the coach for everything. Josh Smith is playing DUMB A$$ hell on offense, and now when JJ is struggling Joshs play is just magnified. But lets live and die with Josh Smith...you idiot No, he should be the fall guy, because his offense is one of the worst I have ever seen. There is no way Josh Smith should end up with as many perimeter shots as he does, and watching the game it seems like it is mostly by design. As someone mentioned earlier, Josh Smith should rarely be on the same side of the floor as Joe. Marvin is a much better shooter, and 80% of the time he is on the other side of the court. There is too much standing around on the court, and too few pick and pops. I agree Josh takes entirely too many "bad" shots per game, but part of that seems to be coaching and lack of a pt guard. The Hawks need a veteran coach who understands the offensive side of the court. Until that happens, I find it hard to judge anyone on the court, because they are not put in the best position to succeed in my opinion. It was the same thing with Michael Vick. People wanted him gone (and his dumba** helped them), but I always said he couldn't be judged until the talent/coaching was upgraded around him. Unlike many, I see the game thru the eyes of a former pt guard, which means I see the entire floor/field regardless of the sport. The Hawks are painful to watch when they run their offensive sets, and that won't change even if they trade Josh Smith. Pt Guard and Coach are the problem.

Quote: I see there are still those out there who want to paint everyone who had any doubt whatsoever that Vick was the best option at qb with a broad brush. As if anyone who doubted Vick really would have planned things to go this way. The reason things are this bad is a direct result of Vick being given the benefit of the doubt for too long. To say the current state of the Falcons is what Vick "haters" get for not supporting him is completely and utterly ignorant. The reason things are this bad is because the team has been poorly constructed. Wasted trades, bad picks, etc... is the reason for this team being this bad. M. Vick covered up some of the shortcomings of this team, but some of us saw them anyway. As I have stated for many years, the qb position was the least of this teams worries, but many people took that as support for Mike Vick. I was saying the same thing when Chris Chandler and others were starting. It is rare for a team to have any success when they have drafted as poorly as the Falcons over the years. Not to mention the free agent busts. For every Rod Coleman, there is a Jason Webster or Ed Hartwell. Nothing against Ovie, but what was the point in signing the leagues highest paid fullback, if most of his impact is on special teams. Different Owner, New Mgmt, but the same ole Falcons.

Quote: Isn't Hamilton considered a lockdown defender? that's certainly an attribute that's worth it's weight in gold. If he is, I would like that person's vision tested. I give him credit for trying, but he is nowhere near a lock down defender.

Quote: oops. must have misread that. but dwight overrated and barely better than jsmith? dwight effects so many other parts of the game without even touching the ball. that's what happens when you are close to 7 feet, strong as a bull and have amazing athleticsm. sure he's still raw a little raw but he's a better player by far than jsmith. (although i will say that it's not fair to compare the two since they play two totally different positions) And Smith doesn't? I agree Howard is better, but not by as much as some people think.