Hawks News (8-18-03)

[HawkTodd]

BuckShots (8-18-03).

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_4945.shtml

SHAREEF?

According to www.basketball.com, there have been some talks between the Bucks and Hawks regarding Shareef Abdur-Rahim. The proposed deal includes Chris Crawford and some picks for Toni Kukoc, Caffey and Anthony Mason. Sounds very iffy. Yes, the Hawks are definitely in salary-dumping mode, but to take back Kukoc, as well as two guys who have 2 years each left on their deal, would be alarming.

As for the Bucks, getting Abdur-Rahim would be a no-brainer. Crawford would be a salary-cap wart, but me thinks you take him if you get Shareef. All for naught I'm sure, but there seems to be some "tiny" legs to this one.

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Notes: Heat's Odom offer crazy; L.A. shouldn't match (8-18-03).

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/6573512

The Atlanta Hawks have earned kudos for giving two-year deals to general manager Billy Knight and coach Terry Stotts. With the sale of the team, the arena and the NHL Thrashers from AOL Time-Warner to Texas car magnate David McDavid taking longer than expected, they went ahead and extended their young management team when last season wasn't a fair judgment of their skills. The team has been in a state of flux all summer, and considering a roster that's lacking, this will be a great year to develop their young talent as a long shot in the East.

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Wilkins Takes Part in Reading Event at Museum (8-18-03).

http://www.nba.com/hawks/community/Wilkins..._-82676-33.html

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THE DAILY (8-18-03).

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_4940.shtml

Atlanta - A spirited debate was started on the Hawks messageboard here at Hoopsworld when a poster asked: Who is the greatest Hawk of all time? Most people picked Dominique Wilkins, until someone started talking about Bob Petit.

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To start, USA exhibits glimmer (8-18-03).

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/109902p-99274c.html

Iverson wore an Atlanta Hawks Glenn Robinson jersey after the game, and said he was "just thrilled about" the 76ers' acquisition of the forward: "We're 100% better than last year."

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Nuggets haven't let guard down (8-18-03).

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_2189967,00.html

Vandeweghe and head coach Jeff Bzdelik spent the past week looking at free-agent shooting guards.

Others in the mix were Dion Glover, Stephen Jackson, Voshon Lenard and Steve Smith.

Glover came to Denver last week for a two-day tryout, and Vande- weghe said he still could be signed. For now, though, the Nuggets, whose oldest current player is 29, want a savvy veteran.

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Skipping, not stealing, will cost Clarett (8-18-03).

http://www.citizenonline.net/citizen/archi...2CB47DA36E7.asp

For a franchise that continually looks over its shoulder awaiting bad news I just wonder what took so long. The good news for Falcon’s fans is that the Hawks start playing in about eight weeks ...

[Traceman]

Looks like AI is looking forward to playing with Dog. If they get good play up front from DC, Kenny Thomas and Marc Jakson, I think they will be pretty decent. I don't think they can compete with the big dog's in the WC but in the EC, they should be right in the mix.

[Guest]

who has less of one, us or the sixers? if the curse of the summer national teams, combined with the loss of Brown and the slinder bench, the sixers won't make homecourt in any round of the playoffs. the east is truly a mess right now...but AI can't carry this team every night, which is why they needed Glen...

[Diesel]

I'm already on the Philly bandwagon...

If they Keep Snow, I say they go to the ECF.

The key is that King better not trade Snow. None of the guys he has now can run the team like Snow. Plus none of them can cover SGs like Snow (save McKie).

I think King may try to lure a C. My guess is that they offer McKie for Foyle or Damp? GS might need the help at BU SF...

[Traceman]

Right now, our bench consists of:

Nazr (injured)

Hendu

CC (injured)

If the season started today:

Theo

Reef

Diaw

Hansen

DD

would be our starters. That is sad. Even in a best case scenario, when the season starts, our bench will likely consist of:

Nazr

Hendu

CC

DJ/Hansen

DD

Right now, Philly's bench consists of:

Dalembert/McCaskill/Todd Mac (injured)

Marc Jackson

Greg Buckner

John Salmons/Monty Williams

McKie

That is stellar by no means but I think all of those guys can give quality minutes. As things stand now, McKie FOR SURE and probably Buckner, Salmons and Williams could start at SG or SF for us, even after we fill out our roster.

[Diesel]

I think the pickup of Jackson makes him the starting C and DC the starting PF. I don't know who killed Kenny.

[Traceman]

If they resigned him somewhere in the neighborhood of 7 yrs/ $50 million and Coleman is resigned around 3 yrs/ $15 million, I think Thomas will start alongside Coleman. Coleman has made it clear that he prefers playing PF but he was told that Thomas was going to be the starter at PF BEFORE he (Coleman) resigned in Philly. Coleman said that he hoped that the acquisition of Jackson would allow him to play a lot of minutes at PF but he realizes that right now, he (Coleman) is slated to start at Center.

[Diesel]

I think it really depends on Thomas and Jackson. Who is better. Honestly, Thomas has never impressed me that much. I think Coleman would probably be good as Pf but maybe not better than he is at C. However, if Jackson comes along like Gangbusters and puts up 15/12 in 27 then you have to respect that and let him play C.

Honestly though... There won't be any shots left after Big Dog and Iverson finish shooting so, it doesn't matter as long as they rebound.