My honest assessment of the Hawks right now!

[thecampster]

As a few of you know, I haven't been very high on the Hawks the last few seasons or the decisions they made that got us into the tanking mess.  But I have hope, real hope for the first time in a long time.  

Chris Domino from 680 the fan often says about other teams players, that he always looks at other teams and says, "I wish I had me one of those but I never look at Atlanta and see players other teams say, they wish they had what we have".  I've coveted Len for a few years now and hated how he was treated in Phoenix.  I loved the Prince draft pick and openly campaigned for the Hawks to skip the big names and to draft Trae Young. I would look at other teams and say, "why don't we have a big who can do XYZ" or "None of our guys finish like "that guy" or play hard like "him"". I am losing it over this team's potential.

Not only does this team look "different" than Hawks teams of the past. Not only do they look more fun, faster, exciting, but they're nice guys. They are good guys who like each other and who the fans can relate to. I don't see a thug culture.  I see tats, I hear music but I don't hear then dropping F-bombs on missed layups, missed foul calls. I don't see them yelling at the refs and I do see them running back on D. I don't see the personality conflicts like existed between Dennis and Al, Dennis and Dwight, Smith and Woodson, Delaney and anyone else who could shoot while he was on the floor.  Our coaches first act was not getting a DUI but getting in the gym and challenging a potential draft pick to see what he had. Gone are the days of a coach sitting on his hands when getting a tech for his guy is exactly what he needs to do (not 2 quarters too late when the game is already out of hand). Gone are the days of walking next to a rolling ball all the way to half court because you think it looks cool, all the while the defense has all the time in the world to set up. No, these guys give up a basket and they're moving like its a fast break.  Even Steve Holmann was having a hard time calling the game on the radio last night, caught between excitement and no time to set up to call the next possession.  These guys are fun, they like each other and they look like good representatives of the ATL.

But wait...there's more.  Going forward, we are extremely cap friendly. Gone are the days where we can't afford a free agent or can't afford to resign our guy. We're in great shape for the next 3-4 years.  We're not winning any championships this year, but I like us. Even during the 60 win season, I had doubts, saw flaws. For the first time in a very long time, I like us. I really like our guys.

[Gray Mule]

I recently saw where someone said, "I really don't like Alex Len and don't understand why the Hawks wasted their time and money on him.  He's already proven with his former team that he's no good."

Gee.  Wonder what tree he fell out of?  Our new center sure looks like a solid back up, possible starter, to poor, dumb old me.  Maybe it's the team and coaching that makes some players look good or bad.

Read where Vince Carter said that these pre season games ARE important, especially to a young team because here, they learn to play together and how it feels to win!  Personally, that sounds wise to me.

[Peoriabird]

We don't look like the worst team in the league

Trae Young does not look like a mistake

Lloyd Pierce looks like a legitimate coach

@KB21We will win more than 18 games this season!

[macdaddy]

It's the difference of having a star.   

[Bonkers]

Thug Culture???

 

When has there ever been a Thug Culture here???

 

U using code words (Thug) for something else

[bleachkit]

58 minutes ago, Bonkers said:

Thug Culture???

 

When has there ever been a Thug Culture here???

 

U using code words (Thug) for something else

I think he's taking about attitude. Trae Young is genuinely nice guy, which makes him ready to root for. As opposed to a star that is kinda an a-hole, like John Wall for example.

[Macknsweetjones]

1 hour ago, Bonkers said:

Thug Culture???

 

When has there ever been a Thug Culture here???

 

U using code words (Thug) for something else

Poster sound like an undercover racist...thug is code for the N word he’s not fooling anyone. 

[Macknsweetjones]

1 minute ago, bleachkit said:

I think he's taking about attitude. Trae Young is genuinely nice guy, which makes him ready to root for. As opposed to a star that is kinda an a-hole, like John Wall for example.

Same John Wall that is active in DC communities ? Nobody have to be nice on the court..majority of these guys grew up playing ball where talking that shit is apart of the culture..that’s basketball..not none of this you get a trophy and a pat on the back good boy bullshit OP is on.

[Bonkers]

12 minutes ago, Macknsweetjones said:

Poster sound like an undercover racist...thug is code for the N word he’s not fooling anyone. 

 

10 minutes ago, Macknsweetjones said:

Same John Wall that is active in DC communities ? Nobody have to be nice on the court..majority of these guys grew up playing ball where talking that shit is apart of the culture..that’s basketball..not none of this you get a trophy and a pat on the back good boy bullshit OP is on.

Cosign

Nice subtle racism there OP

[EazyRoc]

1 hour ago, Bonkers said:

Thug Culture???

 

When has there ever been a Thug Culture here???

 

U using code words (Thug) for something else

 

14 minutes ago, Macknsweetjones said:

Poster sound like an undercover racist...thug is code for the N word he’s not fooling anyone. 

I’ll vouch for him and say y’all are wrong bruh. Y’all are reaching.

[bleachkit]

14 minutes ago, Macknsweetjones said:

Same John Wall that is active in DC communities ? Nobody have to be nice on the court..majority of these guys grew up playing ball where talking that shit is apart of the culture..that’s basketball..not none of this you get a trophy and a pat on the back good boy bullshit OP is on.

Personality matters. Look at what happened with Dennis. You need guys that create a positive team culture. You don't have to a be a choir boy or anything. But if you're a grumpy sour acting a-hole all the time, that really sucks for teammates and fans.

[Buzzard]

20 minutes ago, Macknsweetjones said:

Poster sound like an undercover racist...thug is code for the N word he’s not fooling anyone. 

You really need to get a grip or at least google what you are talking about so you don't look like a racist idiot yourself. Thug's origins came from India and was brought over to England dating back to the 14th Century. The word has never had anything to do with race and has always been used to define a person or persons violent and/or criminal behavior.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32538487

 

[AHF]

Modern use of the word "thug" has been frequently seen as code for criticism of blacks or outright substitution for the N word.  Let's recognize that the posters on here aren't bringing that take to the table (i.e., give each other the benefit of the doubt on this).  If we want a social discussion, take the political discussion to the politics board.  

This thread goes back on topic or gets closed out while it is on the main board.

[Macknsweetjones]

1 hour ago, Buzzard said:

You really need to get a grip or at least google what you are talking about so you don't look like a racist idiot yourself. Thug's origins came from India and was brought over to England dating back to the 14th Century. The word has never had anything to do with race and has always been used to define a person or persons violent and/or criminal behavior.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32538487

 

No you sound like a fool..I’m black I’m not an idiot I know what White people have been doing for years with using the word thug..don’t tell me shit about what I know and live only person here that’s ignorant are the people that’s taking up for this dumb banter by the OP. FOH.

[Sothron]

3 hours ago, Bonkers said:

Thug Culture???

 

When has there ever been a Thug Culture here???

 

U using code words (Thug) for something else

let's don't start this