lynred

3 hours ago, kg01 said:

That's exactly what he's doing.  Folks don't want to be like Carmelo who gutted the Knicks via the trade to land him.  Doesn't make it ok though.

If I'm POR, I call his bluff.  IDGAF if it means I take a lesser deal.  With MIA, that's what I'd be doing anyways.  Atleast my way, you get to keep your dignity. 

Yeah I'm with you on this kg. In a similar situation a few years ago, I think San Antonio took a lesser deal for Kawhi to keep him from forcing his way to L.A.  Honestly if I'm Portland,  I would pull him completely off the market if the deals were not to my liking.  They are rebuilding anyway, so Dame can either hold out (without pay) or comply with a reasonable trade by opening up his list of preferred teams.

Seems to be a well rounded, skilled guy. I see a little De'Aaron Fox in his game.

I agree - it's clear to me that Trae (and possibly others) are ready to move on from Nate.  In fact, I honestly believe that's one of the unstated reasons that Travis is gone - because he probably knows what's coming and didn't want the firing on his watch.

3 hours ago, Atlantaholic said:

Im officially in box score watching mode. Got too much stuff going on to dedicate 3 hours several times a week to this team. When Bogi comes back or if the team gets on a roll I'll be back. 

I made the same call after the Houston game. I'll be back when Nate is gone - because I don’t see any other realistic solution. 

Hopefully that was a short conversation between Schlenk and Ainge. Leave it to DA - always trying to rip teams off. 

I'm conflicted on Nate - part of me wants him fired and part of me thinks he deserves to come back. My gut tells me he will be back on a short leash - so if they bring in a high-profile assistant - that could be telling.  I get the feeling that Nate would be too stubborn and resist that and it could turn into a very contentious play for the organization.  At the end of the day, I guess I would probably be inclined to bring in a seasoned coach - if available - who is strong with game management/strategy and focused on player development - perhaps Kenny Atkinson or Dave Joerger. Or really almost anyone from the Pop tree - you can't go wrong there. Otherwise, just let it play out one more year and things will probably be more clearer. Gotta admit I'm jealous of Boston and the Pelicans with what they are doing with ROOKIE head coaches - who seem to know exactly what they are doing - and we are stuck with an unimaginative, rigid, stubborn coach like Nate. Maybe that's unfair, but it's how I feel right now.

The optics of letting him go after one year are going to look bad, but his shortcomings - which have been well innumerated in previous posts - are VERY concerning - and may cap this teams ceiling. Many of which we heard from Pacer fans when he took over last year. I don't blame Travis for the contract - he almost had no choice, but I believe SOME consideration should be given to a coaching change this off-season.

21 hours ago, bleachkit said:

Delon is not the answer at the back up point guard. Appreciate his activity on defense, but his offense mediocre at best.

We've got to upgrade Delon as a PG in the buyout market.

3 hours ago, RedDawg#8 said:

We wasted our own season even before Covid decimated us this past week.

We had no business being where we were record wise, losing games the way we were.

This Covid thing sucks, but we shot ourselves in the foot this year.

Absolutely correct. The Hawks squandered their Covid "gimme" against the Magic and the Knicks didn't (against the Hawks). And losing all these home games has eradicated their margin of error and now the price is being paid. Hopefully, we can get some pieces back and have a Braves like run in the second half, get back to the playoffs, and make another run there.  One can only hope

I'm really starting to lose my patience with Adam Silver. At this point, it's not about how many replacement players you can sign because If teams can't be realistically competitive, why continue to play the games? 

56 minutes ago, Diesel said:

We started a Junior varsity team and JC last night and you want to base our season on their play?? 

 

 

Normally I would agree with you Diesel, but that loss last night to a rag-tag, covid stricken Magic team was INEXCUSABLE - under any context. If we were fielding a JV squad, then they were starting what - a 5th grade unit?

Maybe we just chalk it off to the "any-given night" principle, but that should've been a dub.

37 minutes ago, RedDawg#8 said:

Rife is a true point guard. There is a better flow with him out there. We have to stop playing combo guards at the point and wondering why we can't get clean looks in the half court.

Truer words were never spoken.

5 minutes ago, Final_quest said:

A real backup PG is a huge need.  Not enough play makers on this team.  
 

Collins is also showing he’s not a Robin. 

That's because his handle is not good enough to consistently self create.

21 hours ago, AHF said:

On 9/7/2021 at 5:31 PM, kg01 said:

Bos fans keep saying they're set up to trade for a star.  I dont see that at all so I posed the question to see if I'm missing something.

