My mouth is watering...

[DatWerkk]

Allow yourself to dream just for a sec...We have a GM that has already worked financial miracles.We have a new head coach who has four titles and has been considered the top assistant in all of basketball for over a decade.We have an ownership group that suddenly is getting credit for being willing to spend money and has been cited as one of the primary reasons we could get our new GM-coach combo to come over from the smartest franchise in the NBA.We have more money to spend than anyone and almost more draft picks than anyone.We're in the same division as the media and NBA darling Miami Heat, which means with a good roster we should be on national television a lot. A LOT.And to top it all off... we have Atlanta. The NBA player's favorite city in the entire country. The market has long been considered a black hole for free agents but that has been entirely due to management and ownership ineptitude. With our recent changes the ineptitude is long gone, and all that remains is that city all the ballers love.Now take a look at what we've got. Forget the last decade-plus of mediocrity and suckitude (hard to do, I know). We basically have the beginning of Spurs East... but in a fantastic fckin city to live in and with a built-in rivalry with the most glamorous team in the league.The future is bright, friends. What's not to love??

[tbhawksfan]

YEAH!Good summary. Should be a good combination. It will also keep us very busy watching them put all the pieces together. Got to be patient though, it will take time to turn 3 or 4 players into a contender; unless the Paul/Howard dream happens. Love to have Paul, not so sure about Howard.I also think we'll see a trend of bringing in players that are coachable and play to a role, might not be sexy, but it's worked well for SA. Horf, Teague, Jenkins and Scott seem to fit; can't wait to see (and talk about) who theyy will complete the roster with.It's kind of like having an expansion team, except we have a few nice pices to start with and a nice looking GM/coach

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Allow yourself to dream just for a sec...We have a GM that has already worked financial miracles.We have a new head coach who has four titles and has been considered the top assistant in all of basketball for over a decade.We have an ownership group that suddenly is getting credit for being willing to spend money and has been cited as one of the primary reasons we could get our new GM-coach combo to come over from the smartest franchise in the NBA.We have more money to spend than anyone and almost more draft picks than anyone.We're in the same division as the media and NBA darling Miami Heat, which means with a good roster we should be on national television a lot. A LOT.And to top it all off... we have Atlanta. The NBA player's favorite city in the entire country. The market has long been considered a black hole for free agents but that has been entirely due to management and ownership ineptitude. With our recent changes the ineptitude is long gone, and all that remains is that city all the ballers love.Now take a look at what we've got. Forget the last decade-plus of mediocrity and suckitude (hard to do, I know). We basically have the beginning of Spurs East... but in a fantastic fckin city to live in and with a built-in rivalry with the most glamorous team in the league.The future is bright, friends. What's not to love??

- Ferry didn't work a "financial miracle". He simply traded away our 6 time All-Star to a team that believed that he still had a lot of value and could help them do big things in the future.

- Coach Bud is definitely an accomplished assistant coach.

- This ownership group will get credit for spending money, when they go well into the Luxury Tax. What they're doing now, is easy.

- True.

- False. We've had a top 10 caliber team in ATL for about 3 - 4 years now, and it didn't translate into more National TV appearances. We will only get more exposure on National TV when we land a superstar(s) or get to the NBA Finals. Even this run by the Pacers isn't going to translate into a lot more National TV for them, because the Pacers have a small fan base. They'll have to win the title in order for their exposure on TV to really increase.

- Players like to "play" in Atlanta. They like to "live" in Atlanta. They don't necessarily clamor to play AND live in Atlanta.

Let's just let all of this play out. Don't get your hopes up about what "could be", then come crashing down because it didn't happen.

[AHawks89]

- Ferry didn't work a "financial miracle". He simply traded away our 6 time All-Star to a team that believed that he still had a lot of value and could help them do big things in the future.

- Coach Bud is definitely an accomplished assistant coach.

- This ownership group will get credit for spending money, when they go well into the Luxury Tax. What they're doing now, is easy.

- True.

- False. We've had a top 10 caliber team in ATL for about 3 - 4 years now, and it didn't translate into more National TV appearances. We will only get more exposure on National TV when we land a superstar(s) or get to the NBA Finals. Even this run by the Pacers isn't going to translate into a lot more National TV for them, because the Pacers have a small fan base. They'll have to win the title in order for their exposure on TV to really increase.

- Players like to "play" in Atlanta. They like to "live" in Atlanta. They don't necessarily clamor to play AND live in Atlanta.

