Plastic Man

gimme "cancer"!

I don't think taking Acie over Stuckey was a horrible mistake. Stuckey is a scoring guard where Acie is more capable of runnin the point. Also Acie struggled with injuries last season--we didn't really see what he can do consistently.

I did not realize that NBATV had moved its studios to Atlanta. The Hawks should get plenty of coverage this year.

yeah don't hold your breath. they'll give about as much coverage as TNT does. :brick wall:

...it is almost Diesel-like.

Not even close.

Zaza has 19 points and 9 rebounds in about 30 min and NO TURNOVERS.

It's good Zaza can't finish around the basket. I would hate to see him end up with only 2 or 3 rebounds.

Sounds like he is a shameless chucker.

At least we didn't give him Ben Gordon money.

:offtopic2: Shoot I think for next year's training camp we should have a HawkSquawk tryout day. Then we can all showcase our flawless jumpers and incredible athleticism while battling for the final preseason roster spot.

maybe he can play with Josh in Greece

Maybe but I don't think Salim wants to swallow that pill just yet. After looking at the NBA depth charts there aren't many openings for him. But i think it's still possible for him to play for a team like OKC--they have no backcourt depth.

SA Express News

Jeff McDonald - Express-News Locker-by-locker, man-by-man, Salim Stoudamire limped around the Spurs’ locker room, giving hugs and handshakes to the players who had been his teammates for three weeks.

He had come to San Antonio in hopes of making the Spurs, in hopes of reviving an NBA career that had hit the skids in Atlanta.

This was farewell.

Stoudamire was waived Wednesday night, after giving it a semi-heroic go on a strained left groin in the Spurs’ 100-95 preseason loss to Washington at the AT&T Center.

“It was just my fate,” said Stoudamire, a 26-year-old point guard. “Obviously, it wasn’t meant for me to be a San Antonio Spur.”

Throughout the preseason, Stoudamire’s mind was willing. His body was not. His bid to make the Spurs was star-crossed from literally the first day.

He strained his right groin during the Spurs’ opening training camp session on Sept. 30, played in one preseason game, then injured his other side of his groin during practice on Tuesday.

With little left to lose Wednesday, Stoudamire hobbled through a desperate but noble attempt to show the Spurs something.

He played 18 minutes against the Wizards, never looking quite right, and scored three points.

“I was telling Kurt Thomas on the bench, ‘Sometimes you take for granted just being mobile,’” Stoudamire said.

Before the game, and before the cut, coach Gregg Popovich said he sympathized with the impossibility of Stoudamire’s situation.

“He’s not 100 percent, and he wants to make a basketball team, and he would like to be as healthy as possible to give it his best go,” Popovich said. “The situation is what it is, and he’s got to deal with it, and so do we. He makes it tough for us, decision-wise, for obvious reasons.”

Stoudamire’s dismissal leaves the Spurs with three more cuts to make before Monday’s deadline.

At least Wednesday offered Popovich one no-brainer: Tim Duncan appears to have solidified a spot for the 12th consecutive year. He scored a preseason-high 20 points in 22 minutes.

The Spurs head into the final days of the preseason with two roster spots up for grabs.

Anthony Tolliver, a 6-foot-9 shooter out of Creighton, has built a nice case for one of them.

He scored nine points against the Wizards, but it was a fourth-quarter hustle play that drew a standing ovation from Popovich.

Tolliver missed a two-footer from a tough angle, missed the ensuing tap-in attempt, then chased the ball to the other side of the rim to finally score the basket.

“I’m happy with my effort,” Tolliver said. “I know that’s something I control every night.”

The race for the Spurs’ final spot is shaping up to be a two-man competition between Malik Hairston, the rookie from Oregon, and Desmon Farmer, a second-year player.

Both guards had their moments Wednesday.

Farmer scored 12 points, all of them on 3-pointers, all of them in the second half. Hairston, meanwhile, was simply solid, scoring six points to go with six rebounds and three assists.

The pair did nothing to make the Spurs’ staff dread the looming cut day any less.

“The nice thing is, they’re all NBA players,” Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer said. “This is a great problem to have.”

The preseason ended for one would-be Spur on Wednesday. Stoudamire made no secret that he viewed this tryout with the Spurs as perhaps his last chance at an NBA career.

Now that chance is gone, in the strain of not one muscle, but two.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” Stoudamire said. “I’ll try to get healthy. I’ll call my agent, and we’ll discuss things and go from there.”

Who is guarding Horford? He is having his way offensively.

9 FT attempts already? I like!

Having 7 guys upfront sounds well but under close examination we look thin. I know many have been saying this for weeks, months. So with two weeks to tipoff the problem is not solved. Zaza, Al, Josh and Marvin are sure. But there is no surity in Solo, Randy and Othello. Solo can be said as a keeper but as the other two (Randy and Othello), the same cannot be said. Going into battle with only two bigs on the bench is simply not enough. A package of Gardner and 'Rio for servicable big is a dream. But more than likely one of them plus the '10 1st round pick would fletch the needed big. NJ may part with Boone, Swift or Lopez. If we make a move as such the draft pick is mid or low 20's. That price is worth a Boone, Swift or Lopez.

