The Hawks and Theo Ratliff.

[Diesel]

Do we need Theo Ratliff?

That's my topic for today. I asked this last summer and the answers were overwhelming yes. Well, since that time, his allstar trade value has dropped. It's not down to nothing but we have to reach for a good deal.

One in my mind would be Pryz and Big Dog for Theo and CC.

I have looked over the truth and the truth is that Theo will not profit us much if we don't have an offense that we can trust to score. Theo is a defensive specialist, however, Theo is not a Great defender. At 225, there are many guys that have pushed Theo around in the past. Just last season, one of his three games, Theo was pushed around severely by Jahadi White and Etan Thomas. My God, Etan Thomas used and abused Theo. However, I believe Theo can block a few shots. However, being undersized, he will have no one to lean on when we play against bigger competition.

Do we need Theo?

Here's the other thing that makes me Mad. Theo has made more than 18 million dollars off of the Hawks. He has played in 3 games. Theo is the true 6 million dollar man. But I looked at the Economics and I saw even worst things than these. We have spent more than that on Theo.

I was looking at some of the threads that talked about us trading Nazr for Mike Miller. One thing that a lot of people were saying is that "We need Nazr to be insurance for Theo". WHAT??? Here's an opportunity to better our team and one of the reasons we can't do it is because of Theo and his inability to stay healthy for more than 3 games? Mathematically, when you calculate up the numbers... We have spent 23 Million dollars on the upkeep of Theo over his 3 games. That's almost 8 million a game. Theo is the highest paid Athlete in Sports. And those 3 games were not all wins.

Do we really need Theo?

Bottom line.

If need be, we trade Theo. It's depressing to think that he's so sickly that he needs insurance. The types of trades I would do are those that bring us back stars.

Theo/CC for Pryz/Big Dog.

Theo/1st for Shane/Lo

Theo/CC/Davis for Googs/Matrix

[chillzatl]

If we get a healthy Theo that only misses a few games (if any) this season, then yes, we certainly do need him. He is an upper echelon player in this league and when healthy is one of the top 3-4 centers in this league. With the ability to be top 2. Using one game from last season as an example of how some young bucks "abused" him is very premature and in my mind taking a negative angle for the sake of it. If Theo were healthy and in "game shape" I would put him up against those guys ANY DAY. Jahadi white?? ETan Thomas?? Please, a healthy Theo who is in shape will destroy those guys, you know it and I know it. He's played against bigger players that are WAY more skilled than those bums his entire career and didn't get "abused". What you saw last year was an anomoly and was not indicative of what Theo can do.

That said if he's not healthy then yes, he should be moved. The crux being that if he's not healthy, he's going to be near impossible to move. The fact is that the Hawks managment aren't going to get rid of him until they know how hes' going to hold up. If you hear rumors that the hawks are shopping him. then you can bank that they aren't convinced of his health. They aren't idiots though and they aren't going to sit there forcing themselves to hope and believe that he's healthy when he's not.

A healthy Theo gives us something that none of those trade players combined can give us, an intimidator. With Theo there are few players in the league that will challenge him openly. Even without Theo we should have an improved defensive team. We were arleady better in the 2nd half last season, a healthy Theo makes us that much better. And that's not all about his shot blocking ability. He's a smart defender period. He knows how to rotate and how to pick up someone elses man. Things that Nazr just was not experienced enough or willing to do. We will not see countless numbers of medicre players walking to the basket uncontested with Theo in the game. That alone will make a HUGE difference in what this team can do.

[KB21]

He shouldn't be moved for Glen Robinson who plays no defense.

The Hawks won't make the playoffs if Nazr Mohammed is the starting center. They won't be good enough defensively. I don't care how many offensive weapons they have.

A healthy Theo Ratliff is needed for this team. The only way he is dealt is if a good defensive center is in the deal. Joel Pryzbilla doesn't fit that, because he can't even play on a team that has no center.

[ATLien_]

I think the only deal that I liked whole heartedly wad the deal for Rashard Lewis and James for Theo and ?. I think that deal gives us what we need. A good SF and a center that can block shots with size.

[capstone21]

To give up Theo we would needa center in return. Pryz is not the center I would want. Plus Big Dog plays 0 defence. The Shane/Lo offer would be interesting though. Battier would be a good pickup and would play SF for us instead of SG like he has been playing in Memphis. If Lo can duplicate his numbers from his season at Memphis it would be a worthwhile trade.

[Guest Walter]

Mashburn is as injured as Theo and sat out much of last year and the playoffs over a mysterious what I don't know. Yet Diesel yelled and screamed Mashburn is way better than Vince Carter (or maybe it was Kobe Bryant)?!?

Could we get a little consistency from the one man peanut gallery?

W

[cyman3]

Mohammed is a very good backup CENTER. Hes not starter material. And if he does start, whos backup at C?

If we trade THEO we must get a center in return.

I still like the LEWIS/JAMES for THEO/KUKOC.

[capstone21]

I like the LEWIS/JAMES for THEO/KUKOC too. James/Nazr combo could do well together at C. Neither is a dominant center but as a combo I think they would do fine. Would Seattle morgage their future for a couple of players that could help them win now?

