IF this team can't win in the playoffs, the wrecking ball is coming.

[Diesel]

I don't think Al is coming back.We have to have Zaza, Collins, Damp or Rad as part of our C rotation in the playoffs.If we can't put together some wins in the playoffs, we're done.We will prolly keep Joe, Al, and Teague as our base, but everybody else is prolly gone.The truth is that the East is much better than people give it credit for being.Teams like Boston and NY are late blooming.Teams like Milwaukee and Cleveland are on their way up.The sit still philosophy of the ownership is getting us nowhere.LD has done a good job coaching.Sund has done what he could as GM. However, Al's injury... and our inconsistency in team play is going to be our own undoing. And if it does, Josh and the bench is gone.

[coachx]

I think Al will be back for a limited role in Round 1. If we survive I see him playing 30 mpg in the 2nd round but I would not expect big offensive numbers after injury. We need his energy, defense, and rebounding. The Celtics just killed us on the boards last night.

[GameTime]

The sit still philosophy of the ownership is getting us nowhere.

LD has done a good job coaching.

Sund has done what he could as GM.

[ag82]

I hope this is true. I really don't want another year of the same.

[KB21]

Considering that the Hawks have only 6 players who are under contract for next season, what are you considering a "wrecking ball"? The majority of the bench is likely gone anyway. Those 6 players under contract account for right at $60 million in salary. As I posted in another thread, you do not increase your chances of becoming an elite team by blowing up or tanking. If the Hawks decide to trade Josh and Marvin, I do not consider that taking the "wrecking ball" to the team.

[KB21]

I hope this is true. I really don't want another year of the same.

http://hawksquawk.net/community/topic/366710-an-interesting-article-on-tanking/I don't disagree with making a change here or there. If it is determined that Josh Smith and the rest of the team simply cannot coexist, then let's see what the biggest load we can get for him is? We have to look at players who fit what Larry Drew whats to do, IMO, if he is kept. He runs a very heavy perimeter oriented and jump shot oriented offense. I do disagree with the idea that the Hawks should just "blow it up" or take the "wrecking ball" to the team. You know what blowing up a 50 win team gets you? Several years of very bad basketball unless you are one of the lucy ones that are able to land that special player at the top of the draft.

[Guest]

If the ASG has any indication that they will not be able to resign Josh then he has to be traded at the deadline next year (if not during this year's draft). Al will now be our PF and we find a center (Fab Melo perhaps,thoughts?). That leaves us with Teague, JJ and Al.

Edited April 12, 2012 by JayBirdHawk

[MaceCase]

We've argued the semantics of this before but there really isn't a way to "rebuild" this team (before 2013! 2013! that is) but rather "remodel" it. People can't look too deeply into the "wrecking ball" metaphor but still have to recognize that 1 or maybe even 2 of the major cogs on this team can and will be easily exchanged.

[coachx]

is? We have to look at players who fit what Larry Drew whats to do, IMO, if he is kept. He runs a very heavy perimeter oriented and jump shot oriented offense.

I'm sure Larry Drew would run his offense through the low post more if he had the right pieces. The problem is we don't have good low post players.In my opinion, Drew runs a heavy perimeter based offense due to the roster he has.

[coachx]

If the ASG has any indication that they will not be able to resign Josh then he has to be traded at the deadline next year (if not during this year's draft). Al will now be our PF and we find a center (Fab Melo perhaps,thoughts?). That leaves us with Teague, JJ and Al.

That is exactly what I would do IF Smith is non-commital in resigning with the Hawks.I'd draft Melo or Ezeli and plug them at center next to Horford at PF...........heck I would still draft Ezeli of Melo even if Smith did sign an extension. We need a legit center, better then ZaZa, no matter what.Ezeli runs the floor better and is better all around right now. He actually has some offensive game. Ezeli already has an NBA ready body. He is the only guy I saw man handle Anthony Davis all year. That is not to say Ezeli will be a better pro then Davis is but it does show he is NBA ready right now. Remember a 22 year old Okafor used to man handle a 19 year old Dwight Howard too.Melo is two years younger then Ezeli which basically means he has more upside. He is more of a defensive specialist but has the potential to develop an offensive post game. Melo needs to add weight and strength for the NBA and at his age that should not be a problem.I'd be thrilled with either one. I can't take the site of Dampier and Collins any more. The dependance on ZaZa surpasses his skill level. I love his hustle and heart but the franchise should look to do better......or your going to have an unhappy Horford joining the unhappy Smith. Edited April 12, 2012 by coachx

[KB21]

I'm sure Larry Drew would run his offense through the low post more if he had the right pieces. The problem is we don't have good low post players.In my opinion, Drew runs a heavy perimeter based offense due to the roster he has.

Looking at the splits, even Al shot almost twice as many 16-23 foot jumpers last year in his first year in Larry's offense as he had previously done. Josh's numbers in that range continue to go up. Atlanta far too often settles for the jumper instead of penetrating into the lane and trying to draw contact or make something happen. What Larry should be doing, even though he is the best perimeter shooter, is utilizing Joe's size in the post more. Get him posting up the smaller guards that guard him. It's what Lenny Wilkens did a lot with Steve Smith running his motion offense, particulary with a high post power forward like Christian Laettner.

[Buzzard]

We've argued the semantics of this before but there really isn't a way to "rebuild" this team (before 2013! 2013! that is) but rather "remodel" it. People can't look too deeply into the "wrecking ball" metaphor but still have to recognize that 1 or maybe even 2 of the major cogs on this team can and will be easily exchanged.