Let's just let all of this play out. Don't get your hopes up about what "could be", then come crashing down because it didn't happen.

Fixed. He did indeed fix a financial miracle.

Edited June 1, 2013 by AHawks89

[tbhawksfan]

You have to move forward. What we had the past few semi-successful years wasn't good enough and wasn't going to be. I like the way they are reshapping the franchise.The line has been clearly drawn and we are at a major crossroads. ASG has assembled a very repectable leadership, we have Horford, Teague a couple nice pieces, 2 mid firsts and seconds and major financial flexibility in a nice deep FAcy.It's a good time to be positive and optimistic as a Hawks fan.Ferry has already done very well in ditching the second worst contract in the league in a declining and never great JJ and an expensive and mediocre Marvin. We have a top 20 big, a nice PG and a couple of young guys that can definately play to a role.I think Ferry is a guy that can have and stick to a good plan and that Budhlz can coach them up right. ASG was able to bring these respected guys in. The Hawks fan in me is smiling and looking for a new and better future.

[Guest Walter]

Fixed. He did indeed fix a financial miracle.

Ferry traded the worst contract in the nba and 2 years of MW in one week = miracle...oh, and without costing us many wins.W

[DrReality]

He did what most of us thought couldn't be done, regardless of what you call it.

[DrReality]

whatever you call it, he did what most of us thought could not be done. After how many days on the job?

[TheNorthCydeRises]

whatever you call it, he did what most of us thought could not be done. After how many days on the job?

It could definitely be done. It was always going to be a big money team who made a play for JJ, if the Hawks wanted to deal him. I thought it would come going into Years 5 and 6 of his deal, not going into Year 3.

Now I'll give you the speed in which it got done, was incredible. The JJ deal was a rumor on late Saturday night and a reality by early Monday morning. The Marvin deal came like a bolt of lightning. Absolutely no one saw that coming.

But even that deal, it was Utah that saw value in Marvin. They desperately needed a wing who could shoot the 3. Marvin shot 39% from 3 in 2011 - 12 and 50% from 3 in the playoffs vs the Celtics. Utah took a gamble by trading a player they were unhappy with, and it failed.

Ferry doesn't get major props for dealing those them to two teams who saw value in them. He gets major props for how quick he did it. Let's hope he works that quick once this offseason begins, and locks in the guys that he's targeting.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

As for the topic, I'll admit that the Hawks seem to have every scenario that they need break their way, happening the way it needs to be happening.

What we need now, is some sort of rift or controversy between Griffin and Paul . . . and Kobe and Dwight. Once that happens, we could definitely see one or both of those guys not coming back to their old team. Things will get very interesting then.

[Buzzard]

Allow yourself to dream just for a sec...

Now take a look at what we've got. Forget the last decade-plus of mediocrity and suckitude (hard to do, I know). We basically have the beginning of Spurs East... but in a fantastic fckin city to live in and with a built-in rivalry with the most glamorous team in the league.The future is bright, friends. What's not to love??

I like this thought man. We will be a remade team at the start of next season.

[yungsta]

this is going to be the biggest offseason in hawks history. This offseason is going to determine the direction this franchise is heading in for the next 3,4,5 years.

[LamarHampton]

I hear ya. This is most definitely the most exciting offseason in a long time. I'm honestly more excited about the next few months than I was during the playoffs - and I had GREAT freakin seats.

[NBASupes]

No one liked or cared about our team in the last 15 years. Saying we were in the top 10 is crazy because everyone knew we didn't have a shot in hell.

CP3 is excellent at running offenses, PnR, PnP, get the ball where the offensive player likes it, and he has the ability to carry a team and is extremely effiecent.

Issues are his size and he can be a bit ball dominate if he is around players who lack movement.

Horford is one of the best two way PF's in the NBA. He is excellent at movement. He has elite BBIQ and has a great jumper. Struggles at creating his own shot. Very similar to Karl Malone from a skill-set, ability, and advance stats standpoint. Doesn't have a worthy PG so his lack of offense in comparison to Malone is more personnel based than talent base.

Issues are his rim protection, mechaincal moves, and his ability to create his own offense.

Dwight is an elite help side defender and protects the lane better than anyone with elite BBIQ. He is very good in the post, does a decent job passing out of the double and is an elite rebounder with elite athletic ability.

Issues are he is turnover prone and can be easily defended if you do not have shooters. He does move well within an offense but needs a lot of touches and usage.

