Rexhawk

Shelden dominated in college on a better team. I am more concerned about how Oden's athleticism translates to the NBA.

A lot of people think that Greg Oden will be a superstar in the league but it appears to me that he is the same player as Solomon. Oden has had subpar year in college in my opinion. Take yesterday's game against Wisconsin, Wisconsin does not have a big front court and Oden couldn't dominate that game. Oden appears to lack that killer instinct. Solomon is not as tall but appears to be more athletic and more aggressive around the basket. The hawks need more of low post scorer than a Oden type place. Spencer Hawyes would be a better fit

I totally agree. I see this trade going down this summer. Bernie assured the fans that the team will get a center and point guard during the summer.

Bernie Mullins did not actuallys state this on the radio this morning but he came close. He stated that they were involved in a three team trade in which AJ was acquired to be shipped to another team. Bernie stated that the third team pulled out at the last miniute and they were left with AJ. He said the player they wanted was a player that had been mentioned in the media (Rindour?). He was the only player linked to Atlanta outside of AJ. Bernie said that they were happy just with AJ becuase he lives in Atlanta and practiced with all the player during this past summer at Phillips.

Marvin is the type of player that does exactly what is asked by his coach. He was the same way playing under Roy Williams at North Carlonia. In football terms you could call Marvin a system player. The problem is that we need Marvin to be selfish and aggressive. During his short tenure with the Hawks,Marvin can be dominant when he becomes selfish. Last night's game was perfect example. When Marvin decided to step up the Nexts could not stop him in the post. I want Woody to change his game plan feature Marvin more in the offense.

There was a full out war between Kobe and Joe in the fourth quarter last night. What does our coach do? He calls a time out because he is afraid of Kobe taking over the game. I was at the game last night and Joe and Smoove had a look in their eye like they were ready for a fight. Woody robbed the fans of witnessing a classic battle. He was simply to scared to allow his players to challenge Kobe.

According to national media reports, JJ Redick in on the trade blocks. Apparently, their coach Hill has him in the doghouse and wants him gone. I think that we could trade Salim for JJ. It works for the Magic because they could get a similar shooter on a cheaper contract. It works for us becuase we could have an instant two man game (Shelding and Reddick) coming of the bench to give us scoring. JJ would also sale a lot of jerseys in Atlanta. It is starting to become obvious that Salim is no longer wanted on this team.

Here is a summary of Breakfast with Bernie Mullins this morning. 1. Disapointed that Joe didn't make the allstar team but wasn't shocked due to the Hawk's record and lack of national TV exposure. 2. Tank Theory- Thought it was stupid because there is no guarantee that Oden and Durant will turn pro. He also talked about how the lottert guards against tanking. Bernie especially mentioned how the Hawks have had terrible luck in the lottery. 3. Trades- Team will not make any trades for the short term in order to get into the playoffs. Any trades would be for the longterm development. 4 Shelden- He stated that fans fall in love with "sexy" players such as guards but Shelden is a "glue player" that was much needed for the team. He talked about how Shelden has helped with rebounds and positional defense. Bernie actually praised Woodson for the pick. Stated that players like Shelden help a team win a championship. 5. Draft- Bernie said the team will focus on a point guard and a center with Indiana's pick. He felt that they will find a good player to help the team. Boris Diaw was listed as an example of a low round pick. His expectation is that the team wins 35-37 games and be close to making the playoffs.

In a recent AJC or Indianapolis Star article, Harrington stated that the Indiana dealed happened because the Corey Magette trade failed. Basically, the Warriors did not want him in the rumored trade earlier this week. This proves that the three team trade was the hawk's first option. They would rather have an aging Joe Smith opposed to mid level draft pick (11-20). This season will be russian roulette. We will play all of our young players. Either they will become stars or we will be in position to draft a star in Greg Oden.

If we get a 2008 pick back form Indiana, then we may be targeting a franchise point guard. There are no franchise point guards in the 2007 draft. There are at least four point guards in the 2008 draft: Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, Jerry Bayless, and Jarvaris Crittenton. All of the above players are at least 6'4 which meets billy's requirement for length and athleticism in a point. Just maybe the hawks fill that there is no value in the 2007 draft. If the pick is in the teens are twenties, then we risk getting a player that would not start. 2007 seems to be a big man's draft and we are set at our big men positions.

Pacer Digest board fans are stating that the deal is for a protected 2008 or 2009. We better get a 2007 pick unless Billy thinks that the franchise point guard is in the 2008 draft.

chris Dimino stated that his sources have confirmed that there is a done deal between Atlanta and Indiana.