They’ve been saying that for a decade and they were right about being lined up to do it at one point.  But Danny chose to keep his cards and passed on the big moves and so now those days have passed unless they want to trade star for star

Actually, they did trade for a star - Kyrie - but unfortunately the outcome was not what they hoped for. But I agree, Ainge had a treasure trove of assets and overplayed his hand - trying to win every trade by a landslide. By the time he realized it, it was too late and all he had was mediocre picks and unproven young talent to dangle.

Honestly, if Cam Thomas or Bones Hyland are available @ 20, the Hawks should run to the podium. In addition to backup PG and a big center, if anything, this post season demonstrated that the Hawks could use a microwave scorer on the 2nd unit - especially someone who can iso and get to his spot to knock down shots in the half court when the offense bogs down late in the shot clock.  I love Lou Will and maybe he returns for another season, but either Cam or Bones would be a young and cheap replacement to groom. I know defense is a problem right now for Cam (as it is for most rookies), however, I would imagine that the D would improve with experience and Nate's tutelage. What is obvious is that he has a very skilled offensive tool set consisting of hesi pull-ups and step-backs (albeit a little inefficient at the moment) and could potentially be an elite scorer off the bench.

Will Beal now being ruled out for team USA, is Trae now a possibility? Do we even want him there? Maybe they go with Morant or a combo/shooter? Interesting dilemma

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10007888-bradley-beal-wont-play-for-team-usa-in-olympics-after-entering-health-protocols

3 hours ago, Sothron said:

Completely agree. OO is here to play center. period. He has zero shooting ability outside of the rim so far. he has a looooong way to go before I would even think of playing him at the 4.

OO will eventually be able to stretch to floor enough to play at the 4 - hopefully sooner than we think

8 hours ago, AHF said:

Agree.  Wish we could have gotten him but that is something to hold against Larry Drew and not him.  He is a star who has done it all the right way.  Like him way better than a nut puncher like Chris Paul for sure (who I also wish we would have drafted and don't hold that against him).

9 hours ago, AHF said:

With Phoenix, I'm rooting for them because of Devin Booker.  Loved watching him at UK and had really hoped the Hawks could get him in the draft. 

Two picks away from Giannis (2013) and Book (2015) - both of whom I wanted - not to mention CP3!!   

Actually, it was one pick away from Giannis (Thanks LD)

On 7/6/2021 at 5:20 PM, ATLHawks3 said:

This is a really deep draft. The options at 20 are tremendous. Here's another guy I think we should have serious eyes on.

 

 

6'3 Combo Guard with a 6'9 wingspan. He can shoot and doesn't lack confidence.

Love this guy as a potential "new" Lou Will. Can really stroke it as you said and can create his own offense - attributes that we really need off the bench.

I seem to remember Kevin playing on a Hawks summer league squad a few years ago - probably as a college free agent before going to Europe. He looks like an intriguing player and I can definitely see him as a solid backup to Trae. He kinda reminds me of a more polished version of Payton Pritchard.

33 minutes ago, JTB said:

I disagree about the hawks not being an elite 3pt team. That’s debatable when this roster is healthy. I believe they proved that in the playoffs and was only not in the top 5 in 3s this season solely due to an significant amount of injuries all season long and having to learn to play together since no training camp…AND because Pierce was not putting these guys in the best position rotation wise or game plan wise to succeed.

On the part about needing 2s to compensate the team when 3s aren’t dropping I definitely agree with that but I don’t agree that the center position is the only way to overcome this. For the hawks outside of Traes lobs for 2s, we also have Traes elite floaters to rely on when he’s fully healthy and penetrates the lane. We need more than just Traes floaters of course but I think with Hunter we may have a true 2nd option that can get inside the lane or close enough to make some hard baskets…you always have Bogi and Huerters mid range game as well that’s very good. I guess I’m saying we may have an answer to compensate those bad runs when the 3s aren’t falling by just being healthy.

Dont get me wrong I will take a scoring center but I truly don’t think one is out there besides Drummond and he’s the center I was vouching for until the Capela trade. It’s very interesting topic though with Capela . I can see that our fans aren’t satisfied with what he’s giving but I think it’s too early to judge .

Definitely not giving up on Capella - honestly I think he was running on fumes in this series as a result of the Embiid and Giannis wars - you could see he just didn't seem to have much lift to his game during the Buck series.  But even the regular season Capela seemed to struggle to finish around the rim outside of lobs and putbacks and it would be nice to have a complement to him off the bench - a Cousins, R Lopez, Portis, Dedmon, Dieng type that can perhaps bring scrappiness, physicality, and offensive punch off the bench at that spot (I see a developed OO as a hybrid 4/5 - eventually replacing Collins).  I think the aforementioned weaknesses in Clint's game are exposed in the playoffs, so having another bench option would be greatly beneficial when he is struggling with free throws and post finishing.

