ggp

I guess it is better that it happens now rather than closer to the season. I am trying to fight the feeling that this team is snake-bitten. So, the team will have to go through training without their PG. I sure hope that Speedy recovers in a "speedy" fasion.

I would imagine that McKay will pick up the phone and give Brenson Buckner a call in the morning.

Forgive me for sounding ignorant, but why does the Indy pick have to be unprotected? If they add Al to their lineup, they will be in the playoffs. Protecting the pick does not add value (in a realistic sense). Personally, a non-lottery pick for Al is not getting adequate compensation for the young and talented Forward. However, IF this deal involves enough budgetary relief to make a big move in Free Angency next year, then do the deal.

The Lakers are watching Kobe's window get smaller and smaller. They could really use Harrington. The following article is an indication that they are getting impatient with Bynum. Maybe they are our best trade partners. HoopsHype.com Columns Time to face reality by Roland Lazenby / August 7, 2006 Once the Lakers finished their summer league play, Phil Jackson packed up the tapes of the games and sent them to Tex Winter, his longtime mentor and assistant coach who now serves as a team consultant. Jackson wanted from Winter what he has always wanted – that perfect set of basketball eyes to look over the games, break them down in detail and determine if the team has found any players who can help once the games get serious this fall. It’s something that Winter has done for Jackson since the days when they were assistant coaches and Winter was assigned to teach Jackson how to be a head coach. Winter has always broken down the game tape and gone over it with Jackson, taking the time to point out players’ strengths and weaknesses as well as team strengths and weaknesses. “I go over the tape with him,” Winter said. “He’s always liked that.” This time around, Jackson and his coaching staff wanted to see what Winter thought of the play of the team’s young players, especially teen-aged center Andrew Bynum. “We all were in hopes that he would really arrive,” Winter explained. However, after studying the tape, Winter offered the truth. The 7-1 Bynum had “a couple of really good games,” Winter said, but the 84-year-old guru came away with questions about Bynum’s intensity, his lack of “fire in the belly. His energy is a question.” Winter also raised questions about Bynum’s quickness, his reaction to the ball, to events on the floor. Part of that lack of reaction time is due to his size, Winter said. “He seems to still be getting bigger. He is huge, but the bottom line, in my opinion, is that we can’t rush him.” Because Bynum is so big, and a true center, his development is going to take longer, Winter predicted. And that means bigger questions for the Lakers in terms of the upcoming season. “The organization has to make some tough decisions," Winter said. "You bet. From what I saw of the summer league tapes, there’s just not a whole lot of players there on the roster who can make a difference. Winter said rookie first-round pick Jordan Farmar could possibly help. “He’s tough, but he’s still probably not ready. I also liked JR Pinnock. He could be some help as a reserve. He’s a keeper. He has enough talent.” Beyond that, though, there’s not much in the way of talent ready to help. Which means the Jackson and the Lakers must toss back a stiff dose of reality – life without Shaq means thin opportunity. Unfortunately, it’s not just a question of players learning the offense. “As far as execution, I thought our summer league team did an excellent job. It’s just a question of how good the talent is,” Winter offered. “The people on the floor can execute the offense, but do they have the skills to make the offense function?” Winter says he’s pretty sure that Jackson is concerned about the situation. “Phil’s got the attitude that he’s gonna do the best he possibly can do with the players available,” Winter explained. “He’s back to the point of knowing that he’s not putting an NBA championship team on the floor but of having the best team he can have with the talent available. I think Phil is pretty realistic about things. He’s not a dreamer.” What makes this reality so problematic is that this is the Lakers, Winter said. “The expectations are always so high. They won’t go away. That’s part of the franchise.” Although Winter has said often that the Lakers had little choice but to trade O’Neal because of his huge contract demands (he wanted roughly $30 mil per season to play for the Lakers but agreed to a $20 mil per season extension with Miami), the reality of the center’s absence will likely set in this season as the team struggles not to be locked into the middle range of the league. This brings immediate questions about Kobe Bryant’s patience as the guard watches the best years of his career slip away in a rebuilding situation. “His patience might be wearing a little thin,” Winter said of Bryant. “On the other hand, he seems okay with things. I think he likes the idea of it being his team. That’s what he wanted and that’s what he’s got. He’s like Phil. He’s a realist.” On the other hand, Winter said, a realist also has to look at last season and realize the Lakers exceeded expectations. “We could still wind up being a pretty good team this season,” he said. “It wouldn’t take a whole lot more for us to win 55 or 60 games. Actually it would take people continuing to get better like they did last year. You would hope we could duplicate last season and improve on that. But each year is a new situation.” In other words, for the Lakers to have a good season, they’ll have to hope for very good fortune, because the talent level is good but not overwhelming. Jackson has always done better with overwhelming talent, although many observers thought he did some of the best coaching of his career last season. Other observations from Winter’s tale of the tape: • If the team can find guard help (if Jordan Farmar or one of the veterans can play well), the Bryant can move to the 3 and that frees up Lamar Odom to play more at the 4, or power forward. “I think Odom will end up playing quite a bit of 4 depending on who fills those guard spots,” Winter said. • As badly as the team needs players with experience in the triangle offense, it was time to cut loose Devean George. “He couldn’t develop the kind of consistency it takes to help us,” Winter said. “In his defense, he was hurt an awful lot and that hurt his efficiency. Brian Cook is another one in that situation. Can he show he’s more than just a shooter?” • The Lakers staff is divided on free agent Kareem Rush. Some want to sign him (likely Jackson and Winter), while others (assistant GM Ronnie Lester) don’t think Rush is the answer. “Some say he might help us a lot,” Winter said. • Luke Walton has tremendous value as the team’s sixth man. “He’s versatile. He can do a lot to help us. He can play both forward spots, plus he can even help us in the backcourt.” Roland Lazenby is the author of The Show: The Inside Story Of The Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers In The Words Of Those Who Lived It, recently released by McGraw-Hill Tell us what you think about this column. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com