There is a way to rebuild it from scratch but I don't think that is what he needed. Move Josh for a lottery pick and filler. JJ, Horford, Teague, Hinrich and ZaZa if they can be resigned will be your veteran leadership to build around.In order to win big you have to play big. Until we win big in the draft, we are not going to win a championship. Unless of course D12 or Deron demand to be traded here. I think we have a better chance in the draft to be honest... Edited April 12, 2012 by Buzzard

[Jody23]

There is a way to rebuild it from scratch but I don't think that is what he needed. Move Josh for a lottery pick and filler. JJ, Horford, Teague, Hinrich and ZaZa if they can be resigned will be your veteran leadership to build around.In order to win big you have to play big. Until we win big in the draft, we are not going to win a championship. Unless of course D12 or Deron demand to be traded here. I think we have a better chance in the draft to be honest...

It would be nice to get a good young player to pair with Teague and a healthy Al.

[Guest]

WE don't need to rebuild, all we need to do is retool.

[BrazilianHawk]

I hope Josh somehow is nominated All-NBA, so we can try and trade his ass to a garbage team for a pick (5th - 7th would do).

[Diesel]

Considering that the Hawks have only 6 players who are under contract for next season, what are you considering a "wrecking ball"? The majority of the bench is likely gone anyway. Those 6 players under contract account for right at $60 million in salary.As I posted in another thread, you do not increase your chances of becoming an elite team by blowing up or tanking. If the Hawks decide to trade Josh and Marvin, I do not consider that taking the "wrecking ball" to the team.

I don't disagree.My point is that this is the best bench we have had... After watching highlights of the Crawford, I wished that we had him last night. Still, I like our bench. I just think that nobody comes back if we lose in the first round. We will be forced to keep Joe.We will prolly continue with Teague. I guess keeping Horf is just the value play... BUT Marvin goes to expiring status. Josh is the best player to trade from a value standpt. I don't see this team staying together and I like this team.

[Diesel]

That is exactly what I would do IF Smith is non-commital in resigning with the Hawks.I'd draft Melo or Ezeli and plug them at center next to Horford at PF...........heck I would still draft Ezeli of Melo even if Smith did sign an extension. We need a legit center, better then ZaZa, no matter what.Ezeli runs the floor better and is better all around right now. He actually has some offensive game. Ezeli already has an NBA ready body. He is the only guy I saw man handle Anthony Davis all year. That is not to say Ezeli will be a better pro then Davis is but it does show he is NBA ready right now. Remember a 22 year old Okafor used to man handle a 19 year old Dwight Howard too.Melo is two years younger then Ezeli which basically means he has more upside. He is more of a defensive specialist but has the potential to develop an offensive post game. Melo needs to add weight and strength for the NBA and at his age that should not be a problem.I'd be thrilled with either one. I can't take the site of Dampier and Collins any more. The dependance on ZaZa surpasses his skill level. I love his hustle and heart but the franchise should look to do better......or your going to have an unhappy Horford joining the unhappy Smith.

While I would love to have a guy named Festus on the team....If we had to trade Smith, I would trade him to Cleveland for Gibson and their #1... (If they remain where they are).Then I would take a chance on Drummond.Drummond + Horf..... Hmm.

[NekiEcko]

I dont think a wrecking ball isnt good word for the Hawks situation, but I think a jack-hammer is much better in this situation. Think about this, we all know that Josh contact is up next year and there is a high possiblity that he isnt coming back to Atlanta (plus we dont want a circus around here, like Dwight was in Orlando), you can include Zaza as well (alot of teams will be looking at him at a quality back-up or even starter in some places). Plus J.J needs to be remind that the reason why he is getting pay so much to be the type of player, that doesnt disappear against good team but burn up bad teams.I think what the Hawks really need is two things1) Outside voice (The Falcons did that) - I think this team needs an outside voice, somebody from a different club (like Spurs, Thunder and others) that can put a new fresh insight to this team and let it grow and that including all the coaching staff. Leftovers isnt going to full up anybody and this team is going to suffer for it. Plus if they do bring somebody new, ASG needs to back away from it and let them do their job.2) Real Big Man - I think this is a fan battle-cry for years (with for new PG, that I am still on the fence on that), This team can get to ECF if they can get a true big that can be like Gasol in Memphis, Byunm in LA and others. I know that you will have to give up Josh for that, but a true center/Horford/Johnson/Teague/one other can be a more dangerous combo in the league.At the end, Hawks needs to use the "Jacking Hammer" because if they dont, then next year the "Wrecking Ball" is going to come no matter what they do.

[Seano]

So far as drafting a center goes, I'd be really intrigued with Meyers Leonard out of Illinois. He is very young (honestly, the kid looks like he's about 12 years old), but he has got legit NBA size (7'1, 245) and an NBA skill-set that was obvious from the moment he first set foot on the court in Champaign, and at 20 years old, I would say he's just got a world of potential ahead of himself. He is already wicked athletic and fluid for a big man and is an excellent passer for someone so young. He could move up into the lottery, but if not, he'll most likely go around the middle of round 1, which to me at least would make him someone who might be obtainable for us.

[Buzzard]

So far as drafting a center goes, I'd be really intrigued with Meyers Leonard out of Illinois. He is very young (honestly, the kid looks like he's about 12 years old), but he has got legit NBA size (7'1, 245) and an NBA skill-set that was obvious from the moment he first set foot on the court in Champaign, and at 20 years old, I would say he's just got a world of potential ahead of himself. He is already wicked athletic and fluid for a big man and is an excellent passer for someone so young. He could move up into the lottery, but if not, he'll most likely go around the middle of round 1, which to me at least would make him someone who might be obtainable for us.

If we do not trade up into the lottery I would like to have a shot at him. It is going to be his workouts that determine how far he moves up or falls. Someone could always give him a guarantee and he shuts things down...