I believe we need to make a move now and settle the roster's deficiency.

Boone would be a great pickup if he's available. Not a shot blocker by any means but he can mix it up down low on both ends.

They should just call it a $3 million fine.

Last Friday (10/3) I had the chance to see the Sixers hold their free open practice at Penn State. I'm die-hard Hawks (stuck in Sixerland)but still am a fan and student of the game, so I had to check it out. I was able to sit at midcourt about 5 rows behind the team benches for the scrimmage. Besides just being hard-up for some hoops action, I wanted to see Brand at work, and check up on Ivey and Lou Will's progress.

Brand looks great on both ends. He is such a beast on offense. He just bangs and digs until he's fouled or open. Amazing how he can be a bulldozer, yet have such great touch. One thing I hadn't noticed about him before--he's an excellent passer. He recognizes a double-team coming and he's already chosen his target. Dalembert should have a career year offensively (to Brand's credit).

I had heard that Ivey was a standout defensively the first few days of camp. He played backup to Andre Miller in the scrimmage and was solid running the point, knocking down the open J, and finishing in the paint. He ended up guarding Lou Will most of the time and did a fine job. He will make the team and get decent minutes especially if he keeps hitting that open J.

Lou Will is relentless going to the hole. He looked wild at times with some streetball moves but he is nearly unguardable when he stays under control. He (unlike Iggy) is showing confidence and consistency in his perimeter game. If Thad Young wasn't playing so well, LW could start at SG with Iggy at SF.

Thad Young has come a long way in a year. Everyone knew he had talent but I (being a GT fan) didn't expect him to look this good already. His athleticism and skills are remarkable, and he plays hard on both ends. I can't really think of a good NBA comparison past or present--he's a rare breed and doesn't have any apparent weaknesses (lefties rule!) He will start at SF.

Was Woody coaching his scrimmage squad?

One huge difference that jumps out immediately (in our favor): that Sonics squad played zero defense. That whole team was a mismatch waiting to be exploited, with the exception of Evans (maybe).

Come on Diesel, give Marvin some time. Not only are his arms swoll from lifting weights all summer, he has that fresh ink and he's still a bit sore. I'm sure by the all-star break his shot will come around and he will BREAKOUT with a 20 point game!

ya its not working for me either. anyone know any other place for radio?

I'm listening to Hawks radio on NBA Audio LP. You need a username/password.

White boy that was strictly a shooter that couldn't shoot a lick got plenty of playing time to prove he was the worst player in the NBA. (his name escapes me)

Matt Freije? Yeah he had his chance. Woody is too old school at times like Larry Brown not playing the young guns when there is opportunities. I thought Solo always did little things to warrant more playing time. He can actually make free throws too!

Great to hear so many good things. Sounds like the chemistry is there already and everyone is competitively stepping up their game. I want to see the confidence and intensity carry over to the regular season. The playoff experience and new vets should make a huge difference in close games, translating to more W's. I'm ready to order League Pass...NOW!

I really hate it that Smitty is going but its excellent news that he is moving up in the broadcast world. He certainly has the talent to do commentary on ESPN or TNT. Best of luck to you SS.

Dominique has big shoes to fill

I will definitely miss Smitty and his woohooHOOOO! He always added in neat little stories or facts about players he played with/against. It doesn't matter that he's unbiased because working for national TV he won't be doing Hawks games anyway. :beathorse:

I'm sure Nique will do fine but I'd rather see him in the studio than commentating games.

Here is a link to a Chill Highlight.

It's called Josh Childress = Euro Jordan

Wow the defense in those game highlights was the same as in the lay-up lines. I bet Chillz misses the NBA already.

Can't even find a Hawks hat in Atlanta? I'll NEVER find one in PA.

40 sounds like a good number to me. I am anti-spamming (which is NOT being dedicated btw) but wish they would bring back some form of the injured list.

This is huge--a great but overdue move. I just hope he gets the respect he deserves.

lol @ this blogger in arizona picking up the story. salim going to be a steve kerr type player?

uhhhhh ?

I believe it is possible. Salim got game. Now that he is gone I am sure he will improve.

Isn't learning how to get away with smoking weed part of the rookie transition program?

I vote Bibby only because Rudy Gay is not an option.

WTF are we not seeing as blind homers?

blind homers > blind haters

Despite Woody's return I think we will be better. The playoffs were a huge boost of confidence and great experience. Our FA signings are very capable and versatile players. As mentioned a lot depends on health. If Bibby and Claxton are healthy before the deadline I expect one of them to be traded for a physically imposing defensive big. We also need Marvin to be able to knock down the 3 and Bibby to call the offensive sets (again).