Hoopsworld chat with Lang Greene (lots of talk about the Atlanta Hawks)

[Cwell]

Harris isn't anywhere near the level of Deron or Paul, so why even mention them? Moreover, what has Harris done recently to show he's soooo much better than Teague? And mentioning that he makes more money is totally irrelevant. Make no mistake, Harris was acquired because he was an expiring contract and not because the Hawks were looking for a starting point guard. Lastly, a guy doesn't have to start to be showcased. His expiring contract actually showcases itself.

[GameTime]

So there's nothing to suggest Harris can defend twos. Moving to the offensive end, why would playing Harris at the two be more advantageous than Morrow or Jenkins? Morrow and Jenkins complement Teagues skill set because their shooting ability opens the floor more for him to attack. Harris on the other has much the same skillset as Teague and doesn't have the perimeter shot of the other two that will stretch the floor.

Devin Harris is actually a pretty good shooter. His playmaking ability makes us much more dynamic. Him and Teague both running the break would be extremely hard to stop. Josh is not starting at SF so we will have a pure shooter on the floor (Morrow, Korver, Stevenson). I see no reason why we need two spot up shooters who can't play D on the floor at the same time.

[Ruckus]

Teague's defense is nothing to write home about. I saw PGs run past him for layups more times than I can count.

[thecampster]

Harris isn't anywhere near the level of Deron or Paul, so why even mention them? Moreover, what has Harris done recently to show he's soooo much better than Teague? And mentioning that he makes more money is totally irrelevant. Make no mistake, Harris was acquired because he was an expiring contract and not because the Hawks were looking for a starting point guard. Lastly, a guy doesn't have to start to be showcased. His expiring contract actually showcases itself.

Because they're obviously better. The basis of the argument presented is, he earned the right to start. But with a player you'd agree is better, obviously not. Teague last year averaged 12.6 / 4.9 as the full time starter getting 33 minutes a night. Harris has averaged better than that for his career. Harris over the last 3 years. 14.5 ppg and 6.3 apg in 31 minutes. He's better. It's very simple. 1.9 more points and 1.4 more assists in 2 less minutes = better. more points, more assists in less time over a bigger sample = better. Last year he did what he was asked to do and deferred, playing on 27 minutes a game and still had 11.3 and 5. 6 less minutes a game and only 1.3 less points, .1 more assists. Harris is better. Edited July 31, 2012 by thecampster

[thecampster]

But my argument was that Teague doesn't start over Harris...they're on the court together. One subs out early and one replaces the other but both will get 30 minutes plus and start. Harris makes others better. Not starting him is just plain stupid..

[Cwell]

Because they're obviously better. The basis of the argument presented is, he earned the right to start. But with a player you'd agree is better, obviously not. Teague last year averaged 12.6 / 4.9 as the full time starter getting 33 minutes a night. Harris has averaged better than that for his career. Harris over the last 3 years. 14.5 ppg and 6.3 apg in 31 minutes. He's better. It's very simple. 1.9 more points and 1.4 more assists in 2 less minutes = better. more points, more assists in less time over a bigger sample = better. Last year he did what he was asked to do and deferred, playing on 27 minutes a game and still had 11.3 and 5. 6 less minutes a game and only 1.3 less points, .1 more assists. Harris is better.

Because they're obviously better. The basis of the argument presented is, he earned the right to start. But with a player you'd agree is better, obviously not. Teague last year averaged 12.6 / 4.9 as the full time starter getting 33 minutes a night. Harris has averaged better than that for his career. Harris over the last 3 years. 14.5 ppg and 6.3 apg in 31 minutes. He's better. It's very simple. 1.9 more points and 1.4 more assists in 2 less minutes = better. more points, more assists in less time over a bigger sample = better. Last year he did what he was asked to do and deferred, playing on 27 minutes a game and still had 11.3 and 5. 6 less minutes a game and only 1.3 less points, .1 more assists. Harris is better.

so basically you're saying that Harris career numbers are barely better than a guys numbers who barely touched the floor until this year. Smh what logic, Harris with years under his belt is still barely better than a raw scoring guard with less experience smh. Harris hasn't been considered even a 2nd tier pg for awhile

[Nicholasp27]

Paul/deron would be long term members of our team if we got em hereI love Harris but he is likely a one year deal so why stunt our growth and future potential when we are not contending this year anyway?Let Teague grow and hopefully blossom enough to make us even more attractive to FAsDon't harm our future so we can win 4 more games and maybe one more playoff game (not series)

[MrMeltdown]

Harris is not a big enough upgrade over Teague to put Teague back on the bench. Harris was on the bench in key moments last year while Earl Watson handled the team. On the other hand, Kirk was clearly outplayed by Teague last year. When a guy is over the hill, he rarely comes back. Harris will be nothing more than a tease for the rest of his career.Moving on to the meat of the interview which people have skipped to go back to the old Hawks way of pitting teammates against each other. Ferry does not have a concrete plan. He does not know how many years it will take to get the team to the next level. He came in and started selling dreams and too many people are buying them. Waiting on FA's to walk through the door is not a viable plan. Trading players for cap space that you may not be able to fill with better options is a incomplete thought not a plan

Edited August 1, 2012 by MrMeltdown

[Nicholasp27]

The plan is to get flexibility to be in position to make moves and as long as you make smart moves and don't overpay for talent then you have the best chance to build a contenderHe can't say for certain what will happen but at least he isn't putting all his eggs in one basket (e.g., trade al for d12 rental hoping he re-signs with us)

[Nicholasp27]

Another example of a eggs in one basket would be keeping status quo and paying 60M for the core of jj/al/smoove/Marvin

[MrMeltdown]

Well, Personally I don't consider that a concrete plan just to be more flexible so you can take advantage of the chances that come by. That is more of a step you take in order to get to the real plan.

[Guest Walter]

If the other PG was name Deron Williams or Chris Paul you wouldn't say he's earned the right to start over them. Harris is better. Harris makes more money. Harris is an expiring trade part at the deadline and the missing piece for a borderline team needing a point guard. He'll be showcased.

We only trade Harris for another expiring contract/lesser player and a 1st to such a "borderline team". Otherwise, his expiring contract should be more valuable to us. W