Dwight, CP3, and Horford are all extremely effecient. All of them bring different skills to the table. All are half court players who have the ability to run the fast break. This would be more like the Boston Big three than Miami's but the talent level might be off the charts. Al gets much better with CP3 and he becomes one of the best players in the NBA. CP3 is a top 5 player as well as Dwight. This makes Atlanta beyond elite. With shooters like Jenkins, scorers like Lou, and movement players off the bench like Scott, this squad is built to dominate the NBA. The size is there, the fact that there is no clear #1 option is amazing as they can all buy into the system Bud has in mind. This would be the best team since the Chicago Bulls of the 90's.

[TheFuzz]

No one liked or cared about our team in the last 15 years. Saying we were in the top 10 is crazy because everyone knew we didn't have a shot in hell.

CP3 is excellent at running offenses, PnR, PnP, get the ball where the offensive player likes it, and he has the ability to carry a team and is extremely effiecent.

Issues are his size and he can be a bit ball dominate if he is around players who lack movement.

Horford is one of the best two way PF's in the NBA. He is excellent at movement. He has elite BBIQ and has a great jumper. Struggles at creating his own shot. Very similar to Karl Malone from a skill-set, ability, and advance stats standpoint. Doesn't have a worthy PG so his lack of offense in comparison to Malone is more personnel based than talent base.

Issues are his rim protection, mechaincal moves, and his ability to create his own offense.

Dwight is an elite help side defender and protects the lane better than anyone with elite BBIQ. He is very good in the post, does a decent job passing out of the double and is an elite rebounder with elite athletic ability.

Issues are he is turnover prone and can be easily defended if you do not have shooters. He does move well within an offense but needs a lot of touches and usage.

Dwight, CP3, and Horford are all extremely effecient. All of them bring different skills to the table. All are half court players who have the ability to run the fast break. This would be more like the Boston Big three than Miami's but the talent level might be off the charts. Al gets much better with CP3 and he becomes one of the best players in the NBA. CP3 is a top 5 player as well as Dwight. This makes Atlanta beyond elite. With shooters like Jenkins, scorers like Lou, and movement players off the bench like Scott, this squad is built to dominate the NBA. The size is there, the fact that there is no clear #1 option is amazing as they can all buy into the system Bud has in mind. This would be the best team since the Chicago Bulls of the 90's.

I like your enthusiasm, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. First we have to actually get these players (unlikely) and then we have to win with them, let alone be better than the current Heat, the prime Duncan Spurs or the Shaq Lakers.

[NBASupes]

I like your enthusiasm, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. First we have to actually get these players (unlikely) and then we have to win with them, let alone be better than the current Heat, the prime Duncan Spurs or the Shaq Lakers.

I go off of fits,talent, analytics, and coaching. While I am not sure how good Bud is, this personnel is the best fit since Boston Big three but the personnel is all in their prime. Therefore their ceiling will last for the next 5 years. It will be hard to beat this team. They really don't have any flaws. Offensively or defensively. Not saying anyone can coach this team but a lot of coaches can be seen as elite with these guys. Now an elite coach will make this team impossible to beat with a chance to win more than 65 games. If your big three fits extremely well, the role players fit (lacking starting role playing SF) and boom! Unlike the Heat, their is no redunacy with these three like their was with Wade and Lebron.

[PaceRam]

He did what most of us thought couldn't be done, regardless of what you call it.

Agreed!

[Guest Walter]

Ferry doesn't get major props for dealing those them to two teams who saw value in them. He gets major props for how quick he did it. Let's hope he works that quick once this offseason begins, and locks in the guys that he's targeting.

This is a bunch of gibberish. By definition any team that makes a trade "finds value" in it. Given this fact, NO trade is better or worse for the OTHER team (the Hawks in this case), much less "major props" for it. THAT nonsense is not the case. Ferry didn't JUST make deals other teams already wanted. Ferry made a deal no one thought possible! He traded the worst contract in the nba. Period. He got a first rder, expirings for it. Once he did it we all discovered it WAS possible, but before nobody believed a team would "find value" in paying jj $25 mil at the age of 35. NOBODY! Give the man his due. He made a deal you never thought possible. Otherwise prove you saw this possibility before Danny Ferry proved to you the impossible was possible.W

[yungsta]

its more impressive how he dealt 1 of the worst contracts in the nba during this new CBA that severely punishes teams that are over the cap.