Hawks get what is needed most, but what else ?

[coachx]

We know guards were the priority since Dickua is the only one signed for next year.

This post takes for granted that Diaw can start or be a contributor off the bench next year and his drafting means JT will be back. I am also assuming the Hawks cannot afford Glover's 2.3 million b/c they are already over the cap.

Diaw-Rifford sounds like the perfect complimentary player. Described as a leader, unselfish, team player, and defensive specialist.From the scouting reports I've read he is too unselfish. Well that is actually a good trait for this team next year. The drafting of Diaw assures me JT will be back. So now Diaw will have plenty of scorers to feed. Dog will still be able to eat. Hopefully Diaw will give the ball to Dog in more efficient situations then Terry did. Now that there are 2 guys ( Terry and Diaw) who can break down a defense by sucking the defese in on drives so hopefully Dog should have more open jumpers on kick outs now. I hope Diaw is not as predictable as JT. I believe JT will stay & play PG or at least guard them on D. The offensive PG duties will probably be split between the 2. The drafting of Diaw will fill the void that Newbell leaves ( if he does). He will be the perimeter stopper and can run an offense. I hope he matches Newbel's defensive ability and be an upgrade over Newbel next year in terms of ball handling. The one thing we know he is better than Newbel at is running a half court offense. Diaw is also said to be at his best on the break where his supurb athleticism can take over.

Now lets talk about Hansen. He too fills the needof a good defender with a good outside shot who has above average athleticism.I hope he will be good off the bench. Hopefully at 24 he can contribute.

Now lets see what the Hawks for 2003-2004 assuming JT is resigned.

Terry, Dickua

Diaw-Rifford, Hansen

Dog, Crawford

Reef, Hendu

Theo, Nazr

Assuming JT is back we have 10 players with room for 2 more. Many of you think another post player is needed, however I believe a veteran guard and sf is what is needed the most. The starting 2 guard spot would come down to the rookies of Diaw and Hansen. A veteran guard is needed to teach these guys. So, Steve Smith come on down. He would be an excellent tutor. Heck at one time Smitty played pg so he could really help Diaw. Kenny Anderson would be nice too b/c we don't yet know if Dickua is cut out for the NBA. A vet sf is also needed. We can't count on Crawford to play at all with his injury history. So that leaves only Diaw to back up Dog. But what id Diaw starts at SG (who else will ?). That leaves no backups for Dog. I could see Darvin Ham coming back b/c he hustles, and can play good defense at sf and even pf if needed. Plus Ham would come at the vet minimum.

You just can't have 2 rookies as your only 2 guards. Terry can play 2 but either Dickua, Hansen, or Diaw would be out there with him. We need a vet, Veshon Lenord,Steve Smith and Dog must have a backup. What if his bad achilles flairs up in training camp, Diaw would have to start at 3. Now we have a rookie starting at 2 and 3 under that scenerio.

The team needs a couple a veterans now much more than 2 undrafted rookies in my opinion. So I would sign Smitty and Ham. A better sf than Ham is preferable but Ham would definately come back if the Hawks asked and the minimum is all the Hawks would offer under AOL. (Newbel will find a taker who can pay him more). Of course we all want Ira over Ham but Ira will probably find a taker from a playoff team, I've heard the Lakers wanted him. Maybe McDavid will not care about the luxury takx and bring Newbell back.

Terry, Dickua

Diaw-Rifford, Hansen, Smitty

Dog, (Newbel or Ham), Crawford

Reef, Hendu

Theo, Nazr

This doesn't look bad. Notice Smitty, Newbel and Ham could all play 2 posotions in a pich. With Newbel on the team it looks really good. Man I wish Crawford would retire so the league would give us a little compensation to get a big body. But I really like Smitty filling a player- coach role with the 2 rookie guards and a backup sf is need more than another C in my opinion.

I am interested to know what you guys think is needed to best fill out the roster (realstically)

[coachx]

Now is not the time to trade Dog. Next year his contract will be in it's last year. His trade value will then be at a high. The Hawks will have mre options. They could trade Dog for some value in his last contract year. If the team is looking respectable we could be major players in the free agent markey with Dog, Reef, and Theo's contracts all expireing. I beleve together that is over $25 millin in cap space.