Does anyone here seriously believe that a low first round pick is sufficient compensation for Harrington? Adding another $4million simply allows the Hawks to save face. The Pacers are trying to screw the Hawks and I am glad BK is holding the line.

Realistically, how important is it to protect the first round pick? If Indy adds Harrington, they should have little or no problem staying out of the lottery. So what are they after?

Pete Babcock is by far the worst GM....don't even try to debate that one. Kasten did a good job but he had an owner that had no financial limits. I believe that in the end, Knight will be considered the best GM in ATL Hawks history.

I heard several weeks ago that Mags was available for money. Could be a coincidence, or not.

KB, just curious, where are you doing your residency? And what is your specialty?

It is a very good postion to be. However, waiting too long can force GS and Indy to look elsewhere to fill their rosters. BK knows what he is doing. I am sure that he knows that his postion of strength will be compromised as soon as one of the suitors panics and leaves the Harrington auction. I have no insider information, but I would expect a deal within the week.

Draft picks are the likely solution to this Belkin road block. From what I have read, the recent ruling states that the ownership can not acquire any new contracts that extend beyond one year....the exceptions would be draft picks or trades that have already been initiated. It seems to me that trading Al for future draft picks will be allowed. The problem is that I think that BK wants specific players from the GS roster.

Prediction: Some how, we will end up with Jermaine O'Neil.

This is me dreaming on a lazy Sunday morning. I know it won't happen, but I gotta say it: Al Harrington, Edwards and Salim Stoudamire for Jermaine O'Neal. There, I said it and it feels good.

What about Mardy Collins?

I didn't see his name flash up on the screen. Should we go after him? Signing a vet PG and giving Barrea a shot sounds like the smart thing to do.

I don't think that Chris Paul was necessarily a better player than Marvin Williams. It is clear that he was more NBA ready, but judgement should be held until they are in the league for five years. I wanted Chris Paul last draft to cover a need at a difficult position to fill. It has taken me some time to get over it, but what is done is done. I expect Marvin to turn into an all-star forward for years to come. If that happens, I will be fine with the choice. You have hit it on the head. Most of this hatred towards BK is a combination of years of futility and the missed opportunity to draft a special PG. Knight's philosophy varies from the classic PG-to C game. Maybe he is simply ahead of the curve....I don't know. I do know that he has done a great job of getting this team turned towards the right direction. Keep in mind that most of the Hawks' problems were caused by Babcock. Babcock did an terrible job in Denver and was horrible in ATL. It has taken years to clear the expensive baggage that Babcock bought. Billy Knight will turn this franchise into winners. Be a little more patient and enjoy the games.

