This is where we need to be!

[Diesel]

Quote:

---

"All (Detroit players) have 6-8 years in league, all know how to play, they're quicker than your guys and have a mean streak

---

-Sam Mitchell...

Hopefully, we are building that.

[swolehawk2]

We need to establish a core and let them grow together.

This requires patience.

[Plainview1981]

Guys like Billups/Rip/Prince know how to get they're shots. Two of the Hawks big pieces Smooth and Childress don't have

the ability to do that.

[Diesel]

I disagree. Strongly.

Both Al and JJ knows how to get their shots. Just as much as Rip or Prince. It's ludicrus to suggest otherwise. Come on, your pessimism is starting to reach...

I will give you this.

1. We are young.

2. We haven't played together but for 3 pro games.

3. Our coach is young..

BUT...

That does not mean that we lack talent or potential.

[Gray Mule]

Mike Woodson was heard to say recently:

I looked at our team today as they sat together and thought,

Here is a great final four team and probably would be

considered the favorite for the championship.

These are college age kids he was looking at.

Zaza Pachulia -------- 02/10/84

Esteban Batista ------ 09/02/83

Josh Childress ------- 06/20/83

Donta Smith ---------- 11/27/83

Josh Smith ----------- 12/05/85

Salim Stoudamire ----- 10/11/82

Marvin Williams ------ 06/19/86

Salim is the "Old Man" of this kiddie crew @ 23!

He has 3 games experience in the NBA !!!

As good as these players are and as great as we hope they

will become, they, along with our young, inexperienced

head coach, will have to have time to grow together.

Experience is said to be a great teacher. Just think

what the Hawks will have when they grow up into a

mature unit in the NBA.

[frosgrim]

I completely agree these guys need time together. That said, one needs to go to bring in a center. The lack of a true bnager that can hold the middle is going to cause perimeter players to develop bad habbits. It also keeps them from being able to gamble on defense.

I suppose one of the problems is that there really isn't a guy worth getting out there that is available. But we have to get another big body that can play better than Edwards.

[Diesel]

There are no Cs worth getting..

I say we maintain what we have now.

At the end of the season, resign Al and go after Olowakhandi.

I still like Zaza as our C... I think he's plenty tough and he's scrappy.. Plus he has some good offensive move (with polish)...

What we don't want to do is trade Talent for none talent.

[frosgrim]

agreed that a panic trade for a need but a no-talent need is not worth doing.

I am curious if Woodson is going to stay with the Lue/JJ back court. If that is the case then maybe going after a PG in a trade for one of the forwards is definately worth looking into. A better PG than Lue would really help the team as well.

[Hawkzzz21]

Thank you Frosgrin. Nice job! Was waiting for someone to point that out. In referencing to our need for a big man:

"It also keeps them from being able to gamble on defense"

This is what is so very true. We have to gamble is correct. Sometimes we will get steals, and sometimes we will give up lay ups.

Since we don't have a big man, it's just trying to gauge when we should gamble, and when we shouldn't. We have to do both, and find that balance.

Getting the balance right just in this area, would tremendously improve our chances in winning.

[Peoriabird]

I agree with diesel, We should do nothing now until we know what we have!

[Diesel]

Actually,

I haven't given up on JJ at PG. I think he might be better at it once Al gets back!

However, I think that if we were to trade... It would be for a PG more than a Big man. If we wanted a big man, we would have taken our chances on Curry. If we wanted a Big man, we would have thrown some money at Dalembert. If we wanted a Big man, we would have gone after Jerome James of Steven Hunter. I think we looked over the lot and didn't find any that were worth the money. Also, Zaza is not bad.

As far as PGs go, sure, we could give up one of our young guys for Andre Miller or Bobby Jackson.

But why do that when we can get Rondo next year.