[Admin]

Kukoc should be used in another deal. Theo is worth as much in trade as Lewis is, and Toni is worth more than James, so that deal isnt fair. Giving them Hendu instead would be much better, or even Crawford. Even though James is big and has potential, he is still VERY raw and will need a while to groom, so his value isnt very high right now. I would still like to have both of them though and I would give up Theo/Hendu or Crawford to get it done. Remember that Shaq is a major fan of James and wants him to play in LA. This kid hasnt been playing forever and may someday soon turn out to be a pretty decent NBA Center.

[Diesel]

When have you ever posted ANYTHING which is remotely Hawks related? Where is your solution to the franchise's problem. I'm not talking about those from times past...

Trade FoR BIG COUNTRY Because in 2 yrs he will be better than Deke.

Or

Trade for Googs because he will be a candidate for MIP.

Or

The Rider/JJ trade was good for the franchise?

I can really see that your "VISION" for the Hawks is about as Clear as Stevie Wonder's Vision. In fact, I think Stevie has better ideas and suggestions for the Hawks than You... And He has never seen them play.

Walter = Blind Man Walking. Eating Peanuts. Mad at the world because nobody cares about his posts.

[Diesel]

While that deal is available, I don't really put that much stock into Lewis. Seattle proved one thing this yr... Lewis is not worth the moeny.

However,

Theo/1st for Battier and Lo would make everybody happy. That's my trade for a while.

Face it. Battier is good but for the right C, he's expendable. Lo is neither here nor there. He's had a good season, with the right tutors he can be the man. The most important thing for Memphis is:

1. Defensive presence. Gasol is not a defender. Plus if they trade Swift and Dickerson for Jones, they'd be very good with:

Theo/Gooden/Gasol/Jones/Williams.

2. The first. Not just any first. Our own First. That means that if the two headed C of Nazr and Lo doesn't work, they will get a high pick... However, Battier/SAR/JT would be an awesome combo.

The other thing is that memphis gives up its first to Detroit next yr so getting a replacement in case they are still bad would be good insurance.

Battier/Lo for Theo/First.

[KB21]

Lorenzen still isn't the defensive presence we need inside. All we would be adding is a guy who should be playing the 4 position that can really rebound, but as far as his defense goes, he isn't a presence.

If you want to deal Theo, you get me a good young defensive center like Jamaal Magloire. Otherwise, I just as soon keep Theo and his guaranteed 3.5 blocks a game.

[Diesel]

I've seen the Bulls take a three headed Monster to 6 championships. I think that it would be very possible for us to win... Especially in the east with a two headed monster of Lo/Nazr.

Especially when you look at:

JT/DJ/Battier/SAR.

We'd be unstoppable.

[BlackHawkDown]

Ive said iot 20times before

We need to keep Theo for a year. Let him return to form and get alot in return for him next season.

Theo is just to small to be the center for a champion.

Diesel

Your trade ideas are improving but they still need work.

[Diesel]

That won't work. Keeping him for a season and letting his value grow will make him UNTRADABLE in the eyes of most Hawks fans. So, we'd probably go into the playoffs and lose in the first round because we have a BU playing SF and not enough scoring.

However, if we trade him now Theo/1st for Battier and LO. We have everything we need. Our team is complete at every position. We have good scoring options. I would even venture to say that we would be better defensively.

But we'd blow teams out.

[BlackHawkDown]

If and that is a big if, we make the playoffs we are going to lose in the 1st rd anyway. It doesn't matter what the fans think its about making the right moves. Ratliff doesn't have much market value right now. Lets be patient and mak tatically logic moves.

[Guest]

Surely babcock and company wouldn't make this promise in

less they were very sure or they don't care if they embarass

themselves.

But if we do make the playoffs ANYTHING is possible once

you get there.

[BlackHawkDown]

Its called advertising the hawks will lose 500k over their promise but ticket sales are way up. They have more than made up the money they will lose. It just advertising that promise has got alot of people hyped up. Car dealership, computer manufacturers, etc. put articles out as bait to get you interested then you find out the whole story when you go to buy. Hotlanta81 corporations lie and scam, dont think this is any different. Their is no reason to believe thisis the breakout season but if we are sart 03-04 will be. I predict if Theo is good the hawks will win 38 -40 games just good enough to barely miss the playoffs. If we were smart we would lose 25 so Lebron James and Chris Marcus would become a possibility.

[Guest]

But you figure,as a guy that is unwilling to take Sprees and

guys wil problems due to reputation he wouldn't want to be

embarassed that way.

And if they don't get us to the playoffs this season I don't

believe the team has a future.As I don't believe we will make

the playoffs next year I guess that means I don't think the

team has a extrememly bright future.

[Diesel]

You may not know Babcock but this is not the first promise that he has made.

After mucking up the Nique for 4 months of Manning's service deal, Babcock said....

IN 5 yrs we will build a team which can win a championship.

On the deadline of that 5 yrs, Babcock traded Smitty for JJ and JR... Which was the DOWNFALL of the franchise.

I have heard his promises before. If we remain the same, we might make it to the playoffs. I mean, we'd still have to beat:

1. Boston

2. Indy

3. Orlando

4. Milwaukee

5. Toronto

6. New Jersey

7. Philly

8. Detroit

One of those teams would have to be replaced by us. Not to mention, we'd have to fend off: Washington, N.O. and NY in the process.

Even if we can do that, we don't have the talent with Ira as Sf to win a series with any of the top 4 teams. And those are not in order of strength.