Be patient guys. Life and a building a franchise is a marathon not a sprint. The Hawks learned this the hard way with drastic moves and dishing out future 1st rounders. Stay the course and don't over react.

[mrhonline]

In reply to:

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Now is not the time to trade Dog. Next year his contract will be in it's last year. His trade value will then be at a high. The Hawks will have mre options. They could trade Dog for some value in his last contract year. If the team is looking respectable we could be major players in the free agent markey with Dog, Reef, and Theo's contracts all expireing. I beleve together that is over $25 millin in cap space.

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Again, it's obvious that now is not the time for a *cap dump* involving Robinson and some expiring contract like Glen Rice. But if a trade comes along that could benefit the team, you make it.

That's why people are suggesting Robinson/Crawford for Sprewell. Because it holds onto the cap space in 2005, brings back most of Clog's scoring, and rids the team of a worthless contract. Not to mention Spree's leadership, defense, and leadership. The Hawks get older, but this team is young anyway, so it shouldn't hurt.

Now, I would be opposed to trading Robinson for Jalen Rose or Eddie Jones b/c of their contracts would eat into the cap space in 2005. If anyone on the roster is traded, the returning contracts should be for 2 yrs. or less.

[coachx]

But b/c it is a business is the reason Dog's value will be higher next year then now. Plus no trades will happen until a sale is finalized. In my mind Diaw- Rifford was drafted not only b/c he compliments Terrry, he aslo compliments Dog.

I just don't see why the Knicks want another bad over blown contact in Chris Crawford just to get Dog. In fact Dog makes them worse and here is why: That trade kills their athleticism and defense. Can you imagine how bad defensively and athletically the Knicks would be with Ward and Frank Williams maning the point and Houston and Dog on the wing. None of these guys play defense and all Houston and Dog do is shoot, their penetrating and fast break days are over. The knicks woud be the worst defensive team and the most unathletic team in the league. Who would their best perimeter athelete and defender be, 30 + year old Shannon Anderson, that is sad.

When you take off the Hawks goggles you realize how bad a fit Dog would be in NY. Chris Crawford is worthless and could be added to their over paid list of Shannon Anderson, Houston ($100 million player, ya right), Harrington, Weatherspoon, Doleac, Ward. Nobody on the Hawks team is good enough to con someone into taking Crawford b/c like you said it is a business and he makes no business sense.

Just my opinion. That is what this board is for, to share perspectives.

[mrhonline]

Which is where he played with New York last year. (And, btw, Spree is OLDER than Anderson, so if he's the best perimeter defender NY has...)

NY actually gets younger and bigger. And Crawford's deal is just filler. Substitute Dion Glover if you must. Or rearrange a few players. The deal revolves around Robinson-for-Sprewell. New York is not terribly worried about the luxury tax - they're so far over it that their main goal is to improve the team, not get picky over a two-year, $6M deal like Crawford's (who is overpaid, but not frighteningly so).

You are right, though, that Dog's deal is more valuable 18 months from now. But in the meantime, a new owner may actually want to win some games...If I were paying what McDavid figures to pay, I sure would. This deal makes perfect sense for both teams. It alleviates NY's need for a SF, it gets another ballhandler/defender for Atlanta.

[HawkTodd]

Spree's leadership?

He chocked his freaking coach.

[DJ_Money]

But there was more emotion in that one episode than this entire team displayed last year...

(Note: I do not condone that action in any way.)

[mrhonline]

Jason Kidd, Michael Jordan, Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber, Allen Iverson, et al. You name the problem or addiction, you'll find a superstar in this league who's had personal or criminal problems. The guy we would be dumping has been convicted of domestic assault.

It usually has no bearing on their play ON COURT. To pick and choose which problems are more bearable is foolish. Spree is no saint, but there's no denying his will to win - he's the main reason the Knicks have overachieved the last two years.

[Traceman]

The Knicks have been a lottery team for the last 2 years and I think a BIG reason for that has been Spree's decline. Not the only reason but a significant reason. People talk about Houston's ridiculous contract (he is overpaid) but he has been a better player than Spree for the last 2 years. Kurt Thomas has also been better than Spree and could have been an All Star last year.

If Spree had played at the same level last year as he did when he first got to NY, I think they would have been a LOT better, maybe a plyoff team. You all love Spree now but if he were a Hawk, half of the folks begging for him would be talking about what a has been he is.