Dragitoff

I guess it's a good thing I fell asleep at halftime. The team was looking pretty good then w/ the exception of a few bonehead TO's. I think the offense stalled a little w/ Lue in there because when they had JJ/Chill/Smoove/Al/ZaZa out there, they were running. When Lue came in, they slowed it down. I was happy to see the amount of steals they got. I hope that's not just attributed to a sloppy first half by the Warriors. They need to get alot of steals to make up for the lack of size they have. This team could be alot like last year's Washington Wizards. Not alot of team size, but you just try to run the opposition out of the game and light it up from the outside.

Quote: Plus, you always have to remember that players look a lot better on good teams. Joe Johnson?

When I looked at the schedule, my first thoughts were, this team could realistically start off 3-0. That would be huge to start the season strong and put some W's up while the team is still learning to play together.

me too!

I think this will be the rotation C-Pachulia/Batista/Edwards PF-Harrington/Williams/Batista/J. Smith SF-J. Smith/Childress/Williams/D.Smith SF-Childress/Johnson/Stoudamire/D. Smith PG-Johnson/Lue/Stoudamire/Ivey

With Edwards being the only legitimate 7 footer now, has the team been talking to any other centers? I know Pachulia is 6'11" and Batista is somewhere around 6'10". I haven't been able to check the board regularly over the last few days so sorry if this was already discussed

I agree. 10/8 and he's earning his money. Anything above that is pure mashed potatoes and gravy!

www.nba.com It's on the home page.

I haven't seen anything personally yet, but I've consistently heard he wasn't afraid of a hard foul. Batista has been drawing the same kind of praise as well. I think they'll be the primary center rotation w/ Edwards getting more PT against larger centers (Ming, etc...)

Well I certainly don't want to put too much stock in one pre-season game's performance, but who did the Hawks have off the bench last season to provide defense, scoring, and an inside presence? Josh Smith early on until Toine was dealt, but that's about it. Kevin Willis was the most physical big man backup we had and he was over 40 and injured alot last season. Hopefully we can get this type of physical play each time out.

Harrington 3-3 for 3pointers????? When did Al start chucking 3's up?

Quote: I laughed when Shuerlholtz drafted his son... "Give me My BOY!"... Oddly enough, he's turned out to be a decent utility type guy for the Braves farm system. He's even got an outside shot at making the team out of spring training next season. Had a tough time when he got moved up to AAA, but solid at AA this past season.

No offense to the great job Billy Knight and his staff are doing in Atlanta, but I don't think you'll EVER see anyone else accomplish what John Schuerholtz and the Braves scouts and staff have done. I sometimes wonder if he sold his soul to the devil to have found as many gems as they have and how many careers they've resurrected.

Since Smooth's beefed up and has an inconsistent outside shot, could Al potentially be moved back to SF? I think he'd be a little more comfortable going against guys closer to his size than overmatched by big PF's too.

I like your way of thinking Mule! So many teams say they are in a "rebuilding phase" but you never truly see them rebuilding. They bring in good, young talent, but by the time they are good enough to contribute, their contract is up and they walk. That's not rebuilding your team, that's restocking another team. Look across town at the Braves. That's how they've done what they have for so long is because they build their teams usually with players they've developed and secured services for over a long period of time. I know baseball contracts and the NBA's restrictions on rookie contracts are very different, but the concept is the same. Of course, you can sign alot of young players to long term deals and get stuck with kids that make a fair amount of money and nobody wants if they don't pan out, but that's the risk a GM takes. He's either the hero or the goat. I applaud the steps this franchise is taking towards building a good team that won't be a one and out team. They'll be strong season after season. Get the friggin' season started already.....GOSH

Batista may not make the "big club", but I think Edwards is in if nothing else due to his size.

Of course, I know not all of these players will make the roster, and some non-roster invitee(baseball term) might make it, but how's everyone's rosters looking? C-Pachulia/Edwards/Collier F-Harrington/J. Smith/Williams/Batista/D.Smith G-Johnson/Childress/Lue/Delk/Stoudamire/Ivey/Akynol (sp?) That's 15 players.

I remember watching the dunk contest in the early 90's and it was the only reason to watch the All-Star festivities. I remember even when Rex Chapman was in it. It made me proud to be white.

Yeah, I knew the Batista wansn't the deal Mullins was referring to, I was asking if everyone thought that Curry was the one we were in discussion for.

Thanks for the info guys. I try to keep up with what's going on this site (I'm fairly new to it), but I don't have time to wade through all the bogus reports and such to find out what's the real story sometime. AJC hasn't really had much that I've seen in weeks concerning the Hawks other than announcing the signing of Batista. Any ideas if that was THE DEAL that was being referring to a few weeks back or could there be another potential deal?

A few weeks ago, there were posts that Atlanta was in discussions with another team about acquiring another big man, leading us and the media to speculate on the Curry talks opening up again. Now that training camp is near opening, has anyone heard anything more of this or other potential (not fabricated) deals? Did the talks fail or were they ever revived? I don't get to read every post on here, so I'm sorry if this has been discussed recently (although I couldn't find where after quickly scanning) ON another note, it sucks because I'll be in ATL attending a convention right by Phillips Arena and the Hawks are on the road. I was looking forward to attending my first game! Oh well.

I hope you're right, but if Marvin averages 10PPG off the bench, the Hawks will make the playoffs because their starting 5 will be putting up some great #'s.

This would also give some people credibility or shoot down their ridiculous trade proposals and theories.

Roll on the floor laughing out loud? I think

I'm not one of those people who think Marvin Williams will be the next Michael Jordan, but I certainly don't see that as a smart move. I'd have to see something more in Darko (like actual playing time) to make a move like that.