This from Hoopsworld Total Access: http://www.hoopsworld.com/member/article_10656.shtml User: FREE Pass: TRIAL06 That said, the Timberwolves just may have one more move on the horizon. There are rumblings coming out of Minnesota that the Wolves may be close to working out a deal with Memphis free-agent Lorenzen Wright. The deal would almost certainly utilize the NBA's bi-annual lower-level exception which is estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.75 million for the upcoming campaign. Wright would give the Wolves a toughness in the pivot that they desperately need since the team has focused on acquiring perimeter talent so far this offseason. Such a move would also likely give the Timberwolves a substantial chance to return to the postseason next year meaning that Taylor would more than likely sign off on the deal. While no deal with Wright is imminent at this moment, there is definite interest from both sides. Moreover, the chances that Wright ends up back in Memphis next season are almost zero and other suitors for his services on the open market seem to be dwindling. Wright is said to want to play in a place where he can be the starting center and Minnesota seems to fit the bill. That is unless you believe that Mark Blount, Wright's only real competition in Minny, would ultimately win the job. Since Lorenzen wants to be a starter, it must be the Kandi man.

I think it is real because Sekou responded later on in the blog that it was actually him.

By Sekou Smith. August 4, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this Well, here we go again this time it’s offical. Harrington has Agreed to the 6 year $57 Million dollar contract with Indiana. They decided to give up $2.5 million in Cash and a 1st Rounder. Sekou posted this statement on his blog this morning. Hopefully it will hit the AJC later.

I think that the hawks organization view Josh as an energy player coming off the bench.

I heard the entire interview and here are the key points. 1. We have signed a big. The paperwork is complete but can not be announced until Al's S&T trade is complete. Has something to do with needing a portion of Al's Salary. Bernie stated that the signing happens even if Al walks away from the team as a free agent. 2. The new Big has been a long time starter in the league but is willing to play backup. Bernie believed along with the hosts that the new big could end up starting. 3. Regarding the S&T, we will only get a "good" player back worth 10 million a year salary or 10 million in cash. Basically, AL is set on making 10million plus a year. Bernie stated that we would not take any "junk" players in a S&T for Al. He specifically mention the Golden State situation. 4. He listed his version of the starting line up in this order: PG-Speedy Claxton, Tyrone Lue, Royal Ivey SG- Joe Johnson, Josh Childress, Salim Stoudamire SF- Josh Smith or Marvin Williams ( He stated that they would have to battle it out in camp) PF- Sheldon Williams, Estaban (Stated that Sheldon would start because Al gave up too many points in the paint last year) C- Zaza or Mystery Big. It appears that the Mystery Big must be Lorenzen Wright. He is the only free agent center that is left on the market. 5. Bernie also stated that he felt that Arm Tellem would be creative in setting up a S&T.

I prefer Lorenzen over chirs. I just think that Lorenzen would have a bigger impact going against the backup centers and power forwards in the east.

We fans need to understand that this team is set for the start of the season like it or not. Starting five=Speedy, Joe, Marvin,Josh Smith, and ZaZa. Childress, Lue, Sheldon, and Salim coming off the bench. There is no big time sign and trade or free agent available. I listened to the entire Bernie interview last friday and my take is that we will sign someone like Lorenzen Wright, Chris Mihm,or Stomile Swift. Magloire was never in the picture. Bernie's statement during the interview was that we lost games last year because we did not have a solid big to come off the bench. We now have Sheldon coming off the bench as a powerforward and the new player at center. Any combination of Shelden and Mihms, Swift, or Wright makes us a much better team than last year.

I think that we could acquire childress for Randoplh. The trade would make sense for both teams. Portand would get a starting small forward who is a good guy that would change the atmosphere on the team. He would be paired with Jared Jack, Webster, Roy, and Aldridge to give the trailblazers a good young nucleus. We would get Zach who would give us a low post presence with ZaZa and rebounding. Although there have been problems in the past with Zach, I would have let Childress walk for an all star caliber player.

I am starting to think that it is stromile swift because of his prior relationship with Billy Knight.

Pacers Beat Writer was on 680 this morning and believed that the trade was for the mid level exception. The guy stated that his sources are telling him that Hawks want to keep down payroll and were not looking acquire any players back in the SNT. The beat writer did not mention any first round picks. He stated that there is a deal but Billy is dragging his feet on signing the paper. I hope Billy kills this SNT and hold out for a first round pick and Harrison. We can not give Al up for cash unless we are going to acquire AI.

If Mike James signs with Dallas, then I think Devin is on the trading block. It is well known that it is now or never for Dallas and their roster. Avery Johnson is trying to put together a veteran team to win a championship. He does not have the time to wait on Devin's development. It appears from the Dallas message boards that Devin can not hit an outside jumper. I think that we could get him for Tyronne Lue who would be a solid vetran that could hit the outside shot for Avery.If we get troy murphy, then we could add him to the deal. I think that Dallas would bite on Troy Murphy and Tyronne Lue for Devin Harris.

I not afraid of the future when we have to re sign all of these guys. If anything, it gives us a lot of assets to play with. Even if Belkin runs the organizaiton on the cheap, he can trade the likes of Childress, Pietrus, salim, etc. for future first round picks with rookie salaries.