Don't think the Hawks are an elite 3pt team just yet, but they are trending that way - especially with continued core development and improved health.  Statistically, they are middle of the pack:

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/three-point-pct

1 hour ago, TheNorthCydeRises said:

You have the right thoughts, but you need to think bigger.

It's not only could they not stop the bigger guys at center.  It's also because they can't provide any offense, unless it's off an offensive rebound, or if a PG creates it for them.  Unlike Embiid and Lopez, both Capela and Okongwu can't be dependent to make a shot beyond 10 feet.

How much more dangerous would this team be, if we had a center who could not only score while rolling to the basket, but could also be a threat from 16+ feet away from the basket?

When we were playing Collins at center, we were hoping that he could be that guy, but he's just too small and not physical enough to play the 5 full time.

THIS

Don't have the stats to back this up, but I would suspect a great disparity in points in the paint in favor of the Bucks. The Hawks are not an elite 3 point shooting team, therefore, it is essential to get consistent low post offense to compensate for bad 3 point shooting nights - which are inevitable during the postseason when facing locked in defenses, The Bucks could go to anyone of Giannis, Lopez, or Portis when the 3 ball was dry but the Hawks really had no big man paint O other than Trae created lobs to Capella, JC, and OO.

I think Okongwu will be a viable option by 2023, but we need a gap solution in the interim. Collins is just not physical enough and Capella lacks post moves and shooting touch. I think Dedmon would have really helped the Hawks in this series.

I was at the game tonight and left midway through the 4th quarter--- disgusted.

I've been a die-hard Hawks fan since 1977, however, I cannot stomach watching this Mike Woodson coached team any longer. In fact, I have decided to delete my Hawks TiVO Season Pass, making it far easier for me to "miss" the remaining 24 games (unless of course Woodson is fired).

First it was youth, injuries, lack of a point guard, then Mike Bibby's adjustment period. I think it's clear to any one with eyes that can see and a brain that works that Woodson has lost this team and needs to be replaced --- IMMEDIATELY.

Sorry if this has already been posted

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/...e-johnson_x.htm

Hawks have an extraordinary Joe in Johnson

Atlanta's Joe Johnson is known for his jump shot, which has helped him post a 28.3 scoring average this season.

USA TODAY's David DuPree looks at how NBA stars play the game:

The particulars: The 6-7, 235-pound, 25-year-old Johnson is in the second year of a five-year, $70 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks that runs through the 2009-10 season and pays him $12.7 million this season. He was born in Little Rock. He attended Central High School there and played two collegiate seasons at Arkansas before going to the NBA.

Road to the Hawks: He was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 10th pick of the 2001 draft. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Randy Brown, Milt Palacio and a second-round pick in a midseason deal in 2002. He was obtained by Atlanta in a 2005 sign-and-trade deal for Boris Diaw and two first-round draft picks.

Style: His game is built around a classic mid-range jump shot. He has an explosive first step and is comfortable playing either guard spot or small forward, although shooting guard is his best position. He is an excellent three-point shooter, can get to the free throw line and is very effective without the basketball. He uses screens well but can also take most defenders off the dribble.

Go-to move: The pull-up jumper. He gets his opponent off-balance, makes him fear the drive and then pulls up at any point on the way to the basket and shoots.

How to defend him: Force him as far away from the basket as possible and stay up in his face. Whenever he puts the ball on the floor, bring a second defender over to prevent him from getting to where he wants to go. Never leave him to double someone else and don't drop behind screens when trying to guard him.

By the numbers: He's fourth in the league in scoring with a 28.3 average and over the last four games, two of them Atlanta wins, is averaging 33.3 points, 5.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds. He is the only player in the league averaging at least 25 points, shooting at least 50% from the field and making at least two three-pointers (2.7) a game. He has played in 372 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the league, has increased his scoring average in each of his first six seasons and is averaging 8.1 more points a game than he did last season.

His peers: The 2001 draft was underrated, as Johnson is one of 17 of the 58 players picked currently starting in the NBA. Kwame Brown was the first player picked, followed by Tyson Chandler and Pau Gasol. Shane Battier was picked four spots ahead of Johnson, and Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker and Zach Randolph and Gilbert Arenas were picked after him.

Former player he is most readily compared to: Chris Mullin. He has the reputation of being primarily a shooter but like Mullin is an intelligent all-around player who can score in every way. He is quicker and faster than Mullin was but has that same easy, mid-range jump shot with the smooth release and the ability to get the shot off in traffic.

Says Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown: "He's playing as well as anybody right now, and he can beat you in so many ways. He can go inside and out, and he's strong on the defensive end, too. He's a handful."