By doing the trade, the Hawks would likely say goodbye to Sheldon. If they like Sheldon, then they need to draft him at #5 and forget the fancy stuff. #33 could be Will Blalock....not a bad second round PG. He has Rondo's length with more PG skills.

Possible candidates include Mardy Collins, Will Blaylock, J Barrera and Solomon Jones.

Pittsnogle is slow incarnate. No thanks.

I like Foye for us but drafting him will leave a huge void in our defensive scheme. I think that BK feels that we have to draft our big man. I am sure that he has looked at FA and has not found a big man that can be relied upon to stay with the team long term. In other words, he has done his due diligence and has not been able to assure himself that he can sign a big in free agency. I would like to draft Foye and then work a deal with Magloire. However, a friend at work (fiancee to a Milwaukee Buck scout) knows Magloire's story very well. As of last month, Magloire was still very insistent on moving back to Canada...acquiring him would amount to renting him for only one season. The NBA is full of similar situations...that is why some teams defy logic in drafting. All front offices know players' desires very well. It is very common for players to muscle their way out of certain situations. I don't blame the players, I am just stating a fact of life. Hence, front offices often find themselves making due with alternative choices. The media usually are not aware of the "behind the scenes" action, so teams are often criticized for making what look like bone headed moves. So, my guess is that we will draft Sheldon in the first and a PG (like Blaylock) in the second. If a decent PG is not available in the second, I guess that BK will go for another big man, like Solomon Jones. Then, he will try to work a SnT (using Al) for a back court partner for JJ. Things can change from one day to another, so maybe Magloire would concede to a long term contract with us, but I doubt it.

If we draft Sheldon in the first, I would go for Will Blaylock in the second. If we go with Foye in the first, then I would take a shot at Solomon Jones in the second.

The Hawks gave up too many points in the interior. Teams would send their backcourt up the gut for easy points lay ups and dunks. Sheldon would shut the paint down to that nonsense. Sheldon may not have the height to block JO's shots, but he has the size to box him out and make JO work harder for his points. Foye is the best guard in this draft, in my opinion. But, adding him to the roster is not more important than adding Sheldon. I wanted Chris Paul last year, but this year, I am backing Sheldon for our pick.

Quote: If Diaw can play some center for the Suns, I don't see why Shelden can't also play some for the running, gunning, defending Hawks. I agree with you that Marvin needs to play. It appears I joined here about as recently as you, and I don't presume to know as much as you believe you do (based on this post), but I sure have a more positive attitude and evaluation of BK than you. That's because I lived as a fan through all the Babcock years, and BK is way better than Babcock. But I guess time will tell whether BK sucks as bad you believe - I on the other hand am an optimist and see a real talented core developing here. About the coach - I have doubts there but feel this year if BK gives him the pieces to be properly evaluated then we can get a better read on whether its time for him to go. If Belkin gets the team he could do worse, he could do better. I am interested to find out how it turns out. mj Thank you! It must be repeated over and over. The worst GM in the history of this franchise is Pete Babcock. BK is not even on the same planet as PB. Keep in mind that Babcock was horrible in Denver and for some unexplainable reason, was hired by the Hawks. Billy Knight is superior to Babcock. Never forget that.

Not true. Babcock made the worst moves of this franchise. We can never forget or forgive that.

I don't think that Aldridge will be a bust. He is just a higher health risk than a top 5 draft choice should be. A team may roll the dice with him and get lucky. In that case, the rest of the league will look foolish for not drafting him. The Hawks are mired in deep uncertainties. The last thing the club needs is to take a gamble on greatness this high in the draft. BK needs to draft a certain contributor. As far as the bigs go, Sheldon is that player.