James Lang - Filling in the edges.

[Gray Mule]

Apparently John Edwards is only a warm body to use when

the Hawks practice. I say this because I never see him

on the floor when there is a game going on.

Atlanta released Tony Delk. Why don't they release

Edwards?

Batman has been coming on and giving us some minutes.

If James Lang can do this too, Hawks may have just

gotten better! Not bunches and bunches better, but

at this point in the season, a small improvement is

all we can expect.

Hawks have needed a "Tractor Trailer" type player or

players for a long time. Batman has been this type

player for us in a limited role. Now, we may have

found another one.

Getting there, one small step at a time. James Lang

is not the answer to all we need, but hopefully he will

be a keeper, one of those bench players that fills a

need on the roster.

Hawks have found players on the D.L. that have worked

out for them. Hopefully, it's happened again. At least,

at this point in the season, it sure won't hurt to look.

[DJlaysitup]

Hope you are right about Lang. I think the most frustrated I was watching a game was earlier this year against the Heat when the announcers were joking about how many time the Hawks would be fouling Shaq (hacka-Shaqing), but when the game started our "bigs" just backed off and let him dunk.

Now granted we are talking about Shaquille and he's a monster...still our inside guys tend to back off defensively in other instatnces too. if Batista and Lang can at least stand their ground it'll be a plus and since it'll take them at least 5 or 10 minutes to foul out, that should give Zaza a little rest

[mrhonline]

I'm dying to know if Edwards' contract for next season is guaranteed. I certainly hope not, because that $1M might be significant once the Harrington signing/S&T is completed.

[Lascar78]

I would like to see batman get some serious burn against shaq. He is currently our best post defender

[DJlaysitup]

Quote:

---

I'm dying to know if Edwards' contract for next season is guaranteed. I certainly hope not, because that $1M might be significant once the Harrington signing/S&T is completed.

---

Here's what they had at Insidehoops:

John Edwards ..........(date contract signed 8/24/05

2years $2.08 million F/A in '07

Looks like we got him next year too

[WraithSentinel]

Most two year deals tend to have an option for the 2nd year. Hopefully in our case it is a team option.

[mrhonline]

Quote:

---

Most two year deals tend to have an option for the 2nd year. Hopefully in our case it is a team option.

---

Especially for unproven guys like Edwards, who had no other contracts offered to him as far as we know.

In fact, the more that I think about it, I'd be shocked if he doesn't have team option.

(The same might be said for Batista, too).

[Blunt91]

Batista's contract does have a team option for next season. He was payed $400,000 for this season and if the team decides to pick up next years option he will make $500,000. We got Este for pretty cheap money.

[Johnnybravo4]

*IN Cartman's voice*

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhh

James is a stiff,

He's a big fat stiff,

He's the biggest stiff,

In the whole wide world.

Sing with me!

[mrhonline]

The Hawks would be stupid to not pick up Batista's option. He's a good player to have at the minimum.

Johnny Edwards, on the other hand:

[DJlaysitup]

My guess is Batista's fairly safe (as far as next year goes anyway)...I don't think I've ever noticed Edwards on the court? (and I watch 75%+ of the games). Hope he got his degree at Kent...

[macdaddy]

You know when he's played I thought Edwards looked good on the offensive end. On D it was another story which I guess is why he never plays but sometimes you would think he'd be able to help like against Gadz.

I'm definitely up for seeing Batman and Lang push Shaq around a little bit. You can get under his skin and the truth is if you are big and keep him out of the lane his shooting isn't that great. I know its not easy to do.

[DJlaysitup]

Should be interesting for Lang...from a RimRocker to going up against Shaq in just 3 days (that is if he gets to play some minutes that is...hope so).

[DrReality]

If he sticks with us . . . .his best shot is to come to training camp and get into the system. If we draft a big, if David Anderson comes over, we could have a surplus of big guys. That'd be a switch.

[rascurrein]

For the first half against miami with Batman on court Shaq didn't make any FG. Idon't know about the 2nd. half.

Also Batista lead the rebounding with only 19 minutes in court.

He needs more minutes in NBA and he wont be fouled out quickly. A month ago he was beeing fouled out in 9 minutes. Now he spend more minutes in court.

About Lang i don't know anything about him.